Wandering Eyes

Rodney Lundock's Maryquitecontrary clenched an eye-turning victory when last at Gulfstream Park Jan. 28 in the seven-furlong Inside Information (G2) and she looks to have a repeat Oct. 7 in the $200,000 Princess Rooney (G3) over the same distance.View the full article

By Michael Guerin A perfect draw may have eased some of the pressure on junior driver Olivia Thornley when she takes the reins behind returning unbeaten pacer Millwood Nike at Addington tonight. The multiple Group 1 winner will be aiming to make it 15 wins without defeat when she contests the Nevele R 50 Years Of Success heat, her first race start since the Sires’ Stakes Championship at Alexandra Park on May 19. Millwood Nike looked ready for her return when beating stablemate Vessem at the trials last week but has encountered a slight judder bar on her return with usual driver and co-trainer Mark Purdon suspended at Addington last Friday. That sees the stable’s junior driver Thornley entrusted with the drive as she partnered Millwood Nike to win her first two starts last season, obviously a lot less expectation than the champion filly carries tonight. Co-trainer Nathan Purdon has total faith in Thornley and his filly. “Olivia has won an Oaks (No Matter Wat, last season) and driven some very good horses for us and driven them well,” says Nathan. “She knows this filly and they have the advantage of that while she is fresh up she is a horse who keeps herself very fit. “She showed that at the trials last week and she is ready to go. She matured during her break and I have no doubts she is better now than she was. She is a very special filly.” While some fellow drivers may have chosen to test Millwood Nike’s fitness and Thornley’s nerve had the filly drawn poorly she will start from the seemingly perfect barrier 3. With tonight’s race only a heat and the Group 1s for this filly crop next month and the NZ Oaks in December, it would seem unlikely many would want to get into a war with her tonight. The same could apply to the stable’s unbeaten juvenile pacer Vessem (R3, No.3) who will also need a new driver tonight because of Purdon’s suspension and top drivers Natalie Rasmussen and Blair Orange (suspended) being sidelined. Zachary Butcher will take the reins on Vessem and Nathan Purdon says he has been the spring bloomer in the team. “It is a strange thing to say because he is unbeaten but I wasn’t sure he was a really good juvenile or whether a better one was going to come along,” says Purdon. “But he has really thrived and improved the last few weeks and gone to another level. He is the real deal now. “We had Zac drive Self Assured for us last week and are really happy to have him on this horse and Treacherous Baby (R7, No.4) on Thursday because we rate him very highly.” View the full article

