Wandering Eyes

Equibase has enhanced the foreign past performance data with internal points of call information and short comments for the expected Japanese runners in the Kentucky Derby (G1). View the full article

Several Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) contenders hit the work tab across Kentucky April 25 for their final breezes ahead of the May 2-3 races, including Grande and Chunk of Gold.View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a bevy of bluebloods at Leicester. 2.35 Leicester, Mdn, £8,000, 3yo/up, 10fT SKIMMER (GB) (Kingman {GB}) is one of a pair of Juddmonte newcomers in this line-up, with Harry Charlton in charge of the half-brother to the G1 St Leger hero Logician (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Joining him is the Andrew Balding-trained Tarriance (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a son of the dual Group 3 winner and dual Grade I runner-up Visit (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), while others of note are Godolphin's Urban Warrior (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and Naval Command (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), half-brothers to the Classic winners Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) and Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) respectively, and Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Revelio (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a Richard Hannon-trained son of the 1,000 Guineas runner-up Cloak Of Spirits (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). 4.55 Haydock, Novice, £10,000, 3yo, f, 7f 212yT BINTALINA (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) debuts for Salhia Stud, with the 500,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase being a half-sister to the G1 St James's Palace Stakes hero Barney Roy (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}) and a full-sister to the G3 Criterion Stakes winner Noble Dynasty (GB). Roger Varian introduces the Salhia Stud colour-bearer, whose rivals include Shadwell's fellow newcomer Althawaqeb (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), a Kevin Philippart De Foy trainee who was another big player at October Book 1 at 400,000gns. The post Kingman Half To Logician Debuts At Leicester appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-Keeneland, $84,357, Msw, 4-25, 2yo, f, 4 1/2f (off turf), :52.62, sy, 5 lengths. STORM CLOUD RISING (f, 2, Runhappy–Demigoddess {SP, $150,840}, by First Dude), already experienced over a muddy track when third in her debut over course and distance Apr. 11, was meant for the turf here but took plenty of money as the race got rained off onto the main track. Down to 3-1 from her 20-1 morning line as a result, the outside draw flashed early speed and was intent on the lead, dueling early with first-time starter Mother of Pearl (Tom's d'Etat) through the opening quarter in :22.75. Kept just off the rail into the stretch, she splashed home a clear winner, coming in five lengths ahead of a closing Diva Calling (Dialed In). Demigoddess, who has already produced this runner's full-brother in Prince of Power, SP, $176,513 and another winning full-sibling in She's Jersey Tuff, has a yearling colt by Vekoma and was barren back to that same stallion this season. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $61,560. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Bryan M. Carney (KY); T-Jesus Esquivel. (12) Storm Cloud Rising powers down the stretch in race 2! (10) Diva Calling follows in second and (7) Mother of Pearl takes third. pic.twitter.com/Mp2b4ZtHcW — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 25, 2025 The post Aptly-Named Storm Cloud Rising Splashes Home A Winner At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The nominations for the 2025 Canadian Triple Crown, consisting of The King's Plate, Prince of Wales and Breeders' Stakes, were released by Woodbine Entertainment Friday. A total of 88 3-year-olds, all foaled in Canada, have been nominated to this year's Canadian Triple Crown. The 166th running of The King's Plate will launch the Canadian Triple Crown Saturday, Aug. 16 at Woodbine Racetrack. The Prince of Wales, scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 9 at Fort Erie Race Track, and the Breeders' Stakes, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 28 at Woodbine, complete the Triple Crown. The Canadian Triple Crown is contested over three different racing surfaces, all-weather (The King's Plate), dirt (Prince of Wales) and turf (Breeders' Stakes). To view the list of nominees to the 2025 Canadian Triple Crown, click here. The nominations for the 70th running of the Woodbine Oaks have also been released. A total of 65 3-year-old fillies, foaled in Canada, have been nominated to the Woodbine Oaks. This year's Woodbine Oaks will be run on Sunday, July 20. To view the list of nominees to this year's Woodbine Oaks, click here. The post Canadian Triple Crown Attracts 88 Nominations appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

No G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner has ever won the G1 FWD QEII Cup over 2000 metres at Sha Tin, but on Sunday, Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) will attempt to become the first. And with the absence of three-time QEII Cup hero Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), there is no better time to try. Co-owned by Resolute Racing's John Stewart, the likeable Goliath was a 2 1/4-length victor over subsequent G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}) at Ascot in July. Given some time on the sidelines, he returned to take the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris by a half-length on October 20, and ran with credit to take sixth in the G1 Japan Cup in November. The QEII Cup has been pencilled in on Goliath's dance card for some time, and trainer Francis-Henri Graffard is confident his charge will be ready to go from stall nine with Christophe Soumillon booked to ride. “It was the plan to drop him back in distance here for the beginning of the season,” said Graffard. “Obviously we will be seeing him step up in trip again, but we thought we'd try and get a good pace. When he has pace, he's a very impressive horse. When things go his way during a race, as everybody saw in the King George, he's an amazing horse.” On the competition, he added, “It sounds like everywhere we go in the world now the main opposition is Japanese horses. They are an unbelievable breed and fantastic horses, but I have a lot of belief in my horse and I know when he's at his best and things go his way he's a very, very good horse.” The aforementioned Japanese contingent is loaded with talent, and a trio will take part in the QEII Cup. Two-time runner-up (2023/24) Prognosis (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is back for more from stall six. Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown heroine Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) and 2023 G1 Tokyo Yushun hero Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}), second and third in the G1 Hong Kong Cup, have also returned with purpose to Hong Kong. Tastiera is the mount of Joao Moreira, who told the South China Morning Post, “I saw Tastiera this morning and he looked stunning and shining. On my pick, I think he will be the horse to beat, but racing is racing and you never know what is going to happen.” Group winner Ensued (Lemon Drop Kid) leaves from stall four under Brenton Avdulla for John Size. The 5-year-old gelding was second in the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup over this course and distance in February, and is looking to rebound after an eighth in the G2 Chairman's Trophy behind Straight Arron (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) in March. The race also features four-time New Zealand Group 1 winner El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking {Aus}) from the rail. Another Historic First For Gai? If Royal Patronage (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) wins the G1 FWD Champions Mile, his co-trainer, the First Lady of Australian Racing herself, Gai Waterhouse, would break new ground as the first woman to train a winner in Hong Kong. Waterhouse, who trains with Adrian Bott, has not sent a runner overseas for a decade–excepting New Zealand–and made several earlier forays to Hong Kong without hitting pay dirt. A winner of the G1 Canterbury Stakes in March, the former British-trained runner ran fourth in the G1 George Ryder Stakes later that month. He was only a short head behind Stefi Magnetica (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) in the G1 Doncaster Mile on April 5 and appears to hold the strongest hand among overseas chances. He will be ridden by Tim Clark from stall three. “I think we're coming off the back of the right races and no doubt bring the right form, we've got the right horse,” Bott told RSN on Thursday. “If he can produce that [form] here, that'll see him being very competitive.” The 6-year-old entire faces a stiff test, from both the Hong Kong locals and other foreign raiders. Nine-time Group 1 winner Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullsbars {Aus}) has flown in from Australia as well, and was second last out in the G1 All-Star Mile in March. Only beaten once this season is local hope Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), who has taken four races on the bounce, his last three at the highest level with victories in the Hong Kong Mile, Stewards' Cup, and the Gold Cup. Beauty Eternal (Aus) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) got the better of Red Lion (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) in the 2024 Champions Mile, and they will leave from gates five and 12, respectively. 'Rising' A Fait Accompli In Sprint Prize? He's the world's highest rated sprinter, and the fourth highest-rated horse in the world this year. Hail Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}), who is riding an 11-race winning streak into the G1 FWD Chairman's Sprint Prize over 1200 metres at Sha Tin on Sunday. One of 13 in the race, the David Hayes-trained sprinter was last seen taking the G2 Sprint Cup over this course and distance with Helios Express (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) second on March 30. Regular rider Zac Purton will be aboard and the duo will leave from stall four. “He is a pleasure to do anything with and if you could order a horse, you would order him,” Purton said. “He has got the best attitude, he goes home and he eats and he recovers and he does everything you want. A big teddy bear. He is eager to get out and do his work. He is excited to do that and once he gets out there, he drops his head, cruises around and does everything right.” Also part of the local brigade is the multiple Group 1 winner Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {NZ}), who will be making his 2024/25 seasonal bow after taking the Sprint Cup in early April of 2024, with Invincible Sage (Aus) (Thronum {Aus}) filling the runner-up spot. He won the Chairman's Sprint Prize in 2023. Japan holds a four-strong hand in this race, with the strongest contender on ratings at least, Satono Reve (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}). Successful in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen over the Chairman's Sprint Prize distance at Chukyo on March 30, the 6-year-old will attempt to follow in his sire's footsteps and add a Hong Kong Group 1 to his collection. Lord Kanaloa was a two-time winner of the Hong Kong Sprint in 2012 and 2013. He leaves from gate six under Joao Moreira, a former multiple champion jockey in Hong Kong. Last year's G1 Sprinters Stakes hero Lugal (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), and group winner and G1 Al Quoz Sprint fourth Danon McKinley (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) are also set to line up. The latter was out for a spin on Wednesday, clocking :21.4 over 400m on grass. Stable representative Kazuo Fujiwara said, “He had a great grip on the turf and moved exceptionally well. Everything is going smoothly.” The post Goliath Takes On Japan In QEII Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There is a problem and John Stewart of Resolute Racing wants to be part of the solution. His goal is for the industry to find a way to give every horse that comes off the racetrack a second home. He knows that won't be cheap, which is why he will spend part of his Derby week hosting his Poker For Ponies tournament. His goal is to raise $500,000 that will be divided up among 50 aftercare organizations. The event will take place on Thursday, May 1 at the Omni Hotel in Louisville. Players can buy a seat in the tournament for as much as $5,000 or for as little as $1,000. “I am doing this because we have a huge responsibility,” Stewart said. “These are God's creatures and we have bred them to be reliant on us to care for them. As a breeder, I am a big advocate that if you bring them into the world you are responsible for them. Even if you sell them you should be responsible for them the rest of their lives and provide care for them. When I got into the industry I was shocked when I saw that this was a problem. This is a solvable problem. I'm trying to bring attention to it.” This isn't the first example of Stewart's charitable work to help retired race horses. He's always trying to come up with new ideas to solve the problem. His other current project is to build a farm that can serve as a holding facility for horses coming off the track. “I just bought a 150-acre farm that adjoins ours,” he said. “We're doing renovations on it so we can do aftercare and kind of prep these horses to go into some of these training programs. Some of these places have limited space. We can hold them until they're ready to go there or we can keep them.” While his poker tournament will help 50 aftercare organizations, he says much more needs to be done. “This is a stop-gap measure,” Stewart said. “We've got to do some things to put an end to this. I recognize that if you're running in $5,000 claiming races and if your horse doesn't get claimed, what