Wandering Eyes

The Curragh's opening six-furlong maiden featured the Group 2-placed Go Just Do It (Kingman), but there was a surprise in store as Ballydoyle's newcomer Trojan Warrior (Wootton Bassett) emerged best. Always travelling strongly for Wayne Lordan, the 13-2 shot looked booked for second as that 6-4 favourite took off in the lead approaching the final furlong but found a surge to overwhelm the Futurity Stakes third late on and win by 1 1/2 lengths. The winner is the second foal out of the smart Monday (Fastnet Rock), the Listed Ingabelle Stakes winner connected to the stellar performers Misty For Me (Galileo) and Fasliyev. Drama! Trojan Warrior (Wootton Bassett) is from the family of Misty For Me and rallies for an unlikely debut success for @waynemlordan and @Ballydoyle @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/Sb1WL7ctSL — Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 21, 2025 – The post Another Exciting Prospect For Ballydoyle As Trojan Warrior Strikes On Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aussie invaders Keayang Zahara and Jilliby Ballerini have made their presence felt in the latest Renwick Farms Dominion Trot rankings. Fresh from running one-two in the Group 1 Bill Collins Sprint at Melton, the two Margaret and Paddy Lee-trained stablemates are now sixth and seventh on this week’s leaderboard. The pair were highly impressive on Saturday night, clearing out from what was a stacked line-up. Last year Keayang Zahara was a dominant winner of all three starts on this side of the Tasman. She now has career record of 17 wins from 18 starts and is now a $2.50 favourite with the TAB to win the Dominion. Jilliby Ballerini meanwhile has climbed six places from 13th on the back of her latest performance. She is the second favourite for the Dominion at $3. The Lees have not made final decisions as to who, if either, of their star trotters will make the trip to Christchurch. Other movers this week include the Nathan Williamson-trained Hidden Talent who has gone from 18th to 15th following a big third in last week’s Group 3 Dark Horse at Invercargill. After finishing second in Friday’s Canterbury Classic at Addington, Don’t Stop Dreaming has moved up two places to seventh in the rankings for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup. Hayden and Amanda Cullen-trained stablemate Vessem was fourth in the same race, and has improved five places to 15th. Tellingly, that puts him inside the cut-off for the $1m feature. A winner at Alexandra Park on Friday night Jeremiah also gets a big upgrade this week. The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained four-year-old is now at 22nd, up seven spots. The rankings are updated weekly in the build up to IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup day at Addington on Tuesday, November 11 with the final rankings to come out following the Kaikoura Cup meeting on Monday, November 3. Rankings here View the full article

The first horses have been announced for the two $500,000 slot races at Addington Raceway on Show Day (November 14). And they won’t be a surprise to anyone. Top three-year-old trotters Tarragindi and Meant To Be have been confirmed for the Majestic Horse Floats THE ASCENT while the Hill Lee and Scott THE VELOCITY will feature pacing stars Marketplace and Got The Chocolates. The pair clashed at Addington earlier this month with the Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained Got The Chocolates prevailing by a neck. But Marketplace, rated as a potential superstar by many, is the $1.75 favourite in the TAB markets to win THE VELOCITY, with Got The Chocolates the second elect at $3.50. In THE ASCENT Tarragindi, who was bred and is trained by Phil Williamson and raced by wife Bev, has won four from 10 while Meant To Be, last year’s star trotter in the 2YO ranks, has won nine from 13 overall and opened his latest campaign with a second to Habibti Pat at Addington last Friday night. The TAB currently has Meant To Be at $4.20 and Tarragindi at $9. The next announcement regarding horses for both races is expected later this week. 2025 will see the second edition of THE ASCENT and THE VELOCITY after they were taken out by Australian superstar Keayang Zahara and Better Knuckle Up last year. View the full article

