Wandering Eyes

6th-GP, $84K, Msw, 4yo/up, f&m, 1m, 2:49 p.m. ET. In early June last summer, SPIRIT OF HOPE (Street Sense) was working toward her first start for trainer Bill Mott at Saratoga. The filly was a 'main track only' entrant for a maiden special weight, but was unable to draw into the race. Given some more time through the fall, the Godolphin homebred is ready for her unveiling here. Out of highly productive mare Dance Card (Tapit), the first-time starter's half-siblings include Horse of the Year & current sire Cody's Wish (Curlin), MGSW Endorsed (Medaglia d'Oro) and the dam of 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro). TJCIS PPS The post Thursday’s Insights: Half-Sister To Cody’s Wish Has Gulfstream ‘Dance Card’ Filled Out appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After an announcement that starting letters would be harmonised across sales companies in 2026, a change in position by one of those sales companies has resulted in a revision to the Tattersalls Group's starting letters for this year. All Tattersalls sales in Newmarket will are catalogued alphabetically, either by lot name or dam name and will remain on F, apart from the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale which will revert to its unique starting letter of K. Tattersalls Ireland will revert to starting letter P for Flat sales at Fairyhouse and letter F for all National Hunt sales. The starting letter for each sale will advance by five letters each year, with X, Y and Z being counted as one letter. The starting letters for the next three years are as follows: Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Breeze Up Sales & Tattersalls Ireland National Hunt Sales: 2026 – F 2027 – K 2028 – P Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale: 2026 – K 2027 – P 2028 – U Tattersalls Ireland Flat Sales: 2026 – P 2027 – U 2028 – B The post Catalogue Starting Letters Revised For Tattersalls Group appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club will offer significant enhancements to its 2-year-old racing program, reinforcing the track's long-standing commitment to developing juvenile runners while expanding opportunities for owners, trainers and breeders, the track announced Wednesday. Beginning with the 2026 Summer season, which opens July 17, Del Mar will offer $100,000 open maiden races for 2-year-olds on the main track. These enhanced purses, for both colts and fillies, underscore the early success of California's new single-circuit structure and reaffirm the importance of juvenile racing to the seaside oval. In addition, Del Mar will introduce new conditions for select two-year-old maiden races restricted by auction purchase price, limited to horses purchased for $150,000 or less. These special-condition main-track races will offer a purse of $70,000, while all other maiden allowance races will carry a purse of $80,000. These multi-tiered offerings are designed to broaden participation and create meaningful opportunities for a wider range of owners, trainers and breeders, while maintaining Del Mar's traditionally high level of competition. “2-year-old racing has a long and storied history at Del Mar,” said David Jerkens, Del Mar's Senior Vice President of Racing. “These enhancements reflect our commitment to honoring that tradition while adapting to the evolving needs of the industry.” Additional details regarding race conditions and schedules will be available in the official condition book, available in mid-May. Del Mar's 87th summer season runs from July 17 through September 7. The post Del Mar Increases Juvenile Open Maiden Race Purses To $100,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Third-crop stallion Sweetontheladies (Twirling Candy) will return to Florida where he will stand the upcoming 2026 breeding season stand at Solera Farm in Williston. A son of leading sire Twirling Candy, Sweetontheladies will stand as the property of The Four Horsemen Racing Stable and Lady Lindsay Racing Stable for $2,500 live foal. Sweetontheladies won or placed in 11 stakes from the ages of two to five before retiring sound with earnings over $400,000. As a juvenile, he won three of his first four starts, including the Juvenile Sprint Stakes and captured the Crystal River Handicap at Gulfstream Park at three. On his best day, his ran third in the GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes at Saratoga. For more information or to book a mare, please contact John Kasbar. The post Sweetontheladies Relocates To Florida’s Solera Farm For 2026 Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has formed a new strategic plan for the organization, broadening the scope of its activities, enhancing its sustainability, and developing new partnerships toward encouraging use of Thoroughbreds beyond their racing and breeding years, Walter S. Robertson, Jr., president of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance announced Wendesday. “Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance was formed a little more than 15 years ago, and it quickly achieved its primary mission of becoming the centerpiece of Thoroughbred aftercare support across North America,” said Robertson. “After extensive research and analysis and with input from stakeholders across all areas of the Thoroughbred industry, we are pleased to announce an expanded strategic plan, which will further protect Thoroughbreds and provide a firm foundation for their care and retraining for years to come.” The expanded strategy for Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance includes five pillars: Financial stability maintained through centralized industry-provided funding conduits. Gold-standard accreditation and certifications, including developing and expanding strategic alliances with placement programs with racetracks. Data analytics to better monitor and analyze aftercare outcomes. Comprehensive resource allocation and support via increased grants, alliances and sponsorships of Thoroughbred events, and customer service resources and support. Industry-wide advocacy and education, including public relations success stories with Thoroughbreds in second careers. “The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is deeply grateful for The Jockey Club's help with the plan and their financial support and steadfast leadership,” Robertson said. “As a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance co-founder, our largest financial backer, and a valued long-term partner, The Jockey Club continues to play a defining role in expanding and strengthening aftercare for Thoroughbreds.” Everett Dobson, Chair of The Jockey Club, added: “For 2026, The Jockey Club is contributing $2.5 million to aftercare–funding driven in part by registry transactions and proceeds from our commercial companies–with the bulk of that supporting Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Aftercare is a shared responsibility. We're confident Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's plan will keep raising the bar for aftercare, and we encourage other organizations, companies, and individuals to join us with reliable, ongoing funding–year after year.” The post Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Announces New Strategic Plan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As an unrelenting stretch of icy winter cold hangs