Wandering Eyes

Half Yours proved himself one of the shrewdest second-hand buys of the century as he added to a regal day for unsung sires by lifting the Caulfield Cup (G1) at Caulfield Racecourse Oct. 18.View the full article

Making his final breeze at Saratoga Race Course's Oklahoma Training Track Oct. 19 before shipping to California Oct. 22, Sovereignty went five furlongs in 1:01.39.View the full article

Godolphin's Sovereignty (Into Mischief) breezed five furlongs in 1:01.39 over the Oklahoma dirt training track at Saratoga Sunday as he prepares for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 1 at Del Mar. Trained by Bill Mott, Sovereignty was piloted in the work by assistant trainer Neil Poznansky, starting slightly in front of workmate Playa Del Mar [1:02.27] before kicking away in the stretch and finishing several lengths in front. NYRA Clockers caught Sovereignty through splits of :24 2/5, :36 3/5 and galloping out in 1:14 3/5 over the fast track. “He looked good,” said the Hall of Famer. “He is not one of those horses that works and breaks the stopwatch. He has good solid works, good useful works, that is kind of him. He does what he has to do and what you have him do.” Sovereignty won five-of-six starts this year, including the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes and most recently, the GI DraftKings Travers on Aug. 23 at the Spa. “The main thing is you bring the right horse and get them there in good shape,” Mott said. “The horses are all going to be ready to run. They are going to be fit. Everybody is going to have their horses fit.” Bill Mott | Sarah Andrew Sovereignty is slated to ship on Wednesday and will work Sunday or Monday at Del Mar, according to Mott. “I don't have any reason to think he wouldn't adapt quickly or well enough,” Mott said. “I'm going just a little bit early. A lot of guys like to do their last work and ship and that's fine, the only reason I want to go a few days early is travel problems, you know what I mean, get it over with.” Also working for Mott Sunday, SW and GSP Quiet Street (Street Boss) breezed five furlongs in 1:01.44 over the Oklahoma turf in company with MGSP Royal Majesty (GB) (Frankel {GB}) [1:01.65]. Quiet Street, a homebred for Godolphin, is targeting the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on Oct. 31. Quiet Street (outside) works in company with Royal Majesty on Sunday | Sarah Andrew Mott also reported that Juddmonte's Scylla (Tapit) is targeting the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. The 5-year-old homedbred breezed a half-mile in :48.20 on Saturday at Churchill Downs. In her most recent start, the daughter of MGISW Close Hatches (First Defence) finished third in the nine-furlong GI Spinster on Oct. 5 at Keeneland off of three graded placings in sprints. “I haven't talked to Garrett [O'Rourke of Juddmonte], but as far as I know, we are going to run in the mile and an eighth Distaff,” said Mott. “She ran well enough [in the Spinster] and we thought maybe she didn't prove enough and the sprint division is very deep, and maybe the other division looks like it lost the reigning Horse of the Year [Thorpedo Anna] and a couple others.” The post Mott Breezes Breeders’ Cup-Bound Contenders, Led by Sovereignty appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Embroidery answers the distance question to win the Shuka Sho (G1) Oct. 19 at Kyoto Racecourse, scoring two-thirds of Japan's Filly Triple Crown.View the full article

