Wandering Eyes

This is the first in a new TDN series on people in the Thoroughbred industry who have a passion for a non-industry charity. Want to recommend someone for the series? Email katiepetrunyak@thetdn.com or suefinley@thetdn.com. Dr. Scott Pierce has a lot to be proud of and even more to look forward to. The Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital partner and owner of Omega Farm is the breeder of MGISW Country Grammer (Tonalist), who is set to join the WinStar stallion roster this coming year. But if you caught Dr. Pierce bragging in between radiographs at this year's Keeneland September Sale, it probably wasn't about the first stallion to come off his boutique breeding operation. Instead, he was more than likely telling you about the Central Music Academy (CMA), a non-profit in Lexington that gives free musical training to students ages eight to eighteen who would not otherwise be able to afford professional musical instruction. Pierce has been on the CMA's Board of Directors for nearly a decade and he has been the board's chairman since 2019. During that time, Pierce has been an outspoken advocate for the work being done through the organization. “The bottom line is that it's all about the kids,” he shared. “It enables kids to receive really good, high-quality music lessons from very good teachers. It changes their lives; I've seen it happen.” CMA student during a percussion lesson | courtesy CMA In 2015, a close friend asked Pierce if he would be interested in joining the CMA's Board of Directors. Knowing little about the organization, Pierce wasn't sure what to think of the commitment initially but he soon became hooked. “So many people agree to be on different boards and you can either be an active or a passive board member,” he explained. “Seeing the change that this has made in these kids' lives has made me a very active board member and it's been a big part of my life for the past few years. When you see the difference it makes, it's easy to get involved and you want to promote it.” Founded in 2004, the Central Music Academy started with just five students in its first semester and gradually built from 11 attendees to 20 and eventually to the current enrollment of about 100 students. Since its inception, it has provided over 50,000 free musical lessons in all areas of musical performance to more than 1,500 children. The students receive high-level instruction from teachers who hold Bachelor of Music degrees. Half of the teachers have also completed or are working on their master's or doctorate degree in music. In order to qualify for the program, a family of four must make less than $60,400. This threshold is based off the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Lower-Income Household Levels. “100% of the kids would not be able to afford this without aid,” Pierce said. “What's phenomenal is that CMA students have a 100% high school graduation rate and many of them go on to college. A lot of the students have also auditioned into SCAPA [Lexington's School for the Creative and Performing Arts] or have gotten into all-state bands or orchestras, so it helps them move along in their education and potential careers.” One graduate of the program began taking trumpet lessons at CMA when he was 11 years old and went on to receive a scholarship at the University of Louisville, where he is now majoring in music education. Pierce also pointed out the diversity of their students, noting that 42% are Hispanic, 40% African American and 15% Caucasian. “The only thing that is discouraging is that there is always a waiting list,” he admitted. “There is not enough money to hire enough teachers. Currently there are 45 students on the waiting list because it is expensive to provide these free lessons.” Growing up in Missouri, Pierce was never destined to become a musical genius. While his mother begged him to learn the piano, Pierce admitted that he “fought her tooth and nail.” Looking back now, Pierce realizes his childhood mistake. “This is making up for some of the things I missed because I've learned as I've gotten older that music is so important in my life,” he said. In addition to limited monetary resources, CMA has also had to overcome the obstacle of a restricted amount space to conduct their lessons. The program has bounced from one building to another over the past 20 years until this spring, when Pierce found a building for sale that would become the CMA's permanent home. Formerly the location of a prosthetics company, the 5,000 square foot building was the perfect fit with seven small rooms that were easy to renovate into private classrooms. “One of my goals was to purchase a facility that we could call home,” Pierce said. “It's a blessing that we were able to afford it. We still have some renovations that we need to do, but this has been a huge deal for us and for the future. It gives the kids a fun, safe space to hang out and do their lessons.” One of the eventual goals for the new facility is to convert the open basement into a space for recitals. Typically the CMA rents out event centers in Lexington to host multiple recitals and events each year, but a remodeled basement that could hold over 50 attendees would provide a built-in location for recitals as well as larger group classes. While Pierce's major goal of finding a permanent location for the CMA has been fulfilled, he is far from taking the metaphorical foot off the gas pedal in terms of moving the organization forward. “I don't want to see any kid on a waiting list,” he said. “That's the primary thing and then also to get more notoriety, get the mission out there. We know that the CMA is growing because we do get generous donations from people just out of the blue. I think knowing that it makes a huge difference in the kids' lives makes it an easy nonprofit to donate to.” The new CMA building in Lexington | courtesy CMA This year, Pierce's tenure as the CMA's chairman will come to a close. The program's Director Erin Walker Bliss said that Pierce's leadership over the past four years has been vital to the CMA's success. “He's really excited about what CMA does and telling people about the program,” she said. “He's also excited about music. We were friends with him for years before he told us he had a cello in his closet that he had bought on a whim because he wanted to learn it. He's been a great voice for the organization and people take him seriously. Because he's a mover and a shaker in his own field, when someone is at that level it means that they're serious with anything that they're pursuing.” Walker added that Pierce is now trying to recruit the next group of board members, perhaps even finding some music lovers from his circle of friends in the racing world. “He has definitely helped spread the word throughout the horse industry,” she said. “We never had a connection to the equine industry before so it has brought in an entirely new group of supporters, which has been huge for us as well.” Even when he is no longer on the nonprofit's board, Pierce has made it known to the CMA team that he isn't going anywhere. “This has been truly fulfilling for me,” he reflected. “A lot of the kids know that I'm on the board and I've had some of them come up and thank me at recitals. To go down the hall and hear them in their lessons, I know it's really life changing for them.” Pierce's involvement in the CMA is worlds away from his many achievements as an esteemed veterinarian and a successful breeder, but it holds an equally significant place in his heart. “It's totally out of my wheelhouse, but it's been fun and rewarding,” he said. “I wish more people would get involved in things like this because it makes such a huge difference. I've been blessed to have many things come my way and it's a way to pay it forward, which I think there are a lot of people in the horse industry that do that. The generosity in the horse industry is phenomenal and I'm just a small part of it.” Between his philanthropic endeavors, traveling far and wide for public auctions from Tattersalls to Ocala to Keeneland, and his managing shareholder position in Rood and Riddle's Wellington and Saratoga locations, Pierce shows no signs of slowing down. “My goal 40 years ago was to breed racehorses and have a farm, so I'm living the dream,” he said. “You hear that a lot, but I truly am. I may slow down in terms of veterinary practice, but retire is not in my vocabulary.” Click here to learn more about the Central Music Academy. The post Giving Back: Dr. Scott Pierce and the Central Music Academy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Early Voting, who was not on the roster of stud fees when Coolmore America announced their 2024 lineup Tuesday, has been “removed from covering duties at Ashford Stud for the 2024 breeding season due to an inability to breed, according to veterinary experts,” Coolmore said Wednesday. The farm said that the stallion, a son of Gun Runner, was subject to an ongoing insurance claim. Early Voting got off to a successful start at stud in 2023, and did get mares in foal, but experienced problems midway through the season. Those issues have apparently not been resolved. Owned by Klaravich Stables, the 2022 Preakness winner stood for a fee of $25,000 in 2023. Out of a half-sister to Speightstown (Gone West), Early Voting made each of his first three starts at Aqueduct, winning a maiden special weight and the GIII Withers S. before finishing second by a neck to eventual GI Belmont S. winner Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo) in the GII Wood Memorial S. He bypassed the Kentucky Derby and recorded a 105 Beyer in his Preakness win. The post Early Voting Removed From 2024 Covering Duties at Coolmore appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group 1 winner Dubai Mile (Ire) has been retired to stud and will join the Manton Park stallion roster for the 2024 breeding season. Successful in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud for Charlie and Mark Johnston last year, the son of Roaring Lion changed hands to join Freddie and Martyn Meade this season. However, he failed to run for the father-and-son combination after suffering a career-ending injury and will now join the roster at Manton Park alongside Aclaim, Technician and Advertise. Dubai Mile won three of his eight career starts for Ahmad Al Shaikh's Green Team Racing, who now jointly owns the colt with Manton Park. Bred by the late Lady O'Reilly's Skymarc Farm out of the high-class stakes winning and Group 1 placed High Chaparral mare, Beach Bunny, who was just denied victory in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh when beaten a short head behind Dar Re Mi. Beach Bunny has proven just as effective as a broodmare producing nine winners from nine runners including Dubai Mile as well as Group performers Naadirr and Beach Belle. Dubai Mile will be the first Group-1 winning son of Roaring Lion to stand at stud. He provided his late sire with his first Group winner from his sole crop. Martyn Meade commented, “We were disappointed in having to bring Dubai Mile's racing career to an end sooner than expected as he had been training so well prior to sustaining a career ending injury at home on the gallops. “We are however delighted to be adding Dubai Mile to our stallion roster and are confident he will sire many high-class performers. Roaring Lion was very special and a champion in his own right, to have his first Group 1 winning progeny from his only crop standing here is an exciting time for Manton Park Stud. Dubai Mile was very tough on the racecourse; we are very much looking forward to the next phase of his career at stud.” The post Group 1 Winner Dubai Mile Retired To Stand At Manton Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Winners were named across seven categories with a total of $122,000 awarded at the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, now in its eighth year in the United States, which concluded Tuesday evening at Keeneland Racecourse's Entertainment Center, Godolphin said in a press release after the event. For the first time this year, in addition to the three finalists in each category, two alternates were also chosen and received monetary rewards. Todd Schrupp, FanDuel TV analyst, served as the master of ceremonies. Tom Law, Saratoga Special Managing Editor and this year's judging panels chair, commented, “The winners and finalists honored at this year's ceremony, along with the alternates, are truly great representatives of the hard-working individuals in our industry. It's been said many times that they are the backbone of the industry that we all love; and it's absolutely true. And speaking for myself, as well as my fellow judges, we'd like to express our admiration for all the nominees and what they do for our sport.” The Awards are primarily sponsored by Godolphin in partnership with the National HBPA, TOBA, The Jockey Club, and Breeders' Cup. Media partners are the TDN, BloodHorse Publications, Daily Racing Form, The Paulick Report, Fox Sports, Real Players Inside the Backstretch and FanDuel. This year the awards received additional monetary and collateral support from category sponsors NYRA, 1/ST Racing, Keeneland, Hallway Feeds, NTRA, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute and Churchill Downs. The winners of the Leadership, Breeding and Racing, the Support Services, as well as the Administration category, will receive a prize of $7,500 to the winner, and their farm/stable also receives $1,000. Two finalists are each awarded $2,500, and their respective farms/stables receive $1,000. Separate from the winner and two finalists, two runners-up receive $2,000 each. The winner of the Newcomer Award will receive $5,000 and $1,000 to their farm/stable. Two finalists are each awarded $2,500. Two alternates receive $1,000 each. The winner of the Community Award will receive a prize of $7,500 with an additional prize of $2,500 going to the charity of their choice. The runner-up will receive $2,500. Two alternates will receive $1,500 each. The full list of winners, finalists and alternates are: Newcomer Award, sponsored by NYRA Winner: Dominick Merritt, Exercise Rider, Todd Pletcher Finalists: Deja Robinson, Ed Brown Society and Nursing Staff Technician with Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital; Sara Gordon, Social Media Manager, Thoroughbred Daily News Alternates: Adrianne Devaux, Cherie Devaux Racing Stable; Susan Kemper, Coolmore America/Ashford Stud Support Services Award, sponsored by 1/ST Racing Winner: Bill Vest, Backside Security Manager, Churchill Downs Finalists: Rita Cutler, Security Guard, New York Racing Association; Tracy Attfield, Owner, TLore Management Alternates: Raul Gutierrez, Santa Anita Park; Julie Adair, Farm Owner Katherine McKee Administration Award, sponsored by Keeneland Winner: Kelly Danner, Racing Operations Manager, Churchill Downs Finalists: Jamie Bradley, Office Manager, Steve Asmussen Racing Stable; Samantha McGreevy, Sales Manager, Taylor Made Sales Agency Alternates: Gwenn Pierce, WB Payson Park, LLC; Eleanor Poppe, New York Race Track Chaplaincy Dedication to Breeding Award, sponsored by Hallway Feeds Winner: Jimmy Tate, Assistant Broodmare Manager, WinStar Farm Finalists: Phillip Hampton, Stallion Groom, Godolphin; Rafael Zambrano, Farm Manager, War Horse Place Alternates: Harmon Sullivan, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption; Abel Garcia, Four Pillars Holding, LLC Dedication to Racing Award, sponsored by the NTRA Winner: Myra “Mickey” Hall, Groom, Herringswell Stables Finalists: Kathy Sanchez, Assistant Trainer, Tom Amoss Racing Stable; Laura “Tils” Tilbury, Hotwalker, Todd Pletcher Racing Stables Alternates: Carlos Davila, Craig Wheeler Racing Stable; Moises Morales, Groom Leadership Award, sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Winner: Manuel Hernandez, Farm Manager, Walmac Farm Finalists: Gene Guy, Farm Manager, Glencrest Farm; Loretta Lusteg, Assistant Trainer, John C. Kimmel Racing Stable Alternates: Juan Aguilar, Indian Creek Farm; Christine Jones, Pleasant Acres Stallions Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, sponsored by Churchill Downs Winner: Linda Doane, Lifestyle Program Director, The Healing Place/Churchill Downs Runner-up: Francisco Barrera, Backstretch Employee Service Team Alternates: Merlin Cano, Backside Learning Center; Diana Varon, Keeneland Racetrack Chaplaincy The post Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Handed Out At Keeneland Tuesday Night appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Having beaten the subsequent G3 Prix des Chenes winner Zabiari (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the Listed Criterium du FEE at Deauville in August, Alain Jathiere's Tulipa Chope (Fr) (Born To Sea {Ire}) took the next step up the ladder in her stride when returning to Normandy to capture Wednesday's G3 Prix des Reservoirs. Settled in behind the leader early by Theo Bachelot, the Stephane Wattel-trained bargain €5,000 Osarus September graduate was travelling best turning in and tanked her way to the front two out. Chased to the line by the Wertheimers' TDN Rising Star Aventure (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), the 2-1 second favourite had first run on that 17-10 market-leader and was not for catching as she registered a 1 1/4-length success. Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Born To Sea’s Tulipa Chope Best In the Reservoirs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Improved stakes will be a feature of the Manawatu Harness Racing Club’s new 2023-24 season that kicks off with a six-race meeting on Labour Day (Monday). In all there will be 12 meetings at the club’s Palmerston North track between now and March 28, 2024. “We sought a lot of feedback, especially from northern trainers, to see what we could do to improve our fields and the recurring theme was to increase stakes – so that’s exactly what we have done,” says Manawatu HRC president Dan Lynch. “With the Entain deal (TAB) going through there is more money in the system and we have decided to pass that on.” “So every Tuesday race will have a minimum stake of $11,500 and on a Thursday night that will be $12,000.” That represents a significant increase on previous seasons where the stakes on some races were around $9000. “We want to maximise the horse numbers from our district and also attract them from outside,” says Lynch, “and what we will be offering are good stakes in fields that usually have 10 or 12 horses, rather than the 16 or so in other places.” Among the initiatives they have agreed to this summer is a new C A Penny – Pick It Up and Win Series, sponsored by Marlborough trainer Allan Shutkowski. “Thanks to Allan’s generosity we plan to have a $13,000 Fillies and Mares race at each of our Thursday meetings,” says Lynch. “If it works out great, if not we will merge them (the fillies and mares) into other races.” Other features include the Manawatu Cup, for a stake of $18,000, on December 14, as well as two $20,000 Country Cups on March 14 and 26 and a $25,000 Country Cup at the final meeting of the season on March 28. The final meeting will also feature a $17,000 race for the Fillies and Mares. “With the stakes increases and a lot of two-day meetings we think we will attract good horses from all over the country and it will help out local trainers as well,” says Lynch. View the full article

