Wandering Eyes

Croix du Nord puts his undefeated record on the line in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese Two Thousand Guineas, G1) April 20, the first leg of the Japanese Triple Crown.View the full article

The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit has sanctioned Tampa Bay Downs-based trainer Scooter Davis after one of his horses tested positive for the corticosteroid dexamethasone after a March 15 race at the track.View the full article

The all-weather season drew to a close on Good Friday, April 18, with Tony Carroll named the All-Weather Champion Trainer for the first time. Carroll, who finished second to Mick Appleby last season, saddled 57 winners, 11 clear of his nearest rival, James Owen. “For me personally, it is a great achievement and I am very proud of it,” said Carroll. “A big thank you to the team at home–Titch, Mary, and everybody else involved. They are people that never go racing and are never seen, but they are the backbone behind it all. They do all the work really, and I'm just there making sure everything is as it should be. “The horses have been fantastic all winter. The horses have been really healthy, right the way through, and the owners have been fantastic. ARC have put a great thing on and we have all really enjoyed it.” Added Carroll of All-Weather Champion Apprentice winner Jack Doughty, “Jack Doughty has been fantastic for the yard and it's great for us both to win together. He is only 17 but has been with me for a while, so it's marvellous. He has been a pleasure to have in the yard, all the way through from day one, and you could always see that he was just a bit different from the rest. “We have had 57 winners on the all-weather this season, but I think Init Together (GB) (Poet's Voice {GB}) is the only one that has won four. The rest has been made up by individual horses, so it's a great performance from them.” Billy Loughnane was a first-time winner of the All-Weather Champion Jockey title. He was the All-Weather Champion Apprentice the past two years. Godolphin earned its 11th consecutive All-Weather Champion Owner title with 15 wins, two better than Rabbah Racing. Loughnane, who had 75 wins, four better than Hector Crouch, said, “I am chuffed. It has been a good winter and a long hard battle with Hector for the past few months, who's obviously a great jockey, and it's been a big last push to get it over the line. “It was good being able to get away for a little bit of time in Australia as well, but to come back and get a lot of support from numerous different trainers who've helped me and my agent Tony Hind, who is a super-agent and doing a great job. “Obviously, dad runs the majority of his horses on the all-weather and I've grown up around it. “Dad's got a big team and George Boughey is my main boss now, but there are a lot of trainers, the Kublers and Ian Williams to name just two, who have given me a lot of support so it's great.” The post All-Weather Champions Crowned At Newcastle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2025 Inglis Digital USA April Sale catalogue is now online and showcases a diverse group of 20 individuals ranging from Claiming Crown qualifiers to Keeneland debuters with their maiden conditions still available to yearlings from active families, the online auction house announced via press release Friday afternoon. A slate of racing age horses includes Sitka (Speightstown), eligible for the aforementioned Claiming Crown and who holds his N2X condition, hailing from the shed row of trainer Matt Williams. His career-best Beyer figure is an 88, which he matched in his Apr. 4 gate to wire win in a starter allowance at Oaklawn Park. Buyers looking to add juveniles or lightly-raced 3-year-olds will find horses like Lilium (Flatter), a sophomore racing or broodmare prospect out of a half-sister to champion 3-year-old MGISW Maximum Security (New Year's Day) and from the immediate female family of MGISW Flat Out. The 2-year-old Baytown Dreamer (Mendelssohn) is offered on the back of his third-place effort Apr. 10 in a Keeneland maiden special weight. He is out of a stakes winning Munnings mare who herself is a half-sister to MGSW Appealing Tale (Tale of the Cat). The catalogue also features a trio of yearlings from the consignment of Highlander Training Center in Texas. Interested parties must register to bid and request a limit to start placing them. To view the full catalogue and register, please go here. “April is an exciting and busy time of year,” said Kyle Wilson, senior director of Sales and Recruiting for Inglis Digital USA. “We have established runners and some young horses ready to get a start. We're also offering some breeding prospects if anyone has late seasons to fill.” The post Claiming Crown Qualifiers, Well-bred Maidens with Conditions Available Highlight Inglis Digital USA April Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two horses have been supplemented to Keeneland's April Select Horses of Racing Age Sale, set to begin Apr. 25, namely stakes winner Incanto (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) and the maiden-placed Happyhappyboy (Runhappy), the auction house announced Friday afternoon. The former is trained by Jose D'Angelo and has two victories to his credit in 2025, including the Texas Glitter Stakes at Gulfstream Park Mar. 22, before he shipped out to Santa Anita for a try in the Listed John Shear Stakes. Finishing fifth there, the gelding will be selling remotely from Santa Anita. This is the immediate female family of GISP Responsibleforlove (Ire) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Vale of York (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who was also Group 1-placed in Italy. Happyhappyboy hails from the shed row of owner/trainer Marcelino Torres, and was last seen finishing second on debut Apr. 7 at Keeneland behind the Wesley Ward owned and trained Pinky Finger (Army Mule). That filly facing the