Wandering Eyes

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

Miles Ahead, who hasn't won a race in 2023 despite finishing second or third in all of his starts, tries to get the "W" Nov. 23 in the Thanksgiving Classic Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.View the full article

It was a day for the young guns at the opening session of the Goffs November Foal Sale on Monday with a colt by Earthlight (Ire) sharing top lot status with a colt by the already proven Mehmas (Ire) at €80,000. The progeny of the Irish National Stud-based Lucky Vega (Ire) also played a leading role on the day with Yeomanstown Stud's Supremacy (Ire) going down similarly well with buyers. But the main story of the day was the positive start to the week in terms of trade, highlighted by the Earthlight, snapped up by top judge Paul McCartan of Ballyphilip Stud. Consigned by Ridge Manor Stud, the Earthlight hailed from an unraced Danehill Dancer (Ire) mare and, according to McCartan, possesses all of the good characteristics he'd expect from one by the stallion. He said, “I thought he was a beautiful horse with plenty of size and scope. A very good mover, very correct with a great head on him. He reminded me of some of the nice Earthlights I saw selling well this year. You'd have to give Earthlight a chance. “I didn't have any Earthlights this year so this is my first foray with the stallion. We bought a Mohaather (GB) as well. That's the gamble we're taking with the two of them and hopefully one of them might come up with the goods next year.” It's fair to say there was some trepidation among industry stakeholders heading into this week but, at close of play on Monday, nobody was complaining. Of the 212 foals offered, 158 found homes, which worked out at a clearance rate of 75%. The aggregate was down 10% on last year to €3,157,000 and the average fell 2% to €19,982 but the median climbed 3% to €16,000. McCartan did his bidding online for the joint sale-topper on Monday and explained the very simple reason for doing so. “It means that we can keep looking at foals,” he said. “That's the main reason for it. You don't have to be running in and out. You can continue looking at foals and bid away online.” Asked if he was keeping a keen eye on the progeny of Nando Parrado (GB), who he famously sold as a foal for 165,000gns, he added, “I am and I bought a lovely colt foal by him at Fairyhouse last week. They are all lovely and he's stamping them. They're all bays and he was bay himself. They put their heads down and they walk.” A total of seven Earthlights sold for an aggregate of €253,000 at an average of €36,143. Meanwhile, the Mehmas colt was knocked down to Tally-Ho Stud. He was consigned by Derek Gibbons of Skara Stud. Lucky Vega Lights Up Goffs With Memorable Debut One of the major talking points to emerge from the day was how well the progeny of Lucky Vega went down with buyers. Of the eight foals offered by the stallion, they commanded a total of €288,000, more than any other sire managed on the day. Not only that but Lucky Vega's averages posted were pretty impressive as well. A €36,000 average placed him marginally behind Earthlight on €36,143. The Irish National Stud's CEO Cathal Beale was understandably pleased. He said, “We've two Lucky Vegas in the top 10 which is great. They've sold great and the talk from all of the buyers is very positive. The clearance rate is very good for vendors, which is great, and something we are very conscious about. None of the horses sold have fallen below the stud fee and the top-priced Lucky Vega made €65,000, bought by the Lucky Vega syndicate, which was great to see that support from within.” He added, “There were some really strong prices there for Lucky Vegas and there will be a lot more to come from him throughout the week. It's a great start, with him averaging close to €37,000, and that's only going to go up over the next few days. Hopefully it bodes well for what he's going to do over the next few weeks.” The Lucky Vega Syndicate was headed by Sam Fairgray, chief operating officer at Yulong Investments, while powerhouse owner Zhang Yuesheng was also in attendance as the team secured lot 43, a colt by the Group 1-winning juvenile. That colt was consigned by Irene Scheldt, who described the result as her greatest ever in Ireland. She said, “The colt belongs to a Gestut Kussaberg in Germany. I've had the mare down through the years and they are good breeders who know what they are at. They come over for the ITM Stallion Trail every year and, when they saw Lucky Vega, they loved him. They thought he was a great-walker. He really invested in him.” Scheldt added, “We're based in Gorey, County Wexford, but my husband Andre is Australian but his parents are German. The mare is in foal to Bayside Boy and the other mare is in foal to Lope De Vega. Since I have come back to Ireland, this has been my best result. I did consign in France for many years but this is my best day in Ireland and it's all very exciting.” It would be remiss not to mention the positive start Nando Parrado has made, too. Six foals by the sire sold for a decent average of €20,000, with Summerhill Stables enjoying a good touch with lot 216, knocked down to Piercetown Stud for €38,000. Beale commented, “Nando has been the great story of the day. Again, there's been nothing selling for below the stud fee, which is important. His average is very strong and prices of €38,000, €24,000 and €19,000, it's important that breeders can make a few quid. They'll all come back and support him next year, I'm sure. I think everyone has been impressed with them and they are a good, solid, even bunch. “They look like him and we all know what he did as a foal–Paul McCartan is one of the greatest judges and, in his own words, he described him as one of the nicest foals he's ever had. Carrying on from last week at Fairyhouse, where Paul bought a nice foal by Nando Parrado there, to have a very good and even spread across the board, we're delighted. A good start is half the work and it's been a good week for both of them with promise of more to come.” On the market, Beale added, “The expectation coming here on Monday, off the back of a challenging yearling sale season–certainly the second half of the yearling sale season–was somewhat mixed. Taking that into consideration, it was a hell of a start. It's the best of Irish breeding here and obviously there's a very good market for that. Long may that last.” Marnane: 'Blue Point Is Pound For Pound The Best Stallion In Europe' Con Marnane never fails to disappoint, does he? The top breeze-up handler and pinhooker landed two colts by Blue Point (Ire) and Havana Grey (GB) for a combined €102,000 and explained how plan A is to re offer them as yearlings but going breezing is obviously an option should he need to go down that route. The Blue Point colt was consigned by Oaklawn Stud and fetched €56,000 with Marnane effusive in his praise of the sire. He said, “We've a couple of very nice Blue Points bought for the breeze-ups and we have a mare in foal to him as well. The stallion is incredible. He's pound for pound the best stallion in Europe. This is a lovely colt with clean x-rays and a good scope.” Clearly in a playful mood, Marnane declared himself a big fan of the Irish vets compared to their counterparts in America, who scratched his Givemethebeatboys form the Breeders' Cup. “He had a very good vetting, and I'd prefer the vets over here than I would in America!” Thought of the day I'll be the first to admit that, coming to Goffs on Monday, I wasn't too sure what to expect. There seems to be something of a readjustment taking place in the market, which was evident at the yearling sales, so all things considered, the trade on Monday was pretty solid. What was evident, too, was the good vibe, bordering on the pleasantly surprised atmosphere, around Goffs on the day. Fingers crossed it continues throughout the week. The post Earthlight And Mehmas On Top As Young Sires Star At Goffs November Foal Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cambridge-based junior driver Zev Meredith’s heading south to the Manawatu confident he can add to his winning tally this season. Meredith’s enjoying his best ever season with 17 wins so far and he’s also secured a spot, along with Sarah O’Reilly and Crystal Hackett, to represent New Zealand at the Australasian Young Drivers’ Championship in Queensland next month. Today he has six drives on the seven race programme, headlined by Bad Medicine and Pacing Hope. “It’s a nice book of drives and I’d be disappointed if I didn’t get a win or two,” he says. Bad Medicine will front up in Race 4, the Mad Butcher Wairarapa Cup Mobile Pace for Meredith’s employer Arna Donnelly. He’s placed in three of four runs at Manawatu. “He’s a funny horse who’s laid back , maybe too laid back at times, but it’s a small field and if he’s on the job he’s a big chance.” Run Mason Run, after a last start second, looks one of his main dangers. Meredith will drive three horses for Donnelly, with Carolina Moon in Race 3, the Post Office Hotel Pahiatua Mobile Pace, and then Pacing Hope in Race 5, the Osborne Group Chartered Accounts Mobile pace. “She’s a trier,” says Meredith, “she’s no star but she has won eight races.” “It looks a competitive field and if the pace is on she just keeps trucking.” No Mercy and last start winner Lady La Salle also look to be key runners. In Race 6, the Pete’s Joinery and Building Greytown Mobile Pace, Meredith will drive That Maj Ya Look, a first starter from Scott Dickson’s Hunterville barn. She qualified by herself earlier this month. “She looks to have ability and speed so I’m quite excited to drive her,” says Meredith. Ticking Over is another Dickson runner he’ll drive in race 7, the Connie Stewart Sotheby’s International Realty Mobile pace. Meredith will also drive Kiss My Pixel for trainer Geoff Martin in Race 2, the Masterton Club Handicap Trot. The Manawatu mini meeting starts at 3.45pm. View the full article

