Wandering Eyes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oscar Performance (Kitten's Joy–Devine Actress, by Theatrical {Ire}) will stand for $60,000 in 2026, up from $45,000 this season, according to a Mill Ridge Farm release Wednesday. The 11-year-old stallion is expected to serve a limited book of approximately 170 mares (140 foals) in 2026. “Oscar Performance had another exceptional year led by Grade I winner World Beater, owned by Pin Oak Stud, trained by Riley Mott and bred by Dr. John Chandler,” said Mill Ridge's Price Bell. “Remarkably, he is ranked #2 on the General Sire List with GSH (Graded Stakes Horses) by percentage of starters to only Not This Time, and over leading sires Into Mischief, Gun Runner, Justify and on.” Bell continued, “With all the Americans going to Tattersalls to buy the European bred yearlings, we are reminded how much opportunity exists in the U.S. with turf racing. We know we went against the current, syndicating Oscar Performance, and thanks to our shareholders, breeders and his strength and gifts, he joins Diesis and Gone West as a 'breed shaping stallion' from Mill Ridge.” Standing his first year at stud at Mill Ridge, Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed–Achalaya, by Bellamy Road) will stand for a fee of $8,500 in 2026, slightly down from $10,000 in this season. “We believe Casa Creed has the qualities to contribute to the breed with his talent as a racehorse in (4) Grade I wins from (15) Grade I starts,” said Bell. “His biggest fan, trainer Bill Mott, said, 'his soundness, toughness and quality and that he was never X'Rayed in his seven years of racing and (36) starts sets him apart from all others and what our breed needs.'” Aloha West (Hard Spun–Island Bound, by Speightstown), who will be represented by his first runners in 2026, will stand for $6,500. The GI Breeders' Cup Sprint winner stood for $8,500 this season. “We look forward to Aloha West with his first runners in 2026 for he has a similar pattern as Speightstown, showing exceptional talent early on with Bob Baffert, only to have setbacks which limited his start to racing,” explained Bell. “Eventually, he made nine starts as a 4-year-old, winning five, and culminating with a win in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint.” “Physically, he also resembles Speightstown, his broodmare sire, and has the unique pedigree blend of three key stallions in Gone West, Danzig, and A.P. Indy, and Traces Back to Fappiano on the dam side.” According to Bell, both Aloha West and Casa Creed will qualify for the 'Ride Together' incentive where the registered breeder will qualify for a free season to that stallion if the offspring wins a straight maiden as a 2-year-old. “We are excited to anticipate the 2026 breeding season and welcome your inquiries on Oscar Performance, Casa Creed and Aloha West,” said Price Bell. The post Oscar Performance Fee Raised to $60K for ’26, Mill Ridge Also Releases Fees for GISWs Casa Creed, Aloha West appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Alex Solis, one of the American buying bench's most prolific operators, described trade at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale as being “back to reality”, after signing for another five yearlings this week to take his overall number of purchases across Books 1 and 2 to 14. Solis and Jason Litt, his partner in Solis/Litt Bloodstock, were registered as the buyers of four fillies and a colt at Book 1, as well as signing for four fillies in the name of leading American owner Mike Repole. The total spend on those nine yearlings came in at 1,950,000gns, which put Solis and Litt right up there among the most active American buyers at Book 1. They were joined by the likes of David Ingordo, who bought eight yearlings – predominantly for Matt Dorman's Determined Stables – for a total of 3,240,000gns; Liz Crow, whose total outlay was 1,625,000gns on the five yearlings she purchased for various entities; and Mike Ryan, who spent 1,440,000gns on five yearlings for Klaravich Stables. By the time the merry-go-round that is the October Yearling Sale stopped at Book 2, Ingordo, Crow and Ryan had already disembarked and returned home to America, but Solis was still going strong as Wednesday's proceedings at Park Paddocks drew to a close. After spending another 402,000gns over the past three days – buying three yearlings in the name of Repole and two in tandem with Litt – Solis reflected on a market that, whilst remaining very strong at the top end, did allow more room to manoeuvre compared to the record-breaking trade we witnessed here in October last year, as well as that at Saratoga and Keeneland in recent months. “We all know that Europe is the nursery of the world for grass horses and we're happy to be able to participate,” said Solis. “There have been a lot of nice horses and I think there has been great value compared to last year. Last year was really strong, but this year it's been back to reality. “It's been much easier to buy nice horses. In the US this year, from the two-year-old sales through to the yearling sales, it's been insane – it's been so strong. A lot of people [in the US] seem to have more money than ever.” Those sentiments were echoed by Joe Miller, the leading bloodstock advisor and American representative for Tattersalls, who also revealed the extent to which the American footfall at Book 2 has gone up a notch this year. “It's tough to buy good horses everywhere,” he said of the market. “It's almost impossible to buy the ones you like, although I think a lot of Americans have found it a little easier here to get the ones they like, for the price they want to pay, than it is in America. “Last year, Tattersalls made a big effort to get a lot of Americans to come over. They