Wandering Eyes

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T) runner-up Valiant Force will try the dirt surface for the first time in $100,000 Limestone Stakes Jan. 6 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

A former assistant to Bobby Frankel and a licensed trainer for more than 50 years, Eddie Truman announced on Monday that he had sent his final horse to the track on New Year's Eve morning at Santa Anita—ending a racetrack run that dates back to the early 1960s. A winner of 763 races from 5,334 starters, with purse earnings of $15.7 million, Truman said that with his 77th birthday fast approaching Jan. 23, the time was right for him and his wife Elizabeth to step away from a way of life that dates back to his teenage years, when, as an apprentice jockey in 1963 at Sportsman's Park in Chicago, he led all riders. “I've been blessed to have a great group of owners, some of them for 40 years,” Truman said. “I believe the great horses, the great jockeys, here in a great setting is something we could never replace and that Santa Anita will continue forever.” Truman, who following an initial run as a licensed trainer for one year in Detroit, MI and a subsequent trip to Europe, came to Southern California in 1972. His first stop was the backstretch at Hollywood Park, where he introduced himself to Frankel, in the hopes of securing a job as an exercise rider, assistant, or whatever might be available. “When I came back from Europe, I decided I wanted to be a trainer and that I wanted to go with the best…Forget everything I thought I knew and try to learn from the best. And so, it was Charlie Whittingham or Bobby Frankel,” said Truman. “I happened to walk into Bobby's barn first and I asked him if I could get on some horses or if there were any jobs available. He said 'Who are you?' And I said 'Eddie Truman.' And he said 'Oh my God, you were riding when I was walking hots at Tropical Park in 1963!' So then, he told me to go get on a horse and I was in.” He continued, “I've just been associated with such great people and they were not only clients, but really nice friends. All these people and of course, the horses, have made it spectacular, a dream come true for me.” Truman's top horses include Go West Marie ($452,600); Irish-bred Casino King ($328,689); Moonless Sky ($269,120) and With Iris ($251,740). —courtesy Mike Willman, Santa Anita Stable Notes The post Veteran Trainer Eddie Truman Retires appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nick Jonsson's two-time group 1 winner, See It Again, leads a 13-horse field in the Jan. 6 King's Plate (G1) at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town.View the full article

Ngauruhoe won the Grant Plumbing Wellington Cup today at Otaki giving trainer Michael House his third consecutive win of the Cup. Driven today by House’s son Wilson, Ngauruhoe started off 30 metres and stepped away well to settle well back one off the fence. With 800 left to travel, the tiring Cashem forced House three wide and from there he progressed and hit the front with 200 metres to run. The gelding fought on well when challenged by the 2nd placed Slainte to take the win by a head. “His run on Tuesday was good so I was fairly confident going into the race today” says House “He tries hard and is pretty safe and deserved the win.” Alongside their Cup win, the father and son combination scored a treble with their other two winners coming by way of Avenger in Race 2, and Amelia Rose in Race 4 giving her two wins in a row since joining the House stable. “Avenger did a bit of work in the race to win well” says House “he was another who went a good race on Tuesday” says House. Amelia Rose, who started favourite, was boxed in four back on the rail throughout the race with House only being able to get out in the open upon turning into the home straight. From there she ran down the second placed Santanna Mach, also trained by House, to win by a head. “Amelia Rose’s win on Tuesday was penalty free so she went into the race here competing against the same grade of horses again” says House “All the horses went well today and I was stoked to get a treble.” In the American Me Otaki Cup it was Village Rebel who was once again too good. Trainer Nicky Chilcott was confident the gelding by Raging Bull would relish the 3000 metre trip and his 40 metre handicap posed no issue. It was the second Country Cup win for the five year old gelding and his seventh win from just 21 starts. View the full article

In this series, we will have a look at American-bred first-time starters in maiden races at the tracks of the Emirates Racing Authority–predominantly Meydan and occasionally Jebel Ali–with a specific focus on pedigree and/or performance in a sales ring in the meetings leading up to the Dubai World Cup program Saturday, Mar. 30, 2024. Meydan will host racing mainly on Fridays, with the exception of Super Saturday Mar. 2 and Dubai World Cup night. Here is one horse of interest making its debut under the Friday night lights: 5th-MEY, Allowance, AED300k ($82k), NH/SH3yo, 1400mT ALWAYS IN FIRE (Audible) will spot each of his 15 rivals some valuable racetrack experience as the lone firster in this Jumeirah Guineas Trial, but he has some pedigree to recommend him. The Apr. 26 foal is a son of Inspeight of Us (Speighstown), whose son Momos (Distorted Humor) defeated Saratoga maidens at first asking before going on to four black-type placings, two at the graded level as a juvenile. Inspeight of Us is a half-sister to Daddys Lil Darling (Scat Daddy), winner of the GI American Oaks on the grass and the dam of the listed-winning and G1 Betfred Oaks runner-up Savethelastdance (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The SW & GSP second dam Miss Hot Salsa (Houston) is also responsible for GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint upsetter Mongolian Saturday (Any Given Saturday) and SW Victoryasecret (Victory Gallop). Harmash Racing paid $120,000 for Always in Fire after he breezed a furlong in :10 flat at OBS last June. The post Desert Debuters: Audible Gelding Set Tall Task appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For Chantal Sutherland, it started out as a freakish accident. She rode Haruki (Karakontie {Jpn}) in the May 6 English Channel