Wandering Eyes

By the time you're reading this article, the New York Racing Association (NYRA)'s years-long rebuild of Belmont Park that is on target to be finished by September 2026 will have reached or be very close to achieving a significant milestone. “The inner turf course will be complete by possibly [Friday] if not Monday with all the sod,” Glen Kozak, NYRA's senior vice president of operations and capital projects, said July 25. “This was a big, big step for us, and now we're rolling right into the Widener turf course.” Kozak's update on Belmont's four redesigned racing surfaces (from outside in: 1 1/2-miles main dirt track, grass courses at 10 and nine furlongs, one-mile Tapeta track) came during a Friday meeting of the New York State Franchise Oversight Board (FOB). The FOB is the governor-appointed committee that represents the interests of New York State in the real estate at Belmont, Aqueduct Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course. While construction concurrently occurs on the rebuilt grandstand and clubhouse, the big summer project in the infield has been laying down the turf course sod, which is grown offsite and trucked to Belmont every morning that the crews are working. It then gets placed atop 12 inches of growing medium that has been installed over drainage stone. “That's been growing for now-and the sod company wants to kill us-for about 16 months,” Kozak said, underscoring that NYRA didn't want to cut corners, time-wise, to make sure the finished product is mature and robust. “We're using a variety that is drought-tolerant, wear-tolerant, that was specific for what we're looking for,” Kozak said. “It is Kentucky bluegrass,” Kozak said. “But what we were also looking at is the profile that we engineered for it [that is] specifically grown for us in a region [that will match Belmont Park]. It comes from Long Island. This sod is harvested anywhere from 2:30 to 4:00 in the morning, and the trucks [arrive] and are starting to install at 7:00. “We use DeLea Sod Farms,” Kozak continued. “They do Yankee Stadium.” “And the other thing that they're doing is they're cutting [the sod strips] very thin. So the root zone [has a] direct mesh. Watering is very, very critical. Obviously, we're putting sod down when it's ninety-something degrees. It's not optimal, so we're trying to get the water going to this as well.” The watering, for the time being, has to be done manually because electrical power is not yet connected to the infield. Irrigation will eventually be achieved by a high-tech sprinkler system. “It's gotten so technical with some of the new [sprinkler] heads that there's basically an [internet protocol] address for every head,” Kozak said. That will allow NYRA to monitor exactly how much water flow goes out on each head. “Right now it's currently municipal water, but we did apply for a well permit through the city, so we're currently in the step for that,” Kozak said. “It's the second-largest aquifer on Long Island. So we're told volume-wise it's not a problem.” Some of that water will be held in an infield retention pond, Kozak said. “The capacity of the pond is for a two-week period to be able to water not only the two [turf] racing surfaces, but also the infield. [Also] with this design there's irrigation set up for the synthetic track as well,” Kozak said. Kozak said a key component of the design is uniformity across all four surfaces. “The old Belmont racing surfaces were built in a different era,” Kozak said. “So you had different types of product, different types of natural sand or clay or areas, pockets, throughout. [Now] everything is consistent from the bottom up, so there's no area that will drain differently because of either a hedge or heavier soil that might be in place in a certain area.” Drainage, as well as sightlines from the stands, are both expected to be improved because the four courses will be “stacked” atop one another. Kozak said making those vertical changes for the four courses included “hundreds of thousands of yards of material that we moved on-site just to be able to establish not only the new height elevations of the racing surfaces for drainage and for the engineering required, but also for visibility.” The widths and circumferences of the two turf tracks, plus the spacing between the courses, will also be different. The inner course circumference went from 1 3/16 miles to 1 1/8 miles and the outer (Widener) course went from 1 5/16 miles to 1 1/4 miles, Kozak said. “So basically we've got now a 102-foot wide turf course and a 118-foot wide turf course, [and] the difference with these racing surfaces is they're consistent width all the way around,” Kozak said. “The old surfaces were similar to Saratoga. Much tighter on the turns, and unfortunately, that's where most of your wear happens, on the turns,” Kozak said. Kozak explained that “the widths in between the tracks have all been contemplated so that way we maximize our distances for all of the racing surfaces. Meaning the five or six different running lanes that we have on the turf, we will be able to accommodate those and maximize those.” Banking will be 2% on the straightaways and 4% on the turns “and everything is consistent across the surfaces,” Kozak said. Grading during course construction “is all done by GPS,” Kozak said. “We have a survey company come in behind our work with the equipment to go through to check the grades.” For all four courses, the finish line has been moved about 126 feet east (toward the first turn), Kozak said. Although there aren't many 10-furlong dirt races at Belmont, the track will be running a big one in 2027 when it hosts the Breeders' Cup championships. This movement of the finish line helps with placement of the mid-first-turn starting point for that distance, which under the previous configuration appeared shoehorned into the turn and never seemed to meet the main track smoothly. “The mile and a quarter [start] that will be used for the [GI] Breeders' Cup Classic, instead of that being an afterthought into the rail, it [will now be] in an engineered area that is set up where it breaks more to the center of the turn,” Kozak said. As for the grandstand and clubhouse work, Kozak offered the following timeline: “Generic numbers right now, the concrete will be done for the third deck by the end of August. Steel will be wrapping up the end of September for the framework. Roofing and everything won't specifically be dried in by the end of [the fourth quarter this year], but it's going to be darn close.” The post Grass Greener at New Belmont Park with Inner Turf Course on Cusp of Completion appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

