Wandering Eyes

War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) did not run up to expectations in The Everest, but Ben Hayes has urged punters to stick with the explosive gelding. The Group 1 winner gets the chance to get his spring campaign back on track in Saturday’s $3 million Russell Balding Stakes at Randwick. The 1300-metre event will be War Machine’s first start since The Everest, in which he clocked in 10th, which was only second run of the campaign and Hayes would like to think he has much more to achieve this campaign. “He sprinted really well fresh and then got a bit crowded and a bit further back than we wanted in the Everest and then he was good through the line,” Hayes, who trains in partnership with brothers Will and JD, said. “The 1300 is right up his alley and he’ll now be third-up and ready to go and he’ll go really well. “We go to the Russell Balding and then we’ve got the Orr Stakes on the 15th (of November) and that’s probably been his Grand Final race for the spring.” War Machine’s only start this spring before The Everest was a brilliant win in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 4. He landed a maiden Group 1 success in the 1400m Stradbroke Handicap at his previous start, on June 14. The son of Harry Angel was one of the best-backed runners outside Ka Ying Rising in The Everest, starting $10 third favourite, but was never a factor and beat home only roughies Jedibeel and Magic Time when 3-1/2 lengths from Ka Ying Rising. “Obviously we were a little disappointed with his Everest run, but he did actually finish off really strongly and ran quite good sectionals. I think only Angel Capital ran better sectionals than him,” Hayes said. “He’s got a lot of improvement (to come), he’s only third-up into the Russell Balding, so don’t discount him.” Tim Clark, who was aboard for the Stradbroke success and rode in The Everest, retains his association with War Machine, who drew ideally in barrier seven. View the full article

OTI Racing’s Terry Henderson says any rain to hit Flemington before Saturday will only enhance Azazel’s (NZ) (Shocking) chances of causing an upset in the VRC Derby. Henderson told The Verdict podcast he was buoyant about the young stayer’s hopes this weekend. Importantly, there is little concern about Azazel running out a strong 2500 metres. “He is bred that way,” Henderson said. “He’s out of a Tavistock mare, by Shocking. “If we get some rain on Friday, that will bring him right into the race. “The Godolphin horse (Observer) is going to be very hard to beat, obviously. “But you know what it’s like… they’re over a distance these horses haven’t been over before, in conditions that are going to be new to many of them. “I think that brings him right into the race. “We’re hoping for the rain and we are pretty confident he’ll get the mile and a half.” Azazel has won two of his three career starts to date, showing plenty of grit to win the listed Geelong Classic last week. He’ll jump from barrier 10 this Saturday, with Mick Dee retaining the ride. View the full article

The path towards the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) has been near-faultless for Who Knows (NZ) (Redwood) and the mare has one more box to tick before the big dance at Riccarton in a fortnight. After a successful campaign through the winter, culminating in a runner-up finish in the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m), Who Knows has enjoyed a relatively light spring, trialing in September before showing her class to win the Egmont Cup (2100m) with ease earlier this month. The daughter of Redwood went back to the trials last week and skipped home into third under little pressure from regular rider Kate Hercock, who will partner her in Saturday’s Pete’s Kitchen Feilding Cup (2050m) at Tauherenikau. The mare is likely to start among the favourites for the $80,000 contest, where trainer Niall Quinn is hoping to see another solid performance ahead of her trip south. “We wanted to give her a good gallop somewhere and the trials fitted in really well, it was going to be a month between runs, so it was just to give her a bit more exercise,” Quinn said. “Kate was really happy with her, and on Saturday, we’re looking for another good run and a nice hit-out before the New Zealand Cup. “Everything has been going along pretty smoothly with her, Emma (Quinn) and Jade have been doing a great job with everything at home so hopefully she can continue to go well.” Quinn considered the option of going through the Listed Nautical Insurance Metropolitan Handicap (2500m) on the first day of the Cup carnival, but opted for Saturday’s race as her final lead-in. “I don’t think we’ll go to the Metropolitan, the plan is to go straight into the Cup instead of backing up,” he said. Who Knows is the current $7 second elect for the New Zealand Cup behind I’m A Dirty Rascal, who won last Saturday’s Road to the Jericho (3000m) at Riccarton. View the full article

Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott went on a fact-finding mission to Pukekohe on Wednesday with I’munstoppable (NZ) (Charm Spirit), and they got the answers they were after. The Group Three winner was victorious first-up over 1200m at Matamata earlier this month, and her trainers elected to test her going right-handed before nailing down her future targets. They duly entered her in Wednesday’s Group and Listed 1100m trial at Pukekohe, alongside her Group Two-performed stablemate Lux Libertas, and they were pleased with what they saw. The daughter of Charm Spirit rocketed out of the barriers to take an early lead, and she was never headed, building on her advantage down the home straight, eventually scoring a 3-3/4 length victory over Churchillian. “We raced her in the earmuffs last time and she won well at Matamata,” Scott said. “We wanted to trial her without any ears on today and Masa (Hashizume, jockey) said she was very tractable. “We had a bit of a hunch she was better left-handed than right, but Masa said she was good this way of going around, so she will be back here on Saturday week in the Legacy Lodge Sprint (Listed 1200m). “The way she trialled today indicates she is going well, got around here well, and she doesn’t mind what the ground is like, so she will race well.” Scott was also happy enough with Lux Libertas’ trial, with the daughter of Almanzor finishing back in the field after given a light hit-out by jockey Warren Kennedy. “Lux Libertas is not quite as forward,” Scott said. “She only just cantered around behind them. Warren was happy with her and the way she is striding, and she is hopefully in for a good summer too.” Meanwhile, two members of Cambridge trainer Tony Pike’s stable had their final public hit-out in the same trial before heading south to Riccarton’s New Zealand Cup meeting next week. The Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) bound Churchillian finished second, while Slipper Island was given a quiet day out ahead of his feature sprint targets. “I was very happy (with Churchillian’s trial),” stable representative Chris McNab said. “She wasn’t there to do much today, she just had a canter around on a grass track. The idea was just to sit outside the speed and let her have a nice, quiet trial, which she’s done. “She will get on a plane next week and head to Christchurch. “Slipper Island just went for a canter around. I told Matt (Cartwright, jockey) to keep him out of the kick-back, let him have a look around and have a blow. He will go to the Pegasus (Listed, 1000m) next week and then onto the Stewards (Listed, 1200m).” View the full article

Taranaki galloper Herbert (NZ) (Sweet Orange) will be back on top of the book in open company at Tauranga on Saturday after starting his season competing at the elite level. The son of Sweet Orange went from a one-race winner in 12 starts to a six-race winner in 24 starts last season, racking up just shy of $360,000 in stakes with key victories in the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) and lucrative $350,000 Wairere Falls Classic (1500m). That success was a reward for patience from his trainer John Wheeler, who never lost faith in the early days. “He was a very difficult horse to teach to race properly, he did a lot wrong and tried to run off, would over race fiercely and never did anything right,” he said. “It took us about 10 starts before we got him racing right, but he always showed us a lot of ability.” Herbert stepped up to Group One company for the first time this term when resuming in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m), where he finished a respectable 10th, but faded after leading second-up in the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m). Wheeler was rapt with the first of his two efforts and is looking to get a line on his gelding on Saturday when he drops back in grade and distance in the Bayleys Mount Maunganui 1300. “His first run was outstanding, he finished only about three lengths from the winner, and it was especially a good run because he didn’t have a trial leading into it, they were mucked up,” he said. “He was pretty fresh. “His second run was disappointing, he led and then hit the wall about 300m out. I think he may have been going too quick for his own good, the split times will tell you that, and I don’t think he was all that happy on the track that day either. “I’ve been very happy with him since, he’ll run on Saturday at Tauranga and we’ll decide where we go from there.” Carrying the topweight of 61kg, Herbert will be ridden by Craig Grylls, who is just one win shy of the top of the premiership standings behind Opie Bosson. Joining Herbert on the trip north will be stablemates Lord Donovan and Tranzed, the former returning to raceday after just over a year. The son of Lord made headlines when winning on all three days of the New Zealand Cup carnival in 2023, and since then he has continued to perform with merit in Rating 75 grade. On Saturday, Wheeler is hopeful of a bold showing first-up in the Super Liquor 1200. “He’s done really well this time, we’re really happy with him,” Wheeler said. “This race is probably a distance short of his best, but I expect a very good run from him.” Tranzed may also find the sprint trip of the Gartshore Construction (1300m) a touch sharp, having been most effective over staying distances including a 10th placed finish in the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) last November. “He’s had a couple of stone bruises which has held him up a little bit, so we’re a bit behind the eight-ball,” Wheeler said. “He’s racing in a race quite a lot short of his best, so I’m hoping he can get through it and race well and I’ll be happy. I’m aiming him at the Dunstan Stayers.” View the full article

