Wandering Eyes

Darryn Weatherley is feeling the pride of a father as he gets set to line-up the horse he co-bred, co-owns and co-trains on one of Australia’s biggest days of racing. Pier (NZ) (Proisir) carries the silks of well-known Australian owner Ozzie Kheir, but he remains a family pet in the Weatherley family, who have doted on the gelding since he was a foal. A Group One winner at three, Pier has been a test of patience for his conditioners in recent years, having one start in 18 months before returning in April where he was runner-up in the Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m), which sealed his ticket across the Tasman, where he would have a memorable and rewarding next six months. He began his Australian raid in Queensland where he placed in the Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m) before winning the Listed The Wayne Wilson (1600m). Following a spell in the warmer climes of the Sunshine State, Weatherley met Pier in Sydney this spring where he placed in the Gr.2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m), was a game fifth in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m), and was outstanding when running home for third in the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m) at Randwick on Everest Day. Weatherley, who trains Pier in partnership with his daughter Briar, then shifted his sights further south to the Melbourne Cup Carnival. The Matamata trainer has an itch to step his gelding out over 2000m, and that will be scratched on Saturday in the Gr.1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington. “It was a huge run last start,” Weatherley said. “There were some pretty good horses behind him and he fought like a tiger. His trip to Melbourne has been good and I think he has improved further from Sydney. “You have got a dual Cox Plate (Gr.1, 2040m) winner in Via Sistina in the field, but I really believe he deserves his spot in the field, and she will know he is there.” The Waikato horseman is enjoying the atmosphere in Melbourne during its biggest week of the year, and he said he couldn’t be any prouder of his horse heading into the biggest test of his career. “It is like having a son in the Rugby World Cup final or the 100m final at the Olympics,” Weatherley said. “He is racing against the best of the best. I am proud of the horse who has put me in this position and it’s good to be here. “It is a pretty cool place to be at the moment, it is a very vibrant week.” Weatherley couldn’t be any happier with the way Pier’s Australian campaign has gone and he is grateful for the hospitality shown by his hosts in each state, as well as his team back home while he has been campaigning their stable star. “He has been here since May, he has only had the one airfare,” Weatherley said. “He has had five starts thus far and earned A$600,000, so it has been a pretty cool trip. “I don’t know how many flights I have had to and from New Zealand, but it has been a fair few, I could just about fly the plane myself. “The people I have stayed with – Brisbane with Barry Lockwood, Sydney with Richard Collett and Melbourne with Andrew Forsman – they have been absolutely fantastic, and I have enjoyed my time. “I am very pleased to have Briar in partnership, who is doing the hard yards at home while Pier and I are enjoying the festivities over here.” Pier will jump from barrier six and will have the services of regular Australian rider Ethan Brown aboard. While Via Sistina dominates the Champions Stakes market at $1.70, bookmakers have plenty of respect for Pier, rating the Kiwi gelding a $12 fourth favourite behind Tom Kitten ($9.50) and fellow Ozzie Kheir runner Light Infantry Man ($11). View the full article

The unreserved dispersal of highly respected horseman Hec Anderton’s estate has led to five members of an enormously successful South Island family being up for sale on gavelhouse.com. All five descend from the mainland marvel Princess Mellay (Mellay), whose 18 wins included the New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and two editions of the New Zealand Cup (3200m). Princess Mellay went on to be a significant influence at stud, with five winning foals headed by the 19-race winner and triple Group One winner Prince Majestic (NZ) (Noble Bijou). Countless other descendants have made their mark on the big stage, including Auckland Cup (3200m) winners Roger That (NZ) (Shinko King) and Trav (NZ) (Almanzor), Wellington Cup (3200m) and dual New Zealand Cup winner Blood Brotha (NZ) (Danzighill), Group Three winner and Group One New Zealand Derby (2400m) placegetter King Johny (NZ) (Seasoned Star), and other Group winners such as De Montfort (NZ) (Random Chance), Parthesia (NZ) (Raise The Flag), Prince Oz (NZ) (O’Reilly), Ranger (NZ) (Random Chance) and The Bandette (NZ) (Noble Bijou) among others. In fact, one of the five horses currently being offered from this family is herself a member of this stakes-winning list. Loftys Gift (NZ) (Ghibellines) had 35 starts for eight wins, six seconds and $259,090 in stakes. She won the Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) and was runner-up in the Group Three South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). Loftys Gift is being offered in foal to White Robe Lodge’s exciting new stallion Alflaila. “Hec Anderton, my grandfather Brian’s brother, passed away recently and he owned half of these five horses that are up for sale,” White Robe Lodge’s Jack Stewart said. “So they’re being sold to dissolve that partnership. “These horses are all from a very good family, going back to Princess Mellay. It’s a prolific family that’s produced a lot of quality horses and a huge number of winners over a number of years. “Loftys Gift is set to be particularly sought after, being a stakes-winning and Group-placed mare, and we’ve just scanned her and had a positive to our new stallion Alflaila. I think a stakes-winning mare in foal to a first-season stallion should have a lot of appeal.” But Loftys Gift is not the only one with notable credentials. Anticipate (NZ) (Ghibellines), a four-time winner from 24 starts, is a half-sister to Blood Brotha and the dam of Loftys Gift. Anticipate gave birth to her first foal last month. Anticipate. Photo: Supplied “Anticipate showed some good ability on the track and has just recently foaled a colt by Ancient Spirit,” Stewart said. “So this is a great opportunity for someone to buy a promising young broodmare with a colt foal at foot. “A couple of the others being sold still have the potential to do more on the racetrack. Patraine (NZ) (Almanzor) has won a couple of races and I don’t think she’s reached her mark yet, so there’s a bit to look forward to with her, while De Pazzi (NZ) (Almanzor) has had only four starts so far and has had a fourth. She’s just taken a bit of time.” Patraine and the unnamed mare being offered as Lot 6 are both sisters to the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) and Tasmanian Oaks (2100m) winner Parthesia. This five-strong dispersal is part of a 25-lot catalogue for the latest gavelhouse.com fortnightly auction, with bidding on the first lot closing at from 7pm (NZDT) on Monday 10 November. View the full article

Brett Crawford is optimistic Encountered will continue his top form in Sunday’s Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1,800m), but the South African handler has one slight reservation for his first runner in a Hong Kong Group race. Fresh from bagging his first Happy Valley winner courtesy of Speedy Smartie on Wednesday night, Crawford hopes to celebrate a more significant first when Encountered takes on the likes of Group One performer Beauty Joy and Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) heroes Cap Ferrat and...View the full article

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis LEXINGTON, KY – The Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, which opened with a strong Book 1 session Tuesday, continued its momentum with the first of two Book 2 sessions with strong demand for both mares and foals Wednesday. “It was outstanding,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said of Wednesday's session. “Coming off yesterday, it was really positive across all the metrics. And I think we improved the position today. The gross was up 61% over last year, the scratch rate was down, and our clearance rate was up to 78%. It was really healthy across the board.” For the session, 235 horses sold for $47,382,000. The average of $201,626 was up 37.66% from last year's Book 2 opener and the median rose 12.50% to $225,000. The auction had its 18th seven-figure offering when the Raging Torrent Syndicate bid $1.3 million to acquire the 5-year-old broodmare Anywho (Medaglia d'Oro) from the Grovendale Sales consignment. “The mares were very strong,” Lacy said. “Anybody looking for a quality mare really had to step up and pay.” Lacy continued, “I think it's a bullish market. It feels like people are very aggressive going for what they want. There is more of an eagerness, an enthusiasm for breeding–and it's a domestic demand primarily, which is very encouraging. There are a lot of new people getting in the game and there are a lot of breeders who felt like they needed to refresh their broodmare bands. The breeders recognize that mediocrity is not rewarded. Quality is what they are looking for and they are focusing in on. And when quality gets rewarded, it incentivizes breeders to keep stepping up their programs. I think that's only [good] for the gene pool and for the industry as we move forward.” Tony Lacy with trainer