Wandering Eyes

Kaleem Shah's Bellamore finally breaks through at the graded stakes level with a gutsy performance in the 1 1/16-mile $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park Jan. 27.View the full article

Kaleem Shah's Bellamore finally broke through at the top level with a gutsy performance in the 1 1/16-mile $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park Jan. 27.View the full article

Warm Heart made her final career race one to remember as she defeated males and lowered the Gulfstream Park course record in winning the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T) Jan. 27.View the full article

Kaleem Shah's Bellamore finally broke through at the top level with a gutsy performance in the 1 1/16-mile $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park Jan. 27.View the full article

Lucky Appeal became the first winner for Louisiana stallion Breaking Lucky in winning a $33,000 open maiden race by a neck Jan. 27 at Sam Houston Race Park.View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Exciting young Kiwi pacer Don’t Stop Dreaming looks right on target for the $450,000 Group 1 Hunter Cup. Mark and Nathan Purdon’s emerging open-class star launched his Aussie raid with a close and fantastic second to proven topliner Better Eclipse in last night’s $50,000 Casey Classic at Melton. It was a terrific pointer to the five-year-old prospects in next Saturday night’s Hunter Cup against an even stronger field, headed by Leap To Fame. Don’t Stop Dreaming sat in the one-one trail, launched with a big sprint from the 400m, but Better Eclipse was able to get away from behind the leader at an ideal time and win by a head. The win took Better Eclipse past $1 million in earnings. He’s raced 60 times for 21 wins, 21 placings and $1,013,270. X X X Trainer Grant Dixon hopes to have two runners in the Hunter Cup. His superstar pacer Leap To Fame posted his seventh successive and 30th from just 40 starts at Albion Park last night. And stablemate Tims A Trooper ran a terrific second. “I’d love to run them both,” he said. “I think Tims A Trooper deserves a crack at it, he’s right back to his best.” Leap To Fame worked forward from a wide draw to take the front and ripped home in 54.9sec to beat Tims A Trooper by 3.5m at Albion Park last night. “I’m glad we got that extra run into him last night. You need to have them screwed right down for a race like the Hunter Cup,” Dixon said. Leap To Fame is a $1.60 in prepost markets to add the Hunter Cup to his fantastic record. X X X Team McCarthy also plans to have two Hunter Cup runners after classy pair Spirit Of St Louis and Cantfindabettorman ran second and third respectively at Menangle last night. The pair were first-up and chased home classy former Kiwi pacer Taipo in good times. Spirit Of St Louis will be lining up for his third consecutive Hunter Cup, having run second to King Of Swing in 2022 and sixth last year. Cantfindabettorman beat Leap To Fame as a three-year-old and McCarthy expects him to become a serious open-class player. “He’s on the up,” he said. “He had no luck through the Inter Dominion heats and easily won the consolation.” X X X There is just no stopping champion trotter Just Believe. Jess Tubbs’ eight-year-old looks to have another Great Southern Star at his mercy this week after cruising to his seventh successive win in last night’s Group 2 Dullard Cup at Melton. It took Just Believe to $1,011,673, making him the first Aussie-bred trotter to top $1 million in earnings. The gelding is 10th on the all-time Australasian trotting earners list with the potential to get as high as second to Lyell Creek in coming weeks. Star Kiwi-owned mare Queen Elida ran a much better race when she sat parked and finished a terrific second to Just Believe last night. She will need to draw better than Just Believe to have any chance of upstaging him in the Great Southern Star next week. X X X Superstar mare Encipher broke down while winning yet another feature race at Melton last night. The inaugural $2.1mil TAB Eureka winner broke a pastern on her way to victory in the $75,000 Group 2 Ladyship Cup. It was her 18th win from just 30 starts (with seven seconds and a third). She’s earned $1.635,479. “I knew she’d broken down when we got into the back straight after the win,” driver Kate Gath said. “It’s devastating. I love her. She’s given me so many great moments and tries so hard.” Trainer Emma Stewart said Encipher was having surgery today. “She went straight to the Ballarat clinic from Melton, We just hope the surgery goes well,” she said. View the full article

