Wandering Eyes

Mark Oulaghan is hoping the extreme distance of Saturday’s Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge 150th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) will play into the hands of West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu), as his champion jumper attempts to rewrite the history books at Riccarton Park. The adored 10-year-old has won the last three editions of the National, becoming the second horse to claim three titles since Agent in the 19th century, and the first to do so in successive years. After a top performance to finish second in the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m), West Coast earned himself a fourth trip to the southern course, where he opened his account with a gritty third in last Saturday’s Koral Steeplechase (4250m), won by hot-favourite Jesko. Oulaghan was pleased with the performance, which was Victorian hoop Willie McCarthy’s first steer aboard the son of Mettre En Jeu. “It was a good run, he covered a bit of extra ground and probably got going a little bit earlier than would have been ideal, but at the end of it, he was only six lengths off the winner,” Oulaghan said. “We were pretty happy with it. “Willie quite liked him and he’s confident that he can improve on Saturday.” In addition to his National haul, West Coast has two Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m) crowns on the mantelpiece, so the marathon journey is nothing new. “I think that’s his strong point, once he gets over those longer distances he just seems to be able to grind it out,” Oulaghan said. “In the last couple of years, we’ve picked his races and he hasn’t had hard seasons, so I think consequently, he’s been able to carry on a bit longer and focus on these better races.” The extra kilometre of the Hospitality NZ Canterbury 135th Grand National Hurdles (4200m) will also come to the benefit of his stablemate Berry The Cash, who has been running on late to place in each of the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles (3000m) and Sydenham Hurdles (3100m). While his older counterpart is shooting for a record four crowns, Berry The Cash will be chasing a three-peat of his own in the hurdle, off the back of a tidy effort behind Dictation in the Sydenham. “It was a good run by him under the weight and at the distance, so we’re happy with him too,” Oulaghan said. “He’s a grinding type of horse and finishes it off, so the extra distance is suitable for him. There is a bit of rain forecast for Friday down there which wouldn’t worry him, while one or two of the others might not be too keen on it.” While his star pair spend the week in Christchurch, Oulaghan is back at home in Awapuni preparing for an entirely different feature assignment with Jack Morrison. The son of Darci Brahma has racked up six victories from eight attempts on his local synthetic track, and for the first time, he’ll venture further afield to chase the big prize at Cambridge in the $100,000 TAB Polytrack Championship (2000m). Oulaghan had been hopeful for Friday’s contest, with Amber Riddell to reduce his impost to a comfortable 58kg, but was less so after seeing Jack Morrison has drawn unfavourably in 11. “We’ve kept him relatively fresh, he hasn’t had a run for a while and we were hopeful of a good draw up there but that hasn’t quite panned out,” Oulaghan said. “It is a big help there if they draw well. “I haven’t spoken to his owner, and I think we’ll still go, but it will certainly make it more difficult from out there. We’ll have to see what happens rather than being overly confident. “The weight is a bit of a help, I’m surprised it’s actually a claiming race so with Amber on, he gets a couple more kilos off.” View the full article

Freegoing five-year-old Leroy Brown (NZ) (Ace High) will be chasing a crack at a weight-for-age feature when he resumes at Te Rapa on Saturday. The talented son of Ace High returns to action in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Handicap (1200m), and success would firm up plans for a return in two weeks’ time in a bid for higher honours. “We want to have a go at the Foxbridge Plate (Gr.2, 1200m) and we’re behind the eight ball a bit on the ratings,” trainer Stephen Ralph said. “It will be a tough field on Saturday and hopefully we can get a good result and then chase the Foxbridge, that’s our first aim.” The gelding is a five-time winner, with his latest victory in the autumn posted at Matamata at the expense of Val Di Zoldo, who landed the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2050m) and Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at her next two starts. Leroy Brown subsequently finished midfield in the Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m) before a break and was a comfortable winner of his open 900m heat at Monday’s Taupo trials. “He’s a bit older and his mental game has undone him in the past, he tended to want to do things too early and that affected his breathing, but we feel he’s a lot better now,” Ralph said. “He’s absolutely perfect in his trackwork and I feel he is progressing well.” Leroy Brown was partnered at the trials by Gareth Lahoud, who will take the mount again on Saturday. “We think Gareth is a really talented rider, it’s a tough field with Twain and Force Of Nature there, but he’s got a good draw (one),” Ralph said. “I know he has won on a heavy track before, but he really does like it better than that so that’s what we’re hoping for.” Raced by breeders Parsons Bloodstock, Leroy Brown could also be in line for an overseas trip if his form warrants raising the bar. “We would like to think he can pick up a decent black-type race here, Keith (Parsons) and I are keen to get to Australia with him,” Ralph said. “If he can keep ticking boxes then we might get there, maybe Sydney in the autumn. “If he came up really well, we could get to Melbourne, but there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge to see where he can get to.” View the full article

