Wandering Eyes

Many hands make light work. Or in this case, it was many feet and steps that allowed Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock to find and then secure the Sea The Stars (Ire) colt who topped the final session of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale on Wednesday at 425,000gns. It was Juddmonte's Sam Guyette, shortlisting for the top bloodstock agent this week, who first lauded the Norelands Stud-drafted colt as a potential nap. Brown revealed that, after taking this nugget with a heavy pinch of salt initially, he was then bowled over by Wednesday's topper when he made his way down to Highflyer. “A lot of credit has to go to our spotters because it's very hard to get around these numbers,” Brown said after securing the colt for his existing client. “Sam Guyette, who works for Juddmonte, has been helping us get through the numbers this week and told me very early that there was a special horse for me to see. I sort of raised my eyebrows and went down to see him and went, 'wow, this is a very serious horse.' “I knew he'd be hard to buy. He's by one of the greatest stallions around and has a proper back page. Luckily I had somebody who was willing to stretch and have a proper go. He'll stay in England.” The Sea The Stars colt is out of Dawn Approach (Ire) mare Miss Aiglonne (GB), who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Mekhtaal (GB) (Sea The Stars). It was a combination of that strong pedigree and likable physical attributes that enticed Brown to go to 425,000gns. “He's not a huge horse,” the agent explained. “He's a perfectly-sized horse for me. I got to see Baaeed (GB) quite a lot in William Haggas's. Baaeed had this huge, flat quarter and great width of hip. He wasn't actually a huge horse. This horse had a similar hind end to Baaeed. He has great movement and is just a classy animal.” Brown added, “We're all realists and know that most horses are not very good. But, buying a horse who looks like that and is by Sea The Stars, it gives you a chance of having a top Group 1 horse.” Similarly to Book 1, the trade at Park Paddocks this week didn't quite compare to last year, but Brown was left focussing on the positives at close of play on Wednesday. He concluded, “I think the market has been strong. I think it's been really good. It has been well documented that last week was tricky. This week has been hard to buy. “I didn't buy as many this week as I did last week and I've tried on plenty. There's definitely cracks and it would be foolish for everyone involved to say it was completely smooth sailing. But, overall, you'd have to have a positive take away from the sale.” Key Figures Fall At Book 2 The key figures took a dip at Book 2 this year; the aggregate fell by 11% at Book 2 compared to 12 months ago. There were similar dips with the median and average which fell by 11% and 10% respectively. The clearance rate fell by 1% to 85%. Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony said, “As referenced last week the 2022 Tattersalls October Yearling Sales reached extraordinary heights the like of which we may not see for many years to come, so for Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale to produce returns which, although falling short of last year, compare favourably with all bar two renewals of Europe's largest yearling sale gives some perspective. “As recently as 2016 the turnover at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale was below 40 million guineas, with a then record average price of 65,000 guineas, a record-equalling median of 50,000 guineas and an unprecedented 117 lots selling for 100,000 guineas or more. This year's sale has achieved an average in excess of 80,000 guineas, a median second only to last year's runaway record and a clearance rate of 85%. “The outstanding Dubawi filly who topped the sale at 725,000 guineas was the second highest priced filly ever sold at this sale, 55 lots have sold for 200,000 guineas or more which is fractionally fewer than last year and the diversity of buyers has been notable at all levels of the market.” He added, “As ever the support from the consignors has been outstanding. Year after year horses purchased at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale are successful at the very highest level throughout the world, annually demonstrating the extraordinary quality of yearlings that British and Irish consignors, alongside many from mainland Europe, commit to this sale. Buyers, both domestic and international, derive huge confidence from the consistent racecourse achievements of Tattersalls October Yearlings and buyers from throughout Europe and the Gulf region, as well as Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan and the USA have all made valuable contributions this week alongside the domestic British and Irish participants who will always be the backbone of the October Yearling Sales. “It is a source of pride that Books 1 and 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale showcase so many of the best yearlings to be found in Europe, but as we move on to Books 3 and 4 we should also highlight the quality of the yearlings to be offered in the next few days. The likes of last year's Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes winner Lezoo and recent Group 2 Beresford Stakes winner Deepone were both bought at Book 3 of the October Yearling Sale and are graphic illustrations of the opportunities still to be found at Tattersalls this week.” Owner Makes Hay At Book 2 By Splashing Out On Nine Yearlings Jim Hay, whose wife Fitri's colours have been carried by Irish Derby winner Fame And Glory (GB) and more recently by smart sprinters Khaadem (Ire) and Equilateral (GB), outlined his passion for British racing after buying nine yearlings at Book 2. That outlay was headed by a 325,000gns Gleneagles (Ire) colt from Whatton Manor Stud on Wednesday. Hay had been active at the yearling sales from Arqana through to Keeneland, Goffs and now this week at Tattersalls. Shortly after snapping up the Gleneagles, the owner's Ciro Di Marzio (Justify), a €518,519 purchase from the Goffs Dubai Breeze-Up Sale earlier this year, won a Kempton novice for trainer Ralph Beckett. Hay, who expects to be represented at the Breeders' Cup by Nakatomi (Firing Line) [who he owns in partnership with Sheikh Fahad] and Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), admitted that his love for British racing comes fraught with frustrations, but put on the record his commitment to racehorse ownership after bolstering his team for next year. Hay said, “We bought a few today. We like Gleneagles and have had a lot of success with them-Royal Scotsman and Highland Chief-so we like the bloodline. The one we bought today is out of a Pivotal (GB) mare, the same as Royal Scotsman, so we like that cross. The experts [agents Ed Sackville and Dermot Farrington] tell me that he looks the business.” He added, “UK racing is in a terrible bloody state financially. But that's okay, we'll keep doing what we've been doing for twenty-odd years. We'd love UK racing to actually become sensible and be funded properly.” Hay ran 34 individual horses in Britain this year alone and, along with Beckett, he supports Andrew Balding, Paul and Oliver Cole, Richard Hannon, Charlie Hills and more. A 310,000gns Churchill colt bought from Clare Castle Stud also featured on Wednesday's shopping list for a man who spent $1 million at Keeneland earlier this year. However, Hay relayed his ongoing worry over what the future lies for the industry in Britain due to affordability checks on punters. He said, “The big dream with all of this for everyone is to produce a stallion that could potentially be worth a lot of money. Otherwise, the whole thing is just basically shredding money. The other thing is these affordability checks. “A bookie won't let me put a fifty quid each-way bet on but I've just spent over three-hundred-grand on a horse. This is the nonsense in all of it. All this kind of stuff needs to come to a halt.” The Gleneagles