Wandering Eyes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — She would have been the likely favorite in next Saturday's $500,000 GI Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. But that point is moot now. 'TDN Rising Star' Ways and Means (Practical Joke) won't run. Trainer Chad Brown delivered the news Thursday morning at his barn on the Oklahoma Training Track. “Unfortunately, she got sick,” Brown said, sitting at his desk in his office. “She's sick, she's not running. Next question. There is nothing to talk about. She's going to miss the race.” Brown was forced to miss a work last week with Ways and Means after she spiked a temperature. Brown's glumness over the situation is understandable. Ways and Means, who is owned by Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables, has done some of her best work at Saratoga. She has won four of five career starts at Saratoga, including last year's GI Test Stakes and her latest start, the GII Bed of Roses Stakes on June 6. Both of those races came at seven furlongs, the same distance as the Ballerina. Ways and Means has earned $997,500 in her career and $618,250 has come in her Saratoga starts. The only time Ways and Means got beat at Saratoga was in last year's GI Spinaway Stakes when she was defeated by Brightwork (Outwork) by a half-length. Brightwork is expected to run in the Ballerina. In her 10 race-career, Ways and Means has five wins, two seconds and a third. She has gone off the favorite in nine of those starts. The only time she was not the favorite was in last year's GI Kentucky Oaks when she went off at nearly 6-1. She finished fourth in that race. Despite this setback, Brown will be busy enough on Travers Day. He is pointing 'TDN Rising Star' Strategic Focus (Gun Runner) to the $1.25-million GI Travers Stakes. He finished third in his last start, the Curlin Stakes, as the 3-5 favorite. He is also owned by Klaravich. 'Rising Star' Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie), who won the Curlin at 4-1 odds for Flanagan Racing, is being targeted to the $500,000 GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes at seven furlongs. Brown has two 5-year-old mares being pointed to the $500,000 GI Personal Ensign Stakes at 1 1/8 miles. Raging Sea (Curlin), the beaten favorite in the GII Shuvee Stakes at Saratoga on July 18 and Randomized (Nyquist), winner of the GIII Molly Pitcher at Monmouth on July 19, will represent his barn. Raging Sea is owned by Alpha Delta Stables LLC and Klaravich owns Randomized. Both of those horses have won three races at Saratoga. Raging Sea won the Personal Ensign last year and Randomized finished fourth. Rain Gave Nitrogen Her Shot at the Alabama If the sun had shone brightly all day on Belmont Stakes Day back in June, chances are we would not be seeing Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) in Saturday's $600,000 GI Alabama Stakes at Saratoga. “Probably not,” dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse said outside his barn on the Saratoga backstretch. When the rains came on Belmont Day, it washed the GIII Wonder Again Stakes off the turf and Nitrogen ran a mile on a sloppy track, winning by a whopping 17 lengths over two overmatched rivals. It gave Casse an idea that maybe his talented 3-year-old filly, owned by D J Stable Inc., might have a future on dirt. Casse kept that in mind, even when Nitrogen's next start was back on the grass in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational on July 5. She was second that day, beaten a nose by Fionn (Twirling Candy). Had she not excelled in the off-the-turf Wonder Again, or if the race had stayed on the grass, she most likely would have run in the GI Saratoga Oaks Invitational last weekend. Nitrogen | Sarah Andrew But here she is and Nitrogen is the 9-5 second choice on the Alabama morning line set by NYRA oddsmaker David Aragona. Champion Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro), who had her seven-race winning streak snapped when she finished fifth in the GI Acorn Stakes to La Cara (Street Sense) on June 6, is the 8-5 morning-line favorite. La Cara is also trained by Casse. She is further along than her stablemate in terms of the 3-year-old filly division as La Cara has a pair of GI wins on the dirt this year: the Acorn and the Ashland Stakes. If Nitrogen makes some noise in the Alabama, it would be her first Grade I on dirt; overall this year she has five wins in six starts. “I honestly think it's a no-brainer,” Casse said or running Nitrogen on the dirt. “We want to be champion 3-year-old filly and, to do that, we need to win a big one on the dirt. There are not many bigger than this one.” Casse knows the Wonder Again could be viewed as the sloppy track and inferior competition, but he was more impressed with how fast she ran and how impressive she looked. He has also liked the way she has worked for the Alabama–the last two breezes have been on dirt. “I don't think there is any doubt she likes the dirt,” Casse said. “If she wins the Alabama, it puts her in a whole different atmosphere, a different league for everything.” Romans, Berg Hoping Bobrovsky Can Cut the Lawn In his first start, 2-year-old colt Bobrovsky (Daredevil) got beat by a nose at Churchill Downs going five furlongs on June 22. A month later, he rolled, breaking his maiden by 10 1/2 lengths in a six-furlong race at Saratoga. Both those races were on the dirt. Start number three comes Saturday in the $150,000 Skidmore Stakes. Here is the rub. This race will be run on the Mellon Turf Course at 5 1/2 furlongs. Bobrovsky has never set foot on it. Dale Romans trains the colt, who is named for Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. He co-owns him along with Steve Berg. Bobrovsky | Sarah Andrew “He is a very good horse,” Romans said outside his barn, sitting in a golf cart with Berg. “The question is will he like the grass?” Berg and Romans are friends and the idea to name the horse after the Stanley Cup-winning goaltender came easily enough. Berg's full-time residence is in Florida and Romans spends the winter there. They have both become fans of the Panthers, partly because owner Vinnie Viola also owns horses. “I've been to a lot of games … one game every playoff series last year,” Berg said. Neither Romans or Berg knows whether or not Bobrovsky the skater knows about