Wandering Eyes

Maureen Mullins, the mother of perennial champion trainer Willie and Irish racing's great matriarch, died the morning of Feb. 14 at the age of 94 following a short illness.View the full article

Canterbury Park announces a pre-paid starter Incentive program designed to entice trainers to race their Thoroughbreds at the Shakopee, Minn. track this summer. The summer meet runs May 18 through Sept. 28.View the full article

Carlos Laffon-Parias, the first Spanish trainer to win the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, announced on Wednesday that he will retire from training at the end of the year. Based in Chantilly, Laffon-Parias is best known as the trainer of Solemia (Ire) (Poliglote {GB}), who caused an upset when beating leading Japanese hope Orfevre (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) in the 2012 running of Europe's premier middle-distance race. He also won the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac on the same card with Silasol (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}), while the likes of Laverock (Ire) (Octagonal {NZ}), Falco (Pivotal {GB}), and Recoletos (Fr) (Whipper) also struck at the top level during a training career in France spanning more than three decades. In 2023, Laffon-Parias saddled two new Group 1 winners, including Prix de la Foret heroine Kelina (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) who, the trainer confirmed, will race on as a four-year-old as he prepares to embark on his final season. Explaining his decision to retire, Laffon-Parias told the Nick Lucky Daily Podcast, “The last three years I've talked with my wife regarding the decision to stop and go back home [to Spain]. My sons are now working and have left the house, so it's time for me and my wife to change our lives. “I'm healthy, I'll be 61 next month. I think when you're healthy is the right time to do it. I've worked all my life from Monday to Sunday and I want to do other things rather than to work 11 months a year, every single day. I think it's the right time to do it, otherwise it might be too late. “I see a lot of trainers finish their careers because they haven't got any more horses to train or they have financial problems. I want to stop and I don't need much to live with. We've got a house already in the south of Spain, I'm going to sell my yard, and this is enough for me and my wife.” Laffon-Parias added of Kelina, “The Wertheimer Brothers have decided to keep her in training and she's a very sound filly. There isn't a race for her until May 1, the Prix du Muguet. That is a Group 2 and then there is Royal Ascot or the Falmouth. There is nothing before. We could run in the Lockinge against the colts, but I would prefer to take more time. There are a lot of races for her, but nothing before the middle of the year. The post Laffon-Parias To Retire At The End Of 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Pennsylvania-bred Angel of Empire, the 2023 Arkansas Derby (G1) winner, is the top Midlantic-bred of last year, narrowly foiling Caravel's bid to become the second-ever repeat winner of the top Midlantic-bred crown.View the full article