Just a handful of lots remained to sell on Wednesday evening, and lot 352, a son of Coolmore sire Wootton Bassett (GB) and a half-brother to G1 Commonwealth Cup winner Golden Horde (Ire) (Lethal Force {Ire}), attracted a final bid of 1.25 million from MV Magnier to become the fourth millionaire on the day. The Clara Stud-consigned son of Entreat (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) is also a half-brother to listed winner Line Of Departure (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), and under the second dam is Turkish Group 2 winner Producer (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}). American Hall of Famer and blue hen producer Serena's Song (Rahy) is under the third dam. 1,250,000 million gns for Golden Horde's half-brother at #TattsOctober This colt by Wootton Bassett has been bought by M V Magnier & White Birch Farm. He was consigned by @ClaraStud pic.twitter.com/fXGUqJYqyG — TDN (@theTDN) October 4, 2023 The post Wootton Bassett Colt Another Millionaire For Magnier At 1.25m As Tattersalls Session Ends appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred Education and Research Fund (TERF) is awarding the Belmont Child Care Association (BCCA) $10,000 to be used for educational purposes. The mission of the BCCA is to 'provide a safe, supporting and adcademically inspiring environment' for the children of parents working in the backstretch areas of Belmont, Aqueduct and Saratoga Race Course. TERF has awarded funds to the BCCA over the last four years which were used to fund their early childhood education program. The BCCA early childhood education program encompasses a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math)-based curriculum to prepare students for elementary school while promoting physical, emotional, social and cognitive growth. TERF was founded by the late Herb and Ellen Moelis. The post TERF Awards BCCA $10K For Educational Purposes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky. Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where. The TDN also posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from the same week. These include decisions from around the country. California Track: Santa Anita Date: 09/29/2023 Licensee: Jose Valdivia jr., jockey Penalty: Three-day suspension Violation: Careless riding Explainer: Having received notice from the California Horse Racing Board that the appeal of DMTD Ruling #07 (July 22, 2023) has been withdrawn, the original ruling is reinstated. Jockey Jose Valdivia jr. is suspended for 3 racing days (October 14,15 and 20, 2023). Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board Rule #1766 (Designated Races), the term of suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races. Track: Santa Anita Date: 09/30/2023 Licensee: Dino Baccari, owner Penalty: Restoration of good standing Violation: N/A Explainer: Owner Dino Baccari, having complied with the provisions of California Horse Racing Board rule #1876 (Financial Responsibility – $633.79 to Kingfisher Farms) is restored to good standing. Ruling LAQL #109 issued at Los Alamitos Quarter Horse Association on September 9, 2023, is set aside. New York Track: Aqueduct Date: 09/26/2023 Licensee: Jose Lezcano, jockey Penalty: Three-day suspension Violation: Careless riding Explainer: Jockey Jose Lezcano is hereby suspended 3 NYRA racing days having appealed a stay has been granted. For careless riding during the running of the 5th race on September 21, 2023. Nyxed ridden by Jockey Jose Lezcano was disqualified from 4th and placed 11th. Track: Aqueduct Date: 09/28/2023 Licensee: Linda Rice, trainer Penalty: Fourteen-day suspension, $2,000 fine Violation: Medication violation Exlainer: Linda Rice as responsible trainer under 9 NYCRR 4043.4 (a), violated commission rules in that Linda Rice trained horse “Afleet Arlene” that finished 1st in the 4th race at Aqueduct Racetrack on January 21st 2023, and having received a report from the New York Drug Testing and Research Program that a race-day sample taken from the horse “Afleet Arlene” had the substance Phenylbutazone present at a concentration, including an assessment of the measurement and imprecision of the quantitative threshold, in excess of the quantitative threshold, in excess of 0.3 mcg/ml in plasma in violation of 9 NYCRR 4043.4 (a) 26. Trainer Linda Rice is hereby suspended fourteen (14) days and fined the sum of two thousand ($2,000) dollars having appealed a stay has been granted. Furthermore, the Stewards order horse “Afleet Arlene” disqualified from any part of the purse and the purse redistributed as follows: (#2) Darn That Song (#4) Handle the Truth (#5) America's Pride (#6) Sheza Rajun Cajun (#3) Predetermined (#8) Midmon Rice has appealed the ruling. More on the story here. NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit's “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. This does not include the voided claim rulings which were sent to the TDN directly. Some of these rulings are from prior weeks as they were not reported contemporaneously. One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race. Violations of Crop Rule Santa Anita Cesar Ortega – violation date Sept 24; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 8 strikes Pending ADMC Violations Date: 09/08/2023 Licensee: Clarence King, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Dimethylsulfoxide—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Indirectly. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 09/07/2023 Licensee: Ismael Bahena, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Diclofenac—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Yammy Yammy Bella, who finished second at Kentucky Downs on 9/7/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 09/06/2023 Licensee: Carl James Deville, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Tapentadol and Butalbital—banned substances—in a sample taken from Eurobeliever, who was pulled up and vanned off at Presque Isle Downs on 9/6/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 08/28/2023 Licensee: David Wayne Baker, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Gerlach's. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 08/28/2023 Licensee: Shane Meyers, trainer Penalty: Provisionally suspended Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Altrenogest—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Mugsy Malone. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers. Date: 08/27/2023 Licensee: Mark Hibdon, trainer Penalty: Pending Explainer: For the presence of Flunixin—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from D'wild Muffin, who won at Arapahoe on 8/27/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List Workout). Date: 08/25/2023 Licensee: Sammy Stevens, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Pandora Who. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 08/17/2023 Licensee: John Guciardo, trainer Penalty: Pending Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone and Trichloromethiazide—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Cuz, who won at Presque Isle Downs on 8/17/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List Workout). Date: 08/15/2023 Licensee: Jeffrey Crozier, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Orb of the Boro, who won at Belterra Park on 8/15/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 08/04/2023 Licensee: Philip Aristone, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Lamotrigine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Field Letters, who won at Penn National on 8/4/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 08/29/2023 Licensee: Scott Young, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Our Davina. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 08/29/2023 Licensee: Conor Timothy Murphy, trainer Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Dixie Supreme. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 08/26/2023 Licensee: Jeff Mullins, trainer Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Dandy Man Shines. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 08/23/2023 Licensee: Juan Alvarado, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on October 4, 2023; a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Evelyn. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 08/23/2023 Licensee: Dan Blacker, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on October 3, 2023; a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Miss O'Brien. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 08/15/2023 Licensee: Robert Kinmon, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of the Covered Horse's race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Vamonos, who finished sixth at Belterra Park on 8/15/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substances. Date: 05/28/2023 Licensee: Ray Handal, trainer Penalty: Withdrawal of EAD Notice Explainer: For the presence of Zeranol—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Barrage, who finished second at Belmont Park on 5/28/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers. Pursuant to ADMC Program Rule 3247(e), HIWU has lifted the Provisional Suspension based upon information submitted by the Covered Person and the review of relevant scientific information. The Equine Anti-Doping Notice has not been withdrawn. Read more on the story here. The post Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings: Sept. 26–Oct. 2. appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Prolific trainer reaches the mark early in his seventh season thanks to the victory of Heroic Master at Happy Valley on Wednesday nightView the full article

When the 4-year-old runs this distance on dirt, she wins. Equally impressive is that she's won all five of them by no less than 2 1/4 lengths. View the full article

The Oct. 8 Bourbon Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland will have bearing on the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) field, and the race is a real tossup.View the full article

Unlike multiple trainers such as Brad Cox and Todd Pletcher, Larry Demeritte has largely been absent from grade 1 races at Keeneland, but on Oct. 7, he has his chance when he runs Harry Veruchi's West Saratoga in the $600,000 Breeders' Futurity (G1).View the full article

American jockey Steve Cauthen and the outstanding turf mare Pebbles (GB) (Sharpen Up {GB}) will be inducted into the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame, the official Hall of Fame for Flat racing in Britain. The newest inductees will be recognized on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Oct. 21, with Cauthen making a rare trip over from the US. Cauthen becomes just the fifth rider to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, while Pebbles becomes the first of her gender to be inducted alongside the likes of Frankel (GB) and his legendary late sire Galileo (Ire). Cauthen and Pebbles teamed to win the 1985 Eclipse S. at Sandown. Now 63, Cauthen is the only jockey in history to have ridden the winners of both the Derby and Kentucky Derby and is the youngest to have ever won the US Triple Crown aboard Affirmed in 1978. He is the only jockey to appear on the cover of TIME magazine, which he did alongside the late boxer Muhammad Ali. Cauthen was Britain's champion jockey on three occasions and rode the winners of 10 English Classics, all but one for trainer Sir Henry Cecil, including Derby winners Slip Anchor and Reference Point. “I'm grateful to have had so many brilliant opportunities on both sides of the pond and to still be recognised for my achievements is really quite special to me. “Having been inducted into America's Hall of Fame some years back, it's an honour to now celebrate my induction into Great Britain's Hall of Fame, and I'm looking forward to marking this moment with family and friends on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot later this month.” Trained by Clive Brittain, Pebbles overcame quirkiness and a variety of setbacks and became the first British-conditioned winner of a Breeders' Cup race when successful in the 1985 Turf at Aqueduct. She had previous won the G1 1000 Guineas and the G1 Champion S. at Newmarket prior to her American conquest. Said Brittain, “I still think about her today and can see her fresh in my mind, particularly with her boyfriend, Come On The Blues. Theirs was a great love story and he accompanied her wherever she went–even travelling out to America with her for the Breeders' Cup Turf. That day was the only time that I've been racing and felt nervous, but I just did the same as we'd have done at home and it all worked out.” Speaking on behalf of Godolphin, the racing operation owned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, Pebbles's owner, managing director Hugh Anderson added, “Pebbles was a uniquely talented and very tough racehorse with an outstanding race record. She truly was one of the best racehorses of the 1980s and a flagbearer for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed's racing operation at the time. She is a very deserving inductee to the Hall of Fame and His Highness is delighted to see her achievements recognised in this way.” The post Steve Cauthen, BC Winner Pebbles To Be Inducted Into British Hall of Fame appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