over the Bluegrass, the thought of a sunny spring day of racing at Keeneland with the dogwood trees in bloom sure feels like a welcome reprieve. At the upcoming Spring Meet, Keeneland will celebrate the grand opening of the interior hospitality spaces in the new three-story Paddock Building. To help chase away the winter cold, Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin sat down with TDN to share more details on Keeneland's five new venues before tickets go on sale on Tuesday, Feb. 17. “All the rooms are furnished and we're just finalizing, going through a punch list with our contractor and getting everything wrapped up,” Arvin shared. During the 2025 Fall Meet, Keeneland debuted its renovated Saddling Paddock and Stakes Winner's Circle. The new venues within the Paddock Building will offer views of both locations. Lexington-based designer Matthew Carter, who has had a hand in existing venues at Keeneland like the fifth floor Keeneland Room, led the interior design process for the new building. Arvin said that maintaining Keeneland's time-honored atmosphere while enhancing the fan experience was a top priority throughout the project. “We spent a lot of time looking at the history of design at Keeneland, which goes back to the days of Mrs. [Alma] Haggin, who really was in charge of it at the beginning,” she explained. “One of the reasons that it was so important to us that Matt Carter be involved was because I feel like he has really looked at the history and understands what the feel of Keeneland should be, but at the same time can focus on modernizing it and adding in some fun touches.” For the upcoming meet, access to the Paddock Building will be exclusive to guests with tickets to one of its five spaces. The venues will offer over 1,000 new public dining tickets each race day. “Part of the reason that we built the Paddock Building was because we didn't have enough supply for the demand, which is an incredible problem to have and we do not take it for granted,” said Arvin. “So we want to be sure that we can fulfill as many requests as we can. We expect that it will be very well received and we're still going to run out of inventory pretty quickly, honestly, but that's 1,000 more people per day we can seat, which is great.” Ticket pricing for the new spaces range from $100 to $200 based on location, race day and dining package. Beyond the racing season, Keeneland plans to leverage the Paddock Building during sales to offer more hospitality options to auction attendees. 1936 ROOM 1936 Room | Keeneland photo Location: North end of first floor with access to Paddock Lawn Seating: Lounge seating and high-top tables Food and Beverage: All-inclusive passed and stationed hors d'oeuvres, full-service premium open bar Inside Look: “The 1936 Room is probably the newest concept for Keeneland, because there's not another room like it at the track. It is the first time we've done an all-inclusive ticket. There will be passed food, as well as food stationed throughout the room, so it's not a sit-down experience. We may pass some cocktails too.” “The jockeys walk through the room from the Jockeys' Quarters downstairs, which is fun and interactive. Also if you have access to that room, you have access to the north side of the paddock, so you have a spot to go outside.” “People like to enjoy the races in different ways. Some people like to sit at a table all day while other people like a little more action. They want to be able to mingle and walk around and this definitely gives them the chance to do that.” Favorite Detail: “I love the look and feel of all of the rooms, but I do really love this one. The woodwork is beautiful and the lighting is really special.” SYCAMORE ROOM Sycamore Room | Keeneland photo Location: South end of first floor adjacent to the Stakes Winner's Circle Seating: Reserved table service Food and Beverage: A la carte high-end dining and cocktail service with classic American cuisine Inside Look: “This is probably our most upscale room of the five new rooms. There are some private rooms off to the side in the space, which I think people will really enjoy. This room is also on the first floor so you can walk right out to the area outside the walking ring.” “The menu is à la carte. I laugh because I've actually heard more rumors about the Sycamore Room than I imagined possible. The menu is close to finalized but it's not actually finalized, and for a while people were saying it was going to be a steakhouse. While there will probably be a steak on the menu, it is not a steakhouse. But I do think the food will be delicious and special in there.” Favorite Detail: “I love the bar in the Sycamore Room. It might be my favorite bar of the new ones.” DOGWOOD AND IVY ROOMS: Dogwood Room | Keeneland photo Location: Second floor overlooking the Paddock Seating: Reserved table service Food and Beverage: Buffet-style dining. A la carte snacks and cocktails available for purchase. Inside Look: “The Dogwood and Ivy Rooms are similar spaces and are on the second floor. They are both going to have an elevated buffet. You've got the arched windows, which I think are so in keeping with what you think of when you think of Keeneland. The views outside these rooms overlooking the paddock are really special.” “The Dogwood is bigger than the Ivy Room. The Ivy Room seats 110 people, so it could be a private space or not. It just depends on what the demand is for that day. It was kind of a missing link for us because the Lexington/Kentucky Room is so large and then you go down to the Stakes Lounge at the Lafayette Room, which maybe wasn't large enough sometimes. So the Ivy Room hopefully will fit that need.” Favorite Detail: “I actually love the wallpaper in those rooms. You walk in and it's just very striking and I love the way it's hung around the windows.” Rooftop Bar | Keeneland photo ROOFTOP BAR AND ROOFTOP DINING: Location: Third floor overlooking the Paddock Seating: Reserved table service. Rooftop Dining in enclosed premium indoor space. Rooftop Bar in covered outdoor area. Food and Beverage: A la carte lunch and cocktail service Inside Look: “Obviously the best part of the rooftop is the view. I've spent a lot of time staring at the Sycamore tree, but until I saw it from the rooftop, I hadn't seen it quite like you can from that vantage point. It's pretty spectacular.” “It is an a la carte menu up there too. For the outdoor space, you've got a big bar area–kind of a round bar, which I think people will enjoy–with covered high-top tables surrounding the bar. Inside, you've got a smaller dining room with seating.” Favorite Detail: “The view of the paddock is amazing, but it is also pretty neat to see the rest of the campus when you're turned away from the paddock and looking over at the sales pavilion and all the barns.” The Keeneland Spring Meet runs April 3-24, with no racing on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Easter Sunday, April 5. Purchase tickets at Tickets.Keeneland.com. The post Shannon Arvin Shares Inside Look at Keeneland’s New Paddock Building appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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If you bump into Edmond Mahony over the next few days at Park Paddocks and congratulate him on his ITBA Wild Geese Award, the chances are that it will be greeted with mild embarrassment and an