4th-DMR, 100K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 6:33 p.m. Amr Zedan went to an eye-watering OBS record $3,000,000 to acquire BRANT (Gun Runner) from consigner Eddie Woods back in March and the colt makes his debut at Del Mar for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. Working in an impressive time of :9 3/5, he was a huge pinhook for St. Clair Stables who picked him up for just $200,000 as a yearling at Keeneland last September. Brant is out of a winning Liam's Map half-sister to GSW/GISP and young stallion Pappacap (Gun Runner) and GSW Boppy O (Bolt d'Oro). Baffert-trained stablemate Balboa (Not This Time), no slouch in the sales ring either as an $875,000 Keeneland grad, is the first runner to the races out of Tap of War (War Front), a full-sister to GI Fourstardave Handicap winner Halladay. TJCIS PPS 1st-DMR, 80K, Msw, 3yo/up, 1mT, 5:00 p.m. Opening the Del Mar card is Just Resilience (Justify), a gelded son of $1.4m KEENOV grad Satin And Silk (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for Claiborne Farm. The dam, though unraced herself, is a half to GISW Materiality (Afleet Alex) and GSW/MGISP My Miss Sophia (Unbridled's Song), herself the dam of GISW and Claiborne stallion Ananpolis (War Front). Other half-sisters have produced SW/GISP Grand Mo The First (Uncle Mo) and GISW Leslie's Rose (Into Mischief). This race is also the debut of Jibilian (Quality Road), a gelded son of Canadian champion turf female Theodora B. (Ghostzapper) for Augustin Stables. TJCIS PPS 2nd-SAR, 100K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 1:07 p.m. In New York, Soldier N Diplomat (Army Mule) was another big OBS March purchase as St. Elias Stable spent $950,000 for the son of the stallion who raced in his own colors before retiring to Hill 'n' Dale. The colt breezed in :10 and is out of a daughter of MGSW/MGISP Miraculous Miss. Another OBS grad, Further Ado (Gun Runner) sold for $550,000 to Spendthrift Farm in April and is a half-brother to MGSW Kimbear (Twirling Candy). First dam Sky Dreamer, graded stakes-placed herself, is a half-sister to GISW Dream Dancing (Tapit). This is the family of champion older mare Beautiful Pleasure. TJCIS PPS 4th-SAR, 120K, O/C, 3yo/up, 1 1/8m, 2:13 p.m. Race 4 features the return of last year's GI Whitney Stakes winner Arthur's Ride (Tapit) in what will be his first start since coming up empty in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic in November. The now 5-year-old Glassman Racing-owned runner already has two wins at the Spa and has been training locally for Bill Mott. TJCIS PPS Who is ready to see ARTHUR'S RIDE back in action!! The striking Whitney (G1) winner is running Saturday for the first time since the @BreedersCup Classic. #Saratoga pic.twitter.com/EoRy3QKqyt — NYRA Bets (@NYRABets) July 24, 2025 7th-SAR, 100K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 3:52 p.m. Three fillies line up on the outside led by Tommy Jo (Into Mischief), a daughter of MSW/MGISP Mother Mother who Spendthrift Farm purchased for $1.8m at FTKNOV in 2020. Mother Mother is a half to GI Kentucky Derby runner up Commanding Curve (Master Command). Immortalize (Gun Runner) is a Godolphin homebred out of GI Coolmore Jenny Wiley Stakes winner Dickinson who has already produced MSW Wadsworth (Quality Road). Chad Brown's Academia (Into Mischief) is out of Chilean Horse of the Year Wow Cat (Chi), who Peter Brant's White Birch Farm purchased for $1.7m at FTKNOV in 2019. TJCIS PPS 5th-ELP, 100K, Msw, 3yo/up, 6 1/2f, 2:44 p.m. In Kentucky, Contrary (Medaglia d'Oro) is another Godolphin homebred out of an unraced Tapit half-sister to MGISW and late sire Scat Daddy (Johannesburg). She's drawn inside of Love Supreme (Tapit), a Stonestreet homebred out of MGSW/GISP Terra Promessa. Stonestreet bought into the family another generation back, purchasing second dam Missile Bay (Yes It's True) for $700,000 at KEENOV in 2006. TJCIS PPS 6th-WO, 115K, Msw, 2yo, 6fT, 3:40 p.m. Going north of the border, Star Attraction (Quality Road) is a 2-year-old debuter out of Canadian Horse of the Year Starship Jubilee. This Blue Heaven Farm homebred is her champion dam's first foal and Kevin Attard, who oversaw training for Starship Jubilee, also trains her daughter. TJCIS PPS The post Saturday Insights: OBS Record-Setter Debuts For Baffert At Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Striving for back-to-back graded stakes victories, Fondly is set to battle six other 3-year-old fillies in the $250,000 Monmouth Oaks Stakes (G3), a 1 1/16-mile race July 26 on dirt at Monmouth Park.View the full article

