Wandering Eyes

When the Prix de Royallieu (G1) was promoted to group 1 level in 2019, an extra 2 furlongs was added to the distance and, in six editions since, the home team has failed to post a victory.View the full article

by TDN Editorial Staff Buckle up, race fans, it's going to be a wild ride on Saturday, as no fewer than 16 graded stakes from New York to Lexington, from Los Angeles to Toronto are scheduled, with horse racing's championship weekend now officially less than four weeks down the road. Without further ado, let's jump into the always-productive card at Aqueduct. Champagne, Frizette Share Spotlight at Belmont at the Big A A quartet of graded stakes, headed by the 'Win and You're In' GI Champagne S. and GI Frizette S., take centerstage at the Belmont at the Big A meeting Saturday. Both races for 2-year-olds are contested at a one-turn mile. All eyes will be on Champagne standout It's Our Time (Not This Time), a jaw-dropping 17 3/4-length 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard debut winner going 6 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga Aug. 16. “We're going to find out a lot more about him on Saturday,” trainer Tom Amoss said of the even-money morning-line favorite in these pages earlier this week. The Frizette looks like a much more wide-open affair with no shortage of early speed signed on. Carmel Coast (Omaha Beach) earned a field-best 86 Beyer Speed Figure in a front-running, tour-de-force debut victory over next-out winner Lovely Christina (Vekoma) going 6 1/2 furlongs at the Spa Aug. 10. “It was a nice debut and we're excited to see how she handles the increase in distance and stakes company,” trainer Whit Beckman said. Unbeaten New York-bred Iron Orchard (Authentic) won her first two starts by a combined 12 1/4 lengths, including a sharp, wire-to-wire victory in the Seeking the Ante S. Aug. 22. The 3-1 program favorite takes on open company for the first time. 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Five Bars (Maxfield) turned in an impressive, last-to-first debut victory after getting off to a problematic start in her unveiling for Shug McGaughey on the Travers undercard. The anticipated pace scenario should also favor the two-for-two Chopsticks (Essential Quality), a last-out winner of the Ellis Park Debutante S. Aug. 10. A full field will line up for the GII Miss Grillo S., a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Deep Learning (Cairo Prince), an eye-catching debut winner for Chad Brown over the Saratoga turf Aug. 8, will look to get back on track following a fifth-place finish in the GI Johnnie Walker Natalma S. at Woodbine Sept. 13. The Miss Grillo field also includes the two-for-two Untapable S. winner Quiet Street (Street Boss) and promising maiden winners Miss Picky (Uncle Mo) and Fille d'Oro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). The stacked 12-race program at the Big A also features the GII Jockey Club Derby Invitational. –Steve Sherack FallStars Weekend at Keeneland Rolls On Three of the last nine winners of the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity have gone on to double up in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and a field of seven is set to contest the 'Win and You're In' qualifier for this year's Juvenile at Del Mar on Oct. 31. No fewer than four 'TDN Rising Stars' presented by Hagyard will face the starter, and none has been more impressive or is more accomplished than Spendthrift homebred Ted Noffey (Into Mischief), who followed up a 1 1/2-length graduation with a defeat of fellow 'Rising Stars' Buetane (Tiz the Law) and Curtain Call (Tiz the Law) in the GI Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga Sept. 1. Big Dom (McKinzie), stablemate of It's Our Time, was impressive in graduating by a neck on the Travers Day undercard Aug. 23, and will be ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr. for this first go at two turns. 'Rising Star' Blackout Time (Not This Time) and Spice Runner (Gun Runner) have form over a mile, the former when breaking his maiden by nearly 10 lengths at Ellis Aug 2, and the latter in the Sept. 13 GIII Iroquois Stakes. According to a tweet from social media influencer Griffin Johnson, 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Ewing (Knicks Go) will be scratched out of the Breeders' Futurity after emerging from a Friday gallop 'not at 100%' per Johnson. The GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile has also been ruled out. Ted Noffey romped clear in the GI Hopeful S. | Sarah Andrew The afternoon's richest event at $1.25 million (for those horses bred in Kentucky) is the 'Win and You're In' GI Coolmore Turf Mile, which has attracted a full field of 12, headed by Sam Sangster's Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). No better than a distant ninth in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, he was subsequently victorious in the G2 Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh July 20 and in the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois the following month, where he had subsequent GI Woodbine Mile romper Notable Speech (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) an unlucky head behind. Woodshauna (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) also brings French elite-level form into this test, having won the G1 Prix Jean Prat over seven furlongs ahead of a troubled third in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest Aug. 10 at summer headquarters in Deauville. He should be coming at them late if a fast pace develops, as is expected. 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Donegal Momentum (Uncle Mo) should be ridden forward from the inside stall, while Howard Wolowitz (Munnings), a Grade I winner over 6 1/2 panels should also fuel the tempo. Chad Brown has owned the GI First Lady Stakes, having sent out the winner in each of the past seven years and eight times overall. Remarkably, none of those has come for Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables, but Dynamic Pricing (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) will have every chance to change that. Upset winner of the GI Just A Game Stakes going this trip at Saratoga in June, she was an excuse-free third in the GI Diana Stakes July 12, but dropped back to the mile to best Raqiya (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) in the Aug. 29 Perfect Sting Stakes. Brown also sends out two-time graded winner Segesta (Ghostzapper) Ozara (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) is a first runner in the First Lady for Miguel Clement and enters in top nick, having proved an easy winner of the GII Ballston Spa Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 8. Great Generation (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) has won three of her last four when facing her own sex, including the G3 Chartwell Fillies Stakes at Lingfield in May. 'Rising Star' Doncho (Mo Town) is the 3-1 favorite in the GII Woodford Stakes facing the likes of Group 1 winner Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and 3-year-old Governor Sam (Improbable). Vahva (Gun Runner) is the 7-5 morning-line choice for the GII Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes, with a berth in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint there for the taking. She is clearly the class of the field, but each of her five graded wins has come at seven-eighths. Conversely, Zeitlos (Curlin) is seven-for-10 at this six-furlong trip, including this event 12 months ago. —Alan Carasso Baffert Looks to Retain Stranglehold on American Pharoah With Quartet Contested as the Norfolk Stakes from 1970 through 2011 and then the Frontrunner Stakes from 2012 to 2017, Santa Anita's fall feature for 2-year-olds was renamed the American Pharoah for the 2018 renewal which was incidentally won by the Bob Baffert runner, Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg}). Including all iterations of the race, Baffert has unsaddled the winner on 13 occasions, including when American Pharoah himself took the race in 2014. Since its latest name change, the 1 1/16-mile test has been won by Baffert six times, most recently with ultimate juvenile champion Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) last year. And the Hall of Famer stands a very good chance to add his fifth consecutive win when six horses–four conditioned by Baffert–line up for this year's American Pharoah, a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar next month. Leading the charge is Desert Gate (Omaha Beach), victorious in his debut going five panels at Santa Anita in June before obliterating his rivals by 8 3/4 lengths in the six-furlong GIII Best Pal on Aug. 9. Facing arguably the best juvenile in the Baffert barn right now, 'TDN Rising Star', presented by Hagyard's Brant (Gun Runner), in the Sept. 7 GI Del Mar Futurity, Desert Gate finished only a length behind the winner in the seven-furlong contest. Juan Hernandez, aboard in all three prior starts, will try to nurse the speed of the 3-2 morning line favorite. Desert Gate | Benoit photo Baffert also saddles Kristofferson (Nyquist), a $1.15 million KEESEEP purchase, who won his six-furlong debut at Del Mar by 3/4 of a length on Aug. 31. While Hernandez, who was in the irons for the colt's career debut, sidesteps to the race favorite, Kristofferson acquires the services of Mike Smith. Rounding out Baffert's quartet is Plutarch (Into Mischief), runner up in the one-mile GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf on Sept. 7 in addition to Balboa (Not This Time), who broke his maiden on Aug. 10 before tiring to fifth behind Brant in the Del Mar Futurity. The former, a son of champion Stellar Wind (Curlin), gets blinkers on, while the latter, an $875,000 KEESEP buy, removes them this weekend. Of the remaining horses, Intrepido (Maximus Mischief), the most expensive offspring by the sire sold at public auction when bringing $385,000 at the OBS April Sale, makes his black-type debut following a second-out win going a mile at Del Mar on Aug. 23, earning 'TDN Rising Star', presented by Hagyard status. Trained by Jeff Mullins, the bay was fourth in the seemingly live maiden won by Brant. Civil Liberty (Independence Hall) has suffered defeat at the hooves of Brant in both prior races, including a third in the Del Mar Futurity. The dark bay is trained by Chief Stipe O'Neill, who tries to collect his third victory in this race. Juvenile fillies are also represented on Saturday's card when six line up for the GII Oak Leaf Stakes, a 'Win and You're In' test for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Baffert holds the key with 'Rising Star' Explora (Blame), a 4 3/4-length winner over next out scorer Revera (Lexitonian) in a Del Mar maiden Aug. 17. Caught late by Bottle of Rouge (Vino Rosso) in the Sept. 6 Del Mar Debutante, the $350,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic purchase gets blinkers off while stretching to 1 1/16 miles here. Baffert also saddles 'Rising Star' Himika (Curlin), a runaway winner in her five-furlong debut at Santa Anita in June before adding a victory in the GIII Sorrento Stakes. The $900,000 OBSAPR purchase was fourth last time out in the Debutante. For those looking for a bit more value, La Wally (Constitution) finished a credible third in the Debutante, only 1 1/2 lengths behind the winner. A narrow winner in her debut at Del Mar in July, the Mark Glatt-trained filly has shown improvement in two starts, and her connections hope the favorite gets some pressure up front early to help their closing filly get up for a piece of it. Offering some pizzazz on the undercard's GIII Chillingworth Stakes is 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Tamara (Bolt d'Oro), the daughter of champion Beholder who looked like she could be anything after winning her first two starts at two, including a 6 3/4-length victory in the 2023 Del Mar Debutante. Tiring to seventh as the favorite in that season's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, she went missing until returning with a nose second one year later in a six-furlong optional claimer at Del Mar last November. Mike Smith returns to ride the 4-year-old. Rounding out the 'Win and You're In' races for next month's World Championships, the GII Rodeo Drive Stakes features Hang the Moon (Uncle Mo), winner of this race one year ago. Winless since, she comes into this off a fifth in the nine-furlong GII Del Mar's John C. Mabee Stakes. Likely to take the lion's share at the betting window is Amber Cascade (Free Drop Billy), claimed for $80,000 when a close-up fourth in a Churchill Downs optional claimer on the dirt in May. With Mike Maker now handling the training duties, the 5-year-old mare dead-heated for second in the one-mile Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Turf Mile on Aug. 3 and was second again in the 11-furlong GII Flower Bowl Stakes at Saratoga Aug. 30.–C Bossinakis Nations Pride Leads Truly International Affair In Woodbine Graded Stakes Woodbine plays host to a trio of graded stakes races Saturday led by a truly international version of the GI Canadian International. The 1 1/2-mile turf route features none other than Godolphin globetrotter Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) for Charlie Appleby who returns to Canada to reclaim the race he won in decisive fashion when it was run over 1 1/4 miles two years back. “We came here confident that he was where he needed to be to win this race,” Appleby said. “He had valid excuses for his last two defeats as he's only ever run twice right-handed around Bahrain and been beaten twice. Then at Gulfstream (Pegasus World Cup Turf), he had a torrid shipping, it took a long time to get there and conditions weren't really suitable.” Nations Pride at Saratoga | Sarah Andrew The 6-year-old has seen an up and down 2025, faltering in the aforementioned Pegasus World Cup Turf but bouncing back in Meydan to take the G2 Singspiel Stakes in March. Well beaten again in the G1 Dubai Turf, Nations Pride returned to North America to just be caught on the lead in the 1 1/2-mile GI Sword Dancer at Saratoga Aug. 9. He drew the far outside post of 10 for Saturday's race. “He has shown huge versatility in both Europe, North America, and Dubai,” Appleby continued. “He has a great constitution and is very relaxed which has no doubt contributed to him winning from a mile up to a mile and a half.” Contributing to the international flavor, rail-drawn Haunted Dream (Ire) (Oasis Dream {Ire}) has earned the bulk of his $679,000 earnings split between England and Qatar for Wathnan Racing since being acquired privately in late 2023. The 6-year-old shipped to Woodbine to take this year's GIII Singspiel Stakes Sept. 6 as the favorite in his North American debut. “We were planning to give him a break, to be honest,” said trainer Hamad Al-Jehani. “But after such a great effort in the Singspiel, it gave us confidence to send him back again for the International. It is a good opportunity to be there again, especially with it being a Grade I race. It was a very good performance for him. It was his first time on the track, and he handled it very well.” Al-Jehani's second entry, Silawi (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a gelded son of 2012 G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Silasol (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}) and also ships in from Europe off a win in the Aug. 23 G3 Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor. Sandwiched between the two choices are a host of challengers including hometown hero My Boy Prince (Cairo Prince) who has been knocking on the door at the Grade I level this year with seconds in the Jaipur, the Highlander and most recently, the Woodbine Mile. He stretches out for Mark Casse to the 1 1/2-mile distance for the first time Saturday. Peachtree Stable's Tawny Port (Pioneerof the Nile) seeks his first win since claiming the 2023 edition of the John's Call Stakes at Saratoga. That said, he's no stranger to the marathon distance for Miguel Clement having racked up over $2 million in earnings including a second in the 2 1/16-mile Gold Cup Invitational at Kentucky Downs two back Aug. 30. He was most recently runner-up again on just seven days' rest in the GII Turf Cup Sept. 6. A pair of Grade II events round out the graded stakes action north of the border with the GII Dance Smartly Stakes at 1 1/16 miles. Ready for Shirl (More Than Ready) leads the field for Roger Attfield off a third in the GI E.P. Taylor Stakes at long odds. The GIII Ontario Maton Stakes winner Caitlinhergrtness (Omaha Beach) breaks to her outside and looks for her third win on the Woodbine course this season. The 5 1/2-furlong GII Nearctic Stakes has Bring Theband Home (Into Mischief) who ran eighth in last year's edition and comes in off back-to-back stakes wins at Saratoga including the last-out GII Troy Stakes Aug. 3. Nobals (Noble Mission {GB}) returns to Woodbine for the first time since winning the GII Kennedy Road on the Tapeta in Nov. 2024. —Stefanie Grimm The post Sweet Sixteen: A Sensational Saturday From Sea To Shining Sea appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Diana Stakes (G1T) winner Excellent Truth has been retired after sustaining an injury during training, according to owner John Stewart of Resolute Racing.View the full article