Frankie Lor Fu-chuen is hopeful a light weight and another good gate will ensure Fun N Fun Together is right in the mix as he chases consecutive victories at the Sha Tin all-weather meeting on Thursday night. A last-start winner at the course and distance of Thursday’s Hebe Hill Handicap (1,200m), Fun N Fun Together enters Class Three company for the first time and will carry just 117lb as a result. “This time he is going up to Class Three and the good thing is he has the light weight,” said Lor...View the full article

Rangiora galloper Show Pony (NZ) (Vespa) has been near-unbeatable so far in his four-year-old season and trainer John Blackadder is hoping his rise can continue up in grade at Ashburton on Friday. Showing promise early in his career, the Vespa gelding finished fourth in a Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at just his second start before placing behind southern star Pivotal Ten in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m). He earned a trip to Trentham later in the season where he finished at the back end of the field in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m), but since returning from a spell he has recorded two strong victories and a second placing behind Elusive Impact at Ashburton last-start, making up lengths in an on-speed dominated affair. Blackadder has been delighted with Show Pony’s progression, putting his only defeat this time in down to poor luck. “He’s been going amazingly well really, he just got a little bit too far back in his last start and that cost him his chances, he was just unlucky,” he said. “He’s matured a hell of a lot, he’s just grown up into a lovely horse. He goes down to the beach when the tide is available and he loves it, all of the horses do with the change and variety in their work.” Friday’s Ashburton Raceway Your Gateway To Entertainment (1600m) will be Show Pony’s first test in open company, with Blackadder giving his charge the opportunity to step up for a possible Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) tilt during New Zealand Cup Week. While the $250,000 middle-day feature holds great appeal, he wouldn’t be disappointed if Show Pony headed to a Rating 75 equivalent race instead as an up-and-coming horse. “There are two or three options through Cup Week, the TAB Mile is in the back of our mind so we’ll see what happens on Friday,” he said. “I’ve put him in the Open mile to see where we’re at with him, if he happened to go alright, it is worth a lot more points than running in the 75. If he doesn’t, there are nice 75 races there for him on the first and last day of Cup Week.” Show Pony will continue his association with Central Districts jockey Kate Hercock, while stablemate Amiinit will be ridden by Mereana Hudson in the same contest. Blackadder is hoping the current Heavy 8 (as of Tuesday morning) track at Ashburton will improve for three-year-old Gap It, who steps out for his second start in the Agraforum Comcat (1200m). The son of Ancient Spirit battled on well on debut in tough ground at Wingatui and Blackadder was given good confidence from the comments of Hudson. “He hated that heavy track down there, he was really battling in it but Mereana got off and said that you’ve got a really nice horse here,” he said. “We’ve got a nice draw (2) and hopefully the track will come back a bit by Friday for him. We’ll see how he goes.” View the full article

He may already have a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) win to his name but New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller says he still yearns to win the Flemington showpiece as much as anyone. Waller produced Kiwi-bred Zed mare Verry Elleegant to win the 2021 Melbourne Cup in the hands of New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame jockey James McDonald, the Sydney-based trainer looking to attack this year’s feature in numbers, with eight stayers among the remaining 40 in Cup contention. “The Melbourne Cup is everyone’s dream,” Waller said after watching most of his Cup contingent work at Flemington on Tuesday. “It is the race that stops a nation; the world stops now. It’s every owner’s dream to run in the Melbourne Cup and win the Melbourne Cup.” A major talking point among Waller’s runners was Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) runner-up Buckaroo. Ninth in last year’s Melbourne Cup as one of the favourites following his Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) second placing, Buckaroo was a “50-50” chance of running next Tuesday, Waller saying the stable would take an “analytical approach to ensure he’s capable of winning”, with the horse’s ownership group to have the final say. “Buckaroo is well. He’s come through the Cox Plate run in good shape,” Waller said. “He’s been through his scans; he’s passed his scans so that means he’s eligible to race in the Melbourne Cup should his owners desire. If not, he can run in the Champions Stakes over 2000m. “He had a tough race last year and he didn’t come through it that well but there were reasons for that. He covered a lot of ground and came from a long way back and just peaked on his run. “We’re fairly comfortable he can run the two-mile distance but he’s a fairly important horse to us. He’s been with us for a long time so we’ve just got to make sure we get it right.” Waller said a decision on whether Buckaroo runs won’t be made till Saturday, in line with the decision-making timeline for Verry Elleegant when she won the race. Asked how Buckaroo would run if he started, Waller said: “He’d go close; he’d go very close. Hard to quantify; the Melbourne Cup is hard to predict. He just about pulled off the biggest weight-for-age race in Australia on Saturday but another 1200m is slightly different territory.” Waller’s other remaining entries are Gr.3 Bart Cummings (2500m) winner and Caulfield Cup-placed Valiant King, Sydney Cup-placed Caulfield Cup runner-up River Of Stars, More Felons, Birdman, Land Legend, Etna Rossa and Star Of India, though the latter paid are unlikely to gain a start in the race. Waller described Valiant King as a “properly-matured horse, in great form and racing full of confidence”. “Valiant King has come through the Caulfield Cup really well,” he said. “On that occasion he drew closest to the outside barrier, so we opted to go back, ride for luck and make sure he finished off well and he did exactly that. “Jye McNeil was aboard, and when he won at Flemington earlier in the month. Jye is buzzing. He rode him this morning and said his action was fantastic. He’s a happy horse. He came off the track squealing so all great signs. We’re very happy with him.” Waller was thrilled with River Of Stars’ second placing to Half Yours in the Caulfield Cup and her condition through that run. “She’s had a similar preparation to Valiant King. Her run in the Caulfield Cup was tremendous. She came from well back as well and beat them all except one,” Waller said. “The two-mile distance will help her. She’s had the right preparation and she’s really well.” Waller refused to rank his Cup contenders but expected More Felons to relish the step up in distance. “More Felons will love the two-mile distance. They went too slow for him in the St Leger in Sydney but we’ve finally got him fit and up to his right distance so he’s a surprise package,” he said. “Birdman is on the way up. He didn’t have a lot of luck in the Metropolitan through the draw and the Caulfield Cup draw wasn’t much better but he still finished off well. Two miles is a query with him but he’s tracking along well and has prepared well for the race. “Land Legend worked much better this morning. Steven Arnold was aboard this morning. We took the earmuffs off for the first time in a long time and Steve said he relaxed well. “We’ve changed his bit as well. He needs to improve but he didn’t have much go his way in the Caulfield Cup. We know he’ll run two miles. This time last year, he was one of the favourites and we think he’s ready to improve.” Waller, fresh from his Cox Plate success with Via Sistina last weekend at The Valley, has a strong hand on Derby day at Flemington but will head to Randwick on Saturday to watch a team headed by $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) favourite Autumn Glow. View the full article