Each year leading into the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup, IRT has a race night at Addington and in recent times, we have used it to celebrate the many different heroes associated with the great sport of harness racing. We’ve used it to acknowledge legends of our industry – both horse and human – and last year we gave thanks to the Unsung Heroes of the game, those who put in the hard yards behind the scenes such as the stable hands and the volunteers that ensure trial days and race days and nights proceed without a hitch. This year, IRT is excited to be acknowledging the outstanding efforts of those in the Harness Racing media – the people penning the news stories and standing in front of the camera or, working behind it – to bring you the outstanding harness racing coverage that we experience week in and week out. The people who’s passion for the sport goes beyond their different media roles and to add something different to the mix, we have set them a challenge! And, there is one hero of the equine kind that we want to pay a special tribute to, and that is Bettor’s Delight. From August 2009 through to August 2024, Bettor’s Delight boarded a plane each and every season to head to Woodlands Stud where he has carved out his place in history becoming one of the most successful standardbred stallions of the modern era. Now permanently domiciled in New Zealand, we thought it was only fitting to honour him with a race and thank Woodlands Stud for their tremendous support of IRT. This year, each of our media personalities and the team from Woodlands Stud will receive a $300 betting voucher (courtesy of IRT and Entain) to spend as they wish on their race, with all funds earned (and hopefully there is plenty!) going to the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust. IRT New Zealand’s Richard Cole says, “as the world’s leading equine air freight company, IRT has pioneered global travel for horses with horse welfare always at the forefront of our minds. We are the Official Horse Welfare Partner of Equestrian Sport New Zealand (ESNZ) and we wanted to do something a little bit different with our racenight leading into the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and, we thought that raising funds for the Horse Ambulance Trust was a great fit. “Hopefully the media team can generate some fun and interest with their bets on Friday night and we can raise some much-needed funds to assist the Horse Ambulance Trust in continuing to provide the outstanding service they do across all equine sectors.” Those attending the race meeting on Friday 24th October will be able to donate directly to the Horse Ambulance Trust with collection buckets in place at all entrances and for those that can’t attend who would like to make a donation, you can do so by clicking here to go directly to the Horse Ambulance Trust Give a Little Donation page. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton The hopes of Leap To Fame contesting the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup look to rest on a race at Melton on Saturday night. Trainer-driver Grant Dixon swung a surprise today by putting the champion pacer the final field of six runners for a 2240m free-for-all. And the plan is to run and then decide on the NZ raid. Leap To Fame has passed two major “check points” since his slightly below par third in last Saturday night’s Group 1 Victoria Cup. It was the first time in almost two years he has been beaten twice in a row. The rising seven-year-old has pleased Dixon with his demeanour and appetite since last Saturday night’s race. More crucially, a precautionary blood test taken yesterday came back all clear this morning (Tuesday). But there is one last hurdle to clear. “I’m going to do one more blood (test) with him Thursday before committing to the Saturday night race,” Dixon said. “If that’s good, then we’ll race again this week.” While he will face just five rivals on Saturday night, they include eight-time Group 1 winner Catch A Wave (gate five) and giant-killer Bulletproof Boy, who stunned everyone when he ran down Leap To Fame in the Smoken Up Sprint last Saturday week. Leap To Fame will also start from the outside draw (six) with Catch A Wave in five and Bulletproof Boy four. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk For local trainer Brent White the Harness 5000 is literally on his back door step. “There’ll be no float fees that day,” he says. Based at Ashburton Raceway the father-son combo of Brent and Tim White are looking forward to December 21. “It’s a good concept and if we can get some money going back to our owners – why not?” Harness 5000, featuring 12 $60,000 finals, is for trotters and pacers whose sire stood for an advertised retail service fee of $5,000 or less in the breeding season of conception and to be eligible horses must compete in at least five race day starts between July 3 – December 9,2025. All races will be over 1700 metres. White could have as many five runners there : Randel Huston P (Peak), Major Doosie (Majestic Son), Snooowgood (Marcoola), Bettor Go Vinnie (Vincent) and Stealers Wheel (A Rocknroll Dance). Right now Major Doosie (pictured above) is the top ranked qualifier in the 3YO Trotting Colts and Geldings category and White reckons the four race winner could be well suited to the series. “Last year he wasn’t that far behind the good ones Tarragindi and Meant To Be,” says White, “and this is a major target for him pre Christmas.” It’s a similar story with Snooowgood, a winner of one from seven. Her last start was a second at Oamaru last Sunday. She is 11th in the 3YO Trotting Fillies rankings. “She is just below the top three-year-olds and this concept works for horses like her.” “It’s more the top two inches with her,” says White, “she does have a good turn of foot.” Randel Huston P meanwhile is tracking well for December. The six-year-old had three wins in August and has had eight overall and is third in the 5YO and older Trotting Entires and Geldings. “Randel Huston P has always offered a bit but hasn’t delivered a lot sometimes but he has got into a nice vein of form.” “He’s competitive, he’s got good gate speed and he has a good short course record.” Of their other runners Better Go Vinnie is eligible in the 3YO Pacing Colts and Geldings. He’s currently fifth while Stealers Wheel (4YO Pacing Entires and Geldings) has only had one start in the qualification period and may not be able to get to the five start threshold. Every week the Harness 5000 tracker is updated. It shows how any horses have become eligible for the series. The “168” on the tracker signifies correlation to the maximum number of horses that can compete on the day, based on 12 races of 14 horse fields. Right now the figure is well past that at 230, an increase of 18 in the past week. It is anticipated that around 350 horses will be in the mix come December, though this figure could fluctuate. So far the biggest categories are for the 5YO and older Entires and Geldings. There are currently 490 trotters and 48 pacers. To see the latest Harness 5000 leaderboard click here View the full article

