Wandering Eyes

Michael Blowen has announced he is stepping down as president of Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement facility he founded in Georgetown, Kentucky in 2003. John Nicholson, who served as Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park from 1997 to 2014, will take over as president and CEO, effective Feb. 1. “I started looking a couple of years ago for someone to take over as president,” said Blowen. “The most important thing I was looking for was someone that really, really, put the horses first. It's not like they'd just be saying it, but that they really have to think about the horses first. “Then maybe about six months ago,” Blowen continued, “I ran into John and we started talking, and I said to him, 'You know, I'm really looking for somebody to take over Old Friends because I've really taken it as far as I can take it. It started out with [wife] Diane [White] and I and a golf cart and feeding the horses; a little mom-and-pop operation on the corner. And, today it's like a multi-million dollar corporation, and it needs somebody that can handle that kind of operation. It needs a really good CEO that has managed a much bigger facility than we have, and the only way that we can improve is to get more space for more horses, which means more money, more donations, and an executive CEO that knows how to handle big business.” In accepting the position, Nicholson said, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity of joining the Old Friends family to continue and enhance Michael Blowen's vision and values. Old Friends has been at the vanguard of the Thoroughbred Aftercare movement and I feel privileged to be a part of such an important cause. “I have always had a deeply felt respect and appreciation for Michael's vision and tenacity,” Nicholson continued. “What he has accomplished is beyond remarkable. I have treasured our friendship over the years, especially having had a great collaborative relationship between Old Friends and the Kentucky Horse Park. He and I have always shared a spirit that the horse has given far more to us than we could ever give in return. Old Friends is making an important and vital contribution, not only to the racing industry, but most importantly to the lives of the horses who have given so much to us. I have been fortunate in my career to be a part of some meaningful endeavors, but Old Friends offers all of us who love the horse a unique opportunity to serve the animal who has served us so well.” Since its beginnings in 2003 at Afton Farm in Georgetown, Old Friends has moved twice and has has grown to over 240 acres with close to 300 horses. In addition to the main farm in Georgetown, Old Friends has two satellite farms, Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division, which opened in 2009 in Greenfield Center, New York; and Old Friends at Ashton Grove, a senior retirement community in Georgetown, Ky., a place that gives seniors a chance to interact with horses. There are also a few small annex farms near the main farm. Blowen will remain a presence at the farm, greeting visitors and giving tours. The post Blowen Steps Down as Old Friends President appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thursday's top tips from the Post's racing teamView the full article

Melbourne Cup winning trainer Mike Moroney believes Saturday’s A$300,000 Coastal Classic at Geelong presents as the ideal race for stable stalwart, Bermadez (NZ) (Tavistock). The seven-year-old hasn’t won since May 2022 but has returned in good form this preparation, finishing second to Pascero (Pierro) in both of his runs, firstly at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day and then at Caulfield last time out. “His last two runs have been really good,” Moroney said. “I think we’ve got him right; he seems to be racing back to his best form now and his best form would see him pretty hard to beat in this, I would think.” Bermadez is at $5 with Sportsbet for the Coastal Classic and highlights a strong team that Moroney will take to the Super Saturday fixture in the holiday region this weekend. The New Zealander is hoping that talented four-year-old Japanese Emperor (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) can find his best form when he contests The Valley Inn BM84 Handicap. Moroney has freshened up the gelding, who finished third to Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) and Attrition (Churchill) in last year’s Australian Guineas, and has brought him back in distance to 1100m following feedback from Damien Oliver. “Ollie hopped off him last start and I knew what his answer was going to be and that was, he doesn’t even get a mile,” Moroney said. “We thought it was a lack of fitness in the Guineas because he went to win and he just got rundown the last bit, thinking it might have been a lack of match practice and fitness, but I don’t think it was, I think he’s more of a 1200m to 1400m horse. “We’re experimenting to a degree with him, but we’re well aware that he’s got the ability and if we’re right about him, well, he could come out and win on Saturday.” View the full article

Exciting four-year-old Adam I Am (NZ) (Almanzor) was just toying with his rivals in the closing stages of the Coastwood Homes Lockwood Thames Cup (1600m), with his dominance far exceeding his half-length winning margin. The son of Almanzor jumped well to take an early lead before handing up to Family Ties (NZ) (Contributer). Adam I Am enjoyed the soft trip in the trail before jockey Jasmine Fawcett asked him to improve to sit outside the leader, with the pair turning for home on even terms. Adam I Am quickly took the lead but didn’t create much of a break on his rivals, giving fright to favourite backers, but his class told in the finish. Trainer Glenn Old revealed his gelding was just toying with his opposition and switched off when a challenger didn’t present themselves. “As soon as he got to the front at the 500m mark his ears were just going backwards and forwards. He was just loafing. He had plenty in reserve,” Old said. “We were really confident heading into today, he is a lovely big horse. When he gets a fast one in front of him he will keep chasing it, don’t you worry.” Purchased by Old out of Kilgravin Lodge’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $100,000, the inaugural $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) looms as a lucarative next step, however, Old said Adam I Am will more likely than not bypass the rich feature. In lieu of the Karaka Millions meeting, Old is eyeing the $350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m) at Te Rapa on February 10 and $350,000 Rangitoto Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on March 2. “We will see what drops off as we go forward to the four-year-old race (Aotearoa Classic). If Desert Lightning of Legarto came out, we would run,” Old said. “I really like that $350,000 race at Te Rapa in early February, he only carries 59.5kg in that after three wins. “If he did well at Te Rapa then there is that other race at Auckland three weeks later worth $350,000 for trainers not in the top 10. That would be a good option too. “It is huge money. He can race for $700,000 in two restricted races, which is great.” View the full article

