Wandering Eyes

Riding between Parx, Delaware Park, and Laurel Park, Mychel Sanchez recorded 12 victories from 34 mounts, including two four-win days, earning Jockey of the Week honors.View the full article

The catalogue for the Arqana August Yearling Sale was published on Wednesday, with 307 lots set to go under the hammer in Deauville between August 16-18. The first two sessions, each featuring 80 yearlings, will get underway at 5.30pm, before the remaining lots go through the ring in a final session which kicks off at 11am. Look De Vega, Ramatuelle and Shin Emperor feature among the top-class graduates of this sale in recent years, in addition to the G1 Champion Stakes and G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Sealiway, who will come full circle when three yearlings from his first crop go under the hammer. Another first-crop stallion, Baaeed, has nine yearlings catalogued, with Bayside Boy (two yearlings), Blackbeard (six), Naval Crown (one), State Of Rest (two), Thunder Moon (one) and Torquator Tasso (two) also falling into the same category. Of the more established sires, the catalogue also features colts and fillies by the likes of Australia, Blue Point, Camelot, Dark Angel, Dubawi, Frankel, Galiway, Havana Grey, Invincible Spirit, Kingman, Kodiac, Lope De Vega, Mehmas, New Bay, Night Of Thunder, No Nay Never, Sea The Stars, Siyouni, Sioux Nation, Starspangledbanner, Too Darn Hot, Wootton Bassett and Zarak, as well as the American-based stallions American Pharoah, Bolt d'Oro, Justify, Medaglia d'Oro and Not This Time. Lot 206 is sure to attract plenty of interest as a Night Of Thunder half-sister to last year's top lot, Écurie des Monceaux's filly by St Mark's Basilica who sold to MV Magnier for €1,700,000. Their dam, Prudenzia, has already produced the Group 1 winners Chicquita and Magic Wand. Other yearlings of note include lot 101, a Kingman filly out of a half-sister to Calyx, from Haras des Capucines; lot 127, Haras d'Etreham's first-crop son of Baaeed, a half-brother to multiple Group winner Maranoa Charlie; lot 149, a Frankel colt who is the first foal out of the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Mangoustine, offfered by Monceaux; and lot 210, Haras du Cadran's Lope De Vega colt from the family of Group 1 winners Call The Wind, Friendly Soul, Kelina, We Are and With You. The full catalogue is available to view here. The post Half to Last Year’s Top Lot Features in Arqana August Yearling Sale Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fasig-Tipton will award a bonus of $25,000 to the trainer that purchases the highest number of yearlings at its upcoming July Selected Yearling Sale, according to a press release from the auction company on Wednesday. To receive the bonus, the trainer will need to be in attendance at the sale and sign the ticket for each yearling purchased personally. The auction, scheduled for Tuesday, July 8 in Lexington, Kentucky, kicks off yearling sales season in North America with a precocious group of yearlings selected by Fasig-Tipton's inspection team. “The July Sale is a truly a trainer's sale,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “It offers early maturing, athletic yearlings selected more on physical than pedigree. Our goal with this bonus is to encourage as many trainers as possible to attend the sale and take advantage of the quality that we have to offer. “The quality of horses offered in July is reflected in the sale's performance statistics,” he said. “July is ranked number one among major North American yearling sales by percentage of stakes winners, stakes horses, and two-year-old winners, and number two by percentage of Grade I winners and graded stakes winners, trailing only our Saratoga Sale.” The catalogue may be viewed online and in the Equineline sales catalogue app. Print catalogues are now available from all Fasig-Tipton offices. The post Fasig-Tipton To Offer Trainer Bonus At July Selected Yearling Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Reciprocated (Havana Grey), a 210,000gns Tattersalls December foal turned 450,000gns Book 1 yearling, backed up a debut victory at Nottingham earlier this month and made all to register a decisive four-length victory for the Karl Burke stable in Wednesday's Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Novice Stakes at Carlisle. Reciprocated remains unbeaten, this Havana Grey colt and exciting prospect pulling clear in eye-catching style for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, @CliffordleexLee and @karl_burke @CarlisleRaces pic.twitter.com/nsrISsdj8r — Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 25, 2025 2nd-Carlisle, £40,000, Nov, 6-25, 2yo, 5f 182yT, 1:15.85, sf. RECIPROCATED (GB) (c, 2, Havana Grey {GB}–Radio Gaga {GB} {SW & GSP-Eng}, by Multiplex {GB}), a June 4 debut winner going just over six furlongs at Nottingham last time, broke sharply and led from flagfall here. On the front end throughout, the 10-11 favourite came under pressure soon after passing the quarter-mile marker and, despite darting right entering the final furlong, was ridden clear in the closing stages to easily account for Regional Rock (Territories) by four lengths. Reciprocated is the latest of seven foals and one of four scorers produced by stakes-winning G3 Fred Darling Stakes second Radio Gaga (Multiplex), herself a half-sister to Group 3-winning G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes placegetter Ardbrae Lady (Overbury) and stakes winning G3 Premio Primi Passi second Obe Gold (Namaqualand). Ardbrae Lady is the dam of the stakes-placed duo Jackaroo (Galileo) and Jammy Guest (Duke Of Marmalade). Sales history: 210,000gns Wlg '23 TADEWE; 450,000gns Ylg '24 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, £25,325. O-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum; B-Richard