Wandering Eyes

By Brigette Solomon Quantity and quality are the order of the day on the grass at Hawera this afternoon. The Hawera Harness Racing Club received strong nominations resulting in 11 races, with the two feature races of the day attracting quality horses with good depth of form. The Taranaki Steelformers Stratford Cup Handicap Pace (Race 10 – 4.49pm) looks very open and features a field of consistent performers, several who already have a country cup or two to their name. From the South Island, trainers Michael House and Matt Purvis, each have one horse competing. The House runner, Johnny Mac, was a winner in the Westport Cup two starts ago and starts this assignment off the 10 metre line. The gelding will be driven by Wilson House, and the father and son House team are proving a formidable combination in the Central Districts. Purvis’ runner, Smoke On The Water, is yet to win a race on the grass but finished second in the Reefton Cup on December 30. “He came through his West Coast trip well and really stepped up to the Country Cup races there,” says Purvis. “He travelled up here well, his work’s been super and he doesn’t lose much of his speed on the grass.” Meanwhile from Cambridge, Nicky Chilcott’s two starters warrant respect. The lightly raced mare Idolou has her first start on the grass with a 10 metre handicap. The Sweet Lou mare was a winner at her first three starts before being unplaced in the Group 1 Queen Of Hearts. “We freshened her after her last start and she seems bright and well,” says Chilcott. “She’s had a bit of stand start practice at home and I can’t see the grass track worrying her as she is beautifully gaited.” Village Rebel is Chilcott’s other runner starting off the back mark of 30 metres, driven by stable Junior Driver Leah Hibell. At his last two starts the gelding won the Wairarapa Cup and Otaki Cup in good style and is currently the fixed odds favourite at $5.50. “He loves the grass but being a 2100 metre race it will be a tough ask when giving 30 metres at the start,” says Chilcott. “I expect he’ll go a good race but it’s a strong field with a few horses that wouldn’t surprise if they won.” The feature trot of the day is Race 9, the Auto Super Shoppe Hawera Handicap Trot (4.16pm) over 2100 metres. Off the front line is Run Forest Run for Cambridge trainers Andrew and Lyn Neal, a winner of his last two starts at Cambridge Raceway, the most recent on January 7. “We’re really happy with him, his work’s good and he’s in good form,” says Neal. “It’s his first time racing on grass but he’s had a practice run and we’re expecting a forward showing from him.” Also off the front is The River Boy for Clevedon trainer Matthew White. While unplaced in his most recent starts, he was a strong winner at Alexandra Park two starts ago and doesn’t lack ability. “We’ve treated some minor issues on him and his work over the past week suggests he’s back on track,” says White. “It will be his first time on the grass but I think he’ll appreciate the big roomy track.” Romeo Foxtrot, trained and driven by David Butcher, is the sole back marker off a 20 metre handicap. A last start winner at Cambridge Raceway on January 19, the gelding will be making his grass track debut. “It will be hard for him off 20 metres but with a few on the unruly in front we might get a good run through and hopefully an easy trip,” says Butcher. Today is the first of two days at Hawera, with racing continuing on Sunday. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Don’t give up on The Falcon just yet. That is the advice from regular driver Gerard O’Reilly as the rugged pacer heads to Addington tonight in what looks an ideal race. The seven-race winner of $165,000 meets a few horses who are well short of those marks in Race 6, the 1980m mobile for intermediate pacers. The best version of The Falcon is better than intermediate, with his strongest form last season very consistent with occasional trips to open class, like when he was seventh in the New Brighton Cup. He has had his issues too, with a breathing problem in the spring possible triggered by pollen that curtailed his racing then. The Falcon returned with a below par effort at Motukarara in late December but he wouldn’t be the first horse to get to far back in a big country cups field and struggle to get into the race. “He has trialled since and he was a lot better, running on well for third,” says O’Reilly. “I think Geoff and James (Dunn, trainers) are a lot happier with him and I think we will see him come back to something like his best in the next few starts.” Tonight looks a good race for the six-year-old but O’Reilly warns he may not launch the tough son of Bettor’s Delight at the start so tempo could be a factor. The race could prove to be tactical, with plenty of early speed and two of the biggest players there could be the Dalgety pair of Watermelon Sugar and Fernetti. “I’d rate Watermelon Sugar the slightly better chance this week,” says co-trainer Cran Dalgety. “He went two good races on the circuit whereas Fernetti galloped away in the Cup up there and had a hard run so he might still be on the way back up after a quiet time.” While the main pace is very even the open trot tonight should be Oscar Bonavena’s to lose after his stunning last few months of 2024, with his only real danger being if he was to be slow early and a freegoer like Smokin Bandar got an uncontested lead and sprinted a 56 second last 800m. But all things being equal, Oscar should continue on his winning way. The other highlight of the night is the last race which sees some smart three-year-olds headlined by unbeaten filly Moments Like These (R9, No.8) but she takes a decent step up in grade and her $1.70 opening quote looked short compared with the $4.20 for stablemate Major Hot. O’Reilly has the handy Bettor Be Sharp in the same race and expects a far better run than last start and suggests the five-year-old is worth following. View the full article

The Feb. 3 Toboggan Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack has drawn a field of seven older horses for the seven-furlong dirt test with Murray among the key players.View the full article

D. J. Stable and Robert Cotran's Hades has Joe Orseno looking back at his highly successful training career, and at the same time, dreaming about what the future may bring.View the full article

1st-OP, $115K, Msw, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:30 p.m. ET. Under the baton of Ken McPeek, MIDSUMMER MARCH (Mendelssohn) debuts for Walking L Thoroughbreds. The dark bay initially sold to Sycamore Hall for $280,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale before hammering down for $425,000 during the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Sale, which was the highest priced yearling for her sire in 2022. Bred by David Fennelly's Mountmellick Farm, the filly is out of GIII Torrey Pines S. winner Munny Spunt (Munnings), who sold for $340,000 at Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale in foal to Justify, subsequently died but not before foaling a colt named Just Munny. Midsummer March's dam is a half-sister to MGSW Blues Street and GSP Beale Street, both by Street Cry (Ire). Also set for her first start is Cypress Creek Equine's Off the Lam (Curlin). Trained by Fausto Gutierrez, the homebred is out Argentinian multiple group stakes winning mare Sarasota (Arg) (Luhuk), who is responsible for GII Honeymoon H. heroine Sarah's Secret (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) and GI Carter H. victor Salutos Amigos (Salute the Sarge). TJCIS PPS 2nd-GP, $89K, Msw, 3yo, 5fT, 12:39 p.m. ET. With the same Hard Spun-Speightstown cross as GI Breeders' Cup Sprint champ Aloha West, firster Refuel makes his inaugural trip to the post for Repole and St. Elias. A $550,000 Keeneland September buy, the chestnut was the second-highest priced Hard Spun yearling in 2022. The Todd Pletcher trainee is out of SW Quick Flip who went to Spendthrift Farm for $230,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November Sale. At the time, she was carrying GSW/GISP Following Sea (Runhappy), who incidently was third to Aloha West at the Breeders' Cup. The dam of GSP Gimmick (Into Mischief), Quick Flip is a half-sister to MGSP/SW Qahira (Cairo Prince) and MGSP/MSW Factor It In (The Factor). TJCIS PPS The post Friday Insights: Mendelssohn Filly Steps To The Rostrum For Oaklawn Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Dr. Mick Peterson and Dr. Wayne McIlwraith This year marks 15 years since the Racing Surfaces Testing Lab (RSTL) was founded by an engineering faculty member at the University of Maine and an orthopedic surgeon from Colorado State University. The non-commercial material testing lab emerged out of the 2006 Grayson-Jockey Club Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit at the urging of Dennis Moore of Hollywood Park and Dan Fick of The Jockey Club. Initially located in one stall of a two-car detached garage in Orono, Maine, the independent non-profit was made possible by donations from The Jockey Club, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Churchill Downs Inc., The New York Racing Association, California Association of Racing Fairs and Oak Tree Foundation. The RSTL in 2023 has little in common with that modest start. Now located in Lexington, Kentucky, the RSTL is in a 3,400-square-foot building on a 1/4-acre lot. The fenced lot is filled with vans and trailers that performed more than 70 pre-meet inspections at 53 racetracks in 2023. The lab no longer just performs standard tests but develops tests in collaboration with the University of Kentucky and racetrack operators, researchers, and graduate students from Europe, Latin America, and Australia. Fifteen years ago, surface standards for horse racing in the United States lagged behind other racing jurisdictions and sports. Today, thanks to a combination of federal legislation and a unique gift, horse racing in the United States has the potential to become an international model for safety and consistency across sport surfaces. The beginning of the shift started with a 2019 gift from The Jockey Club which enabled the RSTL to