Wandering Eyes

With the two only realistic contenders of the three runners contesting Wednesday's Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury, Darley's first-season sire Palace Pier was almost guaranteed to make his breakthrough in black-type company and so it proved as Morris Dancer led home A Bit Of Spirit for a neat one-two. Runner-up in the Vintage at Goodwood last month, Godolphin's homebred surprisingly drifted to 11-10 second favouritism to see off the Clive Cox-trained 5-6 market-leader and after taking over from that peer approaching the furlong pole drew away to do so by four lengths. “He ran a huge race at Goodwood and he's learning on the job, is very genuine and straightforward,” jockey William Buick said. “It was a far-run race and you can take a bit out of it–there was no bias and so you can take that form seriously. He won't mind a bit of juice in the ground and he can go back to seven furlongs or stay at a mile.” Morris Dancer (Palace Pier) dominates in the Listed @BritishEBF Stonehenge Stakes for John & Thady Gosden, @WilliamBuickX and @godolphin @salisburyraces pic.twitter.com/LBUCaJRPrj — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 13, 2025 The post First Stakes Winner For Palace Pier As Morris Dancer Leads Stonehenge One-Two For Freshman appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Three new auction items, with all proceeds benefitting the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Permanently Disabled Jockeys' Fund, and Belmont Child Care Association, will become available for bidding beginning Aug. 14-20. Items include: a complete set of artist Greg Montgomery's signed Travers Stakes poster series from 1986 through 2025 in one-of-a-kind presentation packaging; the Museum's box seats at Saratoga Race Course for this year's Travers Stakes day; and Twice the Heart, a limited-edition casting designed by artist Jocelyn Russell based on the monument completed in 2023 depicting Secretariat in retirement at Claiborne Farm in Paris, KY. To view and bid on these items, please click here. The post Auction Set To Benefit National Museum Of Racing, Belmont Child Care Association And PDJF appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Leanna Packard has been appointed Head of Marketing and Partnerships at TBA and Aushorse to take effect Sept. 1, the company announced Wednesday. Originally from the United States, Leanna is a graduate of The Ohio State University and began her career in marketing at WinStar Farm in Kentucky before relocating to Australia. For the past eleven years, she has served as Marketing Manager and Racing Coordinator at Newgate. In her new role, Leanna will lead marketing across both TBA and Aushorse, manage sponsorships and partnerships, and drive stakeholder engagement initiatives to further elevate the visibility and influence of Australia's thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. Also joining the TBA/Aushorse team: Meagan McGrath as Head of Advocacy & Communications, Gemma Cameron as Head of Finance & Administration and Madison Tims as Head of Education & Projects. “These appointments mark an exciting new chapter for TBA and Aushorse,” said TBA and Aushorse CEO Andrew Hore-Lacy. “With the guidance of our Boards and the support of our members, we are well positioned to strengthen our industry and advance the interests of Australian breeders both nationally and internationally.” The post Leanna Packard Named New Head Of Marketing And Partnerships For Thoroughbred Breeders Australia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fergus Galvin, their consignor, called it “one of the greatest pinhooks of all time.” To Blaise Benjamin and Charles Hynes, it was just another example of the way every new day at Ashford Stud brings a fresh lesson, a fresh opportunity. That might just involve quietly clocking the way one of the old hands reassures a nervous horse, or it might mean catching the $1,000 Tiz the Law weanling who fell through the cracks at the New York Mixed Sale at Saratoga last fall. Back in the same ring last Sunday, she brought $170,000. Benjamin and Hynes, along with their contemporary Michael Norris, happened to sit down with TDN ahead of the auction to share their privileged sense of how their work, by daily increments, nourishes their evolution as horsemen. But all three also stressed how they are encouraged to convert observation to opportunity. The whole Coolmore saga having begun with its founders' flair for stockmanship and trade, staff are always encouraged to participate in the market themselves. Because there is no better way to understand clients' needs than to share their ups and downs—the painful challenge to your tenacity, when things don't work out, as well as the euphoria or simple relief when they do. “A lot of us have got involved in the game ourselves: pinhooking, breeding, racing,” Norris confirmed. “That way, you're immersed in the industry on a day-to-day basis. Even though I'm now based more in the office, come sales season we're all out there every day: we see every colt, every filly, by any of our stallions. We rate the progeny, make notes on them all, compare what a mare produces from different matings.” There is a natural confluence, after all, between that exhaustive appraisal and the quest by any regular pinhooker for outlying value. And, working where they do, they will never lack for paragons. “Because you're lucky enough to see what the good ones look like, you can then go out and try to apply that,” Hynes said. “Going to the sales is the greatest perk of the job. Touch wood, I'm still getting educated, but the grounding you get here is a huge part of any touches we have managed to have at the sales.” In this particular case, the daughter of an unraced sister to Grade I winner Unbridled Mo (Uncle Mo) was the first weanling Benjamin and Hynes wrote up as they set to work last fall: she had some growing to do, but she was a fluid mover with great genes and so they lined up a couple of partners to follow her through. They barely had time to ask each other what they might have missed about her when the hammer fell. They sent her to Hannah and Aidan Jennings at Killora Stud, Tiz the Law gained momentum, and the rest is history. But such are the potential destinations, once the individual roads taken by this generation converged at Ashford. Their inception tended to be very different. Norris, for instance, was raised at storied Jockey Hall Stud in Ireland, and his great-grandfather owned Cottage Rake. Benjamin, in contrast, spent his boyhood in Jamaica and, when first urged that he might work with horses, replied: “With what!? Absolutely not.” Michael Norris | Coolmore Yet now they find themselves sharing a renewal, at Coolmore, parallel to the way Justify is reopening the kind of transatlantic transfusions that once nourished its rise, through sons of Northern Dancer. For a new cycle is also underway in the responsibilities nowadays entrusted, most obviously to M.V. Magnier, but also to numerous of his contemporaries. All, naturally, have been well schooled in a familiar corporate ethic of self-effacement. As such, the three 30-somethings giving us their time represent but a snapshot of peers making an increasing impact across the organization. Each happens to be earning his stripes at Ashford. But many of their colleagues in Ireland and Australia would recognize the pattern: coalface experience, around the farm, before embracing fresh opportunities with the sales team. Norris, as already noted, was bred for the game. Besides Cottage Rake, his “page” includes grandfather Paddy, who trained winners of the Coventry and Irish Grand National–and whose mother-in-law owned Vincent O'Brien's first Classic winner, Chamier (1953 Irish Derby). Norris's father is an equine vet; his mother operated the highly-regarded Jockey Hall consignment; and aunt Ines Malone works for BBA(Ireland). “Open the gate and you'd be looking straight onto the Curragh plain,” he recalls of home. “My mother consigned all over Europe, yearlings and especially mares. So, yes, I was kind of born into it. And when I said I might want to get into the industry, and where should I go, Mum's only suggestion was Coolmore. 'They're the best,' she said. 'And that's not going to change.'” But coming here was a chance he had to earn. His prior resume duly included junior experience at Gilltown, a stint in Australia and, in 2015, the Irish National Stud course. When finally arriving in Kentucky, he pictured staying a year. That was over a decade ago. Having started with barren and maiden mares, Norris moved onto stallions for several years, including shuttles to South America. He has also loved following the Ballydoyle careers of yearlings he helped to break, like Tenebrism (Caravaggio), evidently as tough then as she proved in her races. The adolescent Benjamin, for his part, had never shown the slightest interest in Jamaica's single racetrack when his parents moved to Florida, fortuitously settling at Ocala. “Originally they were thinking Tallahassee,” Benjamin recalls. “But when he was driving north, my dad started seeing all these big oak trees. And I remember him calling my mom and saying, 'Found a spot.'” And, actually, there was a family connection to the Turf: trainer Jose Pinchin is married to Benjamin's aunt. It was Pinchin who suggested that he might find work, pending a crack at college, in one of the many Thoroughbred programs around his new home. We already know what Benjamin thought of that notion. But his dad urged him to give it a try. “You never know,” he said. “What do you have to lose?” Benjamin Blaise and Golden Pal | courtesy Benjamin Blaise So he did six months with Bo Hunt. “And I will tell you, the first month I absolutely hated,” Benjamin recalls. “But then one day I caught a loose colt. That was my first proper interaction. Before that, they'd just had me wrapping bandages. But that day the manager said, 'Right, we're putting you in a stall tomorrow.' So I started mucking out, and gradually got to be more hands-on. And I just fell in love with the whole thing.” Then followed three years with Eddie Woods. “That was an eye-opener,” Benjamin