The final day of NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 202 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse. Held over two consecutive days on the same turf track, Day Two of the Breeze Ups had a Soft 5 track rating, with an average time of 10.93. An early shower in the day was followed by strong winds of up to 7.4 m/s (26.7 km/h). Expert bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo, who has had a lot of success with Group One winners out of NZB’s Ready to Run Sale, was on course at Te Rapa for the Breeze Ups. “I’m trying to buy an athlete. Movement is everything in a racehorse in my opinion. “If they’ve got a bit of size and scope and they’re well conformed, a good temperament does help, but it’s all about movement for me.” NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was delighted with the conditions over the past few days. “I’m pleased we moved the Breeze Ups back a week, that has enabled us to gallop these youngsters on a consistent turf surface across the two days, which is in fantastic order thanks to the Waikato Thoroughbred Racing team.” “The strong wind proved the most challenging factor this year, particularly on the second day. However, we do display the wind speed and direction for each lot, so buyers can take the blustery conditions into account when viewing the breeze up videos.” “We are delighted with the caliber of horse that’s been on display over the past two days. The quality we have seen is a credit to the expert preparers who present these two-year-olds to such a high standard.” “We can now look forward to getting them up to Karaka for the Sale in November.” Breeze Up Highlights 184 two-year-olds breezed up across the course of the first day, with an average time of 10.88 recorded, while on Day Two, 202 two-year-olds breezed up for an average time of 10.93. The overall average time across the two days combined is 10.91. Day One conditions were mostly fine with wind increasing in the evening up to 5.9 m/s (21.2 km/h). Day Two conditions were mostly windy, with gusts of up to 7.4 m/s (26.7 km/h) Lot 110, a Bivouac gelding, was the quickest overall, breezing up in 10.27 for Riversley Park on Day Two (Tuesday). Lot 371, a colt by Written Tycoon, and Lot 387, a gelding by Home Affairs, were the fastest on Day One (Monday), recording 10.36. Both on account of Prima Park. The official 200m Breeze Up time for each lot can be found on NZB’s website alongside the weather conditions, track conditions and wind speed experienced during each lot’s gallop. The Breeze Up footage will be available to view on NZB’s website by Friday 24 October, followed by the full program aired on Trackside in New Zealand and Racing.com Australia. View today’s Breeze Up times here. The 2025 edition of NZB’s Ready to Run Sale is set to take place on Wednesday 12 & Thursday 13 November at the Karaka Sales Centre. Buyers wishing to attend the 2025 Ready to Run Sale can enquire about accommodation options and travel assistance by emailing travel@nzb.co.nz. For more information about the Sale, contact NZB’s Bloodstock Sales Manager Kane Jones +64 27 274 4985 Kane.Jones@nzb.co.nz or any of the NZB team here. View the full article

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has unveiled a huge overhaul of its facilities at Sha Tin racecourse as it continues to invest in world-class infrastructure for its elite horses and riders. The upgrades have been focused in two areas, with newly renovated stables and upgraded training facilities for jockeys being the focal points. For the riders, the centre of excellence has seen a huge overhaul that furthers the club’s commitment to jockey development. “Over the past five years, we’ve established a...View the full article

Zac Purton will be aiming to tick off another milestone on his way towards a landmark 2,000 Hong Kong winners when he pairs up with Horsepower in the Class Two Longines Cup (1,000m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. The 42-year-old has had little time to slow down since winning the Group One The Everest (1,200m) on Ka Ying Rising at Randwick last Saturday, as he returned to Sha Tin the next day to boot home a double and leave himself one win shy of 1,900 in Hong Kong. Things do not slow down...View the full article

Following his pleasing third placing in last Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m) at Randwick, trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley have decided to head south with Pier (NZ) (Proisir) to test his talent in Melbourne. The Group One winner has been a model of consistency since he landed in Australia in May, placing in the Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m) before winning the Listed The Wayne Wilson (1600m) in Brisbane. Following a spell he then ventured south to Sydney where he placed in the Gr.2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) first-up before running fifth in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m), but Darryn Weatherley said he was too highly strung that day, which affected his performance. “His behaviour on the day in the Epsom, he was a little bit on the toe and he was quite agitated,” Weatherley said. The Matamata horseman said his gelding was the polar opposite heading into the King Charles. “With the two-week back-up into the King Charles, it just worked perfectly, he was a different horse altogether,” Weatherley said. “He was in a better frame of mind and he paraded like a Group One horse, whereas in the Epsom he was a little hot under the tail and he dislodged Ethan Brown when he got on him. He kind of had a run before the race, whereas the other day at Randwick, even though there was a 50,000-strong crowd and there was a lot of atmosphere, he was right in the zone and raced accordingly.” Pier proved himself more than capable in the star-studded line-up and beat some class animals to snare third place. “I was stoked, I couldn’t have been happier,” Weatherley said. “It was the best of the best with Pride of Jenni, Fangirl, Mr Brightside and Ceolwulf, who won it last year and this year. “He was up against it, but we are very proud to see that he wasn’t out of his league at all and he is well and truly up to it, so that was cool.” Weatherley said Pier has come through the race in fine fettle and they have now set their sights further south to Melbourne, where they are eyeing a couple of elite-level targets at Flemington on Champions Stakes Day. “He appears to have pulled up very well from the race on Saturday and he is booked to go on a float to Melbourne next Tuesday,” Weatherley said. He is weighing up between the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 Champions Stakes (2000m), with the latter’s extra distance proving more alluring to Weatherley. “We will probably nominate for both races and see what one looks more suitable,” he said. “At this stage, I am leaning toward the 2000m race. “The other day he was headed halfway up the straight by Pericles and we thought he was going to run fifth and then he fought back to run third. Ethan Brown got off and said he is screaming out for 2000m, and he can’t wait until he gets that far.” Meanwhile, Weatherley has arrived back in New Zealand to watch the stable’s promising three-year-old Bulgari (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) contest The George Abernethy & Associates 1150 at Te Aroha on Wednesday. The son of Hello Youmzain colt won on debut as a juvenile, but has failed to fire in his two starts this preparation, running sixth in both the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) and Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). “Bulgari was a bit of a headscratcher at Te Rapa, I thought he would go a better race,” Weatherley said. “He was ridden beautifully by Sam (Weatherley) in the Hawke’s Bay Guineas, the gap presented itself at the top of the straight and he went to poke his head through and never finished it off. “We were scratching our heads as to whether he is just a sprinter or perhaps the heavy track got to him. Tomorrow will be a wait and see. Looking at the Hello Youmzain’s, they might just be sprinters. I am hoping the 1150m tomorrow he will turn his form around. “I am really happy with the condition of the horse, he looks fantastic. I got back from Australia yesterday and I worked with him this morning. I was on Mali Ston and worked along beside him and he is very bright in himself, his coat looks fantastic, and I am looking forward to a bold showing.” View the full article

