Wandering Eyes

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

July Cup-winning Richard Hughes's breakthrough summer as a trainer got better on Thursday as Rose Ghaiyyath (Ghaiyyath) landed Deauville's valuable Arqana Series des Pouliches. Always prominent under Christophe Soumillon, Jaber Abdullah's 6-1 shot started to gain the upper hand inside the last 1 1/2 furlongs and clung on gamely to deny Zaravina (Zarak) by a short head for another British one-two in the card's sales races. Like the winner of the colt's equivalent, Northern Champion, Rose Ghaiyyath is a graduate of the Arqana May Breeze-Up, having cost €110,000. A nice type for the @RHughesracing team! Rose Ghaiyyath lands a valuable contest on debut with a gutsy performance to fend off the late challenge from Zaravina in Deauville! pic.twitter.com/R91zf3HJyb — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 14, 2025 The post Another Big Day For Hughes As Rose Ghaiyyath Wins The Arqana Series des Pouliches appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Enjoying the stand-out profile ahead of Thursday's Arqana Series Des Poulains at Deauville, TBT Racing's €820,000 Arqana Breezer Northern Champion (Wootton Bassett) didn't disappoint en route to his big debut payday. Always comfortable tracking the leaders under Kieran Shoemark, the 17-5 stayed on strongly to hit the front inside the final furlong and beat compatriot River Card (Hello Youmzain) by a length. “He was very brave and has plenty of speed,” Shoemark said of the Ed Walker-trained son of the G3 Bow Mistress winner Zargos (Shamardal). “He knew his job and is a really likeable sort with talent.” It's another successful French raid for the @edwalkerracing team! Wootton Bassett-colt Northern Champion follows in the footsteps of Maranoa Charlie in landing this valuable prize first time up in the hands of Kieran Shoemark! pic.twitter.com/it4DvaaQ01 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 14, 2025 The post Wootton Bassett’s Arqana Breeze-Up Sensation Northern Champion In Command At Deauville appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eclipse Award winner Smart Angle and classic winner Caveat have been selected for induction into the Maryland Thoroughbred Hall of Fame for 2025 after a vote by a committee of Maryland racing industry members.View the full article

Sierra Leone (120), last year's champion 3-year-old male in the United States, got back to his winning ways when he took the Whitney Stakes (G1). He came into the Whitney having finished second to Mindframe (120) in the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1).View the full article

During this year's Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, Len and Jon Green's D.J. Stable will offer a curated reduction of its bloodstock portfolio consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, the auction house said in a press release on Thursday. While their reduction represents a meaningful milestone, the Greens remain as committed as ever to the sport. D.J. Stable will continue to be active in racing and at future sales, with plans to invest in new opportunities and further grow their presence in the sport. “This is a one-time offering–strategic and deliberate, not something we plan to do annually,” Len Green said. “From a business perspective, there's no better time to capitalize on opportunities in the breeding industry. The 'Big Beautiful Bill' is strategically crafted to offer compelling incentives for high net worth individuals to invest in broodmares, making it both a smart financial move and a savvy tax strategy.” For more than four decades, D.J. Stable has earned more than 2,600 wins with more than 150 stakes victories; earned 14 leading owner titles across major racing jurisdictions; and raced Eclipse Award and Sovereign Award winners. “D.J. Stable has been developing their broodmare operation for decades,” Taylor Made President and CEO Mark Taylor said. “This is a unique opportunity for buyers to access quality bloodstock and turnkey mares who can offer an immediate return on investment in 2026 and beyond.” Details of the D.J. Stable consignment, including offerings, will be released in the coming weeks along with the November Breeding Stock Sale catalog. “This reduction is a nice standard of quality,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “D.J. Stable has always approached the sport with professionalism and purpose, and this consignment is no exception. It's a unique opportunity for buyers to invest in proven bloodlines from a first-class operation. Keeneland is pleased to sell these horses for the Greens, and we look forward to them remaining active buyers at future Keeneland sales.” The post D.J. Stable To Hold Strategic Reduction Consigned By Taylor Made At Keeneland November appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The E. P. Taylor Stakes (G1T) has long been an elite international contest, with winners carrying British, Irish, French, American, and Canadian running lines. This year's lineup also has an international flair.View the full article