acknowledges. “It was tough work, and Eddie was tough too–but fair. And, again, I loved it. I got to go to all the sales with him, just watching quietly all the way. The way he ran that operation, it's second-to-none.” In 2009, with the Woods juveniles processed, Benjamin landed a summer posting with Todd Pletcher. Grooming a horse owned by Coolmore partner Michael Tabor secured an introduction to Ashford manager Dermot Ryan, and an invitation to the farm on his way back from Saratoga. “I'll never forget pulling up to those big gates and thinking, 'What in the world is this place?'” Benjamin recalls. “I drove down the main avenue, called my mom and said, 'Yeah, I don't think I'm coming home.'” The HR manager thought they could find him something from January. In the event they called a week before Christmas and asked whether he might conceivably come early? “I was 19, didn't have any real ties to Ocala other than my parents,” Benjamin recalls. “So I said, 'Absolutely.' My mom was like, 'You're going right before Christmas?' I told her, 'Don't worry, I'll be back.' That was 15 years ago.” They put him straight in with the stallions. Strong as he was, that would knock the edges off anyone. “But no, it was great,” Benjamin replies. “After working with 2-year-olds, I wasn't sure what to expect. The first horses I groomed were Fusaichi Pegasus and Tale of the Cat. He had a mean streak. You just had to do things his way. Try and fight him, he's going to win every time. FuPeg? He was temperamental. I wouldn't say he was a bad horse, but he could be a bit silly. But I learned so much under Richard Barry. Hard as he had to be, what a man of knowledge. It was like he was put on this earth to take care of stallions.” As for Hynes, he followed a middle path: though raised in a tradition of stockmanship, in Co. Roscommon, he had no exposure to Thoroughbreds. “I did have an interest in horses, and studied equine science at university,” Hynes explains. “My father would go to every horse fair in Ireland. He was a carpenter, but we had cattle at home, and gradually he got into dealing in ponies, just as a hobby. I think it's a great grounding, if you're able to look after animals from a young age.” In 2010, at the University of Limerick, he was lucky to land an internship in Kentucky; luckier yet, to be allocated Ashford. “I was put under Bob Davis: in my opinion, the best in the business,” Hynes recalls. “From foals and yearlings, to pasture management it: all levels of farm management. I came here green as grass. But if you were at all willing, he'd encourage you. And I picked up early that if you walk into a barn where everything's neat and tidy, and you and the horses are well presented, straightaway that creates a positive impression.” Hynes was welcomed back straight after completing his degree. Here was a second education: foaling barn, yearling prep, breaking. The first horse he ever lunged was Take Charge Indy. After a spell back in Ireland–another to take the National Stud diploma–in 2012, Hynes returned to Ashford and within a few weeks found himself escorting 11 stallions to Australasia. Nowadays, besides his work in the sales team, Hynes assists Davis at Brookside with the cream of the broodmare band. And that's what can happen here. No need to formalize modules: if the management like how you take one chance, you'll be offered another. That aggregates to its own kind of flying start. “That's the great thing about Coolmore, you've so many options,” Hynes says. “Everything's here in one spot. If your attitude is right, you can get to see every part of it. And our core group of grooms is so strong, mostly you're picking up from the people you're working with.” Charles Hynes | Coolmore “The Coolmore 'school of education' can rival any program in the world,” agrees Norris. “The one thing I was always told, coming here, was: there are no stupid questions. Ask, and you'll get the answers. You'll be shown the right way to do things. Because the way they do it here is the best way. There are other programs that might have a more formal, more academic emphasis. But here we've all come up through the ranks. Everyone in the office has put in the practical work on the farm.” Benjamin puts it well: “I never went to college, per se–but I ended up at the Yale of horses.” But the privileges of that education are all earned. “Everybody's given the same opportunities,” Benjamin says. “It's about who goes and grabs the bull by the horns. Dermot has been a phenomenal mentor. If he sees you want to learn, he'll give you the chance.” In fact, Benjamin was just 23 when placed in charge of the breeding shed: an extraordinary responsibility at that age. Pretty much all Ryan said to him was: “Don't let me down.” Even then, Benjamin too could diversify. In June, he typically moved onto yearlings. (He remembers taking care of a lazy, big-walking colt from American Pharoah's first crop: Four Wheel Drive.) Then, a couple of years ago, he joined the sales team. “And again, in this organization, that's a broader job,” Norris suggests. “You're helping with ads, and obviously the clientele is so large. It's a great team: Aisling [Duignan], Charlie [O'Connor], Adrian [Wallace], Robyn [Murray], they're the best of mentors, in my opinion the best around at what they do.” (Not least because this team, despite the gender bias in this sample, also benefits from feminine intuitions! As Ryan acknowledges, “Aisling and Robyn have been absolute standouts when any of these lads has looked for advice in how to handle a difficult situation.”) While some stalwarts stay half a century, the industry is full of horsemen who learned their trade here before going solo. That, too, forms part of the wider Coolmore legacy. But precisely that willingness to let people take responsibility also means that the whole empire, through an ongoing transition between generations, has achieved sustainability. “The environment is very calm, and at the same time very professional,” Hynes says. “That comes from the top, and it's encouraged all the way down. Then it's up to all of us to maintain that same standard and atmosphere. If people are good enough to start their own thing, best of luck to them. But they will have that steady grounding behind them. If you're able for it, and have the appetite, you'll get opportunity. And that gives you a responsibility, in turn, to encourage the next people coming in.” “It's always about what happens next,” Norris adds. “When Galileo was producing the best horses in Europe, they needed outcross options. And look at what Wootton Bassett did then, from standing in France for €4,000. That's the kind of thing that happens with an organization that's at the forefront, but always striving for better.” “Just look around you,” says Benjamin, shaking his head. “What a testament to everything Mr. Magnier has built up. It's crazy to think about. When they do something, they do it right. And, knock on wood, they've created something that should be around a very long time. Being here, I just count my lucky stars every day.” The post Next Generation Keeps Coolmore Evolving appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Frankel's Helenium (lot 50) was knocked down for €600,000 to Quirke Bloodstock on behalf of Coolmara Stables halfway through Autav's Jean-Pierre Dubois Sale on Wednesday. Already the dam of a pair of fillies by Kingman, the 6-year-old half-sister to the late Calyx (Invincible Spirit) is carrying once again to that Juddmonte stallion. Helenium was bred by Dream With Me Stable, Inc. Out of the G3 Prix d'Aumale heroine Helleborine (Observatory), Helenium is also a half-sister to the listed winner and GII Distaff Turf Mile second Coppice (Kingman). Under the second dam is G1 Sprint Cup heroine African Rose (Observatory), the ancestress of multiple group winner Fair Eva (Frankel) and Classic winner and sire Native Trail (Oasis Dream). The post Calyx’s Half-Sister Helenium Brings €600k From Quirke Bloodstock On Behalf Of Coolmara Stables At Auctav appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dual Group 1 winner Camille Pissarro has been retired after he suffered an injury at Sandown last month when finishing fourth in the G1 Coral-Eclipse. “Camille Pissarro pulled a shoe at Sandown and was quite sore afterwards,” said trainer Aidan O'Brien in a press release issued by Coolmore. “We had him X-rayed and a fissure fracture was found in his fetlock. The decision was then made to retire him. “Camille Pissarro was an extremely classy colt; he had speed and class. He won the Lagardere on Arc weekend last year at two and then he showed everyone how good he was in the French Derby. He was very classy.” Bred by James Cloney, Camille Pissarro was bought by MV Magnier and White Birch Farm for 1,250,000gns at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. A son of Wootton Bassett and the Pivotal mare Entreat, he emulated his half-brother, G1 Commonweatlh Cup hero Golden Horde (Lethal Force), when becoming a Group 1 winner with his victory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere as a two-year-old. Prior to winning this year's Prix du Jockey Club, Camille Pissarro also finished a close-up third in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains won by stablemate Henri Matisse. He retires as the winner of three of his 11 career starts and over £1.1 million in prize-money. Future plans for Camille Pissarro will be announced in due course. The post Classic Winner Camille Pissarro Retired Due to Injury, Future Plans to be Announced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DEAUVILLE, FRANCE– When U.S. President Donald Trump made good on his threat to impose tariffs on countries around the world on August 1-including a 15% tax on goods coming into America from the European Union-markets across the world shuddered. In the bloodstock world, the first to be affected will be the Arqana August Sale, which starts this Saturday, August 16. An Arqana-sponsored plane full of Americans arrived Wednesday morning from Saratoga, and the TDN spoke with some of those who came over, and others who stayed home, and international buyers who buy for