Wandering Eyes

Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza, riding in New Jersey July 26, guided Running Away to victory in the $252,000 Monmouth Oaks (G3).View the full article

By Mike Love Leeston trainer Anj Mugford will be looking for a trip to the winner’s circle at Addington today when Ruthless Emma lines up in race two, the Betavet Prepare Handicap trot over 2000m. The four-year-old What The Hill mare has not missed a placing this campaign, and backs up today after a strong second placing last Sunday behind the talented Laura McKay-trained Birdy. “She’s come through last week really well. She’s bright and happy in her work,” said Mugford. The manners that Ruthless Emma brings will be a huge advantage over the shorter trip. “Hopefully we’ll get a handy run on the fence this time.” Mugford is under no illusions that they will have a fight on their hands with Friday night winner Origin in the race, as well as three other race winners in the field. “Origin is one of the biggest dangers. It’s been right in the fight in almost all of its races.” Origin for trainer Margo Nyhan retains a front row draw despite winning at Addington on Friday night. Concession junior driver Mia Holbrough will take the reins behind the obvious danger and current race favourite. Other chances in the event include the Paul Nairn trained and driven Something Else, who was a handy fresh-up run when fifth last week, providing punters with some good value today. Meanwhile, the Jason Ford trained and driven Kingaroy looks set for an economical run if he brings his manners. The race winners in the event will need to overcome their 20m handicaps to feature, which is not an easy feat over the shorter distance. Mugford has trained two winners in her training career from limited starters, with Ruthless Emma looking to provide an upcoming thrilling era in Mugford’s career. “I’m hoping to race her right through until the summer. It’s been a while since I’ve had a good horse, so I’ve decided I want to keep this one. She’s well bred so she’ll be a nice broodmare one day as well.” Mugford trains full-time while working for Kevin Fairbairn. “I help out Kevin Fairbairn – he’s my neighbour – and then do my own. I do all of his shoeing and all of my own shoeing as well. So that fills up my days. “I’m working four at the moment; there’s about fifteen out in the paddock that are due to start doing something.” Race one gets underway at 12.40pm. View the full article

Due to expected extreme heat, Ellis Park has canceled live racing July 27-28. Sunday's full card has been rescheduled for Aug. 1, while Monday's races will be offered back as extras and an additional day of racing will be added Aug. 8.View the full article

On a blazing hot afternoon July 26 at Belterra Park, Perry Ouzts broke the North American mounts record, previously held by Hall of Famer Russell Baze, with his 53,579th ride in the sixth race at the Southern Ohio track.View the full article

Literate turned the tables on heavily favored Caitlinhergrtness, running down last year's Canadian champion 3-year-old filly for her first graded stakes victory in the $116,256 Trillium Stakes (G3) July 26 at Woodbine.View the full article

Tommy Jo (f, 2, Into Mischief–Mother Mother, by Pioneerof the Nile) became the 53rd 'TDN Rising Star' for her out-of-this-world stallion Into Mischief with a powerful performance on debut at Saratoga Saturday. Off as the 2-1 second choice, the Spendthrift Farm homebred was ridden along in fifth, hit the gas with a flashy sweeping move on the far turn and was hand ridden to a facile 3 3/4-length victory over Tennesse Belle (Yaupon). Tommy Jo's final time for six furlongs of 1:11.24 was faster than the 2-year-old male equivalent on the undercard, won by $950,000 OBS March graduate Soldier N Diplomat (Army Mule), who stopped the timer in 1:11.87. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O/B-Spendthrift Farm (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. Tommy Jo dominates in R7 at Saratoga under @ljlmvel for trainer Todd Pletcher and owner/breeder @spendthriftfarm! pic.twitter.com/5osoqKeLWO — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) July 26, 2025 The post Tommy Jo a New ‘Rising Star’ for Into Mischief at Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Calandagan produced a potent turn of foot to settle a tactical running of the £1.5 million King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) July 26 at Ascot Racecourse, giving trainer Francis-Henri Graffard his second consecutive win in the race.View the full article