colt was consigned by Whatton Manor Stud, who were also in lights when selling a Too Darn Hot (GB) colt to Highclere for 320,000gns. Those figures elevated Whatton Manor Stud to end Book 2 as the second busiest consignors with 22 selling for 1,879,000gns. That was only bettered by the 2,628,000gns aggregate posted by Tally-Ho Stud for 28 yearlings. Reflecting on the week, Whatton Manor's Ed Player said, “Trade feels tough when you are selling quite a few horses. We had four horses in Book 1 and 25 in Book 2. It has been quite tough but, if you have nice horses, there are plenty of people for it. It definitely feels tougher than it has done in previous times but trade just can't keep going up year after year. But, if you have a nice horse, there is still great trade.” He added, “A lot of work has gone into these two weeks. The guys at home work incredibly hard and you've just got to try and show the horses as best you can. If people don't like them, that's the market value at that given time. When Tattersalls come and inspect the horses in June, obviously some progress a lot and others don't do as well. Overall, trade is perfectly okay but it's just tougher this year than other years.” O'Brien Lands Colt By 'One Of The Top Sires In The World' Joseph O'Brien has been a constant presence at Tattersalls since Book 1 and bought horses at every level in the past week. The leading trainer picked up a 310,000gns Siyouni (Fr) under the banner of Opm Equine, a partnership that includes American bloodstock agent Justin Casse. O'Brien commented, “Siyouni has had an exceptional year. This is a nice strong colt and we're lucky to have gotten him. We've had a few by Siyouni and he's one of the top sires in the world. We're delighted to have him. He's been bought with Justin Casse and Olivia Perkins-Mackey, who works with Justin. We're looking forward to hopefully a mature two-year-old.” The Siyouni was expertly pinhooked by Guy O'Callaghan of Grangemore Stud from Etreham at Arqana last December for €78,000. He is out of an unraced Invincible Spirit (Ire) mare whose dam is a sister to high-class Ballydoyle-trained runners Rhododendron (Ire), Magical (Ire) and Flying The Flag (Ire). O'Callaghan said, “He is a smashing colt from a very good family and Siyouni has had an amazing season with two of the best three-year-olds [Tahiyra and Paddington] around. This is just a lovely simple horse and I bought him with my brother Robert for €78,000 from Haras d'Etreham and the late Lady O'Reilly.” Golden touch By Georgia Cox Lot 1270 Sire: Mohaather (GB) Dam: Maid For Winning (GB) Bred by Claiborne Farm Consigned by Ballyvolane Stud Purchased by Howson & Houldsworth Bloodstock for the Guest Family This colt is out of the well-named Maid For Winning, who has produced seven winners from eight runners including three black-type performers. Most notable of which is the Group 3 winner Yourtimeisnow (GB) (Charm Spirit {Ire}). Bought by John Foley under the banner of GHS Bloodstock at the Tattersalls December Foal Sales for 55,000gns, the Mohaather colt almost doubled in price when selling to Howson and Houldsworth Bloodstock on behalf of the Guest family for 100,000gns on Wednesday. The Guest family are big supporters of George Margason and the trainer could have plenty to look forward to with this colt by freshman sire Mohaather, the progeny of which have been snapped up by notable buyers, including Shadwell, Highflyer, Ed Sackville, Dermot Farrington and Paddy Twomey this week alone. Buy of the day A strong case can be made for the last horse [lot 1351] in the ring on Wednesday, a belter of a Blue Point colt, being the best bought horse on the day. Consigned by Hascombe & Valiant Stud, this colt snuck marginally under the average [133,900gns] posted by the stallion this week at 130,000gns, but he was anything but average. He was bought by Thomond O'Mara, a prominent breeze-up handler and, assuming the colt breezes well, he could be one to turn a profit. He'd fit in nicely at the Craven Breeze-Up Sale here next spring and looks very well-bought. Thought for the day Some of the talent displayed by the sales staff on the sales ground over the past few days has been off the charts. We have had the odd yearling get loose in the parade ring, but thankfully, there was no harm done. That's been down to the quick-thinking and skill displayed by the men and women on the ground. A job well done. The post ‘A Similar Hind End To Baaeed’ – Sea The Stars Colt Leads Way At Book 2 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin's homebred First Mission, scratched from the May 20 Preakness Stakes (G1) due to a left hind leg issue, returns to action Oct. 14 at Keeneland in a $120,000 second-level allowance optional claiming race carded as the last of 10 races.View the full article

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) participated in Aftercare Alliance Day at Woodbine Sunday, Oct. 8, with a variety of activations on-site over the course of the afternoon. The Grade II Nearctic S. presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance was won by Big Invasion, owned by TAA supporters Reeves Thoroughbred Racing of Dean and Patti Reeves. The winner's circle presentation included a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-branded blanker and a TAA swag bag. Woodbine Entertainment Group made a donation to the TAA, one of many ways WEG emphasized and demonstrated the importance of aftercare throughout the day. Jockeys and their valets were given the opportunity to designate their earnings to TAA for any races won during the program. The TAA also presented 'best turned-out' awards, sponsored by Josham Farms in conjunction with the afternoon's four stakes races. “Woodbine Racetrack serves as a unifying epicenter, consistently attracting a substantial and diverse community of passionate and dedicated Canadian horse racing enthusiasts,” said Stacie Clark-Rogers, Operations Consultant, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. “There are a large number of aftercare supporters from Woodbine, where the welfare and post-career support of these athletes remains a top priority.” The post TAA Has Successful Presence on Aftercare Alliance Day at Woodbine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features a half to Group 1 winner Adelaide River. 13.15 Curragh, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, f, 7fT EVERLASTING (IRE) (Kingman {GB}) is one of a trio from Ballydoyle and as the only newcomer with Ryan Moore on board the clues as to her ability are already writ large. A half-sister to this year's G1 Irish Derby and G1 Grand Prix de Paris runner-up Adelaide River (Ire) (Australia {GB}), daughter of the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas runner-up Could It Be Love (War Front) and relative of Uncle Mo, she encounters a well-regarded Paddy Twomey trainee in Porters Place (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) from the family of Youmzain (Ire) and some experienced peers including Juddmonte's Cork runner-up Wendla (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), a Ger Lyons-trained daughter of Intercontinental (GB) (Danehill). The post Half to Adelaide River Starts at The Curragh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ben Newman, a “committed animal rights campaigner” who was filmed running onto Epsom Downs during the running of this year's G1 Derby in June, has been given a suspended prison sentence for breaking a High Court's injunction. The Jockey Club, which owns and operates Epsom Downs, had received an injunction banning the animal rights group Animal Rising of which Newman is a member, prior to the Derby in June. Newman's two-month prison sentence was suspended for 18 months during contempt of court proceedings on Wednesday. Tim James-Matthews, for Newman, said he “reiterates his sincere apologies to the court, the claimant and those affected by his conduct”. James-Matthews stated that although Newman had entered the track during the race, that there was still time