Wandering Eyes

New York-bred 2-year-old filly Iron Orchard (Authentic), who ran her record to a perfect three-for-three with a victory in the GI Frizette Stakes at Aqueduct on Oct. 4, was sold to Larry and Karen Doyle's KatieRich Farms for $2.5 million as part of the Fasig-Tipton Digital Fall Flash Sale, according to release from the company late Thursday evening. Bidding opened on Oct. 10. A romping debut winner in a restricted Saratoga maiden on July 3, the dark bay–whose most recent trip through a sales ring saw her bring $500,000 at this year's OBS April Sale–made it two straight with a 6 3/4-length success in the Seeking the Ante Stakes for state-bred juvenile fillies at the Spa Aug. 22. Just short of 5-2 for the Frizette, she covered ground on the turn and held on to take the one-mile event by a nose. Her earnings to date stand at $352,000. “She's a young, Grade I winner and there is plenty of upside there,” said Larry Doyle, who confirmed that Iron Orchard is being pointed for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar on Oct. 31. “She's a half-million dollar New York-bred, we vetted her from head to toe, she's very good-looking and she'll make a nice broodmare down the road.” Doyle said that Danny Gargan, who consigned the filly as agent to the sale, will continue to train Iron Orchard in the near-term. In the immediate aftermath of the Frizette, Gargan was non-committal about going on to the Breeders' Cup. “What a sale!,” enthused Leif Aaron, director of digital sales for Fasig-Tipton. “It has been a thrill to offer an undefeated Grade I-winning and Breeders' Cup-bound filly in Iron Orchard for her connections. We wish KatieRich the best of luck with her and will be rooting her on in the Breeders' Cup and beyond.” The second of the two horses offered in the Fall Flash Sale was Haulin Ice (Coal Front), who punched her ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint with a victory in the GIII Princess Rooney Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Consigned by Taylor Made, the 4-year-old was unsold on a final bid of $875,000, but remains available for purchase post-sale. “While we were disappointed to have not sold Haulin Ice, she is a quality filly and still available for purchase post-sale through our platform,” Aaron said. Fasig-Tipton's next digital sale is the December Digital Sale scheduled for Dec. 4-9. Entries close Nov. 19. The post Iron Orchard Sells For $2.5M In Fasig-Tipton Digital Fall Flash Sale; Breeders’ Cup Next appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Having ridden in six previous editions of The Everest (1200m) as well as multiple clashes with Ka Ying Rising in Hong Kong, jockey James McDonald has a good idea of what to expect when the world’s highest-rated sprinter makes his Australian debut in the A$20 million feature at Randwick on Saturday. McDonald is the only jockey to have ever beaten Ka Ying Rising, twice edging out the New Zealand-bred champion aboard Wunderbar at Sha Tin in January 2024. Since then, McDonald has been among the beaten brigade on several occasions during the Shamexpress gelding’s spectacular 13-race winning streak, including the Gr.1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) and Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m). But McDonald is well aware that Ka Ying Rising faces a very different challenge in Saturday’s Everest. McDonald won the world’s richest sprint aboard Nature Strip in 2021, while his five other rides in the race have produced a fourth (Nature Strip, 2022), a sixth (Hawaii Five Oh, 2023) two sevenths (Nature Strip, 2020 and Joliestar, 2024) and an 11th (Arcadia Queen, 2019). McDonald will ride the Chris Waller-trained Joliestar on Saturday for Cambridge Stud owners Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay. “Ka Ying Rising is a superstar, he’s an absolute superstar,” McDonald said. “If he brings his Sha Tin form, he’s sometimes almost impossible to beat, the way his figures read. I’ve ridden some good horses against him and he’s made them look pretty second-rate, to be fair. “But this is a different kettle of fish. This is probably the toughest test to date for him and he’s going to know he’s in a horse race, especially with the likes of Jimmysstar, Briasa, Joliestar and Lady Shenandoah coming at him. He’s going to have to be at the top of his game.” Joliestar will be one of three runners in the race for Waller, who has celebrated previous Everest wins with Yes Yes Yes in 2019 and Nature Strip two years later. The champion trainer will also saddle Lady Shenandoah and Angel Capital. “The best thing about Ka Ying Rising being in the race is that it brings an international flavour to this year’s event,” Waller said. “That’s what we want to see here in Australia. “We’ve got the best sprinters in the world and we take them overseas and normally get it right. So to see the horse coming here with the world’s highest rating, Australia has got something to prove. “Having that international flavour gives more credit to the race, it’s taking the world’s imagination and everybody will be watching The Everest on Saturday afternoon. Let’s hope that Australia – our horses – can beat Ka Ying Rising, because he’s a superstar. “All three of ours are, in my eyes, good enough to win the race and every horse will have to be at their best to win the race. It’s just a great contest. It’s no different to an Olympic sprint final – everyone has to be at on their game, get a good clean start and have everything go their way and you need to be strong over the last metres of the race. “It’s the best of the best coming together on Saturday at Randwick. It’s an exciting race, the build-up has been huge, it’s a sell-out crowd. They’re all eager to find out the result. “All I can say is Joliestar, she’s a mature mare now, she’s in the zone now, great first-up win. Lady Shenandoah is coming off that defeat, but there were legitimate reasons for it and we think she’s a rising star and will be there next year in The Everest as well. “And Angel Capital is the unknown. He’s a rising star, like Lady Shenandoah, he hasn’t won at the elite level yet but the things we see at home on the training track are quite phenomenal and if he brings that to the races from his good draw (three), he could beat them all.” Ka Ying Rising will start from barrier seven under Zac Purton on Saturday. The TAB rates him a $1.80 favourite, with Joliestar the second elect at $6.50. View the full article

