Wandering Eyes

Smarty Jones (Elusive Quality), winner of the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness Stakes, leads a class of seven who will be inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Friday morning. The champion 3-year-old of 2004, the lone selection in the contemporary category, joins racehorses Decathlon, Hermis and trainer George H. Conway, who were chosen by the 1900-1959 Historic Review Committee; and Edward L. Bowen, Arthur Hancock, III, and Richard Ten Broeck, who were elected by the Pillars of the Turf Committee. The induction ceremony will be held at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion beginning at 10:30 a.m. Friday and will be broadcast live on the museum's website, www.racingmuseum.org. Emceed by Tom Durkin, the event is open to the public and free to attend. The post Smarty Jones Leads 2025 Hall of Fame Class to be Inducted Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A total of 47 sires will be represented at next week's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. Here's a breakdown of how many yearlings each stallion has cataloged, along with a closer look at some of the individuals boasting Grade I pedigrees. First-Crop Yearling Sires: 29% of Catalogue Corniche: 2 Cyberknife: 3 Drain The Clock: 1 Epicenter: 4 Flightline: 9 Golden Pal: 8 Idol: 1 Jack Christopher: 3 Jackie's Warrior: 7 Life Is Good: 9 Mandaloun: 2 Mystic Guide: 1 Olympiad: 5 All eyes will be on the first crop of yearlings from Horse of the Year Flightline, a million-dollar graduate of this sale back in 2019. Fresh off a successful JRHA Select Sale, where his three yearlings there averaged over $1.18 million, the Lane's End sire will send nine to Saratoga. Among those, Hip 34 is a half-sister to this year's GII San Vicente winner Barnes (Into Mischief), Hip 102 is a half-sister to the late Grade I winner Cave Rock (Arrogate) and Hip 118 is a colt out of Stonestreet's Grade I winner and producer Hot Dixie Chick (Dixie Union). Ranked second in his division last year by weanling average, WinStar's Life Is Good will have nine yearlings on offer including Hip 209, the half-sister to dual Grade I winner Seize the Grey (Arrogate). Coolmore's Jack Christopher was represented by the $350,000 sale topper at the Fasig-Tipton July Sale and his nine yearlings there averaged $162,778. Two of Spendthrift's first-crop sires, Cyberknife and Jackie's Warrior, also contributed to the list of toppers at the July Sale with a $330,000 yearling and a $310,000 yearling, respectively. Second-Crop Yearling Sires: Charlatan's $1.5 million colt at the 2024 Saratoga Sale | Fasig-Tipton 5% of Catalogue Charlatan: 5 Maxfield: 2 Yaupon: 3 The race for leading first-crop sire is just getting started, but Spendthrift's Yaupon carries the torch going into August with eight winners on the year. Meanwhile Charlatan took the crown for leading freshman yearling sire by sales average last year, led by a $1.5 million colt sell in Saratoga. Maxfield has seen five seven-figure sales from his first two crops including a $1.25 million OBS March graduate. It's anyone's race, but these three young sires have proven they can produce the kind of individual that can get to the Saratoga stage. Third-Crop Yearling Sires: 6% of Catalogue McKinzie: 3 Tiz The Law: 2 Vekoma: 5 Volatile: 1 McKinzie at Gainesway Farm | Sarah Andrew Last year's leading freshman sire by earnings, winners, blacktype winners and blacktype horses, Vekoma has continued the trend this year. McKinzie is not to be outdone, though, and is making noise with the likes of his top earner Baeza, plus GI Coaching Club American Oaks victress Scottish Lassie and Curlin Stakes winner Chancer McPatrick. Established Sires: 60% of Catalogue Blame: 1 Bolt d'Oro: 1 Candy Ride (Arg): 1 City of Light: 2 Constitution: 6 Curlin: 4 Good Magic: 5 Gun Runner: 10 Into Mischief: 10 Justify: 7 Liam's Map: 3 Maclean's Music: 3 Medaglia d'Oro: 3 Munnings: 4 Not This Time: 12 Nyquist: 7 Omaha Beach: 1 Oscar Performance: 2 Practical Joke: 2 Quality Road: 6 Speightstown: 1 Street Sense: 4 Tapit: 3 Twirling Candy: 1 Uncle Mo: 11 Violence: 3 War Front: 1 Not This Time was responsible for the sale topper of last year's Saratoga Sale when a colt out of stakes-placed Kayce Ace (Tiznow) sold for $3.4 million to Zedan Racing and he'll lead the way this year with the highest number of progeny on offer. The Taylor Made sire will send 12 through the ring including the half-sister to champion Jackie's Warrior (Hip 14), a filly out of dual Grade I winner American Gal (Concord Point) (Hip 38) and the half-brother to GI Del Mar Debutante Stakes victress Union Strike (Union Rags) (Hip 66). $3.4 million Not This Time colt tops the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale | Fasig-Tipton Uncle Mo's 11 Saratoga yearlings will be among the penultimate crop to reach the starting gate for their late sire, who passed away last December at the age of 16. Hip 103 is the half-brother to GI Del Mar Futurity victor Pinehurst (Twirling Candy) and Hip 191 is a half-sister to Breeders' Cup champion Battle of Midway (Smart Strike). Gun Runner was represented by 10 seven-figure yearlings last year, including a $1.9 million filly in Saratoga. This year, he'll send a trio of Saratoga yearlings out of Grade I producers: GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes victress Time and Motion (Tapit) (Hip 7), dual Grade I winner Paradise Woods (Union Rags) (Hip 175) and GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil) (200). In addition, Hip 37 is the half-brother to MGSW First Captain, who brought $1.5 million in Saratoga in 2019. Now one of five stallions in history to produce three Kentucky Derby winners after the success of his son Sovereignty, Into Mischief is well on his way to earning a seventh champion general sire title. His 10 Saratoga yearlings include Hip 123, a son of GI Cotillion victress It Tiz Well (Arch) and Hip 163, a son of another Cotillion winner in I'm a Chatterbox (Munnings), but the biggest star for Into Mischief will likely be Hip 165, the half-sister to MGISW Journalism (Curlin) bred by Don Alberto. The filly's dam, Mopotism (Uncle Mo), passed away suddenly just before her first foal stormed home to win the GI Haskell Stakes. A Grade II winner herself, Mopotism leaves just four foals behind in Journalism, a 2-year-old Tapit colt owned by Flying Dutchmen, this yearling filly and a filly by Flightline born this year. After producing four Grade I winners and receiving a stud fee bump from $85,000 to $175,000, Nyquist has continued his upward trajectory this year with seven graded winners including GII San Diego Handicap winner Nysos, Royal Ascot victress Crimson Advocate and GI Preakness and GI Haskell runner-up Gosger. He will have seven yearlings on offer in Saratoga. Among other notable entries, Quality Road's six yearlings include the full-brother to champion and sire National Treasure (Hip 10). International sire sensation Justify will see seven yearlings led by Hip 29, the half-brother to Breeders' Cup champion Caravel (Mizzen Mast). The Saratoga Sale takes place August 4 and 5. Hips 1-109 go through the ring on Monday. Hips 110-222 will sell on Tuesday. View the full catalogue here. *Please note that this story was last updated on July 31. Numbers will likely change prior to the start of the sale. The post The Sire Primer: Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Florida breeding program has a long and proud history that we all recognize is a major component of the racing industry in the state. Traditionally, we have been the strongest of the regional (non-Kentucky) programs, ranking ahead of California and New York despite our year-round racing program not being up to par with those two locations. Yet when The Stronach Group (TSG) took control of South Florida racing years ago, that status as a third-place racing state changed as our purses and handle numbers all trended upward while New York's were flat, and California's dropped. While experiencing some growing pains as the horseman and racetracks transitioned away from a Calder-dominated schedule to an exclusively Gulfstream year-round product, the quality of South Florida racing on a yearly basis has improved. Yet the Florida-bred program and desirability of Florida-breds in the open market has not seen any gain and as evidenced by this year's huge decrease in the number of Florida-breds foaled, the entire program seems to be floundering. These aren't opinions, these are facts. Major reforms need to be made to the Florida-bred program including all facets; the sire stakes, the open Florida bred stakes program, the Florida bred overnight race program and the FOA. We all need to work together; the breeders, the stallion farms, the racetracks, the owners and trainers and even the sales companies to create a Florida-bred program that is competitive with other state-bred programs, that rewards the breeder and owner of a good horse, that gives horsemen ample racing opportunities and creates demand for our product, the Florida-bred racehorse. What should we do? It's imperative that we take bold steps to remake the Florida-bred program. The time is now to refocus on building the Florida-bred brand. We need to create a racing program that rewards horsemen who buy or breed Florida-breds, that rewards the Florida breeders, that rewards the stallion owners and provides the racetracks and our betting customers with competitive content to wager on. First, there must be an emphasis on creating the foundation of any strong state-bred program, overnight racing. We must work together with the tracks to come up with Florida-bred restricted maiden and allowances races to develop horses to feed into our stakes program. We should strive to have Florida-bred stakes of some variety each month. This will give our horsemen targets to point to, our breeders more opportunities to get black type, and allow our horsemen and breeding groups more opportunities to promote the positive aspects of breeding and racing Florida-breds. There is still a place for the sire stakes races; however, we would be better served with more of those races better dispersed throughout the calendar. Grass races should be added to the sire stakes schedule as well as turf events are now our most popular types of races and are more likely to generate bigger fields and higher handle that the racetracks are looking for. The current overall Florida-bred program is ineffective, unpopular, and losing customers every year. Losing a percentage of your foal crop is a crippling blow to any state-bred program and unless drastic changes are made, what leads anyone to believe this trend won't continue? It's past time for the FTBOA, FHBPA, the TBHBPA and the racetracks to come together to fix this problem and make breeding and owning Florida-breds popular again. YEAR MARES BRED STALLIONS 2012 3,155 154 2013 2,994 159 2014 3,024 158 2015 3,057 145 2016 2,865 134 2017 2,311 125 2018 2,078 117 2019 2,078 121 2020 1,842 104 2021 1,626 84 2022 1,552 86 2023 1,478 75 2024 1,329 63 2025 963 61 That's a decline of 76%. Solution? The solution is very simple, OBS is a well-managed organization with an established infrastructure that should take over the FTBOA. They should sell or rent the FTBOA building, and use that money for breeders' awards. We need to restructure the breeding program in Florida; we cannot afford the decline to fewer than 900 mares and 61 stallions, the highest stud fee of which is $6,500. The post Letter To The Editor: Florida Breds, A Broken Program Or Just A Rudderless Ship? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Six 2-year-old fillies will try the 6 1/2-furlong distance for the first time.View the full article

Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's autumn dreams stayed alive against suitably dramatic Sussex skies on Thursday with the progressive Merchant (Teofilo) fighting his way through the G3 HKJC World Pool Gordon Stakes. Held up by Tom Marquand after the day's first flag start, the 6-5 favourite had to work to get by Wimbledon Hawkeye (Kameko) but may have had the most aptitude of the pair late on to prevail by a nose, with a gap of seven lengths back to the solid yardstick Windlord (Dubawi) in third. “It was tough and the horse had to show lots of guts,” trainer William Haggas said. “James [Owen] has got Wimbledon Hawkeye back to his best and that horse ran a fantastic race on this ground.” The St Leger is always on the agenda for winners of this race–taken last year by Jan Brueghel–but Haggas is unconvinced based on the experience at Doncaster of his 2023 Gordon winner. “I don't know yet about the St Leger,” he added. “We will obviously talk to Harry [Herbert] about it. My gut feeling is no, because I don't think it did Desert Hero much good long-term.” Marquand also seemed far from convinced about the Doncaster Classic. “The trouble is he was struggling on that ground and the likelihood of getting a fast-ground St Leger is slim enough,” he said. “If it were to happen, I would thoroughly be looking forward to riding him.” The third opinion on the Classic target sat with the renowned syndicate's kingpin Harry Herbert, who was in no doubt as to the level the winner is at. “He is very special. Dare I say it, but he is the best we have had since Harbinger,” he said. “The trainer is not that keen on the St Leger. We will see if he still runs at York, but the preferred plan would be to go to the Great Voltigeur Stakes. If he happened to win the Voltigeur, we might be dreaming of an Arc.” JUST! Merchant lands the Gordon Stakes by a WHISKER! @HighclereRacing |@HKJC_Racing | @WorldPool pic.twitter.com/eIbmJmtXGW — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 31, 2025 Pedigree Notes Merchant is the second foal out of the unraced Ceistiu (Vocalised), a full-sister to the G3 Killavullan Stakes and G3 Amethyst Stakes winner and G1 Prix Rothschild and G1 Prix Jean Romanet-placed Steip Amach and half to the GIII Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes winner Ceisteach (New Approach). The latter's full-sister Fidaaha is in turn the dam of three Group winners including Mehmas's G1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes hero Scorthy Champ (Mehmas) and G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte and G3 Prix Imprudence winner and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and G1 Prix de la Foret-placed Malavath. From the Aga Khan Studs family of the G1 Prix de l'Opera heroine Shalanaya (Lomitas) and the G2 Prix Chaudenay winner Shankardeh (Azamour) and the great Shergar, Ceistiu also has the twice-placed two-year-old filly Slaney View (Mehmas) and a yearling colt by Dawn Approach. Thursday, Goodwood, Britain HKJC WORLD POOL GORDON STAKES-G3, £200,000, Goodwood, 7-31, 3yo, 11f 218yT, 2:37.88, hy. 1–MERCHANT (IRE), 129, c, 3, by Teofilo (Ire) 1st Dam: Ceistiu (Ire), by Vocalised 2nd Dam: Ceist Eile (Ire), by Noverre 3rd Dam: Sharafanya (Ire), by Zafonic 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. (€135,000 Ylg '23 GOFOR). O-Highclere Thoroughbred Racing – Barn Owl; B-J S Bolger; T-William Haggas; J-Tom Marquand. £113,420. Lifetime Record: 7-4-1-1, $258,400. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Wimbledon Hawkeye (GB), 129, c, 3, Kameko–Eva Maria (GB), by Sea The Stars (Ire). O-The Gredley Family; B-Stetchworth & Middle Park Studs Ltd; T-James Owen. £43,000. 3–Windlord (GB), 129, c, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Goldika (Ire), by Intello (Ger). O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd; T-Andrew Balding. £21,520. Margins: NO, 7, 3/4. Odds: 1.20, 7.50, 7.50. Also Ran: Rahiebb (GB), Too Soon (GB), Sir Dinadan (Ire), Galveston (GB). The post Herbert Has Arc Dream For Merchant After Gordon Battle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Public confidence isn't lost in a day. It erodes when we're silent, scattered, or slow to respond. That stops now. At Light Up Racing, we believe the future of this sport depends not just on how we react in moments of crisis, but on how we prepare for them. The Thoroughbred industry has an opportunity and a responsibility to lead with foresight, speak with clarity, and act with purpose before public trust is tested again. That's why Light Up Racing is launching a national pilot to strengthen the industry's crisis communication preparedness. Designed for race track executives, comms teams, trainers, farm managers, and any individuals who might face tough questions under pressure, the toolkit includes: A timeline guide for public relations when racing incidents occur A library of scenario-specific key messages and response templates Media training guidance and bridging techniques Practical worksheets and downloadable packs for internal planning and quick reference guides This framework will soft launch on August 3, and we invite industry partners to help us test and refine it. Because when the next controversy comes, we should already know what to do, and how to say it. Find it here. This initiative is made possible through the early and generous support of four industry leaders: Breeders' Cup, Fasig-Tipton, Keeneland, and The Jockey Club. These organizations collectively committed $250,000 in 2025 to Light Up Racing's mission. “We are all stewards of this sport, and the Breeders' Cup is proud to support efforts that help unify and strengthen our industry's future,” said President and Chief Executive Officer of Breeders' Cup Limited Drew Fleming. “Light Up Racing is creating the space for honest, necessary conversations–and we believe that work deserves to be championed.” Fasig-Tipton President & Chief Executive Officer Boyd Browning added: “Fasig-Tipton is committed to a forward-thinking, solutions-oriented approach to industry challenges. We have supported Light Up Racing since 2024 because they are helping turn words into action–and bringing people to the table who might not otherwise find common ground.” “Keeneland's mission has always been rooted in integrity, transparency and doing what is right for the horse,” said Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin. Our support of Light Up Racing reflects that commitment and our belief that lasting progress depends on meaningful collaboration across the industry.” “The Jockey Club believes that the long-term stewardship of the sport should be a shared responsibility, including confronting difficult situations head-on,” added Jockey Club President and COO Jim Gagliano. “We are proud to collaborate with others and to stand alongside Light Up Racing to effect positive change within the Thoroughbred industry.” Their support reflects a larger truth: our sport cannot thrive in silos. From owners and breeders to racetracks, aftercare partners, regulators, and sales companies; our individual actions matter, but our collective direction will determine what comes next. This is what we call A Rising Tide: a leadership narrative rooted in candor, coordination, and courage. Light Up Racing is proud to help shape this tide by convening conversations, developing communication tools, and mobilizing industry leaders to respond with integrity and lead with empathy. To those already linking arms with us: thank you. To those still finding your footing, we're ready to collaborate. There will be additional opportunities through the remainder of 2025 to engage in the Rising Tide movement. Sign up for updates here and be part of building the future this sport deserves. Sincerely, The Board of Directors (Price Bell, Jeff Berk, VMD, Christina Blacker and Roderick Wachman), Light Up Racing. The post Letter To The Editor: Before The Headlines, A Call For Proactive Leadership In Thoroughbred Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mercante, scratched from the June 28 Wise Dan Stakes (G2T) at Churchill Downs after trainer Brian Knippenberg was dissatisfied with the gelding's preparation, returns Aug. 2 in the Kentucky Downs Preview Mint Millions Turf Mile at Ellis Park.View the full article

