Wandering Eyes

Racing action heats up at Oaklawn Park Feb. 2 when comebacking graded stakes winners Hot and Sultry and Shotgun Hottie return in the $250,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3).View the full article

On the heels of an exceptional night at the 53rd Annual Eclipse Awards for Godolphin, the operation will have the chance to collect its first Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) trophy when First Mission steps into the starting gate Jan. 27. View the full article

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. Tipsy Tammy (f, 3, Arrogate–Peggy May, by Lemon Drop Kid) ran a winning race on debut. She just didn't win. Those were the words of trainer Phil Bauer, who saddled the highly regarded $600,000 Keeneland September Yearling purchase to a strong second-place finish behind 'TDN Rising Star' Impel (Quality Road) on debut at Fair Grounds Jan. 1. Sporting a pair of bullet breezes on her worktab, the Rigney Racing colorbearer wasn't much of a secret and was off as the 4-5 favorite in the six-furlong affair. Tipsy Tammy jumped well from post three and battled for command from an outside second with Impel in hot pursuit in third through an opening quarter in a sharp :21.89. Tipsy Tammy poked her head in front as Impel began to wind up with a flashy sweep on the far turn. Tipsy Tammy fought on gamely along the rail as they straightened for home, but couldn't match strides with the Brad Cox-trained Juddmonte homebred down the lane. Impel crossed the wire 3 1/4 lengths to the good and it was another 10 3/4 lengths back to the distant third-place finisher. Tipsy Tammy earned a 77 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort. “Really thought she ran really well,” Bauer said. “Progression and maturity, she should move forward, hopefully.” He continued, “It was as advertised. Obviously, when you spend that kind of money, you hope they turn out to be something special. She indicated that to us in the mornings and everybody was on to her as well. I think that was the reason for the short price. Brad (Cox)'s horse shipped in from Kentucky, so maybe a little bit of camouflage there. No shame in running second to something like that. Visually, I thought they both ran winning efforts. They just got the better of us.” Tipsy Tammy will look to go one better in her second career start in a six-furlong, $57,000 maiden special weight at Fair Grounds next Thursday. With a five-furlong bullet in 1:00 4/5 (1/12) under her belt in the interim, the 8-5 morning-line favorite has drawn widest of all in post seven. Mitchell Murrill will be at the controls once again. Phil Bauer & Richard Rigney | Keeneland “Who knows? Sometimes it's beneficial to get two starts in the maiden ranks and try and get some more seasoning before you take on winners,” Bauer said. “She's put together really well and a very efficient mover. Obviously, you always hope that they'll stretch out a little bit in distance, which I think she will based on her training. We thought coming back in a three-quarter event would be the right move to try and get the maiden broke, then probably point towards something at Keeneland.” Bred in Kentucky by Sierra Farm, Tipsy Tammy hails from the third and final crop of the much-missed Arrogate, who is already responsible for five Grade I winners, led by the recently crowned champion 3-year-old Arcangelo. She was the highest-priced yearling filly by Arrogate to sell in 2022 and the third most expensive overall of 61 yearlings by the late Hall of Famer to change hands that year. The half-sister to MSW Doc Boy (Into Mischief) was produced by Peggy May, an unraced daughter of champion grass mare Perfect Sting (Red Ransom). The Adena Springs-bred Peggy May brought $170,000 from breeder Sierra Farm while in foal to Awesome Again at the 2014 Keeneland November sale. The post Second Chances: $600k Arrogate Filly Tipsy Tammy ‘As Advertised’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kabirkhan, Kentucky-bred, Kazakhstan-owned and Russian-raced, wins the Al Maktoum Challenge (G1) on Fashion Friday at Meydan Racecourse, earning a spot in the Dubai World Cup (G1); Mendelssohn Bay takes the UAE Two Thousand Guineas (G3).View the full article

Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby swept the four turf races on the "Fashion Friday" program at Meydan Racecourse Jan. 26.View the full article

