Wandering Eyes

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has released revisions to the stakes schedule as well as a plan for additional race days to account for the weather-related cancellations at Aqueduct, the group announced via press release. In addition to NYRA, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) and New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB), will request approval from the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) to conduct four additional days of live racing Wednesday, Feb. 11, Thursday, Feb. 19, Thursday, Feb. 26 and Thursday, Mar. 5. An additional card for Feb. 4, which was previously approved by the NYSGC, was drawn this past Thursday with live racing set to resume at the Big A on Wednesday, Feb. 3 with a 1:10 p.m. Eastern first post. The four stakes initially slated for Saturday, Jan. 31 will be brought back Friday, Feb. 6. These include the Withers Stakes, a 20-10-6-4-2 Kentucky Derby qualifier; the Toboggan; the Ruthless; and the Ladies Stakes. The card will also include the previously rescheduled Interborough Stakes. Entries for the Feb. 6 program will be taken Saturday, Jan. 31. Overnight races carded for Jan. 31 will come back as extras for Feb. 6 and beyond, while races carded for Feb. 1 will be brought back as extras for the proposed makeup day of Feb. 11. Races in the existing Condition Book will be used for live racing scheduled from Feb. 12-15. NYRA will provide an updated Condition Book to cover the period of Feb. 19 through Sunday, Mar. 8. Aqueduct Racetrack will remain open for simulcast operations Friday through Sunday. The post NYRA Releases Revised Stakes Schedule, Proposed Added Race Days appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association announces revisions to the stakes schedule and a plan for additional race days to account for weather-related cancellations at Aqueduct Racetrack. View the full article

The likely fields for the rich G1 Saudi Cup card are taking shape, with American champion and Japanese Horse of the Year Forever Young (Real Steel) set to defend his crown. Other Japanese entrants are Luxor Café (American Pharoah) and Sunrise Zipangu (Kizuna). Hall of Famer Bob Baffert sends GI Breeders' Cup Mile winner Nysos (Nyquist) and GI Goodwood Stakes winner Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach). GII Clark Stakes winner Magnitude (Not This Time) represents Steve Asmussen, while Rattle N Roll (Connect) flies the flag for Kenny McPeek. Other American hopes are Banishing (Ghostzapper) and the Brad Cox-trained GII Cigar Mile victor Bishops Bay (Uncle Mo), who now races for King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Sons. In the night's other Group 1, the newly elevated $3-million Neom Turf Cup, sees runners from seven nations compete, led by Japanese trainer Yoshito Yahagi's Shin Emperor (Siyouni), who won the 2025 edition. Group winner Royal Champion (Shamardal) will compete, as will Survie (Churchill), who is now trained by George Boughey and owned by Doreen Tabor. Group 1 winner Facteur Cheval (Ribchester) returns to the turf for Jerome Reynier. The $2.5-million G2 Red Sea Turf Handicap is dominated by Joseph O'Brien runners in Group 2 scorer Tennessee Stud (Wootton Bassett), G1 Melbourne Cup second Goodie Two Shoes (Fastnet Rock) and Sons And Lovers (Study Of Man). Willie Mullins, who won the 2021 Neom Turf Cup, has entered Absurde (Fastnet Rock). The 2024 runner-up, Epic Poet (Lope De Vega), is back for Davie O'Meara, and Japan sends the duo of Struve (King Kamehameha) and Vermicelles (Gold Ship). G2 1351 Turf Sprint winner Annaf (Muhaarar) is back for another crack at the $2-million race. he faces Royal Ascot winner Lazzat (Territories), Donnacha O'Brien's Comanche Brave (Wootton Bassett) and Americans Time To Dazzle (Not This Time), Reef Runner (The Big Beast) and Zio Jo (Nyquist). In the $2-million G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint, Bob Baffert's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint second Imagination (Into Mischief) anchors a trio of U.S. hopes. Japan fields five, among them G3 Saudi Derby runner-up Shin Forever (Complexity) and Hong Kong's Self Improvement (Deep Field). The $1.5-million Saudi Derby features a trio of American-trained entries in My World (Essential Quality), Acknowledgemeplz (Bucchero) and Obliteration (Violence) all gunning for the 30 GI Kentucky Derby points on offer for Brad Cox, Kenny McPeek and Steve Asmussen, respectively. A cluster of internationals oppose, with Saudi 2000 Guineas hero Al Haram (Iffraaj) entered. For more information on the Saudi Cup night entries, please visit the Saudi Cup website. The post Forever Young Leads Saudi Cup Card Entries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Darley's Sam Bullard and Watership Down Stud manager Simon Marsh have paid Too Darn Hot the ultimate compliment by drawing parallels between the young stallion and last year's European champion sire Night Of Thunder. Both sons of Dubawi operate under the same Darley roof and Too Darn Hot, the sire of multiple Group 1 winners in both hemispheres, is charting a similar path towards elite stallion status, according to Bullard and Marsh. Buallard said, “Dubawi was what we set out to achieve in the early days of the Darley stallions and he has done so much more than that. Now, to have one of his sons [Night Of Thunder] in Ireland at Kildangan Stud and for him to be the European champion sire last year was wonderful. Incredible, really.” He added, “But when you see what is coming through [for Too Darn Hot] and when you realise the support coming through, the support that he is getting from leading breeders and leading trainers, I suspect come the yearling sales of 2028, Night Of Thunder will be struggling! We'll have to work hard to stay at the top anyway. So it's really exciting and we're very