Wandering Eyes

With Straight No Chaser in Dubai preparing for a start in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen April 5 at Meydan Racecourse, five other California sprinters will look to capitalize in the March 29 San Carlos Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

During his 22 years serving in the Kentucky State Senate, Damon Thayer was known as a fierce advocate for the horse racing industry. Thayer decided not to run for re-election in 2024, but that doesn't mean that he stopped trying to help the sport, using his considerable political acumen to do so. Thayer has accepted the job as the senior advisor to the Thoroughbred Racing Initiative–a group formed to try to fight off efforts to decouple the racing and casino and card room licenses in Florida. To talk about his work on behalf of the Florida racing industry, Thayer was the guest on this week's edition of the TDN Writers' Room podcast, presented by Keeneland. He appears as this week's Gainesway Guest of the Week. With his vast experience in state politics, Thayer, perhaps better than anyone lese, explained how he felt the efforts to decouple have gotten as far as they have. “Gulfstream Park has contributed over $300,000 in campaign contributions since the end of 2023 to Tallahassee politicians and their campaign committees,” Thayer said. “And for whatever reason, (Belinda Stronach) got the House Budget Committee Chairman, Chairman Lawrence McClure, to be a big supporter of decoupling as well as Representative Adam Anderson, who has part of Tampa Bay Downs in his district. Anderson agreed to sponsor the bill. The only other thing we can find out is one of those guys is really good friends with Gulfstream Park's lobbyist. Those two factors, the campaign contributions and the friendship, are the only motivation that we can find. The House Budget Committee chairman wants this. And nobody wants to make the House Budget Committee chairman mad because he controls the line-item appropriations in the budget.” While the bill has advanced in the House, it has yet to be introduced in the Senate. Thayer said he thought the racing industry will fare better when dealing with the Senate. “When we got in, we knew that the skids were greased in the House, although we seem to have slowed it down a little bit,” Thayer said. “But our plan has always been to defeat the bill in the Senate. That's where we are right now. We had a really good week last week, but we're in a new week and we're almost to the halfway point of the Florida legislative session. And we're pouring it on. We're pushing this message, that this is a $3.3 billion industry. And it has nearly 33,000 jobs. It's bigger than college athletics. It's as big as the ports and is on a similar footing as the citrus industry. I'm still just aghast that an industry like this would be under attack.” While Thayer would like to see nothing change at Gulfstream and have the track continue to run 200 days a year, he knows that's not going to happen. Much of his work involves finding an alternative plan for Florida racing should Gulfstream close. “In Florida, you're going to need a white knight to come in and buy Gulfstream Park and operate it as a racetrack,” Thayer said. “I'm not sure that (Stronach) would sell it as a racetrack. The long-term future of Gulfstream Park is probably in question as a racetrack, even if we kill the decoupling bill. So let's talk about all the options.” He mentioned re-opening Hialeah, giving the prime winter dates to Tampa Bay Downs, building a new track north of Broward County, moving racing to Ocala and The Jockey Club and the Breeders' Cup pooling their substantial resources to open a new track. But what if they do succeed in killing the bill? What would prevent The Stronach Group from following through on its threats to close the track down immediately, Thayer was asked? “They can threaten to shut the place down,” Thayer said, “but then they'd have to shut down the casino. They've got 500 slot machines. By the way, under the law, they could put in 2,000 slot machines and they've only been operating 500. But their average gaming revenue out of those machines is $39 million a year. So if they want to shut Gulfstream Park down, they've got to shut down the money train that is their casino.” In our “Fastest Horse of the Week,” segment, sponsored by WinStar, the show featured WinStar stallion Heartland. The fastest horse of the week was Touchuponastar (Star Guitar), who got a 109 when winning the GII New Orleans Classic run at the Fair Grounds. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, the KTOB, 1/ST Racing and 1/ST TV, the team reviewed last weekend's major Derby preps and looked ahead to this week's action, topped by the GI Arkansas Derby and the GI Florida Derby. One of the main topics was whether or not 'TDN Rising Star' Cornucopian (Into Mischief), as talented as he is, can win the Arkansas Derby for Bob Baffert in just his second lifetime start and his first beyond six furlongs. To watch the podcast, click here. To listen to the audio version, click here. The post Damon Thayer Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Race 5 THE FRAC CLUB NEW ZEALAND ST LEGER 2500m TRAV (M Hashizume) – Trainer Mr. R Connors advised Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the gelding, however, TRAV has now been sent for a spell. Race 9 BILL TITO BOOK REPAIR SPECIALIST LIGHTNING HANDICAP (Listed Race) 1200m BELLE’S ECHO (T Comignaghi) – Trainer Ms. L Latta reported to Stewards, that upon return to the stable BELLE’S ECHO, underwent a veterinary examination which revealed tendon damage to the left hind leg. L Latta further advised the mare will be on box rest until the Veterinarian is satisfied BELLE’S ECHO can move to the next step of the recovery plan. The post Wellington Racing Club @ Trentham, Saturday 22 March 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The two Waikato Flying Miles will highlight tonight’s Cambridge-Addington Friday Night Lights double-header. Merlin and co will battle it out in the Garrards Pacers Flying Mile (8.02pm) a week out from the $1m The Race by betcha as will rising star Bet N Win in the Trotters Mile (8.38pm) before next Friday’s $600,000 TAB Trot. Meanwhile the country’s top driver Blair Orange looks set to make his presence felt at Addington. Merlin “ready to win” at Cambridge tonight By Michael Guerin Merlin is ready to put his season back on