Wandering Eyes

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

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

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

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Dullingam Park Stud, which is home to stallions Shaquille and Soldier's Call, has been rebranded as Ace Stud by Yulong Investments. Yulong's young stallion Shaquille and Soldier's Call, who has already made a promising start to his career at stud, will continue to stand at Ace Stud. Yulong had already been signing for new purchases under Ace Stud and spent 645,000gns on three mares at the July Sale at Tattersalls under that banner. Ace Stud will welcome breeders to to see the stallions during the Tattersalls December Sales. The post Yulong Investments Rebrands Dullingham Park As Ace Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In the sixth race at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 8, 2-year-old first-time starter Aye Eye bumped the gate at the break, broke slowly, lagged 19 1/2 lengths behind, and ran one of the most impressive races of the summer meeting.View the full article

What Hawkesbury Races Where Hawkesbury Race Club – 1 Racecourse Rd, Clarendon NSW 2756 When Tuesday, August 12, 2025 First Race 1:20pm AEST Visit Dabble Racing returns to Hawkesbury Race Club on Tuesday afternoon, with a competitive seven-part program set to start at 1:20pm AEST. The rail moves out +5m between the 1100m to 450m pole, while the remainder is in the true position. The track is rated a Heavy 8 at the time of acceptances, and with a clear forecast in the lead-up, participants could be racing on a Soft 7 surface come race-day morning. Best Bet at Hawkesbury: Patissier Patissier brings the right profile for a provincial Class 1: progressive, race-fit, and fresh off breaking the maiden in good style. The Proisir gelding has a neat tactical turn of foot and maps to park midfield with cover from barrier 9 before angling into the better ground late. While untried on heavy, he’s handled soft going and his action suggests he’ll cope with the ground. Zac Lloyd sticks, and this looks no deeper than his last-start win at Kembla Grange; if Patissier repeats that last 600m, he should put them away again. Best Bet Race 3 – #1 Patissier (9) 4yo Gelding | T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | J: Zac Lloyd (59kg) Next Best at Hawkesbury: Sirius Legend Sirius Legend has been knocking on the door and finds a winnable 1500m maiden. He’s produced two tidy runs since joining the Freedman yard and now draws to get the right smother before launching with Tommy Berry. His form on soft tracks reads well, and a recent Heavy 9 trial suggests he’ll get through the ground. With the likely tempo from several on-pace types, he can blend in from the draw and be strongest late. Stable placement looks spot-on to convert him to a winner at start four. Next Best Race 4 – #5 Sirius Legend (9) 4yo Horse | T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | J: Tommy Berry (59kg) Best Value at Hawkesbury: Dalio Dalio is the each-way play in the Midway. He’s rock-hard fit, draws gate 1 to camp right behind the speed, and crucially, he handles deep ground (4:0-1-2 on heavy; soft win at 1850m). His recent runs read better than they look on paper, finding the line in a strong Warwick Farm BM64 on Heavy 9 before another honest effort at Kembla. Up to 1800m suits, he drops into a race where many rivals have queries at trip or surface. With Deanne Panya to nurse him through the cut-up lanes, he’s value to salute in the closer. Best Value Race 7 – #7 Dalio (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Steve Englebrecht | J: Deanne Panya (57.5kg) Tuesday quaddie tips for Hawkesbury Hawkesbury quadrella selections August 12, 2025 2-5 3-6-7-8 1-2-4-6-8 1-2-3-7-6 Horse racing tips View the full article

Hugh Bowman won leading rider honours at the Shergar Cup for the second time at Ascot on Saturday with a winner and two placings. The 45-year-old went over to the Shergar Cup – a team-based event for riders from around the globe – alongside Karis Teetan to represent the Rest of the World team with US jockey Katie Davis. Bowman made his Shergar Cup debut in 2007, winning his first Silver Saddle, and 18 years later he made the best possible start when riding the Richard Fahey-trained Vintage...View the full article

The Hayes brothers plan on continuing their stranglehold on the Gr.2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, having won the past three editions of the race. The Hayes brothers’ mainstay Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) took out the race in 2022 and 2023. Last year, they handed the baton over to Gentleman Roy (So You Think) who continued his good winter form when he defeated Pinstriped (Street Boss). Ben Hayes has confidence that four-year-old Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto) can keep their streak going in the race. “He trialled really well at Flemington the other day. He’s ready to go and you will like what you see,” Hayes said. The four-year-old gelding last raced when he took out the Gr.2 Carbine Club Stakes at Randwick on April 5. The stable will also be represented by Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking), who will be attempting to emulate Gentleman Roy and win as an eight-year-old gelding. He also pleased connections with his recent jumpout performance at Flemington. Here The Shock, the winner of A$2.8 million last raced in March when he finished second in the Gr.1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m). View the full article

