Wandering Eyes

Matscot pulled off one of the biggest wins in his career in last year’s inaugural $350,000 TAB Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) and he’ll be back at Riccarton Park on Saturday to defend his crown. The talented son of Haradasun had previously won the Listed Spring Classic (2000m) but has really stepped up in top company since his Alps triumph, placing in the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m), Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) and was fifth in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). While considering the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) as an option, his trainers Alan Reeves and Sharon Robertson opted to bring their gelding back to the South Island where he needed two starts to qualify for the innovation race. “He’s been going huge in the big races, we could’ve gone on to Ellerslie for the Bonecrusher but we thought it would be tough to beat the top two (El Vencedor and La Crique), so we were better off coming back and targeting this race,” Reeves said. The first of those came in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m), where he finished a game third behind Our Echo, then ticked over nicely in a 1400m contest at Riccarton on March 22. “He needed two starts in the South Island this year to run in the race, so we used that race as a trial to get a start,” Reeves said. “He was no show coming back to 1400. “The horse is going well, he drew well on Saturday and Joe (Doyle’s) back on so there are plenty of positives for him. Plus, he loves Riccarton.” Doyle was aboard when Matscot took the lion’s share of the $350,000 purse 12 months ago, and this time, he’ll carry 1.5kg less in weight, as well as a drawing a preferred gate in two. “He’s been jumping well lately so I can’t see that draw being a problem, Joe said that down at Wingatui he jumped well but he had to haul him back from the outside draw and ended up three-wide,” Reeves said. “He jumped well again in the sprint race, so I think he should get a beautiful run from the draw.” Matscot is currently second-favourite on the TAB market at $4.80, just shy of frequent rival Perfect Scenario ($4.40). View the full article

Group Two winner Yaldi will return to age-group company at Te Rapa on Sunday in preparation for a feature target at the course later this month. The big-striding son of Ardrossan won the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) on Boxing Day and progressed on to the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), where he finished seventh. After a freshen-up, Yaldi was right back to his best when resuming at Tauranga, only going down narrowly to classy mare Grande Gallo in open company. “I was very happy, his sectionals were really good, and it was just an evenly-run race and it was hard to get back and out into the middle of the track and make the ground like he did,” trainer Andrew Forsman said. “The winner is a handy horse and she got the split late, and a bob of the head was the only difference. His run was as good as a win for us.” Contesting the stable-sponsored Forsman Racing 3YO (1200m), Yaldi will be among the favourites in a competitive line-up, many of which will likely return for the Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) on April 26. “The plan from here is to go to the Breeders’ Stakes at Te Rapa at the end of the month, so this is very much to keep him up to the mark heading to that,” Forsman said. Unfavourable barrier draws have placed a number of Forsman’s runners in doubt for the meeting, including Belle Noire, a juvenile filly who finished runner-up to stakes-bound stablemate The Espy on debut at Tauranga. “She was very brave and it was a good effort for a first time out, it’s never easy with just the one trial,” he said. “That being said, she did draw one and have all favours that day, so from an awkward gate, she’s probably a doubtful starter on Sunday. “We were going to spell The Espy, but he’s come through that run really well, so we’re keeping the option open of going to Ellerslie for the Listed race (Star Way Stakes, 1200m) there next Saturday.” Forsman is hoping to see the best of enigmatic galloper Mr Mojo Risin’ in the BCD Group 1400, after performing below expectations when sixth in the Listed Flying Handicap (1400m) a fortnight ago. “He’s just frustrating at times, he mixes his form with no real reason why,” he said. “That was the case at Trentham, I thought he had an easy enough time in front so we’ve decided to put the blinkers on and hopefully that can sharpen him up a bit.” Returning from a spell will be Force Of Nature, a Milan Park-owned gelding who put together a tidy form line in the spring before avoiding the firm surfaces. “We just wanted to avoid firm summer tracks with him, we wanted to give him some time to strengthen up and mature,” Forsman said. “Whether he runs from an awkward enough draw (8) I’m not sure, but he hasn’t had a trial, so we could probably treat this weekend as a trial knowing that 1200m on the faster side over that trip is probably a bit sharp. I think he’ll progress on to 1400 and even a mile this preparation, which will be more up his alley.” View the full article

Te Akau Racing have dominated the northern juvenile features this term and they will have a pair of fillies out to continue that trend in the south in Saturday’s Listed Riccarton Park Function Centre Welcome Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton. Courtesy of star two-year-olds Return To Conquer and La Dorada, the tangerine silks collected the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), Gr.2 Matamata Breeders Stakes (1200m), Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m), Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) and Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). Down in Christchurch, Best Rose and Queen’s Evidence will have their first opportunity at stakes level, carrying different form lines coming into the race. Best Rose has traded blows with race-rival Zelia throughout this campaign, with the latter currently leading the market after putting five lengths on the Maurice filly last-start at the course. Sam Bergerson, who trains the Best Rose in partnership with Mark Walker, is under no illusions about the challenge she faces again on Saturday. “Walshy’s (David Walsh, trainer) filly was very impressive and beat us fair and square there, she had every chance while drawing the inside probably did play against her a touch,” he said. “Obviously they are forming a good battle, but she’ll need to improve from last start. We think she’s trained on well, the track will hopefully dry out and they should be racing on a good surface. “We’ll look to be positive from a good gate and we think the blinkers will sharpen her up a bit. I’m looking forward to Saturday as it’s a good opportunity for black-type with her and she’s going the right way.” Queen’s Evidence is the less-experienced of the pair, but gained plenty of admirers with a tough debut victory at Wingatui in early March. “She had a bit of time off after that, she had about two weeks out because she’d done a hell of a travelling schedule to get down there,” Bergerson said. “She was meant to run at Otaki the week before, so we weren’t sold on going to Wingatui, but she travelled down so well to Christchurch that we just carried on. It was a really good effort. “She’s come back well, her work has been really good and she’s certainly going to benefit from the raceday experience. She should be another nice chance.” Bergerson hopes to continue on to the Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes (1200m) in three weeks’ time with the two fillies, who have benefitted from time away from their main base in Matamata. “It certainly grows them up a bit, the change of scenery seems to spark a few of them up over the years and these two fillies are no different,” he said. “They have travelled down well, they’ve done everything right down there and we’re very lucky to have that base with Hunter (Durrant) and the team, they do a fantastic job. “Hopefully these two can run well on Saturday, then potentially go on to the Listed race in a couple of weeks before spelling them. If they are good enough, it sets them up well for those Guineas races as three-year-olds.” The stable has made it no secret that they play favourites when it comes to Perfect Scenario, and the ever-consistent gelding will be one of the leading hopes in the $350,000 TAB Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) despite carrying the clear topweight. An 11-race winner and Group One performer, Perfect Scenario narrowly missed winning his third-straight Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) at Wingatui in March but is in as good form as ever leading into the innovation feature. “He’s just an old marvel, he’s the