Wandering Eyes

Sprinters young and old hold sway this weekend, with the juveniles centre stage on Saturday in the G1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes before the hardened category specialists take over in the G1 ARC Prix Maurice de Gheest 24 hours later. In the former contest, Aidan O'Brien looks set to add an 18th renewal with either the Coventry winner Gstaad (Starspangledbanner) or the Queen Mary winner True Love (No Nay Never) having missed out in six of the last seven. Gstaad and True Love's powerhouse performances at Royal Ascot set them apart from the four peers lining up against them and it is probably a simple case of who is the better of the two stablemates, especially given the filly's subsequent Railway rout of the boys including the yard's hard-grafter Puerto Rico (Wootton Bassett). Aidan O'Brien issued a note of caution regarding the colt on Friday, however. “Gstaad has been working well, but he was just a little bit quiet this morning,” he explained. “I don't think it was anything serious–all his work has gone well but he was just a little quiet so hopefully he'll be okay. They've met before obviously and the filly has that little bit more experience than the colt. It has always been the plan for him to run at Ascot, have a little break and then go to the Curragh.” Only Green Sense (Starman) makes any sense outside of the Ballydoyle contingent, but while Simon Munir and Isaac Souede's admirable filly had her Robert Papin form franked at the weekend she has it all to do to bridge the gap to the front pair. At Deauville on Sunday, Wathnan Racing's Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee hero Lazzat (Territories) will be heavily favoured to record back-to-back renewals of the 6 1/2-furlong feature. His older contemporaries have questions to answer, so it could be up to the three-year-olds to put him to the test. The Aga Khan Studs representative Rayevka (Blue Point) was probably the moral winner of the Commonwealth Cup given the path she charted, with Godolphin's Shadow Of Light (Lope De Vega) putting up the first of two disappointments. Shadow Of Light offered an even more deflating performance behind Resolute Bloodstock's Woodshauna (Wooded) in the Prix Jean Prat and at this stage the Graffard runner looks more upwardly-mobile, but we are talking about a Middle Park and Dewhurst winner and a 2,000 Guineas third and he remains a danger to all. Also on Saturday is an intriguing edition of The Curragh's G3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes, where last year's Phoenix heroine Babouche (Kodiac) takes on the reigning British Champions Sprint Stakes winner Kind of Blue (Blue Point) and other classy types with fluctuating fortunes. At Newmarket, the G3 Newsells Park Stud Sweet Solera Stakes sees Billy Loughnane team up with Charlie Appleby for the ride on Godolphin's exciting filly Dance To The Music (Dubawi) before making the dash for Hoppegarten on Sunday to partner the yard stalwart Rebel's Romance (Dubawi) in the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin he won in 2022. At this time of year, next year's Classics are never far from the mind and Saturday's supporting card at The Curragh sees an intriguing seven-furlong maiden whose recent list of winners includes Delacroix, Diego Velazquez, Al Riffa and Thunder Moon. Ballydoyle's newcomer Hawk Mountain is a son of Wootton Bassett and Hydrangea with Ryan Moore booked in preference to an experienced stablemate, so a significant performance is bound to cause major ripples in the ante-post markets. In the third race on the card, the often-informative Grand Hotel Malahide Irish EBF Fillies Juvenile Race won in 2016 by Hydrangea herself, Aidan O'Brien's debutante Diamond Necklace is a St Mark's Basilica half-sister to Magic Wand and Chicquita. Donnacha O'Brien, who took this last year with Falling Snow, saddles another beautifully-bred newcomer in Lookingforarainbow, a daughter of Justify and the past Phoenix winner Damson. As always with these pedigrees, the past continues to inform the present as we ready ourselves for the next cycle of Classic contenders. The post Speed Tests The Weekend Focus appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kevin Attard never doubted that he had what it took to train a racehorse. What he wasn't sure of, at least back then, was whether that confidence would be enough. The lifelong horseman was from a family of Canadian trainers and jockeys and he had practically grown up on the backside at Woodbine, but in 2005, his barn was down to five horses. He wrapped up the year with just four wins. “It was the first time in my life that I wrote a resume,” Attard recalled. “I had a young family and had bought a home and it just wasn't paying the bills. You're coming into work knowing you're losing money, but you're trying to have somebody give you an opportunity. That's the hope—that someone recognizes the talent in you.” At the eleventh hour, Attard's uncle, Canadian Hall of Fame jockey Larry Attard, heard that Steve Stavro of Knob Hill Stable was looking for a private trainer. Securing the position wasn't just the break Attard desperately needed. It was the first thread in a tapestry that would one day stretch all the way to the Breeders' Cup winner's circle. One of the first horses Attard trained for Stavro, Leonnatus Anteas (Stormy Atlantic), developed into a champion 2-year-old in Canada. That colt had been picked out by the then up-and-coming bloodstock agent Donato Lanni. Years later, Lanni would be the one who organized the racing partnership behind Moira (Ghostzapper), the Canadian champion who gave Attard his first win at the Breeders' Cup in the 2024 GI Filly and Mare Turf. For a trainer who once questioned his future in the sport, the breakthrough victory was more than just a career milestone. It was a reflection of the special bond he shared with a talented horse and the pride he felt in representing his country on the world stage. Kevin Attard at Woodbine Racetrack | Katie Petrunyak “When you look at some of the great Canadian trainers who have worked here and applied their trade at Woodbine, it's a small list of trainers that have been lucky to win [a Breeders' Cup race],” Attard explained. “So for me to be in that club in a sense, it means a lot to me. We're kind of like a little island here in Canada. There are a lot of great horse people here. It's just that the opportunity to win some of those races isn't as easy to come by being in Canada. I'm one of the fortunate ones I guess that can claim a Breeders' Cup win and hopefully it's the first of many more to come.” Growing up, Attard worked as a hot walker, groom and exercise rider for his father, Tino Attard. He struck a deal with his parents that he would go to college, but after earning a degree in accounting he went straight back to the racetrack to be his father's assistant trainer. “I always wanted to follow in my dad's footsteps,” said Attard. “I really enjoyed being with horses. I thought I had a connection with them. It wasn't an easy road, but I really believed in myself and thought I could be successful at what I did.” After Knob Hill's racing program dissolved in 2012, Attard faced the challenge of building his stable back up again. By that point, he had gained a reputation for success and quickly brought in clients like Terra Racing Stable, Elizabeth and Gordon Lickrish, and Stephen Chesney and Cory Hoffman. The stable established itself as a top operation in Canada, but in 2016 Attard's profile expanded internationally when he competed at