Wandering Eyes

Matt Dorman went from zero to 60 when starting his broodmare band with the purchase of 20 mares in 2020, but five years later, the native Marylander is happy to take a long-term approach to building his Determined Stud breeding operation. Dorman made his first in-person trip to the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale last week and came home with eight yearlings–all fillies who, hopefully, will race for the operation before joining the broodmare band. “We really wanted to get some of the sire power that exists in Europe,” Dorman said. “Nothing against the Not This Times, the Curlins, the Gun Runners and Into Mischiefs here. But when I look back over decades, some of the big shifts have occurred when either Europeans came here and bought some horses or the Japanese did, or we went over to Europe and brought some back. And so to me, I think just being able to have some of the mix of those bloodlines makes a lot of sense.” Among Dorman's purchases at Tattersalls was a daughter of Frankel (GB) out of graded winner Hostess (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) (lot 188) acquired for 600,000gns; a filly by No Nay Never out of group-placed Bufera (Ire) (King's Best) (lot 69) acquired for 540,000gns; and a filly by Sea the Stars (Ire) out of Ginger Nut (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) (lot 161) purchased for 450,000gns. Lot 188 | Tattersalls “I think turf racing is increasing in America,” Dorman, noting the grassy nature of the pedigrees he is bringing back to his Kentucky base. “The purses are good and it just makes sense. So if some of these can run on dirt, great. If not, we're totally fine. And if we end up breeding horses that are better suited to turf, Europeans come over to Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton all the time. So we're fine with that.” While it was Dorman's first time attending, Determined Stud–with the help of bloodstock agent David Ingordo–has been shopping the Newmarket auction for three years now. “Three years ago we tried to get some yearlings at Tattersalls, but we just got priced out by some pretty big players,” Dorman said. “And then last year, we actually got three that are now training in Kentucky and doing well. There are the minor setbacks that you are always going to have, but they all show a little bit of promise. We're not rushing them. One of them might be a late 2-year-old, but most of them are 3-year-old types.” Making his first trip to Tattersalls, Dorman said he was welcomed by friendly people, first-class infastructure, and some very typical English weather. “The people were very nice, very kind,” he said. “I don't think we found one grumpy person. Even the first day when it was raining sideways, there were 30-mile-an-hour winds and it was cold. I was like, 'Okay, welcome to England.' And people were apologetic. We were like, 'It's fine.' We just had three or four layers on.” Dorman was also impressed by the ease of use he found at the facilities at Tattersalls. “The grounds were just very nice, very well laid out and geared towards being able to look at horses easily,” he said. And on sales day, “They've got a screen up, so you can see everything in every currency and you don't have to guess. They make it very easy to purchase. The walking ring behind is really nice because you can really get a good look at the horses in a natural movement, as opposed to kind of going up and back and up and back. So that was kind of cool.” Dorman concluded, “I think we could learn from what the folks do at Tattersalls along the customer service lines. Obviously not everyone's spending a million dollars or three or four or five or whatever, but even when folks are buying two horses, that's a big deal for them. Not everyone's going to be a high roller and get the penthouse in Vegas, but there should be that same kind of experience for everyone. I think folks over here [in the U.S.] are starting to make an effort to get there.” Dorman began his breeding operation with a methodical business plan, a plan that includes diversification throughout the industry's ecosystem. His operation includes stallion shares, as well as broodmares and racing prospects, and he has teamed up with the SF Racing/Starlight Racing stallion-making partnership on several horses, including last year's champion 2-year-old Citizen Bull (Into Mischief). Asked if he had been tempted to add some colts to his Tattersalls shopping list, Dorman said, “There were two colts that David really loved. My plan is really on the broodmare side, but they were great horses, great conformation, good pages, and so I said if we get priced out on fillies and we're kind of light, maybe we do this. But at the end of the day, I just decided to stick to what we came here for. “Maybe in another year, if we continue to have strong sales and there's a little bit extra, maybe we'll take a flyer on the colt side. But I'd rather be a small percentage of a larger partnership. I've worked with the SF guys for a couple of years and I think they do a really good job. But I tend to really like the filly game a little bit better. We've gotten lucky with stallions, but it's a lot harder and there are more horses that fall by the wayside. I'm more long term.” Determined Stud will be represented in the Breeders' Cup Distaff this year by GI Clement L. Hirsch Stakes winner Seismic Beauty (Uncle Mo), who is out of Knarsdale, one of the first mares the operation purchased in 2020. Dorman also enjoyed his highest sale to date when a colt by Gun Runner out of Thoughtfully (Tapit), bred in partnership with Hill 'n' Dale, sold for $3.3 million at last month's Keeneland September sale. Mapping out the future of the operation, Dorman can look back even as he plans for the future. “I wanted to get a broodmare band up and running and I didn't want to wait five or eight years for that to happen,” he explained. “So we purposely went and bought mares. Now we have a healthy number of broodmares on the farm in Kentucky. We don't need to go buy five or 10 high-end broodmares. “We've got some mares that we're selling in November because they're doing well and it makes sense and we