Wandering Eyes

The San Antonio Stakes (G2), a traditional prep for the $400,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) March 2, drew an intriguing collection of contenders, from an Argentinian sensation to a speedy Cal-bred sprinter.View the full article

Classy filly Impendabelle will go up against her male counterparts in the Group 2 Auckland Guineas (1400m). Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Cambridge trainer Tony Pike has elected to pit his handy filly Impendabelle against the boys at Pukekohe on Boxing Day. A last start runner-up in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), Impendabelle will bypass her own sex in the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) in favour of dropping back to the more favourable 1400m of the Group 2 Auckland Guineas. Pike has been pleased with the way she has returned from her southern venture and said she has enjoyed some downtime ahead of her resumption next Tuesday. “Coming back in trip we decided to go against the boys in the Guineas rather than the Eight Carat. We have got plenty of depth in our three-year-olds this year, which is good to see,” Pike told TAB NZ. “She has come back from Christchurch in great order. She had 10 days in the paddock when she got home. “She had an exhibition gallop with Not Guilty at Tauranga last Friday and I was really pleased with her work.” The daughter of Impending will also have the addition of blinkers to help sharpen her for her fresh-up run. “I have decided to put the blinkers on coming back in trip for the Auckland Guineas. She tends to get a bit wayward when she hits the front and Kozzi (Asano, jockey) has copped a couple of suspensions because of that,” Pike said. “Her work with the blinkers on Friday was exceptional.” Depending on the outcome of Tuesday’s race, Pike is weighing up between the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham on January 13 or the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie on January 27 with his filly. “We will see how she pulls up after the Auckland Guineas to see whether she runs in the Levin Classic or alternatively head straight to the Karaka Million Mile. There is a chance she could do both,” he said. “I think those three races will be enough for her this preparation and if she holds her form then we might pick out one or two races in Sydney heading into the autumn.” More horse racing news View the full article

Mazzolino will contest the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2050m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) In-foal mare Mazzolino already has that motherly glow according to trainer Stephen Marsh, and he is hoping she can translate that into Group One success at Pukekohe on Boxing Day. The Waikato Stud-bred and raced four-year-old is a full-sister to Go Racing’s multiple Group One-winner Atishu, and they would dearly love to get a Group One result with their mare before her raceday retirement. The Group Three winner came close when fourth in the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m) in March but will get another opportunity on Tuesday in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2050m). “She is in-foal to Super Seth. She is working great and has almost got a glow on,” Marsh told TAB NZ. “I liked her run (for fourth) in the Wanganui Cup (Listed, 2040m) and she has bounced out of it super. “We trialled her up at Ellerslie the other day and I think she is going super, and blinkers have been applied. “It is certainly a step up. It is a nice, even field without it being over the top. I think she is up to it.” A race prior, stablemate Glamour Tycoon will be shooting for a hat-trick of wins in the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m). The daughter of Written Tycoon was a last start victor of the Listed The O’Learys Fillies Stakes (1340m) at Wanganui and Marsh said she is taking a power of confidence into her Boxing Day assignment. “Two starts ago we took her up (to Ruakaka) where we were hoping to get a confidence boost. She did that and went down and won the O’Learys race well,” he said. “Her work has been good, she is going great and I think the couple of wins have really boosted her. “The step up to a mile is a bit of a question mark, but if you can get a mile I think that opens up a few more doors, whether that’s up here for the Karaka Mile or go down for the Levin Classic. “I think it is probably one of the best Eight Carat’s I have seen for a while, which is great. Prizemoney is up and racing is starting to become great again, it is good to see.” Marsh will also have a two-pronged stakes representation in the Group 2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) with Sinhaman and Tossuforit. “Sinhaman has had a week in the paddock, his bloods were out a little bit, but his work has been good. He will improve with the run but he is going really well and is a worthy contender,” Marsh said. “Tossuforit ran really well last start for second and potentially could have won. She is going great.” More horse racing news View the full article

The Irish-bred son of Dandy Man is the only stakes winner and among three graded-placed runners in the field of the $200,000 Mathis Mile Stakes (G2T).View the full article

