Wandering Eyes

If the impact of his maiden elite-level success in 2017 is anything to go by, the local jockey has about five months to strike while the iron is hot.View the full article

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After a record-breaking opening session, Day Two of NZB’s Karaka 2024 Book 1 Sale rounded off with a late flurry of bids, cementing a strong day of trade. At the close of selling, the aggregate reached a record $58,905,500, while the average settled at $176,893, a 27% and 15% increase respectively when compared to the same time last year. Leading buyer David Ellis of Te Akau Racing continued his dominance in the ring, securing the highest priced lot today in Lot 360 (Snitzel x Rondinella colt) for $825,000 from Haunui Farm. Ellis commented on his prospective stallion acquisition. “We can see him being in the Karaka Millions. You could spell him for a week then line him up for the Golden Slipper,” he said. “He has a beautiful temperament and a great pedigree, I can see him standing at stud in the future.” A total of 14 lots have been purchased for $500,000 or more at the end of Day Two, compared to six lots during the entire Book 1 session in 2023. One of those was Lot 442, another from the Karaka-based nursery of Haunui Farm. The Savabeel filly out of Stolen Gem was knocked down to Sheamus Mills Bloodstock for $650,000. Mills was delighted to secure the half-sister to Group One performer To Catch a Thief (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) after being underbidder on several lots during the opening session. “I have been looking for another Savabeel filly for a while now, when this filly stepped out, I had an inkling I had found her,” he stated. “With the boost and hype around racing in New Zealand, we are definitely being swept in. “When I looked at her, my first thought was aiming her for the Karaka Millions, before a Blue Diamond even,” he added. NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was pleased with the results on Day Two. “It was a strong, solid day of trade and the New Zealand pinhookers came out to play.” “It was great to see so many markets active but the key buyers today were the Hong Kong Jockey Club,” he added. “They purchased seven horses for $2.3 million, and they are not done yet.” Selling continues on Tuesday for Day Three of Book 1, where lots 481 – 682 will go through the ring from 10am (NZT) at Karaka. To enquire about Passed Lots contact Patrick Cunningham on +64 21 181 5898 or email Patrick.Cunningham@nzb.co.nz, or Andrew Buick on +64 27 555 0640 or email Andrew.Buick@nzb.co.nz . Catch the highlights and Lot-by-Lot footage from Day Two online. View the full Book 1 results here. Karaka 2024: Book 1, Day Two Statistics (at end of selling) 2024 BOOK 1, DAY ONE & TWO 2023 BOOK 1, DAY ONE & TWO 2022 BOOK 1, DAY ONE & TWO 2021 BOOK 1, DAY ONE & TWO AGGREGATE $58,905,500 $46,425,000 $41,142,500 $34,711,000 AVERAGE $176,893 $154,236 $146,415 $124,860 MEDIAN $140,000 $135,000 $100,000 $100,000 CLEARANCE 77% 76% 74% 80% CATALOGUED 480 440 440 390 SOLD 333 301 281 278 TOP LOT Lot 21 Proisir – Donna Marie (Ch.F) $1,600,000 Lot 294 Too Darn Hot – Lady Sayyida (B.C) $750,000 Lot 161 Savabeel – Chandelier (B.C) $1,000,000 Lot 94 Zoustar – Scintillula (B.F) $800,000 Karaka 2024: Book 1, Day Two Top Lots LOT SIRE DAM SEX VENDOR PURCHASER PRICE 0360 Snitzel Rondinella Colt Haunui Farm Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) (Te Akau) $825,000 0442 Savabeel Stolen Gem Filly Haunui Farm Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (Victoria) $650,000 0409 Savabeel Simply You Colt Waikato Stud Ltd The Hong Kong Jockey Club (Hong Kong) $620,000 0479 Savabeel Thee Auld Floozie Filly Jamieson Park Bruce Perry Bloodstock (BAFNZ) (Wellington) $620,000 0480 Proisir The Fairy’s Kiss Filly Kilgravin Lodge Gandharvi (USA) $600,000 0397 Per Incanto She’s Apples Colt Riversley Park Ltd Jamie Richards / Andrew Williams Bloodstock (Hong Kong) $500,000 0302 Savabeel Pendant Colt Waikato Stud Ltd Go Bloodstock Australia / Catheryne Bruggeman / Paul Moroney Bloodstock (New South Wales) $440,000 0438 Hello Youmzain Steer by the Stars Colt Cambridge Stud Chris Waller / Mulcaster Bloodstock (Waikato) $425,000 0405 Justify Shoulders Colt Jamieson Park Gandharvi / Michael Freedman Racing (USA) $420,000 0275 Ardrossan O’Misty Filly Elsdon Park Ladbrokes Racing Club / Newgate (New South Wales) $390,000 View the full article

