Wandering Eyes

Backed late from $16 to $6.2, Tony Cruz’s tough four-year-old rebounded from a last-start 11th to Cap Ferrat with a thrilling win on Sunday.View the full article

Champion jockey sets a new Hong Kong record for all-weather wins after striking top form on Sunday.View the full article

Goliath arrives in Hong Kong for the FWD QEII Cup. (Photo: HKJC) John Stewart is hoping Goliath can kickstart an ambitious international campaign with victory in the HK$28 million Group 1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. The mastermind behind the burgeoning racing empire Resolute Racing moved to purchase the French-trained star after his +2500 success in the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2400m) at Ascot last July. Stewart made the acquisition with the intention to showcase Goliath’s talents on the global stage and swiftly made inroads on those ambitions with victory in the Group 2 Prix du Conseil de Paris (2200m) in October and sixth in the Group 1 Japan Cup (2400m) the following month. The horse who shares his name with a Philistine giant is now hoping to live up to his billing as the poster boy of Hong Kong’s premier contest, with the recent G1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) winner Dubai Honour a non-runner and three-time reigning champion Romantic Warrior now in Dubai. “He’s already at Sha Tin and seems in great shape,” Stewart said. “At this stage in his career he’s the ideal horse to travel the world and we’ve had this race in mind for him for a long time. “As I’m building my stable, competing internationally is at the top of my agenda. The Hong Kong fans are so passionate and it’s good for them to get the chance to see him. I tell my trainers I’m not interested in prize money – I just want to run in the best races.” While the opposition to Goliath has been hit, he will still face five Group 1 winners from across the globe, but Stewart and trainer Francis-Henri Graffard can take confidence from his regular rider Christophe Soumillon’s ample experience of Sha Tin. Stewart said: “It’s a shame some of the bigger names won’t be turning up, but it will still be a competitive race as you always have to take the Japanese horses seriously and the local horses deserve respect. “Christophe is a world-class rider and he and Francis will sit down and talk about how they want the race to go during the week. We think he could have been ridden more positively in the Japan Cup.” Stewart is drafting another adventurous year for the five-year-old, with a trip to Royal Ascot and avenging last year’s Japan Cup defeat high on the agenda. “I’d love to go for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1, 2000m) and then on to the King George,” he said. “I’d also like to run him in the States at Saratoga and in Australia, as well as going back to Japan.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Sandown Lakeside Races Where Sandown Racecourse – 591-659 Princes Hwy, Springvale VIC 3171 When Monday, April 21, 2025 First Race 1pm AEST Visit Dabble The Lakeside track at Sandown is in action on Monday afternoon, with a competitive eight-race metropolitan meeting set down for decision. Clear but autumnal weather is forecast, meaning the track should remain a Good 4 throughout the day, while the rail will be out 6m for the entire circuit. The first event is set to jump at 1pm AEST, and below are our free Sandown betting tips for Easter Monday. Best Bet at Sandown: Supernima Supermina has been in some solid form this time in and can add a second win to his name this campaign. The three-year-old gelding was only overhauled late by a couple of handy types at Caulfield on April 5, and before that ran into the class Proved at Pakenham. He is a natural front-runner and Luke Cartwright on board claiming 3kg means the pair will seemingly be wanting to dictate terms throughout. With just 57kg on his back and on the back of a well-rated ride, Supernima should prove too hard to run down. Best Bet Race 3 – #1 Supernima (5) 3yo Gelding | T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman | J: Luke Cartwright (a3) (60kg) Next Best at Sandown: Illative Illative has always had a bit of a spruik on her but has failed to put it all together, however on the back of an eye-catching trial, she looks primed to strike fresh from a spell. The I Am Invincible mare went to the paddock after chasing home the classy Cleo Cat when beaten 1.4 lengths and in a field like the one she faces on Monday, that form reads quite well. Ethan Brown will have her midfield with cover from barrier five, and armed with a strong finish, Illative will prove too hard to hold out. Next Best Race 7 – #5 Illative (5) 4yo Mare | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Ethan Brown (61kg) Best Value at Sandown: Peschiera Peschiera may be a nine-start maiden, but she gets an ideal chance to bring up that elusive win as she steps up to the 1400m second-up. The four-year-old mare was only run down late at Pakenham when resuming from a 20-week spell after leading the field up over 1200m. From barrier nine, Jye McNeil will have the I Am Invincible settled up on speed once