Pennyweka winning the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). Photo: Race Images – Peter Rubery A year is a long time in racing and in 2023 the connections of Pennyweka experienced it all. The daughter of Satono Aladdin took her seventy-strong The Galloping Wekas Jazweka Syndicate on a whirlwind ride in autumn, winning the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham before crossing the Tasman to claim the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick. But the wheels came off their fairytale ride in spring when she finished 13th in the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) and seventh in the Group 3 Metric Mile (1600m) at Awapuni a month later, which would prove to be the last outing of her racing career. “After her last run at Manawatu in the mud and the slush, she didn’t recover quite as well as we expected her to. After a while we scoped her and she was found to have an epiglottic entrapment, which got ulcerated and very enlarged,” said trainer Jim Wallace, who bred Pennyweka in partnership with his brother Les. “We sent her through to the Waikato Equine people who did a surgical procedure which they expected to take care of it, but it wasn’t as successful as we would like it to be. “She couldn’t race to the level that she had before so the decision was made in consultation with the vets to call time. “She has been a good mare and won a couple of Group Ones and had a couple of Group placings, so she has got plenty of good credentials as a broodmare.” Pennyweka retires as the winner of three of her 12 starts and more than $1.1 million in prizemoney, with her Oaks victories being supported by placings in the Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2100m), Group 3 Wellington Stakes (1600m), and Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m). Pennyweka’s win in the New Zealand Oaks was particularly sentimental for the Wallace family, who had gathered to celebrate the life of Madeleine Wallace, the late wife of Jim and Mary’s son David, at Ardsley Stud, and a day after Jim and Les’ mother, Margaret, died. “The day at Trentham in itself was really special because of the circumstances surrounding it with the family, that was an absolute magic day,” Wallace said. Initially not intending to head across the Tasman with his charge, Wallace quickly changed his mind a couple of days after Pennyweka’s New Zealand Oaks victory, and he is glad he did. “I had declined the opportunity to make the second payment for the (Australian) Oaks before she ran at Wellington because I thought win, lose or draw she probably would have had enough,” he said. “On the Monday following (her New Zealand Oaks win) she had a bit of a trot around and the girl that rides all the work for me, Vania Mason, came back and said she was better that day than she was on Friday. “After a couple of days, we had a consult with the syndicate, made the payment, went to Sydney and the rest is history. “Any time you can take something over to Australia is great. It had been a long time since I had one good to go. It was really satisfying.” Wallace also enjoyed the atmosphere her sizeable syndicate brought to her races. “They were magic,” he said. “I didn’t have a lot to do with the syndicate, my sister-in-law (Janine) runs those syndicates and she does a wonderful job with them. We had them all here the day after we got back from Australia. They were a fantastic group to deal with, they were so enthusiastic. They are all devastated with the news, but racing is a fickle business.” The focus will now turn towards her future broodmare career, but Wallace said he and Les have yet to decide whether to breed from her themselves or accept one of the many offers on the table from several interested international breeders. “We haven’t discussed that (future) as such yet,” he said. “There has been a huge amount of interest in her from commercial breeders throughout Australasia and further afield, but we will worry about that in the New Year. Les is away, so when he comes back we will have a sit down and talk about it and make some decisions.” While the curtain has come down on the racing career of Pennyweka, the Wallaces still have plenty to look forward to from her family. “We have got a half-brother going to the Karaka sales and the mare is safely in-foal to Satono Aladdin again, so there is a bit to look forward to,” he said. Pennyweka’s half-brother will go through their Ardsley Stud draft at Karaka as lot 483, and Wallace said he is a more impressive type than his Group One-winning sibling. “Looking at him physically, he is a much better type than she is. She is a pretty plain mare than can run like hell,” Wallace said. “He is a very nice colt and is a strong, powerful and correct animal. Indications are that he should be able to run, he is a really nice horse.” With the year quickly coming to an end, Wallace is taking the time to reflect on the highs and lows it has brought, and the thrill a homebred mare has brought to him, his family, and her sizeable syndicate. “It has been a great ride,” he said. More horse racing news View the full article

