Wandering Eyes

Group One-winning mare Skew Wiff (NZ) (Savabeel) will be vying for more topline honours this preparation for Te Akau Racing. The Waikato Stud-bred and raced daughter of Savabeel was runner-up in the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) as a three-year-old last season, before breaking through to claim her first elite-level scalp in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings in September. Skew Wiff then flew across the Tasman to join trainer Mark Walker’s Cranbourne barn where she won the Gr.3 The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day. The four-year-old had her first trial of her preparation on the new Caulfield Heath track on Monday morning, finishing fifth in her 1000m heat in the hands of Blake Shinn. “She did all she needed to do,” Te Akau Racing assistant trainer Ben Gleeson told Racing.com. “She stepped a little bit slow away, but she quickly mustered and sat in behind them. We asked Blake not to give her a solid one as she’ll go two weeks now to her next one, where she will be asked to do a little bit more. “Blake said she was building through the line nicely and did everything she needed to do.” Skew Wiff is set be tested at Group One level first-up when she tackles the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 24. “We think she’s a good chance in an Oakleigh Plate depending on what weight she gets, so once she has a second one, she will be cherry ripe for a first-up assignment,” Gleeson said. Skew Wiff has also spent time with renowned horse handler Julien Welsh, which the stable is confident will quieten her down on raceday, particularly in the barriers. “We are very confident we are on top of that and she had a barrier session last week,” Gleeson said. “She now has a barrier blanket, which keeps her completely settled and (a) happy horse to go into the stalls. “We tend to have a session every now and then where we stand her in the barriers where she doesn’t move for 45 minutes, and it really helps with her attitude towards the gates and in the gates.” View the full article

Renegade Rebel (NZ) (El Roca) will make the second middle distance appearance of his burgeoning career on Wednesday in his final lead-up to the country’s Blue Riband age group staying feature. The Gr.2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa will provide the stage for his dress rehearsal for the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on March 2. Renegade Rebel has already displayed his depths of stamina with a stylish last-start victory in the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) off the back of a maiden success at just his third outing. “He’s flying, but I just think that two and a-half weeks between runs might not suit him that well at Te Rapa but four and a-half weeks leading into the Derby will,” trainer Cody Cole said. Renegade Rebel’s progress hasn’t surprised his Matamata handler, who also has confidence in his free-going son of El Roca mastering the Classic distance. “He has continued to step up and keep improving and after the Guineas he won’t run again until the Derby, I think that will be the ideal build-up for a horse like him,” Cole said. Out of the Duelled mare Regalia (NZ), who was successful on five occasions, Renegade Rebel has won his last two races with dominant front-running performances in the hands of Matthew Cameron, who takes the reins again. “We went into the Salver knowing he would run the trip and he gets to the front and into his own rhythm,” Cole said. “He does it very easily and covers the ground well. It’s pretty effortless for him and winds up when he needs to, and we know he will keep finding. “You go into a lot of these three-year-old staying races riding a horse conservatively hoping they run the trip out, but we don’t need to take that approach. “We know he is best out there doing his own thing and it’s just a matter of whether he can hold the rest of them out.” Cole was also in the market for a pair of youngsters during the second session of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at Karaka on Monday, including a daughter of El Roca. “He is a sire that has been pretty good to me so there’s no point changing, we’ve got a few others with ability,” he said. Lot 474 offered by Westbury Stud was purchased with Andrew Williams Bloodstock and is out of the unraced Testa Rossa mare Test My Resolve, a half-sister to the South African Group Three winner Roy’s Riviera. Cole also teamed up with fellow trainer Kurtis Pertab to secure Lot 331 for $110,000 out of Curraghmore’s draft. “He’s one that we will look to trade, most likely at the Ready to Run Sale,” he said. The Almanzor colt is a half-brother to the Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) winner Tomelilla- (NZ) (Tavistock), who also claimed a brace of Listed events, and to the Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m) winner Viktor Vegas (NZ) (Tavistock) with their dam the Dubai Destination mare Purnima. View the full article

The New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing administration ranks will receive an injection of youth and enthusiasm in April with the addition of Brad Taylor to the RACE team. Taylor has enjoyed nearly seven years as the racing manager for Freedman Racing in Melbourne, but felt it was the right time to return to New Zealand and take up a new opportunity as General Manager of Racing with Race, the operator of Awapuni and Trentham racecourses. “I am looking forward to the opportunity, it is going to be a good challenge,” Taylor said. “New Zealand racing is going the right way at the moment with the recent announcements and prizemoney increases, and this is the next stage of my career. “I have been the racing manager for Anthony and Sam Freedman for a number of years now and enjoyed great success. I have got no interest in training, and administration is where I always wanted to go. “When this opportunity presented itself, it was a good opportunity to get home and be closer to family. We have a young family that is growing up quickly. We have got two kids, Pippa was four yesterday and Luca is two, so it will be nice to get them home and settled in before Pippa starts school next year. “Jayne’s (Ivil, partner) family are from Palmy and mine are from Dunedin, so we will be a lot closer to everyone.” While set to oversee racing operations at Trentham and Awapuni from his Palmerston North base, Taylor said his role will also incorporate Hastings. “They are three great tracks that host some of New Zealand’s biggest racing carnivals, so I am looking forward to the challenge,” he said. Taylor has enjoyed a lot of success in Melbourne with Freedman Racing, but rates Without A Fight’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) and Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) double last year as the clear highlight. “Nothing beats the spring we have had,” he said. “To be a part of a Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup winner, growing up those are the races you dream of being a part of, and to have a small part in the team to win like that was incredible. “There has been a lot of success with Anthony and Sam. They are right up there with the best trainers in Victoria, without having a huge team. I will always be indebted to them for the opportunity they have given me. It has been great to be a part of their journey. “I have learnt a lot over here and I am looking forward to hopefully add a little bit of difference to New Zealand and build on what is there already.” The move back to New Zealand will also mean Taylor’s partner, Jayne Ivil, will leave her presenting role with Racing.com. “She has built a wonderful profile while over here and hopefully we can find something for her in New Zealand, I am sure there will be a few offers,” Taylor said. Taylor said he will miss many aspects of Melbourne, but he is looking forward to the next stage of his life back in New Zealand. “I will certainly miss Melbourne, and what Melbourne has to offer, but I am looking forward to getting home and getting stuck into the new job,” he said. View the full article