Shadwell's Anmaat is likely to be retired after sustaining a setback preparing for his title defense of the G1 QIPCO Champion Stakes later this month, according to racing manager Angus Gold. The Awtaad gelding won half of his 18 starts including the 2023 G1 Prix d'Ispahan and last year's Champion Stakes. In 2025 alone, he has run second three times at the highest level for trainer Owen Burrows in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, the Prince Of Wales's Stakes and in the Irish Champion Stakes. Gold told the PA news agency, “Sadly I think we've probably come to the end of the road with him. “It's not an old injury, he's had various niggles throughout his career, that's why he's been such an amazing horse as he's come back from all these adversities which have been well documented – he had well over a year off at one stage. “We got him back and he has saved our last two years, he's been a star for us but sadly he didn't come out of Ireland in great shape. He's always been a bit pottery and we hoped it might just be that but it didn't get any better. “The X-rays showed nothing but when he had an MRI, it showed a tiny little crack in a cannon bone. If he was a young horse you'd maybe put a screw in it and race him on, but he's overcome so much adversity so I think we'll give him an honourable retirement and he'll have a home for life.” The seven-year-old son of African Moonlight (Halling) earned over $2.2 million and was bred by Ringford Stud. He was picked up for 140,000gns out of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale in 2018. Added Gold, “He's been a superstar for us, I wish we had a few more like him. It is very rare for them to come back from the injuries he's had and to retain the enthusiasm for his work at seven like he had was extraordinary. The team at Owen's and at Shadwell have done a brilliant job, everyone is very attached to him. We'll miss him. It's sad he couldn't go out at Ascot but he's he's in one piece and we'll look after him now.” The post No Champion Stakes For Anmaat After Injury, Retirement Likely appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

