Wandering Eyes

Former WinStar stallion Congrats (A.P. Indy–Praise, by Mr. Prospector) passed away Monday at the age of 25. The news was confirmed by Scott Kintz who heads Six K's Training & Sales at Florida's Woodford Thoroughbreds where the pensioned stallion retired in 2021. A GSW/MGISP son of A.P. Indy, Congrats won the 2005 GII San Pasqual Handicap and earned placings in the GI Santa Anita Handicap and the GI Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap while also finishing fifth behind Roses In May (Devil His Due) in the 2005 G1 Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup. Through a career spanning four years, Congrats earned just shy of seven figures for owner Cloverleaf Farm and trainer Kathleen O'Connell. Retired to stud in 2007, he initially stood at Cloverleaf's Florida base before moving to Vinery Stud from 2008-12 and eventually winding up at WinStar in 2013 where he stood the bulk of his career before his pensioning to Woodford, formally the site of Cloverleaf Farm, in October 2021. Always a consistent source of winners, Congrats sired 1,552 runners of which 1,293 started and 932 found the winner's circle. His leading progeny include Grade I winners Turbulent Descent, Haveyougoneaway, Emma's Encore and Wickedly Perfect. Notably, as a broodmare sire, daughters of Congrats have produced the likes of Japan's Forever Young (Jpn) (Reel Steel {Jpn}) and Danon Decile (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}). The post Pensioned WinStar Stallion Congrats Dies At 25 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a renewal of the G1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup marred by an injury sustained by the veteran stayer Trueshan (Planteur), Ballydoyle finished on top with the one-two led home by the three-year-old Scandinavia (Justify). Advantaged by the weight-for-age allowance gained from stablemate Illinois (Galileo), the homebred who had burst onto the scene with an 8 1/2-length success in Newmarket's G3 Bahrain Trophy earlier this month edged out the year-older 7-4 favourite in the last half furlong for a 3/4-of-a-length verdict under Wayne Lordan. A new staying kid on the block becomes the first horse from the Classic generation to win the @Goodwood_Races Cup since Stradivarius Unfortunately, this race has been marred by the injury to Trueshan. @AlShaqabRacing | @Qatar_Racing pic.twitter.com/AQZp4SZL2c — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 29, 2025 The post Scandinavia Leads Ballydoyle One-Two In The Goodwood Cup, Trueshan Suffers Injury appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced juveniles from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes, sponsored by OBS Sales, highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, including links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Wednesday at Saratoga. Wednesday, July 30, 2025 Saratoga 6, $100k, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 4:06 p.m. Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Sharp Mindset (Street Sense), OBSAPR, 70,000, :10 2/5 C-Julie Davies, agent; B-Joe Sharp, agent for Jason Richey The post Summer Breezes Sponsored By OBS: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Former Tom Clover trainee and dual Listed winner Witness Stand (Expert Eye), now representing the training partnership of Jamie Insole and Richard Newland, was let go at 25-1 for Tuesday's G2 HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes at Goodwood and made a mockery of his extended odds with a stunning victory in a dramatic renewal of the seven-furlong contest. The well-supported dual winner Kinross (Kingman) was withdrawn at the start after receiving a kicked from eventual third Audience (Iffraaj). The outsider broke in second and was positioned third behind Quinault (Oasis Dream) and Audience after the initial exchanges as the leading trio stole a march and raced clear of the rest of the field. Easing to the fore soon after passing the quarter-mile pole, Witness Stand was not for catching thereafter and came under a Hollie Doyle drive to comfortably hold the late flourish of Golden Eagle victor Lake Forest (No Nay Never) by 2 3/4 lengths for a career high. Audience, who raced down the centre of the track in the straight, kept on well to finish 2 1/4 lengths back in third. A Lennox Stakes boilover Witness Stand (25/1) provides @UrloxheyStables with a first stakes winner as they land a dramatic edition of a Group 2 contest that very few horses got into.@HKJC_Racing | @WorldPool | @HollieDoyle1 pic.twitter.com/mwyZ75b3K2 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 29, 2025 The post Witness Stand Causes Upset in Dramatic Lennox at Goodwood appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Insulted at 8-1, Zavateri (Without Parole) stepped up again as he had at Newmarket to make light of a three-pound penalty in Tuesday's G2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood. Impressive in last month's G2 July Stakes, Mick and Janice Mariscotti's great-grandson of Zarkava was again forced to race wide without cover but once more produced that emphatic turn of acceleration for Charles Bishop to swamp the leaders a furlong out and hold Morris Dancer (Palace Pier) by a short head. Do Or Do Not (Space Blues) was in the frame for the third time in a Group race, 1 3/4 lengths away in third. Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton was impressed. “He had to win his race twice, he amazes me, what a dude he is,” she said. “He is so straightforward at home, through the race and is not a hard ride so touch wood long may it last. We had to go somewhere with a Group Two penalty and I thought if he was beaten here it would be because of that. I had it in my mind he would have a nice break until the Dewhurst, but it didn't beat him. He cut through the pack like a knife through butter and was going again at the end.” Thriller Despite conceding weight all round, digs deep to fend off the strong late challenge from Morris Dancer in a cracking finish to the @Coral Vintage Stakes.@johnsonhoughton | @bishopcharlie12 pic.twitter.com/QQJG07AGR4 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 29, 2025 The post ‘Like A Knife Through Butter’: Johnson Houghton In Awe Of Penalty-Defying Vintage Hero Zavateri appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association will hold an industry forum designed to help breeders take their business to the next level. The event, which is titled Thoroughbred 360, will be held alongside the Irish Equine Centre and is set to take place at the Newpark Hotel, County Kilkenny, on September 10 between 12pm and 4pm. Although this is a free event, anyone interested in attending is required to register via email to Hannah Marks. Her email address is hmarks@itba.ie. A press release issued by the ITBA read, “Join us for an inspiring and interactive day designed by breeders, for breeders. Thoroughbred360 puts you right at the centre of the conversation – connecting passionate professionals from across the sectors to share insights, spark new ideas, and explore every stage of the mare and foal journey.” It added, “This dynamic event promises valuable opportunities to connect with industry professionals and practical advice for anyone seeking to boost their success in the Irish thoroughbred sector.” The post ITBA To Host Industry Forum Designed To Help Breeders With Their Business appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Field Of Gold will stake his claim to being the best horse in the world when he tackles the Group One Sussex Stakes (1,600m) at Goodwood on Wednesday. The John and Thady Gosden-trained star is already the highest rated three-year-old in the world but could become the outright best horse on the planet when he takes on the likes of Henri Matisse, Rosallion and Docklands. The striking grey has won three of his four starts this campaign and is unlucky to not be unbeaten, suffering a narrow defeat in...View the full article