Beauvatier, an impressive winner of the G2 Challenge Stakes earlier this month, will take up stud duties at Haras d'Etreham for the 2026 breeding season, after an intended swansong in December's G1 Hong Kong Mile. A stud fee will be announced at a later date. Trained by Yann Barberot for a partnership consisting of Philippe Allaire, LNJ Foxwoods and Haras d'Etreham, Beauvatier won each of his first four races as a juvenile, including the G3 Prix la Rochette, before ending that season with a third-place finish in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. The son of Lope De Vega continued to be highly tried as a three-year-old, running at the top level six times in seven starts. He registered four consecutive third-place finishes – in the Prix Jean Prat, Prix Maurice de Gheest, [G3] Prix de Meautry and Prix de la Foret – before passing the post just a length behind the winner when fourth in the British Champions Sprint Stakes. Prior to this season's career high in the Challenge Stakes, when beating Poet Master by two and a quarter lengths, Beauvatier also won July's G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis. All told, he is the winner of six of his 17 starts and over £400,000 in total prize-money. “He's a brilliant horse,” said Barberot. “He showcased his talent in the G2 Challenge Stakes. I would like to thank Philippe Allaire, who supports me by purchasing horses of this calibre for me to train. He has allowed me to step up to a new level. I have great confidence that the horse will be successful in his stallion career. He has precocity, speed, is incredibly consistent – and he has never seen a vet. I am very much looking forward to training his progeny.” Beauvatier is one of two winners from as many runners out of the Listed Prix de Thiberville runner-up Enchanting Skies (Sea The Stars), along with the G3 Prix Miesque second Lhakpa (Siyouni). Enchanting Skies, in turn, is out of the Listed-placed Estefania (Acatenango), whose other notable progeny include the G1 Preis von Europa winner Empoli (Halling). This is also the family of the German champion racemare Elle Danzig (Roi Danzig). Philippe Allaire, LNJ Foxwoods and Haras d'Etreham will retain 50% ownership of Beauvatier, with the remaining 50% set to be syndicated. Haras d'Etreham's Nicolas de Chambure added, “Beauvatier's speed and precocity have always been impressive. His remarkable pedigree already made him an exciting stallion prospect when we bought into him at two and he has met our expectations at every stage. He is the full package: powerful, consistent, with exceptional acceleration and the mindset of a true competitor. “His racing career has taken us on a great adventure with our associates and we are delighted to welcome him to Haras d'Etreham. A true 1,400-metre horse, like Siyouni and Wootton Bassett, he has a very interesting profile for French breeders.” The post Beauvatier to Join Haras d’Etreham Roster for 2026 after Hong Kong Swansong appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Prince Faisal's Eydon hasn't been the easiest horse to train over the years, but the perseverance of his connections paid off in spades at San Siro Racecourse on Sunday when the six-year-old gained his biggest success to date in the G2 Gran Premio del Jockey Club – S.I.R.E. Trofeo Pio Bruni. Sparingly raced since finishing fourth in the G1 2,000 Guineas won by Coroebus (Dubawi), the son of Olden Times showed that he retains plenty of ability when winning May's G3 Aston Park Stakes at Newbury, before another training setback sidelined him until his belated return to action at Newmarket last month. Only fourth there in the Listed Godolphin Stakes, the Andrew Balding trainee proved a much sharper model in Milan with that outing under his belt. Sent straight to the front by PJ McDonald and soon two lengths clear of the chasing pack, the 27/20 favourite found plenty when challenged entering the final two furlongs. At the line he had a length and three-quarters to spare over Alleno (Nathaniel), who edged out fellow German raider Nyra (Isfahan) by a nose for the runner-up spot. Pedigree Notes Prince Faisal's homebred is one of three winners from as many runners out of the Frankel mare Mountain Moon, a half-sister to the Listed scorers Arctic Gyr (Invincible Spirit) and Festivale (Invincible Spirit). Another sibling, the G3 Sirenia Stakes third Simple Magic (Invincible Spirit), is the dam of this year's G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest hero Sajir (Make Believe) and the second dam of the Listed winner and G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange third Nahraan (Make Believe). The post Eydon Rewards Patience of Connections with Gran Premio del Jockey Club Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ed Dunlop joined fellow Newmarket trainer George Scott on the San Siro scoresheet when sending out Just Call Me Angel (Dark Angel) to win Sunday's G3 Premio Dormello in impressive fashion. The Cayton Park Stud homebred raced in a clear second behind the freewheeling Flowe Stone (Sergei Prokofiev) until eating into the leader's advantage early in the straight. Clearly relishing the step up to a mile, she moved to the lead entering the final two furlongs and proceeded to power clear in the hands of Robert Havlin, ultimately winning by two and a quarter lengths. Endo Botti saddled the next three home as Kebrilla (Saxon Warrior) and Reina Julieta (Inns Of Court) completed the frame, just ahead of favourite Chelsea Believe (Make Believe). Just Call Me Angel has now won three of her last four starts for the Dunlop stable. After beating the subsequent G3 Oh So Sharp Stakes winner Calendar Girl (Advertise) to open her account at Epsom in August, she then followed up in a nursery at Kempton, before finishing third in a similar event at Newmarket. Pedigree Notes Just Call Me Angel is the second winner from as many runners out of the winning Shamardal mare Be More, a full-sister to the G3 Sha Tin Vase and G3 Premier Cup runner-up Born In Bombay. Their dam is the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes third Pearl Dance (Nureyev), whose other progeny include the G3 Prix Chloe winner Sparkling Beam (Nayef) and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac third Rainbow Springs (Selkirk), the dam of the G3 Prix Francois Boutin runner-up Oneforthegutter (Muhaarar). This is also the family of the G1 Melbourne Cup winner Delta Blues (Dance In The Dark). The post Just Call Me Angel Runs Away with Premio Dormello for Ed Dunlop appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