Bobrovsky the horse. “Let him win a couple more times,” Berg said about the horse, “then (Bobrovsky the hockey player) will know all about him.” Bobrovsky is listed as 6-1 on the morning line in the eight-horse Skidmore. The post Saratoga Notebook Presented By NYRA: Sickness Will Force Brown’s Ways and Means To Miss Ballerina appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Former Irish Champion Flat Jockey and two-time Classic-winning rider Tommy Murphy died at a hospital in Cashel on Wednesday. A rider and later an assistant trainer to the late Vincent O'Brien, he was 88. Murphy rode his first winner in 1954 in Ireland and spent six years riding in England before beginning a 10-year stint with Clem Magnier in Co Meath. Successful twice in the Galway Hurdle and also at the Cheltenham Festival, he joined O'Brien's stable in 1974. His brace of Classic scorers were in 1977–Lady Capulet (Sir Ivor) in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and Transworld (Prince John) in the G1 Irish St Leger. Other notable mounts for Murphy include Group 1 winners Cloonlara (Sir Ivor) and Storm Bird (Northern Dancer). He earned his championship title in 1978, and retired from the saddle in 1981 before serving as assistant trainer to O'Brien until the latter retired in 1994. Murphy stayed on at Ballydoyle and was an important resource for new trainer Aidan O'Brien for many years. O'Brien told the Racing Post, “Tommy was an unbelievable horseman, jockey and person. He was an incredible help to us when we came to Ballydoyle [in 1994]. He taught everybody here so much about so many different things. Even when he retired, he came in all the time to give everyone advice and guidance. He was one of those irreplaceable men. “He was a great rider, too, just an incredible and special man. Andrew [Tommy's son and head lad at Ballydoyle] is in charge of the Giant's Causeway yard, where all our main horses are kept.” Predeceased by his wife Celia, Murphy is survived by children Helen, Margaret, Jennifer, Sarah, Thomas and Andrew. The post Former Irish Champion Flat Jockey Tommy Murphy Dies At 88 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Instead of tackling division leader Sovereignty again in the upcoming Travers Stakes (G1), Amo Racing USA's Hill Road will return to the turf in the $3.5 million Nashville Derby (G3T), a 1 5/16-mile test for sophomores, Aug. 30 at Kentucky Downs. View the full article

Now inside the three-month mark until the start of the upcoming 102-date meet, management at Turf Paradise is checking off projects on its list of off-season improvements prior to the arrival of horses in October for the Nov. 10-May 2 season. Turf Paradise general manager Vincent Francia said at Thursday's Arizona Racing Commission (AZRC) meeting that Sept. 16 is the target date for the beginning of the annual main-track renovation. “It may take anywhere from 10 days to two weeks because we take all the old dirt off and then put the new dirt down to get ready for the horses to come in in the beginning of October,” Francia said. “And prior to them coming in, there will be a representative from the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) to come out and look over all the work that's been done on the main track and to give us approval to be open for training,” Francia said. Francia also said Turf Paradise will be shoring up structural aspects of the property based on recommendations from an outside engineering firm's recent report. A focal point will be 10 barns on the backside that have not been significantly overhauled since they were built in 1955. Brian Duncan, the AZRC's racing enforcement and operations manager, said he visited the track Aug. 12 and will be there again Aug. 15 to check on progress of the work that is already underway. “I did look at the main rail and the quarter chute,” Duncan said. “They are complete with the exception of just being painted now. The three-quarters chute still needs everything–panels put down, all the caulking and painting as well. I did not check the turf rails. They were watering and cutting it, so I will be checking that [Friday] when I do this as well. I did visit the paddock stalls. The ceiling is complete–painted, redone.” Duncan said he did not personally see the updated sauna in the jockeys' quarters, but that track management had provided him with photographs showing its completion. Francia said the work on the rails will be finished in the following order: inner rail on the main track, outer rail on the main track, then the outer rail on the turf course. The post Turf Paradise Progressing With Off-Season Projects Ahead of Nov. 10 Opening appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Renovations to the E.P. Taylor Turf Course at Woodbine will begin the week of Aug. 18, 2025. The project will restore a five-furlong section of the backstretch run and install a modern drainage system and new Kentucky Bluegrass. For the remainder of the season until the completion of the project in September 2026, turf racing will be conducted on the bet365 Inner Turf Course. “The E.P. Taylor Turf Course has played host to some of the most memorable moments in Canadian racing, and this renovation ensures it remains one of the finest turf courses in the world,” said Michael Copeland, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “This project is about more than infrastructure–it reflects our long-term commitment to delivering a world-class racing experience for our horses and riders, horseplayers and fans, and the entire racing community.” The fall turf stakes traditionally contested over the E.P. Taylor will be relocated to the inner turf, including the GI Woodbine Mile, the GI Summer Stakes and GI Natalma Stakes all at a two-turn mile on Sept. 13. The Breeders' Stakes on Sept. 28 and the GI Canadian International on Oct. 4 will also be run over the inner turf course. The latter two events will be held over their traditional mile-and-a-half distances, but will be three-turn races instead of two. To support the project timeline, post times at Woodbine will be adjusted beginning the week of Aug. 18. Thursday post time will shift from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., while Friday's first race will be moved to 4:30 p.m. from 1:05 p.m. Saturday and Sunday post times remain unchanged. The post E.P. Taylor