Wandering Eyes

The board of stewards of The Jockey Club announced July 30 the election of Everett Dobson as chair. Dobson succeeds Stuart Janney III, who had served as chair of The Jockey Club since Aug. 8, 2015.View the full article

Thursday, Goodwood, post time: 15:05, QATAR NASSAU STAKES-G1, £600,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 9f 197yT Field: Running Lion (GB) (Roaring Lion), See The Fire (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Cercene (Ire) (Australia {GB}), Whirl (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). TDN Verdict: Three-year-olds have generally dominated of late and after the performance of Kalpana at Ascot on Saturday it is hard to make a solid case against Whirl continuing that trend. The way she put away the Juddmonte filly in the Pretty Polly suggests she has improved since the Oaks and with her pedigree it is almost a given that there is more there. If this was at York, See The Fire would be closer to the favourite in the betting, but it is worth remembering that she was a neck second to Ballydoyle's Opera Singer in this 12 months ago. Aidan O'Brien's other runner Bedtime Story has been at the top, come down and is now working her way back up in the right manner judged on her Diane second, while the Coronation heroine Cercene adds more Irish menace. [Tom Frary]. Thursday, Goodwood, post time: 13:55, MARKEL RICHMOND STAKES-G2, £175,000, 2yo, c/g, 6fT Field: Azizam (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Chicago Call (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Coppull (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), Egoli (GB) (No Nay Never), Havana Hurricane (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}), Maximized (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}), Puerto Rico (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Super Soldier (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Underwriter (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}). TDN Verdict: An open renewal, with the Coventry third Coppull bidding to provide Clive Cox with a third in seven years. Back over the trip at which he was second to Maximized in Epsom's Woodcote Stakes, the Windsor Castle winner Havana Hurricane brings valuable experience to the mix, as does Ballydoyle's maiden Puerto Rico, who was no match for the yard's all-conquering filly True Love in The Curragh's G2 Railway Stakes. [Tom Frary]. Thursday, Goodwood, post time: 14:30, HKJC WORLD POOL GORDON STAKES-G3, £200,000, 3yo, 11f 218yT Field: Galveston (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Merchant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), Rahiebb (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Sir Dinadan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Too Soon (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Wimbledon Hawkeye (GB) (Kameko), Windlord (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Having captured Royal Ascot's Group-race in disguise, the King George V Stakes winner Merchant now enters the Pattern-race fray for real taking on a host of three-year-olds who are relatively journeyed at this stage. Looking to the St Leger, the Irish Derby fifth Sir Dinadan has the staying power to continue down that route and has course form having been second to his stable's high-flyer Amiloc in the Listed Cocked Hat in May. [Tom Frary]. Friday, Goodwood, post time: 15:05, THE KING GEORGE QATAR STAKES-G2, £317,000, 3yo/up, 5fT Field: Clarendon House (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}), Jm Jungle (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}), Kerdos (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}), Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Manaccan (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), Night Raider (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Spartan Arrow (Ire) (Sioux Nation), Time For Sandals (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), Asfoora (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}), Big Mojo (Ire) (Mohaather {GB}), Frost At Dawn (Frosted), She's Quality (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), Celandine (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Town And Country (Ire) (Earthlight {Ire}). TDN Verdict: After an outstanding effort over a trip too far in the July Cup, Big Mojo is back over his ideal trip at the track at which he captured the Molecomb 12 months ago for the same connections of last year's winner Big Evs. Beaten a short head last year, Asfoora should be in the mix again while the Commonwealth Cup heroine Time For Sandals will relish a strong pace to run at dropping in trip for the first time since finishing third in the 2024 Weatherbys Super Sprint. [Tom Frary]. Friday, Goodwood, post time: 13:55, THE BONHAMS THOROUGHBRED STAKES-G3, £100,000, 3yo, 8fT Field: Cosmic Year (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Diego Ventura (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), King Of Cities (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Opera Ballo (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), Seagulls Eleven (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}), Spectacular View (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Cosmic Year has to bounce back from a below-par effort in the Prix Jean Prat and he'll have to if Opera Ballo is still in the same form he was in when winning the Listed Heron Stakes and Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes. Juddmonte's exciting colt had looked on the up when second in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and deserves another chance back at a mile. [Tom Frary]. The post Black-Type Analysis: Whirl and See The Fire Primed for Nassau Face-Off appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced juveniles from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes, sponsored by OBS Sales, highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, including links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Thursday at Saratoga. Thursday, July 31, 2025 Saratoga 2, $80k, 2yo, f, (R), 5 1/2fT, 1:44 p.m. Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Choppin Brockley (Known Agenda), OBSAPR, 30,000, :10 2/5 C-Niall Brennan Stables, agent; B-Brenda Zoppo, agent Delver (Kantharos), FTMMAY, 50,000, G C-Ballymahon Bloodstock; B-Tom McCrocklin Gigi Cake's (Tiz the Law), OBSAPR, 25,000, :10 3/5 C-Whitman Sales LLC, agent; B-MEG Racing LLC Raynham Hall (Independence Hall)-AE, OBSAPR, 30,000, :10 1/5 C-Sequel Bloodstock, agent; B-Rudy Rodriguez Oscar's Encore (Oscar Performance), OBSAPR, 60,000, :10 1/5 C-Mayberry Farm, agent; B-Joe Sharp, agent for Erich Brehm Jr Scorch (Yaupon), OBSAPR, 50,000 PS, :10 1/5 C-de Meric Sales, agent; B-Fernando Abreu Saratoga 6, $90k, 2yo, f, (S), 6f, 4:02 p.m. Grazie (Modernist), 310,000, FTMMAY, G C-Julie Davies, agent; B-Repole Stable Tuthilltown (Classic Empire), 120,000, FTMMAY, :10 1/5 C-Endurance Equine, agt; B-RB Bldstk, agt for Storyteller/Prtnrs The post Summer Breezes Sponsored By OBS: Thursday, July 31, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Everett Dobson has officially been elected by the board of stewards to be the next chair of The Jockey Club. Dobson succeeds Stuart Janney, III, who has served as chair of the organization since August of 2015. “It's a great privilege to follow Stuart as chair of The Jockey Club,” Dobson said. “Stuart has been an integral part of The Jockey Club as we strive to improve Thoroughbred breeding and racing. I will continue with our endeavor to develop initiatives that support and grow the sport.” Dobson has been a member of The Jockey Club since 2014. He served as a steward from August 2017 through August 2021 and was elected again in 2024. A longtime owner and breeder of Thoroughbreds, the Oklahoma native is owner of Candy Meadows Farm and races under Cheyenne Stables. He serves on the executive committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and is immediate past chairman of the American Graded Stakes Committee. Dobson also serves as a member of the Breeders' Cup, in addition to being a trustee of the Keeneland Association. Dobson is the executive chairman of Dobson Fiber, a telecommunications company based in Oklahoma City. He is also an investor in the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder team and serves on its board of directors. Janney will continue to serve on The Jockey Club's board of stewards. “It has been an honor to serve as the chair of The Jockey Club these past 10 years,” Janney said. “I could not be more pleased with the accomplishments that have been made in the industry with the support and leadership of The Jockey Club. I have no doubt that, with Everett as chairman, The Jockey Club will continue to pave the way forward for our wonderful sport.” Dobson will serve as the 11th chair of The Jockey Club since its establishment in 1894. The remaining stewards are William S. Farish Jr. (vice chair), Ian D. Highet (treasurer), William M. Lear Jr. (secretary), Louis A. Cella, Gary Fenton, Terry Finley, David O'Farrell, Marc Holliday, Stuart S. Janney III, Bret Jones, and Vincent Viola. The post Everett Dobson Officially Elected Chair of the The Jockey Club appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Graded races at Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park have been renamed in honor of the late trainers D. Wayne Lukas and Christophe Clement, 1ST, which operates both racetracks, announced Wednesday. Beginning in 2026, the GII Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita will be renamed the D. Wayne Lukas Stakes, while the GIII La Prevoyante Stakes at Gulfstream Park has been renamed the Christophe Clement Stakes. “D. Wayne Lukas and Christophe Clement were not just generational horsemen, they were top-class people,” said 1/ST President Aidan Butler. “Santa Anita and Gulfstream were blessed to be their homes for many years. It is an honor to salute them for years to come at our tracks by renaming races that helped launch their success stories.” Lukas saddled Flack Flack to win the 1980 Santa Monica, then run as a handicap. It was the trainer's first Grade II race at Santa Anita Park and just his ninth graded stakes win since transitioning to Thoroughbreds from Quarter Horses. Lukas would go on to add five more Santa Monica's to his extensive resume with Parsley (1980), Bara Lass (1984), Pine Tree Lane (1987 and 1988) and the Hall of Fame filly Serena's Song (1996). Only trainer Bob Baffert's seven wins bests Lukas's record in the seven-furlong race, which has been contested since 1957. Lukas, who began his successful career based at Santa Anita Park in the 1970s-1990s, passed away June 28, less than three months before his 90th birthday. The 1992 La Prevoyante provided Clement with just the second graded stakes win of his young career when Irish-bred Sardaniya won for His Highness the Aga Khan, coming less than a month after his first graded win at Gulfstream Park. Currently run at Gulfstream over 1 1/2 miles on the grass for fillies and mares, the 1992 running at Calder was the first of Clement's six wins in the race, followed by Tampoli (1994), Caretta (1998 and 1999), Irish Mission (2014) and Beautiful Lover (2022). Clement passed away May 24 at age 59. The post 1/ST Renames Races in Honor of Lukas, Clement appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Geovanni Franco and Mychel Sanchez tied in the voting for Jockey of the Week for July 21-27 by the panel of racing experts.View the full article

