Wandering Eyes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – There was far more than a simple change of address for trainer Cherie DeVaux when she was assigned Barn 83–for decades the Saratoga base for legendary D. Wayne Lukas–for this summer's racing season. In addition to dealing with the daily demands of managing her large stable, DeVaux, a rising star in the sport, has embraced her new roles: historian and preservationist of an important corner of the barn area on the sprawling Saratoga Race Course grounds. Within a day or two of DeVaux moving her stable into the barn, the Lukas family announced that Lukas, 89, was retiring from racing and entering palliative care. She reacted with eloquent social media posts on June 23: “….With his recent retirement from training due to health, we've been entrusted with taking over this space for the summer. But it doesn't feel like just taking over a barn. It feels like entering a cathedral of greatness. “As I walked the shedrow this morning, I kept thinking about the horses that stood in these very stalls–champions whose names helped shape the sport. And then I sat in the office he left behind, at his desk, and stared at the empty chair. I wondered what he thought about in those quiet early hours. How many dreams began right there with a legal pad and a coffee? Sarah Andrew photo “Wayne didn't just train horses. He set a standard. He built a legacy that inspired generations, myself included. And while the tack room may bear a new name this summer, his spirit lingers in every inch of this place. “Honored doesn't begin to cover it. Grateful. Humbled. Inspired. We'll do our best to honor what he built here-one horse, one morning, one moment at a time.” Six days after DeVaux made that post, the Lukas family released the news that he had died on June 28. DeVaux learned of his passing while sitting in his former office, a small building about 20 yards across from the 32-stall barn. Another touching social media followed. In that office Tuesday morning, DeVaux said that it is not typical of her to make those type of public statements. “I'm not really an emotional person, personally or professionally, but I think that, when you're moved to something…” she said, her voice trailing off. “I am not tone deaf either. Can't come in here and just pretend like I'm going to be the new czar of Barn 83. I just felt like it was necessary to say something. I felt it and I felt like it was emotional enough to share.” DeVaux now conducts her business from a well-ordered separate space, one of just a few on the grounds, that is something of a Lukas museum. “When we first came in here, this office was left like they were coming back,” she said. “They had every intention of coming back here. It wasn't like last year they thought, 'Oh, well, maybe we're not going to come back.' This office was set up. And you can see there's still pictures of Wayne and his wife and sentimental things that will still be there. His own handwriting right there, about Winning Colors. Those things will stay. There are things I just don't feel comfortable moving. I have to make my own traditions and make it my own, but still feel the need to honor what has been left here.” Among the memorabilia on the walls, just to the right of the door is Lukas's note that says Winning Colors is the only Kentucky Derby winner to break its maiden at Saratoga. Lukas made his debut at Saratoga in 1984, but was not in Barn 83 in the early years. Longtime Lukas assistant Randy Bradshaw said Wednesday that he first set up Barn 83 for Lukas when Is It True and Open Mind were 2-year-olds, which was 1988. DeVaux, 43, was born in Saratoga Springs while her parents operated their standardbred stable at Saratoga Harness, but the family moved when she was of kindergarten age. She left college at SUNY Albany to start her racing career 21 years ago and worked on the staffs of two other Saratoga-area natives, the late Chuck Simon of Ballston Lake, and multiple Eclipse Award winner Chad Brown of Mechanicville. She started her own business in 2018 with eight horses and celebrated her first victory in her 29th career start. Her success and purse earnings have improved markedly every year and she jumped from $5.5 million in earnings in 2023 to $10.2 million in 2024. Entering this week, the start of the second half of the year, she has $3.98 million in earnings and is winning at a 22% rate. DeVaux has 21 graded stakes wins, five of them Grade I. DeVaux was stabled on the backside of the main track at Saratoga and said she rarely came near out-of-the-way Barn 83, which is the farthest on the grounds from the finish line of the main track. Since her horses typically visit the Oklahoma training track daily, she was interested in being stabled closer to that facility but only if she could get a barn with a