George Scott and Victorious Forever enjoyed another successful international raid on Sunday when plundering the G3 Premio Gran Criterium at San Siro Racecourse with Gaga Mate (Mehmas). Last seen finishing fifth in Doncaster's Weatherbys Scientific £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes, Gaga Mate was settled in mid-division in the early stages of this seven-and-a-half-furlong contest, before responding generously to jockey Billy Loughnane's urgings when ridden two furlongs out. Assuming command from the long-time leader and favourite Zuender (Amaron) inside the final 100 yards, he stuck to his task well from there to land the spoils by a length and a quarter, with fellow Newmarket raider Sunset On Leros (Almanzor) finishing just a head behind Zuender in third. For Scott the victory continued a productive spell on the international stage, having recently gained his first Group 1 success when Caballo De Mar (Phoenix Of Spain) won the Prix du Cadran at ParisLongchamp. The same horse had previously emulated stablemate Prydwen (Camelot) to give the trainer back-to-back wins in the G3 Deutsches St. Leger. Pedigree Notes Bred by John Connaughton, Gaga Mate is the first runner out of the winning Siyouni mare Truth Prevails who, in turn, is out of a half-sister to the multiple Group 1-winning sire Postponed (Dubawi) and G1 Premio Lydia Tesio heroine God Given (Nathaniel). God Given herself is the dam of the multiple Group 2 winner Silver Knott (Lope De Vega). Gaga Mate, who holds an entry in the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale, was bought by Dylan Cunha Racing and Jamie Piggott for €20,000 at Book 1 of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale. He was sold privately to Victorious Racing and moved to the Scott stable after making a winning debut for Cunha at Catterick back in May. The post George Scott Strikes in Italy with Premio Gran Criterium Hero Gaga Mate appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Karl Burke trainee Convergent (Fascinating Rock), who had hit the board in a stellar edition of May's G3 Chester Vase and July's G1 Deutsches Derby, gained his black-type breakthrough in the G3 Kilternan five weeks ago and climbed another rung up the ladder with a career best in Sunday's G3 Prix du Conseil de Paris at Longchamp. “The race panned out exactly how I wanted it to,” said winning rider Clifford Lee. “It was a strong gallop, but he's one of those that doesn't want being in front too soon. He was fresh and keen in Ireland last time, but he was a lot more relaxed today. I was in a lovely position just behind the leaders and he travelled really well into the straight. I held onto him for a little bit longer than usual and, when I went for him, he really picked up. He's not short of speed, he quickened up nice and to do it in this grade means he's obviously above average.” The 22-5 fifth choice settled into a smooth rhythm, positioned in a handy fourth, after an alert getaway from stall six of seven. Last to come off the bridle when cruising into contention in the straight, he was shaken up to go second passing the furlong pole and kept on strongly under a late drive to deny globetrotting multiple Group 1 winner Dubai Honour (Pride Of Dubai) by a short neck. Qatar Racing's pacesetting Yellow Jersey (Dubawi) did not surrender tamely when headed and kept on in resolute fashion to finish a neck back in third. It's another high-profile success for the @karl_burke and @CliffordleexLee team as Convergent swoops late to land the Group Two Prix du Conseil de Paris! pic.twitter.com/ckOrQKJ5y3 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 19, 2025 Pedigree Notes Convergent, the lone pattern-race winner by his sire, is a full-brother to G3 Fritz Henkel-Preis runner-up Molton Rock. He is out of a half-sister to stakes-winning G3 Stanerra Stakes third Naughty Or Nice (Fastnet Rock) and G3 Give Thanks Stakes runner-up Dark Crusader (Cape Cross), with the latter being the dam of G1 Caulfield Cup hero Duke De Sessa (Lope De Vega). Another half-sister, Cailini Alainn (Danehill Dancer), is the dam of this year's Listed Vinnie Roe Stakes victrix Floresta (Waldgeist). Convergent's third dam Mosaique Bleue (Shirley Heights), kin to Group 1-winning duo Mersey (Crystal Palace) and Muncie (Sadler's Wells), produced GI Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup Handicap hero Subtle Power (Sadler's Wells). Convergent's dam Monty's Miracle (Shamardal), who hails from the family of G1 Prix de Diane heroine Madelia (Caro), has a yearling filly by Dark Angel to come. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France PRIX DU CONSEIL DE PARIS-G2, €119,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-19, 3yo/up, 11fT, 2:17.02, g/s. 1–CONVERGENT (IRE), 122, c, 3, by Fascinating Rock (Ire) 1st Dam: Monty's Miracle (Ire), by Shamardal 2nd Dam: Monty's Girl (Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire) 3rd Dam: Mosaique Bleue (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB) O/B-Newtown Anner Stud Farm; T-Karl Burke; J-Clifford Lee. €67,830. Lifetime Record: GSW-Ire, G1SP-Ger & GSP-Eng, 6-4-1-1, €285,148. *Full to Molten Rock (Ire), GSP-Ger & SP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Dubai Honour (Ire), 128, g, 7, Pride Of Dubai (Aus)–Mondelice (GB), by Montjeu (Ire). (110,000 gns Ylg '19 TAOCT). O-Suc. Mohamed Obaida; B-Macha Bloodstock & Meridian International SARL; T-William Haggas. €26,180. 3–Yellow Jersey (Fr), 122, g, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Psara (GB), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€400,000 Ylg '23 ARQAUG). O-Qatar Racing Ltd; B-Ecurie Skymarc Farm, Langlais Bloodstock, Laurent Dassault & Ecurie des Monceaux; T-Andre Fabre. €12,495. Margins: SNK, NK, 2HF. Odds: 4.40, 3.60, 2.20. Also Ran: Bay City Roller (Ire), Junko (GB), Path Of Soldier (Ger), Casapueblo (Ire). The post Newtown Anner’s Convergent On The Rise With Conseil de Paris Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Qipco British Champions Day should be one of those occasions when some of the stallions of next year go out in a blaze of glory on the track. Richard Fahey's Powerful Glory did indeed enhance his future stallion credentials when delivering a 200/1 shock success in the British Champions Sprint, but the other major winners of the day were geldings, bar of course the dual Champion Fillies and Mares Stakes winner Kalpana (Study Of Man). The upside of that scenario is that we can look forward to some returning heroes and, after conquering Paris and Ascot in his three Group 1 triumphs this year, the Aga Khan Studs' mighty flagbearer Calandagan (Gleneagles) heads east next to take on Tokyo. “Are you getting worried? We're coming!” joked racing manager Nemone Routh to the group of Japan Racing Association representatives on course, in reference to Calandagan's next outing in the Japan Cup on November 30. In conquering the hitherto top-rated Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder) in the Champion Stakes on Saturday, the four-year-old Calandagan will have improved his position in the world rankings and victory in Japan could seal Horse of the Year honours. We arguably saw the two best horses in the world racing on Saturday. In the Everest at Randwick, which is worth £3.46m to the winner, the outstanding Hong Kong-based sprinter Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) just turned up and did what he does best in beating off the opposition by more than a length to claim the 15th win of his 17-race career. Of the top horses competing at Ascot on Saturday we will say farewell now to Delacroix (Dubawi) and his movie-star looks as he joins Camille Pissarro on the new boys' list at Coolmore. Rosallion (Blue Point), too, is a likely retiree, though it appears that