Ellerslie has been the scene of some of El Vencedor’s most memorable performances, and Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) could see the reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year become only the second horse to win four Group One races at the Auckland track. El Vencedor recorded his first Group One win with a giant-killing victory over $1.20 favourite Legarto in the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) in March of 2024. He returned last season to add the Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) and a repeat result in the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes as part of a campaign that also featured a Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) win at Te Rapa. In the almost five decades since the Group and Listed structure was introduced in New Zealand, the only four-time Group One winner at Ellerslie was Hall of Fame inductee Horlicks, who captured two editions of the Air New Zealand Stakes (2000m) and two editions of the DB Draught Classic (2000m). Saturday’s Livamol Classic will be the third start of the season for El Vencedor, who resumed with an eye-catching fifth in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie on September 6. He crossed the line only two lengths behind the winner Quintessa. In the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) on a Heavy9 track at Te Rapa three weeks later, the seven-year-old son of Shocking finished seventh and four lengths behind Waitak. “I’ve been happy with his performances in both of those first two legs of the Triple Crown,” trainer Stephen Marsh said. “His first-up run in the Proisir at Ellerslie was great, and then he wasn’t bad in the Mile at Te Rapa either. I think that race just showed that he really prefers better footing these days. He’ll get that at Ellerslie. “As far as everything he’s doing at home goes, he’s just kept getting better and better with each race under his belt. “Wiremu Pinn rides him again on Saturday, he gets on well with the horse. I think El Vencedor could be the real improver heading into the third leg of the series.” Two other factors in El Vencedor’s favour are the increasing distance and the return to Ellerslie. The Livamol is run over a similar trip to his 2000m Herbie Dyke Stakes and back-to-back Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes successes. His seven starts at Ellerslie, meanwhile, have produced five black-type wins. “Going up to 2000m and being back at Ellerslie are really key,” Marsh said. El Vencedor headlines a big day at Ellerslie on Saturday for Marsh, who also has last-start Gr.3 Sunline Vase (1400m) placegetter Little Black Dress and super-impressive debut winner Well Written contesting the Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m). In the Elsdon Park (1400m), the Cambridge trainer will be represented by Group Two winner Bourbon Empress and dominant first-up winner Tardelli. “Little Black Dress was much better last start and wasn’t beaten far by those two top fillies (Tajana and Lollapalooza),” Marsh said. “She was still a bit wayward, so we’ve added blinkers. She’s galloped in blinkers and seems to have her mind a bit more on the job. I think she’s really improved. “Well Written is a lovely filly and won brilliantly on debut. She’s taking on the big girls now, but she’s pretty exciting. “Tardelli was hugely impressive first-up. He couldn’t have won that race any better. “Going from 57.5kg to 60.5kg is never easy second-up, and especially against a talented field this weekend. But he’s a big, strong horse that we rate very highly and we really think he can do it. He hasn’t missed a beat since his first-up win. “Bourbon Empress is coming up well too. Her two trials were both very nice, and especially the last one which was terrific. She gets in nicely with 54kg and I think she’ll run well. They’re both horses that could be running in some big races this season.” View the full article

Promising stayer Danjuro has been a work in progress with time expected to further improve his racing manners. The son of Saxon Warrior has showed his talent with four wins on the board and the promise of adding to that record when he steps out in the Steelform Roofing Waverley Cup (2200m) on Sunday. “He’s always showed ability, but he is quirky and he ran off at Wellington one day,” said Peter Didham, who prepares the five-year-old with son Trent. “He’s done a couple of odd things and can be on and off the bridle, he’s like a big baby. “A horse like this probably wouldn’t have been broken in until he was three or four in the old days, he’s a beautiful horse but big and gangly.” Danjuro posted his third middle-distance success last time out and the winning margin didn’t do the son of Saxon Warrior justice. “At Otaki, he was going to win by three lengths and then he just switched off and won by a head,” Didham said. “Racing and time will sort that out I feel, we’ll just take him along quietly this year and I think next year he could end up a better Cups horse.” Danjuro was a debut winner and at his third appearance finished sixth behind Crocetti in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), but Didham knew the best would be seen of the gelding over ground. “I always thought he’d be a stayer with his body frame, and we work him like that. I’m happy with where he’s at and when he behaves himself in his races, he’s got it left at the finish,” he said. Danjuro will be partnered by Kavish Chowdhoory, who has been aboard in the gelding’s last six appearances. “It’s good to have a regular rider on him, he’s not a hugely difficult horse to ride though and the more you get to know him, the more you like him,” Didham said. “He’s run second at Waverley before and drawn one he should be able to race in behind the pace.” The stable will have multiple runners at the meeting and at Trentham on Saturday. “We’ve got seven in and they’re all nice each-way chances and Shameless Star has been working well since she won,” Didham said. “She has to step up to the Rating 65 grade and for a three-year-old filly that can be a bit tough, but she’s going well.” Among their Trentham runners is Felucca, who will run in the Graham’s Painters Handicap (1400m). The Time Test mare won both of her trials before she finished a close second when resuming in her first raceday appearance for seven months. View the full article

Earlier this month, the Association for Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) issued a 28-page report assessing the effectiveness of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) after three years of operations. The report covers a lot of ground, including the federal authority's approach to collecting and calculating its equine fatality statistics. In this regard, the ARCI identified several points of concern, namely: That “there has been no uniform reporting policy governing how this data is collected and maintained.” That in 2024, HISA reported thirteen fewer equine deaths than those officially recorded by HISA regulated state commissions. That the number of starters used by HISA to calculate fatality rates differs with those used by individual states and by Equibase. This is no small matter. Pretty much since Eight Belles's fatal breakdown in the 2008 Kentucky Derby, the sport's equine safety record has been under an unflinching public microscope. An overall declining equine fatality rate since then, however, has been one of racing's counterpoints. With this in mind, the TDN dug into the ARCI's findings. The result is a mix of explanations driven by what appears to be the vagaries of different bureaucratic approaches and a suggested pathway to avoid such problems in the future. Data Parameters Before launching into the mechanics of the program, it's important to outline what constitutes a racing or training fatality: Racing fatality: Horses that die or are euthanized within 72 hours of a race as a direct result of injuries sustained participating in a race. Training fatality: Horses that die or are euthanized within 72 hours of an injury directly sustained during training. In both cases, it includes injured horses who are transported to a barn or referral hospital and subsequently euthanized. Since the advent of HISA, every track is supposed to have a designated safety director. That person is required to report to HISA any relevant death of a “covered horse” within 24 hours. They input this info into an online portal, including information like the horse's name, date of death, and whether it's a racing or a training