the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita with Calgary Cat (Cowtown Cat) in the GI Turf Sprint and Melmich (Wilko) in the GII Marathon Stakes. Both finished fourth in their respective races, fueling Attard's resolve to make it back to the championship meet. He got the opportunity in 2020 with Starship Jubilee (Indy Wind), a filly he had picked out from the claiming ranks at Gulfstream Park and developed into a multiple Grade I winner. The stable star was coming into the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf in top form for her final career start, but lost all chance when she stumbled at the break and lost her rider. Horse and jockey walked off unscathed, but even years later, Attard is still emotional when he reflects on what could have been. Attard and 2024 King's Plate Stakes winner Catherinehergrtness | Katie Petrunyak “I'll never forget watching her come out of the gate, fall to her knees and drop the rider,” he said. “It almost didn't feel real, to be quite honest. It was tough and it still kind of chokes me up. Just to see her end her career like that, I didn't think it was fair.” Again, having a Breeders' Cup victory come within reach left Attard wanting more. “You definitely have that taste that you want to come back and prove to the world that you belong,” he said. “It's the best of the best and I don't think people realize how hard it is to compete and get your horse to peak on that day.” The year after Starship Jubilee retired from racing, another filly started showing promise in Attard's barn. Moira was purchased by Donato Lanni for a racing partnership put together with the goal of winning Canada's historic Queen's Plate. From the start, Attard could tell that the daughter of Ghostzapper was something special. “When she first came to me at the age of two, she had some tendencies where she was difficult to handle,” he explained. “She had a bit of a temper and wasn't shy about showing it. I had a lot of confidence in her and I told Donato that I had this wacky idea to start her off in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes, a prestigious 2-year-old race for Canadian-breds. He was willing to go ahead with it and sure enough, she came up with an authoritative win. That was just the beginning of a great journey that I don't think anybody could have envisioned how it would turn out.” After winning the 2022 Queen's Plate just as her connections had hoped, Moira continued to thrive. She made her Breeders' Cup debut that year in the Filly and Mare Turf, finishing a well-fought fifth. The next season she ran in the money in all six starts as a 4-year-old, capped by a fast-closing third back at the Breeders' Cup behind talented turf fillies Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Moira's Breeders' Cup placing could have marked the end of her racing career, but her connections decided to keep her in training for one more season with one goal in mind–a Breeders' Cup win. “We had unfinished business,” Attard confirmed. “We put a plan together to get to the Breeders' Cup and we worked our way backwards. The whole season went really well for her, but as we got closer to the Breeders' Cup, there was just something different about her I thought.” This time, the Breeders' Cup really would be Moira's last dance with Attard. Looking back now, Attard said he tried not to let himself feel that added pressure until his stable star was in the post parade. “You're focused so much on trying to make sure she's in the best condition and peaking on that day that you're not even thinking about what's past this next race,” Attard explained. “You're throwing the bridle on her before we head over to the paddock and that's when it starts to hit you that this is probably it. A lot of emotions start running through your head, but there's a job to be done still. With her too, you never know how she's going to handle things in the paddock so you've got to be sharp and ready, but she did everything perfect from the time she left the barn. I don't know if she knew, but she gave it her all.” When Moira made her move around the final turn and came flying down the stretch, time seemed to slow for Attard as he took it all in from his spot near the finish line at Del Mar. Attard greets Moira and Flavien Prat after the win | Breeders' Cup Eclipse Sportwire “For a Canadian kid coming in from Woodbine, it was pretty surreal to watch,” Attard recalled. “When I saw Moira make that kick, I had a lot of faith and confidence in her and sure enough, she got the jump and was able to stave off challengers. The wire couldn't come soon enough at that point, but when it did and she was in front, I embraced my wife and my daughter. It was something I'll never forget.” Two days after reaching the pinnacle of the sport, Attard had to part ways with Moira when she went through the ring at Fasig Tipton and sold for $4.3 million. The champion was sent to Australia, where she is now in training with top trainer Chris Waller. Attard still keeps close tabs on his former pupil and hopes to visit her on day. To him, she is more than just a horse he once trained–she's a part of his story. A photo of her Breeders' Cup triumph is still the image on his phone's lock screen, a daily reminder of what they achieved together. “She became so important in my life,” he explained. “You get so emotionally attached to these animals and I don't think people realize how much you love them. She has done so much for my career and it's hard because she's in a very far place and it's not like you can get in your car and drive to go see her. One day I will get to Australia and hopefully see a baby by her side.” It's not just Moira that Attard holds close to his heart. In the quiet routine of shedrow, his love for the horses is evident. And that deep affection runs through his entire team. Attard believes it's been a driving force behind their stable's many achievements. “We were predominantly a claiming stable for a long time and many of the assistant trainers and grooms that were with me at that time are still here today,” he said. “In a sense, it's a family and not a team because we've spent so much time and so many hours together over the years. It's a lot of hard work by a lot people and you just stay determined to be successful. The post Breeders’ Cup Breakthrough: For Kevin Attard, Moira’s Win More Than a Milestone 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 win of Luther (Frankel) in Saratoga's National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes. Frankel Colt Pens His Name Into The Hall Of Fame Paul Hickman and Nicholas Jones's Luther was put up via the disqualification of Zulu Kingdom (Ten Sovereigns) in the GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga on August 1 (video). The Frankel colt is trained by Charlie Fellowes. Bred by Jones at his Coln Valley Stud, the 3-year-old brought 250,000gns at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 when picked up by on Hickman's behalf by Will Douglass. His breeder retained a share. Luther, who won the Listed Ascendant Stakes at Haydock last year, placed third in the GI Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes on July 4. He is out of the group winner Give And Take (Cityscape), whose daughter Good Gracious (Kingman) was placed in a pair of listed stakes. Swiped (Too Darn Hot), her juvenile colt who was a 90,000gns Book 2 graduate, is unplaced in one start, and she has a yearling colt and a filly foal of this year both by Baaeed. Under the third dam is the high-class multiple Group 1-winning stayer