again and in a race without much pressure, Peschiera will run a bold front-running race at an each-way price with horse racing betting sites. Best Value Race 2 – #10 Peschiera (9) 4yo Mare | T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | J: Jye McNeil (57.5kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Sandown Sandown quadrella selections Wednesday, April 9, 2025 1-3-5-8-11-13 2-5-8-11 4-5-9 2-4-7-16 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Canterbury Races Where Canterbury Park Racecourse – King Street, Canterbury NSW 2193 When Monday, April 21, 2025 First Race 12:50pm AEST Visit Dabble Public Holiday racing returns to Canterbury Park on Monday afternoon, with a competitive eight-part program set for decision. The rail reverts to the true position the entire circuit, and although there is some rainfall forecast on race-day, hopefully it can keep the surface rated somewhere in the Soft range throughout proceedings. The opening event is scheduled to commence at 12:50pm local time. Best Bet at Canterbury: Full Hao Full Hao was impressive breaking her maiden at Hawkesbury on April 9, cutting along the inside running rail to score by two lengths eased down on the wire. The daughter of Castelvecchio was only getting better at the end of 1600m, and although this BM64 contest possesses much more depth on paper, the lightly raced three-year-old should be suited to stepping out to the 1900m for the first time. James McDonald takes the reins from an awkward draw (10), but provided he can slot in for cover, watch for Full Hao to be flashing over the top to secure back-to-back wins. Best Bet Race 6 – #6 Full Hao (10) 3yo Filly | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (58.5kg) Next Best at Canterbury: Apex Apex returns after a 107-day spell and brings some exceptional form lines to this BM64 contest. The son of Exceedance was beaten by less than a half-length by Dance To The Boom towards the end of last preparation and was gallant in defeat behind With Your Blesssings at Randwick on January 1 before being sent to the paddock. His barrier trial on April 11 suggests he’s returning in supreme order, and with Nash Rawiller set to gain the gun run from stall two, Apex should justify the $2.60 with . Next Best Race 4 – #2 Apex (2) 3yo Gelding | T: Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | J: Nash Rawiller (61kg) Next Best Again at Canterbury: Silver Wedding Silver Wedding has shown plenty of promise across her three career starts, with her latest effort behind Aeliana in the Group 3 Reginald Allen Quality (1400m) jumping off the page. She was well held on that occasion, but it does give a strong opinion of what the Ciaron Maher camp thought of her potential last preparation. She returns after a strong barrier trial at Warwick Farm on April 7, and with an element of class against some key opposition, punters should be willing to lean in her favour at the current price with horse racing bookmakers. Next Best Again Race 2 – #11 Silver Wedding (7) 3yo Filly | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Jason Collett (57.5kg) Monday quaddie tips for Canterbury Canterbury quadrella selections April 21, 2025 2-5-7-8-9-10 5-6-8-11 1-2-3-5-10 3-5-9-11-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

By Michael Guerin Got The Chocolates joined the rarest of racing clubs at Alexandra Park on Saturday night: horses who won a race they were scratched from. And he beat the budding superstar of New Zealand pacing in Marketplace to do it. The three-year-old pacer was enormous in the Woodlands Stud Northern Derby Prelude at Alexandra Park on Saturday night, sitting parked before holding out the red hot favourite in Marketplace, courtesy of a blazing 26 second last 400m. The irony for punters is Got The Chocolates, who was originally scratched, was only allowed back into the race because the Alexandra Park meeting was transferred from last Thursday to Saturday because of rough weather in Auckland. “We scratched him last week because he had an abscess in his hoof that burst out at the wrong time,” says driver John Dunn. “But with an issue like that once they burst out they can heal pretty quickly. “We flew our farrier Paul Howlett up from Canterbury and he did a great job and once the scratched horses were allowed back in after the meeting was postponed we decided to start.” Many multi punters wish they hadn’t reinstated him as Marketplace was the red hot $1.24 favourite but Got The Chocolates beat the boom three-year-old fair and square. Got The Chocolates sat parked for the last lap and while Marketplace had to come three wide and got unbalanced on the home bend, he still had time to catch the winner, albeit the sectionals were against him. His defeat suggests there is life in races like this Friday’s Northern Derby and the other features that lie ahead as Marketplace was starting to look clearly superior but has now lost two of his last three starts, both when unable to chase down the horse on the speed. “I think our horse will be even better suited by the 2700m next Friday but then again so will Marketplace and even though we beat him he is still the