English may be his second language, but it certainly would have been difficult to guess when 2nd grader Markus won his school's spelling bee and went on to compete against kids several years his elder in a district-wide spelling tournament. Markus moved with his family to the U.S. several years ago when his parents started jobs working on a horse farm in Paris, Kentucky. His family valued education and after receiving a partial scholarship, Markus was able to attend St. Mary School in his new hometown, where his principal Miranda Chaplin said he and his preschool-aged younger brother are model students. “They are bright, respectful and incredibly hardworking,” she shared. “They are thriving at our school.” Markus is one of the first young students to benefit from a newly formed fund dedicated to providing tuition assistance for children in Kindergarten through eighth grade whose parents or legal guardian work in the equine industry in Central Kentucky. The Catholic Education Opportunities Foundation (CEOF)'s Equine Fund began as an idea years ago from Father Chris Clay and the Clay family of Runnymede Farm. The fund officially launched this year and in its inaugural academic season, 10 children applied for funding and each one received tuition assistance of some kind. CEOF is a non-profit that has been in existence since 2018, serving the 12 Catholic schools based in Lexington and the surrounding areas of Woodford and Bourbon counties, Frankfort, Richmond, Georgetown, Winchester and on into Eastern Kentucky, but the fund dedicated specifically for equine industry participants and their elementary-aged children is the first and only one of its kind. Taylor Made Farm's Mark Taylor and his wife Julia have been members of CEOF's leadership council from the very beginning. Julia later became a member of its official Board and also now serves on its financial committee. Taylor spoke of the impact she has witnessed over the years with families receiving tuition assistance. “The families and the kids are so grateful,” she said. “We've seen firsthand the difference that it makes. There are a lot of hardworking, great people that would like to send their kids to Catholic schools but can't quite afford it. We want to help these families bridge their financial gap and attend our wonderful schools.” CEOF's Executive Director Kim Thompson said that scholarships provided by their organization are partially-funded–aimed to make Catholic education more affordable for families–and that the amount given to each family is determined by a third-party agency called FACTS. She also explained that the funding is for children of any faith background and that the advantages of Catholic education can impact a child spiritually, but in other ways as well. “We feel that this type of education gives children a leg up academically and offers families different opportunities,” she said. “There's a focus on values and service in their communities, so it's more than just the tradition of strong academics.” St. Mary School is in the heart of horse country in Paris and Chaplin confirmed that the students reflect its agrarian setting. The principal noted that a quarter of their attendees have parents connected to the equine industry in some way, including a range of socioeconomic representation from farm owners and farm managers to farm workers. Chaplin said the equine fund has the potential to benefit a large number of families in their community. “The goal of the equine fund is to create more accessibility so that families have the opportunity to provide their children with the best education choice for their family,” she explained. “For some of our families–thinking specifically about folks who are farm labor–they might not otherwise have access to a Catholic education if it was not for the help of scholarships and financial assistance.” In recent years, Chaplin said, their numbers have increased thanks in part to the funding provided by the CEOF that has made education options more affordable. “Since the start of the pandemic, our school has doubled in enrollment,” she said. “Because families are looking for more education opportunities for their families, the need for financial assistance has also grown.” Godolphin's Gerry Duffy is a member of the CEOF's leadership council and is also on the Equine Fund's committee. He said that funding from this project could have a lasting impact on the industry and its participants. “If you want to change your environment or change your community, give people an education,” he said. “I think a lot of people realize that and are happy to give those opportunities to kids within the horse industry. It's another way to add value to our employees. Helping their kids with their education is one of the best things you can do for someone. If we can make a difference and help out some of those families and give some of those kids an opportunity, we should.” CEOF is now working to get the word out on their fledgling fund for the next academic year–both to families that may apply for funding and industry members that might be interested in getting involved. In addition to Runnymede, Taylor Made and Godolphin, the project has already gained early support from the likes of Hallway Feeds, Fasig-Tipton and Old Colony Insurance. “We're still in the infancy stage of the CEOF Equine Fund and we're really focusing on getting the word out to people in the horse industry,” Taylor said. “The ultimate goal is to build this fund up so that it will produce income every year that we will then distribute to families for tuition assistance to keep it going. We're still in the building phase and we have big hopes for the future.” Thompson shared that they have big goals for the coming years. They hope to double the number of children granted funding for the 2024-2025 school year and then continue to double that number for the next five years. As the program's notoriety continues to grow within the industry, they could be well on their way to achieving just that. “It's an exciting time for us,” Thompson said. “We really feel that this not only benefits the area's parochial schools with additional enrollment, but it also gives opportunities to families that otherwise may not be afforded them. Central Kentucky is the hub of the equine industry, so creating the CEOF Equine Fund just makes sense and now we're rapidly gaining momentum within the industry.” To learn more about the Catholic Education Opportunities Foundation, click here. The post CEOF Equine Fund Gains Momentum in Central Kentucky appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A quartet of horses and stable staff have been honoured–one from each Arqana Series race–with a best-turned-out prize by the sales company. The 2023 best-turned out winners are as follows: Herve Billot and Atlantic Ways (Ire) (Ulysses {Ire}) in the Arqana Series des Pouliches Guianand 'Suraj' Bissessur and National Interest (Fr) (Kingman {GB}) in the Arqana Series des Poulains Willy Royer and Jasna's Secret (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) in the Arqana Series Criterium d'Ete and Ger Wallis with Islandsinthestream (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the Haras de Bouquetot Arqana Series Criterium d'Autome in Memory Honour of Lady O'Reilly. The Arqana Series kicks off its second year in 2024. The post Arqana Series Best-Turned-Out Winners Revealed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Frankel (GB)'s lot 266, a son of the winning Bizzarria (GB) (Lemon Drop Kid), was knocked down for 2 million gns to MV Magnier midway through the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 on Wednesday. The price is a new highwater mark for the 2023 edition of the sale. Part of the Hascombe & Valiant Stud draft, the bay is out of a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner and Classic heroine Star Catcher (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), a full-sister to Grade I winner Cannock Chase (Lemon Drop Kid), and a full to multiple group winner Pisco Sour (Lemon Drop Kid). Breeders' Cup winner Action This Day (Kris S.) is farther back in the family. 2million gns for lot 266 at #TattsOctober This colt by Frankel is from the family of G1 winner Star Catcher and was consigned by Hascombe & Valiant Stud. He has been bought by M V Magnier. pic.twitter.com/EHzBuqbpVu — TDN (@theTDN) October 4, 2023 The post MV Magnier Buys New Sales Topper, As Frankel Colt Hammers For Two Million In Tattersalls Book 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 246 main-catalogue entries for The November Sale, the company's selected mixed sale to be held in Lexington, Kentucky on Tuesday, Nov. 7, following the Breeders' Cup. The single-session sale will begin at 2 p.m. “The Fasig-Tipton November Sale annually offers a collection of the world's finest bloodstock,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “This year's catalogue is once again outstanding, offering 55 graded stakes winners or producers, 26 of which are Grade I.” Browning continued: “We have Eclipse Champions, international champions, multiple Breeders' Cup winners, and a Kentucky Oaks winner. On the producer side, buyers will find the dams of Eclipse Award winners, Breeders' Cup winners, and a Royal Ascot winner. This sale is one-stop shopping for those seeking the very best.” The sale begins with weanlings selected on pedigree and conformation before transitioning into racing/broodmare prospects and broodmares as afternoon turns to evening. “Weanlings have become a very important part of this sale, and this year, we tightened up our acceptance standards to ensure a high-quality group from top to bottom. It's a very good group of foals,” Browning added. “The racing and breeding offerings are even deeper this year, as well. Buyers will find significant quality at all levels of the market.” The catalogue may now be viewed online, as may Fasig-Tipton's Enhanced Catalogue. The Enhanced Catalogue provides up-to-date catalogue pages, Daily Racing Form past performances, and race replays; an Alan Porter pedigree analysis and five-cross pedigrees for all racing/broodmare prospects and broodmares; stallion register pages for all sires of weanlings and covering sires; as well as other tools to aid prospective buyers. All Grade I-winning females off the track or carrying their first foals will also be profiled with individual feature videos. The catalogue includes 133 weanlings by established and young sires alike, including 2023 first-crop weanling sires Charlatan, Essential Quality, Independence Hall, Knicks Go, Lexitonian, Maxfield, Raging Bull, Rock Your World, Tacitus and Yaupon. Those weanlings include: • Hip 3, a Collected colt whose second dam, Mien, produced champion Big Brown. • Hip 8, a Ghostzapper colt whose second dam Salty Strike produced champion Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper), also selling at Fasig later on the night; • Hip 46, a Munnings colt who is a full-brother to Eda, the winner of the GI Starlet S. who sports eight wins in 10 starts; • Hip 48, a colt by Into Mischief out of Grade I Spinaway S. winner Sippican Harbor (Orb), from Taylor Made; • Hip 53, a colt by Maxfield who is a half-brother to GI Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Bright Future (Curlin), who is pointing to the Breeders' Cup Classic; • Hip 95, a Gun Runner filly whose second dam, Baffled, produced leading sire Constitution; • Hip 105, a colt by Constitution who is a half-brother to Grade I Preakness S. winner Rombauer (Twirling Candy); • Hip 107, a colt by Uncle Mo who is a full-brother to Grade II Jim Dandy S. winner Laoban; • hip 213, a colt by Maxfield who is a half-brother to two-time Grade I winner Up To the Mark (Not This Time). But it's the mares' section of the catalogue that really wows. Top mares include: • Argentinian champion 3-year-old filly Dona Bruja (Arg), in foal to Candy Ride (Arg); • Impazible Woman, the dam of Tyler's Tribe, who won his first five starts in 2022 by a combined 60 lengths; • Grade I Cotillion S. winner It Tiz Well, in foal to Into Mischief; • Moira (Ghostzapper), the champion 3-year-old filly and Horse of the Year in Canada, being offered as a racing or broodmare prospect; • Fev Rover (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}), the winner of this year's GI Beverly D. S. who was also placed in the G1 English 1000 Guineas; • Needmore Flattery, whose second foal was the three-time GISW 'TDN Rising Star' Taiba (Gun Runner), carrying a full-sibling to him; • two-time GII Santa Monica S. winner Merneith, in foal to Flightline; • Nest (Curlin), the winner of GI Ashland, Coaching Club American Oaks, and Alabama who was the Eclipse Award-winning 3-year-old filly of 2022, and who is expected to start in this Sunday's GI Juddmonte Spinster S. at Keeneland; • GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Fillies winner Pizza Bianca, in foal to Into Mischief; • Queen Caroline, the dam of Forte, in foal to Flightline; • Grade I American Oaks winner Queen Goddess (Empire Maker), from an elite Phipps family; • Sauterne (Kingman {GB}), who won the G1 Prix de Moulin de Longchamp on Sept. 3 and out of a half-sister to multiple champion Stacelita (Fr); • Grade I Acorn S. winner Search Results (Flatter); • Grade I Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath (Arrogate); • Grade I Queen Elizabeth S. Winner Shantisara (Ire) (Coulsty {Ire}); • Sophia's Song, the dam of GI Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Bright Future, in foal to Jackie's Warrior; • Trophy Girl, the dam of GI Champagne S. winner and GI Preakness S. runner-up Blazing Sevens (Good Magic), carrying his full-sibling; • the dam of Grade I winner and sire Golden Pal, Lady Shipman, herself a graded stakes winner, in foal to Flightline; • the six-year-old Vigui's Heart, whose first foal Valiant Force won the G2 Norfolk S. at Royal Ascot, selling in foal to Vekoma; • Wonder Wheel, Into Mischief's first champion juvenile and winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies in a 2-year-old campaign where she went four-for-five; • America, the dam of GIII Pimlico Special winner and 'TDN Rising Star' First Captain, in foal to Gun Runner, whose last two auction yearlings have each sold for seven figures; • Arrogate's Grade I-winning daughter And Tell Me Nolies; • Armony's Angel, the dam of Grade I-winning millionaire Angel of Empire, in foal to Gun Runner; • Belle's Finale, the dam of Up To the Mark (Not The Time), carrying a full sibling to the turf star; • Grade I Frizette S. winner Chocolate Gelato (Practical Joke); • Grade I Starlet S. winner 'TDN Rising Star' Faiza (Girvin); • Eclipse Award and Breeders' Cup champion Goodnight Olive; There are also three Grade I-winning daughters from Arrogate's first crop, and mares in foal to first-crop sires Flightline, Olympiad, Nashville, Life is Good, Mystic Guide, and Epicenter. Print catalogues will be available by October 6. The catalogue will also be available via the Equineline sales catalogue app. Online bidding and phone bidding will be available. The November Sale will also offer a supplemental catalogue. Fasig-Tipton will accept approved entries for the supplement through the Breeders' Cup. The post Fasig-Tipton November Offers Champions, Breeders’ Cup Winners, and More appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Over 60 speakers will present at the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program's 49th annual Global Symposium on Racing, scheduled for Dec. 4-6 at Lowes Ventana Canyon in Tuscon. The event brings together racing industry executives from around the world to explore critical issues and trends across the three racing breeds. Panels at the 2023 Symposium will include: Computer Assisted Wagering–The Good, The Bad, and The Future Out of the Shadows–Shining a Spotlight on Mental Health and Emotional Wellness The Path Forward–Race Track Safety and the Anti-Doping & Medication Control Program Strengthening Your Simulcast Content–Maximizing Handle in Diverse International Betting Markets From Data to Dollars–Understanding Horse Racing's Economic Impact as Racing's Future is Questioned Land for Sale. How Will Race Track Closures Impact the Industry's Long-Term Sustainability? One of the highlights of the Symposium will be the “Legends of the Game–Racing's Iconic Turf Writers” featuring esteemed journalists Steve Crist, Andy Beyer and Jay Privman. Pre-conference sessions will set the stage for the Syposium's opening evening reception on Dec. 4 and will include: HISA Workshop for State Regulators and Stewards 3rd Annual Racing Secretaries Summit Track Surface Regulatory Requirements NTRA Handicapping Contest Workshop Prospective attendees are encouraged to register by Nov. 17 to take advantage of a $100 discount and Ventana Canyon is offering reduced room rates of $189 for attendees. Registration for the Symposium and hotel reservations can be completed at RacingSymposium.com, where a list of the speakers may also be found. The post 60 Speakers Announced For Global Symposium on Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A son of Lope De Vega (Ire) (lot 260), a full-brother to G2 Champagne S. hero Iberian (Ire), became the latest seven-figure lot during Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale when selling to Sumbe for 1.1 million gns. Consigned by Ballylinch Stud where his sire stands, the colt is out of Bella Estrella (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), who won the Listed Cairn Rouge S. and is a full-sister to G3 St Simon S. victress High Heeled (Ire), who ran third in both the G1 Oaks and the G1 Coronation Cup. Another sister, the Rainbow Quest mare Faraday Light (Ire), is the dam of the top-class Just The Judge (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}), who won the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas, as well as a Grade I in Canada. 1.1 million gns for lot 260 at #TattsOctober Book 1 This colt by Lope de Vega had a timely update thanks to half-brother Iberian. He has been bought by @sumbe_fr and was consigned by @BallylinchStud. pic.twitter.com/qxYiTvhsQE — TDN (@theTDN) October 4, 2023 The post Sumbe Strikes For Iberian Full-Brother At 1.1m During Tattersalls Book 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK-From one of the stars of the show on Tuesday to another early in the second session of the sale, the draft of Newsells Park Stud has continued to feature prominently, which is hardly surprising when one considers the pedigrees of the individuals involved. Leading the early trade on Wednesday was Lot 200, the Kingman (GB) half-brother to the Group 1 winner and young Newsells Park stallion Without Parole (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who was born and raised at the farm on behalf of his breeders John and Tanya Gunther of Kentucky's Glennwood Farm. With shades of the sale of the last foal of the mighty Shastye (Ire) on Tuesday, this too was tinged with sadness as the colt's dam, Without You Babe (Lemon Drop Kid), who has also produced GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Tamarkuz (Speightstown) and the yearling colt's full-sister, Listed winner She's Got You (GB), died last year. “It's hard to talk about it,” said an emotional John Gunther after the hammer dropped at 900,000gns for the colt who will now race for Bahraini owners. “He was the mare's last foal and he was very special to us. It was tough to sell him but he sold very well. “The mare meant so much to us. Everyone at Newsells did a great job prepping him for the sale and he's gone to some good owners. That's very important.” Without Parole returned to the stud where he was born to commence his stallion career in 2021. His first yearlings are now at the sales, including three in Book 1 at Tattersalls, where Ross Doyle and Anthony Bromley have signed for a filly and a colt so far. Gunther continued, “We look forward to Without Parole's two-year-olds and it all carries forward. We're keeping quite a few of them to race ourselves. We want to make sure they go to the right trainers to give the horse his best chance. We will be racing at least half a dozen of them ourselves.” In the year in which Without Parole won the G1 St James's Palace to give the Gunthers a memorable homebred Royal Ascot winner, another graduate of their breeding programme, Justify (Scat Daddy), remained unbeaten to win America's Triple Crown. Subsequently sold to stand at Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Kentucky, Justify has made an eye-catching start to his stud career, with his best progeny on this side of the Atlantic including Sunday's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Opera Singer, G1 Prix Morny runner-up and G2 Prix Robert Pain victrix Ramatuelle, and the G2 Superlative S. winner City Of Troy, who is currently favourite for the G1 Dewhurst S. He has also sired two Grade I winners in America, Arabian Lion and Aspen Grove (Ire). “Justify looks like a supersire,” Gunther added. “He's got the best two-year-old filly in the country and the best two-year-old colt, and it looks like he has some very good dirt runners in the US as well. We're very excited about how Justify is coming along.” Oliver St Lawrence, who signed for the yearling, said, “I loved the Kingman colt the first time I saw him. He's a half-brother to two Grade 1 winners and hopefully he will take us to the Guineas and we can have a bit of fun. I was desperately keen to get him.” St Lawrence had also signed for the preceding lot [199], a son of Dubawi (Ire) out of Wisdom Mind (Ire), a Dark Angel (Ire) half-sister to Barney Roy (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}). Bought at 500,000gns, the colt was bred by Sun Bloodstock and consigned by Adrian and Philippa O'Brien's Hazelwood Bloodstock. “They are both for Fawzi [Nass] and team,” St Lawrence said. “I knew we'd have to go strong on the Kingman. The only downside was that I had to be hugged by Julian Dollar afterwards. That took the shine off it a little bit.” The post St Lawrence Lands Kingman Half-Brother To Without Parole At Book 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It’s been a month to remember for the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable and they continued their strong run of form with Tidal Force (NZ) (Darci Brahma) winning at his Australian debut on the Pakenham Synthetic on Wednesday. Breaking his maiden, the former Kiwi won in a photo finish after nabbing gelding Bon Appetit (Bon Hoffa) right on the line. Partnered by jockey Blaike McDougall, the four-year-old settled midfield under a patient ride, waiting for the gap to open in the straight before kicking ahead when it did, as did Bon Appetit, but it was Tidal Force getting the honours as the pair fought it out in the finish. Busuttin was on course for the victory and said he’d been confident the son of Darci Brahma would be tough to beat despite him drifting late in the betting. “It was good and it’s always good to win in those colours, Rick Williams and Dick Karreman, The Oaks Stud, they’re big supporters of ours and the industry as a whole,” he said. “We thought we’d come here and be hard to beat and then just come and watch him drift and drift and drift in the beating. “I was thinking what’s going on here, has he lost a leg? But narrowly he got the job done. “He’ll definitely get out over a bit, seven furlongs, even a mile.” View the full article