What Cranbourne Races Where Cranbourne Turf Club – 50 Grant St, Cranbourne VIC 3977 When Friday, January 5, 2024 First Race 6:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Friday night racing heads to Cranbourne Racecourse on Friday afternoon for another week where an eight-race meet awaits punters. With persistent rain forecast for Cranbourne in the lead-up to the meeting, it would be surprising to be starting on a deck anything better than a Soft 5. The rail comes out 9m the entire circuit, with action set to get underway at 6:15pm AEDT. Best Bet at Cranbourne: The Mansman The Mansman has finished second at both starts this campaign, including when beaten a nostril over 1400m here on December 22 by the barest of margins. The three-year-old Almanzor colt returns to the track and has struck a similar maiden which can see him break maiden ranks at his fourth start. Zac Spain will have the lightly-raced colt settled around midfield from barrier eight, and if he can replicate his performance from a fortnight ago, it should be good enough for The Mansman to salute in the opening event. Best Bet Race 1 – #6 The Mansman (8) 3yo Colt | T: Phillip Stokes | J: Zac Spain (58kg) -153.85 with Neds Next Best at Cranbourne: Acid Wash Acid Wash has been narrowly beaten in both starts to begin his career, in maidens much tougher than what he faces on Friday night. The three-year-old gelding was beaten by a nostril at Flemington last time out and was arguably a good thing licked at Sandown on December 6 prior to that effort. Clinton McDonald will leg up Jamie Kah for this assignment, and if Kah can have this son of American Pharoah stalking the speed from barrier two, Acid Wash has a strong finish and it should prove too good for his rivals in the quaddie opener. Next Best Race 5 – #3 Acid Wash (2) 3yo Gelding | T: Clinton McDonald | J: Jamie Kah (58kg) -142.86 with Picklebet Next Best Again at Cranbourne: Bombastic Boy Enver Jusufovic’s Bombastic Boy has been mixing form this campaign, but at his best, it should be enough to account for this BM64 affair. The five-year-old gelding managed to finish third at Mornington last time out, and despite being easily beaten, the run reads better than it might considering he was racing in the worst part of the track. Prior to that, he was competitive in a strong field on Cranbourne Cup Day when chasing home the likes of Is It Me and Bel Air. Apprentice Luke Cartwright will have him settled in a striking position from barrier five, and with a slick turn of foot, Bombastic Boy looks a great in the penultimate. Next Best Again Race 7 – #2 Bombastic Boy (5) 5yo Gelding | T: Enver Jusufovic | J: Luke Cartwright (a3) (62kg) +280 with Dabble Friday quaddie tips for Cranbourne races Cranbourne quadrella selections Friday, January 5, 2024 3 1-2-4-7 1-2 2-3-4-6-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Voyage Bubble is Group 1-placed in Hong Kong. Golden Sixty’s domination of Hong Kong’s mile ranks will take a pause on Sunday, January 21. The winner of eight out of the last 10 Group 1 races run over a mile at Sha Tin, Hong Kong’s champion Golden Sixty will bypass the HK$13 million Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) due to a rare setback, opening the door for one of his rivals to win the first Group 1 mile race run in Hong Kong without his presence since mid-2020. Second in the HK$32 million Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) last month, Voyage Bubble has taken another forward step as a five-year-old following setbacks and his shock Hong Kong Derby (2000m) success last season for trainer Ricky Yiu. “He’s doing really, really well. It seems as though he has never had a race. He’ll race in the Stewards’ Cup on the 21st of January,” Yiu said. Voyage Bubble has five wins from 14 starts, twice prevailing over the mile. He beat home runners from Hong Kong, Japan, Ireland, France and Singapore in the Hong Kong Mile, tenaciously posting a career-best run behind Golden Sixty. “I expect there’ll be a lot more entries with Golden Sixty not running in the Stewards’ Cup. It’ll be a very interesting race for Voyage Bubble to see how he performs again, but he does keep improving – he is a magnificent horse,” Yiu said. Beauty Eternal, Beauty Joy and Encountered – all defeated by Golden Sixty and Voyage Bubble in December – are likely to contest the Stewards’ Cup, just like California Spangle, who has been unplaced across his past three starts. James McDonald has been booked to ride Voyage Bubble on January 21. Golden Sixty is an eight-time Group 1 winner over the mile in Hong Kong, suffering only two defeats over the distance across his career to Waikuku and California Spangle. Looking to Happy Valley’s fixture on Thursday night, Yiu saddles the three-time winning Excellent Fighter. “He’s trialled a few times at Happy Valley and it’s about time I gave him a go. He’s been disappointing so far this season, but I think he will perform again,” Yiu said. Excellent Fighter has returned this campaign to finish eleventh and third. He breaks from barrier seven tomorrow night with jockey Andrea Atzeni up. A cracking Class 2 Albatross Handicap (1200m) closes the midweek card, featuring Son Pak Fu (132lb), who aims for a hat-trick of wins with Jerry Chau for trainer Benno Yung. “This season he has kept improving, which is a good sign for him. He’s in good form now and he’s always competitive, even in Class 2,” Yung said. The HK$2.84 million dash also features Howdeepisyourlove (132lb), Nordic Dragon (128lb), Majestic Knight (122lb), Wonder Kit (119lb), Ima Single Man (117lb), among others. Harry Bentley will make a return to race-riding tomorrow night. The Brit has been booked for six rides, spearheaded by the in-form M Unicorn, a three-time winner this season who tackles Class 3 for the first time in the Nightjar Handicap (1650m). More horse racing news View the full article

