Wandering Eyes

Rhaegar winning the Listed Auckland Futurity Stakes (1400m) as a juvenile. Photo: Trish Dunell Barry Howden has had a number of stakes winners in his barn over his 35-year training career and he is excited to have another in his care in Rhaegar. Formerly trained by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, Rhaegar won the Listed Auckland Futurity Stakes (1400m) as a juvenile and went on to win a further two races for the Cambridge trainers before he was offered on gavelhouse.com last year where Howden secured the now seven-year-old for $5,500. “I watched him race early on and I liked the way he moved,” Howden said. “He is nice to do anything with, he is a pleasure to have around.” Rhaegar subsequently had three unplaced runs for the Makarewa horseman before undergoing a wind operation. Howden couldn’t be more pleased with the way he has progressed, with the gelding returning to winning form last month at Gore over 1335m. “He got through that race as good as gold. I am really pleased with him,” Howden said. “We had a wind operation done on him, which seems to be making a big difference. He is way happier now.” The son of Pluck is set to drop back to 1200m on Wednesday, and while Howden said the distance is below his best, he is expecting another bold showing. “I still think 1400m is a better distance for him than 1200m, but I expect him to go well,” he said. “We may look at going to Cromwell after that if he pulls up well.” Howden will also line-up Willis first-up. “He is working well so here’s hoping he goes well,” Howden said. “He won first-up last year. He has got a lot of ability but he is a bit erratic sometimes, which is his biggest trouble.” The two geldings make up Howden’s entire race team and he enjoys keeping his hand in the game following a 35-year career which has garnered 79 wins, including three at stakes level. “I started off giving the Ridleys a hand back in the day and progressed from there. I was also an amateur rider,” he said. “I have had some handy horses. They are pretty hard to get those nice ones, so it’s nice to have another in the stable.” More horse racing news View the full article

Through seven months of use and 9,164 timed workouts on dirt and turf at Oklahoma through its Nov. 11 closing, there were no fatal breakdowns on surfaces that were rebuilt and improved by the New York Racing Association in 2021.View the full article

Four-time Group One winner runs well in his first race since Royal Ascot disaster, with trainer Jamie Richards hopeful there is improvement to comeView the full article

Showing a new dimension in the $300,000 Steel Valley Sprint Stakes, Ryvit rallied from the back of the pack to claim the victory Nov. 20 at Mahoning Valley Race Course.View the full article

Horse Racing on Tuesday, November 21 will feature three meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meeting at Newcastle. Tuesday Racing Tips – November 21, 2023 Newcastle Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For November 21, 2023 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $217.41 odds return: Tuesday, November 21, 2023 Newcastle Race 4 – #4 Hunter Bred Newcastle Race 5 – #1 Dunaloce Rockhampton Race 5 – #2 Obliquity Bairnsdale Race 6 – #6 Flip The Switch | Copy this bet straight to your betslip As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on November 21, 2023 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

On Nov. 23-26 fans will have their second of six future bet opportunities on the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) where Repole Stable's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Fierceness is the 15-1 individual betting favorite. View the full article

Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah–Mary's Follies, by More Than Ready), a two-time winner of the G1 February S. at Tokyo, has been retired from racing and will stand the 2024 breeding season at Arrow Stud on the island of Hokkaido. Bred in Kentucky by the late Paul Pompa, Cafe Pharoah was consigned by Eddie Woods to the 2019 OBS March Sale and was hammered down to Emmanuel de Seroux's Narvick International for $475,000. Trained by Noriyuki Hori for owner Koichi Nishikawa, Cafe Pharoah made an immediate impact, winning his maiden by 10 lengths at first asking in a single start at two, the Listed Hyacinth S. on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby in February 2020 and the G3 Unicorn S. that June. The 3/4-length winner of the 2021 February S. in his 4-year-old debut, he defended his title handily last February and made last October's Listed Mile Championship S. the final of his seven career victories, six at stakes level. He was third to Japan's Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in this year's