Wandering Eyes

Horse Racing on Wednesday, October 18 will feature six meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meetings at Caulfield, Randwick-Kensington and Happy Valley (HK). Wednesday Racing Tips – October 18, 2023 Caulfield Racing Tips Randwick-Kensington Racing Tips Happy Valley (HK) Racing Tips Wednesday’s Best Racing Bets Of The Day – October 18, 2023 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $15.73 odds return: Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Caulfield Race 5 – #7 Shock ’em Ova Caulfield Race 6 – #7 Dancing Alone Randwick-Kensington Race 2 – #5 Keenan Randwick-Kensington Race 3 – #1 Rhythm Of Love | Copy this bet straight to your betslip As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on October 18, 2023 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

Emerging filly Star Of Justice provided Pencarrow Stud with a timely result when she bridged the gap to black type company with aplomb at Ashburton. The chestnut broke her maiden at Riccarton at her second race day appearance before the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained daughter of Justify claimed the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) on Monday. Star Of Justice now shares the second line of betting at $8 for next month’s Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and the prospect of further boosting the value of her New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale-bound sister. They are out of the Fastnet Rock mare Fair Isle, who is currently at Coolmore’s Hunter Valley base. “Fair Isle is in foal to So You Think and will go back to Justify and our yearling filly by Justify will go to Karaka next year,” Pencarrow Manager Leon Casey said. “We own the mare with Coolmore and she (Star Of Justice) came over to us to be prepped for the sale. “We also own Miss Scarlatti, her grandmother, who was a very good mare from a great family and we’ve been looking to get some black type under her.” Miss Scarlatti won the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) and finished runner-up in the Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m). She is a half-sister to the Group winners Abidewithme and Stockman. Star Of Justice was a $190,000 Karaka purchase for Te Akau’s David Ellis, who had secured her half-brother Stonybreck, a son of Tavistock, the previous year for $20,000 and he is now a five-time winner. Pencarrow also welcomed a top result with Pearl Of Alsace when the Tavistock mare finished a gallant third in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings. Retained to race by breeder Sir Peter Vela and trained by Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray, the valuable five-year-old has won six of her nine starts including last season’s Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m). “This time last year, Pearl Of Alsace hadn’t had her first start so she’s really put together a good record,” Casey said. She is a daughter of the multiple winner and Group performer Irion, a Danroad mare who has also left the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) winner Zourion. The Zoustar filly was secured at Karaka by Ellis for $475,000 and is raced by Cambridge Stud with the three-year-old currently domiciled at Te Akau’s Cranbourne base. “Irion was a really good mare and she’s made a great start at stud,” Casey said. Her Super Seth filly was bought earlier this year by Ritchie for $260,000 and the mare produced a son of the Dundeel stallion last year. “Shaun knows a bargain when he sees it and while she did make nice money, her value has continued to go up ever since,” Casey said. Irion, who wasn’t served in 2022, is now across the Tasman and has been covered by Zoustar. View the full article

The Castlepoint Races have been a staple of Wairarapa summers for generations, and it has now been immortalised in book form through the launch of ‘Racing Against Time – 150 Years Of Horse Racing At Castlepoint’. Commissioned by the Castlepoint Racing Club, the 200-page coffee table-sized book has been a labour of love for author Matt Philp and photographer Lottie Hedley over the last couple of years. The book captures the community and rural feel of the iconic meeting, which takes place annually on the picturesque Castlepoint Beach, with the famed Castlepoint Lighthouse and Pacific Ocean in the backdrop. The event is engrained in the memories of many Wairarapa locals who accompanied their parents each year to the not-to-be missed social event of the summer, with Philp’s words and Hedley’s images bringing life to the characters and festivities behind the event. ‘Racing Against Time’ encapsulates the rich history of the meeting, from its rural roots to the modern day, where the undie 100, fashion parade, and Kids Big Dig bring added entertainment to the event. Castlepoint Racing Club President Scott Whitehead is looking forward to launching the book this weekend at the Castlepoint Woolshed, the venue of the famous Friday Night Calcutta, which is held the evening prior to the Castlepoint races every year. “Two-and-a-half years ago we had our first real serious meeting about putting a book together,” Whitehead said. “We have had attempts at trying to record the history. There was a generation that was getting older and we wanted to get their thoughts written down. “The Club turned 150 and we thought it would be good to write a book. We were trying to write it in conjunction with the 150th anniversary but COVID mucked us around and the races didn’t go ahead, so we put it back a year. “We picked the book up from the printers last week and we are going to launch the book over Labour Weekend.” The book launch will take place at the Castlepoint Station Old Woolshed on Sunday, October 22, at 4pm where the book will be available to purchase for $55. Books can also be ordered via the club’s website: castlepointracingclub.com or emailing jennybalfour14@gmail.com.The next Castlepoint race meeting is set to take place on Saturday, 24 February, 2024. View the full article

A colt by Good Magic (hip 251) brought a sales record $230,000 to top a solid–if polarized–renewal of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Fall Mixed Sale in upstate New York Tuesday. During the one-session auction, 156 horses grossed $4,522,200 for an average of $28,988 and a median of $18,000. Both average and median dipped from last year's vibrant market. The sale average–which had jumped 48.5% from 2021 to 2022–declined 13% from a year ago, while the median was down 5%. From a catalogue of 337 head, 243 went through the ring with 87 failing to meet their reserves for a buy-back rate of 35.8%. That was up from last year's figure of 25.3%. “It was very similar to the last few yearling sales,” Derek MacKenzie, whose Vinery Sales consigned four of the auction's nine six-figure horses, including the sale-topping weanling, said of the market in Saratoga Tuesday. “It was very polarized. The ones that the buyers covet and that jump through the hoops bring a lot of money. We are lacking a little bit of depth, obviously. The middle and the bottom is trickier than it has been in the last few years.” Hip 251 is out of Popstar (Medaglia d'Oro) and is a half-brother to stakes-placed Lady d'Oro (Catholic Boy). Vinery consigned the youngster on behalf of his breeder, Richard Nicolai's Fortune Farm. “He was a very fantastic physical and he had great size,” said Vinery's Derek MacKenzie. “He was a great mover with incredible presence. I thought he would top the sale, honestly.” Of the sales record price, MacKenzie said, “Once you pass the $200,000 mark at this sale, you just never know. Because that seems to be the ceiling in the past, but [the price] didn't shock me.” The sale-topping price produced a quick profit for Nicolai, who purchased Popstar with the colt in utero for $29,000 at the Keeneland January sale earlier this year. “I was not involved with purchasing the mare, but I congratulated [Nicolai] on what was an incredible purchase,” MacKenzie said. On behalf of Juddmonte, Sequel New York offered three mares in foal to Honest Mischief and the trio were the only broodmares to bring six figures during the auction. Glen Hill Farm purchased the highest-priced of the lot, going to $170,000 to acquire the unraced 4-year-old Bahama Banks (Arrogate) (hip 25). “We had a busy morning because we sold a horse in the Arqana October sale and he made a nice price,” said Glen Hill's Craig Bernick. “So I was kind of excited and I went a little more on that mare than I was planning to. But we wanted to have her.” The mare is a half-sister to multiple graded placed Millefeuille (Curlin). Her second dam is Grade I winner Honest Lady (Seattle Slew), who produced Grade I winner First Defence (Unbridled's Song), as well as graded placed Honest Mischief. “It's a world-class pedigree,” Bernick said. “We've never been able to get something that we thought was good from that Toussaud, Honest Lady family. When they've sold out of that family, those horses usually make a huge price. So we were really excited to buy her. She is in foal to a horse that's in New York, but it's a horse that goes back to the same family. So you'd have to hope for a filly to be inbred to that family. We will bring her to Kentucky and figure out what stallion to go to. She will go to a good stallion.” Honest Mischief, who stands at Sequel New York for $6,500, was well-represented by his first crop at the Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale in August with five six-figure yearlings. But the New York stallion's presence as a covering sire might have saved Bernick some money, he said. “If she was in foal to a $50,000 Kentucky stallion, I think she would have made $400,000 or $500,000,” Bernick said. “So the stallion maybe did us a favor. We like to race horses, so Honest Mischief, I wouldn't go looking for one, but from that family, especially if it's a filly, I would be excited to race her.” The post Record Good Magic Colt on Top at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

