Wandering Eyes

Puntura (NZ) (Vespa) and One Bold Cat (NZ) (The Bold One) have played a starring role in Robbie Patterson’s successful season and the talented pair will cross paths for the first time this preparation in Saturday’s Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham. Puntura has been the breadwinner over 1400m to 1600m, with victories in the Gr.3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m) and the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m), while One Bold Cat covered the middle-distance events claiming both the Feilding Gold Cup (2100m) and the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m), as well as a game effort for fifth in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2050m). Craig Grylls has been aboard both geldings in all but one of those wins and has elected to take the ride aboard Puntura on Saturday, with Wiremu Pinn partnering the son of The Bold One when the pair jump from barrier 7 and 6 respectively. Patterson’s pair had one final hit-out on Tuesday at the Foxton Trials, with Puntura impressing from the front-running position to take out the 1200m heat, while One Bold Cat was ridden quietly into third position. “They were only at the trials for the run, but Puntura is a naturally big, strong galloper so we expected him to do that,” Patterson said. “He’s come through the trial well, so onwards and upwards to Saturday. “I was very happy with One Bold Cat’s trial as well. Jonathan Riddell was told to take him quietly, and he got off and said he was very happy with the horse, and he was lovely to ride. “The mile is just a bit short for him, but if he can get a nice sit somewhere, I’m sure he won’t be far from the placegetters at the finish. He’s a very good horse.” Though both are class gallopers, New Plymouth-based Patterson has different motivations for each horse’s acceptance into the Trentham feature and expects the result to reflect this. A son of Vespa, Puntura’s rise in the Group events gave Patterson every reason to give him a Group One bid, while One Bold Cat is entered to be eligible for the lucrative $500,000 Entain Summer Series Bonus, where he must run in the Thorndon Mile ahead of the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m). “Puntura will go forward, while One Bold Cat will just take a slot where he ends up. Over a mile, it’s too short for One Bold Cat, but it’s probably the big fella’s (Puntura) ideal distance,” he said. “One Bold Cat has to start in the Thorndon to qualify for the half-a-million dollar bonus, so he’s there to qualify himself really, then head to the Herbie Dyke and the Bonecrusher.” Also making her final preparations at the Foxton trials was Mary Louise (NZ) (The Bold One), the mare striding effortlessly into second position over 1400m ahead of Saturday’s Gr.3 NZ Campus For Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m). Another progeny of Grangewilliam Stud’s The Bold One, Mary Louise has made a strong account of herself in competitive northern company this preparation, including a surging late run into third in the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth Cup (2400m) on Boxing Day. “She’s done well, she trialled up really nicely yesterday as well,” Patterson said. The versatile five-year-old has been victorious in six of her 14 raceday starts, with winning form on all track conditions from 1400m to 2100m, and Patterson has no doubt in her ability to step-up over 3200m on Saturday under Grylls. “She’s a lovely, clean-winded horse and I’ve got no worries about the two miles whatsoever. From that draw (13), she’ll take a backwards position and hopefully get a nice trail into the race.” he said. “Looking at the field, she’s beaten most of them or competed in bigger races, so I’d be disappointed if she’s not thereabouts in the finish.” Mary Louise currently sits a $5.50 TAB Fixed Odds second-favourite for the Cup, with fellow Taranaki-trained galloper Waisake topping the market at $3.30. Completing Patterson’s representation at Trentham will be a pair of runners in the John Turkington Forestry Douro Cup (1600m), in Contribute (NZ) (Contributer) and Our Jumala (NZ) (Zed). Patterson’s apprentice Ciel Butler will provide three-kilograms of weight relief for Contribute, who carries 60.5kg following a successful Queensland campaign under the care of Stewart and Taylah Mackinnon, which resulted in two victories and three minor placings. The Contributer mare featured in Puntura’s winning trial under Butler, though Patterson indicated the Trentham race is primarily to set her for the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) on February 3 at New Plymouth. “She’ll be there just for the run, she’s getting ready for the Taranaki Cup so this will set her up for the rest of the season,” he said. She’ll go back as she naturally does, it’ll be too short for her but hopefully she’ll run home and be strong to the line.” Stablemate Our Jumala has been a model of consistency this preparation and was strong in claiming a third career win under Grylls at New Plymouth on December 27. Patterson had hoped for a favourable draw for the Zed mare, however, admitted her task will be tougher having been allocated barrier 14 on Saturday. “It’s going to be a bit tricky for her on Saturday, she’d like some ease in the ground and also being drawn 14, I would’ve loved to see her draw in,” he said. “But she’s a horse with a bit of ability and hopefully she can get a nice run somewhere, and run home well.” View the full article