Ellis Park has canceled their Sunday and Monday race cards citing forecasted excessive heat in the Henderson, KY area. In a statement, the track said, “Due to forecasted extreme heat, Ellis Park has canceled live racing Sunday and Monday. Sunday's full card has been rescheduled for this Friday, Aug. 1, while Monday's races will be offered back as extras and an additional day of racing will be added Friday, Aug. 8.” Heat index values are forecasted to top 106 degrees both days and the area is under a Heat Advisory for Sunday and an Excessive Heat Watch for Monday. The post Excessive Heat Cancels Sunday And Monday Racing At Ellis Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Z Z'S (f, 2, McKinzie–Zarmant, by Tapizar), off at 5-2 in her debut run sprinting over the Ellis Park turf, sped out to the front and never gave them a chance. After blazing through early fractions in :21.04 and :43.92 from the inside, she aired by five lengths as favored Second City Saint (Raging Bull {Fr}) nosed out Triskelion (Leinster). The final time for the 5 1/2 furlongs was 1:01.87. Z Z's unraced dam is a daughter of MGISW Tout Charmant (Slewvescent) and has a yearling colt by Corniche, who brought $185,000 from Top Notch Bloodstock at this year's Keeneland January sale, as well as an Apr. 18-foaled Cyberknife filly. She was bred back to Gun Pilot for next term. Sales History: $185,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $59,097. Click for the Equibase.com chart. O-Gainesway Stable (Antony Beck) and Andrew Rosen; B-Willow Oaks Stable (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh. Z Z's takes them gate-to-wire in R6 at @ellisparkracing under @tyler_gaff for trainer @brenpwalsh! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/uraeliKyxj — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) July 26, 2025 The post McKinzie Filly Z Z’s Razor Sharp on Debut at Ellis Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

