Wandering Eyes

Having dealt with the new sires as a case apart, today we start our journey through the price bands of Kentucky stallions by seeing what we can do with a four-figure budget. Even at this end of the market, the perennial dilemma remains that value means different things to different people. A breeder operating at this level tends to appreciate every cent of a commercial return, however marginal. If your belt is already at the last notch, then the understandable inclination is to leave any selfless consideration of the breed's wider interests to those who can better afford it. Nonetheless I would persist in the view that anyone who believes in a mare can do her no better service than try to put a winner on the page. Many stallions in this bracket are barely clinging to a place in the Bluegrass, even though in many cases they have had little or no opportunity to show what their mature stock can do on the racetrack. We know that the commercial compulsion towards new sires is double-edged, in that they are abandoned just as promptly as they were embraced only a year previously. And once a sire is reckless enough actually to start testing his genetic prowess by fielding runners, the game really is up for most. Even the few that make a good start on the track tend to find their books and sales yield both on the slide. As a result, the types that are entitled to need a little more time tend to find themselves almost wholly abandoned. If you're keeping the faith with your stallion, all you can do is stand him at this kind of fairly token fee pending the testimonials of the winner's circle. The trouble is that even an excellent ratio of track success, when your volume is so low, will be submerged by “yet another stakes winner” advertised for rivals who may have 500 more foals on the ground across their first three crops. The trick, among the younger sires, is to distinguish between those lurking at this level only pending a breakout, and those who are merely clinging to hang on. Because we must never forget that Into Mischief himself once spent a couple of years languishing at $7,500. An alternative source of value at this level is a handful of stalwarts who have quietly carved out a respectable niche of service for breeders of modest means and realistic ambitions; plus a few younger ones who appear on course for that kind of yeoman viability. Take TAPITURE, for instance. He was launched with plenty of volume: in fact, in his intake only American Pharoah has more named foals. Granted that the quality clearly couldn't match the quantity, at this level, his ratios will probably never be very startling. But he has shown himself able to get plenty of black-type action with an adequate mare and, while Repo Rocks this year became only his second domestic graded stakes winner, his 111 Beyer in blitzing the GIII Toboggan S. and a runner-up finish in the GI Carter together complement the Classic-placed Jesus' Team as evidence that someday Tapiture is going to land an elite score at just $7,500. At the same fee, his farm has not managed to muster anything like the same demand for COUNTRY HOUSE, who had to make do with just 119 mares across his first three books and endured corresponding inattention for his first yearlings. But he did sell one for $250,000, and I hope he can similarly defy the odds once he gets a foothold on the track over the next couple of years. His inherent merit was lost in all the blather about the horse he supplanted in the Derby, but his performance there was absolutely consistent with the progress he'd been making and it was terribly unfortunate that he never had the chance to corroborate his breakout–especially after the gamble of trying again the following year left him even more of a forgotten horse. It's ridiculous that so many of those that finished behind him at Churchill were launched with huge books at much higher fees. Country House's sire was always scandalously underrated, but he's inbred to the Sam-Son matriarch No Class (Nodouble) and could certainly breed a horse capable of attending to his unfinished business with the Derby. Country House | Matt Goins Darby Dan is definitely worth a visit for those working to this kind of budget, then, as a look at our podium will confirm, and the same is true of Airdrie. True, a couple of that farm's most attractive options demand a little nerve, in that they must negotiate the tricky chicane between small books and the maturity of their first stock, but both are now a bet to virtually nothing at $5,000. Nobody could have expected PRESERVATIONIST to set the world on fire overnight, having won his Grade I at six, but he's had 13 juvenile winners already from 41 starters-a ratio that matches or beats many peers working from monster books. Unsurprisingly, in the world we live in, his second crop were quiet at the sales but earlier transactions of $280,000, $260,000 and $250,000 show the kind of stamp of horse he can produce. And there are few stallions in any bracket with a better shape to their pedigree, with King Ranch queens Courtly Dee and Too Chic standing opposite each other. I'd be amazed if Preservationist doesn't make a broodmare sire. DIVISIDERO was never going to cause a stampede, either, having been so recklessly “uncommercial” as to advertise his constitution on the racetrack until the age of seven. He duly had a small debut crop, prompting little interest at the yearling sales, but from this tiny foothold he has mustered a very talented horse in Vote No, whose three starts to date comprise maiden/stakes/length defeat in a Grade II. He had a good winner at Gulfstream just last week, too, leaving him top of the freshmen table by earnings per starter. In the meantime, the eight yearlings sold from his second crop, again very small, included a colt and filly that each made six figures at the September Sale. So Divisidero is hinting, to those who pay heed, that he could yet claim a role in filling the void left by the loss of his sire Kitten's Joy. Remember that his two GI Woodford Reserve Turf Classics, 13 triple-digit Beyers and length defeat in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile have a genetic bedrock in none other than Cosmah as fifth dam. The crass neglect of turf sires also requires us to draw attention to DEMARCHELIER (GB) at $7,500. His unfortunate derailment, after an immaculate start to his career, required Bluegrass breeders to show uncharacteristic breadth of perspective by grasping their good fortune in having access not only to a son of the European great Dubawi (Ire) but also to an outstanding Classic family. Demarchelier's first crop will not come fully into their own until stretching out at three, but a perfectly respectable start by his American juveniles is not even half the story, with a youngster Group-placed in France from a handful of starters over there. His veteran neighbor at Claiborne, FIRST SAMURAI, is a seriously productive horse to be standing at the same fee. He's actually inside the top 20 active stallions on lifetime earnings, and it's very scrupulous of the farm to advertise only six millionaires when he also has one who came up cents short at $999,000! That's not enough for the typical breeder, apparently, as he's only getting small books nowadays. But if you want to put a winner under your mare, here's a Hopeful/Champagne winner by Giant's Causeway for a fraction of the price required to reach many horses of less accomplishment who have yet to sire the winner of a maiden claimer. TOM'S D'ETAT won't have a runner himself until next year yet has somehow just suffered a third consecutive fee cut, from an opening $17,500 to $7,500. That reflects the modest commercial traction of his first yearlings, but on the racetrack he achieved a high level with maturity-nine consecutive triple-digit Beyers-and he's by a sire of sires out of Giant's Causeway mare whose own mother was a sister to Candy Ride (Arg). Tom's D'Etat has every right to sire runners at a fee that minimises those risks equally attached to more expensive but similarly unproven horses. That said, there's no denying the superior impression made by the first yearlings presented by CARACARO. They were processed at an average of $41,745 from a base of just $6,500, thanks partly to a filly who brought $175,000. In exemplary hands at Crestwood, Caracaro also kept some good company in a light track career and has a physique reminiscent of his expensive sire. By the way, before we proceed to our Value Podium, don't forget that we surveyed the new sires separately in the first part of this series. That was on the premise that they seldom offer sufficient value, strictly on their merits, to have any chance of a podium against the proven horses in the higher brackets. But that wouldn't apply to a couple we highlighted at this level: the teak-tough and classy SMOOTH LIKE STRAIT is almost insulted by a fee of just $3,500, while LOGGINS actually mounted the top step of the newcomers' podium at $7,500. Copper Bullet | Matt Goins VALUE PODIUM Bronze: COPPER BULLET More Than Ready ex Allegory (Unbridled's Song) Darby Dan $7,500 Bronze for Copper? Why not, when this horse has been the medium of a pioneering experiment: not only complimentary covers for mares that satisfied certain selection criteria, but a $5,000 award to their owners once certified in foal! Nor have their dividends stopped there. The first intimation that the novel strategy was paying off came at the 2-year-old sales, when 11 members of Copper Bullet's debut crop-comprising 34 named foals-achieved the fourth-highest median ($65,000) among new sires, headlined by colts selling at Ocala for $275,000 and $260,000. He then did something even more unusual by actually advancing the yield realised by his second crop of yearlings. At a time when even those of his peers who had made a flying start with their first runners were suffering from the usual slide-so fatuously do purchasers follow the herd-the handful representing his second crop at the sales achieved a median ($55,000) surpassed, among Kentucky sires, only by Omaha Beach. After another restricted book this spring, Copper Bullet will surely be generating demand after producing