Wandering Eyes

Watching big-name Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) runners fall away is nothing new, however the speed at which Calandagan went from in the fields to not coming was quite something. In a turn of events that sparked memories of the time Aidan O’Brien’s Magical was in the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) field for little more than 12 hours – but never actually coming to Hong Kong – Calandagan was listed in the Cup field by the Jockey Club on Wednesday afternoon before being ruled out...View the full article

TOKYO, Japan — Under the vast, silent stand of Tokyo racecourse the best horse in the world enjoys a saunter around the turf track which will become his stage for the final act of a tremendous season. Calandagan (Gleneagles) will encounter an altogether different atmosphere on Sunday when that same grandstand will sing with the anticipation of around 100,000 racegoers come to bear witness to one of the world's great horse races. The passion with which the Japanese fans approach racing means that the Japan Cup is more pilgrimage than sports event and an 18-strong field which boasts the last three winners of the Japanese Derby means that the home team will have plenty to absorb them beyond this sole international visitor. But it is a compliment to the race and of vital importance to its global standing to have attracted the Aga Khan Studs' representative, who will bid for a fourth consecutive Group/Grade 1 victory after winning the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and then emulating Brigadier Gerard by taking both the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Champion Stakes in the same season. Just think, this time last year Calandagan was branded a bridesmaid horse. Now, after a racing year which began in Dubai and has continued through three trips to England as well as one performance on home turf in Paris, here he is in Japan, looking perky of mind and a bit more substantial of body. It would be a stretch to call Calandagan physically imposing, but in his talent he has imposed himself on the racing scene to a degree which makes it now impossible not to barrack for him. That his trainer Francis Graffard is similarly talented is beyond dispute to even casual racing observers these days. There's barely been a major meeting this year where he hasn't popped up and made his presence felt. Such is the strength in depth of Graffard's Chantilly yard that Calandagan has to battle internally to be labelled as stable star. But even in a season in which Zarigana and Gezora handed him French Classic victories before the latter delivered Graffard a longed-for first Breeders' Cup success, and Daryz capped the domestic season with his Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe win, it is Calandagan who stands out, and the very nature of his gelded status means that his trainer can take a different approach to his racing season. “My only focus for him is winning races,” Graffard says after watching Calandagan and his travelling companion Le Nomade complete half a lap of the Tokyo turf in a swinging canter. “I don't have to plan what will happen after racing, and what distance he should be racing over to be commercially interesting for a stallion career, or things like that. You only do it for the horse and for the sport, and I think that's why I like these geldings – I think they are great for the sport.” He's been here before of course, just last year, with Goliath (Adlerflug), who will be heading instead for Hong Kong next month. Goliath finished a creditable sixth last year behind Do Deuce (Heart's Cry), but the fact that he too is a gelded King George winner is where the comparison ends with Calandangan, according to their trainer. “The two horses are very different, so I have had to prepare them completely differently,” he says of the challenge of keeping a horse at his peak this late in the year. “I do it according to the horse, not to the race, and I know how to get Calandagan to his best. So that's what we are focused on, and the preparation has been right for Calandagan but different to last year.” Having settled upon the Japan Cup as a target with Princess Zahra Aga Khan after Calandagan's King George victory, Graffard said that the pressure was off when using the Champion Stakes – a revered Group 1 in its own right – almost as a prep race for Tokyo. “We said that this was where we wanted to go over the autumn and I was looking for a race to get him ready for the Japan Cup. The only suitable race for that was at Ascot in the Champion Stakes. It sounds a little bit silly because it was a very, very strong race, and the horse would need to be a champion that day. And obviously, winning the Champion Stakes, he proved to be the best horse in Europe anyway. It was a risk to prep for the Japan Cup in the Champion Stakes in England but I didn't have much pressure, because if he was beaten, it's okay. You take a risk, and I think it's very good for the sport, and I'm lucky because my owners have complete trust in me.” Nemone Routh and Francis Graffard at the Japan Cup press conference | Emma Berry Graffard is clearly relishing the luxury of knowing that, soundness and willingness permitting, Calandagan will be in his stable for some seasons to come. “We have got to know him well,” he says of the four-year-old. “But horses change, they mature, and we have to adapt all the time, but that's why this job is so interesting, because they're all different, and you have to go with their way. And with a colt, as they get more mature, they get heavier, and there is a line where they start to think more with their body, thinking about another job. So with a horse like Calandagan, it's much easier, and you can really train him as an athlete.” An athlete is exactly what Calandagan looks this unusually warm autumnal morning in the Tokyo sunshine, pointing his toe under his regular rider Jeremy Lobel. The only trace of the well reported former antics of his days as an enfant terrible is in the wearing of a hood – more familiarity perhaps than necessity these days. Nemone Routh, racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs, is in Tokyo already along with her colleague Pierre Gasnier ahead of the arrival of Princess Zahra Aga Khan for the big race. Success breeds success has long been the simple catchphrase of the operation's marketing division, and in a year in which it lost its figurehead with the death of His Highness Aga Khan IV in February, it can also now be said that the succession is breeding success. Princess Zahra Aga Khan, who has long played a key role in the development of the Aga Khan Studs, doubtless wishes that no such official changing of the guard had been necessary, but in the inevitable passing of familial duties from one generation to the next the horses – and those charged with their care – have not let her down. “Really, we couldn't dream of a year like this,” Routh says. “For the year to finish with us having the world's best horse, trained by Francis – and also a quick shout out to Daryz, who is the third-best-rated horse in the world and who won the Arc – and for it to fall in this difficult year at the beginning, and for the horses to perform at the top level throughout, it's indescribable, really. “We're very proud of the year that we've had. And it's wonderful to come here with such a good horse who's at the top of his game and who seems to have travelled very well. We're under no illusions that it will be difficult. It's a hard trip for a horse to take at the end of the year but he seems very well and we're very confident in his abilities.” During the press conference, Graffard referred to the things over which he had no control – the post position draw and a race start which takes place right in front of what will by Sunday be a grandstand humming with excitement. “I'll be happy with any number less than 10,” he said of a starting position, and by the afternoon another bounce of the ball had gone his way with a draw in stall eight. The rest now is up to Calandagan, to keep calm and carry on winning. The post ‘We Couldn’t Dream of a Year Like This’: Calandagan Team on One Last Push for the Japan Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kingsclere Stables will have representation in all three three-year-old stakes races this weekend, and trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood are hopeful they can get their hands on some of the spoils. Circus Maximus gelding Road To Paris (NZ) (Circus Maximus) has made quite the impression on the Cambridge horsemen, which was enhanced by his last start victory over 1400m at Avondale. They have taken a patient approach with the gelding to date, and they are looking forward to testing him over a mile for the first time when they head to Otaki on Sunday in the Gr.3 Jennian Homes Wellington Stakes (1600m), with his performance dictating future plans. “He is guy with a real future,” James said. “We have taken the slow road a little bit. He is a later maturing three-year-old and we are going to find out a little more about him on Sunday. “We don’t really know what his best distance is. At the end of his two-year-old year we thought he was our Derby horse for next year. He has got a bit of sharpness about him, and does he need to go a mile-and-a-half? We are going to learn that the deeper we go into his preparation. “With three-year-olds that can hopefully run a sharp mile, which we will find out on Sunday, there are a lot of options open to them. He is a very interesting runner.” James is also excited about the prospects of unbeaten filly Fairy Dream (NZ) (Proisir) in the Listed The O’Learys Fillies Stakes (1340m) at Wanganui on Saturday. The daughter of Proisir won on debut on the synthetic at Cambridge in September, and while she is untested on the grass on raceday, James believes she will be better suited on that surface. “I don’t think the turf will be of any concern as long as it is in good order,” James said. “I think she will be better on the turf than on the poly. “She is a light-framed filly who we have purposefully given good time to given that we hope there are a lot of options ahead of her this season. “She had a quiet trial the other day and I thought for a one-win horse the trial was very good. “It is not the easiest field, there are three or four there with good credentials and she is going to have to live up to what we think of her to win it. She is back to three-year-old fillies company and we do like her.” The stable will also be chasing age group success at Ellerslie on Saturday with three-year-old Per Incanto gelding To The Max (NZ) (Per Incanto) in the Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m). To The Max is another last-start winner, having been victorious over 1230m at Arawa Park earlier this month, and James believes he will lap up the extra distance this weekend. “He was very impressive last start, albeit he covered no ground,” James said. “He did sprint quickly when he was asked. “This race has come up quick enough, but we are happy to be there. I think the 1500m will really suit him. He was a bit outpaced early the other day and I think the greater distance will really play into his hands.” View the full article