assertion that there are other more deserving recipients out there. Mahony is famously averse to fuss. He has, equally famously, guided the good ship Tattersalls to extraordinary growth, even through some choppy waters, in his long-running tenure as chairman. There was the not insignificant matter of a global pandemic which somehow the bloodstock sector navigated its way through. Collaboration and innovation meant that horses were still traded, even if it was in a manner which would hitherto have been unthinkable. “We had two streaks of luck, really,” he recalls of that time. “One was that Matt Hancock was the local MP here and we had a direct line into him that otherwise we wouldn't have had. I know Matt has been criticised hugely since, but I have to give him credit where it's due, and he recognised that the racing industry needed looking at and he did his best for us in that regard. “I think we were also lucky because we own quite a bit of [Australian auction house] Inglis and they had pioneered the online platforms. Since the pandemic, with Kat Sheridan and Ross Birkett, we've developed it further. Now, I wouldn't say it's mainstream, but it's not far off it.” The development of Tattersalls Online has been one of a significant number of changes to have occurred in almost 33 years since Mahony became chairman of Tattersalls. In 1993, a total of 3,401 horses were traded at the Newmarket auction house for 41,412,398gns. Fast-forward to 2025 and the adjusted figures of 5,212 sold for turnover of 426,389, 509gns tell their own tale of the reach and stature of this world-renowned brand. Further change is afoot, but mostly only subtly. While Mahony remains in his position as chairman, he has stepped down as chief executive, paving the way for Matthew Prior to have become managing director from January 1, along with the appointment of three more new directors to the Tattersalls board in Jason Singh, Harvey Bell and Tammy O'Brien. The latter was already a member of the board of Tattersalls Ireland, of which Mahony is also chairman, while Simon Kerins is chief executive. “I think all of them are outstanding individuals,” Mahony says. “Matt's a great leader. You've got Harvey and Tammy and Jase, and Caroline [Scott] has done a fantastic job since taking over the finance department. We've still got the old heads around the boardroom table, with Gav [Davies] and John [Morrey] and myself, so I think it's all positive. “Tattersalls is a big beast now compared to what it was in 1993. It's a better model in that both Simon and Matt are reporting in to me and they're both running the shows on a day-to-day basis, which they're well able to do.” One change which has not been met with universal approval is that from this week's February Sale, Mahony, along with fellow auctioneer John O'Kelly, will no longer be on the rostrum. For one so obviously reticent about being centre stage, Mahony has long seemed an unlikely auctioneer but he was to the manner born, following the example of his father Denis, who was an auctioneer at Ballsbridge. His style is a magic combination which manages to be both understated and commanding at the same time. He will be missed. “We introduced a company policy a few years ago that auctioneers stood down at 65, which is as good a time as any, really,” Mahony explains. “But I have to say, I didn't realise there was going to be quite the reaction there has been, because I have had a lot of correspondence from people saying I made the wrong decision. There's never a good time, but there's definitely a right time, I think.” Of the importance of getting it right, particularly on behalf of the vendor, he adds, “You're advocating the horse in front of you for two and a half minutes and it's taken someone possibly three years to produce. So I was always very conscious of that, particularly for the smaller people, they were always the people that I felt most badly for when it didn't go well, and probably I've had more correspondence from them than anyone else. Edmond Mahony in action on the rostrum | Tattersalls “I think the most important thing is to have engagement with the audience you're with and have empathy with them, too, which is something I always try and instil in the people I'm teaching. I'm at the stage now where I'm trying to pass on whatever I've learnt. You've got to thank people, you've got to recognise people's efforts. And I think what actually sells horses, funnily enough, is rhythm. People bid to the rhythm that you're selling in, so I think that's probably the most important thing, but after that, it's having empathy with the vendors and the purchasers.” A horseman down to his boots, he knows however that the business is as much about people and, increasingly, politics. Last year, Mahony strayed from the norm in his closing address following the December Sale, warning unequivocally of the “perilously uncertain” future faced by the industry. “I suppose the background to it was that I was concerned that a government minister at the end of the 2024 sale had basically touted Tattersalls sales as a reason that the racing industry did not need any help. And I was very uncomfortable with that because I think it was obviously a complete misrepresentation of the situation,” Mahony explains. “I thought that I would take an opportunity to set that record straight, and I had a few goes actually over the year, but nobody really picked up on it. So I thought, right, this is the time to do it because I'm stepping down as the chief executive. I had a lot of people message me saying it needed to be said.” He continues, “I'm very conscious of how small breeders are suffering at the moment. We've tried our best to help with sales races, supporting the TBA with their initiatives on the fillies' bonus schemes, and we've thrown a lot more into sponsorship. We sponsored the Middle Park and the Cheveley Park when they didn't have a sponsor last year, but realistically there's only a limited number of things we can do, because we are buffeted by the political headwinds that we're facing. “I'm very concerned at the way the present government are handling the economy. They came in on a pledge to look after business, which clearly has not happened. If anything, they've done the opposite. “The situation with the non-doms is probably the most worrying for racing, and we've got the perfect storm of rising taxes, rising inflation, all the extra costs they put on business – even things like VAT on school fees is sucking money out of the economy that otherwise would be spent on incremental businesses like racing. “I know we had a slight victory with the betting tax, but I suspect that was a pyrrhic victory and that it's going to come back to bite us.” While Mahony says that he is not usually pessimistic, he points to the lack of engagement with the racing industry by Britain's politicians in comparison to Ireland as a cause for concern. “I've never gone down this road before but I am now because I think I need to,” he says. “Ireland's a completely different economy. They've got politicians that are seriously invested in racing. The real contrast is something like point-to-pointing, where the Irish government are putting in somewhere between €3-to-€4 million every year, and the government here are trying to stop it. I mean, if nothing else illustrates the gulf, it's that.” And yet