S. at Gulfstream and as the horses were pulling up she encountered a bunch of geese who were crossing over the turf course. Spooked by the birds, the horse stopped abruptly and sling shotted Sutherland to the ground. The result was that she broke the humerus bone completely off from her shoulder. She said that her left arm snapped at the base of the shoulder and that it went up into her collarbone. She also broke her left pelvis. Early estimates were that she would be out about three months. More than seven months later, the 47-year-old jockey has not ridden, there is no timetable for her return and she fears that she will never ride again. “I'm working on my range of motion,” she said. “I feel like I'm at a certain point and it's not getting better right now. My doctor said it will need time. Obviously, when you're a jockey, time is not your friend. I would love to be able to ride again. That's the dream. But the reality is I really don't know.” “I hope it doesn't come to that, that I have to retire,” she said. “I'm not in any position to ride at a top level. There's no way. It would be dangerous and I have to get to the point where I can use my left arm. I can't. My arm won't straighten and I have a three second delay from my brain to arm. It needs a lot more work. I've been working really hard at it. I dream of racing again, but I don't know. “It's my range of motion,” she continued. “I can't get my arm above my head. My shoulder only goes to a certain point with my muscles and my range motion. I can't lift a two-pound weight above my head. I can't get my arms above my head. I practice laying down, like a swimmer, my left arm low to the side. My right arm is perfectly strong. I could hold a horse if I wanted with reins with my right arm. But my left side is awkward. Nothing is in sync. I have no control of that.” That the accident was so avoidable continues to haunt Sutherland. She said a trainer stabled near the clubhouse turn feeds the birds during the last break during morning training and again late in the day. The geese live in the infield lake and cross the racetracks to get fed, she said. She doesn't understand why Gulfstream didn't take steps to keep the geese off of the track. “Am I really pissed off? Yes,” she said. “I've gone through a lot of anger with this. I was alone. I never got a phone call from the trainer. Never got a text. I heard from no one. I'm still emotional about it. I went through a lot of anger and I was really depressed. I wanted to give up. I think I am pretty stable, but talking about it is too hard. I had a good five, seven years left as a jockey. It hurts a lot.” She is currently working as an assistant trainer to Jorge Delgado and recently took out her real estate license, but that's not what Sutherland wants to do. She wants to ride again. “It's just that right now it doesn't look good,” she said. “I am praying for a miracle.” The post Still Sidelined After Run-In with Gulfstream Geese, Sutherland Fears She’ll Never Ride Again appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Kate Walters has received a three-month suspension following a verdict of disrespectful behaviour, towards a stipendiary after a race at the Nhill races on Boxing Day in Australia. The Racing Victoria stewards finalised their investigation on Thursday, considering testimonies from Racing Victoria and club officials. As per the stewards report, Walters was involved in behavior that was deemed detrimental to the interests of racing under AR 228(c). When determining the penalty, the stewards took into account the nature of her comments, her plea, personal circumstances, and her previous disciplinary record. Immediately, Walter’s riding license has been suspended for three months until Thursday, April 4. Matthew Hyland from the Victorian Jockeys Association represented her during the inquiry process. Licensed trainer Kane Post gave evidence on Walters behalf. More horse racing news View the full article

Jockey Emily Pomfrett is currently in critical but stable condition after experiencing an incident during a race in Gatton, Australia, on Thursday. Before the start of the race, Pomfrett’s horse, Wanta Willow, flipped over and landed on top of her. Due to the severity of the situation, all subsequent races were canceled as paramedics swiftly responded and airlifted Pomfrett to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital. The Queensland Jockeys Associations Glen Prentice stated that Pomfrett is suspected to have suffered injuries to her sternum, lungs, and brain. She was unconscious for a period of time and was being evaluated during transport and upon arrival at the hospital. Aside from being a jockey, Pomfrett is also an equine acupuncturist who became involved in racing last year. The hospital has confirmed that she remains in critical but stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit. In an update shared later by Pomfrett’s partner, Luke Miller, he provided some news. Miller revealed that although Emily has a brain bleed, doctors are not overly concerned. She will spend the night in the care unit. If everything progresses well, they will attempt to wake her up Friday morning. The racing community has come together to support Pomfrett and her family during this period, offering prayers and good wishes for her healing. More horse racing news View the full article

