Wandering Eyes

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Sunday's Observations features the return of a 'TDN Rising Star'. 1.30 Naas, Cond, €40,000, 2yo, 5fT CHARLES DARWIN (IRE) (No Nay Never) drops back in trip having put in a TDN Rising Star performance when scoring by 5 1/2 lengths over nearly six at Navan last month. The full-brother to Blackbeard is going to be heading to Royal Ascot with plenty of experience under his belt at this rate. 3.45 Newmarket, Novice, £21,000, 2yo, 6fT TREANMOR (IRE) (Frankel {GB}) is out relatively early for a precious €2 million Goffs Orby Book 1 topper, with Charlie Appleby starting him in the same race he won 12 months ago with the ill-fated G2 Superlative Stakes winner and G1 Dewhurst Stakes third Ancient Truth. Out of Invincible Spirit's Listed scorer and dual Group 3-placed Loch Lein, Godolphin's exciting colt faces five fellow newcomers. The post Charles Darwin Opens Naas Card appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday, Naas, post time: 16:03, COOLMORE STUD IRISH EBF BLACKBEARD FILLIES SPRINT STAKES-G3, €42,000, 2yo, f, 5f 205yT Field: Dawn Romance (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Green Sense (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Lady Iman (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Leblon Beach (GB) (Ubettabelieveit {Ire}), Miami Destination (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), Saffron Dandy (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), Signora (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Simply Astounding (Wootton Bassett {GB}). TDN Verdict: Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star Simply Astounding takes the Meditate and Fairy Godmother route presumably to the Albany at Royal Ascot and in terms of promise she has it all. In Lady Iman she has a serious rival, but Saturday's reversal of True Love tempers enthusiasm a touch given how close that runner got to her in the five-furlong Listed First Flier Stakes at The Curragh. Interestingly, Aidan O'Brien also saddles the unraced Signora and she is hard to ignore as a half-sister to Exactly. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Naas, post time: 16:33, GOFFS LACKEN STAKES-G3, €42,000, €36,000, 3yo, 5f 205yT Field: Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never), Babouche (GB) (Kodiac {GB}), Bodhi Bear (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Treasure Isle (Ire) (No Nay Never), Carla Ridge (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Temperance (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Whistlejacket renews rivalry with Babouche, with the filly in front on their first meeting in The Curragh's G1 Phoenix Stakes in August. What the defeat of Ides Of March at Newbury on Saturday means to the prospects of Ballydoyle's G1 Prix Morny hero remains to be seen, with very little separating them in Navan's Listed Committed Stakes last month. Babouche ran a solid return under a penalty in the Listed Polonia Stakes at Cork earlier this month and is bred to go on at three. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Cologne, Germany, post time: 16:33, COOLMORE CITY OF TROY GERMAN 2000 GUINEAS-G2, €125,000, 3yo, c/f, 8fT Field: Ciaran (Fr) (Van Beethoven), Dhitjari (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}), Eternal Elixir (Ire) (Shaman {Ire}), Mehmas Champion (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Square Carnot (Fr) (Taj Mahal {Ire}), Windfang (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), Lips Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Matilda (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), Vertical Blue (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Last year's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Vertical Blue takes on the colts on this seasonal bow in an unconventional move by Francis-Henri Graffard, but when you are in the kind of form his stable are in you can more or less pick and choose where you go. Her nose defeat of stablemate Zarigana looks even better now and she probably only has to beat another filly in the G3 Schwarzgold-Rennen third Lips Vega to collect with the domestic colts looking short of standard. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Hannover, Germany, post time: 14:00, GROSSER PREIS DER BURCKHARDT-GRUPPE – PREIS DE NEUEN BULT-Listed, €25,000, 3yo, f, 11fT Field: Asteria (Ger) (Nutan {Ire}), Fire And Ice (Ger) (Masar {Ire}), Lady Charlotte (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), Nyra (Ger) (Isfahan {Ger}), Que Bella (Ger) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Ruby Lips (Ire) (Highland Reel {Ire}), Starlight Lips (Ger) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Favourite here is the unbeaten Lady Charlotte after her wins at Warsaw last term, with Fantastic Moon's half-sister Fire And Ice possibly the biggest threat having won on debut at Hoppegarten. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Tokyo, Japan, post time: 15:40, VICTORIA MILE-G1, ¥253,400,000, 4yo/up, f/m, 1600mT Field: Christmas Parade (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Stellenbosch (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), Argine (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Safira (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), Ravel (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Mi Anhelo (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Wide Latour (Jpn) (California Chrome), Shinryokuka (Jpn) (Satono Diamond {Jpn}), Admire Matsuri (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Bond Girl (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), Sing That Song (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Shirankedo (Jpn) (Declaratio Of War), Beyond The Valley (Jpn) (Isla Bonita {Jpn}), Masano Canaria (Jpn) (Silver State {Jpn}), So Dazzling (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), Queen's Walk (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Ascoli Piceno (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), Alice Verite (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}). Click here for the Japanese preview. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Whistlejacket And Babouche Rivalry Resumes In Lacken Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following severe weather Friday evening in Timonium, Maryland, Fasig-Tipton has adjusted the format of Sunday's final session of its Midlantic May Two-Year-Olds in Training under tack show as all horses will now gallop only and there will be no timed breezes, the auction company said in a press release Saturday. “The severe thunderstorms that moved through here last night dropped torrential rains in a very short amount of time,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “In light of these conditions, we feel that the responsible course of action is for horses to gallop only in tomorrow's final under tack show session. Today and tomorrow's forecasts call for good weather and we expect favorable conditions under which to conduct the under tack show.” Officials have assessed the condition of the racetrack and determined that the surface will require additional time to dry out to provide optimal conditions for breezing. “We have received an unprecedented amount of rainfall over the last two weeks, including these past several days,” Browning said. “The track crew here at the Maryland State Fairgrounds has done an admirable job keeping the racetrack in excellent condition to this point in time, however with this additional rain last night, we feel it is best to change our format for the remainder of the under tack show.” The Sunday under tack show session will begin at 8 a.m. ET. The entire auction will be held on Tuesday, May 20 beginning at 10 a.m. ET. This is a change from the previously scheduled two-day format on May 19-20. The post Final Session Of Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May Under Tack Show Will Be Gallop Only appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

10th-SA, $61k, Msw, 3-5yo, 6 1/2fT, 8:38p.m. ET Side by side in the gate for their debut, HARMONIQUE (Nyquist) and Neema (Curlin) will be unveiled for their respective connections in this night cap at Santa Anita Park. The former is a homebred for Thor-Bred Stables, and is a daughter of GI Oak Leaf Stakes victress Rigoletta (Concerto)–thus a half-sister to the late GI Breeder's Cup Dirt Mile winner Battle of Midway (Smart Strike). She also claims MSW & MGSP Moretti (Medaglia d'Oro) as a half-sibling as well as the dam of SW Upper Case (American Pharoah). Harmonique hails from the extended female family of champion female sprinter MGISW Musical Romance (Concorde's Tune) and a Hong Kong group winner in 2024. She heads out from the shed row of trainer Neil Drysdale. To her inside, Neema goes to post carrying the colors of Michael Lund Peterson for trainer Bob Baffert. A $460,000 FTKOCT buy in 2023, the daughter of Curlin hails from the female family of SP Echo Echo Echo (Eastern Echo), whose branch of the family yielded GSW Letgomyecho (Menifee), herself dam of the late champion juvenile filly MGISW Echo Zulu (Gun Runner). That mare is also responsible for sire GISW Echo Town (Speightstown) and GSW J Boys Echo (Mineshaft). Neema comes into the race with a bullet work May 4 at this venue–four furlongs in :46.60 (1/32) on the training track–as well as a five panel move May 11 in 1:00.80 (5/21). The morning line has Harmonique at 20-1 and the latter at 10-1. TJCIS PPs The post May 18 Insights: Fillies from Family of Echo Zulu, Battle of Midway Unveiled in California appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin's GI Kentucky Derby-winning homebred Sovereignty (Into Mischief) returned to the work tab Saturday at Saratoga Race Course, breezing a solo half-mile over the Oklahoma dirt training track for trainer Bill Mott in preparation for the GI Belmont Stakes next month. Guided through the work by Eclipse Award-winner Neil Poznansky, Sovereignty stretched his legs with a gallop around most of the oval first before assuming position on the backside to break off into his work and post splits of :12.88 seconds, :25.02 and the half-mile in :49.76. He galloped out in 1:04.29 and 1:20.10, according to NYRA clockers. “He went well–nice,” Mott said. “He had good energy and was willing to do more.” G1 Kentucky Derby winner SOVEREIGNTY (Neil Poznansky up) returned to the work tab today over the Oklahoma. NYRA clockers caught him through splits of 12.88, 25.02, the half-mile in 49.76, and galloping out in 1:04.29 and 1:20.10. pic.twitter.com/j7fHYQpYuW — Mary Eddy (@singmysongbird) May 17, 2025 Also on the tab for the Hall of Fame trainer on Saturday was last year's GI Whitney Stakes hero Arthur's Ride (Tapit), who worked in company with SW Poca Mucha (Tourist) later in the morning. NYRA clockers caught the pair through splits of 13 1/5, 25 4/5, and the half-mile in 50 3/5 before galloping out in 1:04 1/5 and 1:19 2/5. Other workers of note include MGISW White Abarrio (Race Day), who reacquainted himself with the Spa's main track Friday, posting a half-mile breeze in :49.27 seconds in company with New York-bred Bustin Bullet (Bustin Stones) for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. “He went a half from the three-eighths and he galloped out five-eighths, which was a little more than he should have, but we just wanted him to stretch his legs over the surface,” Joseph, Jr. said. “So far, so good.” The conditioner reported that White Abarrio is still on target for the GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap, and will have two more breezes. A more intense drill will take place between Thursday and Saturday. (1/2) Multiple G1 winner WHITE ABARRIO breezed a half-mile over the Saratoga main track this morning in company with Bustin Bullet. NYRA clockers caught them through splits of 12.70, 36.51, the half in 49.27, and galloping out 5F in 1:02.49. pic.twitter.com/85a9z5Fped — Mary Eddy (@singmysongbird) May 16, 2025 The post Sovereignty Back To Work At The Spa While White Abarrio Drills For Met Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The track for the 150th Preakness Stakes (G1) May 17 will have time to dry out after Friday’s storms, with a predicted high of 82 degrees Saturday. Nine horses will head to the post at 7:01 p.m. ET.View the full article

