Wandering Eyes

While the New York Thoroughbred racing industry eagerly awaits the expected Fall 2026 re-opening of Belmont Park, one of the circuit's oldest stakes also sits on hold. View the full article

The Oaklawn Park live racing season wrapped up last Saturday, and it delivered with strong numbers across the board, with over $56-million in purses distributed over 621 races, the track announced Monday evening. With an average of 10 races a day, and a daily purse distribution of $903,338, the racing remained competitive with an average of 9.32 starters per race. The average daily handle surpassed $6.73-million while the meet handle reached well north of $417-million. Participation from horsemen remained strong, too, as 2,030 individual horses made at least one start with the group totaling 5,788 jumps between them. Eighty jockeys and 186 trainers competed at the venue this year. The 2024-25 leaders were a salty group as Steve Asmussen and End Zone Athletics Inc. (Karl Broberg) tied for the leading owner title with 14 wins each. D.J. Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, and CJ Stables led all owners with purse earnings of $1,168,000. Steve Asmussen stood alone in the trainer rankings as he collected his record-extending 14th Oaklawn title by winning 46 races, good for purses totaling over $5-million. Francisco Arrieta claimed his second riding title–his first outright–by winning 65 races. The number of trainers and jockeys to earn over $1-million during the season rose, tallying 13 of the former and 16 of the latter. Of the noteworthy milestones reached during the racing calendar, Arrieta earned his 1,000th career victory; Keith Asmussen secured 100 Oaklawn victories; trainer Jinks Fires reached 1,500 career wins; trainer Tom Van Berg earned win 300; jockey Walter De La Cruz hit 1,400 career wins; and Ricardo Santana Jr. joined the 2,000 win fraternity, among others. “It's incredible what we accomplished this season,” said Wayne Smith, general manager of Oaklawn. “Even after losing four Saturdays to weather, we ended up just 10 races shy of last year. That kind of resilience shows the passion of our horsemen, the dedication of our team, and the unwavering support of our fans. It really was something special.” The post Oaklawn Park Wraps 2024-25 Season Strong in Key Metrics, Meet Leaders Announced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In the wake of this year's Kentucky Derby win by Sovereignty, I think it is important to recognize the quiet but profound legacy of one of racing's great horsewomen and enthusiasts–Betty Moran. Sadly, Mrs. Moran passed away in 2020, but I have to feel that this year's Kentucky Derby winner, whose mother she bred, is testament to years of her racing and breeding at the top end of the thoroughbred world. Mrs. Moran bred and/or raced many outstanding race horses including Belmont and Jockey Club winner Creme Fraiche, champions Unique Bella, Russian Rhythm, and Hard Spun, along with English Grand National winner Pappilion. Mrs Moran's breeding theory was simply to breed the best to the best, and she rapidly developed one of the best small broodmare bands in U.S. history. Long before Sovereignty surged down the stretch at Churchill Downs, Mrs. Moran made a bold move in the purchase of his granddam, Mushka, as a three-year-old for $2.4-million. She was a tall, leggy and stunning dark bay mare who would go on to win the GI Spinster at Keeneland and run second, beaten by only a head, in the GI Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic earning $850,000 that year. After retiring, Mushka would produce four foals for Betty's Brushwood Stables including a Bernardini filly which she kept, and three other foals that would be sold for more than $3.5-million. One was of those a gorgeous, scopey filly sold as a yearling to Darley who would name her Crowned. The rest is history. Crowned's first three foals where all by Into Mischief. The second of these a tall, beautiful colt to be named Sovereignty. Oddly, both Mushka and daughter Crowned would have spotty foaling records, but what they produced mattered. This also continued the great legacy of Sovereignty's fourth dam, Lakeway, who was bred and owned by accomplished horseman Mike Rutherford. Lakeway went on to become a foundation mare for Mike's Manchester Farm, and was followed by generations of outstanding horses blessed with her beauty and elegance, to include Sovereignty. I was honored to advise my great friend Betty Moran for more than 30 years. She was a prolific philanthropist and talented horsewoman who would be on top of the world following this year's Derby. On her behalf, congratulations and good luck to Darley and Mike Rutherford. Congratulations to you too, Betty! Your devotion and contributions to racing and horses paid off… again. Reiley McDonald The post Letter to the Editor: The Legacy of Betty Moran appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After a brief break, the highly-popular Metro Trotting and Pacing Series is back. The first heats of the latest series, worth $20,000, will be held for both gaits as part of the Magness Benrow and IRT Sires’ Stakes Finals night at Alexandra Park on Friday night. A second round of heats will be held on May 23. The series is for horses rated up to and including R54 and/or horses with up to two lifetime wins. Heat wins will be penalty free with the first four home in each automatically qualifying for the $35,000 Final to be held on Friday, May 30. There will also be further series over the next two months, culminating in the Finals on Friday, June 27 and Friday, July 25. The Metro series is a key part of the Look North strategy launched last year to reinvigorate racing in Auckland and Cambridge. The last round of Heats and Finals was held in March with Eyre I Will, trained by Jeremy Young, taking out the Trotters Final with Brian and Gareth Hughes training the quinella in the Pacing Final with Runkle Crunch and Carrera Hombre. To see the Trotters field for Friday night click here To see the Pacers field for Friday night click here View the full article

By Jordyn Bublitz For a $2,800 purchase Les White is pretty chuffed with how well his mate Bettor Reaction has been performing as of late, and the Auckland Reactor gelding could well add to his earnings at Cambridge today. ‘Jack’ ,as he is known by, was purchased off Gavelhouse last June by White and put on an eye-catching performance fresh up in December to win at Alexandra Park on a 57.3 half by a commanding 5 ¾ length margin. “It was just so unexpected, he’s so laid back and he hadn’t given much of a feeling in his work,” says White, “he had one trial to lead in and he ran a very distant fourth, I thought to myself oh no what have I actually bought.” “And then to go up there and win by nearly 6 lengths and go 2:41 I was a bit gob-smacked really” To make the moment even more special, that was White’s first win at Alexandra Park in his 38-year career. Since then Bettor Reaction has had six starts, including two seconds and a last start win at Cambridge on April 22. “I don’t train many horses, and every win feels really special.” His chance to go again with Bettor Reaction will be in today’s Off the Track Food and Bev Mobile Pace (6.24pm) where he’s a second favourite behind the Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained Won And Only. To make things a bit awkward he’s drawn seven. “He has the speed to lead from there,” says White, “but I think his best bet would be to stay out of it early and make a move mid race.” It will be a family affair as per usual this week with his son Matthew White in the bike and Les couldn’t be more pleased with how he has been driving of late. “I’m very proud of the way he’s going. He hasn’t had it easy and to see him doing so well has been a real buzz.” White is also grateful to the help he gets from fellow Cambridge trainer Arna Donnelly. “If I couldn’t work him in with their horses I’d just be battling away on my own and working them together is really beneficial, it really makes them lift.” A stalwart figure around Cambridge Raceway, White admits he has become “a part of the scenery” and spends his mornings at Donnelly’s helping out. As for Bettor Reaction he has a good feeling about the six-year-old who has now won three from 33. “I think he could win another two or three.” View the full article