Waikato-BOP Harness Racing, Entain Australia and New Zealand (TAB) and Harness Racing New Zealand are excited to announce Australasia’s first slot race for trotters, the TAB Trot Slot (2200m, mobile) worth $655,000. The ground-breaking race will be run alongside The Race by Grins for pacers on the illustrious Night of Champions at Cambridge Raceway on Friday April 12, 2024. “Our vision for the Night of Champions is ambitious,” Cambridge Raceway CEO Dave Branch (pictured) said. “We want to make it the pinnacle night of harness racing in Australasia, more than just an event but something that engages the entire racing community and attracts new people to our sport. “We’ve laid the foundation with The Race by Grins and adding a slot race that attracts the best trotters in Australasia to Cambridge Raceway is the next logical progression and having the TAB on board from day one makes this endeavour possible.” Having gathered expressions of interest over the past two weeks, the event organisers are confident that the TAB Trot Slot will be well supported. Entain Australia and New Zealand manages the TAB betting and Trackside media business, and Managing Director Cameron Rodger said they were thrilled that TAB was able to get onboard as the named sponsor for this innovative race. “The TAB Trot Slot will be an historic event that will generate a great deal of excitement for harness racing on both sides of the Tasman. We’re looking forward to welcoming world-class trotters to Cambridge Raceway and partnering closely with the club to get everyone behind the race.” Ten slots have been made available at $50,000 each offering a unique opportunity to companies and or individuals to be a part of the Southern Hemisphere first. Get Your Slot: Here’s How Applications for slot holders are officially open as of today and will close on October 18, 2023. Those interested can request application documents by emailing Dave Branch at dave@cambridgeraceway.co.nz. If the applications exceed the available 10 slots, an independent panel will convene to make the final selection. Preference will be given to applicants who can best promote the TAB Trot Slot in the run-up to the event. Race Conditions The race conditions will echo those of ‘The Race by Grins’: a 2200m mobile race, with preferential barrier draws, focused on 3yos and then mares. This initiative sets the stage for an unforgettable Night of Champions in 2024, significantly boosting the already much anticipated event. For more information, please contact: Dave Branch, CEO Cambridge Raceway Email: dave@cambridgeraceway.co.nz View the full article

