Wandering Eyes

Unbeaten jumper Credrojava (Ire) (Presenting {GB}) topped Thursday's Tattersalls Online Sale when selling to Tobar Farm for 48,000gns. Sold out of training by Harry Fry, Credrojava hails from a strong National Hunt family that includes Our Vic (Ire), Seigemaster (Ire) and more. After winning a Ballinaboola point-to-point for Sean Doyle, Credrojava was knocked down to bloodstock agent Kevin Ross for £80,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham February Sale in 2022. She proved an able performer for Fry, winning a bumper and twice over hurdles, with the latest of those successes coming in a Listed novice at Taunton. One of the more interesting lots offered on Thursday was the former Gordon Elliott-trained Escaria Ten (Fr) (Maresca Sorrento {Fr}), who was sold with an entry to the cross-country chase at Cheltenham. Escaria Ten had been based with French-based handler Patrice Quiton this season and was knocked down to agent Gerry Hogan on behalf of trainer Martin Keighley for 30,000gns. Meanwhile, the Ralph Beckett-trained Not Afraid (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) sold to Federico Barberini for the same amount. All told, there were 29 lots sold for a combined 240,700gns at an average of 8,300gns. The post Unbeaten Presenting Mare Credrojava Tops Tattersalls Online Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Downhill turf course specialist Lane Way takes on eight other veteran campaigners in the $100,000 San Simeon Stakes (G3T) March 9 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

The first mares covered by the National Stud's Mutasaabq (GB) have been scanned in foal. The triple Group 2-winning son of Invincible Spirit (Ire) boasts a stellar pedigree and the first mare scanned in foal to him is two-time winner Krona (GB) Sea The Moon (Ger). “We are delighted with the quality of mares that Mutasaabeq is covering, his physique, sireline and depth of pedigree really underline the value he provides for breeders,” said The National Stud's head of bloodstock, Joe Bradley. “His book includes stakes winners such as Chain of Daisies (GB) (Rail Link {GB}) and sisters to stakes winners as well as proven mares, so he will have every chance to make an impact with his first crop of foals.” Mutasaabeq's performances on the track peaked at a Timeform rating of 122. His tenacity and front-running style was at its most eye-catching at Newmarket, where he won three Group 2s over a mile. The post First Mares Scanned In Foal To The National Stud’s Mutasaabeq appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Australian Turf Club (ATC) Head Of Racing and Wagering James Ross will shortly take up a leading role with the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) after eight years at the ATC. He announced his resignation on Thursday and will finish his tenure with the ATC after this year's Autumn carnival. “James has been instrumental in ATC remaining at the forefront of racing in Australia,” CEO Matt Galanos told Racing NSW. “He has ensured ATC has continued to forge a reputation as an industry leader through the delivery of a world-class racing product and development of both racing and training surfaces. James has led a team which has also greatly improved the ownership experience, industry and wagering initiatives along with significant growth in international participation across Autumn and Spring carnivals. We thank James for his outstanding service and it is measure of not only his talent but also the standing of Sydney racing that the Hong Kong Jockey Club has offered him such a role.” The post James Ross To Join HKJC appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sometime in the next few days there will likely be footage of a convoy of vast wagons carrying Gordon Elliott's army of horses from Co Meath to Cheltenham. Ten minutes down the road from Elliott's stable, a single two-box will pull out of the drive at Rahinston to make that same journey. On board will be Colonel Mustard (Fr), an outsider for the Champion Hurdle but very much the star of Lorna Fowler's string of 15 jumpers. Of all the Festival races, the Champion Hurdle has been hogging the headlines of the last week as we awaited news of the likely defection of odds-on favourite Constitution Hill (GB). He's now out, his stable-mate Iberico Lord (Fr) is in, State Man (Fr) is the new favourite and the brilliant young mare Lossiemouth (Fr) may or may not stand her ground against her own sex this year. We'll see. What is certain, however, is that, with fair winds and following seas, Colonel Mustard will be belatedly fulfilling what now looks to have been a cunning plan. Nine years ago it was probably more just a pipe dream for two old school friends to buy a backward-looking Flat horse at the foal sales and try to turn him into a top-class jumper. One of that duo is Fowler's husband, Harry, the Goffs UK bloodstock manager who still part-owns Colonel Mustard with the man now best known for rejuvenating the Tote, Alex Frost. They were joined in the partnership in the early days of the horse's racing career by Pete Davies. “I was joking with Frosty and said, 'Let's find a horse to run in the 2022 Champion Hurdle' when we were traipsing around the foal sale in 2015,” says Harry, casting his mind back to the first time he saw the son of Makfi (GB). “It was a bit of a fantasy really, but Matt Coleman came across this horse and we all agreed. No one wanted him in the sales ring – big, backward foal, German staying pedigree, wasn't what the market was looking for. He was a bit out of place in the December sales. “And lo and behold, we broke him in, and I rode him as a two-year-old and straight away he'd lob around the sand with the greatest of ease. I thought, 'Oh, we've got one here. He could be all right.' He told us straight away. And then he took a long time to mature, with a few niggles and growing pains, and he didn't run until he was five.” Coleman, Frost and Fowler weren't far off, though. Colonel Mustard won a Punchestown bumper at five and was second to Echoes In Rain (Fr) in the G1 Champion Novice Hurdle at 40/1 to close his debut season. Subsequent placings in smart company at Ascot and Leopardstown, behind Jonbon (Fr) and Sir Gerhard (Ire), saw him make it to the Cheltenham Festival in 2022, but for the County Hurdle rather than the Champion. The form of that race now reads very well indeed, as he was third, just three lengths behind State Man, the subsequent winner of eight Grade 1 races whom he will meet again on Tuesday. You have to make him feel like he's the king and that he's the most important person in the world. Colonel Mustard's progression has been the old-fashioned route of a trainer bringing a horse through the ranks without shopping at the boutique ready-made jumper sales. At such auctions, the price tags are usually at least 10 times the 20,000gns it took to buy the backward Makfi (GB) foal. It is a way that both Lorna and Harry Fowler would have witnessed first hand in their formative years as the children respectively of National Hunt training and riding stalwarts Sue and Johnny Bradburne and John and Lady Jennifer 'Chich' Fowler. Lorna grew up in Scotland and is unique in being the only person to have ridden a winner at the Cheltenham Festival for Sir Henry Cecil thanks to landing the St Patrick's Day Derby – a charity race for amateurs – aboard the Niarchos family's Plato (Jpn). Her brother is the former jump jockey Mark Bradburne. Having a runner in her own name in one of the championship races takes it to another level, however. “It means a huge amount,” she says. “In a funny way, I perhaps don't appreciate it as much as I should because I'm always thinking about the next plan with him and what to do, so you're not looking from the outside in. But the amount of people that know Colonel Mustard – he's the horse the children talk about all the time. “And I think where he's been so special is he's brought us to the big stage so many times, which is a huge deal for a yard this size. You need to do the very best for him, and you need to do as well as you can with him. He's an exceptional horse in this yard, but in a big yard he'd be one of many. In a way it gives you a lot more scope to think outside the box because you want to make him stand out.” The 'Ginger Ninja', as he is known at home, does indeed stand out as he bowls around Fowler's expansive sand oval at Rahinston under Diego Rodrigues. It's not just because he is the sole chestnut out at exercise, and he's not even the most physically imposing in the yard, but Colonel Mustard does just have a look of feeling rather pleased with himself. Lorna Fowler on the Rahinston gallops | Emma Berry “You have to make him feel like he's the king and that he's the most important person in the world,” says his trainer. “And that's pretty