Wandering Eyes

Former jockey has been with the Group One Cox Plate (2,040m) favourite on every step of his adventure Down UnderView the full article

All For St Paul’s scores for jockey Matthew Poon. All For St Paul’s (120lb) delivered a stunning blow against a quality field in the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Hebe Hill Handicap (1650m) at Sha Tin. Sent to his customary leading position by jockey Matthew Poon, a tenacious All For St Paul’s routed the opposition to grab an eighth Hong Kong win and third in the grade, lifting his all-time earnings to HK$11.973 million from 42 starts for trainer Frankie Lor. “He’s a seven-year-old! I have to give him such big credit, he tries very hard and most of the time he always tries very hard for me. He’s a lovely horse, I love him and today I was a little bit surprised he could win,” Poon said. The winning time of the race was 1m 38.01s. The Magnus gelding – after stepping away from gate one – was well supported late into 12/1 odds and finished two lengths ahead of Chancheng Prince (130lb), while Rise Brethren (123lb) crossed the line in third place. Chancheng Prince initially levelled up to All For St Paul’s in the straight, however, couldn’t match his finishing burst as Poon collected a fourth win aboard his mount. “He’s consistent, honest and I love him and I think he also loves me. I’m happy to win a Class 2 – he’s amazing. He’s funny, sometimes he jumps very fast and sometimes he just jumps ok, most of the time he jumps fast which means he’s feeling well. He gave me good confidence, even at his age and he still looks strong and fit,” Poon said. The win was Poon’s second this term, while Lor collected his 11th. Lor also saddled Everyone’s Delight (123lb) and Youthful Deal (126lb) in the race to finish seventh and eighth, respectively. “He’s (All For St Paul’s) very consistent, sometimes when he goes in front and leads by himself – he can do amazing things,” Lor said. Handsome Twelve (124lb) faded to the rear, while Apache Pass (126lb), True Legend (118lb) and Spirited Express (129lb) failed to make an impact. More racing news View the full article

NT trainer Dick Leech has accepted a fine after one of his runner’s tested positive for a banned substance. (Picture: Nikki Westover Photography) Thoroughbred Racing Northern Territory stewards have imposed a $6000 fine on trainer Dick Leech after his horse Century Fox returned an abnormal blood sample during the Darwin Cup Carnival. Century Fox was tested before and after the $75,000 Darwin Guineas (1600m) on July 8 at Fannie Bay, where he finished a narrow second to the Phil Cole-trained Tubthumper. The certificates of analysis for the pre-race blood sample declared the presence of nicotine and its metabolite cotinine, while the post-race blood sample detected the presence of cotinine. The Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) issued the first certificates for these findings, while the conformation analysis was performed and the second certificates were issued by Racing Analytical Services Limited. Evidence was tendered by Leech, ARFL general manager John Keledjian, and Racing & Wagering Western Australia industry veterinarian Dr Judith Medd during an inquiry conducted at the Darwin Turf Club on October 20. After considering the scientific evidence relating to excretion times and the low detected levels, stewards were satisfied that the presence of nicotine and cotinine in the samples was most likely the result of Century Fox being subjected to some type of inadvertent exposure to tobacco or a similar product containing nicotine. CCTV footage in the raceday tie-up stalls on July 8 did not identify any such exposure once the gelding arrived on course. Nicotine and cotinine are prohibited substances pursuant to Division 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the Australian Rules of Racing (Prohibited List B). Subsequently, stewards disqualified Century Fox from the Darwin Guineas, with the Kerry Petrick-trained Anphina promoted to second place and the Kevin Lamprecht-trained Iknowhatyouredoing promoted to third. When imposing penalties, stewards also took into consideration the seriousness of the offence and the nature of the Prohibited List B substance being a stimulant and potentially performance-enhancing. Leech pleaded guilty, having previously breached the rule in 2008 and 2019. The trainer was unavailable for comment. More horse racing news View the full article

Ashado's Breeders' Cup win in 2004 was sandwiched by placings both the year prior and the year after. The grand mare's 11 black-type wins included seven Grade Is, ranging from the Spinaway at two to the Kentucky Oaks at three and the Ogden Phipps at four. No wonder John Ferguson went to $9 million–then a world record–for her at the 2005 Keeneland November sale on behalf of Darley. Her final foal, a Bernardini yearling, is a full-brother to her stakes winner Westwood. “She is the dominant mare in her retired group,” said Danny Mulvihill, farm manager at Darley's Gainsborough division. “No matter who is added to the group, she remains 'Top Dog'. With that being said, she is very easy to deal with and is a sweetheart but will let you know when she is not happy about something. She loves attention and is extremely food driven! She is definitely an easy keeper. She was a great mom to all of her babies and is now enjoying a happy retirement. She is, of course, one of the fan favorites when the tours come through.” Ashado (2001 dark bay or brown mare, Saint Ballado–Goulash, by Mari's Book) Lifetime record: Ch. 3yo filly, Ch. older mare, MGISW, 21-12-4-3, $3,931,440 Breeders' Cup connections: B-Aaron U. Jones & Marie D. Jones (KY); O-Starlight Stable LLC, Paul Saylor, and Johns Martin; T-Todd Pletcher; J-John Velazquez. Current location: Darley America, Lexington, Ky. The post Catching Up with 2004 Breeders’ Cup Distaff Winner Ashado appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