Graeme and Debbie Rogerson are dreaming of the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) once more with their multiple Group One winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart following his pleasing trial outing at Te Rapa on Saturday. The former New Zealand Horse of the Year finished fourth in a star-studded line-up over 1000m, which was taken out by Group One performer Alabama Lass. The six-year-old son of Redwood competed in last year’s Melbourne Cup but was a shadow of his former self according to Graeme Rogerson, but the Hamilton horseman is buoyed by the way his gelding has returned following a decent spell. “He went a couple of nice races (last season),” Rogerson said. “He ran third in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (Gr.2, 2500m) and Manawatu Challenge Stakes (Gr.2, 1400m), but he wasn’t the same as he was as a three-year-old, so we gave him a really long spell. “Bailey (Rogerson, jockey) said he wanted to be a racehorse on Saturday, he wanted to go to the line, and I am very happy with the horse’s work.” Rogerson is hoping Sharp ‘N’ Smart has returned to his three-year-old form, which netted three Group One victories and a New Zealand Horse of the Year crown, with the hope of getting to the Melbourne Cup once more. “He is probably going to kick-off in the Foxbridge Plate (Gr.2, 1200m),” Rogerson said. “He is going to be nominated for the Melbourne Cup. He will run here and run in the Livamol Classic (Gr.1, 2040m) and then we will look to whether we go to the Melbourne Cup or not.” Meanwhile, stablemate Prosper is eyeing her first tilt at stakes level in Saturday’s Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka. The three-year-old daughter of Ferrando showed plenty of promise when winning on debut on the Cambridge synthetic last month, and Rogerson has high hopes for her this spring. “I like Prosper, I think she is a very nice filly,” Rogerson said. “We will head to the (New Zealand) 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) with her, and she will either run on Saturday in the Northern Breeders’ Stakes or at Taupo on Sunday.” Rogerson also has big ambitions with another daughter of Ferrando, Skymax. The now four-year-old mare was knocking on the door in her three-year-old term and Rogerson is hoping she can measure up to weight-for-age company this season, nominating her for all three legs of the triple crown. “Skymax is going have another trial before racing, I am happy with her,” he said. “She was just below (the better three-year-old fillies), she ran fourth in the Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m). “She will certainly be very competitive in the mares races and I think she could measure up to Group company. She has always shown me plenty but has just been a little immature.” Fellow four-year-old Just As Sharp also pleased in his three-year-old term, winning the Listed Trevor and Corallie Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m) and placing in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) and Gr.3 Manawatu Classic 2100m), and ran fourth in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). He is currently enjoying a long spell and Rogerson said he won’t be sighted on raceday until next year. “Just As Sharp won’t be seen out until after Christmas, he is having a good break,” he said. “I think he is a very good horse.” View the full article

Late bloomer Jethro Tull sparked another family celebration when he doubled his winning tally at Te Rapa. He is trained by Brent Gillovic, who bred and races him with son Kurtis and their patience was further rewarded with a game front-running victory over 1200 metres, his second on the Hamilton course. “He’s had a lot of niggling issues and growing pains and finally, in his last three starts, he’s done what we always thought he could,” said Highview principal Gillovic. The five-year-old had posted consecutive placings ahead of Saturday’s success in the hands of Vinnie Colgan. “We were pretty confident going into it, he had raced in better fields at his previous two starts,” Gillovic said. “He just loves it wet and can run times through bad ground, we made a gear change with a tongue tie and that’s made a world of difference as well.” Jethro Tull is a son of resident Highview stallion Wrote and the Lonhro mare Flute, a half-sister to multiple Hong Kong stakes winner and Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) placegetter Ain’t Here. “Kurtis and I bought her at the Magic Millions, we hadn’t set out to buy her, but she was a grouse mare that went for $14,000 and not a bad pedigree,” Gillovic said. “We’ve got a brother to Jethro who’s just turned two and is a different style of horse, he’s had a prep and having a rest before we bring him back in.” Their sire Wrote’s flagship performers to date have been Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Pulchritudinous, multiple Australian Group winner Wrote To Arataki and Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) winner and Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) runner-up Best Seller. The Group One-winning son of High Chaparral, who has also made his mark in Hong Kong with eight winners from 11 representatives, is again likely to be well supported. “He’ll probably cover a 100, but it is a bit quieter than last year with the others,” Gillovic said. “Mr Mozart only has to look at them and they get in foal, last year he covered 89 and I’m picking he’ll get his numbers again.” Also standing at Highview is Proisir’s brother Divine Prophet and Santos, sire of Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) winner Ulanova. Divine Prophet finished 23rd on last season’s Australian sires’ list in terms of wins with 90 from the last number (175) or runners with three at stakes level. See You In Heaven won the Gr.3 Behemoth Stakes (1200m), Fortunate Kiss the Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) and Generosity the Listed Gwynne Classic (1400m). The Yulong-owned See You In Heaven has since relocated from South Australia to Matt Lauries’s Victorian stable while Generosity has moved from Perth to champion trainer Chris Waller. Highview will offer Divine Prophet’s first New Zealand conceived crop at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale in January. “He’s a good-looking horse and we’ve got some beautiful yearlings here,” Gillovic said. View the full article

