Wandering Eyes

By Michael Guerin Trainer Cran Dalgety is worried about a host of tricky starting points for his team at Addington tonight. So he warns punters even though most of those he and wife Chrissie take to headquarters tonight are good enough to win they should be treated with caution. “We have copped a lot of bad draws and even have Casino Action (R4, No.11) having his first standing start, so we could have a few starting issues tonight,” says the in-form trainer. Team Dalgety begin their night with two of their more promising pacers on Ohoka Le Bron and Franco Sinatra in a strong R54-70 in which they are drawn the outside two marbles on the front line. “They are both really smart horse who we like a lot,” confirms Dalgety. “But they both obviously have bigger targets ahead so I think they won’t be rushing forward early. “That doesn’t mean they can’t win but it makes it harder. “Ohoka Le Bron is being aimed at a support race on Cup Day when some of his owners will be in town. “And Franco Sinatra is a really good stayer with a good horse’s record but he is drawn even wider so he will also go back and be better for the outing.” That would appear to give the well-drawn favourite Sinbad his chance to take a handy spot and be the one to beat after he got back and wide in the red-hot Flying Stakes last week. Casino Action has been racing some smart young horses lately but steps into handicap grade against horses he can beat if he behaves. But that is a big if. “It took him three trials to get his standing start ticket and he is still very much learning it. And he has barrier 1 on the 10m so he is a risk. “But if we get him going from a stand he has a whole range of new options like some of the coutry cup races so we have to start somwhere.” Defy Me (R8, No.10) is a handy three-year-old who also faces a barrier concern but one Dalgety hopes turns into an advantage. “He is drawn 1 on the second line and if I thought he was going to get the right run I’d give him a great chance. “The horse he follows out led early and rolled last start so the draw could work out ok.” The stable will debut Carving Up (R11, No.6) tonight and Dalgety thinks he is in the right race but still with plenty of improvement in him. The start will also be crucial in two of tonight’s biggest races, with the main handicap pace bringing together Cup contenders like Smiffy’s Terror against a highly-promising southern pacer in Street Art. The latter looks very a cracker for trainer Craig Ferguson and has won from a start will show punters whether he can take the next step tonight. The two-year-old trotters clash in Race 7 minus last week’s stunning winner Paramount Kiwi and manners will be the key after horses like Look To Da Stars and Bounce N Beyond cost themselves galloping in the Harness Million last Friday. An interesting newcomer is A Fine Patrick, the first son of wonderful mare Harriet Of Mot, with John Dunn opting to drive him rather than Bounce N Beyond. A Fine Patrick has had five trials including three this prep and opened the $2.50 favourite in a juvenile trot race with some real depth. View the full article

A bumper and capacity field will contest the Caulfield Cup worth $5 million, and there has is no shortage of storylines surrounding this year’s 2400-metre handicap. View the full article

The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS) Ontario Mixed Sale, held Oct. 18 at the Woodbine Sales Pavilion, generated the second-highest average and median of the last seven years. A total of 48 horses sold for a gross of $252,400. Average was $5,258, while the median was $3,000. “The Annual Mixed Sale is important to our breeders in Ontario. It provides a necessary venue to restructure and improve their breeding stock,” commented Peter Berringer, president of the CTHS Ontario Division. “This sale continues to attract new buyers from across Canada as we saw an increased number of buyers from Western Canada. While our average and median numbers were down over the 2022 Mixed Sale, we sold the same number of horses indicating it still pays to breed, buy and sell in Ontario.” Topping the sale was the mare Maritime Breeze (More Than Ready), who fetched $27,000 from Robert Marzilli, while her weanling filly by Town Prize sold for $19,000 to T.H. Bloodstock. The highest-selling yearling was a filly by Where's The Ring out of Quiet Action (Forest Wildcat), who sold for $13,000 to Michelle Love. The complete sale results are available at cthsont.com. The post More Than Ready Mare Tops CTHS Ontario Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Australian broadcaster was an English-language presenter and commentator in the city for 16 years before he returned to Sydney after Derby Day in 2015View the full article

Trainer Todd Pletcher breezed a remarkable 12 of his intended Breeders' Cup starters at Keeneland on Thursday morning over the main track. Heading the dozen was GI Breeders' Cup Classic hopeful Bright Future (Curlin), who arrived in Kentucky this week from Saratoga. He worked five furlongs in 1:01.40. Also working five furlongs for a possible Breeders' Cup start was Charge It (Tapit), who covered the distance in 1:01.20. “We originally were going to work all of our Saturday (Nov. 4) horses tomorrow but with rain in the forecast for tomorrow, we moved it up a day,” Pletcher said. “It was a good morning, and I was pleased with all the works. They did what we wanted them to.” Among the dozen workers were three Grade I winners from Keeneland's Fall Stars Weekend. Coolmore Turf Mile winner Up to the Mark (Not This Time) breezed a half-mile in :50.20 in company with 2022 Coolmore Turf Mile winner Annapolis (War Front); Darley Alcibiades winner Candied (Candy Ride {Arg}) worked a half-mile in :49; and Claiborne Breeders' Futurity winner and `TDN Rising Star' Locked (Gun Runner) worked a half-mile in :48.20. The remainder of the Pletcher brigade each worked half-miles: `TDN Rising Star' Agate Road (Quality Road) (:49.60), `TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) (:48.40), Life Talk (Gun Runner) (:49), Life's an Audible (Audible) (:50), Noted (Cairo Prince) (:49.60) and Scalable (Speightstown) (:49.60). Pletcher said he planned to give his runners one more work at Keeneland next Thursday or Friday before shipping to Santa Anita on Oct. 28. The post Pletcher Breezes Breeders’ Cup Dozen at Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Forte (Violence–Queen Caroline, by Blame), the 2022 champion 2-year-old colt and GI Breeders Cup Juvenile winner, has reportedly been retired from racing and will stand the 2024 season at Spendthrift Farm. Bred by South Gate Farm in Kentucky, he was acquired by Repole Stables and St. Elias for $110,0000 at the 2021 Keeneland September sale before being sent to Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher. Named a 'TDN Rising Star' on debut, he closed out his 2-year-old season with three straight Grade I victories, including the Hopeful S. and Claiborne Breeders' Futurity. Forte's 3-year-old season was fraught with ups and downs. He captured the GII Fountain of Youth S. and GI Florida Derby, the latter over subsequent GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic), but was scratched as the favorite the morning of the Kentucky Derby due to a bruised hoof. Two days later, it was announced he would be ineligible to run in the GI Preakness S. as the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) had placed him on a mandatory 14-day vet's list. Just a few days after that, it was learned he would be disqualified from his Hopeful victory of the year before due to a medication violation. The colt did make the GI Belmont S., finishing second to Arcangelo (Arrogate), and came back to win the July 29 GII Jim Dandy S. in a nose thriller after an inquiry. After last seen finishing fourth in the GI Travers S. Aug. 26, he was treated for quarter cracks. Despite not breezing, his team indicated as recently as Oct. 1 he was still being pointed to the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. Forte retires with a record of 10-7-1-0 and earnings of $3,029,830. This story will be updated shortly as more details are available. The post Forte Retired from Racing, Will Stand at Spendthrift appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An internal review conducted by the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit revealed that not all participating laboratories applied the same detection limit in analyzing samples for the presence of metformin.View the full article

Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's Forte, the champion 2-year-old male of 2022, has been retired from racing and will begin a career as a stallion at Spendthrift Farm next year, according to co-owner Mike Repole.View the full article

DEAUVILLE, France–One last six-figure yearling was added to the list on Thursday when trainer Joel Boisnard went to €130,000 for a Toronado (Ire) colt from Haras de l'Hotellerie to top the third session of Arqana's October Yearling Sale. A half-brother to two black-type performers, lot 434 is a son of the Prix de Diane place-getter Diyakalanie (Fr) (Ashkalani {Ire}) and was bred by Haras de Sainte Gauburge. Boisnard already trains two of his half-siblings, including Diyashal (Fr) (Shalaa {Ire}), who was won over fences and hurdles since the catalogue was printed. Beyond that highlight, trade remained solid through the middle tier with the highest clearance rate of the week so far at 90%. Though Part 2 of the October Sale has been conducted alphabetically over the last two days and is not graded, the figures across other sectors took a dip from the first of these two sessions and was the first this week to be down from the previous year as well. Turnover dropped by 10% to €4,216,500 and the average was down to €26,687 (-21%). The consistency of the trade was evident in the median being not too far below that at €22,000. For the sale as a whole so far, figures are holding up pretty well, with the overall clearance rate of 86% being particularly noteworthy, while trade is roughly in keeping with last year. Several of this year's freshman sires in France are heftily represented in the sale. The Haras d'Etreham duo of Persian King (Ire) and Hello Youmzain (Fr) have had 33 and 27 yearlings through the ring respectively across the three days, with Persian King's average being €48,515 and Hello Youmzain's at €54,650. The former French-trained Arc winner Sottsass (Fr), who now resides in Ireland at Coolmore, has had nine sold for an average of €56,222. Nicolas de Watrigant of Mandore International, who bought Wednesday's top lot, a daughter of Without Parole (GB), to race for Madaket Group, has now signed for eight yearlings for the American-based owners. The sale returns to action from 2pm on Friday, with one final session starting at 11am on Saturday. The post Toronado Colt Leads Third Session at Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit lifted the provisional suspension for trainer Keri Brion after a horse in her care, Chasing After You, allegedly tested positive for the drug cocaine.View the full article