According to the South African website sahracing.com, Junior Alvarado is facing a fine for excessive use of the whip in the GI Kentucky Derby, which he won aboard Sovereignty (Into Mischief). Under HISA rules, jockeys can use the crop no more than six times. The website reports that Alvarado used his whip at least seven times, including once after Sovereignty took a clear lead at the sixteenth pole. According to the report Alvarado realized he had exceeded the limit after watching the replay of the race. “I couldn't keep track of that,” he told sahracing.com. “It's such a big race, there's so much that you've got on your mind.” Alvarado did not return a phone call from the TDN Monday. His agent, Mike Sellitto told the TDN that he was not aware of any action being taken against his rider. Should it be found that he exceeded the six-strike limit, Alvarado will face a costly fine. The penalty for going one strike over the limit is 10% of the jockey's earnings. Alvarado's share of the purse was $310,000, which means his fine would be $31,000. He would also face a one-day suspension. The story on sahracing.com said their review of the race showd Alvarado going to the whip at least seven times. According to Mandy Minger, spokesperson for HISA, Alvarado will meet with the Churchill Downs stewards on Thursday, May 8. “At that time, Junior Alvarado will have the opportunity to explain whether his use of the crop violated HISA's riding crop rules,” Minger said in an email. The post Alvarado Faces Penalties for Overuse of Whip in the Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Just as two of our greatest race days unfolded at Churchill Downs, our sport received great news as the Florida Senate held firm and did not take up the decoupling bill that had passed the House a few days earlier. For the first time I can remember, the effort to defeat decoupling brought so many people in the industry together. I personally wanted to congratulate the Thoroughbred Racing Initiative and their team, organized by members including David O'Farrell, Damon Thayer, Barry Eisaman, Mark Casse, Tom Ventura and many others. They did a tremendous job! There are a few unsung heroes in this too–Mike Repole and Pat Cummings with the National Thoroughbred Alliance deserve our sincerest thanks for their incredible wisdom along the way. Keeneland, Fasig Tipton, Paramount, Hill n' Dale and Hunter Valley also must be thanked for their support. As I mentioned in several letters over the last few months, I retained the powerful Tallahassee firm Gray Robinson and cannot thank enough their attorneys, lobbyists and advisors who also worked in close coordination with TRI's team. There should be no doubt about how we got to this point: horrendous decision-making by the local horsemen's group board from July 2024 to January 2025, preceded by a slow degradation of that very group. Gladly they made the right decision to void the agreement supporting the Stronach group and joint the fight against decoupling, In many ways, horsemen were betrayed for years. We can now move forward and united as one group and deal collectively with our challenges better together. The only thing that matters is “Making Horse Racing Great Again” with people who care about the horses, our sport and the wide-ranging impact of the industry. What may be viewed as a total victory, of course, is not. We must make the future better than the past, so in many ways, the battle has just begun. Horsemen should expect their lives will not be made easy in the coming weeks and months. We need to be ready to hold firm without fear or intimidation. In battles such as these, we learn things we may not have realized over the years. Some things just become clearer. Through the past few months of endless phone calls, travelling, and more recently meeting members of the Florida Legislature, it has become clear that serious changes are needed if the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association is to be taken seriously again. As one Senator put it to me, “the more money we give to the FTBOA, the more money they lose.” It seems that some belt-tightening and reform is much needed in the FTBOA to improve industry representation in Tallahassee. Perhaps one starting point might be to move their headquarters to OBS, a properly run association with a tremendous management team and huge infrastructure. Alignment like this just makes sense. There were many other learnings over these last few months. Feel free to reach out to me, as always, to discuss more. Sincerely, Carlo E Vaccarezza The post Letter to the Editor: On Decoupling’s Defeat in Florida appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May Two-Year-Olds In-Training sale has supplemented an additional 36 entries to the catalogue, highlighted by a Gun Runner half-brother to multiple champion MGISW Monomoy Girl (Tapizar). The May 15 colt, consigned by Hoppel LLC as agent, counts not only the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff heroine as a half-sister but GSW Mr. Monomoy (Palace Malice) as a half-brother as well. Their dam has produced six winners from seven to the races. The Florida-bred is set to go as HIP 559. Juveniles by major stallions like Constitution, Maxfield, Munnings, Omaha Beach, McKinzie, Not This Time, Practical Joke, Speightstown, Twirling Candym Uncle Mo, Vekoma, Yaupon, and Gun Runner have also been added to the sale. The supplements may now be viewed online, and are available in the Equineline Sales catalogue app. Print versions will be available on grounds. The auction will take place Monday and Tuesday, May 19-20, at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Maryland, beginning at 11:00 am. The under-tack show will be held over three sessions May 13-15, with each session beginning in the mornings at 8:00 am. “These supplemental entries add good quality and sire power to an already strong catalogue,” said Paget Bennett, Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sales Director. “The sale continues to produce Grade I success on all surfaces and in all corners of the globe, making Midlantic a 'must shop' sale for those looking to compete on the biggest stages.” The post Supplemental Catalogue for Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale Features Gun Runner Half-Brother to Monomoy Girl appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

