Wandering Eyes

Celebrating its 30th year, the Horse Farm Workers' Educational Assistance Fund has awarded 26 scholarships for 2025-26 to children of full-time horse farm workers in Central Kentucky. Some 808 annual scholarships have been awarded since the inception of the program, totaling $1,718,470. The Fund was founded by Rob Whiteley of Liberation Farm, Tom Evans of Trackside Farm and Fred Seitz of Brookdale Farm. Scholarships are granted for education or skill training after high school and are based upon financial need, merit, biographical essays and personal interviews. Scholarships are also available for full-time horse farm workers in central Kentucky who wish to take equine related training or courses to help them be more knowledgeable and effective while working with Thoroughbred horses. Six Horse Farm scholarship recipients have additionally distinguished themselves for academic achievement as Pollard Scholars at the University of Kentucky. “In pursuit of their dreams, many of our scholars work 20 or more hours per week at one or two jobs while carrying a full course load,” said Evans, the president of the Fund. “Our main goal is to award enough money so that they can focus on their studies and make school their number one priority without incurring a huge burden of long-term student loan debt.” He continued: “Investing in these young people is also an investment in the industry. Many of our scholars after successfully completing their studies have returned to pursue careers in the Thoroughbred industry. Several have already distinguished themselves (including a Director of Racing at a major North American track). Many who have chosen careers outside the industry have made their mark as professionals in nursing, education, social work, theology, and business.” Qualifying parents of scholars have been employed full-time for at least 3 years by one of the following Central Kentucky Thoroughbred farms: Benson Farm, Betz Thoroughbreds, Fallbrook Farm, Gainesway Farm (2), Godolphin @ Gainsborough (2), Godolphin @ Jonabell (2), Godolphin @ Raceland, Hermitage Farm (5), Monticule Farm, Mt. Brilliant Farm, Runnymede Farm, Shadwell Farm, Shawhan Place Farm, Spendthrift Farm (2), Winchester Place Thoroughbreds and WinStar Farm (3). “Our horse farm scholars and parents are an industry treasure,” said Whiteley. “Farm workers are the backbone of the breeding industry and therefore the foundation of the entire Thoroughbred industry. The parents of these scholars have instilled an incredible work ethic in their children. Year after year, these outstanding young people impress the Board with their ability, motivation, energy, enthusiasm, and accomplishments. Quite a few of our scholars are the first in their families to pursue education beyond high school, and some could not do so without our financial assistance.” Click here for additional information or to make a donation to the Fund. The post Horse Farm Workers’ Educational Assistance Fund Awards 26 Scholarships appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coolmore boss John Magnier has lost a High Court case over the sale of the 750-acre Barne Estate in County Tipperary. High Court judge Mr Justice Max Barrett concluded that a sale had not taken place between Magnier and the owner of the Barne Estate, Richard Thomson-Moore. He commented, “I am satisfied that neither the alleged land-sale agreement nor the alleged option agreement were ever concluded. Nor do I see any breach of the exclusivity agreement to arise. It follows that all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs will be and are respectfully refused.” The estate was put up for sale in July 2023. Magnier claimed that he and Thomson-Moore concluded a sale on the evening of August 22nd, 2023, and that the hand shake agreement was a binding commitment. However, Mr Justice Max Barrett said he is satisfied that no such sale had taken place. Magnier claimed he had secured a deal to buy the estate for €15 million. Thomson-Moore and his wife Anna deny that the deal was agreed, instead, saying the meeting at Magnier's home was equivalent to a sale agreed and was still subject to contract. Their legal team stated that such a claim was confirmed by the fact Magnier's team sought an exclusivity agreement lasting four weeks until the end of September which meant that the Thomson-Moores could not speak to any other bidder. After the exclusivity agreement lapsed, New York-based Maurice Regan came in with an offer of €22.5 million, which is 50 per cent above what Magnier had offered. The Thomson-Moores accepted that offer. It has been reported that the legal costs for this case are expected to run into millions of euros. The post Coolmore Boss John Magnier Loses High Court Case Over Sale Of Barne Estate appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lady Of Spain will put her unbeaten record on the line in either the Sun Chariot Stakes or the Prix de l'Opera, with Roger Varian keen to test the waters at the highest level with the daughter of Phoenix Of Spain. Both high-class contests take place on the same weekend, meaning the Carlburg Stables handler is able to make a late call with the progressive four-year-old, who delighted her team when making it five-out-of-five in the Group 3 Atalanta Stakes last time. Varian said, “She's in good form and has come out of the race at Sandown really well. We'll look to step up to Group 1 company next and she'll be left in the Sun Chariot and she'll be left in the Prix de l'Opera – they're both on the first weekend in October and we'll make a decision on whether we stick to a mile or go up to a-mile-and-a-quarter nearer the time.” He added, “She looks fantastic and is moving well, but we haven't tested her in any strong work since she won the Atalanta, so it will be interesting when we do if she gives us a sharper impression to encourage us to stay at a mile or if we fancy going up to 10 furlongs. “I don't think either will be a problem and I'm sure she'll have the stamina for 10 furlongs, but at the same time she was very good at Sandown over a stiff mile and on soft ground, she was very strong through the line, so both remain very strong possibilities. “These are the decisions you want to be making and she looks a good one and hopefully she continues her progression.” The post Group 1s Are Calling For Roger Varian’s Unbeaten Lady Of Spain appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie–Bernadreamy, by Bernardini), a dual Grade I winner at two, is expected to make the final start of his career in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile before entering stud in 2026 at Eric and Tamara Gustavson's Spendthrift Farm. “We are excited about Chancer McPatrick,” said Spendthrift General Manager Ned Toffey. “We've had good luck with precocious Grade I winners from the first crop of emerging sires–of course, that was the formula with Into Mischief when he came to stud. “It takes a pretty special 2-year-old to win on debut at Saratoga, win a race like the Hopeful in the second start, and win another storied race like the Champagne in the third start. Chancer McPatrick is also a tremendous physical, and we believe breeders are really going to like what they see on the end of the shank.” Bred in Kentucky by Rigney Racing LLC, the bay colt was sold for $260,000 through the Denali Stud consignment at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton July Sale and made for a successful resale when hammering to John Kimmel and Nick Sallusto, agents for Flanagan Racing, for $725,000 at last year's OBS April Sale. Turned over to Chad Brown, Chancer McPatrick was favored on Saratoga debut and found himself well back early on before unleashing a furious stretch rally to score by a length, earning 'TDN Rising Star' honors. After brushing the gate and having Flavien Prat lose an iron at the start of the Hopeful, Chancer McPatrick finished full of run to prevail by a half-length and he validated 1-2 favoritism in the Champagne, drawing clear to win by daylight. He joined the likes of Practical Joke and Jackie's Warrior as horses to win both of the New York circuit's major juvenile Grade I contests. Runner-up on seasonal debut in the GIII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby this past March, Chancer McPatrick won the July 24 Curlin Stakes ahead of a wide-trip fourth when last seen in the GI H. Allen Jerkens Stakes on Aug. 23. “Chancer McPatrick showed tremendous ability from the first time I worked him as a 2-year-old,” said Brown. “He won both the Hopeful and Champagne which is extremely difficult to do. The only other horse I was fortunate enough to do that with was Practical Joke, so that's pretty good company. Chancer McPatrick is a very correct, athletic colt with a lovely temperament. I thought he ran super last time out in the Jerkens, he just needed a little bit further. He's doing well and we're going to train him up to the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.” Bred on a similar cross to Grade I winner and promising young sire Maxfield, dual Grade I winner La Cara and fellow GISW Speaker's Corner, Chancer McPatrick counts GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes heroine and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up Dream Empress (Bernstein) as his second dam. He has amassed a record of 4-1-0 from nine starts and earnings to date of $727,875. A stud fee will be set at a later date. The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Chancer McPatrick To Stand At Spendthrift appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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They’ve had to settle for a dominant jockeys’ premiership winner for the past few seasons – and likely will in 2025-26 as well – but Hong Kong racing fans could be in for a midseason stoush for the ages if the stars align in the next couple of months. With The Standard reporting on Monday that Joao Moreira could be set for a return to Hong Kong as Caspar Fownes’ stable jockey and James McDonald believed to be one of a string of riders confirmed for winter stints in Hong Kong, eight-time champion...View the full article