Exciting four-year-old Adam I Am. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Exciting four-year-old Adam I Am was just toying with his rivals in the closing stages of the Thames Cup (1600m), with his dominance far exceeding his half-length winning margin. The son of Almanzor jumped well to take an early lead before handing up to Family Ties. Adam I Am enjoyed the soft trip in the trail before jockey Jasmine Fawcett asked him to improve to sit outside the leader, with the pair turning for home on even terms. Adam I Am quickly took the lead but didn’t create much of a break on his rivals, giving fright to favourite backers, but his class told in the finish. Trainer Glenn Old revealed his gelding was just toying with his opposition and switched off when a challenger didn’t present themselves. “As soon as he got to the front at the 500m mark his ears were just going backwards and forwards. He was just loafing. He had plenty in reserve,” Old said. “We were really confident heading into today, he is a lovely big horse. When he gets a fast one in front of him he will keep chasing it, don’t you worry.” Purchased by Old out of Kilgravin Lodge’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $100,000, the inaugural $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m) looms as a lucarative next step, however, Old said Adam I Am will more likely than not bypass the rich feature. In lieu of the Karaka Millions meeting, Old is eyeing the $350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m) at Te Rapa on February 10 and $350,000 Rangitoto Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on March 2. “We will see what drops off as we go forward to the four-year-old race (Aotearoa Classic). If Desert Lightning of Legarto came out, we would run,” Old said. “I really like that $350,000 race at Te Rapa in early February, he only carries 59.5kg in that after three wins. “If he did well at Te Rapa then there is that other race at Auckland three weeks later worth $350,000 for trainers not in the top 10. That would be a good option too. “It is huge money. He can race for $700,000 in two restricted races, which is great.” More horse racing news View the full article

Kahma Suitsya leads the way in the Greymouth Cup in front of a bumper Omoto crowd. Photo: Race Images South A daring ride by Lee Callaway on Kahma Suitsya in the Greymouth Cup (2000m) well and truly paid off on Wednesday, with the mare scoring a comfortable victory in the Omoto feature. The daughter of Tavistock jumped away perfectly and was sent straight to the front by Callaway. She remained unchallenged upfront and got away with a soft lead before Callaway injected some pace in the race with 700m to go and Kahma Suitsya kicked clear of her rivals. She had opened up several lengths on her opposition when turning for home and was able to maintain that advantage, running out a comfortable 3.75 length victor in front of a bumper West Coast crowd. “It wasn’t the plan to lead, but he (Callaway) judged it really well because she jumped so well and she was waiting for something to come around on her,” trainer John Blackadder said. “We talked before it about going from the 700m, just before everyone else does, and that is what he did. “She is a nice horse. For a one-win horse it was great to win the Greymouth Cup, I am very happy.” Formerly trained by Shaun Phelan, Kahma Suitsya won one race and contested the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) for the Cambridge horseman before the decision was made to send her south to Blackadder. The Rangiora trainer has enjoyed having the four-year-old in his care and said she has thrived in the rural environment with beach training. “I would like to thank Shaun Phelan for sending her down here and giving me the opportunity,” Blackadder said. “It is just that different country environment and we train on the beach as well. Their mind seems to change quite a bit.” Kahma Suitsya is now set to enjoy some time in the paddock before being set to try and gain some valuable black-type next month. “I am going to give her a couple of weeks off and go to something like the Dunedin Cup (Listed, 2400m),” Blackadder said. “It would be great to get some black-type with her.” More horse racing news View the full article

