Wandering Eyes

Trainer Joe Pride is content with the preparation Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) has had leading into his return outing at Randwick. While the prospects of a wet track are not ideal, Pride said ‘it is what is’ and would not be swayed from running the gelding first-up in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) on Saturday. The forecast for rain during the week is unlikely to see any improvement on a track that was rated a Heavy 10 on Tuesday afternoon. Randwick lost a meeting on August 9 when heavy rain on race eve forced its cancellation. Pride said in Ceolwulf’s favour was the gelding holding a win and a second on heavy ground. “It won’t be a problem for him,” Pride said. “He ran a place in the (Australian) Derby, and he won a race on the wet last prep. “It’s not ideal to be first-up on heavy, but you can’t wait forever, especially with the weather in Sydney as you would never get a run into a horse if you were waiting for a dry track. “He’s had his two trials, which is good. He’s had a nice, even preparation into it and seems to be coming up well.” Ceolwulf won the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap and Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes, both over 1600m at Randwick, last spring and while not locking in a program, is likely to remain in Sydney for the majority of the spring. Pride said another shot at the King Charles III Stakes was likely to be on the cards before a potential transfer to Melbourne. “I haven’t finalised his program yet, but we’ll more than likely keep him in Sydney,” Pride said. “I would love to have him in Melbourne for at least a run or two, but that may not be until Flemington.” Ceolwulf has yet to race in Melbourne and Pride is unsure how the gelding would adapt to racing left-handed as all the gelding’s work is done on his Sydney leg. “I’ve never been a fan of working reverse as our tracks aren’t set up for that and I feel like it’s a bit of a compromise to the preparation,” Pride said. “Once a horse gets to his age and he can’t run fast left and right, he might be in a bit of trouble. “One thing he is, he’s an athlete.” View the full article

Te Akau trainer Mark Walker is bidding to win his second Gr.1 Moir Stakes in the space of three years this spring with his three-year-old filly La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth). The Karaka Millions winner will attempt to join Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) on the honour roll of the 1000-metre dash at Moonee Valley on September 6 and while Walker suggested that it may be premature to draw comparisons between the pair, he did note that La Dorada is already ahead of Imperatriz in one area. “You’re always hopeful but she’s still got a fair way to climb the ladder to reach Imperatriz, but she is a Group One winner as a two-year-old and obviously Imperatriz wasn’t,” Walker said. “She’s heading in the right direction but it’s not every day of the week that an Imperatriz comes along.” Walker explained that the Moir appealed to him from a weights-and-measures point of view when it came to placing La Dorada, who’s won four of her five starts. “We just feel the Moir, 50kg, obviously three-year-old fillies have a good record in that,” the internationally experienced trainer said. “She’ll be better suited over 1200m but it’s just a starting point.” La Dorada finished second in a strong heat at the Cranbourne jumpouts on Monday morning, while her stablemate Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel) caught the eye with the way that she closed off to finish hot on the heels of the placegetters in the same heat. Walker revealed that Damask Rose will start off her spring campaign in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes on August 30, before progressing on to the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes on September 20, the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap on October 11 and the Golden Eagle on November 1. View the full article

Could Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) begin his spring campaign a week earlier than expected in this Saturday’s Gr.1 Winx Stakes in Sydney? While Mr Brightside was expected to kick off his upcoming preparation in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 30, Lindsay Park’s flagbearer does feature in the nominations for the 1400m Group One contest coming up this weekend. Randwick has been a happy hunting ground for Mr Brightside, as it’s where he’s won two Doncaster Miles and been placed in the 2023 King Charles Stakes and 2024 Queen Elizabeth Stakes from his four trips there. “We’ve had a nomination in, but it’s probably going to be unlikely with the amount of rain that they have, and we think that the Memsie’s going to be soft to heavy,” explained JD Hayes, who trains the horse in partnership with his brothers Ben and Will. “It’s probably unlikely at this stage but we thought we’d keep the heartbeat afloat and see what transpires in the next 24 to 36 hours to make a firm decision. “The main thing is that the horse is really well.” Should Mr Brightside contest the Gr.1 Winx Stakes this weekend, the Hayes brothers would have to book a new jockey for him, given that his regular rider Craig Williams will be representing Australia in the World All-Star Jockeys championship event in Japan held at Sapporo on Saturday and Sunday. Sportsbet has Mr Brightside at $6 in their market for the Winx Stakes and at $5 for the Memsie Stakes the following Saturday. View the full article

Group One performer Hi Yo Sass Bomb (NZ) (Complacent) showcased that she’s on target for an exciting spring campaign when winning her 1000m heat at the Foxton trials on Tuesday. The seven-year-old daughter of Complacent was having her second trial this preparation, having run third over the same track and distance a fortnight ago, and trainer Kim Reid has been pleased with her progression. “We were looking for a nice forward run to see where she is at and we are really happy with her,” Reid said. “It was a nice run. She was doing it on her own and Kelly (Myers, jockey) was really happy with the trial. “She is a competitive mare and her attitude is what makes her what she is.” Hi Yo Sass Bomb hasn’t raced since her unplaced run in January’s Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham, and she has enjoyed a lengthy spell ahead of her spring preparation. “She just had a few little niggles that I didn’t want to push through, so I chose to put her out because I believed she would come back bigger and better this season,” Reid said. “She has had a good spell, and the will is still there by the looks, so we are looking forward to a nice season.” Hi Yo Sass Bomb came close to snaring Group One glory last spring when runner-up in the Livamol Classic (2040m) at Matamata, and she is set to follow a similar preparation this spring. “That’s our plan and hopefully we luck in with the draws. With a bit of luck, she will be a lot better,” Reid said. The New Plymouth horsewoman had initially eyed the Gr.1 Prosir Plate (1400m) as Hi Yo Sass Bomb’s first major target but has elected to bypass the feature after its transfer to Ellerslie. She has had two starts at the Auckland venue, beating just one runner home in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). “Initially, we were going for the 1400 Group One (Proisir Plate), but then it changed to Ellerslie, so we have opted out of that one,” Reid said. Reid has shifted her attention to the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa next month and will give her charge a chance to go one better in the Livamol Classic despite it being run at Ellerslie. “On paper, it doesn’t look like she does (run well at Ellerslie), but I don’t think the track tripped her up,” Reid said. Reid bred and races Hi Yo Sass Bomb in partnership with her parents, Josephine and Graeme, and the trio have enjoyed the ride of a lifetime with their mare, who has won five of her 23 starts to date, including the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m), and has accrued more than $330,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Following a track inspection on Tuesday, the decision has been made to delay the return to racing at Awapuni’s grass track. The surface was initially out of commission for 19 months as it underwent an extensive renovation, and it was set to commence racing on ANZAC Day earlier this year, however, that meeting was abandoned following a slip in the opening race. The track has subsequently undergone further remedial work, and the club has called upon the expertise of Flemington track manager Liam O’Keefe to assist in that process. A set of trials took place at the Palmerston North venue last week, and while the club were pleased with the way the track handled those trials, a track inspection on Tuesday, attended by representatives from New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, RACE Inc., the Racing Integrity Board, the New Zealand Jockeys’ Association, senior trainers and O’Keefe, confirmed