track at Cambridge tonight but whether he gets the opportunity to do that may be up to his opponents as much as the star pacer. The multiple Group 1 winner is using tonight’s $60,000 Garrards Flying Mile as his final lead-up to his defence next week of the $1million slot race he won last year. But Merlin’s challenges over the next week are two-fold. Firstly the Race by betcha is looking considerably stronger this year than last and he is heads into his week in the Waikato off the back of a shock failure at Menangle last start. Merlin has been an almost perfect racehorse right from the start of his career but a false start he caused in a heat of the Miracle Mile last start was then followed by a searing early burn that saw Merlin record a rare unplaced finish and left him jaded. “He was tired after that last race, not much went right,” says co-trainer Scott Phelan. “But he has improved every week since and he trialled really well in a fast time [Pukekohe] last week. “So he is fit and ready to win.” That coupled with his deserved reputation saw Merlin open the $2.50 favourite for tonight’s sprint but from barrier 3 on the second line his fate may not be solely in the hands of driver Zachary Butcher. Sooner The Bettor (Merlin’s stablemate), Pinseeker, Rakero Rocket, Ohoka Connor and even Mo’unga could all head forward early and while that should create pressure it could see a super fast mile without an easy sectional for those further back in the field to easily get handy. “We will leave that up to Zac but tactically it could be a really interesting race,” admits Phelan, who will drive Sooner The Bettor. If the early burn eventuates and Merlin finds the right rival to follow three wide or somehow manages to land midfield outer then he is the horse to beat but this could just as easily become a race in which the pattern is against him in several ways. Phelan and senior training partner Barry Purdon also have Sooner The Bettor and Duchess Megxit in tonight’s race and they are set to have vastly different experiences. Sooner The Bettor has the gate speed to try and lead and Phelan is keen to stay in front as, at this stage, he doesn’t have a slot in The Race by Betcha next Friday so he can afford a harder run tonight. But Duchess Megxit has drawn one on the second line and will have to be driven cold, with next Friday her far bigger target as she is likely to get barrier 1 under the $1million race’s conditions. Pinseeker and Rakero Rocket will be factors at least early tonight but Ohoka Connor, Chase A Dream and Mo’unga all probably need to work forward from their wide draws or face settling behind Merlin. So while lead-up races can sometimes be notoriously tame affairs, tonight could be different as outside Merlin most in tonight’s field can’t realistically expect to beat Aussie superstars Leap To Fame and Don Hugo in The Race next Friday. Bet N Win to go for all-the-way win If Bet N Win is to have any chance of winning our richest trot next Friday he probably has to win a far easier one tonight. And win it by leading throughout. The Canterbury trotter will start a hot favourite against just four opponents in tonight’s $60,000 Trotter’s Mile at Cambridge, the lead-up to the TAB Trot worth 10 times as much back there next Friday. Driver Bob Butt realises what is coming next week with four high-class Australians flying in to join Queensland talent Not As Promised who is among his rivals tonight, so Butt wants to make a statement. “Those Aussie trotters are really good at the moment,” says Butt. “They are going to be tough to beat next week so we want to earn some respect and see just how fast he can begin this week because he could really need that gate speed next week.” Bet N Win was quick off the gate and brave at the end to win the NZ Trotting Champs last start and with Butt suggesting he will try to lead throughout tonight he should have tactical superiority in a race that could lack attackers, with Kyvalley Hotspur the interesting value option. Orange with good book of drives at Addington By Michael Guerin New Zealand’s best driver is facing the very real possibility of missing one of the country’s premier race nights. And it won’t be because Blair Orange is suspended or unavailable. Quite remarkably, he doesn’t see himself having many, if any, drives at the Night Of Champions at Cambridge next Friday. Orange will be at Addington tonight as he was last Friday and says he could well be there again next Friday as he has no confirmed bookings for Cambridge. “At this stage I could miss it and be driving down here,” says Orange, who won the then Race by Grins on Copy That two years ago. As usual Orange is focused on what lies directly ahead of him and that includes a tricky NZB Standardbred Handicap Pace (7.28pm) at Addington tonight in which he will partner Vessem. Vessem was too strong in a 56.3 second last 800m at Addington last start and can clearly win again but Orange admits being off a 10m handicap in a four-horse race presents its challenges. “They can be really hard races to drive in,” he told HRNZ. “They will get into single file and you could make a case for every horse in the race. “Vessem can win because he will eventually end up in open class. I am not saying he will be a star when he gets there but he is actually getting better. “When he was a young horse he didn’t have a lot of speed but he is getting faster.” The concern tonight could be if a horse like Renegade, on the front line, steps well and keeps running an even tempo how the two horses in the second half of the field get into the race without making it for each other. Orange likes his book of drives tonight that also include Mystic Max (R7, No.8) in the $20,000 Peninsular Beachfront Resort Mooloolaba Handicap Trot in which he faces a 20m handicap but is one of the bigger guns coming out of a Group 1 into tonight’s 2600m stand. “I think the trotting filly I am driving Paramount Picture (R2, No.2) will be hard to beat as she was really good on debut last start. “And Secret Wish (R4, No.4) has to go close to winning as she was really good last start too and that should have improved her.” Tonight’s meeting also sees the return of Father Time (R5, No.12) after he spent the start of summer chasing around superstar filly Keayang Zahara. He has trialled twice and has to be hard to beat even off a handicap in a big field in the Seahorse Supplements Handicap Trot (7.03pm). View the full article