Copper Tax to win five off the reel, including two stakes (one by nearly seven lengths), before flattening out from a messy trip in the GII Remsen S. Overall Copper Bullet has had half a dozen winners from 19 starters, including another placed in stakes company. It all stands to reason, for a four-length winner of the GII Saratoga Special who flashed residual talent at both three and four despite only fitful visits to the track. With a classy French family behind him, his innovative showcasing may turn out to give us plenty more to think about. Silver: GREATEST HONOUR Tapit ex Tiffany's Honour (Street Cry {Ire}) Spendthrift $7,500 This farm's system has adapted very well to the upgrading of its roster over recent years but here we have a horse combining a hint of elite caliber at the kind of basement fee that first made the model work. Having duly welcomed 178 mares into his debut book, he's surely going to produce a headliner or two to maintain momentum through the crossroads ahead. As ever, with high volume, you'd want to be taking one of his nicer specimens to market. But plenty of commercial breeders will be happy to accept those terms for such a lenient fee. On the racetrack Greatest Honour ultimately proved an anti-climax but only after showing ample to suggest that he had inherited a functioning line to one of the great modern families. And at least his fading has brought affordable access to those aristocratic genes, with second and fourth dams both Broodmares of the Year, divided by a GI Kentucky Oaks winner. Greatest Honour took four starts to break his maiden, but that was fair enough when he was sharing an education with Olympiad, Speaker's Corner and Known Agenda, and he duly beat a subsequent Grade II winner when doing so. Improvement was barely required, then, in making a dazzling emergence on the Derby trail in the GIII Holy Bull S. and GII Fountain of Youth S. He was so strong at the wire in these races that it was a jolt when he could not follow through in the GI Florida Derby, but he disappeared for a year and never really retrieved the thread. As we've indicated, this horse straddles the divide in that busy Spendthrift covering shed. He's standing at the kind of commercial fee that brings corresponding numbers behind him. But he definitely had a ton of class, far more than his final profile suggests, and recycles genes that could produce any kind. Few stallions at this level will appeal to the breeder who wouldn't mind keeping a filly, but that's a measure of the way Greatest Honour has all bases covered. Gold: HIGHLY MOTIVATED Into Mischief ex Strong Incentive (Warrior's Reward) Airdrie $7,500 I'm going to put it on the line here and declare that this is the value play, hands down, among all the aspiring young sires in Kentucky. Highly Motivated resides at a farm that strives to price stallions fairly without making breeders pay another way by flooding the catalogues. The 141 mares he covered last year represents a maximum subscription, by its restrained standards, and reflects what a talented runner he was. We'll return to that, but the big news is what has happened to his page since. If pressed, I suspect that Airdrie might have conceded that the only reason he launched at a fee this low was that it wasn't totally clear that his young dam, albeit a black-type winner in a light career, had much genetic back-up to complement the brilliance we know to expect from Into Mischief. But now look! Since he went to stud, the two named foals she had delivered since Highly Motivated-only her third and fourth overall-have both emerged as elite performers. The 3-year-old by Flintshire (GB), Surge Capacity, has emerged from nowhere to be beaten by a single rival in five starts, winning a maiden, two grade IIIs and now the GI Matriarch S. And the 2-year-old filly by Practical Joke produced the debut of the Saratoga meet, geared down by 12¾ lengths for a 90 Beyer, before enduring a horror trip and still failing by only half a length to run down Brightwork (Outwork) in the GI Spinaway S. Combine those new talents with Highly Motivated himself, and you're looking at a mare entering blue hen territory at the age of 11. Throw in the expensive genes of his sire, and it's hard to resist reminding ourselves that Into Mischief himself once stood at exactly this fee. A quick refresher: Highly Motivated beat no less a horse than Known Agenda (Curlin) in his maiden before breaking the Keeneland track record in his stakes debut, clocking the second highest juvenile Beyer of his crop. After a messy stakes debut, he probably did himself a disservice in pushing champion Essential Quality so hard in the GII Blue Grass S., just run out of it by a neck, as he left connections no choice but to stretch his speed on the first Saturday in May. His Derby turned into one of those that require an 11-month lay-off, yet he regrouped to claim another track record-one previously held for 37 years by a Horse of the Year-in the GIII Monmouth Cup. Look, this is a horse with something for everyone. He's a commercial no-brainer, yet benefits from the relative market protection of a commendably restrained farm. And he has just enjoyed a freakish genetic upgrade that creates just as much interest for breeders playing a longer game, as well. Much as had always been true of our silver medallist, Highly Motivated now offers cut-price access to elite blood for anyone who would be happy to retain a filly. Among the four-figure options, no other stallion has this kind of five-star appeal. Highly Motivated | Sarah Andrew Value Sires under $10,000: the Breeders Speak We asked breeders to weigh in on who their top picks were. George Adams of Housatonic Bloodstock serves as the Director of Stallions and Breeding for Wasabi Ventures. GOLD: Tapiture (Tapit-Free Spin, by Olympio), Darby Dan Farm, $7,500. Tapiture would be my best value pick at under $10,000 in Kentucky. For me, value at this price point is about a horse's ability to get runners rather than explicitly commercial considerations, and Tapiture has a high percentage of runners to foals, and an excellent winners/runners ratio. He also has a strong 4.7% stakes winners/foals aged 3 and up. His 11.3% stakes horses/foals is solid as well. Plus he can get you a two-year-old, which we all like to have. He has 25 juvenile winners already in 2023, with a pair of black-type winners and five more that are stakes-placed. To me, that makes him very good value and an excellent choice with which to start off a young mare–especially since his physical makes him easy to breed to. SILVER: Demarchelier (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})-Loveisallyouneed (Ire), by Sadler's Wells), Claiborne Farm, $7,500. Demarchelier is a really interesting horse at this level. With the start that he's off to with his first crop this year, he has a big chance to make it as one of the next good turf stallions here, I think. His CI shows that he didn't get the best book of mares for these first foals, which isn't unexpected for a two-turn turf horse by Dubawi in Kentucky. But despite his own later-maturing tendencies and that lack of support, he's got double-digit winners to his credit already with far fewer foals than some of the top freshmen. His winners have come in good maiden special weight races, and he has a Group horse in France and a good stakes colt in New York. He's also had some dirt winners, which doesn't hurt his chances. He's a horse that I could see standing for more down the road (and he got a bump for '24), and I think that makes him good value this year. BRONZE: Instagrand (Into Mischief-Assets of War, by Lawyer Ron), Taylor Made Stallions, $7,500. Typically I have a hard time calling an unproven stallion a good “value” just because I think that it has to be a function of their ability to get runners. But in the case of Instagrand, who will have his first two-year-olds next year, I think he's got so many things going for him that he counts as value this coming spring. He was the first seven-figure sales son of Into Mischief, and he was so precocious–which you can easily see why by looking at him–I have a hard time believing that he's not going to be giving Authentic a run for his money at the top of the freshman sire list next year. At 190 mares bred in that first year, he'll have plenty of ammunition, and we all know the quality of some of the mares that Larry Best sent to him, which will set him apart from some of the others at this prince point. His first crop have sold well, and the ones that I have seen have looked quick and early. So when they come out firing early next year and put Instagrand right at the top of the freshman sire list, I think that'll make his '24 fee look like pretty good value. Andrew Cary, Cary Bloodstock Gold: Loggins (Ghostzapper-Beyond Blame, by Blame), Hill 'n' Dale Farms, $7,500. Excellent physical, high-level talent, and the pedigree to succeed. He was a pricey Saratoga yearling and ran to his looks. Beaten a nose by champion Forte in a Grade I and looks like a slam dunk under $10k as a first year sire with big upside. Hill 'n' Dale has an excellent reputation developing stallions with his profile such as Army Mule and Maclean's Music. Silver: Instagrand Into Mischief has already sired the likes of Practical Joke, Maximus Mischief, and Goldencents and his reputation as a sire of sires will only grow in the future. Instagrand was a precocious and brilliant 2-year-old and he should have lots of early runners next summer with his first crop. His first crop of yearlings averaged over $44k this year. Bronze: Beau Liam (Liam's Map-Belle of Perintown, by Denere), Airdrie Stud, $6,000. He had elite talent and his first few races were jaw-dropping. Another beautiful physical, he has all the ingredients to succeed and has been well supported for an under $10k sire. His first foals look the part and were well-received at the November sales. The post Value Sires For 2024–Part II: Stallions Under $10,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Experienced trainer believes his exciting youngster ‘would win’ the most prestigious race on the calendar if it were run at the city circuit this seasonView the full article