David Armstrong has opened up on how a run of rotten luck has made him appreciate Coppull's Group 2 Richmond Stakes success at Goodwood even more before explaining how two decades of pouring over pedigrees has been made worthwhile with the emergence of his latest sprinting star. Armstrong's distinctive red and white silks have been carried by modern day bullets like July Cup winner Mayson, Prix de l'Abbaye heroine Mabs Cross (Dutch Art) and the classy Garswood (Dutch Art) but the owner-breeder endured his share of misfortune in recent years when a number of his high-class runners had their careers cut short through injury. The Englishman sourced Coppull's granddam Ocean Boulevard (Danehill Dancer) for just 20,000gns at the Tattersalls July Sale 20 years ago. Springwood Drive is the result of Ocean Boulevard being mated with Armstrong's own Mayson and the significantly-named Coppull can now be counted as yet another high-class sprinter that the Lancashire-based farm has produced. “It's six years since Mabs Cross [was retired] and, within the space of a year in 2023, we lost four of our best horses – Ainsdale (Mayson), Blackrod (Mayson), Bickerstaffe (Mayson) and Sandbeck (Ardad),” Armstrong explained. “That completely devastated us at the time. But we're coming back to our own level and that all makes you appreciate days like today even more. When they put it on the telly, Coppull, out of Springwood Drive, by our own Mayson, that meant more than anything to us because we bred all of those horses. He's a proper horse with a bloody great temperament and it's three generations of breeding that has allowed us to get to this milestone so it's super. It really is extra special.” One could assume that Armstrong had been holding on to the name Coppull for a while give his Highfield Farm is based there. However, he revealed that the name for his latest Clive Cox-trained speedster was his daughter Sophie's idea. He said, “My daughter, Sophie, who runs the farm at home, put forward the name. I don't know why we had never thought of it before but fair play to her, she came up with the name. That's another bonus to the whole thing, the fact he has a name like that.” On future plans for Coppull, and his love affair for sprinting, Armstrong said, “As you know, Clive just goes about his business in a quiet and professional manner and I like to keep myself to myself as well. But, it's there for everybody to see how good this horse is. He had one ear pricked two furlongs out so we can only hope he will go and progress. There are no guarantees in life but he looks a very good horse. He holds an entry in the Gimcrack and maybe he could go to the Middle Park later in the year. We'll have a chat. “You know, it was 23 years ago when a friend of mine, who doesn't know the back end of a horse from the front but studies pedigrees like mad, said to me that there are three divisions in horse racing. He told me to forget jumpers, and to look towards the sprinters, milers or stayers and I chose the sprinters. Am I glad we chose sprinters. We love the speed. It's grand, it's bloody grand.” Thursday's Richmond Stakes began in sunshine and ended in a thunderstorm as torrential rain hit Goodwood. The opposite is true for Armstrong's endeavors as a breeder of late and he is keen to relish his moment in the sunshine. He concluded, “We only cover two thirds of the broodmare band at any given time but we have 16 or 18 mares on the farm. The thing about Mayson is that he won the July Cup by five lengths and never ever got the credit that he deserved. He's been a damn good sire and now he has these mares coming along. He's not got a lot of granddaughters but we've got three now and it's a great feeling when they come up with the goods like today. I love breeding, that's what it's all about for me.” The post Armstrong Happy To Put Rotten Luck Behind Him After Coppull’s Richmond Romp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Making the most of the absurd situation of starting a Group One race by flag, Ryan Moore seized an instant advantage on Whirl (Wootton Bassett) in Thursday's Qatar Nassau Stakes and never looked back. With Goodwood's officials unwilling to allow the fillies into the starting stalls due to the persistent threat of thunder, a ragged start saw the 6-5 favourite romp into a clear advantage with See The Fire (Sea The Stars) notably slowly into her stride. The winner's compatriot Cercene (Australia) looked the most potent threat heading to two out, but her presence only seemed to stir the blood of the Pretty Polly heroine and Oaks runner-up and she responded with a surge to carve out a five-length winning margin with See The Fire 1 1/4 lengths further back. A filly ON A ROLL bags a second Group 1 as she runs away with the @Qatar_Racing Nassau Stakes.@WorldPool | @Goodwood_Races pic.twitter.com/q1jOrzTteB — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 31, 2025 The post Whirl And Moore Much The Best From Flag Start To Finish In The Nassau appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Richi and Little Hidden Port could extend the influence of South American pedigrees on the Aug. 2 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) at Del Mar.View the full article

