Wandering Eyes

According to agent Steve Rushing Monday, Irad Ortiz, Jr. escaped serious injury and all tests came back negative after the rider was from his mount Mindframe (Constitution), who swerved to avoid the wayward Phileas Fogg in Sunday's GI Jockey Club Gold Cup. According to the NYRA track note's team, Ortiz Jr. was cleared to ride, however, opted to take a few extra days. He had been slated to ride in all 11 races on closing day at Saratoga Monday. “I want to thank everyone for all the calls and texts and well wishes,” said Ortiz Jr. on X Monday morning. “I plan on taking a few days off and return to riding on Thursday at Kentucky Downs.” Following the incident, the rider was taken to Albany Medical Center. He was released later in the evening. The post Ortiz Jr. Escapes Serious Injury, Scheduled to Return Thursday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) held its 108th Annual General Meeting on Monday, September 1, with chairman Philip Newton confirming the TBA's support for an independent Board at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). “Charles Allen has a big job in front of him,” Newton said of the BHA's new chair. “The industry needs to recognise he doesn't have a silver bullet and cannot do this on his own. “The TBA will provide support, reasoned and considered counsel and give Charles Allen every opportunity to deliver the job he has been appointed to do.” Newton warned of the difficult crossroads at which the sport finds itself, referencing sustained pressures on betting turnover, racecourse attendances and audience engagement, as well as the continuing decline in the foal crop. He emphasised the need for a transformational funding solution, evidence-based action, a robust commercial arm and greater alignment across the industry to safeguard the future of both British breeding and racing. Whilst acknowledging the ongoing challenges faced by breeders, Newton also highlighted key areas of progression for the sector, including the publication of the 2026 fixture list in August and the injection of £4.4 million in prize-money, with £3.2 million being directed towards developmental races to encourage the racing and development of young talent in Britain. The TBA's key priorities for 2026 were discussed with two formal presentations, with the first of those focusing on the need for greater alignment between the TBA, BHA and Racehorse Owners Association (ROA). Meanwhile, deputy chair Kate Sigsworth presented on the TBA's ongoing commitment to the welfare of the Thoroughbred and continued investment into veterinary research; surveillance of infectious diseases; and studies to explore genetic diversity. Newton closed his speech by thanking outgoing chief executive Claire Sheppard for her unwavering commitment and dedication to the role over the last eight years, saying, “The TBA and the wider industry has been so very fortunate to have had Claire Sheppard's dedication and expertise at the helm for the past eight years. “She has championed the interests of the breeding sector with determination and persistence, navigating challenges in a complex stakeholder and political environment. I, and the TBA Board, would like to thank her and wish her all the best in the future.” Other departures revealed at the AGM include those of Sam Bullard, who steps down from the Board of trustees after two terms of office, and Anita Wigan, who leaves the Board after seven years of services. Julian Richmond Watson will also step down from his position as honorary president of the TBA. Elsewhere, the appointment of Colm Donlon as a co-opted trustee was approved, while Matt Prior will continue as a co-opted trustee for a second term. To read the TBA's 2024 Annual Report, which was formally launched at the AGM, click here. The post TBA Pledges “Support” and “Reasoned and Considered Counsel” to Lord Allen at AGM appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Champion mare Via Sistina capped an extraordinary 2024-25 campaign with the title of Australian Racehorse of the Year, announced Aug. 31 at a ceremony at The Star in Brisbane.View the full article

Following a dramatic edition of the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 30, contenders emerged in good order and will begin making plans for the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 1 at Del Mar.View the full article

Tom Pedulla offers takeaways from a pair of $1 million marquee events, the Pacific Classic (G1) Aug. 29 at Del Mar and the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, plus other Labor Day weekend races.View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Dual IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup winner Swayzee will face a serious first-up challenge in the $150,000 Group 1 Len Smith Mile at Menangle (Sydney) next Saturday night. Sure he’s the best horse in the race, but the seven-year-old is first-up since April, not as well suited to sprinting as he is staying and faces some fit and firing rivals. Swayzee, who looked sharp winning a Menangle mile trial in 1min49.9sec last Wednesday, hasn’t started since finishing fourth in the Group 1 Nullarbor at Gloucester Park on April 25. In contrast, key rivals like Catch A Wave, Max Delight, Sure Thing Captain, Eye Keep Smiling and The Janitor and Kingman have all won brilliantly in the past week or so. And all have raced superbly in Menangle sprint races previously. Champion mare Eye Keep Smiling showed she was ready for the biggest test of her career when she brilliantly won first-up from a short break at Menangle last night. It was her 11th successive win and, despite sitting parked, she scorched a 1min49.9sec mile and easily held off her rivals to win by 1.9m. The closing splits were 54.5 and 27.3sec. She will be one of two runners for Luke McCarthy, who had the untapped Kiwi-bred four-year-old Kingman worked superbly between races at Menangle over the weekend. Kingman, who showed loads of talent for Emma Stewart, has raced three times for McCarthy for two wins and a second. Another Kiwi-bred, Chantal Turpin’s The Janitor, turned heads with a powerhouse first-up win at Albion Park. First-up for six weeks, The Janitor sat parked outside Inter Dominion runner-up Speak The Truth and crushed him in a 1min51.2sec mile rate for 1660m. Speak The Truth, who will also tackle the Len Smith with stablemate Sure Thing Captain, will be fitter for the run and does fly at Menangle. Despite the absence of Leap To Fame, the depth of the Len Smith will be outstanding. Old marvel Max Delight looked superb when second (and hard-held) behind Swayzee in last Wednesday’s Menangle trial. The enigmatic but gifted Catch A Wave returned to his very best form winning at Melton last Saturday week. Remember, he’s won a Miracle Mile at Menangle and also won last year’s Len Smith. Then there’s the high-class and in-form Captains Knock. Today’s barrier draw will be important, but given the depth of the race and presence of Swayzee, it’s sure to be a truly run contest. In staying races, Swayzee’s rivals often surrender the lead to him rather than try and go toe-to-toe with the mighty stayer. But, in sprint races, rivals will be a lot more likely to keep him out, especially first-up. It’s going to be a heck of a race. View the full article

Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg and Brook T. Smith's Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), who finished second in a problematic edition of the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, will train up to the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar, according to trainer Chad Brown. The GI Whiney winner, who tried to avoid fallen Irad Ortiz Jr. just steps out of the gate, traveled in last–18 lengths off the pace–before making a wide run down the lane to finish 1 1/2-lengths behind winner Antiquarian. “Thankfully, Irad looks like he escaped anything serious, and our horses came back OK,” Brown confirmed on Sunday morning. “Sierra Leone went quite wide in the stretch. It was a very challenging trip, but I'm very proud of the horse that he persevered, stayed with it and still ran a pretty remarkable race.” He added, “He got his final prep in for the Breeders' Cup Classic and hopefully he has an uninterrupted, healthy couple months leading up.” Last season's champion sophomore colt, who will try to defend his title in the Classic, is expected to remain in Saratoga for the upcoming month. The colt will stand at Coolmore's Ashford Stud at the conclusion of his racing career. “He'll stay here for the month of September and then by October I expect him to move down to Belmont and follow the plan I used last year,” Brown said. “He's been ultra consistent his entire career and I'm hopeful he goes out in his last race as he has in all his races–consistent. He shows up every time. He's never been off the board.” The post Sierra Leone to Train Up to Breeders’ Cup Classic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A record-breaking 27 trainers in Newmarket will open their doors to the public during this year's Henry Cecil Open Weekend, which takes place on September 20-21. They include the likes of William Haggas, Roger Varian, George Boughey and James Fanshawe, while this year also sees the introduction of two autism-friendly yards, in collaboration with Autism In Racing: Ross Burdon and David Simcock. Before the yards open at 9am on Sunday, September 21, visitors are invited to watch some of Newmarket's best horses in action on Warren Hill, an event sponsored by Tattersalls. Meanwhile, Sunday afternoon sees a full schedule of events for all the family to enjoy, including the Amo Racing Personality Showjumping Competition, the Baker McVeigh Shetland Pony Grand National and the Parade of Retired Racehorses, kindly sponsored by Al Shaqab. Ticket holders can also visit the National Stud, the British Racing School, the Injured Jockeys Fund rehabilitation centre – Peter O'Sullevan House, the National Horseracing Museum, Newmarket Equine Hospital, Jockey Club Rooms and Tattersalls. Last year, £89,196 was raised for the chosen charity partners. This year, the Henry Cecil Open Weekend, in its continued support for both the local community and the racing industry, will donate all money raised to the Newmarket Housing Trust and its long-term charity partner, Racing Welfare. Tickets cost £15 when purchased in advance and £20 on the day, with no fee for children under the age of 16. For further information and a full schedule, click here. Malton Open Day Returns on Sunday Details of Racing Welfare's annual ARC Malton Open Day on Sunday, September 7 have also been announced, with 11 of Malton's leading yards set to open their doors. Tim Easterby and Richard Fahey feature among the trainers who will welcome visitors, along with Mick and David Easterby, Craig Lidster, Suzzanne France, Adrian Keatley, Ollie Pears, John Wainwright, Sara Ender, Ivan Furtado and Mike Sowersby. Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of a discounted combined ticket offering, which enables them to visit the yards in the morning and then enjoy an afternoon of racing at York Racecourse's Sky Bet Sunday Series, in association with the YorkMix Family Entertainment Zone. Tickets for the Malton Open Day are priced at £10, or £20 for a combined ticket to York Racecourse, while children under the age of 18 can attend for free. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased in advance here, with all funds raised on the day going directly to Racing Welfare. The post Henry Cecil Open Weekend Returns with 27 Trainers Set to Welcome Visitors appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Pharoah's Wine could add to a family tradition Sept. 4 when she runs in the $500,000 One Dreamer Stakes at Kentucky Downs.View the full article