Harness Racing New Zealand’s 2025 Blue September campaign is gearing up for its busiest week so far. The first Big Blue Drive (BBD) will take place all over the country from Thursday through to Sunday. It is all about encouraging people to donate to the cause and raise as much money as possible for prostate cancer research. Thursday will see dual meetings at Winton and Cambridge, with the latter hosting “Blokes’ Night”. Tickets are $70 and include food from the Burger Bistro menu, a drink on arrival and a variety of on-course activities. To see more click here On Friday there’s racing at Addington and Auckland including the $110,000 Group 1 Caduceus Class 2YO Fillies Classic at Alexandra Park. Racegoers embracing the Blue theme at both venues will be in the running to get spot prizes while stables who get involved will go into the draw to win a morning tea shout courtesy of HRNZ. All they need to do is email their photos to kim.butt@hrnz.co.nz. On Saturday everyone who has donated to the cause so far this month will get the opportunity to win prizes. All they have to do is comment on a HRNZ Facebook post to automatically go into the draw. The prizes are : 1. Two tickets to Harness 5000 meeting thanks to Ashburton Raceway. Each prize will entitle both people to a meal and drinks for the day. They will be seated with the sponsors for the day and have a view of the finishing post. 2. Two tickets to The Infield on Cup Day 3. A WDC (World Driving Championship) Merchandise Pack 4. A special hamper full of goodies The weekend will finish up with a big day at Motukarara on Sunday. The annual Blue Bolt is always a highlight. It pits all 11 ambassadors against each other in a 100 metre sprint down the home straight. On what is a very family-friendly day at Banks Peninsula, there will also be two Blue September Invited Drivers races. At the halfway mark, the campaign is at $18,141. The annual fund-raiser for the New Zealand Prostate Cancer Foundation has had a strong start, with $12,000 raised during the first week, followed by another $6000 last week. In all there have been 25 wins by Blue September ambassadors so far. Money is raised every time one of them wins a race thanks to their individual sponsors and contributions from HRNZ and the clubs. Josh Dickie, Tony Cameron, Robbie Close and Sam Thornley all picked up their first wins for the campaign over the last few days, with Close’s coming in Friday’s feature at Addington, the Listed $50,000 Woodlands Stud Series Stakes Harness 7000. The country’s leading driver Blair Orange has the most individual wins, with seven, followed by John Dunn and Matthew Williamson on five. To see more about the Blue September campaign click here Or contact : courtney@hrnz.co.nz View the full article