LEXINGTON, KY-The Fasig-Tipton October Yearlings Sale produced its strongest session of the week Wednesday at Newtown Paddocks, bringing its cumulative figures within striking distance of its 2022 record levels. Through three sessions, 790 yearlings have grossed $38,981,000 for an average of $49,343 and a median of $23,500. The average is down just 4.5% from the same point of last year's sale and the median is down 6%. “It was another solid day,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. “Today the numbers were up over the similar session last year and we are trending very closely to last year's overall numbers, which is pretty remarkable considering how the sale took another huge leap last year. It is very encouraging to be in the same neighborhood. It's a healthy marketplace in terms of people wanting to own horses, but they demand quality.” Jessie Longoria made the session's highest bid when going to $725,000 to acquire a colt by Justify on behalf of Zane Kiehne and Grier Brunson, the same clients for whom he purchased a $500,000 son of Bernardini during Tuesday's session. The session-topping yearling was consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, which also consigned the day's second highest priced offering, a $500,000 son of Practical Joke, and the co-third highest priced lot, a $460,000 son of Curlin. Jesse Longoria | Fasig-Tipton “We had some more fire power today,” Browning said. “The top end is very strong, reflecting the strong demand for the top offerings. There were some very nice physicals that matched up with the pedigrees. There was lots of competition to the very end. The back walking ring had tons of people in it when the last horse went through the ring. We are encouraged through three-quarters of the sale and we look forward to tomorrow.” The Fasig-Tipton October sale concludes with a final session Thursday with bidding beginning at 10 a.m. Justify Colt to Kiehne and Brunson Jessie Longoria, who purchased the first Thoroughbred for Zane Kiehne and Grier Brunson Tuesday, doubled the new stable's roster when going to $725,000 to acquire a colt by Justify (hip 1023) from the Hunter Valley Farm consignment Wednesday at Fasig-Tipton. A day earlier, Longoria had signed the ticket at $500,000 for a colt by Bernardini. “We had our eye on this horse from the time we got here,” Longoria said. “We were debating about this one or the other one. So they said, 'Get them both.' So they are happy. They are going to have a good time with them.” Hip 1023, the Justify topper | Fasig-Tipton The chestnut colt is out of Palace Princess (Hard Spun), who is a daughter of graded-placed Arienza (Giant's Causeway) and a granddaughter of champion Azeri (Jade Hunter). “For one thing, he's by Justify,” Longoria said of the colt's appeal. “That was the main thing. And then he's just an athletic-looking horse that I think they are going to enjoy. It looks like he will have a lot of speed, plus the pedigree. He's just a nice individual.” After making his two session-topping bids, Longoria was back to shopping for his pinhooking partnerships Wednesday. “There is not much difference,” he said when comparing between shopping for his new deep-pocketed clients and for the pinhook ventures. “We want the same horses. They just want the higher-end horses. I am just trying to give them the best odds. If they are willing to spend the money and get a nice colt with pedigree, better for them. Unfortunately, for the pinhooking, that's way out of my league. And it's awfully risky to buy that kind of horse to try to flip over. Any little thing can happen.” Of the market for the pinhooking prospects, Longoria said, “It's a little tough. But it's like every sale. Everything is tough. The good ones rise to the top and the other ones we fight over. And try to make do with what we've got.” Lynch, Durtschi Score with Justify Colt Andre Lynch and Pat Durtschi purchased Palace Princess (Hard Spun) for $80,000 at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton February sale and put the granddaughter of champion Azeri (Jade Hunter) in foal to Justify. The resulting colt sold for $180,000 at the 2022 Keeneland January sale and then resold for $220,000 at that year's Keeneland September sale. The mare's second foal, another colt by the Triple Crown winner (hip 1023), proved even more popular in the sales ring, selling for $725,000 to Jessie Longoria Wednesday at Fasig-Tipton. Andre Lynch and Pat Durtschi | Fasig-Tipton “She looked terrible,” Lynch said with a laugh of the mare's appearance at the 20202 auction. “She had mange all over her, but she was beautiful underneath. She was a great walker, correct. We bid against John Sikura from $20,000 to $80,000, but we still wanted her.” Of the sale-topping colt, Lynch said, “The plan was always to bring him here because he was a late foal. He was an early May foal and we didn't enter him in September. He was just entered for October.” Lynch, who previously served as stallion nominations manager at Coolmore, said he was a big fan of the farm's Triple Crown-winning stallion, Justify. “This is the best stallion in America at the moment,” Lynch, celebrating the result with Pat and Brittany Durtschi back at the Hunter Valley sale barn, said. “It's fantastic. And I thank Coolmore for letting us breed the mare to him.” The 7-year-old Palace Princess, one of just two mares Lynch and Durtschi own together, is back in foal to Munnings. “Hopefully, we can breed her back to Justify again,” Lynch said. Practical Joke to Eurton A colt by Practical Joke (hip 1194) will be joining the barn of trainer Peter Eurton after bloodstock agent Phil Hager signed the ticket at $500,000 to secure the yearling on behalf of an undisclosed West Coast client. Hager signed the ticket in the name of Mayberry Farm. “I thought he was a standout of the sale,” Hager said. “He was just a really nice physical by a good, proven stallion.” Hip 1194 | Fasig-Tipton The yearling was consigned by Hunter Valley Farm on behalf of breeder Robert Hibbert, II. He is out of Runninwiththewind (Medaglia d'Oro), who is out of the A.P. Indy mare Brilliant Disguise. Jayne Johnson, who raised the yearling on her farm in Shelbyville, purchased Runninwiththewind on behalf of Hibbert for $115,000 at the 2019 Keeneland January sale. “That will never happen again,” Hibbert said after watching the colt sell late in Wednesday's session. “You just have to get lucky every now and again.” Hibbert, who has been in the breeding industry for three decades and currently has just three broodmares, was celebrating his highest sale result. “I've been in the business long enough to only have three mares,” Hibbert said with a laugh. Asked about the mare's appeal in 2019, Hibbert said, “The Medaglia d'Oro with A.P. Indy on the bottom. And she was affordable.” The mare's first foal, a filly by Speightstown, sold for $160,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton October sale. She also produced a colt by Munnings who sold for $130,000 as a weanling at the 2021 Keeneland November sale. “I was thinking $150,000 to $200,000, perhaps,” Hibbert said of expectations for the yearling Wednesday. Johnson, asked if she expected the yearling to bring that kind of price, admitted, “No. But I am always hopeful. But I did not expect it. Because I've been in the business long enough.” Runninwiththewind has a weanling colt by Justify and she may return to that stallion next spring. Curlin Colt Kick Starts Wednesday Session A colt by Curlin, who is a half-brother to GI Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) (hip 809), got Wednesday's third session of the Fasig-Tipton October sale off to a quick start when selling for $460,000. Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni signed the ticket on behalf of Frank Fletcher. Ramiro Restrepo was underbidder on the chestnut. Hip 809 | Fasig-Tipton The yearling, who was bred by SF Bloodstock and the Curlin Syndicate, was consigned by Hunter Valley Farm. A partnership led by Hunter Valley's Adrian Regan purchased the colt for $225,000 at last year's Keeneland November sale. “The likes of Donato and Ramiro appreciated the age of the horse and how much improvement there is to come,” said Regan. “He has a very late foaling date [May 23]. I signed the ticket last year as Long Run Stable because I was thinking at the time it might take until October. And this sale is a very good sale for horses that need a bit of time.” Regan continued, “I think it's the most I ever had in a pinhook anyway. It's a syndicate that bought him last year–Mark Dwyer and Willie Browne, John Wade, Barry Claughessy, and myself. Mark and Willie were calling me for updates and I kept saying, 'He's coming, he's coming, he's definitely coming.' In mid-August when I came back from Saratoga, we decided to give him another six weeks. And since mid-September, he really started to thrive. The staff on the farm has really done an amazing job with this colt. Fergus [Galvin] and I loved him. We lunged him and he was so light on his feet and he has a super temperament. I am hope he goes on to do what his brother did.” Lanni Doubles Up on Curlins Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, who began the session buying a colt by Curlin (hip 809) for $460,000 on behalf of Frank Fletcher, came back to acquire a filly by the sire (hip 943) for that same price on behalf of Michael Lund Petersen midway through the day Wednesday at Fasig-Tipton. Donato Lanni | Fasig-Tipton “I bought them for two amazing clients,” Lanni said. “And what can you say about Curlin? The career he has had as a stallion is unbelievable. It makes the decision easier when you find one that's by him and looks like a runner. It gives you the confidence that you want to buy the horse.” Hip 943 is out of graded-placed Munchkin Money (Freud), a half-sister to stakes winner Here Comes Rita (Raffie's Majesty) and from the family of Letgomyecho, the dam of champion Echo Zulu and GISW Echo Town. The yearling, consigned by Denali Stud, was bred by T & G Farm of Kentucky, which purchased the mare in foal to American Pharoah for $220,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November sale. “There are a lot of horses here and you've got to get through them all,” Lanni said of the October sale. “This filly, the first time I saw her was this morning. We were so busy doing the other barns. And this was the last barn we saw this morning.” Medaglia d'Oro Filly Heads West A filly by Medaglia d'Oro (hip 822) will be joining Lee and Susan Searing's C R K Stable after April Mayberry signed the ticket at $380,000 to secure the yearling Wednesday in Lexington. Bred by Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds and Godolphin and consigned by Paramount Sales, the dark bay is out of stakes winner Magical (Tapit). The mare is a daughter of graded winner Magical Feeling (Empire Maker) and is a full-sister to multiple stakes winner Exulting and a half to stakes winner Occult (Into Mischief), who was third in this summer's GI Acorn S. and GI Cotillion S. April Mayberry | Fasig-Tipton “She's lovely,” Mayberry said. “I really liked her. She looks like she has a little speed, which I like for a Medaglia d'Oro and she's just put together really well. She's a late foal, so I think she has a lot of good things to do moving forward. She will go to the races on the West Coast. She will probably go to John Shirreffs.” Of the four-day auction with a catalogue of some 1,600 yearlings, Mayberry said, “I love this sale. It's a sale that you just have to work at it. They are there. And I like that. It's a lot of ground to cover, but you can find them.” The post $725K Justify Colt Vaults to the Top as Action Heats up at Fasig-Tipton October Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Morphettville Parks Races Where Morphettville Racecourse – 79 Morphett Rd., Morphettville, SA 5043 When Saturday, October 28, 2023 First Race 12:27pm ACDT Visit Dabble Racing returns to the Parks track at Morphettville on Saturday for a competitive nine-race meeting that kicks off at 12:27pm local time. A perfect spring day is forecast, and the track is rated Good 4 with the likelihood of an upgrade at some point. The rail comes out 3m from the 1000m to the winning post and then sits true for the remainder of the course. Best Bet at Morphettville: Give Some Lip This three-year-old maiden has finished second at both runs this campaign. He simply couldn’t run down the leader at Murray Bridge in a race dominated by on-pace runners, but he still did plenty to suggest he could win his next start. Ben Price will go to the rear of the field and should benefit from a strongly run 1250m affair. Give Some Lip has the best turn of foot in the race, and it should be more than good enough in the opener. Best Bet Race 1 – #6 Give Some Lip (11) 3yo Gelding | T: Will Clarken & Nikki O’Shea | J: Ben Price (a1.5) (56kg) +100 with PendleburyBet Next Best at Morphettville: Lake Agawam The David Jolly-trained Lake Agawam was a dominant Class 1 winner at the Parks 1000m in his last start, where he led throughout and absorbed some pressure before putting his rivals away in nice fashion. With speed drawn out wide and underneath, Hannah Edgley will have no issue finding cover just off the speed. The son of Lonhro can have a camp on the leaders throughout, and with a well-timed sprint, Lake Agawam can salute once again. Next Best Race 9 – #3 Lake Agawam (8) 4yo Gelding | T: David Jolly | J: Hannah Edgley (58.5kg) +380 with Betfair Best Value at Morphettville: Whiskey ‘N’ Women Jordan Frew’s Whiskey ‘N’ Women returned a winner in fine style at Murray Bridge on October 7, when he was forced to travel wide and still managed to get the better of his rivals. This weekend, he draws beautifully in barrier one under Todd Pannell. He will need a touch of luck in the home straight, but with a strong finishing burst, Whiskey ‘N’ Women can salute second-up for the first time in his career. Best Value Race 6 – #3 Whiskey ‘N’ Women (1) 6yo Gelding | T: Jordan Frew | J: Todd Pannell (59.5kg) +1000 with Dabble Saturday quaddie tips for Morphettville Morphettville quadrella selections Saturday, October 28, 2023 1-2-3-6-7 1-4-5-7 1-2-3-4-5-6-8 2-3 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

