Wandering Eyes

While there was a lot number of disappointed people the Randwick meeting last Saturday was called off, there was possibly no more so than Victorian trainer Gavin Bedggood. The Bedggood-trained St Lawrence (NZ) (Redwood) was down to run in the Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) on Saturday but after a deluge of rain on Friday night, the majority of the meeting was abandoned. One race that was not was the Premier’s Cup Prelude which has been shifted to the Kensington track on Wednesday with all scratchings from Saturday reinstated and run over the same distance. Bedggood noted St Lawrence would have been one of seven runners had the race gone ahead on Saturday on the gelding’s preferred heavy ground. Already there are six scratchings for Wednesday’s race with the field still remaining two over the safety limit of 12. Bedggood said transferring the race to Wednesday was not ideal, but the gelding will run. “He had done all his work around running on Saturday, but it is what is and he’s already up there,” Bedggood said. “We’re not going to get wet ground down here, I don’t think. “So, we’ll take our chance and the move to the Kensington might discourage a few of those better horses from stepping out and they might look for another option. “After all the scratchings, the field fell away to a field of seven, and I thought he was a great chance, but it was a very hard race to read. “There was a lot of horses that are early in their campaigns, a lot of horses from the same stable, so it was a bit of a raffle. “I’m not all over the form up there, so, for me, it was a hard race to read.” Bedggood will break new ground on Wednesday when St Lawrence is the trainer’s first runner on the Kensington circuit. “I’ve never seen the Kensington track,” Bedggood said. “I know it’s an assistance to be up near the speed , so we’ll see what it (the race) looks like once the final scratchings come through and what sort of field we are left with.” View the full article

Champion trainer Ciaron Maher has been pleased with the progress of his Kiwi-bred Group One winner Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) ahead of what he hopes to be a lucrative spring campaign. Last month, a deal was brokered between managing owner Aziz “Ozzie” Kheir and the TAB to represent their slot in October’s A$20 million The Everest (1200m), and Maher couldn’t be any happier with the six-year-old gelding. The winner of last season’s Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1200m) and Gr.1 All-Aged Stakes (1400m) made his first public appearance of the season when placing in his 800m trial at Gosford last week, and Maher was pleased with what he saw. “He is a little ripper,” Maher told SENTrack. “He is built between a cross of a polo pony and a quarter horse. “He had his first trial the other day and I am rapt with the way he has come back. He will have another one of those and he is going to have a run in The Shorts (Gr.2, 1100m) and then it will be a month, a trial in-between, into The Everest.” Maher is also pleased with the progression of his ownership-mate and fellow New Zealand-bred Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto). The winner of last season’s Gr.1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) also made an appearance at Gosford’s trials last week, winning his 1000m heat. An elite-level assignment is looming first-up for the son of Per Incanto, who may be seen interstate over spring. “He has certainly furnished a bit, he has got good weight on,” Maher said. “His two trials have been very solid and he will kick-off in the Winx (Gr.1, 1400m). The 7 Stakes (A$1 million, 1600m) and King Charles (Gr.1, 1600m) and he might end up in Melbourne for a Champions Mile (Gr.1, 1600m).” Elite-level mile targets could also be in the offing for fellow Kiwi-bred Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino), who has recently joined Maher’s barn following a pleasing three-year-old season in New Zealand for former trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, which netted four victories from six starts, including the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). “He is an interesting horse,” Maher said. “He is a big, traditional looking stayer but he has got quite a bit of toe. He trialled the other day at Warwick Farm and he is going to have another one. “I think he is going to kick-off in the 1400m Group Three and he will have a run over the mile. The Epsom (Gr.1, 1600m) might be a nice race for him, and we can work out what path we take, whether he stretches out or stays at those shorter trips. “He is a very exciting horse. Shaun (Clotworthy) and the team did a super job with him in New Zealand to keep him up for as long as they did in his first racing preparation.” View the full article

A return to racing on Awapuni’s grass track is inching ever closer, and it passed its first test for that return following a successful set of trials on the surface on Tuesday. 30 horses line-up over five heats at the track and RACE’s General Manager of Racing Brad Taylor received positive reports at the conclusion of the trial meeting. “The feedback was very positive from the riders,” he said. “As expected with the surface we have, there was a little bit of the sand kicking back, but all-in-all it was very positive today.” Awapuni’s grass track was initially out of commission for 19 months as it underwent an extensive renovation, and it was set to commence racing on ANZAC Day, however, that meeting was abandoned following a slip in the opening race. The track has subsequently undergone further remedial work, and the club has called upon the expertise of Flemington track manager Liam O’Keefe to assist in that process. “We have had Liam O’Keefe, the track manager at Flemington, who has been a big part of the project over the past eight months,” Taylor said. “We have what they would call core and swept the tracks. We have put another sand carpet on top and there has been a lot of verti-draining and a bit more coring. “We had to reseed some of the track because there were a couple of bare patches, which is expected with the works we did. We are now just waiting for the grass to grow.” As part of their return to racing protocol, RACE is set to have one final set of trials on the surface, which will determine whether they can proceed with the planned return to racing on September 6. “It has been a long, slow process and it is just nice to tick that next step off,” Taylor said. “It is tracking in the right direction. At this time of year, the grass growth is minimal and that will only improve as we get into the next month, and further. “We have had just over 100 horses gallop on the course proper over the last four weeks. We had 30 horses trial this morning and then we will have a bigger set of trials of roughly 80-90 horses in a fortnight. We will get that tick of approval and then we will be ready for September 6.” It has been a frustrating process for the club, local trainers, owners and punters, and Taylor is hoping they will be rewarded for their patience in the coming weeks. “A credit to the whole, team, especially the track team, they have put in a lot of hard work to that surface and to see it coming to fruition now is pleasing and exciting for everyone,” he said. “The local trainers have been extremely patient, having to float to every meeting and go elsewhere to trial and gallop. They have done an incredible job and to see the results they have had over that time has been incredible. “It is only going to improve for them over the next wee while and having the course proper back for them on a weekly basis is a positive for everyone.” Mike Breslin was one of the local trainers to utilise the grass trials at Awapuni on Tuesday, and he is looking forward to racing’s return to the surface next month. “We have all got our fingers crossed to get racing back on the grass at Awapuni, it is essential for our businesses,” he said. “I think the track will be superb, but in my opinion, it is just going to have to be gently-gently until they get some decent spring (grass) growth.” View the full article

Emily Murphy brings you Winter Weigh In, your place for Thoroughbred racing news, reviews and insights throughout the colder months. We recap the Historic Grand National Steeple and Hurdle from Riccarton as well as looking forward to some spring features. Winter Weigh In, August 11 View the full article

A couple of New Zealand’s feature two-mile contests are in the offing for Palmerston North stayer Crouch (NZ) (Tarzino) this season, but track conditions will play a key part in those plans. The six-year-old son of Tarzino had a pleasing summer preparation last term, headlined by his runner-up performance behind Wolfgang in the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham in January. The gelding made his first public appearance of the new season when trialling over 1000m at Awapuni’s newly-renovated grass track, finishing runner-up behind stablemate Showbastian Coe (NZ) (Showcasing). Trainer Mike Breslin was pleased with his hit-out and believes he is in career-best condition heading into the spring. “I think he is coming up the best of his life,” he said. The Wellington Cup once again looms as an obvious target, but Breslin is weighing up between the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton Park in November or the Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa a month later as his other major test. “Ultimately, another go at the Wellington Cup is definitely on the cards,” he said. “I’ll probably see how he goes in his first couple of runs back and keep an eye on the weather down south because he doesn’t like it really hard. “He will be an outside New Zealand Cup candidate if there is going to be a bit of cut in the track. He is not a horse I would back-up down there, he would go down just for the New Zealand Cup. “There is lead-up racing here, otherwise I think a race like the Waikato Cup is an option for him over 2400m.” Breslin, who also part-owns the gelding, has taken a patient approach with his charge, and he is now starting to reap the rewards. “He is a bit of a slower-maturing type of horse, but he has always shown ability,” he said. “He has shown that he is up to our open handicappers, and I think he has come up better this time, and hopefully he can win a decent race.” Breslin was pleased to be back trialling on Awapuni’s turf track on Tuesday after its first meeting back after 18 months of refurbishment was abandoned after a slip in the first race on ANZAC Day. The track has undergone subsequent remedial work and passed its first test on Tuesday. “We have all got our fingers crossed to get racing back on the grass at Awapuni, it is essential for our businesses,” Breslin said. “I think the track will be superb, but in my opinion, it is just going to have to be gently-gently until they get some decent spring growth.” While a trip south to Christchurch for New Zealand Cup Week is on the cards for Crouch, he could be joined on the float trip by stablemate Intention (NZ) (Bivouac). The three-year-old daughter of Bivouac showed plenty of ability as a juvenile, winning the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at just her second start before placing in the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m). Her starting manners were a major obstacle last season, and Breslin is hoping he has gotten on top of those issues heading into her three-year-old term. “She did a bit wrong at the start of her races, but she won a Group Two, and she was placed in another stakes race, and even in the Sires’ Produce (Gr.1, 1400m) I think she had the fastest last 400m that day (when fifth). “Her slow starts have just been hindering her against the best two-year-olds, so she needs to overcome that. “She has had two trials and we have been really happy with them. If she can just overcome those barrier woes at the start and then we will get a good line on if she is up to the best fillies this year, and if she is, we will hopefully get down to Riccarton for the 1000 Guineas.” Intention will begin her path towards the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Taupo on Sunday where she will contest the Taupo Pak ‘N Save (1100m) first-up. She will be joined on the float trip north by stablemate Call A Friend (NZ) (Akeed Mofeed), who will contest the MVS Equine (1800m). “Call A Friend hasn’t had a lot of luck in her last couple of starts and is better than her form suggests,” Breslin said. “Both should hopefully be handy chances.” View the full article

