Wandering Eyes

Heaven and Horseshoes, A Worship and Community Center, is preparing to officially open Friday, Feb. 6. The 7,000-square foot facility is located just outside the entrance to the backstretch area at Horseshoe Indianapolis Racing and Casino and will provide space for numerous events for Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing participants. The building will be occupied by the Indiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) along with Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI). “We are very grateful to Caesars Entertainment for providing the property and funding for this project,” said Joe Davis, President of Indiana HBPA. “The facility turned out beyond our expectations and will allow us to provide numerous events throughout the year that benefit our horsemen and women.” In addition to the gathering area, Heaven and Horseshoes includes a 126-seat Chapel, complete with a full audio visual system. “Our ministry for our racing community is a vital part of our operations,” added Mickey Sajche, Chaplain for both QHRAI and Indiana HBPA. “This space allows us to provide more efficient space for weekly bible study groups as well as weekly church services. We plan to have our first service Sunday, February 8 and hope to offer weekly bilingual services each Sunday evening.” Heaven and Horseshoes will conduct a ribbon cutting ceremony Feb. 6 followed by a program in the Chapel featuring guest speaker Pat Day, retired Hall of Fame jockey. The post Heaven and Horseshoes Community Center Prepares to Open at Horseshoe Indianapolis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The cost of registering a foal with The Jockey Club will rise from $265 to $325 in 2026, while filing a report of mares bred will go from $40 to $50, according to a new fee structure posted on the Registry page. The Jockey Club's Jim Gagliano said that the fees were largely driven by an increase in the price of DNA sampling, along with overall inflation costs. He added that the organization would be spending significantly more money on aftercare this year, above and beyond these increases. “Some registration fees were adjusted this year, resulting in an average increase of 11%,” said Gagliano in a written response to the TDN. “These increases were prompted in part by significantly increased costs for DNA sampling of 57% from the public university that supplies this service to The Jockey Club. Overall, registration fee increases are moderately ahead of the inflation rate of 38.2% since 2013. “Proceeds from the registry as well as our commercial companies totaling $7 million will be used to fund numerous initiatives in 2026, including aftercare, marketing, advocacy, research, and workforce development,” Gagliano continued. “Specifically, The Jockey Club's support for aftercare initiatives will increase 46%.” Notably, said Gagliano, “The Jockey Club is planning a significant expansion of aftercare by increasing support for the Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP), enhancing and expanding the 2026 TIP. Championship Horse Show and introducing a series of Thoroughbred-only horse shows in 2027 through the Thoroughbred Incentive Program.” We publish details about The Jockey Club's industry support in our annual Industry Impact Report which is available to the public. The 2026 report will be published soon. The post DNA Sampling Drives Increase in Jockey Club Registration Fees appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Medication trends, integrity issues in the U.S. and abroad, plus how investigators can impact aftercare are a few examples of the session topics that the Organization of Racing Investigators (ORI) will cover during their 30th annual training conference, which will be held from Sunday, Mar. 1 to Wednesday, Mar. 4 at Tampa Bay Downs. As the trend goes, the agenda places a strong emphasis on providing participants with security and investigative backgrounds access to the latest tradecraft and the opportunity to network with other members. “We are excited to have the opportunity to host the 30th annual ORI conference this year to coincide with a century of live racing at Tampa Bay Downs,” said Deanna Nicol, ORI conference chair and director of security at the track. “Our executive board is looking forward to presenting and discussing the most current trends in racing through a lineup of amazing speakers.” After a reception on Sunday, attendees will hear on Monday from the likes of Benjamin Ho, the deputy manager of racing security & integrity at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Dr. Michael Hardy, executive director of the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium and Rachel