easy around here, because he is pretty important. But that for him is important. He's a very bright horse. And when you have very intelligent horses, it can work two ways. If you get them on side, they'll work it out and they'll do anything for you.” Reflecting on Colonel Mustard's first Festival appearance she adds, “He ran a huge race and he loved it. He loves the big stage. There are some horses that come alive on it. “In a way he has campaigned himself. You have big plans at the beginning of the season and nothing goes exactly according to plan. But every year, for some reason by the time I get into the new year, the pieces fall into place. “You always let the horses tell you. You also have to be very respectful of what the owners want. It's very important, and quite rightly. They want days out, they want to enjoy the horse, and I think he's done very well on that score so far.” Few could argue with that assertion. To Cheltenham, Aintree, Punchestown, Leopardstown, Ascot, Ayr and Newbury, Colonel Mustard has taken his happy band of followers to some of the best jumps courses in Britain and Ireland, most recently finishing second in Wincanton's G2 Kingwell Hurdle, a traditional Champion Hurdle trial. Though his nine runner-up finishes may have left them thinking 'if only' at times, one can but admire his consistency. In 19 starts he has finished in the first three on 15 occasions. Rahinston's training yard and stud was set up by John Fowler, the brother of Jessica Harrington, on the 700-acre estate which has been home to generations of the family for two centuries. Following his death in 2008, his wife Chich took on the role of trainer until her passing in 2013. Their son and daughter-in-law have continued the business, bringing about significant rejuvenation to the racing and breeding operations which are run in tandem. Alex Frost, who owns Ladyswood Stud in England, has been a staunch backer of their plans. “He's been phenomenal,” admits Harry. “He wanted to get involved in racehorses more and I remember saying to him shortly after my mother died, 'We can do the equine stuff here if you want to get involved.' And he said, 'Yeah, let's give it a go.' “He was already involved in a horse in training here when Dad was alive. And then obviously he got further stuck in after that. He said, 'Anything you fancy, I'll come in with you.' We bought a few horses along the way. A few didn't work out, but we bought the dam of Don Poli (Fr) before he was a big name, and that sort of launched us really.” Lorna adds of Frost, “You'll never meet anybody who has such a genuinely enthusiastic passion for the sport. It's also important to note that he's bringing that to the Tote. It's such a massive undertaking but he's doing this for the good of racing. And for somebody to be doing that right now in this industry is massive. I think that in itself is pretty amazing.” The Fowlers are a formidable couple in their breadth of experience, with Lorna's eloquence in talking about her role offering a reminder of her former job as a presenter on Racing UK. It is an oft-heard lament that the big yards are getting bigger while smaller trainers struggle to pick up business. Perhaps nowhere is this more apparent than in the Irish National Hunt scene, which is dominated by the super stables of Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins in particular. Lorna takes a pragmatic view of the situation. It's not just about how good a trainer you are. You have to go out, you have to get the owners, you have to get the right people involved. “I think that National Hunt has become more professional and I think everybody has to take that into account and to up their game,” she says. “I'm a small trainer and I'm a very small fish in a big pond. And I think those that have made it have done so because, not only are they excellent trainers, but they're excellent business people, excellent at surrounding themselves with the right people. “And I think what you have to do is say, 'Right, do I want that or not?' And you have to make the effort to get it. It's not just about how good a trainer you are. You have to go out, you have to get the owners, you have to get the right people involved, but the small trainers have to work out what they want. “Having said that, yes, it's very difficult because you are pushing against battalions. But at the same time that small trainer needs to say 'What else do I need to do to try and achieve that?' I've got to try harder if I want that.” She continues, “The one disappointing thing is that there's a lot of people that have licenses, but they're perceived as pre-trainers to feed into the bigger yards. And I think that's a shame. Now, some people are really happy to do that because they get great income from it, but I personally don't find that a very healthy angle for the sport, this concept of pre-training and then there being just a handful of big trainers.” It is not hard to envisage the Fowler operation growing in stature in years to come. For a start, Rahinston is a magical place. A step back in time in many ways, but for the family members running it now, all eyes are firmly on its future, including those of the Fowlers' young children, Rosie and Johnny. “The children enjoy everything about this place and they're very much part of it,” says Lorna during a break between her first and second lots, with Harry having just returned from his feeding round of the mares and young horses about the place. “My focus is the training because that's what I enjoy, but I also know the business. I've got to keep that separate, but our business has to survive and we have to make everything work. Pete Davis has some fabulous broodmares here now and some young stock coming through that are very exciting for him. “Harry has Goffs, so that gives him his sanity away from his wife and here. But I think you just have to make it work. What do they say? 'If you want to get something done, ask a busy person.' That's how it works. “Here, like anything in life, it's still a work in progress. It's a big place and we need to maximise its scope and potential from every point of view.” Despite both her own late parents and in-laws having run their own training businesses, Lorna insists that this wasn't necessarily Plan A for her, even though she is plainly a natural. “I always said I wouldn't train. I remember after Harry's mother died and I was talking to our head man Dermot Fagan and I said, 'We'll be down to just a couple of horses and we'll rent out the land for tillage and whatever.' And he said, 'Yeah, yeah.' And anyway, here we are,” she says. “My mother never said 'Don't do it.' For Mark and I growing up, we were very lucky as a family, the same with Harry, that we had that shared interest with our parents. That's something I'm hugely appreciative of, because it was just really special. It was incredible. And I think that my parents, if they knew we were having a runner in the Champion Hurdle, oh my God, they would just be beside themselves.” Her husband, with not quite the same level of eloquence, agrees and says of his own parents, “They'd love it. I could imagine them saying, 'What the f*** are you going to the Champion Hurdle for, you mad bastards?'” The post He’s Mustard: The Champion Hurdle Contender Carrying Big Dreams for the Fowlers’ Small Stable appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kentucky Downs' King of the Turf Handicapping Challenge returns Sept. 7 with a new one-day format and is highlighted by six graded stakes each worth at least $1 million. The $2,500 per-entry buy-in includes $1,500 for the player's bankroll and $1,000 toward the prize pool. Based on 100 entries, the prize pool would be $100,000. The first-place King of the Turf finisher will receive an entry to the 2025 National Horseplayers Championships (NHC) and an entry into the 2024 Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC), worth $10,000. In addition, the winner gets the designation as National Turf Handicapper of the Year and receives the Global Tote King of the Turf Championship belt. At least five NHC packages and two BCBC berths are guaranteed to be awarded to the King of the Turf's top finishers. Additional prizes will be awarded based on the total number of entries. The tournament host takes no money out of the entry fees, with 100% going to the prize pool and players' bankrolls. The 2024 meet will also feature two Play-In tournaments on Aug. 29 and Sept. 1. These competitions will have a $300 and $400 entry fee, respectively. Each event will feature two 2025 NHC entries plus entries to the $2,500 King of the Turf finals. Additional prizes will be awarded based on the number of entries. Online qualifiers for the King of the Turf finals and the Play-In tournaments will be announced later. “We reconfigured the King of the Turf Handicapping