the track needed more time. “The track has made gradual improvement during the winter, but it still needs that little bit more time so it can host a large set of trials that would then tick off a race meeting,” O’Keefe said. “It was a general consensus to give the track more time. It is still quite young and immature off the back of the necessary renovation works that were carried out to soften the track, which was really important so the horses can get good purchase in the track and make sure they are not going to slip. “That (renovation) was successful and the trials went well, albeit there was a bit of kickback, which is expected with a new track. That is a good indicator to everyone that it needs more time, so it is going to get more time, which is a great result.” O’Keefe said another season would have been more ideal to carry out the remedial work, with winter’s conditions not suited to grass growth. But with spring just a few weeks away, he expects to see that growth when the track undergoes its next inspection in three weeks. “It (track) has taken to it (remedial work) well, it is just not the ideal time of year to do it,” he said. “If you are going to do major works to a track, you would wait for the growing period, i.e. spring, autumn or summer. Unfortunately, going into winter, the works were required. The works were carried out, it has gone well and softened the track. “There were no issues at the previous jumpouts of any slipping, which is a tick. It just needs time to recover, rest and rejuvenate. “For the remainder of this week there will be an oversew on the track, there will be its regular fertiliser and then it will just be staying off the track to let the grass rejuvenate and recover and get thicker and stronger.” While the track is being given more time to recover, Awapuni’s two scheduled meetings for next month (September 6 and 20) will be transferred elsewhere, and another track inspection will take place in order to assess whether it is ready to handle another trials meeting. “We are going to reconvene in three weeks’ time,” O’Keefe said. “We will have a walk with all of the industry participants together and hopefully then we can put a plan in place to return to trialling.” View the full article

The polytrack surface brings out the best in enigmatic mare Mars (NZ) (Zoustar) and her connections are hoping that trend continues on Wednesday. The well-bred daughter of Zoustar will run in the Richard Bright Memorial (1550m), the main event on the Waikato Racing Club’s card on her home all-weather track at Cambridge. Mars is undefeated in three appearances on the course, including two wins this preparation with an unplaced performance on a heavy grass track in between times. Vinnie Colgan has been aboard the five-year-old in all her outings this time in and the writing was on the wall before she’d gone into the gates at Ruakaka two starts back. “Vinnie said he knew even in her preliminary that she wasn’t going to handle it,” said Ben Foote, who trains in partnership with son Ryan. Colgan will again don the colours of owner Trelawney Stud on Wednesday and Mars promises to be a major player. “She’s a super talented horse on her day, I remember Michael McNab rode her three times in a row and said he had three different horses under him,” Foote said. “She’s got a bit of a personality disorder, but she’s put it all together on the poly to be unbeaten. “Hopefully, she can keep that up and she’s done well since her last run. If you get her at her best, she’s extremely hard to beat.” Mars was a $200,000 Karaka purchase out of Westbury Stud’s draft and is a daughter of the Fastnet Rock mare Red Is The Rose from the family of the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) winner River Dove. Stablemate Rosina (NZ) (El Roca) will also line up in the TAB Handicap (2000m) and has twice previously finished in the money on the synthetic track. “She had a bit of a virus and she’s over that now, so we think she’s a chance,” Foote said. Meanwhile, two other well-performed members of the team will further their spring preparations with jump-outs later this week. “The Odyssey (NZ) (Zacinto) will be aimed at the big Cups, including the two-mile ones,” Foote said. “Whether he comes up in time and is in the right form for the Livamol (Gr.1, 2040m), we’ll have to wait and see. “We’ve been waiting for him to mature and we think he’s just about there now, hopefully we haven’t seen the best of him yet.” The Odyssey has won six of his 19 starts and finished third in last season’s Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m). Also nominated for the Livamol, Myakkabelle (NZ) (War Decree) was a multiple stakes placegetter during her Classic season and was spelled following a solid third in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). “She’s a staying filly and we’ll assess her as we go along this prep,” Foote said. “Obviously, she’s done a good job and she’s the same as The Odyssey, she’ll have a jump-out and then look to have a trial at Ellerslie.” View the full article

Check out the exciting range of racing promotions available from horse racing bookmakers on Tuesday, August 19. Take advantage of bonus back specials and other offers that add extra value to your bets. Explore deals from leading online bookmakers and get more out of today’s racing. Top Australian racing promotions for August 19, 2025: Today’s best horse racing promotions Punters Toolbox! Visit your Punters Toolbox on Neds for Price Boosts, Bet Backs and more! Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Eligible Customers Only. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo 10% Winnings Boost! – Dalby 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 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 Daily Multi Insurance Any Race. Any Runner. Any Odds. Get a Bonus Back if your Multi loses by a specified number of legs. Fixed odds only. Check your vault for eligibility. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo Bet Boost | Tuesday Thoroughbred Meetings Get a bet boost on thoroughbred races around Australia on Tuesday. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 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 Daily Exotic Boosts! – Boost your exotics by 20% Available on Exactas, Quinellas, Trifectas & First Fours. Excludes Quaddies. Check your vault for eligibility. Login to Unibet 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 Top 4 Betting! Bet and win up to 4th place. Eligible customers only Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo How does HorseBetting.com.au find these offers? HorseBetting.com.au checks Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers daily to highlight the latest thoroughbred promotions for August 19, 2025. Bookmakers are always competing to offer better value, so when one doesn’t have a deal, another usually does. Rely on HorseBetting.com.au for up-to-date racing promotions and betting bonuses. Simply log in to your bookmaker account to claim these offers and boost your odds. For expert picks and bonus-friendly bets, don’t miss our free daily racing tips. View horse racing promotions View the full article

The most surprising aspect of the Travers Stakes (G1) involves Bill Mott. View the full article

In an effort to stimulate the California breeding industry, the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) unveiled several new breeding incentive programs Monday, highlighted by the 'Flagship Foal Incentive Program.' With the CTBA awarding $1,000 for each foal registered as a Cal-bred, the Flagship Foal Incentive Program begins with foals of 2027 at a cap of 25 foals per breeder. Payments will be made upon the CTBA receiving a Cal-bred application and the registration papers from the Jockey Club, due Dec. 31 of the foal's yearling year. In addition, the CTBA will waive Cal-bred registration fees for foals born from 2025-27 and will introduce a pilot program to increase the quality of broodmares brought into the state. Mares purchased in foal at out-of-state public auctions for $20,000 or more–and age 12 or under–will be eligible for up to $3,000 in transportation expense reimbursement. The mares must be bred back to a California stallion, with breeders limited to five mares per year. “We are incredibly excited about these programs, which reflect our commitment to supporting our members and advancing California's Thoroughbred breeding industry,” said CTBA chairman Justin Oldfield. “With the changes we've seen in 2025, CTBA recognizes we are at a critical time for our industry. Our board was compelled to act and did so unanimously to support the needs of our breeders across the state, both in the north and the south. By investing in our breeders and enhancing the quality of our broodmares, we are building a stronger and more competitive future for California racing.” For more information, contact the CTBA. The post CTBA Announces Incentives for California Breeders appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

BH Interview: Joe Anzalone of Magic Cap StablesView the full article