Massive Sovereign will skip Sunday’s Class Two Chevalier Cup (1,600m) and head straight to next month’s Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) with Hugh Bowman in the frame to take the ride. Trainer David Eustace’s preference to space Massive Sovereign’s runs prompted the move to bypass Sunday’s feature at Sha Tin, with the 2024 Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) winner set for a huge challenge against Romantic Warrior on December 14. The Irish import has produced three solid runs since transferring from Dennis...View the full article

Hit Show, Rattle N Roll, and Gosger face a rematch Nov. 28 in the $600,000 Clark Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,' after a sparkling second-out performance during the summer of Amoss at the Spa Sept. 1 when the colt scored by 5 3/4 lengths, Oscar's Hope (Twirling Candy) rolled into Delta Downs on low-takeout day for the Jean Lafitte Stakes Wednesday. The 2-year-old was bet down to 30 cents on the dollar here after finishing as the runner-up to fellow 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', Outfielder (Speightstown) in an allowance race at Keeneland Oct. 4 and as a last-out winner facing optional claimers at Churchill Downs Nov. 1. The chalk took the lead from the inside as the field followed him into the first turn. Under control and continuing to carve out the fractions on the engine, the juvenile held the advantage up the backstretch and through the far turn. The favorite was asked for more down the lane and responded in-kind to net his first stakes trophy for the cargo hold. Randemonium (Cloud Computing) was the runner-up. The first foal for his dam, Oscar's Hope has a half-brother named Major Ray (Nyquist), who was purchased for $725,000 by B-4 Farms at the 2025 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling sale. The 'Rising Star' also has a weanling half-sister by Curlin. Hopeful Princess visited Twirling Candy for next spring. Of note, under the winner's third dam we find GSW Street Magician (Street Cry {Ire}), and Oscar's Hope is bred on a similar cross to Twirling Candy's Grade I winners Pinehurst, Fionn and Rombauer. JEAN LAFITTE S., $100,000, Delta Downs, 11-26, 2yo, 7 1/2f, 1:32.83, ft. 1–OSCAR'S HOPE, 120, c, 2, by Twirling Candy 1st Dam: Hopeful Princess (GSP), by Not This Time 2nd Dam: More Than Magic, by More Than Ready 3rd Dam: Magical Meadow, by Meadowlake ($150,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. O-Michael McLoughlin; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Thomas M. Amoss; J-Vicente Del-Cid. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-2-0, $231,684. 2–Randemonium, 122, c, 2, Cloud Computing–Galileos Ballerina, by Magician (Ire). ($20,000 Ylg '24 TTAYRL). O-Rand Metoyer; B-J. E. Jumonville Jr. & Bunny Jumonville (LA); T-Benard Chatters. $20,000. 3–Wayne's Law, 122, c, 2, Tiz the Law–Mollie Merisa, by Harlan's Holiday. ($22,000 RNA Ylg '24 OBSWIN; $25,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR). O-Baalbek Corp.; B-Margaret McFarland (FL); T-Amador Merei Sanchez. $10,000. Margins: 2 3/4, 1 1/4, 2HF. Odds: 0.30, 26.70, 5.20. Also Ran: Way Beyond, Casa Cielo, Duke de Vere, Missing Brian. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. #2 OSCAR'S HOPE ($2.60) was much the best going gate-to-wire to win the $100,000 Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs. The son of Twirling Candy (@LanesEndFarms) was ridden by Vincente Del-Cid and is trained by @TomAmossRacing. pic.twitter.com/uPXqEihmE9 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) November 26, 2025 The post Swashbuckling ‘Rising Star’ Oscar’s Hope Nets Jean Lafitte Stakes At Delta Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sailor Jack could have a busy few weeks ahead of him if he performs up to expectations in Saturday’s Listed Steelform Roofing Group Wanganui Cup (2040m). The Shaun and Hazel Fannin-trained eight-year-old heads into the race in good form, having placed in his last two outings, including splitting subsequent Group winners Agera and Bozo in the Feilding Cup (2050m) earlier this month. “He is in good form at the moment, he ran a really good race behind Agera in the Feilding Cup,” Shaun Fannin said. “Agera went on and won a Group Two after that and Bozo won the New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m), so the form has stacked up there.” Fannin was also pleased with his third placed run in the Waipukurau Cup (2100m) where he carried 61kg. “He stuck on pretty well at Waipuk, he didn’t have a great run in transit and was under a bit of weight,” he said. “He seems to have gone the right way since then, so dropping back to 53 kilos on Saturday, he is a strong chance again.” All going to plan after Saturday, Sailor Jack is set to head north for Group targets at Te Rapa and Ellerslie. “A mile-and-a-half is his ideal distance,” Fannin said. “If he runs well on Saturday, we will probably look at the Waikato Cup (Gr.3, 2400m) and the Queen Elizabeth (Gr.3, 2400m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.” Fannin will also head to Wanganui on Saturday with Poppy’s Girl, who will be first-up in the Gas & Heating 1200. The five-year-old daughter of Harry Angel has pleased her trainers with her two trials this preparation, including winning her 850m heat at Foxton earlier this month, and they are hopeful she can get the lion’s share of Saturday’s $40,000 purse. “She has had a few little issues, which is probably why we haven’t seen the best of her,” Fannin said. “I think we have got her pretty right at the moment. She has drawn four, so she should get a nice sit, fifth or sixth, and she should get her chance on Saturday.” View the full article

