Wandering Eyes

VRC Derby aspirant Engine Of War (NZ) (Circus Maximus) made a winning Australian debut from the quarters of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday over 1500m. The son of Circus Maximus finished third at his only start in New Zealand for Andrew Forsman before being purchased by micro-share syndicator MyRacehorse. Transferred across the Tasman, Engine Of War showed good ability in two jump outs before his winning performance at Sandown. Ridden by Mark Zahra, Engine Of War sat behind a modest tempo and found enough to score from the fast finishing There Were Roses (NZ) (Darci Brahma), a fellow Kiwi import. “It was a good effort,” Kent Jnr said. “He raced fairly tractably. He’s a very big raw product. “He looked to get to the front fairly easily and then he didn’t know what to do and how to put the race away, but he’s only got upside. “The second horse was very good behind him. “He’s a very big, 16.2½ three-year-old and all leg. “I hope he stays, he looks like he should, so fingers crossed.” MyRacehorse sourced the horse through bloodstock agent Andrew Williams but Kent Jnr said their scouts had also identified the horse. “We were chasing him at the same time through our avenues, and it ended up that MyRacehorse bought him and we joined together after that,” Kent Jnr said. “He was purchased, had a five-week spell and he has then had a full preparation to this point. “I’m rapt for the owners and we’ve got some good clients on our side and of course, MyRacehorse they’re so good for this game. They would be more than half the crowd here today, you can always find your horse on course, just look for the mob. “He’s got to do everything right and I think every horse in this field was probably touted as a Derby type, so we’ll be aiming that way.” A graduate of last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, Engine Of War was originally purchased by Andrew Forsman for $50,000 from the draft of Ohukia Lodge. A son of triple Group One winning miler Circus Maximus, who resides at Windsor Park Stud, Engine Of War is out of the Lonhro mare Prove Your Worth, a daughter of stakes winner Kiss From A Rose. Runner-up There Were Roses was purchased after a third placing at her only trial for Samantha Finnegan at Waipukurau. View the full article

Daring Dame (NZ) (Almanzor) broke through for an elusive win when taking out the Kensington Tavern 1200 at Ruakaka on Wednesday. The four-year-old daughter of Almanzor had shown plenty as a three-year-old, placing in all four of her starts, but a win eluded her. She strengthened with a spell and pleased when winning her 950m trial at Cambridge last month, giving punters the confidence to back her into an even money favourite on Wednesday. From the ace barrier, she settled in the trail behind Man o’ Slew (NZ) (Reliable Man) where she enjoyed an economical passage before being presented three-wide down the straight by jockey Warren Kennedy. She hit the lead with the 100m to go and was able to hold out the late challenge of Zenzero Girl (NZ) (Belardo) to win by a nose. “Full credit to her for winning today,” Kennedy said. “The testing track obviously helped her chances a little bit. She was able to have a very economical run thanks to the draw. “I presented her at the 300m and she kicked up like she was going to win it quite well, but she flattened out and had a good look around. Even when she came back, she nearly dug in her toes and didn’t know quite where to go. “She is going to go 2000m-plus, she is exciting going forward.” Trainer Lance Noble was pleased with the win and said she had strengthened a lot since her three-year-old season. “I am really happy. Drawing one, Warren rode her a treat,” he said. “She has just strengthened up from three to four and I think she will get better as she gets over a bit more ground. “It’s spring time and once those fillies and mares start coming into form hopefully they can maintain it for a while.” In the race prior, stablemate Heloisa (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) recorded her third placing from as many starts, and Noble said she was unsuited by the Soft7 surface. “In that ground it probably found her out a bit in that last little bit, but I think she will be better once we get on better footing,” he said. View the full article

The TAB Racing Club’s silks were to the fore at Ruakaka on Wednesday, with three-year-old filly Transcend carrying them to victory in The Homestead Sports Bar & Bistro 1200. The daughter of So You Think had one previous run as a juvenile, finishing runner-up to subsequent stakes performer Country Salon at Trentham in May, and readied for Wednesday’s first-up run with a runner-up trial performance over 950m at Cambridge last month. She caught the eye of punters, who backed her into $2.60 favouritism on Wednesday, and she duly delivered. Transcend jumped away well from barrier four under jockey George Rooke, who was able to find the rail and trail behind pacemaker Heloisa. The Lance Noble-trained filly was kept honest upfront by outsider Unrestrained, with the pair entering the straight on even terms. A gap presented between the pair, but Rooke was forced to navigate his charge three-wide, but once she found clear running room, Transcend showed a good turn of foot to run over the top of her rivals to score a three-quarter of a length victory over Unrestrained, with a further 1-1/2 lengths back to Heloisa in third. Rooke was pleased with the run, but said Transcend has plenty of improvement to come, with the filly still racing greenly. “She has got a lot more to come, with the prelim and mid-race she is still a little bit green, but I was really impressed with her last 400m,” he said. Colm Murray, who trains Transcend in partnership with Shaune Ritchie, echoed those sentiments. “She is still doing a couple of little bits wrong, but once he got her out into the clear she came home really well,” he said. “She has to improve on her ringcraft a wee bit, but there is plenty of time to do that, we will get there. “We will just get her home, see how she pulls up and go from there.” Transcend was initially pinhooked out of Rushton Park’s 2023 Inglis Great Southern Sale draft by Devcich Bloodstock for A$80,000, who subsequently offered her under their Henley Park banner at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2024 Book 1 Yearling Sale draft where she was purchased by Murray and Ritchie in partnership with the TAB Racing Club for $150,000. View the full article