Challenge into a single-day extravaganza that will offer more prize money and more prizes,” said Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs' vice president for racing. “We think the format will be attractive to big bettors and contest players while also providing play-in tournaments with much smaller entry fees. With inexpensive and sometimes free online qualifiers to both the play-in and championship, everyone has a chance to try to be King of the Turf and get the Global Tote belt.” Phil Lam, the 2023 King of the Turf winner, will be presented his personalized Global Tote belt at the NHC at Horseshoe Las Vegas (formerly Bally's) March 15-17. Players must bet a minimum of $300 per race for at least five races on the 12-race card, utilizing win, place, show, exacta and daily double wagering. The contest is conducted via online wagering through FanDuel/TVG, Xpressbet, NJBets and HPI Canada. Online qualifiers for entries into the play-in tournaments and the 2024 King of the Turf Championship will be announced later. For more information, click here. The post King of the Turf Handicapping Challenge Returns to Kentucky Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 25th National Thoroughbred Racing Association National Horseplayers Championship presented by Caesars Entertainment, Horseshoe Las Vegas, and Racetrack Television Network kicks off Friday, Mar. 15, running through Sunday, Mar. 17, at the Horseshoe Las Vegas. The field of an estimated 750 entries will yield one ultimate winner, who will go home with $800,000 and an Eclipse Award as the Horseplayer of the Year. The NHC features more than 600 top horseplayers (including approximately 150 individuals with two entries), awarding nearly $4.5 million in cash and prizes. All qualifiers will receive a complimentary four-night stay at the Horseshoe Las Vegas and travel reimbursements which total more than $1 million. The complete field and total prize breakdown will be finalized following the Last Chance/First Chance Contest, held Thursday, Mar. 14 on the eve of the NHC. New to the 25th NHC will be a Final Table livestream, co-hosted by Steve Byk and Rick Hammerle, that will be streamed on NTRA's X, YouTube, and Website for the final seven races of the Championship. Interested spectators will have the ability to watch and listen to the action unfurling all weekend long at the NHC. Rachel McLaughlin, Racing Analyst at Horseshoe Indianapolis, will be providing coverage throughout the weekend on all NTRA social media platforms. Additionally, At the Races with Steve Byk will broadcast live on SiriusXM satellite radio (Sirius 219; XM 201) from the Horseshoe Las Vegas and online at www.stevebyk.com daily, from 9a.m.-12 p.m. ET/6-9 a.m. PT on Friday and Monday, with bonus NHC coverage at www.SteveByk.com/listen-live-SiriusXM slated for 2-8 p.m. ET/11 a.m.-5 p.m. PT) next Friday-Sunday. America's Best Racing and Hawthorne Racecourse will also be streaming live from the event. Also new to the program will be the Silver Sunday Contest, available to all individuals competing in the tournament with no entry fee. Every individual will receive a maximum of one entry and will have to place mythical Win/Place bets throughout Mar. 17 on 10 optional and seven mandatory races (the seven mandatory races will coincide with the NHC Final Table). The top 25 highest bankrolls, including ties, will receive a share of $100,000 in prize money. The top five highest finishers will win an entry into the 2025 NHC and the top 10% will receive on track 2024 NHC Tour points. A “First Five” free-to-play online contest will be available to non-NHC participants and will offer five berths to the 2025 NHC. Information on the 25th NHC can be found at www.ntra.com including the 2024 full schedule of events and the 2024 Official Rules. The post 2024 National Horseplayers Championship Begins Mar. 15 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The enormity of winning the world's richest horse race was still sinking in for owner Joey Peacock Jr. March 4. Ten days earlier, Senor Buscador, the last horse he bred with his late father, Joe Sr., won the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1). View the full article

New York-based trainer Leah Gyarmati voluntarily surrendered her license Mar. 1 and subsequently had her stalls at Belmont revoked by NYRA following separate incidents, according to a story first reported by DRF. Stewards scratched horses she had entered last weekend at Aqueduct and the 12 horses under her care were transferred to her former assistant trainer Marcelo Arenas, who took out his own license in 2021. Gyarmati told the DRF's David Grening that she failed a breathalyzer after she was awakened by NYRA security when found sleeping in her truck, which was parked by Belmont's training track following training hours. She told Grening she had eaten a sandwich and drank two beers and was napping. Gyarmati, who was ordered by state officials to meet with a substance-abuse counselor by a specific date, indicated she was unable to schedule an appointment by that date and has since met with a counselor and was awaiting the counselor's report. The DRF said that In a separate incident, a horse trained by Gyarmati reportedly recently exited the track lame and was returned to the barn by Gyarmati's exercise rider and stable employee. According to Gyarmati, she remained at the track with her other horses and later returned to her barn. NYRA contradicted her account to the DRF, citing that officials had to request radiographs of the horse and that she didn't return to the barn until the next morning when the vet returned for a follow-up examination. “I showed up as soon as the last horse I was training finished training,” Gyarmati told DRF. “I came back to the barn, and the vet was X-raying the horse.” Gyarmati confirmed to DRF that the horse underwent surgery to have one screw inserted to repair a fractured cannon bone and is convalescing on a farm. “Following a thorough review of recent incidents, NYRA revoked all stalls previously granted to trainer Leah Gyarmati,” read a statement issued by NYRA spokesman Pat McKenna. “Subsequent to this action, Gyarmati voluntarily surrendered her New York State-issued owner, trainer, and exercise rider licenses and is not currently able to participate in Thoroughbred racing activities. NYRA retains the exclusive right to grant or revoke stall space at its properties at any time.” Gyarmati, who has been training for 25 years, has never been cited for any violations in New York. The post Gyarmati Surrenders License, Stalls Revoked by NYRA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2024 Thoroughbred Owner Conference hosted its first panel Mar. 5, with a discussion about how Thoroughbred owners can avoid, prepare for and survive an audit. The panel was sponsored by Mersant International. Gary Falter, project manager for OwnerView, moderated the panel with guests Len Green, founder and chairman of The Green Group, and Frank Palino, Tax Controversy & Divorce Mediation, The Green Group. The panel delved into the intricacies of how the Internal Revenue Service views horse and farm owners and how those owners can best prepare for tax season. Other topics covered the importance of a business plan and an LLC, red flags for being audited, showing profit, and hobby and passive losses. For the replay of Tuesday's Thoroughbred Owner Conference panel, click here. Nine additional Thoroughbred Owner Conference virtual panels are scheduled for 2024. The next session, “Information Resources for Owners,” will be held Apr. 9 at 2 p.m. ET. For the full schedule, click here. There is no registration fee for the 2024 virtual conference series, but registration is required. For more information about the owner conference series, including the schedule of panels and registration, visit www.ownerview.com/event/conference or contact Gary Falter at 859.224.2803 or gfalter@jockeyclub.com. The post OwnerView Thoroughbred Owner Conference Virtual Series Begins with Panel on Audits appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Juddmonte Farms' recent G3 Burj Nahaar romper Laurel River (Into Mischief) will bypass the Mar. 30 G2 Godolphin Mile and will instead stretch out to 10 furlongs for the first time in the G1 Dubai World Cup, Garett O'Rourke, the manager of Juddmonte's American operation, told the TDN Thursday morning. “It's worth a try. There's $12 million reasons to do it,” he said. The homebred winner of the seven-furlong GII Pat O'Brien S. when under the care of Bob Baffert in 2022, Laurel River was favored in many circles for that year's GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile before being withdrawn on the eve of the race. He joined the barn of leading trainer Bhupat Seemar in the second half of 2023 and made his local debut