Brendan Walsh | Keeneland The competition for weanlings remained fierce Wednesday, with 104 weanlings selling for an average of $176,923 and a median of $150,000. At the corresponding session a year ago, 86 weanlings sold for an average of $126,279 and a median of $90,000. “The weanling market was extremely strong,” said Keeneland Senior Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach. “We nearly doubled the number of six-figure foals from the corresponding session last year. If you look at the $300,000 and up foals, there were 17 today. There were seven in the session last year. And those 17 today are by 13 different sires. There is depth to the market and that bodes well, both in the range of what's available, but also the buyer base. That's the most rewarding part of all.” A pair of weanlings by first-crop sires shared top honors during Wednesday's session, with a filly by Cody's Wish bringing $550,000 from Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds early in the session matched later in the day by a colt by Elite Power purchased by Glen Hill Farm. The Keeneland November sale continues through Tuesday with sessions beginning daily at 10 a.m. Bolt d'Oro's Anywho Snapped Up for $1.3 Million Continuing its robust spending in Keeneland's Book 2 opener, the group listed as Raging Torrent Syndicate dug in for another seven-figure purchase on Wednesday when extending to $1.3 million for MGSP Anywho (Bolt d'Oro). The ticket was signed by Paul Curran representing Ace Stud. Entering stud at Lane's End, Raging Torrent won the GI Malibu Stakes, GI Hill 'n' Dale Met Mile and G2 Godolphin Mile. Hip 290, consigned by Grovendale, was sold in foal to Not This Time. “Well, it's just really cool,” said Grovendale's James Keogh. “It's always lovely to sell a horse for a million dollars. And, you know, she was a lovely, lovely mare, and she came from a tremendous female family, and she was just impossible to fault.” “To sell a horse for a million dollars, but to bring a mare in here and sell it at Keeneland, it's life changing for people like my wife and I. It's just a fantastic day.” After the Ring with @JamesBKeogh on the $1.3 million sale of Anywho in foal to Not This Time #KeeNov pic.twitter.com/GcuNeIUZoN — Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) November 5, 2025 The daughter of SP Fancy and Flashy (Zensational) is a half-sister to Grade III-placed Wipe the Slate (Nyquist). Anywho was bred in Kentucky by Brookfield Stud. Campaigned by Hronis Racing and trained by John Sadler, the 5-year-old was retired with a trio of wins and earnings of just under $250,000. During her career, she also finished third in the GIII Rancho Bernardo Stakes and in her sole start in 2025, in the GIII Las Cienegas Stakes at Santa Anita. “She is obviously a well-raced filly and the covering sire was very popular with us,” said Curran. “We have bought a couple of mares covered by Not This Time. He is just a phenomenal stallion. He seems to be the real deal in the sense that going from a very small fee to where he is now at $250,000 is a testament to him.” Outlining what the team is looking for to visit their new stallion, Curran said, “We are trying to support our new stallion Raging Torrent and she is going to go to him. We are trying to pick up a couple of nice mares with some nice covers to them and she fit the bill. “She is a nice high-profile mare to send to him. We are trying to get some quality mares to him with some runners on the ground and she is perfect for that.” We really liked the Medaglia d'Oro broodmare line as well, that was a factor as well. I think she'll suit Raging Torrent very well. We're pleased we got her.” Book 2 fireworks! Anywho, a mare by Bolt d'Oro and in foal to Not This Time delivers $1.3 million in the ring early in the day. Consigned by @grovendalesales, purchased by Raging Torrent Syndicate. pic.twitter.com/nKa3ktAQF7 — Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) November 5, 2025 Raging Torrent Syndicate's other purchases on Wednesday include hip 260, Very Scary (Connect), who brought $625,000 and was also a member of the Grovendale consignment. The Raging Torrent Syndicate was the leading buyer on Wednesday with two purchases generating $1.925 million. Through the first two days of selling at Keeneland, the operation led all buyers with five purchases totaling $5,225,000.–CBoss Green Knows Who's Ticket Bloodstock agent Finn Green, bidding on behalf of an undisclosed client, went to $750,000 to acquire the 4-year-old broodmare Who's Ticket (Quality Road) (hip 267) from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment Wednesday at Keeneland. The bay mare, in foal to Practical Joke, is a daughter of champion Take Charge Brandi (Giant's Causeway). Her second dam, Charming (Seeking the Gold), produced Omaha Beach, and third dam Take Charge Lady (Dehere) produced champion Will Take Charge. It was a family Green got to see up close when he served as racing manager for 2013 GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Mucho Macho Man. Who's Ticket | Keeneland “I stepped into the receiving barn at Santa Anita in 2013 for the Breeders' Cup with Mucho Macho Man and Will Take Charge came in,” Green recalled. “So we go all the way back to that point with this family. You don't get many Grade I-producing mares that repeat in multiple generations. So pedigree is very important to the client.” The mare, bred by Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings and Three Chimneys Farm, was purchased by Glen Hill Farm and Three Chimneys for $450,000 as a weanling at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton November sale. She was followed into the Keeneland ring Wednesday by her first foal, a colt by Munnings bred by Three Chimneys and Glen Hill, who sold for $450,000 to Glen Hill Farm. Of plans for the mare, Green said, “[The client] may even go to New York with her. But she will come back to a Kentucky stallion.” @JessMartiniTDN Thirty Year Farm Enters the Fray with 750K Medaglia d'Oro Buy Thirty Year Farm made it on the board Wednesday with Golden Ghost (GB) (Medaglia d'Oro), purchased for $750,000 during the second day of selling at Keeneland. Offered as hip 413, the 4-year-old was consigned by Taylor Made Sales on behalf of the D J Stable Curated Reduction. Taylor Made Sales led all consignors Wednesday with 31 head amassing $8.165 million. Also on top through two days of selling, the agency sold 60 horses for $27,205,000. Bidding from the far end of the main pavilion, the operation's Matt and Kristen Esler were accompanied by their advisor, Edgewood Farm's Carson Asbury. Golden Ghost | Keeneland What was the initial attraction to the filly? “Did you get a look at her?” Thirty Year Farm's Matt Esler asked with a laugh. “She is a really good-looking mare–definitely checked those boxes. We are bullish on Not This Time. I think she'll be a really nice broodmare.” The English-bred filly, in foal to Not This Time, is out of G1 Prix de l'Opera heroine Villa Marina (GB) (Le Havre), a half-sister to dual Australian Group 1-winning Huetor (Fr) (Archipenko). “Medaglia d'Oro is an A+ cross with [Not This Time],” explained Esler. “We've had some success with Medaglia d'Oro in the past, so that definitely factored into [the purchase].” Thirty Year Farm has been gradually increasing its number of residents since the couple secured the tract of land in Saratoga, just under five miles from Saratoga Race Course, eight years ago. Since the purchase, the Eslers have been focused on developing a blueprint that is tailor-made to their program. “We don't try to re-invent the wheel,” said Esler. “We look for proven mares or mares with great pedigree and we are always looking for physical traits of performers.” Facing stark competition for younger race fillies and mares at this season's November sales has proven anything but easy to fill orders for most operations. “We had a harder time buying this year than we've had in the last few years out of this sale,” Esler admitted. “We thought it was an 'us' thing. It's obviously not.” He continued, “This year, we've had a bit of a youth movement. We have gotten away from some of the older mares and this year, they are all on the younger side. We'll also see if we can't make [race fillies/broodmare prospects] ourselves. “Overall, we want great bloodlines and for them to have good, solid first dams.” Thirty Year Farm made its first-ever purchase at Fasig-Tipton's November Sale, securing Yanira (More Than Ready), a half-sister to Classic-producing mare Puca (Big Brown) and GISW Finnegan's Wake (Powerscourt {GB}), for $575,000. The bay mare is in foal to Good Magic.