Wandering Eyes

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

Dollars & Sense with Frank AngstView the full article

Chris Waller Dominates 2025 Caulfield Cup Nominations The nominations for the 2025 Caulfield Cup have been released, with a total of 146 horses vying for a spot in the prestigious race. Master trainer Chris Waller has made a clear statement of intent for the spring, with a formidable 32 entries for the Group 1, $5 […] The post 2025 Caulfield Cup Nominations Attract 146 Entries, 12 Internationals appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

The 2025 Cox Plate: Via Sistina Headlines Nominations The nominations for the 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate have been officially released by Racing Victoria, with a total of 108 horses vying for a spot in the prestigious race. The list is headlined by Via Sistina, the dominant eight-length champion from last year. Despite the prize money […] The post 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Nominations Attract 108 Entries, 11 Internationals appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

What Sandown Lakeside Races Where Sandown Racecourse – 591-659 Princes Hwy, Springvale VIC 3171 When Wednesday, August 6, 2025 First Race 12:25pm AEST Visit Dabble Wednesday’s metro card is set for the Sandown Lakeside circuit with the rail out 3m the entire circuit and the course posted Soft 5 after midweek showers. The opener jumps at 12:25pm AEST and the closer at 4:30pm. Lakeside often rewards on-pace runners early, but once the racing line shifts, the best ground comes three-to-four off the fence in the straight, so watch the pattern through the first two races. Best Bet at Sandown: Yachiyo Lightly raced Japanese-bred Yachiyo resumes in the 1400m BM64 and shapes as the one to beat. A mile maiden winner on debut last prep, he then placed in town before heading for a spell. Two quiet jump-outs have him forward enough, and Blake Shinn takes the reins from an ideal gate. With natural upside, proven wet-track ability, and a race where many favoured mares might get cluttered back on the rail, Yachiyo can settle handy, peel into the moving line, and pinch it late. Best Bet Race 7 – #7 Yachiyo (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | J: Blake Shinn (60kg) Next Best at Sandown: Shrewsbury Road Shrewsbury Road is airborne this prep and looks primed for the staying BM64 over 2400m. The Zahra-trained import has finished in the quinella at three of his past four and now secures Jye McNeil plus a sweet midfield map from barrier 9. His late-sectional profile over 2000m screams he’ll relish the rise in trip, and a Soft 5 is no bother given his Irish background. With proven stamina and a turn of foot rarely seen at this grade, he should be powering over the top of some dour rivals inside the last 150m. Next Best Race 6 – #10 Shrewsbury Road (9) 5yo Gelding | T: Simon Zahra | J: Jye McNeil (57kg) Best Value at Sandown: Tournelle Tournelle has been knocking on the door all campaign and finally finds the right mares’ BM64 to convert. The Anthony & Sam Freedman import has chased home progressive types in consecutive runs, posting race-best closing splits each time, and now drops 1kg while drawing a cushy gate (barrier 7) for Thomas Stockdale. With Moonlight Circus and Nursery Chime likely to ensure a genuine tempo, Tournelle can slot midfield one-off, blend into the three-wide line before the corner, and let her sustained 400m sprint do the damage. A Soft 5 is ideal for her action, and ratings say she’s ready to win. Best Value Race 5 – #5 Tournelle (7) 4yo Mare | T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | J: Thomas Stockdale (60kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Sandown Sandown quadrella selections Wednesday, August 6, 2025 4-5-6 3-9-10 1-7 4-6-8 Horse racing tips View the full article

Smart four-year-old Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto) is nearing a return to racing after winning a jump-out at Flemington on Monday morning. Prepared by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, Evaporate was a Group Two winner last season and coped admirably with a campaign that took in races in Melbourne, Auckland and Sydney. Evaporate jumped out sporting earmuffs on Monday. “We were very happy with him,” Ben Hayes said. “He was in the same jump-out as Mr Brightside and having a harder hit-out. It was his second hit-out and we thought he went very well. “I think he is a horse that has really improved between three and four. “Probably his one little quirk is that he does over-race in races, so we’re going to strongly consider