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. will play host to 'Casino Night' on Monday, Aug. 18 from 6 p.m. ET to 9:30 p.m. ET., and the evening will serve as a fundraiser for the museum and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, the repository said in a press release on Wednesday. The event, which is sponsored by Live Oak Plantation and the Jockeys' Guild, will be catered by Mama Mia's. Along with will some high-stakes fun, the fundraiser will include a lively atmosphere throughout the museum as well. Click here for tickets. The post Casino Night Benefit For Museum Of Racing And HOF, PDJF Scheduled For Aug. 18 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There is a lot of alliteration surrounding the co-feature event at Colonial Downs Aug. 9. Because while Be Your Best brings the credentials to be the likely favorite, Beach Bomb boasts the brilliance to beware of in the Beverly D. Stakes (G2T). View the full article

BLACKOUT TIME, ELP, 8/2, 1 mile, 'TDN Rising Star' Beyer Speed Figure- 83 (c, 2, by Not This Time–Beauty Parlor, by Elusive Quality) O-Brookdale Racing and Lance Gasaway. B-Newstead Corp (Ky). T-Kenny McPeek. J-Brian Hernandez Jr. McPeek has another promising juvenile and he's already gone a mile. Blackout Time–out of a Joe Allen owned-and-bred graded turf winner – debuted with a strong 2nd behind Dazzle d'Oro at Churchill and Saturday he sped 9 3/4 lengths ahead of a full field of juveniles that included two Asmussens, two Coxes, two Casses and a Walsh. BUETANE, DMR, 8/3, 5 furlongs, 'TDN Rising Star' (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 83 (c, 2, by Tiz The Law–Taboo, by Forestry) O-Zedan Racing Stables. B-Merriebelle Stable (Ky). T-Bob Baffert. J-Juan Hernandez. Amr Zedan topped this list last week thanks to Brant's 101 Beyer. One month after shelling out an OBS record $3 million for Brant, Zedan took home Buetane for $1.15 million and now he has a nice one-two punch for upcoming Del Mar 2-year-old stakes. Buetane had 3 1/2 lengths on fellow Baffert firster Falcon Jet, who was 7 1/4 ahead of the others. ITS BOURBON THIRTY, ELP, 8/1, 5 1/2 furlongs (turf) Beyer Speed Figure- 84 (g, 4, by Outwork–Seattle Artist, by Stormy Atlantic) O-Howling Pigeon Farms. B-Paul King (Ky). T-Jeremiah O'Dwyer. J-Luan Machado. He started his career 0-for-5 in races on turf and Tapeta, all around two turns. But O'Dwyer cut him back from 9 furlongs to 5 1/2, added blinkers, and watched him lead from start to finish at 6-1 odds. Its Bourbon Thirty is a fitting name for a Kentucky-bred, and those who hit this $1,389 dime superfecta Friday were probably knocking back a few. GLORIOUS LIFE, DMR, 8/2, 5 furlongs (turf) (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 88 (g, 5, by Vronsky–Glorious Luck, by Lucky J.H.) O/B-Harris Farms (Cal). T-Carla Gaines. J-Kazushi Kimura. He's from one of the most productive female families nurtured by California breeding legend John Harris, who passed away July 2. The 5-year-old had only four previous races, hadn't started in 10 months and also had been gelded in the interim. Gaines had already hit the board three times at Del Mar with long-layoff runners and had this one primed for a lifetime best off the bench. DELIGHTFUL CLAIRE, SAR, 8/2, 7 furlongs, 'TDN Rising Star' (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 95 (f, 3, by Thousand Words–Izshelegal, by Maria's Mon) O-Rigney Racing. B-Gmbracstables, Mr. and Mrs. Ramon Rangel and Mr. and Mrs. Zachary Mad (Ky). T-Phil Bauer. J-Joel Rosario. She was bet down to 8-5 in her June debut at Churchill but was done in by wickedly fast fractions and a talented Mott filly. Then she stepped up her game Saturday in a huge way, putting a 9 1/4-length bruising on a decent field strung out a quarter-mile behind her. Her half-brother Crazy Mason came from the clouds to win the Carter four months back, but she has plenty of speed. The post Five Fastest Maidens, Presented By Taylor Made, For July 28-August 4 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Check out the great racing offers available from horse racing bookmakers on Thursday, August 7. Enjoy bonus back deals and other promotions to boost your betting experience. Explore these specials from top online bookmakers and get more value from your bets. Top Australian racing promotions for August 7, 2025, include: Today’s horse racing promotions Punters Toolbox! Use your neds Toolbox on greyhound, harness and horse racing today. Check your Neds Toolbox for Bet Back, Price Boosts and much more. Neds T&C’s Apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Top 4 Betting! Bet and win up to 4th place. Eligible customers only Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Eligible Customers Only. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Daily Multi Insurance Any Race. Any Runner. Any Odds. Get a Bonus Back if your Multi loses by a specified number of legs. Fixed odds only. Check your Vault for eligibility. Check your vault for eligibility. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo Copycash – Get Copied. Get Paid. Get paid $0.10 every time someone uses Copy Bet to copy your bets. Eligible Customers Only. Login to Dabble to Claim Promo Bet Boost | Thursday Thoroughbred Meetings Get a bet boost on thoroughbred races around Australia on Thursday. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% winnings in cash Max Payout $2000. Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds win bets on Australian thoroughbred races only. Excludes boosted, multi, live and bonus bets. PlayUp T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector | If Your Horse Drifts, You Get The Bigger Price Only available on Australian Horse Racing Fixed Price Win bets placed from 8am AET the day of the race. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Daily Exotic Boosts Boost your exotics by up to 20%. Available on Exactas, Quinellas, Trifectas & First Fours. Excludes Quaddies. Check your vault for eligibility. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au find these racing offers? HorseBetting.com.au reviews Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers to share the best thoroughbred promotions for August 7, 2025. Bookmakers are always competing, so if one doesn’t have a deal, another usually does. Rely on HorseBetting.com.au for daily racing bonuses and betting specials. Get better value with competitive odds and offers for existing customers. Just log in to your betting account to see what’s available. For extra help picking winners and using your bonuses wisely, check out our daily free racing tips. View all horse racing promotions View the full article

Coming off a victorious run in the Penn Mile Stakes (G3T), Dream On will try to make it four wins from five starts this year in the $500,000 Secretariat Stakes (G2T) at Colonial Downs Aug. 9.View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – For now, it looks like Baeza (McKinzie) is going to stay put in California. Trainer John Shirreffs said Wednesday that a cross-country trip to Saratoga and another shot at Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in the $1.25 million GI Travers Stakes is unlikely. “I would say there is not a really good chance of doing that,” Shirreffs said by phone from his summer base at Del Mar. Shirreffs said the reason for skipping the Aug. 23 Midsummer Derby has everything to do with getting to Saratoga. Baeza has already shipped twice to the Spa; he was here for the GI Belmont Stakes and finished third, 6 1/2 lengths behind Sovereignty. He returned home after that. Then he returned for the July 26 GII Jim Dandy Stakes and was beaten a length by Sovereignty “It's just such a tough ship from Del Mar to over there,” Shirreffs said. To get here, Baeza, owned by Robert Clay's Grandview Stable and Lee Searing's C R K Stable, would have to van to either Los Angeles or Ontario [two-hours] and then fly to Newark, N.J. and take another van 190 miles to Saratoga. Baeza at Saratoga | Sarah Andrew Baeza also flew from Los Angeles to Louisville when he ran in the GI Kentucky Derby. That's three cross-country ships in as many months. Shirreffs said when Baeza shipped to the Derby and the Belmont, it affected the horse, and took him a couple days to get over it. When he came out of the Jim Dandy, Baeza handled it much better. Shirreffs said the plans for Baeza's next race have not yet been finalized. The two most appealing options are to stay home for the $1 million GI Pacific Classic Aug. 30 against older horses or the $1 million GI Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Sept. 20 against 3-year-olds. “We have discussed the Pacific Classic and Pennsylvania Derby,” Shirreffs said, acknowledging that the Travers would be third on the depth chart. “We have not made up our minds yet. We would have a little more time to the other races and time is valuable in these situations.” Baeza, a $1.2 million purchase at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, has one win, three seconds and two thirds in his seven-race career. Baeza is scheduled to work at Del Mar on Thursday, according to Shirreffs. McPeek Been Thinking Turf For Mystik Dan For A Long Time On August 1, trainer Kenny McPeek put 2024 GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) on the grass for the first time. This was not done on a lark; McPeek had been thinking about doing it for at least a year. Here's the proof as to how serious McPeek is about Mystik Dan being a thoroughbred lawn mower: he is running him in Saturday's GI Arlington Million at Colonial Downs. All of Mystik Dan's prior 14 starts have been on dirt. “It was kind of an audible at the line of scrimmage,” McPeek said Wednesday morning at his barn at the annex across from the Oklahoma Training Track. “He was doing really well and the [Million] seems to be modest in depth. We decided to put him in.” Mystik Dan working over the Spa turf | Sarha Andrew A field of eight has been entered for the Million and Mystik Dan, who will be ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., drew the rail and is the 9-2 fourth choice in the 1 1/4-mile race. Integration (Quality Road) is the 8-5 morning line favorite for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey. McPeek worked Mystik Dan on the grass for the first time last week and he responded with a five-furlong work in 1:02.17 (5/10). “He does everything easy, he is Mr. Workmanlike,” McPeek said. “If he were a student, he would be in the middle of the classroom, he would be getting straight As, he would never make a sound, and you would not even know he is there. He just goes about his business very quietly, professionally. That is him. There is nothing loud about him. Very smart.” McPeek said he did not ever think about running him in the GI Whitney Stakes last week. Mystik Dan was eighth in last year's GI Belmont Stakes, which was run at Saratoga. When Hernandez jumped off him that day, he told McPeek that Mystik Dan didn't like the surface. “Why run in the Whitney on a racetrack I don't know if he is going to like?” McPeek said. “We know where he fits against the older horses. He is within a few lengths, one side or the other, against the Sierra Leones, Fiercenesss of the world. If the Derby winner wins the