While his status for the Preakness is still undecided, GI Kentucky Derby hero Sovereignty (Into Mischief) continues to impress his team with how well he has rebounded from his long stretch battle with Journalism (Curlin) last Saturday, but a decision might be around the corner. Since his win in the Spring marquee race, the son of Into Mischief has reportedly done no wrong, and has continued to thrive in his return to routine. Michael Banahan, Godolphin's director of bloodstock, told Steve Byk on his Monday morning satellite radio show that a decision on the colt's Preakness prospects would likely be made 'in the next couple of days.' “We fully respect what the Triple Crown means for the industry, for racing in America,” Banahan told Byk. “Most importantly, the decision will be made to do what's best for the horse.” “It looks like he's come out of the race well. He did have a scrape on his pastern that needed to be treated somewhat. We'll just see how he gets over that, what his energy levels are going to be like. That is always the question that's asked the minute the winner goes by the finish line under the Twin Spires: 'Is he going to run in the Preakness?'” He continued, “[Trainer Bill Mott] will see how he responds, how the team thinks the horse is doing, and we'll huddle up in probably in the next couple of days. We won't wait too long, because if he's pulled in that direction, we need to get him placed to do that.” Bob Baffert is reportedly mulling a trip to Pimlico for more runners than just Rodriguez (Authentic), who was scratched out of the Kentucky Derby with a minor foot bruise. The trip back to California was postponed to monitor track and weather conditions after four straight days of rain. “We're planning on going with Rodriguez,” Baffert said of the GII Wood Memorial winner. “Citizen Bull [the 2-year-old champion who finished 15th], I doubt if I'm taking him.” Baffert did conceded that he's changed his mind before on horses he wasn't intending to take to the Preakness, and had it work in his favor. He continued that it took about a week to properly evaluate horses after they come back from the Derby. If the pattern holds, Citizen Bull's status may yet change. As for his other 'Rising Star', it is all systems go. “[Rodriguez's] foot is fine now. It was one of those things. We can't run a horse over a track like that when [the bruise] is fresh.” Another noteworthy addition on the plane to Maryland could be 'TDN Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time), who is being considered for the Listed Sir Barton Stakes, after a stylish allowance victory on the Derby undercard. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas confirmed Monday that American Promise (Justify) will be pointed toward the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. After a rough trip where the conditioner contends his charge was twice compromised, the chestnut finished 16th and seeks to rebound from that effort with a record-tying eighth victory for Lukas. “He got wiped out at the gate by the one-hole coming over. Actually, three of us took a beating on that. Then he made up good ground, and when he was ready to make a move, they shut him down again.” The Brendan Walsh runner, GII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes winner Gosger (Nyquist), is under consideration for the Preakness. The grandson of Arch's Gal Edith–dam of I'll Have Another–worked five-eighths May 1 in 1-minute flat. The trainer floated the idea of a start after his colt's win in the Keeneland graded, stating in the post race interview that while it hadn't been in the plans initially, they would be putting more thought into an entry. Withdrawn from the Derby to focus on the upcoming target, 'TDN Rising Star' GISP River Thames (Maclean's Music) is slated for the Preakness as well as trainer Jamie Osborne's G2 UAE Derby runner-up Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A.P.). Another possible is Pay Billy (Improbable), who earned an automatic entry into the race via capturing the Listed Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park Apr. 19, and his trainer as previously mentioned that the intent is to go if the horse is doing well. The post Sovereignty Decision Around the Corner, Preakness Field Takes a Hazy Shape appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With Derby weekend in the books, we take a look back at the graded races in April that led us there. The month did not disappoint with great racing from coast to coast, although Keeneland, as per usual, was the star of the show. If the top of the sport is measured by graded races, few race weeks are as packed with quality or as anticipated as the boutique meets at Keeneland. With an inevitable focus on the Lexington track, we look at trends and notable items from the country's graded races in April, with the sheer number of homebred winners standing out this month. Keeneland packed 16 graded races into just under three weeks in April, giving the Central Kentucky track more than half of the 30 graded contests in the nation for the month. Three other tracks also hosted graded events in April, with Santa Anita running seven, Aqueduct holding four, and Oaklawn Park hosting three. Seven Grade I races were contested, with five at Keeneland and one each at Oaklawn and Santa Anita. Another nine Grade II races were held, as were 14 with Grade III designation. Eighteen of the 30 graded races were on the dirt and 12 on the grass. The 30 graded races were run at distances ranging from 5 1/2 furlongs (two) to 1 1/2 miles (two), with 1 1/16 miles being the most popular (eight). Eleven of the graded events in April were dedicated to 3-year-olds, including the last three significant GI Kentucky Derby preps: the GI Santa Anita Derby, the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, and the GII Wood Memorial Stakes. All three are usually held on the Saturday four weeks prior to the Derby, but torrential rains in Kentucky forced the delay of the Blue Grass to the next Tuesday. Twenty-one different trainers won graded races in April. Bob Baffert won the most, with three, and twice finished one-two, but no one had a better day than Ian Wilkes, who won the Blue Grass and the GI Resolute Racing Madison Stakes in the same afternoon. Eighteen homebreds–some with additional ownership partners added–won the 30 graded races in April. Remarkably, 15 of the 16 graded events at Keeneland were won by homebreds, underscoring how special it is to win in front of the home crowd in Lexington. Fourteen of those were homebreds outright and the 15th was a homebred with additional partners. The only non-homebred to win a graded race at Keeneland this April was a $1.35-million Keeneland September yearling. Two breeders won multiple graded races in April: Godolphin with three and Calumet Farm with two. All five of those winners were homebreds, with four of the five winning at Keeneland. The least-expensive American-sold graded winner in April was Crazy Mason (Coal Front), who fetched $20,000 as a weanling at Keeneland November. The most expensive was the aforementioned $1.35-million Keeneland September purchase and 'TDN Rising Star' Extra Anejo (Into Mischief). Included among the stallion milestones in April was the first graded winner for 2020 Horse of the Year Authentic with the Wood Memorial victory by Rodriguez, while interesting breeding notes included the in-foal Forever After All (Connect)'s win in the GIII Bewitch Stakes. She was bred to Flightline this term and will continue to race for a little longer. The 30 graded race winners were