Wandering Eyes

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced juveniles from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes, sponsored by OBS Sales, highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, including links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Sunday at Saratoga, Ellis Park and Del Mar. Sunday, August 17, 2025 Ellis 6, $100k, 2yo, 1mT, 3:12 p.m. ET Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Chester Good (Rogueish), OBSJUN, 7,000, :10 3/5 C-Really and Truly T'breds, agent; B-Darrell Thompson Your Wildest Dream (Not This Time), FTMMAY, 345,000, G C-Navas Equine, agent; B-Norm Casse Ellis 7, $100k, 2yo, f, 5 1/2, 3:42 p.m. ET Annie's Allie (Tacitus), OBSJUN, 70,000, :10 C-Champions of the Future, agent; B-Eric Foster Sar 8, Bolton Landing S.-L $150k, 2yo, f, 5.5fT, 5:12 p.m. ET Cy Fair (Not This Time), OBSAPR, 185,000, :9 4/5 C-Niall Brennan Stables, agent; B-Swinbank Stables, G Weaver Sacred Goddess (Kantharos), OBSAPR, 200,000, :9 4/5 C-Grassroots Training & Sales, agt; B-Team Penney & Icon Racing Del Mar 2, $100k, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 5:30 p.m. ET Explora (Blame), FTMMAY, 350,000, :10 1/5 C-Crane Thoroughbred Services, agent; B-Three Amigos Revera (Lexitonian), OBSMAR, 85,000, :10 1/5 C-Eddie Woods, agent; B-U Racing Stables The post Summer Breezes Sponsored By OBS: Sunday, August 17, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ritzaphena, the first winner for Lexitonian, is now the his initial stakes winner. Following up a debut maiden victory July 13 on grass, the 2-year-old filly improved to 2-for-2 in capturing the six-furlong Prairie Meadows Debutante Aug. 16.View the full article

The New York Racing Association announced Aug. 16 the  stakes schedule for the 32-day 2025  Belmont at the Big A  fall  meet and the traditional 27-day fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

Last but not least in the TDN consignor spotlight Q&A series, the attention turns to Philippe Brosset of Applewood Stud, with the consignment offering three horses at the Arqana August Sale. Can you tell us about your August Sale draft. We have a lovely Sea The Moon colt who is a real Classic type while the Earthlight filly is very mature and strong. We are also very excited to offer a lovely-moving filly by first-season sire Torquator Tasso. What young sires are you most looking forward to seeing the progeny [yearlings or foals] of this season? Here in France, it will be interesting to see how the progeny of Ace Impact is received as he was such a magnificent racehorse. We are also looking forward to seeing the yearlings by Baaeed and foals by Good Guess. In your experience, what type of horse does particularly well at the August Sale? I don't think there is necessarily one particular type of yearling for Deauville and the sale attracts a very wide international clientele. But given the sale is relatively early in the year, you need a horse that is well enough developed. What is your best memory on the sale ground at Arqana? Selling our top price at this sale last year for the Kingman filly at €520,000 which was an amazing result for us so early here on this farm. And when you do get that all-important result in the sales ring, how do you like to celebrate? With family and the staff. If you weren't involved in bloodstock, what career path would you have taken? Graphic design or architecture. Tell us something that people don't know about you? I'm very moody (but actually, this may be well known!) Do you have any superstitions or good luck charms? I don't think I am especially superstitious but I like my day to start on the right path (or else I get superstitious!). Best piece of advice you ever received? Always go with your gut feeling. If you feel like something is wrong, it usually is. Biggest influence on your career? My time working at Coolmore in Ireland and the USA. The post Arqana Consignors In The Spotlight: Q&A With Applewood Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