Parisal is the early favourite for The Nivison at Rosehill this weekend. (Photo: Racing NSW) It’s a wide-open edition of the Group 3 Nivison (1200m) this Saturday at Rosehill Gardens. 14 mares are set to lineup for the occasion, as the James Cummings-trained Parisal holds the call as a firming favourite with top online bookmakers at +220 after a runner-up finish in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on September 2. She won’t have it all her own way, however, as the four-year-old has drawn an awkward marble in gate 13. This leaves the Grahame Begg-trained Magic Time sure to claim plenty of interest on the second line of betting at +290, looking to bounce back from a midfield finish in The Heath 1100 in open company. Queen Of The Ball (+600) and She’s All Class (+850) round out the single-figure chances and are bound to benefit from barriers one and two, respectively. Russian Conquest (+1200) will resume from a 112-day spell and has caught the eye at the barrier trials for the Peter & Paul Snowden camp, while stablemate Revolutionary Miss (+1400) returns after chasing home Group 1 company in Queensland during the winter months. We are getting a terrific price for the only Group 1 winner in the race, with Royal Merchant (+1700) resuming after claiming the Group 1 Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 20. The only mare coming into this event with a last-start victory is Vienna Princess (+2500), who makes a mighty leap into Group 3 company after a win at BM88 level on September 23. The 2023 Nivison is the penultimate race on the Rosehill program this Saturday and will be run at 5:25pm AEDT. The Nivison 2023 final field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Royal Merchant Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Ryan Maloney 11 59kg 2 Revolutionary Miss Peter & Paul Snowden Tommy Berry 10 58kg 3 Parisal James Cummings Zac Lloyd 13 56.5kg 4 Queen Of The Ball Michael Freedman Rachel King 2 56.5kg 5 Magic Time Grahame Begg Nash Rawiller 9 56kg 6 Banana Queen Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou Kerrin McEvoy 12 56kg 7 She’s All Class Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Jason Collett 1 55kg 8 Vienna Princess Chris Waller Sam Clipperton 14 55kg 9 Rainbiel Joseph Pride Tyler Schiller 5 55kg 10 Willinga Beast Kris Lees Dylan Gibbons 8 54kg 11 Dalchini Lee & Cherie Curtis Jay Ford 4 54kg 12 Audette Kylie Gavenlock Brett Prebble 3 54kg 13 Russian Conquest Peter & Paul Snowden Regan Bayliss 6 54kg 14 Call Di Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou Tim Clark 7 54kg More horse racing news View the full article