lucky to have two great sons of Dubawi.” Too Darn Hot may be sitting pretty as the sire of multiple Group 1 winner Fallen Angel in Europe along with Australia's champion two-year-old turned stallion Broadsiding. But there is a deep appreciation here for the fact that the chapters within this story could have read very differently had Too Darn Hot made his initial target at the yearling sales. Bullard explained, “What a story Too Darn Hot is. He was bred by Watership Down Stud and the Lloyd Webbers intended to sell him as a yearling but he went lame before the sales. So, unluckily at the time, they were forced to withdraw him and decided to put the pink colours on. He went to John Gosden and was a brilliant two-year-old. We were lucky enough, with the support of our patron [Sheikh Mohammed], that we were able to buy into him so he was destined to stand at Dalham Hall Stud at the end of his racing career.” He added, “At that time, we sort of knew that Dubawi looked like being an exciting sire of sires and with the pedigree that Too Darn Hot has, being out of Dar Re Mi, who was a champion herself, that it was incredibly strong. He was a horse we were hugely keen to get hold of and the breeders have supported him enormously the whole way through.” That support has seen Too Darn Hot sky-rocket to a career-high fee of £100,000 for 2026. Meanwhile, what he has achieved in Australia, where he was crowned the 2024 Champion first-season sire with a record-breaking A$4.16 million in earnings, is adding to his growing reputation as an international force to be reckoned with. The glowing terms in which Marsh and Bullard speak about Too Darn Hot would suggest that the share price in the young stallion is only going to go one way. Commenting on Too Darn Hot's success Down Under, Marsh said, “It's something that many stallions have tried to achieve – the likes of Galileo, Dubawi, Lope De Vega and Night Of Thunder have gone down there. A lot of stallions have tried to be dual-hemisphere stallions but, really, since Danehill, there have been very few who have been able to make a mark in both hemispheres, which he is doing.” He added, “But he's not a two-trick pony. It's remarkable what he is doing and, knowing that he has his best crops to come, you'd have to think he still has a long way to go. He's sired stakes winners in Japan and America, he's having winners in Hong Kong and he's had Group 1 winners in Germany, France, England, Ireland and Australia. He's a worldwide phenomenon right now. I am sure that the best is still to come and he is very similar to Night Of Thunder in that Night Of Thunder's best progeny and the best mares that he covered are only coming through now. Too Darn Hot is a few years behind Night Of Thunder, yet he is achieving some remarkable things from his early crops. To have a horse who is doing it in both hemispheres is pretty unique and obviously very exciting.” The post ‘Too Darn Hot Is A Worldwide Phenomenon Right Now’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

French Guineas hero Metropolitan sired his first reported foals over the past several days. A bay filly out of Couleur Café (Rock Of Gibraltar) and a bay colt out of Sand Rose (Aussie Rules) were both foaled at Haras de Montaigu. Haras d'Ombreville welcomed a chestnut filly out of Kiss Love (Kendargent), while a bay filly out of Marmelet (Kingman) arrived at Haras des Marais. In Ireland, a bay filly out of Vadsariya (Exceed And Excel) was born at Manister House Stud, pleasing Luke Barry. Nicolas de Chambure, director of Haras d'Etreham, said, “These first foals fully reflect what we hoped Metropolitan would transmit. They show presence, size and lot of quality.” The son of Zarak covered almost 130 mares in 2025, and stands for €12,000 at Haras d'Etreham this year. The post First Reported Foals Arrive For Metropolitan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The two-day Arqana February Mixed Sale features 400 lots, including Sign And Seal (Hurricane Run), the dam of Group 1 winner Beaute Cachee (Literato), on February 17-18. The catalogue includes 152 mares and 81 fillies, as well as 50 short yearlings, and the complete dispersal of Al Shahania's thoroughbreds, and four stallion shares set to go under the hammer during the first session. The second session will consist of the second breeding stock portion, following on from the dispersal of Franck Leblanc, a selection of two- and three-year-old stores, 14 two-year-olds, and 75 horses-in-training. Sign And Seal, sold as lot 229, is joined by broodmares of the quality of: Imperatrice (Kitten's Joy) (lot 71), a stakes producer and in foal to Ace Impact; Mary Gold (Penny's Picnic) (lot 210) in foal to Dark Angel; and Prairie Blossom (Dalakhani) (lot 200) in foal to Charyn. Of the fillies-out-of-training, Hosaka (Lord Kanaloa) (lot 212) is one to note, as she is out of the Group 1-placed Rjwa (Muhtathir); as well as Suzette Defoye (Sea The Moon) (lot 252), who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Simca Mille (Tamayuz). Sires represented by short yearlings include Siyouni with a half-brother to Group 1 winner Aspetar (lot 32); a daughter of Ace Impact out of group winner Qabala (Scat Daddy); and a half-sister to Group 1 winner Sajir (lot 239) by Earthlight. Apaniiwa (Cloth Of Stars) (lot 9), a listed winner in the National Hunt sphere will be offered, as will fellow jumps stakes winners Ginagold (Authorized) (lot 90) and Elektrix (Gemix) (lot 113). The post Dam Of Beaute Cachee Headlines Arqana February Mixed Sale Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Road, presented by Gainesway and WinStar FarmView the full article