Race 1 WAVERLEY 4 SQUARE MAIDEN 2200m KALINYA (M Hudson) – Trainer Mr. A Meadows reported to Stewards, KALINYA has been retired from racing. The post Waverley Racing Club @ Waverley, Wednesday 19 March 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 7 ULTIMATE MAZDA JAPAN TROPHY 1600 (G2) NAVIGATOR (M Hashizume) – Trainer Mr. C Cole reported to Stewards, that on Monday 17 March, NAVIGATOR underwent a veterinary examination which included blood tests with results showing the gelding to have a slight high SAA blood cell count. C Cody further advised NAVIGATOR has now been sent for a spell. The post Racing Tauranga @ Tauranga, Saturday 15 March 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 3 BOTTLE O MOSGIEL & HILLSIDE ROAD 1200m TOWN BELT (B May) – Trainer Ms. R Ayton reported to Stewards, the mare was examined by the stables veterinarian on Monday 17 March, with no abnormalities being detected. R Ayton further advised TOWN BELT has been sent for a brief freshen up. The post Beaumont Racing Club @ Wingatui, Sunday 16 March 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

There are seven horse racing meetings set for Australia on Friday, March 28. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Muswellbrook and Toowoomba. Friday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – March 28, 2025 Muswellbrook Racing Tips Toowoomba Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on March 28, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! 4 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 5 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

5th-Gulfstream, $54,000, (S), Alw (NW1X)/Opt. Clm ($50,000), 3-27, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.29, ft, 7 lengths. SORCERER'S SILVER (c, 3, Good Magic–Money Or Love {SW, $211,840}, by J Be K) ran off to score by 8 1/4 lengths while facing fellow Florida-breds going seven furlongs here Feb. 1 and was installed the heavy 1-5 choice to repeat this time. Sent to the front after a fast start, the $130,000 Fasig-Tipton May graduate allowed Aero Star (Cajun Breeze) to assume the helm through a :22.50 quarter. Re-taking the advantage through a :45.41 half, the favorite drew off down the lane to score by seven lengths. Aero Star was second. Thursday's winner has a year-younger full-brother named Magic Art, who was ultimately sent abroad, and a yearling sister by Charlatan. Sales history: $45,000 Ylg '23 OBSOCT; $130,000 2yo '24 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $62,400. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-West Point Thoroughbreds and Domeyko Taylor; B-Good Magic Syndicate & Darsan Inc. (FL); T-Dale L. Romans. The post Good Magic’s Sorcerer’s Silver Remains Perfect After Another Gulfstream Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

St. Elias Stable's 'TDN Rising Star' Captain Cook (Practical Joke) breezed a half-mile in :49 (14/79) Wednesday over the Belmont Park dirt training track as he prepares for the GII Wood Memorial S. at Aqueduct Apr. 5. Trained by Rick Dutrow, Jr., the bay was completing his sixth workout since capturing the nine-furlong Listed Withers Feb. 1. “It was mostly maintenance,” said Blake Dutrow, Dutrow Jr.'s nephew and Belmont-based assistant. “He's ready so we are just trying to keep him happy and stay out of his way, because we feel like if the Wood were tomorrow, he'd be ready for it, if it's next week, he's ready. As long as he stays the way he is, we will feel like he has a good shot.” Captain Cook was purchased for $410,000 at the 2024 Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age sale as part of the dispersal of the estate of the late John Hendrickson after his debut sixth-place finish at Churchill Downs Oct. 27. The post Captain Cook Gearing Up for Wood Memorial appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith will bid for a fourth Florida Derby (G1) with a ride on Madaket Road, a mount he picks up after scheduled jockey Tyler Gaffalione injured an ankle March 26. View the full article

