Wandering Eyes

Otto the Conqueror (Street Sense) picked up a black-type feather for his cap with this gutsy victory in the Remington Springboard Mile S., and picked up 10 points for the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Locking horns almost from the jump, Otto the Conqueror and Glengarry (Maximus Mischief) refused to give each other peace, their duel opening a sizeable gap between the pair and the field. Taking the slimmest of margins coming into the straight, the eventual winner sustained his long drive best in the end, scoring his Derby points by a 3/4-length over his long-time rival as Magic Grant (Good Magic) closed from the rear to pick up third. “It's off to Hot Springs [Arkansas and Oaklawn Park] and Derby trail, here we come,” said Steve Asmussen, who has won this contest seven times. “You just saw two nice horses hook up from start to finish.” The first to the races for dam Dream It Is as 3-year-old eldest sister Petit Reve (Empire Maker) has yet to make a start, Otto the Conqueror sets a high bar for the siblings to follow for his young dam, a pair of half-sisters; a Blame yearling and a 2023 Curlin. Dream It Is was bred to Uncle Mo for 2024. This is the female line of European champion 3-year-old filly MG1SW Bosra Shame, who went on to produce GSW Rosberg (A.P. Indy) as well as Otto the Conqueror's branch of the family. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG. OTTO THE CONQUEROR ($4.80) had to fight off Glengarry to earn the win in the $300,000 Springboard Mile at @RemingtonPark. @Tyler_Gaff scrubbed him home for trainer Steve Asmussen. The Street Sense (@DarleyAmerica) colt made it 3 wins in a row! pic.twitter.com/JPFWdQnhXQ — TVG (@TVG) December 16, 2023 REMINGTON SPRINGBOARD MILE S., $300,000, Remington, 12-15, 2yo, 1m, 1:39.91, my. 1–OTTO THE CONQUEROR, 121, c, 2, by Street Sense 1st Dam: Dream It Is (GSW-USA, SW-Can, $175,544), by Shackleford 2nd Dam: Reve Enchante, by Medaglia d'Oro 3rd Dam: Reve de Fille, by Storm Cat ($450,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Three Chimneys Farm; B-Hoolie Racing Stable, LLC (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $337,360. 2–Glengarry, 121, c, 2, Maximus Mischief–L. A. Way, by Tizway. ($55,000 Ylg '22 FTKJUL; $150,000 2yo '23 EASMAY). O-Kennedy, Aaron, Joseph, Toby and Doug Anderson; B-Highpoint Bloodstock (IA); T-Doug L. Anderson. $60,000. 3–Magic Grant, 121, c, 2, Good Magic–Holiday Bertie, by Harlan's Holiday. ($120,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $300,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR). O-Willis Horton Racing LLC; B-Hill N Dale Equine Holdings, Inc (KY); T-Eddie Milligan, Jr.. $33,000. Margins: 3/4, 1 1/4, 6HF. Odds: 1.40, 2.40, 13.80. Also Ran: Third Street, My Buddy Mel, Raging Torrent. Scratched: Fidget, Gettysburg Address, Rhino Runner. The post Street Sense’s Otto the Conqueror Game in Springboard Mile 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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In a two-horse throwdown, Three Chimneys Farm's Otto the Conqueror outdueled the previously unbeaten Glengarry and inched away to post a three-quarters of a length victory in the $300,000 Remington Springboard Mile Stakes Dec. 15.View the full article