Americans to see how it would affect not only their spending, but what they do with the horses after they buy them. One thing was clear: the tariffs were on everyone's mind. Deuce Greathouse is at Arqana buying for American interests, and said that the constantly changing nature of the tariffs, first threatened earlier in the year and then postponed only to come back at a different amount, didn't make it easy to make concrete decisions. “They keep changing,” said Greathouse, “so we have kind of just been playing it by ear. But, I guess obviously it could make you a little more conservative in your purchase price. I guess all you can do right now is just kind of assume you're adding 15%, right? You try to factor it into the total price.” “It's definitely a tricky situation,” said Ramiro Restrepo, one of the Americans on the Arqana plane. “We're all kind of lighting a candle that maybe Trump pushes it back somehow, but you still have to come out here and look at nice horses. You know that all these European sales companies are going to be delivering the goods as they do every year. So you have to do your job as a bloodstock agent and visit them and review the offerings. You have to come see, whether it's looking at the new freshman sires and how their yearlings look like, through what these amazing consignors are bringing to the table, because the results on the racetrack are still going to be there. You see constant success in America from European imports, and you do have to be here, but I think once everybody gets through their short lists and vet lists and speaks to their clients, then you have to sit down at the round table and make that decision.” Ramiro Restrepo | Coady photo Restrepo also said that the strength of the recent Saratoga sales could have a positive effect on the European sales by forcing buyers who were shut out in America to come over to Europe. He said he saw new faces on the plane this year. “Eyes were bulging from the way that the market was booming in America. Is that going to continue into the European sales? Is that going to continue into the deeper books when you get back to America at Keeneland and Fasig October? It's going to be a very interesting year to see how it continues.” Kenny McPeek has been a steady purchaser at Arqana for several years now, and like many Americans, isn't quite sure how it's going to shake out. “Honestly, there's going to be a big learning curve on all of it,” he said. “It's going to depend on the market and what I see. I do think that it's going to lower my opportunities to purchase. I've bought eight horses out of this auction and had three stakes winners, so it's been good to me already. But yeah, this is definitely going to be a little bit of a struggle trying to figure it out.” Ben Gowans is here with trainer Arnaud Delacour looking at horses for an American client, Mark Grier. “We have come to the sale with him for the past two years,” said Gowans, who watched a filly they bought here for €340,000 in 2023, Evershed (Churchill) run second in the GI Saratoga Oaks this past weekend. “Arqana does such a great job with the sale that it's a hard opportunity to pass up even with the tariffs,” said Gowans, adding that the intangibles played a part in their presence as well. “Mark loves the experience of coming here and he loves the atmosphere and all that Deauville has to offer. Of course, there was more consideration as to whether or not to come here this year with the tariffs being in place.” But he agreed with Restrepo that the strength of the Saratoga market was a kind of tariff in its own right. “I guess I'll say that after seeing Saratoga last week, I'm sure we're not exactly getting good value over here, but I'm not sure it's as dramatic a difference. I think you could say horses had a markup at Saratoga, too, just naturally. The sale is so strong, and one in every seven horses sold for a million dollars. So I don't know. We're coming here with an open mind and hopeful to find a nice horse or two to bring back to America. And Mark's a lovely man who wants to support Arqana and he wants the experience of Deauville. So here we are.” Ironically, as the tariffs are designed to be a protectionist measure for American companies, several American buyers said that they could cause them to redirect their purchases to be broken, trained, and raced in Europe instead of America, taking business away from service providers in the U.S. Restrepo said those decisions would definitely come into play for him. “We've left a couple of Irish purchases and French purchases here to train in the past, so maybe it'll affect just what we bring over and maybe not what we purchase overall. If they're going to stay here, they'll stay, and we're comfortable with that.” Greathouse agreed. “Every year when I have bought horses here, sometimes we leave them here and run them once or twice before we bring them back. Sometimes we bring them back. So we'll probably wait and just feel out what all the indicators are and what they're telling us it'll be, and then make that decision.” Justin Casse agreed, saying the destination of his purchases were “to be determined. It could be to stay in France, go to Ireland, even England. I'd say it's less likely that I'll send anything back to America, but there's always the possibility.” And would the tariffs be a factor in his buying? “I think it'll depend what the purpose is,” he said. “If it's to race, obviously, yes, it will be a conversation regardless. I think in any circumstance it's factored into what you're willing to pay. So for me, if we wanted to pay, for example, a hundred thousand for a horse, then maybe it becomes €85,000 or €90,000.” In general, said Mark McStay, who buys in America and internationally for a global clientele, including Taylor Made's Medallion Racing, the tariffs have already become a factor, even before this sale. “I've found the tariffs have most certainly been a factor in the private market in the States through the course of this year,” said McStay. “In many instances, both buyer and seller have needed to recalibrate their values in order to get business over the line.” Resolute Racing's John Stewart had a major impact on the Arqana sale last year, buying the top lot on day one in 2024, a Wootton Bassett colt from the Etreham consignment for €1.4 million, will not be at Arqana, but it has nothing to do with tariffs, he said. “I am too busy with my private equity firm this week to make it,” he said. “We will be active at the November and December sales over at Tattersalls and Arqana.” Like everyone, McStay said that he hoped that a resolution could be found to end the tariffs. Current litigation in the U.S. challenges Trump's right to use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act in order to pass the tariffs, a job which has always been up to Congress. The IEEPA gives the U.S. president the power to address “unusual and extraordinary” threats during national emergencies. The case claims that his use of the act was illegal, as no such emergency or threat exists, and it appears certain to be headed to the U.S. Supreme Court. “Hopefully, this impediment can be overcome more readily in the future, as there's a definite and large appetite for the European turf horse in North America,” said McStay. The post How Will U.S. Tariffs Affect Americans Buying at Arqana? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After well-publicized track management issues last month that saw racing and training suspended for a short period, Thistledown has been back up and running since August 4 with a new track superintendent. But that doesn't mean the work is done. The task of keeping a racetrack in good shape is an ongoing daily headache–just ask Michael “Mick” Peterson, professor of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Kentucky and executive director of the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory (RSTL). The RSTL is the centralized hub where track operators transmit back maintenance information required under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act's (HISA) racetrack safety program. In this edited Q&A, Peterson talks events at Thistledown, the overall state of compliance with HISA's racetracks safety rules, and the worsening impacts from climate change on the sport. TDN: Let's talk Thistledown, with all sorts of different factors that appear to have weighed into events there. MP: The former track superintendent Sean Wright blamed a long dry period, and an allegedly recalcitrant crew who ignored his demands over watering. There were pictures on social media showing rocks on the track. Track management were also for a period failing to submit a set of daily cushion and moisture measurements to the RSTL, as required by HISA. TDN: I also remember comments you made just over a year ago, however, about how former Thistledown track superintendent John Banno was doing an amazing job with subpar tools. MP: Thistledown is a great example of that. That is a fantastic surface. And Dan, I don't know how to say it, the equipment is inadequate,” you said. “But John Banno, he just works so hard to make it work. I'm not sure anybody else could take over there and make it work like he does. TDN: What can you tell us about the key track-management related events that led to what we saw at Thistledown? Does the maintenance crew have what they need to do a good job? MP: We've gone ahead and re-tested and they are now, once again, one of the most consistent tracks tested in North America, if not the most consistent. They've made some progress with the equipment. What's great from our perspective is they have moved forward with getting an Integrated Racetrack Surface Tester, which will give us better daily data to be able to track anything else that's happening. That daily data is so important. If you see an event, then that's additional information that the veterinarians can use when they're assessing the other veterinary related issues for the horses. TDN: In terms of just the track-related issues, what have been the important factors? MP: There are only a few things that change day-to-day. One of them is cushion depth. You