October (NZ) (Ocean Park) put his head down where it mattered in an exciting three-way finish in the S$75,000 Restricted Maiden race (1400m) on Saturday. Coming from fourth position one-off the rails in the running, the Stephen Gray-trained three-year-old was set alight on the outside by jockey Ryan Curatolo at the 400m, with two other promising youngsters, Fire and favourite June joining in the fight at the 200m. Fire got the upper hand momentarily at the 150m mark, but the two Falcon Racing No 7 Stable-owned horses on his inside, October and June, were still up for the tussle. Under a hard drive from Duric, it looked like June could win the bob from October, but when push came to shove, the latter proved hard to mow down. The son of Ocean Park fought back and took out his first win by a head. Fire came in second while June was nosed out into third. Assistant-trainer Saimee Jumaat knew October was not quite the finished article yet but was relieved to see him get on the board at his fifth start. “He was ‘floating around’ in the straight and I wasn’t too sure, but when the other horse (Fire) came alongside him, he picked up again,” said the former champion jockey, who stood in for Gray who was in New Zealand for the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale. “He’s still a bit green but he’s come on a bit from the last couple of runs. “He’s done a good job and we’ll see how he goes. He’s bred to stay and he’s looking for more grounds. “It would be nice to have a Novice race next for him to progress naturally before he goes to open company. It could be 1400m or 1600m for him next. “He was supposed to be (jockey) Matthew’s (Kellady) ride, but unfortunately, he’s out for now, so we were lucky to have Ryan for the ride. “He (Curatolo) did take the horse out for a canter over the week once. He had to know the horse because he’s (October) still a bit quirky.” October ran second at his last two starts when ridden by Kellady, but the latter is currently on the sidelines after suffering multiple fractures to his eye socket when Gemilang reared in the parade ring last Saturday. The in-form French rider agreed October was a bit immature, but he had the right amount in the tank to finish on top of the rest. “He felt good in the morning, was nice and relaxed, but he’s so much better on the turf and proved it today,” he said. “The trainer (Gray) put him on the right distance. We had a good draw (four). “He’s a bit green on the line when I asked him to go, but after going ‘left and right’ for a couple of times, he found just enough to put his head in front at the right time. “I think 1400m might be the best distance for him now.” Bought for NZ$60,000 from the Ohukia Lodge draft as a two-year-old at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, October has now taken his earnings to over S$50,000 for connections. View the full article