and sire Fame And Glory (Montjeu). Juddmonte's Frankel has sired 37 winners from 70 to race in the U.S. (53%). Luther is one of 22 stakes winners for the son of Galileo there. Ghaiyyath Colt Gets It Done In La Jolla Phil D'Amato trainee The Padre (Ghaiyyath) broke his U.S. and stakes duck in Sunday's La Jolla Handicap at Del Mar (video). Bearing the silks of Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables and Marsha Naify, he was bred by John Halley. Although he did not meet his reserve when passed in for 60,000gns as a Tattersalls October Book 2 yearling, The Padre won his debut at Dundalk in Halley's silks when trained by his son, Josh, in January. The Padre resurfaced with a second at Santa Anita in June, with the La Jolla his third start. Out of G1 Prix de l'Opera heroine Shalanaya (Lomitas) who also was placed in the GI E. P. Taylor Stakes and G1 Prix Ganay, the colt is her 10th foal. A half-brother to Zoffany's G3 Premio Ambrosiano third Shalamaba, The Padre counts a yearling filly by Camelot and a weanling full-brother as his latest siblings. He is kin to the star-crossed dual Derby hero Shergar (Great Nephew). Darley's Ghaiyyath has had three runners in America, with The Padre his first winner and stakes winner. Close it out Padre! @umbyrispoli pilots The Padre to victory in the La Jolla Handicap. pic.twitter.com/RELYLujwPp — Del Mar Racetrack (@DelMarRacing) August 4, 2025 'Rising Star' Nod For Capital Partner Chad Brown and Klaravich Stables teamed up with Kingman's Capital Partner, who claimed an ultra-competitive GI Whitney Stakes Day maiden–and 'TDN Rising Star' rosette–at Saratoga on August 2 (video). Part of the Fittocks Stud and Arrow Farm Stud breeding programme, the son of Blue Waltz (Pivotal) was knocked down for 360,000gns to Mike Ryan out of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. The sixth foal, fifth runner and third winner for his three-time winning dam, the 2-year-old colt is a half-brother to G3 Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes second Euphoric (Frankel). Granddam Blue Symphony (Darshaan) is the dam of multiple group/graded heroine Fantasia (Sadler's Wells), and Pink Symphony (Montjeu), who won the G3 Give Thanks Stakes and is herself the dam of GI Man o' War Stakes hero Highland Chief (Gleneagles). Kingman's 48 winners in America from 80 runners arrive at a 60% strike rate. Nine of his American-raced progeny have struck at stakes level, with Domestic Spending, a three-time Grade I winner, leading the charge. City Light Filly New Saratoga Winner Prix Herod second Griselda (City Light) won her American debut when running out a half-length winner for Chad Brown at Saratoga on August 6 (video). Bred in France by Thierry de la Heronniere, she is now raced by Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, William Strauss and Michael Caruso. A €22,000 Arqana October yearling buy when the training duo of Carlos and Yann Lerner signed the ticket, the daughter of Narcisca (Maxios) made all five of her French starts in the colours of Serge Assous, winning once. Put back through the Arqana ring, she failed to sell when at €245,000 during the Summer Mixed Sale last July, before earning her stakes-placing that October. She changed hands for €200,000 out of the Arqana Vente d'Elevage when picked up by Mandore International Agency on behalf of Madaket Stables last December. The first foal out of her dam, Griselda has a 2-year-old full-brother, Mon Pote Leo, who is a winner in three starts so far, and a yearling half-sister by Sealiway. Her dam is a half-sister to the group winners Narrativo (Adlerflug) and Nikkei (Pivotal), with the former having been second in the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin. Haras d'Etreham's City Light has sired 80% winners from his runners in North America. Griselda is his fourth scorer from five to race. GRISELDA impresses on her debut at Saratoga! From last to first, she stormed home to win under Flavien Prat for trainer Chad Brown. Purchased by Mandore International Agency on behalf of @MadaketStables & partners at the @InfoArqana Arc Sale. Congrats to all involved! pic.twitter.com/2yzD8wedxl — Nicolas de WATRIGANT (@MandoreAgency) August 7, 2025 Biles Shines In The Great White North The second time was the charm at Woodbine for Biles, as she landed a maiden on July 26 (video). Trained by Josie Carroll for NK Racing and LNJ Foxwoods, the chestnut is by Night Of Thunder. Originally a 150,000gns Tattersalls December foal, the Castlefarm Stud-bred bloomed into a 450,000gns Book 1 yearling when catching the eye of Alex Solis and Jason Litt in that same ring in 2022. A full-sister to G3 Ballysax Stakes third Tiberius Thunder, Biles is out of the G3 Park Stakes heroine Ellthea (Kodiac), who was also placed at stakes level in France. Her latest pair is a 2-year-old named Quality Start (Mehmas) and a yearling filly by Blue Point, who has been entered in Book 1 of the 2025 Sale. Second dam Tropical Lady (Sri Pekan) claimed the G2 Royal Whip Stakes, G3 Brownstown Stakes, and G3 Meld Stakes. Night Of Thunder has sired 14 winners from 22 runners (64%) in the U.S. Of that number, five are stakes winners with Dynamic Pricing and Choisya his two Grade I winners. Showcasing Filly Sprints To Colonial Win So Sophia (Showcasing) did her new connections proud with a neck victory at Colonial Downs for trainer Abraham Gardea on July 25 (video). Bred by Carmel Stud and Whitsbury Manor Stud, the dark bay was knocked down to Ben McElroy for 325,000gns on behalf of Stonestreet Stables out of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. After a sixth-place effort for Barbara Banke's operation and trainer Brad Cox, So Sophia changed hands for $70,000 at the Fasig-Tipton May Digital Sale and now races for Next Level Stables. The daughter of the dual-winning Kyllachy mare So Brave is the second foal, runner and winner for her dam, who foaled the colt Zain Primus (Pinatubo) in 2023. Her latest is a weanling colt by Havana Grey. Fourth dam Interval (Habitat) captured the Prix Maurice de Gheest when it was a Group 2 and has been a steady fount of stakes winners, just not through So Sophia's branch of the maternal line. With the victory of So Sophia, Showcasing now has 18 winners from 33 runners (55%) in North America. His sextet of stakes winners are led by a trio of Grade II winners in Prize Exhibit, Projected and Bodhicitta. Blue Point Filly Strikes In Indiana Brad Cox saddled Keeley Jones to take the fifth race at Horseshoe Indiana on Thursday (chart). The daughter of Blue Point, bred by Barronstown Stud, was making her first start. The eighth foal out of the Oasis Dream mare Albaraah and a €300,000 Goffs Orby graduate, the filly is owned by Hoffman Family Racing and RT Stables. The Listed Prix le Fabuleux heroine and G3 Prix de Flore runner-up Albaraah is also the dam of Alrahma (Shamardal), a group winner and second in the G1 Prix Morny, as well as Efaadah (Dansili), who won the G3 Prix de la Porte Maillot. A yearling son of No Nay Never is the mare's last reported foal. Notable relatives included the Group 1-winning sires Hernando (Niniski) and Johann Quatz (Sadler's Wells). Blue Point, already the sire of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint hero and Tally-Ho Stud sire Big Evs, now has nine winners from 16 to race in the US. His other North American stakes winner is Raqiya, who landed the GIII Goldikova Stakes at Del Mar. Debut success for #GoffsOrby grad KEELEY JONES in the 5f Maiden Fillies Turf Sprint @HSIndyRacing for @bradcoxracing, @GregHoffman13 & RT