Things like 150-1 pacemakers winning the G1 Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes aren't supposed to happen, but as a rare reminder of the vagaries of horse racing, on Wednesday Juddmonte's Qirat (Showcasing) pulled off the shock outcome as Field Of Gold (Kingman) failed to fire. Only Rosallion (Blue Point) emerged from the pack of big favourites to threaten the upset late, but the Ralph Beckett-trained half-brother to Bluestocking kept producing to extend his Goodwood record to three-for-three. A neck separated them at the line, with 2 1/4 lengths back to Henri Matisse (Wootton Bassett) and Field Of Gold finishing 1 1/4 lengths away in fourth. “That was very surreal,” jockey Richard Kingscote said. “We set out to go an even pace, but when I looked around I was detached–on the rules of racing he was running on his own merits and likes the track, he's very well-balanced and a sweet horse who gave me a great spin. I could feel Rosallion coming, but he kept pulling out.” 150/1 WINNER Qirat lands the @VisitQatar Sussex Stakes! @Goodwood_Races pic.twitter.com/jhSulug5zp — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2025 The post ‘That Was Surreal’: Kingscote Pulls Off 150-1 Sussex Shock On Field Of Gold’s Pacemaker Qirat appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Yulong continued their streak of acquiring topline racemares for their broodmare band on Wednesday when paying A$1.625 million for G1 Sistema Stakes winner Velocious, who was offered by Go Racing in the Inglis Digital July (Late) Sale. The daughter of Written Tycoon becomes the second highest-priced filly to ever sell through the platform, after Funstar (Adelaide) realised A$2.7 million in 2021. Offered as a broodmare prospect after the failure of a tie-back operation at the start of her three-year-old season, Velocious attracted global attention from bidders, but it was Yulong, signing as Walnut Farm, who won out, making her the 13th lot to make seven figures in the auction platform's history. “Mr Zhang has followed her for a few months now to see what was happening with her, and when she finally came onto the market, he was very keen to explore those options,” said Yulong's Sam Fairgray. “I think she'll likely visit More Than Looks. It appears to be a really nice mating there.” GI Breeders' Cup Mile winner More Than Looks, a son of successful dual hemisphere sire More Than Ready, joins the Yulong roster for his first season in 2025. “Velocious was a high-class two-year-old,” Fairgray added. “We own the mare [Parmalove] and she's carrying a full sibling to her now, so it's great to have Velocious joining the farm as well.” The post ‘She’ll Likely Visit More Than Looks’ – Yulong Buys A$1.625m Velocious On Inglis Digital appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ger Lyons had sent just two prior runners across the Irish Sea for the Glorious Goodwood meet and the trainer struck for his first success when the third, Lady Iman (Starman), overpowered seven rivals, racing under a three-pound penalty, in Wednesday's G3 HKJC World Pool Molecomb Stakes. She had previously annexed the Listed First Flier Stakes and G3 Naas Fillies Sprint and embellished a banner season for her freshman sire with a decisive win in the five-furlong contest. The 11-8 favourite, who was last seen finishing second behind Beautify (Wootton Bassett) in the G2 Airlie Stud Stakes, stalked the leaders in fifth through the initial fractions. Angled into the clear with a quarter-mile remaining, she powered to the front entering the final furlong and kept on strongly thereafter to comfortably outpoint G2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes third Argentine Tango (Mattmu) by 1 1/2 lengths. The pacesetting Dickensian (Pinatubo) rallied gamely once headed and ran on well to finish a half-length adrift in third. LADY IMAN Group Three honours in the Molecomb Stakes for the Ger Lyons-trained filly under Ryan Moore @Goodwood_Races @HKJC_Racing | @WorldPool pic.twitter.com/USTsAU6fHY — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2025 The post Starman’s Lady Iman Overpowers Rivals for Molecomb Triumph at Goodwood appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