in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint over 1200 meters Jan. 26, but weakened out to finish a disappointing seventh after racing handy. Laurel River was given another positive ride by Tadhg O'Shea in the G3 Burj Nahaar on Super Saturday Mar. 2, but this time continued to find and ran up the score to the tune of 6 3/4 lengths. “When you have a horse of that age and they've been off a long time–and he had excuses in his first race-you do start to wonder, 'well, was it excuses or was it age catching up with him,'” said O'Rourke. “But Bhupat was pretty confident that the second start of the layoff would be the improvement and it was huge improvement. He's got a little bit of age on him, but he's a relatively fresh horse for that age. It looks like he's still got all of his ability and his enthusiasm for the game and Into Mischiefs, as they usually do, stay sound and have good longevity, so hopefully there's a couple of more years in him.” While the Burj Nahaar is the course-and-distance lead-up to the G2 Godolphin Mile, connections put their heads together and opted for the less-conventional option in the World Cup. “The plan all along was to go to the Godolphin Mile, but when Bhupat looked at who was going and saw that Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming) and Isolate (Mark Valeski)–who won it last year and is a confirmed front-runner as well–were both in there, he didn't want to get stuck in a speed duel,” O'Rourke explained. For obvious reasons, there are plenty of obstacles to overcome. “I feel like the 10 furlongs is a stretch for him, but that is a speed-favoring track and he might be the lone speed in there,” said O'Rourke. “Bhupat didn't really mind either way whichever way the family wanted to go, but he decided he wanted to get that easy lead. Looking at the field, it'll be the two Japanese horses [Ushba Tesoro {Orfevre} and Derma Sotogake {Mind Your Biscuits) and Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) and it doesn't seem to go very deep after that. If you're going to take a shot, even if there's a doubt about the 10 furlongs, it seems like the year to try it and we're keen to do it. He can have a long rest afterwards.” On pedigree, Laurel River is a horse who could appreciate the World Cup trip. He is bred on the exact same cross as Juddmonte's GI Kentucky Derby winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Mandaloun and his first two dams are by the operation's Empire Maker and fellow GI Belmont S. winner Touch Gold. Laurel River's dam Calm Water is a full-sister to Emollient, whose big-race victories include the GI Juddmonte Spinster S. at nine furlongs on synthetic and a the GI American Oaks and GI Rodeo Drive S. going a mile and a quarter on the grass. “It would suggest he is capable of doing it, but on pedigree, Elite Power (Curlin) should have gotten a mile and a half,” O'Rourke said with a laugh. “It's an indicator of what the genes should be, but it can't guarantee what the dominant genes are. “He looks like a miler, he's a very strong, muscular horse. But some of those horses–on dirt anyways–if they're front-runners, they get stronger and they can get further as they get older. I think the key to him is being able to use that speed and get cruising out there in front and I would say, ideally eight to nine furlongs is his best distance. But older, stronger, front-runner–all those things can align and horses can get 10 furlongs with conditions in their favor.” Win, lose or draw, O'Rourke indicated that Laurel River will train on next season, with an eye on the G1 Saudi Cup. There are no plans to return to the United States, he added. The post Laurel River To Test 10-Furlong Waters In Dubai World Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this installment of the BloodHorse Daily series, Top Priority, Racing's Commitment to Equine Safety, the success and further potential of advanced imaging technology in preventing equine injuries is explored.View the full article

Trainer George Scott has his eye on more big-race riches in Bahrain with Isle Of Jura (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) a leading player for the $200,000 Listed King's Cup on Friday. Isle Of Jura has been a revelation in Bahrain over the winter. He has won three of his four starts there, including the prestigious Crown Prince's Cup, and was impressive when cruising to victory on his most recent run in the HH Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup. Regular rider Callum Shepherd has described Isle Of Jura as the best middle-distance horse he has ever ridden and says he's looking forward to getting back aboard the rapid improver. He said, “Isle Of Jura is the best middle-distance horse I've ridden and he's got the potential to improve further. The King's Cup will be his toughest task to date and the Godolphin horses will provide a different kind of opposition, they clearly mean business, but I think our horse remains the one to beat. “He has grown up noticeably while he has been in Bahrain. He's now so relaxed in a race, he really enjoys the quicker ground and he's got this high-level of raw ability that allows him to travel so well into his races and he finishes them off so well too. “Once his handicap rating ruled him out of the Bahrain Turf Series, the King's Cup became the target. And then after he won the Crown Prince's Cup, the possibility arose of winning the 'Triple Crown'. His Highness Shaikh Nasser was keen to have a go and it would be magic if he could complete the hat-trick in the King's Cup.” Shepherd has felt the benefits of success in Bahrain back home in the UK, adding, “I have been surprised by how much attention the wins in Bahrain have received. Isle of Jura has become a flag-bearer for George (Scott) and myself this winter and it has been a real positive for us and I think he can be highly competitive in Group races back in Europe this summer.” The opposition to Isle Of Jura includes the 2023 King's Cup winner Passion And Glory (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), trained by Saeed Bin Suroor, and two other Godolphin-owned runners trained by Charlie Appleby in Dhahabi (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and King Of Conquest (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). The fifth international horse in the field is the wonderfully consistent Lucander (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) for trainer George Baker, while the home team is led by Goemon (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and in-form Sovereign Spirit (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}). The post George Scott Eyes More Big-Race Riches In Bahrain With Isle Of Jura appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Melbourne’s pending heatwave hasn’t dented Te Akau’s confidence levels in their outstanding mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) ahead of her tilt at Saturday’s Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap. A final decision on the timings for Flemington’s races will be made on Friday, with temperatures forecast to hit 38 degrees at the track the following day. “There’s no concern really,” said Te Akau’s Melbourne-based assistant trainer Ben Gleeson. “They’ve all got to deal with the heat themselves, every one of them. It’s a pretty cool week, it’s not like they’re facing the whole week of warm weather. “I think if the race gets brought forward to 12:30 (or) one o’clock, we should be in and out of there in good time and it should just be a nice-enough day by that time to be running. “I don’t think it will be an issue for anyone, really.” Imperatriz is one of two runners for Te Akau in the Newmarket Handicap, as they’ll also be represented by another quality mare in Skew Wiff (NZ) (Savabeel). Imperatriz is the $2.45 favourite for the famous sprint event with Sportsbet, while Skew Wiff is a $46 chance. View the full article