There's no jumping off the merry-go-round now that the yearling sales are in full swing, and this week's action will take the travelling show to Newmarket and Baden-Baden for Tattersalls Somerville and Germany's premier yearling sale at BBAG. The latter should expect a stampede, as the word around the grounds is that Wednesday's Ryanair flight from Stansted to Karlsruhe will be chock-a-block with new visitors to BBAG's sale alongside the racecourse at Iffezheim. This year I've been jocked off the Baden-Baden trip by Brian Sheerin, and the current sulk at missing that particularly delightful event may just be abated if the ice-cream lady is at Park Paddocks on Tuesday with a nice Belgian chocolate and strawberry combo. A Bit Of Spirit, winner of Saturday's G3 Solario Stakes, is the latest to advertise the merits of shopping at the Somerville Sale, and there are plenty of others who will have enjoyed this particular result. For his owners, Paul and Clare Rooney, the Clive Cox-trained colt was the second exciting juvenile winner at Sandown in two days after the taking debut success of Sticktoyourguns (Without Parole) on Friday. Kevin and Anna Ross bought both colts for the Rooneys – Sticktoyourguns from Book 2 of the October Sale for 80,000gns and A Bit Of Spirit at the Somerville for 75,000gns. The latter came out on top in a four-way finish for what is often one of the most informative two-year-old races of the year. Though the margin of victory was slight, there was plenty to like about the gumption shown by A Bit Of Spirit in quite testing conditions to record his third win in five starts. Importantly for the team at Darley, he became the third black-type winner and second group winner for his first-season sire Palace Pier, after Royal Fixation, winner of the G2 Lowther Stakes, and Morris Dancer, who landed the Listed Stonehenge Stakes and was also runner-up in the G2 Vintage Stakes. It is perhaps worth noting that Morris Dancer and A Bit Of Spirit are both out of mares by Dubawi. These are of course early days in Palace Pier's stud career, but winners of this ilk around sales time will only enhance his standing after what was a rather lukewarm reception to his first yearlings last year. It is fair to say that because of that, Palace Pier has delivered something of a surprise in his results so far, which is a strange position to be in considering he was the best miler of his generation, a five-time Group 1 winner and unbeaten in his two starts at two. Then there is A Bit Of Spirit's breeder to consider. Wherever you look this season, up pops James Hanly behind another good winner. His name links Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder), Estrange (Night Of Thunder) and now the Solario winner, the three respectively bred in partnerships with Jono Mills, Anthony Stroud and Trevor Stewart, and Stroud and Ed's Stud. There must be something in the water down at Ballyhimikin Stud, whose draft of three at Tattersalls this week is bound to be busy. Aguiar Switches to Training There was interesting news last week from Robson Aguiar that he is to enter a training partnership with Adrian Murray, to whom he is currently officially assistant trainer. The full story is here if you missed it. It is easy to imagine that Aguiar, who has already proved himself to be both a good judge of a youngster and a proper horseman, will make quite an impact on the training scene in Ireland, handling horses both for Amo Racing, with which he has had a longstanding and successful association, and for other clients. Best of luck to him as he completes his training modules. Steady Gains for Spain Patience has paid off for Roger Varian and the owners of Lady Of Spain (Phoenix Of Spain), whose five runs to date have been spaced out between December 2023 and August 2025 but have resulted in five straight wins. The latest of those came in Saturday's G3 Atalanta Stakes on her first start for 255 days, and Lady Of Spain is now around 10/1 for the G1 Sun Chariot Stakes. Bred by John Little of Littlejohn Bloodstock and sold through Jenny Norris as a foal for 16,000gns, Lady Of Spain was a successful pinhook for Whatton Manor Stud, who sold her on to her trainer for 40,000gns. Like Haatem, she is a member of the first crop of Phoenix Of Spain, who also has the Group 3 winners Cheshire Dancer and Atsila to his credit. This latest group winner hails from a smart family, with her dam Navette (Invincible Spirit) being a half-sister to Godolphin's multiple group winner Real World (Dark Angel), while granddam Nafura (Dubawi) is a daughter of Mysterial (Alleged), whose other offspring include the stallions Dubai Destination and Librettist, while she is herself a half-sister to the July Cup winner Agnes World. Sad Demise of Classic Hero In becoming Godolphin's third 2,000 Guineas winner in the last four years, Ruling Court had also been the poster boy this year for the breeze-up division, having topped last year's Arqana sale at €2.3m when consigned by Norman Williamson's Oak Tree Farm. The loss of the Justify colt to laminitis last week robs the three-year-old division of one of its star names and, after Coroebus in 2022, means that two of those Guineas winners have died in training before making it to stud. Notable Speech remains in training, and Native Trail – another Williamson protégé – who was runner-up to Coroebus before landing the Irish 2,000 Guineas, is safely ensconced at Kildangan Stud. The Godolphin/Darley operation could however have another champion sire on its hands by the end of this year, with Native Trail's stud-mate Night Of Thunder currently €1m clear of Woottton Bassett in the British and Irish sires' championship. There are plenty of valuable races yet to be run though, and much could change by the end of the year. Desert Flower, who won the 1,000 Guineas 24 hours after Ruling Court's Classic triumph and played her part in Godolphin's memorable four Classic wins on one weekend in Newmarket and Kentucky, has not been seen since running third in the Oaks, and her trainer Charlie Appleby has suggested that she may not run again. Last year's Irish Champion Stakes winner Economics, too, is unlikely to run this season. Night Of Thunder does however have Ombudsman, Estrange, More Thunder, Zahraan and Gewan among those in his armoury, and the breadth of his winners, from sprints to middle-distances, is starting to look as impressive as that of his sire Dubawi. Kentucky All-Stars The European trainers James Owen and Henk Grewe were both handsomely rewarded for their enterprise in fielding runners at the lucrative Kentucky Downs meeting over the weekend. Owen and the Gredley family teamed up with their old Newmarket neighbour Frankie Dettori to land the G3 Nashville Derby with Wimbledon Hawkeye (Kameko), who has run consistently all season when placing in the Craven, Dante, Princess of Wales's and Gordon Stakes before netting the equivalent of almost £900,000 for his Stateside victory. Earlier on the card, Grewe had won around £220,000 in prize-money when the Zarak six-year-old Flatten The Curve strolled to victory in the Bowling Green Gold Cup over an extended two miles – a rare marathon trip in America. Aboard the winner was Germany's reigning champion jockey Thore Hammer Hansen. The former British-based apprentice hasn't