Wandering Eyes

A new incentive for the 2024 breeding season was announced by the Coolmore National Hunt division on Thursday. Any breeder of an open 4-year-old or 5-year-old only Irish point-to-point maiden during the 2024 spring season sired by a Coolmore NH stallion past or present will receive a €1,000 credit. This can be offset against any nomination to a Coolmore NH sire purchased by them for the 2024 breeding season. Breeders are entitled to receive an unlimited number of credits but only one may be used per nomination. “Point-to-points are the grass roots of Irish racing and a nurturing ground for future stars,” said Albert Sherwood. “Our clients follow the horses they breed very closely and this gesture will hopefully provide an extra reason to celebrate if one of their graduates wins on the point-to-point field.” For more information and the terms and conditions, please visit the Coolmore NH website. The post Point-To-Point Incentive Offered To NH Breeders By Coolmore appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gary King has been appointed to the Godolphin International Thoroughbred Leadership Programme (GITLP) board of trustees. King graduated from the programme in 2010, and is currently Senior Vice President at Thoroughbred Daily News and co-founder (with Vicky Leonard) of The Thoroughbred Report Australia and New Zealand. King, who received the GFS Business Excellence award at the 2023 alumni conference, joins the board which includes fellow graduates Lisa-Jane Graffard and Tessa Hetherington. The post Gary King Joins GITLP Board appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The ongoing construction of a new Belmont Park brings significant changes to the 2024 NYRA racing schedule. The fall and spring/summer meets traditionally held at Belmont will take place at Aqueduct Racetrack in 2024. View the full article

Jockey agent Steve Rushing discussed in a Q&A representing Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz Jr.View the full article

Suave Richard (Jpn), Japanese Champion Freshman Sire elect, sired his first Group 1 winner with the victory of his Regaleira (Jpn) in the 2000-metre G1 Hopeful S. at Nakayama on Thursday. The filly is the first of her sex to land the race since it was upgraded to Group 1 level in 2017. Jointly favoured with Susumu Fujita's Group 3 winner and €2.1 million Arqana August yearling buy Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) at 2-1 in this contest, the filly hesitated at the break, and soon trailed third last as Velociraptor (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}) showed the way with a battling Ammothyella (Jpn) (Bricks And Mortar), the other filly in the field. Rounding the first bend, the Northern Farm-bred settled nicely, as several rivals ahead of her had a rough time of it. The first 1000 metres was covered in 1:00 by Velociraptor, while still pressed by the persistent Ammothyella. Regaleira was already making up ground from the rear as the field entered the final turn. Winding her way towards the front, she was forced widest of all entering the home straight as Shin Emperor got first jump on the field, quickly seized the advantage and set sail for home. Regaleira was also letting down strongly with Sunrise Zipangu (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) to her inside. She drew even with Shin Emperor, who immediately fought back, but she just edged that determined foe to win by a three-quarters of a length in 2:00.20, a new stakes record. Sunrise Zipangu was third two lengths behind, another three-quarters of a length in front of Admiral Ship (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}). Tariff Line (Jpn) (Satono Diamond {Jpn}) went wrong on the bend and was pulled up by Tom Marquand. The first six home all broke :36 seconds for their respective final 600 metres, but Regaleira showed the fastest turn of foot, finishing in :35 flat. Her owner, Sunday Racing, has indicated that the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) versus males is under consideration next year. “We had to travel near the rear because the filly missed her break, but she was very calm after that,” Christophe Lemaire said of the great granddaughter of the blue hen Wind In Her Hair (Ire) (Alzao). “She responded well at last two corners and, after I steered her to the outside, displayed an incredible late charge. I look forward to her performances next year, and I think a longer distance would also suit her.” A first-out winner over 1800 metres at Hakodate in July, the bay took third in the Listed Ivy S. at Tokyo over that trip when resuming on Oct. 21. The Hopeful was her first foray into group company. Pedigree Notes A member of the first crop of G1 Japan Cup and G1 Osaka Hai hero Suave Richard, Regaleira is one of two stakes winners besides G2 Keio Hai Nisai S. winner Corazon Beat (Jpn). He stands firmly on top of the Japanese first-season sires' list by earnings with over ¥400,000,000 (£2,224,532/€2,558,377/$2,834,795) to his credit and 21 winners so far. Other progeny to have claimed black-type are G3 Sapporo Nisai S. second Power Hall (Jpn), and G2 Hai Nisai S. third Namura Hooker (Jpn). The third foal out of the Harbinger (GB) mare Roca (Jpn), Regaleira is also the third winner for her, and is a half-sister to the G3 Mainichi Hai third Douradores (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}). Her dam, too, was a first-out 1800-metre scorer as a juvenile, although in her case, she trotted up at Kyoto before running third in the G3 Daily Hai Queen Cup when unveiled at three later in her career. Since foaling the winner, Roca has a yearling filly by Cheval Grand (Jpn), from the Heart's Cry (Jpn) branch of the Sunday Silence line, and a weanling filly by Stay Gold (Jpn) horse Indy Champ (Jpn). Out of a Dance In The Dark (Jpn) half-sister to a quartet of stakes winners led by the late dual Japanese Horse of the Year and supersire Deep Impact (Jpn), she was covered by Leontes (Jpn) this spring. Thursday, Nakayama, Japan HOPEFUL S.-G1, ¥135,800,000, Nakayama, 12-28, 2yo, 2000mT, 2:00.20, fm. 1–REGALEIRA (JPN), 121, f, 2, by Suave Richard (Jpn) 1st Dam: Roca (Jpn), by Harbinger (GB) 2nd Dam: Land's Edge (Jpn), by Dance in the Dark(Jpn) 3rd Dam: Wind in Her Hair (Ire), by Alzao 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Tetsuya Kimura; J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥71,260,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, ¥154,039,000. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Shin Emperor (Fr), 123, c, 2, Siyouni (Fr)–Starlet's Sister(Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€2,100,000 Ylg '22 ARQAUG). O-Susumu Fujita; B-Ecurie Des Monceaux (Fr); ¥28,360,000. 3–Sunrise Zipangu (Jpn), 123, c, 2, Kizuna (Jpn)–Saimaa (Ire), by Zoffany (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (¥64,000,000 Ylg '22 JRHAJUL). O-Life House; B-Oiwake Farm (Jpn); ¥18,180,000. Margins: 3/4, 2, 3/4. Odds: 2.10, 2.10, 127.70. Also Ran: Admiral Ship (Jpn), Mr G T (Jpn), Sirius Colt (Jpn), Shonan la Punta (Jpn), In the Moment (Jpn), Di Speranza (Jpn), Velociraptor (Jpn), Hortbagy (Jpn), Win Maximum (Jpn), Ten Ace One (Jpn), Century Bond (Jpn), Ammothyella (Jpn). DNF: Tariff Line (Jpn). Scratched: Gonbade Qabus (Jpn), Sunrise Earth (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post Suave Richard’s Regaleira First Filly To Take G1 Hopeful Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Regaleira chased down Shin Emperor in the late going to become the first filly to win the Hopeful Stakes (G1) Dec. 28 at Nakayama Racecourse.View the full article