Bloodstock auctioneer and media personality Steve Davis has been honoured as the 2025 NZTBA Personality of the Year, in recognition of a lifetime of contribution to the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding industry. Sponsored by Entain, the award celebrates an individual whose impact extends far beyond a single year — someone who has helped shape the culture, success, and spirit of the industry over many decades. The award came as somewhat of a surprise to Davis, who along with co-host Emily Murphy, had slickly navigated the majority of Saturday night’s proceedings at the Property Brokers National Breeding Awards in Karapiro. He was therefore surprised when things went off-script and he found himself the centrepiece of one of the night’s feature awards. “I was set to interview Mike Moran (from Windsor Park Stud) and had questions ready about breeding So You Think and photobombing in every winner’s circle around the world,” Davis said. “I had no idea this was coming, but it’s great. I’ve been in this industry for a long time now and it’s just nice to be recognised. I really appreciate it.” The consummate professional, Davis said he loves the theatre of the auction ring. “The ultimate is when you’ve got the people buying the horses doing high fives and the person behind you (in the vendors box) crying because they got such a good price. “It can be life changing. I have dabbled in breeding so I know the costs and everything involved and the thrill of winning and the thrill of losing.” Davis’ wife Natalie and daughter Georgia were also in on the act and made a surprise appearance at the awards. “I thank my wife and my daughter and my family,” Davis said. “My two boys Mitchell and Matt —Mitchell is in the industry and Matt loves it as well — so it’s like a drug horses this industry, it gets in your system and you can’t get out of it.” Davis’ journey into the world of thoroughbreds began modestly. Raised in Hawke’s Bay, his first experience with racing involved tagging along to the local track with his father, who came prepared with a copy of the Friday Flash and a few hopeful bets. While his early career aspirations were linked to teaching, destiny had other plans. A summer job in the stock and station world — intended as a stopgap — became a permanent calling after a group of unimpressed school trustees nudged him in another direction. That twist of fate set Davis on a course that would take him to the forefront of the bloodstock industry. “I really wanted to be a teacher,” Davis said. “But they decided I should pursue another line of employment. So my holiday job as I intended it to be became my full-time career and I’ve enjoyed every minute.” Steve Davis with gavel in hand at Karaka Photo: Trish Dunell From his first auction in the mid-1980s, it was clear that Davis possessed something special. He had an innate ability to connect with people, energise a crowd, and inspire confidence from the rostrum. Whether it was livestock, cars, or thoroughbreds, he brought style, humour, and professionalism to every sale. In the bloodstock world, he quickly gained a reputation as someone who not only understood the commercial mechanics of a sale, but who appreciated the blood, sweat and tears behind each lot — treating every horse as the product of years of dedication by breeders and vendors. Over the decades, Davis has taken his talents to auction rings across New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Asia. He is widely regarded as one of the most skilled and effective auctioneers in the business, known for his sharp wit, clear command, and instinct for finding the final bid. His presence elevates the atmosphere of any sale, and his voice has become synonymous with some of the most memorable moments in Australasian auction history. “I worked under Kevin O’Connor early in my career who I still rate as the best general auctioneer I have worked with,” Davis said. “Legends like Peter Kelly and Joe Walls obviously and now I’m working with young guys like Clint Donovan who is an outstanding general auctioneer as well. “I still enjoy it, that’s the main thing. While I still enjoy it and people want me to sell, I’ll keep doing it. Beyond the sale ring, Davis also made his mark as a presenter on Trackside TV for more than 20 years, helping to bring the excitement of racing into homes around the country. Additionally, Davis has served on the NZTBA Waikato Branch Committee and is on the board of the New Zealand Racing Hall Of Fame. He regularly volunteers as MC and auctioneer for awards ceremonies, charity events, and industry functions — often donating his time and services at no cost. View the full article

Bloodstock auctioneer and media personality Steve Davis has been honoured as the 2025 NZTBA Personality of the Year, in recognition of a lifetime of contribution to the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding industry. Sponsored by Entain, the award celebrates an individual whose impact extends far beyond a single year — someone who has helped shape the culture, success, and spirit of the industry over many decades. The award came as somewhat of a surprise to Davis, who along with co-host Emily Murphy, had slickly navigated the majority of Saturday night’s proceedings at the Property Brokers National Breeding Awards in Karapiro. He was therefore surprised when things went off-script and he found himself the centrepiece of one of the night’s feature awards. “I was set to interview Mike Moran (from Windsor Park Stud) and had questions ready about breeding So You Think and photobombing in every winner’s circle around the world,” Davis said. “I had no idea this was coming, but it’s great. I’ve been in this industry for a long time now and it’s just nice to be recognised. I really appreciate it.” The consummate professional, Davis said he loves the theatre of the auction ring. “The ultimate is when you’ve got the people buying the horses doing high fives and the person behind you (in the vendors box) crying because they got such a good price. “It can be life changing. I have dabbled in breeding so I know the costs and everything involved and the thrill of winning and the thrill of losing.” Davis’ wife Natalie and daughter Georgia were also in on the act and made a surprise appearance at the awards. “I thank my wife and my daughter and my family,” Davis said. “My two boys Mitchell and Matt —Mitchell is in the industry and Matt loves it as well — so it’s like a drug horses this industry, it gets in your system and you can’t get out of it.” Davis’ journey into the world of thoroughbreds began modestly. Raised in Hawke’s Bay, his first experience with racing involved tagging along to the local track with his father, who came prepared with a copy of the Friday Flash and a few hopeful bets. While his early career aspirations were linked to teaching, destiny had other plans. A summer job in the stock and station world — intended as a stopgap — became a permanent calling after a group of unimpressed school trustees nudged him in another direction. That twist of fate set Davis on a course that would take him to the forefront of the bloodstock industry. “I really wanted to be a teacher,” Davis said. “But