Wandering Eyes

Confirming that she has lost none of her juvenile power, Juddmonte's Babouche did to Whistlejacket what she had done in last year's G1 Phoenix Stakes in Sunday's G3 Goffs Lacken Stakes at Naas. Keen early for Colin Keane denied cover, the Ger Lyons-trained 2-1 second favourite was delivered to swamp Ballydoyle's 4-5 market-leader two out en route to a 2 3/4-length success. The daughter of Kodiac was bringing up a treble for the trainer and jockey on the card, with the dup having already won the 2-year-old Group 3 with Lady Iman. Electric Babouche dazzles in the Lacken Stakes to complete a brilliant day for Ger Lyons and @ctkjockey Surely she'll now head to the Commonwealth Cup?@Goffs1866 | @NaasRacecourse pic.twitter.com/Xffry9fH48 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 18, 2025 The post Royal Ascot Bound Babouche Surges Back In The Lacken appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lady Iman had already provided Tally Ho Stud's much-vaunted first-crop sire Starman with his first black-type winner and Sunday's G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Blackbeard Fillies Sprint Stakes at Naas saw her further enhance his reputation. Having made the breakthrough in The Curragh's Listed First Flier Stakes earlier this month, the Ger Lyons-trained half-sister to West Acre travelled with ease under Colin Keane before hunting down the sire's other runner Green Sense in the final furlong. At the line, the 2-1 second favourite had 3/4 of a length to spare as she led home the one-two, with Ballydoyle's newcomer Signora by Frankel 1 3/4 lengths away in third. TDN Rising Star Simply Astounding, the daughter of Wootton Bassett and Minding, was a well-beaten fifth as the 4-5 favourite. 3⃣ out of 3⃣ Lady Iman maintains her unbeaten record in the Group 3 Blackbeard Stakes. Warm favourite Simply Astounding bombed out completely. @ctkjockey | @HoStud pic.twitter.com/bvMjR0dEG0 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 18, 2025 The post Lady Iman Leads One Two For Starman In The Fillies’ Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Volker Kaufling's twice-raced 3-year-old filly Matilda (Soldier Hollow), one of three distaffers sent postward for Sunday's G2 Coolmore City Of Troy German 2000 Guineas at Cologne, turned the one-mile Classic into a procession, coming home clear of her rivals on black-type debut. The homebred bay had previously backed up a Mar. 30 debut sixth going one mile at Dusseldorf with a taking five-length tally over this course and distance last month and repeated the trick of swishing her tail in the closing stages of that contest to propel her to career high here. Coolmore City Of Troy German 2000 Guineas Cologne – Groupe 2 – 3 ans – 1600m – 9 Pts – 125 000 € Matilda (f) (Ger) Frida Valle-Skar @fridavallee Ciaran Dhitjari (Soldier Hollow (Gb) – Modesty's Way (Usa) par Giant's Causeway (Usa))… pic.twitter.com/HLuh2foJjj — French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) May 18, 2025 The post Soldier Hollow’s Tail-Swishing Matilda Waltzes to German 2000 Guineas Glory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Everyone and their dog knew about Godolphin's newcomer Treanmor at Newmarket on Sunday and the €2million Goffs Orby Book 1 topper disappointed nobody as he became Frankel's 43rd TDN Rising Star. Sent off the 30-100 favourite for the opening six-furlong novice, the Charlie Appleby-trained son of Invincible Spirit's Listed scorer and dual Group 3-placed Loch Lein travelled with ease behind the pace before being launched by William Buick two out. Surging to the front and into the clear, he had four lengths to spare over fellow newcomer Vlad by A'Ali at the line. A smart one , a 2,000,000euros son of Frankel, bolts up on debut and looks a horse with serious promise. Next stop, Royal Ascot? He's 5/1 for the Coventry Stakes.@godolphin | @WilliamBuickX pic.twitter.com/kPPoiy5TTY — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 18, 2025 The post Frankel’s Goffs Orby Topper Treanmor A New TDN Rising Star For Godolphin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Marc Witkowski, the regular exercise rider of Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Journalism, reacts to the colt's victory the following morning May 18.View the full article