Everybody understands the deal with new stallions. Most will never again command so high a fee, nor so potent a book, and many will complete their principal service to commercial breeders long before any of their stock has actually entered a starting gate. Once they reach that point, you need only browse the freshman tables of years past to get a chastening sense of how many “exciting” newcomers will establish a lasting eligibility to keep seeding the breed. On the other hand, their window of opportunity is ruthlessly brief. If they don't seize the moment, they quickly fall prey to the same vogue that so recently favored them, as breeders flit to the next intake. The stakes are correspondingly high, then, as we begin to grasp which among the current group are managing to walk the walk. And there's no doubt which farm will be perusing the table with most satisfaction. Now it must be acknowledged that Spendthrift's recruitment in 2019 was so aggressive as to cause some resentful mutterings about “cornering the market.” That has proved mildly hysterical, but it's certainly legitimate to say that standing the first, second and joint-third most expensive new sires of 2020 represented a significant change of tempo for B. Wayne Hughes and his team, radically adapting their trademark of high-volume, low-fee sires. Having raised the stakes so steeply, then, those supervising the legacy of the farm's late owner are justly gratified to see four of Spendthrift's five new sires in 2020 now filling the top of the freshman earnings table–with all four, moreover, still having every chance of claiming the title. That's because barely $200,000 divides narrow leader Mitole ($1,942,416) from Omaha Beach ($1,732,570) in fourth, with Vino Rosso ($1,852,771) and Maximus Mischief ($1,751,396) tucked in between. The top three, indeed, have all had a turn in front over the past couple of weeks, Mitole the latest after a particularly fertile weekend. However things play out, a statement has been made. Spendthrift has demonstrated that even more affluent breeders, with no need of the kind of incentive schemes that sustained the rise of Into Mischief, are prepared to exchange the risk of catalogue congestion for a relatively lenient fee. That said, the first thing Ned Toffey wants to stress is the way Maximus Mischief–the most prolific sire of the intake, with 29 individual winners against 26 for Vino Rosso–has stood so tall for the established model. “That's the great irony,” says the farm's general manager. “We made a conscious decision to try to step up the quality, we made three really strong purchases, and yet it's one in a lower-price category who's right in there among them for leading freshman. So I think he's shown that it's still important to remember that a good horse can come from anywhere–which is something we've always believed.” So much so, that Hughes evidently required a fair bit of persuasion before embarking on such a marked step change. “Yes, it took a little bit of discussion, and looking at things, and thinking about it himself, to really appreciate that there was a bit of a shift in the marketplace, and that it was important to step up the quality,” Toffey recalls. “But at the same time, he was always adamant that we should not get away from what had been our bread-and-butter. He felt strongly that we needed to make sure we also have options for the smaller breeders. “And that was really reflected with Maximus Mischief: his career ran a little shorter, but as an undefeated 2-year-old by Into Mischief, there was certainly plenty there to hang your hat on, and make the case that this horse could be any kind. It was very much a template that had worked for us. At the same time, yes, we wanted to go after some of the bigger guns. And the nice thing is that it's paying off not with one or two, but four.” Maximus Mischief is leading freshman sire by winners | Spendthrift They shared momentum even between their recruitment and arrival. With announcement of their fees deferred until the Breeders' Cup, Vino Rosso and Mitole put themselves lucratively in the shop window with wins in the Classic and Sprint, respectively. And while Omaha Beach was just given the slip in the Dirt Mile, he reiterated his class when signing off in the GI Malibu S. All three, then, had the kind of profile to support a more conventional trading model. “What we began to find, over the years, is that there's a higher price point where the 'Share the Upside' model didn't appeal quite as much,” Toffey says. “So the so-called Big Three that we brought in, we just sold those seasons straight up. It's just the way things have evolved and, in a way, our approach has evolved alongside that. We were very fortunate, having bought those three before their racing careers were over, that they all finished up on the right note.” That comes at a stipulated price, of course, in most contracts. “But usually you'd rather pay the 'kicker' to achieve a little higher price point, which hopefully means a mares that are a little bit better as well,” Toffey reasons. “They all came to stud with momentum, and that's not easy to do. We've bought plenty of others whose careers didn't then go the way we hoped!” But the great thing now is that they have also landed running in their next careers. Of course, no bones about it, the upgrade in quality was matched by the customary Spendthrift quantity. All three corralled over 200 mares, while Maximus Mischief fell just short at 196. In fairness, however, there are other farms that cover mares on an industrial scale–and there's never anything automatic about then getting prolific results on the track. “I think so much of it is a credit to our breeders and to our salesmen, and to the relationships that they've built over the years,” Toffey says. “I've often been asked about what you do, when a horse comes to stud, to help make him work. And what I've learned in my time is that it's not a one-year project. It's not something you do on a given horse. It's something that your farm, your team, and your salesmen have to do, day in day out, year after year, in terms of building relationships.” And he underlines that the same principle extends right through the pyramid, from the ownership to the booking secretaries to the guys in the breeding shed. “So, not to sound cliched, but it's just very, very much a team thing,” he says. “There's just so many aspects to this and, if I was going to be proud of anything, I would say it's what Spendthrift does as a team to help these horses, and our breeders, to be successful.” Ned Toffey | Fasig-Tipton photo One way or another, the Spendthrift formula has proved adaptable. Other farms might well have sought more than $45,000 for a horse as well-bred as Omaha Beach, able to win Grade Is around both one and two turns; or $30,000 for a Breeders' Cup Classic winner; or $25,000 for a champion sprinter that also won a GI Met Mile. As with lesser horses, however, the Spendthrift accountants have banked on those milder fees generating higher volume, so matching the kind of yield that might be achieved elsewhere with more conservative books but tougher fees. “I would never argue against quality, you want to have as good a book of mares as you can for your stallion,” Toffey says. “But we have seen, too, time and time again that these top stallions can come from any level of the market–and routinely do. So you've got to get numbers, got to give breeders a chance to be successful. And I think that's part of what our program has done. “There's a lot of very good farms doing a lot of really good things, and it's the competition that's