Wandering Eyes

After four consecutive victories last season, the five-year-old looks to extend his current winning streak to three at Happy Valley on Thursday nightView the full article

by Jonny Turner It was a case of no reins, no worries for Craig Ferguson as Smokin Bandar sped to victory in free-for-all company at Omakau yesterday. Ferguson dropped his right rein onto his dustsheet for all of a few milliseconds as his flashy grey powered along the passing lane to score. The error came after the rein got caught in Smokin Bandar’s tale, and it was enough to see Ferguson cop plenty of friendly ribbing from his fellow drivers. But through it, the reinsman kept his sense of humour. “I am glad that he won because I might have looked like a bit of an idiot otherwise,” Ferguson said. As the banter subsided, Ferguson was left thrilled by his horse’s performance. The trotter brought patchy recent form to the 2000m mobile but he got conditions to suit, and he made the most of them. “I was really happy with him; he left the gate well and he felt really good – he was nice and relaxed in the running and he sprinted up well.” Smokin Bandar could head to the North Island following his victory to tackle the big line-up trotting features to be held through summer and into the autumn. Ferguson is yet to finalize any plans, but if the horse continues to work and race as well as he is, he will find himself in the North Island. “I think he could go north; I will talk to the team first and look at a few possible races for him.” “So long as he stays sound and is going well enough, there is no reason not to head towards those better races.” Smokin Bandar’s win added to an already big day for owners Tom and Julie Kilkelly. The couple also enjoyed success with Captain Meister, who could not be stopped when dragging a flat tyre to win race 5 for trainer-driver Kirstin Green. The Omakau passing lane was paved with gold in its feature races yesterday with Franco Indie speeding along the inner to win the Central Otago Cup. Blair Orange gave the Mark and Nathan Purdon trained pacer a perfect trip in the trail behind the leader One Change throughout the 2000m feature. Once clear, Franco Indie sprinted up stylishly to score. View the full article

Across the New Year holiday period, we saw feature racing at Doomben and Moonee Valley on Saturday, while the first Group and Listed races of 2024 were run and won at Flemington and Ascot on New Year’s Day on Monday. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have found three runners from those key meetings that are worth adding to your Blackbook with your chosen bookmaker, so that you can follow them at their next start. Moonee Valley Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: True entire circuit Race 8: Benchmark 70 Handicap (2040m) | Time: 2:06.80 Horse to follow: Galilaeus (6th) On his Australian debut for Anthony & Sam Freedman, Galilaeus was one of the better runs in defeat in the 2040m Benchmark 70 Handicap at Moonee Valley. This four-year-old gelding settled near last for most of the journey before picking his way through the pack in the final 400m to run over the line hard-held and finish in sixth place. With his two wins coming over 2313m and 2816m in Europe, this son of Galileo was a little short of his best at 2040m first-up but will appreciate a rise in distance second-up. When to bet: The Freedman’s will be seeking a 2400m race for Galilaeus second-up and the Benchmark 64 Handicap at Sandown on January 10 could be the ideal race. If the team chooses to go up in class, they could go to the Benchmark 84 Handicap over 2500m at Flemington on January 20. Doomben Track rating: Soft 5 (Soft 6 after R5) Rail position: +3m entire circuit Race 8: Listed Nudgee Stakes (1200m) | Time: 1:09.31 Horse to follow: Comrade Rosa (3rd) If you backed Comrade Rosa in the Nudgee Stakes, you would be excused if a few expletives came from your mouth post-race, because this mare was one of the worst beats of the weekend. Ryan Maloney took the race favourite to the back of the field and looked to run on in the final 400m. However, the Tony Gollan-trained galloper was held up upon straightening before having to make two separate runs in the final 200m to flash home through the pack and nab third place. Comrade Rosa was only beaten by 1.36 lengths by the winner, Lady Laguna, who received a dream run along the inside rail. When to bet: It is possible that Saturday’s unlucky run could have been her last for this preparation because the feature racing in Queensland will end on Magic Millions Day at the Gold Coast on January 13. Comrade Rosa is one horse to put in your Blackbook for when she returns in the autumn or winter in a few months’ time. Flemington (January 1) Track rating: Good 4 (Good 3 after R3) Rail position: True entire circuit Race 6: Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) | Time: 2:54.94 Horse to follow: Grand Pierro (3rd) Grand Pierro tackled his first Listed race out of three-year-old company on Monday when he competed in the Listed Bagot Handicap over 2800m. It was the first time that he had run over 2500m since competing in the VRC Derby during the 2022 Victorian Spring Carnival. The Jason Warren-trained gelding was given a great ride by Craig Williams in the Bagot Handicap and ran through the line strongly to finish in the placings. It was a good sign to see this four-year-old finish off his race so well, and it should see him take on races over more distance next campaign. When to bet: Grand Pierro has had a lengthy spring preparation, with his run in the Bagot Handicap being his eighth start over five months. If he doesn’t go out for a spell and competes in a similar race over 2500m plus, we will be backing him with confidence. Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Latest horse racing tips View the full article

