Wandering Eyes

Baoma's Nysos, a 2-year-old on everyone's radar after his flashy 10 1/4-length debut romp, takes the jump into stakes company in the Nov. 19 $100,000 Bob Hope Stakes (G3) at Del Mar.View the full article

Following a fall at Newcastle that landed Grand National-winning jockey Graham Lee in intensive care, the reinsman is reported to be making “positive progress” by the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) as of Friday. Also a Group 1-winning rider on the Flat, Lee was unseated from Ben Macdui (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) during the start of a synthetic handicap last Friday. Currently, he has been diagnosed with an unstable cervical fracture which has damaged his spinal cord, and has also undergone two surgeries to stabilise the fractures and protect his spinal cord further. The IJF said in a statement, “Graham has made positive progress in the last 24 hours and has been able to talk normally with his family for short periods when his ventilator is turned down. “He has been reviewed by his spinal consultant and when a bed becomes available in the ITU at James Cook Hospital, Middlesborough, he will be transferred closer to home. “Graham and his family want to thank everyone for their continued and overwhelming support.” The post Injured Jockey Graham Lee Is Making Progress appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Marie's Diamond (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}–Sindiyma {Ire}, by Kalanisi {Ire}) has been retired and will stand at Diamond Stud Bellewstown in 2024. The G3 Angelsey S. victor will stand for €6,000. There are also limited breeding rights available. “I believe he is a very important stallion for the future of the Irish Thoroughbred, boasting an excellent 2-year-old record while showing great progression and soundness throughout a long and successful career,” said Diamond Stud's Ciaran de Barra. “This horse had an incredible constitution, he is free from Danzig, Sadler's Wells, and Acclamation (GB) blood, so he is sure to suit a large proportion of the broodmare population.” Bred by Tony Ashley, the €35,000 Tattersalls Ireland September yearling won the Angelsey for trainer Mark Johnston and Middleham Park Racing at two. A seven-time winner, the 65,000gns Tattersalls Autumn HIT graduate was also third in the G1 Queen Anne S. and placed in six other group races throughout his 65-race career for various connections while earning $463,141. Added Johnston, “Marie's Diamond has the perfect blend of precocity and progression and showed a special constitution that is rare in the modern Thoroughbred.” The 7-year-old is a half-brother to the stakes-winning G1 Metropolitan H. third Sikandarabad (Ire) (Dr Fong). This is the extended family of G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Sinndar (Ire) (Grand Lodge). The post Marie’s Diamond Retired To Diamond Stud Bellewstown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this Sunday running at Tokyo Racecourse. Each was conceived in the U.S., but foaled once exported to Japan: Sunday, November 19, 2023 4th-TOK, ¥13,720,000 ($91k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600m DANON STRADA (JPN) (c, 2, Justify–Stratification, by Australia {GB}) is the first foal out of a daughter of 2007 Eclipse Award-winning 3-year-old filly Rags To Riches (A.P. Indy) and will try to give her outstanding young sire a 10th Japanese winner. Rags To Riches is a half-sister to fellow GI Belmont S. winner Jazil (Seeking the Gold) as well as Casino Drive (Mineshaft), who won the GII Peter Pan S. in this country and the G1 February S. at home. The Justify cross over Galileo (Ire) is responsible for champion City of Troy, Grade II winner Buchu and Irish Group 3 winner Red Riding Hood. B-Oiwake Farm TAISEI REAL (JPN) (c, 2, Arrogate–Lafta, by Kitten's Joy) is the first to race out of a stakes-winning half-sister to MSW/MGSP Mamdooha (Daaher), who was acquired by Shimokobe Farm for $375,000 at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale and put in foal to this sire prior to shipping to Japan. This colt's female family includes Nashwan, Nayef and GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Lahudood (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}). B-Shimokobe Farm 5th-TOK, ¥13,720,000 ($91k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400mT PEAK COLOR (JPN) (f, 2, Constitution–Stephanie's Sister, by Kitten's Joy) is the first produce from a full-sister to five-time Grade I winner Stephanie's Kitten and was purchased by Koichiro Yamaguchi for $350,000 in utero at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale. Stephanie's Sister is also kin to the talented MGSW Heywoods Beach (Speightstown), and the filly's third dam was the outstanding Ramsey Grade I-winning turf distaffer Bail Out Becky (Red Ransom). B-Koichiro Yamaguchi ILANA (JPN) (f, 2, Palace Malice–Irisa {Arg}, by Pure Prize) tries to add to the recent purple patch for this sire, responsible for recent Group 2 winner Jantar Mantar (Jpn) and Noble Roger, a debut winner last weekend. The filly's dam, a two-time winner at group level and twice placed in Group 1s, is a half-sister to Argentinian 3-year-old colt and dual G1SW Irwin (Arg) (Seek Again). B-Shadai Corporation Inc The post Quartet of US-Conceived Juveniles Feature at Tokyo Sunday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

While two-time Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) and Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) are not taking part in Sunday's Jockey Club races, the majority of the jurisdiction's remaining top gallopers will line up to take their chances in the trio of local lead-ups to the Longines Hong Kong International Races in three weeks' time. One horse not missing in action this weekend is champion sprinter Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}), who is somewhat remarkably in search of a first victory in his third start of his current preparation. The 5-year-old, who won the G2 Jockey Club Sprint at a remarkable $4.50 (7-2) last year and was a troubled sixth in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, has been second at each of his two starts this term under handicap conditions and carries a five-pound penalty here, but is still far better off in the weights and should be able to strut his stuff with regular rider Zac Purton up. After giving some consideration to prepping in the G2 Jockey Club Mile, the connections of Golden Sixty ultimately decided to go first-up in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile, a race he won in 2020 and 2021. California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) lowered his colors on international day last December and will be tough to reel in facing just four rivals Sunday. Hugh Bowman rode the 5-year-old to a weight-carrying victory in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy H. when returning to action Oct. 15, but having been injured in a spill last weekend, Matthew Chadwick takes over in the saddle for trainer Tony Cruz. Having only recently cleared quarantine following his historic victory in the G1 W S Cox Plate, Romantic Warrior is also in abstetia this weekend, leaving a field of nine to contest the G2 Jockey Club Cup over the 2000 metres. Chadwick has the call aboard last year's HH The Amir's Trophy hero Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for Douglas Whyte and should strip fitter for his comebacking 10th in the Sha Tin Trophy. Sword Point (Aus) (American Pharoah), an impressive course-and-distance winner in Class 2 in July, also makes his second start of the season after finishing sixth, beaten under a length, at the top of C2 over 1800 metres Oct. 22. He'll tote 123 pounds this time after carrying 135 on his return to the races. The post Jockey Club Meeting Serves As HKIR Appetizer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by TTR AusNZ Dual-hemisphere Group 1 winner Protectionist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}–Patineuse {Ger}, by Peintre Celebre), who won the 2014 G1 Melbourne Cup for Australian Bloodstock, died recently at 13. Australian Bloodstock, who raced Protectionist later in his career, said via X, “Sad to hear of the passing of 'our champ' Protectionist. A remarkable horse with such a strong character who meant a lot to so many people. #Lifechanger.” Bred by Dr. Christoph Berglar, the bay won the G2 Hansa-Preis and G2 Prix Kergorlay for his breeder and trainer Andreas Wohler before being purchased by Australian Bloodstock. He later won the “Race That Stops A Nation” and switched stables to Kris Lees after that victory. Sent back to the Northern Hemisphere in 2016, he won three straight including the G2 Grosser Hansa-Preis and the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin while under the care of Wohler, and retired to Gestut Rottgen with a record of 22-8-3-1 and $3,785,601 in earnings. From four crops of racing age, the son of Broodmare of the Year Patineuse has sired 43 winners, including Group 2 winner Amazing Grace (Ger) and Group 3 winner Lambo (Ger). He also has two other listed winners to his name, as well as the G3 Silbernes Pferd third Lion's Head (Ger). The post Melbourne Cup Winner Protectionist Passes Away appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Five of the first six finishers in last year's race, including winner Serifos, return for this year's edition of the Mile Championship (G1) Nov. 19 at newly rebuilt Kyoto Racecourse.View the full article

