Wandering Eyes

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

With his Hall of Fame induction around the corner on Aug. 1, Smarty Jones is still just as strong and as popular as ever. The superstar currently resides at Equistar Training and Breeding near Annville, Pa.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

Maiden Watch: Week of July 21-July 27View the full article

Keeping a 3-year-old in its comfort zone can be difficult when there are rich rewards for taking a gamble. View the full article

Scandinavia slowly but surely inched his way past his stablemate and the favorite Illinois to earn his first graded stakes win in the Goodwood Cup (G1) July 29. View the full article

Retro payment checks for racing conducted at Golden Gate Fields from Dec. 26, 2023 through June 9, 2024 are ready for distribution, according to a release from Thoroughbred Owners of California. The statement read, “As a result of a thorough review, it has been determined that a total of $670,455 was underpaid to the purse account. This resulted in an 8.04% retroactive payment to all participants who earned purse money in overnight races during this period.” Eligible owners can log into their InCompass Horsemen's accounts to view the exact amount they are entitled to receive. The post Golden Gate Fields Retro Payments Available appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After growing clamor among horse players about the role that Computer Assisted Wagering (CAW) players had in driving a spate of marked late odds changes at Del Mar this summer, track officials announced Tuesday that starting this Thursday, they would close CAW access to its win pools at two minutes before the off time. “I'm really pleased. This is a stepping stone to getting things right as it effectively creates a retail only pool, and it stabilizes prices,” said Marshall Gramm, an economics professor at Rhodes College in Tennessee and someone who has studied the effects of CAW teams across the country. At the same time, more could be done to “stabilize pricing” in all the visible non-win pools at the track, said Gramm. “But this is certainly going to help things,” Gramm said about Tuesday's announcement. “It's a big step in the right direction.” The debate around CAW players typically surrounds the major edge they wield over regular gamblers thanks to their use of sophisticated technologies that allow them to precisely read the markets and to place massive wagers across nearly all polls in the final seconds of betting, as well as the attractive rates and rebates offered to them which are unavailable to the average punter. Since the start of racing this summer at Del Mar, there have been a growing number of examples of drastic late odds changes, many of them circulated on social media by frustrated horseplayers. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (DMTC) president Josh Rubinstein wrote in Tuesday's press release about the win pool change: “This is part of an overall effort to ensure an optimal wagering experience for fans on-track, at simulcast locations and those playing via our advanced deposit wagering partners.” Rubinstein added, “We had taken steps to encourage CAW players to process their win wagers earlier in the cycle, but it has become clear that we need to take additional measures. We will continue to do our best to create a racing and wagering product that appeals to all segments of the horseplayer market.” Emphasizing how he views Tuesday's announcement as a major net positive for horseplayers, Gramm added how track officials should now take further steps to curb CAW play in the place, show, Exacta and double pools. As an example, Gramm pinpointed Saturday winner Nanci Griffith, who went from 18-1 while loading to a final price of 6-1. Analyzing ADW Tote cycles, Gramm found that while about $10,000 was bet on Nanci Griffith before the last cycle in the win pool, some $25,000 came in for the filly after the last cycle, constituting 36% of the total amount wagered on her. Furthermore, while she jumped from 4.4% to 11.4% in the win pool, “she went from 4.7% to 11.6% in the Exacta, so it wasn't just a win plunge,” said Gramm. “There was an Exacta change. A Double change. And that was fairly typical for these big market movers.” Gramm's Del Mar analysis follows his recent study of last cycle activity at New York Racing Association's (NYRA) Aqueduct winter meet since 2022. In that study, Gramm found that the estimated percentage share from CAW players of monies wagered into the Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta and Early Pick 5 pools at the last cycle (now moved to 30 seconds) has increased noticeably since 2022. He found that the estimated increase in CAW participation in these pools is significantly higher than that seen in the Win, Late Pick Five, and Pick Six pools, for which NYRA has taken tough steps in recent years to curb CAW play. The largest apparent increase in last cycle money occurred in the Place pool (a 23.2% increase since 2022), and the Show pool (a 22.7% increase since 2022), according to Gramm. Interestingly, Del Mar's steps to curb CAW access to the win pool at two minutes to post follow steps NYRA had already implemented since 2021. NYRA blocks CAW access to the win pool at three minutes to post. The TDN recently asked three influential figures from the world of gambling to respond to Gramm's NYRA findings. They suggested several measures for all tracks to better manage CAW activity, such as incrementally broadening the steps NYRA has already taken in its Win pools to include all visible pools, and cutting the rebates CAW teams receive, so tracks make more on each dollar bet. Over the last couple of years, Del Mar has been the focus of scrutiny for its pricing policies in terms of the rates it charges individual CAW teams, and the potential impacts from these pricing decisions on the track's pools. The TDN found that in 2023, Elite 17–one of more than a dozen individual Elite Turf Club players–enjoyed a noticeably more favorable rate than those other players that year. Owned by The Stronach Group and NYRA (the latter with a 20% controlling interest), Elite Turf Club is a CAW wagering platform that makes up a significant portion of Del Mar's handle. But the favorable rate that Elite 17 enjoyed gave the betting breakdown of Elite Turf Club's ledgers that year a lop-sided look. Indeed, Elite 17's play constituted nearly 47% of Elite Turf Club's total handle on Del Mar in 2023, according to data obtained by TDN. This was no small amount of money–Elite 17 wagered some $53 million on the track alone that year. And little had changed last year, with Elite 17 still wielding the same lop-sided impact on CAW wagering at the track. According to 2024 data obtained by the TDN, the amount Elite 17 wagered constituted 46% of the overall handle that Elite Turf Club players placed on Del Mar's product–what amounted to $63.4 million of a total $138.1 million (including Breeders' Cup play in the fall). Earlier this month, however, Rubinstein told the Paulick Report that “at the request of the TOC (Thoroughbred Owners of California), we have further modified our [CAW] pricing policies for this year.” The TDN reached out to Del Mar for a response to Gramm's suggestions. A track spokesperson said that it had no comment beyond Tuesday's press release. The post Del Mar CAW Change Analysis: ‘Big Step in Right Direction,’ but More Needed to ‘Stabilize’ All Visible Pools appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Racketeering claims filed in a lawsuit against Hawthorne Race Course by a fired veterinarian were dismissed by a federal court judge who concluded the allegations do not meet required legal thresholds.View the full article