“The American Horse of the Year and the Arc winner are heads apart with a furlong to go in the Classic… Here's the wire, desperately close. Tiznow wins it for America!” Chances are you can actually hear Tom Durkin's legendary call as you read those words. And chances are listening to the call now will give you goosebumps all over again and bring you straight back to that amazing moment. Tiznow became an American hero that day at Belmont Park, just weeks after what would become known as 9/11. Still the first and only horse to win back-to-back Breeders' Cup Classics, Tiznow's story is far more than one great victory. The robust California-bred's career reads like a modern-day racing soap opera: sandwiched between the Eclipse Awards, the Grade I races, and the two Classics, he was famously reluctant to train, lost his owner three days after his first Breeders' Cup win, and suffered a back injury that kept him on the sidelines for six months. He was quirky, he was game, and he was flat-out wonderful. With perhaps a bit more modest pedigree than many stallions, Tiznow also wasn't guaranteed to stand in Kentucky. Thank goodness he did, though. Among his offspring are Breeders' Cup winners Folklore and Tourist and he's proving to be a darn good broodmare sire as well. Tiznow was pensioned from stud duty around this time of the fall in 2020. He remains at WinStar, where the affection stallion manager Larry McGinnis has for the big bay is palpable. “I led him off the van when he arrived at WinStar,” said McGinnis. “It's been a pleasure to take care of him his whole life. “He's very good boy. He's retired now and when he's ready to come in the barn, he walks down to the gate and lets us know. His paddock has a hill in it. If we can't see him from the barn, he's on the other side of the hill and he doesn't want to come in. If he's at the top of the hill, we know he'll want to come in soon. We just wait for him to walk down to the gate, because that's when he's ready for us to bring him in, not before. He knows if it's going to get hot and he'll want to come in. We let him tell us. “He's one of the smartest horses I've been around, probably the smartest. He's just a very cool, collected horse, always in control. He always looks at things and assesses them. “He didn't like us riding or exercising him when he retired, so we stopped that pretty quick with him. He let his opinion be known. He felt that was work and he'd done that and didn't want to do it anymore. “He's very, very smart with a good temperament. He was also a very, very fertile horse. One time he got 15-20 mares in foal in a row. That doesn't happen very often. “He's just always been very intelligent, very cool and collected about everything he's done. It's just a pleasure to be around him.” Tiznow (1997 bay horse, Cee's Tizzy–Cee's Song, by Seattle Song) Lifetime record: Horse of the Year, Ch. 3yo colt, Ch. older male, MGISW, 15-8-4-2, $6,427,830 Breeders' Cup connections: B-Cecilia Straub Rubens (CA); O-Michael Cooper and Cecilia Straub-Rubens (2000)/Cees Stable LLC (2001); T-Jay Robbins; J-Chris McCarron. Current location: WinStar Farm, Versailles, Ky. The post Catching Up with 2000-01 Breeders’ Cup Classic Winner Tiznow appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Adaay in Devon (GB) (Adaay {Ire}) collected her fourth bonus from Great Britain Bonus in a conditions stakes at Leiscester Tuesday, becoming the first Flat filly to accomplish the feat since the scheme launched in 2020. “Adaay In Devon has been a pleasure to train and we've been absolutely delighted with her progress,” said trainer Rod Millman. After three runs and two placings, Adaay In Devon had her first win, including a £20,000 bonus, at Windsor Aug. 7 where the filly won convincingly in a Class 5 Maiden Fillies' Stakes. Her second win came just 19 days later Aug. 26 at Goodwood in the Class 4 Novice Stakes. With £40,000 in the coffers, the filly returned Sept. 13 to win at Carlisle racecourse, landing her third £20,000 bonus. Millman added, “We hoped to win one bonuses so to have won four is fantastic. It's great for her owners–they're just smaller owner breeders so to reward them like this is great.” On the flat, any class 2 – 5 maiden, novice or conditions race in Britain is covered by a GBB bonus. The scheme is supported by the HBLB and is managed by the Thoroughbred Breeders Association whose Chairman, Philip Newton said: “We're delighted to be able to support a super filly like this and we're thrilled for her connections. It takes careful race planning to achieve four bonuses on the flat so Rod's efforts have to be applauded. If you ever needed proof that breeding and racing a British-bred filly can be a profitable Affair, Adaay in Devon is it.” For more information, click here. The post Adaay In Devon Lands Another GBB Bonus appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The CHRB issued a release Oct. 17 saying it is working with InCompass Solutions to create an automated system that will correlate official workouts at California racetracks and training facilities with confidential veterinary submissions.View the full article

This day 18th October in horse racing news history From the extensive Horse Betting news archives we present the all the thoroughbred racing action in Australian and overseas racing news in history. Delve in and enjoy our walk back in horse racing time. Hong Kong horse racing news 12 months ago Unbeaten Flying Ace goes for five straight Flying Ace has enjoyed a swift ascent and on Wednesday night (October 19) at Happy Valley the Swiss Ace speedster … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 12 months ago Riccarton feature confirmed for Sacred Satono Connections of Sacred Satono have waived an Australian campaign for the in-form three-year-old in favour of chasing a domestic Group … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 12 months ago Better weather a relief for Ritchie Shaune Ritchie is glad at what looks like a long-overdue break in the weather as he puts two of his … Read More Australia horse racing news 12 months ago Hayes: Mr Brightside a genuine top three chance in Cox Plate Co-trainer Ben Hayes believes Mr Brightside can threaten the likes of Anamoe and Zaaki in Saturday’s Group 1 Cox Plate … Read More Australia horse racing news 12 months ago Neasham happy with barrier one for Zaaki in Cox Plate She went through the ordeal of scratching favourite Zaaki before last year’s Cox Plate, but there were no complaints from … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Ballarat best bets & quaddie tips | October 20, 2022 The Ballarat Turf Club will hold its annual Ladies Day meeting this Thursday, where all nine races will feature just … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Warwick Farm betting tips & quaddie | Wednesday, October 19 Racing heads to Warwick Farm on Wednesday afternoon where a competitive eight-race program is set down for decision. Horsebetting.com.au present … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Vow And Declare stamps Melbourne Cup claim | The Follow Files Despite the conditions, Caulfield Cup Day produced plenty of quality racing. Find out which horses we’re following out of that … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Wednesday’s Ipswich racing tips & quaddie | October 19, 2022 HorseBetting’s Queensland racing analyst provides you with his best bets and quaddie numbers for Wednesday’s eight-race meeting at Ipswich Turf … Read More Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing News 12 months ago 2022 Cox Plate field and barrier draw locked in The 2022 Cox Plate field for Saturday was finalised on Tuesday morning with the barrier draw also taking place at … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | October 18, 2022 Four horse racing meetings are scheduled around Australia today. See the top tips, best odds and quaddie selections for free … Read More Australia horse racing news 12 months ago Alice Springs 10-year-old mare Roughly keeps defying the odds In two of her past three starts at Pioneer Park in the Red Centre, the daughter of Kaphero has defied … Read More Australia horse racing news 1 year ago Sonja Wiseman stars in Northern Territory landing five winners Sonja Wiseman missed the start of last season in the Northern Territory due to injury, but the Darwin-based jockey is … Read More Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago Tuesday’s Bathurst races best bets & quaddie tips | October 18 Tuesday’s scheduled meeting at Orange has been transferred to Bathurst, where we will see a competitive seven-race program from 1:35pm … Read More Australia horse racing news, New Zealand horse racing news 1 year ago Sharp ‘N’ Smart chasing Spring Champion glory Graeme Rogerson is setting Sharp ‘N’ Smart the task of joining an exclusive four-horse club. Since the inaugural Group 1 … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 1 year ago Bosson to cop suspension on chin Champion jockey Opie Bosson has no plans to appeal the lengthy suspension he incurred on the closing day of the … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Incentivise handed 1.5kg penalty for Melbourne Cup After Saturday’s emphatic victory in the Caulfield Cup, Incentivise has been issued a 1.5kg penalty for the $8 million Melbourne … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Punt Drunk: Incentivise & Nature Strip star on big weekend The Monday edition of Punt Drunk takes a look back at the breathtaking victories of Incentivise and Nature Strip over … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Hamilton betting tips, quaddie picks & value bets | 19/10/2021 HorseBetting.com.au brings you the Hamilton racing preview for Tuesday, October 19, with all the top tips, value bets, best odds … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Incentivise overcomes wide gate to smoke Caulfield Cup field Incentivise stamped himself as one of the world’s best stayers over the weekend, taking out the Group 1 Caulfield Cup … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | October 18, 2021 Horse racing around the country sees two meetings being held on this Monday afternoon. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Third time lucky for Nature Strip as Waller wins another Everest It was a case of third time’s a charm for Nature Strip in The Everest as the eight-year-old saluted under … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 2 years ago Lucky Patch stuns in Group 2 Premier Bowl for Lui and Purton Overshadowed pre-race by Courier Wonder and Naboo Attack, Lucky Patch has earned a tilt at the HKD$24 million Group 1 … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 2 years ago Panfield trades on class to snare Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy Acclaimed as last season’s Champion Stayer of Hong Kong, Panfield underlined growing versatility and undoubted class with Group 2 Oriental … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Punters’ pal back to winning form at Rotorua Quality performer Tavi Mac bounced back from his worst career performance in the best possible fashion with a stylish victory … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago There You Go rockets to 1000 Guineas favouritism Visiting Cambridge filly There You Go firmed into the clear favourite for next month’s Group 1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Life is sweet for Clementine at Rotorua Underrated mare Sweet Clementine backed up a gritty win on a heavy track over 2000m at Matamata at her last … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Savy Yong Blonk too crisp in Livamol A picture-perfect ride by Danielle Johnson ensured quality staying mare Savy Yong Blonk was given every opportunity to succeed at … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Two Illicit too good in Hastings feature sprint Noted fresh-up performer Two Illicit provided another example of her undoubted ability when she cruised to victory in the Group … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Hypnos takes Hastings sprint with gritty performance Cambridge visitor Hypnos gained his second victory at stakes level the hard way when he held out the late charge … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Sunshine Coast horse betting tips for Sunday races 18th October 2020 What Sunshine Coast Races Where Sunshine Coast Turf Club, 170 Pierce Ave Corbould Park Caloundra, QLD 4551 When Sunday, October … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Melody Belle reigns supreme at Hastings Superstar race-mare Melody Belle celebrated being named New Zealand Horse of the Year last Sunday evening when she stormed home … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Spectacular scenes during famous Ellerslie steeplechase There were thrills a plenty during the running of Saturday’s ARC Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m) at Ellerslie but after the … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Exciting filly remains unbeaten with Hastings victory Promising three-year-old Bonham made it two wins from her first two starts when she dominated her female rivals over 1300m … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 4 years ago Waikuku’s back for another shot at Beauty Generation Joao Moreira expects improvement from the talented Waikuku (113lb) in Sunday’s (20 October) Group 2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Forde, shearing and cheering his way to the Caulfield Cup Darin Forde will swap his shearing piece for a suit on Saturday as he gets set to experience one of … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Railway hopeful set to resume at Rotorua Ken Kelso isn’t enamored with the prospect of running Princess Kereru on a heavy track at Rotorua on Saturday but … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Trainers agree more must be done Racehorse trainers say they take care to ensure horses have good homes when they leave stables but the system needs … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Sound gains Cup start after scratching First emergency Sound has gained a start in the Caulfield Cup and the import’s trainer Mike Moroney believes the stayer … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Mr Quickie out to bounce back in Cup Mr Quickie will be out to bounce back from a disappointing last-start performance when he runs as one of the … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Polly Grey – the gift that keeps giving Connotations around the expression ‘gift horse’ are many, but for Matamata thoroughbred enthusiast Kylie Fawcett it has a special and … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Authorities want national racing register Racing regulators say they are horrified by alleged abuse and slaughter of retired thoroughbreds and have called for a national … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Vic trainer could face doping charges Victroia Police acted lawfully when it gave racing authorities evidence from a raid on Victorian trainer Jarrod McLean’s stables, a … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Milestones loom for Tisani Tomso, Thompson Veteran Tisani Tomso and apprentice Adin Thompson can reach milestones if they can combine to win at Eagle Farm … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Danzdanzdance ready to hot-step it in Sydney Danzdanzdance will don new gear and step through a new routine in Sydney on Saturday. The dual Group 1 winner … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Easier test for Miss Leonidas at Caulfield With Nature Strip at Randwick for The Everest, Miss Leonidas has been set a slightly easier task in the Group … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago St Leger to dictate Sir Charles Road’s spring Saturday’s A$500,000 St Leger Stakes (2600m) at Randwick could have a major bearing on the 2019 spring campaign for well-performed … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Cosgrave gets another Caulfield Cup chance Visiting jockey Pat Cosgrave will try to win the Caulfield Cup for the second time in as many years after … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago A guide to the $5 million Caulfield Cup What you need to know ahead of the $5 million Group One Caulfield Cup over 2400m … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 4 years ago Pakistan Star’s ready to sprint in the Premier Bowl Pakistan Star will attempt a remarkable metamorphosis from Group 1-winning stayer to top-class sprinter in Sunday’s (20 October) Group 2 … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Noble Boy ready for $1.3m Kosciuszko climb Noble Boy is the second favourite in Randwick’s $1.3 million Kosciuszko for country-trained horses, with Queanbeyan trainer Todd Blowes pinching … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 4 years ago Beauty Generation thrives ahead of Sunday’s test Beauty Generation is “raring to go” as he bids to extend his unbeaten sequence to 11 in Sunday’s (20 October) … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago In-form filly earns shot at black-type Keen to make hay while the sun shines, John Sargent will give in-form filly Aesop’s Fable a chance at stakes … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Classic test for lightly raced Miroku The Phillip Stokes-trained Miroku will be tried at stakes level and 2000m for the first time in the Caulfield Classic … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 4 years ago Callan’s big freeze ends with a double at the Valley There was relief and satisfaction for Neil Callan at Happy Valley on Wednesday (16 October) with a double that lifted … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Crown Prosecutor out of Group 1 Caulfield Cup New Zealand four-year-old Crown Prosecutor has been scratched from the Caulfield Cup because of a leg issue, with first emergency … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Veteran trainer believes in Everest Legend Trainer Les Bridge will team up with the daughter of one of his great rivals when he chases an Everest … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 4 years ago Fownes looks for “something amazing” to topple Beauty Generation Two of the finest gallopers in Hong Kong history could stand between Caspar Fownes and glory at this December’s LONGINES … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Gamay to press Oaks claims in Group 3 Ethereal Lightly raced Ballarat-trained filly Gamay will put her VRC Oaks credentials on the line in the Group Three Ethereal Stakes … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 4 years ago Hat-trick on as Size points talented trio at Sunday’s Group 2 Premier Bowl John Size is looking to land a third consecutive win in Sunday’s (20 October) Group 2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Samadoubt chasing another Randwick feature Samadoubt has been in the form of his career this spring, a trend his trainer and jockey believe can continue … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 4 years ago Huge weight concession gives Singapore Sling hope against Beauty Generation Singapore Sling will attempt the seemingly insurmountable task of defeating Beauty Generation in Sunday’s (20 October) Group 2 Oriental Watch … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Trent Busuttin excited at Dancer’s Cup bid Co-trainer Trent Busuttin admits he is a little on edge ahead of the Caulfield Cup in which he will saddle … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Clark focuses on harnessing Nature’s speed Speed is Nature Strip’s biggest asset but to win the Everest, jockey Tim Clark knows he needs to use it … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Victorian trainer loses Supreme Court bid Trainer Jarrod McLean has lost his Supreme Court case against Racing Victoria, after claiming police unlawfully gave the industry body … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago V’landys wants action over horse cruelty Peter V’landys says the Queensland government must step in to punish perpetrators filmed torturing horses … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Testashadow finds right race at Eagle Farm Warwick Farm trainer Gary Portelli has again turned to Brisbane as he chases a suitable race for veteran Testashadow at … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Garry Newham wins Wayne Wilson Medal Gold Coast trainer Garry Newham has won the Wayne Wilson Medal for outstanding performance by a Queensland trainer last season … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Racehorse breeders call for transparency The Thoroughbred Breeders Association has condemned ill treatment and slaughter of retired racehorses and says more transparency is needed … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Cross Counter not back to regular work yet Connections of Cross Counter are hoping the stayer can soon resume regular training after suffering a minor setback with a … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Overseas results in the $5m Caulfield Cup A look at the international influence on the Caulfield Cup, the $5 million race that has attracted six overseas-trained horses … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Japanese stayers ready for Cup challenge Chestnut Coat and Sole Impact will fly the flag for Japan when they line up in the $5 million Caulfield … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Group One star Black Heart Bart retired Black Heart Bart will spend his retirement on Darren Weir’s farm along with Melbourne Cup winner Prince Of Penzance … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Randwick gets synthetic training track A new synthetic track surface allowing for all-weather training is being installed at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Wide draw for Tom Melbourne in G3 Moonga Hugh Bowman will have to overcome a wide draw on Tom Melbourne in the Moonga Stakes when he rides the … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Melham gets another Caulfield Cup chance After finishing third in the 2017 Caulfield Cup on Johannes Vermeer, jockey Ben Melham is hoping for an even better … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Irish stayer to relish O’Brien master plan Irish star The Cliffsofmoher is rated the main