The Kentucky Derby Museum is launching 'Ari's Horseshoe Adventure', an interactive experience that encourages young Museum guests to learn about horseracing in a kid-friendly way. This clue-finding experience was designed in honor of Mighty Aristides, the Museum Ambassador. Cue cards placed throughout the exhibits encourage kids to find Ari's missing horsehoe by locating the answers to multiple Kentucky Derby trivia questions. Young guests will also find several coloring activities on the cards to keep them engaged. Children will learn about pivotal Derby-winning jockeys and trainers, the importance of the Call to Post, the behind-the-scenes work that happens on the backside, and more. The Museum's Curator of Education, Emily Dippie, saw the need for more engaging content for young visitors, and after working with a local illustrator, her idea has came to life. “It is our mission at Kentucky Derby Museum to engage and educate everyone about the Kentucky Derby! I am so excited to help create an avenue for our young visitors to have a learning experience that is tailored specifically for them,” Dippie said. “Museums are places of discovery and wonder, and that can be most clearly seen in the engagement of a child.” “Working with Emily and the Kentucky Derby Museum was a fun and an educational adventure! I loved the opportunity to learn more about the history of the Derby and Kentucky through this illustrative journey,” Asia Filipiak said, Louisville-based illustrator for Ari's Horseshoe Adventure. “I hope that families will enjoy this educational experience as much as I had helping create it!” The post Kentucky Derby Museum Launches New Kid-Friendly Experience appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A slashing second to the outstanding commonly owned champion Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in 2021 and a fraction unlucky when a close fifth last November, Sunday Racing's Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) will try to make the most of his third attempt at Sunday's G1 Mile Championship, back at Kyoto after being contested for two years at Hanshin due to construction at Kyoto. Winner of the age-restricted G1 NHK Mile Cup in 2021 and third in that year's G1 Yasuda Kinen, the son of 2016 G1 Preis der Diana heroine Serienholde (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) filled the same spot behind Sunday Racing's Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) this past June after winning the G2 Yomiuri Milers Cup in 1:31.50 over this course and distance in April. He has just one start since, a cracking third–with some trouble–to the once-beaten Elton Barows (Jpn) (Deep Brillante {Jpn}) and Songline in the G2 Mainichi Okan at Tokyo Oct. 8, which should have him cherry ripe for this test. “He couldn't get a clear run in the Mainichi Okan final stage, which was unfortunate. As a step race, however, it wasn't a bad race,” said assistant trainer Shun Nabata. “This year, the race is back at Kyoto and one of the crucial points in the race will be the downhill slope turning out of the backstretch. He'll need to have cover there, and I think that will work in his favor.” Damian Lane produced Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) down the wide outside to win last year's renewal–while Schnell Meister was locked away inside until it was too late–and it will be up to Yuga Kawada to craft a winning trip in defence of his title. Fourth in last year's Yasuda Kinen, the G1 Racing runner defeated Danon the Kid (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}) by 1 3/4 lengths in this event 12 months ago and finished fifth in the G1 Dubai Turf on seasonal debut Mar. 25. He was a head better than Schnell Meister and 1 1/4 lengths in back of Songline in this year's Yasuda Kinen when last seen. “This year he is coming off a spell, but he'll go to the gate in good shape even when compared to last year,” said trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida. “He's able to access his power and he's not one to have difficulties returning after time off. It will be his first time at Kyoto, with it ups and downs, and it's his first time over a downhill slope. I hope to handle the course well.” The visiting Joao Moreira guided the filly Namur (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) to a 1 1/4-length victory over Red Mon Reve (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) and So Valiant (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the G2 Fuji S. going Tokyo's left-handed mile Oct. 21, but deserts that one in favor of the rail-drawn Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) this weekend. Fourth and not beaten far in last year's Mile Championship and third in the Yomiuri Milers Cup, he most recently atoned for a Yasuda Kinen ninth in taking the Sept. 10 G3 Keisei Hai Autumn H. with top weight of 59kg on his back. The post Schnell Meister Looks For Better ‘Glueck’ In Third Mile Championship Try appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It took a while, six starts to be exact, but Damon's Mound is finally back on his 'A' game just in time for the $300,000 Steel Valley Sprint Stakes at Mahoning Valley Race Course Nov. 20.View the full article

Every summer, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) takes in a small gaggle of college-age interns–what for many of them proves a baptism of the turf. This year's batch–three Yale undergrads studying economics, electrical engineering and political science–were tasked with a data-driven analysis of the economics of the national horse racing biz over the past 20 years. Harboring no previous relationship with the industry, the three undergrads came in free of prejudice and preconceptions. The result is a 33-page paper weaving piercing and worrying insights into the state of racehorse ownership, racetrack management and training in the country alongside findings that give tentative cause for optimism. It's also the sort of detailed analysis of horse racing's economic foundation stones that's done all too infrequently for an industry of this size and scope. “We've been a sport that traditionally makes decisions either around general 'chat around the pub,' or just whatever the richest guy in the room thinks,” said Joe Appelbaum, NYTHA president and an advisor on the study. “Neither is usually a good one to make good economic decisions from,” he added. Among the areas the three researchers focused in on were owner, trainer and horse participation; purse and handle trends; the bloodstock market; along with a side-by-side economic analysis of horse racing and other national sports. They break their key findings down the following way: That the 2008 global financial meltdown significantly hastened the decline in trainer numbers, owner interest numbers and participating racehorses. That two areas–bloodstock prices and per-capita purse distribution–showed surprising resilience during that time. More pointedly, with fewer horses competing for increased purses per race, individual owner entities have generally been doing slightly better financially over the last 20 years. Despite areas of improved economic value for owners, costs remain high while the entertainment value of the sport appears to