Monmouth Park has cancelled Friday's scheduled eight-race card due to excessive heat, track officials announced. All races cancelled Friday will be brought back as extras for Friday, Aug. 1, and the racing office will also look to use them over next weekend. Entries will be taken on Sunday, July 27, for next Friday's card. Racing resumes at Monmouth Park on Saturday with a first race post time of 12:50 p.m. ET. The post Monmouth Park Cancels Friday Card Due to Excessive Heat appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The catalog for the 2025 Inglis Digital USA July Sale is now online, featuring a diverse selection of 49 entries, including a pair of unbeaten stakes-winning 2-year-olds. Bidding is now open for the online auction, and the first lot will close on Wednesday, July 30 at 2 p.m. ET, with subsequent listings hammering in three-minute increments. Highlights include: Good Civilian (Good Samaritan) won his debut on June 14 at Horseshoe Indianapolis by 11 1/2 lengths, then added the Prairie Gold Juvenile Stakes on July 5 at Prairie Meadows. Trainer Genaro Garcia consigns the Indiana-bred gelding. Border Czar (Beau Liam) won on debut at Woodbine in a last-to-first effort June 7, then took the Listed My Dear Stakes at the same track on July 12. Owner/trainer Barbara Minshall will consign the filly. Also included among the offerings is a group of fillies and mares deemed to be “IRT eligible,” meaning they have completed the tests and received the vaccines required to enter quarantine following the sale and travel with international shipping company IRT, making for a more seamless post-purchase process for buyers around the globe. Among the “IRT-eligible” horses in the catalog are: Asean (Ire): A 4-year-old broodmare prospect by Ten Sovereigns (Ire), who was a 2-year-old stakes winner at The Curragh in Ireland before competing in the 2023 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita Park. Commonwealth consigns the filly. Beauty of the Sea: A 5-year-old Bucchero mare who won the Blue Sparkler Stakes at Monmouth Park as a 3-year-old, then came back at four to win a pair of stakes races at Monmouth and Colonial Downs, followed by a third in the GIII Ontario Fashion Stakes at Woodbine. Paramount Sales consigns the racing/broodmare prospect, as agent. Lily Poo: A 5-year-old broodmare who was a winner at two, then came back at three to win the California Oaks at Golden Gate Fields and finish in the money in a pair of graded stakes races. She had her first foal in 2025, a Taiba colt, who is not included with the mare in the auction. Paramount Sales consigns the daughter of Tapiture, as agent. Dixieland Belle: A 3-year-old racing/broodmare prospect by More Than Ready who won her debut race as a juvenile against stakes competition, taking the Finest City Stakes at Presque Isle Downs. The Pennsylvania-bred is consigned by Paramount Sales, agent. “This sale marks a year since we started selling, and we're grateful to everyone who's supported us,” said Kyle Wilson, Senior Director of Sales and Recruiting for Inglis Digital USA. “We've got a great catalog to celebrate that anniversary, highlighted by a couple of undefeated juveniles and a group of broodmares and broodmare racing prospects ready to go anywhere in the world.” To view the catalog and register to bid, visit www.inglisdigitalusa.com. The post Stakes-Winning Juveniles Highlight Inglis Digital USA July Sale Catalog appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As recently as last year, Alexis Delgado was driving an Uber in Florida. On July 27, he sends out a recent $625,000 purchase when Spectacular Grey takes on 10 other 2-year-old fillies in the $100,000 Colleen Stakes at Monmouth Park.View the full article

Race Lens also is sponsoring Kentucky Downs’ pair of online, live-money play-in tournaments on the track’s Aug. 28 and Aug. 31 cards.View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced juveniles from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes, sponsored by OBS Sales, highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, including links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Saturday at Saratoga, Ellis Park and Del Mar. Saturday, July 25, 2025 Saratoga 2, $100k, 2yo, 6f, 1:07 p.m. Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Further Ado (Gun Runner), OBSAPR, 550,000, :21 1/5 C-Six K's Training & Sales, agent; B-Spendthrift Farm LLC Soldier N Diplomat (Army Mule), OBSMAR, 950,000, :10 C-de Meric Sales, agent; B-St Elias Stable LLC Ellis 6, $100k, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 2:44 p.m. Champagne Candice (Spun To Run), FTMMAY, 70,000, :10 2/5 C-de Meric Sales, agent; B-Robert H Zoellner Windy Houston (Munnings)-AE, OBSMAR, 350,000, :20 4/5 C-Tom McCrocklin, agent; B-Sara & Brandon Bray Saratoga 7, $100k, 2yo, f, 6f, 3:52 p.m. Alpenglow (Charlatan), OBSAPR, 350,000, :10 C-Lucan Bloodstock (Karl Keegan), agt; B-Fergus Galvin, agent Del Mar 4, $100k, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 6:30 p.m. Brant (Gun Runner), OBSMAR, 3,000,000, :9 3/5 C-Eddie Woods, agent; B-Donato Lanni, agent for Zedan Racing Cactus Charlie (Independence Hall), OBSAPR, 240,000, :20 4/5 C-Wavertree Stables Inc (C Dunne); B-Jet Horse, P Miller, agent Civil Liberty (Independence Hall), FTMMAY, 160,000, :10 3/5 C-Pike Racing at Highlander; B-S Rothblum, agt for Mark Davis Conducted (Mendelssohn), OBSAPR, 110,000, :20 3/5 C-Hoppel, agent; B-Danny Eplin Intrepido (Maximus Mischief), OBSAPR, 385,000, :9 4/5 C-Cardozo's Brothers; B-Dutch Girl Holdings/Irving Ventures, Michael Pender, agent Del Mar 7, $100k, 2yo, f, 1mT, 8:00 p.m. Olivia (War of Will), OBSMAR, 60,000, :10 C-Majestic, agent; B-CA Racing & Ciaglia, Murphy/Zap, agents The post Summer Breezes Sponsored By OBS: Saturday, July 26, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Edited Press Release Officials at Breeders' Cup Limited remind horsepeople that the deadline to nominate foals born in 2025 to the Breeders' Cup program at a one-time fee of $400 is Friday, Aug. 1, at 11:59 p.m. ET. To ensure that the 'Breeders' Cup Nominated' designation appears on catalog pages for upcoming fall and winter breeding stock sales, foals must be nominated by this deadline. The one-time $400 weanling nomination entitles each foal with racing eligibility to the Breeders' Cup World Championships and the Breeders' Cup racing programs for its lifetime. All foals sired by a fully nominated North American Breeders' Cup stallion are eligible for nomination to the Breeders' Cup program in their year of birth at the weanling rate. If sales foals are not nominated