Wandering Eyes

Mike Breslin is at a crossroads with his filly Intention, with her performance in Sunday’s Upper Hutt Car Sales LTD Three-Year-Old 1400 at Trentham dictating which path she takes. All roads lead to Riccarton next month for the daughter of Bivouac, with Breslin weighing up between the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) on November 8 or the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) a week later. “We haven’t decided which one she will run in yet. She will only run in one of them and we will make that call after she races on Sunday,” Breslin said. The Awapuni trainer took good heart from her last-start third placing in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at the Christchurch track, and he said she has come through that run and trip well. “That was a bit of a test run,” he said. “She coped exceedingly well and we have given her plenty of time to get over that trip because we always had in the back of our mind that she might need to go back down there again in November. “She had a reasonably easy time when she got back from the Canterbury Belle and this is the race we picked out for her to bring her up to 100 percent for Christchurch. “The set weights and penalties doesn’t suit her for that race on Sunday. She is not very good in at the weights for a smallish three-year-old filly, but the race will serve its purpose in getting her 100 percent fit.” Intention had a hit-out at the Foxton trials on Tuesday, where she ran third in her 850m heat, and Breslin said that has helped bring her on ahead of her weekend assignment. “I am really happy with her, I just gave her a quiet trial,” he said. “She did everything under her own steam and I was more than happy with her.” Breslin will also head to Trentham with Ima Brazen One and Kosta, who will be first-up in the Rothley Sprint (1000m) and Graham’s Painters Sprint (1000m) respectively. Ima Brazen One won her 850m trial at Foxton on Tuesday and Breslin is using Sunday as a test to see if she can handle the Trentham chute, something that has troubled her in the past. “She has come up exceedingly well. She is a bit bigger and stronger version than what we have seen in the past,” he said. “She has had two or three runs down the chute and hasn’t handled it that well as a younger horse. I will be interested to see how she copes with the chute now that she is a little more mature.” Kosta has had just the one trial this time in, finishing fourth over 1000m at Awapuni earlier this month, and Breslin is hoping he can put in a bold showing in a fresh state over Sunday’s sprint distance. “He is a talented horse,” Breslin said. “I normally give them two trials, and I have only given him one, with the idea that he may sprint well in a very fresh state. Hopefully he will have a decent prep this time in, I think he can go through the grades.” Meanwhile, promising stayer Crouch will head to Tauherenikau on Saturday week where his performance in the Feilding Cup (2050m) will dictate whether he heads south to contest the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton a fortnight later. View the full article

The Breeders' Cup arrived on the scene too late for the great American geldings Kelso and Forego. But at the upcoming 42nd edition of the World Championships, a brilliant European gelding will attempt to join some highly exclusive company. View the full article

Ante-post Epsom Derby (G1) favorite Benvenuto Cellini heads Aidan O'Brien's team for Britain's final group 1 race of the year, the Futurity Trophy (G1) Oct. 25 at Doncaster.View the full article

Uptown Rythem (Speightstown–Listen to My Song, by Unbridled's Song), who previously stood at Harris Farms, has been relocated to stand at Rancho San Miguel in Central California for the 2026 breeding season. He will stand for $1,500, live foal guarantee. From extremely modest crops, Uptown Rythem's Average Earnings Index of 1.19 is among the best in California. His unraced dam is a half-sister to the dam of 2017 GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes winner La Coronel (Colonel John) from the extended family of 2025 GI Blue Grass Stakes winner Burnham Square (Liam's Map). “As a fast, good-looking son of Speightstown, Uptown Rythem offers value for savvy mare owners who are aiming to compete in California's lucrative sprint program,” said Tom Clark, owner of Rancho San Miguel. “We believe his brightest days as a sire are ahead.” The property of C Punch Ranch Inc., Uptown Rythem is available for inspection at Rancho San Miguel. The post California’s Uptown Rythem to Rancho San Miguel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Part 2 of the Arqana October Sale kicked off on Thursday with another 154 yearlings going under the hammer, the pick of which was a De Treville colt from the Haras des Capucines draft who fetched €95,000. Bought by trainer Christophe Escuder, lot 428 was making his second appearance on the Deauville sales ground, having fetched €26,000 when Sumbe offered him as a foal at the December Breeding Stock Sale. He is a sibling to three winners out of the winning Galileo mare Gagarina, including a full-sister in Gregarina whose four career victories included the G3 Athasi Stakes, plus a pair of Listed contests in France. Of the 154 lots offered, 117 sold (76%) for an aggregate sum of €3,128,000. The average was €26,735 and the median was €21,000, with the second session of Part 2 set to get underway at 2pm (local time) on Friday. Whilst the figures for the opening session were significantly down across the board compared to the corresponding day last year, it should be remembered that a change of format for 2025 saw an extra day added to Part 1. Haras d'Haspel was responsible for two of the other headline acts on Thursday, namely a colt by Mohaather who went through the ring as lot 359 and a Zelzal filly who was offered later in the afternoon as lot 382. From a five-strong draft, Haras d'Haspel had four sold for a total of €209,000, headed by the Mohaather colt – from the family of the dual G1 Yorkshire heroine Only Royale (Caerleon) and G1 Melbourne Cup winner Prince Of Penzance (Pentire) – who went the way of Markus Nigge for €90,000. As for the Zelzal filly, a half-sister to the Listed winner Bebeautiful (Le Havre), she sold to Bloodstock Services for €80,000. Her dam is an unraced half-sister to the top-class sprinter Gordon Lord Byron (Byron), while this is also the family of another multiple Group 1 winner in Godolphin's Barney Roy (Excelebration). Nicolas Lefevre of Equos Racing teamed up with trainer Henri-Francois Devin to feature among the most prolific buyers on Thursday, securing three yearlings together for a total of €207,000. The most significant spend was the €80,000 it cost to secure lot 480, a Muhaarar filly from Haras de Montaigu in what could be a sign of things to come following Montaigu's recent acquisition of Shadwell's champion sprinter. Meanwhile, at the other end of the distance spectrum, the sole yearling by star stayer Stradivarius to go under the hammer on Thursday found favour with Jeremy Brummitt and Quantum Leap Racing. Consigned by Haras de Grandcamp, the colt already named Lubianus (lot 487) – the first foal out of the G3 Prix Belle de Nuit third Lubiane (Authorized) – sold for €72,000 to secure his place among the five most expensive lots. The post De Treville Colt Leads Low-Key Start to Arqana Part 2 at €95,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Brook Smith doesn't own many horses, but when he gets involved with one, things always seem to go right. The latest example is Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), the winner of last year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic and a top contender for this year's $7-million race. Along with the same ownership group that is dominated by Coolmore, Smith also owns a piece of the fast 2-year-old Schwarzenegger (Not This Time), who is pre-entered for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. To talk about such things as his Breeders' Cup horses, his charitable endeavors and the reason why he has paid for three billboards, one in Dublin, Ireland, touting Sierra Leone, Smith joined the team for this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Gainesway Guest of the Week. There's little doubt that Sierra Leone–a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'–is flying under the radar this year, overshadowed by stars like Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and Fierceness (City of Light). Asked to make an early line for the Classic, the podcast's Randy Moss made Sierra Leone 5-1. “He's always been that horse where he gets respect and then he kind of loses it,” Smith said. “He has trouble keeping it. He's had some odd races, like the last race (the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup), the last prep that he was in before the Classic. And it's hard to say that he's under the radar, but let's just rephrase that and say that Sovereignty is the radar. How's that?” The Sierra Leone camp has been criticized by Mike Repole for entering a rabbit, Contrary Thinking (Curlin), in the Classic in the hopes that he can set a fast pace that will help Sierra Leone. Smith doesn't see what's wrong with that. “You guys caught me at a good time because I just went to the ear doctor because I had to clean out all of the yapping that seems to be out there,” Smith joked. “Whatever happened to let these horses do their thing, right? I don't have social media and I'm not faulting anybody. I think at the end of the day, everybody has fun with it. So, you know, that's all good. The thing is that rabbits are allowed. It's part of racing. “It kind of comes down to the trainer. And if the trainer feels like he wants a rabbit in the race, this ownership group is going to be supportive because Chad (Brown) has done a great job with the horse to this point. It's a big race. It's a different race. I mean, the rabbit could get eliminated with the post position draw. It's clear. Sierra Leone needs pace.” The affable Smith turned the tables on the panel and started asking them questions. He asked Moss to make a case for Sierra Leone winning the Classic. “If I have to make the case for Sierra Leone winning the Classic, it would be this,” Moss said. “There is a very short stretch run at Del Mar. Much, much shorter, almost a football field shorter almost than Sovereignty got at Churchill Downs or at Saratoga in the Belmont Stakes or the Jim Dandy and the Travers. He's a horse that does his best running down the lane. So that will be a disadvantage but it's not one that he can't overcome. Not that he's not good enough to overcome it, but that will be a disadvantage for Sovereignty. And if there will be enough pace to keep Fierceness from getting out there and setting a nice, comfortable, easy lead, which is why Contrary Thinking was entered in the first place, that will help. Then I think that puts Sierra Leone right in the hunt. Now he's also got to deal with a short stretch, but he did last year effectively, obviously at Del Mar, and overcame it.” Out of his own pocket, Smith has paid for billboards that say “Go Sierra! Breeders' Cup World Championships. NBC on Saturday Nov. 1.” There are three billboards, one in Louisville, one in Lexington and one in Ireland. “I am unlike the boy that steps on top of the mountain and cries wolf,” he said. “I'm the guy that jumps on the top of the mountain and says 'Sierra Leone, let's go.' My partners in Ireland, I hope they don't cuss me for putting the billboard up there in Dublin. I don't think they will. It's in respect and good fun. I don't have social media, so I have to use billboards.” As is his custom, Smith will donate a portion of his Breeders' Cup earnings to the Backside Learning Center at Churchill Downs. “The backside continues to benefit from Sierra Leone as a part of that Purses for a Purpose program,” Smith said. “I'll do anything I can do to help an industry that I'm passionate about that gives me a lot. It's great to give back. I was very honored to be invited to join the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Board, TOBA, and I quickly jumped on the chance to get on the charitable philanthropic committee, because that organization does incredible stuff across all kinds of different horse-related non-profits.” The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was Sumter (War Front), who got a 99 Beyer for his win in the Lure Stakes Saturday at Santa Anita. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by 1/st TV, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association and West Point Thoroughbreds, the team of Moss, Bill Finley and Zoe Cadman went through the pre-entered fields for the Breeders' Cup. They'll save their picks for next week. This week was about an overview of all of the races. Click here for the audio version of the podcast and here for the video version. The post Brook Smith Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented by Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Shisospicy will attempt to become the first 3-year-old filly to win the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Del Mar Nov. 1.View the full article