were very strong in Book 1 and tailed off a little bit in Book 2. This year, I think a lot of them have stayed for Book 2 and we've had some new buyers coming in for Book 2 from America.” He continued, “We've had a lot of California buyers here for Book 2. Tim Cohen from Rancho Temescal, this is his first yearling sale here. He's been a staple at the horses-in-training sales and the December Sale here for almost the last 20 years, but this is his first yearling sale. And Chief Stipe O'Neill is here with an owner of his, Mark Davis, who raced [multiple Grade I winner] Raging Torrent. “About 65% of the races they run in California are grass races now. People like racing grass horses – oftentimes they have longer careers and stay sounder longer – and the best grass horses in the world come from Tattersalls.” Connecticut-based trainer Philip Antonacci was another first-time attendee at Book 2 on a trip which, admittedly, didn't get off to the best of starts. The owner of a handful of horses trained in Ireland by Joseph O'Brien, he travelled to Newmarket primarily to see his Group 3-winning juvenile, Queen Of Hawaii, line up in Friday's G1 Fillies' Mile, but the daughter of Kingman ended up being withdrawn at the eleventh hour due to a foot abscess. She is now in contention for a tilt at the GI Breeders' Juvenile Fillies Turf. “Kingman has had good success in America, so maybe it was a blessing in disguise and it was meant for her to go to the Breeders' Cup,” said Antonacci, by now back home supervising trackwork after returning from his maiden voyage to Book 2. “It was a good excuse to come over and look at yearlings,” he continued. “It was my first time at a yearling sale there at Tattersalls. I came in after Book 1, just for Book 2, looked at a bunch of horses and then came home. “I was impressed with the horses that I saw and I definitely think there were a lot of nice horses that could fit America. We race for a lot of money on the turf here in America and it's obviously no secret that Europe has the best turf bloodstock in the world. “If you can source a few high-quality horses from over here and bring them to the US, you'd hope to think that you have an advantage over everybody else. I think that's the idea everybody is following and it's obviously been successful in the past – it's easy to follow success.” For 160,000gns, Antonacci came away with a colt from Whatton Manor Stud bred on the same Kingman-Galileo cross as Queen Of Hawaii. Now, he must decide whether the colt – plus the five yearlings he bought at Book 1 of the Goffs Orby Sale – will be put into training in Europe or travel to America to join his barn. He added, “I think right now we're evaluating which ones to bring over and which ones will stay. It will be a combination of both, but I think the majority of them will come over to me as two-year-olds next year, after they've been broken in Europe.” That dilemma faced by Antonacci is one shared by many American owners, certainly since US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on goods coming into America – at a rate of 10% on imports from the United Kingdom. Solis confirmed that the tariffs were factored into his bidding process, before revealing that one of his biggest clients, LNJ Foxwoods, is likely to have a larger contingent of horses based in Europe in 2026. This year, the two-year-old filly Coming Attraction (Dark Angel) has been the operation's sole runner in Britain, notably finishing fourth in last week's G3 Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket for trainer Roger Varian. “You definitely have to think about it,” Solis said of the tariffs. “If you really value a horse at 300 [thousand], you might knock it back to 270 [thousand] and that's what you have.” He added, “All of the horses that we've bought for LNJ are staying over here. It's a great place to get the horses started and we have Shahbanu with Tim Donworth who runs in a Group 3 in France next week. We really enjoy the European racing – the Roths [of LNJ Foxwoods] absolutely love it.” LNJ Foxwoods won't be alone in their approach, according to Miller, who revealed that he expects more of the other American owners in attendance at Park Paddocks over the past fortnight to grow their European racing interests. “There are quite a few owners who have come over, specifically to buy horses to race here and get them started,” he said. “Then, down the road, they have the option of bringing them to America, after they've seen what sort of level they're at. I'd say the majority of them are coming straight back, but there are plenty of people who will race them over here.” On the impact of the tariffs, he added, “It definitely has an effect. Whenever you have to pay a little bit extra it does, but you just have to factor that into your bidding. “It's expensive to run a large racing operation and, at the end of the day, the tariff is probably just a very small expense in the grand scheme of things. Although it's very frustrating, and we all certainly hope it goes away in the future, I don't think it deterred too many Americans from coming over here and spending.” The tariffs might not have deterred the Americans from making their presence felt at Tattersalls, but Miller did concede that the fierce competition for the biggest and best lots on home soil this year might have caused a tightening of budgets by the time buyers crossed the Atlantic. He summed up, “The Americans were strong here, they were really active, and they were trying to buy a lot of horses. But the good ones are expensive and I think people spent more than they were planning on at the previous sales. “Maybe that [the strength of the American market] worked against us, actually. People still bought the horses they wanted to, but