In a statement Thursday, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU)–the enforcement arm of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)–said that an internal review of the six accredited laboratories used by the agency had unearthed different limits of detection in blood for metformin, a banned substance at all times under HISA. “Following this review, which was conducted in collaboration with the laboratories, it was determined that not all applied the same Limit of Detection in analyzing samples for the presence of Metformin. HIWU has since met with all six laboratories to establish an updated, uniform Limit of Detection,” according to the HIWU statement. Furthermore, “there are efforts to harmonize testing sensitivity across the laboratories through an external quality assurance program that includes single- and double-blind quality assurance samples and a passed sample exchange program,” according to the HIWU statement. “Additionally, substances will continue to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure that all laboratories contracted by HIWU report uniform results for the same substances present at the same levels in different samples,” the statement reads. All HIWU-contracted laboratories contracted are accredited by the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium. According to HIWU, HISA's Equine Analytical Laboratory Accreditation standards are currently in development, and HIWU expects the process to continue through 2024. Because of this flaw in testing uniformity, HIWU has lifted the provisional suspensions it had initially imposed on trainers Guadalupe Munoz Elizondo and Javier Morzan for metformin positives. The agency wrote that it will also be withdrawing the Equine Anti-Doping Charge letters against Elizondo and Morzan “due to their Covered Horses testing positive for Metformin at levels in blood that would not have been reported as Adverse Analytical Findings under the updated Limit of Detection.” Elizondo trainee, Quinton's Charmer (Quinton's Gold), tested positive for metformin, a common type 2 diabetes drug in humans, in a sample taken June 11 this year. The Morzan-trained Lady Liv (Bal A Bali) tested positive for metformin after finishing third at Delaware Park June 24. Elizondo and Morzan were two of five trainers this past week who have seen their provisional suspensions lifted by HIWU. Besides the metformin cases, two were for cocaine positives, and one was for the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide. On Tuesday, Michelle Pujals, HIWU general counsel, sent Elizondo a letter explaining the decision behind lifting the provisional suspension. In the letter, Pujals wrote that “HIWU has determined that there was variability across laboratories with respect to Limit of Detection for this Banned Substance, and, in order to eliminate inconsistency in enforcement based on interlaboratory capabilities, HIWU is determining whether this finding will be pursued as an Adverse Analytical Finding.” On Wednesday, TDN submitted to HIWU a list of questions about the contents of the letter, including further explanations on what was meant by “variability across laboratories,” and “inconsistency in enforcement based on interlaboratory capabilities.” TDN will follow-up with HIWU about the remaining questions unanswered by Thursday's statement. There remain three trainers with pending hearings for metformin positives whose provisional suspensions have not been lifted by HIWU. They are Jonathan Wong, Angel Sanchez and Michael Lauer. In Thursday's statement, HIWU wrote that the review of and update to the metformin limit of detection in blood represents “progress from previous state-based regulatory structures in which laboratories historically operated independently of each other, resulting in substances being controlled differently depending on the laboratory conducting the testing.” The statement adds that “HISA's national structure enables HIWU to oversee all testing across the country and facilitate uniform enforcement of the ADMC rules. HIWU is committed to the harmonization of its laboratories and continues to work with them to reach this goal.” The post HIWU: Efforts to Harmonize Laboratory “Testing Sensitivity” Underway appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rigney Racing's Played Hard (Into Mischief–Well Lived, by Tiznow), winner of the GI La Troienne S. in May, has been retired from racing, trainer Phil Bauer confirmed the news first reported in Blood-Horse Thursday. “She had a summer that just nothing bounced her way,” Bauer said. “We took her to Saratoga and missed the Shuvee with illness. We planned on bringing her back to Churchill, but in her last breeze up there, she got an injury in her right hind ankle. So we had the discussion with Mr. [Richard] Rigney that she owed us nothing. It was something she could rehab from, but she's a Grade I-winning millionare, to skip a breeding season and try to bring her back, we didn't think she owed us that much. She's going to join [Rigney's] broodmare band and hopefully produce more like her.” A $280,000 Keeneland September purchase, Played Hard was second in the 2021 GIII Comely S. and earned her first graded victory in the 2022 GIII Locust Grove S. She was third in last year's GI Juddmonte Spinster S. and ended the campaign with a win in the GIII Falls City S. Played Hard gave Bauer his first top-level victory when winning the La Troienne at his hometown track in May and made her final start when third in the June 10 GI Ogden Phipps S. “It is bittersweet,” Bauer said of the 5-year-old mare's retirement. “We had such high hopes for her to finish out the year, but we went to the farm to look at her the other day. They brought her out and it just brought back a lot of emotions and happiness. Hopefully we will find another one to repeat it.” On the board in 14 of 16 starts, Played Hard won six times and earned $1,480,140. The post GISW Played Hard Retired appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Purses at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club are getting a haircut for the 13-date fall meet that spans Nov. 10-Dec. 3. Del Mar executives speaking about the meet at Thursday's California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) meeting did not initially mention the purse cuts when making their standard presentation for licensure, which the CHRB unanimously granted. But Del Mar's president, Josh Rubinstein, detailed the reductions when directly queried about the state of purses by CHRB vice chair Oscar Gonzales. “We have reduced purses slightly for this fall meet,” Rubinstein