fatality. (The designation of “covered horse” is a key wrinkle that will be elaborated upon in a bit). That reporting timeframe isn't always met, however. Sometimes HISA will be alerted of a fatality through other avenues, like the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) during their sample collection processes. “If we go back and see that that fatality hasn't been reported to us, we usually give a grace period of a couple of days beyond the 24-hour required timeframe,” says Anjali Salooja, HISA's director of operations, strategy and research, explaining how, in that event, she will typically reach out to the safety director directly. Either way, at the end of each quarter, HISA puts together a letter that goes to each safety director, detailing each fatality recorded during that period along the following parameters (among others): whether it was a racing or training event, the name of the horse, the date of death, and whether the injury was musculoskeletal, sudden death or neither of the two. “We require each safety director to certify to us that they agree with all of the information provided to them,” says Salooja. “Sometimes there is a back and forth if folks have different details. [For example], the musculoskeletal versus sudden death classifications. There might be some questions around that.” HISA apparently takes other steps to double-check the numbers. Every “covered horse” that dies during racing or training is now required to undergo a necropsy. “The HISA vet team uses those necropsies as a reference point to go back and compare,” says Salooja. When it comes to the annual data, HISA also cross-references its numbers with the Jockey Club. Despite the two organizations using different processes to collect their data, “our ratios have been across the board the same, both on an annual basis as well as by racetrack,” says Salooja. Why the discrepancies identified by the ARCI, therefore? Discrepancies In its report, the ARCI found differences between individual commissions and HISA's 2024 equine fatality numbers in the following states: California (19 state, 16 HISA), Indiana (3 state, 2 HISA), Iowa (6 state, 5 HISA), Maryland (10 state, 9 HISA), New Mexico (6 state, 3 HISA), and New York (15 state, 11 HISA). According to Salooja, a key reason for these discrepancies comes down to the definition of HISA's “covered horse”: one that has completed a timed workout at a regulated facility. The horse remains “covered” until its retirement is officially recorded. An easy way to remember what constitutes a HISA-related racing or training fatality, says Salooja, “is a covered horse in a covered race at a covered racetrack.” This opens the door, says Salooja, to a horse's death being recorded by an individual state but not by HISA, like horses who have not recorded their first workout, a pony's death, or those that occur in mixed-breed or non-Thoroughbred races. “We've seen this come up at Los Alamitos which does mixed-Thoroughbred races,” says Salooja. The ARCI also found differences in the number of starters used by HISA to calculate the fatality rate with those used by state commissions and by Equibase. “In 2024, the total number of Thoroughbred starters officially recorded in the states regulated by HISA was 175,918. HISA claims 178,564. Equibase claims 180,761,” the ARCI reports. One explanation for those differences, says Salooja, is that HISA doesn't count mixed-breed races among these totals. (Note: the TDN followed up to see if there were other factors that might explain the different numbers. HISA responded with the following emailed answer: “We cannot opine on the ARCI's process and how they calculated the numbers in their report, but we can confirm that The Jockey Club conducted a separate process from ours and reported 0.90 racing-related fatalities per 1,000 starts for racetracks subject to HISA's rules in 2024. HISA's starts reflect only those races that are subject to our rules.”) Do these explanations account for the discrepancies identified in the ARCI report? “Could their explanation be valid in some places? I don't know without going back. But our numbers were based on what we asked the racing commissions for or what they had published,” said the ARCI's president, Ed Martin, when caught Thursday morning at the American Quarter Horse Association conference. Martin added: “My point in drawing attention to the discrepancy is that everybody ought to get on the same page.” What would help achieve that end, therefore? Presentation of the Stats Because HISA is not bound by Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requirements, the public relies upon what the organization makes available. And the fatality data HISA outlines has grown progressively more detailed over the years. Indeed, the latest quarterly report provides a good overview of (among other things) states, tracks, racing vs. training, causes and injury type. Beginning in 2026, the organization will weave in other fatality-related information including the condition of the racetrack and some race-types (like a claiming race). Even so, HISA still doesn't publicly relay this information at its most granular level, which is to list the specific horse that suffers a catastrophic injury, as well as other key details related to the event. In other words, a database like that maintained in California and New York. A fully transparent national system like that would go a long way to clearing up any confusion. But it doesn't appear as though that's on the cards–at least not any time soon. “That's not to say that [couldn't happen] at some point in the future,” says Salooja. “But we haven't made an organization-wide decision yet as to whether we're ready to launch that for the public yet.” Are there any legal obstacles precluding HISA from doing that? “I'm not an expert in this, but as far as I understand it, there are some confidentiality considerations around the possession and transmission of horse-related medical information,” says Salooja. “I think before we got to the point where we were sharing that kind of information, we would want to have further discussions with our vet and legal team about that,” she adds. “But as you said, California and New York are doing it, so at least in some jurisdictions it's permissible.” The post HISA’s Fatality Stats: A Look Under the Hood appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The two-minute win pool cutoff for computer-assisted wagering (CAW) bets that was implemented at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club over the summer in an effort to stabilize late odds fluctuations won't be in effect when the Southern California track hosts the Breeders' Cup Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, a spokesperson for the championships confirmed to TDN on Thursday. Back on July 29, in response to growing clamor among non-CAW bettors about the outsized role that CAW players had in driving a spate of marked late odds changes at Del Mar during the first two weeks of the meet, Del Mar president Josh Rubinstein said in a press release that the implementation of the cutoff was “part of an overall effort to ensure an optimal wagering experience for fans on-track, at simulcast locations and those playing via our advanced deposit wagering partners.” As TDN's Dan Ross reported at the time, the controversy involving CAW players typically surrounds the major edge they wield over regular gamblers because of their use of sophisticated technologies and specialized pool access that