Proisir already held a very special place in Philip Brown’s heart, and results in the Karaka sale ring on Monday have only added to his affection for the exceptional Rich Hill Stud stallion. Brown has seen his colours carried to a total of six Group One victories by Proisir’s daughters Levante and Legarto, who between them have earned more than $2.5 million in stakes. On Monday, three Proisir yearlings bred by the Ancroft Stud owner were offered at Karaka by Kilgravin Lodge. They sold for a total of $1.22 million, culminating in a $600,000 price tag for the final lot of the day. “Proisir is the gift that never stops giving, as far as I’m concerned,” Brown said. “There’s the racehorses, and then today we’ve got $260,000 for a colt, $360,000 for another one and our $600,000 filly, so thank you, Proisir.” Catalogued as Lot 480, the $600,000 filly is out of the Group Three-placed mare The Fairy’s Kiss, whose six foals to race are all winners and are headed by Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) winner Ulanova, Listed winner Steal My Kisses and the stakes-placed Butter Blonde and Butch Cassidy. The Fairy’s Kiss is also a half-sister to Dame Giselle, whose five wins include the Gr.2 Reisling Stakes (1200m), Gr.2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m), Gr.2 Furious Stakes (1200m) and Gr.2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m). She also placed in the Gr.1 Coolmore Classic (1500m). Lot 480 was bought by Michael Wallace, who also purchased Ulanova for $150,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2022. “As you can see in the catalogue, this is a very well-related filly, full of black type,” Brown said. “The mare’s a half-sister to Dame Giselle, who was a great performer in Australia. “So it was one of those things. I was reluctant to sell this horse, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to keep the cashflow going in this business. “Michael Wallace bought Ulanova with Gandharvi, and I was thrilled that he bought this filly for the same connections. He’s got great faith in this family. It’s an old Wallace family, from Cent Home et cetera. So she’s gone to a good home and I’ve got a good price. I’m very pleased.” Brown said he was far from disappointed in Legarto’s second placing as a red-hot favourite in Saturday’s inaugural $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie, and he revealed he has some other progeny of Proisir coming through. “Legarto was gallant in defeat,” he said. “All credit to the winner. He kicked on the turn and is a class horse. They ran a very fast time, so they skipped along and on a track that wasn’t exactly perfect, but I’m sure it will bed down and become a great surface for us in the future. “She goes to the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m) next start, and we just can’t wait to get her over 2000m, where she can sit back and relax a bit more and then come home. “We’ve got a Proisir two-year-old that the Legarto team are in – with Ken Kelso, naturally. Ken’s got 10 percent as well, and I hear she’s a lovely mover. But I just don’t think lightning can strike three times in the one place! “I’ve got another three filly foals by him in the paddock, and they look lovely. I’m just a huge fan of the horse, and I’ll just keep breeding to him. If we keep having this sort of luck, why wouldn’t you? “Levante is at Arrowfield and had a positive test to Snitzel in September. Everything she does, she does well. I’m looking forward to seeing her with a foal at foot when I get over there.” View the full article

As well as making an outstanding start to the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale as a vendor, Elsdon Park principal Lib Petagna added an exciting young prospect to his racing team with a high-priced Savabeel filly late on Monday afternoon. Elsdon Park is in only its second year as a yearling vendor at Karaka, having sold 13 yearlings last year for a total of $2.3 million and an average price of $176,923. The Waikato nursery will far surpass those figures in 2024, already selling 10 horses for $3.15 million at an average of $315,500. But the purchase of Lot 479 for $620,000 on Monday put an extra spring in Petagna’s step. The filly was offered by Jamieson Park and is by Savabeel out of the Group One-winning mare Thee Auld Floozie. The well-related filly received a notable pedigree update over the weekend. Her half-sister Just A Floozie, who had beaten Orchestral, Molly Bloom and Still Bangon in a form-filled juvenile race at Avondale last autumn, returned to action with an eye-catching finish for fourth in the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie. “Lib’s had a great sale as a vendor,” bloodstock agent Bruce Perry said. “I think one of the things that’s been noticeable is the comments around the fact that he’s got a lot of lovely young mares. It’s nice to be able to go back and keep purchasing some nice fillies for him. It’s exciting.” Petagna’s distinctive apple green, dark blue and yellow colours have been carried by some outstanding daughters of Savabeel, most notably the triple Group One heroine Lucia Valentina and fellow elite winner Nicoletta. “We’ve had a lot of success with Savabeel fillies in the past, and this filly reminded me a lot of some of those very best ones,” Perry said. “We actually loved Orchestral when she came through this sale in 2022 and had a really good crack at her. I also really liked the half-sister to this filly that ran in the three-year-old race the other night, so we know the family well. “I see quite a bit of James Chapman’s horses in the paddock throughout the year. I think, at one stage, I offered to him, ‘Will you take 600 for that filly in the paddock?’ And now that we’ve bought her in the ring, he reminded me. He said, ‘You offered me 600 in the paddock for that horse.’ “So, no, I thought she was a beauty, and I think she’s got residual value. The half-sister goes particularly well and ran a huge race the other night, so there’s a lot of upside. “This filly will go back to the farm now and get broken in, and we’ll just see how she goes. With what’s happening here in the industry, there’s a big carrot now to retain more horses in New Zealand. It gives you the confidence, I think, to get these nice horses and have a go. And Australia’s always only three hours away, so I think it’s brilliant.” View the full article

Fond memories of a Group One performer bought from Karaka more than a decade ago flooded back for Victorian bloodstock agent Sheamus Mills when he secured another Savabeel filly from the same sale ring on Monday. Mills went to $650,000 to buy Lot 442 from the draft of Haunui Farm. The brown filly is by Savabeel out of the winning Snitzel mare Stolen Gem, whose only foal to race is the triple Group One placegetter To Catch A Thief. This was one of the first Savabeel fillies Mills has bought from Karaka since 2011, when he paid $80,000 to buy You’re So Good. That purchase price was turned into more than A$300,000 in prize-money, with You’re So Good winning the Listed Alexandra Stakes (1600m) and placing in the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m), Gr.2 Sunline Stakes (1600m) and Gr.3 Vanity Stakes (1400m). “I remember buying You’re So Good here a number of years ago, and I’ve wanted to buy another Savabeel filly ever since, really,” Mills said. “It’s been a while between drinks and I just hadn’t lobbed on the right horse. But when this filly came out, I had an inkling I’d found her.” It was finally a case of going one better for Mills, who came close to a couple of the blockbuster lots on Sunday’s opening day of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. “We were the underbidder on both of those two top-priced fillies yesterday,” Mills said. “You have to have your breaking point, and we reached ours with those two. So it’s been hard to buy, and I think it’s becoming increasingly hard to buy these well-bred fillies. In the last two or three years, the market for those sorts of horses has really strengthened. “But we were very happy to buy this filly. She’ll go to Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr in Victoria. We have a good relationship with them and have had a great deal of success, so we’ll keep that partnership rolling.” But Mills is open to the idea of the filly returning to this side of the Tasman. “I did think about leaving this filly in New Zealand and getting her trained here,” he said. “I said to the owner that I’d love to have her here for the Karaka Millions next year. “The boost in racing and all the hype around New Zealand racing at the moment is fantastic. It’s something we got swept up in a little bit. When I saw this filly, instead of thinking Blue Diamond (Gr.1, 1200m), I was thinking about bringing her back for the Karaka Millions. That raceday is potentially going to become a destination event for fillies, even trained overseas.” View the full article

