Wandering Eyes

Star Kiwi mare Imperatriz has once again showed what a blistering turn of speed she has with a sizzling finish to comfortably claim the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Friday night. Having opened her Australian Spring campaign with a similarly stunning performance to win the Gr.2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at the inner-city venue a fortnight ago, the five-year sprint sensation blitzed her rivals with another lightning quick home straight dash. Settled near the rear as a strong tempo was set by Zoustyle, rider Opie Bosson launched his claim as he circled runners approaching the home bend. Sent out a dominant $1.60 favourite, the Mark Walker-trained daughter of I Am Invincible set out after Asfoora, who had taken over inside the furlong, gliding past her close to home to score by a widening one length margin. For good measure, Imperatriz set a new 1000m track record of 56.47, bettering her own mark set a fortnight ago. Trainer Mark Walker was all smiles after Imperatriz remained unbeaten in three starts at The Valley Photo: Bruno Canatelli Walker was thrilled with the performance as he paid tribute to Bosson and his staff both at Te Akau’s new Cranbourne stable and back in Matamata “It was a great effort tonight as she hits a little flat spot during her races, but once she came up underneath Opie at the top of the straight you could see what was going to happen,” Walker said. “I knew they would run along a fair bit and Opie doesn’t panic. This mare is keeping Opie’s weight down and keeping him in the saddle, so she is special to the whole stable. “It’s always a relief (to see her repeat the dose) when you are second up at 1000m, so it was a great team effort by Ben (Gleeson, Assistant Trainer) and the staff at Cranbourne and also the people back in Matamata as well.” Imperatriz will now be aimed at the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on October 28 followed by the Gr.1 Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on November 11, with Walker again reiterating that there will be no tilt at the A$20 million The Everest (1200m). “She will go to Manikato and then the Champions Sprint,” he said. “The mare is so happy here (in Melbourne) and I don’t see any reason to put her on a float when she is just loving it here.” Bosson, who claimed the 92nd Group One victory in an illustrious career to date, said Imperatriz had been quite fresh prior to the start. “She is definitely the best sprinter I’ve ridden,” he said. “She was a bit fresh and tried to buck me off before the start. “She is pretty easy to ride and I just kept her away from the barrier to keep her mind off the start. “It’s an amazing feeling when she lets down and it’s onwards and upwards from here.” Bred by Malaysian businessman Dato Yap Kim San’s Raffles Farm, Imperatriz caught the eye of Te Akau’s David Ellis, who secured her for A$360,000 as a yearling. Imperatriz has now won 15 of her 21 starts, with six at Group One level and over A$2.34million in prizemoney. View the full article

Star Kiwi mare Imperatriz has once again showed what a blistering turn of speed she has with a sizzling finish to comfortably claim the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Friday night. Having opened her Australian Spring campaign with a similarly stunning performance to win the Gr.2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at the inner-city venue a fortnight ago, the five-year sprint sensation blitzed her rivals with another lightning quick home straight dash. Settled near the rear as a strong tempo was set by Zoustyle, rider Opie Bosson launched his claim as he circled runners approaching the home bend. Sent out a dominant $1.60 favourite, the Mark Walker-trained daughter of I Am Invincible set out after Asfoora, who had taken over inside the furlong, gliding past her close to home to score by a widening one length margin. For good measure, Imperatriz set a new 1000m track record of 56.47, bettering her own mark set a fortnight ago. Trainer Mark Walker was all smiles after Imperatriz remained unbeaten in three starts at The Valley Photo: Bruno Canatelli Walker was thrilled with the performance as he paid tribute to Bosson and his staff both at Te Akau’s new Cranbourne stable and back in Matamata “It was a great effort tonight as she hits a little flat spot during her races, but once she came up underneath Opie at the top of the straight you could see what was going to happen,” Walker said. “I knew they would run along a fair bit and Opie doesn’t panic. This mare is keeping Opie’s weight down and keeping him in the saddle, so she is special to the whole stable. “It’s always a relief (to see her repeat the dose) when you are second up at 1000m, so it was a great team effort by Ben (Gleeson, Assistant Trainer) and the staff at Cranbourne and also the people back in Matamata as well.” Imperatriz will now be aimed at the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on October 28 followed by the Gr.1 Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on November 11, with Walker again reiterating that there will be no tilt at the A$20 million The Everest (1200m). “She will go to Manikato and then the Champions Sprint,” he said. “The mare is so happy here (in Melbourne) and I don’t see any reason to put her on a float when she is just loving it here.” Bosson, who claimed the 92nd Group One victory in an illustrious career to date, said Imperatriz had been quite fresh prior to the start. “She is definitely the best sprinter I’ve ridden,” he said. “She was a bit fresh and tried to buck me off before the start. “She is pretty easy to ride and I just kept her away from the barrier to keep her mind off the start. “It’s an amazing feeling when she lets down and it’s onwards and upwards from here.” Bred by Malaysian businessman Dato Yap Kim San’s Raffles Farm, Imperatriz caught the eye of Te Akau’s David Ellis, who secured her for A$360,000 as a yearling. Imperatriz has now won 15 of her 21 starts, with six at Group One level and over A$2.34million in prizemoney. View the full article

Star Kiwi mare Imperatriz has once again showed what a blistering turn of speed she has with a sizzling finish to comfortably claim the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Friday night. Having opened her Australian Spring campaign with a similarly stunning performance to win the Gr.2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at the inner-city venue a fortnight ago, the five-year sprint sensation blitzed her rivals with another lightning quick home straight dash. Settled near the rear as a strong tempo was set by Zoustyle, rider Opie Bosson launched his claim as he circled runners approaching the home bend. Sent out a dominant $1.60 favourite, the Mark Walker-trained daughter of I Am Invincible set out after Asfoora, who had taken over inside the furlong, gliding past her close to home to score by a widening one length margin. For good measure, Imperatriz set a new 1000m track record of 56.47, bettering her own mark set a fortnight ago. Trainer Mark Walker was all smiles after Imperatriz remained unbeaten in three starts at The Valley Photo: Bruno Canatelli Walker was thrilled with the performance as he paid tribute to Bosson and his staff both at Te Akau’s new Cranbourne stable and back in Matamata “It was a great effort tonight as she hits a little flat spot during her races, but once she came up underneath Opie at the top of the straight you could see what was going to happen,” Walker said. “I knew they would run along a fair bit and Opie doesn’t panic. This mare is keeping Opie’s weight down and keeping him in the saddle, so she is special to the whole stable. “It’s always a relief (to see her repeat the dose) when you are second up at 1000m, so it was a great team effort by Ben (Gleeson, Assistant Trainer) and the staff at Cranbourne and also the people back in Matamata as well.” Imperatriz will now be aimed at the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on October 28 followed by the Gr.1 Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on November 11, with Walker again reiterating that there will be no tilt at the A$20 million The Everest (1200m). “She will go to Manikato and then the Champions Sprint,” he said. “The mare is so happy here (in Melbourne) and I don’t see any reason to put her on a float when she is just loving it here.” Bosson, who claimed the 92nd Group One victory in an illustrious career to date, said Imperatriz had been quite fresh prior to the start. “She is definitely the best sprinter I’ve ridden,” he said. “She was a bit fresh and tried to buck me off before the start. “She is pretty easy to ride and I just kept her away from the barrier to keep her mind off the start. “It’s an amazing feeling when she lets down and it’s onwards and upwards from here.” Bred by Malaysian businessman Dato Yap Kim San’s Raffles Farm, Imperatriz caught the eye of Te Akau’s David Ellis, who secured her for A$360,000 as a yearling. Imperatriz has now won 15 of her 21 starts, with six at Group One level and over A$2.34million in prizemoney. View the full article

