Wandering Eyes

A well-judged front-running ride by Daniel Stackhouse has aided five-year-old gelding Navy King (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) to claim the lion’s share of the prize in the MSC Signs Handicap (2040m) at The Valley on Saturday. The Symon Wilde-trained son of US Navy Flag was able to take the role of pacemaker from a wide draw without too much pressure and despite laying out slightly in the home straight, had half a length to spare over runner-up Bur Dubai (Night of Thunder). Having shown good potential as a three-year-old, Navy King won one race as a four-year-old and has been building towards another win including a last-start fourth placing over the course and distance. “Daniel said last time that he probably should have got going a bit earlier on him,” Bill Wilde said. “I think the race today was a similar sort of race and we did expect a forward showing. He wasn’t beaten far last time. “It was a great ride by Daniel and congratulations to the team. “He had a pretty decent blow after his last start so we expected a bit of improvement from him again, even though it’s his fourth or fifth run in. “We’re very pleased and it’s good to see him back in the winner’s circle again. The peripheral races for him around the spring will suit him.” Navy King has now won four races from 20 starts and advanced his career earnings to A$237,400. A son of The Oaks Stud stallion U S Navy Flag, Navy King was bred by Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay. The dam of Navy King is the O’Reilly mare Eliza Blues (NZ), who won two races and was runner-up behind Quintessential (NZ) in the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) in 2012. View the full article

A Naval Crown colt and a Ten Sovereigns filly have been supplemented to next week's Goffs Doncaster Premier Yearling Sale. Set for Doncaster on Wednesday, August 27 and a Thursday, August 28, the sale features over 400 yearlings with sessions beginning at 10 a.m. The colt, consigned by Coulonces Sales as lot 191A, is out of the Shamardal mare Glamour Queen, herself a daughter of the Group 1 winner Be Fabulous and a full-sister to listed winner and multiple group-placed Sublimis. Lot 354A, offered by Baroda Stud, is a half-sister to £410,000 Donny Breeze-Up Sale graduate Novelette, who was purchased by MV Magnier. Novelette has won her last two starts and the duo are from the family of talented sprinter Moonlight Cloud (Invincible Spirit). All yearlings will be eligible for the £500,000 Harry's Half Million at York in 2026. The post Pair Of Supplements For Donny Premier Yearling Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner It should be straightforward for one of Phil Williamson’s rising stars, but not as easy for another in the finals of the Southern Surge. Southern harness racing’s newest series is set to finish with a bang with eight outstanding finals set down to be run at Gore on Sunday. The Williamson-trained Rangitata could claim the title of being New Zealand’s best handicapped horse when he starts in the first final of the Southern Surge. The three-year-old was a powerful winner of his first start in the first round of series heats, crushing his rivals despite sitting parked throughout. As part of the series, Rangitata will race many of the same maiden rivals he conquered at Winton on level marks as a one-win horse. With the excellent manners and big motor he showed in his debut victory, the trotter is likely to start the shortest-priced favourite in all of the Southern Surge Finals. It is not quite so simple for star three-year-old Tarragindi in his Southern Surge Final. His challenge at Gore will be to overcome a 10m handicap over 2200m, starting from the outside of the second row. On Sunday, Tarragindi will reunite with Matthew Williamson who has been itching to get back in the sulky behind the progressive three-year-old. When they last combined, the pair produced outstanding form which included a second at Group 1 level at Addington to Meant To Be. Tarragindi will clash with Clotilde Wainwright who beat him fairly and squarely in the first round of Southern Surge heats. The trotter is part of a powerful squad Nathan Williamson starts on Sunday. Always Dreaming looks to be one of the trainer-driver’s strongest winning hopes on the strength of his heat win. The three-year-old was too good for the same field that he meets in his final at Gore, when resuming at Ascot Park. Williamson also starts the unbeaten She’s Crunchy in another Southern Surge Final. The filly made it two-from-two when clearing out to win her heat at Ascot Park. She’s Crunchy clashes with Saucy Delight, the only horse to win in both round one and two of the Southern Surge heats. Jonny Turner’s Five to Follow Tarragindi – Race 7 (3.06pm) He’s big and bold and he’s got the chance to show us how good he can be on Sunday. Tarragindi was beaten fairly and squarely in his last outing at Winton, but there were enough excuses there to give him a pass mark. Aimed at this series and with the final on the line, Sunday is crunch time. Tarragindi has mixed it at Group 1 level and he is on a path to do that again later in the year. If he is as good as many of us think he is, he should be stepping out and winning his Southern Surge Final. That’s not to disrespect his opposition, as there are some handy horses in there. But if he really is all class, trotting fans would love to see it when it counts. She’s Crunchy – Race 8 (3.44pm) She’s unbeaten and she’s classy. The three-year-old will put that unbeaten record on the line in her Southern Surge Final on Sunday. She’s Crunchy is in a match-race with key rival Saucy Delight who has gone two from two in his Southern Surge heat assignments. Though the winning chances certainly don’t end with just these two, what happens early between the pair will be crucial. She’s Crunchy has drawn inside Saucy Delight who has proven in his short career he’s an out-and-out leader. It should be a great battle and a fascinating race, and going into it, She’s Crunchy deserves to be the number 1 seed. Share A Dream – Race 10 (4.54pm) Share A Dream is fast, really fast. And the Gore straight is long, longer than most in Southland. It sounds like a great combination and it should be. The four-year-old has been outstanding recently including claiming another big race prize – a Winter Rewards Final. This time it is harder, though with Share A Dream racing horses realistically around two grades higher. And he hasn’t drawn perfectly in barrier 7. Despite those factors against him, he should be rushing home especially if Sunday’s final is run at a genuine clip. Rangitata – Race 3 (12.44pm) Rangitata is as close as fans will find to a good thing on Southern Surge Finals Day. She’s already beaten the same field of rivals in her brilliant debut win in the first round of heats at Winton. The problem for her rivals is that she’s only likely to be better for that first test under raceday pressure. While it will be hard for many to get too excited about her $1.35 win odds, she’ll have plenty of supporters in multi, quinella and trifecta takers. Trotting purists can also watch on and assess whether Rangitata has the capability to go on to the quality three-year-old trotting fillies races ahead in the spring and summer. Right now, she looks capable of doing just that. Always Dreaming – Race 11 (5.18pm) Sometimes harness racing isn’t that hard, from a form perspective. I have already written this week about how Always Dreaming beat all of his Southern Surge Final rivals when he won his heat at Ascot Park. He even did it from the same draw over the same distance. Why can’t he come to Gore fitter and ready to do it again? The only surprise building into his final is that he opened at a $2.40 win price, when there was a case to have him much shorter. He’s racing quality horses and it’s not just a turn up and win job, but he’s a deserving top pick. View the full article