Kelvin Tyler will be well represented over two days at Cromwell with a particularly strong hands in the main staying events. The Riverton trainer’s team at the Central Otago meeting on Friday will be headed by White Robe Lodge & Auripo Enterprises Memorial Cup (2030m) contenders King Of The Castle and Vamos. The latter is also likely to run at the Otago Racing Club’s fixture on Sunday in the Happy Hire Cromwell Cup (2030m) along with stablemate Master Marko. Tyler will also be keeping an eye on Otaki where Freddie Time steps out in the Kapiti Valuations Handicap (2100m) after performing with credit in recent sprint outings. “He had a nice gallop on Wednesday morning, so the camp up there is pretty happy, he’s been screaming out for more ground, so he’ll get his chance,” he said. On the opening day at Cromwell, Tyler had a slight leaning toward King Of The Castle, who will move back in trip off the back of a fifth in the Winton Cup (1400m). “He comes in pretty well at the weights, he’s the class horse of the field and I think he’ll take a bit of beating,” Tyler said. “He obviously had that fall at Riccarton two runs back and before that his three races prior were all good. “He got stuck on the fence last time when fifth, he couldn’t get out with some lower grade horses coming back on him and couldn’t get out.” However, he is also expecting Vamos to be competitive off the back of an impressive runs of form. The six-year-old won two on the bounce at Riccarton and Gore before runner-up finishes at Ascot Park and his home track at Riverton. “He’s got a bit of weight to lug around, but I can’t fault him really,” Tyler said. “He’s certainly been going well, he’s flying and there’s not much between the two of them.” Of his other runners on Friday, Tyler tipped the Ardrossan mare Indie Ardie to go close to an overdue breakthrough in the Peter Lyon Shearing & Breen Construction Maiden (2030m). “I’m still surprised she hasn’t won a race yet and she’ll really like going up in trip, so she’ll take some beating if she gets her fair share of luck,” he said. All going well, Tyler plans to send Vamos back into action on Sunday and believes he’s the ideal type to handle the back-up. “That’s the plan, he’s a big, strong fellow now. He’s a pretty tough horse so I can’t see so I can’t see why he won’t as long as he pulls up well and there’s a bit of juice in the track,” he said. Barnmate Master Marko finished a solid fifth in the Listed Spring Classic (2000m) before he was successful at Riverton and last time out ran fourth in an open handicap back at Riccarton. “He will take some beating as well, he’s the perfect horse to be honest,” Tyler said. “Every day is the same with him, he eats, sleeps and works well and comes in the at the weights nicely.” View the full article

After an extended stand-down from riding due to concussion, leading jockey Opie Bosson has been cleared to resume duties in time for an important Group One date. Bosson was sidelined at the Avondale race meeting on November 6 after being unseated while pulling up on one of his mounts. He was subsequently diagnosed with concussion and had to comply with standard protocols before being able to get back in the saddle. He was cleared to begin trackwork duties on Monday and on Wednesday gained a full clearance, which while too late for him to ride this weekend, will allow several days to prepare fully for an important date at Trentham next Saturday. On the same day 12 months ago Bosson took his tally of Group One wins to 99 when successful on Ladies Man in the TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m). Completing a century of Group One wins has been anything but straightforward for the hugely talented jockey, whose career has had multiple interruptions due mainly to his battle with weight. That all came home to roost last Christmas when Bosson announced that he had decided to cease riding, but after nearly eight months the urge again became too great and he resumed his career at the start of the season. His newfound enthusiasm resulted in a rare lead on the jockeys’ table, but he has since been passed by fellow Matamata rider Craig Grylls, who is making no race of a second consecutive premiership with 46 wins. Bosson still holds equal second place with Joe Doyle on 28 wins, but the momentum built by Grylls is formidable, especially with the added advantage of being able to ride at a much lighter weight than Bosson and other rivals. “Opie’s just happy to be cleared to ride again and get back into it, so he’ll take a couple of rides at Rotorua next Wednesday and that should set him up nicely for Trentham on Saturday,” said Bosson’s agent, former leading jockey Michael Coleman, who also manages Grylls’ rides. The mount Bosson is most looking forward to at Trentham is Captured By Love, who was confirmed for the TAB Classic after finishing second to big-race rival Legarto in a trial ahead of racing at Te Aroha on Wednesday. After her return to form in the Gr. 3 Windsor Park Stud Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton three weeks ago, Captured By Love is rated a $9 chance on the TAB Classic futures market. “Legarto won well but our mare did all we wanted; it was a tidy gallop and will have cleaned her up nicely for Trentham,” co-trainer Sam Bergerson said. “It’s shaping to be a very good field, but we’re looking forward to having Opie back on top. He doesn’t need any incentive, just having him back in action is enough, but it would be quite something to see him get his 100th Group One.” View the full article

Just a Minute (Not This Time–Breaking Beauty, by Into Mischief), who debuted as a 9-2 shot here, set up shop midpack as the field was led by a longshot up the backstretch. The filly made steady progress by sticking to the fence around the far turn. With the rail lane wide open entering the straightaway, the 2-year-old fired her best shot, closed with alacrity when she shifted to the two path inside the final sixteenth and held off a late charge from Cynical Humor (Gun Runner) to leave the kids' table behind and eat with the grown-ups. The winner is a half-sister to Tiz Dashing (Tiz the Law), GSW, $292,207. A $300,000 Keeneland November buy in 2019 for Summerhill while Event Detail (City of Light) was in utero, Breaking Beauty is also responsible for a yearling colt by Charlatan and a weanling colt by Gunite. She was entered in Prince of Monaco's book for 2026. Just a Minute's second dam, German multiple group stakes winner Que Belle (Seattle Dancer), also produced GSW Osidy (Storm Cat) and French group stakes heroine Quetsche (Gone West). 8th-Churchill Downs, $122,883, Msw, 11-26, 2yo, f, 5fT, :58.28, fm, 3/4 length. JUST A MINUTE (f, 2, Not This Time–Breaking Beauty, by Into Mischief) Sales History: $240,000 RNA Ylg '24 FTSAUG; $325,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $69,300. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-G. Watts Humphrey, Jr.; B-Camas Park Stud (KY); T-Victoria H. Oliver. A nice top pick winner from @JoeyDaKRacing! Just a Minute scores at 9/2 in R8 at @churchilldowns under @luissaezpty for trainer Vickie Oliver! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/ACzq3UA5YP — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) November 26, 2025 The post Not This Time’s Just A Minute Leaves Kids’ Table On Debut At Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2025 live Thoroughbred racing season at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack came to an end Nov. 26.View the full article