What Spring Champion Stakes Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, October 28, 2023 Prizemoney $2,000,000 Distance 2000m Status Group 1 Conditions Set Weights 2022 winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart (3) | T: Graeme & Deborah Rogerson | J: Hugh Bowman (56.5kg) Visit Dabble The Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) is the main event this Saturday at Royal Randwick, with a field of 12 three-year-olds set to line up in the $2 million feature. Some eight of the 12 runners engaged come through the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) on October 14, with the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Raf Attack seeking to do the double – just as Sharp ‘N’ Smart did last year. There’s just one filly accepted for this year’s Spring Champions Stakes, as Tutta La Vita takes on the boys after facing her own sex in the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) on September 30. SPRING CHAMPION STAKES 2023 ODDS The Gloaming Stakes has been labelled the form to follow into this event; however, it’s not the winner that the market is gravitating towards. Online bookmakers have installed Tom Kitten as the Spring Champion Stakes favourite after powering into the runner-up spot, and he’s been well-found at +125 as the money continues to flow his way. Tutta La Vita and Raf Attack share the second line of betting at +550, while Ganbare rounds out the horses in single digits at +800. Port Lockroy (+900) and Cap Ferrat (+1500) are the only other runners to gain any early support. SPRING CHAMPION STAKES 2023 SPEED MAP Raf Attack led all the way in the Gloaming Stakes, and although he’s drawn out in barrier 11, the son of Satono Aladdin will likely try to dictate terms once again. Kintyre and Ganbare both sat on his hammer throughout that contest, and it could be much the same this weekend with the pair drawing barriers three and four, respectively. Tutta La Vita has lacked early speed so far this preparation but should be able to press forward from barrier five, while Tom Kitten should lob just in behind the first four on the rail from barrier one. A few of these will be forced to drag back, with Ravello (12), Long Genes (10) and Cap Ferrat (9) all drawing poorly. SPRING CHAMPION STAKES 2023 FORM & BETTING PREVIEW Tom Kitten should’ve won the Gloaming Stakes last start. He was near-last turning for home and got into a pumping duel with Tannhauser with 400m to run. That would’ve spelled the end for most; however, the Godolphin runner continued to battle through the line, somehow finishing runner-up. The 2000m should be no issue, and with a soft run all but assured from barrier one under Adam Hyeronimus, Tom Kitten should be winning the 2023 Spring Champion Stakes. Tutta La Vita appears to be the main danger. Her differing form reference against the girls in the Flight Stakes is a big plus, and with a tick-over trial keeping her up to the mark, she’ll be closing powerfully with Jason Collett in the saddle. Port Lockroy missed a start in the Gloaming and instead secured victory in a BM72 on the Kensington circuit on October 18. He’s progressing through the grades nicely for the Annabel Neasham barn, and if there’s a blowout chance at double-figure odds, it could be him. Raf Attack will look the winner a long way out, and his breeding suggests the trip shouldn’t be an issue. He just keeps savaging the line, so he should be there when the whips are cracking. SPRING CHAMPION STAKES 2023 SELECTIONS & BEST BETS Selections: 2 TOM KITTEN 12 TUTTA LA VITA 6 PORT LOCKROY 1 RAF ATTACK $100 betting strategy $100 win #1 Tom Kitten @ +125 with Bet365 More horse racing tips View the full article

