Wandering Eyes

A stronger clearance rate and plenty of demand at the top end led to a record gross, hitting over A$19 million, at Thursday's Inglis Ready2Race Sale. The gross was A$19,054,000, up 22% from 2024's A$15.607 million aggregate. The average was A$156,180 (-5%) and the median was unchanged at A$100,000. Of the 163 lots offered, 122 sold (75%). A record 64 lots realised A$100,000 or more (up from 50 last year) while 39 sold for A$200,000 or more (up from 28 in 2024). The leading buyer was Hong Kong's Hermitage Thoroughbreds, who bought the top lot, a Toronado colt (lot 188), who made A$900,000 from first time vendors Hunter's Lodge. It was a new record price for a colt at this sale. Hermitage was the leading buyer by gross (A$2.585 million) and average (A$430,800) with six horses purchased, including the sale topper. Nolen Racing was the leading vendor by aggregate once again, selling 15 horses for A$2.18 million, with an average of A$145,800. Rathosheen Bloodstock was the leading vendor by average, achieving A$349,000 across their draft with six sold at an aggregate of A$2.09 million. Toronado was the leading stallion by aggregate (A$1.99 million), while Exceed And Excel led the averages at A$400,000 for three lots sold. Wooded had the highest average among first-season sires, with two horses sold for an average of A$332,500. “I said before the sale that we were the best prepared in terms of the work we had done and the vendors had done, and put together a group of buyers and so we were in a good spot to run as good a sale as we could,” said Hutch, who was pleased with the sale's metrics. “We had great depth among the buyers at the top end. I think there were plenty of people making money today. There's more than enough opportunity for people to lift the bar again. “Turnover is going to go through A$19 million, that's a significant step up on the previous record for the sale. I feel like we can take it further again. We want to grow the market and encourage more domestic and New Zealand-based vendors to take part.” The post New Record Gross At Inglis Ready2Race Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lavinia Fabre, daughter of master trainer Andre Fabre, saddled her first winner, with just her second runner, when the two-year-old Wadi (Earthlight) carried the fledgling trainer's silks to a 1 1/2-length victory in Thursday's Prix Pharel over one mile at Saint-Cloud. The half-brother to this term's G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis hero Tornado Alert (Too Darn Hot) made all in the hands of Maxime Guyon to comfortably outpoint Roi De La Liberte (Kingman). Premier succès pour Lavinia Fabre en tant qu'entraîneur, elle qui sellait son deuxième partant ! Son entraînement est à l'honneur avec Wadi (@maximeguyon_off) qui s'impose dans le Prix Pharel à Saint-Cloud, son premier succès en carrière. Son père André Fabre est deuxième… pic.twitter.com/KZk8YPZubx — Equidia (@equidia) October 16, 2025 3rd-Saint-Cloud, €27,400, Mdn, 10-16, 2yo, c/g, 8fT, 1:45.67, sf. WADI (GB) (c, 2, Earthlight {Ire}–Bint Almatar, by Kingmambo), who ran third over this trip at Clairefontaine in his Aug. 25 debut for the Andre Fabre stable last time, broke sharply and seized an immediate advantage in this return. In command throughout, the 27-10 second favourite was shaken up passing the quarter-mile marker and kept on strongly under mainly whipless rousting inside the final 300 metres to easily hold Roi De La Liberte (Kingman) by 1 1/2 lengths, becoming the first winner for trainer Lavinia Fabre. Wadi is the ninth of 11 foals and sixth scorer out of a winning half-sister to five black-type performers headed by three-time Grade I winner Master Of The Seas (Dubawi). His second dam is stakes-winning G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner-up Firth Of Lorne (Danehill). The March-foaled bay is a half-brother to G1 Metropolitan Handicap victor Just Fine (Sea The Stars) and this term's G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis hero Tornado Alert (Too Darn Hot). He is also kin to a yearling filly by Zoustar, a weanling colt by Sea The Stars and to the dam of Listed King Charles II Stakes runner-up Bold Style (Shamardal). Sales history: 50,000gns Wlg '23 TATFOA; €50,000 P/S Ylg '24 ARQAUG. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, €18,054. O/T-Lavinia Fabre; T-David Redvers Bloodstock. The post Earthlight’s Wadi Notches First Winner for Lavinia Fabre at Saint Cloud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday's G1 Qipco Champion Stakes will feature all the big guns, with Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder), Delacroix (Dubawi), Calandagan (Gleneagles) and Economics (Night Of Thunder) set for a memorable showdown. There will be 11 in the line-up for the feature, where the draw has not been kind to Ombudsman and Economics in nine and 10 respectively but has been to the race's most intriguing runner Almaqam (Lope De Vega) in stall one. There will be 16 lining up for the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, with Juddmonte and the Gosdens' mile category leader Field Of Gold (Kingman) starting from stall 14 of 16. Also on the wing is Rosallion (Blue Point) in 15 and Never So Brave (No Nay Never) in 13, while Wathnan's flagbearer Fallen Angel (Too Darn Hot) is in the middle in eight. Kalpana (Study Of Man) will face nine rivals as she bids for back-to-back renewals of the G1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, including Cheveley Park's Estrange (Night Of Thunder), while the G1 Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes has attracted a field of 20. Wathnan Racing have Lazzat (Territories) and last year's winner Kind Of Blue (Blue Point), while other Group 1 winners include No Half Measures (Cable Bay) and Big Mojo (Mohaather) with the latter widest in stall 20. As expected, opposition to the chief stayer Trawlerman (Golden Horn) is thin on the ground in the opening G1 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup, where the five runners feature Ballydoyle's St Leger third Stay True (Galileo) and the favourite's popular stablemate Sweet William (Sea The Stars). For the first time, Qipco Champions Day has a juvenile race and the £250,000 Qipco British Champions Day Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes boasts Godolphin's Mill Reef winner Words Of Truth (Lope De Vega) and Wathnan's promising Division (Kingman). The post Epic Champion In Prospect As Ombudsman, Delacroix, Calandagan And Economics Stand Their Ground appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

