Wandering Eyes

Though Hawthorne maintenance crews took the first step Monday toward converting the racing surface so that it is suitable for Thoroughbred racing, Illinois horsemen remain skeptical that racing will proceed when the Thoroughbred meet is scheduled to open Mar. 29. Hawthorne officials had testified at a meeting of the Illinois Racing Board that work would begin Monday to change over the racetrack from a Standardbred surface to one that is conducive to Thoroughbred racing. But Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (ITHA) Executive Director Dave McCaffrey noted that the only work that was done Monday was to remove the pylons that are used for harness racing and to replace them with an inner rail. “They didn't actually start turning the track over,” McCaffrey said. “In typical Hawthorne fashion, they started working on the rail. That part of the transition doesn't require them to rent any equipment. They do that in-house. They did do it. But whether they'll actually rent the equipment to blade the track and change it from harness to Thoroughbred remains to be seen.” Still skeptical about Hawthorne's future, the ITHA sent an email to its members Monday morning with the headline: “Past Time for Tim Carey to Address ITHA Members About Hawthorne's Financial Condition and Plans; Commit to Racing at Hawthorne at Your Own Risk.” “Right now, we are telling people to come to Hawthorne at their own risk,” McCaffrey said. “That is the gist of the email. It was a pretty strongly worded email, telling our membership how we interpreted today's events so far. The summary of it is, despite the fact they are out there working on the track, we are dubious that the meet is going to start on time.” The ITHA wants to hear from Hawthorne President and General Manager Tim Carey, who did not show up at a recent meeting of the Illinois Racing Board to discuss the Hawthorne situation. During the harness meet, the IRB suspended Hawthorne's license to operate due to “financial integrity issues.” Several checks to harness horsemen reportedly bounced. That has left the Thoroughbred meet in limbo. Hawthorne has struggled financially due to its inability to open a casino, even though casino gaming was approved at the track in 2019. In the email, the ITHA expressed its frustrations with Carey and how he has shared little, if anything, that would shed light on the current situation. “It's way past time for Tim Carey to directly address ITHA members about Hawthorne's financial condition and plans,” the email read. “The ITHA requests that he schedule a time to speak with our membership as soon as possible. Trackman Greg Cardenas and his crew have started conversion of the main track back to our training and racing surface for the upcoming 2026 meet. This process usually takes a week, depending on weather. Warmer than normal temperatures are expected, which will help that process. But Hawthorne has yet to provide the ITHA with any assurance that it has the financial means to begin the meet on Sunday, Mar. 29, as scheduled, and sustain the meet through its scheduled completion on Sunday, Nov. 1. The email continued: “ITHA leaders want to be clear to our members: If you intend to stable and race at Hawthorne for the 2026 meet, once the track is ready for training, come at your own risk and with the knowledge that Hawthorne may be unable to start the meet and sustain it through its entirety. We await communication from Hawthorne that it will be able to prove it can conduct a 2026 meet and meet its financial obligations. Until we have that information in our possession, we will continue to advise our members to proceed with caution.” “They still claim that they are talking to people [who may partner on casino project],” McCaffrey said. “Another takeaway from our email is that we want Tim Carey to address us. He was a no-show at the racing board meeting, despite the fact he was a named witness on the agenda. Since then, he's been completely silent over the last two weeks. We get tidbits here and there from [Assistant General Manager] John Walsh and [Director of Racing] Jim Miller, but they don't seem to know much. Everything is very much murky. Everything is in a fog at the moment. That's extremely frustrating.” When asked to assess the chances of Hawthorne opening Mar. 29, McCaffrey labeled it a “50-50” proposition. The post Hawthorne Takes First Steps to Convert Racing Surface, But Horsemen Want Guarantees Meet Will Begin on Time appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Danox Co. Ltd's Danon Bourbon (Maxfield), a $450,000 Keeneland September yearling, began to chip away at that outlay when powering home to graduate by 10 lengths at first asking over a muddy main track at this venue last Oct. 26 and was a warm item to pick up where he left off making his 3-year-old debut in a first-level allowance over 1900 meters at Kyoto Racecourse on Feb. 15. Favored at 9-10 despite the absence and drawn one from the outside in a field of nine, the dark bay was asked for just a bit of gate speed to take up a forward position and settled well enough from a three-wide third down the back. Poised three deep on the turn, Danon Bourbon responded when set down passing the quarter pole and, despite failing to switch his leads until very late, put five lengths on third choice Allen Star (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}), himself an eight-length winner in his career bow just eight days prior. Blue Heaven Farm acquired Wild Ridge for $220,000 in foal to Candy Ride (Arg) at the 2016 Keeneland November sale and her four other winners includes Clubhouse (Speightstown), SP, $223,473. A daughter of MGSW & GISP Wild Gams (Forest Wildcat), Wild Ridge is a half-sister to 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard and dual graded winner Cazadero (Street Sense); Dubyuhnell (Good Magic), winner of the 2022 GII Remsen Stakes; SW Mt. Brave (Malibu Moon); and GSP Almost Famous (Unbridled's Song). Danon Bourbon has a 2-year-old half-brother by Nyquist, a yearling half-sister by Mage and Wild Ridge is due to Timberlake for 2026. Danon Bourbon holds an entry for the 1900-meter G2 UAE Derby at Meydan Mar. 28, but would also be a candidate for the 1800-meter Fukuryu Stakes (allowance), the final and clinching race on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby the same afternoon at Nakayama Racecourse. 4th-Kyoto, ¥15,620,000 ($101,858), Allowance, 3yo, 1900m, 2:00.9, ft. DANON BOURBON (c, 3, Maxfield–Wild Ridge, by Tapit) Sales history: $450,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $102,746. VIDEO (SC 8) O-Danox Co Ltd; B-Blue Heaven Farm (KY); T-Manabu Ikezoe. 2026.02.15 京都4R ダノンバーボン&西村淳也騎手 1番人気で5馬身付けての大差勝ち 2勝目おめでとうございます꒰⁠⑅⁠ᵕ⁠༚⁠ᵕ⁠꒱⁠˖⁠♡Maxfield%E7%94%A3%E9%A7%92?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maxfield産駒#池添学厩舎 pic.twitter.com/DmU5cxjZzP — しほ (@um_pt_sh) February 15, 2026 The post Maxfield Colt Danon Bourbon Dominates Kyoto Allowance appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Based in Miramar Beach, Florida, Greg Tramontin of Greenwell Thoroughbreds purchased what was formerly known as Siena Farm outside of Paris, Kentucky and the breeder/stable owner has also continued to add to his broodmare band. At the recent Keeneland January Sale, Tramontin went to $2-million to acquire GISW Simply in Front (Summer Front) who will visit Into Mischief, and he also purchased for $550,000 Closing Statement (Blame) who is entered in Not This Time's book for this spring. Tramontin sat down with TDN to offer highlights from his 2026 matings plan. QUICKICK, 2022, McKinzie–Graeme Six, by Graeme Hall. Will be bred to Not This Time. Quickick was a filly who showed us early that she belonged at the top level, and she went on to prove that by running third the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and second in the GI Darley Alcibiades at Keeneland and won the Iowa Oaks, as well. She has class, professionalism and is gorgeous. Tom Amoss trained her and her talented mother, too. Her mother made a great broodmare herself and there are a lot of producing females up-close in the pedigree, so this family should continue to develop. She represents the type of mare we want for Greenwell Thoroughbreds–an athletic, attractive filly who earned her place in the broodmare band through performance. We're breeding