Wandering Eyes

Trainer Lauren Robson saddled her very first winner Feb. 15, bringing a rather extensive resume with her into the Gulfstream Park winner's circle.View the full article

Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful Liberal Arts, who most recently finished third in the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park, will be aimed at the Arkansas Derby (G1) for his next start, trainer Robert Medina told Oaklawn publicity.View the full article

The plane carrying the Japanese contingent to Riyadh for next Saturday's Saudi Cup meeting touched down at King Khalid International Airport, and each of the nation's four entrants for the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup appear to have taken the flight in good order. Looking to make it back-to-back successes in the world's richest horse race following the stunning all-the-way victory by Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) last February are Japan's champion dirt horse Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid); reigning G1 Dubai World Cup winner Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}); Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits), last year's G2 UAE Derby hero and runner-up to White Abarrio (Race Day) in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic; and the MGSW/MG1SP Meisho Hario (Jpn) (Pyro). Lightly raced for a 6-year-old, with just 14 starts under his belt, Lemon Pop won last year's G1 February S. and ventured overseas for the first time for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. An outpaced 10th behind Sibelius (Not This Time), the chestnut successfully stepped up in trip and wired the G1 Champions Cup in his first try over nine furlongs last December. Connections have opted for the path of greater resistance for his seasonal debut a week from Saturday. “There's going to be plenty of competition there and that nine furlongs will test him now because we're not absolutely sure that's his best distance,” Godolphin Japan President Harry Sweeney told the TDN's Emma Berry in a recent interview. “But anyway, the option really is either to stay at home in Japan and run in the February S….or to go abroad and run in the Saudi Cup. So that's what we're doing.” Say hello to four of Team Japan's G1 Saudi Cup contenders! LEMON POP #レモンポップ DERMA SOTOGAKE #デルマソトガケ USHBA TESORO #ウシュバテソーロ MEISHO HARIO #メイショウハリオ#サウジカップ | #競馬 | @JRA_WorldRacing pic.twitter.com/iloUlALcVU — The Saudi Cup (@thesaudicup) February 15, 2024 A field of 16 will be drawn Friday for Sunday's February S., a 'Win and You're In' challenge race that offers a berth in the field for the 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. But while the February does not lack for quantity, the racing calendar dictates that the country's stars are elsewhere. “In truth, [the Saudi Cup] hurts the February S. a little bit, which is only one of two Grade 1 races in the JRA calendar on dirt,” Sweeney opined. So you have horses like Lemon Pop, Ushba Tesoro, Derma Sotogake all going to Saudi. Whereas in a different era they would all run in the February S.” The Japanese have been major players in the brief history of the Saudi Cup races, and their other main chances include defending champion Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the G2 1351 Turf Sprint; Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) in the G3 Saudi Derby; and Remake (Jpn) (Lani), who will try to improve on his third-place effort in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint. The American representatives also touched down in Riyadh late Wednesday evening, including the Saudi Cup-bound White Abarrio, National Treasure (Quality Road) and Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming). Three of Team USA's G1 Saudi Cup contenders arriving to quarantine at @JCSA_Racing. SAUDI CROWN WHITE ABARRIO NATIONAL TREASURE #TheSaudiCup | – pic.twitter.com/XMtfiinzPl — The Saudi Cup (@thesaudicup) February 15, 2024 The post Saudi Cup Runners Arrive In Riyadh From Japan, U.S. appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Lauren Robson saddled her first career winner Thursday, bringing a rather extensive resume with her into the Gulfstream Park winner's circle. “I came over from England in 2004. I worked for various, really good trainers. I was an assistant for Jonathan Sheppard, Wesley Ward and Jerry Hollendorfer,” Robson said. “I galloped for Todd Pletcher. I rode many good horses for him. There were other good trainers I worked for also, like Richard Mandella.” Robson saddled Jabran to a 3 1/2-length victory under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez in Race 2, a five-furlong maiden claiming event for 3-year-olds on Tapeta. “I'm really happy Johnny rode him. He's been a longtime friend, he and his wife Leona,” Robson said. “It's great to get the first one under my name.” A tragic accident that left her husband, former jockey Rudy Delguidice, paralyzed led Robson into training a small stable at Gulfstream. “I was in Ocala. We were breaking and training horses, and my husband had an accident and broke his neck in July 2022,” Robson recalled. “So, we came down here for him to do his