(Photo: LinkedIn) Tabcorp Holdings Limited (Tabcorp) has achieved an accomplishment by obtaining the retail wagering and betting license from the Victorian Government. This license, which will be effective, from August 2024 for a period of 20 years signifies a important phase for Tabcorp and Victorian thoroughbred racing. It brings about a framework that strengthens its position in Victoria. The new license includes changes such as the termination of the venture with the Victorian Racing Industry (VRI) and the discontinuation of industry funding obligations. These changes create a level playing field aligning Tabcorp with operators in terms of wagering taxes and fees for racing and sports products. Tabcorp expects growth in its group earnings both in terms of scale and quality thanks to this license. If these terms had been applied in FY23, they would have resulted in a $140 million increase in Group EBITDA. This translates into enhanced earnings per share (EPS) for Tabcorp shareholder and corporate investors. As part of the agreement Tabcorp will make a payment of $600 million, to the government on June 28 2024. This will be followed by 19 payments of $30 million starting from August 16, 2025. To cover these payments the company plans to utilise its existing debt facilities. Tabcorp’s CEO, Adam Rytenskild, expressed his satisfaction, with this accomplishment stating that it is an outcome for shareholders, the Victorian Government and industry stakeholders. Despite competition from online bookmaker Sportsbet during the bidding process, Tabcorp emerged as the winner. Sportsbet’s application may have been affected by their reputation as one of the most prominent gambling advertisers in the country, especially when there is increased scrutiny and a government inquiry into gambling advertising levels. Rytenskild highlighted that the license aligns with the changing landscape of betting and allows Tabcorp to strengthen its wagering business in Victoria. He commended the collaboration between Tabcorp and the Victorian Government in designing a retail and tote license that addresses industry developments including concerns regarding betting sites licensed in Northern Territory. This new license puts Tabcorp on a footing with its competitors in Victoria enabling investments in products, offerings and overall customer experience. A spokesperson, from Tabcorp expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with the government for the two decades through the updated license. Their aim is to provide Victorians with an state of the art entertainment experience while maintaining a viable retail wagering system. Tabcorp said they “will make sure to prioritise the long term sustainability of Victoria’s thoroughbred racing industry while achieving all these goals”. More horse racing news View the full article