be declining due in part to horses racing less and working more. The economic divide between the bigger and smaller trainers remained unchanged over the past 20 years. That said, such a divide is a characteristic of other national professional sports. A consolidation of quality horses among fewer and fewer of the nation's largest stables has also triggered growing inequality among the top trainers. At the end of the day, the not-for-profit model of certain racetracks coupled with the “capitalist nature” of Kentucky's breeding market could serve as models for other areas of the industry. The detailed analysis warrants a much closer look at some of the statistics woven through it, several of which mirror the TDN's own prior dives into similar topics. PARTICIPATION The past 20 years has seen a decrease of nearly 40% in total horses that raced, a decrease of nearly 55% in total trainers that had at least one horse make a start, and a decrease of just over 42% in the number of owners who owned at least one horse. Interestingly, the sharp drop in trainer numbers has been reflected in the TDN's own examination of California's trainer colony. Between 2007 and 2020, California witnessed a 46.4% decrease in the number of individual trainers making at least one start: from 573 in 2007 to 307 in 2020. Hastening the speed of these declines was the 2008 global financial meltdown. As the researchers write, “it accelerated the declines among horses and owners, and although trainers were already leaving the industry at a significant rate prior to the recession, trainers were still impacted by the economic crisis as they rely on owners to give them their horses.” Since the COVID-19 pandemic, however, there have been tentative signs of plateauing declines in the number of participating owner interests and competing horses. In what will prove a surprise to no careful observer of the sport, the last 20 years has also witnessed a 37% drop in the number of races run nationally, and a 45% drop in the number of individual starts. “The landscape of the horse racing industry has changed a lot over the past 20 years as it has lost close to half its existing participants and 37% of its total races,” the researchers write. “As the number of races, owners, and trainers continues to decrease across the country,” they warn, “the survival of horse racing is threatened.” PURSE DISTRIBUTION An inflation-adjusted look at purse levels show that total purses declined by nearly 25% between 2003 and 2023. However, declines in the number of overall races run nationally over that same period has led to a situation of improved per-race, per-start economics for owners and trainers. Indeed, inflation-adjusted purse-per-race numbers increased nearly 18% during that time, while inflation-adjusted purse-per-start numbers increased nearly 30%. In another similarly themed section, the researchers took a stab at quantifying the cost of owning a horse, using numbers shared by one of the nation's “leading racing operations,” which remained unnamed. Calculating typical training costs, the average days a horse is in training, farm costs, predicted jockey fees, and stable fees, the researchers estimated that the average annual earnings by a horse required to break even for its owner in 2022 was around $66,500. In 2003, a horse had to win more than $41,810 for the owner to profit, they found. The findings suggest that the number of horses “breaking even” for their owners over the past 20 years grew from below 8% in 2003 to over 11% in 2022. Unsurprisingly, there were precipitous drops in the numbers of “breaking even” horses during the 2008 economic collapse and during the worst impacts from COVID-19. The reason for this overall increase, the researchers write, is twofold. “There are fewer horses racing, which is an effect of the decrease in the supply of foal crop,” they wrote. “And there is a higher amount of money available due to the alternative revenue provided through the casinos at the tracks.” FOAL CROP AND SALES The sales rings provided the researchers with another area for optimism. “As the economy in general and horse racing in particular emerged from the Great Recession,” they write, “one area of clear strength has been the increasing value of bloodstock at all levels.” Indeed, the inflation-adjusted average price of weanlings, yearlings and 2-year-olds increased over the past 20 years by just over $14,500. The same goes for median prices. Since a recession-led low back in 2009, the median sales price increased 48% to a level of $30,000 in 2022. “This upward trend in the median price indicates that a wide range of bloodstock assets, not only just the high-end ones, have experienced value appreciation,” the researchers write. Why is this? The researchers contend that simple supply and demand is at play as the national foal crop has declined nearly 50% over the past 20 years. “As the supply of horses eligible to be auctioned decreased due to the lower foal crop, breeders and sellers found themselves with fewer horses. Notably, the demand for these horses remained relatively constant, or in some cases, may even have increased,” the researchers write. The combination of reduced supply and stable demand has led to an “upward pressure on prices,” they add. SUPER TRAINERS The researchers also tackle one of the bete-noirs of the industry–the issue of so-called “super trainers.” Over the last 20 years, the industry has lost nearly 55% of its trainers. Most have been “micro-trainers” and “midsize” trainers–in other words, those with between 1-10 discreet horses, and between 11-40 discreet horses respectively. Fewer races, horses, and owners invariably lead to fewer trainers, the researchers reasonably deduce. At the same time, existing stables have consolidated size. The average horse-per-trainer ratio has grown from 8.2 horses per trainer in 2003 to 11.1 in 2022. “With owners preferring trainers with more horses, the micro-trainers are losing out on potential clients and struggling to maintain a sustainable business,” the researchers warn. “Many of them may have decided to exit the industry altogether due to the diminishing demand for their services.” At the opposite end of the scale are “super trainers” who operate stables with 80 or more horses. The number of super trainers has stayed relatively constant in the midst of declining trainer numbers. In 2003 there were 123 super trainers, and in 2022 there were 114. These findings mirror the TDN's own analysis of the training colony in California. While the number of active trainers in California almost halved between 2007 and 2020, the number of trainers with 100-plus horses making starts stayed fairly constant. At the same time, the Yale researchers found that the nation's super trainers have significantly increased their percentage share of total available winnings over 20 years, from 27% in 2003 to 41% in 2022. This means that last year, 114 “super trainers”–just 3% of the total number of active trainers–accrued 41% of the total available winnings. Intriguingly, the researchers argue that this yawning disparity between racing's select few top-tier trainers and the rest is mirrored in other professional sports, like golf and football. “Horse racing is a unique sport as it does not have many similarities to popular sports in the country, but so is golf, and despite being unique, they are both sports that have similar issues that must be overcome to participate,” the researchers write. “Neither is easy to stay in, especially if you are not in the top percent,” they add. “It is hard to win, hard to profit, and hard to compete, but that is exactly what makes them both sports in the first place.” WHAT TO DO? The report has other intriguing findings, including how the income disparity seen among trainers is reflected between racetracks, with only a select few tracks thriving and offering competitive purses. Ultimately, said Appelbaum, the report could and perhaps should trigger a couple of key industry responses. One would be to decrease the regulatory burden “as much as possible,” especially when it comes to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act and to sports wagering. “The current regulatory regime both in New York and around the country is really a bit redundant and not in step with the current sports wagering environment,” he said. The other would be to regionalize