allows them to place massive wagers across nearly all pools in the final seconds of betting, as well as the attractive rebates offered to them that are unavailable to the average horseplayer. Other tracks, like those run by the New York Racing Association (NYRA), have had similar CAW policies in place since 2021. While Del Mar's cutoff only applies to win pools, (the most visible of all wagering pools), non-CAW horseplayers have hailed the decision as at least a step in the right direction toward mitigating the influence of CAW money. When Santa Anita Park opened for its fall meet last month, it continued the two-minute cutoff that Del Mar had initiated on the same circuit. On Oct. 16, when Rubinstein appeared before the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) to discuss the track's licensure for the upcoming meet, CHRB vice chair Oscar Gonzales asked him if the CAW win-pool cutoff policy would extend into the track's upcoming late-fall meet that includes the Breeders' Cup championships. “So that will continue for our fall meet,” Rubinstein said. “Related to the Breeders' Cup, that is a decision that they will need to make.” Considering that the two-day championships are just two weeks away and that such a significant logistical decision had likely already been made, TDN reached out to the Breeders' Cup to get better clarity. A Breeders' Cup spokesperson replied with the following statement, which was not attributed to any specific Breeders' Cup executive: “Fortunately, due to the substantial liquidity in our multi-million-dollar wagering pools, the late odds fluctuations that frustrate horseplayers have not been an issue at the World Championships, including last year at Del Mar. “In addition, the competitive nature of our races–with full fields of the best runners from around the globe–has historically provided recreational players with great betting value and opportunities for generous returns.” On social media, non-CAW horseplayers have been opining and debating for weeks whether or not the two-minute ban at Del Mar would apply to the Breeders' Cup championships, with some bettors suggesting they might not wager on the races if no cutoff will be in effect. The post No 2-Minute CAW Cutoff In Win Pools For Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two-time Horse of the Year Curlin (Smart Strike) and his champion son Good Magic will stand the 2026 breeding season for $225,000 and $125,000, respectively, at John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, the Lexington area nursery announced Thursday. Curlin, who turns 22 in 2026, remains the only stallion to have supplied three Breeders' Cup winners on a single program and the only sire to account for four Eclipse Award winners in the same year. Good Magic, who was represented by a quartet of $1-million yearlings in 2025, is the sire of Classic winners Mage and his full-brother Dornoch from his first two crops. Army Mule (Friesan Fire) is set to be represented in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf by the undefeated Ground Support and will return to $25,000 for the 2026 breeding season, up from $20,000 this past year. From his 133 winners to date, no fewer than 20 have struck at the stakes level, with Ground Support the most recent of his four graded scorers. Former 'TDN Rising Star' Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo) was 'the most popular horse ever' to retire to Hill 'n' Dale and his fee remains at $30,000 for 2026. A stud fee for Charlatan (Speightstown) will be determined at a later date. “Our goal has always been to offer the best stallion value in the breeding business,” said Sikura. “We feel our 2026 fees will allow breeders to be competitive with the progeny of our stallions. Despite a very robust auction market, we have held our fees to provide value.” The remainder of the Hill 'n' Dale stud fees for 2026 are as follows: Kantharos (Lion Heart, $10,000); Loggins (Ghostzapper, $5,000); Maclean's Music (Distorted Humor, $30,000); Violence (Medaglia d'Oro, $30,000). The post Army Mule Gets Slight Bump, Curlin, Good Magic Remain at Six Figures at Hill ‘n’ Dale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aidan O'Brien is ready to ignite the rivalry between the Delacroix and Ombudsman camps for one final time in a blockbuster Champion Stakes (G1) at Ascot Racecourse Oct. 18.View the full article

Unlike other races this fall at Del Mar, current plans do not call for computer-assisted wagering groups to be excluded from win wagering inside two minutes to post during the two-day Breeders' Cup.View the full article

Whisper Hill Farm homebred JUST ALOOF (f, 2, Justify–Aloof {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) came running late down the center of the Aqueduct turf course to take her debut Thursday. The 8-1 shot, who spent much of the race in a mid-pack fifth, had to fan out wide with a quarter-mile left but rallied to get by race favorite and stablemate Market Hours (Practical Joke) in the final yards for the win. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O/B-Whisper Hill Farm; T-Chad Brown. The post Whisper Hill Homebred Just Aloof All Business In Her Aqueduct Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

TATTERSALLS, NEWMARKET – Almost 200 million gns changed hands between Book 1 and 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale but there was no sign of the money drying up at Park Paddocks as Book 3 got off to a rip-roaring start with turnover climbing by a massive 19% to 7,680,500gns. Whitsbury Manor Stud was rewarded for targeting the Book 3 with four horses selling for 371,000gns – which included a 160,000gns Havana Grey colt that was only knocked off his perch by the last lot into the ring, a Ballyhimikin Stud-consigned Blue Point colt that sold for just 5,000gns more. Just as he has been at every major yearling sale in Europe this year, Alex Elliott was extremely active on the opening day of Book 3. Along with signing for the 160,000gns Havana Grey colt on behalf of Valmont and Amo Racing, he also purchased a Nathaniel filly from Jamie Railton's consignment for 150,000gns to go with a 110,000gns Blue Point colt from Norelands Stud – which was purchased alongside fellow agent Billy Jackson-Stops. All told, Elliott has signed for almost 50 yearlings across Book 1, 2 and 3, and spent 381,000gns at Park Paddocks on Thursday. Put simply, few people are better qualified to comment about what has played out in recent months and weeks. Speaking about the Havana Grey colt, he began, “He's been bought for Amo Racing and Valmont and will go to David Simcock. David begged us for a faster horse. We always like sending him the slower ones but he says he slows them down enough! He trained Dream Ahead, who was obviously a top sprinter, so he can do the job if the horse is good enough. I actually bought a sibling to this horse by Due Diligence called Study Up. He was quite talented and won on debut, and obviously Havana Grey is Havana Grey.” Reflecting on trade over the past two weeks, Elliott added, “I've found it easier than last year, there wasn't the mania there was then. Kia [Joorabchian] has been very strong and bought a lot of horses, but because there isn't that mania, Anthony [Stroud] sees more value in the market and is prepared to step in at that stage. It's been good for me, between Amo and other clients I'm getting up towards 50 purchases over the two weeks. I'm in a very lucky position to have people backing me to buy that many.” The majority