Winner of the San Clemente at the current Del Mar meeting, Thought Process could repeat in the Oaks for Little Red Feather and partners, following Iscreamuscream last year.View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced juveniles from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes, sponsored by OBS Sales, highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, including links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Friday at Saratoga. Friday, August 15, 2025 Saratoga 1, $90k, 2yo, (S), 1 1/16mT, 1:10 p.m. ET Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Jack's World (Rock Your World), OBSMAR, 150,000, :10 2/5 C-Jose Munoz; B-Steven W Young, agent Saratoga 6, $90k, 2yo, (S), 6f, 4:06 p.m. ET Froutien (Galilean), FTMMAY, 700,000, :10 1/5 C-Wavertree Stables Inc (Ciaran Dunne), agt; B-Mahmud Mouni The post Summer Breezes Sponsored By OBS: Friday, August 15, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Bill Turner has died aged 78 following a serious accident earlier this week. Turner, who was based in Sigwells, Somerset, was a former jockey and as a trainer became synonymous with the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster, having won the traditional first race of the Flat turf season six times. He had been in a serious condition in hospital after reportedly fracturing his skull in a fall on Monday and his daughter, Kathy, announced his death on Thursday afternoon. Speaking at Chepstow, Kathy Turner told Sky Sports Racing, “Dad passed away about an hour and a half ago. We got the call in the lorry, I'd made the decision to come here. The horse [Red Snapper] was to run in dad's name in his honour, whatever had happened he would have wanted that. “He slipped away this morning. The support from everyone in racing has been absolutely outstanding. I've tried to reply to as many people as I could, but I am so sorry if I haven't replied to you or someone else. The love that man had was absolute. He wasn't just my dad and my sister's dad and Ryan's grandfather. He was everyone's dad and the people who he has helped in their careers saw him as a dad. “He would have preferred to have been going flat out up the gallops but unfortunately it was a freak accident. I still can't get round that this injury has done this to him, as I've pulled him out from such serious injuries on the gallops. Only last Sunday he was re-felting my sister's salon roof.” Mick's Yer Man was Turner's last Brocklesby winner in 2013 and that victory held special significance. Kathy added, “His best ever moment was when Ryan [While, grandson] won the Brocklesby on Mick's Yer Man.” The post Popular Trainer Bill Turner Dies at 78 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Delacroix (Dubawi) and Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder), first and second, respectively, in last month's G1 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, headline nine confirmations for Wednesday's G1 Juddmonte International at York. The Aidan O'Brien-trained Delacroix is one of three possible runners from Ballydoyle, along with dual Derby hero Lambourn (Australia) – who also holds an entry in the G2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes earlier on the card – and high-class filly Whirl (Wootton Bassett), the winner of the G1 Pretty Polly Stakes and G1 Nassau Stakes. Meanwhile, G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes winner Ombudsman is set to be joined by another Godolphin-owned runner in the Andre Fabre-trained Birr Castle (Cloth Of Stars), who has been supplemented at a cost of £85,000 to fulfil pacemaking duties for the leading fancy from the Gosden stable. Last year's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) scorer Danon Decile (Epiphaneia) adds plenty of intrigue as a rare runner from the Far East, making his first appearance since also winning March's G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan, while last year's G1 Champion Stakes hero Anmaat (Awtaad) and dual York winner See The Fire (Sea The Stars) also feature in a strong contingent of older horses. The potential line-up is completed by the unbeaten three-year-old colt Daryz (Sea The Stars), who is set to make the journey over from France after impressing his connections in a gallop on Thursday morning. “I've spoken to the trainer [Francis-Henri Graffard] and jockey, because Mickael Barzalona rode him, and they were very happy with his piece of work,” said Nemone Routh, racing manager for owners the Aga Khan Studs. “He'd taken a step forward from his piece of work last week and they were very happy with his condition. He worked with Sibayan and Surabad, a Group 2 winner and Group 3-placed, so good horses. After that the plan is now to run at York, if everything goes fine.” Daryz will be running in a Group 1 for the first time on the Knavesmire, but he proved himself a potentially top-class colt when last seen winning the G2 Prix Eugene Adam at Saint-Cloud in good style. Routh added, “We were very impressed last time, in a race which wasn't run to suit him. He pulled too hard as they were crawling but then he really picked up. That was a Group 2, so you feel it makes sense to run in a Group 1 and this came up at the right time. “It's obviously a big ask from what he has been doing so far. The field is a strong one and we're under no illusions it's going to be a very tough race. But Francis took the view that the horse is in great form, it will be fast ground, which he handles well, and we've always rated him, so we'll see how good he is next week.” The post Eclipse Principals Delacroix and Ombudsman Confirmed for York Rematch appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Gimcrack Stakes at York on Friday, August 22 is to be run in honour of the late Tom Lacy, the legendary trainer and breeder who died last month at the age of 89. The move comes at the request of Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai founder and CEO Malih Al Basti, who said, “Tom's achievements as a trainer and breeder are well documented, but he was also an inspiration and mentor to a great many who thrived n the racing industry thanks to his generosity, support and encouragement. “Adding Tom's name to the Al Basti Equiworld Gimcrack Stakes this year is a small gesture but one which I hope will serve as a poignant reminder of the enormous impact he had on the sport.” Lacy rode 50 winners as a jockey and found only Arkle and Flyingbolt too good aboard Height Of Fashion in two Irish Grand Nationals. As a trainer, he sent out hundreds of winners from his yard in Rhode, County Offaly, spearheaded by Ingabelle, who went on to become a hugely important foundation mare at Ballylinch Stud. More recently, Lacy, along with his son Barry, bred the G2 July Stakes winner Persian Force (Mehmas) from €1,200 mare Vida Amorosa (Lope De Vega). The post York’s Gimcrack Stakes to be Run in Honour of Tom Lacy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Letters to the Editor for the Aug. 14 edition of BH Daily.View the full article