9th-Ellis, $100,000, Msw, 8-18, 2yo, f, 1mT, 1:36.60, fm, 2 1/4 lengths. HOT AND DANGEROUS (f, 2, Blame–Windfall Profit, by Malibu Moon) flattened out to be a fading fifth of seven in her 6 1/2-furlong bow over this main track July 14 but was nevertheless crunched into 6-5 favoritism in the second division of this juvenile fillies turf maiden. Straight to the lead from the four hole, the $65,000 KEESEP purchase enjoyed a fairly carefree time of things up front while clear of her rivals through fractions of :25 flat and :49.95, reasonably comparable to the race six splits (:25.06, :50.58). Mario Gutierrez began to wind up the tempo fully three furlongs from home, and Hot and Dangerous covered her final quarter-mile in a strong :46.65 to score comfortably in a time that was 2.54 seconds quicker than the first division. Wathnan Racing's debuting Sneakily (Tapit), an $850,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling, raced last but one and would have been inconvenienced by the lack of pace, but–despite having to travel wide on the second turn–got her final half-mile in a race-best :46.16 in a promising effort. A daughter of Hit It Rich (Smart Strike), a three-time graded winner on the grass at 11 and 12 furlongs, Windfall Profit was purchased by Craig Rounsefell's Boomer Bloodstock for $250,000 with this filly in utero at Keeneland November in 2022. The filly's third dam is Grade III winner Cuando Puede (Lord At War {Arg}), a half-sister to Honey Ryder (Lasting Approval), winner of the GI Flower Bowl Invitational and GI E.P. Taylor Stakes at a mile and quarter on the lawn and a gallant runner-up in the 2007 GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf in the bog-like conditions at Monmouth Park. Windfall Profit's youngest offspring are a yearling colt by Liam's Map and a colt foal by Twirling Candy. She was covered by Oscar Performance this season. Sales history: $65,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $63,231. Click for the Equibase.com chart. O-Flying Dutchmen Breeding & Racing LLC; B-Murray Thoroughbreds (KY); T-Brian A Lynch. HOT AND DANGEROUS ($4.44) by Blame (@claibornefarm) had things all her way going gate-to-wire in the finale at @EllisParkRacing. @_MGutierrez_ got his third win on the card this time for trainer @BLynchRacing. Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/msOLgOBAJZ — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 18, 2025 The post Blame Filly Hot and Dangerous Dominates From The Front In Ellis Maiden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On the Aug. 18 episode of BloodHorse Monday, BBN Racing's Brian Klatsky discusses Bracket Buster's chances in the Travers Stakes (G1), and Emerald Downs track president Phil Ziegler on how promotions are used to boost track attendance.View the full article

Tuesday, York, Britain, post time: 15:35, THE JUDDMONTE INTERNATIONAL STAKES-G1, £1,319,375, 3yo/up, 10f 56yT Field: Birr Castle (Fr) (Cloth Of Stars {Ire}), Danon Decile (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), Ombudsman (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), See The Fire (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Daryz (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). TDN Verdict: As fascinating as it should be, one of Britain's monuments sees the Eclipse one-two Delacroix and Ombudsman re-engage with a different pace scenario thanks to the addition of Birr Castle. Danon Decile has also made it in the past and the presence of the triple Group 1 winner will ensure that this is a proper test worthy of the race title. Bearing in mind how impressive Calandagan was when beaten 12 months ago, the fact that the Japanese raider was able to beat him comfortably in the Sheema Classic bodes well for his prospects. See The Fire is a different animal at this track and her 12-length win in the course-and-distance Middleton puts her firmly in the mix in the race her dam Arabian Queen captured 10 years ago. [Tom Frary]. Wednesday, York, post time: 15:00, THE SKY BET GREAT VOLTIGEUR STAKES-G2, £267,500, 3yo, c/g, 11f 188yT Field: Lambourn (Ire) (Australia {GB}), Carmers (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Pride Of Arras (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Arabian Force (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Mount Kilimanjaro (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Stay True (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Thrice (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). TDN Verdict: Lambourn becomes the first Derby winner to run in this since Reference Point and in all likelihood will be Arc-bound after given how well his stablemate Scandinavia has done in the staying tests this summer. The St Leger is the destination for his chief rival, the Queen 's Vase winner Carmers, who also has a penalty while Aidan O'Brien dominates numerically and the Lingfield Derby Trial runner-up Stay True also appeals as a Leger candidate. Pride Of Arras has to put two poor runs behind him, but the manner of his Dante success in May sticks in the memory. [Tom Frary]. Wednesday, York, post time: 14:25, THE TATTERSALLS ACOMB STAKES-G3, £165,000, 2yo, 7fT Field: Distant Storm (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Gewan (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Goodwood Galaxy (GB) (Kodi Bear {Ire}), Italy (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), May Angel (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Oceans Four (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), Rochfortbridge (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Sovereign Ocean (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Godolphin and Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Stars Distant Storm and Italy cross paths, as the yards' Ruling Court and The Lion In Winter did 12 months ago in this significant 2,000 Guineas pointer. Italy was second to Distant Storm's stablemate Saba Desert in the Superlative, so Charlie Appleby may have an inkling as to how this will go and Aidan O'Brien will be hoping for a change of luck with his two-year-olds having started so strongly. Andrew Balding also has some smart juveniles in 2025 and saddles Gewan, who scored on debut in the Newbury novice that the stable's Chaldean took three years ago before adding this to his tally. [Tom Frary]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Delacroix And Ombudsman Lock Horns Once Again appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Jockey Club has announced the election of 10 new members. In alphabetical order, they are: Craig Bernick: president and CEO of Glen Hill Farm, as well as president of the Lavin Family Foundation Peter M. Brant: founder of White Birch Paper Company in addition to a magazine publisher, philanthropist, art collector, and film producer Boyd T. Browning, Jr.: president and CEO of Fasig-Tipton Case Clay: founder of Case Clay Thoroughbred Management Dennis Drazin: CEO of Darby Development, the operator of Monmouth Park; president of Drazin & Warshaw; and chair of the New Jersey Racing Commission Marette Farrell: founder of bloodstock agency Exhale Enterprises Jonathan Green: co-owner and general manager of D.J. Stable, as well as co-creator and co-host of the weekly podcast Rail Talk Andrew Moore: general manager of racing for the FanDuel Group Dean Reeves: chairman and co-owner of Reeves Young, founder of Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, and owner of Two Springs Farm Bill Strauss: entrepreneur in addition to co-founder and CEO of ProFlowers The post The Jockey Club Names 10 New Members appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With on-track handle the highest since prior to the pandemic, Saturday's 166th running of the King's Plate at Woodbine brought in over $4 million in wagering. Overall, the 13-race card generated over $17 million in all-sources wagering, which marked the third highest in event history. The Plate record, set in 2023, holds at $18.1 million. This year's card generated the highest dollars wagered per starter of any Plate program and debuted the new “Kings & Queens Pick-3” wager that offered a $5 minimum and 15 percent takeout. “We were confident that Saturday would generate good numbers in large part due to a competitive King's Plate and a deep card of racing,” said Michael Copeland, CEO, Woodbine. “The action on the racetrack lived up to the billing and the atmosphere throughout the grandstand was electric. The King's Plate is truly the event of the summer and we want to thank our entire racing community for putting on a great show.” Al and Bill Ulwelling's Mansetti (Collected) stormed to victory in the King's Plate, giving trainer Kevin Attard his third win in the race in the last four years. The winning rider, 20-year-old apprentice jockey Pietro Moran, is the third-youngest jockey to win the Plate. Live racing continues at Woodbine Thursdays through Sundays until Dec. 14. The post Third Highest All-Sources Wagering in 166 Years for