Aqaareb, an 8-year-old mare by Bernardini, brought top price of $260,000 at the conclusion of the Inglis Digital October (Late) Sale on Tuesday. Consigned by Paramount Sales, she went to Imad Al Sagar's Blue Diamond Stud, which has bases in England and the U.S. Her first foal to race is a placed Amjaad (Nyquist), who will race in the Dubai barn of trainer Chief Stipe Watson during the upcoming U.A.E. racing season. She also has foals by Street Sense, Good Magic, and Cody's Wish. The mare was offered in-foal to currently leading Freshman sire, Yaupon. Aqaareb is out of the stakes-winning Unbridled's Song mare Muhaawara, making her a half-sister to Grade III winner Shagaf, and a half-sister to stakes-placed Munqad and stakes producers Gharbeya and Mahasen. Her second dam is the multiple Grade I winner Habibiti, putting her in the extended family of Breeders' Cup Marathon winner Eldaafer. “It's a great, easy-to-use platform,” Blue Diamond Stud general manager Ted Voute said about buying with Inglis Digital USA. “Mr. Al Sagar in Kuwait had picked out this beautiful Bernardini mare himself and was following the action online. I was able to bid from the comfort of my home in the United Kingdom. We were approved a credit limit easily this morning. Inspection of the mare by Cian Gahan, our farm manager at our Stonereath division (in Paris, Ky.), was very easy and informative. It was a very slick transaction.” Glen Hill Farm secured the second- and third-highest-priced offerings of the day, going to $70,000 for the broodmare Azm (Tapit), and landing the racing/broodmare prospect She's Fire (Flameaway) for $60,000. Azm was bred by Glen Hill in Florida before selling her as a weanling for $1.1 million. Her dam, Marketing Mix, was a multiple Grade I winner for Glen Hill. After finishing third in her lone career start, the 10-year-old has produced two winners from her first two foals to race. She was offered in foal to Oscar Performance. Azm is a half-sister to stakes-placed Global Brand, and her extended page features GISW Contredance and GSWs Skimble and Shotiche. Paramount Sales consigned Azm, as agent. Along with sale-topper Aqaareb, the Paramount consignment sold eight horses for a combined $470,000. “We were optimistic about our consignment going into this sale with such a quality group,” said Paddy Campion, account manager at Paramount Sales. “When the catalog went live, we were really encouraged at the level of interaction from buyers, and now we could not be more pleased with the outfits that stepped up to get these mares.” She's Fire, winner of the 2023 Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Juvenile Stakes at Presque Isle Downs in 2023, entered Tuesday's sale off a front-running allowance optional claiming win at the same track on Oct. 23. Campaigned by Divine Light Healing Ministries and trainer Kevin Rice, the 4-year-old was available for inspection with consignor Gail Rice at Grand Oaks Training Center in Reddick, Fla. Bred in Kentucky by Bill Adair, Phyllis Adair, and Connie Brown, She's Fire is out of the winning Flatter mare My Wish List. “Glen Hill Farm is excited to buy a couple of horses from the Inglis Digital USA platform,” said owner Craig Bernick. “She's Fire is likely to head to Australia, as she's a 2-year-old stakes winner and will cross with most of the stallions down there. “Azm is a mare that we bred and sold as a foal, and we are thrilled to have her back,” Bernick continued. “She's in foal to Oscar Performance, who is perhaps the best turf sire in the U.S., and we may breed her right back to him next year if the foal is nice.” In total, Tuesday's Inglis Digital USA October (Late) sale saw 43 horses change hands for a combined $720,500. The buying bench was just as diverse, with 34 unique winning bidders from the 43 lots that sold during Tuesday's sale. “We had great participation from top to bottom,” said Inglis Digital USA CEO Kyle Wilson. “When you bring some unique things to market, everyone will show up. We're pleased with the results.” Offerings that finished under their reserves on Tuesday are still available to purchase on the Inglis Digital USA website. Visit the site's “Catalog” page and click on “Make An Offer” next to the available horses. Entries are now open for the Inglis Digital USA December Sale, and they will be taken through Monday, Nov. 24. The catalog will be released on Friday, Nov. 28, and bidding will close on Wednesday, Dec. 4. To enter a horse in the December sale, register as a bidder, or make a bid on an RNA horse from the October (Late) sale, visit www.inglisdigitalusa.com. The post Broodmare Aqaareb Leads the Way in Inglis Digital USA October Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features a seven-figure juvenile. 16.01 Dundalk, €18,000, Mdn, 2yo, 7f (AWT) Aidan O'Brien trainee ACCREDITED (FR) (Siyouni {Fr}) achieved the joint-second highest price when fetching €1-million at May's Arqana Breeze-Up sale and is kin to two black-type performers out of a half-sister to G1 Prix Morny runner-up Gallagher (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}). His one dozen rivals include fellow debutant Golden Trigger (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), who is a son of G1 Nunthorpe third Piccadilly Filly (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), from the Natalia Lupini stable. The post Arqana Millionaire Set For Dundalk Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NEWMARKET, ENGLAND – Be it at public auction or the private market, Wathnan Racing has ripped up the playbook in a short space of time and signaled yet another statement of intent at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale by adding recent Group 3 runner-up Gladius (Night Of Thunder) to its squad at 950,000gns. It was Blandford Bloodstock's top agent Richard Brown who landed a colt the Wathnan team knows well given he chased home the Qatari-based owner's Damysus (Frankel) in the G3 Darley Stakes at Newmarket when last seen. According to Brown, who held off fellow bloodstock agent Johnny McKeever as underbidder, Damysus will stay in training with Andrew Balding and be aimed at targets abroad. Brown said, “He was bought for Wathnan Racing. We followed him throughout the year with interest and obviously we've got Damysus, who won the Darley Stakes and we hope he can continue to progress. It's a form line we know plenty about and we hold Damysus in high regard. The plan is for Gladius to go back to Andrew Balding and he will be aimed at the Qatar Derby. He's what we're looking for. He's a progressive – and still pretty unexposed – and one who will hopefully go to Qatar and be an international horse for us as well.” He added, “This is exactly the type of horse that fits the brief for Olly Tait and the powers that be at Wathnan. He's had only six starts and he can climb again so the plan will be for him to go back to Andrew and hopefully he can give Wathnan a big day.” Gladius was consigned by Jamie Railton, who went on to sell Grade I scorer New Century (Kameko) on behalf of Qatar Racing, to Blandford Bloodstock's Stuart Boman for 390,000gns. The agent said, “It is rare you get to buy a Grade I winner at auction – he has run very well in that company since and, at one point, he was a horse talked about as a Classic prospect. We are happy to get him. He is for an existing client and he will be going to Dubai for the Carnival.” Gladius is the headline act at the sale thus far and is unlikely to be toppled. He was one of eight horses to sell for 300,000gns or more on Tuesday, however, the figures on the whole were down for the second day in succession. Turnover dropped by 12% on day two to 12,170,000gns while the median fell by 6% to 22,000gns and the average by 5% to 49,472gns. The clearance rate was down by 7% to 87%. 'He Made Sense' – Osborne Swoops For White Birch At 300k It is fair to say Group 1 scorer White Birch (Ulysses) generated plenty of chat in the build-up to the sale and it was trainer Jamie Osborne who landed the high-class middle-distance performer who brought the father-and-son team of John and George Murphy on a journey of a lifetime. Who could forget White Birch thwarting Auguste Rodin in the Tattersalls Gold Cup to provide the Murphys with their greatest day on a racecourse last year? What the five-year-old meant to the family was pretty evident on George's face when the hammer went down as, holding back a tear or two, he admitted, “it's emotional.” He added, “We've had some great days with this horse and I am under no illusions as to how hard it is to find a Group 1 winner so we owe him a lot. It's just been an incredible journey and it's definitely sad to see him go. “All of the people at home in the yard have done an incredible job with him and I must say, we owe a massive thank you to his owner [Mrs Regalado-Gonzalez], who has been a massive supporter of our yard for a long time now. Jamie is a top fella and showed a lot of interest in him all week so I wish his new connections the very best of luck with him.” Osborne held off the attention of Harold Kirk, bidding on behalf of Willie Mullins, and confirmed that ownership plans were still to be decided on White Birch. He said, “It is very rare to be able to buy a horse of his calibre – he is five but he has got plenty of life in him. He can go anywhere – he could be at Royal Ascot next year and run in something like the Wolferton, and would be one of the better horses in that race, or can go around the world for the next couple of years and give his new owners a lot of sport.” Osborne added, “How do you value him? It entirely depended on someone's appetite for almost guaranteeing themselves a really good, strong-travelling horse for the next couple of years. How do you value that? You are just buying a bit of certainty – and I think he made sense at that.” Group 2 Winner Geography Set For Middle Eastern Campaign Group 2 winner Geography bolstered his profile further when running fifth behind Maranoa Charlie in the G1 Prix de la Foret at ParisLongchamp and the wildcard entry to the sale didn't disappoint when selling to BBA Ireland's Mick Donohoe for 570,000gns on behalf of Middle Eastern clients. Trained by Peter Schiergen in Germany, the Holy Roman Emperor gelding boasts a rating of 110 and, according to Donohoe, made a lot of sense at 570,000gns given he can race for similar purses abroad. He commented, “He is the one that we identified when the wildcards came out. He is a horse we had been following and has extremely consistent form – his run in the Prix de la Foret was good and he's very good-looking as well. He vetted very well and he is versatile.” Donohoe added, “He is for a client in the Middle East and we will make a plan now. He will probably ship and be based there. He will suit the mile races in the region and, with his pedigree, he might be a horse who could go on the dirt in Saudi, too. We gave a bit more than we thought we would but we are very happy to get him. If he can win a valuable race in the Middle East, it makes good sense from an investment viewpoint.” Aidan O'Brien's St Leger Third Sold To Continue Career In Australia St Leger third Stay True (Galileo) and Group 3 scorer Thrice (Wootton Bassett) were sold to powerhouse Australian connections to continue their careers Down Under as Coolmore brought its total turnover to 2,713,000gns on 39 horses sold this week. Stay True was the pick of the 39 at 360,000gns to Blandford Bloodstock agent Stuart Boman on behalf of Annabel Neasham and Robert Archibald while Thrice was snapped up for 320,000gns by Johnny McKeever on behalf of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Speaking about Stay True, Boman said, “He is a perfect Cup horse – he is already Melbourne Cup qualified and he has got the rating to get in. He finished third in the St Leger and he is from Galileo's final crop. He ran a top race in the Great Voltigeur when fourth and he has a great pedigree.” Neasham was in attendance at Tattersalls and added, “He is ultimately for a Melbourne Cup / Caulfield Cup campaign although we have not got definite plans as of yet. We might fly him out in March and run him off the plane in something like the Tancred Stakes. He is on spec at the moment but I have few owners who want a Cup horse. He will be easy enough to sell as he has just run third in the St Leger. He is just the horse you come to buy. It is difficult to land on them.” Thrice was purchased to fulfill a similar brief by McKeever, who also sourced the fellow Aidan O'Brien-trained Swagman (Wootton Bassett) for 260,000gns on behalf of Waterhouse and Bott. “We will take them straight to Australia,” said Claudia Fitzgerald, the bloodstock manager for that training partnership. She added, “We will let them acclimatise – they are young horses, lightly-raced and have the exact profile of a horse that we come here to target. They are incredibly sound – they are lovely and fresh and we love progeny by Wootton Bassett. When the catalogue comes out we start making plans and we then have a couple of days here to get around them all. These two horses in particular really stuck with us as physically – big, strong types who will suit Australia. We have ownership plans in place.” Jackson-Stops Continues To Make Waves With Victorious Forever Billy Jackson-Stops and George Scott secured the progressive 94-rated Wave Rider (Belardo) on behalf of Victorious Forever at 420,000gns. An impressive winner over 1m2f at Pontefract when last seen, Wave Rider will be targeted at races in Bahrain, a jurisdiction that Scott has done so well in before with horses like Isle Of Jura. Jackson-Stops said, “Sheikh Nasser has won his own Cup a couple of times and it would be great to try and win it again. He has the form and the profile to be successful there. Harry [Charlton] is someone we know and trust and the horse has been looked after to the very best. Bahrain as a racecourse is on the up and we want to support that and send the right horses and ensure the quality of ability and competition remains high. Horses like this will do that.” Buy[s] of the day It is fair to say that the National Hunt trainers have really struggled to get a look in at these horses-in-training sales in recent times due to the dominance of the Australians when it comes to the good middle-distance prospects. But Immediate Effect, a fine big stamp of a horse by Study Of Man, looks well-bought by Mouse O'Ryan and Gordon Elliott at just 45,000gns. Compared to horses with similar profiles, the 88-rated Immediate Effect, who has won twice on the level for Sir Mark Prescott, would appear to be a value buy. But there was one result that left plenty of people scratching their heads and that was recent runaway Listed scorer Deepone (Study Of Man) – who won the Beresford Stakes as a two-year-old – selling for just 30,000gns. Without being privy to Deepone's vet report, Willem H Ackerman would appear to have landed himself a high-class horse for a fraction than what most would have estimated. Thought for the day The major theme to develop from the opening two days of this sale has been just how unpredictable the horses-in-training market has become. Lest we forget a number of trainers voiced concerns about the lack of private trade being done this year for form horses. Perhaps what has played out over the past 48 hours is just indicative of the wider market for horses-in-training at present. While the Middle Eastern presence has been typically strong at Tattersalls this week, the Saudi Arabian involvement has been muted while there has been a distinct lack of American interest as well. It has shown thus far, with a number of cracks appearing in the middle market. The post Group Performer Gladius Bought By Wathan Racing For 950k At Tattersalls H-I-T Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horseshoe Indianapolis is set to offer 123 days of live racing April 7 through Nov.13, 2026. View the full article