stable favourite for everyone at Te Akau,” Bergerson said. “He’s an absolute gentleman and we would love to see him win on Saturday, obviously we were gutted that he didn’t get his third White Robe just on the bob. His run was very game under the big weight again last time and obviously he’s got to lug that weight again, but he deserves it, he’s probably the class horse of the field and he’s had a fantastic season. “There’s no reason why he can’t run well again, we may need a little bit of luck from the gate, but it is the mile start so he’s got plenty of opportunity to find his spot.” The Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) will feature Dream Of The Moon and Donna Chiara, a pair that may fly under the radar after not performing up to their best last start. All Too Hard filly Dream Of The Moon placed at Group Two level as a juvenile and in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) in the spring, but a setback put her out of 1000 Guineas contention, only returning to the races last month. While she was a winner first-up, that performance was not emulated last time out behind Kellanzor. “She (Dream Of The Moon) was disappointing last time out and we were scratching our heads a little bit, sometimes when they have that first run back after a while off the scene it can flatten them out,” Bergerson said. “She pulled up with a delayed recovery, she was vetted post-race and at home and we couldn’t find anything wrong, she seems very bright and well. “It was just a performance to put a line through really, if she brings her best from her two-year-old and early three-year-old season we certainly think she’s got the class to do it. “She normally relaxes nicely, but in saying that, she was a bit fierce last-start so if she does everything well, she’s normally very tractable. If she’s going to get the mile, it’s going to be on Saturday against her own age and sex.” Donna Chiara is one of two fillies carrying the JML Bloodstock colours in the race, alongside the Samantha Logan-trained Mille Grazie. “She’s drawn 24 of 24, but we’ll definitely start, we just will probably have to take our medicine and go back,” Bergerson said. “She’s been a touch disappointing so far, we thought she was a good winning chance last-start but whether the sticky conditions just halted her, she’s not a very big or robust filly. “In the better conditions, she’ll need a lot of luck but with blinkers back on I think that’ll be the massive key. She’ll need to lift her game from previous efforts though.” Of their dozen remaining runners at the meeting, Bergerson noted Vivacious (Waitomo-Kiwis Fuelling Kiwis Rating 75, 1400m) and their quartet in the Windsor Park Stud RR&B Luncheon and Yearling Sale May 2nd Rating 65 (1200m) to be nice chances. “I think Vivacious is a horse for good odds, she’s quite talented on her day and just keeps blowing the start,” he said. “Her sectionals been very good late, so hopefully we’ll see a much-improved performance from her.” View the full article

Will , Ben and JD Hayes after Mr Brightside won the VRC Champions Mile at Flemington. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Hayes brothers Ben, Will, and JD will take over the Flemington operation of the late Mike Moroney, with Lindsay Park now overseeing the historic Ballymore Stables. The news was shared by Karen Moroney in a letter to owners on Thursday, following her partner’s sudden passing in February. Since then, Anthony Feroce and Glen Thompson had been managing the stable, with Feroce transitioning to Lindsay Park, while Thompson will pursue other opportunities after being offered the chance to join the new team. “It has been a difficult couple of months,” Karen said. “After much thought, I have decided that Lindsay Park should take over our Flemington operation, a decision I believe reflects what Mike would have wanted.” Moroney’s illustrious career saw him train 55 Group 1 winners, including the 2000 Melbourne Cup winner, Brew. “Mike always held Ben, Will, and JD in the highest regard,” Karen continued. “I know their professionalism will ensure a seamless transition, providing the best future for our owners and horses.” Horse racing news View the full article

Multiple grade 1 winner and first-crop sire Code of Honor registered his first winner posthumously when his daughter Code of Valor won her debut April 10 at Turf Paradise.View the full article

9th-Gulfstream, $43,000, Msw, 4-10, 3yo, f, 1mT, 1:35.60, fm, 2 1/4 lengths. OBEISSANTE (f, 3, Into Mischief–Lucky Folie {SW, $118,292}, by Distorted Humor) was unveiled on the Gulfstream turf in a sprint Feb. 15 and the filly finished fifth. Drawn along the rail for her first two turn test and as a 7-2 shot here, the homebred settled midpack under a firm hold heading into the first turn. Obeissante bided her time up the backstretch, but around the far turn she began to get into gear by executing a sweeping move to the five path. With a strong turn of foot, the Todd Pletcher trainee suddenly jetted down the lane and seized the day by 2 1/4 lengths over the pacesetting favorite Bojaca Blessing (Cairo Prince). A half-sister to Ambitieuse (Medaglia d'Oro), GSP, $86,920, the winner is her dam's last registered foal of record. Lucky Folie visited Curlin for this term. Digging into Obeissante's extended female family, we find Gulfstream Park turf sprint specialist & MSW Coppola (Into Mischief). Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $26,500. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Wertheimer Et Frere (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. #1 OBEISSANTE ($9.20) surges down the outside with an explosive kick to easily get up and win race 9 at Gulfstream Park. The daughter of Into Mischief (@spendthriftfarm) was ridden by @zayas_edgardo and is trained by Todd Pletcher. pic.twitter.com/UJarc7O8CN — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 10, 2025 The post Into Mischief Filly Obeissante Jets Home Late At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Back off the bench for another season of racing, Carl Spackler returns to the sight of his most recent victory as the headliner in the $650,000 Maker's Mark Mile Stakes (G1T) April 11 at Keeneland.View the full article

By Michael Guerin Ben Hope says the plan is simple with Muscle Mountain in the $60,000 Lone Star Lyell Creek Trot at Alexandra Park tonight. The rest is up to the big trotter. Muscle Mountain is racing like a horse in the twilight of his career, still a wonderful trotter but a few percentage points down on his previous top speed and with his ambition levels not always suggesting a full tank. He was fourth in the TAB Trot last Friday, no small deal, but his new co-trainer and driver Hope admits this is not the scary Muscle Mountain of years gone. “He is still going really well but maybe isn’t as fast as he was,” says Hope. “But I think last Friday might actually improve him. He is ready to go a big race this Friday.” Hope is keen to go back to the tactics that won Muscle Mountain the Group 1 National Trot just four starts ago when he lead and beat a race rival tonight Kyvalley Hotspur by five lengths with Oscar Bonavena third. “He loves it in front and while he has the outside of the front line he only has six rivals. “So we will be going forward looking for the front and if Queen Elida is good enough to come off our back and beat us then she is too good.” Muscle Mountain was $3 when the market for the Group 2 opened on Tuesday but is likely to start favourite and closer to $2 tonight. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Exceptional pacer Merlin may find himself in the unusual position of a $1million race last Friday improving him for a $100,000 race at Alexandra Park tonight. That is the belief of co-trainer Scott Phelan as his stable star attempts to overcome another bad draw in the Dawson Harford Taylor Mile, the Group 1 which is traditionally one of the fastest miles in New Zealand every season. Merlin comes into tonight’s race off the back of his third in Leap To Fame’s crushing Race By Betcha at Cambridge last Friday and while that could have been his Grand Final, Phelan says it might prove to be a step up the fitness ladder. “He was tired when he got back from Menangle a month ago and has got better every week since and that might be the case again,” Phelan says. “We know last week was worth 10 times more than this race and it was very hard run but we hope it has brought him on even more. “He was still on the way up last week because we didn’t want to do too much with him after his Sydney trip and I think he went really well. “This week’s field isn’t so strong, obviously, and while we have a bad draw he should be getting close to his peak.” At his best Merlin would win tonight’s race as he has a dazzling short course record and while he has drawn the outside of the front line