want to make room. We've got a big one coming off the track this year, we had a lot coming off the track last year. So this is kind of the natural cycle. I kind of look at it in five-year blocks. And this is the first year of the next five years.” While acknowledging the many highs and lows in the racing game, Dorman said he wouldn't have it any other way. “I love the horses,” he said. “I love the characters and the people. The highs are high, the lows are low. That's just life. And if you can get used to it, then you can be joyful and really be grateful and celebrate the good stuff. And then when the bad stuff happens, you just have to realize, the storm hasn't come to stay, it's come to pass. You just have to get through it.” The post ‘Welcome to England’: Dorman Enjoys First Taste of Tattersalls appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wertheimer et Frere homebred Sosie, third in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, is pointing to the G1 Hong Kong Vase, trainer Andre Fabre announced. The three-time Group 1-winning son of Sea The Stars was slated to retire at the end of the season. “He ran his race [in the Arc], he ran right up to his form. The plan with him now is to go to Hong Kong,” said Fabre, who has won the Vase three times with Borgia (Acatenango) (1999), Flintshire (Dansili) (2014) and Junko (Intello) (2023). A winner of the 2024 G1 Grand Prix de Paris, Sosie won both the G1 Prix Ganay and the G1 Prix d'Ispahan this term, and he was second in his Arc warmup in the G2 Prix Foy. He ran fourth in the Arc in 2024. The trainer also had updates on his fellow Arc runner and G2 Prix Niel scorer Caulificar (Lope De Vega) and G2 Prix du Calvados heroine My Highness (Ghaiyyath), both of whom are done for the year. They are colourbearers for Godolphin. “Caulificar was very unlucky in the Arc, he got pushed out very wide. We've put him away for next year when he should have a good season,” said Fabre. “We were thinking of supplementing her [My Highness] for [the G1 Fillies' Mile at] Newmarket, but she started to go in her coat so she has been put away for the winter now. She has every reason to train on.” The post Hong Kong Next Target For Arc Third Sosie appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GISW Highland Falls (Curlin–Round Pond, by Awesome Again) and MGSW & 'TDN Rising Star', presented by Hagyard First Mission (Street Sense–Elude, by Medaglia d'Oro) will join the Darley America stallion roster with stud fees set at $10,000 each for 2026, according to a press release from Jonabell Farm on Thursday. Darley said that topping the list will be GI Kentucky Derby victor Nyquist (by Uncle Mo)–the sire of ten career GI winners–but his fee will be announced after the Breeders' Cup. Highland Falls, the 2024 GI Jockey Club Gold Cup hero, posted a 104 Beyer and bested three Grade I winners. The newly-minted Jonabell stallion was a runner-up to champion & 'TDN Rising Star', presented by Hagyard, Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) in this year's GI Whitney Stakes where he clocked a 107 Beyer. Highland Falls is Curlin's only GI-winning son out of a multiple GI-winning mare. Due to a minor injury, the 5-year-old will miss his planned final start in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, but will be available for viewing at the farm during the November sales. First Mission, a four-time graded stakes winner, is by sire of sires Street Sense (by Street Cry {Ire}), whose sons at stud include star freshman Maxfield and MGISW sire McKinzie. First Mission won the GII Oaklawn Handicap running a 109 Beyer, the GII Alysheba Stakes at Churchill with a 106 Beyer, plus he netted the GIII Essex Stakes and GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes. The current 5-year-old dark bay was also third in the GI Stephen Foster to Mindframe (Constitution) and Sierra Leone, finishing ahead of Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) and G1 Dubai World Cup winner Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}). First Mission will be available for viewing at Jonabell following his final start in the GII Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs Nov. 28. Nyquist | Sarah Andrew Nyquist will once again helm the schedule at Jonabell after a 2025 season which included leading Grade I victories by Cavalieri, Velocity, and Argos, plus graded wins by 'TDN Rising Star', presented by Hagyard, Nysos, Crimson Advocate, Gosger, Verity, Tenma, Johannes, and Randomized. Nyquist is expected to be represented by several Breeders' Cup contenders. Freshman sire Maxfield's first 2-year-old runners include SW Max Ciao along with three 'TDN Rising Stars', presented by Hagyard, in Magna Victor, GISP Five Bars, and Englishman, who earned a 97 Beyer on debut at Churchill Downs and is a candidate for the GII Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes Nov. 28. Maxfield will stand for $50,000 next year. Multiple Eclipse Champion Essential Quality (by Tapit), whose first juveniles include Ellis Park Debutante Stakes winner Chopsticks, SW Essential Time and Saratoga debut winner Aye Eye, will stand for $25,000 next season. Speaker's Corner (by Street Sense) and Mystic Guide (by Ghostzapper) have their first-crop yearlings at the sales and their fees will remain at $10,000 and $7,500, respectively. Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (by Curlin) and GISW Proxy (by Tapit), who will both have their first weanlings through the ring in November, will stand for $60,000 and $12,500, respectively. Rounding out the 2026 roster are Street Sense at $40,000, Hard Spun (by Danzig) at $20,000, Midshipman (by Unbridled's Song) at $15,000 and Frosted by (Tapit) at $12,500. Perennial leading sire Medaglia d'Oro (by El Prado {Ire}), whose 30 career Grade I winners include this year's Kentucky Oaks champ Good Cheer and GI Alabama Stakes winner Nitrogen, will be retired from the roster, while future plans for MGISW Sovereignty (Into Mischief) will be determined after the Breeders' Cup Classic. The post Darley America Sets Fees At $10k For Highland Falls And First Mission, Nyquist TBD appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