The purchase of two-time stakes winner Live Drama (NZ) (Ghibellines) for $75,000 on gavelhouse.com this week means that breeder Warwick Jeffries is about to enhance his broodmare band with two of the South Island’s best-performed racemares from recent seasons. Jeffries won last season’s New Zealand Small Breeder of the Year Award, which is restricted to breeders with a broodmare band numbering five or fewer. From such small numbers, he produced multiple Group One-winning star Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) and fellow Group One winner Dark Destroyer (NZ) (Proisir). Jeffries also bred Legarto’s half-sister Emanon (NZ) (Burgundy), who has won 11 races in the South Island while on lease to Orari-based trainer Lionel Dobbs and his wife Janine Young. Emanon will return north to Jeffries’ Tauranga property later this autumn, where she will take up residence alongside her former racecourse rival Live Drama. “Having purchased Live Drama, and with Emanon’s lease running out in May, it means that two of the best-performed South Island racemares from the last few years will be coming back to our place,” Jeffries said. “They competed against each other a number of times and won a total of 20 races between them, and now they’ll be sharing a paddock and starting their broodmare careers together.” Jeffries was impressed by the racetrack performances of Live Drama, who turned her $8,500 price tag at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock South Island Sale into more than $330,000 in prize-money. Live Drama’s high-class career spanned six seasons, winning on debut as a two-year-old in May of 2019 and placing at Group Three level as a seven-year-old in November. She had a total of 35 starts for nine wins, 12 placings and $332,340 in stakes for her big group of owners. Her best wins came in the Group Three South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) and Listed Great Easter Handicap (1400m), while her eight black-type placings included the Group Three Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) and Stewards’ Stakes (1200m). “Having just retired with a 97 rating, she was a very good racehorse,” Jeffries said. “She won her only start as a two-year-old quite comfortably, so she showed a lot of natural speed. “She won nine races including two at stakes level, and she also had another eight stakes placings, and only a select few mares achieve a career like that. “She’s by Ghibellines, who is a very well-bred stallion and in my view will become a successful broodmare sire in time. “I’ve got a couple of stallions in mind that I think could be suitable matings for her, and one of those is obviously Proisir, who I’m a shareholder in. But there’s others that will be worth considering as well. I thought she was a good mare to buy, and I’m looking forward to breeding from her.” Entries for the next fortnightly gavelhouse.com mixed bloodstock auction are due online by 10pm on Monday 11th March. View the full article

What Randwick Guineas Day 2024 Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, March 9, 2024 First Race 12:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble Metro racing returns to Royal Randwick this Saturday afternoon, where a bumper 10-race program is set for decision. The card is headlined by the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) for the three-year-olds and the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m). The rail moves out +3m after racing in the true last weekend, and with only a minor shower predicted to hit the track, it shouldn’t affect the current Good 4 rating. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 12:30pm AEDT. Race 1: Midway Handicap BM72 (1600m) A capacity field of 20 are set to kick off proceedings at Randwick in this wide-open BM72 contest, where the David Payne-trained Mahagoni presents at a good each-way price with online bookmakers. The five-year-old gelding held his own against tougher opposition than what he faces this weekend, with his latest effort encouraging in BM88 company when beaten by 1.3 lengths on the wire. He maps well from stall one this time, and although he may need some luck when getting clear in the straight, Mahagoni is worth a throw at the stumps in a field littered with chances. Selections: 3 MAHAGONI 9 CUT ON A DIME 2 INVINCIBLE LEGEND 4 MOUNTAIN GUEST Race 2: Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m) The first two-year-old contest is for the girls in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes, where Too Darn Lizzie returns for the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott barn. The daughter of Too Darn Hot was able to rack them and stack them on the Gold Coast in her only start of the campaign, kicking clear to score by 1.5 lengths on the wire. She appears to be the only leader engaged in this field on the speed map, with most of her rivals known to be get-back and run-on types, giving jockey Tim Clark every opportunity to dictate terms up on speed. She appears wound up for this effort based on her two barrier trials in the lead-up, and provided she can check off a cheap sectional or two, Too Darn Lizzie will take plenty of catching. Selections: 1 TOO DARN LIZZIE 6 EXTREME DIVA 3 CASTANYA 8 SILMARILLION Next Best Race 2 – #1 Too Darn Lizzie (3) 2yo Filly | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Tim Clark (55.5kg) +150 with Dabble Race 3: Listed Randwick City Stakes (2000m) Almania continues to race ultra-consistently and looks set to peak third-up into the campaign. He looked all over a winner in his most recent start in the Listed Parramatta Cup (1900m) at Rosehill on February 24 and was only claimed in the shadows of the post by the impressive returning More Felons. He maps to gain an economical run throughout the 2000m journey on Saturday, and with the Kris Lees campaign having taken their time with this now eight-year-old gelding, the patience could well be rewarded with victory. Selections: 11 ALMANIA 10 CANBERRA LEGEND 12 REDSTONE WELL 3 BOIS D’ARGENT Race 4: Listed Fireball Stakes (1100m) Blanc De Blanc was too bad to be true first-up at Caulfield in the Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1100m). The daughter of I Am Invincible tailed off a long last 13 lengths away and never travelled throughout the journey. It was a bizarre result considering her two barrier trials leading into that event were outstanding, giving the impression the now three-year-old was going to resume in outstanding order despite being first-up after a 329-day spell. She heads back to her favoured clockwise way of going on Saturday, and as she looks to recapture her best two-year-old form, punters should be happy to take that chance at the price with online bookmakers. Selections: 6 BLANC DE BLANC 1 CORNICHE 2 RED RESISTANCE 4 KEENAN Best Value Race 4 – #6 Blanc De Blanc (2) 3yo Filly | T: Michael Freedman | J: Jason Collett (54kg) +900 with Bet365 Race 5: Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) The boys get their chance to step out next in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m), where undefeated colt Switzerland will be searching for a hat-trick of wins. The Chris Waller-trained galloper continues to improve throughout the campaign, with his latest winning performance a tough effort when sitting outside the leader at this track on February 17. The 1200m should hold no issues for this son of Snitzel based on his two starts to date, and with a favourable speed map to find the one-one from stall four along with leading hoop James McDonald sticking aboard, Switzerland could be on his way to staking claims for the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) later in the autumn. Selections: 6 SWITZERLAND 5 ESPIONAGE 3 STRAIGHT CHARGE 4 BODYGUARD Todman Stakes Race 5 – #6 Switzerland (4) 2yo Colt | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (55.5kg) +270 with Neds Race 6: Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) Aft Cabin makes his return for Godolphin after a lengthy 273-day spell and looks to be resuming in terrific order. He has had two jump-outs to get prepared for this event and the James Cummings barns seem to have the son of Astern ready for a first-up assault after a luckless three-year-old campaign. You only need to look at his fourth-place finish in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) to see the class he can possess on his best day, where he was only beaten 1.5 lengths by some of the sprinting stars like Giga Kick and Overpass. Private Eye is undoubtedly a fair favourite in this event, but at the price, it’s worth the gamble Aft Cabin can take down the older horses over 1000m in the Challenge Stakes. Selections: 4 AFT CABIN 1 PRIVATE EYE 3 REMARQUE 6 PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE Best Bet Race 6 – #4 Aft Cabin (2) 4yo Horse | T: James Cummings | J: James McDonald (58.5kg) +380 with Betfair Race 7: Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) The Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) has attracted a small but quality field, with Think About It making his return the track, however, it is worth making the case for Espiona. She was enormous on resumption in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) behind Imperatriz and was only getting warm in the last 200m of the Flemington straight on February 17. The Chris Waller barn had her dual accepted for the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) in Melbourne as well, but with the team confirming she is on the float back to Sydney shows strong intent from the stable to take on the short-priced commodity. She has a glowing second-up record, and with a soft run from barrier two under James McDonald, Espiona should get every chance for an upset. Selections: 6 ESPIONA 1 THINK