Wandering Eyes

Following a busy week in racing, Keeneland picks up the mantle with its marquee bloodstock auction of the season, the November Breeding Stock Sale. Last week's Keeneland Championship Sale at Del Mar was highlighted by the $3-million final price paid by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa for a share in hot Taylor Made stallion Not This Time. This week, the attention is directed squarely on broodmares and weanlings, and Keeneland has catalogued over 3,086 spanning eight days of selling. Among the headliners in this year's catalog are GI Derby City Distaff Stakes scorer Vahva (Gun Runner), GISW Lush Lips (GB) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) and recently added supplement Super Simple, dam of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Super Corredora (Gun Runner). Vahva, an earner of over $2 million, finished runner-up in the GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint last weekend. “Vahva is a high-class competitor who has faced and defeated many of the sport's most talented female sprinters in each of the past three seasons,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “She was bought at Keeneland, she was trained here and she won at Keeneland. It is full circle that she comes back here to sell as a broodmare.” “She is a Grade I winner by Gun Runner who is a tough, hard-knocking filly that is beautiful. She shows up every time,” he continued. “And I think she is one of those fillies, if anyone is looking for a tough, high quality progeny, she has all the credentials to meet those needs. The market is really hungry for young fillies with pedigree with race record and have the physical and she fits the bill.” Late supplement Super Simple, Lacy explained that timing of her juvenile filly's victory in Del Mar factored heavily in bringing the mare to market for the November sale. “She was actually going to be in the January sale as part of the Woodford Thoroughbreds Dispersal,” explained Lacy. “As a result of the Breeders' Cup, it was discussed what was the better option. It was a little bit of a 50/50 call, but the timing was great. The mare is not prepped and she shows up here straight out of the paddock. But she's in foal to Gunite. With only her second foal, she gets a Breeders' Cup winner. You can't get a greater opportunity than this. It's a great opportunity to come here with a young mare in foal to a young, hot stallion and coming off a Breeders' Cup win.” Lush Lips, trained by Brendan Walsh, also received an important update of late, winning Keeneland's GII Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup on Oct. 11. “She is a filly that just keeps improving,” he said. “She has a lot of racing in front of her. Anybody who wants to play at the highest level, she can bring them back to the Breeders' Cup next year. She is on the improve and has a pedigree that backs her up as well.” This year's November Sale catalog also includes: Dispersal of Bonne Chance Thoroughbreds — Gainesway is consigning seven broodmares and six weanlings. Hidden Brook is consigning 10 broodmares, one broodmare prospect and one weanling. Dispersal of Woodford Thoroughbreds (Phase 1) — Denali Stud is handling the sale of seven broodmares and one broodmare prospect. Taylor Made Sales Agency is consigning three racing or broodmare prospects. Previously announced curated reduction of bloodstock owned by Leonard and Jon Green'sJ. Stable. Taylor Made Sales Agency is consigning 31 broodmares, racing or broodmare prospects and one broodmare prospect. Hill 'n Dale at Xalapa is consigning one mare in foal to Curlin. “Dispersals are generally well received because there is a genuine reasons for doing it,” Lacy said. “People know that they pretty much get what is on offer, so they do a bit of a premium.” “Keeneland has been successful with a number of dispersals over the years and it is a great way for us to represent a solid breeding program that have some times been developed over generations. People know we can showcase them here in front of a world audience.” Dirt Mile winner Cody's Wish will have his first weanlings pass through the ring at Keeneland | Horsephotos Among the horses in the catalog are the first mares in foal to such stallions as GI Preakness winner Seize the Grey, GI Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch and Breeders' Cup winner More Than Looks along with the first weanlings by stallions including Horse of the Year Cody's Wish and Kentucky Derby winner Mage. “Weanlings that come here by first season sires are usually good representations of each of those stallions,” he said. “Obviously, they come here with the expectation that they will showcase here. It creates a benchmark for buyers for what these horses have coming next year. It also allows pinhookers to buy [weanlings by] young stallions that will be heavily sought after in the yearling market. So it can be a more stable market for those stallions. We are also seeing some really quality sires being developed and everyone is trying to get in at that point. They want horses that look like their father and the qualities of the dam.” The November Breeding Stock Sale will open with a single-day Book 1 with a select group of broodmares, broodmare prospects and weanlings in the catalog. Book 1 (Session 1) – Tuesday, Nov. 4. Session will begin at 2 p.m. (224 hips catalogued plus supplementals) Every remaining session begins at 10 a.m. Book 2 (Sessions 2-3) – Wednesday-Thursday, Nov. 5-6. (389 & 401 catalogued) Book 3 (Sessions 4-5) – Friday-Saturday, Nov. 7-8. (422 & 415 catalogued) Book 4 (Sessions 6-8) – Sunday-Tuesday, Nov. 9-11. (414, 415 catalogued; Nov. 11 – 290 & 117 catalogued) This year, Keeneland has adjusted the format of Book 4 to include three sessions. Sessions 6 and 7–which comprise the regularly scheduled Book 4–will sell Sunday, Nov. 9 and Monday, Nov. 10. On Tuesday, Nov. 11, Sessions 8 and 9 will be combined into a single day of selling. Horses cataloged to Session 8 will sell in the morning and will be immediately followed by horses cataloged to Session 9. Consignors with horses in Session 9 will sell those horses in the afternoon of Session 8 with the morning hours available for showing. “It's trying to consolidate as many books as possible,” said Lacy, explaining the adjustment. “What we are trying to do is make sure that we get as many of the horses in front of the right people. That has always been our focus.” He continued, “People's time and the time they spend with us is valuable. The more we are able to accommodate the buyers and the time they spend with us and we are not drawing it out longer than it needs to be, the better. Because of the diversity of our buying base, we want to make sure there is enough diversity in front of our buyers, like those coming from Europe, the Far East or Australia and all over the U.S. We want to make sure that there is something for everybody and at all price points.” The post Keeneland November Sale Kicks Off in Lexington Tuesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Alessandro Marconi was left thanking his lucky stars he missed a flight to America on Monday as a last minute decision to re-route himself to Goffs for the Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale resulted in the bloodstock agent signing for the top lot – the 104-rated Aga Khan-owned Tangapour (Wootton Bassett) – for €185,000 on behalf of unnamed client. “I have never been so happy to miss a flight before,” he said. “I was meant to be on a flight to America for the sales in Keeneland this morning but I missed it and decided to come here instead. I've been lucky buying from the draft in the past.” He added, “I bought Erzindjan a few years ago, who has had a really good career and is still racing for TJ Kent in Newmarket. This horse is for new connections and they were keen on having the best horse in the sale. “I'd like to thank Princess Zahra Aga Khan, who has presented her draft here and in Arqana and gives us some access to these bloodlines. On the back of Tattersalls the price seemed quite reasonable, he's out of a Dubawi mare and has been performing alright. He came highly recommended by Johnny Murtagh and hopefully he's going to adapt to quick ground.” The Aga Khan draft was responsible for the top five most expensive horses sold during the horses-in-training section of the sale. All told, the Aga Khan Studs sold 15 horses for €637,000. The horses-in-training sale turnover dropped by 6% to €1,335,000 while the average dropped by 3% to €16,899 and the clearance rate dropped marginally [2%] to 85%. The median, however, was up by 81% to €10,000 and Goffs chief Henry Beeby was particularly punchy after the sale. He said, “We've said it before, we'll say it again, and we'll keep on saying it. Send us the horses and we will deliver. Yet again, with the top five lots the Aga Khan Studs draft has graphically illustrated that the Goffs Autumn HIT Sale can and will return the highest prices for the category and I am not embarrassed to say that it frustrates us to see so many Irish horses travelling to England last week when we have such an international buying bench in Kildare Paddocks this week. As the only sale for the form horses in Ireland we prove our point year after year, with owners and trainers delighted with the outcome of their drafts, and my end of sale comments highlighting the same issue. The fact is it costs less in terms of travel, entry fee and commission to sell here so we will keep banging the drum and strive to persuade more Irish horses to enter and reap the dividend of the unique Goffs service.” Beeby added, “The international nature of the buyers' profile and the opportunities they present is clearly demonstrated by a review of the results with horses heading to Italy, Germany, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Czech Republic, Mongolia, UAE, Qatar, Libya, Saudi Arabia and the UK. Those buyers flock to Goffs each year and ensure a lively atmosphere in the ring as they interact with us and compete with each other. We appreciate their business and wish them well with their Goffs horses in training. Today's small catalogue has returned acceptable statistics with a strong clearance rate and a very pleasing leap in median price to underline the relative strength of the sale.” Meanwhile, the Autumn Yearling Sale got off to a respectable start with 88 of the 112 horses offered selling at a turnover of €879,300. The average on Monday for that section of the sale was €9,993 and the median €6,500. Buys of the day Given Serialise (Footstepsinthesand) went off at odds of 9-1 for the Kensington Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot earlier this summer, she has to be deemed value at €7,000 to Denis Hogan and James McAuley. Betsen also looked well bought at €16,000 to Freddy Tylicki on behalf of trainer Tony Carroll. Betsen has been a rock solid sprint handicapper in Ireland and that form should translate well to Britain. The post ‘I’ve Never Been So Happy To Miss A Flight’ – Marconi Re-Routes To Goffs For Top Lot appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tuesday, Flemington, Australia, post time: 15:00 (04:00 GMT/23:00 ET {Monday}), LEXUS MELBOURNE CUP-G1, A$10,000,000, 3yo/up, 16fT Field: Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Buckaroo (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), Arapaho (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), Chevalier Rose (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Presage Nocturne (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Middle Earth (GB) (Roaring Lion), Meydaan (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Absurde (Fr) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), Flatten The Curve (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Land Legend (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}), Smokin' Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines {Aus}), Changingoftheguard (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Half Yours (Aus) (St Jean {Ire}), More Felons (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), Onesmoothoperator (Dialed In), Furthur (Ire) (Waldgeist {GB}), Parchment Party (Constitution), Athabascan (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}), Goodie Two Shoes (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), River Of Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Royal Supremacy (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), Torranzino (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}), Valiant King (GB) (Roaring Lion). TDN Analysis: This year's Melbourne Cup will be televised in over 200 territories, with 'the race that a stops a nation' being broadcast on Sky Sports Racing in Britain and Ireland (04:00 GMT) and on FOX Sports 2 in the U.S. (23:00 ET on Monday). Japanese raider Chevalier Rose and American hope Parchment Party give the latest edition even more of an international flavour than in some years, albeit both feature among the likely outsiders in a 24-strong field. Al Riffa, on the other hand, holds outstanding claims of providing young Irish trainer Joseph O'Brien with a third Melbourne Cup success since 2017, having shaped like this trip would play to his strengths when last seen running away with the Irish St Leger. The returning Absurde, who was seventh in 2023 and fifth last year, is another leading Irish-trained contender as he tries to complete a remarkable double for Willie Mullins and the H O S Syndicate following Ethical Diamond's win in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Turf. French-based trainer Alessandro Botti saddles another of the market leaders in Presage Nocturne, while Simon and Ed Crisford's Meydaan and Brian Ellison's recent Moonee Valley Gold Cup winner Onesmoothoperator join the three-year-old Furthur in a three-pronged attack from Britain. Absurde and Meydaan were last seen finishing seventh and ninth, respectively, in the Caulfield Cup, which could hold the key to the home challenge. Half Yours will be trying to emulate Without A Fight, the first horse for 22 years to complete the Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup double in 2023. However, preference is for the former Joseph O'Brien trainee Valiant King, who finished a never-nearer third at Caulfield and is now much better off at the weights with the winner over a trip he promises to relish. [Adam Houghton]. The post Black-Type Analysis: Valiant King Can Keep International Rivals at Bay in Melbourne Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