rehab, and I thought to myself, 'Well, since I have these couple horses, I just may as well train them myself.'” Following her first training success on her own, Robson doesn't aspire to build a large stable in the future. “This is fun for me and my husband. He comes out in the morning to watch the horses train. It keeps him involved,” she said. “I'm hoping to get a few more, but I'm not looking to have too many. I'd like to be kind of small and be hands-on, get on my own horses and just do good with what I've got. I'd like young horses. I've learned from some good people. It makes me happy to get the best out of each individual.” Robson owns Jabran, a son of Munnings, and co-owns British Empress, a 4-year-old maiden daughter of Classic Empire. Jabran was only Robson's 10 starter dating back to Sept. 30. “When you only have two horses, it seemed to take a while,” Robson said. “I guess if you had 20 horses, it would be a week's worth of runners.” The post Lauren Robson Saddles First Winner Thursday at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Brad Cox could be represented by as many as four contenders in the March 2 $300,000 Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack. View the full article

Trainer Derek Ryan decided three months ago to point his New Jersey-bred gelding Book'em Danno to the $1.5 million Saudi Derby (G3) Feb. 24 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.View the full article

Popular California-bred Brickyard Ride (h, 7, Clubhouse Ride–Brickyard Helen, by Southern Image) has been retired at age seven after suffering a minor injury in a workout at Santa Anita late last month, trainer Craig Lewis said. “It was nothing serious,” Lewis said. “But Father Time is catching up with him.” Brickyard Ride won 13-of-31 starts, including eight stakes, and banked $925,477 for owner-breeder Alfred A. “Sonny” Pais. His resume includes a trio of graded stakes victories–the 2021 GII San Carlos S. and the GIII Kona Gold S. in both 2022 and 2023. Most recently, Brickyard Ride finished second to The Chosen Vron (Vronsky) in the California Cup Sprint Jan. 13. “He was a fun horse. A fast horse that won a lot of races,” Lewis said. “All good things come to an end. It sure was fun while he was here.” Brickyard Ride last week was sent to a farm in nearby Bradbury where he'll remain for the rest of the year. “He's going to take the year off and then go to stud somewhere next season,” Lewis said. The post Popular Cal-Bred Brickyard Ride Retired appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, Alan Carasso takes a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Kyoto and Tokyo Racecourses. Group 1 racing returns to Japan this weekend with Sunday's running of the G1 February S., whose defending champion Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid) swerves the race in favor of next weekend's G1 Saudi Cup. The co-featured Listed Hyacinth S. is the third of the four races on the Japan Road to the Triple Crown and includes the expensive US-bred 3-year-old filly Pikari (Twirling Candy): Saturday, February 17, 2024 1st-TOK, ¥10,480,000 ($70k), Maiden, 3yo, f, 1400m COLLEVILLE (JPN) (f, 3, Omaha Beach–Tiz a Chick, by Tiznow), who was purchased for $200,000 in utero by J S Company at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale, is out of an own sister to 2009 GII Demoiselle S. heroine Tizahit, who has since gone on to produce GI Ballerina S. winner Come Dancing (Malibu Moon), GSP So Darn Hot (Ghostzapper) and the dam of SW & MGSP Skipalute (Midnight Lute). This is also the female family of Tiznow's champion 2-year-old filly Folklore, multiple Eclipse Award winner Essential Quality (Tapit) and Japanese Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). B-Kazuyoshi Yamagami 4th-KYO, ¥11,850,000 ($79k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1800m KENJO (c, 3, Gun Runner–Be Fair, by Exchange Rate) is a half-brother to 2022 GI Del Mar Debutante S. winner And Tell Me Nolies (Arrogate) whose Grade III-winning and GI Apple Blossom H.-placed dam was purchased for $35,000 with this colt in utero at the 2021 OBS January Sale. An April foal, Kenjo also made an appearance at OBS, selling for $200,000 at last year's April Sale, having made $150,000 as a weanling at Keeneland November in 2021. Be Fair is a half-sister to GISW Macho Again (Macho Uno). B-Lara Run LLC (KY) 4th-TOK, ¥11,850,000 ($79k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1600m WIDE ETOILE (f, 3, Justify–Overheard, by Macho Uno) is the latest to the races for her dam, a two-time graded winner on the grass for the late Josephine Abercrombie's Pin Oak Stud and trainer Malcolm Pierce. A daughter of SW Whisper To Me (Thunder Gulch) and from the extended family of the Grade I-winning juvenile filly Confessional (Holy Bull), Overheard was purchased by Arch Bloodstock for $300,000 in foal to McKinzie out of the Pin Oak sale at Fasig-Tipton and produced a colt in 2022 who has since been sent to Russia. Overheard passed away in 2022. B-The Justify Syndicate & Pin Oak Stud LLC (KY) Sunday, February 18, 2024 9th-TOK, Hyacinth S.