Wandering Eyes

Senor Buscador and Ushba Tesoro get a rematch in the March 30 Dubai World Cup (G1) after their 1-2 finish in the Saudi Cup (G1) a month earlier, and the race also could feature a pace battle from both ends of the starting gate.View the full article

A bill introduced by Senate Republican Floor Leader Damon Thayer to create a new government corporation to oversee horse racing in the state has passed through the Kentucky Senate and will move on to the Kentucky General Assembly, according to the Kentucky Lantern. Senate Bill 299 was heard in a joint meeting of the Senate and House economic development committees Tuesday morning and won Senate approval in a 26-11 floor vote in the afternoon. The bill would create the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation to replace the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and Department of Charitable Gaming. The racing commission would be abolished in July 2024 and its employees and responsibilities would be transferred to the corporation, which would oversee live horse racing and sports wagering, as well as charitable gaming, after July 2025. Board members of the corporation would be appointed by the governor and subject to Senate confirmation. “I think this would bring increased scrutiny, integrity and transparency to all legal forms of gaming in Kentucky,” Kentucky Lantern quoted Thayer as saying in a committee meeting to discuss the bill. Democratic Caucus Chair Reggie Thomas of Lexington led his party's opposition to the bill, which was introduced as a shell bill. “The lack of transparency, the lack of sunshine, is something that should not be applauded,” he said. Shell bills typically contain no substantive provisions and are introduced to ultimately be amended to include the actually intended legislative proposals. In addition to the Democratic opposition, five Republicans also voted against the bill. The post Bill Overhauling Kentucky Racing Commission Passes State Senate appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

6th-GP, $91K, Opt. Clm, 3yo, 1m, 3:40p.m. Godolphin's TDN Rising Star KNIGHTSBRIDGE (Nyquist), not seen since his TDN Rising Star-earning performance last fall, marks his return for trainer Bill Mott. The homebred is a half to GISW Speaker's Corner is out of Tyburn Brook (Bernardini), a daughter of dual Grade I winner Round Pound, who brought $5.75 million at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Sale in 2017. Knightbridge's unraced dam is a half-sister to GISW Long River (A.P. Indy) and SW & GSP Lake Lucerne (Dubawi {Ire}). Junior Alvarado gets the call. Trainer Todd Pletcher has two entered here, including Turn Up the Trees (Liam's Map). A $500,000 KEESEP purchase, the St Elias Stable runner won on debut going six panels in Hallandale Jan. 13 before fading to be a forgivable seventh while stretching to 7 1/2 furlongs on the grass Feb. 10. Getting blinkers on for this return to the main, the colt will be reunited with Johnny Velazquez, also in tow for the colt's winning debut. TJCIS PPS The post Thursday’s Racing Insights: Rising Star Knightsbridge Returns at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner A bigger and stronger Ukraine returns to Southland following his scintillating debut with the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes in his sights. The two-year-old turned heads when unleashing a scorching 26.0sec final 400m to win his first start at Winton in February. Ukraine travelled to Southland on Tuesday ahead of his Kindergarten tilt at Wyndham today and he is stationed with Brent Barclay and Lauren Pearson at Winton. After arriving, Butt got a second opinion on just how well his horse has progressed since his debut. “I probably don’t notice looking at him but Brent said when he came off the truck he has really strengthened up since he was last down here,” Butt said. Though Ukraine showed outstanding speed in his debut, his trainer-driver doesn’t think that is where his game ends. And if the possibility of rough weather turns the Kindergarten Stakes into a staying test, Ukraine has stamina on his side, too. “I would say he will end up being quite a strong horse,” Butt said. “On his work at home, he feels like more of a dour type of horse.” “But obviously in his trials and his race, he has shown plenty of speed.” Ukraine (2) has clinched a crucial draw advantage over two of his main rivals in Always Dreaming (4) and Rubira (7). He is at $2.40 on the fixed fields, with Rubira at $3.30, and Always Dreaming at $3.50. Butt asked the pacer to leave the mobile with some purpose in his latest trial and he showed he has the speed to make the most of his Kindergarten Stakes draw. “I asked him to come out of the gate in his last trial and he came out really good.” “I was happy when the draws came out and hopefully he can make the most of it.” Like Ukraine, Always Dreaming and Rubira come into the Kindergarten Stakes unbeaten at the races. Always Dreaming dead-heated in the Kindergarten Stakes Prelude at Wyndham earlier this month, with race-rival Franco Ezra. Rubira only beat one other rival in his debut at Addington recently, but the pacer impressed in the process when running excellent closing sectionals. Racing Journalist Jonny Turner’s five horses to follow : Miraculous : Miraculous gets the chance to show his true worth after a disappointing last-start effort at Winton. The pacer hasn’t been sighted since, but punters should have plenty of confidence in trainer Nathan Williamson having his horse forward and ready to run a nice race. Miraculous was outstanding in his first two career starts and if he can produce a similar effort he should be right in the fight in Wyndham’s Southern Supremacy Stakes heat. The three-year-old is forced to start from the outside of the front line under the race’s preferential barrier draw, but with just four horses inside him, it looks workable. Haley Robyn : Strong recent performances show Haley Robyn is ready to shine on Kindergarten Stakes Day. The mare comes into race 2 after a solid fourth at Oamaru after making a rare mistake behind the mobile. That set her back and made for a tough run after, but she fought on creditably. Haley Robyn’s previous fourth at Wyndham was even better. The five-year-old was three-wide in the open from the 800m and stuck on bravely in a slightly harder grade than she faces this week. Slotting into barrier 5 looks ideal for Haley Robyn who can race on the speed and give her rivals something to chase. Jonjondagoosehasgone : Several talented horses will make their debut in race 3 at Wyndham but one has clinched a significantly stronger draw than the rest. Barrier 5, with mostly outside hopes drawn inside him, looks very workable for undoubtedly the most curiously named horse starting on Kindergarten Stakes Day. It should effectively give Jonjondagoosehasgone a handy head-start on his main rivals who have drawn much trickier barriers. The pacer just needs to run up to his recent workout win at the same track, where he powered away from his rivals to win, to be a serious winning threat. Xerion : Xerion has burst out of the starting blocks in just two starts, impressing in his maiden win before producing a strong second placing. In that second, the trotter ran a very creditable race behind the highly promising Fiery Bandito, who also steps out at Wyndham. Xerion kept hitting the line strongly behind the winner in what looks outstanding form to bring to the field he faces this week. Expect the four-year-old to bring excellent manners as he has done in his races and trials to date, put himself in a sweet spot, and run another strong race. Da Vinci : There is a key ingredient to the Hunter Handicap that looks a massive plus for Da Vinci. The speedster ran on strongly from the back in the recent Wyndham Cup after starting from a 30m handicap. Da Vinci faces the same mark again on Thursday, but the key difference is that he faces just eight other rivals this week. The usually swift beginner was a stride slow away in his last start, but another key difference is he that is one of just two horses who are behind the front markers. This recipe looks enough for Da Vinci to make a better beginning and settle much handier than he did in his last start fourth. If that scenario plays out, expect the four-year-old to take plenty of holding out. View the full article