Leading trainer Mick Price says he would happily scratch Cox Plate hopeful Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit) if he is not 100 per cent fit for Saturday’s weight-for-age championship. The Group One star is under an injury cloud heading into Saturday’s feature and Price declared he would be taking no risks with his Might And Power Stakes winner. “He had to do a sleip test. It’s a video of their action. RV contacted (Michael Kent) Junior late yesterday and said on half of the test, the horse wouldn’t pass. I’ve contacted the owners and let them know,” Price told Racing.com “He’s down the beach this morning. They’ll come Thursday, have a look at it. They usually … say ‘we might come Friday, we might leave it to Saturday morning’. “The horse does have an irritation in the off front fetlock. If that horse is not right, I’m not happy with him, I’m not going to run him. “We X-rayed it. It’s bone clean, but the joint capsule has an irritation where it attaches to the bone. It’s more a soft tissue thing. “On Saturday morning if the horse is not 100 per cent, he won’t run.” View the full article

Yulong’s become a behemoth in racing, but very rarely do they open their doors to the public. Michael’s in Victoria for a unique look at their work, to chat with some of the key players, and he gets a surprise from a couple of special foals. Plus, we look ahead to the Cox Plate. Guerin Report – S2 Ep.8 Ft. Yulong View the full article

Cambridge trainer Chris Wood has had a high opinion of That’s Gold (Lucky Vega) for some time, and he is hoping he can realise that potential when he attempts to break through for his maiden win in Wednesday’s Donaghys Moxipor (1150m) at Te Aroha. The son of Lucky Vega had seven starts for Wood as a juvenile, running fourth in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m), and Wood is hoping he has more luck with the gelding as a three-year-old. “He showed me a lot last time in, things just didn’t go his way,” Wood said. “He has got plenty of ability, he is a good mover, so hopefully things fall into place.” That’s Gold trialled earlier this month where he was runner-up in his 850m heat at Te Awamutu, and Wood believes his charge is on song to perform first-up. “He is nice and bright, and he has trialled up well,” Wood said. “He has had a bit of practice and knows what he is there for. It is quite a nice little maiden field, but I expect him to run a race.” All going to plan, Wood has some lofty ambitions with That’s Gold this season. “We will set him for the big three-year-old races if he is going good enough,” he said. “That will be my aim.” Wood will also head to Te Aroha with Emmy Dazzler (NZ) (Embellish) and What A Yarn (NZ) (What’s The Story), who will contest the Donaghys Tasman TIM (1600m) and Donaghys Butch Coombe Memorial Cup (1400m) respectively. “Emmy Dazzler has been running well consistently,” Wood said. “She has got Sienna Brown (stable apprentice jockey) on and gets four kilos off, so I expect her to be very competitive. “Her last couple of starts have been on the poly, but she has raced well at Te Aroha previously. I think she will be a nice each way bet. “What A Yarn trialled up nice and has worked well since. I expect a bold race fresh-up.” Meanwhile, Wood is looking forward to heading to Te Rapa on Monday with Canheroc (NZ) (El Roca), who will have his final hit-out over 2400m before heading to Christchurch next month to contest the Gr.3 Martin Collins 162nd New Zealand Cup (3200m). “He went a good race last-start at Rotorua (when fourth in the Staphanos Classic, 1950m),” Wood said. “It was a bit of a slowly run race and we had to go a little bit earlier than what we wanted. He worked as good this morning as he has worked this time in and I think he will be very competitive there. “From there it is on to the New Zealand Cup. I don’t think we will run both days, he just needs the one run into the Cup. He is booked on the second flight going out of Auckland, so everything going right he will just be down there for the Cup.” View the full article