Trans-Tasman trainer Andrew Forsman. Photo: Trish Dunell Andrew Forsman is relocating his Victorian stable after being granted 13 boxes at Flemington. The Cambridge trainer established a permanent Australian base earlier this year at Macedon Lodge, roughly 60km north-west of Melbourne. But when Flemington made stables available via a competitive tender, Forsman jumped at the opportunity. “I’m thrilled to get those boxes at Flemington,” he said. “It sounds like there were a few other applicants, so it’s an opportunity we have to grab with both hands and make it work. “It should work out really well, with Flemington being so accessible and with all of the options it provides for trainers. Macedon was great, but it just seemed to be a little bit tricky to train some horses there. Flemington is more similar to what we’re used to at home in Cambridge, and it’s going to be easier to train different types of horses. You’ve really got a wide range of options available. “We won’t be full all the time, but it’s nice to have a box or two free if we think there’s a suitable race for a horse from New Zealand.” Forsman currently has the talented half-siblings Mr Maestro and Riproar based in Australia, and they are expected to be his first horses to use the new Flemington base. Back on home soil, Forsman is preparing a team of eight runners for the iconic Boxing Day meeting at Pukekohe on Tuesday. The headline act is Aegon, who is a +230 second favourite behind Campionessa (+150) for the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2050m). Aegon was one of the standout performers in the Group 1 TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham earlier this month, albeit after remaining in the starting gates while most of the field ran up to 400m in a false start. Aegon dropped out to last in the 17-horse field in the second running of the $400,000 feature, then produced a flying finish for a close fourth. He clocked the fastest times in the race for the last 800m (45.78 seconds), 600m (33.58), 400m (22.24) and 200m (11.61). “It was obviously a funny race, for a few different reasons,” Forsman said. “But he did his thing and ran home really well. We knew it was always going to be hard from the extreme outside gate, getting so far back and giving that much ground away, but we really liked the way he found the line. “He’s trained on great since then. The query will be whether he can produce that same strong finish over a bit more ground. He’s hardly raced at all over this sort of distance – just one previous run in this race a couple of years ago (unplaced behind Tiptronic over 2000m at Ellerslie in 2021). “That hasn’t necessarily been deliberate. It’s just that we haven’t really had the right opportunities to step him up over ground. “He is a horse that often runs his best races fresh. Whether that’s a sign of a horse who can run a strong 2000m, I’m not sure, but there’s probably no better time than now to give him that chance.” Mary Shan has been luckless in her last two starts, featuring prominently in stewards’ reports while finishing second in the Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) and fifth in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). Forsman is expecting her to make her presence felt in the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) on Boxing Day. “She didn’t get many favours at Riccarton, having to make a big searching run and being very tight for room late in the race,” Forsman said. “But she’s bounced through it well. We gave her a week in the paddock after that. She’s looking good, has been working nicely and should run well again.” Forsman had a high enough opinion of two-year-old filly Macaluso to line her up against Velocious, Bellatrix Star, Poetic Champion and Savaglee on debut in last month’s Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m). She finished a creditable fourth in the strongest juvenile race of the season so far, and she will line-up over the same course and distance for the second start of her career. “I thought it was a pretty solid effort on debut,” Forsman said. “It was a bit of a muddling run race and she just got left flat-footed when the speed went on. She’s taken good improvement from the run.” More horse racing news View the full article

Vincent Ho is fifth in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship. Keen to convert quality opportunities into more wins after a frustrating recent run, Vincent Ho hopes Joyful Hunter and The Heir can add further lustre to an unforgettable December at Sha Tin. With the memories of Golden Sixty’s colossal Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) triumph on December 10 still vivid, Ho is eager to capitalise tomorrow after slotting three wins and 11 minor placings from 47 rides this month. A four-time winner of the Tony Cruz Award as Hong Kong’ top homegrown rider and runner-up in last season’s jockey’s championship with a career-high 96 victories, Ho made a delayed start to this season after suffering injuries in a Japanese race fall. With 16 wins and 32 minor placings from 120 rides so far this term, Ho has eight mounts this weekend, including Joyful Hunter for Francis Lui. Unbeaten in two runs last season, Joyful Hunter has had three runs this term for two thirds and an 11th but Ho is confident the gelding is primed to return to form despite drawing the outside gate in the 11-horse field. “He’s a quality horse and he’s ready to go. Unfortunately, it’s a tricky draw but we’ll see,” Ho said. “He’s a nice horse and if everything goes well, hopefully he can still be in the Four-Year-Old Series. He’ll definitely need longer but he’s had some time off, so he’s starting off at 1200 (metres).” Ho also takes the reins on Caspar Fownes-trained The Heir. “Lovely horse – actually, he’s a very nice horse. We’re excited that he’s stepping up now and he should perform very well. He’s a nice horse to ride, quite easy,” Ho said. Keith Yeung is optimistic Woodfire Bro’s racing pattern will be an advantage when Michael Chang’s charge contests the Class 2 Yan Chai Trophy Handicap (2000m). To carry only 115lb against nine rivals headed by Tourbillon Diamond (135lb), Woodfire Bro rises to Class 2 for the first time after a last-start second to Chancheng Glory over 1600m on November 26. “I’m not so worried about the draw (barrier eight) because usually he just rolls forward and in a 2000 metre race, there won’t be too much speed, so (hopefully) I can get to the front in a comfortable way” Yeung said. “He’s an honest horse and also he’s very settled in the race during the run. He lets you wait for you to ask him and then he switches on.” Pierre Ng will saddle nine runners tomorrow as he bids to produce at least one winner for the 15th consecutive meeting. Leading the Hong Kong trainers’ championship by 15 with 37 wins, Ng has snared 25 winners across 14 meetings stretching back to 5 November. The second-season handler will attempt to continue his remarkable sequence with two last-start winners – Starship Eighty and I Give, who is bidding for a sixth straight win. More horse racing news View the full article

