Wandering Eyes

By Jonny Turner It didn’t start as the perfect preparation but it will be if Southland trotter Smokin Bandar enters harness racing’s history books at Addington on Show Day. Southland-trained trotters have been unable to make their mark in the Dominion in the modern era, but Smokin Bandar gets the chance to buck that trend on Friday. When the flashy grey battled to match it with a middling bunch of Brisbane’s best trotters during a Queensland winter campaign, he didn’t exactly look on track to be a major threat to the Dominion. But two excellent lead-in performances have shown that trainer Craig Ferguson has Smokin Bandar back to his best ahead of the Show Day feature. “I think he is going better than he ever has heading into a big race,” the trainer-driver said. “His work has been great, and I really couldn’t be happier with him.” Smokin Bandar has battled niggling problems throughout his career, which culminated in the horse suffering a tendon injury and breaking down in the Dominion last year. Being free of any niggles is the basis for the trotter working so well leading into this year’s edition. “He has always had a few issues, but he has been really good this year, and that has allowed us to do more work with him on the track, rather than in the pool.” “He is fit and well, and we just hope it can continue on Friday.” Drawing an inside barrier in an elite-level 3200m event at Addington isn’t always advantageous. Smokin Bandar looked a chance of coming into barrier one with an emergency drawn inside him. But with a scratching in the race, it looks almost certain the southern trotter will start from barrier two. “I am glad there has been a scratching because drawing one wouldn’t have been ideal,” Ferguson said. “But from two, if he can begin like he usually does, it will give us a few options.” On the fixed odds Smokin Bandar is currently a $10 fourth favourite, behind the two hotpots Muscle Mountain ($2) and Bolt For Brilliance ($3) and Oscar Bonavena at $9. Ferguson also starts Da Vinci in the Macca Lodge South Of The Waitaki event on Friday. The pacer ($1.85FF) looks a serious winning threat after taking on much harder fields recently. View the full article

Despite finishing off the board just once in 2023, the gelded son of Kantharos has something to prove after finishing two lengths back in the Oct. 7 Woodford Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland, his first run in graded company. View the full article

Graham Lee underwent surgery Nov. 14 on the serious injuries he sustained following a fall at Newcastle on Friday evening, with the Injured Jockeys Fund stating the extent of the jockey's recovery remained uncertain.View the full article

GISW Creative Cause (Giant's Causeway) has relocated from Kentucky's Airdrie Stud to Marjorie Farms in Texas where he will stand the 2024 season for $6,000. The move was announced Thursday by the Texas Thoroughbred Association. “He has meant a lot to us over the years and I am very thankful that he will be able to continue his career where he will get the mare support he deserves,” said Airdrie's Bret Jones. “Texas and generally the Southwest is ready to take a big step forward and the addition of such an incredible stallion does just that,” added Marjorie Farm owners John and Elisabeth Hay. The post Creative Cause Relocated To Texas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-AQU, $85k, Msw, 2yo, 6 1/2f, post time: 12:20 p.m ET CORPORATE POWER (Curlin) is the second foal to race out of Road to Victory (Quality Road), winner of the GII Golden Rod S. at two and placed in the GII Mother Goose S. the next season. The mare was acquired by Stonestreet for $1.45 million in foal to War Front at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton November Sale, and while that debut-winning colt Willakenzie was bought back for $575,000 at Keeneland September, Corporate Power was hammered down to Don Adam's Courtlandt Farm for $925,000 at the same auction last fall. The female family includes Group 1 winner Moanin (Henny Hughes), current leading freshman sire in Japan by winners with 35. Juddmonte homebred Sardis (Into Mischief) is a half-brother to GIII Cecil B. DeMille S. winner Verbal (Flintshire {GB}) and GSP Toledo (Into Mischief) and is out of a half-sister to MSW/MGSP Seismic Wave (Tapit) and to the dam of this year's G3 Ballyroan S. runner-up Valiant King (GB) (Roaring Lion). TJCIS PPs 5th-AQU, $70k, Msw, (S), 2yo, 1m, 2:15 p.m. ET JUDGE RULES (Tapit) makes his first trip to the races for owner/breeder Barry K. Schwartz and trainer Christophe Clement. A May 18 foal, the bay looks to become the third winner from as many to the races for the owner's Princess Violet (Officer), who was second to Untapable (Tapit) in the 2014 GI Mother Goose S. and posted a career-best effort in taking the 2015 GI Madison S. at Keeneland. TJCIS PPs The post Friday Insights: Expensive Curlin Colt Debuts for Courtlandt at the Big A appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It was 12 years ago this week that a young bloodstock agent found a mare for one of his first clients, deep in the November Sale at Keeneland. Mesa Fresca (Sky Mesa) had won a Belmont maiden in a light career, and Larkin Armstrong knew her family inside out. In fact, her own bloodlines ran almost parallel to his own, his father being a cousin of her dam's breeder Emory Hamilton. Raised the way he was, Armstrong could not fail to recognize this mare as King Ranch royalty, and was duly gratified to buy Mesa Fresca on behalf of Jack Swain III for just $15,000. “I think it was just timing,” he reflects. “She was in one of the later books and in foal to Badge of Silver, on a late cover, which wasn't too popular. Mayan Maiden (Lyphard) [her dam] had produced the dam of [turf millionaire] Al Khali (Medaglia d'Oro), but neither she nor had any of her offspring had black type. In fact Emory had sold Mayan Maiden as an older mare to Bobby Flay, carrying Mesa Fresca. And now here was her daughter, and I liked her, thought she looked like some of Emory's mares that I knew from Chic Shirine: that's really what attracted me, just having seen that family do so well for so many years.” Chic Shirine, of course, was the daughter of Mr Prospector who established the premier branch of the dynasty centered on her dam Too Chic (Blushing Groom {Fr}). Three of Chic Shirine's daughters produced Grade I winners and a fourth has lately emerged as granddam of two more in