Jigsaw is set to return in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes at Flemington. (Picture: Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) has attracted a competitive field of 14 sprinters set to duke it out down the Flemington straight on Saturday. Having claimed the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) first-up from a long layoff, the Clinton McDonald-trained Star Patrol will be looking to add further Group success to an already impressive career record. The five-year-old will once again be partnered by Ben Melham, with the pair combining for two wins and a minor placing in their three runs as a duo. Online bookmakers have Star Patrol listed as a +150 winning hope. Despite lining up for her first run since winning the Listed Hareeba Stakes at Mornington on April 22, the Cindy Alderson-trained Jigsaw (+350) holds the second line of betting for the $300,000 sprint. Boasting an impressive record of nine wins and three minor placings from 21 starts, Jigsaw will be looking to add a Gilgai Stakes alongside his impressive win in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) on January 28 earlier this year. Saturday’s Gilgai Stakes will be just the second time Jigsaw has raced down the Flemington straight and his first time since the 2021 Listed Poseidon Stakes (1100m) as a three-year-old. C’est Magique (+550) – the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) runner-up from last year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival – will enter Saturday’s Gilgai Stakes second-up from a spell after finishing fourth behind Benedetta in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield. The Lindsey Smith-trained Triple Missile (+800) is the only other runner at a single-figure quote with the top betting sites. The Gilgai Stakes is the penultimate race on a stacked 10-race program at Flemington on Saturday afternoon. Gilgai Stakes 2023 field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Jigsaw Cindy Alderson Daniel Moor 4 59kg 2 Star Patrol Clinton McDonald Ben Melham 11 59kg 3 Snapper Mike Moroney Jye McNeil 3 58.5kg 4 Showmanship John Leek (Jnr) Mark Zahra 5 58.5kg 5 Ashford Street Ken Elford Teo Nugent 12 58kg 6 Outlaws Revenge Daniel Bowman Craig Williams 10 58kg 7 Zoutori Mathew Ellerton Damian Lane 2 57kg 8 Shelby Sixtysix Danny Williams Craig Newitt 8 57kg 9 Fender Brett Cavanough Jamie Mott 6 57kg 10 On The Lead Richard & Will Freedman Damien Oliver 13 57kg 11 Triple Missile Lindsey Smith Jamie Kah 14 57kg 12 Cause For Concern Shawn Mathrick Ben Allen 1 57kg 13 Rocket Tiger Scott Spackman Chad Schofield 9 57kg 14 C’est Magique Grahame Begg Michael Dee 7 55kg More horse racing news View the full article