by the early deadline, foal nominations may still be made in the foal's year of birth with a one-time payment of a $400 nomination fee if made on or before Oct. 15, 2025. That is the final deadline for a $400 lifetime eligibility nomination payment. Thoroughbred racing's most significant international festival for more than 42 years, Breeders' Cup Limited has allocated purses and awards of more than $1 billion to owners, foal nominators, and stallion nominators through its programs, including the annual Breeders' Cup World Championships showcasing the best Thoroughbreds, owners, trainers, and jockeys to a global audience. Breeders' Cup foal nominators will earn $10,000 for every victory in the worldwide 'Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In', and every horse that starts in a Breeders' Cup World Championship race will earn a nominator award. The individual nominating the foal receives these nominator awards even though the horse may change hands throughout its racing career. For more information and to nominate online visit members.breederscup.com. The post BC Foal Nomination Deadline Approaching appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Striving for back-to-back graded stakes victories, Fondly is set to battle six other 3-year-old fillies in the $250,000 Monmouth Oaks (G3), a 1 1/16-mile race July 26 on dirt at Monmouth Park.View the full article

The ultra-talented Nysos attempts to stretch his speed in his longest test in the $300,000 San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar. View the full article

There is regrettably no three-year-old to lay down a marker for the Classic generation in this year's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but the five-runner contest nevertheless provides an intriguing contest between a select group of the best older horses in training. The Aga Khan Studs' highly consistent Calandagan (Gleneagles), who landed his deserved Group 1 spoils in last month's Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, is narrowly favoured ahead of the St Leger and Coronation Cup winner Jan Brueghel (Galileo). Representing the leading stables of France and Ireland, their respective trainers Francis Graffard and Aidan O'Brien each head the tables in their home countries having dominated the first half of the season. Graffard will of course be bidding for back-to-back wins in the £1.5m contest after last year's breakthrough victory with Goliath (Adlerflug). The 2023 St Leger winner Continuous (Heart's Cry) has latterly been playing the role of support act for his younger stable-mates and he returns to the fray again for a seventh appearance of the season. To line up for this race is to follow in the footsteps of giants: from the epic tussle of half a century ago between Grundy and Bustino, to Montjeu another 25 years on from that, to the following year's duel between Galileo and Fantastic Light, the midsummer highlight rarely disappoints, even with only a select number of starters. Jan Brueghel, from Galileo's penultimate crop, will be attempting to emulate his victory of 2001. Nine years have passed since his trainer Aidan O'Brien last won the King George with another son of the late champion in Highland Reel. He said, “Everything has gone well with Jan Brueghel since the last day [in the Coronation Cup]. Continuous rolls along usually and he'll go forward, but if someone else wants to go on [and make the running], he'll be happy too.” Kalpana (Study Of Man), the sole filly among the quintet, is proven over track and trip following her exploits in rather different conditions on Champions Day last October, and her two outings over a shorter distance in Ireland so far this year have suggested that she is crying out for a return to the greater stamina test she will find here. Godolphin's stalwart Rebel's Romance (Dubawi) is fast becoming something of a people's horse, showing the benefit of the top Flat stars staying in training a little longer. Now seven, he has amassed 18 victories from his 26 races around the world to date and was third here last year behind Goliath and subsequent Arc winner Bluestocking (Camelot). Barry Mahon, racing manager for Juddmonte, said of Kalpana's challenge, “Rebel's Romance is such a legend of a horse and Calandagan and Jan Brueghel are obviously very, very talented. We think going back up to a mile and a half will suit our filly and Andrew [Balding] said she worked well on Wednesday morning and he's very happy with her, so we're hopeful that her first two runs have set her up nicely for this.” Starman in the Vanguard The Starman bandwagon has really gathered momentum, with Tally-Ho Stud's young sire having been represented by yet another new stakes winner this week in the G3 Tyros Stakes victor North Coast, taking his tally of group winners to four. That could become five on Saturday. Amo Racing's G2 Queen Mary Stakes runner-up Flowerhead is likely to start close to favourite for the G3 Princess Margaret Stakes on what could be a big day for her first-season trainer Charlie Clover. She is rivalled in the market by Staya (Havana Grey), who was behind Flowerhead when fifth in the Queen Mary but has subsequently won the Listed Dragon Stakes at Sandown for KHK Racing and George Scott. Arturo Cousino's homebred Jancis (Tamayuz) is an intriguing raider for Ascot's G3 Valiant Stakes on her first start outside Ireland for Willie McCreery. All eight races from Ascot on Saturday are included in the World Pool, along with two race from York – the G2 York Stakes, which features the return of Ed Walker's Almaqam (Lope De Vega), and the Dash Handicap. The post King George: Who Will Follow in the Footsteps of Giants? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a half-brother to G1 Prix Jacque Le Marois-winning sire Al Wukair (Ire) (Dream Ahead). 