looked back since returning to his home country two years ago. He won last year's G1 Deutsches Derby aboard Palladium and recently triumphed in the World All-Stars Jockeys Challenge in Japan. A win on a big day in America won't have harmed the rising profile of the 25-year-old Hammer Hansen either. The post Seven Days: Spirited Win Keeps Ballyhimikin in the Spotlight appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By any metric, it's been a spectacular run at Saratoga for the Tom Amoss barn this summer, and Oscar's Hope (c, 2, Twirling Candy–Hopeful Princess, by Not This Time) put the cherry on top with a second-out romp, becoming the outfit's third 'TDN Rising Star' of the meet in the process. With penny breakage coming to New York for the first time in the Labor Day opener, the $150,000 Keeneland September yearling was away alertly enough, but was outfooted by the $1-million OBS March breezer, but chilly-on-the-board Epic Quest (Nyquist), who showed the better early speed and came across his inside rivals, causing Jose Ortiz to have to slightly alter course on the 3-5 chalk. Cruising along through an opening quarter in :22.74, with Oscar's Hope hounding his every move at his hind-quarters from second, Epic Horse led narrowly passing the quarter pole, but the favorite was poised to pounce at the top of the lane. Putting the pacesetter to the sword with three-sixteenths of a mile to travel, Oscar's Hope, a distant debut second to 'TDN Rising Star' Golden Tornado (McKinzie) back on Aug. 9, quickly opened up and was taken in hand in the final 70 yards, scoring by 5 3/4 lengths. With the new breakage rules in place, Oscar's Hope returned $3.36 for the victory. The Feb. 12 foal is the first runner from his dam, a $27,000 buyback at the 2019 Keeneland September sale who won on her career debut for this breeder the following spring and was third in the 2020 GIII Schuylerville Stakes in her lone other appearance. She recorded a pair of breezes on the farm in 2021, but was retired and put in foal to Twirling Candy in early 2022. From the family of the late Larry Johnson's Street Magician (Street Cry {Ire}) and the current top turf sprinter Future Is Now (Great Notion), Oscar's Hope has a yearling half-brother by Nyquist that was purchased by B-4 Farms for $725,000 at last month's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale and a Curlin filly foaled Apr. 2. Hopeful Princess was returned to Twirling Candy this season. Oscar's Hope is bred on a similar cross to Twirling Candy's Grade I winners Pinehurst, Fionn and Rombauer. Amoss sent out It's Our Time (Not This Time) and Big Dom (McKinzie) to eye-catching and big-figure 'Rising Star' scores on Aug. 16 and Aug. 23, respectively. 1st-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 9-1, 2yo, 6f, 1:10.76, ft, 5 3/4 lengths. OSCAR'S HOPE, c, 2, by Twirling Candy 1st Dam: Hopeful Princess (GSP), by Not This Time 2nd Dam: More Than Magic, by More Than Ready 3rd Dam: Magical Meadow, by Meadowlake Sales history: $150,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $75,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O-Michael McLoughlin; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Thomas M Amoss. MAKE IT THREE! Exciting lineup at the Tom Amoss barn eagerly awaiting breakfast this morning. Two @theTDN Rising Stars bookend a runner-up to a Rising Star and a MGIP stakes winner. -It's Our Time (Not This Time) -Quickick (McKinzie) -Oscar's Hope (Twirling Candy) -Big Dom (McKinzie) pic.twitter.com/ghMpq7MkpD — Katie Petrunyak (@katiep_tdn) August 25, 2025 The post Twirling Candy Colt Oscar’s Hope Another ‘Rising Star’ For Amoss at Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aidan O'Brien has revealed Christophe Soumillon will be a big part of the Ballydoyle team in the coming months while Ryan Moore is out of action with a broken leg.View the full article

6th-NII, ¥14,250,000 ($96,772), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m, 1:55.2, ft. MATENRO DA VINCI (c, 2, Uncle Mo–Spring Eclipse, by Unbridled's Song) opened his account at first asking with a thoroughly dominating display. Alertly away from gate 10 for Yuga Kawada, the 17-10 favorite was tossing his head pretty good down the lane for the first time, but ultimately settled better to stalk the pace from second. Traveling smoothly through the middle furlongs, the $1-million Keeneland September acquisition was asked to kick in upper stretch and was never in serious trouble en route to a six-length success. The Mar. 29 foal is out of a stakes-placed mare whose four winners from five runners to date includes Bet She Wins (First Samurai), winner at two of the Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakes. Spring Eclipse is a daughter of the late Jim Tafel's SP Coragil (Metfield), the dam of the graded winners Softly (Binalong), Coragil Cat (Forest Wildcat) and the granddam of GSW Conquest Big E (Tapit). Under the third dam White Jasmine (Whitesburg) is GSW & MGISP Til Forbid (Temperence Hill), herself the dam of GSW Scoop (Gone West). The Not This Time yearling half-sister to Matenro Da Vinci made $775,000 to the bid of Live Oak Plantation at this month's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale and Spring Eclipse was covered by Practical Joke this past breeding season. Sales history: $1,000,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $51,008. VIDEO (SC 10) O-Chiyono Terada; B-Camas Park Stud (KY); T-Mitsumasa Nakauchida. 新潟6Rは一番人気マテンロウダビンチが後続に6馬身差を付ける大楽勝早め早めの正攻法で能力の高さを見せ付けました先々が楽しみですね おめでとうございます #マテンロウダビンチ #中内田充正 厩舎 pic.twitter.com/nMD6nSCJBl — 競馬専門紙「優馬」 (@umakeiba_com) August 31, 2025 The post Million-Dollar Uncle Mo Colt An ‘Artful’ Winner On Niigata Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Champion mare Via Sistina capped an extraordinary 2024-25 campaign with the title of Australian Racehorse of the Year, announced at a ceremony at The Star in Brisbane Aug. 31.View the full article