A son of two fan-favorite Hall of Famers, the impeccably-bred colt by champion Curlin and out of champion Beholder was sure to bring the house down when he entered the ring this summer at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale and the striking chestnut did not disappoint as the hammer dropped at $4 million to Donato Lanni on behalf of Zedan Racing, making the Spendthrift-bred, Taylor Made-consigned colt the highest-priced horse to sell at Saratoga in over two decades. Since then, the youngster's pedigree has grown even more impressive as his elder sister Tamara (Bolt d'Oro) won the GI Del Mar Debutante S. in jaw-dropping fashion. The 'TDN Rising Star' was the heavy favorite going into the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, but finished seventh and came out of the race with a small fracture in a hind splint bone. In the meantime, Zedan Racing's $4 million purchase-who was the first of Beholder's babies to go to public auction-was sent to Eddie Woods Stables and has slowly been learning the ropes of the racetrack in sunny Ocala. The colt is now just days away from turning two and veteran Woods says that his charge is taking every step in the right direction. “We've taken him through the paces slowly,” Woods reported. “He's now been galloping on the track about three weeks. He's jogging about half a mile and he's cantering a mile and we'll kind of keep it at that for a while. We're probably going to be giving him a little bit of a break here after a while just to get over the breaking process.” The yearling earned a bit of a reputation in Saratoga when he was on his toes in the sales ring and put in one hair-raising rear, but Woods said that the colt has been nothing but straightforward in his demeanor. One only needs to watch as the young athlete steps through the gate without so much as batting an eye to agree. “He was a little wiry one day in public so everyone just thinks that's the way they are and it's not always the case,” Woods said. “He's a good-feeling horse and he'll be on it a little bit, but he behaves himself well and he's good in traffic. He moves well and he's been a pretty straightforward kind of colt.” Fans of this exciting prospect and his talented family will have to wait well into 2024 to see him near his debut. “He's not a horse that is going to be running four-and-a-half or five furlongs or anything like that,” Woods said. “He won't run until probably Del Mar or something. You can put in a lot of unnecessary miles on him, so we'll just give him a chance to grow up and get over being broken and just be a horse.” Woods has had plenty of sons and daughters of leading sire Curlin at his successful training facility and he's trained almost as many seven-figure yearlings, but he said this is the first foal from Beholder's impressive family that he has had the privilege of working with and added that this colt might have the highest price tag in his stable's history. “We've had a lot of expensive horses, but we haven't had a $4 million one here before,” he noted. “So it's pretty cool. He's a lovely-looking horse” The post Beholder’s $4 Million Baby Learning the Ropes in Ocala appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two colts by American Pharoah with only one turf start between them are among the 13 entered for the Dec. 30 Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2T), a sprint scheduled for Santa Anita's downhill turf course. But rain could prompt a surface switch.View the full article