even if Zachary Butcher is conservative early it is hard to see him being worse than three back on the outer at the 800m mark. The question may then be who holds the lead and how much work they have had to do over the the opening 400-600m? If a Mo’unga, or even Merlin’s stablemate Sooner The Bettor, is able to lead without pressure and cruise their last 800m in 55 seconds then those wide and back will be vulnerable. But the reality is Merlin and Republican Party are clearly the two best performed horses here and one of them should be close enough to reel in the leaders unless the sectionals are farcical. Trainer Cran Dalgety says two hard runs in recent races haven’t dented Republican Party’s mental or physical well-being. “I worked him two separate mile heats on Wednesday and when I asked him to go he knew what his job was,” says Dalgety. “He is well and while a horse like Merlin might be too good for us I think he is at least as good as the rest. “If Mo’unga got an easy lead he would be hard to run down but I think if there is any early pressure then the two big names should be the two to beat.” ** Phelan says different preparations will level up the chances of their two huge chances in tonight’s $75,000 NZBS Harness Millions Trot. The first rich three-year-old trot of the season sees last season’s clear best juvenile Meant To Be return as well as his Purdon/Phelan stablemate Higher Power. Phelan thought there was little between the pair last season but ultimately Meant To Be proved the stronger yet he goes into tonight’s 2200m mobile slightly disadvantaged. “Higher Power has had a workout so will be closer to race fitness whereas Meant To Be hasn’t,” says Phelan. “If you go on their records last season Mean To Be was better but I don’t think by much so with the workout to get Higher Power fitter, I think they should be rated about equal for this race.” That suggests Higher Power is a good cover bet for those backing Meant To Be or even a handy Top 2 option at $2.20. View the full article

Lexington, KY-Following a jam-packed Tuesday of racing at Keeneland, highlighted by the postponed running of the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, industry members ventured out to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers' Club (KTFMC)'s monthly meeting held at Fasig-Tipton. The evening was highlighted by a panel on racehorse ownership with prominent owners Brook Smith, John Stewart and Jayson Werth leading the discussion. Each panelist followed a unique path into the industry. Smith, a Westport, Ky. native, launched a successful career in the insurance industry, specifically surety. He later caught the 'racing bug' after attending the 1995 Kentucky Derby with friends of a friend involved in a syndicate that owned Laura's Pistolette (Big Pistol), winner of the GIII Humana Distaff Handicap that day at Churchill Downs. “I saw the horse go out and win at 30-1, and watched the party that ensued. The comradery, the excitement…there's nothing else like that. I saw that and thought if I can get involved with this in any capacity, sign me up,” said Smith. From there he met a neighbor who happened to be a trainer and went on to purchase a handful of yearlings, also claiming and buying racehorses along the way, before eventually launching his own Rocket Ship Racing in 2021. In the last few years, he has also partnered with Coolmore on a handful of horses, including champion and multiple Grade I winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) and graded stakes winner Hall of Fame (Gun Runner). “It's insane. I'm so humbled by all of it. It's beyond exciting to be a part of it. Just the conversations with the folks that are here, this is the spirit of this stuff. These horses only run for a minute or two here and there but it's truly the industry, the history, the backside [that makes it],” said Smith. Born and raised in Springfield, Ill., former major league outfielder Werth is known for his MLB career that spanned from 2002 to 2017, highlighted by his key role in helping the Phillies defeat the Tampa Bay Rays to win the 2008 World Series. It wasn't until the former MLB All-Star retired and settled in the Tampa Bay, Fla. area, and started golfing with friends who also owned racehorses that his interest in the sport was piqued. “I thought, 'This seems like fun, let's grab a leg of a horse.' Then we'd go out to Tampa Bay Downs on a Tuesday for an $8,000 claiming race. We're in the paddock and suddenly I'm sweating, my skin doesn't feel right. Then the gates open and all of a sudden, it's like I'm back on the field. I compare it to a big game, when you're in the dugout. Bases are loaded; you're down to two outs in the ninth. I'm thinking, 'Oh my god, this is incredible.' I'm filling a void I didn't even know I had, right?” Werth recollected. From there his involvement only increased as he found success with horses he partnered on, racing under the banner of Two Eight Racing, before hitting the height of the industry's experience when buying a 10% interest in a Good Magic colt that would go on to become GI Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch. “It was an amazing summer. Now here I am, after that whole thing, and we've started a racing syndicate. I'm going to be bringing new people into the game, bringing new owners, because I believe in the sport on a level [that I feel] it can change your life. Dornoch was a life-changing experience,” said Werth. “I played at the top of the sport and when I retired, I thought, 'Okay, well I guess that's it.' Then all of a sudden, horse racing gives you that and so much more.” While Smith and Werth dipped their toes in and slowly built up their investment in the Thoroughbred industry, Stewart took the opposite approach as he boldly dove right in. A native of Jamestown, Ky., Stewart worked his way up from line work to executive roles during his 18 years at Toyota before making the switch to private equity in 2007. He co-founded MiddleGround Capital, based in Lexington, in 2018. But it was in the fall of 2023, a year after the purchase of his first racehorse–Shiloh's Mistress (Vino Rosso)–that he boldly introduced himself to the industry by spending over $25 million at public auction in less than 10 weeks. He now owns an ever-growing farm in Midway, Ky., the home base for his Resolute Racing. “I can see how [the industry can be] intimidating to people. So, when I got in, I wanted to be more transparent with people, positive or negative. [My goal was] to try to pull the barriers back for people to see what it's like to get involved in racing and try to help people get involved in the game,” said Stewart. Despite their varied backgrounds, the panelists all agreed that the future of horse racing ownership relies on the industry coming together to open more doors in terms of access, both financial and physical; experience; transparency, from the farms to the track; and entertainment. “I want to try to make it more appealing to the every-day person to get in. I want people to experience owning stakes-level performing horses. You can show up at a meet like Keeneland, have three or four runners, and feel that excitement. Maybe then they'll want to work their way back to breeding and owning horses. I want to give them a positive experience,” said Stewart. For Smith, who has been part of a variety of partnerships that have taken him to the highest levels of the sport, the future lies in expanding partnership and micro-share opportunities, like those offered by MyRacehorse. “I think this sport has always been built on partnership and syndicates. It's a great way to spread the risk with diversity in numbers. When you have a partner, it's great when you win, but it's even better when you don't, right? So, you share that,” said Smith. “I actually have three horses that I contributed to MyRacehorse. I think that what they do is important to the industry. They bring people in at $100-$150 increments that are a part of these big races and they've had some incredible wins. “I think a lot of [MyRacehorse founder and CEO] Michael [Behrens]. He's passionate about the sport, he really is trying to do things the right way. He's a man on an island right now but I think it's one of those things that will take shape, securitizing the horses like stock.” Werth sees the sport's entertainment value as the ultimate key to bring new people into the game. “Dornoch to us was like a family pet. I've never loved an animal so much in my life. This guy became a mainstay [for us],” he said. “What I tell people [is that] it's like buying season tickets to your favorite sports franchise or taking the family to Disney World. You can take a trip anywhere in the world, or you can own horses and take your vacations at the track and have this great experience. “I describe winning the Belmont like winning the World Series. It