The breeding stock sales are, by definition, where many of the best broodmares and foals are offered under the hammer, but many fine racing prospects have emerged from these sessions in recent years. Some farm the sales better than others, notably trainers Joseph O'Brien and Paddy Twomey, who have made a habit of replenishing their stables with high-class runners each winter. So who fared best this winter? O'Brien and Twomey were back again, with the pair signing for some interesting prospects with a view towards next season, while a number of mares with interesting profiles were sold abroad or to new partnerships with the aim of enhancing their profiles over the coming 12 months. Here are five to follow from the breeding stock sales. Rogue Millennium The case for Rogue Millennium (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) was an obvious one and it was bloodstock agents David Lanigan and Ted Durcan, working on behalf of American owner Scott Heider, who secured the classy filly to go into training with Joseph O'Brien. Rogue Millennium deservedly occupied star billing in the Sceptre Sessions and she lived up to her reputation when selling for 1.65 million gns. Fillies with genuine Group 1 form and the ability to race on don't come up on the market too often, and Heider, who has already had some classy performers with O'Brien, was forced to pay to secure the four-year-old. However, Rogue Millennium showed top-notch form for former trainer Tom Clover and owners The Rogues Gallery, with her runner-up effort behind the brilliant Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) suggesting that she is not far off making the breakthrough at the highest level. A Group 2 winner at Royal Ascot this season, Rogue Millennium rarely disappointed and her ability to handle quick ground could mean she is a candidate to take in races abroad. Given that O'Brien is a dab hand at travelling horses all over the world, Rogue Millennium could well be the type to be on her travels next year. Now, that would be exciting. It must be said that Rogue Millennium was not the only classy prospect that O'Brien snapped up at the mares sales this winter. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Classy youngster Without Words (Mendelssohn), who Mick Murphy and Sarah O'Connell of Longways Stables put into training after failing to sell the filly at the breeze-ups, went the way of Justin Casse on behalf of the trainer for €450,000. Without Words looked a smart prospect in the making when winning second time up for trainer Francois Rohaut at Toulouse and commanded a price tag to reflect that ability. She's another to note. Lady Tilbury: has an interesting profile | Racingfotos.com Lady Tilbury Word on the street is that Lady Tilbury (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), a four-time winner over sprint trips for David Marnane, is off to Paddy Twomey after being knocked down to BBA Ireland for 150,000gns at Tattersalls. On the face of things, Lady Tilbury may not scream Group performer in the making, but the four-year-old has offered flashes of high-class form for Marnane. One thing we know about Lady Tilbury is that she is very quick. Something of a Tipperary specialist, she won three times at that track over the minimum distance, with her sole other victory coming at another speed favouring course in Cork. It may not be the craziest idea to compare Lady Tilbury's profile to that of Sonnaiyla (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who joined Twomey rated 82, but improved 26lbs and bagged a Group 3 success for the Golden-based trainer. It will be a big ask for Lady Tilbury to improve to that extent but it's worth noting that Marnane thought highly enough of the filly to pitch her into Group 3 company on her final start for the stable at Dundalk in October. Things may not have gone to plan on that occasion but an argument could be made that Lady Tilbury's best days are still ahead of her and she is one to keep an eye on in 2024. It's no secret that Twomey has done extremely well out of the mares sales in recent years and La Isla Mujeres (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) was another interesting recruit to his yard at 330,000gns. Signed for alongside bloodstock agent Jason Kelly, La Isla Mujeres showed classy form for Ralph Beckett on behalf of Valmont, winning twice and reaching a rating of 93. She was not far off achieving black-type for her former connections and, given her lightly-raced profile, rates another interesting prospect for next season. Relief Rally It's fair to say the Yulong team likes to keep everyone guessing. Between buying online and signing under different pseudonyms, Yuesheng Zhang's major ownership vehicle made things interesting at Goffs, Tattersalls and more recently at Arqana. The top lot at Arqana, Place Du Carrousel, was rumoured to have been bought by the Yulong outfit under the banner of Portofino Bloodstock for the unusual sum of €4,025,000. It was also suggested by some in the know that the Group 1 winner would be continuing her career in Australia for the powerful operation, similarly to Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never). Relief Rally (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) could be another interesting one to have joined the Yulong team. One of the star juveniles this term, Relief Rally won four of her five starts for William Haggas, culminating with a brilliant victory in the G2 Lowther S. She was knocked down to the unknown entity of Mrs A Sullivan for 800,000gns during a helter-skelter edition of the Sceptre Sessions at Tattersalls. Should time reveal Relief Rally to be another big-name signing for Yulong, she would form part of a strong group of older mares for the team to look forward to next year and definitely has Group 1 aspirations. Pipsy Young trainer Will Walden marked his first trip to Tattersalls by snapping up three quality fillies for just over 1.8million gns and Pipsy (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) could well prove the pick. Pipsy went from strength to strength in three starts for trainer Ger Lyons, building on her debut second at Cork to run out an authoritative winner of a Curragh maiden before making the breakthrough at listed level back over the minimum trip at Dundalk. The juvenile is just the type who could suit the style of racing in America and has already proved that she handles a quick surface in winning at Dundalk. She could be a name to note for Walden who also landed Aussie Girl (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) for 380,000gns and Olivia Maralda (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) for 725,000gns at the Sceptre Sessions. Royal Grey Nobody could accuse John O'Connor of Ballylinch Stud of being a rigid thinker and, while some people would turn their noses up at Italian form, he thought it worthwhile to partner up and buy Royal Grey (GB) from Endo Botti for €135,000 at Arqana last week. By the sire of the moment, Havana Grey (GB), Royal Grey showed a likeable attitude to win at listed level in Italy. What that form amounts to is hard to weigh up but she's clearly a filly who tries hard and is deserving of a tilt at black-type races in France. That's exactly what the plan is for Royal Grey, who was purchased alongside an unnamed partner to go into training with Nicolas Clement. There could be a lot of fun to be had with her over sprint trips in France next season. The post Big-Race Winners In Waiting? Five To Follow From The Mares Sales appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday's top tips from the Post's analystsView the full article

