Wandering Eyes

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

The 22nd Annual All-Thoroughbred Charity Horse Show hosted by New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program is set for May 30-June 1 at Highfields Event Center in Aiken, SC, the organization announced via press release. The largest annual fundraiser for New Vocations, the event promotes the versatility and adaptability of retired racehorses. Many industry organizations like the various HBPA chapters and individual stables or farms are returning as supporters and sponsors for the event. There will be a variety of classes for Thoroughbreds, including hunter, jumper, combined test, pleasure, in-hand, dressage and western and in-hand. A highlight of the show is the Specialty Thoroughbred Awards, which celebrate the OTTBs' achievements during their racing careers. More than 180 Thoroughbreds from across the Southeastern U.S. are expected to compete. All sponsorships, exhibitor fees and funds go directly towards New Vocations' mission of rehabilitation, retraining, and rehoming retired racehorses. For additional information, entry questions and media-related inquiries, please go here. “We are excited to welcome Thoroughbreds and their exhibitors back to compete and connect with others who share the same love and passion for the breed,” said Anna Ford, program director at New Vocations. “The support we have received for this year's show has been simply amazing. So many Thoroughbred owners, breeders, trainers, industry partners and fans have become show sponsors.” The post New Vocations Hosts 22nd Annual All-Thoroughbred Charity Horse Show in Aiken appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lakefield Farm's Doctor Dino filly topped Monday's Goffs Doncaster Spring Store Sale when going the way of the father and son team of Aiden and Olly Murphy for £120,000. One of 17 lots to make £50,000 or more, she is out of a half-sister to the Grade 1-winning chaser Le Patron. “She's gone to a fantastic trainer,” said Lakefield Farm's John Bleahen, who has sold top-notchers Copperhead, L'Astroboy and The Last Samuri as stores at Goffs Doncaster in the past. “Olly's had so many winners last season. He's on his way up and Aiden is a fantastic guy, too. They're a great team–I love them.” Reflecting on sourcing the filly, he added, “She was an easy buy. The lady I bought her off is a tough customer, and she cost quite a bit of money, but she was one you just had to have. She's from a beautiful line–she's just a queen.” The Goffs Doncaster Spring Sales continue this week with the HIT/PTP Sale on Wednesday and Thursday, with a day of inspections on Tuesday. The post Doctor Dino Filly Tops the Goffs Doncaster Spring Store Sale at £120,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Michael McCarthy said that 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

The debate will continue to rage on. Should a horse run back in the GI Preakness, just two weeks after the GI Kentucky Derby, or should they skip the Preakness and wait for the GI Belmont? What's best for the horse? What's best for the sport? This year it was Sovereignty (Into Mischief). He was a comfortable 1 1/2 length winner over Journalism (Curlin) in the Derby. But instead of running back in two weeks, his connections announced that his next start will be in the June 7 Belmont. He is owned by one of the most successful stables in the world and trainer Bill Mott is among the very best in his business. They believe that giving Sovereignty five weeks off coming into the Belmont is the right move, better than coming back in two weeks. These people didn't get to be where they are today by making mistakes. But they are going by instinct. In racing, there is no science to guide them towards what is truly the best answer for the horse and for their stables. I'm no mathematician or scientist, but I like to think that I do pretty well when it comes to having common sense. Suppose that running back in two weeks is something that is beyond the capabilities of the modern horse , then shouldn't the Preakness be dominated by the “fresh horse?” It's not. A look at the last ten runnings of the Preakness (I didn't factor the 2020 Covid Preakness into the equation) gives validity to the argument that running back in two weeks is no big deal. (*) Since 2015, six horses that ran on Derby day won the Preakness. One of those winners is 2024 Seize The Grey (Arrogate), who didn't run in the Derby but did start on Derby Day in the GII Pat Day Mile. The top three finishers in that race all were coming back on two weeks of rest. (*) There have been 75 Preakness starters that last ran in the Derby. All things being equal, those horses had a 12.5% chance of winning. (*) Since 2016 there have been 85 starters who had more than two weeks' rest entering the Derby. They won four times. That's good for a winning percentage of just 4.7%. Still, they persist. One of the worst Preaknesses in modern times occurred in 2023. Derby winner Mage (Good Magic) was the only Derby starter to run back in the Preakness, and he finished third. (*) Only 3 three Derby starters ran back in this year's Preakness and they finished 1-3, with Sandman (Tapit) running third. The first time by the grandstand in the Kentucky Derby | Coady Media You have to give credit to trainer Michael McCarthy and to the many owners who have a piece of the horse. After the Derby, they didn't go back to California and instead stayed at Churchill. They took their time and went over every inch of the horse. Horsemen like to say “We'll let the horse tell us what to do.” McCarthy saw a healthy horse that didn't seem to be ill-affected by the Derby and found no reason not to run him. Journalism was telling him to run in the Preakness. The end result is that they have well-bred, two-time Grade I winner and has already earned $2,680,000 this year alone. Sometimes people care about nothing other than a horse's stud value. Not only did the owners get their share of a $2 million horse, they increased his value as a stud considerably. So many horses passing Triple Crown races is bad for the game and bad for the Triple Crown. I fear the time will come, and come fast, where a Derby winner almost never runs in the Preakness. The Triple Crown has been weakened by this trend and we can't allow it to get any worse. In 2024, the Stronach Group threw out a trial balloon saying it wanted to move the Preakness back a couple of weeks. It never went anywhere because NYRA had no intention of moving the date of the Belmont. It seems they haven't taken account how the current Triple Crown format can hurt the Belmont Stakes With so many horses passing the Preakness, they always get a good field and good crowd. But it's a lot different when a Triple Crown is on the line. What they should want more than anything else is to have a horse going for the Triple Crown in the Belmont. When that happens the place goes wild. When the Triple Crown was on the line for Justify (Scat Daddy) in 