Thursday's top tips from the Post's racing teamView the full article

The Fayette Alliance will release two new research studies that analyze the remaining land inside of the Urban Services Boundary in Lexington, Kentucky at an open meeting March 5. “Grow Smart: Land Use Analysis and Recommendations” and “Lexington-Fayette County Housing Growth Analysis” will be presented on Tuesday, March 5 at 5:30 p.m. in Lexington's Central Library Branch's Farish Theatre, 140 E. Main Street in Lexington. Expanding development outside of the Urban Service Boundary–the circle around the downtown area of Lexington–has been a contentious issue for years in the city as some fight to preserve Lexington's historic horse farms while others argue that some need to be developed in order to accommodate a growing population. The research studies will be presented and released at an event titled “Mapped: Analyzing Land and Housing Trends in Lexington. ” Attendees will hear from two different urban planning and land-use experts: Stan Harvey–Director of Urban Planning and Design at Lord Aeck Sargent, and Geoff Koski–President of KB Advisory Group, a real estate and economic development advisory firm. The first presentation, titled “Grow Smart: Land Use Analysis and Recommendations,” will provide a detailed map of the land we have left within the Urban Services Boundary and its current zoning and acreage. The second presentation, titled “Lexington-Fayette County Housing Growth Analysis,” will focus on how the community might most efficiently utilize our land and reshape development patterns to better accommodate a growing population. Fayette Alliance is a nonprofit dedicated to achieving smart, sustainable, and equitable growth in Lexington-Fayette County through land-use advocacy, education, and research, The post Research on Remaining Land Inside Lexington’s USB to be Presented March 5 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The TDN's popular annual series 'Mating Plans, presented by Spendthrift,' continues today in a conversation with Whisper Hill Farm's Mandy Pope. Shedaresthedevil, 7, Daredevil—Starship Warpspeed, by Congrats. To be bred to Into Mischief. When we planned Shedaresthedevil's first mating, we chose Gun Runner because we loved the physical match and we also liked the Storm Cat and A.P Indy in her pedigree for him. She foaled January 29th, and the filly is everything that we had hoped and dreamed she could be! She is a big, strong chestnut filly with great bone, a big hip and tons of quality! For 2024, she is going to Into Mischief . Shedaresthedevil's size and scope will match up well with Into Mischief, we believe. And I think we may already have Gun Runner penciled in for 2025! Songbird, 11, Medaglia d'Oro—Ivanavinalot, by West Acre. To be bred to Gun Runner. 2023 was a great year for Songbird and everyone connected to her, as she was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame! Currently, she is in foal to Gun Runner and is going back to Gun Runner. We think her high cruising speed will complement his, as some of his best runners are out of mares with speed. We also think Gun Runner will add a bit of scope and stretch to the foals, which would be a nice addition. We have retained some fillies out of Songbird as future broodmares, and her first colt (by Curlin) sold for $1 million dollars this past September, so this mare has a lot in the pipeline. I'll Take Charge, 12, Indian Charlie—Take Charge Lady, by Dehere. 2024 mating undecided. We bought her as a yearling ($2.2 million, Keeneland September), and with her amazing pedigree we always hoped and planned for her to be a long-term broodmare play. Thankfully she has fulfilled her destiny, producing GII winner and GI-placed Charge It for us, as well as selling a $1.7 million yearling (by into Mischief) this past September. She is in foal to Into Mischief on a late cover, so we have decided to see the foal and decide on her future mating at that time, with the main options being Tapit, Into Mischief, or Gun Runner. Graceful Princess, 8, Tapit—Havre de Grace, by Saint Liam. To be bred to Curlin. She is an important mare to us, being a Grade III winner out of Havre De Grace, who was so special to me. She is in foal to Gun Runner, and that was an easy choice with the success of Tapit mares and Gun Runner. he is scheduled to go to Curlin for 2024, both on the physical match being excellent, and the fact that he's done well with Tapit mares also, producing the likes of Cody's Wish. Magical World, 14, Distorted Humor—Pleasant Home, by Seeking the Gold. To be bred to Good Magic. Magical World is a mare we own in partnership with Three Chimneys Farm, and she was rested last season after having a late May foal. She is going to Good Magic for 2024, mainly because we all really liked the physical match there, since she should give plenty of size and substance to the equation. On the pedigree angle, the cross gives a 4×4 double to Danzig, which we found in three of his graded runners so far, including Kentucky Derby winner Mage. Hard Not To Love, 8, Hard Spun—Loving Vindicaton, by Vindication. To be bred to Tapit. We own this mare in partnership with Gainesway Farm. She is in foal to Curlin and is going to Tapit in 2024. As you know we love Tapit, and the only person who loves Tapit more is Antony Beck, so it was an easy choice! She also has a lovely Tapit yearling filly, which made the decision even easier. Tap Gun, 9, Tapit—Quiet Giant, by Giant's Causeway. To be bred to Justify. As a half-sister to Gun Runner, she was another of those long-term broodmare plays when we bought her as a yearling. She is in foal to Quality Road and is booked to Justify for 2024. She is a mare who really appreciates a robust stallion who can throw some size like Quality Road and Justify can do. She has a lovely Quality Road yearling filly. Wicked Whisper, 7, Liam's Map—Zayanna, by Bernardini. To be bred Curlin. What we loved about this mare when we purchased her was how precocious she was as a race filly. She won first out at Saratoga and followed it up by winning the G1 Frizette. She is in foal to Gun Runner and scheduled to go back to Curlin for 2024. She has a very powerful and racy Curlin yearling filly, and the cross is doing well, especially with Eclipse award winning Idiomatic putting an exclamation point on it! She is a lovely mare who we have high hopes for. The post Mating Plans, Presented by Spendthrift: Whisper Hill Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Maureen Mullins, Irish racing's great matriarch and the mother of the champion trainer Willie Mullins, has died at the age of 94 following a short illness. Wife of the late Paddy Mullins, a multiple champion handler who managed the career of the great Dawn Run before passing away aged 91 in 2010, Maureen leaves an incredible legacy behind her. She had four sons and a daughter-trainers Tom, Willie and Tony along with George and daughter Sandra-who have gone on to make the Mullins name a dominant force in Irish racing and beyond. The remarkable tradition has been continued through Maureen's grandchildren, with Willie's son Patrick becoming the record-breaking Irish champion amateur, Tony's son Danny scooping multiple Grade 1s in the saddle and George's son Emmet, who also partnered many big-race winners as a rider, emulating his uncle Willie's achievements in winning the Grand National as a trainer with Noble Yeats in 2022. Six years previously, it was Tom's son David who partnered the Mouse Morris-trained Rule The World to win the Aintree showpiece. On Tuesday, another one of her grandchildren, Charlie, led home a one-two-three for Willie in the bumper at Thurles. Maureen was an ever-present figure on an Irish racecourse and was in attendance at her local track Gowran Park for its flagship Thyestes Chase fixture on January 25 where she was on hand to officially open the new weighroom. At the Horse Racing Ireland Awards in 2016, she was presented with the Contribution to the Industry Award. Willie commented at the time, “That was unexpected, and great for her and for everyone in the family. She enjoys her racing, enjoys life, and has an interest in everyone's horses–mine, Tony's, Tom's–and the careers of Danny, David and Patrick. It's a lot to keep her occupied.” She was also a winning rider herself, steering Razzo Forte to glory in a female riders' event at Gowran Park in 1982, a race which her daughter also rode in. She was involved as an owner and breeder down the years, with Kilcruit a recent feather in her cap having won the Grade 1 Punchestown bumper following his sale having initially raced in her colours. Funeral details have yet to be announced. The post One Of Irish Racing’s Most Beloved Figures Maureen Mullins Dies Aged 94 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