have to grade the track properly. If you've had big rain events, you can have segregation of the material, when the fine material goes to the inside rail. You have to know how to water it and you have to make sure you get it sealed properly before a rainstorm or overnight. It's very region-specific, and what we've once again shown is how difficult the job of a racetrack superintendent is. But they [Thistledown] also had a reputation among horsemen going all the way back to [former California trainer] Howard Zucker 20 years ago that it was a fantastic surface. But we never properly tested [the track] until HISA came along. What we've shown is that with the proper expertise and the right team, they can overcome some deficiencies in equipment. TDN: Multifactorial is the much-used phrase around equine fatalities. What are the other factors weighing in on events at Thistledown? MP: I think it's a challenging horse population, and that's a better question for someone like Dr. [Susan] Stover [chair of the Racetrack Safety Standing Committee]. Dr. Stover has emphasized how, through the number of furlongs worked, basically it's like you wear out the horse. That would be one of the things you would immediately look at. Then there are 10 other factors that came out of equine injury database you've got to check off to understand what the risk factors are for these horses. TDN: Is the track now reporting daily what it needs to? MP: Yes. TDN: What should be the main lessons learned from this whole set of events? MP: Well, we've had recently a couple other tracks that have had increases in catastrophic injuries. From my perspective, what we've seen at the other tracks is when we have that complete daily data, we can look at it and say, 'oh, the track was too wet. Too dry. The cushion depth was inconsistent. Or, we're not seeing anything. Maybe we need to look at the other factors?' So, the real lesson is that having the daily data is hugely helpful for the team on the ground to understand what all the risks are to the horse and rider. TDN: Stepping back, how would you grade the compliance rate among all HISA-regulated tracks with the things they're supposed to do under the racetrack safety program? MP: We, HISA, has continued to put pressure on the tracks. What we're seeing is some tracks that are continuing to resist. But I mean, we are in solid B+, A- sort of territory. And that would've been a C last year. TDN: What are the key areas that are still needing work? MP: Some of the issues are difficult and are structural. Some of the old race-rail vendors are not around anymore. Some of the parts are hard to come by. Those are the things that you can't really fault the track on. They need help in order to solve some of those problems. What I'm most excited about is we're now beginning to have the quantity of data to focus efforts on the issues if we see something, like if they begin to see injuries in the gates. But what we're seeing is vastly improved compliance. And that makes it easier for HISA to push the ones who aren't complying because now they're standing out. If it was 40% of the tracks [not complying], it's one thing. But when it gets down to be 10% of the tracks, then it's much easier to push. TDN: Who are those 10% holdout tracks? MP: They're seasonal, and so, what I'm hoping is, as we go into winter this year, we've got another round of tracks opening up, and I think we'll probably see much, much better compliance. Fair Grounds has complete maintenance data and moisture data going back to 2008. I want to get to the point where everybody's a Fair Grounds or a NYRA or a Churchill. Sarah Andrew TDN: It's been a while now since HISA was implemented. I'm sure there'll be a few trainers out there wondering, 'why are the tracks allowed to get away with non-compliance with the rules and not me?' Do you think it's time to really crack down on racetrack safety rules breaches? MP: Oh, they are. That's really the point I was making there. We're down to the point where the tracks that are not complying are getting follow ups. And I think this next round of accreditation, [ongoing issues] are going to be front and center. There were such huge disparities in the expectations of the different racing commissions [prior to HISA] that it was really difficult to make this suddenly happen. Now, with these uniform expectations, people are coming along. I'm thoroughly impressed with what I see at some of the tracks, and it isn't necessarily the tier one tracks. There are the tracks where the money's tight and they have to deal sometimes with the gaming companies to get the [necessary] capital and budgets. TDN: For another piece I did last year we discussed how climate change was impacting the work of maintaining racetrack surfaces. It was good to see climate change brought up this year at the Jockey Club Round Table, as I don't think this sport broaches this topic nearly enough. How are we doing as an industry in grappling with the impacts from climate change? MP: When we talked about this before, the thing that I did not expect was the role of flooding on racetracks. This has been quite a year and a half or two years for racing as far as the risk of that. Belterra and Ellis Park both had turf tracks [flooded]. It's one thing to fix a dirt track. Fixing a turf track is a lot more challenging. TDN: Is there something we could and should be doing to better prepare ourselves in terms of risk mitigation? MP: I have, a number of times, referred racetracks to the engineering firm GRW Engineering, here in Lexington, [to help with their] drainage plans. This is not a cool thing to do with your capital. But drainage plans for facilities are absolutely critical at this point. The poster child for this is what NYRA has done at Belmont. The ability to store water and manage water on that site is going to be second to none. Obviously, most tracks do not have the resources to build out the way the new Belmont facility is being built out. But having an overall drainage plan in place, and every time you rebuild a barn, every time you regrade a horse path, if you've got a master plan to work from, you can help better manage the water on the facility. In other locations, we see these longer, deeper droughts. It's going to be more and more difficult to water the track. So, whatever can be done to manage the water, to retain it, reduce evaporation, is going to be critical as well. It's a long-term challenge that certainly applies to both turf and dirt, and to a lesser extent the synthetic surfaces. Most of the synthetic tracks have a drainage system that's sufficiently oversized that they should be able to handle what's coming. TDN: You mentioned earlier a couple other tracks with an uptick in fatal injuries. There have been five musculoskeletal training and racing related injuries at Saratoga during what has been a typically rainy summer. You've mentioned in the past how tough it is to maintain a track's consistency after opening it up after rain. Is that a factor this time? MP: Here's where having the daily data is fantastic. We have a weekly meeting and we look at it all with the daily data, meaning we're going to be able to look at the time stamps and understand what's happening, [including] when these events occur relative to the rain events. Given that [fatalities are often] multifactorial, as a part of the analysis of the risk to the horse, we're going to be looking at time off, work times, number of fast works, number of races, and how recently it rained. If human medicine had access to the data that's soon going to be available to HISA, it would be just an amazing thing for public health. We don't have this sort of data for the human population, and we probably never will because of privacy issues. It's going take a data scientist to get through these postmortem examinations, which is what HISA is doing at this point with some of their work with Palantir and some of their internal modeling, working with epidemiologists. It is very, very exciting both from a protecting the horse standpoint, but also from a basic public health data standpoint. The post Mick Peterson Q&A: Thistledown, HISA Compliance And Climate Change appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Haras de Beaufay manager Sebastien Bloyet is next in the hot seat. Bloyet joined the famous stud farm a little under a year ago and says he is looking forward to offering a St Mark's Basilica colt [lot 13] at the Arqana August Sale this week. He shares all in TDN Europe's latest consignor Q&A ahead of the three-day sale which begins on Saturday in Deauville. Can you tell us a little bit about the background of your consignment? I took over my role at the Haras de Beaufay in November, 2024, after spending two years in Ireland at Ballyphilip Stud. I have worked at Thoroughbred farms for over 16 years, including at the Haras de Grandcamp, the Haras de Montaigu, and at Bouquetot, where I was the yearling manager. Haras de Beaufay has already consigned horses at the August sale. Last year, they sold the half-sister to Rashabar by Acclamation for €600,000 to Carlos and Yann Lerner. The facilities are ideal for preparing horses. We are thrilled to participate in the August Sale. Our yearlings have the right criteria for this sale. What young sires are you most looking forward to seeing the progeny [yearlings or foals] of this season? My attention will be on the yearlings by Baaeed and Blackbeard, in particular, the latter, because we have a beautiful foal who is destined for the sales next year. Baaeed was an excellent racehorse. His wins were impressive, so I'm interested in him and hoping for the ability to have the chance to be able to use him for one of our mares. Blackbeard showed precocity and a speed on the track that was eye-catching. In your experience, what type of horse does particularly well at the August Sale? One thing that is certain is that they'll need a very good pedigree. A yearling with a certain physical maturity, since the sale is early, and in a perfect world, a very good walker. What are you expecting from the market this year? We are all hopeful, but the top always will sell well. Now, we have to