Arlington Million, I think it adds to the dynamic of him as a stallion prospect.” Owned by Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing LLC, Daniel Hamby III and Valley View Farm LLC, Mystik Dan is scheduled to leave Saratoga Thursday morning. “Good horses will run on anything,” McPeek said, and then added, with a smile, “we are going to prove it Saturday.” Romans Making Most With Limited Starters Louisville, Ky. is home for trainer Dale Romans. A lot of his best work has been under the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs. So far at the Saratoga meet, he hasn't been too bad, either. Romans brought just eight horses up for the summer–he has 55 down in Kentucky–and, after five starts, he has three wins, a second and a third. The latest win came Sunday when Jack's Promise (Promises Fulfilled) rallied to win a claiming race at odds of 7-1 under Junior Alvarado. Romans became the all-time leading trainer at Churchill Nov. 12, 2017 when he won his 703rd race. He held the top spot until June 13, 2020 when he was overtaken by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen when he won his 738th Churchill Race. Dale Romans with Irad Oritz and Bobrovsky at the Spa | Sarah Andrew Romans has won or shared 10 training titles at the historic track. “I know how to win,” Romans said outside his barn on the Saratoga backstretch Wednesday morning. Jack's Promise is owned by Bob Baron, who is also a close friend of Romans. The horse is named for one of Baron's grandchildren. Baron and Romans also teamed up with the sire, Promises Fulfilled (by Shackleford), who won the 2018 GI H. Allen Jerkens Stakes and GIII Amsterdam Stakes. “It makes the losses harder, but the wins sweeter,” Romans said of training for friends. Even though Jack's Promise's victory came in the claiming ranks, it did not go unnoticed. At Saratoga, everyone is watching. Or so it seems. “If you win an allowance race at other tracks, nobody knows it,” Romans said. “I got 20 text messages after winning a claiming race!” Earlier in the meet, 2-year-old Bobrovsky (Daredevil), co-owned by Romans and Steve Berg, broke his maiden on dirt at 4-5 by 10 1/2 lengths. Bobrovsky is scheduled to work on the grass Friday and, if all goes well, will be pointed to the $150,000 Skidmore at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf Aug. 16. “When you don't win up here, it's a grind,” Romans said. “When you do, it promotes your business, pays the bills and just makes you feel better. Makes your golf game a lot better, too.” The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented By NYRA Bets: Baeza’s Next Race Won’t Be The Travers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After this past spring's failed attempt to get a controversial bill passed in the Florida legislature that would have stripped a 40-days-minimum live racing requirement from its casino licensure, the owners of Gulfstream Park have filed a lawsuit against the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC), alleging that the 2021 statute that allowed all classes of pari-mutuel licensees except Thoroughbreds to “decouple” from live racing as a condition of operating slot machines is an “unconstitutional special law and violates the equal protection clause of the Florida Constitution.” Daniel Wallach, a Florida-based attorney who specializes in gaming law, was first to break the news of the litigation via a Wednesday posting on the X social media platform. Wallach wrote that the lawsuit is a “buzzer-beater” because “the deadline for asserting these claims was set to expire on Aug. 11, 2025–the four-year anniversary of the 'effective' date of the 2021 compact between the Seminole Tribe and the State of Florida to which the decoupling law's effectiveness was linked.” The Aug. 5 lawsuit in the Second Judicial Circuit for Leon County stated that Gulfstream “is encumbered by the requirement to conduct live racing, and the only pari-mutuel permitholder who faces criminal prosecution if it fails to maintain live racing while continuing the conduct of slot machine gaming.” The lawsuit stated that “Gulfstream alone bears the statutory burden to sustain one particular industry–Thoroughbred horseracing–in order to participate in another industry–slot machines. No other competitor suffers that legislatively imposed burden on its constitutional right to operate slot machines.” The lawsuit continued: “This differential treatment destroys Gulfstream's ability to compete with other similarly situated entities and puts Gulfstream at a severe disadvantage as compared to other similarly situated entities. “There is no rational basis for treating Gulfstream differently than other similarly situated entities,” the lawsuit stated. “This differential treatment inflicts irreparable injury on Gulfstream, which includes its ability to continue to exercise its state constitutional rights,” the lawsuit stated. In addition to the unconstitutionality declarations that Gulfstream is seeking to nullify the live racing mandate, the lawsuit also wants the court to enjoin the FGCC from requiring Gulfstream to have “written binding agreements” with the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (FHBPA) and Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA) as a condition of obtaining its slots license. Lonny Powell, the chief executive officer of the FTBOA, described the court filing as “deeply troubling” in an Aug. 6 press release. “Let's be clear: this is a casino-first move, not a racing-first one,” Powell said. “The courts should recognize it for what it is–a direct threat to our industry's integrity and Florida agriculture's future.” Lonnie Powell | Serita Hult Powell said that “after benefiting for decades from the prestige and profits