Smart four-year-old gelding Grebeni (Ocean Park) recorded his sixth career victory when running out a strong winner of the Cactus Imaging Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday. The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained son of Ocean Park had previously finished midfield in the Festival Stakes (1500m) a fortnight ago and bounced back with a gritty performance on Saturday. Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, Grebeni carried 53kgs to victory as he came from midfield to defeat Glory Daze (Cotai Glory) and King Of The Castle (NZ) (Castledale), in a field that featured quality gallopers Kirwan’s Lane (NZ) (Charm Spirit) and Stockman (NZ) (Tavistock). “He gets his head out and has a crack and when things go the right way, he always runs well,” Ryan said. “He had to do a bit of buffeting at the top of the straight to get out and get in the clear but a better barrier today, he paraded better with two weeks between runs and not four, and Kerrin knows him and rode him terrific. “He’s a big tall skinny horse who doesn’t carry a lot of weight, but fat horses can’t run.” A raucous bunch of owners greeted Grebeni, with 57 people sharing in the ownership. “He has taken them on a terrific journey and they’re a good bunch of people with Tim Boland. He got them into it and away we go,” Ryan said. Ryan and Alexiou will now look to pick off another A$160,000 race in the Maroubra Mile. “I was thinking about going 2000m but watching that race myself, I don’t think so,” he said. “There were a couple of races that we aimed him at this prep that he never got into and small fish are sweet. There is another mile race here on the 30th, the Maroubra Mile, which is BenchMark 100. “So we might keep him running in that and we wont go pushing him out too far this preparation.” Grebeni has now won six of his 14 starts, with a further four placings and A$452,975 in prizemoney. By high-class Waikato Stud stallion Ocean Park, Grebeni is out of the three-win Medaglia d’Oro mare Dubrovnik and was a $100,000 Gold Coast yearling. View the full article

This tour offers a unique opportunity to view almost 750 yearlings heading to Karaka 2024 on their farms. Taking place over six days, the tour is open to both industry participants and the general public. There is no fee to attend the tour and bus transport, kindly sponsored by New Zealand Bloodstock, is available, departing from and returning to Cambridge BP daily. A number of stud farms will also kindly sponsor refreshments (breakfast, lunch, dinner). The tour is open to everybody but registration is required, please contact Ed Stapleton on 027 2589114 (also Whatsapp) or email ed@esb.nz<mailto:ed@esb.nz> Find out more HERE https://esbloodstock.com/nzyearlingtour/ View the full article

Under-rated filly Still Bangon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) stepped up to stakes class and prevailed in a nail-biting finish to the Gr.3 LawnMaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday. Trained by Stephen Autridge for owner-breeders Paul and Maureen Guise, the daughter of Satono Aladdin came into Saturday’s black-type debut with a win, three placings and a fourth to her name from her seven previous career starts. That included a relegation to second after being first past the post in a maiden race at Taupo in September. The beneficiary of that Taupo relegation was Te Akau Racing’s promoted winner Superbly Written (Written Tycoon). When Still Bangon collected her black-type spoils in the Eulogy on Saturday, those familiar tangerine colours were right alongside her again – this time carried by the runner-up My Lips Are Sealed (NZ) (Ace High). On paper, there appeared to be many chances among a remarkably even line-up for this year’s Eulogy. That was exactly how the $100,000 feature played out on the track too, with more than half a dozen fillies lining up across most of the width of the Trentham home straight to lodge their claims in rain-affected ground. That number was eventually whittled down to three as My Lips Are Sealed, Still Bangon and Chica Mojito (NZ) (Zacinto) pulled ahead of the rest of the field in the final 150m. There was nothing between them in a head-bobbing battle to the line, but Still Bangon thrust her neck down at just the right time to snatch victory by a nose for jockey Tegan Newman. My Lips Are Sealed was second, a long head in front of Chica Mojito. “I’m thrilled to get that result,” Autridge said. “It was a very close finish and a very testing race, but she fought strongly and deserved the win. She’s been racing well all through the spring, so it’s pleasing to see her step up into black-type company and put in a performance like that. To win a Group Three race is absolutely massive for her owner-breeders and great for the filly. “I’m picking that her next target is going to be at Pukekohe, stepping up over a bit more ground for the Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (Gr.2, 2050m) on New Year’s Day.” The eighth individual stakes winner among the southern hemisphere progeny of standout Rich Hill Stud shuttle stallion Satono Aladdin, Still Bangon is a daughter of the Guises’ homebred mare Shebang (NZ) (Le Bec Fin), who herself won five races and is a full-sister to the stakes-performed Elle Tresor (NZ). With Saturday’s Eulogy Stakes victory, Still Bangon earned 6 points in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series. That puts her in equal third spot alongside the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) winner Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award). The table is headed by Impendabelle (Impending) on 15 points, courtesy of her win in the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) and second placing in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). Impressive 1000 Guineas winner Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) is just behind her on 12 points. View the full article