for the horses to stop. Justice Miles accepted that Newman was “motivated by conscientious objectives” but did not rule on their legitimacy. He continued, “The only issue for the court at this hearing is the appropriate sanction to be imposed on the defendant in respect of his admitted contempt of court. “He deliberately flouted the order. His actions were planned in advance. He was not acting under pressure or compulsion and his actions were his own.” Miles was also told that Newman pled guilty to causing a public nuisance in related criminal proceedings previously and had spent more than 30 days in custody prior to his sentencing in July. Handing down the suspended sentence, the judge noted Newman had apologised and “tasted imprisonment”. Nevin Truesdale, the Jockey Club's chief executive, said after the sentencing, “Ben Newman's decision to breach security and run on to the track while the Derby was under way was a reckless stunt which could have compromised the safety and security of humans and horses. “We were always very clear that if anyone chose to breach the injunction then we would not hesitate to take further action. “It has always been our intention for that action to be both clear and proportionate and we accept the sanction imposed on Mr. Newman by the court today. “More widely, it is our sincere hope that by pursuing this matter in the High Court it sends a very clear message to anyone who might in future consider disrupting races in such a way, that we will never tolerate illegal and reckless behaviour of this kind.” The post Epsom Protestor Handed Suspended Sentence For Contempt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first hearing in the lawsuit filed by the Fayette Alliance against the Lexington, Kentucky Urban County Council over the Urban Service Boundary's produced no decisions at the October 5 meeting; instead, both parties were asked to file additional briefs over the next two weeks. The news is according to a press release distributed by the Fayette Alliance. The Fayette Alliance is alleging that the Council's decision to expand Lexington's Urban Service Boundary–a circular boundary around the downtown designed to protect Kentucky farmland–was not legal. The Alliance clams that the decision, “violated the Kentucky statutes governing the drafting of comprehensive plans, which require that those plans be based on data, research and analysis.” Moreover, they say, “the decision defied historical precedent, which is clear that any decision to expand the USB in the past has been made by the Planning Commission.” Attorneys for the city of Lexington have filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that since the formal re-zoning has not yet taken place, the Alliance does not have the right to pursue litigation. The Alliance said that the planning commission will be discussing recommendations on which of the five proposed areas might be rezoned for construction at a meeting Thursday, Oct. 19 at 1:30 p.m. in the Phoenix Building at 101 East Vine Street in Lexington. The meeting is open to the public. Those interested in providing public input to the Planning Commission may do so on Imagine Lexington's Urban Growth Management website. The post No Decisions Made in First Hearing in Urban Service Boundary Lawsuit appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

If only Spendthrift Farm owner B. Wayne Hughes could be alive to see the splendid filly his fertile imagination yielded. View the full article

Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a five-time Group 1 winner, will start in either the GI Breeders' Cup Mile or on QIPCO British Champions Day, as connections mull their options. The star homebred of the Cheveley Park string, the 4-year-old could also potentially stay in training in 2024. Cheveley Park Stud's managing director Richard Thompson said of the John and Thady Gosden trainee, “We're looking at the QEII or the Breeders' Cup this season. It will be one of the two, we just don't know which one yet. It depends on how she comes out of Saturday, it depends on the ground at Ascot–there's a few factors.” After three seasons racing with top-level victories in the G1 Fillies' Mile at two, the Coronation S. and Prix Jacques le Marois at three, another Marois and the Sun Chariot S. last Saturday as a 4-year-old, this season might not be Inspiral's last. He added, “She could potentially stay in training next season, but that depends on how she comes out of her final race this year, whichever race that is going to be. “The trainer will give us his steer and if he feels she's ready to go next season, we'll go with it and give her another go next season, absolutely, subject to him [John Gosden] giving us that confirmation.” The post Inspiral Facing BC Or Champions Day Choice; Potential To Stay In Training Next Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kicking off the World Pool meetings, last weekend's Turnbull Stakes Day at Flemington drew HK$133.4 million (approx. A$26.6 million) in wagering. The card consisted of five races from Flemington combined with four from Newmarket and one, the Gran Premio Latinoamericano, from San Isidro. Defending G1 Melbourne Cup champion Gold Trip took the featured G1 Turnbull S. The combined Win pool on the five World Pool races (A$6,545,489.82) was almost nine times the combined pool on the five non-World Pool races with the Victorian tote ($743,831.06). Meanwhile, the combined Duet (Quinella Place) pools on the final five races (A$6,732,853.78) represented a 36.8% increase on the same pools for the first five races (A$18,226.68). The first ever World Pool on a Sydney meeting will take place Oct. 14 when nine races from Randwick, including the A$20-million The Everest, will be available for betting on six continents. World Pool meetings will follow in Melbourne for Caulfield Cup Day (Oct. 21), Cox Plate Day (Oct. 28) and Victoria Derby Day (Nov. 4). British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse will also be included Oct. 21. For more information, click here. The post Flemington Kickstarts Run of Australian World Pool Meetings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Out of the 404 entrants, the leading earner in this week's Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by the Thoroughbred Charities of America, at the Kentucky Horse Park is GISW Arklow (Arch). After being gelded once his racing career ended last year at this time, the former Brad Cox trainee with a $3,025,996 in earnings over a seven-year career for Donegal Racing will be ridden in the event by Gina Gans in the field hunting division. The 9-year-old will jump obstacles at the Horse Park's grass steeplechase course. Recently retired racehorses from across the U.S. will participate in the largest Thoroughbred retraining competition in the world in various disciplines including barrel racing, competitive trail, dressage, jumping, polo, ranch work and freestyle with Keeneland serving as a major sponsor. Click here for more information. The post GISW Arklow Among Thoroughbred Makeover Entrants appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Arena Racing Company has partnered with the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation to create a series of apprenticeships at Lingfield Park Racecourse. The partnership, brought together by The Racing Pathway, will build an employee pipeline with diverse lived experiences and cultures, as well as supporting succession into more senior roles within the business. The Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation, which fosters opportunities for marginalised young people in the UK, provides mentoring, coaching, work experience opportunities, and bursaries for education and training. Lingfield is seeking applicants aged between 16-24, from ethnically diverse backgrounds, for four entry level roles at the racecourse. Each of the roles will focus on a different aspect of the business–Business Administration, Maintenance, Hospitality and Groundskeeping. The apprenticeship programme at