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Twelve of the world's top middle-distance dirt horses representing a half-dozen racing nations will clash in Saturday's $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup at sprawling Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. The fields and post positions for the evening's four non-Group 1 races–including the Dubai Kahayla Classic for the Purebred Arabians–were announced Monday, while stalls for the five elite-level contests were allotted during a ceremony Wednesday evening emceed by Rishi Persad and Laura King at the Armani Hotel at the iconic Burj Khalifa in Central Dubai. Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) will look to join Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) as the only two-time winners of the World Cup, and his trainer Noboru Takagi was first to the stage, where he selected barrier five. The 7-year-old had gate eight a year ago and was off to an awkward start before steaming home to peg back Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) close to home. The commonly owned Wilson Tesoro (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), second to Ushba Tesoro in the G1 Tokyo Daishoten over the World Cup distance in December, drew 11. Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) ran down Ushba Tesoro in the final jump of the G1 Saudi Cup in Riyadh five weeks ago, and the two square off for the third time at the weekend. The likeable 6-year-old was represented on stage by trainer Todd Fincher and co-owner Joe Peacock Jnr looked on as Senor Buscador was assigned barrier 10. Last year's G2 UAE Derby winner Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits) was at a fitness disadvantage when a sound fifth in Riyadh first-up for better than four months and figures to have come on for that reappearance. He will begin from stall eight. Kazakh-owned Kabirkhan (California Chrome) will look to complete a fairy-tale season while trying to emulate his World Cup-winning stallion Saturday evening. Purchased for the bargain price of $12,000 as a Keeneland September yearling, the chestnut will break from post position two for jockey Pat Dobbs and trainer Chief Stipe Watson. Trainer Bob Baffert and Frankie Dettori teamed to take out the 2022 World Cup with Country Grammer (Tonalist) and will look for history to repeat itself with Newgate (Into Mischief) from the six hole. He exits a victory in the GI Santa Anita H. Mar. 2. Juddmonte Farms' Laurel River (Into Mischief) ran up the score in the G3 Burj Nahaar over 1600 metres on Super Saturday Mar. 2, but sensing that it could be a paceless renewal of the World Cup, connections have rolled the dice. He will have to be on his best behaviour, as any misstep from the widest stall in 12 could prove his undoing. In the other Group 1 tests: Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) has drawn seven and Japanese Triple Tiara winner Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) nine for the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, where 10 Group 1 winners from eight nations vie for a $6-million pot. Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) will go for a fourth straight $5-million G1 Dubai Turf from gate 11, with Japan's Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in five, Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) drawn three and stablemate Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) out in 16. Defending champion Sibelius (Not This Time) has gate six for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen where he faces G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint hero Remake (Jpn) (Lani), Bold Journey (Hard Spun), a late-on-the-scene third in the same race, and the capable locals Mouheeb (Flatter) and Tuz (Oxbow). Hong Kong's California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) will start from gate five in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint against the smart 3-year-old filly Frost At Dawn (Frosted), the veteran Emaraaty Ana (GB) (Shamardal) and defending champion Danyah (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}. The full field for the 2024 Dubai World Cup: 1 (7) Clapton (Brethren) 2 (1) Crupi (Curlin) 3 (9) Defunded (Dialed In) 4 (8) Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits) 5 (3) Dura Erede (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) 6 (2) Kabirkhan (California Chrome) 7 (12) Laurel River (Into Mischief) 8 (4) Military Law (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) 9 (6) Newgate (Into Mischief) 10 (10) Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) 11 (5) Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) 12 (11) Wilson Tesoro (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) It's all set! The final post position for the 28th running of the #DubaiWorldCup!#DWC24 pic.twitter.com/gYdTv4BGu9 — Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) March 27, 2024 The post Dozen To Do Battle In Dubai World Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Cranbourne Races Where Cranbourne Turf Club – 50 Grant St, Cranbourne VIC 3977 When Friday, March 29, 2024 First Race 5:40pm AEDT Visit Dabble Public Holiday in racing in Victoria on Good Friday heads to Cranbourne for an eight-race card in the evening timeslot. Perfect conditions are to greet punters and runners alike, with the track rated a Good 4 and the rail coming out 6m the entire circuit. Good Friday racing at Cranbourne will commence at 5:40pm AEDT. Best Bet at Cranbourne: In Her Eyes Stepping back from the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), it is hard to go past In Her Eyes in the Cranbourne opener. The two-year-old filly was beaten five-lengths in the Group 1, but even her effort two back in the Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) will be more than good enough to be winning here. Jamie Mott will have the Star Witness filly towards the rear of the small six-horse field, but with a swift turn of foot, In Her Eyes should prove too good for maiden grade. Best Bet Race 1 – #5 In Her Eyes (4) 2yo Filly | T: Leon & Troy Corstens | J: Jamie Mott (56kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Cranbourne: Nokbah Nokbah will not get a better chance to bring up a third career win when she lines up in the Cranbourne finale. The five-year-old mare simply did not want to go past Epic Centre in a tight tussle down the Moonee Valley straight on March 1 when beaten by the barest of margins. The five-year-old mare has two wins and two seconds to her name over 1000m, including a win at this track and trip three runs back on September 7. Rose Hammond will use her 3kg claim to her advantage and have the I Am Invincible progeny bounding along up on speed. With a high-cruising speed, Nokhbah will prove too slick for her rivals in BM64 grade. Next Best Race 8 – #6 Nokhbah (11) 5yo Mare | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Rose Hammond (a3) (62kg) Bet with Picklebet Next Best Again at Cranbourne: The Doll The Doll has run into minor money at both of her career starts, and looks poised to break maiden ranks at Cranbourne. The Michael Huglin-trained filly produced a strong third on debut at Yarra Valley on February 24 when forced to travel four wide with no cover throughout before being edged out late at the Pakenham 1000m on March 15. With plenty of speed drawn underneath, Daniel Stackhouse will look to take a sit just off the speed, and with a strong finishing burst, The Doll should prove too hard to hold out on recent form. Next Best Again Race 2 – #11 The Doll (8) 3yo Filly | T: Michael Huglin | J: Daniel Stackhouse (57kg) Bet with Dabble Friday quaddie tips for Cranbourne races Cranbourne quadrella selections Friday, March 29, 2024 1-3-4-6 3-4-11-12 4-5-6-9-10 2-5 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What 2024 Australian Cup Where Flemington Racecourse – 448 Epsom Rd, Flemington VIC 3031 When Saturday, March 30, 2024 Prizemoney $3,000,000 Distance 2000m Conditions Group 1 2023 Winner Cascadian (11) | T: James Cummings | J: Ben Melham (59kg) Visit Dabble First run in 1863, the Australian Cup (2000m) headlines the action on the stacked 10-race card at Flemington on Saturday. Eight of the nine runners engaged are previous Group 1 winners, with the field headlined by the All-Star Mile trifecta Pride Of Jenni, Mr Brightside and Cascadian. Will it be an action repeat of the All-Star Mile, or can proven 2000m horses like Cascadian or Atishu get the better of Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside? 2024 Australian Cup odds There is little surprise that the two best milers in Victoria, Mr Brightside (+140) and Pride Of Jenni (+190) dominate the market with horse racing bookies. Despite neither of the two winning at 2000m in the past, punters are confident they are the pair to beat. Champions Stakes (2000m) winner Atishu (+500) holds the third line of betting, whilst Godolphin’s Cascadian (+750) will be looking to become the first horse since Harlem (2018-19) to go back-to-back in the Australian Cup. Legarto (+1300) is the best of the rest at a double figure quote. 2024 Australian Cup speed map The speed map for the 2024 Australian Cup is a simple one. Pride Of Jenni will be doing as she pleases out in front, with only Young Werther and Esti Feny likely to be close to the speed. Mr Brightside will be a lot closer to Pride Of Jenni than what he was in All-Star Mile having drawn barrier one, with Vow and Declare, Legarto and Dom To Shoot to be around midfield. Cascadian and Atishu will be bringing up the rear when they turn for home, but will be the two hitting the line the best. Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 Australian Cup. Australian Cup 2024 preview & form The Cummings family has dominated the Australian Cup over the years, and Cascadian profiles perfectly to defend his crown from 12 months ago. The nine-year-old gelding reaches his pet distance fourth-up from a spell, and comes to Flemington on the back of an eye-catching run in the All-Star Mile. Having given Pride Of Jenni too big of a start to be a winning chance on that day, he was arguably the best horse through the line on the back of a strongly run 1600m. He produced the fastest last 1200m, 1000m, 800m, 600m, 400m and 200m splits of the race to suggest he will be ready to go on Saturday. He is proven at the trip, has a strong turn of foot, and as long as he is within striking distance when turning, Cascadian should prove too tough to hold out. There is no knocking Mr Brightside, perhaps more so the price on offer. Despite being nosed out by Romantic Warrior in the 2023 Cox Plate, the champ is yet to win a 2000m race at three attempts. He was only holding his spot late on the back of a brutally run mile last time out, but with perhaps a softer run in transit from barrier one, and the unknown as to whether Pride Of Jenni can see out the 2000m, he simply cannot be dismissed. Look for Craig Williams to have Mr Brightside three back the fence upon settling, and if Mr Brightside is anywhere near his best, he is the one to beat on Saturday with even luck. Much like Cascadian, Atishu has shown she can absorb a strong tempo and sprint home strongly at the trip. The six-year-old mare has two wins from two starts at the track and trip, and a repeat of her effort that saw her claim the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, will have her fighting out the finish when the whips are cracking. She won with plenty in hand last time out over the mile, and with a strong finishing sprint under her bonnet, Atishu cannot be discounted. Pride Of Jenni will no doubt enter the conversation in regards to being Australia’s best horse at the moment if she can knock the 2000m challenge out of the park. However, with just one start (for an 8th) at the trip, the +190 on offer is simply too tight. The top four in the market should be in the finish, with perhaps only Legarto or Young Werther being trifecta/first four players. Australian Cup 2024 selections & best bets Selections: 2 CASCADIAN 1 MR BRIGHTSIDE 8 ATISHU 7 PRIDE OF JENNI $100 betting strategy $100 win Cascadian (#2) @ +750 with Picklebet 2024 Australian Cup Final Field 1.Mr Brightside (1) T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes J: Craig Williams W: 59kg F: 211×2 Age: 6YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Bullbars Dam: Lilahjay (NZ) +130 -500 2. Cascadian (8) T: James Cummings J: Ben Melham W: 59kg F: 349×7 Age: 9YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: New Approach (IRE) Dam: Falls of Lora (IRE) +800 +110 3. Vow And Declare (9) T: Danny O’Brien J: Billy Egan W: 59kg F: 2×592 Age: 8YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Declaration Of War (USA) Dam: Geblizt +2500 +320 4. Dom To Shoot (6) T: Sean & Jake Casey J: Mark Zahra W: 59kg F: 64×91 Age: 6YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Shooting to Win Dam: Princess Rouge (NZ) +5000 +600 5. Young Werther (3) T: Danny O’Brien J: Damian Lane W: 59kg F: 13×23 Age: 6YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Tavistock (NZ) Dam: Romantic Time (NZ) +2000 +270 6. Esti Feny (4) T: Matthew Smith J: Jamie Mott W: 59kg F: 30×90 Age: 9YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Pigeon Catcher (IRE) Dam: Ejtihaad (IRE) +10000 +1200 7. Pride Of Jenni (7) T: Ciaron Maher J: Declan Bates W: 57kg F: 12×11 Age: 6YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Pride of Dubai Dam: Sancerre (NZ) +170 -384.62 8. Atishu (5) T: Chris Waller J: Blake Shinn W: 57kg F: 18×12 Age: 6YO Color: Brown Sex: Mare Sire: Savabeel Dam: Posy (NZ) +700 +100 9. Legarto (2) T: Ken & Bev Kelso J: Michael Dee W: 57kg F: 2121x Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Proisir Dam: Geordie Girl (NZ) +1400 +190 Horse racing tips View the full article

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is partnering with seven Saratoga County farms to host 90-minute tours of each Thoroughbred farm from April through October. The farm tour series kicks off Apr. 27 at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds and includes tours of Old Tavern Farm May 18 and June 7. A tour of Song Hill Thoroughbreds will be held June 15; Old Friends at Cabin Creek on July 20; North Country Horses on Aug. 17; Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga on Sept. 21; and Sugar Plum Farm on Oct. 20. Each tour is $30 for museum members and $40 for non-members. Click here for more information. The post National Museum of Racing Offers Saratoga Farm Tours appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

France Galop has announced a new Owner's Plan with the aim of increasing the number of horses in training in the country, a key priority for the organisation's president, Guillaume de Saint-Seine. Although the number of active owners in France has increased by 600 in the last three years, the number of horses in training, and therefore the number of runners, has gone down. France Galop report that this situation is due to the fact that a number of new owners opt for shared ownership. Though some of them go on to have their own colours, there are fewer owners that own their horses outright, while the number that own more more than 20 horses has halved over the last 10 years. The plan puts forward 50 initiatives to try and reverse these trends, focusing on two key areas; client experience and development. The ultimate goal is to reach 10,000 horses in training in France, with the aim also being to increase the number of racehorse owners by 1,000 by the end of 2026. “The members of the Marketing Committee have developed, along with the Marketing Department, a pragmatic approach when drawing up this Owner's Plan, to stringently monitor the initiatives that will be rolled out over the next two years,” explained Charles-Hubert de Chaudenay, chairman of the Marketing Committee. “We would like to promote racehorse ownership in all its forms and support the racing industry by helping to increase the number of horses in training in France. We are confident about the positive effects that this plan will have over the medium term.” Elie Hennau, who will become director general of France Galop on April 15, added, “Given the strategic issues put forward by the Owner's Plan, I would like to get involved in the Marking Committee's project immediately, before I officially step into my role. I have great ambitions for this strategic plan as I take on this new position, as it is the fruit of a collaboration between racing's stakeholders and France Galop's staff.” The post France Galop Announce Plan To Increase Racehorse Population appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Anyone who was even loosely following the build-up to last weekend's Golden Slipper in Australia couldn't have failed to see the Aushorse promotional videos trumpeting the importance of that Group 1 contest as a stallion-making race. Indeed, since Todman (Aus) won the first running in 1957, such notable sires as Vain (Aus), Marscay (Aus), Rory's Jester (Aus), Canny Lad (Aus), Flying Spur (Aus) and Pierro (Aus) have all joined the Golden Slipper roll of honour. On Saturday, however, Lady Of Camelot (Aus) failed to read the script. One of four fillies in the race, the daughter of Written Tycoon (Aus) charged home late to deny Coleman (Aus) (Pierata {Aus}) the spoils by a short-head. The short-priced favourite was her stable-mate, the hitherto unbeaten Storm Boy (Aus) (Justify), who had to settle for third. A homebred, Lady Of Camelot has ticked a major ambition off the list of her breeder Sir Owen Glenn of Go Bloodstock. She is far from the New Zealander's first major winner, with his colours having been carried with distinction by such as the G1 Australian Derby and G1 Rosehill Guineas winner Criterion (NZ) (Sebring {Aus}) and the G1 Victoria Derby winner Monaco Consul (NZ) (High Chaparral (Ire). Indeed, he is also a significant owner, with Coolmore and others, in Storm Boy. But for a breeder in the throes of establishing an elite broodmare band, racing a homebred filly of this calibre is special indeed. You'll hear no argument in that regard from Steve O'Connor, the director of Go Bloodstock. The Irishman is now a fully assimilated resident of Sydney's Northern Beaches and during an early evening dog walk, which he combined with a telephone call to the TDN, it is easy to discern that he is still basking in the glow of a truly super Saturday. “It was really fantastic,” says O'Connor, who has spent the last decade in Australia since graduating from the Godolphin Flying Start programme. “We felt going into the race that she was a better and stronger filly than she was going into the Blue Diamond, and she had run second in the Blue Diamond. She came back bigger and better, and [jockey] Blake Shinn said that she should have won the Blue Diamond. He thought that she could win the Golden Slipper if he took a sit just off the lead like he did with Capitalist.” He adds, “It was one of Sir Owen's dreams to win the Golden Slipper and to do it with a homebred, it means an awful lot to him and to the whole operation. It's been a fantastic week.” O'Connor's own background has been as peripatetic as that of his boss. Having lived in Kentucky prior to applying to the Flying Start course, he worked with the late Gerry Dilger at Dromoland Farm and Ian Brennan in Florida at Vinery Stables (now known as Stonestreet Stables). “I was pretty close to Tom Ryan in Kentucky and he suggested to meet Henry Field because SF Bloodstock were increasing their investment in Australia. I was very keen to work with Henry in the infancy of Newgate Stud, so I came here to do that and that was ten years ago now,” he says. O'Connor's current role means he still has close ties to