Keeneland will begin a new year Jan. 8 with the first of four sessions of the 67th January Horses of All Ages Sale. A total of 1,477 horses–broodmares and broodmare prospects, recently turned yearlings, horses of racing age, stallions and stallion prospects–have been cataloged to the auction. Offerings include 10 additional supplements highlighted by Sophia Mia (Pioneerof the Nile), whose first foal is recent GI Malibu S. winner Speed Boat Beach (Bayern). In foal to leading young sire Not This Time, the 9-year-old mare is consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent. Each session of the January Sale will start at 10 a.m. ET. The entire auction will be livestreamed at Keeneland.com and aired on the FanDuel TV+ OTT app. FanDuel TV will have live hits throughout Book 1. Joining Sophia Mia in the latest round of additions to the January Sale are: Angel Nadeshiko, who won the Dec. 30 GIII Robert J. Frankel S. at Santa Anita. From the family of champion Proud Spell, the Carpe Diem mare is consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent, as a racing or broodmare prospect. Areuhavingfunyet, a daughter of Mucho Macho Man who was runner-up in her most recent race at Churchill Downs Nov. 12. She is consigned by Lane's End, agent, as a racing or broodmare prospect. Coastal Charm, a Ghostzapper mare whose four wins in 2023 include the Dig A Diamond S. at Oaklawn Park and the Iowa Distaff S. at Prairie Meadows. From the family of Grade II winner Alpha Kitten and two-time 2023 stakes winner Downtown Mischief, she is consigned as a broodmare prospect by Lane's End, agent. Happy Valentine, a daughter of Runhappy who was a three-length allowance winner at Woodbine Dec. 16. She is consigned by Highgate Sales, agent, as a racing or broodmare prospect. Juniper's Moon, a graded stakes-placed, winning daughter of Galileo (Ire) and multiple Grade I winner I'm a Chatterbox who was third in the 2023 GIII Florida Oaks. A racing or broodmare prospect, Juniper's Moon is consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent. Leslie's Loot, who won the Dec. 23 Letellier Memorial S. at Fair Grounds to cap her three victories at two. By Fast Anna and from the family Grade II winner Paid Up Subscriber, she is consigned by Warrendale Sales, agent, as a racing or broodmare prospect. Meow Meow Hiss, a filly by Creative Cause who is a half-sister to Wine Me Up, runner-up in the 2023 GI American Pharoah S. Highgate Sales, agent, consigns her as a racing or broodmare prospect. Saddle Up Jessie, a daughter of More Than Ready whose four wins in 2023 include the Dec. 23 Carousel S. at Laurel Park. A half-sister to King's Gamble, third in the 2023 G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack S. at York in England, she is consigned by Indian Creek, agent, as a racing or broodmare prospect. Saffron Moon, a daughter of Malibu Moon who was second in the Nov. 23 GIII Cardinal S. at Churchill. A three-time winner, she is from the family of Grade I winner Vacare. Saffron Moon is consigned by Indian Creek, agent, as a broodmare prospect. The post Grade I Producer Sophia Mia Among 10 Final Supplements Added to Keeneland January appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this extended holiday weekend running at Nakayama and Kyoto Racecourses: Saturday, January 6, 2024 4th-NKY, ¥11,850,000 ($82k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1800m KITSUNENO YOMEIRI (f, 3, Justify–Aloof {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) looks to become the fifth winner from six to race from her dam, a Group 3 winner in Ireland who was purchased by Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm for a sales-topping $3.9 million in foal to War Front at the 2014 Keeneland November Sale. A daughter of Group 1-winning juvenile Airwave (GB) (Air Express {Ire}), Aloof is a full-sister to SW & MGSP Keats (Ire) and SW Orator (Ire) and a half-to Broodmare of the Year Meow (Ire) (Storm Cat), the dam of champion MG1SW Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) G1SW Clemmie (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and GSW Blenheim Palace (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Aloof sold for $75,000 in foal to Olympiad at KEENOV this past fall. The cross of Justify over Galileo is responsible for undefeated G1 Dewhurst S. winner City of Troy and the additional graded/group winners Buchu and Red Riding Hood (Ire). B-Whisper Hill Farm LLC (KY) ECORO BLADE (JPN) (c, 3, Mendelssohn–Entropia {Arg}, by Mount Nelson {GB}) is the first foal out of his G1 Criadores-winning dam, who was bred to this sire before being exported to Japan. A Mar. 6 foal, Ecoro Blade was knocked down for the equivalent of $235,606 at the JRHA Select Sale a few months later, and his now-yearling half-brother by Equinox's sire Kitasan Black (Jpn) was purchased for better than $1 million at the same event last summer. B-Grand Stud Sunday, January 7, 2024 7th-NKY, ¥14,880,000 ($103k), Allowance, 3yo, 1800m COSMO GIN BUCK (c, 3, Good Magic–Disposablepleasure, by Holy Bull) belied debut odds of 9-1 to graduate by a half-length going this track and distance Dec. 9 and will try to put them back-to-back here. The May foal's dam won the 2011 GII Demoiselle S., was runner-up in the GI Mother Goose S. the following season and was purchased by Big Red Farm for $35,000 carrying this colt at Keeneland November in 2020. Disposablepleasure is a half-sister to SW & GSP Romantic Hideaway (City Zip). B-Big Red Farm Monday, January 8, 2024 11th-KYO, Shinzan Kinen-G3, ¥77.3m ($535k), 3yo, 1600mT NOBLE ROGER (c, 3, Palace Malice–Noble Ready, by More Than Ready), a $70,000 OBS April breezer, was bet into even-money favoritism for his Nov. 12 debut going a mile over the Tokyo turf course and did not disappoint in graduating by a handy 1 3/4 lengths (see below, SC 5). Noble Ready, who was placed three times in stakes company on the turf, is a full-sister to GSW Zindaya, the dam of MGSW 'TDN Rising Star' Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and a half to Grade I winner Western Aristocrat (Mr. Greeley). Adding to the intrigue is the presence of 2023 second-leading jockey Yuga Kawada. B-Candy Meadows LLC (KY) The post Palace Malice Colt Makes Stakes Debut at Kyoto appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nina Gueorguieva's Kinga Farm will offer seven horses at next week's Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale and the entire group will be offered during the four-day auction's first session Monday in Lexington. “I was surprised they gave me the first day of the sale. I asked them if something went wrong,” Gueorguieva said with a laugh. “They said no, nothing is wrong.” A native of Bulgaria, Gueorguieva first came to the U.S. in 1995 as an exchange student. She had participated in show jumping and dressage in Bulgaria and, as part of the exchange program, she was expected to work at a horse farm in Kentucky. “I was kind of disappointed when I came to Kentucky, they didn't have any show jumpers here at that time,” Gueorguieva explained. “At that point, they only had Thoroughbreds. So since then, I have been all in Thoroughbreds. Although, I do have a couple of Standardbreds that we