Mr Brightside’s (NZ) (Bullbars) first four runs this autumn have all but been locked in, with Lindsay Park’s superstar galloper to ramp up his preparations on Friday morning. The six-year-old will have his first public hit-out at Flemington over 800m, before an official trial at Geelong later this month, ahead of a first-up tilt at the Gr.1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) on February 10. “He’ll kick off in the C.F. Orr, then the Futurity (Stakes), All-Star Mile and then we’re looking at an Australian Cup and from there comes the fork in the road, but the first four runs are pretty much a lock,” co-trainer JD Hayes said. “It’s his first jumpout so he’ll just bowl around and have a nice fitness blowout and then he’ll probably trial at Geelong on the 30th. “We’ve just been ticking him over at home, he’s been getting out in the day paddocks, he’s been loving life, we’ve had really good weather up here at the farm (Euroa) and he’s been the beneficiary of that. “He looks magnificent so we’re looking forward to seeing him come through these couple of trials leading up to the first-up run.” The winner of last year’s All-Star Mile will likely head to Sydney following his run in the 2000-metre Gr.1 Australian Cup but won’t be chasing a third-successive Gr.1 Doncaster Mile at this stage. “The Queen Elizabeth (2000m) is a very enticing race with the prizemoney on offer, it does look the logical option but we’ll just see how he’s going and how he’s handling the preparation,” Hayes said. View the full article

Rangiora trainer Kenny Moore is looking for a fairytale ending with his evergreen galloper Bluey’s Chance when he heads to Trentham on Saturday. The 10-year-old gelding nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) history when the $130.20 outsider beat all but Waisake in the 2021 edition of the NZ Campus Of Innovation & sport-sponsored two-miler, giving Moore his most memorable moment in racing. “It was one of the best days of my life, it was so unexpected, so brave, and something we will remember forever,” he said. Moore is looking forward to tackling the Wellington Cup once more with Bluey’s Chance this weekend, where he will be met by Waisake once more. “It is a great thrill and an honour to be there again,” Moore said. “We are going to do our very best to turn the tables on him (Waisake), but they are a couple of geriatrics now, 10 and nine respectively.” Bluey’s Chance takes a last start Greymouth Cup (2000m) placing into Saturday, and Moore said he couldn’t be happier with his charge. “He is finding the line really well and running home beautifully in his races, everything is as good as I can get it,” he said. “This whole prep has been aimed at getting him ready for two miles this Saturday, this is his grand final.” Bluey’s Chance has drawn barrier 17, and while not conducive to his front-running racing pattern, Moore isn’t overly perturbed by the draw and expects his gelding to find a handy position regardless. “He drew the outside last time when he got second to Waisake, so it’s not so critical over two miles,” he said. “All his best races he has been close to the front on the turn, so that will be the aim. Where he settles in the running will depend on how he jumps and how the field pans out. We will certainly want to be handy by the home turn.” Bluey’s Chance will head north later this week and has enjoyed some time at the beach ahead of his trip across the Cook Strait. “We just spent the morning at the beach and he had a whale of a time swimming in the sea,” Moore said. “He is as fit as I can get him, so today was just a play day at the beach and he really enjoyed that. It is something different mentally for him before he embarks on the journey.” Moore will also be seeking Group One glory with stablemate Lady Telena at Trentham this weekend in the Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m). The daughter of Vespa finished sixth in last Saturday’s Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m), and Moore believes she deserves her shot at elite-level. “It’s not very often little trainers like me get to go for the big time,” Moore said. “She went well on Saturday with no luck in the running. We are up there and she deserves a crack at it.” View the full article

Due to harsh winter weather affecting portions of the United States, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Mahoning Valley Race Course, Parx Racing, and Penn National Race Course canceled racing Jan. 17.View the full article

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)'s annual online benefit auction featuring VIP racing experience packages will open bidding Thursday, Jan. 25 at 10 a.m. EST and close Friday, Feb. 2 at 10 p.m. EST. All proceeds from the 'Off to the Races Campaign' will go to support accredited aftercare. The auction features 18 VIP packages which grant access to major race days across North America in 2024 and 2025. Each package features an exclusive itinerary of horse racing-related activities. “These VIP experiences are more than just events, they're gateways to unforgettable moments and a chance to share the magic of the racetrack for new and longtime race goers,” said TAA's Director of Funding and Events Emily Dresen. “We're excited to bring these once-in-a-lifetime adventures to people who share our love for the sport.” The first VIP experience by date is the Mar. 9 Tampa Bay Derby and the last is the 2025 Pegasus World Cup. All three Triple Crown races are featured, as is the Breeders' Cup, the King's Plate, and a number of other top events in the sport. To see a list of the packages and to register to bid, visit thoroughbredaftercare.org/offtotheraces. The post TAA’s Off to the Races Campaign Opens Jan. 25 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