Is It Me (Iffraaj) posted a dominant win at Caulfield on Saturday, backing up his impressive last-start victory and giving Celine Gaudray an early treble at Caulfield. Prepared by Daniel Bowman, the gelding, who has only finished out of the placings twice from nine starts, was subject to heavy market support prior to the 1200m Benchmark 70 and started a $2.70 favourite. Jumping from the middle alley, Gaudray positioned the four-year-old son of Iffraaj three wide with cover down the side of the course, stalking third-elect Pink Beau Ty (Brazen Beau) ($8), who gave a decent kick around the bend. But Is It Me quickly sidled up alongside and swept passed with ease, pulling away late to make it back-to-back wins. “That was perfect – Celine kept him in plenty of galloping room, let him track up behind on the back of one of the other chances in (Brian) McGrath’s, and he was too strong,” Bowman said. “He was a bit beaten for speed early back to the 1200, and just his ability midrace, when she asked him to get on the back of that horse, he did it easily, and then quickened again. “He’s got to keep learning and going through his grades, and hopefully in six months we can have some real fun.” The Warrnambool-based trainer said he would wait and see how Is It Me pulls up before deciding whether to push on this campaign or not. “We’ll just see how he comes through it,” he said. “He really knocks himself around in a race and loses a lot of weight – we just take it one run at a time when we’re this deep into the prep with him. “But it’s all fun, everyone’s happy winning races, so we’ll keep cracking if he’s up to it.” By former Haunui Farm shuttle stallion Iffraaj, Is It Me is out of the stakes-placed Peintre Celebre mare Gosh, with Bowman purchasing the smart galloper for $40,000 at the Melbourne Yearling Sale. The gelding has won four of his nine career starts, with a further three runner-up finishes. View the full article

Consistent stayer Dionysus (NZ) (Ocean Park) provided Roger James and Robert Wellwood with a positive end to a tough week when scoring a fighting victory in the Gr.3 SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m) on Saturday at Te Rapa. The Cambridge training partners announced the retirement of superstar mare Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) earlier in the week, but were back at the fore on Friday at Tauranga with Hastobeawinner (NZ) (Vadamos) victorious over 1400m, and headed to Te Rapa with the Cup favourite on Saturday. With the scratching of well-fancied runner Aromatic (NZ) (Sacred Falls), Dionysus became the prominent public-elect for the Cup starting a warm $2.20 favourite, with punters backing Prise De Fer (NZ) (Savabeel) on the back-up closing at $5.30. Dionysus jumped away in his typically tardy fashion, with a prepared Warren Kennedy quickly finding cover and slotting him into a comfortable position third-last in the early stages. The tempo was steady up front with Margaret Jean (NZ) (Sacred Falls) heading the field, Kennedy stalking Prise De Fer’s every move and had Dionysus travelling beautifully widest on the home turn. Looming large on the outside, Dionysus moved up to challenge Prise De Fer, and the last 200m became a three-horse war as $27 hope Coruba Jak (NZ) (Jakkalberry) threatened an upset. Kingsclere’s charge proved too strong in the final bounds to score by a ½ length, with Prise De Fer gallant under the 59kg in second and Coruba Jak gaining a Group placing finishing seven lengths ahead of the remaining runners. Kennedy regained the ride aboard the son of Ocean Park after claiming the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) last season, followed by a third in the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m). “He went absolutely fantastic,” Kennedy said. “He’s a lovely horse and I think Roger and Robert have really brought him on the right way. He’s super fit at the moment and enjoying his racing, he can be a handful but he did everything right today, bar jumping out of the gates which he never gets right. “The race didn’t map out as I thought it would, I looked up and saw El Nymph back where I was, so I wondered where the pace would come from, but they keep a reasonable gallop all the way round. I got on the back of Prise De Fer who I thought was probably the next best, he tracked me through and this horse settled beautifully in the run, he was breathing well. “I wanted to put the horse (Prise De Fer) with the biggest weight under pressure early, so I challenged him at the top of the straight and got a bit of a lead. This horse (Dionysus) was floating around quite a bit waiting for the challenge to come, and when Prise De Fer got within a neck of me, the horse realised he had to go again and kicked on.” James was complimentary of the Cambridge trainers’ team following the victory, which couldn’t have come at better notice. “There’s no ‘I’ in team, and we’re fortunate we have a champion team behind us. Days like this reward everybody,” Roger James said. “Warren had it in his mind that he didn’t want to be snookered on the fence, he’s a class rider and he’d thought of everything we’d thought of. He rode him a treat. Now a winner of six races and over $394,000 in stakes, James indicated Dionysus will now be set to defend his crown in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup on New Year’s Day at Pukekohe, whilst holding nominations for each of the Gr.3 NZ Campus For Sport and Innovation Wellington Cup (3200m), Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), and the Gr.2 Barfoot and Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m). “That’s the plan at this stage (Queen Elizabeth II Cup), but as always we’ll take him home and make certain he’s okay before we move on.” Bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan, Dionysus was purchased for $45,000 by James and Wellwood out of Cambridge Stud’s Book 1 draft at the 2019 Karaka Yearling Sales, for prominent owners Ron and Fran Dixon. “Ron was my first ever owner, he loves his racing and he’s been fortunate enough to have a lot of good horses along the way. Hopefully this is not his last.” View the full article