John Sikura's presence among the filly Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna's connections is meaningful. He has a knack for being associated with quality runners and producers.View the full article

The Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation has named Conan Murray and Mark Moloney as the 2026 recipients of its Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Experience scholarships, the Foundation announced Friday. Granted to recent graduates of equine programs from Irish educational institutions, these annual awards provide young people with the opportunity to travel to the United States and gain placement at a leading Kentucky farm. Conan Murray, a Kildare native and graduate of Kildalton College, will be based in Lexington at Springhouse Farm, a full service breeding operation. Conan has worked at Baroda Stud and Ballylinch Stud in Ireland and had a stint with Yulong Investments in Australia. “I'm extremely thrilled to have been accepted for the Gerry Dilger scholarship and am really looking forward to getting started,” said Murray. Joining him is Mark Moloney, a native of County Waterford who will be joining Hunter Valley farm in Versailles, also a full service breeding operation. Mark graduated from the renowned Irish National Stud course in 2024 and has worked at several well-known farms in Ireland including Clare Castle Stud, Glidawn Stud, The Beeches and Ballyhimikin Stud. In addition, he has ridden out for Dungarvan trainer Paul Stephen Kiely. “[I am] deeply interested in the art and business of pinhooking and [am] committed to building a strong reputation in this area,” Moloney said. Click here for full scholarship details. The post Gerry Dilger Scholarship Foundation Names 2026 Recipients appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Is there an adequate Japanese proverb that conveys the nation's unflinching endeavour to win the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe? Perhaps “Ishi no ue ni mo san nen”, to sit patiently on a cold stone for three years which relates to the power of perseverance, or “Nana korobi ya oki”, to fall seven times and get up eight, or “Mateba kairo no hiyori ari”. The latter points to waiting out the unpredictable to choose the right route and ultimately prevail. Since the country's first real go in 1999 with the mighty El Condor Pasa, the list of misses is in the thirties and includes the revered Deep Impact and Orfevre. The former was unlucky to come up against one of the monument's true greats in Montjeu. The latter just threw it away inexplicably in the cruellest twist to the ongoing saga. Maybe Orfevre's last-ditch deviation from the path to Japanese racing's true fulfilment was the true set-up for the story's ending, but will it come this year? In 2026? 2027? We've already seen countless demonstrations of the country's increasing power in this sphere in the Middle East, but in Europe it is fair to say not so much. Coming into this year's race, the portents were strong that the long endurance could be about to be rewarded. After the impressive triumvirate of Croix Du Nord (Kitasan Black), Byzantine Dream (Epiphaneia) and Alohi Alii (Duramente) all won their “trials” with the required prowess, all that was needed was a kind draw and the proverbial fine weather on sea routes. At this point in time, one has been denied and the other is in the balance as France's late summer threatens to turn. For Croix Du Nord and Byzantine Dream, there is no time to wait for calmer waters to navigate with the instant setback of their hostile draws. Alohi Alii has that in his favour, but there is no doubt that significant rainfall will compromise all three and on Friday brooding skies hovered over Paris. If it comes this year, it is fair to say that it will be against the odds so expect justified delirium if either Yuichi Kitamura, Oisin Murphy or Christophe Lemaire deliver the impossible dream. Ballydoyle's Own Quest Continues It may seem ludicrous to suggest that a trainer who has saddled a one-two-three in it can be held up as an example of the Arc's elusiveness, but Aidan O'Brien also knows the power of the race's ability to bring even the best to their knees time and again. In all probability, there won't ever be a repeat of the 2016 frame-filling masterpiece by the Rosegreen handler and it is significant that all tries in the interim have hit the rocks. This time, he has the ideal candidate in Minnie Hauk (Frankel), who has the maximum weight allowance due to age and sex, proven form and ideal attitude which she showed at Epsom, The Curragh and York. She is also a smart-breaking filly which will help from stall one and while she is yet to meet the colts, her trainer is convinced that greater competition will bring out the best in her. While Minnie Hauk is on the up, it is difficult to gauge where last year's third Los Angeles (Camelot) is at after three off-the-board efforts. Drawn slightly higher than 12 months ago, he will probably be asked to go forward again as he was then and this is a colt with real physical substance who knows how to battle on softer ground. “I'd never be surprised by anything that happens in a race,” O'Brien said when asked to compare his duo. “My two have never worked together, they've had two different preparations totally and it will be interesting. She does look a very good filly, but he looks a horse who is slowly progressing back to his best so it's impossible to say.” A Continuing Aventure Ever since 1976, when Ivanjica provided Jacques Wertheimer with his breakthrough in the race, the family have become synonymous with it courtesy of the exploits of Gold River and Solemia who surprised Orfevre in 2012. It may be that last year's runner-up Aventure (Sea The Stars) is the best they have pitched at it for some time and it is a guarantee that she will be trying her heart out for connections. The other Wertheimer runner is Sosie (Sea The Stars), who has enjoyed a close-to-perfect Arc prep and who will have the ground more in his favour than he had in the Prix Foy. Andre Fabre's eight winners of this were all perfectly crafted to peak on the day and he looks to have made the kind of progress expected of him from three to four based on his impressive time performance in the Prix d'Ispahan here earlier this term. Where Aventure will be compromised is she has lost the weight-for-age concession she enjoyed last year and she has a wide draw in stall 12, so the Vermeille heroine is in some ways up against it. She is housed next to the filly who chased her home last time and interestingly White Birch Farm's Prix de Diane heroine Gezora (Almanzor) was marginally faster over the final three furlongs there. Gezora's 33.09 finish in the Vermeille was a match for Byzantine Dream's in the Prix Foy, so we are dealing with a racehorse who can really turn it on late which always comes into play here. Where the situation becomes complicated for the rapid finishers is if the ground gets anywhere near the 3.8 reading of last year, or “very soft” which brings into play the likes of Quisisana (Le Havre) and Kalpana (Study Of Man), so eyes will be on the skies leading into Sunday's action. Marcel Boussac Propels Arc Day Into Action All six Group 1 races on Sunday's card are Breeders' Cup “Win And You're In” races and the opening salvo is the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac which is some race in its own right. Ballydoyle's exciting Diamond Necklace (St Mark's Basilica), one of the brigade of TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard, and the Wertheimers' Green Spirit (Kingman) are putting their unbeaten records on the line. The latter has proven course-and-distance form, having captured the Prix d'Aumale last month and flies the flag for France while Al Shaqab Racing and Amo Racing's May Hill winner Aylin (St Mark's Basilica) will also have a say in a race that will have a significant bearing on next year's Classics. Next up is the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, where the Aga Khan Studs representative Rayif (Sea The Moon) meets another Wertheimer crack in the Prix la Rochette scorer Nighttime (Wootton Bassett) and Ballydoyle's Champagne Stakes scorer Puerto Rico (Wootton Bassett), which is followed by the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines. Asfoora (Flying Artie) takes in the latest of her European ventures, where she is met by Al Shaqab's two-year-old Afjan (Mehmas) and the Prix du Petit Couvert one-two Monteille (Cable Bay) and Rayevka (Blue Point). In an open renewal of the Prix de l'Opera Longines, the impressive Blandford winner Barnavara (Calyx) takes on the top-level stalwarts See The Fire (Sea The Stars), Tamfana (Soldier Hollow) and January (Kingman). In the Qatar Prix de la Foret, the all-important draw has favoured Maranoa Charlie (Wootton Bassett) and hasn't been too unkind to the Aga Khan Studs homebred jewel Zarigana (Siyouni) as they break from stalls four and six, but has seriously compromised the ante-post favourite More Thunder (Night Of Thunder), with Saeed Suhail's Hungerford winner handed a nightmare outside post in 16. Ready For Saturday's Warm-Up Acts Before we get to Arc day, the previous afternoon features Newmarket's Sun Chariot Stakes, where the Prix Rothschild and Matron Stakes winner Fallen Angel (Too Darn Hot) encounters Godolphin's Falmouth winner Cinderella's Dream (Shamardal) again as well as the unbeaten improver Lady Of Spain (Phoenix Of Spain). At ParisLongchamp, an impoverished renewal of the Qatar Prix du Cadran is one blip on a card which includes the Qatar Prix de Royallieu where Ballydoyle's once-revered Bedtime Story (Frankel) is asked to try 14 furlongs against the likes of Juddmonte's Prix Alec Head winner Latakia (Frankel) and the Park Hill winner Santorini Star (Golden Horn). The card's Group 2 action includes the Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein, which includes the shock Sussex scorer Qirat (Showcasing) and Baron Edouard De Rothschild's Group 1 nearly-horse Alcantor (New Bay), and the Qatar Prix Dollar in which the Fabre-trained geldings First Look (Lope De Vega) and Bright Picture (Intello) take on some smart three-year-olds headed by the still-unexposed Dante runner-up Damysus (Frankel). The post Is The Arc Japan’s Unreachable Star? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This summer's GI Dunkin Diana Stakes winner Excellent Truth (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) was injured during training and has been retired to Resolute Farm, John Stewart announced on social media Thursday. His post reads: “I am sad to announce that Excellent Truth has been retired after sustaining an injury during training. After consulting with the best medical professionals in the industry, we believe she has unfortunately ran her last race. She competed in three Grade I's, coming in second twice and winning the Dunkin Diana. She will rest up the remainder of the year on Resolute Farm before joining the many Grade I winning mares in her second career.” Excellent Truth was a €1,600,000 acquisition from the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale in 2024. After joining Stewart's North American string, she ran second in both the GI Jenny Wiley and the GI Just A Game Stakes to bring her career earnings north of $677,000. Her final start was her win in the Diana at Saratoga July 12. I am sad to announce that EXCELLENT TRUTH has been retired after sustaining an injury during training. After consulting with the best medical professionals in the industry we believe she has unfortunately ran her last race. She competed in 3 Grade 1's, coming in 2nd twice and… pic.twitter.com/DMP3pZKLrG — Jstewartrr (@jstewartrr) October 3, 2025 The post Excellent Truth Injured In Training, Retired To Resolute Farm 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 announced it is partnering with FOX Sports to present live coverage of the Oct. 5 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) at ParisLongchamp Racecourse in France. View the full article