News needs to be special if it is going to knock the horses off the top spot, even for a short while, during Breeders' Cup week. The story which was able to do that was the announcement of Frankie Dettori's imminent retirement and his plans for the future. That is understandable because Frankie has been big news throughout his fabulous career. Arriving in Newmarket aged 14 in 1985 to join the stable of his compatriot Luca Cumani, Frankie was already an experienced and race-winning rider in Italy by the time he turned 16. It was a tough induction into the British racing world for a young boy who didn't speak English, but Frankie thrived. He was (and is) very likeable, which always helps. And he had a supportive boss. The association between the Cumani and Dettori families went back years thanks to Frankie's father Gianfranco, a multiple champion jockey in Italy who rode there for Luca's father Sergio and who had ridden the Italian-owned but Henry Cecil-trained 2,000 Guineas winners Wollow and Bolkonski in the 1970s. Gianfranco also rode Cumani's first winner (Three Legs in the G3 Duke Of York Stakes) when Luca set up as a trainer in Newmarket in 1976. Frankie rode his first British winner (for Cumani) on Lizzy Hare at Goodwood in May 1987, aged 16. Within two and a half years he was Britain's reigning champion apprentice with the first of his countless Group race victories under his belt, having guided the Cumani-trained Legal Case to victory in the G3 Select Stakes at Goodwood. Cumani's stable jockey at the time was Ray Cochrane. It was a solid partnership, based on mutual respect. It was a successful one too, the pair's shared victories including the Derby and Irish Derby triumphs of Kahyasi in 1988, Legal Case's Champion Stakes success the following year, Ensconse's win in that year's Irish 1,000 Guineas, and a splendid Grade I double at Woodbine in 1988 when Infamy won the GI Canadian International and Oaks runner-up Sudden Love took the GI E. P. Taylor Stakes. However, so stunning was Frankie's emergence as a top-class jockey that by 1990 the writing was on the wall. That year Frankie enjoyed an eye-catching series of big-race triumphs on Cumani's horses. The highlight was a Group 1 double at what was then the Festival of British Racing at Ascot (a short-lived forerunner of QIPCO British Champions' Day) on Gerald Leigh's Markofdistinction in the Queen Elizaeth II Stakes and Sheikh Mohammed's Shamshir in the Fillies' Mile. Three months previously he had won the Queen Anne Stakes (then a Group 2) at Royal Ascot on Markofdistinction, a race which Cochrane had won for Cumani three years previously on Then Again. He ended the year in fourth place in the jockeys' table with 149 wins, 60 wins behind the champion Pat Eddery. This made him the first teenager since Lester Piggott to ride 100 or more winners in a British season. A top apprentice's transition to senior jockey is never guaranteed but Frankie's had been seamless. Lester Piggott's great career was finally drawing to a close and Frankie seemed destined to step into his 'Greatest Jockey' slot. However, the process turned out not to be plain sailing. Early in the 1990s, British racing was undergoing one of its intermittent crises of confidence, prompted in general by an economic recession and specifically by concerns that the sport was being disadvantaged by a much higher rate of VAT than those which applied in other countries. Compounding this from Frankie's point of view was that Cumani's stable was hit by the loss of several major owners, most notably the Aga Khan. Seemingly fearing that his best British days might already be behind him (at the age of 22!), Frankie signed a contract to ride in Hong Kong for the 1993/'94 season, not just for a temporary period over the winter but full-time. He omitted to tell Cumani of his decision and consequently lost his job. He then lost the Hong Kong job too (before it had started) when he was arrested and cautioned by police in April 1993 for possession of cocaine. Frankie could have fallen by the wayside. However, 'come the moment, come the man', helped in his case by two very different trainers. The maverick Irish professional punter Barney Curley, a devout Catholic who trained a small string of moderate horses in Newmarket, took him under his wing, becoming a father-figure and valued friend to a young man who seemed in danger of becoming a lost soul. And John Gosden provided the backing of a major stable that a jockey generally needs to maintain his position in the major league. By this time, Sheikh Mohammed was well established as Europe's most successful owner. In Britain he had horses with most of the leading trainers, including Henry Cecil, Michael Stoute, John Dunlop, Luca Cumani and John Gosden. Times were changing, though, and Sheikh Mohammed set up his elite 'Godolphin' string, which would contain his best horses, initially under the stewardship of Hilal Ibrahim and then Saeed bin Suroor. During the 1994 season Frankie became Godolphin's jockey and would remain so for the next 18 years, synonymous with the royal blue livery and synonymous with top-level success. Frankie had 'buckled down' and his work-rate was prodigious, riding for Godolphin and for pretty much everyone else too. It helped that he had become the regular rider for the hugely popular Jeff Smith-owned, Ian Balding-trained champion sprinter Lochsong. He ended 1994 as champion jockey with the phenomenal total of 233 wins, a tally previously exceeded only by Fred Archer (in 1884 and 1885) and Sir Gordon Richards (in 1933, 1947 and 1949). His triumphs that year included wins on the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Balanchine in the Oaks and Irish Derby, and, most happily, on the Sheikh Mohammed-owned, Luca Cumani-trained Barathea in the Breeders' Cup Mile. Frankie was champion again in 1995, with 211 wins. He was utterly dominant and Bin Suroor's small team was outstandingly successful, their shared wins that year including the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with Lammtarra, the Oaks with Moonshell and the Gold Cup with Classic Cliche. This glut of top-class success persuaded Frankie to concentrate henceforth on quality (rather than on both quality and quantity) and he ceased to target the jockeys' championship (although he did subsequently become champion for a third time, in 2004). Even though no longer Britain's champion, he remained Europe's dominant jockey, and its most famously ebullient one too. There were far too many highlights to list, far too many victories worthy of one of his trademark 'flying dismounts', although some have to be mentioned. Topping the list has to be his 'Magnificent Seven' on September 28, 1996 when he went through the card on a seven-race Group 1 programme at Ascot, followed perhaps by the wide-margin Dubai World Cup victory in 2000 in the Godolphin blue of the mighty Dubai Millennium, the best horse Sheikh Mohammed has ever owned or bred. He even continued to enjoy the occasional great day with Cumani, winning two Japan Cups (on Falbrav and Alkaased) within four years early in the current century. Furthermore, he finally ticked the one remaining box that really mattered when winning the Derby in 2007 on the Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained Authorized. Eventually Bin Suroor began to be marginalised within the Godolphin organisation and his jockey did too. Even though Frankie ceased to ride for Godolphin, he was still supported by his ever-loyal ally Gosden, notably enjoying an annus mirabilis on the Derby- and Arc-winning Horse of the Year Golden Horn in 2015. Further fabulous partnerships with the great racemare Enable and the outstanding stayer Stradivarius were to follow. Even when he eventually decided to 'retire' (which turned out to mean merely no longer riding in Europe but, instead, relocating to the USA in December 2023) he rode six winners in his first two weeks in California and then landed the Santa Anita Handicap in March 2024 on the Bob Baffert-trained Newgate. Frankie will turn 55 next month and has decided that it is time for the curtain to come down on his magnificent career (although he will have a few rides in South America, just to fill in a rare gap on his bulging CV). This, of course, won't be the final chapter in his remarkable odyssey because his forthcoming link with Amo Racing is surely a story waiting to be told. He is a one-off and so is Kia Joorabchian and, the pair put together, anything could happen. Frankie has entertained us in and out of the saddle for nearly 40 years. Working in the future with Amo, further glory surely still awaits one of the sport's all-time greats. The post Frankie Dettori: Entertaining Us In and Out of the Saddle for Nearly 40 Years appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

