Wandering Eyes

David Eustace scores his first three-timer. Photo: HKJC Continuing a prodigious rise among Hong Kong’s training ranks, David Eustace celebrated the first treble of his career in the city on Sunday afternoon at Sha Tin following the victories of Regency Happy Star, Good Luck Babe and Sea Sapphire. “I thought we were coming here with a strong team and probably our first three runners proved that with two winners and a second. This is a nice surprise. They’ve all raced well and consistent, so it’s very pleasing,” Eustace said. Enjoying a rewarding first campaign in Hong Kong with 23 wins, Eustace, 32, – formerly in partnership with Ciaron Maher in Australia – struck initially with Regency Happy Star in the Class 5 Chung Chi Alumni Handicap (1400m) under Alexis Badel. Eustace said: “He’s had a terrific season – just gaining confidence and relaxing very well now in his races. Obviously, the distance and the track is perfect for him and he’s been ridden beautifully by Alexis. It’s going to start to get a bit tougher, but hopefully we can have one more go in Class 5. I think we probably should for one more run.” Regency Happy Star has won three of his last five starts. Good Luck Babe outlasted rivals in the Class 4 United Alumni Handicap (1600m) under Karis Teetan, while Sea Sapphire (118lb) showed plenty of fight to capture the Class 4 CUHK Alumni Cup Handicap (1200m) with Ben Thompson over debut winner Akashvani (135lb). Eustace’s previous best Hong Kong hauls were two doubles, while Teetan’s own treble began aboard Top Throne, who made his second start a winning one for trainer David Hayes in the second section of the Class 4 New Asia Alumni Handicap (1200m). “He ran great in his first run. He actually did many things wrong but to still run where he ran was a great effort and we thought he would always improve from that, which he did,” Teetan said. Teetan closed his three as youngster Mr Cool surged to a first victory at his second start in the Class 4 Morningside Alumni Handicap (1400m) for trainer Frankie Lor. The Maurice gelding races for the same owner as former Group 1 star Mr Stunning. “Things have been a bit slow but I just kept my head down and kept punching along. I thought I had a few decent rides today and some of the draws went my way, too. “It’s turned out to be a great day. I said to the owner ‘this is one of my favourite set of silks’ in Hong Kong because of Mr Stunning. On debut at Happy Valley, he just didn’t know where he was but he ran a great race and we knew he would improve a lot. “You could see today, not many horses won from where he was but the speed was on and I was happy where I was. When I asked him, he really responded well and I just want to say well done to the connections and well done to all the trainers sticking with me and giving me support – I really appreciate it,” Teetan said. One of Hong Kong racing’s most dependable performers, Voyage Samurai (121lb) added a fifth win at his 13th start to his burgeoning record this afternoon in the Class 2 Faculty Of Education Alumni Handicap (1600m) under Derek Leung for Lor. Pressing forward atop the Dissident gelding, Leung made all for victory in the HK$3.12 million contest with Voyage Samurai, who stopped the clock at 1m 34.78s ahead of Helene Feeling (135lb) and Winning Dragon (125lb), respectively. Leung said: “Finally, I got another win on him! He’s been very honest this season and even before. He was just beaten last time by a better horse, this time the field didn’t seem as strong. He controlled the pace and he didn’t mind the fast tempo – I’m happy.” Sky Jewellery – touted as a 2026 Four-Year-Old Classic Series prospect – continued his sparkling ascendance with a dominant victory in the Class 3 Wu Yee Sun And Lee Woo Sing Alumni Handicap (1600m) under Hugh Bowman for trainer John Size. Bowman said: “He’s a nice horse. He’s still learning his trade though but he was aided by a really solidly run mile. When he got in amongst horses, that was the first time he’s had that, he was a bit new to it but he had time to get himself together and understand what was going on. “I had a clear passage when I needed to move and I had time to get him organised before I let him down and the response was there for everyone to see.” Geneva scooped a third win this season from six runs. David Hall’s Capitalist gelding was the beneficiary of a superb Brenton Avdulla drive in the Class 3 Shaw Alumni Handicap (1200m) – his first success in the grade at his 10th start. Avdulla savoured a double when Brilliant Express – also trained by Size – netted his third win in the Class 3 S.H. Ho And CW Chu Alumni Handicap (1400m). Avdulla now has 36 triumphs this season and holds fourth place in the Hong Kong jockeys’ standings. Jerry Chau guided Embellish gelding Chateau Le Peche to a first win by a short head for trainer Jimmy Ting in the Class 5 Graduate School Alumni Handicap (2000m). Horse racing news View the full article

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Godolphin homebred Verity aced were first stakes test April 6 when she rolled to a 5 1/4-length win in the $365,000 Beaumont Stakes at Keeneland.View the full article