So obviously a Stakes horse operating in handicaps, More Thunder (Night Of Thunder) shed his thinly-veiled disguise once and for all on Saturday to dominate Newbury's G2 Hungerford Stakes. Narrowly denied in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot before narrowly on top in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket's July Festival, the 6-4 favourite had ideal fast fractions to run at throughout the seven-furlong feature and delivered his customary powerful finale to beat the penalised Lennox winner Witness Stand (Expert Eye) by 2 1/4 lengths. “He's fulfilling all that we expected and justifying what we thought of him–he felt so comfortable there, it's the best he's been in the prelims too so it was the complete performance,” jockey Tom Marquand said of the colt who William Haggas inherited from Sir Michael Stoute. “I was convinced that tempo was the problem in the Bunbury Cup and why he wasn't impressive there.” “Today he was explosive through the last two furlongs, he can easily swing along at the tempo of six and could even get a mile at the right place. We have a tendency to pigeon-hole horses, but he could go different distances like the Australians do. The longer we've had him, the more we've noticed things about him and the small margins make a difference. There is the Foret and the Sprint Cup back at six and options at a mile–wherever we go, I'm sure they'll get it right.” More Thunder and @TomMarquand win the Group Two Hungerford Stakes in emphatic fashion! @NewburyRacing | @WilliamHaggas pic.twitter.com/qvzzV3FeOf — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 16, 2025 The post ‘He’s Justifying What We Thought of Him’: Marquand Steers More Thunder To Hungerford Success appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Well-beaten in the G2 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) when last seen in April, Tsuyoshi Suzuki's Alohi Alii (Duramente) proved a class apart on his European bow in Saturday's G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville. Allowed to bowl along in front by Christophe-Patrice Lemaire, the Hiroyasu Tanaka-trained 5-1 shot took off in early straight to dominate the 10-furlong test and was eased late to beat the solid yardsticks Rashabar (Holy Roman Emperor) and Cualificar (Lope De Vega) by 3 1/2 lengths and a head. This race was run almost three seconds slower than the card's opening G3 Prix Gontaut-Biron, with the G2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho Deep Impact Kinen third Alohi Alii able to cruise before opening up in the straight and use his superior acceleration as a lethal weapon. Whether that potency can be employed over a mile and a half in a truly-run Arc staged probably on easy ground remains to be seen, but his sire was a Tokyo Yushun winner and the dam is by one of the ParisLongchamp showcase's storied horses in Orfevre. Tanaka, who rode in France during his first career, gave the lowdown on the winner afterwards. “We first planned to come to France for the Grand Prix de Paris in July, but the horse was not quite ready,” he explained. “With a view to giving him a race before the Arc, we looked at the program and decided to come here. The race had been won in the past by horses that went on to excel in the Arc, so we felt it was right to run here.” “I have a lengthy working relation with Christophe Lemaire, Deauville is like home for him, so it was an obvious choice to have him ride the horse. The race today is over 2000 metres and that is what we wanted for his prep,” he added. “The further the better with this horse, so I have no doubt that he will stay the Arc trip. The timing is just perfect between the two races.” Japanese-raider Alohi Alii blows the field away in the Group Two Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville! @netkeiba | @christo68914587 pic.twitter.com/KK6HLuhp3x — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 16, 2025 Pedigree Notes Alohi Alii's dam Espoir won over this trip, but was probably at her best over shorter, finishing runner-up in the G3 Turquoise Stakes at a mile. She is a half-sister to the G2 Hai Aoba Sho winner and G1 Tokyo Yushun-placed Admirable (Deep Impact), while the family includes the GII American Jockey Club Cup winner and G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) runner-up Aristoteles (Epiphaneia) and the Oaks, Yorkshire Oaks and St Leger heroine Sun Princess. Espoir's yearling filly is by Contrail. Saturday, Deauville, France PRIX GUILLAUME D'ORNANO-G2, €183,000, Deauville, 8-16, 3yo, 10fT, 2:08.61, sf. 1–ALOHI ALII (JPN), 129, c, 3, by Duramente (Jpn) 1st Dam: Espoir (Jpn) (MGSP-Jpn, $773,113), by Orfevre (Jpn) 2nd Dam: Scarlet (Jpn), by Symboli Kris S 3rd Dam: Grace Admire (Jpn), by Tony Bin (Ire) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (¥60,000,000 Wlg '22 JRHJUL). O-Tsuyoshi Suzuki; B-Grace Inc; T-Hiroyasu Tanaka; J-Christophe Lemaire. €104,310. GSP-Jpn, 5-2-1-0, €256,684. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Rashabar (Ire), 129, c, 3, Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)–Amazonka (Ire), by Camelot (GB). (€120,000 Ylg '23 ARAUG). O-Manton Thoroughbreds IX; B-SARL Ecurie Haras de Beaufay; T-Brian Meehan. €40,260. 3–Cualificar (GB), 129, c, 3, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Qualify (Ire), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). O/B-Godolphin; T-Andre Fabre. €18,215. Margins: 3HF, HD, 3. Odds: 5.30, 2.50, 0.70. Also Ran: Dumonet (Ire), Batal Youmzain (Fr). The post Alohi Alii Strikes For Japan With Impressive Guillaume D’Ornano Success appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin broke new ground when sending Roger Varian their 450,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 sensation Avicenna (Starspangledbanner) and the two-year-old launched the new connection with a promising win on Saturday. Sent off the well-supported 10-11 favourite for Doncaster's seven-furlong novice, the May-foaled chestnut who is connected to the champion juvenile Xaar tracked the early leader Akho Mezzna (More Than Ready) and while it took time for the penny to drop in the closing stages he was firmly in command for a 1 3/4-length success. Smart debut at @DoncasterRaces! He took a while to warm to the task but when he got going Avicenna really took off and could be a colt to follow! @varianstable | @Mitchelljack77 pic.twitter.com/xWiwxwklXT — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 16, 2025 The post Godolphin Varian Link Off To A Flyer With Promising Colt Avicenna appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Smart juvenile Lady Iman was supplemented for the G1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes on August 22. She is the first 2-year-old to be supplemented for the York sprint since Kingsgate Native (Mujadil) in 2007. Supplemented by her connections at a cost of £40,000, the G3 Molecomb Stakes heroine is one of 19 set to take part as of Saturday. Trained by Ger Lyons, the bay will be ridden by noted lightweight rider Joe Fanning. Joining the daughter of Starman is the fellow 2-year-old filly and supplement Spicy Marg (Starspanglebanner), who won a conditions stakes at Goodwood on July 30 for trainer Michael Bell. Rounding out the late additions is Jonathan Portman trainee Rumstar (Havana Grey), a multiple Group 3 winner this term. The trio are facing Australian heavyweight Asfoora (Flying Artie), who won the 2024 G1 King Charles II Stakes at Royal Ascot, and was fourth in this race last term for trainer Henry Dwyer, as well as G3 Summer Stakes hero Sayidah Dariyan (Dariyan) from the yard of Richard Hughes, who rode a brace of Nunthorpe winners during his riding days. John and Sean Quinn's Jm Jungle (Bungle Inthejungle) claimed the G2 King George Stakes ahead of stakes winner and multiple group-placed She's Quality (Acclamation) for Jack Davison and fourth-place finisher and group scorer Frost At Dawn (Frosted) at Goodwood in August. Arizona Blaze (Sergei Prokofiev) landed the G2 Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh last time for Adrian Murray, and he lines up in the Nunthorpe, as does the Sapphire runner-up Mgheera (Zoustar) for Ed Walker. “He's going to York and it looks an open race,” said Murray. “He's got a similar profile to Power Blue (Space Blues) actually and he always shows up on the day, he never runs a bad race. His form stands up well and win or lose he will be bang there, even in defeat he's been a brilliant horse for us.” On the undercard, the 11-strong G2 Al Basti Equiworld Gimcrack Stakes features the G2 Norfolk Stakes second Wise Approach (Mehmas) for Charlie Appleby and Ed Walker's Do Or Do Not (Space Blues), third in the G2 Vintage Stakes earlier this summer. The card's other group race is the stayers' G2 Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup which sees John and Thady Gosden trainee Trawlerman (Golden Horn), a winner of the G1 Gold Cup last time, face off again with Gold Cup second Illinois (Galileo) for Aidan O'Brien. The post Lady Iman Supplemented For Nunthorpe Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There was a distinct New Zealand flavour to the final race on Saturday’s Rosehill card, where Cloudland (NZ) (Swiss Ace) headed a Kiwi-bred trifecta in the A$200,000 Petaluma Handicap (1200m). The Kris Lees-trained Cloudland had won a Benchmark 88 race over the same course and distance two starts earlier on July 5, then finished seventh under 59.5kg in a similar event over 1300m on July 19. The seven-year-old stepped up into Benchmark 94 company on Saturday and dropped back to 56.5kg, and he showed real fight to edge out fellow New Zealand-breds Lord Penman (NZ) (Contributer) and Bunker Hut (NZ) (Savabeel) in an exciting three-way finish. Cloudland was ridden by Dylan Gibbons and broke sharply from the outside gate of the eight-horse field. He then took up a handy position in second on the outside of the front-running Perfumist. Gibbons pushed the button in the straight and Cloudland bounded into a clear lead. Bunker Hut kicked through on his inside to quickly lodge a challenge, while Lord Penman weaved his way through the pack in behind them. Cloudland found himself under siege on both sides in the last 75m from Bunker Hut and Lord Penman, but he rose to the challenge and held on grimly to win by a neck. Lord Penman took second place by the same margin over Bunker Hut. “Super win,” Gibbons said. “He’s a horse that loves a fight and he fought hard today. “He appreciates these wet tracks, so while every they hang around, he’s running well.” Cloudland has now had 25 starts for eight wins, eight placings and A$544,725 in stakes for his OTI Racing ownership group. The Gerry Harvey-bred Cloudland was purchased by OTI Racing after winning a trial on the all-weather track at Cambridge for trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray. He is by Swiss Ace out of the stakes-performed Congrats mare Commiserate, who is from the family of the Group Two winners Sarson Trail (Royal Academy), Arinosa (Dash For Cash), Sweet Sherry (NZ) (Westminster) and her daughter Eneeza (Exceed and Excel). The formerly New Zealand-trained Lord Penman also made a favourable impression with a strong-finishing second in his Australian debut. “He ran well, really well,” jockey Kerrin McEvoy said. “He loomed and then floated a bit, but he’s going to enjoy going 1400m. More to come from him.” Lord Penman is raced by Go Racing and won four of his seven starts from the Stephen Marsh stable last season under his previous name of Penman. He also finished an unlucky ninth in the NZB Kiwi (1500m). View the full article