threat to Australian-trained stayers Kings Will Dream and Youngstar in the Caulfield … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Blinkers for Fifteen Rounds at Randwick Joe Pride has made a key gear change to Fifteen Rounds ahead of the colt’s toughest test in the Brian … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Lindsay Park duo on trial for Derby bids Stablemates Sikorsky and Muswellbrook will be out to press their Victoria Derby claims when they are tested over 2000m in … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Sir Charles Road out to stake Cup claims Co-trainer Lance O’Sullivan will rely on attrition to get New Zealand stayer Sir Charles Road into the Melbourne Cup if … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 5 years ago Grey high-weights opt to sprint in Sunday’s G2 Premier Bowl Everyone loves a grey, they say, and Hong Kong’s three best of that hue will all vie for affection in … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 5 years ago Beauty Generation relishes the rain in final gallop for Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy Beauty Generation galloped on a dampened turf track at Sha Tin this morning (Thursday, 18 October) and relished every step … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Newcastle trainer has spring in his step A two-year-old starting its racing journey and a progressive sprinter will spearhead trainer Paul Perry’s two-state team at Randwick and … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 5 years ago Double-up Ting has ring of confidence as local riders sing his praises Local talent is a hot button issue in Hong Kong racing and homegrown heroes were firmly in the spotlight at … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Strong Cup tempo a key for UK stayer: Dunn Dwayne Dunn insists UK stayer Duretto has the right form to make a bold bid in the $5 million Caulfield … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Schweida’s Odyssey ready to go one better Trainers Kelly Schweida and David Vandyke have strong chances against early-season star Guntantes at Doomben … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Charles Road loving Melbourne: O’Sullivan A bright and content Charles Road is poised to enhance his Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) claims with a bold … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Da Cruz pair ready for Sweynesse Cambridge trainer Martin Da Cruz is taking a cautious approach with his talented sprinters Packing Eagle and Elusive Treasure going into Saturday’s … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Nikitas to honour Kelso Wood at Doomben Trainer Chris Munce hopes to pay tribute to the late Kelso Wood by winning with Nikitas at Doomben … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Rich Charm snares Listed win at Caulfield The Udyta Clake-trained sprinter Rich Charm has made the step up to stakes level with a Listed race win at … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Unforgotten at forefront of Waller treble The Chris Waller-trained filly Unforgotten has shown the benefits of a preparation in Queensland with a first-up win at Canterbury … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Jukebox completes Caulfield tune up for Coolmore Stud Stakes TRAINER Aaron Purcell admitted that star galloper Jukebox “needed” its run in Blue Sapphire Stakes to prepare for an assault … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Stonebrook untroubled to extend sequence Stonebrook has made it four wins from as many starts in scoring at Canterbury … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Fresh Formality prevails in Blue Sapphire After a tough trip in the Golden Rose in Sydney, Lindsay Park have freshened Formality for the Blue Sapphire Stakes … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Snowden colt continues post-Everest high Peter and Paul Snowden have no reason to end their post-Everest party, with Star Of Africa winning at Canterbury … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Bonneval to face another vet inspection A Racing Victoria veterinary inspection has found Bonneval to be lame and she will need to be inspected again before … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Quilate pair to team up in Caulfield Cup Quilate has scored an important stakes race win which her trainer and jockey will try to replicate with Abbey Marie … Read More Horse Racing Tips 6 years ago Caulfield Cup head-to-head betting Humidor vs. Johannes Vermeer FORGET the group one races that have already been run-and-won this spring, the first real major race of the Melbourne … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Caulfield Cup – What you need to know All you need to know about the $3 million Caulfield Cup … Read More Horse Racing News, New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Marsh’s Guineas hand to be dealt at Te Rapa TRAINER Stephen Marsh’s hopes of dual representation in the opening group one event of the season for the three-year-olds will … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Temple Of Bel on target for VRC Oaks start Archie Alexander is looking towards the VRC Oaks with Temple Of Bel, a daughter of former Blue Diamond Stakes winner … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Social Element set to step up in Tatts Cup Consistent stayer Social Element will step up in grade in the City Tattersalls Club Cup at Randwick … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Classic hopes for Godolphin 3YO Ataraxia Dulcify Quality winner Ataraxia gets a chance to press his Victoria Derby claims when he steps up to 2000m in … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Sin To Win fights back for Caulfield win Lindsay Park may have unearthed a long-range Cups contender after Sin To Win scored a fighting win at Caulfield … Read More Horse Racing News, New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Boom 3YO Precious One out of Guineas contention UNBEATEN filly The Precious One has been denied the opportunity of repeating history at Riccarton next month. Injury has ruled … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Rise in distance no issue for Class Above TRAINER Gerald Innes believes Class Above has a bright middle distance future, although he is wary of the heavy conditions … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago McEvoy to test Cool Passion in Tristarc Trainer Tony McEvoy is keen to try former Perth sprinter Cool Passion over 1400m in the Tristarc Stakes with a … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Ron Quinton duo tune up for Myer Classic Daysee Doom and Dixie Blossoms will prepare for the Myer Classic at Flemington in The Nivison at Randwick … Read More Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing News 6 years ago Single Gaze preparing well for Caulfield and Melbourne Cup tilt CANBERRA-based trainer Nick Olive was bullish about the chances of Single Gaze in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup. The five-year-old mare hasn’t … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Single Gaze at peak for Caulfield Cup bid Canberra trainer Nick Olive is looking forward to seeing his stable star Single Gaze step up to 2400m under handicap … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Boss suspension reduced, free for G1 ride Glen Boss has had a win before the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Bennett prepares to get back in the saddle Former NSW trainer Greg Bennett is to return to racing as horse-breaker and pre-trainer … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Saint Patricks Day to lead Munce charge Chris Munce has already had more than 100 winners in less than three years as a trainer and he aims … Read More Horse Racing Tips 6 years ago 2017 Caulfield Cup runner guide with top race tips, form and odds THE Caulfield Cup is the first major race of the Melbourne Cup carnival and we have a runner-by-runner betting guide … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Qld 2yo ballot conditions to be changed Queensland trainers are confident the ballot conditions for two-year-old races will be charged after some trial winners have been made … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news, Horse Racing News 6 years ago Werther a “live chance” ahead of Sunday’s Oriental Watch Trophy CHAMPION trainer John Moore has labelled former Horse of the Year winner Werther as a “live chance” in this Sunday’s … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Star-studded Champion Stakes at Ascot Cracksman and Barney Roy are among 17 horses confirmed for the Champion Stakes at Ascot … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Dunn gets Cox Plate chance on Hauraki Dwayne Dunn will be out to make the most of his call-up to ride Hauraki in the Cox Plate after … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Yendall sheds the kilos for Cox Plate ride Jockey Christine Puls says her husband Dean Yendall is dedicated to losing the kilograms ahead of his Cox Plate ride … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Top Striker looking to score Randwick goal Trainer Greg Hickman says Top Striker’s tendency to make mistakes has convinced him he will be more competitive over 1000m … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Typhoons a concern for Hong Kong riders Typhoons around Hong Kong could deny jockeys Joao Moreira and Sam Clipperton their chances in Group One races at Moonee … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Internationals take aim in Geelong Cup Three horses making their Australian debuts will be out to press their claims for the Melbourne Cup when they line … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Winx fine tuning ahead of Cox Plate Trainer Chris Waller won’t be over-taxing Winx in the final few days leading up to her defence of the Cox … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Chautauqua has inside draw for Manikato Dwayne Dunn would have preferred a wider barrier for Chautauqua but has confidence in the star sprinter’s ability heading to … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Pretty Punk to rock the Geelong Classic The Geelong Classic will be a defining spring race for Pretty Punk as she puts her VRC Oaks credentials on … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Winx and Hartnell headline Cox Plate field Champion mare Winx has tightened to $1.90 for the Cox Plate after drawing barrier three while main rival Hartnell has … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Percy Sykes Stakes elevated to Gr2 status The Australian Pattern Committee has upgraded the Percy Sykes Stakes for two-year-old fillies to Group Two status … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Stakes win gives boost to in-form Smith Trainer Matthew Smith says Sharpsburg might be looking for further than the 1000m race he is set to run in … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Williams fails in careless riding appeal Dwayne Dunn will ride Hauraki in the Cox Plate with Craig Williams failing in his appeal against a careless riding … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Samantha Clenton has surgery on vertebrae Doctors have operated on apprentice jockey Samantha Clenton’s fractured vertebrae suffered in a race fall at Scone … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Winx firms to win the Cox Plate Winx has firmed to $1.90 to defend her Cox Plate title after drawing barrier three while Hartnell is out to … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Winx draws barrier three in Cox Plate Winx will start from barrier three of 10 in her defence of the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Chautauqua draws barrier one in Manikato Defending titleholder Chautauqua has drawn the inside barrier for the Group One Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Weights to rise in Melbourne Cup Big Orange and Our Ivanhowe will be the equal Melbourne Cup topweights with Preferment to miss the race, forcing weights … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Winx has hit-out at Moonee Valley Winx has had a gallop at Moonee Valley in preparation for her defence of the Cox Plate … Read More View the full article

