Wandering Eyes

The Breeders' Cup issued a reminder Oct. 10 that Sunday, Oct. 15, at 11:59 p.m. ET, is the last opportunity for horsemen to nominate weanlings of 2023 to the Breeders' Cup program at the one-time regular nomination fee of $400.View the full article

Celebrating 40 Years of the Breeders' Cup with Living Legends It wasn't so long ago that the magnificent sire Gone West held court at Mill Ridge Farm near Lexington. From 22 crops, all while at Mill Ridge, he netted a mouth-watering 9% black-type winners from starters, including Breeders' Cup winners Da Hoss (twice), Johar, and Speightstown, all back in the days when the Breeders' Cup was still a single day and there were far fewer races. The son of Mr. Prospector passed away in 2009, but his influence on the Breeders' Cup was not done and neither was Mill Ridge's. Among Gone West's sire sons are Speightstown, who has sired two Breeders' Cup winners, and Elusive Quality, who has sired three. His grandsons include Quality Road, sire of four Breeders' Cup winners. And among the major runners out of his daughters is another Breeders' Cup winner in Awesome Feather. The Mill Ridge team hasn't stopped there. Eight Breeders' Cup winners have been bred, raised, and/or sold by the Central Kentucky farm. Additionally, Mill Ridge's involvement in Horse Country has created an extra ripple effect of the Breeders' Cup's impact on farms big and small, as well as on the fans who visit those farms. And now, the two young sires who are standing at Mill Ridge are both Breeders' Cup winners. Oscar Performance on a Horse Country tour along with Mill Ridge's tour guide Ryn Harris and managing partner Headley Bell. Earl the Corgi is quite popular on the tours and on social media. | Sarah Andrew Oscar Performance won the GI Juvenile Turf in 2016, while Aloha West won the GI Sprint in 2021. “That's like starting two full teams for the University of Kentucky basketball team,” said Price Bell, Jr., general manager of Mill Ridge, with a laugh about the eight Breeders' Cup winners combined with the two additional championship day winners in the stud barn. “That's the beauty of the Breeders' Cup. How lucky are we to have been able to associate with this many horses on Breeders' Cup days? “We'll often have visitors say, 'Well, don't you have an unfair advantage because you get to watch them in the field and then watch them win?' We know how special it is to get to do this.” From the start, Oscar Performance had the Bell family's fingerprints all over him. Fittingly, he was raised on the farm and has now returned to the place of his birth to stand. He is also the sire of Sunday's GIII Zuma Beach S. winner Endlessly from his second crop of 2-year-olds. Endlessly is an unbeaten dual graded winner–for the same connections as his sire–who will try to emulate his sire in the Nov. 3 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. “We raised Oscar Performance for the Amermans and helped with the mating. Now for a horse for the same connections to go on and keep that dream alive is very special. “We feel so lucky and blessed to associate with so many incredible people and breeders and clients and horses,” said Bell. “The Breeders' Cup is what we're all striving for and dreaming about as soon as you do a mating. We feel so blessed to have gotten there and want to keep going.” Sarah Andrew Mill Ridge is a popular spot on the Horse Country tours and Oscar Performance has become a showman. “To connect him with guests is so special,” said Bell. “People have just fallen in love with him. We've really enjoyed sharing him with people and seeing the way he's become a fan favorite. It has been very meaningful as we share that he was the best 2-year-old on the turf in his generation, the best 3-year-old on the turf, and that he set the world record at a mile. One of those three things often sticks with people. To be able to share him with fans is really special.” As a racehorse, Oscar Performance had a devastating kick. “What I found so brilliant in his Breeders' Cup is that he had broken from the 13 hole, yet was able to clear the field,” said Bell. “To break from the 13th post to get clear and over at Santa Anita is a big thing. I remember very vividly where I was when he broke his maiden [at Saratoga in August of 2016]. And then his Breeders' Cup, we sat and watched it at the office with my dad because my wife and I had a 15-month-old. It was our son's first Grade I and one we certainly remember as a family. It would be so memorable if Endlessly could do it, too. We're so blessed to have those relationships.” Aloha West, whose first foals will be born in 2024, took a different route to Mill Ridge. “He was raised by our friends at Nursery Place by John Mayer,” said Bell. “I think for his Breeders' Cup, what was so telling, is that was the ninth race he had had that year. He'd showed some ability at two, had some shins, hurt himself at three. They were really patient with him. [He debuted at four], broke his maiden in February culminating with a Breeders' Cup win. He danced every dance, had nine starts that year, no real break. He was sort of the clever horse on the backside; people had a lot of chatter about him going into the Breeders' Cup. And then he showed that will to win.” Halter tag keychains, including one of Breeders' Cup winner Life Is Sweet, in Mill Ridge's Horse Country gift shop | Sarah Andrew In addition to their two Breeders' Cup-winning stallions, one of whom they had also raised, Mill Ridge has been intimately involved with 2000 Distaff winner Spain, 2003 Turf dead-heater Johar (one of Gone West's winners), 2004 Juvenile Fillies winner Sweet Catomine, 2005 Mile winner Artie Schiller, 2006 Distaff winner Round Pond, 2009 Ladies' Classic winner Life Is Sweet, and 2013 Juvenile Fillies winner Ria Antonia. For those keeping score, that was four consecutive winners from 2003-06 and six in that decade alone. Winning the Breeders' Cup doesn't get old though. On the contrary, it leaves one hungry for more. “Once you've been there, you want to experience it again,” said Bell. “You want to do it again and again and again and again.” Bell has distinct memories of every winner. Some stood out early. “I often put Sweet Catomine as the one that everyone on the farm thought was very special. For her to culminate as champion and the way she had done it was wonderful. Sometimes you do see something when they're young and it's very gratifying.” Some stand out because of the relationships with the breeders. “Artie Schiller was awesome because Leroidesanimaux (Brz) was the overwhelming favorite and he beat him handily, squarely, no excuses. He ran by him like he was standing still. It was a great culmination of the relationship we had with the Moussacs [breeders of Artie Schiller]. A great celebration.” But one of the Breeders' Cup wins that is most memorable to Bell is for an out-of-the-ordinary reason and ties in to the farm's involvement with Horse Country. “I remember Spain was a classic [D. Wayne] Lukas move. Lukas put them to sleep. She got a phenomenal ride [from Victor Espinoza]. It was Lukas taking a shot and then he wins at 56-1. “But what I really remember when I think of her now is on one of our tours there was a gentleman who was about my age. He loved Spain. He was in the hospital at the time she won, in a children's cancer ward, and he'd told all the nurses to bet her. “Here's a horse that we both had great memories of for very different reasons. It was our first Breeders' Cup winner while he's a kid fighting cancer. It meant a lot to both of us, was an inspiration for both of us. Horses touch people in different ways and sometimes we don't even know it.” A Horse Country tour sign at Mill Ridge | Sarah Andrew Perhaps that is why Bell and Mill Ridge are so bullish on the non-profit Horse Country, which Bell was instrumental in co-founding and which also has Breeders' Cup roots. It's his way of giving back to the industry and connecting the wider public to our sport. “We launched Horse Country tours the same year [2015] as the first Breeders' Cup at Keeneland. It coincided with American Pharoah and that was kind of what got us going. We had set a timeline of the Breeders' Cup date and it gave us a starting gate. We were committed. It has taken a lot of iterations between then and now, but we're big believers in it. We love doing it and sharing what we do. “The tours have welcomed 200,000 people since then, 25,000 of those at Mill Ridge. We're the number two thing to do on Trip Advisor in Lexington. It feels like it's our part in trying to connect people to racing. “We're all inspired by the horses and tours are people's best opportunity to meet a horse. Farms create a great opportunity for that. It's meaningful for people to share that, just like the gentleman who had a relationship with Spain from his hospital bed.” One guest at a time, Mill Ridge and Horse Country are changing the wider public's perception of racing. If meeting a Breeders' Cup-winning stallion brings one more person over to the beauty of our sport, it's a win. If it shows another person how well we take care of our horses and how much they mean to us, it's a win. And if it gets one more person to watch the Breeders' Cup, feeling they have a connection because they've feed a carrot to the sire of one of the runners or have walked over the same land where one was raised, it's a win. “The better we can show guests what we do, the better we all are,” said Bell. “It feels like the right thing to do. We get so much from the guests and the experience. It's a great reminder of how lucky we are. “Mill Ridge is just one small piece in it, but we've jumped all the way in. It's very doable. And it's beautiful. At the end of the day, we get so much out of committing to it. “I feel like we get more out of it than we give.” The post ‘How Lucky are We?’ Mill Ridge and the Breeders’ Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mutliple graded stakes winner Spooky Channel, who had been aimed toward a start in the Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Santa Anita Park, will miss the race due to injury and has been retired, trainer Jason Barkley said Oct. 10. View the full article