G1 Saudi Cup and retires with earnings of better than $5.4 million. Japan's champion dirt horse of 2022, Cafe Pharoah is the year-younger half-brother to champion and 'TDN Rising Star' Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom) and MGSW Night Prowler (Giant's Causeway). A few months after Pompa's untimely passing in October 2020, Regal Glory was purchased by Peter Brant for a joint-priciest $925,000 at the Keeneland January Sale, while Mary's Follies was knocked down to the BBA Ireland for $500,000 from the same dispersal. The dam of a yearling full-brother to Cafe Pharoah, Mary's Follies foaled a colt by Into Mischief this past April and was covered by Gun Runner this season. Also standing at Arrow Stud are American expats California Chrome, Firenze Fire, fellow February S. winner Mozu Ascot, Shanghai Bobby and top Japanese dirt sire Sinister Minister. The post Multiple Japanese Group 1 Winner Cafe Pharoah Retired appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The nominees for the 2023 Secretariat Vox Populi Award are: Arcangelo, winner of the GI Belmont and Travers S. and the first horse to win a Triple Crown race with a female trainer; Casa Creed, the seasoned 7-year-old turf veteran who has continued to thrill fans while demonstrating both heart and resilience in winning the GI Fourstardave H.; Cody's Wish, 2022 Secretariat Vox Populi recipient whose four wins in five starts this year as a 5-year-old included the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, and who shared an endearing and enduring connection with his namesake, the late Cody Dorman; Echo Zulu, the courageous 2021 champion juvenile filly and former Secretariat Vox Populi nominee who battled back to form in 2023 with impressive victories in each of her three stakes starts before suffering a career-ending injury, from which she battles back once again on her road to recovery; and White Abarrio, the eye-catching gray 4-year-old colt who scored scintillating victories in the GI Whitney S. and GI Breeders' Cup Classic. Created by Secretariat's late owner Penny Chenery, the Vox Populi, or “Voice of the People” award annually recognizes the racehorse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with the public and gained recognition for the sport. Through online voting at Secretariat.com, fans can vote for one of the five candidates selected by the Vox Populi nominating committee or write in their own favorite. The poll is open now through Dec. 3, with the winner to be announced in December. The Vox Populi trophy presentation is planned for Jan. 13 at Santa Anita Park. The post Secretariat ‘Vox Populi’ Award Nominees Announced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After winning the Bold Ruler Stakes (G3) Oct. 27 at Aqueduct—his first stakes start since early April 2022—Durante will face a high barrier when he returns to that surface in the $200,000 Fall Highweight Handicap (G3) Nov. 24.View the full article

Kentucky native Sean Boarman has been offically declared the winner of the 2023 Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge following the complete audit called for in the contest's rules and regulations. The 15th annual BCBC drew a record 571 entries as top horseplayers wagered Nov. 3-4 on the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park. The tournament players generated an all-time contest-record wagering handle of $7,759,434. Over $4.6 million of that total was wagered at Santa Anita Park, representing more than 23.6% of the total on-track handle. In the 2023 BCBC, each player was required to fund a $2,500 buy-in and a $7,500 betting bankroll ($10,000 total). All buy-in monies were applied to the prize pool, making the total prize pool $1,427,500. Players made real wagers (win, place, show, exacta, trifecta and daily double) with their $7,500 bankroll and kept all monies earned from their wagering. Boarman, 43, finished with a total score of 231,238 points. Combined with his first-place prize of $411,125, he earned a grand total of $642,363, the highest total any player has achieved in BCBC history. Kevan Strom of Niskayuna, New York finished second, with 215,453 points, and with his $274,075 prize money added, he amassed a total of $489,528. Mike Mulvihill of Palatine, Illinois finished third with 173,160 points, and combined with prize money of $148,450, he earned a grand total of $321,610. Participant Vince Foglia made a place wager on his own horse, a violation of BCBC rules which was discovered during the audit. As a result, the winnings from this non-approved wager ($14,000) were deducted from the final score, which resulted in Foglia dropping from 8th place to 13th place in the final standings. Complete tournament results are available here. The post Boarman Declared BCBC Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