America's Best Racing has compiled a schedule of radio, television, and streaming coverage of upcoming races and industry events.View the full article

The two headline acts last weekend hardly required us to hold the front page to reveal Bernardini as a pretty good broodmare sire. Obviously their late damsire is not the only reason why Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and Nysos (Nyquist) have achieved elite caliber, but we've previously explored the antecedents of both. And besides, both having won Grade IIs, top billing should strictly be reserved for a prize contested the same day at a higher tier. Actually the GI Bing Crosby Stakes had the potential to enrich Bernardini's legacy more directly, with Hejazi representing one of his last remaining chances to reinforce a male succession that for now appears to depend on a couple of grandsons in regional programs. Mind Control and Coal Front, both speed-oriented sons of Stay Thirsty, have done their best to catch imaginations. One is about to send his first yearlings to market from a debut book of 190 mares, a New York record. The other, though, quickly moved from Kentucky to Louisiana, includes fairytale Derby runner Coal Battle among half-dozen stakes winners produced at a better clip than any of his third-crop peers. Hejazi ran well enough at Del Mar to keep alive aspirations of retrieving at stud the $3.55 million he cost at a 2-year-old sale. If just short of the best sprinters around, he certainly had them in trouble when opening up, only to be run down late by a 7-year-old gelding at 18-1. But let's show due respect to that gelding, as the first elite scorer by the stallion who has denied none other than Stay Thirsty a fifth Californian sires' championship in each of the past two years. If Grazen is now approaching the evening of his career, at 19, then we have all the more reason to prize the access he salvages, as a grandson of Alydar, to a male line that has largely faded away. (Actually Grazen's sire Benchmark channels equally precious blood from his mother, a Danzig half-sister to Tranquility Lake {Rahy}). Like War Front, Grazen is out of a Rubiano mare. They met, incidentally, on the same farm–albeit meanwhile renamed–where Grazen is nowadays standing himself. Grazen is sire of 28 black-type winners at a very wholesome 7% of named foals. He has certainly come a long way since being launched virtually as a private stallion by owner-breeder Nick Alexander, his track career having been abbreviated by injury. Alexander actually bred Lovesick Blues, selling him privately not so long ago, but showing sporting delight last weekend for his purchasers. And this breakout, switching to dirt, shines a light on the fascinating pedigree that Alexander had put together. As we see with Bernardini, the phenomenon of a broodmare sire is always easier to observe than explain. But the fact is that the dam of Lovesick Blues, Queenofhercastle, is inbred 2×3 to a real legend in this sphere. She's by one son of Deputy Minister, Ministers Wild Cat, out of a mare by another in Touch Gold. While that formula didn't yield anything too exciting on the track–Queenofhercastle's three career wins came under diminishing tags–the intention was presumably to emulate an earlier impact on this family by Deputy Minister. For fourth dam Mme. Mitterand (Mr. Prospector) is an unraced half-sister to Deputy Minister's son French Deputy. True to his sire's brand, French Deputy (who died in Japan only this year, at a venerable 33) was himself a strong distaff influence, his daughters having produced elite winners all around the world. I've often noted how sons of Deputy Minister have mirrored his own success as a broodmare sire, and how those that do produce male heirs tend to impart a corresponding forte–as, for instance, Awesome Again's son Ghostzapper. Daughters of Touch Gold could hardly fail to be useful producers, his own dam additionally being by a distaff influence as potent as Buckpasser. Sure enough, his mating with Mme. Mitterand's daughter by Rahy produced the dam of two unusual achievers. One is Queen Bee To You (Old Topper), whose GIII La Canada Stakes success–besides emulating that of Mme. Mitterand's own dam, 35 years previously–helped to qualify her as her sire's premier earner ($658,770). The other is Queenofhercastle, who's quietly proving a similar overachiever. Her first foal is Lovesick Blues. Her second, also by Grazen, has been no more than a workaday operator, though the elevation of her page was artfully anticipated by those who last claimed her, for $30,000, only in May. And her third, by Grazen's son Tough Sunday, resumes in black-type company at Del Mar on Friday after ending his first campaign winning the Golden State Juvenile Stakes. Grazen's first elite scorer has arrived in a race once won by one of his sire's own stars. Tragically, Points Offthebench (Benchmark) subsequently suffered a fatal breakdown preparing for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. Obviously Lovesick Blues will not be able to continue the line himself, as a gelding, but his striking course-and-distance rehearsal permits the hope that he might yet decorate it with a prize that slipped so cruelly out of reach in 2013. Pride After a Falls As mentioned, we've previously examined the Bernardini mare who produced Nysos, a granddaughter of GI Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Unbridled Elaine (Unbridled's Song). Though Unbridled Elaine did produce some classy runners and/or producers, the two mares dividing her from Nysos have otherwise offered little to the page he will take to stud. That requires us to go back to a mare whose background–as a daughter of an In Reality sprinter named Taylor's Falls–remind us how variegated are the sources of that famous “hybrid vigor.” From this distance, the eligibility of Taylor's Falls for a stud career seems fairly obscure, even if he did win 14 of 30 races, crowned by the Beef State Handicap at Ak-Sar-Ben. In fairness, he did come up with Dazzling Falls to set a Nebraska-bred earnings record of $904,621, also the first to represent his state in the GI Kentucky Derby. But the Alabama-bred Carols Folly, one of 11 named foals in his 1987 crop, more typically appeared to represent a further reversion to mediocrity in a maternal line that had mysteriously produced her fifth dam, Swoon (Sweep Like), to become the 1956 Broodmare on the Year through the Hall of Fame exploits of Swoon's Son. Nysos | Benoit Though Carols Folly actually proved quite a competent runner, winning five of a dozen starts, including a stakes at Birmingham, she made no more than $22,000 when sold carrying a first foal by Seattle Dancer. The resulting filly made $4,000 as a weanling and, named Gwenjinsky, proved unable to break her maiden even when dropped to claimers. Yet she would later produce a series of black-type performers, headed by Lead Story (Editor's Note), a triple Grade II winner at Churchill Downs. The next foal out of Carols Folly, a Glitterman filly, was another four-figure yearling yet, as Glitter Woman, won four graded stakes–including the GI Ashland–by an aggregate 32 1/2 lengths. Unfortunately she bombed as hot favorite for the GI Kentucky Oaks before missing the rest of the year and, though consistent in good company, thereafter won only a Grade III. At Keeneland that November her weanling half-sister, from the first crop of Unbridled's Song, brought $230,000. But Unbridled's Elaine proceeded to bank $1.77 million on the track before being cashed out to Sheikh Mohammed for $4.4 million, carrying a Forestry colt that became multiple graded stakes winner Etched. The emergence of Unbridled Elaine, meanwhile, prompted Glitter Woman's owner to send her to Unbridled's Song, a mating that produced GI Suburban Handicap winner Political Force. Unfortunately Glitter Woman died soon afterwards, but this hot cluster is surely where Nyquist has stoked the embers to produce Nysos. So if you think you can explain Carols Folly–whether through Taylor's Falls, or the Bob's Dusty mare who produced her–then please don't tell anyone. For the rest of us, it is mysteries like these that make the game what it is. Fappiano Running Every Which Way Etched was one of the first signs that Unbridled's Song would himself become a notable broodmare sire and his daughters have since produced stars as varied as Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and the glistening young Claiborne stallion Annapolis (War Front). And last weekend another one produced Running Away (Gun Runner) to win the GIII Monmouth Oaks, her fourth win in her last five. The first of those, a Churchill maiden, was the only one in the book when her dam Allez Marie (Unbridled's Song) was sold to Gainesway for $750,000 through a Fasig-Tipton digital sale last December. But Allez Marie, herself group-placed in Brazil, had already produced four stakes performers–making her much the best conduit of the blood that had helped her own dam Summerly (Summer Squall) win the GI Kentucky Oaks. Running Away | Julia Sebastianelli/EQUI-PHOTO Running Away combines two lines of Fappiano, the grandsire of Unbridled's Song, as well as the founder of the more circuitous route, via Cryptoclearance, that has produced Gun Runner. But of course the latter also owes his celebrated granddam Quiet Dance to a third branch of Fappiano in Quiet American. What an incredible legacy, for a stallion who died at just 13, only weeks after Unbridled won the 1990 Derby. And, having started off with a couple of imperilled male lines, let's remind ourselves that Dr. Fager–who notoriously failed to find an adequate heir–can instead claim a lasting legacy through his daughter Killaloe, the dam of Fappiano. The post Breeding Digest: No Substitute for Deputy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ralph Beckett enjoyed the perfect result in Wednesday's G3 HKJC World Pool Oak Tree Stakes when his two representatives, Saqqara Sands (Oasis Dream) and Tabiti (Kingman), could not be separated by technology in a photo finish to the seven-furlong contest at Goodwood. Tabiti, last seen finishing third in Royal Ascot's Sandringham Handicap, set the tempo with her Listed Eternal Stakes-winning stablemate sitting second from flagfall. The pair locked horns passing the quarter-mile pole and engaged in a pulsating ding-dong duel thereafter, hitting the line in unison as the closers failed to make an impact. DEAD-HEAT! Saqqara Sands and Tabiti share the Group Three Oak Tree Stakes prize for trainer @RalphBeckett @HKJC_Racing | @WorldPool pic.twitter.com/w24hV5oUNn — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2025 The post Ralph Beckett Duo Saqqara Sands and Tabiti Share Spoils in Oak Tree Dead-Heat appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