King’s Plate appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Phil Serpe, who has an appeal pending with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in an attempt to overturn a two-year suspension imposed in July by a Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) arbitrator over a contested clenbuterol positive case from last summer at Saratoga Race Course, is also seeking to renew his request for a preliminary injunction in a 10-month-old lawsuit against the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and the FTC. A key issue in Serpe's federal court filing is the fact that HIWU and HISA did not pursue any monetary fine against him, which is a departure from how the agencies handled a dozen other clenbuterol detections since the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program (ADMC) went into effect in May 2023. The 66-year-old trainer has claimed that the non-pursuit of a fine of up to $25,000 by HISA and HIWU is an alleged end-around to stymie his efforts to prove in his lawsuit that he has been wrongfully denied his constitutional right to a jury trial. Citing a United States Supreme Court case that previously ruled that a federal regulatory agency's enforcement for civil monetary penalties must be brought in a federal court, Serpe asserted in a July 15 legal filing in U.S. District Court (Southern District of Florida) that his Seventh Amendment rights are being violated by “gamesmanship” in the form of HISA and HIWU's non-pursuit of a monetary penalty, a move that he alleged “strategically” seeks to deprive federal-court jurisdiction over the facts of liability required for any sanction. On Aug. 15, both HISA and the FTC responded by filing legal documents opposing Serpe's motion for a preliminary injunction. Although neither entity went into extensive detail about why HISA and HIWU waited until Serpe's case was eight months old and on the brink of arbitration before they notified him in April that the previously announced potential fine of up to $25,000 would not be pursued, both HISA and the FTC in their legal filings last Friday were emphatic in their resolve that so long as no fine was part of Serpe's penalties, the judge should not grant the trainer any requested relief based on what HISA and the FTC say is a non-valid Seventh Amendment claim. “Plaintiff accuses the Authority of engaging in 'gamesmanship' by withdrawing its initial request for a fine,” the Aug. 15 HISA legal filing stated. “But Plaintiff is the only one playing games. Far from advancing some ulterior motive masked as 'serendipitous' action, HIWU and the Authority simply followed the path the Court suggested to resolve a constitutional challenge. Plaintiff, on the other hand, has completely turned this case on its head, begging for an additional penalty [and] seeking an extraordinary injunction…” The FTC's filing from last Friday put it this way: “Without any possibility of a fine, there is thus no likelihood of a potential Seventh Amendment violation. Plaintiff's arguments to the contrary fail to establish otherwise and contradict his own representations and requested relief in his application for review to the FTC. Plaintiff also has not alleged any imminent, irreparable harm connected to his Seventh Amendment claim, and an injunction would disserve the public interest.” According to HIWU's online portal that lists resolved cases when ADMC rules went into effect two years ago, 12 of the 15 other adjudications for clenbuterol resulted in fines of at least $15,000. In two instances, the anti-doping violations were withdrawn, and in one other case the split sample did not confirm the presence of the drug, so the charge was dropped. ADMC Rule 3223 states that Serpe could have faced a fine of up to $25,000 as part of his sanctions. Serpe's July 15 legal filing stated that, “During the arbitration hearing, Serpe's counsel explained that while Serpe certainly was not REQUESTING a fine, a fine of some amount was nevertheless mandatory if the Arbitrator found liability without also finding that Serpe proved no fault or negligence. Serpe explained that the Arbitrator had an independent legal obligation to enforce federal regulations and that HIWU's strategic decision to forgo a fine was not a basis to ignore certain HISA Rules.” Serpe's motion for the injunction stated that because the FTC “right now is prosecuting Serpe for violating the ADMC Program, which includes a civil penalty,” Serpe should, again, “be in federal court” to resolve the matter. The Aug. 15 HISA filing opposing the injunction stated that Serpe's argument is “contradictory and convoluted” as it pertains to the alleged requirement that a fine should be in play as part of his penalties. “In fact, Plaintiff is wrong that there is any mandatory minimum fine required under Rule 3223(b),” the HISA filing stated. “That rule has no floor, in contrast to other sanctions for which the same rule specifies a 'minimum'… “According to Plaintiff, a fine is still on the table because the FTC-approved rules require one, so the administrative law judge (ALJ) reviewing the arbitrator's decision must impose one in the administrative proceeding,” the HISA filing stated. “That cannot be true. Plaintiff himself has argued (correctly) before the FTC that the ALJ cannot impose a fine. The relevant statutory review scheme does not permit Plaintiff (or the Authority) now to request one. And nothing in the Authority's rules requires one regardless. Because Plaintiff's Seventh Amendment claim depends on a fine that does not and will not exist, he cannot prevail on the merits,” the HISA filing stated. “Plaintiff's contrived attempt to gin up a Seventh Amendment claim also contravenes fundamental principles of constitutional avoidance: courts do not bend over backwards to create a constitutional problem where none exists,” the HISA filing stated. “The Court should deny Plaintiff's renewed motion–once and for all…” Serpe's suspension stems from a clenbuterol positive detected in the urine (but not blood) samples taken from his trainee, Fast Kimmie (Oscar Performance), after her Aug. 10, 2024, victory in a $30,000 claiming race. Clenbuterol is a bronchodilator that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the management of horses with airway obstruction. Clenbuterol cannot be administered to any HISA “covered horse” other than in the context of a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship in accordance with the conditions set forth in ADMC rules. Clenbuterol is classified as a “banned” substance by the ADMC, meaning it is never to be present in any HISA-regulated Thoroughbred. In the 1990s and 2000s decades, clenbuterol first started being regulated by American racing commissions because of its propensity for abuse as a drug known to mimic the muscle-building properties of anabolic steroids. The post Accused of ‘Gamesmanship’ by Serpe, HISA Alleges Suspended Trainer is Trying to ‘Gin Up’ a Constitutional Claim appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Free Digital Racecard At raceday-ready.com Apprentice Handicap was declared void after a false start, with five of the seven riders each banned for 10 days. Beaumadier (Kuroshio), ridden by Conor Whiteley, appeared to anticipate the stalls opening, while at the same time Master Zack (Ardad) reared under Ryan Kavanagh, triggering the gates. Kavanagh then stepped on to the side of the stalls and Master Zack ran away while blindfolded, breaking through a couple of the plastic rails, but was reported to be fine. The remaining six runners completed the five-furlong race, with the slow-breaking Beaumadier behind the remaining runners. Rider Tommie Jakes passed the post first on Michael Attwater's Cabeza De Llave (Pearl Secret). Jockeys Jack Doughty, Jack Dace, Taryn Langley and Alec Voikhansky all completed the course on their respective mounts and along with Jakes received a 10-day for failing to pull up. Dace's ban will run from September 3-13 inclusive, while the other four riders will be sidelined September 1-10. Richard Westropp, chief stipendiary steward, said, “Stall two [Beaumadier], the door flapped back into his path as the start was activated, so on the basis of that the starter called a false start. His flag was raised as it should be. All the horses ran but stall four [Master Zack] got loose. “On the basis of the starter calling a false start, the recall man was stood right in the middle of the track, he waved his flag and blew his whistle, so procedures were followed to a tee. “The jockeys told us in the inquiry they did not see the flag or hear the whistle, bar Mr Whiteley who did on horse number two, who actually activated the false start in the first place. He did see and made every effort to pull up his horse up. “All the jockeys bar Conor Whiteley and Ryan Kavanagh have been banned for 10 days. Every jockey is entitled to an appeal, that is entirely up to them. Our footage is very clear, the recall man is stood in the middle of the track and blowing his whistle.” The post Windsor Race Voided And Five Riders Banned For 10 Days appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On a record-setting day at Emerald Downs Aug. 17, celebrity chef Brian Malarkey accomplished a lifelong dream of winning the $125,000 Longacres Mile Stakes with Arrowthegreat.View the full article