On the spectrum of Thoroughbred stallions, you won't find too many either side of Gun Runner and Despot. One, charging $250,000 a dance at Three Chimneys, is the most immediately accomplished sire of recent times. The other was claimed for $350 at Waterford Park, some 50 years ago, before being set to work annually producing a handful of half-breds in rural Maryland. “Liver chestnut son of Stevward,” says the man whose career unites this unlikely pair. “You should have seen us trying to figure out how to breed mares on our own. 'Grab her tail.' There were no helmets and vests worn, I can guarantee you that.” Chris Baker, chief operating officer at Three Chimneys for the past decade, chuckles at the memory. “My father, in essence, thought that no uterus should be empty,” he says. “From cows to horses, to cats, dogs, everything. Breed, breed, breed. An old Catholic thing, I guess! But that's where the whole horse thing started.” It has been quite an odyssey since. Crucially, in a sector of the industry that often feels culpably divorced from its ostensible purpose, Baker cut his teeth on the racetrack. He started at a barn that then housed A.P. Indy, and for a time was even a trainer himself. Baker went on to adapt those experiences to the challenges of breeding, so well that 11 years as general manager for Ned Evans at Spring Hill Farm yielded over 100 stakes winners, including another Horse of the Year in Saint Liam. During a stint at WinStar, he welcomed into the world yet another that would earn those laurels; and now Gun Runner and Baker have together brought their careers to fulfilment in the service of the Torrealba family at Three Chimneys. Baker cuts a striking figure, nowadays, silver hair flowing beneath the broad brim of his hat. But the ease of his demeanor and conversation has been fully earned: the insights kindly shared with The TDN remind us that none of these things happen overnight, nor by accident. So while the old timers may shake their heads to see Gun Runner covering 248 mares, back in the day, Baker's forefathers were themselves achieving pretty high production. Baker himself is sixth of seven children; his father was one of nine kids from McKees Rocks, Pittsburgh; and his grandfather, in turn, was one of nine, seven being boys. All seven brothers went into the family business: a bakery, inevitably. The one who became Baker's grandfather was charged with the care of 100 carthorses that delivered bread for the Baker Brothers Bakery. “My dad tells of going with his father in a buckboard wagon at weekends to try out replacements for horses that had been retired, or come up lame,” he recalls. “One time this horse just wouldn't go and, after driving away at him for a mile or so, they turn round to go back. And then the horse just takes off. They can't stop him. He's running through the cobblestone streets like a lunatic, all the way back into the barn, where he comes to a screeching halt, dust flying everywhere.” The panting driver leaned down to his sons cowering in the bottom of the wagon. His words have since been humorously invoked at any appropriate juncture in Baker family history: “Boys, whatever you do, don't tell your mother.” It is to this gentleman that Baker traces his affinity for horses-though there were also weekends and summers at the farm owned by his other grandfather, an hour or so from his boyhood home in Washington, DC. This one was an attorney (as was Baker's own father) but also raised cattle and tobacco on 600 acres. “So really we did a lot of our growing up in the country,” Baker says. “And we were riding before we could walk. There were horses for everybody- buckskins, palominos, Tennessee walkers-just not saddles or bridles for everybody! If you were the last to the tack room, you'd be riding with a halter and rope.” The most expensive was a Chincoteague pony bought by his father for $45. But then a neighbors' daughter went away to college and gave her hunting mare, a retired Thoroughbred, to the Bakers. Suddenly they had a new sense of what a horse could be. Soon they started claiming the odd Thoroughbred from places like Charles Town and Mountaineer, Despot among them. “And then somebody told my father that a stallion needs to be exercised,” Baker recalls. “Which is right. But next thing I'm the one, at 10 years old, getting run off with, all over the farm.” Sometimes he would also be told to ride a mare to a nearby farm that stood Quarter Horse stallions. ([Its owners were raising a boy of their own into the game: the future veterinarian, Steve Allday.] Baker remembers being told to stand his mare uphill, and put his shoulder into her chest so that she might keep still. One way or another, then, it was a pretty seasoned young horseman who went off to read Agriculture and Animal Science at the University of Maryland. It was during his college years that Baker first sampled racetrack work, at Bowie, and subsequently a three-year grounding at Lane's End included stints at Churchill and Keeneland with the farm's trainer at the time, Neil Howard. Baker had been a sufficiently able high school athlete-football, track, wrestling-to have developed an interest in physiological preparation. First and foremost, however, he had grasped that anybody intending to breed racehorses should understand the requirements of those who trained them. Baker served as Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella's assistant for several years | Benoit “I believe my experience on the racetrack makes me a way better farm manager,” Baker acknowledges. “And that was very intentional. It was something deeply ignited in me at that age, my early 20s: how could I breed and raise an athlete without seeing that athlete in training and in competition?” True, that apprenticeship extended far beyond his expectations. He went to Australia and England, to see how things were done there; and ended up serving four years as assistant trainer to Richard Mandella. His resume by then included a year with Neil Drysdale, on hand when a $2.9 million son of Seattle Slew broke his maiden at Santa Anita. Baker was still very junior, at that time, but A.P. Indy gave him a glimpse of the elite Thoroughbred; and Mandella would now provide a wider perspective. “Richard was a great teacher,” he recalls. “A great taskmaster, as well! I mean, you were going to learn, or you weren't going to be around at all. So I learned a tremendous amount about hard work and horsemanship, the kind that leaves no stone unturned. But also in terms of character, and approach to life.” Within months Phone Chatter and Kotashaan (Fr) had won at the Breeders' Cup, while the South American conveyor belt would bring the likes of Siphon (Brz) and Gentlemen (Arg). “Those horses had to go through a lot of filters to make it here,” Baker reflects. “Some had a lot of stamina in their pedigrees and, especially in California, you had to have speed as well. But most of them had good foot, good bone, some constitution. Watching Richard adapting both South American and French horses to U.S. methods, the acclimatization process, the patience required, was a fantastic education. At the same time, of course, he's getting horses like Afternoon Deelites and Soul of the Matter. At one time we had 40 horses in the barn and eight were Grade I winners. It was just a great environment, a great lab to study in.” Eventually Baker became so absorbed by the track that he thought he might never leave. He took out a license, trained 11 winners over a couple of years. But then he got married, soon a daughter appeared, and a nomadic and uncertain existence became impractical. He returned to Kentucky and worked on a couple of farms until sounded out by his former employers at Lane's End about their client, Edward P. Evans, who was seeking a manager for his farm in Virginia. Inauspiciously, Evans was doing so for the fourth time in five years. But it suited Baker, as a young father, to be close to family and he backed himself to forge a relationship with this notoriously demanding employer. “He was tough but fair,” Baker says. “And he expected results. As his brother Shel told me, 'In Ned's life, nobody avoids the penalty box.' But so long as you were doing what you were supposed to, and helping him achieve his goals, he was a great guy to work for. So I just went in and worked hard, was honest and clear with him. And, as we got to know each other, we built some trust and mutual respect. “He was a very intelligent guy. He could take what looked like complex situations, and distill them to one simple actionable item that would drive success. He read people well, read business well. And he had a highly developed bullshit monitor!” Evans had been only 27 when buying the farm back in 1969. “He'd always bred to good stallions: Northern Dancer, Mr. Prospector, Halo,” Baker says. “He'd bred to The Minstrel at Windfields in Maryland and got Minstrella, a champion 2-year-old [in Europe]. But having been operating with 20, 30 mares, the whole scale changed when he sold out of Macmillan [the publishing firm]. That was when he got right up to 90 mares, and his whole intent and focus changed. So when I fell in, it was Year 31 of a 42-year experiment. All the ingredients were there-the physical plant, the bloodstock-and he just needed somebody to help orchestrate