John and Debby Oxley's breeding exploits produced 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) victor Sierra Leone, one of the headliners in the $1 million Whitney Stakes (G1) Aug. 2 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

From last on the turn under riding, OTI Racing’s Kiwi import Skippers Canyon (NZ) (Belardo) has unleashed a wicked turn of foot to score with authority in his Australian debut at Sandown on Wednesday. Most recently seen contesting the Group 2 Avondale Guineas, the now Phillip Stokes-trained gelding was ridden out to win a recent 1200-metre jumpout, but looked in need of further than Wednesday’s 1400-metre assignment. But things set up as well as they could have when Betwitchery ($6) set a fierce tempo, although backers wouldn’t have been confident when Skippers Canyon ($11) was rearward and being scrubbed along by Daniel Stackhouse on the turn. However, as the race changed complexion, the prospective stayer picked his way through the field and surged to the front, finishing too strongly for Stay Silent ($10) to record an impressive first-up win. Sandown Race 5 | Skippers Canyon What an impressive display by the former Kiwi who is now with the @pstokesracing stable Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/HivmHjhCSw — Racing.com (@Racing) July 30, 2025 Stokes admitted that he wasn’t expecting such an impressive performance, especially given the relatively short trip and said he may have to ‘raise the bar’ regarding his expectations of the exciting Belardo gelding. “We took all the gear off him, we just wanted to see him strong through the line,” he said. “Not talking it up or anything (but) we feel he’s a 2000-metre horse, might be further and he showed a nice turn of foot today. “We might’ve unearthed another one. Big to Terry (Henderson) and the OTI team, they seem to find these horses. We might have to raise the bar.” Skippers Canyon was trained in New Zealand by Opaki-based trainer Jim Wallace and was bred under his Ardsley Stud banner. View the full article

The catalogue for the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, of which high-class runners like Docklands, Cercene and Time For Sandals are graduates of, has been released. The sale takes place on September 23 and 24. Docklands, Cercene and Time For Sandals put the September Yearling Sale in the spotlight this summer when all three graduates won Group 1 races at Royal Ascot. As well as those high-profile horses, the sale has earned the reputation for being a proven source of two-year-old talent, with the George Boughey-trained India Love – who is unbeaten in three starts – the latest example. In total, the progeny of 104 different sires will be offered, including by leading first-season sire and Starman along with Havana Grey, Starspangledbanner, Sioux Nation, No Nay Never, Too Darn Hot, Kingman and many more. The catalogue for the sale can be viewed online here – https://www.tattersalls.ie/sales/september-yearling/4DCGI/Sale/SYL25/Main/. The post Tattersalls Ireland Releases September Yearling Sale Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Whirl and See The Fire are set for a Group One Nassau Stakes (2,000m) showdown at Glorious Goodwood on Thursday. See The Fire arrived a neck too late behind Aidan O’Brien’s Opera Singer 12 months ago and will need to overcome another Ballydoyle powerhouse in Whirl if she is to break her top-level duck at the ninth attempt. Andrew Balding’s filly has looked better than ever this season and ran riot in the Group Two Middleton Fillies’ Stakes (2,000m) at York in May, streaking away by a remarkable...View the full article

Three-year-old Scandinavia showed his older rivals how it is done with a game performance to lift the Group One Goodwood Cup (3,209m) on Tuesday. The Aidan O’Brien-trained up-and-comer was sent off as the $5.3 second favourite and could always be seen travelling ominously well under Wayne Lordan, tracking the pace set by his stablemate Illinois. The $1.9 favourite looked set to hold on in a protracted duel down the Goodwood straight, but Scandinavia had other ideas and knuckled down to take the...View the full article