Off at 90 cents on the dollar after sitting up on the board at 1-2 for a good portion of the wagering, 'TDN Rising Star' BOOTH (c, 4, Mitole–Sophia's Song, by Bellamy Road) was given a stiff test every step of the way by the hard-knocking and well-backed Epic Ride (Blame), but at the end of the day, his class prevailed en route to a third straight success at the Grade III level in Saturday's Maryland Sprint Stakes at Pimlico. Off like a shot in a field scratched down to just five short-track specialists, the $120,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $225,000 OBS March breezer was off to a flying start beneath Erik Asmussen and showed the way through an opening couple of furlongs in :23.30, with one-time Kentucky Derby participant Epic Ride keeping pace to his outside. Continuing to hold a slender advantage around the turn and past the quarter pole in :45.99, Booth was made to work for it by a very game Epic Ride, but he managed to hold sway to add to his prior victories in the GIII Whitmore Stakes and GIII Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at his winter base at Oaklawn Park. Concrete Glory (Bodemeister) dwelt at the start and was pulled out of the race by jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. It was a record-equaling fourth win in the race for the jockey's father Steve, who most recently saddled the recently retired 'Rising Star' Jaxon Traveler (Munnings) in the 2022 renewal. Sales history: $120,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $225,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 11-7-0-0. O-Bill & Corinne Heiligbrodt, Whispering Oaks Farm & Jackpot Farm; B-Clearsky Farms (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. What a fantastic run from BOOTH ($3.80) in the $150,000 Maryland Sprint Stakes (G3) at @PimlicoRC. Erik Asmussen was up for trainer Steve Asmussen. Another winner for Mitole (@spendthriftfarm)! Looking for a Pick 5? Look here https://t.co/28CDidrNEI pic.twitter.com/un8AH7C3Rs — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 17, 2025 Saturday, Pimlico MARYLAND SPRINT S.-GIII, $148,500, Pimlico, 5-17, 3yo/up, 6f, 1:10.39, ft. 1–BOOTH, 126, c, 4, by Mitole 1st Dam: Sophia's Song (SW & GSP, $155,892), by Bellamy Road 2nd Dam: Dreamscape, by Mt. Livermore 3rd Dam: Big Dreams, by Great Above 'TDN Rising Star'. ($120,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $225,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR). O-L. William Heiligbrodt, Corinne Heiligbrodt, Jackpot Farm and Whispering Oaks Farm LLC; B-Clearsky Farms (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen; J-Erik Asmussen. $90,000. Lifetime Record: 11-7-0-0, $851,191. *1/2 to Musical Mischief (Into Mischief), GSW & GISP, $519,276 and Bright Future (Curlin), GISW, $947,940. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Epic Ride, 120, c, 4, Blame–Pick a Time, by Gio Ponti. ($160,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Welch Racing LLC; B-Fred W. Hertrich (KY); T-John Ennis. $30,000. 3–Celtic Contender, 120, c, 4, Irish War Cry–Celtic Katie, by Posse. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-Lewis Family Racing Stable; B-Fred T Lewis (MD); T-Hamilton A. Smith. $15,000. Margins: 1, 6 3/4, 5 1/4. Odds: 0.90, 1.50, 6.70. Also Ran: S S Sinatra, Concrete Glory. Scratched: Ninetyprcentmaddie, Prince of Jericho. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post ‘Rising Star’ Booth Stays Hot In Maryland Sprint Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

3rd-Pimlico, $50,960, Msw, 5-17, 3, 4, 5/6yo, 1 1/16m, 1:43.80, gd, 5 1/2 lengths. VARNEY (c, 3, Vekoma–Summer of Fun {SW & GISP, $306,671}, by Include), who cost a whopping $775,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale, got the Preakness program off to a winning start for the Bob Baffert barn, leading every step of the way to break his maiden at career start number four late Saturday morning at Pimlico. Favored at 4-5 at post time stretching out to two turns off a fourth to his 'TDN Rising Star' stablemate and Preakness entrant Goal Oriented (Not This Time) in what has become a productive Santa Anita maiden Apr. 6, the dark bay colt had to be asked to go early on by Flavien Prat, but secured the lead passing under the wire for the first time, with third choice Energize (Medaglia d'Oro) doing the chasing. Last Man Standing (McKinzie), who was pulled out into the clear with about six furlongs to race, worked into the race nicely while covering ground four deep on the turn, but Varney was always firmly in front, and despite some wayward ways and gawking about in the stretch, came away to take it by 5 1/2 lengths. One of five winners from as many to race from his dam, a stakes winner and third in the 2012 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Summer of Fun was acquired by Saudi Arabian interests for $35,000 in foal to Spendthrift's Rock Your World at Keeneland November in 2022 and produced a colt from the first crop by the Candy Ride (Arg) stallion in 2023. Sales history: $775,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 4-1-0-1, $42,800. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-By Talla Racing LLC, Spendthrift Farm LLC & St Elias Stables LLC; B-Spendthrift Farm LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Flavien Prat kept VARNEY ($3.60) on task and wins the 3rd at @PimlicoRC. @BobBaffert trains the three-year-old colt by @spendthriftfarm's Vekoma. It's time for a Pick 4: https://t.co/ekE1MG5OIw pic.twitter.com/v28DMm2CdX — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 17, 2025 The post Expensive Vekoma Colt Goes Wire To Wire to Graduate at Old Hilltop appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Paying a big compliment to her Listed Pretty Polly Stakes conqueror Falakeyah on Saturday, TBT Racing's Qilin Queen booked her ticket to the Oaks in Newbury's Listed Childwickbury Stud Fillies' Trial Stakes. Quickly placed on the lead by Hollie Doyle, the Ed Walker-trained daughter of Pinatubo had to battle late to get to the line in front of the Lawn Stud homebred Revoir but proved up to the task to score by a short head as the 18-5 second favourite. The runner-up, a daughter of Study Of Man who also holds an Oaks entry and was having only her second start and first of the campaign, was half a length in front of the 100-30 market-leader Sand Gazelle, the daughter of Frankel who had also finished behind Falakeyah in the Pretty Polly. Just held on! Qilin Queen sees off Revoir to win a thriller at @NewburyRacing for @HollieDoyle1 and @edwalkerracing… pic.twitter.com/T6uFOGiqcE — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 17, 2025 The post Pinatubo’s Qilin Queen Oaks Bound After Newbury Success appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars HINOKAMI KAGURA - R2 (2) Is itching to win one and looks well placed to do just that here Jay Rooney PAKISTAN LEGACY - R9 (4) Maps to get a more economical run from the draw and can strike Trackwork Spy PAKISTAN LEGACY - R9 (4) Hasn't done a lot wrong so far and looks well placed here Phillip Woo SUGAR BALL - R8 (1) Looks a live chance with a return to the level of two wins earlier this term Shannon (Vincent Wong) RISING FORCE - R3 (1) Scored well on debut last start and can repeat the dose today Racing Post Online ORIENTAL SMOKE - R4 (2) Kept on well enough for third last start and can score with Purton aboard Tom Wood RISING FORCE - R3 (1) Excelled on the dirt on debut and looks tough to beat againView the full article