-Listed, ¥36,200,000 ($241k), 3yo, 1600m PIKARI (f, 3, Twirling Candy–Laudation, by Congrats) fetched $265,000 from Redwings Enterprises at the 2022 Keeneland September Sale before blossoming into a $900,000 OBS March breezer that was purchased by trainer Hideyuki Mori for owner Susumu Fujita. Placed once from three starts on the grass to begin her career, she switched to the dirt for the first time in her most recent appearance and managed to break her maiden going six furlongs (see below, SC 9). She tries a one-turn mile in this spot. Pikari's dam is a daughter of GSW Rite Moment (Vicar), herself responsible for the Group 3-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Mimi Kakushi (City of Light) and dual stakes winner Moment Is Right (Medaglia d'Oro). Woods Edge Farm acquired Laudation for $150,000 with this filly in utero at KEENOV in 2020. B-Woods Edge Farm LLC (KY) The post Twirling Candy’s $900k Pikari Steps Up To Listed Company in Japan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A time honored tradition dating back more than five decades, the 54th annual Santa Anita Jockeys vs. Holy Angels Middle School Charity Basketball Game will be held Monday, Feb. 26 at La Salle High School in Pasadena, Ca. The La Salle High gymnasium will open to the public at 6 p.m. and tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Admission tickets will be available on-site and a $5 donation will generate proceeds to the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund (PDJF) and Holy Angels athletics. A distinguished group of Hall of Fame jockeys will be on-hand beginning at 6:30 p.m. to sign posters and other memorabilia courtside. The post Santa Anita’s 54th Annual Charity Basketball Game Set for Monday, Feb. 26 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

8th-GP, $89K, Msw, 3yo, f, 1mT, 3:37 p.m. ET. Rich Shermerhorn, a real estate developer and Upstate New York neighbor of trainer Chad Brown, began buying racehorses two years ago. He purchased BORED NO MORE (Quality Road) for $700,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, which was the 10th highest yearling sold by that sire in 2022. The Brown trainee counts G3 UAE Oaks victress Nomorerichblondes (Hard Spun) as a half-sister, while dam SP Miss Luann (Unbridled's Song) is a full-sister to Catch My Eye, who is responsible for GI Gamely S. winner Maxim Rate (Exchange Rate). TJCIS PPS The post Friday’s Insights: Fasig-Tipton Grad By Quality Road Unveiled At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A promising matchup of local standouts Alpine Princess and West Omaha against dominant Golden Rod Stakes (G2) victress Intricate looms in the Feb. 17 Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course.View the full article

The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club has assembled a quality field of 11 from around the globe for the Feb. 17 H H The Amir Trophy at Al Rayyan Racecourse in Doha.View the full article

Eavesdropping (GB) (Kayf Tara {GB}) (lot 47), a two-time winner over hurdles, brought a sale-topping price of 24,000gns at the close of the Tattersalls Online February Sale on Thursday. Consigned by trainer Olly Murphy's Warren Chase Stables, Eavesdropping is a full-sister to the talented hurdler Butch (GB), who will be bidding for a fourth straight victory when he lines up in the G2 Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock on Saturday, February 17. The eight-year-old Eavesdropping was sold to Whitson Bloodstock who were acting on a positive recommendation from the mare's trainer. Following the sale, Murphy said, “Eavesdropping has been bought by my father and uncle to go to the breeding paddocks. Obviously, I have Butch, the full-brother, at home who is favourite for the Grade 2 on Saturday. She was a filly we were keen to have back if possible and she's made a nice price for her owners, Deva Racing.” Murphy also consigned the top lot from the horses-in-training section of the sale when wildcard entry Macanudo (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) (lot 84) sold to Ian Williams for 21,000gns. Manacudo was a late addition to the catalogue after opening his account at Chelmsford last week and Murphy was able to celebrate a job well done with a three-year-old he'd only had in his care since October. “Macanudo was bought for 9,000gns at Tattersalls last October,” Murphy explained. “He has won a race and doubled his price tag so we're delighted. My father and uncle own the mare so hopefully he can win more races for our home pedigree. We look forward to supporting the Tattersalls Online sales again going forward.” Three-year-old filly Pomeriggio (Ire) (Caravaggio) (lot 32), consigned by Jessica Harrington's Commonstown Stables, was the pick of the other lots from the horses-in-training section of the sale having fetched a bid of 15,500gns from Gerard O'Neill. The overall top four was completed by the 13-year-old broodmare Jufoon (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) (lot 77), who has already produced two winners from two runners and was offered in foal to Kameko. Jufoon, who was Listed-placed herself as a three-year-old, was sold to Gordian Troeller Bloodstock, on behalf of Gabe Hall, for 18,500gns. Of the 78 lots offered, 39 sold (50%) for a gross of 250,200gns. The average was 6,415gns and the median was 4,000gns. The post Eavesdropping Claims Top Spot at Tattersalls Online February Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Churchill Downs will be the host site for the 2024 Claiming Crown Nov. 16. The Claiming Crown is a partnership between the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.View the full article