On Saturday, January 27, horse racing enthusiasts can anticipate a thrilling day with nine meetings set to unfold across various locations in Australia. Our team of committed racing analysts at horsebetting.com.au has meticulously selected the top bets and crafted quaddie numbers tailored for the upcoming events at Ellerslie, Moonee Valley, Randwick, Sunshine Coast & Ascot. Saturday Racing Tips – January 20, 2024 Ellerslie Racing Tips Moonee Valley Racing Tips Randwick Racing Tips Sunshine Coast Racing Tips Ascot Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For January 27, 2024 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $63.55 odds return: Saturday, January 27, 2024 Ellerslie – Race 2 #4 Imwonderfultonight Moonee Valley – Race 10 #6 Pereille Randwick – Race 4 #1 Glory Daze Sunshine Coast – Race 5 #2 Bossed Up Ascot – Race 5 #10 Autumn Rebel | Copy this bet straight to your betslip For avid Australian racing fans, numerous promotions await your exploration. Be sure to peruse the offerings from top online bookmakers, as daily promotions can enhance your horse racing experience. If you’re in search of a new bookmaker to elevate your horse racing ventures on January 27, 2024, consult our comprehensive guide to the finest online racing betting sites. We’re committed to keeping you informed and enhancing your horse racing betting journey. More horse racing tips View the full article

Kabirkhan, Kentucky-bred, Kazakhstan-owned and Russian-raced, wins the Al Maktoum Challenge (G1) on Fashion Friday at Meydan Racecourse, earning a spot in the Dubai World Cup (G1); Mendelssohn Bay takes out the UAE Two Thousand Guineas (G3).View the full article

Entering his 7-year-old season, Atone is getting the chance to defend his title in the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T) and join Colonel Liam as a repeat winner. View the full article

Equine artist Robert Clark will be offering limited run prints of a one-of-a-kind painting featuring American Pharoah and Justify with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), the non-profit said in a Friday release. The original painting sold for $18,000 at the recent TCA Stallion Season Live Auction and Celebration with all of the proceeds going to the organization. As for the prints, they are 16″ x 20″, numbered and signed by the artist. “We are deeply appreciative of Bob's ongoing support of TCA,” said Erin Halliwell executive director of TCA. “The original artwork was highly sought after at our live auction, and we are thrilled that prints of this beautiful piece will be offered and benefit TCA. The funds raised will be granted to our approved charities working to provide Thoroughbred aftercare as well as health and human services for backstretch and farm workers.” Click here to purchase prints or you may make an appointment at the artist's Paris, Kentucky gallery by contacting bob@robertclark.us. The post Equine Artist Robert Clark Offers Print To Benefit Thoroughbred Charities of America appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nimitz Class, purchased privately after winning six stakes at three different tracks in the Mid-Atlantic, will debut for his new connections in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

2nd-GP, $89K, Msw, 3yo, 7f, 11:30 a.m. The inside four horses, all first-time starters, headline Pegasus World Cup day at Gulfstream Park Saturday. BATTEN DOWN (Tapit) kicks things off for Bill Mott who looks to capitalize on a huge Eclipse Awards night with this Juddmonte homebred. A son of champion older mare Close Hatches, this colt is out of a full-sister to MGISP Lockdown, herself the dam of newly-crowned champion 3-year-old filly Idiomatic (Curlin). He is also a full-brother to MGSW/MGISP Tacitus and from the family of G1 Tattersalls Irish Two Thousands Guineas winner Siskin (First Defence). Corporate Power (Curlin) brought $925,000 as a yearling at KEENOV in 2022 for Courtlandt Farms and trainer Shug McGaughey. Out of GSW Road to Victory, herself a $1.45m Stonestreet buy at FTKNOV 2019, the colt counts Japanese G1SW Moanin (Henny Hughes) as an extended family member. The first of two Todd Pletcher entries, My True Colors (Munnings) sold for $600,000 at Keeneland as a yearling. Already a half to GSP Valletta (Into Mischief), he traces back to MGISW A.P. Indian (Indian Charlie). Breaking from the rail is the other Pletcher entry, Speak Easy (Constitution), a homebred for WinStar Farm and Sienna Farm, is out of GISP Fun. WinStar purchased the GI Darley Alcibiades third for $400,000 at FTKNOV in 2017 and this is her second foal to race. TJCIS PPS 2nd-FG, 57K, Msw, 3yo, 6f, 4:28 p.m. $1.7m yearling Gun Party (Curlin) debuts for Three Chimneys Farm and Winchell Thoroughbreds. The Steve Asmussen trainee is out of GI Acorn S. winner Carina Mia who last sold to Japan's Shadai Farm for $2.6m at FTKNOV in 2021. The dam is half to MGISW Miss Match (Arg) (Indygo Shiner) and to the dam of MSW/MGSP Super Chow (Lord Nelson) along with juvenile SW Princess Indy (Lord Nelson). TJCIS PPS 5th-FG, $57K, Msw, 3yo, f, 1mT, 6:19 p.m. A pair of homebreds, both racing for Steve Asmussen, make their debuts at the Fair Grounds. Lady Ariel (Curlin) from Stonestreet is out of SW/MGSP Steph Being Steph. To her outside, Just Better (Justify) wears the Whisper Hill colors. Mandy Pope picked up her dam, Betterbetterbetter (Ire), for a sale-topping $5.2m at FTKNOV in 2013. The dam is a half to Irish high-weighted filly Yesterday (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) and to G1SW Quarter Moon (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) amongst many others in a deep European family. TJCIS PPS The post Saturday Insights: Stacked Maiden Field Opens Pegasus Day At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