Over the Australia Day long weekend, we had feature racing on Friday and Saturday at Caulfield, Moonee Valley, and the Sunshine Coast. From the Caulfield meeting on Australia Day and the Sunshine Coast program on Saturday, we have found three runners that we will be placing into our Blackbook with one of the many online bookmakers that offer the ability to follow horses and receive notifications for their upcoming starts. Caulfield (26/1) Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: True Entire Circuit Race 5: Listed W.J. Adams Stakes (1000m) | Time: 0:56.92 Horse to follow: Sweet Ride (3rd) Sweet Ride was given a month between his first and second starts of this preparation after he finished second last in the Christmas Stakes on Boxing Day, which appears to have been a master stroke by Annabel Neasham. On Australia Day at Caulfield, the four-year-old entire contested Listed grade again, but over 1000m this time, and he ran home stylishly from the back of the field to finish third behind Queman and Najem Suhail. This son of Deep Field ran home in the fastest 800m, 600m, 400m, and 200m sections of the entire meeting. When to bet: With the autumn carnivals in Melbourne and Sydney around the corner, we expect Neasham and her team to enter Sweet Ride in a Listed or Group 3 race over 1000m, where he will seek to keep his undefeated third-up record intact (3:3-0-0). Race 6: Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) | Time: 1:09.59 Horse to follow: King Colorado (2nd) After being unwanted in betting first-up in the Manfred Stakes, King Colorado produced one of the best finishing bursts of the day, running home from the back of the field to finish second behind Brave Mead over 1200m. As a Group 1 winner over 1600m in the J.J. Atkins as a two-year-old, 1200m was always going to be short of his best distance, and it wasn’t his target race for the campaign. This son of Kingman clocked the fastest last 1000m sectional of the meeting and recorded times that ranked inside the top 10 in the final 600m, 400m, and 200m. When to bet: Post-race, Ciaron Maher confirmed that the Group 1 Australian Guineas on March 2 is the target for King Colorado. We expect that he will have another run, potentially at 1400m, before going into the Guineas third-up. As the Guineas favourite at +450 in futures markets with top horse betting sites, he is worth a bet and will only shorten if he wins his next start. Sunshine Coast (27/1) Track rating: Soft 5 (up to Good 4 after R3) Rail position: +3m entire circuit Race 10: Benchmark 68 Handicap (1400m) | Time: 1:24.23 Horse to follow: Lady Le Da (6th) Lady Le Da was a horrible watch for the punters that piled into the Paul Jenkins-trained mare, who shortened from +900 to +600 in the closing minutes of betting. Most punters would have been following this girl after she went down as a beaten favourite first-up at the track and trip. After getting a cosy run throughout the race, Jim Byrne angled out to try and push through the pack to get a run, but he was blocked and crowded for room. By the time this daughter of Domesday burst through a gap and started to let down, the race was already over, and she flew home into sixth place, only to be beaten by 1.9 lengths. When to bet: With six of her 10 career starts coming at the Sunshine Coast, we anticipate Jenkins and his team will try and find the right race for her at her home track. If Lady Le Da is entered in a race of similar grade or slightly weaker over 1400m, she should go very close to winning third-up. Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Latest horse racing tips View the full article

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The racing industry is fondly remembering former jockey Mr Bill Camer, who passed away aged 92 on Saturday, as a remarkable rider who lived and breathed the sport. “Bill was highly respected not just by his former colleagues in the jockeys’ room, but by all those in the racing industry that had the pleasure of meeting this gentleman of the turf,” said Racing NSW’s Chief Executive, Mr Peter V’landys AM. “Bill had a long and distinguished career competing in a golden era of jockeys and will be greatly missed. We pass on our sincere condolences to his wife Barbara and their family.” Bill Camer, who was born in Italy, first started working as a newspaper delivery lad in the rural town of Ayr, about an hour south of Townsville in Queensland. “I was 14 and that was towards the end of my school days, and being so small I delivered the papers on a pony,” Bill had recalled. “I had a split bag over the front of horse and carried the papers in that. “A trainer’s son noticed me riding past and asked if I would like to be a jockey. Mum and Dad agreed to move to Townsville, and I eventually ended up at Randwick with trainer Pat Murray.” Camer went on to become one of the country’s best lightweight jockeys and was once described as “The kind of hard-working man who helps form the sport’s backbone.” Camer was the oldest living Cox Plate-winning jockey at his passing, having taken out the race in 1954 aboard Kingster. Due to his lightweight frame, Bill had a special saddle made for Doncaster Handicap and Stradbroke winner Karendi which was carrying huge weights: “The saddle was made so the lead was built into it, and you didn’t have a lead bag rolling over the horse.” Camer also won the 1958 Stradbroke on two-year-old Wiggle (carrying 44kg) and the 1970 edition on Divide and Rule. Wiggle won five successive races including the Champagne Stakes prior to her Stradbroke victory and ultimately won 21 of her 55 starts before being sold to the USA where she won another 20 races. Camer was still competing at the elite level in 1975 when he took out the 1975 Epsom Handicap at Randwick on the Tommy Smith-trained roughie Authentic Heir. Mr Camer, who initiated the original Australian Jockeys Association in the 1960s, is survived by his wife Barbara, son Bradley and daughter Tina. More horse racing news View the full article

Matt Damon, one of Hollywood’s biggest movie stars, will be tuning in to watch a lowly midweek two-year-old race at Randwick’s Kensington meeting on Wednesday. View the full article