of the money spent at Book 1 and 2 was on behalf of international buyers but Thursday's action was dominated by domestic traders. Whitsbury Manor Stud were one of the busiest vendors and boss Ed Harper was rewarded for targeting Book 3 with some of his better yearlings by star stallion Havana Grey. He explained, “We make sure to put Book 2 horses in Book 3. We're not trying to do anything clever but we have to spread out the stock by our stallions and Havana Grey is hot. We can't sell them all in Book 2 and, if we get a reputation for selling good yearlings in Book 3, well then people are going to stay for Book 3. Not only are we helping ourselves and our own stallions by doing that but hopefully we are helping the British breeders. There is a higher percentage of British breeders in this sale and we need to give the best buyers a reason to stay for Book 3, and they are. If we don't give them that reason, we all have that little bit less of an option.” The Havana Grey colt of Sakhee's Secret mare, Cross My Heart, who is the dam of a black-type performer in Adaay To Remember. Meanwhile Whistbury's Havana Grey filly out of Hot Secret, the dam of Royal Ascot heroine Pilgrim (Havana Grey), was bought for 135,000gns by Yeomanstown Stud to go breezing. Speaking about his headline acts, Harper continued, “I don't know whether it's fluke or happenstance or whatever but there's an amazing cross between Havana Grey on a Sakhee's Secret mare. I think there's five rated over 100 on that cross and there's only been about eight runners. Five of those were stakes winners. For his age, he was a very impressive colt.” He added, “The filly is a sister to Pilgrim, who won the Palace Of Holyrood House at Royal Ascot for David Barron. Again, she is a late foal so there will be bags of improvement in her, which I think people spotted. When you are bringing a full-sister to a Royal Ascot winner to Book 3, people are going to have a look.” While Elliott has some of the biggest clients – Amo, Valmont and at times Coolmore – on his books, he still pops up now and again to buy a horse he likes on spec. This was the case with the Nathaniel filly that was consigned by Railton, who, like Whitsbury, targeted Book 3 in an effort to stand out. Elliott explained of that 150,000gns purchase, “There could be a few plans because I've half bought her on spec. I've put a partnership together for her and a few people have spoken to me about the filly. I thought she was gorgeous, she's very strong, and I've had a bit of luck with Nathaniel fillies like [Irish Oaks winner] You Got To Me.” He added, “She's out of a Pivotal mare, and he's a great broodmare sire. There's Arch, another great broodmare sire, in the pedigree too. She's also a sister to a Group 3 winner so if she's any good, even if she nicks a little bit of black-type, then she's worth a lot of money. Her march around the back ring was very special. Training plans are up for discussion. Somebody just stopped me in the shoot to see if I'd sold her or not. It's kind of fluid at the moment but she's a good one to get.” Along with the major rise in the turnover, the median climbed by a massive 33% to 26,500gns while the average was up by 19%. The clearance rate fell, however, by 3% to 85%. Railton, one of the biggest British-based consignors, heaped praise on the Nathaniel filly's breeder John McNally for forgoing a slot in Book 2 in an effort to stand out before putting on record how pleased he was to see the appetite for horses sustained into the middle and lower tiers at Book 3. Railton said, “She had a place in Book 2 but the owner was keen for her to stand out and he was probably right. She is a lovely filly and had all of the right people on her. It's nice to be involved in those types of horses.” He added, “I think it has been fantastic to see the appetite for a horse. It has carried on into Book 3 and it's important that we have buyers at every level, not just at the top. It's crucial. The pyramid only works if there is a solid base to it. It feels really good and the appetite for horses is what I like to see. It's not just a transaction, it's a passion.” Late Late Show As Blue Point Top Lot Bought To Go Breezing Ballyhimikin Stud has knocked it out of the park all week and continued to do so at Book 3, with two Blue Points – a filly and a colt – selling for six figures or more, including the latter, which headlined trade on Thursday at 165,000gns. The Blue Point colt was bought by Rodrigo Goncalves, who signed under the banner of MADR Bloodstock, and held off trainer John Butler as underbidder. MADR Bloodstock ended the day as the second leading buyer behind Elliott with four yearlings sourced for 300,000gns. Goncalves said, “He's been bought to go breezing and the idea would be that he could come back for some of the bigger sales – either the Craven or Arqana. He's a strong horse by a sire that I like a lot. A number of friends and myself have teamed up together to breeze a couple of horses and he was my pick of the day. I left it late to strike but I am happy to get him.” Ballyhimikin also sold a Blue Point colt out of an Oasis Dream mare to Julie Camacho for 110,000gns earlier in the evening. The Irish farm ended the day as the leading vendor with five selling for 396,000gns. Subplots No man played a more important role at Book 1 and 2 than Anthony Stroud, who was buying on behalf of the leading purchaser Godolphin among others. However, Stroud has remained active into Book 3, and went to 100,000gns to secure a Starspangledbanner colt from Torard House Stud. “I have bought him for Alison Swinburn and we have been looking for a horse for her since last week” he said. “It was a clever pinhook [bought for 27,000 as a foal]. I think he is a bit of a standout for me today – he has got size and scope and is a very good mover.” Kirsten Rausing's Staffordstown Stud brought a few interesting horses to the market early doors on Thursday, including the 90,000gns Study Of Man colt that was bought by Jeremy Brummitt on behalf of Quantum Leap Racing. He said, “He is an exceptionally well-balanced horse, which I don't think is typical of many horses, but is typical of very good horses. He is by a stallion who is probably still emerging and I don't think I could find a horse as well-balanced as this horse is. The dam [six-time winner Altra Vita (Animal Kingdom)] was obviously tough and most importantly, this colt has been bred by someone who tries to breed racehorses for the racecourse and not sales horse for the sale ring – you can see that by looking at the pedigree and how many winners are in it. He is for Quantum Leap and we have not yet decided on a trainer; if they have got any sense they will be queuing up to see if they can train him – put that in!” The Marnane family played a major role on Thursday. Between trainer David Marnane, who signed for six yearlings for 190,000gns, and breeze-up handler Con Marnane, who signed for four yearlings for 175,000gns, the brothers put 365,000gns into the market. Young James O'Mahony has enjoyed a good week at Tattersalls, notably when selling a colt by first-season sire Persian Force for 100,000 during Book 2. The Irish-based breeder struck again with a colt by the Tally-Ho Stud-based stallion, with Kevin Ross going to 48,000gns to secure a particularly fast-looking offering by the Group 2 winner. He looks very sharp and should provide his connections with some early action next year. Buy of the day The National Stud's Stradivarius colt was one of the nicest horses