4th-Newmarket, £40,000, Novice, 5-17, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:12.82, g/f. DANCE TO THE MUSIC (GB) (f, 2, Dubawi {Ire}–Miss Lucifer {Fr} {GSW-Eng, $193,403}, by Noverre), a full-sister to the yard's triple top-level-winning Breeders' Cup Mile hero Space Blues, raced close to the early pace. Green running into the dip, the 2-1 second favourite battled gamely to overhaul Eskimo Pie in the final yards to earn a length verdict over that daughter of Kodi Bear. Miss Lucifer, who captured the G2 Challenge Stakes, produced as her first foal Elusive Quality's G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1, G3 UAE Oaks and G3 Burj Nahaar winner Shuruq who in turn is the dam of Hard Spun's GIII The Very One Stakes and Saratoga Oaks winner and GI Belmont Oaks and GI American Oaks-placed Antoinette and Medaglia D'Oro's GII Royal Heroine Stakes runner-up Javanica. From the family of the 1,000 Guineas heroine Virginia Waters, her yearling filly is also by Dubawi. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $27,379. O/B-Godolphin; T-Charlie Appleby. A winning combination @loughnane_billy makes it 7 winners from 13 rides for Charlie Appleby by steering home Dubawi filly Dance To The Music on debut. @godolphin | @Tattersalls1766 pic.twitter.com/OyiCmo1ehW — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 17, 2025 The post Space Blues’ Sister Dance To The Music On Top At Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A renewal of Newbury's G1 BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes which read like a puzzle went the way of Juddmonte's Lead Artist, with the son of Dubawi the one peaking at the right time on Saturday. Supported into 17-2 for the mile feature with the Gosdens fully expecting the regally-connected homebred to leave his latest last-of-eight in the G2 Sandown Mile way behind, the otherwise progressive 4-year-old was positioned near the steady early tempo by Oisin Murphy with the race's main fancies anchored too far back. As the heat was turned up at halfway, it was the Sandown Mile winner Dancing Gemini who attacked first of the closers and he managed to get in front of Lead Artist inside the final furlong only to pay for his hard effort near the line. There was a neck between the winner and that 2-1 favourite there, with Rosallion 2 1/4 lengths away on his return. LEAD ARTIST storms home to win the @BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes! @oismurphy | @NewburyRacing pic.twitter.com/dpiJ0hbjmN — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 17, 2025 The post Dubawi’s Lead Artist Wins The Lockinge For Juddmonte And The Gosdens appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aidan O'Brien has issued an upbeat bulletin on star stayer Kyprios following his Saval Beg Stakes victory at Leopardstown on Friday evening. The seven-year-old claimed a third success in the Group 3 contest, with the dual Gold Cup winner seemingly well on course for another trip to Royal Ascot. However, O'Brien expressed some concern about the horse's movement leaving the winner's enclosure, saying Kyprios was “moving a little bit gingerly in front”. He has subsequently been checked over and was reported to be sound on Saturday morning. O'Brien, quoted on the X account of the horse's owners Coolmore, said, “Kyprios is very good this morning and is sound. “We think he knocked his pastern after turning sharply in the winners enclosure. X-rays and scans were all clean and we are very happy with him.” Kyprios is very good this morning and is sound. We think he knocked his pastern after turning sharply in the winners enclosure. X-rays and scans were all clean and we are very happy with him. Aidan O'Brien, @Ballydoyle pic.twitter.com/w4sAXCgXBR — Coolmore (@coolmorestud) May 17, 2025 The post Champion Stayer Kyprios ‘Sound’ After Leopardstown Injury Worry appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thursday's G2 Dante Stakes hero Pride Of Arras (New Bay) has improved to a Timeform rating of 119p after his performance at York. The rating is the highest given to any of the winners of the middle-distance Classic trials this spring. Topping all 3-year-olds via rankings is G1 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court (Justify) at 123. G3 Acomb Stakes victor and Dante favourite The Lion In Winter (Sea The Stars) is third at 118+. Leopardstown's G3 Derby Trial Stakes winner Delacroix (Dubawi) and G1 Futurity Trophy Stakes scorer Hotazhell (Too Darn Hot) are rated 116p and 116, respectively. Timeform reporter Kieran Clark said, “Not only had Pride Of Arras clearly learnt plenty from his debut at Sandown nine months ago, but he appears to have strengthened up appreciably in that period. “This puts Pride Of Arras, who is a fine-looking type with bags of scope, firmly in the Derby picture. The longer trip is likely to be within range and the track is unlikely to pose a problem considering two of his dam's first three foals have won round Epsom. He has leading claims of becoming the sixth winner of this to follow up there this century and is fully deserving of his place towards the head of the Derby betting.” North Light, Motivator, Authorized, Golden Horn and the late Desert Crown have all completed the Dante-Derby double this century. The post Pride Of Arras Leads Middle-Distance Classic Trial Timeform Ratings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aidan O'Brien trainee Gstaad (Starspangledbanner), a 450,000gns Tattersalls December foal and half-brother to G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park Stakes hero Vandeek (Havana Grey), made a winning debut in Saturday's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Navan. The 7-1 chance produced a determined effort to deny stablemate True Love (No Nay Never) by 3/4-of-a-length nearing the line in the six-furlong contest. NOT the finishing order the market expected 450,000gns Starspangledbanner colt , a half-brother to Vandeek, makes a winning start to his career by getting up late on to beat well-fancied stablemate True Love.