Olympiad and Preservationist. Those young stallions are now seeking to establish a communal legacy for King Ranch, but for Armstrong the connection always felt highly personal. In his youth, he learned to recite King Ranch pedigrees long preceding his own lifetime–above all, those tracing to Monade (Fr), the imported 1962 Epsom Oaks winner and fifth dam of Mesa Fresca. “I've been passionate about the horse business ever since I was a child, and have been coming to the sales for 30 years now,” he says. “My father's 'all in' on polo; he's head of the United States Polo Association, but he's interested in Thoroughbreds too and obviously my extended family has long been involved in the business–they raced Assault–and more recently through Emory and [her sister] Helen. Larkin Armstrong | Keeneland “So when I took an interest as well, I was able to learn all about it with them. It was more of an obsession than an interest, really: already at age 11 I was deep into catalogues, pedigrees, the Stallion Register. I grew up in Texas, but always came up and stayed with Helen for the sales, and got to look at horses with Emory as well. She bought Too Chic from the King Ranch consignment in the early '80s, and she became her foundation mare.” Having secured Swain cut-price access to this genetic goldmine, Armstrong compounded the favor by urging the young Scat Daddy as her next cover. “Jack makes all the final decisions,” Armstrong stresses. “But yes, Scat Daddy was the one I liked. He was just getting going, he'd had some of his Chilean success at that point, but was still only $17,500. So Mesa Fresca had a filly by him, and we always loved her. Jack's plan was to sell her, so when she came through the September Sale, I said that I'd bid on her. I was thinking how Emory keeps as many fillies as she can from that family. Yes, it was a couple generations back to Chic Shirine, but this filly looked a really nice physical athlete. I got her for $80,000, so Jack 'got out' on the mare, but I got a good price, too!” Swain's real dividend was still to come. Armstrong named the Scat Daddy filly Harmonize, and watched in astonishment as she made her grandam the fifth daughter of Chic Shirine with a Grade I winner underneath. “I did really, really like her as a foal, but then it just became an amazing ride,” he reflects. “I sent her to Bill Harrigan who used to work for King Ranch back in the day, and I've known forever. He was breaking her at Payson Park, and loved her. And then Bill Mott calls me out of the blue and says, 'I saw your filly go by on the track: would you let me train her?' My parents had horses with him, my uncle as well, and he'd been one of the first trainers I ever met as a child. And now this filly's such a beautiful mover that he wanted to recruit her. Of course I said yes. So she went into his program and next thing you know, she's running at Saratoga.” Having been beaten a nose when green on debut, she broke her maiden by daylight in a stakes. That set her up for the GIII Jessamine, where she booked herself a spot at the Breeders' Cup. Though disappointing on rain-softened turf there, she matured to win the GI Del Mar Oaks as a sophomore and then missed the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup only in a photo. She also won a Saratoga graded stakes at four, but came up with some bone bruising and had to be retired. By that stage, her dam was in foal to War Front and Swain was able to sell her to Cheveley Park Stud at Fasig-Tipton that November for $2 million–a spectacular yield on the $15,000 he had paid for her just six years previously. Moreover Swain has two of her daughters (one retained, the other bought back when she came up for auction) in his own program. Harmonize | Sarah Andrew Today Harmonize remains the one and only broodmare in Armstrong's ownership. (“I had a lot of offers along the way,” he acknowledges. “But there was always too much emotional attachment with the family to sell.”) As a graded stakes winner three years running, she clearly channels soundness as well as class from her aristocratic genes. Showing the length of perspective one would expect of his clan, Armstrong astutely started her with proven stallions. Her first foal, by the set-your-watch More Than Ready, admittedly produced only a claiming gelding. But then Armstrong sent her to Quality Road, and was rewarded with a colt that made $700,000 from West Point & Woodford Racing as a Saratoga Select yearling in 2021. This colt required his purchasers to show a bit of patience, but he was in the right barn for that with Shug McGaughey. In August, he romped on debut in a Colonial Downs maiden. Fast-tracked to the GIII Virginia Derby, he overcame his rawness to cut down a strong field with a flamboyant turn of foot, claiming both the unbeaten streak of GI Saratoga Derby winner Program Trading (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and a new course record. For this, of course, is Integration–whose credentials, as potentially one of the premier talents of his crop, will be tested Saturday in the GII Hill Prince S. at Aqueduct. “Harmonize's first foal hadn't really been a sales prospect so I raced him, just to start her off,” Armstrong recalls. “He has some ability, and tries hard, but it was Integration that always really looked the part: super athletic, super balanced, perfectly correct, medium-sized, great temperament. The mare is not exactly high-strung, but a little more energetic. He's always been just very calm and kind. Brookdale always loved him and so he ended up going to the Saratoga sale, where he was really able to shine. He has an incredible walk, which is I think what really sold him. And now fortunately that's translated to his racing. “The Virginia Derby seemed like a bold move, but I thought, 'Well, they must really like him!' I thought he caught up with them easily enough, but then there was just a touch of greenness before he really kicked into gear. So I hope he can still improve.” The one thing Armstrong knows for sure is that Integration had the perfect springboard in being raised and prepped by the Seitz family at Brookdale. “It's where Jack Swain boards his horses, so Mesa Fresca went there,” he explains. “They did such a great job for him and, as they'd raised Harmonize too, it made perfect sense for her to go back to them when it was time to breed her. It's just been a really positive experience with them, all round. It's great land, and they're great people.” Given