As we approach the opening of the 2026 breeding season, the TDN staff is once again sitting down with leading breeders to find out what stallions they have chosen for their mares, and why. Here we catch up with Christie DeBernardis, CHC's Regional Manager of the Americas. CHC, which first made its presence felt in 2013 and was co-owner of Triple Crown winner Justify, has bred Grade I winners Kimari (Munnings), Valiance (Tapit), and Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming). Cara Marie (14, Unbridled's Song–Miss Kilroy, by A.P. Indy), booked to Patch Adams Cara Marie has been a great producer for us. Her foals have averaged $500,000 in the sales ring and her daughter Girl Daddy (Uncle Mo) is a graded winner. We wanted to start Patch Adams's career in the breeding shed with a strong group of mares and she certainly qualifies. Cozze Up Lady (17, Cozzene–The White Lady, by Johannesburg), booked to Gun Runner Gun Runner is a stallion that needs no introduction. He's had a banner year, including topping the first four sessions of the Keeneland September sale. We wanted to send one of our top mares to this record-setting stallion, so we selected Grade III winner and Grade I producer Cozze Up Lady. Embellish the Lace (14, Super Saver–Expanse, by Distant View), booked to Patch Adams Grade I winner Embellish the Lace can do no wrong in the breeding shed. No matter who she is bred to, she produces an outstanding foal, which is reflected in their sale prices. What better mare to get a horse like Patch Adams off to a good start? Patch Adams | Sarah Andrew Into Amore (5, Into Mischief–Embellish the Lace, by Super Saver), booked to Constitution Into Amore is a homebred daughter of our very own Embellish the Lace. She showed a lot of talent on the track, but, unfortunately, her career ended before she could make her stakes debut. We are very excited to have one of Embellish's daughters in our broodmare band and wanted to start her off with a proven stallion. Constitution is a great physical match for this mare and this cross has already produced a graded winner in Pin Up Betty. Last Full Measure (18, Empire Maker–Lazy Slusan, by Slewvescent), booked to Tapit Grade I winner Last Full Measure produced another Grade I winner for us in Valiance (Tapit). We thought it was a no-brainer to send her back to the Gainesway stalwart this year. Lovely Ride (9, Candy Ride {Arg}–Lovely Lil, by Tiznow), booked to Not This Time Lovely Ride is one of our newest mares, purchased at this past Keeneland November Sale. She is carrying her first foal by Quality Road and we felt she deserved another top sire for her second mating. The Candy Ride/Not This Time cross has already produced Grade I winner and young stallion Epicenter, as well as graded winner Simplification. Summer Solo (15, Arch–Summer Solstice {Ire}, by Caerleon), booked to Justify Summer Solo comes from a wonderful Payson Stud family that includes the likes of MGISW and Eclipse nominee She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}). A Justify filly out of her half-sister Summer Sweet, dam of She Feels Pretty, was the highest-priced weanling at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale, summoning $800,000. It was a mating we thought would be a great genetic and physical match for Summer Solo as well. Yellow Agate (12, Gemologist–Lemon Sorbet, by Lemon Drop Kid), booked to Not This Time Yellow Agate, CHC's first Grade I winner in America, has placed herself in the upper echelon of our broodmare band with four winners from four to race, two of which are graded stakes horses. Her three foals to go to auction so far were extremely well received in the sales ring as well. Not This Time has also placed himself in the upper echelon after a sensational 2025 season. He appears unstoppable and we felt he was the perfect match for Yellow Agate. The post 2026 Mating Plans: CHC USA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Salloom, withdrawn after misbehaving and flipping in the stalls on Festive Friday in December, proved worth the wait, drubbing his foes by 6 3/4 lengths in a 1600m main track maiden at Meydan on Friday. The final time was 1:37.79. Godolphin's well-regarded National History (Maxfield) could only manage second, however he was 4 1/4 lengths in front of Sary Shayan (Constitution) in third. Part of the early pace discussion, the eventual winner took command with over 1200 metres to travel. Allowed to dictate the pace, Salloom saved every inch of ground against the fence. Shaking loose on the bend, he quickened away to win convincingly while still green. The winner trialed at Meydan in October and, after his Festive Friday debacle, won a trial over 1000 metres here on January 7. Friday's effort was his official debut. Raced by the Stables of King Abdullah bin A'Aziz Sons, the Authentic colt was bred by Machmer Hall in Kentucky, before selling for $175,000 to Exclusive Equine at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Re-offered a the OBS March Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale by Top Line Sales, the bay changed hands for $600,000 to Pedro Lanz, acting for KAS Stables. The third foal and winner for the dual winner Rumandice (Congrats), Salloom has younger half-sisters by Mandaloun and Practical Joke, while his dam was bred to Twirling Candy last spring. Second dam Chasethegold (Touch Gold), who was second in the GIII Senator Ken Maddy Handicap, is a half-sister to GI Donn Handicap hero Albertus Maximus (Albert The Great) and Daredevil (More Than Ready), who won the GI Champagne Stakes. At stud, she is the granddam of three stakes winners, included graded winners Rodriguez (Authentic) and One Liner (Into Mischief). 