15.08 Newcastle, £9,600, Mdn, 2yo, 7f 14y (AWT) Hambleton Racing's David O'Meara trainee SAXOPHONIST (IRE) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) is a half-brother to three black-type performers headed by G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois-winning sire Al Wukair (Ire) (Dream Ahead). The 48,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 graduate encounters nine rivals in this debut. The post Saturday’s Observations: Half-Brother to Al Wukair Set for Newcastle Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A pair of Group 1 contests to be staged during next week's Qatar Goodwood Festival will earn their winners automatic berths into races on the 2026 Pegasus World Cup Day program at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 24. The Visit Qatar Sussex stakes over a mile on July 30 will serve as a qualifier for the $1-million GI Pegasus World Cup Turf, while the Visit Qatar Nassau Stakes going 10 panels on July 31 will earn the winner a spot in the field for the GII Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Both races support the $3-million GI Pegasus World Cup. The field for the Sussex features Juddmonte's exciting Field of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), who has bounced back from a narrow defeat in the G1 Betfred 2000 Guineas with smashing victories in the G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas and G1 St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Also expected for the Sussex are Docklands (GB) (Massaat {Ire}) and Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), first and second, respectively, in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at the Royal Meeting, as well as former Chad Brown trainee Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), a close sixth in the latter event. Whirl (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who missed by a neck in the G1 Betfred Oaks before dropping back in trip to take out the G1 Pretty Polly Stakes June 28, leads the entries for the Nassau and she is joined by See The Fire (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), runner-up in the 2024 Nassau and a latest third against males in the G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. The 4-year-old was a romping winner of York's G3 Strensall Stakes prior to that effort. Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was runner-up in the 2019 and 2020 renewals of the Pegasus Turf, while Warm Heart victoriously signed off on her career in the same event in 2024. The post Pegasus Day Berths Up For Grabs at Goodwood appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Morning-line favorites Bellezza and La Mehana, plus longshot Sacaya, give trainer Miguel Clement three opportunities to win the 1 1/2-mile Glen Falls Stakes (G2T) July 27 at Saratoga.View the full article

The Goffs Orby Book 1 catalogue is now available online with 466 lots to be offered across the two-day sale set to commence on Monday, September 29. Beginning a day earlier than its traditional Tuesday start, the change was made following feedback from clients who had commitments later in the week, including the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe meeting in France. All yearlings offered in both Orby Book 1 and Book 2 are eligible for prize-money of €2,000,000 in the 2026 Goffs Two Million Series. Included in that sequence is Europe's richest juvenile race, the Goffs Million, as well as €1,000,000 in €50,000 bonuses awarded to winners of designated two-year-old races across Ireland and the UK. Boasting yearlings by some of the most high-profile stallions on the market, offerings include the offspring of Baaeed, Blue Point, Camelot, Dark Angel, Frankel, Havana Grey, Kingman, Lope de Vega, Mehmas, New Bay, Night Of Thunder, No Nay Never, Sea The Stars, Starman, Too Darn Hot and Wootton Bassett, among others. A select number of American stallions will also be represented, including the likes of Justify, Munnings, and Omaha Beach. Prospects hail from some of the best families in the studbook, and include own and half-siblings to runners like multiple Group 1-winner Emily Upjohn, G1 Criterium de Saint Cloud hero Dubai Mile, and a number of champions. Headlining recent Goffs Orby success were English and Irish Oaks winner Minnie Hauk and GI Diana Stakes victrix Excellent Truth. “Classic glory, Royal Ascot winners, US Grade I success, Group-winning juveniles…if the performances by our graduates throughout 2025 is a measure of Orby quality, this is a catalogue that cannot be missed and that quality is testament to the wonderful support of so many leading producers,” said Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby. “Following client feedback, we placed a deliberate emphasis on quality over quantity throughout the Orby inspection process, resulting in a catalogue that, while more selective in size, is even richer in depth and quality so guaranteeing buyers the impeccably high standard for which this sale is renowned. Many of Ireland's best yearlings will be on offer at Orby Book 1, while we are pleased to welcome several UK vendors, including Highclere and Barton Stud, who will bring drafts to Orby for the first time.” “Our client relations team and international agents were out earlier than ever this year, travelling the world to secure major clients for our Orby yearlings, and we look forward to welcoming a stellar cast of buyers to Kildare Paddocks in two months' time to compete for this top-class catalogue.” Goffs Orby Book 1 will begin at 10am each day on Monday and Tuesday. The catalogue for Book 2, set to take place on October 1 and 2, will be published on Monday. The post ‘Classic Glory, Royal Ascot Winners, US Grade I Success’: Goffs Orby Book 1 Now Online appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Spectacular Grey (Not This Time), who earned 'TDN Rising Star' honors on Monmouth debut July 12 before topping the Fasig-Tipton July Digital Sale this past Tuesday, goes right back to work in Sunday's $100,000 Colleen Stakes at Monmouth Park. An 11-2 chance in a five-furlong maiden