Quickick to Not This Time this year for her first foal because he has firmly established himself as one of the elite sires in the country. His ability to produce brilliant, durable, competitive racehorses on any surface makes him a natural fit. Our goal for the farm is to produce top quality sales horses and racehorses and Not This Time does both exceptionally well. To get these younger fillies off to a strong start we are willing to invest in getting them to the best stallions out there. Runners are what improve the value of the mares, so while I'm excited to be a commercial breeder and seller. The real upside comes when they hit the racetrack as successful runners for their purchasers. That is my goal. ALYS BEACH, 2021, Omaha Beach–Pray For Leslie, by Bernardini. In foal to Cody's Wish. Will be bred to Not This Time. Alys Beach is from the first crop of Omaha Beach and was a filly who showed her ability early. She broke her maiden at Saratoga in her first start at 2, then followed that with a fourth-place finish in the GI Spinaway and a third in the GI Alcibiades. Greenwell silks at the Spa | Sarah Andrew After we purchased Alys, we liked the family enough to go back and buy her half-sister–the graded stakes-placed Spa Prospector (Authentic). The page has continued to improve since then, with their half-sister developing into the MGSW Praying (Vekoma), which has reinforced our confidence in the strength of the family. I sent Alys Beach to Flightline for her first foal and we're fortunate to get a filly we're very excited about–she's an excellent first foal and all class. Alys Beach is currently in foal to Cody's Wish, and this year we'll send her to Not This Time. I generally prefer to send younger mares to proven sires, but I'm comfortable taking the occasional shot with truly exceptional racehorses like Flightline and Cody's Wish. At this point, it makes sense to back those matings up with a stallion like Not This Time. Taylor Made, where he stands, have been great to work with too. IFURHAPPYNUKNOWIT, 2016, Bernardini–Mushka, by Empire Maker. In foal to Elite Power. Will be bred to Into Mischief. Ifurhappynuknowit is one of the mares I'm most excited about in the band. She's a beautiful Bernardini mare and a full-sister to Crowned, the dam of Horse of the Year Sovereignty (Into Mischief). Both mares are out of Mushka, a Grade I winner herself and a member of the extended Lakeway (Seattle Slew) family, so this is a deep, high-quality pedigree that continues to prove itself at the very highest level. I bought this mare in foal to Elite Power, who I think is an exciting young sire son of Curlin with a chance to make it. For her next mating this year, I decided to really go for it and send her to Into Mischief in an effort to replicate the success that Sovereignty has enjoyed. Into Mischief is as good as it gets and there is clearly a strong affinity for him within this family. NIGHT ON THE TOWN, 2017, Street Sense–Fully Living, by Unbridled's Song. In foal to Life Is Good. Will be bred to Constitution. Night on the Town is a Street Sense mare from the extended family of champion 2-year-old filly & MGISW Halfbridled (Unbridled), and she's one I'm very high on. She's a big, beautiful mare with real presence, and that's carried through to her produce. Her 2024 foal, a filly by Good Magic, is a standout individual. She's currently in foal to Life Is Good, and this year we'll send her to Constitution. That's a cross that has already proven itself with a horse like Mindframe, and it's one that makes a great deal of sense to me on multiple levels. We talk a lot about crosses and patterns, and those matter, but physical compatibility is just as important in my mind. Night on the Town is a typical big, imposing Street Sense, and Constitution is a very good balance for her. Like Good Magic, he's a bit tidier, with excellent balance, strength and stretch to his body, while offering some refinement and elegance. For me, that combination gives this mare a chance to produce something special. The post 2026 Mating Plans: Greg Tramontin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty appeared on the worktab Feb. 15 for the first time since scratching from the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar.View the full article

Mr Brightside might be missing from the autumn weight‑for‑age spotlight, but Lindsay Park could still have a serious player emerging, with trainer Ben Hayes confident Evaporate is ready to step up as soon as Saturday. “I haven’t spoken about him much, but he’s trailled up excellent and will be hopefully announcing himself this autumn,” Hayes said confidently. “What has let him down is his racing manners. He’s always been a headstrong horse and doing things wrong but still ran well. “When Jamie (Melham) rode him in his last jumpout (win at Werribee on February 6) he actually relaxed and he finished off and we have been really working on it in his trackwork. “Jamie was really happy with him, and I think she’s keen to ride him (in the Futurity).” Now an autumn four-year-old, Evaporate has long served his apprenticeship as an elite galloper. After finishing third in the 2024 Caulfield Guineas, he was thrown into the deep end in the Cox Plate two weeks later but he failed to adapt and did not beat a runner home. He reappeared last autumn for a handful of runs – including a second placing in The Kiwi in New Zealand – before returning last spring for a number of impressive efforts when second in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap, third in the Golden Eagle and then third in the G1 Orr Stakes. Evaporate may wind up as the main danger to the early favourite Treasurethe Moment in Saturday’s Futurity Stakes as the current second favourite Tom Kitten is not likely to run. The Lindsay Park stable also have claims of taking Saturday’s G1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) with Oak Hill. “He’s going really well,” Hayes said. “Again, he’s a horse that was doing a lot wrong. He was an aggressive horse, and we saw last start he relaxed and he ran well so if he does that in an Oakleigh Plate, he’ll run very well.” View the full article

Opawa Jack (NZ) (War Decree) prevailed in a battle of attrition in Sunday’s K9 Petfoods Ltd Wairoa Cup (2100m), carrying his 60kg impost to victory on rain-affected footing in the Waipukurau feature. The Chrissy Bambry-trained gelding jumped away well and settled outside pacemaker Just Charlie (NZ) (Zed) for jockey Kate Hercock before getting some brief cover when Vickezzmargaux (NZ) (Eminent) came around to challenge for the lead. The John Bary-trained mare eventually wrestled it off Just Charlie at the 600m mark and Opawa Jack ranged up alongside the Hastings mare, with the pair working their way towards the better part of the track when turning into the home straight. Just Charlie and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) hopeful Tulsa King (NZ) (Staphanos) took the shorter way home, but the outside pair rallied again late, with Opawa Jack just getting the better of Vickezzmargaux to win by a head. Dropping back from stakes company in his last four outings, Bambry was confident of a bold showing from Opawa Jack, however, she did share concerns about his topweight on the rain-affected surface. “It was a great win, he is a pretty good horse,” she said. “I didn’t think he would probably handle the wet track but it was a summer heavy and Kate got out to the better part of the track, so he was able to cop it. “He deserved to have 60 kilos, it was just when the wet track came I was a bit worried that he had that much weight.” Bambry had initially planned to trek north from her Foxton base to contest the Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m) at Matamata a day prior, but the wet weather forecast forced her to change tack, and while she was met with similar weather, her decision to target the Hawke’s Bay meeting was vindicated. “I had thought about going to the Kaimai Stakes with him but saw it was going to be wet up there, so I swapped to the Wairoa Cup, which ended up being the right move,” she said. A return to stakes company is now on the cards for the son of War Decree, with Bambry eyeing next month’s Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) at Trentham as his next major assignment. “That will be his main target and he