By Adam Hamilton A key pointer to the Group 1 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot will play out in country Victoria tonight. Pre-post favourite and TAB Trot winner Arcee Phoenix will clash with Brisbane Inter Dominion heat winner and finalist Parisian Artiste in a trial. It will be the second time in the space of six days the pair have clashed at the trials. Parisian Artiste led throughout from a standing-start to beat a softly driven Arcee Phoenix at Melton last Tuesday. And they may even clash again at Menangle when they return to racing. In the quest to get standing-start race experience before the Dominion, they could tackle the $30,600 Menangle Trotters Cup, a 2300m discretionary handicap. Parisian Artiste’s trainer Alex Ashwood said Menangle was almost certain. “That’s the plan if he trials as well as we expect again at Bendigo,” he said. “He’s pretty forward and will be ready to go after this next trial.” Like Arcee Phoenix, who last raced when he won the Brisbane Inter Dominion final at Albion Park on July 19, Parisian Artiste hasn’t started since finishing fifth in that same race. Connections of both star trotters are close and have booked flights to Addington for the two feature trotting races in NZ Cup Week. “He’s a stronger stayer and likes the stand (start), so we think the Dominion will suit him,” Ashwood said. In an exciting twist, Ashwood said Parisian Artiste could have extended stay in NZ. “We’ve got in mind staying after Addington and taking him up to Auckland,” Ashwood said. The key target would be the $100,000 Group 1 National Trot at Alexandra Park on New Year’s Eve. “It’s an attractive option because we know he goes so well in that direction,” Ashwood said. “He does all his work that way home and trots better and with less gear than he has to wear in the races here.” View the full article

What Wodonga Races Where Racing Wodonga – Hamilton Smith Dr, Wodonga VIC 3690 When Tuesday, September 16, 2025 First Race 12pm AEST Visit Dabble Wodonga is the destination for racing in Victoria on Tuesday, with a competitive eight-race meeting set down for decision. With showers on the forecast, the track is likely to hold its Soft 5 rating that it was given at the time of acceptances, while the rail will be in its true position the entire circuit. The opening event at Wodonga is set to commence at 1:30pm AEST. Best Bet at Wodonga: Vegas On Fire Vegas On Fire has been racing consistently and now gets a perfect map from barrier two to box seat behind a genuine speed. Her last few efforts read better than the figures suggest given tempo and pattern, and this is no harder. Liam Riordan reunites and knows her well; a soft 5 also brings her right into the mix. If she sees daylight on straightening, her late strength can tell with the lightish impost. Best Bet Race 8 – #7 Vegas On Fire (2) 6yo Mare | T: Shawn Mathrick | J: Liam Riordan (58.5kg) Next Best at Wodonga: The Wizard King The Wizard King is humming along and finds a very winnable BM62. He’s built a terrific platform with a strong win at Wangaratta on August 23 before adding another win at Mildura on September 6. From gate 11, Liam Riordan can slide across to land just off the speed — ideal at Wodonga, where momentum counts turning for home. He handles edge out of the track and stays at the same weight, which looks a plus in this company. Next Best Race 5 – #7 The Wizard King (11) 6yo Gelding | T: Shawn Mathrick | J: Liam Riordan (60kg) Best Value at Wodonga: French Lolly French Lolly is a lightly raced sprinter who gives the impression he’ll measure up sharply in 0-58 grade. He won stylishly on the Pakenham synthetic two back and comes here on the back of a sound second, and now draws to stalk the map from barrier eight with Jake Duffy sticking. His profile says he’s versatile enough to absorb pressure at 1100m and still quicken, and a slight give in the ground should be no issue. With several rivals searching for form, the four-year-old can press forward, control the race in transit and be hard to get past late. Best Value Race 6 – #5 French Lolly (8) 4yo Gelding | T: Olivia Osborne | J: Jake Duffy (62.5kg) Tuesday quaddie tips for Wodonga Wodonga quadrella selections Tuesday, September 16, 2025 6-7-8 1-3-5-6-7 1-3-10 1-6-7 Horse racing tips View the full article