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) released its 2024 schedule, which includes 195 live racing days at Aqueduct Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course, the organization said in a release Thursday morning. As previously announced, the ongoing construction at Belmont Park will require significant adjustments to the customary schedule. In addition to the 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival being held at Saratoga Race Course from June 6-9, the fall and spring/summer meets traditionally held at Belmont will take place at Aqueduct Racetrack in 2024. Following the conclusion of the 2023 Aqueduct fall meet on Dec. 31, the 47-day winter meet begins Monday, Jan. 1 and continues through Saturday, Mar. 30. Live racing will be conducted Thursday-Sunday for the first three weeks of January and Friday-Sunday from Jan. 26 through the first week of March. Aqueduct will host a Presidents' Day card on Monday, Feb. 19. Four-day race weeks resume on Mar. 7. The 16-day Aqueduct spring meet will run from Thursday, Apr. 4 through Sunday, Apr. 28. The NYRA circuit will then remain at Aqueduct for the 31-day Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet, which will open on Thursday, May 2 and continue through Sunday, July 7. Racing will be conducted Thursday-Sunday throughout the spring/summer with the exception of a Memorial Day program on Monday, May 27. The 40-day summer meet at Saratoga Race Course will open on Thursday, July 11 and continue through Labor Day, Sept. 2. Following the four-day opening weekend, live racing will be conducted Wednesday-Sunday with the exception of closing week, which will conclude on Labor Day, Sept. 2. The NYRA circuit will then return downstate for the 31-day Belmont at the Big A fall meet, which will open on Friday, Sept. 13 and continue through Sunday, Nov. 3. Apart from the opening weekend, racing will be conducted Thursday-Sunday throughout the Belmont at the Big A fall meet. The year will conclude with a 26-day fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack, which will open on Thursday, Nov. 7 and continue through Sunday, Dec. 29. Apart from closing week, live racing will be conducted Thursday-Sunday throughout the Aqueduct fall meet. Click here for the complete calendar. The post NYRA Rolls Out 2024 Race Dates appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As 2023 draws to a close, the TDN is asking industry members to name their favorite moment of the year. Send yours to suefinley@thetdn.com I've been a racing enthusiast alongside my Dad forever, but watching his horse, Goodnight Olive, the past couple of years has been unparalleled. In 2023, we supported her every step during her 5-year-old campaign, culminating in a spectacular victory at the Breeder's Cup. It was my first time to Santa Anita, and what a special venue to watch her deliver magic one last time for the First Row Partners team. It was unforgettable, especially with my Dad by my side–a moment I'll cherish forever. –Jonathan Romero, Founder of StableConnect The post What Was Your Favorite Moment Of 2023: Jonathan Romero appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Champion 2-year-old male Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile) was purchased by the Korea Racing Authority and arrived Dec. 18 to continue his stud career for the 2024 breeding season, as first reported by The Paulick Report and confirmed by Ashford Stud. The 9-year-old stood at the farm in Versailles, Kentucky, where he was shuttled to Chile on multiple occasions. As of 2023, his oldest foals are 4-year-olds, and his progeny have won 113 races with earnings of more than $13.5 million. Angel of Empire is his most successful offspring, who won this year's GII Risen Star S. and the GI Arkansas Derby. Serving as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby, the colt finished third. Classic Empire is also the sire of GISP Interstatedaydream, GSW Morello and GSW Classy Edition. Bred in Kentucky by Steven and Brandi Nicholson and campaigned by John Oxley, Classic Empire won five of nine starts and earned $2,520,220. Named champion 2-year-old male, the Mark Casse trainee won the GIII Bashford Manor S., the GI Breeders' Futurity and the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. At three, Classic Empire finished fourth in the 2017 Derby and was runner-up to Cloud Computing (Maclean's Music) in the GI Preakness S. After an abscess was discovered in his right front hoof, he was sidelined for the GI Belmont S. and never raced again. Classic Empire joins Grade I winner West Will Power (Bernardini) among U.S.-based newcomers to Korea for next season. The post Champion Classic Empire Purchased By Korean Racing Authority appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Frankel (GB) has recaptured the crown he first wore in 2021 and is the champion sire in Britain and Ireland for 2023, as well as being the leading sire in Europe, for the second time. It won't be the last. Whether or not he will be able to emulate the long reigns of his sire Galileo (Ire) and grandsire Sadler's Wells remains to be seen, but it would be unwise to bet against it. Yes, Frankel's launch into his stud career was the stallion equivalent of being born with a silver spoon in his mouth, so great was the support from major international breeders from the outset, but there have been plenty of examples of that not equating to a horse becoming a top sire. Frankel is just that, any way you look at it. He is quickly being joined at stud by a number of his best sons, and there are plenty to choose from. This year alone in Britain, the trio of Chaldean (GB), Mostahdaf (Ire) and Triple Time (Ire) join the Newmarket powerhouses of Juddmonte, Shadwell and Darley, while Onesto (Ire) is now at Haras d'Etreham in France. Irish Derby winner Hurricane Lane (Ire) joins the National Hunt ranks where St Leger winner Logician (GB) already resides, and Derby winner Adayar (Ire) and another Irish Derby winner, Westover (GB), have headed east to Japan. That's seven new Group 1-winning sons of Frankel in one year's intake alone. Frankel has won this year's championship in a manner not dissimilar to his performances on the track: by a wide margin. His progeny earnings in Britain and Ireland of just over £7 million put him almost £3 million clear of last year's champion Dubawi (Ire), with a margin of roughly £30,000 separating the runner-up and third-placed Dark Angel (Ire). In fact, it was pretty tightly packed among the first six horses in Frankel's wake. To return to the champion momentarily, his 39 stakes winners worldwide in 2023 (23 in Britain and Ireland) included his 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean, who now stands alongside him at Banstead Manor Stud, Soul Sister (GB), who became his second winner of the Oaks, Inspiral (GB), who recorded her sixth Group/Grade 1 win at Santa Anita at the Breeders' Cup, and her fellow Group 1 winners Nashwa (GB) and Jannah Rose (Ire). Three of these four fillies/mares remain in training, with Jannah Rose's immediate future yet to be decided. Dubawi is also not short of the company of his sons at stud either. On the Darley roster alone, there is Night Of Thunder (Ire) (who is 12th on this year's table), along with Ghaiyyath (Ire), Space Blues (Ire) and Too Darn Hot (GB), and that group has been bolstered by the arrival of Modern Games (Ire), a Group/Grade 1 winner at two, three and four. Dubawi's wide-margin G1 National S. winner Henry Longfellow (Ire), out of the champion mare Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}, should be high among his Classic colts to follow next year. Good old Dark Angel. There is little doubt that his books will have risen in quality over the years but he would not be covering as many bluebloods as Frankel and Dubawi. He has been in the top seven sires in the last six years and takes third again, equalling his best performance of 2020. The six-year-old Art Power (Ire) typifies Dark Angel's profile as a sire who provides stock that are generally fast and hardy. Art Power is classy too, and he brought the curtain down on a good year for his father with victory in the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint. Three of the stallions to have finished in the top 20 in Britain and Ireland for the year are no longer with us. Galileo (Ire), for so long such a dominant force in Europe, and Deep Impact (Jpn), of whom the same can be said in Japan, died in 2021 and 2019 respectively. Recently Ballyhane Stud lost its stalwart Dandy Man (Ire), who ends this year in 19th place in the table and was one of only five stallions to sire 100 or more winners this year. Galileo, 12 times the champion sire, took the fourth spot, with the dual Group 1 winner Warm Heart (Ire) being his stand-out performer of the year from his 15 stakes winners in Britain and Ireland, which put him third in this sector behind only Frankel and Dubawi. Not surprisingly, Deep Impact had only 11 runners in Britain and Ireland this year, but four of them won, and when one of those is the dual Derby and Irish Champion S. winner Auguste Rodin (Ire) then a decent slot in the table is guaranteed. The late Shadai stallion duly finished in 13th place. In fifth was France's leading sire Siyouni (Fr), who had another banner year beyond his home country, with Paddington (GB) and Tahiyra (Fr) winning the Irish 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas respectively, before landing another five Group 1 victories between them. Paddington becomes the third son of Siyouni to join the Coolmore roster after Sottsass (Fr) and St Mark's Basilica (Fr). Galileo's half-brother Sea The Stars (Ire) ensured that two Aga Khan Studs stallions made the top six. King George hero Hukum (Ire) was of course his best runner. He is now at stud in Japan, while we live in hope that the G1 Coronation Cup winner Emily Upjohn (GB) returns to training next year having not been seen since finishing seventh behind Hukum at Ascot in July. The 103 British and Irish winners (and 11 stakes winners) for Kingman (GB) this year came at a 50% strike-rate to put him in seventh position, one ahead of the prolific Kodiac (GB), who is the leader by number of winners on 118 and was also represented by nine stakes winners. Lope De Vega (Ire) was another member of the quintet with winners into three figures – 101 and eight stakes winners. No Nay Never completes the top ten with nine stakes winners to his credit, including new Coolmore stallion Little Big Bear (Ire). Of those bubbling just under, it is hard not to think that we won't see Wootton Bassett (GB) shooting up the charts from next year. His 11th place finish in 2023 came from just 58 runners in Britain and Ireland, around a quarter of the number fielded by most of those names above him. From 2024, we will see the first two-year-old runners to have been conceived following his move to Ireland, and Wootton Bassett was represented by three new Group/Grade 1 winners this year in three different countries. The hugely likeable King Of Steel was his real talking horse, and he returns next year, along with the Classic prospect Unquestionable (Fr) and Bucanero Fuerte (GB). The dependable Derby winners Australia (GB) and Camelot (GB) were also in the top 20, along with Classic sire Nathaniel (Ire), who is surely one of the best value elite stallions in Britain. An honourable mention must also go to Havana Grey (GB), who in 16th was the youngest of the top 20 finishers with only two crops to have raced for him so far, and eight stakes winners to his credit this year. And let's not forget Muhaarar (GB), which is what many perhaps tried to do when he left Shadwell to stand at Haras des Faunes in France in 2022. Now that people have worked out that most of his progeny are not sprinters, as he was, we can also admit that he's not a bad sire at all. He's had a jolly good year, in fact, with Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire) leading the charge and backed up by G2 Princess of Wales S. winner Israr (GB) and Group/Grade 3 winners Annaf (Ire) and Motorious (GB) among his nine stakes winners worldwide (four in Britain in Ireland). Muhaarar is on the move again and will stand at Haras de Petit Tellier in 2024. France and Germany The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is such a valuable race that it usually guarantees French champion status (or thereabouts) to the sire of the winner. Last year Frankel took the title, thanks largely to his wonderful daughter Alpinista (GB) but this year he has to play second fiddle to his son Cracksman (GB), sire of the brilliant Ace Impact (Ire). Frankel's influence loomed large in the Arc trifecta, with his sons Westover and Onesto taking second and third. Of the stallions standing in France, Siyouni continues to stand tall and was third in the French table overall, with his daughter Mqse De Sevigne (Fr) landing a notable Group 1 double for her owner-breeder, the outgoing France Galop president Edouard de Rothschild. Siyouni notched the highest number of winners (66), and had Wootton Bassett just behind him in the table in fourth. Next for the home team came Anodin (Ire), who was sixth overall with 60 winners and his first Group 1 winner, King Gold (Fr), in the Prix Maurice de Gheest. Dabirsim (Fr), now at Haras de Montaigu and sire of the multiple group winner Horizon Dore (Fr) this year, came next, while Zarak (Fr), another to have a first Group 1 winner his year when Zagrey (Fr) won the Grosser Preis von Baden, was ninth overall. It is worth noting that, along with Zagrey, Zarak had another seven group winners this year: three more in Germany, and one in America. This unsurprisingly put him high in the German table in fourth position, with Straight (Ger) having won the G2 Union Rennen, while Shagara (Ire) won the G3 Preis der Winterkonigin and Princess Zelda (Ger) took the G3 Mehl-Mulhens-Trophy. King of the hill in Germany, however, was Sea The Moon (Ger), which is no surprise given that he supplied the G1 Deutsches Derby winner Fantastic Moon (Ger) and the first three home in the G1 Preis der Diana, led by Muskoka (Ger). The Lanwades resident had another three group winners in Germany in 2023, as well as one each in Ireland, America and Italy. Separating Sea The Moon and Zarak was the late duo of Areion (Ger) and Adlerflug (Ger), and special mention must go to Iquitos (Ger), who finished seventh in the table despite having had just five runners. That quintet included the stakes winners Mr Hollywood (Ire) and Drawn To Dream (Ire), both bred by Gestut Ammerland from Hurricane Run (Ire) mares. The post Frankel Waltzes to a Second Sires’ Championship appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Friday's top tips from the Post's analystsView the full article