Global sensation Rebel’s Romance won his eighth Group One by regaining the Grosser Preis von Berlin (2,400m) at Hoppegarten on Sunday. Charlie Appleby’s seven-year-old won four top-level races last year, - including the Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) at Sha Tin, - and has shown no signs of decline this campaign. Sent off as the $1.2 favourite after a pair of Group Two wins and a close Group One third at Ascot on his prior start, Rebel’s Romance was always travelling best under Billy...View the full article

After several starts that showed a promising future, Flying Dutchmen's Big Truzz put it altogether Aug. 10 for a dominant seven-length win in the $300,000 Ellis Park Derby.View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – The buzz from last week's select sale clearly carried into the new week, with the Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearlings Sale powering through its opening session Sunday night in Saratoga. During the session, 64 yearlings grossed $8,338,000 for an average of $130,281 and a median of $105,000. Those figures were well ahead of last year's opening session, when 66 head sold for $6,860,000 for an average of $103,939 and a median of $89,000. They were also ahead of last year's cumulative average of $104,178 and median of $85,000. “It was an outstanding opening session of the New York-bred yearling sale,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “The positive momentum from the Saratoga [select] sale last week clearly continued tonight. It's really a result of having an improved quality of horses on the sales grounds, both in terms of pedigrees and physical conformation. The quality of the New York-breds that we are exposed to in our inspection process continues to improve each and every year. And that is indicated by the results tonight. The sale started off very, very strong and it ended very, very strong. It was a very good night.” A pair of fillies selling within minutes of each other provided the highlights of the evening, with a filly by Early Voting selling for $525,000 to the bid of Megan Jones, as agent for Sabby and Gargan Racing, just two hips after Jacob West, bidding on behalf of Repole Stable, went to $500,000 for a daughter of Practical Joke. The yearling market got off to a strong start with the Fasig-Tipton July Sale last month and has only gotten hotter in Saratoga over the last week. West sited a confluence of factors–from a smaller foal crop, to tax incentives and the lucrative New York-bred program–for the strength of the market. “Supply and demand,” West said of the demand for quality yearlings. “And I think the new tax bill, with the accelerated depreciation, is encouraging for a lot of people. And running for open company money with these New York-breds–it's a smaller pool that you are playing in, but you see what they are doing [at the racetrack] across the street, it's great.” With just a third of its catalogue offered during Sunday's session, there is still plenty of action expected Monday at the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion. “We aren't even at half time,” Browning said. “In hockey terms, we are through the first period. We have two more periods to go. It was a very, very encouraging start. It gives continued confidence in the marketplace. It's not just the very elite level that we saw last week. There were very encouraging results today. Our July yearling sale had encouraging results. I think it should provide confidence in the marketplace as we continue throughout the yearling process, which should hopefully translate into the mixed sales in October and November. It's kind of fun selling horses right now.” Monday's session of the New York-bred sale begins at noon. Early Voting Filly Draws a Crowd Bloodstock agent Megan Jones, bidding alongside Hal Mintz of Sabby Racing and trainer Danny Gargan, went to a session-topping $525,000 to secure a filly from the first crop of GI Preakness Stakes winner Early Voting (Gun Runner) (hip 331) Sunday night in Saratoga. Consigned by Jonathan Thorne's Thorndale Farm, the bay is out of Owl Moon (Ghostzapper) and is a half-sister to stakes-placed Blue Strike (Smart Strike). “She's beautiful,” said Mintz. “We thought she was the best one in the whole sale. We didn't really want to get into a bidding contest with Mr. [Tom] McCrocklin, but that's what happens now. The market is really hot. And when people see a really nice filly, it can get a little out of control, even at the New York-bred sale. We are happy to have her. I think there will be a couple of partners that Danny will bring to the table. Hopefully, we will be excited come next summertime.” Jones added, “We thought she was the best filly in the sale. Amazing body and walk, a great physical. She had a lot of Gun Runner in her. We just loved her.” Thorne purchased the filly for $150,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton New York Mixed Sale. “She was just a beautifully made filly,” Thorne said when asked what had attracted him to the filly last fall. “She just got bigger. She stayed all the same proportions. She never had a bad day. She was just a really classy, beautiful horse. The