Alligator Blood ridden by Tim Clark winning the 2023 Might And Power at Caulfield. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Champion thoroughbred Alligator Blood, may have concluded his illustrious career following a nasty injury sustained during trackwork, as expressed by owner Jeff Simpson. “It’s just one of those things, it happened at track work last Saturday morning,” Simpson lamented regarding the unforeseen setback that has cast doubt on the seven-time Group 1-winner’s future races. The injury, reportedly in his pastern, has left connections apprehensive about Alligator Blood’s return to competitive racing, with Simpson admitting, “I wouldn’t think that he’d come back, that’s my opinion.” Despite a promising trial at Rosehill just days prior, the anticipated autumn debut in the CF Orr Stakes is now off the table, leaving co-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott disheartened. Simpson emphasised the collective disappointment, stating, “Gai is very upset about it, we are all really upset about it.” Reflecting on Alligator Blood’s remarkable journey, Simpson highlighted the horse’s resilience in overcoming adversity, notably the diagnosis of kissing spine, which initially threatened his career. “It’s amazing what we’ve been able to get out of him,” Simpson remarked, acknowledging the remarkable achievements despite earlier setbacks. While hopes were high for an autumn campaign, Simpson expressed resignation, acknowledging the possibility that the racing world may have seen the last of Alligator Blood in action. However, amidst the uncertainty, there remains a glimmer of hope for the future as Simpson affirmed, “He will recover, and he will end up at Living Legends, that’s where we always wanted him to finish.” More horse racing news View the full article

What Kensington Races Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Wednesday, January 31, 2024 First Race 2:20pm AEDT Visit Dabble Metro racing heads to the Kensington circuit at Randwick on Wednesday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-race program set for decision. The rail moves out +3m the entire circuit, and with some scattered showers predicted in the lead-up, punters should be weary of a possible downgrade to a Soft 5 rating. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 2:20pm AEDT. Best Bet at Randwick-Kensington: Morning Sun Morning Sun produced a very promising Australian debut for the Annabel Nesham barn and only found one better in the form of Age Of Sail at Warwick Farm on January 10. The European import swung wide turning for home, while the eventual winner got favours on the inside running rail, holding off Morning Sun by less than a half-length on the wire. That was over 1600m, and with his best form suggesting the 1800m shouldn’t be a problem for this lightly raced son of Muhaarar, we simply must be with Morning Sun second-up. Best Bet Race 5 – #1 Morning Sun (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Jett Stanley (a2kg) (62kg) +200 with Bet365 Next Best at Randwick-Kensington: Ironton Ironton makes his debut on Wednesday afternoon and appears ready to fire first-up for the Hawkes team. The son of Lope De Vega has two eye-catching barrier trials, with the latest at Rosehill on January 11 showing plenty of potential. He was untested while cruising into a fourth-place finish in the jump-out, stretching out comfortably over the 900m under Jay Ford. Zac Lloyd is lucky enough to get the nod for race-day, and with the 1250m showing intent on debut, we’re confident Ironton is wound-up to be figuring in this maiden contest. Next Best Race 4 – #5 Ironton (7) 3yo Colt | T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | J: Zac Lloyd (58kg) +380 with Neds Next Best Again at Randwick-Kensington: Hanau Hanau was a classy maiden winner in his most recent start at Newcastle on January 11 and looks set to go on with the job. The half-length margin may not seem impressive on paper; however, the gelding by Snitzel put them away nicely when stalking his rivals down the centre of the course. The biggest negative for Hanau is getting too far back on the Kensington circuit from gate 11, but provided we get a fair track on Wednesday afternoon, this guy is sure to be putting in the big strides late in the Randwick finale. Next Best Again Race 7 – #5 Hanau (11) 3yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Zac Lloyd (58.5kg) +340 with Unibet Kensington Wednesday quaddie tips – 31/1/2024 Randwick-Kensington quadrella selections Wednesday, January 31, 2024 1-3-5-10 1-2-3 1-2-4-5 2-4-5-6 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

It’s not all been plain sailing for the son of Galileo, but Douglas Whyte believes his stable star is ready to fire during Qatar raidView the full article

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has today revealed the initial New Zealand races that will allow the country’s fastest juveniles to compete for their share of an additional $1 million in bonuses associated with the country’s first Thoroughbred slot race, The NZB Kiwi. To be eligible for a share in the $1 million bonus pool, a horse must win one of the various Bonus Eligible New Zealand and/or Australian races, and also run a top three placing in The NZB Kiwi held on Champions Day (8 March 2025). The Bonus for horses that run a place in The NZB Kiwi (provided they have won a Bonus Eligible race), will be $600k for first, $250k for second, and $150k for third place. The first Bonus Eligible race will be the Group 1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) for two-year-olds, set to be run this season on 6 April 2024. The initial list of New Zealand Bonus Eligible races is outlined below: Group 1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) – Manawatu Racing Club at RACE Trentham Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) – Waikato Thoroughbred Racing at Te Rapa Racecourse Group 1 Barneswood Farm One Thousand Guineas (1600m) – Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas (1600m) – Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park Group 1 Cambridge Stud Levin Classic (1600m) – Wellington Racing Club at RACE Trentham Listed TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) – Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse Group 2 Cambridge Stud Alamanzor Trophy (1200m) – Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) – Waikato Thoroughbred Racing at Te Rapa Racecourse NZTR’s Chief Operating Officer Darin Balcombe welcomed today’s announcement. “Off the back of The NZB Kiwi and Summer Carnival announcement NZTR made last week, we have seen a huge lift in optimism towards our industry.” “We wanted to build momentum for the inaugural running of The NZB Kiwi, with a two-year-old in the current season being the first Bonus Eligible horse, should they go on to run in the race next year. “This creates an opportunity for potential Slot Holders to start a conversation in securing the first Bonus Eligible horse once the Slot Auction has taken place on 27 February 2024 at Karaka,” he said. In the coming months, NZTR will look to announce a number of Australian Bonus Eligible races which will also form a part of The NZB Kiwi $1 million bonus pool. For more information about The NZB Kiwi, or the Slot Auction visit nztr.co.nz/the-kiwi View the full article