Group Two winner Tuxedo (NZ) (Tivaci) will test his talent at weight-for-age for the first time when he heads to Ellerslie on Saturday to contest the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m). The Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray-trained gelding had a pleasing three-year-old season last term, winning three of his six starts, including the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m), Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m), and finishing runner-up to Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). The son of Tivaci continued his winning ways first-up this season when victorious over 1400m at Ruakaka last month. “We are pleased we got that run into him,” Ritchie said. “The three weeks between races has worked out perfect for him. “Having a run over 1400m means he is rock hard ready for Saturday. He has performed well at Ellerslie, having run second to Damask Rose in a Karaka Million, so things are looking pretty rosy for him.” While upbeat about his gelding ahead of the weekend, Ritchie is aware of the big step up to weight-for-age level. “History tells us that four-year-olds have struggled a bit in the spring, especially straight into weight-for-age,” he said. “That is always in the back of your mind. Having said that, I don’t believe we have a dominant weight-for-age horse at the moment. “I think it does open up for a horse like him to be able to put his hand up and be a chance in this race. “We were encouraged by Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) who is a four-year-old and smashed them in the first Group One weight-for-age race (Memsie Stakes, 1400m) of the season in Australia. Four-year-olds can do it if they are good enough. “He has performed well at Ellerslie behind Damask Rose and she went an unbelievable run first-up (fifth in Gr.3 Cockram, Stakes, 1200m). She proved she is right up to the best four-year-olds there. “We are looking at the positives as best we can. Having said that, he is a high-quality horse and we are just hoping we can measure up and I am sure he will run well.” Stablemate Gate Crashers (NZ) (Almanzor)will also head to Ellerslie where he will be first-up in the Join TAB Racing Club 1600. The four-year-old Almanzor gelding had a light but lucrative autumn preparation where he placed over a mile at Matamata before winning over the same distance at Ellerslie in May. “His performance last time was very impressive,” Ritchie said. “He kept up a solid gallop through that whole mile. The difference this time is that he is first-up and I can’t remember the last horse we lined-up at a mile first-up, it is something we don’t do as a stable, we are generally quite light on them. “He went to Ruakaka and had a couple of solid gallops up there and did a lot of walking in the water and a lot of mileage. Ellerslie is where the money is and I believe he is a strong miler, so we thought we had him ready enough to get through it. “One thing he hasn’t had is a trial, but he is a pretty fair sort of galloper and I believe he will get through the grades through the spring. “Whether he is a bit vulnerable because of the lack of race fitness I guess is a fair comment to make, but having said that, he will be right there until the last furlong. “I don’t think he is the worst bet in the world, and he could be over the odds.” The stable will also be represented by Hot Line Bling (NZ) (Almanzor) in the Yourride 2200. “He is probably our value chance on the day,” Ritchie said. “His runs, albeit on the poly, have been super. “I love the way he moves, he gets down nice and low. He has always indicated that he would be a lovely stayer, being an Almanzor out of a good family.” Ritchie holds the one-win gelding in high regard and has lofty ambitions for him this spring. “He is a cracking individual, he is a really lovely horse,” he said. “He has got a nomination for the New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m), so we have got to be going very well or winning a race like this. “He is fit and he is ready to go. In his last run (when runner-up over 2000m at Cambridge), he missed the kick, he sat on the back of the gate, so we will ask for a man to go up with him. “If he jumps with them, he is going to take a lot of holding out one would think. That will be the key to his chances, but he has got 2100m to make up some ground. “I feel he deserves his chance at the big prizemoney.” View the full article