in Book 3 and looks very well-bought at just 62,000gns by Billy Jackson-Stops. He oozed quality and confirmed the decent impression the multiple Group 1-winning stayer has made with his first batch of yearlings. Thought for the day What took place here at Tattersalls during Book 1 and 2 was hardly representative of the industry. Yes, we enjoyed booming trade here over the past couple of weeks, but with foreign money propping up the market. Book 3 was always going to be more informative with a view towards taking the temperature of the industry in Britain and one would have to take encouragement from the figures posted on Thursday. Beyond the figures, there was a strong cohort of trainers on the ground and getting in on the action on Thursday, which was good to see. The post ‘The Appetite Is Fantastic’ – Momentum Rolls Into Rip-Roaring Book 3 Sale At Tattersalls appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) on Thursday approved a slate of 2026 Thoroughbred race dates that will closely resemble the state's 2025 schedule. Over the last decade or so, hammering out the state's annual race-dates calendar has usually been a long, controversial and often argumentative process that gets drawn out over many monthly commission and sub-committee meetings, with stakeholders often testifying and advocating for hours on end and some entities not pleased with their eventual allotments. But with the demise of the entire Northern California racing circuit, and Southern California's two remaining main tracks–Santa Anita Park and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club–seemingly satisfied with the current template, the CHRB on Oct. 16 compressed that entire decision-making process into just two minutes, with zero public commentary and a unanimous 4-0 decision that approved the schedule that had been presented to the board. “Southern California, for the first time, actually, since I started this job in 2020, has agreed on a calendar,” said the CHRB's executive director, Scott Chaney, prior to the vote. “It will largely mirror what this year looked like, with the exception of the Breeders' Cup week [at Del Mar in 2025], which will revert back to Santa Anita, as is normally the case.” Bill Nader, the president and chief executive officer of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, submitted a letter included in the meeting packet that stated his organization supported the proposed schedule. After the vote, at the general public commentary session near the end of the meeting, longtime California horse owner George Schmitt gave an update on initiatives of the company called Bernal Park Racing that he had formed with the owner/breeder John Harris, who died this past summer. Earlier in 2025, Bernal mounted an unsuccessful bid to secure race dates in Northern California with the aim of putting together an organization to make personnel and a day-to-day racing infrastructure services available to any fair in the state that wanted to use those resources to run a meet. “Since I was last with you, you know that my partner, John Harris, died,” Schmitt said. “The last time I was with John, I promised John that I would continue to do what he and I were working on to bring horse racing back into the county fairs in Northern California.” With no Northern California racing in 2025, Schmitt cited a siphoning-off of California-bred horses to nearby states like Washington and Arizona, and what he said was the “lowest number of mares bred in the history of California since we started keeping track of how many mares are bred.” Schmitt said that the number of mares bred is “barely over 1,000. In large part, in my opinion, it's because breeders in Northern California have decided [not to] breed their mares this year. We need to figure out a way to bring horse racing back into the county fairs in the North, in my opinion, so that people with lesser horses don't feel obligated to ship them [out of state].” Schmitt said, “I think that we need to take a look at what happened this year in California. I know that the handle was up somewhat in Southern California. But if you look at the total state, there was no handle in Northern California. [Statewide] handle is way down by almost all the money that has been typically bet in Northern California at the fair races. “I'll be back. I am working with significant sponsors for horse racing in Northern California. I am working with five county fairs. You all know Sacramento has destroyed their track and has decided they'll never run again. But there still are five racecourses and county fairs that are willing to run. I'm trying to get them all together. I hope to have everything done by the end of this month, and be with you next month requesting dates for the county fairs in the North again… “I know everybody's going to say, 'Where's the money coming from?'” Schmitt said. “Well, I don't think I need to do more than tell you I have the money, and I will do that before I come before you. I still have significant amounts of money in Bernal Park Racing, because John and I put it in, and it's just sitting there… “Let's figure out how to get this industry working all over the state of California again,” Schmitt said. The approved 2026 calendar is below, listed in blocks of dates and not actual racing days. Santa Anita: Dec. 17, 2025-June 16, 2026. LA County Fair at Los Alamitos: June 17-July 7 Del Mar: July 8-Sept. 8 Los Alamitos: Sept. 9-22 Santa Anita: Sept. 23-Nov. 3 Del Mar: Nov. 4-Dec. 1 Los Alamitos: Dec. 2-15 CHRB vice chair Oscar Gonzales and commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Brenda Washington Davis and Peter Stern all voted in favor of the 2026 dates package. CHRB chairman Gregory Ferraro, DVM, and commissioners Thomas Hudnut and Damascus Castellanos were not present at the meeting. The post With California Down To a Single Circuit, ’26 Dates Allotment Sails Through CHRB appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chris Waller will launch a three-pronged attack in the AU$20 million The Everest Oct. 18 at Randwick Racecourse, with the champion trainer's focus not only on his own runners but also on how they measure up against the Hong Kong superstar.View the full article

A memorial service honoring veteran horseman Al Pike will be held at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19 at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Lexington, Kentucky. A reception will follow. Pike, a perennial leading 2-year-old consignor and pinhooker, passed away on July 26, 2025 at the age of 70 after a battle with cancer. Those wishing to speak in memory of Pike at the service are asked to contact Mark Toothaker at 859-421-0151. The post Al Pike Memorial Sunday at Fasig-Tipton appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Precious Dixie (Bernardini), the dam of leading GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hopeful Final Score (Not This Time), is one of two new supplements to the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale to be held Tuesday, Nov. 4 in Lexington. Consigned to the sale by Taylor Made, the 11-year-old mare is offered in foal to Muth and is a daughter of the Grade II-winning and Grade I-placed turf distaffer Princess Haya (Street Cry {Ire}), herself the dam of GSW & GISP Lady Kate (Bernardini) and of the Irish Group 2-placed $1.8-million Keeneland September grad Bernard Shaw (Into Mischief). In his two most recent trips to the post, Repole Stables' Final Score won the Aug. 28 GIII