@Ballydoyle | @coolmorestud pic.twitter.com/DUrnluXRSn — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 17, 2025 The post Vandeek’s Half-Brother Gstaad Makes Winning Debut at Naas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Liberami (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) opened up more options for his trainer Robbie Griffiths when he stretched out beyond 1600m for the first time in his career and took out Saturday’s A$130,000 Murray Cox Handicap (1800m) at Flemington. The New Zealand-bred gelding brought a rich vein of autumn form into the Benchmark 84 handicap, with his four previous starts producing second placings over 1300m and 1500m at Sandown, a third over 1600m at Bendigo, and a last-start Benchmark 70 victory over 1600m at Sandown. He looked well placed at the bottom of the weights for the final race on Saturday’s Flemington card, where he lived up to expectations as the $2.40 favourite. After settling in 11th among a strung-out 15-horse field, Liberami and jockey Jye McNeil began to improve their position coming up to the home turn. By the top of the straight, they had closed to within five lengths of the leader. McNeil released the brakes and Liberami quickly bounded into contention, hitting the front 250m from the finish and going on to win by a length and a quarter. Mathew (NZ) (Tavistock), Trosettee (NZ) (Jimmy Choux), and Le Zebra (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) completed a clean sweep of the first four placings for New Zealand-breds. “He went straight to sleep for me, which is always important with him,” McNeil said. “But the further we went in the race, the more it was hard to see in those conditions. He started towing me up through the field and had got to within about five lengths by the time I changed goggles at the home turn, so he’s done a pretty good job riding himself.” The four-year-old Liberami has now had 16 starts for four wins, six placings and A$283,675 for an enthusiastic group of connections named the ‘Rami Army’. “They pulled their caps out before the race, so I was a bit worried and it put me under some pressure,” Griffiths said. “But it didn’t stop him from winning today. “Watching the race, the most worrying part was seeing Jye pulling his goggles down. I was just hoping he could see. “But once he angled out in the straight, he looked the winner a long way from home. He did the job very well in the end, so it was great. “This performance has given us a bit of confidence that he’ll run 2000m. We could be cheeky and back him up for another 1800m race at Sandown next Saturday, or there are some other options over the next few weeks. We’ll let him tell us as we go. But he’s a developing horse that’s coming along really nicely.” Liberami was bred by Lindsay de Souza, who was a part-owner of the gelding’s multiple Group One-winning sire Turn Me Loose. Standing at Windsor Park Stud for a service fee of $7,500, Turn Me Loose is the sire of 105 winners, including eight at stakes level. Liberami is the first named foal out of the Nicconi mare Loose Goose, who herself won three times in an 18-start career. Loose Goose is a half-sister to the seven-race winner Fuerza (Snippetson), who placed in the Gr.1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. Loose Goose has made several return visits to Turn Me Loose in recent seasons, producing colt foals in 2021, 2022 and 2023. View the full article

The Queensland Winter Carnival is proving to be a happy hunting ground for Imperialist (NZ) (Churchill), who collected his second Brisbane black-type prize in Saturday’s A$250,000 Gr.3 HKJC World Pool Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben. The New Zealand-bred son of Churchill opened his winning account in the Listed The Phoenix (1500m) at Eagle Farm last June, which was only the third start of his career. The Chris Waller-trained gelding had gone winless in nine races since then, but collected three placings earlier in his three-year-old season, including the Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) and Gr.2 Autumn Classic (1800m) in Melbourne. Imperialist went into the Rough Habit Plate as an overlooked $46 outsider after finishing outside the placings in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) and Gr.2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) in his previous two starts. He turned that form upside down with a standout performance on Saturday in the hands of jockey Tommy Berry. Drawn the outside gate in the field of 14, Berry pushed Imperialist forward to sit outside the leader Shangri La Spring (Castelvecchio) as the field passed the finish line with a lap to go. Imperialist swung wide around the bend out of the home straight, but kept pressing forward to take up a front-running position heading down the back of the Doomben track. There were some shaky moments just before home turn as Imperialist was headed and looked likely to be swallowed up, but then he lifted again. With another powerful kick early in the home straight, Imperialist shook free of his challengers and took command. Imperialist put himself out of reach of the late-closing backmarkers, who were led by fellow Kiwi-breds Deep Focus (NZ) (Deep Field), King Of Thunder (NZ) (Tivaci), Maison Louis (NZ) (Super Seth) and Our Benefactor (NZ) (Contributer). Berry and Imperialist swept past the finish line with a length and a half up their sleeve. “Full credit to the team behind this horse,” Berry said. “He has always had ability, but it hasn’t been easy to get the best out of him. Chris took the blinkers back off and we just changed things up a little bit in the hope that we’d get a result. “Chris is the best trainer of stayers around, so if he thinks he can get the horse to stay, then he can get the horse to stay.” Racing in the colours of long-time Waller client Noel Greenhalgh, Imperialist has now had 13 starts for two wins, three placings and A$387,850 in stakes. “We didn’t know what to do with