Five years ago, Jacob Pritchard Webb's career as a jump jockey in France was brought to a close with a fall that changed his life at the age of just 23. Even while coming to terms with his multiple neck and spinal injuries in hospital in Paris, he was already plotting the next phase of his life and from an early stage had his sights set on putting his equine skills to use by becoming a bloodstock agent. Pritchard Webb is now well on the way to establishing himself in this arena, building up his contacts and client list through France, England and the Czech Republic, and he recently travelled to Deauville to spend some days shadowing one of the best known names in the business, Anthony Stroud, at the Arqana Breeze-up Sale. “I've always enjoyed the Flat, having worked at Sir Mark Prescott's in the past, which was a great education and grounding. He had some great horses then like Marsha, Pallasator and Time Warp. Weight meant that I went jumping and then after the accident it made sense to persist with the National Hunt, especially with that niche of having been in France and speaking French,” he says. A chance encounter at the Velka Pardubicka and Czech Derby meeting last year has led to Pritchard Webb buying horses for a Czezh-based owner whose interest spans both codes. “I met Dr Charvat last year and I am very lucky to have him and his son George as clients,” says the agent. “We started low and bought a store for €2,500 for George, which he loved, and it progressed from there to buying Merano and Pardubice horses and on to the Flat. We bought a Saxon Warrior yearling from Orby Book 2, and then they wanted a 90-rated mile-and-a-half horse because there's a good programme for that type of horse in Czech, so we bought Goodwood Odyssey from David Menuisier. “I really enjoyed looking at the yearlings and that led to me coming here to shadow Mr Stroud. He was one of the first people, along with Anthony Bromley, to get in touch with me after my accident and he said to let him know if there was anything I needed. I've rung him up in the past with queries and he saw me on Sky Sports Racing last year for the Haye Jousselin meeting. Amazingly he was watching it and he rang me to tell me I was doing well on TV and I asked him if I could shadow him at a sale.” He adds, “You want to learn from the best and be looking at the best and someone like Mr Stroud will always be looking at the best. It's been a bit of an eye-opener.” The oft-used phrase 'confined to a wheelchair' does not strictly apply to Pritchard Webb. His lower-body paralysis does mean that he uses a wheelchair but he has let nothing stand in his way since putting heart and soul into his rehabilitative therapy both in France and later back in England at Lambourn's Oaksey House, a tremendous facility established by the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF). Two years after his accident Pritchard Webb completed a 140-mile hand-cycle challenge to raise funds for the IJF, which came to his aid in his hour of need. “It's a case of 'have wheels, will travel',” he says of his travels around Europe on the sales circuit. “I'm in this situation because of the accident. It is what it is, and it is great to be out looking at horses and buying horses. But it is hard, and sometimes there is the frustration that the chair kind of limits you in where you can go and get into, but with anything you've just got to keep getting out there and showing your face, and then hopefully getting some orders and some results.” Pritchard Webb's can-do attitude is a humbling reminder to us all to appreciate what we have rather than don't have, as he himself is doing. “I always call myself the unlucky lucky one,” he says. “My injury could have been so much worse. If my neck break had been a fraction worse I wouldn't be doing what I am doing at all. I've got to look at it that way – that I can still get out and look at horses, drive a car, ski, play table tennis, do hand-cycle challenges. “For two days it was borderline whether I was even going to be able to do that, so I got off lucky in that regard. Even when you are having a quiet time on the winners front, or you are struggling to buy anything, which everybody goes through; even then on top of the paralysis, you've got to look at it that it could have been a lot worse.” Following a six-month stay in French hospitals, Pritchard Webb has made good on his promise to pursue a career in bloodstock. From some pinhooking with Jerry McGrath and working the French claiming system with fellow agent Toby Jones, he is giving himself a rounded experience, including being named a representative for the French sales company Auctav. His next move will be from Leicestershire to the Welsh Borders with his family to help his grandfather develop their 140-acre farm where he plans to take boarders and house some pinhooked Flat foals. “Where I was hospitalised I saw so many people in different situations and made some friends,” he recalls. “I know that unfortunately there were some people there that were probably never even going to leave hospital because they were in such a bad way. I remember one day being the only person in the physio room to put my own shoes on, and then another day I was the only person who couldn't walk. I suppose you have to just keep to your own lane and make your own path and have some fun doing it.” The post ‘The Unlucky Lucky One’: Jacob Pritchard Webb on Life After Serious Injury appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New Lindsay Park acquisition Bankers Choice (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) is likely to follow the path of Without A Fight into the Caulfield Cup. The Ben, Will and J D Hayes-trained stayer holds a nomination in the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on Saturday, but is considered unlikely to run. Bankers Choice had initially been down to run in the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday, but as he already had secured a Caulfield Cup berth courtesy of his win in the Listed Mornington Cup last month, it was decided to bypass that race and head to Brisbane. Ben Hayes said the stable would have a thorough look at the entries for the Doomben Cup, but it was likely he would bypass the race in favour of running in the Gr.3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1800m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday week and then head to the Gr.2 Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm two weeks later. Those two races were won by recently retired Without A Fight in 2023 before he went on to claim the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double. “We were going to run in the Andrew Ramsden, but then we had a discussion with the whole team,” Hayes said. “He’s qualified for the Caulfield Cup, so we thought we’d go up to Queensland instead. “There are some nice options up there for him. There’s the Q22, there are some good set-weights and penalties races. “He’s nominated in the Doomben Cup. We’ll have a look at the race and weigh everything up, but he’ll potentially run a week later. “There’s an 1800-metre race, and then we can go into the Q22 and then we’ll aim him at the Caulfield Cup, just like they did with Without A Fight.” Previously prepared by Mike Moroney and then Glen Thompson when winning the Mornington Cup, Hayes said Bankers Choice had entered their stable in fantastic order. Having won the Mornington Cup and receiving a ballot exemption into the Caulfield Cup (2400m) in October, Hayes said the pressure of gaining a start was off. “He’s already in the Caulfield Cup and everything will be planned towards heading to that race,” Hayes said. “We’ll look at giving him a bit of a freshen up there, if it ever stops raining, and then he’d probably do the weight-for-age path into the Caulfield Cup. “He’s a very straight-forward horse and he arrived to us in great order. “Fingers crossed. It’s a great opportunity.” View the full article