QIPCO British Champions Day will be available to view in 170 territories via 40 broadcasters courtesy of Racecourse Media Group (RMG) and HBA Media (HBA) working with Ascot Racecourse. Fox Sports, Fanduel and Sportsnet will show the meeting in North America, while ESPN / Disney + in South America and Caribbean, and SuperSport in Africa will display the signal. The Middle East region will be served by the Dubai Racing Channel and Yas TV (Abu Dhabi), while the Far East will enjoy coverage via Green Channel and Netkeiba (streaming service with 17m users) in Japan, and HKJC TV, Cable TV, TVB and Now TV in Hong Kong. Audiences in India will be served by Fancode, while Sky Racing Thoroughbred Central and Racing.com, and Viaplay will reach audiences in Australia and Europe, respectively. ITV, Racing TV, Sky Sports Racing and Virgin Media will broadcast the live action in UK and Ireland. The post QIPCO British Champions Day To Be Shown In 170 Territories appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday, Ascot, post time: 16:05, THE QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES-G1, £1,417,500, 3yo/up, 9f 212yT Field: Almaqam (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Economics (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), First Look (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Fox Legacy (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Ombudsman (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Prague (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Almeric (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Devil's Advocate (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Mount Kilimanjaro (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). TDN Analysis: The Champion Stakes as it should be but not always is, with all the best 10-furlong performers squaring up on ground that neither favours nor compromises anybody. Second last year when it was soft, Calandagan will be a different proposition this time but he'll have to be to live with this season's success story Ombudsman who looks to settle scores with Delacroix for the third and last time. One apiece after a tactical Eclipse and farcical Juddmonte International, it is hard to say who will be the strongest off an honest tempo with Devil's Advocate and Mount Kilimanjaro having been at it hammer and tongs up ahead. Where Economics is even William Haggas doesn't truly know, but this is not a race to be having your seasonal debut in while Almaqam needed it to have been a lot softer than this. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Ascot, post time: 15:25, THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES-G1, £1,156,250, 3yo/up, 8fT Field: Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Cicero's Gift (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), Dancing Gemini (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Docklands (GB) (Massaat {Ire}), Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}), Never So Brave (Ire) (No Nay Never), Quddwah (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Alakazi (Fr) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Field Of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Marvelman (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Tamfana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Exactly (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), January (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). TDN Analysis: Back from the wilderness after his Sussex nightmare, Field Of Gold has the opportunity to wrap up the division honours that looked so certain after his St James's Palace display. If there are any vulnerabilities, they will be exposed by Fallen Angel who has proven anything but of late and enters this a filly in her prime. How Rosallion has managed to get himself beaten so many times this season is one of its biggest mysteries and there can't be a horse in training who has produced such impressive data without getting the all-important win. If it comes here, all will be forgiven and forgotten and he loves this track only marginally less than Docklands, one of the few thorns in his side this term. Another is Never So Brave, who is up in trip having mastered him at York from the stable that CAN DO NO WRONG in 2026. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Ascot, post time: 14:05, THE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SPRINT STAKES-G1, £562,500, 3yo/up, 6fT Field: Art Power (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Iberian (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal), James's Delight (Ire) (Invincible Army {Ire}), King Of Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), King's Gamble (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), King Cuan (GB) (Tasleet {GB}), Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}), Montassib (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), Quinault (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Run To Freedom (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), Ten Bob Tony (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Witness Stand (GB) (Expert Eye {GB}), Big Mojo (Ire) (Mohaather {GB}), Powerful Glory (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), Spy Chief (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Flora Of Bermuda (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), No Half Measures (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}), Rosy Affair (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Rayevka (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}). TDN Analysis: One of the final dust-ups between the sluggers in this category this year, with none so far able to retain all the belts despite individual moments of superiority. All-powerful at the Royal meeting, Lazzat has developed a glass jaw in the interim while Big Mojo just gets more toughened and hardened with every bout. Undoubtedly one of the year's biggest disappointments, last year's winner Kind Of Blue may just have been keeping his powder dry for this glorious comeback moment but he gives the repeated impression he can't last all the rounds anymore. Rayevka needs a bit of a jump to get to the elite here, but it's all there in her pedigree and style of racing and hails from the stable that CAN DO NO WRONG in 2026. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Ascot, post time: 12:55, THE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP-G1, £531,250, 3yo/up, 15f 209yT Field: Al Qareem (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), Sweet William (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Trawlerman (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}), Saratoga (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Stay True (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). TDN Analysis: Nearing eight, Trawlerman has played the long game to perfection and now that all his enemies have been scattered is in command of this division. There isn't much hope for his rivals, even allowing for the potential of Stay True, and with Sweet William probably just going to be Sweet William again proceedings should get off to a comfortingly predictable start. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Ascot, post time: 14:45, THE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS FILLIES & MARES STAKES-G1, £531,250, 3yo/up, 11f 211yT Field: Danielle (GB) (Cracksman {GB}), Estrange (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), Latakia (GB) (Frankel {GB}), One Look (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Quisisana (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), Ballet Slippers (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Waardah (Ire) (Postponed {Ire}), Wemightakedlongway (Ire) (Australia {GB}). TDN Analysis: Another seeking to bookend a winless campaign with a successful title defence, Kalpana may be vulnerable having like Quisisana been asked to plumb the depths in the Arc. Spared that experience, Estrange is a formidable lurking presence by the sire that CAN DO NO WRONG in 2026. These end-of-term contests just love an improver and Waardah is tailor-made, having snuck up the ladder in the Lillie Langtry and she comes here dangerously fresh. Ballydoyle's biggest enigma Bedtime Story has been asked to try on a plethora of costumes but can't get comfortable in any. Perhaps that lightning bolt we witnessed in the Chesham last June was just that, but where this stable is concerned any eventuality is possible until completely exhausted. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Leopardstown, post time: 15:15, MONGEY COMMUNICATIONS EYREFIELD STAKES-G3, €36,000, 2yo, 9fT Field: A Boy Named Susie (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Christmas Day (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Listentodwindblow (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Nil Bua Gan Dua (American Pharoah), Piazza San Marco (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), Port Of Spain (Ire) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), South Island (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Thread Of Gold (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}). TDN Analysis: One of Ballydoyle's crew of TDN Rising Stars, Presented by Hagyard, Piazza San Marco who is joined by the well-regarded Christmas Day could stir the Derby market a bit here. Obviously not content with pulling all the strings in the other code, Willie Mullins is looking to get into the action on the Flat with his impressive Curragh winner Thread Of Gold. He might mash this lot, but there'll be no Blue Riband next summer as he is gelded. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Leopardstown, post time: 16:20, KILLAVULLAN STAKES-G3, €36,000, 2yo, 7f 30yT Field: Daytona (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Dorset (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Mumhan (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Spangled Sands (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Yaupon De Replay (Yaupon). TDN Analysis: One of her burgeoning sire's billboards, Yaupon de Replay takes on the colts en route to Del Mar. Dorset had begun to look a disappointing TDN Rising Star, Presented by Hagyard, but got it back together last time in the Goffs Million while Jim Bolger took this with Poetic Flare in 2020 and saddles the Curragh winner Mumhan. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Marseille Borely, France, post time: 12:31, PRIX DELAHANTE – PELLEGRIN-Listed, €54,900, 2yo, 8 1/2fT Field: Siciliano (Fr) (Time Test {GB}), Mefie Toi (Fr) (De Treville {GB}), Sorbetto (Fr) (Supremacy {Ire}), Ladja (Fr) (Golden Horde {Ire}), Tchikita (Fr) (Charm Spirit {Ire}), Khalinskha (Fr) (Fas {Ire}), Testerine (Fr) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), Zaraxia (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}). TDN Analysis: Zaraxia and Khalinskha are the two nominees with an unbeaten record to defend and both come back off decisive maiden scores at Salon-de-Provence and Vichy, respectively, last month. The duo will be accompanied by winning stablemates Testerine, for Zaraxia's Nicolas Perret yard, and Sorbetto for Khalinskha's Jerome Reynier barn, with the former having Ladja back in fourth when breaking through over this course and distance three weeks ago. The Patrice Cottier-conditioned pair Siciliano and Mefie Toi boast an aggregate five unplaced efforts in stakes company, while Elias Mikhalides trainee Tchikita comes back off a claiming-race sixth at Chantilly. [Sean Cronin]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Big Four Clash In QIPCO Champion Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