–CBoss 'Something Special': Cody's Wish Weanling Demand Continues at Keeneland Weanlings from the first crop of Horse of the Year Cody's Wish continued to be in demand in the sales ring at Keeneland Wednesday. Randy Hartley went to $550,000 to secure a filly by the Darley stallion (hip 257) on behalf of Tom Durant. The filly was bred by John Ferguson's Natalma Bloodstock, which purchased her dam, Union Maiden (Union Rags), for $250,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November sale. She was consigned by Lane's End. Hip 257 | Keeneland “We are seeing something special in the Cody's Wishes,” said Hartley. “We really wanted to try to buy one and we've gotten outbid on a few and didn't get one. I felt like this filly was the best one left, for us anyway. So we were going home with her.” Cody's Wish had four weanlings sell for an average of $416,250 at Monday's Fasig-Tipton November sale. Through two sessions of the Keeneland November sale, seven weanlings by Cody's Wish have sold for an average of $256,429. The stallion stands at Darley for $60,000. “They just have substance to them,” Hartley said of Cody's Wish's first-crop weanlings. “They have got the hips, the minds, you can just tell they are born with it. It's not like they are putting it on them. And he was such a special racehorse. I bought his halter for $5,000, so surely I can buy a filly. We stretched a little bit, but she has some pedigree.” Hartley continued, “We are looking for fillies for Tom to race and that, down the road, he can make broodmares.” Of the competitive weanling market, Hartley said, “The market is setting the prices, so it's hard to be surprised, but yes, I am surprised. There are fewer babies here because the yearling market was so good. I feel like a lot of people are hanging on to stuff. But if you pay a lot here, and you come back to sell, there are going to be a lot of horses that we didn't see here that you are going to be up against. “So as pinhookers, we haven't bought much to pinhook yet. We are going to try to find some here in like Book 4,” Hartley added with a laugh. @JessMartiniTDN Elite Power Colt Tops Glen Hill's Weanling Haul Wednesday Glen Hill Farm bypassed the competitive yearling market in September in favor of the foal market in November and, while the going wasn't much easier, the Bernick family's operation walked away from Wednesday's session of the Keeneland November sale with four weanlings. Leading the group was a colt from the first crop of champion Elite Power (hip 505) who was purchased for $550,000 from the Grovendale Sales consignment. Hip 505 | Keeneland “My mom, Carol Bernick, decided she wanted to have some colts and hopefully target some big races,” Craig Bernick said. “We looked in September 2024 and we couldn't get near a horse, so we bought five foals last year. I just sort of bought what I wanted. Every horse I bid on, I bought. So I thought we would do the same thing this year, but I guess everyone had the same idea this year. We couldn't get near any of the horses yesterday. But we liked four horses today and we were fortunate to get them. We are excited about all four of them.” Hip 505 is out of Mrs. Postman (Pioneerof the Nile), a daughter of Grade I winner Miss Shop (Deputy Minister) and a half-sister to Tin Type Gal (Tapit). The weanling was bred by William Humphries and Altair Farms, who purchased Mrs. Postman for $50,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November sale. The mare's first foal, a filly by Jackie's Warrior, sold for $210,000 at this year's Keeneland September sale. “The Elite Power is a really racy colt from a great family,” Bernick said. “The more we looked at him, the more we liked the horse. It was a little more than we were hoping to pay, but maybe not so much more than we expected after everything that has happened.” Also Wednesday, Glen Hill purchased a colt by Munnings (hip 268)–whom they had co-bred with Three Chimneys Farm–for $450,000; a colt by Street Sense (hip 474) for $375,000; and a colt by Yaupon (hip 420) for $180,000. @JessMartiniTDN McCauley Mare Has the Right Foundation Nate McCauley's Foundation Bloodstock was one of the most prolific buyers at the Keeneland January sale earlier this year, purchasing 15 young mares for $670,500 with the intention of putting them in foal and returning them to the sales ring this fall. The plan worked to perfection at Keeneland Wednesday when Will Take Holiday (Will Take Charge) (hip 269) sold for $335,000 to Old Tavern Farm. McCauley had purchased the unraced 6-year-old mare, a half-sister to Grade I winner Trikari (Oscar Performance), for $52,000 in January. She sold Wednesday carrying her first foal after visiting Twirling Candy ($60k) this spring. Keeneland “When I saw her in January, I thought she was really nice,” McCauley said of Will Take Holiday. “She had good substance and size. But you could tell that maybe there was still improvement left in her. I have great respect for that family. I had owned it once before. And I have great respect for Trikari. I thought he would come back and have an even better year than it turned out he did. And there was a 3-year-old sister that Mike Maker had who broke her maiden impressively at Gulfstream. Unfortunately, something happened to her after that, so we didn't catch that update.” Of the decision to send the mare to Twirling Candy, McCauley said, “Twirling Candy is one of my favorite stallions, but you have to be careful what you breed to him. He wants substance and size from the mare. And she had both of those in spades. And he's done really well with [Will Take Charge's sire] Unbridled's Song, so that cross was fantastic. She was perfect for the Twirling Candy play.” McCauley said Will Take Holiday's $335,000 price tag Wednesday, “exceeded my expectations, but at the same time, I thought she was well-bought.” Of the difference in the market from January to November, McCauley said, “To me, this is a more competitive market than January and that helps. What we try to do is find value with the maiden mares and find value with the stallions we are breeding them to. And then we hope that that adds up to a more expensive package than what we have invested in them. And when you have a really good market on top of it, that's when you have results like this.” McCauley expects to be back in action reoffering more members of his January purchases over the next week at Keeneland. “We RNA'd one at Night of the Stars and sold her after,” McCauley said. “They are a great group. And of course, they are here to sell. We have really conservative reserves. Every year we have 90%-plus clearance rate. There are going to be some that we will lose a little bit of money on and that's ok. But as a whole, I feel good about them.” @JessMartiniTDN The post Anywho, Yet Another Million-Dollar Mare, Paces ‘Bullish’ Keeneland November Book 2 Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Promising filly Sweet Talkin Gal got Hollie Wynyard’s week off on the right foot as she readies proven mare Archaic Smile for a stakes assignment at Riccarton on Saturday. The Cambridge trainer ventured to New Plymouth on Wednesday with high hopes for Sweet Talkin Gal, a daughter of Anders who had placed in all three of her raceday starts including third last time out behind Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) contender Belle Cheval. The market shared her faith backing the filly into $1.60 favouritism and she got away cleanly in the hands of Jasmine Fawcett, settling outside the leader Rockman in the early stages. A key rival in Arthur strode up to take over nearing the 800m but Fawcett kept in close range, striding up beside the leader to set up a battle in the home straight. Arthur held the Sweet Talkin Gal at bay for a decent part of the straight but she was the stronger horse late, kicking up to win by a neck. It hadn’t been a comfortable watch for Wynyard in the small field and she was relieved to come up on the right side of the result. “It was a really good run, those small fields can be a bit niggly and almost harder to win but she’s done it well,” she said. “She took almost the length of the straight to do it and had me half-terrified, but she’s got there in the end. “It’s massive to tick that maiden off as a three-year-old, the world’s your oyster from then on really and you’ve got so many options for them from here. For her, going 1400 for the third time was probably a bit cheeky, she’s a real mile to 2000m horse, an Oaks filly in the making I hope. “To get the win over 1400m is outstanding and she’s only going to get better from here.” There will be no 1000 Guineas this year for Sweet Talkin Gal, but her stablemate has headed south to contest the Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Canterbury Breeders Stakes (1400m) on the opening day of New Zealand Cup Week. While one of the lower-rated runners at 76, Archaic Smile has one of the best records in the mares field, having won at stakes level and placed in a Group One as a juvenile, then backed that up with runner-up finishes in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) and Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at three. She has performed well in strong company at Te Rapa and Ellerslie so far this campaign and Wynyard believes she has found the right race third-up. “The season hasn’t mapped out great for her so far, she’s been in the wrong races and that’s no one’s fault, it’s just been tracks and weather and everything else,” she said. “I think she’s finally in the right race with the right conditions and I think she can go pretty close. “She’s drawn 11 so she’ll probably have to go back from the gate and she’ll be weaving a path through them like she does. “She’s a really genuine mare with a blistering turn of foot, so here’s hoping she can get a stakes win, that would be nice.” The daughter of Saxon Warrior will be ridden by Matt Cartwright, who rides the Guineas favourite Well Written later in the card. All going smoothly, Wynyard isn’t counting out a back-up into the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) on Wednesday, that race worth more than double the $120,000 purse of the Breeders’. “As long as she pulls up happy and healthy, she’s the sort of horse that thrives off racing and licks the bowl every night – she’s a fat little pony really,” she said. “I’m a little bit concerned that the track may be firm, and she’ll feel that, but as long as that’s not the case and she wants to go again, we’ll have another go.” View the full article