Te Akau scored a kiwi bred quinella in an action-packed Two Rivers Steeplechase at Casterton on Sunday, as Steven Pateman and The Mighty Spar (NZ) (Savabeel) pulled clear of Prismatic (NZ) (Savabeel) and Will Gordon late. The Mighty Spar was supported late ($3.20 into $2.80) to take favouritism from his stablemate ($2.30 out to $3.50) and got a perfect run for most of the 3800-metre contest. Despite guest appearances from an enthusiastic but riderless Flying Pierro, and a gawking kangaroo, The Mighty Spar jumped beautifully throughout and took the lead as the field began the final lap. Pateman quickened things upon return from the open country, and his mount never looked like being caught from there, streaking seven lengths clear of Prismatic in the run home. It was a hugely enjoyable, albeit action-packed win for Pateman, who missed riding on the second and third days of this year’s Warrnambool carnival after a fall on the Tuesday. “That was fantastic – so much fun. He’s a really cool little horse,” he said with a grin post-race. “First time out the back, there was a big (kangaroo) and I couldn’t stop staring at it! Then Custom Of The Sea and Tommy Ryan’s horse (Aquileon) sort of jumped underneath me. “I was like, ‘snap out of it – it’s just a kangaroo’… I was on a Kiwi (horse), I’ve seen plenty of roos, but he hasn’t. “He’s obviously won around here, so he knew where he was going – it was super fun.” Pateman thanked Te-Akau’s Ben Gleeson for securing his spot on the talented chaser, who has won both of his starts over the live hedges. He also noted the support of the ‘Tangerine Army’ amongst the Victorian jumps scene, which has been notable since Te Akau opened an Australian base in 2023. “Shoutout to Ben Gleeson for getting me the ride, I really love the horse,” he said. “Te Akau, they’ve got beautiful Kiwi-bred and non-Kiwi-bred horses for the game, and they’re beautifully prepared.” View the full article

Veteran handler lands three-timer at Sha Tin to reduce John Size’s premiership lead to six wins.View the full article

Debutant showcases big potential with a barnstorming performance to deliver Italian jockey a milestone success.View the full article

Cantopop star’s patience pays off as four-year-old steams to victory at Sha Tin on Sunday.View the full article

Classy mare Sunshine In Paris gained a deserved third group 1 success May 17 when toughing it out to deny the returning Rothfire in a thrilling edition of the Doomben Ten Thousand (G1) in Queensland.View the full article

On a bumper weekend of simulcast racing, Sunshine In Paris also prevails with a gutsy performance in Australia.View the full article