While most racing fans know about Tiznow and his forever memorable back to back Breeders' Cup Classic wins in 2000 and 2001, most do not know about the relative rarity of being in the money (first, place or show) in more than one Breeders' Cup Classic. California Chrome was third in 2014 and second in 2016. Medaglia d'Oro was second in 2002 and 2003. Alysheba was second in 1987 and won it in 1988. Mucho Macho Man was second in 2012 and won in 2013. Unbridled won in 1990 and was third in 1991. Zenyatta won in 2009 and was second in 2010, her only loss. Turkoman was third in 1985 and second in 1986. One of the two St. Simon's sire-line horses to win the Breeders' Cup Classic [the other being Proud Truth], Pleasantly Perfect won in 2003 and was third in 2004. Cigar won in 1995 and was third in 1996. Perhaps I missed one, but in 42 runnings of the Breeders' Cup Classic, only nine horses appearing in the money twice is a mighty small number for 126 slots. That is why it is extra-special that we add not just one horse to the list this year, but three: Forever Young, Sierra Leone, and Fierceness this year; Sierra Leone, Fierceness and Forever Young last year. That's historic. And hats off to the owners who made racing exciting for putting these horses out for 4-year-old campaigns instead of retiring their horses for stud. From a business model, keeping horse racing exciting by encouraging standing rivalries is key. The post Letter To The Editor: Classic Placings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Champion jockey Oisin Murphy has received a 15-day ban for repeated breaches of the whip rules. Murphy, who secured his fifth title at the formal conclusion of the championship at Ascot last month, was referred to the British Horseracing Authority's judicial panel for a fast-track hearing after using his whip once above the permitted level on Gladius at Newmarket on October 11. He was given a 15-day ban, five days of which are suspended for six months or 200 rides, with one day to be spent receiving coaching on his use of the whip. Murphy was referred as this was his fourth whip offence in the last six months and judicial panel member Clement Goldstone KC was unmoved by Murphy's explanation that he had 'miscounted' his strikes. He said, “As a very experienced and extremely able and skilful jockey, he must realise that 'miscounting' the number of occasions on which he used his whip is a very hollow and unattractive explanation, and may well not be accepted in relation to any further excessive use of the whip, and that further contraventions of the rule are likely to result in the imposition of longer periods of suspension.” The panel also sanctioned Sean Levey, who was given a 26-day ban, eight days of which are suspended, after also being referred under the 'totting up' rule for using his whip once above the permitted level on Crafty Blue at Southwell on September 29. Goldstone issued a strongly-worded warning to the rider, saying, “As a very experienced and skilful jockey, he must realise that there will come a time when a judicial panel may well be driven to conclude that he either cannot or will not control his use of the whip in accordance with the rules and that only a long suspension, to be served in its entirety, can serve as an adequate punishment. He would be well advised to heed this warning.” The post Oisin Murphy Hit With 15-Day Ban For Repeated Whip Rule Breaches appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ace Stud has announced that Shaquille, the brilliant dual Group 1-winning sprinter, will stand for £10,000 next year. Shaquille was crowned Cartier Champion Sprinter and Longines World's Best 3YO Sprinter in 2023. Trained by Julie Camacho, he won seven times, with those top level triumphs coming in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot followed by the July Cup. Paul Curran, Ace Stud's Bloodstock and Racing manager said, “Champion European Sprinter Shaquille has been really well-supported by top breeders since retiring to stud. He has covered more than 275 mares in his first two seasons, including Ace Stud's own quality band of broodmares. “We have reduced his fee and changed his covering terms to January 1 special live foal in order to give breeders the opportunity to use an exciting young stallion at an attractive and affordable price.” He added, “The feedback on his first foals has been very positive and we eagerly await them going through the sales ring at Goffs, Tattersalls and Arqana in the coming weeks. “Exciting times lie ahead under our new Ace Stud banner and we look forward to breeders getting in touch with our team to discuss their breeding requirements for 2026.” Shaquille will be available to view at Ace Stud in Dullingham during the Tattersalls December Sales from Saturday 29 November to Tuesday 2 December from 10am until 3pm on the hour, every hour. Meanwhile, TDN Europe understands that Soldier's Call, who stood for just one season at Ace Stud, will move to Mickley Stud ahead of the 2026 breeding season. The post ‘Exciting Young Stallion’ Shaquille Has 2026 Stud Fee Reduced By Ace Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Just two days after recording a first Group 1 winner, Ghaiyyath has another candidate for honours at the highest level after his well-related 2-year-old son Nation's Hope delivered a stunning debut display in Monday's British EBF Future Stayers Maiden Stakes at Kempton to earn a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' rosette in the one-mile contest. Godolphin's homebred bay, a half-brother to multiple Grade I-winning globetrotter Nation's Pride (Teofilo), outclassed 11 rivals to become the third Rising Star for his sire (by Dubawi) and joins G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches third Mandanaba and G2 Joel Stakes runner-up Opera Ballo on the roll of honour. “He's a good type, I thought he did well on debut and I was very pleased with him,” said winning rider James Doyle. “He broke nicely and we got that nice trailing position where I could teach him a little bit in behind horses. Once we got into the straight, I popped him out and he showed a really nice turn of foot. He was learning on the job, he galloped out strongly and it was everything you like to see in a potentially smart horse. His [half] brother [Nation's Pride] wore these colours and did a good job and, hopefully, he can go on to emulate what he's done.” The 2-1 joint-favourite was steadied to track the leaders in fifth after the opening exchanges. Cruising forward on the bridle in the straight, he quickened in impressive fashion to seize control approaching the final furlong and thundered clear in the closing stages to easily outclass Charlie Appleby stablemate Naqada King (American Pharoah) by five lengths. Impressive Nation's Hope (Ghaiyyath) is a half-brother to Nations Pride and looks a nice one on debut for @the_doyler, Charlie Appleby and @godolphin @kemptonparkrace pic.twitter.com/8trCSXLOi7 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 3, 2025 Nation's Hope is the latest of six reported foals and fourth scorer produced by Listed Kolner Stutenpreis victrix Important Time (Oasis Dream), herself a daughter of G1 Prix de l'Opera heroine Satwa Queen (Muhtathir). Descendants of Satwa Queen, who is a half-sister to G1 Criterium de Saint Cloud-winning sire Spadoun (Kaldoun), include multiple Group 1-winning dual Australian champion Militarize (Dundeel) and G1 Phoenix Stakes-winning sire Lucky Vega (Lope De Vega). The April-foaled homebred bay is a half-brother to the aforementioned GI Saratoga Derby, G1 Grosser Dallmayr Preis, GI Canadian International and GI Arlington Million hero Nation's Pride (Teofilo). The post Nation’s Hope Powers