World Pool commingling will be available on three continents during the upcoming weekend, featuring four meetings, 14 races and nine Group 1 races. At Randwick, it is The Everest Day, where Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) will try his hand in the A$20-million G1 The Everest. There will be four other races under the World Pool umbrella there including the G1 King Charles III Stakes. In Melbourne, the G1 Caulfield Cup is a World Pool race, too, on Saturday. QIPCO British Champions Day is later that same day at Ascot where races two-seven are World Pool races, with the G1 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup the only non-World Pool race. Also at Ascot, the World Pool Jockeys' Championship winner will be crowned. Former champion jockey Oisin Murphy holds a commanding lead over Kieran Shoemark in the contest, with the winner receiving prize-money of £50,000 to donate to a charity of their choice. There will also be a World Pool Moment of the Day chosen from the six races on British Champions Day. World Pool will also make its debut in Brazil on Saturday at Gavea Racecourse in Rio de Janeiro which will host Gran Premio Latinoamericano Day. Two Group 1 races will be part of the Hong Kong Jockey Club-powered global pools–the Gran Premio Jockey Club de Sao Paulo and the Gran Premio Latinamericano. For the full World Pool schedule, please click here. Sam Nati, head of commingling at HKJC, said, “The eyes of the racing world will be on Ka Ying Rising as he goes for glory in The Everest on Saturday, which is only the beginning to our biggest ever World Pool composite card. “We look forward to returning to the UK for British Champions Day as well as crowning the winner of this year's World Pool Jockeys' Championship, while it is hugely exciting to be taking World Pool to Brazil for the first time on Gran Premio Latinoamericano Day.” The post World Pool Bonanza In Store This Weekend appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The eighth installment in the 2025 OwnerView webinar series was held Oct. 14 and covered how trainers are adjusting to new Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) rules, the conference series said via a Thursday press release. Panelists included Ben Mosier, executive director of HIWU; Dr. Michael Hardy, the acting chief of science with HIWU; and trainers Mark Casse, Kelsey Danner and Ron Moquett. Specific topics included implementation and how HIWU has adjusted its ADMC program rules based on feedback from horsemen. The event, hosted by The Jockey Club of America and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, was presented by Bessemer Trust, Keeneland and Stoll Keenon Ogden. Sponsors included Spendthrift Farm and the NHBPA. A Q&A, sponsored by West Point Thoroughbreds, followed the presentations. Click here to access all OwnerView webinars. The post OwnerView Webinar Discusses How Trainers Have Adjusted To HIWU Rules appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Amo Racing won the inaugural Star Sports Brighton Owners Series and will donate £5,000 to equine charity Parkfield Equine Solutions. The charity deliver intensive equine interventions for children, young people and adults to develop confidence, build life skills and improve their well-being. In addition, the ownership group will take home a £10,000 first prize, presented to winning connections at Brighton's Season Finale fixture on October 16. Amy Drummond, racing operations manager for Amo Racing, said, “We're thrilled to win the first Star Sports Brighton Owners Series. It's a brilliant incentive for owners to aim for next year and having £5,000 go to a local charity makes it even more special.” The post Amo Wins Inaugural Star Sports Brighton Owners Series; Will Donate £5K To Sussex Equine Charity appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mark Clayton has been named the new CEO of Leopardstown Racecourse, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) announced on Thursday. Clayton will take up his role in early January and will report to HRI Racecourses CEO Paul Dermody. Previously, he spent 12 years at Southwell Racecourse and held prior leadership roles at Doncaster and Huntingdon Racecourses. Dermody said, “I am delighted to welcome Mark to the role of CEO at Leopardstown Racecourse. Mark brings a wealth of commercial experience and expertise to the role, combined with a thorough knowledge of the racing industry. Mark has led major racecourse capital projects and will play a key role in leading the future development of the Leopardstown Racecourse campus.” Clayton added, “I am very excited to be joining the Leopardstown team. I have worked within the racing and breeding industry for most of my career, and I hope that my extensive racecourse management experience and leadership skills can help drive forward what is already a proven world-class racing facility.” The post Mark Clayton Appointed New CEO Of Leopardstown Racecourse appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A stronger clearance rate and plenty of demand at the top end led to a record gross, hitting over A$19 million, at Thursday's Inglis Ready2Race Sale. The gross was A$19,054,000, up 22% from 2024's A$15.607 million aggregate. The average was A$156,180 (-5%) and the median was unchanged at A$100,000. Of the 163 lots offered, 122 sold (75%). A record 64 lots realised A$100,000 or more (up from 50 last year) while 39 sold for A$200,000 or more (up from 28 in 2024). The leading buyer was Hong Kong's Hermitage Thoroughbreds, who bought the top lot, a Toronado colt (lot 188), who made A$900,000 from first time vendors Hunter's Lodge. It was a new record price for a colt at this sale. Hermitage was the leading buyer by gross (A$2.585 million) and average (A$430,800) with six horses purchased, including the sale topper. Nolen Racing was the leading vendor by aggregate once again, selling 15 horses for A$2.18 million, with an average of A$145,800. Rathosheen Bloodstock was the leading vendor by average, achieving A$349,000 across their draft with six sold at an aggregate of A$2.09 million. Toronado was the leading stallion by aggregate (A$1.99 million), while Exceed And Excel led the averages at A$400,000 for three lots sold. Wooded had the highest average among first-season sires, with two horses sold for an average of A$332,500. “I said before the sale that we were the best prepared in terms of the work we had done and the vendors had done, and put together a group of buyers and so we were in a good spot to run as good a sale as we could,” said Hutch, who was pleased with the sale's metrics. “We had great depth among the buyers at the top end. I think there were plenty of people making money today. There's more than enough opportunity for people to lift the bar again. “Turnover is going to go through A$19 million, that's a significant step up on the previous record for the sale. I feel like we can take it further again. We want to grow the market and encourage more domestic and New Zealand-based vendors to take part.” The post New Record Gross At Inglis Ready2Race Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lavinia Fabre, daughter of master trainer Andre Fabre, saddled her first winner, with just her second runner, when the two-year-old Wadi (Earthlight) carried the fledgling trainer's silks to a 1 1/2-length victory in Thursday's Prix Pharel over one mile at Saint-Cloud. The half-brother to this term's G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis hero Tornado Alert (Too Darn Hot) made all in the hands of Maxime Guyon to comfortably outpoint Roi De La Liberte (Kingman). Premier succès pour Lavinia Fabre en tant qu'entraîneur, elle qui sellait son deuxième partant ! Son entraînement est à l'honneur avec Wadi (@maximeguyon_off) qui s'impose dans le Prix Pharel à Saint-Cloud, son premier succès en carrière. Son père André Fabre est deuxième… pic.twitter.com/KZk8YPZubx — Equidia (@equidia) October 16, 2025 3rd-Saint-Cloud, €27,400, Mdn, 10-16, 2yo, c/g, 8fT, 1:45.67, sf. WADI (GB) (c, 2, Earthlight {Ire}–Bint Almatar, by Kingmambo), who ran third over this trip at Clairefontaine in his Aug. 25 debut for the Andre Fabre stable last time, broke sharply and seized an immediate advantage in this return. In command throughout, the 27-10 second favourite was shaken up passing the quarter-mile marker and kept on strongly under mainly whipless rousting inside the final 300 metres to easily hold Roi De La Liberte (Kingman) by 1 1/2 lengths, becoming the first winner for trainer Lavinia Fabre. Wadi is the ninth of 11 foals and sixth scorer out of a winning half-sister to five black-type performers headed by three-time Grade I winner Master Of The Seas (Dubawi). His second dam is stakes-winning G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner-up Firth Of Lorne (Danehill). The March-foaled bay is a half-brother to G1 Metropolitan Handicap victor Just Fine (Sea The Stars) and this term's G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis hero Tornado Alert (Too Darn Hot). He is also kin to a yearling filly by Zoustar, a weanling colt by Sea The Stars and to the dam of Listed King Charles II Stakes runner-up Bold Style (Shamardal). Sales history: 50,000gns Wlg '23 TATFOA; €50,000 P/S Ylg '24 ARQAUG. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, €18,054. O/T-Lavinia Fabre; T-David Redvers Bloodstock. The post Earthlight’s Wadi Notches First Winner for Lavinia Fabre at Saint Cloud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday's G1 Qipco Champion Stakes will feature all the big guns, with Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder), Delacroix (Dubawi), Calandagan (Gleneagles) and Economics (Night Of Thunder) set for a memorable showdown. There will be 11 in the line-up for the feature, where the draw has not been kind to Ombudsman and Economics in nine and 10 respectively but has been to the race's most intriguing runner Almaqam (Lope De Vega) in stall one. There will be 16 lining up for the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, with Juddmonte and the Gosdens' mile category leader Field Of Gold (Kingman) starting from stall 14 of 16. Also on the wing is Rosallion (Blue Point) in 15 and Never So Brave (No Nay Never) in 13, while Wathnan's flagbearer Fallen Angel (Too Darn Hot) is in the middle in eight. Kalpana (Study Of Man) will face nine rivals as she bids for back-to-back renewals of the G1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, including Cheveley Park's Estrange (Night Of Thunder), while the G1 Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes has attracted a field of 20. Wathnan Racing have Lazzat (Territories) and last year's winner Kind Of Blue (Blue Point), while other Group 1 winners include No Half Measures (Cable Bay) and Big Mojo (Mohaather) with the latter widest in stall 20. As expected, opposition to the chief stayer Trawlerman (Golden Horn) is thin on the ground in the opening G1 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup, where the five runners feature Ballydoyle's St Leger third Stay True (Galileo) and the favourite's popular stablemate Sweet William (Sea The Stars). For the first time, Qipco Champions Day has a juvenile race and the £250,000 Qipco British Champions Day Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes boasts Godolphin's Mill Reef winner Words Of Truth (Lope De Vega) and Wathnan's promising Division (Kingman). The post Epic Champion In Prospect As Ombudsman, Delacroix, Calandagan And Economics Stand Their Ground appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

