Wandering Eyes

Maiden Watch: Week of July 28-Aug. 3View the full article

Yet New Mexico Commission Asserts Neither Drug Allowed at State Level, Either by T.D. Thornton A federal lawsuit filed last month by a Sunland Park-based veterinarian against the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) is alleging anti-constitutionality claims similar to a number of other cases that have been swirling at various levels of the federal court system for the past four years. But the civil complaint initiated July 3 in United States District Court (District of New Mexico) by Jason Scott, DVM, does involve one new legal question that has yet to be litigated: What happens at a mixed meet where both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses race, and a veterinarian who is a HISA “covered person” is found in possession of medications that are prohibited for use in Thoroughbreds, but the vet claims those substances were solely intended for Quarter Horses, whose regulation is outside of HISA's jurisdiction? Scott's lawsuit stems from a Feb. 13, 2025 search of his truck at Sunland, during which HIWU agents found bottles of the injectables Sarapin (also known as Pitcher plant extract) and Adenosine Monophosphate (commonly referred to as “AMP”). Sarapin is an analgesic that is used to manage muscle or joint pain. AMP is a vasodilator. Both are listed under HISA rules as “banned” substances that are never to be found in any covered Thoroughbred or possessed on any HISA-regulated grounds. Since 2023, HIWU has suspended and fined three veterinarians and one other covered person for possession of Sarapin. All were in Ohio, and several of those cases were related. In all four cases, Sarapin was found with other banned substances, so the penalties varied, from just a three-month suspension and no fine (in two cases) to a six-year suspension and $75,000 fine (for the case deemed most egregious). There are no recorded violations for possession of AMP listed on the HIWU resolutions portal. Scott's lawsuit described the two substances from the perspective of a veterinarian claiming he used them just to treat Quarter Horses. “Like Sarapin, AMP is authorized for use in Quarter Horses and is commonly used to treat rhabdomyolysis, sometimes called 'tying up,' which is a physiological response to intense exercise,” the lawsuit stated. “Because it is a naturally occurring substance, AMP is thought to be a more conservative aid to the recovery process than some other medications.” Scott continued: “In New Mexico, both medications are understood to be authorized for use in Quarter Horses. The New Mexico Racing Commission [NMRC] has adopted the model rules of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI), which do not identify either substance as a 'Banned Substance.' “The use of both AMP and Sarapin on Quarter Horses in New Mexico is widespread, notorious, and expressly permitted by regulatory authorities in New Mexico,” Scott's lawsuit stated. Yet HISA, in an Aug. 4 court filing that opposed Scott's motion for a preliminary injunction, attached as an exhibit a letter dated Aug. 1 from NMRC executive director Izzy Trejo that stated pretty much the opposite was true. “Under the NMRC Rules, compounded Sarapin and AMP are not permitted for use in Quarter Horses at New Mexico racetracks,” Trejo wrote. “Neither Sarapin nor AMP are listed on ARCI's Uniform Classification Guidelines for Foreign Substances,” Trejo wrote. Trejo explained that an NMRC rule requires veterinarians to submit to the Commission the name of any medication that the veterinarian would like to use on a Quarter Horse at a New Mexico track when that medication is not listed by the ARCI so that the substance may be submitted to ARCI for consideration of classification. “The NMRC has not received any request to submit Sarapin or AMP to ARCI for consideration of classification,” Trejo wrote. Beyond the disputed issue of whether the state of New Mexico condoned Sarapin and AMP usage in Quarter Horses, Scott's complaint alleged that in order to defend against the HIWU charges, “the Authority (erroneously) requires that Dr. Scott establish a 'compelling justification' for his possession of these substances.” Scott's lawsuit stated that “The Authority's published rules and decisions never clarify what this term means, what factors an adjudicator should consider, or how practicing veterinarians with a Mixed Practice must adjust their day-to-day business to comply with federal law. “Worse, [Scott] is expressly barred from asking a jury of his peers whether his proffered justifications are compelling. Instead, that decision is left solely to the discretion of an unaccountable arbitrator and, later, an administrative law judge,” the lawsuit stated. HISA's legal filing on Tuesday asked the judge to view Scott's position this way: “Plaintiff, a licensed veterinarian registered under HISA, filed this suit shortly after he was charged with violating an Federal Trade Commission (FTC)-approved health-and-safety rule that bans possession of certain harmful substances. He now seeks a preliminary injunction based on kitchen-sink claims that the Act and its implementing rules are invalid under the public and private nondelegation doctrines, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Seventh Amendment. “But no emergency warrants that extraordinary relief,” HISA's court filing continued. “The only imminent inconvenience Plaintiff alleges is having to participate in private arbitration on the banned-substances charge. The arbitration hearing (scheduled for Sept. 15) will allow Plaintiff to build a factual record and try to establish that he is not liable at all (as he argues here).” “In the meantime, Plaintiff remains free to continue treating covered horses or otherwise engage in horseracing activities without limitation,” HISA's filing stated. “If any sanction were imposed after completion of the initial arbitration, it would be subject to further FTC review under the Act and ultimately judicial review in federal court,” the HISA filing stated. “As [a legal precedent] makes clear, Plaintiff thus faces no irreparable harm—'the single most important prerequisite for the issuance of a preliminary injunction,'” the HISA filing stated. “The Court can stop there,” HISA's court filing stated. The post Facing Banned Substance Charges, Mixed Meet Vet Says HISA Rules Don’t Cover Meds Meant for Quarter Horses appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The post Bred 4 Champions – Dr Eliot Forbes discusses his work with Chrissy Fox on the Bred 4 Champions podcast appeared first on Racing Integrity Board. View the full article