Three juveniles shared the fastest furlong time of :9 4/5 during the first session of the under-tack show for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training Sunday. A filly by Upstart (hip 75) was first to hit the bullet mark just minutes into the day's session. The dark bay is out of Lovely Marissa (Proud Citizen), a daughter of Grade I-placed Valiant Passion (Lion Heart) and a half-sister to graded-placed Nasty (Street Sense). She was consigned by Grassroots Training & Sales, which acquired her for $60,000 at last year's OBS October sale. “She's been a really nice filly all year, we expected her to do well,” said David McKathan of Grassroots Training and Sales. “She prepped well, so we're very happy with her. Physically, she's everything you want to look at when you look at a horse. She's very well balanced, she's just beautiful. She's been showing us all year that she's got ability.” A few minutes later, a colt by Shancelot (hip 70) turned in his bullet drill for the Top Line Sales consignment. The juvenile was bred by Chief Stipe Arnold. “I felt like the horse was fast, but this was beyond expectations,” Arnold admitted Sunday evening. Arnold purchased the colt's unraced dam Loteria (Nyquist) from Godolphin for $11,000 at the 2022 Keeneland January sale. The 5-year-old mare is a full-sister to stakes-placed Snead and is out of Raffle Ticket (A.P. Indy) a full-sister to champion Bernardini. “I liked everything about the mare,” Arnold said. “She is by Nyquist out of a full-sister to Bernardini. I was hoping I got a bargain.” While Arnold often sells his foals as yearlings, he kept this Apr. 26 foal for the 2-year-old sales. “He was a late foal and kind of a late bloomer,” Arnold said of the colt. “I loved him from the start. We've liked him a lot.” The 2-year-old colt is Loteria's first foal and she produced a full-brother last year before being bred back to Speaker's Corner. “Shancelot's first runners are three now and one thing I've noticed about all of the horses I've seen of his is that they all look extremely fast,” Arnold said. “It manifests in different ways, but they all have it. And a horse that has that is bound to have a freak.” Completing the trio of bullet workers was a colt from the first crop of multiple graded stakes winner By My Standards (Goldencents) (hip 134). He is out of the unraced Momento (Nyquist), a daughter of multiple stakes winner Martha's Moon (Malibu Moon) and is consigned by AVP Training and Sales. A $9,500 purchase by Ramiro Salazar at the 2023 Keeneland November sale, the colt RNA'd for $19,000 at the 2024 OBS Winter sale. A pair of juveniles shared Sunday's fastest quarter-mile work of :20 3/5. Hoppel LLC sent out a colt by Mendelssohn (hip 123) to set the bullet mark. The bay colt is out of Marvelous Spot (Archarcharch), a daughter of stakes winner and multiple Grade I-placed In Her Glory (Miswaki). Bred by Machmer Hall, the colt RNA'd for $32,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton October sale. A filly by Battalion Runner (hip 163), consigned by Ortega Stables, also worked a quarter in :20 3/5 Sunday. The bay is out of Miss Monk (Blame), a half-sister to Grade I winner Wicked Strong (Hard Spun), and was purchased in utero for $12,000 at the 2023 OBS Winter sale. She was bred by Sherry Mansfield and Kenneth Davis. 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. Bidding commences each day at 10:30 a.m. The post Trio Share Furlong Bullet at OBS Under-Tack Show Sunday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Making a statement down the Santa Anita strip, Goal Oriented (Not This Time–Bizzy Caroline, by Afleet Alex) broke his maiden at first asking and in the process earned a 'TDN Rising Star' on Sunday afternoon. The even-money favorite was off a touch slow, which put the colt towards the rear of the field up the backstretch. Motoring around the far turn though, the 3-year-old had the gears to spare. Goal Oriented hit the accererator and won over fellow firster Train the Trainer (Dialed In). The final running time was 1:10.1. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. Sales History: $425,000 '23 KEESEP. O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Masterson, Robert E., Ryan, Tom J., Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine; B-Runnymede Farm LLC & CWC Investment 2, LLC; T-Bob Baffert. He sure was GOAL ORIENTED ($4.20)! The debuting colt by Not This Time (@TMStallions) came from off the pace in the 7th at @SantaAnitaPark under @JJHernandezS19. @BobBaffert conditions the three-year-old. Can you hit the Late Pick 5: https://t.co/5VcRa4VxbO pic.twitter.com/EBAkit4nR1 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 6, 2025 The post Not This Time’s Goal Oriented Ticks Maiden Box At Santa Anita, Earns ‘TDN Rising Star’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dog Penalties HOMEBUSH HEAVEN | Christchurch 4 April; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. QUEEN OF NILE | Wanganui 6 April; failed to pursue the lure; stood down for 28 days (Wanganui straight track) and must complete trial. The post 31 March – 6 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Driver Penalties H Sail | Timaru 2 April; careless driving; suspended 7-11 April inclusive. K Larsen | Invercargill 3 April; careless driving; fined $250. E Barron | Invercargill 3 April; careless driving; fined $350. C Alford | Waikato Bay of Plenty 4 April; use of whip; suspended 14-19 April inclusive and fined $500. M Purdon | Waikato Bay of Plenty 4 April; use of whip; suspended 23 April – 16 May inclusive and fined $1,600. N Balle | Waikato Bay of Plenty 4 April; use of whip; suspended 5-22 April inclusive. J Dunn | NZ Metropolitan 4 April; careless driving; fined $250. P Nairn | NZ Metropolitan 4 April; came to barrier in incorrect position; fined $100. S Abernethy | Manawatu 1 April (heard Manawatu 6 April); careless driving; fined $250. J Dunn | Cheviot 6 April; use of whip; fined $400. H Sail | Cheviot 6 April; careless driving; suspended 12-21 April inclusive. Z Meredith | Non-raceday dated 31 March; failed to provide urine sample and supplied false and misleading information; suspended 7 February – 6 October inclusive and fined $2,500. Trainer