Sadhbh scored a popular win at Te Rapa on Sunday when she broke through for her maiden victory in the Zappy – Send Couriers? Shipzappy.com 1500. The five-year-old daughter of Darci Brahma was bred and is raced by renowned racing photographer Trish Dunell, who was delighted to see her win while on the tools at Te Rapa. Dunell has taken a patient approach with her mare, who has just had the seven starts and has really come of age this preparation, placing in all three of her starts this time in before her weekend triumph. Punters took note and backed her into $2.80 favouritism, and she didn’t disappoint, with jockey Opie Bosson taking the shortest way home to score by a nose over Intoxicated, giving former The Oaks Stud stallion Darci Brahma the quinella. Trainer Pam Gerard was duly pleased to get the win and said she will improve over more ground. “She probably needed blinkers on, which we put on her today, but you won’t see the best of her until she steps up to 2000m,” she said. “Opie said he was niggling her along the whole way, but once he gave her one behind the saddle she took off. “She needs a better track too, but the weather has been pretty wet up here in the north and she’s been toughing it out to place on Heavy10 tracks. “The ability’s always been there, but she’s been such a big filly and mare we’ve just had to wait for her. “She’s learning to settle and run on, so is working it out to be a racehorse. She’s still got some filling out to do but come the autumn I think she’ll be pretty competitive in some nice races up in trip. “I’m really pleased to have won a race for Trish. She’s bred a really nice mare from a lovely family and just loves her horses to bits.” Sadhbh is regally bred, being out of Giant Mystique, a half-sister to former Singapore Horse of the Year War Affair, and is the dam of Group One performer Charles Road and stakes performer Cavallo Veloce. “She (Sadhbh) was the last one, having lost the mum, so I was never going to sell her,” Dunell said. Sadhbh has taken plenty of time to mature, having three starts as a three-year-old before a 16-month hiatus from racing and she returned in June a more developed horse and has run accordingly. “She is quite tall and she just keeps on growing, even now,” Dunell said. “But she is just lovely.” Dunell is excited about the future with her mare, particularly when she gets over further ground. “She is really going to be a stayer,” she said. “After that race, the girl who looks after her said that you wouldn’t have known she had a race at all, she was just so settled, and you couldn’t even hear her breathing she was so quiet.” Dunell has also enjoyed recent success across the Tasman, with full-sisters Spylark and Halliwell tasting success for trainers Dane Smith and Jessica Tzaferis respectively, the latter having posted four successive victories over winter. View the full article

Trent Didham has become the fourth generation in his family to become a trainer after joining his father, Peter, in partnership earlier this month. The Awapuni horsemen have lined up four horses together in the last week, recording two runner-up results at Awapuni’s synthetic meeting on Sunday, a day that had three generations of the family on track. “It was pretty cool to do it (commence training) with Dad in partnership, I am pretty proud,” Trent Didham said. “Grandad was there as well (on Sunday), which was good. He trained a few and took a few to Australia, and even his father before him was a trainer.” Born into the industry, the 27-year-old has always been destined to follow his forebears into the industry. “I have always been around it. Robbie Hannam is my uncle, so I was born into it,” he said. “I grew up, until I was five, at Awapuni where Dad was the track manager and then we moved out to Wellfield (Lodge, stud farm),” Didham said. Growing up at Wellfield Lodge helped lay a strong foundation for a career in the industry for Didham, but he said racing was always where his passion lay. “It was good to get a base with the stud work, but the racing side of the industry was what I was always interested in,” he said. While Didham has spent the majority of his working life under the tutelage of his father, he has spent several years across the Tasman working for some of Australia’s leading trainers. “I worked for just under a year for Mick Price and two years for John O’Shea,” he said. In-between those stints, Didham’s father raised the idea of entering a training partnership, but Didham felt like he had more to learn before heading down that path. “The idea was put forward by my old man a couple of years ago, but I said to him I wasn’t ready, and I wanted to work for someone overseas again,” he said. “I went and did that and then decided to come back and give it a crack.” The father-and-son duo are still in search of their first victory and they are hoping it will come this weekend when their promising four-year-old Lucullan resumes at Trentham. The son of Rich Enuff has won one and placed in three of his four starts to date and opened his preparation with a pleasing 800m trial win at Waverley earlier this month. “Lucullan will kick-off his campaign this Saturday and he is one to look out for,” Didham said. “His main target is the Stewards (Listed, 1200m) down south. “We will get through Saturday and hopefully he will head towards that.” View the full article

Running Jedibeel (NZ) (Savabeel) first-up in the Gr.2 The Shorts (1100m) has never been Plan A for trainer Brad Widdup but after missing a scheduled start in the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) due to a setback, he is resigned to pitting his charge against some of the country’s best sprinters. A key lead-up race to The Everest (1200m) on October 18, The Shorts is also being targeted by Gr.1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m) winner Briasa (Smart Missile), who has been trialling superbly, along with the likes of Joliestar (Zoustar), Private Harry (Harry Angel) and Headwall (Dream Ahead). Jedibeel was scratched from the Concorde Stakes last week due to a light ankle strain and Widdup felt next weekend’s The Shorts (1100m) shaped as an even stiffer target. “Very hard race,” Widdup said. “That is why it was very frustrating not to be able to run him last week. I’m not saying he would have won that race, but he drew well and it looked a good race for him. “This race is going to be ten times harder. We are under no illusions there but we have to kick him off somewhere and I’d rather stay at home in Sydney, get him going and then we can work it out from there.” Jedibeel was given a solo exhibition gallop between races at Rosehill on Saturday by jockey Kerrin Mcevoy, who will partner him in The Shorts. Widdup described it as a “tick over gallop” and said it was preferable to taking the gelding back to the trials off a setback. “We wanted to get him away from home and just do a little bit of work,” he said. “It was a nice little hit-out today. I will probably need to do a little bit more during the week and then hopefully he can acquit himself well next week.” View the full article