leaving the earmuffs on for his first-up run in the P.B. Lawrence. “Michael Dee came back and gave a really good report, loved the way he kicked and showed a good turn of foot. We think he’s in for a good campaign.” The Gr.2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) is at Caulfield on Saturday week. “If he was able to run well in the P.B. Lawrence, we’d have to consider the Memsie (Gr.1, 1400m),” Hayes said. The A$10 Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on November 1 for four-year-olds is the main aim for Evaporate for the campaign. “I think he is a great race for him and he has got the prizemoney to run in it, so why not,” Hayes said. “We think he is one of our most progressive horses in the yard and last preparation if you go back and watch every run, he had excuses in a lot of them. He has not done too much wrong and has been very competitive and he has run in some of the best races. “He is a year older now, he is very hardened, he has travelled a lot and he enjoys being in work, so he is a horse that we are really excited to see how he goes.” The Hayes stable have enjoyed a stellar run with New Zealand imports, with Marble Arch (NZ) (Per Incanto), a Group Two winning daughter of Per Incanto finishing third in her jumpout with a likely first-up assignment in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m). “I loved the way she trialled,” Hayes said. “She was very enthusiastic, a little bit fresh and we just kept her nice and happy to the line. She’ll trial again in probably two to three weeks’ time.” Meanwhile, Group One winning stablemate War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) is back in work after a break in Queensland following his Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) triumph. “He looks fantastic. He will most likely look to kick off in the Manikato Stakes (Gr.1, 1200m) on September 26 first-up and then we are hoping he gets snapped up for a slot in the Everest (A$20 million, Gr.1, 1200m) but if not he will run in the Sydney Stakes (A$2 million, Gr.3, 1200m),” Hayes said. “The CF Orr (Gr.1, 1400m) has been moved to the end of the Melbourne Spring Carnival (November 15), so we will probably head to that as well.” View the full article

Bryce Newman is content on playing the long game with his talented filly Abbakiss (Microphone), who made a sharp return to the trials on Tuesday at Foxton. The Bulls horseman unveiled Abbakiss as an early two-year-old and she swiftly showed her talent, winning an open two-year-old event before going down by a narrow margin to To Cap It All in the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m). The daughter of Microphone earned her place in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and did her connections proud in the million-dollar feature, finishing sixth in a tight finish for the minor placings. While further stakes opportunities were on offer for Abbakiss as a juvenile, Newman elected to pull up stumps, sending the filly for a deserved spell. “We didn’t want to carry on into the autumn with her, we thought she’d done a very good job and were very proud of what she did in the Karaka Millions,” he said. “We decided to put her out, so she’s had three months off and had time to grow and mature. “We got her in nice and early and have been quietly chipping away, she’s been doing everything we’ve asked and we’ve been really happy with the way she has come up. “We came to the trials with the possibility of heading to Taupo on the 17th for the set weights and penalties fillies race there.” Guided by Kavish Chowdhoory, Abbakiss stormed out of the inside barrier but was restrained to find cover behind First Gear. When asked to extend in the straight, the filly responded and strode over the top of Intention crossing the line. “You always hope they’ll go well and it was nice to see her take a sit in behind the speed after jumping really quickly from the gates,” Newman said. “As soon as he (Chowdhoory) brought her out in the open, he said she was very willing which is nice feedback to hear. “Kavish was very happy with her, it was only 850m, but she was well ready to have a hit out, so hopefully she pulls up well and Taupo will be the plan now.” Abbakiss exceeded her trainer’s expectations as a youngster, and with plenty of growing still to be done, he is putting his focus towards races later in the summer. “She didn’t really look like a natural two-year-old, she was quite long in the leg and quite a tall filly, so she’s definitely furnished a bit more,” Newman said. “The plan is to not give her a really heavy spring, maybe only two or three starts, because I think she will be better again after Christmas with a bit more strength on her. “We’ll be quite kind to her in the spring, just the few starts, and we’ll look to possibly get back to Karaka again as a three-year-old. Nothing is set in stone at the moment, we’re just happy that she’s gone well today and we’re looking forward to the next outing.” Later on the day, Newman was also pleased with the trial of stablemate Bold Belle (NZ) (The Bold One), who took out her 1000m open heat in the hands of Kate Hercock. View the full article

