Wandering Eyes

Despite not posting a flashy time, Admire Daytona's half-mile work in :53 1/5 at Churchill Downs April 22 went according to plan as the UAE Derby (G2) winner prepares for the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

Following La Cara's bullet half-mile workout in :46 April 22, trainer Mark Casse gives her an A+ ahead of the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (G1). The Hall of Famer also discusses Kentucky Derby (G1) contender Sandman ahead of his April 23 breeze.View the full article

Fairmount Park kicks off its 100th anniversary season April 22 with a brand new casino that seemed to take 100 years to get going, but now holds the promise of prosperity for horsemen.View the full article

The Coach, D. Wayne Lukas, discusses the development of Virginia Derby winner American Promise ahead of his start in the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott discusses his relationship with Godolphin, which dates back to winning the inaugural Dubai World Cup (G1) with Allen Paulson homebred Cigar in 1996. Mott trains Godolphin homebred Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) was the most notable absentee as the latest entries for the first two British Classics of the season were released on Tuesday. A total of 24 colts remain in contention for the Betfred 2,000 Guineas, while the number of possible runners in the Betfred 1,000 Guineas has been whittled down to 17, before any supplementary entries. Aidan O'Brien confirmed last week that The Lion In Winter was an unlikely runner at Newmarket, with all roads instead leading to the G2 Dante Stakes at York for last year's G3 Acomb Stakes winner. In his absence, O'Brien is responsible for five of the 24 remaining entries for the 2,000 Guineas, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 3. That quintet is headed by a trio of Group 1-winning juveniles in Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere scorer Camille Pissarro (Ire), Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Henri Matisse (Ire) and Criterium International winner Twain (Ire), as well as the G1 Dewhurst Stakes runner-up Expanded (Ire). They are all from the first Irish-bred crop of Wootton Bassett (GB), along with the final member of the Ballydoyle team, Dundalk maiden winner Serengeti (Fr). Twain is the sponsor's 5/1 second favourite for the 2,000 Guineas, behind only the John and Thady Gosden-trained Field Of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), who is available to back at 9/4 after his impressive success in last week's G3 Craven Stakes over the same course and distance as next month's Classic. He features in what could be a four-pronged attack from Juddmonte, along with stable-mate Detain (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Andrew Balding's G3 Greenham Stakes winner Jonquil (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and the unbeaten Cosmic Year (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who made it two from two for the Harry Charlton yard when recently winning a Kempton novice by five lengths. Charlie Appleby could saddle up to three runners as he seeks his third 2,000 Guineas triumph in four years. They include Aomori City (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who was only third behind Field Of Gold in the Craven, identifying Shadow Of Light (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Ruling Court (Justify) as potentially the most formidable contenders from Moulton Paddocks. Shadow Of Light was crowned Europe's champion two-year-old of 2024 after back-to-back Group 1 wins in the Middle Park Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes, while Ruling Court impressed on his return to action when winning a Listed race at Meydan by six lengths. Appleby's Opera Ballo (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) was another horse not to stand his ground after his sixth-place finish in the Craven, but the runner-up at Newmarket, Wimbledon Hawkeye (GB) (Kameko), remains in contention, as well as Brian Meehan's Rashabar (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) after he filled the same position in the Greenham. Meanwhile, Joseph O'Brien has steered clear of the trials with Scorthy Champ (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), but last year's G1 National Stakes winner must be considered another leading player from Ireland, along with the G1 Futurity Trophy scorer Hotazhell (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and G2 Champions Juvenile Stakes hero Green Impact (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). They are both trained by Jessica Harrington, who intimated recently that Green Impact was more likely than Hotazhell to line up at Newmarket. As for the 1,000 Guineas, which takes place on Sunday, May 4, six of the remaining 17 entries are trained in Ireland, with last year's treble Group 1 winner Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) featuring among four possible runners from Ballydoyle. Last seen winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar back in November, Lake Victoria could be joined at Newmarket by stable-mates Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Exactly (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Merrily (No Nay Never), all Group-winning juveniles. Appleby is set to rely solely on Desert Flower (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), who was unbeaten in four starts as a two-year-old, culminating with a wide-margin victory in the G1 Fillies' Mile. She heads the sponsor's betting at 11/10 following a sparkling racecourse gallop during Newmarket's Craven fixture, ahead of Lake Victoria at 7/2 and Ger Lyons's Red Letter (GB) (Frankel {GB}) at 11/2. Red Letter–who was beaten just a length and a half when finishing fourth in last year's Moyglare Stud Stakes, a Group 1 won by Lake Victoria–is one of two entries for Lyons, along with Listed scorer Chantez (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). The stable's G1 Phoenix Stakes heroine Babouche (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) was a notable absentee, however, in addition to Francis-Henri Graffard's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Vertical Blue (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) and Ralph Beckett's Cathedral (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}). Of the remainder, Ollie Sangster could saddle up to three runners having retained entries for his G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes runner-up Celestial Orbit (GB) (No Nay Never), Moyglare second Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and Flight (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), who was last seen finishing third behind Merrily and Cathedral in the G3 Oh So Sharp Stakes. The post Field Of Gold and Desert Flower Standing Tall Among Latest Guineas Entries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Easter weekend that would conclude the mission of Argentina's most revered expatriate had begun, in our rather more trivial field of endeavor, with a remarkable testament to the influence of South America on the American Turf. At Keeneland, the