Stables@cscherer1984 / Stripes bought the 3yo Blue Point filly (@DarleyStallions) from breeders @BarronstownStudpic.twitter.com/UwdE584TgY — Goffs (@Goffs1866) August 8, 2025 No Nay Never Filly A Star At Hawthorne After a pair of unplaced efforts elsewhere, Star Blessing (No Nay Never) found the Hawthorne turf to her liking and outran her rivals pillar-to-post in Illinois on August 7 (video). Flying the flag for Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and trainer Wayne Catalano, the filly was bred by Lynch Bages and Lindy Farms. Sold for $250,000 to her current owners at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale, Star Blessing is the fourth foal, runner and winner for the Galileo mare Like A Star, herself a full-sister to multiple group winner Battle Of Marengo. Her dam foaled full-brothers to the winner in 2023 and 2024. The former sold for 100,000gns to Lynn Lodge Stud as a Tattersalls December Foal. Of No Nay Never's 111 North American runners, 66 have visited the winner's circle (59%). His 11 stakes winners include three graded winners with the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Meditate the most decorated. Repeat Winners LSU Stables' La Mehana added another graded race to her win column in the GII Glens Falls Stakes at Saratoga on July 27 (video). Trained by Miguel Clement, the 6-year-old daughter of Al Wukair, third in the G1 Prix de Royallieu, also has the GIII Waya Stakes on her ledger. The Tyro Stakes went to Hey Nay Nay (No Nay Never) at Monmouth Park on August 2 (video). Raced by Hronis Racing and Iapetus Racing, the 2-year-old colt is trained by John Sadler. Lope De Vega's Mondego added his third lifetime victory at Del Mar on August 2 (video). Trained by Michael McCarthy, the Grade I-placed gelding is owned by Cheyenne Stable. The post Making Waves: Luther Put Up In Hall Of Fame appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

One of the early flagbearers for his first-crop sire St Mark's Basilica, Thesecretadversary became the landmark first black-type winner for Ballydoyle's former brilliant runner on Friday when breaking his maiden in the Listed Coolmore Stud Churchill Stakes. Expected to shed that tag when long odds-on at Ayr last month, Cayton Park Stud and Susan Magnier's Chesham runner-up put that blip firmly behind him with a length verdict over Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star Brussels (Wootton Bassett) in the Tipperary feature. “I'm glad I got another chance after getting beaten at Ayr last time and he's a nice horse who is still a bit weak,” Seamie Heffernan said of the Fozzy Stack-trained 3-1 second favourite, who had also run second to Ballydoyle's subsequent Superlative third Italy on debut at Leopardstown in May. “The head went down today, but he's just not a two-year-old. He'll definitely make a mile-and-a-quarter horse–you could make him keen and a quick runner, but we'd be cautious about keeping the revs down and making him a middle-distance horse instead.” REDEMPTION Group 1-entered Thesecretadversary makes amends for his odds-on defeat last time by taking down the well-fancied Brussels in the Listed @coolmorestud Churchill Stakes.@tipperaryraces pic.twitter.com/jRGk6AyhvQ — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 8, 2025 The post Thesecretadversary First Black-Type Winner For St Mark’s Basilica In The Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Jerome Reynier is looking for Royal Ascot winner Lazzat to put down another significant marker in the Aug. 10 Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1).View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced juveniles from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes, sponsored by OBS Sales, highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, including links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Saturday at Ellis Park and Del Mar. Saturday, August 9, 2025 Ellis 3, $44k, Moc, 2yo, 1mT, 1:48 p.m. Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Jorge's Ace (Basin), OBSAPR, 14,000, :21 4/5 C-CM Thoroughbreds; B-Emeterio Rodriguez Ellis 5, $100k, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 2:44 p.m. Glazin' Fury (Mitole), OBSMAR, 100,000, :9 4/5 C-Omar Ramirez Bloodstock; B-Matt Shirer for Darrick Hayden Miso Speedy (Mendelssohn), OBSAPR, 60,000, :10 C-Top Line Sales LLC, agent; B-Bradley Thoroughbreds LLC, agent Vanish (Vekoma)-AE, OBSAPR, 120,000, :10 1/5 C-Golden TBs Training & Sales; B-Eclipse TB Partners & D J Stable Del Mar 2, $100k, 2yo, f, 6 1/2f, 5:30 p.m. Bank Shot (Game Winner), OBSAPR, 160,000, :10 C-Randy Miles, agent; B-William Simon Pentle Bay (Uncle Mo), OBSAPR, 180,000, :10 1/5 C-de Meric Sales, agent; B-Fergus Galvin, agent Dmr 4, Best Pal S.-GIII, $150k, 2yo, 6f, 6:30 p.m. Desert Gate (Omaha Beach), OBSMAR, 260,000, :9 4/5 C-Navas Equine, agent; B-Three Amigos The post Summer Breezes Sponsored By OBS: Saturday, August 9, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Champion Croix Du Nord, freshened since winning the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), has resumed training at Ritto Training Centre in advance of a start in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October. Trainer Takashi Saito told Net Keiba, “We have brought him back into training, working backwards from the two planned races in France. It's still hot, but from here we will make sure to get him into peak condition before heading to France.” A winner of the G1 Hopeful Stakes during a three-for-three juvenile season, the son of Kitasan Black was second in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) in the Sunday Racing colours before taking the Japanese Derby on June 1. His first target is the G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange at ParisLongchamp on October 14 over 2000 meteres. The Arc is scheduled for Sunday, October 5. The post Japanese Derby Hero Croix Du Nord Begins Arc Preparations appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Danny Shum will welcome G1 Irish Derby second Serious Contender to his stable once the Hong Kong season begins. Formerly trained by Aidan O'Brien for the Coolmore partners, the son of Wootton Bassett has two wins on his ledger and was also second in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot in June. Other horses bound for Hong Kong include Boniface Ho Ka Kui's Listed Burradon Stakes winner and G3 Hampton Court Stakes third Glittering Legend (Too Darn Hot) from the yard of James Fanshawe, former Ralph Beckett trainee Seraph Gabriel (Saxon Warrior), and Jack Davison's 2024 maiden winner Glenderry (Mohaather). The trio are all heading to David Eustace. The King's Falcon (Dubawi), who has a win and two placings for William Haggas will join John Size. Listed Churchill Stakes second Beckman (Beckford) from the yard of Ger Lyons, and John Joseph Murphy trainee and Gowran debut winner Maestro Mark (Tamayuz) are both also bound for Hong Kong. The first day of the Hong Kong 2025/2026 season begins at Sha Tin on September 7. The post Irish Derby Second To Continue Career In Hong Kong appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grass Wonder (Silver Hawk) has died at the age of 30, Japan's Big Red Farm announced on Friday. The 1997 Japanese champion juvenile colt, the paternal grandsire of 2015 Japanese Horse of the Year Maurice, was diagnosed with multiple organ failure on Thursday and died August 8. A statement from the farm read, “Grass Wonder passed away today, August 8, 2025. He was undefeated from his debut, winning the Asahi Hai in record time and