By Mike Love Rakaia trainer Stuart Sutherland takes two runners to the Rangiora meeting on Sunday, both of whom look each way chances. Sabi Sands ($4.40FF), in Race 2, the Barnsy’s All Trade Services Pace (1.10pm) over 2000m, is backing up from last Sunday’s debut effort at the Kurow meeting where he ran third. “He’s come through the run well. He’s eating up and seems a happy horse,” said Sutherland. The big four-year-old gelding by Sunshine Beach, who will be driven by Kimberley Butt, has had his fair share of issues along the way, but Sutherland is confident of another good showing – especially if the pace is on over the 2000m trip. “He’s a big horse, and with that come a few problems. But he’s really come right in the last four or five weeks. He’s a bit one-paced, so if they sit and sprint it won’t really suit him – but you never know.” Hi Life ($3.60FF), fresh up for new trainer Geoff Dunn, is current favourite with Riley Harrison in the sulky after a winning trial at Rangiora on August 7. The Sky Major mare has not raced since October last year. Later on the card in Race 8, the Paddy McDaddy Horse Of The Year Trot over 2000m (4.38pm) John Morrison will drive Millie Let Loose. The four-year-old Superfast Stuart mare was a fresh-up winner at Addington on June 29 and has since not had things go her way while still running very respectable races. “She worked really well on Thursday. She’s been bucking and kicking in her paddock, so she seems pretty well,” says Sutherland. Millie Let Loose is generally a good beginner and Sutherland suggests she may try to use that to her advantage though wary of other slick beginners drawn inside her. “We are expecting a good run. She usually steps well, so the 2000m suits her. “It’s a drop in grade, but Fred’s horse (Royal Yankee, $5.00FF) and Matthew (Williamson)’s one (Granny Rose, $3.00FF) also go well from the stand. All going to plan, she’ll step and run that first bit pretty well.” The aforementioned Granny Rose is current race favourite, along with Ruthless Emma ($4.80FF) for trainer and driver Anj Mugford, as well as the Fred Fletcher-trained, Alan Beecroft-driven Royal Yankee. Sutherland trains from his base at Rakaia with friend and trainer Kevin McRae. “We both work our horses together. We work about eight between us at the moment. So it’s quite good to be able to work in with each other.” Race 1 gets underway with the amateur drivers in action at 12:34pm. View the full article

The Queen Returns: Via Sistina Wins Thrilling Winx Stakes The reigning queen of the Australian turf, Via Sistina, has made a triumphant return, securing her 10th Group 1 victory in a stunning first-up performance in the 2025 Winx Stakes. The soon-to-be-crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year showed all her class on a Heavy (10) track […] The post Winx Stakes 2025 Winner Is Via Sistina appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