2nd-Meydan, AED165,000, Mdn. 1-30, 3yo, 1600m, 1:37.79, ft. SALLOOM (c, 3, Authentic–Rumandice, by Congrats). Sales history: $175,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $600,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, AED99,000. *1ST-TIME STARTER. VIDEO. O-Stables of King Abdullah bin A'Aziz Sons. B-Machmer Hall (KY). T-Bhupat Seemar. SALLOOM >> zoom!! UAE Derby contender?pic.twitter.com/lETMKK5cTN — Laura King لورا كنج (@LauraKingDXB) January 30, 2026 The post Authentic’s Salloom Routes Rivals At Meydan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Coolmore partners' Title Role (Too Darn Hot) rattled home a convincing winner of the Jumeirah Guineas Trial sponsored by DP World in the Meydan opener on Friday. Keen early under James Doyle, the Simon and Ed Crisford runner kicked four deep in early straight, seized command at the 300-metre mark and stormed away to victory, his second in four starts. Likely headed to the Jumeirah Guineas on Emirates Super Saturday in February, Title Role held the rallying Sword Maker (Pinatubo) for Godolphin by 1 1/4 lengths. He was a neck in front of fellow royal blue colourbearer Treanmor (Frankel). The final time for the 1600 metres over good ground was 1:38.72. Second at first asking at Newbury in May, the bay claimed a Kempton affair in October and ran third in a conditions race locally over 1400 metres on January 2. Out of a full-sister to the star-crossed multiple group winner Bronze Cannon (Lemon Drop Kid), Title Role counts half-sister Plucky Lass (Medaglia d'Oro) as the dam of G3 Oh So Sharp Stakes heroine Calendar Girl (Advertise) and the multiple stakes-placed Gutsy Girl (Blue Point). GIII My Charmer Handicap victress Valiant Girl has a two-year-old filly by Cracksman yet to race. 1st-Meydan, Cond., AED500,000, 1-30, 3yo, 1600mT, gd. TITLE ROLE (GB) (c, 3, Too Darn Hot {GB}–Valiant Girl {GB} {GSW-US, $124,706}, by Lemon Drop Kid) Sales history: 90,000gns Ylg '24 TATOCT; 500,000 HRA '25 TATAPR. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-1, AED66,134. VIDEO. O-Derrick Smith, Mrs J Magnier & M Tabor. B-Hascombe & Valiant Stud, Ltd. (GB). T-Simon & Ed Crisford. TITLE ROLE بقيادة الفارس جيمس دويل وبإشراف سايمون وإد كريستفورد يفوز بشوط “Jumeirah Guineas Trial” في الأمسية العاشرة من #كرنفال_سباقات_دبي على مضمار ميدان#دبي_ريسينج pic.twitter.com/Tn26myZNyC — Dubai Racing Channel (@DubaiRacingTV) January 30, 2026 The post Too Darn Hot’s Title Role Gets Top Billing In The Jumeirah Guineas Trial For Coolmore appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Jerome Reynier has been dealt a hammer blow with the news that recent Group 2 Cape Verdi runner-up Quid Pro Quo would face a period on the sidelines following a “freak accident” on the training grounds at Meydan. The Team Valor-owned filly had been gearing up towards a tilt at the Group 2 Balanchine Stakes at Meydan. However, her Dubai campaign has now been cast in serious doubt after connections believe she has sustained a stress fracture to her pelvis during a routine canter. Team Valor's Barry Irwin said, “I am thankful for the immediate attention from the veterinarian team at Meydan and all associated with the Reynier yard for quick assistance.” A leading filly in her native South Africa, Quid Pro Quo was purchased by Team Valor in December 2024. The post Talented Mare Quid Pro Quo Sidelined Following “Freak Accident” In Dubai appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Conditions of entry for the £50,000 Arena Racing Company (ARC) Racehorse to Eventer Challenge 2026 have been tweaked following a review of the first running of the event. The brainchild of Dash Grange Stud owner Jayne McGivern and Cornbury House Horse Trials' founder and president David Howden and supported by ARC, the challenge is designed to showcase the versatility and suitability of former racehorses for eventing. Following consultation with stakeholders, the entry conditions have been slightly altered for 2026. The ARC Racehorse to Eventer Challenge Cup will be restricted to horses who have not competed at Advanced or CCI4* level. They must also have raced or have been in training at a registered training yard; proof will be required of the latter. Jayne McGivern said, “I was delighted that the inaugural class was such a success last year, that ARC came on board to support it, and that it received such a huge amount of positive coverage. There is such a need to promote the talents and versatility of racehorses, and this class is the perfect way to do that. “With year one under our belts, I am keen that we focus on ex-racehorses that are in the formative stages of their eventing careers and that we encourage riders to keep looking for suitable horses and working with them, hence restricting the ARC Racehorse to Eventer Challenge Cup to those not already at the top of the sport.” Once again, the ARC Racehorse to Eventer Challenge Cup will be run at British Eventing Open Novice level, but using an FEI CCI2*-S dressage test in a long arena and with the showjumping phase last and in reverse order on Saturday, 12 September. Horses must have achieved two Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) at novice or above in the current season (2026 and by the point of entry). Riders will be restricted to two entries each. For any further enquiries about the ARC Racehorse to Eventer Challenge Cup, please email wendy@wendyevans.uk. The post Conditions Of Entry Tweak To The £50,000 2026 Racehorse to Eventer Challenge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first of 17 catalogued GoffsGo sales was topped on Thursday by hurdler Miss Kingston at £22,000. The mare was offered by Vinesgrove Stud and has shown plenty of promise for her trainer Paul McEnery in her three hurdle starts to date which included a third placing at Thurles in November last year. The daughter of Kingston Hill was purchased by Jerry McGrath. Billy McEnery of Vinesgrove Stud commented, “It's our first venture into selling online and we were pleasantly surprised with the interest in the mare. I think it's the way forward for selling form horses, it's a good platform to trade horses on and we were delighted with how it went.” Overall, the sale saw 12 of the 37 catalogued lots sell for a turnover of £84,200 with other successful