While many of his sprinting rivals are set for a racing return in Saturday’s Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) down the Flemington straight, I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) is slowly and quietly building out of the limelight at Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman’s Pakenham base. Not seen publicly since running a gallant second in The Everest at Randwick last October, the five-year-old gelding has no race target this autumn, with his entire campaign to be shaped around being in pristine nick for another crack at the lucrative slot race in October. “He’s in good order, he’s probably ready to have his first gallop of the prep next week, been building well, been doing a lot of work on the back track here at Pakenham over the last month or so and he’s coming to hand nicely,” Moody said. “We gave him a nice break because he hadn’t had one since he’d been over here in Australia and he really enjoyed that time away, long, slow build-up. “When and where we kick him off, I’m not sure, but that’s the beauty of owning and managing them yourself, you can make those decisions and have no outside pressure. “Haven’t even mapped anything out, the William Reid is towards the end of March, the T.J. Smith is early April – plenty of races for him so we’ll just let him guide a path. “That’s (Everest) his sole target, whether he has two, three, four runs, whatever between now and then, the Everest – we want to be there in October.” A Golden Eagle winner over 1500m, Moody admits he still isn’t sure exactly what I Wish I Win’s best distance is but says he feels obliged to stick to sprinting trips, at least for the time being. “I think he’d go good up at a mile but when they’re putting up $20 million for 1200m, you aim it at 1200m don’t you?” Moody joked. “It’s easy and enjoyable because he’s owned by a mate of mine and myself and there’s no outward pressure, like I say, so that does make it very easy. “When we say we sit back and let the horse dictate his path, that’s what we do.” View the full article

The Ciaron Maher stable is in no rush to get Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) to the big league despite the former New Zealand galloper holding an All-Star Mile wildcard. As part of his program to the All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield on March 16, Jimmysstar is set to run in the Listed The Elms Handicap (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday. Jack Turnbull, assistant trainer for Maher based at Cranbourne, said Jimmysstar was a work in progress, and would continue to use his rating in lesser races to build the gelding’s profile. Jimmysstar is unbeaten in three Australian starts, graduating from a benchmark 70 victory at Bendigo last November to a Class 3 win at Cranbourne, later that month, before returning to claim a Caulfield win in a benchmark 84 race on February 3. Following that win, Jimmysstar was given an All-Star Mile wildcard by Racing Victoria which Turnbull said had become the gelding’s aim. “We’re going to use Saturday’s race, in which he has a light weight, as a stepping stone into the All-Star Mile,” Turnbull said. “We’re one run at a time. I know he’s got an All-Star Mile wildcard, but he has to go out there and do it again on Saturday, but he helps himself in that he can lob anywhere in the run, he’s got gears. “He can be back, midfield, he can push forward if there’s no speed and that’s the beauty of a horse like Jimmysstar.” Since arriving at the Cranbourne stable of Maher, Jimmysstar has been given extensive work in an effort to get him to relax. He arrived from New Zealand with two wins under belt and had been extremely well cared for and prepared by his previous trainer Guy Lowry, but just needed a few minor chinks ironed out. “He was very sound and readymade, but he was a little hot mentally,” Turnbull said. “In the time he’s been with us, he’s really come around. “He’s spent his whole time at Cranbourne. He does a lot of his work in the sandhills, does a bit of treadmill work and in between runs will go to Fulmen Park. “We’ve done little things like that to manage him in the barn, but the longer he’s been in training the wiser he gets. “I guess like any good racehorse, the more exposure they get, the better they get.” Craig Williams, who scored on Jimmysstar at Cranbourne, takes over on Saturday as the 54kg he has been allotted is outside the weight range of Blake Shinn who has ridden the gelding in his other two Australian wins. View the full article

Veteran trainer saddles up last-start winners Nicconi County and Noble Pursuit among his seven runners at the city circuitView the full article

