Wandering Eyes

Grade I winner Collected (City Zip) will relocate from Airdrie Stud in Kentucky to stand at Rancho San Miguel in California for the 2026 breeding season, it was announced Friday. With an introductory West Coast fee of $7,500, with a live foal stand and nurse guarantee, the 12-year-old son of City Zip enters California as one of North America's leading fourth-crop sires, and as the clear-cut, #1 California sire by 2025 progeny earnings with $6,307,233 in purse money amassed through Nov. 5. From four crops to race, he has sired 20 black-type stakes winners and the collective earners of more than $18-million. His seven graded stakes winners include first-crop Taxed, a Grade II winner who was Grade I-placed in 2025 and earned $1,173,919 in her career. She sold for $750,000 as a racing / broodmare prospect during the 2025 Fasig-Tipton November Sale last Monday. He also claims MGSW & GISP Thought Process; GSW & GISP Iron Man Cal; and SW & MGSP Northern Invader, among other black-type winners and runners. Collected is also the sire of 2025 King's Plate Stakes winner Mansetti, one of the leading sophomore runners in Canada. Collected is out of Helena Bay (GB) (Johannesburg), making him a half-brother to recent 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Jude (Uncle Mo)–who earned his rosette Oct. 10 at Santa Anita Park. He hails from the extended female family of European champion and leading sire Blushing Groom (Fr). “Collected has been an absolutely rock-solid Kentucky sire, and he now has the opportunity to stand as California's premier stallion,” said Airdrie Stud president Bret Jones. “His California training roots and the great success his progeny have enjoyed in the state should guarantee his popularity. We are thrilled to give California breeders access to a stallion that can truly help their programs.” Airdrie Stud boasts two of the stallion's graded winners–Conclude and Thought Process–that were not only bred by their late founder Brereton C. Jones, but also have been campaigned in partnership by his estate exclusively at Del Mar and Santa Anita. “California's success is so critical to our overall industry,” Bret Jones explained. “This is a great deal for both our syndicate members and the California breeding and racing communities.” Collected will be featured during Rancho San Miguel's 2025 Open House and Stallion Show at its San Luis Obispo County farm Dec. 6. Breeders are invited to attend this free event. The partnership formed to relocate the stallion includes Thoroughbred owner and breeder Marsha Naify–businesswoman, philanthropist and former chair of Thoroughbred Owners of California. In addition to supporting Collected with her band of broodmares boarded at Rancho San Miguel, Naify plans to purchase additional mares this fall to specifically fit the incoming stallion. “Partnering with Airdrie and Rancho San Miguel is a natural extension of the strong commitment I have made to the California breeding and racing industry over the past 25 years,” Naify said. “We are overjoyed and extremely honored to have been entrusted by Airdrie to take the reins of Collected's breeding career,” said Rancho San Miguel owner Tom Clark. “In addition to being a familiar runner to our target audience from his years of competing at the highest levels here in California, he is in peak form as a stallion thanks to Airdrie's expert management. We are proud to now do our part along with our longtime friend and client Marsha Naify to help cement Collected's legacy.” The post Collected Relocates to Rancho San Miguel in California appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale continued Friday into Book 3 with young mares and weanlings by young, exciting stallions bringing a premium. “Today's session exceeded expectations, and it felt more like a continuation of Book 2 than the start of Book 3,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “The energy here has been tremendous, and we continue to see an incredible diversity of buyers eager to reinvest after such a strong year. There's a real sense of optimism and momentum that's carrying through every session and I think that's reflective of the buyers' confidence in the market.” On the first day of a two-day Book 3, 270 horses sold for $25,416,500, a 39.69% increase from the same session one year ago where 244 horses brought $18,195,500. In keeping with current strong sales trends, the median and average were both up by double digits with the average rising 26.23% to $94,135 and the median up 25% to $75,000. 72 horses failed to meet their reserve Friday, just a tick up from the 70 that RNA'd last year. So far through the 2025 Keeneland November Sale, 866 horses (up 8.52% from 800 last year) have sold for a gross of $189,542,500, a marked 31.81% year over year increase. To date, the average sits at $218,871 and the median is at $150,000. Last year's median through the same point in the sale was $179,753 and the average was $115,000. Nine horses sold Friday for over $300,000, easily eclipsing the two that sold in the Book 3 opener in 2024. Hip 1423 | Keeneland Unchained Elaine (hip 1049), a 3-year-old American Pharoah filly who placed in the Any Limit Stakes at Gulfstream earlier this year for owner/breeder/trainer Patrick Biancone, co-topped the session bringing $375,000 from CF Farms. Consigned by Grovendale Sales as agent, Unchained Elaine was entered as a racing or broodmare prospect with earnings over $170,000. Last raced in July at Gulfstream, her race record stands at 12-3-2-1. A trio of mares brought over $300,000 including a pair of Street Sense mares, both offered in foal. Calle Amanda (hip 1134), consigned by Claiborne Farm and in foal to Tiz the Law, went to Trinitas Place LLC on a final bid of $360,000 while East Bloodstock picked up Encourageachother (hip 1188) from the Woods Edge Farm consignment for $310,000 in foal to Muth. Another young mare, Ember Lynn (hip 1185) sold in foal to Elite Power and went to Iapetus Racing for $300,000. Joining Unchained Elaine at the top of the session was a $375,000 weanling filly (hip 1423) by leading first-crop sire Yaupon who provided some last-session fireworks as one of the last horses through the ring Friday. Out of a Belmont course record-setter in Southern Gem, the filly is a half to GSW Ole Crazy Bone (Ghostzapper). Moreau Bloodstock, who consigned her Friday, purchased her stakes-placed first dam in foal to War of Will for $75,000 at Keeneland November three years ago. That resulting filly, now named Bird the Banker, was a $180,000 Keeneland September yearling last year for BSW/Crow Colts Group. Pick View added a $310,000 Yaupon colt (hip 1161) from the Pope McLean (Crestwood Farm) consignment