2018, the attendance was 90,327. In the six Belmont since, the largest attendance was 56,217. If the Derby winner doesn't run in the Preakness (which is the case this year) NYRA can't have a Triple Crown winner. I am on the “Change the Triple Crown bandwagon.” There needs to be at least four weeks between the races. In the past, it would have been unheard of for a horse who ran well in the Derby not going in the Preakness. In 1948, Citation won the Derby and the Preakness. In that year there were four weeks between the Preakness and Belmont. Trainer Jimmy Jones was apparently worried that there was too much time between races. So, in between the Preakness and the Belmont, he ran Citation in the Jersey Derby at Garden State as a prep for the Belmont. How things have changed. Credit: Jeff Snyder/MJC For His Ride on Goal Oriented, Prat Deserves Days Maybe it was because Goal Oriented (Not This Time) finished fourth or maybe its because many stewards seem afraid to take a horse down in a Triple Crown race. But Flavien Prat's ride on Goal Oriented deserves a suspension, and maybe a lengthy one. In upper stretch Journalism started to make his run along the rail. He had Goal Oriented on the outside of him and Clever Again (American Pharoah) to his inside. Prat was trying to be aggressive with a horse who was probably out of gas and steered his mount straight into Journalism. He bumped him so hard that jockey Umberto Rispoli couldn't avoid crashing into Clever Again, who was eased. It's amazing that Rispoli didn't go down. After the bumping incident, it appeared that Journalism was too far behind to catch Gosger (Nyquist), but he flew home inside the final 40 yards and caught him. Things went so badly for Clever Again that he was eased. The stewards did post an inquiry, but the lights blinked for, what, two minutes? They couldn't have possibly taken a thorough look at the incident in such a short period of time. The post Week In Review: According to the Numbers, Running in the Preakness is the Right Way to Go appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Barry Bowditch, managing director at Magic Millions, has urged international buyers to take a peek at the riches on offer at the upcoming Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale and capitalise on what he says is outstanding value on offer. Not only is Bowditch referring to the favourable exchange rate to anyone rocking up to Magic Millions with US dollars, euros or pounds, but he also acknowledged that for whatever reason, broodmares Down Under fail to fetch a premium compared to other jurisdictions. Therein lies the value for international players. The broodmare sale takes place on May 27 and 28 and features a host of Group 1-winning mares with pedigrees to die for. Asked to nominate just one as a potential sale-topper within the stellar cast, Bowditch put forward Zougotcha, a multiple Group 1-winning daughter of Zoustar, who is one of many Chris Waller-trained graduates that are expected to light up the sales ring. He said, “Zougotcha is a complete and utter standout. She's an outstandingly-bred Zoustar mare who has won three Group 1s. It is a pedigree that is extremely commercial and this mare has all of the performances under her belt to make her a hot commodity. She has just retired recently having been trained by Chris Waller and, if you were to rank all of the mares who have gone to market in this part of the world this year, in our opinion she is the number one seed.” Bowditch added, “Quality mares this side of the world are incredibly cheap compared to when you walk into a sales ring in Tattersalls, Keeneland or anywhere else in the world really. And that's before you even consider the exchange rate. The international player has a serious advantage and, when you take into account how the industry is performing down here, it's an extraordinarily buoyant industry so these mares are extremely cheap in comparison to other jurisdictions. Whether that be Zougotcha or even Imperatriz, who was a ten-time Group 1 winner and sold for A$6.6 last year, these mares are certainly cheap and all international buyers should be paying attention to our sale.” The Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale is not just a concentration of Australian pedigrees, either. A host of international superstars have progeny on show and Bowdwitch is confident that the catalogue will appeal to buyers from all over the world. He said, “It is an important sale in this part of the world and, when you look at the broodmare catalogue, we've a dozen or so Group 1 winners and then there are 160 stakes-performing horses within the catalogue on the whole. It shows that you can come to our sale with confidence and know that there is plenty of variety on offer and plenty of opportunity as well.” He added, “We also have mares in foal to some of the best sires in the world – I Am Invincible, Zoustar, Extreme Choice and Too Darn Hot – so it is a sale for everyone. There are a couple of other big names worth noting, including supplementary entry Lady Laguna. Again, she is a Group 1 winner and is still racing – actually ran in a Group 1 on Saturday. She is a young mare with great bloodlines being out of an Encosta De Lago mare. These are outstanding bloodlines and she is a mare who will be well sought after. Then you have Atishu, who is a star mare. A three-time Group 1 winner, she is a winner of 11 races in total and is by Savabeel. Again, this is another mare to retire from the Chris Waller stable and she will have huge appeal.” On some of the faces that might show up to the sale this week, he concluded, “We are engaging globally with a number of international clients who are known to us as well as clientele that are known to the market more generally. We're hopeful of having good international participation. Whether that's from America, Europe, Japan or possibly the Middle East, we hope to have engaged with a great cross section of buyers not just on the big mares, but on the middle market as well. And that's the beautiful thing about our sale – as much as we have plenty of stock at the elite level, there is something there at every price point.” The post Bowditch Urges International Buyers To Capitalise On Value On Offer At Magic Millions appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GI Preakness Stakes winner Journalism (Curlin) departed the Pimlico backstretch Monday morning on a van bound for Saratoga, where he will train towards a possible appearance in the third and final leg of the Triple Crown, the GI Belmont Stakes over a mile and a quarter on Saturday, June 7. Trainer Michael McCarthy revealed the news when a guest on At The Races With Steve Byk on satellite radio Monday morning. One day after winning the Preakness in breathtaking style, part-owner Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and McCarthy indicated that no decision had been made on the Belmont and that the son of Mopotism (Uncle Mo) could make the trip up to Saratoga or return to