said. “[We're] coming off two years of record wagering at Del Mar in 2021 and '22, and what we've seen nationally this year across the board in the industry, handle has been down eight of nine months. “We think there are multiple reasons for that,” Rubinstein continued. “My own personal view is we're in a fairly soft economy right now–higher interest rates, inflation concerns–and there's just less discretionary income that people have. So we are matching purse levels to what we believe will be the handle generation for the meet.” Rubinstein termed the cuts as “a market correction from where we were the last two years. So depending on the race, anywhere from 3% to 11%, but still some of the highest purses in the country during this time.” Tom Robbins, Del Mar's executive vice president for racing and industry relations, told the CHRB that the 15-stakes schedule “remains intact” compared to last fall's meet. Rubinstein noted that the fall season at Del Mar is traditionally a scaled-back version of racing compared to the track's nationally prominent summertime flagship meet that extends over two months. Instead of some 2,000 horses being stabled on the grounds, there are more like 350-400, with the remainder of runners shipping in from Santa Anita Park or Los Alamitos Race Course. To help defray the costs of travel, Del Mar will be paying trainers a $250 stipend on each racing day they participate in the fall meet. “We realize it's expensive for trainers to come down to Del Mar,” Rubinstein said. Del Mar will race Fridays (8 races), plus Saturdays and Sundays (nine races). A Thanksgiving Thursday holiday program will also be carded. Horses will be allowed to ship in for stabling Sunday, Nov. 5, the day after the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita. Del Mar opens for morning training Nov. 6. Del Mar has scheduled November/December fall meets regularly since 2014, when the track filled a void in the Southern California racing schedule after Hollywood Park's 2013 closure. Prior to 2014, Del Mar's only other attempt at autumn racing was a 20-date October meet in 1967. The post Del Mar to Trim Fall Meet Purses in 3-11% Range appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The ten-time champion jockey in France sits down in a Deauville restaurant and starts speaking. For 45 minutes, Christophe Soumillon barely draws breath as he outlines in almost evangelical terms his plans to teach children to ride. His dream, of course, in establishing the Soumillon International Pony Academy, is to teach one or more of them to ride as well as he does. On Monday, the Société d'amenagement foncier et d'etablissement rural (SAFER), a Normandy organisation charged with preserving green spaces, announced that Soumillon had beaten seven other applicants in his bid to launch his project on former stud land at Saint-Arnoult. The 49-hectare farm, based ten minutes from Deauville, will become a combination of racing academy, holiday camp, and pony breeding centre run by Soumillon and his wife Sophie, with help from a number of his colleagues from the weighing-room. Children can benefit from its facilities from the age of eight. “We'll be like a tennis club where the kids come nearly every week,” he says. “And we will have summer camps in July and August when we will organise pony races on the track. It will be three, four, five years for it to be all finished. But for next year we hope we're going to have a training track ready. We already have some stables there.” The reference to tennis is not accidental, and Soumillon is not making a standing start either as the jockey has already been training some young riders, both at his home farm and at Maisons-Laffitte. In August he organised the first in a series of pony races at Clairefontaine which culminates this weekend. “The idea for the academy came because my oldest son loves tennis, and last May he went to the Rafa Nadal Academy. He came back with stars in his eyes, and I said, 'Why should we not do that for our sport?'” The big question though, when the 42-year-old Soumillon is still some way off thinking of retiring from his own highly successful riding career, is why he would become involved with such a major undertaking. “Because when I was young, I always dreamed of doing big things in life,” replies the Belgian-born rider. “I come from a place where I didn't have the chance to have a pony. My parents didn't have the money, we didn't have a nice space to do it. So I was always dreaming of that. So for me, this was to be able to do things that I was dreaming of when I was a kid. “We already have 20 ponies ready for racing and training and also more than ten ponies for breeding. We just wait now to complete the process to buy the place and start to build a track, build new stables. The idea is there, and now we have found the place. So it was a great relief when we heard the news on Monday.” Soumillon's support of young riders in pony races stretches back several years but he had not realised the difficulty in finding suitable ponies until he was on the hunt for one for his youngest son. “Even for somebody who knows racing and has a lot of people around him and some money, it's not easy to find one,” he says. “It's very difficult to open up the sport to the outside if the facilities are not there, and most important are the ponies. In the beginning I was just trying to find a pony for my son, but then I thought I would take a few more. “I have my own farm, but just fields, and we can go in the forest, but there is not a proper training track. So at Maisons-Laffitte I started to bring the kids on to the training track. France Galop helped us, giving us some time on the tracks after the racehorses finished training, so that was really cool.” Having selected an equine team, including a number of Welsh ponies bought in the UK, Soumillon set about ensuring they were suitable for children to ride by