the way Integration has worked out, Armstrong is glad that he has doubled down on the mare. Her next foal, a Curlin colt, brought $400,000 at Keeneland last year; Armstrong has retained her Nyquist yearling filly to race; and she has a weanling colt by Gun Runner. “I just haven't wanted to shortchange her in any way, and have tried to breed her to really good stallions,” Armstrong says. “She's such an excellent physical, very correct, a beautiful mover, tons of quality. When I do a mating, I really like to have an idea of what I'm trying to produce with it. Obviously it's always a guess. But what are you trying to improve in the mare? What does she have that's going to complement the stallion? So mostly you start with the physical. And then look at pedigree after that. Those unproven sires, you just don't know yet what they're going to throw: both whether they'll be a good stallion overall, but also what traits. They do tend to sell, of course, so sometimes you have to do it–and I did breed her to Flightline this time. But I was just in such awe of him as a racehorse that I jumped at the chance.” Of course, even if you do everything right, it confounds all the odds to be so lucky with your one and only mare. But his education in the game, and then his own professional experience, together mean that nobody knows that better than Armstrong himself. “It's been kind of weird,” he admits. “I mean, working with clients, I know how hard it all is. I love the breeding side, love consulting with clients on their whole operation, especially matings, and seeing and evaluating the offspring. I saw Helen develop the Courtly Dee family, and all those horses; and Emory developing hers; and Jack Swain has bred some really good horses too. He bred Exaulted (Twirling Candy) [who won the GI Shoemaker Mile in May], he bred Marley's Freedom (Blame) and Noble Bird (Birdstone), who were also Grade I winners. So I've gotten to see those horses, as well. And it just teaches you that it's a very difficult business. “Clients have different goals. Sometimes they're wanting to do something shorter-term. But mostly I try to focus on finding quality, and value; and matings to bring out the quality, hopefully to produce a beautiful athlete that can sell well and run. It doesn't have to be either/or. I don't think there's as huge of a disconnect as some people say, between a sales horse and a racehorse. Integration was bred to be a racehorse. He's not huge, not a super-muscular, bulky horse. He's just an athlete with a great mind, a great walk, and really well put together. But people appreciated that, and he sold very well. Chic Shirine has been incredible, of course, has shown how blood can continue on. But it's obviously a super difficult game and, no matter what, you need a whole lot of luck. It's an amazing game and an amazing challenge.” The post Integration Taking Larkin Armstrong Back to the Future appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Canterbury Park is planning a 54-day race meet in 2024, asking the Minnesota Racing Commission for a Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse season from May 18 through Sept. 28. View the full article

Owner Rick Dawson went to the social media platform X to announce 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Rich Strike's withdrawal from the Nov. 17 Keeneland Horses of Racing Age Sale. He was to be consigned as a stallion prospect.View the full article

Woodbine Entertainment's Bill Ford, General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Racing, announced today that Woodbine has solidified its racing leadership team with the promotions of Tim Lawson and Bill McLinchey to Vice President positions.View the full article

Another five wildcards have been added to the Tattersalls December Mares Sale, which starts its four-day run on December 4. G3 Prix Chloe winner Araminta (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) will be offered in training by Barton Sales on the Monday of the sale after the first Sceptre Session. She is joined by the Group 3-placed Nigiri (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), consigned by Imperium Sales, and the 97-rated Star Girls Almaaal (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}). The half-sister to Group 3 winner Create Belief (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) will be offered by Norelands Stud. Two Listed-winning two-year-olds in training have also been added to the catalogue. Graceful Thunder (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) will be sold after Tuesday's Sceptre Session from George Boughey's stable, while Legacy S. winner Pipsy (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), is being consigned directly after her by Kilcarn Park. A breeding right to Graceful Thunder's sought-after young sire Havana Grey is one of seven breeding rights among the 154 lots on offer in the forthcoming Tattersalls Online November Sale, which takes place on November 22 and 23. The mixed catalogue, which includes broodmares, foals, point-to-pointers, and horses in training, is now available online. The post Araminta Added to December Sale; Havana Grey Breeding Right in Online Sale 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 Saturday running at Kyoto and Tokyo Racecourses. A quartet of American-conceived juveniles running on Sunday at Tokyo will appear in Saturday's paper: Saturday, November 18, 2023 5th-KYO, ¥13,720,000 ($91k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT EVEN NOW (f, 2, Catholic Boy–Evening Call, by Tapit), a $385,000 in-utero purchase by Katsumi Yoshida at Keeneland November in 2020, is out of an unraced daughter of SW For Royalty (Not For Love), the dam of GI La Brea S. winner Constellation (Bellamy Road), three-time stakes winner Truth Seeker (Into Mischief) and an additional pair of black-type performers. Even Now will be campaigned in the Sunday Racing colors. B-Northern Farm (KY) 11th-TOK, Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai S.