they had to spend more to get them. In the end, maybe they did spend a little bit less here than they would have if the American sales weren't so strong. That's kind of the way I look at it.” For Antonacci, who featured among the buyers at Saratoga back in August, notably paying $625,000 for an Into Mischief filly, his first taste of Book 2 was a familiar tale, having already covering plenty of ground on the sales circuit in 2025. “I think it's continuing the trend that we've seen around the world,” he said. “It's a polarised market, but you're buying high-quality bloodstock, by the best stallions in the world, and they're good individuals. “There are horses that are making everybody's list and they're probably making to 20-30% more than you would anticipate. But, if you like them, you've got to step up and buy them, right?” The post ‘This Year It’s Been Back To Reality’ – Alex Solis Leads American Buying Bench at Tattersalls October appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

October has been a month to remember for the team from Spendthrift Farm. Since Oct. 3, Spendthrift has won six stakes, including four graded stakes and two Grade I's. Meanwhile, they've also had three maiden winners, including Further Ado (Gun Runner), who broke his maiden by 20 lengths. November could be even better as Spendthrift is planning on sending five horses to the Breeders' Cup. To talk about Spendthrift's recent run of success and its hopes for the Breeders' Cup, Spendthrift General Manager Ned Toffey joined the crew for this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Gainesway Guest of the Week. The Spendthrift Line-up is as follows: GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile starter Ted Noffey (Into Mischief): GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies starter Tommy Jo (Into Mischief); GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint starter Tamara (Bolt d'Oro); GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint starter Kopion (Omaha Beach); GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf starter Smart Deb (Authentic). Toffey said there is some chance that Kopion will takes on males in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. “I think we've got five very good shots,” Toffey said of his Breeders' Cup hopefuls. “We're not just going for the weather. It's a really nice group and I think everybody is live.” But Toffey knows that even a racing operation as loaded as Spendthrift is, can't always produce at such a high level. “You all know is that racing is a tough game,” he said. “There are plenty of weekends where it did not go like this. So, we really appreciate and are enjoying this run that we've had here lately. “I think it's one of the things that is most gratifying is that it's coming from a lot of different places. A number of these are homebreds. A number of them are by our own sires. Some of these we bought out of yearling sales. Some of these we bought out of 2-year-olds in training sales. What's nice about that is that through all of those horses, they really encompass every aspect of what we do. It's the coming together of all of what we've been trying to do and what we've been trying to build here over time.” The run began with Tommy Jo in the GI Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland. After she crushed her opponents in the GI Spinaway at Saratoga, more of the same was expected at Keeneland. She did win the race, but it was through the disqualification of Percy's Bar (Upstart). The brilliance she displayed in the Spinaway was not in evidence on this day. “It's sort of funny because I think it's not often that you get to win a Grade I and feel a little let down,” Toffey said. “She's been really highly touted from the beginning. Todd [Pletcher] and Johnny [Velazquez] probably held her in higher regard than Ted Noffey early on. I think maybe she just didn't relax quite as well as we would have liked her to. You saw her throw her head a little bit and that was way down the backstretch. That's going to be the trick to her. If Johnny can get her to relax, I think two turns will not be a problem. If she doesn't relax, then she'll probably run a race similar to the one she ran in the Alcibiades. She has to relax.” And why isn't Further Ado being pointed to the Breeders' Cup after the 20-length runaway victory, which took place in his third lifetime start? “In talking with Brad [Cox], that would probably be a little bit quick back, especially off that kind of an effort,” Toffey said. “Knock on wood, hopefully, there are lots of bigger and better things on the horizon for this horse. You could maybe cost him some chances at a future by trying to roll him back so quickly.” Spendthrift has also enjoyed a phenomenal year with its stallions, a group led by Into Mischief. While Into Mischief is a sure thing, several other Spendthrift stallions emerged this year as potential star sires, like Vekoma, Omaha Beach and Yaupon. “We're very fortunate in that we have Tammy and Eric Gustafson who've done such an incredible job of carrying on the legacy that Wayne [Hughes] built here,” Toffey said. “We have the resources to go after high quality horses. But, as we all know, that's not a guarantee of success. So we've been fortunate to have some sires who have gotten off to a great start. And that's really a credit to the breeders. Our salesmen do such a good job of building relationships with all the breeders in this industry. And that's really what you need. The breeders are the ones that are doing the heavy lifting, causing these horses to have the kind of success that they're having.” The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was El Grande O (Take Charge Indy). Trained by Linda Rice, he got a 99 Beyer in an allowance win last week at the Belmont-at-Aqueduct meet. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStarFarm. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by 1/st TV, the KTOB, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association and West Point Thoroughbreds, the team of Bill Finley, Zoe Cadman and Moss talked about the historic contributions made to the sport by the pioneering female jockey Diane Crump and applauded Steve Asmussen for picking up win No. 11,000. There was also a discussion as to why Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map) is passing the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile after his smashing win in the GI Champagne Stakes. For the video version of the podcast, click here. For the audio version, click here. The post Ned Toffey Joins the TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented by Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 10/09/2025 Licensee: Jeffrey Trujillo, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Let Me Love You, who finished third at Alburquerque on 9/7/25. Date: 10/09/2025 Licensee: Michael Sabine, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on October 10, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Not My Type, who finished tenth at Finger Lakes on 8/25/25. Note: The higher than usual penalty for this kind of class C medication violation is due to the fact this was Sabine's second violation involving a class C substance within a two-year period. Date: 10/08/2025 Licensee: Armando Hernandez, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Guaifenesin (glycerol guaiacolate)-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Gray Lightning, who finished third in the Lady Carey Turf Sprint Stakes on 7/27/25. Pending ADMC Violations 10/14/2025, Hugh McMahon, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Schrader, who finished second at Colonial Downs on 9/13/25. 10/13/2025, Maria Bowersock, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Flunixin and Phenylbutazone-both class C controlled substances-in a sample taken from Nezuko on 9/12/25. 10/13/2025, Reynaldo Yanez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Tramadol and Gabapentin-both class B controlled substances-in a sample taken from Butter Kisses, who won at Parx Racing on 9/8/25. 10/08/2025, Scott Corderman, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Flunixin – a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Nalla D, who won at Prairie Meadows on 9/8/25. 10/08/2025, Jose Gonzalez Jr., trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Cannabidiol (CBD) -a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Charlee Mae, who won at Prairie Meadows on 7/26/25 The post Weekly Rulings: National Regulatory Rulings for Oct. 9 – Oct. 15 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The video replay of the 59th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities (ICHA), organised by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) is now available to view. The focus of this year's conference, which took place on October 6, was on racing betting, both in the legal and illegal markets, along with marketing and customer experience. This year, over 165 delegates from about 40 different countries were in attendance. The Japan Racing Association (JRA) is the official partner of the ICHA. The post IFHA Conference Replay Now Available appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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

A 20% share in the 2024 Horse of the Year will be offered at the Keeneland Championship Sale Oct. 29 at Del Mar. Thorpedo Anna retires with more than $5.4 million in earnings and 10 graded stakes victories.View the full article

Governor Kathy Hochul accompanied New York Racing Association officials, AECOM Tishman, Populous and unionized construction workers for a topping out ceremony Wednesday, marking the placement of the final beam at the new Belmont Park. “As we raise the final beam, today marks a major milestone for Belmont Park and New York State,” Governor Hochul said. “This project is more than simply rebuilding a racetrack–it's creating jobs, boosting our economy and ensuring Belmont remains a world-class destination. This redevelopment means thousands of good-paying union jobs, new opportunities for local businesses and a facility that will attract visitors from around the world.” Belmont Park will re-open for live racing in September 2026 with the GI Belmont Stakes, set to return to its Long Island home in 2027 following a three-year period where the event was temporarily shifted to Saratoga Race Course. In May, Governor Hochul announced the new Belmont Park as the site of the 2027 Breeders' Cup World Championships, last held in New York State in 2005. The project to build a new Belmont Park will generate $1 billion in construction-related economic impact and create 3,700 construction-related jobs. Following the return of thoroughbred racing to Belmont in 2026, additional racing and non-racing activities at the new facility will generate $155 million in annual economic output and produce $10 million in new state and local tax revenue per year. “Thanks to the leadership and vision of Governor Hochul, who has long recognized the importance of horse racing to New York State's economy and culture, NYRA is transforming Belmont Park into the sports and entertainment destination that New York deserves,” said New York Racing Association President and CEO David O'Rourke. “Today's milestone is a testament to the dedicated efforts of the construction personnel on-site, the NYRA team, and the expertise of our partners at AECOM Tishman and Populous. Because of their work, a new Belmont Park is coming to Long Island in 2026.” The post Governor Hochul Attends Major Construction Milestone at Belmont Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