Jockey Ben Melham has picked up the ride on reigning Melbourne Cup champion Gold Trip when the galloper looks to go one better than his second last year in the Group 1 $5 million Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday. Reigning Melbourne Cup hero Gold Trip is a key chance in 2023 Caulfield Cup betting this weekend. Photo: Steve Hart. The French-bred son of Outstrip was narrow runner-up from barrier 11 to Durston in the 2022 Caulfield Cup results, and has come up with the same gate in this year’s field. The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained seven-year-old will carry the 58.5kg top-weight, which Melham said he deserves, is now favourite in betting at Ladbrokes to win this on way to his title defence in the Group 1 $8.41 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) on Tuesday November 7. “I’ve only just found out I’m riding the horse,” Melham told Racing.com after the official 2023 Caulfield Cup barrier draw on Wednesday evening. “I think the draws are somewhat irrelevant with him with his racing pattern, but my initial thought is I’m really happy to be riding the horse. “Couldn’t be happier with his two runs this time in, it all seems to be going better than ever. “Hopefully he can go one better (than last year). He seems to be going better this year, which is hard to imagine. “He’s a find his feet horse and he finds a rhythm. He’s got the weight, but he’s earned it, and I can’t see him running badly.” Gold Trip was last seen returning to winning form with an impressive upset at Flemington in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000) with improvement pending as he gets out to the mile-and-a-half on Saturday. Second best in the updated Caulfield Cup betting markets this spring is one-time favourite Soulcombe with the son of Frankel looking to hand trainer Chris Waller with his third win in four years. Waller has prepared recently Caulfield Cup winners Verry Elleegant (2020) and Durston (2022) and saddles-up three in this year’s field led by Soulcombe. The top elect jumps from the gun barrier six draw, which produced Durston last year, and has seen three Caulfield Cup winners start from there since 2008. Waller’s other runners are last start Group 2 $2 million Hill Stakes winning mare Montefilia (barrier nine) who ran fourth last year and Francesco Guardi (barrier 15). Barrier 1 was drawn by one of the five international 2023 Caulfield Cup contenders with the Joseph O’Brien-trained Valliant King to jump from the inside alley with Jamie Kah aboard on the 50kg light-weight. O’Brien also saddles-up Okita Soushi to be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy from gate 12. Nonconformist drew the outside alley (barrier 19 into 18) which has produced two recent champions in Incentivise (2021) and Dunaden (2012). The only Caulfield Cup emergency, United Nations, drew barrier 17. The other overseas’ raiders in the mix are multiple Group 1 place-getter West Wind Blows ($6) for Simon & Ed Crisford who Jamie Spencer will ride from barrier two and Japanese galloper Breakup ($9) in gate five for jockey Damian Lane. The 2023 Caulfield Cup will run as Caulfield Race 9 at 5:15pm (AEDT) on Saturday’s 10-race card in Melbourne. 2023 Caulfield Cup Field & Barriers No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 91x2570x41 GOLD TRIP (FR) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Ben Melham 11 58.5kg 122 2 11x20x11x6 WITHOUT A FIGHT (IRE) Anthony & Sam Freedman Mark Zahra 7 55.5kg 115 3 2x110x340x BREAKUP (JPN) Tatsuya Yoshioka Damian Lane 5 55kg 114 4 x5229x8631 MONTEFILIA Chris Waller Blake Shinn (late alt) 9 54.5kg 112 5 232821×057 FRANCESCO GUARDI (IRE) Chris Waller James McDonald 15 54kg 112 6 613×312322 WEST WIND BLOWS (IRE) Simon & Ed Crisford Jamie Spencer 2 54kg 115 7 x18402x074 NONCONFORMIST Grahame Begg Harry Coffey 19 53.5kg 113 8 x1x682x143 SOULCOMBE (GB) Chris Waller Craig Williams 6 53.5kg 115 9 2x131x8x06 DUKE DE SESSA (IRE) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace John Allen 14 53kg 110 10 223180×572 HOO YA MAL (GB) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 8 53kg 111 11 111121×250 RIGHT YOU ARE Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Michael Dee 13 53kg 114 12 12x530x950 EMISSARY (GB) Michael Moroney Jye McNeil 4 52kg 108 13 31x111x960 GOLDMAN (NZ) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Ms Linda Meech 18 52kg 108 14 00x11x513x OKITA SOUSHI (IRE) Joseph O’Brien Kerrin McEvoy 12 51.5kg 109 15 x641127x89 FAME Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman Craig Newitt 16 51kg 111 16 x531523267 BOIS D’ARGENT (GB) Annabel Neasham Ms Winona Costin 3 50.5kg 107 17 33×6523322 SPIRIT RIDGE (GB) Annabel Neasham Dean Yendall 10 50.5kg 113 18 34×21225 VALIANT KING (GB) Joseph O’Brien Ms Jamie Kah 1 50kg 109 19e 7x41x95232 UNITED NATIONS (IRE) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Ms Carleen Hefel (a) 17 50kg 97 Table Credit: Racing Australia. The post 2023 Caulfield Cup Field, Barriers & Betting Update: Gold Trip in Barrier 11, Ben Melham to Ride appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Odds Bookmakers News Field Past Winners Ethereal Stakes Group Three Betting Guide Date: Saturday, October 21, 2023 Location: Caulfield Racecourse – Melbourne, Victoria Prize Money: $200,000 Distance: 2000m The Group 3 Ethereal Stakes is a 2000m event held annually on Caulfield Cup Day for three-year-old fillies, is run under set weights and penalty conditions and boasts a prize pool of $200,000. This race has been known as the Ethereal Stakes since 2011, after the race was named in honour of Ethereal who completed the Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup double in 2001. From 2000 to 2011, the Ethereal Stakes was classified as a Handicap race before being upgraded to Listed level in 2011. After being run as a Listed race until 2014, the Ethereal Stakes was upgraded to Group 3 level in 2015. The Ethereal Stakes has proven to be a good form race for the VRC Oaks later in the spring, as Set Square and Pinot completed the double in 2014 and 2017, respectively. Notable winners of the Ethereal Stakes include Renaissance Woman (2022), Verry Elleegant (2018), Pinot (2017), Set Square (2014), Arabian Gold (2013), Astronomia (2005), Hierogram (2002) and Lolita Star (2000). 2023 Ethereal Stakes Betting Odds Ethereal Stakes odds are currently unavailable. HorseBetting.com.au will update this page when the 2023 Ethereal Stakes odds are released. Best Ethereal Stakes bookmakers The Ethereal Stakes isn’t a race that’s on the tip of every punters’ tongue, but the bookies offer great value which has been snapped up over the last few years. Some of the top online bookmakers will open up Ethereal Stakes all-in markets which don’t provide insurance if your selected runner doesn’t start in the race, but the odds are more appealing. All of our recommended horse betting sites offer betting on the Ethereal Stakes and bookmaker promo bonuses will also be available in the days leading up to the race. These horse racing betting sites generally have apps available for iOS and Android smartphones. Latest Ethereal Stakes News Ethereal Stakes field headed by Flight Stakes winner Australia horse racing news 5 hours ago The Group 3 Ethereal Stakes will feature 13 runners on Saturday at Caulfield, with the Group 1 Flight Stakes winner … Read More Renaissance Woman takes out the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes Australia horse racing news 1 year ago The Bjorn Baker-trained Renaissance Woman has managed to get the better of Foxy Cleopatra in a stirring battle, with the … Read More Young Werther set to come of age in Caulfield Cup Australia horse racing news 2 years ago New Zealand-bred gelding Young Werther will be looking to score just his second career win on Saturday in the Group … Read More Ethereal Stakes 2020 betting tips, best odds & form guide Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago HorseBetting.com.au brings you the form, latest odds and best bets for Saturday’s Group 3 Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield … Read More 2023 Ethereal Stakes Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Tropical Squall Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Adam Hyeronimus 12 59kg 2 Dolphin Skin Leon & Troy Corstens Craig Williams 13 57kg 3 Coco Sun Tony & Calvin McEvoy Kerrin McEvoy 8 57kg 4 Autumn Angel Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Billy Egan 3 56kg 5 Konasana Chris Waller Damian Lane 7 56kg 6 Grinzinger Belle Danny O’Brien Michael Dee 2 56kg 7 Basilinna Emma-Lee & David Browne Damien Oliver 11 56kg 8 Wings Of Song Patrick Payne Ben Melham 9 56kg 9 Bon Mistress Ken & Kasey Keys Blaike McDougall 5 56kg 10 Saxon Beauty Mark & Levi Kavanagh Jamie Kah 1 56kg 11 Another You Dan O’Sullivan Daniel Stackhouse 4 56kg 12 Everlasting Kiss Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Blake Shinn 10 56kg 13 Lady Tempest Robbie Laing TBC 6 56kg Previous Ethereal Stakes Field 2022 Ethereal Stakes field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Moko Anthony & Sam Freedman Mark Zahra 3 56kg 2 Uncorked Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 9 56kg 3 Pavitra Richard & Will Freedman Jamie Kah 11 56kg 4 Born Hustler Jason Warren Damien Oliver 8 56kg 5 Renaissance Woman Bjorn Baker Joshua Parr 5 56kg 6 Cabaca Chris Waller Tommy Berry 7 56kg 7 Foxy Cleopatra Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Blake Shinn 14 56kg 8 Whakamana Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Jye McNeil 13 56kg 9 Let’sbefrankbaby Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock Lachlan King 2 56kg 10 Makrana Mark & Levi Kavanagh Michael Dee 12 56kg 11 Zest For Life Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr Daniel Moor 1 56kg 12 Grey Northern Simon Zahra Damien Thornton 6 56kg 13 Aunt Roberta John O’Shea Ben Melham 10 56kg 14 Whispering Lady Mark & Levi Kavanagh Luke Nolen 4 56kg 2022 Ethereal Stakes result 1st – Renaissance Woman (+400) 2nd – Foxy Cleopatra (-111.11) 3rd – Pavitra (+110) Recent Ethereal Stakes winners 2022: Renaissance Woman claims Ethereal Stakes Renaissance Woman (+400) and Josh Parr have taken out the Ethereal Stakes over Foxy Cleopatra (+380) and the runaway leader Pavitra (+500), who stuck on for third. Both Renaissance Woman and Foxy Cleopatra came from the very back of the field and rounded the bend five and six wide getting out to what looked to be the better ground. As they rounded the bend Pavitra had a three-length lead still, but they quickly ate into the lead and paired off to clear out by over two lengths on the line to fight out the finish. 2021: Daisies gets a peach from Damian Lane A Damian Lane special has seen the Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr-trained Daisies (+900) claim the Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield. Lane took off mid-race and took up the lead, after the leading duo slammed the brakes on, and allowed his mount to run along at her own pace. Although she was still a maiden, Daisies extended her lead on the home turn and kicked away from Glint Of Hope (+1100) and Biscayne Bay (+1400), who ran on from the back to fill the placings. 2020: Chica Fuerte leads all the way Anthony & Sam Freedman and Ben Melham have combined with Chica Fuerte (+450) to claim the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield. When Chica Fuerte got into a rhythm and ran the race to suit herself, she didn’t give her rivals a chance after booting clear on the home turn to put the race to bed by the 200m mark. After sticking on well from just behind the leaders, Star Of Eden (+3000) was nabbed on the line for second place by the fast-finishing Salto Angel (+1800). 2019: Gamay holds on to beat Vegas Jewel Archie Alexander-trained Gamay (+600) has clung on to defeat the race favourite Vegas Jewel (+250) in the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes. After going into the race undefeated, Vegas Jewel appeared to have the eventual winner covered at the 100m mark, but Declan Bates got the most out of his filly and she kept fighting to the line. Behind the top two was Celestial Falls (+380) in third place, who stuck on well after leading the race. Ethereal Stakes past winners list Ethereal Stakes Past Winners Year Horse Jockey Trainer 2022 Renaissance Woman Joshua Parr Bjorn Baker 2021 Daisies Damian Lane Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr 2020 Chica Fuerte Ben Melham Anthony & Sam Freedman 2019 Gamay Declan Bates Archie Alexander 2018 Verry Elleegant John Allen Darren Weir 2017 Pinot Stephen Baster Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 2016 Eleonora Damien Oliver Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman 2015 Dawnie Perfect Jim Cassidy Clarry Conners 2014 Set Square Nicholas Hall Ciaron Maher 2013 Arabian Gold Peter Robl David Vandyke 2012 Alzora Nicholas Hall David Hayes 2011 Gliding Darren Beadman Bart Cummings 2010 Dizlago Nicholas Hall Lee Freedman 2009 Run For Naara Hugh Bowman John Thompson 2008 Estee Dwayne Dunn Lee Freedman 2007 Try This Danny Nikolic Colin & Cindy Alderson 2006 Amitola Darren Beadman John Hawkes 2005 Astronomia Darren Beadman Gai Waterhouse 2004 Mango Daiquiri Steven King Pat Carey 2003 Timbourina Damien Oliver Tony Wildman 2002 Hierogram Darren Beadman John Hawkes 2001 Gold Lottey Darren Gauci Graeme Rogerson 2000 Lolita Star Stephen Baster Peter Hayes View the full article