things, from an operational standpoint. So, again, it was fortunate timing on my part.” By that stage Baker had long been absorbed by pedigrees. He was barely 10 when his father would throw him the stallion edition of Maryland Horse to help pick a $1,500 sire. But now he could mix from a much larger palette, including Pleasant Tap-Evans had inherited a third share from his father-and homebreds like Silver Ghost and Stormin Fever. By the time Evans died, on the last day of 2010, they had raised Saint Liam [sold as a yearling] and Quality Road, whose stud career has lavishly benefited his late breeder's charitable foundation. “I didn't know everything about managing a farm,” Baker says. “Still don't. But I knew what I didn't know, and knew people to call to fill in the gaps. Working for Mr. Evans was like getting an MBA. We'd go over the financial statements on a monthly basis, we'd go over the annual budgeting with his controller in New York. To that point, I had focused my entire career on developing my horsemanship. But he opened my eyes to the macro, business level.” Three Chimneys owner Goncalo Torrealba | Keeneland In the process Baker also obtained a rare, cradle-to-grave perspective on equine potential. When preparing the Spring Hill dispersal, then, Baker was still presiding over matings and foalings, still liaising with pre-trainers and trainers. The authority with which he did so plainly impressed Benjamin Leon, who bought several of the mares and invited Baker to follow them into his operation. Baker having committed to WinStar, however, Leon said: “Chris, these mares are your handiwork. They should be with you. Will you ask Mr. Troutt if I can board them at WinStar?” So it was that Baker came to be present when Saint Liam's $3 million half-sister Quiet Giant (Giant's Causeway) delivered a Candy Ride colt on 8 March, 2013. He still has a photo of the foal standing for the first time. A few months later, Baker was hired by the new owners of Three Chimneys-but he would not be parted long from Gun Runner. By typical horseracing happenstance (Goncalo Torrealba's sister and Leon were both clients of the same Miami hairdresser) Leon invited the Torrealbas to his suite for the 2014 Kentucky Derby. Leon hit it off with Torrealba, and was invited to stay at Three Chimneys next time he was in town. When he did so, they look Baker to see all Leon's stock-and very soon sealed a partnership in everything that had come out of Spring Hill. “So then all those horses were here with me at Three Chimneys,” marvels Baker. “If that's not luck, I don't know what is. It's fantastic, just makes the whole thing very, very meaningful. Because of the long connections, the multiple generations of multiple families.” This has allowed Baker an emotionally gratifying stake in the outcomes of his own long diligence. Sure, he has only ever monetized his contribution as a salary; but he has felt privileged, throughout, to participate in his employers' far-sightedness. “For so many people in our industry, just to make ends meet, the goal is to make a profit every time they can,” he acknowledges. “I've been fortunate to benefit from a completely different mindset: to focus on results, on accomplishing things, and ultimately to make a business profitable that way instead.” The point being that with adequate resources and patience, this approach will eventually pay off commercially, too. “I remember sitting down with Mr. Evans one time, and we were deciding between two stallions for this mare,” Baker recalls. “And I said, 'Well Mr. Evans, Pleasant Tap suits her greatly, but it's not really a commercial mating. Commercially, you'd want this one instead.' And he replied, 'Commercial sires? Racehorse sires? Who doesn't want a racehorse?' I mean, he could afford to kind of push that aside. But it was so black and white to him: if you can breed a racehorse, you'll be doing the right thing for your mare, for the family, for the whole thing.” Of course this all ties in with Baker's grounding on the backside. His whole career has been oriented to finding a runner. “Plenty of people that haven't had that racetrack experience have raised a lot of good horses,” Baker stresses. “I just know that for me, it makes me significantly better, because I understand what's going to be asked of them. I understand physically, mentally, even socially, things that might set them up to succeed. At the end of the day, as producers, we can't make them faster or better than they're individually hardwired to be. But by doing or especially not doing certain things, we can stay out of the way of them reaching their full potential.” Gun Runner | Sarah K. Andrew Gun Runner, as such, could not be better named. He's only top “gun”, after all, because he was all “run”. To Baker, of course, the horse will always have an unusually personal resonance. Knowing him so intimately, how does he account for Gun Runner's genetic prowess? “Well, I certainly can't attribute it to any one thing,” he replies. “I think he's an alchemy of so many things that just came together. The only extremes of Gun Runner are his athleticism and his temperament, his will to win. Mental constitution, as much as anything. If you look at him, he's not too big, not too small; and his pedigree, also, suits a broad spectrum of mares. There's a melding of so many things: the brilliance of Candy Ride, the stamina and durability of Giant's Causeway. And you can go all the way back to Gallorette [foaled in 1942]. Just read her race record, and then keep tipping up the line!” With this fulfilment of former patrons' legacy, then, Baker's present employment has brought things full circle. He repeatedly insists that he has been fortunate, “all the way through my career, to be in the right place at the right time.” But you also make your own luck. It was only because three different people-Evans, Leon and Torrealba-all recognized the skills of this “fabulous Baker boy” that a single set of fingerprints has remained, almost the whole way through, over one of the most remarkable Thoroughbreds on the planet. “The Torrealba family has afforded us the opportunity to work with a lot of great horses, and a lot of great people,” Baker says gratefully. “All the way through my career, accomplishment has come through people having the right goals, the right stock, doing the right work. I do think I've worked hard for everybody who's been willing to employ me, but I also think I've been very fortunate to have people that believed in me, and in the teams that we could put together. It always takes a team effort, backed up with good stock and good facilities, and Three Chimneys is certainly an extension of that. So really the only way of looking at it is probably that I've been spoiled, right?” The post Top ‘Gun’ Rewards Chris Baker’s Belief in ‘Run’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A trio of 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) starters—Verifying, Confidence Game, and Raise Cain—are scheduled to meet again in the $250,000 Perryville Stakes Oct. 21 at Keeneland.View the full article

The connections of Merry Maker hope the Irish-bred steeplechaser can continue his good form when he starts in the $250,000 Grand National Stakes (NSA-1) Oct. 21 at Far Hills.View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Insights features TDN Rising Star Aventure. 12.50 Deauville, Group 3, €80,000, 2yo, f, 8fT AVENTURE (IRE) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) earned TDN Rising Star status on her debut at Chantilly last month and takes part in this G3 Prix des Reservoirs. A Christophe Ferland-trained half-sister to the G1 Prix Vermeille winner Left Hand (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), the Wertheimer homebred faces seven more experienced but also exposed rivals in this first black-type test. The post Observations: Exciting Aventure Takes Aim at the Reservoirs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Triple Crown winner Justify (Scat Daddy), currently North America's leading second-crop sire in stakes horses, will stand for a fee of $200,000, live foal, at Ashford Stud in Kentucky in 2024, Coolmore America announced on Tuesday. The 9-year-old's fee represents a jump of $100,000 from the figure of $100,000 that he stood for in 2023. Justify's 2024 fee is the fourth-highest of the stallions announced so far for 2024, placing him behind perennial leading sires Into Mischief (Harlan's Holiday) and Curlin (Smart Strike), and third-crop standout Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}). Veteran sire Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) remains at $150,000 while 17-year-old Munnings (Speightstown) sits at $75,000. Following the top three are American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) $50,000; Practical Joke (Into Mischief) $45,000; Epicenter (Not This Time), $40,000; Jack Christopher (Munnings) $40,000; Corniche (Quality Road) $25,000; Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) $25,000; Tiz The Law (Constitution) $20,000; Mendelssohn (Scat Daddy) $15,000; Maximum Security (New Year's Day) $7,500; Echo Town (Speightstown) $5,000; and Mo Town (Uncle Mo) $5,000. The post Justify’s Fee Doubled at Ashford for 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Though none of the leading horses in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll raced this past week, there was some movement, with Echo Zulu dropping from third to eighth after a career-ending fetlock injury. View the full article

Pioneering Spirit faces seven rivals in the Oct. 20 Knickerbocker Stakes (G3T) during Belmont at the Big A meet, but his greatest adversary could be Mother Nature.View the full article