benchmark,” says Dunn. The Dunn stable also won the three-year-old trot with Ya Rite Darl, who led throughout in the hands of Zachary Butcher to bolt away for the Sires’ Stakes Prelude over stablemate Frazzled. The race changed complexion at the start when Habibti Pat became the latest in a long line of good trotters to blow their Alexandra Park debut, galloping early to give punters another bleeding nose. But smart punters were gifted one free hit when Beside Me won the Northern Oaks Prelude effortlessly for fill-in driver Tony Herlihy. Beside Me strode straight to the front and was way too good and while she closed a $1.30 favourite punters were able to get as much as $3 on a TAB promotion, for a maximum bet of $100, that was exempt from any deductions for scratchings. Beside Me will face a deeper field in next Friday’s Oaks, with Arafura and Stella Rouge who were scratched on Saturday both returning, but she is now the $1.70 favourite to win the Oaks, one of five Group 1s at the Alexandra Park meeting. View the full article

Guy, Aidan & Emily review the racing action from Ellerslie and Riverton, featuring very tidy stakes races. They also catch up with the Stephen Marsh in Hong Kong ahead of El Vencedor’s big assignment and are joined by Sam Williams from Little Avondale Stud after another Group 1 win for Per Incanto. Weigh In, April 20 View the full article

Driver Penalties N Chilcott | Waikato Bay of Plenty 4 March (heard Waikato Bay of Plenty 15 April); careless driving; fined $200. C Butt | NZ Metropolitan 15 April; use of whip; suspended 20-25 April inclusive. K Green | Winton 17 April; use of whip; fined $300. O Kite | Winton 17 April; breach of push out rule; fined $150. S Thornley | NZ Metropolitan 19 April; careless driving; suspended 22-25 April inclusive. B Hope | NZ Metropolitan 19 April; careless driving; fined $250. R May | NZ Metropolitan 19 April; careless driving; fined $300. B Hope | NZ Metropolitan 19 April; started from incorrect position; fined $400. Trainer Penalty M Purvis | NZ Metropolitan 15 April; failed to report treatment; fined $200. Horse Penalties HENRIK LUNDQVIST | Waikato Bay of Plenty 15 April; broke in running; must complete trial. TOP POCKET CHANCE | Winton 17 April; lame; veterinary clearance required. TILLY DUNNAGE | Winton 17 April; swollen knee; veterinary clearance required. ONE TWO MENNY | Winton 17 April; broke at start; must complete standing start trial. KATYS SHADOW | Winton 17 April; refused to score up; must complete mobile start trial. Protests KATYS SHADOW | Winton 17 April; unsatisfactory manners prior to start; declared a non-runner. T K MEGASTAR | NZ Metropolitan 19 April; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. WHO’S QUEEN | NZ Metropolitan 19 April; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. FORGIVENESS | NZ Metropolitan 19 April; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. The post 14-20 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Rider Penalties B Jacobson | Ashburton 16 April; use of whip; suspended 27 April – 7 May inclusive. D Cooper | Ashburton 16 April; careless riding; suspended 27 April – 9 May inclusive. W Pinn | Matamata 17 April; careless riding; suspended 27 April – 3 May inclusive. T Moki | Matamata 17 April; failed to make weight; fined $100. G Rooke | Auckland 19 April; careless riding; suspended 27 April – 9 May inclusive and fined $350. M Hashizume| Auckland 19 April; use of whip; suspended 27 April – 7 May inclusive and fined $150. M Cartwright | Auckland 19 April; failed to make weight; fined $100. A Najib | Riverton 19 April; use of whip; fined $250. C Campbell | Riverton 19 April; medical clearance required. Trainer Penalty R Bergerson | Non-raceday dated 17 April; failed to present horse to trials free of prohibited substance; fined $4,500. Horse Penalties SQUIRE | Matamata 17 April; slow to begin; must complete trial. XPLORER | Matamata 17 April; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. UNIQUE VALOR | Matamata 17 April; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. STORM FRONT | Auckland 19 April; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. Protests WATER LILIES | Ashburton trials 25 February; trialled with prohibited substance in system; disqualified from 1st. ASAHI | Foxton trials 11 February; trialled with prohibited substance in system; disqualified from last. The post 14-20 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Chilean-bred Richi has acclimated well for trainer Bob Baffert, "getting stronger and stronger," he said, and she proved it emphatically with an easy win in the Santa Maria Stakes (G2) April 19 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Godolphin homebred First Mission has always shown plenty of promise throughout his career, but after his strong victory in the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) April 19, his connections are hopeful 2025 will be his breakout season.View the full article