David Hayes has a rule that if someone rings him, he rings them back. Every time. It’s something that’s held him and those closest to him in good stead in family life and business. “It’s not hard to do,” he said at Sha Tin earlier this month. Enter last Sunday, when it all of a sudden got very hard to do after rumours ran wild on social media that hot favourite Ka Ying Rising was a chance to miss this Saturday’s Group One The Everest (1,200m). “I’m of an age where I thought I’d seen it all, but...View the full article

In a week where Cambridge Stud’s focus is largely around Joliestar’s (Zoustar) tilt at the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m), it was their first-season sire Sword Of State who was making headlines across the Tasman on Wednesday. A champion juvenile by Snitzel, Sword Of State retired to the Cambridge nursery after his three-year-old term and was the leading New Zealand-based first season sire at the yearling sales in 2025. Among his progeny to go through the ring at Karaka was a filly out of the Keeper mare Ruthless Lady (NZ), bred by Go Bloodstock and purchased out of Curraghmore’s draft by Lindsay Park and Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock for $250,000. 10 months later, that filly, named Torture (NZ) (Sword Of State), defied odds of 15-1 to win the Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes. It was the dream result for Cambridge Stud owners Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay, but CEO Henry Plumptre said it wasn’t as much of a surprise for them as it was for the bookmakers. “It’s fantastic to get on the board in New Zealand, but even better to pick up a stakes race in the spring in Melbourne,” Plumptre said. “To be honest, it’s not a huge surprise, he (Sword Of State) was a champion two-year-old by Snitzel, who has won seven premierships in Australia. To those who have followed his first crop through and particularly this filly, the only surprise was her starting price. “The Australian betting market probably discounted Sword Of State’s ability, even though he was the third-top rated two-year-old of his year, behind the Golden Slipper winner (Stay Inside) and Magic Millions winner (Shaquero). “It’s very exciting for us, it’s great for Gordon Cunningham continuing that roll of honour coming off Curraghmore, and the syndicate that have shares in Sword Of State.” Sword Of State was a A$600,000 yearling purchase by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis and Cambridge Stud took a share in his colt syndicate, then furthered their investment after his outstanding Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) victory in 2021. “We bought into the colt syndicate that he was part of, there were four colts and we had 15% of it,” Plumptre said. “After he won the Sistema, we moved to 50 percent, and then to 100 percent when we bought the syndicate out at the end of his racing career. “He’s really going well, the first year was difficult for him because he went to stud as a three-year-old, but had a very tricky time in Queensland when we took him over for the Kingsford-Smith, he got quite sick. “His recovery from that was quite slow, so he went straight into a breeding season and it wasn’t easy for him. Last year was much better, and he’s been fantastic this year. That Snitzel-Redoute’s Choice line have fantastic temperaments and he’s certainly got that. “This horse is a testament to David Ellis’ skill for picking these horses, we’re very grateful to have been able to get him from Te Akau and that every year, they send us between 15-20 mares to support the stallions. “It’s a great relationship, and for that reason as well as all others discussed, we hope he will be a big success.” Looking ahead to Saturday, Plumptre and the Lindsays will be on course at Randwick to cheer on Joliestar in her second attempt at the Everest, having finished seventh in last year’s running. The three-time Group One winner asserted herself as one of the key dangers to Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) when winning the Gr.2 The Shorts (1200m) first-up, and since then, was given a quiet trial at the course last Monday against several of her Everest rivals. “Chris (Waller, trainer) told us what she’d be doing in the trial and that wasn’t much, and when you’re an owner or manager with a trainer like Chris, you don’t second-guess them and let them get on with the job,” Plumptre said. “He’s a consummate professional with a great team, so you know she’ll turn up on the day in the best possible form. All we can do is hope she gets luck in running and she’s there or thereabouts at the 200m, so she can do her best against a horse breaking all records in Hong Kong. “It’s very exciting for us, it’s wonderful for Brendan and Jo to have her in that race, they’re big investors in racing so it’s a great thing to be here and have the second-favourite in a race like this.” An earner of just shy of A$5 million, Joliestar is set to join Cambridge Stud’s broodmare band in the future, with a race record to match her pedigree as a daughter of Zoustar and Group Two winner Jolie Bay. “For a breeder, the pinnacle of your broodmare band are your ‘blue hen’ race mares, those that have competed at Group One level,” Plumptre said. “We are lucky enough to have a handful in our broodmare band, and Joliestar is right up there with the likes of Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel), Kahma Lass (NZ) (Darci Brahma), and Excelida (Exceed And Excel) – who was Group One placed in Melbourne. “We sadly lost the Oaks winner Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) last year in a tragic paddock accident, but are fortunate to have the likes of Word Games, who produced El Castello (Castelvecchio), and Las Briasas, who produced Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) in the band as well. “We’re very excited for the future and Joliestar will be an exciting addition if and when she retires, which won’t be for a bit yet.” To be ridden by James McDonald out of barrier five, Joliestar is currently a $6.50 second-elect for the Everest, splitting Ka Ying Rising ($1.75) and Kiwi-breds Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) and War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) ($11) on the New Zealand TAB. 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Ben Hayes admits he’s unsure whether War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) has what it takes to win The Everest this Saturday. But that’s exactly why he’s so excited about it. The Stradbroke winner, who is unbeaten since joining the Lindsay Park operation, has been well supported in most markets after drawing barrier 4 for the $20 million sprint in Sydney. “The exciting thing about War Machine is that we don’t know his limit yet,” Hayes told The Verdict podcast. “Since we’ve had him, he’s had four starts for four wins and improved with every start. “His win the other day (in the Gilgai) was probably his most dominant. “He was first-up, with plenty of improvement to come. “He’s drawn a beautiful gate, we know where the speed is and he maps to get a beautiful run. “If something does go wrong with dad’s horse (Ka Ying Rising), it wouldn’t surprise if he was able to be very, very competitive. “His final gallop was excellent and he’ll be there to run a big race. “He is definitely not there to make up the numbers, that’s for sure.” Hayes said the star sprinter would likely stay in Sydney after The Everest, before targeting the CF Orr Stakes (1400 metres) at Caulfield on November 15. “We’ve actually got nice options for him,” he said. “They’ve moved the Orr to the back of the carnival now. “A race like that is a race we’d target with a horse like him. “Two weeks after The Everest there is a $3 million race in Sydney we will look out, then probably the Orr. “That’s probably the path we’ll head with him.” View the full article