the two countries have a necessarily symbiotic relationship. What happens in Britain will affect the Irish racing industry eventually, and perhaps nowhere is this felt more keenly than in the sales companies which operate across both jurisdictions. “People always say that Tattersalls is a very British company, which I don't altogether recognise, because I always think we're an Anglo-Irish company,” Mahony notes. “Not only do we have a huge base and a huge investment in Ireland, also the majority of our shareholders are actually either Irish-based or from Irish extraction. So I think we see ourselves very much as an Anglo-Irish company, if not an international company, so I find myself very interchangeable in that regard.” Tattersalls Ireland's Simon Kerins with Edmond Mahony | Tattersalls Despite spending plenty of time in his native country, Mahony has for many years resided just outside the British racing heartland of Newmarket, a town which he says is “the most undersold resource – there's nowhere in the world like this”. There was a time early in his chairmanship when moving the company from Britain to Ireland was under serious consideration. Lobbying of then-Prime Minister John Major ensued and, despite the acknowledged disconnect, there is often to be found the odd government minister touring Park Paddocks. Recently that has included former Home Secretary Priti Patel and current Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch. From EU harmonisation back in the 1990s, to its fracture through Brexit over the last decade, and the aforementioned Covid pandemic, there have been plenty of storms to weather. “I've gone through periods of recognising how much damage and how much good, to be fair, politicians can do to industry and business,” Mahony says. “During the pandemic we nearly got closed down a couple of times, and if not for the intervention of various politicians, we probably wouldn't have had any sales.” While it has long been acknowledged that the top tier of the market, with its lure for world leaders and billionaires, is to a degree immune to financial crises, Mahony acknowledges that a continued partial shrinkage of the thoroughbred population is inevitable, and he is concerned for the lower echelons. “The breeders that are breeding nice commercial horses that ordinarily would be finding buyers that are giving economically viable prices – that's the area that I'd be worried about,” he says. “The stallions that are standing for nominations of £10,000 and under, their offspring are no longer making the £30,000, £40,000 that they need to.” The breeding game has already changed significantly in recent decades and it is easy to imagine that more small breeders will be lost in the coming years. Mahony recalls, “In the early 1980s we had hundreds of small farmer vendors who had two or three yearlings every year. You'd go to a county and spend nearly a week in it looking at all these horses. Now it's the complete opposite. Those people have been replaced by huge farms that have, in many cases, hundreds of yearlings. I think that's probably the biggest change.” Yearling inspecting is still, however, one of the most enjoyable aspects of the business for the chairman whose spare time, when he has any, is devoted to producing show hunters. He has enjoyed Anglo-Irish success in this sphere at Royal Windsor and the Royal Dublin Show. “It's where I started,” he says. “My mother was very keen on horses and I was very lucky and enjoyed the energy that she had in doing it. “I think if you ride to a certain level, you pick up things automatically, on conformation, good and bad, and how it's not nice sitting on a horse with no front, and that sort of thing. “But I think you just have to love the horse; that's the most important thing. And that's why I'm keen on the RoR. We came in early on when it started off and sponsored the show series, and I think it's been a great success.” RoR – the Retraining of Racehorses charity – has a showcase to kick off proceedings at 11am at Tattersalls on Thursday ahead of the popular stallion parade, which Tattersalls stepped in to rescue when the TBA discontinued its support. The February Sale gets underway in their wake and, though a lower-key beginning to the sales year at Tattersalls, it invariably provides an engaging couple of days ahead of the start of the covering season. Over the years, Mahony has seen all horses great and small sell from his vantage point on the Tattersalls rostrum. He particularly recalls the transaction involving subsequent treble Group 1 winner Chief Singer, a large colt by Ballad Rock who was “sandwiched between a Mill Reef and a Habitat in the Airlie draft”. He says, “I remember thinking, am I going to get this horse sold? And suddenly Richard Galpin threw his catalogue up in the middle of the ring, bought him on the reserve of 10 grand. And his first start was in the Coventry. “Richard Galpin was an unbelievable judge of a horse – an absolute genius.” Plenty of similar compliments were paid to Mahony by his peers at the ITBA Awards on the last weekend of January, but he says modestly of his award, which is given annually to someone who has represented Ireland with honour abroad, “I'm sure there were more deserving winners on the night than me, but it was very kind of them to recognise me, and I appreciate that.” Political concerns forgotten for now, he adds, “It's still a business that is so enjoyable. It's a way of life, isn't it? I look back on my life and think I've been incredibly lucky to work in my hobby, basically, and I think that's the same for most people in this field.” The post Edmond Mahony: ‘You Have To Love The Horse; That’s The Most Important Thing’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When you spend 3,200gns at the horses-in training sales on a 42-rated handicapper, the barometer of expectation cannot be set very high. Win a little race somewhere? Great. Win a couple? You're a genius. Win seven in a row and bid for a modern day record-equaling eighth success on the trot? You must be having a laugh. Well, the ownership group of Barry And The Chuckles are the only ones laughing here. It was through bloodstock agent Dan Astbury that the syndicate picked up Aisling Oscar for that paltry sum from a Tattersalls Online Sale in September. The group of owners, of which Astbury is a part of, have scarcely been able to wipe the smiles off their faces ever since. The grin could be about to widen further as the Adrian Keatley-trained five-year-old will be bidding for that record-equaling eighth win on the trot at Southwell on Thursday. However, if Aisling Oscar is to be successful, he will need to prove himself away from Newcastle, where all seven of his wins for current connections have been recorded. Astbury said, “The preference would have been for this race to be at Newcastle because he has such a big stride but unfortunately the races did not suit. Southwell is probably the second-best track for him as it is the longest all-weather straight there is away from Newcastle so we're hoping for the best. “Aisling Oscar is unbelievable – he takes his runs so well and comes out bouncing from every race. Adrian and all of his team have done an amazing job and, touch wood, he seems to be taking it all in his stride. But, he looks to have a favourite's chance on form on Thursday. I know he