had a brilliant career as a racehorse, including three consecutive Grand Prix victories. “As a stallion, he produced multiple Group 1 winners, and his son, Screen Hero, has produced a successor in Maurice. “He turned 30 this year and was in good health, but his condition worsened yesterday evening. He passed away this evening [Friday]. Our deepest condolences to a distinguished horse who left a significant achievement in Japanese horse racing. Rest in peace, Grass Wonder.” Bred by Phillips Racing Partnership and John Phillips in Kentucky, the second foal out of Ameriflora (Danzig) was offered at the 1996 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Phillips's Darby Dan Farm. Grass Wonder sold for $250,000 to Nobuo Tsunoda. Raced by the Hanzawa family, the full-brother to two-time Grade I winner Wonder Again was trained by Mitsuhiro Ogata and was undefeated en route to his championship. He added his first Arima Kinen at three, and the Takarazuka Kinen and another Arima Kinen at four. Of his nine lifetime victories, four of them were elevated to international Group 1 status in subsequent years–the Asahi Hai Sansai Stakes, the Arima Kinen (1998/1999) and the Takarazuka Kinen (1999). Retired after his 5-year-old season in 2000, he began his stallion career at the Breeders Stallion Station and would later move to Big Red Farm where he would stay until being pensioned in 2021. At stud, he sired 736 winners from 1327 foals (55%). Just 15 of those were stakes winners, with the Takarazuka Kinen hero Earnestly and G1 Japan Cup hero Screen Hero his only top-level scorers. Maurice, who stands at Shadai Stallion Station and Arrowfield Stud in Japan and Australia, respectively, is the sire of 32 stakes winners, with 22 at group level anchored by six top-flight winners. The post Champion Grass Wonder, The Grandsire Of Maurice, Dies At 30 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

6th-SAR, $100k, Msw, 2yo, 6f, post time: 3:19 p.m. ET SASSMASTER (Curlin) was purchased by Alistair Roden on behalf of his client Mark Breen for a sales-topping $550,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton October Sale and the early April foal has drawn widest in a field of eight for this first visit to the races. Bred by Stonestreet, the bay is kin to a pair of winners, including 2019 GII Prioress Stakes and GIII Victory Ride Stakes heroine Royal Charlotte (Cairo Prince), who is in turn the dam of the 3-year-old Medicine Dog (Constitution), third in last year's Clever Trevor Stakes. Senior Lender (Volatile) has gate seven and the $450,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Klaravich Stable is out of a half-sister to the fleet stakes-winning track-record setting Mundaye Call (Into Mischief) and Bullard (Gun Runner), winner of the GIII Bob Hope Stakes at two in 2024. Golden Tornado (McKinzie), a half-brother to undefeated stakes-winning 'TDN Rising Star' and GI H. Allen Jerkens-bound Verifire (Authentic), was knocked down to Reeves Thoroughbred Racing for $475,000 at KEESEP last fall. The colt's stakes-placed dam is a daughter of Grade III winner Queen ofthe Catsle (Tale of the Cat). TJCIS PPs Hip 801 c. CURLIN o/o Sass and Class sells for $550,000 at Kentucky October Yearlings! Congrats to the connections: B: Alistair Roden, agent for Mark Breen C: @TaylorMadeSales, agt for Stonestreet Bred & Raised Br: @StonestreetFarm (KY) pic.twitter.com/ykSHeniNOJ — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 22, 2024 2nd-DMR, $100k, Msw, 2yo, f, 6 1/2f, 5:31 p.m. ET BAD MANNERS (Into Mischief), purchased by Spendthrift for $700,000 at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga a year ago, is the current 2-year-old out of three-time Grade I winner I'm A Chatterbox (Munnings), whose yearling full-brother to this filly was hammered down for $2.6 million at this week's Saratoga Sale to Spendthrift, who was buying out their partners Fletcher and Carolyn Gray. A daughter of MSP Chit Chatter (Lost Soldier), the $2.35-million earning I'm A Chatterbox is also the dam of Juniper's Moon (Galileo {Ire}), third in the 2023 GIII Florida Oaks and sold on for $625,000 at the 2024 Keeneland January Sale. Bobby Flay purchased Brooklyn Blonde (Gun Runner) for $510,000 at KEESEP last year and she debuts here for trainer Michael McCarthy. A daughter of two-time stakes winner and Grade I-placed Shenandoah Queen (Henny Hughes), the chestnut worked a half-mile from the gate in :46 4/5 (1/105) in the company of her recent maiden-winning stablemate La Ville Lumiere (City of Light) on Aug. 2. TJCIS PPs The post Saturday Insights: Fasig October Topper Sassmaster Drawn Wide For Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Be Your Best leads a trio of stakes starters for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. Aug. 9 at Colonial Downs.View the full article

Jockey Katie Davis has promised not to just make up the numbers in the Aug. 9 Shergar Cup and will be calling upon a certain Frankie Dettori for last-minute instructions before her Ascot debut.View the full article

Baoma Corp's Himika, the talk of the town following an impressive debut score, has the chance to back up that performance when she tries stakes company for the first time in the Aug. 10 $150,000 Sorrento Stakes (G3) at Del Mar.View the full article

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has appointed Eric Johnston to the position of stakes coordinator, according to a Friday morning press release by the track operator. Johnston brings more than four decades of racing industry experience to his new role, and was previously the director of racing and sportsbook at Penn National. As the new coordinator, Johnston succeeds Andrew Byrnes, who had held the position since 1999 and will retire at the conclusion of the summer meet at Saratoga. Johnston will assume his stakes coordinator responsibilities Oct. 3. In addition, NYRA has promoted Harry Wright from racing official to the dual position of assistant stakes coordinator and racing official. The post Eric Johnston Named NYRA Stakes Coordinator appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Happy but not surprised was how co-trainer Amanda Telfer sums up one of the best training performances of her career. Because when Alta Meteor stomped past some very good horses on a soaked Addington home straight on Friday night, he was only showing Telfer what her team had been seeing at home. Telfer runs the southern barn of what is unofficially our premiership winning stable and their golden winter was probably capped by the win in the NZI Insurance National Handicap Pace. Alta Meteor hadn’t raced since last year’s New Zealand Cup and not many pacers win off 30m anywhere in harness racing these days, let alone in their comeback race against fellow Cups horses. But that is exactly what Alta Meteor did, blasting past leader American Me, with trailer Franco Marek getting up the passing lane to get closest in second. There was plenty to like about how fellow backmarker Mo’unga found the line up the inside back in sixth but make no mistake, this was a statement performance from Alta Meteor. So why wasn’t Telfer, the sister of her training partner Steve, surprised? “He had been working well and he is a good horse,” she explains. “He has been good in his two trials so we knew he was quite ready.” Alta Meteor will now return to Addington for the Maurice Holmes Vase on August 22 which has an automatic ticket into the IRT New Zealand Cup, which Telfer admits is a mountain to climb. “If Leap To Fame and Swayzee come over we know how hard it is going to be but we’d rather be in the race and qualified than having to worry about getting in.” Earlier in the night the stable produced another smart two-year-old in B B King, who was super impressive coming from last to win on debut. “He has always shown us something but we put him aside after his first trials because he is so big. “The aim is the Sires’ Stakes for him but that is going to mean a bit of juggling as we have a few being aimed at that. “So at this stage we will keep racing them and give them experience.” And one of the highlights of the South Island junior driver’s season went, again, to Sam Thornley, when he led throughout on Royal Gypsy to win the Darren DeFilippi Memorial Trot. Thornley got the sectionals inch-perfect and Royal Gypsy did the best for owner-trainer-breeder Fred Fletcher and his wife Fay. View the full article