Handy stayer Commander Harry (NZ) (Reliable Man) returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in more than 800 days when winning the Quayclean Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield under a perfect Jamie Mott ride. These days prepared by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, the five-year-old gelding hadn’t won since breaking maiden ranks over 1450m at Kilmore in September 2021 when trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young. The son of Reliable Man finished runner-up in the Gr.2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) won by Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel) and campaigned against a number of likely types in his Classic season including placings behind the likes of Jungle Magnate (NZ) (Tarzino) and Detonator Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry). Fast-forward two seasons, and the SCT Syndications-raced galloper relished the strong tempo set in Saturday’s contest to prevail by a length and a quarter. Stable representative Jack Turnbull said the variety of facilities at the disposal of the Ciaron Maher Racing team played a key role in the return to form, including the Fingal base on the Mornington peninsula. “It has been a long-time coming. It is well-documented he has been through nearly every set-up we have. He currently lives at Fingal and full-credit to the team down there,” Turnbull said. “He has been doing a lot of jumping and a lot of alternative work. He doesn’t actually gallop a lot these days. He does a lot of bowling and surging work out there and it seems to be working. “Typically, we would bring them in once or twice a week to speed-up on grass but horses like him are educated and they don’t need to be worked at speed. They do a lot of half-pace and three-quarter pace work at Fingal which is left-handed and right-handed and we have just recently set-up a few jumping and schooling arenas. “It is effective and we’re learning and we are seeing him put it into practice with Track Kat (Head of Ciaron Maher Racing’s Sports Science Katrina Anderson, or Track Kat, as she is more commonly known in racing circles) who likes to pioneer that.” Turnbull admitted Commander Harry was the beneficiary of the strong tempo set by free-going import Blue Cup (Kendargent). “The race was set-up for him today with Blue Cup running along but to the horse’s credit he kept galloping,” Turnbull said. “I think he will get a solid ten furlongs like he did today and maybe even a mile and a half now that he is a bit more seasoned and more mature. “A big thanks to the patient ownership group that is here today, including Stephen and Tash at SCT Syndications, it is a great result.” By Westbury Stud sire Reliable Man, Commander Harry is out of the Zabeel mare Our Josephina (NZ) was bred by Greg Perry’s Greenwich Stud. Raised at Michelle Norman and Dave Keenan’s Kilmore Farm in Matamata, Commander Harry was a $50,000 purchase at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale by Busuttin and Young. View the full article

Racing witnessed an unforgettable moment as Damien Oliver produced a miracle to win his final race in the saddle. View the full article

Jockey believes the John Size-trained youngster has what it takes to make it three wins from three starts on Sunday when he steps up to 1,200mView the full article

Rider Penalties L Allpress | Hawke’s Bay 13 December; careless riding; suspended 24-28 December inclusive. L Sutherland | Hawke’s Bay 13 December; careless riding; suspended 21-24 December inclusive. R Elliot | Hawke’s Bay 13 December; medical clearance required. W Kennedy | Tauranga 15 December; careless riding; suspended 25-30 December inclusive. J Kamaruddin | Manawatu 16 December; use of whip (2 charges); suspended 27 December – 6 January inclusive and fined $400. C Butler | Manawatu 16 December; use of whip; suspended 25-30 December inclusive. Horse Penalties ANELA | Waikato 16 December; hock injury; veterinary clearance required. STIPULATOR | Manawatu 16 December; very slow to jump; must complete trial. HENLEY | Southland 16 December; lame; veterinary clearance required. The post 11-17 December 2023 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