Our Absolute claimed her maiden victory under part-owner Lynsey Satherley at Te Aroha on Wednesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Our Absolute scored a popular win at Te Aroha on Wednesday. Bred by trainers Robyn and Russell Rogers under their Kendayla Park banner, the Waikato couple race the filly with jockeys Trudy Thornton and Lynsey Satherley, with the latter doing the steering on Wednesday. She gave the daughter of Niagara an economical trip in the trail before guiding her between runners down the straight where she was able to grab the lead with 250m and run and scored a 1.75 length victory. “We are over the moon. She is a little power pack, but she thinks she is 10 feet tall and bullet proof,” Robyn Rogers said. “Last time she maybe needed a trial, she wasn’t quite as forward as we thought she was. That race set her up perfectly for today. “It is a really fast family she is out of and she is no exception, she just wants to get on with it and she loves her job. “It was her first time on a really good track and she loved it.” Rogers was particularly pleased for Thornton and Satherley and said she has enjoyed sharing every moment with the pair. “We gave Lynsey a share in a couple of horses and Trudy used to ride her all of the time in track work and we said to her one day if she wanted a share in her too,” Rogers said. “They were both excited to have a share in her and it is lovely that people who have been in the industry for so many years, and are stalwarts of the thoroughbred industry, are getting so much excitement out of her. “Trudy has moved to Aussie, but she will get a huge buzz out of her winning today, and Lynsey has always loved her and calls her her little pocket rocket.” Our Absolute is by Niagara, a stallion the Rogers hold a share in, who now stands at Vicki Wilson’s Hau Ora Farm in Kahuranaki, south of Hastings, for a fee of $3,000. “When Greg and Jo Griffin brought him out to stand at Lime Country he stayed with us for a week and they did an open day at our place so everyone in the Waikato could see him before they took him down to Hawke’s Bay,” Rogers said. “We just fell in love with him then. He had a fabulous temperament, he is a gorgeous horse, and he is passing that on. “We have bred a lot of Niagaras and we have never bred a bad one. Most of the colts and geldings have headed up to Hong Kong. “We raced Tia Celeste, she was the first foal we bred by Niagara and she was a great mare. She is a really good eventer, the girls ride her and love her. This is the second filly, but mostly we have had colts and geldings and have done really well out of him. “I would love a whole barn full (of Niagaras), they are lovely, well-tempered horses that get the job done. “He is really popular in the sport horse world, we have got a lot of people ringing up to see if we have any for sale because they want them as eventers, and you can see why. They have got good brains. They are perfectly dispositioned to head off to the sport horse world.” The Rogers are now looking at chasing down a Pearl Series Bonus with Our Absolute before setting her towards potential stakes targets in autumn. “We have always been big followers of the Pearl Series Bonus, and this is probably the first race she has run in that has not been a Pearl Series Bonus race,” Rogers said. “Now that she has won a race, we might look to see if there are any Pearl Series rating 65 races coming up, which will be quite exciting. “In an ideal world, something like the Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (Group 3) over 1200m in autumn would be perfect for her.” Meanwhile, Rogers was pleased with the way their Group three winner Zecora came through her ninth-placed run in the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) on Monday and is looking forward to tacking the Group 2 Westbury Classic (1400m) at Ellerslie on January 27 with the mare. “She pulled up fantastic. She went out to the paddock that night bucking and kicking,” she said. “Lynsey came in and said she is a true good tracker now. She tried hard and had a bit of a tough run, she was caught three-wide all the way. She didn’t sprint like she normally can. “Her run had a bit of merit to it and she has taken no harm from it. The next time she lines-up will hopefully be at Ellerslie for the Westbury. It will be a good track and I think she will be happier. “It was worth a crack stepping her up to a mile, but I think 1400m is her best distance. With the Westbury at 1400m and worth the money it is ($500,000), it is too tempting not to have a crack at it.” More horse racing news View the full article

Boasting a four-strong book of Thursday night rides, the Australian jockey believes he can get off the mark for 2024View the full article

A daring ride by Lee Callaway on Kahma Suitsya (NZ) (Tavistock) in the Recreation Hotel Greymouth Cup (2000m) well and truly paid off on Wednesday, with the mare scoring a comfortable victory in the Omoto feature. The daughter of Tavistock jumped away perfectly and was sent straight to the front by Callaway. She remained unchallenged upfront and got away with a soft lead before Callaway injected some pace in the race with 700m to go and Kahma Suitsya kicked clear of her rivals. She had opened up several lengths on her opposition when turning for home and was able to maintain that advantage, running out a comfortable 3-3/4 length victor in front of a bumper West Coast crowd. “It wasn’t the plan to lead, but he (Callaway) judged it really well because she jumped so well and she was waiting for something to come around on her,” trainer John Blackadder said. “We talked before it about going from the 700m, just before everyone else does, and that is what he did. “She is a nice horse. For a one-win horse it was great to win the Greymouth Cup, I am very happy.” Formerly trained by Shaun Phelan, Kahma Suitsya won one race and contested the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) for the Cambridge horseman before the decision was made to send her south to Blackadder. The Rangiora trainer has enjoyed having the four-year-old in his care and said she has thrived in the rural environment with beach training. “I would like to thank Shaun Phelan for sending her down here and giving me the opportunity,” Blackadder said. “It is just that different country environment and we train on the beach as well. Their mind seems to change quite a bit.” Kahma Suitsya is now set to enjoy some time in the paddock before being set to try and gain some valuable black-type next month. “I am going to give her a couple of weeks off and go to something like the Dunedin Cup (Listed, 2400m),” Blackadder said. “It would be great to get some black-type with her.” View the full article