David Hayes has a rule that if someone rings him, he rings them back. Every time. It’s something that’s held him and those closest to him in good stead in family life and business. “It’s not hard to do,” he said at Sha Tin earlier this month. Enter last Sunday, when it all of a sudden got very hard to do after rumours ran wild on social media that hot favourite Ka Ying Rising was a chance to miss this Saturday’s Group One The Everest (1,200m). “I’m of an age where I thought I’d seen it all, but...View the full article

In a week where Cambridge Stud’s focus is largely around Joliestar’s (Zoustar) tilt at the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m), it was their first-season sire Sword Of State who was making headlines across the Tasman on Wednesday. A champion juvenile by Snitzel, Sword Of State retired to the Cambridge nursery after his three-year-old term and was the leading New Zealand-based first season sire at the yearling sales in 2025. Among his progeny to go through the ring at Karaka was a filly out of the Keeper mare Ruthless Lady (NZ), bred by Go Bloodstock and purchased out of Curraghmore’s draft by Lindsay Park and Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock for $250,000. 10 months later, that filly, named Torture (NZ) (Sword Of State), defied odds of 15-1 to win the Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes. It was the dream result for Cambridge Stud owners Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay, but CEO Henry Plumptre said it wasn’t as much of a surprise for them as it was for the bookmakers. “It’s fantastic to get on the board in New Zealand, but even better to pick up a stakes race in the spring in Melbourne,” Plumptre said. “To be honest, it’s not a huge surprise, he (Sword Of State) was a champion two-year-old by Snitzel, who has won seven premierships in Australia. To those who have followed his first crop through and particularly this filly, the only surprise was her starting price. “The Australian betting market probably discounted Sword Of State’s ability, even though he was the third-top rated two-year-old of his year, behind the Golden Slipper winner (Stay Inside) and Magic Millions winner (Shaquero). “It’s very exciting for us, it’s great for Gordon Cunningham continuing that roll of honour coming off Curraghmore, and the syndicate that have shares in Sword Of State.” Sword Of State was a A$600,000 yearling purchase by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis and Cambridge Stud took a share in his colt syndicate, then furthered their investment after his outstanding Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) victory in 2021. “We bought into the colt syndicate that he was part of, there were four colts and we had 15% of it,” Plumptre said. “After he won the Sistema, we moved to 50 percent, and then to 100 percent when we bought the syndicate out at the end of his racing career. “He’s really going well, the first year was difficult for him because he went to stud as a three-year-old, but had a very tricky time in Queensland when we took him over for the Kingsford-Smith, he got quite sick. “His recovery from that was quite slow, so he went straight into a breeding season and it wasn’t easy for him. Last year was much better, and he’s been fantastic this year. That Snitzel-Redoute’s Choice line have fantastic temperaments and he’s certainly got that. “This horse is a testament to David Ellis’ skill for picking these horses, we’re very grateful to have been able to get him from Te Akau and that every year, they send us between 15-20 mares to support the stallions. “It’s a great relationship, and for that reason as well as all others discussed, we hope he will be a big success.” Looking ahead to Saturday, Plumptre and the Lindsays will be on course at Randwick to cheer on Joliestar in her second attempt at the Everest, having finished seventh in last year’s running. The three-time Group One winner asserted herself as one of the key dangers to Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) when winning the Gr.2 The Shorts (1200m) first-up, and since then, was given a quiet trial at the course last Monday against several of her Everest rivals. “Chris (Waller, trainer) told us what she’d be doing in the trial and that wasn’t much, and when you’re an owner or manager with a trainer like Chris, you don’t second-guess them and let them get on with the job,” Plumptre said. “He’s a consummate professional with a great team, so you know she’ll turn up on the day in the best possible form. All we can do is hope she gets luck in running and she’s there or thereabouts at the 200m, so she can do her best against a horse breaking all records in Hong Kong. “It’s very exciting for us, it’s wonderful for Brendan and Jo to have her in that race, they’re big investors in racing so it’s a great thing to be here and have the second-favourite in a race like this.” An earner of just shy of A$5 million, Joliestar is set to join Cambridge Stud’s broodmare band in the future, with a race record to match her pedigree as a daughter of Zoustar and Group Two winner Jolie Bay. “For a breeder, the pinnacle of your broodmare band are your ‘blue hen’ race mares, those that have competed at Group One level,” Plumptre said. “We are lucky enough to have a handful in our broodmare band, and Joliestar is right up there with the likes of Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel), Kahma Lass (NZ) (Darci Brahma), and Excelida (Exceed And Excel) – who was Group One placed in Melbourne. “We sadly lost the Oaks winner Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) last year in a tragic paddock accident, but are fortunate to have the likes of Word Games, who produced El Castello (Castelvecchio), and Las Briasas, who produced Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) in the band as well. “We’re very excited for the future and Joliestar will be an exciting addition if and when she retires, which won’t be for a bit yet.” To be ridden by James McDonald out of barrier five, Joliestar is currently a $6.50 second-elect for the Everest, splitting Ka Ying Rising ($1.75) and Kiwi-breds Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) and War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) ($11) on the New Zealand TAB. View the full article