while the top-priced filly of the day was a daughter of Blame (hip 1346) who went to Tracy Farmer on a final bid of $300,000. Weanlings from first-crop sires continued to be in demand in the Book 3 opener with Cherry Knoll Farm signing for three on the day, two colts and one filly. The $310,000 paid for a colt (hip 1090) from the crop of Kentucky Derby winner Mage matched the highest price paid for one of his weanlings to date. Peter Pugh, who signed the ticket for all three weanlings, also added an Elite Power colt for $300,000 and a filly from the second crop of Jackie's Warrior for $100,000, bringing the farm's total allotment to seven for the sale. “Two nice colts,” said Pugh of the day's top two purchases. “It was extremely difficult buying colts, especially. There's not a lot of availability for the proven sires like a Not This Time. There's no availability now. We did get a Vekoma over at Fasig [the November Sale] but those proven sires are very, very tough to come by. You have to get in behind what you think is a nice horse, like Cody's Wish and Mage.” Cherry Knoll paid $320,000 for that Cody's Wish filly (hip 45) during Tuesday's opening session and Pugh was keen to add a weanling from the Horse of the Year's debut crop to the farm's pinhooking roster. Hip 1090 | Keeneland “There's a lot I like about Cody's Wish and he was such a cool horse,” Pugh said. “We were in Saratoga and a friend of ours was getting on Cody's Wish. He used to ride him by the barn all the time and he was the coolest horse you ever saw in your life. And of course, he ended up who he is. I said 'you know something, if he goes to stud, I'd love to have one of him'.” Pugh found plenty of competition in the market both Friday and earlier in the week as pinhookers battle to stock up ahead of the 2026 yearling sales. “It's almost impossible [to buy],” Pugh continued. “It's not that we're timid. We're in there as good as we can be but sometimes you just have to pull back. The whole market across the board is difficult to buy and that goes with broodmares too. It's tough. In support of the breeder, they're the backbone of the business. I'm sort of glad it's happening for them. There were a lot of people on the horses that we bought. It's happened over and over again. You end up spending probably 20-25% more than what you value the horse at. That's just the way it goes. At this point, if you want a nicer horse, and nothing's promised in this business but I'm hoping that we bought [nicer horses], you have to do that. That's all there is to it. You have to step up.” The Keeneland November sale continues through Tuesday with sessions beginning daily at 10 a.m. The post Keeneland November Stays Strong Into Book 3 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chasing the Crown's effectiveness on the Churchill Downs turf could tip the scales in his favor when he battles graded stakes winners Wolfie's Dynaghost, Mercante, Lagynos, Encino, and other foes in the $300,000 River City Stakes (G3T) Nov. 8. View the full article

The annual end-of-year student networking event hosted by Amplify Horse Racing will be held Monday, Nov. 10 at the Keeneland library, the group announced Friday via press release. Set to begin 4:00pm and run until 6:00pm, the theme for this year's event is 'Storyteller Night: Exploring Careers in the Thoroughbred Industry'. Students, educators, industry and community members are invited to spend the evening storytelling, exploring careers, and establishing meaningful connections within the equine industry. Students will be offered an accessible way to meet professionals, explore pathways, and learn how diverse experiences shape the Thoroughbred sector. This year's featured speakers include William “Buff” Bradley, Associate of Sales Development for Keeneland; Kassie Creed, Equine Safety Compliance Lead for Keeneland; Jade Cunningham, racehorse trainer; Kelsey Riley, marketing professional; and Eric Resendiz, an Amplify mentee graduate. Each speaker will share a personal story about a defining experience that influenced their career journey–whether a learning moment, a challenge overcome, a humorous misstep, or a memorable adventure in the equine industry. Doors open at 4:00 p.m., with storytelling beginning at 4:15 p.m. Refreshments will be available throughout the event, which is free to attend, followed by an informal networking session where attendees can ask questions and build connections. To learn more about the vent of about Amplify, please go here. The post Amplify to Host Annual Student Networking Event at Keeneland Library appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On February 7, 1969, Diane Crump became the first woman to ride in a parimutuel race, at Hialeah Park. Her participation in the race was so controversial at the time that she required a police escort to get her through the crowd of hostile spectators to the paddock. She was ninth of 12 in the race, and returned to cheers. It took Crump two weeks to ride her first winner, and the following year, she went on to become the first woman to ride in the Kentucky Derby. Crump is the guest on the first episode of season two of the Boundless Podcast, hosted by jockey and veterinarian Ferrin Peterson. Peterson starts the show out noting to Crump that early on, being a female jockey wasn't even a job, asking Crump what her goal was. “Early on,” says Crump, “all I wanted to do was be around horses. I wanted to ride, ride, ride, even if it was just to exercise them. I just had to be around them, and it wasn't until I learned a little bit more and got familiar with everything that I knew I wanted to be a jockey.” Crump said that in those early days in the mid-1960s, she was just about the only female on the backstretch. “When I first came around the track, I was the only woman doing anything,” she said. “I think there was one pony girl. and that was it–not even grooms or hotwalkers. I was it and it was a few years before you started seeing more girls show up.” Crump said getting her license to exercise horses was fairly easy, due to some connections, even though it was illegal for her to be on the backstretch at the age of 14. She tells the story of how Kathy Kusner sued the Maryland Racing Commisison and got her license first, but Kusner had a show-jumping competition at ride at Madison Square Garden, where she broke her leg and was out for six months. Kusner and Penny Ann Early were both galloping horses at Churchill Downs. Early got a mount at Churchill, but the male jockeys boycotted her, refusing to ride in the race. Crump went to Florida, went to court and got a license. Barbara Jo Rubin was riding as an exercise rider, and also got her license, and was