Richmond Downs-based Foxhill Thoroughbreds is operated by Benji King, the eldest son of Brighthill Farm founders Nick and Anne-Marie King, along with his partner Lena Jones. The Foxhill name has appeared among purchasers lists at Karaka in previous years – buying one yearling from Karaka 2024, two weanlings from the 2024 Weanling Sale, three yearlings from Karaka 2025 and a weanling from the 2025 Weanling Sale. But this is their first time on the other side of the ledger with a draft going through the sale ring under their name. Foxhill will offer two horses at next month’s Ready to Run Sale. Lot 87 is a gelding by Written By out of the winning mare Savelle (NZ) (Domesday), who is a half-sister to the Group Three winner Vigor Winner (Declaration Of War). Lot 423 is an Almanzor filly out of the Group Two placegetter Lady Krovanh (Dehere). “Selling at the Ready to Run Sale is something we’ve been thinking about for a while and just waiting for the right opportunity to do,” King said. “You need to make sure that you get into it at the right time. We’ve just taken a bit of time first to get a bit more settled and into our rhythm a little bit. “This year turned out to be the right opportunity to do it, and it’s all come together well. We’ve been around the Ready to Run Sale before, but it’s our first time having a decent go as vendors. It comes with its challenges, but it’s an exciting opportunity and we’re looking forward to it. “Unfortunately we’ve had a couple of withdrawals in our draft, but we’re still heading into the sale with two lovely young horses that we’re hoping will be well received by the buyers – a gelding by Written By and a filly by Almanzor. “We’ve been really happy with how the preparation has gone so far with both of them. They’re coming up very nicely and it’s all gone to plan.” 87 Written By (AUS)‐Savelle (NZ) 423 Almanzor (FR)‐Lady Krovanh (AUS) View the full article

Speed Dragon (NZ) (Darci Brahma) made a triumphant return to racing on Wednesday following 241 days away after scorching to a rousing first-up success in the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Lei Yue Mun Handicap (1800m) at Happy Valley. Sidelined for four months following a ligament injury, Speed Dragon – the first winner of a running treble for jockey Vincent Ho – crossed immediately from his wide draw (10) to settle in last position. Pacesetter Telecom Fighters made the running before yielding at the top of the home straight as Speed Dragon gradually pinched ground. Helene Feeling took the lead turning for home as Californiatotality made his run. Ho asked the Francis Lui-trained Speed Dragon to lift between runners and the six-year-old obliged, clocking a race-best 22.87s over the final 400m to defeat Californiatotality in 1m 47.96s by a short head with Encountered filling third. “He trialled very well, so I actually expected him to be very competitive, which he was,” Ho said. “It was great that he could win for the owner. Everything went well for him; the opening on the inside was perfect. “I think so (to progressing further), it’s still early in the season and he will be fitter after this race tonight. I’m grateful that Francis and my boss (Caspar Fownes) support me. Hopefully I can kick on some more.” Ho, who returned to competition at the start of this season following neck fractures and a head injury, sealed his trio when Lui’s King Miles held onto the Class 3 Hok Yuen Handicap (1200m) over a fast-finishing Storm Rider. Tonight’s treble his Ho’s first since 1 December, 2024. A clever ride from Luke Ferraris saw Satono Aladdin gelding King Glorioso (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) hold off a rampaging Thunder Prince by a nose in the first section of the Class 4 Fung Mo Handicap (1200m) for trainer Douglas Whyte. Whyte said: “Only when the number went up was I happy. Luke gave him an absolutely beautiful ride – he could’ve led but he let the speed go, took advantage of that, got the horse to settle and he got off the rail and got going at the right time. The margin was very narrow but a win’s a win, so the good ride made the difference.” View the full article

A drop back in distance will be to the liking of the Tony Pike-trained Agera (NZ) (Complacent) in Friday’s Listed Matamata Cup (1600m). The six-year-old will be the stable’s only representative at the meeting in take two of the Team Wealleans-sponsored feature after it fell afoul of the weather on its original date earlier this month. Pike had intended to run the son of Complacent in the Cup but was unable to book a suitable jockey and the gelding instead finished fourth in the open handicap over ground. “The mile is his best trip, and he just doesn’t quite get 2000 metres, especially on a heavy track,” Pike said. “It’s almost two weeks between runs and dropping back to the mile should be ideal for him.” To be ridden by Matt Cartwright, Agera has won on five occasions, with three of them collected during his current campaign. “He’s had a really good preparation, and it would be nice to go out on a winning note,” Pike said. “He definitely needs cut in the ground and if it looks like staying wet for the next couple of weeks, he could have another run. He’s had a pretty long, deep season so he is due a break soon.” Pike will have half a-dozen runners at Ellerslie on Saturday with the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) hope Happy Youmzain (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) among them. The last-start winner will be ridden in the Kingmakers Syndication Handicap (1400m) by Opie Bosson. “He’s a talented three-year-old and it’s probably not the right race for him, it’s a strong race against the older horses but there weren’t a lot of other options,” Pike said. “If he runs well, he’ll go on to the three-year-old race on Melbourne Cup Day at Ellerslie and then hopefully head down south.” Pike will also keep a close on the Rat Tat Two-Year-Old Plate (800m), in which Home Secretary (Home Affairs) makes her first appearance with Kelly Myers booked for the ride. The daughter of Home Affairs has finished runner-up in both of her trials at Ellerslie and Te Rapa. “She’s better on a better surface, she really struggled around Te Rapa where it was pretty shifty and rained all day and was awful,” Pike said. “She’s a really smart filly and if she handles the track, she’ll go close.” View the full article