led to a lot of what we do. All you can do is get them mares, and hope that they can do it from there. And the other thing that I've always said is that our salesmen have a lot of different clients that they're used to dealing with. And the thing about being here in Kentucky, there are so many good breeders with different approaches. Rather than us trying to tell our breeders what to do, we try to listen to–and learn from–them. And you begin to see patterns emerge: what works, what doesn't. I think that's a huge value. But you only get that with numbers.” In terms of their individual output, nobody could be surprised by the precocity of Maximus Mischief's stock, nor that Mitole should be siring horses fast enough for 2-year-old sprints. But few, even from as many as 150 named foals, would necessarily have expected a horse like Vino Rosso, who thrived with maturity, to muster more juvenile starters than both. Albeit no freshman has yet managed a Grade I winner, which is pretty rare nowadays, Vino Rosso has had no fewer than four placed at that level. “Probably the most surprising thing to me is how early the Vinos have been,” Toffey acknowledges. “You saw a number of them in pinhookers' hands and thought, 'Well, how is this going to look, when they have to cruise down that stretch and go a quick eighth?' And I think the fact that they've handled that speaks a lot to the quality horse that he is. Of course, if you go back over the years, you see so many of these great Classic horses that could have been successful sprinting as well. But one of the things that excites me about his chances, going forward, is that they've shown that they can be quick and precocious, but now you're also starting to see them excel as races have gotten a little longer. So I'm cautiously optimistic that next year could be really strong for him.” In contrast to Vino Rosso's 82 starters to date, Omaha Beach has launched 52–perhaps as much a reflection on the Classic caliber of his mares as anything else. “Breeders love him,” Toffey says succinctly. “He's just throwing such quality, and he's already booked full for this year. There's so much pedigree there, so many generations of quality, you see it just in his looks. He has horses doing it the right way, in the right hands and at the right kind of tracks, really suggesting to owners and trainers that they're going to reckoned with in major races going down the road.” Sure enough, Omaha Beach is matching Vino Rosso on a class-high nine stakes horses, each also with four placed in graded stakes. Neither, however, has yet managed a graded stakes scorer–unlike Mitole, with GII Pocahontas S. winner V V's Dream. As we've mentioned, Mitole is on a roll right now. He took over at the top with three new winners on Sunday, including 'TDN Rising Star' Carbone at Churchill Downs, besides coming up with a fifth black-type performer when Typhoon Fury was stakes-placed at Aqueduct just 10 days after breaking his maiden. “It's actually Mitole whose winners have the longest average winning distance,” Toffey says. “Which is totally counterintuitive, but that's the horse business, I guess. But you're seeing a lot of Mitoles that look like him–and he's an incredibly smooth horse from head to tail, so well put together. But I'm also seeing a good number of his offspring with that little added leg. You're seeing some that look like they're going to stretch out and be quality horses, so I think his future looks really, really solid as well.” 'TDN Rising Star' Carbone | Coady And, come to that, Toffey feels that there could also be latent reserves in Maximus Mischief. “He's a really big stallion,” he says. “He looks a lot like into Mischief, but with some added leg. So I think that's exciting. Seth Semkin that works for us made a really interesting observation after the breeze show at the Fasig-Tipton Maryland sale. It was a very tiring track that those horses were working on, and he remarked how the Maximus Mischiefs were persevering all the way through their work, and through the gallop out, where a lot of horses were just giving up. These horses just wanted to keep trying, keep working. I think that's something you see with Into Mischief and now you're seeing it with him, too, that they're tenacious. They like to go out and do their job. So with him throwing that bigger, leggier type, I look for them to be good as we go a little farther. I think they'll hold up really well round two turns.” Toffey adds a word also for Coal Front, the fifth recruit in this intake. “That was another where we wanted to make sure we had something to offer, on the lower end, to smaller breeders,” he says. “We struggled getting the numbers to him, but if he had the support that some of these other horses had, I think he'd be much higher up the list as well. He's certainly shown the ability to get a nice horse.” To be fair, that could also be said of many others struggling to keep up with the Spendthrift frontrunners. One of the other farms that isn't averse to big books is Darby Dan, but a debut book as large as 183 doesn't diminish the credit due to Flameaway in banking over $1.5 million with 16 winners to date. It's getting harder for him to break up the Spendthrift monopoly, now lying over $200,000 behind Omaha Beach, but he stands alone as the only freshman with a third stakes winner. (All four of the Spendthrift sires above him have two apiece, along with Audible at WinStar.) Moreover, the son of Scat Daddy is the only one besides Mitole to have produced a graded stakes winner, in dual Grade III scorer Dreamfyre. His studmate Copper Bullet did not have the same volume but six winners from just 18 starters to date include a brisk one in Copper Tax, who completed a five-timer with a second black type win at Laurel last weekend. And Divisidero, who certainly warrants more opportunity at Airdrie as a potential heir to Kitten's Joy, demands a second look after his first winner (from a handful of starters) followed up in a Kentucky Downs stakes before running third in Grade II company at Keeneland. It should be far early to judge how this group, overall, might fare in the longer term. With only a few weeks to go, however, a strong finish is required to meet the collective standards set by recent freshman classes. Nowadays, new sires are so lavishly supported that it is uncommon for any intake to blank outright on Grade Is, the way this one has. To date, in fact, they have just two graded stakes winners between them: an exceptionally meek return. The four preceding classes respectively collectively yielded 15, 13, 13 and 12. We then slump to four from the freshmen of 2018, of whom only the top three in the table (Cross Traffic, Goldencents and Cairo Prince) plus Mucho Macho Man are still in business in Kentucky. So the pressure is on this lot, collectively. But the top four have already banked more than did Not This Time when third in 2020, while Flameaway will imminently do so. If any can prove half as successful as he has become, in the meantime, then all concerned will be happy. And, in fairness, there are still a few juvenile graded stakes to come. Regardless, for the second year running it looks as though the freshman title race will be going to the wire. In 2022, there were three different studs nervously counting every cent–and it was actually Spendthrift that prevailed with Bolt d'Oro. This time round, barring some cataclysmic intervention by Flameaway, the same farm finds itself pretty much in a win-win-win-win situation. The post Spendthrift’s Fab Four Taking Freshman Title To The Wire appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