Kent; T-Karl Burke. The post Sheikh Mohammed Obaid’s 450,000gns Book 1 Graduate Reciprocated Goes Two-For-Two At Carlisle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Al Basti Equiworld Dubai has been announced as the new sponsor of the G1 July Cup, the centrepiece of the three-day Debenhams July Festival at Newmarket. The £600,000 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai July Cup will take place this year on Saturday, July 12, offering the first opportunity in Britain for three-year-old sprinters to take on their older counterparts at the highest level over the distance of six furlongs. Al Basti Equiworld Dubai is already the sponsor of the Newmarket Owners and Trainers Facilities, across both the Rowley Mile and the July Course. Al Basti Equiword Dubai founder and CEO, Malih Al Basti, said, “Newmarket holds a special place in my affection and I have fond memories of racing there over many decades. More recently, it has provided a valuable platform for the promotion of our business. “The July Cup has a strong heritage and an iconic international reputation and I am very proud that it is now associated with the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai brand.” The post Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Becomes New July Cup Sponsor appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gary Carroll has received a 14-day suspension and a £5,800 fine after being found to have used his whip eight times when partnering Cercene to victory in last week's Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, twice above the permitted level. Carroll revealed to the TDN on Sunday that he was still on a high after the daughter of Australia provided him with a breakthrough success at the top level, but this sting in the tail will now bar him from riding Joe Murphy's stable star if she takes up her next intended engagement in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Saturday, July 19. He will be suspended from July 8-21, inclusive, with the penalty being doubled due to his breach of the rules occurring in a Class 1 race. “Gary Carroll, the rider of the winner CERCENE (IRE), was found to have used his whip twice above the permitted level of six from approximately two furlongs out,” read a summary of the findings of the Whip Review Committee. “Taking into account that this was a Class 1 race, the penalty in respect of the above permitted level was doubled. Therefore, he will be suspended for 14 days from Tuesday 08 – Monday 21 July 2025, inclusive and fined £5,800.” 33/1! CERCENE WINS THE CORONATION STAKES! #ROYALASCOT pic.twitter.com/cba83YNxWV — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 20, 2025 The post Gary Carroll Receives 14-Day Suspension for Royal Ascot-Winning Ride appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam McNab will always remember his first winner, with the Cambridge hoop having to agonisingly wait to hear the verdict after a photo finish blunder at Pukekohe on Wednesday. The recently licenced apprentice was positive from the outset aboard the John Bell-trained Muscovado in the Sistema 2100, pushing his charge forward early from their wide gate, however, they failed to find the front and were parked out three-wide for the majority of the journey. McNab kept his cool and turning for home he guided his charge to the better footing out wide. They entered a duel with Middle Khan, with the pair going stride for stride down the straight, with little separating them at the finish. Returning to scale, McNab was told he was the winner, however, his jubilation was short-lived when the judge called Middle Khan the victor. Upon review, it was found that the judge had mistaken the horses in the photo finish, and subsequently called the incorrect result, which was then corrected. “The judge called 13, Middle Khan, the winner ahead of Sam McNab’s mount, which was number three, Muscovado,” Stipendiary Steward Brady Jones said. “Stewards queried the photo with the judge into how he had reached that decision, and it was discovered that he had erred in his decision where he misinterpreted the heads in the official photo of the two horses. “He falsely declared Middle Khan, the horse on the inside, as the winner but after reviewing the photo and going through stewards footage, the judge has amended his placings with Muscovado declared the winner.” While anticlimactic, McNab was thrilled to be awarded his first raceday victory within just a few weeks of commencing his apprenticeship. “They told me I had it and I had my head down on the line,” McNab said. “When I was taking my saddle off they said I ran second, so it was a bit of a waiting process, but we got there. “It was good to finally find out the result, and I am really happy. It is good to get the first win out of the way. “I have had a pretty good start, so to get a winner early on is really rewarding.” Being the son of former top jockey Chris McNab and the brother of premiership-winning jockey Michael McNab, Sam was always destined to follow suit, however, the 18-year-old said he took some persuading to enter the family business. “I have always grown up around horses, but it wasn’t until the last year-and-a-half that I started working in Tony Pike’s stable and got the motivation from Michael to give it a go,” McNab said. “I hopped on my first horse and went from there.” McNab is now hoping he can quickly add to his tally when he heads north to Ruakaka on Saturday where he will ride Bad Education in the Croft Poles (1200m) for trainer Joshua King. “He has drawn wide, but I think his last few starts haven’t been too bad,” McNab said. “He got pushed around a bit, and with an uninterrupted run hopefully he can run well.” View the full article