Turf Course Renovations To Begin Next Week, Major Stakes Shift To Inner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The sixth installment in the 2025 OwnerView webinar series was held Aug. 12 and covered buying horses at sales and on digital platforms, according to a press release on Thursday from the series. Guests included Leif Aaron, director of digital sales, Fasig-Tipton; Conrad Bandoroff, vice president of Denali Stud; Cormac Breathnach, director of sales operations, Keeneland; and Jon Green, owner of D.J. Stable LLC. Hosted by The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and presented by Bessemer Trust, Keeneland, and Stoll Keenon Ogden, the panel was sponsored by Centennial Farms and Walmac Farm. The Q&A portion of the event was sponsored by West Point Thoroughbreds. Click here to access the webinar. The post OwnerView Webinar Covers Buying At Sales And On Digital Platforms appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Zachary Butcher says there is a simple reason he is taking Mantra Blue to Alexandra Park tonight : he knows what is coming next. Butcher is the north’s leading reinsman these days but also trains a few horses headlined by the fast five-year-old mare who has won half of her 18 starts. Mantra Blue was originally going to trial rather than racing tonight but Butcher knows the Alexandra Park main pacing races are about to get a whole lot stronger and he wants to get out in front of that. “Ideally she would be going to a trial but there are horses like Cold Chisel coming back to the races very soon and then after them top horses like Merlin and Sooner The Better,” says Butcher. “And if I wanted to next week she would be up against Akuta with a run under his belt. “So I’d rather be going into a trial but the way she worked last weekend I still think she can win.” By avoiding the absolute big boys of pacing Mantra Blue finds herself against non-open class rivals tonight with the small field reducing the disadvantage of her 30m handicap. “These races are always hard because the tempo of the race dictates what you can do, whether you can take off or not and get handy. “But unless something changes I’d like to drive her for one run and I think she can still win doing that.” Her winning chances may ultimately be determined by what sort of cart she gets into the race over the last 800m and it is a case of if punters are determined to have a bet and it isn’t Mantra Blue, then who? The most logical might be Kevin Kline, who is a big silly looking horse but is getting better with every start and seems happiest rolling along, so he wasn’t suited by last week’s sprint home over 1700m when he was trapped back on the inside. If he can step well and get to the marker pegs tonight, or even better the front, he can win, as can his stablemate Leo Lincoln while Village Rebel will be a big improver on his fresh up run two weeks ago. Butcher will partner two other favourites tonight in The Night Agent (R2, No 6) and Confederate (R6, No 1), both of whom have shown plenty of ability for trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan. “I think they are both the best horses in their races but they will also improve. “Confederate drawn 1 really helps and they can both win but if either of them don’t they are worth following.” View the full article

By Michael Guerin Ricky May hopes his fill-in driving proves a bit more productive at Addington tonight. Little Ricky is filling in for Big Johnny (aka John Dunn) while the latter is having a working holiday overseas and that means key drives like Triple G in the main pace, the Georgia Anderson Happy 21st Birthday Mobile Pace (8.36pm) and Better Be Quick in the It’s Time to Book With Woodlands Mobile Pace for the fillies and mares at 7.59pm. While May is stoked to be warming the seat on a couple of serious winning chances he admits he’d like to see Triple G take a step up after his comeback third placing two weeks ago. “He was a touch disappointing,” says May. “But he was fresh up and I am sure there will be improvement in him this week.” Triple G has been a hard horse to follow, having raced in everything from good age group races and Methven Cups to handicap races at Westport and early in his career you could have expected him to have won more than five races by now. But he gets his chance tonight as his easy last-start conqueror Our Shangri Lana (R7, No.9) has drawn the outside of the front line and there may be reluctance to see her burn and hand up as she did last start. So Triple G should end up forward if not leading again and if he has improved as his catch driver hopes then he might make it to the winner’s circle for the sixth time in his career. Better Be Quick was beaten by a smart debutante in Desert Dancer last start in the sort of performance that makes you wonder how she is still a maiden after 13 starts. But her time looks near and May thinks she too can improve this week and be hard to beat. Earlier in the night May starts the programme with what he rates one of his better chances in Mighty Flying Lou. The four-year-old had won two trials before resuming with a solid third last start and looks perfectly placed in the opener, albeit with no great spoil for punters paying just $1.70. “He has to be one of my best for the night,” says May. One of the more competitive races tonight is Race 4, the Avon City Ford Mobile Pace (6.46pm) which sees three impressive last start winners in Caught The Eye, Joyride and Moonlite Blood as well as others who are not destined to be stuck in this grade so it should be a good form race to follow. View the full article