A day after winning the battle for a highly rated Kingman colt with a $650,000 price tag, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and bloodstock agent Craig Rounsefell struck again at Karaka on Monday and came away with another yearling that was near the top of their wish list. Rounsefell went to $620,000 to secure Lot 409 from the draft of Waikato Stud. The colt is by eight-time champion New Zealand sire Savabeel out of the winning O’Reilly mare Simply You. That makes him a full-brother to the dual Melbourne Group Two winner and Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) placegetter Forgot You. He also comes from the same family as the high-class mare Espiona, whose seven wins to date include the Gr.1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) and this season’s A$2 million The Invitation (1400m). Other notable names on the pedigree page include the multiple Group One winners Glamour Puss and Vision And Power. “We bought this Savabeel colt for the Hong Kong Jockey Club, so he’ll join our team and head to the International Sale in a couple of years’ time,” Rounsefell said. “He was one of our main targets in this sale after inspections. Just on physical, he was top of the pops for us. In terms of pedigree, it’s a beautiful cross that’s already proven and a great family. And Waikato Stud is the best-producing farm in New Zealand, so there weren’t many negatives at all. “I think he’s a horse that’s going to improve with time, which is what we’re looking for – those horses that continue to get better with age.” The colt was the seventh purchase of the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale for Rounsefell and the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Rounsefell was pleased to secure a son of Savabeel, who has sired 50 winners from 74 runners in Hong Kong. “He’s had a few good horses in Hong Kong,” Rounsefell said. “We’ve got a nice one up there right now, M Unicorn, who we bought out of this sale (for $400,000 in 2020) and has won four this season. But at the end of the day, Savabeel is a champion stallion, and this horse looks spot on for what we’re looking to buy. “He was one of our main targets. We got our colt yesterday, and we’ve had some really great-value purchases today as well that have made up our crew, but this guy was one of our main ones on the hit list.” View the full article

The Karaka sale ring provided countless major winners for Jamie Richards during his tenure at Te Akau Racing, and the four-time champion New Zealand trainer has returned to the same recipe for his fledgling stable in Hong Kong. Richards, who trained 35 winners in his first Hong Kong season in 2022-23 and has added another 16 so far in 2023-24, has made his presence felt across the first two days of the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale on Sunday and Monday. His two purchases on Sunday included a $725,000 colt by Zoustar, and he followed that up with another quality selection of colts on Monday afternoon. The second of those was Lot 397, by Per Incanto out of the Redoute’s Choice mare She’s Apples. Richards paid $500,000 for the Riversley Park colt, whose dam is out of a half-sister to the multiple Group One winner and outstanding sire Tavistock. Richards was delighted to secure a quality son of Per Incanto, who has made a huge impression in Hong Kong with 42 winners from just 53 runners. Richards also acknowledged the Little Avondale stallion’s feats in Australasia, which includes Group One-winning progeny Roch ‘N’ Horse, Shadows Cast, Belclare, Little Brose, Santa Monica, Dal Cielo and Bonham. “Per Incanto is a wonderful stallion up in Hong Kong,” Richards said. “He’s a wonderful stallion everywhere, really. “He does a good job in Australia – winning a Blue Diamond (Gr.1, 1200m) with Little Brose – and does a good job here. He had another good winner there on Karaka Millions night at Ellerslie with Belclare. “This is a big, strong, powerful horse that should suit the Hong Kong environment. He’s already owned by a client up there in Hong Kong. We’ll just get him home and get him educated and we’ll see how things progress. Whether he goes up as a PPG (Privately Purchased Griffin) or whether he races here, I’m not sure. But he’s a horse that will appreciate a bit of time and should be a very nice horse up there as a three, four and five-year-old. “If you can find the right type, by the right sire, it’s a big help for Hong Kong. This colt is out of a Redoute’s Choice mare. I’ve had a bit to do with this family previously – I trained a horse called Kabugee, by Satono Aladdin, when I was at Te Akau. It’s a good old family of the Duchess of Bedford’s, so I’m thrilled to get this horse.” View the full article

Ciaron Maher is wary of getting ahead of the game with emerging former Kiwi galloper Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto), but the country’s leading trainer admitted he, too, was looking forward to the horse’s return at Caulfield this Saturday. As a 77-rater there are any number of horses in Maher’s immense stable with far higher credentials, but few are spoken of more than Jimmysstar, who has been most impressive in two winning starts with Maher after being sold to Australian clients. “He’s a ratings horse at the moment, but you’d think he may be better than that,” Maher said on Saturday. “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.” Maher said Jimmysstar was likely to run fresh for jockey Blake Shinn in the BM84 over 1400 metres at Caulfield on Saturday, where he will attempt to further his record to five starts from six runs. From there, Maher said he remained open-minded as he believed the horse could be potent at several distances. “He’s a horse with a bright future and he’s clean-winded, he’s good actioned and I think he’s pretty adaptable,” Maher said. “You could train him for whatever you want really.” As an emerging four-year-old, a race like the Gr.1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m) in Sydney in April could be considered, despite his current low rating. “Everything would have to go the right way,” Maher said. “With any of those progressive horses, those handicap G1s, if you go the right way you can beat the handicapper. “There’s a lot of hype about him, He’s well managed and in great order. I am not getting carried away with races like that.” View the full article

It might’ve been a Sunday meeting at Geelong, but it seems a smart horse has emerged in the form of United Kingdom (NZ) (Almanzor), who caught the eye winning on debut. The Almanzor colt, who was smashed in betting and jumped the $1.35 favourite in the 1506-metre maiden, settled at the rear of the field but let down brilliantly to easily reel in his rivals. The performance was so impressive that the TAB has installed the colt as equal fourth favourite ($15) for the Australian Derby at Randwick in April. Ben Melham rode United Kingdom on Sunday and said the colt has a promising future. “He’s a lovely colt,” Melham said of the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained galloper. “I had to sort of bring him out early before the corner and wind him up but he’s got a lovely turn of foot. “He’s a definite Derby sort of horse, he’s got all the right attributes, he’s a lovely horse, lovely big stride on him and a good set of lungs, so it’s exciting to see what he can do.” View the full article