circuits of racing to provide for “better planning of races between tracks and jurisdictions,” he said. At the end of the day, the report should also spur more of these in-depth analyses into the economic building blocks of the sport. “Why is it three college-age interns are doing this?” Appelbaum added. “Why aren't we doing more of this ourselves?” The post Yale Study of Racing Biz: Areas of “Surprising Strength” Amid Sharp Declines appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A quartet of wildcards, among them G2 Premio Lydia Tesio heroine La Gite (GB) (Sioux Nation) (lot 180), will be offered during Arqana's Vente d'Elevage next month. The sale will be held in Deauville from Dec. 9-12. She is part of The Castlebridge Consignment. Joining her is lot 150 is the listed winner Maliparmi (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}) from the Coulonces consignment, while Golden Attitude (Redoute's Choice {Aus}), a daughter of Gold Round (Ire) (Caerleon) from the family of Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa), is consigned in foal to Mehmas (Ire) as lot 160 from Ecurie des Monceaux. The other lot is Haras des Capucines' Sunburst (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) (lot 170), who won twice and is a granddaughter of group winner and Group 1-placed Cloud Castle (GB) (In The Wings {GB}). The post La Gite One Of Four Wildcards Added To The Vente D’Elevage appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) has awarded over $3.8 million as grants to 86 Thoroughbred aftercare organizations that currently hold Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accreditation for 2023. In total, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has now granted over $31.9 million earmarked specifically for equine care. These funds have been directed to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-accredited organizations, which, through their collective efforts, have successfully retrained, retired, and rehomed over 16,500 Thoroughbreds across approximately 180 facilities. “Congratulations to the 86 accredited organizations for receiving grants from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance this year,” said TAA Accreditation and Grants Manager Janice Towles. “These organizations exemplify exceptional equine care, and we take great pride in supporting their efforts in retraining, retiring, and rehoming Thoroughbreds. As they persist in their tireless care for retired racehorses, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's essential funding serves as a valuable resource, helping them to carry out their important work.” The post TAA Grants $3.8 Million To Accredited Organizations For 2023 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Each year, the jockey colony at Horseshoe Indianapolis comes together and brings in toys for less fortunate children in Shelby County. This year, the jockeys brought in a total of 83 toys which will be delivered to Court Appointed State Advocates (CASA). The toys will then be dispersed to kids in the local community who will have a little brighter Christmas thanks to the efforts of more than 30 jockeys at Horseshoe Indianapolis. “This is very special to all of us,” said Leading Jockey Joe Ramos, who brought in multiple bags for the cause. “A lot of us started off with very little at Christmas, so we know that feeling. We want to give back now that we are in a position to do so. We hope it brightens the day of many kids who might not otherwise have presents for Christmas.” The toys range in age groups from toddlers to teens for both girls and boys. The jockeys picked out some of the hottest toys on the market to ensure all kids have a nice surprise during this holiday season. The post Indy Jockeys Donate 80 Toys For Local Community appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hannah Leahey and McKenna Anderson both scored 16 wins during this summer's meet at Horseshoe Indianapolis to share the title for the Juan Saez Leading Apprentice award. “It's really cool and nice to get rewarded from all the hard work that we both put in throughout the year,” said Anderson. “We have worked with some really hard-working people here and we thank them for giving us this opportunity to ride.” Leahey added, “It's such an achievement. McKenna and I have been riding together from the beginning. It's a great feeling to share this award with her. We thank all the barns that helped us get here.” The tie between Leahey and Anderson is the second in the 10-year history of the award and they become the sixth and seventh female jockeys to win the award. The post Leahey, Anderson Share Apprentice Jockey Title At Horseshoe Indy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In the pantheon of the promotional stakes, the Sir Alex Ferguson-owned Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) winning the $1-million G2 Bahrain International Trophy would have ranked pretty highly as a dream result for everyone associated with this relatively new race. To have one of the most recognisable sporting figures in the world in attendance all week was something, but for Spirit Dancer to play with his rivals in a similar fashion to some of the best teams Ferguson assembled at the helm of Manchester United exceeded all expectations. You don't last 26 years at Manchester United, manage the careers of some of the biggest names in football–think Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo–and amass 38 trophies without being a tough task master. But Ferguson has been nothing but warm to anyone in Bahrain this week who has politely asked for a photograph or to simply reminisce about previous glories. The reaction the 81-year-old met Spirit Dancer taking care of a Group 1 field in all but name was one of genuine delight with the Scottsman labelling the victory as his greatest ever in racing. “That's the best ever in racing, without question,” Ferguson said moments after Spirit Dancer crossed the line over two lengths clear of the John and Thady Gosden-trained Israr (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) in second with Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) a close-up third.” He continued, “When you looked at the field I was worried. I'm seeing Godolphin with five, [Aidan] O'Brien's got a runner, [Andre] Fabre's got a horse there. And we're just a wee stable from Yorkshire. “He won well, too, very well. It was Ged [Mason] who jumped on me–100 yards away he looked as though he was going to win but I'm not counting my chickens at that point, I'm just praying. He carried me over the line with him.” “I told @OrrOisin going out there to remember he's [Spirit Dancer] a Frankel.” Sir Alex Ferguson describes winning the $1m Bahrain Trophy with the @RichardFahey-trained Spirit Dancer as “the best ever”. pic.twitter.com/ayHovfeR72 — Brian Sheerin (@BrianSheerin91) November 17, 2023 Ferguson has enjoyed his fair share of success in racing. Few will forget his association with Coolmore in the late nineties and early noughties, highlighted by Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire), but more recently he has been concentrating on the jumps and enjoyed a host of success with trainer Paul Nicholls and Dan Skelton, with Clan Des Obeaux (Fr), What A Friend (GB) and Protektorat (Fr), respectively. But Spirit Dancer represents the latest chapter in Ferguson's racing endeavors as the Richard Fahey-trained 6-year-old is one of the first horses to have graduated from the owner's stud farm in Hemel Hempstead. Ferguson explained, “He was my first foal. It was a new adventure for me to get into breeding to be honest. I bought a mare from Germany. She's at Hemel Hempstead and is from a good family. “The first foal was a Frankel, and that's why we're down here today. We've had other horses that have done well but the Frankel has been fantastic. I told Oisin [Orr, jockey] going out there to remember he's [Spirit Dancer] a Frankel.” He added, “And the hospitality has been amazing here. I know I was signing a lot of autographs and taking a lot of photos but it's only a photograph, it only takes a second and you shouldn't ignore people wanting your photo, especially kids. You have to have patience for that type of thing and I've always shown that anyway. It's fantastic, I can't believe it.” It may have been lost in the occasion somewhat the brilliant job that