Stars of the future go under the hammer at Karaka on Thursday with New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale set to commence at 10am. The one-day auction features 118 thoroughbreds after withdrawals including weanlings by a host of proven and emerging sires, with opportunities for pinhookers and end-users alike. Proven sires such as Savabeel, Per Incanto, Proisir, Shocking, Satono Aladdin, Shamexpress, Ocean Park, Spirit of Boom and Almanzor are well represented, along with rising star Super Seth. The second crop of emerging young sires Noverre and Sword Of State will also be keenly sought after while the first stock by Windsor Park Stud’s Group One winning son of Deep Impact, Profondo, will be presented to market on Thursday. Windsor Park’s Marketing Manager Michael Moran was pleased with the foot-traffic at Karaka over the past few days as the Cambridge nursery present a draft of six weanlings including Lot 59, a well-made colt by Profondo “It has been pretty good. We have some nice horses here that have been well found,” Moran said. “We have got a lovely colt by Profondo out of a Shamexpress mare in Shamani. He’s attracted a lot of attention and is a quality colt with a lot of style and is a great representation of the stallion.” Moran said breeders have really taken a shine to Profondo and have voted with mares through the gate. Lot 13, a Per Incanto colt out of the stakes-winning mare London Express Photo: Trish Dunell “He’s been a dream to market. He covered 177 mares in his first year, and 173 in his second year, and we have got over 120 booked in already for him this year. “He is a great-looking horse and was a sale-topping yearling himself and then went on to win at his first start at Randwick. He won a Group One at only his third start in the Spring Champion Stakes, which is a good sire-making race with winners including Savabeel and Dundeel, and Proisir being a runner-up.” Seaton Park are represented by 11 weanlings, including a good-moving colt by outstanding sire Per Incanto out of the stakes-winning Shamexpress mare London Express. “This is our second day up here, and I’m thrilled with the turnout. We have got relevant stallions and that will always get people to the gate and after that, it is all about type,” Seaton Park’s Scott Eagleton said. “I believe the Per Incanto is probably our standout. He is a terrific type. He looks like a horse that the pinhookers will love. He has a lovely big walk on him and you can just see that there will be real improvement to him as a yearling.” Lot 129, a Sword of State half-brother to Torranzino parades at Karaka Photo: Trish Dunell Eagleton stressed there were horses for all budgets and plenty for end-users. “I have been really encouraged. Lisa Latta and a few others have come along and I’ve been thrilled at the response we have had to this point,” he said. Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore was last year’s leading vendor and is represented by an eight-strong weanling draft this year. “I have been very encouraged by the level of inspection. There seems to be very good intent from those inspecting our horses and I feel like our horses are presenting well,” Cunningham said. “You have to be bringing horses to the sales that you’ve got confidence that the market will be there for.” The progeny of Noverre and Sword Of State were well-received by buyers at the yearling sales earlier this year and Cunningham presents two weanlings by each stallion, including a Sword Of State half-brother to Group Three winner Torranzino. Lot 139, a colt by boom sire Super Seth Photo: Trish Dunell “We have got two weanlings by Noverre and two weanlings by Sword Of State and all four of those horses are good genuine prospects,” Cunningham said. “I feel there will be good demand for them on the strength of what they are physically, which is a credit to their sires. Given the way the first crops sold as yearlings, there seems to be a general enthusiasm about the stallions.” All weanlings offered are eligible to be nominated for New Zealand Bloodstock’s lucrative Karaka Millions Series. Graduates can compete for a share in the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), followed by the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) as well as the new $1m Mega Maiden Series comprising of 40 non-Saturday maiden races located throughout New Zealand. View the full article