Frankie Barrett could hardly wipe the smile off her face after riding the first winner of her career at Hawera on Sunday. The 20-year-old apprentice had just ticked over 20 rides when she was legged aboard the Kevin Myers-trained Shawshank (NZ) (El Roca) in the last on the card, with the son of El Roca rated the second-favourite in an even Rating 65 contest. Jumping from the ace barrier, Shawshank flew the gates and took a clear lead early, settling into a lovely rhythm for Barrett along the back straight. The gelding was still travelling into the home straight and the only danger was coming from I Don’t, who is prepared by Barrett’s employer Allan Sharrock. Under hands and heels, Shawshank had the upper hand on I Don’t and drew away late to score by 2 – ¼ lengths, delivering Barrett a moment she has dreamed of. “I’m over the moon, I can’t really believe it and it’s been a long time coming for me to get raceday riding,” she said. “It felt amazing, I knew Shawshank would be an exciting ride and quite a good chance for me to get the job done. “I was originally told to sit third, but he jumped so positively and travelled beautifully, I had so much horse underneath me. I saw Allan’s horse, I Don’t, was coming up on my outside, but I couldn’t let him have this one. “It was very special to get a winner for Kevin Myers, who has given me so many opportunities, and Shawshank’s owner John Bell, who I rode for on Saturday as well. “Allan doesn’t trial as many horses because we are so far away, whereas Kevin Myers has a lot of horses and a lot of jumpers trialling. It was the best way for me to get fit and learn by going around at the trials on the jumpers, he was very supportive of me the whole way through. “I have a long way to go still but getting that first step out of the way was very rewarding.” English-born Barrett has lived in Auckland for most of her life, and while she was always involved with horses, racing came into the picture four years ago. “I was born in England, but have grown up in New Zealand, so I have a bit of a twang (accent),” she said. “I grew up riding ponies, breaking in Gisbornes and doing showing, but there isn’t much money in that, so being short and super competitive, I decided to go down the path of becoming a jockey. “I started off trackwork riding at Byerley Park under the New Zealand Equine Academy with Donovan Mansour, and I did my Level 2 with him. That was a great experience and a really good introduction into the industry. “I then went to Kylie Hoskin’s and she was amazing, she put a lot of time and effort into me back when I was a bit young and lost, she was a huge support and like family to me. I knew from there that I was ready to give it a real go, and I knew of Allan, so I tried to get in touch with him. “I called and messaged him every day for about two weeks, then finally on a Sunday night when he was having dinner, I caught him and he let me come down to New Plymouth and ride for him. “I’ve been down here for the last two years, and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. Everyone is very bright and happy in the mornings, it’s a great way to start your day. “I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else.” Under Sharrock’s guidance, Barrett progressed through jump-outs and trials, and he provided her first two raceday rides in mid-June after she was accepted into NZTR’s newly-established Elite Jockey Programme. She recalled how positive that first day at Te Rapa was as a young rider, but from there, she had to up her game. “In my first day racing, I almost got a bit lucky and had some really nice rides, so after that I thought it was pretty sweet and I was good to go,” she said. “After a few more rides, I realised that it is a totally different energy out there, people aren’t just out training, they are competitive and it was a bit of a shock to the system. I took a step back and knew I needed to up my game and start focussing on where I can improve. “I was so chuffed winning on Sunday, but every time I go out there, you learn so much from the other riders and when you make a mistake, you try to be better for the next time.” Alongside Sharrock, Hoskin and Myers, Barrett shared her gratitude for her family, as well as the Clotworthys and apprentice mentor Kim Clapperton. “I have to thank my family for being so supportive of me and helping me get set up down in New Plymouth while they are in Auckland,” she said. “Shaun and Emma Clotworthy have also been hugely supportive, they helped me get in touch with Allan and I’ve stayed in close contact with them, they are always there if I need a place to stay or need help with anything. “One of my biggest thanks has to go to my apprentice mentor, Kim Clapperton. I cannot thank her enough, she’s an amazing woman and does so much for us. She is tough enough to push us to be our best, but also when you’ve had a hard time, she’s there to support you any time of the day.” View the full article

The well-related Life Of Riley (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) is forward enough for a bold bid at a deserved victory when she returns to action at Rotorua. The daughter of Turn Me Loose has required patient handling and will attempt to break her maiden at her third appearance when she runs in Wednesday’s Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1400m). The five-year-old is a half-sister to winning stablemate Powerofpersuasion (NZ) (Ten Sovereigns), who claim four-time Group One winner Riverina Charm as their third dam, with the pair raced by breeder Sir Peter Vela. “It’s a nice race for her to kick off in, she had a quiet jump-out and we think she’s ready enough to go fresh-up over 1400m,” said Steven Ramsay, who trains in partnership with Julia Ritchie. Life Of Riley has placed in both of her runs, including a debut second behind subsequent winner Cashla Bay, at Matamata in the autumn before a break. “She’s just taken a bit of time to mature and will be a better horse on a bit better track, but with a couple of drying days it might come back a touch,” Ramsay said. Meanwhile, the team’s top-rated performer Island Life (NZ) (Vadamos) has begun her build-up toward her four-year-old campaign. “She’s back in work and is a couple of weeks off a trial,” Ramsay said. Island Life made impressive progress last season and finished second in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) behind Tuxedo off the back of a maiden victory at her third outing. She then ran third in the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) and triumphed in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) before a spell after an unplaced effort in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). “She did a really good job, we were very happy that she got that valuable black-type win, which is what we always strive for,” Ramsay said. “In hindsight, the Oaks was just one step too far, but we had to have a go.” Ramsay said Island Life had thrived during her time in the paddock. “She has had a good break and has definitely strengthened up and looks very well,” he said. “It can be difficult to place a four-year-old mare, so we’ll trial her and see how she comes up. We’ll pick our way along, but nothing has been set in stone.” By Vadamos, Island Life is out of the unraced Montjeu mare Lycia who is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) winner De Beers (NZ) (Quest For Fame) and to the dam of last season’s Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) winner Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth). View the full article

Corrina McDougal is still getting her voice back after cheering home Suliman (NZ) (Redwood) to win last Saturday’s Grand National Hurdles (4200m), but it is straight back to business this week for the Hastings horsewoman. McDougal was watching from home as Suliman toughed out a gruelling edition of the National, her second victory in the Riccarton feature after she and co-trainer Paul Nelson took out the 2021 edition with The Cossack. “I don’t have a cold at the moment, I’ve just lost my voice from screaming at the TV,” she said. “It was pretty exciting and I haven’t seen such a big smile on Paul’s face in a long time. “Hamish (McNeill, jockey) had been talking about doing a rain dance during the week, and on Saturday morning, he rang me and said ‘do you hear that Corrina, it’s raining!’. He had a fair bit of faith in the horse, so it was very cool to get that result. He gave him the perfect ride, as he did at Wellington when he rode him there. “He (Suliman) bled down there two years ago, so to go out and win this year, it was really neat and satisfying.” The win came at the perfect time for the stable, after their Sydenham Hurdles (3100m) winner and pre-post National favourite Dictation (NZ) (Tavistock) was scratched on Wednesday afternoon. “To be quite honest, that was really gutting,” McDougal said. “He had a bit of an injury pop up earlier in the season, but had come through that, so to go down, win very well (in the Sydenham) and have a different injury come up was tough.” She was also very proud of the efforts of Nedwin (NZ) (Niagara), a relatively inexperienced steeplechaser who stepped up to finish third in the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) behind Captains Run and Jesko. “Nedwin was really good, especially looking forward,” she said. “He would’ve taken a lot of learning out of that, mileage-wise and the experience would’ve done him the world of good. “I feel that he’s still jumping a little big, I’d love to see him come down a bit lower and be more economical, but that’ll come and he gutsed it out really well on Saturday. “He’ll only improve from here, and next year, I think we’ll see quite a nice chaser.” The trio, alongside stablemate Skaw Valley (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle), are still in the South Island, with inclement weather halting their ferry crossing over the last couple of days. “The ferry was delayed again, and at the moment, they’ll head over at 2pm (Tuesday),” McDougal said. “Hopefully that will happen, but it’s still sounding a little sketchy. “They’ve found a paddock in Blenheim, so they’ll have a bit of time out and some grass which is quite nice.” With the Grand National features run and won, the jumping fraternity turn their attention towards the newly instated Great New Zealand Jumps Carnival, run at Te Aroha in mid-September. The stable opted to bypass Christchurch with The Cossack (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) this year, and off the back of a fourth-placed effort in the Wellington Steeplechase (4900m), McDougal has dialled up his trackwork ahead of a tilt at the Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4200m) on August 31. “He’s been ticking over at home, he’s had a couple of nice gallops recently,” she said. “I might’ve been a bit soft on him in trackwork this time in, I probably got a bit tripped up because we’re used to him doing things so easily. “We had a different preparation with him having been on a treadmill, so he might’ve been a bit underdone. We’ve got a bit more fitness into him now and he’s galloping well.” The 12-year-old will step out on the flat on Wednesday at Rotorua, where Ellie Callwood will provide three kilograms of weight relief in the Seeka Growing Futures HWT (2200m). “His flat race at Wanganui (in May) was quite nice, he ran home well there, but he was a bit detached early,” she said. “I’d like to see him put himself amongst the field a bit more and continue to finish it off.” Joining The Cossack in the highweight event will be Taika (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu), a Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) placegetter searching for his best form after recent efforts. “He’s been a bit of a headscratcher in his last couple of runs, but we’ve had Tommy Behrns (equine chiropractor) looking at him and he had been quite sore,” McDougal said. “Hopefully that will help. “He seems to be quite smart, he thinks he’s pretty clever, so I hope that’s a good sign. “We’re looking at the Pakuranga Hurdle and the Great New Zealand Hurdle for him.” View the full article

Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Sharp ‘N’ Smart. (Photo: Kenton Wright/Race Images) Graeme and Debbie Rogerson are dreaming of the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) once more with their multiple Group One winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart following his pleasing trial outing at Te Rapa on Saturday. The former New Zealand Horse of the Year finished fourth in a star-studded line-up over 1000m, which was taken out by Group One performer Alabama Lass. The six-year-old son of Redwood competed in last year’s Melbourne Cup but was a shadow of his former self according to Graeme Rogerson, but the Hamilton horseman is buoyed by the way his gelding has returned following a decent spell. “He went a couple of nice races (last season),” Rogerson said. “He ran third in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (Group 2, 2500m) and Manawatu Challenge Stakes (Group 2, 1400m), but he wasn’t the same as he was as a three-year-old, so we gave him a really long spell. “Bailey (Rogerson, jockey) said he wanted to be a racehorse on Saturday, he wanted to go to the line, and I am very happy with the horse’s work.” Rogerson is hoping Sharp ‘N’ Smart has returned to his three-year-old form, which netted three Group One victories and a New Zealand Horse of the Year crown, with the hope of getting to the Melbourne Cup once more. “He is probably going to kick-off in the Foxbridge Plate (Group 2, 1200m),” Rogerson said. “He is going to be nominated for the Melbourne Cup. He will run here and run in the Livamol Classic (Group 1, 2040m) and then we will look to whether we go to the Melbourne Cup or not.” Sharp ‘N’ Smart is a $101 hope in futures markets with horse racing bookmakers for the Melbourne Cup. Horse racing news View the full article