DEAUVILLE, France–The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe trophy, a pared-down replica of Paris's mighty monument, was in residence at the Arqana restaurant, where diners were treated to a complimentary glass of champagne courtesy of the owners of Ace Impact (Fr), Serge Stempniak and Kamel Chehboub. Some of us had work to do, however, and a solid opening day of Arqana's October Yearling Sale had more than a little fizz about it here and there. Frankel (GB) may rule at Tattersalls, but in Deauville we are in the court of France's champion sire Siyouni (Fr), whose 10 yearlings sold on Tuesday returned an average price of €189,500 and included one of the day's co-top lots at €420,000. With a touch of déjà vu, that colt bore several similarities to one of the leading lights of the sale a few years ago. Both were bought on behalf of Coolmore by Laurent Benoit, who, after outbidding Anthony Stroud, said, “He's by Siyouni out of a Galileo mare. It's the same price, same stallion and also the same underbidder as Paddington, and I think he will have the same trainer as Paddington. Let's hope he's as good as him.” One of the differences in this case was the vendor of lot 132, which was Haras d'Etreham, who sold the son of the Grade III-placed Galileo (Ire) mare Decorating on behalf of his breeder Craig Bernick of Glen Hill Farm. Sharing his podium at the top of the leader board was Fairway Consignment's colt by Zarak (Fr) (lot 101), who will head to Norway after being signed for by Ross Doyle on behalf of his longstanding clients Magne and Bente Jordanger. “We were given the mandate to find a horse to win Classics in Scandinavia, the Norwegian Derby, hopefully that's the plan. He was on a very short list and the one we wanted to get,” Doyle said. “He's for Magne and Bente of Stall Perlen and will go to trainer Wido Neuroth. He was a magnificent colt and every time we saw him he was very relaxed.” He added, “They've won the Norwegian Oaks recently with a filly we bought them by Night Of Thunder [Thunder Sea]. Scandinavian owners are very competitive. Mr Jordanger said to me that he's at the stage of his life where he wants to drink the best wine and buy the best horses.” We can all drink a toast to such a sentiment, and the largesse of the Jordangers, along with plenty of other buyers on the day, led to an upturn in trade from last year. The 170 yearlings sold on the day pushed the clearance rate up slightly to 82%, while turnover rose by 21.5% to €15,581,000, and the average was also up, by 18%, to €91,653. The median increased from €55,000 to €70,000. Another busy day for Stroud Despite being denied one son of Siyouni, Anthony Stroud had already secured lot 47, a half-brother to last year's October Sale topper, at €350,000. Offered by Haras du Mont dit Mont, the colt is out of Shamtee (Ire) (Shamardal), a Listed winner from the further family of stallions Territories (Ire), Street Cry (Ire), Shamardal and Victor Ludorum (Ire). The Siyouni colt will join Andre Fabre's string for Godolphin, and was one of 14 purchases by Stroud Coleman Bloodstock during a busy Tuesday. Also on the list, for an unnamed client, was the Sea The Moon (Ger) half-sister to Group 1 winner Simca Mille (Fr) (Tamayuz {GB}), who was sold by her breeder Haras de la Perelle for €260,000. In a further fitting tribute to the late Lady Chryss O'Reilly, her Haras de la Louivière draft was responsible for the joint-top-priced filly of the day (lot 29), a daughter of Wootton Bassett (GB) who was bought by Jerome Glandais of Ecurie de Launay for €260,000. Out of the unraced Sablonniere (Fr) (Verglas {Ire}), she is a full-sister to the Listed Prix Ridgway winner Dream Works (Fr) and a half to the Group 3 winner King Malpic (Fr) (King's Best). Pair of fillies for Sumbe Sumbe had a busy day announcing two new stallions for next year [see accompanying story] and Nurlan Bizakov's team also recruited two new yearlings on Tuesday, lots 77 and 131. The first, a daughter of Bated Breath (GB) from La Motteraye Consignment, is a half-sister to the dual Listed winner Shalromy (Fr) (Shalaa {Ire}) and was bred by Frederic and Jennifer Bianco. She was bought for €240,000 and Sumbe later went to €260,000 for a Sea The Stars (Ire) filly out of a half-sister to the Arc winner Danedream (Ger) (Lomita's {GB}) from Ecurie des Monceaux. After signing for the Bated Breath filly, Nurlan Bizakov said, “It's a lovely family which we know well as Shalromy was born and raised at the stud for her breeders. The mare also boarded at Hesmonds Stud when she went to England to be covered. I am a fan of Bated Breath who is a consistent sire.” One and done for Holland Brendan Holland of Grove Stud completed his set for next year's breeze-up sales with the purchase early in the session of a colt by Siyouni (Fr) out of the Group 3-placed Over Reacted (Fr) (Planter {Ire}) from a family that includes the recent G1 Preis von Europa winner India (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}). Catalogued as lot 4, he was sold by Haras de Grandcamp for €175,000. Refelecting on the yearling trade in general this year, Holland said, “I've found it difficult to buy the colts that I wanted. The market was more selective and maybe I'm getting more selective. I was also selling and the market was a bit patchier, for sure, and more selective, so that made it more difficult on both sides. “That was the same starting in Doncaster and all the way through Keeneland, it was difficult to buy nice colts. We had to stretch to buy the colt this morning. He's a nice colt with a good pedigree, out of a good mare by a good sire, but that type of colt is getting harder to buy.” He added, “The spend has gone up the last five years to produce these two-year-old horses. My numbers are always around 20 to 25 horses and everyone is trying to up their quality, it's not just me, but the rest of the lads as well. The results of that have been showing on the track, too. And we're looking at a broad range of horses as well, it's not just a narrow band of two-year-old types.” Camelot is King for Brummitt Ecurie des Monceaux sold 20 of its 25 yearlings through the ring on Tuesday. The full-brother to Sottsass (Fr) was withdrawn on the day but among those to be sold was a Pinatubo (Ire) colt out of the Group 3 winner Pacifique (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}). Offered as lot 6, the half-brother to black-type performers Paix (Fr) (Muhaarar {GB}) and Sir Bob Parker (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) was knocked down to Jean-Claude Rouget at €210,000. From the same family and eight lots later was a Camelot (GB) half-brother to the G2 Debutanate S. winner and G1 Moyglare Stud S. runner-up Vespertilio (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). The son of Pacifique's half-sister Prudente (GB) (Dansili {GB}) was selected by an avowed fan of Camelot in Jeremy Brummitt. He said of lot 14, “What sets apart Camelot and Montjeu is the way they move, and this is the only yearling I've seen all year who moves in the way that I'm looking for. Nothing wins a race standing still. So I bought the horse that moves in the way that I want, because I think that's why that particular line, or those two stallions, father and son, are so good.” Brummitt added, “He's been bought for an existing, undisclosed client called Bjorn Nielsen.” Nielsen previously raced a close relation to this colt, English King (Fr), who is also by Camelot and is a half-brother to the yearling's dam Prudente. He won the Listed Derby Trial at Lingfield before running fifth in the Derby itself. Talking Points Monceaux once again leads the vendors' list with 20 sold for €2,368,000, and Charles Briere's Fairway Consignment had a good day selling five yearlings for an average of €167,000. Anthony Stroud and Matt Coleman of Stroud Coleman Bloodstock were the most active of the buyers and signed for 14 lots to the tune of €2,180,000. Haras d'Etreham's freshman sire Hello Youmzain (Fr) continued his run of popularity at Arqana with 15 sold through the first day for an average of €78,000, which is more than three times his opening fee. Chachnak (Fr)? Yep, I had to look him up too. The dual Group 3-winning son of Kingman (GB) stands at Haras de la Gastine for his owner Jean-Pierre Dubois and has three members of his 33-strong first crop catalogued at Arqana this week. The first sold for €15,000 to trainer Christophe Escuder. In keeping with so many sales, the figures at Arqana's October edition have been increasing in recent years. The first day's aggregate this year, which weighed in at €15,581,000 for 170 sold, is not that far off the turnover for the whole sale in 2019, which stood at €16,957,000 for 414 yearlings. Buy of the Day Lot 37: Colt by Waldgeist (GB) – Sassella (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) Vendor/breeder: Gestut Ammerland Buyer: Richard Venn, €35,000 Those associated with Waldgeist would probably have liked to see him have a few more winners by now but it's never wise to make judgments on stallions until at least the end of their second year with runners. As a progressive middle-distance horse bred jointly by three of the best operations in Europe it is fair to expect to see his offspring make more of an impact at three. It is also worth remembering that two of the buzz names of the year, Arc winner Ace Impact (Fr) and young sire Justify, did not appear on the racecourse until their three-year-old seasons. In the case of lot 37, the colt was bred by one of the Waldgeist trio, Gestut Ammerland, whose impact on European racing has been pronounced over several decades, and whose presence we will miss after the stud's remaining breeding stock is sold at Arqana in December. Ammerland's Dietrich von Boetticher was not only the co-breeder of the colt's sire but also bred his dam and broodmare sire. Sassella won the Listed Prix Belle de Nuit, while her dam Sevenna (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has produced another four stakes winners, including Sevenna's Knight (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who runs in the Listed Prix Vulcain at Deauville on Thursday. There's a lot of pedigree for that price and, if given the time he may well need, his owner and trainer could well be rewarded. The colt is heading to England to new Lambourn trainer Charlie Pike for owner Gary Gillies. Best of luck to them. Thought for the Day Boy, did the Arqana auctioneers speed things up on Tuesday. Bravo, merci, et encore! The post Paddington 2: The Sequel? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin's Classic winner Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) is expected to make her next start in the Nov. 4 GI Breeders' Cup Mile, according to trainer Saeed bin Suroor Tuesday. Unbeaten in four starts this season, the sophomore filly most recently came home a 1/2-length winner over Lindy (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) in Keeneland's Oct. 14 GI QEII Challenge S. “She's a tough filly with a big heart, to do that on her first run for five months and win a Grade I,” said Bin Suroor. “She had been doing well before the race and Oisin [Murphy] had been in to ride her and we knew she was well–she's come back well from the race too.” In that nine furlong test, she was making her first start since scoring in the G1 Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket in May. “When she beat Tahiyra [Siyouni] in the Guineas, they were a long way clear of the others–they are the best by a long way.” He continued, “She will head to Santa Anita now for the Breeders' Cup Mile. If she stayed against the fillies, it would be a mile and a quarter and a mile is the best trip for her, she's proved that.” “Because she's a tough filly she stayed nine furlongs at [Keeneland] but the Mile is for her, she's a top-class filly. She's not very big so the two turns over a mile will suit her.” The post Mawj to Target Breeders’ Cup Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The California Horse Racing Board is working with The Jockey Club's InCompass Solutions to create an automated system that will correlate official workouts at California racetracks and training facilities with confidential veterinary submissions for the purpose of verifying compliance with CHRB Rule 1878. Rule 1878 states in part that “a horse shall not be permitted to workout (unless) the horse has been examined by the trainer's attending veterinarian during the 72 hours immediately preceding the workout for the express purpose of evaluating the horse's fitness to work out.” Furthermore, “The evaluation shall be recorded in the Veterinarian Report in accordance with section 1842.” Daily workout reports and veterinary confidentials are located in two separate databases. Currently, CHRB personnel must go through those databases manually to determine whether a horse had been examined prior to exercising. An integrated system via InCompass will streamline that process and ensure greater compliance with Rule 1878. “The CHRB is fully committed to constantly improving animal welfare, which is the point of Rule 1878,” said CHRB Executive Director Scott Chaney. “Like many of our regulations, this particular one is trailblazing. As we endeavor to perfect the process, we encourage other regulatory bodies to consider adopting similar protections.” The post CHRB Teams Up with The Jockey Club’s InCompass Solutions to Solve California Workout Issue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Though none of the leading horses in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll raced this past week, there was some movement, with Echo Zulu dropping from third to eighth after a career-ending fetlock injury. View the full article

The appeal of Medina Spirit's Kentucky Derby (G1) disqualification and trainer Bob Baffert's ensuing suspension by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission ran into trouble in court last week, and the presiding judge promised a swift resolution.View the full article

The debut of World Pool on The Everest Day at Randwick in Sydney last weekend saw new local highs reached for World Pool with more than A$57 million wagered across nine races and five different bet types. For the first time ever on an Australian race meeting, totalisator Win, Place, Quinella, Trifecta and Duet wagers from the state of New South Wales were combined with bets placed in Victoria and Western Australia as well as the Australian Capital Territory through S-TAB. A total of HK$284.3 million (A$57.5 million) was held on the nine races offered from Randwick, topping the HK$253 million wagered on Lightning Sakes Day at Flemington in February. It also set a new benchmark of almost HK$31.6 million (A$6.4 million) per race, compared with almost HK$26.7 million (A$5.4 million) on five races from Turnbull Stakes Day last weekend. Significantly, the feature A$20 million The Everest–won by Think About It–had the third-highest turnover of all 195 World Pool races worldwide in 2023 at HK$51.5 million (A$10.4 million). Only the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee S. at Royal Ascot, which attracted HK$66.2 million in bets, and the G1 Dubai World Cup, which generated HK$54.5 million, garnered more betting attention–and both had six bet types to The Everest's five. Additionally, the A$8,000 World Pool Moment of the Day was awarded to Raj Kumar, the groom of Front Page, who became a back-to-back winner of The Kosciuszko. Kumar is now in the running to win a trip to Hong Kong next year should his victory be selected as the World Pool Moment of the Year. World Pool action returns to Melbourne next weekend for Caulfield Cup Day (Oct. 21), which will be held in conjunction with British Champions Day at Ascot in the UK, before Cox Plate Day (Oct. 28) and Victoria Derby Day (Nov. 4) are also taken globally. For more information, click here. The post The Everest Day Sets New Australian Record for World Pool appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Upon the conclusion of his racing career, multiple grade 1 winner and leading contender for champion 3-year-old male Arcangelo will enter stud at Lane's End Farm.View the full article

5th-KEE, $100K, Msw, 2yo, 7f, 3:08 p.m. ET Gold Square's AIR OF DEFIANCE (Quality Road), a $400,000 Keeneland September purchase, is the 3-1 morning-line favorite after running a solid second behind 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) over a muddy strip at Saratoga in his six-furlong debut Aug. 25. The Brad Cox trainee is the second foal out of graded stakes winner Faypien (Ghostzapper). St. Elias and Starlight Racing's It'smyluckytime (Not This Time), a $450,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling, makes his first trip to the post for trainer Todd Pletcher. Also debuting is Taylor Creek's Anthem King (Bolt d'Oro), a $300,000 Keeneland September yearling trained by Brian Lynch. Eddie Kenneally saddles Buck Pond Farm's homebred firster Justifreak (Justify), a half-brother to graded winner Fancy Dress Party (Munnings). Legion Racing's Popweiser (Nyquist), debuting for Wayne Catalano, is a half-brother to Grade I winner Search Results (Flatter). He was a $100,000 acquisition at this year's OBS April sale. TJCIS PPS 6th-KEE, $120K, OC 80k/N2X, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 3:40 p.m. Gary and Mary West's homebred PUNCHBOWL (Uncle Mo) opened her career with a pair of wins at Oaklawn Park this winter and put her name in the mix for the GI Kentucky Oaks with a runner-up effort in the GI Ashland S. She has not been seen since that Apr. 7 race over this same track and distance and returns here as the 4-5 morning-line favorite. The Wests will also have fellow Brad Cox trainee Insignia (Curlin) in the race. The 4-year-old filly, a daughter of multiple graded placed Keep the Peace (Touch Gold), has hit the board in all five of her races to date. TJCIS PPS The post Thursday’s Insights: Ashland Runner-Up Punchbowl Returns at Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wildcard additions to ThoroughBid's October Sale catalogue include three-time bumper winner and Grade 2-placed Shearling (GB) (Rail Link {GB}-Casual {GB}, by Nayef), in-foal to Stradivarius. Also listed placed on the Flat, the 10-year-old mare, offered as Lot 43, is a half-sister to G1 Australian Cup winner Harlem (GB) (Champs Elysees), and is the first mare in-foal to Stradivarius to be listed for sale in a public auction. Also added as a wildcard is the Sophie Leech-trained Maillot Vert (GB) (Dunaden {Fr}-Santoria {Fr}, by Limnos {Jpn}), Lot 14, who has placed on all three starts to date; two bumpers and a conditions hurdle at Fontainebleau. The 4-year-old gelding is a half-brother to three winners. CEO of ThoroughBid, James Richardson, said: “The well-subscribed October Sale has received some exciting wildcard additions this week and we are delighted to be the first auction house to list a mare in-foal to the mighty Stradivarius. “Shearling was a very useful racehorse during her own career and future buyers of Stradivarius' progeny are eagerly awaiting their first appearances at the sales and on the racecourse, so we expect this lot to attract plenty of attention.” For the complete catalogue, click here. The post GSP Bumper Mare in Foal to Stradivarius Added to Thoroughbid’s October Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Over 40 lots from the Niarchos Draft headline the 541-strong Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale catalogue, which was released on Tuesday. Some of the stars of the two-day stand on Nov. 24-25 are Classic heroine and four-time Group 1 winner Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) (lot 1263) in foal to Sea The Stars (Ire); Group 1 winners Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) (lot 1240) in foal to Frankel (GB) and Albigna (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) (lot 1212) carrying to St Marks Basilica (Fr). All three mares are from the 41-strong Niarchos Draft that will be presented by Baroda, Norelands and Kiltinan Castle Studs on Nov. 24. Other lots of interest are Laurelita (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) (lot 1246), herself the dam of dual Grade I winner Fev Rover (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}); G2 Challenge S. heroine Matilda Picotte (Ire) (Sioux Nation) (lot 1258); and the multiple group winner Insinuendo (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) (lot 1252). A total of 25 Galileo (Ire) daughters are signed on, while other sires represented by their daughters include Dansili (GB), Dubawi (Ire), Frankel, Invincible Spirit (Ire), Montjeu (Ire), Oasis Dream (GB), Pivotal (GB), and Sea The Stars. There are also a strong selection of covering sires with representation in the sale, among them: Blackbeard (Ire), Blue Point (Ire), Camelot (GB), Dark Angel (Ire), Frankel, Havana Grey (GB), Invincible Spirit (Ire), Kingman (GB), Lope De Vega (Ire), Mehmas (Ire), New Bay (GB), Night Of Thunder (Ire), No Nay Never, Pinatubo (Ire), Sea The Stars, Siyouni (Fr), St Mark's Basilica and Wootton Bassett (GB). Large drafts from Godolphin (54), His Highness The Aga Khan Studs (18), Ballylinch Stud (16), the Irish National Stud (11), Moyglare Stud (8) are also featured. The 61-lot draft from The Castlebridge Consignment includes well-bred German mares from the dispersal of Gestut Hony-Hof. Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said, “We are beyond proud to present this stunning showcase of mares and fillies for the 2023 Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale. Classic winners, Group 1 winners, dams of Group 1 winners, mares in foal to elite sires, top class performers off the track–they will all be here next month at Kildare Paddocks. “Europe's first major breeding stock sale of the season, Goffs November is of course headed by the Niarchos Draft which offers a rare opportunity to buy into some of the world's most coveted bloodlines, nurtured for over half a century by the Niarchos family, and it is a huge honour for Goffs to handle the sale of these exquisite mares and fillies. “Quality is a word long associated with the November Breeding Stock Sale but never more so than this year where buyers will be spoiled for choice thanks to our wonderful vendors who have supported the sale with black-type pedigree after black-type pedigree, and we look forward to welcoming buyers from around the world to Ireland next month.” The Goffs Breeding Stock Sale follows the four-day Goffs November Foal Sale on Nov. 20-23. The post “Buyers Will Be Spoiled For Choice” As Goffs Breeding Stock Catalogue Revealed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article