With Churchill Downs having ruled that any horse that remained in the Baffert barn as of Jan. 29 would be ineligible to run in the GI Kentucky Derby, Monday was decision day for Baffert's owners. In 2022 and 2023, several moved their horses into the barn of former Baffert assistant Tim Yakteen prior to the Derby, but that may not turn out to be the case this year. At least four owners who have Derby candidates with Baffert have said their horses will remain under the care of their Hall of Fame trainer. Owners Jack Liebau, Tom Ryan and Mike Pegram told the TDN that they will not be taking their horses away from Baffert, even though that means they cannot run in the Derby. In addition, Ed Nevins, the director of the Baoma Corp, the owner of the highly regarded 3-year-old Nysos (Nyquist), told Horse Racing Nation that the undefeated colt will also remain in Baffert's care. The TDN reached out to other owners who have Derby prospects with Baffert, including Amr Zedan, but, at deadline for this story, had not received a response from them. Baffert has had little to say about his situation and was unavailable for comment Monday. The New York-bred Wynstock (Solomini) is entered in Saturday's GIII Southwest S. at Oaklawn. The winner of the GII Los Alamitos Futurity, he is co-owned by Liebau and Dr. Edward Allred, the owner of Los Alamitos. “When Wynstock won the Los Alamitos Futurity, Dr. Allred, who is the majority owner, said that the horse was not going to go to the Kentucky Derby because he thought Churchill was treating Baffert unfairly,” Liebau said. “I guess we will look at the Preakness, but who knows what the status of the horse will be by Preakness time and how good the horse is. Dr. Allred calls the shots.” Ryan is the managing partner of SF Bloodstock, which partners with Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables, a group that is among Baffert's biggest owners. “Our horses will be in their own stalls tomorrow morning, and that says it all, doesn't it?” said Ryan. Jack Wolf, the managing partner of Starlight Racing, added: “Tom Ryan is the managing partner and I agree with the decision he has made, which is we're not changing trainers. We just feel like it is the right thing to do and not just from a loyalty standpoint. We have nothing against Tim Yakteen. We think he is a very good trainer and this has nothing to do with him. It can be very destructive to these horses at this young age to go to a different barn and change conditioners, change their feed, change everything.” Pegram, who has had horses with Baffert ever since he switched over to Thoroughbreds and has a Derby candidate this year in Wine Me Up (Vino Rosso), responded to a text from the TDN, writing: “We're doing the same as we have the last two years, staying with Bobby.” Nysos has won his two starts by a combined margin of 19 1/4 lengths and may prove to be the best of Baffert's 3-year-olds. “Unfortunately, our country is devolving into a nation where excluding the top competition is considered a legitimate way to win,” Nevins told Horse Racing Nation's Ron Flatter. “Bob Baffert is our trainer, and we stand with him and any decisions he makes regarding our horses.” After Medina Spirit (Protonico) tested positive for the medication betamethasone following the 2021 Derby, Churchill banned Baffert from its tracks. The suspension initially was for two years but Churchill later amended that and included 2024 to the ban. In addition, in 2023, it gave owners until the end of February to move their horses from Baffert in order to be eligible for the Derby. This year decision day was moved up by one month. The post Despite Churchill Ban, Key Owners Keep Their Horses With Baffert appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group 1 winner Skew Wiff. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Te Akau’s Group 1 champion, Skew Wiff, is gearing up for her upcoming campaign, with the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 24 marking her return. The four-year-old recently underwent her first trial on the new Caulfield Heath track, covering 1000 metres and finishing fifth under the guidance of jockey Blake Shinn. Te Akau Racing’s Ben Gleeson shared insights with Racing.com, stating, “She did all she needed to do. She stepped a little bit slow away, but she quickly mustered and sat in behind them.” “We asked Blake not to give her a solid one as she’ll go two weeks now to her next one, where she will be asked to do a little bit more. “Blake said she was building through the line nicely and did everything she needed to do.” Expressing optimism about Skew Wiff’s chances in the Oakleigh Plate, Gleeson added, “We think she’s a good chance in an Oakleigh Plate depending on what weight she gets, so once she has a second one, she will be cherry-ripe for a first-up assignment.” Gleeson also mentioned the possibility of considering the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 9 as part of Skew Wiff’s campaign, keeping the options open for the talented winner of the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m), last seen competing in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke (1400m) in November. Skew Wiff is rated as a +3300 chance for the Oakleigh Plate with top horse racing bookmakers. More horse racing news View the full article

Jimmysstar on his way to victory. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Ciaron Maher eagerly anticipates the return of Jimmysstar at Caulfield on Saturday, where the 77-rated Kiwi import aims to maintain his perfect Australian record under the guidance of the esteemed trainer. “He’s a ratings horse at the moment, but you’d think he may be better than that,” Maher told Racing.com. “He was really well managed from the guys over there (New Zealand). Lightly raced, well-placed, and really well managed. “He came out here as a four-year-old, not many miles on the clock. He’s a neat horse, but they’ve given him time to develop. “Clearly, he’s going very well.” Jimmysstar is slated to be piloted by Blake Shinn in a Benchmark 84 over 1400 metres on the weekend. “He’s a horse with a bright future and he’s clean-winded, he’s good actioned and I think he’s pretty adaptable,” added Maher. “You could train him for whatever you want really.” Ciaron Maher and connections of Jimmysstar clearly have high hopes for Jimmysstar, and top horse racing bookmakers have him listed as a +5000 chance for the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 6. More horse racing news View the full article

What Sandown Lakeside Races Where Sandown Racecourse – 591-659 Princes Hwy, Springvale VIC 3171 When Wednesday, January 31, 2024 First Race 3:40pm AEDT Visit Dabble For a fourth straight Wednesday afternoon, metropolitan racing in Victoria heads to Sandown Racecourse, with an eight-race meeting scheduled for the Lakeside circuit. A perfect Good 4 track awaits punters, and with the rail sticking to the true position, it means every runner can stake their claim for success throughout the day if they’re good enough. Sandown Lakeside action is set to get underway at 3:40pm AEDT. Best Bet at Sandown: The Devil In Her The Patrick Payne-trained The Devil In Her disposed of her BM64 rivals on the Hillside track on January 10, and she looks well-placed to build on the 3.3-length victory when she steps into BM70 company. The Sebring mare managed to round up her rivals in a small field and kicked clear inside the final furlong to win with plenty in reserve. She strikes a similarly small field on Wednesday, and despite her main market rival Vinnie’s Spirit set to dictate terms throughout, we’re confident Billy Egan will have The Devil In Her in a striking position, and when asked to quicken, reel in the leader and continue her progression through the grades. Best Bet Race 6 – #6 The Devil In Her (7) 4yo Mare | T: Patrick Payne | J: Billy Egan (58kg) +130 with Neds Next Best at Sandown: Limburg In the opening event, Limburg from the Hawkes stable is set to return from a 15-week spell, and we’re anticipating he returns a winner. The three-year-old gelding steps out of the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m), where he was well beaten, back to maiden company on Wednesday