Ombudsman will remain in training with the Gosdens. Whether or not Field Of Gold (Kingman) also stays at Clarehaven for a four-year-old season in training remains to be seen. We hope so. We do know that the Arc winner Daryz (Sea The Stars) is set to return to training next year, which means that the Aga Khan Studs team can look forward to plenty more high-level international outings with him and Calandagan. Of the latter, Routh said, “I'm sure he will be back here for the King George but then we've got Daryz now as well, so it will be interesting. First we'll go to Japan and then maybe Dubai and I imagine he'll keep travelling, but he's an amazing horse and it's really exciting to have him.” Calandagan's victory gave his trainer Francis Graffard his twelfth Group 1 win of the year, and clearly he may not be finished yet. In some respects it also brought a sense of relief after Powerful Glory became a 200/1 winner of the Champions Sprint and Cicero's Gift took some major scalps in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at 100/1. The latter, appropriately for his trainer Charlie Hills, is by his former stable star Muhaarar, who was an altogether shorter-priced favourite when winning the Champions Sprint at the same meeting a decade ago. The joy Cicero's Gift's victory brought to his trainer in a tough year in which he has lost his father, and the evident thrill it gave jockey Jason Watson, made it more special to behold, however unexpected it might have been considering the eight Group 1 winners he had in opposition in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. The day had started with a proper staying champion in Trawlerman, an Ascot specialist through and through and the star performer for his sire Golden Horn. Like Kalpana, the seven-year-old was winning on Champions Day for the second time. His first victory in this same race came in 2023 and he was third last year behind Kyprios. For the first time this year the British Champions Long Distance Cup was run as a Group 1, making it the first race day in the country to stage five Group 1s on the same card. On an afternoon when geldings ruled, they also filled the first three slots in the newly introduced Qipco British Champions Day Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes, in which the first two home, Mission Central (No Nay Never) and Ardisia (Ardad), were respectively been by the O'Leary brothers, Michael and Eddie. The winner had previously won the G3 Round Tower Stakes and the runner-up is an admirable juvenile with five wins to his credit, including Redcar's Listed Two-Year-Old Trophy. This race is, however, a strange addition to the Champions Day card. With 31,257 racegoers in attendance at Ascot on Saturday – over 50 per cent more than the 19,715 who attended both days of the Irish Champions Festival combined, the atmosphere throughout the afternoon was electric. They came to see the best, and even with some big-price winners, they were served up a treat. Sir Mark Prescott with John Gosden and Prince Ahmad bin Khalid bin Abdullah Al Saud | Emma Berry Champions of the past were remembered too, as the late, great trainer Major Dick Hern was inducted into the British Horseracing Hall of Fame along with the 11-time Group 1 winner Enable. Prince Ahmad bin Khalid bin Abdullah Al Saud, the son of Enable's late owner-breeder Prince Khalid, was on hand to receive her medal from Hall of Fame panelist Sir Mark Prescott, along with Enable's trainer John Gosden. The only thing missing from Champions Day was a proper celebration from the inimitable Con Marnane, breeder of Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum's Powerful Glory. We can only guess at the revelries which ensured at Bansha House on Saturday night. International Opposition for Calandagan? Oaks winner Minnie Hauk (Frankel) and Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) feature among the 14 overseas entries for the Japan Cup which were revealed last week. Aidan O'Brien's quintet of entries includes Los Angeles (Camelot) and Stay True (Galileo), while his son Joseph has entered Al Riffa (Wootton Bassett), who is one of the favourites for the Melbourne Cup. Along with Calandagan, his stable-mate Goliath (Adlerflug) could also be in for a return visit to Tokyo, while the British-trained trio of Dubai Honour (Pride Of Dubai), Rashabar (Holy Roman Emperor) and Wimbledon Hawkeye (Kameko) are also on the list. The two potential Australian-trained runners, bred respectively in Britain and France, are Sir Delius (Frankel), who was recently ruled out of the Spring Carnival in Melbourne following an unsatisfactory scan, and OTI Racing's Deakin (Australia). Teofilo's Influence Spreads Via Caulfield Cup Sire St Jean The action is heating up in Victoria ahead of the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup, and last Saturday's G1 Caulfield Cup continued a theme which has been somewhat prevalent in Group 1 contests in Europe this year in that the five-year-old winner Half Yours – a gelding – is a son of a relatively under-the-radar sire. The stallion in question is St Jean (Teofilo), who was bred in Ireland by Hadi Al Tajir, a great friend of Sheikh Hamdan, and trained initially by Kevin Prendergast. A winner at three, he was sold at the end of that season for 65,000gns to race on in Australia, where he won once for Aaron Purcell before a tendon injury curtailed his racing season in 2014. St Jean reemerged in New Zealand several years later to win the G3 City of Auckland Cup before embarking on a stallion career at Brackley Park. While his racing career is not quite up there with the best of them, St Jean does represent a family of the best of them as his third dam is the great Height Of Fashion, meaning that he emanates from the family of Nashwan, Deep Impact and Baaeed among others. And of course his sire Teofilo has made quite an impact on the Melbourne Cup – for which Half Yours is now co-favourite – in recent years as the sire of Cross Counter, Twilight Payment and Without A Fight, winner of the race between 2018 and 2023. According to Arion's statistics, Half Yours was one of only 11 foals in St Jean's second crop. There had been 17 in his first crop and 13 and 10 in subsequent years. He may be a little busier this season now that his son has carried off one of Australian Racing's most coveted prizes. Incidentally, a little piece of history was made in this year's Caulfield Cup as Jamie Melham (née Kah) became the first female jockey to win the race. A First for Racing in Mauritius Mauritian trainer Shawn Seabaluck called in to Tattersalls on Friday and though he wasn't there to buy yearlings, he had just completed an important equine shopping trip which will see the arrival later this week of the first shipment of British horses to the island. Shawn Seabaluck and Richard Kent | Emma Berry With the help of Mickley Stud's Richard Kent and trainer David Evans, Seabaluck has bought a batch of 12 horses, ranging in age from two to four, to be trained at Mauritius's Champ de Mars racecourse, which was founded in 1812, making it the oldest southern hemisphere track and one of the oldest in the world. “At any meeting you can have 20,000 to 50,000 people wanting to go horseracing,” said Seabaluck, a trainer of 30 years' standing. “Normally our horses come from South Africa. You buy them in one lot but you don't know what you're buying. This is history now, because it's the first time that British horses have been to Mauritius. It's a 12-hour flight. We are dealing with IRT (International Racehorse Transport) and we are scheduled to fly on 22 October. So far, we're doing good. Our target is buy something like 30 to 40 horses.” The post Seven Days: Ascot Shines in the Season’s Gloaming appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