named on a mount before Crump. Again, the male riders again boycotted the race. The Hialeah stewards said they wouldn't tolerate that, and that any jockey who boycotted a race so as not to allow women to ride would be suspended for the entirety of the meet. “Nobody wanted a fine, or to stop riding, so I was the third one to get named, and with that warning, the race went off without a hitch,” she said. Peterson dedicated the episode to Janet Mendez, one of the earliest exercise riders who galloped and breezed horses in the Midlantic and Florida, where she and her husband, Rene Mendez, trained horses for over 40 years. To listen to the episode on Spotify, click here. To listen on Apple Podcasts, click here. The post Season 2 of Boundless Podcast Kicks off With Diane Crump appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Brad Cox's outfit was like a hen on a June bug towards the end of Keeneland's 'Fall Stars' meet and subsequently kept pouncing on wins at Churchill, Horseshoe Indy and Aqueduct as the calendar flipped to the more autumn-like weather of November. Louisville's favorite son collected 20 winner's circle visits across 61 starts from Oct. 21 on, which included a Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) playlist in the GIII Hagyard Fayette Stakes, an Oaks points deposit for Life of Joy (Gun Runner) in the Rags to Riches Stakes and taking a bow for the Ozone Park faithful was 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', Bishops Bay (Uncle Mo) in the GIII Forty Niner Stakes. The dual Eclipse Award-winning conditioner may have had only a pair of turf entries at the Breeders' Cup last weekend, but that means little when it comes to the health and power of his stable. Rolling into a graded stakes Saturday with a head full of steam, Cox has Encino (Nyquist) slated for the GIII River City Stakes going nine furlongs on the grass under the Twin Spires. You will remember the dark bay because he wired the field as a 3-year-old in the GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, which is always the final Derby prep. Sent to the sidelines with an injury before the 'Run for the Roses', the Godolphin homebred returned earlier this year and has since shifted to race primarily on the turf. Last seen scoring over the all-weather in the Presque Isle Downs Mile, Encino will probably be the favorite in the River City with Irad Ortiz Jr. up. “He's a very classy horse who gives it his all on any surface,” said Trace Messina, assistant trainer to Cox. “He's a fast horse but has shown he's able to sit off the pace if he needs to. We're looking forward to him running another top effort on Saturday.” The 4-year-old will face a solid group of experienced specialists though, which includes GSW Lagynos (Kantharos), GSW Taking Candy (Twirling Candy) and GISP Chasing the Crown (Skipshot). Lemon Zest, Godolphin blue through and through | Coady Media Flavien Prat rode Encino at Presque Isle, but the top jockey–who was on fire himself at the Big A last Sunday–hops aboard Lemon Zest (Nyquist) for New York's GII Mother Goose Stakes. Another homebred for Godolphin, the filly won at second asking at Churchill Downs in late June and then cleared an allowance condition at Ellis Park in mid-August. Trying higher-level company for the first time in GIII Remington Park Oaks in late September, Lemon Zest was the runner-up to So There She Was (Munnings), who ships into New York for trainer Chief Stipe O'Neill. Lemon Zest's form shows she can put on some early lick and she is going to need every ounce of it against upstarts like Being Myself (Curlin) and Fully Subscribed (Tiz the Law), plus the presence of GI Longines Kentucky Oaks runner-up Drexel Hill (Bolt d'Oro). The latter, a Whit Beckman trainee, won the Busher Invitational at Aqueduct Mar. 1 and has not been seen since her surprising 32-1 longshot Oaks performance. “She [Drexel Hill] had a very small flake removed from her knee,” Beckman said. “She came back very quickly and seems to be stronger than ever. She has been off for quite a while. Coming back at a mile and an eighth at Aqueduct is no easy task.” Here's the tea on the Long Island & more… Carded at the Big A on Saturday is also the GIII Hill Prince Stakes, which could be a lawn slugfest in the later stages between MGSP Noble Confessor (Quality Road), SW Stars and Strides (American Pharoah) and Mayor of Midnight (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). With a distance test as the finale on the card, the GIII Long Island Stakes includes MGSP Way to Be Marie (Not This Time), who was forced to scratch with an issue before the GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar. The 4-year-old filly stands in the way of MGSW & route specialist Beach Bomb (SAf) (Lancaster Bomber). The cold blast from Canada is almost here, but not before Woodbine offers a trio of toasty graded stakes on Saturday. In the GIII Maple Leaf, the ever-consistent Blitz (Uncle Mo) should be able to make the class jump for trainer Mark Casse. However, Casse's trio of runners in the GIII Bessarabian Stakes–which includes GSP Mo Fox Given (Mo Town) who is supplemented to Keeneland's HORA sale next week–could face stiff competition from Miguel Clement's stable in graded stakes winners Love Cervere (Into Mischief) and Les Reys (Fr) (Penny's Picnic {Ire}). Of note, Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Caitlinhergrtness (Omaha Beach) makes the race, while Brad Cox entrant GSP Ellen Jay (Constitution), out of superstar Covfefe, hopes to draw-in off the also-eligible list. Finally, the GIII Autumn Stakes includes GSW & morning-line favorite Funtastic Again (Funtastic) and GSW Swift Delivery (Not This Time), who is co-owned by future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs. The post Hot-Handed Cox Barn Plays Godolphin Aces On Graded Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Graham Motion-trained pair of Beach Bomb and No Show Sammy Jo enter Aqueduct Racetrack's $250,000 Long Island Stakes (G3T) as the horses to beat off of notable last-out performances. View the full article

