Wandering Eyes

Hyde Park Stud, Saturday's leading buyer, shelled out €95,000 for a colt by Persian King (Ire) (lot 723) to top the fifth and final day of the Arqana October Yearling Sale. Out of the American dual stakes winner Much Obliged (Kingmambo), who was also placed twice at graded level, the Haras de l'Hotellerie-consigned colt is also a half-brother to G3 Acomb S. winner Syphax (Arch). Saturday's statistics for the second day of Part 3 stood at a gross of €1,045,000 for 72 sold from 82 offered (88%). The average was €14,514 and the median was €12,000. Viewing the sale as a whole, the final metrics featured a clearance rate of 86% for 578 sold from 671 through the ring. The aggregate was €25,577,500. Overall, the average came in at €44,252 (+1%) and the median was €25,000 (-4%). After five days of selling, Mandore International Agency was the leading buyer, with a total outlay of €2,239,000 for 23 lots at an average of €97,348. Haras de l'Hotellerie were the leading consignors with five sold for an average of €40,200 and a gross of €201,000. Arqana Chairman Éric Hoyeau and Bloodstock Director Ludovic Cornuel commented, “This year, the October Sale returned to its three-part format over five days, with the first part beginning on Tuesday to take into account the schedules of professionals. Overall, the results of this year's sale were very good, and we can only be delighted. The October Sale has confirmed its strength, with sales exceeding €25 million for the third year running. “The yearling sales calendar has proved its importance, with the cumulative average for the first three sales dates in August, v.2 and October up by 18% at nearly €90,000.We would like to thank all our vendors and their staff for their hard work during such a busy week. We would also like to thank the buyers who put the October Sale on their calendar and were particularly active. We look forward to seeing you in November for the last yearling sale of the year and the Autumn Sale.” The post Persian King Colt Tops Arqana October Finale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aidan O'Brien representative Grosvenor Square (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}–Wadyhatta {GB}, by Cape Cross {Ire}), who possesses a similar profile to G3 Killavullan S. victor Atlantic Coast (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), followed up a Galway debut victory with a third in last month's G2 Beresford S. and justified odds-on favouritism with a daylight win in Saturday's G3 Eyrefield S. at Leopardstown. The crowd's 10-11 pick tanked forward from the stalls and settled into a smooth rhythm on the front end through halfway. Comfortably clear straightening for home, he held an unassailable lead approaching the final furlong and stayed on powerfully in the closing stages to easily outpoint stablemate Cambridge (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) by 4 1/4 lengths. Zaphod (Ire) (Zarak {Fr}) kept on well to finish 3/4-of-a-length adrift in third. “He's a lovely horse and won very well with Killian [Hennessy] first time out in Galway and then ran a good race in the Beresford,” commented Ballydoyle's Chris Armstrong. “He's a horse with a very good attitude and he handles an ease in the ground, but will go on better ground. He'll come back here next year and start off in one of the trials and is a typical Derby type. He's one to look forward to over the winter when he comes on physically and mentally. The second horse [Cambridge] is still a work-in-progress. He went to Salisbury, which brought him on, and he was still a bit ring rusty here. They are two nice horses, but you would love the winner.” Pedigree Notes Grosvenor Square becomes the 249th pattern-race winner for his stellar sire and is a half-brother to the G1 Irish Derby hero Santiago (Ire) as well as being kin to the G1 Yorkshire Oaks and G1 Prix Vermeille placegetter La Joconde (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and a yearling colt. His second dam Wadyhatta (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) is a dual-winning daughter of Listed Prix Yacowlef third Thamarat (GB) (Anabaa), whose descendants include G3 Prix Perth victor and G1 Sussex S. and G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. runner-up Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}). Thamarat is a half-sister to three black-type performers, most notably G1 Prix Jacques le Marois and G1 Prix Jean Prat-winning sire Tamayuz (Nayef). Grosvenor Square's G3 Prix de Flore-winning fourth dam Allez Les Trois (Riverman), kin to G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe-winning blue hen Urban Sea (Miswaki), produced G1 Prix du Jockey Club victor Anabaa Blue (GB) (Anabaa). Eyrefield Stakes (G3) 1.810 m – 52.500 EUR – for 2yo Leopardstown Grosvenor Square (IRE) (2C Galileo- Wadyhatta, by Cape Cross) J : Seamie Heffernan T : A.P. O'Brien O : M Tabor & D Smith & Mrs J Magnier & Westerberg B :Lynch Bages Ltdpic.twitter.com/TCw0m3bnQh — (@WorldRacing1) October 21, 2023 Saturday, Leopardstown, Ireland EYREFIELD S.-G3, €52,500, Leopardstown, 10-21, 2yo, 9fT, 2:07.50, hy. 1–GROSVENOR SQUARE (IRE), 131, c, 2, by Galileo (Ire) 1st Dam: Wadyhatta (GB), by Cape Cross (Ire) 2nd Dam: Thamarat (GB), by Anabaa 3rd Dam: Al Ishq (Fr), by Nureyev 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-M Tabor, D Smith, Mrs J Magnier & Westerberg; B-Lynch Bages Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Seamus Heffernan. €31,500. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, $55,020. *1/2 to Santiago (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}), G1SW-Ire, GSW & G1SP-Eng, $714,737; and La Joconde (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), G1SP-Eng & Fr, SP-Ire, $207,941. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Cambridge (Ire), 131, c, 2, Dubawi (Ire)–Amerique (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, D Smith & P M Brant; B-White Birch Farm SC (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €10,500. 3–Zaphod (Ire), 131, g, 2, Zarak (Fr)–Pocket of Stars (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€56,000 Wlg '21 GOFNO1; 70,000gns RNA Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Dr Marcella Burns; B-Sunderland Holding Inc (IRE); T-John O'Donoghue. €5,250. Margins: 4 1/4, 3/4, 5. Odds: 0.91, 6.50, 3.50. Also Ran: Naval Force (Ire), Gibbs Island (GB), Spanish Flame (Ire). Scratched: Look At The Stars (GB), Ezeliya (Fr). The post Galileo’s Grosvenor Square Powers To Eyrefield Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ascot had already given so much to Frankie Dettori, but it had one last present for the riding legend as King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB}–Eldacar {GB}, by Verglas {Ire}) produced a late drama in the G1 Qipco Champion S. on what should be his final ride in Europe. Looking the unlikeliest of winners inside the final two furlongs, Amo Racing's 3-1 favourite managed to get his big frame organised in time to reel in Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) in the dying yards for a heart-stopping 3/4-of-a-length success, with Horizon Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}) two lengths behind in third. “It's Hollywood script,” Frankie said after his last flying dismount off the Roger Varian-trained Derby runner-up and King George third. “The scream from the crowd I got was unbelievable–I thought they were special in the first race, but this was another level. I don't know if it's real at this moment–what a feeling, it's a fairytale ending for me. Ascot is my home and I'm pretty emotional. He struggled from the beginning, he was stumbling in the ground but he started to come good and found a second wind and dug deep. The crowd got behind me and got him over the line.” Qipco Champion Stakes (G1) 2.000 m – 1.300.000 GBP – for 3yo+ Ascot King Of Steel (USA) (3C Wootton Bassett- Eldacar ,by Verglas) J : @FrankieDettori T : Roger Varian O : Amo Racing Limited B :BCF Services LLCpic.twitter.com/LxSxUuQwBP — (@WorldRacing1) October 21, 2023 Saturday, Ascot, Britain QIPCO CHAMPION S.-G1, £1,300,000, Ascot, 10-21, 3yo/up, 10fT, 2:08.42, sf. 1–KING OF STEEL, 129, c, 3, by Wootton Bassett (GB) 1st Dam: Eldacar (GB), by Verglas (Ire) 2nd Dam: Seracina (GB), by Nashwan 3rd Dam: Seralia (GB), by Royal Academy 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. ($200,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Amo Racing Ltd; B-Bonne Chance Farm LLC (KY); T-Roger Varian; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £737,230. Lifetime Record: 7-3-1-1, $1,725,512. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Via Sistina (Ire), 130, m, 5, Fastnet Rock (Aus)–Nigh (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). (5,000gns Ylg '19 TADEYG). O-Mrs R G Hillen; B-Laundry Cottage Stud Farm (IRE); T-George Boughey. £279,500. 3–Horizon Dore (Fr), 129, g, 3, Dabirsim (Fr)–Sweet Alabama (Fr), by Enrique (GB). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€45,000 Ylg '21 ARAUG). O-Gousserie Racing, Ecurie du Sud, Ecurie Gribomont, Daniel Dumoulin, Mlle Chantal Becq & Mme Francoise Delaunay; B-Mme Chantal Becq (FR); T-Patrice Cottier. £139,880. Margins: 3/4, 2, HD. Odds: 3.00, 5.50, 4.00. Also Ran: Point Lonsdale (Ire), Royal Rhyme (Ire), Dubai Honour (Ire), My Prospero (Ire), Bay Bridge (GB). Scratched: Mostahdaf (Ire). The post ‘It’s Hollywood Script’: King of Steel Gives Frankie Magic Champion Finale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Wagga Races Where Murrumbidgee Turf Club – Travers St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 When Monday, October 23, 2023 First Race 1:35pm AEST Visit Ladbrokes Murrumbidgee Turf Club is the destination for NSW racing on Monday afternoon, as they get set to host a competitive eight-race program to start the new week of racing. The rail is out +3m between the 1400m-400m, while the remainder will go back to the true position. The weather looks promising, with sunny skies forecast leading into race day, so expect a Good 4 surface prior to the opening event at 1:35pm AEDT. Wagga Best Bet: Nolan It’s been 421 days since we’ve seen Nolan make his way to race-day, and despite his lengthy absence, we think the four-year-old warrants plenty of respect in this maiden contest. He’s undoubtedly had his issues; however, since arriving at the Peter Maher barn, we like what we’ve seen from the son of Carravaggio at the jump-outs. His form from last preparation jumps off the page, only being narrowly defeated by the likes of Buenos Noches and Hawaii Five Oh, and if Nolan can replicate that kind of form for Monday, he’s going to be very hard to beat. Best Bet Race 2 – #3 Nolan (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Peter Maher | J: Nick Heywood (59kg) $3.30 with Betfair Next Best at Horsham: And We Danced And We Danced will make her debut for the Ben Brisbourne yard, and although she’s experienced an extended time in the paddock, we’re confident the five-year-old mare can make an impression. She’s set to return from a 446-day spell and has been trialing exceptionally well – particularly her latest effort catching the eye over 1000m at this course on October 11. She’ll need to lug the hefty weight of 61.5kg after the claim of apprentice Alysha Warren; however, we think, And We Danced is class enough to go on with the job. Next Best Race 5 – #1 And We Danced (7) 5yo Mare | T: Ben Brisbourne | J: Alysha Warren (a3kg) (64.5kg) $3.00 with Boombet Best Value at Horsham: Old Gregg Old Gregg is third-up for the Mitchell Beer camp on Monday afternoon and has been progressing nicely since his resumption over an unsuitable trip to Corowa on September 19. The second-up performance was a massive improvement by the five-year-old gelding, powering through the line behind Snapbook on a Heavy surface at Albury on October 7. Old Gregg will appreciate the firmer going this time around, and with a genuinely run affair over the 1800m, we fully expect the son of Complacent to be doing his best work late. Best Value Race 3 – #1 Old Gregg (7) 5yo Gelding | T: Mitchell Beer | J: Nick Souquet (62kg) $6.50 with Neds Monday quaddie tips for Wagga races Wagga quadrella selections Monday, October 23, 2023 1-3-8 2-5-7-12 1-5-6-7-8-9 2-7-9-10-12 Investment: $360 for 100% More horse racing tips View the full article

What Horsham Races Where Horsham Racecourse – Central Park, Horsham, VIC, 3400 When Sunday, October 22, 2023 First Race 1:27pm AEDT Visit Dabble Racing heads to Horsham Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, where a competitive eight-race meeting is set down for decision. The Horsham Cup, worth $60,000, is the headline event for the day. Perfect conditions are set to greet punters, with the track most likely set to begin as a Good 4, with the rail in its true position. Horsham Cup Day action gets underway at 1:27pm AEDT. Horsham Cup Top Tip: Captain Envious The Paul Presuker-trained Captain Envious was a class above in the Murtoa Cup on October 7 and gets the chance to claim consecutive country cups. The five-year-old gelding stalked the speed throughout from barrier two and when the gap appeared at the top of the straight, he put his rivals away with relative ease. Dean Yendall will most likely have this bloke settled in the second half of the field from barrier eight, but he just looks to be the best horse in the race. With even luck, Captain Envious can finish over the top of his rivals in grand fashion. Horsham Cup Race 7 – #2 Captain Envious (8) 5yo Gelding | T: Paul Preusker | J: Dean Yendall (59.5kg) $1.95 with Betfair Best Bet at Horsham: Stripped Back The Lindsey Smith-trained Stripped Back was a smart winner at Bendigo on September 27 and looks to have found the right race once again. Having been forced to travel three wide with no cover up on speed, the son of Turffontein managed to kick clear of his rivals late to suggest the penny may have dropped. He had been competitive in harder races but continued to do things wrong in running. With better racing manners and the want to be up on speed, Stripped Back is going to take a power of beating in the final race. Best Bet Race 8 – #5 Stripped Back (7) 6yo Gelding | T: Lindsey Smith | J: Dean Yendall (61kg) $4.80 with Boombet Next Best Bet at Horsham: San Marino Brian & Ashley McKnight look to have found the right race for San Marino to bring up a fifth win at start 30. The six-year-old gelding was a dominant Horsham 1100m in similar company on September 26 and looks set to bring up another win at the track and trip on Sunday. Tayla Childs claiming 2kg gets him in with 60kg on his back and if the duo can land the one-one upon settling, it is hard to see how their rivals keep him out in the quaddie opener. Next Best Race 5 – #2 San Marino (5) 6yo Gelding | T: Brian & Ashley McKnight | J: Tayla Childs (a2) (62kg) $4.20 with Bet365 Sunday quaddie tips for Horsham Horsham quadrella selections Sunday, October 22, 2023 1-2-7 4-7-8 1-2-7 5 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Al Shira'aa Farms' homebred Atlantic Coast (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}–Liwa Palace {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) backed up a debut win over seven furlongs at the Curragh in August with a third going one mile for last month's G2 Golden Fleece S. at Leopardstown and stepped forward to notch a personal best in Saturday's G3 Killavullan S. back at the Foxrock track. The 2-1 second choice was settled back in the field and raced several lengths off the pace in fifth through the early fractions. Inching closer once past halfway, he was bustled along at the top of the straight and kept on relentlessly under a final-furlong drive to deny Bright Stripes (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) by a nose on the line. “We are opening up the ground a bit now and I thought he was spinning a bit for the first furlong,” explained rider Declan McDonogh. “I was planning to sit second or third, but was happy to come back and let him get comfortable. I followed Andy Oliver's horse [Bright Stripes] and it took a while to wear him down. He was never really enjoying the conditions today, but his will to win was good. I think you'll see this horse in a better light on good-to-soft summer ground. I thought turning in I'd win easy, but he hated conditions and was also daydreaming a bit, which is probably a good thing as he'll probably get a bit of distance next year. I'd say he'll get a stiff mile and could stay 10 furlongs down the line.” Pedigree Notes Atlantic Coast, who becomes the 43rd pattern-race winner for his sire, is the third foal bred from G3 Premio Elena E Sergio Cumani third Liwa Palace (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), herself kin to Listed Prix Le Fabuleux placegetter Atlantis Star (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and to the dam of multiple stakes scorer Frozen Juke (Ire) (Frozen Power {Ire}). Atlantic Coast's third dam is G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Aqaarid (Nashwan), who is also the second dam of dual Argentinian Group 1 winner Alampur (Arg) (Catcher In The Rye {Ire}). Aqaarid is the leading performer out of G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Ashayer (Lomond). The April-foaled bay is half to a weanling colt by Pinatubo (Ire). Killavullan Stakes (G3) 1.430 m – 52.500 EUR – for 2yo Leopardstown Atlantic Coast (IRE) (2C Kodiac- Liwa Palace , by Oasis Dream) J : Declan McDonogh T :Joseph Patrick O'Brien O :Al Shira'aa Farmspic.twitter.com/AW8pxU5xpl — (@WorldRacing1) October 21, 2023 Saturday, Leopardstown, Ireland KILLAVULLAN S.-G3, €52,500, Leopardstown, 10-21, 2yo, 7f 23yT, 1:40.96, hy. 1–ATLANTIC COAST (IRE), 131, c, 2, by Kodiac (GB) 1st Dam: Liwa Palace (GB) (GSP-Ity), by Oasis Dream (GB) 2nd Dam: Ladeena (Ire), by Dubai Millennium (GB) 3rd Dam: Aqaarid, by Nashwan 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Al Shira'aa Farms (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Declan McDonogh. €31,500. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, $58,723. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Bright Stripes (Ire), 131, c, 2, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Dutch Rose (Ire), by Dutch Art (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (22,500gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Paul Hardy; B-Diomed Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Andrew Oliver. €10,500. 3–Military (GB), 131, c, 2, Siyouni (Fr)–Hostess (GB), by Iffraaj (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (375,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Westerberg, Magnier, Tabor, Smith & Brant; B-Highclere Stud & Mrs Michelle Morris (GB); T-Aidan O'Brien. €5,250. Margins: NO, 5HF, SHD. Odds: 2.00, 5.50, 1.20. Also Ran: Gloucester (Ire), Sluice (Ire), The Caribbean (Ire). Scratched: Instant Appeal (GB). The post Kodiac’s Atlantic Coast Edges Killavullan Thriller appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Leaving his G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. rivals strung out down Ascot's straight mile, Yeguada Centurion's Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}–Hardiyna {Ire}, by Sea The Stars {Ire}) produced a masterclass from the front under Aurelien Lemaitre in one of the great displays throughout the history of this prestigious affair. Quickly out on his own, the Christopher Head-trained 3-year-old who had not won since looking a force in the mud in the G3 Prix la Force and G3 Prix de Guiche this spring was always way beyond the reaches of the chasing pack and kept galloping remorselessly to the line to win by six lengths from compatriot Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}), with Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) a neck behind in third. “He loved the ground today, it was easy,” Lemaitre said of the colt, whose last three starts had resulted in seconds in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club, G1 Prix Jacques le Marois and G1 Prix du Moulin. BIG performance from BIG ROCK in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – leading from start to finish and galloping his rivals into submission at #Ascot congratulations to @lemaitre60LA, Christopher Head and Yeguada Centurion SL pic.twitter.com/nQap8GK41O — Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) October 21, 2023 Saturday, Ascot, Britain QUEEN ELIZABETH II S.-G1, £1,156,250, Ascot, 10-21, 3yo/up, 8fT, 1:44.58, sf. 1–BIG ROCK (FR), 129, c, 3, by Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire) 1st Dam: Hardiyna (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire) 2nd Dam: Harasiya (Ire), by Pivotal (GB) 3rd Dam: Hazariya (Ire), by Xaar (GB) 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Yeguada Centurion (FR); T-Christopher Head; J-Aurelien Lemaitre. £655,709. Lifetime Record: MGSW & MG1SP-Fr, 11-5-5-0, $1,672,570. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Facteur Cheval (Ire), 132, g, 4, Ribchester (Ire)–Jawlaat (Ire), by Shamardal. (145,000gns Wlg '19 TATFOA; €120,000 Ylg '20 ARDEAY). O-Team Valor International LLC & Gary Barber; B-McCracken Farms (IRE); T-Jerome Reynier. £248,594. 3–Tahiyra (Ire), 126, f, 3, Siyouni (Fr)–Tarana (Ire), by Cape Cross (Ire). O-H H Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC (IRE); T-Dermot Weld. £124,413. Margins: 6, NK, 9. Odds: 5.00, 14.00, 3.50. Also Ran: Checkandchallenge (GB), Rogue Millennium (Ire), Nashwa (GB), Angel Bleu (Fr), Epictetus (Ire), Paddington (GB), Chaldean (GB), Hi Royal (Ire). The post QEII Glory For Sensational Big Rock appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday's top tips from the SCMP analystsView the full article

David and Yvonne Blunt's G2 Lancashire Oaks victrix Poptronic (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}–Alpine Dream {Ire}), by Dream Ahead) finished off the board in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks and G1 Prix de Royallieu, but bounced back in brave fashion and made all for a career best in Saturday's G1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares S. at Ascot. The 22-1 chance was swiftly into stride from an outer gate and led at a solid clip throughout. Coming under pressure turning for home, she refused to yield under a Sam James drive in the straight and maintained an unrelenting tempo to keep the closing pack at bay. The homebred bay hit the line with a neck advantage from 'TDN Rising Star' Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}), with the same margin back to Jackie Oh (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in third. “This is a really great day and I can't quite believe it,” said winning jockey Sam James. “I've never even ridden here before on Champions Day and I am delighted to have a winner. It's a bit surreal and I'd just like to thank the owners and [trainer] Karl [Burke]. It didn't go right the last time in France, but Poptronic has obviously shown loads of ability. She beat Sea Silk Road, who won the Group 1 over there, at Haydock in a Group 2. She's not the easiest and she's a little bit on her toes, but Karl does a great job with her and so does Kelly [Burke], who rides her out every day. Poptronic is a good mover and you'd think that softer ground wouldn't help, but all she does is gallop. She's tough and I didn't try to fight her today. She jumped really well and I didn't want to be in front, but she settled well and I was able to get a breather into her when I needed to. I knew turning in we'd be there or thereabouts by the way she quickened up from the three [-furlong pole]. She was very tough and game.” Owner-breeder David Blunt added, “This is once in a lifetime for us, to be honest. We were against the big battalions today and we came up trumps, which is unbelievable. Poptronic is as tough as old rope. She had been a bit unfortunate in a couple of her previous races, I didn't think she deserved to be the outsider that she was and she's proved us all right in that regard. To have a runner in a Group 1, never mind the breeder of a winner of a Group 1, is amazing.” Rossa Ryan, rider of runner-up Bluestocking, commented, “That was a massive run and I would have loved to have seen what would have happened if it was on the outer track. She will be a better filly next year.” Ralph Beckett continued, “She ran her race and we are delighted with her, but we were second best.” Pedigree Notes Poptronic, who becomes her sire's eighth Group 1 winner, is the first of four foals produced by a winning half-sister to this year's Listed Premio Mario & Vittorio Crespi runner-up Royal Grey (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), who has a yearling filly by New Bay (GB) and a weanling filly by Zoustar (Aus) to come. The March-foaled bay's G2 Lowther S.-winning second dam Infamous Angel (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) is the leading performer out of a half-sister to Listed Stonehenge S. victor Sgt Pepper (Ire) (Fasliyev). Her third dam Evangeline (GB) (Sadler's Wells) is a granddaughter of G2 Premio Federico Tesio victrix Libertine (Ire) (Hello Gorgeous). Top performance from POPTRONIC in the QIPCO British Champion Fillies and Mares Stakes at #Ascot, holding on from the head of affairs to beat BLUESTOCKING and JACKIE OH well done to Sam James, @karl_burke and David & Yvonne Blunt pic.twitter.com/OUxAk5BS96 — Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) October 21, 2023 Saturday, Ascot, Britain QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS FILLIES & MARES S.-G1, £531,250, Ascot, 10-21, 3yo/up, f, 11f 133yT, 2:28.29, sf. 1–POPTRONIC (GB), 133, f, 4, by Nathaniel (Ire) 1st Dam: Alpine Dream (Ire), by Dream Ahead 2nd Dam: Infamous Angel (GB), by Exceed And Excel (Aus) 3rd Dam: Evangeline (GB), by Sadler's Wells 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-David & Yvonne Blunt (GB); T-Karl Burke; J-Sam James. £301,272. Lifetime Record: 13-5-2-2, $565,802. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Bluestocking (GB), 127, f, 3, Camelot (GB)–Emulous (GB), by Dansili (GB). O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms (East) Ltd (GB); T-Ralph Beckett. £114,219. 