Hisaaki Saito's Waybreaker (Galiway), who backed up a debut win at Deauville in August with a fifth back there in the Listed Criterium du Fonds Europeen de l'Elevage later that month, made the leap forward and secured a first black-type triumph in Friday's G3 Prix de Conde Jockey Club de Turquie at Saint-Cloud, a contest won last year by G1 Derby runner-up and G1 Irish Derby third Lazy Griff (Protectionist). Positioned behind the leaders in third through halfway, the 10-1 chance made relentless progress along the far-side rail in the straight to challenge approaching the final furlong and was driven out in the closing stages to deny the maidens Czajkowski (Flintshire) and Proof (Dubawi) by a half-length and 1 1/4 lengths for a career best. Waybreaker (@lemaitre60LA – @HeadRacing1) tient en respect ses adversaires dans le Prix de Condé Jockey Club de Turquie (Gr. 3) ce vendredi à Saint-Cloud. pic.twitter.com/p7WjQa9TVt — Equidia (@equidia) October 3, 2025 Pedigree Notes Waybreaker, who becomes the ninth pattern-race winner for his sire, is the third of four foals and one of two scorers produced by GIII Bewitch Stakes victrix Ickymasho (Multiplex), herself a half-sister to this term's G1 Queen Anne Stakes hero Docklands (Massaat) and multiple Group-placed Listed The Sofitel victor Harbour Views (Le Havre). The February-foaled bay, whose third dam is G3 Flying Five winner Bunty Boo (Noalto), is kin to a yearling colt by Australia. The post Waybreaker Makes Black Type Breakthrough in Saint Cloud’s Prix de Conde appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin The southern invasion at Addington is about to get longer and stronger. And that could see trainer Nathan Williamson with at least three major race chances during Cup week as he continued his profitable spring at headquarters on Friday night. A week after two-year-old trotter Duchess Maria won the inaugural Sundon Trot at Addington last Friday her Williamson stablemate Indulge Me came from the worst possible draw to blast past some talented juvenile pacing fillies in the Dunstan Feeds Sires’ Stakes heat. It was only her second start and suggests she is a very smart filly in the making and, like Duchess Maria, a product of John and Katrina Price’s mission to breed world class standardbreds in Southland. That meant buying Indulge Me for a decent sum when she was only a weanling, an investment that already set to pay huge dividends. Indulge Me is a Downbytheseaside daughter of Sweet On Me, the daughter of Adore Me who was the champion juvenile of her year and too good for subsequent Auckland Cup winner Amazing Dream. Sweet On Me sadly died without producing another live foal and Indulge Me is her only filly so the Prices have one of the most valuable breeding fillies in the country not to mention a highly-promising racehorse. “They [the Prices] deserve all the success they are having as they have invested heavily in good stock,” says Williamson. “I am lucky to have owners like them and plenty of others so I can get my hands on fillies like this to train. “She was good on debut down home in April and she has improved a lot since. “She will now head back down for a race down there as she isn’t eligible for the Harness Million here next week then come back up for the Sires’ Stakes Final on Show Day.” Duchess Maria, who has a race at Addington on October 24, also has her IRT Sires’ Stakes Final on Addington on Show Day while arguably the Williamson stable star Captain’s Mistress is ready to trial in a week and will head to the last Nevele R heat at Ashburton on October 27. So those three alone could give Williamson winning chances in three of the major age group races of Cup week and the strength of his team will see him head to Canterbury for a full-on assault. “I will be taking 8-10 up there around mid October and I’d say staying up there for 5 weeks,” he told HRNZ. “It is exciting to be heading to Cup week any time but with horses who will be among the favourites in the major races I can’t wait. “This is what we do it for and I have to thank the owners for the support to be able to try it.” Williamson isn’t the only one with some smart fillies in his barn as Hayden and Amanda Cullen produced General Jen to bolt away with the Nevele R Fillies heat on Friday while stablemate Arafura stormed into third, suggesting they will both be players in the Final on Cup Day. And yet another high-class filly on display on Friday was Habibti Pat, who overcame a tough trip against the older horses for a huge trotting win and she will head to The Ascent on Show Day. On the male front two of the stars of the first half of the juvenile pacing season Fugitive and Allamericanplayer quinellaed their Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes heat, the race won at the start when Carter Dalgety won the race for the lead. View the full article