Bonny Lass (inside) winning the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa last Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Newly-crowned Group 1 winner Bonny Lass will continue her campaign in New Zealand after the mare’s Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) triumph last Saturday. Victory in the BCD Group Sprint came after luckless runs for second and third in the Group 1 Railway (1200m) and Group 1 Telegraph (1200m) respectively, her consistent form being rewarded at last at Te Rapa with a tough front-running performance, holding off the previously unbeaten three-year-old Crocetti. Graham Richardson, who trains the daughter of Super Easy in partnership with Rogan Norvall, had contemplated a tilt at the time-honoured Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 9, but as the dust settled, opted for a feature closer to their Matamata base. “She went out to JK Farm for a few days in the paddock, she’ll be back in the stable tomorrow (Thursday),” he said. “Then we’ve decided she’ll run in the King’s Plate, so at this stage she won’t be going to Australia.” Bonny Lass will be seeking redemption of sorts in the Group 3 King’s Plate (1200m) on Derby Day (March 2) at Ellerslie, after being late scratched behind the barriers in last year’s edition, held at Te Rapa. Horse racing news View the full article

Crocetti pictured with trainers Danny Walker (left) and Arron Tata, and breeder-owner Daniel Nakhle following his Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m) win. Photo: Race Images South A line has been ruled through an Australian autumn campaign for Crocetti, with the son of Zacinto heading to the spelling paddock after a standout three-year-old term. Trainers Danny Walker and Arron Tata were contemplating heading to Melbourne next month with the Group One winner but have elected to call time on his season following his runner-up effort behind Bonny Lass in last Saturday’s Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa. “We did look at the Australian Guineas (Group 1, 1600m) and then I thought maybe the Newmarket (Group 1, 1200m) with 53kg on his back was quite appealing as well, but we have decided to send him to the paddock for a spell,” Walker said. “He is 100 percent and has pulled up really well, but I just felt he peaked on Saturday, and he has had seven runs as a three-year-old. “He can have a good spell now and prepare for a four-year-old campaign.” Bred and raced by Daniel Nakhle, Crocetti won his sole start as a juvenile before returning as a three-year-old where he was undefeated in his six starts against his own age group, including the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m), Group 3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m), and Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). He was then tested at weight-for-age for the first time last Saturday, and put in a gutsy performance to finish second behind Bonny Lass. “He has done us proud, and he tried his guts out the other day,” Walker said. Looking back fondly on a satisfying season with Crocetti, Walker said he will start planning his spring campaign in the coming months, with a high likelihood of heading straight across the Tasman with his charge. “It is all up in the air, but it comes down to weather and track conditions here, especially in the spring,” he said. “I will sit down in the next couple of months and do my homework. If it is going to be too wet here, then he will probably go straight to Australia. We will just see how he comes up and how the weather plays.” Horse racing news View the full article

Newly-crowned Group One winner Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy) will continue her campaign in New Zealand after the mare’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) triumph last Saturday. Victory in the BCD Group Sprint came after luckless runs for second and third in the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) and Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) respectively, her consistent form being rewarded at last at Te Rapa with a tough front-running performance, holding off the previously unbeaten three-year-old Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto). Graham Richardson, who trains the daughter of Super Easy in partnership with Rogan Norvall, had contemplated a tilt at the time-honoured Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 9, but as the dust settled, opted for a feature closer to their Matamata base. “She went out to JK Farm for a few days in the paddock, she’ll be back in the stable tomorrow (Thursday),” he said. “Then we’ve decided she’ll run in the King’s Plate, so at this stage she won’t be going to Australia.” Bonny Lass will be seeking redemption of sorts in the Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m) on Derby Day (March 2) at Ellerslie, after being late scratched behind the barriers in last year’s edition, held at Te Rapa. View the full article

Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are following a familiar path back to their homeland with the New Zealand-bred Interlinked (NZ) (Savabeel) in the hope of completing unfinished Classic business. The expatriate Kiwi trainers will be represented by Savabeel’s son in the Gr.2 Eagle Technology Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday as a lead into next month’s Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m). “He flies out tonight (Wednesday) and as long as the plane makes it okay, then he’ll be running,” Busuttin said. They went close to a successful hit-and-run Derby mission from their Cranbourne base in 2017 when Rising Red (NZ), by Redwood, finished runner-up to Gingernuts (NZ) (Iffraaj) and this time have taken the option of a lead-up run for Interlinked. “It’s just the way it has fallen. He wasn’t racing in the spring and was running at Christmas time and he looked like a 2000-2400m horse,” Busuttin said. “It’s still a while away until the Derby in Sydney so it worked in nicely and it’s no different from bringing a horse from New Zealand to Australia to race. “It’s all very straight forward and he’s fit and ready so we may as well have a go. If he runs well, then he’ll obviously stay on for the New Zealand Derby.” Interlinked was bred by Waikato Stud and purchased by Busuttin and OTI Racing, whose colours were carried into fourth placing in last year’s Derby by last Saturday’s Te Rapa winer Mark Twain (NZ) (Shocking), out of Ohukia Lodge’s 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale draft for $100,000. He is a son of the Pins mare Daisy Chain (NZ), who is a half-sister to the three-time Group One winner Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed), with Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) and Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls) other elite level inners on his pedigree page. Interlinked will be ridden in Saturday’s Guineas by Sam Weatherley. “We’ll take it from there with Sam booked for the one ride and work everything else out after that,” Busuttin said. “He’s by the right sire and is a tough, solid horse. I don’t know how much class he’s got, but he can certainly stay, so that’s not much of a concern. “Without looking into it too deeply, just watching the Waikato Guineas (Gr.2, 2000m) they looked an even bunch of three-year-olds without there being a stand-out. “I see Roger James has accepted with his filly (Orchestral) on Saturday, so I presume she’ll be a pretty short-priced favourite.” Interlinked was unbeaten in his first two appearances at Kilmore and Caulfield before he ran fourth when stepped up to 2000m at Flemington and a last-start runner-up finish over 2040m at The Valley. “He won his first two starts well and wasn’t ridden that well at his third and then he was good against the older horses,” Busuttin said. “He didn’t really get around the Valley 100 percent so the bigger track will certainly suit him. “He has drawn well and we’ll see where he sits in the mix of things on Saturday.” View the full article