Fahey has done with Spirit Dancer. He delivered the horse in peak condition for the day that mattered and took great satisfaction in the result, even if the trainer admitted to being slightly surprised at the ease in which it was achieved. Fahey said, “It was an easy race to watch because we always felt we were going to win. Once he hit the front he wouldn't be stopping and it would take a good one to beat us. The fancied ones were in front of us, we passed them and they don't often come back. I'm absolutely over the moon. It's a special moment for everyone. We did see the trophy the other night, it looked like the FA Cup, Sir Alex is used to picking up the FA Cup. It was a fantastic result.” On future plans, he added of his G2 Neom Turf Cup qualifier, “We were mentioning going to Saudi in February, we'd see how he ran today. Have horse, will travel, so we'll see how he comes home. I genuinely thought it was a tough race and he needed to step up but it was a comfortable race to watch. It's a huge moment for me. We've had Royal Ascot winners and things like that but with Sir Alex there it's been a great week with the build up. He put no pressure on me, the horse, or anybody. It was 'lets enjoy this'. He's an absolute gentleman. Some great stories and a great man.” The win also represented a special success for jockey Oisin Orr. The Classic-winning pilot made the decision to join the Fahey stable earlier this year due to a shortage of rides in his native Ireland and the Donegal man has not looked back. He said, “The horse was a big price but I think he really needed his last run because Richard had given him a break after the horse had won three in a short space of time. So, he did need it at Newmarket and Richard had him spot on for today. “I thought I was actually getting there a bit soon. All he does is gallop-he's tough and he was very good there today. It's right up there with my best days in racing. You never complain when you come over here and win something big like that. It's good when it works out.” He added, “It was great to get the opportunity to come over to England to ride for Richard Fahey this year and I haven't looked back since. Then to go and win a million-pound race, it's great.” Just one thing Orr didn't tell Ferguson in the razzmatazz of it all. He's a Liverpool fan. But something says even that couldn't take the gloss of the whole occasion. Pedigree Notes The G3 Strensall S.-winning gelding who was fourth in the G3 Darley S. last month, counts as part of Frankel's 133-strong battalion of stakes winners and is one of 91 group/graded winners. He is bred on the same cross as G1 Prix de la Foret winner Kelina (Ire), G2 Prix de Sandringham winner Obligate (GB), and fellow group winners Eternal Pearl (GB) and Delaware (GB), who are all out of daughters of his Juddmonte studmate Oasis Dream (GB). The third foal and one of five winners for his unraced dam Queen's Dream (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Spirit Dancer is the best of the lot. His yearling half-brother is by Masar (Ire). Queen's Dream is a sister to a quartet of stakes winners led by her full-brother, Group 1 winner and sire Querari (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}), and her half-sister, multiple group winner Quidura (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was thrice placed at the highest level in the U.S. Spirit Dancer's third dam is the G2 German 1000 Guineas heroine Quebrada (Ire) (Devil's Bag). Friday, Sakhir, Bahrain BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL TROPHY-G2, $1,000,000, Sakhir, 11-17, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 2:06.82, gd. 1–SPIRIT DANCER (GB), 128, g, 6, by Frankel (GB) 1st Dam: Queen's Dream (Ger), by Oasis Dream (GB) 2nd Dam: Quetena (Ger), by Acatenango (Ger) 3rd Dam: Quebrada (Ire), by Devil's Bag O-Done Ferguson Mason; B-Sir Alex Ferguson & Niall McLoughlin; T-Richard Fahey; J-Oisin Orr; $600,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Eng, 23-7-6-2, $906,075. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Israr (GB), 128, c, 4, Muhaarar (GB)–Taghrooda (GB), by Sea The Stars (Ire). O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Limited; T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Jim Crowley; $200,000. 3–Point Lonsdale (Ire), 128, c, 4, Australia (GB)–Sweepstake (Ire), by Acclamation (GB). (575,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Epona Bloodstock Ltd; T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore; $100,000. Margins: 2 1/4, SHD, NK. Also Ran: Real World (Ire), Birr Castle (Fr), Astro King (Ire), Nations Pride (Ire), Above the Curve, Calif, Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire), Highland Avenue (Ire), . Qaader (Ire), Dubai Future (GB), Layfayette (Ire). Scratched: Goemon (GB), Tawaareq (Ire), Zagato (GB). Click for the Bahrain Turf Club chart. VIDEO. SPIRIT DANCER The Sir Alex Ferguson-owned Spirit Dancer produces a withering run from off the pace to land the $1m Bahrain International Trophy in stunning fashion! @RichardFahey | @ged_mason | @BahrainTurfClub pic.twitter.com/dGcfgM2FF9 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 17, 2023 The post ‘My Best Day In Racing’ – Sir Alex Ferguson Nets $1m Bahrain Riches appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It’s been another successful day for the all-powerful All Stars (Purdon Racing) with wins in two of the day’s three Group 1s on Show Day at Addington. Mark Purdon guided Oscar Bonavena to victory in the Dominion Trot, while Tony Herlihy and Self Assured upset stable-mate Akuta in the Airpark Canterbury Free For All. DUNSTAN HORSEFEEDS SIRES’ STAKES SERIES FINAL (MOBILE PACE) (Gr1) The first of the afternoon’s three Group 1s was for the two-year-old fillies and it was an all the way win for Our Shangri Lana. Trained by Steve Dolan and driven by Australian Cam Hart, the Art Major two-year-old filly had drawn one and showed impressive gate speed to hold out hot favourite Coastal Babe. From there Hart controlled the tempo, going on to win by a neck from the fast finishing Madrid and Treacherous Love. It was Hart’s second Group 1 for the week after Swayzee’s New Zealand Cup triumph on Tuesday. When asked if he’d given Hart any driving instructions Dolan said “you don’t tell Picasso how to paint!”. Coastal Babe had the perfect trail behind the winner but couldn’t capitalise in finishing fourth. It was Our Shangri Lana’s second win in four starts, with Dolan saying it was “so exciting”. Our Shangri Lana paid $12.80 and $3.30. RENWICK FARMS DOMINION TROT (G1) There was plenty of drama as Oscar Bonavena took out the country’s greatest trotting race, the Dominion. Favourite Muscle Mountain was pulled out of the race with a lap to go with what is suspected to be atrial fibrillation (heart issues). At the time he was three wide and struggling to get into the race as Bolt For Brilliance set the pace. In the meantime Oscar Bonavena had worked his way into one-one and turning for home blasted to the lead for driver/co-trainer Mark Purdon. Southland star Smokin Bandar made his move too and looked with a chance before Oscar Bonavena went clear. “He’s won it with a leg in the air,” said commentator Matt Cross. Oscar Bonavena paid $9.30 and $2.50, it was his 20th win in 55 starts. Bolt For Brilliance stuck on for fourth, with Smokin Bandar and Resolve finishing second and third. It was Purdon’s second driving success for the day after an earlier victory with We Walk By Faith. AIRPARK CANTERBURY NZ PACING FFA MBL PACE (G1) With the scratching yesterday of New Zealand Cup winner Swayzee, Akuta was seen as close to unbeatable in the day’s third and final Group 1. He had finished second to the Australian star on Tuesday and then drawn one for today’s pacing feature. But sometimes things don’t pan out as expected. Akuta led early and looked to have the race at his mercy but a lap out he uncharacteristically bobbled, just for a few strides. He recovered and looked to be back on track turning for home only for stablemate Self Assured, the winner of the same race last year, to launch down the outside and go back to back, paying $13.50 and $2.50. It was Self Assured’s first race for the week, after connections opted out of the IRT New Zealand Cup on Tuesday. “Leaving him out of the Cup was the winning of the race,” says Herlihy, “he was fresh and others had to come off tough runs.” View the full article