and looks to have a class edge on his rivals. Prior to his effort in the Guineas, the son of Justify managed to finish fourth, beaten two-lengths behind subsequent Caulfield Guineas winner Griff when chasing him home in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m). He returns at the 1300m, and with Jordan Childs engaged, we expect to see Limburg find the front, dictate terms throughout, and prove too hard to run down. Next Best Race 1 – #5 Limburg (5) 3yo Gelding | T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | J: Jordan Childs (58kg) +250 with Picklebet Best Value at Sandown: Master Montaro Having chased the classy duo Jungle Jim and Is It Me down the Flemington straight on January 13, Master Montaro looks well-placed to bring up an overdue win on Wednesday. Since arriving back from Hong Kong, the seven-year-old gelding looks to have found his groove in Australia, and with this set to be a slightly easier task, it is hard to pass up the each-way odds available with top horse racing bookmakers. Mark Zahra will have Master Montaro settled towards the rear of the field, and if the pair can get a genuinely run 1300m affair, Master Montaro possesses the finishing burst to blouse the leaders. Best Value Race 8 – #4 Master Montaro (7) 7yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Mark Zahra (60kg) +700 with Playup Sandown Lakeside Wednesday quaddie tips – 31/1/2024 Sandown Lakeside quadrella selections Wednesday, January 31, 2024 2-3 6-7 1-4-7-9 1-3-4-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Horse Racing on Tuesday, January 30 will feature two meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meeting at Benalla. Tuesday Racing Tips – January 23, 2024 Benalla Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For January 30, 2024 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $20.77 odds return: Tuesday, January 30, 2024 Benalla – Race 6 #7 Yongtai Benalla – Race 8 #5 Simple Times Goulburn – Race 1 #7 Sir Ming | Copy this bet straight to your betslip As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on January 30, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

The TDN's popular annual series 'Mating Plans, presented by Spendthrift,' continues today in a conversation with Haymarket Farm's Chip Montgomery. “I've always been enamored with the deep pedigrees of the stalwarts of the industry and have gravitated recently to granddaughters, etc. of Personal Ensign, My Flag and Storm Flag Flying,” said Montgomery. “About once a quarter, I will put on the video of the 1988 Breeders' Cup Distaff to hear Tom Durkin's call of Personal Ensign's nose win against Winning Colors to retire undefeated. It's an honor to own several fillies and mares with this royal blood in their veins, and makes me proud to be a Kentuckian!” BLESSING THE FLAG, 6, (Distorted Humor–Fly the Flag, by Giant's Causeway). To be bred to Medaglia d'Oro. We bought her as a yearling and made $130,000 but couldn't win a race! As a maiden, we will breed her to Medaglia d'Oro as this cross works very well, not only in the population in general, but also within her family (Vigilantes Way and Major Dude, among others). FLY THE FLAG, 17, (Giant's Causeway–My Flag, by Easy Goer). To be bred to Upstart or Annapolis. Honoring our investment in stallion shares here as she's in foal to Upstart (bred like Zandon and Trademark) and will likely go back to Upstart or possibly Annapolis. STAND FOR THE FLAG, 8, (Super Saver–Raise the Flag, by Awesome Again). To be bred to Proxy. A winner of $290,000, we bought her as a broodmare prospect and she is in foal to Olympiad and going to Proxy. Both good crosses and beautiful animals! WYCHWOOD, 8, (Tale of the Cat–Queens Wood, by Tiznow). To be bred to Street Sense. A daughter of a GI-producing mare, she has already produced our homebred stakes winner Cats inthe Timber (Honor Code) as her first foal. Barren this year, she will be bred to Street Sense, needing that size and two-turn power. QUEENS WOOD, 16, (Tiznow–Salon Prive, by Private Account). To be bred to Forte. The queen herself, currently in foal to Jackie's Warrior, will be bred to Forte, a proper cross and a powerful two-turn hopeful. CTIMENE, 15, (Consolidator–Persimmon Hill, by Conquistador Cielo). To be bred to Mitole. A half-sister to GI producer Once Around, she had a breakthrough stakes winner this past year with Katonah (Klimt) and is being bred to Mitole. A big, course mare, she will benefit from Mitole's sprinter physique. GOOD TOHAVE AROUND, 4, (Good Samaritan–Ctimene, by Consolidator). To be bred to Yaupon. A more elegant rendition of her mother, as a maiden, will be bred to the magnificent looking Yaupon. Interested in sharing your own mating plans? Email garyking@thetdn.com. The post Mating Plans, Presented By Spendthrift: Chip Montgomery And Haymarket Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The TDN's popular annual series 'Mating Plans, presented by Spendthrift,' continues today in a conversation with Haymarket Farm's Chip Montgomery. “I've always been enamored with the deep pedigrees of the stalwarts of the industry and have gravitated recently to granddaughters, etc. of Personal Ensign, My Flag and Storm Flag Flying,” said Montgomery. “About once a quarter, I will put on the video of the 1988 Breeders' Cup Distaff to hear Tom Durkin's call of Personal Ensign's nose win against Winning Colors to retire undefeated. It's an honor to own several fillies and mares with this royal blood in their veins, and makes me proud to be a Kentuckian!” BLESSING THE FLAG, 6, (Distorted Humor–Fly the Flag, by Giant's Causeway). To be bred to Medaglia d'Oro. We bought her as a yearling and made $130,000 but couldn't win a race! As a maiden, we will breed her to Medaglia d'Oro as this cross works very well, not only in the population in general, but also within her family (Vigilantes Way and Major Dude, among others). FLY THE FLAG, 17, (Giant's Causeway–My Flag, by Easy Goer). To be bred to Upstart or Annapolis. Honoring our investment in stallion shares here as she's in foal to Upstart (bred like Zandon and Trademark) and will likely go back to Upstart or possibly Annapolis. STAND FOR THE FLAG, 8, (Super Saver–Raise the Flag, by Awesome Again). To be bred to Proxy. A winner of $290,000, we bought her as a broodmare prospect and she is in foal to Olympiad and going to Proxy. Both good crosses and beautiful animals! WYCHWOOD, 8, (Tale of the Cat–Queens Wood, by Tiznow). To be bred to Street Sense. A daughter of a GI-producing mare, she has already produced our homebred stakes winner Cats inthe Timber (Honor Code) as her first foal. Barren this year, she will be bred to Street Sense, needing that size and two-turn power. QUEENS WOOD, 16, (Tiznow–Salon Prive, by Private Account). To be bred to Forte. The queen herself, currently in foal to Jackie's Warrior, will be bred to Forte, a proper cross and a powerful two-turn hopeful. CTIMENE, 15, (Consolidator–Persimmon Hill, by Conquistador Cielo). To be bred to Mitole. A half-sister to GI producer Once Around, she had a breakthrough stakes winner this past year with Katonah (Klimt) and is being bred to Mitole. A big, course mare, she will benefit from Mitole's sprinter physique. GOOD TOHAVE AROUND, 4, (Good Samaritan–Ctimene, by Consolidator). To be bred to Yaupon. A more elegant rendition of her mother, as a maiden, will be bred to the magnificent looking Yaupon. Interested in sharing your own mating plans? Email garyking@thetdn.com. The post Mating Plans, Presented By Spendthrift: Chip Montgomery And Haymarket Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Recent Pegasus World Cup (G1) winner National Treasure and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) hero White Abarrio were among the 1,423 nominations received for the $30.5 million Dubai World Cup card on March 30.View the full article