The California Retirement Management Account (CARMA), which offers assistance to over 20 aftercare charities, raised more than $200,000 during the sixth annual CARMAthon fundraiser Saturday. FanDuel TV hosted the event in addition to donating $25,000. “It is important to us to continue to give back to the horse racing industry through numerous charitable initiatives each year,” said Andrew Moore, FanDuel TV's General Manager. “CARMA does tremendous work to help retired racehorses thrive in their second careers off of the track and we are thrilled to be able to support them in that mission.” The annual event showcased stories of retired racehorses thriving in second careers. The donations help fund CARMA's grant program, which provides funding for the rehabilitation, retraining, and/or retirement of California-raced Thoroughbreds. The post More Than $200,000 Raised at CARMAthon Fundraiser appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DEAUVILLE, FRANCE — By Monday, it was noticeably quieter around the sales pavilion. The weekenders had packed their bags and many of the Brits had started to make their way back across the Channel, heading north for the promise of four days of top-class racing at York. But, where it mattered, things were still pretty lively, and if you run an auction house, the only action you really want to see is in the ring. By lunchtime on the final day, six horses costing more than a million euros each had been added to the sale ledger – only two seven-figure lots had been logged throughout Saturday and Sunday. Suddenly, it was game on: a new record top price and a boost all round to the statistics. After what can best be described as an underwhelming August Sale at Arqana in 2024, this year the pace picked up and, in so doing, set new records for top price, average and turnover. It did take a while to hit stride but that was largely owing to the fact that, in an alphabetical catalogue, the offspring of the dams beginning with the letter P were scheduled to sell on Monday. The queen of the P section has for some time been Prudenzia. She's 20 now, but her advancing years have done nothing to deter the buyers of her stock; instead her runners have pushed up the prices of those who follow. Ever since Prudenzia's first foal Chicquita graced the ring in Deauville 14 years ago, the mare has provided something of a gold rush for Ecurie des Monceaux, who originally owned the daughter of Dansili with with her co-breeder Lady O'Reilly. That celebrated owner-breeder died two years ago, just as the August Sale was concluded, and she would doubtless be proud to see Monceaux continuing on its successful path, having played such an important role as a key partner in its evolution. For the 14th consecutive year, Monceaux was the leading consignor at the August Sale. A tip of the hat must also go to Haras des Capucines and Haras de Montaigu for providing the two most expensive colts of the sale – a €2.3m son of Wootton Bassett and a €2.25m Frankel colt. The latter, bred by Aliette Forien, is from the family of Rotina (Crystal Glitters), which also produced the 2017 Derby winner Wings Of Eagles (Pour Moi), a half-brother to the colt's dam Orendina (Siyouni). One can only imagine what bidding duels there may be when we get to Book 1 of the October Sale, but there were plenty of tasters at Arqana, where Godolphin, Coolmore and Amo Racing were the top three buyers, spending more than €17.5m between them on 16 yearlings. Amo Racing did not play at Arqana last year but Kia Joorabchian and his partners helped to supercharge the atmosphere in Newmarket when taking on Sheikh Mohammed for leading buyer honours at Tattersalls. The wide range of visitors to the sale – beyond Europe, there were buyers from America, Australia, Japan, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, China and Hong Kong – will doubtless have been grateful for the earlier finishes thanks to a smaller number catalogued for the evening sessions and an early start time of 11am for the Monday session. After all, half the charm of coming to Deauville is being able to sample some of the town's excellent restaurants. On that subject, there has been an apparent swing of custom away from the traditional gastronomic epicentre of Le Drakkar, with the nearby Les Planches and L'Instiution appearing to be the major beneficiaries from a change of focus for some. With the V.2 Sale still to come in Deauville on Wednesday, the European yearling sale season has started in far more ebullient fashion than last year. Prior to this week, there had been references to the strong trade in Saratoga. While this wasn't on a par with that extraordinary sale, this was still a strong return for Arqana and sets an encouraging tone as the focus switches to the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale and start of the action in Britain in just over a week's time. Prudenzia's August progeny sales: 2011 CHICQUITA (Montjeu) €600,000 – G1W 2012 Sinnamary (Galileo) €1,100,000 – winner, TDN Rising Star 2013 Truth (Galileo) €1,000,000 – placed 2014 Craven's Legend (Invincible Spirit) €1,100,000 – 2x winner 2016 MAGIC WAND (Galileo) €1,400,000 – G1W, 4x winner 2017 Je Ne Regrette Rien (Galileo) €950,000 – G3P, 2x winner 2018 Enemy (Muhaarar) €420,000 – G3P, 5x winner 2019 PHILOMENE (Dubawi) €1,625,000 – G3W, 2x winner, TDN Rising Star 2020 Gulliver's Travels (Galileo) €2,000,000, 2x winner 2024 Diamond Necklace (St Mark's Basilica) €1,700,000 – winner, TDN Rising Star 2025 Night Of Thunder filly €3,000,000 Total: €14,895,000 The post Arqana Reflections: P is for Prudenzia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When Andrew Schwarz and his sister Wendy Schwarz-Gilder decided to turn their longstanding enthusiasm for the Turf into a deeper commitment, in 2017, the option that best matched their outlook was a modest breeding program. If that meant taking their time, patiently building each page, so be it. All they knew was that they wanted to work with others of a similar disposition: people who gave time to each other, and to their horses. Schwarz, after all, is a real estate developer in New Orleans. “And in real estate, five years is nothing,” he says. “Everything takes forever. So I think I have the personality for doing things long-term. And, breeding, you measure everything in years, not months. From the time you select the stud to the time you actually have something hitting the racetrack, it's three full years. So, yes, you've got to be patient. And we don't have endless funds. So the idea was to build carefully; put together maybe 10 mares over, let's call it, a 10- or 15-year period.” On those terms, however, something has gone badly askew with their nascent operation. It has become an overnight success, threatening instant dividends. A nice problem to have, clearly. And, true to his temperate principles, Schwarz fully expects bumps in the road ahead. But there's no denying that they landed running when paying $275,000 for an unraced daughter of Blame named Spanish Star, only their second mare, at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale. Wendy Schwarz-Gilder with her brother Andrew Schwarz | courtesy of Andrew Schwarz She was six, in foal to Arrogate, and her value had rocketed since being fished out of the equivalent sale three years previously (by that remarkable prospector, Tommy Wente of St. Simon Place) for just $1,500–her half-brother Sir Winston (Awesome Again) having the previous year won the GI Belmont Stakes. “She's absolutely perfect, physically, if there's such a thing in a racehorse,” Schwarz says. “Just an outstanding specimen, and we had a good feeling already for Blame mares. Our concept was to get quality by concentrating on the physical, and the family. You can't have everything, so we concentrate more on those than on race record. And in those terms, she was a standout.” But while in no hurry, they found that things started to happen quickly. Spanish Star's first yearling, a son of Trappe Shot, sold for just $21,000 a few weeks previously, and was beaten only at the Breeders' Cup in his first five starts, winning three stakes. One Timer has since added a Grade II on turf. Meanwhile, Spanish Star's Arrogate foal turned out to be a filly, and Schwarz and his sister decided to retain her for their program. They named her Just Basking, and sent her to Ian Wilkes. Last summer she romped in the Iowa Oaks, earning a crack at the GI Alabama Stakes where she was beaten barely a length into third. “I always said, when we decided on more of a breeding operation, that I had only one goal for the racetrack,” Schwarz says. “And that was someday to have a filly in the Alabama. My mother's family is from Vermont and we would go down to Saratoga every year. And, like everyone else, we