By Brittany Graham The harness racing version of the TAB Racing Club will officially get underway tonight (Friday) at Addington Raceway. After purchasing several high-quality yearlings at last year’s sales, Eun Sugno for the Dalgetys will be the first to don the dark blue and red TAB silks on race day. A big son of Captain Crunch out of star race mare One Dream, he has built nicely through some recent trials to make his race day debut a little earlier than anticipated. “Cran was rapt with the fitness improvement he made from his first to second trial this preparation and opted to head to the races as opposed to another trial,” said Wade Smith, who manages the TAB Racing Club. The purpose of the TAB Racing Club is to drive awareness and support for racing ownership, as well as to promote broader industry engagement and education among TAB customers. The Racing Club own the horses outright and bring the experience and benefits of ownership to each member at zero cost. Members are involved in the whole process, including receiving regular communication from the trainers on how each runner progresses through their preparations. When it comes to Eun Sugno, he has continued to impress co-trainer Cran Dalgety. “He is a big boy, but he is handling the work well and has improved a lot. I think we have a nice racehorse on our hands” he said in a recent update. The roll looks to continue next weekend also, with high priced purchase No More Dreaming looking to debut before aiming up at a heat of the Sires Stakes at Alexandra Park for Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan. Purchased for $340,000 at last year’s NZB Standard Yearling Sale, the colt boasts an impeccable pedigree, ranking as a full brother to millionaire pacer Don’t Stop Dreaming. Now is the perfect time to become involved with a big Spring expected! There are many ways to sign up including: Via the website by clicking the ‘TAB Racing Club’ tab on the home page then click ‘Join the Club’. Via the app by clicking the ‘Racing Club’ button on the home page or by accessing the ‘TAB Racing Club’ tab from the ‘More’ page. Via QR code on Trackside the days leading into a runner or day of the race. Footnote: The horse is cleverly named. Sogno is Italian for ‘dream” in English, referencing his multiple Group-winning Mum, One Dream. View the full article

6th-SAR, $90K, Msw, (S), 2yo, 6f, 4:06 p.m. ET Froutien (Galilean), a $700,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training graduate, debuts against fellow New York-breds. The Tagermeen Racing colorbearer posted six workouts at Todd Pletcher's Monmouth Park base ahead of this debut run. From the first crop of MSW California-bred Galilean, he hails from the extended female family of MGISW 'TDN Rising Star' Mindframe (Constitution). Froutien also changed hands for $95,000 at the Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale and RNA'd for $160,000 at OBS March. TJCIS PPs The post Friday’s Racing Insights: Pricey Son of Galilean Debuts at the Spa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Veteran runner Cruden Bay, who came into last year's King Edward Stakes (G2T) in similar fashion following a victory in the Connaught Cup (G2T), will look to improve upon his 2024 fifth-place finish and come home with the trophy Aug. 16 at Woodbine.View the full article

Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa announced Aug. 14 that they have acquired a half interest in reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna. View the full article

Amy Gregory, a prominent member of the Keeneland team for nearly two decades, will receive the Jane Goldstein Exemplary Leadership Award at the Horse Racing Women's Association's fourth annual Conference, Oct. 8-9, in Lexington, Kentucky, according to a press release from the organization on Thursday. Within her 45-year career in the Thoroughbred industry, Gregory joined Keeneland as media relations manager in 2006 and was named director of communications in 2013. Earlier this summer, Gregory retired from her role, though she will continue to provide communications support to Keeneland and consult on special projects for the company. “I am incredibly honored and humbled to receive the Jane Goldstein Leadership Award,” said Gregory. “I am so grateful to the Horse Racing Women's Association for this very special recognition, and thankful for its continuing work to engage and inspire women in racing.” The post Amy Gregory To Receive Jane Goldstein Award At HRWA Conference appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland has supplemented a filly by Tapit and a colt by Uncle Mo to Book 1 of the September Yearling Sale Sept. 8-9, the company said via a Thursday release. Opening day of the auction, which begins at 1 p.m. ET will include: Hip 183, a daughter of Tapit who is from the family of current sire Life Is Good, MGISW Diamondrella (GB) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}). Consigned by Paramount Sales, agent, she is out of She'samericanmade (American Pharoah). Supplemented to the second day is: Hip 374, a colt by Uncle Mo who is a half-brother to current sire Pinehurst. He is out of the Giant's Causeway mare Giant Win, a full-sister to GSW First Passage. From the family of GISW Harmony Lodge (Hennessy), the colt is consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent. Click here to access the catalogue. The post Keeneland Supplements Pair To September Yearling Sale Book 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Neil Pessin, who abruptly left the training business in mid-May, has landed a new position as an assistant to trainer Michelle Nihei on the Kentucky circuit, the conditioner confirmed Thursday. The conditioner of Grade I winner Bell's the One (Majesticperfection), Pessin saddled his final runner at Keeneland at the end of April and took some time to sell of some of his tack and other gear. But Pessin admits that sitting idly by isn't something he does especially well, and he ultimately accepted an offer from Nihei to oversee a string of about 10 horses at Churchill's Trackside training center around the beginning of June. “I had a few people ask to evaluate horses for them, but that took about 30 minutes and I found I still had 23 hours and 30 minutes to kill,” Pessin quipped. “A few people asked about going to work for them, but Michelle made me a good offer and what's especially nice is that I will get to winter in New Orleans, so it all made sense.” Pessin has long spent the winter months at the Fair Grounds. The conditioner has made the two-hour journey across to Ellis Park with the odd Nihei entrant and he said that plans remain for the barn to remain at Trackside or the track proper, depending on the acceptance and approval of their stall application. Pessin anticipates that the size of the barn will increase beginning in 2026. “Michelle has about 30 horses at present, but her husband, Tony, is putting together a group of investors to buy horses of all ages,” Pessin said. “They have about 30 yearlings turning right now, and they also buy horses of racing age