Field as Go Bloodstock is a significant investor in the colts' syndicates set up by Newgate Stud and China Horse Club in a bid to get in almost at the ground level with future stallion prospects. Sir Owen Glenn's involvement in racing was sparked during a party on his yacht in New Zealand when one of his guests managed to encourage him to buy a share in a horse. “That was Second Coming who went on to be third in the Melbourne Cup,” O'Connor notes. Second Coming (NZ) (Oak Ridge {FR}) was third in 2000 to his stable-mate Brew (NZ) (Sir Tristram {NZ}), the pair having been trained by Glenn's compatriot Mike Moroney. The trainer's brother, well known international bloodstock agent Paul Moroney, just so happened to have been at the boat party and he has been involved with helping Glenn throughout the ensuing years. “Sir Owen was always interested in racing but that prompted him to get more involved, especially when he was spending more time down here, rather than in the US, after he sold his company,” says O'Connor of that initial close call with Second Coming. “He focuses on this as his main interest and business now that he's retired and doesn't have his company any more. He's always wanted to associate himself with the best partners and we are part of Henry's colts' syndicate and we continue to try to create an elite broodmare band. Out of that we want to produce top-class fillies and perhaps a stallion at some stage. That's the dream. One of the dreams was to breed a Golden Slipper winner and we managed to do that last week. Hopefully what we create is a bit of a legacy.” He continues, “Sir Owen is very much a sportsman. He's involved in the New Zealand Olympic Committee, New Zealand hockey, he used to own a rugby league team in New Zealand called the Warriors. He loves the competition and the challenge of it all.” In the case of Lady Of Camelot, the sporting challenge appears only to be just getting going, despite her early success in the G3 Widden S. prior to the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper. According to O'Connor, she came out of the race “bouncing” and a run in the G1 Inglis Sires Produce on April 1 is now on the cards. “She's won the Golden Slipper, she's the champion two-year-old and we feel there's nothing to lose by going there. Sir Owen wants to see his best horses run,” he says. The filly has heaped even greater acclaim on her young dam, Miss Debutante (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who was bred by Kia Ora Stud and raced for Glenn. Like her most celebrated offspring to date, she was trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, and she won the Listed Coolmore Denise's Joy S. at three. “They always thought she was better than that so we always gave her the best of matings,” says O'Connor of Miss Debutante, who is now three from three for stakes-winning offspring at the age of only ten. Her first foal Queen Of The Ball (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Ire}) won four Group 3 races for Michael Freedman and was eighth in the Golden Slipper. Next up was the G3 Gimcrack S. winner Platinum Jubilee (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}), who also made the Slipper line-up and was second in the G2 Silver Slipper. “She's a neat, strong, balanced Fastnet mare so we bred her to stallions with a bit of size and scope,” explains O'Connor. “Lady Of Camelot was her third foal and she has trumped them all. “Miss Debutante is a very special mare: all the Australians are telling me that they can't remember a mare to have produced three group winners with her first three foals. She has a Flying Artie yearling colt, who we've retained, and she also has an I Am Invincible weanling filly. I think what the mare puts into them is precocity, they're all very forward in their thinking.” With three celebrated daughters of Miss Debutante alone already queuing for entry to the Go Bloodstock broodmare band, the hardest task may be keeping the numbers to a manageable level. O'Connor says, “We have 40 mares. Every year we plan to try to make it 30 and then it stays at 40. We're getting to the stage now, which is what Sir Owen wanted, where the broodmare band is self-replenishing. We wanted to be able to breed fillies that could then retire to the broodmare band and we've been able to achieve that this year. We have four or five stakes-winning mares that will retire. We will try to keep that number under 40 but we do need a critical mass because we are part of those colts' syndicate and they've had a lot of success in the last five years with horses like Stay Inside, Russian Revolution, Wild Ruler, and Artorius, who ran at Ascot. So we try to keep a critical mass to support those horses.” He adds, “Of the 40, five mares are in New Zealand and Sir Owen has a remarkable strike-rate there as two of those mares are Group 1 producers. With him being from New Zealand we like to keep a presence there, and with the changes there and the optimism, we are just starting to increase our investment in New Zealand again.” A globetrotting businessman, Glenn has already had his colours aired in Britain recently aboard Hoo Ya Mal (GB) (Territories {Ire}), whom be bought for £1.2 million at the Goffs London Sale after the horse had finished second in the Derby to Desert Crown (GB). He subsequently won the G3 March S. at Goodwood and, now with Waterhouse and Bott, was second in the G2 Petaluma Hill S. last October. “There's a good race in him, and that is likely to be during the Brisbane Winter Carnival this time,” says O'Connor. “Sir Owen owns an apartment in London and he spends the European summers there and any opportunity we were given to race a horse at Ascot we would take. It might be a year too soon for Lady Of Camelot but she is a big, scopey filly and she is quite lightly raced. We like to think that she still isn't the finished article and if that is the case then she might be one for next year. If we have one good enough we wouldn't hesitate to be there.” The post From Kilkenny to Sydney: O’Connor is All Go appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. Among this most recent set of rulings, trainer Robert Fiesman was suspended seven days and fined $1,000 for his second positive finding for phenylbutazone since HISA's anti-doping and medication control program (ADMC) went into effect. Phenylbutazone is a Class C controlled medication under HISA. A second Class C offense within a 2-year period comes with a maximum 15-day suspension and $1,000 fine. Jonathan Maldonado has similarly been suspended seven days and fined $1,000 after his trainee, Kapadokya, tested positive for the Class B controlled medication, capsaicin, after winning at Laurel Park on Feb. 10. Capsaicin is a topical analgesic. NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Resolution Date: 03/26/2024 Licensee: Riley Tucker Mott, trainer Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Brian. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Resolution Date: 03/26/2024 Licensee: Sally Rivera, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Stormy Joe on 2/13/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Resolution Date: 03/26/2024 Licensee: Robert Fiesman, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on March 27, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Zipsy Rose Lee, who finished second at Mahoning Valley on 2/6/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Resolution Date: 03/25/2024 Licensee: Jonathan Maldonado, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on March 26, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Explainer: For the presence of Capsaicin—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Kapadokya, who won at Laurel Park on 02/10/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Resolution Date: 03/21/2024 Licensee: Derek Ryan, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Charging Aero, who finished second at Tampa Bay on 01/06/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Pending ADMC Violations Date: 03/08/2024 Licensee: John Servis, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Pre-workout joint injection violation Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Chance Occurrence. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 03/08/2024 Licensee: Jeremiah Englehart, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Pre-workout joint injection violation Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Dolce Veloce. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 02/08/2024 Licensee: Javier Duarte, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Vet's list medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Albuterol by inhilation—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Shanghai Mike on 2/8/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 02/26/2024 Licensee: Miguel Rodriguez, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the potential breach of Rule 4221—Alkalinization or use/administration of an Alkalinizing Agent (TCO2)—on Ipsum Gratus, who finished eighth at Penn National on 2/26/2024. This is also a possible violation of Rule 3313—Use of a Controlled Method During the Race Period. Date: 02/24/2024 Licensee: Bernell Rhone, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Fury Cap, who finished third at Tampa Bay on 2/24/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). The post Weekly Rulings: March 22-27 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Things are heating up and the prospective field for the GI Kentucky Oaks is starting to take shape. Tarifa (Bernardini) won the GII Fair Grounds Oaks last Saturday and is very much looking like the horse to beat in the Kentucky Oaks. At Turfway Park, the former claimer Everland (Arrogate) earned her way into the Oaks with a win in the Bourbonette Oaks. Two huge preps will be run this Saturday–the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks and the GIII Fantasy at Oaklawn. Here's a look at the latest installment of our Kentucky Oaks Top 10: 1) TARIFA (f, Bernardini–Kite Beach, by Awesome Again) O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: 'TDN Rising Star', MGSW, 5-4-0-0, $518,925. Last start: WON Mar. 23 GII Fair Grounds Oaks. Kentucky Oaks Points: 150. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, May 4. Tarifa is as solid as they come. She won her second straight Oaks prep when capturing the Fair Grounds Oaks presented by Fasig Tipton by three-quarters of a length. It wasn't a dominant win but it was more than enough to get the job done. She's lost just once in her career and seems to improve with every start. She's good now and it appears that trainer Brad Cox has yet to tighten the screws to the point where she has peaked. He was, however, concerned that Tarifa was rank entering the first turn. “I would like to tell you she is settling down and relaxing, but that didn't work out well in the first turn,” Cox said. “Still, she was able to overcome it. She needs to learn to relax in the race, and obviously next time we will be facing a larger field. She needs to learn to chill out and relax. We will continue to work with her.” Cox has won the Oaks twice since 2018 and seems poised to pick up his third win in May. 2) IMPEL (f, Quality Road–Your Love, by Flatter) O/B-Juddmonte (Ky); T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: 'TDN Rising Star' 2-2-0-0, $115,200. Last Start: WON Oaklawn AOC, Mar. 3. Kentucky Oaks Points: 0. Next Start: GI Ashland S., KEE, April 5. Has become everybody's wise-guy horse. Though she's run just twice and never in a stakes race, she was made the 7-1 favorite in the Kentucky Derby Oaks Future Wager. It's easy to see why people like her. After breaking her maiden, she blew away a field of allowance horses at Oaklawn to win by 8 1/2 lengths. The real test will come when she faces off against the cream of the crop in the Ashland at Keeneland on Friday, April 5. “I think she's very good,” Cox said. “She's got a great mind. She doesn't overtrain. She's not super, super aggressive and does whatever you ask of her.” If she blows away the field in the Ashland she'll likely be the favorite in the Oaks over stablemate Tarifa. 3) JODY'S PRIDE (f, American Pharoah–Jody's Song, by Scat Daddy) O-Parkland Tbreds & Sportsmen Stable; B-Mr. Steve Weston (Ky); T-J Abreu. Lifetime Record: MSW & GISP, 4-3-1-0, $590,250. Last start: WON Mar. 2 Busher S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 65. Next Start: GI Ashland S., KEE, April 5. The connections of this filly keep changing their minds about where she is going to run. After winning the Busher S. at Aqueduct they announced they would stay in New York for the GIII Gazelle S. Instead, it's on to the Ashland. “We got a race under our belt. She's going to have to face [Just F Y I] at some point again, so this might be the time to face her,” trainer Jorge Abreu told the Daily Racing Form. The horse seems to be flying under the radar because of low-profile connections, but she' the real deal. She's 3-for-4 lifetime and the only defeat came against Just F Y I (Justify) in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. 4) JUST F Y I (f, Justify–Star Act, by Street Cry {Ire}) O/B-George Krikorian (Ky); T-Bill Mott. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo filly, GISW, 3-3-0-0, $1,317,750. Last start: WON Nov. 3 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Kentucky Oaks Points: 40. Next Start: GI Ashland S., KEE, April 5. Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott had to alter his filly's schedule after she was scratched from the GII Davona Dale because of a fever. But Mott said that his Eclipse champ has recovered and will go next in what will be a loaded Ashland at Keeneland. “Her next scheduled start is now the Ashland,” he said. “She needed the extra time to get ready.” From the standpoint of Beyer figures she needs to get faster as her best number last year was a 79. That's not going to get in done in a race like the Oaks. Kopion | Benoit 5) KOPION (f, Omaha Beach–Galloping Ami, by Victory Gallop) O-Spendthrift Farm; B-Tall Oaks Farm (Ky); T-Richard Mandella. Sales history: $270,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-1-0, $116,600. Last start: 2nd Feb. 10 GIII Las Virgenes S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20. Next Start: GII Santa Anita Oaks, SA, April 6. Hall of Fame Richard Mandella is bringing this filly along slowly. After she won the GIII Santa Ynez S., Mandella skipped the next prep on the schedule, the March 3 Santa Ysabel S. The plan now is to go in the GII Santa Anita Oaks on April 6. She'll be up against it in the Santa Anita Oaks as the race is also expected to feature 'TDN Rising Star' Kinza (Carpe Diem) the best 3-year-old filly in the West. But she's trained by Bob Baffert, who is still under a ban at Churchill Downs, and won't be running in the Oaks. That leaves Kopion as the West Coast's best hope. 6) WAYS AND MEANS (f, Practical Joke–Strong Incentive, Warrior's Reward) O/B-Klaravich Stables (Ky); T-Chad Brown. Lifetime Record: GISP, 'TDN Rising Star,' 2-1-1-0, $117,750. Last start: 2nd Sept. 3 GI Spinaway S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 0. Next Start: GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, GP, March 30. Remember her? She romped in her maiden voyage when winning at Saratoga by 12 3/4 lengths. She returned in the GI Spinaway S. and was second despite clipping heels down the backstretch. She's returning this Saturday for the Gulfstream Park Oaks, which will be her first race in nearly seven months. Off that layoff and with her having just one prep before the Oaks, can Chad Brown have her ready? The answer is yes. She's been working steadily and Brown is a master when it comes to having his horses ready for big races. With Flavien Prat committed to Tarifa, Brown has given the riding assignment to Irad Ortiz Jr. 7) OUR PRETTY WOMAN (f, Medaglia d'Oro–Dazzletown, by Speightstown) O-Courtlandt Farms; B-Woods Edge Farm, LLC and Godolphin; T-Steve Asmussen. Sales History: $900,000 ylr '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSP, 3-2-1-0, $150,200. Last start: 2nd Mar. 23 GII Fair Grounds Oaks. Kentucky Oaks Points: 50. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, May 4. Came into the Fair Grounds Oaks with a lot of potential and a lot to prove. She broke her maiden at the Fair Grounds and then romped in an allowance race there. Both were run over sloppy tracks. Facing Tarifa in the Fair Grounds Oaks, she would need to step it up, and that's what she did. She didn't win, but set the pace and put up a fight in the stretch as Tarifa beat her by less than a length. It was just her third lifetime start, so she should continue to improve. Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen will be looking for his first Oaks win since 2014 with Untapable (Tapit). Lemon Muffin | Coady Photography 8) LEMON MUFFIN (f, Collected–Pelt, by Canadian Frontier) O-Aaron Sones; B-Mr & Mrs Theodore R Kuster & Collected Syndicate (KY); T-D Wayne Lukas. Sales history: $20,000 yrl '22 KEESEP; $140,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-1-4-0, $305,250. Last start: WON Feb. 24 GIII Honeybee S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 50. Next Start: GIII Fantasy S., OP, March 30. The goal for this Wayne Lukas trainee will be to prove that her win in the GIII Honeybee S. wasn't a fluke. She came into that race as a maiden who had never run beyond seven furlongs or around two turns. Yet, she put it all together and won by 3 1/2 lengths at odds of 28-1. Lukas has won the Oaks five times and his sixth win would allow him to pass Woody Stephens as the winningest trainer in Oaks history. Lukas has shown a lot of faith in young Keith Asmussen by giving him this mount. Lemon Muffin is a horse who could run terribly in the GIII Fantasy S. or maybe she's just hitting her best stride. It's a tough call. 9) FIONA'S MAGIC (f, St Patrick's Day–Mollie's Magic, by Factum) O/B-Stonehedge, LLC (FL); T-Michael Yates. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-3-2-0, $250,910. Last start: WON Mar. 2 GII Davona Dale S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 60. Next Start: GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, GP, March 30. She's a tough Florida bred by a sire, St. Patrick's Day, who stands for just $3,500. But she can run. She's never been worse than second in five career tries and is coming off a win in the Davona Dale S. for trainer Michael Yates. The Gulfstream Park Oaks will be her big test and her first race around two turns. She loses the services of jockey Tyler Gaffalione and will be ridden instead by Jorge Ruiz. 10) LESLIE'S ROSE (f, Into Mischief–Wildwood Rose {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) 'TDN Rising Star' O-Whisper Hill Farm; B-John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock Services (Ky); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales history: $1,150,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 'TDN Rising Star', GSP, 3-2-0-1, $89,950. Last start: 3rd Mar. 2 GII Davona Dale S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 15. Next Start: GI Ashland S., KEE, April 5. A $1.15 million purchase at Keeneland September, she looked like a horse that could be anything after a maiden and allowance win at Gulfstream. Trainer Todd Pletcher stepped her up in class for the Davona Dale and the results were mixed. Pounded down to 3-10 favoritism she was third, beaten 2 1/4 lengths. But at no point did it look like she was going to win the race. It's possible that she just had an off-day. We'll know more after her next start–the Ashland. The post The Kentucky Oaks Top 10 For March 28 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Englishman capitalises on inside barriers to boot home Winning Heart, Our Lucky Glory and Show RespectView the full article