Attfield (Vekoma) played the role of the Fantastic Mr. Fox to perfection as he shot through a hole to swipe the Central Park Stakes at the Big A on Friday afternoon. The Tom Morley trainee donned cap and gown on debut after sprinting on the grass at the Spa Aug. 29 when he rallied to best eventual stakes winner Schwarzenegger (Not This Time). Attfield tried the Aqueduct turf course in the GIII Futurity Stakes Oct. 3 and improved to make the podium. As a 7-2 shot here, the colt broke a touch inward, but was able to be forwardly placed along the rail just behind the pacesetting Honey Dutch (Knicks Go). Saving ground around the first turn and up the backstretch, the 3-year-old was waiting for daylight and his cue around the far turn. The leader entered the lane looking for the wire because Attfield was about to gun his engine. Tipping to the two path, the chestnut fired his best shot, collared Honey Dutch at the sixteenth marker and was up in plenty of time. “He's [Attfield] very fast but he has a wonderful demeanor this horse,” said trainer Tom Morley. “He's out of a Street Boss mare–and he's by Vekoma–but physically he does look like a horse that should be able to stretch out. “Today was a very important day–firstly, I thought it was important we didn't go to the front–he's been running in fast sprint races,” he said. “I wanted to see him get a lead and Ricardo [Santana, Jr.] and I spoke about that this morning, and he and I both thought he should be sitting in the catbird seat right behind whoever was in front.” The first to the races for his dam, the winner claims a half-sister by Mendelssohn who is currently a yearling. A half-sister to Canadian stakes winner Ray's Away (Limehouse), Graceful Witch visited Newgate for next spring. Attfield is his sire's (by Candy Ride {Arg}) 17th stakes winner. CENTRAL PARK S., $150,000, Aqueduct, 11-7, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:43.87, fm. 1–ATTFIELD, 120, c, 2, by Vekoma 1st Dam: Graceful Witch, by Street Boss 2nd Dam: Sorus, by Capote 3rd Dam: Shakela, by Alydar ($75,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $220,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Rainbow's End Racing Stable LLC and West Paces Racing LLC; B-Jose Martin Ramirez (KY); T-Thomas Morley; J-Ricardo Santana, Jr. $82,500. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, $158,500. 2–Noble Dynasty, 120, c, 2, Kingman (GB)–Delta's Royalty (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Besilu Stables LLC (KY); T-William I. Mott. $30,000. 3–Honey Dutch, 120, c, 2, Knicks Go–Ms V Time, by Tiznow. ($33,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Legion Racing and Awestrike Racing; B-Matt Montgomery (KY); T-D. Whitworth Beckman. $18,000. Margins: HF, NK, 1HF. Odds: 3.82, 1.81, 2.82. Also Ran: Beach Ballad-(DH), Jutland-(DH), Sun Above, Omaha Storm, Likeness. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. ATTFIELD gets his first stakes win in the Central Park Stakes under @RSantana_Jr for @morley_racing. pic.twitter.com/WYGuHBVkqn — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) November 7, 2025 The post Vekoma’s Attfield Swipes The Central Park Stakes At The Big A appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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. Saturday's Observations features an exciting newcomer in the Juddmonte silks. 12.50 Doncaster, £22,000, Nov, 2yo, 6f 2yT Juddmonte's LEONETTO (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is a half-brother to G1 Nassau Stakes heroine Lady Bowthorpe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and multiple Group-winning G1 Prix de la Foret third Speak In Colours (GB) Excelebration {Ire}). The Harry Charlton trainee's rivals include Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's fellow debutant Angel Gabriel (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), who is a son of G1 Falmouth Stakes heroine Nahoodh (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}) and thus a half-brother to last year's G2 Hochi Hai Fillies' Revue victrix Etes Vous Prets (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}). 16.30 Wolverhampton, £6,300, Nov, 2yo, 8f 142y (AWT) Yuesheng Zhang's DIRECTOR'S CUT (IRE) (Palace Pier {GB}), one of the owner's two newcomers representing the John and Thady Gosden yard, is kin to G1 Northerly Stakes and G1 Australian Cup hero Light Infantry Man (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}). His opposition includes Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's hitherto unraced Qarreeb (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who is a half-brother to stakes-winning G1 Coronation Stakes third Sounds Of Heaven (GB) (Kingman {GB}), from the Ed Walker stable. The post Half-Brother to Lady Bowthorpe Set for Doncaster Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After being a scratch by track veterinarians from the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Tamara (Bolt d'Oro) is back at Santa Anita Park undergoing tests to determine a possible cause. Both Tamara and Sweet Azteca (Sharp Azteca) were scratched the morning of the Filly & Mare Sprint, later won by Splendora (Audible), and were figured to be two of the favorites in the race. At the time of the scratch, no reason had been provided for either horse. Now back in the home base of trainer Richard Mandella, Tamara underwent a PET scan as well as X-Rays, and her connections report that results should be known in a couple of days. Mandella said that she appears fine to them. When asked about running at Del Mar if she's okay, the conditioner replied, “I don't know. We're going to kick some ideas around.” The post Tamara Undergoing Tests After Breeders’ Cup Scratch appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Francis DiAmario, the starter at Charles Town Races, got fined $1,000 by that track's stewards for sending away the field in the seventh race on Wednesday with one entrant left back behind the gate. Medallion of Ash (Medallist) was 90-1 in the betting and had yet to step into the outermost stall of a two-turn 6 1/2 -furlong race that started in front of the stands when DiAmario, 65, sprung the latch. Track announcer Paul Espinosa Jr. immediately alerted bettors to the situation at the start of his race call, and the stewards declared Medallion of Ash a non-starter after the remaining eight runners in the NW2L allowance for state-bred fillies and mares crossed the wire. The ruling, issued Friday morning, stated that “all money wagered on her was refunded.” DiAmario waived his right to a hearing before the stewards issued the ruling, which lists his fine as having been paid. The post Charles Town Starter Fined $1,000 for Leaving 90-1 Filly Behind the Gate appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Graham Motion-trained pair of Beach Bomb and No Show Sammy Jo enter Aqueduct Racetrack's $250,000 Long Island Stakes (G3T) as the horses to beat off of notable last-out performances. View the full article

Trainer Kenny McPeek confirmed Nov. 7 that 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan has been officially retired. Fans at Churchill Downs will have one final chance to see the colt Nov. 8 when he parades in the paddock before the fourth race.View the full article