Lingfield is the first step in a long-term partnership which is expected to evolve to support the future needs of the wider Arena Racing Company and its 21 venues. The post Arena Racing, Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation Offer Apprenticeship at Lingfield appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Jockeys' Guild has reached an agreement with the Kentucky HBPA and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association on a mount fee increase effective Nov. 29, which is opening day of the Turfway Park Holiday meet, the organization said in a release Wednesday. The mount fee schedule calls for a minimum fee of $125 at all Kentucky racetracks, including Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Ellis Park, Kentucky Downs and Turfway Park. This agreement also provides for $500 minimum fee in races with purses of $1 million or more. “On behalf of our members who ride in Kentucky, I would like to thank the Kentucky HBPA and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association for working with the Guild to reach this agreement,” said Terry Meyocks, President and CEO of Jockeys' Guild. “Special thanks to Senator Damon Thayer, for his assistance in reaching this agreement. Without his support, it would not have been accomplished.” The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's Rules Committee passed Oct. 4 a unanimous motion recommending this scale to the full commission for consideration and anticipated approval. Once approved, the proposed amendment to the administrative regulation will be filed with the Legislative Research Commission to follow the rule making process and allow for written and public comment. The agreements with the Kentucky HBPA and the KTA will remain in effect until the regulation has been formally adopted, which will likely be next year. “I was pleased to advocate for a pay increase for the jockeys,” said Sen. Damon Thayer, Majority Leader of the Kentucky Senate. “Those who risk their lives every day at our tracks should be paid a fee commensurate with Kentucky's position of having the top purses in North America. In particular, I would like to thank trainer Dale Romans as a leader in the KHBPA, for facilitating in reaching the agreement and to Commissioner Charlie O'Connor for his role at the Commission in moving forward with the adoption of the new regulation.” The post Mount Fee Increase For All Kentucky Racetracks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

I first met Drew Mollica in 1988 when I was assigned by the Thoroughbred Record to write a cover story on Chris Antley, for whom Mollica was serving as a jockey agent at the time. I found Mollica hysterically funny and, full disclosure, we have been friends ever since. Having since earned his law degree, Drew now practices what might be called racetrack law, and counts the TDN among his clients. Tuesday night, I attended the opening night of his son, Gabe's, one-man show, Solo, in New York City's East Village and found that the sense of humor trait has undoubtedly been passed on from father to son. Solo is a one-hour-and-20-minute show which counts several racing luminaries among its executive producers, including Terry Finley, Dave Johnson, Tommy and Karen Bellhouse, Len Green, and Michael Katzer. More a storytelling session than stand-up comedy, it is at times thoughtful, poignant, honest, and very, very funny. He calls it “A Show About Friendship,” and over the eighty minutes, Mollica explores the differences between friendship among men and those among women. After he spends a day playing video games with his friend Nick, he goes to his parents' house and his mother, Joy, says she has just seen on Facebook that Nick's sister has just had a baby. “How does Nick feel about being an uncle?” she asks him. “How does Nick feel?” Mollica replies. “I've known Nick my whole life and I don't know how he feels about anything.” Men, he muses, hang out together with another activity as the focus-sports, video games, or anything else to watch-while women hang out to talk to and focus on one another. It's one of many observations that had the audience not just laughing out loud, but nodding their heads in recognition. But the central story of the show revolves around a friend breakup, not with one of his `bros' as he calls his video-game-playing friends, but with someone he considered his best friend, Tim. This story, and Mollica's inability to come to terms with what Tim has done, how it was handled, and to resolve what has happened to the friendship, is not only the central heart of the show, but a story which will resound with anyone who has been through a similar experience. I may have embarrassed myself laughing in the intimate space of the theater when Mollica explains to his childhood friends just what it is that a jockey agent does, asking them, “You mean your father doesn't have a little man?” The New York Times has called the show, “Very funny, sweet not sappy, intricate, Birbiglian storytelling,” and it was featured last month on an episode of This American Life. It has also had a run in Edinburgh, Scotland. The show runs Tuesdays through Sundays through October 28 at the Connelly Theater, 220 E. 4th Street, in New York (click here for tickets) and then hits the road, heading to Chicago, Los Angeles, and Boston, among other stops. Click here for the schedule, tickets and more information. You won't regret the investment of time and you'll leave the theater feeling decidedly better about life. The post Theater Review: Gabe Mollica’s `Solo, A Show About Friendship’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Australian trainer tastes success despite heading to Happy Valley on Wednesday night with limited expectationsView the full article

This year's G1 Melbourne Cup carnival celebrations are set for a different look, with the iconic street parade, which has been a feature since 1983, set to be replaced by an alternate event. Significant road closures and major infrastructure works in the Melbourne CBD will prevent access to key streets, meaning the event, in its traditional format, is not possible this year. Instead, the Victoria Racing Club will host a Cup Week live site at Petanque Social on Crown Riverwalk, with that announcement set to take place on Thursday. Contrary to some reports, the amended format does not have anything to do with animal rights activists. The VRC has vowed to bring back the traditional event next year. “The traditional Lexus Melbourne Cup parade has been disrupted by Victoria's Big Build across the city,” said VRC CEO Steve Rosich. “We are clear that our intent is to bring the parade back to the city when we can again next year. “And whether that means we end up with this live site and a parade, we will certainly look at that possibility as well.” The post New-Look Melbourne Cup Celebrations For 2023 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New Vocations, the largest racehorse adoption agency in the country, has received its first pledge which was made by MGISW Arcangelo's (Arrogate) trainer Jena Antonucci and owner Jon Ebbert of Blue Rose Farm, the organization said in a release Wednesday morning. This is the 14th annual Breeders' Cup Pledge, in which connections of Breeders' Cup contenders are encouraged to earmark a percentage of their championship earnings to support the charity's mission to rehabilitate, retrain and rehome retired racehorses. To date, the initiative has raised over $1,090,000 in support. “It's no secret how important it is to our team that we continue to properly transition Thoroughbreds to their next careers,” said Antonucci. “The tireless work New Vocations does is and always has been leading this sector of the industry. We are proud to pledge our support for their continued work and commitment to ensuring the best placement through their program.” “We are thrilled to have Jena and Jon's support in helping us launch this year's Pledge,” said Anna Ford, New Vocations' Thoroughbred Program Director. “The last two years have been very challenging as the costs associated with caring for the horses and running the program continue to increase. The Pledge offers an easy way for owners and trainers to give back to the horses and support their transition into new careers.” Last year's pledge raised over $140,000, in which over 60 championship contenders had owners and/or trainers who pledged a percentage of their Breeders' Cup earnings. The total from a year ago was driven by a record nine horses with pledging connections–Caravel (Mizzen Mast), Flightline (Tapit), Forte (Violence), Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper), Malathaat, Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never), Tuesday (Galileo {Ire}), Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) and Wonder Wheel (Into Mischief) –winning their races on Future Stars Friday and Championship Saturday. New Vocations will continue to seek pledges from owners and trainers until Nov. 2. Click here for pledge information or by contact anna@horseadoption.com or carey@horseadoption.com. The post Arcangelo Connections First To Take The New Vocations Breeders’ Cup Pledge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

La Motteraye Consignment will offer Classic heroine Channel (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) during the Arqana Vente d'Elevage from Dec. 9-12. A winner of the G1 Prix de Diane, the 7-year-old is a daughter of the G1 Cheveley Park S. winner Magical Romance (Ire) (Barathea {Ire}). Carrying to Wootton Bassett (GB), the daughter of Love Magic (GB) (Dansili {GB}) is also from the same line as standouts Alexandrova (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), Philomene (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Pacifique (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}). Her eldest foal is the 2-year-old filly Million Miles Away (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), while her yearling colt is by Kingman (GB) and she has a Wootton Bassett filly born this year. Bred by Kilcarn Stud, the €18,000 Goffs Orby yearling turned €70,000 Arqana May juvenile won half of her six starts and over $670,000 for Francis-Henri Graffard and Samuel de Barros. The post Classic Winner Channel, In Foal To Wootton Bassett, To Sell At Arqana’s Vente d’Elevage appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Cranbourne Races Where Cranbourne Turf Club – 50 Grant St, Cranbourne VIC 3977 When Friday, October 13, 2023 First Race 5:45pm AEDT Visit Dabble Friday night racing heads to the Cranbourne Turf Club for the first time in the 2023/24 racing season with a nine-race card set down for decision. Showers are forecast in the leadup to the meeting, so we doubt the Good 4 rating at the time of acceptances will stand, with a Soft 6 track expected. The rail is in its true position, with action commencing at 5:45pm AEDT. Best Bet at Cranbourne: Time Of My Life The well-bred Time Of My Life was an impressive debut winner at Geelong on September 15 and can go on with the job on Friday night. The half-sister to Winx took a sit just off the leaders on debut and put her rivals away like a good horse should. She steps up to the 1200m from the 1121m and, in the small field of seven, should be able to lob in a stalking role once again from barrier six. Time Of My Life is clearly the horse with the most upside in the race, and with natural improvement, it should prove too good for this lot. Best Bet Race 1 – #5 Time Of My Life (6) 3yo Filly | T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman | J: Luke Nolen (57.5kg) +160 with Betfair Next Best at Cranbourne: Bombtastic Boy Bombtastic was a smart Cranbourne 1200m winner two runs back, and following an unlucky second at Moe last time out, he can return to the winner’s stall on Friday night. The five-year-old gelding arguably should have won at Moe when desperately held up for a run, before running on late when finding one better. From barrier seven, look for Carleen Hefel to keep one off the rail close to the speed. If he can avoid any issues in running, Bombtastic Boy will take a power of beating. Next Best Race 9 – #1 Bombastic Boy (7) 5yo Gelding | T: Enver Jusufovic | J: Carleen Hefel (60kg) +320 with PendleburyBet Next Best Again at Cranbourne: Moonshine Annie At start five, we expect the Richard Laming-trained Moonshine Annie to break the maiden ranks. The four-year-old mare comes to Cranbourne on the back of an unlucky run at Sale, where she was crucially held up for a run, before jumping out of the ground late to finish second. She went down by 1.25 lengths on that day and arguably should have won. From barrier 11 on Friday, if Wiremu Pinn can land her in the one-one, she should avoid traffic issues. If that is the case, Moonshine Annie simply wins. Next Best Again Race 4 – #4 Moonshine Annie (11) 4yo Mare | T: Richard Laming | J: Wiremu Pinn (58kg) +170 with Dabble Friday quaddie tips for Cranbourne races Cranbourne quadrella selections Friday, October 13, 2023 2-4-6-7-8 2-3-4-7-10-11 4-5-6-7 3 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

What 2023 Caulfield Guineas Where Caulfield Racecourse When Saturday, October 14, 2023 Prizemoney $3,000,000 Distance 1600m Conditions Set Weights 2022 Winner Golden Mile (5) | T: James Cummings | J: James McDonald (57kg) Visit Dabble The Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) is one of the must-watch events during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, and the 2023 edition is no exception. A stacked field of 15 three-year-old colts and geldings are set to compete for the $3,000,000 on offer in the feature event on Saturday’s 10-race card at Caulfield. Three-time Group 1 winner Militarize headlines the field, while the undefeated Steparty will look to add a Group 1 win to an already impressive resume. Throw in the likes of King Colorado and Little Brose, who are already Group 1 winners, and black-type winners Veight and Griff, and we are set for what shapes to be a cracking edition of the Guineas. 2023 Caulfield Guineas odds Following a jaw-dropping win in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m), the Chris Waller-trained Militarize is the +190 favourite with online betting sites for his Melbourne debut. Paul Preusker’s Steparty is hot on his heels at +280, whilst King Colorado from the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace barn sits on the third line of betting at +750 as the only other runner at a single figure quote. Scheelite (+1300), Veight (+1600) and Scentify (+1800) are the best of the rest. 2023 Caulfield Guineas speed map There does not look to be too much speed in this year’s Guineas. Rock Empire will most likely lead the field up from barrier three, whilst Verdad will look to come over from the wide barrier (14), which should give Griff (15) a nice cart across the field. Steparty (7) looks set to land the one-one, whilst Veight (1) will stalk the lead pair throughout. Militarize (12) will most likely be settled towards the rear of the field alongside the likes of Scheelite (13), Wolfy (11) and Scentify (5). Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 Caulfield Guineas. 