covered shedrow. Barn 83 fit both criteria and she accepted the offer from New York Racing Association officials to relocate, even though it meant following a legend who set the standard for success on the track, but for tidy barns decorated with flowers. A photo of Wayne and Laurie Lukas left in the office at Barn 83 at Saratoga | Sarah Andrew “I thought it was really neat, obviously,” she said. “You can't come in here and not feel like a special honor. You come into these places, and you think about the horses that have come through here and been in these stalls. You just think about how pristine it has been. Then you think, 'Oh no, now I have to emulate some of that.' We're trying to, but it's going to be a process for us.” DeVaux said that longtime Lukas assistant Bas Nicholl, who has taken over the Lukas stable, has sent her images of how Barn 83 has looked in recent years. She understands that with the four-day Fourth of July meet that opens Thursday and the launch of the 40-day meet on July 10, there will be visitors stopping by the Lukas-turned-DeVaux barn and grounds. “That's why I'm trying to get all my flowers in order and clean it up,” she said. “But, it's a big undertaking. Wayne had a whole staff dedicated to getting the barn set up before we even got here and this is our first year, so we've got to come up with our own system. We're personally ready, but we're getting there as far as getting it set up and just having it as esthetically pleasing as we can.” In her communications with Nicholl, DeVaux asked him to send up a Lukas Stable sign that she hopes can be part of a Lukas memorial garden on the site. She has an order in for an American flag to put on the flag pole in front of the barn. Since they often competed on the same tracks, DeVaux said she did get to know Lukas a little bit. “I had conversations in passing,” she said. “I first started my career in 2004 and I was in Kentucky, and anyone who knows me would find it profound that I was intimidated by him, but I was. In my own career, we spent some time just waiting for races and in the horsemen's lounge and chatted a bit. Very friendly. I obviously had an immense amount of respect for him. He was just so nice and genuine, just a genuine person.” So many great horses were located in Barn 83 during Lukas's time there and DeVaux is hoping to find out which stalls standouts like Winning Colors lived in. Her intention is to put some of her top runners and 2-year-old prospects like Zenyatta's final foal, Nyume, and the Lady Eli colt, Dr. Ange, in those spaces. She has reached out to Saratoga veterans like Daily Racing Form photographer Barbara Livingston and welcomes help for anyone with some knowledge to share. Sarah Andrew DeVaux acknowledged that it felt a little weird to be sitting in what had been Lukas's chair in the office. “The first time I really sat in the chair is when I wrote that post,” she said. “I walked around the barn and it was hot as blazes. It was that hot, hot, 90-something day, and that's when I sat and wrote that. It's a bit emotional, but we don't really get the luxury of, like, sitting there, really thinking about things, because I have to-do lists all over the place. Here. One here. One here. So you just get a few moments to think about it, and then it's fleeting, and then you think about it again. Then it's kind of you get to really think.” DeVaux said she is comfortable handling two responsibilities at Saratoga. “I have my own career that I'm trying to do,” she said, “but I still want to make sure that I'm not just brushing away a memory of a person that deserves to be recognized and memorialized for many years to come.” The post DeVaux Honored to Follow Lukas at Spa Barn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Alice Haynes' stable star Cairo, who finished a career-best third at Royal Ascot in the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) June 17 at odds of 100-1, is set to spend the rest of the summer in the United States with some ambitious targets on his agenda.View the full article

If you're one of those fans who can't get enough of Saratoga racing, then 2025 is your kind of year. And maybe 2026 will be as well. But don't get spoiled. View the full article