schooling them himself. He repeatedly returns to the subject of safety, both in ensuring that the academy provides suitable helmets and body protectors for the children, and also in establishing that their mounts are “well in the head”. “That took me months to prepare all the ponies,” he says. “I also have some good riders who are 13 to 15 years old, so they are able to ride young ponies, and for them it's good because they are behind me. Sometimes I give some advice, sometimes I don't have to say anything, they just watch how I do it.” He continues, “For me it started to become something crazy because I never thought I would stay in the business after my racing career because I love to travel, I love sports, I love many things. So I was like 'when I stop, I stop'. And now I am enjoying so much going to the stables in the morning, training the ponies, feeding them, teaching them also how to be good every day. We do a lot of jumping, we go on the beach, in the forest. I don't want to have nervous ponies.” Through August on the days he wasn't racing, Soumillon had groups of children riding, some with little experience, who by the end of the month were ready to ride in races. It is no rush job, however, and it is far from just about racing. For us it's a new experience but probably the most amazing thing I could imagine. “I want to teach to the kids the respect of the animal first, how to become a real horseman, show them how a horse thinks sometimes. And I want them to stay with the ponies in the box for a while, not like when you go to the go-kart track, you arrive, you put the helmet on, start the engine, drive. Because if you just go on the track and canter every day, the ponies become too hot. I have been trying to find a place where I can really be at home, a safe place with plastic fences everywhere. I looked at some properties around here and then this one came like a miracle.” Soumillon plans to employ dressage and classic riders along with some of his colleagues with racing experience. “Kids want to start to ride fast and short, and actually when they have to ride a young pony that doesn't know what to do, they don't have the right balance,” he says. “So for me it's very important to start with good basics, good hands, good position.” He continues, “The racing industry needs this. A lot of trainers complain that they have no morning workers. There are few good apprentices at the moment. Kids don't want to stay in this business because it's a hard job. “If you want to stay in this difficult world that is horse racing, you have to start early. And when you know everything early, and you think that you are good at it, you are passionate. And when you have the passion of a sport, even if it's difficult, it's no problem because you know that you have to train hard to go even higher. And that's in any sport. If you see Tiger Woods, or all these great champions, they start the sport very early. You can't become a star if you start at 16 years old. It's too late.” Soumillon has enlisted the help of retired top jockey Dominique Boeuf along with Hervé Gallorini in the team of five teachers currently helping 12 young riders. “For us it's a new experience but probably the most amazing thing I could imagine,” he says. “When I was a kid 30 years ago, I would have loved to see a champion jockey from anywhere in the world doing this and to have had the chance to go there.” To date, the tuition has been free, but as the academy is established at the new farm, and with the costs involved in buying, breeding and keeping ponies, charges will eventually be brought in, through Soumillon plans to make spaces available for some children still to have free lessons. “Sometimes it will be the government that helps us, sometimes big owners will sponsor us. That's what's happening now with the pony races. When we created the race days this year, every big owner in France that I asked said yes to sponsoring a race,” he says. Soumillon has also taken encouragement from two similar projects run from the British Racing School in Newmarket, one aimed at schooling children in pony racing and the other to introduce children from less privileged backgrounds, or with particular issues such as autism, to the delights of being around horses and ponies. He adds, “They learn so much and it's great therapy for some kids with problems. When they ride ponies, they can release their pressure and be happier in their heads. That's why I'm going to go to Newmarket in November to see what they're doing over there.” One senses that his involvement with helping young riders to fulfil their dreams is helping him too in releasing some of the pressure that must be felt by any jockey, whatever their rank. Soumillon's own illustrious career has been speckled by controversy, most recently when he elbowed Rossa Ryan off his mount during last year's Prix Thomas Bryon. He was banned for 60 days and lost his retainer to ride for the Aga Khan. “For a few parts of my career I wasn't happy when I was going to races,” he admits. “Too much work, or when you lose the ride on a horse, when the trainers or owners change, I was not able to stay quiet. That's how I am. But I can share my experience with kids. You can see all the big races, the best races when I won. But before that there was also a grey time, black times. It's like my problem last year. I'm going to speak about it. For sure I'm not proud, but you have to explain to them what happens. Sometimes you're not happy, and you react, overreact.” He continues, “So we need to explain to them, be careful. It's a wonderful job, but mentally it's very tough. Because you need to lose weight. You need to work every day. You're going to have to drive a lot, and then go to some dinner to see owners and trainers, but you cannot eat too much. And you're going to earn money very fast, but you need to understand that the money can also ruin it. “I have done nearly