Ben Hayes admits he’s unsure whether War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) has what it takes to win The Everest this Saturday. But that’s exactly why he’s so excited about it. The Stradbroke winner, who is unbeaten since joining the Lindsay Park operation, has been well supported in most markets after drawing barrier 4 for the $20 million sprint in Sydney. “The exciting thing about War Machine is that we don’t know his limit yet,” Hayes told The Verdict podcast. “Since we’ve had him, he’s had four starts for four wins and improved with every start. “His win the other day (in the Gilgai) was probably his most dominant. “He was first-up, with plenty of improvement to come. “He’s drawn a beautiful gate, we know where the speed is and he maps to get a beautiful run. “If something does go wrong with dad’s horse (Ka Ying Rising), it wouldn’t surprise if he was able to be very, very competitive. “His final gallop was excellent and he’ll be there to run a big race. “He is definitely not there to make up the numbers, that’s for sure.” Hayes said the star sprinter would likely stay in Sydney after The Everest, before targeting the CF Orr Stakes (1400 metres) at Caulfield on November 15. “We’ve actually got nice options for him,” he said. “They’ve moved the Orr to the back of the carnival now. “A race like that is a race we’d target with a horse like him. “Two weeks after The Everest there is a $3 million race in Sydney we will look out, then probably the Orr. “That’s probably the path we’ll head with him.” View the full article

Richmond Downs-based Foxhill Thoroughbreds is operated by Benji King, the eldest son of Brighthill Farm founders Nick and Anne-Marie King, along with his partner Lena Jones. The Foxhill name has appeared among purchasers lists at Karaka in previous years – buying one yearling from Karaka 2024, two weanlings from the 2024 Weanling Sale, three yearlings from Karaka 2025 and a weanling from the 2025 Weanling Sale. But this is their first time on the other side of the ledger with a draft going through the sale ring under their name. Foxhill will offer two horses at next month’s Ready to Run Sale. Lot 87 is a gelding by Written By out of the winning mare Savelle (NZ) (Domesday), who is a half-sister to the Group Three winner Vigor Winner (Declaration Of War). Lot 423 is an Almanzor filly out of the Group Two placegetter Lady Krovanh (Dehere). “Selling at the Ready to Run Sale is something we’ve been thinking about for a while and just waiting for the right opportunity to do,” King said. “You need to make sure that you get into it at the right time. We’ve just taken a bit of time first to get a bit more settled and into our rhythm a little bit. “This year turned out to be the right opportunity to do it, and it’s all come together well. We’ve been around the Ready to Run Sale before, but it’s our first time having a decent go as vendors. It comes with its challenges, but it’s an exciting opportunity and we’re looking forward to it. “Unfortunately we’ve had a couple of withdrawals in our draft, but we’re still heading into the sale with two lovely young horses that we’re hoping will be well received by the buyers – a gelding by Written By and a filly by Almanzor. “We’ve been really happy with how the preparation has gone so far with both of them. They’re coming up very nicely and it’s all gone to plan.” 87 Written By (AUS)‐Savelle (NZ) 423 Almanzor (FR)‐Lady Krovanh (AUS) View the full article

Speed Dragon (NZ) (Darci Brahma) made a triumphant return to racing on Wednesday following 241 days away after scorching to a rousing first-up success in the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Lei Yue Mun Handicap (1800m) at Happy Valley. Sidelined for four months following a ligament injury, Speed Dragon – the first winner of a running treble for jockey Vincent Ho – crossed immediately from his wide draw (10) to settle in last position. Pacesetter Telecom Fighters made the running before yielding at the top of the home straight as Speed Dragon gradually pinched ground. Helene Feeling took the lead turning for home as Californiatotality made his run. Ho asked the Francis Lui-trained Speed Dragon to lift between runners and the six-year-old obliged, clocking a race-best 22.87s over the final 400m to defeat Californiatotality in 1m 47.96s by a short head with Encountered filling third. “He trialled very well, so I actually expected him to be very competitive, which he was,” Ho said. “It was great that he could win for the owner. Everything went well for him; the opening on the inside was perfect. “I think so (to progressing further), it’s still early in the season and he will be fitter after this race tonight. I’m grateful that Francis and my boss (Caspar Fownes) support me. Hopefully I can kick on some more.” Ho, who returned to competition at the start of this season following neck fractures and a head injury, sealed his trio when Lui’s King Miles held onto the Class 3 Hok Yuen Handicap (1200m) over a fast-finishing Storm Rider. Tonight’s treble his Ho’s first since 1 December, 2024. A clever ride from Luke Ferraris saw Satono Aladdin gelding King Glorioso (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) hold off a rampaging Thunder Prince by a nose in the first section of the Class 4 Fung Mo Handicap (1200m) for trainer Douglas Whyte. Whyte said: “Only when the number went up was I happy. Luke gave him an absolutely beautiful ride – he could’ve led but he let the speed go, took advantage of that, got the horse to settle and he got off the rail and got going at the right time. The margin was very narrow but a win’s a win, so the good ride made the difference.” View the full article

A drop back in distance will be to the liking of the Tony Pike-trained Agera (NZ) (Complacent) in Friday’s Listed Matamata Cup (1600m). The six-year-old will be the stable’s only representative at the meeting in take two of the Team Wealleans-sponsored feature after it fell afoul of the weather on its original date earlier this month. Pike had intended to run the son of Complacent in the Cup but was unable to book a suitable jockey and the gelding instead finished fourth in the open handicap over ground. “The mile is his best trip, and he just doesn’t quite get 2000 metres, especially on a heavy track,” Pike said. “It’s almost two weeks between runs and dropping back to the mile should be ideal for him.” To be ridden by Matt Cartwright, Agera has won on five occasions, with three of them collected during his current campaign. “He’s had a really good preparation, and it would be nice to go out on a winning note,” Pike said. “He definitely needs cut in the ground and if it looks like staying wet for the next couple of weeks, he could have another run. He’s had a pretty long, deep season so he is due a break soon.” Pike will have half a-dozen runners at Ellerslie on Saturday with the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) hope Happy Youmzain (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) among them. The last-start winner will be ridden in the Kingmakers Syndication Handicap (1400m) by Opie Bosson. “He’s a talented three-year-old and it’s probably not the right race for him, it’s a strong race against the older horses but there weren’t a lot of other options,” Pike said. “If he runs well, he’ll go on to the three-year-old race on Melbourne Cup Day at Ellerslie and then hopefully head down south.” Pike will also keep a close on the Rat Tat Two-Year-Old Plate (800m), in which Home Secretary (Home Affairs) makes her first appearance with Kelly Myers booked for the ride. The daughter of Home Affairs has finished runner-up in both of her trials at Ellerslie and Te Rapa. “She’s better on a better surface, she really struggled around Te Rapa where it was pretty shifty and rained all day and was awful,” Pike said. “She’s a really smart filly and if she handles the track, she’ll go close.” View the full article