One of the remaining unresolved cases in a massive set of racehorse doping offenses charged in New York federal courts was resolved when Conor Flynn entered a plea of guilty.View the full article

Join hosts Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin for this week’s edition of The Box Seat. View the full article

Only one horse, Ayrial Delight in 1998-99, captured consecutive Franklin Stakes. A win by Caravel would also extend her streak at Keeneland to 4-for-4.View the full article

Today 11th October in horse racing news history From the extensive Horse Betting news archives we present the all the thoroughbred racing action in Australian and overseas racing news in history. Delve in and enjoy our walk back in horse racing time. Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing News 12 months ago Pepper and stable star Opal Ridge loving life in Scone Luke Pepper said “it was just silly” the amount of money he was losing every year because workers’ compensation fees … Read More Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing News 12 months ago Top Ranked out of Cox Plate after injury strikes Top Ranked could have run his last race – and will miss the Cox Plate on October 22 – after … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Ipswich racing tips, best odds & quaddie | Wednesday 12/10/2022 Queensland metropolitan racing returns to Ipswich Turf Club on Wednesday with an eight-race program commencing at 12:41pm AEST. See our … Read More Australia horse racing news 12 months ago Wet weather forces Kyneton meeting transfer again On Tuesday morning, Racing Victoria (RV) advised that the meeting scheduled at Kyneton on Thursday, October 13, had been transferred … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago The Follow Files: Promising signs for unlucky losers at Caulfield After a cracking Caulfield Guineas Day last Saturday, we now look forwards to Caulfield Cup Day as the track’s annual … Read More Australia horse racing news 12 months ago Caulfield Cup field taking shape ahead of Coongy Cup Racing Victoria released an updated order of entry for the 2022 Caulfield Cup ahead of Wednesday’s Coongy Cup, which offers … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | October 11, 2022 Three horse racing meetings are scheduled around Australia today. See the top tips, best odds and quaddie selections for free … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Caulfield full racing tips, odds & quaddie | October 12 It is Thousand Guineas Day on Saturday afternoon and ‘The Heath’ is set to host a bumper nine-race program headlined … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago 2022 Thousand Guineas betting preview & best bets | October 12 The Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) headlines the action at Caulfield on Wednesday afternoon where a field of 11 three-year-old … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 1 year ago Flemington double the aim for La Crique Sydney’s big wet has helped persuade the La Crique team to send her to Melbourne for a potential pair of … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 1 year ago Circumstances force unconventional approach Co-trainer Graham Richardson’s hand has been forced with Defibrillate, who will resume his New Zealand career without a preparatory outing … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago 2021 Thousand Guineas runner-by-runner preview & betting tips The 2021 Thousand Guineas is feature event on Caulfield’s eight-race card on Wednesday, October 13, and HorseBetting.com.au’s James Herbert presents … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Nature Strip & Home Affairs pose Everest double threat for Waller Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller has provided an update on Nature Strip and Home Affairs as they continue preparations for … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Punt Drunk: Zaaki flops as Anamoe flies at Caulfield The Monday edition of Punt Drunk takes a look back at one of the more memorable weekends in recent history … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Crowds set to return to Flemington for Melbourne Cup Carnival Up to 30,000 racing fans will be allowed into Flemington for this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival as Victoria prepares to … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | October 11, 2021 Horse racing around the country sees three meetings being held on this Monday afternoon. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Newcastle racing preview & top value bets | October 12, 2021 HorseBetting’s New South Wales racing tipster brings you his best bets, value picks and quaddie selections for the Newcastle meeting … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Kyneton betting tips, quaddie picks & value bets | 12/10/2021 HorseBetting’s Victorian racing tipster brings you his best bets, value picks and quaddie selections for the Kyneton meeting on Tuesday, … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago I’m Thunderstruck wins his first Group One at Caulfield I’m Thunderstruck announced himself as a genuine Group 1 horse in the Toorak Handicap on Saturday, winning the 1600m event … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Robbie Dolan takes his first Group One race on top of ‘Profondo’ Richard Litt’s $1.9 million colt Profondo gave Irish hoop Robbie Dolan his first career Group 1 victory in Saturday’s Spring … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Probabeel beats $1.20 favourite in 2021 Might And Power Stakes All honours were with Probabeel after the running of the Might And Power Stakes, but the big talking point out … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Anamoe moves into second favourite for the 2021 Cox Plate The saying that cream rises to the top lived up to its word in Saturday’s Caulfield Guineas, as the three … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Echuca races betting preview & tips | October 11, 2021 HorseBetting.com.au brings you the full preview for the bumper ten-race card at Echuca on Monday, October 11, with our best … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 2 years ago Millard mulls overseas options with Silver Fig Tony Millard is considering possible long-range international targets with Silver Fig after the talented grey laid waste to quality opposition … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Prince Of Brooklyn on the board with impressive Ballarat winner South Island-based stallion Prince of Brooklyn, who stands at Grassyards Farm on the Taieri Plain near Mosgiel, sired his first … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago The Chosen One on target for third Caulfield Cup tilt A barnstorming finish for second behind Delphi in Saturday’s Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield indicated the Murray … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Cambridge pair set for feature Hastings sprint Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood will make a two-pronged attack on Saturday’s Group 3 Red Badge Spring Sprint … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Matamata mare reigns supreme at Hawera Matamata mare Supreme Heights added a second stakes victory to her burgeoning record when she took out Saturday’s Group 3 … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Tavi Mac takes Matamata Cup Popular equine star Tavi Mac provided his many followers with another thrilling performance when he dashed away with the feature … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Not An Option on top at Matamata Well-travelled three-year-old Not An Option reminded punters of his galloping ability when he defeated a small but classy field of … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Horse racing punter collects $60,000 off $100 multi One Tabcorp punter enjoyed yesterday’s racing after collecting $60,778 from a $100 multi involving three different horse betting meetings. The … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Cranbourne horse betting tips & race form Sunday 11th October 2020 What Cranbourne Turf Club Sunday, 11th October 2020 Where Cranbourne Turf Club Racecourse, 50 Grant St Cranbourne, VIC When Sunday, … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Toorak Handicap key facts and history A look at the history of the Group One Toorak Handicap to be run at Caulfield … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Caulfield Stakes key facts and history All the relevant facts and figures of the Group One Caulfield Stakes run over 2000m … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Thousand Guineas key facts and history A look at the history of the Group One Thousand Guineas for three-year-old fillies at Caulfield … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Mylex takes out The Hotham at Ballarat One of the favoured runners has claimed victory for the first time in The Hotham at Ballarat … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Spencer back for another shot at Caulfield English-based Irishman Jamie Spencer is making a hit-and-run mission to Melbourne to ride for owners Australian Bloodstock at Caulfield … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago NSW trainer suspended