Emily Murphy brings you Winter Weigh In, your place for Thoroughbred racing news, reviews and insights throughout the colder months. The team look back at the first day of racing from the Grand National Carnival at Riccarton. Winter Weigh In, August 4 View the full article

What Canterbury Races Where Canterbury Park Racecourse – King St, Canterbury NSW 2193 When Wednesday, August 6, 2025 First Race 12:50pm AEST Visit Dabble Metro racing in NSW returns to Canterbury Park for a quickfire seven-part program this Wednesday. The rail moves out +2m for the entire circuit, and although the track was rated a Heavy 10 at the start of the week, drying conditions across Sydney should mean an upgrade into the Soft range come race-day morning. The opening event for the Canterbury races is scheduled to get underway at 12:50pm local time. Best Bet at Canterbury: Burma Star Burma Star returns after a 168-day spell and appears primed for a first-up assault. The son of Exceed And Excel caught the eye in his only trial since joining the Chris Waller barn, cruising through the wire under his own steam at Rosehill on July 29. James McDonald will be legged aboard the Godolphin three-year-old, and with the pair set to pounce on the one-one from barrier three, Burma Star should get every chance to shirk the maiden tag at start four. Best Bet Race 1 – #5 Burma Star (3) 3yo Colt | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (57kg) Next Best at Canterbury: Karinska Karinska showed plenty of promise in her debut season, claiming a maiden victory at this course before posting respectable mid-field finishes in the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) and Group 3 Magic Night Stakes (1200m). Her barrier trials suggest she is returning in supreme order, and with ‘J-Mac’ set to stalk a strong tempo from gate eight, watch for Karinska to be storming over the top at a good price with horse racing bookmakers. Next Best Race 3 – #9 Karinska (8) 3yo Filly | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (60kg) Best Value at Canterbury: Starry Desert Starry Desert got the job done on his Australian debut at Newcastle on July 15, grinding his way to victory over the unsuitable 1400m journey. Stepping up to the 1550m at the tight-turning Canterbury circuit should suit the son of Sea The Moon, and provided Tommy Berry can slot in for cover from gate eight, Starry Desert should give a bold sight at the $9 quote with Dabble. Best Value Race 2 – #5 Starry Desert (9) 4yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Tommy Berry (60kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Canterbury Canterbury quadrella selections Wednesday, August 6, 2025 1-3-4-9-14 1-5-11 2-3-8-10-11 4-10 Horse racing tips View the full article

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – The Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale had its first million-dollar yearling when the two-day auction was just 13 hips old Monday evening and bidding stayed strong throughout the session, with the very last horse through the ring bringing $1 million. In all, nine yearlings reached seven figures Monday, led by a colt by Gun Runner, bred by Bobby Flay and consigned by Stone Farm, who sold for $2.7 million to Winchell Thoroughbreds. Twelve hit the million-dollar mark during the entire 2024 auction. “It was a tremendous start to the 2025 Saratoga Yearling Sale tonight,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “There was competitive bidding literally from start to finish. There was tremendous activity across the board.” During Monday's session, a total of 77 yearlings grossed $39,975,000 for an average of $519,156 and a median of $400,000. Those figures are similar to last year's opening session when 77 horses grossed $38,910,000 for an average of $505,325 and a median of $400,000. The cumulative average at the 2024 auction was a sale record $533,506 and the cumulative median was a record $425,000. From a catalogue of 109 head, 88 yearlings went through the ring Monday with 11 failing to meet their reserves for a buy-back rate of just 12.5%. “The most encouraging stat