people who bought her got a great horse.” Of the filly's final price, Thorne added, “I wasn't sure. I knew a lot of people on the sales grounds loved her, so it was basically who was going to step up and really want her. That was fantastic. I thought the sale was going to be strong for the good ones and she was one of the really good ones.” Practical Joke to Repole A New York-bred filly by Practical Joke (hip 329) will be joining Mike Repole's Repole Stable after bloodstock agent Jacob West signed the ticket at $500,000 Sunday night in Saratoga. The dark bay filly, consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, is out of Our Hope Diamond (Gemologist), who is a half-sister to graded winner Inside Straight (Super Saver). “Quite frankly, she was just a horse that looked fast and precocious,” West, who was sitting alongside Repole's bloodstock advisor Eddie Rosen during the bidding, said of the yearling. “The added bonus is that she's a New York-bred with the added incentive that they are going to be running for open level purses. It was a lot of money to give for her, but she was worth it.” The filly was purchased by Hunter Valley's pinhooking partnership for $62,500 at last year's Fasig-Tipton New York Mixed Sale. “We were blown away,” Hunter Valley's Fergus Galvin said of Sunday's result. “She was a special filly who showed like a champion up here for three days. Never turned a hair. Her last show was as good as her first show. But not in our wildest dreams did we think she would get to those numbers. She had a ton of vet action. A ton of people were on her, but it's not like the last [select] sale. You have to keep your expectations in tow a little bit.” Galvin agreed the strength of last week's select sale seemed to have carried into the New York-bred sale Sunday. “I think there was definitely a knock on from it,” he said. “I am sure there were a lot of orders left unfilled from the last sale. It's been a vibrant [yearling] market. It started off at Fasig July and on to the select sale here and we are already seeing the first hour starting here is very strong. This has been a whirlwind of an hour really.” 'One of the Greatest Pinhooks of All Time': Tiz the Law Filly Rewards Benjamin, Hynes Blaise Benjamin and Charles Hynes were up in Saratoga last fall for the Fasig-Tipton New York Mixed Sale as part of their official jobs with Ashford Stud when they found a weanling filly by the farm's young stallion Tiz the Law. They put together some partners on the filly and were shocked to get her for just $1,000. They were shocked again when the filly sold for $170,000 when led back through the ring Sunday night. “It was one of those things that was right time, right place,” Benjamin said. “We were up here for the sale last year, just looking at all the Ashford stallions. We like to get an eye on all our new stallions. She was actually the first horse that we looked at, it was myself and Charles Hynes. She wasn't the biggest, but she wasn't small by any means. Put it this way, we were prepared to give a little bit more than $1,000 for her.” Recalling last year's auction, Benjamin said, “When she was going to the ring, I had seen another shrewd pinhooker walking into the ring. And I wondered if he was on her, so I followed him in just to be sure we weren't bidding against each other. He went the other way and my phone started ringing and it was Charles outside and he said, 'Don't bid. That's me at $1,000.' And I said, 'Are we sure we are on the right horse? Or did we miss something on the vet report?'” The filly is out of Queen of Diamonds (Uncle Mo), an unraced full-sister to Grade I winner Unbridled Mo and a half to graded winner Unbridled Essence (Essence of Dubai). “She went to Killora Stud to Hannah and Aidan Jennings and they had her looking like $1 million,” Benjamin said. “Tiz the Law hit at the right time for us. We are big believers in Tiz the Law. “I'm not going to say I was expecting $170,000. She was an excellent mover, the pedigree was there. The stars aligned. But did I expect that? No.” The filly was consigned by Hunter Valley Farm. “That's incredible,” Hunter Valley's Fergus Galvin said. “We are all up here, all of us so-called judges, and we all missed her. There was nothing wrong her [last year]. Tiz the Law has turned into an exceptional stallion. And she did very well physically. She was quite babyish last year. But that has to go down as one of the greatest pinhooks of all time.” Benjamin said the partners aim to pinhook a small number of horses each year. “We try to do five or six and we have a couple of mares as well,” he said. “It's a tough game. You just have to take the good with the bad because unfortunately there are a lot of lows, but when you have a high like this, it makes up for a lot of it. There is no buzz in the world like it.” The post ‘Fun Selling Horses Right Now’: Fasig-Tipton NY-Bred Sale Off to Flying Start appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After her dominant 15 1/2-length win in the July 19 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), Scottish Lassie is being pointed to the $1 million Cotillion Stakes (G1) at Parx Racing Sept. 20.View the full article