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. In a race completely dominated on the front end, Corporate Power (c, 3, Curlin–Road to Victory, by Quality Road) stamped himself as one to watch finishing with interest for fourth in an absolutely stacked maiden special weight on the Pegasus World Cup undercard at Gulfstream Park Jan. 27. Out of the blocks last of 11 at debut odds of 17-1 for Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey, the Courtlandt Farms colorbearer bumped into a rival at the start and was quickly outsprinted while under a ride by Javier Castellano. Three from the back marker and taking plenty of dirt as the highly regarded firster from the Gustavo Delgado barn Victory Avenue (Arrogate) and the Todd Pletcher-trained newcomer Speak Easy (Constitution) sped through a half mile in :44.61, Corporate Power finally entered the picture advancing along the rail as they approached the top of the stretch. He continued to make steady progress racing along the fence as Speak Easy kicked clear from the aforementioned 3-2 favorite an eighth of a mile from home. Corporate Power, sporting a white shadow roll, was steered out by Castellano to avoid a tiring rival close to home and kept his mind on business from there–his gallop out past the winner on the clubhouse turn is worth a view of the replay alone–after splitting horses to cross the line 8 1/4 lengths adrift Speak Easy. Speak Easy, the recipient of a 100 Beyer Speed Figure, defeated Victory Avenue by 1 3/4 lengths at odds of 8-1. It was another 3 3/4 lengths back to second-time starter Big City (City of Light), who chased the top two throughout in third. The final time for seven furlongs was a swift 1:21.96. Corporate Power earned an 84 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort. “Those maiden races on those big days are always loaded like that,” Courtland Farm Manager Ernie Retamoza said. “We really had a ton of regard for that colt going into the race and probably even a little more coming out of it. Javier (Castellano) was really complimentary about the way that he split horses and took some kickback and kept on and galloped out. We're super excited about him getting to two turns.” Corporate Power's dam Road to Victory, a winner of her first three career starts at two, highlighted by a neck victory over subsequent two-time champion Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) in the GII Golden Rod S., brought $1.45 million from breeder Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings in foal to War Front at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton November sale. Corporate Power's sire the mighty Curlin is responsible for 56 graded/group winners worldwide. Corporate Power brought $925,000 from Donald Adam's operation on day three of the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling sale. Adam purchased 11 yearlings at the auction for a total of $8.235 million. “When we bought him, the purchase price resembles how many people liked the horse,” Retamoza said. “We had him ready to run last November–he got himself ready pretty quick–but we ended up not running him up there (in New York) and Shug (McGaughey) said, 'Let's just get him down to Florida.' We didn't run him quite as quick as we thought we might, but nonetheless, here we are and we're really happy with him.” Corporate Power returned to the worktab with a four-furlong breeze in :50.60 (28/34) at Payson Park Feb. 11. He'll make his next start in a route, Retamoza said. “Shug hasn't shared with us when yet, but it's all systems go to a two-turn spot,” Retamoza said. “We're all looking forward to that. It was a great effort to get him started. We're really excited about him.” Courtlandt Farms and McGaughey also campaign fellow sophomores Change of Command (Into Mischief) ($1.05 million yrl '22 KEESEP), a disappointing 11th in last weekend's GIII Sam F. Davis S. and 'TDN Rising Star' Conquest Warrior (City of Light) ($1 million yrl '22 KEESEP), who overcame an impossible trip to graduate impressively at second asking Jan. 13. Working bullets since, the latter will make his next start in either an allowance race Feb. 29 or the GII Fountain of Youth S. Mar. 2, per Retamoza. The 'Second Chances' Honor Roll is headed by recently crowned Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin), fellow two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) and GISWs A Mo Reay (Uncle Mo), Honor A. P. (Honor Code), Locked (Gun Runner), Paradise Woods (Union Rags) and Speaker's Corner (Street Sense). Tipsy Tammy (f, 3, Arrogate), featured in this same space Jan. 26, graduated impressively next out for trainer Phil Bauer at Fair Grounds Feb. 1. Godolphin homebred Cornishman (c, 3, Curlin), the subject of a Second Chances profile Feb. 7, is entered to make his second career