Riviera Rock has been runner-up in the last two editions of the Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) and trainer Graham Eade would like to breakthrough for that elusive victory at Wingatui in February. The Riverton trainer has earmarked the February 2 assignment and believes they are on target for the race following the gelding’s half-length victory in the Tim Yeo Contracting Southland Crystals (2200m) at Ascot Park on Saturday. The nine-year-old gelding jumped well from barrier eight for jockey Brandon May, who took his charge straight to the front and dictated terms throughout, holding out the late challenge of Humbucker and Vague. “It was a good win and he deserves it,” Eade said. “He had been trying but the weight has been getting on his back. It was a nice weight (57kg) on Saturday and he went well, I was rapt with him. “Those two that were close to him are pretty good horses, but he toughed it out.” Riviera Rock paid $22.90 for the win, a mark Eade thought was well over the odds. “I didn’t think he would pay that much. Those runs at Christchurch, he was carrying around 60-kilos and his runs weren’t that bad,” he said. The Dunedin Gold Cup remains the primary target this preparation, with the Road To Rock gelding’s next outing set to be at Wingatui on Boxing Day. “On Boxing Day we will give him a run in the Open 2200m. I know we are going to get weight but at this stage of his life he is going to get what he gets,” Eade said. Eade leases Riviera Rock off Palmerston North breeder Philip Jeffreys and the pair have enjoyed a successful relationship over many years. “I got Comanche Gold off him and Amigo. They have been handy horses,” Eade said. “He (Jeffreys) was looking for somewhere to place one of his horses a few years ago and I knew a lady from Winton and she put him onto me. We have had 40 wins, it has been lucrative for both of us.” While looking forward to campaigning Riviera Rock over summer, a stable newcomer is also set to step out for Eade at his home track on New Year’s Day. “I have got a new starter I got from Christchurch called Nortolose,” he said. “He will start in a maiden mile at Riverton. I am going to run him over ground.” View the full article

Emma Wyatt has made her presence known in the South Island training ranks this season, and the multi-talented horsewoman hopes to add another victory to her growing tally at Ashburton on Wednesday. A successful show jumping competitor in the South Island, competing up to Grand Prix level, Wyatt’s journey into racing began when she attended Polytechnic in Christchurch, picking up a job working for Neill Ridley before a brief stint as an apprentice jockey for Ross Beckett. “I’ve show jumped through my whole life, and when I went to Polytech to study I needed a job, so I started working for Neil Ridley three days a week. It pretty much went from there,” Wyatt said. “I’d get a job somewhere else, then end up back in racing, and then I’d do something else, and always seemed to come back to it. I did my jockey apprenticeship for a while, but I decided it wasn’t right up my alley, so now I’m training.” Wyatt produced her first training win at her second attempt with Onceaconner in December 2021, and has added a further six to her record from just 58 starts, three in the current season. She continues to balance attending shows with training her nine-strong team, alongside preparing breakers with husband Luke out of their rural Ashburton base. Wyatt will prepare five runners for her local meeting on Wednesday, four of which are coming off top-two finishes last-start. Staying trio of The Bold Lioness, Jethro and How Unusual will contest a competitive Stackhouse Farming/Norm & Lee Anne (2200m) field, with the latter coming off a fruitful weekend at Cromwell recording a second at Friday’s meeting, before going one better on the Sunday. “How Unusual runs a completely different race than the other two, so we’ll just have to see how the race pans out for her,” Wyatt said. “Lee (Callaway, jockey) has done a great job with her in her last three starts, she seems to run for him so as long as she can settle back and have a bit of luck up the straight, she should be in with a shot. The Bold Lioness has produced three strong performances since joining Wyatt’s stable in October, most recently finishing a close-up second at Cromwell. Regular pilot Kavish Chowdhoory will return to the saddle, while stablemate Jethro will have the advantage of Danika Wilson’s four-kilogram claim. “She (The Bold Lioness) has been going well, she’s working and feeling great,” she said. “Hopefully she can run a race like she normally does, she always tries hard and gives it her best. She’s drawn a nice gate, and Kavish has ridden her in two of her three starts for me, so I don’t have to give him too many instructions. “With Jethro, I was rapt with his last start at Riccarton, and since then he’s been working really well. As long as he can get out and forward he should be right there, when he gets too far back he tends to spit the dummy a wee bit. The claim will really help him as well. “Going off their work over the last week, Jethro is probably going the best of the three.” Lightly-tried four-year-old Fingerprinted was another that thrived over the long weekend at Cromwell, securing his maiden win on the Friday, before narrowly missing a double despite carrying the 60.5kg topweight on Sunday, finishing second behind Patsy Spirit. “He’s drawn wide (11), so that’s going to be his toughest challenge in that, as well as the step-up being his first start out of maidens,” Wyatt said. “But he surprises me all the time, I didn’t think he would go as well as he did on the Sunday at Cromwell carrying two kilos heavier than anyone else and backing up so quickly, but he fought on and ran a really good race.” Wyatt’s other contender at the twilight meeting will be debutant American Tourist, having his first raceday appearance under Callaway in the Agraforum Growing Innovation (1400m) after trialling in late November. “I’ve been happy with his trials and work, I think 1400m is going to be a bit short for him, but he needs to start somewhere,” she said. “As long as he goes out and does everything right I’ll be happy, and then we’ll look for a mile or further for him.” Looking to the future, Wyatt hopes to continue building her team of runners, with stakes-level ambitions a goal for her promising stayers. “I’m just building the team up at the moment, we’ve got a relatively young team, so we’ll get through Wednesday and then I’ll make a plan for where I’d like them to aim for in the future,” she said. “I’ve mentioned to a couple of the owners for Jethro and The Bold Lioness that we would hope to aim for something like a New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) next year if they keep running well, but it’s a long time between now and then so we’ll see.” View the full article