are you going to do with that horse? I want to have a situation where if you can't afford your horse anymore we will take it off your hands. We're trying to provide options for people. I believe that 95% of the people in world are good people, but there are a few bad people. It's hard to be a trainer and operate with those thin margins. You may not want your horse to wind up in a kill lot, but if you can't afford to feed it and you don't want to sit there and watch it, what do you do? I want to create a stop-gap for those people. There will be no questions asked. No one is going to record your name and tell people that, hey, this trainer dropped a horse with us. It's not about that. It's about being a solution.” Each poker player will be playing for one of the aftercare groups. Each group is guaranteed to receive $5,000. The groups aligned with the top five finishers will earn more. Poker For Ponies raised over $100,000 last year. “We did everything at the last minute,” Stewart said. Stewart said it's unlikely that he will reach the $500,000 goal this year, but will likely earn between $250,000 to $300,000 for the charities. With everyone who pays the $1,000 fee to play, Stewart will double their contribution and donate an additional $1,000 of his own. “It's a community effort and we're trying to be participative when it comes to helping out these smaller independent groups,” he said. “There's a lot of money given to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and all of the organization involved in this have to be accredited by them. But we will give the money directly to the organizations.” For more information and to enter go to pokerforponies.net. The post Play Poker, Have Fun, Help Thoroughbred Aftercare Organizations appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stall applications for the July 4th Racing Festival and 40-day summer meet at Saratoga Race Course are now available online, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced in a press release Friday. Typically held at Belmont Park, the July 4th Racing Festival at Saratoga is set for Thursday, July 3, through Sunday, July 6. The July 4th Racing Festival, which is highlighted by the GI Belmont Derby Invitational July 4 and the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational July 5, will serve as a prelude to the traditional summer meet and conclude the Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet. The 40-day Saratoga summer meet — highlighted by the 156th renewal of the GI DraftKings Travers Aug. 23 and the GI Whitney Aug. 2 — will open Thursday, July 10 and continue through Monday, Sept. 1. The stall application process closes Sunday, May 25. The post Stall Applications for 2025 Saratoga Meet Now Available appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Oaks hopeful Quietside (Malibu Moon), the winner last out of the GII Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn for trainer John Ortiz, and Derby bound Grande (Curlin), who was the runner-up in the GII Wood Memorial Stakes at the Big A, put in their final works at sleepy Keeneland on Friday. Meanwhile under the Twin Spires, a bevy of workers continued to make their preparations for next week's big races. Away from the hubbub of Churchill Downs, Ortiz's plan all along was to keep the 'TDN Rising Star' and Shortleaf homebred at Keeneland, which is near his home in Versailles. The filly was on track at 7:30 a.m. ET after the first renovation and before a quick storm turned the surface from fast to sloppy, Quietside was clocked in :48.20 for the half-mile with her Oaks jockey, Jose Ortiz, in the saddle. The local clockers reported her fractions as :12.20, :23.80 and :36.40 and a gallop out of 1:00 and “a tick” for 5 furlongs. “Jose and I had a plan to give her just a half-mile and easy gallop out just to keep her on her toes from here on out,” Ortiz said. “She worked perfectly. It looks like she is ready.” After her final Keeneland drill, the Fantasy winner was loaded into a trailer for the trip to Louisville along with stable pony Barber Road (Race Day), who knows a thing or two about where they are headed. Quietside in the van and making her way to @ChurchillDowns on the road to the Kentucky Oaks She couldn't travel without her coach Barber Road. #TeamQuietside Edit: @kortiz428 pic.twitter.com/glW8i32MnM — ORTIZ RACING STABLES (@johnnyortiz24) April 25, 2025 As for Grande, Pletcher's plan was to give Repole Stable's Grande his final tune-up at Keeneland for the Derby. With rain in the forecast for several days, the Hall of Famer has had his eye on the weather and opted for Friday at 7:30 a.m. ET to capitalize on the freshly groomed track immediately after the first renovation period. “My instinct told me to bring him to Keeneland,” Pletcher said. “I thought we would have a more reliable surface. As it turns out, the track was muddy and sealed today at Churchill. With more rain in the forecast, I thought this was a safer play.” With John Velazquez in the saddle and working in company with 3-year-old maiden winner Valentinian (Into Mischief), Grande completed five furlongs in 1:01 over a fast track moments before a heavy downpour turned the track sloppy. The colt's fractions were :13, :25, :37.20 and :49 with a gallop out for 6 furlongs in 1:13.40, according to the clockers. The post Quietside, Grande Drill At Sleepy Keeneland As Busy Churchill Ramps Up appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-SA, 60K, Msw, 3-5yo, 1mT, 4:00 p.m. Zedan Racing Stable went to $550,000 to secure MUTAZ (Nyquist) as a 2-year-old at OBS April last year. Debuting Saturday on the grass for trainer Bob Baffert, the colt is out of GI Juddmonte Spinster Stakes winner Acoma (Empire Maker) who has produced four winners from six to race including the dam of GII Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes runner up Golden Afternoon (Goldencents). Acoma herself is a half-sister to GISW and sire Arch (Kris S.) along with UAE Horse of the Year Festival of Light (A.P. Indy) while another of Acoma's half-sisters produced dual champion Covfefe (Into Mischief) and Japanese MGSW/MG1SP Albiano (Harlan's Holiday). After posting back to back bullet works March 29 and April 7, Mutaz put in his last drill in company from the gate with GISW Speed Boat Beach (Bayern) going five furlongs in :59.80 (6/27). TJCIS PPS Work of the Day from @santaanitapark—Speed Boat Beach (Outside), 59.20, and Mutaz, 59.80, worked 5 Furlongs on April 21st, 2025, for trainer Bob Baffert. pic.twitter.com/y6y3tWcPKP — 1/ST TV (@Watch1ST) April 21, 2025 The post Saturday Insights: Nyquist Colt Debuts On The Grass For Baffert And Zedan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Equibase has enhanced the foreign past performance data with internal points of call information and short comments for the expected Japanese runners in the Kentucky Derby, the company said in a press release on Friday. Luxor Cafe (American Pharoah) has made six career starts in Japan–at Tokyo, Sapporo, and Nakayama racecourses–while Admire Daytona (Jpn) (Drefong) made five starts at Tokyo Racecourse prior to his win in