There are several layers to the success that has catapulted Linda Rice to five straight training titles at New York Racing Association meets. One of them can be seen in the 4-year-old colt Film Star.View the full article

Stablemates Burn To Shine (NZ) (So You Think) and Deels Done (NZ) (Dundeel) loom as top chances at Riccarton where conditions on Saturday will be nigh on perfect for the Stephen Marsh-prepared duo. Steps up in distance will be relished by the pair who are firmly on target for major assignments during the upcoming New Zealand Cup carnival. Burn To Shine will run in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) ahead of a crack at the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) while Deels Done tackles the NZB Airfreight Road To Jericho (3000m). So You Think’s son Burn To Shine was a resuming winner at Te Rapa before consecutive visits to Hastings to place in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) and the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). “All his runs have been terrific and last start he probably wasn’t suited going to the front, but he whacked on well,” Marsh said. “He has drawn nicely to sit in behind the speed and he’s a big improver. I think the mile on the big track at Riccarton suits him ideally and that’s why I wanted to get him down there.” At the other end of the distance spectrum is the Dundeel gelding Deels Done, who will lap up the marathon trip after two solid lead-up performances over 2000m. “He will stay all day so it looks a lovey race for him. He’s drawn nicely to put himself right there and 3000m should be perfect for him,” Marsh said. The race is a qualifying event for the Jericho Cup (4600m) at Warrnambool on December 3. “We’ll see what happens, but he’s probably more of a chance of running in the New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m),” Marsh said. Marsh also has the talented filly Glamour Tycoon (Written Tycoon) among his Pukekohe contenders and another bold showing in the Gr.2 Jamieson Park Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) will also see her join the Riccarton-based team for a tilt at the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). “She deserves one, but it’s interesting and this is a very even field and 13 winners in it,” Marsh said. “She has drawn nicely so she gets her chance, but it is a very open affair and if she runs well, she will be heading to Riccarton for sure.” Stablemate Tossuforit (Zoustar) was an impressive resuming maiden winner at Tauranga, but a wide gate (16) is likely to see her reserved for another day. “She was very good but is more than likely to wait another week and go to Tauranga for a three-year-old over 1200m, I think it’s too big an ask from that gate,” Marsh said. He also believed the consistent Winning For All (Shooting To Win) to be a strong hope in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Handicap (1200m), while Gee Cee (NZ) (Sacred Falls) has an opportunity to turn his fortune around in the NZB Ready to Run Sale Trainers Series (1500m). “Winning For All is going well and Gee Cee was unlucky at her last start,” Marsh said.The former has placed in both outings this preparation while Gee Cee finished runner-up at Tauranga two runs back before she was unplaced at Hastings where she was unable to find clear air in the straight. View the full article

It’s the greatest two minutes in sport. The weight-for-age championship of Australasia. A $5 million race which time and again is won by an outstanding thoroughbred most worthy of their place on the honour roll. View the full article

A native of Hibbing, Minnesota, Barrett didn't intend on a career in photography. She decided to leave home and try to make a career in Hollywood. She made appearances in several well-known television shows.View the full article

Reigning four-time leading sire Into Mischief, again on top of the general sires list this year, will be well represented at this year's Breeders' Cup.View the full article

Probable Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) favorite Arcangelo had what will likely be his final timed workout in advance of the most prestigious dirt race for 3-year-olds and up, breezing a half-mile in :47 2/5 Oct. 25 at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

After running a graded stakes-quality speed figure in winning the Seneca Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs last month, Xigera was considered for the Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) before her connections opted for a less ambitious spot.View the full article