Taranaki trainer Robbie Patterson is looking forward to heading north to Ellerslie with Mary Lousie (NZ) (The Bold One) and Nom De Plume (NZ) (El Roca) this weekend after they pleased in their 1200m trial at Foxton on Tuesday. The pair will be looking to continue their good run of form when they contest the Gr.2 Eagle Technology Avondale Cup (2400m). “They are going to the Avondale Cup on Saturday, so they had a really quiet trial,” Patterson said. “Craig (Grylls) was very happy with Mary Louise and Mereana Hudson was rapt with Nom De Plume. I am very happy going forward.” Mary Louise placed in the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day before scoring a popular victory in the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham last month. Her ultimate aim is next month’s Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie and Patterson said it will be good to give the five-year-old mare a look around the Auckland track ahead of the two-mile feature. “On Saturday Ciel Butler is going to ride her because the minimum is 52kg. She will ride her cold and give her a look at Ellerslie before the Auckland Cup, which is the big goal with Mary Louise,” Patterson said. “The two miles suits her big time, she is so dour.” Nom De Plume has also been in pleasing form for the stable and takes a last start fourth placing in the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) into Saturday. Meanwhile, last start Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) hero Puntura (NZ) (Vespa) also featured at the Foxton trials, winning his 1000m heat. Next week’s Gr.1 Trackside Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) beckons the son of Vespa before a potential trip north to Ellerslie next month to chase the $500,000 Summer Series Bonus on offer, culminating in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2100m). “He trialled up really nice. Craig was very happy with him, so he is going forward to that Group One on Saturday-week,” Patterson said. “He will end up in the Bonecrusher if all goes well at Otaki because he does have nine points (in the summer series), so that is still an option. “He will jump out again next Monday after our races and he will be peaking for that mile.” Prior to the weekend, Patterson will head to his home meeting at New Plymouth on Friday with just the one runner – The Chopper (NZ) (The Bold One) in the Crowded House Maiden (1600m). The four-year-old son of The Bold One was runner-up last start over 1600m at Trentham and Patterson believes his charge is capable of going one better on Friday. “He is a full to The Underbelly, who won last week,” he said. “He is a very progressive horse. I can see him being a nice stayer next season. I will be disappointed if he doesn’t go a top race on Friday.” View the full article

Entries for NZB’s 2024 National Online Yearling Sale are now open, with the Sale set to be held on Gavelhouse Plus. The catalogue will be available to view online from Wednesday 3 April, with bidding set to open on Friday 12 April and close from 6pm (NZT) on Wednesday 17 April. A significant benefit of the digital catalogue is that all lots offered in the National Online Yearling Sale are eligible to be nominated for the lucrative Karaka Millions Series. Just nine short months after they make their virtual sale-ring debut, graduates of the online sale can compete for a share in the 2025 $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), followed by the 2026 $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). Graduates of the relatively new sale have already had multiple successes on the racetrack, with the inaugural 2021 sale graduates already claiming a 44% winners to runners strike rate, including stakes performers such as Bolshoi Star (NZ) (Russian Revolution) and Karaka Millions contender Time Ruler (NZ) (Time Test). “The Sale offers breeders and vendors a cost-effective and straight-forward opportunity to sell their yearlings to a wide audience,” commented NZB Bloodstock Sales Manager Kane Jones. “In its third year, it has already proven to be a great source of genuine racehorses and the attraction for buyers is only strengthened by the Karaka Millions Series eligibility.” Entries for the 2024 National Online Yearling Sale are open now and will close Wednesday 20 March. To enter the Sale, visit NZB’s online portal at portal.nzb.co.nz or for enquiries contact NZB’s Bloodstock Administrator Mary Jane Harvey by calling +64 9 393 9832 or emailing MaryJane.Harvey@nzb.co.nz. Following normal Sale protocol, the National Online Yearling Sale will continue to be run under NZB Terms and Conditions. For more information about the Sale, contact NZB Bloodstock Sales Manager Kane Jones on +64 27 274 4985 or email Kane.jones@nzb.co.nz. View the full article