Feature races in Australia are on the agenda for star two-year-old Velocious (Written Tycoon) following her brilliant win in Saturday’s Karaka Million 2YO Classic. Speaking after purchasing Velocious’ Dundeel half-sister at Karaka on Monday, Go Racing’s Albert Bosma said the Stephen Marsh-trained filly has bounced through her win at Ellerslie on Saturday. The Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie in Marsh looms as her next start before a decision is made about whether she campaigns in Sydney. A spring campaign in Melbourne is also on the radar later in 2024. “She’s come through it brilliantly,” Bosma said. “We’ll probably go to the Sistema with her, but the thought is that we might come for the Sires’ Produce in Sydney – that’s just a thought if she can win the Group One here, but we’ll map out the rest of her autumn after that. “She’s not just a squibby two-year-old. “She looks like she’s going to get a mile on her physical make-up and I would expect her to develop between two and three, so we’d certainly be looking at Australia in the spring.” Of the Dundeel filly, Lot 295, that he bought for $300,000 from the draft of Inglewood Stud on Monday, Bosma said he was keen to secure her regardless of the fact she is related to his current star. He confirmed she will also be trained by Marsh and be aimed at next year’s Karaka Millions. “We’re really happy to get her,” Bosma said. “We don’t buy horses simply because they are related to good ones we have – the saying is that Jimmy Hendrix’s brother couldn’t play the guitar – so it wasn’t an emotional buy. “Dundeel is doing an amazing job, particularly with his two-year-olds, so she looks like she may make a two-year-old as well. “I think the stallions have stamped both fillies – Velocious looks like a Written Tycoon filly with a bit of length and this girl looks like a Dundeel. “But what they both share is a great walk, a good depth of girth and I think the way they move and use themselves is the same.” View the full article

Te Akau Racing’s extraordinary reign in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) was broken at Ellerslie on Saturday, but David Ellis has been on a mission at Karaka this week to return to the top of the podium. Between 2017 and 2023, seven consecutive winners of the million-dollar juvenile feature were bought by Ellis and trained in Te Akau’s Matamata stable – Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) (2017), Avantage (Fastnet Rock) (2018), Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) (2019), Cool Aza Beel (NZ) (Savabeel) (2020), On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau) (2021), Dynastic (NZ) (Almanzor) (2022) and Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) (2023). Go Racing’s Velocious (Written Tycoon) snapped that streak with a superb victory in the 2024 Karaka Millions 2YO, with Te Akau filly Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel) filling the runner-up position with an eye-catching finish in just the second start of her career. Ellis has been as active as ever on the first two days of the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka on Sunday and Monday, building a formidable arsenal of yearlings that he believes can put Te Akau in the Karaka Millions spotlight for the eighth time in nine years. In his eyes, none fit that bill better than a Snitzel colt he secured for $825,000 on Monday afternoon. Catalogued as Lot 360, the Haunui Farm colt is by champion Australian sire Snitzel and is the first foal out of the Ocean Park mare Rondinella (NZ). A half-sister to Group Two winners Vavasour (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) and Vilanova (NZ) (Commands) and three-quarter-sister to the Group Three-winning Celebrity Dream (NZ) (Thorn Park), Rondinella won four races from 1400m to 2100m and placed in the Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m), Tancred Stakes (2400m) and Sydney Cup (3200m). “We’re absolutely over the moon to be able to take a Snitzel colt of that quality home,” Ellis said. “We thought that he was one of the best colts we’ve seen at Karaka in five or six years. Karaka Millions, here we come. “He’s got beautiful size, balance and looks like he’s got a good temperament. You can see in my book – ‘Real two-year-old type. Karaka Millions winner.’ “There was good competition for him, but there is on all of these good colts. Snitzel is one of the best sires we’ve had in this part of the world in the last 50 years, he’s that good, and this is the sort of money that you have to pay to buy a colt with this quality. We’re thrilled. But I didn’t have a lot left – I was on the ropes!” Ellis has previously had Group One success with Snitzel’s progeny, with Sword Of State capturing the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) before embarking on a stallion career at Cambridge Stud. But Ellis believes Monday’s star colt holds more similarities with another former elite performer in those tangerine colours. “He’s not the same sort of horse as Sword Of State,” Ellis said. “I think he’s more like Darci Brahma, who was champion two-year-old, three-year-old and four-year-old. He won a Group One in Australia as a two-year-old, and I think this colt is the same. After the Karaka Millions, I could see us turning him out for a week and then getting him ready for the Golden Slipper (1200m). That’s the plan.” Ellis knows Rondinella’s family well, having bought her half-brother Vilanova for $150,000 at Karaka in 2012. He began his career in New Zealand under the name Catalonia, scoring a three-length Listed win at Te Rapa before finishing fourth in the Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) and fifth in the Karaka Million. He later won the Gr.2 Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield and the Gr.3 Grand Prix (2200m) in Brisbane. Lot 360 was the ninth purchase on Monday by Ellis, who also got on board with an exciting new venture with his $300,000 purchase of Lot 358 – a colt by Savabeel out of Romantic Time (NZ) (Fastnet Rock), who is the dam of Group One placegetter Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock) and the recent Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m) winner About Time. “We’ve just bought a nice Savabeel colt for the TAB Racing Club,” Ellis said. “That was a big thrill for us. It’s the first time that the TAB have asked us to buy a horse for them. “It’s great to see the effort that the TAB and Entain are putting into promoting racing in this country. For somebody that’s been working in this industry for a lifetime, it’s such a thrill to see it being run by an organisation that is putting so much back into it.” View the full article