over horse sale Provincial trainer Grant Allard has been suspended for four months and fined over an anomaly in the sale of a … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Connections of True Self to take chance True Self will miss the Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield with connections hoping to get the mare a direct passage … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Lindsay Park trio tackle Toorak Handicap Amphitrite, Sikandarabad and So Si Bon will represent Lindsay Park in the Group One Toorak Handicap at Caulfield … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Fasika on track for rich Golden Eagle Up-and-comer Fasika is on track for the Golden Eagle but trainer Joe Pride has no idea what he will do … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Bjorn Baker hopes wait is worthwhile Bjorn Baker will have to wait until the final race at Randwick to see if he can come home from … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Bowman with chance at Guineas double With the rides on favourites Dalasan and Flit, champion jockey Hugh Bowman is well-placed to snare the Caulfield Guineas-Thousand Guineas … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Prince of Arran’s Herbert Power ‘headache’ Trainer Charlie Fellowes says Prince of Arran’s Melbourne Cup tilt may take a turn should the import win the Herbert … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Racing NSW dangle 1.3m Redzel Stks carrot A $1.3 million carrot is being dangled in front of Everest and Sydney Stakes runners to back up in the … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Tough Vegas Knight goes again in Guineas Colin Little holds Derby aspirations for three-year-old Vegas Knight but is happy to give the gelding his shot at Guineas … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Schweida walks tightrope with The Odyssey In-form trainer Kelly Schweida is walking a tightrope as he coaxes former top two-year-old The Odyssey back to peak form … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Parr picks Hero to be crowned Spring Champ Shadow Hero is the odds-on favourite to become the fifth horse in the past eight years to claim the Gloaming … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Acting text spurs Williams in 1000 Guineas Acting will be out to extend her winning sequence to four when she lines up under Craig Williams in the … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Xanthus can assure Millions path with win Promising Xanthus can assure himself an easy path to the Magic Millions Guineas by winning at Eagle Farm … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Slow-maturing Famous faces talent test Paul Snowden believes Famous is a campaign away from full bloom but he is adamant the colt has the talent … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Robbie Fradd takes over on Cadogan Promising Cadogan will be ridden by a senior rider for the first time this campaign when Robbie Fradd takes the … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Groundswell gets a Caulfield Guineas start The Anthony Freedman-trained Groundswell has gained a start in the Caulfield Guineas with the scratching of The Holy One … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Laming charged over cobalt positive Trainer Richard Laming has been charged by Racing Victoria stewards over an elevated cobalt reading returned by gelding Iam Ekstraordinary … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago I Am Excited sprints to victory in Gilgai Sydney mare I Am Excited has finished strongly the claim the biggest win of her career in the Group Two … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Winx roars home to capture Turnbull Stakes Winx has kept her winning streak intact, claiming the Group One Turnbull Stakes at Flemington … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Group Two win caps big double for O’Dea Brisbane trainer Steve O’Dea has come away from Randwick with a winning double by half-brothers, including a Group Two victory … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Niccanova to step up after Doomben victory Niccanova will step up to 1600m before going to the Brisbane summer carnival after an impressive win at Doomben … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Extra Brut claims Listed win in UCI Stakes Three-year-old Extra Brut has made it three-straight wins with a strong performance stepping up to 1800m for the first time … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Winx wins the Group One Turnbull Stakes Winx has made it 28 wins in a row, coming from last to claim the Group One Turnbull Stakes at … Read More Horse Racing Tips 5 years ago Can Avilius win the 2018 Melbourne Cup? IT didn’t take long for the online bookmakers to move Godolphin gun Avilius to the head of Melbourne Cup betting … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Retired Chautauqua in Flemington farewell Champion sprinter Chautauqua has been farewelled at Flemington, after connections called time on the grey flash’s career … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Eckstein powers to strong Flemington win NSW mare Eckstein has broken through for a long overdue win, taking out the Listed Paris Lane Stakes at Flemington … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Options for Wild Planet after stakes win The Caulfield Guineas is among the options for Wild Planet after the three-year-old scored a narrow win in a Listed … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago First Sydney winner for trainer Jim Jarvis Coffs Harbour trainer Jim Jarvis has trained his first Sydney city winner with Evopex claiming the Highway Handicap to fuel … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Unite And Conquer too speedy at Flemington Wearing blinkers for his first start, professional youngster Unite And Conquer has led throughout to win in the Maribyrnong Trial … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Guntantes earns high praise from jockey Stakes-winning jockey Dale Smith has compared Guntantes with some of the best two-year-olds he has ridden after the colt’s Doomben … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Kiss of death mare proves a winner A decision taken just on eighteen months ago to try and establish themselves in the competitive world of thoroughbred breeding … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Hellyer key to Monaco Snob streak: trainer Trainer Robert Heathcote has given credit to jockey Michael Hellyer for the fourth straight win of Monaco Snob at Doomben … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Absent Minister in Qld racing crosshairs Organisers of a threatened strike in the Queensland racing industry have called on Racing MInister Sterling Hinchliffe to return from … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Blazer Stakes return for Bring Me Roses Talented mare Bring Me Roses will be chasing her first win since the corresponding meeting a year ago when she … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Heavy track for Spring Champion Stakes Trainers and jockeys can expect a heavy track for the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick as rain continue to soak … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago McDonald has lofty goals for Guineas day James McDonald has turned his back on a chance to win Saturday’s A$13 million The Everest (1200m) in Sydney for … Read More Horse Racing News 5 years ago Daniel Andrews promises $33 million boost to Victorian racing RACING in Victoria is set to be a big winner if the Premier Daniel Andrews is re-elected after the Labor … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Livin’ On A Prayer poised to strike at Hawera A trip to Riccarton awaits progressive Matamata mare Livin’ On A Prayer if she proves competitive in Saturday’s Group 3 … Read More Horse Racing Tips 6 years ago Free tips for Sportsbet’s Hotham – Who is the best of the worst? ONLINE bookmaker Sportsbet has declared it the battlers’ answer to The Everest, and while the Hotham has created plenty of … Read More Horse Racing News, New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Summer the new target for Dolcetto A FOOT ailment is likely to curtail the spring programme of the rising central districts star Dolcetto. While not career-threatening, … Read More Horse Racing News, New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Wednesday NZ news Briefs: Aim Smart on target for Zacinto CAMBRIDGE-BASED three-year-old Aim Smart is likely to make his next appearance in the South Island. Unplaced after a troublesome run … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Winkers for Eclair Sunshine in Guineas Eclair Sunshine will wear winkers in a race for the first time and have a new jockey aboard in the … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Caulfield Stakes draws two O’Brien runners The Taj Mahal and Johannes Vermeer will represent champion Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien in the Group One Caulfield Stakes … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Godolphin duo record maiden wins Promising Godolphin duo Savatiano and Isaurian have recorded the first wins of their careers at Warwick Farm … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Wasting no worry for Jeff Lloyd Jeff Lloyd has been quick to show off his strength despite two weeks of wasting by lifting heavily backed favourite … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Purcell has chance to win first G1 race Aloisia can give Aaron Purcell his first Group One win when the filly makes her debut for the trainer in … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago International runners on Guineas day A look at the internationally-trained runners undergoing quarantine at Werribee that will run on Caulfield Guineas day … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Big international team for Guineas day A strong group of international runners will leave quarantine at Werribee racecourse for assignments on Caulfield Guineas day … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Matthew Dunn after double Highway glory Matthew Dunn can add to his 12 Highway Handicap wins at Randwick with runners in the two rich races on … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Levendi gets opportunity in G1 Guineas A good barrier draw has boosted Manny Gelagotis’ Caulfield Guineas hopes with lightly raced colt Levendi … Read More Horse Racing News, New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Chocante looking to keep Marsh’s Cup hopes alive THE 2016 Group Two Brisbane Cup winner Chocante has one more test to pass to keep the Marsh name within … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Single Gaze on song for Caulfield Stakes Canberra trainer Nick Olive believes stable star Single Gaze is ready to run a big race in the Caulfield Stakes, … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago New Everest outlook for Fell Swoop Matt Dale and slot holder Inglis hope a change of scene for Fell Swoop will sharpen the gelding up for … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago English to make her own luck in Everest Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott say English is spot-on to claim the lion’s share of the $10 million on offer … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Jeff Lloyd plays tactics close to chest Jockey Jeff Lloyd is not committing himself to one set of tactics aboard Houtzen in Saturday’s $10 million The Everest … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Hopfgarten in line for big double Stakes performer Hopfgarten will resume at Doomben with his trainer Robert Heathcote putting him on a path to a lucrative … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Illness forces Michelle Payne from Toorak A bout of the flu has forced Michelle Payne to miss gallops on Kaspersky at Werribee and the Group One … Read More Horse Racing Tips 6 years ago Betting tips for The Everest day at Randwick with form and odds AUSTRALIA’S best sprinters line up this Saturday for the $10 million Everest, but it’s not the only feature race at … Read More Horse Racing Tips 6 years ago The Everest form, free tips, key chances and bookie bonuses THE world’s richest race on turf is almost upon us. From the moment The Everest was announced, it was expected … Read More Horse Racing News 6 years ago Luke Nolen picks up the Kaspersky ride A bout of the flu has forced Michelle Payne to give up the ride on Kaspersky in the Group One … Read More Horse Racing News, New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Gobstopper a force to be reckoned with in Egmont Cup QUALITY five-year-old stayer Gobstopper will be one of the horses to beat in this Saturday’s Egmont Cup at Hawera. 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Dollars & Sense with Frank AngstView the full article

It seems as though Michael Fitzpatrick and Havana Grey (GB) have something in common with the lord himself as turning water into wine comes natural. Time and time again, the man behind Kilminfoyle House Stud produces pinhook after pinhook in a similar fashion to how Whitsbury Manor Stud's emerging force seems to transform whatever pedigree he touches. The latest transformation played out on Tuesday evening of Book 2 at Tattersalls when a colt by Havana Grey, who Fitzpatrick purchased as a foal under the banner of JC Bloodstock for 82,000gns here in December, sold to Anthony Stroud for 425,000gns. Stroud knows a thing or two about high-class sons of Havana Grey, having paid 625,000gns for the unbeaten two-year-old sensation Vandeek (GB) from Glending Stables at the Tattersalls Craven Sale back in April. Like Vandeek, Tuesday's sale-topper will be trained by Simon Crisford, but will carry the colours of HH Shaikh Nasser, according to Stroud. He said, “Havana Grey has done terrifically-well. This is a very well-balanced horse who moved particularly-well.” Asked if parallels could be drawn between this colt and Vandeek, Stroud responded, “Well, with Vandeek, we were lucky enough to see him breeze. This horse has the credentials to be a very, very nice horse. He's got a pedigree and is by a stallion who is on the upgrade and doing really well.” He added, “Havana Grey is a very exciting young stallion and, from what he has had, he's done very well. He's doing a great job. This colt is for HH Shaikh Nasser and is going to Simon Crisford.” The Havana Grey colt is a full-brother to high-class two-year-old Elite Status (GB), who made 325,000gns at this sale last year. Elite Status may not have been a match for Vandeek when they met in the Morny and the Middle Park, but he has confirmed himself a classy juvenile in his own right when landing a Group 3 in France, and it was on the strength of him showing up on the track this season that Fitzpatrick snapped up his little brother at auction from Whitsbury. He explained, “I bought this colt as a foal solely on the full-brother. I sold him [Elite Status] last year and loved him. Whitsbury Manor is a great breeder and this horse is a pleasure to do anything with. My thanks go to Anthony Stroud and I wish the new owners the very best of luck.” Fitzpatrick added, “I also can't thank my staff enough-Pamela, Hannah and Santos. It is only for them, the work they do, I actually think they are made of iron!” That wasn't the only big-ticket Havana Grey bred by Whitsbury through the ring on the day as a filly consigned by Ballyphilip Stud was knocked down to Joe Foley standing alongside Steve Parkin earlier in the session for 280,000gns. That particular filly netted her connections a nice packet as she was sourced as a foal at Goffs last November for just €68,000. Foley commented, “She's a very good example of what the stallion can throw. As we all know, he's made an outstanding start, he's on the way to superstar stallion status. We have a good two-year-old by him this year called Queen's Guard (GB). When you have a Havana Grey yearling, it gives you a chance.” He added, “I like the fact she's out of a Showcasing (GB) mare. I like the idea of him as a broodmare sire and the pedigree goes back to Blue Duster. It's a good, fast family and one I like.” Pinatubo Continues To Pack A Punch As McElroy Provides More Amo For Kia Amo Racing's Kia Joorabchian has been showing some love to Ben McElroy this week with the American-based bloodstock agent signing for a 325,000gns Pinatubo (Ire) colt among others on behalf of the owner. That transaction came just 24 hours after McElroy featured alongside the list of buyers for the Pinatubo filly that was also acquired on behalf of Amo on Monday for 110,000gns. Needless to say, McElroy described himself as a fan of Darley's young stallion. McElroy said of lot 939, “He is a very imposing colt, a great mover with great strength. He carried himself well the two or three days of showing and is just a lovely horse. I actually thought he might cost maybe a bit more than he did. Maybe the aggressive bidding helped out on that a little bit. “He's been bought for Amo Racing and will go back to Robson [Aguiar] who will assess him for Kia. We will decide on a trainer next spring. We bought a beautiful filly by the stallion yesterday and he seems to be getting really nice stock. Pinatubo was a great racehorse and I think this colt has a great chance.” The Pinatubo colt was sold by Ballyhimikin Stud. Aguiar and Hamish Macauley, who have bought plenty of horses on behalf of Amo before, also featured among the list of buyers. But the relationship between McElroy and Joorabchian is a newer one. The agent explained, “We'd always meet up with Kia at the races down through the years and maybe we even bid against each other when we were in America last year. Robson bought a horse [Valiant Force (Malibu Moon)] who turned out to be Kia's first Royal Ascot winner at Keeneland last year. Between Saratoga and Keeneland, we bought a few horses for Kia this year and we've bought a few here for him as well.” He added, “Robson really rated this horse very highly and I suppose it will be Robson who decides how he fits in with all the yearlings heading into next year.” McElroy, Macauley and Amo went on to snap up another colt by up-and-coming Darley-based stallion Earthlight (Ire) for 325,000gns. But the real story here was how Jimmy Murphy of Redpender Stud transformed the colt from a 78,000gns foal here in December to the major payday in the ring on Wednesday. “He was a good-looking horse and we took a chance-plenty of others don't work out so well,” a beaming Murphy reported afterwards. “Earthlight is a son of Shamardal and he is from a very good dam line. We were lucky that Selenaia (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) [Grade 3 winner] came up in the first dam and then Lake Forest (GB) (No Nay Never) in the second dam won the Gimcrack.” Murphy added of the Earthlight colt, who was bred by Derek Iceton of Tara Stud, “He is very much a two-year-old and is a precocious type of horse. Hopefully we will see him at Royal Ascot.” Fellowes To Train 350k Wootton Bassett Colt Charlie Fellowes has a Wootton Bassett (GB) colt to look forward to training next year after owner Paul Hickman shelled out 350,000gns on the WH Bloodstock-drafted yearling who is bred on the same cross as Group 1 winner Al Riffa (Fr). The Wootton Bassett colt was bred by Westerberg and is out of Galileo (Ire) mare Beluga (Ire), a