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A week on from the blockbuster Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, more records fell at the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion Monday when the Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale concluded with highwater marks for gross, average and a record-tying median. During two sessions, 199 New York-bred yearlings sold for a $23,870,000. The average was $119,950–up 15.1% from a year ago, while the median remained constant at $85,000. With 55 horses reported not sold, the buy-back rate was 21.7%. It was 26.3% a year ago. “This sale hit the quinella,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning said. “The gross is up, the average is up, the median is up and the RNA rate is down. From every statistical category it was an improved sale. We are ecstatic.” Marc Gunderson matched the highest bid from Sunday's opening session of the auction when going to $525,000 for a colt by Practical Joke from the Indian Creek consignment Monday. That bid equaled the figure for a filly by Early Voting purchased Sunday night by Sabby and Gargan Racing. “I think there is a high demand for really nice horses, good physicals by proper stallions,” Indian Creek's Sarah Sutherland said of the yearling market. “There is such a high demand for that. I don't think it matters what sale they are in, we are going to see those horses well received. And then there is that separation in the market for anything less than that when it starts to get a little thin.” Reflecting on four record-setting days of sales in Saratoga, Browning said, “There was a fantasic marketplace. We had a really strong group of horses on the grounds for the New York-bred sale, as well as the main sale. That's what happens when you have quality horses. This New York-bred program is the best state-bred program certainly in the United States. There continues to be a concerted effort to improve it with the breeders and with NYRA and I think we have to give credit to the political arena which has supported Thoroughbred racing in the state of New York and it's thriving. That is reflected in these sales results today. There are lots of reason for optimism for New York and for Kentucky and in several areas of the United States. People are enthusiastic to own quality racehorses right now. And we are fortunate that we have the ability to offer that in Saratoga.” 'It's a Surprise': Practical Joke Colt Brings $525k Marc Gunderson, bidding over the internet from overseas while on the phone with bloodstock agent Nick Sallusto on site in Saratoga, went to a co-sale topping $525,000 to acquire a colt by Practical Joke (hip 502) during Monday's session of the Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearlings Sale. The yearling was consigned by Indian Creek on behalf of his breeder, Jeffrey Tucker's Stone Bridge Farm. “When they are singled out like that and you identify them as in the top couple percentile in the sale, you have to be ready [to pay that],” Sallusto said. “When you look at what happened at the select sale, it was a pretty good foreshadowing for what was coming here for anything that measured up at that level.” Of his exchange with Gunderson during the bidding, Sallusto said, “Marc doesn't need any encouragement. He understands the market. He is deeply invested in the industry.” The colt was the first horse Indian Creek had offered for Stone Bridge. “This is a horse that we always loved at the farm and it was really neat to see him come here and step up and really enjoy and thrive in the sales process,” said Indian Creek's Sarah Sutherland. “[Tucker] sent weanlings down to us in the fall. Heidi [Fischer], who manages his farm, does an amazing job. So we just tried to keep everybody healthy and happy and here we are.” The yearling is out of the unraced Cuello de Luna (Cherokee Run), who is a half-sister to Stone Bridge-bred stakes winner Neck of the Moon (More Than Ready). “We knew he was a nice horse and well-prepped, but of course at that price, it's a surprise,” Tucker said when reached by phone. “We are excited. I can tell you my phone has rung several times already with people who have some connection to me and the horse.” A longtime New York breeder, Tucker currently has five broodmares. “I sold my farm in New York in 2001 and then leased back some of one of the properties on Clark Road in Ganesvoort,” Tucker said. “The lease is about to come to an end and I will send my mares to Rock Ridge. I keep what I think the market won't pay me a fair price for, but for the most part I sell.” 'Doesn't Get Better Than That': Street Sense Filly to Hudson River Farm Ed Swyer of Hudson River Farm was recently honored for his contributions to steeplechasing and, while he was seated in front of noted steeplechase trainer Keri Brion after purchasing a filly by Street Sense (hip 522) for $400,000 Monday in Saratoga, it was bloodstock agent Alan Quartucci seated next to him who quickly quipped, “We are not making her a jumper.” The yearling, bred by Thirty Year Farm and consigned by Paramount Sales, is out of Evening Primrose (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a full-sister to group winner Sizzling (Ire). The mare's first foal, Cosmic Candy Girl (Twirling Candy), was second on debut at Saratoga July 31. “Ed loves turf and she is out of a Galileo mare,” Quartucci said. “She is out of a great family. Her half by Twirling Candy ran a good second up here. And the filly looked the part. She's really nice.” Swyer added, “She has a great pedigree. That was really the thing that got me interested to begin with. And then I looked at the horse. Everything checked out. I didn't expect to spend that much money.” Asked if the filly's future potential as a broodmare was a factor in the purchase, Swyer said, “Absolutely. I prefer fillies. And a New York-bred. It doesn't get better than that.” Eatons in a New York State of Mind John Eaton and his wife Kathy got outbid at the select sale last week, but the Montana breeder was determined not to leave empty handed Monday at Saratoga, ultimately going to $390,000 to acquire a filly by Constitution (hip 408) from the Eaton Sales consignment. “I got outbid on a Gun Runner filly in the select sale and I decided I wasn't going to get outbid today,” Eaton said. “So it could have gotten more expensive, but it didn't, so I am happy. Now we have enough money to buy a broodmare in November.” Hip 408 | Fasig-Tipton The yearling is the first foal out of Too Sexy (Quality Road), a stakes winner who was trained by the late Christophe Clement, and was co-bred by Kathleen Burke Schweizer and Daniel J. Burke's Longford Farm and Clement Stable. Longford Farm purchased the mare for $450,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton November sale. “Physically she was nice, mentally she was very good,” Eaton said of the yearling's appeal. “Everybody I talked to knew she was brought up [at Longford] and they bred her really well. I thought it was a wide open young family. Even the second dam [Cake Baby {Stormy Atlantic}] is a young mare. I think she is a 2013 and has been bred well.” Cake Baby, in foal to Quality Road, sold at the same 2022 auction as her daughter and went for $750,000 to Blanford Bloodstock. Eaton, who was co-owner with First Row Partners of two-time champion Goodnight Olive and co-bred last year's champion sprinter Straight No Chaser (Speightster) with Steve Laymon, admitted he made his purchase Monday with an eye to the filly's future after the racetrack. “She will become a broodmare for us,” he said. “That's always an option when I am buying, I am looking for that. I only have three mares [in Kentucky at Hidden Brook]. But I want to build it up. So this is a start.” Eaton said his plan is to sell colts out of his broodmares, while retaining fillies. But with four straight colts, Straight No Chaser's dam Margarita Friday (Johannesburg) hasn't gotten the memo. “Margarita Friday is in foal to Gun Runner,” he said. “Unfortunately, a colt. We have four colts in a row. We pretty much sell the colts and we need her to have a filly.” Monday's New York-bred purchase falls in line with another purchase the couple made recently. “We just bought a home in New York, so we will be here in the summers,” Eaton said. “We live in Montana. It's a long drive, so when we get here, we are going to stay for a few months. We want New York-breds. I am thinking of sending one of our mares here to foal.” As for a trainer for the yearling, Eaton said, “[Trainer] Miguel Clement came over–he had the dam–and they still own 25% of the mare. So that is certainly an option. Obviously they do a great job and he's had a great meet so far. Our racing partnership–First Row Partners–all of our horses are with Chad Brown. But this is outside of that partnership. I will leave it open, don't know if she will be dirt or turf, that will a little bit make a decision for us.” Eaton said he was done shopping following his lone purchase of the auction, but before heading out, he said, “The greatest part about the horse business is you have hope. Sometimes in life, you don't have hope. But you have hope when you come and buy a horse. Most of the time, it doesn't work out, but you never know.” Hip 403 | Fasig-Tipton A Sales Success Generations in the Making When trainer Chad Brown made a final bid of $370,000 to acquire a filly by Nyquist (hip 403) on behalf of Klaravich Stables Monday at Fasig-Tipton, cries of excitement and congratulations went up from near the back walking ring. Breeder Ned Williams and partners Mike Matese and Jack Murray have developed four generations of the filly's family and were recording their biggest sales success to date. “We usually do race, but occasionally we sell,” Williams said. “But Nyquist has been so hot. My partners, Mike Matese and Jack Murray, and I decided that she was almost too nice for us to keep. So we thought we would try her in the sale.” Of expectations Monday, Williams said, “I don't even know. We just were hoping that she would sell well and go to a nice barn. And we are honored that Klaravich and Chad Brown bought her. We know that she will be well taken care of. We own the mare and it's a family that we've had for four generations and we worked on this family. So the family means a lot to us.” The yearling is the second foal out of stakes-placed Three Hawk (Violence), who in turn is a daughter of graded winner Maddalena (Good and Tough). Maddalena is the dam of graded winner Bern Identity (Bernstein), as well as the multiple stakes-placed Battle of Evermore (Scat Daddy). “We were up here when he was running,” Matese recalled of Battle of Evermore with a laugh. “He won, but I had shorts on, so I couldn't go in the winner's circle. My wife was in the winner's circle and we have that photo of Battle of Evermore, so we have a long history with that family.” For consignor Chris Shelli of Fort Christopher's Thoroughbreds, Monday's result was the completion of a well-developed plan. “Ned Williams has been an amazing client for a long time,” Shelli said. “And Stuart Morris and I had a plan for that horse literally before we bred her. Our plan was to foal her in New York, raise her in Kentucky and come back up here and sell her. Luckily for us and the owners, that plan came to fruition. It happens once in a while.” Three Hawk, one of just two mares owned by the partners, produced a filly by Honest Mischief this year and was bred back to Gunite. The post ‘We Are Ecstatic’: More Records Fall at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Off since finishing fifth in the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1), Owen Almighty is nearing a return to the races in either the Aug. 22 Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes at Charles Town Races or the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Aug. 23.View the full article

People may grow old, but winning never does. Trainer Bob Dunham will attest to that. View the full article

On the Aug. 11 episode of BloodHorse Monday, Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing president Hunter Rankin highlights Big Truzz's victory in the Ellis Park Derby, and Frank Angst recaps The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton's select yearling sale.View the full article