Star Kiwi mare Imperatriz has once again showed what a blistering turn of speed she has with a sizzling finish to comfortably claim the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Friday night. Having opened her Australian Spring campaign with a similarly stunning performance to win the Gr.2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at the inner-city venue a fortnight ago, the five-year sprint sensation blitzed her rivals with another lightning quick home straight dash. Settled near the rear as a strong tempo was set by Zoustyle, rider Opie Bosson launched his claim as he circled runners approaching the home bend. Sent out a dominant $1.60 favourite, the Mark Walker-trained daughter of I Am Invincible set out after Asfoora, who had taken over inside the furlong, gliding past her close to home to score by a widening one length margin. For good measure, Imperatriz set a new 1000m track record of 56.47, bettering her own mark set a fortnight ago. Trainer Mark Walker was all smiles after Imperatriz remained unbeaten in three starts at The Valley Photo: Bruno Canatelli Walker was thrilled with the performance as he paid tribute to Bosson and his staff both at Te Akau’s new Cranbourne stable and back in Matamata “It was a great effort tonight as she hits a little flat spot during her races, but once she came up underneath Opie at the top of the straight you could see what was going to happen,” Walker said. “I knew they would run along a fair bit and Opie doesn’t panic. This mare is keeping Opie’s weight down and keeping him in the saddle, so she is special to the whole stable. “It’s always a relief (to see her repeat the dose) when you are second up at 1000m, so it was a great team effort by Ben (Gleeson, Assistant Trainer) and the staff at Cranbourne and also the people back in Matamata as well.” Imperatriz will now be aimed at the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on October 28 followed by the Gr.1 Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on November 11, with Walker again reiterating that there will be no tilt at the A$20 million The Everest (1200m). “She will go to Manikato and then the Champions Sprint,” he said. “The mare is so happy here (in Melbourne) and I don’t see any reason to put her on a float when she is just loving it here.” Bosson, who claimed the 92nd Group One victory in an illustrious career to date, said Imperatriz had been quite fresh prior to the start. “She is definitely the best sprinter I’ve ridden,” he said. “She was a bit fresh and tried to buck me off before the start. “She is pretty easy to ride and I just kept her away from the barrier to keep her mind off the start. “It’s an amazing feeling when she lets down and it’s onwards and upwards from here.” Bred by Malaysian businessman Dato Yap Kim San’s Raffles Farm, Imperatriz caught the eye of Te Akau’s David Ellis, who secured her for A$360,000 as a yearling. Imperatriz has now won 15 of her 21 starts, with six at Group One level and over A$2.34million in prizemoney. View the full article

Jockey Blake Shinn concluded a satisfying evening when he guided lightly raced filly Coeur Volante to an impressive victory in the Gr.3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on Friday night. It was an eventful evening for Shinn who had opened the eight-race card with wins on Farhh Flung and Ranting before hitting the deck in race four when piloting the Clinton McDonald-trained Fasuto. Having dusted himself off he returned to the fray to navigate a successful path on Coeur Volante who trainer Mike Moroney believes has a big future, as he sets about guiding her to bigger targets in the Spring. “She was aided by there being a lot of speed on and looked like she was going to get a good run through but was then held up,” Moroney said. “I thought it was a really good effort. “We purchased her as a yearling at Karaka, left her in the New Zealand stable and we gave her two trials, where she had a third and a second. It was after the second trial I thought she was pretty good. “We bought some of the people who owned her in New Zealand out, while others stayed in. We put new people in from Australia and brought her over.” Moroney is a big fan of leaving horses in New Zealand through the education process until they are more mature to take advantage of the superior climatic conditions. “Every horse we buy over there we usually leave them there and educate them in barrier trials before we bring them over,” he said. Moroney revealed he has some ambitious plans for the filly in the next few months including a tilt at the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield which we be run on November 18 this year, as part of a revamped Victorian Spring Carnival. “We brought her back to target the Thousand Guineas and that’s where we’ll head towards,” he said. “We’ve got a little program worked out, we’ll see how we go. I was a bit worried about her coming in tonight, she’d gone off her feed for a little while ago. “We put her in the paddock for a while in the middle of Winter and I wondered whether it was the right thing but she came back and wasn’t eating but she’s come right in the last week so hopefully it’ll be upwards from here.” Bred by the Fell family from Fairdale Stud out of the Testa Rossa mare Shanina, Moroney and his bother Paul purchased the filly for $90,000 out of the Prima Park draft during the Book 1 Yearling Sale at Karaka in 2022. She is the younger half-sister of stakes placed filly Hasstobemagic and comes from a family that includes multiple Australian stakes winner Rose Of Peace and outstanding racemare Savanna City who included the Gr.1 AJC Oaks (2400m) amongst her eight career victories. Coeur Volante becomes the 14th individual stakes winner for her Rich Hill Stud-based sire Proisir, who was crowned the Grosvenor Award winner as Champion New Zealand sire for the 2022/2023 racing season. View the full article

