Wandering Eyes

A schedule compiled by America's Best Racing of racing programs on radio and television.View the full article

Tickets are now on sale for the 2025 Breeders' Cup World Championships to be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, 2025, at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Beginning this year, Breeders' Cup has entered into a multi-year partnership with SeatGeek in an effort to 'enhance ticketing for attendees' and those interested in purchasing tickets must have an account with the platform, which can be created for free at SeatGeek.com/#register. All tickets will be mobile only. While tickets will be available to view upon purchase, access to barcodes will be available closer to the World Championships. Attendance will be capped at 37,500 and patrons are encouraged to acquire their tickets early. All on-site parking at Del Mar will be sold in advance. A dedicated ride-share lot will be available for patrons over the weekend. For more information, please visit BreedersCup.com/Transportation. Fans can purchase tickets online at BreedersCup.com/tickets or by calling the ticket office at (859) 514-9428. A range of seating options at various price points are available. To further elevate the experience for all fans and participants, Breeders' Cup and Del Mar will invest more than $5 million to create new seating areas and expanded hospitality offerings. This investment will include the construction of a luxury chalet that will provide approximately 700 premium dining seats, the addition of more than 1,000 temporary box seats, and enhanced culinary activations around Del Mar. “We look forward to returning to Del Mar and the greater San Diego area for the World Championships after celebrating great success last year,” said Drew Fleming, President & CEO of Breeders' Cup Limited. “Fans from around the globe will enjoy first-class hospitality, thrilling performances by the best horses in the world, and an unmatched atmosphere as we celebrate the equestrian lifestyle and the pinnacle of our great sport.” The post Tickets On Sale For Breeders’ Cup 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thursday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 17:13, PRIX DU PONT NEUF-Listed, €55,000, 3yo, 7fT Field: Zalari (Fr) (Kodiac {GB}), Burhan (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), Tolebi (Fr) (Golden Horde {Ire}), Libyan Pharoah (Fr) (American Pharoah), Afogado (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Champagne Powder (Fr) (Kodiac {GB}), Blue Island (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) and Epson Blue Cen (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}). TDN Verdict: In an open renewal of this low-key stepping stone, Paul and Oliver Cole's British raider Champagne Powder has solid claims, despite his status as a three-race maiden. The G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains entry was under two lengths adrift of G1 Criterium International runner-up Mount Kilimanjaro (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) when third in this venue's €260,000 Criterium d'Automne on Arc Weekend and he registered a promising comeback second over one mile at Compiegne four weeks ago. Aga Khan Studs nominee Zalari, who hails from the in-form Francis Graffard yard, devoured Chantilly's polytrack surface when notching a six-length tally on seasonal bow last month and rates an obvious danger. Yeguada Centurion's G1 Prix Morny fifth and G3 Prix Eclipse fourth Epson Blue Cen, an Henri Devin-trained G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches entry representing last year's winning stable, is compromised by the outside draw but overcame a similar disadvantage when winning her latest start at Chantilly in October. Andre Fabre, who last won this heat in 2020 with recent G1 Sydney Cup hero Arapaho (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), relies on impressive Saint-Cloud maiden winner Tolebi and the more experienced Burhan. Click here to download the complete fields with trainer and jockey information. The post Black-Type Analysis: Prix du Pont Neuf Takes Centre Stage at ParisLongchamp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Beginning Thursday morning, Apr. 24 and through Wednesday, Apr. 30, Churchill Downs will be open to the public from 6:45 to 10 a.m. at no cost to take in the morning exercise sessions of horses pointing to the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks. Training hours at Churchill Downs take place daily between 5:15 and 10 a.m., but there is an exclusive window reserved for Derby and Oaks participants from 7:15 to 7:30 a.m. following the renovation break that begins around 6:45 a.m. and lasts for approximately 30 minutes. Derby and Oaks horses are easily identifiable by their yellow and pink saddle towels, respectively. Guests can park for free in the Yellow Lot off Longfield Ave. (all vehicles must be removed by 10:30 a.m.) and enter Churchill Downs through the Clubhouse Gate. Guests will be directed to Sections 115-117 to watch the morning workouts. Churchill Downs' Paddock Grill will be open each morning with coffee and breakfast sandwich options. No outside food and beverages are allowed. Also, the Churchill Downs Store with Kentucky Derby 151 merchandise will be open each morning. On Sunday and Monday, Apr. 27 and 28, fans can enjoy a premium breakfast in Millionaires Row or the Stakes Room for Dawn at the Downs Dining. Tickets and more information can be found at KentuckyDerby.com/DawnDining. A stream of the workouts is available at www.KentuckyDerby.com from 6:45-7:45 a.m. through Thursday, May 1. The post Derby, Oaks Workouts Open To Public appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Three stakes races worth a combined $400,000 will be staged during the Los Angeles County Fair meeting at Los Alamitos Racecourse. Nine days of live racing are scheduled from Friday, June 20 through Sunday, July 6 on a Friday-Sunday schedule. The most valuable of the three stakes is the GII Great Lady M. Stakes, which carries purse money of $200,000. The 6 1/2-furlong test for fillies and mares is set to be run Saturday, July 5. The $100,000 Los Alamitos Derby is scheduled for Saturday, June 28. Trainer Bob Baffert has won the race eight years in a row and nine times since the contest–run as the Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park–was moved to the Orange County oval in 2014. The other stakes on the calendar is the $100,000 Bertrando Stakes for California-bred 3-year-olds and up to be run over a mile on Saturday, June 21. The post Trio of Stakes On Tap For L.A. County Fair Meeting appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) has announced updated eligibility criteria which allows all Thoroughbreds bred for racing worldwide, but located in Britain, to register with RoR