Churchill Downs in the interim. “It seems a little counterproductive to go 12 hours by van back to Kentucky to head back to New York, whether it be by plane or van,” McCarthy told the Pimlico notes team on Sunday. In the Belmont, Journalism could face a rematch with his GI Kentucky Derby conqueror Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and third-place getter Baeza (McKinzie), each of whom returned to the worktab over the past weekend after taking a pass on a trip to Old Hilltop. The post Journalism Heads To Saratoga, Belmont Decision Still Pending appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chapel Stud's Bangkok was the latest first-crop sire off the mark on Monday as his son Rising Empire captured Windsor's six-furlong maiden. Michael Blencowe and Dahlbury Racing's 4-6 favourite, who had been fourth at Leicester on debut last month, raced behind the leader Dapper Charm throughout the early stages before easing out of his pocket to overhaul that rival in the final 100 yards. At the line, the Andrew Balding-trained 17,000gns Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale graduate had half a length to spare over that son of Dandy Man. A first winner for Bangkok as a sire! Rising Empire battles to victory at @WindsorRaces for @AndrewBalding2 and it's a quick double for @oismurphy… pic.twitter.com/vh1DdCYlpR — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 19, 2025 The post First Winner For Bangkok As Rising Empire Strikes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Knowing when a horse is ready to take a step up and when it's time to take a step back–it's one of the fundamentals of training. Get it right and you get rewarded. Get it wrong and, well, you'll likely know pretty quickly. Some trainers just seem to have a feel for where that line is, a sense of when to ask for more and when the horse might need a little more time and preparation. Cherie DeVaux is learning to hone that intuition. “It is a balance to be patient or know when it's okay to push,” DeVaux acknowledged. “I'm not immune to losing sight of that. Sometimes we'll take a chance thinking the horse can do it, but then in hindsight I'll say, 'Did I think the horse could do it or was I wanting the horse to do it?' I've learned over the many years of doing this myself and doing it as an assistant that if you're not patient and you don't put the horse first, you're not going to get rewarded.” This spring, DeVaux had a promising filly on the Kentucky Oaks trail in Ahavah (City of Light), the half-sister to Grade I winner Vahva (Gun Runner). After a sharp debut and a runner-up effort behind Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks, the filly incurred a setback. Maybe she could have still made it to the Oaks, but DeVaux decided it was too much to ask of the 3-year-old in her third start and chose to take a step back with her. Four years ago, DeVaux had another filly in a similar position–talented and lightly raced–who took a different route. Tarabi (First Samurai) scored in her 2-year-old debut and then finished second in the GI Spinaway Stakes. After recovering from a minor infection that set her back several weeks, the Breeders' Cup was still on the table. DeVaux called her mentor, trainer Chuck Simon, who leaned toward taking the conservative option. She spoke with another trainer and advisor, John Sadler, who thought Tarabi's numbers would make her competitive. With differing opinions in hand, DeVaux went with her gut. Her instincts proved correct when Tarabi finished third behind Echo Zulu (Gun Runner) in the 2021 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, putting in a fine showing for DeVaux's World Championship debut. The race marked a milestone moment for DeVaux, who launched her stable in 2018, but the experience left her determined to return to the Breeders' Cup and do things differently the next time around. DeVaux and Jose Ortiz celebrate their Breeders' Cup victory with More Than Looks | Breeders' Cup Eclipse Sportswire “When you go there, you're bright-eyed and bushy tailed and there's so much action and so much going on,” she recalled. “I was a lot more nervous and had a lot more pressure going in. After that year, I promised myself that if I was fortunate enough to go again, I would focus more on enjoying it than just being nervous and worried, because that's not going to change anything.” DeVaux returned to the Breeders' Cup in 2023 and again in 2024, where she came in with a strong hand of four starters. More Than Looks (More Than Ready) was the one that got the job done, giving DeVaux her first Breeders' Cup victory and, once again, underscoring the value of trusting her intuition. A late-rallying sixth in the 2023 GI Breeders' Cup Mile, More Than Looks hit one roadblock after another as he attempted to launch his 4-year-old campaign last year. Injury and weather-related setbacks kept him on the sidelines until August, but DeVaux mapped out a plan that would get the Victory Racing Partners-owned colt back to the Breeders' Cup as his third start off a nine-month break. “Throughout the process there were a lot of conversations with [Victory Racing managing partner] Anthony Bartolo about different paths to go,” explained DeVaux. “I told him that we were just going to stick to the plan. The plan was to win the Breeders' Cup. So walking out to the paddock that day, it's the time when I'm nervous and everyone is around, and all I could think was, 'God, I hope the plan works out.'” When More Than Looks swept past rivals around the final turn at Del Mar and crossed the wire in front, DeVaux's thoughts immediately turned to her old friend Chuck Simon, who had passed away just two months earlier. Simon had played a pivotal role in launching her career. While studying pre-med in college, DeVaux got a job hot walking for Simon, who had once worked for her father at the harness track. Simon took her under his wing, first as an exercise rider and then as his assistant trainer. DeVaux and She Feels Pretty at Keeneland | Katie Petrunyak “He always joked with me and said, 'I wish I had money and then I can retire and you could train all my horses,'” DeVaux recalled. “He would say that I was better than he was. I don't know if he meant it or if he was just being nice, but that's really where I got my start.” After six years working for Simon and eight with Chad Brown, DeVaux launched her stable. From the outside, her rise to through the training ranks has seemed relatively swift over the past seven years, but the early stretch of her career was anything but an instant success. “It took me almost a full year to win my first race and that was a really hard pill to swallow,” she admitted. “If you want to know about your fortitude and your tenacity, going from a juggernaut of where I was working and then going on my own was definitely testing. I had faith it would all work out, maybe blindly, but in the moment it was quite hard to fathom that we would be where we're at now as a stable.” After