ABOUT IT 2 PERICLES 7 LADY LAGUNA Canterbury Stakes Race 7 – #6 Espiona (2) 5yo Mare | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (57kg) +280 with Playup Race 8: Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) The three-year-olds take centre stage in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) and has drawn a quality 11-horse field to fight it out for the $1 million prize. The Chris Waller-trained Militarize holds the call currently at $2.30 after an impressive first-up display in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) against the older horses, while the Les Bridge-trained Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) winner Celestial Legend is right behind him on the second line of betting at $4. Nine of the 11 runners engaged come through the Hobartville, so can his rivals turn the tables? Click here for our full preview of the 2024 Randwick Guineas Race 9: Group 3 Aspiration Quality (1600m) Osmose gets set to kick-off her autumn charge in the Group 3 Aspiration Quality (1600m) and looks perfectly placed by the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott barn. The daughter of Zoffany was just outmatched at the end of last preparation behind Deny Knowledge in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) during the spring and was subsequently sent to the paddock. Her latest piece of work at Randwick on February 22 caught the eye when coasting through the wire under her own steam, and with an element of class on her side, watch for Tim Clark to ping the lids and attempt making every post a winner in this one. Selections: 3 OSMOSE 1 THALASSOPHILE 4 LEKVARTE 15 BLACKCOMB Aspiration Quality Race 9 – #3 Osmose (4) 5yo Mare | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Tim Clark (57.5kg) +550 with Unibet Race 10: Group 3 Weona Girl Quality (1200m) The program finishes with the Group 3 Weona Girl Quaity (1200m), where the Grahame Begg-trained C’est Magique gets her chance to repay the faith. She has been a costly commodity for backers with only one win across 10 career starts, however, she does bring some quality form to this event. Her first-up effort behind the likes of Semana and Olentia in the Group 3 Triscay Stakes (1200m) reads well for a race like this, and with a lovely run expected form gate two, C’est Magique can make her way into the winners’ enclosure for the second time in her career. Selections: 3 C’EST MAGIQUE 5 CALL DI 15 RAINBIEL 1 QUEEN OF THE BALL Weona Girl Quality Race 10 – #3 C’est Magique (2) 4yo Mare | T: Grahame Begg | J: Tim Clark (56.5kg) +400 with Picklebet Randwick free Saturday quaddie tips Randwick quadrella selections Saturday, March 9, 2024 1-6 1-2-3-6-10 1-3-4-6-7-15-18 1-3-5-6-15 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Championship leader launches two-pronged attack on HK$13 million feature and is ‘looking for a very good run’ from his Group Three winnerView the full article

Captured By Love will contest the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Te Akau Racing’s unbeaten filly Captured By Love is set to face her sternest test to date when she heads to Ellerslie on Saturday to contest the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). The daughter of Written Tycoon got her career off to the perfect start when winning on debut over 1000m at Tauherenikau last November before scoring her first stakes victory at just her second start in the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham a month later. Purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $525,000, Captured By Love was ineligible for the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie in January, taken out by hype filly Velocious, and was instead freshened to have a crack at further stakes assignment. She duly added last month’s Group 3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) to her burgeoning record before winning the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at her home track three weeks later. Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson have been rapt with her unbeaten record to date but are wary about the step-up to elite-level and meeting the Stephen Marsh-trained Velocious for the first time. “She is unbeaten and she is a big, strong girl. She keeps lifting the bar and she will have to do that again on Saturday,” Walker told Trackside NZ. “She is a ready-made racehorse – she has got a will to win and it doesn’t matter what track surface it is either. She came on with that run at Taranaki, but she will need to, stepping into unknown territory right-handed and the Karaka Millions winner (Velocious) is there.” Meanwhile, it will be a sentimental day for Te Akau Racing on Saturday, with the stable set to farewell their warhorse Prise De Fer following his final career start in the Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m). The eight-year-old gelding has been a stable favourite at the Matamata operation, posting 11 victories and 18 placings from 52 starts. The son of Savabeel had posted five Group One placings before his popular elite-level triumph in the Group 1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham in 2022, and has added further runner-up results in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2040m), Group 3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m), and Group 3 Waikato Cup (2400m) to his record. His connections are hoping he can belie his age and topweight of 57kg to end his career on a fairytale note on Saturday. “He is an eight-year-old and it is just hard finding races that are really suitable,” Walker said. “He has been a great servant and he will have a loving showing home at the end of it. It will be his last run on Saturday.” Stablemate Fierce Flight will be looking to spoil the party, and Walker is expecting a bold performance with the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) runner-up dropping down to 53kg for the two-mile test. “I think Fierce Flight dropping to 53 kilos is a dangerous light weight compared to what he carried in the Wellington Cup (58kg),” Walker said. Horse racing news View the full article

Wexford Stables have fond memories at Ellerslie with Asterix, and they are hoping to add another when they head to the Auckland track this Saturday to contest the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m). Asterix is unbeaten on the course in two starts, recording the stable’s second consecutive win in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie two years ago, and returned to the venue last month to take out the Gr.2 Avondale Cup (2400m) under jockey Lynsey Satherley. The Waikato hoop retains the ride for the Auckland Cup, for which the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Asterix is currently a $4.20 favourite with TAB bookmakers, ahead of the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained pair of Mark Twain ($6) and Dionysus ($6.50). “Andrew and I are pleased with the way he is going. He is certainly going to strip fit and we are confident he is going to run the two-miles,” Lance O’Sullivan told Trackside NZ. “He is bred to do that on his dam side, I think she won over 3000m. We thought running distance was never going to be a problem with him going forward. We are going to find out, but we think it is going to be right up his alley. We just couldn’t be happier with the horse.” O’Sullivan took plenty of satisfaction in seeing Asterix return to winning form at Ellerslie last start. “The blinkers went back on him and we were hoping he was going to do what he did, and he certainly delivered. He has just got to back it up again this week,” he said. “He has come back to the Asterix of old.” View the full article