To TDN Rising Stardom in Kempton Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Merlin’s New Zealand Cup campaign is back on track and he could even be joined by another stablemate in the great race. The five-year-old recorded his first win in nearly a year in the $100,000 Alabar Kaikoura Cup and it was a proper victory too, coming from well off favourite Akuta to overpower him in the last 150m. Akuta led early and was briefly challenged by Sooner The Bettor but Merlin still had to come from a long way back, three wide down the back straight, and run past the 2023 winner. The win confirmed trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan’s belief they have the son of Art Major peaking at the right time. “We were happy with him going into the race but they still have to do it on raceday,” said Purdon, who last won the Kaikoura Cup 24 years ago. Merlin goes to the IRT NZ Cup with Sooner The Bettor, who stuck on well for fourth, while the stable are now just one withdrawal away from also having Better Knuckle Up in the Cup. He sat 17th on Monday morning before Swayzee pulled out so is likely to be the first emergency at worst. Another trainer sweating on getting a Group 1 start next Tuesday is Kevin Townley after Father Time was too good in the White Morph South Bay Trotters Cup. He has hit a purple patch of form and had to be good sitting parked before holding out Bounce N Beyond and Midnight Dash in a race where hot favourite Oscar Bonavena again reminded punters of the pitfalls of backing backmarkers. Townley knows a thing or two about good trotters and says Father Time has proven himself a genuine open class contender now. “He has gone from being a good horse below that level to being an open class horse because he has just kept getting better,” said Townley. “We were surprised how far down the rankings he was for the Dominion, he was 22nd I think before today, because his two recent wins hadn’t been in group races. “So hopefully this win gets him in next Tuesday because we are keen to start.” By far the easiest watch of the Kaikoura features for punters was The Lazarus Effect in the $50,000 NZBS Aged Classic. The Bob Butt-trained four-year-old son of Lazarus quickly found the front and put a hole in his rivals later, winning by seven lengths in a 1:57.8 mile rate. Bred by Martin Pierson and raced by the Alabar Syndicate, you get the feeling The Lazarus Effect could be back to chase the Alabar Kaikoura Cup next season. And that level of race may not be his ceiling either as he is becoming one of the more exciting pacers in the country. View the full article

Taylor Made Stallions will hold its annual Stallion Open Houses during the November sales, beginning Monday, Nov. 3, and running through Nov. 12. Hours for the Open House will be 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. each day with stallions available in the afternoons from 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. by appointment. Anyone who attends the Open Houses and fills out a roster card will automatically be entered in a drawing for a $250 Malone's gift card. The giveaway is exclusively tied to the November sales, and the winner will be drawn after the Keeneland November Sale concludes. Taylor Made's 2026 stallion roster is headed by Not This Time, who is the No. 2 General Sire in North America. New to the roster for the 2026 breeding season is GISW Arthur's Ride, a son of Tapit out of Champion Mare Points of Grace and a half-brother to Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Victory to Victory. For more information on the open houses or to schedule an afternoon appointment please call Brock Martin at (270) 498-3722; Clay Taylor at (859) 940-1032; or Travis White at (859) 396-3508. The post Taylor Made Open Houses Begin Monday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Kentucky Derby Museum is set to honor Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day with the Museum's second Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Derby in December event, the track announced Monday. Held Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the free event, hosted in partnership with the Kentucky Derby Museum, Kentucky Derby Festival, and Churchill Downs Racetrack, promises a full day of festive fun and special unveilings. Throughout the day, guests can also enter drawings for exclusive prize packages featuring unforgettable Derby-themed experiences. Additionally, there will a meet-and-greet and the unveiling of a new temporary exhibit in the Museum honoring Day's extraordinary career. “We are honored to present Pat Day with our Lifetime Achievement Award this year,” said Pat Armstrong, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Museum. “His remarkable career, integrity, and enduring connection to the sport embody the very best of what the Derby stands for. This event is our way of celebrating both his legacy and the passion that keeps Derby traditions alive year-round.” “There's nothing quite like the energy of Derby season, and we're excited to share the Kentucky Derby Festival spirit all year long,” added Matt Gibson, President and CEO of Kentucky Derby Festival. “Derby in December is where the countdown begins, and we invite everyone to join us for this special celebration.” Full information on the Derby in December event can be found here. The post Hall Of Famer Pat Day To Be Honored At Derby In December Event appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Pin Oak Stud's Director of Farm Operations and Property, Michael Hardy, says that he is hoping to make his return to Australia a winning one with Parchment Party (Constitution) representing the farm in the Melbourne Cup. Hardy last set foot in Melbourne during a six-month stint as part of the Godolphin Flying Start and his return Down Under is a significant one given Parchment Party will bid to become the first American-trained winner of the race. “It's my first time in Australia since the Flying Start,” Hardy told TTR. The University of Limerick graduate followed the Flying Start with six years at the helm of Margaux Farm in Kentucky and three years at Goffs, where he ascended to the role of Head Of Sales. He joined the Pin Oak team in June 2024. “It's great to be back, even if it feels like we've brought weather from Ireland. We're not going to let the rain dampen our spirits.” Hardy, accompanied by Pin Oak's trainer Joss Saville and assistant trainer Jo Robinson, have made the long trek from Kentucky to represent Pin Oak proprietors Jim and Dana Bernhard as the owners of the first American-trained horse to run in the Cup. Since Vintage Crop in 1993, nine internationally-trained raiders have claimed the race that stops the nation, but none have ventured from the United States to attempt to do so. The 2025 edition features one fellow American-bred in G2 Moonee Valley Cup winner Onesmoothoperator, but he arrives via the stable of Yorkshireman Brian Ellison. American and Media Puzzle are the only two American-bred horses to win the Cup this century, but their respective trainers Alain de Royer Dupre and Dermot Weld were based in Europe. It is trainer Bill Mott, and owners Pin Oak Stud, who dare take that first plunge from the States with Parchment Party, who arrives off the back of earning a Cup golden ticket in the G3 Belmont Gold Cup in July. The 5-year-old added a win in the Listed Birdstone Stakes in August before entering the first step of quarantine needed for a horse to get Down Under. For connections of Parchment Paper, the excitement of being the first to attempt the feat is palpable. “It's a huge credit to Racing Victoria for putting on a race in the States to get an American-trained horse here,” said Hardy. “Last year's connections didn't take the opportunity for whatever