It was one of the better Breeders' Cups that we have seen in a long time and it featured great performances and safe racing, exactly the daily double the Breeders' Cup hopes to hit every year. But the good news has been overshadowed this week by a controversy. Why was White Abarrio (Race Day) scratched just minutes before the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile? The owners, C2 Racing Stable, LLC and Gary Barber, want to know, claiming the horse was “perfectly sound.” “There's nothing wrong with him,” co-owner Mark Cornett told me Sunday. “I have no idea why they scratched him. No one has told us why yet. This is unbelievably frustrating. We have a perfectly sound horse. I've been with this horse since September of his 2-year-old year and he's never missed a race, never missed a work, never missed a day of training.” On Tuesday, the ownership group announced on social media that they have retained a lawyer and have asked for “a full and transparent investigation into this matter.” They continued: “We have requested that the Breeders' Cup, the California Horse Racing Board, and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club preserve and disclose all relevant documents related to White Abarrio being scratched.” Maybe the vet who scratched White Abarrio was right, that there was something wrong with him and it was unsafe to let him run. Maybe he did the owners and all those who bet on the horse, a favor. But that's only part of the story. The Cornett brothers and Gary Barber are exactly right-they are entitled to know why their horse was scratched from a $1 million race in which they believed White Abarrio had a serious chance to win. What is it with horse racing and transparency? We see it time and time again, there is a controversial disqualification or non-disqualification, a controversial scratch and everyone in authority goes running for cover. Horsephotos There was the mess in the 2019 GI Kentucky Derby with Maximum Security (New Year's Day). The stewards took an agonizing 22 minutes to make a decision. Then they appeared before the press and more or less said nothing, failing to explain their reasoning as to why they disqualified a horse from the most important horse race in America. All they needed to do was to say something to the effect that “Maximum Security was disqualified from the 2019 Kentucky Derby for impeding with the progress of other horses as the field rounded the final turn and costing them a placing. Maximum Security, while leading the race, drifted out several running lanes near the quarter-pole. Jockey Luis Saez failed to maintain a straight course.” Five days after the White Abarrio incident, I put on my reporter's hat and asked everyone I could think of who should be in the know the simple question: “Why was White Abarrio scratched?” Afterward, I felt like I had asked for the nuclear codes. From Claire Crosby, the vice president of communications for the Breeders' Cup World Championships: “While we cannot specifically comment on pending or threatened litigation, the Breeders' Cup World Championships operate under the rules and regulations of the host jurisdiction. In the case of the recently concluded 2025 World Championships in Del Mar, California, the rules and protocols for scratches fell under the purview of the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) and the Stewards. The Breeders' Cup fully supports the CHRB and its decision-making process.” From HISA Senior Communications Manager Mackenzie Kirker-Head: “Thanks for reaching out. The California Horse Racing Board would be the best point of contact for information regarding that decision.” From Del Mar: “Ask the CHRB.” From the CHRB: No one was willing to go on the record, but colleague Dan Ross did find some information on line. White Abarrio is listed on the CHRB website under the inCompass vet's list for “unsoundness.” There are no other details that have been made available. From the Breeders' Cup website, he found language that confirmed that only a CHRB-licensed veterinarian can scratch a horse. A vet working for the Breeders' Cup cannot. Here's what it says: “Any horse that presents as unsound or unfit to race is confirmed and recommended to be scratched to the Board of Stewards by a CHRB-licensed official veterinarian. The function of the official veterinarian on race day is to determine a horse's suitability to race, not diagnose an issue. Non-California licensed members of the BCL Veterinary Team have no authority to recommend to the Board of Stewards to scratch a horse; that is the sole purview of the state regulatory veterinarians.” Well, now we know that someone determined that White Abarrio was unsound and that decision was made by a CHRB vet. At least that's something. Tamara | Benoit It would also be nice to know why so many horses, including some of the biggest names taking part in the Breeders' Cup were scratched. There's nothing wrong with being extra careful. It is working as the breakdown rate falls every year, but wouldn't it be appropriate for the public and horsemen to be told a little more as to why such standouts as Precise (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Black Out Time (Not This Time), Scottish Lassie (McKinzie), Mystik Dan (Goldencents), Tamara (Bolt d'Oro) and Sweet Azteca (Sharp Azteca) were all scratched. This all could have been handled so much more easily. Yes, there was little time to go before the race and certainly not enough time to whip out a statement before the Dirt Mile was off. But the owners and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. should have been told as soon as possible what the issue was and why they scratched the horse. They still wouldn't have been happy, but they at least wouldn't have been kept in the dark. A veterinarian should have come on NBC right after the race and explained to the television viewers what had just happened. The stewards or a vet should have gone on in-house television and done the same for the fans sitting in the grandstand. This sport has to be as transparent as possible and it is anything but. Keep in mind that CAW play may be the single biggest threat to the future of horse racing but no one-and I mean no one-will say one word about how much the computer players are betting, how much they are winning, what kind of rebates they are getting and, most importantly, how their play has increased the takeout rate for everyone else. At least NYRA has the stewards appear with Andy Serling on television every so often when there is a controversial call, but it is very noteworthy that the steward with all the power, the New York Gaming Commission's Braulio Baeza Jr., doesn't participate. And NYRA has a section on its website called “Past Race Decisions,” in which the stewards do exactly what they should be doing, explaining the calls they made. One problem: There hasn't been a new posting since Dec. 1, 2024. This just shouldn't be this hard. Dan Ross contributed to this story. The post Op/Ed: Why Is It That This Sport Has So Many Problems With Transparency? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Seven wildcards and three supplementary lots have been added to the Arqana Autumn Sale, completing the dissolvement of the partnership between the ownership duo of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede and Haras de Saint Voir. The wildcards include the three-year-old Mets Ta Ceinture (Hunter's Light), the recent winner of the G3 Prix du Tremblay for APQS-bred horses, who will be offered as lot 380 with an entry in the G1 Prix Jacques de Vienne. Trained by Anne-Sophie Pacault, she is out of the black-type mare Rien De Plus (Video Rock), from the family of the top-level winners Rendons Grace (Video Rock) and Homme Du Jour (Video Rock). The François Nicolle-trained Le Nez Creux, successful over fences at Auteuil on her most recent outing, has also been added to the catalogue as lot 398. A half-sister to black-type winners such as Fan De Blues (Poliglote), Kibboutz (Spanish Moon) and Dans La Foulee (Alberto Giacometti), the four-year-old daughter of No Risk At All holds an entry in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gillois. The full catalogue for the Autumn Sale, which takes place from November 17-20, is available to view here. The post Promising National Hunt Performers Added to Arqana Autumn Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Drexel Hill, runner-up in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), returns to the starting gate for her first race since the Run for the Lilies in the $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes (G2) Nov. 8 at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

Multiple stakes winner and millionaire Bango, the winningest horse in recorded Churchill Downs history with 12 wins under the twin spires, has been retired from racing at age 8, trainer Greg Foley said Nov. 7.View the full article

Kentucky Derby 150 winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) has officially been retired to stud, trainer Ken McPeek announced Friday. But fans will have one final chance to see the colt beneath the Twin Spires on Saturday when he parades in the paddock for the fourth race from approximately 2:05-2:30 p.m. EST. Owned by Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing, Daniel Hamby III and Valley View Farm, Mystik Dan will stand at Airdrie Stud in Midway, Ky., for $15,000. The 4-year-old retires with a record of 16-5-3-1 and earnings of more than $4.8 million. Along with his victory in the GI Kentucky Derby, Mystik Dan captured this year's GII Lukas Classic and GIII Blame Stakes as well as last year's GIII Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park. He joins the roster at Airdrie along with Beau Liam, Cairo Prince, Collected, Complexity, Divisidero, Girvin, Happy Saver, Highly Motivated, Jonathan's Way, Mage and Upstart. The post Derby Winner Mystik Dan To Parade At Churchill Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

BUDDS, one of the UK's leading specialist auctioneers of sports memorabilia, will offer a selection of horse racing items at Newmarket's National Horse Racing Museum on November 12-13. Under the spotlight at the auction, held in partnership with Weatherbys, will be memorabilia linked to King Edward VII, legendary horses and jockeys, and a royal mistress, Lillie Langtry. Featured lots include Oath's 1999 Derby-winning silks signed by Henry Cecil; the racing silks of the 13th Earl of Eglinton, worn by the jockey of the legendary racehorse The Flying Dutchman, c.1849; the number cloth from Nijinsky's St Leger victory when he completed the Triple Crown in 1970; the no.24 number cloth worn by Troy when winning the 200th Derby at Epsom in 1979; a gold, diamond and enamel stick pin gifted to royal jockey John Watts by the Prince Of Wales, later King Edward VII, circa 1896; and Lester Piggott's racing saddle he used in the early '80s. Visit the BUDDS website for more information about the auction and to browse the available lots. The post BUDDS to Auction Horse Racing Memorabilia Featuring Nijinsky’s St Leger Number Cloth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

8-year-old Bango (Congrats), Churchill Downs's winningest horse, has been retired, his connections announced on social media Friday. In a video posted to X, trainer Greg Foley said, “Mr. Churchill Downs has blessed Barn 11 in so many ways. Career has been just a testament to what horse racing is all about. Thanks for everything Bango. Enjoy the next chapter.” Retired with career earnings over $1,644,000, Bango raced 42 times, winning or placing in 24 of them. Nearly all of his starts came at Churchill Downs and he became their winningest horse of all time when he picked up his 12th total, an allowance victory in Sept. 2024. He raced just twice this year and finished up a well-beaten seventh in his final start Thursday. His career highlights include a placing in the GII Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes in 2023. He was a nine-time stakes winner, picking up wins in consecutive editions of the Aristides Stakes in 2021 and 2022 and the Kelly's Landing Overnight Stakes in 2021 and 2023. The post Bango, Churchill’s Winningest Horse, Retires appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Racing journalist and horseman Josh Pons has been named the recipient of the 2024 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award, presented by the Ryan family's Castleton Lyons, for excellence in thoroughbred racing literature published in 2024. He received the winner's $10,000 check during a Nov. 6 reception at the Lexington, Ky., farm. Pons won for 'Letters from Country Life: Adolphe Pons, Man o' War, and the Founding of Maryland's Oldest Thoroughbred Farm', a retrospective of the Golden Age of racing as viewed through a remarkable trove of correspondence to his grandfather, Adolphe Pons. Early in the 20th century, the senior Pons had served as private secretary to Racing Hall of Fame breeder August Belmont, a role in which he played an integral part in the breeding and eventual sale of Man o' War. “Josh Pons already had established his writing talent, but Letters from Country Life is another level of literary achievement,” said lead judge Kay Coyte. “In it, you discover historic gems just as Josh does, and worry along with him about the future of Maryland racing and his beloved farm.” Two other finalists were honored