2023 Caulfield Guineas Preview & Form With all due respect to the two favourites, we’re happy to take both on in Saturday’s feature. Militarize has shown plenty of ability, but his first start the Melbourne way from a tricky draw could prove troublesome, whilst Steparty looks a touch short at +280. In saying that, if either win, it would be no shock at all because they are clearly the ones to beat. However, at a big each-way price, Veight presents great value in Saturday’s Group 1. He simply did too much wrong in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) when defeated by 2.65 lengths by the likes of Steparty, Southport Tycoon, and Scentify, who he all meets again this weekend. Damian Lane, who partnered this bloke to McNeil Stakes (1200m) glory first-up hops back on, and from barrier one, the pair will have every chance in the world to turn the tables on his rivals. He looks like he will relish the 1600m and, from the low draw, gain an economical run throughout. When the gap comes in the home straight, we’re confident Veight can boot clear and hold off the likes of Militarize and Steparty in an upset result. Militarize has the runs on the board and is obviously the one to beat. He is already a Group 1 winner at the mile when saluting in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) as a juvenile and his win in the Golden Rose suggested the 1600m third-up will be ideal. Joao Moreira will continue his strong partnership with the colt but will need to be at his world-class best to have Militarize in a striking position on the home turn. His turn of foot is electric, and as long as he isn’t too far off Steparty and co. when it matters, Militarize can blouse his rivals and bring up a fourth Group 1 success. Steparty has done nothing wrong through his five-start career and gets his chance to claim Group 1 glory at start six. He showed some tactical versatility when settling midfield before grinding home late when claiming the Caulfield Guineas Prelude. He will have a decent tactical advantage on Militarize when turning for home, and if Steparty can go to another level, a Group 1 level in fact, he can keep his unbeaten streak intact with a professional performance. King Colorado and Scheelite look to be the logical ones to fight out the back end of first fours, in what shapes to be an epic Caulfield Guineas. 2023 Caulfield Guineas selections & best bets Selections: 5 VEIGHT 1 MILITARIZE 4 STEPARTY 3 KING COLORADO $100 betting strategy $50 Each-Way Soulcombe (#5) @ +1700 / +300 with Betfair More horse racing tips View the full article

The Breeders' Cup is in the midst of its “40 Days of Giving” program that puts key Thoroughbred industry charities in a collective spotlight with a fundraising twist: This year's initiative involves a money-matching effort in which donors selected by each charity will match up to $1,000 raised by the general public on that charity's designated day. On the final day of the drive, the Breeders' Cup itself will match up to $20,000 in donations, with funds raised on that 40th day to be distributed evenly to all participating charities. “It's the lead-up to the 40th running of the Breeders' Cup championships. So we're taking 40 days and 11 different charities, and we're trying to raise as much money as possible for all of these charities that are doing incredible work within our industry,” said Stefanie Palmieri, the vice president of events for Breeders' Cup, Ltd. “And the idea behind the match is that we can engage the public knowing that if they donate, there's a potential for their donations to be doubled.” The charities that will benefit are the California Thoroughbred Horsemen's Foundation, the Ed Brown Society, the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation, The Foundation for the Horse, the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) in partnership with the California Retirement Management Account, and the Winners Foundation. “We started on Sept. 21, and the last day of the match program is Oct. 30,” Palmieri said. “But all of the links to donate will remain open through all of the Nov. 3-4 Breeders' Cup races so we can continue promoting and drive as many donations as possible. “So far, we have hit our matches on quite a few of those days. I think people are really interested and engaged with it,” Palmieri said. “The program is really designed to support a variety of different causes within the Thoroughbred industry, and we selected the charities to represent a cross-section of focus areas.” Two points stood out when TDN spoke with executives of some of the charities that the Breeders' Cup selected to participate. The first is that our sport operates differently than others in that it relies on a multitude of industry-facing organizations to keep the game going on a daily basis. The second is that most of these worthy causes generally have to compete for the same relatively small pool of Thoroughbred-supportive donors. Yet those who run the charities say they welcome this opportunity to have so many good causes featured together under one fundraising umbrella, because a program like 40 Days of Giving raises not only money, but the profiles of everyone involved. Jockeys heading to the paddock | Coady Photography “When an organization like the Breeders' Cup says they're going to dedicate weeks of bringing awareness to the charities, we're obviously thrilled,” said Shannon Kelly, the executive director of The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation. “And I always have felt the Breeders' Cup should be the moment we're promoting our industry's charities, because all eyes are on the Breeders' Cup.” Since 1985, The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation has operated as a charitable trust that provides, on a confidential basis, financial relief to needy members of the Thoroughbred industry and their families. Its assistance recipients range from jockeys, trainers, exercise riders, and grooms to office personnel and other employees of tracks, racing organizations, and breeding farms. “Obviously, the Breeders' Cup has a huge platform to promote the work of charities,” Kelly continued. “They have a lot of eyes and followers. A lot of charities like us in the industry, we have small staffs and we're working quietly as best as we can. So having an arm like the Breeders' Cup's marketing arm push this is fantastic. And I think it's just a nice way to show they're dedicated. It gives us a boost, some traction to what we do.” “The reality is we're all asking the same donors,” Kelly said. “We're a small industry. So I think it's good to make it a collective program, and not everyone on their own going after the same donors. I think it makes it a little bit easier from a fundraising perspective.” Nancy LaSala has been the PDJF's president since its inception in 2006, and she accepted the dual role of executive director three years later. The PDJF provides financial assistance to some 60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track accidents, most of which involve paralysis or traumatic brain injury. She said that although each specific charity focuses on its niche, they all fall into broader categories that she likened to three-legged stool that needs even support to remain standing. “We need to care of our human athlete. We need to take care of our equine athlete. And we need to take care of our racing community infrastructure, which is basically the backside. If we could support those three bases, I look at them as the three prominent prongs of horse racing,” LaSala said. “I don't think our donor base resides much outside of racing,” LaSala said. “It's nice to be part of a platform that includes so many industry charities. We very seldom get the chance to do that, for the greater benefit of all.” TAA saddle towel | Coady Photography Stacie Clark Rogers has been with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance since its inception in 2012, and has been the organization's operations consultant since 2014. The TAA accredits, inspects, and awards grants to more than 80 approved aftercare organizations at around 180 facilities to retrain, retire, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. “As the official aftercare charity of the Breeders' Cup, we're always happy to be included in the event and to have the recognition for all the 80-plus organizations that we have,” Clark Rogers said. “It's the one time where we can help them raise some attention for aftercare on the national and international level. It's really inclusive that they've had so many charities be a part of this. It's great to have such a community spirit with the Breeders' Cup. Palmieri said the Breeders' Cup left it up to each charity to select their own donors who are providing the matching incentives. “I like the idea of choosing our match donor because it's helped me identify some people that we wanted to draw attention