After a spectacular 2024 that saw him take home six New York-bred trophies, he's a finalist for 2024 TOBA Small Breeder of the Year.View the full article

Antoine Bellanger is another young gun making waves in France. After spending over 10 years working under Henri Bozo at Monceaux, the 39-year-old set up his own consignment business at Arcadia Elevage in 2019, and the outfit has gone from strength to strength ever since. Arcadia Elevage offers just one horse this week, a Sea The Stars colt [lot 295], and Bellanger said he is optimistic ahead of what is shaping up to be a strong Arqana August Sale. What type of horse does well at this sale? The biggest thing you need is quality. Obviously the sale comes quite early so they need to be quite mature and possibly have a bit of preciosity for it all to come together. But, you know, you can find any type of horse in this sale – you can buy fast horses and nicer three-year-old types as well. You need quality in the pedigree number one and a horse that is physically mature enough to take the prep well. What are your expectations for the market? We have got a lot of question marks about the market and it's hard to predict due to tariffs and other things so that is quite a hard question to answer. The one thing that is extremely positive is the amount of people on the ground inspecting horses this week. Hopefully that means it will be a lively sale and the market will be strong. Your favourite Arqana memory? We've got a few. We are still a very young operation but we had a few nice pinhooking results with friends down through the years and now we are starting to offer our own homebreds, which, I have to say is quite a pleasure because we have been with them from the start. Where do you go in Deauville to celebrate a sales success? I usually prefer a quiet drink at the sales bar with the team and clients just to unwind and enjoy the moment. Best piece of advice you received? I think the best advice I ever got was to do things your own way. Of course, you have to look about what the people do next to you, but it is important to do things your own way and always give things one hundred per cent so that you will have no regrets. Biggest influence on your career? Henri Bozo. I worked for 12 years with him and that was a very good experience. It was especially good to see the progress of Monceaux in a little over 10 years because, when I started at Monceaux, I have to say it was quite a small farm. How much it has grown in that time is amazing. I learned a lot there. Do you have a good-luck charm? Not really. I believe more in hard work than in luck. What is your must-have snack at your marquee to get you through the sales season? Any sweets or pastry with a nice cup of coffee. Not very healthy I admit but rather comforting. What first-crop stallion's progeny has caught your eye? Starman seems off to a great start. In France, I'm keeping a close eye on Victor Ludorum and Armor. I'm very much looking forward to see the first foals of Paddington, Modern Games and Chaldean this year. What television streaming series are you bingeing right now? To be original, I will say a French series called OVNI(s). A refreshing and funny series, somewhere between The X-Files and Stranger Things, with an immersive 1970s atmosphere. Entertaining and the soundtrack is fantastic. Favorite vacation spot? Anywhere with nice landscapes, great food and a peaceful atmosphere. I have to say French Brittany has some beautiful spots. The sun may be a bit shy there, but it's a region full of character. The post Arqana Vendors In The Spotlight: Q&A With Arcadia Elevage appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Seymour Races Where Seymour Racing Club – 55 Kobyboyn Rd, Seymour VIC 3660 When Friday, August 15, 2025 First Race 12:25pm AEST Visit Dabble A competitive nine-race meeting awaits punters at the Seymour Racing Club on Friday afternoon. A typical winter day is forecast in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley, with a top of 15 degrees forecast and showers increasing as the meeting rolls on. The rail comes out 3m for the entire circuit, while the track’s rating of a Soft 6 is likely to end up in the Heavy range if the rain arrives. Best Bet at Seymour: Facilitate Facilitate has been knocking on the door in terms of a maiden victory and draws barrier three with Ben Allen set to stalk the leaders throughout. Expect him to camp just off the speed, blend three wide into the better ground, and launch from the 250m. With fitness on his side and a race shape that favours those within two lengths at the bend, Facilitate gets every possible chance to put his maiden triumph on the board. Best Bet Race 4 – #8 Facilitate (3) 3yo Gelding | T: Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin | J: Ben Allen (57kg) Next Best at Seymour: Another Nephew Another Nephew draws barrier three to hold a spot behind the leaders, and his provincial figures say he’s up to this grade when he lands within striking distance. Will Gordon is a positive booking from the alley, and the setup at Seymour should suit his tractable on-speed pattern. If he can pinch a breather mid-race and be the first to go from the 500m, he will take some running down in the closer. Next Best Race 9 – #4 Another Nephew (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Patrick & Michelle Payne | J: Will Gordon (60kg) Best Value at Seymour: Choice Witness Choice Witness has been a model of consistency all prep and now finds a BM64 that he can control from barrier two. The 3kg claim for Alice Kennedy brings him in nicely at the weights, and his on-speed style is tailor-made for Seymour when the rail is out. With Rock The Bar and Mojo Music ensuring tempo, expect the five-year-old gelding to hold leaders’ backs, present at the 300m and kick on the Soft 6 to figure at a big price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 6 – #3 Choice Witness (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Ben Brisbourne | J: Ms Alice Kennedy (a3) (61.5kg) Friday quaddie tips for Seymour Seymour quadrella selections Friday, August 15, 2025 1-2-3 2-4-5-9 2-4-5-6-7 1-4-5-6-8 Horse racing tips View the full article