Former Trackside presenter Jason Tan was delighted and humbled to be part of a fitting finale to the decorated career of Damien Oliver. He was at Ascot in Perth on Saturday to cheer Oliver to victory in the last three races on the card, and most especially Munhamek’s fairytale success in the Gr.3 Gold Rush (1400m) named in honour of the champion jockey. Tan shares in the ownership of the Nick Ryan-trained Munhamek with Clint Hutchison and the racing.com identity’s sister Alix, whose husband Caspar (Fownes) formerly trained the eight-year-old in Hong Kong. It was something of a surreal experience for Tan on Saturday with such a dream closure to Oliver’s time in the saddle, and a wonderful ride befitting of the occasion. “When you draw that wide at 17, you’re in the lap of the gods, or Damien as it was,” Tan said. “I was standing next to Clint and not far from Nick, watching the race at ground level. At the 500m, he was travelling beautifully and at the 75m I saw him get clear and at that point I lost it, something in me said we’ve won the race. “I didn’t see the finish live because I ran to Nick and just about tackled him over the fence and by that time he’d crossed the line and won and the crowd was going off. “It was a moment in time and then you realise it was something out of this world the more you reflect on it. At the time, it was very much a blur.” Munhamek’s victory brought a celebrated end to a hectic and fun fortnight for his owners. “It was magical and it’s been a big couple of weeks. I arrived back in Hamilton about 3am on Monday morning,” Tan said. “We went up to Hong Kong for the international week and covered that off with Clint, who is a good friend and business partner and we do a Hong Kong show called Triple Trio with Jason Richardson, Shane Dye and Clint. “I run and produce that as well as the Hong Kong website called Hutchi’s Honkers. “It was always the plan to get Munhamek to that race on Saturday and it was unbelievable really, it’s hard to describe it.” Adding to the significance were Hutchison’s ties to Perth and long-standing association with Oliver. “Clint is from a training and horse family there and he legged up Damien Oliver when he was 17 on one of his father’s horses, so that’s how long they go back. It’s a very special connection,” Tan said. Munhamek was a two-time winner in his native England before relocating to Hong Kong where he was successful for Hall and added his last two victories were from Fownes’ stable. “He raced as Hall Of Champ up there and they retired him, he didn’t have a major issue it was more they felt he was on his mark,” Tan said. “I was very fortunate when Clint said I’ve got this horse from Hong Kong and said I’ll put you in for a percentage and I said that’s fine by me, let’s go.” Munhamek made an instant impact when he won his Australian debut at Caulfield last year and enjoyed further success at Flemington, Moonee Valley and Eagle Farm and multiple black type placings ahead of his Ascot heroics. “You couldn’t speak highly enough of Nick and what he’s done with the horse,” Tan said. “Aaron Mitchell is a former jockey who works for Nick and he has family in Perth, his grandfather Wally is a trainer, and he took the horse over there and was there just under four weeks before the race was run. “He was so well looked after and Aoife Brennan, Lauren (Cambridge trainer) and Mickey’s daughter, led the horse back with Clint on the right and then Damien did the Frankie Dettori star jump to celebrate so it was all very cool.” View the full article

Patience paid big dividends for Robyn and Russell Rogers at Te Rapa on Saturday when their mare Zecora broke through for her maiden stakes victory in the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m). Bred by the Waikato couple under their Kendayla Park banner, Zecora had shown plenty of promise, winning three and placing in four of her first eight starts, with a stakes tilt in the offing 12 months ago until disaster struck. “We always thought she had the ability to get black-type. Things didn’t quite go to plan last year, so it was so lovely to see her tick that box and do it so early on in this campaign,” Robyn Rogers said. “She had an amazing prep last season, she was first or second in every start. We were going to line her up in the Newmarket, which had black-type status at the time, on Boxing Day (last year). She did her last bit of work and galloped sensationally, but as she walked back we thought she didn’t look right. “We took her over to Cambridge Vets who x-rayed her, and she had a fracture in her cannon bone. They did an amazing job and put in three screws. She walked out that night like she could go to the races on the weekend.” The daughter of Power then underwent several months of rest and rehabilitation and had the perfect environment to do so, with rehabilitation making up a significant part of the Rogers’ Kendayla Park operation. “We are lucky that we have got a big aquawalker and we do quite a lot of rehab work and a lot of pre-training for other trainers to get some base fitness into their horses before they start going around the track,” Rogers said. “We also get a lot of horses to freshen-up between races. Once they have had a few runs and are starting to get a few niggles, we get quite a few that come for a short period of time to freshen-up, it’s a bit like coming to a spa. They go back and seem to have a burst of new energy when they get back to the trainers. It is an amazing asset to have. “She (Zecora) spent four months in a box and then spent a little time in a paddock. We then had to take the top screw out because they (vets) said it might affect her if she came back as a racehorse. There was a bit of further rehab after that and everything else has been smooth-sailing. “She has done a lot of her rehab on the aquawalker. We did get a fair bit of fitness into her before we started to put any pressure on the leg and she seems to have come through this race great.” It’s not the first time the Rogers’ have been met with that injury, with Zecora’s dam C’est La Vie also fracturing her cannon bone as a racehorse. “Her mother did the exact same injury,” Rogers said. “She won her very first race and broke the track record, but she fractured her cannon bone. “We did exactly the same thing with her – she got screws in her leg and then we rehabbed her. She had a huge amount of ability and was unlucky not to get black-type, but she went on and won some good races. “It was really nice to see this mare get black-type. She never runs a bad race and is one of those mares that puts in 120 percent every start.” The Rogers have been acquainted with the family for some time, having purchased Zecora’s second-dam Iman from Australia two decades ago. “It is a super family and one of those family’s whose page is littered with black-type,” Rogers said. “C’est La Vie is a full-sister to Imananabaa, who won the Railway (Gr.1, 1200m). It is a lovely pedigree. “We bought Iman (C’est La Vie’s dam) when we were over at the Magic Millions broodmare sale many years ago. We had gone and had a look at numerous mares and narrowed it down to six. Four had been through the ring and were well out of our price range and then Iman came in. “She was in-foal to Anabaa, and we love Anabaa. We had A$100,000 to spend so we opened the bidding at $100,000. Someone else put in a bid, but it was too late and she was sold to us. If they had been a fraction of a second earlier we wouldn’t have got her because we couldn’t afford to bid again. We were very lucky. “We got the credit for breeding Imananabaa, but she was already in-foal when we bought the mare. “She was a super mare for us, everything out of her has won races and a few of them have been sold overseas. She was a very lucky buy.” C’est Le Vie had just the four live foals, with the Rogers’ now breeding from her Reliable Man daughter Girl Of Steel, with Zecora set to join their broodmare band in the coming years. “C’est La Vie wasn’t always the easiest to get in-foal, but she did a good job,” Rogers said. “She had a few horses that had a huge amount of ability but one or two had soundness issues and didn’t perform to their ability. It is nice to see this one (Zecora) do that. “Girl Of Steel has got a cracking Time Test foal on her. She is a lovely mare and with any luck she will do a good job as a broodmare.” Zecora is still a few years away from joining her sister in the broodmare paddock and the Rogers’ are hoping she can add to her burgeoning record over the summer, with a number of black-type targets on the agenda. “We might roll the dice again and step her up to a mile and have a crack at the Rich Hill Mile (Gr.2, 1600m) on New Year’s Day,” Rogers said. “And the plan all along has been to try and get her into the Westbury (Gr.2, 1400m) on Karaka Millions night.” View the full article