to,” Kelly said. “I went for people who support us throughout the year and are always looking to support more, and I think it gives them some publicity as being actively involved in supporting the industry, not just owning horses or breeding horses or whatever their business is. I think it's good promotion for them, too, to say we have some really good people and groups that want to help. “We're a really unique industry, because not a lot of other big sports have in-house charities,” Kelly said. “Our charities are there for the future of the sport, to keep it moving. For us, it's personal.” The post ’40 Days Of Giving’ Beneficiaries Speak Up: ‘For Us, It’s Personal’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) will be out to continue his love affair with the Randwick mile when he bids to defend his unbeaten record over the course and distance in the A$5m Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m). The Lindsay Park gelding has returned in career-best form this spring, winning a trio of Melbourne weight-for-age races to start his campaign, culminating with his Makybe Diva Stakes success last start. His only previous visits to Sydney yielded back-to-back Doncaster Mile (1600m) wins and he returns to the scene of those triumphs in Saturday’s test at Randwick. While he hasn’t raced for a month, Mr Brightside has been kept up to the mark with a 1000m jump out at Benalla and co-trainer J D Hayes believes he is right on target. “That was just a little pipe-opener to keep him up to the mark,” J D Hayes said. “It’s good stimulation, you can’t get that at home in a gallop. It’s a float ride, a gallop among ten other horses and it’s a bit competitive. It’s like a practice match so it’s a nice hit-out. “He came home and licked the bin. I think he’s right to go.” Craig Williams will forgo riding at the Caulfield Guineas meeting to continue his partnership with Mr Brightside, who meets a high-class field of 15 rivals including top campaigners Think It Over and Zaaki, bonny mare Fangirl, overseas raider Buckeroo and former UK galloper Light Infantry Man, who will race for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace. Mr Brightside made the trip to Sydney on Monday night with his trainers keen to replicate the strategy that has worked for the horse in the past. “That’s the formula that we’ve used the last two times he’s gone there and it seems to have gone according to plan, so hopefully it’s the same again,” J D Hayes said. “We’re as confident as you can get. There are internationals coming for it but we’re happy with our bloke.” View the full article

A new name appeared on the European sales circuit in 2021 with the birth of the French company Auctav, a composite of the words 'Auction Avantage'. Auctav sought to create an opportunity to the advantage of the bloodstock industry in France and beyond from the chaos wrought on the bloodstock industry by the Covid-imposed travel restrictions. It founded an online sales platform across the range of racing disciplines, featuring not just Flat and National Hunt sales, but also those for trotters and Arabian horses. As the established sales houses explored this type of venture and added online platforms to their own major sales bases in Newmarket, Doncaster, Kildare, and Deauville, Auctav has grown in the opposite direction and now has a physical presence of its own, at the historic Haras de Bois Roussel in Bursard, between Deauville and Le Mans. It is here on Saturday that Auctav will host its first 'in person' Flat sale. “We had two sales here for trotters in August and one for jumpers last month,” says Auctav's director general Arnaud Angeliaume of the company's progression from holding 'Flash sales' online on an almost monthly basis to hosting the sales crowd at a beautiful stud farm in the Alencon region. Founded in 1902, Haras de Bois Roussel has previously been owned by the Wildenstein family and Leon Volterra, among others, and is now home to the Auctav offices and sales complex. “Auctav does things step by step,” he continues. “We started with trotters and National Hunt horses because they are easier markets to start with, but now we are better known and are confident about how we do things it is the time to have Flat sales. That is a very competitive market but what has helped us is some publicity from our Flash sales through Go Athletico (Fr). He has run really well since we sold him. He was a Listed winner when we sold him and since then he has won a Listed and a Group 3. “We have had a huge selection of horses offered to us. We had more than 200 horses proposed to us and we have just kept it to 80 to 90.” Saturday's sale covers plenty of bases within the Flat sphere. It contains 52 yearlings, a pair of two-year-old fillies by Cloth Of Stars (Ire), and 14 broodmares, including Perfect Approach (Fr), a daughter of New Approach (Ire) and the G2 Prix Kergorlay winner Ponte Tresa (Fr) (Sicyos {Fr}), who is offered as lot 61 by Haras de Colleville in foal to their resident stallion Goken (Fr). Also catalogued, as lot 76 from Jedburgh Stud, is Piscine De Ruinart (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}), a three-year-old half-sister to the Group 3 winner and Grade I-placed Indian Blessing (GB) (Sepoy {Aus}) as well as to the black-type earners Montalbano (GB) (Monsieur Bond {Ire}) and Glade (GB) (Bertolini). And, perhaps surprisingly for the time of year, 11 foals complete the catalogue, including six by Muhaarar (GB), and colts by Galiway (GB) and Kendargent (Fr), “Alain Chopard, who stood Muhaarar at Haras des Faunes for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, was happy to work with us on this project and to select several foals to sell by the stallion, who has had very good results this year,” explains Angeliaume. “It made economic sense to strike while the iron was hot. It is a little earlier in the year to sell mares and foals than is traditional, but for breeders it is helpful to have cashflow.” There are 120 permanent stables at Haras du Bois Roussel with the capacity to house more horses in temporary stabling. However, Angeliaume acknowledges that the timing of the sale, coming as the two-week Tattersalls October Sale closes and three days before the start of the Arqana October Sale, is part of the reason that Auctav restricted its catalogue for the forthcoming sale. “There are so many sales through this period, so if you want the buyers to really look at your catalogue it has to be selective,” he says. “We want buyers to know that every page has been selected for a reason – because it is a black-type family, or because there have been good results in the family. “This Saturday is a time when some bloodstock agents come back from Tattersalls and start to look at Arqana, so there is the option to come to Bois Roussel, but what is our strength is that even if they can't come to the sale there is still the possibility to bid online.” He adds, “That's how we started and we worked a lot at first on the online side. We work a lot on the photos and we prefer to go to see the horses at the stud. We have a huge repository and that is very important because we want no bad surprises for the purchaser.” Auctav's 'Vente de Plat' takes place on Saturday, October 14, from 12.30pm local time. The post Auctav Takes Next Step With Flat Sale at Haras de Bois Roussel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some very serious horsepower has been safely delivered to Christchurch from the North Island, and the majority of them will be in action as early as Addington on Friday night. With New Zealand Cup and Show Week now only a month away, a total of 16 standardbreds have arrived on a flight from Auckland organised by IRT (International Racehorse Transport). Among them was star trotter Bolt For Brilliance (pictured above), who will renew his rivalry with Muscle Mountain in the Dancinginthedark M Canterbury Park Trotting Club on Friday night. The powerful Barry Purdon/Scott Phelan barn had the biggest contingent heading south with six horses – Merlin, Sooner The Better, Kiss, Always Be Elite, Cold Chisel and Ultimate Racy Girl Arna Donnelly is also well represented with Kango, Le Major and Jolimont. The other horses (with trainers) are : Coastal Babe (Steven Reid) Paramount Kiwi (Matt White) Hawkeye Pierce (Logan Hollis) Treacherous Love (Brent Mangos) Lucky Mum (Dave McGowan) We Can Have It (Nathan Purdon) Considered far less taxing on a horse than the long road trip and ferry journey the inter-island flight is clearly proving popular with northern trainers, and it’s envisaged there will be regular flights by Tasman Cargo Airlines between the two centres over the next few months – something that hasn’t happened in recent years. View the full article