Expat Kiwi jockey James McDonald will once again represent his homeland in next month’s LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC), which will take place at Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong on Wednesday, December 10. The LONGINES IJC is the most prestigious jockey challenge in the world and the most lucrative for the winning rider, with the four contested races worth a combined $1.7 million in prizemoney. The total prize fund of $227,000 in bonus money for the most successful riders will be split three ways, with the winner set to receive $136,000, $57,000 for second and $34,000 for third. McDonald was crowned the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey in 2022 and 2024, and he currently leads this year’s standings. He recently won a fourth consecutive Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) aboard Via Sistina to join Hugh Bowman as the only jockeys to achieve the feat. McDonald has had plenty of success in Hong Kong this year, including winning all three legs of the jurisdiction’s Triple Crown – The Gr.1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m), Gr.1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and Gr.1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) – aboard Voyage Bubble. List of invited jockeys: Mickael Barzalona – reigning IJC Champion Hong Kong Champion Jockey – Zac Purton Australia – Rachel King Brazil – Joao Moreira Japan – Christophe Lemaire Great Britain – Ryan Moore Great Britain – Hollie Doyle Great Britain – William Buick New Zealand – James McDonald United States of America – Umberto Rispoli Hong Kong – Leading eligible freelance jockey (as of November 26) Hong Kong – Highest ranked jockey (as of November 26) View the full article

A team of four will defend Te Akau’s crown in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), claimed 12 months ago by Captured By Love, who will bid to return to winning form on the Riccarton undercard. Mark Waker and Sam Bergerson’s Classic hopes in the Barneswood Farm-sponsored feature rest with Cool Aza Rene (Cool Aza Beel), Belle Du Monde (Zoustar), Origin Of Love (Snitzel) and Belle Cheval (NZ) (Savabeel), while last year’s heroine takes on the Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) hasn’t won since her Guineas triumph, but her most recent run for second at Taupo behind race rival Churchillian (NZ) (Churchill) was encouraging. However, her camp’s confidence was dealt a blow when she came up with the outside gate in Saturday’s 14-horse field and will rely on jockey Opie Bosson’s magic to overcome that hurdle. “The barrier draw is a shocker, but hopefully Opie can sort that out and he knows her really well from trackwork and throughout her career,” Bergerson said. “At set weights and penalties, it suits her as a Group One winner and she can hopefully perform well and get a bit more confidence. “It’s been so frustrating in the north with cancelled meetings, and we were then going to run in the Legacy Lodge (Listed, 1200m) before they changed the venue to Pukekohe. “That’s right-handed and we think she is a lot better going left-handed, so this a good back-up option.” Guineas prospects Cool Aza Rene, Belle Du Monde and Origin Of Love have completed their preparations from Te Akau’s Riccarton base while Bosson’s mount Belle Cheval is coming off a smart Ellerslie maiden win. “The fillies that have been down there do have a massive advantage, we’ve had a lot of luck doing it that way, but I still think the northern form and the fillies flying down are the benchmark,” Bergerson said. “Belle Cheval is lightly raced and has to take the next step, but we do think she is very talented and the mile will suit. “Her sectionals the other day were off the chart, and I think she’s the top seed, but in saying that the other fillies are settled down there and it’s been straight forward getting them through to Saturday.” Origin Of Love won the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) last time out while Cool Aza Rene was successful in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m), in which Belle Du Monde was fourth. “Origin Of Love is a stakes winner at a mile, Cool Aza Rene proved us wrong when we stretched her out in trip, and back to Riccarton and up to a mile, I think Belle Du Monde can run really well,” Bergerson said. “They are an interesting quartet, but it is going to be hard to beat Stephen Marsh’s filly (Well Written).” Court Of Appeal (NZ) (Eminent) is also tipped as a strong chance to give the stable further success in the Listed Nautical Boat Insurance Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) following the win 12 months ago of former stable runner Mehzebeen (NZ) (Almanzor), who went on to claim the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m). “She gets in well and unfortunately has drawn the outside as well, but she’s well weighted and the step up in distance should suit,” Bergerson said. “We think she is an out and out stayer and she’s got a pretty similar profile to Mehzebeen.” View the full article

Matamata trainer Graham Richardson views Saturday’s Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) as a wide-open contest and is hoping Lollapalooza (NZ) (El Roca) can be right in the thick of the $600,000 prize. The El Roca filly announced herself as a key contender for the Riccarton showpiece when taking out the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) early in the spring, then went down by a nose to Tajana in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (1400m) a fortnight later. Tajana and Lollapalooza went head-to-head for the second time in the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) last start at Ellerslie but settled for third and fifth respectively in a contest taken out by Well Written, who opened a red-hot favourite in the Guineas market after final fields assembled on Wednesday morning. Richardson was satisfied with the Soliloquy run after she got well back in the field but indicated the filly will wear blinkers for the first time on Saturday after arriving safely in Christchurch. “She just got too far back and wouldn’t go through the gaps, the winner won very well but we were only a half-length from the second horse (Little Black Dress),” he said. “I’m happy with her, so as long as she’s 100 percent well and healthy with a good draw (2) and blinkers on for the first time, hopefully she can race up to the best of her ability. She ran second at Taupo this way around (left-handed) so let’s hope it’ll suit.” Lollapalooza currently shares the second line of betting clearly with Belle Cheval, but Richardson believes the race is far deeper than it appears. “I don’t know what the final result will be because there’s more than just Well Written in the race,” he said. “Ray Fleming’s horse (Savvy Donna) raced very well (in the Soliloquy) and David Archer’s filly (Belle Cheval) won well at Ellerslie. There’s six or seven in the field that could very well win this race.” The filly he prepares in partnership with Rogan Norvall won’t be short of supporters at Riccarton, with a number of members in her Social Racing Premier Dynamic Duo Syndicate and Richardson Racing Carnival Syndicate set to be trackside. “It’s all about the thrill they get and there are a lot of people coming down to watch which is fantastic,” Richardson said. View the full article

It was a huge Breeders' Cup Day for 35-year-old Venezuelan-born trainer Jose D'Angelo, who not only won two races, but won two in a row. The greatest 35 minutes of his training career began with a win by 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Shisospicy (Mitole) in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint and D'Angelo also won the next race, the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, with Florida-bred Bentornato (Valiant Minister). To talk about his Breeders' Cup success story, his background, his plans for the future and more, D'Angelo joined the team on this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Gainesway Guest of the Week. Bentornato had only raced once between last year's Sprint, in which he finished second at 28-1, and this year's Sprint. D'Angelo went over his issues and how he had him in peak form last Saturday at Del Mar. “Our plan was going to the Malibu last year,” he said. “We shipped the horse there, but after the workout, he came back good, but the morning of the race, I saw him a little sore and everything came from the hoof. So I scratched the horse that morning. He could have passed the vet. He could have run, but I felt like it could be costly. Like I can lose the horse on that race. Like probably, you know, this race is going to take more from him. “I gave him a break and we were ready to come back but sometimes the horses have things that you cannot see. I put on the PET scan, everything was clear, clean, like no fractures, no chips, nothing, just little bumps and bruising. That's normal. So that's why we stopped on the horse. But two months later, when he was training again, he got a splint and we had to stop on him again. That's when we decided to aim for the Breeders' Cup. The owner just said yes and followed my recommendations. We know that it's a tough game. We used the Louisville Thoroughbred Stakes as his prep. I told the owner, 'I promise you the horse is going to need these seven weeks to recover after the layoff and I can train him in the way that I want for the Breeders' Cup.' If you see what I did, I pushed him with hard workouts, strong workouts.” Bentornato will now be pointed