Today 12th August in horse racing news history From the extensive Horse Betting news archives we present the all the thoroughbred racing action in Australian and overseas racing news in history. Delve in and enjoy our walk back in horse racing time. Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Hawkesbury free betting preview & quaddie tips | August 13, 2024 Racing heads to Hawkesbury on Tuesday, April 13, for a competitive seven-race card. Check out HorseBetting’s free tips and quaddie … Read More Australia horse racing news 12 months ago Amelia’s Jewel returns at Warwick Farm trials Former Western Australia Group 1 winning mare Amelia’s Jewel has stepped out for the first time this campaign at Warwick … Read More Australia horse racing news 12 months ago Busuttin & Young still Melbourne Cup dreaming with Muramasa Co-trainer Trent Busuttin remains hopeful for Muramasa’s Melbourne Cup bid, despite a challenging autumn campaign and a recent health setback … Read More Australia horse racing news 12 months ago Arkansaw Kid poised for Caulfield return Arkansaw Kid, impresses after gelding operation. Trainer Ben Hayes is confident in the horse’s potential as he begins his campaign … Read More Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago Today’s horse racing tips & quaddie selections | August 12, 2024 Four horse racing meetings are scheduled for around Australia today on Monday, August 12. Check out HorseBetting’s free betting tips … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Valley quinella for Tavistock Tavistock played a starring role at Moonee Valley on Saturday with Superstock and Havisham running the quinella in the Challenger … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Prince Alby returns in style Prince Alby improved from a game effort in last weekend’s Group 3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton to charge home … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Retirement plans on hold for Rosehill winner Travelling Kate has put retirement plans on hold with a purple patch of form, which she continued with a hard-fought … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago West Coast defends Grand National Steeplechase title Awapuni trainer Mark Oulaghan produced a winning double in the feature jumps events with stablemates West Coast and Berry The … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | August 12, 2023 12 horse racing meetings are scheduled around Australia today. See the top tips and quaddie selections for free here at … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Katherine Cup Day racing tips & value bets | Saturday, August 13 We have seven races to sink our teeth into on Katherine Cup Day this weekend. HorseBetting’s NT racing expert has … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Neasham weighing up options for Zaaki Annabel Neasham has a decision to make in the coming days, with plans for superstar gelding Zaaki slightly up in … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Overpass stakes Everest claim with impressive trial win It may have only been a barrier trial, but Bjorn Baker’s Overpass sent tongues wagging as he scorched the turf … Read More Australia horse racing news, France horse racing news 3 years ago Frankie Dettori ‘super excited’ to partner Verry Elleegant “It’s very well known that I’ve never won the Melbourne Cup, but if you can’t win it yourself, you may … Read More Horse Racing News 3 years ago Punt Drunk: Mackay favourite shot down by early crow The Punt Drunk team dissects some of the more interesting stories to crop up in the past few days, including … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | Friday, August 12, 2022 Five horse racing meetings are scheduled around Australia today. See the top tips, best odds and quaddie selections for free … Read More Horse Racing Tips 4 years ago Ipswich betting preview, top tips & quaddie | Friday 13/8/2021 HorseBetting.com.au brings you the betting preview for the Ipswich races on Friday, August 13. See the top tips, value bets, … Read More Horse Racing Tips 4 years ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | August 12, 2021 Horse racing around the country sees four meetings being held around the country on this Thursday afternoon. Our racing analysts … Read More Horse Racing Tips 4 years ago Geelong betting tips, quaddie picks & value bets | 13/8/2021 HorseBetting.com.au brings you the Geelong racing preview for Friday, August 13, with all the top tips, value bets, best odds … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Victorian campaign awaits delayed Browne trio Cambridge trainer David Browne has arrived in Victoria ahead of a spring campaign with a trio of promising gallopers, but … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago The Cossack, simply the best Prominent jumps trainer Paul Nelson has had plenty of top-class hurdlers pass through his care over the years but he … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Riddell looking forward to spring racing Two top-class horses are giving leading jockey Jonathan Riddell reason to look forward to an exciting spring of racing. Riddell, … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Moody in good health heading into spring Having recently bolstered his spring carnival team, trainer Peter Moody is looking forward to launching a Caulfield and Melbourne Cups … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Sherry celebrates another Sydney milestone Tom Sherry, an emerging talent among Sydney’s apprentice jockey ranks, has ridden a brace of winners at Warwick Farm to … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Rawiller lodges appeal against riding ban Top jockey Nash Rawiller will appeal the severity of a riding ban stemming from his winning effort aboard Eduardo in … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Williams returns to the fold at Caulfield Champion jockey Craig Williams will return to riding after a three week break and has already set his sights on … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Holyfield can send Neasham out a winner A stakes victory by Holyfield would be an ideal farewell gift for Annabel Neasham as she prepares for her final … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Sydney off the menu for Jennifer Eccles Trainer Shaun Ritchie has confirmed the Melbourne spring carnival remains on the radar for Jennifer Eccles, provided her form warrants … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Meetings to be run behind closed doors Following a meeting between New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), stewards and club representatives it has been decided that Wednesday’s meeting … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Hastings targets for Jennifer Eccles Shaune Ritchie has resisted the temptation to campaign last season’s Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Jennifer Eccles in … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Kiwis given clearance to fly There was an echoed sigh of relief in Waikato Monday with a handful of trainers receiving travel exemptions for their … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Social Racing descend on Taupo Brent Cooper’s Social Racing syndicates will be represented by a trio of runners at Taupo on Wednesday, including a debutant … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Cambridge back on track The construction of the Cambridge Jockey Club’s synthetic track is back on target. Civil works for the track are nearing … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Legend of Condor to run at Randwick Trainer Gerald Ryan will rely on Legend Of Condor at Randwick with talented filly Villami to wait a week for … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Baller and Libertini win Randwick trials Libertini and Baller have won barrier trials at Randwick as has star mare Sunlight who is headed to the $14 … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Four from Lindsay Park for Lawrence Stakes Lindsay Park has loaded up with four nominations for the Group Two P B Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Tom Melbourne ready for spring carnival Tom Melbourne has trialled well and is among nine horses from Chris Waller’s Gold Coast stable heading south for carnival … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Tom Sadler breaks leg in freak accident Jockey Tom Sadler has broken his leg after being kicked by a riderless horse in a steeplechase at Casterton … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Wet forces Smith duo to miss Tatura trials Heavy rain in Victoria has caused the cancellation of the Tatura barrier trials forcing an interruption to the preparations of … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Boost for Queensland summer carnival The rejuvenated Eagle Farm racetrack will play an important role in the upgraded Queensland summer carnival which will feature 22 … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Tarzino Trophy fresh-up for Shadows Cast Mark Oulaghan is set to start the star of his stable, Shadows Cast, fresh-up in the first leg of the … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Another Riccarton milestone being considered Levin trainer Leanne Elliot could get an opportunity to add another Riccarton highlight to her list of achievements. Elliot has … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Ritchie pulls right rein at Ruakaka Trainer Shaune Ritchie’s decision to base a number of the members of his Cambridge stable at Ruakaka over the past … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Tom Sadler breaks leg at Casterton Jockey Tom Sadler has broken his leg after being kicked by a riderless horse in a steeplechase at Casterton … Read More United Kingdom Horse Racing News, USA horse racing news 6 years ago Arlington Group 1 clean sweep for Chad Brown Chad Brown has trained the winners of the three Group One turf races at Arlington … Read More Australia horse racing news 7 years ago Racing’s loss with death of Nick Columb One of the principle voices of change for racehorse owners in Australia, Nick Columb has died as the result of … Read More Australia horse racing news 7 years ago Another Qld trainer outed on cobalt charge Queensland trainer Darryl Gardiner has been disqualified for 12 months on a cobalt related charge … Read More Australia horse racing news 7 years ago Countdown begins for Winx return Winx has had a trouble-free preparation leading into her return in the Group One race at Randwick named in her … Read More Australia horse racing news 7 years ago Lindsay Park pair to tackle G2 Lawrence Boom Time and Harlem are set to have their spring season returns in the Group Two P B Lawrence Stakes … Read More Australia horse racing news 7 years ago Childs rapt with Written By after gallop Jordan Childs is looking forward to the spring campaign of Group One winner Written By after getting back aboard the … Read More Australia horse racing news 7 years ago McEvoy fillies to run in separate states Oohood will make her season return in the Silver Shadow Stakes on the same day Magic Millions winner Sunlight takes … Read More Australia horse racing news 7 years ago First Crush to head south for more Cups Tough Brisbane stayer First Crush will head to Sydney later this month to run at Rosehill before he tackles the … Read More Australia horse racing news 7 years ago Qld racing stars to help drought relief Some of Queensland’s biggest racing names have volunteered to be auctioned as slaves for a fund-raiser to help drought victims … Read More Australia horse racing news 7 years ago Girls team wins the Shergar Cup at Ascot Hayley Turner and the Girls team have taken the honours in the Shergar Cup at Ascot in which Corey Brown … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 7 years ago Hello It’s Me all class in Ruakaka opener Last season’s Group 2 Royal Stakes (2000m) winner Hello It’s Me made a winning start to her spring campaign when … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 7 years ago Verry Elleegant caps top weekend for Bishara Ardmore trainer Nick Bishara completed a weekend to remember when Verry Elleegant broke her maiden status in emphatic fashion at … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Michelle Payne ruled out of Shergar Cup MIchelle Payne has been ruled out of the Shergar Cup teams event at Ascot after failing to recover from a … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Tim Clark tactics irk Rosehill stewards Jockey Tim Clark’s ride on Spring Preview favourite Washington Heights is subject to a stewards’ inquiry after the gelding was … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Walker back on winner’s list at Flemington Jockey Michael Walker has returned to the winner’s circle at Flemington after an injury lay-off that resulted in back and … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Hey Doc resumes with win in Aurie’s Star Australian Guineas winner Hey Doc has made a successful start to his four-year-old season with a fighting win first-up in … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Marty leads the party at Doomben Smart galloper Let’s Party Marty could get a chance in Melbourne this spring after his debut win at Doomben … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Menari stakes claim for Everest climb Trainer Gerald Ryan is happily talking to slot holders in the $10 million Everest hoping Menari can claim a berth … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Elouera defies pattern to win at Rosehill Elouera has rewarded her trainers’ patience with a come-from-behind win at Rosehill against the pattern of the day … Read More Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing News 8 years ago Sheer Madness’ connections focusing on group glory SHEER Madness’ connections are hopeful that group races are on the horizon after the gelding recorded a powerful win at … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Stella Ombra wins again at Doomben Improved gelding Stella Ombra has made it four wins from his past five starts by leading all the way at … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Swampland goes back-to-back at Flemington Swampland has landed her fourth win from 11 starts with a impressive victory at Flemington … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Jaminzah wins again at Flemington The Chris Waller-trained Jaminzah has finished strongly to win for the second time in as many weekends at Flemington … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago The Pharoah reigns with second win The Pharoah has registered the second win of a consistent career at Rosehill, which will provide a boost to his … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago The Pharoah reigns supreme at Rosehill A BRILLIANT front-running ride by Jay Ford has delivered a strong benchmark 83 win at Rosehill on Saturday for consistent … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Timing key to Badajoz’s win at Rosehill Badajoz has come with a well-timed run to claim a well-deserved win at Rosehill … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Cup Prelude romp for adaptable Arbeitsam Arbeitsam scored over 1800-metres for the first time as the versatile Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained gelding crushed his rivals … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Cup Prelude romp for adaptable Arbeitsam Arbeitsam scored over 1800m for the first time as the versatile Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained gelding crushed his rivals … Read More Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing News 8 years ago Toorak Handicap the target for Sovereign Nation NEW connections of star gelding Sovereign Nation may target a group 1 race in the spring after the five-year-old blitzed … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Master Zephyr back in winner’s circle Imported stayer Master Zephyr has broken a 16-month drought by chasing down fellow import Kilimanjaro and winning by a neck … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Sovereign Nation gives new owners a win A gelding operation has turned around the fortunes of Sovereign Nation, who was explosive in his win at Flemington … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Heaven-sent debut for Another Sin Another Sin has created history at Rosehill by winning a Highway Handicap in his first start … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago King Viv makes up for last-start second King Viv has made up for his last-start second at Doomben with a strong performance to win at Rosehill … Read More Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing News 8 years ago Another Sin makes history at Rosehill BRETT Cavanough-trained three-year-old Another Sin became the first ever debutante to win a Highway Handicap race after engaging in an … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Sheer Madness heading on a path to Derby A city win for Sheer Madness at Flemington has his connections dreaming of bigger prizes … Read More Horse Racing News, New Zealand horse racing news 8 years ago Upper Cut lands decisive blow in NZ Grand National Steeplechase TOUGHNESS was on show at Riccarton Park on Saturday as Upper Cut landed the decisive blow to win its second … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Meagher continues run for Waratah Monteux has held on to win the first race at Doomben, giving trainer John Meagher more success for Waratah Thoroughbreds … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago BRC to re-open memberships The Brisbane Race Club is expected to re-open its books soon after new memberships were suspended in June … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Michelle Payne must pass fitness test Michelle Payne must undergo a medical examination before she is allowed to ride in the Shergar Cup at Ascot … Read More Horse Racing News 9 years ago Two day meeting becomes one super day Six jumps races including the Grand National Steeplechase will be conducted on one super day of jumping at Ballarat … Read More Horse Racing News 9 years ago Abracadash ready for Saturday racing Trainer Kelso Wood has kept faith with Abracadash who lines up for her first Saturday race at Eagle Farm … Read More Horse Racing News 9 years ago Awesome Rock returns at Caulfield Stephen Baster is looking forward to the spring with Awesome Rock who makes his return in the P B Lawrence … Read More Horse Racing News 9 years ago Awesome Rock returns at Caulfield Stephen Baster is looking forward to the spring with Awesome Rock who makes his return in the P B Lawrence … Read More Horse Racing News 9 years ago Tango to rain on Capitalist’s parade Tango Rain has a formidable opponent in the San Domenico Stakes and trainer Gerald Ryan is keen to see how … Read More Horse Racing News 9 years ago Rocky King in distance test at Eagle Farm The speedy Rocky King will be out to change his recent luck when he steps out over 1400 metres for … Read More Horse Racing News 9 years ago Lindsay Park 3YOs kick off at Caulfield The Lindsay Park stable will saddle up two runners in each of the Group Three races for three-year-olds at Caulfield … Read More Horse Racing News 9 years ago Angel Dancer jumps up to open company In-form mare Angel Dancer faces her biggest test at Eagle Farm where she steps up to open company … Read More Horse Racing News 9 years ago Jess Taylor out of action for eight weeks Jockey Jess Taylor will spend around eight weeks on the sidelines after breaking her right wrist for a second time … Read More Horse Racing News 9 years ago Patrick Payne speaks out about little sister Michelle THE older brother of 2015 Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne has spoken out about the recent sacking of Payne from … Read More Horse Racing News 9 years ago Samantha Clenton nears return from injury Apprentice Samantha Clenton is nearing a returh to riding, three months after suffering shoulder and back injuries in a multiple-horse … Read More Horse Racing News 9 years ago Highland Reel entered for International Cox Plate placegetter Highland Reel is the second favourite behind Postponed for the Juddmonte International at York … Read More Horse Racing News 9 years ago McEvoy reunited with Lucia Valentina Kerrin McEvoy will be back aboard Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Lucia Valentina when she resumes in the Warwick Stakes … Read More View the full article