everything that I wanted in my job, but it's not the year when I won most races when I was the most happy and free. And I have a chance today to do something. I go to see the ponies, I ride them, then I go to the races. For me it's a double pleasure because I have to look after the ponies and look after the kids. And when they come back after the gallops, and you see a big smile on their face, their sparkling eyes, they're like, 'Whoa. We get it. That's what we want'.” Beyond the pony racing academy, and perhaps beyond his own competitive days in the saddle, Soumillon also has plans to work with retired racehorses and France's Au-Dela Des Pistes movement in retraining them for other disciplines. Indeed, one of his quirkiest former partners, the Aga Khan's Vazirabad, is now one of the poster boys in this sphere. “I want to give back to racing, and also to the horses, what they have given me,” he says. “They give me so much. So for me it's a natural thing. I'm not forced to do it.” In the meantime, though, he is adamant that race-riding remains his first love and priority. “I'm not retiring. A few people think I am, a few people hope. But no, I'm still very fit, and I want to do my job,” he says. “I'm a competitor. I still want to win. I know how to ride. I'm feeling well. And most important for me is that I'm very happy.” The post Soumillon: ‘I want to give back to racing, and to the horse, what they have given me’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association today announced a new partnership with the Ed Brown Society to fund the non-profit's expansion into New York State and create opportunities for young people of color to establish careers in Thoroughbred racing. View the full article

Pre-entered fields for the 2023 Breeders' Cup World Championships will be announced live on FanDuel TV and on the Breeders' Cup website, official Mobile App, and Facebook, X, and YouTube channels on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 9:00 a.m. PT/12:00 p.m. ET.View the full article

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has assembled his Breeders' Cup horses at Keeneland, where a dozen of his potential starters breezed Oct. 19 in preparation for the Breeders' Cup Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

The New York Racing Association today announced a new partnership with the Ed Brown Society to fund the non-profit's expansion into New York State and create opportunities for young people of color to establish careers in thoroughbred racing. View the full article

Played Hard, who gave trainer Philip Bauer the first top-level win of his career when she captured the La Troienne Stakes (G1) in May, has been retired to Rigney Racing's broodmare band, owner Richard Rigney confirmed Oct. 19.View the full article

Inspiral has been ruled out of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) on British Champions Day due to the likelihood of testing conditions at Ascot Racecourse.View the full article

Wanamaker's is currently accepting entries for the the third annual Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association (PHBA) Pennsylvania-Bred Sale which will be held in January. “Continuing the Wanamaker's digital sale has been very helpful to our breeders who would like to offer their horses without all of the costs involved in a public sale,” said Brian Sanfratello, Executive Secretary of the PHBA. “Wanamaker's is easy to work with and does a great job of advertising to prospective buyers.” “We are delighted to announce our continued partnership with PHBA,” said Wanamaker's CEO Liza Hendriks. “Over the past two years of hosting PA-bred sales, we have received exceptional feedback from satisfied buyers and sellers, and we will continue our commitment to providing a seamless, cost-effective way for regional breeders and owners to showcase their horses.” Entries for the auction close Jan. 2. The catalogue will be released the following day. Bidding will open Jan. 7 at 8 a.m. ET and close Jan. 11 at 5 p.m. The post Wanamaker’s Accepting Entries for PA Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association will partner with the Ed Brown Society to fund the non-profit's expansion into New York State and create opportunities for young people of color to establish careers in Thoroughbred racing. Founded by Living The Dream Racing & Stables, a group of racing syndicates managed by Greg Harbut and Ray Daniels, the Ed Brown Society celebrates the rich history of African-Americans in the equine industry by identifying and supporting college students of color who have demonstrated the skills necessary to become successful professionals in a variety of different roles within the sport. “Horse racing is a powerful economic engine that creates jobs and opportunities in every corner of New York State,” said Dave O'Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “The Ed Brown Society is focused on ensuring those opportunities are shared equitably to increase diversity for the betterment of the sport. NYRA applauds the Ed Brown Society for what they have accomplished, and we look forward to anchoring this important work here in New York.” NYRA will work with the Ed Brown Society to develop Ed Brown Scholars and Fellows who will qualify for paid internships at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. To support these opportunities, NYRA has made a significant financial contribution to the Ed Brown Society. “As a third-generation horseman, and one of the few African American professionals in the industry, I am very excited to begin this important work in New York,” said Ed Brown Society Chairman Greg Harbut. “NYRA is committed to our mission of expanding diversity, equity and inclusion in horse racing, which is exactly what this partnership will accomplish.” The post NYRA Partners with Ed Brown Society appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