wait to see if the American buyers will be put off because the tariffs have increased. What is your best memory on the sale ground at Arqana? The best moment for me was a pinhooking success with a group of friends who were new to the business and that created an unforgettable buzz. We had found a foal at the Arqana December sale and brought it to the October Arqana sale. Sharing moments between buying and reselling is exciting and they all appreciated it. And when you do get that all-important result in the sales ring, how do you like to celebrate? For me, personally, it's with the people who participated in the adventure. And, at Haras de Beaufay, it's with the team who does such important work at the heart of the farm. And who would be your guests? My friends and the TDN! If you weren't involved in bloodstock, what career path would you have taken? I love the land. It would have probably been in cattle breeding. Tell us something that people don't know about you? I sang in a choir when I was young and I still get royalties. Do you have any superstitions or good-luck charms? My good-luck charm was just born two weeks ago. It's a little female dog that I'm going to go pick up in Ireland. One thing you cannot live without during sale season? Sales catalogues. I spend my time reading them, doing research to learn as much as possible about maternal bloodlines and crosses. Best piece of advice you ever received? The first job of a breeder is observation. And that works for everyone. Your one wish for the upcoming yearling sales? I hope that all the yearlings that we will present end up in good homes. It's very important for their future, but also for ours. The post Arqana Vendors In The Spotlight: Q&A With Haras de Beaufay appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Former Kiwi galloper Saltcoats (NZ) (Ardrossan) was a runaway winner of the rescheduled Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) on the Kensington track in Sydney on Wednesday. The Chris Waller-trained son of Ardrossan had been second emergency for the event which was originally scheduled for the washed-out Randwick meeting last Saturday. Under a ground-saving Zac Lloyd ride, Saltcoats took full advantage of the rescheduled contest when primed third-up. “It was a very tidy win,” stable representative Darren Beadman said. “He has got a bit of class about him and drawn the soft gate (1), he was a little bit gassy early, but had an economical run and got all favours in the home straight. He got on the right part of the track and it was a good solid win. “His two runs this preparation conditioned him up nicely and with these wet tracks around it was nice to be able to get a run into the horse given he will be getting over a bit of ground.” Saltcoats began his career in the Cambridge stable of Samantha Logan, where his three New Zealand starts produced a win in the Listed Auckland Futurity Stakes (1400m) and a placing in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1200m). He was subsequently sold to a syndicate headed by prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir, with breeder Lib Petagna retaining a share of the ownership and the consistent five-year-old has now notched four wins and a further eight placings as he advanced his career earnings to A$431,290. Winning rider Zac Lloyd was grateful to contest the A$160,000 contest on a Wednesday. “It was pretty easy. He put the writing on the wall last start where he ran really well,” Lloyd said. “Today was the perfect race. On Saturday morning I was filthy at home because I thought it was the perfect race for him and fortunately it got moved to today and he was able to show what he had.” Lloyd said that although Saltcoats has now won twice on wet tracks, it was a case of getting through it better than some rivals rather than being a mudlark. “He has got a lovely action, so you wouldn’t think he would appreciate a wet track, but he’s a Kiwi so he has that advantage on his side,” he said. “He is just a lovely horse and a pleasure to ride.” Saltcoats has now gained a berth in the Gr. 3 Premier’s Cup (2000m), which will be contested at Randwick on Saturday week. By Waikato Stud’s highly-promising young sire Ardrossan, Saltcoats is out of the lightly raced Savabeel mare Savanite, a half-sister to the Gr.2 Waikato Gold Cup (2400m) winner Singing Star, who in turn is the dam of Group Three winner Miss Selby. View the full article

Former Kiwi galloper Saltcoats (NZ) (Ardrossan) was a runaway winner of the rescheduled Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) on the Kensington track in Sydney on Wednesday. The Chris Waller-trained son of Ardrossan had been second emergency for the event which was originally scheduled for the washed-out Randwick meeting last Saturday. Under a ground-saving Zac Lloyd ride, Saltcoats took full advantage of the rescheduled contest when primed third-up. “It was a very tidy win,” stable representative Darren Beadman said. “He has got a bit of class about him and drawn the soft gate (1), he was a little bit gassy early, but had an economical run and got all favours in the home straight. He got on the right part of the track and it was a good solid win. “His two runs this preparation conditioned him up nicely and with these wet tracks around it was nice to be able to get a run into the horse given he will be getting over a bit of ground.” Saltcoats began his career in the Cambridge stable of Samantha Logan, where his three New Zealand starts produced a win in the Listed Auckland Futurity Stakes (1400m) and a placing in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1200m). He was subsequently sold to a syndicate headed by prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir, with breeder Lib Petagna retaining a share of the ownership and the consistent five-year-old has now notched four wins and a further eight placings as he advanced his career earnings to A$431,290. Winning rider Zac Lloyd was grateful to contest the A$160,000 contest on a Wednesday. “It was pretty easy. He put the writing on the wall last start where he ran really well,” Lloyd said. “Today was the perfect race. On Saturday morning I was filthy at home because I thought it was the perfect race for him and fortunately it got moved to today and he was able to show what he had.” Lloyd said that although Saltcoats has now won twice on wet tracks, it was a case of getting through it better than some rivals rather than being a mudlark. “He has got a lovely action, so you wouldn’t think he would appreciate a wet track, but he’s a Kiwi so he has that advantage on his side,” he said. “He is just a lovely horse and a pleasure to ride.” Saltcoats has now gained a berth in the Gr. 3 Premier’s Cup (2000m), which will be contested at Randwick on Saturday week. By Waikato Stud’s highly-promising young sire Ardrossan, Saltcoats is out of the lightly raced Savabeel mare Savanite, a half-sister to the Gr.2 Waikato Gold Cup (2400m) winner Singing Star, who in turn is the dam of Group Three winner Miss Selby. View the full article

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What Bendigo Races Where Bendigo Jockey Club – Heinz St, White Hills VIC 3550 When Thursday, August 14, 2025 First Race 1pm AEST Visit Dabble Racing in Victoria heads to Bendigo on Thursday afternoon with a competitive eight-race meeting set down for decision. With clear skies forecast in the leadup to the meeting, the Soft 5 track rating at the time of acceptances should become a Good 4 by race one on Thursday. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, with action commencing at 1pm AEST. Best Bet at Bendigo: Leaving Las Vegas Phillip Stokes has been patient with Leaving Las Vegas, and this looks the right race to finally cash in. He’s been a model of consistency with five seconds from six starts, and he arrives off a pair of narrow defeats at Geelong and Sandown where the figures stacked up for country maiden grade. Visors go on and he draws to stalk the speed, with Lachie Neindorf able to hold a spot and use the sweeping bend at Bendigo to build momentum from the 600m. If he sees out the mile as expected, this is his race to lose. Best Bet Race 4 – #2 Leaving Las Vegas (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Phillip Stokes | J: Lachlan Neindorf (59.5kg) Next Best at Bendigo: Espana Espana showed real ability in two winter runs, closing for third in a $150k 2YO sprint at Sandown before a brave second at Flemington behind the sharp Miss Ole. She resumes against her own sex, draws barrier two, and maps to park right behind the leaders over 1100m. The Soft 5 shouldn’t worry her given both starts were on affected going, and Beau Mertens knows her from the trials. Next Best Race 1 – #3 Espana (2) 3yo Filly | T: Lloyd Kennewell | J: Jamie Melham (57kg) Best Value at Bendigo: Ti Tree Lad The final event looks like a deep BM64, but Ti Tree Lad is the each-way play at a $10 quote with horse racing bookmakers from a soft map. He’s been ticking over nicely this prep and now lands barrier two with John Allen sticking. His Bendigo runs read well for this grade, and he’s a better horse with one run under the belt into the prep’s middle stages. With many rivals resuming or drawn awkwardly, the price should hold, and Ti Tree Lad profiles like a horse ready to peak third-up. Best Value Race 8 – #11 Ti Tree Lad (2) 6yo Gelding | T: Mitchell Freedman | J: John Allen (58kg) Thursday quaddie tips for Bendigo Bendigo quadrella selections Thursday, August 14, 2025 2-3-4-9 1-5-6-8-9 1-3-4-10-11 1-2-6-8-10-11-14 Horse racing tips View the full article