Trainer Paul Gardner (second left) and his family, along with Darwin jockey Adam Nicholls, celebrating the win by Perkova at Alice Springs’ Pioneer Park on September 10. Gardner and Nicholls ended the day with a treble after Quick Return and Miss McGregor also saluted. Picture: Nikki Westover Photography Not many in NT racing would begrudge the early success that Red Centre-based trainer Paul Gardner is experiencing this season. Gardner, who has dealt with health issues in recent times and had a horse euthanised on the eve of the Darwin Cup Carnival, currently leads the Alice Springs and Provincial Trainers’ Premiership with five wins after four meetings. “Yeah, it’s been a good start,” Gardner said. “Got a treble a couple of weeks ago, which was pleasing and makes it all worthwhile when it all falls into place. “It’s been a while since I’ve come into the first bit of the season where I’ve had five winners already. “I think I’m buying horses now with a bit more quality. “I buy them for myself and my immediate family, which includes my sons Jeremy, Joshua, and Jacob, and my daughter-in-law Dani, who is married to Jeremy. “Touch wood, I’m very happy with how things are going at the moment. “I also bought a set of stables, and I’m in the process of doing a bit of work to them.” Gardner returned to full-time training late last year and ended the 2022–23 campaign with 13 wins, and confidence is high after an encouraging start this season. He has eight runners on the five-race card at Pioneer Park on Sunday with last start winners Quick Return and Miss McGregor leading the charge. “Quick Return has done really well and if I didn’t run him it would have been three weeks between runs,” Gardner said. “The 1200m is probably a touch short for him, but he hasn’t raced any better in his career. “He had 22 starts, but then he won his maiden and won next start last week which is very hard to do sometimes with a horse like that. “It was a nice win last Sunday and I couldn’t be happier with him – the 2kg claim helped and Dakota Gillett rode him a treat. “I have only won a couple with Miss McGregor, who is coming along nicely after her win three weeks ago – she’s a very consistent mare and very tough. “In the next few weeks there are some nice races over 1400m and 1600m, so that’s what I’m going to target.” Meanwhile, Gardner is adapting to life without popular mare Roughly, a 11-year-old these day, who has retired after injuring a tendon when second in her 64th and last start in open company over 1100m in March. The daughter of Kaphero saluted in a 1000m Bendigo maiden on debut in March 2016 before winning two races from three starts for SA trainer Michael Hickmott, who was based in the Top End at the time, during the 2016 Darwin Cup Carnival. Hickmott took Roughly to Morphettville and Mildura for three starts where she finished unplaced and then ended up with Gardner where she had a further 55 starts in the NT. Roughly had her injury problems, but finished with 18 wins and was placed 19 times from 1000-1600m – and it was only last September she raced beyond 1300m for the first time when she saluted over 1400m as a 10-year-old. Last October, the mare made her debut over 1600m and remarkably she won that too. Alice Springs trainers Carly Cook and Leah Walling-Denton, as well as Darwin trainer Phil Cole, cared for Roughly on occasions she raced against quality opposition in Alice Springs, Darwin and Katherine. In her last 17 starts stretching back to July 2022, Roughly had eight wins, four seconds, three thirds and two fourths – any wonder she had so many admirers. Hard Work Rewards, Gardner’s 10-year-old mare, has also retired after 24 starts after debuting in Alice Springs in September 2016. The daughter of Magnus, who had injury concerns as well, had her last start on Alice Springs Cup Day on April 30 when 10th over 1200m (0-62) – all up she had two career wins at Pioneer Park last year over 1200m (0-64) in August and 1600m (0-64) in November. “Roughly’s down in Victoria with Hard Work Rewards – they’re both at the Riverbank Farm stud, which is at Benalla,” Gardner said. “They’re both going to go the stallion Redente – Hard Work Rewards actually had a foal on one occasion she was recovering from injury. “They’ve been down there for a few months and hopefully they will get served in the next month or six weeks, and then I’ll probably bring them back and foal them here. “Both mares raced quite well, especially Roughly – put it this way, not many have done what she did over such a long period. “We didn’t step her out to 1400m and 1600m until late in her career, but she held up her end of the bargain. “She did exceptionally well and you couldn’t ask any more from her. “Her last nine months was outstanding, it just all clicked for her. “She loved it, she never left an oat in her bin, and she enjoyed going to the races. “I’ve retired her because her tendon started to flare up and I thought, well I’m not going to break her down, so I sent her down south.” Sadly, Gardner lost Glacier Grey when the four-year-old gelding stumbled and fractured his near fore leg at Fannie Bay in July. Darwin apprentice Jade Hampson was dislodged from the horse and has yet to return to the saddle after injuring her back – in fact she missed the entire Darwin Cup Carnival. “He was a beautiful little horse,” Gardner said. “Unfortunately it happens in racing, but he showed no signs that he had any problems with his legs. “He was so free in his action, he never had any issues with his feet or his legs or anything like that. “He was actually working his way to the lead in the race – it was a pretty sad day.” More horse racing news View the full article

The Retired Racehorse Project has elected new officers and created an advisory council, a body of non-governing individuals representing an array of backgrounds and professional experience chosen to help enhance the RRP's execution of its charitable mission the organization announced Friday. Existing board member Neil Agate was confirmed as board chair earlier this Spring when personal obligations required previous chair, Richard Lamb, to step back from the officer position. Lamb is still completing his second term serving on the board of directors. “I have enjoyed being part of the RRP during the first ten years as a volunteer and competitor,” said Neil. “I am extremely honored to be asked to help shepherd the organization as board chair and I am looking forward to working with our great team of staff and volunteers to keep the RRP ecosystem growing and vibrant.” The formation of the advisory council allows the RRP to engage a variety of professionals in an ongoing, consultative fashion without the full governance obligations of becoming board members. “We're pleased to grow the community of individuals who help to inform the RRP's approach to issues relating to development, marketing, governance, and strategic planning,” said RRP executive director Kirsten Green. “The RRP has reached a stage in organizational maturation where it has firmly established itself as an integral part of the national aftercare industry and as we look to build upon our impact, it's essential that we are seeking expertise from a broad range of individuals who not only have the skills we need but also represent the communities that we serve.” The post RRP Elects New Board Members, Establishes Advisory Council appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Challenge, presented by GaineswayView the full article

Impressive filly Gala Brand tops the Miss Grillo Stakes (G2T) while Todd Pletcher saddles a strong duo in the Pilgrim Stakes (G2T) Oct. 1 at Belmont at the Big A.View the full article

Racing was canceled Sept. 29-30 at Aqueduct Racetrack and Meadowlands due to significant rainfall forecast to create hazardous weather. NYRA further announced that it had moved Saturday's 11-race card at Aqueduct Racetrack to Sunday, Oct. 1.View the full article

Order and Law and Azul Coast—1-2 in the 1 1/2-mile Cougar II Stakes (G3) July 23 at Del Mar—battle over the same dirt trip Oct. 1, this time at Santa Anita Park in the $100,000 Tokyo City Cup (G3).View the full article

This year's Conference will focus on safeguarding equine welfare and exploring shifts in societal expectations as well as the racing industry's response around the world. View the full article

Grade 1 racing returns to Japan with the Oct. 1 Sprinters Stakes—an opportunity for some of the nation's younger sprinters to take a step forward in a wide-open field in terms of previous accomplishment.View the full article

Somelikeithotbrown, a four-time New York-bred champion and earner of more than $1.7 million, has been retired due to an injury to his right rear leg, co-owner Dr. Harvey Diamond said Sept. 29.View the full article

After finishing second to stablemate Diego Velazquez in the Champion Stakes (G2), Kentucky-bred Capulet will attempt to redeem himself and earn a ticket to the Breeders' Cup in the Sept. 30 Royal Lodge Stakes (G2) at Newmarket. View the full article