fell in love with it. So, knowing that we were only ever going to be racing fillies, for me the ultimate filly race isn't the Kentucky Oaks. Having seen so many, through the years, it was the Alabama. And amazingly enough, it happened–and she ran really well, might have had a shot with a little better racing luck.” The dream will duly have to be upgraded, to winning next time. Just Basking herself, incidentally, is on her way back after a setback, with the Keeneland fall meet a potential target. But meanwhile Saratoga has this summer yielded another great day. Kilwin working at the Spa | Sarah Andrew After delivering Just Basking, Spanish Star was sent for her first cover as a Schwarz-Gilder mare to Twirling Candy. The resulting filly was sold to BBN Racing at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale and went on to win her first two starts as a juvenile, both on turf: an Ellis Park maiden and then the Untapable Stakes at Kentucky Downs. And this summer she has reached new heights, adding a black-type prize on dirt at Churchill and now the GI Test Stakes. For her name, of course, is Kilwin–and her Grade I update will make Hip 518, Spanish Star's daughter by Flightline, one of the potential stars of the forthcoming September Sale. “It's been amazing,” Schwarz marvels. “First One Timer comes to life. Then the filly we kept runs in the Alabama; and the one we sold wins the Test. Obviously we're glad Kilwin is doing so well, we can only keep so many and she's working for the mare all the time. Now we have the Flightline. Of course, for a breeder, there's always a Plan B. Ian Wilkes went out to look at her, a couple months ago, and he certainly wants us to hold onto her! He'd be setting a very high reserve. We'll have to see. But she's really beautiful, a May foal so still growing, but she has everything you'd want in a yearling.” With a Cody's Wish filly on the ground, Spanish Star has naturally been sent back to Twirling Candy. “You can see that we've been trying to strike a balance between known quantities and then some of the new stallions that tend to sell well,” Schwarz explains. “It's part of the strategy, to do a bit of both. But we think Twirling Candy tremendous value, for a stallion doing what he is, and all being well we will end up with a sibling to Kilwin.” In these and all other decisions, Schwarz emphasizes his debt to Pope McLean Jr. and his family at Crestwood, who host the entire operation from foaling to consignment. Meeting McClean was unmistakably a pivotal moment in the evolution of this program–and it was also one of apt provenance. “My sister and I grew up going to the Fair Grounds,” Schwarz explains. “We also had a farm in Mississippi, growing up, so one way or another we were always around horses. But I always loved that saying: 'When you go to the racetrack for the first time, you see one of two things: you either see animals running in circles, or you see something else.' And my sister and I have always just seen something else. Twirling Candy | Lane's End “Anyway, Pope's wife is from New Orleans. I knew her brothers and sisters, and we had friends of friends in town. So that's how Pope and I crossed paths, and we hit it off immediately. Everyone knows what Crestwood is about: they're horse people, quality people, family people. And it was the same, natural fit with Ian as trainer. He and his wife had long been friends with my sister. And again, we're talking about a real horseman. So you can see the combination of horsemen, friends and family. I guess that's kind of our secret sauce. We're all friends, a lot of us are family–and we're all horsemen at heart.” With all that in mind, there is zero danger of Schwarz getting ahead of himself. The program still only comprises four mares, with Just Basking eventually to join them. The only one acquired before Spanish Star was All Night Party, a half-sister–actually by One Timer's sire Trappe Shot–to GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Ria Antonia (Rockport Harbor). She has made short work of her $180,000 tag at the 2017 November Sale, banking $400,000 apiece for fillies by Liam's Map and Omaha Beach at consecutive September Sales. Her daughter by More Than Ready has meanwhile been retained to breed. Most recently, meanwhile, Hurley (Mucho Macho Man)–a modest runner out of dual Grade II winner Rite Moment (Vicar)–cleared her $150,000 cost at the 2022 November Sale at the first attempt: the Ghostzapper colt she was carrying in utero realized $285,000 last September. So it is not just Spanish Star who has been piling coal into the engine. On the face of it, it might seem paradoxical that a program predicated on such restrained principles, by no means immune from sentiment, should be firing on all cylinders commercially. But maybe there's a lesson there for those who are in rather more of a hurry. “We'd been talking about wanting to do something like this for so many years,” Schwarz reflects. “So when we finally got the opportunity, we've been so lucky that the whole family feels part of it also. My sister and I might be the ones out front, making decisions, but everyone gets involved: my daughters, our other siblings, our parents, our in-laws. It's one big family operation, and it couldn't be more rewarding.” Pope McLean Jr. | Sarah Andrew Sure enough, while unable to make it to Saratoga, the Test still proved a memorable occasion for the clan. “We had other family events that weekend so couldn't go,” Schwarz says. “But the entire family watched it at our lake house in Wisconsin, I think there were 15 of us. And of course, we thought the race was over after one second [when Kilwin stumbled leaving the gate], so we were all disappointed that we'd made such a big deal about it. And then of course the screaming and yelling, as Kilwin comes down the stretch, was crazy.” It all dovetails: the connection is not just between families, but between upbringings. “I think family's always been very important and I hope that is what we're all about,” Schwarz says. “We never thought there was anything unusual about a brother and sister doing this together, until people started telling us so. But it certainly does make everything more special. It's no coincidence that we've ended up with Pope and his family operation. These are people with integrity. People who are realistic and patient. That doesn't mean the pace has to be slow. But we've surrounded ourselves with the best horsemen in the business, who can gradually help us build–without ever putting anything ahead of the horse. “It's already more than I could ever have asked for. I guess sometimes if you put yourself in the right place, you can get a little lucky. And even though we've had early success, we're trying to keep everything under wraps and stay focused on our strategy. Again, Pope and I are eye-to-eye on that. No-one's trying to do anything overnight. When we started, I gave Pope a little business plan, just a page, and the first bullet point was: family fun. So, in those terms, we've certainly exceeded anything I could have hoped for. It's just a dream come true.” The post Breeder Spotlight, Presented By Keeneland: All About Family For Kilwin’s Breeders appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Brian Sheerin and Emma Berry DEAUVILLE, FRANCE – Shattering a record set a decade ago, a Night Of Thunder colt out of the Ecurie des Monceaux blue hen Prudenzia (Dansili) was sold for €3 million to Amo Racing and was one of six seven-figure transactions on the final day of the Arqana August. There were eight across the sale as a whole. Such a lively last session ensured that the figures were well beyond those of a relatively quiet edition of the sale in 2024. The €266,576 average was not only up by 22% on last year but represented an all-time record as did the €57,847,000 turnover which was up by 18% on last year. The clearance rate rested at 80% which was up by 2% on last year while the median was by €30,000 to €170,000. It was bloodstock agent Alex Elliott who signed for the record-breaking top lot on behalf of Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing, which famously took the yearling market in Europe by storm last year and continued that momentum in a big way at Arqana this week. “For somebody like Kia, we're trying to create a dynasty, I suppose, and you've got to start with those types of horses,” Elliott explained after eclipsing the previous record of €2.6m that was set by John Ferguson at this sale for this filly's close relation Parabellum. Elliott continued, “If she never races, she's a collector's item. It's a well-used term but she is a collector's item. She's got a great body for a filly out of a mare of that age and her sister [Diamond Necklace] was a TDN Rising Star last week. The mare is still doing it, even though she is a good age. We've bought into one of the greatest families there is. She doesn't take much explaining. We'll take her home but I'd imagine she'll be one for Kevin Philippart de Foy at Freemason Lodge.” Elliott went on to sign for a Lope De Vega