By Michael Guerin While there was no surprise in the quinella in the Holmes D G at Alexandra Park on Friday night it raised a very interesting question. Is winner Sooner The Bettor going better than this time last year or is Merlin going worse? The answer might be a little bit of both. Sooner The Bettor made it three wins on end to start this campaign and earned his golden ticket into the IRT New Zealand Cup when he led, trailed his stablemate then clearly outpointed him in the straight. All that after a strange incident when he took off at the 600m when young driver Harrison Orange pulled the plugs at the same time Merlin ran up the track slightly when leading. Sooner The Bettor poked his head then neck through the gap on the markers before Orange restrained him so considering that little energy burst he did well to run down Merlin 600m later. Before anybody gets too carried away Merlin did start from a 20m handicap but he got the lead very easily when Zachary Butcher moved and this time last year when they lined up under the same circumstances, Merlin was way too good for Sooner The Bettor, albeit after the latter galloped early. Maybe it is Merlin being a year older and still on the way up or maybe Orange is getting on so well with Sooner The Bettor the free-goer is enjoying the tight-lines driving style and feeling full of himself. Co-trainer Scott Phelan was preferring to concentrate on the positive that is Sooner The Bettor racing so well and being guaranteed his NZ Cup spot. “He is racing great and I was a but surprised he could run past Merlin but of course there was 20m between them at the start,” says Phelan. “They will both be in the Cup now and they will fly down next week, with the Canterbury Classic their next start then at this stage we will take them both to Kaikoura.” The Purdon/Phelan team also won earlier in the night with Ocean Eyes who will join her stablemates in Canterbury for the NZ Trotting Oaks and quite possibly The Ascent. Other good winners on Friday night were Debbie Lincoln in the fillies and mares pace and Chickies Babe in the juvenile trot but the biggest talking point of the night was a lowly maiden race. Debutante juvenile pacer Hes Not That Into U was strolling to an impressive win against the older horses when he shied with 20m to go, weaving violently across the track and galloping. He clung on to win in a photo but was relegated in one of the baddest beats favourite punters will ever have to cop. But where there are dramatic winners there can be grateful winners and so it was the case with promoted winner Mr Miki, who gave trainer Brendon Laidlaw his first career training success. American Muscle showed great courage to win the main trot for driver Tony Cameron while Mako overcame a home bend check to win the last and David Butcher returned to Alexandra Park by training and driving You Little Beauty to win in tough style. View the full article

It's not that Nicholas Tomlinson didn't have a great job. He worked for Mark Casse for 10 years, learned from the dual Hall of Famer and was around some of his best horses. But he had always wanted to see what he could do on his own and Saturday at Gulfstream will begin the next chapter in his career. That chapter starts when he send out Insolenta (More Than Ready), who is owned by Ironhorse Racing Stable LLC and Tiger Racing, Inc, in a $17,500 maiden claimer. He knows he needs more horses and better horses but he is up for the challenge. “As Mark would always say, never be afraid to try new things,” said the 31-year-old horsemen. Tomlinson's start in racing began when he approached Casse and said he wanted a job. Casse was immediately impressed. “It's Interesting, I can still remember the day he came up to me at Keeneland and he said to me that he would like to come join our team,” Casse said. “I came home and told my wife Tina that I met a really nice young man and I think he will do some really good things. And he has. He's been a big part of our success. Hard worker, honest guy, good horsemen and he's been around a lot of our good horses over the years, so he knows that difference between the good ones and the bad ones. I think that's very important. He's a very good horseman.” Said Jon Green, who is the general manager DJ Stable, one of Casse's biggest owners: “I know for over a decade Nick worked tirelessly for Mark and certainly ran a great shedrow. I think he will turn out to be one of the up-and-coming stars of the industry.” While with Casse, the personable Tomlinson went just about everywhere, Saratoga, Churchill, Palm Meadows, Colonial Downs, Gulfstream, Ocala. Each stop was part of his education under one of the sport's best trainers. “What haven't I learned from Mark?” he said. “Not only have I learned a lot professionally, I have learned a lot of life lessons from him. I'm very grateful for everything I've been able to accomplish the last 10 years working for him. It's been a fantastic ride.” Tomlinson will start off slow. Insolenta is his only horse. But he is already formulating plans as to how he can expand his stable. “I'll be at Gulfstream and I really want to try to use the winter there to try to pick up some clients,” he said. “The hardest part when you go on your own is that if you start in April a lot of people will try to send you 2-year-olds. If you're lucky, it will be six weeks before they make the races. Being 2-year-olds, sometimes they need a little more time. I was really hoping to start off with some older horse and try to get going that way, Then, hopefully, by the spring I'll be ready for 2-year-old and more clients.” He is not looking for any business from Casse's stable of owners. “A lot of my connections are through Mark and obviously his owners are extremely loyal to them as they should be,” Tomlison said. “He does a phenomenal job. But I'm hoping with some more exposure I'll be able to accumulate some more clients. Hopefully, getting the word out will help. I'm trying to use this time to build.” He plans to attend the Nov. 12 Horses of Racing Age Sale at Keeneland to, hopefully, pick up new clients and add some horses to his stable. “I will try to my best to get up there,” he said. “I want to meet some new people and, hopefully, pick up some clients.” He is also in the process of creating his own website. He knows it's all about getting exposure and getting the word out. Going out on your own is never easy, especially when it means that you have to leave a good job like the one he had with Casse. “I'm ready,” he said. There's no doubt the game needs more young and ambitious trainers like Tomlinson. With the sport dominated with “super trainers,” like Casse, it's hard for a new face to break in. Racing needs fresh blood and ambitious trainers who are prepared to build from scratch. Tomlinson checks all the boxes. This may not be easy, but he is prepared to deal with some slow times before he builds up his stable. For him, it all starts Saturday at Gulfstream. The post After 10 Years With Mark Casse, Nicholas Tomlinson Is Ready To Move On appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars GENTLEMEN LEGACY - R10 (4) Has trialled nicely ahead of his return and can salute Jay Rooney FAST RESPONDER - R7 (6) Will sit off a hot speed from his ideal draw and pounce late Owen Goulding FIGHT TIME - R6 (13) Won despite a woeful draw on return and can make light work of his upgrade Phillip Woo ONLY U - R2 (1) Is overdue for another win after placing in four of his past five starts Shannon (Vincent Wong) STRATHPEFFER - R4 (12) Loves this track and trip and can salute from...View the full article