they decided I should pursue another line of employment. So my holiday job as I intended it to be became my full-time career and I’ve enjoyed every minute.” Steve Davis with gavel in hand at Karaka Photo: Trish Dunell From his first auction in the mid-1980s, it was clear that Davis possessed something special. He had an innate ability to connect with people, energise a crowd, and inspire confidence from the rostrum. Whether it was livestock, cars, or thoroughbreds, he brought style, humour, and professionalism to every sale. In the bloodstock world, he quickly gained a reputation as someone who not only understood the commercial mechanics of a sale, but who appreciated the blood, sweat and tears behind each lot — treating every horse as the product of years of dedication by breeders and vendors. Over the decades, Davis has taken his talents to auction rings across New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Asia. He is widely regarded as one of the most skilled and effective auctioneers in the business, known for his sharp wit, clear command, and instinct for finding the final bid. His presence elevates the atmosphere of any sale, and his voice has become synonymous with some of the most memorable moments in Australasian auction history. “I worked under Kevin O’Connor early in my career who I still rate as the best general auctioneer I have worked with,” Davis said. “Legends like Peter Kelly and Joe Walls obviously and now I’m working with young guys like Clint Donovan who is an outstanding general auctioneer as well. “I still enjoy it, that’s the main thing. While I still enjoy it and people want me to sell, I’ll keep doing it. Beyond the sale ring, Davis also made his mark as a presenter on Trackside TV for more than 20 years, helping to bring the excitement of racing into homes around the country. Additionally, Davis has served on the NZTBA Waikato Branch Committee and is on the board of the New Zealand Racing Hall Of Fame. He regularly volunteers as MC and auctioneer for awards ceremonies, charity events, and industry functions — often donating his time and services at no cost. View the full article

Bloodstock auctioneer and media personality Steve Davis has been honoured as the 2025 NZTBA Personality of the Year, in recognition of a lifetime of contribution to the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding industry. Sponsored by Entain, the award celebrates an individual whose impact extends far beyond a single year — someone who has helped shape the culture, success, and spirit of the industry over many decades. The award came as somewhat of a surprise to Davis, who along with co-host Emily Murphy, had slickly navigated the majority of Saturday night’s proceedings at the Property Brokers National Breeding Awards in Karapiro. He was therefore surprised when things went off-script and he found himself the centrepiece of one of the night’s feature awards. “I was set to interview Mike Moran (from Windsor Park Stud) and had questions ready about breeding So You Think and photobombing in every winner’s circle around the world,” Davis said. “I had no idea this was coming, but it’s great. I’ve been in this industry for a long time now and it’s just nice to be recognised. I really appreciate it.” The consummate professional, Davis said he loves the theatre of the auction ring. “The ultimate is when you’ve got the people buying the horses doing high fives and the person behind you (in the vendors box) crying because they got such a good price. “It can be life changing. I have dabbled in breeding so I know the costs and everything involved and the thrill of winning and the thrill of losing.” Davis’ wife Natalie and daughter Georgia were also in on the act and made a surprise appearance at the awards. “I thank my wife and my daughter and my family,” Davis said. “My two boys Mitchell and Matt —Mitchell is in the industry and Matt loves it as well — so it’s like a drug horses this industry, it gets in your system and you can’t get out of it.” Davis’ journey into the world of thoroughbreds began modestly. Raised in Hawke’s Bay, his first experience with racing involved tagging along to the local track with his father, who came prepared with a copy of the Friday Flash and a few hopeful bets. While his early career aspirations were linked to teaching, destiny had other plans. A summer job in the stock and station world — intended as a stopgap — became a permanent calling after a group of unimpressed school trustees nudged him in another direction. That twist of fate set Davis on a course that would take him to the forefront of the bloodstock industry. “I really wanted to be a teacher,” Davis said. “But they decided I should pursue another line of employment. So my holiday job as I intended it to be became my full-time career and I’ve enjoyed every minute.” Steve Davis with gavel in hand at Karaka Photo: Trish Dunell From his first auction in the mid-1980s, it was clear that Davis possessed something special. He had an innate ability to connect with people, energise a crowd, and inspire confidence from the rostrum. Whether it was livestock, cars, or thoroughbreds, he brought style, humour, and professionalism to every sale. In the bloodstock world, he quickly gained a reputation as someone who not only understood the commercial mechanics of a sale, but who appreciated the blood, sweat and tears behind each lot — treating every horse as the product of years of dedication by breeders and vendors. Over the decades, Davis has taken his talents to auction rings across New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Asia. He is widely regarded as one of the most skilled and effective auctioneers in the business, known for his sharp wit, clear command, and instinct for finding the final bid. His presence elevates the atmosphere of any sale, and his voice has become synonymous with some of the most memorable moments in Australasian auction history. “I worked under Kevin O’Connor early in my career who I still rate as the best general auctioneer I have worked with,” Davis said. “Legends like Peter Kelly and Joe Walls obviously and now I’m working with young guys like Clint Donovan who is an outstanding general auctioneer as well. “I still enjoy it, that’s the main thing. While I still enjoy it and people want me to sell, I’ll keep doing it. Beyond the sale ring, Davis also made his mark as a presenter on Trackside TV for more than 20 years, helping to bring the excitement of racing into homes around the country. Additionally, Davis has served on the NZTBA Waikato Branch Committee and is on the board of the New Zealand Racing Hall Of Fame. He regularly volunteers as MC and auctioneer for awards ceremonies, charity events, and industry functions — often donating his time and services at no cost. View the full article