-G2, ¥72m, 2yo, 1800mT CIRCLE OF JOY (JPN) (c, 2, Constitution–Mirth, by Colonel John) belied debut odds of nearly 10-1 going this distance at Hanshin Sept. 10, coming from behind midfield to graduate in professional fashion (video, SC 4). The chestnut is the first foal from his dam, the GI Rodeo Drive S. heroine who was knocked down to Katsumi Yoshida for $1.05 million with this colt in utero at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Circle of Joy is bred on the same cross as Classic winner Tiz the La, GSW We the People and SW/GISP Never Surprised, et al. B-Shunsuke Yoshida The post Constitution Son of Mirth Makes Stakes Debut at Tokyo appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rich Strike (Keen Ice), winner of the 2022 GI Kentucky Derby, has been withdrawn from Friday's Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale and will remain in light training, owner Rick Dawson has announced. “After much consideration, I have revised my plan for Rich Strike (KY Derby Champ #148/2022) and will not enter him in Keeneland Sales auction on Friday, 11/17/23,” a statement from Dawson read. “At this time Rich Strike will continue his stay and light exercise at Margaux Farm. I would like to thank my family, friends and the folks at Keeneland Sales for their support and guidance in this process. I will make further announcements at such time it deemed to be appropriate.” Rich Strike, last seen finishing a well-beaten fifth in the GII Alysheba S. at Churchill Downs May 5, was subsequently transferred from the barn of trainer Eric Reed to Hall of Famer Bill Mott. Dawson told TDN's Bill Finley in late September that Rich Strike was rehabbing from a tendon issue and could target the GI Pegasus World Cup Jan. 27. He was consigned to KEENOV as Hip 4001A by Candy Meadows Sales, agent for RED TR-Racing LLC. The post Rich Strike Withdrawn from KEENOV, to Remain in Light Training at Margaux Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Brigette Solomon Minutes after Show Day racing at Addington concludes, The Thames Country Cups meeting gets underway at Cambridge Raceway. The two feature races of the night are Race 5, 7.59pm The Dunstan Thames Trotters Cup and Race 7, 8:51pm The IRT Thames Pacers Cup. Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett bring two horses to compete for the Dunstan Thames Trotters Cup over 2200m, Kiwitrix and Melsadele. The latter was somewhat unlucky in her last start after being held up in the final stages to finish fourth at Alexandra Park on the 10th November. “We are aiming Melsadele for the NZ Trotting Oaks and she needed another race leading up to it and without a mobile race for her this was it,” says Wallis. “Prior to last start Kiwitrix form has been consistent.” Both the Wallis/Hackett runners start off 10 metres with Melsadele driven by Todd Mitchell while Junior Driver Crystal Hackett drives Kiwitrix. The 11-horse field also includes two last start winners with the Jason Teaz trained Ultimate Moment winning this trip three weeks ago at Cambridge and Cruise Liner who won comfortably at Alexandra Park on the 19th October for trainers Clare and Dave McGowan. “We’ve found keeping Cruise Liner fresh is key so he spent a few days in the paddock after his last race,” says Dave McGowan. The highest rated horse in the field is Sacred Mountain who starts off 30 metres, trained and driven by Cambridge local Nicky Chilcott. “She’s in a really good space, her track work and workouts have been great. I think she’s capable of winning but it all depends how hard the horses up front go early over the 2200m trip with us having the 30 metres to make up,” says Chilcott. Chilcott also lines up Phoebe Majestic in Race 1, first starter It’s Nae or Never in Race 3 and Village Rebel in the Thames Pacing Cup. “It’s Nae or Never is very green but she is a lovely filly and the first of Juice Brogden’s foals to race which is pretty special. Village Rebels last start was ok and this field is a bit more his level so I think he will be competitive,” says Chilcott. Spring Cup winner Fernleigh Cash also starts in the Thames Pacing Cup. Driver Alicia Harrison says “he’s pretty quick and safe from a stand and although he starts off 25 metres he should have a pretty good show.” Team Telfer also starts Medina Magic and Ideal Delight in Race 4. “Both horses have been working well and with Medina Magic having good gate speed to utilize I think he should be a chance,” says Harrison. While Fernleigh Cash may be the standout horse in the Thames Pacing Cup field there are several that can’t be discounted with the likes of Brookie’s Jaffa, Cos I Can, and the consistent You Little Beauty who steps up in grade for this race. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Trotting’s premier race dates back to 1911, and 50 years ago the great Jack Smolenski won his first and only Dominion Trot. Driving the back marker and favourite Philemon Smolenski completed a notable Cup week double. One of all-time great drivers Smolenski had won the 1973 New Zealand Cup with Araphao on the Tuesday and then doubled up with Philemon in the Dominion three days later. Starting off 15m, the combo went forward after just 600 metres before being taken on in the middle stages by Able Adios and Arnonmot. Passing the 600 Philemon was travelling well and staved off the challenge from Bachelor Tom and defending champion Easton Light, winning by just over a length. The winning time was a moderate 4:20.5. It was a triumph for a horse that had been sold cheap before he even raced because he bit his breeder’s wife. Bob Macaulay had bred the horse (Sun Chief – Judear), who was passed in at the 1965 National Sales for $600. To make matters worse not long after he nipped Macaulay’s wife as she fed him in the paddock. The decision was then made that he was going to be moved on. Two of Macauley’s friends Bill Strachan and George Taverner bought him complete with a halter and 10 bags of chaff. The Oamaru-based Taverner also trained the horse who initially qualified as a pacer before successfully switching gaits. He went on to record 20 wins from 104 starts. According to HRNZ records his last race was the 1975 Dominion Handicap when he was pulled up – there would be no repeat of his heroics two years before. Smolenski had 1058 wins in a more than 50 year career in the sulky. But that win on November 9 1973 was the first and only time he would win trotting’s biggest prize. Today’s Renwick Farms Dominion Trot is set to go at 4.23pm. View the full article