start in a maiden special weight on Saturday's GII Risen Star S. program. #1 SPEAK EASY ($18.60) and #5 Victory Avenue smoked home and @iradortiz gets the son of Constitution up for a Race 2 victory at Gulfstream Park. Congratulations to the @PletcherRacing team and owners @SienaFarmKY and @WinStarFarm. pic.twitter.com/hRjmMUyV46 — TVG (@TVG) January 27, 2024 The post Second Chances: ‘It’s All Systems Go to a Two-Turn Spot’ For Pricey Son of Curlin Corporate Power appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Harness racing’s hottest new rivalry started way before punters had even heard of pacers Cold Chisel and Chase A Dream. The pair clash again in the $200,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million at Alexandra Park tonight, the richest race on the night headlined by the sales series horses and the ideal lead-in to Sunday’s Karaka yearling sales. Cold Chisel won the two-year-old Harness Million at Addington last October but was outpointed by a sensational Chase A Dream in the Sires’ Stakes Final in November and their rivalry already resembles that of their year-older stablemates Merlin and Don’t Stop Dreaming. But they have been competing for attention and dollars since well before they ever saw a sulky as quite remarkably our two best three-year-old pacers were auctioned two minutes apart two years ago. Both went through the Christchurch sale with Cold Chisel Lot 398 and Chase A Dream the very next horse through as Lot 399. Who won? Cold Chisel by a long way as he was purchased by Entain Australia boss Dean Shannon for $100,000 while Chase A Dream was passed in at $37,500 and breeder Brian West remains in his ownership with some partners. That could be the result tonight too as Cold Chisel, whose name alone assures him of a legion of fans of Aussie rock, has drawn barrier one in their 2200m mobile clash whereas Chase A Dream will start from the outside of the front line. Chase A Dream, after leading, narrowly managed to hold out Cold Chisel in their lead-up race last Friday and while both horses will improve it seems logical that with the advantage of the draw Cold Chisel is the better bet tonight. “He has the gate speed to use the barrier but we will leave it up to Zac (Butcher, driver) as to whether he tries to lead throughout or not,” says co-trainer Barry Purdon. “He has definitely improved with last week’s run. Scott (Phelan, co-trainer) drove him on Wednesday morning and couldn’t have been happier.” The Purdon/Phelan combo have done a huge job to have five of the 13 starters tonight, especially as they don’t take home truckloads of yearlings from the sales. “It is very satisfying to get that many horses to the stage they can compete in these races and I couldn’t split Better Knuckle Up (5) and Jeremiah (6) as our next best hopes.” Chase A Dream’s Sires’ Stakes win coming from last is all the proof punters need that he can still win tonight but he is probably going to need mid-race pressure which doesn’t look apparent, or Cold Chisel to get crossed at the start, which also looks unlikely. The Purdon/Phelan with Shannon owning combination have also drawn the ace in tonight’s other Harness Million race, the $150,000 Fillies’ Final, with Kiss but there is no thought from the camp of her leading. “I think Coastal Babe will probably lead from barrier two and that would put her (Kiss) in the trail and that wouldn’t be a bad thing,” says Purdon. “She should get her chance from there while our other filly Ultimate Racy Girl never goes a bad race so has to be a chance.” The way Coastal Babe ran home well from a poor draw last week suggests if she leads it will take something special to beat her tonight. Two of the best three-year-olds on show tonight aren’t actually in Harness Million races as Duchess Megxit (again for Purdon/Phelan) and We Walk By Faith meet in race 4. “Duchess Megxit is a very, very good filly but was a homebred so she is resuming tonight to get ready for the Sires’ Stakes and then the Northern Oaks,” says Purdon. “She can win but We Walk By Faith is also very good so that could come down to who has luck in the running. Five for Friday : 1: Coastal Babe (R6, No.2): Likely to lead and not cop too much pressure so looks the best multi anchor, with her $1.75 opening quote unlikely to last. 2: Sunnys Sister (R5, No.11): Has been running on strongly last two starts and steps up to 2700m tonight from 2200m last week and composition of field suits better than Cambridge two weeks ago. 3: Self Assured (R8, No.6): Merlin beat him when leading last week but no Merlin tonight and while he on a 30m handicap only giving his main rival Mach Shard 10m. Adds interest to your multi. 4: Cold Chisel (R7, No.1): One of the top 2 here and gets the ace draw so won’t have to leave the markers. It will take something special to beat him. 5: All Cashed Up (R9, No.6): Infinitely unreliable but this suits perfectly, with small and weak field and his biggest danger Castana only getting a 10m start. View the full article