Dive into an array of enticing horse racing promotions provided by leading bookmakers on Tuesday, January 30. Enhance your betting excitement with lucrative bonus back offers. Explore these promotions from top horse racing online bookmakers to maximise your wagering prospects. The top Australian racing promotions for January 30, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo TOP 4 BETTING Bet and win up to 4th place on every race Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo DAILY TRIFECTA BOOSTS Boost your winnings by 10% with our new Trifecta boosts T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au thoroughly evaluates leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, unveiling exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions for January 30, 2024. These ongoing offers highlight the commitment of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, if one bookmaker isn’t showcasing a promotion, another is stepping up. Rely on HorseBetting.com.au as your primary source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Boost your value with competitive odds and exclusive promotions crafted for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging into each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, rely on HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of Jan. 22-Jan. 28View the full article

Never has the demand to get horses into the breeze-up sales in Europe been higher. It begs the question; how do the big sales companies limit their catalogues? Inspectors from Tattersalls, Arqana and Goffs have been out in force in recent weeks trawling through the breeze-up consignors' barns to come up with their shortlists. According to Harry Fowler, one of the main inspectors at Goffs, entries for the company's only breeze-up sale have sky-rocketed this year. With most of the viewing done at this stage, the Goffs inspectors will meet in the coming weeks before calling on vendors to make up their mind on Valentine's Day at the latest. By the end of February, the 210 slots for Goffs will be finalised and the catalogue will be sent off to be printed. Explaining the process, Fowler said, “You will have definite yeses, some maybes and then straight nos. With the nos, you would discuss them there and then with the consignor so that there are no surprises later on. “We get all of our inspections done by the end of January and then have a meeting and go through things on a horse-by-horse basis. We can't have any more than 210 horses in the sale. In the current economic climate that we are in, it's important that we keep it tight and it seemed to work well last year, as the sale leapt forward by 30 per cent on average and over 50 per cent on turnover. It was a rocking sale.” He added, “The results on the track proved buyers right as well. So we want to keep it tight and, by doing this, we basically allocate vendors a certain number and try to keep them to that number unless they have an exceptional bunch. In that case, we might give them a couple more slots. The same might be the case if, say, they didn't perform last year, we might cut them back a couple of spots. By Valentine's Day, we will have asked vendors to commit about who is going where and then we will send the catalogue off to get printed by the end of February.” Harry Fowler | Goffs It may seem a little soon to be making these calls. The Goffs UK Breeze-Up Sale is the earliest of them all yet it doesn't take place until April 23 and 24. That's over two months of galloping to be done between making a decision about where you are going with a horse and the fall of the hammer. A lot of time for some to turn a corner and bob their heads above the parapet and, unavoidably, others to go the wrong way. Therein lies the risks. Tattersalls Ireland boss Simon Kerins is in a unique position in that, not only are he and his team of inspectors searching for that Royal Ascot two-year-old for the Craven Sale in mid April, but there are also slots to be filled for the Guineas Sale in early May and the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale later that month. Without a deep trust and strong working relationship with the vendors, Kerins explains, making these calls in February would be close to impossible. He said, “So much of it is down to the trust that we, as inspectors, have with the vendors. The guys who have been doing this a while will be able to tell you if they really think something is good or not. The bonus with the breeze-ups is, if you have a horse by a sire who is just about acceptable from a commercial perspective, they can surpass what they would ever make as yearlings if they go and breeze very well. The same can be said for a hose who is not one hundred per cent correct or if one is a little bit small. “From getting out and seeing a lot of the horses over the past few weeks, many of the vendors have done very little with them, and wouldn't have tested them in a way that would determine their ability. A lot of it is faith between the vendor and the inspector.” Kerins admitted that while some horses who are just about acceptable in terms of pedigree and conformation get into breeze-up sales provided they are showing the right signs to their respective handlers, the margin for error has become even narrower such is demand for sale slots. Kerins added, “The standard is rising. Certainly with our own Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale, the standard is rising exponentially. The challenge that we can sometimes face is we have some people who have been stalwart supporters of us down through the years and always sent us a similar type of horse. Now there are newer people on the scene with a better calibre of horse they want to send us and we have to just marry the loyalty and the quality. It can be very challenging managing numbers and managing expectations as well. We are ultimately delivering bad news to some vendors given there are only a certain number of slots up for grabs. Entries are through the roof but we do have the option in June for those horses who don't get into the Craven, Guineas or Tattersalls Ireland sales, to breeze at Dundalk and then sell online afterwards. That is an option.” One man who has had more good news than bad in recent times is Shane Power of Tradewinds Stud. It was his Beautiful Diamond (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}) who lit up the breeze-up circuit when selling for £360,000 at the Goffs UK Breeze-Up Sale just seven months after being sourced for 30,000gns as a yearling. Those are the types of results that earn a hungry young consignor some clout by the time it comes to inspections. “It's like anything, when you turn up and get the results, they repay you the following year and the relationship grows,” Power explains. “We sold our first breezer five years ago at Donny. It was a little horse by Arcano (Ire) and he went and won a couple of races for Michael Dods. A couple of years ago we had only two breezers, last year we had five and this year we have 11, so we are trying to up our game the whole time. We've had all of the sales companies out already this year and you'd have a fair idea