working with Breeders' Cup champions like Good Magic (Curlin), Rushing Fall (More Than Ready) and Lady Eli (Divine Park) during her time with Brown, DeVaux now considers her first Breeders' Cup win an important benchmark in her career. “I'm going to be honest and say that I didn't really think it would happen so quickly,” she admitted. “It's something that I can say I lost sight of when I worked for Chad, just because we had won a lot. Then you get humbled quickly when you go on your own and any race is hard to win, much less a stakes race and much less a championship race.” Before saddling her first Breeders' Cup runner in 2021 with Tarabi, DeVaux had only attended the event once before with Lady Eli. While working for Brown, DeVaux was responsible for heading up Brown's New York division during Breeders' Cup week, so most years she would watch the action from Belmont Park. “If I could go back and have coffee with that person that was sitting watching it from a TV, I would say to just really enjoy it when it happens because it's not that easy,” DeVaux reflected. “I definitely feel like I took a lot of experiences for granted and it's a goal now being on my own to not do that. I don't think it can be underestimated the number of disappointments, the highs, the lows and the preparation it takes to get there.” DeVaux has her sights set on a return to the Breeders' Cup this fall. Vahva (Gun Runner) could be in the mix for the Filly and Mare Sprint if she can return to her winning ways, turf star She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}) has looked nearly unstoppable in her last three starts, and of course there are plenty of other talented trainees waiting in the wings. Success has brought validation, but DeVaux remains focused on trusting her instincts as she builds on her stable's momentum and navigates its next phase of growth. “One of my core beliefs as a trainer is to treat each horse as an individual,” she said. “Part of when you're growing your stable and you win races is you get more interest from clients, so it's a balance of how big is too big and where are you comfortable with the growth of your stable. That's really what my focus is every day–how we can continue doing what we've done to make us successful and make it better. Obviously I want to win many Breeders' Cups. I want our team to enjoy many highs. My goal is to continue what we're doing, but keep it at the highest quality we can.” The post Breeders’ Cup Breakthrough: DeVaux’s Rise Fueled by Patience and Purpose appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2025 Thoroughbred racing season draw to a close May 14 with the last of a 28-day racing season that saw an increased average field size and strong competition across the board. Mister Omaha, a 3-year-old son of Omaha Beach, was named the 2025 horse of the meet at the Claremont, Oklahoma, oval with a four-length victory in the six-furlong Welder Stakes (NBT) in March and an 18 1/4-length romp in the Will Rogers Downs Handicap (NBT) over a mile on Kentucky Derby day May 3. His trainer Joe Offolter took home honors as the leading trainer of the meet with 14 wins from 67 starters, while Bryan Hook, owner and breeder of Mister Omaha, was the meet's leading owner with a mark of 10-13-4 from 48 starters and earnings of $276,000. Alfredo Triana, Jr. was the leading jockey with 27 wins from 164 rides, six better than Richard Eramia and Elvin Gonzalez. “One of the biggest positives this season was how spread out the wins were across the board,” said John Lies (pronounced Lees), racing secretary, announcer and oddsmaker at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs. “We didn't see only two or three big barns dominating the winners' circle–almost every one won more than a few races. Even the trainer division was contentious from day one and went right down to the last race in determining the season's leader. “Mister Omaha is one to watch as he steps up to take on graded stakes outside of Oklahoma this year,” added Lies. “His win in the Will Rogers Handicap was a cut above the typical stakes-winning performances we expect in Claremore. Overall, it headlined our most shining moments in the stakes and handicap divisions this year.” The post Increased Average Field Size, Plenty of Competition Highlight Season at Will Rogers Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Claiborne Farm and Lane's End Farm will return as the co-sponsors of the Former Broodmare division at the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium Oct. 8-11 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The Former Broodmare division offers a competition avenue at the Makeover for recently retired broodmares to compete alongside the traditional retiring racehorse division in all 10 offered disciplines. Broodmares are pinned and recognized separately, competing for their own pot of $10,000 in prize money. “At Claiborne, we've always believed in supporting the full journey of a horse–from the foaling barn, to finish line, to retirement,” said Claiborne president Walker Hancock. “Supporting the Former Broodmare division is an extension of that commitment, helping ensure these mares have the visibility and opportunity they deserve as they begin a new chapter of their lives.” Added Lane's End's Bill Farish: “Lane's End is proud to once again sponsor the Former Broodmare division at the Thoroughbred Makeover, and support the Retired Racehorse Project's tireless efforts to raise the profile of aftercare, showcasing the diverse talents of the off-the-track athlete. The concept of a broodmare division is a unique opportunity, giving more mares purpose, and helps to highlight their abilities beyond their breeding career.” The 2024 class of former broodmares at the Makeover included 20 mares registered for competition, with an average age of 10. While close to half of the class was retired from breeding for reasons unknown to the participating trainers, about a third of the class retired due to reproductive issues, rather than advanced age or lack of success of offspring either commercially or on the track. The Former Broodmare division is also supported by Maryland Horse Breeders Association. Eligible broodmares will have produced a foal or have been bred in the 2023 breeding season or after, as reported by The Jockey Club, and need to have had one lifetime start or published work. They may not have had prior shows or competitions before December 1, 2024, when training for the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover opened across all divisions. Late applications are still being accepted through June 27 for the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover; learn more about the Former Broodmare division, eligibility requirements and the Thoroughbred Makeover at TheRRP.org. The post Claiborne, Lane’s End Return as Co-Sponsors Of TB Makeover Former Broodmare Division appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horse racing frequently talks about the importance