over the main track, the daughter of Rose Grey (The Factor) raced in midpack through the opening stages of that contest after breaking a fraction slowly, then bid wide into the stretch and powered clear to graduate by 7 3/4 lengths (video). Consigned to the July Digital Sale by Taylor Made on behalf of her previous owner III Beauty's Thoroughbred LLC, Spectacular Sale was sold to Epic Horses for $625,000. The filly remains in the care of trainer Alexis Delgado, who is looking forward to see what she can do on the grass this time around. “The old owners always wanted to try her on the grass but I said to them 'give me one opportunity on the dirt with her,'” Delgado said. “She ran an unbelievable race. She has always shown talent in the morning. She is a special filly. “I don't think she was 100% as far as her conditioning for her first race. Maybe 80 or 85%. But she is 100% now. He continued, “The new owners called me and said 'we like this filly for the grass.' They want to see if she is good enough to try a race at Kentucky Downs. We have to see how she does but I'm very excited to watch her race again.” According to a Monmouth Park release, Delgado has but 42 career victories to his credit and left the training business from 2022-2024 for family and economic reasons, working as an Uber driver in the interim. Delgado's most important career victory came in the 2019 GII Davona Dale Stakes when he saddled Jeltrin (Tapizar) to a 51-1 upset ahead of a long-odds third in the GI Acorn Stakes. “It's a great opportunity for me,” said Delgado. “For me to come back to training and to get a horse like this is unbelievable. The new owners called and said 'we saw the success you had in 2019. We want you to continue training this filly.' I am very grateful to them for that.” Spectacular Grey has drawn the rail in a field of 11 turf sprinters, including three from the barn of Wesley Ward. The post Sales-Topping ‘TDN Rising Star’ Spectacular Grey Back For Colleen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A 50% interest in Group 1-winning three-year-old Woodshauna (Wooded) will be offered next week on Goffs's new online platform, GoffsGo. The colt is being consigned by his current owners, Resolute Bloodstock, and will be sold with a 5% agent's commission. Bidding will open at 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, and close at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 1. Winner of the Listed Prix Montenica and G3 Prix Texanita earlier this season in France, Woodshauna stamped himself as a top-class sprinter when taking out the G1 Prix Jean Prat, defeating multiple Group 1 winners including The Lion In Winter (Sea the Stars) and Shadow Of Light (Lope de Vega). The colt holds an entry for the G1 Sprint Cup at Haydock and is expected to line up next in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on August 10. Woodshauna was previously sold at the Goffs London Sale for £625,000. Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby commented, “Resolute Racing's choice of GoffsGo to sell 50% of their magnificent Grade 1 winner Woodshauna is an early indication of the industry's enthusiasm for this unique platform. From the day we announced, we have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback and are proud to have such a customer-focused platform that appears to have really caught the imagination for its immediacy and ease of use,” said Beeby. “A 50% share in Woodshauna presents a unique and rare opportunity to the market as he is a current top-class performer and his inclusion demonstrates John Stewart's innovative approach to the business.” The post Share in John Stewart’s Woodshauna to be Offered on GoffsGo appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Five of the eight starters have previously competed in the Eddie Read, including 2023 winner Gold Phoenix.View the full article

Trainer Chris Waller will take a cautious approach with star filly Aeliana in the spring as the patient trainer is wary of jumping too quickly to staying distances with the rising four-year-old. The New Zealand bred daughter of Castelvecchio was a dominant winner of the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) but don’t expect to see the staying journey at the top of spring targets. “We won’t be in any rush to get her to 2400m unless we have to,” Waller said. “I just find it tends to send horses a little one-paced. And then all of a sudden, you’re locked in to long-distance races. As older horses, there’s not really that many options.” “You’ve got the Tancred in Sydney, and you’ve got a Caulfield Cup once a year, but the options shorten up.” Waller indicated that Aeliana’s spring campaign will focus on middle-distance Group One races as key yardsticks. “I think a horse like her we will probably use the Turnbull or the Epsom, just to sort of tell us where we should be heading and whether she is a Cox Plate horse or not,” Waller said. The Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington and the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick are both run on October 4, with Waller to monitor which target is better suited as a potential springboard to the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m). View the full article