Penalties P & V Blanchard | Waikato Bay of Plenty 4 April; incorrect gear; fined $100. B Negus | Cheviot 6 April; incorrect gear; fined $200. M & N Purdon | Cheviot 6 April; incorrect gear; fined $100. B Negus | Non-raceday dated 21 March; had prohibited substance in Out of Competition sample; fined $5,300 and costs of $105,000. Horse Penalties MR MONTY | Manawatu 1 April; broke in running; must complete trial. SWEET OLIVIA | Manawatu 1 April; broke in running; must complete trial. PHANTOM SPUR | Timaru 2 April; broke in running; must complete trial. SANTA CRUZ | Timaru 2 April; flexor tendon injury; veterinary clearance required. PRINCE RANIER | Timaru 2 April; broke in running; must complete trial. DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER | Waikato Bay of Plenty 4 April; bled; stood down for 30 days and must complete trial with veterinary clearance including endoscopic examination required. DAISY DIANA | NZ Metropolitan 4 April; failed to score up; must complete mobile start trial. ENZO | Manawatu 6 April; broke in running; must complete trial. Protest DAISY DIANA | NZ Metropolitan 4 April; late scratching after displaying unsatisfactory manners prior to start. The post 31 March – 6 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Normandy Coast skipped over the sloppy track in the $300,000 Palisades Stakes at Keeneland April 6, taking full advantage of the 5 1/2 furlong sprint being taken off the turf, winning by 3 1/2 lengths over the filly Long Neck Paula. View the full article

The on-track attendance, bolstered by a big turnout for the Derby Day 5K who stayed for the races, was 34,312, a 7% jump. It was the largest turnout for Santa Anita Derby day since 2018. View the full article

Godolphin homebred Verity (f, 3, Nyquist–Moiety, by Bernardini) put pacesetting Stunner (Girvin) away in upper stretch and drew clear to an authoritative victory in the GII Middleground Capital Beaumont Stakes at Keeneland Sunday. The 6-1 shot attended the pace through fractions of :22.22 and :44.89. She engaged the leader at the top of the lane and put the matter to rest in just a few strides, powering home much the best and completing the seven furlongs in 1:27.18. A narrowly beaten second in her lone previous start over conventional dirt in her Dec. 1 debut at Churchill Downs, Verity graduated over the all-weather at Turfway Jan. 23 and added a six-furlong optional claimer tally in Florence last time out Mar. 6. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0. O/B-Godolphin (Ky). T-Eoin Harty. #6 VERITY ($14.26) relished the slop in the $400,000 Beaumont Stakes (G2) at @KeenelandRacing. The @Godolphin homebred was ridden by @VCheminaud for trainer Eoin Harty. The three-year-old Nyquist (@DarleyAmerica) filly has won three in a row. pic.twitter.com/Gxn79NYYIa — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 6, 2025 The post Godolphin’s Verity Dominates Beaumont Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rider Penalties N Yuen | Auckland 2 April; careless riding; suspended 10-17 April inclusive. B May | Ashburton 3 April; careless riding; suspended 7-17 April inclusive. U Holmquist | Ashburton 3 April; careless riding; suspended 14-23 April inclusive. L Hemi | Ashburton 3 April; use of whip; fined $500. R Beeharry | Ashburton 3 April; use of whip; fined $400. S Fannin | Waverley 4 April; use of whip; fined $150. A Lawson-Carroll | Auckland 5 April; careless riding; suspended 14-25 April inclusive. T Newman | Auckland 5 April; careless riding; suspended 14-26 April inclusive. T Mitchell | Auckland 5 April; careless riding; suspended 14-21 April inclusive. C Grylls | Wanganui 5 April; careless riding; suspended 14-23 April inclusive. H Grace | Wanganui 5 April; use of whip; suspended 15-23 April inclusive. T Davies | Wanganui 5 April; medical clearance required. Trainer Penalties J Malcolm | Non-raceday dated 3 April; breach of NZTR Welfare Standards; disqualified for life and costs of $59,347. R Malcolm | Non-raceday dated 22 October; breach of NZTR Welfare Standards; disqualified 28 October 2024 – 27 April 2025 inclusive and costs of $8,550. Horse Penalties FLASH EFFECT | Auckland 2 April; late scratching after refusing to parade to start; must complete trial. UNDERLINE | Waverley 4 April; late scratching after refusing to parade to start; must complete trial. LATRELLE | Auckland 5 April; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. ILLUSION OF PARIS | Wanganui 5 April; late scratching after dislodging rider during preliminary; must complete trial. Protest ERIN GO BRAGH | Auckland 5 April; caused interference; relegated from 1st to 2nd. The post 31 March – 6 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

There are three horse racing meetings set for Australia on Monday, April 7. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Donald. Monday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – April 7, 2025 Donald 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 7, 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