Following Monday's confirmation stage, French star Lazzat, July Cup heroine No Half Measures (Cable Bay) and the supplemented Sky Majesty (Blue Point) feature among 22 possible runners in Saturday's Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock. Jerome Reynier's Lazzat got the better of Japanese ace Satono Reve when striking Royal Ascot gold in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on his penultimate start. The son of Territories then suffered a surprise defeat when bidding for back-to-back wins in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville last time, but he is the sponsor's 2/1 favourite to get back on the winning trail in this weekend's Group 1 feature on Merseyside. No Half Measures reduced Richard Hughes to tears when providing the former leading jockey with his first top-level success as a trainer in Newmarket's July Cup and she will get the opportunity to prove that shock 66/1 victory was no fluke. “It was a brilliant day in the July Cup,” Hughes said of that performance. “We were hoping she would run well, but on that ground we didn't think it would be possible to win. “I thought she would need it softer to be able to overcome that level of horse, but she went and proved she can do it on any ground. I don't think she had an advantage with the draw, so you could probably upgrade the performance. She did everything right and got to the line well. “Before you get that Group 1 winner you feel like you are hanging on by your fingertips trying to survive in this game getting the winners and keeping your owners happy. “When you get that Group 1, it feels like you can freewheel for a bit. We haven't had that many winners since, but a big win like that takes the pressure off.” He added, “She looks really good at the moment and we are really pleased with her. She has had a nice gap, but we always thought this was going to be her Derby. “When we got started with her in the spring, we said the Sprint Cup was her race as it is normally slow ground, but either way now it doesn't matter what the ground is really. “If it is slower ground up there, she will step forward again. My horses always seem to run well up at Haydock I'm not sure why they do, but they do and that is a good thing to have on your side, while Neil [Callan] will keep the ride.” Hughes could also saddle Sayidah Dariyan (Dariyan), who was beaten four lengths when last seen finishing seventh in the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York, while William Haggas has supplemented fast-improving filly Sky Majesty to join similarly progressive stablemate Almeraq (Dark Angel) at a cost of £20,000. Sky Majesty is one of two supplementary entries along with Eve Johnson Houghton's Rage Of Bamby (Saxon Warrior). Other leading contenders include Harry Eustace's G1 Commonwealth Cup winner Time For Sandals (Sands Of Mali) and the James Fanshawe-trained Kind Of Blue (Blue Point), who won last season's G1 British Champions Sprint Stakes and bounced back from an underwhelming start to his campaign when finishing third in the G3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh. The post Lazzat and No Half Measures Headline 22 Sprint Cup Contenders appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lord Charles Allen has outlined his vision of turning British racing into “a modern commercial and cultural powerhouse” as he assumed his position as the new chair of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on Monday. Allen, who also offered his backing for the cancellation of next Wednesday's racing in protest of proposed betting tax changes, believes that with the “right governance and ambition” the sport can realise its full potential. In a statement, he said, “I am delighted the industry is coming together on September 10 to say 'Axe the Racing Tax'. It is an historic step to cancel all racing on this date, but this will help us to explain just how concerned we are for the sport on many levels. “Horse racing is a sport for everyone, not just for the few. There are 85,000 people dependent directly and indirectly on racing. The proposed changes would not only negatively impact many communities both rural and urban but would reduce our ability to be a world leader and the opportunity to have inward investment in the sector. “Ensuring sustainable finances is essential if we are to support our participants, our workforce, our horses and our racecourses, and continue to engage our fans, owners, customers and the betting public. “British racing is admired worldwide for its heritage, its quality, and the standards of integrity and welfare it upholds. My vision is not simply that we work to preserve this, but to develop British racing into a modern commercial and cultural powerhouse: a sport that commands attention on the global stage, attracts new audiences, inspires fans at home, supports its people, and continues to set the gold standard for the care of the horse. “With the right governance and ambition, I believe this is possible and I look forward to working across the sector to achieve this vision.” Allen was initially due to take up his role on June 1, but his tenure was delayed as he negotiated changes to make the BHA's Board independent of racecourses and the sport's participants. He added, “It is nine months since I was nominated for the role. In that time, I have had over 100 meetings with racing people. As well as industry leaders I met many frontliners for whom the sport is both a matter of professional pride and also a labour of love. I immersed myself in the industry so that I could truly understand the opportunity. “There was a consistent agreement during my meetings that things needed to change if racing was to prosper, but often those I spoke to held the view that change needs to come from elsewhere in the sport rather than from their own segment of the industry. “However, I hold the view that there are opportunities and requirements for change across the whole sport, and I believe that overall there is agreement and appetite for this. “I am sincerely grateful to the Board of the BHA and its stakeholders that they agreed that change should start at the top and that we should have an independent board where everyone is focused on putting horse racing first rather than representing a vested interest.” The post Lord Allen Issues Rallying Cry on First Day as BHA Chair appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aidan O'Brien outlined plans for some of his stable stars at a Ballydoyle open morning on Monday where it was revealed that Minnie Hauk would chart a direct path to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Christophe Soumillon was likely to fill in for the injured Ryan Moore. It was announced on Saturday that Moore will be sidelined for an indefinite period of