Wandering Eyes

Horse Racing on Tuesday, November 14 will feature two meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meeting at Gosford. Tuesday Racing Tips – November 14, 2023 Gosford Racing Tips As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on November 14, 2023 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

Based on how he exits a Nov. 18 workout, grade 2 winner Senor Buscador could be heading cross country with the Dec. 2 Cigar Mile Handicap (G2) and the Jan. 27 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) as possible targets.View the full article

Sam Houston Race Park will kick off its 30th live racing season on Friday, Jan. 6, 2024. A total of 22 stakes with purses totaling $2.5 million will be run throughout the 43-day Thoroughbred meet, which continues through through Sunday, April 7.View the full article

Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI), represented by their nine racetrack properties, will match all New Vocations Giving Tuesday donations up to $20,000 in support of Thoroughbred and Standardbred aftercare. Giving Tuesday takes place five days after Thanksgiving on Nov. 28. “CDI is pleased to jump start New Vocations' holiday giving campaign with a match donation. The work New Vocations does is vital to both the Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries,” said Cathy Shircliff, Director of Equine Industry Relations for CDI. “On behalf of Thoroughbred tracks Churchill Downs Racetrack, Colonial Downs, Ellis Park, Fair Grounds Race Course, Presque Isle Downs and Turfway Park and Standardbred tracks Miami Valley Gaming, Oak Grove Racing Gaming & Hotel and Ocean Downs Casino, thank you New Vocations for all that you do.” New Vocations, which has already served 20% more horses in 2023 versus last year, relies heavily on donations to help rehab, retrain and rehome retired racehorses. “We are very thankful for Churchill Downs Incorporated's generous match to support our Giving Tuesday campaign,” shared Anna Ford, New Vocations' Program Director. “We are happy to be able to provide our aftercare services to all of the CDI racetrack properties. The campaign will help us raise the much-needed funds to cover the increase in costs we have seen due to the influx of horses coming into the program this year.” This year, the joy of giving is leveled up with an extra ounce of fun by featuring five unique Giving Challenges starting today. To ensure Giving Tuesday gifts are matched, and to participate in Giving Challenges, interested individuals are asked to donate by Nov. 28 at https://newvocations-givingtuesday.causevox.com/. The post Churchill Downs To Match Up To $20K on New Vocations’ Giving Tuesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Day two of the Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale followed a familiar theme with the progeny of Blue Bresil (Fr) and Walk In The Park (Ire) dominating proceedings once again. The sire of the reigning Champion Hurdler Constitution Hill, Blue Bresil was responsible for four of the top eight foals through the ring on Monday, including a €97,000 colt that was sold by Ballykineally Stables to Coolmara Stables. Mossy Barry of Ballykineally Stables commented, “He is out of the mare Beautiful War-we bought her and she was well-named as she is beautiful. She is the loveliest mare and this foal was like a lamb. He was the quietest foal. “We have supported Blue Bresil all the way through since he stood at Cork and Beautiful War is back in foal to him. It is a fierce-looking family.” Blue Bresil has enjoyed a strong opening two days at Tattersalls Ireland with 26 lots by sire selling for just shy of €1 million at €987,500. That equates to an average of €37,981 while Walk In The Park is also performing well with a €41,447 average for 19 lots sold. Outside of those top-tier stallions, Irish Derby winner Santiago (Ire) has made a promising start with his first foals and a colt foal by the stallion was knocked down to Charles Shanahan and Glenvale Stud for €65,000. He was consigned by Kilbarry Lodge Stud. However, the day two figures took a slight dip. Of the 236 lots offered, 171 were sold, representing a clearance rate of 72%. That figure was the same as last year but the aggregate was down 11% to €3,464,200 , the median down a further 11% to €16,000 and the average down 10% to €20,258. The post Progeny Of Blue Bresil And Walk In The Park Dominate Day Two At Tatts Ireland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bentley, 31, passed on information about the horses he was riding in exchange for potential financial reward.View the full article

Maiden Watch: Nov. 6-12View the full article

By Jonny Turner The work has been done, and now it’s up to Kentuckiana Lodge’s stars, Republican Party and Krug, to give it their all in the IRT New Zealand Cup on Tuesday. Cran and Chrissie Dalgety will head to Addington with the knowledge that their horses are trained to the minute for New Zealand’s greatest harness race. After pleasing in their work leading into the big day, it is now up to the horses to bring their best to the track. “The days leading into big Group One races, you hope everything goes to plan, but history tells us this is the time when things can go haywire,” Cran said. “So far, it has been smooth sailing with these boys, and we have our fingers crossed it will be the same up until the tapes are released.” “They are healthy and very well, and it will be up to the horse and driver on the day now.” “They had a more serious hit out during the week, and then over the weekend, they had some quieter work, and they both worked very well.” Cran has been asked by a few people leading into the New Zealand Cup which horse is the stable’s better chance. And there is no way he can split Krug and Republican Party. “I have been asked a few times, and I really can’t split them. They are totally different types in terms of their racing styles, and they are as capable of being as brilliant as each other.” “I think everyone knows what Krug can do when he is in the zone; if he begins well and gets into a happy rhythm, he has proven how brilliant he can be.” “You probably know what you’ll get with Republican Party; he is very classy and very honest.” “With both having front-line draws, they can be right amongst it if they step away on the right foot, which they have been doing.” “We don’t know what will happen on the day, but it is a pleasure to be heading to the New Zealand Cup with two quality animals we were able to select from the sales.” Carter Dalgety will combine with Krug once again, while Blair Orange will make a return from injury to attempt to win his third consecutive New Zealand Cup with Republican Party. Kentuckiana Lodge will start a powerful team of nine horses on New Zealand Cup Day, including Sweet Coco in the Group One Nevele R Fillies Series Final. “Sweet Coco has shown when she’s on her game she’s up to competing with the best fillies. She has pleased us after running second at Addington, and from a good draw, she has to be in the hunt,” Cran said. Franco Sinatra also steps out in the Group Three Junior Free-For-All in the Dalgety colors. “On a very wet track, his last run is best forgotten; he was outstanding fresh up, and his work over the past week has been great. This is his toughest test, but we wouldn’t have him in this company if we didn’t think he is up to it.” Kentuckiana Lodge will also start Casino Action, Fernetti, Coney Island Lou, Ohoka Le Bron, and Watermelon Sugar on New Zealand Cup Day. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton The last Aussie to train and drive a New Zealand Cup winner thinks Swayzee is the right horse to do it again. Champion driver Kerryn Manning became the first female to drive an NZ Cup winner when she teamed with Arden Rooney for a narrow but epic win at Addington in 2015. She became the first Aussie trainer to win the Cup since Jimmy O’Sullivan trained and drove My Lightning Blue to win in 1987. “I like what I’ve seen of Swayzee,” Manning said. “I had a good look at him winning at Menangle a few Sundays back and he just doesn’t seem to get tired. “I also went and had a look at his standing start trial (at Menangle) and he stepped away OK. “I know that was only trial with a couple of other runners, but if he can step safely on Tuesday, I think he’ll go as close to winning as anything.” Manning rates her NZ Cup win up with anything she’s achieved in a stellar career. “I was just looking at the (winning) photo in my living room the other day and thought, ‘wow, that doesn’t seem like eight years ago’,” she said. “It was such a special win. It’s right at the top of my greatest moments. “That win and the Group 1 (Harley Davidson Trot) in Norway with Knight Pistol are the two most amazing moments as far as crowds and atmosphere go. I felt like I was basically mobbed, but in a good way, at both of them. “It’s been such a hard race for Aussies to win. Lots have gone close without winning it.” Manning visited Arden Rooney recently where, in retirement, he has been re-trained into a show horse by young Victorian driver Jackie Barker. “He was never the best looking horse, but I was blown away when I saw him. He looked fantastic. Jackie’s done a great job with him,” she said. “He was down at the Warrnambool Show and he won some awards. “It was just so good seeing him looking so great and enjoying his life after racing.” View the full article

By Jonny Turner Nathan Purdon can make his own mark and add to his family’s incredible harness racing legacy if Akuta can complete a perfect New Zealand Cup preparation at Addington on Tuesday. Purdon is in search of his first win in the country’s greatest harness race, an event his father and training partner Mark has dominated over the past decade. The casual harness racing fan may assume the younger of the Purdon pairing is very much the junior partner in their training partnership, but they might be surprised to learn how things really work. Nathan and Mark officially linked up at the beginning of this year, with Nathan himself assuming he would be the understudy to Mark, who is undoubtedly New Zealand’s greatest-ever harness racing trainer. But the senior Purdon had new challenges in his sights, taking on a thoroughbred trainer’s license and a team of gallopers. The meant he not only handed the running of the business side of their stable over to his son but also the daily responsibility of training their team full of stars. How things have all panned out has even surprised Nathan. “To be honest, when we first went into partnership, I didn’t think I would be doing this much. But Dad has really left the reins for me to run things,” Nathan said. “Having worked for him for such a long time, I know what he would want and what sort of plan he would have for the horses going forward, so that has helped.” Nathan has never been far from New Zealand Cup success. He’s been a part of his father’s team during his run of winning six of the last nine editions of the great race, while uncle Barry and grandfather Roy’s names also line the New Zealand Cup history books. But making his own mark is a totally different proposition for Nathan. “It is a race you dream of winning right from when you are growing up. If we were able to win it, it would be a dream come true.” The Purdon stable has the favourite for the 2023 New Zealand Cup in Akuta, who has been dominant in the race’s most notable lead-up events. So much so that the pacer’s preparation can only be described as perfect. “Hopefully, everything continues to go as well,” Nathan said. “It is not often you get a full prep right from the first race where everything goes to plan,” “Early on, I thought the hard racing might have had an impact on him, but certainly with the way he has come through his races and his work leading into Tuesday, we couldn’t be happier with him.” Mark Purdon returns from a driving suspension to take the reins behind Akuta on Tuesday. The champion driver will be out to win his seventh New Zealand Cup and to draw level with Ricky May who has the most wins as a driver in the great race. View the full article

The 2024 Texas 2-Year-Olds In Training Sale will take place at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie Wednesday, Apr. 3, 2024, with the under-tack preview set for Monday, Apr. 1. “We're excited to follow up our solid 2023 sale with our 2024 edition of our Texas 2-Year-Old Sale,” TTA Sales Director Foster Bridwell said. “We continue to pursue quality offerings that create an attractive marketplace for our buyers in the region.” Recent graduates of the sale include Norman Stables' Strong Promise (Broken Vow), who fetched $125,000 at this year's sale and has since gone on to earn better than $216,000 with stakes victories at Lone Star, Delta Downs and Louisiana Downs. Blue Squall (Tapwrit), who topped the auction at $300,000, has been second in maiden allowance company at Churchill Downs in her first two starts. “Our graduates are competing both locally and nationally and show the type of athletes our consignors have offered each year,” Bridewell said. “We're already working on putting together another solid catalog for our 2024 sale.” Entries for the sale are due Jan. 15, 2024 and consignment forms are available at www.ttasales.com. The post Texas 2YOs In Training Sale Set For Apr. 3 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act's (HISA) has sent a set of proposed changes to its drug control program to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for public comment. The proposed changes to HISA's anti-doping and medication control (ADMC) program will be posted on the federal register. Historically, public comment has been for 14 days. It is currently unclear, however, exactly when the proposed changes will be posted to the federal register. After the public comment period, the FTC will then decide which proposed changes to approve or deny. Until then, the current ADMC rules will remain in place. The proposed changes–substantial in many parts–concern six different areas of the ADMC program, the red-lined documents for which can be read here: General Provisions, The ADMC Protocol, the Prohibited Substance and Methods list, testing and investigation standards, laboratory standards for accreditation, and arbitration procedures. A slate of proposed changes includes the following: A ban on the “injection or attempted injection” of any substance–prohibited or not–during the “Race Period,” though with certain extenuating circumstances. The race period is 48 hours before post-time or before a vet's list workout. The proposed rule change pertains to “any type of injection, including (without limitation) intravenous, intramuscular, intra-articular, peri-articular, peri-tendinous, epidural, intra-dermal, or subcutaneous.” Updated rules on permissible actions from a “covered person” during a provisional suspension or a period of ineligibility, and revised sanctions for breaking these rules. This includes a ban on purchasing or claiming horses during this time, or from being “employed or otherwise engaged or contracted in any capacity involving Covered Horses.” Revisions to split sample analysis, including a new provision requiring the relevant laboratory to “create a video recording of the opening and identification of the B Sample,” which ultimately will be sent to the responsible person and the horse's owner. The document concerning “Arbitration Procedures” has been heavily revised regarding how arbitral body and internal adjudication panel members are selected, who can sit on them, and how such proceedings are conducted. They include expanding the