really has that type of feel to it. But winning any race is like that. This sport can be super cool and you only need a little piece of a horse to make that dream come true.” Though all three panelists have had horses face off with one another on the track, they spoke of the sense of comradery and community within the industry despite the competitive aspect of the sport itself. “There are more people willing to help you than not. That's why I hate the negative rhetoric online, it makes it sound like everyone in the industry hates each other and that's not true,” said Stewart. “Most of these people in this industry want you to be successful.” “Horse racing is unique in the fact that there's not duality. There aren't these big rivalries,” added Werth. “My goal would be that people go from our syndicate to go off and be a horse owner themselves. Obviously, we want to retain them as clients, but if they go out and do their own thing because they love the sport so much, that's kind of my goal.” Outside of ownership, Smith, Stewart and Werth acknowledged the importance of supporting the next generation to guarantee there is a future for the sport. “We need young people to be passionate about this industry. We need young people out there as owners. We don't just need young people out there mucking stalls or being assistants,” said Stewart. “It's like any other industry, there's lots of opportunity. The people here, you guys that cared to come tonight, that's the future of this industry.” “I think curation is important. You need someone that can be the translator, especially with young people. This is a sport and an industry that's been around a long time. There's a lot of history here and you need someone that can describe it,” expressed Smith. “There's a culture, community, a backside. You have to have someone that can translate that and make it inviting to come in.” Though their opinions varied on the paths the industry should take in ensuring a strong foundation to move forward upon, the panelists all stood strong in their consensus that horse racing is on the right track and old stigmas have given way to positive and innovative changes. “When you have success, people will follow success. And I think that's where we need to take a risk and we need to do things that are different. By sharing those things that are successful with everybody else, the sport gets better over time,” said Stewart. “I think that reform is a thankless kind of thing but I think the industry has hit it head-on and I feel that there have been some great results,” said Smith. The post KTFMC April Meeting Highlighted by Panel Featuring Owners Smith, Stewart, Werth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features a 'TDN Rising Star'. 2.00 Saint-Cloud, Cond, €28,000, 3yo, f, 10 1/2fT WE'LL DEFEND (FR) (Zelzal {Fr}) carries the TDN Rising Star label into this Prix de Diane pointer, having impressed with her four-length success on Chantilly's Polytrack last month. Victorious Racing and Ecurie Nass's half-sister to the high-class La Parisienne (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) represents the Carlos and Yann Lerner stable taking on six peers including Francois Jean-Louis Branere's Bordeaux winner Lobelia (Fr) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), a Jean-Claude Rouget-trained daughter of the G1 Grosser Preis Von Bayern heroine Temida (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}). 2.27 Newbury, Debutantes, £12,000, 3yo, f, 7T CAJOLE (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is one of two significant newcomers for Cheveley Park Stud on a big weekend for the operation, being the fourth foal out of the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes heroine Persuasive (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). John and Thady Gosden have charge of the homebred, while William Haggas has care of the Stud's Consecrated (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a half-sister to the yard's G2 Hungerford Stakes winner and G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes runner-up Sacred (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). 5.30 Dundalk, Mdn, €18,000, 2yo, 5f (AWT) MISSION CENTRAL (IRE) (No Nay Never) is one of two from Ballydoyle as the stable sends out its first 2-year-old runners of 2025 in the maiden won in recent times by Caravaggio and No Nay Never's Blackbeard (Ire). A 625,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase, his dam is a full-sister to the G1 Falmouth Stakes heroine Prosperous Voyage (Ire) with Ryan Moore opting to partner him over the yard's First Approach (Ire) also by No Nay Never. Donnacha saddles a third runner for Coolmore by that sire in the unraced filly Award Ceremony (Ire), a daughter of the dual group 3 winner and group 1-placed Actress (Ire) (Declaration Of War). The post We’ll Defend Takes The Next Step appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services sold four broodmares–along with their foals–and a yearling colt as part of a major reduction of Merriebelle Stable during the Fasig-Tipton Digital April Sale which concluded Wednesday. Crimson Frost (Stormy Atlantic) (hip 12), who sold with her Forte colt, brought the group's top price when selling for $240,000 to Gracie Bloodstock. “A few weeks ago, I learned we needed to address our budget for the next year or two rather aggressively,” Bluegrass Thoroughbred's Sandy Stuart said of the Merriebelle reduction. “My first call was to an appraiser we have always used, John Donaldson, and his advice was, 'You need to call [Fasig-Tipton President] Boyd [Browning] and use their new digital system. That's where you are going to save a lot of time and generate the demand you need.” The decision was made to offer mares from the Merriebelle band in three phases, beginning with mares with young foals who had not yet been bred back. “In talking with Fasig-Tipton and learning about the whole process at this time of year, what we needed to do was offer a mare who has not foaled, or has recently foaled and not yet been bred back, or wait until about 45 days pregnancy and offer them. So we have three rounds of sales in mind. We are going to use the May sale and the June sale.” Stuart admitted to some anxious moments ahead of a somewhat atypical time on the calendar to be selling mares. “Offering foals that are one to three weeks old, I worried that the normal immaturity in angular limb conformation angles could be a significant detractor to buyers,” he said. “But not in Kentucky with the depth of experienced horseman. During a call about a mare and foal that had RNA'd, I texted a foal's walking video taken that morning to a buyer who has raised thousands of foals in his career and within a minute, we had a deal.” While actors are cautioned never to work with animals and children, Stuart said these young foals learned the drill quickly. “Theatrical is a good way to describe two- to three-week-old foals performing for the camera,” he said. “It was fun to see the difference from the day we did the first photos and videos and then the final day. I got a couple videos of foals to send to people and it would have taken five inspections to get a video this good on day one and in a short amount of time, these little foals became trained sales horses. It was really cool.” The massive storms that tore through Kentucky over the weekend made showing the mares and foals more difficult, but Stuart credited the team at Merriebelle's Chanteclair Farm base with getting the job done. “Once the weekend downpour slowed, Declan Burke and his team at Chanteclair accommodated about 30 mid-day inspections of yearlings, mares and foals,” Stuart said. “It was helpful that Fasig-Tipton postponed the sale by one day.” The Merriebelle breeding operation received a boost even as the online auction was underway when its graduate Take Charge Milady (Take Charge Indy) finished second in the GI Ashland Stakes at Keeneland Monday. “The Ashland result was neat,” Stuart said. “It helps highlight that some of the goals for the program are to support stallion shares like Take Charge Indy. We enjoyed a little bit of a celebration Monday. It was a rewarding race on a weekend where we were otherwise getting into something of a dispersal.” The highlight of the April offerings was stakes winner and graded-placed Crimson Frost, who received her own timely update when her first foal, 'TDN Rising Star' Crimson Light (City of Light) returned to the winner's circle at Aqueduct Saturday and is now two-for-two in his career. “She makes very good physicals,” said Chris Gracie, who purchased the mare on behalf of an undisclosed client. “The Forte at her side was exceptional. She is a mare with a bit of pedigree and she has a very nice foal at her side. And she makes a very good physical. So when you want horses that can make those kind of babies, you have to pay for them.” Of the result, Stuart said, “Crimson Frost drew a lot of visitors to the farm and the colt showed great. It turned out to be a good result.” Buyers will get another chance to purchase mares from the Merriebelle reduction next month with the Fasig-Tipton Digital May Sale. Among the offerings will be the 4-year-old mare Bonaqua (Tonalist), who is in foal to Justify. “I am just trying to offer any mares that I think will have commercial appeal and will bring a significant amount of revenue,” Stuart said. “Fasig was pretty great about making it all happen. We will hope we can get some good results in the May and June sales.” The post Crimson Frost Jump-Starts Merriebelle Reduction appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are eight horse racing meetings set for Australia on Friday, April 11. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Cranbourne and Orange. Friday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – April 11, 2025 Cranbourne Racing Tips Orange Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on April 11, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! 4 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 5 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Hanshin and Fukushima Racecourses: Saturday, April 12, 2025 4th-HSN, ¥10,600,000 ($73k), Maiden, 3yo, 1600mT AMERICAN POLICE (c, 3, Into Mischief–Theyskens' Theory, by Bernardini), a $350,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by owner Katsumi Yoshizawa, is the latest to the races for his dam, winner in England of the G3 Prestige Stakes and third in the 2010 G1 Fillies' Mile Stakes before finishing runner-up to Winter Memories (El Prado {Ire}) in the GI Garden City Stakes in 2011. Campaigned by Andrew Rosen, Theyskens' Theory is a half-sister to 2005 champion 2-year-old male Stevie Wonderboy (Stephen Got Even). O-Yoshizawa Holdings Co Ltd; B-AR Enterprises LLC (KY); T-Yasutoshi Ikee 5th-HSN, ¥15,200,000 ($105k), Allowance, 3yo, 1800m RHINO (JPN) (c, 3, Into Mischief–Princess Noor, by Not This Time) turned in a pair of creditable fourth-place efforts on the turf to kick off his career, but shaped as a different prospect altogether when switched to the Chukyo dirt for the first time with an authoritative six-length graduation on Jan. 26. Princess Noor, the $1.35 million topper at the 2020 OBS April Sale, validated 'TDN Rising Star' honors with a smooth success in the GI Del Mar Debutante Stakes and was knocked down to Katsumi Yoshida for $2.9 million with this colt in utero at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Rhino squares off with fellow U.S.-conceived Gylfi (Jpn) (Nyquist), an impressive debut winner over course and distance Mar. 22. O-Kazumi Yoshida; B-Northern Farm; T-Tomokazu Takano 1900m 3yo Maiden Chukyo: Won by nicely bred 3c 1. RHINO (Into Mischief x Princess Noor (Not This Time)) under Yuichi Kitamura RHINO, first time on Dirt today after running 4th twice on Turf. Dam PRINCESS NOOR a G1 winner, now Japan based#JRA pic.twitter.com/mZyfRX9Ly8 — Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) January 26, 2025 Sunday, April 13, 2025 4th-FKS, ¥10,600,000 ($73k), Maiden, 3yo, 1700m AMERICAN COOL (c, 3, War Front–Purrfectly Mine, by Mineshaft), a half-brother to the stakes-placed Jewel of Arabia (Daredevil), is out of a half-sister to Santa Catarina (Unbridled), third in the 2002 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and runner-up in the GI Kentucky Oaks the following spring before posting her lone graded success in the 2003 GII Hollywood Breeders' Cup Oaks. American Cool was a $150,000 KEESEP purchase by Yoshizawa in 2023. O-Yoshizawa Holdings Co Ltd; B-International Equities Holding Inc (KY); T-Teiichi Konno The post Princess Noor Son Rhino Tries Winners at Hanshin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Stewart Kenny and Matt Zarb-Cousin When betting shops had Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) at £100 a spin, offering high-speed roulette, the machines changed the atmosphere of betting shops. Punters were enticed onto the machines with free spins and 'tournaments' to cross-promote the more addictive content. This in turn had a detrimental impact on racing, as it reduced turnover which sucked cash out of the levy. It was clear that the commercial model of the betting shop had shifted as a result of the presence and promotion of highly addictive machines offering high stakes, fixed margin slot and casino games. FOBTs eventually became responsible for way over half of bookmaker revenue despite having nothing whatsoever to do with bookmaking. In recent years, the same has been happening online through the cross-promotion of online slots and casino content. Punters might sign up to a betting site to bet on racing, but within 48 hours of opening their account they are then bombarded with incentives and free offers that lure them into the online casino. Those under 25 are most susceptible to developing an issue with gambling, particularly when confronted with high-speed casino content, which has a much higher rate of addiction than the low risk of betting on horse racing. Forty-five per cent of those engaging with slots and casino online are either problem or at-risk gamblers, and it's the revenue growth associated with this side of the betting industry that is powering the demands for regulation from the public and reform campaigners, who quite legitimately want to curtail the harm these products can cause. This is what has led to policies like stake limits for (previously unlimited) online slots, recently confirmed by the government to be going ahead in line with what the gambling White Paper initially set out. Following the £2 limit on FOBTs being enacted in 2019, operators were keen for lucrative online slots not to befall the same fate. In the process of resisting this their chief executives and representatives proposed 'affordability checks', claiming they had the technological capability to tailor limits to customers without the need for a uniform stake cap. However, we have ended up in a worst-of-all-worlds situation where the type of affordability checks being carried out by operators are not effective enough to reduce the harm associated with the slots and casino product, but are too intrusive for ordinary horse race gamblers. Information from racing punters is obtained via invasive processes that lack uniformity across the sector, due to insufficient guidance and oversight from the Gambling Commission. This has led to the completely illogical situation where source of funds checks are carried out by some operators when someone tries to make a withdrawal. There is a way for racing to get out of this mess, saving itself from the reputational risk of being associated with a highly addictive product that derives no societal benefit. And that's for racing's representatives to argue for separate wallets and platforms for betting on lower-risk horse racing, extricating it from the highly addictive online slots and casino. This would enable racing to argue for an exemption from affordability checks, and keep more money in the sport by curbing operator cross-promotion of their more harmful content. It would also provide the basis for government, which has promised a review of gambling tax, to reduce the tax on horse race betting in exchange for taxing online slots and casinos more. Instead of arguing for a harmonisation of gambling taxes, as the government has mooted, racing needs to delineate itself from other more harmful forms of gambling. Horse racing should be as far away from online casinos as possible, but its representatives have allowed it to be used as a tool by the gambling lobby to argue against more regulation of the sector, and to protect a commercial model that is not in its interests, nor in the interests of punters. One that is geared towards the cross-promotion of online casino and slots to the detriment of racing, which in turn has fuelled gambling harm and therefore the demands for more regulation. But the interests of those calling for reform of gambling regulation in order to reduce harm, and those who want a fair deal when they bet and to protect horse racing, should be in alignment. It has not served racing's interests to throw their lot in with the betting lobby and its outdated, falsifiable pretence that all gambling is the same and addiction results solely from faults with individuals rather than addictive products and the practices of the sector. Racing's representatives should be arguing the very opposite: that betting on the sport carries a lower degree of risk than online casino, and should therefore be regulated differently. That means different wallets, licenses and platforms that wouldn't need to be subject to the same degree of oversight that online slots and casino require. It's time for racing to stand up for itself against the corporate bookmakers. *Matt Zarb-Cousin is a co-founder of Gamban, director of Clean Up Gambling, a senior government affairs advisor to YieldSec, and a spokesperson for the Campaign for Fairer Gambling (CFG). *Stewart Kenny is a co-founder of Stop Gambling Harm. He was also one of the three co-founders of bookmaker Paddy Power, of which he was CEO for 15 years and non-executive director for a further 15 years. The post Op/Ed: Racing’s Future and Reducing Gambling Harm Go Hand in Hand appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Via Sistina chases her seventh group 1 for the season in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Randwick Racecourse April 12. Grade 1 winner Full Count Felicia and 2024 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) runner-up Rousham Park are among her competitors.View the full article