John C. Harris, Ty Green and Andy Mathis have been appointed to the board of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC). Owner of Harris Farms, Harris was inducted into the California Racing Hall of Fame in 2008 and was honored last year by the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation for his industry service. Harris Farms has been connected to over 50 California divisional champions, including eight California Horses of the Year. He is a former California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) Commissioner and currently serves on the board of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA). Green, also an owner and breeder, is a current Board Member of the CTBA. The San Luis Obispo-based lawyer has raced under the name of SLO Racing Stable since 2010. Mathis was the 2021 California Trainer of the Year. He was also leading trainer at the 2023 Golden Gate Fall Meet and finished seventh in the standings during the 2022 Del Mar Summer Meet. Based at Golden Gate Field, the 44-year-old is the winner of just under 800 races in his career. His winners include stakes winners Jimmy Blue Jeans and Give Me The Lute. All three will serve the TOC Board as representatives of the North. “We are honored that John, Ty and Andy, well respected North horsemen, will join our board,” said TOC Chairman Gary Fenton. “We are in a period of great transition and their passion, wisdom and institutional knowledge of California horse racing, in particular the North, will be of tremendous value to the board and our members as we work together to find the right path for the future of California racing.” The post Harris, Green and Mathis to Join TOC Board appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance announced the dates of the annual Off to the Races Campaign, an online benefit auction featuring VIP racing experience packages with all proceeds going to support accredited aftercare.View the full article

The first foal of Grade I-winning sprinter Drain the Clock (Maclean's Music-Manki, by Arch) arrived Wednesday, Jan. 17 at Machmer Hall in Lexington, Kentucky. The colt is out of the mare, Egyptian Bride, a half-sister to Grade I-placed Generous Tipper. Drain the Clock stands for $10,000 at Gainesway. “Very pretty boy born of a maiden mare. Good bone and such a sweet expression!” said breeders Carrie and Craig Brogden. A debut winner at Gulfstream at two, Drain the Clock returned the following season to add wins in the GIII Swale S., GIII Bay Shore S. and GI Woody Stephens S., where he defeated subsequent champion sprinter Jackie's Warrior. Drain the Clock retired with seven wins in 15 career starts, including three victories in graded stakes races, for earnings of $698,000. The post First Foal of GISW Drain the Clock Arrives 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. 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 Date: 11/25/2023 Licensee: Jesus Romero, 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. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Diclofenac-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Blake B, who won at Aqueduct on 11/25/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 12/01/2023 Licensee: Jesus Romero, 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); Treated as 1 violation with Blake B. under 09/08/23 HISA Guidance. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Diclofenac-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Hang Tight, who won at Aqueduct on 12/1/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 12/12/2023 Licensee: Alfredo Velazquez, 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 Phenylbutazone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Lucky Flush, who finished ninth at Parx Racing on 12/12/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 12/03/2023 Licensee: Angel Sanchez-Pinero, 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 Glycopyrrolate-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Le Vin, who finished second at Laurel Park on 12/3/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 12/01/2023 Licensee: Steve Miyadi, 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 Dimethylsulfoxide-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Dorie Miller, who won at Golden Gate on 12/1/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 11/17/2023 Licensee: Amador Sanchez, 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 Soy Una Dama, who won at Gulfstream Park on 11/17/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 12/06/2023 Licensee: Patricio Venzor (currently listed on Equibase as owner) Penalty: None. Equine controlled medication charges were withdrawn. Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Desert Danger. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 12/08/2023 Licensee: Kevin Martin, trainer Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314-Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method-on the horse, Strings. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222-Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Pending ADMC Violations Date: 12/06/2023 Licensee: Gerald Brooks, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Jareth, who won at Turfway Park on 12/06/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 12/13/2023 Licensee: Jonathan Thomas, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Pre-workout intra-articular 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, Esme. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222-Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Violations of Crop Rule One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race. Aqueduct Daylor Shakil Berrios – violation date Jan. 11; $250 fine, one-day suspension Sunland Park Alejandro Medellin – violation date Jan. 11; $250 fine, one-day suspension The post Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings: Jan. 9 – 15 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The official logo for the 2024 GI Belmont S. was unveiled by the New York Racing Association Wednesday. This year's Classic will be contested at Saratoga Race Course for the first time in order to allow for the uninterrupted construction of Belmont Park. This year's Belmont logo pays tribute to the history of Saratoga, home to an annual Thoroughbred race meet since 1863. The logo was developed by NYRA in collaboration with the creative team at Learfield. Highlighted by the 156th edition of the Belmont on Saturday, June 8, the 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will begin Thursday, June 6 and continue through Sunday, June 9. The four-day Festival at Saratoga will include 23 stakes races with the richest purses since the launch of the multi-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in 2014. Belmont Stakes Racing Festival tickets will go on-sale to the public in February. NYRA will offer advance pre-sale opportunities for returning Belmont S. buyers and reserved season ticket holders for the summer meet at Saratoga. For more information about the 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course, visit www.BelmontStakes.com. The post Official 2024 Belmont Stakes Logo Unveiled appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Graded stakes winner Wakanaka has retired from racing according to Barry Irwin of Team Valor International and will take up a new career as a broodmare in Kentucky. Owned in partnership with Gary Barber, Wakanaka earned $914,075 through 23 starts.View the full article

South African wunderkind Charles Dickens (SAf) (Trippi–Demanding Lady (SAf), by Dynasty {SAf}) has been retired to Drakenstein Stud in South Africa, according to published reports. Bred and raced by Drakenstein, the 4-year-old won 10 of his 13 starts and was placed in his other three for total earnings of R5,119,813 (£211,799/€247,085/$268,544). An undefeated stakes winner at two, the chestnut went six-for-eight at three with a score in the G1 Cape Guineas, followed by runner-up efforts in the G1 L'Ormarins King's Plate and G1 Cape Derby. Back in the winner's enclosure with a victory in the G2 Guineas, he added the G1 Gold Challenge in his sophomore finale. His final three starts were a half-length win in the G3 Matchem S. this October, a third in the G2 Green Point S. in December, and he signed off with a victory in the 2024 L'Ormarins King's Plate this month, a “Win And You're In” for the 2024 GI Breeders' Cup Mile. Drakenstein's Gaynor Rupert told TBA South Africa, “Retiring Charles Dickens was a very hard decision to make. I would have loved to have seen him race until the end of the season, he would undoubtedly have won a few more big races but he has nothing left to prove. “It is in the interest of the horse and of the shareholders that after much consultation, we decided to retire him and give him plenty of time off before the start of the breeding season. He was blessed with speed, an incredible turn of foot, sheer brilliance, intelligence and remarkable cadence. I'm sure he will pass these traits on to his future progeny and we can't wait to see them.” The Equus Champion 3-Year-Old and Equus Champion Miler is out of South African Broodmare of the Year Demanding Lady, who won the G2 Ipi Tombe Challenge. Charles Dickens is a full-brother to the G1 Cape Derby runner-up Charles (SAf) (Trippi) and to the stakes-winning Somerset Maugham (SAf) (Trippi), who was third in a pair of Grade 3s. This is the extended family of Group 1 winners War Command (War Front) and Rollout The Carpet (Aus) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), who was also the champion 2-year-old filly in New Zealand. The post South African Star Charles Dickens Retires To Drakenstein Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Joseph DiPietro, owner of DiPietro Thoroughbreds, and Wendy DiPietro, owner of We Plan It and Stem Floral Design, announced the recent purchase of Donida Farm in Auburn, Washington. Already an established Thoroughbred owner and breeder, Joseph DiPietro plans to combine his racing experience with Wendy's event planning to create an operation appealing to a wide range of equestrian enthusiasts and industry professionals. While maintaining its dressage history, Donida Farm will be further developed into an event destination, Bello Acres, enhancing its services to the Thoroughbred industry. “We are thrilled to embark on this new journey with the acquisition of Donida Farm,” said Joseph DiPietro. “Our combined passion for equestrian excellence, thoroughbred racing and a wide range of personal and professional events is combined with the incredible potential of this property and facilities, fills us with great excitement for what's to come.” The post DiPietros Acquire Donida Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Wanamaker's January Sale catalog is now available online at www.wanamakers.com. The catalog features horses of racing age, open broodmares, in-foal broodmares, and stallion seasons. Bidding will open at 8:00 a.m. ET Wed. Jan. 24, with the first listing set to close at 5:00 p.m. Subsequent listings will close in three-minute increments. Detailed information on the buying process can be found at www.wanamakers.com/buy. Highlights of the Catalog Include: – A 2024 NG season to Great Notion. Great Notion is the #1 Maryland sire six years running. – Luna Santa, a broodmare by Birdstone offered open for the 2024 breeding season. She is a stakes-placed mare out of a stakes-winning mare. – Cartesian, a 3-year-old