Show Day is another massive day at Addington, highlighted by the three Group 1s – the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot, the Dunstan Horse Feeds Sires’ Stakes Series Final for the 2YO Fillies, and the Airpark Canterbury NZ Pacing Free For All. To help out Michael Guerin has selected his five of the best. 1: Muscle Mountain (R9, No.15): Adding pull-down blinds to his gear seems to have super charged his already impressive motor. Traffic looks his biggest concern. 2: Akuta (R11, No.1): The Cup runner-up looked a great chance in this and that was before Swayzee’s scratching. From one over 1980m he looks close to unbeatable and his price will reflect that. 3: Confessional (R6, No.8): The young trotter lost his concentration and punters lost their money on Tuesday. If he trots all the way he should atone. Note, the IF. 4: Coastal Babe (R7, No.2): Maybe the best filly but definitely the best drawn and the gate speed to use it. Trialled well enough last week to suggest long campaign not getting to her. 5: Amore Infidia (R3, No.8): Luckless and brave fifth behind princess of pacing Millwood Nike on Tuesday. If she has any luck will be too sharp for most of these. View the full article

As the darkness draws in on the Monday and Tuesday afternoons of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale, it is a signal for the those around Park Paddocks to head ring-wards for the bloodstock world's version of captivating theatre. Who present, shoulder to shoulder in the packed auditorium over recent years, can forget moments such as the sale of Marsha (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) for 6 million gns? Even her trainer Sir Mark Prescott, always ready with a witticism, was for once lost for words in the drama of it all. A decade ago the Oaks winner Dancing Rain (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) was sold for 4 million gns carrying a foal from the first crop of Frankel (GB). Such was the clamour surrounding the Juddmonte superstar's transition to stallion duties that Dancing Rain's appearance at Tattersalls prompted a segment on BBC Radio 5 Live that evening. It is anyone's guess as to who will emerge on top at this year's sale. The only thing that is not in doubt is that there is a vast array of contenders to choose from. Although this segment of the sales season is collectively referred to as the breeding stock sales, there is a strong element to the December Mares Sale which could just as legitimately have it rebranded as the most elite horses-in-training sale out there. Generally, it is buyer's choice, when being lucky enough to snare one of the fillies on offer, whether or not they race on next season or head straight to the paddocks. A poster girl for the former strategy is Fev Rover (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}), sold for 695,000gns two years ago to Tracy Farmer, for whom she has subsequently raced in America to land the GI EP Taylor and GI Beverly D S., along with another two Grade II wins. Her earnings have increased by more than £800,000 in the interim and she remains an enticing broodmare prospect. Similar comments apply to Promise Of Success (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who could hardly have been better named. Still a maiden when sold in 2020 for 27,000gns to David Redvers and Rosemount Stud, she then went on to Australia and won the G2 Emancipation S. plus a $2 million conditions race at Randwick before being sold at Magic Millions in May this year for $1,350,000. As this example shows, there will doubtless be future success stories to come from all levels of the market, but the introduction last year of the Sceptre Sessions, staged during those first two sessions, naturally shines a spotlight on some particularly high achievers. It is hard to look past a particularly well-credentialed pairs of fillies from the same stable and owned by the same partnership. Through Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Lezoo (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), Marc Chan and Andrew Rosen enjoyed a particularly noteworthy 2022 season, with a Group 1 win apiece for these two fillies trained by Ralph Beckett. Describing the four-year-old Prosperous Voyage as “a strong, robust filly with a good walk”, Beckett casts his mind back over the last three seasons. He says, “She's been an extraordinarily tough and genuine filly. I'm not sure we knew how good she was when we first ran her in the Prestige Stakes. She progressed quickly to finish second tin the May Hill and the Fillies' Mile. Then at three she had a stellar year, with being second in the Guineas and winning the Falmouth Stakes. “So we've had a terrific time with her, and she backed that up by winning the Princess Elizabeth at four.” Indeed, in Prosperous Voyage's last two runs as a juvenile she was second to Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), recent heroine of the Breeders' Cup. But she had that great filly's measure when beating her the following year in the G1 Falmouth. Prior to that she had finished just a neck behind Cachet, who also features in the Sceptre Sessions, when second in the 1,000 Guineas. Becket adds, “In terms of performance, I was equally proud of her in the Guineas. I thought she really outperformed all expectation that day.” As Tattersalls' marketing director, Jimmy George is naturally relishing the prospect of the fillies' appearance at Park Paddocks. “It's going to be an exciting few hours not only for Ralph Beckett, but also the owners, Marc Chan and Andrew Rosen,” he says. “Prosperous Voyage's finest hour obviously came in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes last year when she beat a very high-class field, including most notably Inspiral. “She has a huge pedigree too. Her third dam is Monroe. It's a very smart Juddmonte family: fourth dam is Best In Show, one of the most influential broodmares of of the modern era. So she has plenty that should appeal to breeders from every corner of the globe.” Prosperous Voyage is set to be sold on the Tuesday of the sale as Lot 1811. Prior to that, the three-year-old Lezoo takes to the ring as Lot 1776. “She took her racing extraordinarily well at two,” says Beckett of the latter. “I think I ran her four times in six weeks, from a maiden to the Empress Stakes, the Cherry Hinton and the Princess Margaret, and she had a break after that and came back strongly to win the Cheveley Park. This year, things haven't gone quite so well but she did win the Hopeful Stakes against the colts, and she's been a sound, genuine filly throughout. And like Prosperous Voyage, she has barely had a sick day, so I think she'll do very well as a racehorse next year or as a broodmare.” He adds, “Lezoo is a strong filly, deceptively robust, in the sense that you wouldn't have her down as masculine but the scales say that she is. In terms of