Our Absolute (NZ) (Niagara) scored a popular win at Te Aroha on Wednesday when taking out the Pencarrow Stud 1100. Bred by trainers Robyn and Russell Rogers under their Kendayla Park banner, the Waikato couple race the filly with jockeys Trudy Thornton and Lynsey Satherley, with the latter doing the steering on Wednesday. She gave the daughter of Niagara an economical trip in the trail before guiding her between runners down the straight where she was able to grab the lead with 250m and run and scored a 1-3/4 length victory. “We are over the moon. She is a little power pack, but she thinks she is 10 feet tall and bullet proof,” Robyn Rogers said. “Last time she maybe needed a trial, she wasn’t quite as forward as we thought she was. That race set her up perfectly for today. “It is a really fast family she is out of and she is no exception, she just wants to get on with it and she loves her job. “It was her first time on a really good track and she loved it.” Rogers was particularly pleased for Thornton and Satherley and said she has enjoyed sharing every moment with the pair. “We gave Lynsey a share in a couple of horses and Trudy used to ride her all of the time in track work and we said to her one day if she wanted a share in her too,” Rogers said. “They were both excited to have a share in her and it is lovely that people who have been in the industry for so many years, and are stalwarts of the thoroughbred industry, are getting so much excitement out of her. “Trudy has moved to Aussie, but she will get a huge buzz out of her winning today, and Lynsey has always loved her and calls her her little pocket rocket.” Our Absolute is by Niagara, a stallion the Rogers hold a share in, who now stands at Vicki Wilson’s Hau Ora Farm in Kahuranaki, south of Hastings, for a fee of $3,000. “When Greg and Jo Griffin brought him out to stand at Lime Country he stayed with us for a week and they did an open day at our place so everyone in the Waikato could see him before they took him down to Hawke’s Bay,” Rogers said. “We just fell in love with him then. He had a fabulous temperament, he is a gorgeous horse, and he is passing that on. “We have bred a lot of Niagaras and we have never bred a bad one. Most of the colts and geldings have headed up to Hong Kong. “We raced Tia Celeste, she was the first foal we bred by Niagara and she was a great mare. She is a really good eventer, the girls ride her and love her. This is the second filly, but mostly we have had colts and geldings and have done really well out of him. “I would love a whole barn full (of Niagaras), they are lovely, well-tempered horses that get the job done. “He is really popular in the sport horse world, we have got a lot of people ringing up to see if we have any for sale because they want them as eventers, and you can see why. They have got good brains. They are perfectly dispositioned to head off to the sport horse world.” The Rogers are now looking at chasing down a Pearl Series Bonus with Our Absolute before setting her towards potential stakes targets in autumn. “We have always been big followers of the Pearl Series Bonus, and this is probably the first race she has run in that has not been a Pearl Series Bonus race,” Rogers said. “Now that she has won a race, we might look to see if there are any Pearl Series rating 65 races coming up, which will be quite exciting. “In an ideal world, something like the Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.3) over 1200m in autumn would be perfect for her.” Meanwhile, Rogers was pleased with the way their Group three winner Zecora (NZ) (Power) came through her ninth placed run in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) on Monday and is looking forward to tacking the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) at Ellerslie on January 27 with the mare. “She pulled up fantastic. She went out to the paddock that night bucking and kicking,” she said. “Lynsey came in and said she is a true good tracker now. She tried hard and had a bit of a tough run, she was caught three-wide all the way. She didn’t sprint like she normally can. “Her run had a bit of merit to it and she has taken no harm from it. The next time she lines-up will hopefully be at Ellerslie for the Westbury. It will be a good track and I think she will be happier. “It was worth a crack stepping her up to a mile, but I think 1400m is her best distance. With the Westbury at 1400m and worth the money it is ($500,000), it is too tempting not to have a crack at it.” View the full article

James Chapman’s luck with his well-credentialled broodmare Savaria (NZ) (Savabeel) has taken a turn for the better with the prospect of another healthy return on his investment later this month. The Jamieson Park principal purchased the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale for A$850,000 and the daughter of Savabeel was represented by her first winner at Tauranga on Tuesday. Chapman’s colours were carried to victory by the Andrew Forsman-trained I Am Invincible three-year-old Koheroa, who was initially passed in at the 2022 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale where he failed to meet his A$450,000 reserve. “It was only his third run and it just hadn’t quite happened for him in his first two races, but it looks like he’s got a bit of ability,” he said. “This is the first one out of her that we’ve got to the races.” Savaria’s first foal Lady Amhurst was also passed in for A$300,000 at the Easter auction two years previous to Koheroa and the mare subsequently lost a Too Darn Hot filly. Lady Amhurst (Exceed and Excel) was placed with then Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards and was a two-year-old trial winner. Unfortunately, the daughter of Exceed And Excel was never able to fulfil her potential and her first foal will be offered as Lot 173 in Jamieson Park’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale. “I bought the mare (Savaria) with her in foal and she had two very good trials, but her knees weren’t up to it,” Chapman said. “She has grown into a beautiful mare and Exceed And Excel mares are about as good as you can get and she’s got a cracking filly by Ghaiyyath filly. “Savaria has got a really nice colt by St Mark’s Basilica at foot and she’s in foal to Satono Aladdin. I’ve gone pretty heavy on Satono and got seven mares in foal to him.” Jamieson Park will present a quality mix of colts and fillies in its Book 1 consignment at Karaka later this month with a daughter of Savabeel, Lot 479, among the leading lights. “I’m putting her up for sale as I’ve already kept two fillies out of Thee Auld Floozie and this one is an absolute cracker,” Chapman said. The Mastercraftsman mare was a gifted performer who won 11 races, including the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m). With partners, Chapman races her I Am Invincible filly Just A Floozie (NZ) who won her only start last season for trainers Peter and Dawn Williams and is ready to trial in the near future. The form out of her victory in the Avondale Classic has been impressively franked with runner-up Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) successful at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day while third placegetter Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) has claimed the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m). “Stephen Marsh has got the Savabeel two-year-old filly (Another Floozie), who trialled recently and she’s back in the paddock and looking quite good as well,” Chapman said. Early in the Book 1 session at Karaka, he will also offer a smart daughter of Per Incanto filly as Lot 3. “She’s out of Dariana, who won the Queensland Derby (Gr.1, 2400m), and there’s a nice Contributer filly (Lot 527) out of Wedding and she had a winner at Tauherenikau (Say I Do) on Tuesday,” Chapman said. “I’m very happy with the draft and we’ve also got a really good Hello Youmzain colt (Lot 276) out of O’Naturelle.” By O’Reilly, O’Naturelle (NZ) is a half-sister to the dam of the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Pier (NZ) (Proisir) and the multiple stakes winner Maria Farina (NZ) (Contributer). View the full article