sired by 26 individual stallions. Three stallions won multiple graded events. Remarkably, all three stand at Darley: Nyquist with three, Medaglia d'Oro with two, and Street Sense with two. Godolphin campaigns two of those seven winners. Fifteen of the 26 sires currently stand in Kentucky, as did another four who are now deceased. Other states that stand graded sires from the month are Louisiana, Maryland, and New York, with one each. Three of the remaining graded sires stand in Ireland, while the last is in Chile. Twenty-one individual broodmare sires were represented in April's graded races. Six sires were represented by more than one winner, with a trio getting three–Bernardini, Tapit, and Uncle Mo–and another trio getting two–Hard Spun, Kitten's Joy, and Scat Daddy. Both Tapit and Hard Spun are still active at Gainesway and Darley, respectively. Into Mischief had one graded winner in April, as did four of his sons: Authentic, Goldencents, Maximus Mischief, and Practical Joke. Medaglia d'Oro had two winners, while his late son Fast Anna had one. Curlin also had one winner, as did his son Connect. In addition, three separate Smart Strike stallions had graded winners: Curlin, English Channel, and Lookin At Lucky. The highest graded Beyer Speed Figure in April was the 109 earned by 'TDN Rising Star' First Mission (Street Sense) in the GII Oaklawn Handicap. The highest graded April Beyer for a 3-year-old was the 102 earned by Journalism (Curlin) in the Santa Anita Derby. The post Numbers Game: All About the Homebreds in April’s 30 Graded Races appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

One of three top national recipients of the 2025 CareerViewXR Production Grant, Amplify Horse Racing has been selected to participate in a program which works toward the creation of an immersive, virtual 'field trip' to introduce students across the U.S. to careers in the Thoroughbred racing industry, the group announced via press release Monday afternoon. Amplify joins Keystone LifeSci Collaborative and Oklahoma Connections Academy to garner the award out of a pool of applicants from across the country. All winners will collaborate with CareerViewXR to develop a custom video-based field trip which connects students with real-world career paths in their communities and beyond. The video will place a spotlight on the Thoroughbred industry by showcasing a behind-the-scenes view of the sport and its workforce. Amplify will also receive a 12-month CareerViewXR subscription for up to 5,000 individuals and two VR headsets to enhance in-person education and outreach events. “At Amplify Horse Racing, our mission is to make the Thoroughbred industry as accessible and inclusive as possible, while introducing young people to its many career paths in a way that is engaging, hands-on, and safe,” said Annise Montplaisir, executive director at Amplify Horse Racing. “We can't always bring students to a racetrack, sales company, or breeding farm–and there are certain roles, like driving a tractor, riding a racehorse, or working as a farrier, that aren't easy to experience firsthand. The CareerViewXR platform will be a game-changer for how we deliver our programming, allowing us to bring the industry directly to students–no matter where they are.” The post Amplify Horse Racing Selected for National CareerViewXR Grant appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tuesday, Chantilly, France, post time: 15:05, PRIX DE GUICHE-G3, €80,000, 3yo, c/g, 9fT Field: Pure Legend (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}), Les Petits Princes (Fr) (Bated Breath {GB}), Al Aali (Fr) (City Light {Fr}), Cualificar (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Bulnes (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}), Curragh Camp (Fr) (Romanised {Ire}) and Madero (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Cualificar may have surprised some when winning the G3 Prix la Force over this trip at ParisLongchamp last month, but he's a Fabre project out of the Oaks winner Qualify so should now be treated as a top prospect until proven otherwise. Spain's Gran Criterium-winning champion 2-year-old colt Bulnes is already proven in this country, having won the Listed Grand Criterium de Bordeaux in October and it will be interesting to see how far he can go in this sphere, while Les Petits Princes is not out of the equation, having beaten this card's Listed Prix des Lilas contender Belong Together and the subsequent G3 Prix de la Grotte third Godspeed in a mile conditions event on Chantilly's Polytrack in March. [Tom Frary]. Tuesday, Chantilly, France, post time: 15:40, PRIX DES LILAS-Listed, €55,000, 3yo, f, 8fT Field: Ashikidah (Fr) (Belardo {Ire}), Cankoura (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}), Qarlyga (Fr) (Golden Horde {Ire}), Eponine (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}), Ilda Rosa (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Belong Together (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), American Gal (GB) (Kameko), With Zest (Fr) (Romanised {Ire}), Relaxx (Fr) (City Light {Fr}) and Wassail (War Front). TDN Verdict: It's probably too late for these to get to the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, but this is staged over the same course and distance as the G2 Prix de Sandringham which can be a stepping stone to the G1 Coronation Stakes and so eyes peeled. The Aga Khan's Studs' Cankoura won by nine lengths over 9 1/2 furlongs here in March and drops in trip to join stablemate Ashikidah, the course-and-distance winner who holds an entry in Sunday's ParisLongchamp Classic with Mickael Barzalona on the former. Godolphin are in wonderland at present and the unbeaten Ilda Rosa bids to keep the joy flowing. A daughter of Zhukova and relative of Ghaiyyath, she sticks at a mile for now with Henri-Alex Pantall keen to see what he's got. [Tom Frary]. Tuesday, Cork, post time: 18:08, GOFFS IRISH EBF POLONIA STAKES-Listed, €31,500, 3yo, f, 5 1/2fT Field: Babouche (GB) (Kodiac {GB}), Truly Enchanting (Ire) (No Nay Never), Beauty Queen (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}), First Instinct (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), Fregada (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Grande Marques (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Li Ban (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}), Likedbymike (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}), Maw Lam (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), Revoke (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), Saratoga Special (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Songhai (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), Town And Country (Ire) (Earthlight {Ire}) and Usdi Atohi (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}). TDN Verdict: This has attracted a proper line-up headed by last year's G1 Phoenix Stakes and G3 Anglesey Stakes winner Babouche, whose class edge is negated by a five-pound penalty as she begins her 3-year-old campaign. Ger Lyons has another Juddmonte representative in Revoke, whose second to Lady With The Lamp in the Listed Legacy Stakes looks solid, while Ballydoyle's G2 Airlie Stud Stakes winner Truly Enchanting is back having been sidelined since that contest in June. Ballyhimikin Stud's taking Curragh maiden winner Fregada has a squeak, but she is in deep. [Tom Frary]. The post Black-Type Analysis: Cualificar Fancied to Shine at Chantilly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In an effort to find out why 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) ran so poorly in the GI Fasig-Tipton La Troienne S. Friday at Churchill Downs, trainer Kenny McPeek sent her to be examined by Dr. Larry Bramlage at the Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. Thorpedo Anna finished seventh and last. Coming into the race she had never been worse than second. According to McPeek, Bramlage could not find anything wrong with the 4-year-old filly. “At this point, she has a clean bill of health,” McPeek said. As to why she ran so poorly, McPeek has come up with a theory of his own. Entering the first turn Thorpedo Anna was squeezed and bumped between Dorth Vader (Girvin) on the inside and Randomized (Nyquist) on the outside. McPeek believes that's where she lost the race. “The only thing we can figure is… people who watched the race from the first turn said that when they squeezed her that there was a lot of noise, that she got hit pretty hard,” McPeek said. “The only thing I can figure is maybe they knocked the breath out of her. I thought the five horse (Randomized) really didn't keep her lane. I really don't understand why the stewards didn't look at that. She crossed over on her. I thought it was pretty ugly. That's the only excuse that I have. That first turn incident was a little worse than it looked. It was a bit of a shocker. Did I ever think she'd be last? No way. No way.” McPeek said he won't be in any hurry to get Thorpedo Anna back to the races. “I would say you won't see her back at the races for seven, eight weeks,” he said. “We'll look at the Fleur de Lis or something in New York. We'll ease her back into things.” The post Bramlage Examines Thorpedo Anna, Can’t Find Anything Wrong appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

At its latest meeting at the end of last month, the Louisiana Racing Commission voted unanimously to largely roll back its current voided claim rule, according to commission executive director, Stephen Landry. The proposed rule change, said Landry, will now be sent for public comment in the state register. The formal process of adopting a new rule could take up to six months, he added. The proposed rule changes remove all but one line from the state's current voided claim rule. If adopted, the new rule will read: “A claim shall be voided if a horse is entered into a race but fails to be declared a starter.” Stripped under the proposed changes are the following conditions that currently void (or potentially void) the claim of a horse: If the horse is vanned off the track by an official If an official veterinarian observes the horse to be lame while on the track for that race If the horse bleeds through the nose (epistaxis) while on the track If the horse fails a subsequent test (requested by the claimant) for infectious anemia (a viral disease affecting horses), or for recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) and/or darbepoietin (a bone marrow stimulant) If the horse dies on the track or is euthanized by an official due to injury According to Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) executive director, Ed Fenasci, his board had voted in accord with the proposed changes because of the veterinary scrutiny already in place in Louisiana. “My board voted to support that, and that was their reasoning,” said Fenasci, adding that horses racing in the state already undergo veterinary scrutiny pre-race, in the paddock and at the gate. “The horses are examined multiple times, and if it turns up something, they're not allowed to run, which would then have the same effect of the voided claim,” said Fenasci. When asked about the language potentially stripped from the current rules that give the claimant an opportunity to test for infectious anemia, EPO and/or darbepoietin, Fenasci said “that was not discussed at our board meeting.” When asked if he agrees with this part of the proposed changes, Fenasci replied that he does not have an opinion on it. Louisiana is one of a small handful of states that currently operate outside of the legal purview of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA). Research strongly indicates that voided claim rules are an important factor in race-day equine fatality rates. Research published in March-an extensive study that looked at 14 years of North American data-found that the stricter the voided claim rule, the less likely the horse will suffer a catastrophic injury, compared with weaker voided claim rules. Nearly a year ago, Louisiana's racing commission caused a stir in the industry when passing emergency rules that raised the permissible dosage and shrunk the allowable withdrawal times for several medications, most notably the bronchodilator Clenbuterol and corticosteroid Depo-Medrol. The commission later rescinded these medication usage changes. When asked what he would say to those in the industry critical of the state's proposed voided rule changes, Fenasci repeated how he believes the pre-race scrutiny already in place in Louisiana nullifies the need for the current voided claim rule conditions. “We feel that horses are examined three times-[which is] more than they used to be examined-and that's when you're supposed to determine whether the horse is sound and able to run,” Fenasci said. The post Louisiana Racing Commission Votes to Largely Roll Back Voided Claim Rule appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

We've seen a Classic double double, but could we now see a double Triple Crown bid for Godolphin? The quest for the Triple Crown is usually more of 'a thing' in America, though its compact five-week challenge draws consternation from some quarters, and Bill Mott is biding his time before committing Sovereignty to a run in the Preakness Stakes on May 17. Though the American Triple Crown is a more marketable concept than the sprawling near-five-month challenge that has remained unfulfilled in Britain for 55 years, certainly the Derby had been the longer-term aim for Ruling Court. His trainer Charlie Appleby said nothing to contradict that in the aftermath of the Justify colt's 2,000 Guineas win on Saturday. In the Newmarket press room on Saturday, bookmakers' slips were scattered around the desks offering 12/1 about Ruling Court for the Triple Crown. While that's not necessarily a tempting bet, it is a tantalising notion, and one made even more poetic in its appeal for the fact that the colt is by the most recent winner of the American Triple Crown, Justify. Now 10, Justify is honours even in his split of Group/Grade 1 winners in Europe and America – four apiece – including being responsible for last year's Derby winner City Of Troy. Derby history echoes down those bloodlines with a nice bit of symmetry in City Of Troy and Ruling Court as the former is out of a mare by the 2001 Derby winner Galileo, and Ruling Court's dam is by the horse who succeeded him at Epsom, High Chaparral. If you like nicks, it is worth noting that another of Justify's European Group 1 winners, Opera Singer, is out of a mare by that pair's sire, Sadler's Wells, but then, considering where all of those stallions stood, it is perhaps not that noteworthy at all. We shouldn't just be thinking about the colts though. Appleby was quick to check with sponsor Betfred whether or not the £2 million Triple Crown bonus applies to fillies as