Progressive galloper aims for back-to-back wins over 1,200m at the city circuit in Friday night’s Class Three High West HandicapView the full article

Talented New Zealand-bred mare Lekvarte (NZ) (Reliable Man) landed her maiden stakes victory when coming with a stunning late finish to plunder the Gr.3 Belle Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Gosford on Thursday. The Joe Pride-trained mare had kicked off her five-year-old season with a win at Newcastle on November 18 before another strong win at Rosehill at the beginning of the month prior to Thursday’s triumph. Ridden by Tommy Berry, Lekvarte came from second last to defeat Zoe’s Promise (Swear) by one and a half-lengths with Pioneer Lass (Stratum Star) a long-head back in third. “Full credit to Joe, it highlights what a trainer he is. She was a month between runs and missed a trial,” Tommy Berry said. “I spoke to him this morning, and he had so much confidence he said to ride her quietly and produce her late and she will be too good for them. “I thought I might give Benny (Vassallo) a bit of a heart attack on the corner and get his blood pumping. I’m sure he is happy now, and the Vassallos are great family friends. “They have found another good one here and will reap the rewards when she goes to the breeding barn.” Lekvarte has now earned A$608,230 in stakes from a 25-start career that has produced seven wins and five placings. By Westbury Stud stallion Reliable Man, Lekvarte is out of the black-type Encosta de Lago mare Plumm, who was runner-up in the Gr.3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) for Grahame Begg. The talented grey was sold as a yearling through the Westbury Stud Book 1 draft at Karaka in 2020, knocked down to BK Racing & Breeding in conjunction with Andrew Williams Bloodstock for $210,000. There are 21 yearlings by Reliable Man catalogued at the forthcoming Karaka Yearling Sales, with nine in Book 1 and 12 in Book 2. View the full article