Benefitting from dominant wins in the GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes and the GII Jim Dandy Stakes, Godolphin homebred Sovereignty (Into Mischief) leads the first week of tabulated votes for the 2025 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic Rankings which are a weekly rating of the top 10 horses in contention for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic. Sovereignty, a 3-year-old, earned 383 votes. Defending Longines Breeders' Cup Classic winner and recent GI Whitney Stakes winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) is in second place with 365 votes. Sierra Leone is followed in third place by 3-year-old Journalism (Curlin), winner of the GI Preakness Stakes and the GI Haskell Stakes, with 289 votes. Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC's homebred 4-year-old Mindframe (Constitution), undefeated in three starts this year, including the GI Churchill Downs Stakes and the GI Stephen Foster Stakes, is in fourth place with 286 votes for trainer Todd Pletcher. Baoma Corp's 4-year-old Nysos (Nyquist), recent winner of the GII San Diego Handicap, is in fifth place with 197 votes for trainer Bob Baffert. Repole Stable, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith and Mrs. John Magnier's 4-year-old Fierceness (City of Light), runner up in last year's Longines Breeders' Cup Classic and fifth in Saturday's Whitney, is in sixth place with 186 votes. Forever Young (Jpn) (Reel Steel {Jpn}), third in last year's Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, and winner of this year's G1 Saudi Cup, is in seventh place with 143 votes. C R K Stable LLC and Grandview Equine's 3-year-old Baeza (McKinzie) is eighth place with 109 votes. Third in the Kentucky Derby and third in the Belmont Stakes, Baeza is trained by John Shirreffs. The 5-year-old Highland Falls (Curlin), runner-up in the Whitney Stakes, is in ninth place with 107 votes for owner/breeder Godolphin and trainer Brad Cox. Completing the top 10 is C2 Racing Stable, Gary Barber, and La Milagrosa Stable LLC's 6-year-old White Abarrio (Race Day), who won the 2023 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic. Winner of this year's GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes, and fourth in the Whitney for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., White Abarrio earned 64 votes. Journalism (Haskell), Mindframe (Stephen Foster), Sierra Leone (Whitney), and Forever Young (Saudi Cup) have each earned automatic starting positions, and fees paid, into this year's Longines Breeders' Cup Classic through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In. The post Sovereignty Leads First Week Of Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Integration, second to Nations Pride in the 2024 Arlington Million Stakes (G1T) at Colonial Downs and three other grade 1s since, is favored to win his first top-tier stakes in the Aug. 9 renewal of the $1 million contest.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. Wednesday's Observations features a seven-figure auction darling. 6.35 Kempton, Novice, 2yo, 7f (AWT) NATIONAL HISTORY (Maxfield) debuts for Godolphin in the race which played host to Silver Knott in 2022 and is the subject of much intrigue having fetched €1 million at the Arqana May Breeze Up. Charlie Appleby also saddles the Newbury runner-up Ruler Of Time (Not This Time), the $700,000 Keeneland September graduate who is a relative of Naissance Royale and the choice of William Buick. 7.10 Kempton, Novice, 3yo/up, f/m, 7f (AWT) SHINARA (IRE) (Dark Angel {Ire}) makes her belated debut for Nurlan Bizakov and Roger Varian, but is big news as a broodmare at the least as a full-sister to their multiple Group 1-winning champion miler Charyn and to the G2 Mill Reef scorer Wings Of War. This also marks the comeback of Isa Salman Al Khalifa's Jewelry (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), the William Haggas-trained relative of Athena and Bracelet who was last when favourite for Salisbury's G3 Dick Poole Stakes 11 months ago. The post Maxfield’s Arqana Breeze-Up Sensation National History Debuts For Godolphin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An America's Best Racing At a Glance look at the upcoming Beverly D. Stakes. (G2T).View the full article

An America's Best Racing At a Glance look at the Secretariat Stakes (G2T) lands on Simulate as top play.View the full article