A commanding victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa completed a rare fillies and mares’ feature double for Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer). The Te Akau Racing mare became only the fourth horse to win the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and the Cal Isuzu in the same season, joining Just Apollo (1995), Calveen (2004) and Ruud Van Slaats (2008). Campionessa was bought by David Ellis in Australia as a yearling in 2019, and her 26-start career has now produced nine wins, eight placings and more than $677,000 in stakes for the Te Akau Campionessa Syndicate. “She’s come back from a short freshen-up in fantastic form,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains the six-year-old in partnership with Mark Walker. “She’s back in the groove. “She was aided by a fantastic ride from Opie (Bosson), who got her into a lovely spot. She relaxed beautifully, was presented at the right time and was strong to the line.” Campionessa was runner-up in two Group One races last season, chasing home Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood) in the Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) in the New Zealand Stakes (2050m). Now the Contributer mare’s connections are keen to try to go one better, with the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2050m) on Boxing Day firmly in their sights. “It’s all systems go for the Zabeel Classic now,” Bergerson said. “As long as she comes through today well, we’ll press on for that. Going up to 2000m will be ideal for her and she finished so strongly today, so all being well, she should be bang on.” Saturday’s Cal Isuzu was viewed as a two-horse race, with Campionessa facing off against the well-credentialled Pencarrow Stud homebred Pearl Of Alsace (NZ) (Tavistock). But from the moment the gates opened, it was all Campionessa. Wearing blinkers for the first time, Pearl Of Alsace was slow to leave the starting gates and settled near the tail of the field behind a pedestrian tempo. Her task was an uphill one from the outset, and it was close to insurmountable by the time she reached the home straight. In contrast, Campionessa landed in third behind Pride Of Aspen (Pride of Dubai) and Madame Le Fay (Smart Missile). Bosson settled the six-year-old into a smooth rhythm, and she cruised up to the turn breathing down the necks of the first pair and poised to pounce. Bosson released the brakes soon after straightening, and the race was all over within a few powerful bounds. Campionessa exploded away with a quality turn of foot, and by the time she reached the finish line, she was still two lengths clear of the strong-finishing Zaila (Street Boss) and Polygon (NZ) (Highly Recommended). “We got into a good spot and she travelled beautifully throughout the race,” Bosson said. “Mark and Sam have done a great job with this mare. She lost her mojo there for a little bit, but that win in the Auckland Breeders’ Stakes the other day gave her a lot of confidence. “Even in her trackwork, she’s been stepping up and really wanting to do it. Today she came out and showed how good she is. “This was a perfect trial for the Zabeel Classic. She’s on the way up, full of confidence and you can’t knock her on that win today.” Campionessa is now rated a $3 chance in the TAB’s fixed-odds market for the Zabeel Classic at Pukekohe, sharing favouritism with Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls). Aquacade (NZ) (Dundeel) is the third favourite at $6, followed by One Bold Cat (NZ) (The Bold One) ($8) and Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride of Dubai) ($10). View the full article

Six-year-old gelding Piaggio (NZ) (Vespa) landed a breakthrough metropolitan victory for trainer Greg Eurell when successful at Caulfield on Saturday in the Millennium Services Group Handicap (1600m). Ridden by Celine Gaudray, Piaggio sat outside eventual runner-up Montather (Dubawi) for the majority of the contest, before pulling away from his rivals inside the final furlong to score by half a length. A son of Vespa, Piaggio commenced his career with trainers Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard in New Zealand, where he placed in the Gr.3 Taranaki Classic (1200m) as a two-year-old before being sold to Hong Kong. After five unsuccessful performances in Hong Kong where he raced as Good Health, Piaggio was sent to Eurell, where he has returned to form, winning three of his nine starts for the Cranbourne conditioner, with a further three placings. “It was a bonus what he did (when finishing second) first-up this time in over 1400m. He was up for the fight and probably indicated from that run that he was heading in the right direction to have a good prep,” Eurell said. “There is not a lot of him. He is only a little horse, but he has got a big heart. “I think a mile is probably the optimum trip at this stage but a bit deeper into the prep he might get over a little bit further but we will sit around the 1600m for now. “It’s his second preparation with us and the horse is absolutely enjoying life and we are happy to keep racing him. Being in Hong Kong didn’t really suit him and he is happy to be here.” Piaggio is out of the two-win Scaredee Cat mare Sand’ior (NZ) and was bred by South Canterbury breeders Sue and Stuart McGiffert, who sold the now gelding as a yearling for $8,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 3 Sale. View the full article