the G2 UAE Derby at Meydan. “Our track and field team spent considerable time gathering race footage then charting the points of call and adding short commentary for every race from the Japan-based Derby entrants to create the same style of running lines for programs and past performances as the rest of the field,” said Kyle McDoniel, president and COO for Equibase.” Similar data enhancements were also made for two European-based horses likely to be entered on the Derby undercard program. The post Race Data For Japanese-Based KYD Entrants Now On Equibase appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dew Sweepers LLC's Tough Critic (Caravaggio), who came from well off the pace to graduate at first asking in a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint at Keeneland Apr. 24, is a late addition to tonight's Keeneland April Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale, the sales department said via a Friday press release. Paramount Sales, agent, will consign the Apr. 29 foal as hip 89 to the auction, which kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET. Trained by George Weaver, the dark bay colt attracted the services of top rider Flavien Prat for the debut and settled in the latter third as the hot favorite Longshoreman (Twirling Candy)– whose dam is a half-sister to the G1 King's Stand Stakes-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Lady Aurelia (Scat Daddy)–made the running. Steered out in upper stretch, Tough Critic took aim on the pacesetter passing the eighth pole and grabbed him in the waning strides to take it by 1 1/4 lengths. Weaver sent out Crimson Advocate (Nyquist) to win the G2 Queen Mary Stakes at the Royal Meeting in 2023. Bred in New York by Delahanty Stock Farm, Tough Critic was purchased for $47,000 graduate out of the Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale last August. He is out of Thatchit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), whose half-brother Radiohead (GB) (Johannesburg) upset the 2009 G2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and was subsequently third in the G1 Middle Park Stakes at York. Click here to access Keeneland's online catalogue. TOUGH CRITIC ($15.44) rolls down the center of the track to break his maiden in the 2nd race at @KeenelandRacing. Flavien Prat was aboard the juvenile Caravaggio colt for trainer George Weaver. pic.twitter.com/8seT2DAVxY — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 24, 2025 The post Impressive Maiden Winner Tough Critic Supplemented To Keeneland HORA Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Fierceness (City of Light) is pointing to the GII Alysheba Stakes on the Kentucky Oaks undercard where it's possible he could duel with fellow Todd Pletcher trainee Locked (Gun Runner), according to a tweet by Fierceness owner Mike Repole on Friday. The message on Repole's account said, “Fierceness will be making his 4-year-old debut at Churchill Downs in the Alysheba Stakes. He will square off vs barn mate and super-talented multiple Grade I winner Locked! What a matchup! Racing fans wanted to see more older horses comeback for a 4-year racing campaign and the Commish delivered!!!! Fierceness vs Locked is a heavyweight title fight! Who is going to win??? I think Fierceness is a “Lock” to win!” Last season, Fierceness ended his campaign with a runner-up finish to eventual Eclipse winning 3-Year-Old Colt Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic. As for Locked, who is co-owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm, that colt is coming off a score in the GI Santa Anita Handicap Mar. 1. Both colts were named 'TDN Rising Stars' at two. Fierceness will be making his 4 year old debut at @ChurchillDowns in the Alysheba Stakes. He will square off vs barn mate and super talented Multiple Grade 1 winner Locked!!!!! What a matchup!!!!! Racing Fans wanted to see more older horses comeback for a 4 year racing… — Repole Stable (@RepoleStable) April 25, 2025 The post Repole Bills Fierceness V. Locked As ‘Heavyweight Fight’ In Alysheba appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A share in top Australian sire Zoustar (Aus) (lot 255) will be offered during the Inglis Digital April (late) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding and lasts through April 30. One of over 550 lots, the share is offered by Qatar Bloodstock, Ltd. This sale marks only the second time a share in Zoustar has come up for public auction. The Widden Stud resident, who will stand for A$275,000 this year, has sired 65 stakes winners and 117 black-type horses including Sunlight (Aus), Ozzmosis (Aus), Zougotcha (Aus), Schwarz (Aus), Joliestar (Aus), Climbing Star (NZ), Mizzy (Aus), and Zoutori (Aus). To view the complete catalogue, please visit the Inglis website. The post Share In Zoustar Highlights Inglis Digital April (Late) Online Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ballydoyle's standard had been hoisted just once in Sandown's G3 bet365 Classic Trial during the Aidan O'Brien era and last term's G3 Tyros Stakes runner-up Swagman (Ger) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) doubled that tally with a determined effort in this year's renewal of the 10-furlong feature. Let go at generous odds of 9-2, the €170,000 BBAG September graduate was the only one of five contenders without a ticket to Epsom's Blue Riband and, coming back off a 274-day sabbatical, stalked the leading duo in third for the most part. Easing outside for a clear passage with three furlongs remaining, he was shaken up to launch his main effort passing the quarter-mile marker and stayed on in resolute fashion up the hill to assert superiority by 3/4-of-a-length from the rallying pacesetter Windlord (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Wathnan Racing's hitherto undefeated Damysus (GB) (Frankel {GB}) threatened throughout the final quarter-mile and finished a half-length adrift in third. “He only had three runs last year, but his last one was a very good one behind Hotazhell in the Tyros,” said Ryan Moore. The April-foaled bay had also trailed Hotazhell on debut last June. “He has done well from two to three and when I got on him in the paddock I thought he had got stronger. They went a good even pace and he was a little bit green in places. Coming off the bend, he was travelling very nicely at the two [pole] and showed a very good attitude in the last quarter-mile. He seems to stay well, it doesn't seem to matter how you ride him and he's a straightforward horse. I'm happy with what he did today and he is a nice one to look forward to.” Despite the lack of a Derby nomination, Swagman retains entries for both G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Grand Prix de Paris. He also holds tickets for the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and G1 Irish Derby. However, the June 1 Chantilly Classic remains on the radar, according to O'Brien. “He's run well there and the [G1] French Derby is a definite possible,” the trainer said. “At this stage, we are just trying to get them all started and see where they all fit in. It's nice