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, December 20, 2023 First Race 7:10pm HKT (10:10pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to the bright lights of Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday evening for a competitive eight-race program. The rail pushes out to the C position, and with no rain forecast in the lead-up, we should be racing on a genuine Good 4 surface. The opening race is scheduled for 7:10pm HKT (10:10pm AEDT). Best Bet: Giddy Up Giddy Up made an eye-catching Hong Kong debut for the Jamie Richards barn at this track and trip on November 22. He was dragged back towards the rear of the field from barrier 11 and had no choice but to sneak up the inside rail, powering home to be beaten by less than a length. Watch for Karis Teetan to hold a prominent position from gate two, and with a strong tempo expected, Giddy Up should get the last crack at his tiring rivals. Best Bet Race 8 – #8 Giddy Up (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Jamie Richards | J: Karis Teetan (56kg) Bet with Unibet Next Best: Flying Phantom Flying Phantom has been a work-in-progress for the John Size stable and makes his debut in Class 4 company. The son of Dissident has had a total of five barrier trials, and his latest may have been the most promising. He was urged along to lead at Conghua on December 15 before racing under a hold to cruise into a runner-up finish. Zac Purton takes the reins, and with the three-year-old likely to lead, Flying Phantom should give a bold sight. Next Best Race 3 – #6 Flying Phantom (7) 3yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Zac Purton (58.5kg) Bet with Neds Best Value: Happy Together Happy Together has had one start for one win in Class 2 company and will seek to keep that record unblemished on Wednesday. The gelding by Dragon Pulse headed to the Class 1 Chevalier Cup (1600m) on November 26 last start, managing to feature in the minor money. This will be his first trip to Happy Valley, and although the likes of Chill Chibi and Drombeg Banner pose a threat, it should mean the top bookmakers give us a good price for Happy Together in the first leg of the quaddie. Best Value Race 5 – #7 Happy Together (5) 5yo Gelding | T: Frankie Lor | J: Alexis Badel (55.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Happy Valley Wednesday quaddie tips – 20/12/2023 Happy Valley quadrella selections Wednesday, December 20, 2023 2-6-7 2-4-7-8-10 1-3-4-5-8 1-2-6-8-12 More horse racing tips View the full article

What Flemington Races Where Flemington Racecourse – 448 Epsom Rd, Flemington VIC 3031 When Wednesday, December 20, 2023 First Race 3pm AEDT Visit Dabble Flemington Racecourse will hold its final meeting of 2023 on Wednesday afternoon from 3pm AEDT. Although there is rain forecast on Tuesday, the track is expected to stay at a Good 4 rating. The rail will be out in the +14m position for the entire circuit; however, with all seven races taking place down the straight, it shouldn’t influence any races. Kensington Stakes – Najem Suhail A small field of seven will contest the Listed Kensington Stakes, Najem Suhail from the Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock looks tough to beat. This six-year-old gelding was last seen winning the Listed Century Stakes at the track and trip, where he defeated Spacewalk in a tight finish during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Although there is a lot of speed in this race, this son of Starspangledbanner possesses a fast start and should be able to find the lead and prove hard to run down. Kensington Stakes Race 7 – #3 Najem Suhail (3) 6yo Gelding | T: Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock | J: Blake Shinn (58kg) Bet with Dabble Best Bet at Flemington – Joseylin Joseylin drops back in grade to race against her own sex after two solid performances over 955m and 1000m. In her most recent start, the Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained mare finished a close second behind It’s Kind Of Magic over 1000m at Warrnambool. This daughter of Pride Of Dubai has experience down the Flemington straight, winning one of her two starts over the track and trip. Carleen Hefel’s claim brings the weight down to 59kg, and Joselyn should get a nice run in behind the speed before unleashing her big finish in the final 200m. Best Bet Race 3 – #2 Joseylin (6) 5yo Mare | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Carleen Hefel (a1.5) (60.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Next Best Bet at Flemington – Mornington Glory Gavin Bedggood took Mornington Glory to Sandown last start, where he finished fourth as a beaten favourite over 1200m. That came after winning at Geelong fresh and then running a credible second behind Rey Magnerio at Flemington second-up. This son of Shalaa has only missed the placings once from five starts over 1100m (5:2-2-0), so dropping back from 1200m appears to be the right move. With Luke Currie in the saddle, expect him to be close to the speed and ready to strike at the 300m mark. Next Best Race 6 – #5 Mornington Glory (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Gavin Bedggood | J: Luke Currie (59kg) Bet with Neds Wednesday quaddie tips for Flemington Flemington quadrella selections Wednesday, December 20, 2023 3-5-6-8-9 1-4-8-9-12 1-5-9 3-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More racing tips View the full article