really to me at an uber-select sale, the buy-back rate was less than 15% tonight and I promise you there will be some of those horses that get sold tomorrow,” Browning said. “It's a tribute to our selection team who did a great job of identifying the horses that were going to be marketable. It's a tribute to our consignors and the owners of those horses who entrust us with some of their very best yearlings year in and year out. And it's a tribute to the buyers who consistently support this sale.” Hip 37 prior to the Saratoga sale | Fasig-Tipton Browning said the Fasig-Tipton staff had every indication that demand would be high even before the first yearling went through the ring Monday. “One of the key indicators that we know, that nobody else really knows, is the repository activity,” Browning said. “We can compare the number of repository hits from year to year and this year, before the sale started tonight, we had exceeded the total number of repository hits that we had last year. And there will be a signifcant number of vettings that take place tomorrow because half the catalogue hasn't been sold yet.” The second and final session of the Saratoga sale begins Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. Winchell Looking for Another Gun Runner When Gun Runner retired to stud following a victory in the 2018 GI Pegasus World Cup, his connections could have hardly imagined that the chestnut would be able to surpass his racetrack accomplishments in the breeding shed. With six Grade Is and a staggering $15 million under his belt, the son of Candy Ride (Arg) retired to Three Chimneys with a tremendous amount of expectation on his broad shoulders. Fast forward to 2025, a son by the 2017 Horse of the Year led the proceedings with a session-topping $2.7 million on Day 1 of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. Hip 37 c. GUN RUNNER o/o America sells for $2,700,000 at The Saratoga Sale! Congrats to the connections: B: Winchell Thoroughbreds C: @stonefarmky Br: B. Flay Thoroughbreds#FasigSaratoga @Three_Chimneys @bflay pic.twitter.com/HvrAScncqM — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) August 5, 2025 Offered as Hip 37 from the Stone Farm consignment, the bay colt caught the eye of the same team that was instrumental in the racetrack success of his sire, Ron Winchell and trainer Steve Asmussen. What was it that drew the team to the colt? “The sire,” said Asmussen succinctly. “That is exactly who we thought we saw when we looked at him.” “You don't try to make sense out of it, you just try to acquire what you like most.” Winchell, who signed the ticket on Monday's session topper, added, “There are 10 or 12 in the catalogue, and we are pretty sure one of them will be a Grade I winner. We like to stick with what we know.” The Apr. 12 foal is out of GSW and GISP America (A.P. Indy), who won over $500,000 on the racetrack. As a broodmare, the mare produced dual graded stakes winner and 'TDN Rising Star' First Captain (Curlin). She hails from the extended family of GI Kentucky Oaks winner Blush With Pride. “She gives a really athletic-looking yearling,” said Lynn Hancock, Stone Farm's Director of Racing and Sales. “The mare has been a real producer both at the track and at the sale.” Regarding Monday's topper, she said, “This colt came up here and never stopped showing himself. He's been super straight forward since the day he was born. He has a huge walk on him and he's so well bred.” America has been heaping the rewards on celebrity chef Bobby Flay, who also bred the daughter of Lacadena (Fasliyev {Ire}). Flay purchased Lacadena in 2005 for $290,000 at the Keeneland November Sale. “[The mare] has been unreal,” said Flay. “I would say the day that I got her named America was an accomplishment in itself. People always ask how I got that name and I say I don't know. It was three in the morning and I just tried. And it was one of those things. She's been very special. Her family is one of the best in the stud book. And I would say at some point, the good blood really shows up and she's proven that.” “I've had so much luck at The Saratoga Sale with her babies.” Hear from @bflay, breeder of Hip 37, on his Gun Runner colt out of America bringing $2,700,000 at #FasigSaratoga! pic.twitter.com/14VhVGnatN — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) August 5, 2025 Asked about what made the colt so special, Flay added, “He was very popular over the last few days, so we knew there were a chance that he would bring some money. Great pedigree, great family, all those things. But you never know until they go in the ring. As they say, you just need a couple of people who want him. And that's basically what happened tonight. It was a very special night for me. You can never expect something like that to happen.”