racing prospect by Grade I-winning sire Liam's Map. She is out of the Kitten's Joy mare, Pure Elation who is a full sister to two stakes winners. – Topazio, a stakes-placed mare by More Than Ready. She is out of a multiple black-type producing mare by Dixieland Band. Prospective buyers may browse the website to view pedigrees, pictures, and videos of each hip offered. In-person inspections may be scheduled by contacting sellers with the information provided in the catalog. For more information, click here. The post Catalog for Wanamaker’s January Sale Online appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Due to harsh winter weather affecting portions of the United States, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Mahoning Valley Race Course, Parx Racing and Penn National Race Course canceled racing Jan. 17.View the full article

Following a spate of cancellations throughout the east, Louisiana Downs announced it will cancel the Thursday, Jan. 18 card due to continuing storms and freezing conditions throughout the region. The Bossier City oval also cancelled Monday and Tuesday's cards. The post Louisiana Downs Cancels Thursday Card appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As we approach the opening of the 2024 breeding season, the TDN staff is once again sitting down with leading breeders to find out what stallions they have chosen for their mares, and why. Today we caught up with Williams S. Sparks of Monroe, Louisiana. Originally from Arkansas where he grew up attending Oaklawn races with his grandfather, Sparks's band reflects his philosophy of breeding to race. “I'm really deeply committed to breeding a sound racehorse who is going to do what they do best–run,” said Sparks. “Regional breeding and racing are the backbone of this business and I love it. I wish I didn't so much, but I do.” The Monroe dealership owner boards with Sara Patterson of Cedar Run Farm in Arkansas and with Wayne and Cathy Sweezey in Kentucky, and utilizes Ron Moquett as his conditioner. BESS (8, Mineshaft–Brenda Leigh, by Forest Wildcat) will be bred to Petrov This is a hard-knocking mare who made almost $300,000 over 38 starts. I bought Bess as a yearling and raced her until she was claimed away. Ron Moquett and I bought her back. She is in foal to Beau Liam and is in the Arkansas breeding program. Like a lot of other folks, I am impressed with the look of these Petrov foals. Gunite | Sara Gordon DANCE FOR DADDY (8, Scat Daddy–Dance to the Sea, by Gone West) will be bred to Gunite I have bred speed into this mare and her last couple of offspring speak to that, including 3-year-old colt Ceepeegee (Army Mule). This colt broke his maiden in September, and my partner Keith Johnston and I are excited about his prospects. I had actually entered him at last April's OBS and once my wife and I saw him there she asked, “why exactly are you selling this horse?” Dance For Daddy is currently in foal to Volatile. The next move is to send her to Gunite with hopes for a precocious foal. This mare has shown she can get an early runner. Gunite is a grand-looking horse who proved himself a fighter at the races. I hope he passes that on. FINE FAMILY (5, Upstart–Great Family, by Harlan's Holiday) will be bred back to Girvin I was fortunate enough to partner with Bret Jones of Airdrie Stud in racing Fine Family. She is in foal to Girvin for this year and I think the plan is to go back to him. Bret obviously knows what he is doing, so I am just following his lead. Girvin is certainly proving to be a successful sire. MARTZ (12, Scat Daddy–Opulent, by Meadowlake) will be bred to either Complexity, Nashville or Yaupon Ron Moquett picked out Martz as a 2-year-old at OBS. We raced her and kept her to breed. She is a big, strong mare who throws lovely foals. I have an affinity for Scat Daddy mares. Martz's best foal so far is MSP Sarah Harper (Vancouver {Aus}) who's mating recommendation was the product of John Prather. Martz has big, nice yearling colt by Astern (Aus), and we are going to breed her to speed. I am certainly liking what I am seeing from both Complexity and Yaupon. MAXINE'S TAP ROOM (8, Bourbon Courage–Sunday In Malibu, by Malibu Moon) will be bred to The Big Beast This is a stakes-placed mare who was quick, but who unfortunately had an abbreviated racing career. She's in the Arkansas breeding program and alternates between Arkansas and Kentucky stallions. The Big Beast is going to be a super addition to Arkansas and I'm a fan of the good-looking son of Yes It's True. Fine Family | Coady Photography SARAH HARPER (6, Vancouver (Aus)–Martz, by Scat Daddy) will be bred to Nyquist or Street Sense Our plan with Sarah Harper is to have her compete at Oaklawn this spring and then she will head to the breeding shed. She's just been spectacular and nicks well with a lot of stallions. Wayne [Sweezey] and I are talking it over, but Nyquist or Street Sense are our options in that order. TIPAZAR (9, Tapizar–Tipsy At Midnight, by Midnight Lute) will be bred to The Big Beast I raced this mare in partnership with my friend Jim Brown. We are breeding Tipazar in the Arkansas program, and the plan is to continue to alternate every other year with that state entity and then with a Kentucky stallion. TRIP MOM (16, El Corredor–Fifty Mil Short, by Johannesburg) will be bred to either Highly Motivated or Runhappy Trip Mom, who I have bred and raced in the Arkansas program, was recommended to me by the late pedigree consultant, Les Brinsfield. Upon entering the business, I had the good fortune to meet Les, and also John Prather through friends George Waggoner and Monty Hinton. They provided me with valuable guidance and endless hours of pedigree discussion. Interested in sharing your own mating plans? Email garyking@thetdn.com. The post Mating Plans, Presented By Spendthrift: William S. Sparks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 41-year-old increases his premiership lead over Karis Teetan with wins aboard Sunny Baby and Happy United, while Keagan de Melo snaps his run of outsView the full article