A line has been ruled through an Australian autumn campaign for Crocetti (NZ), with the son of Zacinto heading to the spelling paddock after a standout three-year-old term. Trainers Danny Walker and Arron Tata were contemplating heading to Melbourne next month with the Group One winner but have elected to call time on his season following his runner-up effort behind Bonny Lass in last Saturday’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa. “We did look at the Australian Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) and then I thought maybe the Newmarket (Gr.1, 1200m) with 53kg on his back was quite appealing as well, but we have decided to send him to the paddock for a spell,” Walker said. “He is 100 percent and has pulled up really well, but I just felt he peaked on Saturday, and he has had seven runs as a three-year-old. “He can have a good spell now and prepare for a four-year-old campaign.” Bred and raced by Daniel Nakhle, Crocetti won his sole start as a juvenile before returning as a three-year-old where he was undefeated in his six starts against his own age group, including the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m), Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m), and Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). He was then tested at weight-for-age for the first time last Saturday, and put in a gutsy performance to finish second behind Bonny Lass. “He has done us proud, and he tried his guts out the other day,” Walker said. Looking back fondly on a satisfying season with Crocetti, Walker said he will start planning his spring campaign in the coming months, with a high likelihood of heading straight across the Tasman with his charge. “It is all up in the air, but it comes down to weather and track conditions here, especially in the spring,” he said. “I will sit down in the next couple of months and do my homework. If it is going to be too wet here, then he will probably go straight to Australia. We will just see how he comes up and how the weather plays.” Meanwhile, Walker is enjoying breaking in the six yearlings he purchased at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale, including two colts from Book 1. Under his Brookby Stables banner, Walker went to $170,000 to purchase lot 605, the Sweynesse colt out of Group Three performer Bella Court, and $210,000 to purchase lot 126, the Zed colt out of a half-sister to the dam of Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Verry Elleegant. “The Sweynesse is a lovely colt, we are breaking him in at the moment,” Walker said. “The Zed is a nice horse. I have never looked at a Zed yearling before but a client of ours wanted me to have a look at him. He could pass for a Savabeel, he is a really lovely colt.” View the full article

Long-standing New Plymouth thoroughbred identity John Wheeler will don an extra hat at his local meeting this week to mark a memorable milestone. He will have half a-dozen runners in action on Friday, including the progressive Lord Donovan (NZ) (Lord), and will also be part of Taranaki Racing’s 150th Jubilee Celebrations. Wheeler will be centre stage with his close friend, former New Zealand Test cricketing great John Wright, at an 11.30am luncheon to kick off the festivities ahead of the seven-race card. “John will be the guest speaker and I’ll be questioning him, he’s been a mate of mine for about 50 years, so I’ve got a bit on him,” Wheeler said. “It will be a bit of fun and he’s a good bloke and loves his racing so it’s an opportune time to get him here and makes him do some work.” The day will also feature a jockeys’ series to raise funds for breast and prostate cancer with Taranaki Racing to add to the donations through the luncheon and racecourse entry. Invited jockeys will give two selections from their book of rides and Taranaki Racing will place $10 each way on their chosen mounts, with the earnings given to their relevant charity. The rider with the highest dividend at the conclusion of the meeting will be crowned the leading jockey. Meanwhile, the Wheeler-trained Lord Donovan will make his first appearance since he triumphed on all three days of the New Zealand Cup carnival when he steps out in the HTL Group Handicap (1200m). “He’s had a good break and he’s going along well. I’m pretty happy with him and he’ll be very competitive,” Wheeler said. “I want to see how he measures up to better class, I haven’t got anything in mind for him yet and we’ll just see what happens on Friday.” Stablemate Herbert (NZ) (Sweet Orange) has gone close to breaking through on several occasions and Wheeler is bullish about his chances in the Signright Maiden (2000m). “He’s a pretty good horse, but he does a lot wrong to be fair and is his own worst enemy,” he said. “He gawks around when he gets to the front, he’s not a silly horse, just a laid-back dude.” Herbert holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) and Wheeler is hoping for a show of stamina on his home track. “I think the 2000m on Friday will answer some questions. The mile and a-half may stretch him, but he has got a fair bit of stoutness in his pedigree,” he said. Wheeler will also be represented by Tsunami (NZ) (Ocean Park) and Tranzed (NZ) (Zed) in the Landmark City of New Plymouth Cup (1800m), Zivjeli (NZ) (Shocking) in the Peninsular Beachfront Resort Mooloolaba (1400m) and Pucci (NZ) (Puccini) in the Crowded House Maiden (1600m). “Tsunami is just coming up and going well and so is Tranzed, it will be interesting to see if he measures up to Rating 65 class,” he said. “Zivjeli has had a break and is just coming up and might need a couple of runs to get back to its best.” Tsunami is moving up in trip after a resuming sprint outing while Tranzed was a last-start maiden success on the course while Pucci was a debut sixth earlier this month and is another stepping up in distance. View the full article