Mark Oulaghan has called on one of Australia’s leading jumps jockeys to partner West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu), as the outstanding jumper heads south in pursuit of a historic fourth-consecutive Grand National crown. West Coast has been partnered in each of his 11 steeplechase victories by Shaun Fannin, who will race against the son of Mettre En Jeu in Saturday’s Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge Koral Steeplechase (4250m) aboard his own horse in Jesko (NZ) (Atlante). With Fannin unavailable, Oulaghan has secured the services of Willie McCarthy, an Irish hoop based in Victoria. McCarthy is no stranger to high-pressure races, and winning them, having guided the likes of Stern Idol, Duke Of Bedford and Wil John to feature victories across the Tasman. McCarthy also has a wealth of experience riding in America, England and Ireland, and Oulaghan is rapt to have him on board the rising 10-year-old. “We had a look around here and thought we may go for an Australian rider, and Willie was one that we approached, and he was keen to come over,” Oulaghan said. “We grabbed him while he was keen. “He’s obviously a good rider, he’s ridden all over the world and done well in Ireland and America, so he’s pretty experienced. “He’s coming in on Friday night and will have a bit of a walk around the course on Saturday morning, so the first time he gets on the horse, it’ll be all action.” West Coast has been lightly raced so far this campaign, having just one steeplechase start prior to the National carnival, but he made a big impression when going down by a neck to in the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m) at Woodville. The gelding was giving away seven kilograms to the winner in Smug, and Oulaghan welcomed his return to form ahead of the Koral and the Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge 150th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) seven days later. “We were pretty happy with his run there, it was a bit of a turnaround in form after he’d been a bit disappointing in both of his runs at Wellington,” Oulaghan said. “I think the better ground at Woodville suited him, and I think the going at Riccarton is more up his alley as well. “He galloped on the course proper here (at Awapuni) this morning with Berry The Cash, they went about 2000m, a round and a half. He went pretty well, so condition-wise, we’re reasonably pleased. “I’d like to see a nice run on Saturday, and on his Woodville form, he’s not far off the mark. If he gets beaten on Saturday, we won’t panic too much, I think there’s still some improvement to come going into the National as he hasn’t had a very busy season.” Joining West Coast on the journey south will be Berry The Cash (NZ) (Jakkalberry), who is attempting a third-straight Hospitality NZ Grand National Hurdles (4200m) victory. The formidable hurdler was warming up late when third in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles (3000m), and Oulaghan is hoping to see the same in Saturday’s Avon City Ford Sydenham Hurdles (3100m) against similar opposition. “It was a good run (in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles), I thought there may have been a bit more pace in that race then what there was and from where he was, he had to do a bit of work late,” Oulaghan said. “It was encouraging. “I had a look through the noms and it’s a reasonable sort of field, so as long as he’s strong at the finish at that distance, we’ll be happy. I think once he gets out over an extra 1000 or 1200m of the National, it seems to suit him better.” View the full article

Te Akau Racing’s Matamata stable has been a dominant force in New Zealand racing, but over the last couple of years, Te Akau principal David Ellis has cast his eye further afield. New Zealand’s leading stable has subsequently established a permanent presence at Cranbourne in Australia and Riccarton Park in Christchurch, where they have recorded immediate success. Christchurch has long been a strategic stronghold for Te Akau, but 18 months ago Ellis elected to have a permanent base in the Garden City, and lured former stable employee Hunter Durrant back from Australia to head their Riccarton Park barn. In their first full season in Christchurch, Te Akau’s South Island base recorded 45 wins from permanent stable residents, giving them their first South Island Trainer’s Premiership. Durrant was rapt to secure the title for his employers and said it was a rewarding result for his hardworking team. “It is a great pleasure,” he said. “We have got a great team of staff down here, they work really hard all year round. We don’t quieten down a lot over winter with the poly, so there are some long, cold days and they keep going for us.” Durrant has overseen the Riccarton barn from its inception nearly 18 months ago and he has been delighted with its progress over that time. “It is approaching 18 months of a full-time stable down here for us,” he said. “It has taken a while to get systems and everything into place to be able to create a good environment down here for the horses, and we have got a pretty good system now. “They come in and they settle in really well, and I think that is a key to it when they come down here.” While their wins didn’t contribute to Te Akau’s South Island tally, Durrant said his biggest highlights this season came over New Zealand Cup week. “Captured By Love winning the Group One (New Zealand 1000 Guineas, 1600m) was up there, also Mehzebeen winning both the Metropolitan (Listed, 2600m) and New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) was pretty special.” Durrant also experienced a professional highlight this season when promoted to assistant trainer to Te Akau Racing’s Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson. “That was a great surprise when David (Ellis) spoke to me about taking onboard that role,” Durrant said. “I have to thank him a lot, he has supported me for years now and I am forever grateful to him, Karyn (Fenton-Ellis), Mark (Walker), and Sam (Bergerson).” Their southern haul was also instrumental in Te Akau securing the National Trainers’ Premiership, with an overall tally of 131 wins, 27 ahead of Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh with just one meeting to go at Cambridge on Wednesday. “We try our best all year round,” Durrant said. “Even the last couple of months we have really surged ahead with the poly racing, which always helps. We have got quite a strong poly team down here over the winter to keep us going.” Durrant is enjoying life in Christchurch, and he is excited about the new term, with spring racing just around the corner. “It is a great place to live and train, and I am looking forward to the seasons to come,” he said. “We had a grass gallop session this (Tuesday) morning and we are starting to get on better tracks. You can definitely see the end of winter and it is exciting.” View the full article

The racing season is about to end and the team reflects on it’s highlights as well and making some predictions about the next. We review the best races of the weekend and the newly crowned Jumps Premiership winning jockey Joshua Parker joins the show to talk about his success. Winter Weigh In, July 28 View the full article