At first glance, Jay Hovdey's latest literary output, “The Oak Tree Story: A History of Racing's Most Generous Benefactor,” might seem an exercise in nostalgia only, recounting as it does the origins, lifespan and ignominious death of an organization that last put on a show nearly fifteen years ago. The Oak Tree Racing Association came about as an industry-led non-profit to operate a race-meet during the then barren autumnal months when there was no major racing in Southern California, only to grow into a philanthropic powerhouse and gamechanger for the sport with global ripple effects. But in chronicling the Oak Tree Racing Association's tenure-spanning both the halcyon summer of California racing and the early fissures of later earthquakes-it's hard not to frame the narrative against the present day, when horse racing's future rests so precariously on the short-term profit-driven whims of corporate track owners and wagering platforms and their broader real-estate and business ambitions that so often run counter to the long-term viability of the sport. In doing so, the reader is left with the impression of what can be achieved when horse racing takes charge of its own destiny, led by a cohort of smart, thoughtful souls who want for the industry more than it promises to give back. The story begins in July of 1967, when California governor Ronald Reagan signed into law a bill expanding the racing calendar in the state to include a fallow period from Labor Day through the day after Christmas. Three individuals were largely responsible for planting Oak Tree's roots, all noted owners and breeders who each had excelled in their chosen professional paths: Clement L. Hirsch (of Kal-Kan pet food fame), Louis R. Rowan (a real estate mogul), and Dr. Jack Robbins (a veterinarian with x-ray like diagnostic skills). Perhaps not coincidentally, both Rowan and Hirsch were veterans of WWII, having served in the U.S. Army and the Marines respectively. With its core mission statement of operating “a meet run for horsemen by horsemen,” the Oak Tree group's business model was a revolutionary one (for the time), funneling all non-wagering related revenues towards important equine research projects, backstretch worker welfare and other charitable causes. In Hovdey's words, Oak Tree hoped to provide an “island of stability in a shifting, uncertain California racing landscape.” Sounds familiar. Oak Tree endured something of an extended pregnancy, having first to overcome obstacles laid before it from the likes of the state's powerful Standardbred interests, and then from the workers' union group tied to Hollywood Park's fall harness meet that overlapped Oak Tree. But launch it eventually did at Santa Anita on Tuesday Oct. 7, 1969, attended by 16,733 souls who wagered nearly $1.5 million over a nine-race card that bore a murderer's row of talent in and out of the saddle. Think Rudy Rosales and Bill Hartack, Charlie Whittingham and Johnny Longden. Indeed, month by month, decade by decade, the stars both horse and human that made the Oak Tree Meet such a resounding success are detailed with the sort of meticulous fashion that would give Rain Man a run for his money. If the Oak Tree of the 1970s was all about laying foundation stones (thanks to the exploits of Tizna and Ancient Title and co.), the 1980s were all about building the edifice of the meet up and out (through age-defying exploits from the likes of John Henry, and then as a vital proving ground for the newly inaugurated Breeders' Cup). The Oak Tree founding board of directors gathers in the Santa Anita Directors' Room–(standing) Louis Rowan, Clement Hirsch, B.J. Ridder, William Pascoe, (seated) Harold Ramser, J.T. Jones, and Dr. Jack Robbins | Courtesy Jay Hovdey If the 1980s belonged in large to Charlie Whittingham, the 1990s saw the emergence to center stage of more contemporary training touchstones. Headley. Frankel. Baffert. Mandella. Drysdale. The first decade of the new millennium rounded out with the sort of thrilling late flourish epitomized by that era's undisputed headline act, Zenyatta. And then Oak Tree was over. In 1998, Austrian entrepreneur Frank Stronach purchased Santa Anita Park under his Magna International (MI) Developments banner. Despite his initial qualms, the new owner signed a long-term lease with Oak Tree, allowing the non-profit to continue operating at the track. MI Developments, however, would be folded under Stronach's Magna Entertainment Corp. (MEC) banner. And in March of 2009, MEC filed for bankruptcy, citing hundreds of millions of dollars in losses. Santa Anita was up for grabs-or so it appeared. Hovdey recounts how a group of influential owners maneuvered to purchase the track and operate racing there “as an Oak Tree-style, non-profit entity.” But Stronach would have none of it. By April of the following year, a Delaware bankruptcy court agreed to a reorganization of MEC that saw Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields remain under Stronach's control. More pointedly for Oak Tree, its lease with Santa Anita-which was to have continued to 2016-was voided. By 2011, Oak Tree was effectively dead as a racing operator, drowned beneath a swirling confluence of events including California's botched experiment with synthetic surfaces, Hollywood Park's threatened closure and redevelopment, as well as, in Hovdey's words, Stronach's hardened stance “against leasing Santa Anita to an outside group.” In reading Hovdey's clinical autopsy of Oak Tree's life and death, it's hard not to extrapolate from it a set of lessons built around a different north star, one that which places at its core the sport and its participants' best long-term interests. To be sure, corporate interests don't hold their fangs to horse racing's throat only. But the sport does appear especially vulnerable right now, its carotid arteries bared for the killer bite. The success of Oak Tree, however, affords industry stakeholders the reminder of a different way to do business. New York has gotten the memo. Still with much work to be done, Maryland promises to do the same. “Oak Tree was a brilliant idea,” says Del Mar supremo, Joe Harper, as something of a coda. “It was a bunch of well-heeled, very smart business guys who loved the game. But don't get me wrong. They were very diligent businessmen when it came to operating Oak Tree. They worried about every cent they spent, because everything going to Oak Tree was going to help the game. Most companies are formed to make a profit. This company was formed to do good.” The post The Oak Tree Review: Paean and Promise of a Different Way to Run Horse Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-Ellis, $99,763, Msw, 8-11, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 1:01.04, fm, 7 3/4 lengths. HOT MASH (f, 2, Not This Time–More Oats Please, by Smart Strike), sent off the 3-2 choice for this unveiling, settled just off the outside hip of 7-2 chance Daphne Blue (Munnings), who cut out a fast :20.27 initial quarter. Overtaking that rival turning for home, the bay strode clear to score by an impressive margin over Windy Houston (Munnings). The winner, a half to GISW Peace and War (War Front), $439,667, also has foal brother by Mandaloun. Sales history: $375,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $59,488. Click for the Equibase.com chart. O-Avalon Racing Stables, Mainline Stables and Green, Jonathan I.; B-Sally J. Andersen (KY); T-John C. Servis. On debut 2yo #9 HOT MASH ($5.10) was quick out of the gate and ran away from the field in the stretch to win race 5 @EllisParkRacing. The daughter of Not This Time (@TMStallions) was ridden by @a_concepcion16 and is trained by John Servis. pic.twitter.com/InKtqsKdt8 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 11, 2025 The post Not This Time’s Hot Mash Airs in Career Debut at Ellis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mark Casse shares his thoughts on Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Sandman's first breeze on turf Aug. 10. The son of Tapit went :49.70 with jockey Jose Ortiz aboard in preparation for the $3.5 million Nashville Derby (G3T) Aug. 30 at Kentucky Downs.View the full article