Discover a plethora of enticing racing promotions from horse racing bookmakers on Saturday, December 23. Dive into the excitement with generous bonus back offers for an enhanced betting experience. Explore these free promotions from leading online bookmakers to enhance your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for December 23, 2023, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Bet Your Way With More Tools In Your Punters Toolbox Take it to the neds Level with Super Saturday! Get MORE Price Boosts, MORE Bet Backs, MORE Fluc Ups, MORE Back Ups & MORE Extra Nudge tools! Available to use on ANY races of your choice. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Moonee Valley Double Winnings ALL RACES Double Winnings Paid in Bonus Cash. First Fixed Win Bet Only. Max Bonus $50 Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo Ascot SRM – Bonus Back If It Doesn’t Win Stake $10+ on a Same Race Multi & get $10 Bonus Cash if it Doesn’t Win. First SRM Only. Must be $2+ Total Odds. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo Saturday Bonus Back 2nd or 3rd in R1-4 at 4 Metro Meetings Ascot, Eagle Farm, Moonee Valley & Randwick. Min 6 runners. Fixed Odds only. Check Vault for eligibility. Limits may apply. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo Best Tote Exotics ALL RACES at Ascot & Eagle Farm Includes Quaddies, Quinellas, Exactas, Trifectas & First 4s. T&Cs Applu. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo Randwick & Moonee Valley Bonus Back 2nd & 3rd Races 1-6 Get your stake back in bonus bets if your horse runs 2nd or 3rd at Randwick & Moonee Valley in Races 1-6. Limits apply. Eligible clients only. General T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Eagle Farm – Either Nettuno, Zarastro or Ef Troop to win Race 8 All Options must start. Max Stake $50. Singles Only Playup T&Cs Apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously evaluates premier Australian horse racing bookmakers, unveiling exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions for December 23, 2023. These consistent offers highlight the commitment of top horse racing bookmakers. In the world of horse racing betting, if one bookmaker isn’t running a promotion, another is. HorseBetting.com.au is your ultimate resource for daily lucrative horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Gain value with competitive odds and exclusive promotions for existing customers. Access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For race and horse insights to optimise your bonus bets, rely on HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

Opportunity knocks for the field of 3-year-old fillies racing in the $300,000 La Brea Stakes (G1) Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

A pair of graded stakes races will signal that the Gulfstream Park Championship season is officially underway on Saturday. First, the GIII Sugar Swirl S. for older females going six furlongs on the main track includes veteran mare Bluefield (Field Commission), who won by a neck against state-breds in a Tampa black-type race Dec. 9. “She went up to Tampa and it was nice to get a stakes win on her resume at this age,” said trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. “She came to us late but she just keeps getting better and better. She's never run back this quick, but she's in good order so I think she should run well. Hopefully she has a good week leading up to it.” Bluefield will be joined by her new stablemate Intrepid Daydream (Jess's Dream). Purchased privately just last week, the filly rides in on a four-race win streak at the Mid-Atlantic tracks. Also entered is Napa Candy (Candy Ride {Arg}). The chestnut prepped for this spot when she came from off the pace to win an optional claimer at Churchill Downs Nov. 22. Joining her will be Headland (Paynter), who was third last out in the Garland of Roses S. at Aqueduct Dec. 9, while AMO Racing's SP Olivia Darling (Palace) will look to improve after a fifth-place finish in the GIII Princess Rooney S. in Hallandale Oct. 7. The other half of the graded stakes Saturday offering is the seven-furlong GIII Mr. Prospector S. for older males. Last year's edition was used as the springboard for Sibelius (Not This Time) as he won three straight, including traveling to Dubai to collect the G1 Golden Shaheen S. “Maybe it's the time of year where he's best, I don't know,” said trainer Jeremiah O'Dwyer. “We'll find out this year. It's going to be his second year in a row trying to take the same path. We're looking forward to it. I couldn't be happier with the horse.” Sibelius might not have such an easy task ahead with the presence of MGSW Long Range Toddy (Take Charge Indy). After winning both of his starts at Gulfstream over the summer, the 7-year-old returns here with the capability to run this field off their feet. Trainer Brendan Walsh sends Gilmore (Twirling Candy) back to the post to finish off what could be considered a consistent year for the 3-year-old colt. The gray was the runner-up in the GIII Bayshore S., then was third in both the GII Pat Day Mile S. and GI Woody Stephens S. An entry who could be a pace factor is AMO Racing's Hurricane J (Nyquist). Formerly under Paulo Lobo's care, the dark bay colt made his first start for Jorge Delgado over the Gulfstream main track against optional claimers and won by 2 3/4 lengths Nov. 19. The post Gulfstream Championship Season Graded Races Ready To Unwrap appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As part of a larger $32 million improvement plan, Santa Anita's training track should re-open in mid-January after it was closed for construction Nov. 12, as it changes from a sand-based surface to an all-weather synthetic one, the track said in a release Friday afternoon. Constructed by Tapeta Footings, the new surface is designed to improve safety while also helping to limit weather-related training disruptions. “The main thing is having synthetic will alleviate a complete stoppage of training because of weather,” said Jason Egan, Santa Anita Director of Racing and Racing Secretary. This week has provided a perfect example of the potential impact of a synthetic training track at Santa Anita. With back-to-back rainstorms hitting the area, the main track was “sealed” on Tuesday and has since been closed entirely for training. “We have some unique situations in California with rules as it relates to weather,” Egan said. “Like with the rain this week. It either closes our racetrack entirely or limits what our training activities can be.” With the worst of this week's rainstorms having passed, Santa Anita's main track is expected to be unsealed Friday. Per rules of the California Racing Board, only joggers will be allowed on the track Saturday. Full training is slated to resume on Sunday given the current forecast. “Having a synthetic training track, we can continue on with workouts, gallops, that sort of thing. I think it will be a big assist,” Egan added. The post New Training Track At Santa Anita On Course For Mid-January Opening appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On Saturday, December 23, horse racing enthusiasts can anticipate a thrilling day with 11 meetings set to unfold across various locations in Australia. Our team of committed racing analysts at horsebetting.com.au has meticulously selected the top bets and crafted quaddie numbers tailored for the upcoming events at Eagle Farm, Moonee Valley, Randwick, Ascot, Murray Bridge, and Sha Tin (HK). Saturday Racing Tips – December 23, 2023 Eagle Farm Racing Tips Moonee Valley Racing Tips Randwick Racing Tips Ascot Racing Tips Murray Bridge Racing Tips Sha Tin (HK) Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For December 23, 2023 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $131.53 odds return: Saturday, December 23, 2023 Eagle Farm – Race 9 #10 Bezique Moonee Valley – Race 6 #8 Yellow Sam Randwick – Race 3 #2 Underpants Ascot – Race 9 #4 Aristonous Murray Bridge – Race 4 #2 La Defense | Copy this bet straight to your betslip For avid Australian racing fans, numerous promotions await your exploration. Be sure to peruse the offerings from top online bookmakers, as daily promotions can enhance your horse racing experience. If you’re in search of a new bookmaker to elevate your horse racing ventures on December 23, 2023, consult our comprehensive guide to the finest online racing betting sites. We’re committed to keeping you informed and enhancing your horse racing betting journey. More horse racing tips View the full article