3rd-Colonial Downs, $70,100, Msw, 7-26, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:03.99, ft, 5 1/2 lengths. FOND OF YOU (f, 2, Street Sense–Hallie Belle {MSW & GSP, $210,464}, by Medaglia d'Oro) broke alertly from her inside post, slightly heading a contentious group of three other quick rivals approaching the far turn. Continuing to show the way, the 4-1 shot put a length on the rest of the field at the top of the stretch, and began to extend that margin through the lane, which grew to 5 1/2 lengths in the end. Athenix (Good Magic) held on for second. Fond of You is a half-sister to GSP Maycocks Bay (Speightstown), $179,020. A daughter of French Group 3 winner Charity Belle (Empire Maker), Hallie Belle is a half-sister to MGSW Alms (City Zip) and Runnin N Gunnin (Gun Runner), third in this year's GII Fantasy Stakes. She foaled a full-sister to the winner this past season and was bred back to Nyquist for her 2026 foal. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $42,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Godolphin, LLC; T-Michael Stidham. Fond of You is a 4/1 debut winner in R3 at @ColonialDowns! @stidhamracing trains and Francisco Arrieta was up. #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/FbIMwlVa4F — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) July 26, 2025 The post Street Sense Filly Fond of You Leads All The Way on Colonial Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Reigning champion 3-year-old colt and 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), second last out in the GI Stephen Foster on June 28 at Churchill Downs, worked a half-mile in :48.80 (52/167) Saturday to the inside of Secured Lender over the Spa main track. The Chad Brown runner is expected to start in next Saturday's GI Whitney Stakes, a 'Win and You're In' race for the GI Breeders' Classic in November at Del Mar. “He worked super. It was just maintenance,” Brown said. “He's bounced out of the Stephen Foster race in good order, and he was moving great through the lane.” The $2.3 million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale purchase will face a Whitney field expected to include some of the top older horses in the country with fellow 'Rising Stars' Fierceness (City of Light), Mindframe (Constitution) along with White Abarrio (Race Day), Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator), Post Time (Frosted), Highland Falls (Curlin), Gould's Gold (Goldencents) and Mama's Gold (Bolt d'Oro) all possible. Brown said he is not too concerned just yet about where his horse ranks in terms of year-end honors, but feels Sierra Leone is in good order as he looks for his first win at the Spa. “It's early in the season still and a lot of racing to go,” Brown said. “The horse is the reigning 3-year-old champion and he's coming off a very nice race. I'm happy with how he's training and that's all that really matters to me at the moment.” Godolphin's homebred Highland Falls also turned in his final work for the Whitney when covering five furlongs in 1:01.55 (3/13) solo over the Saratoga Race Course main track on Saturday. Trained by dual Eclipse Award-winner Brad Cox, the 5-year-old worked in his usual blinkers with Luis Saez up. The work was supervised by Blake Cox, the son of and assistant to Brad who said the team was pleased with what they saw from Highland Falls. “He was good. He went five-eighths from the half and went nice and smooth, letting him quicken down the lane,” Cox said. “He looked very happy and it was a good work. He's a good enough work horse on his own, so we just figured we'd go solo this week.” Highland Falls returns to the scene of his best performance to date, a four-length romp in last year's GI Jockey Club Gold Cup that equaled a career-best 104 Beyer Speed Figure. “He's doing great and obviously, he had a good year here last year, so I think he likes this place,” Cox said. “I think he's very similar to last year – we liked him a lot going into the Jockey Club and he's a more seasoned horse now. There's some very good horses in there, but hopefully he can get a piece of it.” The post Contenders Get Final Works In Before Next Weekend’s Whitney appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 7-26, 2yo, 6f, 1:11.87, ft, neck. SOLDIER N DIPLOMAT (c, 2, Army Mule–Diplomatic Miss, by Violence) had his fair share of admirers at this year's OBS March Sale, ultimately hammering to St. Elias for $950,000 after gliding over the synthetic track in :10 flat (see below) during his under-tack preview. Having logged five breezes at Keeneland at the back end of the spring, he trained forwardly once transferred to the Spa in late June and was duly dispatched as the 9-10 chalk in a field of eight first-time starters. Off only fairly from his low gate, the Feb. 15 foal was hustled along and settled in a stalking third as Vino Vici (Vino Rosso) made play through an opening quarter in :22.19. Tracking the leading pair around the turn, Soldier N Diplomat confronted Vino Vici approaching the eighth pole, edged clear and found the wire narrowly best. Accost (Maclean's Music) was one of the first to break the line, sat a midfield trip and was getting to the winner at the finish. St. Elias campaigned Army Mule, himself an $825,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic juvenile, to three wins from as many starts, capped by a victory in the GI Carter Handicap (114 Beyer). Machmer Hall purchased Diplomatic Miss, a daughter of four-time graded winner and four-times Grade I-placed Miraculous Miss (Mr. Greeley), for just $45,000 at the 2019 Keeneland January Sale. The mare is also represented by a yearling Authentic filly and last visited Arcangelo. Sales history: $950,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-St Elias Stable; B-Machmer Hall (KY); T-Steven M Asmussen. Soldier N Diplomat hangs on to win R2 at Saratoga and break his maiden on debut! Steve Asmussen trains and @jose93_ortiz was aboard. pic.twitter.com/JKXUSoGw7S — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) July 26, 2025 The post Army Mule’s Soldier N Diplomat Game on Debut at the Spa 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 Sunday at Saratoga, Ellis Park and Del Mar. Sunday, July 27, 2025 Saratoga 3, $100k, 2yo, 1mT, 2:18 p.m. Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Tapit's Legacy (Tapit)-MTO, OBSMAR, 550,000, :10 C-de Meric Sales, agent; B-Spendthrift Farm & Epic Racing Ellis 5, $100k, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 2:44 p.m. Dewi's Denali (Violence)-AE, OBSAPR, 105,000, :10 1/5 C-1880 Bloodstock, agent; B-Kelsey Danner Rare Eclipse (Yaupon), FTMMAY, 60,000, :10 3/5 C-Wavertree Stables Inc (C Dunne), agt; B-Three Diamonds Farm Street Beast (Street Sense), OBSAPR, 85,000, :10 2/5 C-Eddie Woods, agent; B-Davant Latham, agent Stunning Sapphire (Win Win Win)-AE, OBSAPR, 230,000, :10 C-Shooting Star Sales LLC; B-Niki Goodwin, agent Del Mar 5, $80k, 2yo, 1mT, 7:00 p.m. Born to Rock (Rock Your World), OBSMAR, 90,000, :10 1/5 C-Really and Truly Thoroughbreds, agt; B-Michael Warnick Huber (Omaha Beach), OBSAPR, 700,000, :10 C-Eddie Woods, agent; B-Three Amigos The post Summer Breezes Sponsored By OBS Sales: Sunday, July 27, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Calandagan (Gleneagles) secured back-to-back victories for his trainer Francis Graffard in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes when reeling in Kalpana (Study Of Man) in a scintillating finish to the day's feature at Ascot. The Aga Khan Studs' four-year-old won by a length from Juddmonte's game filly, who had taken up the running off the home turn as early leaders Jan Brueghel (Galileo) and Continuous (Heart's Cry) weakened. Rebel's Romance (Dubawi) ran home late for Godolphin to take third for the second year running. This story is being updated. The post Calandangan Outguns Kalpana in King George Thriller appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On her third appearance at Ascot, Fitzella (Too Darn Hot) set a fierce gallop from the gates and was never headed when winning the G3 Sodexho Princess Margaret Stakes by a length from Staya (Havana Grey). Bred by Bob and Pauline Scott at Parks Farm Stud, the winner had been beaten only a neck on her debut at the track in May before posting a convincing win at Haydock and then running fourth in the G3 Albany Stakes at the royal meeting. Fitzella is trained by Hugo Palmer, who outlined his intention to aim her towards the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' Turf at the end of the season. A daughter of the Exceed And Excel mare Shamandar, she is a half-sister to the Listed-placed Admiral Nelson (Kingman) and was bought as a yearling from the Goffs UK Premier Sale for £170,000 by SackvilleDonald and Manor House Stables, where Palmer trains. The post Too Darn Hot’s Fitzella Makes All in the Princess Margaret appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On the 75th anniversary of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ascot has announced a prize-money boost for next year to £2 million, which means it will become Britain's richest-ever race. This year's race, worth £1.5 million, is already the most valuable race to be run at Ascot. Last year's King George was officially the best mile-and-a-half contest in the world in the 2024 Longines World's Top 100 Group Races. “The roll call of winners over the last 75 years is unrivalled, and we are committed to ensuring that we continue to attract the very best horses to our midsummer highlight,” said Ascot CEO Felicity Barnard. That roll call includes such great names as Ribot, Nijinsky, Brigadier Gerard, Grundy, Shergar, Dancing Brave, Nashwan, Galileo and Enable. She continued, “We are also conscious of ensuring that the race remains internationally relevant in an increasingly competitive global picture. These days, there are plenty of options for connections to run their horses worldwide and year-round, so it's vital that we find the right balance of prize-money and prestige. By making this announcement now we hope that connections will be able to start planning backwards from the race already “We are very conscious of the fact we need to continue to invest in prize-money across the programme at all levels and we look forward to making further announcements regarding 2026 in due course.” The post King George to Become Britain’s Richest Race in 2026 at £2m appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dave The King will look for his crowning glory when he goes for back-to-back wins in the Group One HKJC Champions Cup (1,800m) at Greyville on Sunday. The Mike and Mathew De Kock-trained star is unbeaten in two starts this campaign, latterly winning the Group One Gold Challenge (1,600m) at Greyville in June. The four-year-old was a comfortable winner of this race 12 months ago, cruising clear on his way to becoming South African Horse of the Year. The father and son combination have their runner...View the full article