4th-BAQ, $90K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 2:12 p.m. The expectations for JUST JULES (Justify) are high given her $1.05m price tag as a yearling at Keeneland September last year. Purchased out of a partnership by her breeder, the filly is a half to GSW Ballet Dancing (Medaglia d'Oro) and MGSP Untreated (Nyquist). This is also the family of champion 2-year-old filly Halfbridled (Unbridled). Just Jules is drawn inside for trainer Bill Mott. A homebred for Peter Brant, Belle Gambe (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is out of Unaided (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who Brant picked up for a near-sale topping 1,250,000 € out of Arqana's 2019 December Breeding Stock Sale. The mare has already produced North America's champion turf female in Uni (GB)(More Than Ready) and is from the family of G1SW and sire Invincible Spirit (Ire) (Green Desert) along with fellow sire Kodiac (GB) (Danehill). Chad Brown trains while Irad Ortiz, Jr. picks up the mount. TJCIS PPS The post Friday Insights: Pair Of Top Fillies Highlight Aqueduct Maiden Race appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Keri Brion, who was provisionally suspended by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) after a horse she trained allegedly tested positive for cocaine, has been cleared. The suspension was lifted pursuant to HIWU Rule 3247 (e). The rule reads: “…if it considers it appropriate to do so on the specific facts of the case, the Agency may lift the Provisional Suspension.” Suspensions that had been issued to R. McLane Hendriks, Carlos Milian, Javier Morzan and Guadalupe Munoz Elizondo were also lifted. A full hearing in all five cases are still pending. Like Brion, Hendriks was facing a cocaine positive. Milian had a horse test positive for the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide and Morzan and Elizondo had trainees test positive for metformin, a medication commonly prescribed in humans for type 2 diabetes. It is not clear why the suspensions were lifted, but in the case of Brion, HIWU likely factored in the possibility that the positive test for cocaine was the result of environmental contamination. Brion, a former assistant to Jonathan Sheppard, was facing a suspension of up to two years. The Brion-trained Chasing After You (Speightstown) tested positive after winning a Sept. 19 claiming race at Presque Isle Downs. “Obviously, it's been a very stressful week,” Brion said. “I was totally blindsided by this. I don't give my horses cocaine. It's good that they are continuing to change protocols, what they do and how they handle things. It's just a shame that it has to happen through trial and error. In my case, I was written up in the TDN about being suspended for a banned substance. That's hard. I'm hopeful that it's all heading in the right direction. I think they are taking what they are learning from these situations and trying to make the system better. I am appreciative of that.” Brion believes that this was a case of environmental contamination and that it emanated from the receiving barn at Presque Isle Downs. “I believe it came through the receiving barn at Presque Isle,” she said. “Trainers are held 100% responsible and I'm all for being held responsible. But we don't scrub, clean and power wash receiving barns, so when we ship in, we don't have control over that. The receiving barns aren't clean. If we are going to be held to this level, zero tolerance, and everything falls back on us, then tracks need to make sure that the stalls we ship into are completely sanitized. And that's not the case at most of the tracks we go to.” Brion noted that other trainers have found themselves in similar situations. “I applaud what they are trying to do, but there have been a couple of positives where the levels are very low and it seems to be contamination,” she said. “We are not the bad guys. I have been training for only three years and when something like this happens, it really rocks you.” The post Provisional Suspension Against Brion, Four Others, Dropped by HIWU appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN publishes a round-up of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky. The TDN also posts a round-up of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from the same week. These include decisions from around the country. NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit's “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. RESOLVED ADMC VIOLATIONS Original date: 09/16/2023 Licensee: Keith Desormeaux, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on October 17, 2023; a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 penalty points.Admission of ECM Rule Violation and Acceptance of Consequences Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Auto Dial. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Original date: 08/27/2023 Licensee: Mark Hibdon, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final Decision by HIWU Explainer: For the presence of Flunixin—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from D'wild Muffin, who won at Arapahoe on 8/27/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List Workout). Original date: 08/05/2023 Licensee: Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission of ECM Rule Violation and Acceptance of Consequences Explainer: For the presence of Flunixin—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Matty Bo, who won at Laurel Park on 8/5/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List Workout). Original date: 08/03/2023 Licensee: Jose Puentes, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission of ECM Rule Violation and Acceptance of Consequences Explainer: For the presence of Dantrolene—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Pour on the Cole, who won at Santa Rosa on 8/3/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers. Original date: 06/20/2023 