breed and race.” Gueorguieva spent 20 years as manager at Considine Farm, but when the operation changed locations, it also changed the course of her career. “I am a bird fanatic,” Gueorguieva said. “I have peacocks, I have ducks, and what really breaks my heart when we moved from the old Considine Farm to the new place, they didn't let me have any of my birds, which just broke my heart. But I got a lot of experience from there.” The change prompted Gueorguieva to search for her own place. “To tell you the truth, in my dreams, I always wanted to have my own place,” she said. “I have seven acres here in Winchester. It's not a fancy place, but it's pretty good land. And it's my place.” Gueorguieva purchased her farm in 2015 and began operations in 2016. Searching for a name for the new endeavor, she ultimately landed on the patron saint of Poland and Lithuania. “Kinga is a saint from the 12th century,” Gueorguieva said. “That's how the name came about. It's a woman saint–I wanted to make the farm name kind of girly because I am the one, it's my farm. A king is a king and if you put a, it sounds a little more girly. That's how it came about.” The new operation had quick success in the sales ring, purchasing the mare Gingham and Lace (Kris S.), in foal to Street Boss, for $7,000 at the 2016 Keeneland November sale and selling that Street Boss foal for $180,000 at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton July sale. Six-figure results from moderately priced mares continued when a colt by Munnings, purchased by major client Rebecca Farms for $27,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale, sold for $145,000 under the Kinga Farm banner at the 2022 Keeneland January sale. While a Mineshaft colt purchased in utero by Rebecca Farms for $20,000 in November sold for $110,000 at that same sale. Gueorguieva will hope the formula continues to prove profitable with a pair of homebred short yearlings she will be offering at Keeneland next Monday. Hip 74 is a filly by Upstart. Since Gueorguieva purchased Post Script (Quality Road), with the filly in utero, for $7,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November sale, the mare's son Act a Fool (Oscar Performance) won the Hawthorne Derby last June and her daughter Bette Davis (Oscar Performance) broke her maiden just days before her third birthday. The mare's colt by Oscar Performance sold for $180,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. “She is a pretty nice filly,” Gueorguieva said. “Hopefully she sells good. If she doesn't, we will keep her and we will see how it goes.” Another Kinga homebred is hip 181, a son of Runhappy. Gueorguieva purchased the unraced Timetotime (Not This Time) with the colt in utero for $20,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November sale. The Kinga consignment to the January sale also includes three yearlings bred by Allan Savoie's Rebecca Farms. “[Savoie] gives me a lot of horses,” Gueorguieva said. “He is the one who sponsored me all of these years. I knew him from where I used to work at the old farm when I was talking to him all the time.” The Rebecca Farms offerings include a colt by Volatile (hip 130) out of Simple Addition (Connect), a half-sister to Grade I winner No Parole (Violence). Hip 237 is a filly by Sky Mesa out of Backside Blackie (Yes It's True) and hip 377 is a colt by Midshipman out of Hopeful Union (Dixie Union), a mare purchased by Savoie for $14,000 at last year's Keeneland January sale. “I think they are all pretty nice babies that I have this time,” Gueorguieva said of her January consignment. “I am really happy with them. They all have clean X-rays and they look good. I think this is the right time to sell them. I am sure people will like them.” In addition to managing her own seven-head broodmare band and the mares of her clients, Gueorguieva also represents several clients from Russia, and Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan at the Kentucky sales. Kinga Farm signed for Great Winner (Karakontie {Jpn}) for $10,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September sale. The colt went on to win a Russian Group 1 the following year. It may not have been a straight line from Bulgaria, to managing Considine Farm to owning her own farm, but Gueorguieva is enjoying the ride. “I am really happy, to tell you the truth,” she said. “I am happy with my life right now.” Of the future, she added, “Of course, my goals are to breed a better racehorse or a mare that turns out to be big time. We are still hoping. But it's not going to happen if you don't try.” The Keeneland January sale will be held next Monday through Thursday with sessions beginning daily at 10 a.m. The post Kinga Consignment a Day One Affair at Keeneland January appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There is a new name over the door at Copper Beech Stables, one of the finest training establishments in Ireland, with trainer Cormac Farrell confirming that he has taken over the yard from Michael Halford. It was last February when Halford, who had sent out almost 500 winners from Copper Beech Stables in 16 full seasons, including Group 1 scorer Casamento (Ire), announced that he had taken the decision to combine forces with Tracey Collins under the banner of Conyngham Lodge. Farrell, a respected trainer in his own right but perhaps best known for trading horses at the point-to-point and breeze-up sales, bought the property alongside business partner and well-known owner Douglas Taylor shortly after that announcement. The new owners are already up-and-running at Copper Beech Stables after Farrell sent out two winners on the track in recent months. However, the trainer explained that he will be concentrating predominantly on trading at the point-to-point and breeze-up sales rather than running horses from the famous yard for the foreseeable future. He said, “Douglas and I are lucky that we were able to come in and buy Copper Beech Stables. It's an incredibly exciting venture and the facilities here are second to none. We have put our own stamp on the place and upgraded some of the facilities further with a schooling strip and a Wexford sand gallop to train the point-to-point horses. It's hugely exciting for us.” Farrell, who used to form part of Leamore Horses