Dr Jerry Hill MBE will retire later this year from his role as Chief Medical Adviser to the BHA. Dr Hill has served in the role since 2014 and has played a central role in advancing medical and healthcare standards across British racing. He will remain with the BHA over the coming months to support a smooth transition, including assisting with the recruitment and induction of his successor. Dr Hill joined the BHA in 2014, having been Senior Racecourse Medical Officer at Lingfield Park racecourse, a Squad Doctor for the England Football Teams at the FA, as well as a member of the Football Association Medical Committee and former Sports Physician at the 2012 London Olympics. During his time with the BHA, Dr Hill has forged close relationships across the sport and has been a tireless advocate for the welfare of jockeys and riders. He has championed the mantra that jockeys are elite athletes and that their healthcare provision and routines should reflect this, with an increased focus on physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and mental health care as standard practice. BHA Acting Chief Executive Brant Dunshea said, “Jerry has made a significant and lasting impact on British racing. His passion, knowledge and leadership have helped shape a progressive approach to jockey health and medical care. He also played a crucial role in guiding our decision making and our engagement with government as the sport navigated the challenges of the pandemic, for which we are all hugely grateful. “On behalf of the BHA and everyone in British racing, I want to thank Jerry for his outstanding service and wish him the very best for his retirement. I am also grateful that Jerry has agreed to remain in post until his successor can be found, and to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities.” The post Dr Jerry Hill MBE to retire as BHA Chief Medical Adviser appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After seeing the light go on in Owen Almighty's second try around two turns, trainer Brian Lynch is hoping for a similar type of response from stablemate Jimmy's Dailys in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park March 29.View the full article

Trainer Gary Contessa's claim that he did not know about a change in New York State's claiming rules when he violated a new provision governing claimed horses running out of state "strains credibility,'' according to a hearing officer's comments.View the full article

Choisya had only one black-type success to her name before joining Gainsborough Stables' satellite operation at Meydan prior to Christmas. Her improvement since has prompted connections to target a grade 1 at Keeneland: the Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T).View the full article

St. Elias Stable's Captain Cook breezed a half-mile in :49 March 26 over the Belmont Park dirt training track as he prepares for the $750,000 Wood Memorial Stakes (G2), a 1 1/8-mile test for sophomores, at Aqueduct Racetrack April 5.View the full article