HISA has issued a show-cause notice and is considering a provisional suspension for New York-based trainer Rudy Rodriguez, alleging he failed to provide required veterinary care and diagnostic follow-up for horses placed on the veterinarians' list.View the full article

The state of Kansas approved 1,000 HHR machines, which is a precursor to the return of Thoroughbred racing in the state. While Kansas has not had live Thoroughbred racing since 2008, the goal is for the sport to return in the fall of 2026.View the full article

He called it a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience, smiling in the Paris sunshine, spry and dapper in his bow tie and blazer. And then he added: “I mean, I'm 90 years old, so I don't know how much more lifetime there is!” That helped the interview go fairly viral. But there was much else besides: the sheer joie de vivre, the sense of just how much living Russell Jones has crammed into that lifetime; plus an infectious sense of the fulfilment available, when you invest in a horse in a purely sporting spirit. Jones only found himself at Longchamp because he had wanted to honor the memory of Johnny Harrington by participating in a partnership at the stable run by his dear friend's widow Jessica. In his time, to be sure, Jones has plenty of horse trading. He would know as well as anybody the commercial potential of bloodstock. In fact, along with his late brother Richard, he consigned Producer (Nashua) to achieve a broodmare record $5.25 million at Keeneland in 1983. Even so, there may be a lesson for those people who nowadays approach the game in a wholly mercenary spirit, in the way things have played out with Barnavara (Ire) (Calyx {GB}). Because this €70,000 yearling goes to the Sceptre Sessions at Tattersalls Tuesday (hip 1753) as winner of the G1 Prix de l'Opera–a race once won, funnily enough, by Producer. What a weekend the Alpha Racing syndicate had in Paris–and how often did thoughts turn to Johnny. Jones had gotten to know him way back in the 1960s, when Johnny was working for the Curragh Bloodstock Agency, and had come to America to help launch Jonathan Sheppard's training career. They hit it off so well that Johnny started staying with Jones in Pennsylvania, whenever he travelled over. “But then, one of his first visits, my wife went into labor,” Jones recalled. “She told him she didn't know where the hell I'd got to, and he was to drive her to the hospital. At that stage Johnny hadn't yet had any children himself, and he was in a total sweat, praying that she didn't deliver this baby right there on the front seat. “He was a great one for telling stories on himself, and always said that was the most nervous he'd ever been. Anyway, over the years, it just became a great friendship. So it was tough, when he died. They got me to do a reading at the service, and I helped carry the casket. So I was almost like family.” Jones told Patrick Cooper he would like to support the stable, but didn't imagine he could make too much of a difference with just the odd horse here and there. Cooper mentioned that he was setting up a syndicate with Elaine Lawlor and the Harringtons' son-in-law Richie Galway. At first, Jones felt that that he might not enjoy delegating selection to others, but after a couple of years of doing his own thing, he got on board with Alpha Racing. “And I've been there ever since,” he says. “It's just been so much fun. Unlike a lot of syndicates, more or less all of us were veterans in the horse game. They weren't doing it as a financial investment–which was right up my alley because you do that, in this game, you're a little crazy. This was not going to be too expensive and we were all just doing it for fun.” And that approach has actually proved more lucrative than tends to be the case when people are under pressure to make things pay. Last year, the syndicate sold its €65,000 yearling Kinesiology (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) to Australia after four consecutive runner-up finishes in stakes company. Now the time has come to cash out Barnavara. “I think she was just maturing as she went along, and getting better as a result,” Jones suggests. “Every time we asked her the next question, she got better. It was amazing. At the Curragh, she was devastating, just galloped them to death. She has this very high cruising speed and can keep it going. She's a filly that can take the run out of horses. She goes out there and says, 'Come on, then, here I am: come get me.' Sometimes she gets headed, and comes again. The whole thing has been unreal, especially the way it has opened up Ireland for me again.” Russell Jones | Tod Marks That's because many earlier years, of this life well lived, were largely spent jumping across open country, whether at home in Chester County or in Ireland. Jones connects us to a golden age, to an extent, one that has gone beyond recall. He won his very first race, aged 13, in a point-to-point staked out cross-country, with flags. But the gusto characteristic of those days keeps Jones very much engaged in the here and now–still serving, in fact, on the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission. “I grew up on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania,” Jones explains. “Started out fox-hunting, then riding point-to-points and eventually steeplechase. That first race, I was on a 14.2hh pony, but she was mostly Thoroughbred, I think. My mother was against my going, unless my father rode in the race too, to look after me. By the time I got into the final field, I had opened up on them–but there were all these people standing along the fence, and I couldn't tell where the finish was. Then an old man that used to follow the hounds took off his cap and threw it in the air, so I shot over and got there. My father finished ahead of the rest. Probably he let me win!” Jones was not permitted to contest the open at the adjacent hunt until he was 16, and promptly won that at the first attempt, too. “But I'm sounding like I was some kind of important talent, which I never was,” he stresses. “I was just game to go and have a crack at it, and lucky as hell to win a couple of races. Basically, most of my riding career was on horses I was trading. Like the Maryland Hunt Cup winner I bought at the racetrack for five grand.” That was the famous Jacko (Chi), five-time Timber Horse of the Year. “He'd been brought up from Valparaiso in Chile to Delaware Park,” Jones recalls. “He'd beaten a total of two horses in four races here, was really just an acclimatization project in the works. We took him home, gelded him, and started hacking around the country. And he jumped like a horse that had done it all before: just a natural at the job. He won 19 races over timber for us.” But Jones was no mere passenger, as his myriad other accomplishments as horseman attest. A Master of Fox Hounds for a decade, he was still fearlessly out in the field to the age of 85. In the Thoroughbred world, too, he has added to the heritage of a neighborhood that once produced breed-shapers Danzig and Storm Cat. His own impact was through Walnut Green, for many years the largest sales agency outside Kentucky, achieving global reach through the likes of Flower Alley, At Talaq and Golden Pheasant. “In the early '70s, I was working in the stock market business and just