What Goulburn Cup Day 2025 Where Goulburn Race Club – Racecourse Dr, Goulburn NSW 2580 When Sunday, August 24, 2025 First Race 12:20pm AEST Visit Dabble The $200,000 Goulburn Cup (1400m) headlines the competitive eight-race meeting at the Goulburn Race Club on Sunday afternoon. Following a stack of rain, the track has come up a Heavy 10 for the club’s marquee raceday, whilst the rail will be in its true position the entire circuit. The opening event is set to jump at 12:20pm AEST. Goulburn Cup Tip: Wootton Verni Wootton Verni looks the right replacement. He’s a lightly raced Waller import with Group form in France and a strong wet profile (Heavy: 1:1-0-0), and he’s been tuned with a sharp Randwick trial on Heavy 9 this month before a tick-over synthetic hit-out. From barrier four, Kerrin McEvoy can park just off the speed and blend into the three-wide line if the inside chops up on the Heavy 10. With 58kg under handicap conditions, his class and late strength at 1400m should carry him a long way. Goulburn Cup Race 7 – #7 Wootton Verni (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Kerrin McEvoy (58kg) Best Bet at Goulburn: Above The Law Loved the way Above The Law attacked the line on debut when runner-up on a Heavy 10 at Kembla Grange, and the Waterhouse & Bott polish usually sees them bounce second-up. He draws to stalk the speed and Adam Hyeronimus can slide off heels and build momentum from the 500m on the bend. With race fitness, a proven handle on heavy ground, and a set-up to control his own luck, this Super Maiden looks an ideal kill before he heads to town. Best Bet Race 6 – #3 Above The Law (9) 3yo Gelding | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Adam Hyeronimus (58kg) Next Best at Goulburn: Dubai Centre The old boy Dubai Centre is flying, and his wet-track stats are elite. Topweight is never ideal, but Dubai Centre offsets that with a bulletproof pattern: rolls handy, sustains a strong gallop, and keeps lifting when others paddle. The 1600m is his sweet spot, and he draws to be in the first four without burning petrol. If the fence is still okay by the last, he’ll be there a long way; if they’re edging wider, he can slide off and stay balanced. On a day where wet feet win races, his profile is tailor-made. Next Best Race 8 – #1 Dubai Centre (6) 8yo Gelding | T: John Rolfe | J: John Kissick (63.5kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Goulburn Goulburn quadrella selections August 24, 2025 3-4-7-8 3-8-11 3-5-7 1-3-4 Horse racing tips View the full article

Via Sistina holds out Aeliana to claim the Group 1 Winx Stakes. (Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au) Via Sistina returned from a four-month break and handled a sodden Randwick to retain her crown in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m), fending off a fierce late surge from stablemate Aeliana. First-up since her Queen Elizabeth Stakes triumph in April, the champion mare settled within striking distance, quickened when James McDonald asked, and then had to lift again when the Australian Derby winner dove along the inside. The margin was a neck, with Sydney Cup winner Arapaho closing for third and Ceolwulf rattling home into fourth on the Heavy 10 surface. The win arrived on testing ground that had trainer Chris Waller publicly uneasy on race morning. He stressed he was willing to run but wanted certainty that his stars would come through the day and into the spring intact. Afterwards he likened the heart-in-mouth stretch to the “Foxplay moment” from Winx’s 2017 Warwick Stakes, when a stablemate nearly caused an upset before the champion surged again. McDonald’s ride was all tempo and timing. He nursed the mare into the race, angled clear before the 200m, and kept her balanced as the inside run presented for Aeliana. Post-race, he praised the four-year-old runner-up’s effort while noting that Via Sistina tends to improve deeper into a campaign — a tantalising thought given how sharp she was fresh on bottomless ground. Horse racing bookmakers reacted instantly, trimming Via Sistina’s Cox Plate quote from around $2.30 to even money on the back of the win. The performance also pushed the mare’s Group 1 tally into double figures — a 10th top-level success — and added another piece of history: no mare her age has won a Group 1 in Australia since Tranquil Star some eight decades ago. For connections, the bigger picture remains the same as last spring: keep her happy, pick the right targets, and keep Melbourne in view. Waller signalled a familiar path towards the Cox Plate while keeping options open for Aeliana, whose first-up run suggested she’ll have her own day in the sun. Context matters with champions, and this was more than a seasonal pipe-opener. Via Sistina won this race last year, hit a snag on heavy ground in the Makybe Diva, and then reeled off a three-race streak capped by the Cox Plate. To return from April, dive straight into a Randwick bog, and still out-duel a rising stablemate underlines why she sits atop the pecking order. If she progresses as McDonald expects, the spring narrative again runs through her. 2025 Group 1 Winx Stakes Replay – Via Sistina https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Randwick-2025-Group-1-Winx-Stakes-23082025-Via-Sistina-Chris-Waller-James-McDonald.mp4 Horse racing news View the full article

Wuddzz powers through the heavy track for a commanding win at Randwick. (Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au) Handy stayer Wuddzz came with a well-timed run under Tim Clark to land success at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. The eight-year-old son of Complacent relished the heavy conditions as he came from well beyond midfield to defeat Cormac T and Bluestone. The victory continued a stellar 24 hours for Ballarat trainer Henry Dwyer, who saddled Asfoora to win the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes (1000m) at York on Friday. “He conserved all of his energy in the first half of the race,” Clark said. “He went to sleep and relaxed beautifully. “He liked the ground, and I was able to edge out down the side and get on the back of the horses that were going take me into the race. “When the gap appeared he really built into it nicely and he was full of running through the line, so it was a good win.” Horse racing news View the full article

Jennivamoose records back-to-back victories at The Valley. (Photo: Bruno Cannatelli) Smart staying mare Jennivamoose recorded her third victory at Moonee Valley on Saturday when winning in similar fashion to her previous victory at the venue. Prepared by Ciaron Maher for Tony and Lynn Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Racing, Jennivamoose was dropped out to near the rear of the field by Harry Coffey and looped the field to narrowly get the better of Muktamil. The daughter of Vadamos has now won five races from 14 starts and will now step up to stakes company. “She’s on skates at the moment this mare, she is running awesome,” stable representative Tom Gerrard said. “Harry has got a great relationship with her and she’s certainly heading places. “That is how she tends to run best, she loves to spot a few leaders, she loves closing and having something to aim at.” The Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) at Flemington on September 13 now looms as the next step for the mare. “We had it penciled in for a few of our runners today. I think Jennivamoose is the pick of them and will potentially be the one to go there,” Gerrard said. Winning rider Harry Coffey said the victory was good especially with the rail out 5 metres. “Even though she didn’t win by a big margin, there is plenty of merit there,” he said. “As she goes up in grade we might not be able to give them as much start as we did today. “When they started to bunch up I knew I would have the best turn of foot, it was just about timing that. Tony (Ottobre) believes that she uses the bend really well here at The Valley, so I utilised that and accelerated off it and she got the job done.” Coffey drew parallels with former stablemate High Emotion, who went on to win a Bendigo Cup and place in a Melbourne Cup. “At the moment she is doing everything right. I think the race that’s coming up that everyone likes to have a go at is The Archer, so we will see how she fits in, but with today’s win she will definitely get in the race,” he said. Horse racing news View the full article