might run in a couple of weeks to keep him up to the mark,” Bambry said. Bambry is also upbeat about the prospects of stablemate Southern Chilli (Al Maher), who pleased with her second-up runner-up performance in the Equestrian Athletes Handicap (1200m) at Waipukurau. It was just her second start for the stable, and first in 18 months after previously racing in Australia where she won four races for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace. “I think she will be an exciting mare going forward,” Bambry said. “She was given time off with a few little niggles and she got a bit of an extended break. Good friends of ours bred her and they decided to bring her back and we have put a little syndicate into her. “I think she is going to be a pretty exciting mare when she gets that race fitness under her belt. It is a long time to have off so she just has to get that race fitness back into her.” Southern Chilli came through the race well, giving Bambry the confidence to back her up at Otaki on Saturday. “She licked her bowl clean and has bounced through the run,” Bambry said. “She will probably head to Otaki on Saturday. There is an Open 1200m for her with the rain still about. “I don’t think she is a real Heavy tracker, so it was probably getting a bit too wet for her yesterday, but a bit of this wind might dry it up and Otaki might not be as bad.” View the full article

Waipukurau trainer Simon Wilson enjoyed the rare luxury of racing on his home track on Sunday, and while the weather didn’t play its part, his racing team did, recording a winning double at the meeting. With remedial work taking place at both Hastings and Awapuni, Waipukurau has enjoyed a return to the racing calendar recently, with their November meeting well patronised by locals, with many returning to brave the wet weather in support of Sunday’s eight-race card. “The weather didn’t play its part yesterday, but it was well supported,” Wilson said. “There were a lot of people who came down from Wairoa, as it was a Wairoa meeting, and the locals were out in force to support it too.” Wilson is rapt to be back racing at his home track, which he said is great for the local community. “It’s fantastic,” he said. “It is great for the racing club and community to be back racing there. We have had amazing support from far and wide, and the trainers are supporting us, which is great, bringing horses to jump-outs and supporting the racedays. Long me it last. “We are positive that things are going in the right direction. We have got a great committee that are passionate about racing and the community, which is what it is all about.” Wilson lined up his entire race team of two on Sunday and was pleased to get a 100 percent strike-rate, with debutant Concorde (NZ) (Contributer) taking out the ICIB Brokerweb Three-Year-Old Maiden (1200m), while Plain Sailing (NZ) (Ocean Park) broke through for his maiden win in the Davmet Maiden (1400m), both in the hands of local hoop Kate Hercock. “Concorde has got a lot of speed and I was happy that she relaxed and finished off the race nicely, aided by a good ride from Kate Hercock,” Wilson said. “She was working well and being her local track, she does all of her work there, so it was an obvious choice to go there rather than travel somewhere else first-up. “Plain Sailing is a four-year-old now and is a weaker type who has taken a little bit of time to strengthen up. We added the blinkers yesterday, which was an assist.” Wilson said both horses have come through their runs well and he is now looking for their next assignments, with their return to race at Waipukurau’s next meeting on April 26 high on the agenda. View the full article

With the Kentucky Derby (G1) 11 weeks away, the pari-mutuel field of "All Other 3-Year-olds" closed as the 9-2 favorite in Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager.View the full article

In a thrilling stretch run, Reddam Racing homebred Pavlovian nailed Express Kid on the wire for a nose victory in the $500,000 Sunland Park Derby at Sunland Park Feb. 15.View the full article

Bottle of Rouge solidified her status among the top 3-year-old fillies with a tenacious victory in the $250,000 Sunland Park Oaks Feb. 15. View the full article

With the Kentucky Derby (G1) 11 weeks away, the pari-mutuel field of "All Other 3-Year-olds" closed as the 9-2 favorite in Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager.View the full article

With 11 weeks left to the GI Kentucky Derby, 'All Others' maintains a firm grip on favoritism in the future pool wagering as Paladin (Gun Runner) scooped up second-choice honors at 9-1 odds at the conclusion of Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW). The Gun Runner colt rose to the top of the named heap after a game victory in last Saturday's GII Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds. The odds shifted on several contenders and the betting public displayed interest in a number of rising sophomores, including GIII Holy Bull Stakes victor Nearly (Not This Time), third in the wagering at 10-1, and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Canaletto (Into Mischief), whose dazzling debut made him the 15-1 fourth choice in this round of wagers. From prior Derby preps, Sam F. Davis winner Renegade (Into Mischief) pulled 16-1 and Silent Tactic (Tacitus), winner of the GIII Southwest Stakes, enjoyed 19-1 odds. Total handle for the Feb. 13-15 KDFW pool–the fourth of six scheduled wagering pools in advance of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby Saturday, May 2–was $420,519 ($330,926 in the Win pool and $89,593 in Exactas). It was a 1.9% increase from last year's $412,766 ($319,881 in the Win pool and $92,885 in Exactas). Through the first four pools, a total of $1,277,506 has been bet on Derby future wagers, a 1.9% jump from last year's $1,253,931. Other Future Wager dates are set for Mar. 13-15 (Pool 5) and Apr. 2-4 (Pool 6). Pool 5 also will include the Longines Kentucky Oaks Future Wager. Horses Listed in order of the public's betting choice (with trainer, sire, Pool 4 odds, and $2 Win Will Pays): All Other 3-Year-Olds (9-2, $11.30) Paladin (Chad Brown, Gun Runner, 9-1, $20.80) Nearly (Todd Pletcher, Not This Time, 10-1, $22.76) Canaletto (Chad Brown, Into Mischief, 15-1, $32.86) Renegade (Todd Pletcher, Into Mischief, 16-1, $35.08) Silent Tactic (Mark Casse, Tacitus, 19-1, $40.02) Chief Wallabee (Bill Mott, Constitution, 21-1, $45.98) Commandment (Brad Cox, Into Mischief, 23-1, $49.18) Further Ado (Brad Cox, Gun Runner, 24-1, $50.74) Brant (Bob Baffert, Gun Runner, 26-1, $55.72) Plutarch (Bob Baffert, Into Mischief, 27-1, $56.64) Napoleon Solo (Chad Summers, Liam's Map, 30-1, $62.10) Blackout Time (Kenny McPeek, Not This Time, 32-1, $66.16) Golden Tempo (Cherie DeVaux, Curlin, 32-1, $67.20) Boyd (Bob Baffert, Violence, 34-1, $71.54) Englishman (Cherie DeVaux, Maxfield, 37-1, $77.14) Litmus Test (Bob Baffert, Nyquist, 38-1, $78.38) Talk to Me Jimmy (Rudy Rodriguez, Modernist, 42-1, $86.34) Emerging Market (Chad Brown, Candy Ride-ARG, 42-1, $87.78) Potente (Bob Baffert, Into Mischief, 44-1, $90.34) Jackson Hole (Todd Pletcher, Nyquist, 45-1, $93.68) So Happy (Mark Glatt, Runhappy, 53-1, $108.90) Courting (Todd Pletcher, Curlin, 54-1, $110.58) Bravaro (Saffie Joseph Jr., Upstart, 60-1, $123.42) Secured Freedom (Tim Yakteen, Practical Joke, 61-1, $124.36) Ewing (Mark Casse, Knicks Go, 62-1, $127.90) Chip Honcho (Steve Asmussen, Connect, 65-1, $133.20) Powershift (Todd Pletcher, Constitution, 69-1, $141.66) Six Speed (Bhupat Seemar, Not This Time, 73-1, $148.80) Class President (Todd Pletcher, Uncle Mo, 75-1, $152.48) Pyromancer (Jpn) (Kenji Yoshimura, Pyro, 77-1, $157.70) Intrepido (Jeff Mullins, Maximus Mischief, 82-1, $167.76) Solitude Dude (Saffie Joseph Jr., Yaupon, 83-1, $168.66) Iron Honor (Chad Brown, Nyquist, 122-1, $247.62) The Puma (Gustavo Delgado, Essential Quality, 123-1, $248.12) Soldier N Diplomat (Steve Asmussen, Army Mule, 129-1, $260.84) My World (Brad Cox, Essential Quality, 207-1, $416.26) Carson Street (Brendan Walsh, Street Sense, 307-1, $616.26) Mesquite (Cherie DeVaux, Union Rags, Wagering Suspended) Thunderously (Bill Mott, Gun Runner, Wagering Suspended) The post ‘All Others’ Remains Favorite in Kentucky Derby Future Pool, Paladin 8-1 After Pool Four Conclusion appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The