Gold Trip, ridden by Mark Zahra, wins the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Defending Melbourne Cup champion Gold Trip, from the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace barn, headlines a capacity 18 horse field for the 2023 Caulfield Cup (2400m). The $5million group 1 event for stayers is the highlight on Saturday’s 10-race meeting at Caulfield. Having finished second in the Caulfield Cup last year, Gold Trip will be looking to go one better in the event 12 months later. Gold Trip managed to claim the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at his last start and despite a potential Cox Plate (2040m) tilt next weekend, connections have opted to accept in the Caulfield Cup once again. The three-time winner from 22 starts competed in all three spring majors last year and looks set to do so once again this campaign. Gold Trip will carry 58.5kg on Saturday, with Ben Melham booked to ride as Melham looks to complete the feature double during the Caulfield Cup Carnival having claimed the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) aboard Griff. Regular jockey for Gold Trip, Mark Zahra, will partner the Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Without A Fight on the weekend. Zahra had been committed to ride Without A Fight for some time prior to the news that Gold Trip would line up in the Caulfield Cup. Without A Fight has not been seen since finishing sixth in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) when producing a strong finishing burst late. Chris Waller will saddle up three runners in the Caulfield Cup, as he looks to add further success in the race after Verry Elleegant (2020) and Durston (2022) reigned supreme in the event over recent years. Soulcombe looks to be the best of Waller’s hopes with Craig Williams booked to ride, while Francesco Guardi will have the company of James McDonald for Saturday’s feature. Three international gallopers have accepted with Breakup representing Japan, for trainer Tatsuya Yoshioka and jockey Damian Lane. Joseph O’Brien will saddle up Okita Soushi (Kerrin McEvoy) and Valiant King in the Caulfield Cup. The 2023 Caulfield Cup barrier draw is set to be held on Wednesday, October 18 at Caulfield Racecourse, following the completion of the Coongy Cup Day races. 2023 Caulfield Cup final field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Gold Trip Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Ben Melham TBC 58.5kg 2 Without A Fight Anthony & Sam Freedman Mark Zahra TBC 55.5kg 3 Breakup Tatsuya Yoshioka Damian Lane TBC 55kg 4 Montefilia Chris Waller Nash Rawiller TBC 54.5kg 5 Francesco Guardi Chris Waller James McDonald TBC 54kg 6 West Wind Blows Simon & Ed Crisford Jamie Spencer TBC 54kg 7 Nonconformist Grahame Begg Harry Coffey TBC 53.5kg 8 Soulcombe Chris Waller Craig Williams TBC 53.5kg 9 Duke De Sessa Ciaron Maher & David Eustace John Allen TBC 53kg 10 Hoo Ya Mal Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark TBC 53kg 11 Right You Are Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Michael Dee TBC 53kg 12 Emissary Mike Moroney Jye McNeil TBC 52kg 13 Goldman Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Linda Meech TBC 52kg 14 Okita Soushi Joseph O’Brien Kerrin McEvoy TBC 51.5kg 15 Fame Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Craig Newitt TBC 51kg 16 Bois D’argent Annabel Neasham Winona Costin TBC 50.5kg 17 Spirit Ridge Annabel Neasham Dean Yendall TBC 50.5kg 18 Valiant King Joseph O’Brien Jamie Kah TBC 50kg 19 United Nations (1E) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Carleen Hefel TBC 50kg More horse racing news View the full article