Chad Ormsby’s confidence is growing in exciting sprinter Master Fay (Deep Field) as he counts down to the exciting sprinter’s first public appearance for the season. The Cambridge-based horseman couldn’t be happier with the Group-winning son of Deep Field, who will enjoy an outing at Ellerslie next Tuesday. “He’ll step out in a trial and he’s right on target, he’s an older horse now and he looks fantastic,” Ormsby said. “He’s bucking and kicking like a two-year-old, he’s really in his prime now. “We’ll have seven or eight at the trials and that will be our racing team for the summer months.” Master Fay was unbeaten at the trials here for Ormsby before he relocated to Hong Kong where he was a debut winner and subsequently returned to New Zealand without making another appearance. He won his first two starts for Ormsby, including success in the Gr.3 Concorde Handicap (1200m), and following a failed crack at the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (120m) at Flemington posted two further placings before a break. He hasn’t firmed up a program for Master Fay, but Australia is top of the wish list. “I haven’t got anything specific in mind yet, but I would really like to get back to Australia with him in the autumn or maybe the Brisbane carnival later on,” he said. “There’s plenty of water to go under the bridge and I’m really looking forward to seeing where he can take us.” Meanwhile, Ormsby is gearing up for a hefty involvement in New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale in the spring. The catalogue was launched this week and features 23 entries from Riverrock Farm, operated by Ormsby and wife Aliesha. “It’s exciting and it’s the biggest draft we’ve ever had, we only normally have 15 maximum, so we’re going along with a number of extras,” he said. “Everyone has high hopes and we’ve got the right mix of New Zealand and Australian stallions. “We’ve got a couple of Savabeels, there’s not usually many of them around especially at this stage as most of them tend to sell really well as yearlings.” Riverrock will firstly offer Lot 17 out of the stakes placed O’Reilly mare O’Naturelle (NZ) whose two foals to race have been winners. The gelding is from the family of the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Pier, whose half-sister Maria Farina (NZ) (Contributer) is also a multiple black-type winner. Lot 323 is a son of Savabeel and the unraced Shamus Award mare Ethical Award whose sister Ethical Solution won on six occasions, including victory in the Gr.3 Bow Mistress Stakes (1200m). Riverrrock’s draft will also include representatives of champion sire Proisir, Almanzor, Satono Aladdin, Ardrossan, champion first season sire Hello Youmzain and Sword Of State. Youngsters by Australian-based stallions Alabama Express, Street Boss, Tassort, Xtravagant and Palace Pier also feature in the consignment. View the full article

Engine Of War ridden by Mark Zahra wins at Sandown Hillside. (Photo: Pat Scala/Racing Photos.) VRC Derby aspirant Engine Of War made a winning start to his Australian career when he narrowly prevailed at Sandown on Wednesday. The son of Circus Maximus—trained by Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)—had arrived in Australia off the back of three runs in New Zealand, where he’d shown staying promise across the winter. Sent out as a $5 chance with horse racing bookmakers on debut in Australia, the big-framed three-year-old parked in the box seat for Mark Zahra behind a controlled tempo before edging clear late to repel fellow Kiwi import There Were Roses. “He’s still so raw,” Kent Jnr said post-race. “He’s a proper 16.2½-hand horse and he wants ground, but he’s just got a great attitude. He’d had one gallop on the grass before today—he’s that new here—and he still found a way.” The stable has the VRC Derby in mind if the colt continues on the right path. “We’ll give him his chance to stretch out,” Kent Jnr added. “He’s got the action and the temperament. Today was about getting him going and seeing where he fits, and he’s handled himself very professionally.” Owned by the MyRacehorse micro-ownership syndicate, Engine Of War was sourced in conjunction with bloodstock agent Andrew Williams after the Price/Kent team had also marked the colt. “We were able to team up with MyRacehorse, which is great,” Kent Jnr said. “They’re so good for the game—getting more people involved at a really accessible level.” After purchase, the colt enjoyed a five-week spell before a full preparation into Wednesday’s assignment. Horse racing news View the full article

Joining Hong Kong’s world-class jockey ranks is a daunting challenge for many newcomers, but for David Probert, he felt the time was right to finally make the move this year. An accomplished jockey in the United Kingdom with more than 1,600 career winners, the Welshman has been licensed to ride in Hong Kong until February 17 and starts his new venture with two rides at Sunday’s season-opener at Sha Tin. “I’ve been approached [by the Jockey Club] three or four times in the past and I didn’t think...View the full article

The first Group 1 sprint of the season, the $750,000 Moir Stakes, is set to light up Moonee Valley this Saturday with the track specialist Baraqiel currently heading the markets. The Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin-trained seven-year-old is a perfect three-for-three at Moonee Valley and is looking to add a Group 1 victory […] The post Moonee Valley Specialist Baraqiel Heads Moir Stakes Betting 2025 appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Minister for Racing Winston Peters has confirmed the reappointment of Neville Harris QSO as Chairperson of the Racing Integrity Board (RIB). Mr Harris has been reappointed for a further three-year term, beginning on 10 October 2025 and expiring on 9 October 2028. Alongside Board members David Howman CNZM, Dr Patricia Pearce, Aaron Lloyd and Brent Williams who remain on the RIB Board within their current terms. The post Neville Harris reappointed as RIB Chairperson appeared first on Racing Integrity Board. View the full article