Normandy Coast, cutting back in distance after being eased in the one-mile GIII Gotham Stakes last time out and missing out on his turf debut when this came off the lawn, skipped home a convincing winner of the Palisades Stakes at Keeneland Sunday. The 5-2 shot tracked favored Long Neck Paula, cut the corner to take the lead into the stretch and strode home 3 1/2 lengths in front. “We were actually praying for rain this week, so that happened for us. We wanted to run him on the dirt here and it worked out perfectly,” admitted winning trainer Eddie Kenneally. “He got a beautiful ride. Very happy.” Of his trip, jockey Ben Curtis, who was winning his first stakes race at Keeneland, added, “The horse in front was just getting out a little bit off the rail, and I knew [my horse] stayed very well, so I knew stamina wasn't going to be a problem. So when the opportunity presented itself, I said, 'Perfect, we'll take the shortest way around,' and he went to the front and kept going. That's all you can ask of him.” Enjoying his first stakes win at the Keeneland racetrack, Curtis said, “It's brilliant. I've only ever been here once, for one day, so to start the meet out like this, and also for Eddie as well–I've known Eddie for years. It's great that he's put me up on a lot of horses and I've had a good few winners, but I think this is the biggest of them, so yeah, absolutely fantastic.” Normandy Coast, a maiden winner at Ellis Park last July, returned from six months on the sidelines to win a six-furlong optional claimer at Fair Grounds Jan. 11. He rushed up into contention after stumbling at the break of the Mar. 1 Gotham Stakes before being eased under the wire. Looking ahead for the winner, Kenneally said, “We tried the mile last time in New York. He probably doesn't stay that far. I think we'll be looking at the rest of the sprint dirt 3-year-old stakes going forward for the spring and summer.” Normandy Coast is the last foal out of Alliteration, who died last year. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. PALISADES S., $300,000, Keeneland, 4-6, 3yo, 5 1/2f (off turf), 1:04.35, sy. 1–NORMANDY COAST, 118, c, 3, by Omaha Beach 1st Dam: Alliteration, by Congrats 2nd Dam: Royal Card, by Chapel Royal 3rd Dam: Showmethegreencard, by De Niro ($60,000 Ylg '23 FTKOCT). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Red Gate Racing; B-Haymarket Farm LLC (KY); T-Eddie Kenneally; J-Ben Curtis. $183,675. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-0, $269,525. 2–Long Neck Paula, 113, f, 3, Uncle Mo–Take Charge Paula, by Take Charge Indy. ($325,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $500,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR). O-Will Stroud & Debra O'Connor; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Wesley A. Ward. $59,250. 3–Killjoy, 118, g, 3, Caravaggio–Sally Dangles, by More Than Ready. ($24,000 RNA Ylg '23 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Foster Family Racing, Wargel, William J. and R.K. Eckrich Racing LLC; B-Davant Latham (KY); T-Eric N. Foster. $29,625. Margins: 3HF, 7 3/4, 1. Odds: 2.62, 1.36, 16.71. Also Ran: Flat to Da Mat, Turbulent Force, Brie's in Town. Scratched: Absolutely Hot, Dreamaway, Makeit to Cheyenne, Out On Bail, Warheart. #3 NORMANDY COAST ($7.24) splashes to victory in the $300,000 Palisades Stakes at @KeenelandRacing. This is the first stakes win for the three-year-old Omaha Beach (@SpendthriftFarm) colt. @_benacurtis was aboard for trainer @kenneallyracing. pic.twitter.com/lyAJMUuAFY — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 6, 2025 The post Omaha Beach’s Normandy Coast Splashes Home First in Palisades appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Monday's Observations features a notable newcomer for the Gosdens. 5.25 Kempton, Mdn, £8,000, 3yo/up, 8f (AWT) ERNST BLOFELD (IRE) (Frankel {GB}) is a notable newcomer for John and Thady Gosden at a track at which they have introduced some smart types, being White Birch Farm's homebred son of the GII Ballston Spa and GII Canadian Stakes winner and multiple grade I-placed Quidura (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). He has a potentially smart yardstick to aim at in Rabbah Racing's Southwell runner-up Dixieland Blues (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), a Simon and Ed Crisford-trained half-brother to the yard's dual group 2 scorer Jadoomi (Fr) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). 6.00 Kempton, Mdn, £8,000, 3yo/up, 8f (AWT) MISTER RIZZ (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) debuts for TBT Racing, having needed time to mature for Ed Walker after his 425,000gns purchase at the 2023 Tattersalls October Book 1 Sale. The first foal of the G2 Ribblesdale Stakes winner and Oaks third Frankly Darling (GB) (Frankel {GB}), he encounters another newcomer in Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum's Arabian Force (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), a William Haggas-trained relative of the high-class Rizeena (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Summer Romance (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). The post Frankel’s Son of Quidura Debuts for White Birch appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bellagio Opera ended a year-long win drought with a repeat victory in the Osaka Hai (G1) April 6 at Hanshin Racecourse.View the full article

The $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2) saw its 100th running won by the talented Rodriguez for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert April 5, providing his 10 owners with their third likely contender for the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

Pleasant Acres Stallions' Leinster got his stallion career off to a quick start April 6 as his 2-year-old filly, Lennilu, took the opening race of Keeneland's spring meet, a 4 1/2-furlong maiden race.View the full article

Journalism rallied to win the Santa Anita Derby (G1) by three-quarters of a length after encountering trouble near the eighth pole. He was forced to check near the three-eighths pole, but quickly regrouped and gamely ran down a stubborn Baeza.View the full article