take over existing on-site testing and the maintenance database. The single set of equipment previously available for pre-meet inspection had been based in Maine and later in Lexington to serve all racetracks in the United States. The gift provided funding for equipment to be located in Lexington as well as on the West Coast. With this equipment, the RSTL could perform pre-meet testing at racetracks across the United States and respond quickly if concerns arose. Laboratory material testing was modernized with new equipment, which allowed critical testing to be performed in less than an hour instead of over several days. The existing database was replaced by a new system hosted by The Jockey Club, which started the RSTL on a path to more comprehensive data storage and provided a modern interface for the racetracks to enter maintenance data. The timing could not have been more auspicious. Demand was poised to far outstrip the testing capabilities that existed prior to receiving the gift from The Jockey Club. When the HISA Safety Regulations went into effect in July 2022, pre-meet inspection, material testing and daily measurements were required at all covered racetracks. As a result of these regulations, the Maintenance Quality System protocols developed over the previous decade had become more than suggestions followed by a few of the most progressive racetracks. Using the new equipment, pre-meet inspections were immediately implemented by the RSTL for HISA. Today, after only one and a half years, test data is available from all covered racetracks. Updated information infrastructure from The Jockey Club forms the backbone of a system that feeds data to HISA in real time. Epidemiological models of horse injuries can now begin to include quantitative racetrack surface data. Work remains. Dirt, turf and synthetic racetrack surfaces need continuous improvement. Complete daily monitoring of the tracks exists at only a few racetracks. Real-time race surface data is needed by superintendents and researchers. However, the data infrastructure and regulatory framework is in place. New information can be fed to racetrack maintenance personnel. The commitment of the RSTL is unchanged. The design of equipment and testing protocols are all publicly available and subject to peer review. Data from the tracks is widely shared among other racetracks. No other racing jurisdiction and very few other sports have combined research with transparency to build surfaces that are consistent, from day to day, and throughout the United States and Canada. Michael “Mick” Peterson, Ph.D. is the Director of the Racetrack Safety Program and Professor of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Kentucky. He is also the Executive Director and a co-founder of the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory. Wayne McIlwraith is the founding director of the Orthopaedic Research Center, a University Distinguished Professor in orthopaedics and holds the Barbara Cox Anthony University Chair in Orthopaedic Research at Colorado State University. The post Letter To The Editor: Racing Surfaces And Testing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Feb. 3 Toboggan Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct has drawn a field of seven older horses for the seven-furlong dirt test with Murray among the key players.View the full article

Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie will begin the 2024 Thoroughbred Racing Season on Thursday, Apr. 18 and conclude on Sunday, July 14. The season will encompass 41 race days, featuring 21 stakes worth a total of $2.8 million. The richest day of the meet, Lone Star Million Day, will take place on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27 with over $1.2 million in purses. Six stakes have been scheduled, including the GIII $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile for three-year-olds and up and the 1 1/16-miles $300,000 Texas Derby. The full 2024 Lone Star Park Racing Calendar is available on the Lone Star Park website or by clicking here. The post Lone Star Meet to Feature 21 Stakes Worth $2.8 Million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This day 2nd February in horse racing news history From the extensive Horse Betting news archives we present the all the thoroughbred racing action in Australian and overseas racing news in history. Delve in and enjoy our walk back in horse racing time. Hong Kong horse racing news 12 months ago Doubles for Purton, Ho, Shum and Yiu as Man looks to Centenary Sprint Cup Seeking elite success with Lucky Sweynesse in the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin this weekend, Manfred … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Sandown racing preview & quaddie tips | February 4, 2023 What Sandown Races Where Sandown Racecourse – 591-659 Princes Hwy, Springvale VIC 3171 When Saturday, February 4, 2023 First Race … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Randwick best bets, top odds & quaddie | Saturday, February 4 What Randwick Races Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, February 4, 2023 First Race … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Randwick-Kensington best bets & quaddie tips | February 3, 2023 What Kensington Races Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Friday, February 3, 2023 First Race … Read More Australia horse racing news 12 months ago Sant full of praise for star NT jockeys Todd and Wiseman Jarrod Todd and Sonja Wiseman have made a serious impact on the NT racing scene and look set to battle … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Saturday’s Eagle Farm best bets & quaddie | February 4, 2023 Saturday metropolitan racing in Brisbane returns to Eagle Farm with a very competitive nine-race program. See our best bets and … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | February 2, 2023 Horse Racing on Thursday, February 2 will feature five meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Moonee Valley racing tips & best odds | Friday, February 4 HorseBetting.com.au’s tipping expert brings you the best bets and top odds for the eight-race meeting at Moonee Valley on Friday, … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Lonhro Plate to feature several high-priced yearling purchases A number of expensive yearlings are expected to step out in Saturday’s Listed Lonhro Plate (1000m) at Royal Randwick, including … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago 2022 Inglis Millennium runner-by-runner preview & betting tips HorseBetting’s Nicholas Lloyd brings you his runner-by-runner preview of the $2m Inglis Millennium at Randwick this Saturday, along with his … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Caulfield racing tips & top value bets | Saturday, February 5 HorseBetting’s Victorian form analyst brings you his best bets and quaddie numbers for the nine-race card at Caulfield on Saturday, … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago The Candy Man connections opt for retirement over comeback Queensland’s favourite grey has been retired this morning, with Barry Baldwin confirming that The Candy Man has run his last … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | February 2, 2022 Five horse racing meetings are scheduled around Australia today. See the top tips, best odds and quaddie selections here at … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Spratt doesn’t want a lot for Christmas Top jockey Sam Spratt has a simple wish for the next 12 months as she comes back from injury – … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Te Rapa distance test for in-form 3YO Classic hope Dark Destroyer will have two upcoming chances to convince connections he has the right credentials for a crack … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Ipswich racing tips, value bets & top odds – Wednesday 3/2/2021 HorseBetting.com.au brings you the best odds, value bets and quaddie numbers for Wednesday’s race meeting at Ipswich Turf Club in … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Sir Dragonet’s Return Depends On Track Ciaron Maher couldn’t be happier with his Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet and he will enter him for the Orr … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Sandown horse racing preview & betting tips – Wednesday 3/2/2021 HorseBetting.com.au brings you the best odds, value bets and quaddie selections for Wednesday’s race meeting on the Hillside track at … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Millennium Favourite Lands Perfect Draw Profiteer is an odds-on favourite for the Inglis Millennium after drawing perfectly while some of his major rivals will need … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Randwick-Kensington racing tips & value bets – Wednesday 3/2/2021 HorseBetting.com.au brings you the best odds, value bets and quaddie selections for Wednesday’s race meeting on the Kensington course at … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Cunningham honoured by Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Curraghmore’s Gordon Cunningham has been acknowledged by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (ITBA) with the Wild Geese trophy, an award … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago More ahead for impressive Riccarton winner Promising two-year-old Mozzarella could have booked a trip north for a juvenile feature later this month after her impressive victory … Read More Horse Racing News 3 years ago Punt Drunk: Peters goes full boomer over Perth lockdown The Punt Drunk team take a look at the latest headlines to come out of the racing world, including Bob … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Williams pair on target for Group One assignments Promising three-year-olds Slave To Love and Il Affare provided trainers Peter and Dawn Williams with plenty of encouragement ahead of … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Probabeel set for Melbourne campaign opener Quality galloper Probabeel will kick off her summer campaign in Melbourne this Saturday when she contests the Group 3 Geoffrey … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Bary