Australian speedster Asfoora returned to her brilliant best to win a thrilling Group One Nunthorpe Stakes (1,000m) at York on Friday. The 17-runner dash was wide open on paper, but Henry Dwyer’s mare turned the race into a procession under Oisin Murphy to win her second top-level race in Britain. Asfoora always travelled ominously well just behind the leaders and, when others were rowing away, Murphy was just gently coaxing his mount along and the writing was quickly on the wall. She took up the...View the full article

Handy stayer Wuddzz (NZ) (Complacent) came with a well-timed run under Tim Clark to land the Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy (2400m) at Randwick. The eight-year-old son of Complacent relished the heavy conditions as he came from well beyond midfield to defeat Cormac T (Nathaniel) and Bluestone (NZ) (Reliable Man). The victory continued a stellar 24 hours for Ballarat trainer Henry Dwyer, who saddled Asfoora (Flying Artie) to win the Gr.1 Nunthorpe Stakes (1000m) at York on Friday. “He conserved all of his energy in the first half of the race,” Clarke said. “He went to sleep and relaxed beautifully. “He liked the ground, and I was able to edge out down the side and get on the back of the horses that were going take me into the race. “When the gap appeared he really built into it nicely and he was full of running through the line, so it was a good win.” Originally prepared in New Zealand by Winton trainer Kara Dickson, Wuddzz was purchased privately after winning at Riverton in 2022 for former Otago and Central Districts cricketer Ian Rutherford, who retains an ownership interest. The venerable gelding has now amassed A$323,637 in prizemoney with six wins and a further 12 placings to his credit. By former Mapperley Stud stallion Complacent out of the Danehill mare Princess Uno, Wuddzz is a half-brother to Group Two winner Yearn (NZ) (Savabeel) and was bred by Clyde and Pat Buckingham under their Emblem Ltd banner. View the full article

Smart staying mare Jennivamoose (NZ) (Vadamos) recorded her third victory at The Valley when winning the Simpson Construction Handicap (2500m) in similar fashion to her previous victory at the venue. Prepared by Ciaron Maher for Tony and Lynn Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Racing, Jennivamoose was dropped out to near the rear of the field by Harry Coffey and looped the field to narrowly get the better of Muktamil. The daughter of Vadamos has now won five races from 14 starts and will now step up to stakes company. “She’s on skates at the moment this mare, she is running awesome,” stable representative Tom Gerrard said. “Harry has got a great relationship with her and she’s certainly heading places. “That is how she tends to run best, she loves to spot a few leaders, she loves closing and having something to aim at.” The Gr.3 Archer Stakes (2500m) at Flemington on September 13 now looms as the next step for the mare. “We had it penciled in for a few of our runners today. I think Jennivamoose is the pick of them and will potentially be the one to go there,” Gerrard said. Winning rider Harry Coffey said the victory was good especially with the rail out 5 metres. “Even though she didn’t win by a big margin, there is plenty of merit there,” he said. “As she goes up in grade we might not be able to give them as much start as we did today. “When they started to bunch up I knew I would have the best turn of foot, it was just about timing that. Tony (Ottobre) believes that she uses the bend really well here at The Valley, so I utilised that and accelerated off it and she got the job done.” Coffey drew parallels with former stablemate High Emocean (NZ) (Ocean Park), who went on to win a Bendigo Cup and place in a Melbourne Cup. “At the moment she is doing everything right. I think the race that’s coming up that everyone likes to have a go at is The Archer, so we will see how she fits in, but with today’s win she will definitely get in the race,” he said. Purchased as a yearling at Karaka by Ottobre from the draft of Rich Hill Stud for $110,000, Jennivamoose is out of the High Chaparral mare So Ard Bred by Brisbane-based Rick Hill, So Ard is domiciled at Rich Hill Stud near Matamata and the mare is a half-sister to Gr.1 Irish Oaks (2400m) winner Even So and comes from a Group One winning family that features English Derby winner Dr Devious, The Oaks winner Dancing Rain, Guineas winner Saxon Warrior, and Takamatsunomiya Kinen winner Suzuka Phoenix. Jennivamoose is a half-sister to the five-win mare Bozo (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), who finished fourth in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) in her Classic year. View the full article