The last couple of years have been a test for apprentice jockey Elen Nicholas, who has spent a significant amount of time on the sidelines with injury, but she returned with renewed vigour this year and was rewarded at New Plymouth on Saturday when recording her 100th win in the saddle. The expat Welsh horsewoman was two wins shy of the milestone heading into the Taranaki meeting and was duly thrilled to pilot home the first two winners on the card, Tulsa King and Our Time Keeper, at odds of $12.70 and $45.90 respectively, to reach the mark. “I knew I wasn’t far away (from 100 wins) but because I didn’t expect those two horses to win, they were real outside chances and neither of them had much form, it was a bit of a surprise,” she said. “I remember when I first started riding point-to-points back in the UK and I thought if I could ride a winner that would be great, and then I did, and then I thought if I could ride 10 winners that would be my life goal, so it is great to have reached 100.” It was a rewarding moment for Nicholas, who had contemplated retirement after her last injury, which required several surgeries and a long recuperation period. “It was a surreal moment because I had a real think about whether or not I was going to come back after the last injury,” she said. “I try not to dwell on the injuries, but I have had something like seven surgeries on one of my legs, so I am proud that my body has overcome that and is functioning.” Nicholas has utilised expertise from around the world in her rehabilitation, including an instrumental figure from her homeland. “I work with a guy in the UK, James Adams, who specifically works with jockeys and equestrian riders for fitness, but I have used him for rehab and fitness,” she said. “He is pretty good at getting people back to 100 percent and he understands the demands of raceday riding.” During Nicholas’ time out of the saddle, she worked in other jobs which gave her a new perspective and love for riding. “I had a couple of different jobs and went over to Aussie to work at the sales,” she said. “I approached Hana and Sam Beatson (Riversley Park) to help them out with cards and I really enjoyed it. “I worked for Newhaven Park in Australia and did a couple of sales for them on the cards. It is really fun because you meet a lot of people and a lot of big trainers in Australia you would never normally meet. “I didn’t have to come back riding, there were opportunities to explore other avenues, but I came back because I wanted to and I really missed it.” That renewed vigour has been reflected in Nicholas’ results, with the 29-year-old hoop having won 12 races to date this season, placing her in third position in the National Jockeys’ Premiership behind injured leader Michael McNab (17) and Opie Bosson (13). “I am pinching myself,” Nicholas said. She added two wins to her season tally at Te Rapa on Sunday, with the highlight being riding Notabadspillane to win the Norris Ward McKinnon 2200 for her partner, trainer Shaun Phelan, and father Brad Nicholas, who part-owns the five-year-old. “That was really nice to get the win on Notabadspillane as my Dad has a share in him,” she said. “That’s my first win on a horse Dad has got a share in, so that was really cool.” Nicholas has come a long way since riding in her first point-to-point race in Wales more than a decade ago, and she is pleased she made the move to New Zealand and followed the advice of riding mentor Noel Harris to pursue a career in the saddle. “I started riding back in Wales and I was 18 when I won my first winner in a point-to-point race,” she said. “I rode three point-to-point winners and then I came out here and rode for Paul Nelson over jumps. “I only rode one jumps winner in New Zealand and then Noel Harris said I should get my weight down and ride on the flat because I would make more opportunities for myself as an apprentice than being a jumps jockey, so I followed his advice.” Nicholas is enjoying her time in New Zealand and said it reminds her a lot of her homeland. “This country is a little similar to Wales with the countryside,” she said. “It has better weather, but it has a similar climate, and it felt like home away from home.” Of her 102 wins to date, a couple stand out above the rest for Nicholas. “Suliman winning the Taumarunui Gold Cup was quite special because it was for Paul Nelson, who was the first person I worked for in New Zealand,” she said. “I also had a really good partnership with a horse called Hit The Road Jack and I had a few wins on him that were quite special. I think I lost the first part of my claim on him.” Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Nicholas said she has two main goals. “Staying injury free is the main thing,” she said. “And I would love to win a stakes race, that would be the cherry on top.” View the full article