back to his best Back in full swing after being sofa-bound for three months, it’s onwards and upwards for astute trainer John Bary. The … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Alligator Blood ready to head to Melbourne Top Queensland three-year-old Alligator Blood has had a final public hit-out before heading to Melbourne, winning a Sunshine Coast trial … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Lindsay Park assembling Diamond arsenal With three runners already in contention for the Blue Diamond Stakes, Lindsay Park will look to add to that number … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Group Two Light Fingers likely for Funstar Flight Stakes winner Funstar is likely to resume in the Light Fingers Stakes ahead of a Group One clash with … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Orr Stakes plan for Alabama Express Three-year-old colt Alabama Express is in line to take on the older horses at weight-for-age in the Group One C … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Rubiton Stakes aim for Sartorial Splendor After missing out on a run at Caulfield, Sartorial Splendor is set to begin his campaign in the Rubiton Stakes … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Kilcoy turns back the clock The Kilcoy Race Club will turn the clock back when it hosts its first Wednesday meeting in 50 years … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Sitarist overcomes scare to feature in big treble for Parsons After a touch-and-go few days, emerging staying mare Sitarist headed to Wingatui and was part of a super Saturday for … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Tom Marquand cleared of broken bones Tom Marquand has been cleared of any broken bones after a fall at Randwick but will need to pass a … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Red letter day for Comignaghi and Parsons team The combination of John & Karen Parsons and rider Tina Comignaghi completed a clean sweep of the stakes races at … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Five in a row for Prise De Fer Exciting up-and-comer Prise De Fer extended his winning sequence to five with another supreme performance in Saturday’s Group 3 Powerworx … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Blanket finish to Oaks Prelude The judge at New Plymouth had his work cut out on Saturday when less than half a length separated six … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago El Gladiador all the way in Guineas upset For the second time in four years, John and Karen Parsons have turned a Gore failure into an upset triumph … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Baker Forsman filly takes Taranaki juvenile feature A powerful finishing burst carried lightly raced filly Bonita Aurelia to her first career victory when she downed the favourites … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Ben Looker suspended for a month Jockey Ben Looker has been suspended for a month after being found guilty of a handling charge at the Gold … Read More Ireland horse racing news, United Kingdom Horse Racing News 4 years ago Honeysuckle extends record at Leopardstown Honeysuckle has maintained her unbeaten record in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown ahead of Cheltenham … Read More United Arab Emirates horse racing news 5 years ago Bouresly’s Treasured Times Tops Competitive Abu Dhabi Feature The Thoroughbreds take centre stage at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Sunday when the maximum field allowed of 14 … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 5 years ago Derby hopes eclipsed as Good Standing finally blossoms Six BMW Hong Kong Derby hopefuls set out to establish their Classic claims in the Beas River Handicap (1600m) at … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Owners preparing to transfer Weir horses Owners of horses trained by Darren Weir are preparing to move them on amid uncertainty about his future as he … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Patience pays dividends for Ingeegoodbe The decision to let Ingeegoodbe have an early low-key preparation has paid off with his win at Eagle Farm … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Three in a row for Tin Hat in G3 Manfred Tin Hat has completed a winning hat-trick, leading throughout in the Group Three Manfred Stakes at Caulfield … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Caulfield treble for Maher-Eustace stable Feature race wins to Bons Away and Loving Gaby have formed part of a winning treble for co-trainers Ciaron Maher … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Alizee and Shinn combine to win Expressway Comeback jockey Blake Shinn has ridden Godolphin’s star mare Alizee to victory in the Group Two Expressway Stakes at Rosehill … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago No place for jiggers, says trainers’ boss Australian Trainers’ Association chief executive Andrew Nicholl says the rules of racing are clear when it come to the possession … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Loving Gaby stamps her Blue Diamond claims Loving Gaby has moved to third favourite for the Blue Diamond Stakes after an impressive win in the Group Three … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Rules allow nominations for Weir gallopers Racing Victoria says Darren Weir can nominate horses for races ahead of his adjourned show cause hearing … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Harrison wins again for trainer Meagher Jockey Tegan Harrison cemented her association with trainer Chris Meagher, producing a clever ride to win on Divine Dice at … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Meet Mr Taylor breaks Eagle Farm record Speedy gelding Meet Mr Taylor has maintained his unbeaten record by breaking the Eagle Farm 1000m record … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Amercement adds her name to Slipper hopes Godolphin filly Amercement has staked claims for a Golden Slipper berth with her win in the Widden Stakes at Rosehill … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Gollan in no rush with promising Garibaldi Trainer Tony Gollan is in no rush to get smart Garibaldi to Sydney despite his easy debut win at Eagle … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago McLaren starts road to the Golden Slipper Peter and Paul Snowden have unveiled Golden Slipper prospect McLaren at Rosehill where he has won the Canonbury Stakes … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Second Bullet wins over 2400m at Caulfield The Danny O’Brien-trained eight-year-old Second Bullet has notched his 11th career win at his 57th start, handling a step up … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Lucas Cranach support pays off for Huddy Owner Linda Huddy’s liking for sire Lucas Cranach paid off when Get Stuck In won at Eagle Farm … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Mystyko makes it a hat-trick at Caulfield The connections of Mystyko are dreaming big after the gelding made it three straight wins with a determined victory at … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Queensland to wait on Weir hearing outcome Queensland officials will wait until Darren Weir’s show cause hearing in Victoria is completed before deciding whether to take any … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Horses moved from Weir stables amid probe The career of leading racehorse trainer Darren Weir is in limbo with owners moving horses pending an inquiry into devices … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Positive signs for jockey Nyssa Burrells Apprentice jockey Nyssa Burrells has passed a post-traumatic amnesia test as she recovers from head injuries suffered in a fall … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Gear change designed to focus Fiesta for Widden Stakes The Chris Waller-trained Fiesta and Performer can make significant strides towards the Golden Slipper when they return from spells at … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Chris Munce to be Johnny on the spot at Doomben Trainer Chris Munce will run three-year-old Johnny Whitesox in city class at Doomben where he will meet equally promising Rancho … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago River Bird can prove herself in Widden Stakes River Bird can showcase her Golden Slipper credentials when the Jason Coyle-trained filly runs in the Widden Stakes at Rosehill … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Crystal Spirit & Crystal Dreamer chase Caulfield stakes double Half-brothers Crystal Dreamer and Crystal Spirit will chase a stakes double for Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra in sprint races … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Hartnell to run in CF Orr Stakes Hartnell will have the first start of his preparation in the Group One C F Orr Stakes at Caulfield … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Expressway Stakes field reduced to six Global Glamour still leads the Expressway Stakes market with the field reduced to six for the Group Two sprint … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Ennis Hill on path towards Blue Diamond Ennis Hill is chasing victory in the Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield to shore up a start in the Blue Diamond … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago O’Rourke looks beyond Golden Slipper with colt Catanzaro Catanzaro has Golden Slipper form in his pedigree but trainer Edward O’Rourke feels the colt will thrive after the world’s … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Rain to help Stella Ombra at Doomben on Saturday Rain has taken the cut out of the Doomben track which which is a boost to the chances of talented … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Apprentice Amless Bohorun gets start in Dunedin Gold Cup A lack of senior jockeys at Wingatui on Saturday has given apprentice Amless Bohorun an unexpected black type opportunity. The … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Doomben full form & tips for Saturday February 3 DOOMBEN is back this