We have become accustomed to the prevalence of Urban Sea in today's pedigrees, chiefly through her high-flying sons Galileo and Sea The Stars. But another mare whose name pops up on the page of Sea The Stars as well as that of the recently deceased Wootton Bassett is Park Appeal, whose influence should not be underestimated. The daughter of Ahonoora features in the second and third generations respectively of those two stallions, who commanded the highest fees in Ireland in 2025 at €250,000 and €300,000. In the case of Sea The Stars, Park Appeal is there as the dam of his sire, Cape Cross. In turn, Wootton Bassett's sire Iffraaj is out of Cape Cross's half-sister, Pastorale (Nureyev). It is likely that Park Appeal will have her say in some way in the result of Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, for six of the 17 runners carry traces of her blood. The Wertheimer pair of Aventure and Sosie, and the Aga Khan Studs' Daryz are all by Sea The Stars, the winner of the Arc at the culmination of his own sensational three-year-old season in 2009, and who also features as the broodmare sire of Quisisana (Le Havre). The Japanese Derby winner Croix Du Nord is out of Rising Cross, the mighty little filly from the third crop of Cape Cross who ran second in the Oaks back in 2006. Then there is the Prix de Diane winner Gezora, who is easily now the best runner for her exiled sire Almanzor, the horse responsible for bringing his own father Wootton Bassett to wider attention when becoming the champion three-year-old of 2016. Wootton Bassett has been fully praised for his exploits thus far and his untimely death last week at the age of 17 will almost certainly continue to be rued in the years ahead. But there remains a nagging feeling that Cape Cross, a son of Green Desert, has never quite been given the credit he deserves for his own contribution to the breed, particularly when considering the fact that he sired three of the best horses of the modern era: Sea The Stars, Golden Horn and Ouija Board. Park Appeal died 20 years ago, but not before she had bestowed a number of stallions upon Sheikh Mohammed's Darley operation Sea The Stars's feat of winning the Derby, Eclipse, Irish Champion Stakes and the Arc among his six Group 1 victories was emulated six years later by Golden Horn, who missed out on a fifth when beaten a neck by Arabian Queen (Dubawi) in the Juddmonte International. Ouija Board was simply an outstanding mare. Her wins included the Oaks, Irish Oaks, Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (twice), Hong Kong Vase, Prince of Wales's Stakes, and Nassau Stakes. Finally, Lord Derby's homebred filly was also just over two lengths behind Deep Impact when third in the Japan Cup in her swansong on the track before she set sail for Stanley House Stud. There she went on to deliver a Derby winner. What breeder could ask for more? Oujia Board's Derby winner Australia (Galileo) has put his own stamp on this season by providing the Derby and Irish Derby winner Lambourn as well as the Coronation Stakes winner Cercene, and another of her sons, the Coronation Cup runner-up Frontiersman (Dubawi), is also at stud, standing at Overbury alongside Golden Horn, who has sired the winners of this year's Gold Cup at Ascot, and Champion Hurdle and Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. In the background of all these horses, some 40 years after her glittering juvenile season, is Park Appeal. How much of their success can be attributed to her genetic presence is debatable but it is worth recalling her own exploits on the track and her influence thereafter. Pinhooked as a foal in Ireland for 6,600gns, the buyers of the dark brown Ahonoora filly were gifted a dream update when Park Appeal's year-older half-sister Desirable (Lord Gayle) won the Cheveley Park Stakes of 1983 a fortnight before she returned to the ring as a yearling, selling for 62,000gns to Paddy and Seamus Burns of Lodge Park Stud. Desirable, who also found fame as the dam of 1,000 Guineas winner Shadayid, proved to be no fluke for their dam Balidaress, who also produced Irish Oaks winner Alydaress and Balistroika, who became the dam of Classic winner Russian Rhythm. Park Appeal, trained by Jim Bolger, followed her sister in landing the Cheveley Park Stakes having finished one place better than Desirable when also winning the Moyglare Stud Stakes. Named the 1984 champion two-year-old filly in both Ireland and England, she was sold to Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum towards the end of her juvenile season. This was by far her best year on the track and four subsequent runs at three and four garnered only one more victory, in the Country Queen Stakes at Hollywood Park. Park Appeal died 20 years ago, but not before she had bestowed a number of stallions upon Sheikh Mohammed's Darley operation. The Group 1-winning miler Cape Cross of course leads the cohort, and two of the mare's daughters, the aforementioned Pastorale as well as Arvola (Sadler's Wells), respectively produced Iffraaj and Diktat. Cape Cross's Listed-winning full-brother Great Britain ended up at stud in South Africa, while another half-brother Lord Of Appeal (Sadler's Wells) stood in Ireland at Knockhouse Stud. In all, Park Appeal was responsible for six black-type performers, including the Group 3 winner Vincennes (King's Best). Though her name is regressing in pedigrees, appearing in those of two such prominent stallions as Sea The Stars and Wootton Bassett will mean that Park Appeal will linger for some time at least. Both are already represented by a number of sons at stud, and will doubtless play important roles as broodmare sires. In the case of Sea The Stars, this yearling sales season includes the first crops of two of his star performers: Baaeed and Stradivarius. At Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, which begins on Tuesday, Baaeed has the largest representation of any of the first-season sires, with 23 lots on offer. They include Cheveley Park Stud's colt out of the G1 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf winner Queen's Trust (Dansili) and Camas Park Stud's half-sister to top sprinter Ten Sovereigns. Notably, Lodge Park Stud is selling one of the two Stradivarius yearlings in Book 1. The Burns family, perhaps more than anyone, will have appreciated of the efforts of Park Appeal. In the year of her superb two-year-old season, Paddy Burns struck again at the yearling sales for another daughter of Ahonooora, giving 42,000gns for the filly who would become known as Park Express. Those two Ahonoora mares each left a significant mark, both at the races and in the paddocks, and the story of Park Express is one for another day. The post A Champion on the Track, Park Appeal Remains a Force in Modern-Day Pedigrees appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Local trainer Robert Dennis won half of the eight-race card at Ascot Park on Friday, culminating with a special win by Sir Sterling in the Vale Tony Dennis (1400m). The $40,000 race was run a month after the passing of Robert Dennis’ father, the multiple Group One-winning horseman Tony Dennis. “It’s been a terrific day – it’s always great to train any winner, so to get four is hugely rewarding,” Robert Dennis said. “Winning the race named for Dad was a nice cherry on top.” Sir Sterling went into Friday’s Rating 75 event on the back of a first-up victory over 1335m at Gore on September 21. Despite rising from 58.5kg to 60.5kg on Friday, he was backed into $4.80 equal favouritism. Ridden by Daniel Bothamley, Sir Sterling settled in second before slowly but surely wearing down the front-running Buoyant and winning by half a head. Third-placed Maximus Augustus finished four and a half lengths behind the first pair. “It’s really satisfying to go back-to-back with Sir Sterling,” Dennis said. “I thought he might need the run at Gore in order to have him ready for today. I didn’t expect him to win so well at Gore. He had more weight today, but he did the job very well again, which was great to see. “We’ll see how he comes through this run today and then have a look at the programmes. He’s up to open grade now, so we’ll try to find some nice open handicaps for him through the coming weeks.” Dennis also played a prominent role in Friday’s two $50,000 open handicaps. The Radiant One resumed with an eye-catching second behind the high-flying Martell in the STAC Weddings Handicap (1200m), and then Stolen Magic drew right away down the straight to win the Olphert Contracting Handicap (1600m) by six and a quarter lengths. Stolen Magic has now had 18 starts for four wins and three placings, with the promise of more to come. “Stolen Magic is really coming of age this time in,” Dennis said. “She’s always shown ability, but has just been a bit physically and mentally immature. She’s starting to become the finished package. “We could look for a race for her during the New Zealand Cup Carnival, but she might be a better horse kept closer to home. My feeling is we’d also be better off targeting races in the autumn, particularly if she continues to improve the way she has been.” Dennis was also pleased to see Azilee Star and Pretty Fly leave maiden ranks earlier on the Ascot Park card. “Azilee Star just continues to improve,” Dennis said. “She’s been thriving since her last-start placing at Gore. She’s a bit of an unassuming filly and still has a bit of maturing to do, but she has plenty of ability and handles rain-affected ground well. “Pretty Fly’s performance was expected first-up today. The break that we gave her has done her the world of good. She’s another one that’s always shown a lot of ability and is really going the right way.” Azilee Star, Pretty Fly and Stolen Magic were all ridden by Donovan Cooper, who completed a winning quartet of his own with victory on the Graham Eade and Brooke Kincaid-trained Orepuki Gem in the Vale Peter Williams (2200m). View the full article