and breeding stock.” Pessin admits that it's nice to 'be back.' The work thing is overrated,” he said with a chuckle, “but it does feel good to be back doing something with the horses instead of just sitting around. I do like what I'm doing and eventually we'll have maybe double the horses that we have now, so looking forward to that.” The post Neil Pessin Lands Assistant Trainer Position With Michelle Nihei Barn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa has acquired a half-interest in 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in a deal which includes former NFL star Marshawn Lynch, according to a press release from the farm. Trained by Kenny McPeek, who selected her as a yearling, she is one of only seven distaffers in the history of the American turf and only the second 3-year-old filly, along with the fabulous Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro), to claim the coveted title. A six-time Grade I winner with victories in the GI Kentucky Oaks, the GI Acorn Stakes, the GI CCA Oaks, the GI Cotillion Stakes, the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff and the GI Apple Blossom Handicap, the mare has compiled a record of 11 wins and two seconds from 14 starts, with earnings over $5 million. “It is extremely rare, if not impossible, to acquire an interest in a mare of this caliber,” said John G. Sikura, owner of Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa. “A Horse of the Year, out of a Broodmare of the Year is beyond a unique commodity. A consummate Champion, Thorpedo Anna hails from a pedigree that I have been involved in and respect as foundational to the modern breed. Deep in her pedigree are the names of Cosmah, Almahmoud and the great sires Halo and Northern Dancer who is perhaps the greatest sire ever. “Kenny has managed her career to perfection and I am excited to be part of the team,” added Sikura. “We have a shared responsibilty to expose our sport to a new audience, as such, NFL superstar and actor Marshawn Lynch is participating in the deal. Mr. Lynch came to Saratoga and experienced our sport and was utterly enthralled.” Thorpedo Anna will race the remainder of 2025 and plans are for her to continue next year. “It has been an amazing journey being around Thorpedo Anna,” said Kenny McPeek. “Judy Hicks, Mark Edwards and Sherri McPeek's Magdalena Racing will continue to retain their percentage ownership of Thorpedo Anna and we are all excited to continue with such a great partner as John Sikura and Hill 'n' Dale.” The post Hill ‘n’ Dale Acquires Half Interest In HOY Thorpedo Anna, Deal Includes NFL Star Lynch appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

LE MESNIL MAUGER, FRANCE — Ahead of the inaugural sponsorship of the Prix Jacques Le Marois by the Aga Khan Studs, Princess Zahra Aga Khan has spoken of her team's “recognition of the industry” in supporting the entire card at Deauville on Sunday. The 104th running of the Group 1 race which commemorates owner-breeder Jacques Le Marois looks set to feature two runners from the Aga Khan Studs, Zabiari (Wootton Bassett) and Ridari (Churchill), among a maximum field of 11, including the supplemented Docklands (Massaat) and Rosallion (Blue Point), who fought out a scintillating finish to the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. The Japanese contenders Ascoli Piceno (Daiwa Major) and Go To First (Rulership) add extra international spice to an intriguing contest. The Aga Khan Studs last gave their name to the National Stakes back in 2002 and they take over this sponsorship from the Niarchos family's Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard, which supported the Jacques Le Marois for almost 40 years. The winningmost owner of the race over the last century is Marcel Boussac, whose entire breeding operation was purchased by HH Aga Khan IV in 1978. His bloodlines remain prominent within the Aga Khan Studs' broodmare band, with the aforementioned Ridari being an eighth-generation descendant of Boussac's foundation mare Astana (Arbar). Referring to the various acquisitions over the years, which include the stock of renowned breeders Francois Dupre and Jean-Luc Lagardere, Princess Zahra said, “Each individual purchase, including Brook Holliday, and purchases like that, was very important because they brought new families and new blood into our basic breeding stock. And with every acquisition, they brought a different aspect, so either some very classic French bloodlines or the speedier Lagardere lines, and I would say that the Lagardere stock has had a very rapid impact on the speediness.” She continued, “If you look at Siyouni's descendants, they tend to be precocious and fast, and every time there's an acquisition, it's an interesting exercise in marrying them and blending them with the older Aga Khan families. We're trying to keep the same attitude and aspect towards racing. “My father always said that he was looking for not just cruising speed but acceleration, and I would say that over time that is proving to be true. Siyouni's daughters, like Tahiyra and Zarigana, have not only inherent speed but they also have an incredible turn of foot.” Pierre Gasnier has recently succeeded Georges Rimaud in the role of manager of the French studs within the operation, and he, alongside Princess Zahra, Pat Downes, who manages the Irish studs, and racing manager Nemone Routh, work as a team of four to decide on each year's matings. “We meet for many, many hours,” said Princess Zahra. “We have our own breeding theories and our own analysis of the families and the theoretical offspring pedigrees would be produced. We do have a database, but it is a repository for information that doesn't make any decisions or help us take any decisions. So far, we have not used AI, or anything like that. We might in the future, but at the moment are just going on the same theories that my great grandfather developed.” Siyouni on parade | Zuzanna Lupa Those theories have stood the operation in good stead for more than 100 years and, in 2025, Zarigana, an eleventh generation of Mumtaz Mahal, one of the earliest yearling purchases by HH Aga Khan III back in 1922, became the latest Classic winner for the Aga Khan Studs in the season immediately following the death of Princess Zahra's father in February. Candelari (Frankel) and Calandagan (Gleneagles) have