Well-related filly Spark showed she has inherited a good measure of the family talent with a bold debut performance in black-type company at Riccarton. The daughter of Time Test overcame the outside barrier to finish a gallant fourth in Saturday’s Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) for co-trainer, breeder and owner Guy Lowry. “We do rate her very highly and she had to do a bit from the wide draw,” said Lowry, who trains with Leah Zydenbos. “We weren’t worried about the ability, we were just worried about her greenness, given how little she had done.” Spark had trialled twice last month at Foxton, winning the second of them with an eye-catching frontrunning display. “She has showed up plenty and we’ll get her home and put her out for three weeks,” Lowry said. “We’ll work out a plan and maybe look at some of the three-year-old fillies’ races over Christmas.” Spark is a daughter of the No Excuse Needed mare Flare, who is out of a three-quarter sister to the former two-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ambitious Dragon. He spent a short period with Lowry, whose father Pat bred the multiple Group One winner, before relocating to Tony Millard’s stable. The family also features Lowry’s Listed Feilding Gold Cup (2100m) winner and seven-time stakes placegetter Mohaka. Spark is a half-sister to Candle, a three-time winner for Lowry before adding two more victories from Richard Didham’s Riccarton stable. “We still own her and hopefully she can get some black type for us down there,” Lowry said. Meanwhile, talented mare Bedtime Story will take another step toward her return at Tuesday’s trials at Foxton where she won an 850m open heat last month. “You’ll see her first-up in the fillies and mares’ race at Hawera (Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders Stakes, 1400m),” Lowry said. The Per Incanto five-year-old has four wins to her credit and has only finished out of the top four twice in 15 appearances. Bedtime Story was spelled following her runner-up finish in the Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) off the back of a third in the Listed Anzac Mile (1600m). View the full article

Still on a high after a breakthrough win on Sunday, Lyle Hewitson is eyeing a Class Two success aboard Steps Ahead at Happy Valley on Wednesday night in a bid to add to his momentum. The South African jockey booted home his first winner since returning from wrist and ankle fractures suffered in a nasty race fall in June when Metro Power bolted in at Sha Tin on the weekend. The David Hayes-trained gelding led all the way to notch his first Hong Kong triumph, clocking a slick 55.33 seconds up the...View the full article

A dominant victory by Lucky Magic (NZ) (Mendelssohn) in the RM300,000 Selangor Gold Cup (1600m) on Sunday was the fourth consecutive win in the race for graduates of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale. Lucky Magic was a $35,000 purchase from Book 1 of Karaka 2022, then was secured by trainer HY Cheng for $75,000 from the Ready to Run Sale. He has followed in the recent Selangor Gold Cup-winning footsteps of fellow Ready to Run graduates Black Thorn (NZ) (Redwood), Pasir Pinji (NZ) (Nadeem) and Antipodean (NZ) (Derryn). Previously the winner of the RM 1m Selangor Mile (1600m), Perak Derby (2000m) and the Penang Gold Cup (2000m), Lucky Magic has now had 14 starts for nine wins, two placings and over RM900,000 (NZ$359,233) in prize-money. Lucky Magic produced an impressive performance in an incident-packed running of the Selangor Gold Cup on Sunday. He was badly checked during a mid-race incident that saw three jockeys dislodged. But Andre Da Silva let Lucky Magic rip in the straight and he came with big bounds down the outside, dashing to the lead and drawing away to win by three and a quarter lengths. “Lucky Magic is a superstar,” said trainer HY Cheng. “He lost his momentum when Da Silva had to take evasive action and raced wide thereafter, but he still came home strongly like he always does. “He will run next in the Sports Toto Challenge Cup (1400m) next month, then the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor (2000m) in December. “We plan to run him overseas after that, but nothing is confirmed for now.” The 2025 edition of the Ready to Run Sale will take place at the Karaka Sales Centre from 10am (NZT) on Wednesday 12 & Thursday 13 November, with Breeze Ups to be held at Te Rapa Racecourse on Monday 13 & Tuesday 14 October. View the full article