reason, but that's alright, it left us with the opportunity to make history. “I don't think we'd be fooling anybody if we said this was goal number one at the start of the year. But, you know, horse racing is an ever-changing landscape. When you get an opportunity to take a horse to a race like the Melbourne Cup, you don't say no.” A US$450,000 Keeneland yearling graduate when purchased by Dana Bernhard, Parchment Party was unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile. “He had some good form in his 2-year-old year, but he just needed time to really mature after that,” Hardy said of the colt, who is four in his home country. “He didn't run much as a 3-year-old, he just ran a few times at the end of the year. With maturity, he's become a really good-looking, big, good-moving horse. Just a little bit of maturity under his belt has really helped him flourish this year, and so has stretching him out in distance. “That's one thing that we are really excited about is to see him run the two miles here at Melbourne, because he hasn't had the opportunity to do that yet. There's very few races run over two miles in the United States, and giving him the opportunity to run the distance is something we think he will relish. The turf, we are less confident about, but we really think the distance is more meaningful than the track.” The Belmont Gold Cup is traditionally run over 3200 metres, but heavy rainfall ahead of Parchment Party's edition saw the Grade 3 event moved to the dirt track and reduced to 2800 metres. Hitting the front with 800 metres left to run on the sloppy track, the entire punched home by eight and a half lengths, with a further 14 and a half lengths back to third. “There was terrible weather, a storm came through so it was switched to the dirt, which is an option we have in the States,” Hardy said. “You can't really hold that against him, especially when he won that race very impressively.” John Velazquez, the colt's partner from the Gold Cup, flies down to take the reins at Flemington on Tuesday, an association which Hardy expects to continue to be fruitful. The rider's intimate race knowledge of Parchment Party will be an immense aid with a horse that Hardy calls “particular” in how he's ridden. “He doesn't like to be hurried and rushed into a race, he takes the time to get into stride,” said Hardy. “Another jockey might try to get him into the race too quickly and he might just throw his head up at that. So having a jockey that's ridden the horse before is important for us. “He (Velazquez) also critically understands how to ride in these big fields. He's won the Kentucky Derby three times. He's one of the best jockeys in the world. I think there's nobody that would argue with that and to have him on Parchment Party in Melbourne, we think it's a huge, huge advantage.” The post Team Parchment Party Dreaming Of Historic First For America In Melbourne Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Could we see one big-name Longines International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) winner replace another for December 10’s showpiece event at Happy Valley? With Ryan Moore a very real chance to miss next month’s event for the first time since 2008 as he recovers from a leg injury, the Jockey Club may well need to look elsewhere to maintain the level of star power the event attracts annually. One man who fits that bill is four-time Hong Kong champion jockey Joao Moreira. Moreira hasn’t featured in the...View the full article

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Jamie Melham will bid to become the first female jockey to claim a coveted double in Australian horse racing when she rides Caulfield Cup winner Half Yours in the A$9 million (US$5.85 million) Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday. Last month, Melham became the first woman to win the Caulfield Cup in its 149-year history, guiding the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Half Yours to an emphatic victory in the A$5 million handicap over 2,400 metres. Ten years after Michelle Payne’s breakthrough on...View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Surely they can’t be a more popular winner at Kaikoura today than Rachmaninov. The veteran trotter, having his 289th start, outstayed his rivals to win the Smartpanel Construction Ltd Trot. It was his second start in two days, his 12th career win and it pushed him over $200,000 in career earnings. “Everyone’s so stoked with him,” says co-breeder, co-owner and trainer Trevor Grant. “He really is everyone’s favourite horse isn’t he? After a safe beginning Rachmaninov went up to sit parked with a lap to go before Robbie Close went to the lead at about the 600 metre mark. He held on to win by more than a length. The win came just 24 hours after his second placing in a heat of the World Driving Championship for Frenchman Pierre Vercruysse behind the impressive Hoof It Hagrid. “I said to Pierre, just drive him like a diesel tractor!” Monday’s victory was his second in 35 starts this year and while he is 10 years old he is clearly racing in fine fettle. Until last year Grant had been hesitant to line up his grand old trotter at South Bay. “I didn’t start here him until he was a nine-year-old because I didn’t think he’d go around the bends but he goes as good here as anywhere.” Last year he finished second in his Kaikoura debut and now he has a win and a second this year. Grant has been inundated with well wishers since the win. It’s a testament to a popular harness racing figure and a very popular horse. View the full article

Europe has flexed its muscle on day two of the World Driving Championship in Kaikoura. Firstly it was Jaap van Rijn from the Netherlands who took out Heat 4 and then it was Germany’s Michael Nimczyk who prevailed in the second and final heat of the day with the Matt Purvis-trained Flying Bird. Their victories completed a hat-trick for the Europeans, following Italian Giampaolo Minnucci’s win in the third heat yesterday. The opening two heats were taken out by Australia’s Gary Hall Junior. In today’s heats It’s Tough produced a powerhouse performance to run away from his opposition for van Rijn. It was the Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained four-year-old’s fifth win in his last six starts. Flying Bird was also tough in her run. She got to the front and then held on for a gritty win as Major Happy and Miki’s Courage charged late. New Zealand’s representative Blair Orange is currently ninth on 22 points, 32 behind Hall, after finishing seventh with Classie Linc in the opening heat today, and then last with Gem N Em. The leaderboard (after five heats) is : Gary Hall Jnr (Australia) 54 James MacDonald (Canada) 41 Giampaolo Minnucci (Italy) 37 Michael Nimczyk (Germany) 33 Pierre Vercruysse (France) 32 Santtu Raitala (Finland) 28 Brett Beckwith (USA) 28 Jaap van Rijn (Netherlands) 25 Blair Orange (New Zealand) 22 Mats Djuse (Sweden) 17 The WDC now heads to Cambridge for a further five heats on Wednesday. Overall there will be 20 heats with a world champion being crowned on IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup day at Addington on Tuesday, November 11. View the full article