Terri Rae had plenty to celebrate on her home track of Riccarton Park on Saturday, recording a winning treble capped off by the ever-improving Sir Albert (NZ) (Savabeel). Sir Albert has been a model of consistency for Rae this season, claiming victories over 1600m, 1800m, and a stunning display over 2000m during New Zealand Cup Week. The son of Savabeel journeyed to Trentham last Saturday to contest the $350,000 Remutaka Classic (2100m), and a luckless run saw him finish strongly late in midfield, a performance duly rectified in the Woodbourne Tavern & Motels Bottle-O Renwick Marlborough Cup (2000m) on Saturday. Back at his favourite course, where all three of his previous on-turf victories where recorded, the four-year-old started a warm $2.90 favourite ahead of fellow local talent Jon Ol Rocco ($4.20). In the hands of northern jockey Joe Kamaruddin, Sir Albert was settled back in the 10-horse field, the tempo solid up-front with Amazon Goddess in command. Nearing the 800m mark, Sir Albert remained upwards of 16 lengths from the runaway pacemaker, but a no-panic ride from Kamaruddin saw the gelding track Jon Ol Rocco into the clear, with Sir Albert eventually prevailing in a tough head-bobbing battle to the post. “He was possibly going to go to Dunedin (next Saturday) after Wellington, but he ended up pretty much following them around up there and running home. He ran the second quickest last 600m and still went really well,” Rae said. “It was his first trip away, but he came through that well, so we thought while the track was good, which he prefers, it would be a good race to back up in. Back at a better weight and better footing, it all worked perfectly for him.” Andrew Carston’s Jon Ol Rocco has been a key rival for Rae’s charge this season, finishing ahead of Sir Albert on three occasions over 1600m, while the diminutive gelding narrowly cemented his place on top over 2000m. “Jon Ol Rocco is a big strapping horse, he seems to have the better of Albert at a mile, but over the 2000m, Albert really shows his best,” Rae said. “They’re both lightly tried, promising horses and super consistent, so it was nice to see them fight out the finish.” Sir Albert with strapper Ruby Rae following the Woodbourne Tavern & Motels Bottle-O Renwick Marlborough Cup (2000m) at Riccarton. Photo: Race Images South The victory was Sir Albert’s fifth in just 13 raceday appearances, bringing his total earnings over $151,000, with Rae crediting his impressive performance to niece Ruby, who works at the stable. “She does a great job and she loves all the horses, but especially Albert. He’s a funny little horse, very small but tries so hard,” she said. “Albert’s done a great job this prep, he’s pretty tired tonight and it was a big trip for him last weekend, so he is coming home and will have a few weeks out now. We’ll decide what to do with him from there.” Sir Albert’s triumph was the third in a successful meeting for Rae, saluting earlier on the card with Spot On Time (NZ) (Time Test) in the Karaka 2024 Maiden (1400m), and Chapinteel (NZ) (Savabeel) in the D Reynolds Electrical Rating 65 (1800m), with Aristocrat a close-up second in the Lot 933 Jon Snow Filly At Karaka 2024 (1800m). A son of Time Test, Spot On Time was a commanding victor under Kylie Williams at her third start, the victory a sentimental one for Rae with the children of the late Kevin Pratt (former principal of Kamada Park) in the ownership. “We were expecting Spot On Time to go pretty well, especially at the 1400m. He won really nicely,” she said. “I used to train for Kevin Pratt, so the kids have all taken over and they race this horse now. They were all very happy, so it was cool to get the win for them.” Lightly-tried Savabeel mare Chapinteel has been in a work in progress for Rae, and produced a professional effort to go back-to-back in successive weeks under apprentice Niranjan Parmar. “She’s only really lightly-raced, the owners have been very patient with her and she’s been given a fair bit of time. She’s really putting it all together now, maturing and furnishing into a really nice horse. She just needed some confidence,” she said. “We’ve got a great little team, it was great to get these results.” View the full article

Taking command leaving the second turn, 2023 Preakness Stakes (G1) winner National Treasure opened up a stretch lead and outlasted late-running Senor Buscador in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