The second Keeneland Championship Sale, to be held Wednesday, Oct. 29 at Del Mar just ahead of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, will be broadcast live on FanDuel TV. The event begins at 5 p.m. PT, and FanDuel TV's live coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m. PT to coincide with the start of the sale. Coverage will be hosted by international sports broadcaster Rishi Persad and Keeneland Director of Communications Gabby Gaudet and be broadcast from the Del Mar Paddock. “FanDuel does a tremendous job capturing the atmosphere and energy of this one-of-a-kind event,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “This broadcast offers an incredible opportunity for fans, media and the broader racing community not in attendance to experience the excitement of the Championship Sale in real time.” In addition to the FanDuel TV broadcast, live coverage of the Championship Sale will be available on the FanDuel Racing + app, on Keeneland's YouTube channel and at Keeneland.com. The post FanDuel TV to Broadcast 2025 Keeneland Championship Sale Live from Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Graham Motion, who trained 2022 Twilight Derby second Speaking Scout, sends grade 1 winner Test Score to Santa Anita for the turf stakes for 3-year-olds. View the full article

Innovative, Lee's Baby Girl, and Warming—the top three finishers from last month's John C. Harris Stakes (G3T)—tussle over the Santa Anita Park turf once more in the $100,000 Autumn Miss Stakes (G3T) Oct. 26. View the full article

Mountaineer Park on Thursday received unanimous permission from the West Virginia Racing Commission (WVRC) to shift one end-of-meet date on its schedule and add two others, moving closing day of the season from Dec. 3 to Dec. 9. “You'll recall, with the passage of recent legislation, monies were provided back to the purse fund,” Joe Moore, the executive director for the WVRC, said during the commission's Oct. 23 monthly meeting. “And with the additional funding, Charles Town had previously requested three additional race dates, [which] the commission approved.” Mountaineer's plan to switch the Wednesday, Dec. 3, card to Sunday, Dec. 7, and then tack on Monday and Tuesday programs for Dec. 8 and 9 “puts their request in line with Charles Town with the increased purse funding,” Moore explained. Prior to the 3-0 vote by commissioners Paul Espinosa, Chip Urling and Tony Figaretti, Espinosa, the WVRC's chairman, asked stakeholders to explain the reasoning behind adding dates as opposed to increasing purses with that money. “We're not talking a lot of days here, so I'm inclined to support this request,” Espinosa said. “But I see that Mountaineer is struggling like a lot of tracks are right now.” Espinosa noted that a $4,000 NW2L claiming sprint on Monday, Oct. 20, went off as a match race after four scratches reduced the field to just two starters. During its most recent four days of racing this week (Sunday through Wednesday), Mountaineer's eight-race cards featured 40, 47, 45 and 46 starters, respectively. “Any thought to doing a purse increase as opposed to adding additional days to maybe try to attract a few more horses?” Espinosa asked. Michael Bish, the director of racing at Mountaineer, explained the rationale this way: “We have a bunch of neighboring tracks that are closing. Presque Isle in Erie, Pennsylvania. Belterra Park down by Cincinnati. I'm seeing a massive uptick in stalls being requested for the last month. We're bringing in about 75 to 80 horses this weekend. We're getting a massive amount of Canadian horses from Fort Erie closing up. “So our projection for the month of November is looking very strong,” Bish said. “When you look at our last couple of overnights, it's kind of proved that. We're getting big 10-horse fields, 12-horse fields. So in our opinion here, things are going to get a lot better here in this last month.” The four upcoming programs for Oct. 26-29 have drawn 58, 64, 61 and 71 entries, respectively. And starting in November, Mountaineer will drop four Wednesdays of racing, as had been planned back at the start of its April-December season, cutting the schedule to just three dates per week. Jami Poole, the president of the Mountaineer Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, said his organization supports the moves by track management. “We used to run a lot of days. Over 50 days we've docked [annually] since I've been here,” Poole said. “Our goal as horsemen is to work with management and go to the three days a week most of the time so we can have the big field sizes. And on turf season [we can have] four days a week because [being able to race on] turf will overcome [adding a fourth date to the weekly schedule]. “But our [future] goal here is to run more days to get back to where we were,” Poole said. “We did raise all the bottom purses [recently]. We didn't raise the top purses.” Racing as deep into December as possible is important, Poole said, “because 90% of these horsemen here, when we close here, have nowhere to go. [They] don't go to Mahoning because they don't get stalls or whatever it is. And our goal is to take care of our horsemen here to get this meet as long as we can get it to go.” Espinosa said he appreciated the insights from both track management and horsemen. “You know, everybody's fighting for horses,” Espinosa said. “And again, if we do have a situation where we do have ability to maybe step those purses up a little bit, maybe attract a few more horses, I would think that that's going to help fill those races. But I accept what Mr. Bish outlined and what [Poole] shared, and certainly I commend you on working together and trying to put together the best program that you can.” The post Citing ‘Massive Uptick’ in Horses as Other Meets Close, Mountaineer Adds Two Dates to End of Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland has supplemented Fall Meet winners Divine Justice (c, 3, Justify) and Elston Gunnn (g, 2, Mo Town) along with four other horses to the November Horses of Racing Age Sale to be held Wednesday, Nov. 12, the day after the conclusion of the November Breeding Stock Sale. The sale will begin at noon ET. Divine Justice won an Oct. 3 maiden special weight event at Keeneland, earning an 88 