Promising two-year-old filly Flawless Fusion (lot 20) took top billing at the Tattersalls Online July Sale when selling for 140,000gns to Blandford Bloodstock from Jim Bolger's Glebe House Stables. A daughter of Dawn Approach and the dual Listed-placed mare French Fusion (Harzand), from the family of the G1 Melbourne Cup hero Twilight Payment, Flawless Fusion made an encouraging start to her career when filling the runner-up spot on last month's debut. “She caught the eye at Leopardstown,” Blandford Bloodstock's Stuart Boman said of that performance. “Irish maidens are so competitive and she closed very well. When you are buying from Jim Bolger, you know these horses have not only been produced well but they have also been bred with meticulous care. It can be hard to find horses that are lightly raced that have exhibited a high level of ability. Ultimately, she looks to be good value when compared to the breeze-up or yearling prices. She has already shown potential and hopefully she goes on for new connections.” Elsewhere in the sale, the complete dispersal of the estate of legendary Irish trainer Kevin Prendergast attracted great interest, with all 10 lots offered selling for an aggregate of 241,800gns. Most popular was the unraced juvenile Mergus Serrator (lot 115), who went the way of James Fyffe for 58,000gns. The son of Masar is out of a full-sister to the Listed winner and Group 1-placed sire Whitecliffsofdover. Also finding favour was the unraced two-year-old filly Speckled Brown (lot 116), who was bought by agent Nick Bell, acting on behalf of Windlestone, for 56,000gns. A daughter of Prendergast's Classic winning-sire Awtaad, she is a sibling to three winners and comes from the family of G1 Pretty Polly Stakes winner Chorist. Of the 102 lots offered, 62 sold for a total of 677,000gns and at an average of 10,919gns. Unsold lots remain available and offers can be made through the Make An Offer facility on the Tattersalls Online website. Enquiries can also be made by phone or via email at tattersallsonline@tattersalls.com. The post Flawless Fusion Headlines Tattersalls Online July Sale at 140,000gns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 07/01/2025 Licensee: James Nicholson, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on July 2, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Sheer Dominance, who won at Parx Racing on 5/17/25. Date: 07/01/2025 Licensee: Natalie Cowan, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Beauty Bolt on 5/2/25. Date: 06/30/2025 Licensee: Manuel Alejandro Chavez, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on July 1, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a total fine of $1,500, $500 for the Class C Controlled Medication Rule Violation, and $1,000 for the Class B Controlled Medication Rule Violation; imposition of a total of 3.5 Penalty Points, 1.5 Penalty Points for the Class C Controlled Medication Rule Violation, and 2 Penalty Points for the Class B Controlled Medication Rule Violation. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the use or attempted use of Caffeine and Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)-Class B and C controlled substances respectively-on Moringa during the race period dated 5/1/25. Moringa did not make a start that day. Date: 06/27/2025 Licensee: Ricardo Vega, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. A final decision by HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-a Class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Regalpains, who finished fourth at Parx Racing on 5/13/25. Date: 06/26/2025 Licensee: Brittany Russell, trainer Penalty: A written reprimand. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole (GastroGard)-a Class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Magico on 5/20/25. Pending ADMC Violations 07/01/2025, Marcelino Salas, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Diclofenac-a Class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Yammy Yammy Bella, who finished second at Parx Racing on 5/28/25. 06/30/2025, Gary Contessa, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a Class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Answer the Call on 5/21/25. 06/30/2025, Jonathaniel Badillo, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Capsaicin-a Class B controlled substance-in samples taken from Spotten Bull, who won at Parx Racing on 5/21/25; and finished second at Parx Racing on 5/28/25. 06/27/2025, Carlos Perez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a Class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Navy Cross, who won at Gulfstream Park on 5/16/25. 06/26/2025, Ray Handal, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Dexamethasone-a Class C controlled substance-in samples taken from Makeyourmoment, who finished fifth at Aqueduct on 4/23/25; and in a sample taken from Valtellina, who won at Belmont at the Big A on 5/16/25. The post National Regulatory Weekly Rulings – June 26 – July 2 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It is 40 years since Steve Cauthen guided the brilliant Pebbles to a memorable victory in the Eclipse Stakes and the legendary jockey revealed that, if given the opportunity to ride any horse at Sandown on Saturday, he would not look beyond the race favourite Ombudsman. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Ombudsman took his form to a new level when running out an impressive winner of the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. That came on just the sixth start of the four-year-old's career and Cauthen said Ombudsman shaped like a colt that has the scope for further progression and is his main pick for the showpiece event. He said, “I watched Ombudsman winning at Royal Ascot and I was very impressed. He is an unexposed type that has raced just six times so he could be hard to beat. He's the one I'd go for.” When you think of the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, great horses like Pebbles are spoken about in the same breath of Sea The Stars, Nashwan, Giant's Causeway and more as the most memorable winners. Of course, Cauthen broke new ground aboard Clive Britain's outstanding racemare, given she became the first of her sex to win the 10f contest. Cauthen remembered, “I had gone to Henry's [Cecil] and had obviously ridden a lot for Sheikh Mohammed, including the [fillies'] Triple Crown aboard Oh So Sharp. So I ended up getting on Pebbles for the Eclipse and I can remember she was working really well in the build-up to the race. She was a super filly. It wasn't a big field but it was a quality race and she beat Rainbow Quest quite easily. Over 10f, I felt we had more speed than he did, and it worked out that way. We made the running and, entering the final two furlongs, I asked her to pick up and she picked up good to win comfortably in the end. It was a brilliant performance.” Cauthen added, “I was always happy to make the running, especially if you were on the best horse and in small fields like that. Unfortunately I lost the ride aboard Pebbles in the Champion Stakes because I had to ride Slip Anchor. Pat [Eddery] got on her that day and he ended up beating me in the Breeders' Cup Turf as well! But those were great times and I was very fortunate to ride some great horses – particularly fillies. “I rode Pebbles, Oh So Sharp, In The Groove, Triptych, Cormorant Wood , Time Charter – just some fantastic fillies and Pebbles ranked right up there. I always say that Oh So Sharp was the best I rode. What she did in the Oaks, beating a filly like Triptych [by] six lengths in a canter, was a damn good performance. But I rated Pebbles right up there with all the other good fillies that I rode.” Cauthen won just about everything there is to win in Europe throughout his glittering career in the saddle and explained how the Eclipse at Sandown was always a race that excited him greatly. He concluded, “I think the Eclipse is a great race because you tend to get good horses who have run in the Derby coming back in trip. If they can do that, it tends to heighten their stud value and therefore it's usually a very well-supported race by all of the top outfits and this year's edition looks a very good one.” The post Steve Cauthen Backs Ombudsman For Eclipse Glory 40 Years On From Pebbles appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The initial draft of supplemental entries added to the upcoming Fasig-Tipton July Selected Horses of Racing Age includes offerings from Estate of D. Wayne Lukas, according to a release Wednesday. In total, Fasig-Tipton has catalogued an additional 11 entries to the July Selected HORA sale, which will be held on Tuesday, July 8 in Lexington, Kentucky. Mulholland Springs will serve as agent for the five Lukas Estate offerings. The offerings include two unraced 2-year-olds by Essential Quality and Liam's Map that were selected and purchased by Lukas. The new supplements are catalogued as hips 355-365: Princess Indy (Hip 355): A stakes winner at two, she's a full sister to multiple graded stakes winner Super Chow, and out of a half-sister to Grade I winners Carina Mia and Miss Match (Arg). Consigned by Taylor Made Sale Agency, agent. Back Ring Buzz (Hip 356): Two-year-old daughter of Hard Spun won her most recent start at Gulfstream on June 27 despite a troubled trip. Consigned by Taylor Made Sale Agency, agent. Perfect Figure (Hip 357): Stakes placed at two, she's a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Wizard of Westwood from the family of Grade/Group 1Iwinners Danon Kingly and West Coast. Her third dam is champion Caressing. Consigned by Elite, agent. Victory Music (Hip 359): Two-year-old daughter of Maclean's Music won her debut at Churchill Downs from the rail on June 29 in wire-to-wire fashion. Consigned by Paramount Sales, agent. Waco (Hip 360): Stakes placed at Oaklawn at three last year, he is a half-brother to multiple graded stakes placed Flying Private. Consigned by Mulholland Springs, agent for the Estate of D. Wayne Lukas. Going Steady (Hip 361): Three-year-old winning daughter of Constitution is out a half-sister to stakes winner and stakes producer Stronger Than Ever. Her female family includes GISWs Rail Trip, Palace Malice, and Justin Palace. Consigned