A familiar face will return to the Kiwi jockey’s room at Ellerslie on Saturday, with Kozzi Asano rejoining the ranks after a stint in South Korea. Originally hailing from Japan, the 30-year-old came to New Zealand to pursue his career as a jockey and swiftly to prominence as an apprentice, winning the apprentice jockey’s premiership in 2019/20. Before taking a contract in Korea last term, he rode a total of 336 winners in eight seasons, 20 of those at stakes level and two Group Ones. During his time in the Asian jurisdiction, Asano added a further 40 wins to his record, but with the recent birth of his second child, has returned to his property in Cambridge. “I’ve come back recently from a stint in South Korea, this is actually my maternity leave as we have recently had our second baby on the 1st of October,” Asano said. “My parents are coming over to New Zealand to help look after their grandchildren, so I thought I might as well get back into racing, not too much, but more so as a part-time job. I won’t be travelling too far and won’t be too busy, but it’ll be good to be riding. “I’ve been riding trackwork for the last four weeks, mainly for Stephen Marsh, and I rode a couple of trials at Te Awamutu last week. I’m just slowly getting back into the fitness. “I haven’t ridden in a New Zealand race for a long time, just over 15 months, so I’ll see if I can still remember what I used to do.” Asano has four rides at the feature meeting, including Ray Fleming’s filly Savvy Donna (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m), The Trendsetter (NZ) (Proisir) in the Kingmakers Syndication 1400, Gentian Blue (NZ) (Reliable Man) in the Horizon By SkyCity 1600, and Sasperella in the Trackside.co.nz 1200. Asano is looking forward to getting out on the StrathAyr surface at Ellerslie, having only ridden on the track a handful of times before going overseas. “They had only just done the StrathAyr track when I was leaving, and at the time, they said that the more they used it, the better it would get,” he said. “It seems that way, so it’ll be interesting to have a good headquarters-type of track for New Zealand racing. “Savvy Donna is a maiden but she goes really well, so her trainer is hoping she can finish in the top five and get in the money. We’ll see what we can do. “I rode Gentian Blue for Maxim van Lierde in a Group One in 2023, where she went very well even though we were flashed out wide. She’s a seven-year-old mare now, fresh-up and trialled up well. She’s running in 75 grade, so hopefully we can show some results to bring on to the next one.” “I feel pretty privileged to get four rides on a day like this, hopefully I can bring some good results.” View the full article

Kelvin Tyler hopes to kick off an exciting weekend on a winning note at Wingatui on Friday, before he is represented on Sydney’s biggest race day of the spring with Aberlour (NZ) (Mongolian Falcon). Based in Riverton, Tyler will take a team of eight up to the Dunedin venue, hoping to strike early with Ripa Time (NZ) (Time Test) contesting the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series MDN (1600m), Indie Ardie (NZ) (Ardrossan) in the NZB Mega Maiden Series (1500m) and Snow Brainer (NZ) (Jon Snow) in the Grand Casino MDN (1200m). While still maideners, the trio have all shown ability on raceday and Tyler believes Floor Moerman and Donovan Cooper’s apprentice claims will enhance their chances on the heavy surface. “They’re all quite nice horses going forward, they’ve got a bit of weight relief which helps as well and I’ve targeted these races to kick off with,” he said. “I was surprised Indie Ardie didn’t win a race last year because she’s well above average, but there’s not much between the three of them, I expect them all to go close in not the strongest of maiden fields.” Promising mare Flash Roca (NZ) (El Roca) will resume off a 147-day absence in the Property Brokers – Ray Kean R75 (1200m), having won two of her last three starts during the autumn. “She’s coming up really well, she’s a nice horse and I’m quite confident she can go a good race,” Tyler said. “I think she’ll go through the grades quite easily, her work has been good and she looks amazing. “I think it’s a good race for her to kick off in.” The most experienced of his contingent, Go Lotte (NZ) (Telperion), will chase her 11th victory and third at Wingatui in the Otago Engineering Open (1400m), with stablemate Radiant Reach (NZ) (Vadamos) also in the mix with a light weight (54kg). “This is probably Go Lotte’s best distance on a heavy track, hopefully it’s not too heavy there and she should be ready to strike about now,” Tyler said. “Radiant Reach has a bad habit of losing two or three lengths at the gates which makes it harder for herself, but both are as good as I can get them so hopefully they’ll put their best foot forward.” Further north on Saturday, it will be take three for Freddie Time (NZ) (Time Test), as the son of Time Test heads to Trentham following two abandoned meetings at Otaki over the last week. The four-year-old asserted himself well in a competitive Rating 75 race at the Upper Hutt course a month ago, and with apprentice Liam Kauri remaining on board, Tyler has faith he can repeat that effort in the Contemporary Korowai Designs (1400m). “He’s apparently been working the track down up there, the wet track won’t bother him at all and he’s ready to run a good race,” he said. “He’s a good horse and he’ll run a good race, because that’s what good horses do.” “It’s a big field and the inside draw is probably not ideal, we’d probably want to get him out and around them, but I’ll let Liam sort it out.” Around 45 minutes later, Tyler’s focus will turn to Everest Day at Randwick, where his stakes-winning mare Aberlour is a key player in the Gr.3 Angst Stakes (1600m), a A$285,000 feature for the mares. As a three-year-old, the daughter of Mongolian Falcon was an eye-catching winner of the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) and Listed Southland Guineas (1600m) before joining Joe Pride’s barn at Warwick Farm. Tyler retained a 30 percent share in Aberlour and was rapt to see the mare back near her best this campaign, winning one and placing in two of her three starts before a fourth-place finish in the Gr.2 Stocks Stakes (1500m) at The Valley last time out. “She had a bad draw and was three-wide most of the way, but she’s hit the line really strong,” Tyler said. “150 out she looked like she may even hold on, but with the work during the race, it probably took its toll against those good horses and I was really proud of her. “Randwick is her favourite track and Alysha Collett rides her very well, she knows how she likes to be ridden. She’s got a nice draw so we’re quietly confident, you need everything to go your way in these big races but she’s going well. “Joe does a great job, he’s a good person and great to deal with. I tell people that I would trust Joe Pride with my credit card, because whether it’s good news or bad news, he’s very honest.” Aberlour is currently rated a $10 hope for the Angst, with fellow Kiwi-bred mare Perfumist (NZ) (El Roca) leading the market at $3.10. View the full article