Having notched 3,616 victories, jockey David Flores is accustomed to trips to the winner's circle—though his win April 10 in the first race at Keeneland marked his first win anywhere since 2021.View the full article

The Dubai Horses in Training Sale was topped by four-time winner Castle Way (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}) on Wednesday. The bay, a half-brother to Group 1 winner and first-season sire Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}), sold to Abubaker Kadoura for AED500,000 (€121,127). A winner of the G3 Bahrain Trophy Stakes in the colours of Godolphin for trainer Charlie Appleby, the 5-year-old gelding is out of Beach Frolic (GB) (Nayef). He was a 425,000gns acquisition by Godolphin out of the Highclere Stud draft during Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2021. Second on the buyers' sheet was the Frankel (GB) gelding Kalidasa (GB), who went the way of Paul Ebbs for AED400,000 (€97,420). A winner in five starts, the 4-year-old gelding was originally a 2.8 million gns yearling out of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Sale. Out of the Watership Down Stud draft, the March foal was out of Group 3 winner and G1 Prix de l'Opera runner-up So Mi Dar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). He was also sold by Godolphin. Fawzi Nass consigned Comet Chaser (GB) (New Bay {GB}) (lot 76) to the sale, where he caught the eye of Sky Racing for AED200,000. He has placed in four lifetime starts. The post Almanzor’s Castle Way Tops The Dubai HIT Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A quartet of juveniles shared the fastest time during the fifth session of the under-tack show held Thursday ahead of next week's Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. Freshman stallion Yaupon, whose first runners hit the track this year, had another standout breeze session held under “ideal” conditions when a filly (hip 788) from his first crop worked in :9 4/5 for Joe Pickerell's Pick View LLC. “She's been lightning fast all year,” said Pickerell of the filly he picked up for just $100,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale. “The wind turned around a little bit later in the day and probably affected some of the gallop outs but I thought she was one who would go fast no matter what time of day she went. She went out there and did her thing.” The first foal out of a multiple stakes-winning first dam in Big Time, the filly was on Pickerell's radar early after she brought $190,000 as a weanling at Keeneland November but failed to meet her reserve for $240,000 ten months later. “We actually loved her at [Keeneland] September and they didn't get her sold,” said Pickerell. “Then we followed her to on to [Fasig-Tipton] October and bought her there. We got lucky enough to get her.” Spendthrift stallion Yaupon, who was a hit at the yearling sales with his first crop, has set another high bar heading into OBS April. “I think we had 12 [Yaupon's] on the farm one point this year,” said Pickerell of the GI Forego Stakes winner. “I've been telling anyone with a set of ears about Yaupon since we started training. I've got just a couple of broodmares personally but one has already been booked back to him for this year.” Pick View had another Yaupon (hip 817) in their consignment work in :10 earlier in the day. “I expect big things out of him,” Pickerell continued. “He was magnificent as a 2-year-old. I always watch Steve Asmussen's stallions because they always seem to show up when you start seeing babies. I think [this crop] is going to come out running.” With the tariffs (at least temporarily) on pause, Pickerell was hopeful that would provide both consigners and buyers some relief ahead of next week's sale. “There's of course uncertainty with the tariffs,” he said. “But I think we bought a little bit of time and we'll get some stability here. There's a lot of momentum, the purses are awesome and the horses are still valuable if they're successful. So I think there's a lot of positives to buy horses right now.” Three other juveniles shared the fastest time with colts by first-crop sire Essential Quality (hip 775) and Maximus Mischief (hip 792) joining a Justify filly (hip 741) atop the board. An additional four runners shared the co-fastest quarter-mile time with three of the four coming from Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree Stables consignment including a colt by Honest Mischief (hip 734), a filly by Bolt d'Oro (hip 799) and a filly from the first crop of runners by Horse of the Year Knicks Go (hip 736). Sharing the accolade with that trio is a Vekoma colt (hip 787) consigned by Ocala Stud. Maclean's Music Colt A Bright Spot For Kinsman Farm Also breezing later in the day, a colt by Maclean's Music (hip 704) was the sole worker on the day for Ocala-based Kinsman Farm and trainer Emily Dawson. Out of a half-sister to Champion Older Dirt Female Letruska (Super Saver), the colt worked in :10 flat and is already a half to pair of winners in Mischievous Doll (Into Mischief) and American Forces (American Pharoah). “He had prepped quite well for us so we were really expecting [a good breeze],” said Dawson. “He galloped out quite well and we've been really pleased with how he went. He's been a straightforward colt all season and super professional.” Kinsman Farm purchased the colt, who also counts MSW/GISP Trigger Warning and GISW J P's Gusto (Successful Appeal) as family members, for just $120,000 at Keeneland September last year with the intention of pinhooking him as a 2-year-old. “He looked like the type of horse that could handle getting to a 2-year-old sale,” Dawson said of her fastest worker thus far. “He has a hard, fast look to him and a really strong hind end. Add in that he's perfectly clean on x-rays with a good scope and we hope he'll generate some attention.” First dam American Doll, stakes placed herself, has seen sales-rings success for her foals already as her 3-year-old Constitution colt, now named Only in America, went the way of Robert and Lawana Low for $700,000 at Keeneland in 2023. And, like Pickerell, Dawson was hopeful that her seven-strong consignment would be well-received at market next week. “March was quite strong,” she said. “So I'm hopeful that that will continue.” The under-tack show continues through Saturday with sessions beginning daily at 8 a.m. The Spring sale will be held next Tuesday through Friday and bidding begins each day at 10:30 a.m. The post Yaupon Earns Accolades With Another Strong OBS Breeze Show appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jill Byrne has been named Executive Director of The Virginia Thoroughbred Association (VTA), according to a release Thursday. Debbie Easter will remain with the VTA, serving on a wider range of industry initiatives with the Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) of which she is President. Byrne will also continue to serve in her existing role as Vice-President of Marketing & Strategic Planning for the VEA. A Virginia native and graduate of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Byrne served as an on-air host and handicapper with TVG in addition to holding positions as Senior Director of Industry Relations with the Breeders' Cup and Director of Broadcast Operations with Churchill Downs. She returned to Virginia to serve as VP of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs during the 2019 “Racing Revival” season and remained in that capacity for three more years before joining the VEA in 2023. With her combined VEA and VTA responsibilities, Byrne is once again based in Charlottesville where she works and resides. “I look forward to continue to represent the Virginia horsemen and women, and work with all stakeholders as our racing and breeding programs in the state are growing and prospering,” said Byrne. “Virginia has a renowned history in the thoroughbred industry and our future is brighter than ever.” Easter, added, “Our Virginia Equine Alliance team has accomplished so much over the last 7 years, but we need to continue to keep our foot on the gas if we are going to see continued growth for our Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries. Jill has done a fantastic job heading up marketing for the VEA and I am so pleased that she is willing to also take on a roll with the VTA. With her marketing knowledge and passion for Virginia's Thoroughbred industry, the VTA will be in very good hands. This move will allow me to enhance my role as President of the Virginia Equine Alliance. I can work even closer with Jeb Hannum (VEA Executive Director) to concentrate on the larger industry initiatives that will keep us moving forward into the future.” The post Jill Byrne Appointed New VTA Executive Director appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Three-time group 1 winner California Spangle has been retired. In a career that spanned 34 starts, the Tony Cruz-trained gelding won on 13 occasions.View the full article