Progressive Awapuni mare La Bella Grande (NZ) (Per Incanto) will make the journey north to Te Rapa on Wednesday with a potentially lucrative goal in mind. Following a hotly contested running of the $350,000 Remutaka Classic (2100m) at Trentham a fortnight ago, the second of newly-instated innovation races will be run on Legends Day at Te Rapa on February 10, with the $350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m). La Bella Grande, an impressive maiden victor two starts back at Wanganui, is eligible under the MAAT conditions, however, after the Remutaka drew an overwhelming number of nominations, trainer Roydon Bergerson is wary of the mare missing a start with her current rating of 63. “We need a few more rating points to get into the Karapiro Classic, hence why we’re heading up there on Wednesday,” he said. The daughter of Per Incanto will aim to raise that figure in the Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1400m) with regular rider Lisa Allpress in the saddle, the pair’s last performance finishing in a creditable fourth place behind Witz End (NZ) (Savabeel) at Trentham on January 20. “It was just a sit and sprint down there which doesn’t really suit her. Sam Weatherley (jockey of Witz End) basically pulled their pants down in front, just cantered along and sprinted for home, while this mare likes to roll along,” Bergerson said. “We’ve put the blinkers on since then to sharpen her up, and the trackwork riders have said that they’ve definitely made a difference.” Waikato Stud narrowly missed a victory in the Remutaka Classic with Nereus (NZ) (Savabeel), who was runner-up to The Odyssey (NZ) (Zacinto), while Wairarapa nursery Little Avondale Stud could be afforded the same opportunity with homebred La Bella Grande, should she make the final field. “She’s pretty fresh and she’ll need to be for the 1400m, but I think she’ll be better suited at the mile, so hopefully she can get in,” Bergerson said. Bergerson’s Group Three-winning mare Town Cryer (NZ) (Tavistock) added further black-type to her record when finishing third in the Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) behind Churchillian (NZ) (Churchill) the weekend prior at Trentham, and will bypass Saturday’s Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m), in favour of the Listed Wairarapa Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) on February 6. “We were going to go to Taranaki, but we’ve decided to stick back to the fillies and mares at Tauherenikau, so she’ll go there next,” he said. View the full article

Queensland raider Beau Dazzler (NZ) (Ardrossan) is enjoying the lush green paddocks of Waikato Stud for the next month before returning to Australia where he will be aimed at a Group One target over the winter carnival. Purchased by trainers Tony and Maddysen Sears, in partnership with bloodstock agents Paul Moroney and Catheryne Bruggeman, for $85,000 out of Mapperley Stud’s Karaka yearling sale draft last year, Beau Dazzler was the sole Australian representative in last Saturday’s $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). The son of Ardrossan had previously been twice runner-up and won the Listed Phelan Ready (1000m) at Eagle Farm prior to his New Zealand debut. He ran on to finish seventh in the Karaka Millions 2YO behind exciting filly Velocious (Written Tycoon), and his trainers were pleased with his performance, believing he will be suited over further ground. “We are stoked with how the horse ran. He took a lot of ground off them to what seems to be quite a leaders bias (on Saturday), there were not a lot of horses making up a lot of ground,” Maddysen Sears told Racing.com. “To see him hit the line like he did, I think it cements what we think of the horse. 1200m is really not his go, he is a 1400m to a miler. “We couldn’t be happier with the horse, he has got home safe, so that is the main thing.” Beau Dazzler will fly back to Australia and rejoin the Sears’ Charlton barn next month, where he will be set for the Gr.1 JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) at Eagle farm on June 15. “He is having a month off at Waikato Stud and then he is coming back to Australia, and we will get him ready for the JJ,” Sears said. “We believe that (mile) is more his go, but when the opportunity was here to have a crack at the Karaka Million, we thought ‘why not?’” Sears has remained in New Zealand to attend New Zealand Bloodstock’s National yearling sale at Karaka where she hopes she can secure another yearling of Beau Dazzler’s ilk. “We are looking for a more two-year-old type that has the scope to then go on further,” she said. “I believe they are putting in a lot more dash to the New Zealand horses and I think there is a lot of opportunity to be had buying horses here.” View the full article

The good times are rolling for Roger James and Robert Wellwood and further feature race success beckons the duo at Te Rapa on Wednesday. Fresh off Orchestral’s (NZ) (Savabeel) stunning victory in the TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, the Cambridge trainers are looking forward to Zabmanzor (NZ) (Almanzor) stepping out over more ground in the Gr.2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas (2000m). In between times, they have been busy scouring Karaka for fresh talent during New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale and secured four youngsters during the opening session on Sunday. Zabmanzor has already enjoyed a lucrative preparation with a runaway victory in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) and most recently finished strongly to run second in the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m). The son of Almanzor is out of the Savabeel mare Zaborei (NZ) so, on pedigree, he looks well-equipped to continue his form over more ground. “It’s pretty exciting and he was pretty good over a mile at his last start, so 2000m should be a sweet spot for him,” Wellwood said. “At this stage, it’s a bit race by race and as we step up in distance it gives an idea of whether they will go further and he’s certainly one that we think who can.” Zabmanzor holds nominations for the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) and the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). “Everything is still in contention and we think he can be a Derby horse, my gut feeling says that he probably is,” Wellwood said. Zabmanzor’s half-brother Zaboraci (NZ), a son of Tivaci, will also represent the stable on Wednesday in the SVS Starting Gates Maiden (2200m). “He hasn’t shown as much, but he is a horse with ability. Unfortunately, he isn’t the cleanest-winded horse and that let him down last time at Wanganui,” Wellwood said. “He couldn’t finish it off, so we’ll ride him quietly and get him into a rhythm and if he breathes well, he’ll go a nice race.” Meanwhile, Orchestral has progressed well following her Ellerslie success with her immediate future yet to be confirmed. “It was a very special win and she has come through it nicely and given herself every chance to do even more as a three-year-old,” Wellwood said. “It’s up in the air what we do next, the way she put them away over a mile has really made it hard and it’s opened up a lot of races for her, so it’s a nice problem to have. “We’ll sit down in the next day or two and make a plan, there’s options aplenty.” James and Wellwood purchased a quartet of youngsters at Karaka on Sunday with a daughter, Lot 63, of champion sire Proisir their highest-priced. With the newly formed TAB Racing Club, they signed for the Elsdon Park-offered filly out of the Listed Australia Day Cup (2400m) winner Fairygem (NZ) (Viscount) for $360,000. “We bought some really nice horses and hope that one of them is as good as Prowess or Orchestral,” Wellwood said. – View the full article