During an interview on Saturday's NBC broadcast of the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational, 1/ST CEO Belinda Stronach announced that Santa Anita Park will play host to the “California Crown” Sept. 28, which she said will have some of the same elements as Gulfstream's Pegasus World Cup Day. The Pegasus has become a huge event for 1/ST, who owns both racetracks. “We have an amazing relationship with the folks here in Miami, but we're going to move it out West,” Stronach said. “Not the Pegasus, but a new race called the California Crown. We're going do something that's unique to California, something old school with a Hollywood vibe. It will be tremendous racing. It will be the richest day of racing in California. We're going to be bi-coastal. The Pegasus will remain here in Miami and continue to grow. We'll be doing something very similar but very 'California' at Santa Anita Sept. 28 this year.” The Associated Press reported that the California Crown would replace the GI Awesome Again S., a race for 3-year-olds and up. The AP reported that the California Crown will be for 3-year-olds. “(Santa Anita) doesn't have a marquee, special-event date,” Stronach told The AP. Few details were available at deadline for this story, including the intended purse or what would consist of the undercard. 1/ST Racing and Gaming President Aidan Butler told the Associated Press that the purse would depend on the division of revenue between northern and southern California this year after the closing of Golden Gate Fields in June. The post 1/ST Racing Unveils Marquee Event For Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NATIONAL TREASURE (c, 4, Quality Road–Treasure, by Medaglia d'Oro), last year's GI Preakness S. hero and a latest second to Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Street Sense) in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile Nov. 4, gave trainer Bob Baffert a third victory in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. and his sire a second Saturday afternoon at Gulfstream Park. Flavien Prat was intent on being a forward factor aboard the 2-1 post-time favorite, but John Velazquez aboard GII Cigar Mile H. hero Hoist the Gold (Mineshaft) had similar designs on the lead and for that reason, the pace hotted up with a quarter in :23.18 and a half in ;46.32. The two had the race between them as they continued to race heads apart as they began to feel the exertions of their battle and National Treasure came after Hoist the Gold in earnest with a quarter mile to race. In the meantime, Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) was winding up with an inside run and would have had every chance given the shape of the race. It seemed inevitable that he'd race right by National Treasure in the deciding stages, but the latter had just enough in reserve to take it by a long neck. Crupi (Curlin) closed for third at longshot odds. Quality Road's son City of Light won the 2019 Pegasus. Sales history: $500,000 Ylg '21 FTSAUG. O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Masterson, Robert E., Stonestreet Stables LLC, Schoenfarber, Jay A., Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine; B-Peter E Blum Thorougbreds LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. The post National Treasure Survives Late Scare To Win Pegasus World Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Northern Territory apprentice Jade Hampson. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Trainer Ray Viney and Darwin apprentice Jade Hampson starred with winning doubles at Pioneer Park on Saturday as the Alice Springs Turf Club and NT racing community honoured the late Ken Rogerson. Rogerson, 78, a well-known trainer throughout Australia and New Zealand spent over 30 years training in the Red Centre before his sad passing last Saturday from a long illness. The opening race was the Vale Ken Rogerson Handicap (1200m) with the Dan Morgan-trained Angelluccis ($9), ridden by apprentice Lek Maloney, triumphing against BM54 opposition. Viney and Hampson teamed up when five-year-old gelding Square Cut ($1.26 fav) secured victory by the narrowest of margins over 1100m (0-64) from stablemate Eastside Diamond ($10) with little separating the joint leaders over the final 600m. Neither gave an inch in the home straight as they produced their own version of the famous Bonecrusher-Our Waverley Star battle before Square Cut – holding the fence – prevailed by an eyelash. Since relocating from Victoria last June, Square Cut has had seven Alice Springs starts for three wins and four seconds. Viney ended the day on a good note when Jessie Philpot piloted five-year-old gelding Quizzle ($5) to victory over 1400m (0-70). Philpot, who missed the ride on Square Cut with Hampson able to claim 2kg, settled Quizzle at the rear in the seven-horse field and passing the 1000m he was seven lengths behind the leaders. The son of Sizzling made a move at the 600m and although camped four deep outside Valley Prince, Nicotera and Barocco Bar turning for home he found the lead at the 200m and saluted by 2.1 lengths. The ever-consistent Quizzle, who arrived from SA a year ago, has registered four wins and seven minor placings from 14 starts. Hampson’s first win was achieved on Garry Lefoe’s six-year-old gelding Mighty Murt ($1.80 fav), who outclassed Terry Gillett’s Supreme Attraction ($2.70) over 1200m (BM76). Mighty Murt made it 11 wins from 34 career starts – his Pioneer Park record stands at four wins and three minor placings from 16 starts. A last start third behind Tubthumper over 1200m (BM75) in Darwin on December 1, Mighty Murt started well from the outside gate in the five-horse field and settled outside fellow leader Brat. Supreme Attraction, last year’s Pioneer Sprint winner, was having his second run back following a five-month spell and was six lengths astern of the leaders in last place at the 800m before flicking the switch. Once dispensing with Brat turning for home, Mighty Murt’s biggest worry was whether or not he could hold off Supreme Attraction over the final 350m. Mighty Murt (56kg) led by two lengths passing the 200m and with victory assured eased up to overcome Supreme Attraction (61.5kg) by 0.8 lengths with Gillett’s third-placed Brat a further 4.3 lengths adrift. The fact that Lek Maloney could claim 3kg certainly enhanced the prospects of Angelluccis who was backing up from a first up second over 1100m (BM54) on January 6 following a five-month spell. Angelluccis jumped well and was never far from the lead, and although she had to deal with four challengers passing the 300m it was all over at the 100m with the four-year-old mare finishing 2.3 lengths clear of Arrogant Miss ($10) and L’esperance Rock ($5.50). Apprentice Ianish Luximon’s good form continued when he guided Devilry ($5.50) to a debut Pioneer Park win over 1000m for maiden and Class 2 runners from Don’t Be Dramatic ($1.60 fav) NT debutante Hello Carol ($14). Don’t Be Dramatic, victorious in his first start over 1000m (BM54) two weeks ago after leading, jumped to the front once again, but with 400m to go Devilry made her move before edging clear at the 200m to win by 0.8 lengths. Luximon is second in the Alice Springs and Provincial jockeys’ premiership with nine wins behind last season’s leading rider Sonja Logan (10.5). More horse racing news View the full article