By Michael Guerin Andrew Stuart and Robbie Close were the kings of the giant killers at Addington on Friday. The trainer and driver combined to win two races at a best fixed odds double price of 275-1 as Moonlite Blood and Here Comes Marty downed their more favoured rivals to give Stuart a hard to come by Friday night double. It was the theme of the night as smaller stables won most of the races, the exception being Team Telfer who trained a double to move to 101 wins for the season. But around them it was Margo Nyhan, Bruce Negus, Jonny Cox, Kevin Fairburn, Ross Houghton and Kyle Cameron training the winners, with Cameron’s super impressive What The Dragon the only favourite to win for the entire Winter Rewards racenight. It was Stuart who took the honours though as Moonlite Blood paced a 1:56.6 mile rate to remain unbeaten this campaign beating a Dalgety and a Telfer horse. “He is a really nice horse and hasn’t finished yet,” says Stuart, who usually only has 20 or less horses in work. “Everybody knows it was a special win for us here last time but winning on a Friday night is a decent field is a level higher again. “He has a great group of owners, including blokes like Wheels (legendary galloping trainer John Wheeler) and Carey Hobbs (former chief executive Taranaki Racing) and they are having a whale of a time. “One guy has been in horses his whole adult life and said that was the biggest buzz he had ever had.” Stuart’s second winner Here Comes Marty snuck through the passing lane to win in a blanket finish and earned himself a short spell. “Even though he won he is better than that and I think he should have won easier so he can have a break.” Stuart and Close weren’t the only double winners to taunt punters as Sheree Tomlinson got her drives on Mouton Cadet ($14) and Got You Covered ($7) spot on to score a back to back driving double. Got You Covered used early manners and late toughness to wear down hot favourite Slots in the main handicap pace, his first win since joining Kevin Fairbairn three starts ago. Almighty won his Winter Rewards Trot for Cox and owner/breeder Jenny Butt while Kotare Rimu continued a great start to the juvenile season for Houghton with Bronson Munro doing the driving. But the win that will stick in the mind the longest and probably be repeated the most was that of What The Dragon, who trailed and sprinted like a trotter who is going to be a force in summer and not just getting winter rewards for trainer Kyle Cameron. View the full article