arbitral body selection process to include possibly “contracting a third-party organization to administer the Arbitral Body.” Updated sanctions for positive tests involving drugs deemed “human substances of abuse.” These drugs include Cocaine/Benzoylecognine, Methamphetamine, Methaqualone, Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), Methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA), Methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA), Oxycodone, Phencyclidine (PCP), and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In a press release, HISA wrote how the proposed changes to the ADMC rules “were developed after months of dialogue with and feedback from racing participants across the country,” including the horsemen's group advising HISA. “During this time, the proposed rules were shared with industry members for informal comments and published on HISA's website for additional industry input,” the press release states. The post Proposed HISA Drug Control Program Rule Changes Sent For Public Comment appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Aidan O'Brien described the decision as "hugely exciting" and said that all the top races will be open to Auguste Rodin in 2024, including the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) on dirt.View the full article

It didn't take long for champion Forte (Violence – Queen Caroline, by Blame) to settle in at Spendthrift Farm and after just a few weeks of breeder inspections, the 'TDN Rising Star' is already booked full for his first year at stud. “Any time you get a chance to show a champion off to your breeders, it makes the sales team's job pretty easy,” said Spendthrift's Mark Toothaker. “He has been hugely popular and is completely sold out. Most every mare that he got is a blacktype mare, so he's going to get a huge chance.” With an introductory fee of $50,000, Forte follows in the steps of Spendthrift sires like champion Jackie's Warrior, who stood for the same fee in his debut year last year, and the fast-starting first-crop sire Omaha Beach, who joined the roster in 2020 with a $45,000 fee. “When Omaha Beach came in, he got the mares and then the next year Authentic got the mares,” explained Toothaker. “Jackie got the mares last year and so Forte will get them this year. He's a beautiful horse and we're so glad to have him here.” The first champion 2-year-old to join the Spendthrift roster in over 40 years–since the likes of Seattle Slew, Affirmed and Lord Avie– Forte broke his maiden by nearly 8 lengths at Belmont, earning 'Rising Star' honors in that debut in May for Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable. The Todd Pletcher went on to score three straight Grade I victories in the Hopeful S., Breeders' Futurity and Breeders' Cup Juvenile, where he bested MGISW Cave Rock (Arrogate) and eventual GI Preakness S. victor National Treasure (Quality Road). Forte wins the 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland | Horsephotos It was a roller coaster of a 3-year-old campaign for Forte, as he continued his win streak in the GII Fountain of Youth S. and GI Florida Derby but was forced to scratch from the GI Kentucky Derby as the favorite due to a foot bruise. Off a 10-week layoff, he returned to the starting gate for the GI Belmont S. and was runner-up to Arcangelo (Arrogate). Before his final career start in the GI Travers S., Forte earned a career-high 105 Beyer Speed Figure in a hard-fought victory in the GII Jim Dandy S. A quarter crack forced him to retire ahead of his bid in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. “He had some hiccups along the way, but still the talent came through,” said Toothaker. “The horse had so much class and he was just so push button. I think he just knew where the wire was. That was our biggest comment about him is that if you ever got in a dogfight with him, he knew how to win.” Toothaker said that Forte first came on Spendthrift's potential stallion list after his win in the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland, where he defeated fellow 'Rising Star' Loggins (Ghostzapper), a horse co-owned by Spendthrift. “That race really puts him on our radar to try to get something done and we were able to get a deal done with Mike Repole and Vinnie Viola. We were thrilled we were able to get him secured late in his 2-year-old year. We got to ride the roller coaster this year, but it was all worth it.” A $110,000 Keeneland September buy, Forte is out of the multiple stakes-winning Blame mare Queen Caroline, who just sold for $3 million to John Stewart at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Toothaker said that Forte's physical is reminiscent of his sireline and has been another bonus to his credentials as breeders have stopped by the farm since his arrival. “He's got that Medaglia d'Oro length to him,” he said. “He stands over some ground and he's such a good mover. You see why Jacob West picked him out. He just drops his head and motors when you show him. Breeders have loved that when you bring him out on the end of the shank. He's just got a classy look to him. We're thrilled to have him and so happy we can show him off to all of our breeders.” The post Forte Settles in at Spendthrift appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fred Hart didn't own, train or breed Noble Indy (Take Charge Indy), the winner of the 2018 GII Louisiana Derby and the seventh-place finisher in that year's GI Kentucky Derby. But he did have a connection. An owner and breeder of modest means, he owned Noble Indy's dam, Noble Maz (Storm Boot), buying her for $9,000 at the 2007 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic October Yearling Sale. He would later lose her in a $25,000 claimer, which turned out to be her last race. But even that minor role in the career of Noble Indy, who was bred by WinStar Farm, turned Hart into his biggest fan. He visited him at WinStar as a baby, went to as many of his races as he possibly could and spent time at Todd Pletcher's barn at Palm Beach Downs when the horse was in Florida. “I owned the mother of Noble Indy and I bought her for $9,000 and she went on to earn $327,000,” Hart said. “She's my one claim to fame in racing.” Noble Indy broke his maiden for WinStar at first asking and thereafter raced for the partnership of WinStar and Mike Repole and looked like a nice prospect from the start. He added a Gulfstream allowance to his debut win, then finished third in the GII Risen Star S., his final prep for the Louisiana Derby. After the Kentucky Derby, he was never again the same. He lost nine straight until winning a 2019 allowance race at Belmont for Repole, who had earlier bought out WinStar. It was clear he was no longer a stakes-caliber horse and he struggled to even win allowance races. Noble Indy wound up in a $35,000 claimer at Gulfstream on Feb. 24, 2021. He was claimed by Saffie Joseph, Jr. who didn't fare much better than Pletcher. On Feb. 10, 2022, Joseph lost him to trainer Gustavo Delgado. Four starts later, all of them defeats, he was on his way to Camarero in Puerto Rico, the lowest rung on the racing ladder and a perilous place for horses nearing the end of their careers. “At some point his ability went south,” Hart said. “The next thing I new he was back in again for $35,000 and it wasn't long after that he was in Puerto Rico. The purses are terrible there. Why any person would ever send a horse to Puerto Rico is beyond me.” Hart reached out to Kelley Stobie, the co-founder of Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare Inc. He wanted to bring Noble Indy home. The problem was that the new owner, Skull Stable PR, wanted $35,000 for the horse, way more than he was worth at that point. Stobie told Hart the best thing to do was to be patient and wait to see if the price would