free of charge. Previously only horses who had raced or had been in training with a licensed trainer were eligible for registration. It is hoped that this change, to include those horses who never entered training, will enhance the traceability of horses across the racing industry. Such horses can now be registered under a newly created “NT” (not been in training) number but will be required to have an official racing passport from an internationally recognised stud book. RoR will not, however, be opening its competition series to Thoroughbreds that have not been in training, though this situation is under review. David Catlow, managing director of RoR, said: “RoR's expanded eligibility to register with RoR underscores our continued commitment to safeguarding the wellbeing of all former racehorses, including Thoroughbreds bred for racing as outlined in the RoR Strategy 2024-2026. This ensures they receive the necessary support to lead a well-supported life beyond racing.” The post RoR Extends Eligibility to All Thoroughbreds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Recent Southwell novice winner Nightime Dancer (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) has been added to the potential field for the Betfred Derby at the latest entry stage. Owned by Norway's Stall Perlen, the colt was bought as a foal by Peter and Ross Doyle for 110,000gns from his breeder GCE Farm and is trained by Richard Hannon. Nightime Dancer, whose granddam Ragsah (Ire) Shamardal) is a half-sister to Dubai Millennium (GB), has a fascinating pedigree as he is inbred to the latter's dam Colorado Dancer (Ire) and also to Urban Sea through her Derby-winning sons Galileo (Ire) and Sea The Stars (Ire), who features as Nightime Dancer's broodmare sire. The colt was third at Newmarket on his sole start last year and he holds an entry for the G2 Dante Stakes on May 15. He becomes the fourth member of the first crop of Darley's Ghaiyyath to be given a Derby entry, after Gethin (Ire), Ivatt (GB) and Stanhope Gardens (Ire). There are 91 entries for the Derby, which is to be run on Saturday, June 7. Wootton Bassett (GB) is the stallion with the highest number of entries, with his 12 including the Group/Grade 1 winners Twain (Ire), Henri Matisse (Ire) and Tennessee Stud (Ire). Frankel (GB), whose son Adayar (Ire) won the 2021 Derby, and Dubawi (Ire), the sire of last year's Oaks winner Ezeliya (Fr), are next with nine entries apiece. The betting is currently headed by the Aidan O'Brien-trained Acomb Stakes winner The Lion In Winter (Ire), a son of the 2009 winner Sea The Stars (Ire). He is reportedly set to make his seasonal debut in a return trip to the Knavesmire for the Dante Stakes. The post Nightime Dancer Added to Derby Entries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

French jockey lands his first three-timer since October 2022 at city circuit ahead of Group One ride on Sunday.View the full article

Ante-post favourite Field Of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) could be Juddmonte's sole representative in the Betfred 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, Barry Mahon revealed on Wednesday. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Field Of Gold is currently one of four entries for Juddmonte in the first British Classic of the season, alongside stable-mate Detain (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Andrew Balding's G3 Greenham Stakes winner Jonquil (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and the unbeaten Cosmic Year (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who made it two from two for the Harry Charlton yard when recently winning a Kempton novice by five lengths. Mahon had previously intimated that the Juddmonte team wouldn't be afraid to run more than one of their exciting colts at Newmarket on Saturday, May 3. However, that now appears increasingly unlikely as the major owner-breeder operation shuffles its pack, with Field Of Gold the only confirmed runner in the 2,000 Guineas following his impressive victory in last week's G3 Craven Stakes over the same course and distance. “They're all left in and I think current plans are roughly that Field Of Gold will go to Newmarket and we're on weather-watch with the rest of them,” said Mahon, Juddmonte's European racing manager. “Jonquil and Detain are both loosely pencilled in to go to ParisLongchamp [for the Poule d'Essai des Poulains] the following weekend and Cosmic Year could go to the King Charles II on the Friday of the Guineas meeting in Newmarket, with a view to maybe going to the Irish Guineas after that. That's roughly where we're at but, if it looked like France was getting a lot of rain, like they are at the minute, we could divert Jonquil back to Newmarket. “We just think Longchamp would set up nicely for him and because last year he bounced when making a quick reappearance, Andrew was keen to give him the extra week. If it looked like it was going to be good ground in France, we'll go there, and if not we'll pull back into Newmarket.” Mahon also issued a positive bulletin on two of Juddmonte's leading fillies, with Red Letter (GB) (Frankel {GB}) on course to make her seasonal reappearance in the Betfred 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday, May 4, before last week's G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes heroine Zanzoun (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) more than likely runs in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches the following weekend. “She is still on course for Newmarket,” Mahon said of Red Letter. “She's in good form and Ger [Lyons] is happy with her. She's very much on track. “I think we're still leaning towards Longchamp with Zanzoun. Maybe if there was a deluge of rain in Newmarket, which nobody is telling me there's going to be, we might look at supplementing her, but I think we'll be sticking to Plan A and that is France.” The post Field Of Gold Likely to Fly Solo for Juddmonte in 2,000 Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Journalism (Curlin), widely regarded as the favorite for the GI Kentucky Derby on May 3, has been made the 8-1 choice for the single-pool Preakness Stakes Future Win Wager according to a release from the new Maryland Jockey Club. Trained by Michael McCarthy, the $825,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling was third over an insufficient six furlongs on career debut last October, but has since rattled off four straight victories at a mile and beyond, most recently overcoming trouble to take the GI Santa Anita Derby Apr. 5. 