training some jumpers on the side,” Jones recalls. “But then in 1976, I consigned a horse for a lady in Wilmington, Delaware, the first horse I ever consigned, and I didn't know what the hell I was doing. But we just built and built. Producer was a mare we sold for a couple of guys from Chicago. They sent her to us to breed to Northern Dancer, and just hit an absolute gold mine. But I think we only held the record until the January Sale! “Anyway, we did that until '05. But our major clients were dying off, and we weren't developing new ones. It had become a disadvantage being in Pennsylvania. We even thought about starting up in Kentucky, but we liked our life so well at home. Kentucky hunting just wasn't as good! So we decided we'd look for somebody younger that might take the business over.” They were struggling for takers when Mark Reid approached Richie at the September Sale and asked whether they might ever consider selling the business. “Are you crazy?” Richie replied, quick as a flash. “We're making so much goddamn money, I don't think we can afford to.” But they found a way, right enough. Not that Jones was done yet. One evening he found himself sitting at dinner next to an old friend, Phyllis Wyeth. “Her father had bought Devil's Bag as a yearling, Gone West too,” Jones recalls. “And Phyllis wanted to get into the business herself. So she had me come down and look at their horses and help with consigning. Next thing you know, she's not only a great friend, but an important customer. We had some great years, topping out with Union Rags.” Wyeth sold that horse as a yearling for $145,000. When he resurfaced in the Gulfstream Sale, the following February, Jones called her. “You bred a monster here,” he said. “He's gorgeous, 10 times the horse we sold.” “Well, let's buy him back.” “Phyllis, you wouldn't get him even for double what they gave us. He'll make $400,000.” “Okay, go to $390,000.” It was eerie how it played out. The bidding raced along until Jones managed to get in his single bid, at $390,000. And the hammer came down. “He was the best 2-year-old in the country,” Jones marvels. “Got beat a head at the Breeders' Cup, by a better ride on Hansen, and then won the [GI] Belmont. But finally her infirmity caught up with Phyllis and six or seven years ago she died. So many of these clients that were great friends are gone now. So I'm now down to five mares in Kentucky, with Noel Murphy, plus one in Ireland.” Nonetheless, he spent virtually the entire Keeneland November Sale seated by the inside back ring, making notes on foals. Complimented on his stamina, he shrugs. “At my age, I can't walk around the grounds like I did when actively engaged,” he says. “So it's a compromise. I can tell if they're crooked, but most of all I like to see how they move, what the frame is. These foals are telling me what stallions to think about, for breeding mares next year. I have gotten away from going to the farms to look at stallions. They don't always produce what they look like. Looking at what they're putting on the ground, for me, is more reliable. The only reason I'd look at stallions is to see whether they're a suitable physical match.” The system seems to be functioning pretty well, Jones having recently used Good Magic, Vekoma and Yaupon when “on the bubble.” “I could see what they were throwing and breeding to them before they exploded,” he says. “But you'd even do it for amusement: it's all such theater, so addictive. You've got to keep pace with what's happening, got to keep improving yourself. You see somebody doing better than you, you say, 'I better find out what they're doing that I'm not.'” Some attitude, at his time of life! Again, however, it is chicken-and-egg: what got him this far is the same verve that keeps him going now. That's why the old horse trader is happy even to sell Barnavara, so ending a sentimental journey. As it says in the film, they'll always have Paris. “I think that trading instinct in me still comes to the fore,” he says. “She's sound as a bell and may get a whole lot better next year. But we finished off with that incredible weekend in Paris: museums, Notre Dame, restaurants. Our race was right after the Arc, so we're with our filly in the stable area and here comes the Arc winner being led back in. It was just so much fun, the whole weekend, even before winning.” And, as such, an apt tribute. Because it would never have happened but for Johnny. “I suppose not,” Jones says. “I mean, you never know why these things happen. But when they do, you just make sure you enjoy the hell out of them.” The post Barnavara Fairytale Keeps Jones Young appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A trio of Hong Kong heavy hitters are among the 22 Group 1 winners signed on for the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) at Sha Tin on Sunday, December 14. Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) is aiming for his fourth win in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup after winning that event the past three years. Aiming to extend his unbeaten streak to 16 races, Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) targets the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint. Rounding out the local trio is Hong Kong Triple Crown hero Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) who is hoping to defend his crown in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile. They will face an international brigade featuring the horse rated best in the world, Calandagan (Gleneagles), and the gelding's stablemate Quisisana (Le Havre) from the Francis-Henri Graffard yard. Both of the French-trained runners are pointing to the Cup. G1 Sprinters Stakes hero Win Carnelian (Screen Hero) and fellow top-liner Satono Reve (Lord Kanaloa) are both signed on to the Sprint, and Khaadem (Dark Angel) is also entered in that affair. Docklands (Massaat), who recently finished ninth in the G1 Mile Championship, will try his hand in the Mile, while G1 Dubai Turf winner Soul Rush (Rulership) will also take in that race. Japanese Classic heroine Embroidery (Admire Mars) is another for the Mile. In the Vase, Giavellotto (Mastercraftsman) will attempt to defend his title, but he faces Eydon (Olden Times) and top-level winners Sosie (Sea The Stars) and Goliath (Adlerflug). Andrew Harding, executive director, racing, HKJC, said, “The Longines Hong Kong International Races are one of the most important events on racing's global calendar, and this year we look forward to witnessing the feats of Romantic Warrior, Ka Ying Rising, Calandagan, Soul Rush and Voyage Bubble, among many others. “We are excited by the quality of selected runners for this year's Longines Hong Kong International Races and the presence of so many of the stars is in keeping with our long-held commitment to deliver sporting excellence. The stage is now set for Sunday, 14 December at Sha Tin.” The post Longines HKIR Feature 22 Group 1 Winners appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The top three finishers from last year's Hollywood Turf Cup (G2T) return for a rematch Nov. 28 at Del Mar. Up for grabs is the lion's share of a $200,000 purse. View the full article

The 2025 live thoroughbred racing season at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack came to an end on Wednesday, Nov. 26.View the full article