Last year's G1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes winner Economics, who has been off the track for almost a year, has been given an entry for the G2 Bahrain International Trophy on November 15. The 2025 running of the $1m contest has attracted strong interest from across the globe, with the 68 entries representing seven different territories and including five Group 1 winners. His Highness Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa's Economics is joined by White Birch, Tornado Alert, Calif, Sibayan, See The Fire, Wimbledon Hawkeye and Royal Champion among the glittering list of potential runners. Also set to return to Bahrain is Victorious Forever's G2 Hardwicke Stakes winner Isle Of Jura, who enjoyed a notable spell in Bahrain in 2023-24, winning four times, culminating with victory in The King's Cup. Britain has the largest entry of 24 horses, followed by Japan with 14 entries and 11 from France. The Bahrain International Trophy, which is run over 2000m and has been won in the last two years by the Richard Fahey-trained Spirit Dancer, has a maximum field of 14 runners. The post Economics Heads Bumper Entries for Bahrain International Trophy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tamfana, who won the G1 Chariot Stakes a year ago this weekend, is to be offered during the Sceptre Sessions at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale, which begins its four-day run on Monday, December 1. Prior to that, she is set to race in Sunday's G1 Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp. Trained by David Menuisier for Quantum Leap Racing, the four-year-old daughter of former German champion sire Soldier Hollow broke her maiden at two, winning a Kempton maiden by nine and a half lengths before landing the G3 Prix Miesque at Chantilly. Tamfana came within a length of winning the 1,000 Guineas when rallying late to claim fourth place after being hampered in running. She was also fourth against the colts in a high-class renewal of the G1 Grand Prix de Paris over 12 furlongs before dropping back to a mile and beating a top-class Sun Chariot field, which included multiple Group 1 winner Inspiral and Classic winners Nashwa and Elmalka. Tamfana is a daughter of the Zoffany mare Tres Magnifique, whose dam Ticana is a sister to the dual Listed winner and Group 2 runner-up Timos and a half-sister to G1 Beverley D Stakes winner Sea Calisi. Her two-year-old half-sister The Palace Girl sold for 1,550,000gns at the 2024 December Sale, and their dam is currently in foal to Frankel. The post Group 1 Winner Tamfana to be Offered at the Tattersalls Sceptre Sessions appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk It’s been an unusual Friday for Auckland-based couple Trent and Kristie Mason. The principals of Mason Bloodstock today watched on-line as the second of their two colts went under the hammer at the Lexington Selected Yearling sales in Kentucky. It is certainly uncommon for breeders based in New Zealand to be represented at the prestigious American sale. Earlier in the week their first colt, Lot 632 Virgin King (Huntsville – Virginontherocks) sold for $US42,000 ($NZ72,000). Today Rodeo Stranger (Tall Dark Stranger – Rodeo Beach) was knocked down for $US30,000 ($NZ51,000). Adding to the suspense for Masons was the fact it was Lot 798, the very last yearling to be presented on day four of the five day sale. “The anxiety certainly creeps in,” says Trent Mason, “you just don’t know what they are going to go for.” “The Tall Dark Stranger was well above what most of the Tall Dark Strangers went for so you’ve got to be happy,” he says. “We are racing fillies and selling colts at the moment so it made sense to sell them in the States where they were born.” Looking to expand their broodmare band with some well-bred American mares the Masons recently bought Virginontherocks, a full sister to Always B Miki, and Rodeo Beach, who’s by Somebeachsomewhere and a full sister to Huntsville. The two colts were part of the arrangement. “It was a package deal,” says Trent. In the meantime Virginontherocks and Rodeo Beach are now in New Zealand and have since produced full brothers to the pair that went through the sale ring this week. They have also both been served again, this time by Captaintreacherous and Bettor’s Delight respectively. Harness racing is an “outlet” for the pair and a world away from Masons, their building supply company. Originally from a family of bricklayers in Brisbane, Trent moved to New Zealand more than 20 years go. He admits to being a bit of a “boots and all” type character. While he’s more focused on pedigrees, Kristie’s expertise is in the administration and logistics involved in the bloodstock business, and the day to day welfare of the horses. Based at Waitoki north of Auckland, Mason Bloodstock plan to breed from five mares this season. “We have 40 acres that we hope to have ready by December – the plan is to have our breeding establishment there and bring everything in-house,” says Trent. “I do love the breeding game you know, seeing the potential of a horse and watching it grow,” says Mason. View the full article

Presenter-driver-trainer Brittany Graham knows a thing or two about racing on both sides of the Tasman and now that the Queenslander is working for Trackside in this country she’s (reluctantly) agreed to write a weekly column. By Brittany Graham The connections of New Zealand-bred trotter Gus are hoping a return to his country of birth on the second Tuesday in November will be fruitful. Gus is presently on the fifth line of betting with TAB at $10 for the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot on Cup day at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 11. He will be part of an Aussie onslaught in search of back-to-back Dominion success following on from Just Believe last year. Missing away on debut for Nathan Williamson back in March of 2023, Gus made amends in an astonishing win two weeks later despite again blowing the start. It unsurprisingly caught the attention of many, including bloodstock agent Geoff Gibson-Smith who has combined with the Turpin-McMullen stable out of Queensland for great success for many years. A deal was struck and the then four-year-old made his way across to Australia where he showed those glimpses of brilliance, in between his gait and manner fragilities. He certainly announced himself as a future open class star during the 2023 Inter Dominion series, particularly in round two when putting it to star mare Queen Elida when eventually third. Through 2024 he took many Winter Carnival features which put last year’s Renwick Farms Dominion Trot on the radar. However the wheels fell off at the end of that campaign and plans were shelved. Now as a six-year-old he seems on the straight and narrow, appearing a much more well-rounded racehorse and far more reliable. “His speed has been there since day one, but we just needed to get his manners right,” said his trainer and biggest fan, Chantal Turpin. “I have loved him since the day he walked off the truck” “He has so much character and is definitely a stable favourite,” she said. That favourite status has certainly been tested at times, however the team’s belief and patience has developed him into one of Australia’s best, as proven when an eye-catching fourth in the recent Inter Dominion Grand Final. “He has certainly matured but we also changed his work at home, he now warms up at the races and seems to thrive in his new routine” That was on full display when producing an exceptional third in last Saturday’s Menangle Trotters Cup when producing a personal last mile in 1.52.5 after an early bobble turned his 10metre handicap into far more. Described as his “best performance to date” by Chantal, some post-race comments from stand in driver Cameron Hart only furthered the stables hopes going forward. “Cam gave me a lot of confidence on Saturday night with a glowing report, and it also proved that Pete and I aren’t biased towards him,” she laughed. The young couple are now readying for their biggest challenge to date when they travel their little trotter to New Zealand for the first time. “Gus is booked to fly over on November 2nd, before we plan on taking him to the Cup Day trials at Addington prior to the big one on November 11”. View the full article