well. It does. The rangey 1,000 Guineas winner Desert Flower certainly looks like a middle-distance filly and, even if some of the closer-up influences in her pedigree don't suggest that she would stay the Derby or St Leger trip, we can grasp a few straws and note that her fifth dam Swansea (Turn-To) is a half-sister to the great US Triple Crown winner Secretariat and a full-sister to Sir Gaylord, the sire of Derby winner Sir Ivor. Desert Flower's first Classic success capped a terrific day for her sire Night Of Thunder on Sunday. Over at Longchamp, another of his three-year-old fillies, Sunly (GB), remained unbeaten for Juddmonte in the Listed Prix de la Seine, while at Belmont at the Big A, the Croom House Stud graduate Dynamic Pricing (Ire) landed the GIII Beauty Stakes for Chad Brown and Klaravich Stables. In fact, the influence of Dubawi was prevalent, particularly at Newmarket on Sunday, where another of his sons, New Bay, was the sire of the impressive Pretty Polly Stakes winner Falakeyah, a homebred for Shadwell and fifth-generation descendant of Height Of Fashion. The G2 Dahlia Stakes winner Cinderella's Dream is by Shamardal but she is out of a Dubawi mare, and then in the big race itself, Dubawi and sons were responsible for three of the first four home. Desert Flower's dam, the Hard Spun mare Promising Run, has been mated exclusively with either Dubawi or his sons Night Of Thunder and Ghaiyyath, and she has a colt foal by the latter this year – her first offspring since Desert Flower. Family Sprinting Double Act at HQ The opening race of 2,000 Guineas day at Newmarket saw Tiger Bay became the latest black-type winner for her sire Harry Angel (Ire), who is steadily compiling a useful portfolio. His results are arguably better in Australia, where he has been represented by the Group 1 winners Tom Kitten and Private Harry. Promisingly, he is in seventh place in Australia's general sires' table with only three crops of racing age to represent him there. Tiger Bay races in the colours of her trainer Henry Candy, who owns her in partnership with Clive Brandon, and she is just the type of progressive sprinter with which Candy has excelled over the years. This seems to run in the family as an hour or so later, the G3 Palace House Stakes was won by Rumstar, trained by Candy's nephew Jonny Portman. Jonny Portman is heading to Royal Ascot with Rumstar | Racingfotos Rumstar, a five-year-old son of Havana Grey, appears to relish the straight five furlongs of the Rowley Mile, as he claimed his first Group 3 win there at two in the Beacon Stakes. It was good to see him back, and his famously pessimistic trainer has taken the optimistic decision to enter him in the G1 King Charles III Stakes (formerly the King's Stand) at Royal Ascot. Tally-Ho's Star Pupil As detailed elsewhere in this edition, the July Cup winner Starman, who was first off the mark among this year's first-season sires when Lady Iman won at Dundalk on March 28, is now the first of that group to sire a stakes winner, courtesy of that same filly. Lady Iman races in the colours of her breeder Tony O'Callaghan whose Tally-Ho Stud has played such a dominant role in the freshman sire ranks in recent years, with Mehmas becoming the champion in that division in 2020, followed by Cotai Glory in 2021. It is early days for Starman, of course, but he will certainly have plenty of representatives on the track this season, having been the busiest stallion in the year he retired to Mullingar, with a first book of 259 – the largest number ever covered by first-season sire in Europe. The Mehmas phenomenon rolls on. At this season's breeze-up sales, his stock have been among the hottest on offer. At Tattersalls, he had seven sold in the Craven Sale for an average price of 177,143gns, and another two sold at the Guineas Sale last week at an average of 87,500gns. But it was at the Goffs UK Breeze-up which he truly ruled, with the three most expensive juveniles of the sale all being by Mehmas, including the record-breaking £1 million colt. His 14 to sell in Doncaster returned an average of £262,500. NZ Black Type for Hello Youmzain and Circus Maximus For European eyes, much of the focus was on the Rowley Mile over the last weekend but way over yonder in New Zealand there were two stakes winners for young stallions who both raced in this part of the world. Hello Youmzain (Fr) has been shuttling from Haras d'Etreham to Cambridge Stud and the latter has been rewarded as the owner-breeder of Lucy In The Sky, winner of the Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes at Riccarton Park. From the stallion's first New Zealand crop, she is also his first stakes winner in the southern hemisphere. At Te Rapa on the same day, the former Coolmore resident Circus Maximus also notched his first stakes winner with Towering Vision in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes. The two-year-old gelding's pedigree has a proper European feel to it as he is out of a mare by Iffraaj. Circus Maximus stood three seasons in Ireland but has remained in situ at his shuttling base of Windsor Park Stud for the last two years, and he will soon be joined there by the shuttlers Auguste Rodin and Paddington. A Name in Lights If you're not already getting confused between the Haras d'Etreham stallion City Light and Lane's End Farm's City Of Light, let's throw into the mix City Of Lights. This one's a mare though, and the Australian-bred daughter of Deep Impact is a half-sister to none other than Winx. The five-year-old races for her breeder John Camilleri's Fairway Thoroughbreds Syndicate and won the G3 Hawkesbury Crown on Saturday in Australia. The post Seven Days: Classic Double to Triple Crown? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Twelve of the world's leading Flat riders, including Irad Ortiz Jr., Flavien Prat, and Frankie Dettori have joined forces to create a global jockeys' league that is expected to launch across the sport's most prestigious racing venues early next year.View the full article

Wagering on U.S. races dipped 5.16% to $878,811,558 (worldwide commingled figures) during the month of April in 2025 versus figures registered one year ago, according to an Equibase release of Thoroughbred Racing Economic indicators Monday. Conversely, average field size rose 2.29% from 7.54 in 2024 to 7.71 last month. Also up, average wagering per race day increased 1.24% to $3,487,347, while average available purses per day ticked up by 3.14% to $364,014. In year-to-date figures (2025 vs. 2024), wagering in the U.S. fell 3.77% to $3,384,083,316 (worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races), while U.S. purses (paid) dropped 3.29% to $333,703,257. Also in 2025, U.S. race days decreased to 967 from 1,023 in 2024. Showing an increase in 2025, average field size rose 3% to 7.88 and average available purses per day was up 2.8% to $364,099. Average wagering per day increased by 1.8% to $3,499,569. The post Wagering in the U.S. Down 5%, Average Field Size Up for April appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Returning to the scene of his G1 Irish Derby triumph, Ballydoyle's Los Angeles got his 4-year-old campaign off to a flyer in Monday's G2 Coolmore Stud City Of Troy Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes at The Curragh. Tracking the pace in second under Ryan Moore, the son of Camelot who was sent off the 10-11 favourite took over approaching the furlong pole and