Both the pedigree and the racetrack performances of Manifique (NZ) (Savabeel) make her a major drawcard in the latest fortnightly auction on gavelhouse.com. Bidding currently stands at $27,000 for the royally bred Group Two performer and is due to close around 7.30pm on Monday. Manifique is by New Zealand’s 10-time champion sire Savabeel, who is also putting together an outstanding record as a broodmare sire. His daughters have produced the Group One winners Never Been Kissed (NZ) (Tivaci), Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls), Savatoxl (Kuroshio), Beauty Eternal (Starspangledbanner), Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree) and Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto). The dam of Manifique is New Zealand’s 2011-12 Champion Stayer, Shez Sinsational (NZ) (Ekraar), who won 12 races including the Group One Livamol Classic (2040m), Zabeel Classic (2000m), Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and Auckland Cup (3200m), along with the Group Two Hollindale Stakes (1800m) on the Gold Coast. Her three Group One placings included the Queensland Derby (2400m) and Queensland Oaks (2400m). Shez Sinsational is the dam of four winners including Manifique as well as her high-class half-sisters Sinarahma (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and House Of Cartier (Alamosa). That pair were Group Two and Group Three winners respectively, and they also placed at Group One level – Sinarahma in the Thorndon Mile (1600m) and House Of Cartier in the Australasian Oaks (2000m). Another of Manifique’s half-sisters, Repenting (NZ) (Ekraar), is the dam of the dual stakes winner Our Hail Mary (NZ) (Ocean Park). Manifique was a $420,000 yearling purchase from Book 1 of Karaka 2020 by her part-owner Glen Cotterill. From 26 starts, Manifique has recorded four wins and six placings and has earned $174,635 in stakes. She made a huge impression with back-to-back victories in the spring of 2023, winning a Rating 75 at New Plymouth by four and a half lengths before a stunning eight-length runaway in a $70,000 open handicap at Trentham. Manifique went on to add some black type to her impressive CV, finishing second in this year’s Group Two Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) and recording a pair of fourth placings in the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). Spelled not long after her Awapuni Gold Cup placing in the autumn, Manifique has now returned to Didham’s Awapuni stable and has been showing good signs in her pacework and gallops. She is being sold as either a racing or breeding proposition. Manifique is one of 53 lots currently open for bidding on gavelhouse.com. Bidding will close on the first lot from 7pm on Monday. View the full article