time after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his femur. Wayne Lordan is the yard's second rider, but he is currently due to be suspended for 10 days after the Goodwood stewards found him to have used his whip in the incorrect place aboard Prestige Stakes winner Precise. Lordan has lodged an appeal against that ban, which runs from September 9-18, but with the St Leger meeting at Doncaster and the Irish Champions Festival both taking place next week, O'Brien would still be in need of multiple big-race riders as Delacroix is due to run in the Irish Champion Stakes while Scandinavia is a short-priced St Leger favourite. Asked how plans will change given the news of Moore's injury, O'Brien said: “Wayne is having his appeal this week and obviously Christophe has ridden a lot for us through the year, all those things are changing at the moment. I don't know how long Ryan is going to be but we will tell him to take as much time as he wants.” O'Brien has often turned to Soumillon, who was previously retained by the late Aga Khan, with the rider partnering Diego Velazquez to win last month's Prix Jacques le Marois while he also rode two Group 1 winners for the team on Arc weekend last year. He added, “Christophe has always been (part of the plans). He's not tied down to anybody now. He's a world-class jockey everywhere, he's been riding for us a lot since he's been released.” Meanwhile, Minnie Hauk, who is as short as 5-1 with most firms for the Arc, is likely to head straight to France. Providing an update, O'Brien said, “We haven't seen the best of Minnie Hauk at all and you're not going to see the best of her until the tempo is very strong all the way. Physically she's getting bigger and stronger. “We weren't sure what she was and I thought we'd know this time but we still don't know, she's relentless. She's on the Arc programme.” He added, “The last day was lovely but we didn't really find out because the second horse (Qilin Queen) pulled back off Wayne (Lordan, on Garden Of Eden) a little so for half a furlong or a furlong she was in limbo land where we would have preferred if she was behind the pacemaker. But it might have been the best thing in the world because she had a very easy race. “We think when she goes there she doesn't do much, that's the way she is at home. The Arc hopefully will be a strong run race and we're going to find out. She looks very exciting and is still in the 'could be anything' category.” The post O’Brien Turns To Soumillon In The Absence Of Moore For Big-Race Rides appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Top bloodstock agent Anthony Bromley and more speak about the yearling market ahead of the Tattersalls Somerville Sale He may have accounted for a little over seven per cent of the £14,327,000 turnover at last week's Goffs Premier Yearling Sale by coming home with 18 lots on behalf of various different clients, but Highflyer's super agent Anthony Bromley has revealed that the job is only half completed and that he is excited about what business can be drummed up at the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale this week. Despite the Somerville Sale being in its infancy, it has already been labelled as one of Bromley's favourites. It's not hard to understand why given he has sourced big-race winners like Chipotle, Bradsell, Relief Rally and Havana Hurricane at basement prices here in recent years. And while Bromley hopes to carry the momentum built up last week, where he ended the sale as the leading buyer largely down to his significant spend on behalf of owner Phil Cunningham, he said that the combination of the slimmed-down Somerville Sale catalogue and the buoyant trade at Doncaster leads him to believe that the market will remain strong on Tuesday. “Doncaster felt a stronger sale than last year,” Bromley reflected. “The day-two session held up a lot stronger than it did last year. We didn't break a record or anything over the two days but there was a buoyant trade and it kept up right until the last lot went through the ring. There were some lovely horses in the last 10 lots, for example, and I felt that they really made their money. Whereas last year, the buoyancy definitely waned. I thought it was a good, solid renewal. I felt there wasn't a horse that was going to break the £200,000 mark, and I was right in the end, but there were a lot of horses [26] who were knocking around that £100,000 mark, which is the sign of very good trade.” He added, “Last year we went into the Somerville Sale off the back of some of that waning and 426 horses was too many for the Somerville Sale to take at that time. Therefore, it was a weak sale which was good for me because I bought plenty and had a lot of success from it. But the good thing for the Somerville Sale this year is it is down to one day with 272 lots and the sale didn't peter out at Doncaster so I suspect it will hold up quite well this week. When you looked at the top 10 buyers' list at Doncaster, there were groups of people there. For example, Hugo Palmer's team and Phil Cunningham's team were up there, but you also saw Richard Hughes buy nine. There was a good number of bulky buyers and I think that will roll into this week. I think it will be good trade on Tuesday because the numbers are tighter.” The Premier Yearling Sale catalogue was down 77 horses on last year, which obviously played a huge part in the turnover dropping by 5% to £14,297,000. However, the clearance rate remained stronger than ever with a three per cent bump to 86 per cent, while the average climbed by nine per cent to £43,194 and the median by 17 per cent to £35,000. Goffs chief Henry Beeby admitted that, while he would have loved more quality yearlings to sell, the figures posted last week bode well for the rest of the season. He said, “Strong clearance rate and obviously the median and average strengthening by double digits was great. We thought we had a really good turnout of people but, if I was being really honest, I would have liked some more horses. We were maybe 30 horses short of what would have been an optimum number. We didn't compromise by just taking extra horses for the sake of it because we wanted to keep the standards high. It was a very encouraging start [to the yearling sale season in Britain and Ireland] and followed on well from Arqana. I think it will give people a bit of heart