Unbeaten mare Elle Sourit (NZ) (Ocean Park) kept her winning record intact with an eye-catching performance to take out the Super Seth 1500 (1500m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. The Andrew Forsman-prepared four-year-old opened her raceday account with a smart effort to win a maiden 1400m event at Hawera back in March before overcoming a tardy beginning to race clear over a similar distance in rating 65 company at Pukekohe a month later. Forsman gave the daughter of Ocean Park a breather before contesting an 1100m trial at Taupo earlier this month to fit her for Saturday’s assignment, where she stepped up to rating 75 grade against some handy older horses in the hands of Joe Doyle. Doyle had her away safely from an inside barrier where she settled nicely in midfield as race favourite Elle McFab set up a leisurely clip out in front. Doyle eased Elle Sourit into a challenging position approaching the home bend, where she began to make her run out in the middle of the track with eventual runner-up Solidify on her inner. Just as Solidify (NZ) (Redwood) looked to have the race won Elle Sourit put in three huge bounds to hit the front in the shadows of the post to claim a long neck victory. Forsman was thrilled to see his charge perform fresh-up as he believes she still has plenty of development in her. “It was a good effort today as they only went steadily in front and she looked to hit a bit of a flat spot halfway down the straight,” Forsman said. “It was a game effort as Joe timed it perfectly and she hit the line well. “Physically there is still not a lot of her as she is taking her fair time to mature but she is a winner and hopefully she can keep doing that.” While Forsman wouldn’t be drawn on the next step along the campaign path for the mare she does hold a nomination for the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) which will be held at Ellerslie on Saturday 18 October. Elle Sourit is a daughter of the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) winner Bel Sorriso (NZ) and hails from an extended family that includes outstanding sayer Smiling Like (NZ), who numbered the Gr.1 Wellington Cup (3200m) and Gr.2 New Zealand Cup (3200m) amongst her seven career wins, while Group One winners Coventina Bay (NZ), Nimue (NZ) and Sirstaci (NZ) also feature. View the full article

Consistent galloper Drop of Something (NZ) (Telperion) made full use of a perfectly judged front-running ride from apprentice Sam McNab to triumph in a thrilling four-way finish to the Savabeel 2100 (2100m) at Te Rapa. The nuggety chestnut gelding was having his first run since being narrowly denied victory in the Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m) at the venue late last month and looked a good chance with McNab’s 4kg apprentice claim reducing his carded weight down to a competitive 56kgs. With no clear pacemaker in the event, McNab took to bull by the horns and crossed to the lead, leaving the straight on the first round to set up his own terms at the head of affairs. On and off the accelerator throughout, McNab shot the Wayne Hillis-trained six-year-old clear by two lengths rounding the home bend and had his rivals under pressure at that stage. Drop of Something clung to a dwindling advantage as Tregor (NZ) (Reliable Man), Pacheco (NZ) (Makfi) and Gigi (NZ) (Ghibellines) all closed rapidly at the 100m and managed to find enough to deny Tregor by a short head, with no more than half a length separating the quartet at the winning post. Hillis was delighted to hear his stable favourite get the judge’s call and add an eighth victory to his career record. “It was a great run although I was a bit worried with him being in front as you have to hold them all off, but he did it so well,” Hillis said. “He has been up a long time with a few little breaks in between although it probably doesn’t look like it. “He is a lovely, quiet horse and I ride all his trackwork so no-one else gets to ride him at home. “There is a race at Ellerslie next month which will suit but there hasn’t really been a lot around for him.” Bred by the late Emma Evans and racing under the Evans Breeding Ltd banner, Drop Of Something is a son of the Don Eduardo mare Nothing Moore (NZ). He has now won eight of his 44 starts, with another 14 placings, including finishing third in the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) and has earned over $271,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Dorothy’s Daughter and Verry Flash (NZ) (Zed) delivered a winning double for Wanganui stables in the two jumping races at Hawera on Saturday. The first cab off the rank was the Niall Quinn-trained Dorothy’s Daughter (NZ) (Roc de Cambes), who brought up her first win over jumps in the Julian Family Maiden Hurdle (3100m). The daughter of Roc De Cambes had shown ability on the flat, recording a win and three placings from 27 starts, and she had placed in two of her three attempts over hurdles. She broke through in style on Saturday, racing in midfield and jumping nicely throughout the race for Irish jockey Jordan Hart. Dorothy’s Daughter pounced at the top of the straight and soon stamped her authority on the race, pulling away to win by three lengths. Quinn had also entered Dorothy’s Daughter for Saturday’s G & A Hill Trust Rating 60 (2100m) on the flat, but pulled the right rein in opting for the hurdle event. “When you’re able to book a good Irish rider, you know you can trust them to do a good job,” Quinn said, having given his compatriot Hart his first win in New Zealand. “I was really happy with this mare’s last run, and her two previous races over hurdles were very good too. “I’ve been very happy with her jumping and it’s good to finally get the result today. I think she can kick on next season. She’ll take a lot of improvement out of this and keep going forward, hopefully.” The Heather D Yaxley Maiden Steeplechase (3900m) was won by the Kevin Myers-trained Verry Flash, who now has a steeplechase win to his name alongside his 11 wins on the flat and four over hurdles. Verry Flash was meant to be ridden by Kylan Wiles, who was stood down after suffering an arm injury in a fall during the hurdle race. The mount was snapped up by Emily Farr, who had brought up the 100th and 101st wins of her career with a jumps double at Woodville last Sunday. Farr played her part to perfection as Verry Flash’s fill-in jockey, settling in fourth before cruising into contention approaching the home turn. Verry Flash’s superior ability on the flat shone through late in the race and he opened up a winning margin of six and a quarter lengths. Verry Flash was bred by the late Don Goodwin and is raced by his estate in partnership with Nick Bishara. The Zed gelding is a full-brother to Goodwin’s pride and joy, the 11-time Group One winner Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed). Verry Flash has carved out a highly successful career of his own with 85 starts for 16 wins, 13 seconds, nine thirds and $443,219 in stakes. Saturday’s maiden steeplechase was marred by Our Daymo’s (NZ) (Zed) heavy fall in the home straight. His rider Ellie Callwood escaped serious injury, but Raymond Connors’ talented seven-year-old gelding was sadly unable to be saved. View the full article