LEXINGTON, KY – The Keeneland September Yearling Sale rushed to the conclusion of Book 3 with demand remaining strong right through to the end of its sixth session Sunday evening. Through both Book 3 sessions, 563 yearlings sold through the ring for a total of $109,983,000. The section's average of $201,804 rose 26.5% from last year and the median rose 23.1% to $160,000. During last year's Book 3 section, 526 horses sold through the ring for a gross of $83,880,000 for an average of $159,468 and a median of $130,000. Through six sessions, 1,216 horses have sold for $417,622,000. The cumulative average is $343,439–up 19.04% from the same point a year ago–and the median is up 19.05% to $250,000. The buy-back rate stands at 26.30%. It was 28.51% a year ago. “It's unbelievable,” bloodstock agent Jacob West said of the market this week at Keeneland. “It's so many factors that have come together in so many ways. I am just happy for the breeders. I know how hard it is to get to this point. If they raise a good horse, they deserve to get paid.” Bloodstock agent Pete Bradley said the results from Keeneland through Book 3 have reminded him of a bygone era. “Between tax laws and everything else, there is more money flowing around here than I've seen since I was a pup in the Northern Dancer days,” Bradley said. “Good horses are just hard to buy.” A pair of colts by Not This Time brought the session's top prices, with Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables teaming to purchase a son of the stallion for $875,000 from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment and bloodstock agent Pete Bradley going to $775,000 for a colt from the Dixiana Farms consignment. The stallion was also responsible for the co-highest priced filly of Sunday's session when Justin Casse purchased a filly from the Burleson Farms consignment for $600,000 late in the day. The Keeneland September sale continues through Saturday with sessions beginning daily at 10 a.m. Repole, Viola Join Forces for $875k Not This Time Colt Mike Repole's Repole Stable and Vinnie Viola's St. Elias partnered up on 74 yearlings over two years to be the leading buyers at the 2021 and 2022 Keeneland September sales, but their names didn't appear together on the result sheets in 2023 or 2024. The two men have teamed up again to purchase a pair of yearlings at the Keeneland September sale this week. After going to $1 million to acquire a colt by Nyquist (hip 266) Tuesday, the Repole/St. Elias partnership purchased a colt by Not This Time (hip 1762) for a session-topping $875,000 during Sunday's sixth session of the auction. “This colt was a big, good-looking horse who was well spotted in Book 3,” said Repole advisor Jacob West, who signed the ticket while seated alongside Viola's representative Monique Delk. “He was a horse who stood out to both of our teams. I think it's the same old play book. Mike and Vinnie are looking for two-turn, Classic-type horses. And Not This Time has proven that–it looks like they appreciate a little bit of ground. And we've both had luck with the stallion.” The colt was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency on behalf of his breeder, Jane Lyon's Summer Wind Equine. He is out of the unraced Sweetened (Candy Ride {Arg}), who is a full-sister to graded winner Confidence Game. The yearling's third dam is Vertigineux (Kris S.), who produced champion Zenyatta. Bradley Gets in on Time The demand for yearlings by Not This Time continued unabated during the second Book 3 session Sunday at Keeneland. Early in the session, bloodstock agent Pete Bradley purchased a son of the Taylor Made stallion (hip 1619) for $775,000. Pete Bradley | Keeneland “Not This Time has been almost unaffordable all week long,” Bradley said after signing the ticket on the yearling who was bred and consigned by Dixiana Farms. “This was a very nice colt. I stretched for him, but that's what you have to do to find a nice horse in this day and age.” Bradley said the colt would be trained by Chad Brown. “It's a group that is looking to find colts that could make stallion prospects,” he said of his clients. Bradley, acknowledging there are many such buying groups shopping for those colts with stallion potential, said it has been tough going buying at Keeneland this week. “For the group I bought this colt for, I struck out on probably 10 horses,” he said. “I have been trying to buy them in the $500,000 range. And I've been close on a couple, but again you have to push to get the horse who looks to be a serious athlete.” The colt is out of multiple stakes-placed Luzmimi Princess (Malibu Moon), who is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Heartwood (Tapit). Dixiana purchased Luzmimi Princess, in foal to American Pharoah, for $375,000 at the 2019 Keeneland November sale. Her Twirling Candy filly sold for $575,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September sale. NOTHING BUT NET Shea D Summer Continues to Reward Moore Virgnia breeder Amy Moore of South Gate Farm purchased multiple stakes winner Shea D Summer (Summer Front), in foal to Not This Time, for $260,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November sale. The mare's first foal, It's Our Time, sold for $425,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale before airing by 17 1/4 lengths while earning 'TDN Rising Star' status in his Aug. 16 debut at Saratoga for Double Down Horse Racing and trainer Tom Amoss A daughter of Bolt d'Oro led all fillies at Keeneland Sunday with a $600,000 final bid | Keeneland The mare's second foal, a filly by Bolt d'Oro (hip 1722), continued to reap rewards for Moore when selling for $600,000 to Susan Naylor Sunday at Keeneland. “Shea D Summer met all my criteria,” Moore told TDN's Chris McGrath earlier in this month. “Number one, for me, a mare has to have raced successfully. I know a lot of people do have success with unraced mares, but a small program like mine can't be discovering whether or not they'd have had ability if only they'd been sound. She was versatile, too. She won on a fast dirt track and on a wet dirt track. She finished second on turf. And she was a young, attractive mare.” Moore told McGrath she saw similarities in the mares first two foals. “She's a very nice filly,” Moore said of hip 1722. “She looks a good bit like him. On the smaller side, just as he was, so someone's got to be willing not to insist on a 16-hand yearling. But she has that same temperament, too, which I think stands them in good stead.” Shea D Summer has a weanling by Forte, the champion 2-year-old colt of 2022 who was bred by Moore's South Gate Farm, and the mare was bred back to Muth. The post Demand Remains Strong as Book 3 Concludes with $875K Not This Time Colt on Top appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Unlock a range of exciting racing deals from Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers this Monday, September 15. Take your punting to the next level with money-back specials, bonus-back offers, and boosted odds. These promotions give you more ways to win and add extra value to your Monday racing bets — all from trusted online betting sites. Here are the standout Aussie racing promotions for September 15, 2025: Top horse racing offers for today 10% Winnings Boost! – Hamilton Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. First eligible bet per race. Must apply Promotion in betslip. Cash bets only. Max bonus $100. Eligible customers only Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Bet Boost | Monday Thoroughbred Meetings Get a bet boost on thoroughbred races around Australia on Monday. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% winnings in cash Max Payout $2000. Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds win bets on Australian thoroughbred races only. Excludes boosted, multi, live and bonus bets. PlayUp T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Eligible Customers Only. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Daily Exotic Boosts Boost your exotics by up to 20%. Available on Exactas, Quinellas, Trifectas & First Fours. Excludes Quaddies. Check your vault for eligibility. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector | If Your Horse Drifts, You Get The Bigger Price Only available on Australian Horse Racing Fixed Price Win bets placed from 8am AET the day of the race. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Copycash – Get Copied. Get Paid. Get paid $0.10 every time someone uses Copy Bet to copy your bets. Eligible Customers Only. Login to Dabble to Claim Promo Daily Multi Insurance Any Race. Any Runner. Any Odds. Get a Bonus Back if your Multi loses by a specified number of legs. Fixed odds only. Check your vault for eligibility. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo Where do we find these bookmaker offers? At HorseBetting.com.au, our team keeps a close eye on the latest promos from Australia’s most popular horse racing bookies — so you don’t miss a thing. We dig through the daily deals and highlight the best value racing offers for Monday, September 15. While some bookmakers pause their promos, others ramp up with can’t-miss specials — and we bring it all to you in one place. Bookmark HorseBetting.com.au for your go-to guide to the freshest racing bookmaker promotions. From enhanced odds to cashback perks, there’s something for every punter. Just log in to your account with any featured bookie to activate your chosen bonus. Need help picking winners? Don’t forget to check our daily free racing tips to make the most of your bonus bets. Horse Racing Promotions View the full article