Race 6 PAULA SHORT MEMORIAL 1560 ABANDON (J Doyle) – Marsh Racing Trainer Assistant Mr. R Mildon advised Stewards that ABANDON has been retired from racing. The post Racing Rotorua, Thursday, 28 December 2023 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 8 CSI OWNERS & TRAINERS & MICHAEL DALY MEMORIAL 2200m ZAPPOLINO (T Comignaghi) – Trainer Mr. L Robinson advised Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the gelding, however, has now been retired from racing. The post South Canterbury Racing Club @ Phar Lap Raceway, Timaru, Thursday, 28 December 2023 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Horse Racing on Wednesday, January 3 will feature five meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and provided free quaddie tips for the meeting at Eagle Farm. Wednesday Horse Racing Tips – January 3, 2024 Eagle Farm Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For January 3, 2024 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $101.92 odds return: Wednesday, January 3, 2024 Eagle Farm – Race 1 #5 Leitzel Eagle Farm – Race 4 #3 Demon Darb Seymour – Race 6 #6 Tewkesbury Mount Gambier – Race 6 #3 Maddison Miss | Copy this bet straight to your betslip As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on January 3, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

Race 3 LIQUORLAND COURTNEY MAIDEN 1100m CAPE KENNEDY (M Hashizume) – Trainer Mr. C Isdale advised Stewards, the gelding underwent a veterinary examination on Friday 29 January which revealed no abnormalities, as well as undergoing dental treatment. C Isdale further advised CAPE KENNEDY’S racing future will be assessed after it’s gallop on Friday morning. The post Taranaki Racing Inc, Wednesday, 27 January 2023 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Albaugh Family Stable kicks off 2024 with a stakes victory from their newly turned 3-year-old Catching Freedom in the $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 1 at Oaklawn Park. View the full article

Race 3 ATR NEWMARKET HANDICAP 1200 LINCOLN LADY (S Spratt) – Marsh Racing Trainer Assistant Mr. R Mildon reported to Stewards that LINCOLN LADY has been retired from racing and will be sent to stud. Race 6 SHAW’S WIRE ROPES AUCKLAND GUINEAS 1400 (G2) TOKYO TYCOON (O Bosson) – Te Akau Racing Manager Mr. R Trumper advised Stewards, that on Monday 1 January, the gelding underwent a veterinary examination which revealed no abnormalities. R Trumper further advised it is the stables intention to carry on with TOKYO TYCOON’S current preparation, where the gelding will be nominated for the Racing Tauranga trials on Tuesday 16 January and will then continue onto the Auckland Thoroughbred Racing meeting on Saturday 27 January, with the addition of blinkers being applied to the gelding’s gear. The post Auckland Thoroughbred Racing @ Pukekohe Park, Tuesday, 26 December 2023 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Former Irish-based stallion Kessaar (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}–Querulous, by Raven's Pass) has been purchased by Renew Italian Breeding and will stand at Scuderia Melissa Cipriani in Castelnuovo Berardenga, Italy this year. Standing for €5,000, the stallion will be administered by Mattia Cadrobbi and managed by Marco Bozzi and Guido Berardelli. Bred by Tally-Ho Stud, the G2 Mill Reef S. and G3 Sirenia S. hero was a 100,000gns Tattersalls October yearling, and raced in the colours of Mohammed Al Qatami and Khalid Al Mudhaf while trained by John Gosden. Winning three of his seven career starts–all at two–Kessaar retired to Tally-Ho in 2019. His extended family features GII Pennsylvania Derby and GII Ohio Derby winner and sire Gone Astray (Dixie Union), and his eldest foals are 4-year-olds. At stud, he has sired 46 winners anchored by Italian stakes winner Melfi (Ire), who was third in the G2 Gran Criterium. His first-crop filly Ipanema Princess (Ire) was third in the G3 Prix Six Perfections, and he has an additional pair of stakes horses to date. Standing alongside the Italian newcomer is Frankel (GB)'s half-brother Morpheus (GB), who will command €3,500. The post Kessaar On The Move To Italy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The two defendants facing allegations of civil extortion and defamation in a federal lawsuit initiated by trainer Bob Baffert and his incorporated racing stable are contending that the case should be dismissed because “Baffert is the rare, libel-proof plaintiff given his notorious history in the horse racing industry,” according to a discovery plan filed jointly by lawyers for all sides in United States District Court (Southern District of California) Jan. 2. Baffert's legal team, however, is banking that dismissal won't happen, and it told the court in the same document that it is anticipating the case should be able to be brought before a jury a little more than a year after it was first initiated. “This matter should be ready for trial approximately in November of 2024,” Baffert's counsel wrote in the joint discovery plan. “Plaintiffs estimate that between five and eight days will be needed for trial.” Back on Sept. 27, Baffert filed a suit against two New Jersey residents, Justin Wunderler and Daniel DiCorcia, that asked for compensatory damages in excess of $75,000, plus an award of punitive damages “to deter similar conduct by Defendants and others” after purportedly suffering “mental anguish, anxiety, and duress Defendants have caused by virtue of their repeated threats to Baffert's business and family by means of their unlawful statements.” The alleged extortion and defamation took the form of repeated social media postings. Among them, according to Baffert's complaint, were postings written by Wunderler asking “his followers to bring dangerous objects to hurl at Baffert and his family” at the 2023 GI Belmont S., and another in which Wunderler posted “a picture of Baffert's house in California.” As Baffert's complaint put it, “This lawsuit is the response to a series of escalating threats and criminal conduct by Defendants Justin Wunderler and Daniel DiCorcia against Plaintiffs Bob Baffert and his family. Over the past several months, Defendants have urged others to engage in violent behavior toward Baffert and his family, baselessly accused Baffert of criminal conduct, and attempted to extort Baffert and his family under threats to his business, reputation, and occupational license.” Both defendants have denied the allegations and are seeking a dismissal of the case. Wunderler, however, did not initially file a timely legal response after being served with his summons. On Dec. 4, one of Baffert's attorneys, Clark Brewster, asked the court to enter a default judgment against Wunderler for failing to respond. Wunderler subsequently obtained a lawyer and an answer was filed Dec. 15. The judge denied the motion