What Warwick Farm Races Where Warwick Farm Racecourse – 2 Hume Hwy, Warwick Farm NSW 2170 When Wednesday, December 20, 2023 First Race 2pm AEDT Visit Dabble Midweek metro racing heads to Warwick Farm on Wednesday afternoon for a quickfire seven-race program set to get underway at 2pm local time. The rail is out +5m between the 1000m and the winning post, then sits true for the remainder of the course. There are showers predicted for race-day, so be wary of a possible downgrade into the Soft range. Best Bet: Shaken Two impressive barrier trials present Shaken in good order as she returns from a 143-day spell in this BM72 contest for fillies and mares. She led all the way in her latest jump-out at Hawkesbury on December 12, being allowed to stride forward under her own steam to score by a length. She seems to be a mature filly now compared to the two-year-old we saw last campaign, and with Tyler Schiller sure to produce a positive steer from gate six, Shaken should be right in the mix. Best Bet Race 6 – #9 Shaken (6) 3yo Filly | T: James Cummings | J: Tyler Schiller (55kg) +115 with BoomBet Next Best: Husk One trial at Rosehill on December 5 is all we needed to see from Husk heading into her debut. She settled beautifully in behind the speed throughout the 900m jump-out, and when asked for a minor effort she closed into a clear runner-up finish. The European bred filly seems to have plenty of upside, and with the Hawkes team happy to take her to the races with no more official work, Husk appears ready to peak first-up. Next Best Race 1 – #4 Husk (4) 2yo Filly | T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | J: Tyler Schiller (56kg) -125 with Bet365 Next Best Again: Tumbling Tumbling produced the win of the evening at Canterbury on November 24. The son of Trapeze Artist was last turning for home in the BM64 before powering over the top, finishing night with the fastest time of three races run over the 1250m journey. Provided the three-year-old can hold that form stepping up to the 1300m on Wednesday, Tumbling must be considered the one to beat. Next Best Again Race 7 – #5 Tumbling (6) 3yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | J: Dylan Gibbons (59kg) +225 with PlayUp Warwick Farm Wednesday quaddie tips – 20/12/2023 Warwick Farm quadrella selections Wednesday, December 20, 2023 1-4-7-8 4-6-7-10-11 1-4-9 1-5-11-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Riviera Rock is being set towards the Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) in February. Photo: Race Images South Riviera Rock has been runner-up in the last two editions of the Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) and trainer Graham Eade would like to breakthrough for that elusive victory at Wingatui in February. The Riverton trainer has earmarked the February 2 assignment and believes they are on target for the race following the gelding’s half-length victory at Ascot Park on Saturday. The nine-year-old gelding jumped well from barrier eight for jockey Brandon May, who took his charge straight to the front and dictated terms throughout, holding out the late challenge of Humbucker and Vague. “It was a good win and he deserves it,” Eade said. “He had been trying but the weight has been getting on his back. It was a nice weight (57kg) on Saturday and he went well, I was rapt with him. “Those two that were close to him are pretty good horses, but he toughed it out.” Riviera Rock paid $22.90 for the win, a mark Eade thought was well over the odds. “I didn’t think he would pay that much. Those runs at Christchurch, he was carrying around 60-kilos and his runs weren’t that bad,” he said. The Dunedin Gold Cup remains the primary target this preparation, with the Road To Rock gelding’s next outing set to be at Wingatui on Boxing Day. “On Boxing Day we will give him a run in the Open 2200m. I know we are going to get weight but at this stage of his life he is going to get what he gets,” Eade said. Eade leases Riviera Rock off Palmerston North breeder Philip Jeffreys and the pair have enjoyed a successful relationship over many years. “I got Comanche Gold off him and Amigo. They have been handy horses,” Eade said. “He (Jeffreys) was looking for somewhere to place one of his horses a few years ago and I knew a lady from Winton and she put him onto me. We have had 40 wins, it has been lucrative for both of us.” While looking forward to campaigning Riviera Rock over summer, a stable newcomer is also set to step out for Eade at his home track on New Year’s Day. “I have got a new starter I got from Christchurch called Nortolose,” he said. “He will start in a maiden mile at Riverton. I am going to run him over ground.” More horse racing news View the full article

Rangiora trainer John Blackadder with Jasmine Fawcett. Photo: Race Images South Former northerner Diamond Girl announced her arrival on the South Island scene with a remarkable front-running performance at Ascot Park. The daughter of Rock ‘n’ Pop began her career in the Ruakaka stable of Chris Gibbs, for whom she recorded four wins and six placings between 2020 and August of this year. Bought by her new connections for just $1,400 on Gavelhouse.com in early September, Diamond Girl is now trained by John Blackadder at Rangiora and began her southern career with unplaced finishes at Riccarton on November 11 and Cromwell on December 3. But the seven-year-old turned her form around in spectacular style on Saturday. Ridden by northern apprentice Kendra Bakker, Diamond Girl jumped from the outside gate and rolled forward to take the lead in the early stages of the race. But then she kept on rolling, opening up a margin of at least eight lengths coming down the side of the track. Those efforts began to take their toll after rounding the home turn, and Henry Hubber and The Good Shepherd rapidly ate into Diamond Girl’s margin with plenty of the Ascot Park straight remaining. But Diamond Girl fought for all she was worth, winning over the bumper Ascot Park crowd as she bravely turned back the challengers and clung on to win by half a length. Blackadder was delighted with the result and paid tribute to Bakker, who recorded the second win of her riding career and had never previously ridden in the South Island. “That was quite a performance,” Blackadder said. “It probably wasn’t really our plan to go out to as big a lead as that, but Kendra came back and said she’d never ridden a horse that fast. It was either going to be a brilliant ride or something not quite so good, but it worked out really well in the end. “I’m very pleased for Kendra. She hadn’t ridden down south before and travelled a long way for just that one ride, so it’s good that her commitment was rewarded with that result. “This mare had a reasonable record in the north before she came down to us, and she’s off to a good start down here with this win. Some of the owners are from Kurow, so I think the Kurow Cup (1400m, December 30) might be a nice target to work towards.” Diamond Girl earned $28,750 with Saturday’s heroics, lifting her career earnings to $113,769 from a 28-start career that has produced five wins and six placings. A front-running formula also paid dividends in Saturday’s other Ascot Park feature. The race was won for the second year in a row by Riviera Rock, who led all the way in the hands of jockey Brandon May. The nine-year-old is trained and part-owned by Riverton’s Graham Eade, and his 64-start career has produced seven wins, 19 placings and $248,300 in stakes. More horse racing news View the full article