this horse after his last start, where we tried blinkers and it didn’t work,” Waller said. “So we took them off and suggested to Tommy that we ride him a bit closer to the speed today. He had a nice soft time up front and it sparked some interest. “He brought some good form to Sydney from Melbourne, but then didn’t quite stay the 2400m in the Derby. I’ll have a chat to Tommy to see what he says, but I do still have some concerns over the 2400m in the Queensland Derby. The Churchills tend to be slightly speedier horses, so we’ll have a think over the next few days about where we go with him next.” Bred by Curraghmore’s Gordon Cunningham in conjunction with Demi O’Byrne’s Arkle Bloodstock, Imperialist is out of the Fastnet Rock mare Dancing Hare, who in turn is out of a Sadler’s Wells daughter of outstanding producer Solo De Lune, whose 11 winners included an incredible eight stakes performers headed by the Group One winners Cerulean Sky, L’Ancresse and Moonstone. Imperialist was purchased for $170,000 from the draft of Curraghmore at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale at Karaka by Chris Waller Racing and Guy Mulcaster Bloodstock. Dancing Hare has a yearling filly by Satono Aladdin and a weanling filly by Ocean Park. She was served by exciting Cambridge Stud shuttler Chaldean last spring. View the full article

Emma-Lee and David Browne’s victory in the A$300,000 Listed Lexus Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday was enormously valuable in more ways than one for the Kiwi couple. A first black-type success for their homebred mare Basilinna (NZ) (Staphanos) carried plenty of value in itself, but the Andrew Ramsden also guarantees its winner a ballot-free spot in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November. “I’m a bit overwhelmed actually,” Emma-Lee Browne said. “Now we just have to wrap her up in cotton wool, and then we can be back here for the Melbourne Cup in November. That’s a massive thing for our stable, we’re a tiny stable, and I can’t believe it.” Saturday’s Andrew Ramsden victory capped a strong run of autumn form for the New Zealand-bred Basilinna, who was a first-up winner over 2040m at Moonee Valley on March 22 before second placings in the A$150,000 Country Oaks (2100m) at Echuca and the Listed Port Adelaide Cup (2500m) at Morphettville. The four-year-old was given a perfect run on Saturday by jockey Dean Yendall, who moved her across from gate 14 and took up a position along the rail in third-last. Basilinna handled the deteriorating Soft7 track better than most in the Andrew Ramsden field, and she trucked into the race with ease coming up to the home turn. Yendall angled her out into clear air at the top of the straight, and Basilinna quickly powered past Berkshire Breeze (Mastercraftsman) to take command with just under 400m to run. Basilinna began to drift around while out on her own in the closing stages of the race, but she kept going strongly enough to beat the late-finishing Glentaneous (Gleneagles) by a length and a quarter. “I’ve only recently started riding for the Brownes, who are a lovely family and great to ride for,” Yendall said. “To get this mare into the Melbourne Cup is a great thrill for them and also for me. “She’d been knocking on the door. She put the writing on the wall with some nice runs in recent starts. She relished the soft ground today. We were able to get across from the wide gate and had a great run in transit, just following the fence and then getting out when we needed to. She found the line strongly down the straight.” Basilinna is the second stakes winner for Novara Park stallion Staphanos, joining the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) winner Pignan (NZ) (Staphanos). Basilinna is out of the Shinko King mare So Royal (NZ), who the Brownes bought for just $500 on Gavelhouse.com in 2019. From 19 starts, Basilinna has now recorded three wins and seven placings. She has earned A$535,000 in stakes. As a three-year-old, she placed in the Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m), Gr.2 Kewney Stakes (1600m) and Gr.3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m). “This is a horse that means a lot to me,” Emma-Lee Browne said. “We bred her and it’s absolutely amazing. “David actually bought her mum for me after I lost my good jumper Monarch Chimes – she’s by the same sire, Shinko King. I laughed at the time and said ‘you can’t replace him’, but now I think he’s done a pretty good job. “I just can’t believe she did that today. When the rain started coming, we were pretty confident. But she’s an absolute princess and I started to worry whether it had rained too much for her. But she just did it so well. “This is the second time Dean has given her an absolute peach of a ride. I can’t thank him enough. “Credit to all of our team. We’ve had a great season, but this has really topped it off.” View the full article

Making his Australian bow, Sir Delius (Frankel) ran out a 1 1/4-length winner of the G3 JRA Chairman's Handicap over 2000 metres at Doomben on Saturday (video). The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trainee topped the Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale at 1.3 million gns last autumn. Sold to Waterhouse and Bott who were part of a partnership with Go Racing, De Burgh Equine, and McKeever Bloodstock, the bay stalked in midfield before rallying just off Floating (Puissance De Lune) in upper straight and forging clear at the 100-metre mark. The 4-5 pick, Sir Delius is now owned by Go Bloodstock Australia as part of an ownership group and was ridden by Tim Clark. Manzoice (Almanzor) was third. “It was great to see him put it all together and he's only going to improve from here off the back of that experience,” said Bott. “He's still well short of his best distance, and you saw how strong he was through the line. “He's bred to get over much further and his form in Europe suggests that as well. He was always purchased as a [G1] Melbourne Cup prospect, he's got that quality about him and everything we do in this preparation will be geared towards that. No firm commitments about another run this prep, but if we did a race like the Q22 looks suitable.” Bred by Mr. Mrs. David Brown in the UK, Sir Delius won his first three starts in France at three including the G3 Prix du Lys in the Coolmore partners' colours. Third in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris last July, he was second in the G2 Prix Niel and wound up eighth in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe prior to his sale Down Under. Out of the Daylami mare Whatami, the 675,000gns Tattersalls December foal is a half-brother to G3 Hoppings Stakes winner Nkosikazi (Cape Cross) and a full to stakes winner and five-time group-placed runner Juan Elcano (Frankel). This is the extended family of G2 Royal Lodge Stakes hero and G1 Futurity Trophy Stakes third Wimbledon Hawkeye (Kameko), who was runner-up in the G2 Dante Stakes this past week. Sir Delius impresses in his Australian debut, surging to victory at Doomben! @GaiWaterhouse1 @clarkyhk pic.twitter.com/aG9pLQSIVF — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 The post Seven-Figure Tattersalls Autumn HIT Topper Takes Chairman’s Handicap For Waterhouse And Bott appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