-CBoss 'The Price You've Got to Pay:' $1.6-Million Good Magic Colt to Hoolie Racing Andrew Hudson, bidding on behalf of his family's Hoolie Racing Stable, admitted the operation was making its biggest purchase–by far–when accepting the $1.6-million to acquire a colt by Good Magic (hip 36) from the Warrendale Sales consignment. “Yeah. It's the highest by about two times,” Hudson, who was flanked by the Legion Bloodstock team, said when asked about the price. “We started buying horses here 10 years ago, and the first horse I bought up here was $100,000. But they don't make those any more.” Hip 36 c. GOOD MAGIC o/o Alpha Zulu sells for $1,600,000 at The Saratoga Sale! Congrats to the connections: B: @LegionBldstk, agt for Hoolie Racing C: @WarrendaleSales, agt Br: Mesingw Farm#FasigSaratoga @HillnDaleFarm pic.twitter.com/hL9hkhYJUV — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) August 5, 2025 The dark bay colt is the first foal out of Alpha Zulu (Shanghai Bobby), a half-sister to graded winner Recapturetheglory (Cherokee Run). He was bred by Mesingw Farm. “We thought he was the best-looking colt here,” Hudson said. “You always take a risk at this price range, but that was the colt we wanted to get. Just like everybody else, we are trying to get a nice two-turn colt. We want to go to the Breeders' Cup. We want to go to the Kentucky Derby. That's the price you've got to pay now.” Hoolie Racing, which campaigned graded winner Dream It Is (Shackleford), came back later in Monday's session to purchase a colt by Omaha Beach (hip 71) for $425,000 from the Mulholland Springs consignment. @JessMartiniTDN Qatar Racing Reinvests in Family of Caravel Sheikh Fahad of Qatar Racing went to $1.4 million to acquire a colt by Justify (hip 29) from the Hunter Valley Farm consignment early in Monday's first session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. Out of Zeezee Zoomzoom (Congrats), the colt is a half-brother to Caravel (Mizzen Mast), who won the 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint for a partnership that included Qatar Racing. “I've known him since he was a foal and he was the one we wanted,” Sheikh Fahad said after signing the ticket on the bay colt. “I am very, very happy to get him.” Hip 29 c. JUSTIFY o/o Zeezee Zoomzoom sells for $1,400,000 at The Saratoga Sale! Colt is 1/2 to @BreedersCup champion Caravel. Congrats to the connections: B: @Qatar_Racing C: @HunterValleyKY, agt Br: Elizabeth M. Merryman #FasigSaratoga @coolmoreamerica @PA_HBPA #PAbred pic.twitter.com/qKuB22avBC — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) August 4, 2025 Of plans for the yearling, Sheikh Fahad added, “He will go back to Hunter Valley now and will most likely go to [trainer] Brad Cox. He knows the family well, too.” Cox trained Caravel after the partnership of Qatar Racing, Madaket Stables and Marc Detampel purchased her for $500,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton November sale. She was acquired privately by John Stewart's Resolute Racing after RNA'ing for $2.4 million at the 2023 Keeneland November sale. Sheikh Fahad was already looking forward to the yearling colt's post-racing career. “He reminds me a lot of Justify and we've done well with Justify,” he said. “We had [2024 GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes runner-up] Just a Touch. Hopefully, he is our stallion.” “We had to dig a bit deeper than we thought, but he's worth it.” Hear more about the purchase of Hip 29, a half-brother to G1 winner Caravel, for $1,400,000 at #FasigSaratoga. @Qatar_Racing pic.twitter.com/4ZDLFtQNqW — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) August 5, 2025 Hunter Valley consigned the yearling on behalf of breeder Elizabeth Merryman, who also bred Caravel. “Any time you get that sort of price for a horse, you have to be thrilled,” said Hunter Valley's Adrian Regan. “Elizabeth Merryman did a fantastic job with this horse. We only got him 90 days ago. He behaved himself at home like he did here. Champion stock. We are delighted.” Of the yearling, Regan said, “His temperament was unbelievable. Any time somebody came by to see him, he marched out every time. He made it look good. “We are thrilled Prince Fahd can get his hands on this horse with the success he's had [with Caravel]. He's as good as anything we've ever had.” @JessMartiniTDN Kjell Andersen Makes a Splash with First-Ever Thoroughbred Purchase Kjell Andersen may be a new face on the Thoroughbred scene, but he