A familiar face will return to the Kiwi jockey’s room at Ellerslie on Saturday, with Kozzi Asano rejoining the ranks after a stint in South Korea. Originally hailing from Japan, the 30-year-old came to New Zealand to pursue his career as a jockey and swiftly to prominence as an apprentice, winning the apprentice jockey’s premiership in 2019/20. Before taking a contract in Korea last term, he rode a total of 336 winners in eight seasons, 20 of those at stakes level and two Group Ones. During his time in the Asian jurisdiction, Asano added a further 40 wins to his record, but with the recent birth of his second child, has returned to his property in Cambridge. “I’ve come back recently from a stint in South Korea, this is actually my maternity leave as we have recently had our second baby on the 1st of October,” Asano said. “My parents are coming over to New Zealand to help look after their grandchildren, so I thought I might as well get back into racing, not too much, but more so as a part-time job. I won’t be travelling too far and won’t be too busy, but it’ll be good to be riding. “I’ve been riding trackwork for the last four weeks, mainly for Stephen Marsh, and I rode a couple of trials at Te Awamutu last week. I’m just slowly getting back into the fitness. “I haven’t ridden in a New Zealand race for a long time, just over 15 months, so I’ll see if I can still remember what I used to do.” Asano has four rides at the feature meeting, including Ray Fleming’s filly Savvy Donna (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m), The Trendsetter (NZ) (Proisir) in the Kingmakers Syndication 1400, Gentian Blue (NZ) (Reliable Man) in the Horizon By SkyCity 1600, and Sasperella in the Trackside.co.nz 1200. Asano is looking forward to getting out on the StrathAyr surface at Ellerslie, having only ridden on the track a handful of times before going overseas. “They had only just done the StrathAyr track when I was leaving, and at the time, they said that the more they used it, the better it would get,” he said. “It seems that way, so it’ll be interesting to have a good headquarters-type of track for New Zealand racing. “Savvy Donna is a maiden but she goes really well, so her trainer is hoping she can finish in the top five and get in the money. We’ll see what we can do. “I rode Gentian Blue for Maxim van Lierde in a Group One in 2023, where she went very well even though we were flashed out wide. She’s a seven-year-old mare now, fresh-up and trialled up well. She’s running in 75 grade, so hopefully we can show some results to bring on to the next one.” “I feel pretty privileged to get four rides on a day like this, hopefully I can bring some good results.” View the full article

Kelvin Tyler hopes to kick off an exciting weekend on a winning note at Wingatui on Friday, before he is represented on Sydney’s biggest race day of the spring with Aberlour (NZ) (Mongolian Falcon). Based in Riverton, Tyler will take a team of eight up to the Dunedin venue, hoping to strike early with Ripa Time (NZ) (Time Test) contesting the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series MDN (1600m), Indie Ardie (NZ) (Ardrossan) in the NZB Mega Maiden Series (1500m) and Snow Brainer (NZ) (Jon Snow) in the Grand Casino MDN (1200m). While still maideners, the trio have all shown ability on raceday and Tyler believes Floor Moerman and Donovan Cooper’s apprentice claims will enhance their chances on the heavy surface. “They’re all quite nice horses going forward, they’ve got a bit of weight relief which helps as well and I’ve targeted these races to kick off with,” he said. “I was surprised Indie Ardie didn’t win a race last year because she’s well above average, but there’s not much between the three of them, I expect them all to go close in not the strongest of maiden fields.” Promising mare Flash Roca (NZ) (El Roca) will resume off a 147-day absence in the Property Brokers – Ray Kean R75 (1200m), having won two of her last three starts during the autumn. “She’s coming up really well, she’s a nice horse and I’m quite confident she can go a good race,” Tyler said. “I think she’ll go through the grades quite easily, her work has been good and she looks amazing. “I think it’s a good race for her to kick off in.” The most experienced of his contingent, Go Lotte (NZ) (Telperion), will chase her 11th victory and third at Wingatui in the Otago Engineering Open (1400m), with stablemate Radiant Reach (NZ) (Vadamos) also in the mix with a light weight (54kg). “This is probably Go Lotte’s best distance on a heavy track, hopefully it’s not too heavy there and she should be ready to strike about now,” Tyler said. “Radiant Reach has a bad habit of losing two or three lengths at the gates which makes it harder for herself, but both are as good as I can get them so hopefully they’ll put their best foot forward.” Further north on Saturday, it will be take three for Freddie Time (NZ) (Time Test), as the son of Time Test heads to Trentham following two abandoned meetings at Otaki over the last week. The four-year-old asserted himself well in a competitive Rating 75 race at the Upper Hutt course a month ago, and with apprentice Liam Kauri remaining on board, Tyler has faith he can repeat that effort in the Contemporary Korowai Designs (1400m). “He’s apparently been working the track down up there, the wet track won’t bother him at all and he’s ready to run a good race,” he said. “He’s a good horse and he’ll run a good race, because that’s what good horses do.” “It’s a big field and the inside draw is probably not ideal, we’d probably want to get him out and around them, but I’ll let Liam sort it out.” Around 45 minutes later, Tyler’s focus will turn to Everest Day at Randwick, where his stakes-winning mare Aberlour is a key player in the Gr.3 Angst Stakes (1600m), a A$285,000 feature for the mares. As a three-year-old, the daughter of Mongolian Falcon was an eye-catching winner of the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) and Listed Southland Guineas (1600m) before joining Joe Pride’s barn at Warwick Farm. Tyler retained a 30 percent share in Aberlour and was rapt to see the mare back near her best this campaign, winning one and placing in two of her three starts before a fourth-place finish in the Gr.2 Stocks Stakes (1500m) at The Valley last time out. “She had a bad draw and was three-wide most of the way, but she’s hit the line really strong,” Tyler said. “150 out she looked like she may even hold on, but with the work during the race, it probably took its toll against those good horses and I was really proud of her. “Randwick is her favourite track and Alysha Collett rides her very well, she knows how she likes to be ridden. She’s got a nice draw so we’re quietly confident, you need everything to go your way in these big races but she’s going well. “Joe does a great job, he’s a good person and great to deal with. I tell people that I would trust Joe Pride with my credit card, because whether it’s good news or bad news, he’s very honest.” Aberlour is currently rated a $10 hope for the Angst, with fellow Kiwi-bred mare Perfumist (NZ) (El Roca) leading the market at $3.10. View the full article