By Michael Guerin It wasn’t perfect but it was the next best thing. Because while Akuta may not have won his comeback race at Alexandra Park on Friday he came out of the race with a big tick and trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon still came away with the win. That was courtesy of Treacherous Baby, the stablemate of the hot favourite in the $20,000 World’s Best Hoof Oil Pace, the 1700m centrepiece of the Alex Park meeting. Akuta was fresh up to the races after 20 months and what once seemed a career-ending injury and he peaked on his run in the last 100m to go down fighting in third. Co-trainer and part-owner Mark Purdon was more than satisfied and had the bonus of watching Treacherous Baby peel off Akuta’s back to slingshot past leader You Little Beauty. “She has been racing really well and was obviously a lot fitter than Akuta,” says Purdon. “He had a really good blow after and blew up over his back. “At this stage he will come back here in two weeks for a similar race then head south.” Treacherous Baby will join Akuta in Canterbury as she is being set for the new series of mares races in the region, which are already looking a winner with the depth of talent they are attracting. Earlier in the night the father-and-son stable also produced juvenile Georgie Best to win on debut even if things didn’t go to plan for him early. He was forced to go back to near last but got the one-one a lap from home and sprinted like a good colt to down the talented Captain Moonlight. “He is a nice horse, still with plenty to learn but a nice motor,” says Purdon. The stable will have at least six horses in Canterbury from early next month, with Akuta and Treacherous Baby to be joined by Oscar Bonavena, juvenile Andretti and Chase A Dream. Later in the night there was a huge thank you wave of the whip from Taitlyn Hanara when she won the main trot on Castana. The emotion was because it was the 200th New Zealand training success for trainers Dave and Clare McGowan, Hanara’s long-time employers and biggest supporters. View the full article

Dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse discusses La Cara's final work for the Aug. 16 Alabama Stakes (G1). The dual grade 1 winner went four furlongs in :49.77 under exercise rider Mary Rose Hitt Aug. 8.View the full article

After La Cara was scratched from the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) because of her barn being quarantined, Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse is doing "a little bit more" with the filly's training to prepare for the Alabama Stakes (G1) Aug. 16.View the full article

The sales scene in mid-August may usually be focussed on Arqana but just prior to France's premier yearling sale getting underway in Deauville in a week's time, there will be a unique opportunity for breeders and owners of both Flat and National Hunt persuasion to buy into some of the best families of Jean-Pierre Dubois. The sales house Auctav, now in its fourth year, holds its most prestigious sale to date on Wednesday, 13 August when it will offer 108 horses of all ages from yearlings up, to be sold from the successful owner-breeder's Haras de la Beauvoisiniere. An independent company, Auctav is itself situated on land at the nearby Haras de Bois Roussel, which is also owned by the 85-year-old Dubois and is some 90 minutes south of Deauville by road. A Group/Grade 1-winning breeder under both codes and the owner of a significant number of Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds and stud land across France, Dubois cut his teeth in the trotting sphere, in which he is still involved in France and America. In the Thoroughbred world, he has most recently been represented at the highest level on the track by last year's G1 Prix de Diane winner Sparkling Plenty, a daughter of Kingman, a stallion with whom Dubois has enjoyed notable success. But it is Sparkling Plenty's female family with which he has really become synonymous. With its origins in Germany, the family has also been associated with the formerly powerful Wildenstein breeding operation as well as Baron Georg von Ullmann of Gestut Schlenderhan, who bred Sparkling Plenty's granddam Soignee (Dashing Blade). From Soignee, Dubois bred the high-class Stacelita (Monsun), also a winner of the Prix de Diane as well as the Prix Saint-Alary, Vermeille and Jean Romanet before heading to the States to claim the Beverley D and the Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes. She has been no less of a success at stud since being purchased by Teruya Yoshida of Shadai Farm. Notably, Stacelita produced the first ever Grade 1 winner by Frankel, her daughter Soul Stirring, and she is also the dam of Grade 3 winner Schon Glanz and Listed winner Sentimental Mambo, both by Deep Impact. Dubois retained Stacelita's unraced half-sister Speralita (Frankel), now famous as the dam of Sparkling Plenty and her full-brother, the G3 Jersey Stakes winner Noble Truth, and though neither Speralita nor her yearling filly by Kingman feature in the sale, there are plenty of members of that family to pique the interest of international breeders. Indeed, nine of the 51 broodmares on offer are from this immediate family, including Sparkling Plenty's seven year-old full-sister Sofia (lot 41). She has already produced a winner to Galiway, the three-year-old Soliway, who is also in the sale (lot 82) along with her two-year-old half-brother Severac (Zarak). No fewer than 12 of the mares on offer are in foal to Dubois's own homebred stallion Chachnak, a son of Kingman, who, though not covering large books in the four years he has stood at Haras de la Gastine, has an admirable strike-rate of 15 winners from just 29 runners to date. Unusually, the dual Group 3 winner started covering mares while he was still in training, and his eldest runners, a crop of 34 foals, are now three-year-olds. Also among the covering sires of the mares included in this partial dispersal sale are Auguste Rodin, Ace Impact, Chaldean, Oasis Dream, Muhaarar, Metropolitan, and St Mark's Basilica. Soliway wins in the Dubois colours at Longchamp in July It was a deliberate decision to hold this sale before Arqana's August extravaganza kicks off a busy yearling sale season in Europe, according to Arnaud Angeliaume, Auctav's director general. “The window is very small. Monsieur Dubois sells yearlings every year in France but this year he has decided to reduce his numbers and that is why he wanted to set up this sale,” he says. “We are not in competition with Arqana but Monsieur Dubois owns the land here so it is easier for him to hold it here.” Angeliaume added, “He is keeping around 10 mares, like Speralita, and her Kingman yearling. Every year he seems to have a