By Mike Love South Canterbury trainer Noel Taylor is cautious about the chances of Swift Dream ($5.00FF) in Race 11, the Sheree Tomlinson and Matt Cross Trot at Monday’s Banks Peninsula meeting at Addington Raceway. Although the nine-year-old Superfast Stuart gelding has been trotting in a fine vein of form lately winning two of his last three starts, three of four of Swift Dream’s wins have come on grass. The 12-race programme starts at 11.15am at Addington after being transferred from Motukarara because of bad weather over the past few days. “Grass would’ve been better for him – but with the weather around they made the right call shifting it,” says Taylor. Swift Dream picked up a penalty free win last time out at Methven when driven by legend Ricky May in an invited drivers race. He remains in the same or similar class on Sunday. Swift Dream will be driven by leading reinsman Blair Orange who has a book of eight drives. “Blair’s always a bonus and has driven her a lot. So I’ll be leaving it up to him.” Orange has driven Swift Dream for two of his victories and three placings. “It’ll be tough from his draw – if it’s wet then we will have to be handy enough when it counts. “I’ve been really happy with him lately – he’s so honest,” said Taylor. Other chances in the big even field include Crown The Moment ($7.00FF) from the inside draw of one, and the likes of Lindy’s Rocket ($12.00FF), Prince Teka ($23.00FF) and Diamond Harbour ($14.00FF) who all enjoy being on speed which will be vital over the short distance and likely slushy conditions. Swift Dream is the only horse Taylor has in work at the moment while he works his sheep farm at Kohika. He has trained 56 winners with over $390,000 in stakes in his career. To see Monday’s fields click here View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk New Zealand’s representative Blair Orange reckons home country advantage will be key to his chances of winning this November’s World Driving Championship (WDC). The 10 drivers who will compete in the WDC were announced at a function at Addington Raceway on Saturday night. It was no surprise to anyone that Orange got the nod to wear the silver fern. He has after all won the last seven driving premierships and is well on his way to taking out an eighth in 2025. “To represent your country at anything is a big achievement and hopefully I can do the fern pride,” says Orange, “it’s a bit more pressure with the home town thing but there’ll be a lot of support.” This will be his second WDC after competing in Europe (Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands) in 2023. This one, he is sure, will be feel different with three key factors in his favour, namely language, form and familiarity. “It was harder with the language barrier (in Europe). And not knowing the form so much made it hard too. Knowing that here will hopefully make it easier and hopefully everything will work out.” The WDC will be held at four venues – Kaikoura, Winton, Cambridge and Addington – and that Orange says that gives him another advantage over his rivals. “I know them like the back of my hand so hopefully we can use that too.” “Host” drivers have a strong record in the WDC. Since the first championships in 1970 there have been 13 instances of home country drivers winning the title, including James MacDonald in Canada in 217 and Pierre Vercruysee in France in 2013. Both former world champions have been confirmed in this year’s line up. To see the official WDC media release and the 10 drivers click here View the full article

With a handle of $5,536,944 wagered on the 12-race “Preakness Preview Day” program at Laurel Park, the new Maryland Jockey Club (MJC) set a handle record Saturday, according to a release from the organization. Two “Win Today, See You in May events” were contested Saturday, as well as the first stakes races on turf in the state of Maryland for the year. The $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes offered a fees-paid guaranteed spot in the starting gate for the GI Preakness Stakes, while the Weber City Miss Stakes offered the same for the GII Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. They were won by Pay Billy (Improbable) and Complexity Jane (Complexity), respectively. The new MJC offered other encouraging statistics: 105 entrants on Saturday gave an average of 8.8 starters per race, with a comparative 72 horses in the 11-race Federico Tesio card in 2024, or an average of 6.5 runners per race This year's “Preakness Preview Day” card averaged $461,412 per race with a handle of $5,536,944, while last year's comparative card handled $2,889,322, for an average of $262,666 per race The post Good News in Maryland as Handle Record Set appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lexington residents traveling down Versailles Road to Keeneland see neighboring Calumet Farm on their way, and they have seen the farm's impact on the sport at the historic track just as much in recent days.View the full article

A day after Gin Gin lit up the toteboard at odds of 38-1 in the Doubledogdare Stakes (G3), Utah Beach delivered another healthy stakes payoff for the Keeneland crowd with an 11-1 upset victory in the $394,188 Elkhorn Stakes (G2T) April 19.View the full article

The new Maryland Jockey Club set a handle record of $5,536,944 the April 19 "Preakness Preview Day" program at Laurel Park. View the full article