Saturday's action features four Group 1s and four Group 2s across Newmarket and ParisLongchamp, with all ages and distances covered from the six furlongs of the G1 Juddmonte Middle Park S. and G1 Juddmonte Cheveley Park S. to the two and a half miles of the G1 Qatar Prix du Cadran. It is the former pair of prizes that take centre stage, with so much at stake for the precocious stars of their generation. The onus is very much on KHK Racing's G1 Prix Morny winner Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) in the Middle Park given the manner of his success in that Deauville feature, having taken the G2 Richmond S. en route. Since 2012, five winners of the Morny have followed up here including three of the last four in Blackbeard (Ire) (No Nay Never), Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}) and Earthlight (Ire) (Shamardal), so the Crisfords' leading light has history on his side. Ed Crisford is keen to see if he can become the latest to do the tough double. “It's a good field, as you'd expect for a race of this stature, but I'd say he goes in there with a favourite's chance,” he said. “It will be the first time he's encountered ground this fast, but he's a nice-moving colt by Havana Grey so that shouldn't be a problem.” Third in the Morny after his well-documented training troubles, Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is the obvious thorn in Vandeek's side now that he has a clear preparation for this highlight. He had a host of smart peers behind including Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in Royal Ascot's G2 Coventry S. on ground similar to the unseasonably fast conditions he encounters here and Ryan Moore is happy to tackle Vandeek again and another quintet of group winners including the G2 July S. hero Jasour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) from the always-to-be-feared Clive Cox stable. “He wasn't at peak fitness [for the Morny] and I thought he shaped very well in the circumstances,” Moore said of River Tiber, who represents the stable successful in three of the last six runnings. “I would expect him to get a lot closer to the winner here and I'd say we had a very fair shot at winning this group one. He's in good shape.” Vandeek, in front, stretching his legs up Warren Hill ahead of his run in the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes at @NewmarketRace next weekend. @GrahamClark85 tells us more. @gainsboroughHQ — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 24, 2023 Relief Rally Poised For Cheveley Park Coronation Whatever wins Newmarket's Cheveley Park S. will first have to see off Simon Munir and Isaac Souede's Relief Rally (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), whose sole defeat in five starts was as a result of coming out the wrong side of a head-bobber with Crimson Advocate (Nyquist) in the G2 Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot. Having dealt with every European rival thrown at her so far, including Ballydoyle's Cherry Blossom (Ire) (No Nay Never) in York's G2 Lowther S. last month, the William Haggas trainee has some new contenders to front up to here but the willingness to fight is almost her forte. Jockey Tom Marquand has faith that she can come through her most important bout to date. “She has taken big steps forward with each of her runs and she was unfortunate not to win at Ascot, but she has shown a high level of form,” he said. “I was really looking forward to riding her over six furlongs at York, as I thought it would suit her so well and she proved us right.” One of the lesser-known rivals to Relief Rally is Wathnan Racing's Criterium d'Ete scorer Jasna's Secret (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), who saw off the smart yardstick Zorken (Fr) (Goken {Fr}) in that valuable Deauville prize and is entitled to due respect as a result. Whether Carlos and Yann Lerner's bargain €42,000 Arqana Deauville September purchase has the know-how to cope with some hardened opponents remains to be seen, with the G3 Albany S. scorer Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) and the G3 Princess Margaret S. scorer Sacred Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) boasting the touch of class necessary to win one of these. Capulet Heads Strong Royal Lodge Cast Newmarket's G2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge S. is one of the day's more intriguing contests, with Ballydoyle's G2 Champions Juvenile S. runner-up Capulet (Justify) taking on Godolphin's G3 Solario S. winner Aablan (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah's Listed Ascendant S. scorer Al Musmak (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). Another in the mix is Jeff Smith's unbeaten Ghostwriter (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), the recent winner of a seven-furlong Ascot novice from which the impressive subsequent winner Military Artist (Munnings) emerged. Ryan Moore said of Capulet, “He did it nicely on his debut at Dundalk last month and he obviously improved a good deal when running Diego Velazquez to half a length at Leopardstown last time. That form looked strong at the time and it looks even better now with the well-beaten fourth, Deepone, coming out and winning the Beresford next time. All of these have the potential to take a big step forward, most notably Ghostwriter maybe, but he deserves to be the favourite as it stands as the Leopardstown form is the best on offer going into the race.” Clive Cox said of Ghostwriter, “His first success at Newmarket on the July course, and the way he was balanced and produced a winning debut, gives me confidence he will handle the track. He followed that up with a really impressive success at Ascot and showed a lot of class. He has thrived throughout, he is a wonderful physical, big, strong colt and I'm looking forward to seeing him step up to a mile. He is very deserving of running in this sort of grade. He's a horse we have always loved and he definitely sets the pulse racing.” Trueshan Looks For Second Cadran At ParisLongchamp, the Cadran sees Alan King's star stayer Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) bid to double his tally in the prestige marathon having mastered Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in style on easy ground two years ago. Back with a bang after a second wind operation in the G2 Doncaster Cup earlier this month, he has no genuine staying star of that calibre to contend with in a disappointing turnout but he does have Ballydoyle's ever-reliable Emily Dickinson (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). While the ground is not as easy as she would like it, neither is it for Trueshan and a repeat of the form of her latest second in the G1 Goodwood Cup would be good enough should the veteran giant deliver one of his deflating efforts. Aidan O'Brien said of her, “We think the trip will suit her and any ease in the ground will suit her as well. If the ground had come up soft or heavy, we probably would have had a good, strong think about the Arc, but we thought over the Cadran trip she would be more comfortable. She does stay very well and she seems in good form. When she ran in the Gold Cup she ran very well even though the ground was quick–she didn't have any problems with it.” As selected by you, @HollieDoyle1's ride on Trueshan is the MOMENT OF THE MEETING from the @Betfred St Leger Festival #DoncasterRaces | #MadeinDoncaster pic.twitter.com/ukohcbO2Pw — Doncaster Racecourse (@DoncasterRaces) September 21, 2023 All To Play For In Open Royallieu There is no stand-out in the Qatar Prix de Royallieu and it is fair to say that there have been better editions of the 14-furlong contest since it was elevated to top-level