late Pope's compatriot Ignacio Correas saddled his latest big winner, Utah Beach (English Channel) in the GII Elkhorn Stakes. Over at Santa Anita, the flourishing Chilean import Richi (Chi) (Practical Joke) impressed in the GII Santa Maria Stakes. And at Oaklawn the weekend's biggest prize was won by First Mission (Street Sense), whose dam is a conduit to 11 generations of Argentinian breeding extending into the 19th Century. Yet that line could hardly have begun more precariously. In 1882, a young mare was imported from Britain by Edoardo Casey, whose picaresque rise and fall is among the most remarkable tales of the Pampas. True to his Irish roots, Casey was a passionate horseman. In renaming this mare Perdita (GB), however, he proved sadly prophetic: she died as soon as 1884, leaving a single foal. But that turned out to be Condesa (Arg), first female winner of the Argentine Derby and later an important producer. One of her sons won the prize now known as the Grand Premio Carlos Pellegrini, while his sister Princesa (Arg) became granddam of Per Noi (Arg). Per Noi's son Congreve is one of the great patriarchs of the South American breed, his seven Argentinian sire championships unmatched until Southern Halo. And her final foal, delivered 10 years after Congreve in 1934, was his full-sister Carezza (Arg), who duly proved a significant producer herself. Her daughter by Hunter's Moon (GB)-half-brother to the celebrated trio Hyperion (GB), Sickle (GB) and Pharamond II (GB)-was named Houle (Arg) and can be found behind numerous good runners. One of her granddaughters, Shopping (Arg), was duly among the mares first targeted by the ambitious Haras La Biznaga after its foundation in 1972. (A different Shopping, to be clear, from the U.S.-registered dam of Trappe Shot.) Perhaps the biggest dividend for La Biznaga was Shopping's great-granddaughter Forty Marchanta (Arg) (Roar), whose two Classic wins in 2004 made her champion filly of her crop. Forty Marchanta was promptly recruited by Godolphin, but proved a disappointing investment both on the racetrack and in the paddocks, culled for just $60,000 at the 2014 Keeneland November Sale. Luckily for Godolphin, her weanling daughter was retained: after all, she was by Medaglia d'Oro, whose champion Rachel Alexandra was similarly out of a mare by Forty Marchanta's sire Roar. And Elude, as this filly was named, did eventually win a Tampa Bay maiden, albeit only at the eighth attempt. When her first foal finished last in both his starts, however, Elude was ditched at the next opportunity, to International Equities Holding for $105,000 at the 2022 Keeneland January Sale, when in foal to Street Sense. Once again, however, Godolphin had retained a weanling (strictly, a short yearling). He was also by Street Sense-and has turned out to be none other than last weekend's GII Oaklawn Handicap winner. First Mission's emergence as a juvenile had already enabled Elude's purchasers to bank an immediate profit: his GIII Lexington Stakes success was glowing out of Book 1 when the brother meanwhile delivered by Elude made $500,000 at the 2023 September Sale. (This colt surfaced at Parx last fall, by the way, but was badly hampered.) Not for the first time, First Mission looks a Grade I winner in the making. As such, he may well end up entering the competition to succeed his veteran sire-whose ongoing potency is further attested by GI Kentucky Oaks contender La Cara-alongside Maxfield and Speaker's Corner, already in the same barn, and McKinzie elsewhere. That would be some result, after both his granddam and dam were discarded immediately after producing what proved to be their crucial foals. It would also be an edifying legacy for a family cultivated by Argentinian breeders between 1882 and 2004. If we can flagrantly generalize about an entire continent, I've always viewed the South American Thoroughbred as something of a time capsule, preserving the kind of stamina and robustness eroded by commercial breeding elsewhere. Admittedly only two mares between Condesa and Forty Marchanta were by sires also foaled in Argentina. But the other stallions to have seeded the family, self-evidently, were only available for export because deficient in commercial appeal on native soil. A Complex Situation I'm a big fan of Baeza, who's in the very best hands to progress past more seasoned types if squeezing into the GI Kentucky Derby. Doing so, however, would not only confirm his dam as perhaps the most precocious blue hen of all. It would also maintain a curious imbalance in the early output of his sire. McKinzie, like First Mission a son of Street Sense, has catapulted his fee to $75,000 after his first juveniles included two Grade I winners. But they were also his only stakes winners of any kind, compared with five apiece for Vekoma, Tiz the Law and Complexity. Nor have his sophomores materially altered his profile: for now McKinzie has just 13 winners from 74 starters in 2025, one at black-type level. Yet cumulatively he has five Grade I performers, including Baeza. Complexity | Sarah Andrew Nobody in this class can lay a glove on Vekoma just now, with 44 winners including six at stakes level (90 starters); but the one closest to doing so is Complexity, despite his smaller books and fee (opened at $12,500). Last Saturday he came up with his third and fourth black-type winners of 2025 (56 starters): Mo Plex in the Bay Shore at Aqueduct, and Complexity Jane in the Weber City Miss Stakes at Laurel. Mo Plex was already on his sire's resume, having won the GIII Sanford Stakes last summer, but Complexity Jane was going three-for-three on her stakes debut. She was among the last yearlings sold before the passing of her breeder Brereton C. Jones, for $100,000 at the Fasig-Tipton July Sale of 2023 (pinhooked by Scanlon Training & Sales, making $170,000 at OBS the following spring). Jane's dam Bestinthebusiness (Ghostzapper), a maiden winner in a light career, had been bought (with a maiden cover by Carpe Diem) for $100,000 at the 2020 Keeneland January Sale. While the catalogue showed her to be a half-sister to GIII Tom Fool winner Do Share, and that their dam had managed a couple of graded stakes podiums, the young mare's real appeal lay below the page. For her fifth dam is none other than the Locust Hill Farm legend Shenanigans (Native Dancer), whose six foals before her loss to a paddock accident somehow included Ruffian, Icecapade and Laughter. The latter, a daughter of Bold Ruler, combines the pedigrees of Grade I winners Private Terms (as dam); Coronado's Quest (as second dam); and Orb (as fourth)-and also connects Bestinthebusiness as fourth dam. Interestingly Airdrie's selection of Complexity for the mare's first “home” cover closely duplicated his damsire Yes It's True, who also sired Complexity Jane's granddam. While Complexity Jane has nonetheless stretched through a second turn, her sire's trademark is plainly speed: he fired Black Forza down one of the sharpest tracks in Europe last summer to win the G2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood. No Substitute for Deputy In the previous cycle to Complexity Jane, Scanlon Training & Sales also pinhooked Just a Touch (Justify). Quite a find, as a $125,000 Fasig October yearling: a colt conceived by a $150,000 fee out of a graded stakes winner by Tapit! He has since proved nearly as well bought by Fergus Galvin, at OBS the following spring, for $300,000. While his Derby tilt plainly didn't pay off, Just a Touch is regrouping impressively now: after a comeback win by 10 lengths, last Saturday at Keeneland he followed up by seven. Crudo | Coady Media Justify's other runaway winner on that card, in a maiden, was the $350,000 Keeneland November weanling Crudo (subsequently a $520,000 RNA at Saratoga). This is a horse I shall be following, being out of a mare by Deputy Minister himself. Nowadays we tend to find that legendary distaff only behind second or third dams. Crudo's mother Blossomed never made the track but it tells you much about our business that she nonetheless changed hands seven times at auction! The final of those transactions brought her to Springhouse Farm from the 2018 Keeneland November Sale for $425,000, the highest price she ever realized (once changed hands for $33,000). That was because her half-sister by Orb, Sippican Harbor, had that summer won the Spinaway Stakes. For Blossomed to produce a Grade I winner by such a disappointing stallion suggests that Deputy Minister must have been working his usual magic; and, sure enough, Crudo's full-sister (from Justify's first crop) has meanwhile emerged as unbeaten Japanese millionaire Awesome Result. There must be a few other Deputy Minister mares still in production, as Blossomed was foaled in 2003 and her sire produced two further crops of 54 and 44 live foals. None has been offered at Keeneland since 2020, however. Hopefully that means those supervising Deputy Minister's parting gifts are fully cognisant of their privilege. By the way, as I've frequently remarked, great broodmare sires often seem to pass on their peculiar potency-and Crudo also draws that out through his sire, whose dam Stage Magic is of course by Deputy Minister's grandson Ghostzapper. The post Breeding Digest: Latin Roots of Easter Mission appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Norman Stables' Coal Battle (Coal Front) and Junko Kondo's G2 UAE Derby winner Admire Daytona (Jpn) (Drefong) put in half-mile works for the Kentucky Derby over a fast track Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs. Working during the 7:15-7:30 a.m. EST training window reserved for Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders, Coal Battle was the first to go, clocking a half-mile in :47.80 under Bethany Taylor. Fractions were :12.40, :24.60, :47.80, and out five furlongs in 1:00.80. “I was thrilled with it. He keeps getting better every time he goes out there,” Taylor said after Coal Battle's third local work. “He is improving every time.” Admire Daytona, with Yoshimitsu Miyashita aboard, worked in :53.20 starting at the three-eighths pole, with splits of :13, :39.20, and :53.20. “With only three weeks between races, we just prepped him the same way we did in Dubai,” Miyashita said. “We let him decide what he wanted to do over the four furlongs. He increased his speed a bit in the straight on his own and really it was exactly like the kind of work he turned in prior to the UAE Derby. He has managed to maintain his pre-UAE Derby physical condition perfectly so we just have to help him keep it until race day.” In between those works, Tracy Farmer's GI Longines Kentucky Oaks hopeful La Cara (Street Sense) turned in the fastest of 30 half-mile moves, going in :46 with Kevin Donnis aboard. Fractions were :11.60, :22.60, :34.20, :46, and out five furlongs in :58.60 and three-quarters in 1:12.20. “Going back to grade school when they gave out an A, B, C or D, I'd give her work an A+,” Casse said. “I thought it was a little quick but she was in a good rhythm. We had the radios, but I just told him to let her go on. She did it effortlessly.” Casse said the work would serve as he only pre-Oaks drill since winning the Ashland at Keeneland on April 7. “We've got 10 days now (before the Oaks) and plenty of time (to recover).” Scheduled to work Wednesday is D. J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables' GI Arkansas Derby winner Sandman (Tapit) for trainer Mark Casse. The post Coal Battle, Admire Daytona Work for Kentucky Derby; La Cara Preps for Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A multi-year agreement between The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and Emerald Ecovations has been forged, according to a NYRA release Tuesday. Emerald Ecovations will serve as NYRA's preferred sustainable products partner. “NYRA is committed to reducing its environmental footprint and maintaining its positive impact on our surrounding communities,” said Kevin Quinn, NYRA's Vice President of Sales and Hospitality. “We are pleased to partner with Emerald Ecovations to work together on implementing staple products across our tracks that will assist with waste reduction.” Emerald Ecovations will provide a variety of sustainable food service products for use across Saratoga Race Course, including cups, bowls, containers, napkins, tissues, utensils and product dispensers. Designed and made in the United States, Emerald Ecovations offers a line of 350+ Tree-Free and Plastic-Free products to combat deforestation and plastic pollution, offering companies a sustainable solution to the growing demand for environmentally responsible products in disposable food packaging and everyday facilities products. Emerald Ecovations will also be branded on refuse containers across the backyard and grandstand areas at Saratoga Race Course and displayed throughout the property beginning in June during the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival slated for June 4th-8th. Over the coming months, Emerald Ecovations will be prominent during the July 4th Racing Festival set for July 3-6 at the Spa, and with an educational onsite activation during the traditional 40-day Saratoga summer meet which spans from July 10th through Sept. 1. The post Emerald Ecovations Named NYRA Preferred Sustainable Products Partner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Anthony Oppenheimer's Queen Of Thieves (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a homebred full-sister to dual G1 Champion Stakes hero Cracksman (GB), was fresh off a recent third on seasonal return at Newbury and shed maiden status in style with an 11-length tally in Tuesday's Weekend Winners On Sky Sports Racing Maiden Fillies' Stakes at Great Yarmouth. Breaking swiftly and holding sway throughout, the 5-6 favourite was untroubled on the front end and powered ever clear under whipless cajoling inside the final quarter-mile, hitting the line with a wide-margin buffer back to the overmatched Miss Wong (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}). Queen Of Thieves is the 10th of 11 foals and sixth scorer out of Listed Prix Solitude victrix Rhadegunda (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), herself a half-sister to the dual stakes-placed Halla San (GB) (Halling). Her third dam is G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Sussex Stakes heroine On The House (Fr) (Be My Guest). The March-foaled homebred chestnut is a full-sister to multiple Group 1-winning sire Cracksman (GB) and a half to G3 Solario Stakes-winning sire Fantastic Moon (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}) and the unraced 2-year-old colt Royal Warrior (GB) (Palace Pier {GB}). That's more like it! Cracksman's full-sister Queen Of Thieves gets off the mark with a scintillating performance at @GTYarmouthRaces! pic.twitter.com/mbZ2Rx2cQM — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 22, 2025 The post Cracksman’s Full Sister Queen Of Thieves Sheds Maiden Status in Style appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Josh Bryan, the former program coordinator for the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship who was currently serving as assistant to Frank Taylor, the Director of New Business Development at Taylor Made Farm, died Tuesday morning from complications from jaw surgery. He was 33 years old. Bryan was born with Goldenhar syndrome, a rare congenital defect that affects the development of the ear, nose, soft palate, lip and mandible usually on one side of the body. He had his first corrective surgery when he was just seven weeks old and went on to endure at least 15 more procedures. Bryan was profiled in the TDN's Road Back series, which tells the stories of the men and women enrolled in the Stable Recovery and the School of Horsemenship, where recovering addicts find support, structure, and meaningful employment. In 2024, he told the TDN's Katie Petrunyak how his childhood was spent going in and out of doctors' offices, and how he lost both of his parents during his college years, leading him to turn to alcohol. “I didn't really feel like I had much to live for after that, which looking back now is total nonsense,” Bryan recalled. “It was a lot of depression and really no sense of purpose. I felt like life really wasn't really worth living anymore.” With the help of Frank Taylor, his second cousin, he got into Shepherd's House, a residential drug treatment center, and then found employment at Rood and Riddle. When Taylor decided to launch Stable Recovery, he asked Bryan to be the program coordinator. Together, they built the School of Horsemanship, and then, together with Christian Countzler, launched Stable Recovery. “I think horses have a really good sense of your feelings emotionally,” he told Petrunyak in 2024. “If you go into a horse's stall nervous, they're going to be rambunctious. If you go into that stall angry, they're going to mess with you and make it worse. I remember some days before my recovery I'd go into the barn hungover with a bad attitude and they'd just eat me alive, bucking and trying to run me over. If you go in there with the right mindset and a clear head, they'll love you to death. If you're having a bad day and you go into a horse's stall and give it a big old hug, it just makes all the difference.” He said that horses didn't care about appearances. “They don't care about if you went to jail or what you look like or where you came from,” he said. “For a long time I wasn't comfortable in my own skin and it took a lot of people and prayer and therapy for me to be okay with it. Sometimes I still don't see myself as a leader, but I've gotten more comfortable with it.” When Frank Taylor transitioned to the role of Director of New Business Development at Taylor Made, Bryan moved into the role as his assistant, traveling to farms and meeting clients together. He said that he saw Taylor as a father figure, a role Taylor embraced. “Josh is basically one of my kids,” added Taylor. “We've always worked well together. It's kind of like we're best friends and I think I'm a mentor or father figure to him. I'm very proud of him. Once he quit drinking and got his life in order and spiritually strong, he's on a path to do great things. Big things.” “He was my right-hand man and was training to be a Thoroughbred advisor,” said Taylor Tuesday. “He was loved by everyone in the industry. He impacted a lot of people. Had a heart of gold. He was dealt a bad hand and played it to perfection. Our hearts are broken.” The post Taylor Made’s Josh Bryan Dies From Surgical Complications appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The finalized dates for The Real Rider Cup (RRC)'s annual charity show jumping competitions have been set for Saturday, June 28 in Lexington, Kentucky and Saturday, Oct. 18 in Fair Hill, Maryland. “We're grateful for the continued enthusiasm and support for our event,” said RRC founder Anita Motion. “The breed has given us all so much and we're honored to give back by supporting a variety of aftercare organizations who are making meaningful impacts on post-racing life for Thoroughbreds. I also want to extend my gratitude to the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill team for this opportunity to increase the reach of our mission.” Mounted on off-track Thoroughbreds and wearing the racing silks of their colleagues, employers, or other connections, participating riders pledge to raise $1,000 for Real Rider Cup beneficiaries and contend a show jumping course, riding for fast, clean rounds. Awards are given for individual and team results, as well as top-earning fundraisers. Thoroughbred riders from across industries are welcome and encouraged. The Lexington leg of the event will return to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program at its flagship Mereworth Farm facility. The Lexington leg will also include local food trucks, live music and visits with adoptable Thoroughbreds. The Fair Hill leg of the event will remain on the grounds of the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area but will shift in date and be hosted at the Fair Hill Special Event Zone, joining the official schedule of events at the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill to follow the conclusion of the cross-country phase of competition on Oct. 18. For more information, visit www.therealridercup.com. The post Real Rider Cup Dates Set for June 28 in Lexington, Oct. 18 in Fair Hill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kentucky Derby Week kicks off Saturday night as Churchill Downs opens its 43-day Spring Meet. Kentucky Derby Day features 14 races, including seven stakes contests, with a betting menu that includes six Pick 5s, five Pick 4s and a mandatory payout in the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot. In 2024: The Pick 5 ending in the Kentucky Derby handled $4.4 million and returned $188,958. The Pick 4 ending in the Kentucky Derby handled $3.2 million and paid $18,300. The Derby City 6 Jackpot handled $2.3 million, with a payout of $345,074. Kentucky Oaks Day also delivers a full lineup of wagering with five Pick 5s and four Pick 4s. Two-day bets also begin on Friday, including: The 50-cent Oaks/Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic/Kentucky Derby Pick 3 (2024 handle $686,061; payout $432). The $1 two-day Pick 6 (2024 handle $508,919; payout $81,109), tying together six Grade I races across both days with a mandatory payout and 15% takeout. The races for the two-day Pick 6 will be finalized on entry day (Saturday, Apr. 