of Florida's Thoroughbred industry, they're now asking the courts to let them abandon it entirely.” Powell said Gulfstream's authorization to operate slot machines is “a privilege they obtained specifically from their involvement with Thoroughbred racing.” The website Florida Politics quoted Marie Long, the general counsel for Gulfstream's parent company, 1/ST Racing and Gaming, as saying that, “The law on its face is anti-free markets, with the government picking winners and losers with its legislation.” Long continued: “This is a matter of fair and equal treatment under the law, which the Decoupling Act clearly and intentionally violates. This is not about racing–we are committed to a sustainable future for racing. It's about our inability to compete with the private slot operators who don't have to meet the same obligations we must meet to run our business because they receive special treatment at our expense.” Powell disagreed. “This lawsuit isn't about fairness; it's about Gulfstream Park wanting to operate a casino without fulfilling their racing responsibilities. They're turning their back on the very industry that built their brand and bottom line,” Powell said. “The 2021 decoupling law was designed to preserve Florida's core horse racing institutions. Gulfstream Park's attempt to overturn it would open the floodgates; eroding Thoroughbred racing statewide, threatening family farms, rural jobs, and a multi-billion-dollar agricultural economy,” Powell said. Messages seeking comment left with the FHBPA and FGCC did not yield replies prior to deadline for this story. The post ‘Encumbered’ By ‘Statutory Burden’ Of Live Racing To Operate Slots, Gulfstream Files Lawsuit To Overturn Law appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After arriving at Colonial Downs Aug. 3, Refai Alghraiban's classy globetrotter Cairo was on the track Aug. 6 ahead of his run in the Arlington Million (G1T) Aug. 9. Trainer Alice Haynes was on hand for the Irish-bred's move over the turf course.View the full article

David Scanlon and his wife, Blair King, purchase the former Eddie Woods Training Center near Ocala, Fla.View the full article

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association announced Aug. 6 the election of David O'Farrell as chairman of its board of trustees.View the full article

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) has re-elected David O'Farrell as chairman of its board of trustees, along with new members serving three-year terms Jonathan Green, Walker Hancock, Dean Reeves and Adrian Wallace, the organization said via a press release on Wednesday. Re-elected to three-year terms were current trustees Billy Koch, Braxton Lynch, David O'Farrell and Francis Vanlangendonck. Following its annual members meeting, trustees met to elect officers for the association. Officers named for 2025-2026 are: David O'Farrell, chairman, Garrett O'Rourke, vice-chairman, Dan Metzger, president; Brant Laue, secretary; and Jonathan Green, treasurer. Brant Laue was re-elected chair of the American Graded Stakes Committee. Also, the board approved the appointment of Bret Jones and the reappointment of David O'Farrell to the American Graded Stakes Committee. The 2025-2026 committee is comprised of TOBA members Brant Laue (chair), Walker Hancock, Bret Jones, Billy Koch, David O'Farrell, and Alex Solis II and racing officials Gatewood Bell (Keeneland), Dan Bork (Churchill Downs and Colonial Downs), Rick Hammerle (Kentucky Downs and 1ST Racing), Andrew Offerman (NYRA), and Tora Yamaguchi (Del Mar). The post TOBA Names Officers And Four New Trustees To Board appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aiming to keep her unbeaten streak alive, Newstead Stables' Laurelin steps up in class in search of graded glory in the $500,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 9.View the full article

After a very busy week in horse racing covering racing, conferences, ceremonies, and sales, this week focuses on some major stakes at Colonial Downs and Saratoga Race Course, which hosts one Breeders' Cup Challenge Series qualifier.View the full article

Thursday, Leopardstown, post time: 18:23, BAHRAIN TURF CLUB DESMOND STAKES-G3, €36,000, 3yo/up, 8fT Field: Chicago Critic (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Johan (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}), Lord Massusus (Ire) (Markaz {Ire}), Mutasarref (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Dance Night Andday (Ire) (Buratino {Ire}), Jancis (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}), Alakazi (Fr) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}). TDN Verdict: Course specialist Mutasarref should be a tough nut to crack, having won arguably a better renewal of this 12 months ago. Chicago Critic is capable when in the mood, as he proved when taking the course-and-distance Listed Amethyst Stakes in May. [Tom Frary]. Thursday, Leopardstown, post time: 18:53, TOTE BALLYROAN STAKES-G3, €36,000, 3yo/up, 12fT Field: Crystal Black (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), Layfayette (Ire) (French Navy {GB}), Sons And Lovers (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), This Songisforyou (Temple City), Sea The Boss (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), Siege Of Troy (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}). TDN Verdict: Last year's winner Crystal Black bids to get back on track, having run only once in the interim when fourth in the G3 Alleged Stakes over an inadequate 10-furlong trip in April. Third that day was Sons And Lovers, who backed that up with a fourth in the G2 Mooresbridge Stakes and a fifth in Royal Ascot's Listed Wolferton Stakes. [Tom Frary]. Friday, Tipperary, post time: 17:47, COOLMORE