Andrea Atzeni rates Meydaan a live chance in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup (2,400m) as the Sardinian jockey teams up with some familiar faces in pursuit of more Group One glory in Australia. Atzeni, who won the Group One Sydney Cup (3,200m) on Circle Of Fire last year, returns to Melbourne after finishing fourth on Zardozi in his first Caulfield Cup ride 12 months ago. The 34-year-old jumped at the chance to ride Meydaan when approached by British co-trainers Simon and Ed Crisford. “I’ve ridden...View the full article

What a week it’s been for Kimberly Butt. Just days after a winning double at Motukarara she reined home a $100 outsider at Addington last night. “It’s been a good few days,” says Butt, “I was pleasantly surprised by Shades of Robyn that’s for sure.” Last night in the Captain Crunch At Alabar Mobile Pace Butt secured the one-one with the Trevor Cross-trained Shades Of Robyn before overhauling second favourite Tuppence late in the piece to win by a head. The five-year-old gelding was having his sixth start after five previous unplaced runs. “Trevor trains just around the road from us,” says the Leeston-based Butt, “and he does a bit of fast work at our place so I know a bit about the horse and he has shown glimpses in the past but I was still wasn’t expecting him to win.” “It was a nice bonus.” And the win certainly caught punters unawares. On the tote Shades of Robyn paid $86 and was even longer on the fixed odds market at $100. He’s the second horse Cross has won with as a trainer, following on from The Wrath Of Robyn, who won eight between 2013 and 2015. For Butt the win capped off a very successful few days. On Sunday she reined home another two horses at nice odds – To Ri Ruby paying $34 and Kiss The Girls in the day’s feature the Akaroa Cup at $17. Just recently Butt added working at Harness Racing New Zealand’s marketing team to her already busy life as a trainer, driver and mum (to four-year-old Kenzie). “It’s a part time gig and it’s been a nice change – hopefully I’m doing an ok job.” Her success last night takes her to 26 for the year. That’s one better than 2024 and one shy of her personal best season’s tally of 27 she achieved as a junior driver in 2019. “I am always pretty mindful of how many wins I’ve had and I do keep an eye on the stats,” says Butt, “but I’ve been around long enough that when your luck’s in you have to enjoy it.” And Butt’s successful week will have a degree of poignancy tomorrow at Addington when she drives Master Class, who she also trains, in a race named after her late grandfather, the Remembering Murray Butt Mobile Trot (7.06pm). And the family connection doesn’t end there. Race rival Nazareth is trained by Murray’s son Roddy (Kimberly’s uncle) and will be driven by Carter Dalgety, Murray’s grandson. View the full article

The connections of three starters in the $200,000 Sands Point Stakes (G2T) are hoping their 3-year-old filly can move forward off her finish in the Winter Memories Stakes (G3T). There's also one that would be quite happy to experience some deja vu.View the full article

Former jumps jockey James Seivwright, who rode 23 winners between the 2017-18 and 2021-22 seasons, is moving into a new role with Seivwright Bloodstock’s debut Ready to Run consignment of five two-year-olds at next month’s Ready to Run Sale, alongside wife and successful event rider, Maddy. But that’s not to say that the 31-year-old is lacking in experience around the Ready to Run Sale. “I’ve been around the Ready to Run Sale scene for a little while, having previously worked for Riversley Park and Kiltannon Stables,” he said. “Selling horses under my own name had been something in the back of my mind, although I probably didn’t intend on doing it as soon as this year. “But I have a very good client, Ray Fleming, who basically told me that he had these horses heading towards the Ready to Run Sale and I would be selling them for him. So that’s how it got started. “We have a draft of five, which I think is a nice number to start off with. It’s not too stressful that way and allows us to keep a close eye on everything. It’s only my wife and I who do the riding, so having a draft of this size allows us to do everything that we need to. “The preparations have gone well so far. The horses are getting pretty fresh now, so it’s a bit of a shame that the weather has forced the Breeze Ups to be put back a week. We’d got the horses quite tuned to go this week. But we’ll just back off them for a couple of days and then bring them back up again. We’re looking forward to the next few weeks.” 82 Noverre (NZ)‐Saffron Lady (NZ)Brown Colt Seivwright Bloodstock 115 Ace High (AUS)‐Smartly (NZ)Bay Colt Seivwright Bloodstock 410 Shamexpress (NZ)‐Kewzero (NZ)Bay Gelding Seivwright Bloodstock 435 Noverre (NZ)‐Lincoln’s Gal (AUS)Bay Gelding Seivwright Bloodstock 463 Ardrossan (AUS)‐Miss Adventure (NZ)Bay Gelding Seivwright Bloodstock View the full article

Stablemates Oratia Beauty and Geneva will have opportunities to book their passages south when they step out at Ellerslie on Saturday. The former will face a rise in class in the Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) while Geneva will take on older opposition in the Kingmakers Syndication Handicap (1400m). Trainer Kylie Hoskin has the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) hopes for the Jomara Bloodstock-bred and raced pair. Oratia Beauty capped the strong start she’s made to her career when she broke her maiden after minor placings in both of her previous appearances. “When we look back the horses she beat, there is very good form around her,” Hoskin said. At Taupo last time out, the Too Darn Hot filly accounted for subsequent winner Kygo Star and Magic Carpet, who then came out and claimed top honours in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). “I think she does deserve her chance, and she has trained on really well,” Hoskin said. “We were going to give her another run but with the wet tracks we haven’t, and she’s fit and ready to go for Saturday. “She’s at her best fitness wise and this is her chance to show she’s up to competing at the top level of fillies in the Guineas.” Time Test colt Geneva won his only start as a two-year-old and this season his progress has been hampered by the persistent wet tracks. Despite unsuitable going, he was fourth in the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), midfield in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) and most recently ran third in an age group even on the course. “His last run at Ellerslie was much better and was still a bit fierce in the running so we’ve added a nose band and in his trackwork he’s been a lot better,” Hoskin said. “We’re hoping that’s going to be enough to let him relax more in the running and save it for the end. “With the way the tracks have been, we haven’t been able to get a start into him and, again, this is his chance to see if he gets a trip down south.” View the full article