alongside Anna Calder, enjoyed something of a banner first year when consigning under his own name as CF Bloodstock in 2023. He topped the Tattersalls Guineas Sale when his Zoffany (Ire) colt, later named Bracken's Laugh (Ire), sold for 200,000gns to Ted Durcan and Richard Hughes on behalf of Bernadine and Sean Mulryan. Bracken's Laugh: sold for 200,000gns | Tattersalls Along with Bracken's Laugh, who was a stylish winner of his maiden on debut at Newbury and wasn't beaten far in a Group 1 on his only other start, Farrell secured some notable results at the Tattersalls Craven Sale when three horses sold for a combined figure of 510,000gns. “We've had some good horses through our hands and topped the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale last year,” he said. “That was my first year operating under my own name as CF Bloodstock so that meant a lot. Bracken's Laugh was bought by Ted Durcan and Richard Hughes and he could be a very nice horse going forward for connections.” He added, “When Anna [Calder] and I had Leamore Horses, we met Douglas and have just been very lucky together. Douglas is rowing in alongside me on this venture and has invested in Copper Beech Stables. We've had some nice Jet Aways (GB) together and, the first one we bought, Jet Plane (Ire), has gone on to win plenty of races. Jet Powered (Ire) is another and, while he has had his issues, he could be a nice horse for Nicky Henderson.” Farrell is said to have almost 60 horses fully moved into Copper Beech Stables, with the lion's share of those being prepared for the breeze-ups and the remainder for point-to-points. There are just a handful of horses to run on the track, but that is not to say the trainer would be against adding more numbers for that sphere in time. He explained, “It's working well and, as I said, last year was my first operating under CF Bloodstock so hopefully we can build on it in 2024. Douglas is involved in many of our horses but we have lots of other investors, too. “We have a mixture of point-to-point and breeze-up horses here and, while we do run a few on the track, invariably they would be horses that either missed a sale or failed to sell for whatever reason. “I like to trade horses, predominantly, and, while we'd be open to taking more horses to train for the track, we're always looking at those who have some upside and might be traded on at some point. You have to do that in Ireland in order to survive.” The post Trainer Cormac Farrell Buys Famous Copper Beech Stables appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bob Baffert has won 12 runnings of the San Vicente Stakes (G2) and has two leading 3-year-olds in pursuit of a record-extending 13th when Muth and Pilot Commander face four rivals in the $200,000, seven-furlong race at Santa Anita Park Jan. 6.View the full article

Trainer Brendan Walsh is considering stakes options for Mucho Macho Man Stakes runner-up First World War and offered updates on Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Pretty Mischievous and Golden Rod (G2) winner Intricate.View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Annapolis (War Front–My Miss Sophia, by Unbridled's Song), winner of the 2022 GI Coolmore Turf Mile S. in a stakes-record time of 1:33.29 at Keeneland, has been retired from racing and will enter stud at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Ky., for the 2024 breeding season. A graded stakes winner at two and three in the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, Annapolis earned over $1.5 million as a homebred for Bass Racing. Annapolis was produced by My Miss Sophia, winner of the GII Gazelle S. and runner-up in the GI Kentucky Oaks. Carrying Annapolis, My Miss Sophia brought $4 million from agent Steve Young on behalf of the Bass family at the 2018 Keeneland November Sale. “Annapolis has been a star since the day he was born,” said Claiborne Farm President Walker Hancock. “Being a $4 million in utero purchase, the bar was high and he lived up to his lofty expectations. He was a graded stakes winner at two, a record-setting Grade I winner at three, and hails from an incredible dirt family.” Hancock continued, “His dam was a graded stakes winner on dirt and was runner up in the Kentucky Oaks. Also in the family are Florida Derby winner Materiality, Alabama winner Embellish the Lace, and Travers winner Afleet Express. With his imposing physique, we believe his offspring will be a success in the sales ring and on the racetrack.” Annapolis, winner of the 2021 GII Pilgrim S. and 2022 GIII Saranac S., will stand for a fee of $12,500 LFSN. The post Annapolis Retired to Claiborne Farm for 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

6th-TAM, $53K, Msw, 3yo, 6f, 3:04 p.m. ET. Bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred, ARI'S MAGIC (Good Magic) initially went for $150,000 during Keeneland September. After rolling a :10 flat at last year's under tack breeze show, the juvenile sold for $725,000 at the OBS March Sale. Owned by LSU Stables and trained by Christophe Clement, the newly-minted 3-year-old is out of Ari the Adventurer (Pioneerof the Nile), who Stonestreet bought for $350,000 at the '13 OBS Select 2-Year-Old Sale. TJCIS PPS The post Friday Insights: $725k OBS Grad Debuts At Tampa Bay Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Houston Race Park celebrates the start of its 30th anniversary season Jan. 5. The milestone season will be primarily an on-track and Texas affair due to the ongoing dispute between the Texas Racing Commission and HISA. View the full article

Founded in 2022, the NAIAHF honors and recognizes the indigenous sports cultures throughout North America by recognizing outstanding leadership and achievement in individual and team athletics.View the full article

Bob Baffert has won 12 runnings of the San Vicente Stakes (G2) and has two leading 3-year-olds in pursuit of a record-extending 13th when Muth and Pilot Commander face four rivals in the $200,000, seven-furlong race at Santa Anita Park Jan. 6.View the full article