going into the rest of the season.” Last year represented the largest Somerville Yearling Sale catalogue and it didn't work. The 426 yearlings offered across two days was up 121 lots on the previous edition of the sale yet the turnover climbed only marginally and both the average and median took a hit. One thing that Tatteralls can never be accused of is standing still and the return to the one-day format along with the slimmed-down catalogue is expected to drive figures back in the right direction when the sale kicks off at 10am on Tuesday. Associate Director Jason Singh commented, “The Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale has only been held four times but has made a very significant impact in a short space of time. It was designed to cater for early, commercial yearlings and since 2023 there have been 40 individual Group/Listed performers from the sale which is a pretty remarkable statistic. Every week there are winners coming out of the sale and none better highlighted the value to be found than Havana Hurricane who cost only 9,000gns last year and who won the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. “Group 1 winners from the sale include Bradsell and Anisette, who cost only 12,000gns and 26,000gns respectively, and are great illustrations of the quality of horse that can be purchased on a budget.” He added, “We have pulled the catalogue back to one day in 2025 and tightened up our selection criteria so we are hopeful that we have a nice bunch of yearlings and that they will sell well. We have also increased the prize-money for both the Somerville Yearling Sale race and October Auction Stakes to £200,000 with graduates of both sales and the Autumn Yearling Sale able to enter both races. “The combination of top class prize-money and quality yearlings on offer mean that the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale is a sale that buyers can come to with good confidence that they'll be able to find that magic combination of value and success.” It is fair to say that Bromley has had the keys to the lock of this sale in recent times. Windsor Castle Stakes winners Chipotle and Havana Hurricane, both sons of Havana Gold, were bought for just 10,000gns and 9,000gns respectively – yes, you read that correctly. Bromley says that he still has plenty of orders left to fill and the search is on for his next big-name star. He concluded, “I was underbidder at £80,000 and £90,000 at Donny and those orders are still there. I couldn't fill them. As I said about those last 10 lots at Donny, I waited for them all day because I thought there was a chance I'd get them but everybody was there for them. So I think the market is in a sound position coming into the Somerville Sale. I'm still really excited about the Somerville. We bought 18 at Doncaster and I'd like to think we'd be just as active this week. There are plenty of orders left over from last week and I'm excited about what I can buy this week.” The post Bromley: ‘Market In A Sound Position And I’m Excited About The Somerville’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Shipping across the pond was well worth it to owner and breeder Tim Gredley as Wimbledon Hawkeye banked more than $1.1 million for his Nashville Derby (G3T) victory at Kentucky Downs Aug. 30.View the full article

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Editor's note: Stuart Angus, a Senior Thoroughbred Advisor for Taylor Made, passed away Aug. 28 at the age of 60. His friend, Hunter Houlihan, is encouraging those he touched to submit `Stu stories' to the TDN. “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man,” is a quote attributed to Winston Churchill. I think we can all agree with that. If you had the chance to meet Stuart Angus, even once, you would undoubtedly agree that there was something about him that was good for the inside of all of us. It goes without saying, but the horse business may not always be a welcoming one for a rookie. Times are few and far between that someone will take you under their wing, warn you of the dangers you face, or offer invaluable advice. Hell, maybe even show you an offset knee. In July of 2006, within a month of my employment at Taylor Made, Stuart showed me an offset knee. He took me under his wing. He warned me of the dangers I faced and gave me the best advice I have ever received. I was baffled about why he had done so until three or four years later. At that point he, and I were well beyond colleagues: it was daily lunches, looking at horses together, maybe a beer after work. There was a new intern in the office with a lot of potential. I noticed Stu saying and doing a lot of the things he had shown me. That was the day I realized Stuart was the Unicorn of the bloodstock world: he thrived on bringing along the next generation (no, honestly: he would be more than happy for you to drive him to a yearling inspection, especially if you took good conformation notes.) But in all seriousness, I believe that is and will be Stuart's legacy: being that unicorn that took so many people under his wing, pun intended. Warning them of the dangers of this business. Offering invaluable advice. Very few people are willing to do so today, and that is what truly defined his character: “Hunter, come look at this baby with me. Tell me what is wrong with him.” Wayne Lukas trained trainers. I like to think that my friend Stuart was first and foremost a trainer of good people, and then a very good trainer of horsemen. By a nose. So, that said: I am honored to continue the legacy I am so truly blessed to be a part of-and I hope you all do as well. Stuart would want all of us to just very simply provide a younger person a little help, so that is what I am going to do. I will strive to find people that Stu would have taken under his wing. People that he would have warned of the dangers of this business. I will give them the best advice I can, just like he gave to me. Hell, I might even show them an offset knee. To contribute your own `Stu story,' email suefinley@thetdn.com The post Letter to the Editor: Stu Story #1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course is a race intended to point out stars of the future. Though for one of the New York Racing Association's most liked and respected officials, it will mark the end of a long and stellar career. View the full article