come down. “Once the horse came to Puerto Rico, a lot of people contacted us,” Stobie said. “My thought was that if you didn't want to see the horse come to Puerto Rico, why didn't someone claim him when they had the chance at Gulfstream Park? When that didn't happen, everyone saw this as my problem. The only person that was really nice to me and understood my situation was Fred. We are in dire straits down here financially. Everyone looks at what's going on down here and figures it's not their problem. Fred was the only one who appreciated how hard it is down here. He wasn't breathing down my neck saying 'you've got to get this horse back.' Fred was really humble and understood the situation.” Noble Indy made five starts in Puerto Rico, losing every time. He did run second and third but finished sixth, beaten 10 lengths in what has turned out to be his last race, an $11,000 allowance on Feb. 10 of this year. Hart and Stobie tried again and the owner was still asking for $35,000. Eventually the price got down to $10,000, still too much as Harty and Stobie saw it for a horse who had little to no value anymore as a race horse. As Hart understands it, Noble Indy then had some screws inserted in his left front ankle in last-ditch effort to return him to form. When that didn't work out, Skull Stable finally relented and agreed to give him away for free. Hart was ecstatic. “I became sentimentally attached to this horse and was afraid harm would come to him if he stayed in Puerto Rico,” Hart said. “I just wanted to get him out of there. That's who I am. I get sentimentally involved with something. It's terrible what can happen to these horses. If I didn't get involved, I thought no one would. I was worried this horse would end up dead. This is a success story because this horse is getting out of Puerto Rico alive.” Noble Indy, who, somewhere along the way was gelded ,remains in Puerto Rico with Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare Inc. The intention is to send him to Old Friends in Georgetown, Kentucky. Before he can come to the U.S., Stobie needs to figure out the quarantine requirements and how to pay for the cost of transporting him back to the U.S., a problem since the charity's coffers are far from full. But she will figure it out. “The horse has problems but nothing that will prevent him from living out a nice life on the retirement farm,” Hart said. “There's going to be a good ending to the story.” The post Noble Indy Fell From the Kentucky Derby To Racing In Puerto Rico, But A Good Samaritan Came To His Rescue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two flat performers and four National Hunt horses have been added as Wild Cards to the catalogue for Arqana's Autumn Sale, which is set take place from Monday, Nov. 20 to Thursday, Nov. 23 in Deauville. The latest additions will sell during the first session, in addition to the 260 horses-in-training that are also catalogued for the day and the 12 Wild Cards already published. Lot 408 is the 3-year-old winner Belafonte (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), who is out of a sister to G1 Irish Derby winner Trading Leather (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and from the family of Group 1 winners and full siblings Irish Prize and Hatoof, both by Irish River (Fr). He is consigned by Escuder. Two-time winner No More Bolero (GB) (Protectionist {Ger}) will sell as lot 432. The 4-year-old gelding is out of a sister to Group 1 winner Novellist (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}) and G1 Irish Oaks (Gr.1) heroine Magical Lagoon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). He will sell as part of the Shadowville consignment. To view the entire catalogue, including all of the Wild Card entries, visit the Arqana website. The Autumn Sale gets underway every day at 11:00 a.m. The post Six Wildcards Added to Arqana Autumn Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Among the anti-doping and medication control proposals submitted Nov. 13 by HISA to the Federal Trade Commission is a rule that calls for a one-year ban of covered persons who inject a horse during the "race period."View the full article

Our man in Ireland, Brian Sheerin, timed his run to the altar to perfection, leaving his colleagues to sort through and try not to miss any of the plentiful stallion fee announcements over the last week or so. He's now back from his Tuscan honeymoon and has been banned from getting married again. In case any of you were similarly distracted by nuptials, holidays, or binge-watching The Dry, here's a handy TDN overview as to who's up, who's down, and who's new on the stallion scene. (And a tip to those of you entrusted with sending out press releases: try to send them well before 6pm. Certain members of the European desk get a little tetchy if the pouring of the first gin is delayed.) The Big Boys Some things in life remain reassuringly expensive, and that can certainly be said for the top stallions in Europe. In this elite sector, it is not usually a case of finding enough breeders to stump up the money, more a worry for the stallion owner as to how not to offend those who won't make the cut for said horse. Dubawi (Ire) became the most expensive stallion in the world earlier this year when his fee was raised to £350,000, and he remains at that level for 2024. He is now joined by Frankel (GB), who has gone up from £275,000 and is about to wrestle the champion sire trophy back from his Newmarket neighbour. While the rock-solid trio of Wootton Bassett (GB), Sea The Stars (Ire) and Siyouni {Fr) have all had their fees increased after yet more notable results on the track this season, some of the others in this higher bracket have been held at 2023 prices. We're including Invincible Spirit (Ire) in this section. He was at his highest price of €120,000 between 2016 and 2019 and dropped to €60,000 in 2022. He has been listed as private since this start of the 2023 covering season, but by dint of seniority (he will turn 27 in January) and influence, he deserves to be included here. Dubawi £350,000 (-) Frankel £350,000 (+ £75,000) Wootton Bassett €200,000 (+ €50,000) Sea The Stars €200,000 (+ €20,000) Siyouni €200,000 (+ €50,000) No Nay Never €150,000 (- €25,000) Kingman £125,000 (-) Lope De Vega €125,000 (-) Night Of Thunder €100,000 (-) Baaeed £80,000 (-) New Bay €75,000 (-) Invincible Spirit PRIVATE (-) The Middle Ground Those on the rise in this sector include this season's three 'buzz' sires, the freshmen Too Darn Hot (GB) and Blue Point (Ire), each of whom has been represented by at least one Group 1 winner, and leading second-season sire Havana Grey (GB), who shows no signs of stopping after his breakthrough season in 2022. We also have the three most expensive new arrivals, led by the four-time Group 1 winner Paddington (GB). Various press releases from studs last week referred to the challenging yearling sales in 2023 when announcing reduced fees. Often the top end of the market is immune to this, but that wasn't the case this year and there were retractions in most sales sectors, though it has to be said that these came after a frankly extraordinary 2022, the first fully normal season post-pandemic. There have been some notable reductions in fees at most levels of the market, and the results of the foal sales will no doubt determine who many deals there are to be done. Too Darn Hot £65,000 (+ £25,000) Havana Grey £55,000 (+ £36,500) Blue Point €60,000 (+ €25,000) Dark Angel €60,000 (-) Zarak €60,000 (-) Paddington €55,000 NEW Camelot €50,000 (- €10,000) Mehmas €50,000 (- €10,000) St Mark's Basilica €50,000 (- €15,000) Palace Pier £45,000 (- £5,000) Showcasing £45,000 (-) Starspangledbanner €45,000 (- €5,000) Ace Impact €40,000 NEW Pinatubo £35,000 (-) Sea The Moon £32,500 (+ £7,500) Kodiac €35,000 (- €5,000) Modern Games £30,000 NEW Churchill €30,000 (-) Galiway €30,000 (-) Teofilo €30,000 (-) Twenty-Somethings Sioux Nation is a big climber in this bracket but he too has had some fine representatives in his second season with runners. Congratulations are due to Caroline Hanly and Sean Ronan for breeding a horse as tough as his son Brave Emperor (Ire), whose 15 outings in two seasons have resulted in nine wins, including four group wins. There's a number of young stallions here on the verge of being loved or loathed, depending on how their first runners fare. (Mind you, those decisions are now often made as early as the foal sales, with some later having to admit they were wrong to judge so harshly so soon.) It is good to see the dependable Nathaniel (Ire), who had another Group 1 winner this year in Poptronic (GB), given a little boost, and similar comments apply lower down the fee scale to Golden Horn (GB), who has risen from £8,000 to £10,000. In both cases, however, they have covered plenty of National Hunt mares. By the way, Nathaniel and Cracksman are on the list as their sterling-to-euro price conversion elevates them to just beyond the 20,000 mark. Chaldean £25,000 NEW Little Big Bear €27,500 NEW Sioux Nation €27,500 (+ €10,000) Acclamation €25,000 (- €2,500) Ghaiyyath €25,000 (-) Persian King €25,000 (-) Saxon Warrior €25,000 (- €10,000) Sottsass €25,000 (-) Hello Youmzain €22,500 (-) Blackbeard €20,000 (- €5,000) State Of Rest €20,000 (- €5,000) Torquator Tasso €20,000 (-) Cracksman £17,500 (-) Nathaniel £17,500 (+ £2,500) A Bit of Value We won't name every stallion in he lower fee brackets here as Oliver St Lawrence provides the excellent service of a full list every year and we are reliably informed that his cards are already being printed in time for the sales. It is worth remembering that bloodstock journalists generally have lemonade pockets, even if they have champagne tastes. In solidarity with small breeders, we are looking here at a selection of stallions whom we consider to offer value for a variety of reasons. Vadeni, €18,000 NEW Let's not forget how brilliant he was at three. Shaquille, £15,000 NEW Extremely fast horse who is introduced at a level which is bound to have breeders beating a path to the new Dullingham Park stallion yard. Oasis Dream, £15,000 Tremendous value for a horse of this class. Yes, he's rising 24, but it was only two years ago that he was represented by the champion two-year-old Native Trail (GB), who joins Kildangan Stud this year at €17,500. Mostahdaf, £15,000 NEW A whole lotta horse who had a humdinger of a season and is rated only one pound behind Equinox (Jpn). And he's by Frankel, no less. Earthlight, £15,000 Not all sons of Shamardal will take off in the way that Blue Point did with his first runners, but Earthlight's stock have been popular as foals and yearlings, and it's worth sticking with him at this unchanged fee at what could turn out to be his cheapest level. Study Of Man, £12,500 His fee has also been held at his 2023 price after a year in which a number of people sat up and took notice of his first runners, led by the G2 Beresford S. winner Deepone (Ire). Classily bred, and as a son of Deep Impact (Jpn) has stock should only improve with age. Erevann, €8,000 NEW Failed narrowly to notch his Group 1 win, but he was a solid performer. By Dubawi out of Siyouni's first Classic winner Ervedya, Erevann has the pedigree to succeed and is pitched in at a reasonable starting price. Dream Ahead, £6,500 He remains woefully underrated and should not be overlooked at his lowest price in 12 seasons at stud in three different countries. Iquitos, €6,000 A horse that produces two stakes winners from his first crop of only five foals is going to get noticed, and this treble Group 1-winning son of Adlerflug (Ger) has moved from his home farm of Gestut Ammerland to Gestut Graditz and now Gestut Rottgen. His fee is up from €4,000 last year but remains enticing. Awtaad, €5,000 The Irish 2,000 Guineas winner remains at the fee he's stood at for the last two seasons even after notching two Group/Grade 1 winners this year. Awtaad may not be prolific but he is more than capable of siring a good horse. King Of Change, €5,000 He has been clipped in from €6,000 ahead of his first runners hitting the track in 2024. It remains deeply regrettable that his sire Farhh (GB) does not have better fertility because he is plainly a good stallion. Time will tell if King of Change can pick up the baton but he's a Group 1 winner from a decent enough family and it's worth taking a chance at this price. The post Stallions Fees: That Was The Week That Was appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin There is a word for what Akuta has going for him in today’s $750,000 IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington. That word is: everything. There is also a word for the thing that can undo Akuta in the Cup. That word is: Swayzee. For all the talent of the 15 starters and the people who have honed them for what is still New Zealand harness racing’s Holy Grail, today’s Cup may be just that simple. The Kiwi horse with everything versus the Aussie horse with nothing to lose. Suggesting today’s $2.20 favourite has everything going for him could be confused for parochialism but Akuta literally ticks every New Zealand Cup box, including some you hadn’t even thought of. Trainers: Mark Purdon has won 8 New Zealand Cups. Driver: Purdon again, has won 6 NZ Cups, including four of the last nine. Breeding: His sire Bettors Delight has sired five of the last nine New Zealand Cup winners. Dam sire: Christian Cullen mares have left four of the last seven NZ Cup winners, all sired by Bettors Delight so Akuta is bred on the Cup’s most golden cross. Lead up form: In the last decade the two most important New Zealand Cup form references have been the Ashburton Flying Stakes and Kaikoura Cup. Akuta won both. Manners: Akuta has the highest standing start winning percentage (62.5%) in the Cup. Racing pattern: Almost all of Akuta’s major wins have come when he has settled back and then been put into the race, his most likely scenario from today’s second line draw. Barrier: If you are worried about that second line draw, in the last 10 Cups only three winners have drawn inside barrier 7. Akuta looks so much like a New Zealand Cup winner the engraver at Addington might have considered popping “AKUTA” on the iconic trophy in secret last night so he could pop along and enjoy today like everybody else. If it wasn’t for Swayzee it might have been worth the risk. While Akuta has been clearly superior to his rivals this campaign Swayzee has been equally dominant, albeit not always in the absolute best company, since emerging over the Brisbane winter. He has been machine-like since joining trainer Jason Grimson eight starts ago and he has the services of the brightest new star in Australian harness racing in driver Cameron Hart. Together Grimson and Hart have shown they know how to win the biggest races at home and bring their best form to New Zealand. They won a Group 1 New Zealand Messenger at Alexandra Park and have finished second in three of our biggest races, including last year’s Cup. Perhaps tellingly, two of those seconds were to Purdon-trained horses. Swayzee is big and fast and will be incredibly hard to catch should he work his way from his second line draw to the lead. That early battle between Swayzee and Akuta to control their nervous energy, step cleanly and then balance up to launch their attack may decide today’s Cup. With Swayzee’s non-existent standing start form and both favourites drawn the second line predicting which gets to seek control first is largely guess work. But Akuta, slow but steady away, has done a lot more of this type of racing than Swayzee and if the Aussie spends even