3–Jackie Oh (Ire), 127, f, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Jacqueline Quest (Ire), by Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire). O-Triermore Stud, Mrs J Magnier & M Tabor; B-C O P Hanbury (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £57,163. Margins: NK, NK, 3/4. Odds: 22.00, 6.00, 3.00. Also Ran: Above The Curve, Free Wind (Ire), Red Riding Hood (Ire), Time Lock (GB), Running Lion (GB), Rue Boissonade (Fr), Term Of Endearment (GB), Sea Of Roses (GB), Sweet Memories (Ire), Stay Alert (GB), One For Bobby (Ire). The post Nathaniel’s Poptronic Makes All For Fillies And Mares Glory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Shadwell's Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) has been withdrawn from this afternoon's G1 Qipco Champion S. due to the ground. Angus Gold explained the decision to pull the G1 G1 Juddmonte International and G1 Prince of Wales's S. hero from the feature, for which he was favourite on Friday. “I asked two jockeys coming back in and one said it was horrible ground and the other that it was heavy, so we decided we didn't want to end his career on a bad note. He'll be prepared for the Breeders' Cup Turf now,” he said. The post No Mostahdaf In The Champion appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Becoming the 10th TDN Rising Star for Siyouni (Fr), who carried that mantle himself, The Aga Khan's Azada (Ire) conquered Leopardstown's deep surface to make the ideal start to her career in the seven-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden on Saturday. Out of Azmiyna (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), whose son The Autumn Sun (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) carried all before him in Australia, the 4-1 shot raced with two behind early after a tardy break from her wide draw. Cajoled forward by Leigh Roche from three out, the Dermot Weld-trained homebred swooped on Harbour Gem (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) 150 yards from the finish en route to a 2 1/2-length success, with another experienced rival in Fleur De Chine (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) half a length further behind in third. The Weld stable had won four of the last 10 renewals of this, including two of the last three with this owner-breeder's runners including 12 months ago with the subsequent G1 Irish 1000 Guineas fourth Tarawa (Ire) (Shamardal). Dermot's son Kris was on hand to give his verdict. “The ground is atrocious, but we are lucky to be here at all,” he said of the winner, who represents the same cross as Sottsass (Fr) and St Mark's Basilica (Fr). “She is a beautifully-bred filly and she came home well when the penny dropped. To come from there on that kind of ground and win you would have to be impressed. Hopefully she will make up into a stakes filly next year. She is a big, immature filly and you would like to think there will be an awful lot of improvement in her. There is plenty to look forward to and she can go up in distance.” Of Siyouni's other nine TDN Rising Stars, Paddington (GB) and these connections' Tahiyra (Ire) are the obvious stand-outs. The post Azada A Tenth TDN Rising Star for Siyouni appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There was one attendee at Ascot on Saturday that refused to succumb to Frankie fever and that was King Power's grey enigma Art Power (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}–Evening Time {Ire}, by Keltos {Fr}) who on his 15th attempt at group 1 level finally made the breakthrough in the Qipco British Champions Sprint. Blazing the trail in isolation in his habitual style, the star of the Tim Easterby yard looked set to play second fiddle as Dettori edged ahead late on the 5-4 favourite Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}) but this time refused to relinquish and battled back to provide David Allan with his first top-level triumph at 40-1. There was a neck between the pair at the line, with Spycatcher (Ire) (Vadamos {Fr}) two lengths away in third. “He winged the gates and I just had to sit still and not go too early,” Allan said. “When Frankie came I thought that was it, but he really dug in the last half furlong and I couldn't believe he got back up. He really stuck his neck out and I couldn't pull him up after the line. He was bouncing today and has his perfect ground–he doesn't like it sticky, just wet enough to use his speed. I was thinking 'is he ever going to win one of these?' but he was awesome today–I couldn't believe how well he travelled.” Another Frankie fairytale finale… nearly ART POWER denies KINROSS back-to-back successes in the QIPCO British Champions Sprint at #Ascot with a gutsy ride out in front congratulations to David Allan, @EasterbyTim, and King Power Racing pic.twitter.com/HG3ppw4xm8 — Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) October 21, 2023 Saturday, Ascot, Britain QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SPRINT S.-G1, £500,000, Ascot, 10-21, 3yo/up, 6fT, 1:16.92, sf. 1–ART POWER (IRE), 130, g, 6, by Dark Angel (Ire) 1st Dam: Evening Time (Ire) (MSW & MGSP-Ire, $167,992), by Keltos (Fr) 2nd Dam: Shadow Casting (GB), by Warning (GB) 3rd Dam: Fanciful (Fr), by Gay Mecene 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€110,000 Ylg '18 GOFOR). O-King Power Racing Co Ltd; B-Owenstown Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Tim Easterby; J-David Allan. £283,550. Lifetime Record: MGSW-Ire, 31-9-0-3, $966,504. *1/2 to Penny Pepper (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}), GSW-Ire, $124,311; Morning Frost (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}), SW-Fr; and Shaan (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}), SP-US. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Kinross (GB), 130, g, 6, Kingman (GB)–Ceilidh House (GB), by Selkirk. O-Marc Chan; B-Lawn Stud (GB); T-Ralph Beckett. £107,500. 3–Spycatcher (Ire), 130, g, 5, Vadamos (Fr)–Damask (Ire), by Red Clubs (Ire). (90,000gns 2yo '20 TATBRE). O-Highclere Thoroughbred Racing (Adriana Zaefferer); B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-Karl Burke. £53,800. Margins: NK, 2, NK. Odds: 40.00, 1.25, 11.00. Also Ran: Swingalong (Ire), Run To Freedom (GB), Makarova (GB), Vadream (GB), Mill Stream (Ire), Sandrine (GB), Sense of Duty (GB), Believing (Ire), Magical Sunset (Ire), Ocean Quest (Ire), Rohaan (Ire), Saint Lawrence (Ire). The post Dark Angel’s Art Power Prevails In Champions Sprint Thriller appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin's homebred Trawlerman (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}–Tidespring {Ire}, by Monsun {Ger}), fresh off an 18-length rout in the Listed Jockey Club Rose Bowl S. at Newmarket, overcame seafaring conditions and bettered a third in last year's G2 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup to secure a career high in this term's renewal of the marathon test at Ascot. Last year's Ebor H. victor was caught between two stools and raced in an isolated second off the clear leader through halfway and inched ahead with five furlongs remaining. Taken on and headed by Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) rounding the home turn, the 9-1 chance rallied under an inspired Frankie Dettori inside the final quarter-mile and stayed on relentlessly to deny last term's four-time Group 1 winner in game fashion by a neck. Reigning three-time champion Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) adopted hold-up tactics, but was unable to feature at the business end and finished 14 1/4 lengths off the winner in fourth. “I heard the roar of the crowd and, oh my God, it was special; especially when I was cantering back,” beamed Frankie Dettori after opening Champions Day in perfect fashion. “I couldn't believe it and I have beaten one of my greatest rivals. I have tremendous respect for Ryan Moore and, on my final day, it was sensational. Ryan passed me comfortably and I thought he's going to go and win by three lengths, but he couldn't get away from me. I thought maybe there's a little bit left here and, in fairness, Trawlerman was very professional and a great, great battler.” John Gosden added, “The plan was to go forward and then we heard that the other horse [Maxident] was going to go very hard, so the idea was to take a lead and use him as a target. The genius of Mr Dettori was not to throw everything at it at the head of the straight. Kyprios swept past, but to come there and collect again and come back on the line, I would say that was superb judgement on his part. Our other horse [Sweet William] ran a blinder in third. Like all of us, he [Dettori] doesn't always get it perfect, but he's a wonderful judge of pace and has great feel for the horse, as has Ryan Moore on the second. Let me tell you, they are two amazing jockeys and we are lucky to have them riding together.I knew the horse wasn't finished, but I never thought he'd come back up and win. It lifted the crowd, he lets the crowd carry him and he operates very much on that. Without doubt, he is the most phenomenal jockey I have ever put on a horse and, pound for pound, the greatest. I've been lucky enough to leg up a lot of great jockeys over the years.” Reflecting on the performances of Kyprios and Broome, Aidan O'Brien said, “Kyprios ran a great race and I'm delighted on how he has come back this season. Obviously, he made great progress from [the G1 Irish St Leger at] the Curragh, and ran a great race. Broome ran grand and probably wants better ground