MENDELSSOHN BAY (g, 3, Mendelssohn–Reiki Baby, by Curlin), whose sire won the 2018 G2 UAE Derby by a desert and whose broodmare sire counts the G1 Dubai World Cup amongst his conquests, stalked a good pace and kept on gamely through the final 200 metres to win Friday's G3 UAE 2000 Guineas at Meydan Racecourse. Ridden forward by Pat Cosgrave, the dark bay sat just outside of pacesetting Military Artist (Munnings), as that one took the Guineas field along at a decent tempo. Asked to come after the front-runner in the straight, Mendelssohn Bay surged past and continued to find to score comfortably in what is a prep for the Derby, contested over 1900 metres on the World Cup undercard Mar. 30. The winner's stablemate Killer Collect (Collected) spotted his rivals a few lengths at the break and was forced to expend a fair bit of energy to be prominent when push came to shove. Wide into the lane, he fought on bravely to be second ahead of Quartier (Uru) (Matterhorn), who was exiting a runner-up effort to the well-regarded Ma Yetal (Mitole) in the 2000 Guineas Trial last time over the 1400 metres. Mendelssohn Bay was a slow-starting fourth in the same event. The time for the 1600 metres was 1:38.13. Sales history: $125,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $85,000 2yo '23 FTMMAY. O-Suited & Booted Racing Syndicate; B-Cuyathy LLC (KY); T-Bhupat Seemar. “He's given them the slip!” Mendelssohn Bay oozes class in the UAE 2000 Guineas presented by Longines for @BhupatSeemar and @patcosgrave @godolphin | #FashionFriday pic.twitter.com/YzZsA6pGmW — Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) January 26, 2024 The post Mendelssohn Bay Proves Best In UAE 2000 Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The introduction of a second all-weather track in Ireland would appear to be imminent after An Bord Pleanála granted permission for construction to get underway at Tipperary Racecourse. Dundalk became Ireland's first and only all-weather track in 2007 but Horse Racing Ireland have been working hard behind the scenes in recent years for Tipperary to become the second. Tipperary County Council had granted permission for the development in August 2022 but the project met a roadblock when the decision was appealed by residents close to the racecourse the following month. The appeal process took almost 16 months and news broke on Friday afternoon that the green light had been given for what had been previously estimated to be an €18 million development. The post Tipperary Racecourse Gets Green Light For €18 Million All-Weather Development appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fresh off seeing his Inspiral (GB) named the 2023 Eclipse Champion Turf Female, the success kept coming for Juddmonte's Frankel (GB), as his MEASURED TIME (GB) (c, 4, out of Minidress {GB}, by Street Cry {Ire}) surged to a good-looking victory in the G1 Jebel Hatta Presented by Longines at Meydan Racecourse on Friday. It was the 34th worldwide top-level winner for Frankel. Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby were winning their third group race of the evening after half-siblings Mysterious Night (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Star Of Mystery (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) won the G2 Al Fahidi Fort and G2 Blue Point Sprint, respectively, earlier on the card. The pick of William Buick despite the presence of G1 1000 Guineas heroine Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), the 4-year-old perched just one off and one back of that rival's shoulder for much of the Jebel Hatta's 1800-metre trip. The duo tracked fellow Godolphin runner Highland Avenue (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) for the duration, who at one point had as many as eight lengths on the field. Buick gave Measured Time his cue in upper stretch, and he soon reeled in Highland Avenue, before striding out a 1 3/4-length winner. The fourth Godolphin runner in the nine-strong field, Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) unleashed a strong late burst to take second, three-quarters of a length in front of G2 Zabeel Mile winner San Donato (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in third. Mawj received a check near the furlong pole and dropped out of the race to finish tailed off. The final time for the 1800 metres over good turf was 1:47.89. The winner is a half-brother to GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). O/B-Godolphin (GB). T-Charlie Appleby. delivers in the Jebel Hatta presented by @Longines William Buick's partner shows a destructive shift of gear to readily win the Group One for @godolphin #FashionFriday | #DubaiCarnival pic.twitter.com/mWztoPBHw7 — Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) January 26, 2024 The post Another Group 1 Winner For Frankel As Measured Time Brings Up Jebel Hatta appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Owner Jon Ebbert was adamant that Arcangelo (Arrogate) was not for sale after the 3-year-old put in a hard-fought victory in the GIII Peter Pan S. The story didn't waver as the striking gray reeled off wins in the GI Belmont S. and GI Travers S. and it still didn't change when Ebbert was selecting a stallion farm for the star of his Blue Rose Farm. At Lane's End, Ebbert found a team that was experienced with and even enthusiastic about his desire to be involved in the next chapter of the dual Grade I winner's career. “John had a tremendous experience with the horse and really the ride of a lifetime, as he's said, but the fact that he wants to keep the whole horse and stay involved to that degree is pretty rare,” said Lane's End Farm's Bill Farish. “You don't see people doing that very much anymore and it's great to see. The last horse that we had that was kind of similar was Curlin, but there have been others over the years where the owner has stayed in. It's fun to work with him. He's involved in the mares we've selected and he just loves the horse. He wants to give him every chance at stud.” Newly crowned as the 2023 Eclipse Champion 3-Year-Old Male, Arcangelo has fully recovered from a surgery to repair a condylar fracture and all