What Geelong Races Where Geelong Racecourse – 99 Breakwater Rd, Breakwater VIC 3219 When Saturday, January 5, 2024 First Race 12:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Feature racing in Victoria heads down the highway to Geelong Racecourse on Saturday afternoon, where a bumper 10-race program is scheduled. The $300,000 Coastal Classic and Listed Geelong Black Pearl Stakes (1200m) at Listed level headlines proceedings for the meeting set to be run on a Good 4 rated surface. The rail will stick in the true position, giving us perfect conditions for the card commencing at 12:15pm AEDT. Coastal Classic Tip – Junipal Junipal has been racing in fine form this campaign, and based off his run in the Listed Lord Stakes at Caulfield, he looks ready to win once again. He was beaten by the classy Zennzella on that day when finishing fourth, beaten less than a length, and despite chasing home Keats, who he meats again on Saturday, there isn’t much separating the two. This looks to be a deeper race, but if John Allen can land a midfield spot on this of of Reset, Junipal looks to be the best horse in the race, and at a nice price with horse racing bookmakers, we’re happy to side with him in the Coastal Classic. Coastal Classic Race 8 – #1 Junipal (12) 8yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | J: John Allen (58kg) +700 with Picklebet Geelong Black Pearl Stakes Tip – Va Via Va Via ran on well from the rear of the field first-up at Randwick on December 23, and with the run under her belt, we expect she will exert her class in the Listed Geelong Black Pearl Stakes. Despite being beaten 2.75 lengths on that day, the Astern mare produced a nice finish to suggest she was worth following wherever she went. She strung together three straight wins last campaign in fields no harder than this, and with the step up to 1200m, she looks poised to strike. Damian Lane will have Va Via in the second half of the field, but with a thunderous turn of foot, she’ll prove too good for her rivals. Geelong Black Pearl Stakes Race 9 – #2 Va Via (7) 4yo Mare | T: James Cummings | J: Damian Lane (57kg) +240 with Bet365 Best Bet at Geelong – Rey Magnerio Rey Magnerio from the Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock barn has not been seen since winning in impressive fashion at Flemington on November 11. A winner of four of his six starts, the four-year-old gelding is certainly a horse worth following throughout his career, and we expect he will be too good for his rivals on Saturday. From barrier six, Jye McNeil will be able to stalk what looks to be a genuine speed over the 1100m, and with a few non-winners amongst this lot, Rey Magnerio should be bringing up a third straight win on Saturday. Best Bet Race 6 – #9 Rey Magnerio (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock | J: Jye McNeil (56.5kg) +140 with Dabble Next Best at Geelong – Speranzoso We were with Speranzoso when he smacked his rivals at Cranbourne on December 22, and we expect he will go on with the job on Saturday. The five-year-old gelding put a space on his opponents when leading throughout and eventually eased down inside the final 100m in BM64 company. Stepping up to a BM70 on the weekend should prove to be no issue, considering he took subsequent Bagot Handicap winner Galentaneous to within two-lengths two starts back at Sandown. From barrier 13, Jordan Childs will have the son of Siyouni doing as he pleases out in front with an uncontested lead expected, where Speranzoso should prove too hard to run down. Next Best Race 4 – #11 Speranzoso (13) 5yo Gelding | T: Clayton Douglas | J: Jordan Childs (58kg) +450 with Playup Best Value at Geelong – Zou Sensation The Leon & Troy Corstens-trained Zou Sensation was a handy Moonee Valley winner on December 23, and based on how he has returned this campaign, he looks like a nice each-way play on Saturday. The four-year-old gelding settled up on speed on that day and managed to kick clear inside the final 100m to win in impressive style. He steps up to 1400m for the first time in his career, and despite needing to lug 62kg, Blaike McDougall will have him settled on the heels of the leaders throughout from barrier one. With an economical run expected, Zou Sensation should be able to pounce and prove too good once again. Best Value Race 3 – #2 Zou Sensation (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Leon & Troy Corstens | J: Blaike McDougall (62kg) +900 with Neds Saturday quaddie tips for Geelong races Geelong quadrella selections Saturday, January 6, 2024 1-2-4-5-6-7-8-9 1-2-4-5-9 2-3 1-3-4 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Breeder, consignor and pinhooker Ronan Burns of Herbertstown House Stud is first up in our series of mild interrogations to start the new year. What are your goals for 2024? To jump out of bed keen and excited every day. Give us a horse to follow… Zaphod (Ire) (Zarak {Fr}). And a young person in the industry to keep an eye on… George Connolly. Who do you think will be champion first-season sire in 2024? Earthlight (Ire). And the best value stallion in Ireland, England, and France? Not much value this year: Awtaad (Ire), Harry Angel (Ire), Galiway (GB). Your best buy of 2023? We'll see in a few years…Irish Rookie (Ire). The best yearling/weanling you saw at the 2023 sales (that someone else bought)? Of what I saw I'll be excited to see the Kingman (GB) half-brother to Dragon Symbol (GB) on the racecourse in a couple of years. Who is or was the perfect Thoroughbred? Galileo (Ire) in the early 2000s. Your biggest professional regret? Not listening to my gut (and my wife) and selling Libertarian (GB) for a big loss rather than racing him (he was then sold privately in training for a life-changing amount). Always trust your gut! If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why? Rory Mahon, just to be able to wander through the fields of Juddmonte weanlings everyday and spot the next potential superstar(s). The post In the Hot Seat: Ronan Burns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It is hard to remember a time when France had a stronger intake of new stallions than the group which comprises the class of 2024. At Haras de Bonneval, the domain of the Aga Khan Studs' French line-up, the deluxe stallion unit contains two of the most sought-after sires in the country. They have recently been joined by another duo who will be aimed at emulating the feats of their elders. For the new recruits Vadeni (Fr) and Erevann (Fr) it will be no easy task to follow in the wake