certainly knows horses. A Switzerland resident, Andersen has made a significant investment in harness racing for over 25 years, however, Thoroughbreds hadn't been part of his equine portfolio. That is, until he was introduced to the Sport of Kings through the Netflix show 'Race for the Crown.' With his principal business interests in shipping, Andersen reached out to trainer Kenny McPeek, who was featured on the Netflix show, with a desire to dip his toe into the world of Thoroughbreds. After a brief introductory period to the industry, Andersen, who was accompanied by his two young sons at the Saratoga Sale Monday, jumped in with both feet, extending to $1.4 million for Hip 66, a colt by Not This Time. Hip 66 c. NOT THIS TIME o/o Classic Strike sells for $1,400,000 at The Saratoga Sale! Colt is 1/2 to G1 winner Union Strike. Congrats to the connections: B: Kjell Andersen C: @TaylorMadeSales, agt Br: @ClearskyFarm & @Three_Chimneys #FasigSaratoga @TMStallions pic.twitter.com/TOa38MxXKr — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) August 5, 2025 “I thought this colt was an exceptional individual,” said McPeek. “This colt really stood out to me today. We thought it was a horse that could win at any level, and [Andersen] wants to win at a high level, so we thought this one could do it.” Consigned by Taylor Made Sales, the Apr. 11 foal is out of Classic Strike (Smart Strike), the dam of GI Del Mar Debutante winner Union Strike (Union Rags), who sold for $1.65 million at Keeneland November in 2018. Classic Strike is also responsible for MGSW Handsome Mike (Scat Daddy) and SW Pretty Lady (Scat Daddy). The Kentucky-bred colt was bred by Clearsky Farms and Three Chimneys Farm. “We have harness horses in Lexington, Kentucky and [McPeek] is down there too, and it seemed a good fit for me,” said Andersen, whose Maximus Mearas S finished seventh in the Hambletonian at The Meadowlands last weekend. “I look forward to being part of this as well.”-CBoss Fast Start for Castleton Way Partnership is Nothing But Net The Castleton Way pinhooking partnership founded by Marshall Taylor began its fourth year of selling with a home run Monday in Saratoga, selling a colt by Constitution (hip 72) for $525,000 to MyRacehorse and Wesley Ward/Louis DuBois, agent. The colt, who was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, was acquired by Castleton Way for $250,000 at last year's Keeneland November sale. “He's by Constitution and I knew he had Mindframe who was going to have a big year this year,” Taylor said of the colt's appeal last fall. “And he had a really good physical. He had a great neck and shoulder and a really good hip from the sire. And I really liked the family. It's a really deep family. Arch is down there in the family, it's a stallion pedigree.” The Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale | Fasig-Tipton Bred by LNJ Foxwoods and Helen Alexander, the yearling is the first foal out of the unraced Confetti (Mendelssohn). The colt's third dam, Antics (Unbridled), produced LNJ Foxwoods' champion Covfefe (Into Mischief). “He's just gone the right way,” Taylor said of the chestnut. “He vetted well when we bought him. He had the look when we bought him. He just developed the way we hoped he would.” Of Monday's result, Taylor said, “Coming into the sale, I thought he would bring $350,000 to $500,000, so I was very happy with what we got.” Hip 72 was the first of five yearlings in the Castleton Way package this year. “This is the fourth year,” Taylor said of the partnership. “The first year, we had a great year. And just like anything, you have a hiccup, and not everything goes the right way. But I have great partners who have been very loyal and great supporters. I am really grateful to them. Without them, we couldn't do this.” Later in the evening, Castleton Way sold a colt by Vekoma (hip 96) for $300,000 to Spendthrift Farm. The yearling had been acquired for $150,000 at the Keeneland January sale. “We've got to keep it going,” Taylor said, adding the group has three yearlings scheduled to sell at Keeneland in September. @JessMartiniTDN The post ‘Tremendous Start’: $2.7-Million Gun Runner Colt One of Nine Million-Dollar Yearlings at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hip 109, a Constitution colt out of a half-sister to Horse of the Year Flightline (Tapit), brought down the curtain during Monday's opening session at Saratoga when selling to Mike Repole's Repole Stable for $1,000,000. Second dam Feathered, a graded stakes winner and twice placed at the top level, produced the undefeated Flightline as one of her five winners which include first dam