The recipient of a beautiful inside trip beneath Eclipse Award winner Flavien Prat, Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' FIRST MISSION (h, 5, Street Sense–Elude, by Medaglia d'Oro) altered course in the final furlong and split horses decisively en route to a convincing victory in Saturday's $1.25-million GII Oaklawn Handicap in Hot Springs. Firming late into 7-5 favoritism, the homebred took up a spot from fourth as defending champion Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) sat just off pacesetting longshot Go West Go (Twirling Candy), with the Godolphin-bred Banishing (Ghostzapper) chasing three wide. The front-runner dropped away tamely, leaving Skippylongstocking and Banshing to duke it out up front, but First Mission was always going well behind, in need only of a spot to run. Prat initially looked intent on threading the needle between Banishing and Alexander Helios (Cairo Prince) three off the inside, but that gap never materialized. Instead, the Frenchman steered First Mission back to the inside, shot to the front inside the final eighth of a mile and pulled clear to defeat the in-form Banishing. Skippylongstocking held on for third. Lifetime Record: 12-6-2-1. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad Cox. FIRST MISSION ($4.80) scored with a perfect trip under Flavien Prat in the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) at @OaklawnRacing. @bradcoxracing trains the son of Street Sense (@DarleyAmerica) for owners @Godolphin. Last: https://t.co/fEBb9IA5at pic.twitter.com/DzS8ArFdh6 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 19, 2025 The post Street Sense’s First Mission Powers Clear In Oaklawn Handicap appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tampa Bay Downs jockey Hector Rafael Diaz Jr., suffered a dislocated left shoulder April 18 when he was unseated in the stretch run of the seventh race on the turf after his mount, 3-year-old filly Hidden Recipe, clipped heels with Mia Vita.View the full article

Local hope Pay Billy could be on to the May 17 Preakness Stakes (G1) after scoring a workmanlike victory in the $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes April 19 at Laurel Park.View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Choisya in the GI Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland. Queen Of Keeneland Rabbah Bloodstock homebred Choisya (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), a winner of the G2 Cape Verdi and G2 Balanchine at Meydan this winter, took her show on the road and ran out a half-length winner of the GI Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland on April 12 (video). She is trained by Simon and Ed Crisford. Also a winner at listed level in Britain, the chestnut is out of Fragrancy (Ire) (Singspiel {Ire}), who was placed in the Listed Severals Stakes as a 4-year-old. Choisya is the 10th of 12 foals for her dam and one of four black-type horses. The Jenny Wiley winner's half-siblings include listed winner and G3 Sceptre Stakes third Pelerin (Ire) (Shamardal) and fillies by Earthlight (Ire) foaled in 2022 and 2024. The extended family features dual top-level winner Hibaayeb (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) and her daughter Wuheida (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac. Darley's Night Of Thunder has sired 12 winners from 20 runners in the U.S. (60%). Choisya is his best to date there, and he also has three additional graded winners and a listed winner to his credit, all fillies. He stands for €150,000 at Kildangan Stud in Ireland this year. Successful raid! The British trained CHOISYA took the G1 Jenny Wiley @keenelandracing for @gainsboroughHQ! pic.twitter.com/ACBMcrwUYl — World Horse Racing (@WHR) April 13, 2025 Blue Point Filly Blitzes Rivals In Florida Gainesway Stable and LNJ Foxwoods-owned Make Haste (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}) won her second American start by 4 3/4 lengths at Gulfstream for Christophe Clement on April 13 (video). Bred by Sheraton Bloodstock, the bay was a 40,000gns weanling acquisition by Ballymaw Bloodstock from the Tattersalls December Foal Sale before catching the eye of Byron Rogers, Diego Dias and Star Bloodstock as a 75,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 yearling. The filly was a winner for Dias and owners Simon Chappell, Mrs. A. Frost and M Eves at Naas on debut, and LNJ Foxwoods and Gainesway had bought into the filly prior to her start in the G2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot last June. She was second in the Listed Marwell Stakes back at Naas for that ownership group in July and switched to the U.S. after five starts. The fourth winner from five to race out of the winner Quick March (GB) (Lawman {Fr}), Make Haste is a granddaughter of listed winner and dual Group 3-placed Strut (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Her dam has a 2-year-old colt by Harry Angel (Ire). G3 Prix Chloe heroine Araminta (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) is out of G3 Bengough Stakes victress Mince (GB) (Medicean {GB}), herself a half-sister to Quick March. Priced at €100,000 at Kildangan Stud in Ireland this year, Darley's Blue Point has 50% winners from runners (7/14). His trio of stakes winners are led by GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint victor Big Evs (Ire). Make Haste and @zayas_edgardo impressively score in race 8, Sunday's featured race at #GulfstreamPark. pic.twitter.com/grA0cG0e9d — Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) April 13, 2025 'TDN Rising Star' For Pinatubo Pinatubo (Ire) filly Al Jafara (GB) was named a 'TDN Rising Star' in her third start and American debut at Keeneland for Chad Brown on April 12 (video). She now races in the colours of Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb and Richard Schermerhorn. Bred by V. I. Araci, the 3-year-old filly was a 15,000gns Book 2 yearling out of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale to Shanaville Stables, and brought €37,000 at the Arqana May Breeze-Up Sale when selling to KGS. After a fourth for Mansour Aguel and trainer Hedi Ghabri at Chantilly, she won at second asking at that venue over 1800 metres in September. Sold for €250,000 at Arqana's Arc Sale to Oceanic Bloodstock, she was exported Stateside for these connections. Out of the placed mare Predawn (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), herself a full-sister to G1 Oaks heroine Qualify (Ire) and four-time group-placed Shogun (Ire), the filly is her third foal and second winner. Predawn has a 2-year-old colt by Too Darn Hot (GB) and a yearling filly by Oasis Dream (GB). This is the same clan as G1 St. Leger winner Brian Boru (GB) (Sadler's Wells) and GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Flute (Seattle Slew). Another Darley representative, Pinatubo (Ire) has an 40% strike rate in the U.S. with two winners from five to race, including the GIII With Anticipation Stakes third Cavallo Bay (GB). His 2025 fee is £30,000 at Dalham Hall Stud. Al Jafara wins her U.S. debut in R8 at Keeneland under Flavien Prat for trainer Chad Brown! TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/eeCgJrEC2K — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) April 12, 2025 Lope De Vega Game At Keeneland Farfellow Farms' Expensive Queen (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) made her U.S. bow a winning run, clawing out a neck victory at Keeneland for trainer Brendan Walsh on April 18 (video). Bred by Fermoir, Ltd., the 4-year-old filly was purchased out of the Arqana August Yearling Sale for €260,000 by Rabbah Bloodstock. She broke her maiden at Haydock for Kevin Ryan and Jabber Abdullah in July of 2023, and, after five starts, made a pair of starts for James Tate before being sold and traveling to the U.S. A full-sister to G3 Prestige Stakes and G3 Princess Royal Stakes heroine Antonia De Vega (Ire) and the stakes-placed Luckin Brew (Ire), the filly is out of the multiple stakes-placed Witches Brew (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}). The dam has a pair of full-siblings to Expensive Queen–a juvenile colt and a yearling filly–yet to race. She is kin to G1 Prix Jacques le Marois hero Al Wukair (Ire) (Dream Ahead). Ballylinch Stud's Lope De Vega now has 46 winners from 86 runners (53%) in the U.S. His 11 U.S. stakes winners include four Grade I winners–Carl Spackler (Ire), Program Trading (GB), Newspaperofrecord (Ire) and Aunt Pearl (Ire). He stands for €175,000 in 2025. (6) Expensive Queen (IRE) rallies up in time to win the night cap, bringing Luis Saez his third win on today's card! (2) Mystifying finishes second and (10) Alimara (FR) is third. pic.twitter.com/K3ZwVSBdLu — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 18, 2025 Third Time's The Charm For Dublin's Knight Second in his first two starts at Gulfstream for Wells Watson and trainer Brendan Walsh, Dublin's Knight (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) got the job done switched to Keeneland on April 13 (video). The Rosemont Stud-bred chestnut was picked up by Grove Stud for €180,000 out of the Goffs November Foal Sale in 2022, and was snapped up by Watson for €235,000 at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale in 2023. Placed in the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas, Good Place (Street Cry {Ire}) has foaled seven offspring so far, of which Dublin's Knight is her fourth winner. Her latest is a filly by Starspangledbanner (Aus). The winner's female family traces to third dam Canny Lass (Aus) (Bletchingly {Aus}), a winner of the G1 Marlboro Cup, G1 Elders Mile, and G1 William Reid Stakes among others. Dublin's Knight is the only colt to win in America for his sire, so far from three runners. (9) Dublin's Knight (IRE) storms to the finish in race 3 for @iradortiz! (11) World Beater and (10) Salamis follow. pic.twitter.com/RJ7OnAdCLD — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 13, 2025 Mehmas Filly Finds Minimum Trip To Her Liking Brendan Walsh saddled Miso Spicy (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}) to a 4 1/2-length tally at Gulfstream Park on April 12 (video). Bred by Haras d'Haspel, the bay is raced by Bridlewood