1st-Newbury, £12,000, Mdn, 8-5, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:26.74, g/f. TOULEEN (GB) (f, 2, Lope De Vega {Ire}–Talaayeb {GB} {GSW-Eng, $172,849}, by Dansili {GB}), a daughter of the G3 City of York Stakes winner, was smartly away and able to shadow the leader effortlessly. In command approaching the furlong pole, the 2-1 favourite readily drew away for an authoritative 2 1/4-length success from Secret History (Ardad). The dam, who was handed a TDN Rising Star badge with a win by a similar margin on her debut, was fourth in the 1,000 Guineas on her second start. She is a daughter of Rumoush (Rahy), who captured the Listed Feilden Stakes and was third in the Oaks and who is also responsible for three other black-type performers including Dubawi's G3 Burj Nahaar and G3 Firebreak Stakes winner Muntazah. Rumoush is one of the daughters of Mr. Prospector's Sarayir, a half to Nashwan, Nayef and Unfuwain who produced the Guineas heroine Ghanaati (Giant's Causeway), while another member of this esteemed dynasty is Green Desert's Queen Mary winner Maqaasid who was third in that Newmarket Classic. Her yearling filly is by Nathaniel while she also has a colt foal by St Mark's Basilica. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $8,609. O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd; T-Owen Burrows. A very nice debut from Touleen! The Lope De Vega filly is bred to be talented and makes light work of her first start, quickening up in the style of a good animal to score going away!@NewburyRacing | @OwenBurrowsRace pic.twitter.com/h0y2r15SvV — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 5, 2025 The post Shadwell’s Lope De Vega Filly Touleen Makes An Instant Impression appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Flavien Prat has been suspended by the Saratoga stewards for three days as a result of his ride aboard race favorite Zulu Kingdom (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) in Sunday's GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes. Though Prat crossed the line 1 1/2-lengths in front of runner up Luther (GB) (Frankel {GB}), he was ultimately disqualified from the win for causing what the stewards deemed as interference on the first turn of the one-mile race. Joel Rosario, the jockey aboard Luther, lodged an objection following the race and the stewards demoted Zulu Kingdom from first to fourth. Prat will serve his suspension Aug. 13-15. LUTHER and Joel Rosario had a not-fun time heading into the first turn of today's National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. (G2) at Saratoga. Things got better for the Charlie Fellowes' trainee when LUTHER (GB), who finished 2nd to Zulu Kingdom, was moved up to the win via DQ. pic.twitter.com/LpFc2h23zn — Barbara D. Livingston (@DRFLivingston) August 1, 2025 The post Prat Faces Three-Day Suspension For Ride Aboard Zulu Kingdom In Hall Of Fame appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Owner Phil Cunningham has put on record his hopes that Saturday's Stewards' Cup success with Two Tribes, coupled with the fact he gave away covers to the Goodwood hero's sire Rajasinghe for free this year, will be enough to reinvigorate his pride and joy's career at stud. Not only was Rajasinghe responsible for the Stewards' Cup winner Two Tribes, but the National Stud resident also supplied the fourth Run Boy Run, who formed part of a memorable first, fourth and fifth in the prestigious six-furlong handicap for Cunningham and trainer Richard Spencer. The fact that two of those runners were by his own sire made things extra special, according to Cunningham, who revealed his unusual offering to breeders back in February resulted in Rajasinghe covering roughly 50 more mares than he would have had his fee remained at £3,000. Cunningham said, “When you look back on the race now, it was all quite surreal. We watched the race out the front [of the stands] so we weren't quite sure who was in front. But I am just so pleased for all of the jockeys involved because they – David [Egan, the winning rider], George [Wood, who partnered Run Boy Run] and Saffie [Osborne aboard Twilight Calls in fifth] – are a big help to us and come ride work for us as and when we need them.” He added, “We actually had four entries in the race because Space Cowboy was an intended runner but the poor fella has just been besieged with injuries – none of which have been his own doing. Run Boy Run and Twilight Calls were always going to be declared and, after Two Tribes won over seven furlongs at Ascot, we decided to take our chance. We were feeling we had possibly gotten to the bottom of him and that seven [furlongs] was his trip so a fast six [furlongs] at Goodwood wasn't sure to suit. But we were just creeping up and got in there off bottom weight with a penalty. Richard and I spoke on Wednesday and decided to declare him and, a massive, massive boost came when David, who had been scheduled to go to Newmarket for Kia [Joorabchian], had his plans changed so we were able to stick him back on Two Tribes. It's funny how these things work out.” Saturday's success was yet another for Cunningham and Spencer, who joined forces in 2016 but are now seeing the fruits of what was a change of modus operandi by the owner a couple of years ago. Cunningham explained, “It's a partnership more than anything else and we've been together since 2016. We've had a lot of success with Richard – winning the Coventry Stakes with Rajasinghe in 2017 and the Molecomb the following year with Rumble Inthejungle. I probably came to a bit of a crossroads a couple of years ago because my Dad is not getting any younger and neither am I so I said we'd try and do this for the big days out. That's what we're in it for now – we want to be in bigger races. We brought in [bloodstock agent] Anthony Bromley two years ago and I had it in my mind that it would be a three-year plan but we're already reaping the rewards. Last year was our best year in terms of winners and prize-money which I think shows we have a better type of horse and are able to compete in those better races. This year, our two-year-olds have been a bit quieter but I think we still have the better ones who are still to come out. So it's very exciting.” He added, “We'll be back at the yearling sales again this year. We have six homebreds who will be going into training later this year as well. That's the amazing thing, really, because it has been the little Rajasinghe homebreds who have come to the fore this season so far.” Rajasinghe has had nine individual winners this term and, following Saturday's exploits, Cunningham has urged breeders to consider his