boys ran off the screen to win by 7 1/2 lengths while the Runhappy colt kept on to claim second by three-quarters of a length. The juvenile hails from the family of SW & MGSP Jazz (Quiet American) and SW & GSP Favored Lady (Fappiano). Click here for the catalogue. A supplemental catalogue along with a consignment and barn order list will be produced and distributed roughly on Monday, Apr. 21 when the entries are close to being final. Keeneland will accept approved supplements until the sale date. The post Stakes Winner Incanto Supplemented to Keeneland April Select HORA Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A colt from the second crop of Tiz the Law (hip 1094) set a new high-water mark during Friday's final session of OBS April, selling for $1,500,000 to the partnership of Spendthrift, St. Elias and West Point. Consigned by S G V Thoroughbreds (Steven Venosa), the colt is out of a half-sister to Canadian champion female sprinter River Maid (Where's My Ring) who herself produced GI Central Bank Ashland runner up Cocktail Moments (Uncle Mo). The Louisiana-bred worked an eighth in :10. The post New Topper At OBS April As Tiz The Law Colt Brings $1.5M appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Shortleaf Stable's 'TDN Rising Star' MGSW & MGISP Quietside (Malibu Moon) breezed five furlongs alone Friday morning at Keeneland as her march toward Louisville continues for the first Friday in May. With jockey Jose Ortiz in the irons, no relation to trainer John Ortiz, the filly rolled through her five panel work in :59 flat and galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.20. Her sectionals were :12.20, :36.20, :59 (end of her work), and 1:12.20. “We wanted to give her a good five-eighths to get some air in her,” said trainer Ortiz. “Jose worked her in 58 and 4 at the Fair Grounds before the [GIII] Honeybee and wanted to do the same today. We know she will do 12s [second eighths of a mile] and then finish down the lane–which she did.” “She had a strong gallop out. We were very pleased with the work. She is a filly that is peaking at the right time.” His filly currently sits atop the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard and will likely not only be a main player but also one of the wagering choices for the May 2 headliner. That in mind, Ortiz also included that the travel itinerary for Quietside would be to remain at Keneeland for a while longer before shipping into the controlled chaos at Churchill Downs. “I probably will keep her here because it is quieter. We'll work next Friday morning [Apr. 25 at Keeneland] and then ship over to Churchill that afternoon.” The post Quietside Breezes in Lexington as Oaks Prep Continues, Ships to Churchill Next Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

10th-GP, $57K, Alw/Opt. Clm., 3yo/up, 7f, 5:54 p.m. ET Last seen finishing a midpack fifth behind Dornoch (Good Magic) in last year's GI Belmont Stakes at Saratoga, Centennial Farms' ANTIQUARIAN (Preservationist) resumes over a sprint trip Saturday at Gulfstream. The $250,000 KEESEP yearling, a maiden winner at second asking at the Fair Grounds, was an even sixth in the GII Louisiana Derby before striking in the GIII Peter Pan Stakes at Aqueduct. Edgard Zayas has the call for this seasonal jumping-off point. TJCIS PPs 4th-AQU, $80K, Msw, 3yo/up, 1m, 2:46 p.m. ET STRATEGIC FOCUS (Gun Runner) was a $500,000 acquisition at the 2023 KEESEP sale and will carry the same Klaravich Stable colors as his full-sister Headline Numbers, who was the front-running, 4 1/2-length winner of the Top Flight Stakes at this venue just last weekend. The May foal's dam Curlin's Mistress (Curlin) is a full-sister to MGSW Curlin's Approval, dam of recent GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes third Praetor (Into Mischief); and a half to MGSP Apologynotaccepted (Fusaichi Pegasus). TJCIS PPs 7th-TAM, $53K, Msw, 3yo, 1 1/16mT, 3:24 p.m. ET MAYOR OF MIDNIGHT (IRE), a gelded son of the very much in-form Lope de Vega (Ire), gets his career started for Seth Klarman's operation, which campaigned the sire's Grade I winners Program Trading (Ire) and Newspaperofrecord (Ire). A 190,000gns buyback out of the 2023 Tattersalls October Sale, the May 22 foal is a half-brother to SW Maqsad (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and GSP Cambridge (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) as well as a now 2-year-old filly by Palace Pier (GB) that fetched 260,000gns from Cary Bloodstock at TATOCT last fall. The bay is a maternal grandson of Aquarelliste (Fr) (Danehill), winner of the 2001 G1 Prix de Diane and an additional two elite-level scores while also finishing runner-up to Sakhee (Bahri) in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe of 2001. TJCIS PPs 5th-OP, $110K, Msw, 3yo, 6f, 3:27 p.m. ET SEPTIMUS (Uncle Mo) debuts for the partnership of Winchell Thoroughbreds and breeder Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, who sold the colt for $300,000 at KEESEP and then stayed in for a part. The Mar. 8 foal goes out for trainer Steve Asmussen, who conditioned dam My Miss Aurelia (Smart Strike) to champion 2-year-old filly honors on the strength of her victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies in 2011. She added the GI Cotillion Stakes the following term and this is her third foal to make the races. Godolphin homebred Energize (Medaglia d'Oro) is out of Enliven (Ghostzapper), a Grade III-placed daughter of MGISW It's Tricky (Mineshaft), also the dam of MGSW & GISP Enticed (Medaglia d'Oro). Sports Hero (Munnings), a half-brother to GSW Circle of Trust (Union Rags) and SW Flashy Lass (Street Sense), is out of a half-sister to Gary and Mary West's GISW sire West Will Power (Bernardini). TJCIS PPs 6th-GP, $55K, Msw, 3yo, 1m, 3:43 p.m. ET PRIME ROCKET (Tapit) is a half-brother to six winners from six to race out of the stakes-winning Yawkey Way (Grand Slam), whose son Spun To Run (Hard Spun) upset the 2019 GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. Previously the dam of SW Tap It All (Tapizar), Yawkey Way was purchased by Gainesway–the stallion home of Spun To Run–and Whisper Hill Farm for $600,000 at KEENOV in 2020, and the Hard Spun foal she was carrying at the time became Informed Patriot, victorious in last year's Bathhouse Row Stakes and graded-placed at two and three. Frank Fletcher gave $550,000 for Prime Rocket at KEESEP in 2023. That auction's $3-million top seller, Vibe (Into Mischief), was a well-beaten fourth on local debut over six furlongs Mar. 15, but adds blinkers and stretches out with a Palm Beach Downs bullet in hand for this second go. TJCIS PPs 8th-GP, $55K, Msw, 3yo/up, 6 1/2f, 4:47 p.m. ET WEEKENDSANDWHISKEY (Justify) was knocked down to Robert and Lawana Low for $850,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale and is another from the barn of Todd Pletcher. The chestnut is out of a winning half-sister to Enterprising (Elusive Quality), a three-time graded winner on the turf. The colt's third dam Fire the Groom (Blushing Groom {Fr}) was responsible for eight winners, including champion MG1SW Stravinsky (Nureyev) and English SW & U.S. GISP Moscow Ballet (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). TJCIS PPs The post Saturday Insights: Antiquarian Makes Seasonal Debut at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

To the surprise of no one, pride of place in Sunday's G1 Satsuki Sho belongs to the Sunday Silence sire line with eight representatives spread throughout the 18-strong field. The late Shadai Stallion Station luminary's first foals arrived in Japan in 1992, and from that first crop was 1995 Satsuki Sho winner Genuine (Jpn). Six others followed (Ishino Sunday {Jpn}, 1996, Air Shakur {Jpn}, 2000, Agnes Tachyon {Jpn}, 2001, Nishino Sunday {Jpn}, 2003, Daiwa Major {Jpn}, 2004, and Deep Impact {Jpn}, 2005). Sunday Silence saved the best for last, with Deep Impact also winning the Japanese Triple Crown. A 13-time Japanese Champion Sire before his premature death, the American Horse of the Year would also sire a litany of other Classic winners and champions, excelling as both a sire-of-sires and a broodmare sire. However, it is a different Sunday Silence branch from Deep Impact that gives us the antepost favourite on Sunday in 2024 Japanese Champion 2-Year-Old Male and G1 Hopeful Stakes winner Croix Du Nord (Jpn). By Kitasan Black (Jpn), the sire of 2023 Satsuki Sho hero Sol Oriens (Jpn), 2022 runner-up (and international wunderkind) Equinox (Jpn) and 2025 rival and G2 Spring Stakes winner Piko Chan Black (Jpn), Croix Du Nord counts Black Tide (Jpn), a less heralded full-brother to Deep Impact, as his grandsire. He will leave from stall 10 under Yuichi Kitamura. Trainer Takashi Saito said of the champion, “Last time in the Hopeful Stakes, he got a position quite naturally, and the jockey rode him well. It was the horse's first run at Nakayama, but he ran a strong race. He's had a break at Northern Farm Shigaraki since, and on returning to the stable, he looks about the same, and things seem as usual with him.” A total of three sons of Deep Impact have won this Classic including Dee Majesty (Jpn) ('16), Al Ain (Jpn) ('17) and Triple Crown Winner Contrail (Jpn) in 2020. Deep Impact's 2024 Japanese Champion Sire son Kizuna (Jpn) boasts a trio of colts hoping to dethrone Croix Du Nord, with the three-for-three Eri King (Jpn) shortest in the market. Like the Hopeful Stakes hero, the G3 Kyoto Nisai Stakes victor and son of G1 Queensland Oaks heroine Youngstar (Aus) (High Chaparral {Ire}) will be making his 2025 bow in the Satsuki Sho and will be ridden by Yuga “King” Kawada from stall two. Satono Shining (Jpn) defeated subsequent G1 Oka Show third Lynx Tip (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G3 Kisaragi Sho, while Magic Sands (Jpn) claimed the G3 Sapporo Nisai Stakes. Nishino Agent (Jpn) already sports a win in the G3 Keisei Hai over the Satsuki Sho course and distance, and traces to Sunday Silence through his grandson, 2014 Satsuki Sho hero Isla Bonita (Jpn) (Fuji Kiseki {Jpn}). King Kamehameha's Influence Kingmambo horse King Kamehameha (Jpn) also excelled as a sire in Japan, and seven members of the Satsuki Sho field trace to the 2004 G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner through their male line. The late Japanese Champion Sire and 2015 Satsuki Sho scorer Duramente (Jpn) is represented by a quartet of sons with the three-for-four Masquerade Ball (Jpn) appearing the best on paper. He defeated Kalamatianos (Jpn), by King Kamehameha's son Rey De Oro (Jpn), in the G3 Tokinominoru Kinen. Trainer Takahisa Tezuka said of Masquerade Ball, “He had a break at the farm after his last race, before returning to the stable at the end of March. He's been working as usual on the uphill track, and he's done well enough when considering the ground at the time of his work.” One of the most intriguing runners on pedigree is G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes second Museum Mile (Jpn), by King Kamehameha's Leontes (Jpn). Leontes's dam, the dual Group 1 winner Cesario (Jpn) (Special Week {Jpn}), also produced Celia (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), the dam of fellow Satsuki Sho entrant and group-placed Vincentio (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}). Museum Mile will be ridden by Joao “Magic Man” Moreira, who won the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) aboard Embroidery (Jpn) (Admire Mars {Jpn}) last Sunday. They are booked for stall six. Cutting back in distance is Rulership (Jpn)'s 2200-metre Listed Sumire Stakes winner G T Adamant (Jpn). Seventh choice ahead of Sunday's contest, the colt is currently 18-1 and will exit stall eight. Alternative Bloodlines One of only three in the race not tracing to either Sunday Silence or King Kamehameha, ante-post fourth choice Giovanni (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) was