With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga and the GII Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland Oct. 5. Also added to the sale is Singsational (Audible), whose half-brother Mad House (Vekoma) won the GII Gallant Bob Stakes at Parx on Sept. 20 and is a candidate for the GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint. Singsational is consigned by Baldwin Bloodstock, agent. Keeneland will accept supplemental entries to Book 1 right up until the start of its November Sale. A total of 3,084 horses are catalogued for the auction, which will take place over eight sessions through Tuesday, Nov. 11. The Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale is set for Wednesday, Nov. 12. The post Dam Of BC Juvenile Turf Hopeful Final Score Supplemented To Keeneland November appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dr. Kapur (c, 2, McKinzie–Ava's Kitten, by Kitten's Joy), a game second, beaten just a neck, after setting a fast pace in the Travers Day maiden at Saratoga Aug. 23, ran to the money as the 4-5 favorite with a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' performance at Keeneland Thursday. The Ken Ramsey homebred was hustled to the front from his outside draw, but was immediately hounded to his inside through an opening quarter in :22.47. He began to get some breathing room on the far turn, kicked for home as the one to catch and leveled off nicely in the stretch while kept to task by Irad Ortiz, Jr. to graduate with authority by 2 3/4 lengths. Chip Honcho (Connect) was second. The final time for seven furlongs was 1:23.71. Highlighted in our 'Second Chances' series, Dr. Kapur is named after the surgeon who performed Ramsey's kidney transplant last year. Dr. Kapur is the fourth 'Rising Star' for Gainesway sophomore sire McKinzie and is out of Ramsey's stakes-winning and graded-placed homebred Ava's Kitten (Kitten's Joy). Ava's Kitten made all 13 of her career starts on grass and her full-brother Real Solution carried Ramsey's famed red-and-white silks to wins in two of the top grass stakes in the country, the GI Arlington Million and GI Manhattan S. Ramsey also bred and raced Dr. Kapur's broodmare sire, the late champion grass horse and perennial leading sire Kitten's Joy. Ava's Kitten is also represented by a yearling colt by Not This Time ($400,000 purchase by Repole Stable at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga) and an Essential Quality colt of this year. She was bred back to American Pharoah. 6th-Keeneland, $110,000, Msw, 10-16, 2yo, 7f, 1:23.71, ft, 2 3/4 lengths. DR. KAPUR, c, 2, by McKinzie 1st Dam: Ava's Kitten (SW & GSP, $279,771), by Kitten's Joy 2nd Dam: Reachfortheheavens, by Pulpit 3rd Dam: Reach, by Dynaformer Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $85,643. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Kenneth L. Ramsey; B-Kenneth L. & Sarah K. Ramsey (KY); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. Dr. Kapur is much the best in race 6, followed by #2 Chip Honcho and #6 Fuzzbuster pic.twitter.com/cEuSVSKG0w — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) October 16, 2025 The post McKinzie’s Dr. Kapur Earns ‘Rising Star’ Honors Second Out at Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Edited Press Release The catalogue for the second Keeneland Championship Sale, to be held in the Del Mar paddock the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 29, is now available for viewing by clicking here. The sale features a curated selection of elite racehorses, breeding stock, stallion shares and breeding rights. The live auction for the Championship Sale will commence at 6:30 p.m. Pacific time. Attendance is by invitation only, with bidding available in-person, online and by phone. The auction's interactive catalog–featuring photos, videos, speed figures and detailed information about each entry–is available at Championship.Keeneland.com. The Championship Sale features these offerings: Lifetime breeding right to millionaire and Grade 1 winner Constitution, sire of multiple Grade I winner and GI Breeders' Cup Classic candidate Mindframe, exciting young sire Tiz the Law and others. The leading son of Tapit at stud, Constitution stands at WinStar Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. Randy Gullatt consigns the lifetime breeding right. Stallion share in GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner and $4.5 million earner Life Is Good, who also stands at WinStar. The multiple Grade I-winning son of Into Mischief was represented by his first crop of yearlings at Keeneland's recent September Yearling Sale, where they commanded prices of $1.25 million, $1.025 million, $725,000, $700,000, etc. The 2.5% fractional interest is consigned by Christie DeBernardis, agent. Stallion share in Mindframe, multiple Grade 1 winner and leading contender for the Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 1. He is scheduled to enter stud at historic Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky, in 2026. The 2% fractional interest is consigned by Claiborne Farm, agent. Stallion share in Not This Time, which includes the income associated with this share from his 2025 breeding season. Already the sire of nine Grade I winners, he is the leading sire of black-type winners in 2025 with 22 and second by graded stakes winners with 12. He stands at Taylor Made Stallions in Nicholasville, Kentucky. The 2% fractional interest is consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent. Lifetime breeding right to leading sire, champion and GI Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, who stands at Darley in Lexington. He leads all sires with 10 Grade I performers in 2025 including Cavalieri, Argos and Velocity. Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, agent consigns the lifetime breeding right. 20% ownership interest in 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna, now retired to Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa. In three racing seasons, Thorpedo Anna won 12 races in 16 starts, including the 2024 GI Breeders' Cup Distaff among 10 graded stakes, and earned $5.4 million. Out of the Uncle Mo mare Sataves, she is from the family of Grade/Group 1 winners Eskendereya and Balmont. The 20% fractional interest is consigned by McPeek Racing Stables, agent for Richard M. Edwards. 25% ownership interest in Bentornato (Valiant Minister), a leading candidate for the GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint. Never off the board in 10 career starts, the six-time winner has earned more than $1.2 million. A narrow second in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar last year as a 3-year-old, Bentornato enters this year's championships off a career-best 5 1/4-length victory at Churchill Downs. Jose D'Angelo, agent, is consigning the 25% fractional interest. The post Keeneland Championship Sale Catalogue Online appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Half Yours has drawn barrier 2 for the Oct. 18 Caulfield Cup (G1), a result the Tony and Calvin McEvoy team say will allow the stayer to settle and obtain an economical run.View the full article