Check out the great racing offers available from horse racing bookmakers on Wednesday, September 3. Enjoy bonus back deals and other promotions to boost your betting experience. Explore these specials from top online bookmakers and get more value from your bets. Top Australian racing promotions for September 3, 2025, include: Today’s horse racing promotions Warwick Farm Races 1-6 | Bet Back Run 2nd or 3rd Activate your Bet Back Tool in your Betslip on Races 1-6 at Warwick Farm this Wednesday and if your runner comes 2nd or 3rd, get up $50 back as Bonus Cash. Bet Back Tool is only available to use on the day of race, on Fixed Win bets, and on races with 5 or more runners. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Sandown All Races | Same Race Multi 3+ Leg Bonus Back Place a 3+ leg Same Race Multi bet on any race at Sandown this Wednesday and if 1 leg of your multi fails, get up to $50 back in Bonus Cash. Available from approximately 8:30am local track time on race day. Neds T&Cs Apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo 25% Boosted Winnings! – Sandown Hillside Get 25% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. Fixed win only. First eligible bet per race. Must apply Promotion in bet slip. Cash bet only. Max Bonus $250. Eligible customers only Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Eligible Customers Only. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Sandown & Warwick Farm R1-3 | Wednesday Bonus Back 2nd or 3rd Available from 12:00AM AEST. Auto-applied in Bet Slip. Promotional limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed odds only. Check your vault for eligibility. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo Copycash – Get Copied. Get Paid. Get paid $0.10 every time someone uses Copy Bet to copy your bets. Eligible Customers Only. Login to Dabble to Claim Promo 10% Winnings Boost! – Belmont, Ipswich & Warwick Farm Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. First eligible bet per race. Must apply Promotion in betslip. Cash bets only. Max bonus $100. Eligible customers only Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Bet Boost | Wednesday Thoroughbred Meetings Get a bet boost on thoroughbred races around Australia on Wednesday. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Daily Exotic Boosts Boost your exotics by up to 20%. Available on Exactas, Quinellas, Trifectas & First Fours. Excludes Quaddies. Check your vault for eligibility. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% winnings in cash Max Payout $2000. Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds win bets on Australian thoroughbred races only. Excludes boosted, multi, live and bonus bets. PlayUp T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector | If Your Horse Drifts, You Get The Bigger Price Only available on Australian Horse Racing Fixed Price Win bets placed from 8am AET the day of the race. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au find these racing offers? HorseBetting.com.au reviews Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers to share the best thoroughbred promotions for September 3, 2025. Bookmakers are always competing, so if one doesn’t have a deal, another usually does. Rely on HorseBetting.com.au for daily racing bonuses and betting specials. Get better value with competitive odds and offers for existing customers. Just log in to your betting account to see what’s available. For extra help picking winners and using your bonuses wisely, check out our daily free racing tips. View all horse racing promotions View the full article

TIME TO WIN, SAR, 9-1, 1 mile, VIDEO Beyer Speed Figure-87 (2nd) (c, 3, by Not This Time–Nagamble, by Flatter) O-Spendthrift Farm, William Lawrence, Big Easy Racing, Titletown Racing Stables, Winners Win, Golconda Stable, Ali Goodrich and Mark Parkinson. B-Fred Hertrich III. T-Chad Brown. J-Flavien Prat. Time to Win went into serious training late in 2024 as a 2-year-old then needed six months at the beginning of this year, but looked good finishing second to Only in America (below) as a debut favorite. He's a half-brother to Juju's Map, the GI Alciabiades winner and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up, by Taylor Made's Not This Time, and was sold by the Taylor Made Sales Agency. MR. A.P., DMR, 8-31, 6 furlongs, VIDEO Beyer Speed Figure-88 (2nd) (r, 2, by American Pharoah–Trenchtown Cat, by Discreet Cat) O-Holly and David Wilson. B-Pollock Farms. T-Vladimir Cerin. J-Hector Berrios. On behalf of the Wilsons–who campaigned Grade I winners Early Pioneer and Designed for Luck–Cerin claimed him for $150,000 a month earlier, and while he didn't win, he gained stature in a gutsy losing effort. At Gulfstream, his dam won the Sanibel Island on turf and was second in the GII Princess Rooney. He is a Taylor Made Sales Agency graduate. MONTADOR, KD, 8-28, 1 mile, VIDEO Beyer Speed Figure-89 (c, 3, by Nyquist-Lady Montdore, by Medaglia d'Oro) O/B-Godolphin. T-Michael Stidham. J-Brian Hernandez Jr. His DQ from a win a month earlier at Colonial may have been a blessing–he then scored decisively at Kentucky Downs for a 143% higher purse. Without looking, you could correctly predict his Godolphin pedigree is solid. His dam won the GII Glens Falls, and her Grade I-winning dam, Hystericalady, earned $2.3 million before she was snapped up by Godolphin for $3 million. KRISTOFFERSON, DMR, 8-31, 6 furlongs, VIDEO Beyer Speed Figure-90 (c, 2, by Nyquist-Impasse, by Quality Road) O-SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan. B-Candy Meadows (Ky). T-Bob Baffert. J-Juan Hernandez. This $1.15-million Keeneland September yearling didn't get away too cleanly, yet was quickly on the pace (where Baffert 2-year-old firsters generally can be found) and outgamed a tough Mr. A.P. to the wire in an outstanding 1:08.83 as Baffert continued his dominance of the Del Mar maiden ranks. ONLY IN AMERICA, SAR, 9-1, 1 mile, VIDEO Beyer Speed Figure-93 (c, 3, by Constitution-American Doll, by Tiznow) O-Robert and Lowana Low. B-Woods Edge Farm (Ky). T-Todd Pletcher. J-Kendrick Carmouche. Back in April, the $700k yearling buy stumbled and tossed his rider at the gate at 8-5 odds at Gulfstream Park and was taken back to the barn in an equine ambulance as a precaution. Three months later, he reappeared on the work tab with Pletcher's back-up string at Monmouth, then was vanned to Saratoga for this wide-trip closing day score that gave Pletcher a tie with Chad Brown for the training title. The post Five Fastest Maidens, Presented by Taylor Made, from Aug. 25-Sept. 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Management at Kentucky Downs plans to review the performance of its new timing system after errors were detected in the times for the graded stakes on its Aug. 30 card.View the full article