Move To Strike (I Am Invincible) provided jockey Opie Bosson with a memorable result on Saturday when winning at Te Rapa. The Te Akau Racing-trained two-year-old provided Bosson with his 2000th domestic win and in doing so became the eighth to achieve the feat and joined, in order of most wins, Chris Johnson, David Walsh, Lance O’Sullivan, Noel Harris, Bill Skelton, Michael Coleman, and David Peake. Beautifully drawn in barrier one, Move To Strike was positioned fifth by Bosson before angling clear in the straight and produced a huge finish to win as he liked by four and three-quarter lengths. “I knew he was the horse I could get it on today and to do it in these colours for David (Ellis) and the whole Te Akau team is an extra bonus,” said Bosson, who earlier this year was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame and became an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the King’s Birthday Honours List. “To hit any milestone in a career is good and to join an elite club of 2000 wins in New Zealand, so I’m quite honoured.” Bosson won his first race in 1995, first Group One aboard Jezabeel (NZ) (Zabeel) on 1 January 1998 in the Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie, who subsequently won the 1998 Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). Top jockey Opie Bosson with his family. Photo: Trish Dunell The six-time Champion Jockey rode his 1000th winner in 2010, surpassed Hall of Fame legend Lance O’Sullivan (62 Group One wins) in 2019, now has 94 Group One wins to his credit, and won three premierships. “I’ve won Caulfield Cups, Derbies, but Imperatriz, what she’s done lately is up there with my highest achievements,” Bosson added. “It seems everything has happened at the same time, and to be honoured for my achievements in the saddle is really quite humbling.” Co-trainer Mark Walker was thrilled to be a part of Bosson’s 2000th domestic win and recalled the jockey’s early days in the saddle. “This will give Opie a good thrill and he’s just had such an amazing career, for someone that’s struggled with his weight,” said co-trainer Mark Walker. “I remember he won his first race when he was 16 years old and he had a postage stamp for a saddle, and full credit to him still to be in the saddle after all these years. And of late, Emily (Bosson) has to take a lot of credit as well. “It was good to do it on such an exciting horse, as well. Opie has thought a lot of this horse for quite some time. Walker suggested Move To Strike may next contest the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) on 1 January at Pukekohe, while also on the radar is the A$2m Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) on Saturday 24 February at Caulfield, Melbourne. View the full article

Promising mare Zecora (NZ) (Power) made a welcome return to the winner’s enclosure at Te Rapa when she stormed home out wide to secure a thrilling victory in the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m). The six-year-old mare looked to have any amount of ability when winning three of her first nine starts before a fractured cannon bone intervened and saw her spend over a year away from the track for trainers, breeders and part-owners Russell and Robyn Rogers. A quiet run for second in a 1000m trial at Taupo last month preceded her return to racing at Te Rapa earlier in the month, where she battled on nicely to finish midfield over 1100m. That fitted her nicely for her stakes mission and she didn’t disappoint in the hands of Lynsey Satherley who was content to sit back off a hot speed in the early stages of the contest. Satherley began to wind her up at the 600m and she produced an irresistible late burst to snatch victory from runner-up Tevere (NZ) (Contributer) by a nose at the line with race favourite Romancing The Moon (NZ) (El Roca) fighting strongly for third just a neck from the first two. Robyn Rogers sported a smile a mile wide as she spoke about the winning effort as well as the injury that kept the mare away from racing. “I thought she ran second and we were stoked with that as it was a huge run, so when they said she had won it was just so exciting,” Rogers said. “She is a beautifully bred mare and her form was outstanding but she had her last bit of work at this time last year when we were preparing for a stakes race on Boxing Day and she pulled up sore. “We had her x-rayed and she had fractured a canon bone, so that was the end of that and we thought it might be the end of her career. “She had three rods and plates put in it, but she was an awesome patient and coped with the rehab. “This was very much a roll of the dice as we were thinking if we could get some black-type it would be huge for her and with the race being just down the road we gave it a crack and it is just amazing.” Rogers wasn’t sure where the mare would go next as they had been concentrating exclusively on her immediate mission. “She is just so tough and Lynsey is a huge part of it as she rides her in all her trackwork,” she said. “She is not the easiest but she gives 120 percent. “I don’t know where she will go next and we hadn’t even looked anywhere else so we will have to go home and have a rethink.” Bred by the Rogers under their Kendayla Park banner, Zecora is out of the two-race winner C’est la Vie (NZ) (Anabaa), a sister to Gr.1 Railway Handicap (1200m) Imananabaa and has now won four of her 10 starts and over $166,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