added to the Group 1 tally this year, too, and represent a bit of a departure for the Aga Khan Studs in that they are both geldings. “If you're building a reputation for a colt it is great to be able to take him overseas and have a sort of public image around the world. It's nice to stay in France and to win in France and if it's a filly we will probably take different decisions because we don't want to risk them, but for a colt it's great,” said Princes Zahra. “And a gelding,” added racing manager Nemone Routh with a laugh, referring to the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Calandagan, whose possible path through the rest of the season will be a prep run in the Prix Prince d'Orange, which is now open to older horses, before heading to the Champion Stakes at Ascot and then the Japan Cup in late November. “It still needs to be discussed. He would carry a big penalty in the Prix Prince d'Orange, but it's a mile and a quarter and it's mid-September, so it would then set him up for Ascot, and then on to Japan,” Routh added. She also had news of the unbeaten three-year-old Daryz (Sea The Stars), who will make his first venture into Group 1 territory when lining up for next Wednesday's Juddmonte International Stakes at York. “Daryz worked very well this morning and we're very happy with him,” Routh said of the G2 Prix Eugene Adam winner who was ridden in his morning work by jockey Mickael Barzalona. “This is obviously a massive step for him. We're asking him a big question and it is a really tough field, but we just felt the horse is in good form, this is his distance and he will probably have his ground. “It might come a bit early but we have decided to take our chance.” The Aga Khan Studs team hosted a press day at Haras de Bonneval on Thursday. We will bring you more news of the farm's four resident stallions and a range of broodmares, both active and retired, and including the great Zarkava, in Saturday's edition of TDN. The post Princess Zahra Aga Khan on Blending Bloodlines and Backing the Jacques Le Marois 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. Friday's Observations features a son of Best In The World (Galileo). 4.05 Dundalk, Mdn, 2yo, 8f (AWT) KING OF SPARTA (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is the fifth foal out of Coolmore's precious broodmare Best In The World (Galileo) and a full-brother to the useful Alfred Munnings and half to the much-more-than-useful Snowfall (Deep Impact). The dam's full-sibling Found remains one of the yard's select Arc winners and with Mark Crehan on board the inference is that he will need time and distance to come into his own. Wayne Lordan is on the Leopardstown fourth Pierre Bonnard (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), a son of the G1 Nassau Stakes winner Sultanina (New Approach) who was one place behind Montreal there. The post Ballydoyle Take The Wraps Off Snowfall’s Half-Brother King Of Sparta appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bidding commenced Aug. 14 and runs until Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m PT for the major reduction of Harris Farms on Fasig-Tipton Digital, according to a press release from the platform on Thursday. Ninety entries are catalogued as part of the reduction of leading California owner and breeder John C. Harris who participated in all aspects of the Thoroughbred business until his passing at the age of 81 in July. The reduction consists of breeding and racing stock. Included in the catalogue are: Nu Pi Lambda (City Zip) (Hip 50): She is a half-sister to MGISW Deterministic. Nu Pi Lambda is offered in foal to Deterministic's sire Liam's Map; Hennys Crazy Train (Epicenter) (Hip 51): GSP earner of more than $300,000 carries her first foal; 24 mares offered with foals with foot; 40 horses of racing age, including unraced 2-year-olds being prepared for their career debuts. All offerings are being sold with no reserve. “We are honored for Fasig-Tipton Digital to be entrusted with the reduction of Harris Farms,” said Leif Aaron. “Mr. Harris, a pillar of racing for more than four decades, spent his life developing these families, which have consistently produced top-quality runners since he assumed leadership of his family's stable in 1981.” Since 2000, Harris runners have won 695 races for earnings of more than $22-million. Prospective buyers may view the catalogue and register to bid by clicking here. The post Fasig-Tipton Digtal Opens Bidding For Major Reduction Of Harris Farms appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DEAUVILLE, FRANCE – Pound for pound, Camas Park Stud has produced the goods like no other consignment at the Arqana August Sale in recent years. Queen Mary third Balantina (Ten Sovereigns), Saratoga Oaks runner-up Evershed (Churchill) and genuine Derby hope Isaac Newton (Camelot) are just some of the August Sale graduates that have been strutting their stuff on the track this year alone for an outfit that sold the 2022 European Champion Two-Year-Old Little Big Bear on this sale ground. Put simply, few people run a tighter ship than Tim Hyde snr and Tim Hyde jnr and the hope is that there are one or two potential stars lurking in their seven-strong draft this year. “We've been coming here a long time – didn't miss a year since the mid-80s,” Hyde snr says in the baking hot sun in yard C at Arqana. “We've been lucky here. And a lot of good horses have come out of here also. Arqana is a great company to deal with. Very helpful. I think our horses are up to scratch. There are some really nice horses. But you need a good horse to come here. You need a Book 1 horse.” Balantina, Evershed and Isaac Newton are good horses alright and are just the type of animal that the Hydes bring to the market. Balantina was beaten a whisker in a Group 3 in Deauville a few days ago while Evershed ran a career-best to finish second in the Saratoga Oaks last time. But Isaac Newton could be something out of the ordinary. Trained by Aidan O'Brien on behalf of the Coolmore partners, he won his maiden at Goodwood in the style of a colt with Classic aspirations for next year. Hyde jnr said, “Isaac Newton looks a very good horse. He won very nicely at Goodwood and could be a Derby horse for next year. We have a good roll of honour but we tend to bring good horses here. For a select sale like this, you