for default judgment on Dec. 19 and ordered the case to proceed. Next up is an “early neutral evaluation” conference Jan. 8 that is designed to serve as a form of alternate dispute resolution, although neither party mentioned the likelihood of a settlement in the Jan. 2 joint filing. Baffert's legal team, in Tuesday's joint plan, brought up some anticipated issues relating to discovery, allegedly because “One or more defendants in this matter have posted on social media regarding their intent to seek discovery on matters beyond the scope of the Complaint.” Discovery is the formal legal process by which the parties in a case exchange information in advance about witnesses and evidence that each side intends to present. The filing by Baffert's lawyers continued: “This case is about Defendants' allegations of blood doping, the use of EPO, and their conspiracy to extort Mr. Baffert. Inquiries outside of these topics will be irrelevant except to the extent necessary to resolve issues regarding Mr. Baffert's reputation.” The defendants were given an opportunity in the joint filing to give their positions on the topic of anticipated discovery issues. “DiCorcia has nothing to add and no response to the amorphous comment above,” the joint filing stated. “Wunderler agrees to adhere to the scope and limits of discovery [and] will adhere to any Court order regarding discovery,” the joint filing stated. The post Facing Extortion Allegations, Defendants in Defamation Lawsuit Contend ‘Baffert is the Rare Libel-Proof Plaintiff’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horse Racing on Wednesday, January 3 will feature five meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and provided free quaddie tips for the meeting at Eagle Farm. Wednesday Horse Racing Tips – January 3, 2024 Eagle Farm Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For January 3, 2024 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $101.92 odds return: Wednesday, January 3, 2024 Eagle Farm – Race 1 #5 Leitzel Eagle Farm – Race 4 #3 Demon Darb Seymour – Race 6 #6 Tewkesbury Mount Gambier – Race 6 #3 Maddison Miss | Copy this bet straight to your betslip As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on January 3, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Thursday, January 4, 2024 First Race 7:10pm HKT (10:10pm AEDT) Visit Dabble For the first time in 2024, Hong Kong racing heads to the city circuit at Happy Valley Racecourse for a competitive eight-race program to be run under lights. The rail is in the A position for the meeting, and with pristine conditions expected in the lead-up, the track should be a genuine Good 4 prior to the opening event at 7:10pm local time. Best Bet at Happy Valley: Beauty Waves Beauty Waves is winless after three Hong Kong starts for the Douglas Whyte barn, however, the son of Starspangledbanner has been opposing some stiff competition. He was no match for Galaxy Patch at Sha Tin on December 10 last start, but still boxed on gamely to cling onto a third-place finish. He heads to Happy Valley for the first time on Thursday evening, and with barrier one all but assuring the four-year-old gains an economical run in transit, Beauty Waves should get his best opportunity to secure his first win of the season. Best Bet Race 7 – #7 Beauty Waves (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Douglas Whyte | J: Karis Teetan (56kg) Bet with Playup Next Best at Happy Valley: M Unicorn M Unicorn is searching for a hat-trick of wins as he makes his first attempt in Class 3 company. The gelding by Savabeel achieved his back-to-back wins at this course and distance, with the latest catching the eye on December 6 giving Ryan Moore points in the International Jockey Challenge. The five-year-old will need to continue his rise under the guidance of Harry Bentley, and with a significant drop in weight heading up in grade, M Unicorn will be hard to hold out. Next Best Race 6 – #11 M Unicorn (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Caspar Fownes | J: Harry Bentley (52.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best Again at Happy Valley: Beauty Infinity Beauty Infinity made his debut at this track and trip on December 20 and wasn’t disgraced behind Easy Snip. The John Size-trained gelding raced wide without cover for a major portion of the 1200m journey but was still around when the whips were cracking, powering into a third-place finish. There has already been some depth to the form-line producing a subsequent winner since, and with a much softer run from barrier two, Beauty Infinity could add to that tally on Thursday. Next Best Again Race 1 – #5 Beauty Infinity (2) 4yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Andrea Atzeni (57.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Happy Valley Thursday quaddie tips – 4/1/2024 Happy Valley quadrella selections Thursday, January 4, 2024 1-5-10-12 1-4-7-10-11 2-4-5-7 1-2-6-8-9 More horse racing tips View the full article

On Wednesday, January 3, various horse racing bookmakers have unveiled their racing promotions, featuring a range of enticing bonus back offers for horse racing enthusiasts. The top Australian racing promotions for January 3, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Kembla Grange Races 1-4 2nd or 3rd Bonus Back up to $50 Back a runner in races 1-4 at Kembla Grange this Wednesday and if it runs 2nd or 3rd get up to $50 in Bonus Cash. Fixed Win bets only. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Eagle Farm All Races – Same Race Multi 3+ Leg Bonus Back If 1 Leg Fails Up To $50 Place a 3+ leg Same Race Multi bet on any race at Eagle Farm this Wednesday and if 1 leg of your multi fails, get up to $50 back in Bonus Cash. Available from approximately 8:30am local track time on race day. Not available for Groups pot bets. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Bonus Back 2nd or 3rd on R 1-3 at Kembla Grange Finish 2nd or 3rd in Races 1-4 at Kembla Grange and get your stake back as a bonus bet. Min 6 runners. Fixed Odds only. Check Vault for eligibility. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au has meticulously assessed the premier horse racing bookmakers in Australia, revealing exclusive bonus promotions and specials tailored for thoroughbred enthusiasts on Wednesday, January 3, 2024. These horse racing promotions are a regular feature, exemplifying the unwavering commitment of Australia’s leading horse racing bookmakers. If one bookmaker happens to lack a promotion on a given day, rest assured that another is stepping up with enticing offers within the realm of gallops. For your daily dose of the most lucrative horse racing bookmaker bonuses, HorseBetting.com.au stands as the ultimate destination. Maximise the value of your punting endeavours with bookie bonuses boasting the most competitive horse racing odds for every race. It’s crucial to emphasise that these thoroughbred racing promotions are exclusively designed for existing customers. To access these special promotions and claim the bookmaker’s offers, log in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For those seeking races and horses to leverage their horse betting bookmaker bonus bets, HorseBetting provides a valuable resource with its daily free racing tips. Stay well-informed, adopt strategic approaches, and enhance your overall horse racing experience by capitalising on these exclusive promotions. More horse racing promotions View the full article

Albaugh Family Stable—led by Dennis Albaugh and his son-in-law and racing manager Jason Loutsch—kicked off 2024 with a stakes victory from their newly turned 3-year-old Catching Freedom in the $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 1 at Oaklawn Park. View the full article

Sabrina Moore's GreenMount Farm will offer its final consignment during next week's Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale and, fittingly, the consignment's three offerings kick off with a short yearling from the first crop of the champion who put the Maryland farm on the map, Knicks Go. “It's a little bittersweet that this is going to be my last consignment,” Moore admitted. “But it will kind of come full circle, hopefully.” Moore and her mother Angie co-bred Knicks Go and sold the son of the late Paynter for $40,000 as a weanling at the 2016 Keeneland November sale. He sold to the Korea Racing Authority for $87,000 at the following year's Keeneland September sale. Knicks Go went on to win five Grade I races, including the 2021 GI Breeders' Cup Classic, GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational, and GI Whitney S., as well as the 2018 GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity and the 2020 GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. The gray was named Horse of the Year and champion older male in 2021 and retired to Taylor Made Farm the following year. Knicks Go had 18 weanlings sell last November for an average of $64,611 and a high of $220,000. With the turning of the year, the stallion's first yearlings sell at Keeneland next week and Moore's GreenMount will offer the first of the group as hip 69 during the auction's first session Monday. “He has this tenacious attitude,” Moore said when asked if she saw similarities between the yearling and his famous father. “He is a little hard-headed, but in the best way possible. He definitely has his own opinions and he is a very confident colt. I foaled him at my farm [in Maryland] and he came out brown and I thought, 'oh no!' I just had this dream in my head that I would get this little gray Knicks Go baby. But other than that, body style, they are pretty similar. He is a stout individual and he carries good body.” After foaling the colt in Maryland, Moore picked up roots and moved to Kentucky last fall. “We moved him down here and I can't believe how much he's progressed in the last two months,” Moore said. “He is really coming on. If a pinhooker picks him up, I think they will be thrilled with him in the next few months. He is really headed in the right direction.” Of her move to Kentucky, Moore admitted it was a transition that just made sense. “It had been on my radar the last few years,” Moore said. “I bred a really nice horse, but at the end of the day, that didn't get me far, at least financially. The Maryland circuit was really struggling and I had a lot of clients who were really struggling. It felt like it was going in a direction that I didn't think was going to benefit me long term. So I just had to try to think about my future and where I wanted to be. And owning a farm in a regional market was just not going to do it.” The decision to make the move to Kentucky was made easier when some Maryland clients, Steve and Denise Smith, encouraged her to join them as their farm manager. “They just bought a really nice farm,” Moore said. “It's the old Fort Blackburn Farm on Old Frankfurt Pike. They were looking for a manager and I was looking for a job. We've had this relationship for a long time, so I was really comfortable. I was scared to come down here and get lost in the mix, but it's been a really smooth transition. It's been great.” Now renamed Mesingw Farm, the operation is home to some 40 horses, as well as a racing stable of some 20 horses in training. Among the stable, the Smiths are co-owners of graded stakes winner Danse Macabre (Army Mule), who is trained by Kelsey Danner. “[Smith] is getting close to retiring and this is his passion and he's always had his eye on doing this,” Moore said. “They aim to keep the fillies and sell the colts. But if they bring them through the ring and it's not what he wants, then he will race them, too. He is aiming to try to build a really nice broodmare band.” As for Moore, she's settling into a more relaxed way of life. “I thought I wanted an office job for a while–I didn't realize how much I would miss working with horses,” Moore said. “I was so burned out. It was so hard to find help in Maryland. I had 50 horses for the last year and a half and it was me and one other girl and sometimes another part-time person. It was unrealistic and exhausting.” Of her final GreenMount consignment, Moore said, “I will miss it, but I am a little relieved to be done with it and to focus on my current job right now full force. And go on from there.” Moore retained one broodmare, a half-sister to Knicks Go, and she is looking forward to seeing what the champion's first offspring can do on the racetrack. “They are falling into the hands of a lot of really nice professionals,” she said of the stallion's first crop. “It will be really exciting to watch them develop and hopefully they go on and do big things.” The Keeneland January sale will be held next