English hoop Joshua Parker clinched his first New Zealand Jumps Jockeys’ Premiership title at Te Aroha on Sunday, fittingly aboard a horse that has given him nearly half of his season’s victories. The 25-year-old is in his second season riding on Kiwi soil, having ridden point-to-point races in England before seeking out further opportunities in New Zealand last May. Initially based with master trainer Kevin Myers, Parker enjoyed immediate success, riding five winners at the tail end of the 2023/24 season, and a further four before jumping wrapped up in late September. Among that latter quartet was a maiden hurdle victory aboard Billy Boy, who Parker would retain the ride on this season, picking up the Manawatu Hurdle (2500m) and Wellington Hurdle (3200m) before the premiership decider at Te Aroha, when Parker, Shaun Fannin and Kylan Wiles were locked on nine wins apiece. Fannin, who has ridden in just 12 jumping races this season, was not riding at the meeting, and Wiles collected a couple of placings, meaning Parker’s win aboard Billy Boy in the maiden steeplechase was enough to get him across the line. Parker was rapt to take out the overall title and shared his gratitude to a number of supportive trainers. “It’s some achievement, and something I have wanted to do since coming over to New Zealand last year,” Parker told Trackside’s Winter Weigh In. “Luckily, in my second season, I’ve been able to do it. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the backing of the owners and trainers, it’s been great. “I was based down with Kevin (Myers) when I first came over, he has been a massive part of my career here in New Zealand, as have his sons. They have taught me bit by bit about how different New Zealand racing is, and how to ride races over here, particularly in the jumps. “I’ve been lucky to build connections with Jo Rathbone, who has given me the legend of Billy Boy. Also Jess and Pete Brosnan, they’ve been great to me and gave me a nice win on Squire, who is a really nice horse. “Also Harvey and Ann Wilson with Jerricoop, and Barry Beatson, they’ve constantly given me opportunities on nice horses and it makes my life a lot easier.” Rathbone confirmed Billy Boy will bypass this year’s Grand National Festival of Racing, which commences at Riccarton this Saturday, but Parker has picked up a nice ride in the Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase (5500m) with Captains Run. “I’ve got Captains Run down there, I think he should run quite a nice race,” Parker said. “He’s a big horse with a brilliant jump on him. “He’s quite a relaxed type of horse, I see that he’s not too keen which is great for me, I like the more relaxed horses. I schooled him at Cambridge a few weeks ago and he did it superbly, so hopefully he can do that on the big day. “I’m really looking forward to heading down there, I’m not entirely sure who else I’ll be riding, but I’ll have him.” Parker plans to stay on in the southern hemisphere beyond the end of the current jumping season, considering opportunities in Australia before returning for the new term in New Zealand. “I’m planning on staying over here, I’d like to go over to Australia and have an idea of going over and riding in some of the highweights,” he said. “I’d love to get into the Jericho as well, that would be great.” “Dean Parker has told me a lot about his trips over to Australia and they sound very positive, but I’ll definitely be back here for the jumps racing next year, I think it’s brilliant. “We’ll take each step as it comes really.” View the full article

A patient approach with Force Of Nature (NZ) (Savabeel) is being rewarded in spades, with the son of Savabeel winning his way toward black-type assignments. Bred and raced by Milan Park’s Tony Rider, he posted his fifth victory from nine appearances when successful in Saturday’s open 1600m handicap at Te Rapa from Andrew Forsman’s stable. “He’s certainly going the right way, Andrew has always thought a bit of him, and I think we’ll see him running in a Group race soon,” Rider said. Early issues resulted in Force Of Nature remaining in Rider’s ownership. “He didn’t go to the yearling sale because he hurt himself, so we got him ready for the Ready to Run Sale, but he had a little chip in his fetlock and that’s the reason he didn’t sell,” he said. “We brought him home and took the chip out and nursed him through. “He hardly raced as a three-year-old and Andrew said we just need to look after him and give him more time and he’ll be a good horse as a four-year-old.” Rider welcomed further good news on Monday morning with Force Of Nature’s dam Elusive Nature delivering a half-sister. “She foaled a month early and had a Super Seth filly, so that gives me options whether to keep her or The Chosen One filly, who’s a rising yearling,” he said. Rider also bred and raced Force Of Nature’s sister Shezzacatch (NZ) (Savabeel), who won the Listed El Roca Trophy (1200m). “She’s in foal to Alabama Express and will be going to Anamoe,” he said. By O’Reilly, Elusive Nature is a daughter of the Elusive City mare Elusive Dreams, whose mother is the Group Two winner Dopff. Elusive Dreams is dam of the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) placegetter Savvy Dreams whose Super Seth colt Savour The Dream has been a three-time winner for Gold Coast trainer Bevan Laming. Meanwhile, Rider’s dual Group One-winning mare Provence (NZ) (Savabeel) has made a belated return to Stephen Marsh’s stable. “She was up to three-quarter pace when she got a virus and had to have a month off at home,” he said. Raced with the Social Racing Winners Circle Syndicate, the Savabeel five-year-old claimed the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) within three starts last preparation. She is out of Rider’s Flying Spur mare Sombreuil, also the dam of Te Akau’s The NZB Kiwi (1500m) and Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) winner Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel). View the full article

BH Interview: Winchester Farm's Marie YoshidaView the full article

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. gives his thoughts on how White Abarrio is entering the $1 million Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 2 after his defeat in the June 7 Metropolitan Handicap (G1).View the full article

Woodbine Entertainment released the official wagering menu for the 166th running of the $1-million King's Plate, taking place Saturday, Aug. 16 at Woodbine Racetrack. A total of $1 million in guaranteed Pick 5 pools will anchor the day, the debut of The Kings & Queens Pick 3, a special Pick-3 sequence linking the day's three marquee races. $200,000 bet365 GII King Edward Stakes $750,000 GI E.P. Taylor Stakes – A Breeders' Cup Challenge Series “Win and You're In” race $1,000,000 King's Plate The special Pick-3 will carry a $5 minimum and 15% takeout. Below is the full list of featured wagers for King's Plate Day: $200,000 Guaranteed Early Pick 5 $400,000 Guaranteed Middle Pick 5 Power Pick 6 – Mandatory Payout Kings & Queens Pick 3 $400,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 5 Jackpot Hi-5 – Mandatory Payout For more information, visit www.woodbine.com. The post Wagering Menu for 166th King’s Plate Feature New ‘King and Queens Pick 3’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On the July 28 episode of BloodHorse Monday, Gabby Gaudet discusses her new role as Keeneland's director of communications and jockey Perry Ouzts talks about breaking the all-time start record by a jockey in North America.View the full article

A judge has dismissed federal claims in a lawsuit filed last year by a former Hawthorne Race Course association veterinarian who alleged that her efforts to scratch over 80 lame or injured Thoroughbreds during 2022-23 were met with a purported conspiracy among track employees, other veterinarians, and state regulators to overturn her actions so unsound horses could be entered to fill short-field races. Dr. Christine Tuma had also claimed in United States District Court (Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division) that when she reported this alleged conspiracy to state and federal regulators, she was fired “in retaliation for blowing the whistle on the illegal activities.” Tuma's Sept. 12, 2024, civil complaint centered on the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) to try and collect damages. RICO is a sweeping 1970 federal statute initially designed to combat the Mafia. But RICO has long since lost its “organized crime” stigma, evolving over the decades into a civil litigation component more often asserted by purported victims of white-collar crime. Hawthorne management had denied the allegations when the