by Mulholland Springs, agent for the Estate of D. Wayne Lukas. These entries will also be available in the Equineline sales catalogue app. Printed versions will be available on the sales grounds at sale time. The post D. Wayne Lukas Estate Offerings Included Among Supplemental Entries for F-T July Selected HORA Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A memorial service for Barry Hills, one of Britain's most successful, skilled and respected trainers, who died last week at the age of 88, will be held at St Michael and All Angels Church in Lambourn on Tuesday, July 8. The service will begin at 11am, with additional parking available on Crowle Road, opposite Windsor House Stables. The post Details Announced for Barry Hills Memorial Service appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The version of President Trump's “Big Beautiful Bill” passed by the Senate earlier this week contains a tax provision that could see gamblers pay more in taxes than they win-a change that could have ramifications for horse racing's bottom line. In the Senate's version of the bill, deductions for gambling winnings will be limited to 90% of annual losses. Currently, gamblers can deduct 100% of wagering losses (below a net profit) for any given year. As NBC Sports describe it, “$100,000 in winnings against $100,000 in losses will be treated for tax purposes as if the losses were only $90,000.” The specific language in the bill can be found at section 70114, “Extension and modification of limitation on wagering losses.” “It is a big deal,” said Tom Rooney, CEO and president of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), who pointed to the possible impacts on horse racing revenues through gambling dollars throughout the sport, and especially those jurisdictions with no supplemental revenues. Rooney said he's working with representatives from other key gaming entities to petition lawmakers on the issue, including the American Gaming Association. “We've let it be known to our friends on the hill that our sport is generated by the people that play the horses. And, if they're dissuaded in any way to do that, it's going to hurt our sport,” said Rooney. The House is currently voting to concur their version of the bill with the Senate. While no new language can be added, verbiage can be stripped. A previous version of the bill in the House contained key tax provisions that would have been detrimental to many horse racing stakeholders. But Rooney said that they were able to remove that through lobbying efforts. “Whether or not they can change language this late in the game is very tough,” said Rooney, about efforts to strip the latest gambling tax language from the current iteration of the bill. “People ask, why are they moving this gambling tax from 100% to 90%, it's because of revenue, and just trying to find money wherever they can,” said Rooney. Independent analysis of Trump's Big Beautiful Bill found it would increase the national debt by $3.3 trillion over the next ten years. This story will be updated… The post Gambling Tax Changes in “Big Beautiful Bill” Could Hit Bettors, Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has urged the sport to collectively lobby the Government to back British racing and axe a proposal from the Treasury which could hit racing's finances to the tune of £66m in lost income. Those figures were published by the BHA for the first time on Wednesday, highlighting the potentially catastrophic consequences of the proposal to hike tax on horserace betting by bringing existing online betting duties into one single rate. At a time when affordability checks and the lack of a sustainable central funding model are already posing a significant threat to racing's finances, it is feared by the BHA that a tax hike for bookmakers in the Autumn Budget would further jeopardise the future of the sport in Britain. “Economic analysis commissioned by the BHA shows that aligning the current 15% tax rate paid by bookmakers on racing with that of online games of chance – currently taxed at 21% – by harmonising all remote gambling duties, could hit racing's finances to the tune of £66m in lost income via the Levy, media rights and sponsorship,” read a press release issued by the BHA. “This is because operators are likely to seek to mitigate significant tax rises through cutting bonuses, reducing advertising and marketing budgets and increasing prices. “Should the Treasury seek to raise the proposed single duty rate further to help balance the books, the impact on racing's finances would be devastating, with a projected £97m loss at a tax rate of 25%, a £126m loss at 30% and a £160m loss at 40%.” The release added, “This would put thousands of jobs at risk and severely impact towns and rural communities across the country. It would also hamper British