lion's share of the wagering money fell squarely on Express Kid (Bodexpress), the last-out Springboard Mile winner at Remington and subsequent $800,000 Fasig-Tipton Digital January purchase. However, it was the Reddam Racing homebred Pavlovian (Pavel) who put his head down at precisely the right moment to give trainer Chief Stipe O'Neill his third victory in the 8 1/2-furlong Kentucky Derby points earning race. With the victory, the California-bred colt earned 20 points toward the first Saturday in May, while Express Kid garnered10 points for his second-place effort. Sent screaming to the front right by Justin Evans, even-money choice Express Kid set the tempo, leading 5-1 chance Pavlovian, who was getting blinkers on for the first time, and Bricklin (Nyquist) through opening fractions of :22.07 and :46.40. With the positions of the front-running trio remaining up to the home turn, the favorite continued to fight and inched clear momentarily, however, Pavlovian wasn't about to give up and fought back late, getting up just in time to get a nostril down on the wire. The top two finishers both have 20 points in the run-up to the Kentucky Derby. Pavlovian graduated at second asking in a 5-furlong state-bred test at Santa Anita last June before finishing runner-up behind Desert Gate in the GIII Best Pal Sakes at Del Mar. Off-the-board in the I'm Smokin Stakes against Cal-breds in September, the grey was an improved second when returning to optional claiming company at Santa Anita in October. After losing his rider in Del Mar's Gold State Juvenile on Halloween, the colt came home fourth while stretching to a mile for the King Glorious Stakes at Los Alamitos on Dec. 14. In his latest trip to post, the colt closed to be third in the 8 1/2-furlong Cal Cup Derby at Santa Anita on Jan. 17. Pavlovian is a son of Pavel, raced by Paul Reddam and also trained by O'Neill, out of Mandy's Grace, a daughter of MGSW Magicalmysterycat (Storm Cat) who was also campaigned by the winning combo. The post Reddam Racing’s Pavlovian Gets the Nod in the Sunland Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After his mount fell at the eighth pole in the ninth race at Gulfstream Park Sunday, jockey Mario Gutierrez was taken to Aventura Hospital for further evaluation, the track announced via press release. Aboard Souper Dormy (Into Mischief) for the turf-mile claimer, Gutierrez was thrown from his mount when the gelding went wrong at the eighth pole after taking the lead. Unable to avoid the stricken horse, Lights of Broadway (City of Light) fell over him and threw Tyler Gaffalione to the course. According to the chart notes, the latter runner got to his feet and was walked off, but the former could not be saved, and was euthanized. After being attended to on the course, Gutierrez was transported to the hospital with complaints of a sore hip and Gaffalione returned to the jockey's room without apparent need for medical attention. The post Mario Gutierrez Taken to Hospital for Further Evaluation After Fall at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A long and successful Waikato breeding partnership was to the fore again at Matamata on Saturday where My Lips Are Sealed doubled her stakes tally. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained mare made all the running in the hands of Rory Hutchings for a comfortable resuming victory in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m). My Lips Are Sealed was bred by Rich Hill Stud, who stand her sire Ace High, and Scott Williams’ Bloodstock Resources, and was sold through the former’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale to Te Akau’s David Ellis for $160,000. “She was the highest priced yearling at Karaka from Ace High’s first crop,” Rich Hill’s John Thompson said. She has now won on five occasions, including last season’s Gr.3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m) ahead of a third placing in the 2025 Lisa Chittick. Rich Hill and Williams joined forces in 1998 to purchase My Lips Are Sealed’s dam What Can I Say in a private deal. The daughter of Khozaam was secured after producing two foals in Australia, including four-time Group winner and multiple Group One placegetter Only Words. “We bought the mare a long time ago, Bob Vance trained her and she was a great wet tracker,” Thompson said. “She went to Sydney one year and won the Warwick Stakes (Gr.2, 1400m) with Tie The Knot and Might And Power in the field.” What Can I Say was in foal to Rock Of Gibraltar at the time of her purchase and the resulting filly Gibraltar Campion was sold at Karaka for $500,000 and subsequently won two stakes races. “We also sold a Zabeel filly out of What Can I Say for $500,000 at Sydney Easter and then she had six colts in a row,” Thompson said. Her final foal by Tavistock was My Lips Are Sealed’s dam Tellmeaboutit, who was retained and wasn’t persevered with as a racing proposition after jarring up. Tellmeaboutit’s daughter of Satono Aladdin was passed in at Karaka last month and will be raced by Rich Hill and Williams. “She’s got another really nice Satono Aladdin filly at foot and is back in foal to Ace High,” Thompson said. Williams also bred from Tellmeaboutit’s half-sister You Can’t Say That, a daughter of Fusaichi Pegasus. She produced his outstanding Group-winning sprinter Babylon Berlin, who was sold at the end of her decorated racing career for A$850,000 at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale. “Sean Buckley (Ultra Thoroughbreds) bought her and she’s here on the farm and in foal to Satono Aladdin,” Thompson said. View the full article

Jill Baffert's Bottle of Rouge (f, 3, Vino Rosso–Blues Corner, by Bluegrass Cat), the 2-5 favorite, survived a steward's inquiry to secure 20 qualifying points to the GI Kentucky Oaks with her victory in the Sunland Park Oaks Sunday evening in New Mexico. Winner of last year's GI Del Mar Debutante, Bouttle of Rouge was making her first start since finishing sixth in the Oct. 31 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar. The gray filly stalked the pace three wide through fractions of :23.85 and :46.80 and moved up to take the lead into the stretch. She drifted out at the eighth pole and looked to brush with Pashmina (Constitution) before being straightened out by Juan Hernandez and pulling away to the wire. Touch of Magic (Into Mischief) was second and Pashmina third. The time for the mile was 1:35.82. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0. O-J Natalie Baffert. B-Kathie Maybee. T-Bob Baffert. The post Vino Rosso’s Bottle of Rouge Takes Down Sunland Park Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grade 1 winner Baeza and San Pasqual Stakes (G2) winner Westwood each worked for trainer Peter Eurton Feb. 15 at Santa Anita Park. Both owned by C R K Stable, the pair were transferred to Eurton following the Feb. 12 death of John Shirreffs.View the full article

Grade I winner Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map) continued preparations for his next Kentucky Derby qualifier with a strong work at Palm Meadows last Friday, but the question remains as to which race the grey will be pointed for at the end of the month. Cruising through five panels in 1:01.45, marking it the fastest work of five at the distance, the colt worked in company with Saffie Joseph Jr. trained Ruleroftheuniverse (Sharp Azteca). The latter posted 1:02.15 for the trip. “I couldn't be happier with how he's coming along,” trainer Chad Summers said of owner Gold Square's GI Champagne hero. “When we decided not to go to the Breeders' Cup and put this plan together, you need everything to go perfect–so far, everything is on track. He's scheduled to run on February 28, and he'll make one more start after that.” The races in contention are both 50-point Derby preps–the GIII Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct or Gulfstream Park's GII Fountain of Youth Stakes. Napoleon Solo claims 10 points already with his victory in Saratoga last October. Summers says there's a lot to consider before they pull the trigger on a final target. “Both the Gotham and Fountain of Youth are on the radar. We'll keep an eye on the weather in New York. The Gotham makes sense as he's had success over the track, it's a one-turn mile and possibly easier competition off the freshening, but it's also a 26-hour van ride.” Summers continued, “He's flourishing at Palm Meadows. He loves his round pen before he trains, it takes a little bit of the steam out of him before he goes to the track because he's not an easy actor [out there].” “Do I take him out of his rhythm? I don't know. If you run in the Fountain of Youth, all the options remain on the table for the next race. If you run in the Gotham, you miss a few days shipping out there and those March 28 races [GI Arkansas Derby and GI Florida Derby] go away and you're looking at the April 4 races [GI Blue Grass and GII Wood Memorial]. It's something [owner] Al [Gold] and I go back and forth on about seven times a day. Hopefully, we'll make a decision here in the next few days.” The post Napoleon Solo Continues Preparations, Next Target Still a Question Mark appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