What Canterbury Races Where Canterbury Park Racecourse – King St, Canterbury NSW 2193 When Friday, January 5, 2024 First Race 6pm AEDT Visit Dabble The summer series of evening racing continues at Canterbury on Friday, with a very competitive eight-race program set to be run and won. The rail moves out +3m the entire circuit, and with a promising forecast predicted in the lead-up, watch for the track to receive an upgrade into the Good range for race-day. The opening race is scheduled to get underway at 6pm local time. Best Bet at Canterbury: Yvette Yvette made her debut at this track and trip on December 15 and with even running clearly should’ve won. She was a victim of the ‘Canterbury coffin’ from barrier one and had nowhere to go when attempt to get clear along the inside running rail. Once she saw daylight, the daughter of I Am Invincible cruised through the wire to be defeated by a half-length, giving a strong impression the three-year-old filly is worth following second-up. She draws gate three in this event to allow Jason Collett to hold a one-off position, and with a bit more luck in transit, Yvette should swallow up her rivals in the concluding stages. Best Bet Race 3 – #10 Yvette (3) 3yo Filly | T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | J: Jason Collett (56kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best at Canterbury: Voile Voile was very disappointing first-up at Caulfield on December 2 and didn’t seem to have excuses to the eye. She’s since returned to Sydney for the James Cummings barn, and with a lovely tick-over trial at Rosehill on December 18, we’re willing to give the filly by Exceed And Excel a chance second-up into the campaign. Tommy Berry takes the reins from barrier four and maps to find the one-one position throughout the 1100m journey, and from there, Voile should give a much better account of herself. Next Best Race 1 – #10 Voile (4) 2yo Filly | T: James Cummings | J: Tommy Berry (56kg) Bet with PlayUp Best Value at Canterbury: Fickle After electing to withdraw Fickle from a maiden contest on New Year’s Day, the Peter & Paul Snowden yard picked out this wide-open affair on Friday night. She heads to this on the back of two barrier trials, with the latest catching the eye at Randwick on November 20, allowing the daughter of I Am Invincible to stride to clear to score by 1.7 lengths under Zac Lloyd. The trials were stylish and we’re willing to take the risk they had plenty of substance too – particularly provided horse racing bookmakers give punters an each-way price. Best Value Race 2 – #3 Fickle (5) 3yo Filly | T: Peter & Paul Snowden | J: Zac Lloyd (58.5kg) Bet with Neds Canterbury Friday quaddie tips – 5/1/2024 Canterbury Park quadrella selections Friday, January 5, 2024 1-2-7-8 1-3-6-8 1-2-3-8 1-2-4-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

After four consecutive victories last season, the five-year-old looks to extend his current winning streak to three at Happy Valley on Thursday nightView the full article

by Jonny Turner It was a case of no reins, no worries for Craig Ferguson as Smokin Bandar sped to victory in free-for-all company at Omakau yesterday. Ferguson dropped his right rein onto his dustsheet for all of a few milliseconds as his flashy grey powered along the passing lane to score. The error came after the rein got caught in Smokin Bandar’s tale, and it was enough to see Ferguson cop plenty of friendly ribbing from his fellow drivers. But through it, the reinsman kept his sense of humour. “I am glad that he won because I might have looked like a bit of an idiot otherwise,” Ferguson said. As the banter subsided, Ferguson was left thrilled by his horse’s performance. The trotter brought patchy recent form to the 2000m mobile but he got conditions to suit, and he made the most of them. “I was really happy with him; he left the gate well and he felt really good – he was nice and relaxed in the running and he sprinted up well.” Smokin Bandar could head to the North Island following his victory to tackle the big line-up trotting features to be held through summer and into the autumn. Ferguson is yet to finalize any plans, but if the horse continues to work and race as well as he is, he will find himself in the North Island. “I think he could go north; I will talk to the team first and look at a few possible races for him.” “So long as he stays sound and is going well enough, there is no reason not to head towards those better races.” Smokin Bandar’s win added to an already big day for owners Tom and Julie Kilkelly. The couple also enjoyed success with Captain Meister, who could not be stopped when dragging a flat tyre to win race 5 for trainer-driver Kirstin Green. The Omakau passing lane was paved with gold in its feature races yesterday with Franco Indie speeding along the inner to win the Central Otago Cup. Blair Orange gave the Mark and Nathan Purdon trained pacer a perfect trip in the trail behind the leader One Change throughout the 2000m feature. Once clear, Franco Indie sprinted up stylishly to score. View the full article