stayed on grimly to deny last year's winner White Birch by a neck. Belting finish! Irish Derby winner and Arc third Los Angeles gets the better of gallant and returning Group 1 winner White Birch in a thrilling @coolmorestud @IrishEBF_ Mooresbridge Stakes at @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/Q4yeUOZvQ5 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 5, 2025 The post Camelot’s Los Angeles Back To Winning Ways For Ballydoyle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coming into Monday's G3 Coolmore Stud Auguste Rodin Irish EBF Athasi Stakes at The Curragh on the back of a debut win at Bellewstown, Barry Fowler's Atsila sprang a minor surprise to stake her Irish 1,000 Guineas claim. Threaded through rivals by Gavin Ryan to overhaul Cercene inside the final 100 yards, the Donnacha O'Brien-trained daughter of Phoenix Of Spain asserted to beat that proven Australia filly by half a length, with a neck back to another established Group performer in Calyx's Barnavara in third. Unbeaten! Atsila (Phoenix Of Spain) arrives here after a maiden win at Bellewstown last month and is now a Group 3 winner on her second start, landing the @coolmorestud @IrishEBF_ Athasi Stakes for Donnacha O'Brien @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/KnDeUeJoa4 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 5, 2025 The post Athasi Win For Phoenix Of Spain’s Atsila appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Al Shaqab Racing and Trevor Stewart's 2-year-old colt Andab (Saxon Warrior), a full-brother to GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Victoria Road, made a winning debut in Monday's Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden over six furlong at the Curragh. Let go at odds of 8-1, he pulled clear in the closing stages to register an impressive 4 3/4-length success. Andab (Saxon Warrior) is a brother to @BreedersCup Juvenile winner Victoria Road and makes a very likeable start in the @AlShaqabRacing silks for the @JosephOBrien2 team @curraghrace | @DylanBrowneMcM pic.twitter.com/Vws2ALuqsK — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 5, 2025 1st-Curragh, €25,000, Mdn, 5-5, 2yo, 6fT, 1:13.24, gd. ANDAB (IRE) (c, 2, Saxon Warrior {Jpn}–Tickled Pink {Ire} {MGSW-Eng, $117,768}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}), broke swiftly and settled back in midfield through the initial fractions of this debut. Making smooth headway from halfway, the 8-1 chance seized control approaching the final furlong and was ridden clear in the closing stages to easily outpoint Gavoo (Elzaam) by an impressive 4 3/4 lengths. “It was a smart performance, but I'd be lying if I said we thought that he would win,” admitted Joseph O'Brien. “He's always been a little wayward mentally and we just wanted to get a start into him. He needed it as he was turning into a bit of a messer at home. You'd have to be very impressed with the fashion he won and the professionalism that he showed. The obvious thing to do is to come back for the Marble Hill and the dream would be that he might be a [G2] Coventry horse. We thought he was quick enough to start off at six [furlongs] and we thought that he'd enjoy going seven eventually. I would still say that's the case, but undoubtedly he's quick enough to stick to six for the minute.” Andab is the sixth foal and scorer produced by dual Group 3 winner Tickled Pink (Invincible Spirit), herself one of four black-type performers out of dual Group 2-winning G1 July Cup runner-up Cassandra Go (Indian Ridge). Cassandra Go's leading performer is three-time Group 1 winner Halfway To Heaven (Pivotal), whose own descendants include multiple Group 1 winners Magical (Galileo), Rhododendron (Galileo) and Auguste Rodin (Deep Impact). Andab is a full-brother to GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Victoria Road and a yearling colt. Sales history: 290,000gns Ylg '24 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $16,955. O-Al Shaqab Racing & Trevor C Stewart; B-Trevor C Stewart (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. The post Victoria Road’s Brother Andab Makes Winning debut at The Curragh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Plans are taking shape for a new global jockeys' league, which would see 12 world-renowned riders compete against each other multiple times a year, across prestigious racecourses located in each of the major racing jurisdictions. It is hoped that the project will get off the ground in 2026, provided commercial partners to help fund the competition can be found in the interim. Co-founded by former Godolphin chief executive John Ferguson and Lachlan Fitt, who served as chief financial officer of Entain Australia from 2018 until earlier this year, the idea has been conceived with the aim of bringing a fresh audience to the sport. Frankie Dettori, Ryan Moore and William Buick are among the jockeys expected to be involved in the competition, which would see them compete for points under their own individual team branding in up to 10 events a year. Fitt said, “We have watched the success of other sports take the power of their athletes and build them into global icons, with the outcome being a whole new generation of fans that now feel a deeper human connection with the athletes. “The concept we have developed with our foundation jockeys is designed around following a similar model to other sports and we're delighted that the world's best jockeys have come together to drive this change in the way our sport is marketed to the next generation fan.” It is understood the jockeys will also own equity in their own team and be shareholders in the league, with organisers of the franchise seeking to secure commercial partners with the aim of securing a total prize fund of $15 million within two years. Fitt added, “One of the guiding principles we have developed with our foundation jockeys is to ensure this league complements the existing global racing calendar and with that principle in mind, we will be looking to align the timing of our league events to be in close proximity to the major racing carnivals across the world. “It is still early days in our conversations with potential host venues and we are a number of months away from finalising plans in relation to what a launch season could look like. We're hopeful there will be a number of opportunities for the league to be racing in the UK in the first 12 months.” James McDonald, Christophe Lemaire and Mickael Barzalona are other star names in the frame to take part, while Joao Moreira and Zac Purton could renew their fierce rivalry from their years riding against each other in Hong Kong. Vincent Ho, another leading rider in that jurisdiction, is also set to be involved, along with Japanese legend Yutaka Take and US-based riders Flavien Prat and Irad Ortiz Jr. For Dettori the competition could see him him riding on British soil for the first time since he partnered King Of Steel to victory in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October 2023. He said, “It's a project they have been working on for a few months and I am super excited. It will appeal to a worldwide audience–especially after the Race For The Crown Netflix series–and I can't wait to get started.” The post Dettori and Moore Among Potential Participants in New Jockeys’ League appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ger Lyons trainee Lady Iman (Starman) lined up as unbeaten