now, but still ran okay. I think it's soft and maybe heavy down the back.” Pedigree Notes Trawlerman, the sixth pattern-race winner for his sire, is the leading performer produced by G3 Deutsches St Leger runner-up Tidespring (Ire) Monsun {Ger}), herself one of three black-type performers out of G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Sweet Stream (Ity) (Shantou). Tidespring is kin to stakes-winning G3 Munster Oaks third Loveisthehigherlaw (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) and Listed Radley S. third Sweet Dream (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Sweet Stream, in turn, is the leading performer for the stakes-placed Snug Dinner (Ire) (Jareer), who is also the second dam of Listed Premio Royal Mares victrix Testa O Croce (Fr) (Orpen). Snug Dinner is the best daughter of the stakes-placed Stand By Me (Ire) (Home Guard). Tidespring has a 2-year-old full-sister to Trawlerman, named Pumakatzi (Ire), to come. Sometimes, the script writes itself @FrankieDettori and TRAWLERMAN, roared on by the #Ascot crowd, get back up to beat KYPRIOS and claim the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup congratulations to Frankie, John & @thadygosden, and @godolphin pic.twitter.com/Mds3UZqdby — Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) October 21, 2023 Saturday, Ascot, Britain QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP-G2, £500,000, Ascot, 10-21, 3yo/up, 15f 127yT, 3:22.14, g/s. 1–TRAWLERMAN (IRE), 135, g, 5, by Golden Horn (GB) 1st Dam: Tidespring (Ire) (MGSP-Ger & SP-Fr), by Monsun (Ger) 2nd Dam: Sweet Stream (Ity), by Shantou 3rd Dam: Snug Dinner (Ire), by Jareer 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £283,550. Lifetime Record: 15-7-0-3, $902,896. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Kyprios (Ire), 135, h, 5, Galileo (Ire)–Polished Gem (Ire), by Danehill. O-Moyglare Stud, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, D Smith & Westerberg; B-Moyglare Stud Farm Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £107,500. 3–Sweet William (Ire), 135, g, 4, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Gale Force (GB), by Shirocco (Ger). O/B-Normandie Stud Ltd (IRE); T-John & Thady Gosden. £53,800. Margins: NK, 13, 1 1/4. Odds: 9.00, 1.10, 8.50. Also Ran: Trueshan (Fr), Coltrane (Ire), Broome (Ire), Maxident (GB), Stratum (GB). The post Trawlerman Outbattles Kyprios in Ascot’s Long Distance Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fresh from Think About It’s (So You Think) victory in the A$20 million The Everest (1200m), Warwick Farm trainer Joe Pride has earned a tilt at another lucrative feature when King Of The Castle (NZ) (Castledale) prevailed in the Big Dance Wild Card (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday. The victory entitles the son of Castledale to a berth in the A$3 million The Big Dance (1600m) on November 7 back at the premier Sydney venue. From an inside draw, King Of The Castle was only moderate into stride but soon mustered to settle three-back on the fence and came with a well-timed run under jockey Reece Jones to score narrowly from Highlights (Your Song). “He came out on his nose,” Jones said. “I thought we were in a bit of trouble. But barriers win races and we were able to sneak up doing no work at all. I got into a lovely spot where he was just allowed to travel and build into a nice little rhythm. “I have noticed a couple of times he gets there and starts to idle so with the way the race panned out, I was a little bit patient with him and made sure he got to them late and he was superb.” Bred by Ravelston Stud, King Of The Castle began his career with Riverton trainer Kelvin Tyler, for whom he won three races. Tyler and wife Vanessa still share in the ownership of the now seven-year-old, who has won a further three races for Pride from 11 starts in Australia, but it hasn’t all been plain sailing. However, King Of The Castle, whose stable name is Lewis, has endeared himself to Pride, partly because he hails from New Zealand’s South Island where Pride spent almost a decade of his childhood. “I’ve got a serious horse crush on this bloke,” Pride said. “I don’t know what it is, me and ‘Lewis’, there is something about him. “I grew up in Dunedin and he’s from the absolute bottom of the South Island staring at Antarctica. “Even though he’s a little bit older now, I think the best is yet to come.” When King Of The Castle first joined Pride’s yard from New Zealand, the trainer had trouble even getting him to the races. But he has continued to flourish and improve and while connections would have been happy to get him to the A$750,000 Little Dance (1600m), he now founds himself exempt from a ballot for the bigger prize. “It has been an interesting journey to say the least but he’s a pretty cool horse,” Pride said. “I would have been happy to go to the Little Dance but when you get invited to the Big Dance, who’s going to the Little Dance? “I’ve got absolutely no dancing in me but luckily the owners have, and Lewis has. “He finds his way into The Big Dance now. He will give a good account of himself because he came here today dropping a massive amount of weight from a good run at Rosehill and he will get in pretty light in that Big Dance as well and he can only improve.” View the full article

It was another bumper payday for the connections of former South Island galloper Palmetto (NZ) (Ghibellines) who prevailed in a narrow-three-way finish in the A$1 million Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m) at Randwick on Saturday. The five-year-old son of Ghibellines was perfectly ridden by in-form hoop Kathy O’Hara to score by a nose over another former Kiwi in Detonator Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry), with Waterford (Awtaad) a further nose away in third. Now prepared by John Sargent, Palmetto began his racing career in the Ascot Park stable of Sally McKay, for whom he had nine starts for three wins. He collected a black-type double in the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m) and Southland Guineas (1600m) in February of 2022. Now racing in the colours of prominent Australian owner Carl Holt, but with some of his original New Zealand ownership still involved, Palmetto has had a total of 22 starts for six wins, three placings and A$1,142,079 in stakes. It is the second major prize-money race Palmetto has won, having scored in the A$500,000 The Coast (1600m) at Gosford in May, with many of his South Island connections on course at Randwick to celebrate the win on Saturday. “They’re from the South Island – they can’t believe it,” a delighted John Sargent said. “It’s a lot of money for them and he has been a great horse since he has finally aclimatised. “I thought Kathy would suit him and she is riding the crest of a wave. “I said to Kathy to hide him away, he has got a good finish and don’t get there too soon and she just timed it perfectly. “It is a fantastic result and great for the owners from New Zealand. They are all a bit hungover after the All Blacks won this morning, but they made it today and they will be back in three weeks for the final.” Palmetto will now contest the A$2 million Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill on November 11, with the set weights plus penalties race restricted to five-year-olds. Kathy O’Hara, a recent winner of the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) on Rediener (Redoute’s Choice), was thrilled to land another big prize on a horse that fought so gamely. “He really wanted to win. He was all out late and needed to find a little more, and he did,” she said. “He is a lovely horse to ride and I am really happy for Sarge and the team and the owners seem like a great bunch of people. It is really nice when the good guys win.” By White Robe Lodge stallion Ghibellines, an impeccably bred son of Shamardal, Palmetto is one of six stakes winners and 14 stakes performers by the stallion, who is also the sire of Group One winner Smokin’ Romans (NZ). Out of the winning Darci Brahma mare Carolina Island (NZ), who stems from the family of Group Three winner and blue-hen mare In Clover (Inchinor), Palmetto was offered by Three Valleys at the 2020 South Island Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, where he was passed in with a reserve of just $10,000. Connections of Palmetto were on hand to celebrate Saturday’s feature win at Randwick Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au View the full article