The maiden three-year-old race on Foxbridge Plate Day at Te Rapa is developing a reputation for unveiling bright talent, and a superb debut by Quantum Legend (Castelvecchio) on Saturday suggested he could be heading for the top of that list. The Banquo 3YO (1200m) has been part of the Foxbridge programme since 2022. The first running was won by Shez Shamus (NZ) (Shamus Award), with subsequent Group performers Wild Night (NZ) (Vanbrugh), Arby (NZ) (Proisir) and Academy Award (NZ) (Star Turn) among the beaten runners. The 2023 race was taken out by Lupo Solitario (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), who went on to add the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m), while future black-type stars Glamour Tycoon (Written Tycoon) and Mary Shan (NZ) (Almanzor) finished second and third. The talented Suit Yourself (NZ) (Savile Row) won it last year, with runner-up Myakkabelle (NZ) (War Decree) going on to place in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) and Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m). There was plenty of trial form among the field for the 2025 edition on Saturday, but all eyes were on Quantum Legend. He had made a big impression winning both of his trial appearances – a 1050m two-year-old heat at Ruakaka back in April, and a 900m three-year-old heat at Te Rapa on August 5. The son of Castelvecchio was sent out as a commanding $2.20 favourite on Saturday, and he produced a performance worthy of that billing. Quantum Legend jumped only fairly from his wide gate and was near the tail of the field turning out of the back straight. But rider Michael McNab got on to the back of horses improving around the outside of the field down the side of the track. By the time he swung into the home straight, he had cruised into striking distance and was travelling better than any of his 10 rivals. McNab released the brakes in the last 250m and Quantum Legend bounded into a clear lead. Magic Carpet (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), Curzon Park (NZ) (Ribchester), Mizzette (Wooton Basset) and the strong-finishing longshot Shoma (NZ) ( Contributer) chased hard, but Quantum Legend was too good and scored a comfortable win by a length and a quarter. Quantum Legend is trained by Tony Pike for a Hong Kong owner Kenneth Lau. “He looks like a proper horse,” Pike said. “He was a bit slow away and probably ended up further back than we expected, but Michael was able to get a good tow into the race. You don’t often see them cruise up on the bridle like that against a good field like this. “He’s an immense talent. I just hope I can keep him here. “Michael’s had a big rap on this horse for a long time, and a lot of people have talked him up over the last couple of weeks. It’s good to get the job done today, and thankfully it’s all been as easy as we could have hoped so far. Hopefully it’s onwards and upwards from here. “If he stays here, we might look at races like the Hawke’s Bay Guineas (Gr.2, 1400m) and the main goal for this preparation will be getting him to Christchurch for the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m).” Quantum Legend’s impressive debut saw him make a big move up the market for the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 15. The TAB cut his odds from $21 into $10, now sharing fourth favouritism with To Bravery Born. Hostility (I Am Invincible) is the $4 favourite, with He Who Dares and Landlock on the second line at $8. McNab has no doubt that Quantum Legend will be among the stars of this season’s three-year-old crop if he stays in New Zealand. “I’ve got a really big opinion of him,” he said. “It was very exciting the way he did it today, and relief that he did it. They can sometimes do that at the trials and then be underwhelming on raceday. It was good to see him do that today against a tidy bunch of three-year-olds. He probably won with more ease than I thought he would. “I think he’s capable of being a dominant three-year-old here. He’s very smart. “I don’t know the owner, but I’ve been saying my piece since his first trial. Hopefully the owner is willing to race a horse here in New Zealand through his three-year-old season. I’ll be very grateful if he does.” Quantum Legend was bought for just A$10,000 by Paul Willetts from the 2023 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale. He was later offered by Kilgravin Lodge at the 2024 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, where he was sold to Waikato Bloodstock for $400,000. View the full article

Ron Turcotte, who famously rode Secretariat to the Triple Crown in 1973 to earn an enduring place in horse racing lore, died on Friday, at the age of 84. Turcotte’s long-time friend and business partner Leonard Lusky said the Canadian-born Hall of Famer died of natural causes at his home near Grand Falls, New Brunswick. In a career spanning nearly two decades, Turcotte won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes twice each. But he will go down in history as the jockey who guided...View the full article

Saffie Joseph Jr. sent four fillies to the starting gate for the $750,000 Charles Town Oaks (G2) Aug. 22 with his Indy Bay coming out on top to earn the trainer his second consecutive victory in the event.View the full article

Banishing continued to pay immense dividends for co-owner Lawrence P. Roman and trainer/co-owner David Jacobson by winning the $1 million Charles Town Classic Stakes (G2) Aug. 22 at Charles Town Races.View the full article

California-bred champion Chismosa has faced the brilliant Sweet Azteca four times, winning once, and will try again in the Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3) at Del Mar.View the full article