As part of a larger $32 million improvement plan for Santa Anita Park announced this summer, Santa Anita's training track is changing from a sand-based surface to all-weather synthetic produced by Tapeta Footings.View the full article

The Pennsylvania-bred and -sired stallion series was expanded this year to six races.View the full article

The final leg of the $1,000,000 Pennsylvania-Sired/Bred Stallion Series is set for Wednesday, Dec. 27th at Parx Racing with the Miss Behaviour S. and the Wait for It S.–both purses are $200,000. Initially, four races were carded for the inaugural series in 2022, while this year saw the expansion to six. Following the conclusion of the Stallion Series, a $50,000 trainer's bonus will be split among the conditioners of the horses who accumulated the first, second and third highest number of points over the six series races. The first leg kicked off on PA Day at the Races in August. Gamboling Ghost (Weigelia) took home the $100,000 Whistle Pig S. and Jody's Ruby (Talent Search) topped the $100,000 Miss Blue Tye Dye S. for fillies. The series continued with the second leg on the Pennsylvania Derby Day undercard. Notice of Action (Hoppertunity) held on to take the $150,000 Prince Lucky S. and filly Aoife's Magic (Smarty Jones) romped in the $150,000 Imply S. Both winners return for the final leg of the series. The post Final Leg Of The Pennsylvania Stallion Series On Tap Next Week appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a Night Of Thunder (Ire) half-brother to a pair of Group 1 winners. 12.15 Lingfield, £6,600, Nov, 2yo, 7f 1y (AWT) Shadwell's hitherto unraced WALEEFY (IRE) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) is a homebred son of Listed Prix de Liancourt victrix Aghareed (Kingmambo) and thus a half-brother to multiple Group 1 winners Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). The William Haggas trainee, who is also kin to this term's Listed Noel Murless S. third Naqeeb (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}), encounters five opponents in this debut. The post Half-Brother To Baaeed And Hukum Faces Five In Lingfield Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Dec. 24 Arima Kinen (G1) is one of two races on the Japanese calendar that allows fan to vote for the horses they want to see run. While the top two in the balloting won't start this year, the field still is packed with talent.View the full article