Mary Louise returns victorious following last month’s Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m). Photo: Race Images Taranaki trainer Robbie Patterson is looking forward to heading north to Ellerslie with Mary Lousie and Nom De Plume this weekend after they pleased in their 1200m trial at Foxton on Tuesday. The pair will be looking to continue their good run of form when they contest the Group 2 Avondale Cup (2400m). “They are going to the Avondale Cup on Saturday, so they had a really quiet trial,” Patterson said. “Craig (Grylls) was very happy with Mary Louise and Mereana Hudson was rapt with Nom De Plume. I am very happy going forward.” Mary Louise placed in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day before scoring a popular victory in the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham last month. Her ultimate aim is next month’s Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie and Patterson said it will be good to give the five-year-old mare a look around the Auckland track ahead of the two-mile feature. “On Saturday Ciel Butler is going to ride her because the minimum is 52kg. She will ride her cold and give her a look at Ellerslie before the Auckland Cup, which is the big goal with Mary Louise,” Patterson said. “The two miles suits her big time, she is so dour.” Nom De Plume has also been in pleasing form for the stable and takes a last start fourth placing in the Group 3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) into Saturday. Meanwhile, last start Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) hero Puntura also featured at the Foxton trials, winning his 1000m heat. Next week’s Group 1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) beckons the son of Vespa before a potential trip north to Ellerslie next month to chase the $500,000 Summer Series Bonus on offer, culminating in the Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2100m). “He trialled up really nice. Craig was very happy with him, so he is going forward to that Group One on Saturday-week,” Patterson said. “He will end up in the Bonecrusher if all goes well at Otaki because he does have nine points (in the summer series), so that is still an option. “He will jump out again next Monday after our races and he will be peaking for that mile.” Prior to the weekend, Patterson will head to his home meeting at New Plymouth on Friday with just the one runner – The Chopper in the Crowded House Maiden (1600m). The four-year-old son of The Bold One was runner-up last start over 1600m at Trentham and Patterson believes his charge is capable of going one better on Friday. “He is a full to The Underbelly, who won last week,” he said. “He is a very progressive horse. I can see him being a nice stayer next season. I will be disappointed if he doesn’t go a top race on Friday.” Horse racing news View the full article

Interlinked (NZ) ridden by Thomas Stockdale wins at Caulfield Racecourse on December 14, 2023 in Caulfield, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are following a familiar path back to their homeland with the New Zealand-bred Interlinked in the hope of completing unfinished Classic business. The expatriate Kiwi trainers will be represented by Savabeel’s son in the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday as a lead into next month’s Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). “He flies out tonight (Wednesday) and as long as the plane makes it okay, then he’ll be running,” Busuttin said. They went close to a successful hit-and-run Derby mission from their Cranbourne base in 2017 when Rising Red, by Redwood, finished runner-up to Gingernuts and this time have taken the option of a lead-up run for Interlinked. “It’s just the way it has fallen. He wasn’t racing in the spring and was running at Christmas time and he looked like a 2000-2400m horse,” Busuttin said. “It’s still a while away until the Derby in Sydney so it worked in nicely and it’s no different from bringing a horse from New Zealand to Australia to race. “It’s all very straight forward and he’s fit and ready so we may as well have a go. If he runs well, then he’ll obviously stay on for the New Zealand Derby.” Interlinked was bred by Waikato Stud and purchased by Busuttin and OTI Racing, whose colours were carried into fourth placing in last year’s Derby by last Saturday’s Te Rapa winer Mark Twain, out of Ohukia Lodge’s 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale draft for $100,000. He is a son of the Pins mare Daisy Chain, who is a half-sister to the three-time Group 1 winner Daffodil, with Atishu and Aegon other elite level inners on his pedigree page. Interlinked will be ridden in Saturday’s Guineas by Sam Weatherley. “We’ll take it from there with Sam booked for the one ride and work everything else out after that,” Busuttin said. “He’s by the right sire and is a tough, solid horse. I don’t know how much class he’s got, but he can certainly stay, so that’s not much of a concern. “Without looking into it too deeply, just watching the Waikato Guineas (Group 2, 2000m) they looked an even bunch of three-year-olds without there being a stand-out. “I see Roger James has accepted with his filly (Orchestral) on Saturday, so I presume she’ll be a pretty short-priced favourite.” Interlinked was unbeaten in his first two appearances at Kilmore and Caulfield before he ran fourth when stepped up to 2000m at Flemington and a last-start runner-up finish over 2040m at The Valley. “He won his first two starts well and wasn’t ridden that well at his third and then he was good against the older horses,” Busuttin said. “He didn’t really get around the Valley 100 percent so the bigger track will certainly suit him. “He has drawn well and we’ll see where he sits in the mix of things on Saturday.” Horse racing news View the full article