racing's world-leading work on equine welfare.” This rallying cry comes ahead of the launch of 'Axe the Racing Tax', a BHA-led public campaign against the proposal which will be rolled out over the summer. In the meantime, the BHA is encouraging everyone involved in the sport to write to their local MP to call on Ministers to urgently rethink proposals. The Treasury's consultation closes on July 21, before it considers its options ahead of the Budget this autumn. Brant Dunshea, acting CEO of the BHA, said, “It is vital that everyone working in racing, the media and bettors fully support and promote this campaign. The Government's consultation on harmonising online betting duties, if followed through, poses one of the gravest risks to racing the sport has ever seen. “It will punch a huge hole in racing's finances, risk thousands of jobs across Britain and threaten the future of the country's second most-popular sport and a cherished national institution. “From now until the Budget we will be hammering home a very simple message to MPs, Peers and the Government on behalf of millions of racing fans. It's time for the Government to back British racing and axe the racing tax.” The post BHA Issues Rallying Cry Against ‘Devastating’ Tax Hike Proposals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By anyone's standards, Jose Ortiz had an outstanding week, posting a remarkable 16 wins from 40 mounts and earning his second leading rider title at Churchill Downs with 63 wins.View the full article

Mikki Fight took advantage of Forever Young's absence to land the Teio Sho July 2 at Oi Racecourse and could be a candidate for Japan's international dirt-racing brigades.View the full article

A series of 25 free handicapping contests exclusively for subscribers of Race Lens, Equibase's interactive past performance product, is returning in 2025.View the full article

Familiar Thoroughbreds from the 3-year-old stakes scene will line up to contest the July 5 Indiana Derby (G3) at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Besides Chunk of Gold, Coal Battle, and Publisher, the race includes dual stakes winner Instant Replay.View the full article

6th-SAR, $90k, Msw, (R), 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 3:53 p.m. ET Though written as an auction maiden, this contest is also open to horses bred in New York and IRON ORCHARD (Authentic) looks to capitalize on the opportunity on the first day of the Fourth of July Festival in Saratoga. The Apr. 22 foal is a daughter of the late dual stakes-placed Onebrethatatime (Brethren), who was purchased by Pine Ridge Stables in foal to Audible for $150,000 at Keeneland November in 2020. The dam, a half-sister to GIII Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakes heroine Wonderlandbynight (Sky Mesa), is also responsible for the 3-year-old filly Backcheck (Not This Time), a maiden winner at Aqueduct June 13. From the deeper family of Grade I winner Exaulted and Ogygian, Iron Orchard is bred on a variant of the very successful cross of Into Mischief over Distorted Humor-line mares. The filly was bought back for $97,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton NY-Bred Sale and was sold for $78,000 at FTKOCT before fetching $500,000 at this year's OBS April Sale (see Summer Breezes). TJCIS PPs 2nd-ELP, $100k, Msw, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:19 p.m. ET BEWITCHINGLY (Into Mischief) draws the fence for this debut for trainer Brendan Walsh and owner/breeders Barry and Judith Becker, who acquired the Grade III-winning dam Lady Ten (Rock Hard Ten) for $250,000 at Keeneland November in 2016. The colt she was carrying at the time became Nucky (Ghostzapper), who belied odds of 35-1 to take the 2019 GI Del Mar Futurity and she has also produced the stakes-placed Tea N Conversation (Candy Ride {Arg}), a $400,000 KEESEP graduate. Bewitchingly was led out unsold at last year's September sale at that same level. Run On States (Yaupon) was RNAd for $115,000 at last year's FTNAUG sale but improved into a $200,000 OBS March breezer (see Summer Breezes) this spring. The Jan. 23 foal is out of a winning daughter of 2016 GI Mother Goose Stakes heroine Off The Tracks (Curlin) and the third dam produced MGSW Concord Point (Tapit), now a successful sire in Korea. TJCIS PPs The post Thursday Insights: NY-Bred Authentic Filly Headlines Spa Maiden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced juveniles from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes, sponsored by OBS Sales, highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, including links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Thursday at for opening day at Ellis Park and Saratoga, which hosts the first of four days of the Fourth of July Festival. Thursday, July 3, 2025 Ellis 