about where they are all going at this stage.” He added, “But, if you have sold a few good horses the previous year, it's definitely a big help to the sales companies coming back to you because, at the end of the day, that's what they want. We obviously want to get paid as well but the sales companies really need to sell the good horses year in year out to be able to compete with their rival sales companies. In fairness to the inspectors, they do use their imagination and they are well aware that the breeze-ups, in particular, are designed to produce racehorses, and not just sales horses.” Power also went on to pour cold water on the theory that it's too early to make a prediction on what horse should go where in January and February. Shane Power | Tattersalls He explained, “You'd probably have half an idea about who would be likely to go where at the yearlings sales. And, in fairness to the inspectors, they are nearly always on the same page as you when they do come out. The earlier bunch will end up in the Craven or at Donny and, those who need a bit more time, you have the Guineas Sale or Tattersalls Ireland. The horse tells you more so than anything else.” Power added, “It definitely helps when they have cost a few quid as yearlings. It's probably the most obvious barometer for which people can judge the horses on. It's the same for the foals to yearlings, the first thing a sales inspector can go off is what the market thought of the horse four or five months ago.” It was Fowler who inspected Beautiful Diamond this time 12 months ago. They don't always stick out like she did, but the Goffs scout recalled what drew him to Beautiful Diamond and how she encapsulates everything that the sale company searches for when out and about in the winter months. He said, “We understand that, for an earlier sale, our buyers are coming in search of Royal Ascot horses. In the past eight years, we have had nine Royal Ascot winners, and not all of those have been two-year-olds, many have trained on as well. “Perfect Power (Ire) and Bradsell (GB) are brilliant examples of top-class Goffs graduates who have not only gone on and won at Royal Ascot, but become stallions as well. Buyers come to Goffs looking for horses who will be early but it's not just the whizzbang two-year-old they are looking for, they want the horses who can train on, just like Perfect Power and Bradsell did.” He added, “I remember walking into Shane Power's yard last year and being taken by two lovely horses. Both were inexpensive yearlings but they had a lot of quality. One of them turned out to be Beautiful Diamond who, not only breezed very well and made £360,000 to Blandford Bloodstock, but she won first time out and then went on to finish third in the Queen Mary. That's your perfect Donny horse. She has her whole three-year-old career ahead of herself and, in the meantime, she paid for a new barn at Shane Power's yard. That's what we're all hoping for. We were just lucky enough that Shane wanted to bring her to us. He knew exactly what he had from an early stage. “The flip side of that is there are plenty of examples of when it doesn't work out but Beautiful Diamond was one who just hit you right between your eyes. You've got to rely on your instincts doing this job and, generally, the ones who look as though they might be a little bit chancy at this stage, they are the ones who need a lot of luck.” They say it's the talented breeze-up men and women who will know quicker than anyone else in the industry who will make it and who will drift away when it comes to the freshman sires. After all, these are the people who are separating the wheat from the chaff. But what do the inspectors think? Fowler mused, “You would get a fair feel at the yearling sales and again when going around and speaking with all of the breeze-up consignors. Pinatubo, for example, is the favourite for the first-season sires' championship but I have only seen a couple of those so far. A lot of the first-season sires, their progeny look as though they will make up into two-year-olds. I've seen plenty of Shamans and they look like they'll be two-year-olds. The Sergei Prokofievs are big horses so, whether the power of those horses will make them two-year-olds or not, I don't know.” He added, “I've seen a few sharp and early types by Sands Of Mali, some by Far Above who look to be big and powerful horses like he was and then a few nice Mohaathers. I think they have plenty of quality about them. Arizona is another stallion who I have seen a few nice two-year-olds by. They look to be very powerful horses. There are plenty of good reports on Earthlight but they look to be horses for later on in the season. They look as though they'll train on. The same could be said about Ghaiyyath. They look to be more three-year-old types.” Like Fowler, Pinatubo and Earthlight were nominated as the more obvious young sires to keep the right side of by Kerins, who admitted that the progeny of younger stallions can often be an easier sell at public auction. He concluded, “I have only seen a couple of Pinatubos and they were very nice. The same with Earthlight. I've seen a couple of those that were quite nice but that's quite obvious. It's the same with the foals and years, the progeny of the first-season sires sell like hot cakes, and the breeze-ups are no different. With the two-year-olds, if they can gallop and they look the part, they will be an easy sell if they are by any of the first-season sires. Again, it's buying that dream that appeals to so many people.” The post ‘Managing Numbers And Expectations’ – Breeze-Up Inspections In Full Swing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After an 18-month stint at Limerick Racecourse as General Manager, Tom Rudd has been reappointed to the Tattersalls Ireland bloodstock department, announced the auction house via press release on Monday. A 20-year veteran of the company prior to his departure for Limerick, Rudd also rode for the late Michael O'Brien until 2002 and counts victory in the 1999 Irish Grand National to his career tally as a jockey. On the reappointment, Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins said, “Tom rejoining could not have been timelier, with the Andy and Gemma Brown Dispersal Sale scheduled for next Monday [Feb. 5]. We also have nominations for the 50th Derby Sale closing on Friday [Feb. 2], and Tom will form an integral part of the inspection team tasked with putting together our National Hunt and Flat sales catalogues later in the year.” The post Tom Rudd Rejoins Tattersalls Ireland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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MIDDLETOWN, NJ–The Kentucky breeding industry didn't bite on 2021 GI Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Max Player (Honor Code–Fools in Love, by Not For Love), not exactly a surprise considering he was overshadowed during his career by stars such as Flightline (Tapit), Tiz the Law (Constitution), Authentic (Into Mischief), Epicenter (Not This Time) and others. When that happens, it usually means that the horse will land in one of the stronger regional markets, like New York or Pennsylvania. Not Max Player. He's been retired to owner George Hall's Annestes Farm in New Jersey. He will represent the first stallion ever to stand at Hall's farm. It is a bit of a gamble. Monmouth Park is set to run for just 51 days this year and there will be 10 days of turf racing at the Meadowlands after that. New Jersey-breds do run for