Jaap van Rijn (The Netherlands) has registered his first win at the World Driving Championship. And it was a powerhouse performance at the South Bay race course in Kaikoura in heat 4 of the WDC. Van Rijn made a mid race move with favourite It’s Tough and from there it was all over. The Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained four year old has been in outstanding form and just powered away from his opposition to win effortlessly. It was his fifth win in his last six starts. For van Rijn it was a welcome return to form. He was last on five points after the opening day at Kaikoura yesterday. The WDC has one more heat today at 2.15pm before heading to Cambridge for five more heats on Wednesday. The WDC overall has 20 heats culminating in a world champion being crowned on IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup day at Addington on Tuesday, November 11. Ten of the world’s best drivers are taking part including New Zealand’s Blair Orange who was sixth equal after the opening day. It’s a brilliant day in Kaikoura for its biggest day of the year. Highlighting the action will be the 100th running of the Alabar Kaikoura Cup at 4.40pm, the White Morph South Bay Trotters Cup at 4.03pm and the NZBS Yearling Sales Aged Classic Handicap Pace at 3.24pm. View the full article

Two-time champion Swayzee is out of the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup. The Jason Grimson-trained star was vying to become just the fourth horse to win three New Zealand Cups in a row but today he’s been officially withdrawn from the $1m feature at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 11. The news was not unexpected. Over the weekend it was reported he had a suspected cold and was scratched from a race at Menangle. He also missed last month’s Victoria Cup with a bowel infection. Australia’s two starters in the great race will be superstar pacer and $2 favourite Leap To Fame and Victoria Cup winner Kingman ($4.80). Swayzee’s stablemate Hi Manameisjeff also won’t be making the trip. He had been earmarked for the NZ Free For All at Addington on Show Day. Also withdrawn from the New Zealand Cup are the Arna Donnelly-trained trio of The Surfer, Little Spike and Jolimont and Da Vinci, trained by Craig Ferguson. The current rankings are : The final rankings for both the New Zealand Cup and the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot will be released following the running of the Kaikoura Cup meeting this afternoon. View the full article

Andrea Atzeni is not sweating his luckless run as he heads to Happy Valley on Wednesday for a strong book of rides, including A Americ Te Specso in the Class Three Hanshin Handicap (1,650m). The John Size-trained galloper was a dual winner under Atzeni last season and put in a huge shift when second over course and distance last month, lashing home from last down the middle of the track. The draw has not been kind to the son of Per Incanto, who will be fired out of stall 12, but that is of...View the full article

Sestina and Tralee Bay delivered a special milestone for their trainer Jo-Anne Dalton last month at Wingatui and will return to the venue on Tuesday in pursuit of back-to-back victories across the Melbourne Cup Day card. Dalton, who trains out of Ascot Park, had been eyeing the 100-win mark for some time and was delighted to fulfil that goal with a winning double at the mid-October meeting with the two former Cambridge Stud gallopers. “I knew it was coming up so it was a relief to get it out of the way so early in the season,” she said. “It was great. “I am very fortunate to have owners (Alan Harper and Tom Kilkelly) who are great supporters and good friends of Brendan Lindsay. When there are horses they are not carrying on with up there, we get the pick of, and getting nice horses from Cambridge is such a bonus. “We are just a small hands-on team, we have a couple of people help at the track but my husband and I do most of the work ourselves so it’s really rewarding. “I work part-time as an administrator for Meridian Energy, so you get to deal with different people outside of racing which is a nice balance.” A six-year-old by Lonhro, Sestina was taken through the trials stage by Cambridge Stud’s private trainer Lance Noble, then after travelling south, won on debut for Dalton. The mare has since won a further three and placed in 11 of her 29 starts, the most recent of those coming when she resumed in Open grade over 1400m. She will face a similar assignment in the Grand Casino Open Handicap (1400m) on Tuesday, albeit on an improved surface. “I thought it would be too short for her (first up), but being on the softer track probably helped,” Dalton said. “It was a pleasant surprise really, she does go well fresh but I thought they may be a touch sharp in that grade. “She’s very well, she’s been freshened a little bit as we were looking to go over 1400m again. I’m really happy with her going into it but it is a slight worry (with the firmer track) that they might go too quick for her. “She’s more of a miler to 2000m horse but we are limited in options over a mile in this grade down here. There are a few horses in the same boat, Sabin Kirkland’s (Bouyant) and Kelvin Tyler’s (Martell) will be tough to beat but the rest are probably more middle-distance horses too. “It is a massive assistance having Tina (Comignaghi) on, she runs so well for her and has a lot of experience.” Her stablemate Tralee Bay followed a similar path, trailing for Noble before joining Dalton at the start of his career. The lightly-tried five-year-old picked up his second win last time out at Rating 65 grade and steps up to contest the KB Contractors R75 (1600m). “He’s come through it really well, he’s a very big, tall horse at about 17.2 hands,” Dalton said. “He’s a lot more settled in his attitude this year and that’s coming through in his racing, so going forward, hopefully he can get over a bit more ground. “I’m happy with him going into tomorrow.” The latest addition from the Cambridge nursery is Venetian, an Australian-bred mare by Castelvecchio. She had five starts in the north, with the best of those a fourth placing in maiden three-year-old company behind subsequent Derby winner Willydoit. She will resume in a new campaign in The Ned MDN (1400m), with apprentice Yogesh Atchamah claiming one kilogram off her 56.5kg impost. “She’s a lovely wee horse and I quite like her,” Dalton said. “I had her in at Riverton (on Sunday) but pulled out of the heavy track. “We’re still learning about her and I’m sure anything she does tomorrow, she’ll improve from.” View the full article

Almanzor made another memorable impact at the highest international level over the weekend when his daughter Gezora doubled her Group One tally with victory in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Turf (2200m) at Del Mar. She was bred in France where Cambridge Stud’s stallion son of the ill-fated Wootton Bassett stood at Haras d’Etreham before full breeding rights were secured by Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s farm in 2024 following six seasons of shuttle duty. The Gr.1 French Oaks (2100m) heroine had finished out of the frame at her previous start in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) and bounced back in dazzling style in California for trainer Francis Graffard and rider Mickael Barzalona. It was a first Breeders’ Cup success for the Chantilly-based horseman and a second for Barzalona. “What a perfect run and what a filly she is. She’s small but has the biggest heart of any I’ve ever trained. She’s amazing and gives us so much emotion,” Graffard told the Racing Post. “It’s a meeting I absolutely admire, and I really want to be competitive here. We’ll keep trying, it’s done now and we’ll look for the next one.” It was also a landmark moment for Graffard, who recorded his 13th top-level win of the season, equalling the record for a French trainer set by Andre Fabre in 1992. Barzalona had ridden stablemate Daryz to victory in the Arc and was reunited with Gezora at Del Mar after winning the Gr.2 Prix Saint Alary (2000m) on the three-year-old and finishing runner-up in the Gr.1 Prix Vermeille (2400m). “She’s a top-class filly. We got a good spot in the race, it never slowed down, and I had to ask her to go early, but she was very good to catch the one in front,” he said. Gezora has been an outstanding international flagbearer for Almanzor with five wins from 10 appearances and was raced by Haras d’Etreham before she was purchased by Peter Brandt’s White Birch Farm after she had won two of her first four starts. She is a daughter of the Silver Hawk mare Germance, who won five races including the Saint-Alary when it carried Group 1 status and also finished runner-up in the French Oaks. View the full article