runner-up in the Hopeful Stakes. He is a descendant of Hail To Reason's son Roberto through Kris S. to Symboli Kris S, the sire of Epiphaneia (Jpn). The last-named sire already has 2021 Satsuki Sho hero Efforia (Jpn) to his credit. Another branch of Roberto is represented by the multiple group-placed long shot Dragon Boost (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}). His grandsire Grass Wonder was by Silver Hawk (Roberto). The only horse in the race tracing tail male to Northern Dancer is Hopeful Stakes third Faust Rasen (Jpn), by Frankel (GB)'s G1 February Stakes/G1Yasuda Kinen scorer Mozu Ascot. He won the course-and-distance Guineas prep–the G2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho Deep Impact Kinen–on March 9. The post Sire Lines In The Satsuki Sho appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) is rolling out a participation incentive program for owner and trainers during the five-day 2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course in early June, the track said in a release on Friday. Owners will be eligible for a starter bonus for horses finishing fourth through last with $1,500 awarded for stakes starters and $1,000 awarded to owners of starters in overnight races. Trainers whose horses start in stakes races that week will receive a $750 bonus, while a $500 bonus will be awarded to trainers for starters in all overnight races. The program is designed to assist owners and trainers in covering additional expenses incurred for shipping upstate earlier than the typical start of the summer meet. Eligible horses must be declared an official starter and must not be placed on the poor performance list or veterinarian list. Trainers must comply with all NYRA, HISA and NYSGC racing and safety rules to remain eligible. NYRA reserves the right to determine eligibility for qualified starters. Steeplechase participants are not eligible. Click here to access the condition book and complete purse schedule. The post Owner And Trainer Incentive Program Offered For Belmont Stakes Racing Festival appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Road, sponsored by Gainesway and Darby Dan FarmView the full article

Qatar Racing and Andrew Balding have parted ways with Sheikh Fahad removing his horses from the trainer's Kingsclere base April 17.View the full article

Croix du Nord puts his undefeated record on the line in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese Two Thousand Guineas-G1) April 20, the first leg of the Japanese Triple Crown.View the full article

Following on from our look at the Classic colts in yesterday's edition, the focus has turned to the fillies. This year's Betfred 1,000 Guineas has the potential to be an absolute barnstormer of a race, and anyone not currently spending their waking hours wondering who's better between Desert Flower and Lake Victoria is hereby banned from reading TDN. It's not all about that pair, obviously, and Lake Victoria may not even be ready to return in a fortnight's time, but just the thought of seeing those two go head to head is enough for now. Tuesday's Nell Gwyn winner Zanzoun (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) further embellished Juddmonte's 2025 Classic portfolio but doesn't hold an entry for Newmarket, with the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches the preferred option, according to trainer John Gosden. The Archie Watson-trained Fred Darling winner, Duty First (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) would also need to be supplemented for the 1,000 Guineas. Night Of Thunder may have the favourite, but this could be all about Frankel, who even pops up as broodmare sire of one contender. This is by no means a full list of potential candidates for the race, but it includes those most prominent in the betting and a few to have caught the eye in recent weeks. Here's hoping that this year's race can match the 2024 running, in which the winner Elmalka (GB) was chased home by subsequent Group 1 winners Porta Fortuna (Ire), Ramatuelle, Tamfana (Get) and Fallen Angel (GB). Desert Flower (Ire) Night Of Thunder (Ire) – Promising Run (Hard Spun) If you ever lean towards depression, go to watch horses on the gallops of a morning. Fresh air and thoroughbreds in full flight can provide a huge lift, and it was certainly a thrill to see the unbeaten Desert Flower striding out imperiously along the Rowley Mile on Wednesday morning. We don't know what instructions were given to her rider William Buick, but she was certainly the most visually impressive of Charlie Appleby's four smart gallopers, which included Shadow Of Light (Ire), Ruling Court and last year's 2,000 Guineas winner Notable Speech (GB). A rangey, long-limbed filly, you could be forgiven for thinking that she might be all at sea on an undulating track, but she had already demonstrated an affinity for Newmarket when winning the G1 Fillies' Mile by five and a half lengths. She also won twice last year over the dyke on the July Course. This is her track and she deserves to be favourite. Current odds with sponsor Betfred: 5/4 favourite Lake Victoria (Ire) Frankel (GB) – Quiet Reflection (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) But then there's Lake Victoria. She too can lay claims to Newmarket through her G1 Cheveley Park Stakes win. She also won over a mile, albeit an easier one, at Del Mar in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. She was rated 2lbs higher than Desert Flower in the European two-year-old classifications, and perhaps the only reason she is not favourite is that her trainer Aidan O'Brien indicated several weeks ago that she may not be ready in time for the first weekend of May. On Monday, however, while watching the elegant filly saunter around the training grounds at Ballydoyle, he said, “Lake Victoria is on the way back. We stepped her up a couple of weeks ago and she's really coming. She could be there in