'TDN Rising Star' Cornucopian (Into Mischief), who went six furlongs in 1:09.02 at Oaklawn Feb. 23 before weakening to fourth in the GI Arkansas Derby after fighting out nuclear fractions, could attempt to become a ninth Preakness winner for trainer Bob Baffert and is available at odds of 10-1 in the Future Wager. Baeza (McKinzie) was runner-up in the latter event and will require some help to draw into the Derby field, but the half-brother to the Classic-winning full-brothers Mage and Dornoch–both by Good Magic–has been pegged at morning-line odds of 12-1 for the Preakness Future Wager. A handful of horses are priced at 15-1 on the morning line, including Pay Billy (Improbable), recent winner of the Federico Tesio Stakes and guaranteed a spot in the Preakness; and Gosger (Nyquist), impressive in taking out the GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes at Keeneland Apr. 12. There are a total of 40 betting interests in the Preakness Future Win Wager, with the final one being 'all other 3-year-olds' at 50-1. The wagering pool opens at noon ET on Friday, Apr. 25 and will close Saturday, May 3 at 6 p.m. ET, prior to the running of the Derby. The post Journalism Favored In Preakness Future Wager appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has upgraded the equipment and technology used to determine the outcome of photo finishes at all 26 racecourses across Ireland. From next week's Punchestown Festival there will be 12 state-of-the-art photo-finish cameras in use along with a number of large 4K ultra high-definition screens, which will be used to evaluate results. Graham Reid, HRI's Technical Operations Supervisor, said, “These new cameras have incredible capabilities, with even greater sensitivity in lower daylight and unbelievable high speed. “With 40,000 frames per second and a pixel density exceeding 5,000 pixels, no detail will be missed. The cameras deliver sharper, clearer images with the highest possible time differentiations. The new equipment reflects our dedication to delivering the best possible experience for our audience.” The post Enhanced Photo-Finish Technology for Irish Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New Zealand's former champion sire Proisir (Aus) will stand at NZ$70,000 at Rich Hill Stud for the forthcoming Southern Hemisphere breeding season. The 15-year-old son of Choisir (Aus) is lying in second place in the current sires' championship. He heads a roster of five at the stud, including Satono Aladdin (Jpn), who stands at NZ$45,000, and Melbourne Cup winner Shocking (Aus), whose fee is NZ$10,000. Proisir is responsible for 19 individual stakes performers so far this season and leads the way in the New Zealand sires' table by number of individual stakes winners (seven) and number of winners (41). The post Proisir’s Fee Cut to NZ$70,000 at Rich Hill Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There may still be Punchestown to come of the major jumps festivals this year but on Sunday the focus of Henry de Bromhead will be firmly on the Flat and a possible first Group 1 triumph. Higher Leaves (Ire), one of six horses confirmed for the G1 Prix Ganay at the latest stage, returns to Longchamp where she won the Listed Prix de Liancourt last September before following up in the G3 Prix Fille de l'Air in Toulouse. The four-year-old daughter of Golden Horn (GB) was just one of a number of smart Flat performers for de Bromhead last year. He landed the prestigious Ebor Handicap with Magical Zoe (Ire) (Shantou) as well as back-to-back wins in England for Term Of Endearment (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) in York's G3 Bronte Cup and the G2 Lillie Langtry Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. The latter, who was de Bromhead's first runner in a Group 1 in the Prix de Royallieu on Arc weekend last October, has subsequently been bought by Yuesheng Zhang of Yulong Investments and joined William Haggas's stable over the winter. “The Flat has been really good to us and we enjoy it,” says the trainer. “We had a super year last year and we've always dabbled in it, though more from the point of view of trading. But we were lucky enough to retain a few nice ones, like Magical Zoe, who came more from the National Hunt side, and Term Of Endearment and a few others. It's something we hope to do more of.” That last statement should strike a certain amount of fear into the hearts of Flat trainers, for de Bromhead has already won most of the major prizes that National Hunt racing has to offer. In a memorable 2021 he completed the jumping grand slam of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Grand National with Minella Indo (Ire), Honeysuckle (GB), Put The Kettle On (Ire) and Minella Times (Ire). The first Group 1 of the European season would be a welcome addition to that portfolio, though Higher Leaves still has two options open to her on Sunday. De Bromhead says, “She's in both races – the Ganay and the [G3 Prix] Allez France and we'll decide which one she'll go to nearer the time. “She's really filling out out her frame and she's working well so we are hopeful that she has come on again from last year. Golden Horn is a brilliant sire and he can get good middle-distance horses on the Flat and Champion Hurdlers – though I don't think we'll be hurdling our lady.” Indeed, the last time Higher Leaves was seen at Longchamp she was sporting the colours of John Halley, who owned her in partnership with Ciara Hogan, but in her last two starts, which have included finishing third in the G3 Pride Stakes at Newmarket, she has run for leading Flat breeder James Wigan. The filly was bred by Derek Iceton and is a second black-type winner for the Declaration Of War mare Dettoria (GB) after Selenaia (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), who landed Santa Anita's GIII Honeymoon Stakes in 2023. Henry de Bromhead | Racingfotos Higher Leaves spearheads a Flat team of around 30 at de Bromhead's Co Waterford stable. “We have 10 or 12 older horses and then some two-year-olds coming in as well,” he says. “There are plenty of nice ones.” Rubies From Burma (American Pharoah) and Thalara (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) have already accrued some black type this year, each finishing third in Listed contests at Kempton and Leopardstown respectively. There are more to come. De Bromhead adds, “Town And Country (Ire) (Earthlight {Ire}) won her maiden well last year and is probably going for the Polonia Stakes at Cork [May 6]. Hollys Graces (Ire) won her maiden first time out, she looks nice, an Australia (GB) filly, and she'll go for a black-type race in the next couple of weeks.” If she stands her ground for the Ganay, Higher Leaves could face up to five opponents, including fellow Irish raider Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), the in-form Map Of Stars (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who has already won two group races this year, and the Wertheimers' G1 Grand Prix de Paris winner Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). The post De Bromhead Aiming Higher on Flat with Longchamp Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-Lyon-Parilly, €23,000, Cond, 4-23, 2yo, 5fT, :58.79, sf. LADY'ARMOR (FR) (f, 2, Armor {GB}–Faadiyah {Ire}, by New Approach {Ire}), runner-up on debut at La Teste last month, travelled strongly in the slipstream of the early leader before looming on the front end inside the final two furlongs. Asserting from there, the 13-2 shot hit the line with 3 1/2 lengths to spare over Wana Chope (Fr) (Gutaifan {Ire}). In doing so, she was becoming the first winner for Haras de Bouquetot's first-season sire (by No Nay Never). The winner is the first foal out of the dam, a granddaughter of the 1,000 Guineas-placed Muwakleh (GB) (Machiavellian) whose yearling filly is by Gutaifan (Ire). This is the family of the G1 Dubai World Cup-winning sire Almutawakel (GB) and White Muzzle (GB). Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, €15,870. O-Xavier Salles, Stuart Mcphee, Alain Chopard & Ozkan Kilicdemir; B-Stuart Mcphee (FR); T-Jane Soubagne. First winner for #Armor ! Lady'Armor strikes at second asking at Lyon Parilly to become her sire's first ever winner from 2 runners to date (both of them being placed). Congratulations to her breeder Stuart McPhee and to all connections! https://t.co/yUPwNOjcjN — Al Shaqab Racing (@AlShaqabRacing) April 23, 2025 The post Lady’Armor First Winner For Bouquetot’s Armor appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Famous Australian racing dynasty can achieve ‘probably the best day’ in its history at Sha Tin’s Champions Day meeting.View the full article

Presenter-driver-trainer Brittany Graham knows a thing or two about racing on both sides of the Tasman and now that the Queenslander is working for Trackside in this country she’s (reluctantly) agreed to write a weekly column on anything she thinks is relevant, topical or even fun. The Aussie unknowns this Friday at Alexandra Park By Brittany Graham While the Australian flavour in the north has been strong for the last month, there is added intrigue in Friday night’s Alexandra Park premier race card. It comes in the form of a rare Australian juvenile racing here and the change to standing start conditions for two other trans-Tasman visitors in the trotting ranks. The surprise entrance of Group 1 winning two-year-old filly Ripples has certainly spiced up the Young Guns series (6.09pm) with Emma Stewart making her long-awaited international training debut. She’s opened a $1.55 favourite! Emma, alongside her partner Clayton Tonkin have long been regarded as the ‘gold standard’ in the young horse pacing ranks, dominating most divisions for the best part of 10 years. Their ability to have their two-year-olds well-educated and mannered, alongside working with premium bred stock, has seen the duo sweep all before them. Ripples is the next in a long line to fit that mould. By the incomparable Bettor’s Delight, she is out of a sister to Nike Franco and was bred in New Zealand by Mick Harvey. The fact that her eligibilities in Australia are limited, alongside her Bathurst Gold Tiara success prompted the idea for a shot at the Young Guns series. Her efforts at Bathurst were dominant, with a debut heat romp, followed by a hard-fought final victory in a 1.53.9second mile rate after working for the first half of the race to eventually position in the breeze thereafter. Typical of the Tonkin Stewart Racing operation, Ripples has shown maturity beyond her two start career and looks a natural who wears little gear. She will be looking to draw on all of this when she tackles right-handed racing for the first time, and locks horns with some impressive locals. Champion reinsman Luke McCarthy took the reins in her first two starts, with Blair Orange engaged for this series. “She felt really strong at Bathurst and had great manners,” said McCarthy. “You never know how they will handle the Auckland way, but she comes from such an astute camp, I’m sure they will have given her practice and have her spot on” As Queen Elida approaches the end of her racing career, she will line up from behind the tapes for just the fourth time in 86 starts when she takes her place in the H R Fisken & Sons Anzac Cup. Off the back of excellent seconds in both the TAB Trot and Lyell Creek Stakes, it will be her first standing start attempt since success in the Australasian Trotting Championship of September 2023. Despite this anomaly, she has always been a reliable mare and ticked the right-handed box with her luckless effort here a fortnight ago. Conversely, Not As Promised has raced under standing start conditions for almost a third of his career, including four of his 10 starts this preparation. A generally safe beginner, he isn’t necessarily the ‘step and run’ style horse and still requires some balancing up relatively early in his career. He will of course have benefitted by a look around Alexandra Park in the Lyell Creek Stakes and looks likely to relish the 3200metres of next Friday’s Rowe Cup. View the full article

Check out this week’s The Box Seat ahead of Auckland’s big night with five Group 1s and Invercargill’s Diamonds Day. View the full article

A slightly-delayed return for Keayang Zahara, changes to syndicates and stakes payments, and a Derby champion still winning seven years later all feature in this week’s News Briefs. Skin issue delays trotter’s return Boom Australian trotting mare Keayang Zahara’s racetrack return has been delayed by at least a week. But driver Jason Lee says the four-year-old, who created such a stir with three dominant Addington wins late last year, remained on target for the $100,000 Group 1 Macarthur Mile at Menangle on May 10. “She’s had a bit of a skin issue and isn’t quite ready to go this week,” Lee said, “she’ll go to the Terang trials instead and we’ll look to race her next week .. I’d say it’s still very likely she’ll go to Sydney as planned.” Keayang Zahara, who already boasts $664,330 in earnings, hasn’t raced since completing her NZ raid with a runaway win in the NZ Trotting Derby on December 6. “She had a good break. She hasn’t grown much, but she’s filled out,” Lee said, “we’re really happy with where she’s at.” Such is the excitement around Keayang Zahara, she is already a $2.50 favourite for the $500,000 Brisbane Inter Dominion Trotting Final on July 19 at Albion Park. Changes to syndicates and stakes payments Changes to the way syndicates can operate is being proposed by the Harness Racing New Zealand Board. Currently all ownership groups of more than 10 people are deemed to be a syndicate. HRNZ is now proposing that where a horse is owned by between two and 20 persons the horse can be registered in the owners’ names or as a syndicate and where there are 21 or more owners ownership is deemed to be a syndicate. The proposed amendment also changes the limit of the maximum number of persons in an as of right syndicate from 50 to 