Stable-mate dead heat at Addington It’s believed a piece of history was made at Addington when the Greg and Nina Hope-trained Celtic Spirit and Jack Tar finished first equal on Friday night. Records indicate it was the first ever dead-heat by two stablemates at Addington. Celtic Spirit and Ben Hope looked to have the race won, only for Blair Orange and Jack Tar to make up many lengths in the home straight. The last dead heat at Addington was Lizzie Richter and Zia Bromac on June 30. In all there have been 49 dead heats at Addington since 1951. Retirement for Kings Landing Nine-win trotter Kings Landing has run his last race. The Muscle Hill eight-year-old finishes his career with nine wins from 80 starts and just under $200,000 in stakes. Starting off at All Stars, Kings Landing had five starts in Australia in 2020 before going to Bernie Hackett and Michelle Wallis. His last win was at November last year at Auckland with his last start being a third at Auckland earlier this month. Harvey, as he’s known, is set for a big future in the show ring. Winny’s timely win Could there be a more topical winner than Winnyzback’s victory at Oamaru on Sunday, just hours after Winston Peters and New Zealand First returned to Parliament. On election night NZ First had secured enough votes to have eight seats with Peters back in Parliament after being ousted in 2020. On Sunday Winnyzback, trained by Andrew Faulks and driven by Blair Orange, prevailed by a head for his third win in just six starts. Big milestone for Bob Bob Butt’s double at Addington Raceway on Friday took him to 300 driving wins. He won his 299th race aboard Gold Bullion, and then took out the final race on the card with Pandaia. Butt’s 300 wins have come from 2917 drives, his first winner being Unattached at Forbury Park in 2006. Meanwhile Tim Williams and Sam Ottley have both notched up their 50th wins for the season to be fourth equal in the drivers’ premiership behind Blair Orange (120), John Dunn (86) and Sarah O’Reilly (60). Williams’ 50th was with Aardie’s Express at Addington on Friday while Ottley’s latest success was with Bettor Way at Oamaru on Sunday. Quinn wins at Young Quinn Bruce Negus certainly picked the right place for his talented youngster to make his debut in with Quinn winning at Young Quinn Raceway. The Downbytheseaside two-year-old had been in sizzling form at the trials before clearing out to win at Wyndham by nearly four lengths. Quinn is now set to front up in the Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes Heat 5 at Ashburton on Magic Monday (Labour weekend) on October 23. Dexter keeps delivering in USA Four-time Dan Patch Driver of the Year Dexter Dunn has passed $8m in stakes earnings this year in North America. The ex-pat Kiwi has had 182 wins from 1121 drives in 2023 , amassing $8.3m in stakes. That makes put him sixth overall, with Yannick Gingras the highest earner at $11.6m. Aaron Merriman has the most wins with 678 and earnings of $7.8m. View the full article