Monday through Thursday with sessions beginning each day at 10 a.m. The post Knicks Go Yearling Brings Moore Full Circle at Keeneland January 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-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features a relative of GI Yellow Ribbon S. 17.30 Kempton, Nov, £7,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 8f (AWT) Sir Mark Prescott representative APOSTLE (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), is the ninth foal out of dual G3 Dahlia S. victrix and G1 Matron S. runner-up and dual G1 Falmouth S. placegetter Heaven Sent (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), herself a full-sister to GI Yellow Ribbon S. and GI John C Mabee H. heroine Megahertz (GB). Cheveley Park Stud's homebred chestnut, who is a half-sister to the stakes-placed duo Seven Heavens (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Firmament (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), encounters one dozen rivals in this debut. The post Relative Of Megahertz Set For Kempton Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Albaugh Family Stable—led by Dennis Albaugh and his son-in-law and racing manager, Jason Loutsch—kicked off 2024 with a stakes victory from their newly turned 3-year-old Catching Freedom in the $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 1 at Oaklawn Park. View the full article

A winner of 245 races, 13 of them stakes, with more than $6 million in career purse earnings, O'Keefe passed away Dec. 22 after a courageous battle with bone cancer.View the full article

NSW apprentice Dylan Stanley, who is based in Wellington, returning to scale at Fannie Bay during his first riding stint in Darwin in 2021. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Darwin Photography Professionals) Wellington-based apprentice Dylan Stanley returned to the Top End for the first time in over two years on Saturday, but his day lasted just two races. Stanley was dislodged from the Chris Pollard-trained Hey Little Sister during the Darwin Turf Club’s final meeting for 2023 when the five-year-old mare bucked soon after the start. Hey Little Sister had in fact jumped well from barrier two and looked like leading, but after 50 metres the NSW apprentice ended up on the Fannie Bay dirt. Thankfully, the 21-year-old avoided serious injury, but he struck his head on the ground and complained of neck soreness when attended by ambulance officers. He was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital for further observation and treatment before being allowed to leave late Saturday night. Stanley, who arrived in Alice Springs last week after agreeing to ride for local trainer Terry Gillett for three months, returned to the Red Centre on Sunday. Diagnosed with mild concussion, Stanley was stood down for 12 days and hopes to return to Darwin on January 13 and Alice Springs on January 14. Subsequently, he decided to return home to Wellington in central west NSW and boarded a Sydney-bound flight on Tuesday. After partnering Pollard’s Solid Rock earlier in the day, Stanley had a further three rides on Saturday before Hey Little Sister spoiled the occasion. “It wasn’t the most enjoyable return to Darwin,” Stanley said. “Came out of the barriers, the horse dropped its head, and I ended up going over the top and hitting the ground, which was hard. “My neck really hurt; the barrier attendants told me to just lay there. “I probably wouldn’t have been able to get up though, as I was pretty dizzy. “The ambulance officers just asked how I was before they put a neck brace on me – that was about it. “They took me straight to hospital; I stayed there for a while. “I had tests, but they also jabbed me with a whole lot of needles, and I took painkillers. “I got picked up by Chris Pollard, the trainer I was riding for, as I was staying at his place.” Stanley, who headed to Darwin on Friday with fellow Red Centre jockeys, said that he had suffered a few falls since kick-starting his career at Mudgee in October 2020. “It’s been a while since my last fall, I’ve been lucky as they haven’t been too bad — nothing too serious,” he said. “That one on Saturday probably hurt the most – I was stiff and sore on Sunday. “Fannie Bay is definitely harder than a grass track, that’s for sure. “I travelled back to Alice Springs on Sunday afternoon; all the other jockeys just asked me how I was, which was nice. “I will probably get a clearance next Wednesday, and then I should be right to go.” Stanley was advised officially by Thoroughbred Racing Northern Territory on Sunday that he couldn’t ride for 12 days, hence the reason why he headed home. “I’ve just gotten off the plane here in Sydney; my sister picked me up for the three-hour drive back to Wellington,” he said. “I’ll help my partner Brittany (Haddon) with the house when I get home. “Pack everything up and end up moving up to Alice Springs. “Nothing has been planned after the three months in Alice at this stage. “See how it pans out pretty much, but we’re definitely looking at moving up there long term. “I’ll head back before next weekend.” Currently apprenticed to Dubbo trainer Kody Nestor, Stanley rode in the NT for the first time in June and July of 2021, when Nyngan trainer Rodney Robb assembled a team for the Darwin Cup Carnival. He rode at the start of the Carnival in early July, but Stanley was then sidelined after suffering a knee injury during track work. Quite tall for a jockey, Stanley had two wins at both Darwin and Alice Springs, as well as nine minor placings from 48 starts; he also had the opportunity to ride on Adelaide River Cup Day. “I have plenty of good memories of the first time I rode in the NT; it was awesome; I loved it,” he said. “That’s the main reason I decided to go back, despite the fact that I’ll get more rides. “The weather is also appealing, and I don’t have to worry about my weight as much. “There were plenty of familiar faces at Darwin; everyone was very accommodating. “It’s a pity I won’t get to ride for Terry or his wife Leanne on Saturday; I’ll be watching the Alice Springs races on TV.” Stanley, with 18 wins from 318 career starts, is filling the void for the Gilletts after daughter and apprentice Dakota headed to Adelaide for a riding stint with leading trainers Richard and Chantelle Jolly. More horse racing news View the full article