Continuing the profiles of the favourite horses of TDN Europe's editorial team in 2023, Heather Anderson selects a bold frontrunner with huge reserves of stamina. At first glance, the admirable Quickthorn (GB), by Newsells Park Stud's perpetually under-appreciated Nathaniel (Ire), had compiled a fairly successful record as a member of the staying ranks throughout his five-year career prior to his Goodwood heroics this August. However, the Lady Blyth homebred elevated his game to another level when taking the G1 Goodwood Cup this summer, and it was the manner in which he did it, that made this the performance of the year for me. The Hughie Morrison trainee first came to my attention in August of 2022, when winning the G2 Lonsdale Cup S. at York as, from my home in America, that was my first opportunity to stream one of his races live. Teaming up with regular pilot Tom Marquand, Quickthorn delivered a front-end processional performance and I marked him down as one of my horses to follow. Granted, Quickthorn's proclivity for excelling when out on his lonesome was not exactly a state secret, as he'd earlier won the G3 Henry II S. and G2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil in the spring and summer of 2022 utilising similar tactics. He put me in mind of noted U.S.-based frontrunner Presious Passion (Royal Anthem), a two-time winner of the GI United Nations S. at Monmouth Park in New Jersey (2008/2009), who gave Conduit (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) a scare in the 2009 GI Breeders' Cup Turf when just failing to last. Needless to say, Quickthorn, a son of three-time winner Daffydowndilly (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and one of six winners from six foals of racing age from his dam, is well suited to his profession as a quality stayer. He has proven time and again that he not only has the stamina, but also a truly devastating cruising speed, if allowed to employ it. Indeed, immediately prior to the Goodwood Cup, the gelding had landed a listed race at York, giving the impression that he was rounding back into his late-summer form of the season before. So, it was at first with bemusement and then with incredulous glee that I saw the six-year-old bowling along alone on the lead over the Goodwood turf, a chilly Marquand doing his best statue impression (video). The margin between Quickthorn and his rivals increased with every stride the farther they travelled from the starting stalls. Surely, with all the experienced and feted jockeys signed on–Dettori, Moore, Buick and Murphy to name a few–they wouldn't let Marquand and Quickthorn just gallop? The rest of the 11-horse field was loaded with quality horses, with no less than three Group 1 winners in attendance–Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}), and Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}). Most of the remainder had at least one group title to their names, befitting the sheer class of one of the preeminent staying challenges of the British Flat season. Despite the quality of the competition, it was worth remembering that Quickthorn, a proven stayer, would not fold once the real running began. The multiple group winner belonged in a field of this calibre, and had developed a reputation of being an especially tough nut to crack when given his ideal set up. And they gave it to him–a critical miscalculation–on a silver platter. Running through my mind as the race unfolded was the simple fact that he shouldn't be able to get away with this in a Group 1 race. These were some of the best stayers and jockeys in the world. They knew his game and they knew it before the stalls ever opened. Surely at least one of the rival jockeys would send their mount to apply some pressure? By the time the final quarter-mile was reached and the multi-pronged chasing pack was mounting a fruitless challenge a short time later, I was hard pressed to remember when was the last time I'd enjoyed watching a race to this extent. And it was this enjoyment, of watching a horse and rider in their undisputed element, that made the race linger in my mind long after Quickthorn and Marquand continued their relentless gallop all the way to the winning post. Nigh uncatchable. A tip of the cap to Quickthorn, who was later nominated for the 2023 Cartier Stayer award, and to his connections. It was truly a delight and privilege to watch. The post TDN Horses of the Year: Quickthorn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tourbillon Prince and Togepi head to Happy Valley on Friday night hunting consecutive victories as the highlights of their South African rider’s bookView the full article

Town Cryer (NZ) (Tavistock) is presented with an ideal opportunity to open her middle-distance account when she takes aim at the Harcourts Taupo Cup (2000m) on Saturday. The multiple stakes-winning daughter of Tavistock has been lightly tried beyond 1600m and trainer Roydon Bergerson is looking forward to this weekend’s challenge, despite his charge giving weight to the rest of the field. “I’ve always wanted to get her back up over ground, she went a really good race in the Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m) as a three-year-old,” he said. “Billy Pinn rode her and she went out by about 12 lengths, he couldn’t stop her and she still ran fourth behind Atishu. “I’m really looking forward to getting her to 2000m this time in, she is a lot stronger and is an easier horse to train. “We’ve looked after her and always thought she needed time. She’s got the strength now and she is handling her racing a lot better.” Town Cryer has only had four other runs beyond 1600m and has placed over 2100m and finished a solid sixth in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) earlier this year. Her pedigree also gives confidence in her ability to handle longer assignments as she is out of the Volksraad mare The Speaker (NZ), who was successful up to 2100m and ran third in an edition of the Warstep. The Speaker is a three-quarter sister to Willy Smith (NZ), who won the Wellington Cup (3200m) when it had Group One status. Town Cryer will have to shoulder 60kg on Saturday, but the six-year-old will have the services of champion jockey Opie Bosson. “I’m really happy with her and I know she’s got a lot of weight, but she deserves it,” Bergerson said. “Some of the others are claiming, which doesn’t help much. “There looks a lot of speed in the race, so I’ll just leave it up to Opie, there’s no-one better.” Town Cryer has victories in the Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and Listed Anzac Mile (1600m) to her credit, but her chances of a fair crack at higher honours in the Gr.1 TAB Classic (1600m) were scuppered when she finished seventh following a false start. “That debacle at Trentham was just so disappointing, she jumped in the first race and in the second one she was a bit straggly away,” Bergerson said. “He (Johnathan Parkes) had to use her up a bit and she still stuck on. She was really brave in the end and I was proud of her.” View the full article

Ben Gleeson from Te Akau Racing joined RSN on Thursday to share the latest on stable star Imperatriz. CLICK TO PLAY AUDIO View the full article