According to a report from television station WFMJ, jockey Christian Pilares spent a night in jail after allegedly assaulting another jockey Nov. 14 at Mahoning Valley Racecourse. The name of the rider Pilares, 39, allegedly assaulted was not released. The Austintown (Ohio) Police Department was called to the racetrack at about 2:30 p.m. to investigate a report that two jockeys were fighting. According to WFMJ, when officers arrived, they saw a jockey on a gurney, being loaded into an ambulance. The jockey was wearing a neck brace and had a cut over his eye, according to a police report. Police said that security video showed Pilares coming up behind the alleged victim, then punching him and tackling him near the track's stables. Fellow jockeys told police as they pulled the suspect off the victim, the suspect kicked the victim in the head. The victim, who was able to talk, told police he would pursue charges before he was taken to Mercy Hospital. Pilares was arrested and charged with assault. He is being held on $22,500 bond and he is not to have contact with the victim. He is scheduled to appear in court again Dec. 11. Pilares has been riding in the U.S. since 2005 and has 1,732 winners from 11,513 mounts. He is just 3-for-29 this year and has not ridden since the day of the incident. The post Report: Jockey Pilares Spends Night in Jail after Alleged Assault of Another Rider appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trust in institutions, across all industries around the world, has reached an all-time low. Why? Well, as Jason Litt said in his letter to the editor, it's because the 'old guard' have not been held to the same standards as the rest of us in terms of performance, accountability, and transparency. Too arrogant to admit failure, too entrenched to change and too shrouded in secrecy. Confidence in horse racing's industry leaders has evaporated, just like the confidence and favourable opinion the public. So why wait for these very same institutions to fix our problems? The same thinking and lack of action by the same people that brought our industry here, won't lead us out. Instead of a top-down approach, let's flip it over and drive change from the bottom up–take the power back to the people. Real industry people. The ones braving the freezing cold to tend to a mare giving birth, the ones sacrificing sleep to nurture an ailing horse, the ones demonstrating their commitment by investing in our racehorses and ensuring exceptional care. Never underestimate the power of a community of committed, passionate, thoughtful people to make real progress happen. Let's become the change we want to see. So how do we actually earn back the confidence and favorable opinion of the public? Transparency is the antidote to distrust. When an industry remains silent, people assume it has something to hide. Our industry bubble is currently perceived by the public as hiding many things. In Australia and New Zealand, we also face the common obstacle of public mistrust in horse racing. The activist narrative gained traction with their sensationalized content and inflammatory misinformation that grabs attention and fuels the flames of distrust. It is perpetuated because we failed to answer the genuine concerns of the public. Our leaders kept their heads in the sand, responding too slowly (or not at all), and with opaque answers. To combat this fire, we launched Kick Up a year ago, armed with facts. Our mission: to dismantle the wall of secrecy that separates the horse racing industry from the public. Kick Up strives to reshape the perception of horse racing by providing transparent access to factual information, while promoting awareness of positive advancements and initiatives. We empower the community to defend itself and proudly share its remarkable stories, while also holding our leaders accountable in areas where improvement is needed. 2023 has been tough on the industry. Churchill Downs was a challenge, then Saratoga was heart-wrenching. But let's look back at 2023, not as the year where we felt the imminent demise of our industry, but as the year that changed the game. Rock bottom, the solid foundation on which the industry was rebuilt. It's time to Light Up Racing. Vicky Leonard, Managing Director Kick Collective & Managing Director TTR AusNZ The post Letter to the Editor: Vicky Leonard appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday's Insights features Twin Peaks, a full-sister to Group 1 winner Anapurna. 