systems are go ahead of the 2024 breeding season. On the racetrack, Arcangelo made history for trainer Jena Antonucci. Now as a stallion, he looks to do the same for his late sire Arrogate, who has produced five Grade I winners from just three crops. Three of those top-class performers were fillies and the other was Cave Rock, who passed away from laminitis, and while the ill-fated stallion's final crop has only just turned three, for now it appears as though Arcangelo may provide the only opportunity for breeders to access a Grade I-winning son of champion Arrogate. “[Arcangelo] being a son of Arrogate is pretty exciting for us,” said Farish. “There's no telling how good of a sire he would have been and he's certainly showing through this horse and others how good he could have been. So a son of his out of this female family-it just doesn't get much better than that.” Arcangelo's dam Modeling (Tapit), a $2.85 million purchase for Don Alberto Corporation, is a half-sister to GISW Streaming (Smart Strike) and SWs Treasuring (Smart Strike) and Cascading (A. P. Indy). Another generation back in the family shows broodmare of the year Better Than Honour, whose produce records features Belmont-winning siblings Rags to Riches and Jazil. Lane's End's bloodstock agent David Ingordo explained just how influential he believes this pedigree to be. “It's one of the best families in the stud book,” he said. “It's one of those pedigrees that if you're in the breeding business, you want to have access to it. There are so many matriarchs in there. You can do a lot of creative things in breeding with him and because Arrogate is gone now, where are you going to find another one? We are so lucky to have him here.” Arcangelo -Travers-S5A_4981-PRINT-Sarah-Andrew-1.jpg" alt="" width="1155" height="840" /> Arcangelo secures his position as the top 3-year-old colt of 2023 in the GI Travers S. | Sarah Andrew Ingordo said he considers Arcangelo to be a better version of his sire physically. “I'm a balance person and he's exceptionally well-balanced. He's got great proportions and a lovely shoulder. When you see him standing from the side, he's got all these great qualities and is even improved on what his sire had. When you look at his hip and how his hind leg sits, he's an improvement on his sire.” Both Farish and Ingordo made a point of noting that based on the requests coming in from breeders, Arcangelo's first book is shaping up to include some intriguing matings. “Arcangelo's book of mares includes a lot of the best-producing mares that went to Arrogate himself because those mares probably would have been bred back to Arrogate had he been here,” explained Ingordo. “So we're getting a lot of graded stakes winners and producers, including some mares that have horses on the upswing on the Derby trail.” “I think he represents a very interesting mating for people because he's pure dirt and that appeals to a lot of people,” added Farish. “The fact that he had the speed and precocity that he did and then the ability to carry it a distance also is really appealing to a lot of breeders.” With a stud fee set at $35,000, Arcangelo joins Up to the Mark (Not This Time, who also brought home an Eclipse Award as champion turf male and is profiled by Chris McGrath here, as the newcomers to the Lane's End stud barn for 2024. “I think Arcangelo could end up with a pretty tight, nice book of mares when this is all over because of the quality he's getting at the price point that he's at,” said Ingordo. “We think we stood him very reasonably and breeders are sending mares that would go to a horse double his stud fee. All of the right people are breeding to him and that's so important when you're trying to curate these stallion books. The right people bring the right mares and then do the right job with those offspring. That's what helps these horses make it as stallions.” The post Newly Crowned Champ Takes the Stage at Lane’s End appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has published new research that shows that Thoroughbreds with lower levels of collagen type III have a higher risk of fracture. The study will help to provide a greater understanding of how best to diagnose and manage horses at high risk of fractures, which is a leading cause of euthanasia within the breed. Currently in the UK, approximately 60 horses each year are put down on racecourses after sustaining such an injury. The research team leader Dr Debbie Guest, Senior Research Fellow at the RVC, said, “Bone fractures are a major welfare concern in Thoroughbred racing. We know that there are many environmental risk factors for fracture and much has been done over the years to reduce these risks. Despite this effort, fractures sadly still occur, and we know that some horses are genetically more predisposed to fracture than others.” She continued, “The development of a polygenic risk score for fracture will allow us to identify horses that are at high genetic risk to allow the targeted use of diagnostic imaging and close monitoring of their bone health. This study has also demonstrated the power of using cell models to work out what differences exist in bone cells from high and low-risk horses and therefore why some horses are at high risk. This is vital to develop new interventions for high-risk horses in the future so that they are less likely to suffer from a catastrophic fracture.” The research, which was funded by the Horserace Betting Levy Board, the Anne Duchess of Westminster Charitable Trust and The Alborada Trust, found that collagen type III, a gene which is required for normal bone formation, is expressed at lower levels in bone cells from horses with a high genetic risk of fracture. This is because they have a change in their DNA sequence in the region which controls how much collagen III is produced. Additional research is now being undertaken and further studies using this system and cell model will help to identify other genes and processes to better understand why some horses are more susceptible to fracture than others. The post RVC Study Links Low Collagen to Increased Fracture Risk appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