Accomplished galloper War Eternal scored the fifth win of his career and took his earnings past A$750,000 with a determined victory in Saturday’s Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill. The A$200,000 race was the third start in a new campaign for the New Zealand-bred Pierro gelding, who finished eighth over 1300m at Rosehill on July 19 before a second placing over the same course and distance on August 2. Ridden by Jason Collett on Saturday for fellow expat New Zealander Bjorn Baker, War Eternal had a comfortable midfield run in sixth until the home turn. Collett found clear air midway down the straight as runners fanned out across the track, and he drove War Eternal through to edge out Birdman and the strong-finishing stayer Land Legend. “Jason gave him a lovely ride,” Baker’s racing manager Luke Hilton said. “He needed the breaks to come when they did, but he took advantage of it and raced away really well. “He’s a seven-year-old, so he is probably at the top of his game at the moment. There might be a Listed stakes race we might be able to find while he is racing in this good form. We will just keep chipping away while these tracks have got a little bit of juice in them.” War Eternal has now had 27 starts for five wins, seven placings and A$755,425 in stakes. Three of those five wins have come since June of last year. War Eternal had previously performed to a high level as a three-year-old during the 2021-22 season, when he finished second in the Gr.3 Spring Stakes (1600m), third in the Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) and fourth in Converge’s Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m). Bred by Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay War Eternal was purchased by Baker out their 2020 Karaka Book 1 draft for $160,000. War Eternal is by Pierro and is the first foal out of the Fastnet Rock mare Aleria, who is the dam of two winners from three foals to race. Her Almanzor daughter Undaunting has won three times in an 18-race career, while Tavistock gelding Nouveau Marche has been a five-time placegetter. Aleria has since produced the unraced Reliable Man mare Neednoman, three-year-old Circus Maximus gelding Irish Master, and a two-year-old colt by Per Incanto that was bought for $300,000 at Karaka in January. Aleria was served by Almanzor last spring. View the full article

What Sale Races Where Sale Turf Club – 1227 Maffra-Sale Rd, Sale VIC 3850 When Sunday, January 17, 2025 First Race 12:15pm AEST Visit Dabble Horse racing in Victoria heads to the Sale Turf Club on Sunday afternoon, where a competitive eight-race meeting is set down for decision. With showers on the forecast, the track is expected to deteriorate from the Soft 5 rating, while the rail sticks in its true position the entire circuit. The first race at Sale is set to jump at 12:15pm local time. Best Bet at Sale: Star Of Beirut Star Of Beirut made the perfect debut at Mildura, running down the leaders late in a race that rated well for the grade, and he strikes another very winnable BM64 second-up. He maps to land just off a genuine tempo from gate four, and with Ben Allen staying aboard, the Zoustar gelding should get every chance to quicken through the line. The lightly raced profile screams upside, he handles soft going, and the Henry Dwyer stable is humming. With even luck, Star Of Beirut can make it two wins from two starts. Best Bet Race 5 – #2 Star Of Beirut (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Henry Dwyer | J: Ben Allen (59kg) Next Best at Sale: Maxxi Bon Maxxi Bon was strong through the line winning at the mile last start at Sale, and looks ready for 1700m now. He’s a neat on-speed/midfield style who can absorb pressure and still kick, and Ben Allen’s booking again is a plus. From the awkward draw, expect intent early to slide across and find cover; if he lands one-off in the first four, his sustained gallop becomes a real weapon at Sale. With key rivals resuming or searching for form, the Wendy Kelly-trained gelding brings the most reliable current platform to this, and a repeat of his latest figures should be enough. Next Best Race 8 – #6 Maxxi Bon (13) 5yo Gelding | T: Wendy Kelly | J: Ben Allen (60kg) Best Value at Sale: Battaglia Battaglia is fit, racing well, and has twice performed strongly at Sale this prep, including a tough on-speed placing two starts ago. From barrier five, Koby Jennings should find a stalking spot behind a solid tempo, and the 60kg is offset by a proven record at the distance and on soft ground. Several fancied runners are either first-up or query at the trip — that’s the edge to shop a price with horse racing bookmakers. If the pattern suits horses building from just off the speed, Battaglia is the one to be chiming in late. Best Value Race 7 – #2 Battaglia (5) 8yo Gelding | T: Brett Scott | J: Koby Jennings (60kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Sale Sale quadrella selections Sunday, August 17, 2025 1-2-5 2-3-5-7-9 2-6-8-7 1-4-6-9 Horse racing tips View the full article

Private Eye ridden by Nash Rawiller wins the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Private Eye turned a weather-detour into a statement spring opener, rolling straight to the front and controlling the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) before kicking clear late. The eight-year-old, partnered by Nash Rawiller, was vetted at the gates after striking his head but never looked troubled once the lids flew, stretching away to defeat Desert Lightning by two lengths with Here To Shock another half-length away in third. The win arrived a week after the washed-out Group 2 Missile Stakes forced Joe Pride to abandon Sydney plans and truck his stable star south. Rawiller, who first won this race in 2006 on Pompeii Ruler, judged the tempo perfectly and eased off the rail in the straight before asking for an effort that promptly settled the contest. It was Private Eye’s 13th interstate trip and his second start of 2025, a light campaign Pride believes is keeping the gelding sharp. On a Soft 6, Private Eye stopped the clock at 1:25.96 and nudged career earnings beyond $12.3 million—his 13th win and seventh at black-type level. Pride flagged the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) back at Caulfield on August 30 as a live option, with track conditions to dictate whether they return to Melbourne or pivot to Sydney. It wasn’t just the manner of victory but the authority: a seasoned sprinter-miler absorbing the shove of the early lead, relaxing mid-race, then lengthening when challenged. 2025 Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes Replay – Private Eye https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Caulfield-2025-Group-2-PB-Lawrence-Stakes-16082025-Private-Eye-Joseph-Pride-Nash-Rawiller.mp4 Horse racing news View the full article