By Michael Guerin New Zealand racing and sports punters will get the opportunity to win more off the TAB and Betcha under rule changes coming into play on Thursday. The TAB and its new brand Betcha will boost the limits on what punters will be guaranteed to be allowed to win, providing more clarity for its most successful customers. Bookmakers around the world restrict their more successful punters to how much than can bet to win on fixed odds markets otherwise risk being cleaned out by professional or smart punters and those using complex computer programmes. To balance that some racing jurisdictions have what are called Minimum Bet Laws (MBL), meaning the standardized minimum amount punters have to be allowed to win on most races or sporting events. In some betting jurisdictions these are written into law or agreed upon with the racing and/or sporting bodies to ensure punters are given a fair go but in New Zealand the TAB has got out in front of that by setting their own MBLs. They only affect a very small percentage of punters because the vast majority of racing and/or sports bets placed here are for $50 or less, which should be automatically accepted without needing any vetting. But as sports betting increases its percentage of total New Zealand betting turnover and the market matures here, some punters could become more inclined to have bets trying to win upwards on $1000 on major sporting events. The TAB have moved to increase the MBL to mean over 99 per cent of bets placed should be automatically approved. For racing punters the minimum limits a punter should be able to win on a Saturday thoroughbred or Friday night harness racing meeting will be boosted from $2000 to $5000 for fixed odds win bets. That means a punter wanting to back a horse paying $2 to win on the fixed odds market in a New Zealand gallops race or Friday night harness race will be able to have at least $5000 on it. Or at least $1000 on a $6 chance, as the limits are on the minimum that punters have to be allowed to win on the bet, with both of those bets having a $5000 profit. Very few punters would, or ever should, approach those limits and increasing limits is by no means being marketed by the TAB as an incentive for punters to bet more. But it will provide certainty around what punters who do bet at that top level on what they will be allowed to attempt to win. For some that will ease frustrations and also ensure most punters stay betting in New Zealand rather than being lured to sometimes illegal overseas bookmakers, although that is not seen as a major issue in New Zealand yet. Punters who are not in any way restricted may be allowed to bet more but punters in New Zealand who bet to win more than $5000 on any horse race are a tiny minority. The MBLs for New Zealand thoroughbred and harness racing on other days of the week will stay at $2000, with those meetings having less overall turnover. The MBLs for Australian metropolitan thoroughbred meetings will increase to $2000, other Australian gallops at $1000, the same limit for all Australian harness races. Australian greyhound races will have a MBL of $500 on fixed odd win bets. The MBLs do not apply to place betting but it’s understood in most cases punters will be allowed to win a minimum of $1000 on most New Zealand horse racing place bets. The $2000 MBL will now also apply to Futures win bets on New Zealand thoroughbreds and harness racing. Crucially, while those MBLs will be available to all punters they will only be for bets placed on TAB accounts, with those limits not applying to the newer second brand Betcha. For sports punters the MBLs will be to win at least $1,000 on named major markets in 12 sports, and the key fixtures/tournaments in those sports placed with TAB accounts. Betcha’s MBLs for sport will align with those available on the TAB sites but rather than being known as Punters Promise it will be branded as the Betcha Guarantee, for the same $1,000 amount for named major markets in 11 sports on those key fixtures/tournaments. The limits won’t apply to obscure sports, which are often only bet on as a novelties by New Zealand punters. Horse and dog racing will not be part of the Betcha Guarantee. The new MBLs, particularly the $5000 ones for NZ gallops on Saturdays and Friday night harness will be world-leading. They come just weeks after the TAB and its business partner Entain, who operate the betting business, were granted a virtual monopoly on racing and sports betting in New Zealand via a new law banning overseas bookmakers from accepting bets from New Zealand-based punters. So there is an obvious element of the Entain bosses recognising they are in a privileged position. The new limits appear to have been “soft launched” over recent days but officially start on Thursday. View the full article

A stakes test is looming for exciting three-year-old Churmatt following his debut win at Rotorua on Wednesday. The son of Churchill had shown plenty of ability at the trials, including winning his 850m heat at Te Awamutu last month, and was backed into equal favouritism for the Seeka Select Excellence 1230 at Arawa Park. Under jockey Michael McNab, he jumped well from his ace barrier and was able to maintain his advantage on the fence. Co-favourite Marzenie sat outside him, ensuring an honest tempo throughout. Upon entering the straight, Churmatt was asked to quicken by McNab and responded quickly, kicking clear of his rivals by a couple of lengths, and he grew that advantage, eventually running out a three-length victor over stablemate Swiss Prince. He proved to be a difficult ride for McNab, racing greenly throughout, but the Waikato hoop believes he has a bright future instore. “It is his first time to the races, and he was very green today, but has got good ability,” McNab said. Marsh was hopeful of a bold showing, and he was pleased with the winning result. “He was good and sharp and that is what we were hoping would happen,” Marsh said. “He has kicked away really well, he has won super, and he did it very nice.” Following the victory, Marsh was quick to praise the gelding’s former trainer. “He started off with Mark Forbes, he trialled up and had a win at Ellerslie,” he said. “We were lucky enough that Raptors Thoroughbreds (owners) gave him to us and we gave him two trials, and he has won very well today. “He came with a good grounding, was beautifully educated and had a good rap on him. Mark and his team did a great job, and we have been lucky enough to get a good result.” Marsh has now turned his attention to stakes targets for the gelding and has identified the Listed Wanganui Guineas (1200m) in a fortnight as a potential option. “I think a horse like him can head down to the Wanganui Guineas, he looks like that sort of horse,” Marsh said. “He is a good speed horse and he is going to take so much ability out of it.” Marsh said he has also got a high opinion of runner-up Swiss Prince. “I like that second horse too, he will be better off over 1400m,” he said. “He is still learning his trade but is a very nice horse and was good late.” Meanwhile, Marsh was pleased with stablemate Ardalio’s trial at Te Rapa last Saturday, where she finished runner-up behind Alabama Lass in her 1050m heat. The four-year-old daughter of Ardrossan had a prosperous three-year-old term, winning three and finishing runner-up in one of her six starts, including victories in the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) and Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). A light spring preparation is instore for the mare before being set for a tilt at the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) at Ellerslie next year. “She is coming up really well,” Marsh said. “We have said we are not going to give her a huge spring. She has just gone out for a week in the paddock, and she will then trial at Ellerslie on the 9th (of September) and then we will probably kick her off on the middle day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival, which is at Te Rapa now. “Then she might come here (Rotorua) for that weight-for-age 1200m (Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes on October 12) and then go out. We would really like to give her a real solid crack at the Railway.” View the full article

The 2025/26 racing season marked the beginning of a new era for nonagenarian trainer Leonard Stewart as his granddaughter Lacy Stewart joins him in partnership. Based out of the Phar Lap Raceway, Stewart has had the assistance of Lacy for a number of years, and it was only a matter of time before her name was in the racebook alongside his. “She’s been helping me for the last few years, so it was well overdue to happen,” Stewart said. “We get on pretty well, we see eye-to-eye and there’s never been any arguments. It’s quite special training with family, she loves the horses and does a good job with them.” Throughout their lives, horses have kept the pair closely connected, and Stewart recalled thoroughbreds always being the preferred choice for his granddaughter. “It all started when she was about four or five, and she was wandering around while I was drying a horse off,” Stewart said. “I said to her, ‘Lacy, I must get you a pony’, and if there was a prize for the biggest pout, she would’ve won it by a length. The foot stamped and she said ‘I don’t want pony, I want racehorse’. “Later on, when she went to university, she took one that wasn’t fast enough to be a racehorse up to ride around the roads around Christchurch, so she’s always been involved in the horses. “She’s got a good eye for a horse as well.” The Stewarts presented just a handful of runners during National Week at the beginning of the month, but they will have a strong representation at Oamaru on Friday, with 10 horses accepting into the meeting. Leading their charge is last-start winning mare Satin Doll, who will aim to repeat her most recent effort at the venue when contesting the Oamaru Scaffolding (1200m). “She’s come through that race well, she’s a nuggety little horse that does what she has too,” Stewart said. “She eats, sleeps and works. “Gosen (Jogoo, jockey) rode her very well to win, but it was also a very good effort from the horse. We have worked her along quietly and she’s fairly well.” Tranquil Eyes filled the quinella behind Satin Doll in that race and comes into the Bernard Francis Potts and Associates (1200m) in search of an elusive maiden success. Their stablemate Queen Of Kings enters the One Smart Coffee (1600m) with a similar profile, and Stewart is looking forward to seeing their progression in the new term. “Like Queen Of Kings, she (Tranquil Eyes) will be much stronger and more mature this spring,” he said. “At the moment, she’s just doing it on ability and goes out and does her best. “They’re going well, but you never know what you’re going to strike in a maiden field.” Peachy Keen will resume off a decent spell in the Kelvin Tyler Racing (1400m), with the benefit of the minimum of 54kg under Jogoo. “He’s coming up very well, he’s been working well and he won’t mind the track on Friday,” Stewart said. “In saying that, since they put the drain in at Oamaru, it’s made a big difference to that track. “I think it’ll be a nice surface with that drainage, Oamaru are a very progressive club and do a great job.” In the same event, newcomer Flying Dubawi will take his place, aiming to overcome recent barrier woes that have hindered his chances. The six-year-old won two races in a 30-start career in Australia and has been with the Stewarts for just under two months. “He has had a few shifts around, but he’s won a couple in Australia, so he’d have to have a bit of ability,” Stewart said. “He’s a big strong horse, he’s just got little issues that we’re trying to iron out. We put him through the gates and gave him a bit of interval training, and he reacted well, but at Riccarton last Saturday, he was moving back and lost a couple of lengths at the start. “Through no fault of the rider, he covered quite a bit of ground, so I think there is potential there.” View the full article