18.45 Wolverhampton, £10,800, Nov, 2yo, f, 8f 142y (AWT) Meon Valley Stud-bred TWIN PEAKS (GB) (Frankel {GB}), one of four representing the John and Thady Gosden stable here, is out of G1 Fillies' Mile and G1 Yorkshire Oaks placegetter Dash To The Top (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) and thus a full-sister to G1 Oaks and G1 Prix de Royallieu heroine Anapurna (GB). She encounters Simon and Ed Crisford trainee De Ville (GB) (No Nay Never), who is an unraced 625,000gns Tattersall October Book 1 graduate out of a three-parts sister to G1 Oaks, G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Alexandrova (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). The post Full-Sister to Anapurna Set for Wolverhampton Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Here’s this week’s Box Seat with hosts Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Outstanding feats had to take a back seat when Dreams Are Free produced an incredible win at Winton on Sunday. The two-year-old made headlines and sent social media into a spin with his remarkable recovery to win race 8. But there was plenty more to celebrate at the meeting, including the winning treble of popular reinsman Rory McIlwrick. McIlwrick is the right-hand man at Wayne Adams’ stable, with the pair producing two starters for two winners on Sunday. The first of those victories came with Claasee, who burst out of the pack to win race 1. “Wayne was absolutely rapt with both horses winning,” McIlwrick said. “Claasee is just the perfect racehorse – she has all of the attributes you want in a horse.” “She’s got a great attitude and gives it her all out there.” “She has improved with racing, and we can only hope her ability will be as big as her heart as she keeps going.” “It was a nice win; she showed some good dash to get over top of them.” Forever Arden overcame an early mistake to complete the Adams-McIlwrick double with his win in race 6. After his early break, Forever Arden went on to lead at the bell, and he proved too slick for a strong maiden field. “He has still got a few tricks to iron out; it is all in his head, and hopefully with a bit more time, he can do things right.” “But he is a nice horse with good ability.” “He will go to the unruly after making another mistake, but that may not be a bad thing because hopefully he can keep learning from there.” “I am sure he will do a nice job once he figures it all out.” Forever Arden completed a driving treble for McIlwrick with the reinsman also guiding Airwaves to victory in race 4. Showing his immense skill in the sulky, McIlwrick pulled the whip through to his left hand, much like James McDonald would when riding home a superstar galloper. Under the reinsman’s urgings, the eight-year-old lifted when called upon to register the 100th training win of Craig Laurenson’s harness racing career. “They came up to him, but Airwaves dug in and fought them off.” “When they came at him, it was shades of Swayzee versus Akuta there for a moment, before he pulled away from them again.” “The size of the motors involved might be a bit different, but Airwaves doesn’t lack any heart.” McIlwrick was rapt to be able to deliver Laurenson his 100th victory. “We only just missed out on his hometrack last week, which would have been great.” “But got there today, which is the main thing.” “Craig and I go a long way back, and he has been great to me and great to drive for.” “I am sure he will celebrate well with a couple of waters.” View the full article

By Michael Guerin Two of the favourites for Grand Prix day at Addington on December 10 are set to miss the final major meeting of the season. And while star pacer Chase A Dream will be back next season, juvenile trotting favourite Head Em Up won’t be. Well, at least not here. The pair were among a number toward the head of the markets who will go to the spelling paddock or, in Head Em Up’s case, to Queensland. “He has been sold and already left,” said trainer Paul Nairn, who also shared in the ownership of Head Em Up. “He was actually sold after his race at Kaikoura but on the proviso he could race for us at his next start. “That was only a few days later when he won the Trotting Stakes so it was a good deal for everybody “They get a good horse and we got to win a nice race and got a fair price.” Head Em Up isn’t the only talented two-year-old trotter who won’t be contesting races like the Lone Star Sires’ Stakes next week and Ace Of Clubs at the Grand Prix with John Dunn confirming both A Fine Patrick and Bounce N Beyond are heading for the paddock as well. Last Tuesday’s stunning Sires’ Stakes winner Chase A Dream will also head to the paddock after a below par blood report on Monday, prompting trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon to pull the plug on his season. “Both he and Vessem can go for a break because they have big three-year-old seasons ahead of them,” said Nathan Purdon. Barry Purdon has already taken his two-year-old boys and girls home, headed by Cold Chisel, so they can also rest up and get ready for the first three-year-old features in the north in the New Year. TAB bookies suspended many of the markets on Monday night. View the full article