War Eternal (blue) holds off Birdman to win at Rosehill Gardens for Bjorn Baker. (Photo: Bradley Photos) Accomplished galloper War Eternal scored the fifth win of his career and took his earnings past $750,000 with a determined victory at Rosehill on Saturday. The $200,000 race was the third start in a new campaign for the New Zealand-bred Pierro gelding, who finished eighth over 1300m at Rosehill on July 19 before a second placing over the same course and distance on August 2. Ridden by Jason Collett on Saturday for fellow expat New Zealander Bjorn Baker, War Eternal had a comfortable midfield run in sixth until the home turn. Collett found clear air midway down the straight as runners fanned out across the track, and he drove War Eternal through to edge out Birdman and the strong-finishing stayer Land Legend. “Jason gave him a lovely ride,” Baker’s racing manager Luke Hilton said. “He needed the breaks to come when they did, but he took advantage of it and raced away really well. “He’s a seven-year-old, so he is probably at the top of his game at the moment. There might be a Listed stakes race we might be able to find while he is racing in this good form. We will just keep chipping away while these tracks have got a little bit of juice in them.” War Eternal has now had 27 starts for five wins, seven placings and $755,425 in stakes. Three of those five wins have come since June of last year. War Eternal had previously performed to a high level as a three-year-old during the 2021-22 season, when he finished second in the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m), third in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) and fourth in Converge’s Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m). Horse racing news View the full article

Monkhana finished strongest at Rosehill Gardens. (Photo: Bradley Photos) Wyong trainer Denim Wynen celebrated her second city winner in as many weeks when the New Zealand-bred Monkhana took out the $120,000 Midway Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday. Wynen had never trained a metropolitan winner before the start of the 2025-26 season, but now the 29-year-old has struck twice in quick succession with Sunshine Law on August 2 and Monkhana on Saturday. “I’m lost for words,” Wynen said. “I can’t believe it, I’m so excited.” Saturday’s assignment was the second start in a new campaign for Monkhana, who had run second in a 1400m Midway Handicap at Rosehill two weeks earlier. The five-year-old mare was ridden by apprentice jockey Anna Roper on Saturday and sat in fifth place before getting a good trail into the race coming up to the home turn. Roper hooked Monkhana to the outside in the straight and drove her home over the top of Vetwelve to win by half a length. “I was pretty confident with her today, without saying it,” Wynen said. “She trained on well after her last start and has come back a different horse this time in, she is a lot stronger.” Monkhana has now had 15 starts for four wins, two placings and $146,238 in stakes. The first six starts of her career came from the Byerley Park stable of Steven Cole, headed by a maiden victory by 2.75 lengths over 1600m at Pukekohe in June of last year. Horse racing news View the full article

Consistent mare Chantilly Lace (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) carried the colours of Horowhenua to a thrilling victory in the feature race at New Plymouth, the ITM New Plymouth Interprovincial (1600m). The unique contest sees runners discard their traditional silks in favour of the colours of the region they represent with the red, white and blue of Horowhenua adorning the Chrissy Bambry-prepared runner who has been a model of consistency during her current preparation without managing to find the winner’s enclosure. With most races on the day dominated by those in or near the lead, many felt the five-year-old could be disadvantaged by that pattern however rider Chris Dell made good use of an inner barrier (5) to have her sitting sixth against the rail as McKhan (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) went hard in front. Dell was hard at work on the mare turning for home and she shot through one off the fence to snatch the lead at the 250m before forging clear to defeat race favourite Zanzibar (NZ) (Zed) and Urenui (NZ) (Derryn) in a thrilling finish to the contest. Bambry was close to tears as she accepted congratulations from well-wishers after the final placings were announced. “She is just a wicked little mare and to me she was the best horse in the race,” Bambry said. “She has just got so much black type and we had set her for this. “Chris (Dell) knows her and gave her a really good ride. “She is a tough little nut who loves racing. She wasn’t quite right at Hawera last time and pulled up a little sore so we freshened her up and rated her for this which worked out well. “I was pretty confident going into it and really happy now.” Dell was quick to pay tribute to Bambry who has provided him with several important race wins. “Chrissy and the team have been great to me although, ironically, I don’t win a lot of races for them unless they are Listed or worth big money,” he said. “She (Chantilly Lace) has won two-year-old races and right through and was really well placed today. “The conditions came up to suit her and although she is a bit of an enigma and doesn’t jump out of the barriers, which I found out three starts ago, today she jumped first and put herself in the race. “I was surprised how well she travelled and when I gave her a couple with the stick she has pricked her ears and won very well.” The Bambry family and bloodstock agent Paul Moroney paid $66,000 for Chantilly Lace through the Valachi Downs Dispersal Sale, conducted on the Gavelhouse.com platform. She has now won five races, including twice at Listed level, from 42 starts and over $318,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

The Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) has often been the one that got away for Shaune Ritchie, but Tajana’s (NZ) (Darci Brahma) superb first-up performance at Ruakaka on Saturday has the Cambridge trainer dreaming of a breakthrough in the Riccarton classic. A last-to-first triumph in the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) was Tajana’s first step along the road to the 1000 Guineas – a race Ritchie has run second in with Keep The Peace (NZ) (Keeper) in 2009, Bella Gioia (NZ) (Swiss Ace) in 2016 and Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) in 2019. “It’s been frustrating coming second in the 1000 Guineas three times,” said Ritchie, who trains in partnership with Colm Murray. “I’m hoping we can get back to Christchurch and go one better this year.” Tajana thrust herself into Guineas contention with a two-year-old season that featured a maiden win at Matamata and placings in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m). Everything Ritchie and Murray are doing with Tajana this spring is with the goal of having The Oaks Stud’s homebred filly at her peak when she steps out at Riccarton on November 8. Saturday’s $100,000 Northland Breeders’ Stakes was her first raceday appearance in 140 days, and she was sent out as an $11.60 chance over a distance that might have been expected to be short of her best. But Tajana’s class shone through in a sparkling come-from-behind performance. Tajana was ridden by Wiremu Pinn and settled at the tail of the field as Eliza James (NZ) (War Decree), Miss Moet All (Russian Revolution) and Cashla Bay (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) filled the first three places up until the home turn. Tajana was still a clear last coming into the straight, with Pinn opting to save ground by staying close to the fence. After passing the 300m mark, the front-runner Eliza James veered right across the track and towards the outside fence. That appeared to leave Yokozuna (Fierce Impact), Nocturne (NZ) (Contributer) and the favourite Geneva (NZ) (Time Test) to fight out a three-way battle to the finish, but Tajana and Pinn had other ideas. Tajana stormed home and burst through one off the rail in the last 50m. She got up to win by three-quarters of a length from Yokuzuna and Nocturne. “I thought she was the class horse in the race today,” Pinn said. “She proved herself against top two-year-olds like Return To Conquer (Snitzel) and La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) last season. “The only issue was that I thought the 1200m would be a bit too short for her, but she proved me wrong and she’s a very nice filly. “I was a bit worried for most of the race. She jumped nicely enough, but then I kept at her to pick up the bridle and show a bit of interest and I wasn’t getting much response. I didn’t think she was going well enough, so I decided to just stick to the inside around the corner. “Once she balanced up and got on the right leg, she really accelerated. It was a very good win and she’s only going to improve with the run. “There’s a lot of good three-year-olds around this season, which is good to see. With the money that’s come into the industry from Entain, the good horses are staying in the country and we’re getting to ride them.” Tajana is by Darci Brahma out of the five-race-winning Sakhee’s Secret mare Sleek Secret (NZ). From a five-start career, the promising filly has now had two wins, two placings and $145,575 in stakes. Tajana completed a double for the day for Ritchie and Murray, who also won the Hello Youmzain-Champion NZ First Season Sire (1400m) with fellow first-up runner Tuxedo (NZ) (Tivaci). “That was a fantastic ride by Wiremu,” Ritchie said. “They haven’t been using the fence. When it’s as good as that, why go wide? And riding her cold was obviously the way to go. “What a classy filly. I really wasn’t expecting a performance quite like that. She can only get better as she gets out over further, that’s for sure. “The 1000 Guineas is the goal we’re concentrating on. We’ll give her a good space from this run into the next one. I think the Sunline Vase is now a 1400m three-year-old fillies’ race at Ellerslie in five weeks, and then there’s the Soliloquy (Gr.2, 1400m) after that. It’s notable that almost every 1000 Guineas winner in the last 10 years has run in that race. We’ll follow that path.” The TAB now rates Tajana a $7 chance for the 1000 Guineas, sharing favouritism with Lucy In The Sky (NZ) (Hello Youmzain). The other prominent fillies in the market are Lodi Dodi (Blue Point) ($9), Avantaggia (Wotton Bassett) ($12), To Cap It All (Capitalist) ($12), Cream Tart (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) ($14), In Haste (Snitzel) ($14), Intention (NZ) (Bivouac) ($14), Little Black Dress (Snitzel) ($14) and Lubeck (Haneastic) ($14). View the full article