Talented five-year-old mare Wrote To Arataki (NZ) (Wrote) has added further black-type to her record when leading throughout to land the Gr.2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The daughter of Wrote was ridden with good intent by comeback jockey Dean Yendall, and once the mare found the front she was rated to perfection to prevail from Shuffle Dancer (I Am Invincible) and Call Di (Frankel). There was less than two lengths over the first eight runners home, with trainer Matthew Williams delighted to see the honest galloper rewarded with yet another stakes win after prevailing in the Gr.3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1300m) at Sandown last season. “She’s been racing well and Dean was able to rate her perfectly today. It all worked out perfectly,” Williams said. “She’s just so honest. The Caulfield straight is not that long but it seemed a fair way today. “Through her career she’s been very honest and sometimes she’s just done a bit too much work early and that has found her out late. When you get that early part of the race right, she is very genuine.” Winning jockey Dean Yendall, who recently returned from a broken collarbone, was thrilled to be back claiming another black-type winner for a good supporter in Williams. “It has been a great thrill to get back to where I am now with all the support behind me including the likes of Matthew Williams, Price-Kent and Paul Preusker,” he said. “It’s a great feeling to win on this mare today. She ran a bottler last time at Flemington (when third in the Gr.2 Blazer Stakes, 1400m). “It was no fault of my own, I just tried to ride her a bit quieter and it didn’t work out. I got caught wide but she still relished it late. “Today, It looked like no speed whatsoever. She didn’t fly out of the machines but I was able to dictate and get across at my leisure and let her go at a nice striding gallop and relax within herself. “Then I asked her to kick off the turn and the rest was history.” Wrote To Arataki is likely to be seen next in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, a race Yendall has previously won on Shoals (2017) and I Am A Star (2016). “I have won a couple, so three won’t hurt,” he quipped. By Wrote, Highview Stud’s Group One winning son of High Chaparral, Wrote To Arataki is out of the multiple winning Align mare Galloping Gerte (NZ). She was bred by Noelene Bishop, who along with husband Bill, is good friends with Highview Stud’s Brent Gillovic. Wrote To Arataki finished third in her only trial in New Zealand for former trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne before her private sale to the Williams stable through bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo. Wrote’s eldest progeny are now five and in addition to Wrote To Arataki include Group winner Best Seller (NZ), who was also runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) to Legarto (NZ) (Proisir), plus stakes performers Love Letter (NZ) and High Providence (NZ). View the full article

By Jonny Turner Robyns Playboy is primed to add to his incredible record in the Tuapeka Cup in his fifth tilt at Ascot Park on Sunday. The Ross and Chris Wilson trained pacer comes into the annual feature with a remarkable record in four previous starts, having won three Tuapeka Cups and running second in another. Chris Wilson admitted he isn’t exactly sure why Robyns Playboy loves the Tuapeka Cup so much, but he thinks the race comes at the perfect time of year for the pacer. “He just loves this race, maybe it’s the time of the year,” Wilson said. “It’s always when he’s just on the way up late in the spring, he’s not an early starter normally.” “He’s wintered well and he’s picking up condition nicely so yeah, maybe it’s just that.” Following an excellent last start second at Ascot Park, in which he was unlucky, Robyns Playboy looks poised for another big effort in the Tuapeka Cup this year. “His fitness is as good as it’s been all season and he’s happy and healthy so yeah, we’re pretty happy with where he is for a Sunday.” The Wilson stable have a two-pronged attack on the Tuapeka Cup, with Brookies Player also starting in the feature event. The pacer will have his first standing start in the race, which is a concern for his camp. “Robyns Playboy couldn’t head him off in work (on Friday), he’s a great front runner.” “We are just a bit worried about how quickly he can step.” “I think he will step but he just might be a bit slow, he might give himself an extra 10m handicap.” Miki Knows will be out to put a last start mishap behind him in the Tuapeka Cup. The pacer galloped in his last start, though after seeing the race replay, trainer Jeremy Douglas said there was a clear reason for the mistake. “I’m pretty confident he will do things right this time,” the trainer said. “He copped a bit of interference, which caused that mistake last time.” “It was a bit of a shame because he was almost definitely second, and probably a good chance of winning that race, but we’ll move on from that.” Douglas has targeted the Tuapeka Cup with Miki Knows as he builds towards bigger targets. “This was the first of the smaller goals for him this season.” “So we’ve tried to build him towards this race, and then we’ll freshen him up, and we’ll go again for the New Zealand Cup meeting.” “So if I’ve done my job right, he should be pretty close this week.” From the front line, Miki Knows gets a 10m handicap on his key rival Robyns Playboy View the full article

It was a Caulfield Cup for the ages with the 146th edition of the great race won in a thriller by Without A Fight for Anthony & Sam Freedman. 2023 Caulfield Cup winner Without A Fight could head towards the Melbourne Cup now on Tuesday November 7. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos. The import was outstanding off a brilliant ride by now two-time Caulfield Cup winning jockey Mark Zahra who opted to stick with the Teofilo seven-year-old over the 58.5kg top-weight Gold Trip. Last year’s runner-up and reigning Melbourne Cup winner, the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Gold Trip, was good again finishing third in the Group 1 $5 million Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup (2400m) with Ben Melham in the saddle. The final furlong however was all about two horses, both donning yellow silks. In front at the 200m was the Simon & Ed Crisford-trained West Wind Blows who, after missing the kick, was quick to recover and settle the fence midfield with UK jockey Jamie Spencer in the saddle. In the end Spencer had to concede defeat to his good friend Zahra aboard Without A Fight, formerly with the Crisford stable, who dug deep off a wide run around the turn to go stride for stride before drawing a long neck clear right on the line. “It’s good when you know the results at the end, but you’ve got to choose them before unfortunately,” the winning jockey, Zahra, told Racing.com. “What a moment, so happy. “I had a beautiful run and he did the rest.” The Freedmans took Without A Fight to the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) first-up off his big winter up in Brisbane where he burst into spring calculations with two strong victories including in the Group 2 $1.2 million The Q22 (2200m). It was a big call from the team not to go through a longer, more tradition route into the Caulfield Cup over the mile-and-a-half but the horse was best kept fresh and prevailed. “It’s a special day,” co-trainer Sam Freedman said. “The horse is brilliant on top of the ground. “He went from the 1800m to the mile and a half…he’s just a good horse.” Zahra enjoyed a second Caulfield Cup victory after his 2020 success on Verry Elleegant. Completing the first four at triple-figures was the Annabel Neasham-trained grey Bois D’Argent ($101). Eleven horses have completed the Caulfield Cup – Melbourne Cup race double in the same year, most recently Ethereal in 2001. This year’s Group 1 $8.41 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) runs at Flemington Tuesday November 7. Without A Fight has firmed into $6 in the all-in 2023 Melbourne Cup betting markets at Ladbrokes. 2023 Caulfield Cup Results Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 2 WITHOUT A FIGHT (IRE) Anthony & Sam Freedman Mark Zahra 7 55.5kg $8.50 2 6 WEST WIND BLOWS (IRE) Simon & Ed Crisford Jamie Spencer 0.2L 2 54kg $5.50F 3 1 GOLD TRIP (FR) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Ben Melham 2.2L 11 58.5kg $6.50 4 16 BOIS D’ARGENT (GB) Annabel Neasham Ms Winona Costin 3.95L 3 50.5kg $101 5 11 RIGHT YOU ARE Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Michael Dee 4.15L 13 53kg $41 6 18 VALIANT KING (GB) Joseph O’Brien Ms Jamie Kah 5.4L 1 50kg $10 7 8 SOULCOMBE (GB) Chris Waller Craig Williams 5.5L 6 53.5kg $8 8 3 BREAKUP (JPN) Tatsuya Yoshioka Damian Lane 5.7L 5 55kg $10 9 9 DUKE DE SESSA (IRE) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace John Allen 7.7L 14 53kg $41 10 19e UNITED NATIONS (IRE) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Ms Carleen Hefel (a) 8.2L 17 50kg $91 11 10 HOO YA MAL (GB) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 9.7L 8 53kg $10 12 14 OKITA SOUSHI (IRE) Joseph O’Brien Kerrin McEvoy 9.9L 12 51.5kg $31 13 4 MONTEFILIA Chris Waller Blake Shinn 10.1L 9 54.5kg $11 14 17 SPIRIT RIDGE (GB) Annabel Neasham Dean Yendall 12.35L 10 50.5kg $21 15 15 FAME Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman Craig Newitt 13.1L 16 51kg $201 16 13 GOLDMAN (NZ) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Ms Linda Meech 14.1L 18 52kg $81 17 5 FRANCESCO GUARDI (IRE) Chris Waller James McDonald 14.3L 15 54kg $26 18 12 EMISSARY (GB) Michael Moroney Jye McNeil 26.3L 4 52kg $101 7 NONCONFORMIST Grahame Begg Harry Coffey 0 Table Credit: Racing Australia. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post 2023 Caulfield Cup Winner Is Without A Fight, West Wind Blows 2nd, Gold Trip 3rd appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Without A Fight ridden by Mark Zahra wins the 2023 Caulfield Cup. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Without A Fight (+800) has stormed over the top to win the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday, taking home the major portion of the $5 million prize packet. It comes after some drama in the lead-up, as the Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained gelding was re-inspected pre-race due to some lameness detected by VRC stewards on Thursday. He was passed fit to run in the end and thankfully produced his electrifying best under Mark Zahra, securing Group 1 glory for the first time, and his first since arriving in Australia. The son of Teofilo put the writing on the wall first-up in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m), powering through the line as a flashing light chasing gamely behind Alligator Blood. It was an elite steer by Zahra, jagging back to find cover throughout the journey, which was necessary given the hectic tempo the leaders injected into the race. Goldman (+8000), Spirit Ridge (+2200) and Hoo Ya Mal (+900) all looked to kick up and find the front, giving many of those drawn wide a chance to slot in for cover. This included last year’s runner-up Gold Trip (+500), who was navigating a passage under Ben Melham, and West Wind Blows (+450), left the stalls a shade slower than Jamie Spencer would’ve liked. West Wind Blows made the first move turning for home, and at one stage hit the front, leaving him and Without A Fight to knuckle down to task. The latter pulled clear, while Gold Trip was crowded for room at a crucial stage, however, showed his class to find third spot with the massive weight. 2023 Group 1 Caulfield Cup Replay – Without A Fight | T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | J: Mark Zahra Co-trainer Sam Freedman spoke post-race and it was pure emotion from the young trainer. “It is a special day,” said Freedman. “Got to say a particular thank you to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid who made the call to send the horse out in the first place and he left him out here. “What a call. He’s pulled the right rein. The horse is brilliant on top of the ground. “Particular thank you to Mornington Racing Club. They’ve given us access to the course proper as much as we needed. “He went from the 1800 (metres) to the mile-and-a-half. He’s just a good horse.” Freedman also went on to speak about how grateful he was to racing staff for allow their horse to race on Saturday. “They made the right call. “We were never worried. I think that is the most worrying thing. As a trainer you would never send a horse to the races that you didn’t feel was ready to go. “This horse, we know his so well and all the staff, they work tirelessly to get these results and so when you’ve got that nervous wait, you’re feeling for them. “They’re putting in the hours and it has been a tough enough six or twelve months.” Mark Zahra couldn’t have been happier with the result, after getting the ride on Without A Fight some time ago. “It is good when you have the results at the end but you have to choose them beforehand,” said Zahra. “What a moment. I’m so happy. “Had a beautiful run and he did the rest. “Jamie Spencer, one of my best mates, he actually put a couple of lengths on me around the bend. I just struggled around the bend a little bit. “Then when I flattened out in the straight, gee he was game. He wanted to win.” When asked if Without A Fight could press on to a Melbourne Cup, Zahra gave a glowing reference. “You’ve got to have a crack. “That was second-up from a spell. A great training performance from the Freedmans to get him right today so you think there’s got to be a little bit of improvement.” Without A Fight is now a +600 chance with most online betting sites in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 7. More racing news View the full article

Buffalo River (USA) ridden by Celine Gaudray wins the Moonga Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse on October. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Michael Moroney has picked up his second feature of the day, as Buffalo River (+270) led all the way in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Celine Gaudray has taken the reins in his last three starts, reaping the rewards of what’s becoming a terrific association, scoring victory two-back in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1400m) at the same course and distance on September 23. It was another front-running special from Gaudray, as Buffalo River pinged the lids to lead throughout, never allowing rivals to get within reach of the seven-year-old in a rich vein of form. Climbing Star (+380) and Cause For Concern (+850) were the only real challengers late, however, they were playing for second as Buffalo River was already off and gone with the prize. 2023 Group 3 Moonga Stakes Replay – Buffalo River | T: Mike Moroney | J: Celine Gaudray Michael Moroney spoke for the second time at Caulfield after having success with Coeur Volante in the Thousand Guineas Prelude earlier in the day. He referenced the supreme ride by Gaudray and crediting the war horse for a change in form. “She (Celine Gaudray) did a perfect ride,” said Moroney. I could tell before they turned for home that he was travelling easily still so I thought it’d take a good one to run past him because the other day he was off the bridle and she possibly got a couple of sections a little bit wrong but today it was just picture perfect I thought. “We decided to take the ear muffs off and since we’ve done that it’s certainly livened him up and we’ve trained him on the treadmill a bit, changing things round a bit. “They say you can’t teach old dogs new tricks but you can.” Gaudray was out of breath as she returned to scale but was impressed with how he travelled throughout the race. “I’m still trying to catch my breath from bringing him back to the mounting yard,” said Gaudray. “He’s obviously a hard-going horse so I just try to keep him as happy as I can on the bridle and once he kicked away he was actually very very strong.” More racing news View the full article

Successful in their meeting on the opening day of the season, Karis Teetan knows his mount will have to be better again at Sha Tin on SundayView the full article

Wrote To Arataki (NZ) ridden by Dean Yendall wins the Tristarc Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Dean Yendall has racked them and stacked them in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield with Wrote To Arataki (+550) leading all the way to score. It was an intelligent ride aboard the ever-consistent Matthew Williams-trained mare, given a relatively soft lead throughout the journey in a race that lacked pressure on paper. It was rated perfectly by Yendall who utilized the early toe of his mare to cross and continue to victory, as Shuffle Dancer (+2500) and Call Di (+800) would be forced to settle in the minor placings. Madame Pommery (+1100) was luckless behind a wall of horses, while the well-backed favourite Skew Wiff (+250) was a shadow disappointing on face value. 2023 Group 2 Tristarc Stakes Replay – Wrote To Arataki | T: Matthew Williams | J: Dean Yendall It was all about the winner post-race, however, as Matthew Williams was elated with the victory and to the ride of Yendall, while crediting his mares’ consistency. “She’s been racing well and Dean was able to rate her perfect today,” said Williams. “It all worked out perfect. “She’s just so honest. The Caulfield straight is not that long but it seemed a fair way today. “Through her career she’s been very honest. Just done a bit too much work early and that has found her out late. When you get that early part of the race right, she is very genuine.” Dean Yendall was ecstatic to be back aboard Wrote To Arataki and reaping the rewards of the chances his been given throughout the early portion of the spring. “It has been great to get back to where I am now with all the support behind me,” said Yendall. “She did fly out of the machines but was able to dictate and get across at a comfortable leisure and able to get across with a nice striding gallop and relaxed within herself as much as I could her. “Then I asked her to kick off on the turn and the rest was history.” The next logical step for Wrote To Arataki is the Group 1 Empire Rose (1600m) on November 4, where online bookmakers have marked her an +1000 chance in futures markets. More racing news View the full article

Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta celebrated her fifth win in the Gr.3 Gee & Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m) when Diss Is Dramatic (NZ) (Dissident) scored an emphatic victory in Saturday’s $100,000 feature at Trentham. Latta had previously won the race with Resonare (NZ) (Centaine) (2000), Fercertain (NZ) (Centaine) (2008), Jonbalena (NZ) (Lord Ballina) (2009) and last year’s winner He’s A Doozy (NZ) (Zacinto), who went on to add the Gr.3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) in an impressive spring and summer campaign. The latest addition to that list is Diss Is Dramatic, who has now been a black-type winner at the ages of two, three and four. She won the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton in the autumn of her juvenile season, then returned to Christchurch the following spring and added the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m). The daughter of Dissident kicked off her four-year-old season with two appearances during the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival, finishing a close fifth over 1400m on September 9 before stepping up to 1600m three weeks later and winning comfortably. Diss Is Dramatic returned to stakes company at Trentham on Saturday and delivered a repeat result in the hands of jockey Tina Comignaghi. The pace was strong in the early stages of the Thompson Handicap, with half a dozen horses charging forward out of the gates to make an early claim for the lead. Diss Is Dramatic was one of them, but as that leading bunch dispersed and horses took up their positions, Comignaghi found a perfect spot in third behind Bully Boy (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop) and Flower Of Wanaka (NZ) (Burgundy). Comignaghi drove Diss Is Dramatic through a narrow gap between those two runners in the straight, and the classy mare quickly burst to a clear lead. Mazzolino (NZ) (Savabeel) finished strongly wider out on the track to reduce the margin to a length at the finish, but Diss Is Dramatic was never in any danger of defeat. Raced by the Go Racing All About Me Syndicate, Diss Is Dramatic has now had 16 starts for five wins, three placings and $223,320 in stakes. Latta is keen to stick to the He’s A Doozy blueprint from 12 months ago, with the Coupland’s Bakeries Mile at Riccarton on November 15 the next target for Diss Is Dramatic. The TAB now rates her a $5 second favourite behind It’s Business Time ($3.20) for the $250,000 feature. “That was a great performance today,” Latta said. “She drew the inside gate and was able to enjoy an economical run during the race. It briefly looked like she might be a bit unlucky early in the straight, but Tina was able to get her into the open and she finished it off really strongly. “As long as she pulls up well from this, she’ll head down to Christchurch for the Coupland’s Mile. View the full article

Warwick Farm trainer Clarry Conners breathed a sigh of relief after talented four-year-old Peace Officer (NZ) (Iffraaj) proved too strong in the Midway Handicap (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday, providing jockey Aaron Bullock with a race-to-race double. The son of Iffraaj was sent out the $3.60 favourite but endured a bumping duel down the straight before eventually getting clear running and going on to score by just over a length from the ever-consistent Satness (NZ) (Sweynesse). “We were in trouble for a little while and it was a bit hard to see on the TV, but he won. That’s all we can do,” the Hall Of Fame trainer said. Conners rates the gelding highly and even at one stage contemplated heading towards the Golden Eagle (1500m). “He’s a very good horse, I think. But now we will have to aim higher and see what we can do,” he said. “I am waiting to get the horse over a mile. He will be a different horse, honestly. I am sure he wants further. “Have a look at his form. He is very consistent and is a lovely horse to train.” Peace Officer has now won four of his 12 starts and three of his past four outings, including a Midway two starts back at Rosehill. Bred by Jamieson Park, Peace Officer is one of three winners from the Commands mare Coyote Miss. Conners admitted to knowing little about the gelding’s proven sire Iffraaj when he purchased Peace Officer for A$90,000 as a yearling at the Sydney Classic Sale. The experienced trainer is now well-versed in the exploits of the high-class shuttle stallion, who was a great servant to the New Zealand breeding industry when shuttling to Haunui Farm between 2008 and 2019. “He was some distance away when I first caught sight of him,” Conners recalled. “I quickly moved closer and could see he had great presence. He looked more mature than most yearlings, moved beautifully and had a commanding head. “I don’t mind admitting I knew little about the colt’s sire Iffraaj and was unfamiliar with his distaff side. I liked the fact that his dam Coyote Miss was by the very good sire Commands, while his second dam Miss Alabama was by Woodman and had left a number of winners. “Several existing clients liked him as much as I did, and a few new ones came on board as well. We soon had a lovely little syndicate together to race him as Peace Officer.” View the full article

A supreme ride from jockey Blake Shinn aided smart three-year-old filly Coeur Volante (NZ) (Proisir) to make it back-to-back stakes victories when running out a resounding winner of the Gr.2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The Michael Moroney-trained daughter of Proisir had been a stunning winner of the Gr.3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at The Valley at her previous outing, but faced the stiff challenge of drawing the outside barrier of 14 from the tricky 1400m start. Speared out of the barrier by Shinn, the champion hoop had Coeur Volante one out and one back after 100m and the result was never in doubt, with the filly powering to the line to score by a length and a quarter from Vivy Air (Hellbent) with the Mark Walker-trained Zourion (NZ) (Zoustar) fighting on well for third. Moroney said that he left tactics up to Shinn, with last season’s Scobie Breasley Medal winner making all the right calls. “It was another very good ride but she flew the gates and I left it up to Blake, as you do with those good jocks,” Moroney said. “He said that if she flew the gates, he’d be positive and if she didn’t he’d ride her back so she flew the gates and, for a filly that has had very little practice, she did a good job getting across because she had to go again to get there and I thought it was a great effort. “I thought when they swung in she’d used her tickets but gee she pulled that extra out.” Moroney described the filly as pretty special and will now plot a path towards the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield which will be run on November 18 this year, as part of a revamped Victorian Spring Carnival. “The decision we’ve got to make now is if we give her a run ten days before on Melbourne Cup Day or whether we go straight into it,” he said. The filly has now won three of her four starts, with Shinn aboard for the past two stakes wins. “It was a great effort by my girl,” Shinn said. “She’s a really talented horse as she displayed at The Valley and the job was going to be for me and the horse to overcome that draw. “I’m very grateful to Mike and the connections to allow me to have that free rein to assess it from the start. “That was really not my plan to do what we did but we called it as we jumped and she jumped probably half-a-length in front of the rest. “I didn’t want to take that from us. It is a difficult start to try and get right and we chanced our arm going forward and fortunately we got in. “I think it says a lot of the horse and her make up being able to make a couple of runs on her. These good horses, when they’re really good you can make a couple of runs on them and it was a great quality for her to display that today. “I wasn’t sure that she had that in her armoury but it is great that going forward we can ride her in a pattern like that if necessary.” Bred by the Fell family from Fairdale Stud out of the Testa Rossa mare Shanina, Moroney and his bother Paul purchased the filly for $90,000 out of the Prima Park draft during the Book 1 Yearling Sale at Karaka in 2022. She is the younger half-sister of stakes placed filly Hasstobemagic (NZ) (Scissor Kick) and comes from a family that includes multiple Australian Group Two winner Rose O’ War (Danehill) and outstanding racemare Savana City (New Regent) who included the Gr.1 AJC Oaks (2400m) amongst her eight career victories. Coeur Volante is one of 14 individual stakes winner for her Rich Hill Stud-based sire Proisir, who was New Zealand’s Champion sire for the first time last season. View the full article