complaint first got filed, and last November asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit based on the contention that Tuma's case did not meet the standards for RICO claims and because her allegations fell “well short of alleging conduct of an enterprise or a pattern of racketing.” In a July 25, 2025, opinion and order, United States District Judge Jeffrey Cummings agreed with Hawthorne and other defendants, dismissing Tuma's federal claims and relinquishing jurisdiction over her remaining state law claims related to the Illinois Whistleblower Act, common law retaliatory discharge, and civil conspiracy. The judge dismissed Tuma's federal claims “without prejudice,” explaining in the order that Tuma can refile an amended complaint with the federal court by Aug. 15 “to the extent she can do so consistent with this Memorandum Opinion and Order.” An attorney for Tuma, Haskell Garfinkel, responded to TDN's request for comment with an email that noted that although the judge dismissed some of the claims against Hawthorne and the other defendants on “procedural grounds,” the court made “no finding on the underlying merits of the case or the allegations made by Dr. Tuma.” Emails sent Monday morning by TDN to two attorneys representing Hawthorne did not yield replies prior to the late-afternoon deadline for this story. In addition to Hawthorne as a business entity, the Illinois Racing Board (IRB) was named as a defendant in the lawsuit, as were track employees Jim Miller (director of racing), John Walsh (assistant general manager) and Dave White (racing secretary). Other defendants were Dawn Folker-Calderon, the IRB's chief state vet; two state stewards, Thomas Kelley and John Eddy, plus Beth Beuchler, a vet employed by Hawthorne. Tuma's lawsuit stated that because of the alleged conspiracy, she “suffered loss of income, benefits, career opportunities, humiliation, and emotional distress.” She sought judgment against the defendants “for actual damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages [and] treble damages.” The lawsuit stated that, “It was during the fall meeting in 2022 that Dr. Tuma uncovered the full extent of the illegal running of sick and lame horses. On or around the same time, Dr. Tuma uncovered and began investigating alterations of the medical records of these horses.” Tuma's complaint stated that, “The entry of these horses into regulated Illinois races was not only a means for the RICO Defendants to induce wagers on horses that were not legally qualified to run, but in numerous instances, the certification of an additional horse in a race allowed the Enterprise to run races that did not meet the legally mandated minimum number of entries required to run a wagered race under Illinois law.” Over the course of 48 pages, Tuma's complaint detailed how her assessments of horses as “scratch lame” had allegedly been tampered with by Calderon and Beuchler and changed to “racing sound,” the indication that the horse was fit to run, or to the less-severe “scratch sick” designation that is supposed to indicate temporary illness. When Tuma expressed her concerns about the scratch process to Calderon, she was allegedly told, “This is how it's always done.” Tuma's lawsuit stated that owners and trainers began to complain about her high number of scratch assessments, including one horseman who allegedly “caused a horse to lurch menacingly at her, threatening grave bodily harm.” Another time, the suit contended, a groom “physically battered her.” The suit stated that when Tuma reported these alleged incidents of abuse to track officials and the stewards, “only a nominal fine was levied against the perpetrators.” When Tuma began making a series of complaints to the stewards about the “misclassification of horses as sick from lame,” she was informed by Calderon “that she had been stripped of her authority to scratch horses,” and that a new protocol requiring Beuchler to check her assessments would be in place, the suit stated. On March 20, 2023, Tuma's suit stated that she “delivered a comprehensive whistleblower letter” to the IRB and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA). The suit continued: “On or around the date Dr. Tuma submitted her comprehensive complaint to the IRB, Miller, who had theretofore never called Dr. Tuma directly on her cell phone, called her a minimum of six times to intimidate her about her lame scratches and to ensure that the maximum number of horses were run.” Some 3 ½ months later, the suit stated, just 48 hours before HISA personnel were scheduled to visit Hawthorne for an inspection, “Dr. Tuma met with Walsh via Zoom on July 11, 2023, and was informed that she had been terminated based on the pretext that her termination was a cost-cutting measure.” But the judge's order last Friday stated that, “Tuma's alleged severe emotional distress and harm to her professional reputation is not an injury to business or property for the purposes of a civil RICO claim.” Cummings wrote that “even presuming that Tuma's loss of her job was an injury to her business or property for civil RICO purposes, she has failed to allege that this injury was directly caused by the alleged racketeering activity.” The judge continued, focusing on the RICO claims: “Three out of the four alleged predicate acts have nothing to do with Tuma's termination,” the order stated. “Plaintiff appears to implicitly agree as her Complaint states that the RICO defendants committed wire fraud 'when they agreed to and engaged in a scheme to defraud bettors and regulators' and to 'induce bettors to wager on [the race-ineligible] horses, thereby depriving the bettors of their money and increasing the funds obtained by the Enterprise…' “The wire fraud as alleged was therefore aimed at defrauding bettors and regulators, not Tuma,” the judge wrote. “The same goes for the predicate acts of operating an illegal gambling business in violation of federal law and illegal gambling in violation of state law, both of which are premised on the same actions as those described in relation to the wire fraud allegations,” the order stated. “Tuma fails to establish that these predicate acts directly caused her firing. The Court's conclusion is not a close call. The Supreme Court has repeatedly emphasized the importance of a direct relation between the injury asserted and the conduct alleged,” the judge wrote. “Furthermore, the Court cannot ascertain any group's ascertainable damages here. The Complaint is devoid of information relating to whether (1) people actually placed wagers on the supposedly ineligible horses; (2) the ineligible horses' performance; or (3) the amount of money wagered and lost. “As it stands, Tuma merely alleges in a conclusory fashion that the defendants' conduct of promoting sick horses to race 'goes well beyond mere disagreements with [her] professional opinions,' and without any support, this does not create an injury,” the order stated. “Tuma provides two examples of horses she assessed as lame, but that nonetheless raced,” the judge explained. “The horses (Imagine Gold and Dastardly Deeds) finished second and third in their respective races despite Tuma's 'lame' assessment. “Tuma likens the horses' positive performance to professional athletes 'playing through the pain,' such as Peyton Manning's performance during the Denver Bronco's 2016 Super Bowl win despite neck issues that ultimately required surgery, and Tiger Woods' 2008 U.S. Open win despite a torn ACL and leg stress fractures,” the order stated. “However, these examples undercut Tuma's Complaint: anyone who bet on the Broncos