unheralded but hugely capable young stallion next year and beyond. He said, “I have an excellent relationship with the whole team at the National Stud and they have been very supportive. I think sometimes it helps that I don't work in the industry because I am not engrained into certain practices that have gone on in the past. I've never been one of those guys who does something a certain way just because it has always been done that way before. I sat down with Joe Bradley last February when Rajasinghe was at sub-10 covers and it just didn't make any sense to me. I was like, 'what more does this horse need to do?' We supported him to the hilt, we stood him at three grand and we were dealing down to fifteen hundred quid. I'm not sure what more we could have done to get him on the map. “That's why we decided to give him away for free and reimburse all of the people who had signed contracts on him. It worked out great and we ended up with 58 coverings. I just felt in my heart of hearts, whatever happened, at least I would be able to see a few more by him on the track in three years' time and that's all that mattered to me. The people who have come to the fore to use Rajasinghe are mostly trainers. I am biased but I don't think I have ever had consistency in progeny like Rajasinghe produces.” Cunningham concluded, “It gives him a chance for next year. Obviously I'll sit down with everyone at the National Stud and discuss what direction we go. I am sure people won't expect the free offer again and I intend to stand him at three thousand next year and hopefully he gets better support.” The post Cunningham Basking In Stewards’ Cup Sun – And Hopes Love Extends To Rajasinghe appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – David Scanlon and his wife Blair King, who have been leasing at the Oak Ridge Training Center in Morriston, have found a new home for their growing business with the purchase of the 240-acre training center in Ocala formerly owned by legendary horseman Eddie Woods and his wife Angela. “It was one of those things that we felt like it was meant to be,” Scanlon said Tuesday morning at the Fasig-Tipton sales grounds. “We had actually been in the market for a little bit, looking around. Business has been good and we've expanded. The horse numbers went up and the quality of our clientele has gone up. Oak Ridge has been great to us, but we were starting to outgrow the leasing. So this seemed like a natural progression.” The property on Highway 40 was actually under contract with a developer when Scanlon and King had their first tour. “We had been out there and had some discussions with the people who had the contract and were trying to sell us pieces of it. So we had actually done a tour,” Scanlon said. “That's when it was first on our radar. We thought, 'Man wouldn't it be something?' But there was a lot going on with that contract and then things started to happen when that fell through. I said to Eddie, 'If anything happens, just call me.' And then just everything fell into place.” Asked if the purchase was a nerve-wracking step, Scanlon said with a smile, “Yes. And it still is. We had a five-year program to buy a farm and it's kind of happened in our third year. But we just thought we could be where Eddie and Angela were at this point in our career and emulate their success. That would be great.” The training center, which has 41 paddocks, six barns, 196 stalls, a mile track, a 7/8-mile turf course and multiple round pens, is basically a turnkey operation for Scanlon and King. “The farm is designed by a horseman,” Scanlon said. “It's a working person's farm. It's beautiful aesthetically, but then it's a working farm. We can grow our business there. A lot of farms that we looked at, we just were like, 'Hey, that's nice, but we are going to either have to downsize or stay the same.' They just didn't have room to grow.” Scanlon, the son of the late pinhooking pioneer Robert Scanlon, has built his own portfolio of successful pinhooks, as well as establishing a high-power list of clients. “We have a great list of clients already with Godolphin, Coolmore, Prince Fahad of Qatar, Don Alberto, and Calumet,” Scanlon said. “Hopefully we are going to add some big clients to that list now, too. Our breaking business will expand. And gradually with the breaking business expanding, the pinhook business will hopefully expand as well.” Scanlon said the plan is to transition all of their horses over to the new property by the end of August. “Eddie and Angela have been really good, answering all of the questions we've had,” Scanlon said. “They've been super in helping us get settled in.” Eddie and Angela Woods, who offered their final consignment at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's April sale, have also been at the Fasig-Tipton sales grounds in Saratoga this week. The couple looked relaxed and refreshed after a holiday in Ireland and with a trip to Papua New Guinea planned for October. The post Scanlons Take Over Eddie Woods Training Center appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Yulong, which has spent millions of pounds at auctions acquiring prestige bloodstock, has put on hold plans for Carl Spackler to go to Australia and he is now being trained by the Gosdens.View the full article