half-sister to Derby winner Pour Moi (Ire) and a sister of the Group 3 winner and Irish Derby third Dawn Patrol (Ire). He was bought by Will Douglass, agent for Charlie Gordon-Watson, who was standing alongside Fellowes to the right of the rostrum. The winning bidders held off the challenge of Richard Ryan who was on the phone atop of the stairs. “It's not been as easy as the market would suggest,” Douglass commented. “This week has been a lot better. He's a very special horse and has been bought for an English owner called Mr Hickman. He's had horses with Charlie for a few years and is involved in Cloudbreaker (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).” Douglass added, “We bought a few for him last year and got a Frankel [colt for 250,000gns] here last week. We also underbid one at Deauville for a lot of money. It's not easy. When you follow those nice horses through, you're competing against countries, not just people. If you want to get in, it's really tough.” Beluga has a Wootton Bassett colt foal and is in foal to Camelot (GB). She is also a sister to Listed winner Kissed (Ire). The post Havana Grey Lights Up Book 2 With 425k Colt Knocked Down To Anthony Stroud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Carson Jost, born with the rare genetic disorder known as Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, often recedes into the background, but promising juvenile Carson's Run has brought him forward.View the full article

Three years after first capturing the Sycamore Stakes (G3T), Trinity Farm's homebred Red Knight seeks a second success in the 1 1/2-mile turf stakes Oct. 13 at Keeneland.View the full article

A victory in the Oct. 8 Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland vaulted Juddmonte's Idiomatic into eighth place in the latest National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll. View the full article

The catalogue for the Tattersalls November NH Sale is now available online and in print format in the coming days. The 1,106 lots will follow the new alphabetical format starting daily with the letter O. A total of 969 foals, 75 yearlings and 56 mares will sell over the five-day auction from Nov. 12 through Nov. 16 with foals selling the first four days and yearlings and mares during the final session. The Springhill Stud dispersal will take place on Nov. 11 and offers 36 lots, including 17 yearlings, 18 2-year-olds and a store. Considered as the leading sale for National Hunt foals, the 2023 crop kicks off the sale featuring 88 foals out of black-type dams, siblings to 62 black-type horses and 21 to Grade 1 performers. The yearling session offers a number of siblings to black-type horses and also group-winning mares and group-winning producers. The post Tattersalls Ireland November NH Sale Catalogue Online Now appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The fields are out for what is shaping up as an epic night’s racing at Addington on Friday. So we asked two of our experts, Jonny Turner and Michael Guerin for their thoughts – who’s fared well in the draws, and who’s fared poorly? Jonny Turner : The stars are likely to have to do it the hard way on a huge night of harness racing at Addington on Friday. Second row draws have been handed to several key runners as a mass of young talent from across the country heads to Christchurch to chase Group race titles and Harness Million glory. Though he is set to start from the second row, the term tricky draw may not apply to Merlin’s barrier 10 spot in his blockbuster clash with his arch-rival Don’t Stop Dreaming in the Group 1 Airpark Canterbury 3YO Flying Stakes. From barrier 1 on the second row, Merlin will follow out his stablemate Sooner The Bettor who has already proven himself to be a gate flyer in top level races. That scenario is likely to see Merlin settle handier to the pace than Don’t Stop Dreaming who has been handed barrier 14 – towards the outside of the second row. The Mark and Nathan Purdon trained Vessem will start from barrier 13 in his quest to win the Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million Two-Year-Old Colts and Geldings Pace. The star two-year-old will have to overcome that tricky draw in his first start since his first racetrack defeat behind his stablemate Chase The Dream, who has to contend with the nightmare draw of barrier 15 on Friday night. While she hasn’t been stuck on the second row, Group 1 winning filly Coastal Babe will be posted out in barrier 7 in her first South Island start. The Steven Reid trained filly has key threats drawn inside her in the NZB Standardbred Harness Million Two-Year-Old Fillies Final in Kiss, Madrid and Waterfront. A wait that stretches back to May of 2022 will be over when trotting stars Muscle Mountain and Bolt For Brilliance are finally reunited in the Group 3 Dancinginthedark M Canterbury Park Trotting Cup. Bolt For Brilliance returns south fresh off a winning return from injury against lower grade opposition at Alexandra Park. Muscle Mountain is primed for the rematch, having downed Bolt For Brilliance in their last meeting at Cambridge, following his slick win in the recent Ordeal Trotting Cup. New Zealand’s open class stars will also be out to play in Friday night’s Austin Farrier Supplies Handicap Pace at Addington. Akuta and Self Assured are sure to return fitter for their good first up outings a fortnight ago. The race offers B D Joe the chance to get his campaign back on track after he ran into trouble in his last start in the Canterbury Classic. Michael Guerin : One plane and a heap of favourable barrier draws have combined to give northern harness racing one of its strongest Addington assaults in years this Friday night. Not only does the night bring arch rivals Bolt For Brilliance and Muscle Mountain together for the first time in 17 months but also a rare meeting of star three-year-old pacers Merlin and Don’t Stop Dreaming in the Airpark Canterbury 3YO Flying Stakes. Add in Self Assured vs Akuta, Krug and B D Joe in the main handicap pace, the Austin Farrier Supplies Handicap Pace, and two more Harness Millions (Sales Series) races and the meeting is the strongest harness meeting this year. That has undoubtedly been aided by the new Inter-Island horse flights which have started this week, with a full flight of 18 horses landing in Christchurch on Tuesday morning including 16 harness horses. While standardbreds tend to handle the long road transporter trip south and Inter-Island ferry better than thoroughbreds the Auckland-Christchurch flights are far less disruptive to a horse’s training so have been immediately popular. The trainers of those northern raiders arrived to plenty of good news too with many of the northerners securing good barrier draws. Le Major’s chances in the $200,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million 2YO Colts and Geldings Race has been boosted by him drawing barrier 3 (after emergencies) while All Stars favourites Vessem and Chase A Dream will start from wide on the second line. He has improved with every start this campaign and now looks a complete racehorse with the motor to match the southerners so gives trainer Arna Donnelly a shot at the richest win of her career. Unbeaten juvenile trotter Paramount Kiwi, also from Cambridge, will start from a perfect barrier 2 in the $75,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million 2YO Trot while Coastal Babe has drawn wide at 7 in the NZB Standardbred Harness Million 2YO Fillies Pace but with the gate speed to make her own luck and both could win without surprising. The most intriguing draw is in the Airpark Canterbury Flying Stakes for three-year-old pacing boys in which both Merlin and Don’t Stop Dreaming start from the second line but, and it is a big but, Merlin is drawn directly behind free-running stablemate Sooner The Better who starts from barrier 1. If Sooner The Better can hold the lead and keep running it raises the possibility of Merlin having the perfect trail throughout while Don’t Stop Dreaming could be forced to move mid-race and sit parked. The draws are less relevant in the two open class races as they are both standing start handicaps but with Muscle Mountain and Bolt For Brilliance standing alongside each other on the 20m backmark in what quite remarkably will be their first clash since May last year. As stunning as Bolt For Brilliance was setting a national record at Alexandra Park in his comeback race last Friday he hasn’t won a race in the South Island for two-and-half years, although the standing start conditions on Friday may suit him better than Muscle Mountain. The combination of the draws and the convenience of the flight south will ensure northern-trained horses have realistic chances in all five black type races and the TAB bookies face a tricky task setting markets for the unusually deep races with such different formlines. To see the fields for Friday at Addington click here View the full article