Scandinavia, removed from G1 Melbourne Cup contention last month by connections, failed to pass the required Australian veterinary scans leading up to the Race that Stops the Nation, according to trainer Aidan O'Brien. The son of Justify won the Goodwood Cup and the G1 St Leger and will instead target the G1 Gold Cup next June. “He didn't pass the scans,” O'Brien told Matt Chapman of At The Races. “That's the long and short of it. He is a three-year-old and obviously three-year-olds do have different bone structures than four-year-olds or five-year-olds. They are maturing all the time. Their bones are filling in and that's the way it is. Everyone else thought that his scans were perfect, but when he went down in front of the Australian vets they weren't happy about it, so that's fine. “When you go to Rome, you play by the Pope's rules. That's the way it is in Australia. When you're in Australia, you play by the Australian rules. Hopefully we'll have horses that will go and try again sometime.” The post Scandinavia Failed To Pass Scans In Melbourne Cup Leadup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DEL MAR, USA — As the World Series continues its three-game run in Los Angeles, at Dodger Stadium it's all about Japanese baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani. Head a little farther down the Californian coast to Del Mar and the Thoroughbred World Championships, aka the Breeders' Cup, features plenty of Japanese participation of its own. American racing could hardly ask for more than to have the first three home from the last two Kentucky Derbys in action at Del Mar. Sovereignty's fever scare could yet throw a spanner into the works but, if he recovers in time, five of that sextet will line up for a sensational rendition of the Breeders' Cup Classic. They include the Yoshito Yahagi-trained Forever Young, who in February was involved in one of the most thrilling finishes of the year when grinding down Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior in the Saudi Derby. Yahagi loves to travel and so does his horse. While the European challengers remained in quarantine on Monday morning, the Japanese contingent took time to familiarise themselves with the paddock and saddling boxes. In the case of Forever Young it was merely a reminder. He's been here before, finishing third behind Sierra Leone and Fierceness in last year's Classic. If physique and temperament have anything to do with it – and let's face it they have everything to do with it – then this beefed-up four-year-old son of Real Steel has an excellent chance of improving on that position this time around despite the fierceness of the competition. Ryusei Sakai and Forever Young | Emma Berry Forever Young has already been joined by his regular jockey Ryusei Sakai this week and the pair of them could hardly be more laid back, their antics bordering on the goofy as Sakai positioned his mount behind the trio of broadcasters presenting Breakfast at the Breeders' Cup. Another lap of the paddock and they stopped again, this time posing for fan photos before linking back up with stable-mate American Stage. With just eight horses, the Japanese team is smaller this year, but experience has taught us not to overlook any of their challengers, and that goes particularly for the five-year-old mare Argine, who, without turning a hair, completed laps of track and paddock solo, her rider taking the lightest of touches on a loose rein. Trained by Mitsu Nakauchida, the daughter of Lord Kanaloa has Frankie Dettori to help her from the saddle in the Breeders' Cup Mile. The Europeans Are Coming By Tuesday morning, the gates of the quarantine compound had swung wide open to let loose a vast team of horses from Europe: 16 from Britain, 16 from Ireland and four from France, the latter quartet trained by Francis Graffard. The perky Amiloc was one of the first out, leading his Ralph Beckett stable-mate, the 100/1 Sussex Stakes winner Qirat, just after the Andrew Balding trio of Jonquil, See The Fire and Pacific Mission had emerged. Then came the rush: the Godolphin six and the Coolmore eight, with Aidan O'Brien's octet being augmented by another five horses trained by his sons, Joseph and Donnacha. No trainer has won the Breeders' Cup Turf more times than Aidan O'Brien, who this year pitches in the classiest three-year-old filly in Europe in Minnie Hauk. Partnered by former jockey Brett Doyle, who is in the rare position of having also been a work rider for Godolphin, the treble Oaks victrix will be just one of an enviable book of rides for Christophe Soumillon as he continues his supersub role for the injured Ryan Moore. “Christophe has a long flight ahead of him and he'll have plenty of time to do a lot of thinking about the draws,” said O'Brien from the Del Mar backstretch after his horses had completed their steady exercise. “I'd say he'll be scratching his head. He has a few difficult things to try work out.” Minnie Hauk herself hasn't fared too badly in this regard as she is drawn eight in the 14-runner Turf, nestled in between the geldings Silawi and Gold Phoenix. But as O'Brien attempts to break his own record of 28 Group/Grade 1 wins a year, he has not been helped by the wide draws for her fellow favourites Precise, who will jump widest of all from 13 for the Juvenile Fillies Turf, and Gstaad, who has fared no better with gate 14 for the Juvenile Turf. O'Brien, who is attempting to win the Juvenile Turf for the fourth time in succession and the eighth overall, as well as the Juvenile Fillies Turf for the third time in four years, said, “I don't think I can remember coming over with [three short-priced favourites], but two of them have had manners put on them already haven't they? “It's testament to the lads for allowing these horses to come, they want to be here, it's what they live for and they get a lot of enjoyment out of it. They're great sports. “They don't protect horses, they let them out there and compete. That's what we all want: the best horses competing. You don't want to see horses who people think are unbeatable locked up and not let race any more.” The trainer added of his pair of Starspangledbanner two-year-olds, “They have had plenty of racing. The filly [Precise] is unlucky not to be unbeaten. Every day since her debut she has upgraded and upgraded. She is a good traveller, the first time Christophe rode her at Newmarket [in the Fillies' Mile] she got a little bit lazy in the middle of the race so he had to wake her up, but when he did wake her up she was straight back on the bridle. “Gstaad went off his programme: his programme was to go to the Heinz [Phoenix], the National Stakes and then the Dewhurst. We ended up going to the Morny instead and that upset him, it was a little bit too sharp for him. “He's a big horse and it'll be good fun watching it all unfold. Christophe is going to need all his experience and strength and horsemanship.” One of the more enigmatic members of the Ballydoyle string is erstwhile Derby favourite The Lion In Winter, who has steadfastly been compensating for not quite living up to the expectations placed on him over the winter. His most recent run, when second to Cicero's Gift in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day, was arguably his best yet. “He has progressed really well,” O'Brien said. “We went to the Dante just to try and get a run in before the Derby, but we didn't really learn anything. “After we ran him in the Derby it was very clear cut that he was a miler, he wasn't a mile-and-a-half or mile-and-a-quarter horse. He came out of Ascot very well, he just got mugged at Ascot by a 100-1 gelding.” With three of his best horses already in the stallion barn at Coolmore, O'Brien is still able to draw deep from the well of talent at Ballydoyle, and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that he may yet break another one of his own records in 2025. So how high in his own mind is breaching that particular landmark of 28 top-level wins? “We don't really ever think about anything like that,” he said. “The horses come first and we always just take the races as they come. We try to pick the right horses for the right races. If they are eligible for the races and we think the race will suit them, we run them. “It's obviously a big thing and the year is really starting to flow now lately. You just have to take one day at a time, though. You can't be surprised by anything, whether things go with you or against you. All you can do is your best.” The post International Raiders Hoping to be Pitch Perfect at the Breeders’ Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Bill Mott said there is a "possibility" Sovereignty will miss the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) after the colt registered a "mild fever" Oct. 27.View the full article