Jockey Tyler Conner, who was seriously injured in a fall at Colonial Downs July 24, continues to heal but says he's done riding races. In a video update posted to social media, Conner wears a neck brace, explains the complicated nature of his injuries and how he's begun to regain feeling in his arms and legs following the accident. “I broke my C1, compression fractured my T5, bruised my spinal cord which they call 'central cord syndrome',” Conner says in the video. “So I was fully paralyzed for a small amount of time and everything's slowly coming back. I can move my legs pretty quick and started walking pretty soon but everything feels like its asleep, especially my hands. My left hand is basically useless at the moment.” Conner was aboard the 3-year-old gelding Stanza (Great Notion) during Colonial's seventh race when his mount clipped heels and fell around the far turn. The incident led to a 15-day careless-riding suspension for jockey Francisco Arrieta who was on board the disqualified race winner Montador (Nyquist). “As for what's next, I really have no idea,” Conner continued. “I have zero desire to ride a race horse again. I've been wanting to quit for years and this gives me a good reason to now. I just have to focus on getting healthy and figuring out what I want to do.” A GoFundMe, set up the day of the accident, has already raised more than $60,000 towards Conner's recovery. A small update. Thank you all! pic.twitter.com/fEVFXgK0F8 — Tyler Conner (@tyler_conner519) August 4, 2025 The post Jockey Tyler Conner Continues To Heal From Colonial Fall, Retires From Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

8th-Chukyo, ¥29,890,000 ($202,594), Allowance, 8-2, 3yo/up, 1200m, 1:11.2, ft. T O ELVIS (c, 3, Volatile–Stopshoppingdebbie {MSW, $294,728}, by Curlin) savaged the line to win for the third time in six starts while stamping himself as one to watch as a potential overseas candidate in 2026. Third to the talented and once-beaten Natural Rise (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the Cattleya Stakes (allowance), a 1600-meter contest that serves as the first leg of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, the dark bay was having his first start since thrashing a one-win allowance field by five lengths at Hanshin Mar. 30. Favored at 4-5 despite the absence, T O Elvis was in no hurry from the stalls and settled in midfield while well off the inside into the turn. Tugging Ryusei Sakai into a contending position while covering stacks of ground entering the final three furlongs, T O Elvis was shaken up with a furlong and a half to travel and quickened up beautifully in the final 200 meters to score by a cozy length. “He was forced to travel wide throughout and I thought we might have held him up too much, but even so, he won convincingly,” commented trainer Daisuke Takayanagi. “He still had plenty left in the tank at the finish and there is definitely more to come.” The colt's eight-time stakes-winning dam, also responsible for SW & GISP Generous Tipper (Street Sense), SW & GISP, $284,400, is a half-sister to five winners, including fellow Pacific Northwest standout Smarty Deb (Smart Strike). Stopshoppingdebbie is also the dam of the 2-year-old filly Under Arrest (Tiz the Law) and a yearling filly by Golden Pal is set to go under the hammer as hip 934 at next month's Keeneland September Sale.. She was covered by Street Sense and Maxfield this past season. Lifetime Record: 6-3-0-3, $244,861. VIDEO (SC 13) O-Tomoya Ozasa; B-Jeff & Melissa Prunzik (KY); T-Daisuke Takayanagi. Victory 2025.08.02 8R浜松特別@中京競馬場 テーオーエルビス 坂井瑠星騎手(着/1番人気) 中団からレースを進めて直線では大外からまとめて差し切り今日の2勝目としました！ 今年の73勝目おめでとうございます#2025ryusei pic.twitter.com/EyOXzJTqwi — やま (@umayama3) August 2, 2025 The post Volatile Colt T O Elvis On The Rise In Japan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2025 Keeneland September Yearling Sale has cataloged 4,686 horses to be offered over 12 sessions from Monday, Sept. 8 through Saturday, Sept. 20, Keeneland announced Tuesday. Click here for the online catalog of yearlings. Print catalogs are scheduled to start arriving in the mail the week of Aug. 18. Last year, the September Sale was the world's highest-grossing Thoroughbred auction in history with more than $428 million in sales for 2,894 horses. A total of 36 yearlings sold for $1 million or more, marking the highest number since 2006. The average of $147,926 and the median of $70,000 both were records. “The September Sale is the largest and most important auction of its kind, and Keeneland feels a great responsibility to ensure its success,” said Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin. “The strength of this year's catalog and the increased number of entries are a direct reflection of the industry's confidence in the marketplace. We welcome buyers from around the world who come to Keeneland September in search of racing excellence–and they find it. Recent graduates like Mindframe, the top older horse in the U.S.; Ruling Court, winner of the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in England, and more Grade I winners than all North American auction houses combined are proof the next star can be purchased here.” For the fifth consecutive year, Books 1 and 2 during the first four days of the September Sale have cataloged more than 1,000 yearlings judged to be the auction's finest individuals based on conformation and on such pedigree factors as family sales history, distaff pedigree and sire power. This placement enables major domestic and international buyers to inspect the largest number of exceptional horses possible before the “dark day” on Friday, Sept. 12 when no sale will be held. The auction will resume Saturday, Sept. 13 and again follow its original 12-day schedule but will have a two-part Book 5. Horses in Book 5A will sell Wednesday, Sept. 17 and Thursday, Sept. 18. Yearlings in Book 5B will sell Friday, Sept. 19 and Saturday, Sept. 20. “While this shift in terminology is subtle, we believe it more accurately reflects the quality of these sessions and drives the right buyer engagement–ensuring these yearlings receive the buyers and attention they deserve,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “Several encouraging developments have driven this decision: the strength of the individuals, the continued growth of the catalog and the evolving commercial breeding practices that continue to raise the overall standard on offer. This has resulted in a depth and consistency of quality across all 12 days of the sale unlike anything