Andrea Atzeni rates Meydaan a live chance in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup (2,400m) as the Sardinian jockey teams up with some familiar faces in pursuit of more Group One glory in Australia. Atzeni, who won the Group One Sydney Cup (3,200m) on Circle Of Fire last year, returns to Melbourne after finishing fourth on Zardozi in his first Caulfield Cup ride 12 months ago. The 34-year-old jumped at the chance to ride Meydaan when approached by British co-trainers Simon and Ed Crisford. “I’ve ridden...View the full article

What a week it’s been for Kimberly Butt. Just days after a winning double at Motukarara she reined home a $100 outsider at Addington last night. “It’s been a good few days,” says Butt, “I was pleasantly surprised by Shades of Robyn that’s for sure.” Last night in the Captain Crunch At Alabar Mobile Pace Butt secured the one-one with the Trevor Cross-trained Shades Of Robyn before overhauling second favourite Tuppence late in the piece to win by a head. The five-year-old gelding was having his sixth start after five previous unplaced runs. “Trevor trains just around the road from us,” says the Leeston-based Butt, “and he does a bit of fast work at our place so I know a bit about the horse and he has shown glimpses in the past but I was still wasn’t expecting him to win.” “It was a nice bonus.” And the win certainly caught punters unawares. On the tote Shades of Robyn paid $86 and was even longer on the fixed odds market at $100. He’s the second horse Cross has won with as a trainer, following on from The Wrath Of Robyn, who won eight between 2013 and 2015. For Butt the win capped off a very successful few days. On Sunday she reined home another two horses at nice odds – To Ri Ruby paying $34 and Kiss The Girls in the day’s feature the Akaroa Cup at $17. Just recently Butt added working at Harness Racing New Zealand’s marketing team to her already busy life as a trainer, driver and mum (to four-year-old Kenzie). “It’s a part time gig and it’s been a nice change – hopefully I’m doing an ok job.” Her success last night takes her to 26 for the year. That’s one better than 2024 and one shy of her personal best season’s tally of 27 she achieved as a junior driver in 2019. “I am always pretty mindful of how many wins I’ve had and I do keep an eye on the stats,” says Butt, “but I’ve been around long enough that when your luck’s in you have to enjoy it.” And Butt’s successful week will have a degree of poignancy tomorrow at Addington when she drives Master Class, who she also trains, in a race named after her late grandfather, the Remembering Murray Butt Mobile Trot (7.06pm). And the family connection doesn’t end there. Race rival Nazareth is trained by Murray’s son Roddy (Kimberly’s uncle) and will be driven by Carter Dalgety, Murray’s grandson. View the full article

The connections of three starters in the $200,000 Sands Point Stakes (G2T) are hoping their 3-year-old filly can move forward off her finish in the Winter Memories Stakes (G3T). There's also one that would be quite happy to experience some deja vu.View the full article

Former jumps jockey James Seivwright, who rode 23 winners between the 2017-18 and 2021-22 seasons, is moving into a new role with Seivwright Bloodstock’s debut Ready to Run consignment of five two-year-olds at next month’s Ready to Run Sale, alongside wife and successful event rider, Maddy. But that’s not to say that the 31-year-old is lacking in experience around the Ready to Run Sale. “I’ve been around the Ready to Run Sale scene for a little while, having previously worked for Riversley Park and Kiltannon Stables,” he said. “Selling horses under my own name had been something in the back of my mind, although I probably didn’t intend on doing it as soon as this year. “But I have a very good client, Ray Fleming, who basically told me that he had these horses heading towards the Ready to Run Sale and I would be selling them for him. So that’s how it got started. “We have a draft of five, which I think is a nice number to start off with. It’s not too stressful that way and allows us to keep a close eye on everything. It’s only my wife and I who do the riding, so having a draft of this size allows us to do everything that we need to. “The preparations have gone well so far. The horses are getting pretty fresh now, so it’s a bit of a shame that the weather has forced the Breeze Ups to be put back a week. We’d got the horses quite tuned to go this week. But we’ll just back off them for a couple of days and then bring them back up again. We’re looking forward to the next few weeks.” 82 Noverre (NZ)‐Saffron Lady (NZ)Brown Colt Seivwright Bloodstock 115 Ace High (AUS)‐Smartly (NZ)Bay Colt Seivwright Bloodstock 410 Shamexpress (NZ)‐Kewzero (NZ)Bay Gelding Seivwright Bloodstock 435 Noverre (NZ)‐Lincoln’s Gal (AUS)Bay Gelding Seivwright Bloodstock 463 Ardrossan (AUS)‐Miss Adventure (NZ)Bay Gelding Seivwright Bloodstock View the full article