it good at the top, but there was a lot of activity from $20,000 on up.” During the session, 266 yearlings sold for $16,864,500. The session average was $63,400 and the median was $30,000. At the opening session of the 2024 October sale, 265 horses sold for $13,198,000. The average was $49,804 and the median was $20,000. The 2024 auction closed with a record average of $52,206, while the cumulative median of $20,000 was the fourth highest in sales history. Kristian Villante of Legion Bloodstock made the highest bid of the session–and third highest ever at an October sale–when going to $900,000 for a colt by Curlin from the Mill Ridge Sales consignment. The session-topping colt was one of 20 to bring $200,000 or more on the day, up from 14 a year ago. Denali Stud was responsible for two colts to sell for $400,000 during the session. And, while Denali's Conrad Bandoroff saw plenty of activity, he also admitted there was continued polarization in the market. “I think as the week continues, if you have a horse that people deem as quality, you are going to get rewarded for it,” Bandoroff said. “The target is small, but when you hit the center target, you are going to get well rewarded. You have to be realistic. It's a little bit of feast or famine, but when they land on your horse, it's fun. If you miss by an inch, you may as well miss by a mile. It's hyper-selective, but when it's good, it's really good.” The Fasig-Tipton October sale continues through Thursday with sessions beginning daily at 10 a.m. Curlin Colt Lights Up Board at Fasig-Tipton Kristian Villante of Legion Bloodstock made the third-highest bid ever at a Fasig-Tipton October sale when going to $900,000 to secure a colt by Curlin (hip 268) on behalf of a partnership led by Andrew Hudson of Hoolie Racing. “I've been looking for a couple of nice colts for him throughout the year and this one fit the bill,” Villante said. “He's by a proven sire, champion female family. He's a beautiful colt. We looked at him for three days and we fell in love with him.” Legion Bloodstock purchased a colt by Good Magic (hip 36) for $1.6 million on behalf of Hoolie Racing at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale and bought the operation another son of Curlin (hip 686) for $500,000 at the Keeneland September sale. The session-topping yearling, bred by Alpha Delta Stables and consigned by Mill Ridge Sales, is the first foal out of Canadian champion Munnyfor Ro (Munnings). Jon Clay's Alpha Delta purchased the mare, with the colt in utero, for $900,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton November sale. The colt will head to Travis Durr's training center and will likely be trained by Whit Beckman, according to Villante. Of the $900,000 price tag, Villante said, “He stood out. We knew we would have to be strong on him. That was probably at the end of where we wanted to be on him. He was a beautiful horse. He deserved to bring that kind of money.” Denali Colts Bring Matching $400k Bids A pair of colts from the Denali Stud consignment led early proceedings during the first session of the Fasig-Tipton October sale Monday when bringing matching $400,000 bids. Bloodstock agent Pedro Lanz has been shopping on behalf of KAS Stables all season and the Saudi operation had one last wish on its list as the final yearling sale of the year got underway Monday in Lexington. “They wanted a Flightline,” Lanz said. “We had tried to bid on some before.” Lanz delivered when bidding $400,000 to acquire a colt by the champion (hip 198), the first of two expected to go through the ring at the October sale this week. “They asked if there were [yearling] sales after this and I said no, baby sales and broodmare sales,” Lanz said. “So we could buy this colt.” Out of stakes winner and graded-placed Message (Warrior's Reward), the yearling was bred by Woodford Thoroughbreds and, after he RNA'd for $475,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale in August, was selling Monday without reserve as part of the complete dispersal of John Sykes's operation. “I saw him in Saratoga and he has grown a lot since then,” Lanz said. Woodford purchased Message, in foal to Charlatan, for $675,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November sale. Her Charlatan colt sold for $275,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale before reselling for $375,000 at this year's OBS April sale. Hip 198 was consigned by Denali Stud. “Obviously, he didn't get done in Saratoga,” Denali's Conrad Bandoroff said. “He's a big two-turn horse and he has done nothing but improve since then. From August until now, he's just really come on and improved really nicely. He's been a big fish in a smaller pond here. He's a beautiful strapping colt and he went over really well. There was a ton of activity on him. He got vetted a lot by really good people. This was the result we were looking for in Saratoga. All's well that ends well.” Shortly before Lanz made his $400,000 bid, Gerard Butler spent the same amount while bidding on behalf of co-breeder Brookdale Racing to buy out partner Three Chimneys Farm on a colt by Gun Runner (hip 48). “To get a Gun Runner at that level at that price, I thought it was a good day's work,” said Butler. “We had to protect him at some stage. Obviously, he ticked all our boxes.” The yearling is out of multiple graded stakes winner Lady Apple (Curlin). Butler signed the ticket at $1.2 million to acquire the mare at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton November sale. Her 2-year-old colt Malus (Into Mischief) was a maiden winner in the Brookdale Racing colors at Saratoga in July. “That was a good result,” said Bandoroff. “That mare's foals are always kind of late bloomers, so we pointed to this sale all along. It was a plan that really came to fruition. The horse really did well in the last 30-45 days.” NOTHING BUT NET 'On a Lot of Lists': Mystic Guide Colt Rewards Partners A group of pinhookers were rewarded for their efforts Monday in Lexington when selling a colt from the first crop of G1 Dubai World Cup winner Mystic Guide (hip 160) for $150,000 to the bid of Faris Breeding. The group had purchased him under the name Nearco for $22,000 at the 2024 Keeneland November sale. “He was an absolutely lovely colt with a huge walk,” said Matt Bowling, whose Vinery Sales consigned the yearling. “Good bone, big hip. I think he just really matured into a really nice horse and they were rewarded for it.” Of the group, a pinhooking partnership that he manages, Bowling said, “They do a good job. They buy good physicals. And the horse just really blossomed at the right time. He showed himself really well and found himself on a lot of lists.” Thank you to our buyers and consignors for supporting the Kentucky October Yearlings sale. Session 1 results are now online at https://t.co/cD0JL4RBaU. The sale continues Tuesday at 10 AM. #FasigKY pic.twitter.com/FmpRqiUJIF — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 21, 2025 The post ‘Great Start’: Fasig-Tipton October Sale Opens With a Bang appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Team Ka Ying Rising is already plotting its Group One The Everest (1,200m) defence and after the scenes of Saturday afternoon, why wouldn’t they be? Ka Ying Rising fever took Sydney by storm, with a modern-day record 50,167 people flocking to Randwick, and the presence of the world’s best sprinter in the world’s richest turf race caught the imagination of the punters, with more than HK$83 million bet with the World Pool to set another high-water mark. That benefited both the Jockey Club and the...View the full article