Cavern Club (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}) (lot 58), a two-time winner for Marco Botti, brought a sale-topping price of 32,000gns at the Tattersalls March Sale on Wednesday. Consigned by Botti's Prestige Place, Cavern Club was in competitive action at Southwell last week when he finished third in an 11-furlong handicap from a BHA mark of 80. He is the first foal out of the unraced New Approach (Ire) mare Merseybeat (GB), a half-sister to the Listed winner and Group 3-placed Twist 'N' Shake (GB) (Kingman {GB}). The four-year-old Cavern Club was sold to trainer James Owen, who said, “He can take us to a lot of places. He will go hurdling and has been bought as a nice dual-purpose horse. Ribchester is getting a few jumpers now. This horse won't be long in running and has been bought on spec.” A National Hunt career also beckons for the Godolphin-consigned Eastern Whisper (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) (lot 67) after she sold to Jack Cantillon for 28,000gns. The unraced three-year-old filly is out of the Group 3-placed Jollify (Ire) (Manduro {Ger}), who is herself a half-sister to the Ebor H. and November H. winner Litigant (GB) (Sinndar {Ire}). Their dam is the dual Group 3 winner Jomana (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), who was bought by the Cantillon family under the banner of their Tinnakill House for just €7,500 at the 2013 Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale. “My theory was I would have to pay triple for a filly of this quality in a few months at the store sales, so I thought I would get in early as she's unraced and eligible for bumpers,” Cantillon said of Eastern Whisper. “It's a family I know well and love–our family own the granddam and we also have Ellen Kelly in the second dam who is in training with Willie Mullins. I haven't decided on a trainer yet, but it will be one of our leading National Hunt trainers at Syndicates.Racing.” A total of seven lots sold for at least 20,000gns, with the three-year-old Perfect View (GB) (Outstrip {GB}) (lot 75) standing out as the pick of the rest having been bought by J. D. Moore–on behalf of client Hussain Al Dossary–for 27,000gns. Consigned by George Scott's Eve Lodge Stables, Perfect View finished first or second in each of his three starts for his previous connections, including a debut victory in a six-furlong maiden at Windsor last May. “The horse goes to the Middle East,” said Moore. “He has shown form on the all-weather, has been consistent and has been well handled by George Scott, who recommended him. Hussain has been lucky with his purchases at Tattersalls.” Of the 60 lots offered, 47 sold (78%) for a gross of 389,000gns. The average was 8,277gns and the median was 4,500gns. The post Dual-Purpose Prospect Cavern Club Tops Tattersalls March Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1/ST TECHNOLOGY has partnered with Tier-1 operator bet365 to deliver horse racing to that company's U.S. customers via 1/ST BET, The Stronach Group said in a Wednesday release. The partnership will power the stateside launch of bet365's Advance Deposit Wagering on horse racing, across web and mobile app channels, in U.S. jurisdictions where ADW is accepted. “This is a tremendous opportunity to partner with one of the premier brands in sports betting and for 1/ST BET to showcase its best-in-class pari-mutuel horse racing wagering experience to bet365's customers,” said Keith Johnson, Chief Revenue Officer, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY. The post 1/ST Technology Pairs With Bet365 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — In the form of Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Japan is liable to field the favourites for the distance turf races at Saturday's Dubai World Cup meeting and those two gallopers, as well as several of their compatriots, did fast work over the Meydan course Wednesday morning. Do Deuce would likely have been at the top of the markets for last year's G1 Dubai Turf, but was withdrawn in the days leading up to the race, helping pave the way for a third consecutive victory by Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The reigning G1 Arima Kinen scorer was one of the first onto the track just after 5am Wednesday morning and quickened up nicely down the stretch (see below). Though he clearly possesses the scope to see out a longer trip, connections have instead chosen the nine-furlong distance of the Dubai Turf. “I considered the Sheema Classic as well and we discussed it with Yutaka Take,” trainer Yasuo Tomomichi said during a Wednesday press conference. “The Sheema Classic tends to be a race which benefits the front-runners or those with a good position. For Do Deuce's racing style, we both agreed that the Dubai Turf is a race where horses can win from anywhere.” Japanese gallopers have won five of the last nine renewals of the Dubai Turf, including Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), who dead-heated with Lord North in 2022. The Tomomichi-trained Vivlos (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was victorious in 2017 with Joao Moreira up. Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) have scooped the last two renewals of the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, and Liberty Island has her claims to make it three on the trot and six overall, dating back to Stay Gold (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) in 2001. Last seen finishing five lengths adrift of Equinox and just ahead of fellow G1 Yushun Himba heroine Stars on Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) in the G1 Japan Cup in late November, Liberty Island wasn't asked for much, but ran on nicely Wednesday morning, with Yuga Kawada along for the ride. “This is her first time travelling internationally and all has gone well so far,” said Kawada. “It was a good gallop this morning and we are happy.” Added stable representative Yuya Katayama: “Everything went perfectly and according to plan. She switched on when Yuga Kawada rode her today. Today was just about keeping her condition, that's it–nothing more.” Christophe Lemaire teamed up once again with Stars on Earth, second in the Arima Kinen last time, and said: “I gradually sped up in her breeze this morning. She remained calm throughout and reacted very well. Her condition is great and the ground in Dubai suits her. Stars On Earth is a very easy horse to ride and I am confident about her this weekend.” Namur (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), who beat the boys in the G1 Mile Championship and was third to Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) and the re-opposing Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile, prepped for the Dubai Turf when galloping over 600 metres behind Liberty Island and Stars on Earth. Shahryar also had a turf gallop as he looks for a second Sheema Classic in three years, as did Danon Beluga (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), runner-up in last year's Dubai Turf. Cristian Demuro rides Shahryar, while Moreira has a return assignment aboard Danon Beluga. Stars on Earth (Duramente x Southern Stars ) and Christophe Lemaire breezed the Meydan turf this morning in preparation for the Sheema Classic. #DWC24 #賽馬 #競馬 #スターズオンアース pic.twitter.com/gFndg9asqY — Grant Courtney (@paomaphotos) March 27, 2024 The post Japan’s Big Guns Take To the Meydan Turf appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — With over 100 of the world's most talented gallopers on hand, it isn't easy to stand out, but John and Susan Moore's G1 Dubai Turf hopeful Catnip (Kitten's Joy) has done just that at Meydan this week. A strapping, nearly-black gelding, Catnip exits a longshot, but close third to Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Jan. 27. Trainer Mike Stidham looked at Catnip's Ragozin sheet and that encouraged him to swing for the fences in a hot renewal of the G1 Dubai Turf, bypassing a considerably easier spot in last weekend's GII Muniz Memorial S. at the Fair Grounds. “He ran a huge new top in that race,” the freshly arrived Stidham said Wednesday. “We had a choice of running him for $300,000 or $5 million and we decided to take a shot at the $5 million and brought him over. So far, so good.” Catnip is a half-brother to five-time U.S. graded winner Princess Grace (Karakontie {Jpn}), who was purchased by China Horse Club for $1.7 million at Fasig-Tipton November in 2022 and went on to win a Group 3 while posting a pair of narrowly beaten seconds in Group 1 company in Australia for trainer Chris Waller. .