Popular 8-year-old gelding Spooky Channel (English Channel–Spooky Kitten, by Kitten's Joy) has been retired from racing and will be heading to Old Friends Farm, according to a post on X by trainer Jason Barkley. The four-time graded winner posted a career record of 31-13-6-1 and earnings of $1,380,142. Bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm, the $10,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall yearling concluded his career for owner NBS Stable and Barkley with a runner-up finish in the GII FanDuel Kentucky Turf Cup S. at Kentucky Downs Sept. 9. Good as time as any to let everyone know that Spooky Channel has been retired and he will be headed to @Oldfriendsfarm. Thanks to everyone who played a role in his success. He doesn't owe us anything! pic.twitter.com/3bAI9UuCt8 — Jason Barkley (@jbark131) October 10, 2023 The post Spooky Channel Retired to Old Friends appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group 1 winner Onesto (Ire) (Frankel {GB}–Onshore {GB}, by Sea The Stars {Ire}), who is bound for the Breeders' Cup next month, will stand at Haras d'Etreham in 2024, the French stud announced on Tuesday. Bred by Diamond Creek Farm in Ireland, the Fabrice Chappet runner was a debut winner at Chantilly in September of his 2-year-old year and won the G2 Prix Greffulhe in his second start at three. Fifth in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club, he claimed the Grand Prix de Paris last July and the colt was second in the G1 Irish Champion S. that September. Currently racing for Gerard Augustin-Normand, Jean-Etienne Dubois, Ecurie Hunter Valley, Haras d'Etreham, Ecurie Billon, Ecurie Elag, Chappet, and Hubert Guy, the 2023 G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe third is poised for a GI Breeders' Cup Turf bid at Santa Anita in less than a month, having exited the Arc in good order. His record stands at 12-3-2-1 and $1,327,473 in earnings. Haras d'Etreham's Nicolas de Chambure said, “Selected by Hubert Guy at the breeze-up sales in America, Onesto has always shown great speed for a Classic horse. He possesses a most remarkable pedigree, which is why we acquired him as a 2-year-old. He was a magnificent colt and has become a very handsome horse with the conformation of a miler and a strong physique. Our hopes of seeing him becoming a stallion prospect have been realised thanks to his high-class performances at the top level. In addition to his natural speed, he boasts a rare capacity of acceleration and the mentality of a warrior.” The 185,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling turned $535,000 OBS Spring Sale 2-year-old is out of the unraced mare Onshore. She is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Jet Away (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), while her Kahyasi (Ire) dam Kalima (GB) is a full-sister to the tremendously influential blue hen Hasili (Ire) and her brood of top-level winners. “His racing career has been a wonderful adventure alongside a group of enthusiastic associates and we are delighted to welcome Onesto to stud as he represents a unique opportunity for us, and a first-rate profile for French breeders and the French stallion ranks,” Chambure added. A syndicate will be created for Onesto's stallion career, with some shares available. His stud fee will be announced in due course. The post Onesto Will Stand At Haras d’Etreham Upon Retirement in 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The final deadline to nominate weanlings of 2023 to the Breeders' Cup program is Oct. 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET. It is the last opportunity to nominate at the one-time fee of $400, which entitles each foal with lifetime racing eligibility to the Breeders' Cup World Championships and the Breeders' Cup racing programs. All foals sired by a fully nominated North American Breeders' Cup stallion are eligible for nomination to the Breeders' Cup program in their year of birth at the weanling rate. Any foal entered in a fall or winter breeding stock sale must be nominated by the early foal deadline in order for the Breeders' Cup Nominated engagement to be included on the catalog page. Late foal nominations may be made in the foal's year of birth by a one-time payment of a $1,500 nomination fee between Oct. 16 of the weanling year to Feb. 28 of the yearling year. In addition to the racing benefits, Breeders' Cup foal nominators will earn $10,000 USD for every victory in the worldwide Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In program and every horse that starts in a Breeders' Cup World Championship race will earn a nominator award. The individual nominating the foal receives these nominator awards even though the horse may change hands throughout its racing career. Visit the Breeders' Cup website for more information or to nominate. The post Breeders’ Cup Foal Nomination Deadline Closes Oct. 15 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Edouard de Rothschild's homebred Mqse De Sevigne (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) looks likely to continue her travels with an intended next start in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita. A dual Group 1 winner this season, over a mile in the Prix Rothschild and 10 furlongs in the Prix Jean Romanet, the four-year-old was runner-up to Inspiral (GB) on Saturday in the Sun Chariot S. on her first start outside her native France. In six runs this year she has never finished out of the first two. Her trainer Andre Fabre, who caused an upset in the Breeders' Cup Classic 30 year ago with Arcangues and took the Filly & Mare Turf in 2001 with Banks Hill (GB), said, “The Breeders' Cup is the plan and if she is in good shape she will go there. I think the two extra furlongs will suit her better.” He added of Mqse De Sevigne's record this season, “She was probably a bit backward and a bit unlucky in her races before. But I have been delighted with her.” Fabre has also won the Breeders' Cup Turf on three occasions with In The Wings (GB), Shirocco (Ger) and Talismanic (GB). He may be represented in this year's race by Junko (GB) (Intello {Ger}), the last-start winner of the G3 Prix de Reux in Deauville who was also third in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud behind Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Zagrey (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}). The post Breeders’ Cup On The Cards for Mqse De Sevigne appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Cagnes-sur-Mer Flat winter meeting, which lasts from Jan. 15-Feb. 26, has been modified by France Galop. The aim of the various measures is to provide a new impetus to the Flat meeting with the goal to regain a positive dynamic in terms of runners, according to Francois Forcioli-Conti, president of the Association des Courses de la Cote d'Azur. In 2024, there will now be an even split between races conducted on the turf and those run on the all-weather track. Previously, that ratio had been 40% to 60%. In addition, two February race meetings at Marseille-Vivaux (AWT) will now take place that month at Marseille-Borely on turf. These adjustments will result in an additional 30 grass races available in the South-East of France. Some other changes are as follows: Listed Grand Prix de la Riviera Cote d'Azur will be moved to Jan. 27 and remains at 2000 metres on the AWT Listed Grand Prix du Departement, the first stage of the Defi du Galop, will have its distance shortened to 2150 metres and will be run in its usual time slot Listed Prix Saonois will be held earlier on Feb. 11 over 1600 metres on the AWT per usual Listed Prix de la Californie returns to the turf and will be run over 1500m on Feb. 25 Cagnes-sur-Mer will host the finals of the Challenge PSF, with two bonuses up for grabs–one horse will be rewarded a bonus for the most points in races run over 1400m-1600m and another is available for the horse with the most points from 1900m-2500m. The Challenge PSF Sprint/Mile Division will consist of the Listed Prix Irish River (1400m, Deauville on Nov. 5), Listed Prix Luthier (1500m, Deauville on Dec. 3), and the Listed Prix Saonois (1600m, Cagney-sur-Mer on Feb. 11) The Challenge PSF Intermediate/Classic Division contains the Listed Prix Lyphard (1900m, Deauville on Nov. 28), Listed Prix Arcangues (2500m, Deauville on Dec. 16), and the Listed Grand Prix de la Riviera Cote d'Azur (2000m, Cagnes-sur-Mer on Jan. 27. For more information on the changes to the Cagney-sur-Mer Flat meeting and the bonuses and points break down, please visit France Galop's website. The post Changes Made To Cagney-Sur-Mer 2024 Flat Meeting By France Galop appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Not only did Millwood Nike’s win at Addington last Thursday extend her unbeaten run it also secured her a place in the Group 1 Nevele R 50 Years of Success Fillies Final on IRT New Zealand Cup at Addington on Tuesday, November 14. It was a powerhouse effort from the mighty filly and driver Olivia Thornley in Heat 6 of the series, after sitting parked most of the way. She is now unbeaten in all 15 career starts, and is clearly the one to beat in the Final. With just one heat left, five horses have qualified for the $140,000 final, which is one of the biggest and most eagerly anticipated features on IRT New Zealand Cup Day. The other five heat winners, along with Millwood Nike, are Aardiebytheseaside, Tokyo Rose, Mantra Blue (2 Heat wins) and Treacherous Gall Chasing a total stake of $160,000, also on Tuesday November 14, will be the country’s best 2YO Colts and Geldings in the Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes Series 40 Final. There have been four heats so far with northerner Le Major winning two of them, along with Chase A Dream and Renegade. Hawkeye Pierce, who finished twice behind Le Major at Cambridge and Auckland, has also sealed his place in the Final, as have the two other runners-up in Miki’s Courage and Hadron Collider. Three days later, on Show Day Friday November 17, it will be the 2YO Fillies to the fore in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Fillies Series 40 Final. The winners and runners-up of the three heats so far have all qualified for the $140,000 Group 1 showdown. They are heat winners Kiss, Coastal Babe, and Waterfront, along with Seaside Rose, Ultimate Racy Girl and Madrid. The final heats for all three series will be held at Ashburton as part of their “Magic Monday” race day on Labour Day, October 23. And then it’s all eyes on Addington in November. To view more about the three series click below Nevele R Series Woodlands Stud Series Dunstan Horsefeeds Series View the full article