of France's leading sire Siyouni (Fr) and the fast-rising Zarak (Fr). But then again, few would have predicted the lofty heights that Siyouni has reached when he started out on his second career in 2011 at a fee of €7,000. He is now the most expensive stallion in France at €200,000. Only Frankel (GB) and Dubawi (Ire) command a higher fee in Europe, and the latter is well represented in the Bonneval quadrangle, as both Zarak and Erevann are sons of Dubawi, whose sire-line extends with each passing year. It would be to do those two a disservice, however, simply to label them as sons of Dubawi, for at the Aga Khan Studs the emphasis has always been on creating families. Here, broodmare power is every bit as important as sire power. Zarak's female line tells the century-long story of one of the most successful breeding operations of all time. His dam Zarkava (Ire) wrote a few important chapters of her own to follow, some 50 years later, that of his sixth dam, the champion Petite Etoile (GB), and back through another four generations to the hugely influential Mumtaz Mahal (GB), who in many ways was the start of it all. Indeed, Zarak's rise, from a €12,000 stallion to the upper tier at €60,000, will have pleased many within the Aga Khan Studs, and for more significant reasons than mere fiscal concerns. What then of Erevann, who brings with him more Siyouni blood, his dam Ervedya (Fr) having been the first Classic winner by the stallion back in 2015, and arguably the most important member of his first crop? “Erevann's dam was very special to us,” says Georges Rimaud, manager of the Aga Khan Studs in France. “Unfortunately we lost her a couple of years ago, but she still has a couple of offspring coming. So Erevann is very special to the family and to the operation. He's a beautiful horse, a beautifully-bred son of Dubawi, who is a sire of sires now. Ervedya was a multiple Group 1 winner at three and at four, and we are all very proud to have offspring from her worthy of being a stallion.” Erevann, the mare's second foal, sailed unbeaten thorough his first three starts, which included the G3 Prix Paul Moussac, before finishing third in the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois, just half a length behind the winner Inspiral (GB) but ahead of Group 1 winners Coroebus (Ire), Prosperous Voyage (Ire), Order Of Australia (Ire) and State Of Rest (Ire). The winning continued when Erevann completed his three-year-old season with victory in the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein. Though winless at four, Erevann again posted some decent performances, notably in the G1 Prix d'Ispahan and G1 Prix du Moulin. Rimaud continues, “Erevann is very interesting, in a similar fashion to Zarak, as a son of Dubawi from a very good broodmare and racehorse. When we attempt to stand a horse as a stallion, we think about his pedigree. We think of what he can offer to breeders in terms of performances, and pedigree is very important in that case. “And there's probably a large amount of luck in this, but there's also a little bit of knowhow from His Highness and his way of wanting to develop not only the broodmare band but also the stallion operation. We certainly would not put a stallion at stud without wanting to use him ourselves. So we think [Erevann's] pedigree, his performances are really worthy of of standing him at stud. It's a great adventure every time we start and we hope for the best. Sometimes it doesn't happen but we've been fortunate so far.” One way in which Zarak and Erevann differ is that the former, like his dam, was a Group 1 winner over 2,400m. Tall and elegant, Erevann has plenty of scope, but he emulated his dam in doing his best work over a mile, a factor which is increasingly appealing to breeders with a more commercial focus. Of the same vintage as Erevann is Vadeni, the colt who ensured that the centenary year of the Aga Khan Studs in 2022 was truly memorable. From his Classic trial victory in the G3 Prix de Guiche, the son of Churchill (Ire) set a new record time when winning the G1 Prix du Jockey Club against a field which included Modern Games (Ire) and Onesto (Ire). It is one thing to beat your contemporaries but the first real test of a three-year-old comes when pitted against his elders, as Vadeni was for the G1 Coral-Eclipse. Three of his five rivals that days, Mishriff (Ire), Native Trail (GB) and Bay Bridge (GB), are also about to embark on their own first covering seasons. Talented though each of them is, they had no answer for Vadeni at Sandown, who had been supplemented for the race and duly became the first French-trained winner of the Eclipse in more than 60 years. Vadeni showed an impressive turn of foot over 10 furlongs, but the question was how he would fare going two more for the Arc. Following a close third behind Luxembourg (Ire) in the G1 Irish Champion S., Vadeni then set about answering that query at Longchamp, where he was a staying-on second to Alpinista (GB) in arguably the best performance of his career. Vadeni is a second-generation Aga Khan homebred, his grand-dam, the G1 Prix Saint Alary winner Vadawina (Ire) (Unfuwain), having been purchased among the stock acquired from the family of her breeder Jean-Luc Lagardere. “It is an achievement of the families that His Highness has been buying or developing over the last decades that at the end of the centennial year and the next year following that, he has been able to produce two horses worthy of being stallions,” says Rimaud. “Vadeni's performances were incredible. He is a mid-sized stallion with strong hindquarters, very deep shoulder, very deep girth, a lovely correct horse, and quite chic in himself.” Vadeni, who gilded the lily by snaring the title of Cartier Champion Three-Year-old Colt in 2022, starts his stallion career at a fee of €18,000 while Erevann has been introduced at €8,000. “We have set up two new horses in a very attractive bracket, and Vadeni in a higher bracket because he really deserves it with his performances, his quality and his overall genetic proposition,” says Rimaud. “There is a very strong interest in the French racing and breeding industry and there is definitely a strong market for stallions in France,” says Rimaud. “Our intention was to develop that in France when we started [at Bonneval] really from the year 2000. It takes a while to settle it down and make it work but I think it's given confidence to [other] stallion operations to stand good horses. For some it's a large investment – we have been fortunate to breed these stallions – but I hope and think they do get a return from their investment. “The prize-money in French racing really helps, along with the breeders' premiums, owners' premiums and all this. It's very important to to keep that up because it attracts a number of people from overseas – particularly from Europe, from England and Ireland, and even some German and Americans breeders – to use France as a breeding base. “You can go to just about anything you'd like. If you want a sprinter, if you want a a mile-and-a-half horse, stayer or a miler, you have a great array of choices in just about in all price brackets.” The post Vadeni and Erevann Boost Bonneval’s Sire Power appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mauritian jockey and trainer Douglas Whyte team up for a Happy Valley double on Thursday nightView the full article

The finalists for the 2023 Eclipse Awards will be announced live on FanDuel TV Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, at noon ET, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB) and Daily Racing Form (DRF) announced Thursday. Eclipse Award ballots were due by Jan. 3. The awards, which honor excellence in Thoroughbred racing, are voted upon by the NTRA, represented by member racetrack racing officials and Equibase field personnel, NTWAB and DRF, and are produced by the NTRA. The announcement of the Eclipse Awards finalists on FanDuel TV is sponsored by John Deere, Keeneland and The Jockey Club. The 53rd Annual Eclipse Awards Presented by FanDuel, John Deere, Keeneland and The Jockey Club will be televised live on FanDuel TV Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, from The Breakers Palm Beach. The evening begins with the Keeneland Red Carpet show at 6:30 p.m. followed by the awards at 7:30 p.m. Britney Eurton, Acacia Courtney Clement and Nick Luck will co-host the ceremony and Caton Bredar will once again serve as announcer. The evening will be capped by the announcement of 2023 Horse of the Year, the finalists for which will first be revealed during the ceremony. The post Eclipse Finalists To Be Announced on FDTV Jan. 6 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Dubai Racing Carnival continues at Meydan on Friday, with a pair of group races on tap for the turf milers and main track sprinters, with the G2 Zabeel Mile the highlight of the nine-race card. Godolphin's Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is the clear standout on ratings, and won this contest in 2022 before placing second in both the G1 Lockinge S. and G1 Queen Anne S. back on UK soil for trainer Saeed bin Suroor. Now seven, the gelding is aiming at a return to form after running a too-keen fifth in the G2 Al Rashidiya to fellow royal blue colourbearer Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}) locally on Dec. 22. “Real World won this contest a couple of years ago and ran two excellent races over a mile in Europe the same season,” trainer Saeed Bin Suroor said. “He has been running over further since but should appreciate the drop back in trip. It looks as though he has improved for his run in the Al Rashidiya.” A former steady fixture in Italian group company, G3 Premio Ambrosiano hero Sean (Ger) (Excelebration {Ire}) now races in the Barratt Racing silks and will make the Godolphin runner's task more difficult. “It's his first run for us so this is a bit of a fact-finding mission,” said Jamie Osborne, whose multiple Dubai successes include Toast Of New York in the G2 UAE Derby. “It's possible he will need further on this track.” American ex-pat Doug Watson will saddle the Classic-placed San Donato (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum and he has drawn widest in stall 13. The multiple listed winner ran second in the Listed Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup at Abu Dhabi on Dec. 3. “It's a bit tough from out there but it's a great race for him, albeit Real World is in there and Marbaan for Michael Costa,” said Watson. “I'm looking forward to seeing how he finishes. Hopefully he can get some nice splits from off the pace.” The race is further enhanced by the presence of G2 Vintage S. hero Marbaan (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) for Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum and trainer Charlie Fellowes. Sprinters Primed For Dubawi Stakes In the G3 Dubawi S., one race earlier on the card, Watson will saddle both Sound Money (Flatter) and Colour Up (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}). The former won the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal on Super Saturday last March and was unplaced in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup night, while the latter, a dirt-loving son of Mehmas, earned his first listed badge in the Al Garhoud Sprint last out on Dec. 8. “Both Sound Money and Colour Up are in really good shape,” said Watson. “The draws are good for both of them; they're horses who don't need to go to the lead; they can settle off it. Colour Up has to step up a bit, with Mouheeb and Tuz and Sound Money in there, so it will be interesting to see how he goes. I'm really happy with Sound Money and looking forward to getting him started.” Successful in the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas at three and the Listed Al Garhoud Sprint over Group 3 winner Tuz (Oxbow) at four in 2022, Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Mouheeb (Flatter) went winless in 2023. “He's had a kind first half of season with the aim of heading towards 8f [1600metres] later on,” said trainer Michael Costa of Mouheeb. “He's a much more relaxed horse this year.” Another Mahab Al Shimaal hero alongside Sound Money, Eastern World (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) will attempt to bounce back to form after making just one start in 2023–a 12th place to Tuz in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint in February. The post Where The Real World Begins, As Baker’s Dozen Clash In Zabeel Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article