colt for €850,000 from Haras du Cadran before topping out Amo Racing's spend at €4.95 million on another Night Of Thunder filly – this time from Etreham – for €900,000 and a €200,000 Wootton Bassett colt from Haras de la Louviere. Speaking after landing the Lope De Vega, Elliott provided some insight into Amo Racing's buying strategy, and said, “You wouldn't describe Almanzor as being an elite stallion but the mare [Queen Trezy] is by him and she was a very good racemare. It's a wonderful pedigree and I just thought he had a must have sticker on him. Thank God Kia was brave, I love that colt.” Asked if had ever witnessed a stronger edition of the August Yearling Sale at Arqana, Elliott responded, “No, but that's the game we're in. The top is very thin but, when you are there, it's very strong. There are a lot of players who want to be there. The way the business is gone, it's all about the elite. It's all about the top. And when you want to get a horse at that level, you are going to have to pay for them. There are some superpowers in the game right now. You'd worry about the middle and the bottom as there is not a lot there. But if you want to be in the top, you've got to put the head down and that's what everyone is doing. There's no point fighting soft. You've got to fight hard.” Godolphin End Sale As Leading Buyers Anthony Stroud hinted that the majority of Godolphin's business would be done on Monday and, true to his word, the powerhouse bloodstock agent set raised the temperature almost single-handedly when spending €4.25 million on two separate lots within the space of just a few minutes early on in the session. Godolphin spent €5,950,000 on five yearlings on Monday, bringing the total outlay at the August Sale to €8,050,000 for eight lots. The day three spending spree was kick-started by a €2.35 million Frankel colt from the family of Derby winner Wings Of Eagles and consigned by Haras de Montaigu. “The horses today are strong,” Stroud rightly summed up. “There are a number of horses who should sell very well. I think today is the strongest day. A very good easy-moving horse, he has good conformation and is obviously by Frankel out of a Siyouni mare, which is a good cross. He was one of our picks of the day. It's like everything else – your first impression [of a horse] is what counts. Without doubt.” Asked if the Frankel colt could be a potential Derby horse in time, he replied, “We're all dreaming about that. That's why we're here and that's why our boss does this. We're wanting to get to that level, winning those races – the Derbys, the Arcs and whatever.” Both Juddmonte and Ed Sackville, bidding on behalf of Simon Sadler, were involved in the running for the Frankel colt, with the latter filling the runner-up spot. Stroud continued, “He [Simon Sadler] very kindly gave me a lift to the taxi yesterday. I didn't know who he was. We had a very pleasant conversation but I didn't realise we would be bidding against each other quite so early in the morning!” The dam of the Frankel colt, Orendina (Siyouni), is understood to have a Kingman foal at foot and is back in foal to the Juddmonte stallion. Haras de Montaigu's Sybille Gibson said, “He comes from an incredible family. We were expecting something big, but not this big, definitely. This is beyond dreams. This is absolutely incredible.” No sooner had Stroud finished his debrief with the media, he followed up with buying a Dubawi filly out of Group 3 winner Paix (Muhaarar) for €2 million. A series of timely updates surely contributed to that sum given the Dubawi filly's brother Parachutiste won a Listed race at Clairefontaine on Saturday. On top of that, Skydance, the two-year-old half-sister by Night Of Thunder, filled the placings in a Group 2 and Group 3 respectively this season. “Dubawi has been an extraordinary stallion for our organisation,” Stroud said. “It's rare to see fillies of such quality come up for sale, so you have to seize the opportunity. We're very lucky to have him.” 'Best Day In The Business' For Rimaud Credit to William Rimaud, farm manager at Haras de la Perelle, as he predicted big things for his Camelot colt [191] in the TDN consignor Q&A during the build-up to this sale. But selling the horse for a cool €1.2 million to Coolmore exceeded the 33-year-old's wildest aspirations for the homebred. Rimaud, who is the son of Georges, former boss of the French division of the Aga Khan Studs, was left visibly shaking with emotion following the seven-figure sale which he said represented his greatest day in the bloodstock business by far. Speaking from the restaurant behind the rostrum at Arqana, where Rimaud sprinted to in order to embrace his Haras de la Perelle bosses, he beamed, “It's great, it's awesome! The TDN kind of wrote it already this week! It feels amazing. We always knew he was nice and thought he would do well but, man, this is the top price for me and it just feels good.” He continued, “It feels like the job was well done and hopefully the horse will do great. There is no reason he won't. We really thought he'd do well but we didn't think we could get more than a million for a Camelot. I don't know if many Camelots have sold for that price before or not. It's definitely my best day in the game. By far. We will try to have more of these days in the future, for sure.” MV Magnier signed for the Camelot colt, from the family of Pensee Du Jour, who is by the same sire, alongside White Birch Farm and commented, “He's a lovely horse and it seems like Camelot does pretty well with mares from the Giant's Causeway line. “He's having a very good year again this year and we have a couple of very good two-year-olds by him in Ballydoyle. Godolphin ran a good horse by him there the other day too [Del Maro], so the stallion's flying. He's very capable of getting a good horse so let's hope this fella is one of them.” Talking Points Kieran Lalor admitted to banging his head against a brick wall on some of the millionaire lots earlier in the session. But good things come to those who wait and Lalor, bidding on behalf of Al Shira'aa Racing from his favourite spot in the restaurant behind the rostrum, went to €1.2 million for a Monceaux-consigned Wootton Bassett half-sister to Listed winner and Group 2-placed Audubon Park (Dubawi). Lalor said, “Wootton Bassett is the best sire in the world at the moment. He's on a roll. It's a family we love and obviously Rumi is at the bottom of the page. She's a real Classic-looking filly and hopefully our luck can continue with Monceaux. She was one on our shortlist today and we tried hard on the Dubawi filly and the Zarak half-sister to Vespertilio earlier. They obviously made plenty of money and I'm delighted for them. Business has been good today. This is only the mare's third foal so there's plenty more to come.” The millionaire lots just kept on coming and Lordship Stud, signing under One Agency, went to €1.1 million on a Zarak half-sister to Group 1-placed Vespertilio (Night Of Thunder) from Monceaux. Lot 205 is out of a full-sister to Prudenzia and is therefore from the family of Magic Wand and Chicquita. Lordship Stud's Tom Harris said, “She's going to go to Francis Graffard. It's an amazing family, beautifully cultivated by our good friend Henri Bozo. Over time we've been looking to buy something from this family and we loved this filly. We're delighted to get her. We've been partners with Monceaux for many years, they do a fantastic job.” Owner-breeder Craig Bernick got stuck in at Arqana and came home with three long-term broodmare prospects through bloodstock agent Hubie de Burgh for a combined €1.26 million. The most expensive of the trio came on Monday when the buying team came down on a Siyouni filly from Monceaux at €750,000. De Burgh commented, “The prize-money and the bonuses are so good in France that the obvious place for this filly to be trained is France and she will go to Francis Graffard. Craig is right in his view that, when you try to buy mares at public auction in December, it's impossible. Your only chance is to buy the fillies from the big families as yearlings and, if they are good enough to become stakes fillies, you have something that you couldn't buy in December. We're playing the long game.” Baaeed put in a pretty solid debut performance at the European yearling sale circuit with four lots selling for a total €1.53 million and an average of €382,500. Frankel ended the sale as the undisputed top dog with three horses selling for the highest average of €1,033,333, however, Wootton Bassett was the only stallion who managed to have two yearlings clear seven figures. Anyone who wanted to view the Monceaux draft over the past few days at Arqana needed to book a time slot in advance. That's how popular and how busy Henri Bozo's horses have become and it showed once again in the results with Monceaux ending the sale as by far the most successful vendor with 36 lots sold for €17,455,000. You've got to say that Bozo's loyalty to Arqana has been paid off in spades this week. Despite the record trade, many breeze-up handlers