Chad Ormsby has been preparing two-year-olds for New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready To Run Sale for the last decade and he believes he will be offering his best draft at Karaka next week. Ormsby, who operates under his Riverrock Farm banner, has produced some handy graduates out of the sale, most notably Sakura Girl. The daughter of Iffraaj was a $260,000 purchase out of his 2021 draft by Upper Bloodstock and went on to win the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) and was runner-up in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) and Gr.2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m) as a three-year-old for trainer Ben Foote. Ormsby will present a 17-strong draft at Karaka this year, including lot 247, a Ten Sovereigns half-sister to Sakura Girl and Group Three performer Knight Mariner. The Matamata horseman is an early fan of Ten Sovereigns, and he said the filly is a more precocious type than her now four-year-old sibling. “We sold Sakura Girl through the lockdown sale at Te Rapa and she has flown the flag in recent times,” Ormsby said. “We have a half to Sakura Girl by Ten Sovereigns in this year’s draft. He (Ten Sovereigns) is a pretty exciting stallion and I like what I see from his progeny. “Everything we have had from that mare (Soltina) has produced the goods and are the sort of horses that you can rely on. Sakura Girl was a big staying filly whereas this filly isn’t quite as tall but is a lot stronger.” Ormsby is also excited about the prospects of lot 260, the Savabeel colt out of Subatomic, a half-sister to Group Two winner Worldly, stakes winners Donativum and Nice Danon, and stakes performer Comeback Queen. Lot 292 (Preferment gelding) and Lot 260 (Savabeel colt, inside) breeze at Te Rapa Photo: Trish Dunell Ormsby pinhooked the colt out of Cambridge Stud’s New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft earlier this year for $140,000 and he is hoping for a strong result next week. “We have got one by a Champion sire in Savabeel, it is not easy to get your hands on one of those. He has looked good all the way through his preparation,” Ormsby said. “We were lucky to get our hands on this colt. He was one that was a little later in the sale and maybe went under peoples radar. “We were excited to buy him and he has kept up that excitement all the way through.” Ormsby is upbeat about the sale and believes the quality catalogue should attract a diverse buying bench. “We have got a bigger draft than we normally would. We tend to stick around that 10 mark, but we have found ourselves a few more this year which met the requirements to take along to the sale,” he said. “This year I am excited because it comes down to what we are producing. I feel there is a little buzz about the sale this year. I think the book in general is a strong catalogue and it’s a credit to the vendors who have gone out there and bought quality from the yearling sales. “They should be selling well.” View the full article

Chad Ormsby has been preparing two-year-olds for New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready To Run Sale for the last decade and he believes he will be offering his best draft at Karaka next week. Ormsby, who operates under his Riverrock Farm banner, has produced some handy graduates out of the sale, most notably Sakura Girl. The daughter of Iffraaj was a $260,000 purchase out of his 2021 draft by Upper Bloodstock and went on to win the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) and was runner-up in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) and Gr.2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m) as a three-year-old for trainer Ben Foote. Ormsby will present a 17-strong draft at Karaka this year, including lot 247, a Ten Sovereigns half-sister to Sakura Girl and Group Three performer Knight Mariner. The Matamata horseman is an early fan of Ten Sovereigns, and he said the filly is a more precocious type than her now four-year-old sibling. “We sold Sakura Girl through the lockdown sale at Te Rapa and she has flown the flag in recent times,” Ormsby said. “We have a half to Sakura Girl by Ten Sovereigns in this year’s draft. He (Ten Sovereigns) is a pretty exciting stallion and I like what I see from his progeny. “Everything we have had from that mare (Soltina) has produced the goods and are the sort of horses that you can rely on. Sakura Girl was a big staying filly whereas this filly isn’t quite as tall but is a lot stronger.” Ormsby is also excited about the prospects of lot 260, the Savabeel colt out of Subatomic, a half-sister to Group Two winner Worldly, stakes winners Donativum and Nice Danon, and stakes performer Comeback Queen. Lot 292 (Preferment gelding) and Lot 260 (Savabeel colt, inside) breeze at Te Rapa Photo: Trish Dunell Ormsby pinhooked the colt out of Cambridge Stud’s New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft earlier this year for $140,000 and he is hoping for a strong result next week. “We have got one by a Champion sire in Savabeel, it is not easy to get your hands on one of those. He has looked good all the way through his preparation,” Ormsby said. “We were lucky to get our hands on this colt. He was one that was a little later in the sale and maybe went under peoples radar. “We were excited to buy him and he has kept up that excitement all the way through.” Ormsby is upbeat about the sale and believes the quality catalogue should attract a diverse buying bench. “We have got a bigger draft than we normally would. We tend to stick around that 10 mark, but we have found ourselves a few more this year which met the requirements to take along to the sale,” he said. “This year I am excited because it comes down to what we are producing. I feel there is a little buzz about the sale this year. I think the book in general is a strong catalogue and it’s a credit to the vendors who have gone out there and bought quality from the yearling sales. “They should be selling well.” View the full article

Chad Ormsby has been preparing two-year-olds for New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready To Run Sale for the last decade and he believes he will be offering his best draft at Karaka next week. Ormsby, who operates under his Riverrock Farm banner, has produced some handy graduates out of the sale, most notably Sakura Girl. The daughter of Iffraaj was a $260,000 purchase out of his 2021 draft by Upper Bloodstock and went on to win the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) and was runner-up in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) and Gr.2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m) as a three-year-old for trainer Ben Foote. Ormsby will present a 17-strong draft at Karaka this year, including lot 247, a Ten Sovereigns half-sister to Sakura Girl and Group Three performer Knight Mariner. The Matamata horseman is an early fan of Ten Sovereigns, and he said the filly is a more precocious type than her now four-year-old sibling. “We sold Sakura Girl through the lockdown sale at Te Rapa and she has flown the flag in recent times,” Ormsby said. “We have a half to Sakura Girl by Ten Sovereigns in this year’s draft. He (Ten Sovereigns) is a pretty exciting stallion and I like what I see from his progeny. “Everything we have had from that mare (Soltina) has produced the goods and are the sort of horses that you can rely on. Sakura Girl was a big staying filly whereas this filly isn’t quite as tall but is a lot stronger.” Ormsby is also excited about the prospects of lot 260, the Savabeel colt out of Subatomic, a half-sister to Group Two winner Worldly, stakes winners Donativum and Nice Danon, and stakes performer Comeback Queen. Lot 292 (Preferment gelding) and Lot 260 (Savabeel colt, inside) breeze at Te Rapa Photo: Trish Dunell Ormsby pinhooked the colt out of Cambridge Stud’s New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft earlier this year for $140,000 and he is hoping for a strong result next week. “We have got one by a Champion sire in Savabeel, it is not easy to get your hands on one of those. He has looked good all the way through his preparation,” Ormsby said. “We were lucky to get our hands on this colt. He was one that was a little later in the sale and maybe went under peoples radar. “We were excited to buy him and he has kept up that excitement all the way through.” Ormsby is upbeat about the sale and believes the quality catalogue should attract a diverse buying bench. “We have got a bigger draft than we normally would. We tend to stick around that 10 mark, but we have found ourselves a few more this year which met the requirements to take along to the sale,” he said. “This year I am excited because it comes down to what we are producing. I feel there is a little buzz about the sale this year. I think the book in general is a strong catalogue and it’s a credit to the vendors who have gone out there and bought quality from the yearling sales. “They should be selling well.” View the full article