good money. At the 2023 Monmouth meet, the purse for a New Jersey-bred maiden race was $72,000. But with so few opportunities for Jersey-breds to run in restricted state-bred races, it's a constant struggle for the New Jersey breeding industry to convince people to breed in the state. “I know breeding is important to people in this state,” Hall said. “It's just a matter of finding a way to get all the pieces to fit together.” Could Max Player be one of those pieces? In 1987, when there was year-round racing in the state, the New Jersey foal crop numbered 1,075. In 2023, it was all the way down to 110. Nine stallions stood in the state in 2023. The hope for Max Player is that his status as a Grade I winner will set him apart from the rest and that he will be the first choice among breeders and owners who remain interested in the New Jersey program. Max Player is the first Grade I winner to stand in the state since 2004, the last year Evening Kris, the winner of the 1988 GI Jerome H., stood at Walnford Stud. “Any time you bring a Grade I winner to your state it is a big deal, especially here because we have not had many,” said Mike Campbell, the executive director of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey. “It shows that George Hall and his partners have faith, not only in New Jersey racing, but also New Jersey breeding. We're happy he's here and hope he does well.” Max Player had talent, but what he lacked was consistency. In just his third career start, he won the GIII Withers S. during the COVID year of 2020. He then ran third in both the GI Belmont S. and the GI Travers S. before finishing fifth in the GI Kentucky Derby, run in September because of the pandemic. It was more of the same when he finished off the board in the GI Preakness S. and, the following year, the Saudi Cup and the GIII Pimlico Special. And then he turned into a star, at least for two months. He won the 2021 GII Suburban S. by a neck over G1 Dubai World Cup winner Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper) and came back two months later to win the Gold Cup over 2020 Gold Cup winner Happy Saver (Super Saver) in his next start. “Winning a Grade I, especially one at Saratoga, is very tough,” Hall said. “You know you're going to be facing the best competition. To win that race, it was an amazing experience.” After the Gold Cup win, Max Player again finished out of the money in his next four starts. His final appearance on the racetrack came in a Feb. 25, 2023 allowance race at Oaklawn in which he lost his action and had to be vanned off the track. He was sent to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington after the Oaklawn race and was treated for an infection. He then spent time at Spy Coast Farm in Lexington for rehabilitation, and made a full recovery. It was already too late for the 2023 breeding season, so Hall took a step back while deciding what to do. In the end, he owned a farm in New Jersey and thought there was an opening in the state for a Grade I-winning stallion. “In terms of New Jersey, New Jersey-breds get bonuses and I have the farm here,” Hall said. “If I didn't have the farm, we probably wouldn't be here. It was pretty easy to just bring him up here and stand him here. If a stallion farm in Kentucky said they really wanted Max and were going to support him, I would have considered that. In the absence of that, I wanted to bring him up here. Hopefully, New Jersey breeding will get better now that Max is here and, hopefully, some other strong sires will come to New Jersey.” Max Player's stud fee is $5,000, which, Hall hopes, people will come to realize is a bargain. “He's got a Grade I, two thirds in Grade I races, he won graded stakes as 3-year-old and as a 4-year-old,” Hall said. “And the Grade I's were not run of the mill Grade I's. They are some of the biggest races on the calendar. That's our pitch.” Hall's goal is for Max Player to attract 25 mares this year, a number he believes will increase once his foals hit the track and find some success. “If he hits a home run, we will keep him in New Jersey,” Hall said. “That would be great and would mean more mares will come into the state. I'm not going to move him. He's here. It would be great if New Jersey racing and breeding could advance because of Max.” The post Max Player Brings a Touch of Class to New Jersey Breeding Program appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bidding for the Fasig-Tipton Digital sale of the Lothenbach Dispersal of Horses of Racing Age opened Monday afternoon and will begin closing at 2 p.m. ET Friday. The catalogue, which can be viewed here, includes 76 entries of horses of racing age. All are consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency and will be sold without reserve. Robert Lothenbach, who passed away this past November, was one of North America's leading owners for nearly 30 years. His Lothenbach Stables amassed more than 800 wins and earnings of more than $30 million since 2000 and he was a top 10-ranked owner nationally in 2020 and 2022. “Opportunities to purchase ready-to-run racing stock from a leading operation like Mr. Lothenbach's happen very rarely,” said Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales Leif Aaron. “All of Mr. Lothenbach's horses have been in the hands of top-class horsemen, and buyers will find quality offerings that suit a variety of racing programs and conditions.” Among the horses in the catalogue with recent updates are the 4-year-old Earl of Dassel (Cairo Prince), who broke his maiden at Fair Grounds last Thursday and Happy American (Runhappy), who finished third in the GIII Louisiana S. Jan. 20. Horses are located at Fair Grounds Race Course and Delta Downs in Louisiana; Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach, Florida; Grace Full Oaks Training Center in Ocala, Florida; and in Kentucky at Skylight Training Center, Turfway Park, and Chesapeake Farm in Lexington. All entries are accompanied by photos and walking videos, X-rays, Daily Racing Form past performances, Thoromanager past performances, Ragozin speed figures, and race replays. To create an account or register to bid, visit digital.fasigtipton.com. The post Fasig-Tipton Digital Lothenbach Dispersal Open for Bidding appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Defending G1 Dubai World Cup winner Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) features among 868 individual horses from 19 countries nominated to run at the $30.5-million Dubai World Cup meeting on Saturday, March 30. In total, more than 1,400 entries have been received across the nine races and Ushba Tesoro is one of 200 from Japan as he tries to become only the second dual winner of the $12-million Dubai World Cup (Sponsored by Emirates Airline) after Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) in 2018 and 2019. Incidentally, Thunder Snow also won the G2 UAE Derby in 2017 and last year's winner of that race, Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits), is another of the Japanese contingent entered in the showpiece event having ended 2023 with an excellent second in the Breeders' Cup Classic. White Abarrio (Race Day), who was gaining the third Grade I victory of his career when beating Derma Sotogake at Santa Anita, is another star name among the Dubai World Cup entries, along with GI Preakness S. and GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. winner National Treasure (Quality Road) and local hope Kabirkhan (California Chrome), the recent winner of the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge which gained him an automatic entry. Aidan O'Brien's multiple Group 1 winner Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) has also been nominated for the Dubai World Cup, though he's unproven on the dirt and perhaps more likely to take up his entry in the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic. That tees up the prospect of another clash with stablemate Auguste Rodin (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), the dual Derby and GI Breeders' Cup Turf hero who had Luxembourg back in second when also winning the G1 Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown. Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), an impressive winner of the G1 Coronation Cup in 2023, is another notable European-based entry, while Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) also brings star quality to the table having won the Japanese Triple Tiara before chasing home the great Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn})–a breathtaking winner of last year's Dubai Sheema Classic–in the G1 Japan Cup at Tokyo on her final start of 2023. Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) finished a good fourth in the Japan Cup and went on to win the G1 Arima Kinen at Nakayama, identifying him as a leading contender for the G1 Dubai Turf (sponsored by DP World). Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), a Group 1 performer in Hong Kong, is another to look out for from the Far East, while Charlie Appleby holds a strong hand with GI Breeders' Cup Mile winner Master Of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a rapidly progressive four-year-old who took the step up in grade in his stride with a decisive success in the G1 Jebel Hatta last time. Appleby is still seeking a first victory in the Dubai Turf and standing in his way once again will be John and Thady Gosden's stable stalwart Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who will be bidding for an unprecedented fourth win in the race. Already just the second horse after Thunder Snow to win three times on Dubai World Cup night, Lord North will certainly be one of the most popular winners on the card should he prevail again in 2024, while Danyah (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Sibelius (Not This Time) will also have their supporters as they try to repeat their 2023 victories in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint (Sponsored by Azizi Developments) and G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (Sponsored by Nakheel) respectively. The full list of entries for all nine races is available here. The post Dubai World Cup Night Entries Released appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bloodstock agent Ed Sackville, a graduate of the Godolphin Flying Start and Highclere Stud, is hedging his bets by choosing “a son of Shamardal” to be leading first-season sire Proudest moment of 2023? Attending the Godolphin Flying Start 20-year anniversary event. I think I had completely failed to acknowledge what an amazing course the Flying Start is. It wasn't until I looked around the room and saw my fellow graduates that I appreciated the legacy the Flying Start has created within the Thoroughbred industry. What is your biggest ambition for the new year? To convert from my paper catalogue to an iPad. I think it will make lists and time management at the sales more streamline. Give us one horse to follow and why? River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). I don't think we ever really saw the best of him. He had a setback before the Morny and couldn't run in the Breeders' Cup. However, he looked very good at Ascot and ran with credit in the Middle Park having taken a strong hold. And a young person in the industry to keep an eye on… I'm going to go with young people. I am consistently impressed by the yearlings sold by Tradewinds, Evergreen and Aughamore. I think the young lads behind these studs do a fantastic job and have a great understanding of the industry. Who do you think will be champion first-season sire this year? It's very open this year and could be any one of them, so I'm going to choose a son of Shamardal. And the best value stallion in Europe? Chaldean (GB). He's a Guineas winner, a Dewhurst winner, a son of Frankel (GB) and an absolute beauty. What's not to like? What's the one horse you wish you'd bought in 2023? Big Evs (Ire) is a horse that really captured my imagination. He was so cool and consistent and capped the year in such fine style in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. The Juvenile Turf Sprint has added a whole new dimension to the Breeders' Cup two-year-old races and is something I'd love to win. Biggest regret? I wish I had spent a year working with a vet. I'd then spend less time asking them to translate vet reports into layman's terms. Biggest influence on your career? I spent 11 years working for John Warren and he put a tremendous amount of time and effort into educating me. I will be forever grateful to both John and Carolyn for giving me so much of their time. If you could sit down for dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be and why? Richard, Duke of York. I'd like to be able to ask him who killed him and his elder brother whilst they were imprisoned in the Tower of London. Everyone assumes it was their uncle, Richard III, but the jury is out. My second choice would be Ayrton Senna. I've just re watched the Senna documentary film and I'm fascinated by him and his success. My third choice would be a member of the Tattersalls staff. I generally find they are incredibly generous with their hospitality allowance and if I'm going out with a murdered Prince and a dead Formula 1 star I imagine they are going to want to go somewhere fancy, so it'd be nice for someone else to pick up the tab. The post In the Hot Seat: Ed Sackville appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Vincent Le Roy has joined the French sales company Auctav as a new member on its team of bloodstock agents. Born in Brittany, Le Roy previously worked at Haras de Gouffern, where, under the guidance of Jean-Pierre de Gasté, he trained Arabians for Sheikh Sultan of Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai. He later spent five years training in the Middle East. Switching his focus to National Hunt, Le Roy has had stints working with Guillaume Macaire, Willie Mullins, Paul Nicholls, David Pipe and the Reveley family before settling back in Brittany to work as a pre-trainer. At Auctav, he will work alongside Toby Jones, Jacob Pritchard Webb, and Anthony Grueau for trotting. “At Auctav, I find a team of enthusiasts where I can leverage my experiences and continue to grow in my expertise. I have a strong network and solid experience with Arabians as well as National Hunt,” said Le Roy. “At Auctav, I see myself as the one who must provide solutions and facilitate connections between producers and breeders on one side and future investors, developers, and buyers on the other.” Arnaud Angéliaume, CEO of Auctav, added, “I am delighted with Vincent Le Roy's arrival in the Auctav team. We have common values. His diverse experiences make him a versatile polyglot with cross-cutting expertise in all horse races. I am confident that our current and future clients will also be won over by Vincent's enthusiasm and professionalism.” The post Auctav Recruits Vincent Le Roy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article