After Newmarket received a proper drenching on Thursday, Goodwood hopefuls Docklands (Massaat) and Asfoora (Flying Artie) took to the soft turf of the July Course for a spin ahead of their major-race targets next week. Partnered by Ted Durcan, the five-year-old Docklands, hero of last month's G1 Queen Anne Stakes, looked relaxed both pre- and post-work and had an easy stretch over Newmarket's undulations, making the most of a rare chance in an otherwise dry, hot summer to gallop on grass. “It was as much a mental exercise for him as a physical one,” said trainer Harry Eustace. “He's run three or four times now this year and with the way the weather has been until now he's just been on the Al Bahathri [all-weather gallop], but we've been delighted with him and Ted was very happy with him this morning.” He added of OTI Racing's G1 Qatar Sussex Stakes contender, “He's a dude and that's what has always made our lives very easy, and it makes the jockeys' lives easy as well.” Eustace gave visiting Australian trainer Henry Dwyer a hand by providing dual-winning sprinter Ancient Times as a lead horse for Asfoora, one of the stars of the previous year's Royal Ascot when winning the G1 King Charles III Stakes. The six-year-old mare was fifth in the same race last month, beaten just two lengths, after arriving in the UK later than she had done in 2024. Asfoora heads next to the G2 King George Qatar Stakes, in which she was beaten a short-head by Big Evs (Blue Point) last season. Asfoora and Oisin Murphy | Emma Berry After watching his globe-trotter work in partnership with Oisin Murphy, Dwyer said, “We're happy with her. We've kind of had to go backwards before we could go forwards. We gave her two weeks off because she was light and tight and we needed to get 20kg on her. As a result of that, her fitness has gone backwards but she has gone forwards in herself. “She's had a good blow and she got away from us a little but I just think, not necessarily from the point of view of winning next week, but the 20kg will help her long term, just not in the short term.” Dwyer is also considering further travels with Asfoora to York's G1 Nunthrope Stakes, the G1 Flying Five on Ireland's Champions Weekend, and the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye during the Arc meeting as she completes her European tour. The post Docklands and Asfoora Take to the Grass for Goodwood Prep appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jordyn Bublitz For Cambridge trainer Nicky Chilcott, it wasn’t the stature or the stakes of The Moonstone’s Silk Road victory on Thursday night at Cambridge Raceway that mattered, it was the sense of relief and accomplishment in finally getting the mare to return to a glimpse of her former self. Many may remember The Moonstone for her standout performances as an early two-year-old, when she impressed spectators on debut at Alexandra Park with a remarkable victory, despite missing away from the mobile and giving herself a considerable handicap in the process. That night it looked as though a top-class trotter was emerging. Her subsequent starts only reinforced that belief, with several remarkable runs against some of the best two-year-olds in the country at the time. It’s a commonly held superstition that ‘only the good horses’ seem to find themselves in a spot of bother, and unfortunately for the talented filly, that seemed to be the case. Toward the end of her two-year-old season, the team at White Star Stables noticed an issue with her gait. “Something was wrong with her,” said trainer Nicky Chilcott. “She went from trotting beautifully to having a glitch in her gait.” “After various checks with the vet, we found she had a fairly serious problem in her stifle. It was one of those things that could come right with time or might’ve required surgery.” After a spell, it appeared the injury had resolved. But a new obstacle emerged. “Her manners just went pear-shaped,” Chilcott said. “The injury itself looked to have come right, but she just lost her brain.” What followed during the mare’s three-year-old season was a battle, balancing her behaviour with a campaign that included starts in the Group 3 Northern Trotting Oaks and the Group 1 Northern Trotting Derby. “It was devastating,” said Chilcott. “We potentially had one of the best 2/3-year-olds in the country. I ended up saying to her owners, ‘As much as we want to aim her at these big races, I think we just need a complete reset.’” After a lengthy holiday in the hills, The Moonstone returned to campaign for her four-year-old season. With the mare initially threatening to return to her old ways, the team around her reached a tipping point. “In last week’s heat she broke heading into the first turn. She was pulling so hard she pulled herself off her feet,” Chilcott said. “So, we went back to the drawing board, and to be honest we almost sent her off to the breeding barn.” In a last-ditch attempt to bring the mare back to form, Nicky made some changes, adjusting her gear and increasing her workload. “I made some gear changes through the week and upped her work,” she said. “She was a lot kinder, more respectful, and I just thought, if she could carry that attitude into the races, we’d be a real chance in the final.” The changes worked the oracle. The daughter of Monkey Bones delivered a faultless performance. She was all business from the start, handling the mobile with precision to secure the trail. Turning for home, Nicky peeled her off the fence and the pair let down powerfully to break their 812-day dry spell. Understandably, it was an emotional moment for Chilcott. “For me, it was just pure relief, it was pretty emotional,” she said. “A lot of people go through hell and back with horses, and I’ve been to hell and back with her. To have everything fall into place, it was more relief than anything else.” As for what’s next, the team is taking it day by day, looking for more mobile starts to get miles back under her belt. “Maybe the threat of telling her she was going to become a mummy made her behave herself,” Nicky laughed. “But for now, she’s bought herself some time.” View the full article

International superstar Rebel’s Romance will look to add an elusive British Group One to his CV when he lines up in the Group One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,400m) at Ascot on Saturday. The only overseas winner of Hong Kong’s Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m), Charlie Appleby’s globetrotter has won 18 of his 26 career starts including seven top-level successes in four different countries. He added a Royal Ascot win to his incredible record when surging clear to land the...View the full article