in the 2016 Super Bowl or on Tiger Woods in the 2008 U.S. Open would have won money and not lost money,” the order stated. “Moreover, if the Court takes as true-as Tuma alleges-that lame horses such as Imagine Gold and Dastardly Deeds may nonetheless perform well enough to place or show, then it must logically conclude that purportedly 'defrauded' bettors may win money despite placing wagers on ineligible horses,” the order stated. The judge next addressed Tuma's fourth predicate act, which was premised on alleged actions deemed unlawful by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which makes it a federal offense to knowingly retaliate against anyone for providing truthful information to a law enforcement officer related to the commission or possible commission of any federal offense. “Again, here, Tuma alleges that she complained of defendants' RICO activity to Dr. Mary Scollay, Chief of Science at the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) on Dec. 4, 2022, who then referred the matter to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA),” the order stated. “Tuma also delivered a 'comprehensive whistleblower letter' letter to both HISA and the IRB on March 20, 2023, describing: (a) unauthorized modifications to horses' medical records; (b) inappropriate/fraudulent transactions between trainers and veterinarians; and (c) failure to comply with operating protocol and procedure; and 'was explicit' that 'an investigation must ensue,'” the order stated. “Tuma argues that HISA qualifies as a law enforcement agency because it is authorized to ensure compliance with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act. Defendants disagree and argue that HISA merely assists the Federal Trade Commission in its enforcement of [the Act],” the order stated. “The Court agrees that Tuma's letter to HISA and her complaint to Dr. Scollay at HIWU do not constitute communications 'to a law enforcement officer' for the purposes of establishing a RICO predicate act,” the judge wrote. “In sum: Tuma's damage-her employment termination (and 'severe emotional distress resulting in physical injuries and harm to her professional reputation,')-does not directly flow from the alleged predicate acts of wire fraud, illegal gambling, and operating an illegal gambling business. She fails to allege that her injury was directly related to the predicate acts,” the judge's order stated. The post Judge Dismisses Fired Hawthorne Vet’s Whistleblower Claims that Alleged Conspiracy to race Unsound Horses appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kana Tape (Jpn), a 6-year-old mare by perennial leading sire Lord Kanaloa (Jpn), gave North American owner/breeder Charles Fipke–one of just a handful of foreign owners to be granted a full-time license in Japan–his first feature-race winner in the country when coming from far back in the final quarter mile to take out the 1600-meter G3 Sekiya Kinen at Niigata Racecourse on Sunday, July 27. Ridden by the visiting Rachel King to a Tokyo allowance success Feb. 9, the mare–trained by Noriyuki Hori–returned from a 133-day absence to finish runner-up in the 1800-meter G3 Fuchu Himba Stakes back at headquarters on June 22. A tepid post-time favorite at 17-5 with King back in the saddle from gate 14, Kana Tape was void of early speed and raced fourth from last as American import Shin Forever (Complexity) was loose on the lead. Asked to sprint on the grandstand side with just less than two furlongs to travel, the bay mare entered the final eighth of a mile in full flight and was along in the final couple of strides to score by a neck, covering her final 600 meters in a race-best :32.5 while stopping the clock in a course-record 1:31 flat. Godolphin's Off Trail (GB) (Farhh {GB}) and second choice Bond Girl (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), a daughter of Coasted (Tizway) and half-sister to GSW & MG1SP Danon Beluga (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), dead-heated for second. Kana Tape is a daughter of 2004 GI QE II Challenge Cup and GI American Oaks victress Ticker Tape (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}), who was purchased by Northern Farm's Katsumi Yoshida in foal to Giant's Causeway for $950,000 at the 2011 Keeneland November Sale and was exported to Japan. Fipke, who has shopped the JRHA Select Sale off and on since 2016, acquired Kana Tape for ¥84 million (about US$772,800) at the 2019 Foal Sale and she gave her owner his first winner of any variety in Japan when breaking her maiden at first asking going 1800 meters at Tokyo in January 2022. Sunday's victory took Kana Tape's record to 5-4-3 from 17 starts for earnings of $975,617. WATCH: Charles Fipke's Kana Tape (#14) flashes home in the G3 Sekiya Kinen The post Prominent Owner/Breeder Fipke Breaks New Ground In Japan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced that Lord Allen of Kensington will start work in his post as chair of racing's regulators from September 1. The Labour peer was due to take up the role on June 2, but his tenure was delayed as the BHA said he wished to “continue meeting stakeholders to better inform his vision for the sport”. The BHA board currently has an independent chair, four independent directors and four member-nominated directors – two from the racecourses and two nominated by the sport's participants – but Lord Allen wants to change that arrangement. Following a meeting in London on Monday, where the BHA board met to discuss Lord Allen's response to the submissions of stakeholders regarding proposed governance changes, it was agreed that work should now start towards the establishment of a single independent board of directors, which will oversee a single BHA executive led by a CEO. Lord Allen said, “I am delighted we have agreed to a process towards a new independent BHA board and I look forward to formally starting in September. “Horse racing has a strong future. There is work to do, but I am in no doubt as to the passion and commitment of the many thousands of people who make up our industry.” David Jones, chair of the BHA's Nominations Committee and interim BHA chair, added, “The BHA Board has made clear its commitment to pressing ahead with the establishment of an independent Board of Directors. “We look forward to working with Lord Allen to support the industry as it takes this important step forward towards a strong future.” The post Lord Allen Confirmed to Start as BHA Chair from September appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After a couple of lost training days last week because of escalating safety concerns with the dirt surface, racing resumed Monday at Thistledown, but another tragedy was not far behind. In the first race of the day, the 5-year-old mare Tayyara (Khozan) broke down and had to be euthanized. Thistledown canceled the remainder of the eight-race card. According to a Horseracing Safety and Integrity Authority (HISA) spokesperson, HISA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Lazarus asked Thistledown to cancel after the first race and they agreed to do so. She also asked them to conduct an investigation and be prepared to discuss the results with her so that they can agree on next steps.” The track was shut down for training as track officials looked to correct whatever problems there may have been. They resumed training on Saturday and Monday's card was the first day back for racing. Tayyara stalked the pace early, took the lead entering the turn and then broke down in upper stretch. The Equibase chart also noted that Timely Secret (Commissioner) bumped