managed to get up and running for the season. Brendan Holland, Johnny Hassett, Ellie Whitaker, Mark Grant and Cormac Farrell were just some of the names who managed to get in on the action. Farrell was the busiest and spent €365,000 on three lots, including a filly and a colt by Night Of Thunder. There were a couple of good pinhooking results on Monday, notably with lot 266, a Havana Grey filly who was transformed from a 58,000gns foal to a €145,000 yearling and lot 300, a Churchill filly who more or less doubled her money at €55,000. Such results are not to be sniffed at but it wasn't exactly smooth sailing for pinhookers on the whole this week and the swashbuckling results were few and far between. The post Amo Racing Smashes Arqana August Sale Record On €3m Night Of Thunder Filly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DEAUVILLE, FRANCE–Americans' plans for the Arqana sale were understandably shaken up when U.S. President Donald Trump made good on his threat to impose tariffs on the European Union and others in early August, meaning that French-bred horses purchased here-like all French products imported to America–would be subject to a 15% surcharge when they are brought back into America. Several buyers are deciding to break, train and race their horses in Europe instead, while others will brave the fee and come back to the U.S. On the final day of the strong Arqana August sale, we took a poll of American buyers to see who would stay and who would go. Justin Casse picked up lot 30, a Wootton Bassett colt for €300,000; and lot 138, a Sea the Moon colt for€105,000. Neither will come to America; both will go into training with Joseph O'Brien in Ireland. Deuce Greathouse is also leaning towards keeping his Mehmas (lot 38, €120,000) here to race. She was purchased for a new group of American buyers. Ben Gowans purchased lot 56, an Acclamation filly for €240,000 and lot 139, a St. Mark's Basilica colt for €180,000, both for owner Mark Grier. “They are going back to America,” he said. “Arnaud Delacour will train them.” The pair had an Arqana-to-America success at Saratoga last week when a filly they bought here for €340,000 in 2023, Evershed (Churchill) ran second in the GI Saratoga Oaks. “I'm very happy with the horses we bought,” said Gowans. “I think we fell in a sweet spot in the area we were shopping. The top end has obviously been exceptionally strong and it has brought the numbers up, but I think there was plenty of opportunity to buy very nice horses this week for a reasonable amount of money.” Ramiro Restrepo's Marquee Bloodstock struck for just one, lot 147, a Baaeed filly out of out of a Night of Thunder Listed-placed mare from the Moanmore Stables consignment, and while he came away from the sale happy with what he got, he said that we would not be seeing her in America. “She was the most Baaeed-looking Baaeed in the sale,” said Restrepo. “She will definitely be staying in France. We are so, so thrilled. My clients and partners are over the moon.” As Mike Repole revealed on Sunday, his Dubawi filly will be headed to Italy to train at Endo Botti's training centre in Pisa, where she will be broken and pre-trained by Botti. She joins a trio of homebred colts who Repole sent over to Italy on Sunday as well. They include a yearling by Masar ex Ickworth by Shamardal; Bolt d'OroMo ex Shopping by Uncle Mo; and Kendargent exTempel by Deep Impact. Repole is the son of two Italian immigrants, and grew up in Middle Village in Queens, New York. He said that he takes one trip a year to Italy and joked that the horses would give him an excuse to go more often. Botti trains at his Endo Botti Galoppo stable in Pisa in conjunction with Cristiana Brivio, whose great-grandfather built the facility in the early 1900s. It boasts a private training track. On the final day of the sale, Repole also picked up lot 242, a Night Of Thunder filly, for €300,000. As of late Monday, plans for the filly were still undetermined. Repole's agents on the ground, Solis/Litt Bloodstock, also signed for lot 192, a filly by Wootton Bassett for €250,000 who will stay in Europe. She was purchased for the American outfit LNJ Bloodstock, and will be sent to Christopher Head. Kenny McPeek picked up a trio of fillies, all of which will eventually end up in America, and McPeek made it clear that this wouldn't be his last trip to Arqana. “This is I think the fourth time I've attended this sale,” said McPeek. “It's a great trip and I invite all of my clients to come, and I had several take me up on it this year.” Those included Mystik Dan co-owners Lance Gasaway and his wife B.J. “Historically, I've bought eight yearlings here, and I have three stakes winners from them. This year, we knocked down three fillies, a Wootton Bassett (lot 63, for €160,000), a Zarak (176, for €110,000), and a Showcasing (lot 114, for €220,000). All of these horses will be raced in America. We may pre-train here and then send them to the United States later, and they're probably going to be Magdalena Racing partnerships. So we'll give some people out there an opportunity to buy into them. I'm strictly a yearling buyer. I love coming to this sale. I'll attend Tattersalls (October) and Goffs, and obviously Keeneland (September) and Fasig-Tipton (October) and that will wrap up my sales season.” Mike Akers went to €300,000 to get lot 182, No Nay Never filly, for Bregman Family Racing, and she will head back to the U.S., according to Alex Bregman, the third baseman for the Boston Red Sox who is having one of the best years of his career playing for his new team.Texting from Massachusetts where his team will play the Baltimore Orioles tonight, he said, “Her plans are to come to the United States and join our team of fillies and hopefully be a broodmare for us one day after a great career on the track.” Akers said that kind of positive attitude is a trademark of Bregman's, and he continues to shop globally to build a broodmare band with the aim of being in the business a long time. Bregman currently has seven broodmares, six of which are in foal. He will sell yearlings at Keeneland September. “We have had good luck over there,” said Akers, pointing out the purchase of No Nay Mets at this sale in 2022 for €180,000. They resold him less than a year later for £800,000 at Goffs London after he won the Royal Palm Juvenile Stakes at Gulfstream in his debut, earning a Royal Ascot berth. On the field or in the sales ring, Bregman shows a tenacity that even a tariff can't hold down, as did Americans across the board at the sale. Time and again, the market's resilience has been tested-whether it be by a global pandemic or a global tax–but in the end, the buyers have found a way to continue to do what they love. Said Akers, “It's really fun to see guys like that have success in our business.” The post Americans at Arqana: Should I Stay Or Should I Go Now? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 41st Asian Racing Conference (ARC) will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in February alongside the Saudi Cup meeting. The theme will be “Honouring Tradition – Shaping The Future” and the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA) and the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) will welcome international delegates from February 9-14 at the Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention Centre. Delegates will be able to attend the 2026 G1 Saudi Cup on February 14. The ARC Business Programme will feature a number of plenary sessions designed to address current and emerging challenges and opportunities for racing from Tuesday, February 10 to Thursday, February 12. Early bird tickets for the ARC are priced at $1,200 and available until October 16. For more information on the ARC, please visit the ARC website and for details on the 2026 Saudi Cup, go to the JCSA website. The post Asian Racing Conference Set For Riyadh In February appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

John Sheridan has been appointed the new general manager of Fairyhouse Racecourse, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) announced on Monday. Previously part of Vodofone Ireland where he was a commercial lead for the consumer prepay division, Sheridan also worked with Ladbrokes International's Betdaq. Sheridan was most recently the marketing manager of Showjumping Ireland for the last five years. Paul Dermody, CEO of HRI Racecourses, said, “I am delighted to welcome John Sheridan to the role of general manager at Fairyhouse Racecourse. John joins us at an exciting time for the racecourse team with interest in our flagship festivals increasing and an ever-growing list of race day and non-race day events demonstrating the popularity and appeal of the venue. “John will lead our engagement with the local community, commercial partners, tenants and industry stakeholders to drive Fairyhouse Racecourse on in a collaborative and sustainable way.” The post John Sheridan Named New General Manager Of Fairyhouse appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article