Anyone who bets on racing will know too well the perils that come with predicting the outcome of a sporting event. But what if we take it a couple of steps further and, for a bit of fun, try and gaze into the crystal ball and see what could be in store for 2024? From Frankie Dettori returning to the saddle in Europe to Wathnan Racing continuing its march in Britain, here are 10 predictions-some fun and some serious-for the new year. Dettori's Groundhog Day To Continue Into 2024 We've all seen the movie Groundhog Day, haven't we? The one where Bill Murray gets caught in a time loop? Well, if you haven't, the same script could well be playing out for real through Frankie Dettori's retirement [or lack thereof]. For all the people who had convinced themselves that Dettori had achieved a dream send-off when guiding King Of Steel to victory in the Champion S. at Ascot, there were just as many people rolling their eyes at the idea that one of the world's greatest riders was ready to set off into the sunset. Of course, Dettori has committed to ride on in America for the winter but, what happens after that? What happens if a big-ticket ride becomes available for a Guineas or a Derby? Don't tell me that Dettori, who arguably rode as well last year as he has in years, is going to give up on that opportunity for the sake of staying true to his word? The farewell tour served its purpose and generated a subplot for almost every major meeting that Dettori rode at in 2023. However, the thought that we have seen the last of Frankie in Europe is not something I'd be taking short odds on this year. Classic Glory On The Cards For Blue Point? From a bloodstock perspective, Blue Point hogged just as many headlines as Frankie did throughout 2023. Tipped by many to scoop first-season sire honours, Blue Point delivered in no uncertain terms, coming up trumps with two genuine top-notchers in Big Evs and Rosallion. The latter has real claims of bagging Classic glory for his young sire sensation this year and is just 12-1 to land the 2,000 Guineas. Big Evs proved he is a classy sprinter to look forward to when bagging the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and the likelihood of him landing a major sprint in Europe is strong. It's worth noting that Blue Point's most famous triumphs, his back-to-back Royal Ascot successes in the King's Stand S. and Diamond Jubilee S. back in 2019, came in his five-year-old campaign. The best may yet be to come from his progeny in 2024 and beyond and, if he is to bag a breakthrough Classic success, perhaps it may come through Rosallion in the Irish 2,000 Guineas provided City Of Troy stays away. Bank On Sangster To Have A Big Year Oliver Sangster | Keeneland Speaking of breakthrough successes at the highest level, there is a chance that up-and-coming trainer Ollie Sangster can bag a first Group 1 or even Classic victory with stable star Shuwari this season. Grandson of the late Robert Sangster, Ollie has done his bit to keep the family name in lights and enjoyed a stellar debut season as a trainer by sending out 13 winners from 81 runners, highlighted by the Fillies' Mile runner-up Shuwari. According to those who know Sangster best, there are few trainers who work as hard as the 27-year-old, who would be thoroughly deserving of a major day in the sun in 2024. Here's hoping Shuwari can provide Sangster just that and her 1,000 Guineas claims would be greatly aided by the word soft appearing in the going description. Tough Task For City Of Troy To Live Up To Lofty Reputation City Of Troy proved himself to be something out of the ordinary as a two-year-old by going unbeaten in three starts, culminating with a jaw-dropping performance in the Dewhurst. It was after the Dewhurst where Aidan O'Brien described City Of Troy as being the best two-year-old he has ever trained while Michael Tabor took it up a notch or two by comparing the horse to Frankel. City Of Troy has generated much debate since that brilliant Dewhurst display but perhaps it might be wisest to side with Mick Kinane, who, in acknowledging the awesome talent the Ballydoyle-trained colt clearly has, said that he still has a lot to prove in order to be compared with the likes of Sea The Stars and Frankel. Certainly at this juncture, City Of Troy would appear the most likely winner of the 2,000 Guineas, which his general even-money odds reflects. However, whether we will be speaking of him in the same ilk as Frankel come the end of the season, now that is a big ask. One thing that isn't up for debate is that Justify is quickly confirming himself as a very serious stallion, not only in America and Australia, but also in Europe. Not long after City Of Troy recorded his Dewhurst demolition, Justify's daughter Opera Singer did something similar in the Prix Marcel Boussac. Both horses sit at the head of the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas betting respectively and it will be fascinating to see how their careers progress this term. Japan To Win The Derby Yoshito Yahagi | Emma Berry Now this would be a bit of fun; what if Japan were to win the Derby? Or, if I was to be more specific, what if trainer Yoshito Yahagi was to take out another major prize on the international circuit by sending out a brother to Sottsass to score at Epsom? You know, it's not impossible. Shin Emperor is clearly bred for the job. Bought by Yahagi, who has recorded major success at the Breeders' Cup, Dubai World Cup and Saudi Cup meetings in recent years, for €2.1 million at Arqana in 2021, Shin Emperor has always been held in high regard. A Group 3 winner already in Japan, he went down by less than a length in the G1 Hopeful S. at Nakayama over the festive period, doing his reputation no harm in the process. Yahagi is famous for travelling his horses all over the world and, in Shin Emperor, he has a colt who clearly fits the Derby profile being a brother to the Arc winner Sottsass. In betting terms, this is one of the more fanciful predictions for 2024, but what a story it would be. Pinatubo To Emulate Blue Point Sottsass, of course, is one of the first-season stallions that many enthusiasts are looking forward to this year. While his stock has gone down extremely well, highlighted by the sale of a €525,000 colt at Arqana last year, it seems as though everyone who is anyone is tipping Pinatubo to emulate