Wyong trainer Denim Wynen celebrated her second city winner in as many weeks when the New Zealand-bred Monkhana (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) took out the A$120,000 Midway Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday. Wynen had never trained a metropolitan winner before the start of the 2025-26 season, but now the 29-year-old has struck twice in quick succession with Sunshine Law on August 2 and Monkhana on Saturday. “I’m lost for words,” Wynen said. “I can’t believe it, I’m so excited.” Saturday’s assignment was the second start in a new campaign for Monkhana, who had run second in a 1400m Midway Handicap at Rosehill two weeks earlier. The five-year-old mare was ridden by apprentice jockey Anna Roper on Saturday and sat in fifth place before getting a good trail into the race coming up to the home turn. Roper hooked Monkhana to the outside in the straight and drove her home over the top of Vetwelve (Grunt) to win by half a length. “I was pretty confident with her today, without saying it,” Wynen said. “She trained on well after her last start and has come back a different horse this time in, she is a lot stronger.” Monkhana has now had 15 starts for four wins, two placings and A$146,238 in stakes. The first six starts of her career came from the Byerley Park stable of Steven Cole, headed by a maiden victory by two and three-quarter lengths over 1600m at Pukekohe in June of last year. Monkhana was bred by the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry and is a son of their Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), Australian Derby (2400m) and New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner Mongolian Khan. Monkhana is the first foal out of the unraced Tavistock mare Pedderstock (NZ), who foaled another Mongolian Khan filly in 2021 before producing colts by Vadamos and Sweynesse in 2022 and 2024 respectively. View the full article

Apprentice jockey Gareth Lahoud has formed a potent partnership with Cleat (NZ) (Rios) this winter, and the pair mastered the murky conditions at Ruakaka on Saturday to collect another victory in the Accurate Books (1100m). Lahoud has now ridden nine winners in his career, with three of those successes coming from only four rides on Cleat. Lahoud and Cleat teamed up for the first time at Te Rapa on May 31, where Cleat won a 1200m Rating 75 by a length and three-quarters. More success followed at Tauranga on June 21 with a long neck victory in the same grade. Trainer Danica Guy raised the bar in July for a pair of open handicaps at Te Rapa. Lahoud rode Cleat into a close fifth behind Caitlyns Wish (NZ) (Belardo), and then the Rios gelding ran seventh behind Force Of Nature (NZ) (Savabeel) with Wiremu Pinn in the saddle. Cleat stepped back down in class on Saturday, with Lahoud’s 4kg claim reducing his 60.5kg impost to 56.5kg on a deteriorating Soft7 track. Lahoud had Cleat travelling smoothly in second behind runaway leader Charmario (NZ) (Charm Spirit), then dragged the field up behind that tiring rival coming up to the home turn. It developed into a two-horse war down the straight as Cleat and Reptak (NZ) (Shocking) strode to the front together with 300m to run. Reptak seemed to be getting the upper hand, but Cleat responded to the urgings of Lahoud and lifted again. He fought off Reptak’s challenge and held on to win by a long head, with three lengths back to the first-up runner Age Of Discovery (NZ) (Savabeel). “He’s such a tough horse and he’ll just keep fighting,” Lahoud said. “He handled the track beautifully today. “He jumps so well, puts himself there and he got into such a good rhythm today. “I definitely think he can continue this form if the wet tracks stick around for a bit longer. He just loves running and he can keep winning races.” Cleat has now had 20 starts for five wins, five placings and $109,655 in stakes. He is by Rios, whose son Gaultier (NZ) won the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) for Guy in 2015. Cleat and Reptak came together during their fierce battle down the straight on Saturday, and Reptak’s connections lodged a protest that was dismissed. View the full article