1st-Niigata, ¥10,600,000 ($71,603), Maiden, 2yo, 1200m, 1:10.8, ft. SATONO VOYAGE (JPN) (c, 2, Into Mischief–Jolie Olimpica {Brz} {Horse of the Year, Ch. 2yo Filly & G1SW-Brz, Ch. Turf Female-Can, MGSW & GISP-US, GSW-Can, $460,507}, by Drosselmeyer) was beaten 1 1/2 lengths into second when trying 1200 meters on the turf at Hanshin June 14 and was the 9-10 chalk to go one better with a move to the dirt track at Niigata. Drawn gate one, Satono Voyage was driven along by Keita Tosaki and made the lead before the end of the first 400 meters. Cruising in hand thereafter, he widened without being asked in upper stretch and was geared down in the final 50 meters, graduating by 10 lengths. The Apr. 3 foal is the first produce from his dam, Brazil's Horse of the Year and champion of her generation at two in 2019 and acquired by the late Rick Porter's Fox Hill Farm to her continue her career in this country with Richard Mandella. The chestnut earned her keep with three victories at the graded level in North American, including the GII Nassau Stakes at Woodbine that earned her a Sovereign Award as Canada's champion turf female of 2021. She was also runner-up to champion Rushing Fall (More Than Ready) in the COVID-delayed running of the GI Coolmore Jenny Wiley Stakes in 2020. Purchased by Shimokobe Farm for $675,000 at Fasig-Tipton November in 2021, Jolie Olimpica was put in foal to this leading sire and was exported to Japan. Barren to Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn) for 2024, the mare foaled a colt by dual Horse of the Year Equinox (Jpn) on Feb. 12 of this year. Into Mischief is now the sire of 36 Japanese winners from 41 starters. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $58,724. O-Hajime Satomi; B-Shimokobe Farm; T-Hiroyasu Tanaka. The post Into Mischief Son Of Jolie Olimpica Impresses On Dirt Debut at Niigata appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wednesday, Salisbury, post time: 15:30, THE BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF STONEHENGE STAKES-Listed, £40,000, 2yo, 8fT Field: A Bit Of Spirit (Ire) (Palace Pier {GB}), Morris Dancer (Ire) (Palace Pier {GB}), Mystic Moment (GB) (Time Test {GB}). TDN Verdict: Despite the fact that Eve Johnson Houghton seems to have the midas touch this year, the class deficit of her runner Mystic Moment means that this boils down to match between the Vintage runner-up Morris Dancer and the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes runner-up A Bit Of Spirit. The Gosdens' runner has the edge on that form, but the Rooneys' representative has track experience having won here in July. [Tom Frary] Click here for the complete field. The post Black-Type Analysis: Palace Pier Colts Go Head-To-Head at Salisbury appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Legendary BBA Ireland bloodstock agent Adrian Nicoll relives some of his greatest days in the business They say that stories lived are better than stories told. And by God, Adrian Nicoll has lived through his share of good times. The former BBA Ireland bloodstock agent has purchased his share of Group 1 winners, too. Think Dark Angel, Kooyonga, Alexander Goldrun, Serenade Rose and more. He also played a part in the shuttling of the stallions to Australia which was the brainchild of his close friend John Magnier. More recently, he is celebrated for purchasing Cabaret, the dam of Classic winners St Mark's Basilica and Magna Grecia, while he still retains a share in the Victorian Oaks winner Personal in Australia, the country in which he arguably enjoyed the most amount of success. But what you may not know about the man who wears the title of 'The King', which was coined by his good friend and trainer David Hayes following a golden period of purchasing Group 1 winners during the 2005 Melbourne Carnival, is that he also trained a jumper in South Africa, rode in amateur races in Singapore and is the son of the Olympic bronze medal-winning show jumper. Now 76, Nicoll admits to having enjoyed “a colourful existence” but credits a life well lived in bloodstock to being born in the right era and having surrounded himself with some of the best minds in the business. “I never get tired of speaking about the good old days,” he says from the comfort of his beautiful Mount Juliet home in County Kilkenny, which he shares with his wife Yvonne, the daughter of trainer Phonsie O'Brien. “It's good to remember the good days and sometimes you remember some days more than others. I think there was more fun involved in racing in the '70s and '80s as far more people went racing. Unfortunately, that has been curtailed by the advancement of television and the curtailing of drink driving. I remember going to the Irish Derby when there were forty thousand people there. My first Irish Derby was Nijinsky in 1970.” And there was huge significance to that first trip to the Curragh. Not only did Nijinsky waltz to victory and, in doing so, become only the third colt to complete the Derby double at the time. But away from the bright lights and razzmatazz that came with such a momentous achievement, another important chapter was being written in the world of bloodstock, as it was here where Nicoll met BBA Ireland's founder Tom Cooper for a formal interview. Nicoll recalled, “I grew up with horses and I had some very good teachers along the way, including Tom Cooper, one of the finest judges of a thoroughbred. I just heard today that they are to name the Futurity Stakes at the Curragh in his memory. That is a nice compliment to the man who died far too young. It is a very nice thought of John Magnier to do so because Coolmore sponsors the race.” Exploring Australia Back in 1974, BBA Ireland had no representative in Australia so a decision was made that Nicoll and Jonathan Irwin – who left to join Goffs the following year – would go down and explore the market. As luck would have it, Robert Sangster happened to board the plane in London, with that chance first encounter proving pivotal to the success that followed. “I didn't know Robert but Jonathan did, so he invited us up to the first-class lounge where we played cards and backgammon for most of the trip. Australia was a huge part of my life and meeting Robert on the plane down there provided a huge introduction to the country for me. It was through him that I did an awful lot of business in Australia. In those days, you could go and identify the relation to a good horse in the Southern Hemisphere up here before it was public knowledge. Now, it's overnight. We had a lot of fun and we met a lot of good people. It was just a different era. When I started back in 1970, there was no such thing as the mobile telephone. We didn't even have a fax machine.” He added, “I can remember Robert winning the Golden Slipper with Marauding in 1987. Anyway, we went to this party afterwards and there was a fella who came up to us and said he'd love to buy some mares. We didn't know if this man was genuine or not but he came around the next day, had a look at the pedigrees, decided what he liked and he ended up buying something like 28 mares, including Princess Tracy, one the foundation mares in Australia.” Shuttling stallions with John Magnier The shuttling of stallions to Australia began around a decade previously. It was Nicoll's role to find the studs for the stallions on behalf of John Magnier. Horses like Green God, Deep River and Godswalk stood on Southern Hemisphere time with varying degrees of success before Danehill became one of the most influential dual-purpose stallions of all time. He recalls, “There is no greater genius in the industry than John Magnier. I used to go down and stay with him in Grange Stud before Coolmore even existed. We'd go hunting on a Sunday and we had a lot of craic together.” “Now, Wootton Bassett has become one of the most expensive shuttle stallions following just one crop of runners in Australia. It looks like he is going to work very well in Australia.” One story rolls into another when you are in Nicoll's company, many of which couldn't possibly be consigned to print, and it doesn't take long to realise why Sangster described the bloodstock agent as one of the most colourful characters within the industry. “Robert was great craic,” he remembers of his great ally. “He loved fun and loved a punt. He was a very kind person, too. Very generous. Probably, if he had a weakness, it was that he'd never say no. If you went to him with an idea, he'd say, 'ah yeah, we'll have a crack at that.' He was a great help to me. I didn't buy that many horses for him but I bought a lot of horses from him. Mainly broodmares to go to Australia. “But when I say Robert loved a bet, there is one memory that sticks out. Yvonne and I used to live in Dunlavin in County Wicklow. Two years before Robert died, he came to stay with us for the Irish 2,000 Guineas in 2002, which he won with Rock Of Gibraltar. At the same time, Sir Alex Ferguson was still flavor of the month, so when he came back from the races, he told me that we had to back Brazil to win the World Cup. I asked 'why?' He explained that Ferguson had told him this and that and that Brazil were the ones to beat. “So that night, a whole group of us went to Rathsallagh for dinner. Lo and behold, there was an Australian bookmaker, Michael Sullivan, on the table next to us, who ironically became a client of mine much later on. Robert said to him, 'what price Brazil?' I'm not going to tell you how much he had on it, but the bookmaker replied, 'and in what currency would that be?' Robert replied, 'the lot'. So he had x amounts in euros, sterling, dollars, Australian dollars etc. I was a part of this bet, too, and I was thinking, 'what have I got myself into?' As you know, they won the World Cup and we got paid a fortune. Michael, who was Sportingbet Australia, ended up selling his business to William Hill, and then came into the yearling partnerships, which included Serenade Rose. It's just funny how these things happen and you've got to be lucky.” He added, “I suppose I was quite a social animal, but we did meet some great people over the years, all of whom were very loyal. I had clients from the beginning and they'd never quibble and they'd all pay their commission. Basically, we as bloodstock agents had the advantage of every person not having one of those things [raises his smartphone] and getting all of the information instantaneously. I don't think