Wandering Eyes

NEWMARKET, UK — “Awesome, awesome, awesome,” chanted William Buick after galloping off across Newmarket Heath with Desert Flower, beyond the winning post, into history. When Good Cheer slipped through the slop at Churchill Downs on Friday evening, few could have predicted how many more cheers were to come for the global Godolphin team, in the Kentucky gloom and the chilly Suffolk sunshine. A Classic double double, the breadth of which has surely not been seen before, despite the extraordinary achievements of some of Godolphin's regular rivals among the vast owner-breeder operations. Two homebred winners of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby, and a homebred 1,000 Guineas victrix to complete the quartet after Ruling Court, the most expensive breeze-up horse ever purchased in Europe at €2.3 million, stamped himself as the next big stallion prospect for the Darley line-up in the 2,000 Guineas. Brad Cox and Bill Mott kept the American half of the bargain, and Charlie Appleby, who won his first 1,000 Guineas on Sunday after landing his third victory in the corresponding colts' Classic just 24 hours earlier, took both of his home Classics, as well as saddling last year's champion two-year-old Shadow Of Light to be third in the 2,000 Guineas. Joking with press pack, he said, “I rang the American team last night and said 'Thanks for putting the pressure on'.” But Appleby never really does look pressured. With a sizeable Godolphin entourage around him, as well as his wife Aisling and children Erin, Emily, Edith and Sean, he has enough support to be able to throw one hell of a party when things go right and share the frustration when they do not. This weekend, everything went his and Buick's way, including a facile win in the only other group race on Newmarket's Sunday card with Cinderella's Dream in the Dahlia Stakes. After the glory days of the 1990s, when Godolphin's more select team cherrypicked some of the biggest international prizes, came some years of frustration. Appleby was there for those years and will have felt the lows as he grafted his way into a position of influence. His success over the last decade has not changed him, and that could well be telling in the results that he is enjoying now. He's the team captain, but still very much part of that team. These days, when Sheikh Mohammed is seen publicly in Britain, it is likely to be at the yearling sales, rather than at the racecourse, but he was not far from the thoughts of some of his most senior and trusted allies. Diana Cooper, a longtime member of the Godolphin team through the ebb and flow of goods days and bad, was close to tears as she watched the presentation rostrum heaving with representatives of the operation. “The thing is that everyone who works at Godolphin is doing this for Sheikh Mohammed,” she said. Liam O'Rourke, director of studs, stallion and breeding at Darley's Dalham Hall Stud, could take pleasure in observing the filly in the winner's circle whose strapping physique promises so much more to come. Desert Flower is out of the homebred Promising Run, whose best day came on the Rowley Mile when winning the Rockfel Stakes, and who throws another line across the Atlantic as a daughter of Hard Spun, who has spent his entire stud career on the Darley roster. “It's a complete life-changer in terms of achievement,” O'Rourke said as he summed up the fab four. “Sheikh Mohammed has been so brilliant in supporting our business, but what he has achieved and helped us to achieve over the last 48 hours is quite extraordinary. “With two homebred Classic winners on consecutive days in the US, and then winning the Classic here yesterday and then a homebred Classic winner here now. I mean, it's what you dream about and then wake up and pinch yourself. But I think it's safe to say we'll never do that again.” Just as importantly, 20 years after Dubawi became the sole Classic winner for Dubai Millennium, the baton is being passed as some of his stallion sons come to the fore. Desert Flower's sire Night Of Thunder is in the vanguard at the moment, with Too Darn Hot, sire of the third-placed Simmering, laying down his own challenge across the hemispheres. Dubawi himself was responsible for the fourth-placed Elwateen, who ran a terrific race on only the second start of her life and ensured that Saaeed Bin Suroor, took the fourth prize in both Guineas. O'Rourke added of Night Of Thunder's first Classic success, “He's still a young stallion who was a Guineas winner here himself and we've got some fabulous young stock by him to get excited about for the future. It's very exciting at the moment and it's hugely satisfying, especially for all the stud staff who are the unsung heroes of the day.” Spare a thought, too, for Ollie Sangster, a trainer who has wasted no time in making his mark and who fired both barrels in an audacious attempt at an upset with his runners Flight and Simmering taking second and third at odds of 33/1 and 28/1. “I don't know whether to be happy or disappointed – we were so