Apprentice Elen Nicholas produced a pair of copybook rides to notch a winning double at New Plymouth including a stylish victory aboard Te Awamutu visitor Rosetown Princess (NZ) (Redwood) in the Makita Open (1800m). Nicholas opened her account aboard the Michael Wallace-trained Florin (NZ) (Vanbrugh) in race two before employing similar tactics aboard Rosetown Princess to make it two wins from her only rides on the day. Caught wide in the early rush for positions, Nicholas didn’t panic and eased the Darrell Hollinshead-prepared mare around to sit outside leader Pick Of The Litter (NZ) (Vadamos) with 1000m to run. Rosetown Princess loomed up outside that runner turning for home and put her head in front before grinding clear of the field to register a comprehensive one and a half-length winning margin over Pick Of The Litter and Wheelitin (NZ) (Ekraar), who had trailed the pair for the majority of the journey. Hollinshead was delighted his gamble to throw his rating 67 mare into the open grade event had paid off. “She has been a great fun horse for the boys and it was great to see her win like that,” Hollinshead said. “We actually had her in the Interprovincial later in the day but with the rail out and a big field for that one we didn’t think it would suit her style as the track is not really favouring back runners. “The smaller field for this one let her find her feet and then move forward and Elen did that nicely for us. “I have always thought she would appreciate a little bit of distance in time and now she has strengthened right up she looks like that will be the case.” Hollinshead doesn’t have any set plans for his charge but believes in her current form she has more wins in her. “She is a lovely mare to do anything with, just a beautiful nature and very relaxed,” he said. “The way she won today, I think she can get a couple more for us as she handles most tracks and the weather would suggest we will get plenty more moisture for a while longer which will really suit her.” Raced by a large group including members of the Hollinshead family, Rosetown Princess is a daughter of Redwood and Thorn Park mare Prickley Princess (NZ). She hails from a quality family that includes Pondarosa Miss (NZ) (High Chaparral), a winner of the Gr.1 Easter Handicap (1600m) along with multiple Australian stakes winner Ecuador (NZ) (High Chaparral). Rosetown Princess has now four races and over $146,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Tuxedo (NZ) (Tivaci) held his own against the best of his generation as a three-year-old last season, and a spectacular first-up performance at Ruakaka on Saturday suggested that he might be about to make the next step at four. The Tivaci gelding outclassed his opposition in the Hello Youmzain-Champion NZ First Season Sire (1400m) to set up a shot at the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie on September 6. Saturday’s $40,000 open handicap was only the seventh start of Tuxedo’s career. Cambridge trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray lined him up six times last season for three wins including the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) and Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m). He also ran second behind Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and recorded another second placing at Ellerslie behind Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino). His final start of the season was a seventh in Willydoit’s Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in March. Four months later, a bigger, stronger and better Tuxedo announced his return to racing. After settling at the tail of the six-horse field through the first 600m of the race, Michael McNab allowed the $1.30 favourite to slide forward around the outside of the field. He trucked through in the slipstream of Sagunto (NZ) (O’Reilly) coming up to the turn, and then McNab released the brakes. Tuxedo burst to the lead with 250m to run, powering clear by three and a half lengths despite racing greenly down the straight. “He just cruised around at the back of the field early, and then I was able to tack on to the back of Sagunto and he flowed into the race beautifully,” McNab said. “He’s an exciting horse for his owners. His three-year-old form was really good against horses like Damask Rose and Willydoit, and he seems to have progressed enough from that to go on with it this season.” Tuxedo was a $70,000 purchase from Book 1 of Karaka 2023. His seven-start career has produced four wins, two seconds and $496,285 in stakes. The TAB now rates Tuxedo an $8 chance for the Proisir Plate, sharing third favouritism with Tomodachi (NZ) (Tarzino). Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) and the defending champion Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj) are the $4 equal favourites for the first Group One race of the New Zealand season. “We needed Tuxedo to make a statement today if we wanted to be competitive in Group One weight-for-age company in three weeks’ time,” Ritchie said. “It’s not ideal when you’re first-up on a bit of a wet track, but this will stand him in great stead for the Proisir Plate now. “He’s still got a bit to learn, he’s obviously mucked around a bit when he got to the front, but that was an impressive performance. “He put a significant amount of weight on during that spell. After the Derby, he had a good eight weeks in the paddock. We brought him in and gave him a long build-up, knowing we wanted to give him a run in preparation for the Proisir Plate, just to try to get a little bit of a fitness edge on the likes of Grail Seeker and the other top-class horses that have been there and done that before. “It’s never easy for a four-year-old at weight-for-age, and we’re well aware of that, so hopefully this just gives us that run, that little edge that we may need to be competitive in that race.” Local mare Illicit Dreams (NZ) (Vancouver) crossed the line in second place on Saturday, with 62kg topweight Habana (Zoustar) producing an eye-catching effort for third. View the full article

Veteran sprinter Tavis Court (NZ) (Tavistock) showed there is still plenty of fight left in the old dog as he led all the way to take out the opening event at New Plymouth on Saturday, the Paslode Open (1400m). The ten-year-old Tavistock gelding has always thrived on winter tracks and with rider Kate Hercock producing a pacemaking special, the Anna Clement-trained galloper was always going to be hard to peg back for his four rivals. Tavis Court jumped cleanly from the barrier and Hercock had no hesitation in keeping another likely leader in Chajaba (NZ) (Keano) at bay in the early stages before settling into a beautiful rhythm in front. It was obvious turning for home that Hercock still had plenty of horse underneath her as Tavis Court found a good kick to put a three quarter length margin on Chajaba and held that to the line to bring up win number twelve for his career. An emotional Clement was close to shedding tears as she described how loved her charge is around her Hawera base. “He is just a marvel as we have had him since day dot and he is just part of the family,” Clement said. “They are like my kids and he just loves racing. “I’m privileged to have him for the Hills (owners) as they are just wonderful people and have done a lot for racing. “We will see how he pulls up and will pick another race for him along the way.” Hercock admitted she felt confident nearing the home bend as she had been afforded an unchallenged lead and her mount was travelling strongly. “He jumped good, travelled beautifully throughout and got a cheap sectional from the 1000m to the 600m,” she said. “I thought then they were going to have to chase me. “He just loves his racing as he doesn’t know he is ten, he acts like a five year-old.” Raced by his breeders Graham and Annette Hill, Tavis Court is from the Keeper mare Keep Her Free (NZ) and has now won twelve of his 68 career starts, with a further 22 placings for prizemoney in excess of $346,000. View the full article