With a hefty storm brewing overhead Goodwood, Highfield Farm's Coppull (Bated Breath) showed his rivals a clean pair of heels in Thursday's G2 Markel Richmond Stakes. Third in the Coventry last month, David Armstrong's homebred was 5-1 to provide Clive Cox with a third renewal of this six-furlong contest in seven years and was always happy in front of the group racing towards the stands under David Probert. Finding the fence late on, the colt named like most of the owner-breeder's horses after a Lancashire village kept up the momentum to score by two lengths from Ballydoyle's Puerto Rico (Wootton Bassett), with the Windsor Castle winner Havana Hurricane (Havana Gold) a neck away in third. “He's got such a beautiful action on a nice surface I was concerned about the rain, but he is very quick and found an easy rhythm,” Cox said in a drenched winner's enclosure. “There is a lot of years' work going into these families and it's great to have a winner of a race like this for the Armstrongs.” “He's very gifted and a proper six-furlong horse, so the Middle Park will be the end goal this year and he has a bit of size and scope there so I don't see why he won't do well next year as well. I'm not sure he'd go on soft, so if the race had been later we could have been in trouble with this rain.” He started in the sunshine but finished in a storm Coventry Stakes 3rd Coppull stays on strongly up the stands' rail to land the G2 Richmond Stakes @davidprobert9 | @Qatar_Racing | @Goodwood_Races pic.twitter.com/SGLVwU4Q3o — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 31, 2025 The post Bated Breath’s Coppull Rides The Goodwood Storm To Land The Richmond appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

High-class New Zealand juvenile La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) could potentially be seen at Group One level at her first assignment since crossing the Tasman to join Mark Walker’s Cranbourne stable. The daughter of Super Seth has been bested in only one of her five starts to date, when runner-up in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) to Too Sweet at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, but subsequently went on to win the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). La Dorada stepped out in a star-studded jumpout at Caulfield on Wednesday morning and after getting back stretched her legs nicely under her own steam to finish midfield in a heat won by Group One winning sprinter Mornington Glory. “She was lovely, she had Jamie Melham in the saddle, so she was new to her,” Assistant Trainer Ben Gleeson said. “She obviously boasts an impressive record in New Zealand. Arguably, she was probably the best two-year-old over there last season, alongside Return To Conquer, so it’s nice to have them both here. “She was just out there to have a quiet jumpout, she’s had a good break since winning the Sires’ Produce over there, so she had a long spell and they both got over here early in the winter and have had a long, steady build up, so good base fitness. “Jamie was really complimentary of her, she said, ‘Gee, she’s small in stature but seems like she packs a lot of punches.’ She travelled up beautifully on the bridle, and she was running through the line nicely. That sets her up to have another one in a week and a half’s time.” Gleeson said that while there was the option to go to the Gr.3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) on August 16 for the three-year-old fillies, there is an option to launch straight into Group One company. “We’re pondering taking her to the Moir (Gr.1, 1000m) first-up,” Gleeson said. Three-year-old fillies get in with 50 kilos, she can win over the shorter course, she’s very versatile having won the Karaka Millions (1200m) and the Sires’ over 1400m. “With 50 kilos she won’t know herself. Jamie will jump her out in a couple of weeks and see what she thinks of her with the head-gear on and that will give us the right guide as to whether we go there or keep to three-year-old fillies company.” Also stepping out at the Caulfield jumpouts was $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) heroine Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel) who also finished midfield. “It was just a quiet jumpout for her too,” Gleeson said. “We’ll go a week and a half to Cranbourne for her second jumpout and then probably we’re going to kick her off in the Cockram Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) at the back end of August here at Caulfield. “Given she’s actually not a Group winner, she doesn’t get in with a penalty. “We won the race last year with Quintessa with 60kg and Damask Rose holds an equally impressive CV. “She’ll get in well at the weights, hopefully Blake (Shinn) sticks with her and that’ll give us confidence again.” View the full article

Brilliant Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes winner Field Of Gold is reported to be lame following his below-par effort in Wednesday's Sussex Stakes. John and Thady Gosden's star three-year-old was sent off the 1-3 favourite to emulate his sire Kingman in the Group 1 contest, but could only finish fourth as his Juddmonte-owned pacemaker Qirat caused a massive shock at 150-1. The Clarehaven training team suggested the “engine wasn't there” in the immediate aftermath of the contest and now a potential reason for his disappointing performance could have been found. “We don't have the full picture yet, but he is lame on his left-hind,” Barry Mahon, European racing manager for Juddmonte, said on Thursday morning. “John called me this morning at 7am and said he was 'off' behind with a bit of swelling in his leg and the vet is due out to see him later today so until we have the full picture we can't fully diagnose it. “But the fact he is lame suggests that could potentially be why we didn't see the true horse that we know yesterday. We just have to sit tight now until the vet can run through all the tests he can run through.” Mahon added, “Plans are on ice and the thing with these things is, it might be a week before anything will show up on an X-ray or whatever, so it's not something you will have an answer for straight away. “But the fact the horse is lame indicates there is an issue and we have to address that. What that is and whether it will be a short fix or a long fix, we just don't know at this stage.” Despite Field Of Gold's surprise reversal, there was still plenty of joy for the Juddmonte team with Ralph Beckett's Qirat stealing the spotlight, with Mahon reflecting on a race of contrasting fortunes. He concluded, “It was disappointing from a Field Of Gold point of view, but from a Juddmonte point of view the winner is a home bred and won it in good style and there has to be some satisfaction in that. As someone said to me yesterday, it was bittersweet but there was still plenty of sweet.” The post Field Of Gold Found To Be Lame After Below-Par Sussex Stakes Effort appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Unconsidered pacemaker Qirat became the longest-priced winner of a Group One in Britain with a remarkable victory in the Sussex Stakes (1,600m) at Glorious Goodwood on Tuesday. Trained by Ralph Beckett, Qirat was supplemented by the owner’s Juddmonte for £70,000 (HK$730,000) in a move to introduce a pacemaker into the race for the world’s joint-highest-rated horse, Field Of Gold. Finishing just 27th of 30 in a Royal Ascot handicap last month, Qirat was conceding 7lb to Field Of Gold and went...View the full article

Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) will adopt all 12 recommendations from the independent review into the 2YO Young Guns Trot Series Final, held at Alexandra Park on 10 May 2025. The review was conducted by an independent panel of experienced professionals with regulatory and industry expertise, following concerns raised about the eligibility criteria for the Series. These concerns were prompted after a horse that had not competed in a heat was permitted to start in the Final and went on to win the Final. HRNZ CEO Brad Steele says implementing the review’s recommendations will benefit harness racing. “The panel made 12 recommendations and HRNZ is committed to implementing all of them. They make sense and will strengthen our industry. “The review found no evidence of improper conduct, however it identified distinct areas for improvement, especially making our regulations easier to understand and improving how we communicate,” says Brad Steele. Steele says the decision to allow non-heat runners to contest the Final highlights the need to update regulations and improve how decisions are communicated. “The regulations we’re operating under need to be much clearer so they provide better guidance. It’s also clear that we need to improve how we communicate with the industry, so changes to race programming are clearly understood. “In this case, if our communication had been better, trainers would have been able to make an informed decision about whether to bypass a heat and go straight to the final or choose to compete in the heats. “Trainers deserve to have all the facts when making decisions for their horses. We acknowledge the shortcomings and are committed to doing better.” “Fairness isn’t just a principle; it’s the foundation of our racing culture. Every decision we make must demonstrate this commitment. “While the review confirms the integrity behind the process, perception matters. We are 100 per cent committed to transparency, fairness and maintaining trust at every level our sport,” Steele said. A full regulatory framework review will be undertaken by HRNZ in consultation with our industry. Its goal is to ensure racing regulations are clear, accessible, and consistently applied. It is expected that this will be completed by 31 July 2026. To read the full report and all 12 recommendations, please click here. A visual summary of HRNZ’s response actions and timelines is included below, or click here to download. View the full article

Letter from Panel Chair, Lee Robinson In May 2025, stakeholders and racing participants voiced concerns about late changes to eligibility conditions for the Young Guns Series Final at Alexandra Park on May 10, 2025. Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) responded to these concerns by establishing an independent review panel, with myself as chair and Felicity Caird and Paul Black as fellow panellists. As part of our review, we spoke to a wide range of industry participants, HRNZ staff members, and various stakeholders to gather comprehensive perspectives on the matter. We analysed HRNZ’s racing programme materials and applicable racing regulations and policies, and received 12 written submissions from individuals with involvement or interest in our inquiry. I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to those who contributed to our investigation. Each voice played a part in shaping this review and our resulting recommendations. It is important to state that from the outset we found no evidence of corruption or improper influence. However, the review highlighted that the current regulations are overly complex and confusing, and improvements need to be made to HRNZ’s internal and external communications. The review makes a total of 12 recommendations aimed at improving regulatory practices, stakeholder engagement, and communications. I am confident that by working together to implement these recommendations, HRNZ and the industry can emerge stronger, with clearer processes and enhanced trust that will benefit harness racing for years to come. The full report, including our detailed analysis and all 12 recommendations for strengthening harness racing, can be accessed here. View the full article

The New Zealand breeding industry has once again demonstrated its commitment to the next generation, with an outstanding fundraising result at the National Breeding Awards securing the future of the Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship. Held as part of the 2025 National Breeding Awards, the fundraiser raised well over six figures – an outcome that not only ensures the scholarship’s continuation, but gives it the capacity to thrive into the future and provide more young leaders with the opportunity of a lifetime. At the heart of the evening was a live auction of stallion nominations, generously donated by Rich Hill Stud and the Proisir Syndicate (Proisir), Cambridge Stud (Sword of State), Yulong Investments (Lucky Vega), and Windsor Park Stud (Circus Maximus). All proceeds will go directly to the Sunline Trust to support future scholarship recipients, enabling them to gain international experience and return with the knowledge, confidence, and connections needed to lead the New Zealand industry forward. NZB Insurance also contributed significantly by offering Unborn Foal Insurance Packages for three of the nominations, a generous gesture that added value for buyers and underscored the wider industry’s support for the scholarship programme. Live auction buyers Phillip Brown, Sam and Dame Catriona Williams, Ben Kwok, and Judith Mulholland each made a meaningful investment in the future of the industry. Their backing, along with the generosity of the donating farms, was central to the success of the fundraiser. Additional support came through a silent auction, with Benji King and several leading Australian stud farms donating service packages, which were purchased by Te Akau Racing and John and Colleen Thompson. A number of individual pledges were also made on the night, each one playing an important role in achieving the final result. Earlier in the year, at a Waikato Breeders’ Day held at Te Aroha, a stallion nomination to Highview Stud’s Mr Mozart was raffled, with Steve Davis’s name drawn as the winner. In a generous gesture, the nomination was subsequently sold, and the funds donated to the Sunline Trust. NZTBA chief executive and Sunline Trust trustee Nick Johnson said the response exceeded expectations. “We were absolutely thrilled with the result,” he said. “The level of generosity and goodwill from across the industry was just incredible, from the farms who donated nominations, to the buyers, the bidders, and everyone who contributed on the night. “This scholarship has already helped launch the careers of more than 20 young New Zealanders, and this kind of support means we can keep doing that, and doing it well. We’re investing in people, in their confidence, their experience, and their leadership. It was really special to see that shared belief in the room.” The Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship gives emerging New Zealanders the opportunity to work with leading thoroughbred operations across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. Many alumni now hold senior roles across the global industry, both at home and abroad. Thanks to the success of this year’s fundraiser, that legacy will not only continue, but grow stronger in the years ahead. For more information or to explore ways to support the Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship, visit www.nzthoroughbred.co.nz or contact nick@nzthoroughbred.co.nz. View the full article