close – but if someone had offered me that this morning I'd have bitten their hand off,” Sangster said. He'll be back to try again, but this weekend the Rowley Mile belonged to Appleby, Buick and the team in the royal blue. The post Godolphin’s Awesome Foursome From Newmarket to Kentucky appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last year's G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) runner-up Redentor made the breakthrough at the top level with a hard-fought victory in Sunday's Tenno Sho (Spring) at Kyoto, producing a gutsy performance to justify favouritism in the hands of Damian Lane. Trained by Tetsuya Kimura, of Equinox fame, Redentor raced in a share of sixth position as the 15 runners went by the winning post for the first time in this 3,200-metre contest, with longshot Jean Kazuma taking the field along at just a modest gallop. Angled to the outside on the home turn, Redentor then responded willingly to Lane's urgings in the manner of a thorough stayer, hitting the front with a furlong to run and finding plenty when challenged by Byzantine Dream to get the verdict by a head. Shonan La Punta was three lengths further back in third, two lengths ahead of Redentor's chief market rival, Sunrise Earth, in fourth. Both Kimura and Lane were celebrating their first success in the Tenno Sho, with the winning rider predicting more to come from Redentor. The son of Rulership had gained his maiden black-type win in February's G3 Diamond Stakes at Tokyo. “I'm very privileged to ride in this special race and win it,” said Lane. “I wanted to get the horse in a good position and good rhythm and get him to relax because he can get a little keen in the races. He was travelling very strongly at the third corner and I had to be patient and wait and get him to the outside to give him a clear run. I think he's still relatively young in the mind and immature, and he's learning all the time, which means that he can continue to race at the top level over the next couple of years.” 【Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1), 3200m, Kyoto, JRA】 Redentor won the Tenno Sho (Spring) !#JRA #horseracing #TennoShoSpring #Redentor pic.twitter.com/A3fhGc1D59 — HorseRacingInJapan (@HorseRacing_JPN) May 4, 2025 Pedigree Notes Redentor is one of two winners from as many runners out of the Stay Gold mare Corcovado, who enjoyed her career highlight as a three-year-old when finishing third in the Listed Sweet Pea Stakes at Tokyo. His second dam is the multiple Listed winner Ancient Hill, while his third dam, Aztec Hill, is the most accomplished member of the family as the winner of the GII Fantasy Stakes and GII Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. Sunday, Kyoto, Japan TENNO SHO (SPRING)-G1, ¥574,500,000, Kyoto, 5-4, 4yo/up, 3200mT, 3:14.00, fm. 1–REDENTOR (JPN), 128, c, 4, by Rulership (Jpn) 1st Dam: Corcovado (Jpn) (SP-Jpn, $839,219), by Stay Gold (Jpn) 2nd Dam: Ancient Hill (Jpn), by End Sweep 3rd Dam: Aztec Hill, by Proud Truth 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Tetsuya Kimura; J-Damian Lane; ¥303,150,000. Lifetime Record: 9-6-2-0, ¥486,101,000. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Byzantine Dream (Jpn), 128, c, 4, Epiphaneia (Jpn)–Japoni Chara (Jpn), by Jungle Pocket (Jpn). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Kazumi Yoshida; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥120,900,000 3–Shonan La Punta (Jpn), 129 c, 4, Kizuna (Jpn)–Furia Azteca (Arg), by Zensational. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (¥94,000,000 Ylg '22 JRHJUL). O-Tetsuhide Kunimoto; B-Shadai Farm (Jpn); ¥75,450,000. Margins: HD, 3, 2. Odds: 3.10, 11.60, 9.70. Also Ran: Sunrise Earth (Jpn), Meiner Emperor (Jpn), Justin Palace (Jpn), Chevalier Rose (Jpn), Blow The Horn (Jpn), Warp Speed (Jpn), Pradaria (Jpn), Hayatenofukunosuke (Jpn), Win Erfolg (Jpn), Limit Buster (Jpn), Jean Kazuma (Jpn), Arata (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post Redentor Prevails in Tenno Sho Thriller appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Completing an unprecedented Classic quadruple on the first weekend in May, Desert Flower left Team Godolphin in dreamland with her G1 1,000 Guineas triumph on Sunday. Keeping it simple on the even-money favourite, William Buick was always in control of the main group racing far side away from the three fillies sticking near the stands. It was from that trio that the unbeaten TDN Rising Star's main threat emerged in Siyouni's Flight, but Desert Flower was in no mood to spoil the transatlantic party for the Boys In Blue and held her by a length, with Flight's stablemate Simmering the same margin away in third making it a second and third for Ollie Sangster. “She's an amazing filly and this means the world, to be part of this,” Buick said after steering his first 1,000 Guineas winner and fulfilling the Churchill-Newmarket quadruple. “I can't put it into words–she's incredible. We thought we had to make our own running and she showed what a versatile and uncomplicated filly