The schedule for the Horse Racing Women's Association's 2025 season will be headlined by the fourth annual HRWA Conference, previously known as the Summit, taking place for the first time in Lexington, Kentucky, Oct. 8-9. The event, sponsored by FanDuel TV, will be hosted at the Limestone Hall, located in the historic remodeled courthouse downtown. “The 2025 HRWA events and conference are planned with great intention to engage, elevate, and invest in the women (and men) of our great sport as we strive to make constructive impact within our community,” said Stephanie Hronis, HRWA Executive Committee Chair. “Our collective goal is to cultivate opportunities that increase business connections, build and expand networks, and provide opportunities for professional and personal development that will ultimately benefit the workplace.” In addition to the two-day conference in October, the HRWA will host several regional events across the country. Full event list below: June 27 – Day at the races: Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada Oct. 8-9 – HRWA Conference: Lexington, Kentucky Oct. 30 – Day at the races: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California Tickets are on sale for our meet-ups at Woodbine and Del Mar via Eventbrite, and all HRWA members have access to discounted pricing. Tickets for the HRWA conference in Kentucky will be launched in the coming weeks. “We're excited to bring the main conference to Lexington this year while expanding meetups at Gulfstream Park, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, and internationally at Woodbine Racecourse–continually striving to expand the reach and impact,” said Jodie Vella-Gregory, Chair of the HRWA Event Logistics Committee. The theme for the 2025 HRWA conference in October is “Racing Ahead: Empowering Women Through Connection And Collaboration,” with programming, speakers, and panel topics to be announced in the coming months. For more information, visit www.horseracingwomen.com. The post 2025 HRWA Conference to Be Held in Lexington For the First Time Oct. 8-9; FanDuel TV Returns as Title Sponsorr appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday, Newbury, Britain, post time: 13:25, DUBAI DUTY FREE FINEST SURPRISE STAKES (JOHN PORTER STAKES)-G3, £85,000, 4yo/up, 12f 0y Field: Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), Bellum Justum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Dallas Star (Fr) (Cloth Of Stars {Ire}), Feigning Madness (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), Tabletalk (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Divina Grace (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}). TDN Verdict: One of Britain's re-entry points for the hardcore mile-and-a-half merchants and beyond sees last year's G1 Irish Derby runner-up and G1 St Leger third Sunway back in action, tackled by the 2023 G1 Futurity Trophy winner Ancient Wisdom and GIII Nashville Derby Invitational scorer Bellum Justum. While the King George seems an ambitious target for all three at this juncture, they are probably all slightly better than this grade and will help to shape the older middle-distance category over the next few weeks. Saturday, Newbury, Britain, post time: 14:00, DUBAI DUTY FREE STAKES (FRED DARLING STAKES)-G3, £85,000, 3yo, f, 7f 0y Field: Betty Clover (GB) (Time Test {GB}), Bright Times Ahead (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), British Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), California Dreamer (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}), Duty First (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), Ellaria Sand (GB) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), Enola Holmes (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Formal (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Greydreambeliever (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Heavens Gate (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), Hey Boo (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), Maw Lam (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), Mountain Breeze (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Nardra (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Time For Sandals (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}). TDN Verdict: It is fair to say that last year's juvenile fillies were a cut above the colts and there is every reason to expect they will continue to be so in 2025. This year's 1,000 Guineas looks hot even if Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) misses out, so the onus is on this cast to put down a marker with a serious performance. One who has very little to prove is the G2 Prix du Calvados and G3 Princess Margaret Stakes winner and G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes runner-up Simmering, while Heavens Gate may be in the second tier at Ballydoyle and a typical “sighter” for the stable but still carries significant weight in this context. Cheveley Park looked to have a real live Classic contender in Formal last term and while it all went wrong for the illustriously-bred TDN Rising Star in the G2 Rockfel Stakes, she wouldn't be the first to put a disappointing juvenile finale behind her and re-establish her aura ahead of the Spring Classics. As ever, William Haggas's prospects demand close attention and in what could be another big year for Night Of Thunder, Nardra is the one unexposed filly that stands out on her 8 1/2-length win in a soft-ground six-furlong Haydock novice in September. Saturday, Newbury, Britain, post time: 14:35, WATERSHIP DOWN STUD TOO DARN HOT GREENHAM STAKES-G3, £100,000, 3yo, c/g, 7f 0y Field: Al Qudra (Ire) (No Nay Never), Aurora Majesty (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Chancellor (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Diablo Rojo (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Jonquil (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Noble Champion (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Rashabar (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), Rogue Allegiance (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Saracen (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Yah Mo Be There (GB) (Mohaather {GB}). TDN Verdict: More successful than the Fred Darling as a Newmarket pointer but still without a 2,000 Guineas winner in 11 years if you don't count Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}) who unseated Frankie Dettori coming out of the gates here in 2023, this time-honoured prep is dominated by the G2 Coventry Stakes winner and G1 Prix Morny and G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere runner-up and iron-clad standard-setter Rashabar. Apparently more likely to take in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains than the Guineas according to Brian Meehan, he is on the same path as Isaac Shelby (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) who also sported the famed Sangster silks when capitalising from the mis-hap to Chaldean in 2023. Speaking of stalls incidents, Cheveley Park's TDN Rising Star Chancellor is no stranger to misfortune in that sphere having broken through them before the G2 Champagne Stakes in September. As a result, the regally-bred son of the 2014 Greenham hero and subsequent A-lister Kingman (GB) was denied the chance to translate the immense promise of his two Doncaster wins into pattern-race achievement, but that's all water under the bridge at this point and he remains very much one of the key British-trained Guineas contenders. Another TDN Rising Star to misfire last term, Juddmonte's Jonquil just has to be a lot better than his no-show in the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes and he is another who arrives with a clean slate representing the same team as