The 51st annual Global Symposium on Racing, hosted by the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program, will include a panel titled “Strength in Numbers: Innovative Approaches to Boosting U.S. Thoroughbred Breeding” to address the ongoing issue of declines to the foal crop. The session will bring together leaders from racing and breeding to discuss ideas to reinvigorate regional Thoroughbred breeding programs. Panelists will highlight successful models ranging from innovative incentive programs to targeted policy reforms, with an emphasis on collaborative, multi-state efforts. Featured panelists include, Paul Ryneveld, Director, Horse Racing Alberta & Co-Founder, 10Acres Solutions (Moderator); Harris Auerbach, Managing Partner, Auerbach Racing; Jamie Haydon, Deputy Executive Director, The Jockey Club; Diana McClure, Board Member, Virginia Thoroughbred Association; Mike Tanner, Executive Vice President & CEO, United States Trotting Association; and Ismael Trejo, Executive Director, New Mexico Racing Commission. The symposium runs from Dec. 8-10 and features a full slate of panels, workshops, and networking opportunities. Registration is now open, with discounted rates available for early sign-ups. For event details, visit www.RacingSymposium.com. The post Global Symposium on Racing Panel to Focus on Foal Crop Declines 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-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features a Godolphin newcomer. 19.00 Kempton, £11,000, Mdn, 2yo, 7f (AWT) Godolphin's €650,000 Arqana May Breeze-Up purchase DEVON ISLAND (Practical Joke), from the family of G1 Middle Park and G1 Dewhurst runner-up Green Perfume (Naevus), encounters 11 rivals in this debut for the Charlie Appleby stable. They include Juddmonte's Andrew Balding trainee Item (Frankel {GB}), who is a homebred son of GI Natalma Stakes heroine Capla Temptress (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). The post Expensive Kentucky-Bred Breezer Set for Kempton Bow appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

7th-Parx Racing, $50,820, Msw, 9-2, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:07.31, ft, 6 1/4 lengths. FLOYNESS (f, 2, Silver State–Getupbabygetup, by First Defence), sent off at 2-1 for this unveiling, pressed longshot Mariah's Big Girl (Rowayton) through an opening quarter in :23.02. Overtaking that rival nearing the quarter pole, Floyness ran clear to score by an eye-catching 6 1/4-length winner over Savor It (Vino Rosso). The filly is the third winner for her freshman sire (by Hard Spun). Getupbabygetup, who sold for $24,000 in foal to Army Mule at Keeneland last November, dropped a filly by the Hill 'n Dale stallion this season and was bred back to Jack Christopher. Sales history: $57,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $50,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $50,000 2yo '25 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $30,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Smart Angle LLP; B-River Oak Farm LLC (KY); T-Michael V. Pino. The post Silver State’s Floyness Impresses in Career Debut at Parx appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Sept. 2 Melbourne Cup (G1) nomination stage saw 120 runners confirmed for the two-mile feature on Nov. 4, with a total of 101 local and 19 international horses nominated for the 165th running of the AUS$10 million contest.View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of Aug. 25-31View the full article

Santa Anita Park's 16-day Autumn Meet begins Sept. 26 with a new wager, the $1 Sunset Pick Six. The Sunset Pick Six will comprise the final three races from both Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park on days that both tracks are running. View the full article

Following a breakthrough win on dirt in the Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, BBN Racing's Kilwin switches back to turf Sept. 6 in the $2 million Music City Stakes (G2T) at Kentucky Downs.View the full article

Three horses with an affinity for the undulating, sweeping grass course at Kentucky Downs—local stakes winners Goliad, Brilliant Berti, and Lagynos—square off in a competitive, 13-horse renewal of the Sept. 6 Mint Millions Invitational (G3T).View the full article

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario concludes its review of a race August 4 at Fort Erie, finding no wrongdoing from anyone involved.View the full article