Saturday's Santa Anita Derby day showed large increases over 2024 with the all sources handle totaling $22,388,003 and wagering on just the marquee race up by nearly 24 per cent, according to a press release by the track. Bolstered by a big turnout from the Derby Day 5K, the on-track attendance came in at 34,312, a seven per cent jump from last season. It was the largest turnout since 2018. Both the all sources handle and on track attendance are expected to finish the Classic Meet Sunday up by noteworthy margins from last year. Mark Glatt, Juan Hernandez Clinch Respective Titles With one day remaining in the Classic Meet, Mark Glatt has claimed the leading trainer title while Juan Hernandez claimed his eighth riding title at Santa Anita. Glatt entered Sunday with 30 wins from 118 starters–a 25% strike rate–and, with Bob Baffert only having three in on the final day, will claim the training crown via a five-win margin over that runner-up. The win here is Glatt's second trainer title at the Great RIP. Juan Hernandez rode 50 winners from 224 mounts (22% win rate), clinching the leading rider title from Flavien Prat in second–who did not have mounts on Sunday–and enjoying a 12-win margin over Umberto Rispoli in third. Hernandez has 10 rides on Sunday and Rispoli has a call on six. This is the eighth jockey title at Santa Anita for Hernandez. Saturday was Hernandez's most lucrative day of the meeting with the rider carrying his momentum to victory in three of five stakes races, including the GII Santa Anita Oaks, GIII Monrovia Stakes, and the Listed Echo Eddie Stakes for three different trainers. The post Santa Anita Derby Handle and Attendance Post Gains; Titles for Classic Meet Awarded appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Journalism (Curlin) has emerged from Saturday's GI Santa Anita Derby victory in good form and as the 2025 GI Kentucky Derby favorite. Having recovered from trouble near the eighth pole and checking near the three-eighths, the son of Classic sire Curlin rallied down the lane to overhaul Baeza (McKinzie) and collect the coveted 100 points to the Derby. The effort garnered a 102 Beyer speed figure. “I thought he showed a lot of poise being down inside,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “He had to kind of bide his time and wait for a seam to get through. As I said yesterday, he is amenable to whatever Umberto [Rispoli] asks of him.” McCarthy added that Journalism would enjoy 'a couple of easy days' before starting back at the end of the week. With less than four weeks to the first Saturday in May, a timeline for when he will ship to Churchill Downs remains to be determined. “We'll see. We're going to watch the weather and come up with a game plan. We'll get with everybody and see what we think is best for him.” The post Journalism ‘All Good’ After Santa Anita Derby Score appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-KEE, $110K, Msw, 3yo, f, 6f, 3:08 p.m. ET. Sprinting over the main track is first timer MIDNIGHT MYTH (More Than Ready). The filly's ticket was taken home by Kerri Radcliffe for $550,000 at the Keeneland September Sale. Out of GII Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes heroine Fioretti (Bernardini), the Jose D'Angelo trainee hails from an extended female family which includes GISW Fault (Blame). TJCIS PPS 1st-KEE, $90K, Msw, 2yo, 4 1/2f, 1:00 p.m. ET. More first-crop sires will have their initial runners exit the Keeneland chute, as the 'baby races' continue on Monday. Monster and Chatterfield represent Leinster–who was on the receiving end of his first winner on Sunday–and Maxfield, respectively. TJCIS PPS The post Monday Insights: More Than Ready Filly Goes For D’Angelo At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Dane McLeod/Renee Geelen/TTR AusNZ The 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale saw fireworks on Day 1, with 10 standout yearlings reaching the coveted A$1 million mark, as eager buyers vied for their next star runner, fiercely competing to secure the finest offerings in the market. Lot 158 – Home Affairs (Aus) x Shout The Bar (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) (colt) – A$3,000,000 Adrian Bott, Gai Waterhouse and Kestrel Thoroughbreds stepped up in a big way on Day 1 of the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, opening the wallet to secure the first foal of Coolmore Stud's dual Group 1 winner Shout The Bar for A$3 million–the highest price of the sale so far. There was plenty of anticipation surrounding the Home Affairs colt, particularly given his dam was a A$2.7 million purchase by Tom Magnier at the 2022 Inglis Chairman's Sale. Sent to exciting first-season sire Home Affairs for her maiden mating, Shout The Bar has produced a headline act from the outset. Shout The Bar was a top-class mare in her own right, winning both the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes and the G1 Empire Rose Stakes. She hails from the same family as dual Group 1 winner Rangirangdoo (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) and the classy New Zealand three-year-old filly Satinka (NZ) (Stravinsky). Bott was full of praise for the colt and they are very familiar with the family. He said, “We knew the dam well, Shout The Bar–we trained her. She was an immense talent, incredibly tough horse, had a great constitution and a great mindset for racing. He looked very much in that mould, carried all those good qualities. Home Affairs was a star as well. As an individual himself, he was a lovely type.” When asked about the colt's temperament and how he paraded through the sale week, Bott was equally impressed. He added, “That really attracted us to him. We want to see him featuring early in the two-year-old races. He looks like he has plenty of scope and class to keep carrying on throughout his career. Obviously he was always a