John Ortiz had high hopes for Brightwork long before she set foot in his barn. His father, Carlos Ortiz, had broken the daughter of Outwork in Ocala and told him the filly was a standout mentally, taking everything that was asked of her and doing it effortlessly. But what surprised Ortiz, when Brightwork stepped off the van at Keeneland, was how striking the filly was physically as well. “She walked in like she owned the place,” Ortiz recalled. “You'd confuse her for a colt early on. She was really stout, had good muscle tone and was very well balanced. She always had a nice body on her.” Brightwork continued to excel as a standout pupil in her training at Keeneland, prompting Ortiz to send her to an April debut. Despite getting a bit pinched on the rail, the 2-year-old dominated the four and a half-furlong contest with a three-length win over Stonestreet's Barbtourage (Into Mischief) and future G2 Queen Mary S. winner Crimson Advocate (Nyquist). “That day we knew that she was special,” said Ortiz. What followed was a juvenile campaign beyond anything he could have imagined. Brightwork reeled off three consecutive stakes wins, culminating in Ortiz's first Grade I score in the Spinaway Stakes. “For a horse to break their maiden as early as April at the Keeneland meet and then put in six high-quality races speaks volumes to her ability and how rare she is,” he explained. “You don't see that often. It was a journey and she's a tough cookie for it. We understand how special she really is.” Picked out by bloodstock agent Jared Hughes at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton November Sale, Brightwork was one of the first shining success stories for the partnership of Ortiz and Bill and Tammy Simon's WSS Racing. Ortiz, who took his trainer's license out in 2016, started out training claimers at Oaklawn Park for the Simons, but after continued success in that arena, they began purchasing young stock to take their stable to the next level. Their first breakout horse was Barber Road (Race Day), who placed in three graded stakes on the Kentucky Derby trail and ran sixth on the first Saturday in May in 2022. Brightwork came into the barn the following year. After her winning debut and another score in the Debutante Stakes, Brightwork took Saratoga by storm as she reeled off a five-length win in the GIII Adirondack Stakes and then bested future Grade I winner Ways and Means (Practical Joke) in the Spinaway. Brightwork bests Ways and Means in the GI Spinaway Stakes | Sarah Andrew For Ortiz, winning his first Grade I in Saratoga surrounded by his family and friends marked a day he will never forget. “I felt like I was holding my breath the whole race,” he recalled. “When I saw her come down the stretch, put her fight on with Ways and Means and then once she took control of the race, it was just a sigh of relief. Once she crossed that finish line, we looked around and everybody had teary eyes. Our emotions were on our sleeves that day, but it was a great day to celebrate. This filly has brought a lot of joy into this barn, but also within my family and our connections with Bill Simon and Miss Tammy.” Brightwork returned a winner at Saratoga in her 3-year-old debut, claiming last year's GIII Prioress Stakes. She made four more starts over the next year, including a third-place effort in the GII Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes. Over the past few years, Brightwork has become more than just a talented racehorse to Ortiz and his team. She's been the heart of the barn. During busy mornings in Saratoga, she was often seen with her head poking out of her stall, a flower tucked into her forelock and a few admirers gathered around her. “She's a sweetheart slash diva,” Ortiz explained. “She knows that Mr. Simon is the carrot man and Miss Tammy is the peppermint lady. She's kind in the stall. She likes to nuzzle up to you. But she's all business on the track.” The next chapter of Brightwork's story will begin when she goes through the ring at the upcoming Fasig-Tipton 'Night of the Stars' Sale. Selling as Hip 199, the 4-year-old will be consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa. John Sikura said the Grade I winner has all the makings of a collector's item in someone's broodmare band. “Brightwork was really the talking filly of Saratoga her 2-year-old year,” he said. “She has the complete package. She was very fast and she's a beautiful physical–well balanced and well muscled. Pretty leg, good bone and just a standout physical specimen. The ultimate goal is to sell a horse out of a Grade I winner that looks the part. If she has offspring that look like her, she'll certainly be a smashing commercial success. Really if you look at any points of merit, be it physicality, performance or pedigree, she has it all.” Brightwork's dam Clarendon Fancy (Malibu Moon) has produced two other stakes horses and is a full-sister to Catch the Moon, the dam of four graded stakes winners including the promising young sire Girvin. Brightwork poses with Bill and Tammy Simon and John and Daniel Ortiz | Sarah Andrew “You're talking about quality runners throughout the pedigree,” said Fasig-Tipton's Boyd Browning. “We've seen how good a start Girvin is off to. His first crop of Kentucky-breds will be 2-year-olds next year and he's already the sire of two Grade I winners. The whole pedigree is filled with durable, consistent, top-class runners and it's a great opportunity for someone to acquire a filly of this type. The most dangerous qualities that everyone wants in terms of a broodmare is speed and precocity and she clearly possesses those at a very high level.” Ortiz said the quality he believes will make Brightwork excel in her next career is the same one he'd heard about long before she ever arrived in his barn. “For as beautiful as she is physically, I think with her mental beauty you're going to be looking at a very successful broodmare,” he predicted. “She's going to produce a lot of early horses.” As Ortiz parts with Brightwork, he can't help but feel proud of all they've accomplished together and excited for the bright future that awaits his star trainee. “Seeing her walk away from my barn to start a new career, it means a lot,” he said. “For whoever buys her, just know that she does love attention and you're going to have to invest in a lot of carrots. So be prepared for that.” The post Bright Future for Spinaway Victress at Fasig-Tipton November appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Still on a high from Ka Ying Rising’s historic victory in Saturday’s Group One The Everest (1,200m) at Randwick, David Hayes capped a magical weekend with a thrilling Sha Tin triumph from a horse he hopes will figure in the Classic Series this season. Hayes and champion jockey Zac Purton barely had a chance to soak in Ka Ying Rising’s phenomenal success Down Under before making a quick return to Hong Kong for Sunday’s meeting, which featured a special ceremony in the parade ring to honour what...View the full article