Saturday and we’re excited about what’s on offer in Queensland. There’s a full nine race card … Read More Horse Racing Tips 6 years ago Rosehill tips & full form for Saturday, February 3 IT is Group 3 Expressway Stakes (1200m) day at Rosehill and a huge nine race card awaits punters. We’ve gone … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Black Caviar foals Oscietra & Prince Of Caviar trial at Flemington Oscietra and Prince Of Caviar, the first two of Black Caviar’s foals, have had jump-outs at Flemington … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Beau Mertens excited for Snitty Kitty return Beau Mertens is unbeaten from two rides on Snitty Kitty and will be out to snare another stakes win on … Read More Market Movers 6 years ago Moonee Valley Friday night market movers, February 2 MOONEE Valley is back under lights and the Friday night card is generating a lot of buzz ahead of the … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Liam Birchey to train on in Queensland Liam Birchley can train in Queensland for the time being until a charge against him in Victoria is resolved … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Tiffani Brooker to step up as senior rider Premier Brisbane apprentice Tiffani Brooker will compete as a junior rider for the final time at Doomben … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Distance only concern for Travimyfriend in G3 Taranaki Cup Stakes performer Travimyfriend will be heading into unfamiliar territory when he runs at New Plymouth on Saturday. The consistent five-year-old … Read More Australia horse racing news, New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Hastings winner Sacred Day headed toward ATC Derby Cambridge trainer Tony Pike took six runners south to Hastings on Thursday and was rewarded when taking out half of … Read More Market Movers 6 years ago Canterbury Friday night market movers, February 2 CANTERBURY’S Friday night fixture returns and we cannot wait, and neither can the punters. There might be a full day … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago QRIC undecided over racing ban on Liam Birchley horses The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission is monitoring Racing Victoria’s prosecution of Queensland-based thoroughbred trainer Liam Birchley under the Australian Rules … Read More Market Movers 6 years ago Townsville market movers for Friday, February 2 TOWNSVILLE is back this Friday and the punters have a rock-solid eight races to look forward to. 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The striking yearling … Read More View the full article

The Tampa Bay Stakes (G3T) and Endeavour Stakes (G3T), bookend events on the Feb. 3 program at Tampa Bay Downs, look similar but have a big difference.View the full article

Spendthrift Farm has acquired the breeding rights to MGISW National Treasure (Quality Road– Treasure, by Medaglia D'oro), last year's GI Preakness S. hero and a thrilling winner of Saturday's GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream. “National Treasure is the kind of stallion prospect we all look for because he possesses every quality that excites you about his potential to become an important sire,” said Ned Toffey, Spendthrift general manager. “He was precocious enough to place in a very good Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he's an American Classic winner at three and now a leading older horse at four. National Treasure is fast, has tremendous heart, and he's a very good-looking colt with exceptional sire power and pedigree. We are thrilled to partner with the 'Avengers' team on his future stallion career, and we wish them the best of luck on what could be a special year ahead for National Treasure.” Campaigned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan, National Treasure earned a 105 Beyer Speed Figure in the Pegasus. “He's just going to get better and better,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “And he's a fighter. That's a huge quality you want to see in a horse.” National Treasure, a $500,000 yearling purchase at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, began his career at two with a debut victory at 6 1/2 furlongs over subsequent GISW Practical Move (Practical Joke) at Del Mar. He finished runner-up to Cave Rock (Arrogate) a month later in the GI American Pharoah S. at Santa Anita, before traveling to Keeneland and running a good third behind 2-year-old champion Forte (Violence) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. As a 3-year-old, National Treasure became his sire Quality Road's first Classic winner with a victory in the Preakness over GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic). He completed his sophomore season with a narrow defeat when runner-up by a nose to Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin) in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita, earning a 107 Beyer for the performance. “National Treasure is an exceptional colt and his tenacity and appetite for racing are immense,” said Tom Ryan of SF Racing. “Winning the Preakness was epic, and his performance in the Breeders' Cup, where he laid his body on the line against the Horse of the Year, showed that we have a serious horse on our hands.” Ryan continued, “National Treasure's efficiency at a high speed is one of his weapons. He's very light on his feet. His Pegasus running style brought on a new dimension that gives him options going forward. He's a beautiful, streamlined specimen. We think breeders will love him, and his pedigree is well-rounded and deep, giving him a chance to become a household name for Spendthrift. We are extremely proud of him.” Out of the Medaglia d'Oro mare Treasure, National Treasure hails from a deep family that has been developed through generations by his breeder Peter Blum, who first raced National Treasure's sixth dam Mono in the mid-1960s. An earner of $3,322,000 to date, National Treasure's next start has yet to be determined. The post National Treasure to Stand at Spendthrift Farm Upon Retirement appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association today announced the resignation of Frank Gabriel, who has served as senior vice president of racing operations since 2022. Andrew Offerman will succeed Gabriel. View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK — It was two years ago that Park Paddocks played host to arguably one of the strongest-ever editions of the Tattersalls February Sale, with a new record median (10,000gns) and the second-highest turnover (5,849,100gns) and average (17,833gns) featuring among the headline statistics. Those lofty figures owed much to a significant Shadwell draft which included the top two lots during the opening session, just a few months on from the announcement that the operation was to be downsized. Much has happened in the intervening period and any fears that Shadwell might be heading for a full-scale exit from the sport have since been well and truly allayed. In fact, the operation has arguably been more successful than ever in the last couple of years, certainly on the racecourse where the likes of Baaeed (GB) and Mostahdaf (Ire)—both now firmly ensconced at Shadwell's new stallion base at Beech House Stud in Newmarket—have achieved notable success. Still, there remains the odd nugget to be mined for those looking on enviously from the outside, as Thursday's opening session at the February Sale again showed with the 11-year-old mare Taqaareed (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), one of a seven-strong Shadwell draft in 2024, taking top billing when selling to Jill Lamb on behalf of Childwickbury Stud for 200,000gns. Successful in a Kempton maiden on the second of her three runs for John Gosden, Taqaareed has made a promising start to life as a broodmare with two winners from two runners, but it was her pedigree, as a full-sister to G1 Oaks and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. winner Taghrooda (Ire), which really sold her to Lamb. Furthermore, she is carrying to champion two-year-old Pinatubo (Ire). “She stood out really,” Lamb explained. “She's a full-sister to a champion, she's a lovely model and she's in foal to a champion whose yearlings were very well received. We tried very hard to buy a foal by him last year and we could not get one. “This foal is closely related to Tafreej (Ire) (Shamardal) who was 90-rated—it is all quite encouraging. It was a bit more than we were planning to spend and that was definitely our last bid!” The significant sums that changed hands at the 2022 February Sale, when the opening session alone featured no fewer than five six-figure lots, are unlikely to be matched this year if the early evidence is anything to go by, but there was at least one more notable purchase from one of the sport's powerhouses as the Juddmonte-consigned Retort (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) sold to Sackville Donald for 125,000gns. A dual winner in France when trained by Francois Henri-Devin, latterly winning a Conditions race at Chantilly on his first start as a three-year-old, Retort is from one of Juddmonte's most decorated families as a grandson of the blue hen Hasili (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}), as well as being a full-brother to the G2 Prix de Sandringham winner Obligate. “We have had a bit of luck for Highclere—we bought the subsequent Group 1 winner Durston (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) for the team,” said Alastair Donald when revealing whose colours the colt will be carrying when he continues his career in Australia. “This is a neat, bonny horse who goes on all ground and he is by Frankel. He is a proper horse, rated 90 and on the up. You need a versatile horse for Australia and I think he will stay a little bit further. Most of the family are milers but looking at his racing style he might get ten furlongs and there is good money at every distance in Australia. He will be going to Annabel Neasham and I think Harry [Herbert] will have no problem selling the shares quite quickly.” Four-year-old filly Lady Bullet (Ire) (James Garfield {Ire}) was twice Listed-placed