status in 2019. They have included an Oaks heroine in Anapurna (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and the top-class Wonderful Tonight (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), but this is a line-up of wannabes at present headed on the formbook by Wathnan Racing's G2 Prix de Pomone winner and G1 Prix Vermeille runner-up Melo Melo (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}). Most of her rivals have had plenty of chances at a lesser level and missed the target, so perhaps The Aga Khan's progressive G3 Stanerra S. and G3 Irish St Leger Trial S. winner Shamida (Ire) (Australia {GB}) could be the answer or the Arbibs' G2 Lillie Langtry S. and G2 Park Hill S. scorer Sumo Sam (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) if she can transfer her soft-ground dominance to this livelier surface. Big Things On The Horizon? ParisLongchamp's trio of Group 2 races see Moyglare Stud's exciting Harbour Wind (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) look to enhance his reputation in the staying category in the Qatar Prix Chaudenay; Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's G3 Sovereign S. dead-heater Embesto (GB) (Roaring Lion) act as one of the more promising types lining up for the Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein; and one of the day's more exciting runners in Horizon Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}) look to boss the Qatar Prix Dollar. Horizon Dore, who has flaunted his wares in the G2 Prix Eugene Adam and G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange, is one of the more lively outsiders at present for next month's G1 Champion S. and he sports the Gousserie silks already renowned at that Ascot fixture. Compatriots Cirrus Des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {Ire}) and Skalleti (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) and also the British raider Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}) have taken this en route to making a major play at the Champion and so Saturday's closing act of ParisLongchamp's pattern-race bonanza takes on extra weight. Sunday's Supporting Group 1s Confirmed Friday saw ParisLongchamp's five other Arc-supporting Group 1 contests finalised, with the opening two being the big juvenile prizes. The Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere features Philippe Allaire and Haras d'Etreham's unbeaten G3 Prix la Rochette-winning TDN Rising Star Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), while the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac includes Newtown Anner Stud Farm's impressive G2 May Hill S. and G3 Prestige S. winner Darnation (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and Haras d'Etreham and Craig Bernick's G2 Prix du Calvados-winning TDN Rising Star Les Pavots (Ire) (No Nay Never). In the Prix de l'Opera Longines, Yeguada Centurion SL's G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and G1 Prix de Diane heroine Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) takes on 11 rivals, while the 19 due to assemble for the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines include the star sprinting mare Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and the G1 Qatar Prix de la Foret sees last year's winner Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}) favourably drawn in two bidding to provide Frankie Dettori with the ultimate Paris send-off. All roads to the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère! Hot favourite Beauvatier makes it a perfect four with a smooth success in the Group 3 Prix la Rochette at @paris_longchamp… pic.twitter.com/sHB7fEWMC2 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 3, 2023 The post Newmarket: “He Goes In There With A Favourite’s Chance.” Vandeek To Star On Super Saturday? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has moved Saturday's 11-race card at Aqueduct, featuring a quartet of graded stakes races, to Sunday and pushed Sunday's 10-race program to Wednesday due to torrential rainfall causing widespread flooding and hazardous conditions in the New York metropolitan area. Friday's 11-race card, featuring the GIII Noble Damsel and Ashley T. Cole, was canceled with more than five inches of rain expected and Ozone Park under a flash flood warning and flood watch on Friday. Heavy rainfall will continue throughout Friday and into Saturday. Saturday's card, headlined by the GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, will move in its entirety to Sunday with a first post time of 12:05 p.m. Eastern. The stacked 11-race program also features the GII Woodward S., the GII Gallant Bloom S. and the GII Vosburgh S., a “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. The 10-race card originally scheduled for Sunday will move in its entirety to Wednesday with a first post time of 1:05 p.m. Wednesday's action is co-headlined by a pair of Grade II “Win and You're In” qualifiers for juveniles at 1 1/16 miles on turf. The Pilgrim S. awards a berth to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf while the Miss Grillo S. for fillies awards a berth to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. The all-turf Monmouth-at-Meadowlands cards for Friday, Sept. 29 and Saturday, Sept. 30 have also been canceled due to the inclement weather. The post Saturday’s Card at Aqueduct, Led by GI Turf Classic, Moved to Sunday Due to Torrential Rain appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) will contest the A$5-million G1 Cox Plate in the colours of Ozzie Kheir next month, Racing.com reported on Friday. Bred by Trevor Stewart and trained by Aidan O'Brien for Westerberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, the colt is currently traveling to Australia where he will spend his two-week quarantine in Melbourne. O'Brien will continue training the son of G3 Abernant S. and G3 Charge Sprint S. victress Tickled Pink (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) through his intended starts in the 2040-metre Cox Plate and the 2000-metre G1 Champion S. in the coming weeks. He will then change yards to Ciaron Maher and David Eustace. “We are extremely excited to have secured this very talented Northern Hemisphere 3-year-old with Japanese bloodlines,” Kheir told the publication. “Having already won a Grade I at the age of two and being lightly raced, it gave us confidence as a group to proceed with a deal to acquire Victoria Road from Coolmore. “The Coolmore family have always been a pleasure to deal with, our last significant acquisition being Sir Dragonet (Ire) in 2020. We have now traded together on some high-profile horses and there is a mutual respect for each other where we strike a fair price and terms to suit both. Recently Yes Yes Yes (Aus) and Coolangatta (Aus) have been sold to Coolmore.” The 115,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 graduate also won the G3 Prix de Conde and the Listed Criterium du Fonds Europeen de l'Elevage at two. At three, he was third in the G2 Dullingham Park S. in two starts. From 10 starts, Victoria Road has won four times with earnings north of $680,000. His second dam is the hugely influential blue hen Cassandra Go (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}). Added Kheir, “Mathew Becker was instrumental in landing the deal on Victoria Road as I, personally, didn't think we could buy him. “So, when the opportunity come about on the terms and price, I believed it was really good buying for this loyal and fantastic group of owners we race with. “We have a runner ready to go in the business end of the spring, provided he travels well, but more importantly, a colt for the future to race in Australia and continue