Farm, e Five Racing Throughbreds and Michael Dubb. The €70,000 Arqana October yearling was purchased by Mandore International Agency and was making her fourth start. Miso Spicy is the third foal and first winner for Exceed And Excel (Aus)'s Karishma (Ire). Second dam Karasiyra (Ire) (Alhaarth {Ire}) won the Listed Lenebane Stakes and was placed in the G3 Noblesse Stakes, while her half-sister Kirinda (Ire) (Tiger Hill {Ire}) was second in the G3 Kilboy Estate Stakes. Tally-Ho Stud's Mehmas, priced at €70,000 this year, is responsible for 18 winners from 32 runners (56%) in the U.S. His seven American stakes winners (22%) are anchored by top-flight winners Going Global (Ire), Chez Pierre (Fr), and Magnum Force (Ire). Miso Spicy (FR) and @zayas_edgardo romp in race 4 at #GulfstreamPark! pic.twitter.com/GGylMTKJbr — Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) April 12, 2025 Bungle Colt Strikes At Gulfstream Trainer George Weaver's Insubordination (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) won his third career start at Gulfstream Park on April 12 (video). A silkbearer for Two Eight Racing, Berry Family Racing and Kaleta Racing, the 3-year-old was bred by Patrick Thompson. Placed in two Saratoga starts last August, the son of the two-time winner Chabelita (GB) (Lawman {Fr}) was originally an €11,000 buy at the Goffs November Foal Sale by Q-Cross Stables. Sent back through the Goffs ring during Book 2 of the Orby Yearling Sale in 2023, he made €62,000 when selected by Legion Bloodstock. Out of a half-sister to multiple stakes winner In Front (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) and G3 Prix Noailles second More Than A Dream (Ire) (Halling), he is followed by a 2-year-old colt by Galileo Gold (GB). Bungle Inthejungle has sired seven winners from 10 to race in America (70%). Manhattan Jungle (Ire) won the Listed Sweet Life Stakes. The 15-year-old stands for €7,500 at Rathasker Stud this term. Repeat Winners Multiple Grade I winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) returned to this column with a 4 1/4-length victory in the GI Maker's Mark Mile Stakes at Keeneland for e Five Racing Thoroughbreds and Chad Brown on April 11 (video). Listed winner No Nay Hudson (Ire) (No Nay Never) also returned to Making Waves with a half-length tally at Keeneland on April 18 (video). He is raced by Andrew Farm and For The People Racing Stable and trained by Wesley Ward. Pure class! Carl Spackler is back with a dominant win in the Grade 1 Maker's Mark Mile at @keenelandracing! pic.twitter.com/5Mvbj4IKm0 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 11, 2025 The post Making Waves: From Dubai To Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Edited Press Release Professor Gordon Jones passed only four days after his 95th birthday. Jones was a pioneer of speed and pace handicapping. His best-selling book, “Gordon Jones to Win” (1976), inspired his popular pre-race handicapping seminars that were attended by legions of race goers. He brought his numbers to the track at a time when people would laugh at him, and he would hide his spiral notebook. Speed numbers are now a common barometer. He graduated from Whittier College, where his father had been president for several years. He went on to get his Master's Degree from the University of Oregon. Jones taught journalism at USC and Arizona State. He was awarded the “Top Banana Award” several times by his students at USC, which was awarded to their favorite professor. Many of his students went on to say that he was the reason they went on to successful careers as journalists. Renowned sportscaster Al Michaels has said numerous times that Gordon Jones was his favorite professor! He talked about how they used to go to the racetrack together at Turf Paradise while Michaels was a student at ASU. Later in life, Jones was hired by former students to be the turf columnist and handicapper for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner. When the 1984 Olympics came to Los Angeles, it was all hands on deck in the sports department and Jones was sent to cover some of the more obscure events. Jones laughed about it for years because each event they sent him to turned out to be a gold medal for the USA, and he continued to get the front page story in the paper. His popularity transcended the sport. Jones was given a small role in the Ryan O'Neal movie Fever Pitch and did voiceover work on the award-winning Indie film George B. He even had a big write up in Los Angeles Magazine. His devotion to his students, both on college and university campuses and the racetrack, was lifelong. Jones continued to receive correspondence from students as far back as the 1960s. His words and teachings were impactful, and his articles resonated with so many, bringing in many new fans to the sport. Oaklawn Park was always a favorite track for him. He applied his speed and pace method and called it a “berry patch.” He wrote about Oaklawn Park in the Herald Examiner and that article was framed and hung in the Oaklawn executive offices. Jones was a highly intelligent man. During the draft for the Korean War, he placed first in