vendors including Ballyshannon Stud, Henry Daly, Jack Davison, Kildaragh Stud, Mick Appleby, Shade Oak Stud, Stuart Coltherd and more. Goffs Group Chief Executive, Henry Beeby commented, “We are committed to seeing GoffsGo continue to grow in the online marketplace and the January Sale has kicked off what will be a busy year for the platform with another 16 sales currently in the calendar. As the 'new kid on the block' the only way is up, and we are delighted with the positive reception from potential vendors who have committed to future sales given our customer friendly pricing structure. “Indeed, GoffsGo offers outstanding value with an entry fee of just £49 and the lowest available vendor commission of 1.5% which is only charged for lots that sell on the platform. That is unmatched by any other European online service. Our next online sale is the GoffsGo February Sale which will be held in three weeks' time on the 19th and entries are being taken now.” The post Miss Kingston Heads GoffsGo January Sale At £22,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A long-range plan for Crimson Sky continues to gain momentum and another encouraging performance at Trentham will confirm a crack at the end goal of the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). The Cody Cole-trained three-year-old will round off her preparation for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai-sponsored Classic in Saturday’s Gr.2 Jennian Homes Lowland Stakes (2100m). “The three-week gap to the Oaks will give us a nice opportunity to take her to Ellerslie for a gallop, she has trialled there and another look around will be really beneficial,” Cole said. The daughter of Ocean Park was purchased out of Woburn Farm’s draft at Karaka for $20,000 by Adrian Clark’s Challenge Racehorse Syndications, who have enjoyed previous Oaks success in 2020 with the Shaune Ritchie-trained Jennifer Eccles. Crimson Sky has made sound progress and following a debut sixth finished runner-up before gaining an early black-type credit when a close third in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m). “She had a half a-mile trial at Avondale a while back and then kicked off over 1200m at Rotorua,” Cole said. “I called Adrian after that and I said this is going to sound a bit ludicrous, but we have to get her to the Desert Gold and Trentham will suit her. “We worked back from that and picked out a maiden over 1300m at Tauranga where she ran a massive race (for second). “She’s just kept improving and it’s been something we planned a while back and hoped she’d step up as we asked and she’s done it really well.” Crimson Sky ran 1600m out strongly in the Desert Gold at Trentham and improved underfoot conditions will ideally suit her on her return. “She was terrific and I think on a better track, you would have seen a better turn of foot. Her wheels were spinning a bit,” Cole said. “She’s stepping from a mile to 2100m, and we opted for this race because she’s not a filly that would like any kick back at Te Rapa. “The two-week back-up from a trip to Wellington is tough, but we’ve already seen that she’s a tough filly and can cope with a bit of pressure.” Cole will have a team of seven at Trentham with Navigator (Mode Technology Sprint, 1200m) and Miss Jones (Harcourts Sprint (1200m) two other leading prospects. Navigator improved his record on the course at the highest level with his last-start second in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) after finishing third in the 2025 edition of the feature sprint. “He’s got to carry 62kg but he’s a big horse and I don’t think that’s going to be too much of a worry. He loves the Trentham chute, if he’s on his game he should be really hard to beat,” Cole said. Miss Jones is unbeaten in two appearances this campaign and was an easy course and distance winner at her most recent outing in early January. “Obviously, she won really well at Trentham and that form seems to have stacked up since,” Cole said. View the full article

Winner of the 2024 GI Churchill Downs Stakes and now a young stallion at Three Chimneys, Gun Pilot (Gun Runner–Bush Pilot, by Smart Strike) was recently represented by his first foal, a colt. Bred by Tommy Wente's St. Simon Place in Lexington, the bay colt is out of the winning mare Just Life (Honor Code), a half-sister to GSP Electability (Quality Road) from the extended family of GISW and sire Lion Heart. “He's a big colt with a lot of bone,” said Wente of the new arrival. “The first thing that struck me was how much he looked like his sire–big and strong. I bred four mares to him last year, and when they come out looking like this, you've got to go back.” A millionaire and Three Chimneys homebred, Gun Pilot won five races and placed in another five, including the GI Forego Stakes. He will stand the 2026 season at Three Chimneys for $12,500. “Gun Pilot is very much like Gun Runner–scopey, strong, and a great mover but with a bit more size and substance than his sire,” said Three Chimneys Director of Stallion Nominations Rebecca Nicholson. “Progeny by sons of Gun Runner have been in high demand, and with Gun Pilot entering his second year at stud, he represents a great opportunity for breeders to access this highly sought-after sire line.” The post First Foal is a Colt for Grade I Winner Gun Pilot appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Brian Anderton, a doyen of South Island racing, celebrated his 89th birthday on Thursday, and the Wingatui horseman is hoping he can collect some late birthday presents this weekend. The White Robe Lodge principal will be chasing Group success in the North Island on Saturday after sending eight-win gelding Mayor Of Norwood north to Trentham to contest the Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m). Anderton, who trains in partnership with his son Shane, said the seven-year-old son of Ghibellines