she is. She's all class.” CLASS Desert Flower sees her race out strongly to justify short odds in the 1000 Guineas. The boys in blue are on fire! @Betfred | @WilliamBuickX | @godolphin pic.twitter.com/2eXxBdkYGd — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 4, 2025 Sunday, Newmarket, Britain BETFRED 1000 GUINEAS STAKES-G1, £548,450, Newmarket, 5-4, 3yo, f, 8fT, 1:36.81, g/f. 1–DESERT FLOWER (IRE), 128, f, 3, by Night Of Thunder (Ire) 1st Dam: Promising Run (MGSW-UAE, GSW-Eng & Tur, $933,721), by Hard Spun 2nd Dam: Aviacion (Brz), by Know Heights (Ire) 3rd Dam: Arbulus, by Liloy (Fr) TDN Rising Star. O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £311,026. Lifetime Record: 5-5-0-0, $882,625. *1/2 to Aablan (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), GSW-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Flight (GB), 128, f, 3, Siyouni (Fr)–Run Wild (Ger), by Amaron (GB). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Cornthrop Bloodstock Ltd (GB); T-Ollie Sangster. £117,917. 3–Simmering (GB), 128, f, 3, Too Darn Hot (GB)–Cashla Bay (GB), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). (70,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-Al Shaqab Racing; B-Lofts Hall Stud (GB); T-Ollie Sangster. £59,013. Margins: 1, 1, NK. Odds: 1.00, 28.00, 33.00. Also Ran: Elwateen (Ire), Chantilly Lace (Ire), Lake Victoria (Ire), Red Letter (GB), Hey Boo (GB), Duty First (GB), Remaat (GB). The post ‘She’s All Class’: Night Of Thunder’s Desert Flower Completes Incredible Godolphin Classic Quadruple appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin's weekend of all weekends just got better as Cinderella's Dream added more glitter in Sunday's G2 Betfred Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket. Sent off the 11-8 favourite for the nine-furlong test, the Charlie Appleby-trained daughter of Shamardal was able to open up from the furlong pole under William Buick and beat last year's 1,000 Guineas heroine Elmalka by 4 1/2 lengths. Impressive Godolphin's hot streak continues as Cinderella's Dream runs riot in the Group 2 @Betfred Dahlia Stakes.@godolphin | @WilliamBuickX pic.twitter.com/d26ev591OH — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 4, 2025 Sunday, Newmarket, Britain BETFRED DAHLIA STAKES-G2, £125,000, Newmarket, 5-4, 4yo/up, f, 9fT, 1:50.29, g/f. 1–CINDERELLA'S DREAM (GB), 128, f, 4, by Shamardal 1st Dam: Espadrille (GB), by Dubawi (Ire) 2nd Dam: High Heeled (Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire) 3rd Dam: Uncharted Haven (GB), by Turtle Island (Ire) O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £70,888. Lifetime Record: GISW-US, SW & GSP-UAE, 10-7-2-0, $1,198,347. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Elmalka (GB), 128, f, 4, Kingman (GB)–Nahrain (GB), by Selkirk. O-Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum; B-Godolphin (GB); T-Roger Varian. £26,875. 3–Beautiful Love (Ire), 128, f, 4, Siyouni (Fr)–Powder Snow, by Dubawi (Ire). O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. £13,450. Margins: 4HF, 3/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.38, 2.50, 11.00. Also Ran: Secret Satire (GB), Running Lion (GB). The post Godolphin’s Banner Weekend Continues With Cinderella’s Dream In The Dahlia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sent off the 6-4 favourite for Sunday's Listed Betfred Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket, Shadwell's Falakeyah showed why with a comprehensive success in this Oaks pointer. Labelled a TDN Rising Star after her Wolverhampton debut win in November, the Owen Burrows-trained daughter of New Bay was allowed to bowl along in front from the outset by Jim Crowley. Killing any sign of a contest by the time she entered the dip, the relative of Baaeed and Hukum stayed on well enough to hold the Gosdens' daughter of Night Of Thunder, Life Is Beautiful, at bay and win by 3 1/4 lengths. Strong in the market and the same in the race Falakeyah shows her Pretty Polly Stakes rivals a clean pair of heels under a bold ride from @JimCrowley1978. Is she an Oaks filly in the making? @ShadwellFarm | @ojburrows74 | @Betfred pic.twitter.com/cf57fW0iUv — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 4, 2025 Sunday, Newmarket, Britain BETFRED PRETTY POLLY STAKES-Listed, £60,000, Newmarket, 5-4, 3yo, f, 10fT, 2:03.34, g/f. 1–FALAKEYAH (GB), 128, f, 3, by New Bay (GB) 1st Dam: Alaflaak, by War Front 2nd Dam: Lahudood (GB), by Singspiel (Ire) 3rd Dam: Rahayeb (GB), by Arazi TDN Rising Star. 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (GB); T-Owen Burrows; J-Jim Crowley. £34,026. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $49,473. 2–Life Is Beautiful (GB), 128, f, 3, Night Of Thunder (Ire)–Beautiful Morning (GB), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Lady Bamford (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. £12,900. 3–Qilin Queen (Ire), 128, f, 3, Pinatubo (Ire)–Seagull (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire). (280,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-TBT Racing; B-Mrs T Mahon (IRE); T-Ed Walker. £6,456. Margins: 3 1/4, NK, 1. Odds: 1.50, 9.00, 5.50. Also Ran: Sand Gazelle (GB), Trad Jazz (GB), Janey Mackers (Ire), Anna Swan (GB). Scratched: Likealot (GB). The post New Bay’s Falakeyah Flaunts Classic Prospects In The Pretty Polly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dazzling Fit breaks through at start three with a commanding performance on Sunday.View the full article