physique, she's taken it very well throughout her career. She's got bigger and stronger as she's got older. To be able to come back from the last weekend in July to winning a championship race in early October takes a bit of doing. She had had a bit of a dip after winning the Princess Margaret and we had to bring her back gradually. So for her to do that was quite extraordinary, really, and unusual.” Whether Lezoo races on or not, Jimmy George points to the genetic attributes which make her an attractive broodmare prospect beyond just what she has achieved on the track. He says, “Lezoo does have a different profile to her stable-mate Prosperous Voyage, but a very attractive profile at that. She's by Zoustar, she's out of a Red Clubs mare, and it's hard to imagine a Group-1 winning filly that would be easier to mate. She can go to any stallion in the world pretty well. And she was top class when she won the Group 1 Cheveley Park. She beat Mawj, who won this year's 1,000 Guineas. She beat Meditate, who went on to win the Breeders' Cup that year. She is very high class and from an all-speed family.” All sectors of the December Sale have had their notable representatives this year. Via Sistina (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), the 5,000gns December yearling who became a Group 1 star, returns this time to the Sceptre Sessions as Lot 1788, as does Rogue Millennium (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), bought for 35,000gns two years ago as a two-year-old and now a Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed for Tom Clover and The Rogues Gallery. She is Lot 1800. A family which has hogged the limelight at the December Foal Sale in recent years is that of Whitsbury Manor Stud's Suelita (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), whose Frankel (GB) foal of 2020 was sold for 550,000gns. Later named Chaldean (GB), his juvenile exploits gave a huge boost to his Kingman (GB) half-brother who topped last year's foal sale at 1,000,000gns. This year, their four-year-old half-sister Get Ahead (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) makes an appearance in the Sceptre Sessions. A Listed winner who was second in this year's G1 Flying Five S., she is sold 'in training' and is one of five black-type performers for her dam, led of course by the Classic winner and new Juddmonte sire Chaldean. Among the young fillies included in the sale are the group-winning juveniles Relief Rally (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Dawn Charger (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}). The former (Lot 1798) has only once been headed in five starts when beaten a nose in the G2 Queen Mary S at Royal Ascot. Since then she has won both the Weatherbys Super Sprint and the G2 Lowther S. Dawn Charger meanwhile is Lot 1766 and has had a similarly productive season, winning three and finishing second in another three of her seven starts. She won the G3 Prix Eclipse and was most recently runner-up in the G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte. A slightly different format to the foal sale week this year sees the traditional 'dark day' shifted back to Thursday to allow for more viewing time for the last two foal sessions. Trade gets underway on Tuesday straight after Monday's yearling session, which in itself usually provides plenty of gems for the years ahead. Following the success of Chaldean over the last seasons, the December Foal Sale has had some other notable graduates to its name this year. Dual Group 1 winner Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) may have been most readily associated with topping the Craven Breeze-up Sale in April, but his sales history stretches back to December 2021 when his breeder Kelly Thomas offered him in her Maywood Stud consignment. This year, in Thomas's draft of three, she brings Vandeek's half-brother by Starspangledbanner (Aus), who is sure to be one of the most heavily perused foals on offer on the Friday. Vimal Khosla's G2 Beresford S. winner Deepone (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) was another to have been offered at that same foal sale as Vandeek, as was the unbeaten G2 Royal Lodge S. winner Ghostwriter (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). The Clive Cox trainee runs in the colours of Jeff Smith's Littleton Stud. A notable breeder, Smith doesn't buy many foals but he has done well with recent purchases, particularly Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never), who was picked up at the Goffs November Foal Sale for €40,000 and, after winning four Group 1s for Smith and Andrew Balding, topped last year's December Mares Sale at 5.4 million gns. Just another one of those unforgettable moments of Tattersalls' own brand of theatre. The post Stage Set for the Bloodstock World’s Theatre of Dreams appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Legacy of Black Horsemen, a historical documentary from KET, highlights the often-untold story of Black jockeys, trainers, grooms, and exercisers in the 1800s whose contributions helped lay the foundation for the Thoroughbred industry. View the full article

After eight years in print, the Retired Racehorse Project will no longer produce its award-winning quarterly publication, Off-Track Thoroughbred Magazine. The forthcoming winter issue will be the last. “It has been a true honor and pleasure to work with the RRP team to give shape to the concept of a magazine featuring these exceptional horses, and it's been a delightful experience working on all 33 editions,” said Stephanie Church, Editorial Director at The Horse. “We look forward to continuing to work with the RRP to publish the annual Thoroughbred Makeover event program and rulebook and help meet their various content needs.” “The discontinuation of Off-Track Thoroughbred Magazine does not diminish the RRP's commitment to providing high-quality content and resources for our community,” said RRP Executive Director, Kirsten Green. “We're cognizant of the fact that the majority of the people we serve are not turning to print media for information the way they used to. This change increases accessibility while operating on a production schedule that offers greater consistency and more flexibility with timing and topics.” The post Retired Racehorse Project Discontinues Publication of Off-Track Thoroughbred Magazine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Woodbine has promoted Tim Lawson and Bill