is up in the weights but it is a pretty similar race to the one he won cosily last time at Newcastle. Hopefully he can go very close again.” So, how did we end up here, with Aisling Oscar hoping to replicate the achievements of the Reg Akehurst-trained Ballynakelly, who won eight times between 1995 and 1996? Astbury, who is perhaps best known for sourcing classy horses for the National Hunt sphere, is the first person to admit that Aisling Oscar has exceeded all expectations by climbing a whopping 25lbs in the space of just four months. He explained, “We only bought Aisling Oscar for a little bit of fun. We bought him to target him at the all-weather bonus, but for it to have gone as well as it has, it's been brilliant. He had good all-weather form given he won twice when trained by Craig O'Neill in Ireland. Racing at Dundalk is a lot more competitive than the all-weather racing over here and the other angle we had is that he has a massive stride length. We bought him to run at Newcastle but we couldn't get him in any races at the start because he was rated so low. That's why he ran on debut for us at Wolverhampton.” Aisling Oscar has cashed a little over £25,000 in winning prize-money for current connections. Far more lucrative than that, however, is the all-weather bonuses he has netted over the winter months. A much bigger carrot awaits if the winning machine can maintain his status as the most successful performer in Britain this winter given a lucrative bonus of £100,000 will be on offer for the all-weather horse of the year at the end of the season. Astbury concluded, “The all-weather bonus system played a big factor in us buying Aisling Oscar. If it wasn't in place, we probably wouldn't have bought him. It's a huge incentive and, to be fair, they are getting a lot more runners on the all-weather in England now because of the bonus so it's working well. The race values can be thin but, with the bonuses, it gives people a reason to get involved. I obviously didn't think we were going to win seven races with him but I thought we could win a few and that's why we bought him. I can't say enough about what a brilliant job that Adrian has done with him. The horse looks an absolute beast at the minute so fingers crossed he can go in again.” The post “Unbelievable” Aisling Oscar Bids For Record-Equalling Eighth Win On The Bounce At Southwell appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Schedule for racing on radio, television, streaming, as compiled by America's Best Racing.View the full article

In late December, trainer Butch Reid had a tough decision to make. Should he run his promising now 3-year-old Mailata in the Jerome Stakes on Jan. 2 at Aqueduct Racetrack or the Dec. 30 Future Stars Stakes at his home base of Parx Racing? View the full article

Mike Curry, of America's Best Racing, sees Intrepido as the pick for the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) Feb. 7 at Santa Anita Park while Robusta could pull the upset.View the full article

Romantic Son secured a dramatic third-straight DBS x Manulife Million Challenge win for trainer David Hayes after diving late to win the Class Three Sing Woo Handicap (1,200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Hayes, who had won the last two editions of the Million Challenge with Soleil Fighter and Tomodachi Kokoroe, came into the evening with a pair of strong candidates, with Storm Rider also flying the flag for the stable. Storm Rider needed to overturn a six-point gap to series leader Regal...View the full article

Tickets for Kentucky Derby Week and the entire Spring Meet at Churchill Downs Racetrack are set to go on sale Thursday at noon with an added day of racing to celebrate this year's Derby Week. For the first time since 2010, Churchill Downs will return its meet opener and kickoff to Derby Week to the afternoon rather than running at night under the lights as was the case from 2011-25, the track announced Wednesday. Post time for Opening Day powered by LG&E and KU will be Saturday, April 25, at 12:45 p.m. Additionally, Churchill Downs is bringing back Sunday to the Derby Week schedule for the first time in 15 years. Post time for the Sunday, April 26 program will be 12:45 p.m. The 152nd Spring Meet at the historic Louisville racetrack will span nine weeks from April 25-June 28 over 44 racing dates. Kentucky Derby Week grows from six to seven days from April 25-May 2 with no racing on Monday, April 27. “With the Spring Meet and Kentucky Derby Week kicking off in the afternoon and the return of Sunday racing on Derby Week for the first time in 16 years, we believe our strong racing product will be well received by the local community, horseplayers around the country and our horsemen,”said Mike Anderson, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. Tickets for the 152nd GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Kentucky Derby on May 1-2 are available by visiting here or here. The post Derby Week Opener Returns To Daytime And Will Feature Sunday Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The former director and chief executive officer of healthcare technology startup Biofourmis Holdings, Kuldeep Singh Rajput, was set to be charged in a Singapore court on Feb. 4 for his alleged involvement in a series of financial crimes, according to a statement released by the Singapore Police Force on Tuesday and reported by the Business Times. The Business Times in Singapore identified the accused as Kuldeep Singh Rajput, the company's founder and former CEO, who stepped down from his role in August 2023. Rajput was also the head of Gandharvi Racing, which has been active in racing and bloodstock globally in recent years. The report states that police have said Rajput will face charges including falsification of accounts, fraud by false representation, and forgery for the purpose of cheating. According to investigations, Rajput allegedly instigated company staff to falsify invoices between Aug. 18, 2021, and Feb. 28, 2022, which purportedly showed that Biofourmis Singapore had provided nearly $16.5 million worth of services to Singapore's Ministry of Health. Authorities said the services were not rendered. Rajput is also accused of making, and abetting the making of, false representations concerning Biofourmis Holdings and its subsidiaries between March and April 2022. In addition, he allegedly forged an employee stock option plan offer letter with the intent to deceive a bank in connection with a proposed funds transfer. If convicted of fraud by false representation or abetting such an offence, Rajput faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years' imprisonment, a fine, or both, per charge. The post Gandharvi Boss Set To Be Charged For Alleged Crimes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Everest winner Think About It, who also won the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup and G1 Stradbroke Handicap when sweeping all before him in 2023, has died at the age of seven due to complications arising from colic surgery. The son of So You Think had been spending his retirement in the care of his regular rider, Sam Clipperton, having survived a pulmonary haemorrhage following his fall in the 2024 Sydney Stakes at Randwick. “A high-energy horse, Think About It applied himself 110% to everything he did, without a great deal of self-preservation,” read a tribute posted to social media by owners Proven Thoroughbreds. “He tried his absolute guts out every time he raced and that is all any owner/fan/punter can ever ask for. Maybe he was supposed to 'Live fast, die young'.” The post Proven Thoroughbreds Pay Tribute to Fallen Everest Hero Think About It appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mario Gutierrez won the Kitten's Joy Stakes and the Sweetest Chant Stakes at Gulfstream Park Jan. 31 aboard Brian Lynch trainees, Thousandsticks and Sister Troienne, earning him Jockey of the Week honors for Jan. 26-Feb. 1.View the full article