The Lothenbach Stables of the late Robert Lothenbach will completely disperse its breeding stock, yearlings, and horses of racing age with Fasig-Tipton over the next three weeks. All breeding stock and yearlings will be sold at Fasig-Tipton's Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale, to be held Feb. 5 and 6 in Lexington. The 65 entries of breeding stock and yearlings at the Winter sale will be spread among two consignors: Vinery Sales and Taylor Made Sales Agency. The majority of these entries will be offered in the sale's supplement, but the main catalogue also contains entries that had been previously catalogued prior to the estate's decision to completely disperse. Included among the breeding stock offerings are Grade I winner Bell's the One (Majesticperfection) (hip 476) and graded stakes winner She Can't Sing (Bernardini) (hip 485). Mares in foal to Authentic, Blame, Bolt d'Oro, Candy Ride (Arg), Charlatan, Into Mischief, Jackie's Warrior, Maclean's Music, Omaha Beach, Uncle Mo, and Yaupon are also on offer. The Kentucky Winter Mixed offerings also include 22 yearlings, by such sires as American Pharoah, Candy Ride, City of Light, Essential Quality, Ghostzapper, Gun Runner, Into Mischief, Maxfield, Medaglia d'Oro, Omaha Beach, Practical Joke, Twirling Candy, and War Front. “Mr. Lothenbach's breeding program was old-time–pedigrees he had developed as part of an operation that was 100% breed to race,” commented Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “His families have never been offered on the public market and his yearlings have been raised with one goal–to be racehorses.” Prior to the Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale, the complete dispersal of Lothenbach Stable's horses of racing age will be conducted on Fasig-Tipton Digital, the company's online platform. The approximately 90 Horses of Racing Age, which consist of 3-years-old or older, will be consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency. Bidding for the Lothenbach Dispersal of Horses of Racing Age on Fasig-Tipton Digital will open Monday, Jan. 29 and will close on Friday, Feb. 2. The catalogue will be made available for previewing prior to the start of the digital sale. A prominent Minnesota owner and breeder for more than 30 years, Lothenbach passed away in November of 2023. Since 2000 alone, Lothenbach color bearers have won more than 800 races and earned more than $30 million on the racetrack, according to Equibase. His stable ranked in the top 10 nationally in 2020 and 2022. “Mr. Lothenbach's passing is an immense loss to Thoroughbred racing, as he loved and participated in all aspects of our sport as an owner and breeder, while also highly active at auctions,” said Browning. “We are honored that his family has chosen Fasig-Tipton for the dispersal of the majority of his Thoroughbred holdings.” The post Fasig-Tipton to Conduct Lothenbach Dispersal at Winter Mixed, Digital Sales appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Anticipation continues to build toward the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1) and fans will have their third of six early betting opportunities Jan. 19-21 for Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager. The three-day pool features 40 betting options.View the full article

Due to harsh winter weather affecting portions of the United States, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Mahoning Valley Race Course and Parx Racing canceled racing Jan. 17.View the full article

There are few more recognisable figures on the breeding circuit than David Stack. The ever-enthusiastic stallion master at Coolagown Stud has a five-strong roster to look forward to in 2024 and confidence has never been higher in the County Cork camp. That is in no small part due to the emergence of Storm Heart (Fr), who made a blisteringly-hot start to his hurdling career for Willie Mullins, and more importantly, is by Coolagown's emerging force that is Storm The Stars. Stack revealed that over 100 mares have been booked into Storm The Stars on the strength of Storm Heart's scintillating debut. The high-class son of Sea The Stars (Ire) stands alongside fellow unexposed dual-purpose sires Kenway (Fr) and Way To Paris (GB) to go with Shantaram (GB) and Zambezi Sun (GB). In this week's Q&A with Brian Sheerin, Stack speaks about polarisation in the National Hunt game, why he feels he has assembled his strongest roster yet, how difficult it is to run a sustainable business model as an independent stud and more. How was footfall at the Irish Stallion Trail and did you do much business over the weekend? Everyone is looking for value and, with the way the horses are priced with me, they are not going to break breeders' pockets. Kenway, Storm The Stars and Way To Paris are €2,000 for a colt and €1,000 for a filly. Storm The Stars will go up, hopefully, if Storm Heart (Fr) wins the Triumph Hurdle but he won't go too high. He actually has a huge book of mares to cover this year and was very popular on the Stallion Trail. But, a lot of the talk over the weekend was about people getting value for their money. Say for example, the lads who are breeding a mare with an average pedigree, they are only going to be getting €5,000 to €10,000 for a foal out of that mare at the sales. There's no point spending €5,000 on a nomination