five seconds working out what NZ Cups are about this one might be over. There is quality enough in Old Town Road, Krug, Republican Party and even B D Joe to ensure this is a story with more than just two possible endings but in these days of brutally-hard run Cups formlines trump fairytales. And formlines don’t get much better than Akuta today. IRT New Zealand Cup selections Race 11 : IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup – 5.20pm 1: Akuta 2: Swayzee 3: Old Town Road 4: Republican Party Other races : IRT New Zealand Cup day Big fields and plenty of the favourites copping difficult draws have produced a New Zealand Trotting Cup day at Addington with more value than usual. Unbeaten filly Millwood Nike may start the only odds-on favourite all day so here is a race-by-race look at the best plays on harness racing’s biggest day. Race 1: Saunders Robinson Brown Handicap Trot – 12.00pm Tricky trot to start with and Masterly (4) hard to catch if he leads. Value lies in That’s What We Do (17) as 3200m gives him time to overcame handicap. Race 2: Hydroflow Mobile Pace – 12.26pm The good three-year-olds tend to be too good for grade horses and with Charlie Brown (6), who has been luckless in elite company, better drawn than Jolimont (10) he gets the nod. Race 3: Mitre 10 Handicap Trot – 12.58pm Genius trainer Paul Nairn has made a special boot to help Confessional (5) trot better under pressure so he is top pick but his stablemate Outtamyway (2) is the cover bet after unusual campaign. Race 4: Garrard’s Pace – 1.26pm Tough race but Amaretto Bromac (14) has a big motor and small brain. She could blow them away and Borrisokane (13) the logical other coming out of good 3-y-o races and winning at Cup trials. Mandalay Bay (16) smart horse in new stable but price too short. Race 5: TAB Junior Free-For-All – 1.56pm One of the two stars Merlin (8) or Don’t Stop Dreaming (9) should win and it will come down to which gets the best run. Merlin paying more so the better bet. Race 6: K B Electrics Mobile Pace – 2.30pm Wag Star (7) has been brilliant and that may earn him enough respect to get the lead and win. Sooner The Better (12) looks a great place/Top 4 bet if they go hard. Race 7: Nevele R ’50 Years Of Success’ Final Mobile Pace – 3.02pm If they are ever going to beat Millwood Nike (15) it will be today. Could settle a long way off leaders but she might still win because she is a mini-freak and backed into $1.55 with Aardiebytheseaside (2) a great place option. Race 8: Hornby Liquor Centre Worthy Queen Handicap Trot – 3.37pm Basically a who-steps-best-can-win 2000m standing start, and those wanting an interest maybe split Aardiebythehill (1) and Love N The Port (4). Race 9: Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes Final – 4.12pm This depends entirely on how hard they go early. If not frenetic then Vessem (7) with the blinds and Blair Orange on can win but if they go nuts then Cold Chisel (12) or Chase A Dream (15) could over-power tiring leaders. Race 10: Avon City Ford Trot – 4.47pm Not a race to be diving too deeply into as some of these could be in this same grade Cup Day next year. But Elizabeth Hill (7) won’t be and has had a string of trials to get ready and been well behaved. Not foolproof but the best horse here. Race 12: Gold Band Taxis Mobile Pace – 5.53pm Not easy but both Dalton Shard (6) and Smoke On The Water (8) were excellent last time so they make sense in finicky way to end the day. View the full article

Jockey Graham Lee, who was injured in a fall on leaving the stalls in a race at Newcastle on Friday evening, has been diagnosed with an unstable cervical fracture and remains in intensive care at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in the city. The 47-year-old has damage to his spinal cord and other complications. His condition has been described as “very serious.” On Monday, his former weighing-room colleague Sir Anthony McCoy and Jack Berry, respectively president and vice-president of the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF), released a joint-statement which read, “Like everyone in racing, we at the Injured Jockeys Fund are devastated at the news of the injuries that Graham Lee sustained from his horrific fall at Newcastle on Friday. All our thoughts are with Graham, his wife Becky, and their family. “As bad as Graham's injuries are, please do rest assured that our team at the IJF will look after his needs to assist him in his recovery and predicament for as long as it takes. Whatever help his family needs, we will be there to there to provide it.” A former jump jockey with more than 1,000 wins to his name, including the 2004 Grand National aboard Amberleigh House (Ire), the Irish-born, British-based Lee turned his attention to the Flat in 2012. His major wins in this sphere include the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on Trip To Paris (Ire) and the Nunthorpe S. with Alpha Delphini (GB). Julie Harrington, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, added her support to Lee. She said, “We are shocked to hear the distressing news regarding the injuries suffered by Graham Lee. Our thoughts are with his family and friends and the whole sport is praying for one of its finest ambassadors. We are doing everything we can to support Graham and his family, and we ask that everyone respect the privacy of his family at this time.” The post Lee’s Condition ‘Very Serious’ Following Race Fall appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There have been 27 individual World Pool Moment of the Day winners in the 2023 season–each winning groom receiving a £4,000 award–and an independent panel from the Hong Kong Jockey Club narrowed that list down to four finalists who will compete for a VIP trip for four to Hong Kong next year via a public vote. The finalists are Tomohiro Kusunoki, the groom of Japanese globetrotting superstar Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn); Paige Harrison, the groom of MG1SW Shaquille (GB) (Charm Spirit {Ire}); Raj Rasiah, groom of G1SW Quickthorn (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}); and Olivea Staveley, the groom of G1SW Ozzmosis (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}). Votes may be cast on the World Pool microsite with the final day being Monday, Nov. 27. The winner will be announced during the Longines Hong Kong International races on Sunday, Dec. 10. “Stable staff play such a vital role in our sport and we felt it was important to recognise and honour their hard work, commitment and love for the animals they look after with such care,” said Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director for wagering products of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. “The final four Moments of the Day were all incredible performances, so we look forward to seeing which one captures the public's imagination the most and then welcoming the winning groom and their guests to Hong Kong next year.” The post World Pool Moment of the Year Finalists Announced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) has announced a new free-to-attend Foal Forum due to take place on November 30 during the Tattersalls December Foal Sale. The TBA ACCESS Foal Forum aims to educate and enlighten attendees about the intricacies and challenges of breeding and pinhooking foals. With an emphasis on fostering excellence and innovation in the industry, as well as providing networking opportunities with fellow thoroughbred enthusiasts, the inaugural event will take place in the sales ring at Park Paddocks by permission of Tattersalls and will be free to attend. However, individuals are encouraged to pre-register in advance here. Philip Newton, Chairman of the TBA said, “We are thrilled to offer this unparalleled opportunity for our members as well as interested