Although her Aug. 10 breeze didn't go exactly as planned, trainer Kenny McPeek got what he needed out of Thorpedo Anna ahead of the Aug. 23 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1).View the full article

Baoma Corp's Himika scored a dominating 4 1/4 length win in the $150,500 Sorrento Stakes (G3) Aug. 10 at Del Mar, giving trainer Bob Baffert his ninth win in the race.View the full article

Byerley Park trainers Grant Cooksley and Bruce Wallace had a strong representation in Saturday’s star-studded 1000m trial at Te Rapa, and they are hoping a big spring is instore for their quartet of triallers. Sacred Satono was the first stable runner home, running third behind trial winner Alabama Lass, and his connections are hoping he can strike early in Group assignments in the coming weeks. “He went along alright and did what he had to do,” Cooksley said. “It will bring him on a bit. “We might run him in the Foxbridge (Gr.2, 1200m, at Te Rapa on Saturday week) and then the Proisir Plate (Gr.1, 1400m). He ran third in it (Proisir Plate) last year (when run as the Tarzino Trophy) and he goes well at Ellerslie, so he should be there somewhere.” Stablemate Meaningful Star is heading in the same direction and Cooksley said he was happy enough with the nine-year-old’s trial despite finishing last. The former Hong Kong galloper struck early in his New Zealand career, winning over a mile at Ellerslie second-up in October before returning to the Auckland venue a month later, repeating the result in the Gr.3 Great Northern Challenge Stakes (1600m). Cooksley has been pleased with the way the son of Pivotal has returned, but said they are mindful of his age and will play his spring campaign by ear. “Meaningful Star worked around (on Saturday),” Cooksley said. “He might go the Foxbridge Plate, we will just see how he goes. We will just take it as it comes with him, he is getting a bit old.” Stayers Son of Sun and Trust in You finished sixth and seventh respectively in Saturday’s trial, and Cooksley is happy with their progression heading into spring. Son of Sun began the year with a bang when winning the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, and his trainers are hopeful of their gelding returning to that form later this spring when he likely contests the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m). “Son of Sun trialled well and he is a bit stronger this year,” Cooksley said. “He is in the last two (legs of the triple crown), but we will just see how he is coming up.” Trust In You had a busy spring last term, with four starts in Australia, including a 17th placed run in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). A return across the Tasman is in the offing, but will unlikely include a tilt at the coveted two-mile feature. “He trialled well too,” Cooksley said. “We will see how he comes up, but we are thinking more about Sydney.” View the full article

A decision to bypass the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) a fortnight ago paid dividends for the connections of Pride Of Aspen on Sunday, as the mare went three in a row in the Free Court (2100m) at Hawera. The seven-year-old was prepared for the majority of her career by training partners Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard, and when the former took a step back from training last term, she moved north to Cambridge with Wynyard. Wynyard identified suitable races for her in the Central Districts through this winter, and after placing and winning in her first two attempts at Otaki, she remained at the course in Benner’s care, and added another victory prior to Sunday’s contest. Benner had considered heading to Christchurch seven days later for the National Week feature, but after opting to stay closer to home, Pride Of Aspen looked beautifully placed in a five-horse field, where she was a deserved favourite in the hands of apprentice Amber Riddell. The mare jumped positively to sit outside leader Rua Rocks, who ensured the compact field would stream along at a decent tempo. Riddell pressed on to get on terms with Rua Rocks turning for home and Pride Of Aspen was in front a long way out, but she showed her tenacity to fend off the late challenge of a game Verry Flash and Dancin In The Dark. Benner was pleased to get the result he’d expected of his charge. “It was probably a bit of a nothing race really, but we went there expecting to win and she won, so it was good,” he said. “There wasn’t much around for her, so it was a nice race to fill the hole. “It was a big ask for a seven-day back-up and rising in class again (in the Winter Cup), and we think she’s probably better suited to the 2000m, so opted to keep her up here and get a few more runs out of her, rather than going down there and that be the last run. “She’s an eight-win mare now, so she’s done a good job and we’re very happy. “We’ll possibly go to Wanganui in two or three weeks’ time for an Open 2100 there.” A daughter of Pride Of Dubai, Pride Of Aspen was bred by Millburn Creek Stud in New South Wales and purchased for A$120,000 at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale by Aspen Bloodstock. She has now accumulated more than $177,000, with eight wins from 35 appearances. The mare was one of four winners for Benner last term, having presented just 11 starters to the races. He enjoyed having some time away from the demands of full-time training, but ultimately, the love of the sport kept him involved. “It was good to have a break, I needed to take a step back for a few reasons, but the love for the game never goes,” he said. “Once you’re in racing, you’re stuck in it for life I think. “I’ve got an awesome little team of horses, I’m planning on training around 10 or 12 this year. I’ve been very selective, just having a small operation and keeping that work-life balance. “That’s my plan going forward.” View the full article