The ruled-off trainer John Pimental said Wednesday that he and his wife, Diana, have been “blown away” by the support and offers of assistance they have received in the five days since a TDN story highlighted the life-altering ramifications of John's signing an “admission of rule violations” and “acceptance of consequences” document to settle Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) allegations stemming from a methamphetamine positive in one of his Monmouth Park trainees. While being served notice on July 28 of the meth positive, HIWU agents conducted a Monmouth barn and vehicle search of the Pimentals' property, which turned up Levothyroxine. That meant John was charged with two violations of “banned substances” under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)'s Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. Under the terms of the “case resolution without hearing” that he initially agreed to, John faced a three-year period of ineligibility (18 months per violation) and a fine of $25,000 ($12,500 per violation). In a series of interviews that led to last week's story, John, 68, and Diana, 65, had detailed to TDN the financial, logistical, and health-related hardships they have endured over the past three months as John attempted to find new work outside of the backstretch. Working with racehorses has been the only way the couple has known how to make a living for the past 50 years, and John's record on the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) website shows only one previous published violation, a $100 fine from 2015 for not having a foal certificate on file. The Pimentals also explained how it's been difficult to process the allegedly draconian penalizations that John said he accepted only because he didn't have the money to hire a lawyer to contest the HIWU charges. The outpouring of support has included offers of financial assistance to fight their case; offers of pro-bono help from a trio of attorneys who specialize in defending horsemen, and offers to re-home the 5-year-old gelding Golovkin (Mshawish), the last remaining racehorse in their stable after eight others owned by a longstanding client got shipped to a different trainer at Delaware Park when John was first provisionally suspended. The Pimentals told TDN Oct. 25 they are respectfully declining the offers of financial assistance. But Golovkin vanned out of the Monmouth backstretch on Wednesday at noon, bound for a new home in Kentucky and a to-be-determined second career. And the Pimentals also said they are considering the offers of free legal help, although at the moment they are content to allow Alan Foreman, an attorney who is the chairman and chief executive of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (THA), to handle their defense. Foreman recently agreed to work as an ombudsman on behalf of racing industry constituents needing a go-between to deal with HIWU and HISA, and he has thus far managed to get John's signed admission withdrawn so the case can proceed to a hearing. “People were concerned. That was good to hear,” John said. “There were a bunch of people who offered financial assistance or to set up a GoFundMe for us, but we thanked them and said we don't need any of that.” Added Diana, who has helped John run his stable and his gate-ponying business since the two were teenagers, “We've been overwhelmed by people calling to want to help us. My phone's practically exploded.” Next steps In the original TDN story about his penalization, John alleged that the 193 picograms-per-milliliter meth positive in Golovkin on May 29 was the result of environmental contamination. He also claimed the container of Levothyroxine found in his truck had been used solely on a 17-year-old pony nicknamed Richard, and not on any racehorses under his care. Lisa Lazarus, the chief executive officer for the HISA Authority, wrote in a letter published in TDN Oct. 24 that “the article implied that HISA and HIWU are devoid of concern for regular horsemen, are looking to wipe out smaller training operations, and are ignorant to endemic drug use on the backstretch of many racetracks. None of those are true.” At a different point in her letter, Lazarus pointed out that when drug-testing samples do come up positive, “everyone is treated exactly the same way.” She also wrote that there is “no longer any space for 'he's a good guy'” types of arguments that, under pre-HISA testing protocols, might have reduced penalties or even kept sanctions from being imposed in the first place. “But the non-discriminatory aspect of the program is sometimes also the worst thing about it,” Lazarus wrote. “Because every positive test is attached to a person. And every person has a story. And some of those stories can be heartbreaking.” On Wednesday, Lazarus confirmed via email that now that John's withdrawal of admission has been accepted, his notice of sanctions has also been withdrawn by HIWU, and that his provisional suspension has been re-imposed back to where it was before John signed the admission. Lazarus added that, “If Mr. Pimental is able to work with Alan Foreman to collect information that helps his case, HIWU has the discretion to lift the Provisional Suspension. We will also give Mr. Pimental an opportunity to request and qualify for a Pro Bono lawyer.” Lazarus said the matter has already been re-initiated before the arbitral body. She estimated “60 days from start to finish” as a ballpark timetable for how long it might take to resolve the matter. Foreman briefed TDN on the next steps in the case, although he said he preferred to stick to a general synopsis so as not to give away elements of John's defense. “They are back now to square one,” Foreman said. “I am gathering the facts as any attorney in my capacity would do, and I am putting together a presentation from Mr. Pimental to HIWU in an effort to resolve this case and get him restored to good standing. “He's requested a hearing, and under the rules, that hearing would be scheduled on a rather expedited basis,” Foreman said. “So my goal is to get this resolved as quickly as possible. The ball is really in our court to provide the information to HIWU [to bring about] an opportunity for a negotiated resolution of the case [and to avoid] arbitration. Because arbitration is expensive, and I don't think it's necessary in this case.” New home for 'Go-Go' Golovkin had been claimed for $5,000 on the day he tested positive while finishing last. In the two-month interim that he raced twice for different connections, the gelding again ran last two more times. The ruling against John voided that claim, so the Pimentals (who owned him) had to take Golovkin back. Given the gelding's recent record, and the fact that he had to sit out a mandated 60-day period of inactivity because of the meth positive, they were having trouble finding anyone at Monmouth who wanted to buy or adopt him. That changed once the Pimentals' story came out. “We got a lot of offers,” Diana said of the dark bay with the handsome, half-blazed face. “He's not going to race again. All we want for him is to be able to get out into a field and run and 'be like a horse' again. He'll make somebody else very happy. That's all we want, and it's what he deserves after what he's been through.” Lauren Carlisle headed the team that included fellow bloodstock businesspeople Radhika Clark and Sarah Thompson, plus Dr. Megan Cassidy of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, to reach out to the Pimentals about taking in Golovkin. “I read the article and just felt terrible for the situation,” Carlisle said. “They were quoted as saying that the horse had nowhere to go. So we really wanted to fix that as quickly as possible. And a big shout-out to Brook Ledge [Horse Transportation], who is moving him at no charge–a very good deed on their part. “For now he's going to Radhika's family's farm in Kentucky,” Carlisle continued. “And then Dr. Cassidy is going to do a full exam on him with X-rays, and make sure that everything is good for him to be training for a new career. We'll find him a permanent home after we do all that. So this is basically a kind of landing spot him until we can figure it out.” Golovkin, who shares a hard-to-pronounce name with the champion boxer Gennadiy Golovkin, already has a new nickname: “We've been calling him 'Go-Go' in our group chat,” Carlisle said. Richard the pony also will be getting a new home–at least temporarily. Diana told TDN that the pony, who teamed with John both in escorting horses to the gate and in John's former stints as an outrider, was initially slated to be sold. But trainer Gerald Bennett has agreed to instead take in Richard at Tampa Bay Downs this winter, with the understanding that if John wants him back at some point, he's welcome to have him. “If things work out with John, maybe he can come back [to Monmouth next season] and outride,” Diana explained. “That's what we're hoping. If things turn around, we really would like to have a good pony that knows his job.” The Pimentals are on their way to Tampa soon, too. Diana has a job in the racing office there for the upcoming meet, and her doctor has just cleared her to travel after needing to first make sure new medication is working to control the high blood pressure that Diana said she developed during this ordeal. The couple underscored that they wanted to express gratitude toward everyone who has offered help or had a kind word about their situation. “There's so many great people out there. You don't even know it until something like this happens to you,” Diana said. The post Pimentals, Overwhelmed by Support, Get Help to Proceed to HIWU Hearing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horse Racing on Thursday, October 26 will feature four meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meeting at Gosford. Thursday Racing Tips – October 26, 2023 Gosford Racing Tips Thursday’s Best Racing Bets Of The Day – October 26, 2023 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $26.25 odds return: Thursday, October 26, 2023 Ballarat Race 4 – #2 Elphinstone Bunbury Race 7 – #6 Yonga Lass Gosford Race 1 – #1 Vadamos Queen Ipswich Race 6 – #1 Porky | 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 October 26, 2023 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