The Lindsay Park stable will be shooting for a fourth straight win in the P B Lawrence Stakes when they saddle two runners at Caulfield. Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) won the Group 2 race over 1400m in consecutive years before Gentleman Roy (So You Think) completed the treble for the stable last year. Ben, Will and J D Hayes will this year be represented by Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking) and Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto) who will be entering the contest first-up having performed solidly in jump-outs. Evaporate will be having his first start as a four-year-old having competed strongly in three-year-old company last season. He finished third in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas, ran in the Group 1 Cox Plate against the older horses last spring, while in the autumn he finished fourth against the older horses again at Group 1 level, travelled to New Zealand and then back to Sydney to win the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes at Randwick to wind up his three-year-old year. Ben Hayes said Evaporate had developed further following his break and is eagerly awaiting his return to racing on Saturday. “His trials have been excellent, he’s come through his trials really well and he’s a horse I think that is going to be in for a very good campaign,” Hayes said. “He’s already raced at weight-for-age at a very high level. Usually when they step from three to four they haven’t done it, but he has already. “He’s run in a Cox Plate, he’s run at weight-for-age against some of the best horses in Australia. “He’s already made that step up and I think he will be able to do it again.” Hayes said Evaporate could prove a bit of a handful for his riders last campaign, but being a year older and more seasoned now was beginning settle more in his work. “He’s just starting to relax and we think that will be the key with him,” Hayes said. Here To Shock has also pleased the Hayes boys with a couple of jump-outs since he last raced when second at Group 1 level at Randwick in March. This time last year, Here To Shock was about to kick-off a spring, summer and autumn campaign that saw him finish out of the top two placings on one occasion from seven starts. “We could not be happier with the way he is going,” Hayes said. “He was trialling against some very smart sprinters in Baraqiel (Snitzel) and Arabian Summer (Too Darn Hot) last time and he showed he is right on track. “He has to kick off there because he won $2 million last preparation and his rating doesn’t allow him to take any easier options. “It will be good to see how he measures up against some of the better horses.” A field of 11 is set to tackle the early spring race with Here To Shock drawn the extreme outside gate for Daniel Stackhouse with Evaporate in barrier 3 for Blake Shinn. View the full article

Tavis Court (NZ) (Tavistock) looks to have found his niche in small fields, and trainer Anna Clement has found him another intimate contest on Saturday. The 10-year-old gelding had just three other rivals when winning over 1200m at Hawera two starts back before finishing runner-up against five competitors over 1100m at Otaki a fortnight ago. He will face four opponents in the Paslode Open (1400m) at New Plymouth on Saturday, including local Group One winner Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed), who has been lumbered with a 66kg impost. Tavis Court has 11 victories to his credit, but will carry just 54kg this weekend, and Clement said she couldn’t be any happier with her charge ahead of Saturday. “He has been going really well, I am really happy with him,” she said. “He hasn’t missed a beat, he has licked the bowl clean every night and he’s galloped well. He seems to like the New Plymouth track as well.” Tavis Court will jump from barrier three on Saturday and Clement is hoping he can get a soft run from that draw. “We’ll see how he jumps and hopefully he can sit behind Chajaba (NZ) (Keano) because he will probably go to the front, and hopefully the rider can make him run home like he has been,” she said. Stablemate Wheelitin (NZ) (Wheelitin) heads into the meeting in winning form, having won over a mile at Hawera last Sunday, bouncing back from a last-placed performance at Otaki last month. “We found out she had a couple of niggly problems in her last two starts, so we have rectified those and she came out and won, so we must have done the right thing,” Clement said. Clement has been pleased with the way she has come through her weekend victory and expects the daughter of Ekraar to be competitive in the Makita Open 1800m on Saturday. “She has worked on well since her win and is eating well,” she said. Clement’s representation at the meeting will be rounded out by last-start placegetter Cocktail Lad (NZ) (Belardo) in the James Hardie R65 2000m. The seven-year-old son of Belardo has mixed his form over winter, and Clement is hoping he can break that sequence this weekend when he teams up once again with apprentice jockey Jim Chung. “He has been a little bit disappointing,” Clement said. “He is a bit of a quirky horse to ride. He will either like you or he doesn’t, and he has decided that he likes Jimmy Chung, so we will put him on again and see what happens.” View the full article

The multiple Group 2 winner Diego Velazquez is set to take up stallion duties at the National Stud in 2026, following his purchase by Sam Sangster Bloodstock on behalf of a syndicate. The son of Frankel will continue his racing career in the care of trainer Aidan O'Brien but will run in the renowned Sangster silks for the remainder of the 2025 season. Last seen winning the G2 Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh, Diego Velazquez is set to make his next appearance in Sunday's G1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville, with further international Group 1 opportunities on the radar in the autumn. “He is a horse that requires little imagination; he is the stamp of his father and a top-class racehorse to boot,” said Sangster. “He is a multiple Group winner who has mixed it in the best company for three seasons and was Classic-placed, which gives him a rare depth of form and longevity. “The Jacques le Marois is the immediate target, and from there, we have several exciting Group 1 races to consider. With the strength of the ownership group and the National Stud behind him, this horse has every chance of becoming a major success both on the track and at stud.” Bred by Epona Bloodstock Ltd, Diego Velazquez is the last foal out of the Listed National Stakes winner and GIII Appalachian Stakes runner-up Sweepstake (Acclamation), who has produced two other classy types for Ballydoyle. They are headed by the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud hero Broome (Australia), while the multiple Group 2 winner Point Lonsdale (Australia) was also placed at the top level on three occasions. Sweepstake hails from the family of the G1 Phoenix Stakes-winning sire Zoffany and countless other Group winners, including Frankel's G1 Irish Derby runner-up Rostropovich and the G1 Metropolitan winner Land Legend by Frankel's sire Galileo. Diego Velazquez himself was bought by MV Magnier and White Birch Farm for 2,400,000gns at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. He is the winner of five of his 10 career starts to date, with his first major success coming in the G2 Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown. Last year he also won the G2 Solonoway Stakes and G3 Meld Stakes at the same venue, having previously finished a close-up fourth in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains. “We are confident that he will be very well received by European breeders,” Sangster added. “We've been on the hunt for a horse like this for some time and I'd like to thank the team at Coolmore for giving us the opportunity to get involved with a colt of his calibre.” Concluded Sangster, “I'm excited about the horse, and hope we run a big one on Sunday. In Aidan, we trust.” The post Diego Velazquez to Stand at The National Stud in 2026 after Sam Sangster Bloodstock Purchase appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Highly regarded colt Geneva has passed every test with flying colours and is in the right order to continue that trend at Ruakaka. An impressive winner on debut, he has again made all the right moves ahead of his first black type test in Saturday’s Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). “He’s just ticked all the boxes and done everything we’ve asked of him every step along the way, he hasn’t ever been under a ride yet so it’s all in front of him,” trainer Kylie Hoskin said. “He’s such a kind horse and we kept him a colt because he was so quiet and I was worried that if we gelded him, he might turn into a kid’s pony.” Bred and raced by Jomara