The second Kentucky Derby Future Pool will be open Thursday through Sunday with GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Fierceness (City of Light) the 15-1 individual betting favorite on the morning line. The pari-mutuel field of “All Other 3-Year-Old Colts and Geldings” from the 2021 foal crop not listed within the 38 individual betting interests was tabbed as the heavy 4-5 choice. The four-day pool opens at noon Thursday and closes at 6 p.m. Sunday and will run concurrently with the lone Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager. Horses from the 2021 foal crop sired by Into Mischief were made the 8-1 individual favorite for the sire wager, but “All Other Sires” was the 6-1 overall favorite. For complete fields, click here. The post Fierceness Individual Favorite in Second Kentucky Derby Future Pool appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Great British Racing International (GBRI) launched the first episode in a new five-part video series entitled 'Be A Part Of It: Breeding In Britain'–Juddmonte: Banstead Manor Stud. The remaining four episodes will drop daily through Nov. 25. Episode 1 features one of the most prolific stud farms in the world, Banstead Manor Stud, home of Juddmonte. General Manager Simon Mockridge discusses how Prince Khalid Abdullah first came to purchase the stud in 1987. Among its illustrious residents, Frankel (GB) is poised to win his second Champion Sire title in the last three years having sired 11 Group 1 winners in 2023, more than any other Northern Hemisphere-based stallion. Mockridge also discusses Kingman (GB) and new 2024 stallion, Chaldean (GB). Episode 2 will feature the UK breeding operation of owner/breeder Imad Al Sagar, who founded Blue Diamond Stud. The stud has enjoyed great success in recent years with their homebred filly Nashwa (GB), who has won three Group 1 races. In Episode 3, GBRI visit Darley, founded by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Their British headquarters, Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket, is home to 13 stallions. Sam Bullard, Director of Stallions and the nominations team headed by Dawn Laidlaw discuss Dubawi, Too Darn Hot (GB) and Harry Angel and new to 2024, five-time Group 1 winner Modern Games. Episode 4 will highlight Newsells Park Stud. Julian Dollar, General Manager provides an overview on their extensive facilities as well as their resident stallions Without Parole (GB) and A'ali. The final episode presents Ed Harper, Stud Director at Whitsbury Manor Stud in Hampshire, who discusses two resident stallions–Showcasing (GB) and Havana Grey (GB). The series, which is supported by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, can also be viewed via the GBRI social media channels and on GBRI's website. The series this year follows on from a successful campaign in 2022 which showcased the various aspects of owning a horse in training in Britain. The post GBRI Releases Part 1 of ‘Be A Part of It: Breeding in Britain’ Series appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Peter Willmott, an industry leader whose Willmott Stables campaigned standouts such as grade 1 winner and classic-placed Eddington, died Nov. 11 at his Williamstown, Mass., home. He was 86.View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of Nov. 13-19View the full article

Funeral services were held Saturday for Peter Sherman Willmott, an owner and breeder of Thoroughbreds who served for nearly two decades as a trustee and chairman of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) and as a steward of The Jockey Club. Willmott was 86 and died at his home in Williamstown, Massachusetts, Nov. 11 while surrounded by family, according to his obituary in the Chicago Sun-Times. Among the top horses that Willmott raced either in his own name, in partnerships, or as Willmott Stables, were Eddington, the winner of the 2005 GI Pimlico Special H., and Williamstown, the 1993 GII Withers S. victor who was named after the town Willmott so loved in the quiet Berkshires section of the Northeast. Although Williamstown only won that one graded stakes in his 4-for-25 career, the colt blitzed a one-turn mile at Belmont Park in 1:32.79 when capturing the Withers on opening day of the 1993 Belmont spring season. That clocking pared two-fifths of a second off the (then timed in fifths) record of 1:33 set in 1982 by Conquistador Cielo. Williamstown's mark stood for 10 years until Najran ran 1:32.24 in 2003, which remains the current record. “Pete's integrity, passion and commitment to the sport left an indelible