3rd-KEE, 110K, Msw, 2yo, 7f, 2:04 p.m. Gustavo Delgado debuts COLOSSUS (Constitution) in Kentucky Thursday that includes JR Ranch, Fortune Racing (al Maktoum), KAS Ultimate Racing and G and O Racing. Purchased by Marquee Bloodstock for $975,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale after getting in a :10.3 breeze before the weather, the colt is out of a half-sister to GSW New York Central (Tapit), GSW Corfu (Malibu Moon) and to SP Runway Ready (Mr. Greeley), herself hte dam of MGSP Buttercream Babe (Twirling Candy). This is the family of MGISW Peace Rules (Jules). Second-time starter Our Forefathers (Consitution) looks to improve upon a fifth-place finish at Churchill Downs going six furlongs Sept. 12, his first start since bringing $1,200,000 as a yearling at Keeneland last September for C R K Stable. TJCIS PPS 6th-KEE, 110K, Msw, 2yo, 7f, 3:40 p.m. Liberty National (Maxfield), a $525,000 from his sire's freshman crop, exits the Ken McPeek barn for this spot. He draws wide outside of the rail-drawn Thunder Buck (Gun Runner), a homebred colt for Calumet Farm who is out of GSW Oxy Lady (Oxbow). TJCIS PPS 4th-BAQ, 88K, Alw, 3yo/up, 6f, 2:47 p.m. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' With the Angels (Omaha Beach) makes a much-belated start to her 2025 campaign having gone a perfect four-for-four as a juvenile with her last race falling Nov. 17 of last year. Having previously faced exclusively New York-breds, this is her first foray into open company for Linda Rice. TJCIS PPS 5th-BAQ, 85K, Msw, 2yo, f, 7f, 3:20 p.m. Chad Brown and Amo Racing USA purchased Britain (Quality Road) for $1,050,000 at OBS March earlier this year. The filly is a son of MSW/MGSP Toasting, a mare who earned over a half-million in career earnings on the track. Britain put in a sharp :9.4 breeze in Ocala and picks up Flavien Prat for this debut. TJCIS PPS 8th-BAQ, 85K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1mT, 4:53 p.m. The deepest race on the card features several noteworthy juveniles led by the rail-drawn Consider Me First (Uncle Mo). The George Krikorian homebred is a half-sister to GISW and $1.1m FTKNOV broodmare Mucho Unusual (Mucho Macho Man) and to MGSW/GISP Big Score (Mr. Big). Lined up to oppose her are Take Home Gold (Medaglia d'Oro), a Colts Neck Stables homebred who is a full-sister to MSW Goldwood and a half to the dam of Chilean G1SW Ando Soltera (Chi) (Flameaway), MGSW Toy Soltero (Chi) (Van Nistelrooy) and MGSP Bacon Soltero (Chi) (Flameaway). The dam is a half to Champion Older Mare and Filly Triple Crown winner Sky Beauty (Blushing Groom {Fr}) and there are plenty of seven-figure sales grads under the second dam led by the $2.85m John Magnier paid for Sky Beauty at KEENOV in 2009. This is a deep family that also includes MGISW and sire Tale of Ekati (Tale of the Cat), Eclipse-winning sprinter Gold Beauty (Mr. Prospector) and English Horse of the Year Dayjur (Danzig). Keeping the homebred train rolling, Just Aloof (Justify) waves the Whisper Hill Farm banner as a daughter of GSW Aloof (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a mare purchased by the farm for $3.9m at KEENOV in 2014. Aloof, a daughter of English high-weighted filly Airwave, is a full-sister to SW/MGSP Keats (Ire) and a half to the dam of both MG1SW and successful European sire Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1SW Clemmie (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Widest drawn of the quartet, Kaffeinate (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}) is a half to GSP Sash (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) while second dam Promising Lead (GB) was a G1SW in Ireland. Familiar names in this pedigree include English MGSW and American MGISP Visit (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) along with MGSP Juncture (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}). TJCIS PPS The post Thursday Insights: Constitution Colts Lead Deep List Of Thursday Runners appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Kaikoura Cup will celebrate its 100th running this year. Over the next few weeks Kaikoura Trotting Club historian Phil Gourdie will look back at the history of the great race. This is the second installment – Records are made to be broken! By Phil Gourdie On October 29, 1973 Royal Ascot, breed, owned and trained by Colin McLaughlin and driven by Felix Newfield set a New Zealand record of 3.03, off the 30m mark, for the 2400m stand. The field did not have an answer to the spirited finish of Royal Ascot as he was driven out to win by a length and a quarter. Eight years later, on November 2 1981 Hands Down, bred and owned by Mr and Mrs Bill McAughtrie, went even better. Trained by the great Derek Jones (MNZM) and driven by his son Peter, Hands Down displayed awesome power to overcome his 25m handicap, and a rocky run over the last 600m, to win the Kaikoura Cup in a new national record time of 3.02.2. A new world record was set on October 29 1990. Tight Connection, bred by G J Gardner and Mrs A Collie, owned by R J O Ellis, R M Weavers, Horseplayers Syndicate, Club Connection Syndicate, trained by Roy and Barry Purdon and driven by Tony Herlihy (MNZM), set a world record of 3.00.9. Records are not just about time. In 1984 Diamond Moose (pictured above) became the first horse to win two consecutive Kaikoura Trotting Cups. He was bred, owned and trained by All Black #553 George Nelson Dalzell (Nelson) and driven by the Butt brothers, Robin (1983) and Murray (1984). The 1983 win – a minor upset – thwarted the attempts of others to quality for the NZ Cup the following Tuesday. Diamond Moose, a horse of massive proportions took control 1000m from home. Once in front he showed his normal free going style and fought back tenaciously when challenged. A year later Diamond Moose settled in the trail behind the Colin DeFilippi-driven Tarlad. They tried to slip the cutter rounding the last bend, however Diamond Moose came on resolutely to win and become the first horse to go back-to-back. Footnote: Phil Gourdie is currently writing a history on the Kaikoura Cups which will be published to mark the centenary. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Never has there been such broad New Zealand interest in a Victoria Cup meeting. That’s because so many of the stars strutting their stuff at Melton on Saturday night could be headed to Cup Week at Addington. Leading the way is the great Leap To Fame, but there are at least eight other stars for Kiwi fans to watch closely. Here’s my guide to “Kiwi watch” runners on Victoria Cup night. RACE 3 – VICTORIA OAKS (9.30pm) No.4 JOYRIDE: She’s a bit different being the lone Kiwi-trained runner chasing the cash on the night. She was a sound fifth in her Oaks heat after sitting parked. With the key dangers off the back row and natural improvement from the heat, she’s at least a place hope from gate four. To place a bet in this race click here RACE 4 – BILL COLLINS TROTTERS’ SPRINT (10.10pm) No.2 JILLIBY BALLERINI: Like them all, she lived in stablemate Keayang Zahara’s shadow last year. But nine wins from 11 starts and a stunning feature win last outing have shown she’s seriously closed the gap. Drawn better than Zahara and has more gate speed. Gets her chance to beat her for the first time this week. Decision on NZ after this race. No. 4 KEAYANG ZAHARA: The young queen is back and firing. Mesmerizing first-up win last week to make it 16 wins from just 17 starts. We are all still wondering how good she really is? We will find out more this week if she has to sit outside stablemate Jilliby Ballerini. If she does that and wins, she’s a freak. Decision on NZ after this race. No.9 PARISIAN ARTISTE: Building beautifully. Good first-up, then toyed with rivals in a Menangle mile last time. Much harder here from back row in a hot field. Looking for a solid run ahead of crossing the ditch for the Dominion. No.12 ARCEE PHOENIX: Where is the Inter Dominion and TAB Trot champion at? Three runs back have been below his best and easily rundown by Keayang Zahara, who gave him a massive start last week. Horror draw, but looking for the right signs to say he should press ahead with the NZ trip. To place a bet in this race click here RACE 5 – VICTORIA DERBY (10.47pm) No.11 FATE AWAITS: Three-time Group 1 winner who was terrific in his heat when second in good time after coming deep on the final bend. Back row no help, but it’s a strong field and he’s a great each-way hope. Another chance to see where he’s at before he meets Marketplace and co in The Velocity on Show Day. To place a bet in this race click here RACE 6 – VICTORIA CUP No.8 LEAP TO FAME: Could the champ be beaten for the second start in succession for the first time in almost two years? Shock defeat last week and inside back row (gate eight) over just 2240m presents a huge challenge this time. From an NZ viewpoint, most interest is in whether he shows last week was just an off night. To place a bet in this race click here RACE 7 – VICTORIA TROTTERS’ OAKS (11.22pm) No.1 GATESYS GEM: Has the measure of Tracy The Jet earlier this season, but the tide has turned. How much is the question? Won nine of 13 starts and had some issues before returning to racing to win a weaker race last time. Fitter, gets the draw edge from the pole. Great “sighter” ahead of clashing again with Tracy in The Ascent at Addington on Show day. No.3 TRACY THE JET: Utterly flying since a spell with five fantastic wins. Deserves to be favourite even though she’s drawn outside Gatesys Gem. Had a stronger build-up and impossible to fault her form. It’s still her biggest test this campaign. To place a bet in this race click here Bad draw set to test champ in Victoria Cup By Adam Hamilton Leap To Fame’s build-up to the IRT New Zealand Cup gets more intriguing by the day. Fresh from his shock defeat at Melton last Saturday night, the champion Queenslander faces a huge challenge from the worst possible barrier in this week’s $250,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup. Leap To Fame eased from $1.25 to $1.60 after drawing inside the back row (gate eight) in the 2240m feature. Many think he could start close to $2. Trainer-driver Grant Dixon said: “It’s going to be very difficult now, especially being over just 2240m, not 2760m. “If you drag back to get into the clear, you’re conceding a huge start to some really good horses, but if you push through you seriously risk being pocketed and never seeing daylight. “It’s made it way harder and certainly made for an intriguing race now.” Dixon was just getting bullish again after the biggest upset in Australian harness racing for 25 years when Leap To Fame was disappointing his lofty standards last Saturday night. “He seems great, his blood test came back fine and he has worked really well,” he said. “But now we’ve got this draw to deal with.” It’s fuelled talk of a Victoria Cup hoodoo for Leap To Fame given it’s the one “mega” feature to have eluded him and this will be his third attempt. “It’s starting to feel like this is a race that’s just not meant to be for him,” Dixon said. Barrier eight is the same draw Leap To Fame had when beaten as a hot favourite by Swayzee in the Group 1 Hunter Cup at Melton on February 1. “It’s uncanny how often he’s drawn the two barriers we don’t want, one or eight,” Dixon said. “As I said, at least the Hunter Cup was 2760m and we still got our