Geriatrix winning at Taupo on Wednesday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott aren’t short of talented three-year-olds in their stable this season, and Geriatrix looks to be another promising type after breaking his maiden impressively at Taupo on Wednesday. The Almanzor gelding was near the tail of the field from the jump in a competitive 1300m Maiden event, jockey Warren Kennedy eventually settling him midfield and took to the extreme outside turning for home in a similar position. Race-favourite Beast of Burden cleared the remainder of the field around the 250m mark and an inexperienced Geriatrix showed an electric turn-of-foot to wear down Chad Ormsby’s gelding and score comfortably by half-a-length. “He has come home very strongly. He’s got a long run in him to get wide on quick ground at Taupo and quicken in the manner he did to pick them up. It was well pleasing for the team,” Scott said. “All looks well for the season for him, Warren said he’s still got a lot to learn and lacks a lot of confidence, so that was really encouraging.” O’Sullivan indicated Geriatrix would be targeted for the Rating 65 1600m race at Pukekohe in a fortnight, and a strong performance would see the gelding journey south to Riccarton for the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) on November 11. “He’s got to make the next step up and if he runs well at Pukekohe, why not go down and have a crack,” he said. Geriatrix donned the familiar colours of the Kelt family, who co-own the three-year-old, and also race 2022 Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner Asterix with the stable. O’Sullivan recalled pairing with Sam Kelt’s thoroughbreds since the 1980’s, notably with prized mare Popsy who he guided as a jockey to victory in the 1993 New Zealand Derby. The Wexford Stables pair were also pleased to see Grail Seeker produce a similar dashing sprint to her stablemate, coming from near last entering the home straight to finish an eye-catching fourth in a 1300m Maiden. “She probably put on a winning performance, but didn’t get a winning result,” Scott said. “She’s another one that got an awkward draw, got a wee bit wide and she’s put in a really long sprint and hit the line hard. “She’s got a bright future in front of her and distance won’t be a problem. “Both horses produced really encouraging performances, they’re both young and will continue to improve with the experience of today under their belt.” Grail Seeker was also nominated for the opening day’s feature at the New Zealand Cup Carnival as well as the Group 1 1000 Guineas (1600m), however, despite rating the Iffraaj filly, O’Sullivan confirmed she will remain in the North this spring. “She’s certainly a nice filly, but she won’t head to Christchurch, all will come a bit too soon for her, so she’ll probably line up in a maiden race in three weeks or so,” he said. Fortunately for the Wexford team, they possess the current equal-favourite for the 1000 Guineas in Molly Bloom, who will step out under Joe Doyle at Hastings on Saturday in the Time Construction Premier 3YO (1300m). “She’s good and we expect her to run well,” O’Sullivan said. Following her Hastings assignment, O’Sullivan plans to target the daughter of Ace High towards the Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe on October 28, before she heads to Christchurch for the final day of the carnival. O’Sullivan and Scott will also have some handy resuming chances at Arawa Park on Sunday, with Fabulous Gal, Tempest and Stickto The Orders. Fabulous Gal produced a strong resuming performance at Taupo last month, and O’Sullivan indicated moisture in the current Soft6 (Wednesday) track conditions would better the four-year-old’s chances in the Novara Park 1400. “Her first-up run was very good, she’s one that any moisture would greatly assist her chances,” he said. “We’re happy with her and we’ll get a good idea of how she’s going with her work tomorrow, but she certainly hasn’t gone backwards since her first-up performance.” Both Tempest and three-year-old filly Stickto The Orders will resume at the meeting following trials, contesting the Green Light Insurance Brokers 1400 and The Rotorua Club 1215 respectively. “Tempest’s trial was sound and her works been good, we haven’t been able to win one with her yet but she’s a bit older, a bit stronger and we certainly expect her to put up a good performance first up,” O’Sullivan said. “Stickto The Orders had a nice quiet trial and she trialled well, in the right race she’ll be competitive and she’s forward and fit, and hopefully will get a bit of luck in the run.” More horse racing news View the full article

Viva Vienna will clash with Illicit Dreams again in the Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South Another chapter in the rivalry between top fillies Illicit Dreams and Viva Vienna will be written on Saturday when the pair meet once more in the Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton. The pair have come head-to-head twice this preparation, with the latter being the victor on both occasions, including the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m). Ken Rae and Krystal Williams, trainers of Illicit Dreams, have been pleased with their filly and are keen to overturn the result this weekend. “Hopefully it is not a second placing again and we can get it done,” Williams said. “It’s nice to have a quality horse to come up against so we know where we stand. I think she looks good going into the 1400m on Saturday. “We had to miss the run two weeks ago because of the heavy track and Ashburton looks perfect for her.” Both fillies are on a path towards the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton next month, with the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Viva Vienna sitting at +900 in online bookmakers futures market, with Illicit Dreams rated a +1500 chance in the field headed by Molly Bloom and Luberon at +400. Stablemate Dancing Dream is also heading towards the 1000 Guineas, but Rae and Williams are firstly hoping she can break through for her maiden win on Saturday’s undercard. The Contributer filly has placed in seven of her 12 starts, including runner-up in the Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), and her connections are hoping she can go one better this weekend. “We just can’t get her out of maidens, so we are just trying to find a weaker field for her,” Williams said. “She has had a lot of racing, but she seems to handle it and enjoys it, and hopefully we can get one soon.” Stable warhorse The Buffer has been lumbered once again with 62kg for the Ashburton Cup (1600m). The Reliable Man seven-year-old carried 58kg to victory last start in the Coupland’s Bakeries Mile Trial (1400m) courtesy of stable apprentice Danika Wilson’s four-kilogram claim, and will once again get the weight relief from the young hoop this weekend. “We thought he was gone at the home turn (last start), but he had tricks up his sleeve,” Wilson said. “He is very well and I think he is a very good chance on Saturday.” Rounding out the stable’s quartet of representatives at the meeting will be Blood Diamond in the Agraforum Comcat (2200m). “This field looks to suit her and the track should suit her as well,” Williams said. “She should be a nice place chance.” More horse racing news View the full article