we've seen before.” Strategic placement of all the yearlings throughout the catalog is intended to ensure visibility and to allow buyers to encounter diversity at every stage of the sale. In recent years, Keeneland has seen sustained interest from leading buyers all the way through the final day, a powerful indicator of the sale's strength. “The September Sale continues to attract more buyers than any other yearling sale in the world, and we are committed to structuring the sale in a way that supports the success of our sellers across every level of the market,” Keeneland Senior Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach said. Below is the September Sale schedule in its entirety: Book 1–Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 8-9. Sessions begin at 1 p.m. ET. Monday's catalog has 180 horses. Tuesday's catalog has 181 horses. Book 2–Wednesday-Thursday, Sept. 10-11. Sessions begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday's catalog has 392 horses. Thursday's catalog has 382 horses. Dark Day–Friday, Sept. 12. No sale will be conducted. Book 3–Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 13-14. Sessions begin at 10 a.m. Saturday's catalog has 424 horses. Sunday's catalog has 423 horses. Book 4–Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 15-16. Sessions begin at 10 a.m. Monday's catalog has 420 horses. Tuesday's catalog has 419 horses. Book 5A–Wednesday-Thursday, Sept. 17-18. Sessions begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday's catalog has 425 horses. Thursday's catalog has 426 horses. Book 5B–Friday-Saturday, Sept. 19-20. Sessions begin at 10 a.m. The catalog for each session has 507 horses. Keeneland will livestream the entire September Sale at Keeneland.com. As always, online and phone bidding will be available. Yearlings in the September Sale catalog–2,398 colts and 2,288 fillies–represent 189 established stallions and exciting young sires. Notably, more than 1,400 yearlings are by stallions with their initial sales yearlings, including Horse of the Year Flightline. He is the sire of 63 horses in the catalog. “This year's catalog features nearly double the number of yearlings by first-crop sires compared to last year, including 11 stallions that stood for $25,000 or more,” Breathnach said. “This speaks to the exceptional depth of this year's sale and the level of quality that buyers can expect to find when they come to Keeneland in September.” Additional sires represented by their first crops of September Sale yearlings include champions Corniche, Epicenter and Jackie's Warrior; GI Kentucky Derby winner Mandaloun; GI Preakness winner Early Voting; GI Belmont winners Mo Donegal and Sir Winston; Breeders' Cup winners Aloha West, Golden Pal and Life Is Good; additional Grade/Group 1 winners Cyberknife, Drain the Clock, Happy Saver, Idol, Jack Christopher, Mystic Guide, Olympiad, Pinehurst and Speaker's Corner; and successful runners Greatest Honour, Highly Motivated, Nashville, Sacred Life (FR), Tale of Silence and Title Ready. This group joins such popular sires as American Pharoah, Candy Ride (ARG), Charlatan, City of Light, Complexity, Constitution, Curlin, Essential Quality, Ghostzapper, Girvin, Good Magic, Gun Runner, Hard Spun, Into Mischief, Justify, Kingman (GB), Liam's Map, Maclean's Music, Maxfield, McKinzie, Medaglia d'Oro, Munnings, Night of Thunder (IRE), No Nay Never, Not This Time, Nyquist, Oscar Performance, Practical Joke, Quality Road, Speightstown, Street Sense, Tapit, Tiz the Law, Twirling Candy, Uncle Mo, Upstart, Vekoma, Violence, War Front, Wootton Bassett (GB) and Yaupon. The post Keeneland Catalogs 4,686 Yearlings For 2025 September Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sierra Leone, the 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner, is on the rise in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll.View the full article

With 13 fewer races days compared to the same month last year, July saw most of its economic indicators down month over month. Some of the biggest changes occurred in available purses (-4.96%) and U.S. starts (-6.35%) with only average wagering per race day seeing a positive trend (+2.25%). The numbers were much the same when compared year-to-date with wagering (-2.56%), paid purses (-3.65%), race days (-4.19%), total races (-4.39%) and starts (-3.53%) all down while field size (+0.89%), average wagering per race day (+1.70%) and average available purses per race day (+0.78%) all trending positively in 2025. Heat and wet weather have taken their toll on tracks along the East Coast with race days down to 370 in July 2025 from 383 a year ago (-3.39%). The post Fewer Race Days In July Lead To Lower Economic Indicators appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Calandagan (Gleneagles), Delacroix (Dubawi), Field Of Gold (Kingman) and Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder) headline the entries for QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot, which takes place this year on Saturday, October 18. The seven-race card boasts record prize-money of £4.35 million in 2025, with the £1.3-million G1 QIPCO Champion Stakes taking top billing as the most valuable contest staged on the afternoon. Last year's renewal was won by Anmaat (Awtaad), who could face a rematch with the runner-up, Calandagan, after that rival returned to Ascot recently to win the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The 2024 King George hero Goliath (Adlerflug) and the unbeaten Daryz (Sea The Stars) complete a three-strong entry for Calandagan's trainer, Francis Henri-Graffard, while the aforementioned Delacroix and Ombudsman also feature among the 38 entries, after that duo finished first and second, respectively, in last month's G1 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown. The G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas and G1 St James's Palace Stakes