100. The syndicate can include another syndicate provided the total people does not exceed 100. A syndicate larger than 100 can proceed, with the approval of HRNZ’s Chief Executive. The Board is also endorsing a change to the way stakes are paid out. The change will permit the payment of stakes for races programmed for $35,000 or less without waiting for the swab return from the racing laboratory and RIB (Racing Integrity Board). HRNZ proposes to pay all stakes for such races from the last race on the previous Sunday on the following Wednesday. Clubs and other interested parties are now encouraged to provide feedback on both the syndicate and stakes changes, with the Board expected to make the Rule changes in early June. To find out more click here Houses and Oranges dominate premierships From 399 starts this year, Michael House has 62 wins, 28 ahead of Steve and Amanda Telfer (34) to lead this year’s trainers premiership. Blair Orange, who was confirmed on Saturday night as the Kiwi representative at this year’s World Driving Championship in New Zealand in November, has 71 wins and is again at the top of the drivers’ premiership, 23 clear of Wilson House on 48. He is 15 wins clear in the junior drivers’ premiership from Harrison Orange (33). What The Hill trifecta What a result it was for Woodlands Stud stallion What The Hill in the Border Fencing Services Handicap Trot at Alexandra Park last Saturday. What’s Up The Hill had what was a rare trotting win for veteran trainer Ray Green (and Nathan Delany) while Hillbilly and Happy Hill were second and third. The well-bred son of former top age group trotter Escapee, What’s Up The Hill had two placings at Manawatu before his breakthrough victory, winning by a nose. 400 for Neal Andrew Neal recorded his 400th training success when wife and training partner Lyn Neal piloted Two Francs to a win in the Wednesday Quiz Night At The Clubhouse Trot at Cambridge last Wednesday. Neal had 143 wins on his own account, starting with Captain Grattan in 1986, and has 257 in partnership with Lyn (2003 -). His biggest win was in the 2000 Auckland Cup with Flight South. He also drove the horse to win the Group 1 feature. As the rank outsider in a Cup field that included Yulestar, Holmes D G, Courage Under Fire and Happy Asset, Flight South was 14/14 in the betting and paid $108 to win. Sheriff still in charge in USA Winner of the New Zealand Derby way back in 2018, Sheriff is still winning races. A winner of seven from 18 in this country, Sheriff was exported in 2020. He is now an 11-year-old. He won his second race in 2025 and his 34th race overall when he won at Cumberland Raceway in Maine over the weekend. It also took the son of Bettor’s Delight past the half million mark in stakes earnings. Latest news from Sires’ Stakes The New Zealand Sires’ Stakes is looking forward to its Autumn Finals which will be “big on both quality and numbers”. Check out the NZSS’s latest newsletter here May’s Metro Series The next round of the highly popular Metro Series Heats and Finals will be held at Alexandra Park next month. The series has been a feature part of the Look North strategy launched last year to reinvigorate racing in the north. $20,000 Heats for both Trotters and Pacers will be held at Alexandra Park on May 9 and May 23 before the two $35,000 Finals on Friday, May 30. There will be more heats and finals during the winter months. Board members for OnTrack OnTrack, racing’s mental well-being programme, is seeking 2–3 Board Members. These are paid positions and the remuneration is $12K for Directors and $18K for the Chair. If you are interested in applying, please send your CV and Cover Letter to apply@amytea.co.nz before the closing date of 27 April 2025. HRZ roadshow on “utilization” changes HRNZ is hitting the road in late April-early May. It will host roadshows from Invercargill to Auckland to explain the latest initiatives by the Utilisation Reference Group (URG) that have been endorsed by the HRNZ Board. The schedule for the Roadshows is : Invercargill, 1 pm, Monday April 28 – Racecourse Oamaru, 2pm, Tuesday April 29 – Racecourse, after the trials Timaru, 11am, Wednesday 30 April – Racecourse Ashburton, 2pm, Wednesday 30 April – Racecourse Christchurch, 7pm, Monday May 5 – Blossom Lady Lounge, Addington Pukekohe Training Centre, 7pm, Wednesday May 7thCambridge, 1pm, Wednesday May 7 – Cambridge Raceway Zoom calls will be arranged for Seddon Shield trainers and Central North Island trainers. Date and times TBA. For more information contact john.mooney@hrnz.co.nz View the full article

This is a reminder that even if you haven’t finalised the ownership for the yearling purchased at the NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales earlier this year, you are still required to submit a transfer of ownership by Friday, May 2, 2025. The transfer document will have been sent to you by NZ Bloodstock, providing the horse has been paid for in full. This initial transfer is FREE, however if a subsequent transfer is required after this date, the normal $85 fee will apply. If the ownership is still to be finalised, it is suggested that you transfer the horse into the name of the person who was the nominated purchaser on the day of the sale. In addition, we are offering you the opportunity to change the name of the horse for FREE, provided you complete the transfer of ownership at the same time. Again, the form to change the name will have been emailed by NZB with the transfer form. If you have paid and are yet to receive any paperwork from NZB, please contact grant.inglis@nzb.co.nz Please email your completed paperwork to mark@hrnz.co.nz or post to Harness Racing New Zealand, Po Box 459, Christchurch 8140. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Mark at the above email or phone 03 964 1191 View the full article

Awapuni mare Town Cryer will attempt to add to her stakes record when she heads north to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa. She placed in the Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) at Trentham last month, where trainer Roydon Bergerson said she raced too keenly, and he is hoping she is a more relaxed this weekend. “She was just a bit too keen on the bridle and she (Sam Spratt, jockey) couldn’t get her to come back to her. She over-raced, which she doesn’t usually do,” Bergerson said. “It was her first time over ground for a while and she just didn’t relax. In saying that, I don’t think she would have beaten Waitak anyway.” Town Cryer will jump from barrier 11 this weekend with Joe Doyle in the saddle. A day prior, Bergerson is looking forward to returning to race on his home track’s recently renovated grass track, where he will be represented by Charlotte’s Way in the Flipp Transport 1400. “It has been a while, but it will be great to get back (racing at Awapuni), I am looking forward to