The novelist David Mitchell says that all revolutions are fantasy or lunacy-until they happen. “Then,” he adds, “they are historical inevitabilities.” Who can say, then, how people in the future may look back on an event scheduled this Sunday at the Skylight Horse Park outside Goshen, near Louisville? The inaugural Cross Country Equestrian Competitions (CCE) workshop is a pioneering attempt to reconcile challenges faced by the Thoroughbred and eventing worlds into a shared opportunity. It is the work not of fantasists, or lunatics, but of passionate people who believe that our relationship with Thoroughbreds has reached a crossroads. And it might just turn out to be the start of something big. CCE has been a long time in the making. You could trace its origins, indeed, two decades back to an afternoon at the Thoroughbred Training Center outside Lexington. A trainer was yelling, “Free horse! Free horse!” Jeannie Larkin was taken to the stall. The little chestnut filly had scars on her face, a slightly wild look in her eye. But Jeannie thought she looked adorable. “Sure, I'll take her.” She told her husband Nick that they had their first Thoroughbred to train. Three or four years previously, in 1998, Nick had become the first winner of the Kentucky Three-Day Event after its addition of a four-star class on an off-the-track Thoroughbred named Red. That same year, Nick and Red represented their native New Zealand in the World Equestrian Games. But Nick was becoming disillusioned. He saw eventing as increasingly elitist–someone offered $300,000 even for Red, who had been a $900 reject, and much higher prices have become routine since–with less space for horsemanship and, not coincidentally, for Thoroughbreds. As newlyweds, Nick and Jeannie had moved to a little farm on ridgeland near Richmond, Kentucky, and now they were looking to experiment with a Thoroughbred or two. Another trainer heard that they were good people and offloaded a sweet little gelding. They borrowed a neighbor's cattle trailer, and went to pick up the two horses. The filly came out of the barn on two legs. “We turned her out in a big field and it was a month before we could get a halter on her,” Jeannie recalls. “She was just so done with the world. We had to sit on a bucket in her field to get her to come to us.” They gave her all the time she needed. One day they finally managed to tack her up, but when Nick mounted she backed, reared and spun her way down the hill, through brambles and thorns over Nick's head. “I've done enough to know that when you hit these moments, you keep going,” Nick recalls. “You don't stop and say, 'Well, let's just come back to this tomorrow.' And from where we were, there was only one way out.” So he urged the filly back up the hill until finally she clambered out of the undergrowth. “And when they got to the top of the hill, she was like, 'Okay, this is my guy,'” Jeannie recalls. “'You've passed the test.' And she just loved Nick after that.” Gradually they conditioned this ostensibly worthless animal, discarded from the horseracing basement, at what was then the Victory Haven training center. Eventually, two years after her previous start, they tried her-taking along Red as her minder-in a maiden at Ellis Park. She was last out of the gate and steadily retreated from there. “I mean, it was terrible,” Jeannie admits. “But we bought her tons of carrots and apples on the way home, spoiled her rotten. Didn't want her to think we were disappointed. We'd keep trying.” They did, with little observable change. One jockey, declaring her to be crazy, jumped off and refused to load. Then they found a rider who was also down on his luck. When they knocked his door, beer cans came flying out. He had once been a promising jockey, but things had gone awry somewhere along the line-not least, Nick suspects, through the exploitation of a generous nature. “I think racing attracts the optimists,” he says. “And also people that feed on them.” Together they began to figure the filly out. One day she flew out of the gate and tore off into the lead. She spooked at a puddle, and dropped away, but afterwards they could see her musing on the novelty. It was as though she was saying, “How about that? I can actually do this.” A couple of starts later, she held on for second; a couple after that, she actually won. It was an undignified grade, a maiden claimer at Beulah, and Nick and Jeannie were the only people outside to watch, the weather was so bad. The jockey's agent told everyone, “Don't watch the race. Just watch those two out there. You'll know what's happening.” “When she crossed the line, we were jumping up and down like we had won the Derby,” Jeannie recalls. “It was the best thing ever.” So where does this take us? A world-class event rider managed to win a $4,000 race at Beulah. Big wow. Well, eventually it will take us to the trialing of a new sport this weekend. But first the Larkins, having taught the filly to love her vocation, had to endure the reverse process: their idealism eroded by the kind of thing they saw at the racetrack. To be fair, bad practice was not always corrupt. Often it just masked an inability to get on a horse's wavelength. They couldn't believe that every horse was essentially trained the same way; that the only differential appeared to be the caliber of stock. At the sales they saw trainers-and not just what they called the CEO types, with their big entourages-staring at the blandest portion of a horse's conformation and completely failing to notice a luminous point of fragility. “What they do at a track is nuts,” declares Nick. “It makes no sense at all, as far as actually conditioning a horse. It's the equivalent of athletes walking around the block most days, sprinting 100 meters some days, and then entering the 1,500-meter race. Oh, and they also stay in their room watching TV for 22 or 23 hours a day!” Nick Larkin and Speaker | Shirley McQuillan Nick's parents having sold land to developers in Wainui, on the fringe of Auckland, the Larkins were fortunate in 2017 to move onto what they duly named Wainui Farm, near Paris. They have since been able to devote time and energy to CCE, as well as to the salvage of various discarded horses. [And not just horses: see “They've Taught Me To Be Human Again”, TDN, August 23, 2023.] In the end, however, they have had to acknowledge the reality. As Jeannie puts it: “We can't save them all.” “It is crushing, because you see so many horses out there trying really, really hard,” Nick says. “A lot of times, when you're trying to turn off-the-track Thoroughbreds into something else, you just say, 'I can't believe they were trying to race you when you were in this condition.' Physically broken, mentally broken. And yet these horses are still trying their hearts out.” “We did see people that love their horses,” Jeannie stresses. “Oh, totally,” agrees Nick. “And you can see when horses come off the track, and they've won nothing, but they've been with somebody that cared.” What he does find distasteful, however, is the disingenuous way people “treat horses like a stock unit, and then suddenly act like they care deeply when a horse wins.” And those in a position to improve things won't do so. “Because this is working for them,” he explains. “Eventually I realized that racing is nothing more than the marketing arm of the breeding industry. And if everyone does the same thing, training horses, then it comes down to luck and breeding. And breeding will claim all the credit.” Even with a contracting foal crop, Nick said he felt that much of the problem starts with sheer quantity of production, notably the giant books churned out by unproven new sires. He said he also deplored the surgical interventions that disguise genetic vulnerabilities. We should be breeding animals equal to the questions we ask them; but he also thinks that we could ask them better questions. And that's how he began to ponder new possibilities. One of the things he most enjoyed about eventing was getting horses to a peak of fitness; and Red, though deemed too slow to race, adapted ideally in this respect. “When we were at the World Equestrian Games in Rome, he came into the 10-minute box,” Nick recalls. “Normally, horses go in there with 90, 100-plus heart rates. He came in with 52, and dropped to something like 48 or 46. And they said, 'Well, it's not much of a drop.' But that's because he was almost sleeping as he came in.” In experimenting at the racetrack, the Larkins hoped to unshackle their horsemanship. Eventing, for one thing, depended on subjective judgement. But they also wanted a sport that enabled a slower horse to beat a faster horse, at least in similar classes, simply because it would keep running-both through being trained for stamina, and because superior riding tactics could optimize that. That proved too naïve an aspiration, on the racetrack. But with eventing meanwhile squeezing out certain competences, the Larkins started to think about devising a sport that might fill the gaps. Alex Too and Nick Larkin | Larkin Family Nick explains that cross-country, as the middle leg of three-day events, has been diminished by a growing premium on warmbloods, which tend to be more proficient on the first and third days (i.e. dressage/show jumping). At the same time, the affluence required for competitive warmbloods is shutting out riding talent. (Resulting, Nick suggests, in the obviously dangerous equivalent of the kid in a Ferrari.) So how, Nick asked himself, might you bring together a) those who nowadays find eventing inaccessible and b) those Thoroughbreds lost in the industrial