Behind The Breeds is a new series where breeding enthusiast Don Rae takes a deep dive into the pedigree of some of today’s trotters and pacers. In today’s fourth edition he casts his eye on two recent qualifiers, A Reason To Fight and Rakero Ice. By Don Rae A Reason To Fight, 2 B g Father Patrick – Jaw D Nancy, is bred, owned and trained by Michael Howard at Motukarara. Jaw D Nancy is by Angus Hall from Ella Powell by Earl from Eilish Mac by Out To Win and is therefore a member of the family that has met with great success for Ivan McNicholl. Jaw D Nancy won three times for her connections and included a win on Show Day in her resumé. However she was of a somewhat nervous disposition and subsequently wasn’t always able to produce her best. Ella Powell however was a very handy racemare whose record was 77 starts, 11 wins, 6 seconds, 3 thirds and lifetime earnings of $125,849. Her best win came in the 2006 New Zealand Trotting Oaks beating Blenheim-based rank outsider Monaro Miss and Paul Nairn’s Day of Reckoning. (Incidentally, in the days before First 4s, the trifecta paid a whopping $7392.65 and the on-course concession double wasn’t struck at all.) Trained throughout her career by Craig Edmonds at Motukarara and driven to victory in the Oaks by Stephen McNally, she raced several more times at group level in New Zealand without winning again. Her best was probably finishing fifth beaten just under four lengths in Springfield Richard’s 2009 Dominion Handicap and she also managed a third behind The Fat Controller and Speculate in the 2009 Canterbury Park Trotting Cup. She competed and won four times in Australia, she won a Bendigo Trotters Cup and also competed in an Inter-Dominion Grand Final. At stud, she has left just the two winners so far, Jaw D Nancy and Ellatine (three wins to date), but happily three fillies are being bred from – Tricia Powell, Ella Of Mot and Devine Ella. Third dam Eilish Mac (Chiola Hanover – Shining Lady, by Out To Win – Sure Thing, by Bachelor Hanover – Kimmer) won just once but as well as Ella Powell she also left Harriet Hughes (5 wins from just 13 starts) and the hardy campaigner Earl of Mot who won 18 in New Zealand and another 17 in Australia, with lifetime earnings of $327,483. In 2005 Harriet Hughes ran third behind Tozzie and Jazz Legend in the New Zealand Trotting Derby and finished second behind One Over Kenny in the NRM Trotters Championship (Gr2) for 3YO Fillies. At stud she has left four winners to date: Bert Powell (3 wins), Harriet Of Mot (15 wins including Group 3 Canterbury Park Trotting Cup, Group 3 Northern Southland Trotting Club 2016 Southern Lights Handicap Trot and 3rd in Group 1 2018 Anzac Cup), Muscles Galore (6 wins, also 2nd in 2017 Group 3 Hambletonian Classic) and the outstanding Five Wise Men (9 wins to date and the dominant three year old of his year including five Group wins at 3 – the Hambletonian Classic, New Zealand Trotting Derby, ATC 3YO Trotters Championship, Great Northern Trotting Derby, and Group One 3yo Trotting Ruby). To fill out the breeding more, we see fourth dam Shining Lady left nine foals of which five were winners and the best of which being the excellent juvenile Shine On Me (10 wins including 1994 New Zealand 2YO Trotting Stakes, NZB Standardbred Harness Million 2YO Trot, and in 1995 placed in Hambletonian Classic, NZB Standardbred Harness Million Trotters Final, New Zealand Trotting Derby, and Northern Trotting Derby). Shining Lady was by the mighty Out To Win, sire of 277 NZ-bred winners, 267 pacers but just 11 trotters who won 23 races between them. His progeny included Balgove (16 wins including 1977 New Zealand Free-For-All), Wee Win (19 wins, 1979 Easter Cup, 1980 Ashburton Flying Stakes and sire of 15 minor to intermediate winners) and many other top performers such as Greg Robinson (15 wins )and Right Bower (10 wins). Interestingly, his mares left the winners of 73 trotting races proving Out To Win isn’t completely a disqualifying influence when it comes to breeding a trotter. Shine On Me was clearly the best but Gusto (7 wins), Rangitawa Finale and Rangitawa Lass (both 6) wins were also handy horses from Our To Win mares. Next dam is Sure Thing who left eight winners, the best of which was Galleon’s Paradise (12 wins, 2nd 1996 New Zealand 2YO Trotting Stakes, 1st 1997 Hambletonian Classic, 3rd Northern Trotting Derby). Going further back, we find Kimmer who was the dam of the mighty Tussle (38 wins). Tracing to root, Pride of Lincoln is the founding broodmare and this has been a highly influential family for New Zealand breeders. Even perusing just the first three generations of this direct line, one can see strong juvenile performance and multiple group performers, with the number of fillies being bred from, no doubt there are more successes to come. Let’s hope the connections find every success with A Reason To Fight. One that caught my eye from North Canterbury TOA Trials of 11 October was the Tom Bamford-trained Rakero Ice. By Sweet Lou from Ima Single Girl by Bettor’s Delight from Crushem by Holmes Hanover from Elizabeth Denover by Lordship, Rakero Ice traces directly to the 1924 mare Lady Antrim. Lady Antrim’s first foal was the capable Lady Milne who won eight times and became the ancestress of a wonderful family. Lady Milne left five winners, Trixie Milne (7 wins), Black Douglas(1949) (7 wins) and Bobby Brigade (9 wins) being the standouts. Trixie Milne left six winners with Admiral(1959) (5 wins), Bosun(1961) (7 wins), Jack Tar(1964) (7 wins) and Ar Miss (8 wins including 1972 New Zealand Oaks and 1971 New Zealand Sapling Stakes) being the best. Ar Miss then left the marvellous Armalight as her first foal. Armalight won eighteen times and repeated her mother’s feat of winning the New Zealand Oaks in 1980. She won several major races – Nevele R 3YO Fillies Series Final, Northern Oaks, 1981 New Zealand Trotting Cup/New Zealand Free-For-All double as a four year old, 1982 Kaikoura Cup, and 1983 Auckland Cup. This is the “Arma” family from whom many fine winners descend. Xceptional Arms is one example. She’s probably the leading 2YO filly in Western Australia right now with recent wins in the $50,000 2YOF Gold Bullion Final and the $215,000 2YOF Westbred Classic (Group 1). Arma Einstein has also been very successful recently in Western Australia with 18 wins and $288,529 in earnings, he recently picked up the $50,000 4yo and 5yo Championship Pace (Group 3). Other good racehorses in Australia from the wider family include Excel Stride $AU$769,464 in stakes, 49 starts 28 wins and 14 placings, Arma Renegade (10 wins, SAU98,688), Arma Naughty (18 wins, $118,681), O B Legal (14 wins, $AU100,277), and Arma Hotshot (11 wins, SAU119,255) just to name a few. Back to the direct family. Like many a great racemare e.g. Delightful Lady, Bonnie’s Chance, Blossom Lady, Armalight left nothing of her class but did leave an unraced mare Miss Denover, who of course left Elizabeth Denover among her twelve foals. There were six winners, Thrashem (9 wins, $AU59,440), Speedy Denover (12 wins, $AU37,603) Crackem (5 wins) and Lil’s Dream (4 wins) being the best. Elizabeth Denover was a very nice broodmare. Among her 13 live foals were Bruzem (10 New Zealand wins) and Lilly Laingtree (10 New Zealand wins, $71,713). Another foal was Crushem who left five winners including the top-class Spankem. Spankem (1.47.7,1M*AUS) was a great horse who recently raced in the Mark Purdon All-Stars colours and won $1,902,079 from 21 wins and 32 placings. Twelve Group wins came with that tally and many Group placings, among which have been three placings in the 2019 (2nd), 2020 (2nd) and 2022 (3rd) New Zealand Trotting Cups. He was a durable and highly competitive horse who raced at the highest level from aged two until seven and could consider himself unlucky not to win a New Zealand Trotting Cup. His deeds will remain fresh in punters’ minds as a really reliable racehorse who always gave of his best. Bruzem raced in the Dean Taylor colours. At Group level he won a Methven Trotting Club 2001 Green Mile in 1:57 and change, as well as a Superstars 4YO Championship in 2000. He also won eight times in Australia for $AU182,785 in stakes overall. Thumpem was another really good horse who won most of his races in Australia. His record overall comprised 22 wins and 49 places from 182 places, from which he totalled $449,837 in stakes money. There are high class horses throughout the pedigree of Rakero Ice and the connections can look forward to the future with a degree of confidence if stout breeding is anything to go by. Perhaps one concern for this commentator is how much “Arma” blood has been exported to Australia. Hopefully New Zealand breeders can continue to grow the family with suitable outcrosses and even secure Australian yearlings from within the wider family to import back into New Zealand. View the full article

The HRNZ Annual General Meeting on Saturday 14 October unanimously adopted a resolution to introduce new regional and national consultation forums and a new merit and skills-based appointment’s process for the selection of the HRNZ directors. It was moved by the NZ Standardbred Breeders Association and seconded by Rangiora Harness Racing on behalf the Harness Racing Governance Working Group, a representative group of club leaders who have been working together for the last six months. The changes were put forward after extensive consultation with clubs and kindred bodies across the country. The final remit was agreed to when The Breeders and the Governance Working Group merged their similar proposals. Greater Consultation : Under the structure three regional forums will be established (North Island, Upper South Island and Southern) to coordinate and lead consultation in their area. The Regional Forums will be responsible for coordination of local matters, seek to vastly improve communication and service sharing, covering clubs, kindred bodies and other stakeholders and being a strong voice of reason and cooperation. HRNZ will have a single point of contact in each region, while still maintaining relations with each club. The new National Forum will have three nominees of the North Island, The Upper South Island and two from the Southern region with single representatives from the kindred bodies and the small clubs (i.e. those with three or less race days). The National Forum will participate in the Board’s appointments process, advocate on national issues on behalf of the regional forums and be available for consultation with the HRNZ, at management and board level. It will meet regularly. New Board HRNZ directors will now be elected by its members at the AGM, the same as for many public companies. Other sporting codes are now treading the same pathway with very similar structures. The recent review of New Zealand Rugby’s governance and other national sporting body reforms provided support for these moves. An executive recruitment firm experienced in recruiting national sporting body leaders will manage the directors’ recruitment right down to nominating the short list of candidates to an industry panel. That panel of five will have an independent chair, three persons nominated by the national forum and a nominee of the HRNZ board. The panel will consult the National Forum on the proposed nominees to be offered to the members at the AGM for election. At the 2024 AGM the board will reduced from eight to seven members. All current directors will retire. They are all eligible to re-apply next year for election. This replaces the current arrangement of four members elected by the clubs other than ATC and NZMTC, a nominee of each of those clubs and two appointed independents. HRNZ Chair Phil Holden told members at the AGM to be courageous as they contemplated the remit on governance reform. He sees this as a positive step forward and wished to thank the Harness Racing Governance Working Group, New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Association and all clubs for their efforts and collaboration. “It’s a major moment for us and will enable the sport to move forward positively.” View the full article