The New York Gaming Commission issued a statement Friday regarding the controversial disqualification of Brick Ambush (Laoban) in the Feb. 16 Great White Way S. at Aqueduct that was meant to bolster the argument that the stewards made the right call, but it included a photo that could be construed as doing the exact opposite. The TDN and other news outlets received an email from New York Gaming Commission Director of Communications Brad Maione that included six screen shots from the race taken at the point where there was contact and horses were steadied. One of the shots included arrows pointing to four jockeys, Ruben Silvera, Manny Franco, Junior Alvarado and Jose Lezcano. Alvarado was aboard Brick Ambush, who, though disqualified after crossing the wire second and placed last, appeared to be free of the trouble while racing outside and clear of the horses who were bothered. The arrow pointing to what was supposed to be Alvarado's mount was instead The Big Torpedo (Big Brown), who was ridden by Javier Castellano. When the TDN notified Maione that there was an error concerning the identification of the horses and their riders, he sent a new version of the original statement that fixed the mistake. However, with Alvarado now properly identified, the pictures offered no evidence that he was at fault. The second version of the statement included the following explanation: “Please note the first screenshot in the previous version incorrectly identified the riders on specific horses. Please disregard those reference screenshots. Corrected versions are attached and included below. The narrative remains unchanged.” The disqualification set off a controversy that has yet to die down and the consensus in the sport is that, for whatever reason, the stewards simply DQ'd the wrong horse by mistake. Many believe that the horse that caused the bumping and deserved to come down was actually the race winner, Antonio of Venice (Laoban). Great White Way S. second image | NYSGC The statement made the case that the stewards carefully reviewed the race after the decision was made to disqualify Brick Ambush and that they stood by their decision. The stewards officiating the race were Braulio Baeza, Jr. (N.Y.S. Gaming Commission), Juan Dominguez (The New York Racing Association, Inc.) and Samantha Randazzo (The Jockey Club). “The three Stewards' attention was focused on the field as it arrived near the quarter-pole, where several horses converged and were in close contact,” the statement read. “As evident in the below/attached screenshots, horse Brick Ambush (#12), ridden by Junior Alvarado, came up on three horses that were crowded together–Antonio of Venice (#1) ridden by Manuel Franco, The Big Torpedo (#7) ridden by Javier Castellano, and Solo's Fury (#11), ridden by Jose Lezcano–and made disruptive contact. The Stewards were concerned that Castellano's contact with the other horses and their riders could have impacted the results of the race.” According to the statement, the stewards examined six separate camera views of the area of concern and conducted telephone interviews with Franco, Castellano, Lezcano and Alvarado. Castellano told reporters after the race that he attempted to claim foul, but the stewards have said they were unaware that he wanted to file an objection. “After review of the footage and interviews with the jockeys, the Stewards unanimously concluded that Alvarado's movement of Brick Ambush to the inside at quarter-pole pole caused a chain reaction that impacted the race. Accordingly, the Stewards disqualified Brick Ambush for interference,” the statement continued. Alvarado was hit with a three-day suspension for careless riding. “The following morning, all four jockeys were required to participate in a film review of the race and discussed the event with all three Stewards,” the statement continued. “At the conclusion of the review, State Steward Baeza issued a 3-day careless riding suspension to Mr. Alvarado, to be effective January 1 through January 5, 2024. Mr. Alvarado accepted the penalty and declined to appeal.” The post New York Gaming Commission Issues Update On Great White Way Stakes DQ, But Only Adds To The Confusion appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Mt. Brilliant Family Foundation has signed on once again as the presenting sponsor for the Thoroughbred Charities of America's upcoming 34th Annual Stallion Season Auction to be held Wednesday, Jan. 3 through Sunday, Jan. 7, the non-profit said in a release Friday. “We greatly appreciate the continued support of Mt. Brilliant,” said Erin Halliwell executive director of TCA. “The Stallion Season Auction is vital to our organization as it allows us to make grants to qualified organizations across the country. Mt. Brilliant's support of the auction and TCA are a testament to their strong commitment to our mission of assisting Thoroughbreds and those who care for them.” The online version of the auction opens at 9 a.m. ET Jan. 3, runs through 4 p.m. ET on Friday, Jan. 5 and will offer nearly 200 seasons to stallions standing in 14 states and Canada. Click here to view the online seasons. While the majority will be offered during the online auction, several seasons will be sold in the live event on Sunday, Jan. 7 at Harper Hall in Lexington, Kentucky. Those include Cody's Wish, Elite Power, Life is Good, Constitution, Nyquist, Quality Road, Flightline, Forte, Good Magic and Taiba. Bidders or their authorized agents may attend the live auction or they can email ehalliwell@tca.org to register online or by telephone. A silent auction will also be offered. All non-season items will be available via online bidding. Click here for tickets and more information. The post Mt. Brilliant Family Foundation Sponsors TCA’s Stallion Season Auction Again appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The bred-in-the-purple Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}–Minidress {GB}, by Street Cry {Ire}) gave the boys in blue their eighth AED850,000 G2 Al Rashidiya winner when drawing off to win by 3 1/4 lengths in the 1800-metre grass contest on Friday. One of two group races on the nine-race Meydan card, the Al Rashidiya featured 10 rivals