My Fortune (Appel Au Maitre) was crowned Denmark's Horse of the Year at Saturday's Hestesportens Galla in Aarhus as Stutteri Hjortebo dominated proceedings. The Jutland stud, which was named Breeder of the Year, bred all three of the gala's equine winners, namely Two-Year-Old of the Year Cosmopolitan (Make Believe), Three-Year-Old of the Year No Surrender (Giant Sandman) and the aforementioned My Fortune, who also took the title for Older Horse of the Year. Elsewhere, Bent Olsen, who trains No Surrender, was named Trainer of the Year, while Nicolaj Stott saw off Oliver Wilson to be crowned Jockey of the Year. The full list of winners is as follows: Horse of the Year: My Fortune (by Appel Au Maitre) Two-Year-Old of the Year: Cosmopolitan (Make Believe) Three-Year-Old of the Year: No Surrender (Giant Sandman) Older Horse of the Year: My Fortune (Appel Au Maitre) Breeder of the Year: Stutteri Hjortebo Trainer of the Year: Bent Olsen Amateur Trainer of the Year: Sarah Langholm Hornstrup Jockey of the Year: Nicolaj Stot Amateur and Apprentice Jockey of the Year: Evelina Rönnlund 'Comet' of the Year: Stine Schäfing Stable Staff Worker of the Year: Lise Vest The post My Fortune Crowned Denmark’s Horse of the Year at Hestesportens Galla appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

From an immediate-return standpoint, jockey Flavien Prat's trip to King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday paid off handsomely. Imagination (Into Mischief) took home the $1.2 million winner's share of the purse in the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint, and the $3.5 million runner-up money earned by 'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard' Nysos (Nyquist) was a lucrative consolation prize for crossing the wire second behind dual-continent champ Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) in the G1 Saudi Cup. But there are tradeoffs to any business decision, and the future cost that the 33-year-old Prat might have to incur could be that by going overseas to ride in the world's richest horse race in February, he vacated the mount on the GI Kentucky Derby favorite for May. Prat had piloted the undefeated Paladin (Gun Runner) in each of the $1.9 million FTSAUG colt's first two victories in New York for trainer Chad Brown. Tyler Gaffalione picked up the mount in the Feb. 14 GII Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, and the result was a convincingly professional stalk-and-pounce victory by half a length (93 Beyer Speed Figure) that established Paladin atop the Derby-prospect totem pole nearing the 10-week mark to the first leg of the Triple Crown. Paladin's persistent Risen Star score was punctuated by a length-of-stretch reeling-in of a staying-on lone speedster, a prolonged unwinding that Gaffalione launched from mid-pack on the backstretch on an afternoon when horses either on the lead or dueling for it won five of seven dirt races in New Orleans. Coupled with a previous win in the Dec. 6 GII Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct, Paladin now owns two victories over nine furlongs, and his final prep for the Derby is likely to be the 1 1/8-miles Apr. 4 GI Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. The last eight times Brown has had at least one starter in the Blue Grass, the results have included three wins, three close seconds, and a third. Reached Sunday afternoon, Brown told TDN via text message that it's still too early to say whether Gaffalione will retain the mount on Paladin in the Blue Grass or beyond. “Paladin came back well so far,” Brown wrote. “Tyler rode a flawless race [Saturday], we are very appreciative of his effort. No decision on jockeys moving forward, many preps still to be run.” But if the 31-year-old, third-generation rider does get asked to stick with Paladin, the chance could counterbalance an opportunity Gaffalione lost two years ago when Brown took him off 'Rising Star' Sierra Leone after a runner-up effort in the roughly run 2024 Derby and replaced him with Prat. Two years ago, Gaffalione had picked up the mount on Sierra Leone for the Risen Star Stakes after Manny Franco broke the colt's maiden and Jose Ortiz rode him to a lugging-in second-place finish in the Remsen. Gaffalione won aboard Sierra Leone in the 2024 Risen Star, then again in that April's Blue Grass Stakes. Sierra Leone (left) and Forever Young battling in the Derby | Coady Media But Sierra Leone continued to have problems staying straight in his stretch runs, and in that year's Derby, Gaffalione careened into the lane eight wide with serious late-race torque. Sierra Leone was leaning all over eventual third-place finisher Forever Young the entire length of the stretch, culminating in a frenzied three-way photo for the win that ended up with Mystik Dan on top. Gaffalione was fined $2,500 by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission “for touching a rival with his left hand.” It appeared that Gaffalione was trying to keep Sierra Leone from Forever Young and used his hand to push off. Brown told TDN prior to Sierra Leone's next start in the 2024 GI Belmont Stakes that Gaffalione should have had his whip in his left hand, not the right, earlier in the Derby stretch drive. “He didn't have his stick in his left hand until the eighth pole, and it cost him,” Brown said at the time. “This is not a punishment. The understanding is that's the way this horse likes to travel and you have to be prepared for this horse.” Brown not only switched to Prat, but also put a different steering bit in Sierra Leone's mouth. Although neither move resulted in immediate victories (Sierra Leone ran third in the Belmont, second in the GII Jim Dandy Stakes, and third in the GI Travers Stakes), the colt did win the season-culminating GI Breeders' Cup Classic and the Eclipse Award for champion 3-year-old male of 2024. Prat retained the mounts on Sierra Leone through the colt's 1-for-5 season at age 4, and he was voted champion jockey for both 2024 and 2025. Gaffalione continued to ride other horses for Brown during that same time frame. But he missed any opportunity to ride in the 2025 Kentucky Derby after breaking an ankle in a post parade accident at Gulfstream last March. He took extra time to heal and came back in July, winning both the summer meet riding title at Ellis Park and the early fall title at Churchill Downs. Paladin is owned in partnership by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant, Brook Smith and the colt's breeder, Summer Wind Equine. Several of those same partners also teamed up to campaign Sierra Leone. In Saturday's Risen Star, Paladin broke alertly and was responsive to Gaffalione's early efforts to get him to settle between horses into the first turn. Paladin was fourth, about four lengths off lone leader Chip Honcho (Connect) in the early part of the backstretch run. A half-mile out, Gaffalione repositioned Paladin outside and sent him up into second. By the three-furlong pole Paladin loomed menacingly, and his seizure of the lead from the 7-1 pacemaker looked to be a matter of “when” not “if.” But Chip Honcho, who had won the Dec. 20 Gun Runner Stakes and was a narrowly beaten fourth in the Jan. 17 GIII Lecomte Stakes over the same Fair Grounds strip, wasn't caving to the pressure from the 7-10 fave. Gaffalione-who a half-hour earlier had just ridden 'Rising Star' Bella Ballerina (Street Sense) to a half-length victory in the GII Rachel Alexandra Stakes after leading