White Robe Lodge’s Jack Stewart was recognised with the Mary Lynne Ryan Young Achiever Award at Saturday’s National Breeding Awards in Karapiro, highlighting his growing impact on New Zealand’s breeding and racing landscape. Stewart represents the next generation of White Robe Lodge, carrying forward the proud legacy of his parents Wayne and Karren Stewart, and grandparents Brian and Lorraine Anderton at the iconic North Taieri stud and racing operation. Involved across all areas of the business — from foaling and yearling preparation to stallion management and sales, Stewart is a familiar face at Karaka and has increasingly taken on a leadership role in both the family enterprise and through his own bloodstock interests, which include racing Group Three winner Out Of The Park. His international experience, including time at Juddmonte in the UK, has helped shape his vision for the future of the farm. Additionally he has played a major role in securing new stallions to White Robe Lodge, including impressive Dark Angel entire Alflaila. “Although it is great to be singled out, it’s really a team effort down at White Robe Lodge,” Stewart said at Saturday’s awards. “Granddad sets the tone. He stood his first stallion at 18 and he is now 88 and we have Alflaila launching a stallion career this season. “That’s 70 years of standing stallions so he must have done something right along the way after following in his father’s footsteps. “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to carry on the legacy and I’m trying to grab it with both hands.” Stewart marvels at his grandfather’s work ethic, with the octogenarian still involved in the hands on running of the stud and racing stable on a daily basis. While Stewart admitted working with family had the odd testing moment, the support of his parents was paramount to the drive he has to take White Robe Lodge and the industry forward. “Mum, Dad and I have bought a few mares and off the track fillies from Australia in the last few years and Mum’s not always happy when I tell her I have clicked that mouse again, but funnily enough, every time a horse arrives there is a new rug or halter there waiting for it,” he said. “Working alongside Dad is massive. He is the backbone of the place. He is twice the horseman I will ever be and just the respect he has earned for the stud in the last couple of decades, selling stock to Australia, particularly stayers and building such a strong link with clients, I am very proud to be working alongside him and learning off him.” Stewart also paid tribute to long-time family friend Marcus Corban whom he regularly leans on for advice, with the former Cambridge Stud manager instrumental in the stud’s stallion acquisitions. “I try to pick his brain all the time and it’s incredible to get insights from a guy with his experience,” Stewart said. “I love the comradery and banter in the industry and talking to a lot of the people at studs and in racing. “I also get a big kick out of seeing a Kiwi horse go to Aussie and give it to them. And we’ve seen that with the volume of New Zealand-bred Group One winners acknowledged in the room tonight. We’ve got an amazing industry here in New Zealand and a lot to be proud of.” View the full article

Welcome to July’s Entain Edition Tomorrow marks the end of the 2024-25 New Zealand racing season — the second full racing season of Entain Australia and New Zealand delivering racing and sports wagering to New Zealand. The last two years and two months have brought many changes and improvements to every aspect of the betting experience for Kiwis, and now — with the ‘legislative net’ betting law changes passed late last month — the building blocks are very much in place for all parties involved in the strategic partnership to thrive. We will continue to evolve and innovate to capitalise on the opportunities that our own improvements and the legislative changes afford us. Tomorrow also marks the first full month for Entain Australia and New Zealand’s Interim CEO Andrew Vouris. Andrew has already visited New Zealand, meeting members of our team, as well as several stakeholders, and you can learn more about him below. In the remainder of this month’s Entain Edition, we review the Industry Excellence Awards, provide a glimpse into the last 12 to 18 months of transformation for Trackside, reflect on the changing preferences of race betting, update the TAB Racing Club ahead of a big spring, and meet Nick Conway, General Manager – Trading. You’re very welcome to share or forward this newsletter to anyone in the industry who you think might like to read this. They can sign up to receive the Entain Edition directly by contacting Filly with special purpose joins TAB Racing Club There’s a new addition to the TAB Racing Club, but this filly is a little different. Catwalk Queen has been donated to the CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust by Nick and Nicky White, of Kaha Nui Farm. The Per Incanto filly will be raced by The CatWalk Collective syndicate formed by Entain and 25 loyal CatWalk supporters, with a portion of all of the filly’s winnings to be donated to CatWalk to progress their research. Learn more at LinkedIn. Several other TRC runners are starting to appear with spring racing just around the corner. In Haste looks likely to be the first TRC 3-year-old to be seen at the races after a solid 2nd at the Avondale trials last week. She’ll head to the Taupo trials next week, before kicking off her campaign at Taupo on 17 August with a medium-term target of the Gold Trail Stakes at Ellerslie on 6 September. Three other TRC 3-year-olds — Adoration, Dorothea and Celtic Tycoon — are also being set for next week’s Te Rapa trials. Moving to the TRC standardbreds, No More Dreaming had his first trial earlier this month, finishing 3rd, as the sales topper from the 2024 NZB Standardbred sales in Christchurch takes his steps towards a race debut. In Haste, with strapper Nicole Weatherley, ahead of her trial at Avondale last week. News in brief:Entain has been proud to support the Pearl Series since our strategic partnership began in 2023. If you have a filly born in 2023, now is the time to make sure you register her for the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Bonus scheme to be eligible for bonuses throughout their career. Visit pearlseries.nzthoroughbred.co.nz before entries close tomorrow.Follow Entain Australia and New Zealand on LinkedIn to keep up to date with the latest updates in and around our organisation. View the full article