26), with seven potential Grade I events eligible for inclusion, including Friday's $1 million Fasig-Tipton La Troienne and $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks; and Saturday's $1 million Churchill Downs presented by Ford, $1 million Derby City Distaff presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery, $1 million American Turf, the $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic and the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve Additional wagers for Derby Week include: The $1 minimum Oaks/Derby Double (2024 handle $3 million; payout $118). The 50-cent All Dirt Pick 5 (2024 handle $409,571; payout $87,025). The $3 All 3-Year-Old Pick 3 (2024 handle $359,603; payout $18,207). Superfectas will be offered at a $1 minimum on Oaks and Derby Days and 10 cents on all other days. For the full wagering menu and list of daily post times, click here. The post Wagering Lineup Announced for Kentucky Derby Week appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With three outings already in the books, Des Donovan trainee Alkuwarrior (Ire) (Alkumait {GB}) was the most experienced contender in Tuesday's British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes at Great Yarmouth and his ringcraft was a telling factor as he made all for a narrow victory to become the first winner for his Capital Stud-based sire (by Showcasing {GB}) in the extended five-furlong dash. Alkuwarrior, kin to a yearling colt by Space Traveller (GB), is the seventh of eight foals and fourth scorer produced by a multiple-winning half-sister to five black-type performers headed by G3 Sandown Sprint victor Hoh Mike (Ire) (Intikhab). The March-foaled bay's third dam Peace In The Woods (Ire) (Tap On Wood {Ire}) is an unraced full-sister to the dam of four-time G1 Irish St Leger-winning sire Vinnie Roe (Ire) (Definite Article {GB}). British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes @GTYarmouthRaces Yarmouth – 2 ans – Maiden – 1044m – 6 Pts Alkuwarrior (m) (Ire) Mason Paetel (Alkumait (Gb) – Elegant Peace (Ire) par Intense Focus (Usa)) D Donovan Mme K. Keane pic.twitter.com/dGNLydvdus — French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) April 22, 2025 The post Freshman Sire Alkumait Off the Mark at Great Yarmouth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A number of fees for the most exciting sires in Australia and New Zealand have been announced with Windsor Park Stud, which has enjoyed a long and successful relationship with Coolmore Stud, saying that dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin (Ire) will be well-supported by Southern Hemisphere breeders. Auguste Rodin heads the stallion roster at NZ$30,000 while fellow Coolmore shuttler Paddington (Fr) will stand at NZ$35,000, the same fee he was introduced at in 2024 at Windsor Park. Rodney Schick, stud master at Windsor Park, commented on Auguste Rodin, “World class racehorse, he's in the same mould as High Chaparral, nearly identical race record, wonderful European galloper and he's been massively supported by breeders. It's very, very exciting and it's great to have him.” A new chapter has also begun at Darley Australia, with Godolphin's champion two-year-old colt Broadsiding (Aus), a son of Too Darn Hot (GB), joining the roster at Kelvinside. The Australasian breeding community was understandably excited when news broke earlier this month that Too Darn Hot (GB), Champion First-Season Sire in Australia and the sire of 10 stakes winners in the Southern Hemisphere, would be returning Down Under this breeding season. The reception has been similar for his son Broadsiding, a winner of two Group 1s as a juvenile and a further two Group 1s this season, as well as a range of highly commendable placings at the top level. “We announced the fees this morning and the phones have literally not stopped,” Darley's Head of Stallions Alastair Pulford said yesterday. “Not just for me, but for the whole sales and nominations team. He's [Broadsiding] almost full in one day. I don't think we've ever had such a positive reaction to a first-season sire. It's been fantastic.” Too Darn Hot's fee has been set at $275,000 while new recruit Broadsiding will stand for $66,000. Other stallions of note include Anamoe (Aus) at $110,000, Harry Angel (Ire) at $66,000, Pinatubo (Ire) at $38,500, Native Trail (GB) at $27,500 and Victor Ludorum (GB) at $11,000. Meanwhile, leading first-season sire Down Under Ole Kirk (Aus) will headline the six-strong stallion roster at Vinery Stud this year. His fee has almost doubled to $99,000 after an outstanding year on the track and in the sales ring. Currently leading the first season sires' championship in Australia by number of winners and earnings, the son of Champion Sire Written Tycoon has enjoyed three stakes winners to date. Vinery Stud's General Manager Peter Orton said, “Due to demand, Ole Kirk has gone up in fee. He has a perfect pedigree and offers a complete outcross for breeders throughout the heavy presence of Danehill in most pedigrees. The way Ole Kirk raced, we are looking to his late two-year-olds and spring three-year-olds to dominate. What he has done to date is a bonus and I think the best is yet to come.” The post ‘Massive Support’ From Southern Hemisphere Breeders For Auguste Rodin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars BEAUTY ALLIANCE - R9 (3) Loves the course and distance and can return to the winners' list here Jay Rooney BEAUTY ALLIANCE - R9 (3) Looks perfectly placed back at the C&D of two strong wins Trackwork Spy HORSEPOWER - R8 (1) Looks hard to beat reuniting with Zac Purton tonight Phillip Woo LUCKY GENERATIONS - R1 (4) Can break through with a clean trip Shannon (Vincent Wong) KINGLY DEMEANOR - R2 (3) Drops into Class Five and should get back to winning ways from gate one Racing Post Online JUMBO TREASURE - R5 (1) Showed a good turn of foot to win over 1200m at Sha Tin last start and can repeat Tom Wood BEAUTY ALLIANCE - R9 (3) Strong wins prior to racing in the Derby, recent trial was under a holdView the full article

This week, we debut a new feature: who were the five fastest maidens to race in North America last week, as measured by the Beyer Speed figures? We count them down. SWEET SCORECARD, IND 4/16 – 5 ½ furlongs Beyer Speed Figure: 84 (f, 3, Vekoma-Sweet Halory, by Hold Me Back) O-514 Racing LLC, B-Glenn Sorgenstein WC Racing Inc; T-Tim Eggleston, J-J. D. Ramos Not sure what's the most interesting aspect: that she was 8/1 in the program but hammered down to 1/2 favoritism, that she had been outrun by an average of 12 ¼ lengths in three previous starts yet cruised home here by 15 ½, that she obliterated her previous career-high Beyer by 40 points, or that no one put up $12,500 to claim the Vekoma filly even though she was such a white-hot favorite on the board. She didn't beat much, but did it emphatically. VIBE, GP 4/19- 1 mile Beyer Speed Figure: 85 (c, 3, Into Mischief-Nonna Mia, by Empire Maker) O-Repole Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, CJ Stables, Woodford Racing, Lane's End Racing and Patrick K. McGee, B-Repole Stable, T-Todd Pletcher, J-Emisael Jaramillo At $3 million, Vibe was 2023 Keeneland