By Michael Guerin One race drive and one phone call was all it took for Move It Lou to find a new home with Tony Herlihy. But the champion horseman was placing the credit for the juvenile’s win at Alexandra Park on Friday with former trainers Logan Hollis and Shane Robertson. Herlihy drove Move It Lou in his first start four weeks ago and liked what he felt as the son of Sweet Lou finished second. He asked Hollis and Robertson, who also owned the gelding, whether he was for sale and is always the case with them the answer was “yes.” Herlihy’s first call was to Canadian owner Mike Tanev, who was quick to add another horse to his Down Under team and judging by how he won on Friday night it was money well spent. “Logan and Shane come up with a good juvenile or two every season, they have a great record finding young horses,” says Herlihy. “They owned the horse so they got good money and Mike gets a really nice horse.” Herlihy has known Tanev for years and previously sold him other horses but is training this one himself with an eye on an early tilt at a Sires’ Stakes heat. “That is the aim, the heat up here on September 5,” says Herlhy, with that Alexandra Park meeting to host juvenile Sires’ Stakes heat for the girls. Move It Lou started a big 30 minutes for Herlihy as he trained Regal Girl to win the $34,000 TAB Racing Club Metro Trot in the very next race. The beautifully-bred mare went past $100,000 in career earnings as she sprinted clear of Crackerjack and Bravehearthighlander. She is owned by Herlihy’s wife Suzanne along with their close friends and neighbours John and Trish Green, the Green’s son James and Trish’s sister Colleen Smith. “She has always been a nice mare but just took some time to strengthen up,” explains Herlihy. “She can now handle 2700m as we saw tonight and she is doing a really good job.” The night’s other Metro Final, of the pacers, went to a late-surging Leo Lincoln after a lovely Peter Ferguson up the passing to beat a very brave You Little Beauty. The winner broke 2:40 for the mobile 2200m, a big effort on a cold winter night, and is part owned by co-trainer Ray Green. Also impressive was Matty A in the main trot who overcame a 45m handicap to trot 3:28.6, a mid-race move from driver Andre Poutama the winning of the race. The big son of Dream Vacation looks stronger this prep for trainer Sheryl Wigg and with the open class ranks lacking great depth he wouldn’t look out of place in some of the bigger races. View the full article