Relief was the overwhelming emotion for Matthew Poon Ming-fai after he ended an exasperating drought of 141 rides with a breakthrough win at Sha Tin on Sunday. Winless since booting home Keefy at Happy Valley on June 4, Poon finally got the monkey off his back when Gracious Express overcame barrier 14 to score a gutsy win in the Class Three Wo Che Handicap (1,400m). “I’ve been looking for this win for quite a long time,” Poon said. “I didn’t expect that today, so now I’ve got a winner, I hope...View the full article

My Wish continued his scintillating march towards the Group One Hong Kong Mile with a comfortable success in the Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. The Mark Newnham-trained rising star was sent off the raging $1.4 favourite and his backers never had a moment's worry, even with Alexis Badel drawn out in stall 11. Landing a handy second outside the leader Copartner Prance, Badel always exuded confidence on the five-year-old, who loomed up at the 200m pole and once given an...View the full article

Gestut Rottgen homebred and four-race maiden Alsterperle (Reliable Man), who was last seen running second in the Listed Winterkonigin Trial at Cologne three weeks ago, made the breakthrough with a first win of any kind in Sunday's G3 Carla Kellner Zukunftsrennen Preis der Winterkonigin at Baden-Baden. Last year's renewal was annexed by subsequent G1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) heroine Nicoreni (Brametot). Inching forward to stalk the pace in second after the opening exchanges, the 13-2 chance cruised to the fore at the top of the home straight and was ridden out inside the final quarter-mile to comfortably outpoint British challenger Sea The Storm (Sea The Stars) by 1 3/4 lengths. Carla Kellner Zukunftsrennen – Preis der Winterkönigin (GR3) over 1600m at Baden-Baden 2yo fillies – Group Race – 155.000€ ALSTERPERLE by RELIABLE MAN SEA THE STORM by SEA THE STARS VALZEINA by PERSIAN KING Gestüt Röttgen Maxim Pecheur Martin Seidl Gestüt… pic.twitter.com/TA6ZUwanil — Deutscher Galopp (@DeutscherGalopp) October 19, 2025 The post Gestut Rottgen Homebred Alsterperle Too Good for Winterkonigin Rivals at Baden-Baden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wanganui stayer Just Charlie (NZ) (Zed) sounded a stern warning to his rivals for the upcoming Gr.3 Martin Collins 162nd New Zealand Cup (3200m) with an all the way romp in Sunday’s Steelform Roofing Group Waverley Cup (2200m). Prepared by Kevin Myers, Just Charlie had a luckless preparation leading into the Waverley feature, covering extra ground and being held up badly on two occasions, particularly last time out when favourite in similar contest at Trentham in mid-September. A month later, he stripped a fit horse and came out running in the hands of George Rooke, who sat outside the leader early before rolling to the top. Rooke was able to dictate terms along the back straight, and on the home turn, Just Charlie was still striding out boldly and was going to take some beating. He gave a good kick at the 200m and only got better the further he went, powering through the line ahead of local gallopers Comedy and Sandoku, who acquitted herself well in open company for the first time. The six-year-old gelding maintained his unbeaten record at the venue going three-from-three, and Rooke said he felt the winner a long way from home. “I didn’t really have any instructions but he jumped quite well, we weren’t going very hard early and he relaxed well in front,” he said. “He kept at a nice even gallop and he’s a proper stayer, he just lengthened and hit the line very nicely today. “That horse (Jack In The Box) joined me between the 800 and 600 and he came alive underneath me, so I knew I had a lot of horse and it would take a good one to beat him. I didn’t realise they were all off the bit as much as they were coming into the straight, he had them covered a long way out. “That was my first ride for Kevin so it was great to get it off to a winning one, I’m delighted really I couldn’t have asked for a better day, with two rides and one winner.” A son of Zed out of the Danasinga mare Goody Two Shoes, Just Charlie was bred by his owners Mike and Roz Southey, who co-bred and part-owned a former star of the Myers stable in Zed Em. In 22 starts, he has won five and placed in a further six races, earning just shy of $160,000. Off the back of his Waverley success, Just Charlie has shortened into $9 in the market for the New Zealand Cup, which will be run at Riccarton Park on the 15th of November. “The New Zealand Cup is his main aim and I think the further he goes, the better he’ll get,” Rooke said. Just Charlie is no stranger to success at the southern venue, having won the Road To The Jericho (3000m) twelve months ago before finishing fourth in the Cup, won by Mehzebeen. Myers has won three editions of the time-honoured two mile event, including two in the last four years with Aljay and Mondorani. View the full article