Gail Temperton hasn’t made too many trips south over the years with her horses, but a quality hurdler made this year’s Grand National Festival of Racing too good of an opportunity to pass up. The Foxton horsewoman will be represented in Saturday’s Avon City Ford Sydenham Hurdles (3100m) by Never Look Back (NZ) (Shocking), a first-season jumper who made a big impression when defeating a top field in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles (3000m) earlier this month. The homebred son of Shocking has come through his Woodville triumph well, giving Temperton the confidence to send him on the truck to Riccarton on Wednesday evening. “He’s absolutely fine, he’s bounced out of that race very well and he’s the best I’ve seen him,” she said. “As long as he travels okay, and I see no reason why he won’t, he should be in with a chance. “He’s going tonight with Andy Rennie, Lisa Latta’s horses will be on the truck with him.” Temperton is welcoming some good fortune in the south, recalling her last placing at the venue was nearly a decade ago. “I actually looked up this morning when I was last placed in Christchurch and that was with Just Ishi – he ran second in the Sydenham,” she said. “That was quite a long time ago. “The last time we went, we didn’t have very good luck, so hopefully we find some this time.” Never Look Back is currently a $4.50 equal-second favourite for the Hospitality NZ Canterbury 135th Grand National Hurdles (4200m) seven days later, but she said his place in the race will depend on Saturday’s performance. “It will be performance dependant whether we go on to the National next week,” she said. “I won’t be able to go down due to personal reasons making that a bit difficult, but I will be glued to the television.” View the full article

Promising galloper Wallen is making good progress toward a return to racing following an untimely setback. The rising six-year-old son of Tarzino made a strong start to his career with a brace of wins and five placings from eight appearances before he was sidelined by a suspensory injury. Wallen’s highlight performance was his victory in the inaugural running of last year’s $350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m) at Te Rapa. The gelding is prepared at Cambridge by Shane Crawford, who with partner Kara Waters are also leading Ready to Run Sale vendors and operate a specialist breaking in business under their Regal Farm banner. Wallen went amiss after trialling last spring but has responded positively during his lengthy road to recovery. “He got injured toward the end of last year and that’s why he’s been gone for quite some time,” Waters said. “He has been rehabilitated and has been on the treadmill at Alex Oliveira’s Kaipira Lodge. “The vets say he will be as good as gold and should be returning to our stable any time soon, we’re looking forward to having him back.” Wallen is raced by breeder and Westbury Stud principal Gerry Harvey, who will also be represented by Interlaken in Saturday’s Aotea Electric Bream Bay Sprint (1300m) at Ruakaka. The son of Swiss Ace overcame a testing track at Avondale to win at the first time of asking earlier this month. “He is still a green and immature horse, it was heavy the other day and I don’t think he needs it that heavy and will keep improving,” Waters said. “He has taken time to develop, and if you tell Russell (Warwick) a horse needs time, he’s happy to put them out and bring them back when they’re ready. “It’s a bonus to train for Westbury, they look after their horses.” Interlaken will be accompanied north by the lightly tried Sweynesse gelding Jamaican Boy, a maiden winner over ground at Woodville three runs back who runs in the A1 Homes Bream Bay Stayers (2100m). “He hasn’t had a lot of racing and is a big horse who has taken a long time to mature and he’ll win a few more,” Waters said. The partners are also busy with an ever-growing presence for New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale later this year. “We were going to do a small draft, but it’s getting bigger and bigger by the day, and we’ll have some quality horses to offer again,” Waters said. A successful association with the Hong Kong-based Willie Leung, of Magus Equine, also continues to grow. “We’ve got heaps for him and the majority will probably be heading for Hong Kong, he’s got some really nice horses,” Waters said. “We trial them and give them the time they need with the aim of them going up to Hong Kong, they are mostly horses bought from the Ready to Run Sale.” View the full article

There is no shortage of serious contenders in Saturday’s Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge Koral Steeplechase (4250m), and Marton trainer Dan O’Leary will saddle two of those in Te Kahu (NZ) (Zacinto) and Captains Run (NZ) (Nom du Jeu). Captains Run made the journey south last year, finishing third in both the Koral and Grand National Steeplechase (5600m), while his talented stablemate and former Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m) winner Te Kahu was recovering from a minor injury that put him out after winning the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4900m) in July. The pair will have their first attempt over the bigger fences in 2025, with Te Kahu coming into the National carnival off the back of two flat runs and an impressive jumping trial at Cambridge. After seeing his performance in the latter, O’Leary was satisfied with his condition heading south. “We took him to a jumping trial and he went quite well there,” O’Leary said. “He was full of running and Nick Downs (jockey) said he was he was hard to pull up after two rounds, he wanted to do another. “He’s still got plenty of enthusiasm, so we thought, while he’s in good order and good form, we’ll bring him down. “I’m hoping for a nice, competitive run, hopefully he’s running on at the end ahead of the National.” As with Te Kahu, the main goal for Captains Run is the Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge 150th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m), run seven days later at the Riccarton venue. The versatile son of Nom du Jeu gave a sight when second over hurdles at Woodville, a run that pleased O’Leary particularly when knowing the flat ability of the winner (Quid). “It was a good effort, the Myers’ horse is quite a nice horse so we’re happy with that,” he said. “We know he can cope with the distance and he should be in with a good chance I think.” Downs will continue his association with Te Kahu, while Joshua Parker, this season’s premiership-winning hoop, takes the ride aboard Captains Run. View the full article

These horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week 31/7/25 they head back to the racetrack. Pretty In Pink (3f Father Patrick – Tickle Me Pink) Tr. A Herlihy Well-bred young trotter who hasn’t started since November 2024 but primed by recent workouts at Auckland. The latest workout (18/7/25) where she trailed before sweeping up around final turn and proving far too good for three rivals, with plenty of petrol left. MR:2:07.6, 800m in 59.7, 400m in 29.2. Resumes this Friday at Auckland in Race 7 and with her best manners, should take a power of beating for in-form stable. The veteran of just six starts with one win and four placings to show for it. Dam won 9 from 16 + $160k and this filly is her first foal. To place a bet in this race click here Smackdown (2f Downbytheseaside – Lady Smack) Tr. S Reid Only qualified recently (22/7/25) at Ashburton but super impressive against only one rival, leading then clearing out by an official 16L in a 1:56.6MR, 800m in 57.5. Had won two other public outings in July before that jaw dropping effort. Debuts this Friday at Addington in Race 6 and up against some handy sorts with stable reputations but still expected to be highly competitive. Dam qualified but was unraced and has already left 3 foals for 3 winners. This filly is her fourth foal. She is also a half to champion filly The Orange Agent (23 wins from 33 starts + $746k) so plenty to like about the potential of this filly as a racehorse. To place a bet in this race click here Smokin Ashes (3g Captain Crunch – Ashes To Wings) Tr. R & J Dunn Resumed in June after some handy trial runs at Rangiora and has backed those efforts up with some very solid race night performances at Addington in recent weeks, made all the better with starting off the unruly mark behind the mobile. Last start fifth behind Here Comes Marty (25/7/25) and less than 1L from the winner, coming from the rear and very wide final turn. Back at Addington this Friday in Race 2 and significantly comes off the unruly for this mobile assignment. Still the unfinished product but stable junior driver Riley Harrison has been doing a good job behind him in the cart. That combination in line to get a well deserved winning turn this week. To place a bet in this race click here Donny Do (3g Sweet Lou – Star Of The Ball) Tr. K Green Solid trials during June and July led Donny to being public elect on debut at Winton (17/7/25) and didn’t disgrace himself behind Major Burns after racing parked throughout MR:2:01.5, 800m in 58.4, less than 2L from the winner. Given time to get over that effort, he goes to Winton again this Sunday in Race 2 against many of those whom he beat on debut. Only runner on the second line but drawn behind a debutante who didn’t have much gate speed in recent workout (although a winner). Just a mile and the first 200m crucial to Donny’s chances but looks one to follow if not a winner on this occasion. Dam won eight and has already left 10 winners! Willy Away (4g Always B Miki – Jungle Jane) Tr. C Butt Trialed in June behind subsequent winner Berrettini then debuted for solid third behind Coba Charged (6/7/25) when less than 2L from the winner. Another close up placing (13/7/25) but wilted on last run when asked to sit parked over the last lap on a 57.1 last 800m. Back at Addington this Sunday in Race 6 and if he gets the start right over 2000m looks a strong contender to dispute the finish. Dam was more than handy winning 6 races and has left 7 winners including The Coalman. Willy looms as her 8th! View the full article

Southern representative Riviera Rebel (NZ) (Pure Champion) will be out to extend his golden run at Riccarton Park this Saturday when he contests the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 128th Winter Cup (1600m). The rising five-year-old son of Pure Champion has had five starts at the Christchurch track for three wins, including the Gr.3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) in April, and Riverton trainers Graham Eade and Brooke Kincaid are hoping he can extend that to four on Saturday. “He seems to love Riccarton, I am not sure why,” Eade said. “If a horse likes it, you’re alright, but if they don’t, you might as well stay at home. “Comanche Gold (Group Three performer) loved Riccarton too, I think he won six there. It is just the type of horse.” Riviera Rebel will be second-up after beating just one runner home over 1200m at Oamaru 10 days ago, but Eade said conditions didn’t suit. “He never had much going for him at Oamaru,” he said. “I didn’t think he would go that well because he had the wrong draw and wrong distance, but I just had to give him a run.” Eade had Group One aspirations in the north for Riviera Rebel this spring, with hopes of tackling the second two legs of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival, however, with their move north to Te Rapa and Ellerslie, he has decided to keep closer to home. “We were looking at nominating him for those Group Ones, but they have been shifted now, and they have gone up to Ellerslie, which is the wrong way around,” he said. “The nominations had to go in on Tuesday. He is still young enough and that is why I pulled pin. I would like to give him another year. If he does keep up his recent form, I would like to give him another year and then have a go at them.” Eade will also head to Riccarton this week with Ataahua Pipedream and Intercept, who will line-up over a mile and 1200m respectively. “Ataahua Pipedream is a funny horse,” Eade said. “If it doesn’t suit him, he just won’t try. On the day it suits him, he is quite quick. “Intercept’s work has been very good, we are very happy. She has grown up and muscled up, and she is doing what we ask. We are very happy with her.” Depending on Saturday’s outcome, Eade said the trio could remain in Christchurch for the entirety of the Grand National Festival of Racing. “There is an 1800m which we are contemplating with Riviera Rebel, but a lot depends on Saturday, so we might stay on for another week,” he said. View the full article

Thistledown canceled racing July 29, a day after its eight-race card was scrapped following a fatal breakdown in the first contest. But there is hope that racing can resume July 30.View the full article