Chris Wall, racing manager for owners KHK Racing, has issued a positive bulletin on last year's star juvenile Vandeek (GB) and dual Classic winner Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) as the countdown continues to the start of the Flat season on turf. The yellow-and-black-striped colours of KHK Racing have been carried to notable success since they first appeared on British racecourses in 2020 and the latest campaign was arguably the operation's best yet following the emergence of the unbeaten Vandeek, who proved himself a high-class sprinting two-year-old for Simon and Ed Crisford when signing off with back-to-back Group 1 victories in the Prix Morny at Deauville and Middle Park S. at Newmarket. By Havana Grey (GB) and out of a mare who raced exclusively at five furlongs, Vandeek looked all speed in his four starts as a juvenile and his connections have no plans to step him up in trip for a tilt at the G1 2,000 Guineas, with all roads instead leading to the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot on Friday, June 21. “Vandeek has wintered well so far and everybody is very happy with him,” Wall said of the exciting colt. “He's just started cantering away and the Sandy Lane at Haydock [on Saturday, May 25] is hopefully where we'll make our seasonal debut en route to the Commonwealth Cup. It's so far so good and hopefully the old British weather won't interfere too much with him. “It's exciting and hopefully he can build on what he achieved last year. You'd be thinking that he'd be capable of doing that looking at the type of horse he is. Physically, you'd be expecting him to strengthen and improve as a three-year-old, so we'll hope that proves to be the case.” Vandeek's big target in the first part of the season, the Commonwealth Cup, was in the news on Tuesday when it was announced that the Group 1 event was in danger of being downgraded in 2025, depending on its performance this year. Wall, who retired from the training ranks in 2022 after 36 years in that career, was clearly taken aback by the news as he said, “I would be very surprised if that was to be demoted. All races have cycles and some years where they perform better than others. I would have thought overall that the Commonwealth Cup has performed very well. I can't believe that it would be demoted just yet. “I was on the racing committee when I was still training, back in the day when that [the introduction of the Commonwealth Cup] was actioned, and we always thought it was a positive move. It hasn't been going that long, but it's had some pretty good winners in that time. You can't take too short-term a view of a race like that, you've got to give it time to work. I think it's worked well so far and I was very surprised to hear that they were thinking of demoting it.” One of the leading contenders for the 2023 running of the Commonwealth Cup was KHK Racing's Sakheer (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), who failed to meet expectations in the race itself and hasn't been seen in competitive action since. An emphatic winner of the G2 Mill Reef S. at Newbury as a two-year-old, Sakheer has stayed in training with Roger Varian according to Wall, who is hopeful that the team's patient approach will pay off when the colt returns to the track in 2024. “Sakheer just wasn't thriving last year,” said Wall. “The couple of runs he had were disappointing to say the least. We gave him a break after Ascot and tried to get him ready for an autumn campaign, but he still wasn't thriving. We couldn't find anything amiss, so we decided we'd give him time and freshen him up. “He's done well physically and another one who has strengthened and put on weight. He looks very well, but we haven't decided yet where he might go. To start with we need to get him back on the track and performing well. Then we can develop a plan from there.” More concrete plans are in place for fellow Varian trainee Eldar Eldarov, who has been a terrific servant to his connections having won the G1 St Leger at Doncaster in 2022 before doubling his top-level tally with victory in last year's Irish equivalent. Eldar Eldarov has been off the track since that success at the Curragh in September, but that has all been part of the plan, reported Wall, as the five-year-old gears up for a potential trip to Dubai next month. “Eldar Eldarov has done very well this winter and put on a lot of weight,” said Wall. “If he's performing well enough at home he may well go for the Dubai Gold Cup on World Cup night. If the weather interferes and we can't get him ready for that, then he'd make his debut like last year in the Yorkshire Cup. “There was nothing wrong with him [after the Irish St Leger]. We had pretty terrible ground everywhere and Roger Varian took the view that the horse's optimum trip is a mile and six furlongs. Although he stays two miles, he's probably better at a slightly shorter trip. The only other race he could have run in was the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day, but that was always going to be very testing ground. “We thought if we were going to have him ready for Dubai it made sense for him to have his break a bit earlier, so that he could come into training earlier in the year to get him fit enough for that, if everything goes right.” Away from the well-established names in the KHK Racing ranks, My Cloud (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) and