winner Field Of Gold is among 38 entries for the £1.1-million G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO). His potential rivals include the Ascot specialist and G1 Queen Anne Stakes winner Docklands (Massaat), G1 Lockinge Stakes scorer Lead Artist (Dubawi), G1 Sussex Stakes hero Qirat (Showcasing) and Sunday's G1 Prix Rothschild victrix Fallen Angel (Too Darn Hot). Meanwhile, French challenger Facteur Cheval (Ribchester), who finished second in both 2023 and 2024, is entered again for Jerome Reynier. Run at Group 1 level for the first time, the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup has increased prize-money of £500,000 this year and has attracted 29 entries, including G1 Gold Cup hero Trawlerman, who won this race in 2023 for John and Thady Gosden. The son of Golden Horn also filled the runner-up spot last year behind Kyprios, who was providing trainer Aidan O'Brien with a fourth success in the Long Distance Cup. The potential Ballydoyle challenge in 2025 is headed by the G1 Goodwood Cup one-two, Scandinavia (Justify) and Illinois (Galileo), as well as the G1 St Leger and G1 Coronation Cup winner Jan Brueghel (Galileo). French star Lazzat (Territories) headlines 53 entries for the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes, having defeated the Japanese raider Satono Reve in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes over the same course and distance on his most recent start. G1 Prix Jean Prat winner Woodshauna (Wooded) is one of four other contenders from France, while G1 King Charles III Stakes hero American Affair (Washington DC) and G1 Commonwealth Cup scorer Time For Sandals (Sands Of Mali) could also return to the scene of their victories at Royal Ascot. Elsewhere, Andrew Balding's defending champion Kalpana (Study Of Man) is one of 41 entries for the G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, although the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is reported to be her primary target this autumn. O'Brien, who won the race with Hydrangea in 2017 and Magical the following year, has entered the dual Oaks heroine Minnie Hauk (Frankel), as well as the recent G1 Nassau Stakes winner Whirl (Wootton Bassett). For the first time this year, the British Champions Day Two-Year Old Stakes will open the card, a six-furlong conditions race for juveniles run without penalties and worth £250,000. Entries for that race will be made at the usual six-day stage, while the card is concluded by the Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored by QIPCO), with entries for that £200,000 contest to be made on Tuesday, September 16. The post Calandagan and Field Of Gold Among World-Class Champions Day Entries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Coolmore partners' G1 Goodwood Cup hero Scandinavia anchors 11 Ballydoyle nominees for the G1 Betfred St Leger at Doncaster in September. There are 26 horses entered overall in the oldest British Classic, which will be held on September 13. By Justify, the Aidan O'Brien trainee ran fifth to Paddy Twomey's Carmers in the G2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, but rebounded to claim the G3 Bahrain Trophy Stakes at Newmarket with Richard Hannon's Nightime Dancer (Ghaiyyath) second, prior to his Goodwood heroics. Lambourn (Australia), a winner of the G1 Derby and G1 Irish Derby, is also entered, as is G1 Nassau Stakes heroine Whirl (Wootton Bassett) and G1 Oaks and G1 Irish Oaks heroine Minnie Hauk (Frankel). Undefeated in three starts, Carmers, a son of Wootton Bassett raced by Fiona Carmichael, is possible for the G2 Great Voltigeur in the lead up to the St Leger. “The Leger entries were today and if he runs [beforehand] it will be either in the Great Voltigeur or the Vinnie Roe [at Leopardstown] and then the Leger,” said Twomey. “Those two races are within a day of each other so we'll see which race looks more suitable.” Lazy Griff (Protectionist), second at Epsom and third at the Curragh to Lambourn, will represent trainer Charlie Johnston and Middle Park Racing. Trainer Joseph O'Brien sends Tennessee Stud (Wootton Bassett), third in the Blue Riband and fourth in the Irish Derby, makes it an even dozen nominees for the Coolmore partners, as well. The post Scandinavia One Of 11 For Ballydoyle In St Leger appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced juveniles from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes, sponsored by OBS Sales, highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, including links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Wednesday at Saratoga. Wednesday, August 6, 2025 Saratoga 6, 2yo, f, (R), 5 1/2fT, 3:55 p.m. Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Oscar's Encore (Oscar Performance), OBSAPR, 60,000 PS, :10 1/5 C-Mayberry Farm, agent; B-Joe Sharp, agt for Erich Brehm Jr Raynham Hall (Independence Hall), OBSAPR, 30,000, :10 1/5 C-Sequel Bloodstock, agent; B-Rudy Rodriguez Rozie Dozie (Beau Liam)-AE, OBSAPR, 40,000, :10 1/5 C-Grassroots Training & Sales; B-Black Horse Bloodstock Saratoga 9, 2yo, f, (S), 5 1/2fT, 5:44 p.m. Sweet Montreal (Instagrand), OBSMAR, 120,000, :10 C-Top Line Sales, agent; B-Joseph DiRico The post Summer Breezes Sponsored By OBS: Wednesday, August 6, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Tyler Conner, who suffered a severe spinal cord injury in a spill at Colonial Downs July 24, said in a video message Aug. 4 that he is working to regain full feeling in his extremities and expressed appreciation for an outpouring of support.View the full article