STUD CHURCHILL STAKES-Listed, €27,000, 2yo, 7f 100yT Field: Brussels (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Empty Wallet (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}), Maximum Scepticism (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), Suspicious Mindz (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), Thesecretadversary (Ire) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), Time Bender (Ire) (Gustav Klimt {Ire}). TDN Verdict: TDN Rising Star Brussels was one of the few Ballydoyle juveniles who didn't deliver in his black-type assignment, but the July Stakes form behind Zavateri looks good now and he deserves credit for racing up with the pace and sticking at it. Thesecretadversary was up against Italy and Humility before inexplicably finding a way to get beaten again at Ayr last month and the jury is out, while Maximum Scepticism who is by the sire after which the race is named made his trip to England a winning one last time and has scope to improve. [Tom Frary]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Mutasarref Clashes With Chicago Critic In Desmond appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features a son of Irish Oaks heroine Chicquita. 5.20 Leopardstown, Mdn, 2yo, c/g, 8fT CLARET (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is one of two Ballydoyle runners in this and the second-string, but as the sixth foal out of the Irish Oaks heroine Chicquita has much to commend him. A half-brother to three black-type performers headed by Dubawi's G2 Curragh Cup winner Emily Dickinson, the newcomer joins the yard's course-and-distance third Montreal (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), the half-brother to Cayenne Pepper (Australia). Juddmonte's unraced Res Ipsa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is another notable, being a Ger Lyons-trained full-brother to Red Letter. 6.45 Sandown, Mdn, 2yo, 8fT GAVRIEL (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is an intriguing newcomer in this maiden won in recent times by Pride Of Arras, Arrest, Westover and Too Darn Hot, being the seventh foal out of the Pretty Polly heroine Thistle Bird. John and Thady Gosden saddle George Strawbridge's homebred half-brother to the smart Epictetus (Kingman) and Jumbly (Gleneagles), whose rivals include the stable's course debut fourth Corinth (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Juddmonte's relative of Kingman. The post Claret, Son Of Chiquita, Debuts At Leopardstown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Among this week's rulings, trainer Daniel Harvey was suspended five days and fined $500 for a caffeine overage determined to have come from contaminated feed supplements. The Harvey-trained Leopardi, who finished second at Tampa Bay on April 16, subsequently tested positive for caffeine, a Class B controlled substance. According to the case resolution, numerous supplements the trainer had given his horse were sent to the University of California at Davis for analysis. Caffeine was detected in two of the supplements, despite not being listed on the label of “any of the supplements collected by HIWU.” The case resolution goes on to say that Harvey was given until Aug. 1 to either accept the charges or request a hearing before the Internal Adjudication Panel. On July 31, Harvey “submitted his signed Admission of Equine Controlled Medication Violation and Acceptance of Consequences to HIWU.” The case resolution lists several rules under which Harvey could have been issued lesser consequences than a suspension and fine, including a reprimand. Despite finding that Harvey was guilty of “No Significant Fault or Negligence,” HIWU decided the five-day suspension–which began Aug. 2–and the $500 fine were the “appropriate” consequences in this case. “While there is no evidence that Mr. Harvey had reason to know or suspect that the supplement products at issue contained Caffeine, the fact that two products contained Caffeine results in the conclusion that Mr. Harvey did not act in a manner that illustrates a level of care that would result in further reduced Consequences such as only a written Reprimand and no fine,” the case resolution states. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 08/06/2025 Licensee: Kieron Magee, trainer Penalty: A written Reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance). Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Vet's list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole (Gastrogard)–a Class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Love to Eat on 6/17/25. Date: 08/05/2025 Licensee: Ralph D'Alessandro, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Aug. 6, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. The following treated as one violation. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a Class C controlled substance–in samples taken from Signifying Nothing, who won at Finger Lakes on 6/17/25; and after she finished second at Finger Lakes on 7/1/25 Date: 08/01/2025 Licensee: Daniel Steve Harvey, trainer Penalty: 5-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Aug. 2, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Resolved by HIWU without a hearing. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Caffeine–a Class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Leopardi, who finished second at Tampa Bay on 4/16/25. Date: 08/01/2025 Licensee: Gene Jacquot, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene–a Class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Annie One Sock on 6/23/25. Date: 07/31/2025 Licensee: William Martin, trainer Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning Aug. 1, 2025, with partial credit given for the period of Ineligibility served in connection with the 07/03/23 violation involving Covered Horse Wild Irish; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $2,500; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Violation of Rule 3313, concerning the “Use of a controlled medication method during the race period.” More specifically, violation of Rule 4221, concerning the “alkalinization or use/administration of an alkalinizing agent (TCO2).” According to the case resolution with no hearing, the blood sample collected from Martin-trainee Pittsburgh prior to winning at Oaklawn Park on 2/28/25 had excess TCO2 levels. High total carbon dioxide (TCO2) levels could be an indication of bicarbonate loading–otherwise known as milkshaking–which can neutralize the buildup of lactic acid in muscles, thereby helping the horse's performance. Date: 07/30/2025 Licensee: Patrick Ashton, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning July 31, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a Class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Max Forward Speed, who won at Parx Racing on 6/7/25. Pending ADMC Violations 08/04/2025, Jesus Esquival, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methamphetamine–a Class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Sis Boom Bob, who finished second at Belterra Park on 5/30/25. 08/05/2025, Angel Sanchez-Pinero, trainer: Pending out-of-competition medication violations for the presence of Clenbuterol–a banned substance permitted for use in specific circumstances–in a sample taken from Miss Hard to Get on 4/24/25; and for the presence of bronchodilator Albuterol–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Surprise Boss to Get on 4/24/25 08/04/2025, Jorge Delgado, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a Class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Spider Belle on 6/8/25. 07/31/2025, Howard R. Brown Jr., trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a Class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Aegean Sea, who won at Parx Racing on 6/9/25. Violations of Crop Rule Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing Javier Tavares–violation date July 31; $250 fine, one-day suspension. Prairie Meadows Jon Glenn Arnett–violation date August 6; Prohibited device or item, no other details yet available. The post Weekly National Regulatory Rulings, July 31-Aug. 6 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The annual partial dispersal of Gigginstown House Stud features six lots during the upcoming Tattersalls Online August Sale. Set for Tuesday, August 12 at 11 a.m., the sale concludes beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 13. Featuring 120 horses in- and out-of-training, 16 broodmares, four stores, two yearlings and a breeding right in Group 1 sire Ardad, the 143-strong sale has received widespread support from 90 individual consignors spread across Great Britain, Ireland and France. From Gigginstown is the winning hurdler and IHRB 129-rated chaser Harsh (Dark Angel) (lot 35), who is a dual winner over hurdles and placed twice over fences. He recently ran fourth in the G2 Future Champions Finale Hurdle and the G3 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. The 124-rated Machismo (Ocovango) (lot 45) is also part of that draft after finishing runner-up at Wexford. Rated 100 by Timeform, Magico (Le Havre) (lot 60) is a three-time winner on the turf and all-weather, while Enola Holmes (Invincible Spirit) (lot 25), who ran fourth in the Listed Spring Cup, is offered with a BHA rating of 86. Other Flat prospects include the maiden winner Chartwell Jock (Churchill) (lot 14) and Lady Kameko (Kameko) (lot 51), a 3-year-old half-sister to G2 Queen's Vase-placed Saint George (Roaring Lion). Among the broodmares are a pair in foal to young sire Shaquille in Serpens (Sea The Moon) (lot 140) and Liquid Gold (Nathaniel) (lot 137), a half-sister to G1 Al Maktoum Challenge winner North America (Dubawi). Capla Dream (Dream Ahead) (lot 132) is in foal to rising first-season sire Starman. The post Annual Gigginstown Partial Dispersal Featured In Tattersalls Online Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Christophe Clement stable was among the top barns in New York for over 30 years. Everything changed when Clement died of a rare form of cancer May 25. It was a tough time for his son, Miguel, who took over as the head trainer for the stable. But he has done a remarkable job as the Clement stable has not missed a beat. As of Aug. 6, Miguel Clement's record is 26-for-115 and he has won eight stakes races, four of them graded, two of them Grade I's. To talk about his success, his plans for the future and much more, Clement was this week's Gainesway Guest of the Week on the TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. The star of the stable has been Deterministic (Liam's Map), who has won the GI Manhattan Stakes and the GI Fourstardave Stakes. The Manhattan win came just 14 days after his father passed away. “Winning the Manhattan was overwhelming, to say the least,” Clement said. “I started the week as a winless trainer and ended the week as a Grade I-winning trainer. There was a lot going on that week. Winning that race was great, very rewarding. It was very meaningful for many, many, many reasons, and it was a big welcome distraction for both the stable and my family. I was very grateful for that.” Was there a lot of pressure on him to start winning right away? “The pressure was unbearable sometimes, but it's okay,” he said. “You just have to deliver and winning takes care of a lot of things. Unfortunately, especially in our industry, you could be doing a great job and your horses could be running well and you've been placing your horses