Driver Penalties R Close | NZ Metropolitan 14 May; contacted track marker; fined $100. L Hibell | Waikato Bay of Plenty 15 May; careless driving; fined $200. J Dickie | Auckland 16 May; contacted track marker; fined $100. P Nairn | NZ Metropolitan 16 May; use of whip; suspended 24 May – 6 June inclusive C Butt | NZ Metropolitan 16 May; use of whip; suspended 26 May – 6 June inclusive. C Ferguson | NZ Metropolitan 16 May; use of whip; suspended 24 May – 2 June inclusive. B Weaver | Rangiora 18 May; medical clearance required. J Young-Grant | NZ Metropolitan 14 May (heard Rangiora 18 May); use of whip; suspended 26 May – 6 June inclusive. M Hill | Invercargill 18 May; contacted track marker; fined $150. Trainer Penalties Z Meredith | Waikato Bay of Plenty 15 May; incorrect gear; fined $100. S & A Telfer | Auckland 16 May; late gear notification; fined $50. G Smith | Rangiora 18 May; late to present runner on to track; fined $100. Horse Penalties COS I CAN | Waikato Bay of Plenty 15 May; tendon injury; veterinary clearance required. WHAT’S UP THE HILL | Auckland 16 May; broke in running; must complete trial. BOUNCE N BEYOND | Auckland 16 May; respiratory infection; veterinary clearance required. RISE N SHINE | NZ Metropolitan 16 May; out of position at start; must complete mobile start trial. MICK ALMIGHTY | Rangiora 18 May; eased out of race; veterinary clearance required. KENNY’S MATE | Invercargill 18 May; broke at start; must complete standing start trial. TUNEINSPORTSFANS | Invercargill 18 May; late scratching when found to be lame; veterinary clearance required. The post 12-18 May 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Dog Penalty SUGAR SUGAR | Wanganui 13 May; turned in boxes; must complete box trial. General Race 1 Wanganui GRC meeting of 16 May was declared a no race in the interests of safety. Race 6 Auckland GRC meeting of 18 May was declared a no race due to the lure losing power. The post 12-18 May 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Former New Zealand mare Enchanted Elle (NZ) (Jakkalberry) marked herself as a hurdler to watch this season at Casterton on Sunday, breaking her jumps maiden in fine style under the in-form Will Gordon. Trained by Symon Wilde, the daughter of Jakkalberry had done little in three Australian flat runs since arriving last October, but she ran a game second to Singforpeace in a maiden hurdle at Warrnambool last start, with a 20-length gap to third. Enchanted Elle ($2.70) jumped a clear second pick behind the consistent Balinor ($2), but Wilde’s mare was left with the race to lose when the favourite made a big mistake at the fourth of the last. But given how well Enchanted Elle travelled in front throughout, Balinor mightn’t have been any match regardless, as Gordon clicked his mount up and soon had a mammoth lead in hand. The home straight was essentially a schooling display, as Gordon ensured nothing untoward would occur over the last two hurdles, but the margin back to Teewaters ($12) was still over four lengths on the line. The dual-code English hoop has won an impressive eight of his 33 in the last eight days, with his 300th Australian win aboard Pat Kearney’s Kiss My Rock amongst them. But he gave all credit to Enchanted Elle for Sunday’s dashing victory. “I was probably just a bit of a passenger, to be honest, for most that,” Gordon said. “She’s tailor made for a track like this, Casterton – she jumps like an absolutely rabbit, makes up many lengths at the hurdles. “When I was able to wing those three down the back and she still gave me a kick around that home corner, I thought, ‘surely nothing’s coming to me here’.” View the full article