KABIRKHAN (c, 4, Califorrnia Chrome–Little Emily, by Castledale {Ire}) continued his fairy-tale run at the Dubai Racing Carnival, as he raced prominently following a bit of a sluggish dispatch and powered home late to easily take out Friday's G1 Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan. Returning just a fortnight after annexing a 2000-metre handicap, the $12,000 Keeneland September bargain raced ahead of midfield in about fifth position as First Constitution (Chi) (Constitution) burned plenty of fuel to inject some pace into his race for the commonly owned GIII Lukas Classic winner Clapton (Brethren). Three wide and right there to pounce for the run around the turn, the chestnut with the big white blaze–his Dubai World Cup winning sire's body double–went for home three off the inside and had four lengths on Franz Strauss (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) in a solid clocking for the 1900 metres. Trainer Chad Summers indicated pre-race that they would be content to race Clapton wide so as not to be trapped inside as they were when finishing down the field in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic when last seen. Five deep on the circle, Clapton plugged on gamely for Antonio Fresu and managed to cling on for third. Kabirkhan is the first Northern Hemisphere Group 1 winner for the expatriated California Chrome and a first Thoroughbred Group 1 winner for the affable Doug Watson. Sales history: $12,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. O-Tlek Mukanbetkaliyev; B-Kehner Thoroughbreds LLC (KY); T-Doug Watson. That was special Kabirkhan brilliantly preserves his unbeaten Meydan record in the Al Maktoum Challenge presented by @Longines What a horse … #FashionFriday | #DubaiCarnival pic.twitter.com/h9jWut1TmU — Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) January 26, 2024 Wild celebrations from the Kazakhstan connections @RacingDubai as KABIRKHAN become a first Thoroughbred G1 winner for trainer Doug Watson pic.twitter.com/uTCkUxg4BE — Laura King لورا كنج 金樂雅 (@LauraKingDXB) January 26, 2024 The post California Chrome’s Kabirkhan Up To The ‘Challenge’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Just two races after her half-brother Mysterious Night (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) won the G2 Al Fahidi Fort, Godolphin's STAR OF MYSTERY (GB) (f, 3, Kodiac {GB}–Mistrusting {Ire}, by Shamardal) picked up strongly in the closing stages to take the AED850,000 G2 Blue Point Sprint by 1 3/4 lengths. Her case had looked fairly hopeless for much of the 1000-metre turf sprint as she raced near the tail of the field, but Mickael Barzalona steered his charge up in between horses and her finishing kick was so potent she made up several lengths in the final 100 metres to win going away. Ponntos (Ire) (Power {GB}) ran second, with Tajalla (Ire) (Kessaar {Ire}) a neck back in third. The final time for the race was a sharp :56.14. Lifetime Record: 7-4-0-0. O/B-Godolphin (GB). T-Charlie Appleby Blue Point Sprint (G2) 1.010 m – 181.624 AED – for 3yo+ Meydan Star Of Mystery (GB) (3F Kodiac- Mistrusting , by Shamardal) J : Mickael Barzalona T :Charlie Appleby O : @godolphin pic.twitter.com/bIVwToGtSN — (@WorldRacing1) January 26, 2024 The post Kodiac Filly Unleashes Scintillating Turn Of Foot To Stun G2 Blue Point Sprint Foes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sean Quinn, who assists his father John at their Highfield Stables in Malton, is a fan of Ardad and Munster Rugby. Proudest moment of 2023? Aside from my daughter's birth, Highfield Princess winning the Prix de l'Abbaye. There was plenty stacked against her but she found a way to win. What is your biggest ambition for the new year? To get the best out of every horse in our care. A Royal Ascot winner is always an aim too. Give us one horse to follow and