@PegasusWorldCup Turf third Catnip is one handsome looking horse in the Dubai Turf. #DWC24 pic.twitter.com/wvBE6CdUxX — Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) March 27, 2024 On his last visit to Meydan, Stidham saddled 'TDN Rising Star' Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper) to a victory in the 2021 Dubai World Cup. Repole Stable and St Elias Stable's GI Pegasus World Cup third Crupi (Curlin) was out in the 5-6 a.m. window reserved for the international contingent, his chestnut colt gleaming under the floodlights before and after a couple of spins around the track. Repole will not be in attendance, as he will on hand at Gulfstream Park to watch 'TDN Rising Star' and champion Fierceness (City of Light) in the GI Curlin Florida Derby, but here to represent the stable are Pat Cummings and a sleep-deprived Alex Solis II. You'll have to contact him for details. The American-based, but locally owned Clapton (Brethren) is hard to miss when he comes onto the track, his orange tack and matching polos giving him absolutely no cover. After some internal discussion, the Florida-bred was given the green light for a World Cup bid, and connections are quietly confident he will fire his best shot Saturday. Trainer Todd Fincher and owner Joe Peacock, Jr. made their way across the track to the starting gate where G1 Saudi Cup hero Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) got acquainted with the stalls before showing good energy in his track gallop. He appears a fresh horse despite his recent travels. So popular was Jun Park and Delia Nash's Sibelius (Not This Time) leading up to last year's G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen that a DailySibelius hashtag was created on X. By the looks of it, he's grown his fan club and is always good for hamming it up at the outside fence beneath his adoring work rider Allyson Walker. SIBELIUS with @AllysonKWalker went for an easy spin around the track in G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen prep @RacingDubai #HorseRacing #DubaiWorldCup #sportsphotography #Nikon pic.twitter.com/MhfArDQKMh — Martin Dokoupil (@Martins_Images) March 27, 2024 Also making a good impression was fellow Golden Shaheen entrant Nakatomi (Firing Line), a rare Dubai runner for trainer Wesley Ward. Hopkins (Quality Road), beaten just a length into fourth by Sibelius last year, went through his gears down the lane Wednesday. Gander S. winner Pandagate (Arrogate) was led onto the track by assistant trainer Miguel Clement, with his wife Acacia Clement not far behind. The New York-bred gray–his late sire's literal body double–stood for what felt like an eternity on the outside rail before taking off around Meydan and wrapping things up with a visit to the gate. Caramel Chip (Midshipman) looks to have it all to do against the likes of Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming) and Isolate (Mark Valeski) in Saturday's G2 Godolphin Mile, but win, lose or draw, the Jose D'Angelo trainee looks to be doing as well as he could be ahead of the $1-million contest. The post DWC Trackside Report: Catnip Me-‘Wow’-ing Them At Meydan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Airdrie Stud, a longtime supporter of Old Friends, has sent MGSW McCraken (Ghostzapper) to reside at the Thoroughbred retirement farm as of Monday, Mar. 26, the non-profit said via a press release early Wednesday morning. The 10-year-old stallion was donated to the farm courtesy of Airdrie, who has made three prior contributions to the Old Friends roster. “It is already evident to me that this well-mannered multiple stakes winner is going to be a real hit with our many visitors to Old Friends,” said John Nicholson, President and CEO of Old Friends. “We are grateful to Brett Jones and all the folks at Airdrie Stud for giving McCraken such a fulfilling retirement and a chance to be celebrated by racing fans everywhere. Bred and raced by Whitham Thoroughbreds, McCraken, out of the Seeking the Gold mare, Ivory Empress, was foaled on Apr. 13, 2014 in Kentucky. The homebred, trained by Ian Wilkes, closed out his racing career with six wins–three of them graded stakes–and $869,728 in earnings over 14 starts. McCraken began his stud career at Airdrie Stud in 2019 and he was pensioned following his 2023 season. “It makes all of us at Airdrie very happy to know that McCraken will live out his retirement in the best possible care,” said Bret Jones, president of Airdrie Stud. “Airdrie joins the Whitham and Wilkes families in thanking Michael [Blowen], John Nicholson and the great team at Old Friends for giving McCraken, and all of the horses in their care, the retirement they deserve.” The post Old Friends Welcomes Airdrie Stud’s MGSW McCraken appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

RaceTech have announced a new long-term contract agreement with York Racecourse which will see them provide full integrity services such as starting stalls and photo finish technology. RaceTech will also continue to provide technical support at the track which is set to stage 12 Premier Racedays in 2024, including all four days of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival. John Bozza, RaceTech CEO, said, “We are very proud to be entering a new five-year contract with York Racecourse. RaceTech has worked closely with the racecourse for many years and benefits from having an area base on the Knavesmire. The new contract will enable us to continue provision of first-class services across the racedays at York.” James Brennan, head of marketing at York Racecourse, added, “RaceTech have a proven track record in delivering a positive racegoer experience on the Knavesmire. I am delighted to be extending the partnership.” The post York Racecourse Extends Partnership With RaceTech appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sprint star Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) won’t be seen in the A$1m Gr.1 Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville next month but New Zealand Racing powerhouse Te Akau Racing have Adelaide in their sights. Te Akau’s Mark Walker said quality mare Skew Wiff (NZ) (Savabeel) would head towards the feature after running down the track in the Gr.1 Newmarket (1200m) while they are also targeting the A$1m Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2400m). Walker said they had opted to freshen up Skew Wiff after she failed in the Newmarket last time out with the hope she can chase her first Australian Group One victory in Adelaide. “It was a head scratcher,” Walker said on RadioTAB of the Newmarket run when she beat just one runner home. “We put blinkers on her, and it backfired badly. “She just over raced, she never looked like doing that when she had them on in track work, unfortunately things went really wrong that day. “We gave her two weeks at the water walker, she’s going to go over to Adelaide and run in a lead-up two weeks before the Robert Sangster and if she ran well, she’ll run in the Robert Sangster,” he said. Walker also said New Zealand Oaks placegetter Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor), who finished third behind the exciting Pulchritudinous (NZ) (Wrote), would be set for Adelaide. “She ran third in the New Zealand Oaks, we’ve got a couple of others for Adelaide,” Walker added. Walker said the last-start William Reid winner Imperatriz would have her final Australian start for the season in the $3m T J Smith Stakes in Sydney on Saturday week. “She’ll race in the TJ Smith,” Walker said. “She’ll go to Sydney on Thursday evening and race on the Saturday. “She’s actually booked to fly home to New Zealand on Sunday for the spell,” he said. Walker said they were yet to lock in a plan with many expecting the horse could have a tilt at the $20m Everest at Randwick on October 14. “We’ll just get the TJ out of the way,” Walker said. “We haven’t had any discussions about the spring as yet, there is plenty of possibilities,” he said. View the full article