The mighty Godolphin stable leads all Breeders' Cup owners with 16 wins, a testament to both the quality of the horses owned by Godolphin and its commitment to the Breeders' Cup. Godolphin won four Breeders' Cup races last year and is sending a strong contingent of U.S. and foreign-based horses to Santa Anita for this year's event. To find out more about the Godolphin runners for this year's Breeders' Cup and why the event is so important to the stable, the TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland called on Godolphin Director of Bloodstock Michael Banahan to give us answers to our questions. Banahan was this week's Green Group Guest of the Week. “We embrace the Breeders' Cup because it is championship racing,” Banahan said. “That's what we're trying to do. It's the biggest race day at the end of the year for us. And if we can be fortunate enough to get horses to compete at the Breeders' Cup, we know we're competing with the very best horses not only in America, but across the world. That's where we want to compete at, at the very top level. You see only the very best horses at the Breeders' Cup and we know by the Eclipse Award voting that people put a lot of emphasis on those races at the end of the year.” While Banahan deals primarily with Godolphin's U.S.-based runners, he is well aware of the success trainer Charlie Appleby, Godolphin's head trainer in Europe, has had in North America. Since 2021 in North America, he's had 56 starters, 24 winners, 23 stakes winners and 15 Grade I wins. His winning percentage during that period of time is 43%. For his career, he's had nine Breeders' Cup winners. How does he do it? “Charlie is an excellent trainer and a very good horseman,” Banahan said. “He had been with Godolphin for a long time before he took the mantle as the head trainer and would have traveled all around the world and would have seen firsthand the type of horse you need to bring to different destinations, whether it's America, Australia, continental Europe, or wherever it might be, or Dubai itself. He understands that very well, understands what his horses like and which ones will perform well in a race in America where there might be a lot of pace and the race is run over a flat track. They're good horses as well. But sometimes they look like they're elevated a little bit when they get to America in the pattern of a race and the style of a race. Obviously, he's got plenty of them, but he's identified the right horses and you don't really see him just throwing horses in a race and hoping that, you know, some of it'll stick a little bit.” Godolphin owns Cody's Wish (Curlin), last year's GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner. He was named for Cody Dorman, who was born with a rare genetic disorder called Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. Banahan said the Dorman family is hoping to be at Santa Anita to see if Cody's Wish can repeat in the Dirt Mile. “When he ran in the Whitney in Saratoga, when the family was going to the paddock people were giving them a round of applause and cheering them when they went by,” Banahan said. “I think it's even goes further than racing itself. It's hit people outside the industry, just the general public. People who don't have any interest in racing or just a marginal interest have really caught on to this great story. Hopefully, they'll all make it out there and be there to cheer Cody's Wish on in what will be his last race.” Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by 1/ST Racing, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association, WinStar Farm, Lane's End, the KTOB, XBTV and West Point Thoroughbreds, the team of Zoe Cadman, Randy Moss and Bill Finley discussed the story of trainer John Pimental, the 68-year-old trainer who had won just one race this year but is facing a possible suspension of up to three years because a horse he trained tested positive for methamphetamine and because investigators from the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) found a container of Levothyroxine on his truck. Finley called for HIWU to begin to employ common sense when it comes to its decisions and, especially in this case, not upend the life and career of a trainer who quite clearly was not trying to dope his horses with performance-enhancing drugs. Live from Santa Anita, Cadman gave her report card on some of the workouts she had seen during the week from Breeders' Cup horses. She was so impressed with a seven-furlong workout by Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo) that went in 1:24, she declared: “They're all running for second money behind Arabian Knight in the Classic.” It's too late for 'TDN Rising Star' Nysos (Nyquist) to make the Breeders' Cup, but his 10 1/2-length win in a maiden race at Santa Anita on Saturday was a worthy topic of discussion. And why did trainer Bob Baffert choose to ride Kyle Frey on the colt? Cadman has the answer, and it might surprise you. Click here to watch the podcast as a video or here to listen to the audio file. The post Michael Banahan Joins the TDN Writers’ Room Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Reigning four-time leading sire Into Mischief, again on top of the general sires list this year, will be well represented at this year's Breeders' Cup.View the full article