throughout, getting passed in deep stretch, then clawing back the lead along the rail in the final strides-knew full well that inside speed was holding at Fair Grounds and that Paladin would have to come up with something extra for the win. Gaffalione roused Paladin with both left- and right-handed stick work, and although his hustling deep-stretch efforts did not yield one big, blast-off move, the colt churned out a measured, grind-down finish that put him over the top just before the wire and extended into a purposeful gallop-out. Three participants in the history of the Risen Star Stakes have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby, but two of them-Country House in 2019 and Mandaloun in 2021-achieved their Derby victories by getting elevated via disqualification. (War Emblem ran sixth in the 2002 Risen Star and won the Derby outright). In both 2022 and 2023, the winners of the Risen Star went on to start as favorites in the Kentucky Derby. Epicenter was second in the 2022 Derby at 4-1 odds, and Angel of Empire was the same price when third in the 2023 Derby. The post Week in Review: Paladin Tops Sophomore Totem Pole, Who Will Ride Remains Open Question appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following a busy weekend of racing in the Middle East between Doha and Riyadh, Emma Berry will be bringing her popular Seven Days column back from its winter hibernation for a one-off edition this week, providing a helpful summary for those lucky few whose Valentine's Day obligations took them away from the racing on Saturday in favour of a cinema trip to see Wuthering Heights. Really, only me? Anyway, you can rest assured that Margot Robbie hasn't prevented your Winter Watch columnist from keeping an eagle eye on the all-weather action in Britain, Ireland and France since the most recent edition went to print a fortnight ago. For this instalment, we've once again highlighted five notable performances on the all-weather – ranked in reverse order – that most definitely make for better watching than the latest adaptation of Emily Brontë's classic novel. 5. Warriors Whisper – Deauville, February 7 Three fillies fetched a seven-figure sum at the Arqana August Yearling Sale of 2024, most notably Diamond Necklace (St Mark's Basilica), who topped the sale at €1.7 million and looked every bit money well spent when ending an unbeaten juvenile campaign with her first Group 1 success in the Prix Marcel Boussac. Then there was Skydance (Night Of Thunder), a filly from the same family as Diamond Necklace who also showed a high level of form at two, despite failing to get off the mark in five starts. Last seen finishing fifth (beaten less than four lengths) behind another Ballydoyle champion, Precise (Starspangledbanner), in the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, the €1-million purchase was also third in the G2 Airlie Stud Stakes and second in the G3 Silver Flash Stakes. Completing the trio of millionaires at Arqana was Warriors Whisper (Lope De Vega), who showed black-type potential of her own when making a belated debut at Deauville on February 7. Admittedly, she made hard work there of justifying odds-on favouritism, beating Shelzawa (Zelzal) by just a short-neck, but there was plenty to like about the manner in which she dug deep to edge the verdict, having travelled smoothly into contention. The runner-up also had the benefit of a previous run, having finished second on her debut at Pornichet the previous month. Trained by Carlos and Yann Lerner for Victorious Racing, Warriors Whisper has a pedigree befitting one with her €1-million price tag. She is out of the G3 Park Express Stakes winner Normandel (Le Havre), a half-sister to the G1 Grand Prix de Paris scorer Mont Ormel (Air Chief Marshall). Normandel is also a full-sister to La Pyle, the dam of the G1 Coronation Cup and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes hero Pyledriver (Harbour Watch). The Lerners and Victorious Racing will be hoping that this filly has better luck as a three-year-old than We'll Defend (Zelzal), who earned 'TDN Rising Star' status when making a successful debut on the all-weather at Chantilly in March last year. Unfortunately, We'll Defend hasn't been seen on a racecourse since, so here's hoping Warriors Whisper gets the opportunity to fulfil her obvious potential as a middle-distance filly in 2026. 4. Star Strewn – Dundalk, February 11 TDN Europe's very own Brian Sheerin and Adam Potts of BBA Ireland find themselves in illustrious company on this list, alongside the likes of the Aga Khan Studs, Godolphin and Victorious Racing as owners who have unleashed a promising winner on the all-weather in recent days. Star Strewn (Starman) is the filly in question for Sheerin and Potts, a stylish winner of the seven-furlong maiden run at Dundalk on Wednesday. Starting out for Adrian McGuinness following a couple of solid efforts in defeat last autumn when trained by Cormac Farrell, Star Strewn was always ideally placed in the hands of jockey Adam Caffrey, shadowing every move of the long-time leader, He's Holding Court (Magna Grecia), before moving to the front at the top of the straight. From there she soon established a clear advantage which she never looked likely to relinquish, ultimately reaching the line with 2 1/2 lengths to spare over her closest pursuer, Glitter And Glory (Lucky Vega). A €50,000 purchase at the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-up Sale, having previously sold for €20,000 at Book 2 of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale, Star Strewn is out of the unraced Bernardini mare Marian Halcombe, a half-sister to the G1 Middle Park Stakes third Huntdown (Elusive Quality), as well as Falling Petals (Raven's Pass), the dam of the dual Group 1 winner Saffron Beach (New Bay), and Continua (Elusive Quality), the dam of the high-class sprinter and sire Cotai Glory. This victory also saw Star Strewn become yet another first-crop winner for Tally-Ho Stud's Starman, with McGuinness confirming afterwards that this filly will now try to emulate the likes of Venetian Sun and Lady Iman by making an impact in Pattern company. “I definitely think she's a black-type filly – there is no doubt,” McGuinness told Racing TV. “We'll put her away and bring her back for the turf later on. We don't want to go handicapping as she's better than that. It's great to have a filly like this. She's going to strengthen up really well, and we might even talk about a Guineas trial later on in the year.” 3. Edaja – Chantilly, February 12 Can the team at the Aga Khan Studs possibly continue the remarkable run of results it enjoyed in 2025? It will likely be some time before we get a definitive answer to that question, but things are off to an encouraging start thanks to Edaja (Siyouni), who became the first winner of 2026 in the famous green and red silks when making a successful debut at Chantilly on Thursday. One of 14 newcomers going to post for that one-mile contest, Edaja raced enthusiastically in mid-division for much of the race, before making steady headway in the straight to get to the girths of stablemate Morgana Gold (Too Darn Hot) entering the final furlong. Responding well to the urgings of jockey Clement Lecoeuvre, she was ultimately well on top at the line, landing the spoils by 1 1/2 lengths in decisive fashion. The homebred Edaja is the second winner from as many runners out of the Jockey Club Oaks Invitational winner and G2 Prix de Malleret and G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris second Edisa (Kitten's Joy). Edisa, in turn, is out of the G2 Prix de Royallieu winner Ebiyza (Rock Of Gibraltar), whose other notable progeny include the G2 Prix Corrida and G2 Prix de Pomone heroine Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor). Ebaiyra was also placed at the top level on three occasions, including when runner-up in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. Certainly, Edaja is bred to stay middle-distances, though the speed she demonstrated at Chantilly suggests her connections don't need to be in any rush to step her up in trip. She's in the best of hands with Francis-Henri Graffard, a master of his craft when it comes to placing his horses, and it will be no surprise if he finds another winnable opportunity for her on the all-weather in the coming weeks before she steps up in grade. 