The Odyssey’s performance at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day may result in a change to his immediate program. The in-form son of Zacinto will step out of handicap company to run in the Gr.3 Elsdon Park Bonecrusher Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Tuesday. The weight-for-age feature wasn’t initially on his radar, but two bold performances into his current preparation have encouraged trainers Ben and Ryan Foote to change tack. The six-year-old followed up a resuming sprint third at Tauranga to carry 59kg to a last-start victory on the course over 1600 metres. “He obviously likes Ellerslie, and he’s come through his first two races so well,” Ben Foote said. “He was going to have to have another start before the Counties Cup (Gr.3, 2100m) anyway.” He finished fourth in last season’s feature at Pukekohe before running third in the Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m). “I guess if he shows he’s up to weight-for-age level then we may have to rethink the Cups’ races and think more of the Zabeel Classic (Gr.1, 2000m),” Foote said. “If he can perform well against the likes of El Vencedor in particular, then it could sway us to go another way. We’ll just have to wait and see. “I can’t fault him, he’s cleaning his feed up and he’s just so bright and happy, so we’ll have a throw at the stumps. “He’s drawn barrier two so if he gets away from the gates, he won’t be doing it as hard as he does when he gets back in the field.” The Odyssey has been well managed to fashion the tidy record of seven wins from 21 starts with regular partner Courtney Barnes to take the reins again on Tuesday. “We’ve been patient with him and always knew he was going to get better as he got older, his mum won a Group One as a six-year-old,” Foote said. The Odyssey’s dam Macavelli Miss produced a career high performance in later life to claim her sixth and final career victory in the Thorndon Mile (1600m) from Roger James’ stable. “He’s always had the ability and he’s a lot sharper this time in, as Courtney said, he’s not hitting a flat spot in his races like he has done in previous preps,” Foote said. The stable is also bullish about the chances of Keegan in the Almanzor – Proven Value Handicap (1500m). The four-time winner drew attention to his prospects when an encouraging fifth at Taupo where he was making his first appearance since a winter campaign. “He is very talented and an unusual character, last prep when he won at Wellington he was dropping out on the turn like he was going to run a mile last and then he decided to get going and won,” Foote said. “He’s very laid back, and his work is probably the best I’ve ever seen, so I’m expecting another very good run.” View the full article

Katrina and Simon Alexander have handled their Show By SkyCity (1400m) contender Aksil with patience and hope to reap the rewards of that later in the season. The Te Awamutu-based trainers purchased Aksil as a yearling and the son of Ace High showed an abundance of promise through the trials stage, eye-catching in all four efforts before stepping out on debut at Taupo in mid-October. A consummate professional, Aksil travelled well, balanced up in the straight and powered through the line to win over 1300m, a perfect first step in what the Alexanders hope to be a fruitful second half of the season. “As a yearling and all the way through his education, he’s always impressed us,” Katrina Alexander said. “He’s had a lovely, trainable nature and been a hugely athletic horse. “The way he put it all together at Taupo was a very good effort, it can be a tricky track for a green horse to get right and he got himself organised quite nicely around the home turn, sustained a bump and got himself out of trouble to let down beautifully. “We’ve never seen him as a 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) horse or anything like that, he has grown a huge amount. He was quite Savabeel-looking when we first got him and now we’re seeing the Ace High coming through with a big frame to fill out, he’s got a lovely cross through both sire lines. “We’ve been determined to be patient, we see him as an after-Christmas horse and that second half of the season.” Aksil caught plenty of attention with his debut and has opened favourite for the open three-year-old event at Ellerslie’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting on Tuesday ahead of 2000 Guineas hope Affirmative Action. “It makes it quite interesting tomorrow with some of those three-year-olds not going around in the Sarten, there are a horses with much bigger agendas and more pressure on them than we’re wanting to put on our horse,” Alexander said. “He’s shown that he enjoys Ellerslie and I feel it’s the surface that he needs, so we’re looking for a good, educational run and to get a line on him, especially with which distance would suit going forward. “Masa (Hashizume) is riding in Australia so it’ll be a learning curve for Joe (Doyle) riding him for the first time, it’ll be good to get another jockey’s opinion on him as well.” His stablemate, Haunui Farm-owned mare Acapelago will step out later in the Stella Artois 1400, having impressed in her first-up run at the venue in September. “It was a super run and she’s run very well on a couple of occasions at Ellerslie in a fresh state, albeit with wide draws where she’s had to settle back and boom home,” Alexander said. “We’ve had to put the brakes on when the weather wasn’t great, as well as a little niggle that we had to take a sit with. She’s presenting there again in a slightly fresher state, I’ve tried to present her that way so that she can run a fairly sharp 1400m. “It’s a tidy field, so I’m looking for an honest run that we can build on as we get back up in distance. I’m keen to see her at a mile and maybe a little further, after talking with Mark Chitty (owner) and what he feels the female side of that family can do. “She seems to love Ellerslie, even as a Belardo, she prefers that even surface to show her best. She’s shown she can do it from the front or back, so that makes it easier for Joe (Doyle) to sit wherever he chooses too.” Back in the stable, glamour girl La Crique has returned from her short break in the paddock as she readies for a summer racing at the elite level. The star Vadamos mare finished runner-up in each of the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) and Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m), but didn’t take her place in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m). “We put her out in the paddock and missed the last leg of that series, and with the weather that was served up to us, I’m pleased we made that decision very early,” Alexander said. “I really doubt I would’ve been able to prepare her with the rain we had around, just to get that fast work in. “I think we pulled the right rein, she’s had a lovely break and is now in her second week back in the stable, she’s a box of birds and really quite boisterous and boulshy. She looks great, she’s well in herself so we are heading towards Trentham at the start of December. “She’ll likely go to the trials prior to that, then we’ll go straight into the mile.” That race will be the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) on the 6th of December, which she finished second in last year behind Ladies Man. View the full article