Peter Moody has elected to spell his gun sprinter I Wish I Win and is already planning an attack on the autumn sprint riches. I Wish I Win took his earnings above $10 million with his second placing behind Think About It in The Everest last week. But while Moody said it had been a great effort to win that prizemoney in 12 months, with the riches on offer he plans on following a similar program next year. I Wish I Win had a two-start spring campaign which consisted of a third placing in the Memise Stakes and The Everest run. “I would say I’d give him a longer spell and then bring him back for the Black Caviar Lightning, the William Reid in Melbourne and then the T.J. Smith and the Doomben 10,000,” Moody said. In a three-start autumn campaign, I Wish I Win ran second in the Black Caviar Lightning and third in the Newmarket Handicap before winning the T.J. Smith Stakes. “As ‘Trumby’ (Luke Nolen) said after the Everest, we could be running in this race for the next four years,” said Moody, who hasn’t completely ruled out a shorter spell and a return in time for the C.F. Orr Stakes. “There’s nothing wrong with him but I think I’m leaning to giving him a longer spell.” View the full article

One Bold Cat (NZ) (The Bold One) is expected to be a far more competitive force when he takes aim at the feature event on Saturday’s Trentham card. The talented and lightly tried five-year-old will make the second appearance of his spring campaign in the Gr.3 Gee & Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m). One Bold Cat has won five of his nine starts from Robbie Patterson’s New Plymouth stable and has taken significant benefit from his resuming run at Te Rapa where he was unplaced over 1400m. “He has definitely come on and it was obviously a distance short of his best,” Patterson said. “He still ran the quickest last couple of 100 metres in that race, he wound up late and he’s had a jump-out since and went well. “It should be onwards and upwards with him. He’s quite a laid-back horse and has got plenty of ability.” One Bold Cat holds a nomination for the Gr.3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m) and his performance at Trentham will determine whether he ventures south. “We’ll know a lot more after Saturday and even if he won, he would still get in well at the weights for Riccarton. It’s a decision we’ll make after the weekend,” Patterson said. Stablemate Times Up (NZ) (Times Up) will return to action in the Happy 60th Sharon Hardy Handicap (1200m) and is in good shape following a runner-up finish in an open 1000m trial at Foxton earlier this month. “He’s a really good type and went off at the end of his last campaign, but he trialled up nicely and I think he’s going to be a reasonable chance,” Patterson said. He will also be represented by Margherita Veloce (NZ) (Vespa) and Winkle Bay (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) in the intowin.co.nz Join A Syndicate (1400m). “They are both nice horses, but they will probably both need the runs,” Patterson said. His forces will be split on Saturday between Trentham and Te Rapa where his team includes major cups’ prospects Za’faran (NZ) (Zed) and Another Bella (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle). The former will step out in the CK Treework Handicap (2400m) while Another Bella opens her preparation in the Protek Coatings Handicap (1600m). Za’faran holds an entry for the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) and was a last-start sixth in the Hawera Cup (2100m). “She needed the run the other day after she had a week off following her third in the Waverley Cup (2200m),” Patterson said. “She’s improved and is getting up to a suitable trip and she likes Te Rapa. Saturday will tell us whether we go south for the New Zealand Cup.” Another Bella is a promising middle-distance mare who hasn’t been seen since she won over 2200m at Trentham in January. “She is a very good staying mare and is getting ready for the Waikato Cup (Gr.3, 2400m) so she’s another improver,” Patterson said. Barnmates Puntura (NZ) (Vespa) and Mary Louise (NZ) (The Bold One) will clash in the Bill Moreland Memorial (1400m) with the former getting the nod as the stable’s best winning chance. “Puntura only had a few weeks off after Australia and he has trialled really well, Mary Louise will get up over a trip fairly quickly after this, but she could go a cheeky race,” Patterson said. “The blinkers go on her and I would be disappointed if they both didn’t run very well.” View the full article

Evergreen galloper Midnight Runner (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) will be looking to end his preparation on a high when he heads to Wingatui on Thursday to contest the Positive Signs + Print (1200m). He has placed in four of his last five starts and trainer John Phillips is hoping the nine-year-old can get his nose first past the post this week. The Winton trainer is happy with the son of Jimmy Choux ahead of the meeting, but his biggest concern is his 61kg impost, which will come down to 59kg with the assistance of apprentice jockey Elen Nicholas’ two-kilogram claim. “He has been going really well and he is as honest as the day is long,” Phillips said. “The old fella has come through his run well. He is a pretty seasoned campaigner, and he is used to carrying big weights now. “The other day he raced three-wide early with that big weight on his back. The winner carried 54kg and the second horse carried 51kg, and he was carrying around 59kg, even with the two-kilo claim, which does make it hard. “He is just below those top sprinters now, so he is only running around in industry days now where he is getting the big weights.” Phillips is looking forward to having Nicholas back aboard, with the northern hoop developing a good association with Midnight Runner. “She has ridden him a couple of times for a couple of placings,” he said. “She is going well – she has got a nice seat on her and gets down nice and low on the animals, and they run for her. It is good to have her on.” Retirement is looming for Midnight Runner, but Phillips said he will likely bring him back for one final preparation next year before he calls time on his racing career. “He will possibly do this season and then that will be it, he will be retired,” Phillips said. Midnight Runner has been a great stalwart for Phillips’ barn and he said it will be a sad day when he leaves his barn for the final time. “He came down from Peter Williams’ and they (former owners) actually gifted him to us,” he said. “He has won about $250,000 in stakes and had 17 seconds and nine wins for us. His record is great.” Phillips will also be represented by two other runners on Thursday, including Tiger Fire (American Pharoah) in the Property Brokers Dunedin (2200m) and Darcee Que (NZ) (Darci Brahma) in the Grand Casino (1600m). “Tiger Fire is stepping up to a distance where he will be more competitive. He has had two lead-up races over 1400m and a mile, but he is better over more ground,” Phillips said. “Darcee Que hasn’t gone as well as I would have thought. When I first got her, I thought she could be quite a useful mare, but getting on a firmer track over a mile will suit. She is a beautifully bred mare and is in great order.” View the full article

Buffalo River will be seeking his second Group 3 Moonga Stakes in three years on Saturday, after claiming the same race in 2021. Photo: Racing Photos The Group 3 Moonga Stakes will feature 11 runners in the 1400m contest at Caulfield this Saturday afternoon. After winning her last two starts at the track and trip, Nunthorpe from the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman yard has opened as the race favourite with online bookmakers. The four-year-old mare will be the only last start winner in the Moonga Stakes; however, she will be seeking her first Group victory of her career at her third try. At the top of the weights, Mr Maestro from the Andrew Forsman yard will return for his first start of the spring with the benefit of one trail. Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes have accepted with their talented galloper, Altivo, who is yet to hit the board this preparation after running in Sydney at his two starts this time in. Buffalo River sits on the fourth line of betting, and he will be seeking his second win in this race after claiming the Moonga Stakes back in 2021. Along with Buffalo River, the Phillip Stokes-trained Climbing Star sits on the fourth line of betting, and this four-year-old mare will be looking for a return to form on Saturday after back-to-back failures at Flemington recently. Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Times Square, who brings Group 1 form lines from Europe, will return for her second Australian preparation after struggling at her only two starts in Sydney during the autumn. Both The Fortune Teller and Cause For Concern ran on well in separate races at Flemington last start, and they are not without a hope. 2023 Moonga Stakes Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Mr Maestro Andrew Forsman Damian Lane 2 58.5kg 2 The Fortune Teller Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Jamie Kah 6 58.5kg 3 Buffalo River Mike Moroney Celine Gaudray 5 58kg 4 Cuban Royale Robert & Luke Price TBC 11 58kg 5 Umgawa Leon & Troy Corstens Harry Coffey 1 58kg 6 Fender Brett Cavanough Damien Oliver 7 57kg 7 Cause For Concern Shawn Mathrick Ben Allen 8 57kg 8 Altivo Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Jye McNeil 9 57kg 9 Times Square Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Carleen Hefel 3 56kg 10 Nunthorpe Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman TBC 10 55kg 11 Climbing Star Phillip Stokes Craig Williams 4 55kg More horse racing news View the full article