Peter Moody has indicated Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride of Dubai) may be ready for a step up in trip this campaign. Desert Lightning is set to kick off his latest campaign that could lead the gelding to a start in the Caulfield Cup. The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained six-year-old is down to run first-up in the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Desert Lightning is one of ten runners in Saturday’s race following the scratching of the Chris Waller-trained Full Count Felicia. Saturday’s outing will be Desert Lightning’s first since finishing fourth in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June, finishing just behind Private Eye who is favourite for the P B Lawrence Stakes. Moody said Desert Lightning enjoyed some extra time in the Queensland warmth before returning to the Pakenham stables of his trainers last month. Desert Lightning started his career in New Zealand with Peter Williams and was transferred into the care of Moody and Coleman after contesting the 2024 All-Star Mile at Caulfield. In his time with his Pakenham trainers, Desert Lightning has not been beyond 1600m, but Moody indicated that may change this campaign. Desert Lightning holds a nomination for both the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 18 and the Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley a week later. “We may give him his chance to stretch out in trip this time around,” Moody said. “The Caulfield Cup, that’s all pie in the sky stuff at the moment, but we may give him his chance. “He has won out to 2100 metres as a younger horse and I don’t think we’ve had him out past a mile since he’s been with us and that was in the Toorak last year.” Desert Lightning will jump from gate one and will be ridden by Ben Melham. “Barrier one, it’s the shortest way home,” Moody said. “He had a few weeks out after his last run, did a few weeks trot and canter, had a couple of little gallops, and then we got back home. “He enjoyed the benefit of a bit of Queensland weather on his back and he had a jump-out at Caulfield the other day and he seems in good order. “It’s a very competitive race, as you would expect, but he goes into it in good order.” View the full article

The Oaks Stud’s silks were to the fore in the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) six years ago when carried to victory by Catalyst, and this year they are hoping to feature once more. Farm principal Dick Karreman will be represented by two fillies in this year’s running at Ruakaka on Saturday, including Group One performer Tajana (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and Cashla Bay (NZ) (U S Navy Flag). The Andrew Forsman-trained Cashla Bay recorded her second career victory when winning at the Northland track first-up a fortnight ago, while the Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray-trained Tajana will be having her first hit-out of the season. The Oaks Stud General Manager Rick Williams is excited about the prospects of both fillies, and while he believes Cashla Bay is the better chance this weekend, he thinks bigger things are instore for Tajana this spring. “It is great to have two promising horses in there,” he said. “We managed to win it a few years ago with Catalyst, so it would be nice to get back up there. “Tajana is the class horse of the field on what she has achieved so far, but she could be vulnerable at 1200m depending on the speed up front. “The other filly (Cashla Bay), with the one run under her belt, she might be the better chance at this stage. “Long-term we are pretty excited about Tajana, once she gets up to a mile. “The (New Zealand) 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) is the grand final for her, and it would be lovely to win it again. We have managed it a few times, but you can never win a Guineas too often.” Tajana has been enjoying a week up at Ruakaka in her trainers’ annual migration to the northern venue, and Williams has received positive reports in the lead-up to Saturday. “I think the sun on their backs and a couple of days warmer does them well,” Williams said. “I was talking with Shaune yesterday (Wednesday) and he said they are doing very well and they are loving it. “It is a good break, and it is a good thing to do for the horses at this time of the year.” Another The Oaks Stud representative that has enjoyed the week up at Ruakaka is Alaskan. The four-year-old daughter of Niagara is pleasing Ritchie and Murray in the lead-up to her spring campaign, with Williams identifying the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton in November has her major target. She won one of her six starts as a three-year-old but was strong late in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham in March when running into sixth. “Alaskan is a very promising stayer in my view,” Williams said. “We are heading towards the New Zealand Cup, that is Plan A. Adjustments have to be made of course if they don’t win the races they need to win to get into the race.” Meanwhile, Williams said The Oaks Stud’s star three-year-old of last season, Savaglee, is enjoying some time on the water-walker following an injury scare. “Savaglee is on the water treadmill over at Lyndhurst Farm,” he said. “He had a bit of a joint issue, but no surgery was required, it was more of a time thing. “We decided to take and ultraconservative approach with him as he had a pretty busy two years. We decided to forego the spring and aim for a late summer-early autumn campaign in Australia if we can get there. “He is such an intelligent animal, you can do anything with him, unlike most colts. “He will be at Lyndhurst for four or five weeks and then he will head back to Pam’s (Gerard, trainer) stable in mid-to-late September to start a long, slow build-up, but in himself he is fantastic.” Savaglee won five and placed in three of his eight starts as a three-year-old, including victories in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), Gr.2 James and Annie Saren Memorial (1400m), Gr.2 Levin Classic (1600m), and placed in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) and Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m). Williams is hoping the farm can have more success across the Tasman, with a couple of runners in the care of Flemington trainer Steve Richards. “We have got two or three good horses in Australia with my son, Dean, who is with Steve Richards,” Williams said. “Antrim Coast came back really well the other day, we think we have got him finally right again, and Raziah had a nice first-up run, so we are excited about the racing team at the moment.” View the full article