to the GII Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia. D'Angelo is not sure where Shisospicy will resurface. At the Fasig-Tipton 'Night of the Stars' sale, owner Morplay Racing bought out partner Qatar Racing, paying $5.2 million for the 3-year-old filly. D'Angelo was among the most successful trainers in Venezuela, following in the footsteps of his father, trainer Francisco D'Angelo. After winning a training title in 2018, D'Angelo came to the U.S. in 2019. “I was the leading trainer in Venezuela in 2018,” he said. “So that's why I decided to move to USA, to follow my father. He moved here in 2015. To move to the USA, I was trying to follow my dreams and go for the big races here.” D'Angelo is clearly a trainer on the rise. What are his hopes for his future? “I learned from the movie of Ruffian,” he said. “They worked on the filly, but they couldn't save her. The next day the trainer had to wake up again and go to work like nothing happened. I'm sure it was an emotional day. I learned that every day you have to work harder, no matter what, no matter whether you win or lose. I just want to work harder and do my best. And the most important thing is to learn. You always have to be open to learning because there are so many people here that have more experience than I do.” The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}). He got a 111 Beyer figure in his Classic victory. The Fastest Horse of the Week is sponsored by WinStar Farm, home of the sire Audible (Into Mischief). Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by 1/st TV, the KTOB, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association and West Point Thoroughbreds, the team of Bill Finley, Zoe Cadman and Randy Moss reviewed all the Breeders' Cup races and discussed the career of Frankie Dettori, who had his last U.S. rides in the Breeders' Cup. There was also a discussion of the “Great Rabbit Controversy” and whether or not Contrary Thinking (Into Mischief) cost Fierceness (City of Light) the win in the Classic. Moss made an interesting point about how poorly the “Win and You're In” horses out of South America fared in the Breeders' Cup and thought the rules need to be tweaked to ensure that horses coming from there will at least be competitive. Click to listen to the audio of the podcast. The post Jose D’Angelo Joins the TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented by Keeneland 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. 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. Among this week's rulings, trainer Francisco Ramos has been banned 4-years and fined $50,000 for the possession of Diisopropylamine and Clenbuterol, both banned substances. Despite repeated attempts to contact him as the case was processed, Ramos “has never responded to HIWU concerning this Charge or his election with respect to it,” according to HIWU's final written ruling. Back May 7 last year, investigators searched Ramos's vehicle and barn at Belterra Park. In his vehicle, they allegedly found a non-FDA approved foreign pharmacological substance that was later found to contain Diisopropylamine. Investigators also allegedly found a “clear jug of red liquid sealed with green tape, which contained Clenbuterol” in the driver's side near door, according to the ruling. With later analysis, the Clenbuterol was found to contain a “super-potent concentration of compounded Clenbuterol, far exceeding the concentration level in the FDA-approved brand Ventipulmin,” the ruling states. Diisopropylamine is a vasodilator, which is a substance that dilates the vessels to allow blood to flow more freely through them. Diisopropylamine is also found in several everyday items like tobacco and beauty products, and hand sanitizer. Clenbuterol is a well-known bronchodilator that is banned for use under HISA except under very specific circumstances. Ramos's suspension begins May 30, 2036. The trainer is currently serving a 12-year suspension for six out-of-competition or post-race medication violations for Clenbuterol. When that 12-year ban is complete, the latest four-year suspension begins. Resolved ADMC Violations Dates: 11/03/25 and 11/04/2025 Licensee: Patrick Reynolds, Amira Chichakly and Rodolfo Rodriguez. Penalty: Written reprimands. Admission. Explainer: For breach of rule 3510(d), the “Refusal or failure without compelling justification to comply with any other provision of the Protocol (where such refusal or failure does not constitute an Anti-Doping Rule Violation)” for events dated 3/8/24, 3/7/24 and 3/1/24 respectively. According to a HIWU spokesperson, more detailed explainers about the specifics of this particular rule breach will be made public on its site by next Monday at the latest. Date: 11/03/2025 Licensee: Adam Rice, 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: Medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Little Lamb Chop, who finished third at Presque Isle Downs on 9/1/25. Date: 10/30/2025 Licensee: Francisco Ramos, trainer Penalty: 4-year period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 30, 2036; a fine of $50,000. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Violation for the possession of Diisopropylamine and Clenbuterol–both banned substances–on an event dated 5/7/24. Date: 10/28/2025 Licensee: Andrew Tumblin, 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 of HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Vanadium, who won at Thistledown on 9/1/25. Pending ADMC Violations 11/05/2025, Marvin Richards, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Awesome Prince on 10/10/25. 11/03/2025, Elizabeth McCue, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Prince Khozan on 9/30/25. 11/03/2025, Craig Lewis, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Kikuride, who won at Del Mar on 8/31/25. 10/31/2025, William Blair, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in samples taken from Ce La Vi Charli, who finished second at Churchill Downs on 9/19/25; and from Lunar Module, who finished third at Churchill Downs on 9/21/25. 10/31/2025, William Blair, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Ce La Vi Charli, who finished second at Churchill Downs on 9/19/25. 10/30/2025, Sarah Davidson, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Midnight Lady on 9/30/25. 10/30/2025, Gary Greiner, trainer: Pending violation for the possession of Piper Methysticum (Kava)–a banned anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory drug–on an event dated 6/10/25. Violations of Crop Rule Churchill Downs Emmanuel Esquivel–violation date Oct. 31; $250 fine, one-day suspension Andres Calleja–violation date Oct. 30; $500 fine, one-day suspension The post Weekly National Rulings Include Additional 4-Year Ban For Ramos appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

World-class rider Frankie Dettori announced that his last ever mounts in the U.S. would be in the Breeders' Cup, so it came as somewhat of a shock when he was named on Lagynos (Kantharos) in Saturday's GIII River City Stakes at Churchill Downs. Lagynos, trained by Steve Asmusssen, is among the top contenders in the race. But his U.S. agent Ron Anderson said Dettori will not be riding Saturday at Churchill or anywhere else in the U.S. in the future. “I have no idea why he was named on that horse,” Anderson said. “Not a clue. He's not even in the country. He's gone, gone back to England. He's retired. I have no idea why Steve named him on that horse. No idea whatsoever. I am going to have to ask him.” Dettori plans to ride in a few more races before he totally retires, but they will all be in South America. The 54-year-old superstar has told reporters that his last ever ride will be in the GI El Derby in Chile. The race, the third leg of the Chilean Triple Crown, will be run on or around Feb. 1. It is a 1 1/2 mile race run at Valparaiso Sporting Club. Prior to that he will look to ride in other prestigious South American races such as the GI Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional at the Hipodromo de San Isidro in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in December, and the GI Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez at Hipódromo Nacional de Maroñas in Montevideo, Uruguay. That race will be run Jan. 6. Anderson said he will not be booking mounts for him in South America and that local agents will handle his business there. “He brought an enthusiasm to the game that is very rare for someone who had the success that he has had,” Anderson said. “I like to tell this story: One Sunday night at Santa Anita he won three races and he called up and I hung up the phone and said, “Is that a guy that has won six Arcs? He won the Arc de Triomphe six times. Or was that a kid who just won his first race?' It sounded like a kid who won his first race. I've known him since he was a little kid. He's spectacular and has always been so enthusiastic. He's a great rider. I know he wishes he came to the U.S. a few years before he did. He was a pleasure to work for.” After his final ride, Dettori will go to work for Amo Racing as a global brand ambassador. Owned by Kia Joorabchian, Amo has quickly developed into one of the top stables in the world. “I'm thrilled to be joining Amo Racing as their global brand ambassador,” Dettori said in a social media post. “Kia and his team have huge passion and ambition for the sport, and it's exciting to be a part of their journey.” The post Yes, Dettori Is Still Retired From U.S. Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Ben Hope has a mountain to climb on Tuesday, but there is business to handle first at Oamaru on Thursday. After going desperately close in the past, Hope will again combine with Muscle Mountain in the Group 1 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot at Addington. Hope and father Greg will balance putting the finishing touches on their three-pronged attack on the renowned trotting event with having starters at Oamaru, as well as Addington on Friday. The Hope stable’s squad of four heading south of the Waitaki includes Franco Elvis, who will be clocking up plenty of miles on the road this week. The pacer made a right hash of the standing start in his outing at Kaikoura on Monday. Franco Elvis switches back to the mobile at Oamaru, which looks a big boost to his winning claims. “He has got the ability there to win these races, but it is just about getting it out of him,” Hope said. “He didn’t take anything out of himself at Kaikoura so we thought we would back him up.” “On ability he would be a pretty good winning chance, it’s just a matter of him getting a bit of luck and showing up with his best.” Rena is arguably the biggest winning threat among the Hopes’ Oamaru team. The three-year-old has run two ninths this time in; she was unlucky in the first before taking on strong company in her next start. “They went a good time last start and it was a much stronger field,” Hope said. “We gave her a bit of a freshen-up after that and she seems quite well.” “She is a handy filly and I would expect her to be hard to beat.” Val Thorens heads to Oamaru with two seconds and two misses this time in. In his two recent starts out of the money, the trotter has made costly mistakes when sent out as race favourite. “He has got the ability but he is not an easy horse.” “Manners will be key with him, he has gone two nice races when he has trotted.” “If he trots all the way he will be up to that field, but you never quite know with him.” Ar Gee Rulz will also wear the Hope colours at Oamaru on Thursday. “He’s an honest horse and it looks quite a suitable race for him.” “If he gets a bit of luck he should go a pretty handy race.” Muscle Mountain has drawn barrier 7 in the Group 1 Dominion on Friday. The Hope camp goes into the feature event as happy with their stable star as possible. “We are pretty happy with the draw and the horse is in a really good place.” “The campaign has gone really smoothly and we have been able to get five runs into him.” “Being a bit older he can handle the racing better and he needs it too.” “When he was younger he could rely more on his natural ability.” “All in all we are really happy with him and we just hope he can get his share of luck on the day.” Stablemate Mr Love will start alongside Muscle Mountain on the front line in the Dominion in barrier 9, while Midnight Dash will have to contend with barrier 15. View the full article

Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Journalism will race next year before he retires to stud at Coolmore's Ashford Stud, according to Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, one of the colt's co-owners.View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features a son Ulysses. 17.45 Chelmsford, £30,000, Nov, 2yo, 8f (AWT) Sporting the famed Mill Reef silks, ITICA (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) is a half-brother to G1 Racing Post Trophy-winning sire Elm Park (GB) (Phoenix Reach {Ire}) and the multiple Group-placed G2 York Stakes runner-up Brorocco (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}), both being former Kingsclere incumbents. The Andrew Balding debutant is set to face 14 rivals including Ed Walker representative Spirit Of Athene (GB) (Time Test {GB}), who is a daughter of G3 Princess Royal Stakes victrix Spirit Of Appin (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}). The post Half-Brother To Elm Park Set For Chelmsford Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coolmore's John Magnier has donated approximately 14 acres of land to develop a new training facility for the Tipperary Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), RTE reported. The land is adjacent to the Tipperary GAA's current base. The expansion of the Tipperary GAA's Coolmore Morris Park in Thurles will allow for the creation of a new, “state-of-the-art centre of excellence”. In a statement, Tipperary GAA CEO Murtagh Brennan said, “This investment represents a watershed moment for Gaelic games in Tipperary and underscores our long-term commitment to nurturing athletic excellence and supporting the next generation of hurlers and footballers. “Crucially, this expansion will serve not only our elite teams but the thousands of young boys and girls who represent the future of Tipperary GAA. It will provide a safe, modern and inclusive environment for youth development, physical wellbeing, and personal growth. “The wider Tipperary community will also benefit, with this facility acting as a hub for participation, pride and connection across our county. “Tipperary GAA extends its sincere gratitude to Mr Magnier for his outstanding generosity and vision. “This development is not just an enhancement of facilities–it is an investment in the future of our county, our players, and our sporting community. It will ensure that Tipperary GAA continues to flourish and that our athletes have every opportunity to reach their full potential.” The post Magnier Donates Land To Tipperary GAA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every year, about 17,000 Thoroughbreds are born in North America. Let's assume half of them are colts: 8,500 male horses bred with ambition in their blood. Of those, maybe 50–if we're being generous–will ever make it to stud. The fillies often retain value as broodmares, but even then the industry quietly accumulates thousands of horses every single year whose careers end without a clear path forward. And for far too many of them, that path ends at the slaughterhouse. We talk about racing fatalities in terms of breakdowns on the track. But what about the horses that vanish off it? The ones who served their purpose and then became too expensive, too inconvenient, too anonymous to keep around? That's not just a moral dilemma. It's a failure of our product life cycle. That's where Breeders' Cup Sunday Comes In This is a proposal for the Breeders' Cup to launch a national, multi-discipline competition circuit exclusively for off-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs). A series that spans the calendar year, beginning with the Pegasus World Cup in January and culminating in the Breeders' Cup in November. Events held on the biggest racing weekends: Derby Day, Travers, Pacific Classic, Blue Grass Stakes. A Sunday stage, built for second chances. This wouldn't be a showcase or a goodwill gesture. It would be real competition, with real stakes. Show jumping. Dressage. Eventing, and other disciplines uniquely suited to retired racehorses. Because when you put a Thoroughbred in front of a crowd, with purpose and spotlight, magic still happens. Not Charity, Market Correction Breeders' Cup Sunday wouldn't be about pity. It would be about potential. With enough prize money to matter, we flip the paradigm from “how do we find homes” to “how do we compete for one?” That's how markets work. When something has value, people protect it. They invest in it. They build stories around it. For decades, we've leaned on aftercare as a charitable afterthought. That model is noble, but it isn't scalable. What's scalable is value. And this one idea could solve three things at once. Economic Value A well-planned, well-funded, Thoroughbred-only show circuit can do what decades of fundraising haven't: make these horses desirable again. It would create a viable secondary market, where a horse that once struggled in the claiming ranks might shine in a jumper ring. Imagine a $7,500 gelding winning a championship on Travers weekend, and suddenly, everyone wants a horse just like him. This wouldn't just save lives. It would lift the entire value chain. Trainers would think twice before running horses into the ground. Auction houses could host alumni classes. Regional breeding programs could have incentives built in. Even stallions who missed the commercial mark might sire athletic, versatile OTTBs that thrive on these stages. This doesn't just help aftercare. It helps everyone who touches the sport. Fandom and Attendance These Sunday events would run parallel to the big racing Saturdays. They wouldn't compete with racing. They'd complete it. Families attending to cheer on their OTTB might stay to watch the stakes races. Dressage riders and jumper fans might stumble into the thrill of the paddock. New audiences. New owners. New storylines. This is also how we grow fractional ownership and micro-share models through easy customer acquisition. Storylines In today's world, attention is currency. Storytelling is economy. And we are sitting on the greatest untold stories in sport. Comebacks. Redemption arcs. Second acts. Imagine following a once-forgotten claimer now winning hearts in show jumping. Imagine an OTTB who ran dead last in the Derby returning to Churchill Downs five years later and winning a freestyle competition under the twin spires. We've seen it before. We just don't package it. Look at what “Welcome to Wrexham” did for a fifth-division football club. Look at how “Drive to Survive” doubled F1 viewership. We don't need to invent drama. We just need to shine a light on the ones already walking among us. Breeders' Cup Sunday could become the bridge between disciplines, between fan