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When the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes (G2T) didn't unfold as expected, Didia and jockey Jose Ortiz took full advantage to score the win.View the full article

Four years ago, the Coolmore contingent's Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) gave the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf a mighty shake, but was forced to settle for second to upset-minded Zulu Alpha. But Saturday, WARM HEART (IRE) (f, 4, Galileo {Ire}–Sea Siren {Aus}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus})–reportedly making the final start of an illustrious career before a date in the Ashford breeding shed with Justify–was given an A-plus steer from Ryan Moore, showed plenty of heart when in very tight approaching the entrance to the final furlong and stayed on courageously to become the first female winner of the $1-million GI Pegasus World Cup Turf. The final time of 1:44.45 for the nine furlongs on firm turf broke the previous record of English Channel back in 2007. Made the 12-5 second favorite behind the previously undefeated Integration (Quality Road), Warm Heart secured a forward position, with Integration a few lengths in her wake, and Moore made a key move prior to the backstretch, hustling the filly along for a stride or two and enabling to gain the rail position behind the pacesetters. Remaining glued to the fence through the middle furlongs, Warm Heart was ridden for luck nearing the stretch, as Moore tried to work magic similar to the way he did aboard Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf. There wasn't much room for Warm Heart to go through, but she sliced through there gamely and held safe to the wire as I'm Very Busy (Cloud Computing) came running late. Frankie Dettori also put an outstanding ride on the outposted Catnip (Kitten's Joy), riding him for speed before sitting a wide trip and staying on for third. Lifetime Record: 11-6-2-1. O-Westerberg, Mrs John Magnier, Derrick Smith & Michael Tabor; B-Coolmore; T-Aidan O'Brien. “Here's WARM HEART! She got through at the rail!” – @AnnouncerPete Jockey Ryan Moore makes a perfect ride aboard #9 WARM HEART (IRE) in her final start and victory in the GI @PegasusWorldCup Turf Invitational. Congratulations to the @Ballydoyle team and @coolmorestud. pic.twitter.com/IKgy6aCTEI — TVG (@TVG) January 27, 2024 The post Warm Heart Beats Boys, Sets Course Record In Pegasus World Cup Turf appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following the Irish-bred's impressive come-from-behind victory in the $200,000 William L. McKnight Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park, trainer Chad Brown called Francesco Clemente "a serious horse" for the 2024 turf season.View the full article

Warm Heart made her 4-year-old debut one to remember as she defeated males and lowered the Gulfstream Park course record in winning the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T) Jan. 27.View the full article

Don Alberto Stable's Alpha Bella leads wire to wire while securing an upset victory in the $150,000 La Prevoyante Stakes (G3T) Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Following the Irish-bred's impressive come-from-behind victory in the $200,000 William L. McKnight Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park, trainer Chad Brown called Francesco Clemente "a serious horse" for the 2024 turf season.View the full article