This year's renewal of the G2 Mill Reef Stakes will be run in honour of the late Geoff Lewis, whose association with the great Mill Reef was the highlight of the Welshman's hugely successful career in the saddle. Lewis, who died last month at the age of 89, partnered Mill Reef to win 12 of his 14 career starts, notably landing the Derby, Eclipse, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in an outstanding three-year-old campaign in 1971. He later embarked on a training career after retiring from the saddle in 1979. From a relatively small stable in Epsom he enjoyed great success with horses such as the top sprinter Lake Coniston, whose victories included the July Cup and Duke Of York Stakes. The Mill Reef Stakes, which was first run at Newbury Racecourse in 1972, takes place this year on Saturday, September 20. Following last week's scratching stage, 35 two-year-olds remain in contention for the six-furlong contest, which will be run as the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (In honour of Geoff Lewis). Another possible runner is the Jim Boyle-trained Into The Sky, who looked a colt of significant potential when recently making a winning debut at Newbury. The son of Starman doesn't feature among the 35 juveniles currently entered in the Mill Reef, but Boyle reported on Tuesday that a supplementary entry is on the cards at a cost of £6,250. “The most likely race for him now would be the Mill Reef at Newbury,” said the trainer. “He's come out of his race grand, we're very happy with him. Visually, it was extremely impressive and that was backed up by the time. “You couldn't fail to be pleased with that. We're just looking forward to his next run and hoping he can back it up. We've never had a two-year-old of the sort of quality that we'd be looking to go to the Mill Reef with any degree of expectation.” The post Mill Reef Stakes to be Run in Honour of Geoff Lewis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The slimmed-down Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale resulted in meaty rises in the median and average on a day when Jenny Norris, consignor of Windsor Castle Stakes winner Havana Hurricane at this sale 12 months, backed up those exploits by sending out a Havana Grey filly [lot 39] to command joint top-lot status at 160,000gns to Rabbah Bloodstock. Norris Bloodstock shared the spoils with Guy O'Callaghan's Grangemore Stud, who sold a Dark Angel colt [65] out of Listed-winning speedster Measure Of Magic to Highflyer's Anthony Bromley on behalf of owner Phil Cunningham. That buying team followed on from last week's Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale spending spree to also end this sale as the leading buyer. Havana Hurricane was sourced by Bromley on behalf of Eve Johnson Houghton for just 9,000gns last year. Success breeds success in this game and Norris is a good example of that old saying given her Havana Grey filly – bred by Lord Margadale – proved one of the Somerville show-stoppers on Tuesday. “We did not expect her to make quite that much,” Norris beamed. “But we had targeted this sale to be a standout. The pedigree is strong enough to go later, but the pedigree has done so well here that we'd keep that trend going. It's a good start to the Tattersalls season for us – let's hope she goes on to become a Royal Ascot winner!” Norris added, “She has been extremely busy and we have had plenty of vets, which gives you confidence. It is lovely for Lord Margadale. He was not going to give her away and has had the whole family and it is close to his heart. But I said we could be brave as she has been very popular. We sold Francisco's Piece as a foal here and Windstormblack at this sale. It is a lovely family.” The Havana Grey filly is out of a winning Sakhee's Secret mare Josefa Goya, who as Norris alluded to, is a producer of two black-type performers. It was Jono Mills who signed for the filly on behalf of Rabbah Bloodstock. He commented, “She is a very nice horse by a very exciting stallion and is reared by a great farm and is near the pick of the fillies today. She is a balanced, attractive horse and we are hopeful she will be a proper two-year-old.” As for the sale on the whole, it followed on from the momentum built up at Doncaster last week, with the new one-day format getting a resounding thumbs up from buyers and vendors alike. The proof is in the eating given the average climbed 21% to 34,254gns and the median by 14% to 25,000. The average was up a massive 11% to 90% while the 7,878,500gns was a little over 1 million gns down on last year, that ended up being a massive result given the catalogue was slimmed back by 43% [194 horses]. Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony said, “This is the fifth year of the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale, and it has proved to be a record-breaking edition, with a joint record top price, a record number of six-figure lots, a new benchmark for the average, and a clearance rate of 90%. “The sale has quickly established itself as an important fixture in the European yearling sales calendar, and there has been plenty of positive feedback from consignors regarding the high level of inspections over the past couple of days.” He added, “With racecourse successes such as Royal Ascot winner Havana Hurricane, purchased for just 9,000gns last year, and Group 3 Solario Stakes winner A Bit Of Spirit two of 41 Group or Listed performers since 2023 – it is no surprise that the sale has produced such strong results. Combined with the prize-money increases for both the Somerville and October Auction Stakes, each of which will be run for a minimum of £200,000 in 2026, it is clear that the Somerville Yearling Sale continues to go from strength to strength. “We made a conscious decision this year to reduce the number of lots in the catalogue, shortening