Taranaki mare Hi Yo Sass Bomb (NZ) (Complacent) has seen a fair bit of the country over the last few months but will stick closer to home this week when she tackles the Landmark Homes City Of New Plymouth Cup (1800m) at New Plymouth Raceway on Friday. The daughter of Complacent has competed at Group level in her last three starts, trekking down to Trentham in October where she finished sixth in the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) before she crossed the Cook Strait for the first time and finished fourth in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeder’s Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton a month later, before returning north where she finished fifth in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa earlier this month. Trainer Kim Reid, who also co-bred and co-owns the five-year-old mare, was pleased with all three efforts and said her trip down south has really helped her mature. “She wasn’t a great traveller in the past, but she has definitely improved a lot and her trip down south has helped her grow up a little bit. She has come back cooler and calmer,” Reid said. “I hear often just go up through the grades, but she has shown a lot early and I have always believed in her. She hasn’t disappointed in any of her starts in Group company and I think she has got a nice future ahead.” Hi Yo Sass Bomb will drop back to Rating 75 grade on Friday, and while the initial plan was to remain in Open grade and head to the Taupo Cup (2000m) on Saturday, Reid is looking forward to supporting her local meeting. “We were going to go to the Taupo Cup but a few things came up. She was probably better suited for that, but we will give her a run locally,” she said. “It should be a bit easier for her with no travel.” A spell is looming for Hi Yo Sass Bomb, however, she may get another tilt at stakes level before heading to the paddock. “She has been in work for quite a long time, but it hasn’t seemed to have bothered her,” Reid said. “I will take it one race at a time at this point, but we are looking at the Trentham Stakes (Gr.3, 2100m).” Reid is enjoying racing her homebred mare at Group level and said it is very rewarding after the years invested into the mare. “She is an amazing horse. I bred her with my parents and its neat for them to be there as well with her. They have always been big supporters,” she said. “I broke her in myself and do all the track riding and it is rewarding (racing her at Group level). I just love the horse, she is a neat and tough little mare. “Right from day dot she was a little bit special, so it is great to see her out there doing it.” View the full article

Hi Yo Sass Bomb will contest the City Of New Plymouth Cup (1800m) on Friday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Taranaki mare Hi Yo Sass Bomb has seen a fair bit of the country over the last few months but will stick closer to home this week when she tackles the City Of New Plymouth Cup (1800m) at New Plymouth Raceway on Friday. The daughter of Complacent has competed at Group level in her last three starts, trekking down to Trentham in October where she finished sixth in the Group 3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) before she crossed the Cook Strait for the first time and finished fourth in the Group 3 Canterbury Breeder’s Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton a month later, before returning north where she finished fifth in the Group 2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa earlier this month. Trainer Kim Reid, who also co-bred and co-owns the five-year-old mare, was pleased with all three efforts and said her trip down south has really helped her mature. “She wasn’t a great traveller in the past, but she has definitely improved a lot and her trip down south has helped her grow up a little bit. She has come back cooler and calmer,” Reid said. “I hear often just go up through the grades, but she has shown a lot early and I have always believed in her. She hasn’t disappointed in any of her starts in Group company and I think she has got a nice future ahead.” Hi Yo Sass Bomb will drop back to Rating 75 grade on Friday, and while the initial plan was to remain in Open grade and head to the Taupo Cup (2000m) on Saturday, Reid is looking forward to supporting her local meeting. “We were going to go to the Taupo Cup but a few things came up. She was probably better suited for that, but we will give her a run locally,” she said. “It should be a bit easier for her with no travel.” A spell is looming for Hi Yo Sass Bomb, however, she may get another tilt at stakes level before heading to the paddock. “She has been in work for quite a long time, but it hasn’t seemed to have bothered her,” Reid said. “I will take it one race at a time at this point, but we are looking at the Trentham Stakes (Group 3, 2100m).” Reid is enjoying racing her homebred mare at Group level and said it is very rewarding after the years invested into the mare. “She is an amazing horse. I bred her with my parents and its neat for them to be there as well with her. They have always been big supporters,” she said. “I broke her in myself and do all the track riding and it is rewarding (racing her at Group level). I just love the horse, she is a neat and tough little mare. “Right from day dot she was a little bit special, so it is great to see her out there doing it.” More horse racing news View the full article

Rangiora trainer Paul Harris has passed away. Photo: Race Images South Group One-winning trainer Paul Harris passed away suddenly on Boxing Day. The Rangiora horseman began his career training in partnership with his late father Ray, with the pair going on to win 85 races before Harris junior stepped out on his own. Harris went on to record 511 victories, highlighted in 2002 by Hustler’s win in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton, with the son of Al Akbar going on to place in the Group 1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 Family Hotel WFA (1600m). Harris’ career wasn’t without controversy, with his trainer’s license suspended in 2012 after he was declared bankrupt. He returned to training five years later and recorded a further 86 wins over the following seven seasons. His passing was confirmed on his Paul Harris Racing Facebook page. “It is with the deepest sadness that we wish to let our extended racing family know that Paul left us suddenly last (Tuesday) night. The PHR team are grateful for the support wrapped around us. Words can’t express our sorrow,” the post said. More horse racing news View the full article