So You Think (NZ) (High Chaparral), one of New Zealand’s greatest thoroughbred exports, has passed away, aged 19. Bred by Mike Moran and Piper Farm, So You Think was by former Windsor Park Stud stallion High Chaparral and out of Group Two-winning mare Triassic. He was offered through Windsor Park Stud’s 2008 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale draft and was purchased by bloodstock manager Duncan Ramage on behalf of owner Dato Tan Chin Nam for $110,000. He entered the care of legendary trainer Bart Cummings, for whom he made an instant impact as a juvenile, winning on debut over 1400m at Rosehill. He returned as a three-year-old where he truly left his mark, winning the Gr.3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) before taking out the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at just his fifth start. The striking colt, with his distinct long forelock, would become a fan favourite and go on to win another four Group One races in Australia carrying Dato Tan Chin Nam’s famous silks, including defending his crown in the Cox Plate. It was fitting that his Australian swansong was the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), a race his trainer had made his own, and he ran on gallantly to finish third behind Americain. He was described by Bart Cummings as “perfection on four legs, you don’t get any better than him, he is the finest, most genuine horse I have ever trained”. So You Think was subsequently sold to Coolmore and continued his racing career in the Northern Hemisphere for Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien, for whom he won a further five Group One races before retiring to stud at Coolmore. He proved to be a prolific producer, siring 66 individual stakes winners and 12 individual Group One winners to date, including three-time Group One winner Think It Over. Coolmore announced on Monday that So You Think had passed away after succumbing to a short illness while receiving care at Scone Equine Hospital. Coolmore’s Tom Magnier said So You Think was very popular with farm visitors and will be a massive loss to the industry. “When people visit Coolmore, more often than not the stallion most of them really want to see is So You Think,” he said. “He was an absolute gentleman, an incredibly kind and intelligent horse and this is a sad day for all the staff that have looked after him so well at Coolmore since he retired in 2012. “We are so lucky to have had him and watch him develop into one of the country’s truly elite sires. He provided me with so many great memories on racetracks throughout the world as both a racehorse and a stallion. “I will never forget the day he sired three Group One winners in a day at Randwick in 2022, but equally the day he provided Joseph O’Brien with his first Royal Ascot winner as a jockey in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes in 2012.” View the full article

Homebred Ceolwulf’s (NZ) (Tavistock) successful defence of his Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) title ensured Cambridge Stud celebrated a top day at Randwick. Their colours were carried by James McDonald into fifth aboard Joliestar in Saturday’s Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) before the Joe Pride-trained farm graduate bounced back to his best in the weight-for-age feature. “We would have loved to have won The Everest with Joliestar, but it wasn’t to be, and then the day finished on a real high with Ceolwulf,” Cambridge Stud’s Scott Calder said. “I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t lost a bit of confidence along the way, he won the race 12 months ago and Joe Pride has been so positive about him, but his form had been indifferent. “In the end, it was a masterstroke for him to have the blinkers up his sleeve, and it was awesome to see him back to that level again.” Ceolwulf was sold on behalf of the stud by Riversley Park at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale where Pride secured him with Leighton Fowl for $170,000. He is out of the Shamardal mare Las Brisas, whose Almanzor filly Lupa Capitolina was also bought at Karaka by Pride for $260,000 and has twice finished in behind the major players from three appearances. A half-brother will be part of Cambridge Stud’s draft to the 2026 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. “That’s the real upside with a Sword Of State heading to Karaka, it’s exciting on both fronts with the stallion having his first stakes winner (Torture) and then Ceolwulf adding his third Group One to the page,” Calder said. “No doubt, he will be one of the most highly anticipated horses in our draft and he’s already got a profile as the horse the Guerin Report has been following since birth. “He’s a really nice colt and a different sort to Ceolwulf, who was in that lighter framed Tavistock mould and a later developing, middle distance type of horse. “The Sword Of State colt is very much in keeping with the stock the stallion throws, a medium-size, very mature and strong horse with a good hind quarter.” The unraced Las Brisas foaled a daughter this season to stud newcomer Chaldean. “She has left a beautiful filly this year and whether she goes to public auction is probably pretty unlikely,” Calder said. “For the sake of Chaldean, it’s fantastic to have such a really nice foal out of one of our best mares. “All going to plan, the mare will be covered by I Am Invincible this year and obviously is a mare befitting of going to a stallion of that calibre.” Las Brisas purchased for 50,000gns at the 2018 Tattersalls December Mare Sale. “As everyone knows with breeding, you have to have long range plans and investment and it can really pay dividends,” Calder said. “Even prior to owning Cambridge Stud, Brendan and Jo (Lindsay) invested in European bloodstock sales and those rewards are coming to bear now,” Calder said. “Las Brisas is an example of that, a well-related daughter of Shamardal and Brendan was at the sale that year with (bloodstock agent) John Foote and (stud CEO) Henry Plumptre and now she’s produced one of the best middle-distance horses in Australasia.” View the full article