legacy on TOBA and everyone associated with it,” TOBA's president, Dan Metzger, stated in a press release. A graduate of Glens Falls High School in New York (1955), Williams College (1959), and Harvard Business School (1961), Willmott was an entrepreneur who began his business career in New York City at American Airlines and Booz, Allen & Hamilton. According to his Sun-Times obituary, in 1966 he became vice president and treasurer of I.T.T. Continental Baking Company. He joined Federal Express in 1974, working in a number of executive roles and later serving as that firm's president, chief operating officer, and on the FedEx board of directors until 2009. Willmott's lifelong resume includes numerous other business-related appointments, and he was generous with his time regarding volunteer and civic service roles. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Sanjiv Shah Laboratory by way of the Northwestern Memorial Foundation at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital. To read or add to Willmott's online memorial book, click here. The post Owner/Breeder Peter S. Willmott Dies at 86 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Multiple Grade I-placed Reinvestment Risk (Upstart–Ridingwiththedevil, by Candy Ride {Arg}) has been acquired to stand stud at Rising Sun Farm in Portmore, Jamaica, Schumer Bloodstock reported Monday. The 5-year-old was second behind future champion Jackie's Warrior in the 2020 GI Hopeful S. and GI Champagne S. In 2022, he was second in the GI Carter H. and GI Churchill Downs S. On the board in seven of 10 starts, Reinvestment Risk won twice and earned $415,980. Reinvestment Risk will stand alongside 2014 GIII Sham S. winner Midnight Hawk (Midnight Lute) at Rising Sun Farm. The post Reinvestment Risk to Stand in Jamaica appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following Sea (Runhappy–Quick Flip, by Speightstown), the recently retired winner of the 2021 GII Vosburgh S., will begin his stud career next season at Rivard Stables in Eli, Manitoba. The 5-year-old was purchased from his breeder, Spendthrift Farm, by longtime Manitoba horseman Gary Naherniak to stand in Western Canada. Racing in the Spendthrift colors for trainer Todd Pletcher, Following Sea was second in the 2021 GI Haskell S. and GI Cigar Mile and was third in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint and GI H. Allen Jerken Memorial S., in addition to his Vosburgh victory. On the board in all nine career starts, he won three times and earned $855,620. “Following Sea is great looking and an outstanding mover,” Pletcher said. “He had tons of speed.” The deal to send Following Sea to Manitoba was brokered by Derek MacKenzie and Matt Bowling of Vinery Sales. “Following Sea was an explosive racehorse, specializing on dirt at six to eight furlongs. His 3-year-old campaign was very impressive as he shipped back and forth across the U.S. a couple of times and ran well at numerous major tracks, winning the GII Vosburgh and placing in multiple Grade I's. He was tough on the track and is an awesome physical specimen, being that he is both big and pretty. I remember inspecting the Spendthrift yearlings in the spring of 2019 and we at Vinery Sales ranked him #1 as the best yearling physically we had seen that year. This is an incredible stallion prospect to stand in Manitoba, and I would expect mares to, not only travel within Manitoba to him, but for breeders to send mares from the other Western provinces and most likely some from Ontario and the U.S. as well.” Following Sea's stud fee will be announced in the near future. The post Following Sea to Stand in Manitoba appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Arqana's Autumn Sale, which began on Saturday with a session of Flat yearlings, resumed with a lively session of horses in training, headed by Make Me King (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) at €380,000, one of two six-figure purchases on the day by Wathnan Racing. Sold as lot 420 by the Channel Consignment, the three-year-old has been in training with Andre Fabre and has won in both his seasons to date, as well as finishing runner-up in last year's G3 Prix Thomas Bryon. Out of the Listed-winning juvenile Miss Infinity (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), Make Me King was bred by Haras Voltaire and is from the family of the G1 Prix Morny winner The Wow Signal (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). Blandford Bloodstock agent Stuart Boman signed for the gelding on behalf of his colleague Richard Brown, in turn buying for Wathnan Racing. Boman signed for six horses on the day, four of which are heading to Australia for a variety of trainers, including Annabel Neasham and Charlotte Littlefield. The other member of