About a week ago the $2 million Preakness Stakes (G1) had the look of a grade 3 stakes race.View the full article

The class of Group 1 Champions Sprint winner Sunshine In Paris shone brightly at Doomben Racecourse on Saturday, as the mare bravely conquered the heavy track conditions to claim a hard-fought victory in the $1.5 million Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 (1200m). The win marked the first Group 1 of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival and a […] The post 2025 Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 Results: Sunshine In Paris Salutes for the Punters appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Visiting Brazilian hoop Bruno Queiroz is making every post a winner in his local riding stint by adding a maiden New Zealand stakes success to his bag of tricks as he guided gallant mare Francee (NZ) (Iffraaj) to a thrilling victory in the Listed James Bull Rangitikei Cup (1600m) at Trentham. Queiroz, who had ridden for Kiwi trainer Stephen Gray during a successful Singapore excursion after leaving his native Brazil, joined Gray in New Zealand earlier this month and immediately made an impact by riding a winner on his first day in the saddle here. Te Akau Racing entrusted the natural lightweight to take the reins aboard the five-year-old mare Francee, and he produced a peach of a ride on the daughter of Iffraaj, who landed the major spoils in a blanket finish from race favourite Knights Realm (NZ) (Castledale) and Khanshe (NZ) (Mongolian Khan). Francee settled nicely just behind the pace with Queiroz sitting quietly on her until bringing her into contention along the rail approaching the home bend. Knights Realm, Bradman (NZ) (Pins) and Khanshe were strung across the track as Francee joined in to thrust her head in front in the final bound and collect her maiden black type success. Co-trainer Mark Walker was delighted to see the mare pick up the thick end of the stake, along with the black-type and other benefits that go along with the victory. “She tries really hard and it is just great for Haunui Farm, the Chitty family and everyone involved in her,” Walker said. “I actually watched the race here in Melbourne and not long after I got a call from Caroline Chitty who was just so thrilled with what the mare had achieved. “It really hits home why you participate in this industry when you get recognition like that and the win couldn’t have happened for a nicer group of people.” Walker was also pleased about the effort from Queiroz, a talent he had seen first hand when training in Singapore. “It was a tremendous ride from Burno as he had her in the right place and was strong on her in the closing stages,” he said. “We are lucky to have these experienced international riders coming to New Zealand and you can see just what they bring to the saddle in everything they do. “We will sit down and talk with Mark (Chitty) about where we go now but I think this might have been an excellent grand final for her, so she could well be off to the paddock before the Chitty family have a think about whether she comes back for another campaign or goes to the broodmare barn.” Francee carries the silks of co-breeder and owner Haunui Farm and is a daughter of 10-win mare, Calveen (NZ). A serious talent on the track, among Calveen’s victories were the Gr.1 Easter Handicap (1600m), Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m), Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) and Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). She also placed in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield. Francee has now won four of her 22 starts and over $215,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Promising three-year-old Celestial Wonder (Xtravagant) showed plenty of courage as she put in a resolute finishing burst to take out the Evergreen Bloodstock (1100m) at Ellerslie. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared filly had looked good during her opening campaign, where she won her second start before being put aside for a spell after finishing runner-up behind Hitabell (NZ) (Embellish) in the Listed O’Learys Fillies Stakes (1340m) in November. A narrow defeat over 1200m at Te Rapa in her first start of a new campaign was followed by a midfield finish in the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) late last month. The daughter of Xtravagant stripped a picture of health for her assignment against her fellow three-year-olds on Saturday, and she lived up to those looks with a comprehensive performance courtesy of a lovely ride from Jockey’s Premiership leader, Craig Grylls. Grylls bounced the filly away nicely to sit in fourth behind pacemaker Lucullan (Rich Enuff), with Grylls edging her forward to issue her challenge rounding the home bend. Lucullan fought strongly, but Celestial Wonder gained her measure at the 200m before holding out a swooping late run from Chicago Jack (All Too Hard), who got to within a head of the winner but no closer. Te Akau Racing Manager Reece Trumper was delighted by the ride from Grylls and just how tough the filly was in the closing stages. “It was a great ride by Craig as we told him to be positive and he was,” Trumper said. “She got the suck run off a good tempo, dropped in on them and was too good. “She went a good race last time and just folded at little at the 200m whereas back to 1100m today and off a good speed, she was able to take a sit and that was the key to it. “Craig is there riding work for us most mornings, including raceday and we are glad to have him in the tangerine colours.” Grylls was also quick to praise his mount who showed plenty of grit in the concluding stages. “It worked out good as she began well but I was able to slot into the one-one as there was plenty of speed on,” Grylls said. “She travelled nicely throughout and found a good kick although at the 250m she wandered a little bit, but when the second horse came up to her, she dug deep. “She’s got plenty of toe but finished off from a good position today so it was a good effort.” Bred by Te Akau Racing CEO David Ellis, Celestial Wonder carries the colours of Te Akau Racing, who trained her Group One-winning sire Xtravagant, and her three-win dam Meteoric Lass. View the full article