True Cyan (Ire) (No Nay Never) also came in for a positive mention from Wall, both three-year-olds who showed plenty of ability on their respective debuts. True Cyan looks set to step up in grade having impressed when beating a pair of next-time-out winners at Newmarket in September, while My Cloud–a half-brother to the multiple Group 1-winning miler Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB})–was beaten only narrowly when having his first start at Newcastle earlier this week. “We'll probably start her off in one of the Classic trials if all is well,” Wall said of True Cyan. “We'll see what that tells us. She did win well on debut and she's a filly who, physically, you'd expect her to be a better three-year-old. She remains an exciting prospect and all the reports so far are positive. “My Cloud did everything right at Newcastle bar getting the win. It was just his lack of experience which got him beaten. He came to win his race and when he was challenged he had no idea what was expected of him until the penny dropped a bit too late. “He remains a nice prospect and he's clearly got talent. He's a big horse and you'd expect him to improve through this year. I think Roger may not throw too much at him early on, but we'll see what he can do, how he progresses, and work a plan out as we go.” The KHK Racing team earned total prize-money of £685,623 in Britain last year and that came from only 17 individual horses who carried their colours on the racecourse. Wall confirmed that there is no plan to massively expand their boutique team for 2024, preferring to focus on quality over quantity. “I don't think KHK is ever going to be about large numbers,” said Wall. “I think we'll probably be around the 20-mark for horses this year and I'm sure that Shaikh Khalid [bin Hamad Al Khalifa] will be wanting to restock at the breeze-ups where he's had quite a bit of success in the past. “We have a nice, exciting team and one or two horses still to run who are three-year-olds now and well-bred. You never know whether something might pop up out of those as well. It's an exciting time and we've got some nice horses to go to war with.” The post Vandeek Heads KHK Racing’s Class of 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tickets for this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships, held Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar, will go on sale April 22. Featuring 14 Grade I races and over $31m in purses, the 2024 World Championships bring together the world's best horses, jockeys and trainers over two days in Del Mar, CA. Fans can view ticket information here. The post Breeders’ Cup Tickets On Sale April 22 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The races, run off level weights, will offer increased prize money to horses in the early stages of their careers, with the aim of supporting the domestic breeding industry and encouraging the purchase and racing of young talent in Britain.View the full article

Edited Press Release Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 139 entries for its February Digital Sale, including phase one of the Ruis Racing LLC Dispersal. Entries may be viewed here and bidding is open now through Tuesday, Feb. 20, beginning at 2 PM ET. “Fasig-Tipton Digital continues to gather momentum and traction with buyers and sellers, evidenced by the size and quality of this February Digital Sale catalogue,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. The catalogue includes horses of racing, breeding stock, a 2-year-old, and 22 yearlings. Offerings include several recent winning and stakes-winning horses of racing age, a group of graded-stakes performing broodmare prospects and a current graded stakes producer. Covering sires include Army Mule, Epicenter, Essential Quality, Flameaway, Golden Pal, Mitole, and Not This Time. Also featured in the catalogue are breeding stock and yearlings from Phase One of the Dispersal of Ruis Racing LLC, which are consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency. The Ruis Racing LLC entries consist of breeding stock and yearlings and all are selling without reserve. The dispersal features several mares in foal to Bolt d'Oro, as well as Hard Spun, Lexitonian, and Mystic Guide. Sires of broodmares and broodmare prospects include Bolt d'Oro, Elusive Quality, Harlan's Holiday, Into Mischief, and Kingman (GB). “Phase One of the Ruis Racing LLC Dispersal adds significant interest to this catalogue,” added Aaron. “His program is truly unique in that it is a family operation that bred and trained their own horses and has had tremendous results doing so. Horses were raised and developed with one goal–to win the sport's biggest races.” Phase Two of Ruis Racing LLC's Dispersal will be conducted in Fasig-Tipton's April Digital Sale, and includes horses of racing age, two-year-olds, and additional yearlings. The post Bidding Open For Fasig-Tipton Digital February Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Current Alberta division members of the CTHS with mares that have no foaled in either 2023 or 2024 will be eligible for additional funding per a release from the CTHS. Members will receive $2,500 if the foal is sired by a stallion standing in Alberta and $1,500 if sired by an out-of-province stallion. Yearlings from the program will be eligible for the 2026 Alberta Thoroughbred Sale with the cost of sales entry fees covered by the CTHS. Members can visit the CTHS Alberta website for additional information. The post CTHS Alberta Offers New 2025 Foal Incentive And Open Mare Program appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tickets for Keeneland's 16-day Spring Meet, which runs April 5-26, go on sale Feb. 20. Headlined by the 100th running of the GI Toyota Blue Grass S., the meet will award more than $8.1m in purse money over 19 stakes races. Tickets can be purchased in advance here and fans are also welcome to tailgate on The Hill without a ticket or reservation. Keeneland will so also host fans for Kentucky Derby Day with general admission and Equestrian Room dining tickets available along with upgraded tailgate packages. The post Keeneland Spring Meet Tickets On Sale Feb. 20 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jamie Moore, who was aboard Sire De Grugy (Fr) (My Risk {Fr}) when he won the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, has announced his retirement from the saddle on medical advice from a fall sustained last autumn. A fall at Lingfield in November resulted in fractured vertebra, broken ribs, and a broken nose for Moore, who hangs up his boots after a 22-year career. His team of doctors advised him not to return to race riding as a result. Moore announced his retirement via a statement issued by the Professional Jockeys' Association (PJA) and it read, “It is with huge regret that, following my last fall in November 2023, I will not be returning to race riding. “After being checked by top neurologists and spinal specialists, and taking advice from Dr Jerry Hill and the doctors who've seen me the most in my career–Dr Rizwan Ghani and Dr Lucy Free–I have been medically advised not to race ride again. “I would like to thank everyone who has stuck by me and supported me throughout my 22-year career. Obviously I have been very lucky to have such a good trainer in my father Gary, who's always supported me, along with his brilliant, faithful owners. My mother Jayne and my wife Lucie have also always been there for me. “Back to the start and my first boss, Mr [Martin] Pipe, who helped me become champion conditional. To every other trainer and every owner I've ridden for; my agent Dave Roberts; my sponsors; all the brilliant stable staff and the PJA and the Injured Jockeys Fund, who have always been so supportive. “Finally, to the best place you could wish to work–the weighing room. To all the physios, tea boys and ladies, nurses and weighing room staff who have made each day of going to work much more enjoyable. “And to all the brilliant jockeys and valets past and present who I've made lifelong friends with. I will hugely miss the weighing room. There have been some ups and plenty of downs but everyone is always there for you. You've all been top class. “It's impossible to put into words how thankful I am to each and every one of you.” The 39-year-old is the son of trainer Gary, and the brother of Josh, Ryan, and Hayley, who are also involved in the racing industry. Moore began riding in 2001, and was the champion conditional rider by the end of the 2003-2004 season during his time with Martin Pipe. Sire De Grugy, named British Jumps Horse of the Year in 2014 and co-owned by Gary, and Moore combined for 17 victories together, a highlight for both Moore and his father. Moore, who is credited with 968 winners throughout his career, also rode Al Co (Fr) (Dom Alco {Fr}) to victory in the 2014 Scottish Grand National for trainer Peter Bowen. PJA executive director Dale Gibson added, “Jamie unfortunately suffered more than his fair share of long-term injuries and missed the equivalent of four years race riding during his career as a result, but his remarkable fortitude and appetite for race riding shone like a beacon throughout his career. “Jamie was and will remain universally popular within the weighing room and wider racing industry. His down to earth, no-nonsense approach alongside his genuine love of the horse [should] be wholeheartedly applauded. “He also served his colleagues and the PJA exceptionally well as southern-based National Hunt safety officer since December 2019, as well as being a dependable source for general advice to the PJA and younger jockeys both on and off the racecourse. “Jamie has been a pleasure to represent and will be sorely missed in the weighing room. We wish him, his wife Lucie and their family all the very best and we look forward to seeing him on a racecourse soon in his second career.” The post Jamie Moore Forced To Retire On Medical Advice appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Veteran handler surprises himself by landing an 8,644-1 three-timer to become just the sixth trainer to reach the milestoneView the full article

Churchill Downs will be the host site for the 2024 Claiming Crown on Saturday, Nov. 16. The Claiming Crown is a partnership between the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.View the full article