Changes to New Zealand betting laws which passed in Parliament today will provide a vital boost to New Zealand sporting and racing codes and to the safety of New Zealand bettors when the bill becomes law later this month. Alongside the strengthened harm minimisation protections for New Zealand customers as a result of these law changes, a NZ$100m payment from Entain Group — which will be made after the changes to the Racing Industry Act take effect — will further deepen Entain’s commitment to the New Zealand industry and will boost the fortunes for Kiwi racing participants and national sporting organisations. Entain’s suite of brands in New Zealand includes TAB and betcha, offering Kiwis a choice of bookmaker and betting preferences. Entain’s 25-year strategic partnership with statutory body TAB NZ was established in June 2023 to provide an immediate financial uplift to the New Zealand racing codes and 38 National Sporting Organisations, committing more than $360m to boost the fortunes of racing and sports in the first two years of the partnership, and almost $1 billion in the first five years. Kiwi sporting figures have welcomed the change in betting laws, and the injection to New Zealand sports and racing that follows. “As a former professional athlete, I know how important investment is — not just at the top, but throughout the entire journey,” former Silver Fern netballer Courtney Tairi said. “These changes to the betting laws here in Aotearoa mean more money stays in New Zealand and flows through to the codes and communities that keep sport and racing alive. That’s huge and helps to build a future where every athlete has the chance to thrive.” The payment to racing and sporting codes and ongoing benefits from the law changes plays a crucial role in supporting communities and teams across New Zealand, sitting alongside efforts from government, member participation and sponsorship, Entain Australia and New Zealand’s Managing Director – New Zealand, Sam Moncur said. “Entain is proud to be building on TAB NZ’s legacy of backing Kiwi racing and sport,” Moncur said. “We are also very aware of the privilege we have to provide a world-class betting experience to Kiwis. Entain, through TAB and betcha, will deliver odds as fair and competitive as a customer would find in the highly competitive Australian market. “Kiwis love a fair go, and we’re committed to providing fair odds for our racing and sports fans into the future.” Entain Australia and New Zealand has been relentlessly focused on improving both the betting experience through investment in technology and the TAB retail network, as well as harm minimisation measures for customers since the strategic partnership began. The TAB platform refresh in April 2024 brought with it a world leading suite of safer betting tools available to all customers. These best-in-class tools offer comprehensive choices to help customers tailor the way they manage their betting. These tools also became available to betcha customers upon its launch in August 2024. These include: the ability to set deposit limits, an individual bet limit, curfews, controlling the markets a customer can choose to see, blocking out days of the week, deposit options, self-exclusion and account closure. More harm minimisation options will be introduced to the New Zealand market to add to Entain’s world-class support in this area. “We’re honoured to contribute to the future of the racing codes and play a part in keeping Kiwi sport alive and thriving,” Moncur said. View the full article

Imprevu (NZ) (Wrote) will head north to Ruakaka for just the second time this weekend, and trainer Janenne Dalley is hoping she can capture the lion’s share of the $60,000 purse on offer in the ITM/GIB Sprinters Championship Final (1400m). Dalley has been on the search for better footing for her mare to see out her preparation and she is hoping she is met with just that on Saturday, having bypassed last Saturday’s Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m) in favour of the northern assignment. “We looked at the Tauranga Classic, but it was just too wet for her, so we opted to go to Ruakaka instead,” Dalley said. “I am very happy with her. She has only had the one start up there for a fourth and we are happy enough with that to go back up there, and hopefully the track is going to stay a decent (Soft) 5 or 6.” The six-year-old daughter of Wrote heads into Saturday in good form, having placed in her last two outings, including last start at Ellerslie where she finished behind subsequent Tauranga Classic placegetter Midnight Scandal. “She is very well in herself, and she has come through those last two races really well,” Dalley said. Dalley hailed the ITM/GIB Championship Series as a great incentive over winter, and she was delighted to be able to qualify for the final by racing at Ellerslie. “It is a great initiative,” she said. “We did it a couple of years ago and it is a great incentive to get up there when you have got a horse that you can keep ticking over that doesn’t like heavy tracks.” Imprevu has drawn barrier one this weekend, a gate Dalley isn’t particularly sure will suit her mare. “I am not sure about barrier one,” she said. “They haven’t raced up there for a long time and my son, Ethan, when he was riding, he said if you got the ace draw up there you jumped and were on the speed, you were always there. “She can get back a bit but when she drew one at Ellerslie the other day, Hayley (Hassman) rode her well from that one barrier.” Hassman is set to reunite with Imprevu on Saturday and Dalley said she gets a kick out of supporting young apprentice jockeys. “Hayley is going great guns,” Dalley said. “She came over and worked her for me the other day and was very happy with her. She is a nice girl and it is good to be able to give apprentices a chance.” Saturday’s race will round out the season for Imprevu, and Dalley has her sights set on attaining an elusive stakes scalp with her mare in the spring, having previously placed in the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m), Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m), and Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m). “She will go out for a break after this and she will look forward to the spring. Whether we kick-off back at Ellerslie for Hawke’s Bay or go to Waikato,” Dalley said. “We will follow the same sort of path that we did last year and try and get her a Group win or placing. She puts her hand up every time.” View the full article

Saturday at Eagle Farm marks the grand finale of the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival, culminating in the highly anticipated 2025 Tattersall’s Tiara, the final Group 1 race of the Australian season. All eyes are on the capacity field of fillies and mares vying for the $700,000 prize in the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m). Leading […] The post Tattersall’s Tiara 2025 Field & Odds: Firestorm v Floozie appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