Blue Point by coming up trumps for Darley yet again. Many of the top industry judges hitched their wagon to Blue Point's wheel last year and we all know how that ended. The same theme developed at the yearling and foal sales last year with Pinatubo and to a similar extent with fellow Darley stallions Earthlight and Ghaiyyath. One thing's for certain: Darley appears to hold all the aces with a view towards this year's first-season sires' championship and, while it is only January, few people will be betting against Pinatubo being a big success. It should also be noted how well Hello Youmzain performed with his stock at the sales in France. He could be well placed to clinch champion first-season honours in France. Breeze-Up Market To Stay Strong Despite Market Correction There were some tough moments in 2023 and it's fair to say that the yearling and breeding stock sales were a struggle for many. Market correction was a term we heard plenty of as many of the key figures at some of the major sales in Europe settled back into pre-Covid levels. With that in mind, there is understandably some apprehension heading into the new year and the first major metric into how well things are going in 2024 will come at the breeze-up sales. But just how much of a correction can we expect to see here? There seems to be a huge demand for the ready-to-run horses and the breeze-up sales have never been a more popular shopping outlet for international buyers than it is now. It should also be noted that unbeaten two-year-old and dual Group 1 winner Vandeek, who sold to Anthony Stroud for 625,000gns at the Craven Breeze-Up Sale at Tattersalls last year, did his bit to fly the flag for this sector of the market. In many ways, the breeze-up market could be viewed as something of an anomaly as, similar to the point-to-point sphere, there should, in theory, always be a demand for a good horse. The middle to upper tiers can be expected to be solid at the breeze-up sales come the spring but it will be interesting to see how the median and clearance rates hold up. Wathnan Racing To Continue Its March Richard Brown: buys on behalf of Wathnan Racing | Zuzanna Lupa One man who is sure to be out in force at the breeze-up sales is Blandford Bloodstock's Richard Brown but, perhaps most interesting of all, will be the bloodstock agent's buying on behalf of Wathnan Racing. Wathnan Racing embarked on ownership in Britain with a number of statement victories, none more so than when private purchase Courage Mon Ami won the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on just his fourth career start. It's likely that Wathnan Racing, which is the ownership vehicle of the Emir Of Qatar, can go from strength to strength in 2024. Tough Times Ahead For Smaller Breeders Ed Harper of Whitsbury Manor Stud said something frightening in a recent TDN Q&A. When commenting on some of the smaller clients of his who enjoyed a touch when selling foals by the stud's superstar stallion Havana Grey, he revealed that for many, their big payday would be just enough to keep them going for just a few more years, such are the choppy waters the smaller breeders are navigating through right now. If you were to take an x-ray of the breeding game in its current form and peg it into the light, it wouldn't make for pretty reading, especially in Britain. That was there for everyone to see on the first and last days of the foal sales at Tattersalls in December where many key stakeholders voiced their concerns about the future of the smaller breeder in Britain. Of course, this is not a problem exclusive to Britain, but Brexit and the lack of small-time buyers and pinhookers getting into the game compared to Ireland clearly contributed to some of those frightening figures. It begs the question; for how long can this continue? Where there is a will there's a way, and in that same Q&A, Harper called on smaller breeders to take a look at themselves in the mirror when it comes to breeding horses for the sales ring. Some will take that advice and reinvest but, inevitably, more will slip away. It appears as though there could be some tough times ahead for the smaller breeders. No Sign Of Polarisation Slowing Down Over Jumps On a similarly depressing theme, there doesn't appear to be any pause to polarisation in the markets, particularly when it comes to the National Hunt game. There could be a different winner to ever race at the Cheltenham festival and, chances are, people will still be honing in on the same two stallions at the major store sales. King George hero Hewick once again reminded that a good horse can come from anywhere. Shark Hanlon's 800 quid wonder is by Virtual, a son of Pivotal and, without doing the horse a disservice, is what many would describe as a non descript stallion. But here he is, siring the winner of one of the most important jumps races of the year, and once again proving that the love is more readily shared than what some would lead you to believe over jumps. The post Racing’s Crystal Ball – 10 Predictions For 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA) will stage a seminar to discuss the issues surrounding jump breeding in the country on Wednesday, January 17 at The Lord Bagenal in Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow. Entitled 'Jumping into the Future: The Challenges Facing Irish National Hunt Breeding', the debate will be led by trainer and breeder Lorna Fowler of Rahinston Farm and Stud. The panel consists of bloodstock agents Anthony Bromley and Bertrand Le Metayer, breeder and stud owner Peter Molony, vet and consignor Walter Connors, and Tattersalls Ireland director Richard Pugh. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to arrive early to take advantage of a networking opportunity prior to the start of the seminar at 6:30 p.m. ITBA chair Cathy Grassick said, “I am excited at the prospect of hearing from our expert panel on all issues relevant to our industry. This is a crucial time for the market and an important event for everyone to voice their opinion.” William Flood, who chairs the ITBA National Hunt committee, added, “This is a very important time for the industry in light of recent results at the sales. Our National Hunt committee has gathered an expert panel to help talk through these important topics.” Those intending to attend the seminar must register via email on ddeveney@itba.ie or by calling the ITBA on 045 877 543. ITBA members and non-members are welcome to attend this free event, at which light refreshments will be provided. The post ITBA to Host Seminar on Challenges Facing Irish NH Breeding appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