Beyer and 8 3/4 Ragozin in his second lifetime start. Out of the City Zip mare Rarities, a full sister to multiple Grade I winner Palace, Divine Justice is a half-brother to stakes-placed winner Retained. He is consigned by Four Star Sales, agent. Elston Gunnn was a sharp winner of an Oct. 12 maiden special weight race going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf in the second start of his career. Trained by Jonathan Thomas, he is consigned by ELiTE, agent. Additional supplements are: Bail Us Out, a 4-year-old winning, Grade III-placed gelding by Lookin At Lucky consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent. Keepinitreal, a 3-year-old New York-bred gelding by City of Light. Placed in four of five career starts, he is consigned by ELiTE, agent for Chester Broman. Laurice, a 3-year-old Grade III-placed filly by Bolt d'Oro consigned by Grovendale Sales, agent, and cataloged as a racing or broodmare prospect. Perfect Snow, a 3-year-old winning daughter of Caravaggio whose second dam is millionaire and Grade I winner Ticker Tape (GB). She is consigned by Hidden Brook, agent for the Dispersal of Bonne Chance Farm, and cataloged as a racing or broodmare prospect. The post Keeneland Fall Meet Winners Divine Justice, Elston Gunnn Among Six Supplements to Horses of Racing Age Sale 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. Friday's Observations features an exciting newcomer from the Karl Burke stable. 2.43 Doncaster, Mdn, 2yo, f, 7f 6yT HARPER VIOLET (IRE) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is an exciting debutante for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum and the Karl Burke stable, being the fourth foal out of the Prix Jean Romanet heroine Ajman Princess (Teofilo), the daughter of the celebrated Reem Three whose two Stakes performers so far are the Commonwealth Cup hero Inisherin by Lope De Vega's sire Shamardal and Dubawi's Strensall winner King Of Cities. She meets another Lope De Vega-sired blueblooded newcomer in James Wigan's Lilt (GB), a William Haggas-trained daughter of the owner-breeder's star mare Dank (Dansili) who captured the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and Beverley D. Stakes. 2.08 Doncaster, Mdn, 2yo, 8fT INFRAAD (IRE) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) debuts for Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum and the William Haggas stable and is a half-sister to the Pretty Polly heroine Nezwaah by Ghaiyyath's sire Dubawi. He is joined by Cheveley Park Stud's fellow newcomer Affettuoso (GB) (New Bay {GB}), a Roger Varian-trained son of the dual Listed winner and multiple Group-placed Cabaletta (Mastercraftsman). 2.16 Newbury, Mdn, 2yo, 6 1/2fT SHIPBOURNE (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is the 12th foal out of Juddmonte's Cheveley Park heroine Special Duty (Hennessy) who was famously awarded two Classics in the stewards' room. Her best so far was this colt's full-brother Task Force, who raced for the same Ralph Beckett stable and was second in the Middle Park. 4.01 Newbury, Novice, 2yo, 8fT KING OF EARTH (GB) (Kingman {GB}) debuts for Abdulla Belhabb, whose finest hour as an owner came with this colt's half-brother King Of Change (Farhh) in the 2019 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Also a half to Cape Cross's multiple Group-winning fellow sire Century Dream, he represents the William Haggas stable whose first-string appears to be Isa Salman Al Khalifa's similarly-unraced Oathbound (GB) (Kameko), a half-brother to the Glens Falls Stakes-placed Long Ago (Roaring Lion). The post Inisherin’s Half-Sister Harper Violet Debuts at Doncaster appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Young driver Seth Hill will get a golden opportunity to impress his new boss at Addington tonight. Not that Bob Butt isn’t already impressed. Butt trains The Lazarus Effect, one of the more promising pacers in Canterbury and a $2.50 favourite for the IRT Thanks Bettors Delight Pace at Addington even though he faces a second line draw in the big field. Hill will do the driving for the first time tonight. If The Lazarus Effect wins with the talented junior driver in the cart he only gets half the rating points so would stay on the front line for his next big aim, the NZBS Sales Series Pace at Kaikoura. “And I have no issues handing Seth the reins,” explains Butt. “He is a good young driver who has been working for me for about a month and a very good bloke so we are enjoying having him here.” The Lazarus Effect wore down race rival tonight It’s Tough the last time they clashed and is favoured to do so again tonight, with Butt also having stable newcomer Donmaro in the race. “Rodger [Austin, former trainer] sent him out here to try something new and I really like him,” says Butt. “I can see him going a good race and even if he can’t win this he is worth following.” Butt takes a strong team to the races tonight even if his most favoured ones face difficult draws. He rates Tactical Bid (R5, No.17) a future open class trotter although admits tonight’s race has its own challenges with a huge field and the three-year-old being on the unruly in the 2000m stand. He has one-eyed pacer One Eyed Bandit in the Janice Guerin Memorial as the three-year-old tries to stay remain unbeaten at his second start. “He has a heap of speed but also a lot to learn,” says Butt. “He can win but obviously it is a big field so he will need a bit of luck.” Yet another Butt-trained rep in Gold Bullion is favoured in the IRT Thanks Grego Trot, which is not actually what the race is called but everybody knows who that means. Gold Bullion starts off the 20m mark in another huge field and Butt admits he has been disappointed with the big boy who has at times looked open class material. “He was good two starts ago but not so good last start but I have freshened him up and I think he can improve. “But he will need to as it is a big field and he has to give Confessional a 10m start.” Tonight’s meeting starts with the $45,000 Macca Lodge Sires’ Stakes Classique Trot which has only drawn a field is four and will have unbeaten filly Duchess Maria as everybody’s early multi anchor. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Trainer Matty White thinks Mediator is edging closer to being the finished product. And that should be good enough to win at Alexandra Park tonight at a meeting where White has a strong hand. The South Auckland trainer has five of his 23-strong stable racing tonight, with smart horses in Mhai Surfer Girl (R1) and Lord Popinjay (R10) taking on good fields at either end of the programme. But it is Mediator (R7, No.4) who gives White his best chance in the TAB – Northern Metro Pacers Heat 3 Mobile Pace (7.54pm). He’s a $1.75 favourite. Mediator is almost a victim of his reputation getting too big too early, which can happen when you are a son of Captaintreacherous and former outstanding filly Willow and you win your first two races. Both those wins came in March and then Mediator finished a close up fifth in a Sires’ Stakes heat at Cambridge behind Bettors Anvil, Greased Lightnin and Got The Chocolates, pretty hot form for a pacer racing in R35-43 grade tonight. The only reason he is still there is immaturity as he is still developing physically and mentally but his stride and natural speed suggests there is plenty more to come. “He is getting there and I think we will start seeing something like this best soon,” says White. After two mixed runs to start this campaign Mediator was luckless at Alexandra Park when second to Blazing Louie, being in the trail when the leader stopped and being forced to come across heels before finishing well. “I thought it was a good run and this looks the right race for him,” says White. Mhai Surfer Girl is a smart mare but returning in a good horse’s race to open the night and White says while she will need the run in that grade he has lofty aims. “She has never gone a bad race and we will look at the Queen Of Hearts in December with her and then the Golden Gait.” White says Forgiveness (R2) is up against it in a sharp TAB Metro Trotters heat headlined by Higher Power while juvenile American Falcon (R3) is another at the improving stage. “He has gone two good races so far but can’t draw a barrier. “He has got barrier 6 again this week but he is getting stronger so is still a chance.” Lord Popinjay has been a “surprise package” since joining White’s team and was excellent winning last start but again faces a 20m handicap over 2200m. “He is going super but so much depends on the start. “If he can step well and get past two or three then he has a real chance but in a race like this if they string out and you are at the back it is totally different. So the start really matters.” White also drives Better Reaction for his father Les in a tricky TAB Metro pacing heat in which his best would be good enough to get some money but it is a heat that could slide by in 2:40 for the 2200m mobile and then luck and field position would be the difference between 1st and 5th. He also partners Tight Lines in the last of 11 races (there is a surprise) and says while he has never driven the three-year-old he says any Brian and Gareth Hughes runner deserves respect. View the full article

Following an easy three-furlong breeze in :37 with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard at Keeneland Oct. 23, trainer Jose D'Angelo says 3-year-old filly Shisospicy is ready for the challenge of the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Del Mar Nov. 1.View the full article

After breezing Morplay Racing and Qatar Racing's Shisospicy at Keeneland Oct. 23, jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. says the Jose D'Angelo-trained filly is in "great condition" ahead of the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Del Mar Nov. 1.View the full article

Before we can solve the Thoroughbred aftercare problem, we must first define it–and understand its full scope. For this discussion, aftercare refers to the rehoming, retraining, and retiring of Thoroughbreds who: never make it to the racetrack; are not fast enough to race; have finished their racing careers and lost commercial value; can no longer perform as sport horses; or no longer serve useful breeding purposes. When I first began asking industry insiders what it would truly cost to provide lifetime care for all Thoroughbreds that need it, I could not find a clear consensus. The responses ranged from lively debate to polite silence. So I did what any data-minded realist would do: I started counting. After running the numbers every possible way, the result was sobering. I believe we are facing an estimated half-billion-dollar-a-year aftercare problem. To many, that sounds implausible—as it did to me at first. But math has a way of clarifying difficult truths. To simplify the detailed analysis, I summarized the calculations in clear terms. The 2025 foal crop is roughly 17,300. Assume that 10,000 of those horses, about 60 percent, will eventually need some form of aftercare. If half of them are retrained or rehomed and placed in permanent homes, the estimated cost per horse is $5,000, totaling $25 million annually. When the remaining 5,000 foals require full retirement, at an average of 10 years of care at $10,000 per year, the total reaches $500 million. Overall, I believe the projected annual aftercare cost for the current foal crop is approximately $525 million. There are, of course, countless variables. Some horses will require fewer years of care, while others will need more. Annual costs vary by geography, facility, and the specific type of aftercare needed. Yet even with optimistic assumptions, the scale of the challenge remains enormous. To its credit, the industry has made remarkable progress. Old Friends, New Vocations, the TAA, TCA, and NTA, among others, have set admirable standards. Stallion farms, breeders, and sales companies have made meaningful contributions, and countless individuals give time, money, and heart. One major initiative strives to raise $28 million annually—an extraordinary achievement, yet still only a fraction of what's needed to cover every horse in need. The truth is, our industry cannot afford to fund a half-billion-dollar annual aftercare obligation. So where do we go from here? At Stallion Season Exchange (SSE), we believe aftercare can no longer be an afterthought—it must begin with Beforecare. Our approach reimagines funding not as charity but as participation. By connecting consumers directly to the life of the Thoroughbred, we can transform aftercare from a cost center into a shared responsibility and a shared experience. This direct-to-consumer (B2C) model, built on marketing, technology, and emotional engagement, will be developed over the next five years with industry support under the banner of the “2030 Movement”. The main goal of the 2030 Movement is to create the Beforecare Pension Plan, a permanent and sustainable funding source to support non-profit aftercare