The first foal by Highview Stud stallion Mr Mozart has arrived with breeder James Chapman of Jamieson Park delighted with the filly which is out of the Almanzor mare Qdos, a half-sister to black-type performers Sacred Master, Kia Ora Jewel and Tears of an Angel. Chapman part-owned Mr Mozart during his racing career and has doubled down on the Group Two winning son of Snitzel now that he has retired to Highview Stud. “I have 13 mares in foal to him at Jameison Park and he has 79 in foal in total,” Chapman said. “The mare foaled down at Haunui Farm and the team there thought she was a pretty good foal. My crew here at Jamieson Park are all very impressed. “If we can get another dozen like her, we will be very happy.” Mr Mozart is out of the impeccably bred Group Three winner, Euro Angel, a half-sister to Group winners Leebaz, Polish Knight and Zebrowski. “He was probably best around 1400m and he was a tough front-running horse,” Chapman said. “We had the stallion parade at Highview Stud last year and Mr Mozart certainly impressed. Quite frankly, if we didn’t have that stallion parade, I don’t think we would have got half the bookings we did. “Anyone who has seen him in the flesh can see what a quality stallion he is.” Chapman’s mares in foal to Mr Mozart include the lightly-raced stakes performer Just A Floozie, a daughter of I Am Invincible out of the Group One winner Thee Auld Floozie. “She is due in the next three weeks,” Chapman said. “She broke her maiden by beating Orchestral and Molly Bloom and could have been anything, but unfortunately, we didn’t see the best of her. “We have a good range of mares that we sent to Mr Mozart, so he will get every chance.” View the full article

Te Akau Racing have continued their dominant run, securing their 12th New Zealand Trainers’ Premiership this season with a tally of 131 wins, 27 clear of nearest rival Stephen Marsh. It’s the second season Sam Bergerson has trained alongside Mark Walker, and he was thrilled to keep his 100 percent premiership strike-rate intact. “I am very fortunate in the fact I joined Mark in a time where the stable has been so strong, and we have got a fantastic team of staff, horses and owners,” Bergerson said. “I have the privilege of being given the keys to the kingdom, so to speak. It has been an awesome and pretty surreal two years, and I pinch myself with how lucky I am to be in a position I am in.” New Zealand’s leading stable experienced numerous highlights throughout the season, but the inaugural Champions Day at Ellerslie in March stood out for Bergerson, with the stable winning the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) with Damask Rose, while stablemate Return To Conquer was victorious in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). “Champions Day was pretty special,” Bergerson said. “Damask Rose won the NZB Kiwi and we won two other races on the day, including with Return to Conquer. There was a bit of pressure around him, being a high-profile colt, and remaining unbeaten. “I enjoyed Damask Rose more that day because the pressure was off, whereas it was more of a relief with Return To Conquer. To win the first running of the NZB Kiwi was a massive thrill, and the way she did it as well.” The Karaka Millions was another massive meeting for the stable, who didn’t let the inclement weather rain on their parade, winning both the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). “Karaka Millions night was another big highlight, winning the two and three-year-old with La Dorada and Damask Rose,” Bergerson said. “It is a raceday we always target and it was pretty awesome, especially to win my first Karaka Millions 2YO. “It is a testament to Dave (Ellis, Te Akau principal) for the record we have had in the race (Karaka Millions 2YO). We didn’t get it the year before when we ran into Velocious, who was a fantastic two-year-old. Damask Rose did us proud that year and to go one better this year with La Dorada was great. “She is a tough, gritty filly who was tough enough to keep going after a setback heading into Ellerslie, and then to press on to Manawatu (for the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, 1400m) and to win that was pretty cool. It was a really big buzz for everyone.” The stable also secured their first South Island Trainers’ Premiership, with their Riccarton Park barn winning 45 races, which was instrumental in helping the stable take out the National Premiership. “We are very fortunate that we have got Hunter (Durrant, Riccarton assistant trainer) and a fantastic group of staff down there,” Bergerson said. “I can’t speak highly enough of Hunter and how much he does for us. “It was a big thrill to win that (South Island Trainers’ Premiership) as well.” While Te Akau continued their dominance in New Zealand this season, they were also pleased with how things went across the Tasman with their Cranbourne barn, which has recently welcomed the addition of Damask Rose, Return To Conquer and La Dorada. “We didn’t have the Autumn we would have liked but we had a really strong spring,” Bergerson said. “Life after Imperatriz is always going to be tough, but there are a couple of really exciting unraced horses and a good group of rising two and three-year-olds. “La Dorada has gone over there and is going to take on some of those big guns, the same with Return To Conquer. Damask Rose is kicking off her Golden Eagle (A$10 million, 1500m) campaign in the Cockram (Gr.3, 1200m) at the end of August, which is coming around really quickly. “Hopefully we can foot it over there, it’s not easy, the level of competition is so tough. But we think we have a nice group heading into the spring, and hopefully they can continue that success.” Back on home soil, the stable is looking forward to the return of Champion Jockey Opie Bosson on raceday after he announced his return from retirement earlier this month. “People see what he does on raceday, but they don’t see the work behind the scenes in terms of getting his weight down but especially for me the help he provides through feedback at trackwork,” Bergerson said. “He has been riding trackwork every day and his feedback and understanding of the horse is massive in terms of placing them. He is a massive part of the team, and he does such a fantastic job. “It will be great to see him back raceday. I am really excited for him and he is rearing to go. I am hoping we can have a bit of luck and a bit more success.” Bosson will have his first rides back at Awapuni’s Synthetic meeting on Sunday, with Colonel Warden in the Checkhome Building Inspections 1400 and Stonybreck in the $100,000 JAPAC Homes Polytrack Championship (1400m). “Colonel Warden was a bit disappointing last time, but he won really well on the same course and distance two starts back,” Bergerson said. “We thought we would follow the same formula and he gives Opie a good look at the track before that Special Conditions Final. “I think Stonybreck gets in well. We thought he would have to lug 62kg, but he gets in at 59kg. Just the draw (13) makes it very difficult, so we will certainly need a special run from Opie in his second ride back. If he gets the right run, we think he is a very strong winning chance.” Looking ahead to the new term, Bergerson is excited by the stable’s large group of rising two-year-olds, with Ellis having purchased 75 yearlings throughout Australasia this year. “Dave has bought a lot of lovely yearlings that we are really excited about,” Bergerson said. “What Dave does every year is incredible and how hard he and Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) work to purchase and do the background work at the sales. The majority of them are bought on spec and having to then syndicate them all is so much work. “Mark and I are fortunate to be able to train some of the top echelon of Australasian bloodstock, and you walk down the barn each morning, have a good look around and pinch yourself with the firepower that you have got in the stable.” Bergerson is also excited about the stable’s crop of rising three-year-olds, headlined by Hostility, who was purchased by Ellis out of Kiltannon Stable’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale last year for $1.65 million. He has finished runner-up in both of his starts to date, including behind stablemate La Dorada in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), and Bergerson is hopeful of a big spring with the son of I Am Invincible. “You have got a couple of higher profile ones heading into their three-year-old season, like Hostility, who is the main three-year-old seed at the moment, and I am really excited to see what he can do,” Bergerson said. “We always thought that he would be better at three, but what he did at two he has done on natural ability. “He has grown into himself a bit more and he seems to be coming up really well. I am excited to see what he can do this year and hopefully he can go from strength-to-strength and foot it in those good three-year-old races and we can get him down to the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m).” View the full article