to add to his value with most of, or potentially all, his downside covered by his previous Grade I win as a stallion prospect. “He will be trained by Ciaron and Dave after his couple of runs in Australia with Aidan O'Brien. It gave us great confidence that Aidan was wanting to continue to travel Victoria Road for our group to compete in the Cox Plate. Victoria Road is currently in the air on route to Werribee [International Horse Centre]. “Our short-term plan post-spring is to target the All-Star Mile and Australia Cup before attacking the Sydney Autumn.” The post Ozzie Kheir Buys Breeders’ Cup Winner And Cox Plate Contender Victoria Road appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Paco Lopez, who pulled up his mount Ridin With Biden (Constitution) a few steps before the finish of last Saturday's GIII Greenwood Cup S. at Parx, likely costing the horse a second-place finish, was handed a 30-day suspension Thursday by the stewards at Parx. In ruling, the stewards wrote that the suspension was “for failure to give his best effort and failure to use the proper diligence in Race 7 on September 23, 2023 while astride the horse Ridin With Biden…” The suspension began Thursday and will conclude on Oct. 27. Lopez has waived his right to appeal. “The penalty is justified,” said trainer Butch Reid. “We have to look out for our owners as well as the betting public. My concern was that the horse was sound and he is. He has been inspected by state vets three times since the race and is fine.” In the Greenwood Cup, a mile-and-a-half race, Ridin With Biden chased the winner Next (Not This Time) for about 10 furlongs before that rival started to pull away to what would become a 25-length laugher. However, Ridin With Biden appeared to have second-place wrapped up as he was eight lengths clear of the rest of the field at the eighth pole. But when he pulled the horse up, he was caught for the place, losing out by a nose to 84-1 shot My Imagination (Lea). Here's how the Equibase chart caller saw it: “Ridin With Biden prompted the winner to midway on the final turn, proved no match then was eased in the final stages costing the place.” For third-place, Ridin With Biden earned $19,000 or $19,000 less than the second-place payout of $38,000. Lopez's move also, no doubt, costs plenty of bettors. The combination of Next over Ridin With Biden was the lowest payout among all exactas. The post Paco Lopez Suspended 30 Days for Greenwood Cup Ride appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin's Eclipse Champion Male Turf Horse Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}–Modern Ideals {GB}, by New Approach {Ire}) will stand under the Darley banner at Dalham Hall Stud alongside his sire in Newmarket next season. A fee for the five-time top-level victor will be announced in due course. Trained by Charlie Appleby, he won both the G3 Somerville S. and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at two. Sent to France at three, Modern Games duly nabbed the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and was third in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club, and second in the G1 Sussex S. two starts later. Returned to North America, the royal blue colourbearer added the GI Woodbine Mile S. and the GI Breeders' Cup Mile, with a runner-up performance in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. in between. Kept in training at four, the 4-year-old ran second in the GI Mile S. at Keeneland before adding the G1 Lockinge S. at Newbury in May. In his final start, he was fourth in the G1 Queen Anne S. to Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and was retired later this season with a record of 16-8-4-1 and earnings of $3,571,418. Darley's Sam Bullard said, “The success of Dubawi as a sire of sires is now well known. How lucky we are to have such a sensational addition by the stallion, and one whose mother is also extraordinarily talented. He is a French Guineas winner, and his half-sister won the English Guineas. He won a Group 1 at two, remaining sound throughout, he finished with a Lockinge at four, and he has a magnificent mindset. “He is now available to view, breeders should come and see him while in Newmarket and get involved.” The chestnut is a half-brother to 2023 G1 1000 Guineas heroine Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), as well as listed winner Modern News (GB) (Shamardal), who was runner-up in the G3 Diomed S. and G3 Sovereign S. His dam is a half-sister to G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere victor and sire Ultra (Ire) (Manduro {Ger}), and the family also features dual Group 1 winner Act One (GB) (In The Wings {GB}). 'He's going to be a great addition to the stallions ranks' #ModernGames: five-time G1 winner including two @BreedersCup New to the @DarleyEurope roster for 2024 pic.twitter.com/6DYQ8Yb7tF — Darley in Europe (@DarleyEurope) September 29, 2023 The post American Champion Modern Games To Stand At Dalham Hall Next Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Practically unbeatable on Newmarket's Rowley Mile, Shadwell's Mutasaabeq (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) made all to annexe back-to-back renewals of the G2 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Joel S. on Friday and gain a fifth success from six visits to his favourite venue. Always happy on the front end with the bias firmly for front-runners, the Charlie Hills-trained homebred son of Ghanaati (Giant's Causeway) had to work late to deny two others who have likewise been around the block but remain just shy of the very top. They are the Freemason Lodge favourite Regal Reality (GB) (Intello {Ger}), who for some time up the rising ground to the line threatened to ruin the party for the 11-4 favourite, and the imperturbable Chindit (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) but their combined doggedness and three-pound advantage over the penalised winner was not enough. By hard-fought head and half-length margins, Mutasaabeq saw them off to add to his Suffolk tally which also includes the rescheduled G2 Sandown Mile in May, a 2-year-old novice contest and conditions event the following season in which he gained TDN Rising Star status. — ! MUTASAABEQ toughs it out to retain Newmarket's Group 2 event under @JimCrowley1978 for @cbhills pic.twitter.com/hXfvvrUOoV — Shadwell Stud (@ShadwellStud) September 29, 2023 The post Another Newmarket Triumph For Invincible Spirit’s Mutasaabeq appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jessica Pyfer, the 2021 Eclipse Award Outstanding Apprentice Jockey, has retired as a jockey and will join XBTV/Santa Anita Park as a full-time racing analyst, she announced on the social media platform X. “After an amazing three years as a Jockey, I am officially transitioning my career and have accepted a full time position with XBTV/Santa Anita Park as a Racing Analyst and couldn't be more excited to continue working in this role,” she said in a post. “I am so thankful for the times I have had in the apprentice jockey. I will still be riding in the mornings because if you know me, I could never spend more than a day off the back of a horse.” From 819 mounts, Pyfer posted a record of 88-89-106 and career earnings of $4,210,897. After an amazing three years as a Jockey, I am officially transitioning my career and have accepted a full time position with XBTV/Santa Anita Park as a Racing Analyst and couldn't be more excited to continue working in this role. I am so thankful for the times I have had in the pic.twitter.com/MtjXXXkFRF — Jessica Pyfer (@jockeyjess) September 28, 2023 The post Jockey Jessica Pyfer Retires; Joins XBTV/Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