very good horse by Kingman.” Beyond the family of Soignee, other broodmares of note in the sale include Golden Glitter (lot 44), a daughter of Dubawi and the dual Group 1 winner Golden Lilac (Galileo), who is in foal to Earthlight, while five-year-old Isadora (Showcasing) is out of a Dansili half-sister to New Bay and is offered as lot 45. Kingman features again as the covering sire of lot 50, a Frankel half-sister to one of the stallion's earliest good runners, the Coventry Stakes winner and sire Calyx, who died earlier this year. The six-year-old mare named Helenium didn't make the track herself but on the ground already she has a yearling filly and filly foal also by Kingman. For the jumps brigade, there are the likes of Kerida, a dual-winning daughter of Martaline in foal to young stallion Jigme (lot 48), and Philadelphie, a three-year-old store filly by Kapgarde out of the Listed steeplechase winner Plaisir d'Amour (lot 73). “We have horses for everyone basically,” says Angeliaume. “Every kind of horse for every kind of person at every kind of price.” Auctav, whose name is a shortened hybrid of 'Auction Avantage', launched in 2021 on the back of the Covid-wrought disruption to the bloodstock world and initially had solely an online presence. It held its first 'live' sale in October 2023 at Haras de Bois Roussel, which has formerly been owned by Leon Volterra and the Wildenstein family and is based in Bursard in the Alencon region. Having started out selling trotters and National Hunt horses, Auctav has gradually ventured into the Flat market and will stage its first Flat-only yearling sale on September 13. The forthcoming exclusive sale for Jean-Pierre Dubois is, however, the most important marker in the evolution of the sales company. “Obviously, this is an absolute pleasure for us to hold a sale like this but it perhaps won't really sink in until everyone is here. When we can see all the people coming in, we will realise the star power of the sale,” Angeliaume says. “We are expecting a lot of visitors, especially from America and also from Japan as well. It could be the opportunity of a lifetime to get into some of these pedigrees.” He also notes, “We had a chat with Monsieur Dubois about including photos and videos of the horses but he said that he would rather see the people here, so we are not putting anything online as we'd prefer the people to come out and look at the stock. “He wants to see all of his friends and contacts, and the guys that he has worked with for a long time. We can't wait.” Inspections begin at Haras de Bois Roussel from 8am local time on Monday, and Wednesday's sale, which also has an online bidding facility, will commence at 12.30pm after a buffet reception. The post ‘Horses for Everyone’ as Auctav Gears Up for Unique Dubois Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Danon Decile, the winner of the 2024 Japanese Derby and this year's Dubai Sheema Classic, was out on the Newmarket gallops on Friday morning ahead of his intended run in the £1.25m Juddmonte International Stakes at York on August 20. The four-year-old son of Epiphaneia was last seen in action at Meydan, where he beat recent King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Calandagan (Gleneagles). Ridden by his trainer Shogo Yasuda, Danon Decile cantered on Newmarket's Warren Hill, exercising among horses trained by James Horton, whose yard he is based in while in Britain. Yasuda said, “We did travel very well, so we're very satisfied. “My training plan between the two weeks from here to York, the main thing is to take care of his mind – make him happy.” He added of the horse's next challenge over ten furlongs, “I'm not concerned for the shorter distance. I believe he's got a lot of experience from racing. I'm not worried about the drop in distance.” Danon Decile will be ridden at York by Keita Tosaki, who has been on board for his last two wins in Japan and Dubai. The post Danon Decile Arrives in UK Ahead of Juddmonte International appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Challenge, presented by GaineswayView the full article

What Behemoth Stakes Day 2025 Where Morphettville Racecourse – 79 Morphett Rd, Morphettville SA 5043 When Saturday, August 9, 2025 First Race 12:03pm ACST Visit Dabble Morphettville hosts a nine-race metro meeting on Saturday, August 9, headlined by the Group 3 Behemoth Stakes (1200m). Expect them to use plenty of the track as the day wears on, and make sure to watch the early 1000–1200m races for any lane bias before locking in your feature bets. The track is rated a Soft 6 with the rail out +4m from the 1200m to the winning post and true the remainder. The first race is scheduled for 12:03pm local time. Behemoth Stakes tip: Recommendation Freshened and back to 1200m in weight-for-age class, Recommendation looks ready to remind everyone why he dominated last winter. He’s been through a barrier reset in July, and his camp reports he’s back humming, while his historical pattern is a big tick; he’s unbeaten second-up and excels when allowed to stalk and pounce. With genuine speed engaged, the shape should let him camp just behind the leaders and use that short, sharp turn of foot. Feature Tip Race 7 – #2 Recommendation (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Jake Toeroek (58.5kg) Best Bet at Morphettville: Gin Spirit Gin Spirit returned to SA after mixing it with the better two-year-old fillies in Melbourne, and this looks a sweet placement. She’s already a Listed winner at the track and trip (Cinderella Stakes) and is unbeaten in two runs over the Morphettville 1050m. A soft deck holds no fears and the 1.5kg claim helps offset topweight. With tactical speed to park just off them and a sharp kick, she should get every chance to bounce straight back from that Caulfield run and pick up where she left off at home. Best Bet Race 3 – #1 Gin Spirit (7) 3yo Filly | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Rochelle Milnes (a1.5) (60.5kg) Next Best at Morphettville: Purfect Line Purfect Line brings the right form for this 1050m dash and looks over the odds with horse racing bookmakers. He was a brave second to Solar Mist in a heavy 0-64 last start and now draws to tag the speed and pounce. His recent figures stack up nicely in this field, and he’s handled soft going, plus the stable has engaged a strong rider in Jake Toeroek. With even luck from the midfield draw, he can settle a pair or two closer and let rip late. Next Best Race 9 – #7 Purfect Line (9) 4yo Gelding | T: Richard & Chantelle Jolly | J: Jake Toeroek (59kg) Saturday quaddie tips for Morphettville Morphettville quadrella selections Saturday, August 9, 2025 1-5-8-10 1-2-3-5 1-2-8-11-13 1-7-11-13 Horse racing tips View the full article