Maiden Watch: Breeders' Cup 2025View the full article

Pete Williams made the decision to keep Distorted d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) in training another year when she finished a close-up fourth in the Tom Benson Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds Mar. 22, only to completely change his mind just a week later when the 4-year-old filly's half-brother Tappan Street (Into Mischief) won the GI Florida Derby. Instead, Williams chose to send Distorted d'Oro to visit Tappan Street's sire Into Mischief and he has now made the difficult decision to offer the mare at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale Monday in Lexington. She will go through the ring as hip 207 with the Nicky Drion Thoroughbreds consignment. “This is really bittersweet,” said Williams, a real estate developer who began building his MKW Breeding commercial broodmare band just four years ago. “This all has to do with the business and we are in a business. This isn't a hobby and you have to make some crappy decisions sometimes. It's a business and you are trying to make money and you want to at least try to pay for your operation.” The MKW Breeding band currently numbers 17 head and includes Midnight Snack (Distorted Humor), a half-sister to Grade I winner Speed Boat Beach (Bayern), and Mo Town Mayhem (Uncle Mo), a full-sister to multiple graded winner Souper Hoity Toity, while a pair of young runners waiting in the wings include recent maiden winner Malibu Muse (Malibu Moon). “We bought probably seven or eight of those as broodmares or broodmare prospects and the others have been developed through our racing program,” Williams said of the band. “If we think we can buy fillies right that we like–I call it buying broolings. I have a list of broodmare sires and I am looking for those pedigrees. I wanted a Blame broodmare. And instead of finding a Blame broodmare, we bought a yearling filly by Blame last year. I loved her pedigree, she's a full-sister to a graded stakes winner. And hopefully, we can make that pedigree even better, but if we can't, it's already good enough to send to the breeding barn. That's kind of been the overarching business plan.” Williams purchased Distorted d'Oro for $325,000 at the 2023 OBS April sale. The mare is out of graded winner Virginia Key (Distorted Humor), a half-sister to graded winners Grace Adler (Curlin) and Pyrenees (Into Mischief). She hit the board in four of eight starts–including a third-place effort in the Searching Stakes at Laurel last year–with three wins. “She was a hard-knocking filly, she didn't have that incredible turn of foot, but man if you watch the races she won, she would go inside on the rail, she had what it took to race,” Williams said. “She ran in a stakes at Fair Grounds and Jose Ortiz rode her. She just missed getting third by a nose and ran a hard-knocking race against some pretty good horses. I am not in this racing thing, it's either black type or it's not, so I asked Jose, 'If I race her in her 4-year-old year, is she going to put more black-type on her pedigree?' and Jose said, 'Absolutely, let her race this year.' I left there with that decision made.” Bloodstock agent Alistair Roden and Pete Williams | Fasig-Tipton And then Tappan Street–still the only horse to defeat Sovereignty this year–put himself in contention for the GI Kentucky Derby with his Florida Derby victory. “By the end of the week, I had kind of changed my mind,” Williams said. “Obviously, the family is already crazy good, but then he wins that and I said, 'OK, let's retire her.'” Williams continued, “You know how anytime you get a call from a trainer, or someone at the farm, you just look at the phone and think, 'oh, crap.' So I called Stidham and I said, 'Hey Mike, you know how you always call me with bad news? Well, I am calling you to tell you to ship Distorted d'Oro to Kentucky.' And he said, 'I get it. It's a business and you have to make the best business decision.' So I made what I thought was the best business decision that I could make.” Williams admitted his yearling sales result were disappointing this fall and that helped him make the decision to put Distorted d'Oro in the Fasig-Tipton catalogue. “We had a nice Curlin filly and what I thought was a very nice Nyquist filly that I really planned on selling very well,” he explained. “One of them didn't get the interest we were looking for and we kind of knew where we were heading, so we just scratched her and sent her to Margaux to train and race or possibly, I guess, a 2-year-old sale. And then this Nyquist filly did not sell close to where we wanted her to sell.” Asked what it would be like to watch Distorted d'Oro go through the sales ring at Fasig-Tipton Monday, Williams admitted, “I won't be happy. I really feel like she is the kind of mare you can make $10 or $12 million out of over her life. I looked through the [Fasig-Tipton catalogue] Saturday night and obviously there are some really good pedigrees in there and there are some really talented racehorses, but when I look at her family, as a buyer myself, this is what I would be looking to buy.” Still in the early stages of his breeding operation–and despite any setbacks–Williams said, “I am excited about what I do. Real estate development has been my business, so I am used to not getting good news all the time. No one ever calls and tells you we are going to finish this project early and it will cost less money. It's always the opposite. Everything always costs more than we thought. So I've got the mentality to take the bad news in this business.” The post Distorted d’Oro, Half-Sister to Tappan Street, On Offer at Fasig-Tipton November appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horseshoe Indianapolis in 2026 will stick with the same dates template that has largely been in place since 2023: A mixed-meet racing schedule of 123 dates from Apr. 7 to Nov. 13, with 117 Thoroughbred programs and six for Quarter Horses. The only time Horseshoe Indy veered from that schedule recently was in 2024, when the track added a 124th racing date to start the season in April on an afternoon when the track was in the path of totality for the rare total solar eclipse that captivated North America. The Indiana Horse Racing Commission approved the '26 dates unanimously at Tuesday's monthly meeting. “We worked hard with our horsemen on this calendar,” Eric Halstrom, the Horseshoe Indy general manager, said at the Oct. 27 meeting. “I know all of you are aware of the HISA [Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority] impact on our racing. And to stay at 123 days is actually a real accomplishment. Our [HISA] fees next year will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $3.5 million. Half of that comes out of our purse fund. “To stay at 123 days took some real work, and we moved some days around here and there [to] keep those purses where they need to be,” Halstrom said. He did not cite specific purse levels for next year's meet. Halstrom said the track faced a dilemma regarding the scheduling of its signature race, the GIII Indiana Derby, which he said seems to fit best on the first Saturday of July. “That happens to be July 4 [next] year,” Halstrom said. “We agonized over this one for quite a while, thought about it, and we're going to move that to the week after [the holiday, to July 11] and try not to fight July 4 [when] a lot of people have other things going down.” Halstrom said the handle on Indiana Derby day has gone from “a shade over $4 million” in 2019 to “approaching $10 million” in 2025. The post Horseshoe Indy Maintains Status Quo of 23 dates for ’26 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Irish Equine Veterinary Association Conference (IEVA) 2025 will take place from Thursday, November 6 through Sunday, November 9 in Co Kilkenny and Co Carlow, with Lyrath Estate hosting the programme of presentations and workshops during November 7-8. The key note speakers include Emma Adam Johanna “Janny” De Grauw, Celia Marr, Siobhan Mullan, Jonathan Nunn and Professor Roger Smith. A series of workshops will be held during the programme, includes a section of what's new in the papers, which will cover surgery, internal medicine, reproduction and lameness. It will be chaired by Siobhan McAuliffe. There will also be a session of research abstracts presented on Saturday morning which will be chaired by Sarah Ross. In addition, the Case Awards, sponsored by Celtic SMR, will be held at the conference. A group of veterinary students will be in attendance as part of the Future Proof Campaign. IEVA will also hold a Gala Ball on Friday night, courtesy of Spring Break. For more information on the conference, please visit the IEVA website. The post IEVA Conference Set For Next Month appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