Juddmonte homebred Sunly (Night Of Thunder) delivered a dominant performance in Sunday's Listed Prix de la Seine, a traditional launching pad for next month's G1 Prix de Diane, at ParisLongchamp. The May-foaled chestnut notched a three-length debut tally at the same venue last month and remained unbeaten with a 2 1/2-length triumph in this return. However, she is not engaged in the Diane but retains an entry in the Chantilly's G3 Prix de Royaumont. The eventual winner, sent postward at odds of 12-5, settled into a comfortable rhythm racing in a handy fourth from the outset of this 11-furlong distaffers' contest. Nudged along approaching the home straight, she powered to the front with 300 metres remaining and was ridden out in the closing stages to defeat Konada (Toronado) in decisive fashion. “Sunly had come on a lot from her first run, but she has not fully bloomed yet so it was most encouraging to win again,” commented trainer Francis Graffard. “Christophe [Soumillon] felt that the rain-softened ground didn't help and that faster ground would be to her liking. He is also convinced that one-and-a-half miles will be her best trip, so all this naturally leads to the [June 1] G3 Prix de Royaumont next.” Sunly is the fourth of six foals and one of three scorers out of multiple Graded-winning GI E P Taylor Stakes second Suffused (Champs Elysees), herself kin to four stakes performers headed by G1 St Leger winner Logician (Frankel). Suffused is also a half-sister to the dam of dual GI Diana Stakes heroine Whitebeam (Caravaggio) while her stakes-placed dam Scuffle (Daylami) is a half-sister to sires Cityscape (Selkirk) and Bated Breath (Dansili). The May-foaled homebred chestnut is a half-sister to the unraced 2-year-old colt Parisian Scholar (Study Of Man) and a yearling colt by Kingman. Another nice filly for the @GraffardRacing stable! Sunly (Night Of Thunder x Suffused) accelerates nicely a couple of furlongs from home, making it two wins from two!@JuddmonteFarms | @paris_longchamp pic.twitter.com/rOY3Kp2u7U — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 4, 2025 Sunday, ParisLonhcamp, France PRIX DE LA SEINE-Listed, €55,000, ParisLongchamp, 5-4, 3yo, f, 11fT, 2:20.06, sf. 1–SUNLY (GB), 123, f, 3, by Night Of Thunder (Ire) 1st Dam: Suffused (GB) (MGSW-US, GISP-Can & SP-Eng, $697,248), by Champs Elysees (GB) 2nd Dam: Scuffle (GB), by Daylami (Ire) 3rd Dam: Tantina, by Distant View 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-Juddmonte Farms Inc; B-Juddmonte Farms Ireland Ltd (GB); T-Francis-Henri Graffard; J-Christophe Soumillon. €27,500. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, €41,000. 2–Konada (Fr), 123, f, 3, Toronado (Ire)–Kookyluna (Fr), by Epaulette (Aus). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Ecurie Friedrider & Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-Ecurie Castillon Bloodstock, Khalifa Mohammed Al Attiyah & Cyril Tricaud (FR); T-Jerome Reynier. €11,000. 3–Kiamba (Ire), 123, f, 3, Australia (GB)–Kikonga (GB), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). O-Meridian International SARL, Mme Aoileann Garavaglia-Drion & Ecurie Elag; B-Macha Bloodstock & Meridian International SARL (IRE); T-Mario Baratti. €8,250. Margins: 2HF, 1 3/4, NO. Odds: 2.40, 7.70, 3.70. Also Ran: Queen Of Science (Ire), Most Glamorous, Cortella (Fr). The post Juddmonte’s Sunly Goes Two-For-Two at ParisLongchamp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Legendary figure reaches another big milestone after Liveandletlive and Winning Ovation win Sunday’s final two races.View the full article

Aussie jockey has to overcome a bang to the foot leaving the stalls on his way to victory in the HK$4.2 million feature.View the full article

Handler Penalty B Evans | Non-raceday dated 29 April; misconduct; fined $400. The post 28 April – 4 May 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Driver Penalties C Negus | NZ Metropolitan 30 April; use of whip; fined $500. J Versteeg | NZ Metropolitan 30 April; failed to take breaking runner clear of field; fined $200. M House | NZ Metropolitan 30 April; medical clearance required. S Phelan | Auckland 2 May; use of whip; suspended 10 May – 5 June inclusive and fined $200. M White | Auckland 2 May; careless driving; suspended 10-23 May inclusive. C Hackett | Auckland 2 May; out of position at start; fined $100. T Herlihy | Auckland 2 May; medical clearance required. R May | NZ Metropolitan 2 May; careless driving; suspended 5-14 May inclusive. R Austin | Riverton 4 May; failed to concede position; suspended 5-18 May inclusive. Trainer