2, $100k, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:19 p.m. ET Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($) Cold Case (Tiz the Law), OBSAPR, 150,000 C-Cortez Racing & Sales, agt; B-Jeff Mackor, agt Keith Johnston Cue the Drama (Complexity), OBSAPR, 325,000 C-Cesar Loya Training & Sales, agent; B-Corbin Blumberg, agent Run On States (Yaupon), OBSMAR, 200,000 C-Blake-Albina TB Services, agent; B-Stone Bridge Farm Saratoga 6, $90k, 2yo, f, (R), 5 1/2f, 3:53 p.m. ET Dolce Vino (Omaha Beach), OBSAPR, 20,000 C-Grassroots Training & Sales; B-Keri Brion, agent Iron Orchard (Authentic), OBSAPR, 500,000 C-Grassroots Training & Sales; B-Bill Childs & Mark Stanton Probable Choice (Improbable), OBSAPR, 45,000 C-Grassroots Training & Sales; B-Bob Novak Two by Two by Two (Rock Your World) OBSMAR, 50,000 C-Goldencents Thoroughbreds; B-Michael Dubb The post Summer Breezes: Thursday, July 3, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Alice Haynes's stable star Cairo, who finished a career-best third at Royal Ascot in the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) June 17 at odds of 100-1, is set to spend the rest of the summer in the United States with some ambitious targets on his agenda.View the full article

Racing 1 1/4 miles and catching a field with a fair amount of pace, the July 4 Suburban Stakes (G2) would appear to be a no-excuse spot for Locked.View the full article

Donations of items and experiences are now being accepted by the Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover Silent Auction. The annual auction raises funds to support the production of the Thoroughbred Makeover and the advancement of the RRP's mission to increase demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing through education, inspiration, and service. Popular contributions to the auction in the past have included experiences such as polo lessons or fox hunting, racing memorabilia such as stallion halters and shoes, equestrian or racing artwork, tack and stable items, and hotel stays or race day tickets. Donated items are tax deductible according to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 170. The online auction will be held during Thoroughbred Makeover week, Oct. 4-11, and items will be on display at the event at the Kentucky Horse Park starting Oct. 8. Visit therrp.org/forms/2025-silent-auction-donation-form/ for more information on the donation process. The post Items Being Accepted for Thoroughbred Makeover Silent Auction appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As much as the New York Racing Association is offering three graded turf stakes for 3-year-old fillies, the leader of that division could be one-and-done in the series. View the full article

After finishing second-best to a filly in his first start in a stakes, Blinging It Back will try again—this time strictly against the boys.View the full article

As July 4 approaches, America's Best Racing has compiled a schedule of this week's racing on radio and television.View the full article

Zulu Kingdom, whose only defeat in six career starts came in the 2024 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), looks like an odds-on favorite in the $200,000 Manila Stakes (G3T) for 3-year-olds July 4 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

With the halfway mark of the 2025 racing calendar now passed, as we move into July the premiership tables are starting to take shape – with a few standout stories already emerging. Orange in control again Blair Orange is no stranger to leading the pack, and once again finds himself on top of the national drivers premiership. With 99 wins from 585 drives so far, the seven-time premiership winner is on track to crack 200 wins for the first time since 2021. He fell just short of that mark last year, finishing with 196 victories. Junior stars shake up the top ranks In what is believed to be a first, three junior drivers are sitting inside the top five on the premiership table. Wilson House leads the way on 59 wins, with Carter Dalgety and Crystal Hackett close behind, each on 43 wins. It is uncommon for Junior Drivers to appear towards the top of the overall drivers premiership, and the last time multiple juniors made an appearance in the Top 5 at the halfway point of the season was in 2012 with Zachary Butcher and Matthew Williamson. Harrison Orange sits just outside the Top 5 in seventh, with 41 wins this season. The son of current leader, Blair Orange, is closing in on his 50th career victory and is poised to become the fastest driver in New Zealand history to reach that milestone. That quartet also leads the junior premiership standings and with Wilson House holding a 13-win lead over Crystal and Carter, he’s in a strong position heading into the second half of the year. In recent years, the top juniors have finished the year on around