At this year's Breeders' Cup, Hall of Famer Beholder's daughter Tamara has a chance to embellish her own CV and add to her dam's illustrious legacy when she runs in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) Nov. 1 at Del Mar. View the full article

DEL MAR, CA – As Breeders' Cup hopefuls continue their final preparations in the early morning hours for racing on Friday and Saturday, the Del Mar paddock will transform into an auction ring for the second annual Keeneland Championship Sale on Wednesday evening. Last year, a share in Horse of the Year Flightline (by Tapit) was the headliner when it went for $2.5-million. Once again looking to create a high-energy atmosphere, Keeneland has put together a robust slate of offerings, which include fractional interests in three racehorses currently in-training–two are intended for the Breeders' Cup on Saturday. Stallion shares and breeding rights will take center stage. The catalogue includes: – A 25% fractional interest in Jose D'Angelo trainee Bentornato (Valiant Minister) (Hip 7), who is considered a leading contender in the GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint on Saturday. The 4-year-old Florida-bred ridgling was the runner-up in the 2024 Breeders' Cup Sprint to Straight No Chaser (Speightster) and was last seen winning the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes where he earned a 108 Beyer. The interest is consigned by D'Angelo, agent. – A 25% interest in GISW & million-dollar earner Mullikin (Violence) (Hip 9), who is also a contender for the Breeders' Cup Sprint. Owned by WinStar Farm, the dark bay ran third in last year's race. The 5-year-old was the first-top level winner for trainer Rodolphe Brisset. Plans are to retire Mullikin after the Breeders' Cup and he will stand the 2026 season at WinStar. Not This Time | Sarah Andrew Potentially the most sought after stallion share on offer is a 2% fractional interest, consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for Aaron & Marie Jones LLC, in the red-hot Not This Time (by Giant's Causeway) (Hip 3). The sire of nine Grade I winners and a stud fee of $250,000, the Taylor Made resident is the #2 'General Sire' this year with more than $19-million in progeny earnings. Keeneland reported that the purchaser will receive all income associated with this share from the 2025 breeding season. Last week, Taylor Made's Travis White spoke with TDN's Bill Finley about the opportunity. Other stallion shares in the catalogue include a pair of 'TDN Rising Stars' presented by Hagyard in Life Is Good (by Into Mischief) (Hip 1), consigned by Christie DeBernardis, agent, and MGISW Mindframe (Constitution) (Hip 2), consigned by Claiborne Farm, agent. The 4-year-old, who will stand at Claiborne in 2026, will make his final appearance at the racetrack in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday. Lifetime breeding rights in Constitution (by Tapit) (Hip 4), the property of Randy Gullatt, and Nyquist (Uncle Mo) (Hip 5), consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, agent, will also be part of the bidding. Last but not least, a 20% fractional interest in recently retired Horse of the Year and broodmare prospect Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) (Hip 6) is consigned by McPeek Racing Stables, agent for Richard M. Edwards. “We've designed this as a party with a sale and I think now that we proved ourselves last year, people really understand the concept which is exciting because the goal has always been to combine the social aspect with the importance of the Breeders' Cup,” Vice President of Sales at Keeneland Tony Lacy said. “We have some outstanding offerings. The Not This Time share is really unprecedented and it gives unique access to the stallion. The chance to own a piece of Thorpedo Anna makes this sale diverse and we are looking forward to it.” Attendance to the Championship Sale is by invitation or request with both buyers and sellers individually invited to attend. Qualified, registered bidders may participate in person at the event, remotely via Keeneland's online auction platform or by phone with a Keeneland representative. The Championship Sale event will begin at 5 p.m. PT. The sale will begin at 6:30 p.m. PT. Click here to view the online catalogue. The post Keeneland Championship Sale Ups The Ante At Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Bill Mott said there is a "possibility" Sovereignty will miss the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) after the colt registered a "mild fever" Oct. 27.View the full article