Penalties B Ward | Rangiora 4 May; failed to affix saddlecloth number so as not to come adrift; fined $100. B Ward | Rangiora 4 May; late to present runners on to track; fined $200. Horse Penalties BRIGHTMAN | NZ Metropolitan 30 April; broke in running; must complete trial. WHISPERING MAJESTIC | NZ Metropolitan 30 April; broke in running; must complete trial. TWO FRANCS | Manawatu 1 May; broke at start; must complete standing start trial. MCKENDRICK | Auckland 2 May; atrial fibrillation; veterinary clearance including ECG required and must complete trial. LIAISON | Auckland 2 May; broke in running; must complete trial. JUST FOXIN | NZ Metropolitan 2 May; foot abscess; veterinary clearance required. WHAT THE DRAGON | Rangiora 4 May; mucus in trachea; veterinary clearance required. SHADOW OF THE MOON | Rangiora 4 May; late scratching on veterinary advice; must complete trial. SAM SNEAD | Rangiora 4 May; broke in running; must complete trial. SWEET DJ | Riverton 4 May; sore; veterinary clearance required. Protests MAVIS JONES | NZ Metropolitan 2 May; caused interference; relegated from 4th to 5th. TREMENDOUS SENSATION | Rangiora 4 May; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. HARRIET’S MOMENT | Riverton 4 May; displayed unsatisfactory manners prior to start; declared a non-runner. The post 28 May – 4 June 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Trainer Tony Gollan is not expecting a performance from Antino (NZ) (Redwood) like his Gr.1 Toorak Handicap win this Saturday at the Gold Coast, but he is holding out hope for one later in the campaign. The classy Redwood gelding will round out his preparations for the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 24 in the Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast. Antino resumed with an 11th placing in the All Aged Stakes but Brisbane’s premier trainer is confident his stable star can again produce a performance akin the 6-1/2-length demolition job he performed on his rivals in last year’s Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m). “You won’t see that sort of performance second-up in a Hollindale, but you could see something like that in a Doomben Cup, who knows?” he said. Gollan is happy with how Antino has done since the 1400m Gr.1 All Aged Stakes on April 19, when he encountered little luck from barrier one. The Hollindale Stakes will be just the second time he has raced at 1800m, following a 10th placing in the $2m Five Diamonds in 2023, but Gollan remains confident in his ability to run the trip out strongly. “It’s always been the plan to go to the Hollindale second-up, just with the way the races fell,” he said. “He was a pass mark for me in the All Aged, especially the way the race was run. “Obviously we’ll ride him to give him a bit more room on the Gold Coast and, providing he handles the surface, there’s no reason why he couldn’t run really well. “He’s definitely fit enough for the 1800. He’s improved out of sight from the trip to Sydney and back and he’ll get there in very good order second-up.” Antino occupies a place in the second line in Hollindale Stakes betting behind fellow Group 1 winner Buckaroo, who is at $3.50. View the full article

Andrew Bobbin enjoyed the spotlight of training Duke Of Bedford (NZ) (Tavistock) to win the Brierly Steeplechase and Grand Annual Steeplechase double at Warrnambool last week that he’s already planning on repeating the dose next year. Bobbin decided to stay in Warrnambool on Thursday night and celebrate his dashing fencer’s success and was only finding his voice again on Sunday morning. “I had a good night on Thursday night. It’s my career highlight, so it was worthy of a celebration,” Bobbin said. The Grampians Racing trainer has been doing his homework since Duke Of Bedford’s amazing Grand Annual performance and has come to the conclusion that he will be best served by going for a spell. “I came back on Friday and had the horse checked out and he recovered well. He’s going to have a break,” Bobbin said. He pointed out that the last horse to win the Grand Annual and the Grand National Steeplechase double in the same year was in 2008. “The Grand National is the obvious target, but it’s likely we will give that a miss and set him to do the same next year at Warrnambool,” he said. “He’ll have a break as he’s only six-years-old. I’ve done some research on the last 15 Grand Annual winners, and the average age of the winners is eight and a half.” “With him being only six he could only be half-way through his career if we look after him. He can have a break, and we can work towards Warrnambool in 12 months’ time.” Bobbin said Duke Of Bedford would bypass the Jericho Cup as his main asset was the ground he made up in the air when he jumped. “He jumps perfectly. Of the 33 fences in the Grand Annual it was only the first one he put in an average one. The rest he was brilliant. If you make up a length or two each jump, that’s a big advantage.” “We will follow the path we took this year and hopefully can do the Brierly and Grand Annual double