It proved to be a long but fruitful day for Kelly Myers on Friday, with the now Central Districts-based hoop riding home Above The Clouds to win the $100,000 TAB Polytrack Championship (2000m) at Cambridge for local trainer Ralph Manning. Above The Clouds did it tough from her wide barrier, sitting three-wide for much of the journey, but showed her class when distancing her rivals in the straight to score by 3-3/4 lengths over race favourite Spanish Lad. “She drew the outside barrier and I was going to need a little bit of luck,” Myers said. “I thought I could have got into the one-one, but Craig (Grylls, jockey aboard Spanish Lad) obviously didn’t want to go to the fence, so we had to sit three-wide. “She was handy and in a nice rhythm. When Sam Collett (jockey aboard Heart Of Gold) came around us I was able to sit in behind her and get a bit of a drag into the race. “I don’t think it would have mattered how I rode her, she won pretty easily.” The victory made the trip from Taranaki a lot easier for Myers, who has been living back on the family dairy farm for the last couple of months. Myers said she and her family are loving being back in a rural environment and they are currently in the midst of calving, which kept Myers busy before having to head north to Cambridge on Friday. “We have moved back to the family dairy farm and my husband and two kids are loving it,” she said. “We moved down at the start of June. We are not too far from Mum, and we are a lot closer to Rosie (Fell, sister), which is great. “It is a busy time for us at the moment, but we are coming to the finishing line, we haven’t got too many left to calve. “I fed calves this morning before I went to Cambridge. It is a long drive, so to win that (Polytrack Championship) made it all worth it.” Myers is coming off a pleasing season in the saddle, recording 59 wins, three at Group and Listed level, and accrued nearly $2.5 million in prizemoney, her best haul to date. “It was good,” she said. “I had quite a few quiet patches and then a few good runs. All-in-all it was a good season and hopefully I can top it this season.” Myers is hoping she can add to her season tally when she heads to her local meeting at Hawera on Sunday where she has a full book of seven rides, including two for Ralph Manning. She will partner last start winners Dancin In The Dark and Small Town Girl in the Free Court (2100m) and Jinnibegood (1600m) respectively for the Cambridge trainer, and she is confident of bold showings from the pair. “I think I have got a nice book at Hawera,” Myers said. “I am riding two for Ralph that I won on last start at Waverley, and I think Ralph is pretty happy with how they have gone on. They should be pretty competitive.” View the full article

The spring carnival build-up continued at Warwick Farm on Friday morning, where Group One winner Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) made his final public appearance before he resumes in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m). Trainer Joe Pride gave him an intentionally quiet hit-out when he trailed the field home in a 900m heat at his home track last month, but speaking before Friday’s trial session the trainer said he was content for Ceolwulf to be asked for a little more by regular rider Chad Schofield. “I don’t know if it had any bearing on his prep but I let him do a bit too much in his trials last time around so I deliberately got him out of the contest the other day,” Pride said. “But I’m happy for him to do a little bit more on Friday. “He’s been great and the Winx Stakes will be his first-up run for sure. It’s locked in.” Ceolwulf downed Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) and Fangirl (Sebring) in his second barrier trial leading into the autumn then had a mixed carnival in which he raced competitively but didn’t quiet reach the heights he’d climbed the previous spring. With that seasoning and experience under his belt, Pride is hopeful Ceolwulf can return to the form that resulted in him claiming the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m)-Gr.1 King Charles III (1600m) double last year. Ceolwulf closed off stylishly under light riding to finish a half-length second in Friday’s 1000-metre trial, which was led and won by stablemate Private Eye (Al Maher), who trialled in preference to running in Saturday’s Gr.2 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick, for which he was favourite. The A$1 million Winx Stakes is the first Group One of the Sydney season and will be run at Randwick on August 23. It is expected to attract a mouth-watering field with Chris Waller confirming Via Sistina, Fangirl, Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) and Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchico) are all scheduled to resume there, while Ciaron Maher is expected to be represented by the likes of Another Wil (Street Boss), Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto) and Light Infantry Man (Fast Company). Maher’s New Zealand Derby-winning recruit Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino) was among the others to trial on Friday with the gelding settling last but working through the line strongly to be beaten four lengths by Felix Majestic (Smart Missile). Group One winner and Caulfield Cup (Gr.1,2400m) runner-up Buckaroo (Fastnet Rock) made his first trial appearance of the campaign in the same 900m hit-out, finishing immediately behind Willydoit. Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) favourite Sir Delius (Frankel) had his second trial of the preparation, settling back in a five-horse trial over 1200m before working home under urging from Tim Clark to finish third, beaten a neck by the Bjorn Baker-trained Nkosi (Shamus Award). View the full article

By Jonny Turner Matthew Williamson is hoping to make up the difference on day two of the Southern Surge at Invercargill on Sunday. Day one at Winton last week was a case of close but not quite close enough for the Oamaru trainer, who racked up plenty of top-five finishes with his team. With the move to Ascot Park and some key draw upgrades, Williamson is hopeful he can land some of the boosted winning stakes on offer during the series this week. Judging by his Winton effort He’s No Romeo is in a position to do just that. The pacer raced wide throughout his Winton run after starting from a tough draw in barrier 13. But on Sunday, He’s No Romeo faces a much different prospect from barrier 4 around the tighter-turning Invercargill track. “His run at Winton was great, he didn’t get too many favours but he kept running on well.” “From a better draw this week he would have to be a nice each way chance.” “He has come through that last run quite well and we look to have a few options early, too.” Mack Pack lands the same draw he ran third from at Winton last week in barrier 7. The pacer burnt early before fighting on well to run third. While no better off this week, he’s no worse off either. “His run last week was good too, he seems to have lifted his game lately and got better with more racing.” “He can get off the gate as he showed last week, so the draw shouldn’t be too much of a worry for him.” “If he gets a bit of luck he should be a nice chance.” Draws are not so much of an issue for Majic N The Port, who will attempt to break her maiden in Sunday’s opener. What is much more crucial is her tyres staying pumped up. “She got a flat tyre last week when she ran second, so it was a handy effort.” “The manners will be the key to her, if she does everything right she’s probably as good of a chance as any in there.” Landing the ace draw should only aid the chances of Sargent Best on Sunday. The pacer got a long way off the pace at Winton, but should settle much handier this week. “He has shown when he gets the right run in this grade he’s pretty competitive, so he would have to be a top 4 show.” Flying Bird also gets the chance to land handy and boost her form for the Williamson stable on Sunday. Mighty Miki is one pacer among the Williamson squad that swings to a tough draw in barrier 14, while Mr Cash Man meets a similar field to the one he ran fifth in at Winton last week. Cody Banner looks the best chance of Williamson’s three outside drives at Ascot Park. Though the trotter is fresh up against race-hardened opposition, he has faced tougher fields in the past. To see Sunday’s fields click here View the full article