LSU Stables's 'TDN Rising Star' Far Bridge (English Channel), winner of last year's GI Sword Dancer S. and GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic S., will launch his 5-year-old campaign in Saturday's GIII Pan American S. at Gulfstream Park. The Sarf family's gold-and-purple silks will also be carried by Le Mehana (Fr) (Al Wukair {Ire}) in the GIII Orchid S. two races earlier on the sensational GI Curlin Florida Derby program. Both are trained by Christophe Clement. LSU Stables–the 'L' stands for Larry and Leslie (the affable couple went on their first date at Belmont Park back in 1967), the 'S' is for Sarf and the 'U' represents the unity of their family–won the 2023 Belmont Child Care Association's Humanitarian Award and has approximately 12 horses in training. “It'll be nice,” said Brooklyn native Larry Sarf, who sold his company F&D Reports in 2021. “We're gonna fly down on Friday. We'll spend the day at the track Saturday and we'll run over to the barn at Payson on Sunday, then fly back.” Far Bridge was acquired privately after beginning his career with a pair of head-turning wins–including a narrow victory over fellow MGISW and 'Rising Star' Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire})–for breeder Calumet Farm over the Gulfstream turf in 2023. The Sarf family's LSU Stables celebrates Far Bridge's Sword Dancer victory at Saratoga last summer | Sarah Andrew One of 14 top-level winners for the much-missed, perennial leading turf sire English Channel, Far Bridge will take on eight rivals in the 1 1/2-miles Pan American. He enters off a troubled ninth-place finish after a forgettable journey beneath Joel Rosario at a well-backed 7-1 in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar Nov. 2. The 7-5 morning-line favorite is a perfect three-for-three over the Gulfstream lawn. Rosario will be back aboard. “We rested him for a couple of months, he's had eight workouts,” Sarf said. “He's ready on Saturday to run a good race.” Sarf continued, “He we won the first race of his 2024 campaign (in an optional claimer) at Gulfstream. I think he's matured a little more this year. We're getting ready for our next steps. We've laid out five races for him and this is a good prep race.” The 6-year-old mare Le Mehana, a €400,000 purchase at the 2023 Arqana December sale after placing third that fall in the G1 Qatar Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp, finished third while making her U.S. debut for these connections in last year's Orchid. She's since added wins in the GIII Waya S. at Aqueduct and Via Borghese S. at Gulfstream and has rolled a pair of threes so far this season, most recently completing the trifecta behind the re-opposing Beach Bomb (SAf) (Lancaster Bomber) in the GIII The Very One S. at Gulfstream Mar. 1. The 8-5 program favorite will be ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr. “The field looks pretty good for us with Le Mehana,” Sarf said. “She's healthy and she's good. She's getting a little older now and we'll be looking at doing something with her as a broodmare.” LSU Stables made a big splash going to $850,000 for Pandora's Gift (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) at the inaugural Keeneland Championship Sale ahead of the 2024 Breeders' Cup at Del Mar. A four-time winner over three different all-weather courses in Britain, led by a victory in the Chelmer Fillies S. at Chelmsford May 2, and third-place finisher in the grassy G3 Irish EBF Ballyogan S. last August at Naas, the versatile Pandora's Gift made two starts for former owner/trainer Stuart C. Williams during her 3-year-old season on these shores last fall. She came up just a neck short in the GII Presque Isle Downs Masters S. Sept. 20, then was a longshot third on grass in Keeneland's GII Franklin S. Oct. 13. She was subsequently disqualified from the latter after testing positive for the controlled medication gabapentin. Scratched out of the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, Pandora's Gift, now trained by Clement, could return to action at the upcoming Keeneland Spring meeting, per Sarf. “He's got some nice works into her now,” Sarf said. “She was about a 100 pounds underweight (after the sale) and we said, 'let's just put the weight on, lay her off and get her ready for her 4-year-old campaign.'” He continued, “We liked her breeding, by Churchill. She's a wonderful filly, a great sprinter. She'll hopefully run a great race in Kentucky. This year is a lot of promise. Hopefully, she'll be able to hit a couple of races up at Saratoga, too.” LSU Stables also campaigns the streaking New York-bred gelding Bank Frenzy (Central Banker), who secured his third straight victory for trainer Rudy Rodriguez in the Stymie S. at the Big A Mar. 1. Rodriguez went back to the well and signed the ticket for a $105,000 Central Banker filly on behalf of LSU Stables at the OBS March 2-Year-Old sale earlier this month. “We're growing the stable a little at a time,” Sarf said. The post Returning Far Bridge Leads Powerful One-Two Punch for LSU Stables on Florida Derby Undercard appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A field of 11 3-year-old colts is set to face the starter for Saturday's $226,404 Fukuryu Stakes, an 1800-meter allowance contest at Nakayama Racecourse that serves as the last of four legs on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby and offers points on a 40-20-12-8-4 scale. Luxor Cafe (American Pharoah) currently sits in pole position in the series, having earned 30 points when proving best in the Listed Hyacinth Stakes over Tokyo's one-turn, 1600-meter configuration on Feb. 23. A full-brother to dual G1 February Stakes winner Cafe Pharoah and campaigned by the latter's owner Koichi Nishikawa, the son of Mary's Follies (More Than Ready) set a juvenile course record when winning his maiden over a mile at headquarters Nov. 23 before tacking on a facile allowance victory over this course and distance Jan. 11. Joao Moreira takes over in the saddle here, where a victory or runner-up effort secures the bay colt the automatic berth in the Derby, but it may not all be straight-forward. ▼高松宮記念　本命候補① サトノレーヴ（想定2番人気） 理由① １週前追いはチャックネイト、ルクソールカフェとの３頭併せで手応え良く最先着。 初の左回りは未知数だが、フットワーク的には問題なさそう。 フォロー&いいね20でどんどん更新してきます。 フォロー頂けると励みになります！ pic.twitter.com/OfpYc9t2In — ちゃぶ君の競馬サロン (@chab358x11) March 24, 2025 Fully eight of the 11 runners enter off a victory, including Imhotep (Jpn) (New Year's Day), who looks to take his record to a perfect three-from-three. Purchased for nearly $380,000 out of the JRHA Select Yearling Sale in 2023, the Northern Racing-bred colt graduated by nine lengths at first asking over track and trip Jan. 12 and added a three-length allowance score here just two weeks ago. Golden Cloud (Cloud Computing) was a debut winner at Kyoto last October, then ran the G2 UAE Derby-bound Don in the Mood (Jpn) (Asia Express) to a neck in allowance company Jan. 6. The latter returned to be third in the Hyacinth, while Golden Cloud registered a similar finish behind the pacesetting Isana (Jpn) (Declaration of War) going this distance at Chukyo Jan. 26. The 2024 Fukuryu Stakes was won by T O Password (Jpn) (Copano Rickey {Jpn}) in his second career start. Connections accepted the invitation to the Derby, where the colt ran an excellent fifth, 6 1/2 lengths behind Mystik Dan (Goldencents). The post American Pharoah’s Luxor Cafe Leads Deep Field Into Japan Road to the Derby Finale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ruling against the interests of four race tracks, the Supreme Court of Louisiana declared unconstitutional a statute legalizing historical horse racing machines without first requiring local voter approval.View the full article