has handled the marathon trip with aplomb and has settled in well ahead of his weekend assignment. “He has travelled terrific and has eaten up well,” he said. Mayor Of Norwood heads into the two-mile feature in good form, having won his last two outings, both over 2200m on his home track. He has only been tested over 3200m once before, finishing 14th in the 2024 edition of the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup, and distance remains Anderton’s biggest query ahead of Saturday. “He is like a lot of the others, he has got to get two miles,” Anderton said. Anderton is looking forward to testing his gelding in the North Island for the first time, where he will jump from barrier one and carry 56.5kg with Corey Campbell aboard. “He has done all he can down here as far as weights go,” he said. “He has great owners and he has been handled very quietly in the first part of his career and he has risen to the occasion.” Closer to home on Sunday, Anderton will send half a dozen runners to Gore, including promising three-year-old fillies Assemble and Golden Spirit, who will both contest the Listed Liquorland Gore Guineas (1335m). Homebred Almanzor filly Assemble has shown plenty of ability to date, placing on debut over 1200m at Gore last month before winning her maiden over 1300m at Wingatui a fortnight ago. Golden Spirit, who is by White Robe Lodge resident stallion Ancient Spirit, met her stablemate in both outings, finishing runner-up on both occasions, and Anderton said they will likely adopt different tactics with her this weekend. “Assemble has done well and the other filly (Golden Spirit) has done well too,” he said. “Golden Spirit over-raced a bit here (Wingatui) in that maiden race, we might ride her a wee bit forward and use her speed a bit.” All going to plan, both fillies are set to follow the Southern Guineas Series, which will head to Ascot Park on February 14 for the Listed ILT Ascot Park Hotel Southland Guineas (1400m) before culminating in the Listed Property Brokers – Ray Kean Dunedin Guineas (1600m) at Wingatui a fortnight later. “That is our ambition at the moment, it is a very good series,” Anderton said. View the full article

Expat Australian hoop Matt Cartwright is looking forward to teaming up with his old boss at Trentham on Saturday when he rides Interpretation in the Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m). The Group Three-winning stayer is trained by leading Australian horseman Ciaron Maher, who Cartwright used to ride work for when based in Melbourne, and the New Zealand-based jockey said he knows the Irish-bred gelding well. “I had a great connection and relationship with Ciaron Maher during my apprenticeship when I was in Australia. I am excited to be riding for Ciaron and I would love to get a result for him,” Cartwright said. “I know the horse quite well. I used to ride him in a few of his gallops when I was back in Australia and I rode him in a trial.” While he is the winner of just four of his 34 career starts, Interpretation has tested his talent against Australasia’s staying elite, contesting three editions of the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), with his best result being a sixth placing in the 2023 edition of the time-honoured race. The Gr.3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) winner campaigned in New Zealand last year where he finished seventh in the Wellington Cup before running sixth in the Gr.3 Avondale Cup (2400m) and placed in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m). Interpretation placed in the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) prior to that campaign, and Maher has followed the exact same blueprint this year, with Interpretation finishing third in the New Year’s Eve Flemington feature. “By the looks of it he is going well and I think he profiles as one of the better chances in the race (Wellington Cup),” Cartwright said. Interpretation is currently rated a $7 third favourite with TAB bookmakers for the Wellington Cup in a market headed by Rosso ($2.80), with Tshiebwe the second elect at $5.50. Cartwright will also partner the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Roccadonna in the Gr.2 Jennian Homes Lowland Stakes (2100m), with the Contributer filly finishing third and fourth in her two starts to date. “She is only a maidener but is still a nice chance going into that race,” Cartwright said. “A few of the horses higher up in the numbers look good chances, but she brings in probably the best maiden form. “She has a tricky gate (12) but she gets back a little anyway, so if the pace is on and it suits her she will be running on pretty hard.” On the undercard, Cartwright will also ride Platinum Pantheon in the Stephanie Murray Mortgages Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m), Sneak Peek in the $350,000 Life Direct Remutaka Classic (2100m), and Furiosa in the Harcourts Sprint (1200m). “Platinum Pantheon looks a good winning chance,” Cartwright said. “A little freshen-up since Riccarton would have only suited him heading into this appearance. “Back to the mile probably didn’t suit Sneak Peek in a strong race last week but I think the 2100m will really suit her. It is not the strongest of races for good prizemoney, so she should be right in it. “I rode Furiosa last start where she was a bit unlucky and I think back to 1200m will suit. She will get back a little bit but she will be running on well.” Cartwright is still coming down from the high of riding exciting filly Well Written to an eye-catching six-length victory in last Saturday’s $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie, extending his unbeaten streak on her to five. She now boasts victories in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) and Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m), and Cartwright believes she is up to matching it with her counterparts in Australia. “It was a big thrill. It was obviously one of my biggest wins, it was quite special,” he said. “I think she has got the ability to (measure up in Australia). She has got to keep on improving obviously, Australian horses are very well respected and are good horses. She gives me the feeling she is right up to them. She has got a bit of freakishness about her and the win last week emphasised that.” View the full article