Inhibitions will line up in the Thousand Guineas Prelude. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) A capacity field is set to line-up in Saturday’s Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m), as 16 fillies stake their claim not only on the $300,000 prize packet, but also put their hand up for the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) on November 18. This is considered one of the more traditional lead-up races to the Thousand Guineas in years gone by, as many of these will press on for Group 1 glory later in the spring. The Andrew Gluyas-trained filly from Adelaide, Lovely Lookin’ holds favouritism early with online bookmakers at +380 after a dominant performance at Morphettville Parks on September 30. James McDonald and James Cummings combine with Inhibitions (+500) who finds herself as the second elect in the market after back-to-back minor placings at Moonee Valley. Coeur Volante (+650) was victorious in the Group 3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) but has it all to do from barrier 17 under Blake Shinn. We start getting into those at double-figure odds; with Moesha seemingly the best of those at +900, while Bossy Nic (+1000) and Oz Empress (+1100) are hot on her heels. Two strong Sydney contenders have made their way south of the boarder as Lazzago (+1600) and Azula (+1400) bring strong autumn form references to the race and are bound to gain some supporters. The Thousand Guineas Prelude is the fifth race at Caulfield this Saturday and will get underway at 2:35pm AEDT. 2023 Thousand Guineas Prelude Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Lazzago Chris Waller Kerrin McEvoy 4 58kg 2 Bossy Nic Tony & Calvin McEvoy Harry Coffey 10 58kg 3 Coeur Volante Mike Moroney Blake Shinn 17 58kg 4 Zourion Mark Walker Michael Dee 9 58kg 5 Oz Empress Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Winona Costin 12 57kg 6 Zoukerette Ciaron Maher & David Eustace John Allen 5 57kg 7 Azula Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 6 57kg 8 Inhibitions James Cummings James McDonald 3 56kg 9 Rose Of Shalaa Matthew Williams Dean Yendall 14 56kg 10 Apache Song Michael Trott Craig Williams 7 56kg 11 Nodachi Mathew Ellerton Damian Lane 16 56kg 12 Lovely Lookin’ Andrew Gluyas Jamie Kah 8 56kg 13 Vivy Air Archie Alexander Declan Bates 11 56kg 14 Moesha Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Billy Egan 13 56kg 15 Floozie Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Mark Zahra 2 56kg 16 Matawai Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Ben Melham 1 56kg 17 Stellar Mofeed (1E) Kevin Corstens Daniel Stackhouse 15 56kg More horse racing news View the full article

Proserve winning at Ashburton on Monday. Photo: Race Images South Proserve’s victory at Ashburton on Monday has elevated the five-year-old gelding’s status, prompting trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman to set their sights on upcoming stakes targets. This triumph marked Proserve’s sixth win out of 23 starts, and the Pitmans have ambitious plans for the son of Proisir. According to Michael Pitman, “He’ll run in the Spring Classic (Listed, 2000m) and then go on to the Metropolitan (Listed, 2600m).” Proserve has also been nominated for the prestigious Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m), and his odds shortened from +4000 to +2000 with online bookmakers following his success at Ashburton. However, Pitman remains cautious about confirming participation in the Cup, stating, “We’ll see about the Cup after he runs in the Metropolitan.” Describing Proserve, Pitman praised the gelding as a “big strong unit” and emphasized his affection for the horse, saying, “He’s a lovely horse, we’ve looked after him.” The horse’s versatility has been a notable feature, showcasing success on various track conditions, including top-of-the-ground, rain-affected going, and the all-weather track. Pitman expressed his admiration for Proserve’s adaptability, stating, “I think he’s the best wet track horse I’ve trained, and he’s winning on dry tracks; he’s just a grouse horse.” The Pitmans acquired Proserve for $65,000 from Rich Hill’s New Zealand Bloodstock 2020 Book 1 Yearling Sale draft. Notably, they also trained his ill-fated half-sister First Serve, a seven-time winner up to 1400m, including the Group 3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). More horse racing news View the full article

One Bold Cat will contest Saturday’s Group 3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Anticipation is building around One Bold Cat as the talented five-year-old gears up for the Group 3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham this Saturday. Trainer Robbie Patterson, based in New Plymouth, believes that One Bold Cat has progressed significantly since his resuming run at Te Rapa over 1400m. Patterson remarked, “He has definitely come on, and it was obviously a distance short of his best.” Despite being unplaced in that race, One Bold Cat showcased his late speed, running the quickest last couple of 100 metres. Patterson, expressing confidence in his laid-back yet talented charge, stated, “It should be onwards and upwards with him. He’s quite a laid-back horse and has got plenty of ability.” The performance in the Thompson Handicap will play a pivotal role in deciding whether One Bold Cat will venture south for the Group 3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m). Stablemate Times Up, following a runner-up finish in an open 1000m trial at Foxton, is set to return to action. Patterson believes Times Up, who showed promise in his last campaign, is “a really good type” and has a reasonable chance in the upcoming race. Patterson will also be represented by Margherita Veloce and Winkle Bay at Trentham, noting that they may need the runs to hit their stride. The trainer’s focus will be divided between Trentham and Te Rapa, where major cups’ prospects Za’faran and Another Bella are in contention. Za’faran, targeting the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m), aims to bounce back after a sixth-place finish in the Hawera Cup (2100m). Patterson indicated, “Saturday will tell us whether we go south for the New Zealand Cup.” Another Bella, a promising middle-distance mare, is gearing up for the Waikato Cup (Group 3, 2400m). At Trentham, stablemates Puntura and Mary Louise will face off, with Puntura being considered the stable’s best winning chance. Patterson expressed confidence, stating, “I would be disappointed if they both didn’t run very well,” and highlighted the addition of blinkers to Mary Louise for the upcoming race. More horse racing news View the full article

Adam Hyeronimus will partner Tropical Squall again on Saturday, seeking back-to-back victories on the filly. Photo: Racing NSW The Group 3 Ethereal Stakes will follow the boys in the Caulfield Classic, with 13 runners accepting for the 2000m contest at Caulfield, where the race will be headed by Group 1 Flight Stakes winner Tropical Squall. After claiming the Flight Stakes, the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained filly will have to carry the extra weight and lump 59kg from barrier 12. The daughter of Prized Icon has won three of her four race starts, with the Flight victory obviously being her best performance to date and she is the current VRC Oaks favourite with online bookmakers. Outside of the top weight, Konasana from the Chris Waller yard appears to be very progressive, as she comes through her all-the-way victory over 1600m at Moonee Valley last start. Damian Lane will stick with the daughter of Dundeel, who currently shares the fifth line of betting in VRC Oaks markets with a few of her rivals that she will meet on Saturday. After a strong performance first-up this time in, Autumn Angel from the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman yard will bring strong form into the Ethereal Stakes, after she finished 1.55 lengths off subsequent Caulfield Guineas winner Griff last time out in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes. The Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained Coco Sun claimed the Listed Oaklands Plate during his debut preparation but has yet to find the winners circle since returning as a three-year-old. Similarly, Dolphin Skin from the Leon & Troy Corstens stable was another two-year-old Listed race winner but has been uninspiring at her two starts back in the Jim Moloney Stakes (11th of 12) and Edward Manifold Stakes (10th of 13) this campaign. 2023 Ethereal Stakes Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Tropical Squall Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Adam Hyeronimus 12 59kg 2 Dolphin Skin Leon & Troy Corstens Craig Williams 13 57kg 3 Coco Sun Tony & Calvin McEvoy Kerrin McEvoy 8 57kg 4 Autumn Angel Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Billy Egan 3 56kg 5 Konasana Chris Waller Damian Lane 7 56kg 6 Grinzinger Belle Danny O’Brien Michael Dee 2 56kg 7 Basilinna Emma-Lee & David Browne Damien Oliver 11 56kg 8 Wings Of Song Patrick Payne Ben Melham 9 56kg 9 Bon Mistress Ken & Kasey Keys Blaike McDougall 5 56kg 10 Saxon Beauty Mark & Levi Kavanagh Jamie Kah 1 56kg 11 Another You Dan O’Sullivan Daniel Stackhouse 4 56kg 12 Everlasting Kiss Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Blake Shinn 10 56kg 13 Lady Tempest Robbie Laing TBC 6 56kg More horse racing news View the full article

C’est Magique heads the market for Saturday’s Group 2 Tristarc Stakes. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Nine mares are set to feature in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) this Saturday at Caulfield, with many of those using this as a platform for the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) on November 4. It’s brought some serious quality, with all nine gallopers bringing strong credentials to the $300,000 contest designated for the girls. It’s C’est Magique from the Grahame Begg barn that currently holds favouritism with online bookmakers at +320, after finishing third in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) a fortnight ago. New Zealand Group 1 winner Skew Wiff (+360) brings an element of class from across the ditch, as Opie Bosson makes the trip to Melbourne to take the reins aboard the daughter of Savabeel. Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman have two mares engaged, with Waltz On By (+400) and Shuffle Dancer (+1000) both seeking to improve after eye-catching performances in the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m). The same can be said for Wrote To Arataki (+500) who also closed off gamely behind Life Lessons on October 7. The remainder of the field all bring differing Sydney form, with the likes of Madame Pommery, Revolutionary Miss, and Call Di all at +900 apiece with online betting sites. The Group 2 Tristarc Stakes kicks off the Caulfield quaddie and is set to jump at 3:50pm AEDT. 2023 Tristarc Stakes Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Madame Pommery Chris Waller James McDonald 1 58.5kg 2 Skew Wiff Mark Walker Opie Bosson 2 58.5kg 3 Revolutionary Miss Peter & Paul Snowden Mark Zahra 8 57.5kg 4 Shuffle Dancer Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Luke Nolen 6 57.5kg 5 Wrote To Arataki Matthew Williams Dean Yendall 7 57kg 6 Wollombi Peter & Paul Snowden TBC 9 57kg 7 Waltz On By Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Damian Lane 4 56kg 8 C’est Magique Grahame Begg Michael Dee 3 55kg 9 Call Di Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou Blake Shinn 5 55kg More horse racing news View the full article