in the right spots and doing a great job looking after them. But in this industry, we're very much judged by the final result, so there is an added emphasis on winning.” Christophe Clement's specialty was the turf. For the most part, the barn is still grass oriented, but Clement said he would like to get more dirt horses. “I would love to have more dirt horses in the barn,” he said. “So, if anyone's watching and they have good dirt horses, we will always have a stall for them. Truthfully, it's a bit tough to say that. The truth is, when my dad first came over from Europe, the overwhelming majority of the stable was from European ownership and a clientele. So in that regard, you can understand how he started off with mostly grass horses.” In our “Fastest Horse of the Week,” segment which is sponsored by WinStar, the team went over the many reasons there are breed to Win Star stallion Life Is Good. The fastest horse of the week was Seismic Beauty (Uncle Mo), who got a 110 Beyer in her win in the GI Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by 1/st Racing, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, the KTOB and XBTV.com, the team of Zoe Cadman, Bill Finley and Randy Moss reviewed the Whitney Stakes and the other Grade I races on the Saturday card at Saratoga. The controversial disqualification of Zulu Kingdom (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) in the GII Hall of Fame Stakes was a topic of discussion, and the trio previewed the big card Saturday at Colonial Downs, which is topped by the GI Arlington Million Stakes. To watch the Writers' Room, click here. To view the show as a podcast, click here. The post Miguel Clement Joins the TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented by Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

If one avoids the heavy hitters, there is still plenty of cash for a promising 3-year-old Thoroughbred to pursue in ungraded stakes races, as illustrated by the presence of Admiral Dennis in the $300,000 Ellis Park Derby Aug. 10.View the full article

The Fasig-Tipton Digital August Sale will offer 90 horses as part of a major reduction of Harris Farms, the Thoroughbred operation of leading California breeder and owner John C. Harris, who passed away in July at the age of 81. The auction will be conducted from Aug. 14 through 19. “John Harris was a pillar of racing, both in California and nationally,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “We are honored to be entrusted with the reduction of Mr. Harris's breeding and racing stock, which he carefully cultivated for more than 40 years. These offerings present prospective buyers with a rare opportunity to access bloodlines that have seldom been available in the commercial marketplace.” Harris took the reins of his family's Thoroughbred operation in 1981, following the passing of his father, Jack Harris. He expanded the Harris Thoroughbred operation to become one of California's premier stallion farms, standing such stallions at Cee's Tizzy, sire of Horse of the Year Tiznow; Lucky Pulpit, sire of Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome; Unusual Heat, leading California sire by earnings multiple times; as well as prominent California sires Moscow Ballet and High Brite. Alone or in partnership, Harris campaigned the likes of Soviet Problem, California Horse of the Year who finished second in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint; Unzip Me, a multiple graded stakes winner who finished third in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint; Grade I winner Alphabet Kisses; and graded stakes winners Closing Remarks, Lucky J.H., and High Standards. Since 2000, Harris runners have won 695 races for earnings of more than $22 million. The reduction includes horses of racing age and breeding stock, including mares with foals at foot. Pedigree previews are available here. Prospective buyers can register to bid at digital.fasigtipton.com. The post Fasig-Tipton Digital to Offer Major Reduction of Harris Farms appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jose Ortiz added to his 2025 graded stakes victories with wins Aug. 2 in the Test Stakes (G1) and the Saratoga Special Stakes (G2) and a total of nine wins for the week, earning him Jockey of the Week honors for July 28-Aug. 3.View the full article

Even some of the best Thoroughbreds are one-dimensional. They want to race on the lead or from the back of the pack, and taking them out of their comfort zone can lead to upsetting results. Then there's Far Bridge. View the full article

Juvenile colt Gentlemanlike caught the eye of Mandore International Agency's Nicolas de Watrigant for €250,000 during Arqana Online's August Pop-Up Sale on Wednesday. De Watrigant signed for a French partnership consisting of Alain Jathiere, Gousserie Racing, Ecurie David Layani and Gerard Augustin-Normand. He was originally sold for €12,000 from the Baroda Stud draft during the Arqana October Yearling Sale last year to owner/trainer Igor Endaltsev. Consigned by Endaltsev on Wednesday, the Al Shira'aa Racing-bred son of Group 1 sire Australia and the Kodiac mare Samskara won his only start by four lengths at Chantilly in July. His granddam is Chiara Wells (Refuse To Bend), a winner of the Listed Premio Certosa and third in the G3 Premio Carlo Chiesea. This is also the family of Meafara (Meadowlake), a multiple graded winner and placed in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. Coolmore's dual Derby winner Australia is responsible for G1 Derby/G1 Irish Derby hero Lambourn and G1 Coronation Stakes heroine Cercene this term. The post Mandore International Goes To €250K For Gentlemanlike During Arqana Pop-Up Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article