Michael Freedman admits he has been a bit surprised by Wymark’s (NZ) (Savabeel) rapid progression, which sees him a $2.50 favourite for Saturday’s Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m), but believes the horse is hitting the race at the right time. The son of Savabeel turned heads with a 9.4 length win at Newcastle over 1850m two starts back and easily accounted for the older horses at benchmark 78 level at Rosehill over 1900m last start, and Freedman is hoping a strong performance will convince the stable to pay a late acceptance fee for the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) the following week. “He seems in good order, he’s been kept up to the mark since then and I’m happy with him, I’m looking forward to him going around again Saturday,” Freedman said. “I think, had I genuinely thought he was going to progress to these sorts of level he probably wouldn’t have gone to the Gold Coast for a maiden up there and back again and all that but he’s just gone to a new level now that his races have started to stretch out.” “He’s not an overly big horse, but as we’ve stretched him out he’s really relished it so he’s probably snuck up on me a little bit in that respect… he’s obviously gone to a much higher level.” The Tulloch Stakes/ATC Derby double has been completed nine times, four times in a row between 2017-2020 and Freedman will be guided to Wymark’s performance on Saturday as to whether he backs the horse up, but believes the horse will acquit himself well this weekend. “We’ll see what unfolds on Saturday, obviously if he gives us good reason to look at paying the late entry into the Derby then we’d certainly give that plenty of thought… Tommy (Berry) had some good things to say about him so I guess back to his own age group at set weights, you’d be going in hopeful he could measure up and put his hand up,” Freedman said. The stable also have recent Kembla Grange Classic placegetter Waikato Girl (NZ) (Savabeel) nominated for Saturday’s Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) but Freedman suggested she’ll likely run next week in the Gr.3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) before a possible Oaks tilt. “Given her pedigree, out of a Galileo mare, if we were going to try and take on Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) at that sort of level, I’d rather try and do it at a mile-and-a-half,” Freedman said. View the full article

Trainer Patrick Payne is a realist when it comes to his horses and says it is time for Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel) to take the step up to the big league. A dual Derby winner as a three-year-old, Payne has chosen the stayer’s races wisely, to the point when the gelding is an eight-time winner from 12 starts with two runner-up finishes thrown in for good measure. A Melbourne Cup (Gr.1, 3200m) start is on offer on Saturday when Dunkel runs in the Listed The Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington. The Roy Higgins is one of four staying races run at Flemington that offers a ‘win and you’re in’ into the Melbourne Cup in November. Dunkel has been unplaced just twice in his career, the most recent being when sixth in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on March 15. Using a sports analogy, Payne said that race was like Dunkel stepping up from the juniors to playing in the seniors. “The pressure was on in that race,” Payne told RSN. “He’s been pretty much protected through his career running in all the easiest possible races and maybe he’s been ‘babied’ a bit. “It was a tough run race, and hopefully that will hold him in good stead for the future.” Payne said Dunkel had come through that contest well and hopefully it will toughen him up for what lies ahead. He said the biggest thing with Dunkel was being able to maintain a constant gallop, for longer. “He’s got quite good stamina but he’s actually a slow horse, he can’t sprint,” Payne said. “He will stay all day, if he can get comfortable. “If he’s too close to his top for too long, he can’t maintain a gallop, but I think if he gets comfortable on the weekend there will be no problem.” Dunkel needs to make up six lengths on Glentaneous who finished second in the Pakenham Cup, but Payne pointed out that his stayer had beaten that gelding home at his previous appearance. “Glentaneous is a nice horse and will be suited by the 2600 metres at Flemington, but from our point of view there is nothing wrong with Dunkel going into this race,” Payne said. View the full article

Lochnaberry will contest the Riverton Cup (2147m) on Saturday. Photo: Monica Toretto Ascot Park trainer Lisa Vaughan will head to Riverton on Saturday where she hopes to make it back-to-back wins in the Riverton Cup (2147m). Former stable runner Asathought, a half-sister to multiple Group One winner Avantage, won last year’s edition of the race when it held Listed status, and while it has lost its stakes status, Vaughan would dearly love to continue her good record in the race. She will be represented in the race on Saturday by last start Invercargill Gold Cup (2600m) winner Lochnaberry, who Vaughan believes will thrive on the rain-affected track, which was rated a Heavy 9 on Wednesday morning. “She has trained on well. She doesn’t take much racing, so she generally goes well a bit better fresh. She does like a bit of cut in the track as well,” Vaughan said. Initially set to carry 54kg, Lochnaberry will get some weight relief courtesy of apprentice jockey Bailey Rogerson’s two-kilogram claim, and Vaughan said the northern hoop has a great association with her mare. “She (Rogerson) has got a really good rapport with that horse, she has had three wins this season on her,” Vaughan said. “I think Bailey is a really underrated jockey. She suits my horses and has had quite a few wins on them this season.” Win, lose or draw, Lochnaberry is set to have a spell following Saturday’s assignment and will return in the spring with an eye towards the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton in November. “I think I will spell her because the ground is still quite good on the farm,” Vaughan said. “I will get her in during winter and look at an early spring campaign. Two miles would be really good for her, so we might even look at the New Zealand Cup, depending on how she comes up.” Horse racing news View the full article

Sea Shepherd will compete at Riverton on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South Sea Shepherd was in unchartered waters at the start of the season, having a spate of subpar unplaced runs, and trainer Sabin Kirkland is hoping to get his gelding back on course this weekend. The Southland gelding strung together three wins last year before Kirkland went on a European trip and transferred Sea Shepherd to the care of Michael and Matthew Pitman. He won first-up for the Riccarton trainers at Ashburton before finishing last in both the Oamaru Cup (1600m) and Group 3 Winter Cup (1600m). He returned south to Kirklands care and continued to put in sub-par showings in his following two starts prior to heading to the spelling paddock. Kirkland has been pleased with the way the son of Zacinto has returned and is expecting a bold showing first-up from the seven-win gelding. “He has had a good spell and he has come up really well, we are very happy with him,” Kirkland said. “He is looking a picture and has been working super. He has a very good first-up record, so we are looking forward to Saturday.” Kirkland doesn’t have any set autumn plans as yet for Sea Shepherd but said a return to Riccarton would be a likely option. “We will just get through Saturday, but I would love to have a crack at the ($350,000) Southern Alps (Challenge),” Kirkland said. “There are also some nice races coming up at Riccarton for him.” Horse racing news View the full article

Mustang Valley will contest the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell Mustang Valley will be out to prove her class when attempting a first Group One title on Good track conditions on Saturday at Ellerslie. The dual Group One-winning mare made a strong impression fresh-up over 1400m, finishing a narrow second in a contest featuring Fashion Shoot (first), Karman Line (fourth) and Maria Farina (fifth), the trio now set to face off in the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). “It was a great effort resuming, she just had to give away a fair bit of weight and was a bit vulnerable first-up,” Forsman said. “I couldn’t have been happier with how she went. She just missed the bob and she’ll improve a lot for it.” Mustang Valley earned her second elite-level crown over the mile in a rain-affected Arrowfield Stud Plate last September, an unlikely fate for Ellerslie’s StrathAyr track, where the Breeders’ was rescheduled in the absence of Te Aroha. Forsman is under no illusion about the daughter of Vanbrugh’s affinity with heavy tracks, where all six of her career victories have come, but opted to remain on this side of the Tasman on Saturday with the appeal of weight-for-age conditions. “When the Breeders’ was moved to Ellerslie, we weren’t quite sure if it would be the right option for her or not. Ellerslie is a relatively firm track, and she operates better on rain-affected ground such as Te Aroha, but it wasn’t to be,” Forsman said. “We just weighed up whether to run here or head to the Emancipation Stakes (Group 2, 1500m) at Rosehill, but we thought we’ll keep her here for one more run, being a weight-for-age Group One where we feel she is a strong top-three chance. “Whatever happens on Saturday, it is ideally setting her up for the last day of the Championships in the Queen Of The Turf (Group 1, 1600m).” The Cambridge horseman has engaged the mare’s Arrowfield Stud Plate-winning jockey Joe Doyle and hopes to see her in a midfield position from barrier two. “I think there’s a bit of speed in the race drawn outside of her, so we’ll be positive as Ellerslie is not a track that you want to be too far back, or leave too much to do,” Forsman said. “We’ll be looking to hold a spot midfield or just ahead, they’ll run at a steady enough clip, and if she’s in that position she’ll get her chance.” Victory would also provide Forsman with his first in the race in a solo capacity, having triumphed with Nicoletta (2019), Charmont (2017) and Diademe (2015) whilst in partnership with Murray Baker. Horse racing news View the full article