In-form jockey rides Patch Of Theta in a 1,000m sprint on Sunday when the most expensive lot at this year’s local auction makes his competitive bowView the full article

In her first start in more than nine months Midnight Memories asked for just a bit more patience from her connections ahead of her winning move in the $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) Dec. 15 at Los Alamitos Race Course.View the full article

Jockey looks to build on his 11 wins this season with seven rides at the New Territories track on SundayView the full article

The sixth WTBOA (Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association) Stallion Season Auction is now open for bidding through Friday, Dec. 22 at 11 p.m. ET. No fewer than 83 different stallions and sires representing Kentucky, California, Florida, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Oregon and Washington are in this year's mix. Click here to see the complete list of stallion seasons offered. The post WTBOA Stallion Season Auction Now Live appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sarah O’Reilly carries New Zealand’s hopes going into the final heat of the 1Equine Australasian Young Drivers’ Championship (AYDC) at Albion Park in Brisbane tonight. The leading Kiwi junior is third equal after nine heats on 64 points with Joshua Gallgher, but within striking distance of the two leaders Angus Garrard (80 points) and Emily Suvaljko (73). O’Reilly had two fourths in heats eight and nine at Redcliffe last night. Tonight’s final heat is part of Inter Dominion Grand Final night at Albion Park and is due to go at 7.49pm. O’Reilly will drive Luxury Lad, who’s currently at $26 on the fixed odds. The points table (after nine of 10 heats) : Angus Garrard 80 Emily Suvaljko 73 Joshua Gallagher 64 Sarah O’Reilly (NZ) 64 James Herbertson (63) Corey Johnson (58) Mitch Ford (58) Leonard Cain (45) Zev Meredith (NZ) 44 Crystal Hackett (NZ) 40 View the full article

The single day Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale came to a close with 15 lots selling for over £100,000, two lots over £300,000 and a top price of £335,000 for lot 8, Tumuch (Fr) (Buck's Boum {Fr}). After an impressive showing in his debut maiden at Lingstown where he posted an authoritative victory, Tumuch proved a hot commodity as bidding sailed through the ranks with Robbie Power, Tom Malone, Gordon Elliott, and Mouse O'Ryan putting up a spirited battle for the 4-year-old with the last coming out successful. “He is a lovely horse, he is a well-made horse, who won well. He was very eye-catching. We had seen him in January, and we were waiting for him to run,” said O'Ryan. “We are building up a big team of young horses and they are starting to come to fruition. We have bought a Gold Cup horse out of the point-to-point field–we have only had one, but we'd like another!” Out of the Maille Pistol dual-winning mare Pistol Girl, a half-sister to the dam of the Grade 2 winner and Grade 1-placed Sir Valentino (Fr) (Early March {GB}), Tumuch was sold by the 2021 Tattersalls Cheltenham December top consignor Ballycrystal Stables. Wildcard entry Port Joulain (Fr) (Cokoriko {Fr}), consigned by Denis Murphy of Ballyboy Stables as Lot 20, was the second highest price on the evening, bringing £300,000 from Harold Kirk. He hails from the family of 11-time Grade 1 winner Apple's Jade (Fr). The purchaser said: “He is going to Willie's; he was my pick of the sale. I love the sire, he gets the most winners in France. Apple's Jade is in the pedigree, and I love this horse as an individual. I think he has got loads of class.” Third highest price on the sale was Belliano (GB) (Black Sam Bellamy {Ire}), lot 18 out of G3 Prix de Flore victress Miliana (Ire), who was bought by Tom Malone and Paul Nicholls for £255,000. This is also the family of G1 Galway Hurdle-placed Mirpour (Ire). Sustained demand saw the flagship sale produce an aggregate of £3,448,000, a best-ever average of £104,485-up 15 per cent and the first time it has achieved a six-figure sum–and a record median of £85,000, up 26 per cent from last season. The seven Tattersalls Jockey Club Sales held in 2023 achieved a new record for annual aggregate with a turnover of £20,965,500. The post Tattersalls Cheltenham December Concludes Record-Breaking Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hastings Racecourse staged four Friday Nights Under the Lights race cards in 2023 with each of them attracting enthusiastic crowds and noticeable increased wagering both on and off track.View the full article