Group One performer Faraglioni recorded one of her biggest moments on the track when runner-up in last year’s Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m), but she won’t feature in the renamed Proisir Plate at Ellerslie next month. The now seven-year-old daughter of El Roca has been retired to the broodmare paddock after injuring a suspensory ligament in June. “She was getting ready for that fillies and mares race at Tauranga (Listed Tauranga Classic) over 1400m at the end of June, but she tweaked a suspensory 10 days before that,” trainer Josh Shaw said. “We just did the best thing by the horse rather than trying to get her up and going again.” Bred by Curraghmore principal Gordon Cunningham and Arkle Bloodstock’s Demi O’Byrne, Faraglioni was entrusted to the care of Levin-based Shaw and she took the trio on a great ride. She won on debut as a three-year-old over 1400m at Hastings and went on to record a further four victories in her 28 subsequent starts. While she failed to record and elusive stakes victory, she featured prominently in a number of the country’s topflight contests, including a golden run two years ago where she posted consecutive runner-up performances in the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), Gr.1 TAB Classic (1600m), and Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m). She would go onto post the same result in last year’s Tarzino Trophy and Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m). Shaw said Faraglioni came along at a great time, picking up the baton from the stable’s former star, Group Two winner Hinepara. “It was great to have her come along quite quickly after Hinepara to keep us out there,” he said. “She was pretty good. She had a great run two years ago, including the Group One placing in the TAB Classic, and to go to Hastings and to be as competitive as she was in the Tarzino was pretty awesome. “She was second on five occasions in Group Ones and Group Twos, which is a pretty good effort, but she just couldn’t crack that Group One victory, which was unfortunate for her. “We have just got to try and find another one if we can now.” Shaw said Faraglioni has retired to Curraghmore in the Waikato and is set to head across the Tasman where she has a date with Coolmore stallion City Of Troy. “She has gone back to Gordon (Cunningham, Curraghmore principal),” Shaw said. “Speaking with Gordon, I think he has ambitions of sending her to Australia to go to City Of Troy. It will be pretty exciting to see what she leaves to him.” While Shaw has lost his stable star, he is excited about the future with her U S Navy Flag half-sister Chart The Stars. “She has been back in a month now and I’ll look to trial her at Foxton next week. We will head there and then sort out a campaign for her,” he said. “She has got an abundance of ability, but just at the moment the brain is a bit quicker than the feet. Once her brain slows down enough for her feet to be able to keep up, she will be right there. “She has the same sort of temperament as Faraglioni, but they are chalk and cheese physically. She is a lovely filly.” View the full article

Bill Mott is not known for sophomore turf sprinters, but the Hall of Famer sent out Juddmonte's Spiced Up to an upset win Aug. 10 in the $175,000 Mahony Stakes (G3T) at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

After having a successful first breeze on turf in :49.70 on the Oklahoma Training Track Aug. 10, the plan is for Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Sandman to switch surfaces and compete in the $3.5 million Nashville Derby (G3T) at Kentucky Downs Aug. 30.View the full article

After several starts that showed a promising future, Flying Dutchmen's Big Truzz put it altogether Aug. 10 for a dominant seven-length win in the $300,000 Ellis Park Derby.View the full article

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Sajir added a first win in the Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1) Aug. 10 to the glittering career haul of trainer Andre Fabre, who also trained Sajir's sire Make Believe for owner-breeder Prince Faisal. View the full article