Princess Grace has drawn barrier five for the 2023 Rose Of Kingston Stakes. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) A strong field of 14 mares are set to do battle in the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday afternoon. Race favourite Princess Grace (-117.65) has drawn perfectly in barrier five for Saturday’s 1400m affair as she looks to build on impressive runs in Group 1 assignments to begin her spring campaign. The Rose Of Kingston Stakes will be the first time Princess Grace has stepped out of weight-of-age company since claiming the Group 3 Hawkesbury Crown (1300m) in April. Having been beaten a length by Amelia’s Jewel in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) last time out, the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained Life Lessons will be looking to go one better in the Rose Of Kingston. Online bookmakers have Life Lessons marked as a +650 chance, sharing the second line of betting with Kiwi mare Skew Wiff. Skew Wiff is a last-start Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) winner, a race where she beat the likes of Legarto, Sharp ‘N’ Smart, Callsign Mav and Pennyweka, with all of those runner tasting Group 1 success in Australia over the last 12 months. The 2023 Rose Of Kingston Stakes is the sixth race on a stacked 10-race program at Flemington on Saturday, headlined by the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m). Rose Of Kingston Stakes 2023 field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Skew Wiff Mark Walker Opie Bosson 12 58.5kg 2 Shuffle Dancer Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Luke Nolen 8 57.5kg 3 Princess Grace Chris Waller James McDonald 5 57kg 4 Wrote To Arataki Matthew Williams Dean Yendall 7 57kg 5 Jaja Chaboogie Julie Richards Beau Mertens 1 57kg 6 Waltz On By Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Damian Lane 4 56kg 7 Startantes Robert Heathcote Michael Dee 13 55kg 8 Starlight Scope Pat Carey & Harris Walker TBC 9 55kg 9 Belle Et Riche Mitchell Freedman Jordan Childs 3 55kg 10 Life Lessons Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Daniel Stackhouse 6 55kg 11 Dazzling Lucy Tony Noonan Jake Noonan 2 55kg 12 Forbidden City Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Jamie Kah 11 55kg 13 Ausbred Flirt Brad Widdup Craig Williams 10 55kg 14 Climbing Star Phillip Stokes Daniel Moor 4 55kg More horse racing news View the full article