Chaldean, while the exciting debut winners Rogue Allegiance, Saracen and Noble Champion add mystique to a bang up-to-scratch renewal. Noble Champion, the half-brother to the seven-furlong star Pogo (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}), received notable attention from our own Adam Houghton in his excellent Winter Watch. Saturday, Curragh, Ireland, post time: 15:25, LODGE PARK STUD IRISH EBF PARK EXPRESS STAKES-G3, €41,400, 3yo/up, f/m, 8f 0y Field: Azada (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), Bright Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Fleur De Chine (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), Mexicali Rose (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}), Naomi Lapaglia (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}), One Look (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Princess Child (Fr) (Dariyan {Fr}), Whirl (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Ecstatic (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Garden Of Eden (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Spicy Margarita (Ire) (Earthlight {Ire}). TDN Verdict: On the European Flat season's first big Saturday of the year, Ballydoyle test a trio of Classic hopes against some hard-knocking older fillies and mares. Ryan Moore is on Whirl, which probably isn't a surprise given that she won the G3 Staffordstown Stud Stakes over this course and distance in October, but the yard's TDN Rising Star Ecstatic gives the impression she has plenty to offer from here as a daughter of the indomitable Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Saturday, Curragh, Ireland, post time: 16:35, TOTE.IE ALLEGED STAKES-G3, €36,000, 4yo/up, 10f 0y Field: Jan Brueghel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Crystal Black (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), Crypto Force (GB) (Time Test {GB}), Galen (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Sons And Lovers (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), Wahdan (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}). TDN Verdict: Unusually, Aidan O'Brien puts two of his older heavyweights together for their seasonal bows, with Ryan Moore siding with the unbeaten G1 St Leger hero Jan Brueghel over the G2 Dubai Gold Cup and G2 Curragh Cup winner Tower Of London. Both are forced to carry penalties at a trip short of their optimum, but the stable's runners so far in 2025 seem fairly forward and it would be no surprise to see them dominate. There is no knowing the ceiling of Jan Brueghel as yet, while the time performance of Tower Of London when last seen marks him out as one who could excel on the international stage this year. Click here to download the complete fields with owner and breeder information. The post Black-Type Analysis: Rashabar Looms Large In Saturday’s Greenham Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

To say that Integration (Quality Road) was facing some quality individuals in year's GI Maker's Mark Mile Stakes might be somewhat of an understatement. In that soggy renewal at Keeneland last April, the West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing runner finished third behind Godolphin's Master of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who stole the show following wins in the GI Woodbine Mile and GI Breeders' Cup Mile the previous season. The runner up that day was another Godolphin representative, Group 2 scorer Naval Power (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), who followed up with a close-up second in the GI Turf Classic. The Shug McGaughey trainee gets another chance at Keeneland's marquee race for turf milers Friday when he faces eight others, including dual Grade I winner Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who will be making his much-awaited first start of the year after a sixth in last November's GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar. “It seems like we have been trying to outrun Carl Spackler for the last 10 years. At least that's what it feels like,” quipped West Point Thoroughbred's Terry Finley. “I figured sooner or later we'd see him enter and here he is.” Reflecting on Integration's Maker's Mark performance last year, Finley explained, “I think he was third best last year. I am not sure he ran his best race, but those two horses that ended up in front of us are very nice horses. We didn't have any excuses. I remember Frankie [Dettori] telling us that he thought we ran our race, but we just didn't get the job done that day.” Following the respectable effort in this test in 2024, Integration was fourth in the nine-furlong Turf Classic on the Derby Day undercard before winning by 6 1/2 lengths over two rivals in scratch-depleted edition of Colonial's Million Preview in July. Stretching to 10 panels for the GI Arlington Million, the $700,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select purchase had to play bridesmaid to the highly accomplished Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). Extending even farther for the 12-furlong GII FanDuel TV Kentucky Turf Cup in September, the son of Grade I winner Harmonize (Scat Daddy) came home fourth before rebounding to win the 11-furlong GII Red Smith at the Big A in November. Given some R&R over the winter, Integration came up just a neck short of the win behind Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d'Oro), who pegged him at the wire in the nine-furlong GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational at Gulfstream Jan. 25. “Shug was really optimistic that he'd show up in a big way,” recalled Finley in advance of the 5-year-old's seasonal debut. “You get four or five horses that are within 1 1/2 lengths of each other and the winner gets the bob. We had a very good trip and was just second best.” Stabled at Payson through the winter, Integration appears to have taken his transition to five in good order. “He is starting to put it together right now,” confirmed Finley. “Shug commented that he had never seen him bigger, stronger and broader than he is now. I think as a 5-year-old, we might be on the cusp of a big year with him. I think he rates very well [in the Maker's Mark].” Dettori reunites with Integration for Friday's race. West Point, in partnership with David Ingordo, is also represented by Northern Invader (Collected), trained by Cherie DeVaux. A winner with Jose Ortiz in the irons going a mile in a Keeneland allowance last season, the chestnut subsequently finished fourth in Churchill's GIII Arlington Stakes in June before rounding out his 4-year-old campaign with a third behind winner Carl Spackler in Saratoga's GIII Kelso Stakes in July. “After he was third to Carl Spackler [in the Kelso] at Saratoga, Cherie very smartly said let's put this colt away, freshen him up a bit and bring him back as a 5-year-old,” explained Finley. Marking his debut in the GIII Tampa Bay Stakes, the $310,000 OBS March graduate was headed late finishing second by 3/4 of a length behind Running Bee (English Channel) Feb. 1. While Edwin Gonzalez was aboard at Tampa, Finley confirmed that Ortiz will be back in the saddle in the Maker's Mark. “I was really happy to see that really good race at Tampa. It was a good number that day,” he added. “He seems to get very brave in front, he likes to control things on the front end, and that's what he'll try to do again.” Following what seemed like biblical rains in Kentucky last weekend, the upcoming forecast in Lexington once again calls for precipitation through the end of the week. When asked how West Point's runners might handle what seems to be shaping up as another soft turf course for Friday's race, Finley said, “That's the $1-million question. Shug has said that he didn't feel [Integration] is as effective on soft going. We'd love for the weather to break a little bit and give us as firm as turf course as possible.” Regarding Integration's Ontario-bred stablemate, he added, “I don't think the softer ground won't impact him as much as it might integration.” Regardless of the weather, Finley admitted that the duo seems to complement each other in the race, at least from a tactical perspective. “He's probably a touch better going a mile and an eighth, but I think he still rates with these horses,” said Finley of Integration. Of Northern Invader, he continued, “I think he can be very dangerous because, turning for home, he's got a quick acceleration at the quarter-pole and he has used that a couple of times effectively.” “It's interesting because we have horses that wants the lead all to himself and another good horse that is a stalker. So, we'll see which ones best and if either one can get to the wire first.” The post Integration Attempts to Overhaul Returning Carl Spackler in Keeneland’s Maker’s Mark Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article