Race 3 SKYCITY HAMILTON MILE 1600m EAGLE ROCK (L Satherley) – Trainer Ms. K Little advised Stewards, she was satisfied with the post-race condition of EAGLE ROCK, and it is her intention to carry on with the gelding’s current preparation. Race 7 DUNSTAN HORSEFEEDS 1200m FORCE OF NATURE (M McNab) – Trainer Mr. A Forsman reported to Stewards, that on Monday 11 August, the gelding underwent a veterinary examination, including x-rays of both hocks and an ultrasound scan of the pelvis, with no abnormalities detected. A Forsman further advised FORCE OF NATURE will be given a short break before resuming work. The post Waikato Thoroughbred Racing @ Te Rapa, Saturday 9 August 2025 appeared first on Racing Integrity Board. View the full article

Race 1 SPEIGHT’S ULTRA ON TAP 0-1 WIN HURDLES 3100m HIDALGO (E Callwood) – Trainer Mr. N Quinn advised Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of HIDALGO, and it is his intention to carry on with the gelding’s current preparation. The post Canterbury Jockey Club @ Riccarton Park, Saturday 9 August 2025 appeared first on Racing Integrity Board. View the full article

Race 4 SPEIGHT’S SUMMIT ULTRA ON TAP HANDICAP 1400m GIANNIS (K Williams) – Trainer Ms. L Prendergast advised Stewards, she was satisfied with the post-race condition of GIANNIA, and it is the intention to continue his preparation. The post Canterbury Jockey Club @ Riccarton Park, Wednesday 6 August 2025 appeared first on Racing Integrity Board. View the full article

Allan Sharrock isn’t expecting first-up fireworks from Ladies Man on his home track on Saturday, with the focus on upcoming Group One targets. The New Plymouth trainer is satisfied with his stable star’s progress ahead of his resuming run in the Paslode Open Handicap (1400m) to kick-start a campaign aimed at weight-for-age prizes. “I’m pretty happy with him, but with the weight it’s going to be tough on him,” Sharrock said. After apprentice Frankie Barrett’s claim, Ladies Man will still lump 62kg in his first outing for six months. “I have to get the miles into him and he’s tracking the right way,” Sharrock said. “He normally races well fresh and his work this week suggests he will again, but he has got a lot of weight on his back.” Safely through Saturday, Ladies Man will have one more yet to be determined outing before the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) and then on to the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m), a race he won in 2023. “He’s really going to enjoy it when he gets to those weight-for-age races,” Sharrock said. He is bullish about the prospects of his undercard runners, with Indian Gold tipped as a leading hope in the Steel & Tube R65 (1600m). The Ocean Park five-year-old has placed in all three of his runs away from home this preparation and Barrett’s claim will see him drop 4kg from his last-start second to 56kg. “Obviously, I like Indian Gold and he probably could have won any of his last three runs at Te Rapa in good company,” Sharrock said. “He’s drawn the outside (eight), but he’s a tidy horse and with the claim I would expect him to be really hard to beat.” Indian Gold is also an acceptor in the James Hardie Handicap (2000m), but Sharrock favours the mile event for the gelding. He is also keen on the chances of Bella Timing in the Marley R65 (1200m) and Swingit Our Way in the Matua Open (1800m). “They’re all going well so with a bit of luck we can be all around it,” Sharrock said. Stablemate Explosive Impact turned in a bold performance when resuming at Hawera in mid-May and has trained on well in the interim. “She ran second first-up and this race looks easier than taking on Indian Gold, so I’ve split them,” Sharrock said. “She’s a tidy mare and her form suggests she’ll run well again.” Breadwinner broke through in style last time out and a similar effort would see her a major player in the United Steel MAAT (1800m). View the full article