Hong Kong’s champion middle-distance horse draws double-digit gate for Saturday’s Group One race in Australia, but he’s back on his preferred dietView the full article

Racegoers will soon have three chances to get up close to harness racing’s greatest prize, and also win tickets to the biggest race day of them all. For the first time the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup will be on show at meetings around the South Island as part of the build-up to the great race at Addington on Tuesday, November 14. “It’s gone on tour before but not to any race meetings so we thought we’d take the Cup to the crowd this time,” says Addington Raceway’s Sponsorship Manager Rachel Deegan. The Cup will be on show at Methven this Sunday (October 8), followed by Ashburton (Flying Stakes day – October 23) and then Alabar Kaikoura Cup day on Monday, October 30. Anyone getting their photo taken with the Cup will then go into the draw to win double General Admission passes to Addington on Cup Day. “We will have three double passes at each meeting so it should be a fun way to promote what is always a massive day at Addington on the second Tuesday of November,” says Deegan. The Cup dates back to 1904 and has been won by a who’s who of this country’s champion standardbreds – the likes of three-time winners Indianapolis, False Step and Terror To Love as well as all-time greats Cardigan Bay (1963), Lord Module (1979), Christian Cullen (1998) and Lazarus (2016 and 2017). View the full article

NZ Cup still all go for Spirit Of St Louis Star Aussie pacer Spirit Of St Louis remains on target to tackle the New Zealand Cup. The former Kiwi, who has soared to a $1.2m earner with Team McCarthy, has one final hurdle to clear – Saturday week’s Group 1 Victoria Cup. “If he runs well at Melton, then we’re off to New Zealand,” Luke McCarthy said. Although Spirit Of St Louis has not raced from a standing start in Australia, he has trialled well and he won two standing start races in his early days back in NZ with Graeme Anderson. “He’s a smart, sensible horse. That’s part of the reason we’re keen on the race,” McCarthy said. Spirit of St Louis has been one of Australia’s most consistent Grand Circuit performers for the past two years with 16 Group 1 starts netting two wins and seven seconds. Delany gets call up for Juniors Nathan Delany has been a late addition to the 12 drivers who will compete at the McMillan Equine Feeds New Zealand Junior Drivers’ Championships. The championships start at Addington tomorrow night and will then head to Invercargill before finishing at Methven on Sunday. There will be six races in all. Delaney replaces Alicia Harrison, who made herself unavailable because she’s committed to driving last start winner Fernleigh Cash in the Holmes DG at Alexandra Park on Friday night. The country’s leading junior driver Sarah O’Reilly will be vying to win the championships for the fourth time in five years. Two combos hit 50 training wins Half centuries were brought up by two training combos over the past week. Graeme Rogerson and Dylan Ferguson registered their 50th training success with Shez Bella at Cambridge last Thursday with Mark and Nathan Purdon achieving the same milestone with With Style at Addington on Friday. The Purdons are currently second in the premiership, 40 wins behind runaway leaders Robert and Jenna Dunn on 90. Blair Orange is easily the leading driver on 113 wins, with John Dunn second on 85. Ferguson continues winning streak Major Art continued Craig Ferguson’s amazing strike-rate this season. The win at Gore was Ferguson’s 22nd in 58 starts this year, giving him a UDR of .5541. That puts him at the top of all trainers, with the closest big stable being Mark and Nathan Purdon with 50 wins from 164 starts and a UDR of .4675. Among Ferguson’s good winners this year have been Smokin Bandar, Nutcracker, Da Vinci and Netherton Franco. Confederate flying the flag The highest earning horse in North America just keeps winning. Trained by ex-pat Kiwi Brett Pelling Confederate won his ninth race in 10 starts at the famous Red Mile in Kentucky over the weekend. The Sweet Lou three-year-old’s winning time was 1:47.6. His earnings in 2023 now stand at $1.14m. He has a career record of 14 wins from 17 starts. Meanwhile another ex pat Kiwi Dexter Dunn (172 wins) is now the sixth highest earning driver in North America with $7.6m in stakes, with Yannick Gingras leading the way at $10.7m. Morrisons hand over the reins After operating his saddlery business in Ashburton for over four decades, Chris Morrison is retiring. Known as the go-to man for anything harness related he has also spent years providing super service to trainers with his harness truck at the races. The business started in Tinwald being moving to its current location at the Ashburton racecourse. The new owners are Geoffery & Helen-Ann Skertin. And this week could be a big one for son John Morrison as well. He’s currently on 299 driving wins. View the full article