Good on Paper, a daughter of War Front. The colt was consigned by Lane's End and was the second to the million-dollar mark for Constitution in the session. The post Last Hip Through The Ring Monday, A Colt By Constitution, Brings $1,000,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Colts continued to rule the night as a son of the late Uncle Mo (hip 101) out of the Tapit mare Full Tap brought $1,000,000 from the partnership of M V Magnier and White Birch Farm. Consigned by Anderson Farms, Agent, the colt is a half to GSP Cafe Society (Empire Maker) along with two additional winners. The post Magnier And White Birch Farm Go To $1,000,000 For Son Of Uncle Mo appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A colt by Constitution (hip 97), consigned by Warrendale Sales, Agent for Stonestreet Bred for Brilliance, brought an even $1,000,000 from Pedro Lanz who signed on the ticket on behalf of KAS Stables to become the seventh horse to break the million-dollar barrier during Monday's opening session at Saratoga. The colt is out of a full-sister to GSW Ballet Dancing (Medaglia d'Oro) who has already produced two winners from two to race. The post Constitution Colt Goes To Pedro Lanz For $1,000,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A colt by Not This Time (hip 66) sold for $1,400,000 on a final bid from Kjell Anderson. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, the colt is a half to four stakes horses including GISW Union Strike (Union Rags), MGSW Handsome Mike (Scat Daddy), SW Pretty Lady (Scat Daddy) and SP Classic Sense (Street Sense). The post Not This Time Colt Brings $1.4m appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lance Noble has his eye on a major early season prize with one of the few older members of his stable. The Karaka-based private trainer for Cambridge Stud has the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) on September 6 top of his wish list for the well-performed Habana (Zoustar). “He’s got a good record at Ellerslie, he likes going right-handed and it’s not far from home,” Noble said. “We’ll get him as fit as we can and try and see if we can maybe catch a few of the others a bit under done.” To that end, Habana has trialled at Avondale and at Taupo this week after he was to have raced at Ruakaka last weekend, but insufficient entries resulted in the race being scrapped. “Hopefully, he’ll race at Ruakaka (on Saturday week) in an open 1400m race and if we’re happy he’ll run in the Proisir,” Noble said. The son of Zoustar has posted eight victories and four placings from his 23 starts, including success in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m), but was restricted to a limited autumn preparation. “He had colic surgery just before Christmas and we got him back and he had two runs before we put him,” Noble said. Another established member of the team is Jaarffi (NZ) (Iffraaj), who hasn’t raced since the Iffraaj mare finished a close and unlucky second in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). “She has been back in work for a month, we considered getting her ready for the early races, but she is more of a summer horse,” Noble said. “There are some nice fillies and mares’ races and hopefully she can go one better. “We’re going through a rebuilding period, but we’ve got Jaarfi, Habana and Frostfair up to black-type races and we’ve got some nice younger horses coming through, you never know where the next one is coming from.” Among them is Hello Youmzain’s daughter Heloisa (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) who has made an encouraging start to her career. “She had two starts at two for a couple of nice thirds and she’s developed during a break, we’ve got confidence in her,” Noble said. Unfortunately, the news is not so good regarding another talented daughter of Hello Youmzain in Remala, who was an impressive debut winner at Ellerslie last Boxing Day. “About two and a-half months ago we had a big storm here and she was spelling in the paddock,” Noble said. “She went through a fence and has been at the vet clinic since then. “Fortunately, she was able to be saved and there is hope we can get her back racing, but it will be a long process.” View the full article