A colt by Curlin (hip 268) lit up the board at the first session of the Fasig-Tipton October sale when bringing a final bid of $900,000 from Legion Bloodstock's Kristian Villante. Villante was bidding on behalf of a partnership of Legion clients led by the Hudson family's Hoolie Racing. Bred by Alpha Delta Stables and consigned by Mill Ridge Sales, the yearling is the first foal out of Canadian champion Munnyfor Ro (Munnings). Alpha Delta purchased the mare, with the colt in utero, for $900,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton November sale. The post Curlin Colt to Legion Bloodstock for $900k at Fasig-Tipton October appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On the Oct. 20 episode of BloodHorse Monday: Kate Hunter previews the Japanese Breeders' Cup runners, trainer Will Walden talks Rhetorical, and Jes Sikura highlights Hill 'n' Dale's Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale consignment.View the full article

Marvin Rafael Fernandez, a 35-year-old apprentice jockey at Delaware Park who rode a 228-1 shot to a third-place finish while beaten only half a length last Thursday, had his license rescinded the next day by that track's stewards, who determined that over the course of three probationary races Oct. 15 and 16 in which Fernandez twice finished in the money, his “performance was not satisfactory to the standards required to hold the license.” Fernandez, who has five lifetime mounts in 2024-25 and had been riding last week under “temporary” licensure at the 10-pound apprentice level, will be allowed to retain his exercise riding license, according to the Oct. 17 ruling signed by Delaware stewards Joelyn Rigione, Robert Colton and William Troilo. Although Fernandez had no other rulings issued against him during his probationary period and there were no mentions of adverse incidents in either the official charts or the daily stewards' reports for the two dates he rode last week, the stewards did order him to appear at the next-day film reviews after each of his rides on Oct. 15 and 16 for “crop” reasons, according to footnotes in the daily reports. In the third race Oct. 15 (video), Fernandez's 19-1 mount was near the back for most of a nine-horse claiming route and ended up beating only one other eased entrant. In the fourth race Oct. 16 (video), Fernandez's 6-1 mount led from the rail for most of a four-horse claiming sprint before being overtaken by a 3-10 favorite in deep stretch while holding on for second. In the sixth race Oct. 16 (video), Fernandez, aboard the 228-1 Midnight Getaway (Midnight Storm), “bumped with an inner foe at the start, rated in the four path, swung out to the seven path turning into the lane, and rallied for show,” according to the Equibase chart. The Delaware meet ended the next racing date, Saturday, Oct. 18. Attempts to reach both Fernandez and the Delaware Park stewards' office on Monday were unsuccessful. The post Delaware Apprentic Rides 228-1 Shot To Third-Place Finish, Has License Rescinded The Next Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

So You Think, a 10-time group 1 winner turned successful Coolmore sire, has died after succumbing to a short illness while receiving treatment at Scone Equine Hospital in New South Wales. He was 19. View the full article