bases, between chapters of a horse's life. It could be the thing that carries over not just horses, but owners, breeders, and dreamers. It could scale globally with events accompanying the big days like the Dubai World Cup and the Saudi Cup. Because this sport isn't just built on speed. It's built on belief. We are a sport of dreams. Of what might be. Of what could be. We just need to extend that dream beyond the finish line and give these horses a chance to write one more chapter in their story. –Sobhy Sonbol, Nile Bloodstock The post Letter To The Editor: How Breeders’ Cup Sunday Can Be A Sustainable Solution To Racing Aftercare appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Strong chance that Willie Browne leaves his Christmas shopping until the last minute. Why? The legendary breeze-up handler played a leading role at this week's Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale – one of the last yearling sales of the year – by spending €160,500 on four horses, which included the top lot by Sioux Nation at €88,000. Peter Nolan and Noel Meade, Spanish bloodstock agent Francisco Bernal along with BBA Ireland agents Mick Donohoe and Adam Potts could well be in a similar boat, as they also contributed to what turned out to be booming trade at Kildare Paddocks this week. Any softening to the horses-in-training market of late bore little or no consequence to the yearling section of this sale with a strong domestic and foreign buying bench contributing to a 15% rise in turnover to €4,372,900. The average and median also went north, with a 15% bump to €10,053 and 20% jump to €6,000 respectively. Meanwhile, an 82% clearance rate, which was up by 5% on last year's sale, illustrates just how high the demand was for untried horses at Goffs this week. The recent horses-in-training sales at Tattersalls and Goffs were by no means weak but the general consensus among consignors – and even bloodstock agents – is that yearlings are becoming a much easier sell than the form horses are. And when it comes to selling the dream of an unraced animal, few do it better than Browne, who had two different millionaire breezers through his hands in 2025. If the Old Carhue Stud-consigned Sioux Nation colt, who is the first produce out of an American Pharoah mare, can chart a similarly profitable path next spring, Browne might make a habit of playing his cards late at the yearling sales. He said, “Some of the Sioux Nations are quite coarse-looking but he looked sharp. He looks like he'll make up into a two-year-old whereas some of them can be a bit plain and timely. He vetted and x-rayed well. Listen, he cost maybe €15,000 more than I wanted to give for him, but I needed a few more numbers.” It's been a while since we've heard that buzzword 'polarisation'. The general consensus now is that the nicest horses have never been harder to buy and getting involved at the top end is becoming more and more difficult. This was something that was acknowledged by Tally-Ho Stud's Roger O'Callaghan a number of weeks ago at the Orby Sale when he simply said, 'it's getting harder and harder for people to compete'. O'Callaghan has a canny knack of summing up situations with just a sentance or two and it seems as though the proverbial nail hasn't just been hit on the head here, it's been smashed into oblivion. Don't forget that Browne came into this year's yearling sale market with more money than he has had to spend for many years as a result of that bountiful breeze-up season – remember he jokingly said that this would be the first year in many that he would have to give the tax man 'a few quid!' Yet, here we are in November, and the Mocklershill maestro admitted to being well down on numbers ahead of next year's breeze-up season. Browne continued, “We've been struggling all year and, even here this week, it has been very hard to buy the ones you want to buy. The competition for the good horses is unbelievable. We're going to be well down on numbers this year. Between buying a few and getting a few to breeze off people, we've got about a half a dozen added to the team, but we'll only have around 40 horses for the breeze-ups next year. That's the least I've ever had. There were some very nice horses here this week, to be fair to Goffs, but, as I said, anything that was half nice made a few quid.” Goffs chief Henry Beeby had ample reason to be chirpy as the curtain came down on the yearling sale season proper in Europe on Wednesday. The Autumn Yearling Sale came off the back of what was respectable Orby trade and Beeby took the opportunity in his closing statements on Wednesday to praise the high volume of foreign buyers who made the trip to Kildare Paddocks this week. He said, “Following record-breaking results at Orby Book 1 and Orby Book 2, we are pleased to have continued the positive trends with a vibrant renewal of the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale. Whilst our Orby results may grab the headlines with seven-figure sale-toppers and Classic-winning graduates, this week is every bit as important to Irish breeders as the catalogue is truly commercial in nature. So it is crucial that we deliver the whole Goffs package over the three days and the team certainly views each lot to be as significant as any we offer in the year. “'Goffs is the gateway to the world for Irish Breeders,' is a phrase we use but it is more than a marketing line as Kildare Paddocks clearly showed with buyers from Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Libya, Mongolia, Morocco, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, and the UK descending in huge numbers from Sunday giving the sale a truly international flavour. Chief among them was the massive group of over 85 from Eastern Europe all organised by our agent Kishore Mirpuri, who continues to raise the bar each year with an ever-bigger team of enthusiastic participants who accounted for over 140 lots.” He added, “Our Italian friends are always a welcome and sometimes flamboyant addition to the crowd so another 50-plus added further colour to proceedings and take home in excess of 50 yearlings. In their regard we are indebted to Angelo Robiati, “Mr Goffs” in Italy for over a quarter of a century. Angelo steps down from his role with our supreme thanks and appreciation, and we were pleased to acknowledge his immeasurable contribution to our fortunes at a dinner last night. “Kishore and Angleo embody so much that is good about the Goffs service and it is to our enormous benefit that we also have the help and assistance of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing whose hard work is every bit as contributory to this sale as any other in the year. How blessed we are to have such an entity to work alongside our own excellent Purchaser Attraction Team and their importance should never be underestimated or taken for granted. For our part we will continue to be major contributors to ITM as our clients reap the dividend at each of our sales but none more than this week. “Whereas the overseas element of this sale is vital, it should also be noted that all bar one of the top 10 lots have been bought to stay in Ireland and continue to demonstrate the value and quality that is on offer at each Goffs sale. That gives us purpose and continues to drive us forward at each sale. And so on to the market-leading Goffs November Foal Sale which has catalogued a mouthwatering selection of the best Irish foals to be offered anywhere this year. There really is nothing like it and we can't wait.” Buy of the day A heavy dollop of bias is attached to this selection but there are many reasons to suggest that, at €58,000, the Sands Of Mali filly BBA Ireland bought on behalf of breeze-up handler Cormac Farrell could be deemed value in time. For starters, Sands Of Mali is arguably one of the most exciting young stallions in Europe, but he only has 24 yearlings on the ground. At a quick glance, only three other yearlings by Sands Of Mali were bought to go breezing next year, so straight away this filly has an opportunity to stand out. On top of that, she is out of a highly-rated Elusive Quality mare and from a good Aga Khan family. She was one of the bigger fish in what was a smaller pond this week but she could well hold her own in a Craven Sale, or possibly even at Arqana next spring. She looks well bought. Thought for the day Ciaran Murphy: has shopped all of the major yearling sales in Europe hard this year | Goffs There is a direct correlation between the trainers who shop the yearling sales hard and the ones who enjoy success on the track. Therefore, you can expect Ciaran Murphy to have a big year next year. He may have cut his teeth in the National Hunt sphere, and notably pre-trained the lion's share of the horses owned by Gigginstown House Stud for many years, but Murphy has proved himself a dab hand with his Flat runners in recent years. Don't forget Murphy sent out Dupont Law to win a Curragh maiden before selling the Le Havre gelding for an eye-watering sum to America earlier in the year. Off the back of that success, Murphy has reinvested heavily – bought 10 yearlings this year compared to only a couple last year – at all of the major yearling sales in Europe, and added a King Of Change colt to his team at €25,000 on Wednesday. That took his total spend this week to €84,000 on four yearlings, some of which were bought on spec. There is no doubt that Murphy is a man who is not content with standing still and chances are he could be in for a big year on the level in 2026. He's definitely one to watch. The post Sioux Nation Colt Heads