As the Harness 5000 draws ever closer HRNZ has come up with a thermometer-type tracker showing how many horses have become eligible for the new series. The Harness 5000 Progress Tracker will be updated every week as more and more horses qualify for the 12 $60,000 finals at Ashburton on December 21. It’s anticipated around 350 horses will be in the mix come December, though this figure could fluctuate. As of today 83 horses are eligible, an increase of 14 on the same time last week. The biggest category so far is the 5YO and older Pacing Entires and Geldings which has 24 horses who have met the qualifying criteria. The Harness 5000 is for trotters and pacers whose sire stood for an advertised retail service fee of $5,000 or less in the breeding season of conception. This year the qualifying period is from July 3 to December 9, 2025 and to be eligible horses must compete in at least five race day starts within this period. To see the latest Harness 5000 leaderboard click here Harness 5000 – “It’s our Cup day!” By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk For the Chapman Brothers, the Harness 5000 meeting at Ashburton is a huge target. “It’s our Cup Day”. With 12 $60,000 Finals, Harness 5000 is open to the stock of stallions whose stud fee is $5,000 or less in the year of conception. To be eligible, horses must have a minimum of five race day starts between 3 July and 9 December 2025. “We are the Kiwi battlers, and Harness 5000 has changed our thinking,” says Greg Chapman. “For the next five years there’s a mini Cup Carnival in December, like Cup Day at Addington in November, but for horses that are not the progeny of Bettor’s Delight, and the like.” “You do not need to have paid a $25,000 service fee to race a horse in this Harness 5000.” “Plus, with a meeting like this to look forward to, and the stakes on offer, we have changed our thinking about possibly selling our horses to Australia; whereas before we might have, if the price was right.” From Waitarere Beach near Levin, Greg Chapman co-bred I’m Rockin, a Johny Rock four-year-old, and races him with his brother Tony (aka Chappo), who was the key figure in piquing both their interest in the sport. The gelding has won four races for top trainer Regan Todd. He has had three starts so far in the Harness 5000 qualifying period and needs two more before he becomes eligible. We believe that is only a formality, says Greg, who is confident I’m Rockin will take his place in the 4YO Geldings and Entires Pace. “The way he’s going, he will be one of the favourites,” says Greg, “we have waited a long time for a reasonable horse.” The Chapmans first dipped their toes into horse ownership in the 1980s, with a horse called Chappo. It was not a success, but they returned in the 2000s and had better fortune with All The Way, who had seven wins in this country and five more across the Tasman. Other race-winners included the Chief Stipe Gale-trained pairing of Wyatt Earp and Onedin Punter. In 2014, Greg bought a share in Johny Rock, a former champion in North America who later stood at stud in Canterbury at Graham Court’s Pinelea farm. As part of the deal, Greg got a free service each year. He talked to Chief Stipe Gale who possesses a “horse bible” which traces the bloodlines back to Hambletonian, and asked what broodmare he should lease, to use the Johny Rock service. “Chief Stipe advised an Artsplace broodmare would be the best match.” The Chapmans put out some feelers via Facebook and were contacted by Kelly Williams who advised that I’m Joe King was available. I’m Joe King is an unraced Art Major mare based at Kevin and Bonnie Williams’ (of Master Mood fame) Tall Tree Stud. With Art Major being Artsplace’s richest performer, the mare was ideal for their needs. I’m Rockin was I’m Joe King’s second foal. The Chapmans then leased I’m Joe King for a further year and gained a full sister called I’m Elegant. The Chapmans hope that I’m Elegant will debut next year as a three-year-old before she eventually becomes a broodmare. She is the last of her bloodline in New Zealand. “And that ties into Harness 5000 as well. She may or may not race there in the future, as could her progeny,” says Greg. “With the Harness 5000 it gives a Carnival Day target to aim for – every year for the next five years at least.” “We are looking forward to heading south for the inaugural Carnival Day at Ashburton on 21 December. We are all booked!” View the full article

Harness Racing New Zealand’s Blue September campaign is officially underway after a bone-chilling start in Mid Canterbury today. The “Into The Blue” launch saw nine ambassadors plunge into the cold pools at the Opuke Thermal Pools and Spa at Methven. All had to go completely under. With the water at around 8-10 degrees it’s fair to say for some it was the quickest of dips. In the individual battle to see who could last longest Rory McIlwrick was a clear winner. He lasted three minutes. This the fifth year of HRNZ’s involvement in Blue September, the annual New Zealand Prostate Cancer Foundation campaign to raise awareness of the disease and funds for research. Last year’s total was more than $40,000. Money is raised every time one of the Blue September ambassadors win a race during the month, with contributions coming from HRNZ ($100 per win), clubs and the drivers’ individual sponsors. Blair Orange was the leading fund-raiser last year with 24 wins and $8200. Orange is back again this year while son Harrison is one of three newcomers to the campaign, along with John Dunn and Josh Dickie. Blue September Ambassadors 2025: Tony Cameron Robbie Close Jonny Cox Josh Dickie John Dunn Rory McIlwrick Blair Orange Harrison Orange Sam Thornley Matty Williamson Nathan Williamson The first Blue September meetings will be at Cambridge and Wyndham this Thursday. To donate to the cause click here View the full article

Buoyed by positive responses from Hong Kong owners, Brett Crawford is eyeing a dream start to his new venture when the prominent South African trainer starts Speedy Smartie at Sunday’s season opener at Sha Tin. Crawford, who has won 38 Group Ones and almost 1,500 races throughout his career, is the only addition to the Hong Kong training ranks for the 2025-26 season. Speedy Smartie – one of 25 gallopers on Crawford’s books – will be the handler’s only runner on Sunday and the former Benno Yung...View the full article