CALLMETHEBREEZE RETURNS ON SATURDAY Talented open class trotter Callmethebreeze makes his long awaited race track return on Saturday night at Melton for Andy and Kate Gath. Callmethebreeze, who has raced only 4 times since his brilliant 2nd to now retired champion Just Believe at Cambridge in the TAB Trot, is on an Inter Dominion path which begins the following Saturday night at Albion Park in Brisbane. He lines up in Race 8 at 11.06pm New Zealand time. Also resuming is stablemate and enigmatic pacer Catch A Wave, who was last seen at Gloucester Park in May, running 4th in the Freemantle Cup. He too is on an Inter Dominion path, and lines up in Race 1 at 7.19pm New Zealand time. WAI EYRE ANNOUNCES FEES FOR LAZARUS North Canterbury based Wai Eyre Farm yesterday announced their new stallion recruit, dual New Zealand Cup champion Lazarus, will stand in 2025 for $4,000 (+GST) if paid on a 42 day positive test, or $5,000 (+GST) paid on live foal (POLF). As part of their commitment to making breeding affordable, they also announced that for mares bred to Lazarus at Wai Eyre Farm, prices above will include the vet and breeding package and working fee. Contact the office on 03 312 6338 for more information. CHANGES TO NOMINATIONS/FIELDS NEXT WEEK With the new rating-based system coming into effect from Monday, 30 June, there are some adjustments to nomination and acceptance dates for meetings the following week: Cambridge – Thursday 3 July: Nominations as normal on Monday, 30 June Addington / Alexandra Park – Friday 4 July: Nominations now on Tuesday, 1 July Invercargill / Addington – Sunday 6 July: Nominations as normal on Tuesday, 1 July Processes return to normal the following week, from Monday July 7. For any queries, please contact: bureau@hrnz.co.nz. FEATURE RACE CALENDAR RELEASED The Feature Race Calendar for 2025/26 was released last week with a number of changes implemented for Spring 2025 and beyond. Initially, it has been released without confirmed stakes, as the HRNZ budget remains underway. It is envisaged they will be included in the next 4 weeks. To visit the calendar, click here: https://www.hrnz.co.nz/assets/PDF-Documents/Group-and-Feature-Racing-Schedule-25-26-5.pdf. SOUTHERN SURGE REMINDER Details for the inaugural Southern Surge have been confirmed, with $15,000 heats at Winton on 3 August and Invercargill on 10 August, leading into $25,000 finals at Gore on 24 August. To be eligible, horses must be: Registered through HRNZ with a harness racing trainer based south of the Waitaki River, Or officially transferred via a lodged Horse Movement to a trainer based south of the Waitaki, between 1 July and 24 August 2025. Conditions and full programmes are available at www.hrnz.co.nz. View the full article

By Jordyn Bublitz There was no catching St John Eight last night at Cambridge Raceway, with the Andre Poutama-trained runner taking out the TFS Horse Transport Mobile Pace—claiming his third win in seven starts and doing it in commanding fashion. From barrier five, the gelded son of Always B Miki burned early to take the lead, and Poutama said he knew he had the race won the moment he hit the top. “As soon as I got to the top, I knew I had them beat,” said the Pukekohe reinsman. “Whenever they come for him, he just always seems to find more and more.” And find more he did—facing early pressure for the lead and still having the grit to pull away from his rivals in the straight to score by a domineering three-length margin. Although he got things wrong last start at Alexandra Park, Poutama was confident in the gelding’s chances heading into last night’s race. “He galloped last start at Auckland, but he doesn’t really go right-handed, and he just got onto a knee on that last bend. I was hopeful for him heading into last night—I knew he’d be near enough.” Poutama is also looking forward to his sole runner lining up at Alexandra Park on Friday night—Eyeliner, who will contest the Magness Broadcast – End of an Era at Alex Park Mobile Pace (9:24 p.m.) The four-year-old daughter of Lazarus is having her second start back this campaign, and he’s positive she will have derived benefit from her fresh-up run at Cambridge Raceway. “She’d had no trials heading into her last start, and I was pretty happy with the way she went. She was always going to blow out fresh-up, and she’ll only improve,” he said. “We’ll probably drop straight onto the fence on Friday and hopefully trail the trip. If she finds the line well and we can get a bit of the money, I’ll be happy.” View the full article

More than a fifth of the horses going under the hammer at Karaka on Thursday, June 26 will be Next Gen eligible. Harness Racing New Zealand’s ownership model premiered at this year’s NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales at Karaka and Christchurch. It was a big success with 56 Next Gen-sired yearlings being sold. Off the back of that HRNZ extended the scheme to the NZB Standardbred National Weanling Sale as well. Of the 89 lots up for sale a total of 19 are from Next Gen stallions. The stallions and lot numbers are as follows : Dancinginginthedark M (Lot 1065) E L Titan (Lot 1040, 1088) King of the North – (Lots 1012, 1036, 1071) Pebble Beach – (Lots 1003, 1035, 1038) Perfect Sting – (Lots 1004, 1016, 1020, 1028 and 1032) Ride High – (1060) Face Time Bourbon (Lot 1085) Ecurie D – (Lots 1083, 1084 and 1087) One yearling (Lot 1082) will also be eligible as his sire Captain Crunch was Next Gen eligible at this year’s National Yearling Sales in February. It’s important to note though they you don’t have to buy one of the 19 horses to get involved in Next Gen. It is one of three criteria. The other two are : Buy any weanling/yearling from the sales and have an ownership group that comprises of at least four people, where the horse is owned 30% or more by people who are born after 1985 or have never previously been registered HRNZ owners. or Buy any weanling/yearling from the sales and have it trained by someone who has not trained a Group 1 winner (as of January 1, 2026) Weanlings/yearlings sold at that sale will be eligible for a range of two-year-old bonuses in 2027 as long as they met those Next Gen criteria. They will be eligible for the three Harness Million races – Colts and Geldings, Fillies and Trotters if paid into the series. A $50,000 bonus ($35,000 will go to the owner, $10,000 to the trainer and $5000 to the breeder) will be awarded to the first Next Gen eligible horse across the line in each of those three races. A $5000 2YO Second Start bonus ($4000 to the owner, $1000 to the trainer) will also be awarded to any Next Gen eligible horses that have two race day starts during their 2YO season. This will be capped at 90 horses, with a total payout of $450,000 per year. To see more about Next Gen click here : https://www.hrnz.co.nz/next-gen-2/ View the full article