individuals to immerse themselves in the world of bloodstock breeding and pinhooking. “The TBA ACCESS Foal Forum is poised to be an exemplary gathering, providing an engaging platform for industry professionals and enthusiasts alike to exchange knowledge, ideas and ask questions.” The event will be hosted by Sky Sports Racing's, Vanessa Ryle, with an expert panel featuring Mimi Wadham and Violet Hesketh of WH Bloodstock, leading bloodstock agent Alex Elliott, Robert Dallas MCRVS of Rossdales, Kate Sigsworth of West Moor Stud, and Ed Harper of Whitsbury Manor Stud. Discussions will revolve around a range of aspects covering the art of breeding, preparing, selling, purchasing and veterinary examinations of foals before a Q&A session for attendees to get involved with. Ed Harper of Whitsbury Manor Stud added, “I am looking forward to this panel discussion and opening the lid with other experts on breeding and buying foals. I have some burning questions to ask some of the panel and I would encourage anyone with friends who may be interested in the subject to come along and find out a bit more-it's great it's free to attend.” The post Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Launches Free-To-Attend Foal Forum appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Representatives from Ascot have made star New Zealand mare Imperatriz (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) the top of their wishlist for the Royal Ascot meeting in June next year. Nick Smith, Ascot's Director of Racing and Public Affairs, said he believes Te Akau Racing's crown jewel would be perfect for either the G1 King's Stand S. or the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee S. “She's showing a lot of consistency and that's what you want with travelling horses,” Smith commented. “A lot of the horses that have one good run and jump on the plane aren't as successful. But you know she's the best horse and she suits all sorts of circumstances. If she maintains her form, as most Australian sprinters do, she'll go to the top of the market.” While Smith also added that he'd briefly spoken to Imperatriz's connections about the possibility, he included that those discussions were at a very early stage. “It's definitely one step at a time but there has been some interest expressed.” The post Imperatriz Tops Royal Ascot Wishlist appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sales of breeding stock are just as much a feature of the final couple of months of the year in Europe as they are in North America. In fact, the European sales have been an important fact of American bloodstock life since the early days of the sport, with many breed-shapers having been recruited in Europe before heading west to make history. Perhaps the most famous graduate of Tattersalls's December Sale remains La Troienne (Fr) (Teddy {Fr}). After a racing career in which, without winning, she notched up some minor placings in both France and England (and, strangely, contested the Poule d'Essai des Poulains) she was sent to the December Sale in 1930 by Marcel Boussac. Bought by Colonel Bradley of Idle Hour Farm in Lexington for 1,250 guineas, she was brought to America, where she became arguably the greatest matriarch the country has ever known. Almost as influential was Rough Shod (GB), bought at the December Sale in 1951 for 3,500 guineas, in foal to My Babu (GB), by Arthur 'Bull' Hancock of Claiborne Farm, where she went on to change the course of bloodstock history, most obviously as third dam and fourth dam respectively of the legendary Northern Dancer horses Nureyev and Sadler's Wells. A similarly significant purchase came in 1952 when Martin Benson, proprietor of Beech House Stud in Newmarket, offered the Hyperion mare Lady Angela (GB), a winning great-great granddaughter of Pretty Polly (Ire) who was in foal to the stud's resident stallion Nearco (Ity). She topped the sale, bought by George Blackwell on behalf of E. P. Taylor of Windfields Farm in Ontario. Taylor came to an agreement with Benson that Lady Angela could visit Nearco again the following spring. She was then exported to Canada, in foal, after that subsequent covering. The resultant foal was born at Windfields. As Nearctic (Can), he went on to make an indelible mark on the Stud Book as the sire of Northern Dancer (Can). It might be asking a bit much to hope that there will be a La Troienne, a Rough Shod or a Lady Angela coming out of the forthcoming round of mares' sales at Goffs in Ireland, at Tattersalls in England and at Arqana in France, three world-class auctions which follow on conveniently one after the other. It could happen, though. What definitely will happen is that some of the fillies and mares sold at the three auctions will go on to breed top-class horses all around the world. Reduction and Dispersals at Goffs Goffs' November Sale kicks things off on Nov. 24, immediately after a four-day foal sale whose catalogue includes over 1,000 lots. Lasting two days, the mares' catalogue is more streamlined but the concentration of quality is intense. There are always some notable offerings at this sale, with recent treats having included a Wildenstein dispersal in 2016. The particular treats this time include a mouth-watering draft offered as a result of the restructuring of the Niarchos family's studs and the dispersal of the stock of Gestut Hony-Hof, over and above the usual drafts from such proven sources of class as Ballylinch Stud, Godolphin, HH Aga Khan Studs and Moyglare Stud. Horses bearing the colours firstly of the late Stavros Niarchos and subsequently of his heirs have been a feature of top-class racing for half a century. In the early days, Stavros Niarchos's champions, such as the aforementioned Nureyev, were bought as yearlings but by the time that the great Miesque (Nureyev) came along in the late 1980s it was very much an owner/breeder enterprise. Numerous champions have borne the family's livery since then and the current on-going restructuring provides a special opportunity for other breeders to tap into the bloodlines which have been developed by this world-class operation over the decades. Goffs November Kicks off Nov. 24 | Goffs Consigned variously by Norelands, Baroda and Kiltinan Castle Studs, the 41 Niarchos fillies and mares form a mouth-watering bunch. Daughters of world-class stallions such as Galileo (Ire), Deep Impact (Jpn), Frankel (GB), Dubawi (Ire), Sea The Stars (Ire) and Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) and boasting suitably exalted coverings, the bunch is made up entirely of blue-bloods and includes the G1 winners Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and Albigna (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), in foal respectively to Sea The Stars, Frankel and St Mark's Basilica (Fr). A less-heralded landmark at Goffs this year will be the dispersal of the stock of Gestut Hony-Hof, whose 11 mares form part of the Castlebridge Consignment. The nucleus of Gestut Hony-Hof's broodmare band has stemmed from Salve Regina (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) who carried the Hony-Hof colours to victory in the G1 German Oaks in 2002 before finishing second in the G1 German Derby four weeks later. As a full-sister to the German Derby winners Samum (Ger) and Schiaparelli (Ger) as well as to the dam of 2014 German Derby winner Sea The Moon, Salve Regina was a perfect candidate to develop into the great matriarch which she became. The majority of the Hony-Hof mares descend from her, although the best horse whom the stud has bred most recently, 2020 G1 Prix du Cadran heroine Princess Zoe (Ger) (Jukebox Jury {Ire}), comes from another family. Besides Salve Regina's descendants, the draft includes Princess Zoe's half-sister Palace Girl (GB) (Areion {Ger}). Any Godolphin reduction draft is worth making