have to come with good horses and, when they perform on the track, people tend to come back. We've been coming here for a long time. This sale has always been supported well internationally. You'd always have people from Japan, America and all across Europe attending this sale.” The general chat in Deauville is that the horses assembled for this year's August Sale are the best for some time. So, the horses are here. But are the buyers? Judging by the footfall on Wednesday and Thursday, many of whom have travelled long journeys to be here, there is plenty of money around. Hyde jnr concurs. He said, “The traffic has been really good. There are a lot of people here from a lot of different countries so I would expect that it will be a very good sale. The market was good in Saratoga and we had a good sale there. We sold four or five yearlings and they all sold very well. I think it took people by surprise just how strong the market was over there but there is a big hunger for horses in the US.” Despite its international footing, Camas Park Stud remains a consignment rooted in quality rather than quantity. It's a model that has allowed the farm to thrive with Whistlejacket, Russian Camelot, Ten Sovereigns, Capri, Highland Reel, Rekindling, Idaho and Osaila being other big-name graduates to note. “We're not that big of an operation,” Hyde jnr explained. “We don't sell huge numbers and tend to concentrate on quality. We have 60 or 70 mares and keep only 30 of them at Camas. So we're not huge. And it is becoming harder and harder. Expenses have doubled in the past seven or eight years. The cost of running any thoroughbred business has sky-rocketed in recent years. That's why you need to focus on quality. Trading in low-end mares, the margins are so small that the costs are outweighing the margins.” On the Hyde family's affinity with France, in particular Deauville, he added, “We sold Little Big Bear here. We owned part of No Nay Never and he won the Prix Morny. Then we bred Whistlejacket and of course he won the Prix Morny as well. That day with Whistlejacket meant a lot. If they grow up outside your door and you follow them the whole way here to the Prix Morny, that's special. This place is very close to our hearts and we like coming here and we like selling here. We've a big association with No Nay Never and we've three of them to sell here this year and they are three very good animals. If you want to go to Royal Ascot, you've got to consider No Nay Never because he is top of the list. He is an amazing stallion.” Hyde snr and Hyde jnr are in agreement that this year's consignment ranks highly, with the latter indicating that the three yearlings selling on Monday will be worth the wait. Speaking about their draft, Hyde jnr said, “We have just one Blackbeard to sell here but we have a lot more of them at home that will be going to other sales. I'd say that he is stamping his horses really well. They've great strength and good action – he's making the right type. “But we could be in for a very busy Monday. The No Nay Never filly out of Panthere [182] is a bullseye filly – really strong and a great mover. Every time we pull her out, people just go 'wow'. If you're thinking about Royal Ascot, lot 262, a No Nay Never colt out of Snow Shower, is your man. We've sold a lot of good No Nays and he ranks right up there with the best of them. There's a Churchill filly out of Travel [289] and her No Nay Never colt won impressively at Monmouth Park and he looks the real deal. So she's another lovely filly who is going down well.” On working the sale alongside his father, Hyde jnr concluded, “I'll never fill his shoes. It's great to be here and to be associated with him as he is a legend.” The post ‘She’s A Bullseye’ – Camas Park Bidding To Maintain Amazing Record At Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mike Renfro caught 28 touchdowns during his eleven seasons in the NFL playing for the Houston Oilers and the Dallas Cowboys. Like most athletes, even after all these years, he misses those Sunday afternoons, the camaraderie with his teammates and the thrill of competition. But what would fill the void when he walked off the field for the last time in 1988? To Renfro, that's a very easy question to answer. He discovered horse racing. Thirty-seven years later, Renfro is part of the CJ Thoroughbreds ownership group, which has its sights set on Saturday's King's Plate at Woodbine with Tom's Magic (Justify). To talk about his careers–in football and in racing–Renfro was the Gainesway Guest of the Week on this week's episode of the TDN Writers' Room Podcast Presented by Keeneland. “Any ex-athlete that spent some time at least at the highest level for a while will tell you the same thing,” Renfro said. “There's been others before me and there'll be others to come. But any pro athlete that gets out of the game, it's hard. We have a lot of ex-teammates. We have a lot of teammates that struggle after a life of fame and the fortune, right? And whether it's Hollywood actors, pro athletes, whoever it may be, if they're in the spotlight and they've been exposed to that lifestyle, it can be very difficult. Thank goodness for horse racing. It's a wonderful sport.” Tom's Magic was bought by CJ Thoroughbreds out of the 2023 Keeneland September sale. The podcast's very own Zoe Cadman helped pick out the horse along with partner Marette Farrell. Paying only $200,000 for a son of Justify, they got a bargain. “I think Zoe said it right when she said we just got lucky,” Renfro said. “It's as simple as that. He needed a little time, not from anything that stands out in my memory or anything that put him on the vet's list, but he came to our farm instead of going directly to Florida. Normally, we send them to Ocala. He came to our farm and just chilled for about 60 days. And then he went on to Kevin Nolmeyer's at Silver Springs right there in Lexington. But bottom line is I think we just got lucky.” Tom's Magic is 3-for-5 lifetime and won the Black Gold Stakes at Fair Grounds and the Tale of the Cat Stakes at Monmouth. He has raced only on the turf. Renfro said they began to think of Tom's Magic as a King's Plate horse almost from the start. “We're all traveling for the first time to Woodbine Racecourse and to have an entry in the King's Plate is pretty special,” Renfro said. “We've been pinching ourselves. It's been a plan for several months. This plan actually worked out, which is somewhat rare in our industry as you know. “We've been thinking about this race for a long time. We had an Ontario-bred. We knew he had some talent. Our friend Zoe was very involved in helping select this horse. But you know, things worked out. We got to run him late as a two year old and he showed some promise and won his second start. Since really the first of the year, we've been honing in on this race and he stayed sound as he can be and it's worked out. He's certainly a contender.” In our “Fastest Horse of the Week,” segment which is sponsored by WinStar, the team went over the many reasons there are breed to WinStar stallion Life Is Good. The fastest horse of the week was GI Sword Dancer winner El Cordobes (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who earned a 104 Beyer. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by 1/ST Racing, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association,West Point Thoroughbreds, and 1/ST TV, the team of Cadman, Bill Finley and Randy Moss previewed the GI Alabama Stakes and the King's Plate. They reviewed the GI Sword Dancer Stakes and the GI Arlington Million Stakes. Also on the docket, the group discussed the foul-up last Saturday at Saratoga where the last race on the card was run at the wrong distance. To watch the Writers' Room, click here. To view the show as a podcast, click here. The post Retired NFL Receiver Mike Renfro Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented By Keeneland To Talk King’s Plate appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Britain's clean sweep of Deauville's valuable juvenile Arqana Series races was completed in style on Thursday by Valmont's Cape Orator (Mohaather) in the 6 1/2-furlong Criterium d'Ete. Off the mark for the Ralph Beckett stable at Kempton in June, the 15-1 shot cut loose approaching the final furlong and surged to a 3 1/2-length verdict over Street Show (Showcasing), the only French-trained two-year-old to make the first two in the trio of sales races. “We've always thought he was a very good horse, it's just taken a long time for him to mature,” jockey Hector Crouch said. Cape Orator (H. Crouch – @RalphBeckett) avec la manière dans les @InfoArqana Series – Criterium d'Été À noter qu'il est le frère utérin de Minoushka (@CYLerner), deuxième du Prix de la Grotte (Gr. 3) en 2024 pic.twitter.com/xART7iujSB — Equidia (@equidia) August 14, 2025 The post Brits Complete Arqana Series Domination As Cape Orator Takes The Criterium D’Ete appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Off his late heroics in the GI Whitney Stakes at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 2, Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) once again cracked the LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings. Owned by Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg and Brook Smith, last year's Eclipse Champion 3-year-old rolled from the back of the pack as is his style to take the Whitney by a length. The Chad Brown trainee is now rated 120 on the 2025 list. Topping the chart at 127 is still a three-way tie between Field of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) and Ombudsman (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). Since last month's release, Field of Gold was fourth in the G1 Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and Ombudsman finished as the runner-up in the G1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park. Forever Young has not raced since he was third in the G1 Dubai World Cup. Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who bested Ombudsman in the Coral-Eclipse remains in the co-fourth position in the rankings with a rating of 126. Sharing that same mark is Hong Kong champions Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) and Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). As for the U.S.-based contingent, MGISW Sovereignty (Into Mischief) who is pointing to the GI DraftKings Travers Stakes remained at 125, and checking in again at 124 was MGISW White Abarrio (Race Day), who could ship west to run in the GI Pacific Classic Stakes at Del Mar. The complete LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings are available here. The post Whitney Champ Sierra Leone Back Among World’s Best In Longines Rankings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The sixth installment in the 2025 OwnerView webinar series was held Aug. 12 and covered buying horses at sales and digital sales.View the full article

A nomination to Australian Champion First- and Second-Season Sire Too Darn Hot has been added to the Inglis Digital August (Late) Online Sale held from August 22-27. The son of Dubawi broke the first-season sire earnings record during the 2023/2024 season. Responsible for four-time Australian Group 1 winner Broadsiding, Too Darn Hot has sired the winners of more group races than well-known Australian stallions Snitzel, Fastnet Rock, I Am Invincible and newly crowned champion sire Zoustar, at the same stage of their careers. The sale of the Too Darn Hot nomination is a collaboration between Godolphin, Watership Down Stud and CatWalk and will see all proceeds go directly toward funding critical research to help those living with spinal cord injuries. Inglis Digital business manager Nick Melmeth said, “It's a real honour for the Inglis Digital platform to be entrusted with this Too Darn Hot nomination which is for such a great cause. “Too Darn Hot has proven to be a stunning success story and this is a rare and exclusive opportunity for outside breeders to gain access to him.” Andy Makiv, managing director of Godolphin Australia, said “Too Darn Hot returns to Australia after a season off and is almost impossible to get access to, given his achievements and popularity. “To support CatWalk with the last available nomination to be offered before the breeding season starts is something we are very proud to be part of.” Too Darn Hot is co-owned and bred by Watership Down Stud, of Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber. The Darley stallion shuttles from his base at Dalham Hall in the UK to Australia. The post Too Darn Hot Nomination Added To Inglis Digital August (Late) Online Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article