chance, but it’s much harder again over just 2240m this time.” So much will now depend on what happens at the start with the two fastest beginners – Catch A Wave and Hi Manameisjeff – drawn one and two and Leap To Fame following out Catch A Wave. Trainer Andy Gath was thrilled with Catch A Wave’s draw, but thinks NSW speedster Hi Manameisjeff could pack too much speed and cross him at the start. “He’s very quick out and he doesn’t handle being away from the inside, so they’ll be desperate to lead,” he said. “Sitting on him wouldn’t be the worst thing because I’m sure he wouldn’t hand-up the lead. “It’s a great draw for us. We’ve got options and with Leap To Fame drawn where he is, we’ve got a really interesting race on our hands now.” The other major player is Luke McCarthy’s emerging star Kingman, who is drawn well in gate four and will be right on the speed. View the full article

A share in Grade I winner Mindframe (Constitution–Walk of Stars, by Street Sense) will be offered at the second edition of the Keeneland Championship Sale, to be held in the Del Mar Paddock on Wednesday, Oct. 29. The 4-year-old will be consigned by Claiborne Farm, where the bay is also expected to take up stud duty in 2026. “We are pleased to offer this special opportunity to participate in the stallion career of a truly outstanding prospect, Mindframe,” Claiborne President Walker Hancock said. “With significant early demand from breeders already requesting seasons, this share provides guaranteed access to a top-tier stallion prospect as he retires to stud following the Breeders' Cup.” Last season, Mindframe ran second in both the GI Belmont Stakes and the GI NYRA Bets Haskell after a pair of blowout wins by a combined 21 1/4 lengths. This year, he kicked off the season with a victory in the GII Gulfstream Park Mile followed by a win in the GI Churchill Downs Stakes on Derby Day. In this summer's nine-furlong GI Stephen Foster, Mindframe defeated reigning Breeders' Cup Classic winner, Sierra Leone. The winner of five of eight starts, Mindframe has amassed over $1.8 million in earnings. “Mindframe has put together a near-perfect record this year, and with the Breeders' Cup Classic as his next step, there's plenty more excitement to come,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “For buyers, this share represents a rare opportunity to participate in the tremendous potential of his future stallion career.” The post Share in BC Classic Contender Mindframe to Be Offered at Keeneland Championship Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A 20% share in the 2024 Horse of the Year will be offered at Keeneland's Championship Sale Oct. 29 at Del Mar. Thorpedo Anna retires with more than $5.4 million in earnings and 10 graded stakes victories.View the full article

Victorous Forever's Group 1 hero Caballo De Mar (Phoenix Of Spain) is training toward the G1 Prix Royal-Oak on October 26, trainer George Scott revealed. A winner of the G3 Deutsches St Leger in September, the bay won the G1 Prix du Cadran in very soft ground on October 4. “He came out of the race [Cadran] really well, one of his main attributes is his toughness and tenacity,” said Scott. “We really want to run him again, and if the ground was soft we'd have supplemented him for Ascot but instead we'll go for the Prix Royal-Oak back in France.” Scott had mentioned several overseas targets when his charge won the Cadran earlier this month, but for now those plans have been traded for a potential G1 Gold Cup bid. Scott said, “We've decided he wants cut in the ground so we're going to save him and not send him travelling this winter, though I'm not saying he won't end up at World Cup night as a one off. “We're going to save him for the nice staying races in Europe, he deserves a break and we'll give him plenty of time. The Gold Cup will be his target when he comes back, but that's a long way off and we'll have to keep an eye on the ground.” The post Caballo De Mar Pointing To Prix Royal-Oak appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last year's Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) has been retired from racing and will take up residence at Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa in Lexington, according to trainer Kenny McPeek. Additionally, a 20% share in the broodmare will be auctioned at the upcoming Keeneland Championship Sale at Del Mar on Oct. 29. “For everybody out there that's worried about her, you can rest at ease. She's fine.” McPeek said. “She has been examined by several veterinarians. Dr. Bramlage of Rood and Riddle found some very mild bone bruising which is consistent with horses in work at her level and she could go back to training in 90 days, but we have opted to retire her.” Thorpedo Anna retires with over $5.4 million in earnings and 10 graded stakes races wins. She is owned by Hill 'n' Dale Farms, Judy Hicks, Mark Edwards, and Magdalena Racing. “It's an incredible privilege to offer an interest in reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna at the Championship Sale,” said Shannon Arvin, President and CEO of Keeneland. “Her brilliance on the track has captured the imagination of fans everywhere. Buyers now have an extraordinary opportunity to share in her future as a broodmare.” Hill 'n' Dale's John Sikura added, “As a racehorse, Thorpedo Anna is one of the most accomplished fillies in history and has been an exciting horse to watch” says John G. Sikura. “Everyone at Hill 'n' Dale looks forward to being a part of her next chapter as a top broodmare.” The post Thorpedo Anna Retired; 20 Percent Share to be Offered at Keeneland Championship Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group 1 winner Cercene will not contest the Breeders' Cup meeting at Del Mar next month