Hardy three-year-old Stylish Secret will ensure trainer Mick Nolan can savour his 70th birthday celebrations after a strong win in the MRC Chairman’s Club Handicap (2400m) at Caulfield. The diminutive son of Sweet Orange has taken his connections on an enjoyable ride with his three victories to date, with Saturday’s triumph the gelding’s first since landing the Derby Trial last spring. Ridden by Craig Williams, Stylish Secret came from just beyond the speed to run down Verona Rupes. From 15 starts, Stylish Secret has won on three occasions and is twice placed, advancing his career earnings to A$260,725. A skilled horseman with years of experience as Mick Price’s right-hand man, Nolan relaunched his training career and secured stables at Mornington a couple of years ago. “My first runners I had at Moone Valley, Flemington and Sandown all won, and I have been cranky that I have had to wait four starts for a win at Caulfield, but I have got the whole four now,” Nolan joked. “It’s unbelievable. We have a great bunch of owners. it’s what racing is all about, a cheap horse, look at these people you couldn’t get them any happier could you. “I was nervous because I thought it was going to be the end (of preparation run), but he is such a tough little horse, he’s only 420kg and 15 hands, and he just cops the work, he is an amazing horse.” Nolan praised the ride by Craig Williams and said he was looking forward to celebrating tomorrow by ‘Drinking about 10 stubbies too many’. “All the owners are going to be there and you only get to 70 once in your life, so it will be good fun,” he said. Stylish Secret was purchased in New Zealand by part-owner Helen Thomas off Gavelhouse.com for just $2,300 as a weanling. A highly-acclaimed journalist, broadcaster and author, Thomas was on the hunt for a staying type and sought the advice of long-time friend, the late Deane Lester, one of Australia’s most respected form students. “Deane (Lester) did suggest that I have a look on Gavelhouse because it is a really great website to find horses, particularly broodmares and young horses,” Thomas said. “I jumped on and lot number one was this happy, little horse – he looked like a bit of a ragamuffin as a weanling. “He was by Sweet Orange out of a Savabeel mare called Scarlett Secret and bred and raised at Windsor Park Stud. “Daqiansweet Junior by Sweet Orange was doing really well at the time, and I thought, here’s a horse that is certainly bred to be a middle-distance horse, if not a fully-fledged stayer and wouldn’t it be good to grow him up and have a bit of a fun with him. “A month or two after I bought him, his half-brother won a trial and was sold to Australia and that’s Unseen Ruler (winner of six races).” View the full article

Enigmatic galloper Diamond Jak exacted the perfect revenge when he came with a perfectly timed run to take out Saturday’s feature flat race at Te Rapa, the Callinan Family Taumarunui Gold Cup (2100m) after being narrowly denied success in the 2024 version of the event. The Mark Brosnan-trained rising seven-year-old had beaten narrowly by Saturday’s race rival Hula Beat in a stirring finish in 2024 and brought good form to the 2025 edition although this was tempered by his knack of missing the jump in his races and setting himself an impossible task on most occasions. Rider Samatha Collett was wide awake to those habits as she got him away on terms on Saturday and had him travelling sweetly towards the rear but well within striking distance. Collett set him alight approaching the home turn and he loomed into contention outside topweight Drop Of Something (60kgs) with 300m to run. That pair set down to fight out a driving finish which saw Diamond Jak thrust his head in front to defeat Drop Of Something at the winning post, with Quick Fire and Arjay’s Flight close-up behind the first two. Brosnan cut a contented figure when questioned after the race. I’m very happy as he should have won the race last year, so I’m very grateful to get it today,” Brosnan said. “He is a big horse but not the biggest frame as he doesn’t eat much. “It was also a very good ride by Sam.” Collett had noted before the race her biggest goal was to get the horse away from the starting gates with the rest of the field and was relieved she had done that. “He has definitely hopped (out) a bit better, but in saying that I was still a long way back,” she said. “Plan B was to let him get through his gears and at the half mile he was tracking up nicely on a speed that had been quite genuine. “He was still making hard work of it on the corner and I had covered more ground than Christopher Columbus, so I was pleased he was so fit. “Mark has done a great job with him and he was unlucky not to win last year. He was the fittest and best horse here today.” The six-year-old son of Jakkalberry has now won five of his 31 starts and over $194,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Race favourite Force Of Nature made it five wins from five starts at Te Rapa when he strolled home in the Woods Contracting 1300 (1300m) on Saturday. Bred and raced by Milan Park principal Tony Rider, the son of Savabeel has continued to improve since breaking his maiden status back in October last year and is unbeaten in three starts after resuming from a summer spell with a win in rating 75 company in April followed by his inaugural open handicap success in early May. Trainer Andrew Forsman gave his emerging star another short break and he returned to action with a vengeance, defeating Marlborough Bay and Dusty Road with ease. Senior rider Michael McNab had his mount perfectly situated in midfield before angling him to the outer in the home straight. Force Of Nature bounded clear at the 200m with McNab easing him to the line nearly two lengths clear of Marlborough Bay, Dusty Road and Martell who all chased gamely but to no avail. Rider was delighted to see Force Of Nature continue on his winning way and has high hopes that success can be maintained. “That was a very good run in a nice field,” Rider said. “I know Andrew thinks a lot of him and we all hope he can continue his development to get him up to black type level. “Andrew has always said he has heaps of ability but it has taken some time for him to mature and he has more growing up to do. “They have taken him along quietly and he is displaying the benefit of that. Personally, I think he could get up to a mile and that will open up some exciting stakes opportunities for him.” Force of Nature is out of the O’Reilly mare Elusive Nature (NZ) and is the younger brother of Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy winner (1200m) Shezzacatch (NZ) (Savabeel)who also ran 4th in the 2023 Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) behind Levante (NZ) (Proisir). He has now won five of his nine starts and just under $124,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