A plan concocted nearly a year ago will reach its climax at Trentham on Saturday when South Canterbury raider Shaking Stevens lines up in the Life Direct Remutaka Classic (2100m). The $350,000 feature is one of the innovation races introduced to the thoroughbred calendar in the 2023-24 season under the strategic partnership between TAB NZ and Entain and is restricted to horses that had won no more than one race at the start of the current season. Shaking Stevens was a single race winner for his original trainer Stephen Marsh when he was put up for sale on the Gavelhouse online platform last March. Christchurch enthusiast Richie Preston identified the American Pharoah gelding as an ideal candidate for the Remutaka Classic and was able to claim him for $8,000, setting in motion a plan that has since been implemented by Washdyke trainer Stephanie Faulkner. 14 starts since last June have produced four wins, capped by a home-track victory in the Timaru Cup (1600m) in late December and earning stakes of more than $82,000 to set up Saturday’s Remutaka Classic mission. “Richie loves putting these plans together and getting people involved, he’s a real driving force who brings a lot to the table,” Faulkner said. “He did the same with Green Luck, who we won the Canterbury Gold Cup (Gr.3, 2000m) with, and this horse has also given more than 30 people in the ownership a whole lot of fun.” Shaking Stevens hit a bump in the road to Trentham earlier this month when he finished out of the placings in the Kumara Gold Nuggets and was later found to be suffering from colic. “It wasn’t such a bad run considering he started to colic when he was cooling down, that can’t have helped him,” Faulkner said. “I got the vet to him and things settled down pretty quickly and he’s been fine since. “He’s been in work a long time and is well-seasoned, so all I’ve had to do lately is keep him happy.” Under the set-weight and penalty conditions of the Remutaka Classic, Shaking Stevens shares topweight of 61 kilograms with the only other horse in the field to incur the maximum four-kilogram penalty, the Bryce Newman-trained Uncle Arch. “He carried 59 and half kilos when he won his second race for us, so he’s a proven weight carrier,” Faulkner said. “With no apprentice claims I don’t have to worry about other horses getting an additional advantage.” Riding duties on Saturday rest with Tina Comignaghi, who is again leading southern jockey ranks with 41 wins and fourth equal place on the national premiership. Comignaghi has partnered Shaking Stevens in all four of his wins for Faulkner, and those from just six raceday rides on the five-year-old.Her overall statistics for the Faulkner stable are also impressive – 23 wins from 90 rides – while her 102 rides at Trentham have produced 12 wins. View the full article

With drastic winter weather–arctic temperatures and extremely low wind chill values, according to the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA)-continuing to plague much of the country, NYRA has cancelled live racing Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 31-Feb. 1 at Aqueduct Racetrack. Racing has not been held at Aqueduct since Jan. 23. The 24th, 28th, and 29th were all originally carded but had to be cancelled due to the frigid temperatures. NYRA is working with the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) and New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) to schedule and apply for added race days. NYRA will also release a new schedule for stakes races impacted by the weather cancellations, as well as a modified condition book. Aqueduct will be open for simulcasting both Saturday and Sunday. The post Weather Woes Continue as Aqueduct Weekend Racing Cancelled appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coolmore will break new ground by having its first horses trained in Japan this year, after Sue Magnier was granted an owner's license by the Japan Racing Association.View the full article

By Michael Guerin Nathan Delany can’t decide which one of the three-year-old pacers he takes to Alexandra Park is the best chance. But the goods news for the Pukekohe trainer and partner Ray Green is he thinks they can both win. Their stable have an army of talented young pacers in work including Sammy Lincoln (R2, No.3) and Lincoln Wave (R6, No.6) in early races at the shortened Auckland meeting tonight. The pair clashed at last Friday’s soaked Alex Park meeting and Lincoln Wave led throughout while Sammy Lincoln stormed home for third after getting held up. “We really like them both,” says Delany. “Sammy was unlucky as everybody saw last week and should be even better for that,” says Delany. “He obviously stays in maidens and I think he will be better than the horses he meets on Friday so he should win.” Lincoln Wave goes up in grade but hardly meets daunting opponents in Race 3 and Delany believes he can win again. “Maurice [McKendry, driver] said he was jogging last Friday and the way he has worked this week we think he has improved with that run. “So we think they are both really good chances, with not much between them ability wise.” The stable has a far more experienced three-year-old in Johnny Lincoln in Race 4, the $35,000 Metro Final and with three career wins he is in a significantly tougher grade, up against the likes of Double Parked and Princess Of Savoy. Johnny Lincoln was tough winning last Friday after sitting parked but was in