Stablemates Oratia Beauty and Geneva will have opportunities to book their passages south when they step out at Ellerslie on Saturday. The former will face a rise in class in the Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) while Geneva will take on older opposition in the Kingmakers Syndication Handicap (1400m). Trainer Kylie Hoskin has the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) hopes for the Jomara Bloodstock-bred and raced pair. Oratia Beauty capped the strong start she’s made to her career when she broke her maiden after minor placings in both of her previous appearances. “When we look back the horses she beat, there is very good form around her,” Hoskin said. At Taupo last time out, the Too Darn Hot filly accounted for subsequent winner Kygo Star and Magic Carpet, who then came out and claimed top honours in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). “I think she does deserve her chance, and she has trained on really well,” Hoskin said. “We were going to give her another run but with the wet tracks we haven’t, and she’s fit and ready to go for Saturday. “She’s at her best fitness wise and this is her chance to show she’s up to competing at the top level of fillies in the Guineas.” Time Test colt Geneva won his only start as a two-year-old and this season his progress has been hampered by the persistent wet tracks. Despite unsuitable going, he was fourth in the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), midfield in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) and most recently ran third in an age group even on the course. “His last run at Ellerslie was much better and was still a bit fierce in the running so we’ve added a nose band and in his trackwork he’s been a lot better,” Hoskin said. “We’re hoping that’s going to be enough to let him relax more in the running and save it for the end. “With the way the tracks have been, we haven’t been able to get a start into him and, again, this is his chance to see if he gets a trip down south.” View the full article

It takes more than steel and cement to construct a building. For one as large in scale as the new Belmont Park, it requires a treasure chest of money—somewhere in the ritzy neighborhood of about a half-billion dollars—and a ton of support.View the full article

No one knows more about what it takes to beat Ka Ying Rising than jockey James McDonald and the superstar Kiwi looms as the rider most likely to topple the Hong Kong superstar in Saturday’s Group One The Everest (1,200m) at Randwick in Sydney. The only jockey to finish ahead of Ka Ying Rising, doing so twice aboard Wunderbar at Class Three level in January last year, McDonald has also placed behind the world’s best sprinter at the top level with Howdeepisyourlove. He partners second favourite...View the full article

A new ratings-based handicap race for Thoroughbred racehorses, based on Equibase Ratings tied to multirace performance, could take place as early as Oct. 24 at Santa Anita Park. Three such handicap races are among 14 "extras" for Oct. 24. View the full article

Next Wednesday, Oct. 22, will be an additional day of live racing as part of the Belmont at the Big A fall meet, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced. Live racing was cancelled Sunday, Oct. 12 due to a significant storm in the area. NYRA, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA), and the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) requested and received formal approval from the New York State Gaming Commission to add the Oct. 22 card. Entries for Oct. 22 will be taken Thursday, Oct. 16. The Belmont at the Big A fall meet will continue through Sunday, Nov. 2. The post Oct. 22 Race Card Added to Belmont at the Big A Schedule appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jordyn Bublitz It’s shaping up to be a big night at Cambridge Raceway for up and coming northern junior driver Jacob Dunn, who lines up behind three promising runners. Each of the trio looks a genuine shot at the winner’s circle, starting with Kiss And Run for Cambridge locals Dylan and Jo Ferguson. The five-year-old mare fronts up in the Garrards Horse And Hound Handicap Trot (6.20pm) after a solid fourth at Alexandra Park last week, following a brief freshen-up. That run came in much stronger company, and Dunn believes the drop back to Cambridge conditions could work in her favour. “Her last start was quite a good run, it was a very handy field,” Dunn said, “she’s back to Cambridge tonight, but the 25m over 2200m is never easy, especially if the front markers step and run. In saying that, she steps quick enough, and if I can get a handy enough spot, she should definitely be right there.” Later in the night, Dunn reunites with a familiar partner in Twista, a four-year-old gelding trained by Steve and Amanda Telfer. The pair line up in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Handicap Pace over 2700 metres (6.45pm), a distance Dunn feels will suit the pacer. Their last outing together at Cambridge on September 25 ended in success, with Twista grinding out a brave win after sitting parked and still rattling home in a sharp 56.7 last half. Dunn was impressed by the effort. “Last start he was back to his best,” Dunn said, “the 2700 stand should suit him, and if we can make a safe enough beginning, he looks to be a top chance.” Rounding out Dunn’s trio of drives is Upstage, another Stonewall Stud representative. The four-year-old Sweet Lou gelding steps out in the Join Us For Camb RDA Fundraiser On 30 Oct Mobile Pace, marking his first start in almost a year. With a couple of tidy trials under his belt, Dunn expects a good showing, but admits the run will likely bring him on. “Steve has told me he quite likes him,” he said. “He’s had a couple of trials and we’ve drawn well enough, but he’s been off the scene for quite a while, so we might need the run.” Of his three drives, Dunn didn’t hesitate when asked for his best chance. “Twista’s probably my pick of the litter tonight,” He’s also quick to acknowledge the faith Stonewall Stud continues to show in him. “They’re giving me some really great opportunities.” View the full article

By Jonny Turner The racebook may read the same, but Tom Bagrie is sure he is returning with a better horse for the second running of the Group 3 The Dark Horse at Invercargill today. With the Southern Trotting Oaks already on her résumé, Walkinonsunshine heads south in the hope she can bag another Ascot Park trotting feature. The four-year-old’s first attempt at the newly minted mares’ event was something of a non-event when she settled last in a leader-dominated affair. Walkinonsunshine not only returns a little bit older for the 2025 edition of The Dark Horse (6.37pm) but Bagrie is sure she’s a little bit better and importantly, a little bit wiser. “She was learning a lot about standing starts last year, she got away safely but was just too far back,” the Canterbury trainer said. “From there it was a bit of a non-event.” “And I never really felt like we had her right last year, either.” “It took her a while to bounce back from all of her age-group racing.” “But this year I am really happy with where she is at, she is in a great spot.” “She’s had that standing start experience now too, so hopefully she can begin well and settle handier this year.” Though front-markers dominated last year’s placings, a 10m marker in Eurostyle won the inaugural running of the event, just as Walkinonsunshine will attempt to do on Thursday. Princess Sadie looks the hardest to beat of those off the front this year and she comes into The Dark Horse after beating Walkinonsunshine home in the recent Group Three Jasmyn’s Gift Stakes at Oamaru. “The front-markers are going to run for it like cut cats, so we are going to need a bit of luck,” Bagrie said. “Princess Sadie looks like she’s in a great run of form – she went nice at Oamaru and beat us home.” “We have got our work cut out to beat her, but I do think our mare has come on since that run.” The backmarkers of The Dark Horse have class on their side and they are going to need it to overcome their 30m handicaps. Hidden Talent ($5.50) and Empire City ($11) have been let go at juicy odds considering their undoubted ability. Princess Sadie has been rated the $3.20 favourite for the race, ahead of Walkinonsunshine ($4.50). View the full article