The Sussex Stakes is set to host a mighty clash Wednesday between the highest rated 3-year-old in training in the UK, Field of Gold, and last year’s Irish Guineas (G1) victor, Rosallion.View the full article

After winning the July 5 Sanford Stakes (G3) by 10 1/2 lengths, Leland Ackerley Racing's undefeated Obliteration will look to add to his resume Aug. 2 in the $200,000 Saratoga Special Stakes (G2). View the full article

No Time provided a July 26 Woodbine Oaks victory in memory of Boss Lady J.View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features the return of 'TDN Rising Star' Zelaina. 2.10 Redcar, Novice, £8,000, 2yo, 5f 217yT HYPNOTISED (GB) (No Nay Never) is a notable Juddmonte newcomer as a half-brother to the dual GI Diana Stakes heroine Whitebeam by Scat Daddy's Caravaggio. Harry Charlton trains the newcomer, as his father did that top-class mare, who is also a half to last year's G3 Autumn Stakes-placed Nightwalker. 4.20 Goodwood, Cond, £75,000, 2yo, f, 5fT ZELAINA (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}) bids to bounce back from a disappointing show in the Queen Mary for Wathnan Racing and Karl Burke in this valuable British Stallion Studs EBF Alice Keppel Fillies' Conditions Stakes won in recent times by the sprinting heavyweights Flora Of Bermuda and The Platinum Queen. At £650,000 the top-priced filly of the Goffs UK Breeze-Up, she meets another key member of a major operation in King Power Racing's Revival Power (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}), the Tim Easterby-trained full-sister to the Nunthorpe heroine Winter Power who was also unplaced in the Queen Mary. The post Zelaina Bids to Get Back On Track in the Alice Keppel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When Sedburys Ghost (Shaman Ghost) burst from the pack to capture the Plate Trial Stakes at Woodbine a week ago, the gelding gave his owner/breeder Yawen Wu her first stakes victory and has the Canadian engineer dreaming of her first trip to the King's Plate. After finishing fourth in the 1 1/16-mile GIII Marine Stakes in June, Sedburys Ghost was given just a 7-1 chance to win the Plate Trial at an extra half-furlong July 20. Wu admitted she wasn't sure herself how the strapping chestnut would do in the trial, but trainer Barbara Minshall had enough confidence for all of them. “I had mixed feelings,” Wu said. “But Barb said, 'Yawen, dress up because you're going to win.' In the Marine Stakes, we thought if he didn't get first, he would get second or third, but he ended up fourth, so we were a little disappointed. But Barb was so confident. She said, 'Sedbury is training well and I have no doubts unless something happened. If everything goes well, he has speed and he has talent and the jockey [Ryan Munger] had been working with him since we started training him.” Sedburys Ghost traces back to Wu and husband James Mann's first foray into Thoroughbred breeding. The gelding's second dam Bayou Mist (Silver Ghost) was part of a small group of mares the couple acquired in 2007 to stock their newly acquired farm land in Port Perry, Ontario. “My husband and I, we are both engineers by trade, we have our own company,” Wu said. “So it's not like we've been involved in racing our whole lives. But we both love horses, so we bought the farm land. We bought acres and built the farm from scratch.” While Thoroughbred racing wasn't originally in the couple's plans for their new farm, the land just happened to be near the historic Windfields Farm, which was in the process of winding down just as they were building up their farm. “Originally, we thought we would just have horses in general and then we met [Windfields manager] Bernard McCormack and he told us that we had a great setting for broodmares and foaling,” Wu explained. “We are on an island. It's a great piece of land. Very beautiful and quiet. That was almost 20 years ago, but at that time, it was a new barn, custom made, and a big riding arena. Bernard said it would be great, good for the broodmares and the foals and the yearlings.” Wu and Mann purchased three mares at the 2007 Keeneland January Sale, where they acquired Bayou Mist for $35,000. The mare's 2006 foal was multiple stakes winner Selva (Forest Wildcat), who went on to produce multiple stakes winner Vanzzy (Verrazano). The couple's initial breeding operation was