why? Stay In The Game (Ire) – a twice raced son of Too Darn Hot (GB) out of a half sister to Order Of St George (Ire). I would hope he can only improve as a three-year-old. And a young person in the industry to keep an eye on… Hamish Macauley always needs an eye keeping on him! Who do you think will be champion first-season sire this year? We tried hard to buy a Pinatubo (Ire) yearling last year but didn't manage to get one. His stock caught the eye on the sales grounds. And the best value stallion in Europe? Rajasinghe (Ire) has done very well considering the limited support he has had. Breeders on a budget could do far worse than him. I'm also a big fan of Ardad (Ire). What's the one horse you wish you'd bought in 2023? Whichever one wins the Coventry in 2024! Biggest regret? None. What's meant for you won't pass you by. Biggest influence on your career? My parents If you could sit down for dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be and why? Ronan O'Gara, Paul O'Connell and Keith Wood. I'm a big Munster rugby fan and admire the leadership qualities of all three men. Not talking racing around a dinner table would make a change too. The post In the Hot Seat: Sean Quinn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ayrton added even more shine to his outstanding record at Caulfield with a thrilling win in a photo finish to Friday’s A$175,000 Listed Evergreen Turf John Dillon Stakes (1400m). The highly talented New Zealand-bred has now had seven starts at Caulfield for six wins, including black-type successes in the Gr.3 Victoria Handicap (1400m), the Listed Weekend Hussler (1400m) and Friday’s John Dillon Stakes. Overall, the six-year-old Iffraaj gelding has had 21 starts for eight wins, three placings and A$906,975 in stakes. He has been a standout performer for syndicators Roll The Dice Racing. Ayrton ventured west and was unplaced in the A$1.5 million Damien Oliver Gold Rush (1400m) in Perth on December 16, but a return to his favourite stomping ground brought an emphatic form reversal on Friday. Ridden by Jamie Kah, who has been in the saddle for five of his victories, Ayrton jumped well before easing back to take a sit behind Buffalo River and Not An Option. Kah presented Ayrton on the outside of that pair at the top of the Caulfield straight, and he soon quickened and went past them. Ka Bling finished powerfully from third-last to provide a late scare, but Ayrton lunged at the line and held on by the skin of his teeth. “He’s just such a tough horse,” Kah said. “I love this horse. He’s been great to me throughout my career. He was feeling the pinch late today, but he’s always so tough. Whenever I ride him, he tries his hardest. “The race worked out perfectly for him in the end. I know that I can push him a bit in the early stages and he always comes back to me. The tempo ended up being beautiful, we got a good sit, and he’s just a push-button horse. I love him.” Ayrton’s only defeat at Caulfield came in the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) on November 18. Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are now looking at giving him another Group One opportunity over the same course and distance. “It was fantastic that he held on to win for the big ownership group that’s on course to see him today,” Price and Kent’s racing manager Tom Sheahan said. “We’ll let the dust settle after this, and then we could aim higher again. There’s a 1400m Listed race in a couple of weeks that might be a nice option, and then there’s the Futurity Stakes (on February 24).” Ayrton was bred by Cambridge accountant Greg McCarthy, who remains in the ownership group after a private sale was negotiated by bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo after the horse finished second in his only trial in New Zealand at Te Teko for trainer Lauren Brennan. View the full article