the sextet, the Aga Khan's treble winner and Listed-placed Beshtani (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), who was sold from the stable of Francis Graffard for €340,000, is also for Wathnan Racing. Speaking on the phone from the Goffs sale in Ireland, Richard Brown said of Make Me King and Beshtani, “They will both go to Qatar. They are progressive-looking horses and I wouldn't rule them out of coming back here at some stage. That would be a decision of Olly Tait and the Wathnan team. They did it successfully with Bolthole last year, but for now these two horses will race during the Qatar season.” A clearance rate of 83% appeared to be a decent enough statistic but this was actually markedly down from this session last year when 94% of the horses were sold. On Monday, 169 horses found new homes, with the figures up in all other sectors. Turnover was €7,003,500 (9%), the average was €41,441 (+4.5%) and the median was €18,000, which rose from €15,000. The Willie Mullins buying team regularly peruses the French market and it will be to Closutton that the the Wertheimer-bred Zoffany (Ire) colt Zillow (GB) now heads after winning two of his five starts. The three-year-old (Lot 401) was bought by Pierre Boulard on behalf of Ireland's champion jumps trainer at €300,000. “He is lightly raced and particularly appreciates soft ground,” said Boulard. “He seems quite versatile, and will run over jumps and then come back to the Flat. “We loved the horse: he's well bred and has an exceptional physique. He was recommended to us by his trainer Christophe Ferland, with whom we have had great luck in the past.” The buying team of Boulard, Mullins and Harold Kirk topped the table after the horses-in-training section, having signed for six horses for a total of €1,070,000. One horse who escaped the Mullins clutches, despite having the stable's star juvenile hurdler Lossiemouth (Fr) (Great Pretender {Ire}) in his pedigree, was Shamrock Glitter (Fr) (Shalaa {Ire}). John Hammond placed the final bid of €250,000 for the two-year-old colt from Nicolas Clement's stable who has run just twice, most recently winning over 1,600 metres at Chantilly after finishing placed on debut. Hammond later confirmed to TDN that Shamrock Glitter, a half-brother to the globetrotting Group 1 winner Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper), has been bought for Barry Irwin of Team Valor and is likely to remain in training in France. The Autumn Sale continues over the next two days with two-year-old stores and National Hunt yearlings to follow. The post Arqana Top Lot Make Me King to Wathnan Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

From clipping Curlin's stallion tag to Broadway's Alibi's halter before the mare went into the breeding shed to celebrating in the winner's circle at Santa Anita six years later for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, Aaron West has been along for the ride almost every step of the way as the foal that resulted from that mating back in 2017 came to be known as Elite Power, a two-time Breeders Cup champion and the newest addition at Juddmonte Farm. West was working at Lane's End Farm when Broadway's Alibi (Vindication), a two-time graded stakes winner and runner-up in the 2012 GI Kentucky Oaks, was sent to visit Curlin. He accompanied the mare to Hill 'n' Dale to oversee the breeding and a year later, was there to watch a strapping chestnut colt bred by Alpha Delta Stables take his first steps on wobbly legs adorned with flashy white socks. West's acceptance of the position as Nominations Manager at Juddmonte USA was announced last year on Oct. 6. Two days later Elite Power, who was purchased as a yearling by Juddmonte for $900,000, announced his presence in his stakes debut in the GII Vosburgh S., where he was geared down to win by almost six lengths. After winning four of his next five starts at the top level, Elite Power's career culminated two weeks ago with a repeat victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. From there he was on to Juddmonte, where the champ will stand for an initial stud fee of $50,000 in 2024. For West, whose path just seems to be aligned with this impressive son of Curlin, having the opportunity to now show Elite Power off to breeders has been the best part of the journey yet. “I think that's what makes this business so exciting for those of us that are working in it,” he said. “You get to see these horses go from the day they were born to becoming a champion and that's the most rewarding thing. When he won the Sprint this year, I felt confident pretty early in the race that he was looking like he was going to really fire a big one and sure enough, he did. The emotions get to you a bit when you see one hit the line like that and to