A masterful front-running ride by Warren Kennedy and a powerhouse performance from Do You Just (So You Think) turned Saturday’s Listed Skycity Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie into a one-horse race. The pair led every step of the way in New Zealand’s longest two-year-old race and romped home by six and a half lengths. Do You Just has always been held in high regard by his Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, and after being unplaced in two early-season appearances in November and December, he made a promising return to action in the autumn with a second placing and then a last-start sixth in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa. Many of that Te Rapa cast headed to Ellerslie for Saturday’s rematch in the Champagne Stakes, and the increased distance put Do You Just in his element. Kennedy sent the So You Think colt straight to the lead and controlled the race from there, with only an over-racing Wyndstorm (NZ) (Wyndspelle) for company within the first 400m of the race. Kennedy began to up the ante down the side of the Ellerslie track, and Do You Just soon shook free of Wyndstorm and pinched a break on the field. Do You Just kicked again in the straight and went further and further in front, powering away to score one of the most dominant victories of the two-year-old season. “When I first rode this horse, I put him behind horses, and he was very raw and erratic,” Kennedy said. “He’s been over-racing and just hasn’t been using himself the way he should. “I was happy to go forward and lead today, let him use his action, and he showed what he can do when he extends off that. That was a dominant performance by a horse that still has a lot of improvement to come. “I think he’s a really smart horse. He’s just got to learn his trade. He’s still very raw and has a few rocks in his head. Once we do a bit more work with him and put some cement there, I think he’ll be very good.” Do You Just was offered by Carlaw Park in Book 1 of Karaka 2024, where Wexford Stables bought him for $250,000. Racing in the distinctive white, blue and green colours of majority owners Waikato Stud, he has now had five starts for a win, a second and $65,275 in stakes. “Big congratulations to Waikato Stud, who came in with us at the yearling sales and own most of this horse,” O’Sullivan said. “We’ve actually been surprised that he hadn’t produced any performances like that before today. He’s shown enough at home all season for us to expect him to be very competitive in this sort of company. “We decided to go forward with him today, get him into a good rhythm, and it was great to see him gallop out so strongly down the straight.” The ownership group also includes O’Sullivan’s daughter Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle, along with her husband Tom Doyle. “Mark Chittick is the majority owner, followed by Dad, while Tom and I are the esteemed one-percenters,” O’Sullivan Doyle said. “But it doesn’t really matter what percentage you have – the excitement is the same. “It was a real thrill today. We’ve always really loved this horse the whole way through, so it’s awesome to see him do it on the track.” Do You Just became only the fourth individual stakes winner sired by champion racehorse and influential stallion So You Think. View the full article

Saturday’s Stout Roofing (1200m) was the second year in a row that Erin Hocquard has used a May meeting at Trentham as a first-up assignment for Spencer (NZ) (Derryn), and the Waverley trainer’s stable star has struck gold on both of those occasions. A Rating 75 sprint at Trentham on May 25 provided a winning start to Spencer’s campaign last winter, and the son of Derryn went on to collect another three wins, including the Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa in October. He was also runner-up in the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m). An unplaced finish in the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham on October 27 was Spencer’s last raceday appearance for six months, but he warmed up for Saturday’s return with a bold trial win over 1000m at Otaki on April 15. The five-year-old was allotted a testing topweight of 61kg on Saturday, but Hocquard booked in-form apprentice jockey Amber Riddell and reduced that impost to 58kg. After settling in third behind Bold Belle (NZ) (The Bold One) and Tavis Court (NZ) (Tavistock) through the early stages of the $40,000 sprint, Riddell got Spencer into clear air out wide at the top of the home straight. The classy gelding took care of the rest, quickening stylishly to take command and going on to win by a length and a quarter from the strong-finishing Meritable (Snitzel). “He’s pretty happy with himself at the moment and he knows he’s good,” Hocquard said. “Amber rode him well and he travelled nicely in behind them before quickening in the straight. “He had a bit of weight to carry today, but I thought he’d handle that okay because he carries me around every day. “This is a good way to start what could be a big preparation. We’ve got the Opunake Cup and a few other options to look at, and I hope we might even be able to get him all the way through to the Spring Carnival. “He’s a pretty easy horse to manage, apart from being a bit of a handful at times. If we pick out the right races for him, he’s a pretty good horse to have around.” Hocquard’s former employer Aidan Schumacher bred and races Spencer in partnership with his brother Kieran. Spencer has now had 20 starts for seven wins, four placings and $242,855 in stakes. View the full article