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Saturday, Deauville, France, post time: 15:50, PRIX GUILLAUME D'ORNANO-G2, €183,000, 3yo, 10fT Field: Batal Youmzain (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Cualifica (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Rashabar (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), Dumonet (Ire), Soldier Hollow (GB), Alohi Alii (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}). TDN Verdict: Godolphin's ultra-consistent G1 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up Cualificar will be a warm order to add to his victories in this term's G3 Prix La Force and G3 Prix de Guiche. Brian Meehan trainee Rashabar has collected prize-money in each of his four attempts at the highest level and the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and G1 St James's Palace Stakes fourth is back up in grade having run second in last month's Listed Steventon Stakes at Newbury. Tsuyoshi Suzuki's Alohi Alii gets an early taste of Gallic action in his quest to become Japan's first G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero. He was last seen finishing a close-up eighth in April's G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) at Nakayama. A place on the podium is not beyond G2 Prix Eugene Adam fourth Dumonet, who should finish in front of Dieppe handicap victor Batal Youmzain. [Sean Cronin]. Saturday, Newbury, Britain, post time: 15:35, VISIT MALTA HUNGERFORD STAKES-G2, £150,000, 3yo/up, 7fT Field: Witness Stand (GB) (Expert Eye {GB}), Alyanaabi (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), King's Gamble (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), More Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Fair Angellica (GB) (Harry Angel {Ire}), Great Generation (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), Rage Of Bamby (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Marvelman (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Spy Chief (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Duty First (GB) (Showcasing {GB}). TDN Verdict: Yet to prove he can mix it with these level of horses, More Thunder gives every indication that he is up to the task after a narrow defeat in the Wokingham and narrow win in the Bunbury Cup. Luckily, he has stumbled across a Hungerford with no genuine seven-furlong stars engaged and with the shock Lennox winner Witness Stand under a penalty for those exploits and the best three-year-old Spy Chief below the usual standard it could be his for the taking. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Newbury, Britain, post time: 13:50, HIGHCLERE THOROUGHBRED RACING GEOFFREY FREER STAKES-G3, £90,000, 3yo/up, 13f 61yT Field: Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Candleford (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Epic Poet (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Further (Ire) (Waldgeist {GB}), Nightime Dancer (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), Pinhole (GB) (Frankel {GB}). TDN Verdict: Entered in the St Leger, Pinhole impressed with a wide-margin win in an Ascot handicap last month and the brother to Quadrilateral has a healthy weight-for-age advantage over his elders. Still on the slippery slope to has-beenism, Ambiente Friendly attempts his latest reinvention act having been beaten a total of 84 lengths in six starts since being in the mix in the Irish Derby last summer. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Deauville, France, post time: 13:23, PRIX GONTAUT-BIRON HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB-G3, €73,200, 4yo/up, 10fT Field: Woodchuck (Fr) (Birchwood {Ire}), Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), Calif (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), First Look (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Last term's G1 King George hero Goliath has won just one of four starts since annexing October's G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris and bids to regain his mojo returning off an uninspiring last-of-five in June's G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. Last year's G1 Bayerisches Zuchtrennen hero Calif has suffered seven reversals, including four at the highest level, since that career best and is another in need of inspiration. Wathnan Racing's 2024 G1 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up First Look halted a losing sequence of eight when triumphing in this month's Listed Prix du Pays d'Auge at Clairefontaine and needs to find extra here. Unlike his foes, David Dromard's Woodchuck has never been tested in Group 1 company and will head postward coming back off a close-up third in last month's G3 Grand Prix de Vichy. [Sean Cronin]. Saturday, Deauville, France, post time: 13:58, MOROCCO CUP – PRIX DE LIEUREY-G3, €73,200, 3yo, f, 8fT Field: Better Together (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Bermuda Longtail (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Troia (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Medusa Merger (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}), Relaxx (Fr) (City Light {Fr}), Polyvega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Andre Fabre already has a record seven renewals in the bag and is represented in this distaffers' contest by G3 Prix Imprudence victrix Better Together. She followed up that first pattern-race triumph with a fifth in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and a sixth in the G1 Prix de Diane, and is taken to get back on track dropping down to the one-mile trip. Simmering has failed in two Group 1 outings since hitting the board in May's G1 1000 Guineas and is back at a level where she can make an impact. TDN Rising Star Polyvega has run third in Group 3 company in each of her last four starts and is surely booked for a podium place once again. Listed winners Troia, Medusa Merger and Relaxx are all on an upward trajectory and hold each-way claims. [Sean Cronin]. Saturday, Curragh, Ireland, post time: 15:27, NEWBRIDGE SILVERWARE ROYAL WHIP STAKES-G3, €36,000, 3yo/up, 10fT Field: Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Galen (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Crypto Force (GB) (Time Test {GB}), Rock Of Cashel (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Tangapour (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Zahrann (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Los Angeles is back in preparation for a big autumn in the race the stable's Luxembourg and Continuous won in 2022 and 2024. Still one of the best older horses around, he has a smart three-year-old to contend with in the Listed King George V Cup winner and King Edward VII runner-up Zahrann, but with Rock Of Cashel to set things up for him should be able to enjoy a confidence boost. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Curragh, Ireland, post time: 16:37, COMER GROUP INTERNATIONAL IRISH ST LEGER TRIAL STAKES-G3, €36,000, 3yo/up, 14fT Field: Absurde (Fr) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), Dallas Star (Fr) (Cloth Of Stars {Fr}), Leinster (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Uxmal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Puppet Master (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). TDN Verdict: With the megabucks of the Melbourne Cup calling, Absurde and co will be able to use their share of the paltry prize money on offer here to probably pay for the transport of hay and water to Australia. The Lingfield Derby Trial winner Puppet Master is the Ballydoyle representative bidding to provide the stable with a ninth renewal since 2014 and if trends are anything to go by the rest may as well stay in their boxes. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Curragh, Britain, post time: 14:52, MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CURRAGH IRISH EUROPEAN BREEDERS FUND CURRAGH STAKES-Listed, €30,000, 2yo, 5fT Field: Jack The Bachelor (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Kansas (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Namiid (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), Tertre Rouge (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Whatchadoin (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Ipanema Queen (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), Rosie Frith (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}). TDN Verdict: The Listed Marwell Stakes runner-up Ipanema Queen sets the standard, but not by much from the Cork one-two Jack The Bachelor and Kansas. The latter hails from the family of Invincible Spirit et al and sometimes they take a few runs to get into gear. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Deauville, France, post time: 15:50, THE AGA KHAN STUDS PRIX JACQUES LE MAROIS-G1, €1,000,000, 3yo/up, c/f, 8fT Field: Zabiari (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Dancing Gemini (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Go To First (Jpn) (Rulership (Jpn), King Gold (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}), Docklands (GB) (Massaat {Ire}), Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Ascoli Piceno (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), Ridari (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}), The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Japanese duo Go To First and Ascoli Piceno add Far East flavour to a stellar renewal of this one-mile test shorn of last year's G1 St James's Palace Stakes hero Rosallion. The latter's absence opens the way for The Lion In Winter, who ran third in last month's G1 Prix Jean Prat and enjoys the Ryan Moore seal of approval at the expense of G2 Minstrel Stakes-winning stablemate Diego Velazquez. Group 1 winners Notable Speech and Docklands are not without claims. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, Deauville, France, post time: 13:58, THE AGA KHAN STUDS PRIX LADY O'REILLY (PRIX MINERVE)-G3, €73,200, 3yo, f, 12 1/2fT Field: Zia Agnese (Fr) (Romanised {Ire}), Caspi Star (GB) (Camelot {GB}), Ginalyah (Ire) (Chachnak {Fr}), Rabbit's Foot (Fr) (Golden Horde {Ire}), Indalimos (Fr) (Cloth Of Stars {Ire}), Consent (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Pinatique (Fr) (Pintubo {Ire}), Kiamba (Ire) (Australia {GB}), Galene (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), Understudy (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). TDN Verdict: In a wide-open renewal, the home defence includes G3 Prix Cleopatre victrix and recent G3 Prix de Psyche third Zia Agnese and Cleopatre third and G3 Prix de Royaumont second Indalimos, the latter bidding to reassert superiority over Royaumont fourth Ginalyah and provide Andre Fabre with a record-extending 11th edition. Royaumont fifth and G2 Prix de Malleret third Rabbit's Foot holds each-way claims. The best of the British trio is G2 Ribblesdale Stakes runner-up Understudy while Newbury novice scorer Consent hails from the Sir Mark Prescott stable and should not be underestimated. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, Deauville, France, post time: 16:25, THE AGA KHAN STUDS PRIX FRANCOIS BOUTIN-G3, €73,200, 2yo, 7fT Field: Rayif (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), Andab (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Evanesco (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Laureate Crown (Ire) (Victor Ludorum {GB}), Bourbon Blues (GB) (Space Blues {Ire}), Daytona (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Kenzel (Ire) (Zelzal {Fr}). TDN Verdict: Last month's clear-cut Listed Pat Smullen Stakes victor Daytona will head postward as the likely favourite and sets the standard stepping up to pattern-race level for the first time. Francis Graffard representative Rayif has track experience and comes back off a debut success over six furlongs last month. The similarly undefeated Kenzel is two-for-two and makes his stakes debut returning off seven-furlong wins at Compiegne and Dieppe. Of the others with black-type form, the Joseph O'Brien-trained G3 Marble Hill Stakes third and G2 Coventry Stakes fourth Andab makes most appeal. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, Deauville, France, post time: 14:33, THE AGA KHAN STUDS PRIX NUREYEV-Listed, €73,200, 3yo, 10fT Field: Sea Scout (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Instant Fragile (Fr) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), Nitoi (Siyouni {Fr}), Purview (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Jackknife (GB) (Kameko), Mister Rizz (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Damysus (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Thordis (Fr) (Earthlight {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Overseas challengers dominate entries for this competitive renewal and Listed Heron Stakes third Jackknife is taken to make a stakes breakthrough. Juddmonte's G3 Leopardstown Derby Trial and G3 Meld Stakes runner-up Purview rates an obvious danger. Wathnan Racing's G1 Derby last Damysus is better than his Blue Riband 18th and the G2 Dante Stakes runner-up should confirm York form with Sea Scout and Mister Rizz. The Andre Fabre-trained Nitoi ran second in April's G3 Prix Noailles before saluting in May's Listed Prix de Suresnes and should be thereabouts backing up a six-length 13th in June's G1 Prix du Jockey Club when last seen. [Sean Cronin]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Cualificar Aiming For d’Ornano Glory, as Prix Jacques Le Marois Draws 10 With Rosallion Defection appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