again.” Bobbin said Warrnambool carnival aficionados told him that Duke Of Bedford’s wins were reminiscent of the John Wheeler trained Foxboy (NZ) (Foxbay) in 1997, who led throughout to win the Brierly by six lengths and then the Grand Annual by 20 lengths. “I had multiple conversations with people I respect and that’s what they said, and they told me winning like that doesn’t happen often at all. They went back to Foxboy for the comparison.” Bobbin said he was a bit nervous at the winning post the second time when Duke Of Bedford had cleared out from his rivals, but that’s when Arron Lynch put the race to bed. “When he went up the hill the first time, I was wondering what he was doing, but Lynchy said he never asked him for an effort and he was doing it naturally and within himself.” Bobbin said he hoped Duke Of Bedford’s win could pique the interest of some new owners for the stable who could entrust him with younger well-bred horses. “We’ve been training for four and a half years, and we’ve trained 160 winners with mostly average stock from the second-hand sales. We’ve proved we can train winners with the best strike-rate with the jumpers,” he said. “We have the facilities for sprinters and stayers as we can keep them sound, which is the biggest challenge in the game. We can get them fit on the sand tracks here without so much concussion and we can use the Stawell racetrack just up the road where I can gallop up the road on the grass.” “Last week was the highlight of my career. Duke Of Bedford is only in his third season, and he’s proven he’s as good as there is at that discipline, so, hopefully, there’s more to come from him.” View the full article

Pogacar (NZ) (Eminent) has a fair way to go to live up to his namesake, but he continued his pleasing progression with a maiden victory over 1200m on Riccarton’s synthetic track on Saturday. Named after World Champion cyclist Tadej Pogacar, who has won three editions of the Tour de France, Pogacar had shown early promise for trainer Ross Beckett, having placed in two of his three previous career starts. The three-year-old son of Eminent continued his upward trajectory at Riccarton on Saturday where he was having his first raceday start on a synthetic track. In the hands of Rohan Mudhoo, he settled off the pace before navigating his way through the pack down the home straight where he showed a good turn of foot late to reel in the leaders and score a half-neck victory over Celtic Bling. “He has always shown plenty,” Beckett said. “He has always worked well on it (polytrack), so I had no fears there. “It was a bit of a task for him coming back from 1400m to 1200m, but I was more than happy.” Beckett said Pogacar will now head for a well-earned break before being set for the South Island’s biggest racing carnival. “He is going to the paddock and then he will get ready for Cup Week,” he said. “I think he can get through the grades.” Pogacar will likely be joined at New Zealand Cup Week by stakes-performing stablemates Lilly (NZ) (War Decree) and Treybon (NZ) (Sweynesse). Both are currently enjoying some time in the paddock after pleasing preparations, which resulted in placing in the Listed Southland Guineas (1400m) for Lilly, while Treybon won the Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m) and placed in the $200,000 Southern Mile Final (1600m) and $350,000 Southern Alps Challenge (1600m). “Treybon had a really good season and is out for a deserved rest and Lily is out as well,” Beckett said. “She (Lilly) is lovely filly, and time is going to really help. She will get ready for Cup Week and away we’ll go.” View the full article

Awapuni trainer Mike Breslin is looking forward to heading to Hawera on Tuesday with a team of five runners, all of whom he expects to put in good showings. The meeting will be held at the Taranaki track after the scheduled Sunday meeting at Otaki was postponed and transferred following an inspection that found the track surface was not safe for racing. Breslin believes the current Soft7 reading for the Hawera surface will play into the hands of his team, with several preferring a better winter track as opposed to the bottomless wet ground that can prevail during the colder months. Breslin is particularly looking forward to three-year-old filly Pleasing (NZ) (Russian Revolution) contesting the Harcourts Otaki Handicap (1200m). The daughter of Russian Revolution was runner-up over the same distance last start, and Breslin believes she is peaking nicely for Tuesday where she will jump from barrier eight, with apprentice jockey Amber Riddell aboard. “Pleasing was a very nice second last time and she is ready to win,” Breslin said. “She is only a three-year-old up against the older horses, but she is maturing nicely and relaxing far better in her work and her races. She has trained on nicely and could be my best chance on the day.” Breslin is also upbeat about the prospects of Ima Brazen One (NZ) (Brazen Beau) in the Cavallo Farms and Chris Rutten Bloodstock Handicap (1200m) after also finishing