when trained by Alice Haynes. That was enough to catch the attention of James O'Mahony who, operating under the banner of Springwell Stud, went to 62,000gns to secure the half-sister to Listed winner Ever Given (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) as part of a new venture for the family. “We will get her home and make plans, but she has her black type now and she will be retired to stud,” said O'Mahony. “We are usually trying to make fillies with black type but sometimes you have to buy them! We will send her to a proven stallion, but it is undecided who yet. “She has been bought for Knocktoran [the farm the O'Mahony family bought last autumn]. We have not done much with the farm yet. We are going to foal the mares at home and then move them over—the plan is to run Springwell as the farm and the new farm as the stud. “A lot of good racehorses have been produced around there and it is 250 acres. Places like that just don't come up very often—you could be a lifetime waiting for that sort of opportunity.” From a smaller catalogue than in 2023 the clearance rate dropped by 10% to 70%, with 100 lots being sold for a total of 1,407,000gns (-38%) at an average of 14,070gns (-12%) and a median of 7,000gns (+8%). Trade focuses solely on horses in training through the second and final session at Tattersalls, which begins at 10am. The post Taqaareed Heads Tattersalls February Sale at 200,000gns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Over 150 people turned out to support the annual Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Awards on Wednesday at the Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket where the racing and equestrian communities honoured the accomplishments of former racehorses in their new careers. With Richard Phillips and Ashleigh Wicheard acting as the hosts, Goldream, who retired from racing in 2018 having amassed over £500,000 in prize money, emerged as one of the big winners on the night. The Sir Peter O'Sullevan Charitable Trust RoR Community Impact Award, recognises individuals, partnerships, or organisations making noteworthy contributions to people's lives through their involvement with former racehorses. The deserving winner, New Beginnings with Goldream, stood out amongst the nominations, showcasing their remarkable impact on the community. Goldream, now York Racecourse's Equine Ambassador, has shown a kind and intuitive nature, significantly impacting the lives of the elderly and young children locally. Kevin and Pam Atkinson, joint founders of New Beginnings, expressed their pride in Goldream's positive impact, stating, “Remy [hos pet name] stands as the epitome of a versatile racehorse, he seamlessly adapted to his new life after racing with a remarkable blend of grace and kindness, bringing joy and pleasure to all those he encounters.” The Jockey Club RoR Horse of the Year Award was claimed by Que Sera, a former racehorse based in Oxfordshire, owned and ridden by Jo and Ben Hales. Que Sera's journey from a short racing career to becoming a versatile champion in various disciplines captured the hearts of the RoR community. An emotional Jo Hales commented, “Owning and retraining Que Sera has been a privilege. Beyond his remarkable versatility and gentle temperament, he's a true family member. He graciously allows my children to climb aboard effortlessly, showcasing his sensitivity and willing attitude.” The evening's other elite winners included Wonga Swinger and Tori Thomas, RoR Elite Showing Champions; Don Stefano and Megan Brown, RoR Elite Eventing Champions; Celtic Silver and Sara Cork, RoR Elite Hunting Champions; Badalona Breeze and Chris McKenzie, RoR Elite Polo Champions; Fair Duchess and Jane Phillips, RoR Elite Dressage Champions; and More Salutes and Amanda Hamley; RoR Elite Endurance Champions. The post Big Turnout For RoR 2024 Awards Ceremony appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Selections for Hawera today. Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race Aaron White Commentator Race 1 12.01pm 13 Keep It Klassy 1 Mr Monty 3 Lightning McQueen 5 That’s Entertainment Race 2 12.35pm 6 Slainte 2 Johnny Who 1 Taylad To Use 9 Alana Race 3 1.09pm 7 Sharkntatties 8 Lord Delmar 5 Savarna 2 Shirley Bassey Race 4 1.45pm 3 Dom Toretto 1 Challenger 9 Lamarli 2 Resurrection Race 5 2.21pm 8 Micky Wade 1 Perun 6 Sheza Mermaid 4 Morere Race 6 2.46pm 10 Caulfield 2 Avenger 3 The Mighty Sully 7 Smokinhotcheddar Race 7 3.18pm 7 Norvic Charlie 1 Jazzy Styx 8 Messenger Buoy 2 Barbarossa Race 8 3.51pm 11 Santanna Mach 2 Uncle Drew 5 Bettor Grunter 7 Greater Good Race 9 4.16pm 2 The River Boy 11 Romeo Foxtrot 1 Run Forest Run 9 Del Shannon Race 10 4.49pm 13 Village Rebel 3 Idolou 5 Smoke On The Water 9 Bad Medicine Race 11 5.16pm 2 Prince Miki 4 Super Duper Dude 3 Maleficence 7 Franco Hoffman View the full article

Frank Gabriel, who has served as the New York Racing Association's Sr. Vice President of Racing Operations since 2022, has resigned, effective Feb. 18, it was announced Thursday. Andrew Offerman will succeed Gabriel as NYRA's Sr. Vice President of Racing and Operations. “On behalf of NYRA and the broader racing community in New York, I thank Frank Gabriel for his many contributions to NYRA and to Thoroughbred racing,” said David O'Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “Because of Frank's hard work during a period of great transition, NYRA continues to be defined by its premier racing product and organizational commitment to safety and integrity.” During his tenure at NYRA, Gabriel led the efforts to successfully adopt and implement Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) rules and regulations while conducting the country's leading stakes program. He was responsible for significant operational changes that have increased veterinary scrutiny on all horses stabled on NYRA property. In addition, Gabriel adjusted NYRA's stakes program and purses to ensure the highest quality racing product throughout the year. “My time at NYRA has been deeply fulfilling, and I would like to thank the NYRA Board, David O'Rourke and the entire NYRA team,” said Gabriel. “I wish them the best of luck moving forward.” In his new role as Sr. Vice President of Racing and Operations, Offerman will be responsible for the leadership and oversight of racing functions at NYRA including the development, planning, and execution of NYRA's stakes program, marquee events and live racing offerings at Aqueduct Racetrack, Saratoga Race Course and, when complete, the new Belmont Park. Additionally, he will retain oversight of several of NYRA's general frontside operating departments including mutuels, parking, programs, security and cleaning. Andrew Offerman | Coglianese Offerman joined NYRA as Vice President and General Manager of Operations in November of 2022 to oversee frontside operations at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. Beyond those core responsibilities, Offerman led the process to transition all of NYRA and NYRABets pari-mutuel wagering processing to United Tote. This move followed the 2022 acquisition of a 49 percent position in United Tote by NYRA Content Management Solutions LLC, a NYRA subsidiary. “Andrew Offerman has quickly established himself at NYRA as a leader, strategic thinker and highly effective operator,” added O'Rourke. “This combination of skills and talent will benefit New York's horsemen and NYRA as we plan for the new Belmont Park and the consolidation of all downstate racing at one world-class venue on Long Island. The future of Thoroughbred racing in New York State is bright, and I congratulate Andrew on his promotion to this important new role.” Prior to NYRA, Offerman served as Sr. Vice President of Racing Operations at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota. Offerman was hired directly upon completing his M.S. from the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program in 2010, and became the company's top racing executive in 2017. “Thoroughbred racing is incredibly important to the culture and economy of New York State,” said Offerman. “And NYRA plays a central role within a broader ecosystem that translates to jobs and opportunity for thousands of New York families. Beyond that core mission, NYRA is responsible for the stewardship of historic races and treasured venues where champions have competed for generations. I am thrilled to be able to contribute to the future of this organization at an especially exciting time for NYRA.” The post Andrew Offerman Named NYRA’s Sr. Vice President of Racing and Operations Following Resignation of Frank Gabriel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK — It has become the tradition for the Tattersalls February Sale to be preceded by the TBA Flat Stallion Parade and this year's event contained the added incentive of a potential free entry to next year's December Foal Sale. Breeders who booked a nomination to one of the 10 stallions on the day have been automatically entered into a free draw to win one of five places at the 2025 sale for the resulting offspring. With nine of the 10 stallions stabled in the Left Yard at Park Paddocks, competition was fierce for the showing strips. The strapping Twilight Son (GB) made his presence felt. Stradivarius (Ire) did what he does best and strutted around looking as though he assumed that everyone was naturally there just to see him. He was joined by his fellow National Stud stallions Lope Y Fernandez (Ire) and new boy Mutasaabeq (GB), while the other new recruits to the stallions ranks on parade included Culworth Grounds Stud's El Caballo (GB), and Midnight Sands, the son of Speightstown who has recently joined Norton Grove Stud. It was naturally a male-dominated parade but the girls ruled the rostrum, with the excellent duo of Shirley Anderson-Jolag and Gina Bryce on presenting duties. Simon Sweeting, a regular supporter of the parade who brought Overbury Stud's second-season stallion Caturra (Ire) to Tattersalls from Gloucestershire, said, “It's good to have people feeling that they can come with no expectations and no pressure. It saves them coming out to the farm, through of course they'd be