time.” Please let that be so. Current odds: 5/1 Red Letter (GB) Frankel (GB) – Red Impression (GB) (Dark Angel {GB}) Zanzoun may be unlikely for Newmarket but Juddmonte could be represented by this homebred whose form ties in to a degree with Lake Victoria. A head separated them at the line when they were first and second on debut at the Curragh. Red Letter won there next time out and was then only a length and a half away when fourth of five in a tightly-fought G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, with that quintet all holding Guineas entries. Current odds: 7/1 Bedtime Story (Ire) Frankel (GB) – Mecca's Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) That five mentioned above included this filly, bred on the same cross as Red Letter but out of a more accomplished race mare in the Group 1-winning sprinter Mecca's Angel. She disappointed in the Moyglare but had twice previously beaten Exactly when winning the G2 Debutante and G3 Silver Flash Stakes. She was also hugely impressive when running away with the Chesham Stakes. Current odds: 16/1 Lake Victoria and Dean Gallagher at Ballydoyle on Monday | Racingfotos Vertical Blue (Ire) Mehmas (Ire) – Krunch (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) A Group 1 winner over a mile in the Prix Marcel Boussac when nosing out stable-mate and recent Prix de la Grotte winner Zarigana (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Vertical Blue was subsequently bought by John Stewart's Resolute Bloodstock for 3,200,000gns at Tattersalls in December. Returned to Francis Graffard's stable in Chantilly, which is in rude health at the moment, she has Classic entries at home and in England, and her trainer may well wish to keep her apart from Zarigana this spring at least. Current odds: 20/1 Exactly (Ire) Frankel (GB) – Heartache (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) If Lake Victoria fails to show her readiness in time for Newmarket, Exactly appears to be Aidan O'Brien's main 1,000 Guineas hope, and she deserves proper consideration. Only half a length behind Vertical Blue when third in the Marcel Boussac, she had been in the shadow of her stable-mates Lake Victoria and Bedtime Story earlier in the season but closed out her juvenile campaign with a seventh start and easy win in the G3 Killavullan Stakes. Second on her first start this season to Swelter (GB) (Kingman {GB}), yet another Juddmonte Classic prospect who heads to the Irish 1,000 Guineas, she should come on for that run. Current odds: 20/1 Cathedral (GB) Too Darn Hot (GB) – War And Peace (GB) (Frankel {GB}) An €800,000 Arqana Breeze-up purchase by Amo Racing, she won easily on debut at Lingfield in September before being narrowly beaten into second in the G3 Oh So Sharp Stakes. Not sighted yet this year but she certainly has a pedigree deserving of a place in the Guineas line-up as her dam is a half-sister to Cathedral's former stable-mate, the Arc winner Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}). Current odds: 25/1 Kon Tiki (GB) Night Of Thunder (Ire) – Maid Up (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) She's in a similar bracket to the 2,000 Guineas contender Cosmic Year (GB) in that we've only seen her twice, but she has won twice, most recently over a mile on the same night at Kempton that Cosmic Year made his return. Trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam wanted to give her more time between races than if she had run in the Nell Gwyn and has indicated that the Guineas is very much in her plans. The trainer had Saffron Beach finish second in the Classic four years ago and she's never afraid to take a chance. Current odds: 25/1 Remaat (GB) Kodiac (GB) – Savannah (GB) (Olden Times {GB}) Third in the Nell Gwyn was not only a good comeback run after almost 300 days off the track but was also a step up on her Newmarket maiden win of last June. She's a big price, and that is rightly so in comparison to some of her higher-achieving rivals here, but it will be hard not to cheer for a filly whose sire, dam and maternal grandsire were all bred by her owner-breeder Prince AA Faisal. Current odds: 50/1 The post Duelling Queens: Assessing the 1,000 Guineas Fillies appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Qatar Racing has removed its six horses from Andrew Balding's Kingsclere yard. The news was confirmed by the trainer's wife, Anna Lisa, speaking at Newcastle on Friday. Anna Lisa said, “Andrew and Sheikh Fahad just had differences and we just decided that it was probably best to go our separate ways.” Balding's association with Sheikh Fahad's operation has been particularly fruitful. Since Qatar Racing was established in 2012, Balding has been training for the operation which has resulted in a quartet of Group 1 winners: 2000 Guineas winner and Group 1 sire Kameko (Kitten's Joy), Elm Park (GB) (Phoenix Reach {Ire}), Side Glance (GB) (Passing Glance {GB}), and New Century (GB), by Kameko. The last-named horse won the 2024 GI Summer Stakes in Canada and was fifth in Wednesday's G3 Craven Stakes at Newmarket. In 2025, Balding's string has been hitting on all cylinders, with 44 winners already, including a double at Newcastle on Friday during the All-Weather Championships with Storm Star (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and Berkshire Whisper (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Kirsten Rausing's Almeric (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) won the Listed Feilden Stakes for the stable on Tuesday. Juddmonte's Jonquil (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) struck in last week's G3 Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes at Newbury. Divina Grace (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}) captured the G3 John Porter Stakes on the same card. Qatar Racing has been expanding the countries it operates in, and enjoyed a win in the U.S. with GIII Pucker Up Stakes heroine Waves Of Mischief (Into Mischief) last year. Sheikh Fahad's silks are also regularly seen in Australia, Ireland, France and Japan. The post Andrew Balding And Qatar Racing Part Ways appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) already back galloping following his upset victory in the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup–more on him shortly–trainer Brad Cox will be well-represented by a pair of older horses on Saturday that could make some noise of their own in the handicap division this year. Godolphin homebred and 'TDN Rising Star' First Mission (Street Sense), a fantastic third while launching his 5-year-old season off the bench in the GIII Razorback H. Feb. 23, is the 2-1 program favorite in the $1.25-million GII Oaklawn H. in Hot Springs. Flavien Prat will be at the controls. A late scratch from the 2023 GI Preakness Stakes after winning a live renewal of the GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. at Keeneland, that term's narrow GII Clark S. runner-up looked like he was on the cusp of stardom last spring, but failed to take the next step following powerful wins in the GIII Essex H. at Oaklawn Mar. 23 and GII Alysheba S. at Churchill Downs May 3. The latter was good for a career-high 106 Beyer Speed Figure. Fourth as the 4-5 favorite in the GI Stephen Foster S. at Churchill Downs June 29, First Mission was given plenty of time to regroup following another head-scratching effort, this time finishing a well-beaten seventh in the GI Whitney S. over a muddy track at Saratoga Aug. 3. “Look, we've always thought he was a Grade I talent,” Cox said. “He was able to win a graded stake (Stonestreet Lexington) off a maiden win at three. We felt very good about him leading up to the Preakness, but we had a small setback that just required time. He came back, was narrowly defeated in the Clark as a 3-year-old, then he really got rolling last spring. We gave him an opportunity in two Grade Ones. Felt really good about him in the Stephen Foster, just didn't fire. We saw no reason to stop. We pressed on and went in the Whitney and just another flat effort. We gave him a break and brought him back.” First Mission rallied nicely from third and was beaten just a neck behind the re-opposing duo of Alexander Helios (Cairo Prince) and Banishing (Ghostzapper) in a race dominated on the front end last time. “I liked how he was doing leading up to the Oaklawn race,” Cox said. “I thought he ran against the bias a bit that day–I don't like too many excuses–but I thought he ran a winning race. Good run off the layoff. Good figures. We zeroed in on this race ever since. I think we got him primed and ready. He's really training well.” Just a Touch | Horsephotos Qatar Racing, Resolute Racing and Marc Detampel's highly regarded Just a Touch (Justify), meanwhile, will shoot for his second straight allowance victory at Keeneland Saturday. The $125,000 FTKOCT yearling turned $300,000 OBSAPR breezer is the 6-5 morning-line favorite and will face nine rivals, including GSW & MGISP Skinner (Curlin), going 1 1/8 miles. Regular rider Florent Geroux has the call. A very sharp 3-year-old debut winner sprinting in the slop at Fair Grounds last January, Just a Touch earned a spot in the starting gate for the GI Kentucky Derby while still eligible for a first-level allowance following fantastic runner-up finishes in the GIII Gotham S. at Aqueduct and GI Toyota Blue Grass S. at Keeneland. Last of 20 at a well-backed 11-1 after an eventful journey on the first Saturday in May, Just a Touch made just one more start last season, coming up a head short as the heavy favorite in the Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows July 6. “I would definitely say that we were trying to fast track him,” Cox said. “And listen, he responded. He broke his maiden and went right into graded stake company. Ran well enough in the Gotham and ran very well in the Blue Grass. He didn't get away well in the Derby. He got squeezed back. That show was over a couple of jumps out of the gate for him.” Cox added, “It wasn't the greatest training job after the Derby or job of managing him and I'm to blame for that.” The time off has served Just a Touch quite well. He returned to the races with a stylish, 10 1/2-length, front-running victory at Fair Grounds Mar. 1. That effort earned him a career-high 102 Beyer Speed Figure. “He rebounded well with the freshening,” Cox said. “I thought he ran the way he was training in his one run this year. I wanted to give him plenty of time and space his races and hopefully get a full season out of him. This was the logical spot at Keeneland on Saturday. He's still lightly raced and trying to get some solid miles and experience underneath of him. Looking forward to this being a stepping stone towards graded stakes.” The GI Stephen Foster S. at Churchill Downs June 28, a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, “could be in play” for the aforementioned Dubai World Cup upsetter Hit Show, Cox said. “As soon as we got him out of quarantine, he looked phenomenal,” Cox said. “I'll talk it over with the Wathnan group and Case Clay, but right now, I don't see a reason to pull him out of training. He bounced out of it really well.” Cox concluded, “They're exciting horses. (Last year's GI Jockey Club Gold Cup S. winner) Highland Falls (Curlin) is back on the worktab, too. We have a nice group of older horses. We gotta have things go right, but we're in a good spot.” The post Fresh Off Dubai World Cup Victory, Brad Cox Barn ‘In A Good Spot’ in Older Horse Division appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With seven runs under her belt entering Friday's G3 Auguste Rodin Coolmore Prix Cleopatre, Zia Agnese (Fr) (Romanised {Ire}) was by far the most exposed contender in the 10 1/2-furlong Classic trial and made her experience tell with a game pillar-to-post triumph. The outsider of five, fresh off a course-and-distance fifth on seasonal return earlier in the