programs, with a long-term annual capacity of $500 million. By 2030, aftercare will no longer rely on industry underwriting, as consumers, empowered by technology and engagement, will sustain it. This plan allows consumers to buy lifelong participation in a Thoroughbred's journey, from the moment a foal stands and nurses to its racing or sport-horse career and eventual retirement. By licensing images and digital likenesses of Thoroughbreds throughout their lives, the initiative will connect the physical and digital worlds, combining sport, lifestyle branding, and global fandom into a single ecosystem. In a rapidly evolving digital age, where artificial intelligence and immersive media are redefining how people connect to what they love, it's easy to imagine consumers “participating” in the raising, training, and retirement of the horses they help support, without owning them outright. The potential for engagement, loyalty, and scale is tremendous. By 2030, the Beforecare Pension Plan is projected to be fully operational and self-sustaining. The initial five years will rely on visionary sponsors who believe this challenge can, and must, be solved once and for all. Afterward, the industry's charitable aftercare resources can be redirected to other critical priorities, including programs that support the human side of the Thoroughbred business. The challenge is significant but not insurmountable. The math is clear. The technology is available and advancing rapidly. The public's desire for meaningful involvement has never been stronger. The 2030 Movement is achievable. What's needed now is leadership, coordination, and the courage to act. Danny Burgner is the Founder of the Stallion Season Exchage and Beforecare, whose goal is to build a healthy, sustainable future for all Thoroughbreds, and to transform how the public views and engages with the Thoroughbred—honoring racing and breeding traditions while providing lifelong care for the horses that make it all possible. The post Letter to the Editor: Solving Our Half-Billion-Dollar Aftercare Problem appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The dual winner Arctic Grey (lot 2) took top billing at the Tattersalls Online October Sale when going the way of Richard Frisby Bloodstock for 66,000gns. Consigned by Richard Hannon's East Everleigh Stables, the son of Dark Angel has a Timeform rating of 93 and was last seen finishing third in a seven-furlong handicap at Chelmsford. He is out of a winning half-sister to the multiple Group 2 scorer Penitent (Kyllachy) and G2 Mill Reef Stakes hero Supplicant (Kyllachy). “Arctic Grey will continue his racing career in Bahrain where he will be trained at the Royal Stables by Paul Smith,” said Frisby. “Paul has been assisting his father, Allan Smith, for the last 20 years and has recently taken over the license in his own name after many years of success together.” Other popular lots among the horses in training section included the five-time winner Bright (Starspangledbanner) (lot 14), consigned by DML Racing, who was bought by Danny Kearns for 47,000gns, and the high-class handicapper Old Cock (lot 64). The latter was offered by Bethell Racing, on behalf of owner Vimy Aykroyd, with a Timeform rating of 104, with the Hambleton Handicap at York's Dante Festival featuring among his four career wins. Northgate Lodge Stud secured the son of Calyx for 26,000gns. Ahead of next month's inaugural Online Yearling Session, Thursday's October Sale also saw some notable results across the yearlings on offer, including a son of Ardad (lot 125) who was purchased by Mark Walford Racing for 12,000gns. Another to find favour was a filly by State Of Rest (lot 113), consigned by Forenaghts Stud, who was knocked down to Martin Hayes for 10,500gns. The Tattersalls Online October Sale realised turnover of 445,800gns for 62 lots sold at an average price of 7,190gns. Unsold lots remain available and offers can be made through the Make An Offer facility on the Tattersalls Online website. The post Arctic Grey Headlines Tattersalls Online October Sale at 66,000gns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Live Oak Plantation's blue-blooded homebred Ultimate Love (Curlin) will put her perfect record on the line in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar Oct. 31. She will look to emulate Sharing (Speightstown), who followed a win in Laurel Park's Selima S. with a 13-1 upset at the 2019 Championships at Santa Anita. “I think she fits and hopefully she's a logical player to give it a try,” trainer Mike Trombetta said. Ultimate Love has won her first three career starts–all on grass–by a combined margin of 13 1/2 lengths, capped by a dominating performance while making her stakes debut in the Selima going 1 1/16 miles Sept. 27. The chestnut was a debut winner at Colonial July 24, then dominated five rivals with a career-best 81 Beyer Speed Figure in a first-level optional claimer at Laurel Sept. 5. “There's only so many places to run these young fillies,” Trombetta said. “(The Selima) was perfect for us. I was a little nervous because it was back in like three weeks and a day or two, but she handled it well.” The daughter of leading sire Curlin was produced by Tsunami of Love (Bernardini), a daughter of GI Diana S. heroine My Typhoon (Ire) (Giant's Causeway). Ultimate Love's third dam is the 1993 G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner and bluehen mare Urban Sea (Miswaki), who has produced heavyweights Galileo (Ire), Sea the Stars (Ire), et al. #3 ULTIMATE LOVE ($5) is now a perfect 3 for 3! She ran down the leader in the stretch to win the $125,000 Selima Stakes at Laurel Park. The 2yo daughter of Curlin was ridden by @jorgeruizjockey and is trained by Michael Trombetta. Live Oak Plantation owns. pic.twitter.com/13Eo8jLRuQ — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 27, 2025 “Originally, I wasn't sure whether she was dirt or turf,” Trombetta said. “When we started pressing her a little bit on the dirt, I wasn't real impressed by what I was seeing. We moved her over to the synthetic (at Fair Hill) and she worked really well. So, I figured, you know what? I'll run her long on the turf first time and see what we get. She was good enough to win. She's just zipped through some conditions really quickly. Obviously, everything gets tougher from here, but she's done really well.” Ultimate Love has breezed twice since her win in the Selima, most recently covering five furlongs in 1:01.80 (10/19) over the all-weather