Platinum Pantheon (Hanseatic) was a long way from home when he stepped out at Ashburton on Sunday, but that didn’t stop the sharp three-year-old from dominating his maiden rivals in the McCrea Family 1200. His trainer Lisa Latta had been in search of a better surface for Platinum Pantheon, who had performed with merit on heavy ground often found at the present time in the North Island. Meanwhile in the south, he had the opportunity to step out on a Good3 and looked the horse to beat against his older counterparts, starting a $2.70 favourite ahead of Aladdins Jem. In the hands of Kylie Williams, the gelding was only fairly away from the gates, settling back and wide and wanting to go a lot quicker. His rider decided to do just that, pressing on at the 800m and circling the field, turning for home still with a hand full of horse. When Williams asked him to go, Platinum Pantheon put the field away in a matter of strides, streaking clear by a margin to ease down and score by over five lengths from Aladdins Jem and Emerging Miss. It hadn’t been a comfortable watch for Latta, who was on course at Waverley, but she couldn’t have been happier with the final result. “It didn’t go as we’d planned, we hoped to jump and sit outside leader, but he was slow away and got caught wide but he was just too good for them,” she said. “He trialled up so well at Awapuni a fortnight ago, which gave us the confidence to go down there while looking for those better tracks.” Suited to the sprint distance, Latta is now looking ahead to New Zealand Cup Week, where he will run for lucrative stake money at Rating 65 grade. “We’ll probably go to the 65 over 1200m on the first day at Riccarton, then go from there,” she said. An Australian-bred son of Hanseatic, Platinum Pantheon was a $60,000 purchase out of breeder Rosemont Stud’s draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. View the full article

Trainer David Hayes has confirmed another tilt at the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) is on the cards for Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) after the Hong Kong star underlined his champion status with an Everest victory for the ages on Saturday. Back in Hong Kong less than 24 hours after Saturday’s triumph, Hayes soaked in the satisfaction of the victory as he looked forward to the five-year-old gelding’s return home. “He is a champion, and he got the job done,” Hayes told RSN. “There is always a bit of pressure saddling up a champion as you don’t want them to let everyone down and he certainly didn’t do that. “Zac Purton just rode the perfect race. He put him in the right spot, and he won and I thought on the line it was pretty soft.” Despite the comfortable 1.15 length margin over the Ciaron Maher-trained pair of Tempted and Jimmysstar, Hayes said the performance didn’t rank amongst the best from the world’s best sprinter, but the achievement was among the most satisfying. “He has certainly been more impressive a couple of times, but considering you factor in the travelling and all of the moving targets that he had, for me it was the most rewarding,” Hayes said. “But for the horse’s PB, I would say it would be about his fourth or fifth best performance. But his tenth-best performance is better than anything in Australia. He is a true superstar.” It is now all systems go for the son of Shamexpress as he looks to defend his title in December’s Gr.1 Hong Kong International Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin. “He has pulled up well and he is on the plane on Monday back to Hong Kong and he is being targeted for the International Sprint,” Hayes said. “He may have a lead-up race depending on what weight he is and how he is thriving when he gets back. “He will have been in solitary confinement for six weeks when he comes out, so it’s a massive effort to do that. When horses travel to other parts of the world, they don’t have to quarantine.” The Kiwi bred star was booed onto the track by Sydney racegoers but quickly turned foe to fan. “Zac and I were a little bit surprised. We thought they were going to give him a nice roar when he came onto the track, but they booed him,” Hayes said. “But they received him very well after he won. I’ve been booed after races but not before, but it soon switched to cheers. It was a very exciting and well-received win.” A victorious Zac Purton and Ka Ying Rising return after winning the Gr.1 The Everest (1200m). Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club A return to Sydney next year is now very much on the radar. “Everything will be targeted towards the Everest, if he gets invited and gets a slot, we would dearly love to come back if he is in form,” Hayes said. “I will only bring him back if I think he is in form and do the best by the horse.” The Randwick victory also sparked celebrations across the Tasman, headed by Fraser and Erin Auret, who bred Ka Ying Rising under their Grandmoral Lodge Racing banner. The Marton couple along with their children Milton, 12, Oscar, 10, and Grace, 8, donned their Ka Ying Rising supporter socks and caps as they gathered at home with around 20 family and friends to cheer home the sprint sensation. By Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress, Ka Ying Rising is out of the Per Incanto mare Missy Moo, a winner of five races. Ka Ying Rising is the first horse Fraser Auret, a Group One winning trainer in his own right, has bred. A young Ka Ying Rising was aptly nicknamed ‘Rocket’ by the Auret children, and he immediately showed above average ability. Fraser Auret prepared a young Ka Ying Rising to win a Levin jumpout as a two-year-old before his private sale to David Hayes via bloodstock agent Mike Marais. The Aurets along with a parochial New Zealand thoroughbred breeding fraternity continue to take great pride as Ka Ying Rising conquers the sprinting world as the winner of 15 of his 17 starts and more than A$20 million in prizemoney. “It has been a heck of a journey that he has taken us all on,” Fraser Auret said. “It seems like only yesterday he was a cute little foal running around, so it is certainly a pinch yourself moment. “A lot of people have been involved with his journey and everyone has loved every minute of it.” View the full article