Licensee: Joseph Taylor, trainer Penalty: 36-month period of Ineligibility (18 months per violation) for Covered Person, beginning on July 18, 2023; 14-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Horse, beginning on June 20, 2023; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $25,000 ($12,500 per violation). Admission of EAD Rule Violation and Acceptance of Consequences Explainer: For the presence of Methylphenidate and Clenbuterol—both banned substances—in a sample taken from Classy American, who finished second at Parx Racing on 6/20/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers. Original date: 06/18/2023 Licensee: Joseph Taylor, trainer Penalty: 36-month period of Ineligibility (18 months per violation) for Covered Person, beginning on July 18, 2026; 14-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Horse, beginning on June 18, 2023; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results obtained on 6/18/23 and 7/12/23, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $25,000 ($12,500 per violation). Admission of EAD Rule Violation and Acceptance of Consequences Explainer: For the presence of Methylphenidate and Clenbuterol—both banned substances—in a sample taken from Cajun Cousin, who finished second at Parx Racing on 6/18/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers. Read more on Taylor's cases here. PENDING ADMC VIOLATIONS Date: 09/26/2023 Licensee: William Cowans, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Dream Keeper. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 09/26/2023 Licensee: William Cowans, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Secretary of War. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 09/19/2023 Licensee: Keri Brion, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Cocaine (Metabolite: Benzoylecgonine)—a banned substance—in a sample taken from chasing After You, who won at Presque Isle Downs on 9/19/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers. Read more on the story here. Date: 09/15/2023 Licensee: Rodolfo Garcia, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Castellana. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 09/13/2023 Licensee: Michael Pappada, trainer Penalty: Provisionally suspended Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: Concerns the horses Thisaintjumpstreet, Willie Wando, Tudox, Rue Majestic. This is a possible violation ofRule 3229(b)—Status During Provisional Suspension or Ineligibility Date: 09/10/2023 Licensee: Luciano Medina Gabriel, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Omeprazole—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Bel Ragazzo, who won at Emerald Downs on 9/10/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 09/06/2023 Licensee: Philip Aristone, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Lamotrigine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Jewels in the Bay, who won at Parx Racing on 9/06/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 08/27/2023 Licensee: Mario Serey Jr., trainer Penalty: Pending Explainer: For the presence of Flunixin—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Some is Mine. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List Workout). Date: 08/23/2023 Licensee: Jeffrey Englehart, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Mi Tres Por Ciento. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers. Other notable changes: The following trainers had their provisional suspensions lifted with a full merits hearing still pending: McLane Hendricks – Princess Javoncia, cocaine positive on 8/16/23 Carlos Milian – Junglherly Love, hydrochlorothiazide positive on 7/29/23 Javier Morzan – Lady Liv, metformin positive on 6/24/23 Guadalupe Munoz Elizondo – Quinton's Charmer, metformin positive on 6/11/23 VIOLATIONS OF CROP RULE One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race. Delaware Park Jairo Alonso Rendon – violation date Oct 11; $250 fine but no further records of the ruling Keeneland Jack Francis Gilligan – violation date Oct 11; $250 fine but no further records of the ruling Christopher Emigh – violation date Oct 12; $250 fine but no further records of the ruling Walter Antonio Rodriguez – violation date Oct 12; $250 fine but no further records of the ruling OTHER KEY RULINGS Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky. FLORIDA The following was taken from the ARCI's “recent rulings” webpage. Track: Gulfstream Park Date: 08/23/2023 Licensee: Todd Pletcher, trainer Penalty: $1,000 fine Violation: Medication violation Explainer: STEWARD'S RULING FINAL ORDER # 2023-000983 – F.S. 550.2415 VIOLATION = DEXAMETHASONE. “OK BOOMER” NEW YORK Track: Aqueduct Date: 10/11/2023 Licensee: Javier Castellano, jockey Penalty: Three-day suspension Violation: Careless riding Explainer: Jockey Mr. Javier Castellano is hereby suspended 3 NYRA racing days, this for careless riding during the running of the 5th race at Aqueduct Racetrack on October 1st 2023 having appealed a stay has been granted. Track: Aqueduct Date: 10/11/2023 Licensee: Joel Rosario, jockey Penalty: Three-day suspension Violation: Careless riding Explainer: Jockey Mr. Joel Rosario having waived his right to an appeal is hereby suspended 3 NYRA racing days October 19th 2023, October 20th 2023, and October 21st 2023 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the 7th race at Aqueduct Racetrack on October 4th 2023. Track: Aqueduct Date: 10/11/2023 Licensee: Jose Lezcano, jockey Penalty: Three-day suspension Violation: Careless riding Explainer: Jockey Mr. Jose Lezcano having waived his right to an appeal is hereby suspended 3 NYRA racing days October 19th 2023, October 20th 2023, and October 21st 2023 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the 5th race at Aqueduct Racetrack on October 1st 2023. The post Weekly Rulings: Oct. 10-16 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article