Tuesday, Curragh, post time: 15:17, STAFFORDSTOWN STUD STAKES-G3, €36,000, 2yo, f, 8fT Field: Cameo (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Caught U Sleeping (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), Ice Dancer (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Ifweonlyhavelove (Fr) (Recoletos {Fr}), La Fogata (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Stars Will Shine (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Sugar Island (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Thundering On (GB) (Frankel {GB}). TDN Analysis: Without the customary Ballydoyle standout, this is wide-open and could go to one of the unexposed maiden winners. Stars Will Shine impressed at Down Royal and may have more upside than stablemate Caught U Sleeping despite that runner having been third to Diamond Necklace in the Listed Ingabelle Stakes last month. Thundering On is of intrigue, bypassing the many maidens on offer at the moment which shows what Joseph O'Brien thinks of Shapoor Mistry's homebred daughter of his star mare Thundering Nights. [Tom Frary]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Open Staffordstown Stud Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grade I winner Mullikin (Violence–Tulira's Star, by Congrats), slated to make his final career start in this year's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar, will stand the 2026 breeding season at WinStar Farm, the operation announced Tuesday. A stud fee will be announced after the Breeders' Cup. Mullikin will participate in WinStar's Dream Big Program, which offers breeders the opportunity to earn a lifetime breeding right. “Mullikin has competed at the highest level for the last two years and is a gorgeous looking horse from a world-class sire line [Sadlers Wells],” said Elliott Walden, president, CEO, and racing manager of WinStar Farm. “Our best stallions over the years all had speed. He fits the mold of what we want to place in the market, looks, speed, and pedigree.” Owned by WinStar Farm and trained by Rodolphe Brisset, Mullikin won last year's GI Forego Stakes at Saratoga by 5 3/4 lengths over GISW Gun Pilot (Gun Pilot) while earning a 105 Beyer. During a four-race win streak in 2024, Mullikin also captured the GII John A. Nerud Stakes in his graded stakes debut, running seven furlongs in 1:20.54, just 0.50 off the track record set by Artax in 1999. Mullikin has run four triple-digit Beyers thus far, including a career-high 106 when finishing second to multiple Grade I winner Book 'em Danno (Bucchero) in this year's GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes at Saratoga. Additionally, Mullikin was beaten just a little more than a length by a pair of TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard–GI Breeders' Cup Classic contender Mindframe (Constitution) and GI Breeders' Cup Mile-bound Nysos (Nyquist)–in a blanket finish in the GI Churchill Downs Stakes in May. Mullikin was third to Straight No Chaser (Speightster) in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar, where he was ridden by Flavien Prat who returns to ride this year's renewal of the Sprint. On the board in 12-of-15 lifetime starts, with earnings of $1,144,992, Mullikin was a $500,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase. Bred in Kentucky by Fred W. Hertrich III and John D. Fielding, Mullikin is out of the graded stakes-placed Congrats mare Tulira's Star, third in the GIII Schuylerville Stakes at Saratoga at two. For more information on Mullikin, contact Liam O'Rourke, Olivia Desch, or Ben Hanley at 859-873-1717, or visit www.WinStarFarm.com. The post Breeders’ Cup Sprint Contender Mullikin to Stand at WinStar in 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Dale Romans discusses Bobrovsky's training plans, which will not include any breezes, ahead of the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T).View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Fierceness (City of Light–Nonna Bella, by Stay Thirsty), the Eclipse Award-winning 2-year-old male of 2023 and a four-time Grade I winner, will begin his stud career at Coolmore's Kentucky base at Ashford Stud following his final start in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar on Nov. 1. An imperious 11 1/4-length debut winner at Saratoga in August 2023, earning no-brainer 'Rising Star' in a similar fashion to owner Mike Repole's fellow champion and late Ashford stallion Uncle Mo, Fierceness romped by 6 1/4 lengths in that year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. “That was a pretty awesome performance–he's a special talent,” trainer Todd Pletcher said of his championship-clinching victory in the Juvenile. The 13 1/2-length winner of the GI Curlin Florida Derby, Fierceness defeated fellow 'Rising Star presented by Hagyard' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) by a length in the GII Jim Dandy Stakes and took down the colors of future Horse of the Year and 'Rising Star presented by Hagyard' Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in the GI DraftKings Travers Stakes. Sierra Leone was third on that occasion, while GI Belmont Stakes hero Dornoch (Good Magic) was back in fourth. He concluded the season with a gallant runner-up effort in the Classic behind Sierra Leone, sitting up on a torrid pace and yielding only in the final stages to finish 1 1/2 lengths in arrears. Fierceness has been one of the leading lights of this year's handicap division, with a powerful first-up victory in the GII Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs and a latest 3 1/4-length defeat of this year's GI Preakness Stakes hero Journalism (Curlin) in the GI Pacific Classic back on Aug. 30. He'll return to the same track and distance for his career finale in just under two weeks' time. To date, Fierceness has amassed a record of 7-2-1 from 13 starts for earnings of $5,155,320. “Fierceness isn't just a racehorse–he's family,” said Repole. “He represents everything we've built and believe in at Repole Stable. From the day he was born, we knew he was special. “He's a Grade I winner at two, three and four, a Breeders' Cup Champion, an Eclipse Award winner and a horse who showed heart, grit, and freakish talent.” Added Coolmore's Dermot Ryan: “Fierceness hails from a young and hugely exciting family of his owner/breeder, Mike Repole. His track record speaks for itself. A Breeders' Cup Juvenile-winning champion 2-year-old who further enhanced his profile with Grade I victories at three and years (of age), consistently posting massive Beyers in the process. “He is an outstanding physical from a hugely successful sireline and out of a sister to GI Wood Memorial Stakes winner, Outwork. We got together with Mike Repole with an outstanding Saratoga MSW, Eclipse Award and Breeders' Cup Juvenile-winner before, and we all know how good Uncle Mo turned out to be. With his credentials, there's no reason to believe that Fierceness won't be every bit as good.” The post ‘His Track Record Speaks For Itself’: Champion Fierceness Retires To Ashford Stud Following Breeders’ Cup Classic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article