well-credentialled lot and was always going to be well sought after. He was on our radar for a long time.” Since producing this headline-making colt, Shout The Bar missed to Justify and I Am Invincible (Aus) in 2023 and was most recently covered by Justify again last year–this time to Southern Hemisphere time in America. At A Glance Ten yearlings broke the million-dollar barrier on Day 1 of the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale (compared to four on Day 1 last year) led by Lot 158 who made $3 million to the bid of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, and Kestrel Thoroughbreds near the end of the day. The Home Affairs (Aus) colt from Group 1 winner Shout The Bar (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) was sold by Coolmore Stud. The first day of selling benefited from the smaller, more selective catalogue with both the average and median up on 2024, however, the clearance rate was down from 82 per cent in 2024 at 79 per cent in 2025. Vendors gained in 2025 with the average price moving to A$488,798 (up from A$373,415 for Day 1 in 2024), while the median on the first day rose to A$375,000 (up from A$300,000 in 2024). With less lots catalogued on Day 1 of 2025 compared to 2024, the gross for the first session was slightly down at A$63,055,000 for 129 lots sold. Day 1 2024 saw 183 lots sell for a gross of A$68,335,000. The leading buyer by gross on the first day was Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, and Kestrel Thoroughbreds who bought seven yearlings for A$5.4 million at an average of A$776,400. They also purchased the most horses on Day 1, with Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock purchasing four, a figure matched by Shane McGrath Bloodstock and Clinton McDonald Racing. B2B Thoroughbreds purchased three lots in their own name and another in partnership. Arrowfield Stud was the leading vendor on the first day selling 16 yearlings for A$10.48 million, with Coolmore Stud coming in second selling 13 yearlings for A$9 million. Coolmore led on average at A$714,000. The top 10 lots were spread across seven different stallions, but it was no surprise to see Snitzel (Aus) as the leading stallion with two of the top three sales. On Day 1, 12 of his progeny sold for A$9 million at an impressive average of A$822,000, while I Am Invincible (Aus) was close behind with nine yearlings sold for an average of A$739,000. At the end of Day 1, first season sire Home Affairs (Aus) has the impressive achievement of having had the sale topper at both Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2025. With the sale topping yearling, Home Affairs (Aus) leads the first season sires after the first day with nine lots sold for A$4.7 million, averaging A$528,000. Lot 76 – Snitzel (Aus) x Ms Bad Behavior (Blame) (colt) – A$2,700,000 It was a long and spirited bidding duel with interest from all corners, but Coolmore Stud's Tom Magnier proved too strong, securing the standout Snitzel full brother to Switzerland (Aus) for A$2.7 million. Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott were the underbidders. The colt was one of two horses on Sunday to surpass the A$2 million mark. Consigned by Arrowfield Stud, Lot 76 is out of the Canadian-bred mare Ms Bad Behavior, a daughter of Blame who was imported to Australia by Arrowfield almost five years ago. She has quickly established herself as an elite broodmare, with her first foal being Switzerland–a A$1.5 million graduate of this sale in 2023. He's since become a star on the track, headlined by a career-defining victory in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, alongside multiple Group 2 wins, and is now set to join the Coolmore roster later this year. It's an impressive pedigree. Ms Bad Behavior was a dual stakes winner in America, claiming the G3 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Stakes and the Listed China Doll Stakes at Santa Anita. She was also multiple times Group and stakes-placed, and finished fourth in the G1 Del Mar Oaks. The second dam, Cumulonimble (Stormy Atlantic), was a stakes winner in her own right, while Ms Bad Behavior is a half-sister to American stakes winners Blessed Truly (Souper Speedy) and One Bad Boy (Twirling Candy). A full brother to Switzerland, Lot 76 (Snitzel x Ms Bad Behavior) from the @ArrowfieldStud draft sells for $2.7 million!!! Congratulations to @CoolmoreAus and @cwallerracing! What an exciting prospect. #InglisEaster pic.twitter.com/0MivL2nCem — Inglis (@inglis_sales) April 6, 2025 “We have had a lot of luck buying horses at this sale from Arrowfield,” said Magnier. “They have done a great job with their horses again and they're smart breeders. “We're obviously very excited that Switzerland will be going to stud this year. A lot of people have been enquiring about him going to stud at the moment. “He [Lot 76] was a lovely type. As I said, those Messaras know how to do it, so we have to go where you find oil drilled before. He is very much like his brother. He has a lot of quality and hopefully he can win a couple of races–he will be a very exciting horse.” Magnier added, “When there's a nice horse, all the good people are on them and it sometimes gives you the confidence to kick on as well. We are delighted the horse will go to Chris [Waller] and we will go from there.” Ms Bad Behavior has visited Snitzel every year since retiring to stud. Following this colt, she has produced another full brother and was served again by him last spring. Lot 16 – Snitzel (Aus) x La Mexicana (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) (colt) – A$1,700,000 It didn't take long for the first million-dollar yearling of the sale, with Lot 16, a strong