Field Of Gold (Kingman) will bypass the G1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York later this month as he continues his recovery from the setback sustained when suffering a shock defeat in last week's Sussex Stakes. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Field Of Gold was sent off the 1/3 favourite to complete a Group 1 hat-trick at Goodwood, but at no stage did he look like pegging back the Juddmonte pacemaker, Qirat (Showcasing), ultimately finishing three and three-quarter lengths behind that rival in fourth. The next day the Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes winner was reported to be lame on his left-hind leg. Happily, there has been an improvement in his condition in the interim, according to Barry Mahon, Juddmonte's European racing manager, but an appearance on the Knavesmire is definitely off the cards. “The horse is doing well and was back sound, which is good,” said Mahon. “He's got a little bit of swelling in his fetlock, but John and Thady are much happier with him so the plan is to do the X-ray on Wednesday. They've just pushed it back a day, as the longer you can leave it, the clearer the picture is. “That will give us some more insight and, if the X-ray is clear, we can hopefully start back into some light exercise towards the end of the week or early next week. York, though, is definitely not going to happen at this stage.” Considering future targets for the season's outstanding three-year-old miler, Mahon added, “It was the plan pre-Goodwood to stick at a mile for the time being. Obviously, there has been no chat about potential races since Goodwood. We're just going to have to let the dust settle, let him get back into exercise, and then when he is fit make a plan from there. “You are getting into that time of year when there is not an abundance of opportunities. There is the Moulin, QEII or you go up to a mile and a quarter for the races at that distance. I wouldn't say there is a huge amount of options, but we'll just wait and see and let the horse tell us.” The post Field Of Gold “Doing Well” But Definitely Out Of The Juddmonte International appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Multiple Group-winning mare Olentia was the star of the Magic Millions Virtual Sale on Tuesday when going the way of Olly Tait's Twin Hills Stud for A$2.6 million. Tait later confirmed that the daughter of Zoustar was bought on behalf of Wathnan Racing as a broodmare prospect. Offered by Glenesk Thoroughbreds on behalf of Star Thoroughbreds, the six-year-old half-sister to Group 3 winner Wandabaa (Wandjina) and dual Listed winner Malkovich (Choisir) accrued just shy of A$1 million in prize-money over a 23-start career under the steerage of Chris Waller, with her seven wins including the G2 Emancipation Stakes. She most recently finished third in the G1 Tattersall's Tiara. Denise Martin and Star Thoroughbreds had a similarly stellar result at last year's edition of the sale when selling G1 Coolmore Classic winner Espiona (Extreme Choice) for A$4.15 million to Yulong. The winner of over A$3.3 million on the track, Espiona is currently in foal to Yulong resident Pierata. “We had a reserve on her of A$2 million, as we thought that was a good starting point for her,” Martin said of Olentia. “We hoped that she would fetch a little more than that and, when the sale price was knocked down as A$2.6 million, we were elated. “I think it's correct to say we are especially elated that Olly Tait bought her because he's an internationally renowned judge of high-quality bloodstock. It was thrilling for us to know that he loved her and wanted to buy her.” She added, “I'm not sure if we can do this every year. But two years in a row with excellent results for our well-performed mares under the care of Chris and his team has just enabled us to have two very good sales to look back on now and to reflect on the success of the horses in their race careers. It was a great result and I'm thrilled she is going to a wonderful home.” The post Olentia Sells for A$2.6 million via Magic Millions, Bought on Behalf of Wathnan Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Platinum Emperor (NZ) (Sweynesse) and Cavalry (NZ) (Tavistock) renewed their rivalry after finishing 1-2 respectively in the Mitavite Asia Cup (Metro A – 1400m) three weeks ago and repeated that result in the Supreme A race over 1600m at Selangor racecourse in Malaysia on Sunday. Whereas Platinum Emperor was hard-pressed before winning by half a length last time out, the Sweynesse gelding had it much easier this time, coasting home by 2-1/2 lengths to bring his record in the country to three wins from four starts for the former Macau galloper. His only other run was when finishing third to Noah Khan in the Tunku Gold Cup (1200m) in March. Marc Lerner, who also rode Platinum Emperor last start, again showed judgement on the six-year-old. Platinum Emperor was well up with the early pace but was caught wide. The Frenchman elected to ease his mount back and settled on the rails in seventh place. But the pair was only five lengths from the pacemaker Arigato at the 800m mark. Arigato shot to the front soon after the jump to lead from Calvary and Superb Luck. They were followed by Energy Baby, Golden Pegasus and Valois. Arigato led into the straight with the rest of the field bunched up behind him. Lerner had eased Platinum Emperor out from the rails from the 600m and was looking for a run between runners at the top of the straight. At the 400m, he was in the clear and was just three lengths adrift out the leader. Cavalry was the first to challenge Arigato and hit the front at the 300m. Platinum Emperor went up to Cavalry shortly after the 200m and grabbed the lead 100m out to win by drawing away. “His (Platinum Emperor) fitness last time out was not ideal,” said trainer Ricky Choi on the gelding’s improved run today. “Today’s run was in preparation for the Selangor Gold Cup 1600m) coming up next month. I am targeting him for that. Platinum Emperor’s win today was Choi’s first since the same horse last won on Jul 12. And he doubled the score for the afternoon when Hennu Stall finally broke through, winning his eighth start in the country in the Class 5A – 2000m handicap. View the full article