of fan building, ownership development and growing our workforce. But imagine if the leading organizations in Thoroughbred racing truly joined forces to invest in tomorrow's fans, workforce, and owners. That's exactly what the golf industry did in 1997. The USGA, LPGA, Masters Tournament, PGA of America, and PGA TOUR collaborated to launch First Tee, a youth development non-profit with a mission to make golf accessible and affordable for all children. The USGA alone committed $3 million in the program's first three years–an amount equivalent to $6 million today. First Tee now reaches over 3.1 million youth annually through 150 U.S. chapters and international affiliates. Their programs don't just teach golf–they build character, promote healthy choices and foster lifelong connections to the sport. A 2015 survey found that 90% of First Tee alums are lifelong golfers. That's what strategic, unified investment in education looks like–and why it works. Most major sports are already doing this: The NHL and NHLPA run Future Goals, a STEM program that uses hockey to teach science and math; The NBA supports Jr. NBA and Math Hoops, blending basketball with life skills and academic learning; The NFL runs programs like Character Playbook, NFL FLAG, and Youth Education Towns–and promotes this work to millions during Super Bowl commercials. It's time racing caught up. Other equine sports are getting the message. This spring, the United States Polo Association awarded a $1- million grant to Work to Ride, a Philadelphia non-profit that uses equine sports to create education and opportunity for youth. The grant will fund a major facility expansion, helping the program serve more students and broaden the reach of the sport of polo. Meanwhile, the Thoroughbred industry–fragmented and without a national governing body–has yet to fully embrace youth education as a funding priority. Even for leading organizations, it's easy to take the stance of “it's not our job” or to believe that giving a little is enough. Since early 2023, I've served full-time as the Executive Director of Amplify Horse Racing, a Kentucky-based 501(c)(3) non-profit founded as the national youth arm of the Thoroughbred industry. We provide opportunities for young people from all states to engage through education, mentorship, and career development. We pair students with mentors both virtually and in person, host immersive events, visit classrooms and create behind-the-scenes experiences that make careers in racing tangible and attainable. Our virtual outreach includes educational social media, a podcast, a website rich with blog content and industry resources, and an upcoming video series. We're developing a high school curriculum aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and Career & Technical Education. We strive to make the Thoroughbred industry as accessible and inclusive as possible for all youth, regardless of where they live or their prior experience with horses. In 2024 alone, our tiny team of three paid employees–along with incredible support from passionate individuals who volunteer their time–reached over 28,000 people through school presentations, mentorship, community outreach and racetrack events. We accomplished this on a modest budget, using our personal vehicles to transport equipment, signage and all the tools needed to deliver programming across multiple states. Several organizations are doing essential work to engage youth and young adults at the regional level. But the reality is this: Amplify Horse Racing is the only organization taking a unified, national approach to educate and connect young people with entry-level pathways into the sport. What's needed now is coordinated investment. We're doing the work, but we can't do it alone. To make our programming more efficient and accessible as we expand nationwide, we launched the IMPACT Campaign. This campaign supports curriculum development and the creation of classroom-ready materials that educators can easily integrate into their teaching. It will also enable us to establish regional chapters and grow partnerships, offering more localized opportunities for youth to engage with the industry and access valuable resources. Ultimately, the campaign will allow us to deliver consistent, high-quality programming to urban and rural communities–including those without direct access to racetracks or farms. It will expand our reach, increase efficiency and provide educators with better tools to bring horse racing to life in their classrooms. Let's be clear: horses and horse racing are not going to magically appear in schools. Someone has to write the curriculum, make the calls, coordinate the tours, attend the career fairs and build the trust of educators. That someone is Amplify. And we need your help to ensure we are as successful as First Tee. If we want young people to choose a future in horse racing–as stewards, veterinarians, grooms, owners, fans and more—we must meet them where they are. Supporting Amplify isn't charity–it's strategy. Because without the next generation, there is no future. So, do something for youth today. Share this message with industry organizations and their boards. Introduce us to someone who should hear it. I'd love to connect and share more about our programming and the impact Amplify is making–you can reach me directly at annise@amplifyhorseracing.org. Donate. Let's amplify the future of horse racing–together. The post Letter To the Editor: Annise Montplaisir, Amplify Horse Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It was announced on Monday that Tattersalls will continue as the title sponsors of the prestigious Irish Guineas Festival at the Curragh from 2026 until 2028. The partnership ensures that the Irish 2,000 Guineas, Irish 1,000 Guineas and Tattersalls Gold Cup will offer total prize-money of at least €500,000 each. “Tattersalls have been longstanding supporters of Irish racing and the Curragh Racecourse, having sponsored the Tattersalls Gold Cup since 1985 and the Irish 2,000 Guineas and Irish 1,000 Guineas since 2013 and 2015 respectively,” said Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony. “The Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival is one of the great weekends of racing within the European Flat scene and these sponsorships reflect Tattersalls' enduring support of Irish racing and breeding. Tattersalls are proud to extend our association with this flagship sponsorship to 2028 and we now look forward to an outstanding weekend of racing and to working with the Curragh Racecourse for the next three years.” The post Tattersalls Extend Irish Guineas Festival Sponsorship to 2028 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