OwnerView announced today that 2023 New Owner of the Year, sponsored by 1/ST RACING, was a dead heat between Jim and Dana Bernhard and Alex Bregman.View the full article

Veteran race caller Tony Calo will begin his position as the new track announcer for Turfway Park when the 2023-24 season opens Wednesday, Nov. 29.View the full article

A career horsewoman, the 47-year-old trainer achieved a banner year in 2023, culminating with historic triumphs in this year's Belmont (G1) and Travers (G1) stakes with Blue Rose Farm's Arcangelo. View the full article

Two-time champion sprinter Roy H (More Than Ready) will take up residence in the Hall of Champions at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, becoming the first to join the Hall since the passing of Funny Cide, Point Given and Go For Gin. Raced by Rockingham Ranch and David Bernsen, Roy H first gained national prominence in 2017, capping a three-race winning streak with a 2 1/2-length victory in Belmont's GII True North S. in his first start outside of California. He added wins in the GI Santa Anita Sprint Championship and defeated Imperial Hint (Imperialism) and Mind Your Biscuits (Posse) in that year's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint to secure his first Eclipse Award. His 2018 campaign was a virtual carbon copy of the previous year's, as he won the Sprint Championship and the Sprint, this time defeating a future winner in the form of Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect). He was also third in that year's G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen and retired with a record of 23-10-5-2 and earnings in excess of $3.1 milion. He became a stable pony for trainer Peter Miller, who became his owner. “Roy H was a once-in-a-lifetime horse,” said Miller. “He was the best sprinter of his generation, winning back-to-back Breeders' Cup Sprints and Eclipse Awards. He was a joy to train and be around–all class, all the time. I look forward to visiting him at the Kentucky Horse Park.” The post Roy H Joins Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tickets for the 53rd Annual Eclipse Awards, to be held Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at The Breakers Palm Beach, are now on sale. The ceremonies return to The Breakers for the second year in a row and will be co-hosted by Britney Eurton, Acacia Courtney Clement and Nick Luck, with Caton Bredar as the ceremony announcer. The event, honoring the 2023 Champions of Thoroughbred racing, is presented by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers And Broadcasters (NTWAB). For additional information, click here, or you may contact Michelle Ravencraft at mravencraft@ntra.com. The post Eclipse Awards Tickets On Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Veteran racecaller Tony Calo will be at the mic when the Kentucky racing circuit returns to Turfway Park in Florence Wednesday, Nov. 29. A California native, Calo–best known for his growling 'and there they go' at the break–began his career at Arapahoe Park in Colorado, returning to the Golden State one year later to describe the action at Bay Meadows and Golden Gate Fields. Calo has been the track announcer for the last 15 years at Finger Lakes in upstate New York. He takes over from Jimmy McNerney, who will continue in his role as jockey agent. Calo spent time in the Turfway announcer's booth just last winter when McNerney was recovering from neck surgery. “I'm very honored and thankful to everyone at Turfway Park and Churchill Downs Incorporated for offering me this position,” Calo said. “Turfway has a storied history in Northern Kentucky and is quickly rising to one of the top tracks during the winter season.” The annual highlight of the Turfway racing season is the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks in March. The post Calo Named Turfway Track Announcer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Jena Antonucci, who orchestrated the 2023 campaign of GI Belmont S. and GI Travers S. winner Arcangelo (Arrogate), will be presented with the Big Sport of Turfdom award by the Turf Publicists of America (TPA). The award, which recognizes a person or group of people who enhances coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with media and racing publicists, will be given to Antonucci at the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program's annual awards luncheon in Tucson Dec. 5. Born in Hollywood, Florida, Antonucci, 47, was introduced to the hunter, jumper, and equitation disciplines as a child and was exposed to Thoroughbred racing by her grandparents, who owned racehorses in New York. After spending time retraining and developing off-the-track Thoroughbreds, Antonucci relocated to Ocala and began breaking and training horses at Padua Stables under D. Wayne Lukas Racing Stables at the farm. She took out her trainer's license in 2010 and started her first horse that March at Tampa Bay Downs. “I am grateful to be selected as the next recipient of the Big Sport of Turfdom Award from the turf Publicists,” Antonucci said. “I am incredibly honored to be included with such great past winners who were also as enthusiastic to share the incredible journey they were taken on by these amazing horses and, in doing so, promoting our great sport of horse racing. My team and I look forward to continuing to share our passion in the Thoroughbred industry and, in turn help promote it for many years. Previous winners include jockeys Mike Smith, Pat Day, Chris McCarron, Bill Shoemaker, Angel Cordero Jr., Eddie Arcaro and Gary Stevens; trainers Art Sherman, D. Wayne Lukas and Jack Van Berg; and other individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport, such as Secretariat's owner, Penny Chenery, a two-time winner; announcer Tom Durkin, author Laura Hillenbrand, broadcaster Jim McKay, Turf writer Joe Hirsch and actors Tim Conway and Jack Klugman. Addded TPA President Najja Thompson: “It has been a historic and phenomenal year for Jena Antonucci. Jena