it,” Bergerson said. Charlotte’s Way was runner-up over 1400m at Trentham last month, and Bergerson is hoping she can go one better on ANZAC Day. “She was pretty brave the other day,” he said. “She is a funny, little mare, she has got to have things go her way. “She has worked up really well since, I have kept her fresh and she seems to be better three weeks between runs. “We have done a lot of different things with her, like swimming, jumping, and she does that every other day. Her work yesterday morning was really good. I am very happy with her.” On Sunday, Bergerson will head to Wanganui with two runners, including last-start winner Vee Vee in the Jo Rathbone Stables 1600 and Bradman in the Fraser Auret Racing Open 1350. “Bradman is coming up super this year, he has really strengthened up and finally matured,” Bergerson said. “Half of his life he has spent in the judicial reports. He has come up really well and the aim is the Winter Cup (Gr.3, 1600m) with him. “He had a tough time the other day, three-wide with no cover first-up, but I am pretty happy with him.” Meanwhile, Bergerson is ruing his decision to run his former star juvenile Wolverine on Waverley’s Heavy9 track on Easter Monday, with the now five-year-old mare not handling the conditions and finishing last in her 1200m contest. “That was my fault, it was a terrible decision to run,” Bergerson said. “I was just trying to get her to Rotorua (Gr.3 Rotorua ITM Stakes, 1400m) but I should have just gone with my initiative and scratched her and given her a gallop on Friday and gone to the trials on Tuesday. You make mistakes in this game. “I thought she would get away with it because the times they were running weren’t so bad. The track was cutting up obviously, but they said they were getting through it. He (Triston Moodley, jockey) said it was just like her wheels were spinning around and she just couldn’t get any traction. It was pretty disappointing.” Bergerson has yet to lock in any firm plans with his mare and said he will speak with Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis before finalising any decision. While contemplating the next steps with Wolverine, juvenile stablemate Too Sweet has headed to the spelling paddock following her placing in last Saturday’s Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie. “She just can’t get a draw,” Bergerson said. “She was tough. She tripped on the winner’s heel and she got back and couldn’t get in, so they had to work forward. She was really brave. He (Masa Hashizume, jockey) said that she looked like she was going to win halfway down, she really started to get through her gears, and then that horse ran out the last bit.” It brings the curtain down on a frustrating but successful season for her connections, which resulted in two wins and two placings from six starts, including victory in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m), and she accrued more than $190,000 in prizemoney. “She has just had no luck in her last three starts,” Bergerson said. “We will give her a decent spell and bring her back in for the spring, whether we aim her at the (NZ 1000) Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) or the Karaka Millions I’m not sure.” View the full article

Marton trainer Fraser Auret is set to have a busy weekend, with stakes contenders scattered around the country as well as his homebred sprinting superstar Ka Ying Rising taking on the world’s best once more at Sha Tin on Sunday. The four-year-old son of Shamexpress will be shooting for his 12th straight win in Hong Kong for trainer David Hayes when he contests the Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) in the hands of leading Hong Kong hoop Zac Purton. Ka Ying Rising has been a revelation in Hong Kong, winning 12 of his 14 starts, including the Gr.1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), Gr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) and Gr.1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m), earning nearly NZ$10.5 million in prizemoney, and was crowned Champion Griffin last season. Auret bred Ka Ying Rising out of his ill-fated five-win mare Missy Moo and he has enjoyed watching his progress in Hong Kong after selling him to Lindsay Park off the back of an impressive jumpout victory in Levin. While he would love to be trackside at Sha Tin this weekend, his schedule wouldn’t allow it, and instead he will be barracking for Ka Ying Rising from his living room in Rangitikei. “We have been loving every minute of it,” he said. “This time of year for us, we are breaking in a lot of young ones and searching for the next Ka Ying Rising, so unfortunately we won’t be there.” Auret will be seeking stakes glory of his own back in New Zealand on Saturday, with Khanshe flying the stable flag in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa, while Piccolino is trekking south to Riccarton to line-up in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m). Khanshe was also entered for the Listed Manawatu ITM ANZAC Mile (1600m) at Awapuni on Friday, but Auret has elected to test his in-form mare against her own sex further north a day later. The four-year-old daughter of Mongolian Khan has been a consistent performer for Auret, winning three and placing in three of her 11 starts to date, including victory in the Listed Oaks Prelude (1800m) as a three-year-old and running third in the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) in February. While Auret believes his mare is still 12 months away from reaching her peak, he is still hopeful of a bold showing from Khanshe from barrier three on Saturday. “At this stage she will head to Te Rapa. We hedged our bets a bit with the different forecasts because it has been a wild week of weather everywhere,” Auret said. “I think she will really relish the 2000m and the nice track up at Te Rapa. She has certainly gone the right way since Wanganui (fifth in the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes, 2050m). “She has only had 11 starts now, so it is more this time next season that she will be super competitive in these sort of races, but she has got a very tidy record for a very lightly-tried horse.” Auret is also hopeful about the chances of stablemate Piccolino at Riccarton. The daughter of Proisir won over a mile on debut at Otaki in January before finishing unplaced in her following three starts at stakes level, including running seventh last start in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham. She has pleased her trainer with her progress since then, finishing fourth in her 1200m trial at Awapuni earlier this month, and he is looking forward to her South Island debut in the Warstep Stakes on Saturday, where she will jump from barrier 14. “She has had a nice season, even her run in the Oaks had plenty of merit I thought, she wasn’t that far away from them and she has done really well since,” Auret said. “I am happier to be out there (barrier 14) because they have had an awful lot of rain down there so I think it might be the place to be.” Looking ahead to Sunday, Auret will head to Wanganui with two runners, and he is excited about the chances of both Massive Prince and Rabega in the Kevin Myers Stables 1200. “If that is a reasonable track, they should both run pretty well,” Auret said. View the full article