the weaker of the two Metro heats, yet you can’t doubt his bravery after a very busy two-year-old season. “He is a horse who had injuries even before he started racing and has done a great job and hasn’t finished winning yet,” says Delany. “I’d say Andre [Poutama] will head for the front with him and be hard to catch.” The stable also has Tyson and Spiritual Bliss in the tightest-assessed pace of the night Race 6 and it is a 2200m contest that could be decided by tactics and tempo. “Spiritual Bliss likes to lead but I don’t think she will get there because Words has drawn inside us. “So she might have to do it the tough way and if they go hard that could suit Tyson.” The $35,000 Metro Trot Final has Hillbillly as the favourite and he can clearly win but his draw of barrier 1 on the 10m mark could be tricky for a horse who was sluggish away last Friday, albeit commanding winning after. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Ben Hope says Muscle Mountain is ready to give punters what they want tonight and the way they want it too. The big boy returns after six weeks away from the races in the $40,000 Continental Summer Cup Trot at Addington, a race he has won three times before. There is no doubting Muscle Mountain is the best horse in tonight’s 1980m mobile as the winner of 39 races and over $1.1 million in stakes so the question punters taking the odds-on want to know is: is he ready to win? Hope, who co-trains and drives Muscle Mountain, says yes. “He was racing well when we eased up in him in December and we are confident he is forward enough to win without a trial,” he says. Hope and his father/training partner Greg have the perfect measuring stick too as they also train tonight’s third favourite Midnight Dash, who was a last start winner at Omakau. “He is racing really well and they actually do all their work together,” says Hope. “So while Dash can win Muscle Mountain is usually too fast for him and their work together suggests that will be the case again.” While those words will be reassuring, most punters who take $1.85 for horses to win like bad luck to be taken out of play and Hope says he plans to do that tonight. “I think he has the most gate speed in the race and I plan to use it and I’d be surprised if he can’t lead.” While the best version of Muscle Mountain would win tonight’s big trot the two pacing features look anything but clear cut. The $60,000 Garrards Mares Championship brings together some of the better fillies from last season’s three-year-old crop against established older names like Francent and Esmeralda. Francent (R10, No.9) was slightly lucky to win the Queen Of Hearts at Alexandra Park last start, the race Captains Mistress lost in dramatic circumstances when driver Nathan Williamson crashed to the track because of a sulky malfunction. But that drama aside Francent has developed into a very good mare as has Esmeralda and with even luck they can beat the young pretenders but there is plenty of talent in the four-year-olds led by Beside Me. The latter was an impressive winner in a weaker field last Friday but her talent has never been in question and if she launches early and gets to the front she will take running down. There is still plenty to like about the chances of Winelight, Debbie Lincoln and General Jen in what is a beauty of a race. The Breckon Farms Check Out Our Draft Pace is much lighter on numbers but just as even with any one of the six starters a winning chance. Pinseeker was brilliant winning at Omakau two starts ago and beaten in a very fast time on the tricky Nelson track last start so deserves favouritism but Hadron Collider beat him fair and square that day so can do so again. The best horse in the race, when he wants to be, is Chase A Dream who is now trained by the Dunns but is incredibly hard to predict. View the full article

Ted Noffey, the champion 2-year-old male of 2025, is off the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail.View the full article

Recently crowned champion 2-year-old and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) has been diagnosed with bone bruising and will be taken off the Kentucky Derby trail, owner Spendthrift Farm announced via press release Thursday. Trainer Todd Pletcher reported that Ted Noffey showed signs of discomfort following a recent breeze, prompting further evaluation. Ted Noffey worked four furlongs in :50.81 (24/27) at Palm Beach Downs Jan. 23. “Since his last breeze, he hasn't been moving as well as he normally does,” Pletcher said. “Out of an abundance of caution we had him thoroughly examined, and the diagnosis came back as bruised condyles. Typically, this issue requires about 90 days to resolve, so we'll look to resume training around the first of May.” Ted Noffey compiled a flawless juvenile campaign, breaking his maiden at first asking at Saratoga before capturing three consecutive Grade I victories in the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga, Claiborne Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland and Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar. His accomplishments earned him Eclipse Award honors as Champion 2-Year-Old Male. “Obviously we're disappointed,” said Spendthrift Farm General Manager Ned Toffey. “But after discussions with Todd, the veterinary team, and owners Eric and Tammy Gustavson, we are all in agreement that giving the colt time off is the right decision. Our priority is his long-term health and career. With proper rest and turnout, we're hopeful he'll be back and ready to compete later this summer and fall.” The post Unbeaten Champion Ted Noffey Taken Off Kentucky Derby Trail With Bone Bruising appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The British Jockey Club is investing in the top and developmental ends of the sport in line with the broader approach being taken by British racing.View the full article