Jockey Club chief executive quashes suggestions special dispensation could be granted allowing some gallopers from Taipa to continue their careers at Sha TinView the full article

The operation claims its third consecutive title as leading owner and leading breeder.View the full article

Sheltered from the haze of the South Florida humidity in the elegant Ponce de Leon ballroom, those in attendance witnessed a night to remember, complete with excitement, tears, and a fair share of comedic relief at the 53rd Annual Eclipse Awards.View the full article

New Zealand-bred mare Eternal Flame (NZ) (Sacred Falls) passed a crucial test at Caulfield on Friday and is now on a path towards bigger and better things. The four-year-old daughter of Sacred Falls scored a runaway victory in Friday’s Catanach’s Jewellers The Mary Bell (1400m), which was the third win of a promising eight-start career. Eternal Flame was a maiden winner at Pakenham last February and added a second win at Sandown in August. In between times, she finished close up behind the placegetters when sixth in the Gr.2 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) and Gr.2 Kewney Stakes (1600m). Fifth in the Listed Black Pearl Stakes (1200m) at Geelong in her resuming run on January 6, Eternal Flame was a warm favourite at Caulfield on Friday and took a big step forward. Squeezed back to second-last in the early stages of the race, jockey Damian Lane let Eternal Flame stride forward three-wide on the track to move into striking range approaching the home turn. Lane released the brakes in the straight and Eternal Flame quickened impressively, taking command and clearing out to win by four lengths. “She stepped okay, but it got a little bit messy early in the race,” Lane said. “I thought there was no point dropping back to last behind horses I didn’t really want to follow, so I decided to let her stride forward three deep and she was lovely from that point on. “She has high potential, but she’s still very raw. When I let her go, she wanted to run in. She had a look at the winning post and shied. But I think there’s very good upside there.” Eternal Flame is trained by Michael Kent and has now earned A$136,500 from her eight-start career. “She’s a big, scopey mare,” Kent said. “I was worried about the home turn here today. She did wobble around it a little bit, but then she balanced up and finished it off nicely. “We’re hoping that she might get up to Group level in this campaign. We had a throw at the stumps in the Black Pearl first-up – there were no other races for her and she probably wasn’t quite ready for a race like that. She needed that run, and she also got stuck down on the inside where the ground was worse by that point of the day. “She needed to come and win this race today to get her rating up so that we could aspire to some better races in the autumn. “She’s by Sacred Falls and has a bit of stamina on the dam side. To me, she really appeals as a miler with a good turn of foot.” Eternal Flame was bred by Hoofbeat Ltd and is one of five winners from seven named foals out of the Savabeel mare Suriyan. Herself a winner over 1200m, Suriyan is a three-quarter-sister to the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner and Waikato Stud stallion Noverre. Suriyan’s other foals include the multiple placegetter Tres Rapide, who is the dam of Group Three winner Kinane. Offered by Kilmore Farm at the 2021 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, Eternal Flame was bought by Phill Cataldo Bloodstock for $260,000. View the full article