Te Akau Racing’s unbeaten filly Captured By Love is set to face her sternest test to date when she heads to Ellerslie on Saturday to contest the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). The daughter of Written Tycoon got her career off to the perfect start when winning on debut over 1000m at Tauherenikau last November before scoring her first stakes victory at just her second start in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham a month later. Purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $525,000, Captured By Love was ineligible for the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie in January, taken out by hype filly Velocious, and was instead freshened to have a crack at further stakes assignment. She duly added last month’s Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) to her burgeoning record before winning the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at her home track three weeks later. Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson have been rapt with her unbeaten record to date but are wary about the step-up to elite-level and meeting the Stephen Marsh-trained Velocious for the first time. “She is unbeaten and she is a big, strong girl. She keeps lifting the bar and she will have to do that again on Saturday,” Walker told Trackside NZ. “She is a ready-made racehorse – she has got a will to win and it doesn’t matter what track surface it is either. She came on with that run at Taranaki, but she will need to, stepping into unknown territory right-handed and the Karaka Millions winner (Velocious) is there.” Meanwhile, it will be a sentimental day for Te Akau Racing on Saturday, with the stable set to farewell their warhorse Prise De Fer following his final career start in the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m). The eight-year-old gelding has been a stable favourite at the Matamata operation, posting 11 victories and 18 placings from 52 starts. The son of Savabeel had posted five Group One placings before his popular elite-level triumph in the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham in 2022, and has added further runner-up results in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2040m), Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m), and Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m) to his record. His connections are hoping he can belie his age and topweight of 57kg to end his career on a fairytale note on Saturday. “He is an eight-year-old and it is just hard finding races that are really suitable,” Walker said. “He has been a great servant and he will have a loving showing home at the end of it. It will be his last run on Saturday.” Stablemate Fierce Flight will be looking to spoil the party, and Walker is expecting a bold performance with the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) runner-up dropping down to 53kg for the two-mile test. “I think Fierce Flight dropping to 53 kilos is a dangerous light weight compared to what he carried in the Wellington Cup (58kg),” Walker said. View the full article

The New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) Board has today regrettably announced the resignation of its Chair, Cameron George, effective 31 July 2024. Under his leadership, George, who has served as Chair since 2020, has played a pivotal role in steering NZTR and the racing industry through various challenges and sizeable achievements over recent years. “My decision to step down from my role on the Board hasn’t been an easy one,” George said. “My journey at NZTR started with navigating a path forward for the business through COVID-19. Over time, we have managed to rebuild the industry into the strong position it now holds, demonstrating the resilient team environment I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved in over the last four years. “I’ve enjoyed all the challenges this role has presented me with. Going into it I knew I needed to both question and support initiatives brought to the table. “I now feel we have moved into a model of braver thinking and strategic planning, with innovation at the forefront of our activities. Globally, sports have undergone a significant shift from traditional approaches to embracing innovation and with that, we must not sit on our hands and continue to pursue becoming a vibrant sport within the entertainment sector,” he said. While reflecting on his tenure as Chair, George expresses his gratitude towards those who guided the industry towards a successful future. “I would firstly like to thank previous Chairs of NZTR, the likes of Guy Sargent, Matt Goodson, Alan Jackson and their Boards, who worked tirelessly to underpin the industry into the condition it is today.” “I thank NZTR’s Board and management team around me, both past and present, for their dedication to the cause of rebuilding this industry since the dark days of COVID, it truly has been a massive effort. “To the stakeholders and people of the industry, thank you for your strong support, being receptive to change, as well as being prepared to just give things a go. “Finally, so many parts of this industry’s administration deserve credit for helping us reshape and rebuild our future. On a personal note, I would like to acknowledge the efforts of TAB NZ, Entain Australia and New Zealand, our racing Clubs, New Zealand Bloodstock and the New Zealand Government for encouraging the movement of change towards a better future,” he said. George will remain in his role as Chair until 31 July of this year and is committed to maintaining a high standard for New Zealand’s racing landscape. “I look forward to finishing off my tenure with commitment and drive to complete several exciting initiatives we have in the pipeline. It’s all hands on deck as we get ready for the biggest summer of racing this country has ever seen next year,” George said. NZTR Members’ Council Chair, Jeff McCall, thanked George for his service to the industry. “Cameron’s passion and dedication to the New Zealand racing industry has been illustrated by the numerous positive actions he has undertaken since he has held the position as Chair.” “On behalf of the Members’ Council and the industry, we thank him for his contribution and wish him all the best for the future,” McCall said. View the full article

The connections of short-priced favourite Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) are in for a massive payday following Saturday’s $450,000 Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie, irrespective of the result. The daughter of Proisir is almost assured of taking home the lion’s share of the $650,000 summer series bonus that was introduced this year by Entain Australia and New Zealand in association with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. The series is running across four races between January and March, rewarding $500,000 to the series winner, $100,000 to the runner-up and $50,000 for the third placegetter, with the associated trainers taking home 10 percent of the bonus payments. To become eligible for the bonus, a horse needed to have contested either of the first two legs of the series – the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham on January 20 or $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on January 27. Having finished runner-up in the Aotearoa Classic before taking out the third leg of the series, the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa last month, Legarto is a clear series leader with 20.5 points. With 13.5 points given to the winner of the fourth and final leg of the series, the New Zealand Stakes, and Legarto assured of three points for just starting in the race, Robbie Patterson’s One Bold Cat (NZ) (The Bold One) is the only other horse in contention for the series’ top prize, with the Taranaki gelding having to win and Legarto to finish outside the top four in order to take home $500,000. While it will be a tough ask to roll the $1.45 favourite, One Bold Cat (10.5 points) still has the minor bonuses to chase, alongside stablemate Puntura (NZ) (Vespa) (9 points), El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) (7 points), and Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood) and Skyman (Mukhadram) (5 points). While chasing a Group One prize is always the primary objective, Legarto’s trainers Ken and Bev Kelso are excited by the added incentive of the summer series bonus. “It is going to be a great day on Saturday because we have got that bonus to go for as well, which is going to be a huge payday,” Ken Kelso told Trackside NZ. “She doesn’t have to win it to get the bonus, it is quite exciting.” Legarto had a trial last week to keep her up to the mark post her Herbie Dyke win, and Kelso has been pleased with her progress. “She had a quiet trial here at Matamata last Thursday over 1100m. She was only getting warmed-up at the line,” he said. “I go down every night at about 7:30pm and check her, and she licks the bowl clean by then and is looking for more. She is really thriving.” While there is some pressure that comes with lining up a short-priced favourite every time you go to the races, Kelso said it is great to give the sport a heroine to help promote the industry. “She goes out pretty short every time, which puts a little bit of pressure on you,” he said. “She is as well as we can get her, it is just up to Ryan (Elliot, jockey) now. “It is great for racing (to have a horse like Legarto). We need these horses to profile the sport and hopefully they get a bit of a following, like Roger’s (James) filly (Orchestral) last week (when winning the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby, 2400m).” View the full article