To adapt Shakespeare on Cleopatra: “age cannot wither him, nor custom stale his infinite variety.” To be enjoying an Indian summer like this, however, Medaglia d'Oro has had to stem what often proves an inexorable tide once a stallion enters the evening of his career. For the ageism so common among breeders can be self-fulfilling. Any stallion still operating at 26 must have shown an unequivocal prowess over the years. That being so, however, he will typically have produced fashionable sons to erode his own market share. And once enough people buy into the prejudice against older sires, you get a chicken-and-egg effect. First it will show in his books, both in quality and quantity; and then, guess what, his results will dwindle accordingly. And then everyone can shake their heads and say: “There you go, just like I said. These older stallions all lose their pep.” That's not to deny that these horses can run into legitimate issues, notably diminishing fertility. But they will be managed accordingly, and the fact is that Medaglia d'Oro was already a venerable 22 when siring his current sophomores. These include not just the unbeaten GI Kentucky Oaks winner Good Cheer, but East Avenue, a Grade I winner at two foiled by just a nose at the same level this spring. Nitrogen won the GII Edgewood Stakes on the Oaks undercard, while Ballerina d'Oro had earned her own Oaks place winning the GIII Gazelle Stakes. That these horses are likely to keep thriving, moreover, was underlined on Derby day when the 6-year-old Spirit of St Louis won his second elite prize of the year in the Turf Classic. Yet Medaglia d'Oro, sire of 29 Grade I winners and 99 graded stakes winners, has been standing the last couple of years at $75,000, down from $250,000 in 2019. “When a stallion starts to get older, you need to keep ahead of the demand,” explains Darley sales manager Darren Fox. “You try to keep them just the right side of good value. The worst thing you can do is try to maintain a falsely high fee. Fall into that trap, and you find yourself having to do foal shares and/or accepting weaker mares. And then you're just going to accelerate the downslide. “The market's looking for any clue that they might be cooling down. The first hint of that, they'll flee. It's hard for a stallion to survive a sub-par book of mares at that stage of his career. So you price them to maintain demand, and quality, so that they can keep coasting forward and extend their career as long as possible.” And that's just what the Darley team has done with Medaglia d'Oro. “When he was dropped from $150,000 [in 2022], we could very easily have stopped at $125,000,” Fox remarks. “But at $100,000 we made him a no-brainer. You want to leave people an easy decision.” That creates a virtuous circle, in that those supervising his book are still able to choose, not beg. If numbers are going to be finite, anyway, how much better if you can remain selective. Last year Medaglia d'Oro was confined to 88 mares, his first two-figure book, and this time round it will have been considerably fewer. “We obviously worked with a much smaller book,” Fox says. “But the numbers feel right, both the fee and the book. Given how hot he has been, we reached capacity quite early. That was fine. He's not a horse we were going to overface at this stage. Michael Banahan [director of bloodstock] looks at everything–the fertility, the physicality, the libido–and sets a number.” That fertility is understandably beginning to ebb: the last documented yield, from 101 mares covered in 2023, was 63 live foals. By the same token, breeders will want to hurry while stocks last. Indeed, last winter we awarded gold on a TDN Value Podium. “It's fair to say that the fertility has stair-stepped down, the last few years,” Fox acknowledges. “He was just over 50% last year. But we've always said, at his age and stage, that every year is a bonus. That's been our philosophy–and we've had a lot of bonus years.” For however long he can remain active, then, the horse's managers and clientele need to work together. Let's say you would love one more Medaglia d'Oro filly, eventually to join your broodmare band. You're going to need a bit of luck, obviously–and it may have to be earned. A one-night stand might not suffice. “He's there all season long, of course, but you might need to stay the course,” says Fox. “Given that fee, relative to his performance, people will know that going in. They'll be more than happy to give a mare the three shots to try and get that pregnancy. It is what it is. Obviously his fertility is not what it was a few years ago. But we're happy with how he's performing for his age.” Critically, the libido is still there. That will make his own views very legible, when it comes to deciding his future. “There's never a formula,” Fox says. “They will tell you, and you just look for all the clues. Physically, he's still telling us, 'Bring it on!' Graham Lovatt, our stallion manager, says that he's one of the strongest horses in the breeding shed. “Our goal, at an open house, is to stand the stallion up in that center circle. But Steve Clarke–who has retired before the horse!–always said that he had to start putting the brakes on halfway down the lane, otherwise he'd overshoot the landing spot. The physicality is certainly not lacking. He walks like he's going places, a man on a mission.” And that physicality, of course, is founded in one of the most celebrated physiques around. At Keeneland last September, in fact, Medaglia d'Oro made his 56th seven-figure sale at auction. That $1.35-million colt actually brought things full circle as brother to a Horse of the Year out of their sire's debut crop. Rachel Alexandra's 20-length success in the 2009 Oaks was followed, in the 2011 running, by Plum Pretty; but the fever that sidelined Songbird in 2016 and a half-length miss by Wonder Gadot in 2018 meant that Medaglia d'Oro had to wait for Good Cheer to match the 19th century record of King Alfonso with a third Oaks winner. Those names once gave Medaglia d'Oro a reputation as a filly sire, but his elite winners have since virtually evened out: 14 male, 15 female. In terms of surface, similarly, he divides 13 on dirt against 16 on turf. And that “infinite variety” has very much become a hallmark, a vital factor in his legacy. As a son of El Prado (Ire), he has done something beyond the late Kitten's Joy as a conduit to North American dirt for the Sadler's Wells branch of the Northern Dancer dynasty. Perhaps he has been helped, in doing so, by damsire Bailjumper–giving his own sire Damascus an imprint on the breed that has otherwise proved disappointingly marginal. Bailjumper, of course, stood here at Jonabell. “And it's funny,” says Fox. “Philip Hampton, another of our stallion grooms who's retired but who spent all his working life here, said that Medaglia d'Oro's dam Cappucino Bay looked a lot like Bailjumper. And Albert and Joyce Bell from Montana, who bred and raised Medaglia d'Oro, once showed me a picture of Cappuccino Bay at 29 years of age. Now, it was the summer, she was dappled out. But if they'd said, 'What do you think of our 19-year-old mare?' I wouldn't have argued with them, she was that youthful.” While we may finally be entering a new era in transatlantic traffic, Medaglia d'Oro has served