Rich Hill Stud’s managing director John Thompson is hoping to make a habit out of million-dollar racetrack success on the eve of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales. Members of the high-flying Rich Hill stallion roster sired both big winners at last year’s Karaka Million meeting at Pukekohe. Satono Aladdin’s son Tokyo Tycoon was a spectacular last-to-first of the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m), while high-class Proisir filly Prowess triumphed over an elite field in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m). For good measure, Proisir also sired the unlucky fourth placegetter Legarto, while Satono Aladdin colt Sacred Satono finished fifth. It was only the second time in the history of the Karaka Millions that a single stud’s stallion roster produced both million-dollar winners on one day. The only previous instance was in 2020, where Waikato Stud titan Savabeel sired both Cool Aza Beel (2YO) and Probabeel (3YO). Those racetrack successes were a launchpad to an outstanding Karaka 2023 yearling sale for Rich Hill, who sold 28 yearlings for a total of $2.31 million and an average price of $82,536. There was particular demand for standout stallion Proisir, whose flurry of big-race performers last season led to a 100 percent clearance rate for his 19 yearlings in Book 1 at Karaka. They fetched a total of $3.59 million and an average price of $188,947. That crop of Proisir yearlings were conceived at a service fee of only $9,000, and he now commands $70,000. Fast-forward to 2024, and again Thompson is eagerly looking forward to Saturday’s Karaka Millions. Rich Hill’s stallions are strongly represented throughout the six-race card at Ellerslie, including $1.50 favourite Legarto in the inaugural $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m), four runners headed by Ace High filly Molly Bloom in the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), and proven Group One star La Crique in the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m). “It was an unbelievable day last year and a wonderful advertisement for the stud and our stallions just before the sale,” Thompson said. “Now we’re hoping to see something similar happen again this time around. We’re certainly heading into the meeting with some strong chances for a number of our stallions. “La Crique is going to be a very interesting runner in the Westbury. She’s a Group One mare, and if she runs up to what she did in her trial win the other day, she’s going to take some beating. “In the three-year-old race, we all know what Molly Bloom has done in the 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) and Eight Carat (Gr.2, 1600m), but there’s also a bit of word around for her stablemate The Weapon. Lupo Solitario is in there again and never runs a bad race, and we know what Tokyo Tycoon is capable of. So that’s going to be a fascinating race to watch. “There’s no certainties in racing, but Legarto has to be almost as close as you can get in the four-year-old race. She just looks bigger and stronger this time in, and I know Ken (Kelso, co-trainer) is very happy with her. This might set her up for some Group One targets over longer distances in the coming weeks as well, which is exciting.” Thompson has joined the chorus of acclaim for the series of initiatives that have boosted the racing industry since Entain entered its strategic partnership with the TAB last year. That includes Saturday’s enhanced Karaka Millions programme, along with the recently announced Champions Day that will debut next season with slot race The NZB Kiwi (1500m) taking its place as New Zealand’s richest-ever horse race. “Entain have really been a breath of fresh air since they came on board,” said Thompson, who also serves as president of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association. “It’s created a much more positive feeling about our future. “I think it also reflects quite poorly on the previous regime, where there was clearly a real disconnect between the TAB and the industry. A thriving breeding and racing industry means better horses, which means people bet more. They’re all intertwined, and I don’t think the old regime fully understood that. “We’ve had a bit of a lost generation from our industry, but with what’s happening with the Karaka Millions and these other new initiatives, hopefully we can start bringing people back as spectators and having a wager, and then we can build on that from there.” Thompson hopes that positivity will lead into Karaka 2024, which kicks off at 10am on Sunday. Rich Hill Stud has 24 yearlings in the catalogue for Book 1 and 20 in Book 2. “I’m very happy with our draft this year, and it’s been really encouraging that the people coming to have a look at the horses are looking at all of them – especially the overseas buyers,” he said. “I think that’s a reflection of what the likes of Proisir, Satono Aladdin and Ace High have achieved. Our draft mainly consists of our horses, by our stallions, and people now have a pretty good idea of what they’re going to be getting. “Satono Aladdin missed a season of shuttling during Covid, which meant we didn’t have any of his yearlings to sell last year after his son Tokyo Tycoon won the Karaka Million. I think it’s good for the whole industry that he’s back again now, and I’m really looking forward to seeing his yearlings go through the ring. “That’s just part of an overall feeling that our stallions are on the up. Proisir’s yearlings this season were conceived at a $12,500 fee, Satono’s were similar, and Ace High has been around $10,000. The people that have supported our stallions at those levels are hopefully going to reap the benefits. We saw from the results that Proisir had on the Gold Coast that there is certainly an appetite there.” Four yearlings by Proisir were sold during the Magic Millions Sale on the Gold Coast earlier this month, averaging A$282,500 and with a top price of A$450,000. Thompson highlighted a filly by Satono Aladdin and a couple of colts by Proisir as potential standouts among Rich Hill’s Karaka 2024 draft. “We have a few that are likely to sell well this year,” he said. “We have a lovely filly by Satono Aladdin out of Inthespotlight, catalogued as Lot 144. She’s already been singled out as one of the nicer fillies in the sale. “We’ve also got some outstanding Proisir colts, Lots 380 and 389, that I also have high hopes for. I think the big thing with Proisir is that all of his six Group One winners were bred from mares that were booked to him at a $7,000 service fee. It means that buyers can have a bit of confidence with some of the better bloodlines that are beginning to come through in his later crops.” View the full article