month, broke well and led from flagfall. Coming under pressure when threatened in early straight, she refused to yield inside the final quarter-mile and was ridden out to hold all-comers at bay in game fashion. The G3 Prix Penelope victress Tajlina (GB) (Kingman {GB}) was second by a head. Owned by Gina d'Amato and Richard Marini, Zia Agnese will now head straight to Chantilly for the G1 Prix de Diane, according to trainer Gianluca Bietolini. “I was not at all disappointed with her first run of the season,” he said. “She was facing some nice colts, on ground probably a shade too soft for her, and she also lost a shoe. I knew she was ready and that she would run her race. She stays well and we did not hesitate to take our responsibilities. Beforehand, in the back of our minds, we were dreaming of the Prix de Diane. Now we can dream even more and she will go straight there.” Pedigree Notes Zia Agnese is the fourth of five foals and lone scorer produced by a winning half-sister to Listed Norsk Jockeyklubs Sprintlop runner-up Pal O'Mine (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}). Her second dam Xaara (Swe) (Xaar {GB}) is a full-sister to G3 Sweet Solera Stakes third Kay Es Jay (Fr) and a half to Listed Prix de Montretout third Archetype (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}). The April-foaled bay, half-sister to a 2-year-old filly by Victor Ludorum (GB), hails from the family of G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Bateel (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), herself the dam of runner-up Tajlina (GB) (Kingman {GB}). (@RonanThomass – @gl_bietolini) crée la surprise dans le Prix Cléopâtre (Gr.3) ce vendredi à Saint-Cloud. De bon augure pour la suite, elle qui est engagée dans le Prix de Diane Longines le 15 juin prochain. pic.twitter.com/nsTDUnxJG0 — Equidia (@equidia) April 18, 2025 Friday, Saint-Cloud, France AUGUSTE RODIN COOLMORE PRIX CLEOPATRE-G3, €80,000, Saint-Cloud, 4-18, 3yo, f, 10 1/2fT, 2:17.63, g/s. 1–ZIA AGNESE (FR), 126, f, 3, by Romanised (Ire) 1st Dam: Little Sister (Fr), by Le Havre (Ire) 2nd Dam: Xaara (Swe), by Xaar (GB) 3rd Dam: Angel Rose (Ire), by Definite Article (GB) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€27,000 Ylg '23 ARQAUG). O-Gina d'Amato & Richard Marini; B-Team Hogdala AB (FR); T-Gianluca Bietolini; J-Ronan Thomas. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 8-3-1-0, €80,050. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Tajlina (GB), 126, f, 3, Kingman (GB)–Bateel (Ire), by Dubawi (Ire). O/B-Al Asayl France (GB); T-Francis-Henri Graffard. €16,000. 3–Indalimos (Fr), 126, f, 3, Cloth Of Stars (Ire)–Lucy The Painter (Ire), by Excellent Art (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€12,000 RNA Ylg '23 ARQFEB; €47,000 Ylg '23 ARQOCT). O-Yves Burrus; B-John Plowden Carrington; T-Andre Fabre. €12,000. Margins: HD, 1 1/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 19.70, 0.40, 9.00. Also Ran: Benamira (GB), Marinaleda (Fr). Scratched: Danara (Fr). The post Romanised’s Zia Agnese Makes All for Prix Cleopatre Upset appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Helped by race-fitness on Friday, Ka Kui Ho's Glittering Legend (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) proved too strong in the Listed Burradon Stakes to emulate the win of his half-brother Megallan (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the Newcastle feature. This looked a deep renewal of the mile contest staged on the Tapeta, with last year's G2 Royal Lodge Stakes runner-up Royal Playwright (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Lordship Stud's TDN Rising Star Bowmark (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in attendance and the focus was sharply on the latter who started as the well-supported 6-4 favourite despite having only his second start. Glittering Legend, who had taken a similarly warm affair at Kempton last month, was delivered by Daniel Muscutt to overhaul the Gosdens' market-leader in the last furlong and secure a neck success at odds of 9-2. Royal Playwright was 1 3/4 lengths away in third. The winner was a bargain 67,000gns purchase from the Tattersalls Somerville Sale, being that he is out of the Listed Lord Weinstock Memorial Stakes winner Eastern Belle (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) who is a half to Golden Horn (GB). Her aforementioned son Megallan took this in 2021 before finishing second in the G2 Dante Stakes and adding the G3 Diomed Stakes and G3 Sovereign Stakes to his tally. “He's a star horse. He was very naughty to begin with, but he's getting it together now and turning into a really useful three-year-old,” trainer James Fanshawe said. “He came there travelling beautifully and his experience probably stood him in good stead today. He's very tenacious and tough and it's just a case of whether we step up to a mile and a quarter. I'll speak to Mr Ho and make a plan, but he'll prob be at Royal Ascot I'd say.” Battling display! Glittering Legend takes the BetMGM Burradon Stakes at @NewcastleRaces!