La Bella Grande will contest the Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1400m) at Te Rapa on Wednesday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Progressive Awapuni mare La Bella Grande will make the journey north to Te Rapa on Wednesday with a potentially lucrative goal in mind. Following a hotly contested running of the $350,000 Remutaka Classic (2100m) at Trentham a fortnight ago, the second of newly-instated innovation races will be run on Legends Day at Te Rapa on February 10, with the $350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m). La Bella Grande, an impressive maiden victor two starts back at Wanganui, is eligible under the MAAT conditions, however, after the Remutaka drew an overwhelming number of nominations, trainer Roydon Bergerson is wary of the mare missing a start with her current rating of 63. “We need a few more rating points to get into the Karapiro Classic, hence why we’re heading up there on Wednesday,” he said. The daughter of Per Incanto will aim to raise that figure in the Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1400m) with regular rider Lisa Allpress in the saddle, the pair’s last performance finishing in a creditable fourth place behind Witz End at Trentham on January 20. “It was just a sit and sprint down there which doesn’t really suit her. Sam Weatherley (jockey of Witz End) basically pulled their pants down in front, just cantered along and sprinted for home, while this mare likes to roll along,” Bergerson said. “We’ve put the blinkers on since then to sharpen her up, and the trackwork riders have said that they’ve definitely made a difference.” Waikato Stud narrowly missed a victory in the Remutaka Classic with Nereus, who was runner-up to The Odyssey, while Wairarapa nursery Little Avondale Stud could be afforded the same opportunity with homebred La Bella Grande, should she make the final field. “She’s pretty fresh and she’ll need to be for the 1400m, but I think she’ll be better suited at the mile, so hopefully she can get in,” Bergerson said. Bergerson’s Group 3-winning mare Town Cryer added further black-type to her record when finishing third in the Group 3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) behind Churchillian the weekend prior at Trentham, and will bypass Saturday’s Group 3 Taranaki Cup (1800m), in favour of the Listed Wairarapa Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) on February 6. “We were going to go to Taranaki, but we’ve decided to stick back to the fillies and mares at Tauherenikau, so she’ll go there next,” he said. More horse racing news View the full article

Robert Wellwood welcomes back Zabmanzor following his win in the Group 3 Wellington Stakes (1600m). Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) The good times are rolling for Roger James and Robert Wellwood and further feature race success beckons the duo at Te Rapa on Wednesday. Fresh off Orchestral’s stunning victory in the TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, the Cambridge trainers are looking forward to Zabmanzor stepping out over more ground in the Group 2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas (2000m). In between times, they have been busy scouring Karaka for fresh talent during New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale and secured four youngsters during the opening session on Sunday. Zabmanzor has already enjoyed a lucrative preparation with a runaway victory in the Group 3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) and most recently finished strongly to run second in the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m). The son of Almanzor is out of the Savabeel mare Zaborei so, on pedigree, he looks well-equipped to continue his form over more ground. “It’s pretty exciting and he was pretty good over a mile at his last start, so 2000m should be a sweet spot for him,” Wellwood said. “At this stage, it’s a bit race by race and as we step up in distance it gives an idea of whether they will go further and he’s certainly one that we think who can.” Zabmanzor holds nominations for the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). “Everything is still in contention and we think he can be a Derby horse, my gut feeling says that he probably is,” Wellwood said. Zabmanzor’s half-brother Zaboraci, a son of Tivaci, will also represent the stable on Wednesday in the SVS Starting Gates Maiden (2200m). “He hasn’t shown as much, but he is a horse with ability. Unfortunately, he isn’t the cleanest-winded horse and that let him down last time at Wanganui,” Wellwood said. “He couldn’t finish it off, so we’ll ride him quietly and get him into a rhythm and if he breathes well, he’ll go a nice race.” Meanwhile, Orchestral has progressed well following her Ellerslie success with her immediate future yet to be confirmed. “It was a very special win and she has come through it nicely and given herself every chance to do even more as a three-year-old,” Wellwood said. “It’s up in the air what we do next, the way she put them away over a mile has really made it hard and it’s opened up a lot of races for her, so it’s a nice problem to have. “We’ll sit down in the next day or two and make a plan, there’s options aplenty.” More horse racing news View the full article

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, January 31, 2024 First Race 6:40pm HKT (9:40pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to the bright lights of Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday evening, with a massive nine-race program set for decision. The rail is moved to the A position for the meeting, which should allow every runner to get their chance throughout proceedings. The first race is scheduled to get underway at 6:40pm local time, and although there’s no rain forecast until after the last, we expect the humid conditions to be testing for all participants. Best Bet at Happy Valley: Beauty Waves Beauty Waves has had four starts in Hong Kong for three minor placings, with the latest coming at this course and distance on January 4. He sat on the back of the speed on that occasion and was forced to lead up the remainder of the field, allowing Bons A Pearla to savage the line late and beat him by 0.3 lengths on the wire. It was a pass-mark for the son of Starspangledbanner in his first trip to Happy Valley, and with Zac Purton taking the reins from gate three, it leaves plenty of options for Beauty Waves as he searches for that illusive Hong Kong win. Best Bet Race 8 – #7 Beauty Waves (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Douglas Whyte | J: Zac Purton (56kg) Bet with Playup Next Best at Happy Valley: Gallant Valour Gallant Valour was unfortunate to miss out on back-to-back wins at his most recent start on January 10, as the three-year-old got crowded for room at a crucial stage. Lyrical Motion got the favours along the inside running rail, and as Gallant Valour looked to get clear running, he couldn’t quite show his electric turn-of-foot as he loomed towards the middle of the course. He gains the services of Zac Purton combining with the Jamie Richards barn, and provided he can get a mid-field sit with some cover, Gallant Valour should be in the finish once again. Next Best Race 3 – #3 Gallant Valour (7) 3yo Gelding | T: Jamie Richards | J: Zac Purton (59.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best Again at Happy Valley: Simply Maverick Simply Maverick will be looking to record his third win of the campaign as he makes his first attempt in Class 3 company. He was sensational when winning his latest start at this track and distance on January 10, proving far too good for his rivals in that grade, scoring by two lengths. This is clearly his toughest test to date as the son of Sebring begins his rise through the grades, but based on what we’ve seen, Simply Maverick looks capable of continuing his winning ways. Next Best Again Race 9 – #8 Simply Maverick (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Ricky Yiu | J: Andrea Atzeni (56kg) Bet with Bet365 Happy Valley Wednesday quaddie tips – 31/1/2024 Happy Valley quadrella selections Wednesday, January 31, 2024 1-4-5-6-9 1-5-6-7-12 1-7-9 1-6-8-12 More horse racing tips View the full article