September's sale topper-and the third-highest-priced yearling of that year. A setback at Saratoga last summer fouled up the Kentucky Derby dream, and he was well-beaten when he finally got to the races in March. But extra distance and a new set of blinkers was the right prescription for his second start, and suddenly the vibes are positive again. CLICQUOT, KEE 4/17- about 7 furlongs Beyer Speed Figure: 86 (f, 3, Quality Road-Royal Obsession, by Tapit) O-X-Men Racing IV, Madaket Stables and SF Racing, B-Don Alberto, T-Brendan Walsh, J-Irad Ortiz Jr. A scorching pace didn't help her when 6th at even-money in her debut at Gulfstream, but the Veuve was flowing after this 6-length frontrunning romp. And she didn't seem to appreciate Irad's lefthanded whacks, so she might be smart, too. She's another potentially good one bred by Don Alberto, which is seemingly everywhere nowadays. STRATEGIC FOCUS, AQU 4/19 – 1 mile Beyer Speed Figure: 90 (c, 3, Gun Runner-Curlin's Mistress, by Curlin) O-Klaravich Stables, B-Alter's Racing Stables, Inc., T-Chad Brown, J-Dylan Davis Is Seth Klarman ever going to run out of cool investment names? This first-timer was next-last on the backstretch and widest around the turn- never a good recipe for dirt success-but still outkicked a strong field that included entrymate Duration. Here's a nice parlay: breeder Happy Alter bought the 4th dam for $500 at OBS in 1994 and sold Strategic Focus at Keeneland for $500,000. NEVADA BEACH, SA 4/19 – 1 mile Beyer Speed Figure: 90 (c, 3, Omaha Beach-Morrow Cove, by Yes It's True) O-Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, B-Paul Tackett Revocable Trust, Phil Tackett Estate & Christy Tackett, T-Bob Baffert, J-Juan Hernandez Let's see…a 3-year-old wins sharply on debut and runs a big Beyer, you check the PPs, and yep, it's another Baffert. In fact, this was the 30th maiden graduate sent out by Baffert from his Class of 2022, and more may be in the pipeline. Nevada Beach ran down pacesetter Rank, who probably deserved to win since in his 11 starts he has also come up against Journalism, Citizen Bull, Rodriguez, Baeza, Gaming and Getaway Car, some more than once. The post The Five Fastest Maidens For the Week of April 14-20 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-Keeneland, $90k, MSW, 2yo, f, 4 1/2f, post time: 1:32 p.m. Repole Stable's homebred Nonna's Love (Caravaggio) makes her first trip to the post for trainer Todd Pletcher. Out of Nonna Bella (Stay Thirsty), the gray filly is a half-sister to 2023 Eclipse champion juvenile and multiple Grade I winner Fierceness (City of Light) and to graded winner Mentee (City of Light). Wesley Ward saddles morning-line favorite Gracie's Delight (American Pharoah) on behalf of For the People Racing Stable. TJCIS PPs The post Wednesday’s Racing Insights: Half-Sister to Fierceness Debuts at Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sent off the outsider of the seven contesting Tuesday's Listed Blue Riband Trial, Abdulla Al Mansoori's Sea Scout (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) belied odds of 40-1 to conquer Epsom's unique terrain. Helping to press the early pace under Harry Davies, the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Lingfield novice winner had first run on Ballydoyle's 9-4 second favourite Trinity College (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and that counted as he hit the line with a head to spare, with 3 1/2 lengths back to Mirabeau (GB) (Territories {Ire}) in third. The heavily-supported 6-4 favourite Devil's Advocate (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) was disappointing in sixth. 40/1 outsider wins! Sea Scout digs deep to land the Listed @Betfred Blue Riband Trial under Harry Davies for Simon & Ed Crisford @EpsomRacecourse pic.twitter.com/JqMEsNwwLG — Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 22, 2025 The post The Crisfords Win The Blue Riband Trial With Sea The Stars’ Sea Scout appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

If Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) or Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), or both, win their respective races on FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin on Sunday, celebrations will erupt worldwide. The Australian Hayes family is front and centre saddling these key contenders for the HK$22 million Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize and HK$24 million Gr.1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m), respectively, but their cheers are likely to be matched by those of breeders and consigners 9,500km away from Hong Kong in New Zealand. For a small country, New Zealand has consistently punched above its weight for well over 80 years, breeding and trading high-class racehorses. If you want to go back even further, the greatest of them all, Phar Lap, was foaled at Timaru on the South Island in 1926. Ka Ying Rising was foaled at Windsor Park Stud, near Cambridge, in the Waikato in 2020. He is a gelded son of Shamexpress, the winner of Flemington’s famous Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m), and best of his progeny by some way. The four-year-old’s record stands at 12 wins from 14 starts and he will be aiming for his 12th consecutive win on Sunday. His only defeats were both second placings. He hasn’t been beaten since 12 February last year. His success has had a marked impact on New Zealand racing and breeding, and sparked the resurgence of Shamexpress as a stallion, reports Mike Moran, Marketing Manager at Windsor Park Stud. “Ka Ying Rising is a special, special horse. David Hayes is in awe of him. It’s great for the stallion. And it’s great for the New Zealand industry in general, who are excited by him,” Moran said. “Australia is renowned for its world-class sprinters but New Zealand has produced Aerovelocity (NZ) (Pins), Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) and now Ka Ying Rising. It’s fantastic for us because it’s an amazing place to breed horses, and the Hong Kong buyers know that. “They keep coming, and will continue to do so off the back of what this guy has done. Ka Ying Rising was the first horse bred by Fraser Auret, a trainer from Manawatu. He (Ka Ying Rising) was conceived and foaled at Windsor Park.” Shamexpress had lost traction with breeders, his number of mares diminishing significantly five years ago. “Then he got Lim’s Saltoro, who won the Triple Crown in Singapore and is now with Dan Meagher in Melbourne, as well as Maracana and Grinzinger Belle, who have won good races for Danny O’Brien. “All those horses came along together. Shamexpress is popular again now, he’s fashionable, particularly his colts. They are sought-after and have been bringing good money at the sales,” Moran said. Mr Brightside galloped on the turf on Tuesday morning. Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club Mr Brightside is another New Zealand success story, though he had only one run there for an unlucky fifth in a Matamata maiden over 1400m. Bred by Bay of Plenty real estate agent Ray Johnson in conjunction with his late wife Martha, he had been bought at an on-line auction by his trainer Ralph Manning for NZ$7,750 before later being sold on to the Hayes family’s racing operation Lindsay Park in Australia. Mr Brightside is by Bullbars, a Group Three winner at Flemington, out of the Darley mare Accessories, making him a half-brother to Helmet and Epaulette. Mr Brightside is the only elite class horse sired by the unheralded Bullbars, who left Highview Stud to join the stallion roster at Orange Court Stud, South Australia, where he reportedly died before the start of the 2023 covering season. A win for either Ka Ying Rising or Mr Brightside would also mark another New Zealand-bred champion to triumph for the Hayes family. The roll of honour is impressive – Dulcify (trained by Colin Hayes), Zabeel (Colin, then David Hayes), Mr Brightside (Ben, JD & Will Hayes) and Ka Ying Rising (David Hayes). View the full article