It is called the Breeders' Cup for a reason. Yes, the commercial sector revolves to a neurotic degree around stallions, which is why the stakes are so high for the colts at Del Mar this weekend. But breeding those horses in the first place was at least as much about the mares, meaning that many of us will be no less engrossed by the auctions staged in Lexington immediately afterwards. By the same token, our curiosity about Incredibolt–who last weekend stole a march on his peers lining up for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile–is certainly not confined to his sire. True, Bolt d'Oro finds himself at an interesting crossroads, with the upgraded mares he secured as champion freshman of 2022 still cycling through. Incredibolt belongs to his bubble crop, sired at $20,000 as his first runners approached the gate, whereas his current weanlings were conceived at $60,000. As such, his reversion to $25,000 for next spring could prove fairly temporary–especially if he turns out to have a Derby colt on his hands. Yet two other things immediately leaped out from Incredibolt's Churchill reconnaissance in the GIII Street Sense Stakes. One was a mare; the other, a mare. The first of these was Globe Trot (A.P. Indy), dam not only of Bolt d'Oro but also of Global Campaign, here denied a first graded success by his own half-brother. Global Campaign is the sire of Universe, who started favorite and led at the eighth pole, only to be run down late by Incredibolt. As it happens, the game is already up for Global Campaign as a Bluegrass stallion. But those who have welcomed him to Korea only had to wait a couple of hours for the breakthrough instead to be made by Warming in the GIII Autumn Miss Stakes at Santa Anita. We'll return to Global Campaign below, but the fact that Globe Trot was by A.P. Indy requires us first to consider the mare who stands opposite in the pedigree of Incredibolt: his granddam, Sapphiresndiamonds (Mineshaft). For here we may have one of those mares that turns out to have smuggled through some very special genes, even though they did not help her own cause in either her first or second careers. She arrived in the Saratoga sale ring in 2006 with an extraordinary pedigree, her grandsire and granddam together richly condensing one of the most potent brands in the modern breed. Mineshaft's sire A.P. Indy was of course by Seattle Slew out of Weekend Surprise, herself by Secretariat out of Lassie Dear (Buckpasser). And the dam of Sapphiresndiamonds–a mare named Unbridled Lassie (Unbridled), a legitimate stakes performer albeit flattered by a catalogued Grade I podium (beaten 29 lengths into third)–was out of Lassie Dear's daughter by Seattle Slew, Lassie Connection. It feels scarcely necessary to reprise the dynasty spreading beneath Lassie Dear: besides Weekend Surprise with her two Classic winners, among others she produced Group 1 winner Wolfhound (Nureyev); the dam of Lemon Drop Kid (Kingmambo); and the granddam of G1 Derby winner Ruler Of The World (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and his half-brother Duke Of Marmalade (Ire) (Danehill), winner of five consecutive Group 1s. Next to that lot, Lassie Connection must be acknowledged one of the matriarch's lesser achievers, albeit she did produce three graded stakes performers plus the hard-knocking gelding Winning Connection (St. Jovite), whose 21 wins in 74 starts included a couple in black-type company. But you can certainly see why Courtlandt Farm might have viewed her daughter by Mineshaft–himself bringing another noble family into play, as a grandson of Up the Flagpole (Hoist the Flag)–as a future broodmare worth every cent of $1.45 million, whatever she might achieve on the racetrack. In the event, Sapphiresndiamonds made nine starts without winning, though placed several times. But nor did she particularly repair matters as a broodmare, before sadly disappearing from the record after six named foals. None brought a major dividend in the ring, while only a retained son of War Front managed to scrape third in a stakes race. Yet nobody could yet have formed a judgement when her third foal, by Awesome Again, failed to meet her reserve at just $45,000 at the 2014 September Sale. Some kind of deal must have been struck, however, and more than once: the three wins Sapphire Spitfire eventually managed at minor tracks came in one name; her first two foals were registered to another; and ditto her third. But the breeders of her next two, both sons of Bolt d'Oro, are Deann Baer and Greg Baer DVM–and their choice of the Spendthrift sire has certainly paid off. The first of these colts brought $400,000 as a Keeneland September yearling, a steep increase on Sapphire Spitfire's previous returns. That reflected good work by both parents: the sire had just been champion freshman, while the mare's first foal, Fire On Time (Not This Time), had meanwhile won six of 13 starts, lately achieving two placings in graded stakes. The second Bolt d'Oro colt didn't fare quite so well in the ring, sold to Pin Oak for $75,000 the following September. But Incredibolt has now proved himself a very alert buy. If consolidating from here, in fact, he could become an intriguing stallion prospect–not so much for the endeavors of his immediate family, as for the way he concentrates all those A.P. Indy vibes. Because that cluster in his granddam, remember, is compounded behind his sire… Global Campaign | Sarah Andrew Campaign Derailed In The Primaries To that extent, Globe Trot would be an interesting factor in Incredibolt's pedigree just as an anonymous “A.P. Indy mare.” But she was so much more than that. Globe Trot ruptured a mesentery in 2016, delivering her third foal. Her first, by Distorted Humor, became the Grade II-placed, multiple stakes winner Sonic Mule; the second was Bolt d'Oro; and the third, Global Campaign. What a pity that she was not granted time to bequeath a filly, as well. Her own dam Trip (Lord At War {Arg}) won three graded stakes and was a half-sister to the listed-winning dam of the flying Zensational (Unbridled's Song). Globe Trot was sold to WinStar in training, after her owner's death, and added a third career win (all on synthetic) in their silks without being able to extend the stakes success of her first four dams. WinStar sold her first two foals, including Bolt d'Oro for $630,000, but did then stay in for a stake in her last one. Global Campaign reached his peak at four, winning the GI Woodward Stakes, and was welcomed back to his native farm with no fewer than 177 mares in his debut book. Incredibly, given that a horse of his profile can hardly be said to have looked at the pitcher with a single crop of juvenile starters, last spring he was down to four. His syndicate was left with no choice but to let him seek pastures new. But perhaps Warming will not be the last maturing talent among that big first crop to restore the dignity of Global Campaign. His winners have actually come at a higher ratio than many second-crop peers who are perceived to be thriving. We wish him luck in his new home. Time After Time After his GIII Jessamine Stakes trifecta, last weekend Not This Time went one better with the superfecta in the GIII Bryan Station Stakes. Nearly as astonishing is that he had seven of the 12 starters. Again, of course, in a turf race. Which is why the most astounding thing of all, as I keep saying, is how long it is taking the top programs to try his stock in Europe. And I'll keep saying it, until it appears somebody might be listening. Of six foals so far trained in Britain or Ireland, he has already had a G2 Norfolk Stakes winner at Royal Ascot. Not This Time | Sarah Andrew The horse who dominated his latest “crowd scene” on the Keeneland turf circuit, Troubleshooting, is out of a mare by Into Mischief. Hardly a noted turf influence! In fairness, however, she won her stakes on synthetic–on which terrain her own mother ran second in the GII Hollywood Oaks. The next dam Smooth Player (Bertrando) had won that same prize when contested on dirt, but was also a Grade II winner on turf. Evidently Not This Time was tapping into a pretty versatile seam here. His stock's record on grass was hardly the principal driver behind the purchase this year of 17 seven-figure yearlings by Not This Time. These famously belong to his first crop conceived at more than $45,000, and the classy dirt mares he has since entertained will doubtless be diluting all this chlorophyll soon. But the fact remains that of nine Breeders' Cup entries for the year's leading turf sire, only two are on dirt. He actually has a shot at another trifecta in the GI Juvenile Fillies Turf! Don't get me wrong: this is all to the good. If Not This Time ends up a reincarnation of his sire, he will not just be straddling surfaces, but oceans. The post Breeding Digest: A Priceless Combination That Did Not Come Dear appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DEL MAR, CA – A swing through the course of American Thoroughbred history yields the widely-accepted conclusion that dirt plays the king in these parts, while turf is the patient understudy offstage left–turns are configured in that direction over here. It was not all that long ago that droves of U.S. tracks debated whether putting in a bladed surface and acquiring something called a going stick made any sense. Progressive places like Del Mar's Thoroughbred Club damned the salt in the marine layer and forged ahead with its first course around 1960, roughly when J.F.K. won the first televised Presidential debate against Nixon but supposedly tanked over the radio. Switching to the subject of modern racing on the turf, one could argue that when the Breeders' Cup World Championships brought John Gaines's vision into reality by the mid-80s the American grass course entered a new phase. Mind you, Europeans separated by a common surface took full advantage by laying waste as Breeders' Cup turf conquerors. Over the last thirteen renditions of the World Championships, the Southern California set of lawn specialists have had their chance on nine occasions at both Santa Anita and Del Mar to play a series of veritable home games. Knowing the ground, denizens could settle comfortably, dart through traffic troubles like they were on the nearby 5 and surf versus the best in the world. Desert Code takes the Breeders' Cup Sprint | Sarah Andrew Visits to the top of the podium over the long history of the Breeders' Cup have been few and far between though for turfers who call Southern California home–no disrespect to the accomplishments of Desert Code (E Dubai), California Flag (Avenue of Flags), War Chant (Danzig), Mizdirection (Mizzen Mast), Obviously (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}), Stormy Liberal (Stormy Atlantic), Belvoir Bay (GB) (Equiano {Fr}), and lest we forget, that late run from Richard Mandella trainee Johar (Gone West) in 2003. However, we should not lose sight of the fact that this is turf racing and that means trends change on a dime. Just ask the Japanese about how fortunes can change. It's time to face facts though. Opportunities for the local cadre to be welcomed to the winner's circle by Drew Fleming and Dora Delgado are coming to an end for the time being in the Golden State since the purple bunting is set to ship to Keeneland next year, and then head eastward to the new and sparkling beautiful Belmont Park for 2027. That news does not mean the World Championships will not return to the left coast, but what is even more undeniable is that the chances across seven races on their home turf are here. Could this be the year when California-based grass horses become the sultans of their own sod? Where the Turf Meets the Nuances Talking with those who hang their shingle outside Southern California shedrows on the eve of this week's Breeders' Cup turf events, there is a healthy respect across the board for who and what they are up against. Trainer John Sadler | Benoit Facing a future legend like Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa), who dominated the GI Breeders' Cup Mile for three years running starting in 2008, is pretty much business as usual when you enter