Canadian Horse of the Year in 2022 and 2024 Eclipse champion turf female Moira has been retired from racing by her Australian connections.View the full article

With 184 horses set to be offered at the Nov. 12 Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale, the sales company has released the online catalogue. The one-day sale will be held the day after the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale concludes. Horses in the catalogue–comprised of 42 2-year-olds, 82 3-year-olds, and 38 horses aged four and up–will be stabled in Barns 20-26. “The November Horses of Racing Age Sale is a trusted marketplace for proven racehorses and promising prospects,” said Keeneland Senior Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach. “With a strong buyer presence on-site and online, this sale connects sellers with buyers seeking ready-to-run talent.” The sale will begin at noon ET, with print catalogues available Oct. 31. Internet and phone bidding will be available. A number of former graduates of Keeneland's Horses of Racing Age Sale have been featured in graded performances of 2025, including Withers Stakes winner and GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial nose second Captain Cook (Practical Joke), who was a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' at two; GII Suburban Stakes winner Phileas Fogg (Astern {Aus}); GIII Prairie Meadows Cornhusker victor Cornishman (Curlin); GIII Santa Ana Stakes winner Lady Claypoole (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}); and GIII Royal Heroine victress Public Assembly (More Than Ready). The post Keeneland’s November Horses of Racing Age Sale Catalogue Online appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