a long journey to inspect. The operation's consignment at Goffs is no exception, with the G1 winners Ambivalent (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}), Lyric Of Light (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}) and Be Fabulous (Ger) (Samum {Ger}) being of obvious interest. Ambivalent makes particular appeal as she has already bred a Group 1 winner, being the dam of 2021 Prix Vermeille heroine Teona (Ire), and she becomes of even greater interest as she is currently back in foal to Teona's sire Sea The Stars. Tattersalls Kicks Off Sale With Sceptre Sessions Tattersalls make it easy for would-be buyers to home in on many of the the most obvious prospects in the December Mares' Sale (Dec. 4-7) by highlighting some of the choicest lots in the two 'Sceptre Sessions', which are named after one of the greatest horses ever to pass through the ring at Park Paddocks, Sceptre earning immortality by contesting all five British Classics in 1902 and winning four of them. Sceptre went through Tattersalls's ring as both a sale-topping yearling and as a proven Classic winner. Many Classic heroines have graced the arena since then and another will do so this year as last year's 1,000 Guineas victrix Cachet (GB) (Aclaim {Ire}) will be one of the star lots of the second of the two Sceptre sessions. It is often the case that the ring is subdued immediately before and immediately after a stand-out lot but that won't be the case in this instance. Cachet will be preceded by this year's G2 Lowther S. winner Relief Rally (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and followed by this year's G2 Duke Of Cambridge S. heroine Rogue Millennium (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). All three of these starlets provide a reminder that many of the future broodmares on offer still offer plenty of racing potential. Last year one of the best fillies to go through the ring was 1,000 Guineas place-getter Fev Rover (Ire) (Guitaifan {Ire}) and she has illustrated the point perfectly. She is now looking a bargain at the 695,000 guineas which Tracy Farmer paid for her 12 months ago following her wins this season in the G2 Nassau S., G1 Beverly D S. and G1 E. P. Taylor S. Cachet is set to sell during Tattersalls's Sceptre Sessions | Scoop Dyga Other smart fillies straight off the track due to be offered the Sceptre Sessions include the Group 1 winners Lezoo (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and Poptronic (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}). The latter comes in particularly good form as her most recent run was her best, ie her victory last month in the G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S. Another recent Group 1 winner in the second Sceptre Session is Teona (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), successful in the G1 Prix Vermeille in 2021 and now offered in foal to Frankel (GB). Via Sistina features particularly prominently in the catalogue as her dam Nigh (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is also on offer, in foal to Too Darn Hot (GB). It would be wrong to focus too much on the Sceptre Sessions, however, as each year one of the highlights of the December Sale is the Juddmonte draft. This will again be the case this year. None of the Juddmonte horses are included in a Sceptre Session, the draft being split into two parts with the first part coming immediately before the first day's Sceptre Session and the second part preceding the Sceptre Session the following evening. Arqana December Gets Underway Dec. 9 It would also be wrong to have exhausted one's budget by the end of the December Sale because following hot on that auction's heels is the Arqana December Sale in France (Dec. 9-12). This invariably provides some superb racing and breeding prospects. Over the years it has proved to be a particularly fruitful source of fillies who have gone on to achieve notable success in the USA. G1 Prix de l'Opera heroine Rougir (Fr) (Territories {Ire}), sold for €3,000,000 in 2021 and subsequently the winner of the G1 E. P. Taylor S. in 2022, is a classic example. The sale is even more notable as a source of broodmares worldwide. Top-level winners in 2023 whose dams came out of this sale include Feed The Flame (GB), Iresine (Fr) and Trueshan (Fr) in France; Sol Oriens (Jpn) in Japan; Via Sistina (Ire) in Ireland; India (Ger) in Germany; and Gold Trip (Fr) in Australia. Obviously appealing mares on offer this year include the 2019 G1 Prix de Diane heroine Channel (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}), offered in foal to Wootton Bassett (GB), and 2022 G2 Prix du Muguet winner Sibila Spain (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), offered in foal to Dubawi (Ire). Furthermore, the draft of HH Aga Khan Studs is always a feature of the Arqana December Sale. This consignment is invariably a rich source of notable broodmares for countries all over the world. Another particularly interesting offering in this year's sale is the dispersal of the stock of world-renowned German nursery Gestut Ammerland, the owner/breeder of numerous champions including Hurricane Run (Ire), Lope De Vega (Ire) and Borgia (Ger). A particular treat from that source will come when it offers as consecutive lots Sea The Moon's stakes-winning four-year-old full-sister Sea The Sky (Ger); Lope De Vega's G3-winning Frankel (GB) half-sister Lady Frankel, in foal to New Bay (GB); and Lady Frankel's three-year-old daughter Lightning Lady (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). The post Europe’s Finest Bloodlines On Offer: Three Sales, Three Weeks, Three Countries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tally-Ho Stud has announced that new recruit Good Guess will stand at €17,500 in 2024 while Mehmas has ben dropped €10,000 to a fee of €50,000. The stud's flagbearer Kodiac, the sire of Good Guess, has also had his fee relaxed from €40,000 to €35,000 for 2024. A statement published on Monday read, “We are delighted to announce that G1 Prix Jean Prat winner Good Guess will stand his first season in 2024 at a fee of €17,500. “A 420,000gns yearling from the family of Classic-winning miler Russian Rhythm, Good Guess retires as the winner of four races highlighted by this season's G1 Prix Jean Prat, in which he defeated G1 winners such as Chaldean, Hi Royal and Meditate. “Good Guess is the first G1-winning son of Kodiac to stud in Britain and Ireland and shares his sire with successful sons such as Ardad, Coulsty, Kodi Bear and Prince Or Lir, all of whom have been represented by G1 performers in the past two seasons.” It continued, “Kodiac himself will stand for €35,000. Now the sire of close to 200 stakes performers, Kodiac enjoyed another excellent year on the track highlighted by the G1 achievements of Good Guess in addition to Relief Rally, his fourth winner of the G2 Lowther Stakes, G2 Minstrel Stakes winner Zarinsk, and the exciting G3 Killavullan Stakes winner Atlantic Coast. “Yearlings by Kodiac sold for up to €430,000. Leading young sire Mehmas will stand for €50,000 following a year highlighted by the top American miler Chez Pierre, winner of the G1 Maker's Mark Mile at Keeneland, G2 Buena Vista S. winner Quatroelle, and G1 sprinter Believing. Yearlings by Mehmas sold for up to €500,000.” Cotai Glory, already a proven sire of top-notch talent, will remain at €12,500, champion sprinter Starman will stand for €10,000, Persian Force will stand his second season at €8,000 while Inns Of Court has been set at €5,000. Tally-Ho Stud's 2024 Fees MEHMAS: €50,000 KODIAC: €35,000 GOOD GUESS: €17,500 COTAI GLORY: €12,500 STARMAN: €10,000 PERSIAN FORCE: €8,000 INNS OF COURT: €5,000 The post Tally-Ho Introduces Good Guess At €17,500 – Mehmas To Stand At €50,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article