All who witnessed the Doncaster debut success of Carla's Way (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}–Sulaalaat {GB}, by New Approach {Ire})) already knew that she was a talented performer, but Shaikh Duaij Al Khalifa's imposing chestnut had to show it where it matters and she duly delivered in Friday's G2 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Rockfel S. at Newmarket. Gifted an ideal lead, a strong pace and fast conditions in this seven-furlong “Win and You're In” for the $1-million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, the Crisfords' 7-2 shot was not for catching once James Doyle had committed passing two out. Despite the admirable effort of the 13-8 favourite Shuwari (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) from an impossible position, the contest had already been decided and there was a safe 2 1/4-length margin between them at the line. Ballydoyle's G3 Silver Flash S.-winning TDN Rising Star Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}) was back to form a further 2 1/2 lengths away in third, but was outpaced some way out in a race that looked top-level in all but name. Carla's Way, who had showed she could run as fast as only the best can do when defeating the smart pair Star Of Mystery (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) and Serene Seraph (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) on her introduction 20 days before disappointing when eighth in the G3 Albany S. at Royal Ascot, had undergone a wind operation before finishing second to the subsequent G2 May Hill S. winner Darnation (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) on ground that would have been unsuitably soft in Goodwood's G3 Prestige S. last month. Simon Crisford is looking at Santa Anita as a real possibility now that she has the ticket. “She did it really well, I think the fractions early on were pretty strong so all credit to her for picking up well,” he said. “I think she was slightly running on empty the last hundred yards, so that's probably as far as she wants to go trip-wise. I think the Fillies' Mile back here in two weeks might just be stretching her stamina too much, but a quick two-turn mile at the Breeders' Cup in California might be okay.” Ed Crisford added, “There is a lot of New Approach in her and she is a big, tall, scopey filly and for sure next year she should train on. Whether she will quite stay a mile I'm not sure. We will get this year out of the way and then think about next year and see how she is training over the winter before thinking of the 1000 Guineas.” Shuwari's trainer Ollie Sangster has no stamina concerns for the runner-up, who lost nothing in surrendering her unbeaten record racing against the bias against a top-drawer opponent. “I was very happy and she ran great,” he said. “I suppose the way the race panned out, she had a lot to do but she stayed on well. We will see how the next week goes, but we could think about coming back for the [Oct. 13] Fillies' Mile. She had been off for 64 days and she will come on again, so will definitely think about that.” Pedigree Notes Carla's Way, who at £350,000 was the second-highest-priced filly at the Goffs UK 2yo Breeze Up Sale, is the third of three current foals out of Sulaalaat who sported the Shadwell silks and was at her best over this trip. Registering a career-best in a handicap at the same Doncaster venue at which her daughter starred on debut, she is a full-sister to the dam of another member of the 2023 juvenile class who has produced something out of the ordinary in the Ripon debut winner but subsequently disappointing Listed Rose Bowl S.-placed Asadna (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}). The third dam Sumoto (GB) (Mtoto {GB}) was responsible for the G1 Eclipse S. hero Compton Admiral (GB) (Suave Dancer), the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. winner Summoner (GB) (Inchinor {GB}) and the G2 Ribblesdale S. runner-up Twyla Tharp (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) who in turn produced the G1 Irish Champion S., G1 Prince of Wales's S., G1 Nassau S. and G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine The Fugue (GB) (Dansili {GB}). This is also the family of the high-class G1 July Cup and G1 Prix de la Foret winner Limato (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}). Taking performance Carla's Way lands the G2 @ABE_Dubai Rockfel Stakes for @the_doyler & @gainsboroughHQ pic.twitter.com/mJvISIeRYX — Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) September 29, 2023 Friday, Newmarket, Britain AL BASTI EQUIWORLD DUBAI ROCKFEL S.-G2, £107,000, Newmarket, 9-29, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:23.01, g/f. 1–CARLA'S WAY (IRE), 128, f, 2, by Starspangledbanner (Aus) 1st Dam: Sulaalaat (GB), by New Approach (Ire) 2nd Dam: Danehill Dreamer, by Danehill 3rd Dam: Sumoto (GB), by Mtoto (GB) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (£350,000 2yo '23 GOUKB). O-Shaikh Duaij Al Khalifa; B-Grove Stud & David Spratt (IRE); T-Simon & Ed Crisford; J-James Doyle. £60,680. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-0, $100,265. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Shuwari (Ire), 128, f, 2, New Bay (GB)–Lady Pimpernel (GB), by Sir Percy (GB). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (80,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Mrs B V Sangster & Ballylinch Partnership; B-Ballylinch Stud (IRE); T-Ollie Sangster. £23,005. 3–Ylang Ylang (GB), 128, f, 2, Frankel (GB)–Shambolic (Ire), by Shamardal. (1,500,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Magnier, Tabor, Smith,Brant & Westerberg; B-Newsells Park Stud & Merry Fox Stud (GB); T-Aidan O'Brien. £11,513. Margins: 2 1/4, 2HF, 3/4. Odds: 3.50, 1.63, 2.50. Also Ran: Spiritual (Ire), Zenjabeela (GB), Carolina Reaper (GB). Scratched: Alshinfarah (Ire), Marcella (Ger). The post Starspangledbanner’s Carla’s Way Brilliant In The Rockfel; Has BC Juvenile Fillies Turf Berth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coeur Volante ridden by Blake Shinn (yellow cap) wins the Scarborough Stakes at Moonee Valley. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Coeur Volante (+850) has taken out the Group 3 Scarborough Stakes at Moonee Valley, after receiving a cool, patient ride from Blake Shinn in the last race on the program. After jumping from barrier three, Shinn found the rail on the eventual winner and everyone could see her trucking up behind the leading trio on the home bend, searching for a run to appear. Shinn took his time and allowed the daughter of Proisir to find her feet before bursting through a gap on the inside of the leader Inhibitions (+1100), before racing clear for a nice win over Inhibitions and the fast-finishing Bossy Nic (+1800). The race favourites Skirt The Law (+260) and Shesallshenanigans (+300) had their chance in the race but they battled away on the inside rail to finish fifth and seventh, respectively. 2023 Group 3 Scarborough Stakes Replay – Coeur Volante |T: Mike Moroney | J: Blake Shinn Mike Moroney spoke post-race about the win of Coeur Volante and her aspirations to go onto the Thousand Guineas. “Blake doesn’t do too much wrong, does he?” Moroney said of Blake Shinn after his winning ride. “She was getting a really nice run, but she got held up, held up and held up, but she got through and I thought it was a really good effort. “We brought her back to aim at the Thousand Guineas, and that’s where we will head towards. “I was a bit worried about her coming here tonight because she went off her feed a little while ago, so we put her in the paddock over winter. “She came back and wasn’t eating, but she has come right in the last week, so hopefully upwards from here. “There is a 1400m race during the carnival so we will go there and then we have to make up our mind, as to whether we run her in the Prelude or go straight into the (Thousand) Guineas after a month between runs.” After riding an early double and then having a fall in race four, Shinn brought up his riding treble with the win on Coeur Volante. “Sensational performance,” Shinn said. “Full credit to Mike (Moroney) who has prepped her up for the Thousand Guineas. “It was a great win tonight, considering she was first-up against some decent filly’s who had a run under their belt. “Things didn’t happen the way I would have liked, but she was good enough to get off the canvas and get the win.” Coeur Volante is the third favourite at (+800) in the Thousand Guineas futures market with most online bookmakers. More horse racing news View the full article