Trans-Tasman trainer Mike Moroney has enjoyed decades of success with gallopers sourced from his homeland, and he hopes another Kiwi-bred filly can extend his record on Saturday when Coeur Volante contests the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield. “She’s very talented, she could be one of the better ones I’ve trained, I think, as far as the females go and I’ve been lucky enough to have a few good ones,” Moroney told Racing.com. “On what she’s done and how untapped she is, I’m pretty sure she’s a good chance of being up there with them.” Moroney believes the filly could have been unbeaten after a tough debut run, which was followed by three consecutive victories, including a perfect lead-up performance scoring in the Gr.2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m). “She was pretty luckless in her first start, I think if things had gone her way, she would have won it and then of course, from then on, she’s been unbeaten,” he said. “She brings really good form into the race.” Moroney’s brother Paul sourced the Proisir filly out of the COVID-restricted 2022 Karaka Yearling Sales, where she was secured for $90,000 when presented by Prima Park. Coeur Volante appeared on New Zealand soil on three occasions when trialling, her final effort giving Moroney and New Zealand-based training partner Pam Gerard confidence to test her abilities across the Tasman. “We paid $90,000 for her with the idea that we’d start her off in New Zealand, we’d get her here (Flemington), which we do with most of the ones we buy there,” Moroney said. “Once I saw her have her first trial, I said to Pam then, ‘just give her one more trial and just ride her back off them and then we’d take her across. “We did that and she stormed home down the outside at Taupo, which is hard to do and ran second under a pretty light ride. “That was enough to finalise that she was the right one to bring over here.” Moroney last tasted success in the Group One fillies’ feature with Shizu in 1999, and Coeur Volante has plenty of early support to double his tally currently sitting a $4.20 favourite ahead of Skybird ($4.50) with TAB bookmakers. “She (Shizu) started off in New Zealand and then came across here and won the Thousand Guineas that year,” he said. “It would be nice to repeat that dose, it’s going to be 24 years between drinks, but it will be well worth waiting for.” The 13-strong field includes further Kiwi interest with promising Cambridge Stud-owned fillies Zourion and Joliestar, the former trained by Te Akau Racing’s Mark Walker and currently rates a $14 chance for the Guineas. View the full article

Slow and steady wins the race. Patrick Payne doesn’t yet know what race, but he’s hoping a patient approach with gun stayer Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel) might potentially be able to yield a Caulfield or Melbourne Cup in 2025. The SA Derby winner reappears in form guides for the first time since his Group One triumph in an open handicap over 1800m at Caulfield on Saturday. It’s perhaps an unconventional pathway for a Group One winner’s long-awaited return but Payne is often anything but conventional. While there were millions of reasons to have the son of Dundeel back in work earlier for a tilt at spring riches, the horseman in him won out. Payne knew his young star needed an extended break after a maiden racing campaign that spanned eight races across three states. “The temptation was there obviously but he had a fairly strenuous three-year-old campaign where he was here, there and everywhere,” Payne said. “We tried to utilise those set weights and penalties races as a three-year-old so we decided to give him a long spell. “It’s very deep water for horses to go from racing against their own age as three-year-olds to running against older horses that haven’t fluked getting to that higher grade. “It’s very hard to find a horse as good as this so once you get one, you have to look after them. “He’s had a nice, long break and he’s strengthened up a little bit so we’re really keen to get him back to the races. “He’s had a really long foundation so he’s fairly forward to run well but obviously he’ll be getting better at his third, fourth and fifth run for the preparation.” Dunkel’s slow spring build-up has included typically quiet trials at Seymour and Benalla in recent weeks and Payne has seen enough to think the gelding is forward enough to run well in Saturday’s race, in which he faces only five rivals. The Listed Ballarat Cup (2200m) and the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) shape as short-term targets while a return to Morphettville for a shot at the Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) is a realistic target and the perfect opportunity to test Dunkel’s two-mile credentials, according to Payne. As things stand, he’s a $51 Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup prospect in Sportsbet’s all-in markets for the 2024 staying showpieces. “We’ll try to do something clever with him as a five-year-old if he’s good enough,” he said. “100% he’d be a beautiful two mile horse and we might test the water in the Adelaide Cup and if he’s good enough, we can enter for the Melbourne Cup next year because we’d be mad keen.” View the full article

The two-mile distance is a step into unknown territory for most Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) contenders every year, but Nest Egg’s trainer Stephen Marsh has more confidence than most that his runner’s stamina will shine through at Riccarton on Saturday. An impressive winner of both of his last two starts, Nest Egg holds hot favouritism at $4 among a capacity field of 18 plus six emergencies for the $300,000 staying showpiece. For all of those runners apart from last year’s winner Aljay and runner-up Inmyshadow, former Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Uareastar and former Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) winner Waisake, Saturday marks their first attempt at the gruelling 3200m distance. Marsh expects Nest Egg to see out the testing trip, taking particular confidence from his dominant performance in the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) on the first day of the carnival last Saturday. “He ran out a good, strong 2600 on the first day,” Marsh said. “With the two miles, you never know until they do it, but I think he’s about as close as you can get to a certainty of handling it. If ever there was a horse that looked like a two-miler, it’s him. I don’t think we’ll be walking away on Saturday using that as an excuse. “His race last Saturday was a perfect dress rehearsal for the Cup, really. He had a nice, soft run in transit and Warren (Kennedy, jockey) didn’t really have to use him too much. “When you’re backing up within the space of a week, it’s lovely to win, but it’s even better to have such an economical run and keep so much up your sleeve. He’s come through the race so well and hasn’t missed a beat. He’s bounced out of it and is looking great. I can’t fault him at all.” Nest Egg remains on the minimum weight of 53kg for Saturday’s New Zealand Cup. Marsh had hoped to have a second Cup runner in the form of Deels Done, who will instead take his place in the Bevan Laming 82 Today Premier (2600m). The eight-year-old son of Dundeel is a five-race winner and represents syndicators Go Racing, who have had a huge week with the likes of Gr.1 Champions Stakes (2000m) winner Atishu, impressive Te Rapa two-year-old Velocious, and Riccarton carnival winner Seven Eleven. “We’re happy with Deels Done,” Marsh said. “He would have gone around in the Cup as well if he’d made the field, but the 2500m Rating 82 is a nice back-up option. “It’s been a terrific week for those Go Racing colours, they’re absolutely flying, and hopefully this horse can run another nice race for them on Saturday.” Marsh also has a big team entered for Saturday’s northern meeting at Tauranga, where his 10 runners include promising pair Tossuforit and Double Vision in the Ixom 3YO (1400m), along with Mercurial in the Booth’s Logistics Open (1400m). The five-year-old Mercurial heads into that $50,000 open handicap in some of the best form of his career, having run strong placings in both of his last two starts. He was third behind Our Alley Cat and the subsequent stakes winner Not Guilty in the Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m) at Hastings on October 14, then chased home Packing Rockstar in the Flying Mullet Sports Bar (1400m) at Tauranga earlier this month. “Mercurial is going great this time in,” Marsh said. “He got to the front last time and just knocked off a bit, so we’ll put blinkers on this weekend and we’ve got Sam Spratt back on as well. He’s going super, he gets a nice swing in the weights and should be very competitive.” View the full article