as a crucial crossover influence during a period when versatility and geographical reach were more cramped. Alongside his dirt Classic winners he has given us an Australian turf sprinter, Astern (Aus); the Hong Kong cash machine, Golden Sixty (Aus); a lightning juvenile, Bolt d'Oro; and a rare Grade I winner on both dirt and turf, Mshawish. “Remember that El Prado won the Beresford on 'Curragh soft' ground,” Fox says. “So for Medaglia d'Oro to be the elite dirt horse he was, he was just a phenom. In 17 starts, he was first or second in 15–and 14 were triple-digit Beyers! He ran 120, 119, 118, two 117s. But it explains why he's so even, turf and dirt, because he's a perfect blend.” Seeking the best of both worlds, you can end up with the worst of one. But this horse has been the grail: a physique that supported brilliance, and replicates. And his legacy only continues to grow. Young stallions out of his daughters include National Treasure, Prince of Monaco and Olympiad, while Violence is extending a male line through four sons of his own at stud. Violence's calling card seems to be speed, so again there's that variegation. The opportunities of another sprinter, Fast Anna, were tragically curtailed–but he still left us a Horse of the Year in 2024. And the filly who got closest to Good Cheer in the Oaks was by Bolt d'Oro. But the big hope, at Jonabell, is that East Avenue can someday enter the contest for the succession. “East Avenue is another with a lot of speed,” Fox notes. “He ran a good eighth in the Derby and there's definitely another big one in him. He's out of a Ghostzapper half to Cody's Wish, with a physique you would drool over, so it would be great if Medaglia could pass the torch. For any farm, there's a lot of pride in finding your own heir, the way Street Sense has carried Street Cry (Ire)'s legacy forward. And you do see a lot of his pop in East Avenue. Coming up with a good son for our program, at this stage of his career, it's great timing, a little poetic even.” But Medaglia d'Oro is not done yet. As Fox notes, it was only at 19 that he reached his peak fee. “That makes his story a little unique,” he says. “Not many elite stallions wait until that kind of age to hit a quarter-million [dollar stud fee]. Yes, he has stair-stepped down in recent years–but from such a great height, and so late in his career, that his career can continue playing out differently from most.” There's plenty of fresh blood in the Darley stallion barn, with a Derby winner to follow, but there's no doubt who remains the senior pro. “To me, one of the big common denominators with all the stallions in our barn is that they're smart,” Fox says. “You get different types, different sire-lines, but they have the mental aptitude and that's what separates them. Because talent on its own isn't enough if they can't withstand the rigors of racing and training. Medaglia d'Oro epitomizes that, and his progeny have that same intelligence. “Trainers love seeing them come into the barn. And typically whatever they show you in the mornings, they will show in the afternoons. They're just classy horses that want to do their job. And that's him. He's a pleasure to be around, a gentleman, and just the pride of the barn.” The post Old Gold Burnished For Latest Medals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last term's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner-up Aventure (Sea The Stars) had confirmed her wellbeing at ParisLongchamp last month and continued in similar vein with a comfortable win in Monday's G2 Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud. Fresh off a 2 1/2-length success in the G3 Prix Allez France at the capital's Bois de Boulogne venue, she settled into a smooth rhythm for most of this 10 1/2-furlong test. Cruising forward on the bridle in the straight, the 2-5 favourite quickened smartly to wrest control from last term's G1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) heroine Erle (Reliable Man) and familiar foe Survie (Churchill) approaching the final furlong and kept on strongly under mild urging in the closing stages to register a 1 1/4-length success from the latter. Arc runner-up Aventure shows she still has all that class with a cosy success in the Group 2 Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud! She's a top price 16/1 for this year's Arc… pic.twitter.com/UVWge9rH3x — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 19, 2025 The post Arc Runner-Up Aventure Too Good For Prix Corrida Rivals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Colin Keane says that he is delighted to have been chosen to partner Field Of Gold in Saturday's Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh. John and Thady Gosden have gone with the Irish champion jockey rather than Kieran Shoemark, who partnered the Juddmonte-owned colt to finish second in the 2,000 Guineas. Keane has already tasted Classic glory in the famous Juddmonte silks, having won the Irish 2,000 Guineas on Siskin for Lyons in 2020 and when he was booked by Ralph Beckett for Westover in the Irish Derby in 2022. “I'm delighted to be asked to ride him, he looks a very good ride going into the race, I'm very much looking forward to it,” said Keane. “The Juddmonte colours are those that growing up watching racing, you know who they are. I've been very fortunate to win two Classics wearing them and a couple more Group Ones and I'm just delighted to be asked to ride the colt at the weekend. “Winning the Irish Guineas a few years ago for Ger was one of my best days. It's such a huge race and Juddmonte hadn't long been in the yard, he was their first Group One together. “To get a horse of Siskin's calibre very early on was very special and for him to then go and win a Classic was very special, it was a brilliant day.” The post Juddmonte And The Gosdens Turn To Keane For Field Of Gold Ride In Irish Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Donnacha O'Brien has revealed that impressive Group 3 Athasi Stakes heroine Atsila will be supplemented for the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Tuesday entries stage. Atsila did not make her debut until April this year when winning at Bellewstown before taking a massive step forward when landing the Athasi Stakes at the Curragh. “The plan is to supplement her on Tuesday for the 1,000 Guineas,” O'Brien said. “Her form looks strong. To be fair to Barry [Fowler, owner] he is game for anything. It was my fault that I didn't have her in the race in the first place but he's more than happy to supplement and take a chance. I think she's entitled to be in the race.” O'Brien also plans on being represented in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas by Comanche Brave after he pushed Henri Matisse close on his seasonal return. That form was boosted when Henri Matisse did the business in the French 2,000 Guineas. “He is working very well and I think he'll probably outrun his odds,” O'Brien continued. “He's not a big horse but he's always worked like a very good horse. We're going to give him a chance in the Guineas. “We could end up going back to seven [furlongs] for the Jersey at Ascot. He's working very well so I'm happy to let him take his chance.” Stable star Porta Fortuna, a multiple Group 1 winner last year, is on course to return in the Lanwades Stud Stakes. “She's going to go to the Lanwades. She's in good form. She put on plenty of weight. Everything has gone smooth with her but she's probably taken a bit longer to get fit this year. She's probably going to take the run and then go to Ascot but she's in great form so I'm looking forward to getting her back on track.” O'Brien also mentioned that Falling Snow, by Justify out of Winter, would miss the 1,000 Guineas but should be back in the second half of the season. The post Donnacha O’Brien To Supplement Atsila For Irish 1,000 Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer praying for some rain to help his Classic Cup (1,800m) winner measure up at the elite level.View the full article