The Tuesday evening of Craven Week in Newmarket was notable not only for the buoyant trade at Park Paddocks during the first session of Tattersalls' Craven Breeze-Up Sale but also for a fascinating lecture given to Newmarket's Local History Society, which meets on the third Tuesday of every month. Titled 'The History of Veterinary Practice in Newmarket', this talk was given by Richard Greenwood MRCVS, who, prior to his retirement, was one of the world's (never mind just Newmarket's) most respected veterinary surgeons, esteemed internationally as a senior partner in the town's oldest veterinary practice. Now called Newmarket Equine Hospital (NEH), the practice is still thought of by many as Greenwood, Ellis & Partners. Just as it is easy nowadays to forget how recently it was that the supposedly essential assistance of computers, mobile phones and the internet first intruded into our lives, so one can easily overlook how rapidly the veterinary world has evolved in the past few decades. Richard's personal and anecdotal stroll along the passages of time provided both a fascinating reminder of how things were and a series of logical explanations as to how and why they became as they are now. We know that racing and training horses have been part of the fabric of Newmarket at least since early in the 17th century. So integral are vets to many modern training stables that it is easy to assume that there have always been veterinary surgeons here. Not so, as was made clear by an observation made in 1831 which has become part of local folklore: “No veterinary surgeon has been able to make a living in Newmarket”. In an era in which betting was all-important and in which any piece of information about a horse's fitness, soundness or health was a closely guarded secret, it was generally felt that any benefit which a vet might bring to a stable would be outweighed by the drawbacks of granting access to anyone who did not have to be there. Vets did, of course, already exist by that time. The London Veterinary College was established in 1792 and a similar college was founded in Edinburgh. No veterinary surgeon, however, was able to gain a foothold in Newmarket until 1841, when one was able to start a practice thanks to an alliance with a profession which was already flourishing in the town: farriery. A farrier called Barrow had a forge in the High Street in March House and his brother set up a veterinary practice, the original fore-runner of NEH, on the same property. March House remained the base for this veterinary practice until 2008 when Greenwood, Ellis & Partners (as the practice had eventually evolved into) moved out of town into a purpose-built property by the July Course roundabout, with both the new property and the practice being given the name Newmarket Equine Hospital. A major boost to the status of veterinary surgeons took place shortly after the Second World War with the passing of the Veterinary Surgeons Act in 1948, which made it law that only a qualified veterinary surgeon (as opposed to one of the 'practitioners', of which there were many at that time) could perform acts of surgery on or dispense drugs for animals. This consolidated the position within Newmarket of what was at the time the town's only veterinary practice. Wartime Influence During the 20th century, some of the most notable figures from the history of veterinary science joined the practice: Frank Potts in 1901, William Livock in 1911, Brayley Reynolds in 1924, Harvey Leader in 1930, Fred Day in 1945 and Peter Rossdale in 1955. Unlike today, when academic instruction is considered all-important in most professions, these men learned much of their skill the hard way, often during wars. For Brayley Reynolds in the First World War and Bob Crowhurst in the Second, hard facts of life and death, of survival or otherwise for both humans and animals, were learned more emphatically than could be the case in any classroom. As Richard Greenwood drily put it, Bob Crowhurst's time running a wartime military veterinary hospital in Italy when the only drug available to treat the sick and injured horses was salt water ensured that he “learned the benefit of conservative treatment”. Nowadays, Newmarket's vets tend to specialise in either racing or breeding work, simply because there is a requirement for so much of both types. Previously, however, the town's vets would need to be masters of both subjects. Fred Day, for instance, is a legend within local racing folklore (and just ask Sir Mark Prescott if you need confirmation of that) but long-term his greatest influence has been felt on the studs, both locally and internationally, because it was he who first fully worked out the exact cycling timetable of broodmares, knowledge of which is crucial to the big-book practices of modern stallion management. Having joined the practice in 1955, Peter Rossdale, apparently disappointed not to be offered a partnership, left in 1959 and set up a rival practice only a short way down the street, at the Beaufort Cottage property in which Dick Perryman had trained Airborne to win the Derby in 1946. This was a massive disruption of the status quo but by this time there was enough work provided by the stables and studs in and around the town to allow two practices to thrive. Peter Rossdale's new practice was further strengthened in 1961 when Michael Hunt joined him but Reynolds House's position was consolidated during the next few years by the arrival of Don Simpson in 1962, Robin McEnery in 1964, David Ellis in 1968 and Richard Greenwood in 1970. The arrival of Greenwood took the number of vets in the town to ten, split between two practices. How times change! Now there are three practices (subsequent to the arrival in the early years of this century of Baker McVeigh) with a total of over 100 vets, supported by a small army of support staff. Several factors have come together to mean that there is indeed demand for what one could now describe as a 'veterinary industry' in Newmarket. Modern-day Newmarket vets have state-of-the-art facilities | Emma Berry Since the Second World War, Newmarket has become an ever greater national and international focus for equine veterinary matters. In 1946 the Equine Research Station at Balaton Lodge was established (which subsequently became the Animal Health Trust at Kentford). Its importance was emphasised in 1972 when Mill Reef's broken leg was