There were a couple of nervous moments for Kurtis Pertab ahead of War Queen’s (NZ) (Proisir) debut at Hawera on Sunday, but the filly brought her trial form to the races and delivered a tidy victory in the Grangewilliam Stud (1200m). A daughter of Proisir, War Queen had a reputation for barrier woes and that almost continued at the Central Districts meeting, taking her time to link into barrier one. But, the filly eventually took her place and flew out when the gates opened, settling in the lead under Ace Lawson-Carroll. War Queen travelled comfortably through the deteriorating track conditions and had her rivals off the bit turning for home, proving too sharp in the finish to score with ease by 1 ¾ lengths to Good Craic. Pertab had recently taken over the filly’s training and was rapt, albeit relived to see her put it all together on raceday. “I was really confident with her, but I brought three favourites down and didn’t have much luck earlier in the day,” he said. “Lucky Coral just pulled too hard over 2100m for the first time and Shamokin didn’t cop the wet track. “I was a little bit nervous when she wouldn’t load away, she came to me with a reputation and hasn’t been in the stable for long but she’s shown really good ability at home and at the trials. “She trialled very well on a heavy track, and we’ve had a fair bit of rain at home, so I knew she would handle the track today. That wasn’t a query, just her barrier manners on race day and she got a little bit warm with the delay.” While the three-year-old filly skipped through the heavy ground, Pertab is wary of maintaining her condition when assessing how far she will go through this preparation. “We’ll see how she comes through it, she’s a very small filly with not a lot to her and she came up from the South Island without a lot of condition,” he said. “She doesn’t take a lot of work at home and we’re mindful of not doing too much, we’ll see how she travels home and eats over the next couple of days before making a plan. If she does, we’ll carry on.” Bred and owned by Rich Hill Thoroughbreds, War Queen is out of a Group Two-winning mare Passchendaele, who has produced seven winners out of as many foals to race. Among her progeny is Group One performer Masetto and the promising Takeshi. War Queen’s performance capped off a successful week for Pertab, having collected a winning double on his home track of Matamata on Wednesday. The first of these came from Brilliant Battle (NZ) (War Decree), a son of War Decree that Pertab has always held in high regard. The gelding showed promise as a juvenile but was still searching for that elusive maiden success, one he couldn’t have done more impressively in the Ewen and Wilcox 1400. In the hands of Jasmine Fawcett, Brilliant Battle showed good early speed and found the front from a wide barrier, setting a solid tempo along the back straight. The field was chasing from a long way out and the gelding just kept finding, putting seven lengths on the nearest horse (Bradley) at the post. “It was about time really, he’s a horse I’ve always really liked, ever since I bought him as a foal,” Pertab said. “He’s had really good ability but just never had much luck, then first-up this preparation, I thought he was a certainty, but just didn’t have a very good trip there (at Woodville). “We gave him one more chance and he’s finally delivered. “He’ll definitely press on from here, he’s a three-year-old who has had a fair bit of racing having raced as a two-year-old and an early three-year-old, but he’s only had the two starts this time and he copped the track excellent.” His stablemate Pistol Whip (NZ) (Ocean Park) showed good improvement from his first-up effort to deliver in the final event of the day, the Matamata Glass and Joinery (1400m). Kate Hercock ensured the gelding was on the front foot from the outset, hunting to find the lead and controlled the tempo throughout. Despite a strong challenge from Zanzibar, Pistol Whip showed his fighting spirit all the way to the line, holding on by a long neck. “He’s a tough horse without a lot to him, but he’s got a lot of heart and a lot of try,” Pertab said. “It was nice to see him knuckle down and keep going because he’s such a laidback character.” By Ocean Park out of a stakes performer Quattro Katie, Pistol Whip was purchased as a weanling by Pertab and was initially intended to be a trading prospect. “He was purchased as a potential trade horse and was a nice, tidy type at the weanling sales. He’s out of a really good racemare, Quattro Katie, who was a stakes horse for Te Akau, but he just didn’t grow enough so we ended up racing him. “He showed good ability at the trials, he’s only had four starts and he’s placed to Tuxedo whose turned out to be a very good horse. His second-up record is very good.” View the full article