on a mare like that. Breeders have to distinguish that not all mares are going to get you the €30,000 or €40,000 for a National Hunt foal so they are going to have to cut their cloth to measure. And especially over the past few years in particular, you could say that the waters have been even tricker to navigate as a National Hunt breeder. They have. Way To Paris is a good example. The first year we stood him was in 2020 when Covid just kicked off so we couldn't get people in to see him in the flesh. I'd say my phone number has been blocked on a number of breeders' phones because I had no other option but to harass people about using him. I bombarded people on What's App and that resulted in us covering about 120 mares with him. When the first foals arrived, I did the same thing again, kept pushing it out and sending the photos around to make sure they knew who Way To Paris was and, more importantly, where he was standing. He seems to have earned a reputation now as a stallion that can get breeders a good foal and a decent return from. The market has become very choosey. It's all about fashion. Is choosey a Cork term for polarisation? There's a few others I could use but I better not! To get a nice stallion, it's just become very hard. I am lucky I have good friends in this game and they help me out a lot but there are two things I can't skimp on when recruiting a stallion. That's soundness and a good walk. If they are not good wind and limb, I won't be going to see them and then it's very important that they have the walk as well. Any other pieces with stallions for me, you can forgive, but not those. In fairness to Kenway, Mathieu Alex and the Chehboub family were easy people to deal with. Richard Venn does most of my work and he knows exactly the type of horse I look for. Any time Richard has come on to me, he's usually right. He came to me with Storm The Stars and, you know, when Richard comes to you with one, you have a proper chance. But yes, it has become very fashion orientated and it's tougher now more so than ever. I'd imagine that Storm The Stars's status has soared since Storm Heart shot towards the head of the Triumph Hurdle market after his impressive debut win for Willie Mullins at Punchestown. How much of a difference can one horse make in a stallion's popularity? Over 100 mares have been booked into Storm The Stars since New Year's Day. That's purely down to Storm Heart. They've finally seen the light! But that shows you what one horse can do. It can be quite reactionary at times but it was hard not to be impressed by Storm Heart's performance and, in many ways, Willie Mullins is the stallion-making trainer. That's interesting you say that because, while Galiway is a top-class stallion in his own right, you could also say that you are banking on Willie Mullins to a certain degree with Kenway given how well he has done with Gala Marceau (Fr), Vauban (Fr) and more of the former's progeny over jumps. Absolutely. I'll be honest, that's the main reason I went for Kenway. I saw how well that Willie was doing with the progeny of Galiway and felt that Kenway had the right credentials to make it as a good National Hunt stallion. When you look at it, there's Gala Marceau, Vauban, Jimmy Du Seuil (Fr) and a couple more for Willie and then Gary Moore's horse, Royal Way (Fr), hosed up over hurdles the other day as well. He had been second to the Triumph Hurdle favourite [Sir Gino (Fr) (It's Gino {Ger})] the time before that so he's a pretty serious horse in his own right. The Galiways are tough and consistent horses and that's why I decided to give Kenway a chance. We're going to go down the dual-purpose route and market him as a proper dual-purpose horse. We have set up a syndicate comprising myself and Haras de Beaumont and we bought a good few half-sisters to Group 1 and Grade 1 horses on the Flat and National Hunt. We've bought half-sisters to Harry Angel (Ire), Dashel Drasher (GB), Mojo Star (Ire), Rich Tapestry (Ire) and more. They'll all visit him this year. And am I right in saying that you are planning on playing the long game with the progeny of Way To Paris, Kenway and Storm The Stars by putting some in training over the coming years? We will be trying to do that, mainly with Ger Lyons. I've always found him the easiest to deal with. I can hear you laughing at that comment but it's true! You have Johnny Murtagh, Michael Halford and a few others there as well. We have clients who have horses with these trainers so they would be a natural choice for us. In an ideal world, whatever the horses do as two-year-olds, they will step up to a mile or further, show a bit of form, and then rock up to a horses-in-training sale and get sold on to one of the bigger National Hunt operators. If we could blood a few Triumph Hurdle types, that would be great. The market for those types of horses bought out of training is quite strong so it's just another avenue worth exploring. I'm not stupid, I know that the Flat game is very tough, so I'm under no illusions. I'm very good friends with Joe Foley and, what the likes of Joe has to go through to make a Flat stallion successful, it's very tough. The new stallions on the Flat, they have one or two years at a maximum to prove their worth. It's crazy. In my business, the stallions have that bit longer. As it says on the website, Coolagown Stud is the culmination of over 30 years of hard work. You mentioned that things have never been tougher for the independent studs. How sustainable is it going forward in 2024 for the smaller operations? The doom and gloom of the game comes with the rise in costs. The price of feed, straw, hay, staff and everything else has gone up. You have to be optimistic