you've got the same edge anymore and, if I was starting out again, I don't think it's a route I'd go down. I think it's much more difficult in this day and age.” Deadly Duo One of the most enduring relationships that Nicoll forged was with the legendary trainer Barry Hills, who passed away earlier this year having trained the majority of the brilliant horses that the bloodstock agent had bought in this part of the world. Nicoll said, “I mentioned Tom Cooper was one of my great teachers but Barry was the other. From the first crop of horses I bought Barry, we had Gaelic League, and he was a Group 1 winner having cost only twenty grand. Barry was a fantastic judge and most of the horses we bought were bought on spec and he got them sold afterwards. Never in the thirty years we spent working together did he let me down. A great man, he will be sadly missed. “I actually saw him on the Tuesday of Royal Ascot. At that stage, he could hardly speak and he was in a hospital bed at home in his room. When I was leaving, he shook my hand, smiled and gave me the thumbs up. He died about ten days later and the memorial service at Lambourn was vast.” He added, “Not only was I buying the horses for Barry, but I had clients who sent him horses as well, such as Marston Stud, for whom I bought all the mares on behalf of. They sent Barry two fillies who they couldn't sell as yearlings. One was Maids Causeway and the other was Spinning Queen. Both fillies won Group 1s for Barry and Spinning Queen was sold for what was then a record three million gns at Tattersalls. “Dick Bonnycastle, who was Canadian, was the part-breeder of Spinning Queen and also owned a number of horses with Barry that we bought, including the Chester Vase winner and Derby fourth Mr Combustible, who was named after the trainer! But the best colt we bought together was Dark Angel. He only ran as a two-year-old but has become the most fabulous stallion. Then we had Classic winners like Hula Angel and Just The Judge but we never spent much money. It was very rare that we'd spend six figures but having someone as good as Barry to train the horses was just a massive help.” Greatest memories Nicoll's office at home is by no means small. Given there is no more wallspace in that office tells you everything you need to know about Nicoll's achievements in the game. “Buying yearlings that go on to win Group 1 races was the most exciting aspect of the job,” he says. “With the mares, you buy them and if they do well, you do well.” He added, “But there were a few great days and they were nearly all with fillies. Serenade Rose being one of them. For about fifty years, she was the only filly who won the Oaks in Melbourne and the Oaks in Sydney. Kooyonga was another one. She won four Group 1s and is one of only three fillies – along with Enable and Pebbles – to have won the Eclipse. And then there was Alexander Goldrun. I bought her as a foal for forty grand and Noel O'Callaghan of Mountarmstrong Stud rang me the next day asking if I had bought any foals. I told him I had and that it was by a stallion that he'd probably never heard of in Gold Away, and he said, 'I'll have her.' She went on to win five Group 1s, including the Hong Kong International when trained by Jim Bolger.” A gifted horseman with a keen eye for a good filly, Nicoll scaled heights others could scarcely imagine. He lorded it up with some of the best in the business and had a lot of fun doing it. Those memories made are what matter the most now more than anything. “We were very lucky with our lives. It was great fun. There were some great times and with a little bit of help from some very important people, some of whom are not around anymore, we got things done.” The post ‘I Don’t Think Agents Nowadays Have The Same Edge As We Had’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A Territories half-brother to this year's G1 July Cup heroine No Half Measures is among the potential highlights in the newly-published catalogue for Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, which is scheduled to take place from Monday, October 13 to Wednesday, October 15. The sibling to No Half Measures will be offered as lot 789 by Finbar Kent, on behalf of Sally Nicholls. Another star performer from this year's Newmarket July Festival, the unbeaten two-year-old colt Zavateri, features among the high-profile graduates of Book 2 in recent years, along with G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes winner Ombudsman and Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior. Of the 812 yearlings catalogued to sell this year, 206 of them have a Group- or Listed-winning sibling. Lot 824 is another well-related offering as a Calyx half-sister to the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner-up Shes Perfect, along with lot 865, a Wootton Bassett half-brother to the Group 1-winning siblings Glorious Forever and Time Warp; lot 921, a Study Of Man half-brother to the multiple Group 1 hero Zaaki; and lot 1298, a Lope De Vega full-sister to the G1 Prix de l'Opera victrix Place Du Carrousel. In addition, the catalogue features sons and daughters of 119 Group- and Listed-winning mares. They include lot 663, the Zarak colt out of the G1 Matron Stakes winner Chachamaidee, and lot 1193, the Ghaiyyath colt out of the G1 Prix de l'Opera scorer Shalanaya. Meanwhile, first-season sire Baaeed will be represented by lot 1183, a colt out of the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes winner Seal Of Approval, and lot 1242, a colt out of the G1 Prix de Diane winner Star Of Seville, among others. Fellow first-crop sires Bayside Boy, Blackbeard, Epicenter, Golden Pal, Minzaal, Naval Crown, Perfect Power, State Of Rest, Stradivarius and Thunder Moon will also be represented, while Havana Grey has the biggest representation of any stallion with 41 yearlings catalogued, ahead of Blue Point (36) and Mehmas (33). The catalogue for Book 3 of the October Yearling Sale is also available online, featuring 558 lots scheduled to go under the hammer from Thursday, October 16 to Friday, October 17. All of the yearlings catalogued in Book 3 will be eligible for the £200,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes and the £200,000 Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes. Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony said, “Book 2 continues to go from strength to strength, with this year's racecourse ambassadors including Prince Of Wales's Stakes winner Ombudsman, global stars Romantic Warrior, Dubai Honour, and Believing, plus exciting two-year-old Zavateri, purchased for just 35,000 guineas. “Book 3 has also excelled, producing 2025 European Classic winners Lady Ilze and Molveno for only 11,000 and 32,000 guineas respectively. Together, they showcase the outstanding quality and value on offer during the second week of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.” The post Tattersalls Book 2 Catalogue Now Online, Sale Goes ‘From Strength to Strength’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Windermere Stud, which is run by Australian native Janine Gandy and Pierre-Hugues Henry, enjoyed a successful consigning debut at the Arqana July Sale with nine lots selling for an aggregate of €396,000 and an average price of €44,000. That debut draft included a €135,000 Doctor Dino gelding. The pair is hoping to build on that dream debut when consigning a Pinatubo colt [lot 122] and filly from the first crop of State Of Rest [231] at the August Sale at Arqana. The Pinatubo colt is out of a sister to Kenway (Galiway) while the State Of Rest filly is out of a Verglas mare who is a sister to the Listed-winning Glory Power (Medicean). The burgeoning duo have big hopes for the week ahead and are the first consignment to take part in the Q&A series aimed to shine the spotlight on a series of vendors in the build-up to the August Sale. What young sires are you most looking forward to seeing the progeny [yearlings or foals] of this season? It is our first August draft and we are very excited to be presenting two nice horses in our first year of consigning. We are selling a lovely filly by the globetrotting, multiple Group 1-winning sire State of Rest, so we are very much looking forward to seeing some of his other progeny. We are also really interested in seeing some of the Baaeed yearlings. He was an exceptional miler so that should be very interesting. In your experience, what type of horse does particularly well at the August Sale? As the sale is very early on in the calendar, you need a horse that is going to be physically mature early on. What is your best memory on the sale ground at Arqana? We have been lucky enough to have a few good ones, but our first consignment in July has to be up there as we had a one hundred per cent clearance rate and finished third-best vendor with the third-highest-priced store in the sale. We couldn't have wished for a better start. And when you do get that all-important result in the sales ring, how do you like to celebrate? It's always nice to release the pressure with a few beers and good friends. It can get a bit more wild if we aren't selling the next day… If you weren't involved in bloodstock, what career path would you have taken? Janine: I think I would definitely be an equine veterinary nurse. I really love taking care of sick and injured horses. Pierre-Hugues: Probably farming. Tell us something that people don't know about you? Janine: Before I started working on studs I was a travel agent for a year. Pierre-Hugues: I played Horse Ball for nearly 25 years! It's a great sport and a great school of life. Do you have any superstitions or good luck charms? We never back our own horses when they are racing – not even if they are hot favourites. Best piece of advice you ever received? Janine: If what you're doing works, then don't let other people's opinion change the way you do it. Pierre-Hugues: That patience will save you a lot of time. Your one wish for the upcoming yearling sales? To return home with an empty truck and happy clients. The post Vendors In The Spotlight: Q&A With Windermere Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Human error was at the root cause of a snafu in which the starting gate was positioned at the wrong distance for the 12th race at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 9, according to a New York Racing Association release. View the full article