Intrepido, trained by Jeff Mullins, defeated Desert Gate and Plutarch in the 2025 American Pharoah Stakes and is scheduled to meet them again in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes Feb. 7 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

The three-time Group 1 winner Nashwa (Frankel) has delivered her first foal, a Dubawi colt, at Blue Diamond Stud. Imad Alsagar's homebred Nashwa retired at the end of the 2024 season as the winner of five of her 18 career starts for John and Thady Gosden. Most notably, she won the Prix de Diane and Nassau Stakes as a three-year-old, before returning the following year to add the Falmouth Stakes to her top-level tally. “We are delighted with Nashwa's first foal, a good strong colt with an attractive head and plenty of quality,” Alsagar said of the new arrival. “Nashwa is extremely special to us as a homebred champion from a family that we continue to develop. She will now return to Dubawi.” Nashwa's dam, the Prix Jean Romanet runner-up Princess Loulou (Pivotal), who is also responsible for the Listed Quebec Stakes winner Nebras (Dubawi), has a yearling full-brother to Nashwa named Nasheed. She is in foal to Dubawi and will visit Sea The Stars in 2026. The post Dubawi Colt the First Foal for Classic Heroine Nashwa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5 – CAPTAIN SHREVE, SA, 1/31-6th, 6 furlongs (Video) Beyer Speed Figure-78 (2nd) (g, 3, by Runhappy–Sierra Electrica, by Tapit) O/B-Kretz Racing (Ky). T-George Papaprodromou. J-Kyle Frey. If one considers Potente (below) a 3-year-old to monitor going forward, Captain Shreve has to be somewhere on the same screen. He nagged Potente from the start, drew alongside turning for home, then couldn't quite keep pace late in another legit runner-up finish (he was a debut 2nd to Secured Freedom). Rustin and Juliana Kretz are Southern Californians, but named the gelding after a Shreveport, La., high school. 4 – POTENTE, SA, 1/31-6th, 6 furlongs (Video) Beyer Speed Figure-79 (c, 3, by Into Mischief–Sweet Sting, by Awesome Again) O-Speedway Stables. B-Pam and Marty Wygod (Ky). T-Bob Baffert. J-Kazushi Kimura. Much was expected of Potente, and not just because he was a Baffert 3/5 first-timer. The grandson of Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf Grade I winner Perfect Sting has been in a spotlight ever since Speedway owners Peter/Ann Fluor and K.C. Weiner bought him for $2.4 million as a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling. He delivered by leading all the way, and even though his 79 Beyer was hardly “potente” (read: powerful), it was at least a starting point. 3 – PIKE, GP, 1/31-4th, 6 ½ furlongs (Video) Beyer Speed Figure-81 (2nd) (g, 3, by Cajun Breeze–Glitterama, by Rock Hard Ten) O/B-Tom McCrocklin (Fla). T-Fernando Abreu. J-John Velazquez. It may be unfair to tarnish him with this observation after only four starts, but thus far it appears Pike will run however fast a maiden race requires–to finish second. He has a perfect record in that respect, with his last three losses by a neck, neck and head when it appeared he would win all three. In fact, he took the lead from Wall Street at the sixteenth pole then gave it back, although both finished well (see below). 2 – WALL STREET, GP, 1/31-4th, 6 1/2 furlongs (Video) Beyer Speed Figure-81 (c, 3, by Into Mischief–Well Humored, by Distorted Humor) O-WinStar Farm and First Go Racing. B-WinStar Farm (Ky). T-Brad Cox. J-Irad Ortiz Jr. WinStar already stands Grade I winner Patch Adams, so for whatever reasons, it probably isn't too torn up about losing this full-brother for $50,000 at the claim box, or the colt wouldn't have been entered for a tag in the first place. But after losing his debut at even-money with a slow start, Wall Street sped home Saturday in :24.32 for his final quarter to stubbornly keep in front of co-favorite Pike. Comparing that to other impressive sprint winners on the card, unbeaten Solitude Dude came home in :24.72 in the Swale and 5-year-old Roar Ready finished in :24.87 in an allowance. 1 – FORCED ENTRY, SA, 2/1-2nd, 1 mile (Video) Beyer Speed Figure-81 (f, 3, by Charlatan–Violent Times, by Violence) O-Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman. B-Stoneriggs Farm (Ky). T-Bob Baffert. J-Juan Hernandez. As 7/2 third choice in a five-horse field, bettors viewed this second-start turf-to-dirt maiden with unusual skepticism for a Baffert trainee even though the highest Beyer run by her four rivals was a mediocre 68. And the skepticism was quite unwarranted: Forced Entry set a lively pace and romped by 7 1/4 lengths. A $375,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase, she may not prove an Oaks filly for the Three Amigos with an 81 Beyer. But it was plenty enough in this spot. The post The Five Fastest Maidens – Jan. 26 – Feb. 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In response to Maggie Sweet's powerful letter to the TDN–February 2, 2026, I would like to add my support–and my urgency. The Jockey Club needs a paradigm shift, and so do Thoroughbred owners and breeders. The future of our sport depends on it. Think of a stunning model–poised, admired, photographed from every angle. Now imagine that same model with a mouth full of rotten teeth. No matter how beautiful the rest of her may be, the illusion collapses the moment she smiles. Perception changes instantly. The image is damaged, and with it, her career. That is the racing industry when aftercare is neglected. Our sport is magnificent in its athleticism, tradition, and heart. But when the public sees horses without safe and dignified futures, the image fractures. We are forced to keep our “mouth closed,” hoping no one looks too closely. And when they do, the damage is swift and lasting. Aftercare is not a side issue. It is not charity. It is the moral and reputational dental care of this industry–basic, necessary maintenance that preserves both life and image. If we had built its cost into the structure of our business from the beginning, we would not now be scrambling to defend our integrity. Do we really want to watch the racing and breeding industries suffer irreversible harm because we failed to budget for responsibility? It is time to act. The Jockey Club has made meaningful progress, but incremental steps are no longer enough. This is the moment for leadership–visible, collaborative, and industry-wide. Owners, breeders, tracks, and registries must work together to create sustainable, mandatory support for aftercare. A paradigm shift is not optional anymore. It is the price of preserving the sport we love. Suzi Pritchard-Jones is the founder of the Byerley & Godolphin Conservation. The post Letter To The Editor: In Response To Maggie