runner-up over 1350m at Wanganui last start. “Ima Brazen One is quite picky about what track she will perform on,” Breslin said. “She is a real ball of energy, so dropping back to 1200m on Tuesday will suit and, on her day, she is very competitive. “Joe Doyle will ride her and he is in super form, so if she can go well, there could be black type opportunities for her during this campaign.” Breslin will also be represented by Sand Point (NZ) (El Roca) in the Vets On Riverbank Maiden (1400m). The El Roca three-year-old kicked off his career with a pair of placings and was fitted for this run when finishing tenth over 1000m at Trentham last month. “He (Sand Point) is a horse with good talent and he trialled up well before his first-up run,” Breslin said. “I did expect him to finish a lot closer than he did that day, but the blinkers go on this time and up to 1400m will suit him. “He is going to win races and I would think he won’t take long to break that maiden status.” Stablemate Papa Surf (NZ) (Dalghar) will benefit from the two-kilogram claim of apprentice Jim Chung in the Hometown ITM Foxton Handicap (1200m), with Breslin hoping for his usual smart effort when fresh. “He has won fresh up before and his work lately suggests he is ready to go,” he said. “He is a tricky horse to place as he doesn’t like the track hard while he also doesn’t like it when it is Heavy 10. “He is a real character with plenty of ability and Jim gets on really well with him as he rides him in his trackwork as well as on raceday. “If the track got back to a Soft 6, he would be a good chance.” Enigmatic galloper Pepeha (NZ) (Darci Brahma) will round out Breslin’s chances in the New World Otaki Handicap (1600m), with the Awapuni trainer expecting a better run than his form on paper suggests. “Pepeha has the ability but just needs conditions to suit,” he said. “Last time at Waverley, the track just got too wet with the rain they had all day and when Joe (Doyle) let his head go, he floundered. “A better track is what he wants and I think he is a sneaky chance.” View the full article

Despite a rain-soaked day, the 151st Kentucky Derby (G1) managed to set handle records for the race, the day, and the week as Sovereignty claimed the roses.View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Brilliant young trotting mare Keayang Zahara stretched her unbeaten record to 15 starts when she carried the silks of the late Greg Sugars on one of the most emotionally-charged nights Australian harness racing has seen. The four-year-old, first-up since December 6 last year, did all of the work outside multiple Group 1 winner Im Ready Jet and lifted when it mattered to win by a head at Melton. As her driver Glen Craven returned to the winner’s circle, it signalled the start of a beautiful and deeply emotional on-course tribute to Sugars. A video capturing just a small snapshot of his Sugars’ stellar career played as all drivers competing last night gathered on the track in front of the winning post. A podium with a set of Sugars’ driving colours, some trophies and other personal items became the centrepiece of a guard of honour from drivers. Emotions overflowed when Sugars’ wife, Jess Tubbs, joined the drivers on the track for a minute’s silence. After the tribute, the Vale Greg Sugars Free-For-All was run and Tubbs had three of the eight runners for the Larajay stables she built into such a huge success with Sugars, Hopes of a fairytale win sat with the Tubbs-trained favourite Rocknroll Hammer, driven by one of Sugars’ closest friends, James Herbertson, who had jetted back from a working holiday in the US to be at the tribute meeting. But the fairytale wasn’t to be. Rocknroll Hammer led, but the Kate Gath-driven Tango Tara came off Rocknroll Hammer’s back to run him down late and win. “I’m a really competitive person, but that’s one race I really struggled with going past the leader,” Gath said. Earlier in the night, Gath spoke beautifully about Sugars after winning on Pinnie in race one. “I think we’re all still numb and in shock. I just can’t stop thinking about Jess and Greg’s family,” she said. Fighting back tears, Gath added: “It’s such a privilege tonight to come here and pay tribute to Greg, the talent and legend that he was. He was so gifted.” Gath praised Melton officials and HRV for making red, green and white ribbons to put in the manes of all horses racing on the night. “What a beautiful touch,” she said. Tubbs spoke of how hard it was being trackside just a week after Sugars’ passing in his sleep. “We didn’t get a winner tonight, but we showed up. We showed up when we didn’t want to, when it would have been easier to stay home,” she wrote on Instagram. “We showed up all week, every morning, every race meeting. We showed up for Greg. “Greg and I often spoke about Team Larajay and our Larajay Family and I can say I’ve never been more proud of our team than I am right now. Love you guys.” Sugars, just 40, boasted a Hall of Fame record with over 4000 wins and 71 at Group 1 level. Tubbs confirmed Sugars’ full memorial service would be held at Melton at midday on Monday, May 12. View the full article