2. Al Rateel – Cagnes-sur-Mer, February 15 Jerome Reynier endured another near miss in Riyadh on Saturday with his star sprinter Lazzat (Territories), who filled the runner-up spot for the third time in his last four starts when narrowly outpointed by Reef Runner (The Big Beast) in the $2-million G2 1351 Turf Sprint. Closer to home, Reynier was back among the winners at Cagnes-sur-Mer on Sunday when Al Rateel (Violence) maintained her unbeaten record in impressive fashion, fully confirming the promise of her debut at the same venue five weeks earlier – form which had already worked out well with the runner-up, Aspire (Zarak), and fourth, Queen Mekhtaal (Mekhtaal), both winning next-time-out. On Sunday, Al Rateel switched to the all-weather for a one-mile conditions event against faced five other previous winners, none of whom could lay a glove on her as she dominated from start to finish. Still cruising at the head of affairs as the field turned into the straight, she gradually went through the gears from there and powered through the line for a three-length success, recording the fastest sectional for the final furlong of any horse in the race. Most recently sold for 100,000gns at the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-up Sale, Al Rateel had previously changed hands twice at Keeneland, first for $70,000 as a foal and then for $20,000 as a yearling. She is one of six winners from seven runners out of the Listed Shakespeare Caress Stakes third Zermatt (Tiznow), who was also fourth in the GII Thoroughbred Club Of America Stakes for the Todd Pletcher barn. Zermatt, in turn, is out of the GIII Tempted Stakes third Sisti's Pride (Forestry), from the family of Chad Brown's multiple Grade I winner Rushing Fall (More Than Ready). Already a winner on both turf and the all-weather, Al Rateel could hardly have made a more promising start to her career and her scope for more improvement suggests she ought to be competitive in Pattern company when the situation demands it. 1. Shabab Al Ahli – Southwell, February 5 Charlie Appleby is still operating at a 100% strike-rate on British soil in 2026, with the recent victories of Shabab Al Ahli (Frankel) and Into The Light (Dubawi) making it three from three for the team at Moulton Paddocks after that of 'TDN Rising Star' Palladas (Lope De Vega) at Kempton last month. Into The Light showed more than a bit of promise when making a winning debut in Saturday's 10-furlong maiden at Lingfield, but the performance produced by Shabab Al Ahli at Southwell the previous week was certainly a notch above in terms of the wow factor, identifying him as yet another high-class prospect for the Appleby team. Shabab Al Ahli did it in the manner of a thorough stayer, lengthening right away from his three rivals in a novice staged over 11 furlongs of the Nottinghamshire track. After moving to the front entering the final two furlongs, he proceeded to turn the screw on his chief market rival, Asia Force (Frankel), in no uncertain terms, to the extent that he was fully 8 1/2 lengths clear of the Karl Burke trainee at the line. In terms of distance, Shabab Al Ahli is likely to take after his Group-winning half-brothers, Kemari (Dubawi) and Klondike (Galileo). Kemari enjoyed his career highlight when winning the G2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot over a mile and six furlongs, while Klondike was a Listed winner over the same distance, before later landing the G3 Prix de Reux over an extended mile and a half. Their dam, the G3 St Simon Stakes heroine Koora (Pivotal), a half-sister to the St Leger-winning sire Milan, is also responsible for the G3 Lester Piggott Stakes third Chorus (Kingman) from only five runners. It's little wonder that Shabab Al Ahli was in high demand when he featured as part of the Fittocks Stud draft at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, eventually being knocked down to Godolphin for 500,000gns. He seems sure to progress and win more races as his stamina is drawn out further. The post Winter Watch: From Wuthering Heights to All-Weather Hotshots appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Marc Wampler has been involved with racing since 1993 and currently is the racing manager and bloodstock agent for Pocket Aces Racing as well as offering similar services to private clientele. When breeding, the first thing Wampler asks his clients is whether they are breeding a racehorse or a sales horse. He says he believes it's an important initial step in the process as the pool of potential stallions to use varies depending on the answer. “If breeding to race, the stud book offers many options and an opportunity to find value. If breeding to sell, the focus narrows to commercial sires–in today's market that usually means the most-recently retired, fashionably bred, graded stakes winners–and it will take money to make money.” From there, Wampler says he likes to start zeroing in on specific stallions by establishing a stud fee range that suits the mare, based on her pedigree, performance, and physical. “Over-breeding your mare can be just as dangerous as under breeding, especially from a commercial standpoint. You don't want your weanling or yearling to show up at the sale as one of the worst-bred progeny by a particular sire.” “I also like to make a critical assessment of each mare's physical attributes and flaws so I can match her up to a stallion who will hopefully improve her weaknesses and further enhance her assets.” Wysteria, 10, Tale of the Cat–Smokey Diplomacy, by Dynaformer Wysteria was unraced, but she has been a huge success for my commercial breeding client–Somewhere Stable. She is the complete mare as she delivers on the racetrack (her first foal was Grade II winner Implicated) and the sales ring (with foals bringing $150K, $155K and $290K at auction). We approach breeding her very carefully as Somewhere Stables only has two mares, and her progeny have the potential to either “make” or “break” their year financially. After careful consideration, and a protracted effort to find an available season, we decided that Yaupon would be the perfect match for Wysteria in 2026. As we did our research, Yaupon quickly rose to the top of our “wish list” as he is a proven success with his progeny's racing results (2025 champion freshman sire) and sales results (53 of his foals sold as weanlings in 2025 and they averaged more than $165K). In addition, we thought the sales history of both horses was a good indication that the breeding would mostly produce a foal that was physically attractive at a young age, as Yaupon was a $350,000 sales yearling and Wysteria brought $200,000 at the same age. While he is standing for $60,000 in 2026, we're optimistic that he will be standing for even more by the time we sell Wysteria '27. Neom, 10, Mineshaft–Noble Grey, by Forestry Going into 2025, Neom was a big question mark for us, because despite her half-sister Ag Bullet's achievements, they didn't seem to translate into more money for Neom or her foals. As time went by, the aforementioned sister developed into one of the, if not the best, turf sprint fillies in North America. To date, said mare is a Grade I winner of more than $2.9-million and was placed in both the 2024 and 2025 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint against the boys. That said, our luck changed when Neom produced a gorgeous Good Magic colt last year, and he sold for $140,000 at Keeneland November via the Nicky Drion consignment. We weren't entirely sure what changed, but she was finally living up to our hopes for her. For 2026, we decided to breed her to Gunite. The son of Gun Runner was a tremendous juvenile, and is by a stallion who needs little introduction as he annually sits near the top of the sire list. Gunite's sales record in 2025 for mares in foal and weanlings was a great indication that breeders and buyers are going to stick with him for the long haul. We're basically making a bet here that his offspring are going to come out running early and at a high level. If we're right, we should get rewarded. Pocket Aces Racing Pocket Aces Racing has been around for 20 years now and for much of that time we have sold, or placed, our fillies and mares once their racing careers are over. However, enough time has gone by now that we've been able to see a