@D_Muscutttt | @james_fanshawe pic.twitter.com/YQMzD2Nqax — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 18, 2025 The post Too Darn Hot’s Glittering Legend Stars In The Burradon For Ho And Fanshawe appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chris Waller isn’t reading too much into Joliestar’s (Zoustar) defeat as favourite in the Gr.1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m), adamant the mare is going well enough to make amends at Randwick. Joliestar finished ninth, beaten two lengths by Saturday’s Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) rival Briasa (Smart Missile), after jockey Damian Lane was left with little option but to make his run up the fence in the straight. Combined with a moderate tempo, Waller said it made Joliestar’s task difficult. “Damian had nowhere to go and he had to go up the fence,” Waller said. “There was no pressure in the race. He couldn’t push out. He had to go where no other horse had been on the day and it was slower there.” Prior to that, Joliestar was a brilliant winner of the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington and two of her five wins have been at Randwick. With Lane suspended, Zac Lloyd takes over the reins and should be able to give Joliestar plenty of galloping room from a midfield draw. “Barrier nine probably suits her, we won’t get the same excuse,” Waller said. “I think 1400 metres is probably the right distance for her too. “I’m not panicked. She is good enough to win. She just needs a little bit of luck on race day.” Waller will also saddle up Osipenko (NZ) (Pierro) in the All Aged Stakes in what will be his first start since taking out the Listed January Cup (2000m). He generally improves into a campaign as he steps up in trip and Waller views Saturday as a nice starting point. “He’s a neat old horse. He is getting ready for the Hollindale (Stakes – Gr.2, 1800m).” View the full article

It only seems like yesterday that Billy Egan was partnering Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock) to the gelding’s second ever career win. That win at Flemington was 22 months ago, and Egan was then associated with the Danny O’Brien-trained galloper in Young Werther’s next four starts. Egan reunites with Young Werther in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on Saturday, the first time he will ride the gelding in a race since finishing second in the 2023 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m). The jockey has had five rides on Young Werther, for two wins and two placings, including finishing third in the Gr.1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington before the Ballarat Cup outing. Egan explained it was his choice in riding former Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War), also prepared by O’Brien, as to why he had not continued his association with Young Werther. “I honestly think I got on him at the right time,” Egan said. “They dropped him back in grade and he started winning races and then he started going back up in grade, so I was just lucky at the time. “He and Vow ended up going to a heap of the same races and I stuck with Vow.” Egan partnered Vow And Declare when they defeated Young Werther in the Gr.3 Tatt’s Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm last June and he hopes to head north with Young Werther this year. Young Werther has had two runs this campaign, with Egan partnering the stayer in a jump-out at Flemington prior to his first-up run in the Australian Cup Prelude (2000m) at Flemington last month. At his last start, Young Werther was ridden forward and chased Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) when seventh in the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) on March 29. “I trialled him first-up this prep, and he gave me a good feel,” Egan said. “He felt like he still has plenty of life about him. “His run first-up wasn’t too bad, so hopefully with natural improvement, and that run the other day hasn’t bottomed him out too much, that he’s come through it well. “He’s drawn one on Saturday and I spoke to Jack Howard (O’Brien’s assistant), and we’ll try and ride him in a replica of when he won at The Valley one day when he drew one and box seated. “I don’t see Mornington being any dramas for him. “He’s got a good record at Flemington with the big straight, but I’ve worked him at The Valley, and he flies around there as well.” Young Werther was purchased out of Cambridge Stud’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by trainer Danny O’Brien, in partnership with Aquis Farm, for $140,000. Out of the winning Fastnet Rock mare Romantic Time, Young Werther is a half-brother to stakes-placed Romantic Lady (NZ) (Power) and a full brother to three-time winner Villaden (NZ) (Tavistock). View the full article

Race 2 FORSMAN RACING 3YO 1200m SUPER PHOTON (G Rooke) – Trainer Mr. S Marsh reported to Stewards, that on Monday 14 April, SUPER PHOTON underwent a veterinary examination. Subsequently, on Tuesday 15 April, the gelding underwent blood tests. No abnormalities were detected in either assessment. S Marsh further advised he may look to nominate SUPER PHOTON for the Waikato TR meeting on Saturday 26 April. The post Waikato Thoroughbred Racing @ Te Rapa, Sunday 13 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 6 RICCARTON PARK FUNCTION CENTRE WELCOME STAKES 1000m BEST ROSE (G Rooke) – Te Akau Racing Manager Mr. R Trumper advised Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of the filly, however, BEST ROSE has now been sent for a spell. The post Canterbury Jockey Club @ Riccarton Park, Saturday 12 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 8 CITY OF NAPIER SPRINT (Listed Race) 1200m FARAGLIONI (J Riddell) – Trainer Mr. J Shaw reported to Stewards, that on Monday 14 April, FARAGLIONI underwent a veterinary examination, which included blood tests. The results indicated an iron deficiency. J Shaw subsequently advised that the mare would be given a freshen up, and upon return to the stable, further blood tests would be conducted. The post Wellington Racing Club @ Trentham, Saturday 12 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 3 TAB 1600m SHAMWARI (C Grylls) – Trainer Mr. M Forbes reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the gelding, and confirmed his intention is to continue with SHAMWARI’S current preparation as planned. The post Auckland Thoroughbred Racing @ Ellerslie, Wednesday 9 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

OnTrack, racing’s mental wellbeing programme, is seeking 2–3 Board Members. These are paid positions and the remuneration is $12K for Directors and $18K for the Chair. If you are interested in applying, please send your CV and Cover Letter to apply@amytea.co.nz before the closing date of 27 April 2025. To find out more click here View the full article