A nasty fall that extinguished the chances of four of the nine runners in the Property Brokers Taumarunui 3YO (1400) at Te Rapa overshadowed a fine victory by talented filly Ortega. The race changed in dramatic fashion when Illuminated Miss clipped the heels of race favourite Ribkraka as that runner crossed to the lead at the 1000m mark. The subsequent chain effect saw Gina Rosa, Gracetheace and I Park all hit the deck leaving the rest of the field to continue on. The Stephen Marsh-prepared Ortega kept in touch with Ribkraka and became his only danger as she challenged him on the outer in the home straight for apprentice Jack Taplin and got in a decisive stride right on the line to head him for the victory. “She was very good and very tough today,” Marsh said. “She was a while in between runs last time and got taken on at Rotorua which caused her downfall. We wanted to back her up and she showed the benefit of that decision today. “Young Jack Taplin couldn’t believe how she stayed on her feet as he said she had to hurdle one of the fallen runners. “It was very nice to get the win but you never want to see a fall like that as that is not what racing is all about and I just hope everyone involved is okay. Marsh will now take time to reassess his next moves with Ortega but believes she is in the right form to carry on over the next few months. “She probably doesn’t really like that deep ground now and enjoyed the Te Rapa surface which is never like a bog winter track,” he said. “With her going so well now and being rock hard fit I can see her picking up some good money over the next few months as she gets footing to suit.” Raced by Marsh, Dylan Johnson and American-based stable client Dennis Foster, Ortega is a daughter of Reliable Man and out of the stakes placed Rip Van Winkle mare Rayas. She has now won three of her 12 starts while she also finished third in the 2024 Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki. The four jockeys in the fall, Hayley Hassman, Rihaan Goyaram, Ashlee Strawbridge and Ace Lawson-Carroll, were transferred to Waikato Hospital by ambulance immediately after the race with a variety of injuries, although all were said to be conscious and speaking to Ambulance personnel. The four horses also escaped serious injury although all had scrapes, bumps and scratches for their efforts. A post-race inquiry saw Ribkraka disqualified from his second placing for causing serious interference while the meeting was set back one race to allow for the four riders to depart the track. View the full article

Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki. The Lisa Latta-trained daughter of Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Hello Youmzain had scored handsomely in the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) at the venue last month with Bruno Queiroz in the saddle and the visiting Brazilian jockey made it three victories from three rides on the filly with another well-judged effort on Saturday. Queiroz had the filly settled nicely in midfield against the running rail early on before improving to sit just behind the pacemaker Spandeedo approaching the home turn. There was plenty of jostling between Spandeedo and several runners on his outer at that point, however Queiroz kept his mount hard against the fence to avoid any interference as Platinum Diamond cornered brilliantly and shot clear. Despite being hotly challenged in the closing stages by Luminance and Latta’s second runner Brutiful Lass, Platinum Diamond was too tough as she held a margin of just on a length ahead of her rivals at the winning post. “I was a little bit worried when there was a kerfuffle turning in but I think hard against the rail is as good as getting out wide,” Latta said. “Bruno got her in a good part of the track and that helped. She has a summer type coat already but she keeps herself well and she is very exciting. “I don’t think she is just a wet tracker so we’re going to give her two or three weeks as a freshener and she is going to the paddock at a good time.” Queiroz was impressed with how his mount had performed. “She is a very very good horse and such a lovely type,” he said. “I was very confident as she travelled well and in the last 600m she came through on the inside and was very happy to be there.” Lisa Latta Racing Stables paid $90,000 to buy Platinum Diamond from breeders Beaufort Downs during the Book 2 Sale at Karaka in 2024. The filly has now had four starts for three wins and $112,975 in stakes. View the full article