math and third in science in the required draft testing. They would not allow him to fight but put him instead in an office at Fort Monmouth in New Jersey. Jones taught his daughter, Joanne, how to handicap and so began a long career for her in television and radio covering the races from Coast to Coast. He is survived by his daughter, Joanne Jones; grandson, Ethan Jones; his longtime partner, Margaret Davis; his former wife and close friend, Kathy Jones; his brother, Dr. Alfred Jones; sister-in-law, Dr. Elyane Jones; niece, Elizabeth Jones; and daughter, Brienna Jones. Plans for a memorial service honoring his life will be announced at a later date. The post Handicapper and Professor Gordon Jones Passes Away at 95 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coming off a third-place finish in the Louisiana Derby (G2), Instant Replay outclassed his five rivals to capture the $200,000 Bathhouse Row Stakes April 19 at Oaklawn Park.View the full article

By Michael Guerin Steven Reid might be wondering whether he should let his partner buy all his horses. Because it seems to have worked with exciting juvenile Jumal, who remained unbeaten in two when thrashing his opponents at Addington on Saturday. The son of Downbytheseaside put six and three-quarter lengths on his rivals even after sitting parked in the $20,000 Breckon Farms Easter Stakes, with a 57.4 second last 400m. Trainer Reid has always thought Jumal was a smart one and the colt has again demonstrated Reid’s eye for a yearling even if technically “Reidman” didn’t buy him. His partner Bella Storer did. “Our owner Malcolm Wrigley wanted to get a good horse and I was having no joy finding him one after two days of the sales,” explains Reid. “But we really liked this one and we were supposed to have a budget of around $40,000-60,000. “When he was going through the ring I was actually on a Skype call of all things for business so Bella and I were talking before and I said, ‘lets just buy it.” “Bella rang me after to tell me we had got it but he cost $95,000. “So we ended up staying in him for a share which is in Bella’s name and it has worked out great because he is a really smart horse.” Reid says Saturday wasn’t even the best version of Jumal as he brought him to the races without a mate and he got quite fractious. “So I think he can go even better.” He will get his chance to prove that at Diamonds Day at Invercargill next Sunday where he heads for the $100,000 Diamond Creek Farm Classic at Group 1 level. “After that we have a decision to make whether we stick around for the Welcome Stakes or head to the paddock but I am confident he will come back a stronger horse in the second half of the season, which is where so much of the big money is.” Driven by Sam Ottley, Jumal was one of the stars of the Addington day programme that also saw NZ Derby placegetter Harrison John continue a great last month for trainers Hayden and Amanda Cullen. While he has just turned four at the other end of the spectrum was the feature trot winner in Franco Josiah, the 10-year-old winning for popular trainer Ben Waldron, proving too strong in the testing conditions for Father Time, who fitness is improving and a win isn’t too far away. The $30,000 Racing Rewards race had a great spread of different trainers and drivers winning, which is the whole idea of the concept. View the full article

Qatar Racing LLC, Resolute Racing and Marc Detampel's JUST A TOUCH (c, 4, Justify–Touching Beauty, by Tapit) made light work of a very classy nine-furlong Keeneland allowance Saturday afternoon, earning himself the right to return to some of the top races on offer over the coming months. Favored at 2-5, the $300,000 OBS April breezer won the break and carried the lead into the first turn, but Florent Geroux took a tug and was content to lay second while maintaining a foothold at the fence as Passing Game (Medaglia d'Oro)–ostensibly there to help set things up for the more accomplished Skinner (Curlin)–was intent on making the lead. Geroux sat against Just a Touch before giving him his head with better than a half-mile to race and the colt was firmly in front entering the turn. They lined up to try to take a crack at him nearing the stretch, but Just a Touch continued to go through his gears, opening up at will and easing home a very good-looking winner. 'TDN Rising Star' Parchment Party (Constitution) closed well from the back of the pack to earn second money over Gould's Gold (Goldencents). Sales history: $170,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP; $125,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT; $300,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 7-3-3-0. O-Qatar Racing LLC, Resolute Racing & Marc Detampel; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Brad Cox. (5) Just A Touch wins race 8 convincingly with @flothejock in the saddle! (2) Parchment Party rallies up for second, (8) Gould's Gold is third. pic.twitter.com/UWyPFf1PrA — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 19, 2025 The post Justify’s Just A Touch Rolls In Salty Keeneland Allowance appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article