All eyes will be on the John and Karen Parsons-trained trio of Tumuch, La Bella Nera and Miss Brittany in Wednesday’s $100,000 Polytrack Championship (1200m) at Riccarton, but fellow local hope Gemma Flitz (NZ) (Telperion) will be out to spoil the party. The Ross Beckett-trained mare sealed her berth into the race with victory over 1200m at the track last month. The now seven-year-old daughter of Telperion had been knocking on the door, placing in her previous four starts, and Beckett was pleased to finally get a winner’s cheque. “We needed to win that to run in the $100,000 race this week,” Beckett said. “She is well in herself and she has been racing well.” Gemma Flitz will be ridden on Wednesday by stable apprentice Donovan Cooper, who will need some luck from barrier 13. “Her draw is right against her, but it is what it is, so we just have to get on with the job,” Beckett said. “But it is really good to be racing for this sort of money on the poly.” Following her mid-week test, Beckett said Gemma Flitz will likely have one more run before being prepared for New Zealand Cup Week in November. “She doesn’t like wet tracks, so we might just give her one more start on the poly in a fortnight and she will have a wee freshen before Cup Week,” he said. Beckett will also be represented on Wednesday by homebred Wanderin Spelle (NZ) (Wyndspelle) in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Rating 65 (1600m). The Yaldhurst trainer has plenty of time for the four-year-old gelding, who has won and placed in his last two starts. Beckett was confident of a bold showing this week, but Wanderin Spelle’s wide draw of 20 quickly quashed those hopes. “I am very disappointed with the draw. I thought if he drew five or six he would win it,” Beckett said. “I think he is well above average and he just needs some luck from there.” View the full article

Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson is a big advocate for synthetic track racing, and he is looking forward to lining up a trio of runners in the country’s equal-richest polytrack race at his home track on Wednesday. “It (Polytrack Championship) is great, especially for the lower grade horses,” Robinson said. “Getting a crack at being able to run for $100,000 at this time of year is excellent. “I am a big fan of the polytrack, especially at this time of year. We wouldn’t have half of the horses in work if it wasn’t for the polytrack. We can also have spring horses going a little bit earlier down here as we have got the poly to work on.” Robinson has qualified three runners for the $100,000 Polytrack Championship (1200m), including Delphillius, Elusive Impact and Sonnet, and he is proud to have the equal highest representation in the race alongside Balcairn trainers John and Karen Parsons. “It is good that we have qualified three horses for it,” Robinson said. Elusive Impact (NZ) (Impending) won first-up on the track over the same distance last month, and Robinson is hopeful of a repeat performance on Wednesday, despite drawing barrier 18. “Elusive Impact has a tricky draw,” Robinson said. “He will go forward a bit and slot in somewhere behind the speed and we will work it out from there. “But he has done really well, we are happy with him.” Delphillius (NZ) (Rageese) has also drawn unfavourably in barrier 15, and Robinson said jockey Courtney Barnes will likely adopt similar tactics. “Delphillius has an awful draw too,” Robinson said. “She is a go forward horse, so hopefully she can go forward and slot in somewhere.” Three-win mare Sonnet (NZ) (Charm Spirit) will complete Robinson’s representation, and she will jump from the more favourable alley of two, with Kate Hercock aboard. “Sonnet just hasn’t had any luck in her last three starts, she had terrible draws and just hasn’t had the rub of the green,” Robinson said. “She is in with a runner’s chance.” Robinson will have two further representatives on the Riccarton undercard, with Moonlighting (NZ) (Ribchester) first-up in the Stallion Tenders Now Open Maiden (1200m), and In Awe (NZ) (Swiss Ace) in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Rating 65 (1600m). “It’s the first-up run with Moonlighting,” Robinson said. “She hasn’t had a trial, but she has had a couple of jumpouts and gone well. She has got quite a bit of ability. “We have got a good rider (Bruno Queiroz) on and she has got a good draw (1), so she will slot in behind the speed somewhere and hopefully she runs well. Whatever she does on Wednesday she will improve on. “In Awe has got an awful draw (16), but he is going well. He loves the polytrack and he always tries hard.” Looking ahead to Saturday, Robinson will have a quartet of runners competing on the final day of the Grand National Festival of Racing at Riccarton. “We have got Bella Luce and Mr Bully Tee in the 75 mile, and they should both be good chances,” he said. “Waihora Mist will back-up from the other day. She steps up to 2000m, which I think suits her. And Highland Fling is in the 65 1400m, and he should run well.” View the full article