Donna Logan will be back in the black-type frame with her young stable at Ruakaka on Saturday, presenting the promising Yokozuna in the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). After seven years training in Singapore, Logan returned to New Zealand late last year and has already made her presence felt, picking up six wins from less than 30 starters in a rebuilding phase for the accomplished horsewoman. Among her just-turned three-year-old contingent is Yokozuna, a son of Fierce Impact that she purchased out of the Karaka Yearling Sales last year. After a couple of trial appearances, Yokozuna was ready to step out as a late juvenile and he did just that, skipping through the heavy conditions at Ruakaka in mid-July to break his maiden at the first time of asking. Logan had been wary of track conditions that day and is looking forward to testing his ability on a better surface, as well as a stronger line-up that awaits in the Breeders. “He’s always shown he is a genuine horse, the question was whether he would cope with the track on debut as Ruakaka is a track better for knowing it than not,” she said. “He coped with it well, he coped with the conditions that day and he stuck on really strong, so it was very encouraging for a debut run. “I’ve always thought he would like a better track and we’re about to find out as he’ll get a very good track on the weekend, and he’ll meet a very good field. “It’s definitely not a gimme, he’ll have to show his true colours and step up. He is a progressive horse. I think we’re running for place money, but somebody has to run second or third and I don’t mind being that person. “To me, I think Geneva looks like a very strong contender.” The market for the $100,000 feature aligns with her assessment, placing Geneva on top at $2.45, while her charge sits at $9.50, with Vinnie Colgan to take the ride. Yokozuna has also provided an opportunity for Logan to recommence a long-standing partnership with owners Brent and Wendy Cooper, who have their Social Racing Premier Dynamic Duo Syndicate in the gelding. “I’ve had horses with Brent and Wendy for about 30 years, we go a long, long way back,” Logan said. “It’s nice to rekindle our association again, they’re not just clients, they are very good friends.” Logan’s other runner at her former stomping ground will be Ravenna Rose, a three-win mare who was fourth when debuting for the stable at Ruakaka last month. The daughter of Redwood will take her place in the Harcourts Just Rentals 1600, with an in-form Matthew Cameron in the saddle. “She struggled to go straight (last start), but the clients said to me afterwards that it was the first time she’s been that way around, which explained a lot,” Logan said. “We’ve changed to a softer bit and a senior rider this time, so we’ll see what she produces. “In fairness, she’s a horse looking for 2000m-plus, but we’ve got to go to which races are available at the time.” Further south at New Plymouth, Logan will be represented by White Mask on Saturday, having found a nice option in a $35,000 MAAT race with a horse that has won her last two starts. Both of those victories have come in Heavy10 conditions, but Logan is cautious of what the mare may strike when she contests the United Steel Maiden 1800M. “After her last start win, I was looking at what there was for us going forward and spied this race as a really good opportunity for her,” she said. “She’s got to handle those track conditions and step up to 1800m, which she indicates she should. I’m just querying whether it’s a sticky, puggy track, because that can trip a lot of horses up.” A busy weekend for the stable will culminate at Taupo on Sunday, with three-year-old fillies Unwritten and Conscribe engaged in the Little Avondale Stud (1400m). The former went down by a long head at her most recent effort, despite having been unsuited to sitting on pace. “She probably got there too easily, then switched off,” Logan said. “I think she’s a far better horse chasing than being up on speed, particularly as a green horse that doesn’t know what she’s doing yet. “She got there and started to loaf, and in the last bit, she woke up and got going again. “There is a nice lot of speed in her race at Taupo, but my biggest concern is the rail being right down where they trialled, so I hope her barrier (2) won’t be a disadvantage. I’m just hoping that the track plays well enough, and I’m very happy to be stepping up to 1400m with a bit of speed in the race.” Conscribe has drawn out in barrier 11, having finished fifth in both of her starts to date. “She’s got to have things go her way and there’s not a lot of her, so she can’t afford to get too knocked around and unbalanced,” Logan said. “She tries her heart out, so let’s hope she can step up to the 1400m and improve over the 1200.” View the full article