into the distressed rival, Tayyara, and had to be vanned off the track. It has been a tumultuous week for the Cleveland area track. On July 21, Thistledown fired its track superintendent, Sean Wright, and brought in outside racing surface consultants and began working with HISA. Images began to circulate on social media showing fist-sized rocks that were allegedly picked up from the track by jockeys and horsemen on Monday and Tuesday. Wright told the TDN's TD Thornton that he was fired for being a whistleblower because he took his concerns to HISA and the track stewards. Wright also told Thornton that there have been eight catastrophic injuries at Thistledown since the meet began Apr. 21–five in races and three during training. But at least one Thistledown executive was quick to defend the racing surface. “We did not have problems with the track today by any stretch of the imagination,” said Racing Secretary Patrick Mackey. “We did have a horse that was pulled up in the first race. We're looking at that right now and investigating what happened. From what I was told, the jockeys were raving about the racing surface. We're still looking into everything but every report we've had on the track was positive.” Mackey said meetings were on-going to decide whether the track will hold its regularly scheduled Tuesday card. “The jockeys have told me that from their perspective, the track has never been better,” said a Thistledown jockey agent who asked that his name not be used. “With the work they've done on it the last few days the track was in great shape. I know that a horse breaking down in the first race is a bad look, but it's not the track.” Ohio Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association Executive Director Dave Basler was still another who defended the racing surface Monday. “Obviously, we're concerned,” he said. “We resumed training Saturday morning after not training from Wednesday through Friday last week in order to get the track back in shape. I received nothing but positive reports from everyone about training on Saturday and Sunday. We did not have any concerns going into today. Unfortunately, there was an incident. No decision has been made on where we go from here. Management, the horsemen and the riders were all confident going into the day that the racetrack was safe.” The post Thistledown Resumes Racing and Horse Breaks Down in First Race Back appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday's Observations features an expensive newcomer for Amo Racing. 15.20 Beverley, £7,500, Nov, 2yo, 7f 96yT Amo Racing's hitherto unraced ANCIENT EGYPT (IRE) (Frankel {GB}), a Charlie Johnston-conditioned 1,100,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 graduate, is out of a full-sister to multiple Group 1-winning distaffer Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and faces four rivals in this debut. They include the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Moon Warp (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), who is out of a half-sister to Archipenko's Hong Kong Group 1 winners Time Warp (GB) and Glorious Forever (GB). The post Book 1 Millionaire Set for Beverley Unveiling appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Is there a better week of racing? Doubtful. The Goodwood Festival kicks off on Tuesday and here are five things to look out for ahead of what promises to be another unmissable meeting that is jam-packed full of potential talking points. No Cakewalk For Dorset Street It shouldn't take long for the temperature to rise as the Group 2 Coral Vintage Stakes looks a corker on Tuesday. The Aidan O'Brien-trained Dorset (Wootton Bassett) looked the business in earning a TDN Rising Star when getting off the mark second time up at Curragh and he will be bidding to provide Ballydoyle with a first success in this race since Battleground back in 2020. It is far from a foregone conclusion, however, with the chief danger appearing to come from the Andrew Balding-trained Humidity (Ulysses), who is bidding to maintain his unbeaten record. Horses like Haatem, Pinatubo, Expert Eye and Highland Reel have won this in recent times and this year's race looks to be an up-to-scratch edition. Notebooks at the ready. Breakthrough Group 1 Imminent For Illinois Scandinavia (Justify) couldn't have been more impressive in landing the G3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket last time which makes it significant that Ryan Moore has opted to ride the fellow Aidan O'Brien-trained Illinois (Galileo) in his bid for a breakthrough Group 1 success in the Goodwood Cup. To be fair to Illinois, he brings the form and the rating [116] to the table and was always going to be a hard horse for Moore not to ride. He's likely to go off at short odds and sets the standard in what doesn't appear to be a vintage Goodwood Cup. Lady Iman The Banker Of The Week It seems around this time every year when people begin to extoll the merits of a first-season sire or begin to write off those who are not scaling the heights. Such observations are of course spoken with a heavy dollop of recency bias but nobody can deny that what Starman has achieved in his debut season is completely off the charts. The Ger Lyons-trained Lady Iman, who fittingly carries the colours of Tally-Ho Stud boss Tony O'Callaghan, has played no small part in hardening Starman's reputation as a pretty serious stallion and she should be very hard to beat in the Molecomb Stakes on Wednesday. Had you paused the G2 Airlie Stud Stakes at the furlong pole, a race in which Lady Iman lost her unbeaten record at the hands of Beautify, few would have called her a loser such was the ease in which she was travelling. Dropping back to five furlongs and the speed test that the Molecomb represents is sure to play to her strengths. Oh, and a certain Ryan Moore is not a bad substitute for the suspended Colin Keane, either. Banker material. Pure Gold You don't need to part with any cash to get the full enjoyment out of the feature of the week, the Qatar Sussex Stakes, where the imperious Field Of Gold (Kingman) will be sent to post at long odds-on and is fully expected to deliver on Wednesday. John and Thady Gosden's colt built on his Irish 2,000 Guineas success to produce a performance that will live long in the memory when running out a cosy winner of the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Rosallion (Blue Point) is a credible challenger in his own right. Lest we forget he landed the same Irish Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes double last season but he hasn't been at the same level in both of his starts at four. The younger legs should hold sway here. Sit back and enjoy. Can The Cercene Fairytale Continue? Trainer Joe Murphy told TDN Europe that Cercene (Australia) fulfilled a lifelong ambition of winning a Group 1 when she out-battled her Coronation Stakes rivals at Royal Ascot and few would bet against the pocket-sized warrior producing another upset in the G1 Qatar Nassau Stakes on Friday. What Cercene lacks for in size she makes up for in attitude, which was evidenced when she provided us with one of the feel-good stories of the season with that success at the Royal meeting. Okay, Pretty Polly winner Whirl and Andrew Balding's See The Fire set a pretty lofty standard but Cercene can be expected to be bang on the premises for Murphy and his regular rider Gary Carroll. She adds spice to what promises to be a fascinating contest. The post Five Things To Look Out For At Glorious Goodwood appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article