He’s A Doozy will contest the Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m) at Awapuni on Friday. (Photo: Peter Rubery – Race Images Palmerston North) Lisa Latta can’t wait for racing to return to her home track of Awapuni on Friday and she’ll be flying the flag for the locals in the Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m). Based at the Palmerston North venue, Latta has watched on as the turf track received an extensive refurbishment, with successful jump-outs and trials deeming Awapuni fit to return to the domestic calendar. After a long 18 months away from regular programming, Latta was more than satisfied with what she saw in the lead-up to Friday’s meeting. “It’s gone really well, we had a lot of rain before the trials and the track held up so well,” she said. “I’ve galloped a fair number of horses out there and I’m really happy with it. “We’ve done a lot of travelling, we obviously had a lot of home meetings that were run elsewhere and it makes a difference, you’re home earlier, staff are done earlier, all those types of things. It’s definitely been a strain in that regard. “We’re really looking forward to being back.” Representing Latta in the ANZAC Mile will be He’s A Doozy, a Group One-winning galloper who looked to have found his form of old last-start at Wanganui. While delighted to see her talented galloper back in the winner’s circle, Latta admitted the 59kg impost he now carries on Friday will pose a challenge. “He’d been disappointing down south, so we changed a couple of things around on him and it was great to have him back in winning form at Wanganui,” she said. “Unfortunately, he’s back up in the handicaps again now and is carrying topweight. “We’ll get this run into him and see where we go from here, he’s drawn well and that’ll be a help carrying that much weight.” Group Three-winning gelding Lantern Way has also indicated he is back on the up this preparation, finishing well behind subsequent stakes winner Slipper Island at Trentham and repeating that effort last-start behind Ballon D’Or. The son of Satono Aladdin will contest the TRC Tractors 1400 alongside his stablemate Benefactor, who also prefers the cut out of the track. “He’s been good in his last couple, he’s probably looking for a bit more moisture in the track though and I think the track will probably get back a bit more than what it is at the moment,” she said. “I just think he could be looking for a looser, softer track, and similar for Benefactor.” Latta will saddle over a dozen more runners through the meeting, then her focus will turn to the south on Saturday, as her ultra-consistent filly Connello contests the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton. The Time Test filly is accustomed to travelling across the Cook Strait, having finished fifth in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) and Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in the spring. Closer to home, she was beaten only by Leica Lucy in the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) and Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m), before midfield finishes in the Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) and Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). Back in the south, she stormed home into second behind Dream Of The Moon in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) a fortnight ago, earning herself another shot at black-type this term. “She drew the outside (in the NZB Airfreight) and got caught wide which you would expect, while the winner got all favours with that inside draw” Latta said. “She tries her little heart out every time and she deserves to take her place on Saturday.” Back at Wanganui on Sunday, heavy-track specialist and multiple-stakes winner Belardo Boy will resume in the Open 1350m. Belardo Boy’s 99 rating will make weight-for-age racing an appeal this preparation and Latta is eyeing a potential tilt at the early Hawke’s Bay features, which will be held at Awapuni. “He’s had a nice trial, we’ll claim the three kilos with Amber Riddell riding him, which will help,” she said. “This is a fitness run for him to get back up to a mile after that. “We’ll just have to take the medicine a little bit with the weights, we’ll try to get back to the weight-for-age at Wanganui (Listed AGC Training Stakes, 1600m) which he won last year. “We may miss going south this year and with Awapuni having the first two races of the big days, weather can sometimes play a role there. We might get a bit of an off-track which would be a help to him.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Tamworth Races Where Tamworth Jockey Club – 28 Britten Rd, Taminda NSW 2340 When Thursday, April 24, 2025 First Race 12:30pm AEST Visit Dabble Country racing returns to Tamworth Jockey Club on Thursday afternoon, with a competitive eight-part program lined up in the New England region. The $200,000 Tamworth Showcase Cup (1400m) headlines the action, with a capacity field of 14 assembled for the event. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, and with no significant rainfall forecast to hinder proceedings, punters can expect a Good 4 surface. 2025 Tamworth Showcase Cup Day is set to commence at 12:30pm AEST. Tamworth Showcase Cup Tip: West Of Africa West Of Africa will need to lug top weight (59.5kg) to victory in the Tamworth Showcase Cup and looks to have the class to get the job done. The son of Not A Single Doubt was sensational on testing conditions to finish in the minor money alongside Grebeni in the Muswellbrook Gold Cup (1500m) last time out and should be a big improver back on on top of the ground. He gains the services of NSW’s best country hoop Aaron Bullock, and with West Of Africa likely to sit within striking distance as they peel for home, watch for this guy to prove a class above. Tamworth Showcase Cup Race 7 – #1 West Of Africa (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | J: Aaron Bullock (59.5kg) Best Bet at Tamworth: Cheeky Dancer The Ciaron Maher-trained Cheeky Dancer was doing her best work late at Hawkesbury on April 5, hitting the line well to suggest the daughter of Menari is set to peak third-up. The lightly raced four-year-old should relish stepping out to the 1400m, and with this country maiden a significant drop in grade, she looks well placed for success. Ashley Morgan can take complete control from stall three, so expect Cheeky