Already a two-time graded winner in the US, the consistent DIDIA (ARG) (m, 6, Orpen–Delambre {Brz}, by Rainbow Corner {GB}) won for the 10th time in 15 career starts and for the sixth time in eight appearances since coming to North America, kicking on gamely in the final eighth of a mile to take out Saturday's $500,000 GII Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Gulfstream Park. Sent off the lukewarm 3-1 favorite, some $1,500 more than Star Fortress (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Didia jumped alertly and put herself right into the race, as she settled just off the flank of longshot leader Accomplished Girl (Street Boss) through the opening exchanges. The pace was not overly taxing up front, and Didia was held together by Jose Ortiz on the turn, waiting for her cue to sprint for the wire. Asked for her best in upper stretch, the 6-year-old responded gamely and was home first as 25-1 Surprisingly (Mastery) was closing ranks with a final-furlong rally at the rail. California raider Ruby Nell (Bolt d'Oro) was well and truly taken out of her game when unable to make the running, as is her custom, but she was settled well enough by Frankie Dettori from a forward position and finished a highly creditable third, just ahead of the well-bet Fluffy Socks (Slumber {GB}). Lifetime Record: 15-10-2-0. O-Merriebelle Stable; B-La Manija; T-Ignacio Correas IV. The post Didia Outclasses Rivals In Pegasus World Cup F/M Turf appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner The search for a deserved win takes Got You Covered to the return of harness racing at Riverton on Sunday. The pacer will be among the first fields of horses in almost 24 years to compete on the Riverton grass track when he starts as the favourite in the Riverton Cup. A second in the Group 3 Northern Southland Cup and a fourth in the Group 1 Invercargill Cup look outstanding form references to take to Riverton’s big day. Combine them with the Got You Covered’s outstanding record on grass tracks and the Brent and Tim White-trained pacer clearly deserves his favourite’s tag for the Cup. “It does look a winnable race for him – his form has been good in his starts since heading south on this wee trip he has been on,” Tim White said. “He deserves to probably get a win across the board really.” The Whites have left Got You Covered in the care of Southland trainer Alister Black ahead of his Riverton Cup tilt. And they are thrilled with the reports they have been getting. “All reports from Southland are that he’s well and he’s come through his last run good,” White said. “Blackie does a super job with our ones down there.” “It’s business as usual there, we’re lucky to have a place where we are able to have them looked after well and he does a good such a good job with them.” Though a 20m back mark is sizeable, having just seven rivals to get past looks a major advantage for Got You Covered. “He probably gets into the handicaps quite well in this,” White said. “We’ve got Brent Barclay on this week with some Canterbury drivers not going down.” “So we’ve got a more than capable replacement in the cart and if everything sort of goes to plan, he should be right there.” Nathan Williamson has the job of helping Jimmy Carter continue his brilliant form in the feature trot on Riverton Cup Day. The squaregaiter comes into the Aparima Trot after a career-best performance to win the Group 3 Southern Lights Trot at Ascot Park. Williamson admits he hasn’t always produced the best results when combining with Jimmy Carter. But the horse’s form suggests he is clearly the horse to beat. “Jimmy and I probably haven’t had the best of luck along the way, but he does look the one to beat if he does things right,” Williamson said. Williamson looks to be combining with an outstanding book of drives in the return of harness racing at Riverton for the first time since April of 2023. Pounamu, Sidorova, and Amass are set to be the reinsman’s strongest winning chances alongside Jimmy Carter. View the full article