Visits to Christchurch have been few and far between for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott during their decade-long training partnership, but the Matamata pair have two strong reasons for venturing south this weekend. The Wexford Stables trainers have combined for just nine runners at Riccarton since they went into partnership in the 2013-14 season, but they will send out a two-pronged attack on Saturday’s Gr.1 Barneswood Farm 51st New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). O’Sullivan and Scott’s headline act is Molly Bloom, who soared to favouritism for the $500,000 fillies’ classic with an outstanding come-from-behind maiden win at Taupo on September 15. The daughter of Ace High has been unlucky in both of her two starts since then. She got too far back, raced greenly and encountered traffic trouble in a race dominated by on-pace runners at Hastings on October 14, ultimately finishing fifth and 1.2 lengths from the winner. She then struck severe interference in the incident-packed Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe two weeks later, crossing the line in a close fourth. Molly Bloom remains at the head of the 1000 Guineas market, sitting at a quote of $4 on Friday morning. “She certainly didn’t have the rub of the green in the Soliloquy last start, but we thought she ran a very good race despite that,” O’Sullivan said. “It was an encouraging performance heading into a race like the Guineas. “She’s continued to go the right way in between times, and we think we’re sending her down to Christchurch in good shape. “You never know for sure how a three-year-old is going to cope with the step up to 1600m until they try it, but everything about this filly and her bloodlines suggests to us that she should really appreciate that extra bit of ground.” By Rich Hill Stud’s Derby-winning stallion Ace High and out of a half-sister to the multiple Group-winning staying mare Decorah, Molly Bloom was a $150,000 purchase by Wexford Stables as a yearling at Karaka last year. Wexford paid $85,000 at the same sale to secure her stablemate Grande Gallo, who was rated a $21 chance for the 1000 Guineas earlier this week but has since been trimmed to $16. The Belardo filly was unplaced in two starts as a two-year-old, but resumed with a desperately unlucky third at Tauranga early last month. She returned to the same venue a month later and made amends, producing an impressive finishing burst to win a 1400m maiden race with ease. “She’s certainly a filly who’s made very good progress over the last few weeks,” O’Sullivan said. “We’ve added blinkers for the race this weekend, and my feeling is that she’s actually not far inferior to the other filly. Time will tell on that, but I think she very much deserves the opportunity to run in the race as well.” View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, November 19, 2023 First Race 12:30pm HKT (3:30pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing heads to Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon for a blockbuster 11-race program set for decision. The Group 2 Jockey Club Sprint (1200m), Group 2 Jockey Club Mile (1600m) and Group 2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m) headline the bumper card, signifying the Hong Kong International Races aren’t far away. The track should be in pristine Good 4 condition for race day with no signs of rain on the radar. The rail is in the B+2 position for the meeting, allowing for a fair day of racing, with every horse getting their chance. The opening event is set to get underway at 12:30pm HKT (3:30pm AEDT) Jockey Club Sprint Tip: Lucky Sweynesse Back-to-back defeats may leave punters wary of backing Lucky Sweynesse, but this looks like the ideal time to hop aboard the world’s highest-rated sprinter. He was beaten by a pimple in the Group 2 Premier Bowl (1200m) on October 22 and the 61kgs on his back may have told the story. Back to set-weights here means he’s only giving 2kgs to the likes of Victor The Winer and Sight Success, and that simply won’t be enough to stop Lucky Sweynesse this time around. Jockey Club Sprint Race 7 – #1 Lucky Sweynesse (5) 5yo Gelding | T: Manfred Man | J: Zac Purton (58kg) Bet with Betfair Jockey Club Mile Tip: Beauty Eternal Beauty Eternal was a shade disappointing in the Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy (1600m) on October 15, but we’re expecting a possible change of tactics with this son of Starspangledbanner to turn the tables on California Spangle. The John Size-trained galloper has had two testing barrier trials since that loss to get fitness in his legs, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see Zac Purton take luck out of the equation and lead on Sunday. California Spangle may try to hold him out, and if he does, Beauty Eternal might even find leaders back for the duration. Jockey Club Mile Race 8 – #5 Beauty Eternal (5) 5yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Zac Purton (56kg) Bet with Picklebet Jockey Club Cup: Straight Arron Straight Arron is building nicely into his five-year-old campaign and looks set to peak in the Group 2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m). The son of Fastnet Rock relishes getting over a trip and you only need to look back to last season in Hong Kong as he went on to score in the Group 3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2400m) in May. We could be hoping aboard this progressive stayer a start too early in the preparation, but we’re willing to take the risk for Sunday’s Group 2 contest. Jockey Club Cup Race 9 – #6 Straight Arron (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Caspar Fownes | J: Vincent Ho (56kg) Bet with Dabble Best Bet at Sha Tin: Raging Blizzard Raging Blizzard only had one start last season for the John Size barn and was narrowly defeated at this course and distance by a gallant Sweet Briar. The son of Per Incanto looked to be trucking into the race under his own steam, but perhaps faded due to a lack of race-day fitness. They’ve put him away for 19 weeks sent him to the trials, where the four-year-old looks to be revelling in his work. Raging Blizzard looks like a progressive type, and with Zac Purton electing to stick on resumption, we’re happy to put him on top. Jockey C Best Bet Race 3 – #4 Raging Blizzard (11) 4yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Zac Purton (59kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best at Sha Tin: Champion Dragon Champion Dragon is third-up into the preparation and finds the ideal setup for victory on Sunday. He’s been defeated a combine 2.1 lengths across his first two starts, with his latest a bold effort in the Group 3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1800m) as he attempted to make every post a winner under Matthew Poon. We expect something similar in this event, but with much less depth to this field, Alexis Badel should be able to allow Champion Dragon to stride forward and take a power of beating. Next Best Race 2 – #4 Champion Dragon (1) 6yo Gelding | T: Tony Cruz | J: Alexis Badel (57.5kg) Bet with Neds Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin races Sha Tin quadrella selections Sunday, November 19, 2023 1-5 4-5-6-7-8 2-4-6-7-8-10 1-2-3-4-5 More horse racing tips View the full article