Midnight Runner will be looking for a strong campaign-ending run at Wingatui. Photo: Monica Toretto Midnight Runner, the evergreen nine-year-old galloper, is gearing up for a strong finish to his current racing campaign as he heads to Wingatui on Thursday. Trainer John Phillips is optimistic about Midnight Runner’s performance, especially given his recent consistent form, with placements in four of his last five starts. While expressing confidence in Midnight Runner, Phillips does acknowledge a significant concern—the hefty 61kg impost on the seasoned campaigner. However, the assistance of apprentice jockey Elen Nicholas, who carries a two-kilogram claim, will bring the weight down to a more manageable 59kg. “He has been going really well and he is as honest as the day is long,” Phillips remarked about Midnight Runner’s recent form. “The old fella has come through his run well. He is a pretty seasoned campaigner, and he is used to carrying big weights now.” Reflecting on the upcoming race, Phillips highlighted the challenge of competing against top sprinters but expressed confidence in Midnight Runner’s capabilities. The trainer is particularly pleased to have Elen Nicholas back on board, citing her previous successful rides with Midnight Runner. “She has ridden him a couple of times for a couple of placings. She is going well – she has got a nice seat on her and gets down nice and low on the animals, and they run for her. It is good to have her on.” As retirement looms for Midnight Runner, Phillips shared plans for a potential final preparation next year before the horse concludes his racing career. Midnight Runner, a gift to Phillips from former owners, has been a stalwart in the trainer’s barn, accumulating impressive stats with 17 seconds, nine wins, and approximately $250,000 in stakes. “He has won about $250,000 in stakes and had 17 seconds and nine wins for us. His record is great,” Phillips noted, expressing the sentiment that it will be a poignant moment when Midnight Runner eventually leaves the stable for retirement. In addition to Midnight Runner, Phillips will also field two other runners on Thursday—Tiger Fire and Darcee Que. Tiger Fire is anticipated to be more competitive over an extended distance, while Darcee Que, despite recent performance challenges, is expected to benefit from a firmer track over a mile. More horse racing news View the full article

Lofty Strike will return in the Caulfield Sprint on Saturday. (Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) The Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m) has brought together a small but quality field of seven set to line-up for their share of the $300,000 prize packet on Saturday afternoon. It’s the James Cummings-trained gelding Spacewalk that holds the call post barrier draw, with online bookmakers injecting the four-year-old as a +150 favourite. It comes on the back of an impressive first-up victory at Warwick Farm on October 2 in BM100 company, and now gains the services of Jamie Kah to go along with the featherlight weight of 53kgs. Lofty Strike is the clear second elect with online betting sites at +170 making his return from a spell. The son of Snitzel brings the strongest form into the race, as he’s competed amongst Group 1 company throughout his three-year-old season – boasting a minor placing in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m). Midwest (+600) is on the third line of betting as the Anthony & Sam Freedman have kept the five-year-old gelding racing at the same track and trip for back-to-back starts. Generation ($9.00) rounds out the horse in single figures, as he tries to bounce back from a disappointing effort in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) behind Imperatriz. General Beau (+900) has been unseen since the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m), while Doull (+1200) showed enough first-up at Rosehill to warrant respect here. The Group 2 Caulfield Sprint is the sixth race on the program at Caulfield on Saturday and will get underway at 3:15pm AEDT. 2023 Caulfield Sprint Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Lofty Strike Julius Sandhu Damien Oliver 5 59kg 2 Generation Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Craig Williams 4 54kg 3 Indian Pacific Neville Parnham Jye McNeil 2 54kg 4 General Beau Matthew Ellerton Damian Lane 1 53kg 5 Midwest Anthony & Sam Freedman Daniel Moor 7 53kg 6 Spacewalk James Cummings Jamie Kah 6 53kg 7 Doull Annabel Neasham Michael Dee 3 53kg More horse racing news View the full article

Riff Rocket will seek back-to-back victories on Saturday after his dominant Super Impose Stakes victory last start. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) The Group 3 Caulfield Classic has attracted a relatively small field of runners this Saturday afternoon, with eight horses set to clash in the $200,000 contest at Caulfield. Last start Super Impose Stakes winner Riff Rocket could be the reason why the acceptances are on the slimmer side, with the Chris Waller-trained gelding smashing his rivals by 5.5 lengths at Flemington over 1800m. Of the seven rivals that he will meet on Saturday, the son of American Pharoah beat three of them in the Super Impose, which will more than likely lead punters to look to other form lines if they wish to bet around the current VRC Derby favourite. One of those runners that does bring a different form line is that of the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Gold Bullion who has won his last two starts, including his most recent victory in the Derby Trial at Flemington over 1800m. The son of Savabeel is bred to get further than 1800m, so this gelding is expected to improve the further he goes. The Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained Sunsource finished behind both Gold Bullion and Riff Rocket in the Derby Trial and the Super Impose Stakes, and he appears to be one of the outside chances on Saturday. Gates and To Be Frank are last start winners; however, they come through Maiden grade victories at Sandown and Pakenham, which is inferior form to the top few. 2023 Caulfield Classic Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Sunsource Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Ben Melham 7 57kg 2 Riff Rocket Chris Waller James McDonald 1 57kg 3 Apulia Ben, Will & JD Hayes Michael Dee 6 57kg 4 Gold Bullion Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Blake Shinn 3 57kg 5 Sunsets Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young John Allen 8 57kg 6 Gates Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Luke Nolen 5 57kg 7 To Be Frank Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Mark Zahra 2 57kg 8 Tokyo Run Dean Mirfin Opie Bosson 4 57kg More horse racing news View the full article

“Multiple graded stakes winner Winter Memories died, and not a peep about it anywhere? Seriously?” Last week's tweet sounded like a salvo. The message's verve was driven by a quest for information. The responses underneath that query told the story, as a host of fans who loved and cheered home this gray filly by El Prado (Ire) over a decade ago, posted their sadness after hearing of her loss. Heading out the Old Frankfort Pike at historic Darby Dan Farm, owner John Phillips made the decision not to issue a press release. He had his reasons. As he said so acutely and with deep emotion, “Actually we put her down May 16. It was time, as her hind suspensories just gave out and she was in pain to stand. She was surrounded by the staff and I held the shank.” He also divulged that, “While I know she was a recognized mare, the loss was personal, private. We probably should have announced her passing, but that just seemed too commercial to me. Sorry if that offends anyone.” No one is offended. It's Phillips's right. In the world of commercial Thoroughbred breeding, which at times is only understood as a series of business transactions that are attached to monetary gains and losses, there are still deep-seeded tributaries of emotion that are directly tied to family connections–both human and equine. After all, that nexus is full of blood, sweat and at times, many, many tears. No myths here: only truth. That is what Winter Memories meant to Phillips and Darby Dan. To hear him tell it, from the very beginning Winter Memories was intimately tied to the family and the stallion farm's staff. It all started Apr. 24, 2008. “She was born on the day we buried our mother [Joan Phillips],” he said. “She was my mother's favorite color, gray. To say Winter Memories was a sentimental favorite is an understatement.” Out of Memories of Silver (Silver Hawk)–winner of the 1996 GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge S. and the 1997 GI Beverly D. S. for Darby Dan–her filly would also head to Jimmy Toner's shedrow. “Winter Memories was, like her mother Memories of Silver, a keen competitor, but was amazingly kind and gentle,” he said. “Owners always say stuff like that and most don't really know, but she was genuinely affectionate and gentle with people, especially my children.” If you delve into her pedigree, you find that Memories of Silver was the product of five generations of Darby Dan breeding going back to Golden Trail, who Phillips says, “was a blue hen for our family.” The Phillips Racing Partnership color-bearer had an unbelievable turn of foot in deep stretch, which Darby Dan's owner has said on several occasions was best exhibited in the GI Garden City S. Sept. 17 at Belmont Park during her 3-year-old season. Her stakes haul also included victories in the GIII Miss Grillo S., the GIII Appalachian S., the GII Lake George S. and a runner-up finish in the GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. The GI Diana S. at Saratoga was her last when she was forced into retirement due to a degenerative bone disease. “Over the many decades that our family has been the stewards of this land and these equine families, we have been blessed with some incredible equine talent. Although Winter Memories was never declared a champion because we stopped her career after her Diana win in Saratoga, she was without a doubt one of the best fillies I have ever had the privilege of witnessing,” said Phillips. As a broodmare, Winter Memories produced MGSP Winter Sunset (Tapit) and also her full-sister GISP Seasons. More recently, she is responsible for a 2-year-old colt named American Memories (American Pharoah). And her last produce of record? Phillips quickly advised, “Her last foal is a Mendelssohn yearling filly who will never see a sales ring.” Buried at Darby Dan, Winter Memories rests alongside her mother as a close family member held tight by John Phillips for good reason. She'll also be remembered well every year when her eponymous stakes race goes off each September during the Belmont Park meet. As the commercial market takes a backseat, now the news is out there. Lest we forget, for the family and the fans, may Winter Memories rest in peace. The post Winter Memories Made And Preserved At Darby Dan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article