At no time has the issue of welfare within the horseracing industry been more of an important topic, and that includes what happens to horses beyond their racing careers. Encouragingly, there is much work being done around the world to ensure that retired racehorses are homed and utilised in a range of ways, from being companion horses through to competing at the highest level in other disciplines. With a leaning towards the latter option, the Japan Racing Association (JRA) hosted a clinic with leading event rider Boyd Martin in the week before Christmas. Based in America since 2007, the Australian-born Martin recently collected his seventh Rider of the Year Award from the United States Eventing Association. Along with competing all over the world, he has been a regular visitor to Japan, where the three-day clinic included tuition and advice in cross-country, showjumping and dressage. Held in conjunction with Godolphin's Lifetime Care programme, the programme also featured guest appearances from top jockeys Christophe Lemaire and Hiroshi Kitamura to discuss the versatility of the Thoroughbred. “It's been absolutely brilliant,” Martin told TDN as the clinic wrapped up. “This is the fourth time we've done this clinic and it's awesome coming out to Japan, working with all the Japanese riders with a lot of retired racehorses. There were 36 horses here at the clinic and we were lucky enough to use the venue where the Tokyo Olympics were held, right in the centre of the city.” The work did not all take place in the saddle, however, with classroom sessions supplementing the ridden phases in the arena. A number of the riders in attendance were repeat visitors from previous clinics, and one former attendee now works for Martin as the head rider at his stable in Pennsylvania. “We had an awesome group of riders. They were all passionate about restarting Thoroughbreds in their second career once they've finished racing,” he said. “There was an assortment of off-the-track Thoroughbreds: some that had not finished racing long ago, and then a few that have been converted into sport horses for a couple of seasons. We had six or seven groups, some Thoroughbreds looking to change career into eventing, a number into showjumping, and then a couple of groups of dressage.” Martin is a fervent believer in the power of the Thoroughbred in other disciplines, especially his own field of three-day eventing. He speaks from experience, too, having campaigned the American-bred former racehorse Blackfoot Mystery, a gelding by Out Of Touch whom he took all the way to the Olympics. He said, “In the sport of eventing, our most influential phase is the cross-country, where we need an animal that's got stamina and endurance and athleticism to take us around the courses. And the off-the-track Thoroughbred is the ultimate breed. The horses are born and bred to gallop and run, and their spirit and nature is just a horse that gives its all. And if we can find ones that are good at the dressage and showjumping, there's no better horse in the world.” Martin continued, “I rode an off-the-track Thoroughbred around the Rio Olympics in 2016. And through my success there, I had to give a speech at the Preakness on how unbelievable this horse was. Blackfoot Mystery came through a retired racehorse programme. “At the same time, the folks from Godolphin and the JRA and the National Riding Club Association of Japan were really looking to change the culture a bit in Japan and to make sure that the horses had a second chance of a new career once they finished racing here, and that's how I ended up getting involved. “With the racing in Japan, there's a lot of longer-distance racing. The Thoroughbreds here are bigger, stronger animals. And they're just beautifully suited to a second career as a sport horse because they are big-boned and they're tall and rangy, and the majority of them have just wonderful movements.” Blackfoot Mystery went from being unsold when offered as a yearling to making three underwhelming starts on the track in California before eventually finding his metier at five-star level in eventing, the equivalent of being a Group 1 winner. The fact that, with Martin, he represented America at the Olympics at the age of 12 is also testament to the great durability of Thoroughbreds, wherever their second walk of life may take them. “It's something I'm very passionate about, and I'm very honoured and privileged that they'd have me out here to do this,” said Martin. “This is the fourth year we've done it. And each year the quality of training and the quality of riding is getting better and better.” The post JRA Calls on Top Eventer Boyd Martin for Ex-Racehorse Clinic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, according to a Tuesday release from the Retired Racehorse Project. The application can be accessed at theRRP.org and must be completed by 5 p.m. EST Jan. 19. Accepted trainers will be announced no later than Feb. 15. Entering its 10th year at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, the Thoroughbred Makeover features competition in 10 disciplines for recently retired Thoroughbreds in their first year of retraining for a career after racing. A competition division is also open to recently retired broodmares exiting the bloodstock industry. Horses and their trainers may compete in one or two disciplines of their choice, including Barrel Racing, Competitive Trail, Dressage, Eventing, Field Hunter, Polo, Ranch Work, Show Hunter, Show Jumper and Freestyle (a freeform discipline showcasing skills of the trainer's choosing). Horses and trainers will compete for more than $110,000 in total prize money, plus the title of Thoroughbred Makeover Champion, at the Kentucky Horse Park Oct. 9-12. The post Applications Open for 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin repeated as 2023's leading owner by earnings, and Irad Ortiz Jr. again established a single-season earnings record as the leading jockey. Brad Cox ended the year on top as the leading trainer by earnings.View the full article