very welcome. You do more business than you realise on the day. People might ring you in three or four weeks' time having seen the stallion today.” Like a number of stallion owners, Sweeting has found that bookings have been slower to come in so far for this season. He added, “It's a year in which people want a few stallions, and everybody wants the same, and if they are not exactly what they want then it is very difficult. It's going to be one of those years. The busier stallions will have been full in December and for everybody else it's a case of struggling through until June.” Julian Dollar of Newsells Park Stud is also in favour of the initiative and brought A'Ali (Ire) to the parade. The sleek son of Society Rock has his first yearlings for sale later this year. Dollar said, “We've supported the parade every year we've been able to send stallions. It's great for us. Obviously people have started to bring stallions up in the December Sales, but you can't under-value it, especially for us even though we're only 35 minutes away [from Newmarket]. We've got 300 people seeing him today and we wouldn't get that in a year. He's a good-looking horse who walks well so he shows himself well.” He continued, “It's great that Tattersalls have got behind the parade and I like what they are trying to do with the incentivse. Harriet Collins is helping the TBA with this and I'd like to see if we can build this up into something bigger with the stallions and use it as a launchpad in the UK. “Ireland has the wonderful stallion trail, and France has a brilliant one as well. People say that most of the stallions are around Newmarket and the rest of them are very widespread and difficult to get at, but it would be nice to try to build something, and maybe this is the way to kick it off. “Stallion owners, the TBA and Tattersalls have all got an interest in it. I'm grateful to Tattersalls for doing it, and the TBA have done a great job. I'm delighted that Chris [Richardson] has brought their two boys down from Cheveley Park Stud because they didn't have to do that, and I am hoping that I can persuade Shadwell to bring the stallions in from Beech House Stud next time.” Dollar also issued an update on Newsells Park's flagship stallion Nathaniel (Ire), who was represented by two new Group 1 winners last year, and has dual-purpose appeal having also been represented by some decent jumpers in recent years, including Concertista (Fr) and Zanahiyr (Ire). He said, “It's a strange old thing with Nathaniel. It's just taken some time for the penny to drop. He obviously had the Derby winner [Desert Crown] a couple of years ago and then with Quickthorn and Poptrionic last year, I think people have started think 'this horse can't keep producing Group 1 winner after Group 1 winner and not be a good stallion'. “I think if you look at the stallion ranks in the UK and the price points, he does fill a good niche for a proper, proven stallion. I've probably been a bit naive and under-valued him, because by putting his price up this year even more people have come. He's about 30 mares ahead of last year, and very strong on about 130 mares. In the end he covered 170 mares last year and that was about 60/40 [per cent] Flat to jumps mares. This year there are about 10 to 12 jumps mares in his book so far out of 130.” Dollar added, “I have no problem with him covering National Hunt mares. If people want to use him and they pay the price to use him, why not? I think it's just nice that people accept him for the very good stallion that he is.” The post Stallions Shine in Sunny Start to February Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Three years after purchasing multiple Group One winner Prowess from the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales, Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood are hoping lightning might strike twice with the same Rich Hill Stud stallion. The Kingsclere Stables team went to $150,000 on Thursday to secure Lot 944, a Proisir filly out of the three-time winning mare Sentito. “We’ve checked out all the horses in both catalogues, and she was a filly we identified fairly early,” James said. “She was a feminine filly and we have bought her for a group of ladies, so it was a good fit really. “She is a smaller style of filly, but she has what I look for in any horse and that’s athleticism. “People ask me what I look for and I ask them how long have they got, because I have been doing it for 40 years. But if I have to give it in one word, I say they have to be an athlete, and she was that. “She is very feminine and ticked a lot of boxes. She isn’t overly big, but some of my best horses haven’t been big.” The purchase capped a successful week for the James/Wellwood team. “We went well in Book 1,” James said. “We were blown away a couple of times, but it was a strong sale and we bought some lovely horses. “I think, when people get their head around what Entain has done for our industry in the last few months, it will have a flow-down effect. I can see a very wanting market in the 35-45 year-old professionals that, when they learn there is a lot of fun to be had in the industry and a chance to get a dollar return, I think in two to five years, we will see our industry turn around.” James also gave a glowing report on the stable’s spectacular $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) winner Orchestral. Outstanding filly Orchestral winning the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) Photo: Trish Dunell “She has bounced through that run really well,” he said. “I’ve been lucky enough to win a lot of Group One races, but that had a special feel to it. To be able to do it twice in a row with fillies we have selected, we take a lot of pride in that. “It hasn’t been the easiest journey, she wasn’t herself in the spring and we had her ready to go around Christmas time and put her on a float, and for some reason she didn’t want to travel that day and had to be scratched. “We were going to run her on Boxing Day and she spiked a temperature, so the road has had a lot of bumps in it. “We never took our eye off the end goal and she peaked on the day. “Now she will most likely go to the Avondale Guineas (Gr.2, 2100m). As always, we look at the end goal and work backwards, and Sydney is our end goal. “The Vinery Stud Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m) is hopefully on the radar and then either the Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m) or the Derby (Gr.1, 2400m).” View the full article

Closing Remarks is likely to become racing's newest millionaire in the $100,000 Megahertz Stakes (G3T) as she leads a field of seven older fillies and mares going one mile on turf at Santa Anita Park Feb. 3.View the full article

Aftercare. It's a hot button topic that is continuously discussed among those within and outside of the Thoroughbred industry. And though the racing community has made leaps and bounds in its efforts to ensure a safe landing for retiring racehorses, there is always room for growth, improved planning and increased funding. One charitable organization is forging a new path in this aspect of the industry, as The Horse Fund establishes a unique precedent for Thoroughbred ownership groups by taking the 'after' out of aftercare and instead, standing in as the gatekeeper. The aftercare partner of the ownership group Wasabi Ventures Stables, The Horse Fund tracks all current and former Wasabi horses, from both their racing and breeding programs, and assists in their retirement. Though the organization officially received 501(c)(3) status in July of 2021, the work began long before that, spearheaded by Michele Kuegler. “Initially my role was Director of Community. We have a lot of club members so I would do things to keep them involved. And then I realized as we began to buy horses, there's an aftercare piece to this. So, I became Director of Community and Aftercare,” said Kuegler, whose husband TK founded Wasabi in 2017. Built on the concept of low-risk opportunity with an emphasis on sharing the excitement of involvement in the sport and the Wasabi community, Wasabi Ventures Stables members only pay a one-time fee when buying a percentage of a stake in a racehorse in the program. When the time comes that a racehorse is retired, sold or claimed away, the invested partners will receive profits if the horse produced a positive return. Otherwise, they never receive a bill and will never have to pay any additional funds. So that's where Kuegler started. She began with giving Wasabi members the option to donate $5 to an aftercare fund if their horse left the racing program with a positive return. That money would then be pooled together and donated to an aftercare program in the state where that Wasabi horse had raced. But it was how the membership responded after Wasabi lost Shamrock Kid (Dublin) in a tragic training accident in March of 2021 that Kuegler realized just how supportive the Wasabi community was of aftercare. “He had been a pretty successful horse for us and it was actually a club member who said, 'I'm leaving $50.' It was just this continual following of that, other club members thinking 'I'll do that.' We raised so much money that we were able to fund the rehab of a [retiring] horse [at an aftercare facility],” said Kuegler. “I had this snowball of an idea, after Shamrock Kid, thinking 'Okay, this group believes in aftercare. How can I do more with this?'” Mob Mentality | courtesy of The Horse Fund After becoming a corporation in the state of Florida, The Horse Fund officially received 501(c)(3) status and Kuegler gave up her outside work as a consultant to serve as the executive director of the organization on a full-time basis. Since then, she has been single-handedly keeping track of every horse that has made its way through Wasabi's program and when it's time, assisting in their retirement from the track. Though the numbers continue to grow, as Wasabi has transitioned from primarily a claiming operation to growing their own breeding program, Kuegler is a big proponent of taking accountability for all of the horses currently in their care and those that were in the past. “I