winner-of-one for Monday's Listed Holden Plant Rentals First Flier Stakes and continued her winning streak to provide her freshman sire with a breakthrough stakes winner at the Curragh. The crowd's 4-7 selection, fresh off a Mar. 28 maiden win at Dundalk, broke swiftly and raced in a close-up fourth through the early stages of this five-furlong contest. Going well on the bridle when slipping one position passing the quarter-mile marker, she eased through a gap to lead with 100 yards remaining and easily asserted superiority from there, hitting the line with a 1 1/4-length advantage from True Love (No Nay Never). “She's a lovely filly and Colin [Keane] was very impressed with her,” commented Lyons. “She has plenty of speed and will learn plenty from that. I've never took this filly off the bridle so I don't know what the limit is with her. At the moment, I'm thinking of Naas for the [G3 Juvenile Fillies] Sprint and I know that would suit Tally-Ho. I'm delighted for them because training for them is a pleasure. They gave me the horse to promote the sire, they didn't give her to me because they like me, so I ran her. I'll sleep on it and talk to Colin about it, but I've no problem with her getting six.” That's impressive Lady Iman (Starman) lands Listed honours almost like it's a piece of work as this exciting filly remains unbeaten for Ger Lyons and @ctkjockey @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/90oq8h5l8J — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 5, 2025 Monday, Curragh, Ireland HOLDEN PLANT RENTALS FIRST FLIER STAKES-Listed, €50,000, Curragh, 5-5, 2yo, 5fT, 1:02.56, gd. 1–LADY IMAN (IRE), 126, f, 2, by Starman (GB) 1st Dam: Lady Aria (GB) (GSP-Eng), by Kodiac (GB) 2nd Dam: Dot Hill (GB), by Refuse To Bend (Ire) 3rd Dam: Purple Tiger (Ire), by Rainbow Quest 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (£185,000 Ylg '24 GOFFUK). O-Mrs A O'Callaghan; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-Ger Lyons; J-Colin Keane. €30,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $50,114. *1/2 to West Acre (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), MGSW-UAE, $378,255. 2–True Love (Ire), 126, f, 2, No Nay Never–Alluringly, by Fastnet Rock (Aus). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €10,000. 3–Power Blue (Ire), 131, c, 2, Space Blues (Ire)–Visions (Ire), by Worthadd (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (€30,000 Wlg '23 GOFNOF; £44,000 Ylg '24 GOFFUK). O-LNA Racing Syndicate; B-Finanza Locale Consulting (IRE); T-Adrian Murray. €5,000. Margins: 1 1/4, HD, 1. Odds: 0.57, 12.00, 2.50. Also Ran: Spring Is Here (Ire), Stop The Nation (Ire), Call Margot (Ire). The post First Stakes Winner for Starman as Lady Iman Snags First Flier Success appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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The Betfred Derby will become the first race in Britain to have declarations made at the 72-hour stage instead of 48 hours before the race, which is standard across the UK. An announcement from Jockey Club Racecourses on Monday stated that bringing forward the deadline by 24 hours would “prove beneficial in building a sense of anticipation and excitement, both domestically and globally, for the prestigious £1.5 million contest”. In 1896, the Derby, which was first run in 1780, became the first horse race to be filmed and shown in cinemas after the event. By 1931, the Epsom Classic notched another important milestone when becoming the first televised horse race and first remote outside television broadcast in the world. Jim Allen, general manager of Epsom Downs Racecourse, said, “This racecourse has been at the forefront of positive change and new initiatives in British horseracing for generations. “We're delighted to be able to introduce 72-hour declarations for this year's Betfred Derby, demonstrating that we are always looking for new ways to innovate and ensure that our sport's most iconic Flat race continues to stand out from the rest. “Having consulted with a range of stakeholders on this issue we are confident that this change will not only help build anticipation for the world's most famous Flat race earlier in the week but also provide more certainty around the runners and riders on the day, driving more interest and engagement in advance of the start of the Betfred Derby Festival.” An “enhanced” draw ceremony for the Betfred Derby will take place around 11am on Wednesday, June 4 at Epsom's Picturehouse, using equipment deployed for football's FA Cup draws. The first scratchings stage for the Derby is tomorrow, Tuesday, May 6, with a second stage on Tuesday, May 20. Five-day confirmations and the supplementary entry stage is Monday, June 2, with the final declarations to be made by 10am on Wednesday, June 4. The post Derby to Switch to 72-Hour Declarations appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin General Jen may have to go to a new peak to win the biggest race of her career this Friday but she has been gifted the draw to do it. The Canterbury three-year-old filly made quite the Alexandra Park debut when smashing her older rivals last Friday night and now steps back in against her own sex in the $200,000 Magness Benrow Sires’ Stakes Final back at The Park this Friday. She meets a red hot field containing Beside Me, Northern Oaks winner (and Hayden and Amanda Cullen-trained stablemate) Arafura and last season’s Sires’ Stakes Final winner Captains Mistress. Winelight and Without You add to the form depth in the race with the biggest “out” being Stella Rouge. “She didn’t have an ideal prep for the Oaks last start but she was still very brave so we have put her aside to concentrate on the back end of the season,” said the latter’s co-trainer Steve Telfer. Even without that high quality northern filly the Group 1 is one of the hottest races of the season so far and General Jen got the early advantage of barrier 2 for the mobile 2200m. That puts her inside Beside Me (barrier 3), Without You (6) and Winelight (8) and in front of Captains Mistress (1 second line) and Arafura (2 second line). Beside Me is certain to open favourite but the market will be an interesting one for the TAB bookies to price as all the big names can’t be short. The barrier draw wasn’t quite so crucial to the market for Friday’s other Group 1, the $120,000 IRT Sires’ Stakes Trot for the three-year-olds as favourite Meant To Be is still unruly. His stablemate Higher Power gets barrier 2 over the 2200m mobile but the fillies Habibti Pat (6), Frazzled (7) and Ya Rite Darl (9) have not fared so well. Later in the night the $40,000 Classique Landscapers North Island Mares Trot Championship sees a rare Alexandra Park race with a sole front marker, with an equally rare case of half the 10-strong field being off a 30m handicap. At Addington the $60,000 Continental Event Hire Superstars looks set to be hectic with on-pace speedsters like Beach Ball (1) and Rakero Rocket (5) drawn to go forward in a 2600m mobile with some very hard running horses. The Addington meeting also sees Marketplace return home and he will use the $50,000 Garrards Sires Stakes Semi Final to prepare for next week’s Final and as a heat winner he has to start from the outside of the front line. That disadvantage is somewhat negated by main rival Got The Chocolates drawing the second line. To see the Auckland fields click here To see the Addington fields click here View the full article