for the lightly raced 3-year-old, who was receiving a break in the weights. Part of the early pace discussion, the near-black colt was keen and tugging as he tracked Wirko (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) down the backstretch. Buick finally had him relaxed next to Goemon (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), and that duo moved up to challenge Wirko on the far turn. Those two went on with it with 550 metres to travel, with Measured Time edging ahead before storming home a 3 1/4-length victor. Erzindjan (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) closed up the inside to run second, 3/4 of a length ahead of Godolphin's Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Flawless in his first three starts for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin at Kempton in February and August, and at Newmarket on Aug. 25, Measured Time lost his unbeaten tag with a second-place finish in the Listed Floodlit S. back on the Kempton all-weather on Nov. 6. Pedigree Notes Measured Time became the 135th stakes winner and 92nd group winner for his Juddmonte sire with his score on Friday. Other Frankel's to excel in the desert include G1 Jebel Hatta winner Dream Castle (GB), who also won the Al Rashidiya; and With The Moonlight (Ire). The much-missed Street Cry (Ire)'s daughters have foaled 150 stakes winners to date, with this colt his 83rd Pattern race winner. His Minidress (GB), second in the Listed Height Of Fashion S., is the dam of UAE top-notcher Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Turf, G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin, and G1 Preis von Europa; and the stakes-placed Petticoat (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}). Her latest is a weanling colt by Dubawi (Ire). A grandson of G3 Musidora S. and G3 St. Simon S. victress and G1 Oaks placegetter Short Skirt (GB) (Diktat {GB}), Measured Time is also kin to Group 1 winners Asakusa Den'En (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) and Victoire Pisa (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn}), as well as their dam, the multiple graded winner Whitewater Affair (GB) (Machiavellian), who was second in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks and third in the G1 Irish St Leger. Young sire Cappella Sansevero (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), a winner of the G3 Round Tower S. and third in the G1 Phoenix S., is also part of this clan. Boom! Measured Time dominates the Group Two Al Rashidiya @Godolphin have now won this race EIGHT times on the spin 2023: Valiant Prince 2222: Desert Fire 2021: Zakouski 2020: Barney Roy 2019: Dream Castle 2018: Benbatl 2017: Promising Run pic.twitter.com/HgJl5MUCXJ — Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) December 22, 2023 The post Frankel Colt Has Measure Of His Rivals In Al Rashidiya appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Racing for a Reason online charity auction, hosted by Thoroughbid, will run from Jan. 1-7 starting 9am that first day, and 100% of the proceeds will be donated equally between the Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. On offer are yard visits with some of the top racing operations in the UK and Ireland, stallion nominations to the likes of Inns of Court (Ire) and Dawn Approach (Ire), and membership to the Byerley Indians Syndicate. The last was created to increase awareness of the disappearance of two of the three Male Trial lines–Byerley Turk and Godolphin Arabian. Stallion nominations including flat and National Hunt sires and of the 37 trainers who donated a yard visit, notable additions include Nicky Henderson, Henry de Bromhead, and Lucinda Russell, among others. A total of 123 lots will go up for bidding and the collection can be found here. Buyers must have a registered account with Thoroughbid if they wish to partake. “We cannot thank ThoroughBid enough for hosting the Racing For A Reason online charity auction. We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to those who so generously donated lots for the auction itself,” said Sinead Gillespie, the National Fundraising Lead for the Irish Cancer Society. “The Irish Cancer Society receives only 5% of its funding from the Government, so it's because of fundraising efforts like the Racing For A Reason online charity auction, that we can provide free services and supports, to ensure nobody in Ireland faces cancer alone.” Gillespie added: “Your generosity provides free information, vital services like our Freephone Support Line 1800 200 700, patient travel, Night Nursing and funds ground-breaking cancer research to support people affected by cancer across the country. On behalf of those who benefit from this support, thank you.” The post Thoroughbid Hosts Racing For A Reason Online Charity Auction appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-GP, $70K, Msw, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 12:39 p.m. Returning to the track for his second start after being disqualified from second at Monmouth Aug. 6, WONDERFINN (Justify) enters off back-to-back bullet works Nov. 13 (four furlongs in :48 1/5 {1/14}) and Nov. 20 (three furlongs in :36 2/5 {1/11}). The 2-year-old is out of a full-sister to trio of prolific Galileo siblings led by G1 Tattersalls Irish Two Thousand Guineas winner Magician (Ire) along with GSW Apple Betty (Ire) and SW/GISP Outstanding (Ire), herself the dam of MGSW Masteroffoxhounds (War Front). Making his debut, My G (Medaglia d'Oro) brought $400,000 from Spendthrift as a yearling at the Saratoga Select sale last year. Dam Perfect Note, herself a $800,000 FTKNOV broodmare buy, is out of MGISW Music Note (A.P. Indy), making her a half-sister to G1 Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup hero Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper). This is also the family of French G1SW Musical Chimies (In Excess {Ire}). The Todd Pletcher trainee fired a bullet of his own Dec. 16, going five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 (1/8). TJCIS PPS The post Saturday Insights: Gulfstream Maidens Headline Pre-Christmas Action appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