A half sister to multiple Group 1 winner Duchess Megxit, Princes Lulu has gone full circle even before she’s even hit the racetrack. Princess Lulu (Captaintreacherous – Kensington Kate) was co-bred by the Patterson Bros Racing Syndicate, the same group that race Duchess Megxit. They sold her, as Lot 147, at the 2025 National Yearling Sale for $250,000 to Duchess Megxit’s co-trainer Barry Purdon. But that was not the end of the story In a bit of a twist her vendors then negotiated a deal to buy her back and she is now in a new and very Next Gen-looking ownership group. “I’d say two thirds to three quarters would be first time owners or under 40,” says syndicate spokesman Tom Patterson. The Patterson Bros Racing Syndicate and the Centaurus Syndicate, who co-race Duchess Megxit, have been joined in Princess Lulu’s ownership by a wide and diverse group. “Three nephews of mine are in and they have 25 or so people in with them, there’s a guy I know who had gallopers and is new to harness racing, plus Maurice McDermott has a syndicate he’s put together and there are others as well,” says Patterson. “Altogether there would be something like 50 people involved.” The Pattersons are well known in both harness racing and hospitality circles. The family owns and runs the Commodore Hotel in Christchurch and they have been associated with a stack of quality horse flesh over the years. Current 3YO Pacing filly of the Year Duchess Megxit is their latest star performer. And the feedback they’ve had about Princess Lulu so far is encouraging. “We’ve been told ‘she is no worse than her sister’ at a similar stage,” he says. That’s a pretty big rap considering Duchess Megxit is a Northern Oaks winner with 12 wins from just 21 starts and more than $1/2m in stakes. But it’s too early to know when she’ll get to the racetrack. In the meantime Patterson is trying not to be tempted by the up-coming NZB National Weanling Sale at Karaka on June 26. “I’m thinking I’m not going to buy but I carry the book (catalogue) around with me everywhere I go,” he laughs. Then again he sold Princess Lulu and look at how that ended up! To see more about Next Gen click here : https://www.hrnz.co.nz/next-gen-2/ To see the NZB National Weanling Sale catalogue click here : https://www.nzb.co.nz/ View the full article

Among all the industry heavyweights a hobby trainer will be on debut at the 2025 National Standardbred Weanling Sales at Karaka on Thursday, June 26. The usual suspects – Alabar, Macca Lodge and Woodlands Stud – dominate the sale numerically but that’s not phasing Waikato-based Brendon Laidlaw. “I just want to give it a go and hopefully it will be the start of something,” says Laidlaw. He will offer up Lot 1086, a bay filly by Ultimate Machete out of Asuka. “She has good conformation and seems to have a bit of attitude about her,” says Laidlaw. “She’s a weanling so I’m not expecting a fortune but I won’t be giving her away.” Asuka, a four-race winner for Barry Purdon, was out of the Group 1-winning Lizzie Maguire. She won 12 races including the 2008 Northern Oaks and the 2YO Diamond at the 2007 Harness Jewels at Ashburton. Asuka was bred by Rosslands Stud at Clevedon and returned there when she was retired. She has since produced six foals, the first five at Rosslands Stud and then Woodlands Stud. Her progeny include Jack The Builder (American Ideal – Asuka) who won four from five before injury forced his retirement and four-year-old Bazooka (Bettor’s Delight – Asuka), who has won five from 14 for Steven Reid. “She’s a half to Bazooka and the fact that he’s going so well is great for us .. hopefully that will create a bit of interest.” Laidlaw was given Asuka by owner Marilyn Hoggard who he knew well from his days working with Gareth Dixon at Rosslands Farm. “She was keen for her to go to a good home,” says Laidlaw,” and I had the mare for a year and then put her to foal.” The filly is his first foray into breeding. Brendon followed his brother Kendall Laidlaw into the sport. He was a trainer-driver in New Zealand before heading to Australia. A farrier by trade he’s based in Western Australia where he recently trained the winner of June’s Trotters Cup in Pinjara with Betty Bootz Off. Brendon Laidlaw trains only a small team at Cambridge Raceway around his full-time job as a fencing contractor. One of his team Mr Miki, a four-year-old Always B Miki gelding he co-owns, is not far away from heading to the races for the first time. Right now though the rookie horse breeder is hoping months of preparation and expectation will reap rewards in the ring. “You’ve got to be making money to press on but it (racing) is something we love – it’s a bug isn’t it?” View the full article