at Fair Hill Oct. 18. “She's training well,” Trombetta said. “Hopefully she fits and she can handle all the travel and everything and give it a good run.” He added, “The plane leaves out of Newark, New Jersey, on the 26th. So, if her final work on Saturday is good, we'll put her on a plane Sunday.” Trombetta added that Hall of Famer John Velazquez has been booked to ride. The post Unbeaten Ultimate Love a ‘Logical Player’ in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Popular Maryland-bred and MGSW & MGISP Post Time (Frosted–Vielsalm, by Fairbanks) will stand his first season at Northview Stallion Station in Chesapeake City, MD., in 2026 for $4,000 live foal, payable when the foal stands and nurses. An earner of nearly $1.5 million and a stakes winner every year from seasons two to five, Post Time was campaigned by Hillwood Stable LLC (Ellen Charles) and trained by Brittany Russell. He was bred by Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Bowman, Dr. Brooke Bowman and Milton P. Higgins III. “Post Time is a true throwback racehorse,” Russell said. “He was immensely talented from the start, but what made him special was his durability and will to compete. As precocious as he was at two, he just kept getting better–each year stronger, tougher, and more professional. He faced top-class competition in graded stakes and even the Breeders' Cup yet always showed up. He's the kind of horse every trainer dreams of–sound, genuine, and full of personality.” Charles added, “Post Time was a joy to own from the start–a beautiful, kind horse with immense talent. To see him come home to Maryland and stand at Northview, where so many great stallions have launched their careers, is tremendously gratifying. I hope Maryland breeders will support him the way he supported us every time he ran.” David Wade, General Manager of Northview, said, “Post Time represents everything we look for in a stallion prospect. He's sound, fast, correct, and from a family of solid runners. On the track he broke his maiden going 5 1/2 furlongs at two and went on to win eight of his first nine starts. He didn't dodge any horses, ran a very impressive second in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile, and won stakes up to 1 1/8 miles. I always judge a horse by who they beat and he has finished ahead Domestic Product, White Abarrio, National Treasure, Muth, and Seize the Grey to name a few. We're thrilled to keep him in Maryland and offer him at a fee that presents incredible value to our clients.” The post Post Time to Northview for 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Multiple grade 1-placed, grade 2 winner Post Time will stand his first season at Northview Stallion Station near Chesapeake City, Md.View the full article

Calumet Farm homebred Gin Gin (Hightail) and Morplay Racing and Qatar Racing's Shisospicy (Mitole) turned in works over the Keeneland main track Thursday morning in advance of next weekend's Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar. Returning to the worktab for the first time since narrowly defeating top 3-year-old filly Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) in the GI Juddmonte Spinster Stakes on Oct. 5, Gin Gin had Luis Saez in the irons when covering a half-mile in :49.40 (20/48) (video). Gin Gin, whose sire–a son of Mineshaft–won the short-lived Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint at Santa Anita in 2012. “That was good,” trainer Brendan Walsh said about the move. “We just wanted her to go a nice easy half with a nice gallop out and she did it. Nothing fancy.” Gin Gin is an intended runner in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff. Shisospicy, a 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard, is set to face the boys in the GI Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint and went three-eighths of a mile in :37 flat (video) with Irad Ortiz, Jr. at the controls. “Excellent,” trainer Jose D'Angelo said about the work. “That is what we were looking for. Three furlongs with a gallop out. Easy, very good. We are happy.” Shisospicy was last seen winning the GII AGS Music City Stakes at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 6. Both Gin Gin and Shisospicy are booked on direct flight on Monday from Cincinnati to California. “From the first workout, I told the owner 'We have a special horse here.'” Hear from trainer ⁦@JFDAngelo⁩ as he discusses MGW and #OBSGrad Shisospicy ahead of her ⁦@BreedersCup⁩ run for ⁦@MorplayRacing⁩ ⁦@Qatar_Racing⁩. pic.twitter.com/PJT540jw98 — OBSSales (@OBSSales) October 23, 2025 The post Gin Gin, Shisospicy Breeze Towards Breeders’ Cup Engagements appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Tales Of The Heart at Keeneland. Resolute To The Heart Resolute Racing's Tales Of The Heart (Mehmas) flashed her class with a 1 1/4-length victory at Keeneland on October 15 (video). Trained by Michael Maker, the three-year-old filly was bred by Tally-Ho Stud, where her sire stands. The daughter of the stakes-placed Shoshoni Wind (Sleeping Indian) brought 400,000gns out of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale on the bid of Jamie McCalmont Bloodstock. The bay placed in the Listed Empress Fillies' Stakes and G3 Princess Margaret Stakes for Andrew Rosen and Marc Chan and trainer Ralph Beckett during her British sojourn. Snapped up by John Stewart's operation for 650,000gns out of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale last winter, Tales Of The Heart is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Sir Arthur Dayne (Sir Prancealot) and a full-sister to G2 Flying Childers Stakes-winning sire Caturra. Her dam has three more Mehmas colts to come–juvenile Shadow Run, a yearling who was picked up by Hamish Macauley and Sean Quinn for 105,000gns out of Book 2 of this year's October Sale, and a weanling born this year. Mehmas has 21 winners from 35 runners (60%) and seven stakes winners (20%) in the U.S. His trio of Grade I winners are anchored by GI Del Mar Oaks heroine Going Global. Sistercharlie Relation Scores In New York Peter Brant's Louise Procter (Siyouni) won for the second time in nine starts during the Belmont at the Big A meeting on October 19 (video). The Chad Brown trainee was bred by St. Elias Stables in France. A €360,000 graduate of the Arqana August Yearling Sale, Louise Procter raced in the silks of Brant's White Birch Farm for trainer Jean-Claude Rouget during her five-start French career. She is one of three winners out of the Chelsey