see him go out on top and finish his career the way he did, it was very rewarding for all of us here at Juddmonte.” Having a good feeling about the mating, West took a last-minute snapshot before Broadway's Alibi visited Curlin | courtesy Aaron West Elite Power's career over the past two years has been a model of consistency. His win in the Vosburgh was the fourth score in the middle of an eight-race win streak and when he then closed out his 4-year-old campaign with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Sprint over the likes of champion sprinter Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) and MGSW C Z Rocket (City Zip), he stamped his status as the 2022 Eclipse Champion Male Sprinter. The Bill Mott trainee picked up where he left off this year in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint, which he won by 3 1/4 lengths at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. That 5-year-old debut marked the start of a year-long rivalry with GISW Gunite (Gun Runner). Elite Power claimed the GII True North S. before facing off with Gunite for the remainder of the season. Elite Power scored in the GI Vanderbilt H. by a head and Gunite turned the tables in the GI Forego S., but then Elite Power returned to the winner's circle in their final match-up in the Sprint. “He ran a 111 Beyer Speed Figure and a 0 Ragozin, which is the fastest number they've given any horse this year,” reported West. “That cemented his place in my mind as the fastest horse of the year and a deserving candidate to be in the conversation for Horse of the Year.” “I think Elite Power's consistency is what made him a great racehorse,” he continued. “For any horse to win eight in a row and nine of ten, and to be competing at the level he was at, it takes a very special horse. I think that's even more complimentary to a sprinter because there's no easy part of a six-furlong race. You've got to be involved early and then you've got to be able to finish. He was able to do that consistently and he showed up with the same race every time.” West said that while the Juddmonte team could not have drawn up a better racing campaign for Elite Power, when the operation first purchased the son of Curlin their initial vision for his career was different than what came to fruition. While the colt showed every sign of being a precocious 2-year-old in his early training, a few minor setbacks kept him from racing as a juvenile. When the colt made it to the starting gate at three, his connections believed that stretching out in distance would be his forte. “But he had other ideas and his ideas were pretty good,” said West with a laugh. “When we bought him he looked like a two-turn horse. He looked like a Derby kind of horse. His pedigree has that two-turn, dirt stamina.” Elite Power earns back-to-back victories in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint | Benoit And so, West said, Elite Power has all the credentials to be a stallion that can produce Classic-type runners. Plus, he boasts a resume that stands out from most other sons of Curlin. “He's a unique version of arguably one of the best sires in America right now,” West explained. “He is by Curlin and won at the sprint level, but he also showed that he can stretch that speed out to win over a mile earlier in his career. Obviously Elite Power hails from an immaculate pedigree. It's generation after generation of top-level runners particularly on the dirt, going all the way back to his fourth dam Eliza (Mt. Livermore), who was a champion 2-year-old.” As visitors have stopped by Juddmonte over the past few weeks to see the new arrival, West said that breeders have been thrilled by what they've seen and that Elite Power has taken in all the activity in stride. “Conformationally he's just perfectly put together–a very strong horse, good size, just a shade under 16'1,” explained West. “He's well-balanced and very athletic. He has just a phenomenal mind on him. He's quiet as can be, shows beautifully, walks out and does his job. I think he not only has the physical, but he's also got the mental aspect to show why he was such a good racehorse and why he has all the potential in the world to be a phenomenal stallion.” Elite Power's new barnmate Mandaloun saw a successful debut season last year when he bred 211 mares. This year the Grade I-winning son of Into Mischief will stand for $20,000. “It's a great time to be at Juddmonte,” said West. “To have two horses of this caliber, one being a homebred for us and the other being a yearling that we bought, shows Juddmonte's continuation of investment and participation in Thoroughbred racing at the highest level.” The post Elite Power Takes the Stage at Juddmonte appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article