the sale from two days to one, a move that has been met with numerous positive comments. We now look forward to Books 1 – 3 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and to showcasing the cream of the European yearling crop.” Cunningham: 'If They Keep Winning, We'll Keep Buying' Phil Cunningham may be having his best-ever season on a racecourse in terms of prize-money [over £554,000] earned and, keen not to rest on his laurels, the owner took his overall spend at the yearling sales in Britain this year to nearly £2 million by spending 677,000gns on seven lots on Tuesday. That outlay was headed by the 160,000gns Dark Angel colt sourced from Grangemore Stud while the buying team, which is headed by Bromley, also swooped for the only colt by Too Darn Hot in the sale at 135,000gns. Other noteworthy additions included a Mehmas colt out of Listed-winning Kodiac mare Atomic Lady from Tally-Ho Stud at 100,000gns. Speaking after signing for the joint sale-topping Dark Angel colt, Cunningham said, “The mum was very fast and I think he's going to be early – I think it's one of the earliest foaling dates [January 3] I've seen. Richard picked him and the optimistic trainer tells me he's probably going to be our first runner next season. So let's wait and see if he's right.” He added, “We bought eight at Doncaster. We bought some expensive horses and we tend to come to Doncaster and then on to this sale here. We are looking for the more precocious types to crack on with and it seems to be going well. If they keep winning, we'll keep buying.” Aguiar Goes Big On Perfect Power Colt Robson Aguiar ought to know what a good son of Perfect Power should look like given he was involved in the breezing of the triple Group 1 winner along with Tally-Ho Stud. In fact, Aguiar also played a hand in the breezing of Perfect Power's sire Ardad, who also passed through the breeze-up system under the Tally-Ho tutelage, and Aguiar said that lot 118, who he sourced from Barton Stud for 105,000gns, had all of the right attributes to make it as a racehorse and even labelled him as his pick of the sale. Rodrigo Goncalves, bidding on behalf of Aguiar, who was sitting the trainers' course in Ireland, held off Jono Mills on the Perfect Power colt. Speaking from home, Aguiar said, “I bought him for the track. I like this horse a lot. I broke in and breezed his grandad [Ardad] and I breezed his dad [Perfect Power] as well. He is very athletic and very racy. Hopefully he will do well. I was at Tattersalls all day on Saturday. I saw all of the horses and then I came back on Sunday. The only horse that I really wanted today was him.” The Perfect Power colt was bred by the Rogues Gallery, best known for owning top-class racehorses rather than breeding them. He is out of Rogue Missile (Dandy Man), who carried the red and white colours of the syndicate to win twice for Tom Clover. The Perfect Power colt is her first produce and was consigned by Barton Stud. That outfit's chief Tom Blain commented, “He's the first horse we've sold for Rogues Gallery, although Tony [Elliott, syndicate founder] has had mares with us for a couple of years. This is a first foal out of Rogue Missile, who Tom Clover always thought was a very nice filly. He's a very good first foal with a very good walk. He got a place in Book 2 but we thought we'd bring him here and stand out a bit. It was the right call because we ended up with Robson and Jono Mills from Rabbah on the horse. It's a really good result. Some of the owners are here and it's given them a great buzz. It's a thrill for us too but I'm just delighted for them.” Talking points One of the most expensive horses of the sale was bought to go breezing, with Tom Whitehead of Powerstown Stud going to 145,000gns to secure a Starman colt from Tally-Ho Stud. Whitehead said that a return to Park Paddocks for the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale could be in the mix for the colt out of Pooky (Twilight Son), herself a daughter of Listed winner Firenze (Efisio), who is the dam of smart sprinter Harry's Bar. Not many breeze-up handlers can boast out-bidding Amo boss Kia Joorabchian but Whitehead was intent on adding lot 97 to his roster for the upcoming breeze-up season. Whitehead said, “The stallion is flying and this is a nice horse. I'll probably bring him back here [for the Craven] if the wheels stay on the wagon. Hopefully he'll be lucky. The market seems to be strong here today.” Less than a week after spending £110,000 on a colt by Persian Force at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale, Amo Racing continued its support for the young stallion by going to 90,000gns to secure a filly by the Group 2 scorer from Tally-Ho Stud. It was Alex Elliott who did the bidding on behalf of Amo boss and football agent Kia Joorabchian who, with the earlier closing time [7pm] to the transfer window on Monday, was able to make it to the Somerville Sale in plenty of time. He said, “She is a very good-looking filly and a bit of a standout for the whole team today – everyone put her up to Kia independently. Kia got here in good time after the transfer window closed late last night. I was a bit worried he wouldn't, especially as she was in early.” On the progeny of Persian Force on the whole, Elliott added, “Listen, he is producing very nice, hardy-looking horses. He is by Mehmas and Mehmas was obviously a top two-year-old. Persian Force was also a top two-year-old and I think he's going to be very attractive to, not only trainers, but many people within the breeze-up community. It's all been very positive so far.” There's something rather uplifting about seeing a belter by a less-fashionable sire like Mattmu making 55,000gns. There were a few examples of good-looking horses by unheralded stallions making their money at Donny and, in the case of lot 130 here on