Consistent three-year-old Puntin steps up to 1800m for the first time on Saturday when he contests the ATC Thank You Stable Staff Handicap at Randwick. The Bjorn Baker-trained son of Super Seth has won four of his seven starts and has finished runner-up on the other three occasions including last start when slow into stride. Jockey Ashley Morgan is confident Puntin will relish the step up in distance. “I think he can be a stakes horse at 2000m, he’s got such a great attitude and he loves his racing. It takes him a long way,’’ Morgan told Racing NSW. “He’ll get out of this grade and with the opinion we have of him I’d be disappointed if he didn’t. “I think getting to this trip and beyond is going to be key to seeing where he ends up. If he can get the 2000m and see it out well there’s plenty of options for him.” Puntin was bred by Jonathan Munz’s GSA Bloodstock, who also raced the gelding’s Caulfield Guineas-winning sire Super Seth. Now standing at Waikato Stud, Super Seth has made an enormous impact this year with Group One-winning progeny Feroce, Linebacker, La Dorada and Maison Louis. Puntin is out of the winning Encosta De Lago mare Stella Grace, who is a full-sister to the stakes winner Risk Aversion and a half-sister to the multiple Group Two winner Shania Dane. Presented as a yearling by Haunui Farm during the Book 1 sale at Karaka 2023, Puntin was purchased for $60,000 by Bjorn Baker Racing and Clarke Bloodstock. View the full article

Waverley’s meeting on Friday will live long in the memory of Foxton horseman Adam Scott, who recorded his first win as a trainer courtesy of Another Won’t Hurt in the Sandfords Rural Carriers (1400m). The rambunctious five-year-old was having just his second start and he was unwanted by punters following his debut antics where he bucked off rider Nick Downs shortly after the start at Woodville earlier this month. He trialled to the satisfaction of stewards at his home track on Tuesday and started a $61.70 outsider. In stark contrast to his debut, Another Won’t Hurt showed perfect manners and jumped well for jockey Ashvin Mudhoo but was trapped out three-wide from his outside draw. From his midfield position, Mudhoo asked for his charge to improve four and five wide from the 600m. The son of Turn Me Loose continued his forward momentum entering the straight and was able to show a good turn of foot in the concluding stages to reel in Riomosa to score by a head, much to the delight of Scott, who could be heard cheering home his pride and joy. “It was a big thrill,” Scott beamed following the race. “I have had a lot of placings and it was getting to me a little bit. I was getting close, but I just wasn’t getting across the line. I am happy to finally get that win.” Another Won’t Hurt has been a project horse for the 24-year-old, and he has had a fair reputation for his behavioural issues at the Foxton track. Where others would have given up, Scott persevered, and he was duly rewarded with a winning result on Friday. “It’s really rewarding to have a horse that I have had around for two years to finally get him to the races and do everything right and get that win,” Scott said. “I got given him for free because he has always had a reputation and a very good strike-rate about him when it comes to track work and bucking. In his first start he lost the rider after 20m (after bucking). It was a character-building sort of day. “I am a very patient sort of person and once I put money into something, I love to see a result. Until they tell me they don’t want to do it, or they are slow, I will keep on persevering. “I got him and thought he had shown enough in his early jumpouts to push on. I put him out for 18 months and here we are. The last jumpout he would have had would have been two-and-a-half years ago, so to see it all come together is very rewarding.” Scott said it was also great to be able to give his part-owner, Jayden Moore, his first win as well. “This is the first horse the owner has been a part of,” Scott said. “We have ridden the rollercoaster together. This is my first win as a trainer and we are all just thrilled to be here, having a happy and healthy horse, and be looking forward to the future over ground.” The son of trainer Anna Scott, racing is in the blood for Scott, who always envisioned following in his family’s footsteps. “I am the fifth or sixth generation in racing,” he said. “The Scotts have always been in racing. My mum is a trainer, my Grandad was a trainer, and I always wanted to be like them. “When you grow up around something, what else are you going to do? If you grow up around All Blacks, you are going to be a rugby player. “I got involved when I was 17 when I was looking for a job. I always wanted my trainer’s licence and finally got it on August 1 last year. I have been searching for the first winner for a very long time, so it was great to get it today.” Scott has a dozen horses in his care at Foxton, and he said his partner, jockey Crystal Lindsay, is instrumental in his operation and he was pleased to see her place on his horse Tramore earlier on the card. “I primarily do pre-trainers and breakers, but I race a few on my own,” he said. “I have got six in work, and I do about six breakers and pre-trainers at the same time. That’s all I want to get to at the moment. “My partner, Crystal Lindsay, helps me closely in the mornings and I wouldn’t be doing it without her because otherwise it gets a bit tricky trying to do everything on the ground and ride. “Tramore is a jumper and was there for a fitness run and she is going to go over the jumps again next start. I was thrilled with her running third.” Scott, who has also won three races as an amateur jockey, was thrilled with Friday’s outcome and he is looking forward to celebrating the result with his loved ones. “When you have spent time with a horse for so long, to win a race is a feeling that is hard to describe,” he said. “I will remember this day for the rest of my life.” View the full article