and will instead be prepared for her four-year-old season, according to trainer Joe Murphy. She was under consideration for the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. The daughter of Australia won the G1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. Second in the G3 Athasi Stakes in early May, she ran third in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas prior to her Royal Ascot heroics. Runner-up to Whirl (Wootton Bassett) in the G1 Nassau Stakes, Cercene was most recently fifth in the G1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on September 13. Murphy said, “She's changed in her coat very quickly over the last week, so we're not going to run her at the Breeders' Cup and that's her done for the year now. “She will stay in training next year and I think races like the Tattersalls Gold Cup and Pretty Polly Stakes will be on the agenda.” The post No Breeders’ Cup Bid For Cercene, As 2026 Campaign Beckons appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Four-time winner Liberty Coach (Le Havre) (lot 54) is one of the stars of the 155-lot strong Tattersalls Online October Sale catalogue. The sale takes place from October 22 beginning at 11 a.m., with the first lot scheduled to close at the same time one day later. Currently rated 96 by Timeform, Liberty Coach was an all-the-way winner of Redcar's Class 2 handicap in May. He is one of 110 horses-in- and out-of-training set to sell. There are also 29 broodmares, 13 yearlings, two foals, and one store. Other lots of note include the once-raced Tenarosa (Ten Sovereigns), a half-sister to Group 1 winner Technician as lot 90; Arctic Grey (Dark Angel) (lot 2), who won over a mile at Southwell and is rated 86; six-furlong winner Slaudeen (Starspangledbanner) (lot 81) is out of a full-sister to G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Roderic O'Connor and holds an IHRB mark of 89; while €120,000 Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final winner Fiona Maccoul (Coulsty) (lot 29) will also sell. Among the broodmares is Kyllachy Loose (Kyllachy) (lot 139), the dam of listed winner Ifrachy (Iffraaj) and the listed-placed Exceed Loose (Exceed And Excel). A half-sister to Group 3 winners Titus Shadow (Titus Livius) and Orpen Shadow (Orpen), Dutch Shadow (Dutch Art) (lot 130) is offered in foal to A'Ali. There are three mares in foal to Shaquille, including the winning Winter Mist (Pinatubo) (lot 154). There are also yearlings by Ardad, Australia, Coulsty, Dream Ahead, Golden Horn, Showcasing and Zoustar. The post Liberty Coach Highlights Tattersalls Online October Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Edited Press Release With a stud fee for multiple Grade I winner Mindframe (Constitution–Walk of Stars, by Street Sense) still to be determined pending his start in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, Claiborne Farm has released its advertised stud fees for 2026, with Grade I winner Prince of Monaco (Speightstown–Rainier, by Medaglia d'Oro) leading the way at $30,000. The fastest-ever 2-year-old by prominent sire-of-sires Speightstown, Prince of Monaco covered a Claiborne-record 176 mares, including 44 black-type runners in his first season at stud in 2025. GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Blame (Arch–Liable, by Seeking the Gold) will be offered at $25,000, pending Breeders' Cup results. His 2025 graded stakes winners include Group 1 winner Sibayan (Fr), $2.5-million GIII Mint Millions Invitational Stakes winner Epic Ride, and Explora, who won the GII Oak Leaf Stakes at Santa Anita Park to secure a “Win and You're In” berth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Blame is also the broodmare sire of four individual Grade I winners in 2025: Hope Road, Kilwin, Simply in Front, and World Beater. Grade I winner and stakes record-setter Annapolis (War Front–My Miss Sophia, by Unbridled's Song), who will see his first weanlings go through the November sales this fall, will stand for an advertised fee of $12,500. The Bass Stables homebred was well sought after in his second season at stud, breeding 115 mares with an impressive 25% of his book consisting of black-type earners in 2025. Bright Future (Curlin–Sophia's Song, by Bellamy Road), a Grade I-winning son of sire-of-sires Curlin and a half-brother to two graded stakes winners, also completed his debut book at stud earlier this year. Hailing from the family of champion Housebuster and Grade I winner Nutella Fella, Bright Future will stand for $10,000 in 2026. Silver State (Hard Spun–Supreme, by Empire Maker)'s first juveniles performed well at this year's 2-year-old sales, selling for up to $335,000 and breezing as fast as :9 4/5. The GI Met Mile winner will stand for $7,500. War Front (Danzig–Starry Dreamer, by Rubiano)'s stud fee will be private in 2026. He is North America's leading sire by lifetime percentage of stakes winners, graded stakes winners, and Grade I winners. This year, he added to his impressive list of top runners with GI Arlington Million winner Fort Washington, Grade II winner and Grade I-placed Liguria, and Grade I-placed stakes winner Two Out Hero. War of Will will stand the 2026 season at Rockridge Stud in New York, while Runhappy was sold to stand in South Korea and Demarchelier (GB) was sold to stand in Brazil. First Samurai and Lea have been retired from stud duties. The complete list of Claiborne Farm stallions with advertised fees for the 2026 are: Annapolis, $12,500; Blame, $25,000*; Bright Future, $10,000; Mindframe (NEW), TBD*; Prince of Monaco, $30,000; Silver State, $7,500; War Front, Private. *Subject to change pending Breeders' Cup results. The post Claiborne Announces 2026 Stud Fees appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article