to have options. We're delighted with him and he's a horse that has done well since last year. We always thought a mile-and-a-quarter would suit him well and we thought he would come forward plenty from the run too. He started growing on us last year and that was why he hadn't run since July. He just kept on growing and he's turned out a much bigger horse this year.” Pedigree Notes Swagman, a half-brother to the stakes-placed Santorini (Ger) (Siyouni {Fr}), is the latest of four live foals and one of two scorers produced by an unraced half-sister to G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud heroine Plumania (GB) (Anabaa), G2 Prix de Royallieu victrix Balladeuse (Fr) (Singspiel {Ire}) and Listed Prix de Liancourt third Dancequest (Ire) (Dansili {GB}). Plumania's descendants include stakes-winning G1 Prix Saint-Alary third Solsticia (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}). Balladeuse's quartet of stakes performers features G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Left Hand (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and dual Group 1-placed G2 Prix de Pomone and G3 Prix de Royaumont victrix Aventure (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Dancequest is the dam of G1 Prix Royal-Oak hero Double Major (Ire) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) and G3 Prix de Guiche victor Flop Shot (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}). Sandown Classic Trial @Sandownpark Sandown Park – Groupe 3 – 3-year-old – 2001m – 5 Starters – 83 615 £ Swagman (m) (Ger) Ryan-L Moore Windlord Damysus (Wootton Bassett (Gb) @coolmorestud – Secretina (Gb) par Galileo (Ire))… pic.twitter.com/XNfRudI2oT — French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) April 25, 2025 Friday, Sandown, Britain BET365 CLASSIC TRIAL-G3, £85,000, Sandown, 4-25, 3yo, 9f 209yT, 2:10.93, gd. 1–SWAGMAN (GER), 129, c, 3, by Wootton Bassett (GB) 1st Dam: Secretina (GB), by Galileo (Ire) 2nd Dam: Featherquest (GB), by Rainbow Quest 3rd Dam: Featherhill (Fr), by Lyphard 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€170,000 Ylg '23 BBAGS). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier; B-Gestut Brummerhof (GER); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £48,204. Lifetime Record: GSP-Ire, 4-2-1-1, $88,053. *1/2 to Santorini (Ger) (Siyouni {Fr}), SP-Ger. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Windlord (GB), 129, c, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Goldika (Ire), by Intello (Ger). O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Andrew Balding. £18,275. 3–Damysus (GB), 129, c, 3, Frankel (GB)–Legerete, by Rahy. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (460,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-Wathnan Racing; B-Newsells Park Stud & Merry Fox Stud (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. £9,146. Margins: 3/4, HF, 2 1/4. Odds: 4.50, 1.25, 6.50. Also Ran: Sir Dinadan (Ire), I Am I Said (GB). The post Wootton Bassett’s Swagman Strikes for Ballydoyle in the Sandown Classic Trial appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Built (Hard Spun), who began his Derby journey by earning 10 points towards the historic race when he netted the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds back in December, is now being pointed to the GII Pat Day Mile, according to a post on X by owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. Led by Aron Wellman, the Eclipse message said, “It's a huge honor to have qualified for the Kentucky Derby, but we have opted for the GII $600k Pat Day Mile, a race we believe is better suited for Built. Thanks to our wonderful Eclipse TBP & Cat Racing Stable for always putting our horse's best interest first.” It's a huge honor to have qualified Built for the @KentuckyDerby, but we have opted for the GII, $600k Pat Day Mile, a race we believe is better suited for Built. Thanks to our wonderful @EclipseTBP & @CATRacingStable for always putting our horse's best interest 1st. #BelieveBig pic.twitter.com/C133NfYoz4 — Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners (@EclipseTBP) April 25, 2025 The 3-year-old trained by Wayne Catalano was the runner-up in the GIII Lecomte Stakes in New Orleans Jan. 18 and third in the GII Risen Star Stakes Feb. 15. Last seen finishing fifth in the GII Twinspires Louisiana Derby, Built's spot will now be occupied by Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee Neoequos (Neolithic). In the Pat Day on the Derby undercard, Built could potentially face the likes of MGSP Madaket Road (Quality Road) and SW Clever Again (American Pharoah). A $260,000 OBS April purchase by Eclipse, Built hit Churchill's main track to drill on Thursday and turned in a :59.40 over five furlongs. Built works 5 furlongs this morning in :59.40 for trainer Wayne Catalano pic.twitter.com/eMfRXCGbN2 — Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 24, 2025 The post Built To Bypass Derby In Favor Of Pat Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

He may not be Charyn, but Dancing Gemini (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) is doing a passable impression of last year's miling sensation as he completed the same Doncaster Mile-Sandown Mile double on Friday. Always travelling comfortably in the Group 2 feature under Rossa Ryan, the Roger Teal-trained 5-2 favourite took off passing the two pole and hit the line with 1 3/4 lengths to spare over Tamfana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), who was returning under a five-pound penalty. Dancing Gemini, who had turned a corner in the Listed contest at Doncaster last month after a winless 2024 campaign which involved a second in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and fourth behind Charyn in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, has either Newbury's G1 Lockinge Stakes or ParisLongchamp's G1 Prix d'Ispahan as options now. “Today shows why we were pitching him into all the top Group races last year, but unfortunately we got a soft summer and I've always said he's not a soft-ground horse,” Teal said. “I was a little worried about the ground here today, as although he goes on it when you see him point his toe like he did at Doncaster it's something else. The d'Ispahan could be an opportunity–we want to get a Group 1 with him–and we have to do best by the horse. I'd love to go to Newbury but we will have to see.” Very smooth from Dancing Gemini to plunder the @bet365 Mile pic.twitter.com/qBYpyV8pqz — Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 25, 2025 Pedigree Notes The winner is the first foal out of the owner-breeder's Lady Adelaide (Ire) (Australia {GB}), whose family features the 1978 G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Dancing Maid (Fr) and Rainbow Quest's G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud-winning sire Special Quest (Fr). Her 2-year-old filly Dancing Saxon (Ire) is predictably by Saxon Warrior (Jpn). Friday, Sandown, Britain BET365 MILE-G2, £125,000, Sandown, 4-25, 4yo/up, 8fT, 1:43.53, gd. 1–DANCING GEMINI (IRE), 129, c, 4, by Camelot (GB) 1st Dam: Lady Adelaide (Ire), by Australia (GB) 2nd Dam: Confusion (Fr), by Anabaa 3rd Dam: Red Stella (Fr), by Rainbow Quest 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Fishdance Ltd; B-Fishdance (IRE); T-Roger Teal; J-Rossa Ryan. £70,888. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Fr, 12-4-2-0, $488,121. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Tamfana (Ger), 131, f, 4, Soldier Hollow (GB)–Tres Magnifique (Fr), by Zoffany (Ire). (€20,000 Ylg '22 BBAGS). O-Quantum Leap Racing VIII & Friends; B-Gestut Etzean U H H Rodenburg (GER); T-David Menuisier. £26,875. 3–Cicero's Gift (GB), 129, g, 5, Muhaarar (GB)–Terentia (GB), by Diktat (GB). TDN Rising Star. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (32,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Rosehill Racing; B-Mrs F S Williams (GB); T-Charles Hills. £13,450. Margins: 1 3/4, 1 1/4, HF. Odds: 2.50, 5.50, 16.00. Also Ran: Alcantor (Fr), Haatem (Ire), Cash (Ire), Ice Max (GB), Lead Artist (GB). The post Camelot’s Dancing Gemini Takes The Sandown Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner On current form, Nathan Williamson appeared to have an excruciating call to make ahead of the Group 2 Macca Lodge–Nevele R Stud Southern Oaks on Diamonds Day at Ascot Park on Sunday. Williamson opted for the tried and true in Captains Mistress, who will clash with her exciting and unbeaten stablemate Utah Jazz in Southland’s premier event for three-year-old fillies. Now that it has been made, the trainer-driver won’t lose any sleep if it turns out to be the wrong one. “Obviously training both of them and both being raced by Mick Boots, I am going to be pretty stoked if one of them can beat the other and get the job done.” “I have gone with the proven filly at this stage in Captains Mistress.” “There is no doubting her class and I am really happy with where she is at.” “It is not to say Utah Jazz can’t come out and beat her, because she is very progressive.” “But until she gets out there on Sunday, she’s yet to prove herself in Group company.” Captains Mistress (10) looks to have a slight draw advantage over Utah Jazz (7), who must start wide on the front row for driver Craig Ferguson. “She’s a good filly, but from the draw it could be a little bit tricky for her.” “It will be up to Craig but I can see him having to slot back somewhere, because there looks to be a lot of speed inside her.” “Hopefully they do go hard.” What Utah Jazz has clearly over her star stablemate is recent racing. Captains Mistress has had just one recent start, compared to Utah Jazz’s three. However, a lack of fitness is not something Williamson is expecting to be an issue for his favourite. “She is very well in herself, she will improve with more racing but she is pretty well where she needs to be.” “If she doesn’t have any bad luck and gets a reasonable enough run, I’d expect her to be hard to beat.” Williamson also starts a key contender in the Group 2 Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes Final in Always Dreaming. The three-year-old is similar to Captains Mistress in that he’s only had one run leading into a major event. Similarly, he doesn’t think a lack of fitness will be an issue for his charge. “He has sharpened up off his run last week.” “He has been one of those horses that if you throw in the deep end, he will swim.” “He came home licked the bowl and his work has really sharpened up.” “The draw (10) is the only real issue for him, but I still expect him to be very competitive.” Williamson also starts Duchess Maria in the Group 3 Entain Southern Classic. The debutante looks a genuine winning threat following her strong recent trials. Miraculous and Secret Agent Man are also among the trainer’s powerful Diamonds Day line-up. Jonny Turner’s five to follow on Diamonds Day : Betterthancash The saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” seems to apply perfectly to Betterthancash. The pacer has been brilliant in all his recent outings in the southern country cups, especially with his last-start win at Winton. Previously, Betterthancash had taken full advantage of starting from the front line, but he came off a handicap and did significant mid-race work in his big Winton Cup win. Though he again faces a handicap in the Southern Country Cups Final, 10m looks very workable for Betterthancash, who beat almost all of his key rivals in that last-start victory. All signs point to another strong effort from the four-year-old, and there seem to be even fewer reasons for punters to lose faith in him. To place a bet in this race click here Seaside Rose She’s been absolutely in the zone in her last two starts in Southland, and the timing of Diamonds Day 2025 couldn’t be better for her. Seaside Rose jogged to victory in the Southern Belle Speed Series Final at Winton last weekend, not appearing as though she ran a sharp time as she cruised clear of her rivals. The mare drops in grade on Sunday, and though she starts from a tough draw in barrier 8, she looks well capable of delivering a crushing victory. Secret Agent Man poses the clearest threat to the mare. He was just OK in his last start at Wyndham, but expect trainer Nathan Williamson to have the pacer finely tuned for a bigger Diamonds Day performance. To place a bet in this race click here Jumal How do they beat the red-hot favourite in Diamonds Day’s Group 1 feature? Given he’s comprehensively dealt to many of his rivals leading into Sunday’s clash, it’s a question with few strong answers. Jumal has looked explosive in his short career, and though Group One events are never easy to win, Sunday’s race appears to have come along at the perfect time for this youngster. He’s trained by a master in Steven Reid, who is rarely without a classy horse in his barn. An in-form Samantha Ottley takes the reins from barrier 6, which seems the only slight negative. However, in a field of just seven —with the scratching of D Mac, who has been sold to Perth interests — that draw doesn’t look like a massive hurdle to overcome. To place a bet in this race click here Julie Jaccka Winning her last two starts would ordinarily put Julie Jaccka in an awkward spot on Diamonds Day. But rather than copping the usual 14 rating points for those victories, the mare has only gone up three thanks to the junior concession of driver Dan Anderson. That puts Julie Jaccka on a very workable 10m handicap, where she looks ideally placed against horses she has mostly beaten in recent weeks. Usually beginning smartly and possessing a nice turn of foot, she must again rate a big winning threat if she can stay handy to the speed. Practical Magic — the often tipped and regularly beaten mare who has been written about extensively in this column — is the clear danger to the favourite. She again gets the advantage of the front line and could take some catching, especially if she can put a buffer between herself and Julie Jaccka. To place a bet in this race click here Brewster Baker It concerning enough that Brewster Baker doesn’t bring proven manners to today’s juvenile trotting feature. However, most of his rivals are in the same position, being baby square-gaiters. Brewster Baker produced a brilliant win in his last start, staging a big recovery from an early gallop at Addington. While he’s clearly risky, so too is his main rival and favourite, Who’s Ya Daddy, who broke and then recovered to run third in the same race. While early-season two-year-old trotting features are not for the faint-hearted, those who choose to play into the race can follow Brewster Baker, knowing he’s shown on exposed form that he’s the most talented horse in the field so far. It’s surprising he hasn’t been installed as the early favourite for the Entain Southern Classic, so he may offer more value on Sunday than he possibly will going forward. To place a bet in this race click here View the full article