Jockey hopeful the six-year-old galloper will spend his retirement on his property.View the full article

By Michael Guerin New Zealand’s chances of having a serious Inter Dominion pacing contender this winter could be finalised at a quiet Pukekohe trial meeting on Tuesday. That is if any horse can be termed a serious contender going to Queensland to take on local champion Leap To Fame on his home track at Albion Park. The Inter Dominions move to July this year and revert to two rounds of heats on July 5 and 12 into the July 19 pacing final for A$1million. The stake increase will go some way to helping return the credibility of the series but the reality is most of New Zealand’s best pacers simply aren’t good enough to even make the trip. Merlin and Don’t Stop Dreaming are both in the paddock and not even nominated for the series while Republican Party is but won’t be going unless something happened to rule Leap To Fame out of the series. “That is why we are leaving him in for now but basically he won’t be going unless some major names, most obviously Leap To Fame, come out,” says driver Carter Dalgety. “And even then that would need to happen soon because after this week he would have been spelling too long to get him back up and fit enough for the series.” While horses like Pinseeker and Beach Ball, who has transferred to Sydney trainer Luke McCarthy, could start in the series the only Group 1-winning contender New Zealand still has is Chase A Dream. He has become the great enigma of New Zealand harness racing, wonderful some weeks but woeful others. The four-year-old doesn’t have to go down the traditional Inter Dominion path as trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon have accepted an invite to the Rising Sun on the first night of the carnival and if he wins that Three and Four-Year-Old race he will basically be invited straight into the Inter Final two weeks later. The problem is nobody, not even one of the greats of all time in Mark Purdon, knows what to expect from Chase A Dream. He was supposed to race at Alexandra Park last Friday but was too highly rated compared with his rivals so wasn’t allowed to start, so he heads to the Pukekohe trials on Tuesday along with stablemates Rubira and Akuta. Akuta has not raced in this country since 2023 because of a tendon injury. That trial is set to go at 11.45am. “At this stage Queensland is still on,” Purdon says of Chase A Dream. “He’d obviously need to trial ok and if he does he will be on a plane with Oscar Bonavena and Rubira on Sunday.” That would see the trio land in Sydney and go by road to Brisbane in the hope of gaining consistent racing leading into the series. “We are still keen to take him and Oscar will be going as this is possibly his last season and it is a big stake [A$500,000] for the trotters. “Rubira was one of our better three-year-olds until he got hurt in a trackwork incident but he will go with the two open class boys and race in the Derbies.” Purdon knows just how awesome Leap To Fame is as Chase A Dream finished second to him in his stunning Race by Betcha win at Cambridge before the latter’s form fell off a cliff. “We are hoping he can get to Queensland and get into at least one easier lead-up race away from Leap To Fame so maybe we can get his confidence back up,” says Purdon. “We toyed with the idea of not going but we still think he is good enough to be there.” Oscar Bonavena may have taken loyal punters on a rollercoaster ride this year but the Inters could be his last shot at big-time glory, especially with doubts over trotting series favourite Keayang Zahara, who is drifting to turn up in Brisbane. If the young superstar doesn’t head there then Oscar Bonavena and Rowe Cup winner Bet N Win look two of the few realistic chances in the series alongside TAB Trot winner Arcee Phoenix and highly talented Victorian mare Susan Is Her Name. While Republican Party is long odds to go to the pacer’s series his juvenile stablemate Fugitive looks certain to get a slot in the A$500,000 Ladbrokes Protostar on July 12 especially if he wins the Welcome Stakes at Addington this Friday. View the full article

Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) was proud to represent the harness racing community at the 2025 Australasian Equine Industry & Management Association (AEIMA) Animals in Emergencies and Disasters Conference, held at Massey University’s Large Animal Teaching Unit on May 9-10. The conference brought together a wide range of equine professionals — from veterinarians and scientists to welfare advocates and racing officials — to explore current challenges and innovations across the industry. HRNZ’s representative was Education and Animal Care Manager Natalie Gameson. The conference included hands-on, scenario-based training which gave the team direct insight into what it takes to respond effectively and safely to incidents involving horses during racing and equestrian events. A key message from the emergency response training was simple yet powerful: Plan collaboratively, prepare for different situations and be ready to respond. It reinforced the need for continued collaboration across all areas of the industry to ensure that horses receive the best possible care when it matters most. While we’ve made good progress, there’s still more to learn — and HRNZ is committed to being part of that ongoing improvement. Moving forward, HRNZ will continue its collaboration with the Racing Integrity Board, NZ Horse Ambulance Trust, and NZTR to ensure our practices continue to meet evolving welfare standards. This may include reviewing race day protocols, refining emergency response strategies, and advocating for resources that support horse wellbeing. At HRNZ, we know our horses are at the heart of everything we do. Whether it’s through training, emergency response, or long-term welfare initiatives, we are committed to ensuring that harness racing remains a sport that puts the welfare of the horse first. View the full article