The publication is free to access and available now: Click here to read Breeding Matters – Winter 2025 The Winter 2025 edition of Breeding Matters has landed—and it arrives at a pivotal time for the breeding industry. Published by the New Zealand Standardbred Breeders’ Association (NZSBA), the latest issue covers the people, ideas, and initiatives shaping the season ahead. This edition takes a deep dive into the recently announced Harness 5000—a groundbreaking $720,000 race day designed to reward breeders using sires at the more accessible end of the market. We explore how the concept evolved, who it’s for, and why it matters. With 12 Listed races and a clear qualifying structure, it’s already reshaping mating decisions and restoring aspiration across the grassroots. We also preview the 2025 NZB Standardbred Weanling Sale, which continues to punch above its weight. With graduates winning Group races across Australasia, North America, and beyond, Karaka has become a genuine hotbed of opportunity. From $4,000 purchases to $400,000 earners, this sale has proven itself as a launchpad for value and talent. Equine reproductive vet Donna Williamson shares practical advice for breeders preparing mares this season, offering a no-nonsense look at fertility, foaling prep, and husbandry basics that make a difference. It’s a must-read for those wanting to improve outcomes without blowing the budget. The issue also unveils NZSBA’s 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, a blueprint developed in partnership with HRNZ that sets out key priorities for the next three years. From digital tools and youth engagement to rehoming, syndication, and better support for breeders, it lays the groundwork for a more sustainable future. This isn’t mail—it’s momentum. For breeders, for the industry, and for the ones still pushing forward. View the full article

Pukekohe trainer Rudy Liefting will make the long trek down State Highway One with a couple of his jumpers this week to target Trentham’s Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase Day on Saturday. His charge will be led by nine-year-old gelding Mont Ventoux in the Aztech Engineering Wellington Hurdle (3200m), with the son of Nom du Jeu looking to improve on his last-start third placing in the Waikato Hurdle (3200m). “His last start third was encouraging,” Liefting said. “I have really got to tackle the big ones because he is up in the ratings.” Liefting is wary of a few of his rivals this weekend, but is confident his charge will acquit himself well. “He has beaten Nedwin home in the Northern last year and his form is around Nedwin. Verry Flash looks a good chance, but it’s jumping, so anything can happen,” he said. “We will be looking to get into a nice rhythm and staying out of trouble. “It won’t be easy, but like I said to the owners, if we keep turning up and have him fit and ready, maybe one day the cards will fall our way.” Mont Ventoux will be joined on the float trip south by stablemate Renegade Fighter, who will contest the Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (4900m). Liefting admitted to being disappointed with the 10-year-old’s fourth placed performance in the Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) and is looking for an improved showing this weekend. “There’s a little bit of distance to make up from the winner. He was a shade disappointing, I thought he could finish a touch closer,” he said. “They really clapped on the pace and I think they left him a bit flat footed in the last round. We lost a few lengths when we had to get around The Cossack. “He is thereabouts, and he is weighing in those big ones. There are two hotshots in there, but third is anybody’s.” Liefting’s ultimate goal with the pair is a trip to Christchurch in August for Riccarton’s Grand National Festival of Racing, with the $100,000 and $200,000 respective purses of the Hospitality NZ Canterbury 135th Grand National Hurdles (4200m) and Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 150th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m), the major drawcards. “I am going to take them both to Riccarton,” he said. “They are getting older, and the money is up, so we better have a go just in case it is our lucky day.” Following Saturday, Liefting is looking to return to the Central Districts for Mont Ventoux’s final lead-in run to the Grand National but has yet to decide what avenue he will pursue with Renegade Fighter. “Woodville is the plan,” Liefting said. “Because they put up chase fences, I might run Mont Ventoux in the steeplechase there just to keep his rating down. He will be on the minimum if he can get into the big race. “I am not quite sure about the other bloke, I don’t really want to run two horses together. But following Woodville we will return to Auckland and fly them down to Christchurch.” View the full article