processes of the racetrack? After all, there's a lot of goodwill out there. Nick and Jeannie have seen the passion behind various retraining programs. But the Thoroughbred leaving the racetrack, too often, is a square peg for a round hole. What if a more natural fit could be found? For an awfully long time, maybe 25 years, Nick has been musing over possibilities. In the last few years, he's been bouncing ideas around and then refining them with organizers, lawyers, insurers. And, on Sunday, they will test the water. “All the way through, whenever I've told people about it, they're like, 'Wow, this is exciting! We have to do this!'” Nick says. In CCE, every jump is optional. Points are scored for each one taken, with extra for the more challenging ones; and some will have “knock-down” elements, as when a penalty is incurred for dislodging a show jumping pole. There will be timing faults, too, but the scoring will reward the horsemanship that calculates a prolific jumping score against some incidental time loss. Sure, skills and training will enable you to save time-but that is not quite the same as simply going faster. “And it's completely objective, which is massively appealing to people who really like eventing but couldn't pay six figures for a warmblood,” Nick enthuses. “The way they're scoring eventing now, you need a dressage horse that can do a little bit of jumping. CCE isn't really about a fast horse, but a fit horse. It rewards training that makes them super adjustable and responsive, so that the partnership can be quick in places where others, less prepared, cannot. The speeds aren't anything like racing, except perhaps occasionally in straight gallop sections. CCE does select to a Thoroughbred because it has a major component of athletic fitness, but it primarily selects to the partnership that knows each other inside-out and so can accomplish things that others can't.” Meanwhile CCE offers a new lease of life to those Thoroughbreds, like Red, that don't fit the racetrack model. And their affordability is such that this sport can be far more inclusive than either eventing or horseracing. There will be several grades, from beginner to professional; and a variation in format that permits flexibility in terms of venue. (In fact, the idleness of so many racecourses, for much of the year, was one of the first things that got Nick thinking.) Clearly, we remain very much at an educative stage. But the potential is infinite. “This first CCE workshop will be focused on the competitor, organizer, official and competition personnel,” explains Nick, who is scheduling a second event for the Kentucky Horse Park later this month. “We want anyone interested in learning about CCE to come and listen and watch.” Though infuriated by some of the practices and the resulting wastage on the racetrack, he retains faith in the best of our community. “There are still good people here,” he says. “Still people that care. If big players and small get behind this, and help it off the ground, then they're no longer just looking after horses that have been beaten up.” And that takes him to a key point. Because if CCE can take root, then an important message might penetrate. “There will be demand for a Thoroughbred that's not had its mind blown, and that has not been physically destroyed,” Nick says. “But there will only be a market for these horses if you don't keep banging on them, keep injecting them. So if you decide that this is not a racehorse, or maybe that it's starting to slow down, just stop. Go get another one, and let this one go on and do something else. “The trouble has been that there's no sport [beyond racing] specifically for the Thoroughbred. That has left people donating just to trim feet and to feed. As it is, we can run around and save a few. But this thing could potentially save thousands.” Down the line, at an elite level, Nick envisages scope to expand the format. An endurance-style course familiarization day, with vetting; then the centerpiece, an expanded cross-country ride, with ancillary phases [trails with and without jumping; speed and slalom jumping; and a simple gallop]; and then a jump-off ride on the third day that combines various elements [show-jumping, cross-country, speed galloping] on a course with unexpected challenges and opportunities [short-cuts to save time, special jumps to boost scores] designed to ensure an unpredictable and exciting climax. “CCE selects, incentivizes, develops horsemanship, rather than a singular asset such as movement or jumping scope-attributes that are generally purchased,” Nick explains. “Everything I see and hear suggests that horsemanship is in decline. A lot of horses coming off the track, they're not what I would call trained. They've been taught a pattern of behavior that they just keep repeating. There's no comprehension there. If the horses are a bit more engaged, if they're not hating their life, then they'll try to figure it out. And if they get a trainer or rider that actually has a little bit of feel, they start to connect the dots. “If you want a horse to do something different, then you won't communicate that by just hanging onto their mouth and pulling hard. Most of the muscles in the neck are actually used for moving the front legs forward. If you bunch them in, force the horse to move in this really awkward way, you're going to mess up the way they move. And that in turn can lead to breaking them down. They're certainly not going to go as fast, or as long.” Nick and Jeannie Larkin and Beeve | Wainui Farm As Nick acknowledges, often people do something just because that's the way they saw their parents do it. But he does see a lot of cynicism, too. “The thing that blows my mind is that people can be so dishonest when dealing with an animal that is just so honest,” he says. “And the horse is just sitting in the middle, not being heard, often becoming collateral damage.” The Larkins have taken in plenty of animals with no prospect of adapting as sport horses. They've given them a home themselves, or found one elsewhere. [That sweet little gelding, Beeve, by the way, is still out in a field at Wainui. He's now 25.] But how much better, to discover a fresh value in those countless Thoroughbreds that are ultimately rejected by the system. “For all of us who love horses, how do we change their world?” asks Jeannie. “How can we make a difference, have a legacy, for these $900 horses that don't have a chance?” Well, maybe we will start to find out on Sunday. [For more information please visit the CCE website.] The post Wainui’s Nick and Jeannie Larkin Offer a New Embrace for Racetrack Castoffs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Carson Jost, born with the rare genetic disorder known as Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, often recedes into the background but promising juvenile Carson's Run has brought him forward.View the full article

Wednesday's top tips from the SCMP analystsView the full article

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) has received a $60,000 matching gift from the Santulli Family Foundation to launch the 2023 Hay Drive. The annual drive ensures that the herd of 425 retired racehorses cared for by the TRF are fed through the winter. The TRF's goal to help fill the hay loft is $120,000. “We are deeply grateful to the Santulli Family Foundation for their unwavering support of our mission,” Kelly Armer, Executive Director of the TRF, said. “This generous matching grant will help us provide the necessary care to retired racehorses, ensuring they live their retirement years in comfort and happiness.” To give to the Hay Drive, please visit the TRF website. The post TRF Launches 2023 Hay Drive with $60,000 Match Gift from Santulli Family Foundation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A Showcasing (GB) half-brother to this year's 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is among 1,084 weanlings to be consigned to the Tattersalls December Foal Sale. The sale begins on Tuesday, November 28 and runs until Saturday, December 2 with a 'dark day' for viewing of the later foals on Thursday. Bred by Whitsbury Manor Stud, Chaldean is himself a graduate of the foal sale, having been bought for 550,000gns by Juddmonte. His dam Suelita (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) has produced five black-type performers, including the G2 Mill Reef S winner Alkumait (GB), who is a full-brother to this year's foal. Another well-related individual to be offered for sale by Kelly Thomas's Maywood Stud is the Starspangledbanner (Aus) half-brother to the the dual Group 1 winner Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), who was also sold at Tattersalls as a foal for 52,000gns. The draft from Fittocks Stud is headlined by a Frankel three-parts-brother to the G1 Nassau S. winner Lady Bowthorpe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) Announcing the release of the catalogue online, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “The Tattersalls December Foal Sale is the premier fixture of its kind in Europe, consistently attracting the cream of the British and Irish foal crop, and this has been reflected in an outstanding year on the racecourse with a Classic winner and the highest rated two-year-old colt in Britain. As well as consistent racecourse success, the Tattersalls December Foal Sale has consistently been the source of some spectacular pinhooking triumphs. We have some outstanding foals entered this year, and the catalogue has the quality and diversity to appeal to buyers from throughout the world at all levels of the market.” The post Siblings to Chaldean and Vandeek Head Tattersalls December Foal Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article