Tuesday, the Mattmu colt consigned by Marley Girls Bloodstock, he clearly didn't go unnoticed. None other than Anthony Bromley, bidding on behalf of Eve Johnson Houghton, landed the precocious-looking colt. Of course, it would be a disservice to the horse to say that he didn't boast a bit of book given he is out of a winning Kingman mare who is the dam of recent Listed winner Anaisa (Ardad), and he was bred by that filly's trainer, Tim Easterby. Nevertheless, there would be plenty of people who wouldn't pull out a son of Mattmu, who stands for just £2,000 at Norton Grove Stud. More fool them. Palace Pier has enjoyed an outstanding second half to the season headlined by A Bit Of Spirit's gritty Group 3 Solario Stakes success and the Group 2 Lowther Stakes victory for Royal Fixation. Other notable recent winners include the Stonehenge Stakes scorer Morris Dancer, and Ted Durcan is clearly taking note of Palace Pier's prowess given he went to 135,000gns to secure a filly from Plantation Stud by the outstanding miler. Durcan said, “She looks nice and racy and is for an existing client. I genuinely think that any nice horse is making its money. It was a strong market last week and it's a strong market today. The nice horses are not being missed. It's a healthy market overall.” Nat Barnett has had a lot of success in France but lot 128, a Dark Angel filly sourced from Yeomanstown Stud for 120,000gns, will be going into training with Karl Burke. She was bought alongside owner Will Sangwin. Barnett said, “We have had all of our horses so far together in France and we've had a lot of luck out there. Will is based up in Yorkshire and was keen to have a horse over here. I had a two-year-old with Karl last year called Antonin Dvorak. He was the only yearling for our syndicate and he won a couple and then sold very well [for 220,000gns at the Autumn horses-in-training sale] here. That prompted the decision to go back to Karl here. Obviously this filly has a very strong page and looks a lovely, precocious type. Hopefully she's one that'll crack on early next year.” While the usual suspects dominated at the top end, young Oli Rix, who is due to set up as a trainer in Newmarket before the end of this year, signed for his first ever yearling alongside bloodstock agent Charlie Dee. Lot 6, a Profitable filly consigned by Kildaragh Stud, was bought on spec by the 31-year-old, who boasts a glittering CV having spent time working with some of the best trainers in the business. Rix explained, “This is the first ever yearling I bought and she was sourced with the help of my friend Charlie Dee. I have done my time with a fair few trainers. I started with Andrew Balding, spent three years with Hughie Morrison and a year with Chris Waller in Australia. I also spent a year with Hugo Palmer and am in my fourth year now with Roger Varian. I am setting up in Newmarket and will be doing my best to drum up a bit of interest. The filly today was bought on spec and we plan on buying a few horses-in-training as well. We bought one at the July Sale but I am hoping we can acquire a few more.” It really was a day when youth came to the fore as Jake Campbell, who has spent time with Tally-Ho and Monceaux, made his debut appearance as a consignor under the banner of Lanark Bloodstock a memorable one when selling a Blue Point filly to James Tate on behalf of Rabbah Bloodstock for 130,000gns. Campbell, who also works closely with Alex Elliott, said, “This is the first horse I have consigned. She belongs to a client, Richard Frayne, who is a great supporter, and it was one of my very first mating plans. We used Blue Point in year four. He was easier to use in that year and it has paid off.” Golden Touch Ger Kennedy of Sherbourne Lodge gets famously shy whenever a microphone is waved in front of his face but, when you turn €3,000 into 50,000gns – that's nearly €70,000 – words come a little more easily. The man they call 'Pockets' left Park Paddocks with his trousers laden with cash after lot 84, an Almanzor colt sourced the previous December at Arqana, sold to Billy Jackson-Stops on behalf of Andrew Balding. “A bit of luck and a little bit of feeding,” Kennedy quipped after securing one of the biggest pinhooking profits of the sale. “He was always a lovely horse and it just happened. Beautiful horse with a really good action. If you have a nice horse, you'll sell them in this market. And you can't beat selling in sterling, either!” He added on the overall health of the yearling market, “There has been a really good and solid trade here today. The trade in Doncaster was brilliant as well and it is great to see. If you have the horse, the money is there, which is good. You can't blame people for not wanting to buy a bad horse in the current climate. But the nice horses are making plenty of money and the market is strong. We have three for the Orby, 10 for Book 1, seven for Book 2 and four for Book 3, so we're only starting. But you'd have to say it's been a very positive start to the yearling sale season. And going back to a one-day sale here has definitely been a help. People don't need all this hanging around at sales.” Thought for the Day The catalogues for the Premier Yearling Sale and the Somerville Yearling Sale were numerically down on previous years but the figures were up. Safe to say that less is in fact more The post Another Show-Stopping Performance From Norris At Slimmed-Down Somerville Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After winning last year's edition, Whisper Hill Farm homebred Grand Sonata is back to defend his title in the $2.5 million Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational Stakes (G2T) Sept. 6 at Kentucky Downs.View the full article

Jockey Tim Thornton, trainer Allen Landry, and owner Elite Thoroughbred Racing take home titles at Evangeline Downs.View the full article