All-sources wagering on the 141st running of the GI Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Saturday set a new record of $349 million, smashing the previous record of $320.5 million established in 2024. All-sources wagering on the Derby alone was a record $234.4 million, easily surpassing the previous high-water mark of $210.7 million recorded in 2024. The all-sources handle for the week of racing leading up to an including Derby day set a new mark of $473.9 million, up from $446.6 million last May. TwinSpires, the official betting partner of the Kentucky Derby, handled a new record of $108 million in wagering on Churchill Downs races for the Kentucky Derby Day program, compared to last year's record of $92.1 million, including all settled future wagers and affiliate wagering. TwinSpires' handle on the Kentucky Derby race was a new record of $73 million, beating last year's record of $60.9 million, including all settled future wagers and affiliate wagering. The 151st Kentucky Derby follows an all-time record 150th Kentucky Derby last year. The Company expects Adjusted EBITDA for Derby Week to be one of the top two results in the company's history, albeit $2 to $4 million lower than last year's marquee 150th running of the Kentucky Derby. “We congratulate the connections of Sovereignty on an impressive win over a very talented field of horses,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of CDI. “We are thrilled with our performance following the 150th milestone year in 2024 and we will grow the Kentucky Derby in the years to come.” Saturday's Derby program, conducted in rainy conditions, was attended by better than 147,000 racegoers. The post Record All-Sources Wagering For Kentucky Derby 151 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The son of leading sire Into Mischief is owned and bred by Godolphin, which won its first Kentucky Derby (G1), and trained by Bill Mott, who won his second Derby. He won with Country House in 2019.View the full article

St. Elias Stable, Vicarage Stable, Ken Langone, and Steven Duncker's Deterministic crushed the outer turf track record with a front-running triumph in the $194,000 Fort Marcy Stakes (G2T) May 3 at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

This time when Bill Mott was introduced as the winning trainer of the Kentucky Derby (G1), the experience and emotions hit differently.View the full article

In the heat of battle against Journalism, jockey Junior Alvarado lost track of how many times he had used the riding crop on Sovereignty, going over the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's six-hit limit while winning the Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

Perennial leading sire Into Mischief sired his third Kentucky Derby (G1) winner May 3 when Godolphin homebred Sovereignty splashed to a 1 1/2-length victory over Journalism at Churchill Downs. View the full article

13th-Churchill Downs, $127,847, Alw (NW1X)/Opt. Clm ($125,000), 5-3, 3yo, 6 1/2f, 1:15.69, sy, 2 1/4 lengths. PATCH ADAMS (c, 3, Into Mischief–Well Humored {SW}, by Distorted Humor), who always has been marked by the betting public as the chalk, earned a 'TDN Rising Star' badge at second asking when the colt won by 10 1/2 lengths and posted a 98 Beyer under the Twin Spires at the end of November. The Triple Crown nominee just missed hitting the board in the GIII Southwest Stakes Jan. 25 and ran a well-beaten fourth in the GIII Tampa Bay Derby Mar. 8. With Lasix here, the 3-2 shot vied for the lead three wide up the backstretch and continued to fight for the top spot around the far turn. Slugging it out with Big Truzz (Justify) entering the lane, the 'Rising Star' showed he was on the case and pulled away late to score by 2 1/4 lengths. The first to the races for Well Humored, the winner has a 2-year-old unraced full-brother named Wall Street. Patch Adams's illustrious stakes-winning third dam Well Dressed (Notebook) was a WinStar purchased in 2001 and among her eight winners is G1 Dubai World Cup hero Well Armed (Tiznow). The UAE hero's full-sister Life Well Lived foaled five winners from seven starters, most notably American Patriot (War Front). As for the Into Mischief-Distorted Humor cross, that includes current sires Life Is Good and Practical Joke. Lifetime Record: 5-2-0-1, $222,585. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-CHC, Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. Patch Adams and @flothejock gear down at the wire and win decisively to break his maiden for @bradcoxracing! pic.twitter.com/J3ojzSLixl — Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) November 30, 2024 The post ‘Rising Star’ Patch Adams Is Party Of One In Optional Claimer At Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Atitlan makes it back-to-back graded stakes scores with a narrow victory in the $200,500 Charles Whittingham Stakes (G2T) May 3 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article