By Michael Guerin The marker pegs were paved with pacing gold in the Group 1s at Alexandra Park on Friday night. But even for the biggest winners on the star-studded night could be excused for feelings of “what if” after all was said and done. The three big ones for the hoppled heroes were taken out by Republican Party in the Dawson Harford Messenger, Marketplace in the Woodlands Derby and Arafura in the Pascoes the Jewellers Northern Oaks. All were on the marker pegs throughout, as were the two trotting G1 winners for the night, and Arafura was the only G1 winner to not lead. She took out the first of the big ones after trailing Beside Me and breaking the national 2700m fillies record without having to go around another horse. While driver Tony Herlihy didn’t have to make too many decisions he still had to keep Arafura under control as her and Beside Me’s early burn got them both up and about over the Oaks distance, the favourite undoing herself more than Arafura did. “She is a really strong filly and that was a huge help when going that speed,” said Herlihy. “It is lovely to get this win for Amanda and Hayden [Cullen] while they are so early in their careers.” The Cullens have had a wonderful last six months as the stable goes from strength to strength but the Oaks fortunes were reversed later in the night when Republican Party led and settled beautifully for Carter Dalgety and was too strong in the Group 1 while the Cullen-trained Don’t Stop Dreaming stormed for third. While that might have left the Cullens with that “what if” feeling the reality was Republican Party deserved his win after a luckless autumn with poor draws and hard runs. “We set him for this race because he loves the longer distances,” said Dalgety, whose proud parents Cran and Chrissie train Republican Party but of course also Beside Me, their “what if” horse for the night. It was Republican Party’s 20th win in 54 starts and you could make a case he has been our best open class pacer over the last six months when you consider his Auckland and Invercargill Cup wins and close Hunter Cup third. So after the Cullens got the best of the Dalgetys in the first Group 1 they levelled the score at 1-1 in the Messenger and in between the pair came the performance of the night. That was undoubtedly Marketplace who as tough, fast and strong when obliterating the national 2700m three-year-old 2700m record in the Derby. He was asked to use his ace draw by Craig Ferguson and when he refused to relent to Got The Chocolates the latter couldn’t manufacture enough room to slot into the trail so had to sit parked and keep Marketplace running. Run he did and when Got The Chocolates started to drop off Ferguson took his chance and was gone, Marketplace willing as he charged clear for clearly his best performance of 2025. “It was really satisfying to see him lead and do that tonight,” said trainer Regan Todd. “If you keep handing up you will keep getting attacked so tonight will have earned him some more respect so I was thrilled with Craig’s drive and how the horse went.” Marketplace will fly home to Canterbury on Sunday and prepare for his last major of this campaign in the Sires’ Stakes Final at Addington on May 16, with a lead up run the Friday before. He is a very, very good horse and his time and body of work in G1 races suggests he may be the brightest light on our slightly dulled pacing horizon. But, like the other Group 1 winning trainers on the night, Todd had his “what if” moment in the Messenger, when it was Mo’unga storming late at Republican Party. “We almost got two Group 1s for the night,” he laughed. “But he might get his best chance in the Roy Purdon next week when he should get a start over the big name horses,” added Todd. It was the story of the night. Five sets of trainers got the Group 1s they crave but a few of them went home thinking had things been different they could have got another. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Mighty Logan succeeded where so many others have failed when leading throughout in the $100,000 Fisken And Son Anzac Cup at Alexandra Park on Friday. The Dominion runner-up from last November landed some big bets when he was able to take the Group 1 in what was his first start at Alexandra Park. Some great trotters have come to Alexandra Park and been tripped up by their first right handed start but not Mighty Logan, with driver John Dunn saying it was a team stable effort to hone him for his Auckland debut. “We were going to bring him up here last year but we couldn’t get him going right-handed and even though he got in on the last bend tonight he was still too good,” says Dunn. “Some of the credit has to go to Riley Harrison [stable employee] who has done a great job with him.” Dunn suggests Mighty Logan can improve further for the Rowe Cup next Friday and he must be a great chance even if next week’s handicaps won’t suit him quite as perfectly as this week. The two favourites Oscar Bonavena and Muscle Mountain were both off 10m last night and it soon got much worse for them as Oscar galloped and never looked a winning chance and Muscle Mountain was taken out of the race when his own stablemate Midnight Dash swung around and collected him. Add them both back to the same front mark as Mighty Logan next week and hopefully with Bet N Win, who missed the race, returning and the Rowe Cup now looks a very intriguing contest. While two of the Ben and Greg Hope horses took each other out the stable will still have to be happy with the second of Mr Love while One Over All and Queen Elida were good off their 10m handicaps in a race they were always going to struggle to win once Mighty Logan led and got into such a good rhythm. Earlier in the night our best three-year-old trotter Meant To Be confirmed that title but only just in the Breckon Farms Northern Trotting Derby. The big boy rolled around the field early to take the early lead off stablemate Higher Power but he had to dig very deep in the last 200m to hold that advantage as Higher Power kept coming in the home straight. It was a typical Derby for horses who weren’t used to the 2700m mobile, with all the main players struggling at the business end but the bottom line is Meant To Be still started from the unruly, looped the field and won so is the king of this crop so far. It was the first Northern Trotting Derby win for driver Zachary Butcher after captured the previous two Northern Pacing Derbys for the same winning trainers, Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan. “He got a bit keen and I was worried at the top of the straight but he kept going like a good horse does,” said Butcher. View the full article