Snitzel colt, being knocked down for A$1.7 million to James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership, Tony Fung Colts, and Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing. Offered by Segenhoe Stud, the colt is the first foal out of the talented race filly La Mexicana, a daughter of I Am Invincible who was a six-time winner on the track, including victories in the G3 Kevin Hayes Stakes and the Listed William Crockett Stakes. La Mexicana is out of Cailin Miss (Aus) (Domesday {Aus}), herself a winner of the Listed Oaklands Plate as a juvenile. She has produced four foals to race–all of them winners. “He's a lovely colt, the whole team just loved him,” said Harron. “He was one of the picks of the whole sale for us. He's a very forward horse and comes off one of the best nurseries in Segenhoe. He just paraded like a really good, forward, willing horse all week which really drew us all in. “She [La Mexicana] was really talented. I think she was probably even better than her record suggests–she was a really good mare. Snitzel needs no introduction, he just keeps doing it and doing it. He's broken all the records and sired the Slipper winner a few weeks ago.” La Mexicana has had an annual date with Snitzel and has since produced a weanling full sister to this colt. She was served again by the Champion stallion last spring in October. What an incredible result for @SegenhoeGroup! @jmeharron and @TFI_Racehorses goes to $1.7 million to secure this (Snitzel x La Mexicana) colt! Congratulations to those involved! #InglisEaster pic.twitter.com/ShzxQusHM7 — Inglis (@inglis_sales) April 6, 2025 Lot 155 – Extreme Choice (Aus) x Shadow (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) (colt) – A$1,700,000 Following the continued success of Extreme Choice, it came as no surprise that Lot 155 was highly sought-after. The striking and attractive grey colt, offered by Coolmore Stud, ultimately went the way of B2B Thoroughbreds after they were able secure him for A$1.7 million. This colt is the third foal out of the unraced Medaglia d'Oro mare Shadow, a full sister to the stakes-placed Geist (Aus). His third dam is none other than the brilliant sprinter Virage De Fortune (Aus) (Anabaa), a dual Group 1 winner and the champion three-year-old filly of the 2005/06 season. Riccardo Surace Jnr, co-director of B2B Thoroughbreds, said, “The B2B team thought that he was the best yearling we have seen in the last 10 years. We were stoked to get him. He was lovely and had great quality. He was a real athlete and moved so freely. “Hopefully he can become a future stallion. It is a low chance, but we hope it can happen. When asked about the sire Extreme Choice and the plans for this exciting colt, Surace added, “He can produce a Golden Slipper winner or a Melbourne Cup winner; he's versatile. “Chris Waller will train him. He will get broken in straight away and then later this year he will enter the Chris Waller system.” Shadow has not produced a weanling since this colt, but was most recently served by Pierro (Aus) last spring. The post Shout The Bar’s First Foal by Home Affairs Sells for A$3 million at Inglis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday's Wood Memorial Day card generated record-breaking wagering as the all-sources tally came in at $23,250,478 for the 13-race program, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced via press release. The 2025 figure, on a day highlighted by 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic) running them off their feet in Centenary edition of the GII Wood Memorial, eclipses the precious record of $21,601,673 established back in 2013 when Verrazano (More Than Ready) took home the top prize. The other contests on Saturday's card were the GIII Distaff Stakes won by Irish Maxima (Maximus Mischief); GIII Gazelle Stakes carrying Kentucky Oaks points which went to Ballerina d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro); and the GII Carter Stakes won by Crazy Mason (Coal Front). Live racing at Aqueduct resumes Sunday with a 10-race card co-headlined by the Listed Haynesfield and Biogio's Rose Stakes. First post is 1:10 p.m. eastern. The post Wood Memorial Day Generated Record-Breaking Wagering appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The goal of the Kentucky Derby points system should be to make sure the 20 best 3-year olds in the sport make it into the field. Churchill Downs has tweaked the system a couple of times over the years and the changes, for the most part, have been well received. It's a different story this year. Churchill has tweaked the system so that in any race with five horses or fewer the horses receive fewer points than races with six or more horses. The rule is clearly aimed at Santa Anita, where getting fields of six horses or more in its Derby prep races has been a chore. And, who knows, might this be another way to penalize Bob Baffert, whose Derby hopefuls often wind up in races with short fields? This year's GI Santa Anita Derby drew a field of only five, but many were calling it the best prep race run so far this year. Nonetheless, the points structure was reduced by 25%, with the winner getting 75 points for the victory and the runner-up 37.5 points. That was not a problem for Journalism (Curlin), who had more than enough points to get into the Derby before winning the Santa Anita Derby. The horse that was penalized was Baeza (McKinzie). A half brother to 2023 GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic) and 2024 GI Belmont winner Dornoch (Good Magic), he ran a bang-up race in the Santa Anita Derby to finish just three-quarters of a length behind Journalism. With further improvement, he could be a