Sweet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With the announcement in early January that Elliott Walden would step down from his role as CEO of WinStar Farm in October, passing the torch to Gerry Duffy, a 20-year run at the company is coming to an end. Until 2005, when he took over as Vice President, Walden had trained horses for the organization. Under his management, the farm won the Triple Crown with Justify along with two Kentucky Derbies, three Belmont Stakes, five Breeders' Cups, and four Eclipse Awards. Walden hand-picked Duffy to take over the reins, praising both his organizational and people skills. Walden sat down to talk to the TDN about what he loved about the job, what he'll miss, and what's next for the 62-year-old. SF: As I understand it, Gerry starts on April 1st and then you will be with him until October, but talk to me about that transition and how that will work out. EW: It was a well thought-out plan and we just wanted to have time with Gerry to pass this baton. He's coming aboard on April 1 as President. I'm going to be CEO, and he's going to hit the ground running with the main personnel on the farm. They're going to report to him, and then we're going to work side-by-side for six months and he's going to see the strategic side of things, when we go to buy horses, et cetera. We chose October 1 so that we could get through the September Sale. And then I'm going to consult for nine months. SF: What led you to this decision? Trainer Todd Pletcher with Walden | Jon Siegel EW: It was really about timing; more WinStar's timing than my timing at my age and where I am in life. I could have gone another four or five years, barring any health or any type of issue, but we have talked amongst ourselves about what's next for WinStar as far as the Troutt family goes, and we're seeing Preston Troutt (Kenny's son) really step up in a big way and he's coming alongside Kenny and showing the same interest. So building a team around Preston was the main impetus of this, and Gerry is the right age for that. We had a transition at a couple of other key positions. Jack Mullikan stepped down a couple years ago and handed the baton off to Michael Holmes, who's a real star in the CFO role. And Gerry was at the point where he wanted to come back. He was still in Abu Dhabi, but his family decided to stay here, and that always changes things. SF: So after October 1st, what happens for you? What do you do on October 2nd? EW: I don't know. That's the exciting thing about it. I get to figure out some things to do. I'll probably consult in some way, and I've had a lot of calls on that, but really I'm just being open to what God has in store for me. I'm excited about that. I've always been a planner. I've always been an organizer. It's worked well for me to this point, but in this next phase I really don't know, and so it's allowing me an opportunity to grow my faith in that. And you know what? I don't have everything figured out, but I'm excited about it because with our children growing and Will doing so well in the business as a trainer, it's exciting to see that allow a little more time to be able to focus on that and to support him and our other kids in the endeavors that they have as well. SF: Could you see yourself going back into some sort of training role? EW: No, I don't think so. That would be getting right back into the day-to-day grind, and one thing I am looking forward to is the opportunity to be able to do some different things. From the time I started on the racetrack, I've worked 45 years basically six or seven days a week, and so the opportunity to be able to do some different things is exciting to me. So I don't see myself training. SF: Are you the kind of person who can see themselves retiring, or do you need a purpose? Will and Elliott Walden | Jon Siegel EW: Oh, definitely a purpose. I'm not going to sit on the couch. There are going to be opportunities that come up and I'm already starting to think about some of those. But right now, I don't have anything scheduled because I'm still a hundred percent all-in to give Mr. Troutt and the Troutt family my focus. SF: What was the highlight of your time at WinStar? EW: The Triple Crown is an easy one. That's pretty incredible to do, and just to think about the history of that accomplishment and that it hasn't been done but 13 times, that's pretty overwhelming. I tried to win the Kentucky Derby twice as a trainer and got beat a neck both times, so really, I think being a Kentucky guy, winning the Kentucky Derby twice with WinStar is right there. SF: How does your family feel about this transition? Does your wife worry you're going to be around too much? EW: No, no. She's completely supportive and this is an opportunity for me to support her. She's supported me for so long in these two roles, moving around the country and being gone a lot, so this is an opportunity for me to give back to her. SF: WinStar really came of age under your guidance, becoming a true global brand. What are you going to miss the most about it? Is it the people? Is it the day-to-day coming in the office? EW: The highlight of WinStar for me has been the team, and that starts at the top. Kenny has been an incredible boss and leader. He has entrusted us to execute, but it starts with his desire. He's an example of what makes a farm like WinStar successful, and you see it in other farms as well, and that's first and foremost a very proactive owner. I think a farm of this magnitude needs a proactive owner, whether it's John Magnier at Coolmore, Kenny Troutt at WinStar, or B. Wayne Hughes at Spendthrift. I don't think you accomplish all that we've accomplished without somebody who has their eye on the ball. And with that, he's also entrusted us to make the decisions. So working for him has been a real honor and a blessing, and what's so exciting about the future for WinStar is that Preston is starting to step into that role. Kenny's still going strong, but we're all getting a little older, and that's part of why we made the decision we made. Preston is a very impressive young man. For WinStar to survive over the next 25 years, they need a Troutt at the helm, and Preston's going to be that guy when Kenny is ready. SF: Is there anything I haven't asked you that you'd like to say? EW: We just had our annual managers' retreat. This was our 25th, and it just reminded me how much I'm going to miss this team. They are exceptional. I feel good that we're handing a really accomplished, professional team off to Gerry in a way in which we can make sure that WinStar Farm does not miss a beat. We have a bright future with the young stallions that we have coming up, starting this year. Life is Good and Nashville have their first runners this year, and Constitution is rolling. I'm excited about what Preston, Gerry, David, Natanya, and the whole team can do for the next 25 years. I'm going to miss working with the quality of these horses, but I would anticipate that I'm going to be around some quality horses in the future. The post Q and A: A New Chapter for Elliott Walden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Lambourn Open Day, a fixture in the racing calendar for more than three decades, returns in 2026, celebrating Lambourn's role at the heart of the sport whilst raising vital funds for charity. On the morning of Good Friday, April 3, over 20 of