is deserving of this award chosen by the members of the Turf Publicists of America as the Big Sport of Turfdom due to her incredible achievements and leadership in our sport. From becoming the first woman to win a Triple Crown race and campaigning 3-year-old Arcangelo to multiple Grade I victories, serving as an advocate for women in the industry and leading by example. She is always generous with her time and access to the media.” The post Antonucci Named Big Sport of Turfdom Award Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jim and Dana Bernhard, the owners of Pin Oak Stud in Kentucky, and Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman, share the 2023 New Owner of the Year Award, sponsored by 1/ST Racing. The Bernhards entered the Thoroughbred business in 2021 and purchased Pin Oak in November 2022. They have been active players at bloodstock auctions and have campaigned the likes of the late Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) and recent 'TDN Rising Star' Parchment Party (Constitution). “We were so fortunate to be able to purchase Pin Oak, and we hope to continue Josephine Abercrombie's legacy and commitment to Thoroughbred breeding and racing,” said Jim Bernhard. “Dana and I are very honored to receive this award, and we are committed to supporting the sport and modernizing the industry.” That support is evidenced by the Bernhards' commitment to donate all proceeds from their online shop to accredited Thoroughbred aftercare organizations. Pin Oak has also announced that their horses will be equipped with biometric sensors during breezes, which will remain in place for races at facilities that have the necessary regulatory approvals. Bregman and his wife Reagan entered racing in 2023 with the purchase of eight horses and plans to race his horses from coast-to-coast. Bregman Family Racing has been represented this year by the impressive three-time stakes winner No Nay Mets (Ire) (No Nay Never). Bregman Family Racing's first time at the track had more than a dozen of Bregman's teammates gathered around his phone in the locker room at Globe Life Field to watch Cadillac Candy finish second at Keeneland Apr. 28. One of the prominent horsemen who pledged Breeders' Cup earnings to support the fight against antisemitism before the 2023 Breeders' Cup, Bregman has also signed on as a Breeders' Cup celebrity ambassador. “The love of horse racing goes back generations in my family, and I've always been a fan,” Bregman said. “It's incredible to have my own horses now and to be able to share the sport with my teammates and fans and to be an ambassador for the sport. I am very honored to receive this award.” The post Pin Oak’s Bernards, MLB Star Bregman Named New Owners of the Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sean Berns, Sarah Pepper and Larry Mulvany are the recipients of the Gerry Dilger Equine Foundation Kentucky Experience scholarship, which places the winners on Kentucky farms for a period of one year beginning in January 2024. Like the late and beloved Dilger, Berns graduated from the prestigious Irish National Stud and will be placed in Kentucky at Springhouse Farm. Though not originally from a horse background, Berns has studied equine business at Maynooth College and has worked at Derrinstown Stud and Coolmore in Ireland and at Newgate Stud in Australia. Pepper recently graduated from University College Dublin and is also bound for Springhouse Farm. She has wide-ranging equine experience from riding schools and pony camp to working at Gerradstown House Stud in County Meath and has a specific interest in equine nutrition and welfare. Mulvany, also a University College Dublin graduate, will join Hunter Valley Farm for the year. The son of trainer Michael Mulvany, Larry Mulvany has worked with The Castlebridge Consignment and had a previous placement with Hunter Valley. He aspires to become a trainer in Ireland. The Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation was set up in memory of Gerry Dilger, who mentored so many young people over the years at his Dromoland Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. The scholarship package includes visa, flights, an hourly wage and accommodation. Applications were invited to the charity from recent graduates of equine programs from the University of Limerick, University College Dublin, The Irish National Stud, CAFRE Enniskillen and Kildalton College. The post Dilger Foundation Announces Scholarship Recipients appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Zara Tindall MBE has been appointed patron of the charity Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), which is dedicated to the welfare and retraining of retired racehorses. A former three-day eventing world champion and Olympic silver medallist, Tindall, the daughter of the Princess Royal, has also had a long association with racing and is currently a director of Cheltenham Racecourse. She said, “I am delighted to be joining Retraining of Racehorses as a patron. The charity's commitment to the wellbeing and retraining of retired racehorses resonates with my lifelong love for these magnificent animals. I look forward to working with RoR to promote their cause and help them to make a positive impact in the racing and equine communities.” David Catlow, managing director of RoR, added, “We are thrilled that Zara has agreed to be our new patron. Her extensive experience in the equestrian world, coupled with her dedication to racing, make her an ideal advocate for our charity. Together, we aim to raise awareness, funding, and support to ensure that retired racehorses receive the care and opportunities they deserve.” Present throughout Cheltenham's November meeting last weekend, Tindall was on hand to accept a cheque on behalf of RoR from Sir Martin Broughton, derived from the proceeds of his memoir, Whenever I Hear That Song. The post Zara Tindall Appointed Patron of RoR appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER View the full article

Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj) might have missed a place in Saturday’s Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m), but connections still saw enough from the gelding to commit to a trip to Perth for The Pinnacles. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained six-year-old will be part of the eastern-states travelling party who will fly out from Sydney on Monday night. Saturday’s 1400-metre Group One was Ayrton’s third run for the campaign and although forced to settle for sixth placing, beaten just over 3-1/4 lengths, the son of Iffraaj was cut out at a vital stage in the straight. “We thought he was going well, but you still want to see a good performance because it’s a long way to go to Perth,” Rob Norton from Roll The Dice, which races Ayrton, said. “He’s pulled up well from Saturday. If he ran well and he pulled up well he was always going to go.” While there are Group One races across the next three weekends at Ascot, Norton said the $1.5 million Gr.3 Damien Oliver Gold Rush (1400m) on December 16 was Ayrton’s target race. The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes came after an unlucky seventh in the Gr.2 The Damien Oliver (1400m) at Flemington on Derby Day, which followed a strong first-up win in the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, and Norton said Ayrton’s revitalisation had coincided with being trained for 1400m races. “Mick’s probably just training him more to be a seven-furlong fresh horse,” he said. “The last couple of campaigns we’ve tried to get him up in trip. Last year he ran in the Five Diamonds (1800m) and the previous season there was the ill-fated campaign to Queensland, but now we’re just training him to be a seven furlong horse.” View the full article

The Arqana November Online Sale will feature a breeding right to the leading second-season sire Havana Grey (GB) among the 14 stallion shares and breeding rights to be auctioned on Tuesday, November 28 from 4pm to 6pm. This is the second breeding right to the Whitsbury Manor Stud stallion to be added to a sale in the last week. The Tattersalls November Online Sale, which takes place on November 22 and 23, also features one among its seven stallion rights in the 154-lot auction. The Havana Grey breeding right in the Arqana sale features as lot 14 and entitles the purchaser to one covering per year. The champion first-season sire last year, Havana Grey has been represented by 11 black-type winners this year led by the dual Group 1-winning juvenile Vandeek (GB) and G2 July S winner Jasour (GB). The post Havana Grey Breeding Right in Arqana Online Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Avdulla, Hewitson, Atzeni and Ferraris will lock horns for a spot in the prestigious competition on December 6View the full article

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, November 22, 2023 First Race 7:10pm HKT (10:10pm AEDT) Visit Dabble We’re back racing under the bright lights of Happy Valley on Wednesday evening with a massive eight-race program set for decision. The rail has been placed in the C course for the meeting, and with favourable weather on the radar, expect the track to be in a pristine Good 4 condition. The first race is set to get underway at 7:10pm HKT (10:10pm AEDT). Best Bet: Prosperous Smile Prosperous Smile has been flying at the barrier trials for the Pierre Ng barn, winning his last two jump-outs. His latest came on the Sha Tin all-weather surface, where the son of Wandjina kicked clear after leading throughout the 1050m journey. Karis Teetan has plenty of options from barrier five, and if he can slot in Prosperous Smile for a soft run in transit, he should be hard to hold out on debut. Best Bet Race 4 – #6 Prosperous Smile (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Pierre Ng | J: Karis Teetan (58kg) Bet with Betfair Next Best: Durham Star Durham Star picked up a much-deserved victory at this course and distance on October 29 and will be seeking back-to-back wins under Zac Purton. He cops a 4kg penalty for his dominant victory, but it seems a fair punishment considering the runner-up has won since. He is a consistent type in Hong Kong, and with Purton sticking in the saddle, we’re happy to follow his lead in the fifth event. Next Best Race 5 – #2 Durham Star (5) 7yo Gelding | T: Douglas Whyte | J: Zac Purton (61kg) Bet with Unibet Next Best Again: Sugar Sugar Sugar Sugar is somehow winless in three starts this campaign and deserves some luck to fall his way. He got severely baulked for a run at this course and distance on November 1, hampering his usually devastating turn of foot. He finished runner-up in his two starts prior, and now with a race to suit from barrier four, watch for Sugar Sugar to be powering over the top to end the evening. Next Best Again Race 8 – #5 Sugar Sugar (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Caspar Fownes | J: Alfred Chan (a2.5kg) (57kg) Bet with Bet365 Happy Valley Wednesday quaddie – 22/11/2023 Hong Kong quadrella selections Wednesday, November 22, 2023 2-5-6-9 4-5-6-8 1-2-3-6-11-12 1-5-6-10 More horse racing tips View the full article