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott says he is not all that interesting. We disagree. Mott, who got his first winner when he was still in high school, has never stopped. Through the years, he has had a barn full of high-caliber horses. He talks about some of them; he talks about Sovereignty, who is the best 3-year-old in the country. He talks about training for the late George Steinbrenner. And he remembers a dumb question from a reporter (me). Here is the Saratoga Q&A. TDN: First question. Why is it so hard to get you to do a Q&A? Bill Mott: I don't like to talk about myself. TDN: Stop it. I don't believe that. BM: Yeah, I don't. TDN: But these are fun things. We can knock this out in 15 minutes. BM: We're doing it. I thought that was the first question. TDN: I have others. BM: OK. What is the next question? TDN: Your logo for the barn, on your saddlecloths. Why is it the diamond? BM: I went to the work for Bert and Diana Firestone in the fall of 1986. My first year in New York was 1987 and I had a private job with them. That was their logo. They sort of drifted away from the business, and I didn't have the private job anymore, and I asked them if I could just use the logo. I kept some of the equipment, and I asked them if it would be okay, if I could continue on with their logo. TDN: It's an iconic logo in horse racing. BM: Iconic meaning sort of everybody recognizes it? Sarah Andrew photo TDN: Yes. Absolutely. BM: It started with the Firestones … Genuine Risk. That was on their silks. TDN: You have had big horses your whole career. Where does this guy (pointing to the stall of Kentucky Derby/Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty) rank? BM: Best 3-year-old I've ever had. Without question. TDN: What's it like when you see people coming out to the barn every day wanting to get a glimpse of him? BM: It's interesting. I had it with Cigar (1995 & 1996 Horse of the Year). We haven't had it since Cigar to this extent where people would come by just to see him. TDN: Is there pressure when you have a horse like that? BM: Sure. There's pressure not to do something foolish. Don't make a dumb mistake. Don't let the media train your horse for you. There are always questions: why'd he do this? Why'd he do that? Why'd he skip the Preakness? We could have had another Triple Crown.' Just do what you do. I think that some of that comes with time, with experience. You are still always on edge, making sure to keep them safe, keep them out of trouble. TDN: Cigar was a phenomenal racehorse. Is he your all-time best? BM: It would be very difficult to dispute that. I had some very talented horses, but, as you well know, it's hard to compare generation to generation or race to race. To have them put that many races together (Cigar won 16 races consecutive races) is pretty, pretty amazing. I've had some horses that ran off, whether it would be Ron the Greek who won by open (6 3/4) lengths in the (2013) Jockey Club Gold Cup. They would not come back and run the same race the next time. Flat Out. Taylor's Special. Rapid Gray. TDN: The list goes on and on. BM: I haven't counted lately, but the last time I did I think we've had over 150 Grade I wins. I don't know how many we have now. TDN: Talking about talented racehorses you have had, was Cody's Wish the most special horse you ever had because of the story? BM: No. He was certainly one of them and a memorable horse. But I've had some very nice horses for some good owners, and I would not want to try to pick them apart and say one was more special than the other. At the time we had them, they were all very meaningful and special. When their careers are over, we've got to try to move on, and you're looking for the next one. TDN: The first winner you ever had, you were still in high school in South Dakota, correct? BM: The first horse I ever trained, I was too young to get a trainer's license, so my father was down as the trainer. I got my first trainer's license when I was 16. And I had my first winner. TDN: Remember the name of the horse? BM: I had a filly called My Assets. Then I had Kosmic Tour. I owned him myself when I was 15 and he won the South Dakota Futurity for me. Got $3,200 to the winner. TDN: When you were in high school, you wrestled and played football. BM: Played football and then wrestled. TDN: Were you good? BM: I was very competitive on the circuit we were on. TDN: Which means… BM: We were a 'B' school. Mobridge, South Dakota was not an 'A' school. We were not Minneapolis or Oklahoma City. TDN: I bet you were tough. BM: I did ok. My best finish (in wrestling) was fourth in the state when I was a senior. TDN: What position did you play in football? BM: I was a halfback. We had a very good football team. Mind you, we were a 'B' school, but we did very well. We did very well in wrestling, we did very well in football. The other halfback was very good. He was all-state on offense and defense and got a scholarship to a very good 'B' college which was, I think, North Dakota State in Fargo. There was only one game where I had more yards than him. TDN: How many? BM: It was over 120 yards rushing. TDN: Did you have a nickname in high school? BM: Ah, no. I don't really think so. TDN: I ask this question to everyone, and I get some interesting answers. If there's a movie made about your life and you can pick the actor to play you, who are you picking? BM: (laughs). Who's the guy that played in “The Silence of the Lambs?” TDN: Anthony Hopkins. Hannibal Lecter. That's not bad. He's a great actor. He could pull off Bill Mott. BM: I love Jack Nicholson, too. But he's a little crazy. He might be crazier than me. TDN: You calling yourself crazy now? BM: (laughs). TDN: Do you have any interests outside of horse racing? I know you're a Yankee fan. BM: I am. I worked for the Steinbrenner family, so I do pay attention to that. If there's a Yankee game on, I enjoy watching it. We've been to a bunch of the playoff games. TDN: You are a sports fan. BM: Oh, I love sports. I don't have a lot of time to sit and watch it because we're busy on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and that's when a lot of the sporting events go on. I'm too tired to watch a lot of them (smiles). TDN: Do you still have goals? BM: My goal in horse racing is I strive to stay in the top 10 every year. I figure if I am in the top 10, I am in the game. If I can stay in the top 10 money won every year, I figure I'm still competitive. TDN: If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be? BM: John Wayne. My father. And Clint Eastwood. TDN: Is Saratoga your favorite racetrack? BM: I would say so. When I was based at Churchill, I loved Churchill and I still love Churchill. Now, I spend more time here and we have had a lot of success here. I love Saratoga. I think it's great. The whole scene is great. It's not just for Wednesday and Thurby (Thursday at Churchill during Derby week), and Oaks Day and Derby and maybe two other days. You get a good month, six weeks of racing here. The people that come up here … the atmosphere … this is the greatest. A lot of people love Del Mar but I would have to say this is the top on my list. And I have a special affection for Churchill Downs as well. TDN: Is there one race that sticks out that you've won that stands out more than any other? BM: When Cigar won the (1995) Breeders' Cup (Classic). You ask me that question, that comes to my mind. Mott with the legendary Cigar in 1996 | Horsephotos TDN: That's the one with the famous Tom Durkin call: “the unconquerable, invincible, unbeatable Cigar!” BM: Yes. And it culminated a 10-for-10 season. Champion older horse. Horse of the Year. And he went on after that and had a pretty good year after that. TDN: In your travels, you must have met some pretty famous people. BM: Unbelievable. Going to California … John Forsythe, Burt Bacharach … Bo Derek! (laughs). There's been just a multitude of really, really famous people. Not only famous people, but very successful people and very knowledgeable, smart, good people. The more famous people are, of course, actors. TDN: You met George Steinbrenner. Was he fun? BM: I enjoyed him. I was fascinated by him because he had a reputation of being tough and he was. But he also had a side of him that was very compassionate, very generous, and he had a side of him that was very tough and very tight. He had a lot of different qualities. I don't know if you would refer to him as a complicated person, but a very diverse person, I suppose. TDN: Was he a tough guy to train for? BM: He was demanding. He expected success. TDN: And if he didn't get it … BM: He might fire you. He never fired me but there was a time when he didn't funnel some horses to me. He might have skipped a year, but he never fired me. Mott trained Majestic Warrior (pic) and his dam Dream Supreme for George Steinbrenner's Kinsman Stable | Coolmore photo TDN: Is Bill Mott happy right now with everything going on in his life? BM: Sure. I've got no complaints. We've had personal disappointments in our lives, my family has, but I think we've been able to overcome it because of the strength of our family and the closeness of the family. Business wise, we are disappointed 75% of the time when we run horses (laughs). And horses get hurt, they have to go home. They don't turn out as well as we expected or hoped them to. But that is what we do. That is reality. TDN: Coming to work now, you have a barn–and you have had this for several years–with some real nice racehorses in it. BM: I have been lucky enough to have that almost every year. There were a couple years–and I can't remember exactly what years–that we went without a Grade I winner. Maybe two or three years. You start thinking about that and that's a little tough to swallow. You are still working as hard as you ever had but you don't get the right horse and you don't win the right races. TDN: And you are a competitive guy. BM: That's why horse racing suits me. Because I love horses. I enjoy horses. I enjoy the challenge of working with them. Sometimes it can be a difficult or challenging horse, and you can see how well you can do with them. I'm also competitive. I like to win. I don't like getting beat. But I accept defeat. I get beat every day. This is the one business, the one sport, where you lose more than you win. Most sports, people are able to say we win more than we lose. TDN: I have asked other trainers about this. This is the only sport I know where 10 seconds after the event–or race in this case–is over, you have microphones and tape recorders in your face. There is no cooling off period. How do you deal with that? After a tough beat, it has to be difficult. BM: You just try to keep your cool and not be too emotional about it. And you go back to the drawing board and try to evaluate what happened. What can I do better? You are probably speaking about the better races, the better horses. There are a lot of horses we run that were not born with the ability that others have. If you get a slow horse, you just get a slow horse. If you have a good horse that gets beat–and I think that's what you're talking about–you just try to analyze and figure it out and see if we can do better. You just try to figure out what happened. We don't try to change everything around. TDN: Do you think you're a funny guy? BM: No. Not really. Not very often. I think of myself as having very little personality. TDN: I think you have a dry sense of humor. BM: Well, I do. I think I do have a dry sense of humor, but I have to be careful because some people don't understand it. TDN: When you are in the right mood, I think you are very funny. BM: (laughs). Not at all. Growing up, going through high school, there were times when I wanted to be funny because I knew some people who were funny and I wanted to emulate their character, maybe. They could make people laugh and I wanted to make people laugh, but sometimes I pissed people off. I made some people mad so I had to make adjustments. I had to be careful with who I was trying to be funny with. TDN: Over the years, I have heard some people in my profession say they're intimidated by you. Ever hear that? BM: I have had some people say that. Maybe because I don't have much to say. TDN: You have always been accommodating to me. I may have asked some dumb questions in my time. And you may have called me out on that. BM: Just once. TDN: What was the dumb question I asked you? BM: There was a horse that I think was a favorite in a big race and ran poorly and I can't even remember what horse it was. It was one of those times when you walk off the track and you are like “#$%^$#.” I stopped and you all were asking me questions and you said, 'how does that make you feel?' And I looked at you and said, 'how the (blank) do you think that made me feel?' It was one of those situations where I felt like (crap). TDN: If you were not a horse trainer, what do you think you would be doing? BM: I would probably be in South Dakota maybe having a cattle ranch. TDN: You would have something to do with animals. BM: Yes. Absolutely. I loved animals. My father was a veterinarian. He loved horses and he is the one that got me in horse racing. He is the one that made the connection for me with the Asmussens. My first job was with the family of Keith Asmussen and so that is what got me started when I was 14 years old. TDN: Would you call yourself a cowboy? BM: I'm not a cowboy now. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a cowboy. I can't say I ever developed into a very good cowboy. I can ride. A cowboy is somebody who actually manages cattle and that sort of thing. TDN: Did you watch Roy Rogers growing up as a kid? BM: Oh, I did. TDN: Who was your favorite cowboy growing up? BM: Television cowboy? I suppose a guy like John Wayne. He was a cowboy in some of his movies. TDN: Your pony's name is Rocky. BM: I renamed him. His name was Looking at Bikinis. I wanted something a little tougher than Looking at Bikinis. TDN: He ran in the Travers. BM: Yes, he did (in 2019, finished 11th). Looking At Bikinis, aka Rocky | Sarah Andrew TDN: Everything is good at the Bill Mott ranch right now. BM: I would say so. I really have nothing to be bitter about. When you get a lot of miles on the speedometer, I think it's easy to get a little sour or a little bitter, but I don't want to do that. Rather than be bitter about something, try to do something about it, I suppose. I am not here to change the game. That is above my paygrade. I do what I do. I love coming out here and dealing with these guys and dealing with the horses and I really enjoy seeing my owners. I get along well with most of them. I train with some interesting people. People I would never be able to be around if I didn't train horses. That has been the case all my life whether it was Bert and Diana Firestone, Alan Paulson, George Steinbrenner…there have been a multitude of people I have been associated with and have at least a working relationship with many of them. TDN: Last question. I have been chasing you around for a month, trying to get you to sit down for this and I am paraphrasing here, you said you were like a rabbit, and you can't catch me. I finally caught you. BM: Yes. You did. (laughs). The post Saratoga Q & A: Bill Mott appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article