healed thanks to the pioneering surgery of Jim Roberts. Further consolidation of the area's veterinary reputation came in 1953 with the establishment of the Cambridge University Veterinary School, with strong links being established between that and the practices in the town. The arrival of the National Stud (from its previous bases in Dorset and Sussex) in 1966 triggered an ever-increasing focus on Newmarket within the national bloodstock landscape, particularly as regards the standing of stallions. Tattersalls' consolidation in Newmarket further strengthened the town's veterinary position, not least because sales generate a lot of veterinary work. Another factor which increased demand for veterinary services was a national rather than local issue. In 1977 Britain was hit by an outbreak of contagious equine metritis, a consequence of which was the introduction of the Code of Practice which has meant a slew of compulsory swab tests for breeding stock. All this is good business for vets and explains why NEH and Rossdales now have their own (busy) laboratories. Dr 'Twink' Allen's Equine Fertility Unit pioneered the scanning of mares which has led to much more precision about covering times and dates, allowing stallions' books to be increased from not much more than 40 to the better part of 200. The use of X-rays, MRI scans, endoscopes and arthroscopic surgery are all innovations which were developed by vets in Newmarket, with the pioneering work on keyhole intra-articular surgery done with the help of David Dandy, a surgeon from the nearby Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge. Nowadays we take all these things for granted, in just the same way that we do with computers and mobile phones. But, as Richard Greenwood has reminded us, it is only recently that these mighty veterinary oaks have become facts of everyday bloodstock life and it is from tiny acorns that they have developed. The post Greenwood’s Fascinating Trip Down Veterinary Memory Lane appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Stephen Marsh believes Kiwi galloper’s preparation for Champions Day has not been impacted by a minor setback.View the full article

Bjorn Baker‘s remarkable sprinter Overpass is poised to make history as the clear $2.20 favourite with Ladbrokes, aiming to become the sole three-time winner of the $5 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot this Saturday from barrier 10 of 13. Having conquered the first two editions from gates eight and six respectively, the now six-year-old […] The post The Quokka 2025 Field & Betting Update: Overpass Favourite for 3rd Win appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) may not run again this season, with connections still to decide on the best path to take into a potentially mouth-watering spring clash with Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress). While further Group One conquests in Brisbane this winter are being considered for last Saturday’s Gr.1 All Aged Stakes winner, managing part-owner Ozzie Kheir said on Tuesday he feels it may be best for the horse to take his spell and to reset for a likely shot at October’s The Everest. “It is obviously really tempting to keep him going, so we’re leaving the door open for a race like the Kingsford-Smith, but my preference, at this stage, is to put him away and get him ready for The Everest,” Kheir said on Tuesday. “I’m convinced we haven’t seen the best of him yet as the penny has just dropped with him and there is a feeling that he’s done his job this time in. “He seems to have come of age this preparation and he’s still so lightly raced, so he’s in a great position to come back even better in the spring. “The Everest came into the conversation after he won the Oakleigh Plate first-up and Saturday’s win certainly did nothing to change our mind. “He’s gone from a bit of a hero to a villain to a star, so it’s been some sort of ride with him.” Jimmysstar was purchased out of New Zealand after just three runs in the spring of 2023 and he immediately made an impression with easy Benchmark wins at Bendigo, Cranbourne and Caulfield, before a string of four upset losses – three of them as odds-on favourite – last autumn. He performed well in the spring before appearing this autumn as a much-improved horse with Gr.1 wins in the Oakleigh Plate and All Aged supported by luckless Gr.1 efforts in the William Reid Stakes (third) and T.J. Smith Stakes (fourth). If he was to start again this season, Kheir indicated the A$1 million Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) – to be run at Eagle Farm under weight-for-age conditions on May 31 – is the most likely race. Kheir has enjoyed a great season to date, being part-owner of seven Gr.1 winners. It is a way off his best season in 2021-22 when he was part-owner of 11 Gr.1 winners such as Verry Elleegant, Incentivise and Sir Dragonet, but Kheir said he is delighted with the results. “We came into the new season hoping we could contend for a few Group 1s and hopefully win one or two, so to have seven is a great result,” he said. Of trainer Ciaron Maher’s 10 Gr.1 winners this season, Kheir and his partners have supplied five of them in the shape of Jimmysstar (two), Light Infantry Man (two) and Gringotts. Kheir’s other Gr.1 wins were with Buckaroo in the Underwood Stakes and Leica Lucy in the New Zealand Oaks. Buckaroo and the returning Soulcombe remain Kheir’s final chances for further G1 success this season, with the pair aiming up at the Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) on the Gold Coast on May 10, followed by the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m) at Eagle Farm two weeks later. View the full article

Quality New Zealand galloper El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking), continued his preparations for the prestigious HK$28 million Gr.1 FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin this Sunday, with a solid workout on Hong Kong’s all-weather track on Tuesday morning. “He is striding out nicely,” trainer Stephen Marsh said. “He’ll have a good hit-out on the turf on Thursday (24 April) with Zac (Purton). And that will do him.” El Vencedor’s journey to Hong Kong hasn’t been without challenges. Shortly after arrival, the son of Shocking experienced a minor setback with a hind hoof abscess. However, Marsh remains optimistic, stating that the issue has been resolved and the horse is back on track. The gelding’s recent form has been nothing short of impressive, boasting three consecutive Group One victories: the Herbie Dyke Stakes, Otaki-Maori WFA Classic, and the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes. These performances have earned him a spot among the world’s elite, ranking equal 10th in the latest LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. El Vencedor’s adaptability on the track has been a significant asset. “The last four races he has led, he has trailed, he has sat in the one-one and has sat outside the leader and he has done a bit of everything,” Marsh noted. El Vencedor will face a formidable lineup in the FWD QEII Cup, including Goliath, Liberty Island, Prognosis, and Hong Kong Derby hero Cap Ferrat. View the full article