Off since November 2024, 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' With the Angels (Omaha Beach) returned to the track Thursday with a win at Aqueduct against allowance horses. Sidelined for much of the year after winning each of her first four starts including three straight stakes races as a juvenile, the New York-bred filly faced open company for the first time and came from off the pace to win going away under Flavien Prat. Lifetime Record: 5-5-0-0. O-Winning Move Stable, Oxley, John C., Lady Sheila Stable, Rideau Racers LLC and Sanford H. Robbins LLC; B-Joseph DeRico (NY); T-Linda Rice. Sales History: $65,000 ylg '23 SARAUG, $350,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Welcome back, champ! With the Angels, bred by Joseph DeRico and foaled at River Valley, coasts out of traffic to take her sophomore debut. Prat aboard the unbeaten #NYbred for @LindaRiceRacing, Winning Move, John Oxley, @Lady__Sheila, Rideau Racers, and Sanford Robbins. pic.twitter.com/WCC4eOiAil — NYTB (@nytbreeders) October 16, 2025 The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ With The Angels Returns A Winner In 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

3rd-Keeneland, $110,000, Msw, 10-16, 2yo, 7f, 1:23.84, ft, 3 lengths. CONFESSIONAL (c, 2, Essential Quality–Speedy Vanessa, by American Pharoah) outran his 12-1 odds to graduate first out Thursday and become the 10th winner for his freshman sire (by Tapit). Wide of the speed from his outer draw, he stalked just off frontrunning Grand Slam Sam (American Pharoah) past the half-mile pole. Pushing past that rival into the stretch, he opened up three lengths to the wire. 'Insight' runners Colossus (Constitution) and Our Forefathers (Constitution) finished sixth and eighth respectively. Speedy Vanessa, purchased for $280,000 at KEENOV last year in foal to Yaupon, is a half-sister to GI Central Bank Ashland winner Karlovy Vary (Dynaformer), herself the dam of MGSW/MGISP Mean Mary (Scat Daddy) and GSW/GISP Bye Bye Melvin (Uncle Mo). The Yaupon filly she produced this year will return to the KEENOV ring next month while Speedy Vanessa is due back to Life Is Good. Sales History: $160,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $63,085. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Steve Landers Racing LLC; B-Breed First LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. #10 Confessional takes race 3 with Axel Concepcion aboard, # 11 Grand Slam Sam and #1 Corona de Oro follow pic.twitter.com/VsJLaqcFKb — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) October 16, 2025 The post Confessional A Debut Winner At Keeneland For Essential Quality appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two 3-year-old sprinters close behind Patch Adams in Aug. 23 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1)—runner-up Captain Cook and third-place Barnes—compete Oct. 18 against four other 3-year-olds in the Perryville Stakes (G3) at Keeneland. View the full article

Canadian classic winners Mansetti and Runaway Again meet for round three when they square off in the CA$150,000 Ontario Derby (G3) Oct. 18 at Woodbine. View the full article

Blue Grass Farms Charities (BGFC) sixth annual Relics and Rarities from the Bluegrass Region online auction will begin at noon ET Oct. 23 and run until 7:00 p.m. ET Oct. 26 with a preview starting Oct. 16 which will showcase halters worn by top Thoroughbreds, Kentucky Bourbon and other unique items, the organization said in a press release on Thursday. “We are excited about the items for this year's auction, but most especially sterling silver bracelets made with horsehair from seven amazing Thoroughbreds,” said BGFC Executive Director Julie Kwasniewski. “Bracelets were made by local jeweler Beth Johnson, of Paris, Kentucky, using hair from Cody's Wish, Goodnight Olive, Gun Runner, Rachel Alexandra, Silver Charm, Tapit and Zenyatta.” According to the release, Godolphin will serve as this year's presenting sponsor. Auction proceeds will be used for the charity's annual 'Festival of Christmas' which is Dec. 3. Click here to access the auction items. The post BGFC Relics And Rarities Auction For Charity Starts Oct. 23 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The announcement of the pre-entered fields for the 2025 Breeders' Cup World Championships will be broadcast live on FanDuel TV Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 9 a.m. Pacific time (12 p.m. ET) and will also be streamed live at www.breederscup.com. The list of the pre-entered fields will also be available on the Breeders' Cup mobile app, Facebook, X and YouTube. Pre-entry is the first of a two-step process for all owners intending to start a contender in one of the 14 Breeders' Cup World Championships races. The entry stage then takes place on Monday, Oct. 27, when post positions are also drawn. The pre-entry announcement will be hosted by FDTV's Todd Schrupp and Christina Blacker. The Breeders' Cup will take place on Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1 at Del Mar. The post Breeders’ Cup Pre-Entries To Be Announced On FanDuel TV, Streamed Live on BC Website appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A new performance-based rating system for Thoroughbreds has been launched by Equibase to provide “more options for tracks to consider when developing race conditions,” the company said in a release Thursday. The first such race using the Equibase rating will be contested at Santa Anita on Friday, Oct. 24. The Equibase rating provides an algorithmically generated predictive performance score based solely on race outcomes and measurable factors such as speed, race strength, track conditions, and trip factors and was developed with the input of industry stakeholders with the goal of simplifying conditions, improving race competitiveness, and creating larger fields. “This has been a truly collaborative effort to improve race competitiveness and give horsemen additional options to complement claiming, especially for horses that have run through their conditions,” said Kyle McDoniel, president and COO for Equibase. “We are happy to partner with 1/ST to card the first race at Santa Anita and are excited about the interest already being generated by the new rating. I'd like to thank all of the participants in our various advisory groups who provided input from perspectives of racing offices, owners, trainers, breeders, and handicappers as well as other jurisdictions outside of the U.S.” “As we've seen in international racing, a rating system provides horsemen and women more clarity in selecting a race for their horses,” said Aidan Butler, President of 1/ST. “Currently, the closest comparable option only exists with claiming races, whereas if you want a horse to run with others of similar class, you have to put them up for sale, which is counter-productive to owners and trainers investing long-term in their horses. We believe the introduction of the rating system to U.S. racing will translate to horses running more often, leading to larger fields with increased wagering opportunities for our horseplayers.” The Equibase Rating is calculated through an algorithm that factors in race records, performance analytics and historical data from racetracks. It is different from the Equibase Speed Figure, which measures how fast a horse has been running in its past races with a single number and is based on the horse's actual time in combination with the condition of the track. The Equibase Rating will be incorporated into racetrack condition books for race planning and are available on equibase.com next to the horse's name in entries, statistical profiles, and past performances. More information on the Equibase Rating can be found here. The post Equibase Launches New Rating System, First Race Carded Oct. 24 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article