For all their success in three-year-old staying features, Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young were yet to win a VRC St Leger, with American Wolf (NZ) (Tivaci) pulling out all the stops to change that record. First run in 1857, the St Leger is one of Australia’s oldest classics, and American Wolf ($12) proved the strongest stayer under John Allen, battling stride for stride with the Danny O’Brien trained filly Litzdeel ($8.50) to win by a long head, the pair clearing out by six lengths back to Kicking King ($12) in third. Co-trainer Natalie Young said it was a thrilling race to watch and an even better one to win. “Got a beautiful run. Just sat out the back, third last, and just relaxed nice and beautifully,” Young said. “John Allen just rode him an absolute treat… he was ridden more forward last start when he won at Ballarat and to come here today and do that, it means next week he’ll be ready to roll.” Young confirmed next week’s Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) is firmly on the agenda for American Wolf, provided the son of Tivaci comes through the St Leger well. “Definitely if he pulls up well, eats up, all the usual things, you might as well, you’re only three once. You don’t have to do much with him, he’s run 28 (hundred metres) today, he’s going to run 25 next week, so you’ve just got to tick him over basically,” Young said. While Young was confident in suggesting American Wolf would be highly competitive in a South Australian Derby, jockey John Allen, who has won the race four times in the past ten years, was a touch more conservative. “You’d like to think so,” Allen said. “He’s a horse on the up, lightly raced, he seems big and strong enough, as long as he comes through that run well enough. But he seems to have a good enough constitution, so I reckon he’ll be certainly there with a fighter’s chance.” View the full article

No Fuss (NZ) (Jon Snow) has delivered his ownership group an emotional victory at Flemington on Anzac Day, as the son of Jon Snow extended his unbeaten run in Australia under John Allen. The exciting four-year-old settled a touch closer than expected over the 1800-metre journey, but always travelled comfortably at a slow pace. Several horses loomed up to challenge at the top of the straight, but Tony and Calvin McEvoy’s galloper kept finding and held off the impressive Hoops ($51) to make it four wins on the spin, and his fourth success from five career starts. It was a gutsy win and one that meant a lot to all involved, with No Fuss’s part-owner Geoff Tucker passing away during the week. “I just want to shout out to Geoff Tucker’s family – Geoff was a great racing man, and a great supporter of my stable,” Tony McEvoy said. “Geoff had 20 percent of this horse and sadly lost his battle this week. He’s been getting great joy out of this horse, and the horse is continuing on for him.” An impressive maiden winner on Australian debut at Ballarat, No Fuss bombed the start first-up at Sandown but was still able to reel in his rivals late. He sat third, but much further from the front, at his next start, and as such, Saturday’s win left McEvoy very impressed with No Fuss’s versatility. “We’re still learning about him… I didn’t see him sitting outside the lead,” McEvoy said. “So, he’s really versatile, this horse. When he gets his craft together, he’s going to take us a long way, I think. “I’ve been doing this here at Flemington for a long time, and when you’re in front that far out, with 61.5kg on your back, he’s done a tremendous job.” At this stage, the team will look to continue No Fuss’s rise through the ratings, with a similar contest in a few weeks the likely target at this stage. “He’s still a horse that’s developing… in three weeks’ time there’s another 1800m here at Flemington,” McEvoy said. “I’ll talk to Terry (Henderson, of OTI) and his team, but if the horse is happy, that would be a lovely target.” View the full article

Owner/breeder Tracy Farmer and trainer Mark Casse have won 12 stakes together, including the 2019 Belmont Stakes (G1) with Sir Winston and this year's Ashland Stakes (G1) with La Cara—both bred and raced by Farmer.View the full article

The Road, sponsored by Gainesway and Darby Dan FarmView the full article

By Jonny Turner Tim Williams made the perfect start to his racing week; now he just hopes his form can continue. Williams and his Stonewall Stud team got Thursday’s Diamonds Day warm-up at Ascot Park underway by producing Mandala for an overdue victory. The stars aligned for the three-year-old, which is hopefully a sign of things to come for the Steve and Amanda Telfer camp when the feature races are up for grabs at Sunday’s Diamonds Day meeting. “It was three years in the making, but she found the perfect race and was able to produce a result,” Williams said. “The 1700m was ideal and back to the mobile – she had been missing away in stands.” “We also tinkered with a bit of gear.” “I wasn’t sure she was going to find the markers early but once she did I was pretty confident she would be hard to catch.” Williams will jet to Auckland on Friday to link up with a Stonewall Stud team that includes Stella Rouge, one of the key contenders in the Group 1 Northern Oaks. After that, the reinsman’s attention will be firmly on Diamonds Day, where the Telfer stable will start a strong line-up. Among them is Group 2 Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes hopeful C C Arden. The pacer showed his worth when running a gutsy second to hot favourite Five Crowns in a recent heat of the series. “His last start, the grass probably didn’t suit him but his second behind Five Crowns is a fairly good indication of how he will measure up,” Williams said. “He hasn’t raced the better three-year-olds too much and probably doesn’t have their ringcraft yet.” “But the harder they go, the better it will suit him.” Seaside Rose drops back in class on Sunday after her impressive win in the Southern Belle Speed Series Final at Winton. With the mare thriving, Williams is hopeful her excellent recent form can continue. “Drawing eight isn’t ideal but she has proven she can rough it.” “Her confidence is on the up, she seems to be improving with every run and there is no reason she can’t go another nice race.” Double Jeopardy looks another key threat for the Stonewall Stud team in Sunday’s Regent Car Court Country Cups Final. “Initially I was a little bit disappointed with his last start at Winton, but looking at the times he probably couldn’t have gone much better.” “Ascot Park should suit him if he can step away and get handy like he has been.” The Telfer stable also starts Treasure Cove in the Group 2 Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes, Elektra King in the Group 2 Macca Lodge–Nevele R Stud Southern Oaks, and Slots in the Diamonds Day’s finale. View the full article