Promising filly Bedtime Story is turning into a dream for her connections. The daughter of Per Incanto was runner-up on debut at Woodville last month and was duly backed into $1.60 favouritism for the DMAK Electrical & Air Condition 3YO Maiden (1200m) at Hastings on Sunday. From her outside gate in the compact five-horse field, Bedtime Story settled in fourth just behind the speed where she was given an economical trip by jockey Kozzi Asano. The northern hoop guided his charge into the one-one heading out of the back straight before navigating her wide when turning for home where she was able to show a good turn of foot in the Heavy9 track conditions to score a 1-3/4 length victory. Trainer Guy Lowry was impressed with her performance and is predicting a bright future for the filly. “She has improved from her first start, she is improving all of the time. She is a nice filly going forward,” he said. “You never know on a wet track, but we had indications that she would handle it.” Bedtime Story is raced by breeder the Dowager Duchess of Bedford and is the first horse she has had in Lowry’s barn, and it is proving to be a flourishing partnership. “I have known her (Dowager Duchess of Bedford) for a while and she has always been meaning to give me a horse, so it’s nice to have a good filly for her as the first one,” Lowry said. Lowry is planning to take it quietly with Bedtime Story, with her next outing set to be at Trentham next month. “She may head to Wellington on the 23rd (of December), there is a set weights and penalties three-year-old race over 1200m,” he said. Meanwhile, Lowry said Zambezi Khan is enjoying a spell following her run in the Gr.2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington earlier this month. The daughter of Mongolian Khan will continue to race in Australia in autumn, with Lowry eyeing some Oaks targets in the southern states. “She pulled up shin sore after the Wakeful, so we put her out for a spell,” he said. “She will be set for the Tasmanian Oaks (Listed, 2100m) and South Australian Oaks (Gr.1 2000m). “Every owner’s dream is to have a horse run for a bit of money over in Australia. She is definitely good enough, she has paid her way so far, I think she is a nice filly.” View the full article

Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) has successfully completed the second phase of the Club’s ‘return to racing’ plan for the Ellerslie track on Monday, 20 November. New Zealand’s premier thoroughbred racecourse, Ellerslie, welcomed horses back for the first time in 20 months on Sunday, 12 November to very positive feedback and today saw 10 horses take to the track to further test the new StrathAyr track. The 10 horses, from Clotworthy Racing Stables, Marsh Racing, Pike Racing and Forsman Racing, were ridden by senior jockeys, Warren Kennedy, Vinny Colgan, Michael McNab, Sam Spratt and Masa Hashizume. All the jockeys we’re once again very complementary of the track especially considering the Ellerslie region has seen 43 mms of rain over the weekend with Warren Kennedy commenting that it feels ready to race even now. “It felt amazing, you could race on it tomorrow,” said Kennedy. “You wouldn’t know we’ve had any rain, it’s drained exceptionally well. “When you walk on the track it feels firm underfoot but has a really good spring when the horses are on it.” Spratt, who felt that it rode a touch firm last weekend, said that the rain on the track had improved the surface and it was great to ride on. Vinny Colgan was blown away by how the track performed considering the amount of rain received over the weekend. “I’m just really impressed with the turf, after 43mms of rain,” commented Colgan “And it feels so safe. Perfect.” ATR Executive General Manager – Racing & Operations, Craig Baker, was really pleased with the outcome of today’s gallop. “The 43mms of rain we had since Friday came at exactly the right time as it gave the track the opportunity to highlight one of its key virtues, which is drainage,” said Baker. “The fact that we had that much rain and the track was a Good 4 this morning is testament to its ability to drain. “We now push on with confidence to jumpouts then trials next month”. Phase three will see jumpouts take place in early December followed by the fourth and final phase of trials, also scheduled for December. All going well, ATR anticipates returning to racing on Sunday, 14 January, ahead of the highly popular TAB Karaka Millions on Saturday 27 January. For more information please contact: Craig Baker, craigb@ellerslie.co.nz View the full article

Sandy Cunningham had hoped Noble Knight would be contesting the two-mile feature on Cup Day last Saturday at Riccarton Park but was delighted to settle for an impressive victory in the Rating 82 2600m event. New Zealand Cup-winning jockey Sam Weatherley was booked aboard Noble Knight last Saturday and the northern hoop bounced the six-year-old astutely out of barrier three to position midfield and one-off-the-fence. At the head of the 18-strong field was Good Oil, the ultra-consistent grey controlling a moderate tempo early before Lisa Allpress pushed the button at the 1600m aboard Rivera Rock to take over. While other backmarkers began to struggle nearing the home turn, Noble Knight cruised into contention near the outer and descended strongly down the straight, drawing away from a brave Good Oil to score comfortably by 1-3/4 lengths. The son of Ghibellines has been a dependable force in Cunningham’s Prebbleton stable for several seasons, and the victory came as a small consolation in missing their target of the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) this season. “Sam rode him the perfect race. It was a very different pattern (to the opening day), he rode him positive out of the gates and did everything right,” Cunningham said. “We had planned to (run in the Cup) this time, but we had a bit of a hiccup in his prep and that didn’t happen. But we’re getting closer.” Weatherley was pleased to record another victory during Cup Week, one that ended successfully when he took home the feature Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) aboard Mahrajaan later on the card. “I just had to bounce him (Noble Knight) out and get him mobile, he’s been getting a long way back,” he said. “It was a bit messy early, it was quite tight with everyone trying to get off the fence and having pressure from the other side. “He went to sleep mid-race, I was on the back of Opie (Bosson, aboard Fierce Flight) and he wasn’t taking me anywhere, so it was a bit of a search-and-run, but to his credit he was really strong to the line and very willing.” View the full article