at the Castleton Lyons ceremony, Arthur B. Hancock III for his autobiography, 'Dark Horses: A Memoir of Redemption', and John Perrotta, for his international mystery thriller, 'A Beggar's Ride'. The post Josh Pons Named 2024 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Tom Bagrie has a late message for slot holders in the $500,000 Ascent at Addington next Friday. “Just in case anybody has anything go wrong, and we hope they don’t, you can tell them we are keen to help out,” says Bagrie. The “we” in that sentence are Bagrie and the other owners of high-class filly Dash Dosh, who recorded the fourth win of her career very convincingly in the Horses Perform Better On Betavet Trot at Addington on Friday. In a race that changed complexion enormously when $1.20 favourite Ya Rite Darl galloped at the start, Dash Dosh showed both manners and a touch of class to beat Tribbiani. Bagrie says he would love to be in next Friday’s slot race but as the majority owner of his filly he didn’t have the lions share of $30,000 lying around so couldn’t quite stretch to a slot. “Hey we know the slots are all full and good luck to everybody in the race but if somebody did have something go wrong over the weekend well she is here and we’d love to help out.” If Dash Dosh doesn’t get the emergency call-up Bagrie won’t have to wait long for the next perfect target with the NZ Trotting Oaks the following Friday. “The Trotting Oaks has been the race we have set her for all along and she is going to head there confident and in a really good place. “She has always had that real ability but like a lot of young trotters she went through a phase where she had to learn what it is all about. “But she has come out the other side of that now a better horse and her last four starts at Addington has now been for three wins and a second.” Bagrie is doing okay with 12 horses in work including five racehorses but says there is always more room for owners who think a young trainer with a smaller team might suit their horse. While Dash Dosh was putting her hand up as a contender to whatever the next month brings, Ya Rite Darl’s connections will be hoping the old saying “a poor dress rehearsal makes for a great show” is proved right as they look forward to the Ascent. She turned multi tickets into waste paper just a stride after the start in a race she was thrown into to keep her ticking over before next Friday’s slot race. Still, you suppose it is better to make that mistake for $15,000 this Friday and learn from it than make it next Friday for about 33 times more money. Team Dunn had more lucky with another young filly in the first trot of the night when Petite Armour got things right and recorded her second in just four starts. Cyclone Rebel regains winning form at Alexandra Park By Michael Guerin Trainer Tate Hopkins knows his weekend could have been so much different for he and Cyclone Rebel. But after a win at Alexandra Park on Friday night he has no regrets about missing the far richer Sires’ Stakes Final at Addington on Tuesday. Cyclone Rebel qualified for the final by winning his heat at Alexandra Park on debut, no mean feat in itself which suggested he is a smart young pacer. Hopkins was planning to take him to Addiington until he only finished third in a moderate race at Alexandra Park last week, hardly the sort of form that inspires you to spend thousands heading to a Group 1 to butt heads with Jumal. “We were thinking about it but last week dented my confidence,” says Hopkins. “Looking back it shouldn’t have because it was probably trainer error. “He won his trial so well the week before I thought he didn’t need much more so I think I was too easy on him leading into last week. “But he was fitter tonight and that was much more like it.” But even though Cyclone Rebel was able to make it two wins in just four starts, Hopkins says he will watch Tuesday’s Group 1 for the babies at Addington feeling he has done the right thing. “You look at horses like Jumal who have had that extra racing and are clearly very good and you realise how hard it would be done there, especially now he has drawn barrier three. “We could have gone down there and maybe gutted in early in his career whereas he has had a confidence-boosting win tonight.” Hopkins says the logical last aim for the season for Cyclone Rebel is the Golden Gait Finals at Alexandra Park on December 19. “I am sure he is qualified now with four starts here but it won’t matter because he will need at least another race here before he heads there anyway. “I know the stake has been reduced to $50,000 but it is still $50,000 on your home track so we are glad to have that as a target and then he has plenty of good three-year-old races he can target next season which we think he could be competitive in.” Another impressive two-year-old winner on Friday night was debutant Nazare who justified his hot favouritism to win in a 1:57.4 mile rate with a slick 26.6 second last 400m. He is one of 14 two-year-olds Arna Donnelly has in work and rated a horse who will make an even better three-year-old, with the Cambridge trainer realistic about the fact she might run out of races to qualify him for the Golden Gait. And in one of the more unusual trotting doubles at Alexandra Park in recent years driver Joshua Dickie drove a winner for his father John training Paramount Spur and one for his fiancee Sammy Kilgour training Loteria won later in the programme. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk The World Driving Championship (WDC) is heading towards an exciting and close finish after five more heats were held at Addington on Friday night. After 15 of the 20 heats Canada’s former world champion James MacDonald has 130 points, just nine ahead of Australian Gary Hall junior (121). Mats Djuse (Sweden) is third on 111 with New Zealand’s Blair Orange well within striking distance on 107 (23 behind MacDonald). Orange’s big moment was his win with Always A Menace in the first of the night’s five heats. Not only did it continue his move up on the leaderboard but it was his 3000th New Zealand victory, a win made all the more special wearing the Silver Fern and coming on his home track in front of family and friends. As well as MacDonald (Waihemo Hannah) and Orange the other three heat winners were Pierre Vercruysse (France) with One Eye Bandit, Djuse (Mr Cash Man) and American Brett Beckwith who romped away to a huge victory with Look To Da Stars. The WDC now heads to Winton for four more heats then there is the final heat at Addington as part of IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup day on Tuesday. The points leaderboard (after 5 heats) is : James MacDonald (Canada) 130 Gary Hall junior (Australia) 