McLinchey to vice president positions, Woodbine Entertainment's Bill Ford, General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Racing, announced Thursday. Lawson has been promoted to Vice President of Thoroughbred Racing and McLinchey has been promoted to Vice President of Standardbred Racing. “Over the last several years, Bill and Tim have been instrumental in the continued growth of our world-class racing programs,” Ford said. “Through their leadership, racing knowledge and expertise, we are confident both will make major contributions towards Woodbine being a global leader in operating one of the safest and highest quality racing programs in the world.” Lawson has been an integral member of Woodbine's racing team for several years, most recently in the position of Director of Thoroughbred Racing. Lawson has spent considerable time studying and working at racetracks across North America, including stops in Western Canada and Kentucky. Lawson has held a variety of notable positions, including Project Manager for the construction of Edmonton's Century Mile, Racing Secretary, and Manager of Racing Development and Stabling Operations. McLinchey is approaching 20 years since originally joining Woodbine in the Standardbred Race Office. McLinchey served in the role of Manager of Racing Operations before moving into the position of Director of Standardbred Racing in 2017. Outside of Woodbine, McLinchey has served two-terms as the Chair of Standardbred Canada's Board of Directors. Both racing portfolios will continue to report to Bill Ford. The post Woodbine Solidifies Racing Leadership appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1/ST CONTENT has broadened its global footprint outside of the Americas with the announcement of a new venture into Moroccan racing. Having won the international distribution rights for this Saturday's Morocco International Meeting, 1/ST CONTENT will continue to widen its influence across a raft of global racing content in 2024 with a burgeoning international portfolio of racetracks and marquee meetings. Simon Fraser, Senior Vice President International at 1/ST CONTENT, said: “We're delighted to announce to our growing group of worldwide partners that we've secured the distribution rights for this jewel in the emerging Moroccan horse racing scene. The opening day of the festival features eight elite international races, comprised of many intercontinental challengers for a more familiar feel, as raiders from Europe, backed by a truly global ownership group, all converge on Casablanca.” The post 1/ST Content Adds Moroccan Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Charlie Appleby says Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) will line out in Friday's $1m Bahrain International Trophy with a favourite's chance but admitted that stall 12 could make things tricky for the dual Group 1 winner as Godolphin ready a five-strong team for the Group 2 contest. Last seen winning the G1 Canadian International in October, Nations Pride will be joined by stablemate Highland Avenue (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), with William Buick opting to ride the former in his bid to win the race for a first time. Appleby said, “Nations Pride is in great shape and we are very happy with him. He's had a great season already and it was always our intention to head to Bahrain following his win out in Canada. Stall 12 makes things slightly trickier but he is one of the class horses in the race and looks the worthy favourite.” The trainer added, “Highland Avenue took the journey out to Bahrain in his stride and has been training well out there. He has a nice draw in three and lines up on the back of a pleasing win at Newmarket. I feel we have two competitive runners in a very strong edition of the race.” Godolphin will also be represented by the Saeed bin Suroor-trained duo of Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) while Andre Fabre's Birr Castle (Fr) provides an extra layer of intrigue. Dubai Future landed the 1m2f event 12 months ago but his trainer has described Friday's edition as a stronger renewal. Bin Suroor said, “Dubai Future won this race last year, although this looks a tougher renewal. He has been working well and I have been pleased with his preparation. He has gone well fresh in the past and has a nice draw in stall five. I am looking for another good effort. “Real World showed some very good form in 2022 and looks to be in good order. He is drawn down on the inside in stall one, but I am hoping that he will be able to show his strong turn of foot in the straight.” Andre Fabre sent over Magny Cours to finish fourth in last year's Bahrain Trophy and the trainer is represented this time by three-year-old Birr Castle. Twice successful at Listed level in France this season, the Cloth Of Stars (Ire) colt also ran well to finish a close third behind Ace Impact in the G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano. It's not all about the Godolphin blue in Bahrain. In the red corner, legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will have his colours carried by the Richard Fahey-trained Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) while Coolmore are doubly represented by Above The Curve (American Pharoah) and Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}). Spirit Dancer, who Ferguson bred alongside Niall McLoughlin, will face the stiffest test of his career to date but the Scottish native was taking the built-up to Friday's race in his stride. “I think my competitive element was left in football,” he told Racing TV's Raceday. “I never question the trainer and I never get upset if the horse loses because it's a different sport for me-I can't tell a horse what to do, but at least I could tell my players what to do. In that respect I'm not a critical judge at all, ever. “I enjoy being there and if a horse wins of course you are excited, especially in big races. Spirit Dancer has given us great joy and I've started a stud and he's the first product of the stud.” Meanwhile, Fahey described the trip to Bahrain as no afterthought with the progressive colt and outlined his hopes for the six-year-old on Thursday. He said, “The target all season was Bahrain because it's a million-dollar race and a good opportunity in trip, track and everything will suit. He's a very laid-back horse. When you go on about international runners, you've got to pick the right horse and this horse's mind is great and I'm