ISOLATE (h, 5, Mark Valeski–Tranquil Song, by Unbridled's Song) gave trainer Doug Watson the first two home in the AED1-million G2 Al Maktoum Mile at Meydan on Friday. The bay settled in a tracking second in a good rhythm under Tyler Gaffalione, before taking over on the backstretch. It was all over but the singing at that point, as he strolled home the easiest of winners, with stablemate and G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 winner Golden Goal (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) running second, 3 1/2 lengths back. Celtic Prince (GB) (Shamardal) got up for third, another 2 1/4 lengths behind. The final time for the 1600m over a fast surface was 1:37.21. A winner of the Tale of the Cat S. by six lengths at Saratoga last August, Isolate ran second by a nose in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society S. in September prior to packing his bags for the desert. He filled the runner-up spot in both the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint in February, and the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal in March, prior to his Dubai World Cup night heroics in the G2 Godolphin Mile. Sales history: $70,000 Wlg '18 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: MSW & GSP-US, 16-8-5-2. O-RRR Racing, Inc. B-Woodford Throughbreds (FL). T-Doug Watson Wow … Isolate, last seen winning the @godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup Night, makes a wonderful return under @Tyler_Gaff Doug Watson's five-year-old was simply operating on another level in the Group Two Al Maktoum Mile …#DubaiCarnival | #FestiveFriday pic.twitter.com/Q6osNOw2Vq — Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) December 22, 2023 The post Easy As Holiday Pie For Isolate In Al Maktoum Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A partnership to encourage international initiatives and working practices between the Japanese and British and Irish horseracing industries was announced by press release on Friday. The creation of the Joint Cooperation Committee is to serve as a formal platform for members within the British and Irish horseracing industries to engage with their counterparts in Japan via the Japan Racing Association. It will consist of agreed representatives from key shareholders in the respective territories including the BHA, HRI, Racecourse Media Group (RMG), and principal courses Jockey Club, York, Ascot, Goodwood, and Leopardstown. The group's earliest groundwork includes a variety of schemes, and marketing and media initiatives to promote Japanese horses and connections travelling to Great Britain and Ireland, and vice versa by raising awareness of those markets among domestic participants, media, bettors, and fans. Another hope is to create a direct regulatory partnership which will perform its duties but not cut across pre-existing arrangements. Ultimately, the goal is to further internationalise the sport of horse racing and support the breeding industries. “I am delighted that the horse racing organisations in Britain and Ireland with their history, tradition, quality and innovation, have now united to form the Joint Cooperation Committee with the Japanese Racing Association,” said JRA Chief Executive Officer, Masayoshi Yoshida. “It is an important and significant step for the JRA, and Japanese horse racing. We will be working together more strongly than ever before to achieve further development in all areas. I look forward to working hand-in-hand to create the future of horse racing together.” Joe Saumarez-Smith, chairman of the new Joint Cooperation Committee as well as the chair of the British Horseracing Authority, said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with the JRA and are hugely grateful for their significant support. The creation of this Committee is the next step in our relationship, as we further pool our knowledge and insight, and combine our considerable marketing and media assets. This can only lead to increased participation in each other's racing, resulting in deeper fan engagement, and increased and new revenues.” Horse Racing Ireland's CEO, Suzanne Eade, shared the enthusiasm of her counterparts for the future of the new committee. “Ireland looks forward to being a full and active partner with Britain and Japan in the Joint Cooperation Committee to share our collective wisdom and progress our shared objectives of increasing participation and engagement.” The post Joint Cooperation Committee Formed by Japanese, British and Irish Racing Industries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As 2023 draws to a close, the TDN is asking industry members to name their favorite moment of the year. Send yours to suefinley@thetdn.com I have been fortunate to experience many wonderful days racing, but NEVER I have EVER heard a crowd response like when the two Queens of National Hunt racing, HONEYSUCKLE and Rachael Blackmore, returned to the Cheltenham winner enclosure the after the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (The David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle) in March of this year. The place was packed 20 deep, it went wild, it was electric, you did not want it to end and then you wanted to bottle it up to use again and again. Thanks HONEYSUCKLE and Rachael. –Geoffrey Russell The post What Was Your Favorite Moment Of 2023: Geoffrey Russell appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article