121 Mats Djuse (Sweden) 111 Blair Orange (New Zealand) 107 Michael Nimczyk (Germany) 91 Pierre Vercurysse (France) 91 Giampaolo Minnucci (Italy) 83 Jaap van Rijn (Netherlands) 83 Brett Beckwith (USA) 80 Santtu Raitala (Finland) 74 View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Blair Orange has today become the youngest ever harness racing driver to bring up 3000 winners in New Zealand. The Canterbury-based 47-year-old brought up the milestone winning with Always A Menace in Heat 11 of the World Driving Championship in front of friends and family at his home track, Addington. “It hasn’t sunk in but it’s a pretty cool thing,” he said post race. He is just the fourth driver to get to 3000, following on from Tony Herlihy, Maurice McKendry and Ricky May. Herlihy was the youngest driver previously, achieving the milestone at 52 years of age. “Things are a lot different now, there are so many meetings and so many opportunities. To do what they have done just shows how great they are.” From a non harness racing family the milestone has prompted Orange to reflect on how far he’s come. “I was pretty average when I started out,” he says frankly, “specially when you think of how good some of the young ones are now.”. His first win was with the Tim Butt-trained Whizza Nova at Reefton in 1996. His first 100 win season was not until 2014. He has had 100 or more winners every season since, with his best tally being the 267 he had during the elongated 2021 season. Along the way there have been so many huge moments. “The first New Zealand Cup on a horse that was not the favourite – that was surreal. I remember thinking ‘how did that just happen?'” That was 2019 with Cruz Bromac, the third stringer in the Mark Purdon – Natalie Rasmussen barn behind Thefixer and Spankem. Later that week Orange completed the Cup – Dominion Trot double with Habibi Inta. Orange has won the New Zealand Cup three times, also going back to back with Copy That in 2021 and 2022. It was another Purdon horse that gave Orange his first Group 1 in 2005. It was the 2005 New Zealand 2YO Championship at Alexandra Park. “It was with Jays Debut – that was a cool moment,” “I also won the first ever Harness Jewels race with the one trained by Andrew Faulks.” That was G T H Aveross , paying $81, in the 4YO Diamond at Ashburton in 2007. In all Orange has won the last seven premierships, following on from Dexter Dunn who’d won 10 in a row before heading to North America where he’s now established as arguably the best driver in the sport. Over the years Orange has also been a tireless supporter of Blue September, the annual fund-raiser for the New Zealand Prostate Cancer. He’s done all sorts of stunts to promote the cause. While he has been driving for 30 years he hopes he’s got plenty more to come. One target potentially is overhauling Herlihy at the top of the winners’ leaderboard. “Obviously Tony’s the most winningest driver – see how things progress over the next couple of years whether that is a target or not.” “I’ve probably got another 10 years of what I’m doing but there will be a time to pull pin.” But right now he is in a good space. “I’m really enjoying life and the racing at the moment … mentally and personally.” When he does decide to step back or away from what is currently a rigorous schedule he doesn’t have to look far for an heir apparent. Teenage son Harrison Orange has been a sensation in the sulky since he started last year. “I’m very proud of Harry.” “I hope he is better than me, everyone wants their kids to be healthy first of all and happy and enjoying what they do – I get a massive thrill watching him.” New Zealand’s 3000 win club – November 7, 2025 Tony Herlihy (3719) Maurice McKendry (3429) Ricky May (3190) Blair Orange (3000) View the full article

Prix de l'Opera winner Barnavara (Calyx) and Listed-winning sprinter Saratoga Special (Mehmas) are set to shine at the upcoming Sceptre Sessions of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale. Both fillies are trained by Jessica Harrington and have carried the colours of Alpha Racing to some notable successes this year. Few fillies boast as progressive a profile as Barnavara, who went from strength to strength this season, culminating with that victory at the highest level in the Prix de l'Opera. She is one of the standout offerings at the Sceptre Sessions and connections are suitably excited about what could be in store. Reflecting on her Group 1 triumph at ParisLongchamp, Harrington said, “My only worry was that she had never travelled – she had only ever raced in Ireland prior to that. But she was brilliant.” Harrington added, “She was determined to win – she has an unbelievable attitude. She has a big, long neck and she stuck it right out at the line. It was just amazing. “Shane [Foley] got everything right. He's a very, very good jockey from the front and he gets the fractions right. He had unbelievable faith in her. He said, 'of course she can do it.' She is a pretty willing partner for him.” Barnavara has won five of her 13 starts and placed on a further five occasions for the Harrington team. Along with her Group 1 triumph, she was victorious in the Group 2 Blandford Stakes at the Curragh as well as the Group 3 Al Shira'aa Jannah Rose Stakes at Naas. All of her big-race triumphs have come over 1m2f and Harrington believes that Barnavara could be even better as a four-year-old and revealed that she has even mapped out a theoretical plan for the filly next year. She said, “You would think she would have to improve as a four-year-old because it's only now that she is filling into her frame. We'd go to York followed by the Pretty Polly in Ireland and then the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood. And then, maybe, you could even try her over a-mile-and-a-half. Who knows? She goes on any ground.” Saratoga Special is in a different mould to Barnavara given she is a Listed-winning speedster. Her finest hour came when landing a Listed contest over the minimum trip at Ayr this year and she makes up an impressive two-pronged attack on the Sceptre Sessions for connections. Harrington concluded, “She wasn't a bad two-year-old. She didn't win at two but was Listed-placed. She came out and won her maiden at the beginning of the year and, you know, it can be tough for these three-year-old sprinters but she went to Ayr and won her Listed race there at odds of 66-1 when ridden by our stable apprentice Keithen [Kennedy]. She's a smashing, sound filly and hopefully she will sell well for them [the Alpha Racing Syndicate] as well.” The post Barnavara Team Brimming With Excitement For The Tattersalls Sceptre Sessions appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article