This week the girls have taken over, Emily Murphy and Jayne Ivil and joined by Brittany Taylor from Sydney to review The Greatest Day on the Punt. Andrew Scott stops by to talk about Waitaks latest Group 1 and the team catch up with Fraser Auret, breeder of superstar Ka Ying Rising. Weigh In, October 19 View the full article

Taranaki visitor Tisse (NZ) (Belardo) announced himself as a serious Cups contender for the summer months with an impressive victory in the Barfoot and Thompson 2100 at Ellerslie on Saturday. After racing well on heavy tracks this campaign, the son of Belardo finally struck a good surface in the staying contest and started favourite in the hands of Opie Bosson, who let him settle near the tail of the field. The early leader Gillian slowed the tempo as the field streamed down the back straight, before a keen Cleese took over and maintained a moderate pace down to the 600m. Mindful of giving the leaders a decent head start, Bosson got moving on Tisse and the big striding chestnut started to go through his gears up the home straight. There were a number of winning chances passing the 200m, but Tisse had the edge late to power clear and score softly on the line ahead of a game I Park and Maldini, with only a length separating the first six horses home. The five-year-old always showed ability but has been a work in progress for trainer Allan Sharrock, making Saturday’s result all the more satisfying. “It’s taken a while, he’s a big rangy horse and mentally impaired, a typical Belardo, but he’s getting better at every start,” Sharrock said. “He didn’t hang today, he’d hung going the other way around at Te Rapa but he’s learning. “I was (concerned about the speed) through the middle, but he snuck closer at the 600 and Opie rode him really, really well – that’s what you get from Opie. “He was soft on him late, I think he’s the sort of horse you could see in a Waikato Cup (Gr.3, 2400m) over a mile and a half, he likes good ground which belies the Belardo side but he’s a lovely horse.” Purchased for just $30,000 out of Woburn Farm’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales in 2022, Sharrock said it was Tisse’s distinctive white socks and blaze that caught his eye at Karaka. “I bought him because he looked like Furys Order, so I hope he’s half as good,” he said. The victory was Tisse’s third in 16 starts, in addition to six second placings earning over $112,000 in stakes for The Crow Family Trust. While he has the looks, Tisse has plenty of breeding on his side as well, being out of the Sir Percy mare Miss Percy. Herself unraced, Miss Percy is a half-sister to Group One winner Titch and stakes performers Soph and Streets Away, with dual-Oaks winning mare Pennyweka also in the family. View the full article

Underrated mare Summerston (NZ) (Reliable Man) sprang a massive upset when she burst between runners to claim victory in the Kingmakers Syndication 1400 (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. The Debbie Sweeney-prepared five-year-old has never been blessed with a lot of luck in her career to date but more than made up for that with a performance that suggested there could be more in store in the coming months. Allowed to settle well back by rider Warren Kennedy, the daughter of Westbury Stud-based stallion Reliable Man began to track into the race with 600m to run and was travelling well behind a wall of horses early in the run home. Just as the well-backed Happy Youmzain looked to have them in trouble, Summerston burst between runners to hit the front and hold out the late challenges of Moschino and Hakkinen with Happy Youmzain close up in fourth. Sweeney was thrilled to see the mare finally get some racing luck and deliver on her promise. “She is a mare who has always shown she has a lot of ability, but she has never had a lot of luck in her whole career,” Sweeney said. “It was a good ride by Warren and she had to step up today against some strong company, but on her day she is a very capable mare. “She is going very well, very sound and really happy. “I’m not too sure what to do from here but I will have a chat to her connections and plan from there.” Kennedy was pleased that Summerston could finally make good use of a handy barrier draw. “She tracked up well and Debbie said this was the first time she had had a really nice draw so not to get into the scrum early on,” he said. “I was able to make up a couple of lengths before the straight and she was travelling really well. I had to wait for a split and with her being a big mare, I had to wait, but when she got it she really knuckled down. “I feel she is one that will go over a bit more ground, but she won a good race today.” Bred and raced by Westbury Stud principal Gerry Harvey, Summerston is out of the Testa Rossa mare Glasgow and has now won three of her 12 career starts. View the full article

Hong Kong hero Ka Ying Rising earned confirmation of his global superstar status and a comparison to his trainer's former champion Better Loosen Up in storming to victory in the Oct. 18 The Everest (G1) at Randwick Racecourse.View the full article

King's Plate Stakes winner Mansetti led for most of the race, but it was Chiefswood Stables' homebred Borealis Trail who finished strongest of all to take the Ontario Derby (G3) Oct. 18 at Woodbine.View the full article

Arindel homebred Mythical ran like she never lost a beat, romping home the easiest of winners in the $200,000 Florida Sire Susan's Girl Stakes Oct. 18 at Gulfstream Park. View the full article

Ready for Candy may be a bit "tricky" to train, but she has been oh so sweet for trainer Phil Antonacci.View the full article