The first Saturday fixture of the season awaits at Sha Tin this weekend, with the Class Two High West Handicap (1,650m) on dirt the strongest event on the 10-race card. Jay Rooney is in the hot seat with an extended rundown of his selections. Race 1 – Class Five Tung Chung Handicap (1,650m) Viva Chaleur is unbeaten from two trials since a stable transfer to Tony Cruz and can finally break through at his 31st local start. Race 2 – Class Five Nam Sang Wai Handicap (1,400m) Like many of his rivals...View the full article

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) is pleased to confirm the final list of 10 New Zealand stakes races that will form part of the $1 million Bonus Eligible Race Pool attached to The NZB Kiwi (1500m), the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race. In addition to the $4 million base stake of The NZB Kiwi (1500m), a further $1 million will be distributed in bonuses to horses that win one of the designated lead-up races and go on to place in the top three of The NZB Kiwi, staged on Champions Day at Ellerslie Racecourse on 7 March 2026. The prizemoney distribution for the Bonus Pool will see $600,000 awarded to the winner, $250,000 to second place, and $150,000 to third place. The winning Bonus was first struck last year by Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel), who claimed the 2025 $3.5 million NZB Kiwi for Te Akau Racing after winning the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO Classic (1600m). With the Bonus Pool in play, the winner of this year’s NZB Kiwi could take home up to $1.8 million in total prizemoney, just as Damask Rose did. 2025-26 NZB Kiwi Bonus Eligible Races Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) – Monday 27 October 2025, Waikato Thoroughbred Racing at Te Rapa Racecourse Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) – Saturday 8 November 2025, Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park Racecourse Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) – Saturday 15 November 2025, Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park Racecourse Gr.2 Shaw’s Wire Ropes Auckland Guineas (1400m) – Friday 26 December 2025, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse Gr.2 Levin Classic (1400m) – Saturday 3 January 2026, Wellington Racing Club at RACE Trentham L. TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) – 24 January 2026, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) – 24 January 2026, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) – 7 February 2026, Waikato Thoroughbred Racing at Te Rapa Racecourse Gr.3 Eagle Technology Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) – 21 February 2026, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) – 29 March 2025, Manawatu Racing Club at RACE Trentham (won by La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) – Bonus Eligible) NZTR Chief Executive Officer Matt Ballesty said the $1 million Bonus Eligible Race Pool is about rewarding top performances and linking The NZB Kiwi with the best of New Zealand’s three-year-old racing. “These 10 races are some of the biggest milestones on the road to The NZB Kiwi. The Bonus Pool adds an extra layer of excitement and gives our Slot Holders, Trainers, Owners and fans even more reason to chase the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race.” “We’ll also continue to ensure this highly publicised event is promoted strongly both here in New Zealand and internationally, and we’re looking forward to delivering a standout race on Champions Day in partnership with our premier sponsor New Zealand Bloodstock, the team at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing, and Entain Australia and New Zealand,” Ballesty said. The second edition of the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) will be staged on Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s Champions Day meeting, 7 March 2026 at Ellerslie Racecourse. For more information about the race, or to view the full $1 million NZB Kiwi Bonus Eligible Race schedule, visit thekiwirace.nz. View the full article

Foxton trainer Matt Dixon sees Saturday’s Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) as an ideal target for Marotiri Molly in almost every way – apart from the Hawera weather and track conditions. Marotiri Molly’s rating of 100 is the highest in the field for the $100,000 fillies and mares’ feature. She has won six of her 16 starts and more than $245,000 in stakes, headed by a victory in last season’s Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) and a third placing in the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). The classy daughter of Per Incanto resumed with a close third behind Spencer and Bold Belle in a 1200m open handicap at Trentham on September 20. It all points to her being primed for a bold performance second-up on Saturday over 1400m – a distance she has recorded four wins and a placing from six starts over. But Dixon is keeping a nervous eye on the skies and the Hawera track, which was rated a Heavy8 on Friday morning. “Apart from the weather, I couldn’t be any happier,” Dixon said. “I was thrilled with that first-up run, and stepping up to 1400m is definitely her go. She has a great record at that distance. “If it was a Soft5 or Soft6, I’d be going into this race with a fair bit of confidence. If it stays Heavy8 like it is now, she’ll probably run but I’m a bit less confident. “They’re supposed to get 10-12mm of rain overnight, which would take it down to a Heavy9 and Heavy10 and there’d be a high chance that she won’t run. I’ll see what happens and probably make a call in the morning.” This would be the second year in a row that Marotiri Molly has competed at this feature Hawera meeting. She was an impressive Rating 75 winner over the same 1400m distance 12 months ago. That added to the appeal of the Breeders’ Stakes for Dixon, who will likely follow a similar itinerary through the rest of the spring. “We had a few niggles with her in the early part of her preparation, but we managed that and she’s been really good since,” Dixon said. “Our main target was this race, because she gets in so well at the weights and we know she likes the distance and course. But we’ll wait and see what happens with the track. “We might carry on towards another shot at the Auckland Breeders’ Stakes at Pukekohe in November. She ran a really good race for third in that last year and it might be a suitable target again.” View the full article

Lochmara Bay has been knocking on the door of a maiden win and trainer David Walsh is hoping she can secure it at Phar Lap Raceway on Sunday when she contests the Ecoglo International NZ 1200. The four-year-old daughter of Sweynesse has finished runner-up in three of her four starts this preparation, all over 1400m, and Walsh is hoping a drop back in distance will benefit his mare. “She has been racing really well and has led at the 200m several times and has got run down, so I thought I might as well drop her back to 1200m to see how she goes,” he said. Her wide alley of 10 in the 13-horse field and forecast rain are Walsh’s two biggest concerns heading into the weekend, but he is hoping jockey Tina Comignaghi can be the difference. “I don’t really know about a wet track, because the forecast isn’t very good,” he said. “She is going to need a bit of luck from there (10). Notoriously, wide draws at Timaru over 1200m aren’t very good, but Tina is on and she might be able to work some magic hopefully.” Later on the card, Graeme John will be out to score back-to-back victories in the Snapback @ Clearview Park 1200, but Walsh is unsure how he will handle the step up to rating 75 grade. “You never quite know if they are going to do it (step up to rating 75 grade),” he said. “There were plenty of pluses from last start but that was five weeks ago. If the track really deteriorated, I might consider withdrawing him, but at this stage he is starting. “He races on pace, pretty handy most of the time. He has done very well, but whatever he does he will improve on because it has been a wee while in-between runs. “I am very happy with him, he looks amazing.” He will be met in the race by stablemate Toa Haka, who heads into Sunday in good form, having placed over 1400m at Riccarton last month. He will have another wide draw to overcome but will get the assistance of apprentice jockey Floor Moerman’s three-kilogram claim. “It’s just typical for him. It’s staggering how many bad draws that horse gets,” Walsh said. “He has got a claim on and he likes to go pretty handy. We are thinking a bit of a loose track might suit him and I am really pleased with him. “He has had two runs under his belt, the last one over 1400m, so he should be competitive. It is a handy field and he is still going to need a bit of luck.” Walsh’s other runner at the Timaru meeting will be Loose ‘N’ Vegas in the Pink Ribbon & Heartland Chips 1200. The daughter of Turn Me Loose will be having her first start as a three-year-old and Walsh expects her to take plenty of improvement out of the run. “She has come up with a strong draw (13) with a horse that wants a bit of cover,” he said. “She didn’t have any luck at all as a two-year-old. Whatever she does she will improve on. “She had a trial at Riccarton last Monday and I am picking she will go a good race.” View the full article