King Of The North (NZ) (Jon Snow) went from zero to hero in the space of two minutes at Ellerslie on Saturday, surprising even his trainers with a massive performance to win the Join TAB Racing Club 2100. An aptly named son of Jon Snow, King Of The North has made a strong early impression as a stayer and was sent out favourite in Saturday’s Rating 75 contest – but he looked more like a pauper than a king after missing the start by five lengths. But, in-form apprentice jockey Triston Moodley maintained his composure, allowing the gelding to find his feet at the tail of the field as Special Swey took up the role of pacemaker. Kirrawee joined the leader in front but both looked to be under pressure turning for home, leaving all to play for as the field straightened. Meanwhile, Moodley had quietly started to make up ground on King Of The North and he suddenly looked a major threat at the 200m. The gelding put in big strides to power over the top of Procella and win by 1 ½ lengths, still pulling after the line. Co-trainer Lance O’Sullivan was the first to admit he believed the gelding’s hopes were dashed with such a sedate beginning. “When he went past us with a round to go, I switched to watch the other horse (stablemate, Desert Mystic) to be honest,” he said. “I thought he was no chance from there, that was what I was thinking. “He tagged on the back of them and got into a good rhythm, but he just kept steadily improving around them and it was a very good performance.” Bred by Tim Harrison, King Of The North was a $60,000 purchase by Wexford Stables out of Te Runga Stud’s draft at the 2022 National Yearling Sales at Karaka. The four-year-old is out of a two-win mare Higher Authority, who is a half-sister to Australian stakes winner Alinga. O’Sullivan and his training partner Andrew Scott identified the gelding as a staying prospect from that stage and are happy to continue allowing him the time he needs to mature. “We’ve always really liked this horse, right from when Team Wexford purchased him at the yearling sales,” O’Sullivan said. “We thought he’s going to make a stayer long-term and he’s only four, he’ll go to the paddock now but he’s going to make a proper racehorse when he’s six. “He’s just been very slow to learn and he’s got a long way to go, but one thing we know is he can stay and he’s got a lot of raw ability. “He’s trying to do things right, he’s a very kind horse on the ground and is just taking a long time to come to it in his racing. We certainly believe we’re on the right track with him.” With three wins and over $100,000 in stakes to his name, King Of The North is the best performer on home soil for Group One winner Jon Snow. Across the Tasman, No Fuss is flying the flag for the Clearview Park Stud sire, having won his last four races on the bounce for Tony and Calvin McEvoy. View the full article

Promising staying mare Who Knows (NZ) (Redwood) delivered the result many anticipated when she took out a competitive John Turkington Forestry / Waipine Country Cup (2200m) at Trentham on Saturday. The daughter of Redwood has been patiently handled by Niall Quinn, with just ten prior starts including two wins at a mile and 2100m. After building nicely into her autumn campaign, Who Knows was back out to a distance she truly thrives at and was backed as the horse to beat on Saturday, closing a shortening $2.10 favourite. While punters expected Who Knows to be in front at the finish line, that wasn’t meant to be on the first lap, but the mare jumped away positively under Kate Hercock and she allowed her to stride forward to sit outside the leader Malfy Rosa. The two mares maintained a solid tempo along the back straight and Who Knows was still travelling comfortably at the 600, while Malfy Rosa began to tire and was caught by Quid and Lincoln Star. The long Trentham straight becomes even longer for the horse in front from the outset, but it was of no concern to Who Knows, as she kept up a strong gallop to hold off second-elect Quid to score by a neck. Wanganui-based Quinn revealed he and Hercock had intended to go forward and was rapt to see their plan pay off. “She’s a pretty progressive mare and we’ve been pretty happy with her going into this,” he said. “We wanted to go forward, and I thought that today was a better chance for her to get handier, with the way she was drawn. “She’s just a really nice, honest horse. Emma (Quinn) does a lot of work with her at home so we’re very pleased. “I think we’ll just keep taking her through the grades, we’ll take each race as it comes. We’ll work on from there.” Hercock echoed Quinn’s praise for the five-year-old, indicating a serious staying race is well within her capabilities. “Niall said she does have a tendency to be slow out, so give her a dig out, but I think as I was coming past the winning post the first time Niall would’ve been screaming,” she said. “But, I rode her like the best horse in the field, there was no speed so I just let her roll along. There’s no point in trying to walk and sprint and she’s won very nicely. “She just goes to sleep, you could ride her anywhere. Today, we’ve ended up sitting outside the leader in front, but other days you can ride her back. She’s very economical.” Out of the Zabeel mare Bello Cappello, Who Knows has now won three of her 11 starts and over $70,000 in stakes for the Fast Horses Syndicate. Bello Cappello is out of a top race mare Cinder Bella, a dual Group One-winner on home soil and Group Two performer in Australia. View the full article