Town Cryer will contest the Taupo Cup (2000m) on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images) Town Cryer is presented with an ideal opportunity to open her middle-distance account when she takes aim at the Taupo Cup (2000m) on Saturday. The multiple stakes-winning daughter of Tavistock has been lightly tried beyond 1600m and trainer Roydon Bergerson is looking forward to this weekend’s challenge, despite his charge giving weight to the rest of the field. “I’ve always wanted to get her back up over ground, she went a really good race in the Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m) as a three-year-old,” he said. “Billy Pinn rode her and she went out by about 12 lengths, he couldn’t stop her and she still ran fourth behind Atishu. “I’m really looking forward to getting her to 2000m this time in, she is a lot stronger and is an easier horse to train. “We’ve looked after her and always thought she needed time. She’s got the strength now and she is handling her racing a lot better.” Town Cryer has only had four others runs beyond 1600m and has placed over 2100m and finished a solid sixth in the Group 2 Travis Stakes (2000m) earlier this year. Her pedigree also gives confidence in her ability to handle longer assignments as she is out of the Volksraad mare The Speaker, who was successful up to 2100m and ran third in an edition of the Warstep. The Speaker is a three-quarter sister to Willy Smith, who won the Wellington Cup (3200m) when it had Group One status. Town Cryer will have to shoulder 60kg on Saturday, but the six-year-old will have the services of champion jockey Opie Bosson. “I’m really happy with her and I know she’s got a lot of weight, but she deserves it,” Bergerson said. “Some of the others are claiming, which doesn’t help much. “There looks a lot of speed in the race, so I’ll just leave it up to Opie, there’s no-one better.” Town Cryer has victories in the Group 3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and Listed Anzac Mile (1600m) to her credit, but her chances of a fair crack at higher honours in the Group 1 TAB Classic (1600m) were scuppered when she finished seventh following a false start. “That debacle at Trentham was just so disappointing, she jumped in the first race and in the second one she was a bit straggly away,” Bergerson said. “He (Johnathan Parkes) had to use her up a bit and she still stuck on. She was really brave in the end and I was proud of her.” More horse racing news View the full article

Damask Rose (outside) beating stablemate Quintefeuille at New Plymouth on Wednesday. Photo: Race Images A tilt at next month’s Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie could be on the cards for promising filly Damask Rose following her debut win at New Plymouth on Wednesday. Stablemate Quintefeuille was the best away and quickly gave cover to Damask Rose from her ace barrier and she enjoyed an economical passage throughout. Turning for home, Damask Rose came off Quintefeuille’s back and entered a dog fight with her more fancied rival, prevailing in the final strides to score a half-length victory. “It was a lovely ride of Michael McNab’s and a good winning effort by the filly,” said Mark Walker, who trains in partnership with Sam Bergerson. “She’s a filly with a lot of scope about her and going to be a lovely three-year-old, but doing it at present on pure, natural, ability. “We’ll get her home and let the dust settle, but if we’re really happy with her she could be a contender for the Karaka Millions. “She’s got a bright future and we’ve thought a bit of her for a while, and Dave (Ellis) bought her from a very good farm at Milan Park.” With victory, Damask Rose has jumped into Karak Millions calculations, with her $10,360 purse putting her among the eligible 14 runners with a month to go, joining five other Te Akau juveniles headed in earnings by Cool ‘N’ Fast. Te Akau Racing have a strong association with the race, having won the last seven editions of the $1 million feature. More horse racing news View the full article

Silver Sonic cruises to victory during the International Jockeys’ Championship. Bidding to increase his lead in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship, Zac Purton hopes to build on a flourishing partnership with Francis Lui when the pair links up with Silver Sonic at Happy Valley on Friday night. Six-time Hong Kong champion Purton has had only 11 rides this season for Lui but has converted strongly with four wins and two minor placings for the veteran trainer, who sits second in the 2023/24 trainers’ standings with 24 victories to trail only Pierre Ng (39). “He (Lui) trains a lot of winners so he’s a good man to be riding for – I don’t ride a lot for him but when I do, they’re generally chances and they run to form so it’s good to be getting some support from the stable,” Purton said. Purton retains the mount on Silver Sonic following the pair’s emphatic win during the International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley on December 6. “I thought his win was good, he’s still lightly-raced, got himself into a good spot albeit amongst runners during the run but when the gap presented, I thought he got through there nicely,” Purton said. “I was quite taken with his last performance. He seems to be going the right way.” With 47 wins for the campaign – 14 more than nearest pursuer Karis Teetan (33) – Purton will look to take advantage of barrier two aboard Silver Sonic on Friday night. “I won’t have to try and chase a position, I’ll just fall into one that is comfortable for me and hopefully we can get a similar run to last time,” he said. Keagan De Melo is optimistic Pierre Ng-trained Happy Angel can be rewarded for his consistency. Despite winning only once so far in Hong Kong, the grey has amassed more than HK$2.8 million in prizemoney after accumulating 10 minor placings – six seconds and four thirds – since arriving from Richard Hannon’s yard in England. “He’s a horse who really deserves a win,” De Melo said. “He’s finding his form very nicely and I seem to know him a little bit better each time I ride him, so just hopefully it’s his day. “I thought it (last start) was a courageous run in defeat and if he performs like that again, you’ll see the best of him again. If he gets the run of the race, you’ll see the best version of him and I’m looking forward to riding him.” Seeking to consolidate his position in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship top 10, Jerry Chau hopes Danny Shum-trained See U Again can add to his tally of wins. With 12 victories this term so far, Chau is well placed to better the 22 he posted last season. “I think he’s (See U Again) in good form now, he’s always run well from a good draw and I’m looking forward to this run,” Chau said. “Hopefully he can get cover (from barrier four) and he can settle and finish strongly. “He has won only once before but he hopefully he can get a good position and run well again.” More horse racing news View the full article