feel like we're part of the ownership process and we're responsible for these horses. I've helped retire horses that we owned for a month, but we had hands on them and we continued to run them, so we own that and we owe it to those horses,” said Kuegler. “Our first foals were born in 2019, so I track every single foal, even the ones that we bred that we will never race. We're the reason these foals are here, the reason behind those claiming horses that we had for a month, and though we didn't retire them, we still need to keep an eye on them.” Utilizing her virtual stable on Equibase, Kuegler keeps track of every Wasabi-connected horse online and organizes the ever-changing data on an in-depth spreadsheet. It's a simple task when it comes to the horses retiring directly from Wasabi, but for those that are claimed away and racing elsewhere, tracing their whereabouts can be difficult. But tracing each horse is only step one, as Kuegler must also assess how the horse is faring on the track based on recent results and decide when may be the right time to step in and contact connections. “I have to be cautious of how I do it because I don't want to insult anyone, but if I see that a horse isn't active, I give them two months. It's common to give your horse a month or two off, to let them take a break, but if it's been two months and I notice they're in lower-level claimers, I'll reach out to let them know we're here to help if they're thinking about retirement,” said Kuegler. “I get everything from no answer to, 'we're not ready but when we are, we'll come back to you,' or I've had people that say, 'great, let's talk about this.' We'll usually offer to buy them, if that's part of the process, or just help them find placement. We've done a little bit of everything. “I try to hopefully be a step ahead of the trainer or owner when they're ready to retire because we don't have a physical facility. If they say I'm ready to retire them, I need to have a safety net already in place.” Since the early days of Wasabi, Kuegler has invested her time in getting to know various aftercare groups across the country through her blog series, 'The Aftercare Ally,' which she created to highlight their efforts and share on Wasabi's website and social media platforms. And this is the network that Kuegler now works with when retiring a horse. The Horse Fund provides funding to privately purchase the horse from its racing connections, if it's a case where the horse has been claimed away, and also sends donations to the aftercare facility that takes them in. “The thing that I'm really transparent about [with the aftercare facility] is that I don't know the health status of the horse and honestly, I'm not going to do a pre-purchase exam, because it doesn't matter. Whether the horse is lame or not lame, they need to retire. In the end, it's probably not going to change the price that I offer because I just want the horse to retire,” said Kuegler. “It's through these connections that I've made in the last five years or so that usually I can get a stall, and of course we make a donation to them or they might have a set amount that they need. It's nice to be part of a community working together.” Morrigan | Courtesy of The Horse Fund As The Horse Fund has amped up its work to retire Wasabi-connected horses, Kuegler has also amplified her fundraising efforts, beginning with a switch from requesting a $5 donation when a horse leaves a positive return to instead, giving people the option of contributing $5 when they're purchasing a share in a Wasabi horse. The donation rate has remained a steady 99 percent. But just as the cost of everything else has risen, so has the price for a horse coming straight off the track. “Last year, it was probably about $3000 to retire a horse, between buying them and making a donation. Now it's easily $4000, and I know that's even low,” explained Kuegler. “That's another goal, for our funding to be enough that rather than waiting for a trainer being ready to sell, I could afford to claim a 4-5k claimer, knowing that on top of that there are still costs. At this point, if I claim a horse for $4000 and I need to ship it and make a donation, we're looking at twice that. And if I do that, I can only buy one horse instead of two. But that would be another goal, to create some fundraising to that point.” Since its founding, The Horse Fund has assisted in the retirement of 27 Wasabi Ventures Stables horses, nine of which were private purchases. In 2023, they raised over $38,000 for aftercare through the support of donations made from club member horse purchases, monthly donors and their annual fundraiser, 12 Days of Giving, during the month of December. For Kuegler, the story of retiring Exxtop (Exaggerator) stands out as a particular highlight. On July 30, 2021, trainer Jesse Cruz claimed the then 3-year-old gelding for $7,500 on behalf of Wasabi Ventures Stables. He raced two times for his new connections before being claimed away that September. Despite the brief time he spent as a member of Wasabi's stable, Kuegler kept a close eye on Exxtop and in the fall of 2022, she reached out to his owner/trainer Marcus George Thompson to let him know that when the time came for the gelding to retire, The Horse Fund would take care of it. After consistently finishing fifth and sixth in lower-level claiming races on the New York circuit, Exxtop finished last in a $5,000 claimer on Sept. 5, 2023 at Finger Lakes. His 45th career start would be his last. “I reached out and the trainer said, 'I have him entered in one more race,' and then the day of, he messaged me and said, 'I'm scratching him.' What's even more amazing is that he still keeps in contact, always asking how he is doing and telling me, 'When you know where his home is, please let me know,” said Kuegler. “Some people on the outside might think this trainer didn't care because he continued to run him but out of all nine horses that I've privately purchased, he's the connection who has written to me the most. He even said, 'If he's going to be a jumper or something locally, I'll bring my kids to watch him.' It was a very positive experience.” The Horse Fund purchased Exxtop privately in mid-September and sent him to Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program at the Purple Haze Center in Farmington, NY. This month, he was adopted and has since started his next chapter in a new home. “It takes a lot of time to keep track of this many horses, to keep information on each and every horse and stay in touch. There are horses that seem to disappear, so I spend time researching online and reaching out to contacts,” said Kuegler. “My calendar is now filled with alerts for races to watch. I've always tracked them in my stable on Equibase, so I know when they work and when they race, but a while ago I decided we should be watching the race because a fourth by six lengths might be wonderful or fourth by six lengths might be a sign that something is wrong. “And then it's money…can you get people to support it? I'm just so grateful to have a club that supports this.” Kuegler also keeps track of Wasabi retirees, doing her best to stay in touch with their new owners and receiving updates on their progress in their new careers. “I think right now I have about 40 different people who have Wasabi retirees – whether they're directly from us or horses that were claimed away from us – who once or twice a year give me updates on their horses,” she said. “I wanted to keep track of their 'gotcha days' and there was no hesitation, every single owner knew what that day was.” Wasabi Ventures Stables currently has 1,400 members involved in all aspects of the game, from breeding to racing, and as they've learned more about the importance of aftercare, some have even gone on to adopt Wasabi retirees. For Kuegler, who wasn't introduced to racing until she met her husband, it's been quite the learning curve as she's transitioned from her initial roles with Wasabi Ventures Stables to founding and running The Horse Fund. Seville Sangria | Lauren Floyd Photo “I didn't ever think I'd be doing this full-time and if you'd asked me 20 years ago, 'do you think you're going to be running a non-profit that retires Thoroughbreds?' I would have said no. But now, I tell people that it's the best job I've ever had,” she said. “There are days that it's frustrating and there are days that are sad, but then I get a horse retired or I get an update and it's a feel-good moment, always.” Looking ahead, Kuegler hopes that she and her husband will be able to purchase a farm, which would primarily serve as the home of the Wasabi Ventures Stables breeding operation and layups, but could also be a facility for Wasabi retirees to reside until moving on to an aftercare program. “The big leap I have to make when I retire horses is securing where they will go, and if we had a place of our own, that would be great,” said Kuegler. In the meantime, she'll continue her work behind-the-scenes, watching over the horses that have made their way through Wasabi's barns and stepping in when she's needed. Kuegler only hopes that the process of tracing horses becomes easier and that through her work, she educates more people on the procedure and its importance. “I know The Jockey Club has started tracking them [as retirees], but I wish we made it easier for owners and trainers with more answers out there. There should be easier ways to report it and you should not feel ashamed about it,” she said. “Maybe I'm naïve, but I think it really is about the animal and not just the wins and the glory. For all that they do for us, when they run and train, the least we can do is give them a good happily ever after.” To learn more about The Horse Fund, go to thehorsefund.org. The post The Horse Fund: Taking The ‘After’ Out Of Aftercare appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Friday's Meydan card is anchored by the AED700,000 G3 Dubai Millennium S. over 2000 metres on grass, and Jessica Harrington sends out Group 2 heroine Trevaunance (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) to face the boys, which includes a strong challenge by Godolphin. The first