major factor in the Derby, and he belongs in the race. But because he got only 37.5 points for finishing second and not 50, he's on the outside looking when it comes to the Derby. With 50 points he'd be a shoo-in the make the race, but right now he sits in 23rd place. There will no doubt be a number of defections before the race, so he'll probably get in. But there's no reason why he should have to sweat things out. There are horse sitting ahead of him that are clearly inferior. The other problem is that California trainers have been throwing horses into the stakes that, on paper, have no shot, but their presence contributes to the number of points awarded. John Shirreffs did just that when entering the maiden Westwood (Authentic), a stablemate of Baeza, in the Santa Anita Derby. He actually ran third, ahead of the disappointing Baffert due of Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) and Barnes (Into Mischief), who were last and next to last. Small fields or not, the California preps, year after year, have turned out to include several Derby-worthy horses. Never was that more evident than on Saturday when Rodriguez (Authentic) shipped in from California for Baffert and won the GII Wood Memorial. This is the same Rodriguez who was third, beaten 11 1/4 lengths by Journalism, in the GII San Felipe S. His victory in the Wood proved how strong the California contingent is. Awarding fewer points in the Santa Anita Derby than in races like the Wood Memorial and the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks S., doesn't make any sense, and isn't fair. Just go back to the old system, where field size didn't matter. Churchill broke what didn't need fixing. Mike Smith is returning to the Kentucky Derby with a live shot in Rodriguez | Sarah Andrew “Big Money” Mike Smith Has His Derby Horse It will be good to see Mike Smith back in the Derby this year. He won Saturday's Wood Memorial aboard Rodriguez. Should that colt make the Derby, it will be Smith's 29th career Derby mount. He has won the race only twice. He had his first Derby mount 41 years ago when riding Pine Circle to a sixth-place finish in the 1984 Derby. Now 59, he was 18 at the time. No other jockey has come close to ring in the Derby over a span of 41 years. Bill Shoemaker is next with his Derby mounts coming over a period of 36 years Smith has not had a Derby mount since Taiba (Gun Runner) in 2022. Watch Out for Yedsit Hazlewood Yedsit Hazlewood is still a 10-pound bug boy and is just starting out, but the 17-year-old is already being compared to some of the other top apprentices that have come out of Maryland. He failed to win with his first 12 mounts, but won two races on Friday's card at Laurel and two more on Saturday. “This kid is from Panama,” said trainer and retired jockey Jose Corrales, who has been mentoring the teenager. “He's been in [jockey] school in Panama, and he's been at the racetrack since he was nine years old. He's got so much talent. I'm thinking he's going to be one of the Ortiz kids in the future. Now, he's ready. I'm putting him on all my horses. I got [him] an agent [John DiNatale], and he's got a chance to ride for everybody. He's got the perfect size, the weight, and that's the main thing.” They Don't Make Them Like They Used To While short fields continue to be a problem for the sport, it's not so much that we don't have enough horses–it's that we don't have enough horses that can run even six or seven times a year. According to the Jockey Club Fact Book, the average starts per runner in 2024 was 5.86. Go all the way back 50 years ago to 1975 and that number was 10.23. The average field size in 2024 was 7.39. In 1975 it was 8.82. I've never bought into the premise that horses are more fragile than they used to be. The problem lies with the trainers, who are petrified to run their horses back within two or three weeks. How do we break this pattern? The only solution is to convince trainers that the more often they run their horses, the more money they can make for their owners and themselves. Too many, though, have drank the Kool-Aid. The post Week In Review: On Kentucky Derby Points System, It’s Not Producing Intended Results appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-Keeneland, $72,968, Msw, 4-6, 2yo, f, 4 1/2f, :52.32, sy, 1 length. LENNILU (f, 2, Leinster–Lulu's Pom Pom, by Pomeroy) got her freshman sire off to a rapid start with a debut victory at Keeneland Sunday. Sent off at 5-2, the gray filly was hustled out of the gate before sitting a stalking trip under energetic handling from Luis Saez as Kadabra (Good Magic) set the pace. Lennilu tipped out a path at the top of the lane, closed determinedly to overtake Kadabra late and pulled away to score by one length. Leinster (Majestic Warrior) was a four-time graded stakes winner and finished third in the 2020 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint for the partnership of Amy Dunne, Brenda Miley, Westrock Stables and Jean Wilkinson. Lennilu was a $23,000 OBSWIN purchase last year. Lulu's Pom Pom, a half-sister to multiple graded winner Disco Partner (Disco Rico), was bred to Magic on Tap last year. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $34,115. O-Amy E. Dunne; B-Helen & Joseph Barbazon (FL); T-Patrick L. Biancone. #5 LENNILU ($7.50) notches the first win for her sire Leinster (@PASStallions) with a victory in the opener at @KeenelandRacing. The juvenile filly was piloted by @luissaezpty for Patrick Biancone. @Andie_Biancone pic.twitter.com/3OBjGhc75F — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 6, 2025 The post Lennilu Gets Freshman Leinster Off the Mark at Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article