She's the queen of turf speed at Saratoga and it's her summer we get to witness. Future Is Now (Great Notion) has now claimed seven wins from her last nine starts with a sparkling defense of her title in the Listed Smart And Fancy Stakes Friday afternoon. Not off the board since mid-May of last year, the Great Notion mare has taken home the hardware in four graded races and hit the board in two others. Her last start July 19 at this venue was a half-length victory in the GIII Caress Stakes. Her only defeat in 2025 thus far was a runner-up effort in the GII Intercontinental Stakes by that same margin. Quick from the blocks but with Twirling Queen (Twirling Candy) outsprinting her for the lead, the 4-5 favorite stalked to the outside of that rival as an opening quarter in :22.56 was posted and they swung into the stretch behind a four-furlong split in :45.40 with Future Is Now in firm command. Dontlookbackatall (Peace and Justice) tried to make it a race late but the betting choice was too much as she strolled home to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Returning Ellen Jay (Constitution) came on late to claim third. Benedetta (City of Light), who was pulled up in the stretch, was walked onto the equine ambulance after being hosed and iced down. “No objections, no inquiries, so all good,” said winning trainer Michael Trombetta. “It was a nice trip. I think she broke well. [Jockey] Paco [Lopez] wasn't sure how things were going to unfold in the paddock and quite honestly nor was I. He just figured he'd play it the way it breaks and fortunately she broke well, rated kindly and ran when he asked her to.” When asked about a title defense in the GII Franklin Stakes Oct. 12 at Keeneland, Trombetta replied, “We hope so. That's always been the goal is to get there in the fall. We'll take her back to Fair Hill, let her unwind a little bit and get ready for what's next. She'd had a good season last year–I think she'd ran nine times–we'll take a look at everything.” “She likes to have competition,” said Lopez. “[When she's alone] she waits a little bit for the horses, when she's next to horses she's a little bit [more engaged]. Today, easy field for her, I'm pretty sure.” Future Is Now is a half-sister to a pair of similarly accomplished siblings, but claims the crown in the family as king of the hill, too. Elder half-brother Continentalcongres (Constitution) is multiple stakes placed while 4-year-old half-sister Call Another Play (Audible) is a dual stakes winner and graded-placed. Their dam Past as Prelude has a 3-year-old unraced son named Places in My Past (McKinzie) as well as a yearling filly by Audible and a 2025 colt by Charlatan. She went to Life Is Good for 2026. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. FUTURE IS NOW wins the Smart And Fancy Stakes for the second year in a row with @Pacolopez1018 aboard for trainer @trombetta_mike! pic.twitter.com/Vm39zJPgl6 — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 15, 2025 SMART AND FANCY S., $150,000, Saratoga, 8-15, 3yo/up, f/m, 5 1/2fT, 1:02.71, gd. 1–FUTURE IS NOW, 126, m, 5, Great Notion–Past as Prelude, by Bernardini. O-The Estate of R. Larry Johnson; B-R. Larry Johnson (MD); T-Michael J. Trombetta; J-Paco Lopez. $82,500. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 18-10-2-1, $967,160. *1/2 to Continentalcongres (Constitution), MSP, $313,800; 1/2 to Call Another Play (Audible), MSW & GSP, $370,345. 2–Dontlookbackatall, 126, m, 5, Peace and Justice–Celtic Arch, by Arch. ($150,000 2yo '22 OBSMAR). O-West Point Thoroughbreds, Scarlet Oak Racing and Titletown Racing Stables; B-A1A Racing (PA); T-Miguel Clement. $30,000. 3–Ellen Jay, 122, f, 4, Constitution–Covfefe, by Into Mischief. O/B-LNJ Foxwoods (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $18,000. Margins: 1HF, HF, 2 1/4. Odds: 0.80, 16.90, 4.10. Also Ran: Risk Threshold (Ire), Out too Late (GB), Twirling Queen, Sunday Girl, Benedetta. Scratched: Gal in a Rush, Legadema, Little Prankster. The post Future Is Now Defends Smart And Fancy Crown at Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Luis Rivera, Jr. was transported to Saratoga Hospital after his mount in Friday's eighth race at Saratoga, Rock Harbor (Exaggerator), fell inside the final furlong of the one-mile claiming event over the inner turf course. Rivera was sent for evaluation of his left leg and hip, according to a release from the New York Racing Association's Patrick McKenna. Rock Harbor walked onto the waiting equine ambulance with assistance and was taken to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital for further examination. Daily Racing Form's David Grening later reported that trainer Jimmy Ferraro indicated that there appeared to be no bone breaks and that she might have suffered a soft-tissue injury. In the same race, Bunny Honey (Demarchelier {GB}), who had drawn in from the also-eligible list, was pulled up by Joel Rosario, who reported that the horse was 'not travelling well.' NYRA veterinarians who responded found no signs of injury initially. Bunny Honey was also transported by equine ambulance to the barn area for further evaluation. The post Rivera, Jr. Taken To Hospital Following Eighth Race Incident at Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article