about the future but the reality is that things are very tough. You can't skimp on feed, otherwise you don't have a product. This is not a game to half-arse things because then nobody will want to buy off you. The breeders are in the same boat. We get people through our gate because they know they're getting value for money. I know you say 30 years of hard work to get to where we are now but we are still trying to get it right. You have to keep trying. Breeders are going to be watching their pockets this year more so than ever and we think we can offer value. Well, there you go. They can't all go to Blue Bresil (Fr) or Walk In The Park (Ire). We'd all love a Blue Bresil or Walk In The Park but, unfortunately, both horses cover about 200 mares and are the most sought after National Hunt stallions in the country. With that comes a pecking order. To be fair to the Cashmans, they took a chance on Blue Bresil. I've always been a fan of the stallion-he gets you a stunning individual and he gets you a racehorse. It's great to see him doing so well. But you clearly feel you offer a value alternative for the man whose mare may not be in that top percentile of what the Walk In The Parks or Blue Bresils of this world will cover? If you're paying me €2,000 for a colt and €1,000 for a filly and then you go to the sale and get €8,000 for your foal, that's good business. You're in profit from your nomination. We're akin to the small friendly neighborhood corner shop. My roster is stronger this year than ever. We've five stallions here; Storm The Stars has a number of potentially classy horses to run for him while Way To Paris and Kenway have interesting profiles and are going well as well. This game is unrivaled when things go well. For me, it provides you with a buzz that drugs would never compare to. Don't get me wrong, it's a difficult business. But as I said earlier, I'm confident that if breeders cut their cloth to measure in 2024, they can make money. We've carved out a niche as being easy to deal with and easy to pay. I don't send out a bill until July of the following year so I'm not knocking on your front door. My bank manager might want me to do it-and definitely my wife does-but I don't. I try to work with people and there's always a middle ground with me. The post David Stack Q&A: ‘Breeders Are Looking For Value Now More So Than Ever’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Scott Little has been appointed vice president of racing services at Equibase. Little, who has served as the company's director of track services since 2021, will directly oversee setup, operation, and maintenance of the E-GPS technology systems being utilized at 28 racetracks and coordinate chart-calling staff at more than 125 tracks across the country. A graduate of the Racetrack Industry Program at the University of Arizona, Little served as a product manager for AmTote prior to joining Equibase. Before transitioning to horse racing, Little spent his career in the hospitality and customer service industry, managing four-star resorts and serving as a vice president of a leading hospitality software company. “In a short amount of time, Scott has proven to be an invaluable asset in leading our data collection efforts, both in working with racetracks and our team,” said Kelley Kraeszig, Equibase's senior vice president for business operations and administration. “His strong background with technology and skills in project management will serve him well in this expanded role.” Equibase Company is a partnership between The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America and serves as the Thoroughbred industry's official database. The post Little Named VP of Racing Services at Equibase appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The third pool of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager will open Friday with 40 betting options led by individual favorite Fierceness (City of Light), who is 8-1 on the morning line, and “All Other 3-Year-Olds” from the 2021 foal crop not listed in the field as the 7-5 overall betting choice. The three-day pool closes Sunday at 6 p.m. There are six Future Wager pools scheduled in advance of the 2024 Kentucky Derby: Oct. 31-Nov.2 (Pool 1); Nov. 23-26 (Pool 2); Jan. 19-21 (Pool 3); Feb. 16-18 (Pool 4); Mar. 15-17 (Pool 5); and Apr. 4-6 (Pool 6). The lone Kentucky Oaks Future Wager will coincide with Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 5. For the complete pool and wagering information, click here. The post Derby Future Wager Pool Opens Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grade I winners Roadster (Quality Road–Ghost Dancing, by Silver Ghost) and Colonel Liam (Liam's Map–Amazement, by Bernardini), both standing at Ocala Stud, were represented by their first foals earlier this month. Yooou Den (Kiss the Kid) produced Roadster's first foal, a filly, Jan. 8. Dominique Damico bred the filly, whose dam was a 12-time winner and an earner of $185,340. Colonel Liam, a two-time winner of the GI Pegasus Turf Invitational S., was represented by his first foal when a filly out of the winning Jess's Dream mare More Glory was born Jan. 12. The filly was bred by Peter Mirabelli. Roadster, winner of the 2019 GI Santa Anita Derby and second in that year's GI Malibu S., bred 153 mares in his first season at stud in 2023. He stands for $7,500 S&N. In addition to his 2021 and 2022 wins in the Pegasus Turf, Colonel Liam also won the 2021 GI Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic. He bred 138 mares in his first season at stud in 2023 and he stands for $6,500 S&N. The post Roadster, Colonel Liam Sire First Foals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article