John Wheeler pictured with Lord Donovan. Photo: Race Images South Long-standing New Plymouth thoroughbred identity John Wheeler will don an extra hat at his local meeting this week to mark a memorable milestone. He will have half a-dozen runners in action on Friday, including the progressive Lord Donovan, and will also be part of Taranaki Racing’s 150th Jubilee Celebrations. Wheeler will be centre stage with his close friend, former New Zealand Test cricketing great John Wright, at an 11.30am luncheon to kick off the festivities ahead of the seven-race card. “John will be the guest speaker and I’ll be questioning him, he’s been a mate of mine for about 50 years, so I’ve got a bit on him,” Wheeler said. “It will be a bit of fun and he’s a good bloke and loves his racing so it’s an opportune time to get him here and makes him do some work.” The day will also feature a jockeys’ series to raise funds for breast and prostate cancer with Taranaki Racing to add to the donations through the luncheon and racecourse entry. Invited jockeys will give two selections from their book of rides and Taranaki Racing will place $10 each way on their chosen mounts, with the earnings given to their relevant charity. The rider with the highest dividend at the conclusion of the meeting will be crowned the leading jockey. Meanwhile, the Wheeler-trained Lord Donovan will make his first appearance since he triumphed on all three days of the New Zealand Cup carnival when he steps out in the HTL Group Handicap (1200m). “He’s had a good break and he’s going along well. I’m pretty happy with him and he’ll be very competitive,” Wheeler said. “I want to see how he measures up to better class, I haven’t got anything in mind for him yet and we’ll just see what happens on Friday.” Stablemate Herbert has gone close to breaking through on several occasions and Wheeler is bullish about his chances in the Signright Maiden (2000m). “He’s a pretty good horse, but he does a lot wrong to be fair and is his own worst enemy,” he said. “He gawks around when he gets to the front, he’s not a silly horse, just a laid-back dude.” Herbert holds a nomination for the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and Wheeler is hoping for a show of stamina on his home track. “I think the 2000m on Friday will answer some questions. The mile and a-half may stretch him, but he has got a fair bit of stoutness in his pedigree,” he said. Wheeler will also be represented by Tsunami and Tranzed in the Landmark City of New Plymouth Cup (1800m), Zivjeli in the Peninsular Beachfront Resort Mooloolaba (1400m) and Pucci in the Crowded House Maiden (1600m). “Tsunami is just coming up and going well and so is Tranzed, it will be interesting to see if he measures up to Rating 65 class,” he said. “Zivjeli has had a break and is just coming up and might need a couple of runs to get back to its best.” Tsunami is moving up in trip after a resuming sprint outing while Tranzed was a last-start maiden success on the course while Pucci was a debut sixth earlier this month and is another stepping up in distance. Horse racing news View the full article

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What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Thursday, February 15, 2024 First Race 6:40pm HKT (9:40pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Happy Valley on Thursday evening for an ultra-competitive nine-race program. The rail moves to the C course for the meeting, and with no rain predicted in the lead-up, participants should expect a Good 4 surface for race-day. The opening race is set to get underway at 6:40pm local time. Best Bet: Righteous Arion Righteous Arion was an impressive winner three runs ago at this course and distance on November 1, and although he is yet to pick up another win since, the son of Rich Enuff is set to peak on Wednesday. The Tony Cruz-trained gelding was hammering home in his most recent start behind Tomodachi Kokoroe on January 31 and didn’t have much luck from stall 11. Angus Chung retains the ride for this Class 3 contest, and with a more economical run from gate three, Righteous Arion will be finishing off best. Best Bet Race 8 – #8 Righteous Arion (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Tony Cruz | J: Angus Chung (a2.5kg) (55.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best: Cheong Fat Cheong Fat heads to Happy Valley after eight career starts without a win, but he should appreciate the rise in trip to the 1650m. The gelding by Power has raced consistently without bothering the judge over 1200m but seems to be doing his best work late, giving the impression that this may be his ideal journey moving forward. He maps to get a mid-field sit with cover from barrier six, and with Cheong Fat stripping fit third-up into the campaign, watch for this guy to be storming over the top late. Next Best Race 2 – #6 Cheong Fat (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Michael Chang | J: Lyle Hewitson (56kg) Bet with Neds Next Best Again: Flying Phantom John Size has Flying Phantom primed fourth-up into his debut campaign, and he was unfortunate not to find the line best last start at this course on January 17. The son of Dissident got a checkered passage on that occasion and was forced to overwork in the early stages, leaving his turn-of-foot lacking in the concluding stages. He gets his chance to rectify the situation for followers, and with Zac Purton hopping back aboard, he’ll be doing just that. Next Best Again Race 4 – #4 Flying Phantom (6) 3yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Zac Purton (57kg) Bet with Unibet Hong Kong quaddie tips – Thursday, February 15 Happy Valley quadrella selections Thursday, February 15, 2024 1-2-3-7-8-9 3-5-6-7-11 2-4-8 9-10-11-12 Horse racing tips View the full article

Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.View the full article