Opie Bosson after gaining a 2000th New Zealand victory aboard Move To Strike. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Commentator George Simon summed up what many were thinking at the finish of the first race at Te Rapa when he uttered the well-known catch cry ‘there’s only one Opie Bosson’. Bosson had just guided the raging hot favourite Move To Strike ($1.35) to a seemingly effortless debut victory over 1100m, in the process lodging win number 2000 in New Zealand in a superlative career where he has been readily acknowledged as one of the very best to grace a saddle. The 43-year-old was typically understated when questioned about his achievement, preferring to shower praise upon the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained colt who he believes could prove to be a very special horse in the future. “That was pretty cool really,” Bosson said. “I knew he was the horse I could get it (2000 wins) on today and to do it for David (Ellis) and the whole Te Akau Racing team is just an extra bonus. “Any milestone in a career is good and it is an elite club to be a part of. “I think this horse is a superstar in the making. “He just has the right attitude and you would think he has been doing this for years. “He takes things in his stride and there are better things to come.” Co-trainer Mark Walker shares a similar opinion of the son of I Am Invincible, who was purchased by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for A$525,000 at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast earlier this year and had been unbeaten in three trials prior to his first outing on raceday. “The colt is such an amazing customer with such a good brain on him, we think he has a big future,” he said.” Walker suggested Move To Strike may contest the $225,000 Eclipse Stakes (Group 2, 1200m) on 1 January at Pukekohe, while also on the radar is the A$2m Blue Diamond Stakes (Group 1, 1200m) on 24 February at Caulfield. He also paid tribute to Bosson who commenced his association with Walker and Te Akau Racing as an apprentice back in the late 1990’s. “This will give him (Bosson) a real thrill and it is quite an achievement for someone who has struggled with his weight throughout his career,” he said. “He won on Integrate for us when he was a 16-year-old and he had a postage stamp as a saddle and to still be there after all these years is a real credit to him. “It was good for him to do it on such an exciting horse and one he has thought a lot of for some time.” Bosson, who has constantly battled weight issues during a career that commenced in 1995 with a win at Gisborne when he was a fifteen-year-old apprentice, becomes the eighth member of the 2000-win club with other riders to have achieved the rare feat being Chris Johnson, David Walsh, Lance O’Sullivan, Noel Harris, David Peake, Bill Skelton and Michael Coleman. He was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for his contribution to the thoroughbred industry in June this year. More horse racing news View the full article

Kazushi Kimura earned his third consecutive riding title at Woodbine with 161 victories during the 2023 meeting which concluded Sunday, while Mark Casse was the track's leading trainer for the 15th time. “I am very grateful to all the trainers and owners who gave me an opportunity to ride so many great horses this year,” Kimura said. “I'd like to thank the grooms, exercise riders, hot walkers, gate crew, outriders, and everyone who makes our sport so great. And I would like to thank all the horses, the stars of our sport and the best athletes you will find.” The 2019 Eclipse Award winner as North America's outstanding apprentice, Kimura also won the equivalent Sovereign Award in both 2018 and 2019. He was also the 2021 and 2022 Sovereign recipient as Canada's outstanding rider. Casse recorded 113 wins at Woodbine in 2023 and his 24 stakes victories included the King's Plate, as well as the GI E.P. Taylor S., GII Nassau S. and GII Royal North S. Bruno Schickedanz, last year's Sovereign winner as Canada's top owner, was Woodbine's leading owner for the 10th straight year with 58 wins. The post Casse, Kimura on Top of Woodbine Standings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kentucky Downs' 2024 meet will stage its first grade 1 stakes in track history, with the Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G1T) for 3-year-old sprinters attaining the highest designation in American racing. View the full article

North America's all-time winningest trainer Steve Asmussen has added to his list of endless accolades and awards, winning an unprecedented 18th Chuck Taliaferro training title at Remington Park. The 2023 Thoroughbred Season came to a close Dec. 16.View the full article

Group 1 winner Broome has been retired to Celikoglu Stud, according to reports in Turkey.View the full article

All bonuses that are part of the California-bred Incentive Program will continue to be paid to qualifying horses that race in the upcoming Golden Gate Fields meet, said Doug Burge, president of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association.View the full article

Thinking about what he's already done as a sire in his first year with runners, it's not hard to imagine what future years may look like. The McMahons' faith in Solomini is so high that they didn't launch a new sire in 2022. View the full article

Kentucky Downs will host the first Grade I event in its history next year with the elevation of the GI Franklin-Simpson S. announced Saturday by the American Graded Stakes Committee. “Ownership is laser-focused on the continued elevation of the racing product at their track, and we're appreciative of the recognition by the American Graded Stakes Committee,” Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs' Vice President for Racing, said in a press release Sunday. “As delighted as we are about finally getting a Grade I stakes, it's more about the ascent of our entire racing program, with the Franklin-Simpson an exciting result. While we have offered among the highest purses in the world for several years, bringing it all together is the way the horsemen–owners and trainers–have embraced us.” Under the ownership headed by Ron Winchell and Marc Falcone the past four years, Kentucky Downs has added four Grade III stakes, its first (now at four) Grade II races and its first Grade I. “Kentucky Downs was a strong regional track when we took over ownership, and our immediate focus was to try to make it more national,” Winchell said. “With our first Grade I and with four Grade II races among our nine graded stakes, we've become entrenched in the national conversation. Our goal now is to make Kentucky Downs an international destination. Part of that is working hard to continue the upward migration of our stakes. We want the Franklin-Simpson to be our first–but not only–Grade I.” Kentucky Downs' first graded stakes was the Kentucky Turf Cup, back in 2001. The track did not receive another graded stakes until 2017, when it added two. The Franklin-Simpson earned its first grading for 2019, advancing to a Grade II for 2021. The Music City S., run for the first time in 2020, was conducted as a Grade III for the first time this year and will be a Grade II event in 2024. The post First Grade I Race Elevates Kentucky Downs Program appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Damon's Mound will join Gotham Stakes (G3) winner Raise Cain as the second Kentucky-based contender to target the Malibu.View the full article

The NYRA stewards decision to disqualify Brick Ambush from second to last following the Dec. 16 Great White Way Division of the New York Stallion Series raised a furor on racing social media. On Sunday, the stewards explained their decision online.View the full article

HRNZ would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a festive and safe New Year. The office is closed from noon Friday 22 December and will reopen on 8 January 2024 at 8.30am. There are staff assigned to provide core services during this period. These staff are contactable between 27 December – 29 December and 3 – 5 January on 03-964-1200 or FreePhone 0508-427-637 or email admin@hrnz.co.nz Enjoy all the racing that’s on all over the break and see you all in 2023. View the full article

Jantar Mantar was one of four undefeated 2-year-olds in the 17-horse field in the Dec. 17 Asahi Hai Futurity (G1) at Hanshin Racecourse but the only one to emerge with that record intact.View the full article