Chancer McPatrick, the multiple grade 1-winning juvenile by McKinzie, will stand stud at Eric and Tamara Gustavson's Spendthrift Farm in 2026, the farm announced Sept. 14.View the full article

Eve Johnson Houghton talked the talk pre-race, and Zavateri walked the walk by battling like a gladiator to deliver his trainer the second group 1 winner of her career and down the best juvenile Aidan O'Brien could throw at her in Gstaad.View the full article

Strong attendance on Haskell and Mother's Day led to an increase in daily average attendance at the 2025 Monmouth Park meet, while average total handle and average on-track handle decreased.View the full article

Monmouth Park registered records for this season's NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes and Mother's Day card during the 49-day meet, the track's 80th season, which concluded on Sunday. The crowd of 41,876 for the $1-million, Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell on July 19 was the largest since 2015 and produced a record total handle for a non-Breeders' Cup event of $21,999,962. It marked the third straight year that a total handle record was set on Haskell Day. The May 11 crowd of 14,687 also set a record for Mother's Day. Those two days contributed to a slight increase in attendance, with a daily average of 6,650 compared to 6,510 in 2024. “We're grateful to our fans who continue to make Monmouth Park a summer destination,” said Dennis Drazin, Chairman and CEO of Darby Development, the operator of the racetrack. “Our goal is and always will be to make Monmouth Park a premier racing and entertainment venue. With that in mind, tomorrow the work begins anew as we look to 2026 and beyond.” The meet saw Paco Lopez, who currently leads the nation in wins, capture his 12th riding title overall and record seventh straight. Prancing Horse Farm (Joe and Gayle Ioia) emerged as the leading owner, Jorge Delgado was the leading trainer and Christian Maragh was the leading apprentice. Average total handle was $3,641,403. Average on-track handle was $341,340. Prior to this year, Monmouth Park had four straight years of increases in total and on-track handle. With one day cancelled due to weather, Monmouth Park conducted 454 races, down from 488 in 2024. Thoroughbred racing resumes Friday with the start of the nine-day all-turf Monmouth-at-Meadowlands meet that runs through Oct. 17. First race post time for the six-race cards is 7 p.m. The post Record-Setting Haskell Day, Uptick in Attendance as Monmouth Closes Out 2025 Racing Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Arizona Blaze earned an automatic berth into the @BreedersCup with a win in the Flying Five Stakes (G1) at The Curragh Sept. 14, a race that is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.View the full article

Precise put in a sterling performance Sept. 14 to deny stablemate Beautify to win the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) at The Curragh in a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race for an automatic position into the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T).View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Guns Loaded (Gun Runner–Sky My Sky, by Bernardini) made his return to the racetrack a winning one as he took an optional claimer at Churchill Downs on Sunday. Tabbed as a 'Rising Star' when he was last under the Twin Spires in November, the colt ran through the early stages of the Florida series at Gulfstream Park over the winter. His key score came in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes Jan. 4. Not seen since running fifth in the Hutcheson Stakes Mar. 15, the 3-year-old went off as a 9-2 shot here. Rolling from the off the pace, he looked strong down the lane and won easily. The final running time was 1:09.85. Lifetime Record: SW, 6-3-1-0. Sales History: $800,000 '23 KEESEPT. O-Morplay Racing LLC, Platts, Joey and Lady Sheila Stable; B-John C. Oxley (KY); T-Jose Francisco D'Angelo. GUNS LOADED ($11.98) sling shot by them all to claim the 8th at @ChurchillDowns. @JFDAngelo had him ready to fire. @flothejock had the call for owners @MorplayRacing, @Lady__Sheila, and Joey Platts. Another winner for @Three_Chimneys' Gun Runner! Nice Pick by @andie_biancone. pic.twitter.com/D97ETh8VN9 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 14, 2025 The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Guns Loaded Returns A Winner In Churchill Optional Claimer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article