Kilgravin Lodge has been a mainstay of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready To Run Sale in recent years and principal Eoin Kemp is excited to showcase another quality draft at Karaka this week. Kemp will offer a 20-strong draft on Wednesday and Thursday and believes it is the best line-up of juveniles he has presented at the sale. “I think it is our strongest draft we have had type-wise and it is the strongest line-up of stallions we have had,” he said. “They are by stallions that suit all markets – from Australia right through to that Asia/Hong Kong market.” Kemp said there has been a noticeable increase in foot traffic at Karaka for the early parades and he is hoping that translates into sales demand later in the week. “Yesterday (Sunday) was a little bit busier than Sunday last year. I think Hong Kong will be very strong and we will see what number of Australians transpire to help out that middle market,” he said. While buoyed by the impact Entain is having on New Zealand’s racing scene, Kemp said it may be too early to influence this year’s domestic buying bench. “I think it will take six to 12 months for the Entain money to filter through into New Zealand racing and probably two years before New Zealand racing gets its owners back onboard and that money starts to filter through,” he said. Kemp has been proud of Kilgravin Lodge’s ready to run sale graduates and said they showcase the care taken in their early development. “I am proud of the consistency of our horses – they just go on and continue to perform,” he said. “You still see them racing as four and five-year-olds and winning races and being consistent. “I think the consistency shows the manner in which our horses come through the breeze-ups – they aren’t pushed too hard and they have got longevity about them.” While pleased with his entire draft, Kemp is expecting plenty of interest in lot 298, the Super Seth half-sister to Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) winner and Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m) placegetter Kovalica. “You can’t go past the half-sister to Kovalica. She is a lovely filly and Super Seth has definitely started off his stud career well,” he said. “She breezed up beautifully, has got a great attitude, and I think she will be popular amongst people looking for a nice filly with a lot of residual value.” Kemp is expecting another couple of his draft to feature at the top of the buying sheet at sales end. “The Written Tycoon (lot 45) and Harry Angel (lot 143) will be popular with the Asian market,” he said. The New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale is set to take place at their Karaka sales complex on November 22 and 23, with the sale kicking off at 11am each day. View the full article

There will be a changing of the guard at Wellfield Lodge, with the Palmerston North thoroughbred nursery being offered to the market for the first time in two decades. The Manawatu farm has undergone a change in direction in recent years, moving away from standing stallions, and farm manager Peter Didham ramping up his training operation. Farm director Bill Gleeson said the decision has now been made to sell the farm and disperse the majority of its bloodstock. “Wellfield Lodge was under Peter Didham and myself. We got to a stage in our life where we wanted to downsize a bit and Peter wanted to go training,” Gleeson said. “We have done a development at the farm, there are sections for sale, and we just want to downsize now. “When we first bought the farm, we bought four or five different blocks. Over the last four years we have progressively sold down some smaller blocks and that leaves us with the two main blocks, which can be sold as one block. “We are also going to do a dispersal (of the bloodstock) which will be done over two or three sales on Gavelhouse. “Peter Gillespie, who is one of our main clients that we own bloodstock with, has had a change of circumstances with his health so we are dispersing a lot of that stock.” Wellfield Lodge has stood three sires in recent years – Alamosa, Road To Rock and Vespa, all to varying degrees of success. Alamosa sired three Group One winners in On The Rocks, Stolen Dance and Kirramosa, while Road To Rock is the sire of eight-time Group One winner and former Hong Kong Horse of the Year Beauty Generation, and Vespa is the sire of Group One performer Kelly Renee and Group Three winners Puntura and Carolina Reaper. “Alamosa and Road To Rock have both passed, and Alamosa was probably our most successful stallion,” Gleeson said. “Road To Rock had some quite good gallopers but he didn’t enjoy the success that Alamosa did, but he certainly left a phenomenal horse in Beauty Generation.” Alamosa was a big part of Wellfield Lodge’s major highlights, carrying the farm’s colours to Group One glory, with his homebred daughter Kirramosa doing the same in the Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m). “Alamosa winning the Toorak (Gr.1, 1600m) after we bought him and syndicated him was a big highlight,” Gleeson said. “As too was winning the Victoria Oaks with Kirramosa, a daughter of Alamosa, which we bred and raced. “We did 12 months with Beauty Generation, we broke him in and got him going for Anthony Cummings. “The other big highlight was producing Planet Rock, who was the filly of the year, and Abeautifulred. We sold Planet Rock and we raced Abeautifulred, and they went on to quinella the (NZ 1000m) Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) at Christchurch.” While Wellfield Lodge is set to pass hands in the near future, Gleeson said he intends on remaining in thoroughbred racing in a reduced capacity for the foreseeable future. “Where it all finishes up I am not 100 percent sure, but we intend to still be involved in some way,” he said. Property Listing https://www.bayleys.co.nz/listings/lifestyle/manawatu-_-whanganui/manawatu/311-kairanga-bunnythorpe-road-bunnythorpe-3100550 View the full article