Across the New Year holiday period, we saw feature racing at Doomben and Moonee Valley on Saturday, while the first Group and Listed races of 2024 were run and won at Flemington and Ascot on New Year’s Day on Monday. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have found three runners from those key meetings that are worth adding to your Blackbook with your chosen bookmaker, so that you can follow them at their next start. Moonee Valley Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: True entire circuit Race 8: Benchmark 70 Handicap (2040m) | Time: 2:06.80 Horse to follow: Galilaeus (6th) On his Australian debut for Anthony & Sam Freedman, Galilaeus was one of the better runs in defeat in the 2040m Benchmark 70 Handicap at Moonee Valley. This four-year-old gelding settled near last for most of the journey before picking his way through the pack in the final 400m to run over the line hard-held and finish in sixth place. With his two wins coming over 2313m and 2816m in Europe, this son of Galileo was a little short of his best at 2040m first-up but will appreciate a rise in distance second-up. When to bet: The Freedman’s will be seeking a 2400m race for Galilaeus second-up and the Benchmark 64 Handicap at Sandown on January 10 could be the ideal race. If the team chooses to go up in class, they could go to the Benchmark 84 Handicap over 2500m at Flemington on January 20. Doomben Track rating: Soft 5 (Soft 6 after R5) Rail position: +3m entire circuit Race 8: Listed Nudgee Stakes (1200m) | Time: 1:09.31 Horse to follow: Comrade Rosa (3rd) If you backed Comrade Rosa in the Nudgee Stakes, you would be excused if a few expletives came from your mouth post-race, because this mare was one of the worst beats of the weekend. Ryan Maloney took the race favourite to the back of the field and looked to run on in the final 400m. However, the Tony Gollan-trained galloper was held up upon straightening before having to make two separate runs in the final 200m to flash home through the pack and nab third place. Comrade Rosa was only beaten by 1.36 lengths by the winner, Lady Laguna, who received a dream run along the inside rail. When to bet: It is possible that Saturday’s unlucky run could have been her last for this preparation because the feature racing in Queensland will end on Magic Millions Day at the Gold Coast on January 13. Comrade Rosa is one horse to put in your Blackbook for when she returns in the autumn or winter in a few months’ time. Flemington (January 1) Track rating: Good 4 (Good 3 after R3) Rail position: True entire circuit Race 6: Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) | Time: 2:54.94 Horse to follow: Grand Pierro (3rd) Grand Pierro tackled his first Listed race out of three-year-old company on Monday when he competed in the Listed Bagot Handicap over 2800m. It was the first time that he had run over 2500m since competing in the VRC Derby during the 2022 Victorian Spring Carnival. The Jason Warren-trained gelding was given a great ride by Craig Williams in the Bagot Handicap and ran through the line strongly to finish in the placings. It was a good sign to see this four-year-old finish off his race so well, and it should see him take on races over more distance next campaign. When to bet: Grand Pierro has had a lengthy spring preparation, with his run in the Bagot Handicap being his eighth start over five months. If he doesn’t go out for a spell and competes in a similar race over 2500m plus, we will be backing him with confidence. Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Latest horse racing tips View the full article

Race 6 PAULA SHORT MEMORIAL 1560 ABANDON (J Doyle) – Marsh Racing Trainer Assistant Mr. R Mildon advised Stewards that ABANDON has been retired from racing. The post Racing Rotorua, Thursday, 28 December 2023 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 8 CSI OWNERS & TRAINERS & MICHAEL DALY MEMORIAL 2200m ZAPPOLINO (T Comignaghi) – Trainer Mr. L Robinson advised Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the gelding, however, has now been retired from racing. The post South Canterbury Racing Club @ Phar Lap Raceway, Timaru, Thursday, 28 December 2023 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Horse Racing on Wednesday, January 3 will feature five meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and provided free quaddie tips for the meeting at Eagle Farm. Wednesday Horse Racing Tips – January 3, 2024 Eagle Farm Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For January 3, 2024 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $101.92 odds return: Wednesday, January 3, 2024 Eagle Farm – Race 1 #5 Leitzel Eagle Farm – Race 4 #3 Demon Darb Seymour – Race 6 #6 Tewkesbury Mount Gambier – Race 6 #3 Maddison Miss | Copy this bet straight to your betslip As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on January 3, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

Race 3 LIQUORLAND COURTNEY MAIDEN 1100m CAPE KENNEDY (M Hashizume) – Trainer Mr. C Isdale advised Stewards, the gelding underwent a veterinary examination on Friday 29 January which revealed no abnormalities, as well as undergoing dental treatment. C Isdale further advised CAPE KENNEDY’S racing future will be assessed after it’s gallop on Friday morning. The post Taranaki Racing Inc, Wednesday, 27 January 2023 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Albaugh Family Stable kicks off 2024 with a stakes victory from their newly turned 3-year-old Catching Freedom in the $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 1 at Oaklawn Park. View the full article