Lambourn's Flat and National Hunt trainers will open their doors to the public, offering a rare chance to step inside some of the country's most famous yards. Leading names such as Nicky Henderson, Archie Watson, Clive Cox, Ed Walker, Jamie Osborne, Jamie Snowden and Richard Hughes will be among those welcoming visitors, with Nick Scholfield also set to open his yard for the first time. Following the morning yard visits, the focus switches to the main showground for a full afternoon programme designed to appeal to all ages. Racing legend John Francome has been appointed a Patron of Lambourn Open Day for 2026 and will be in attendance on the day, taking part in the afternoon events. Highlights for 2026 include Celebrity Show Jumping, the ever-popular Shetland Grand National, Schooling with Top Jockeys and the Windsor Clive International Parade of Equine Heroes, alongside a range of additional displays, trade stands and family entertainment. The Outside Chance Beer Tent will be open from midday in the afternoon events field. All profits from the day go towards supporting Lambourn, with the majority donated to the Lambourn Valley Housing Trust, which works for the welfare of Lambourn stable staff, alongside contributions to other local facilities and the Thames Valley Air Ambulance, which provides critical emergency support to the area. Mark Smyly, chairman of Lambourn Open Day, said, “Lambourn Open Day is always a special occasion for the sport and for everyone connected to the area. It gives racing fans the chance to see how these yards work on a daily basis, meet the horses and the people behind them, and enjoy a brilliant day out. With top-class yards open in the morning and a packed afternoon programme, there really is something for everyone, of all ages.” Tickets for Lambourn Open Day are on sale now, with full event information available on the website. The post ‘A Special Occasion for the Sport’ – Lambourn Open Day Returns in 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Lindsay Park stable is confident the Blue Diamond Stakes aspirations of two-year-old Eurocanto (Per Incanto) are back on track. The Ben, Will and J D Hayes-trained two-year-old was sent back to the trials after being withdrawn from the Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) at Caulfield on January 24. Eurocanto played up in the gates that day and was scratched at the barriers. The colt required a veterinary clearance to be cleared to race again after the vets on race day deemed Eurocanto lame in the near foreleg, while stewards ordered the two-year-old to trial their satisfaction in a jump-out. That jump-out occurred last Friday at Flemington with Eurocanto finishing second in an 800m heat behind the Don’t Hope Do. J D Hayes said the stable was relieved to see their Blue Diamond hope back at the races with the two-year-old down to run at Caulfield on Saturday in the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m). Hayes said in an ideal world Eurocanto would be heading into Victoria’s premier two-year-old race, the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 21, at his third run for the campaign. But Hayes said the stable was buoyed by the way Eurocanto performed last Friday. “He trialled really well against the older horses, and he’ll be taking his place,” Hayes said. “He’s back on track and I thought it was a good trial. “He passed with flying colours, and he was on his best behaviour and hopefully he stays that way.” Eurocanto has raced just once previously winning the Listed Maribyrnong Trial (1000m) at Flemington last October. In preparation for what was hoped to be his first-up outing on January 24, Eurocanto had two jump-outs, finishing third at Flemington on January 2 before scoring at Werribee on January 16. “I don’t think he will be lacking anything for fitness on Saturday,” Hayes said. Eurocanto will be the sole starter in the colts and gelding’s division of the Prelude for Lindsay Park with the stable accepting with Jacaranda, Medicinal and Portinari in the fillies’ division. Jacaranda has also been accepted with in the Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday with all three fillies looking to join both Eurocanto and Torture in the Blue Diamond on February 21. View the full article

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained Knobelas will tackle 2000m for the first time when she contests the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. The four-year-old daughter of Belardo is back campaigning in her country of birth and was unlucky not to have snared more of the $1 million prizemoney on offer when third in the Gr.3 Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie just under a fortnight ago. On that occasion Knobelas finished third to Tuxedo and Hinekaha, the latter whom she meets again on Saturday. “We think we probably should have won,” Kent Jnr said. “We spoke pre-race about the Ellerslie track. It’s a tight corner, if you have to cut the corner and then come out that’s a good thing but she was already on the outside so I didn’t see the reason why we had to go back inside looking for runs. “She got held up, got out late and she was good to the line, so I’m sure she’s class-wise up to these gallopers on Saturday. “She’s a very progressive mare but the big unknown is 2000m, but this is certainly a good chance to find out. “We’re very hopeful she does get the 2000m, but you never know until you try it. She’s certainly had the right preparation and she’ll be fifth-up on Saturday. “We’ve got a good jockey in Daniel Stackhouse and a good barrier (two). Daniel’s a prolific winner over here, he’s looking for his first Group One, and it’d be nice if we could supply him with that.” Knobelas is a $3.60 second favourite behind fellow Australian raider Kingswood ($2.50), who won the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m) on Boxing Day. Kent Jnr said it is a short turnaround from the Aotearoa Classic to the Herbie Dyke, but Knobelas has prepared well. “She’s staying at Lance Noble’s place at the Cambridge Stud facility at Karaka,” he said. “I’ve not seen a better facility in my time worldwide, it’s outstanding, we’re very lucky and she’s thrived there. In fact she’s eaten better there than she has back here at home at Cranbourne, she’s done so well, so we’re very fortunate. “She’s had the racing required to get out to 2000m and she’s not a robust mare, you don’t want to be shoving too many hard gallops into her and she’s naturally athletic. “She goes in to Saturday in 100 percent order and we are very happy with her.” Kent Jnr said he and training partner Mick Price were yet to plan beyond Saturday for Knobelas, who races in the colours of OTI Racing, with the Australian syndicators having a growing presence in New Zealand. “We are taking it run by run and she’s pencilled in for a flight back home on Wednesday, but I suppose if things went really well or you got desperately close there is that option to go back to a mile for the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m) or there is the Bonecrusher (Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes, 2000m) in four weeks,” Kent Jnr said. “We haven’t discussed it honestly. It’s run by run with her and hopefully we’ve got a good problem on our hands on Saturday afternoon.” View the full article

Porter on PedigreesView the full article