Rider Penalties R Elliot | Matamata 14 May; failed to make weight; fined $100. T Davies | Canterbury 15 May; use of whip; fined $500. L Callaway | Canterbury 15 May; failed to make weight; fined $100. T Mitchell | Auckland 17 May; use of whip (2 charges); suspended 26 May – 21 June inclusive. L Kauri | Auckland 17 May; careless riding; suspended 19-28 May inclusive. M Alam | Auckland 17 May; failed to make weight; fined $100. E Sole | Rangitikei 17 May; careless riding; suspended 25-31 May inclusive. W Featherstone | Egmont 18 May; celebratory gesture; fined $300. J Riddell | Egmont 18 May; medical clearance required. Trainer Penalties J & K Parsons | Canterbury 15 May; presented incorrect horse; fined $600. A Carston | Canterbury 15 May; late rider notification; fined $50. S Marsh | Auckland 17 May; incorrect saddlecloths; fined $50. Horse Penalties VANBRUGH BELLE | Matamata 14 May; lame; veterinary clearance required. PROSERVE | Canterbury 15 May; late scratching on veterinary advice; veterinary clearance required. WATERGATE | Canterbury 15 May; late scratching on veterinary advice; veterinary clearance required. REPTAK | Auckland 17 May; slow recovery; veterinary clearance required. General B Collins (Starting Gate Attendant); Non-raceday dated 13 May; misconduct; fined $250. The post 12-18 May 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Utah Beach's powerful late rally got him first across the wire for his second consecutive graded stakes win in the May 17 Louisville Stakes (G3T) at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Journalism rebounded from a runner-up finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1) to post a resilient victory in the $2 million Preakness Stakes (G1) May 17 at Pimlico Race Course.View the full article

Fort Washington accelerated to an impressive win in the $250,000 Dinner Party Stakes (G3T) May 17 at Pimlico Race Course, crossing the finish line ahead by one length to give trainer Shug McGaughey his sixth win in the historic race.View the full article

Journalism rebounded from a runner-up finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1) to post a resilient victory in the $2 million Preakness Stakes (G1) May 17 at Pimlico Race Course.View the full article

JOURNALISM (c, 3, Curlin–Mopotism, by Uncle Mo), the post-time favorite when second to Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in the 151st running of the GI Kentucky Derby two weeks ago, looked all but beaten–and beaten up–entering the final furlong of Saturday's 150th GI Preakness Stakes, the last renewal to be held at old Pimlico Race Course. In trouble for most of the penultimate furlong, the $825,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga graduate bulled his way into the clear and, with a final eighth-of-a-mile burst that nearly defies explanation, caught GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes hero Gosger (Nyquist) in the final two strides in one of the most dramatic finishes in the history of the event. Clever Again (American Pharoah) came across from gate eight, as expected, to lead past the grandstand for the first time, with Gosger not far away. Journalism, confirmed for the Preakness just one day before entries were taken last Monday, broke fairly and settled in about midfield, racing on his incorrect lead as they came past the wire for the first time. Clever Again took them along at a very solid pace–the half-mile was up in :46.66–and Journalism traveled inside, but didn't look entirely happy as Umberto Rispoli was niggling at him approaching the second turn. Clever Again looked in deep water as Gosger and Luis Saez took the race to him at the quarter pole, but the true drama was developing a few more lengths behind. By this time, Journalism had jumped back into the bridle, but was in very tight and was bumped very hard to his outside by Goal Oriented (Not This Time), evoking memories of the incredible feat of athleticism displayed by Afleet Alex when he nearly went down in the 2005 Preakness. In turn, Journalism was forced into Clever Again, who steadied sharply and was effectively eased from that point, but most importantly, Journalism had somehow overcome the bumper cars to find the daylight he so badly needed. In the meantime, Gosger had well and truly gotten the jump and went several lengths clear, forcing even Rispoli to question whether he had the means to get the job done. But get home he did, clawing his way past Gosger, who'd run too well to lose, in the final 20 yards. Sandman (Tapit), for a stride or two ahead of Journalism at the furlong grounds, finished third. Journalism's own sire won the 2007 Preakness, defeating Derby winner Street Sense in a similarly thrilling conclusion, while trainer Michael McCarthy was winning his second Preakness, after saddling Rombauer (Twirling Candy) in 2021. Sales history; $825,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: 7-5-1-1. O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, LaPenta, Robert V., Elayne Stables 5 LLC, Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael B. and Smith, Derrick; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Michael McCarthy. Congrats to the connections of #FasigGrad JOURNALISM, winner of the Preakness S. (G1) at @PimlicoRC! O: @EclipseTBP, @bridlewoodocala, Don Alberto Stable, LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5, Magnier, Tabor, & Smith T: @mwmracing J: @umbyrispoli Br: @hsdonalberto pic.twitter.com/dzgO9nERKV — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) May 17, 2025 The post Journalism Defies All Odds To Win Preakness 150 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article