Trentham racegoers are in for a treat this Saturday, with Matt Hill, the voice of the Melbourne Cup, on course to call the Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (4900m). Hill’s voice is one of the most recognisable in Australian sport, with the Melbournian not only calling horse racing, but also AFL, the Olympics, and since 2012 he has been a commentator and presenter for the Australian Open Tennis. He enjoys the diversity of calling multiple sports and is thrilled to have followed in the footsteps of a couple of his idols. “I have always been a curious soul, and I adore sport, but also our race callers over here (Australia),” Hill said. “I idolised Bruce McAvaney, the sports commentator over here and he was the voice of the Olympics. Bruce was a race caller that became our chief AFL caller, and Ray Warren was a great race caller in the eighties who became the chief rugby league caller. “I was always curious to have a go at other things, and particularly being a Melbourne boy, to have a go at AFL football. I have been able to balance both now by doing football and racing. I am lucky that I have been able to straddle both, which has been really good.” His talent has taken him all around the world covering a myriad of sports, but it is international racing that intrigues Hill the most, and he has now called races in 16 countries and counting. “I have called races in 16 countries, not by design but by being a guest or travelling, I am fascinated by international racing,” Hill said. “When I was young, I was particularly interested in jumps racing and I ended up calling seven Grand Nationals for the BBC and the Velká Pardubická (jumps race) in the Czech Republic.” Having experienced race calling and various other sports around the world, Hill continues to be amazed by the diversity of racing in each country. “A basketball match is a basketball match wherever you watch it, most sports are pretty much the same around the world if they are global sports, whereas with horse racing, every country is different,” Hill said. “The riding styles are different, the racetracks are different, and the way people bet on the races is different. “I am fascinated by world racing and most of my misspent time at night is watching racing overseas.” While he has trekked around the world calling in various racing jurisdictions, he has yet to call a race in New Zealand. Something he is looking to rectify this weekend. “New Zealand is one that I have watched for a long time, especially the jumps with those beautiful big hedges, and I haven’t had a chance to travel over,” Hill said. “It will be a real bucket list item ticked.” The trip has been five years in the making, with the idea first fostered during a zoom call among New Zealand’s race callers during the COVID-19 lockdown. “During COVID, Justin Evans (Central Districts race caller) got all the (New Zealand) race callers together and they had monthly zoom meetings and I was one of their guests,” Hill said. “We talked about calling races internationally, and the one blip that I had not done was call races in New Zealand. Maryanne Twentyman (Entain Media Personnel Manager) and Justin were on the call, and they said they would have to get me over at some stage.” The opportunity finally arose this year and Hill is looking forward to heading to Wellington this weekend to help call the 10-race card alongside Evans. “They have been generous in inviting me, and I will spend a bit of time with Justin as well for a couple of days,” he said. “Justin is a very good, young caller and the more encouragement we can give all of the callers the better because we are a bit of a brethren and it is very rare for race callers from other countries to really get together.” Hill is particularly excited to be involved in one of New Zealand’s premier jumps meetings, and he is looking forward to mingling with the New Zealand jumping fraternity over the weekend. “Trentham his steeped in history and I love the jumps crowd,” he said. “They are so down to earth, and they share a mutual love for it, so it will be really lovely to meet the jumps community in New Zealand as well. “It is going to be great and really good fun.” View the full article

If Sierra Leone is to notch another top-level victory June 28 in the $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs, the late finisher will likely have to close from behind an anticipated moderate tempo. View the full article

Ziggity Zag won her career debut June 24 at Horseshoe Indianapolis to give 2021 Horse of the Year and first-crop sire Knicks Go his first winner as a stallion.View the full article

Taylor Made Stallions resident freshman Knicks Go (Paynter) was represented by his first career winner Tuesday when Ziggity Zag came from off the pace to score at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Campaigned by Flying Dutchman, the Kentucky bred filly was installed the 3-1 second choice for this unveiling. Reserved in a stalking position as longshot Dreaming Collect (Collected) carved out an opening quarter mile in :22.50, the grey kept the pacesetter in her sights through a :47.26 half. Asked for more by Nic Juarez turning for home, she found the early leader tough to run down late, however, she was able to get to the front in the final jump, winning by a neck. Favored Nanina (Ger) (No Nay Never) closed to be third. The first foal out of Lounge Act (Creative Cause), Ziggity Zag has a foal sister by Beau Liam. 6th-Horseshoe Indianapolis, $32,000, Msw, 6-24, 2yo, f, 7 1/2fT, 1:29.66, fm, neck. ZIGGITY ZAG, f, 2, by Knicks Go 1st Dam: Lounge Act, by Creative Cause 2nd Dam: Hallelujah Trail, by Gilded Time 3rd Dam: Runaway Aly, by Alydeed Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $19,200. O-Flying Dutchman Breeding and Racing; B-Boardshorts Stables LLC (KY); T-Brian A. Lynch. Click for the Equibase.com chart The post First Winner for Freshman Knicks Go at Horseshoe Indianapolis Tuesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Owner Marc Chan's foray into breeding could reap the ultimate reward on June 29 when his first homebred Green Impact bids for classic glory in the Irish Derby (G1).View the full article

Meeting June 24 in New Orleans, the Louisiana Racing Commission formally approved customary race dates for Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, during which the track will race Nov. 22 - March 22.View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of June 16-June 22View the full article