Bloodstock, Geneva won two trials before he scored at the first time of asking at Te Rapa in May. The son of Time Test was then given time off and has since had two further trials, winning the last of them at Taupo under race day rider Michael McNab to emphasise his readiness for Ruakaka. “He’s ready to rock and roll and has done everything right, his trial at Taupo was very good so we’re all looking forward to Saturday,” Hoskin said. “All going well, he’ll go to the three-year-old race on the first day at Ellerslie, he has trialled well there before.” The Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) on September 6 is the race in question, with the Gr.2 Timespan Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Te Rapa three weeks later also on his program. “We’ll reassess things after that to see where he goes next,” Hoskin said. Stablemate Reinstatement will accompany Geneva to Ruakaka for the Harcourts Just Rentals (1600m) in a bid to continue her run of form on the course. The Wrote mare won there two runs back and followed up with a solid last-start third. “She was going to go to Ruakaka two weeks ago but had an abscess, she’s all clear now and ready to go,” Hoskin said. “She only came to me this year and she’s been very consistent, although she’s a bit of a nerve- wracking watch as she gets back and then comes at them late. “She tries really hard every time and Wiremu (Pinn) will be riding her on Saturday. “He rode her at Ellerslie one time and gets on well with her, she has a lightweight (54kg) so should be competitive again.” Hoskin also has two strong chances at Taupo on Sunday with Fun Never Sets to resume in The Oaks Stud (1200m) and the consistent With Grace in the Noverre @ Waikato Stud (1800m). “Fun Never Sets trialled really well at Taupo a couple of weeks back, so we’ve elected to take her back, her trial was very good and so has her work since,” she said. “I think she’ll be competitive and Sam Collett will be riding her.” With Grace is overdue a major reward after placing in six of her last seven appearances. “She has been a frustrating horse in that she doesn’t seem to want to break her maiden status, but she’s always right in it and Michael McNab thinks he can fix that,” Hoskin said. View the full article

Check out the great racing offers available from horse racing bookmakers on Wednesday, August 13. Enjoy bonus back deals and other promotions to boost your betting experience. Explore these specials from top online bookmakers and get more value from your bets. Top Australian racing promotions for August 13, 2025, include: Today’s horse racing promotions Randwick R1-4 | Run 2nd or 3rd Bet Back up to $50 Activate your Bet Back Tool in your Betslip on Races 1-4 at Randwick this Wednesday and if your runner comes 2nd or 3rd, get up $50 back as Bonus Cash. Bet Back Tool is only available to use on the day of race, on Fixed Win bets, and on races with 5 or more runners. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Sandown All Races | Same Race Multi 3+ Leg Bonus Back up to $50 if 1 leg fails Place a 3+ leg Same Race Multi bet on any race at Sandown this Wednesday and if 1 leg of your multi fails, get up to $50 back in Bonus Cash. Available from approximately 8:30am local track time on race day. Neds T&C’s Apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo 10% Winnings Boost! – Eagle Farm Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. Fixed win only. First eligible bet per race. Must apply Promotion in bet slip. Cash bet only. Max Bonus $250. Eligible customers only Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Eligible Customers Only. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Randwick & Sandown R1-3 | Wednesday Bonus Back 2nd or 3rd Available from 12:00AM AEST. Auto-applied in Bet Slip. Promotional limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed odds only. Check your vault for eligibility. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo Copycash – Get Copied. Get Paid. Get paid $0.10 every time someone uses Copy Bet to copy your bets. Eligible Customers Only. Login to Dabble to Claim Promo 25% Winnings Boost! – Sandown-Lakeside Get 25% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. Fixed win only. First eligible bet per race. Must apply Promotion in bet slip. Cash bet only. Max Bonus $250. Eligible customers only Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Bet Boost | Wednesday Thoroughbred Meetings Get a bet boost on thoroughbred races around Australia on Wednesday. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Daily Multi Insurance Any Race. Any Runner. Any Odds. Get a Bonus Back if your Multi loses by a specified number of legs. Fixed odds only. Check your Vault for eligibility. Check your vault for eligibility. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% winnings in cash Max Payout $2000. Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds win bets on Australian thoroughbred races only. Excludes boosted, multi, live and bonus bets. PlayUp T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector | If Your Horse Drifts, You Get The Bigger Price Only available on Australian Horse Racing Fixed Price Win bets placed from 8am AET the day of the race. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au find these racing offers? HorseBetting.com.au reviews Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers to share the best thoroughbred promotions for August 13, 2025. Bookmakers are always competing, so if one doesn’t have a deal, another usually does. Rely on HorseBetting.com.au for daily racing bonuses and betting specials. Get better value with competitive odds and offers for existing customers. Just log in to your betting account to see what’s available. For extra help picking winners and using your bonuses wisely, check out our daily free racing tips. View all horse racing promotions View the full article

Porter on PedigreesView the full article

Multiple grade 1 winner Imperial Hint, who set a track record for six furlongs at Saratoga Race Course that still stands today, was euthanized following a lengthy struggle with laminitis, according to Clear Creek Stud in Louisiana where he stood.View the full article

5. DEEP LEARNING, SAR, 8/8, 1 1/16m (turf) 'TDN RISING STAR' (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-84 (f, 2, by Cairo Prince–Dovima, by Union Rags) O-Klaravich Stables. B-Tony Dardis, Dell Ridge Farm, Ken Donworth and Desmond Ryan (Ky). T-Chad Brown. J-Flavien Prat. Deep Learning's debut generated the highest Beyer so far this year among 2-year-old turf fillies, and stacks up well with some of Brown's past stars. Five of his six GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winners also launched their careers in Saratoga 1 1/16-mile turf maiden races–and her 84 Beyer tops them all (Brown's other winner, Rushing Fall, debuted in mid-September at Belmont with an 85). The next time we see her, Deep Learning will likely be solidly favored in stakes company. Oddly enough, her half-sister Sunset Beauty broke her maiden impressively at Ellis Park in a $30k claimer–only 28 minutes after Deep Learning's victory last Friday. 4. OPERATION SUNRISE, ELP, 8/9, 5 1/2 furlongs (turf) Beyer Speed Figure- 86 (c, 3, by War Front–Shuruq, by Elusive Quality) O/B-Godolphin (Ky). T-Bill Mott. J-Jaime Torres. Godolphin's second-time starter was 9-2 in the program based on his lackluster run back in April, but 8-5 when betting was done. As the old saying goes, somebody knew something–and they were right. Winning by 7 3/4 lengths in a turf sprint is an accomplishment, and he's a half-brother to two graded-stakes turf females who had no problems carrying their speed around two turns. 3. GOLDEN TORNADO, SAR, 8/9, 6 furlongs 'TDN RISING STAR' (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 86 (c, 2, by McKinzie–Ruby Trust, by Smart Strike) O-Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Gainesway Stable and Legendary Thoroughbreds. B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds (Ky). T-Danny Gargan. J-Joel Rosario. His 3-year-old half-brother Verifire (Authentic) has started his career on a 3-for-3 tear for Resolute Racing and Brad Cox, and Golden Tornado looked good, too, to nail down this week's top spot. Sent away the 7-2 third choice, he stalked front-running 7-5 favorite Oscar's Hope and kicked clear in the final furlong. Last month Gargan also unveiled debut winner Iron Orchard, who looks like one of the better NY-bred 2-year-old fillies we've seen thus far. 2. CARMEL COAST, SAR, 8/10, 6 1/2 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 86 (f, 2, by Omaha Beach-Carmel Beauty, by Arch) O-Legion Racing, MHM Stables, Ed Stefanski and William Conlin. B-Hunter Valley Farm (Ky). T-Whit Beckman. J-Kendrick Carmouche. Carmel Coast's 86 Beyer is the second-fastest thus far at Saratoga for a 2-year-old filly, behind only the unbeaten Mythical's 93 in the Tremont on Belmont weekend. She zipped strongly to the front at first asking to cruise by 5 1/2, and Pletcher-trained runner-up Lovely Christina finished 10 1/2 lengths ahead of the others–a sign of a strong race. Carmel Coast's dam is a full-sister to a Grade I stakes winner, but she was 0-for-7 on the track, her previous offspring couldn't run much, and she was sold last November for only $15k. However, this one can run. 1. WORTHY CHARGE, SAR, 8/10, 1 mile, (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 90 (c, 3, by Liam's Map-Queen Bee to You, by Old Topper) O-St. Elias Stable. B-Christopher St Hilaire and Adam Vali (Ky). T-Chad Brown. J-Flavien Prat. Worthy Charge touted himself in his July 4 debut by finishing a solid second with an 84 Beyer despite an awkward start, and here powerfully ran away from Godolphin's perpetually unlucky maiden Chillax. His California-bred dam finished her career with three straight 86 Beyer stakes wins, the last two against open company in the GIII Bayakoa and La Canada. At least in the speed figure department, Worthy Charge has already surpassed her. The post Fastest Maidens, Presented by Taylor Made, for August 5-11 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of Aug. 4-10View the full article