TATTERSALLS, ENGLAND – Trainer George Boughey was the latest big name to join the Night Of Thunder fan club at Tattersalls when going to 800,000gns to secure a colt by the stallion on behalf of leading owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum. Boughey has enjoyed success with the progeny of Night Of Thunder already, notably through that owner's Bow Echo, who was last seen winning the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket in September. The Wednesday sale-topper was consigned by New England Stud and Boughey drew comparisons to his Group 2 winner by the stallion shortly after outbidding Anthony Stroud on the colt. He said, “We had some stiff competition – he has been bought for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid and he looks very similar to Bow Echo. Sheikh Obaid picked him out and obviously we are delighted to train him. The colt is from a good family and the mare was a Listed winner. He looks like he will be one for next summer onwards. Sheikh Obaid is a patient owner and hopefully this colt can emulate what Bow Echo did.” Boughey added, “We have had three or four by the sire and they have all won their maidens, but Bow Echo is the first with us to go on and look like a better horse. It is great to have the horse in the barn.” The sale-topping colt is out of Golden Horn mare Quenelle D'Or and was offered by New England Stud on behalf of breeders Lady Riblat and Stanley House Stud. New England's Peter Stanley said, “For a first foal to fetch that sort of price, it is magnificent. It is really thrilling, but Night Of Thunder is an incredible stallion. He is upgrading his mares to an extraordinary level and we are lucky we have taken the punt and used him. We used him a few times and it is paying off.” He added, “I thought this would be one of the nicest horses in the ring this week and I said to my brother that this horse could make any amount of money. You start at a level and you need two people to lock horns and we were lucky that two great judges were there and did just that. I do think he will be a racehorse – he has it all. He has class and he has a lovely outlook. We have been excited about him for a long time. “I don't think Lady Riblat has had a broodmare before. My brother [Lord Derby] raced Quenelle D'Or with John and Lady Riblat. They had a lot of fun, so I said to them at the end, 'Why would you want to sell her?' So, we played the breeding game. John had heard that you always lose money breeding horses. I had him on the phone during the bidding and he enjoyed every minute.” The Night Of Thunder colt was the headline act on the final day of what has been another record-breaking sale at Park Paddocks. The 69,657,500gns climbed 2%, which is a record, as is the median, which climbed 9% to 76,000gns. The average dropped by 1% to 107,496 while the clearance rate was also down by just 1% to 90%. “Life-Changing” Pinhooking Profit For Cope And Company One of the stories of the day, if not the entire Book 2 sale, came when Stanley Lodge manager Nick Cope, along with Ard Erin Stud's Tom and David Brickley, transformed their 80,000gns foal purchase by Camelot into a 475,000gns yearling to Alex Elliott, bidding on behalf of MV Magnier and Peter Brant. The Camelot colt, who is out of the Listed-winning Clodovil mare Tigrilla, was one of the talking horses coming into the final day of Book 2 and he didn't disappoint. Eventually, it was Elliott who saw off the attention of Anthony Stroud to provide Cope with his greatest day on a sales complex. “It's my biggest day in the game by a long, long way,” an emotional Cope said. “It's very emotional. When a horse like him, who was a pleasure to deal with the whole way through and was just an absolute gentleman of a horse, does that for you, it's amazing. He is one of those horses who just thrived every day for us. This is life-changing for me. It's massive. Absolutely massive.” Along with the Brickley brothers, Cope sourced the Camelot colt from Baroda Stud at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale. He was making all of the right noises coming into Wednesday's session, with Cope admitting it was a bit of a struggle to keep a lid on his emotions as the horse entered the ring. He said, “It's hard. Book 2 can be a hard sale for people to negotiate. We had some massive shows this morning and we knew we were getting on the right shortlists and that we were getting some very good second looks. It just blew up and, when it all works out, it's amazing what can happen in that ring. About five lots before the horse went into the ring, we were looking around to see who was down at the barn earlier in the day. Thankfully, it all came together and the ring just warmed up. Everyone you hoped would turn up did and there were just bids coming from everywhere.” Cope added, “The Brickley brothers and I always team up together at the foal sales when we can. We try to work the sales as hard as we can and sometimes you come across the real deal, which he was. He did everything right for me all week – didn't put in a bad show and, when they do that for you, you can't ask for much more. He vetted really clean and had a great scope, great x-rays and a great attitude. He's just an unbelievably athletic, easy-moving horse.” Elliott was flanked by MV Magnier and Paul Shanahan as the gavel fell and confirmed that the Coolmore partners were determined to land the colt. The agent said, “He is by Camelot and out of a black-type mare who has produced a good horse by Twilight Son. This colt was very well bought by Nick Cope and the boys, and the team was very determined to get him. A lot of the Camelots are real staying types to look at, but I think this mare might speed him up; you could be looking at anything from 7f as a two-year-old and then as an older horse to a mile plus. We all liked the idea that she would put in speed.” Breeders Of Ombudsman Enjoy Another Day In The Sun With Night Of Thunder Ombudsman's breeder James Hanly warmed up for Saturday's Qipco Champion Stakes by recording yet another memorable day in the sales ring when selling a Night Of Thunder filly to Henry Lascelles for 700,000gns. Hanly sold Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder), who is a general 15-8 favourite for what is being billed as one of the races of the season, at this sale in 2022 for 340,000gns. The master of Ballyhimikin Stud in Ireland has been well-rewarded for his loyalty to sire sensation Night Of Thunder and, along with co-breeders Anthony Stroud and Trevor Stewart, enjoyed another day to remember at Park Paddocks with this filly going to Lascelles on behalf of a major owner-breeder in Britain. “Night Of Thunder has been an absolute revelation. He's been fantastic for us and we've been so lucky to be involved with him,” said Hanly's son, Jack. “We've been on the bandwagon for a long time now; I don't think we sent him a mare in his first season but every year after that we have. That's really down to Anthony Stroud, he knew from the start how good he was and he kind of bullied us into following him!” He added, “This filly had a lot of vets, there was a lot of chat about her and a lot of interest. She was an absolute queen down at the box and she was foot perfect here in the ring. We were expecting a good result but this is huge.” The Night Of Thunder filly is out of Princesse de Saba (Dariyan), who placed in Group 3 company when in training in France. She was sourced by Stroud for €87,000 at Arqana in 2021 and has already proved to be a solid producer for connections, given her Mehmas colt made 270,000gns at this sale last year. “The mare has done us proud,” Jack continued. “The half-brother we sold last year was a really good first foal and he's gone down to Australia. She's a nice, attractive mare and I think you have to buy them on the physical as well as the pedigree, and hopefully they'll pass that onto their stock. We loved her from the very beginning.” That sale contributed towards what has been a memorable two weeks or so for Ballyhimikin, with the farm selling seven yearlings at Book 1 for 3,605,000gns and a further eight yearlings at Book 2 for a combined sum of 1,975,000gns. “We've had a great crop of yearlings this year and people seem to like them, so hopefully they'll carry on and do well on the track now,” Jack said. “That's the most important thing.” Asked whether the Hanlys would be making their way towards Ascot to support one of Night Of Thunder's leading performers on Saturday, Hanly concluded, “We can't miss it. It's the race of the year. It'll be some shootout.” Subplots Night Of Thunder put in a dominant performance at Book 2, with 17 lots selling for a combined sum of 5,525,000gns. His 325,000gns average was 134,353gns clear of his nearest pursuer, Starman. Baaeed was the leading first-season sire by both aggregate (2,314,000gns) and average (144,625gns), but the positive reaction to the first yearlings by Perfect Power shouldn't go unnoticed. From seven lots sold to Baaeed's 16, the progeny of the Darley stallion reached a total of 878,000gns, with the most significant contribution coming courtesy of lot 1078, a colt from Hillwood Stud that went the way of Shadwell for 260,000gns. Given that this first crop was conceived from a fee of just £15,000, Perfect Power's average of 125,429gns makes for impressive reading indeed. It's nothing new for breeze-up handlers to join forces, but it was still interesting to see Mark Grant and Malcolm Bastard teaming up to buy a Havana Grey filly and two colts by Mehmas for a combined 268,000gns this week. It was interesting to see Michel Zerolo's Oceanic Bloodstock get in on the action at Book 2 with eight sourced for 1,067,000 gns. Gerrardstown House Stud was responsible for the most expensive colt sold at Tattersalls by Starman when Amo Racing went to 400,000gns to secure lot 1272. “He was Robson Aguiar's favourite since the weekend – he knew the horse beforehand and he knows this type of horse and it made sense to buy him,” said trainer Kevin Philippart de Foy. The colt is out of Tammy Wynette (Tamayuz), the dam of Letherfly, who placed in the Listed Sweet Mimosa Stakes. He is from the family of the champion two-year-old Toormore. Buy of the day Granted there are a lot of Minzaals going breezing, Brown Island Stables boss Johnny Collins picked up a nice colt by the first-season stallion for just 28,000gns from Torard House Stud. From quite an active family, he looks well-bought and would be short odds to make profit at the breeze-ups next spring. Thought for the day There has been a lot of money spent at the yearling sales this autumn, but that money has been concentrated between a very thin list of buyers at the top end. Book 2 followed a familiar theme with either Alex Elliott, Amo Racing or Anthony Stroud responsible for 13,327,000gns of the total 69,657,500gns spent at Book 2. The post Boughey Breaks Into Big League With 800k Night Of Thunder Colt At Tattersalls appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article