Flower Stakes scorer Create A Dream (Oasis Dream), with the others including the California Derby second Phosphorescence (City Of Light). Louise Procter is also a half-sister to a yearling filly by Baaeed and a full-sister to a weanling colt. Second dam Anabaa's Creation (Anabaa) won the Listed Prix Isonomy and was second in the GI Clement L. Hirsch Stakes and the G1 Prix Saint-Alary. This is the extended family of American champion Sistercharlie (Myboycharlie), the now-Japan-based sire and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Sottsass, and that stallion's full-brother Shin Emperor (Siyouni). The Aga Khan Studs' Siyouni is credited with 28 winners from 53 runners (53%). His septet of stakes winners feature five at Group level, with GII Flower Bowl Stakes heroine Bellezza his most recent luminary Stateside. Earthlight Gelding Salutes At Keeneland Graham Grace Stable's Mary's Lad got the job done in his third start at Keeneland for trainer Whit Beckman on Wednesday (video). The grey was bred by Gerard Mullins. Campaigned exclusively in America, the €57,000 Goffs November foal turned €140,000 Goffs Orby yearling was purchased at the latter by Legion Bloodstock. The first foal out of the winning Gorges (Le Havre)–herself a full-sister to stakes winner and two-time group-placed Sotteville–is following by a yearling Blue Point filly. Sotteville is the dam of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale Sceptre Sessions-bound Survie (Churchill), who was second in the G1 Prix de Diane and won the G2 Prix de Malleret. Mary's Lad is the first winner from four runners (25%) in the U.S. for the Darley-based Earthlight. The son of Shamardal is responsible for a trio of international stakes winners, with G3 Prix de Cabourg winner Daylight a highlight. Repeat Winners Brendan Walsh saddled Venencia (Recoletos) in the GIII Rood & Riddle Dowager Stakes at Keeneland on October 19 and came away with the victory (video). Racing for Bradley Thoroughbreds, Laura Leigh Stable, Jim Cone, Belmar Racing and Breeding, Team Hanley and Cambron Equine, the five-year-old mare was winning her first graded stakes. Also on the 19th, Aussie Girl (Starspangledbanner) claimed the Noble Damsel Stakes at the Belmont at the Big A meeting for trainer Will Walden (video). She races in the colours of Woodford Thoroughbreds. Activist Investing (Kingman) returned to the winner's circle during the Belmont at the Big A meeting on October 17 (video). The five-year-old entire is raced by Klaravich Stables and hails from the barn of Chad Brown. The post Making Waves: Mehmas Filly Spins Quite A Tale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Edited Press Release Darby Dan Farm has set 2026 stud fees for its roster of 11 stallions that will stand the upcoming breeding season, led by Blazing Sevens, Flameaway, and Dialed In, who will each stand for $10,000 S&N. Blazing Sevens, winner of the stallion-making GI Champagne Stakes at two and runner-up by just a head to subsequent Eclipse Award-winning champion older male National Treasure (Quality Road) in the GI Preakness Stakes, hails from the first crop of leading sire Good Magic. Blazing Sevens broke his maiden at Saratoga in his career bow, winning by 6 1/4 lengths and earning 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard status. Also at two, he finished a rallying third in the GI Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga and overcame a troubled start in the Champagne, covering ground on the far turn before drawing off to win by 3 1/4 lengths for trainer Chad Brown. Demand for Blazing Sevens was strong in his debut season at stud. He displayed excellent fertility, breeding 139 mares and his first foals will arrive in 2026. Flameaway is making a major impact as a stallion and is a leading cumulative third-crop sire this year. A multiple graded stakes-winning son of the prolific Scat Daddy and his only son at stud to win stakes at two, three, and four, Flameaway is represented by Bear River, victorious in the $2-million GII Kentucky Turf Sprint Stakes and a candidate for next weekend's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. In his “Win and You're In” Kentucky Turf Sprint Stakes score, Bear River set all the pace and defeated a contentious international field while sizzling six furlongs in a swift 1:07.71. Flameaway is also represented this year by 2-year-old filly Amada Mila (Chi), a Group 1 winner in her native Chile; and Dark Saffron, who became the first 3-year-old in history to defeat elders in the $2-million G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan Racecourse. Among the horses Dark Saffron vanquished in that lucrative fixture was champion sprinter and last year's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. Dialed In has been a leading sire since earning the title of champion freshman of 2016. He continues to sire top-tier runners, highlighted in 2025 by Whatchatalkinabout, who showed his grit with a determined victory in the GIII John A. Nerud Stakes during the Belmont at the Big A ahead of a third in the GII Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland. Overall, Dialed In is the sire of 76 black-type horses, 29 stakes winners and more than $57 million in progeny earnings in his career. Modernist, a son of the late Uncle Mo and a graded stakes winner at three and four, including the Risen Star Stakes (G2) as a sophomore, is represented eight winners from his first-crop runners in 2025. Among them are Trendsetter, an impressive debut maiden special weight winner; multiple stakes-placed Grazie, designated a 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard off a 4 1/2-length maiden special weight victory on debut at Saratoga and third in both the Joseph A. Gimma Stakes and Seeking the Ante Stakes; and Last Candy, third in the Illinois Debutante Stakes. In the auction ring, first 2-year-olds by Modernist caught the eye, commanding up to $310,000 (Grazie), and $300,000 (Embry Show). DARBY DAN FARM — 2026 STUD FEES Bee Jersey (Jersey Town), $5,000 Blazing Sevens (Good Magic), $10,000 Country House (Lookin At Lucky), $5,000 Dialed In (Mineshaft), $10,000 Flameaway (Scat Daddy), $10,000 Gufo (Declaration of War), $5,000 Modernist (Uncle Mo), $5,000 Shirl's Speight (Speightstown), $5,000 Tale of Ekati (Tale of the Cat), $5,000 Tale of Silence (Tale of the Cat), $2,500 Title Ready (More Than Ready), $2,500 The post Darby Dan Trio To Stand For $10K in 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article