The finalists for the 2024–25 New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards – sponsored by Sport Nation have produced some fascinating matchups, with voters facing the challenge of comparing standout performers across a variety of form lines, particularly in the two-year-old, three-year-old and sprinter-miler categories. 2024–25 Finalists Champion Two-Year-Old – sponsored by Entain Australia & New Zealand La Dorada, Return To Conquer Champion Three-Year-Old – sponsored by TAB New Zealand Alabama Lass, Captured By Love, Damask Rose, Leica Lucy, Savaglee, Willydoit Champion Sprinter-Miler (up to 1600m) – sponsored by Taylor Perry Insurance Consultants Alabama Lass, Crocetti, El Vencedor, Grail Seeker, Here To Shock, Provence Champion Middle-Distance Horse (1601–2200m) – sponsored by Happy Hire El Vencedor, La Crique, Snazzytavi Champion Stayer (2201m and further) – sponsored by Sandfield Blue Sky At Night, Mehzebeen, Trav, Willydoit, Wolfgang Champion Jumper – sponsored by New Zealand Jumps Racing Berry The Cash, Billy Boy, Jesko, West Coast Jockey of the Year – sponsored by BcgCrave Craig Grylls, Sam Spratt Jumps Jockey of the Year – sponsored by Rothley Recruitment Shaun Fannin, Portia Matthews, Joshua Parker, Kylan Wiles Trainer of the Year – sponsored by Dunstan Horsefeeds Stephen Marsh, Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson Owner of the Year – sponsored by TAB Racing Club Denise Bassett and John Elstob, Cambridge Stud, Gerry Harvey, JML Bloodstock, Kim and Peter McKay, The Oaks Stud, Pencarrow Thoroughbreds, Tony Rider, Kelvin and Vanessa Tyler, Waikato Stud NZTR Chief Executive Officer Matt Ballesty commented on the exciting lineup of finalists. “This year’s finalists represent the very best of New Zealand racing, not only in terms of performance, but also in the professionalism and passion that drive our sport,” he said. “It’s been a significant season for New Zealand racing. We delivered our first edition of summer calendar enhancements and progressed several strategic priorities that put racing alongside other major national sporting events in terms of profile and public engagement. “These Awards give us the chance to recognise the standout performances that have defined the season and acknowledge the people and horses who continue to lift the standard of our sport,” Ballesty said. In the juvenile division, stablemates La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) and Return To Conquer (AUS) (Snitzel) headline the Champion Two-Year-Old – sponsored by Entain Australia & New Zealand category. Both were Group 1 winners, with a combined record of eight wins and one second from nine starts between them. The Champion Three-Year-Old – sponsored by TAB New Zealand is equally compelling, featuring six high-performing contenders. This season alone, Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel) earned over $2 million in prizemoney, Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) and Leica Lucy (NZ) (Derryn) each earned over $1 million, while Alabama Lass (AUS) (Alabama Express) and Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino) weren’t far behind, surpassing the $800,000 mark. Captured by Love (AUS) (Written Tycoon), a standout in the Spring, earned just shy of $400,000. Notably, Savaglee, Leica Lucy and Alabama Lass were never unplaced as three-year-olds and between them recorded 16 wins, five seconds and a third from 22 races. In the Champion Sprinter-Miler – sponsored by Taylor Perry Insurance Consultants, five of the six finalists were Group 1 winners, including Australian sprinter Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking), who delivered a headline-making win in the $500,000 Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m). Four horses recorded multiple Group 1 victories during the season: El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) (three), and Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj), Provence (NZ) (Savabeel) and Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock) (two each). Snazzytavi was nearly perfect with four wins from five starts. In a rare occurrence, no New Zealand-trained horse won a Group 1 race in Australia during the 2024–25 season. The four finalists for Champion Jumper – sponsored by New Zealand Jumps Racing were all trained in the Central Districts. Berry The Cash (NZ) (Jakkalberry), Billy Boy (AUS) (So You Think), Jesko (NZ) (Atlante) and West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu) had a combined tally of 13 wins over fences for the season. Three horses, Alabama Lass, Willydoit and El Vencedor, feature as finalists in multiple categories. All finalists across equine categories are eligible to be crowned the 2024-25 Sport Nation Horse of the Year. In addition to racing honours, the Awards celebrate the skill and professionalism of the Trainers, Jockeys, Jumps Riders, Owners, Stable staff and Media who power our sport forward. The finalists for Jockey of the Year – sponsored by BcgCrave highlight both dominance and distinction in the saddle over the 2024–25 season. Craig Grylls delivered a commanding performance to take out the Jockeys’ Premiership with 141 wins – a remarkable 55 wins clear of his nearest rival. His season featured 15 Group and Listed victories, combining volume with quality in a standout year. Sam Spratt, one of New Zealand’s most experienced and respected senior riders, continued to shine on racing’s biggest stages. Her 15 black-type wins included high-profile successes aboard crowd favourites Provence and Savaglee. The finalists for this year’s Trainer of the Year – sponsored by Dunstan Horsefeeds present a high-calibre line-up, with a combined haul of 45 Group and Listed victories and more than $20.6 million in prizemoney across the season. Te Akau Racing’s Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson led the way with 18 stakes wins, edging out Stephen Marsh, who produced 17 stakes victories. The formidable Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott partnership, operating under the Wexford Stables banner, earned their place among the finalists with 10 black-type victories and arguably one of the most dominant three-year-old teams seen in recent years. A panel of 60 voters will determine the winners across all categories, with voting independently administered by Deloitte. The results will be revealed at the black-tie 2024-25 New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards – sponsored by Sport Nation, set to be held on Sunday 7 September at the GLOBOX Arena, Claudelands Event Centre in Hamilton. For more information, or to purchase tickets to this year’s Awards click here. View the full article