What Benalla Races Where Benalla Racing Club – Midland Hwy, Benalla VIC 3672 When Tuesday, January 30, 2024 First Race 1:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble Another week of Victorian horse racing commences on Tuesday with a competitive eight-race meeting set down for decision at Benalla. Perfect conditions are forecast for the region on Tuesday, and despite the track coming up a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, we will be racing on a Good 4 throughout the day. The rail comes out 3m from the 800m-400m and in its true position the remainder. Racing from Benella gets underway at 1:30pm AEDT. Best Bet at Benalla: Yongtai Yongtai has been nothing short of impressive in her two runs this time in. She broke maiden ranks first-up at Bendigo when producing a thunderous finish, before going on to be beaten in a photo finish at Cranbourne when producing a similarly breath-taking finish in BM58 company. She looks to be a mare with decent enough ability and should be going one better at Benalla. Luke Cartwright’s 3kg claim gets Yongtai in perfectly at the weights with 57kg on her back, and if she can find clear air at the right time, Yongtai should prove too hard to hold out. Best Bet Race 6 – #7 Yongtai (4) 4yo Mare | T: David Brideoake & Matt Jenkins | J: Luke Cartwright (a3) (60kg) +170 with PlayUp Next Best at Benalla: Simple Times The Patrick Payne-trained Simple Times was a dramatic drifter in betting when first-up from a six-month spell at Wangaratta on January 11, and with the run under his belt, we’re confident he can strike on Tuesday. The son of Sioux Nation looked in need of the run when tiring late on in the piece before being beaten two-lengths when finishing third. He broke his maiden when second-up during his initial campaign after a similar first-up performance like he put in last time out. Billy Egan will look to have this guy in a prominent position, and when asked to quicken, we’re confident Simple Times will put a race like this away within a couple of strides. Next Best Race 8 – #5 Simple Times (6) 3yo Gelding | T: Patrick Payne | J: Billy Egan (60.5kg) +280 with Neds Best Value at Benalla: Supamano Supmano showed plenty of promise when finishing second at the Benalla 1106m when returning from a spell on January 21, and with the step up to the 1212m, he looks poised to go one better. The four-year-old gelding came from the rear of the field and produced a strong finishing burst to miss by the barest of margins. The run suggested he was worth following wherever he went next, and with the extra 100m on Tuesday, he looks a great play. Barrier 12 is offset by the fact he settles at the rear of the field in his races, and if he can produce a similar finish, we’re confident he can salute at an each-way price with top horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 4 – #4 Supamano (12) 4yo Gelding | T: Michael Gibson | J: Hannah Le Blanc (a1.5) (59.5kg) +900 with Bet365 Tuesday quaddie tips for Benalla Benalla quadrella selections Tuesday, January 30, 2024 1-2-3 7 1-3-4-8 5-8-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Newgrange (Violence) was doing well the morning after successfully defending his title in Saturday's GII San Pasqual Stakes and becoming racing's newest millionaire, according to his trainer, Phil D'Amato. “He came out of the race in great shape,” said D'Amato, who collected his fifth stakes win at the Classic Meet to lead all trainers. Ridden for the first time Saturday by Hall of Famer Victor Espinoza, Newgrange broke on top and was never headed to score by a length as the 2-1 second choice. Newgate (Into Mischief), the 8-5 favorite for Bob Baffert, stalked Newgrange throughout the 1 1/8-mile dirt test but could not get to the winner. He checked in second, three-quarters of a length ahead of 11-1 longshot Mixto for trainer Doug O'Neill. D'Amato offered praise to both his horse and rider for the performance. Espinoza rationed Newgrange through fractions of 23.27, 47.55 and 1:12.10 before crossing the wire in 1:49.26. The effort earned a 97 Beyer Speed Figure, according to Daily Racing Form's Brad Free. “They controlled the pace and didn't look back,” D'Amato said. “You have to give Victor credit for getting good position, setting the right pace and having enough left.” For 51-year-old Espinoza, who swept the 2015 Triple Crown with American Pharoah, the win was the 3,509th of his career. It was just his second graded stakes win since 2022. Last year, Espinoza's lone graded-stakes tally came in the GII John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita with Balladeer for trainer George Papaprodromou. As for Newgrange, a trip to the Middle East could be in the near future. D'Amato said it's possible they take a shot in the GI, $12 million Dubai World Cup at 1 ¼ miles on March 30 at Meydan Racecourse. “Judging by what the owners were saying yesterday, I think that's what they are leaning towards,” D'Amato said. “But it's still a long way between now and the end of March.” Newgrange is a 5-year-old Violence full horse owned by David Bernsen, Little Red Feather Racing and Rockingham Ranch. With the fifth graded stakes win of his career, he upped his record to 7-0-4 in 13 starts with $1,007,634 in earnings. The post Newgrange Eyes Dubai World Cup After San Pasqual Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first reported foal for Baaeed (GB), the top-rated turf horse in the world in 2022, has been born at Haras de la Perelle in Normandy. The filly is out of the Shadwell-bred Exceed And Excel (Aus) mare Mejthaam (Ire), a dual winner and half-sister to Group 2 winner Alflaila (GB), who was bought in December for 260,000gns. “We are delighted with her. She is a strong, good-sized foal, full of energy and has a great temperament. She is doing everything right. It is very exciting to have had the first foal of the brilliant champion Baaeed,” said William Rimaud, manager of Haras de la Perelle. Among the other mares set to produce a foal from the first crop of Baaeed this year are the Group 1 winners Deirdre (Jpn), Eshaada (GB), Nazeef (Ire), Persuasive (GB), Queen's Trust (GB), Seal Of Approval (GB), Search For A Song (Ire), Star Of Seville (GB), The Fugue (GB) and Wavering (Ire), as well as the dams of Group 1 winners Accidental Agent (GB), Best Of Days (Ire), Native Trail (GB), Persian King (Ire), Siyarafina (Fr) and Ten Sovereigns (Ire). Breeders in Newmarket this week for the Tattersalls February Sale can view Baaeed and his fellow Shadwell stallions Mostahdaf (Ire) and Mohaather (GB) at Beech House Stud on Thursday and Friday between 12pm and 3.30pm. The post A Filly First for Baaeed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article