8th-KEE, $100K, Msw, 2yo, 7f, 4:44 p.m. ET. Hammering down for $1.5 million at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, juvenile STOP THE PRESS (Uncle Mo) makes his debut for the ownership group led by West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing. After a sharp work for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey at the Belmont Park training track (Oct. 20, 4f, :48.34, 1/55), the bay colt comes to Keeneland primed for his debut. Out of Secret Sigh (Tapit), Stop the Press is a half-brother to Summer Wind Equine's horse-in-training Pippi Longstocking (Frankel {GB}), who debuted a well-beaten sixth over the turf Sept. 16 at the Belmont at the Big A meet. Second dam MGSW India (Hennessy) is also responsible for Japanese G1 Yasuda Kinen S. and G1 February S. superstar Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}). This is an extended female family which includes full-sibs GI Woodward S. hero To Honor and Serve (Bernardini) and GI Chandelier S. heroine Angela Renee, plus their half-brother GISP Elnaawi (Street Sense). TJCIS PPS The post Thursday’s Insights: $1.5m Uncle Mo Colt Makes Keeneland Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dr. John Chancey will lead the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) Drug Testing Standards and Practices Committee as the new Chair, according to a release from the organization. Chancey is a long-time regulatory veterinarian and is currently the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission. Chancey replaces Duncan Patterson, the Chair of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission, who will now lead the ARCI Continuing Education Committee. “Duncan has been a great steward for the Association, but the time has come to put a veterinarian in charge of this committee as well as someone with direct experience not limited to only Thoroughbred racing,” said ARCI Chair Tom Sage of Nebraska. “With the role now being played in the U.S. by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, this committee must recommend equine welfare and anti-doping policies that are applicable to all horses regardless of breed. Dr. Chancey is the right person to lead this committee.” The post Chancey to Chair ARCI Drug Testing Committee appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a little over a year, Wathnan Racing has carved out a reputation for being an emerging ownership force, and the early signs are that the operation is here for the foreseeable future after continuing its recruitment drive by spending 500,000gns on talented sprinter Dark Trooper (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale on Wednesday. That purchase through Blandford Bloodstock's ace agent Richard Brown came after the team spent 750,000gns on He's A Monster (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Just Bring It (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}) from Alex Elliott's Imperium Sales draft on Tuesday. The modus operandi has been simple; source quality horses, and in Dark Trooper, Wathnan Racing have secured a talented sprinter whose best days could be ahead of him still. Trained by Ed Walker, Dar Trooper has won six times and reached a rating of 104. He was last seen finishing sixth, beaten just two lengths, in a Group 3 at Ascot. “The idea is to buy quality over quantity, that is the message from Olly Tait to me and Ali Al Kubaisi, who is working the sale with me,” Brown said. “This horse has been on the radar for most of the year because Al Donald, who bought him and managed him, and Ed Walker, who trained him, have been trying to get me to buy him most of the year saying there is a lot more to come.” Brown added, “He won a very competitive Ascot handicap on quick ground and then was unlucky in the Bengough. He is an interesting horse and will go to Qatar. There is a programme for him in that part of the world, but he is the sort of horse who could come back here. He is a gelding so can run on for a number of seasons. He will be trained by Alban de Mieulle and we'll see how things go.” There was a good feeling at Park Paddocks throughout Wednesday and that extended to the figures. The average climbed 5% to 48,248gns while the median fell 2% to 23,500gns. However, the aggregate was down 12% to 11,869,000gns and the clearance rate fell 3% to 89%. Saudi Buyers Go Head-To-Head For Classy Sea The Casper Two heavy hitters from Saudi Arabia went head-to-head for the 105-rated Sea The Casper (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) with Mubarak Al-Ruwis seeing off Najd Stud at 425,000gns. Sea The Casper will be aimed at the Saudi Cup Carnival, according to the owner Al-Ruwis, who has a small but select string in the Gulf. The owner said, “He will ship straight to Saudi. We have two horses already in Saudi. We need a quality horse for the big Saudi Cup meeting. We think this horse could be a champion.” Predictably, the Saudi investment at Tattersalls this week has been strong and Najd Stud struck earlier in the evening for Group 2 winner Jack Darcy (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}). Trained by Paul and Oliver Cole to land the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville in August, Jack Darcy was one of the wildcards added to the sale and was drafted by Barton Sales. Oliver Cole said, “I think he is a Group 1 horse in the making. I would have preferred to keep him in training with us but owners have to do what they want to do.” “We wanted to run in the Prix Dollar and he ran very well, arguably his best race, and we wildcarded him here.” Najd Stud also went to 170,000gns to secure Bresson (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) from Juddmonte and paid 155,000gns for Godolphin's Parchemin (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) earlier in the session. The leading Saudi buyers have added 12 horses to their haul this week to the tune of 1,483,000gns. Royal Patronage Off To Oz He has advertised his abilities in Britain and America but now Australia beckons for the 110-rated Royal Patronage (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) after Johnny McKeever signed for the four-year-old on behalf of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. It was McKeever who lit up Park Paddocks on Tuesday evening when going to 575,000gns for Balance Play (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) out of Alex Elliott's Imperium Sales draft. Royal Patronage came highly recommended by his trainer Graham Motion, according to McKeever, whose total spend has now reached 1,280,000gns for the week. He said, “We spoke to Graham Motion about the horse and he gave us a very positive report.. The horse had a few small training issues, nothing to worry about at all. “He is an ideal horse to go to Australia so we were confident that this is the right thing to do. It is hard to find Group form in the sale and he has got a certain quality. We are not guessing here, we know he is a pretty good horse if all goes well for him.” Royal Patronage has not raced since June. Prior to that, he landed an allowance race at Keeneland for the Motion team. But he is perhaps best known for showing high-class form for Mark and Charlie Johnston in Britain–for whom he landed the G2 Royal Lodge S.–before he was shipped to America. Juddmonte Draft Adds Intrigue A Juddmonte draft always generates plenty of attention regardless of the sale and it was no different on Wednesday with 13 horses selling for a combined 1,368,000gns. The draft was headed by Halfway Line (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}), a three-time winner and listed-placed for Francis-Henri Graffard, who was knocked down to BBA Ireland online for 320,000gns. BBA Ireland's Mick Donohoe revealed afterwards to the Tattersalls blog that the horse had been bought alongside Niall Dalton of Stakes Horses and will continue his career with trainer Phil D'Amato in America. Donohoe said via telephone, “I have left the sale ground and so it worked well for me to bid online. The horse has been bought in conjunction with Niall Dalton of Stakes Horses to go to California and is for a new client with trainer Phil D'Amato, who has had a good bit of success training European horses.” He added, “Halfway Line was recommended by Francois-Henri Graffard as well as Barry Mahon of Juddmonte. He should suit California-he is progressive, he goes on firm, he has a turn of foot, all the attributes you need.” Juddmonte's Ziryab (GB) (Kingman {GB}), a winner for John and Thady Gosden, was another major attraction in the draft. The three-year-old was sold to Peter Trainor and Ciaron Maher for 240,000gns. Trainor said, “He goes to Ciaron Maher. Last year we bought Future History here from Juddmonte and this is the same type of horse with the same profile. Hopefully he will follow the same path and be a fun horse.” He added, “Ziryab is well-bred and we were quite taken with his last run. He is lightly-raced and there is loads of upside with him.” Smart Juvenile Hurdle Prospect Joins Jackdaws Castle Just 10 days after Mt Fugi Park (Ire) (Walk In The Park {Ire}) provided syndicate Tanzanite with its first winner from as many attempts when scoring on debut for Jonjo O'Neill at Ffos Las, the owners returned to the market to snap up smart juvenile hurdle prospect Circuit Breaker (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}). Not only can Nathaniel get you a top-class horse on the level, as we saw with the brilliant Desert Crown and Enable, but the King George and Eclipse winner has proved he can get classy jumpers as well. The team at Jackdaws Castle will be hoping they have found the next Zanahiyr (Ire) after agent Matt Coleman signed for the Ralph Beckett-trained Circuit Breaker for 260,000gns on behalf of Tanzanite.. Coleman said, “He is going to Jackdaws and we had an order to look for a juvenile hurdle horse. This is a big fantastic-looking horse by Nathaniel. He looks like a National Hunt horse. Ralph [Beckett] was very complimentary about the horse and is extremely pleased with how well he has done on the Flat considering his size. He won on debut and ran second to Urban Outlook (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) [who made 280,000gns to Domeland] last time.” The Tanzanite team can count themselves lucky to have come away with Circuit Breaker as, just when the hammer was about to fall, Harold Kirk tried to throw in one last bid. Alas, it was too late and the principal buyer for Ireland's champion National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins was forced to fill the role of the underbidder. Mt Fugi Park was sourced by Coleman at the Tattersalls Cheltenham February Sale for £290,000 after he won his point-to-point for trainer Donnchadh Doyle. Coleman continued, “We were really pleased with Mt Fugi Park. The syndicate has two horses and they are both real out-and-out National Hunt types. For instance, Mt Fugi Park is very much a staying chaser of the future, and that's why we wanted to get something here with possibly a bit more speed.” That wasn't the only Beckett-trained gelding to be received well by the market as the previous lot, Campaign Trail (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), was sold to Ed Bailey Bloodstock and Peter Kerr Syndicates for 200,000gns. Both horses were consigned by Jamie Railton. Buy of the day Wednesday's buy of the day is something of a collaborative effort as the Racing Post's James Thomas made a strong case for Gaiden (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) to be given the nod. Trained by Richard Hannon, Gaiden was well-fancied and sent off as the 3-1 favourite to win on debut over the minimum trip at Windsor back in April. If connections had come away from that effort with any disappointment that would have soon dissipated with what the winner, Relief Rally (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), went on to achieve. Sadly, Gaiden hasn't followed a similar trajectory. She followed up on that effort with a rock-solid third in a listed contest at York, bagging valuable black-type in the process, but has been well-beaten in her three subsequent starts. Gaiden was knocked down to the Gaiden Partners for 32,000gns on Wednesday and she may well represent a bit of value. Even if she were never to set foot on a racecourse again, she has achieved black-type without winning and is by one of the sexiest stallions in the game. She looks well-bought. Away from Gaiden, Eastmore (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}) could look well-bought by Charles Byrnes at 80,000gns. Placed in all three of his maidens for legendary trainer Kevin Prendergast in Ireland, he has been snapped up by one of the shrewdest dual-purpose handlers in the business and looks an ideal type to go down that route. Thought for the day Is it just me or is this the first year in a while where the National Hunt trainers have been able to play on the higher-rated juvenile hurdle prospects? In previous years, even the top operators were being blown out of the water by international buyers for the three-year-olds who stayed 10f and beyond. This week, we've had Jonjo O'Neill buy the 89-rated Circuit Breaker for 260,000gns while Ed Bailey landed Campaign Trail for 200,000gns. At a lower end, we saw Charles Byrnes secure a nice horse for 80,000gns while Gordon Elliott has added five to his team over the past few days. There has been a dearth of collective talent in the two-mile hurdling division in recent years and this week's results can only be a positive with a view towards providing the sphere with a much-needed shot in the arm. There are few things as exciting as a Champion Hurdler at full cry. Think of that golden era of Hardy Eustace, Brave Inca, Harchibald and Mac's Joy. We have been starved of such competition in recent years over hurdles but, who knows, the first signs of this avenue being reopened to the jumps handers were apparent at Tattersalls this week. Who knows, we could be writing about Circuit Breaker or Campaign Trail by the time Cheltenham rolls around. The post Wathnan Racing Flexes Buying Power By Snapping Up Dark Trooper For 500k appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Led by four 2022 Breeders' Cup winners back to defend their titles, the 205 pre-entries for the 2023 edition of the World Championships match the number of last year's event and are up 9% from the previous visit to Santa Anita Park in 2019.View the full article

Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky. Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where. The TDN also posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from the same week. These include decisions from around the country. NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit's “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 09/26/2023 Licensee: William Cowans, trainer Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission of ECM Rule Violation and Acceptance of Consequences. Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Dream Keeper. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 09/26/2023 Licensee: William Cowans, trainer Penalty: Treated as 1 violation with Dream Keeper under 9/8/23 HISA Guidance. Admission of ECM Rule Violation and Acceptance of Consequences Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Secretary of War. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 08/20/2023 Licensee: Randi Persaud, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final Decision by HIWU. Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Jumpster. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 08/12/2023 Licensee: Leslye Bouchard, trainer Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission of ECM Rule Violation and Acceptance of Consequences. Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Tomarie. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 06/24/2023 Licensee: Javier Morzan, trainer Penalty: None. EAD Charge Withdrawn Explainer: For the presence of Metformin—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Lady Liv, who finished third at Delaware Park on 6/24/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers. Date: 06/11/2023 Licensee: Guadalupe Munoz Elizondo, trainer Penalty: None. EAD Charge Withdrawn Explainer: For the presence of Metformin—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Quinton's Charmer on 6/11/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers. Read more on the withdrawn charges against Elizondo and Morzan here. Pending ADMC Violations Date: 09/24/2023 Licensee: Manuel Badilla, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Regal Redwood, who finished third at Golden Gate on 9/24/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 08/29/2023 Licensee: Kevin Fletcher, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Caffeine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Ruby Layne. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 08/11/2023 Licensee: Cathal Lynch, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Flunixin—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Saloon, who finished second at Laurel Park on 8/11/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 07/28/2023 Licensee: John Pimental, veterinarian Penalty: Provisional Suspension Alleged violation: Possession of banned substances Explainer: For the possible possession of Levothyroxine (Thyro-L). This is a possible violation of Rule 3214(a)—Possession of Banned Substances Date: 05/29/2023 Licensee: John Pimental, trainer Penalty: Provisionally suspended Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Methamphetamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Golovkin, who finished sixth at Monmouth Park on 5/29/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers. Read more on Pimental's story here. Violations of Crop Rule One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race. Golden Gate Fields Santos Rivera – violation date Oct 22; $250 fine, one-day suspension Delaware Park Hugh H Robertson – violation date Oct 18; $3,200 Purse forfeiture but no further records of the ruling Eduardo Gallardo – violation date Oct 18; $500 fine, 10-day suspension Augusto Ali Marin – violation date Oct 20; $500 fine, $550 purse forfeiture, three-day suspension Karla Marie Dejesus – violation date Oct 20; $540 purse forfeiture but no further records of the ruling Horseshoe Indianapolis Tyler Jake Heard – violation date Oct 19; $100 fine but no further records of the ruling Mahoming Valley Race Course Fernando Salazar Becerra – violation date Oct 21; $250 fine, one-day suspension Santa Anita Park Jose Leonardo Verenzuela – violation date Oct 20; $250 fine, one-day suspension Kent Desormeaux – violation date Oct 20; $250 fine, one-day suspension OTHER KEY RULINGS Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky. California Track: Santa Anita Date: 10/21/2023 Licensee: Antonio Fresu, jockey Penalty: Three-day suspension Violation: Careless riding Explainer: Jockey Antonio Fresu, who rode Kitzkaty in the ninth race at Santa Anita Park on October 20, 2023, is suspended for 3 racing days (October 28, 29 and November 2, 2023) for altering course without sufficient clearance in the stretch, causing interference resulting in the disqualification of his mount from second to eighth; a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules – careless riding). The post Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings, Oct 17-23 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin homebred Tarifa (f, 2, Bernardini–Kite Beach, by Awesome Again), possessed of a pedigree that says longer and maybe a bit later, defied both of those premises to graduate over an extended seven-furlong trip Wednesday at Keeneland, winning off by open lengths to become the newest 'TDN Rising Star' for her sadly departed sire. Backed like a good thing to be off at odds of 14-5 (2.83-1) from a 6-1 morning line, the dark bay was a forward factor just in behind the early pacesetters and jockey Florent Geroux had his work cut out for him to prevent his filly from running up on heels. Given her head with about 3 1/2 furlongs to race, Tarifa continued to travel ominously well on the turn and weaved her way through a bit of traffic to be right there when the real running began at the top of the lane. She put favored Snow Dance (Commissioner) to the sword at the three-sixteenths pole and opened up at will from there to take it by a half-dozen very convincing lengths. Godophin acquired Tarifa's second dam Tizdubai (Cee's Tizzy) for $950,000 at the Keeneland November about two months after her full-brother Tiznow recorded the second of his two consecutive victories in the 2001 GI Breeders' Cup Classic. She was also a full-sister to MGSW and Classic runner-up Budroyale. Kite Beach, whose half-sister Fancy Day (Ire) (Shamardal) produced MGSW Cabo Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile), was purchased by M T Stable at KEENOV in 2021 and to Calumet Farm for $115,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton February sale. The mare produced a full-sister to Tarifa who sold to Matthew Davis for $105,000 at this year's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July sale and foaled a colt by Knicks Go this season. The latter is by Awesome Again and out of Tizso, another full-sister to Tiznow. Kite Beach was bred to Lexitonian this year. 5th-Keeneland, $99,587, Msw, 10-25, 2yo, f, 7f, 1:28.51, ft, 6 lengths. TARIFA, f, 2, by by Bernardini 1st Dam: Kite Beach, by Awesome Again 2nd Dam: Tizdubai, by Cee's Tizzy 3rd Dam: Cee's Song, by Seattle Song Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $56,575. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O-Godolphin LLC; B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad H Cox. (3) Tarifa is much the best in the fifth race of the day. (8) Regulatory Risk takes second and (7) Snow Dance comes in third. pic.twitter.com/qJLZo2MjHn — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) October 25, 2023 The post Beautifully Bred Bernardini Filly Airs En Route To ‘Rising Star’ Honors appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Many in the field have struggled when attempting runs in graded stakes. With a more level playing field over six furlongs on the dirt at Keeneland, one of these entrants will shine.View the full article