Harris Farms' first-crop sire Halladay, a grade 1-winning son of international sire War Front, got his first winner when his 2-year-old son Arkadelphia won Aug. 22 at Del Mar.View the full article

Following a review of his ride from race two at Belterra Thursday, Aug, 21, current leading local jockey Albin Jimenez has been suspended for one year by the Belterra Park board of stewards. The race in question featured Jimenez failing to put forth his best effort aboard 3-5 Afleet Vintage (Afleet Alex) where he ultimately wound up second. The winner, Permit to Carry, was ridden by Summer Pauly. The stewards looked at the race following a request from Afleet Vintage's trainer Tommy Drury who was unhappy with Jimenez's ride. Breaking news out of Ohio: @BelterraPark stewards suspended jockey Albin Jimenez for one year following his ride in race 2 on Thursday. https://t.co/jdeq1gtq7Q pic.twitter.com/x94oFviJd0 — Ed DeRosa (@EJXD2) August 22, 2025 The post Jockey Albin Jimenez Suspended One Year For Belterra Ride appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Though he was well aware of her pedigree, trainer Brad Cox said he didn't need a piece of paper to help him forecast Fille d'Oro's (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) future. “She didn't show us much on the dirt at Keeneland when she came in,” Cox said. “She struggled a little bit on the dirt. We transferred her over to the synthetic and she really improved. Then we breezed her up here on the turf last week and she was really nice, a really good move.” In her debut Friday at Saratoga Race Course, Gregory Hoffman's filly competed like she trained. In a stalk-and-pounce performance, she won the sixth race, a $100,000 maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies, by a 11/2 lengths over Celebrity Warrior (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}). Under jockey Manny Franco, Fille d'Oro completed the 1 1/16 miles over the inner turf course in 1:42.48 and paid $13.80. “She stepped up big-time today,” Cox said. Cox said that Clay Scherer purchased Fille d'Oro at the 2024 Arqana Deauville August sale. “Obviously, she's got a nice pedigree,” Cox said. “She's a Juddmonte family. Mandaloun (Into Mischief) is in there. That was something that, I think, caught Clay's eye at the sale as a yearling. When he bought her, he immediately sent her pedigree and I thought, 'Well, that's kind of cool.'” Cox said he believe Fille d'Oro is the first horse by Wootton Bassett he has handled in his career. Fille d'Oro spent most of the past two months at Turfway Park in Kentucky prepping for her first start. The pivotal breeze at Saratoga took place on Aug. 15 when she covered a half-mile on the turf course on the Oklahoma training track. She was caught in :50.41, the 41st of the 57 times that morning. “It was like, 'We probably better enter her off that work,'” Cox said. “She had a couple gate works. We knew she was quick enough out of the gate, and Manny did a great job of getting her to settle going into the first turn, and saving ground. He could easily have been caught three-wide going into that first turn. He gave her a good, smart ride.” Leaving from Post 7 in the field of eight, Franco soon had Fille d'Oro near the hedge, where she sat until the eighth pole. They followed Celebrity Warrior as she made her move to overtake pacesetter Curly Q Girl, snatched the lead by the sixteenth pole and faced no challenges in the final 100 yards. Fille d'Oro is likely headed to a stakes test in her next outing, Cox said, possibly the $400,000 GII Jessamine Stakes Oct. 3 at Keeneland. Fille d'Oro has proven to be a good communicator. After telling Cox that, for sure, she wasn't a dirt horse, she signalled that she was ready for the big stage at Saratoga with her breeze. “I expected a nice effort,” Cox said. “That still doesn't mean you're going to win, but I expected her to run well and she did. We didn't have to win for her to run well, but I expected her to step up and run big today.” The post Saratoga Maidens, presented by Keeneland: Fille d’Oro Launches Career with Solid Spa MSW Turf Score appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Sapporo and Niigata Racecourses: Saturday, August 23, 2025 5th-SAP, ¥14,250,000 ($97k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1500mT MISS JADE (JPN) (f, 2, Blame–Asscher, by Harlan's Holiday) is set to become the second foal to the races for her dam, a half-sister to the late three-time Grade I-winning sprinter Lord Nelson (Pulpit), who was purchased for $50,000 with this filly in utero at the 2022 Keeneland November Sale. Lord Nelson was out of a daughter of Argentinian champion 3-year-old filly Miss Linda (Arg) (Southern Halo), winner at home of the G1 Argentina Oaks and later victorious in the 2001 GI Juddmonte Spinster Stakes for the Ackerley Brothers and John Kimmel. The mare's yearling filly by Pulpit's expatriated GI Forego Stakes-winning son Pyro fetched a bit more than $150,000 at the recent JRHA Select Sale. O-Turf Sport Co Ltd; B-Yuki Dendo; T-Yoshiaki Sugiyama Sunday, August 24, 2025 11th-NII, Niigata Nisai S.-G3, ¥59.1m ($403k), 2yo, 1600mT MESE (JPN) (f, 2, Disco Partner–Marquet Legacy, by Gio Ponti) opened her account at first asking with a narrow victory going 1200 meters at Fukushima June 28 (see below, SC 6) and has the rail for this step up in class. Marquet Legacy is one of seven winners produced by MSW & GSP To Marquet (Marquetry), whose most successful offspring was Discreet Marq (Discreet Cat), winner of the 2013 GI Del Mar Oaks and her MSW full-brother Too Discreet (Discreet Cat). O-Yoshihiko Koga; B-Yuki Dendo; T-Takanori Kikuzawa The post Disco Partner Filly Steps Into Group 3 Company at Niigata appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–As the hours shrink to minutes and the 156th running of the GI, $1.25 million Travers Stakes gets upon us, those closest to Sovereignty (Into Mischief), the 2-5 morning-line favorite, handle the agonizing moments until post time in different ways. Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott admitted he'll “probably” be nervous. “It's like being on the freeway,” he said outside his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track as Sovereignty munched on some grass a few feet away. “Defensive driving all the time. So far, everything has been good. That is the thing; you can't make one mistake.” Junior Alvarado, who has ridden Sovereignty in seven of his eight starts–including wins in the GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes and GII Jim Dandy Stakes–said he has been sleeping just fine, thank you, in the days leading up to the Midsummer Derby. He said he felt more pressure in the run-up to the Kentucky Derby because that was a race that was circled at the start of the season for the big colt. “You have to run the race,” Alvarado said at the Mott barn. “In my whole career, the hardest races have been the ones that look more easy. I have been saying all along that if he runs his 'A' race, that should be enough, he should be able to win. When he runs his 'A' race, he is just faster than everybody else. If he is on his 'A' game, 1 1/4 (miles) will be easy for him. I don't know how easy it will be for the other horses.” Godolphin's Sovereignty has won both his starts at 1 1/4 miles; none of the others in the Travers have tried it. Sovereignty is the leading 3-year-old colt in the country after winning four of five starts this year. He won the Kentucky Derby at odds of nearly 8-1 and the Belmont at 5-2. In those races, he defeated Journalism (Curlin), the favorite in both of them. In the Jim Dandy, Sovereignty was the 1-2 favorite and defeated Baeza (McKinzie) by a length. Now comes the Travers. And because he is such a heavy favorite against four rivals–none who have won a GI race–the pressure could be immense. “The Travers is like the Kentucky Derby of the summer,” Alvarado said. This is the biggest race for everybody in the summertime. I have never won it; Mr. Mott has never won it. I am more excited for Saturday to come so I can ride the big guy.” Patch Adams at Saratoga | Sarah Andrew Cox Has Strong Hand in Jerkens Patch Adams (Into Mischief) has already proven himself as he owns a GI win (Woody Stephens) and has three wins in six career starts. Verifire (Authentic) has not, but don't sleep on him. They are the two 3-year-olds trainer Brad Cox is running in Saturday's GI, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes. Patch Adams is the 3-1 morning-line favorite in the field of eight going seven furlongs; Verifire is the 4-1 second choice. Start with Patch Adams, who is owned by CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC (WinStar also bred him), has won both his starts at seven furlongs, including the Woody Stephens on a muddy track. “He is a very talented horse,” Cox said this week from Kentucky. “He has shown he is a Grade I horse, and we thought that throughout the winter the way he was training.” Patch Adams started the season with a pair of fourth place finishes in the GIII Southwest Stakes and GIII Tampa Bay Derby. Following those two, Cox decided the colt would be better suited going one turn. He had broken his maiden by 10 1/2 lengths going seven furlongs in his second start. “He really moved forward when we cut him back to one turn,” Cox said. “We're excited about he has trained since the Woody Stephens, and he is ready to roll.” Verifire went for $1 million at the 2024 Ocala Breeders' March Sale of 2-year-olds in training sale. Owned by Resolute Racing and Cha Cha Chestnuts LLC, he has won all three of his starts by combined 15 1/2 lengths. The Jerkens will be his first start in a graded stakes race. “It took us a while to get him to the races and he has performed very well,” Cox said. “It's always tough when you go from a listed stake or an overnight to a Grade I, but look, he has been very solid and we're looking forward to giving him an opportunity on the big stage.” Verifire, who starts from post five, will be ridden by Flavien Prat, who has been aboard the first three starts. Doc Sullivan (red cap) | Sarah Andrew Ortiz Giving 'Doc' His Chance in Forego When a horse is doing good, you run. That's what trainer John Ortiz is doing with Doc Sullivan (Solomini) in Saturday's GI, $500,000 Forego on Saturday. Owned by Tristar Farm LLC, the 4-year-old New York-bred Doc Sullivan is coming off a victory in the John Morrissey Stakes on July 31 at Saratoga. From there, Ortiz started thinking about giving Doc Sullivan a shot with the big boys. And here he is. The Morrissey was the first start for Doc Sullivan running out of Ortiz's barn. It was his first start since March. “He came out of that race in fantastic form,” Ortiz said at his barn on the Saratoga backstretch. “We got him fit perfectly for that race. He did not miss one work. The fact that he got it done and did it the way he did it was incredible.” Doc Sullivan, who was ridden by Joel Rosario in the Morrissey–he will ride him in the Forego–navigated a muddy track and won the race by a head at 5-1 odds. In the Forego, he will be 20-1, which is understandable. This will be just his second try in a GI race; he was sixth in the GI Pennsylvania Derby last year when being trained by Mike Miceli. That is not detouring Ortiz. He likes what he sees from the horse in the mornings. “He gained weight off that last race,” Ortiz said. “We are taking a shot. Joel worked him in between races and he says he feels bigger and stronger than he did in the last one.” The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented By NYRA Bets: Mott, Alvarado Counting Down The Minutes Until The Travers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article