short-lived when the demands of family and business, where they operate Mann Engineering with a focus on renewable energy, overtook the racing game. “I had four kids and they were all busy in the school,” Wu recalled. “And our business was also busy. So we took a five-year break. We sold all the horses in the first group that we had bought in Kentucky. All the yearlings we sold with Bernard. He took all our crop back to Kentucky and we sold all the stock. But it was the best decision, I kept Hurricane Mimi. She was the only one I kept.” Put into training with Ross Armata, Jr., the hard-knocking Hurricane Mimi hit the board in 11 of 28 starts with three wins and earnings of $171,078 before retiring in 2017 and taking up residence at the Mann family's Spirit Run Farm. Sedburys Ghost is the mare's fourth foal and her fourth winner and, like all of his siblings up to that point, was entered in the yearling sales where he RNA'd for $20,662 in August of 2023. “I put a reserve at $29,500 and I didn't get him sold,” Wu said. “Bernard asked if I wanted to lower that, and I said, 'No. I am going to keep him and race him.' I didn't want to give him away. I wanted to race him. I was with Barb already, so I asked her if she would train him.” Sedburys Ghost | Michael Burns Photo Sedburys Ghost has rewarded that decision, breaking his maiden in his second start last June and returning nearly a year later to add an optional claimer before his traffic-compromised effort in the Marine Stakes. But it was his 1 1/4-length victory in the Plate Trial that has Wu most excited. “This was my first stakes winner, so I am very excited,” she said. “I was sitting beside Barb and my two daughters. In the beginning, he was in mid-pack, so after the turn, I saw he had a clear lane and he just went and as soon as we saw that, I knew he was going to close. I have never been so excited in my life, actually. I was shaking.” The family's broodmare band has grown back up to five head, but Wu has decided to forego the sales ring and aim instead for the racetrack. “I just need a little bit more courage to breed to sell because the Canadian sires have a lower commercial value,” Wu said. “But they are good horses. I have two yearlings right now and I was going to August to sell, but I withdrew them and decided I am going to race them. They have great pedigrees and they are nice looking and good conformation. I just feel like they will have more value to race then to give away.” One of those racehorses in the pipeline is Hurricane Amelia, a 2-year-old full-sister to Sedburys Ghost, who has been working steadily at Woodbine for Minshall. “I heard great things about her from Barb,” Wu said of the juvenile. “She says she is very competitive and she reminds her of Sedbury as a yearling. And they look identical. Chestnut with three white socks.” Hurricane Mimi produced a filly by Souper Speedy this year and was bred back to Tamarkuz. Wu has plenty of racing to look forward to, but it's the Aug. 16 King's Plate that is the stable's immediate focus. “I've never been to the King's Plate,” Wu said with a laugh. “I've never been invited. Usually you have a friend or a friend of a friend who has a horse in the King's Plate and they invite you.” While her daughters are busy googling 'What to wear at the King's Plate,' Wu admitted, “I am nervous. Excited. But also kind of nervous.” The post ‘Dress Up Because You Are Going to Win;’ Sedburys Ghost Gives Wu First Stakes Victory in Plate Trial appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wednesday, Goodwood, Britain, post time: 15:05, VISIT QATAR SUSSEX STAKES-G1, £1,057,500, 3yo/up, 8f 0y Field: Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Docklands (GB) (Massaat {Ire}), Qirat (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Field Of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Henri Matisse (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Serengeti (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). TDN Verdict: The Qatar Goodwood Festival's undoubted highlight brings about a clash of the generations, with G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas and G1 St James's Palace Stakes hero Field Of Gold replicating his sire Kingman's sophomore campaign. He will enhance his status as Europe's leading miler with victory here. The likely odds-on favourite crosses