Ain't she a beaut, Clark? A fantastic field of nine, led by 3-1 morning-line favorite and G1 Dubai World Cup hero Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}), will line up for the GII Clark S. at Churchill Downs on Black Friday. The Wathnan Racing colorbearer defeated last year's re-opposing Clark winner Rattle N Roll (Connect) by a length in the GIII Hagyard Fayette S. at Keeneland last out Oct. 25. “We were really proud of Hit Show's effort in the Fayette,” trainer Brad Cox said. “He hasn't missed a beat since winning the Dubai World Cup. We're looking forward to another top effort in the Clark.” Cox will also saddle 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' and Godolphin homebred First Mission (Street Sense), who fell just a nose short in the 2023 Clark. The MGSW was a disappointing fourth in the GI Goodwood S. at Santa Anita last time Sept. 27. “The Clark is First Mission's final start before he retires to stud duty,” Cox said. “We expect him to bounce back on Friday.” The field for the Clark also includes talented sophomores: GI Preakness S. runner-up and last-out Fayette third Gosger (Nyquist); runaway GII Fasig-Tipton Risen Star S. winner and GI Pennsylvania Derby runner-up Magnitude (Not This Time); and GIII West Virginia Derby winner Chunk of Gold (Preservationist). After bringing $3.7 million from Dixiana Farm at Keeneland November, GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. heroine Lush Lips (GB) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) is the horse to beat in the GII Mrs. Revere S. on the undercard. Friday's graded stakes action also includes the GII Hollywood Turf Cup S. at Del Mar. The GIII Falls City S., featuring GI Breeders' Cup Distaff third-place finisher Regaled (Mohaymen), anchors the 12-race Thanksgiving Day program at Churchill Downs. The post Field of Nine Ready to Put on a ‘Show’ in Loaded Clark appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features a daughter of a Breeders' Cup winner. 16.30 Chelmsford City, £8,000, Mdn, 2yo, f, 7f (AWT) Cheveley Park Stud's SO REGAL (GB) (Kingman {GB}), a John and Thady Gosden trainee, is a homebred daughter of GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Queen's Trust (GB) (Dansili {GB}). Her nine rivals include Kirsten Rausing's Campeona (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), who is a Sir Park Prescott-conditioned daughter of dual Group 3-winning G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern runner-up Cubanita (GB) (Selkirk). The post Daughter Of Breeders’ Cup Heroine Queen’s Trust In Line For Chelmsford Bow appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

She may be the small filly taking on some seasoned sprinters, but Trevor Andrews insists Luana Miss is well capable of punching above her light weight as he gets set to unleash his stable star in the Nov. 29 Winterbottom Stakes (G1) at Ascot.View the full article

The $400,000 Golden Rod Stakes (G2) Nov. 29 at Churchill Downs is the next stop on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. Trainer Brad Cox will look for a second consecutive win with Rags to Riches Stakes winner Life of Joy.View the full article

By Jonny Turner It is not even December and the White stable’s annual southern raid is already on. Trainers Brent and Tim White campaign plenty of horses in Otago and Southland in summer and this year it will be no different. But before the Ashburton trainers try to continue their success they’ve had in Central Otago in recent seasons, they’ll pop over the border to Oamaru on Thursday. Among the five-strong White team is Snooowgood, whose last start was behind Dash Dosh, who went on to win the Group 1 New Zealand Trotting Oaks. Prior to that, the three-year-old took on more quality types in the Group Three Hambletonian Classic. Snooowgood drops back in grade at Oamaru and also reverts to standing start racing. “She has just got to bring manners at the start, that will be the key,” Tim White said. “It looks like a very winnable race for her considering what she has been racing.” The White stable will give Stealers Wheel the second start of his new campaign at Oamaru. There looked to be plenty of merit in the pacer’s fresh-up fifth at Ashburton. “He did plenty of work first up, he didn’t really get a spell during that race,” White said. “His work since has been pretty good and the best version of him would go pretty close, you would think,” White said. Two White-trained pacers go head to head at Oamaru in Molly Maeve Estelle and Jazzys Upstart. The pair will be driven by Sarah and Gerard O’Reilly respectively. Molly Maeve Estelle battled in her last outing, but her camp thinks the run is best forgotten. “We are going to forgive that last run, she was on the fence and nothing seemed to run on from there that day on the wet track at Ashburton.” “Her run before that was good and she’s drawn one this week so we are hoping she can go a much better race.” Jazzys Upstart was also down the track at Ashburton, but she also had her excuses. “She didn’t get much luck last start, she did a bit of work early and then Sarah came in and put her hand up and said she went a bit early.” “She went good at Oamaru before that, she seems to go well down there.” The White barn will give Bettor Dreams her debut in the two-year-old fillies event at Oamaru. “She is the loveliest horse to have around the place and she hasn’t done anything wrong in her trials.” “We are hoping she can step up at the races and maybe the Bettor’s Delight can come out in her.” View the full article