the 70-win mark, so this year’s leading bunch is tracking well. The only junior drivers to have finished a season with over 100 wins are Dexter Dunn, Matthew Williamson and Zachary Butcher. Telfer team on record pace On the trainers’ side, Steve and Amanda Telfer look poised for a record-setting year. With 85 wins from 390 starts, they’re well ahead of the chasing pack and on pace to threaten the modern-day benchmark of 157 wins set by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen in 2014. Michael House (74 wins) and Robert & Jenna Dunn (42 wins) round out the top three, with Mark Jones (38 wins) not far behind. Rounding out the top five are Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett, with 35 wins so far this year. It’s a standout effort from the trotting specialists, who have had just two pacers in their team this year and do nearly all their winning in the squaregaiting ranks. With 39 total wins last season, they’re on track for one of their best years yet. The Telfers won the premiership in 2022, with Diamond Racing (Robert and Jenna Dunn) claiming the title in 2023 and 2024 – but if current form holds, this year’s trophy could be heading back to Stonewall Stud. View the full article

The Entain Industry Excellence Awards were held in Hamilton over the weekend, celebrating standout contributions across racing administration, training, welfare, and leadership. Designed to spotlight rising stars and behind-the-scenes achievers across all three codes, the awards are now in their second year. Harness racing trainer Nathan Purdon was recognised with the Leadership Excellence Award, honoured for the way he has embraced change and demonstrated strong leadership through a period of major transition. Following the sale of his Canterbury base, Purdon relocated north and has successfully rebuilt his operation in Auckland, a shift that required fresh thinking, adaptability, and trust in his new team. “Professionally, it’s a true honour to be receiving such an award. I have really focused on changing into being a leader over the past few years, it’s not something that came easy to me but consistently working on it I feel I have reached a goal,” said Purdon. “I’m really lucky with the team of people I have around me in Auckland. With me having to travel a lot to the different carnivals, it’s near enough impossible to do it without them all.” Following the sale of the Rolleston farm, Purdon moved his operation north to Auckland – a move that required big-picture thinking, major adjustment, and a leap of faith. “Since the decision had to be made about where to go once the farm in Rolleston was sold, it was a real think-quick moment and I had to tick all the necessary boxes to ensure it was the right move not only for myself but the owners and the new team that I would have to surround myself with. That’s the biggest decision I had to make, it wasn’t taken lightly that’s for sure!” With a new base and a faster training surface to contend with, Purdon says he’s focused on treating each horse as an individual and letting them guide the approach. “ I’ve had to change a lot of the training and come up with fresh ideas as the track is a lot quicker to what I have been use to working on my whole working life, but just taking a step back and assessing each horse individually and how they are handling the work is the only real guide you can go off and that has worked pretty well so far”. Among the proudest moments in the past 12 months was Treacherous Baby’s Group 1 win in the Nevele R Fillies Final on Cup Day. “Winning the Nevele R fillies Group 1 on Cup Day, I tried something I had never really done before because the filly promised me a lot around home but wasn’t really taking it to the track on race day. But she showed her true talent on Cup Day and I’m wrapped that I had the faith to do it for starters and even better to be able to pull it off was something very special – and with my great mate Blair Orange in the gig too.” Looking ahead, Purdon says he’s focused on maintaining momentum and producing high-quality performers. “I have cut the training numbers back since coming north so the likes of winning training premiership looks very slim, but I’d like to keep quality horses coming through the barn and keep attending those big meetings – that’s the goal anyway.” The winner of the National Racing Woman award, Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle, also has a harness connection through her work managing social media and content for Breckon Farms. Harness Racing New Zealand also congratulates all other harness finalists, including Zachary Butcher (Equine Licence Holder Excellence), Samantha Ottley and Crystal Hackett (National Racing Woman), David Branch (Administration and Innovation), and Shannon Armour (Care & Welfare). View the full article