sure he'll probably drive the plane back on the way home because he's just so laid back. There's no issues with him at all.” Other British and Irish interests include the John and Thady Gosden-trained Israr (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), Noel Meade's Layfayette (Ire) (French Navy {GB}) and Daniel and Claire Kubler's Astro King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). The Bahrain Trophy takes place at 12.05pm locally, or 2.05 in Britain and Ireland. Viewers in Britain and Ireland will be able to watch the race live on Racing TV. The post Appleby’s Nations Pride Leads Five-Strong Godolphin Challenge In Bahrain appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A portion of the world's best sires will be on show at the ITM Irish Stallion Trail, taking place on Friday January 12 and Saturday January 13, 2024. In what will be the tenth edition of the Trail, breeders, racing professionals, and racing fans will enjoy the opportunity to view many of the world's leading Flat and National Hunt stallions at a wide range of Ireland's breed-shaping stallion farms. ITM CEO Charles O'Neill, commented, “Ireland's stallion roster gets stronger by the year and offers breeders the world over an array of top talent to suit all mares and budgets. Horses sired and bred in Ireland have once again shone on the international stage in 2023, lighting up the sport's headline events under both codes. “The ITM Irish Stallion Trail has become an annual pilgrimage for breeders and enthusiasts alike and draws the spotlight onto our hugely valuable thoroughbred breeding industry ahead of the covering season. For this tenth edition of the Trail, we encourage visitors to get the dates in the diary and set out on the ultimate racing road trip.” The ITM Irish Stallion Trail is a completely free event. Visitors are simply asked to register which studs they intend to visit via the ITM website. Visitors are then free to visit the studs at the time of their choosing within the studs' advertised opening hours. Please note that due to demand it is mandatory to register for a specific date and time slot if planning to visit Coolmore Stud. For further information and to register, visit www.itm.ie/stalliontrail. Further studs wishing to participate in the ITM Irish Stallion Trail 2024 can contact Alex Cairns at acairns@itm.ie or +353(0)87 791 5690. The post “An Annual Pilgrimage” – Irish Stallion Trail Set For Tenth Edition In January appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aidan O'Brien's St Leger winner Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) will miss the Japan Cup next weekend due to stiffness. His scheduled run at Tokyo racecourse on November 26 had garnered plenty of interest amongst the locals. Not only was he due to take on the brilliant Equinox, currently rated as the best horse in the world, but Continuous is a son of the popular Japanese stallion Heart's Cry. Heart's Cry was a quality performer in Japan and beat Deep Impact, the sire of O'Brien's dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin, in the Arima Kinen of 2005 as well as winning the 2006 Sheema Classic in Dubai. Continuous was far from disgraced in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe when a little over three lengths behind Ace Impact in fifth, however, his trip to the Far East has now been scuppered. O'Brien said, “Unfortunately, Continuous was stiff after his latest exercise which means he won't be going to Japan.” The post Stiffness Rules St Leger Winner Continuous Out Of Japan Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eclipse Award-winning snapper Alex Evers travels the world taking pictures of great gallopers, but none gets him more excited than Golden SixtyView the full article

Zac Purton believes a combination of improved fitness and more favourable weight conditions will allow Hong Kong Champion Sprinter Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) to contend strongly for successive victories in the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Beaten at his first two runs this season when lugging 135lb, while conceding up to 27lb to his rivals, Lucky Sweynesse carries 128lb this weekend when Manfred Man’s star speedster will give a maximum of 5lb to his opponents, apart from arch-rival Wellington, who also shoulders 128lb. Drawn in barrier five, Lucky Sweynesse also faces Sight Success (123lb), Duke Wai (123lb), Super Wealthy (123lb), Victor The Winner (123lb) and Fantastic Treasure (123lb) as he continues to build towards the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on 10 December. Lucky Sweynesse carried 123lb to victory in the BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint last season, defeating Lucky Patch and Duke Wai and, after consecutive seconds to open his current campaign, is primed to improve, according to Purton. “He’s getting there, first-up this season he carried a big weight (135lb) on a wet track, which doesn’t suit him and last time he carried a lot of weight (135lb) again in a handicap and he improved a bit – I think he’s come on again since then,” the six-time Hong Kong champion jockey said. “Set weights and penalties suits him better, of course, but I just think he’s turned the corner and he’s improved and I’m happy with where he’s at.” Conceding tactics will play a decisive role in the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m), Purton is hopeful Beauty Eternal has made sufficient fitness headway to reverse G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) defeat to California Spangle. To jump from barrier five, Beauty Eternal (123lb) is pitted against California Spangle (128lb), Beauty Joy (123lb), Healthy Happy (123lb) and Voyage Bubble (123lb) as John Size’s charge aims to enhance a remarkably consistent record of seven wins and four minor placings from 11 starts. Zac Purton leads the 2023/24 Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with 28 wins. Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club “He ran well (first-up), he was in a good spot, loomed and they gifted it to the leader (California Spangle), just the way the race was run – he was able to sprint off the front,” Purton said. “Beauty Eternal probably needed the extra trial to bring him on after that. “All of John Size’s horse generally progress through their preparation, barriers are always the key to these small fields. I’ll see how he breaks and ride him accordingly.” View the full article