Tony Pike has tipped Harlow Rocks (NZ) (Roc de Cambes) as the stable’s best chance of stakes success at Taupo on Friday. The Cambridge trainer will be represented by the in-form Roc de Cambes filly and the promising Sign Of Peace (NZ) (Preferment) in take two of the Gr.2 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2000m) following the abandonment of last week’s Hastings meeting. “That was very disappointing the other day, but they both need a lead-up to the New Zealand Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m) so we’ll head to Taupo and see how we go,” Pike said. To be ridden again by Ryan Elliot, Harlow Rocks produced a strong front-running performance last time out to finish runner-up to Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) in the Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa. “She’s got the runs on the board and she puts herself up on speed and the Taupo track should suit her,” Pike said. “She is clearly the favoured one and Sign Of Peace stepping up to 2000m will help her, but she is jumping up in class so we’ll find out where she fits in.” Preferment’s daughter Sign Of Peace broke her maiden two runs back at Te Rapa under Michael McNab, who rides her again, and with placings from her other three appearances has made an encouraging start to her career. Harlow Rocks is currently an $8 equal third favourite in the market for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks at Trentham on Saturday-week with Sign Of Peace at $41. “Ideally, it would be nice to get them both there as long as they race well and pull up well,” Pike said. He also has another promising three-year-old in action at Taupo with Witz End to step out in the NZB Insurance (1300m) and Sam Weatherley will continue his association with the unbeaten son of Savabeel. “He is a really nice horse and is still a bit new and green, but he has been impressive in his first two starts,” Pike said. “He has taken good improvement out of both runs and we’re hoping to get to the Wellington Guineas (Gr.2, 1400m) with him. Should he win again or run well, that will be the next option.” Pike also has in-form contenders in Archaic Smile (Saxon Warrior) and Poetic Champion (NZ) (Super Seth) chasing top honours in Saturday’s Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie. Archaic Smile boxed on well to run fifth in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) after racing three deep without cover and Poetic Champion overcame a wide gate, albeit in a small field, to finish runner-up in the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m). McNab partners Archaic Smile while Per-Anders Graberg guides Poetic Champion’s fortunes. “I’m really happy with both of them and their work on Tuesday was very impressive,” Pike said. “They are both drawn to get much softer runs than they got at Matamata where they had tough trips and ran well considering. “The two favourites (Velocious and Captured By Love) look hard to beat, but I’m sure my two will run extremely well and there’s not a lot between them.” Pike is also upbeat about the chances of last-start Pukekohe winer Hat Trick (NZ) (Fastnet Rock) in the Thank You To The NZB Kiwi Slot Holders (1400m). “He’s a promising horse going forward and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him win again,” Pike said. “We’ve got nice each way chances at Taupo and Ellerslie and with an ounce of luck we can hopefully get a few winners.” View the full article

A genuinely run Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) will bring out the best in proven stayer Mahrajaan (Kitten’s Joy) on Saturday when he bids to add to his silverware. His depths of stamina were emphasised when he won the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) under 55kg in the spring and looks well placed with 1kg less in the Barfoot & Thompson-sponsored feature at Ellerslie. “He needs, and is going to get, a strong pace with My Maebelline Girl’s best form off the front, Good Oil and Khan Hunter both go forward as well,” said co-trainer Shaune Ritchie, who sees last-start Gr.2 Avondale Cup (2400m) winner Asterix as a major threat. “Asterix is a New Zealand Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) winner as well and we need to nullify his speed, if we can beat him at all, and the only way to do that is if we can outstay him.” Mahrajaan has also been blessed by an ideal gate (three) and he will be reunited with Sam Weatherley, who rode him to victory in the Riccarton feature. “It’s a beautiful barrier for him because he will race handy, as he did in the New Zealand Cup, and if it’s a true two miles then he’s obviously going to run the trip out,” said Ritchie, who trains in partnership with Colm Murray. “The draw is a godsend and he can be ridden out of the gates and then relax very quickly, which is a good asset to have.” They have also tried to replicate Mahrajaan’s lead-up to the New Zealand Cup. “We sent him up to Ruakaka last Sunday for the week to work him on the beach, he did so well at Riccarton on the beach,” Ritchie said. “We thought it was the right way to go to try and get some freshness into his legs.” Stablemate Pearl Of Alsace (NZ) (Tavistock) also looms as a strong chance in the hands of Michael McNab in the Westbury Stud Royal Descent Stakes (1600m) off a break. “We nominated her for the open 1400m and this and she’s obviously much better off under the set weights and penalties,” Ritchie said. “Her first-up record is pretty good and she’s well-prepared. She’s had a barrier trial and we took her up to Ellerslie for a look around. “We’ve kept the foot on the pedal a bit with her so she’s ready. “She’s unbeaten second-up and the Group One (New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, 1600m) in three weeks is her target, so there will be a bit of improvement to come.” Ritchie also likes the chances of Brave Spirit (NZ) (Swiss Ace) in Saturday’s Tempur Classic (1200m). “He’s drawn down low and will get an economical trip and has got McNab on as well,” he said. “It’s an $80,000 Rating 65 so it’s a very good race for him and I think he’ll be hard to beat.” The Swiss Ace gelding has opened his current campaign with three consecutive placings to go with a debut victory and a runner-up finish from his first preparation. View the full article

Mahrajaan winning the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South A genuinely run Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) will bring out the best in proven stayer Mahrajaan on Saturday when he bids to add to his silverware. His depths of stamina were emphasised when he won the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) under 55kg in the spring and looks well placed with 1kg less in the Barfoot & Thompson-sponsored feature at Ellerslie. “He needs, and is going to get, a strong pace with My Maebelline Girl’s best form off the front, Good Oil and Khan Hunter both go forward as well,” said co-trainer Shaune Ritchie, who sees last-start Group 2 Avondale Cup (2400m) winner Asterix as a major threat. “Asterix is a New Zealand Derby (Group 1, 2400m) winner as well and we need to nullify his speed, if we can beat him at all, and the only way to do that is if we can outstay him.” Mahrajaan has also been blessed by an ideal gate (three) and he will be reunited with Sam Weatherley, who rode him to victory in the Riccarton feature. “It’s a beautiful barrier for him because he will race handy, as he did in the New Zealand Cup, and if it’s a true two miles then he’s obviously going to run the trip out,” said Ritchie, who trains in partnership with Colm Murray. “The draw is a godsend and he can be ridden out of the gates and then relax very quickly, which is a good asset to have.” They have also tried to replicate Mahrajaan’s lead-up to the New Zealand Cup. “We sent him up to Ruakaka last Sunday for the week to work him on the beach, he did so well at Riccarton on the beach,” Ritchie said. “We thought it was the right way to go to try and get some freshness into his legs.” Stablemate Pearl Of Alsace also looms as a strong chance in the hands of Michael McNab in the Westbury Stud Royal Descent Stakes (1600m) off a break. “We nominated her for the open 1400m and this and she’s obviously much better off under the set weights and penalties,” Ritchie said. “Her first-up record is pretty good and she’s well-prepared. She’s had a barrier trial and we took her up to Ellerslie for a look around. “We’ve kept the foot on the pedal a bit with her so she’s ready. “She’s unbeaten second-up and the Group 1 (New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, 1600m) in three weeks is her target, so there will be a bit of improvement to come.” Ritchie also likes the chances of Brave Spirit in Saturday’s Tempur Classic (1200m). “He’s drawn down low and will get an economical trip and has got McNab on as well,” he said. “It’s an $80,000 Rating 65 so it’s a very good race for him and I think he’ll be hard to beat.” The Swiss Ace gelding has opened his current campaign with three consecutive placings to go with a debut victory and a runner-up finish from his first preparation. Horse racing news View the full article