few of those fillies and mares go on to have success producing sales horses and racehorses for other people. Considering this, we've become more cautious about which fillies and mares exit our program, especially ones we anticipate having an upside in the not-too-distant future and that might not sell particularly well at the time of retirement. Chemical Reaction will be bred to Barnes | Patrycja Szpyra Chemical Reaction, 5, Collected-It'schemistrybaby, by Meadowlake This maiden mare is being transferred from the racing division of Pocket Aces Racing to the broodmare wing of the operation. A flashy chestnut with an excellent physical, we think she'll be able to produce good-looking sales babies as well as bringing a nice page with her as the half-sister to MGSW Majestic City (City Zip) and stakes-placed Backstreet Hero. We have decided to breed Chemical Reaction to Barnes for 2026. As many know, finding value with freshman stallions has become a real challenge. However, we have noticed that some farms are starting to buck the trend and offer fees for first year sires that work for everybody and we think Barnes is just such an opportunity. We like him because he is a son of Into Mischief, the best horse at stud in North America, who is also well on his way to establishing himself as a sire of sires. Barnes was classy with plenty of speed, and was a $3.2-million sales yearling. As commercial breeders, it behooves us to produce successful racehorses in the long run, but we have to remember that the sale comes first. It is always comforting to know that the stallion must've been attractive as a young horse because they sold so well. Windy Lu Who, 9, Justin Phillip–Windsail, by Grand Appointment Pocket Aces Racing campaigned stakes winner Windy Lu Who for most of her career, along with her breeder/trainer, Susan Anderson. Racing six seasons, she was the model of consistency, soundness and determination at a high level on the regional scene. At approximately 16.1hh, she is built like a tank with a flashy chestnut coat and striking white blaze on her face. As the old saying goes, “black kittens come from black cats” and we are confident in her ability to produce good-sized, correct foals with a little flash to them–attributes you need in the sales ring. For 2026, we have decided to breed Windy Lu Who to Jonathan's Way. We were looking for a first year stallion that represented good value, and he ticked off those boxes. It also helped that Susan bred and sold Jonathan's Way for $290,000 as a weanling. Of course, we did do our due diligence and considered several other options, however, we just kept coming back to the son of 2024 champion first crop and 2025 champion second crop sire, Vekoma. The physical match was ideal for producing a commercial foal and we knew what a talented, but hard luck, racehorse he was. Considering the market premium on incoming sires, the stud fee of $8,500 was exceptional value, given all we were getting. The post 2026 Mating Plans: Marc Wampler, Pocket Aces Racing and Somewhere Stables appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With his third-place finish in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) Feb. 14, Wathnan Racing's Tumbarumba became the leading Louisiana-bred earner of all-time.View the full article

Recently, while reviewing board elections for several major organizations in our industry, I noticed something that gave me serious pause; there are very, very few women at the highest levels of policy and decision-making on those boards. My initial reaction was the typical frustration I have felt for decades, but I must have matured enough at some point to realize that frustration alone does not move an industry forward. I wanted to try to figure out why this is and consider what opportunities we might be missing. I serve on several boards and committees across the Thoroughbred world and have sat on others in past. Interestingly, many of our aftercare and charitable organizations are heavily represented by women. The communication on these boards is strong. The collaboration is constant. The sense of shared purpose is tangible. Their dedication to the horse is unwavering. There is a sense of compassion, kindness and understanding over shared goals and that culture of collaboration has produced real progress. In my experience, most women working in breeding, racing, and training are not here because it is easy or lucrative. They are here because they are deeply invested in the animals and the long-term health of the sport. My dear friend Katie Taylor, Vice President of Operations at Taylor Made, said it best to me when we were talking about it this week. Women are not title-driven; we are difference-driven. We want to apply our energies, time and passion in places where we truly feel we can make an impact. I was so taken by her comments that I actually named one of the two-year-olds we are going to race with our trainer Michelle Elliott `Difference Driven.' Katie and I started the Thoroughbred Ladies Cocktail Club wanting to make connections easier in the lives of those young women coming down the pipeline; to have an outlet to meet and have access to the already successful women in our industry. The TLCC has been a huge hit with a Facebook outreach page and many in-person events last year and this year, with more on the schedule. A simple example of what women bring to the table: walk into the Keeneland dining area today. The transformation from a stark, cafeteria-type feel of years past to a welcome, home-away-from-home with fireplaces and comfy couches, reflects the vision of Morgan Richardson and her team. Yesterday I had lunch with colleagues Jen Roytz, with whom I serve on the USHJA Thoroughbred task force; Kristin Werner, who runs the T.I.P program at The Jockey Club; and Emily Dresen with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) to discuss an initiative that I and others have been working on aimed at creating opportunities for Thoroughbreds in the sport horse world in an effort to increase their value and the demand for them at the conclusion of their racing careers. What struck me was the level of coordination, aligning programs, ideas connecting, communication, and also friendship. There is long-term strategy being built collaboratively so that the 2026 Thoroughbred hunter classes and beyond work symbiotically rather than competitively. That is what effective leadership looks like. I'll admit something personal: I did not run for the Breeders' Cup board the last time I could have because I doubted whether I would receive the necessary votes from the stallion farm owners. That hesitation says more about culture than capability. It is something I regret and also something really sad, considering what our farm and horses have accomplished. Leadership choices shape culture and culture shapes experience. The Thoroughbred industry faces serious challenges: communication gaps, public perception, aftercare funding/programs and more, all of which threaten our long-term sustainability. Expanding representation at the highest levels, including more women who are already deeply embedded in every aspect of this business, is not symbolic; it is strategic. The women I know in this industry are operators, managers, trainers, owners, breeders, executives, program directors, grooms, farriers, etc. Many of them manage teams, budgets, families, crises and horses every single day. The question is not whether women are capable of leadership, the question is whether we are fully utilizing the leadership already present within our ranks. Let's increase the presence of accomplished women on our most influential boards. We deserve to have seats at the table and I believe the industry that we all love and cheer for would be far stronger for it. Editor's Note: Have an opinion for publication on why there aren't more women on industry boards? Email suefinley@thetdn.com. The post Letter to the Editor: Women in the Thoroughbred Industry Deserve Seats at the Table appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tentyris stamped himself as the most exciting sprinter in Australia and took a large step towards living up to Anthony Freedman's huge assessment of him with a breathtaking win in the Feb. 14 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (G1) at Flemington.View the full article