Godolphin Mile (G2) contender Little Vic carries the colors of former Major League Baseball star Victor Martínez, a five-time MLB All-Star turned passionate owner.View the full article

America's Best Racing's Patrick Reed provides a horse-by-horse rundown of the Arkansas Derby (G1) lineup.View the full article

Mike Curry analyzes the 10-horse field in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park March 29, which has historically been one of the most important stepping stone to the Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

Woodbine's CA$750,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1T) has been added to the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series as an official "Win and You're In" race. ​The winner receives an automatic, fees-paid berth to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T).View the full article

In the pantheon of propaganda, Tally-Ho Stud would hardly get a look in compared to its competitors, so when Tony O'Callaghan says “the vibes are good” about Lady Iman (Ire) (Starman {GB}) ahead of her debut in the two-year-old maiden at Dundalk on Friday, it can be taken as a major positive. Lady Iman is a significant runner for O'Callaghan given she is the first representation of Tally-Ho Stud's first-season sire Starman in Ireland this year. She boasts a pretty smart pedigree, too, being a half-sister to West Acre (Ire), who is by the Mullingar-based stud's flagship stallion, Mehmas (Ire). An unfortunate set of circumstances led to the well-bred filly remaining in the custody of O'Callaghan after she was returned to the vendor after being sold for £185,000 to bloodstock agent Daniel Creighton at the Goffs Premier Yearling Sale last year. There is an old saying that a pessimist finds a problem in an opportunity while an optimist will find an opportunity in a problem. O'Callaghan took the return of the Lady Iman on the chin last August and is confident that things will work out in his favour in the fullness of time. “The vibes are very good,” O'Callaghan remarked, before adding, “She passed all the scopes before the sale but, low and behold when she went down to lunge after she was sold, they said she made a noise. That's the story. If they didn't want to take her, they didn't want to take her. We didn't want to take any less and we weren't too bothered to be quite honest with you. But you always hate when this kind of thing happens because we would have bet bottom dollar that she was perfect. Anyway, we have her now and we didn't even think about breezing her either. We said we'd put her into training and that's it-I think things are going to work out in our favour.” He added, “The vibes were good on her when we had her here and they are still good. We dropped her up to Ger [Lyons, trainer] six weeks ago and he seems pretty happy with her. The vibes are good but the vibes are also good about four or five of them in the race so we're looking forward to Friday.” West Acre: a sprinter going places | Erika Rasmussen Lady Iman's pedigree is on the up. The George Scott-trained West Acre has been something of a revelation in Dubai this winter, carrying Michael Blencowe's colours to back-to-back successes in Group 3 and Group 2 sprints. He is now a leading fancy for the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at the Dubai World Cup meeting and, happily for O'Callaghan, his dam is reported to be back in foal to Mehmas at Tally-Ho Stud. O'Callaghan said, “We bought the dam [Lady Aria (GB) (Kodiac {GB})] off Amo Racing at the December Mares Sale at Tattersalls for 160,000gns in 2019. They don't always ring a bell but thankfully this mare seems to be doing well. She has a yearling colt by Persian Force (Ire) and is scanned in foal to Mehmas.” Lady Iman will face eight rivals in her bid to get off to the best possible start in the 5f maiden at Dundalk [7.00] on Friday. She will be partnered by Ireland's dominant champion jockey Colin Keane. O'Callaghan concluded, “West Acre looks a smart horse and we think this filly is pretty smart, too. We can't be heard saying it but plenty of people seem to be happy with Starman and we've three nice fillies going to the Craven Breeze-Up Sale by him as well.” The post “The Vibes Are Good” – O’Callaghan Excited By Well-Bred Starman Newcomer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