Dancer to have no issues justifying the short price with horse racing bookmakers. Next Best Race 2 – #4 Cheeky Dancer (3) 4yo Mare | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Ashley Morgan (57kg) Next Best at Tamworth: Asgoodassobergets Asgoodassobergets ran into a smart one in the form of Flying Bandit at Hawkesbury on April 9 and seemingly needed the ran as he whacked away mid-field three lengths away. The son of Dariyan lacked fitness second-up into the campaign and should take dramatic improvement stepping out to the 2100m despite being afforded a hefty weight to carry (63.5kg). He gets some relief in the form of a 1.5kg claim of apprentice hoop Shannen Llewellyn, and with this a much easier assignment than what he’s faced early in the preparation, expect Asgoodassobergets to be right in this. Next Best Race 1 – #1 Asgoodassobergets (4) 6yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | J: Shannen Llewellyn (a1.5kg) (63.5kg) Thursday quaddie tips for Tamworth Tamworth quadrella selections April 24, 2025 1-2-3-4-7 1-2-6-10 1 1-3-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Town Cryer will contest Saturday’s Group 2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa. (Photo: Peter Rubery – Race Images Palmerston North) Awapuni mare Town Cryer will attempt to add to her stakes record when she heads north to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the Group 2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa. She placed in the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) at Trentham last month, where trainer Roydon Bergerson said she raced too keenly, and he is hoping she is a more relaxed this weekend. “She was just a bit too keen on the bridle and she (Sam Spratt, jockey) couldn’t get her to come back to her. She over-raced, which she doesn’t usually do,” Bergerson said. “It was her first time over ground for a while and she just didn’t relax. In saying that, I don’t think she would have beaten Waitak anyway.” Town Cryer will jump from barrier 11 this weekend with Joe Doyle in the saddle. A day prior, Bergerson is looking forward to returning to race on his home track’s recently renovated grass track, where he will be represented by Charlotte’s Way. “It has been a while, but it will be great to get back (racing at Awapuni), I am looking forward to it,” Bergerson said. Charlotte’s Way was runner-up over 1400m at Trentham last month, and Bergerson is hoping she can go one better on ANZAC Day. “She was pretty brave the other day,” he said. “She is a funny, little mare, she has got to have things go her way. “She has worked up really well since, I have kept her fresh and she seems to be better three weeks between runs. “We have done a lot of different things with her, like swimming, jumping, and she does that every other day. Her work yesterday morning was really good. I am very happy with her.” On Sunday, Bergerson will head to Wanganui with two runners, including last-start winner Vee Vee and Bradman. “Bradman is coming up super this year, he has really strengthened up and finally matured,” Bergerson said. “Half of his life he has spent in the judicial reports. He has come up really well and the aim is the Winter Cup (Group 3, 1600m) with him. “He had a tough time the other day, three-wide with no cover first-up, but I am pretty happy with him.” Horse racing news View the full article

My Wish lands Four-Year-Old Classic Series glory at Sha Tin. (Photo: HKJC) My Wish has already provided Mark Newnham with a string of highlights this season and the Australian horseman hopes his diminutive galloper can produce a crowning performance in the HK$24 million Group 1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Winless from two starts in 2023/24, My Wish has rocketed from a rating of 54 to 101 in just eight starts this preparation with four wins, two seconds and two thirds – for prizemoney of HK$18.65 million – to emerge as one of Hong Kong’s most consistent and exciting young horses. Weighing just under 1,000lb, My Wish has repeatedly belied his diminutive frame with herculean performances and was outstanding in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, winning the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and running second in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) to Rubylot and the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) to Cap Ferrat. His rattling effort to surge from the tail of the field on the turn in the BMW Hong Kong Derby ultimately saw him finish a short head shy of victory but, in doing so, the Flying Artie gelding clocked the fastest final 400m sectional – 21.39s – in a 2000m race at Sha Tin since 2008, eclipsing the times of champions such as Golden Sixty and Romantic Warrior. “He started the season as a maiden and now he’s running in Group 1 races. He was the most consistent and best performed of the four-year-olds,” Newnham said. “What’s been encouraging has been over the last couple of weeks those horses coming out of the Derby are all racing very well, albeit in Class 2 races, but it’s nice to see that they’ve adapted and taken on the older horses and been able to beat them. “It shows they’re a good group of four-year-olds, even though he’s going to a different level again to those horses, it’s encouraging to see the form standing up. “He (My Wish) was small, light, anxious sort of horse when he arrived and I knew it was going to take a bit of time to get him to settle in but as times gone on, he’s gone from being one of the more difficult horses in the yard to being one of the easiest. “He had a lot of nervous energy, coming up to the track, on the track. He wanted to do everything quickly but now he’s settled right down. His parades at the races are much better than even at the start of the season. “We even had a few barrier issues with him at the start and one of his earlier races this season was when he broke through the gates and Luke managed to hold on to him and he still won that race. “The talent has always been there, we just had to manage his temperament and all of those things have fallen into place now.” Having drawn barrier 14 in the BMW Hong Kong Derby and being forced to drop to the tail of the field, My Wish had previously excelled racing near the pace. Newnham hopes a more favourable barrier this Sunday will allow his flagship galloper to shine against elite opposition, including Voyage Bubble, Mr Brightside, Royal Patronage and Gaia Force. “He’s only missed a place once and that was his first start at 1000 metres,” Newnham said. “He’s versatile in his races to overcome different barriers but it would be nice if he gets a good barrier for a change. He’s had 13 and 14 a couple of times – and if he’s able to get an easier run in transit, especially taking on these types of horses, that would be nice.” Horse racing news View the full article