a turf race during the World Championships according to trainer John Sadler. The veteran conditioner also said that knowing the ins-and-outs of the Jimmy Durante oval certainly cannot hurt. “Having raced on this surface at Del Mar for like a million years it's a little nuanced,” Sadler said. “For instance, with several Breeders' Cup races going a mile on this course the best possible post would be on the inside. I'm not saying you can't have a winner from way outside, but it's a fairly short run to the first turn. So either you need to get up and over or drop back at safe ground. These turns are kind of tight and that means you have to have a horse that can handle them.” Sadler, who has relished some seminal Breeders' Cup wins on the dirt, has never hit the board with one of his grass runners over the three Del Mar Breeders' Cups. That could change with juvenile colt GSW Hey Nay Nay (Ire) (No Nay Never), who the trainer says is advanced despite being lightly-raced when compared to international competition he will face in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Stakes. “Hey Nay Nay is a 2-year-old who broke his maiden early in what was a good time at Santa Anita,” said Sadler. “He shipped successfully to Monmouth for a stake and his numbers have kept improving. When he won the Del Mar Juvenile Turf that told us that preparing for the Breeders' Cup was in order. The Europeans are good, there's no question about that, but he's going to be in his element. He's a home court kid, in the same stall he was in this summer and he's a little more like a 3-year-old than a 2-year-old.” You Want a Tactical Tesla Trainer Michael McCarthy, who also has an entry slated for the Juvenile Turf in SW Stark Contrast (Oscar Performance), said that the turf course at Del Mar contrasts on several levels with the one at Santa Anita, which is a place where they race nine months out of the year. Stark Contrast is young but learning | Benoit “The marine layer at Del Mar gives the course a bit more juice, maybe a touch softer this time of year than we are used to in the summer or at Santa Anita where the stretch is longer and the turns are more forgiving,” McCarthy said. “With Stark Contrast, he's more of a medium-sized horse and even though he is still learning the game and doing some baby-ish things, he's getting better all the time. He's got a win over the surface down there [maiden special weight Sept. 6], which bodes well for him.” Speaking of members of McCarthy's shedrow with seaside turf experience, Formidable Man (City of Light) clearly has an affinity for the sea air. Owned by La Jolla residents William & Suzanne Warren, the 4-year-old colt can be defined as a proverbial 'horse for the course' since he owns a perfect six-for-six record over the local strip. The winner last out of the GII Del Mar Mile Stakes Aug. 30 will contest the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile–a race which saw McCarthy entrant Smooth Like Strait (Midnight Lute) finish as the runner-up in 2021. “Horses that are tactical, ones that can lay close and finish, seem to have the best type of style,” said McCarthy. “Formidable Man has spent significant time down there, which has been a priority for us with Mr. and Mrs. Warren being so close. But you know, it's the Breeder's Cup. It's the best horses in the world, the best riders in the world and the biggest stage. I say this all the time, I hope everybody's horse is doing as best as they can possibly be doing and everyone gets the trip they are looking for. We'll see what happens.” In what promises to be a salty Breeders' Cup Mile, also making an appearance is one of Tim Yakteen's all-time greatest runners in the Joe and Debby McCloskey homebred, Johannes (Nyquist). Last year, the dark bay–who is racing for the final time in the Mile before being retired to stud at Claiborne Farm for the 2026 season–was second to More Than Looks (More Than Ready) in this very race. According to the trainer, coming back to Del Mar his team always tries to create a seamless transition from Arcadia–same ship, offloading, stall location and routine, which all lead to race day. Johannes with that long extension working at Santa Anita | Horsephotos “We'll do the same thing we did last year,” said Yakteen. “We'll have our final prep up here [Santa Anita], and then we'll ship in and spend the week down at Del Mar.” Yakteen said that he agrees that a tactical horse like his can have an advantage at a place like Del Mar. “Johannes has versatility,” said Yakteen. “That means that when you have a paceless race you can sit on or near the speed, but you can also lay back when it's there. When I was with [Charlie] Whittingham, we had a mare named Flawlessly who never lost at Del Mar. She was just like a Tesla. When you called on her, she was instantaneously there. Johannes is the same way.” Get your Motorious runnin'… If there are advantages to playing a home game at Del Mar, then not having to ship across the country or for that matter, the world, would certainly qualify. One of the top turf trainers around is Phil D'Amato and he says that eliminating as many variables as possible is key. “I think knowing the turf at Del Mar is important because to me this time of year it plays more like a European-style grass course than what we have at Santa Anita,” said D'Amato. “But having said that, shipping a horse across the country is what is really challenging. When you don't have to do it, that's a big advantage. We are going to be at Del Mar anyway this time of year, so it all works out as we attempt to run our best.” Motorious cools his engine down | Benoit D'Amato should have one of the top contenders in the GI Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in MGSW Motorious (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), who earned a return ticket to the World Championships after he won for the third time in a row the GIII Green Flash Handicap at Del Mar Aug. 30. In the 2024 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, the gelding was the runner-up, while Richard Baltas trainee Ag Bullet (Twirling Candy), who should also be back again this year, checked in third. “We've been pointing Motorious to this spot ever since the Green Flash,” his trainer said. “He is definitely in his zone right now of consistency, so now it is just about keeping him there. Anytime a horse goes 58 and change like he did recently, that tips me off that you know they are doing well.” D'Amato will also send out stalwart turfer GISW & MGSW Gold Phoenix (Ire) (Belarado {Ire}), who has a particular affinity for the Jimmy Durante course. Now a 7-year-old, the gelding is poised to enter his fourth GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, which is a race he finished fourth in last year. “Del Mar is definitely more of a favorite for Gold Phoenix than Santa Anita,” D'Amato said. “So, I think that European-type turf course helps his chances. He's a late turn of foot kind of runner. Watching him compete against the best in the world will tell us where we stand.” Rispoli Weighs In If you are a Southern California barn who is going to wage a Breeders' Cup turf war then you need someone capable in the saddle. Umberto Rispoli is generally regarded as a top jockey in the region with extensive experience on the turf. You will not find him exuding overconfidence because he is prosaic when it comes to the level of competition that is coming. Umberto Rispoli with the eyes of Johannes | Benoit “These are global riders who are used to international travel,” Rispoli said. “When you are good, you're good. You can ride everywhere. That what it means to be top class.” Rispoli did say that knowing the course at Del Mar and its tricks is important. Jockeys will of course walk on the turf and get a feel for what is under them. They will know how much 'give' they are facing and whether their mount needs to be placed within a race. “The turf plays very different in the summer,” he said. “Del Mar is a really special track for me and I always enjoy seeing how much it changes by the fall. It's a totally different grip for the horses. During the summer the grass is shorter and really quick and speed favoring, plus the rail is out. So, it is really tough to come from behind and the speed horses win.” Rispoli mentioned the marine layer come November and how much moisture can affect the Jimmy Durante by the time the Breeders' Cup rolls around. The rider will have several chances on the grass since he has decided to ride Johannes in the Mile over Formidable Man. “I am hoping to upgrade one position in the Breeders' Cup with Johannes,” the jockey said. He will also get a leg up on D'Amato runners Gold Phoenix, Mission of Joy (Kitten's Joy) in the GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and also have a chance in the GI Juvenile Turf Sprint aboard Later Than Planned (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) who is an also-eligible. “Some of those older horses like Gold Phoenix are fighters and they really like to go to Del Mar for probably the breeze, the different air and it's just fresh,” he said. “You go out there and need a jacket early in the morning because of that breeze. It's pretty cool and fresh. They feel regenerated and I think it's medicinal for them.” A young colt, Later Than Planned found his way to sprinting when D'Amato and Rispoli figured out that cutting back was just the ticket. In the GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes Sept. 7, the colt finished a disappointing seventh. “We started working him as a pure miler, he was doing really well and broke his maiden at Del Mar,” said Rispoli. “But in the juvenile race there he never relaxed and never dropped the bridle. By the end, he was just an empty horse because he was wasting too much energy. Looking at the Speakeasy [Stakes] at Santa Anita made sense and he settled nicely behind the speed.” Later Than Planned timed his run well in the Speakeasy | Benoit The result was Later Than Planned got his picture taken, which set him up for the Breeders' Cup. “I think the key [in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf] is to find yourself a good position just behind one of the favorites before you hit the turn,” Rispoli said. “Then he can get me to the quarter pole. Once I turn for home, I would have my right or left clear and let him go.” Like his Southern California compatriots, Umberto Rispoli is a human cloud server when it comes to marine layers, tight turns, short stretches and the Jimmy Durante grass. With heaps of local knowledge about the Del Mar turf, barns and their riders will have the opportunity to apply what they have learned on the biggest stage in North America once more. This is the Breeders' Cup and that means that they are still going to have their hands full as seven chances await. Are they sitting on the precipice of turf racing glory? It is their turf, of course. The post Their Turf, Of Course: SoCal Grass Barns Chase Breeders’ Cup Glory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This year's Prix Jacques le Marois winner Diego Velazquez will stand for a fee of £17,500 at the National Stud in 2026. The son of Frankel, who was bought by Sam Sangster Bloodstock on behalf of a syndicate in the days before his breakthrough Group 1 triumph at Deauville, recently arrived in Newmarket, having been retired from racing after he finished fifth in the GI Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes at Keeneland earlier this month. A six-time winner from 12 career starts – a tally which also included Group 2 triumphs at two, three and four – Diego Velazquez will be available for breeders to view during the Tattersalls December Sales. DIEGO VELAZQUEZ ARRIVES AT THE NATIONAL STUD The beautifully bred son of Frankel can boast 6 career successes culminating in a thrilling Group 1 victory in the Jacques Le Marois and will stand at a fee of £17,500. #DiegoVelazquez #NSstallions pic.twitter.com/dcA9oq6LOy — The National Stud (@NatStudStallion) October 28, 2025 The post Diego Velazquez to Stand for £17,500 in Debut Season at The National Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article