By Jordyn Bublitz The New Zealand Junior Drivers Championship gets underway at Cambridge Raceway tonight, and among them is first-time contender and Canterbury-based junior driver, Mia Holbrough. Holbrough has already enjoyed a standout season, producing a career-best 14 winners and 40 placings, and her selection for this year’s championship is the reward for a year of consistency, growth, and confidence. For Holbrough simply lining up is a dream realised. “It feels incredible, being in the Junior Champs is something I’ve dreamed about since I got my licence, it means a lot,” she said. The opening two heats of the Championship will be run as Races 3 and 5 tonight at Cambridge, and Holbrough heads into night one with two competitive bookings. To kick off the series the southern reinswoman will partner the Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett–trained trotter Viscount Mackendon, a four-year-old son of Volstead who has put together several honest performances in recent races. While the gelding faces a tricky assignment from three the second row, Holbrough remains upbeat about his chances and has labelled him the horse she is most looking forward to throughout the series. “He’s gone really good his last couple of starts and he looks like a pretty versatile and safe trotter. We’re going to need a little bit of luck from the draw, but hopefully we can get the right drag into the race,” Heat 2 sees Holbrough team up with Sea Of Love, a five-year-old daughter of Downbytheseaside for trainers David and Claire McGowan. The mare steps back in grade after tackling some tough opposition at Alexandra Park last start, and her handy draw gives Holbrough options early. “She faced a tough field at Auckland last start, but prior to that at Cambridge she’d been running some nice consistent races. We’ll have to see what happens off of the gate but fingers crossed we’ll land a nice spot,” Although every junior driver lines up hoping to lift the trophy on finals night, Holbrough is equally focused on making the most of the opportunity. For her, the Championship represents more than points and placings. “I’m just looking forward to the experience, meeting new people, driving the best I can for these trainers and hopefully making some new connections.” With form on the board, confidence in her drives, and genuine excitement for the challenge ahead, Holbrough shapes as one to watch when the tapes fly at Cambridge tonight. The ones to beat in the opening Junior Drivers Championship Heats By Brittany Graham The cream of the New Zealand young driving crop will be on display over the coming few days when the National Junior Driving Championships takes place. Six heats will be staged over three venues, before the winner is crowned on Sunday at Methven as part of the Green Mile meeting. With such a deep group of talent, luck in running and allocated drives is going to play a crucial role, so here’s who has fared well on night 1. Race 3 Cambridge – Thursday @ 6.24pm – Heat 1 One to beat: Mia Holbrough, #11 Viscount Mackendon Holbrough looks poised to make her Championship debut a memorable one when she teams up with Michelle Wallis, Bernie Hackett and their ever-consistent square gaiter Viscount Mackendon. While the second row looks potentially tricky, he was luckless last start and Holbrough has had a great recent run with trotters, most notably Buffy Northstains whose successes propelled her into the series. Smokey: Monika Ranger, #5 Patrick Mahomes Ranger was awarded the HRNZ CEO wildcard to take part in this year’s series and it’s not hard to see why. A constant in the winner’s circle both here at Cambridge, and at Alexandra Park, she has a phenomenal strike rate on trotters this season winning 11 times from 37 steers. Race 5 Cambridge – Thursday @ 7.14pm – Heat 2 One to beat: Sam Thornley, #5 Billy The Kid Thornley comes into the series as the equal most successful driver with 220 wins across his six seasons of driving and will look to draw on all that experience in search of his first Championship success. He partners front of the field type Billy The Kid who should suit his aggressive driving style. Smokey: Emily Johnson, #10 Midrew Lucre Johnson has made an instant impression on the Northern junior drivers’ scene after returning from a successful stint in Western Australia. Eight of her 20 wins this season have been here at Cambridge Raceway and she will have a very strong hold on the form of her charge, and her rivals’. From a nice trailing draw, she can pick up some further valuable points to position herself favourably heading to Addington for the first time on Friday. View the full article