swords once more with G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains victor Henri Matisse, who ran second in the Royal Ascot feature and seeks a record-equalling seventh renewal for Aidan O'Brien. The year-older Rosallion has placed in both starts since snagging last term's Irish 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes and is taken to exact revenge upon his G1 Queen Anne Stakes conqueror Docklands. Three-time Grade I winner and Queen Anne sixth Carl Spackler is in at the deep end again. [Sean Cronin]. Wednesday, Goodwood, Britain, post time: 13:55, HKJC WORLD POOL OAK TREE STAKES-G3, £100,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 7f 0y Field: Bright Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Chic Colombine (Fr) (Seahenge), Cloud Cover (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Fair Angellica (GB) (Harry Angel {Ire}), Havana Pusey (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Jabaara (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), Jasna's Secret (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), Romantic Style (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Arabian Dusk (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Betty Clover (GB) (Time Test {GB}), Formal (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Saqqara Sands (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Silver Ghost (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), Tabiti (GB) (Kingman {GB}). TDN Verdict: Juddmonte's day-two operations commence with Cape Breton in the programme's opening handicap and his lightly raced Ralph Beckett stablemate Tabiti is a leading contender in this highly competitive distaffers' contest. She ran fifth in last term's G1 Fillies' Mile and heads postward coming back off a third in Royal Ascot's Sandringham Handicap on sophomore bow. Last term's G1 Falmouth Stakes runner-up Jabaara has enjoyed a busy campaign this year, with her five outings including a sixth in Keeneland's GI Jenny Wiley Stakes, and the three-time Listed winner is on the hunt for a Pattern-race breakthrough here. Godolphin's Romantic Style enjoyed a fruitful, albeit brief, Meydan campaign over the winter and last year's G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches fourth needs to bring forth improved form back up in trip after posting a close fifth in Newmarket's five-furlong G3 Abernant Stakes in April when last seen. Bright Thunder posted a clear-cut victory in this month's Listed Prix Goldikova at Deauville and, representing the red-hot Karl Burke stable, possesses solid each-way claims. [Sean Cronin]. Wednesday, Goodwood, Britain, post time: 14:30, HKJC WORLD POOL MOLECOMB STAKES-G3, £100,000, 2yo, 5f 0y Field: Ameeq (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Dickensian (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Lady Iman (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Military Code (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Rogue Supremacy (GB) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), Rydale Frosty (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Sands Of Spain (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), Argentine Tango (GB) (Mattmu {GB}). TDN Verdict: Ger Lyons trainee Lady Iman comes back off a first defeat in four having chased home Beautify in last month's G2 Airlie Stud Stakes at the Curragh. She had previously breezed through victories in the Listed First Flier Stakes and G3 Naas Fillies Sprint and sets the standard here. Godolphin representative Military Code lowered the colours of subsequent G3 Princess Margaret Stakes victrix Fitzella at Ascot in May, but finished down the field in the Royal meet's G2 Coventry Stakes before getting back on track with a second in Sandown's Listed Dragon Stakes earlier this month. Nottingham maiden winner Ameeq was a commendable fourth in the G2 Norfolk Stakes and is an obvious danger, while G2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes placegetter Argentine Tango and Weatherbys Super Sprint third Sands Of Spain hold each-way claims. [Sean Cronin]. 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]. The post Black-Type Analysis: Field Of Gold Faces Older Rivals in Sussex Thriller appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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