Old Tom Morris (Ire) (Getaway {Ger}) (lot 5), offered by Rob James Racing, was snapped up by Hamish Macauley Bloodstock for a sale-topping £150,000 at Saturday's Tattersalls Cheltenham January Sale. A winner of his only point-to-point at Turtulla earlier this month, the 5-year-old gelding is out of the winning hurdler Caheronaun (Ire) (Milan {GB}), who was twice graded placed. He was earlier sold for €75,000 during the 2022 Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale. Another six-figure lot was Admiral Stewart (Ire) (Soldier Of Fortune {Ire}) (lot 8), who went to agent Tom Malone and trainer Jamie Snowden for £130,000. Offered by Milestone Stables, the son of Ivy Queen (Ire) (Green Desert) is a half-brother to G3 Kilkenny H. Hurdle winner The Crafty Butcher (Ire) (Vinnie Roe {Ire}). A €78,000 store, he won at second asking at Tinahely on Jan. 7. Rounding out the top three was lot 15, Melbourne Shamrock (Ire) (Hillstar {GB}), who hammered for £125,000 to Emmet Mullins from Ballycrystal Stables. Also a winner of a point-to-point–in his case at Ballycrystal–from two starts, the gelding is a half-brother to Barnaviddaun (Ire) (Scorpion {Ire}), who won the G2 Brown Lad H. Hurdle at Naas. Overall, 16 lots sold of the 22 offered for a gross of £876,000. The average was £54,750 and the median was £67,500. Of the 16 sold, four made £100,000 or more. The post Winning Getaway Gelding Tops The Tattersalls Cheltenham Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-GP, $89K, Msw, 3yo, f, 7f, 12:38 p.m. ET. Whisper Hill homebred TAP MY BELLE (Tapit) makes her first start for trainer Ralph Nicks. The gray is out GI Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic heroine Unrivaled Belle (Unbridled's Song), who was bred and raced by Gary Seidler and Peter Vegso. Initially, she was purchased by Brushwood Stable for $2.8 million as the fourth highest price at the 2011 Keeneland November Sale. Five years later at the same auction, Whisper Hill made the mare the sales topper when Mandy Pope took her home for $3.8 million, while Tap My Belle's older full-sister, Unrivaled Princess, was in-utero. Of course, Unrivaled Belle's most famous produce to date is also another full-sister to this Gulfstream first-time starter–two-time Eclipse Award recipient Unique Bella. Winner of the GI Beholder Mile and GI La Brea S., the champion was purchased for $400,000 by Don Alberto at the 2015 Keeneland September Sale. Unrivaled Belle claims a 2-year-old colt and a yearling one of the same sex, while Unique Bella–herself a dam–also has a 2-year-old colt and she foaled a filly last year. All four offspring are by multiple leading sire Into Mischief. Tap My Belle's second dam, MGSW Queenie Belle (Bertrando), is also responsible for the dam of GIII Gotham S. victor Raise Cain (Violence). TJCIS PPS The post Sunday’s Insights: Well-Bred Daughter Of Tapit And Unrivaled Belle Makes The Races appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Royal Majesty in a maiden race at Gulfstream Park. Frankel Colt Lords It Over His Rivals At Gulfstream Benjamin Leon's Besilu Stables' homebred Royal Majesty (GB) (Frankel {GB}) won in his American unveiling at Gulfstream Park on Saturday (video). The Bill Mott trainee is out of former Besilu runner and GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. winner Crown Queen (Smart Strike). A half-sister to dual Eclipse champion Royal Delta (Empire Maker) and fellow Grade I winner Delta Prince (Street Cry {Ire}), she was purchased by Leon for $1.6 million out of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale in 2011. Her latest foal is a 2-year-old filly by Kingman (GB), and she was covered by Flightline in 2023. Second dam Delta Princess (A.P. Indy) was a three-time graded winner and a half-sister to Group/Grade 1 winners Biondetti (Bernardini) and Indy Five Hundred (A.P. Indy). Juddmonte's Frankel (GB), who is standing for an all-time high fee of £350,000, now has 27 winners from 52 runners (52%) in the U.S. His 11 North American stakes winners include top-level scorers McKulick (GB) and champion Inspiral (GB). Royal Majesty (GB) finishes strong to grab the victory in the finale under @JuniorandKellyA. #GulfstreamPark #ChampionshipMeet pic.twitter.com/gQD6qT3DSI — Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) January 20, 2024 Sir Percy Filly Breaks American Duck Bred by Kirsten Rausing, Khinjani (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}) won her U.S. debut for trainer Mark Glatt at Santa Anita last weekend (video). The daughter of Kandahari (GB) (Archipenko) won a pair of handicaps for her breeder during her 10-start career in the UK including an Oct. 16 affair at Windsor before changing hands for 160,000gns at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale. She now races for Jackpot Farm, Lordship Stud, Rancho Tememscal, Thoroughbred Partners and Joseph Navarro. A full-sister to Rausing's stakes-winning and multiple group placed Kawida (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}), Kandahari is followed by a trio of half-sisters–the unraced duo of Vera Cao (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and Khadidja (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), and a yearling full-sister to the latter. Kandahari's half-brother Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) is extremely successful in Australia with four Group 1 titles to his name. The pensioned Lanwades Stud stallion Sir Percy has sired 15 winners from 18 runners (83%) in the U.S. His six stakes winners (33%) are anchored by GI Man o' War S. winner Wake Forest (Ger). The post Making Waves: Frankel Colt Prevails In Florida appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article