Breeze-Up King Willie Browne’s Last-Minute Shopping Spree At Goffs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Clifford Lee, who has been hospitalised with a neck injury since a moterbike accident last month, is recovering, according to trainer Karl Burke. The jockey was on holiday while serving a suspension after winning his last four rides, and sustained a neck injury in Scotland. He is slated to be moved from Edinburgh to Middlesbrough in the coming days. Lee celebrated his first Group 1 win aboard Venetian Sun (Starman) in the G1 Prix Morny this year. There have also been several other notable wins this season aboard Royal Champion (Shamardal), Al Qareem (Awtaad) and Convergent (Fascinating Rock). Burke said, “I went to see him yesterday and he's still up in Edinburgh, but hopefully in the next day or two he's moving down to James Cook [University Hospital in Middlesbrough]. “He's in good spirits, but he's got a long way to go. He's restricted, but he is mobile and can walk – he's got full movement bar he can't move his neck. “We've still got to wait to see whether he'll be operated on or not, they'll make that decision at James Cook. There's a little bit of debate as to whether he needs it or not so he's going down to James Cook and they'll make the final decision. He's in a halo brace at the moment.” The post Clifford Lee ‘In Good Spirits’ According To Burke, As He Continues Recovery appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Journalism (Curlin) who took three Grade I races during his 3-year-old season, will not be retired to stud at Coolmore America just yet, but will instead resume training for a 2026 campaign, according to co-owner Aron Wellman. Journalism won the GI Santa Anita Derby, Preakness, and Haskell Stakes in 2025. “Journalism will return to training with Michael McCarthy in 2026,” said Wellman. “He will go to Bridlewood Farm for a 30-60 day freshening.” The colt's ownership group, which included Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith, watched as the Michael McCarthy trainee finished fourth in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar last Saturday. Stallion fees at Ashford Stud were announced on Tuesday, Nov. 4 and included new acquisitions Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) at $75,000, Fierceness (City of Light) at $50,000 and Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) at $35,000. A decision on whether Journalism would be joining these newly-minted sires was expected this week. The post Wellman: Journalism To Continue Racing In 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin's Tornado Alert (Too Darn Hot) has sustained a setback and will not contest the G2 Bahrain International Trophy on November 14, according to trainer Saeed bin Suroor. A winner of the G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis Bayerisches Zuchtrennen in July, the three-year-old colt will instead point toward Dubai targets. He ran fourth in the G1 2000 Guineas, sixth in the G1 Derby and was runner-up in the G3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot prior to his German tally. Bin Suroor said, “He has had a small setback, no real problem, but we will keep him for Dubai. “The ground was going to be good to firm in Bahrain and he prefers easy ground and when he won in Germany it was soft ground. I think the ground in Dubai would suit him better. “He's done well over the summer and was in good form and even last week he was working well, so we will keep him for Dubai which I think will be a nice idea for him. “He's a nice colt and is improving all the time. This season in March when he started to work he showed his class. With time and age he has got better and I'm looking forward to bringing him back to the UK and European racing next season after Dubai as a four-year-old next season.” The royal blue will still be represented in the Bahraini prize with Charlie Appleby's Military Order (Frankel). The post Setback Reroutes Tornado Alert From Bahrain To Dubai appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The catalogue for the Goffs December National Hunt Sale from December 8-10 is now online. Featuring a larger catalogue of 814 lots, there are 745 foals, 58 breeding stock and 11 yearlings and store horses. Graduates that shone this past season include Cheltenham Grade 1 winner Lecky Watson. The sale will begin at 10 a.m. each day. Grade 1 winners with foals selling include Shattered Love (Yeats), who will be represented by a Blue Bresil colt as lot 633; Glens Melody (King's Theatre) has a colt by Poet's Word entered as lot 283; and there is also a Blue Bresil filly out of Cabaret Queen (King's Theatre) (lot 106). All the major National Hunt sires are well represented, with substantial numbers of foals by Authorized, Blue Bresil, Crystal Ocean, Doctor Dino, Galiway, Golden Horn, Goliath Du Berlais, Harzand, Jukebox Jury, Kapgarde, Karaktar, Nirvana Du Berlais, No Risk At All, and Walk In The Park. Among the breeding stock set to sell are Grade 1 winner Brandy Love (Jet Away) (lot 768) in foal to Jukebox Jury; Deuce Again (Dubawi) (lot 774), the dam of 2026 Champion Hurdler Golden Ace (Golden Horn) carrying a full-sibling to that Cheltenham Festival heroine; as well as a full-sister to G3 Grand National hero Nick Rockett (Walk In The Park) as lot 792, Music Of Life. Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby said, “The success of the Goffs December National Hunt Sale is one of our proudest achievements as a team, and it is all thanks to the support of so many vendors who have made Goffs their first choice for NH foals and mares of quality, and for that we are enormously grateful. Indeed, the sale has bucked the trend this year by attracting a significantly larger number of entries than 12 months ago, particularly the foals which have grown from 678 in 2024 to 745. “The catalogue boasts strength and depth throughout, and our proven format sees the foals placed alphabetically by dam across the three days. Goffs December is also now firmly established as the premier destination for elite NH breeding stock, and we have another mouthwatering selection to offer this year. “We look forward to welcoming everyone to Kildare Paddocks for a festive finale to another strong year of National Hunt at Goffs, and in the meantime, we have five weekends of quality jump racing to look forward to which is sure to produce some more exciting updates to the catalogue.” The post ‘Strength And Depth Throughout’: Goffs December NH Catalogue Released appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wagering on U.S. races during the month of October experienced nearly a nine percent uptick and purses also saw significant growth compared to a year ago, according to information released by Equibase on Wednesday. Total wagering of $867,928,259 on races during the month represented a 8.99% increase over the same period from 2024, while available purses of over $115 million were higher by 8.13%. The figure of over $109 million for paid purses in October was also up by 7.59%. As for the total number of race days, they decreased slightly from 312 to 304 (-2.56%) and the number of U.S. races was lower from 2,569 in October 2024 to last month's tally of 2,495 (-2.88%). Average field size in October was down a touch from over a year ago when it was 7.73, and checked in at an average of 7.69 runners, a decrease of 0.53%. However, average daily wagering increased by 11.86% to $2,855,024, and the average available purse number per race day was up 10.98% to $379,899 from the figure of $342,326 in 2024. When it comes to the year-to-date figures, through October of 2024 wagering on U.S. races came in at $9.662-billion, while this year the amount is $9.547-billion (-1.19%). Those numbers include worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races. The post October Year-Over Wagering Numbers Along With Purses Look Strong appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A total of 54 yearlings have been catalogued for the Tattersalls Online Yearling Session on November 18-19. The yearlings are by such sires as Acclamation, Churchill, Showcasing, Starspangledbanner, Too Darn Hot, Zoustar, Cotai Glory, Cracksman, Dandy Man, Kameko, Phoenix Of Spain, Saxon Warrior, Ten Sovereigns and Ulysses. There are 11 half-brothers and sisters to group and listed performers and seven yearlings out of group and listed performing mares. Some of the choicest lots include a Zoustar filly out of Group 3 winner Farmah (lot 10) who is also a half-sister to the listed-placed Running Queen (Kingman); and a Sottsass half-sister (lot 21) to Group 1 winners Wigmore Hall (High Chaparral) and Ocean Road (Australia). There is also a filly by Saxon Warrior (lot 42) who is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Bilhayl (Shamardal); and the Tip Two Win filly (lot 20) who is a half-sister to multiple Group 3 winner Future History (Showcasing). Wildcards are still being accepted for the Tattersalls Online November Sale. The post Over 50 Yearlings Catalogued For The Inaugural Tattersalls Online November Session appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Flavien Prat is Jockey of the Week after two wins at the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar and seven wins on the Nov. 2 card at Aqueduct.View the full article

A stellar line-up will contest the 2025 Longines International Jockeys' Championship at Happy Valley Racecourse Dec. 10, including five previous winners—Ryan Moore, Zac Purton, Mickael Barzalona, Joao Moreira and Christophe Lemaire.View the full article