Race 3 ATR NEWMARKET HANDICAP 1200 LINCOLN LADY (S Spratt) – Marsh Racing Trainer Assistant Mr. R Mildon reported to Stewards that LINCOLN LADY has been retired from racing and will be sent to stud. Race 6 SHAW’S WIRE ROPES AUCKLAND GUINEAS 1400 (G2) TOKYO TYCOON (O Bosson) – Te Akau Racing Manager Mr. R Trumper advised Stewards, that on Monday 1 January, the gelding underwent a veterinary examination which revealed no abnormalities. R Trumper further advised it is the stables intention to carry on with TOKYO TYCOON’S current preparation, where the gelding will be nominated for the Racing Tauranga trials on Tuesday 16 January and will then continue onto the Auckland Thoroughbred Racing meeting on Saturday 27 January, with the addition of blinkers being applied to the gelding’s gear. The post Auckland Thoroughbred Racing @ Pukekohe Park, Tuesday, 26 December 2023 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Former Irish-based stallion Kessaar (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}–Querulous, by Raven's Pass) has been purchased by Renew Italian Breeding and will stand at Scuderia Melissa Cipriani in Castelnuovo Berardenga, Italy this year. Standing for €5,000, the stallion will be administered by Mattia Cadrobbi and managed by Marco Bozzi and Guido Berardelli. Bred by Tally-Ho Stud, the G2 Mill Reef S. and G3 Sirenia S. hero was a 100,000gns Tattersalls October yearling, and raced in the colours of Mohammed Al Qatami and Khalid Al Mudhaf while trained by John Gosden. Winning three of his seven career starts–all at two–Kessaar retired to Tally-Ho in 2019. His extended family features GII Pennsylvania Derby and GII Ohio Derby winner and sire Gone Astray (Dixie Union), and his eldest foals are 4-year-olds. At stud, he has sired 46 winners anchored by Italian stakes winner Melfi (Ire), who was third in the G2 Gran Criterium. His first-crop filly Ipanema Princess (Ire) was third in the G3 Prix Six Perfections, and he has an additional pair of stakes horses to date. Standing alongside the Italian newcomer is Frankel (GB)'s half-brother Morpheus (GB), who will command €3,500. The post Kessaar On The Move To Italy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The two defendants facing allegations of civil extortion and defamation in a federal lawsuit initiated by trainer Bob Baffert and his incorporated racing stable are contending that the case should be dismissed because “Baffert is the rare, libel-proof plaintiff given his notorious history in the horse racing industry,” according to a discovery plan filed jointly by lawyers for all sides in United States District Court (Southern District of California) Jan. 2. Baffert's legal team, however, is banking that dismissal won't happen, and it told the court in the same document that it is anticipating the case should be able to be brought before a jury a little more than a year after it was first initiated. “This matter should be ready for trial approximately in November of 2024,” Baffert's counsel wrote in the joint discovery plan. “Plaintiffs estimate that between five and eight days will be needed for trial.” Back on Sept. 27, Baffert filed a suit against two New Jersey residents, Justin Wunderler and Daniel DiCorcia, that asked for compensatory damages in excess of $75,000, plus an award of punitive damages “to deter similar conduct by Defendants and others” after purportedly suffering “mental anguish, anxiety, and duress Defendants have caused by virtue of their repeated threats to Baffert's business and family by means of their unlawful statements.” The alleged extortion and defamation took the form of repeated social media postings. Among them, according to Baffert's complaint, were postings written by Wunderler asking “his followers to bring dangerous objects to hurl at Baffert and his family” at the 2023 GI Belmont S., and another in which Wunderler posted “a picture of Baffert's house in California.” As Baffert's complaint put it, “This lawsuit is the response to a series of escalating threats and criminal conduct by Defendants Justin Wunderler and Daniel DiCorcia against Plaintiffs Bob Baffert and his family. Over the past several months, Defendants have urged others to engage in violent behavior toward Baffert and his family, baselessly accused Baffert of criminal conduct, and attempted to extort Baffert and his family under threats to his business, reputation, and occupational license.” Both defendants have denied the allegations and are seeking a dismissal of the case. Wunderler, however, did not initially file a timely legal response after being served with his summons. On Dec. 4, one of Baffert's attorneys, Clark Brewster, asked the court to enter a default judgment against Wunderler for failing to respond. Wunderler subsequently obtained a lawyer and an answer was filed Dec. 15. The judge denied the motion for default judgment on Dec. 19 and ordered the case to proceed. Next up is an “early neutral evaluation” conference Jan. 8 that is designed to serve as a form of alternate dispute resolution, although neither party mentioned the likelihood of a settlement in the Jan. 2 joint filing. Baffert's legal team, in Tuesday's joint plan, brought up some anticipated issues relating to discovery, allegedly because “One or more defendants in this matter have posted on social media regarding their intent to seek discovery on matters beyond the scope of the Complaint.” Discovery is the formal legal process by which the parties in a case exchange information in advance about witnesses and evidence that each side intends to present. The filing by Baffert's lawyers continued: “This case is about Defendants' allegations of blood doping, the use of EPO, and their conspiracy to extort Mr. Baffert. Inquiries outside of these topics will be irrelevant except to the extent necessary to resolve issues regarding Mr. Baffert's reputation.” The defendants were given an opportunity in the joint filing to give their positions on the topic of anticipated discovery issues. “DiCorcia has nothing to add and no response to the amorphous comment above,” the joint filing stated. “Wunderler agrees to adhere to the scope and limits of discovery [and] will adhere to any Court order regarding discovery,” the joint filing stated. The post Facing Extortion Allegations, Defendants in Defamation Lawsuit Contend ‘Baffert is the Rare Libel-Proof Plaintiff’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article