One doesn't need to delve too far into the Group 1 results to find a graduate of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, and come Saturday afternoon another may be added to the list, with the G2 Coventry S. winner River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and G2 Gimcrack S. winner Lake Forest (GB) (No Nay Never) among those favoured to go well in the G1 Juddmonte Middle Park S. at Newmarket. By that stage, there will be frenetic action of a different kind just a mile up the road at Park Paddocks where several days of Book 1 inspections will be underway ahead of the start of the nine-session October Sale on Tuesday. The first three days are devoted to Book 1, the profile of which continues to rise to ever dizzier heights. A 200,000gns median last year tells its own story, that figure having doubled in a decade. The average meanwhile settled at its own record high, just shy of 300,000gns and, at the final ringing of the tills, more than 126 million gns was spent across three days in 2022 for 424 fledgling racehorses. Looking ahead to this year's sale, it is hard not to envisage more of the same, or perhaps just more. Jimmy George, the marketing director for Tattersalls, says, “It's an outstanding catalogue. Book 1 seems to collect the cream of the British and Irish, and perhaps wider European yearling crop year after year. And it's not only a catalogue of real quality, it has diversity as well. In simple terms, it's probably fair to say that it represents the biggest collection of yearlings by the best turf stallions in the world that you'll find anywhere.” In the bloodstock world's version of chicken-and-egg, the fact that Britain and Ireland continue to enjoy a golden age of stallions no doubt influences the fact that a there is a growing throng of international breeders keeping mares in those countries, or indeed transporting them to be covered. We cannot forget, however, the importance of those blue hens and classy matrons in making these stallions what they are in the first place. “The consistency of these top stallions at the moment, the seamless movement on from the Galileo era, it's just amazing,” George says. “I'm not ranking them in any particular order, but you have Frankel, Dubawi, Kingman, Lope De Vega, Wootton Bassett, Sea the Stars, and there's the thick end of 200 yearlings by those six stallions in Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale. “And I think that tells prospective buyers all they really want to know, these are game-changing stallions on their own, but that collection together is pretty mighty.” From Program Trading (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) landing the GI Saratoga Derby on only his third start to the victory of Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) claiming his third Group 1 – one for each season of racing – in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and Good Guess (GB) dominating the G1 Prix Jean Prat for a Japanese owner in France, the broad international success of the October Sale, and Book 1 in particular, remains a strong theme. “It gives [owners and breeders] access to these top stallions; they recognise the quality of the horses standing in Britain, Ireland and also France at the moment,” George continues. “And if they're going to have regular access to these sort of horses, they come here and buy them as yearlings, and in the case of yearling fillies, perhaps leave them over here [to race] and breed from them in the future. “One of the aspects of Book 1 that strikes me year after year, is that the top owner-breeders will also target Book 1 for their broodmare bands. They're racing these beautifully-bred fillies and they can go on to have a huge impact on their own broodmare bands later down the line. “In the Juddmonte International this year, which was won by Mostahdaf, and Nashwa was second, both of them are raced by owner-breeders, and both of them are out of mares who those owner-breeders have bought as yearlings at Book 1.” The sale dovetails nicely with two weekends of Group 1 action on the Rowley Mile, making a trip to East Anglia in October an extra draw. “Newmarket is the hub, not only in the British racing and breeding industry, but really the European racing and breeding industry,” says George. “We've got two racecourses here, we've got numerous stud farms in and around the area standing some of the best stallions in the world, we've got all the top veterinary facilities, we've got 70 to 80 different racehorse trainers here, the most fantastic training grounds, and we've got Tattersalls.” He adds, “The owner-breeders feel comfortable here, they come to Newmarket, whether it's to race or whether it's to see their broodmare bands and their young stock, or to buy. Which is obviously why they come to Tattersalls.” Some 500 Book 1 yearlings will usher in a fortnight of action at Park Paddocks, where the newly refurbished and levelled yards at Somerville R, S, T have just been unveiled. Naturally there are some swanky pedigrees to digest. The brother to 2022 Derby hero Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) – himself a 280,000gns Book 2 gradate in 2020 – features among the Newsells Park draft, while a Dubawi half-brother to Imad Al Sagar's treble Group 1 winner Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) heads a select consignment from Blue Diamond Stud and, catalogued as lot 35, may well prove to be one of the early highlights on Tuesday. The McCartan family's Ballyphilip Stud brings lot 240, a half-brother to that brilliant sprinter Battaash (Ire) who is by another brilliant sprinter and budding young stallion, Blue Point (Ire). Meanwhile, Blue Point's own immediate family is represented by his three-part-brother [lot 81] from the first crop of fellow Darley stallion Earthlight (Ire) and consigned by Hillwood Stud. From the same Shamardal sireline, and with a typically strong female family behind him, comes the Lope De Vega (Ire) half-brother to St Leger and Irish St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), the colt having been pinhooked for 300,000gns from Kirsten Rausing's St Simon Stud draft at the December Foal Sale. He is reoffered by Eugene Daly's Longview Stud as lot 226. Among the colts on offer from Cheveley Park Stud is a three-quarter-brother to the farm's champion filly Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}). The son of Ulysses (Ire) features on the first day of Book 1 as lot 127 and is one of eight yearlings to be offered by the Thompson family, along with a Kingman (GB) colt out of the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf winner Queen's Trust (GB) (Dansili {GB}). The above is just a taster. It's easy to make a case for pretty much every yearling in the opening book, and for agents and trainers tasked with doing just that for potential purchasers, it is made a little easier by the existence of the Book 1 Bonus. It's a scheme which is now well established and has over recent years pumped almost £8 million in additional prize-money to owners with more than 340 bonuses now having been won. From next year, that individual bonus is set to rise from £20,000 to £25,000, with all yearlings catalogued for Book 1 of this year's sale eligible for the scheme. George says, “I think people are unnecessarily negative about the sport in Britain at times. There's so much to be positive about. One, it is the most magnificent sport. But two, there are aspects of British prize-money that need to be recognised, and Britain is the most lucrative place to own a horse in Europe, if it's a decent horse. British prize-money for group and listed races is superior to anywhere else in Europe, and that's a fact. And it isn't always a fact that is put out there often or loudly enough, in my humble opinion, but you only just have to look through the Pattern book and look at the prize-money available for British group and listed races and compare it with France and Ireland, who are the obvious main competitors in that respect. Britain is comfortably number one. The average prize-money for a Group 3 race, a Group 2 race, a Group 1 race in Britain is significantly higher than anywhere else in Europe.” What is often grumbled about of course is the lower levels on offer for maiden races and handicaps, but a significant number of maiden and novice races for two- and three-year-olds have been boosted this year by extra sponsorship from Juddmonte, Darley and the British EBF. On top of that, a Book 1 graduate has a chance of scooping an extra pot, and that is not restricted to British races, but also includes Ireland. “We know the impact it's having,” he continues. “We've distributed directly to racehorse owners in Britain and Ireland the thick end of £8 million in prize-money, with no deductions, just directly to the owners, since the inception of that scheme. “That is a lot of money to win for winning your maiden. The average price, or the average win prize-money next year for a Book 1 Bonus winner, will be I'd say comfortably over £30,000, which is significant. It's not headline prize-money, it doesn't show up in statistics, but it is significant.” George adds, “I think it's so important for us not to talk ourselves into thinking that there isn't opportunity out there, because there is. Whether it's our bonuses for Book 1, or whether it's Great British Bonuses, or certain sales races, or other angles that are out there, there's more there than sometimes we're led to believe.” Traditionally, the October Sale, under its various guises over the years, brought the curtain up on the autumn season at Tattersalls, but since a reshuffling of venues, which brought the Ascot Yearling Sale, now known as the Somerville, to Tattersalls, the sale grounds have already been busy in Newmarket since the yearling season began, and we head into a frenetic fortnight on the back of encouraging results not just at the Somerville, but pretty much across the board in Europe and America. “The sales calendar bears no resemblance to how it once was, and we've had the addition of the August Sale and Somerville Yearling Sale in recent years just at Park Paddocks alone. Under the Tattersalls umbrella it's grown out of all recognition, with Cheltenham and Tattersalls Ireland and the online sales,” George says. “But it still remains that the Tattersalls sales season really kicks off with the October Yearling Sale. That's when we become the focal point and it's pretty intense for those two weeks of Books 1 through to 4. “It's a busy time, but it's an exciting time, and there's a lot riding on it for everybody. It's very busy for the trainers and the agents, but the owners enjoy their time at the sales as well. And long may that last, it's very much part of the ownership experience.” The post Showtime as Wraps Come Off the October Yearlings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article