runner for Moyglare Stud in the UAE, the G2 Prix de la Nonette winner ran second to India (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) in the G1 Preis von Europa last out at Cologne in September. She carries only 121 pounts in the eight-horse field, anywhere from three to six pounds less than her rivals. “Trevaunance has travelled over to Dubai very well and Zara, her rider, has been delighted with her,” said Kate Harrington, the trainer's daughter and assistant. “Shane [Foley, jockey] sat on her this morning [Wednesday] and was very happy with how she was.” G3 Gordon S. winner New London (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who has been gelded since running second at listed level in September, and Bahraini stakes winner Warren Point (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) are ridden by William Buick and Michael Barzalona, respectively. “We are hoping that dropping back to a mile and a quarter is going to suit New London,” said trainer Charlie Appleby of the Godolphin pair. “This race has always been the plan for him and, if you take the best of his 3-year-old form, he looks a serious contender. “Warren Point proved what he could do in Bahrain and Qatar last year. He has wintered out in Dubai for a couple of years without actually running at Meydan, but I think the trip and track will suit.” Supporting Cast Anchored By Dubai Sprint The AED500,000 Listed Dubai Sprint attracted a strong field of 14, and 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Mischief Magic (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) returns after running fourth in the Listed Ertijaal Dubai Dash in December. “Mischief Magic came out of the Ertijaal Dubai Dash well and coming back to six furlongs should play to his strengths,” said trainer Charlie Appleby of the Godolphin runner. The one-for-one Nadelia (Fr) (Spanish Moon) will attempt to emulate subsequent dual top-level scorer and G1 1000 Guineas heroine Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) in the Jumeirah Fillies' Classic. In the male equivalent, the Jumeirah Guineas also over 1400 metres of turf, Team Valor International's Shamrock Glitter (Fr) (Shalaa {Ire}) squares off against Godolphin's Legend Of Time (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) once more after running second to that foe at the beginning of January over this course and distance. “She's a [half-]sister to [Group 1 winner] King Gold (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}) and we do like her, that's why we've brought her to Dubai,” said assistant trainer Marine Henry of Nadelia, who is trained by her husband, Nicolas Caullery. “She did a piece of work really well last week and we're looking forward to her race.” The post Trevaunance A First Moyglare Runner In Dubai On Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horse Racing Ireland chief Suzanne Eade says the figures posted in 2023 in relation to on-course betting, commercial sponsorship and public auction bloodstock sales points to a solid year for the industry as a whole in Ireland. However, in the full-year statistics released by HRI on Thursday, it showed that the total number of active owners in Ireland has fallen by 1.2% to 4,698 and racecourse attendance figures have also dipped compared to the numbers posted in 2022. Total on-course betting, including Tote, rose to €80.5m in 2023, an increase of 5.9%. Bookmaker betting on-course increased by the same percentage to €69.8m, a figure comprising €59.9m, up 5.1%, in the betting ring and a turnover of €9.9m in the on-course SP shops, up 11.2% on the previous year. Total Tote betting, incorporating the World Pool meetings at the Curragh on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day in early July and the opening day of the Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown in September, has risen by 9.6% to €78m. Betting on-course with Tote is up by 5.6% to €10.7m. Off-course betting receipts amounted to €102.6m, a slight increase on last year's figure of €102m. There was also a rise in the figures relating to commercial sponsorship. That figure rose by 8.8% to €6.3m with EBF sponsorship coming in at €2.67m, up 3.1% on last year. Bloodstock sales at public auction increased by 7.5% to €231.5m, the value of Irish-foaled export horses sold through auction is €333.7m while the number of countries to which Irish-foaled horses were sold at auction was 33. Eade said, “These figures more than demonstrate that the Irish racing and breeding industry remains in a strong position despite recent challenges and the cost-of-living crisis that now extends into its third year. “Each has posed a particular threat and yet, with the support of Government and the industry's continued ability to attract foreign direct investment, the figures continue to hold up. A rise in the owner retention rate and in the number of horses-in-training point to a healthy product and will drive employment within the sector. “Reported attendances in 2023 fell back by just under 1% to 1.236m. However, it was hugely encouraging that attendances at the major festivals were strong throughout the year.” While the total number of owners fell by 1.2% to 4,698, the number of syndicates has risen by 4% to 858. The number of companies registered as owners in Ireland is up 3.3% to 158. The number of new owners is down by 1.6% to 805 but encouragingly, the owner retention rate has risen to 73.7%, up 1.2% on last year. Both the UK and the USA were deemed as key areas of focus for the Ownership Department and it is significant that the ownership base has risen in both countries, with a total of 357 UK-based owners, an increase of 7.5%, and 107 owners resident in the USA, up from 90 last year. The 2023 economic impact report, carried out on behalf of HRI by Deloitte, shows that Irish racing and breeding attracts over €550m in foreign direct investment each year. The post HRI Reports “Strong” Figures In 2023 Despite Dip In Owners And Attendance appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tickets for the 150th GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks, along with the entire Spring meet at Churchill Downs, are available as of 12 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1. The meet, which runs April 27 to June 30, features events such as Opening Night, Dawn at the Downs Dining, 502's Day, Champions Day, Thurby and Taste of Derby. The Spring meet will also see the debut of the new paddock redesign project. Tickets for all events, including Derby weekend, are available to purchase here. The post KY Derby Week, Spring Meet Tickets Go On Sale Feb. 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

William Haggas is charting a path back towards Royal Ascot with Desert Hero (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and nominated the Hardwicke S. as the main objective for the King and Queen's colt before a possible tilt at races in Australia in the autumn. Winner of the King George V S. last term, Desert Hero went on to claim Group 3 honours in the Gordon S. at Goodwood before finishing third to Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {JPN}) in the St Leger. Haggas had suggested that an Australian campaign could be on the cards for Desert Crown after the St Leger, however, it would appear that those plans have been put on the back burner for the time being at least. Speaking to RadioTAB Australia, Haggas said, “We decided definitely that His Majesty's horse will not be coming to Sydney in the autumn. We may well come down at the backend of the year in your (Australian) spring, but I just felt he needed a bit more time and they (his owners) concurred.” When asked if the Melbourne Cup would be a likely destination, Haggas replied, “Possibly or possibly something in Sydney, we'll see. We are going to concentrate on going to Royal Ascot for the Hardwicke Stakes, which will be his first major target. “He's done very well this winter. He will benefit from all the time he can get. It's 'do we press the button now or wait a bit' and we plumped for the second option, we're going to wait a bit. “He's pretty useful, he got better and better last year and we think he's done better again this winter, so I am very pleased with him.” Haggas will be represented in the big Australian races once again by Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}), who won both the Ranvet S. and the Queen Elizabeth S. last year before finishing a fine third to Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in the QEII Cup in Hong Kong. “He'll go into quarantine on February 15. We're looking at the same two races as last year,” he commented. “I probably shouldn't have run him in the Eclipse, as he'd been on the go for a while, but there were only four runners and I thought he ran well for a long way in the Champion Stakes. “To be honest, his whole summer was based around getting him in top shape to come to you (Australia) in February/March. He will be the same horse he was, I hope. “I'd like him to come back for two years. If all goes well this year and he runs competitively, then basically it will be all the same again.” Two more could travel with Dubai Honour, as Post Impressionist (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), winner of the Old Borough Cup, and Mujtaba (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), last seen finishing second in the Huxley S. in May, are both pencilled in. “Post Impressionist will run in the Sydney Cup, he's been bought by Lloyd Williams. He's in really good shape,” said Haggas. “Mujtaba might well go. I'm really pleased with his condition. He'll either go Ranvet or Tancred and then hopefully Queen Elizabeth. “He's never won a Stakes race, in his only start last year he was second in a Group Two and then got colic. He's a good age, he's six but has only run nine times in his life.” The post Haggas Has Royal Ascot Aim For The King And Queen’s Desert Hero appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Having won both of his races by a combined 19 1/4 lengths, Nysos tries two turns for the first time in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita.View the full article