“Has it really been that long?” queries Kevin Ryan after being informed of an anniversary looming on the horizon, that of it being two decades since Amadeus Wolf (GB) won the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket. “I didn't think it was that long ago,” he adds, rubbing his face in apparent disbelief, elbows perched on the kitchen counter of his Hambleton home. “Twenty years–that has soon gone by.” That Middle Park in September 2005 was a significant milestone in Ryan's career, as it was the day he joined the ranks of Group 1-winning trainers, some seven years after he sent out his first winner at Catterick in July 1998. A second Group 1 win then followed just three short weeks later when Palace Episode struck in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, while that 2005 campaign was also notable for it being the first time that Ryan broke through the £1-million barrier in prize-money. Now, all of these years later, that sort of haul is par for the course for Ryan and his team. Out of the last 20 seasons on British soil, between that breakthrough year in 2005 and when Ryan achieved a new best total of £1,821,254 in 2024, only three have failed to deliver a seven-figure return–in 2008, 2010 and the Covid-hit campaign of 2020. Equally, Hambleton Lodge is now a regular source of Group 1 winners, admittedly after a seven-year wait between numbers three and four, a drought which was ended by Astaire (Ire) (Intense Focus) when he also won the Middle Park in 2013. Then along came The Grey Gatsby (Ire), the Prix du Jockey Club and Irish Champion Stakes hero who provided the stable with some of its best days with those triumphs at Chantilly and Leopardstown in 2014. “He was a great horse,” Ryan remembers of the popular grey who also won the G2 Dante Stakes at York. “He never had a vet near him bar to do the insurance or give him a flu jab–he was bell-metal sound.” As for the current incumbents of his Thirsk yard, Ryan needn't look too far to be reminded further of the passage of time, with the first foal out of Glass Slippers (GB) (Dream Ahead), the stable's most prolific winner at the top level, featuring among this year's two-year-old intake. “It tells you that you're getting f****** old, when you trained the dam and now you're training the progeny,” Ryan jokes, before providing a positive update on the Dubawi (Ire) colt whose dam won the 2019 Prix de l'Abbaye, as well as the Flying Five Stakes and Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint the following year. “He's a grand type of horse,” Ryan goes on. “He was presented at the sales as a yearling but he wasn't ready for a sale. He was just a bit backwards. I saw him at the sale and then when he arrived he looked a different horse to what I saw at Newmarket. He looks a different horse again now–he's really starting to develop and grow. “He moves great, although we haven't pressed any buttons with him yet. She [Glass Slippers] wasn't precocious–it was the second half of the season before she really started to show her true metal. We'll just let him come to himself and then we'll get him out as and when.” For now, until others prove themselves worthy, pride of place in the class of 2025 most definitely belongs to Inisherin (GB), who provided Ryan with a 16th Group 1 success when landing last year's Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. Though down the field on his final three-year-old appearance in the G1 Sprint Cup at Haydock in September, the strapping son of Shamardal clearly remains the apple of his trainer's eye. “He's had a nice long break and he wintered very well,” says Ryan. “He's bigger and stronger and we're looking forward to getting him going again. He'll get an entry in the Duke Of York Stakes [May 14]. He'll have a Group 1 penalty to carry, but it's a good starting point and there's a nice gap between York and Royal Ascot. It's easy to place where he'll be going, although there's a possibility that we could go up to seven furlongs. They've upgraded that race at York [City Of York Stakes] now to make it a Group 1, so never say never. And you've got the Prix Maurice de Gheest over six and a half–he's got loads of options.” Inisherin is the real deal and lands the Commonwealth Cup at Royal @Ascot! pic.twitter.com/K685XUvt4f — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 21, 2024 Inisherin has already shown that he's capable over a bit further, having finished sixth, beaten less than five lengths, in last year's 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, after beating none other than Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) by three and a half lengths when winning his novice over a mile at Newcastle a couple of months earlier. “He had a lot thrown at him in a short space of time last year,” Ryan says of why Inisherin might have lost his way in the second half of 2024. “He'd won a maiden and been to a Guineas early in the season. He ran very well in the Guineas and, in fairness, he ran well in the July Cup [when finishing fifth behind Mill Stream]. He just didn't seem to come down the hill, which was quite surprising because he ran well on the other track. And then it was very tacky ground at Haydock which I don't think he really liked. Physically, he was great and we're delighted with the way he's come back in.” Here's hoping we see the Royal Ascot version of Inisherin in 2025, with the form of the Commonwealth Cup looking even better now than it did at the time, after the runner-up, Lake Forest (GB) (No Nay Never), travelled down under to win the A$10-million Golden Eagle and the fourth-place finisher, Kind Of Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), ended the season with victory in the Champions Sprint Stakes. “It's all there,” Ryan adds. “And it was easy watching that day–from two down you could see that he wasn't going to be beaten. I think, with Ascot, most of the pressure is on the run up to it and getting them there in peak condition. There's not much more you can do when you're there, but you're still nervous. You're bound to be nervous when everyone is expecting him to win–I was expecting it as well which puts even more pressure on you. “He's as quick a horse as we've had. He has a huge stride on him, with a high cruising speed and a great turn of foot–he's always had loads of gears. A lot of these horses are retired early, but I think it's great for people who follow the sport to get to see them again. He didn't even have to think about it, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid. He said straight away at Royal Ascot that both the horses would stay in training, him and Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}). He loves his racing and he's in no rush to send them to stud.” Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum has been a big supporter of the Ryan yard ever since his 2018 purchase of Emaraaty Ana (GB) (Shamardal), after he'd won the G2 Gimcrack Stakes at York when owned by Ahmad Abdulla Al Shaikh. Emaraaty Ana would later win the 2021 Sprint Cup, becoming the first of four individual Group 1 winners Ryan has trained in the famous yellow and black-spotted silks. The others include another Royal Ascot winner in Queen Anne hero Triple Time (Ire), a three-parts brother to Inisherin's dual Group 1-winning dam, Ajman Princess (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). “You could get anything out of them,” Ryan says of the annual batch of homebreds he receives from Sheikh Obaid. “You could get a very fast horse or you could get a really good staying horse–his breeding programme covers all angles. He breeds a lot of very good horses and he lets us buy as well. It's nice to have that kind of backing at the sales.” One such purchase for Sheikh Obaid was the four-year-old Volterra (Ire) (Farhh {GB}), who occupies the neighbouring box to Inisherin in the L-shaped block of stables which are overlooked by the kitchen window of the Ryan family home. Previous inhabitants include other sprinting stars such as Brando (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and Hello Youmzain (Fr). Volterra, who was bought for 400,000gns at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, still has some way to go to earn his place in that illustrious company, but his trainer is optimistic that the 103-rated colt might prove equal to the task after a stylish victory in the Challenge Cup at Ascot on his final start of last season. “He's a very, very talented horse, always has been,” says Ryan. “He was a very weak two-year-old, and he still wasn't very mature last year, but he was still able to perform at a high level in those big handicaps. He destroyed the field at Ascot. “We always thought he was going to be top class. The way he looks now and the way he's strengthened, I think he's one who can really come into his own this year. I wasn't keen to throw him into a Group race straight away, but that might have to be the case because of the way the programme is. He'll be testing the waters and, hopefully, he can make up into a Group 1 horse–that's what we think he is.” What a performance! It's Challenge Cup glory for Volterra under Shane Gray! @Ascot pic.twitter.com/4nUNZ7s00O — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 5, 2024 For Ryan, like any trainer, that search for the next Group 1 horse is what the job's all about, an endeavour in which he is ably assisted by the bloodstock agents Steve and Becky Hillen. “We all have our own ideas, myself, Steve and Becky,” Ryan says of his approach to the sales. “Everyone has an opinion and at the end of the day I'm the one who has to make the last call on it. If I can't buy the ones I want, I'd prefer to come away with less horses rather than forgiving this, that and the other with them. “There's always been a certain type of horse I like. The pedigree has to be reasonable, although I'll sometimes forgive a pedigree if there's a really nice individual. Especially with the breeze-up horses, you can be a lot more forgiving because they're at a completely different stage than they are as yearlings. You're seeing them six or seven months later. “We might gather up some more [two-year-olds] at the breeze-up sales [this year]. We always have done. Astaire, Brando, The Grey Gatsby, Amadeus Wolf and Palace Episode–they were all breeze-up horses, to name just a few. It has been very good to us over the years. Mind you, they're getting harder to buy. A horse like The Grey Gatsby cost €120,000 and he'd probably be a £200,000 horse now–that's the difference in it. “But I want to race at a good level,” he adds of the pursuit of another The Grey Gatsby. “We've been very lucky and we've had a Group 1 horse in the yard near enough every year. It's incredible to think that we haven't really had a lull with them–I hope I'm not putting the mockers on it now! We've one, maybe a couple, for this year as well, but it's all about trying to find the next one as the back up for when they're gone.” Ryan on… Ain't Nobody (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}) Successful in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot, he was last seen finishing a running-on sixth in the G2 Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster. “I'm looking forward to stepping him up to six furlongs. He did it well at Ascot, but then he grew quite a bit. His last run told us that he wanted six, so he'll probably start off in the Commonwealth Cup Trial. I'm not saying he's a Commonwealth Cup horse. He's a fair bit to make up to be that, but it seems an obvious place to start off his rating and that will give us an idea of what level he's going to play at this year.” Room Service (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) This colt is rated 109 after ending last season with victory in the Listed Wentworth Stakes at Doncaster. “His form was very good at Donny. It was hard enough not to put him in there again this Saturday, but it took him a bit of time to get rolling last year. There's a seven-furlong conditions race at Thirsk [April 12]. We'll start there and he'll have the option then of sticking to seven or dropping back. But I'm sure that he's going to stay seven well. It was only in the last half-furlong that he got on top at Donny–even two down I didn't think he was going to win. He could be a horse for the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot.” Washington Heights (GB) (Washington DC {Ire}) Second on his return to action in the Dukhan Sprint in Qatar last month, he was a fixture in the top European sprints last season following his victory in the G3 Abernant Stakes at Newmarket. “He's a great syndicate horse. He takes them to all of the right meetings and he's very, very genuine. He will have an entry in the Duke Of York [in which he finished fourth in 2024]. Before then he has the option of going back for the Abernant again or he could switch to the Palace House over five furlongs at the Guineas meeting. Simon Turner [racing manager for owners Hambleton Racing] will have his own ideas and we'll discuss it closer to the time.” The post Twenty Years at the Top Table for Kevin Ryan, with Inisherin Back for More appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article