Please click to read the Guidance Note on the use of sedatives or tranquilisers during ridden exercise. The post RIB issue industry advisory on the use of sedatives appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Champion jockey Craig Grylls takes an uncomplicated approach to his riding and that will again carry over to the new season. The 35-year-old had the 2024/25 New Zealand Jockeys’ Premiership parcelled up well in advance of the term’s end with 141 winners, with runner-up Michael McNab on 86. “I’m really chuffed, it’s good when everything works out and there’s been a lot of travelling and I wouldn’t say it’s been easy, but it’s been very rewarding and I’m absolutely stoked,” Grylls said. Such was his lead, the Matamata-based Grylls was able to take an extended period off to recharge his batteries. “It was pretty fatiguing with the travel and wasting, but I was very fortunate that I was able to take six weeks off and have a decent break and still win it,” he said. Grylls isn’t solely focussed on retaining his jockey’s crown and will assess later in the season whether to put in extra miles in pursuit of a title defence. “I’ll see how things pan out, if I’m in the striking zone it would be silly not to have another go,” he said. “I enjoy my job and I’ll just keep doing what I’ve been doing every season. “I’ll see how it unfolds, I just want to try and be consistent week in and week out and hopefully that will keep the winners ticking over.” Grylls was in hot demand throughout 2024/25 with 799 rides earning more than $6 million in prize money and he was appreciative of his widespread support. “I’ve got a very good base of trainers that I ride for, both up here and in the Central Districts so I’m lucky to ride for most stables,” he said. The title aside, Grylls was proud of his efforts to post another personal best tally of 15 winners at Group or Listed level. “I have been very fortunate to get on some really good horses in the last few seasons,” he said. His highlight was his association with dominant filly Leica Lucy that culminated in their Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) victory. Trained by his long-time friend Robbie Patterson, Grylls and the daughter of Derryn had won four stakes events on the bounce before landing the Trentham feature. “She’s definitely the one, obviously a quality animal and it was more relief than anything when she won the Oaks, Robbie’s a great mate and supporter,” he said. Grylls will be in action at Saturday meeting at Ruakaka where he has six rides. He rated them all each way chances and leaned toward Unwritten in the Ruakaka Beach Front Motel Maiden (1200m) as perhaps his best winning hope. Trained by Donna Logan, she followed up a trial victory to give a strong account of herself for third on debut at Avondale last month. View the full article

Jumping has always been Stephen Nickalls’ main passion in racing, and while he is heading to the South Island’s premier jumping carnival on Saturday, flat racing will be his priority. The Manawatu trainer is heading south with his Group One performer Chase (NZ) (Zed), who will tackle the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 128th Winter Cup (1600m) on the opening day of Riccarton’s Grand National Festival of Racing. The rising 10-year-old gelding earned his ticket south with a 1-3/4 length victory over a mile at Hawera a fortnight ago and a pleasing exhibition gallop at Waverley last Friday. “It was a really nice win at Hawera last time out and he has done really well since,” Nickalls said. “He galloped at Waverley last week between races and Amber (Riddell, apprentice jockey) was really happy with him. We can’t fault him.” It will be the son of Zed’s first start on the mainland, and he will carry a luxury impost of 54.5kg in the mile feature. “He has got in at a wonderful weight with 54.5kg,” Nickalls said. “The hard thing around here (Central Districts) is that if he goes to a normal handicap, he will probably be about 60 kilos given the rating (90) he has gone to.” Chase’s presence at Riccarton will be a true family affair, with Nickalls’ daughter Mya being trackside to cheer home their family pet, while his partner Laura Knight keeps everything ticking over on their farm ahead of calving season. “We have everything sorted at home with the calving for Laura to keep control,” Nickalls said. “My mother is coming down to help out around home, so we can keep everything ticking over. Things fell into place to make it worthwhile going.” Nickalls is excited to tackle the Winter Cup on Saturday, but being a jumping purist, he is envious of his jumping cohorts. “It is such a great carnival and there are some fantastic jumping races,” he said. “I am very annoyed that I don’t have a jumper to go with me, but we will live with that and be able to watch some great jumping going on. “I think I would rather he was in the Koral (Steeplechase) than the Winter Cup, but we have got a runner there and we will enjoy it while we can. “I am a massive jumping fan at heart, and it is great the jumpers that we have got going down there and good fields for the two Open races, which is great to see. “The Winter Cup is a good, honest field and he is going to have to be at the top of his game to take something like that out, but he is happy and well.” While Chase schools fences as part of his training, Nickalls said his future lies purely on the flat. “We have schooled him a lot, and as much as I want him to go jumping, he will keep going around on the flat,” he said. It will be a hit-and-run mission for Chase this weekend, with farm duties calling Nickalls back home. “We are booked to come home on the ferry on Sunday,” he said. “There is a lot going on at home. We are a real family operation, between the horses and dairy sheds, so taking the whole week away was just not going to work.” View the full article

Dictation (NZ) (Tavistock) will be looking for redemption when he heads to Riccarton Park on Saturday to contest the Avon City Ford Sydenham Hurdles (3100m). The son of Tavistock had the race all but won last year, leading by five lengths with one hurdle to go, but he stumbled over the last, dislodging jockey Hamish McNeill. Trainers Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal were disappointed to lose the race at the final hurdle, and they are keen to rectify that result 12 months later. “He should have won it last year, but hopefully he can come up with the same sort of run this year without ballsing up the last fence,” Nelson said. The rising nine-year-old gelding takes good form into the race, having won last month’s Waikato Hurdle (3200m) at Te Rapa, and was kept up to the mark with a 2200m run on the flat at Arawa Park earlier this month. Dictation will be joined in his race by stablemate Suliman, with the rising 13-year-old son of Redwood set to have his first start at Riccarton since the Grand National Hurdles (4200m) two years ago. He pleased his connections with his fourth placed run in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles (3000m) at Woodville earlier this month and Nelson is looking forward to returning to Riccarton with the evergreen jumper. “His run at Woodville was good, he made up a lot of ground, and we thought we would give him one more go at the hurdles,” he said. The stable will also have a two-pronged attack in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Koral Steeplechase (4250m), headlined by former star hurdler Nedwin. The rising 12-year-old son of Niagara has had just the two steeplechase starts, winning his maiden steeplechase at Te Rapa in May before running third in the Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) last month. He then returned to the hurdles when third in the Wellington Hurdle (3200m), and Nelson has elected to target the bigger fences with his gelding in Christchurch following a 1950m hit out on the flat at Arawa Park. “It was always in our plan (Koral and Grand National Steeplechases), we didn’t want to run him at Wellington (in a steeplechase),” Nelson said. “He has been doing what we have asked him, so he can’t do much more than that.” He will be joined in the Koral by stablemate The Anarchist, who has finished third and fourth respectively in the Wellington and Hawke’s Bay Steeplechases. “He is a funny old horse, but he has been alright in his last couple of races. He hits a flat spot and then he gets going again,” Nelson said. “We have got a change of rider because Emily Farr is not going to be here next weekend, so Ellie Callwood is riding.” The stable’s final runner at the meeting will be Skaw Valley, who will contest the Michael “Mickey” Beecroft Memorial Maiden Hurdles (3100m). “In his first run (over hurdles) he was learning a bit and the track was pretty tough on him,” Nelson said. “In his second run he was very good, he made up a hell of a lot of ground, and hopefully he can do something like that on Saturday.” View the full article

Gen Z influencer Griffin Johnson reaches about 15 million followers with his social media posts. But July 31, he'll be addressing a much smaller collection of a couple hundred people with the potential for having a huge impact.View the full article