If Tuesday's opening session of the December Foal Sale at Tattersalls was all about Dragon Symbol, then Wednesday was the day that the young upstart received a sharp warning should he wish to assume the throne as Whitsbury Manor Stud kingpin, with the present incumbent, Havana Grey, taking his turn to play the starring role on a day of fierce trade at Park Paddocks. By the close of play, Havana Grey accounted for five of the day's top 18 lots, headlined by lot 650 from the Whitsbury Manor draft. The colt out of the Italian Listed winner Avengers Queen (Brazen Beau), from the family of the Group-winning sprinters Diligent Harry (Due Diligence) and El Caballo (Havana Grey), was knocked down to Charlie Vigors of Hillwood Bloodstock for 260,000gns. “Havana Grey needs no introduction,” Vigors said of the sire-of-the-moment. “He's been pretty good to us and pretty good to everybody who has been involved with him. As the better mares are coming through, I think his profile is only going to keep increasing.” On what the future holds for this colt, he added, “We'll get him home and make a plan from there, but he could well be coming back next year. He obviously has the pedigree, I liked the physical, and I liked the page, so everything added up. We were delighted to get him – we were at our limit, I'd say.” Of the 10 Havana Grey weanlings offered across the first two days, nine have sold for a total of 1,009,000gns, putting him third on the overall sires' list behind first-crop sensations Shaquille and Dragon Symbol. His average of 112,111gns was further boosted by the sale of lot 576, also from the Whitsbury Manor draft and belonging to the same family as the day's headliner. Bred on the cross which produced the Hampshire farm's newest stallion recruit, Elite Status, the colt is out of the winning Swiss Spirit mare Amoreena, a half-sister to the aforementioned Diligent Harry (Due Diligence), as well as the Listed Prix Kistena scorer Harry Three (Adaay). Tally-Ho Stud struck the winning bid at 165,000gns. “He's a good-moving horse, by a good stallion,” said Tally-Ho's Tony O'Callaghan, who also signed for lot 557, by the same stallion, at 105,000gns. “We've had bits and bobs by the stallion before. We've bought two by him today, but we just worry about the model. We had 150 [thousand] in mind going in there if we wanted to give ourselves any chance of getting him.” Completing the trio of Havana Grey colts occupying a spot among the top 15 was lot 468, this one bred on the same cross as the dual Group 1-winning juvenile Vandeek. He is out of the winning Exceed And Excel mare Excesso Velocidad, a half-sister to the Italian black-type winners Fast Spirit (Make Believe) and Bright Filly (Ten Sovereigns). Also consigned by Whitsbury Manor, he was purchased by Mimi Wadham of WH Bloodstock for 110,000gns. “He's a lovely colt. He looks fast and it's a proven cross that has worked,” said Wadham. “The sire can do no wrong and we were really happy to get him – and surprised, to be honest. We had to push but we felt it was slowing up, so we thought we had a squeak.” She added, “The plan will be to bring him back for Book 2. We sold a filly [by Havana Grey] that we bred in Book 2 this year for 160,000gns. This colt would stack up very well against her, so fingers crossed.” 'The Standout Of All The Foals We Saw' Michael Swinburn of Genesis Green Stud joked that he “nearly fell off his chair” when he saw 51 foals by Shaquille catalogued in this week's sale, but he soon struck a more sombre note when telling the backstory of lot 618, the colt who became the most expensive weanling by the first-crop sire to date when going the way of Ace Stud for 180,000gns. “I bought the mare barren and, of course, she had to die this year of cancer, so he was reared on a foster mare,” Swinburn began. “It was touch and go whether she was going to make the foaling. Literally, two weeks after the foal was born, we had to put her down. She was just getting lighter and lighter and I was giving out to the lads saying, 'Guys, are you sure you're feeding this filly?'” Described by Swinburn as “a great mare”, the late Sunset Avenue (Street Cry) was a 6,500gns purchase at the 2023 December Mares Sale, having already produced two black-type performers in the GIII Robert J. Frankel Stakes runner-up Excellent Sunset (Exceed And Excel) and the Listed King Richard III Stakes second Path Of Thunder (Night Of Thunder). “I'll be honest with you, I wasn't going to breed to Shaquille,” Swinburn added of the mating which produced one of Wednesday's star turns. “I'm not a great man for first-season sires, but I went to see him and Sunset Avenue, being a Street Cry, they [her progeny] can be fairly plain. So, I thought, 'I've got a mare for you,' and that was her. “I thought I was going to be very clever by putting a nice one [by Shaquille] in this sale. But I was very surprised, when I saw the pedigrees of the Shaquilles in the book, how good the mares were. He has to have a great chance with the mares that he's had and they're going down a storm. All of the proper people are buying them.” The dual Group 1-winning sprinter Shaquille has now had 21 weanlings sold, from 25 offered, across the first two sessions here at Park Paddocks. That group have achieved a total of 1,138,000gns and an average of 54,190gns, with two others also changing hands for a six-figure sum on Wednesday. They included lot 622, New England Stud's half-brother to the multiple Group 3 hero Rocchigiani (Time Test) – later named Flaming Rabbit when continuing his career in Hong Kong – who sold to Camas Park Stud for 125,000gns. “As the markets been suggesting today already, they're well liked, the whole lot of them,” added Paul Curran of Ace Stud, the Newmarket farm which the son of Charm Spirit calls home. “They've done a very good job of getting some nice ones here and there's a huge number of them. The first thing we wanted to see is that he's stamping his stock and he seems to be doing that which is great. “This one is going to be retained and will race in our colours. We went around and looked at about 100-120 [foals] for Wednesday and I actually thought he was the standout of all the foals we saw. We came in for the week thinking we wanted to buy the standout one. I think we got that and he was in and around the price we thought he was going to be.” Subplots Figures – Of the 256 lots offered, 219 sold at a healthy clearance rate of 87%, up from 85% last year. The 10,416,000gns turnover climbed by 15%, while the 47,425gns average was up by 8% and the 35,000gns median by 3%. Ghaiyyath – Havana Grey aside, Ghaiyyath was the star of the more established sires on Wednesday, with the Kildangan Stud resident laying claim to two of the top 10 lots, including a colt from Starfield Stud who sold to Harry Sweeney's Japan-based Paca Paca Farm for 160,000gns. “He was a very popular foal and a lot of very shrewd judges were on him,” Starfield's Micheál Orlandi said of lot 628. “A lot of them were pinhookers and they have to buy at what they think is value, but we are very thankful to all of them who bid. I think that Paul McCartan was underbidder. It is tough on the pinhooker to come up against Harry, but it is a great result. Thankfully, the stars aligned this evening and it has been like that for the stallion this week.” Ghaiyyath is a perfect six for six so far this week, with all of his weanlings finding a buyer. That sextet has sold for an aggregate sum of 505,000gns and at an average of 84,167gns. Sales schedule – Tony O'Callaghan didn't mince his words when asked whether he looks forward to this hectic time of year. “No, not really,” replied the deadpan patriarch of the Tally-Ho dynasty, before providing a bit of food for thought with his opinion on how the sales schedule could be improved. “The sales are too compact and all together,” he continued. “This sale should be a week later. You've the same again all next week, then France. For the lads working, they're here at five o'clock in the morning and they're still here at 10 o'clock at night. All December is free for them and they should use a bit of it. I've been saying this for a few years, but they don't do anything about it. December is idle, so why can't we run up until later in the month?” Farhh – The progeny of Farhh always possess a bit of scarcity value given his well-documented fertility issues but, even so, it was good to see his name up there on the leaderboard amidst a slew of first-crop stallions. Lot 487 from Brook Stud, a colt out of an unraced half-sister to the black-type winners Dan's Dream (Cityscape) and Caernarfon (Cityscape), was the one flying the flag for the Darley sire on Wednesday when bought by Two Turn Investments for 98,000gns. The proven sire of Group 1 winners such as King Of Change and Tribalist, Farhh continues to produce the results from limited numbers, as evidenced at Goffs last week when his sole weanling catalogued sold to Apricot Bloodstock for €155,000. Can Lightning Strike Twice With Lush Lips Sibling? Bloodstock agent Mark McStay and American owner Steve Weston stuck to a winning formula when swooping for another of the day's early pacesetters in lot 470, a full-brother to their high-class filly Lush Lips who, subsequent to her victory in last month's GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes, changed hands at Keeneland for $3.7 million. Needless to say, this colt's price tag didn't make it into quite such rarefied air but, at 150,000gns, it was a result which delighted Nick Pocock of Stringston Farm. McStay, too, expressed his satisfaction at being able to continue his association with the family, having first purchased Lush Lips for £82,000 at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale. “He's a beautiful horse and I'm delighted to get him,” said the Avenue Bloodstock agent. “He was well presented by Stringston and the Pococks who are great breeders. When you breed a Grade I winner like Lush Lips, you're entitled to get paid.” Outlining future plans for the colt, he added, “I've purchased him on behalf of Steve Weston's Parkland Thoroughbreds. He's been a really good client in recent years with Porta Fortuna, Balantina and Lush Lips, amongst others. “He'll probably go back to Luke Barry at Manister House Stud in Ireland and we'll make our plans in the spring with him then. Whether we reoffer him or race, I don't know, but it's a nice problem to have. “I thought, as an individual, this was a really nice horse. I wasn't just buying the relation to a horse that had done me well. She [Lush Lips] was an outstanding physical and this foal was a really good type as well.” Lush Lips and recent Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Balantina feature among three individual top-level winners for former Coolmore stallion Ten Sovereigns, who relocated to Turkey for the latest breeding season. With that in mind, Pocock was tempering his expectations when this colt went through the ring, whilst hoping that the recent exploits of Lush Lips might give proceedings a gentle nudge in the right direction. He said, “We're delighted with that price. We didn't know what we were going to make coming up here, with him being by Ten Sovereigns who has obviously moved to Turkey. It made it difficult to value the horse, but Ten Sovereigns has had a very good year in America, which we've been part of. “It's lovely having the update and for it to come so close to the sales is always a help. He was a lovely colt who never put a foot wrong and he's been very busy. It was nice for him to be sold back to Mark McStay after he bought Lush Lips.” The post Havana Grey Colt Headlines Fierce Trade During Second Session at Tattersalls at 260,000gns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Scorpion mare Ledecka (lot 19) topped the ThoroughBid November sale at £30,000 on Wednesday. Placed in two starts in National Hunt Flat races, the five-year-old mare is from the family of G3 Queen's Vase winner Silver Wedge (Silver Hawk). She was offered by Beatbush Farm and picked up by Red Racing. Pour Les Fillies (Pour Moi) (lot 17) brought £9,500 from Mickey Bowen Racing. A winner of a NH Flat race, a point-to-point and a hurdle race, the Gordon Elliott-consigned seven-year-old is from the same family as Listed Long Distance Hurdle hero Marello (Supreme Leader). Of the 22 lots offered, 17 sold (77%) for a gross of £83,800. The average was £4,929 and the median settled at £2,500. The post ThoroughBid November Sale Topped By Ledecka appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article