Stipe, agent for the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau. A dinner and keynote followed by an awards ceremony is scheduled for Monday evening. The next day includes panel discussions that delve into subjects like outlaw equine clinics, investigator relationships with judges and stewards and a host of other topics meant to add to a member's toolkit. Attendees from countries outside of the U.S. only add to the experience. “In recent years, the international interest in the conference has led the ORI to invest in relationships through an international exchange program,” said Keeneland's Vice President of Equine Safety Dr. Stuart Brown. “Seeking to benchmark accepted standards with our counterparts is something that is intertwined at the conference and the bigger picture is about advancing these critical integrity measures around the world.” Click here, for the complete ORI Conference schedule. The post Investigators Tip 30th Annual Conference In Tampa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Commandment (Into Mischief), a dominating winner of the Mucho Macho Man S. Jan. 3, will make his next start in the GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream Park Feb. 28. The Wathnan Racing colorbearer returned to the worktab for trainer Brad Cox with a four-furlong breeze in :50.60 (16/27) at Payson Park Jan. 23. “Not long after the Mucho Macho Man, Brad (Cox) was thinking about the Fountain of Youth as a spaced-out target,” said Case Clay, Wathnan's Racing Manager, USA. “He looks great and Brad's happy with him.” Commandment, a $500,000 Keeneland September graduate and son of GI Spinaway S. winner Sippican Harbor (Orb), was highlighted in these same pages following a fourth-place finish as the 5-2 favorite in a live maiden special weight first out at Keeneland Oct. 4. He followed up with a visually impressive maiden win going seven furlongs at Churchill Downs Nov. 1 and kicked off the New Year in style with a 6 3/4-length victory going a one-turn mile in the Mucho Macho Man, good for a 91 Beyer Speed Figure. WOW! COMMANDMENT ($3.00) won with conviction in the $175,000 Mucho Macho Man Stakes at @GulfstreamPark. Another winner by @spendthriftfarm's Into Mischief! @bradcoxracing conditions the 3YO colt. @iradortiz coasted home on the son of G1 Spinaway winner Sippican Harbor. pic.twitter.com/GqQovRg3rn — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 3, 2026 The Fountain of Youth–also expected to attract last year's recently crowned unbeaten 2-year-old champion and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Ted Noffey (Into Mischief)–will be Commandment's two-turn debut. “He's progressing so nicely,” Clay said. “Brad was quite confident in how he was leading up to the (Mucho Macho Man). He seems like he's a fighter. The water is gonna get deeper for sure, so we'll see how he stacks up there. But, so far, so good.” Commandment isn't Wathnan Racing's–the nom-de-course of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani–only promising sophomore. Thunderously (Gun Runner) announced his presence with a five-length debut victory around two turns for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott going 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream Jan. 10. He earned an 88 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort. The $300,000 Keeneland September purchase was produced by Princess Warrior (Midshipman), winner of the 2018 GII Mrs. Revere S. and runner-up in the previous year's GI Darley Alcibiades S. “Following Bill's lead,” Clay said. “The (Kentucky) Derby may come up quickly for him. We've been talking about not pushing him too hard and letting him progress. As we dream, maybe we're Belmont (Stakes) dreaming, which sounds absurd as we're talking about Grade Ones after a first start, but one can dream. We'll just let the horse tell us what's next for him.” CABOOM THUNDEROUSLY ($9.60) ran a banger with @JuniorandKellyA up in the 8th at @GulfstreamPark. The 3YO Gun Runner (@Three_Chimneys) colt is trained by Bill Mott for Wathnan Racing. Play the next: https://t.co/tHc1sm6ZIw pic.twitter.com/LEXPf3nZsI — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 10, 2026 Noble Affair (Vekoma), a rallying third in his debut sprinting over the Fair Grounds lawn Dec. 27, was a game wire-to-wire winner on the main track for Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen in New Orleans Jan. 24. Produced by the unraced Rockport Harbor mare Paden Affair, the $600,000 OBS April breezer stopped the timer for six furlongs in a sharp 1:09.84. He received a 93 Beyer. “He's an exciting horse,” Clay said. “Steve (Asmussen) started him by design on the grass. He tends to have one speed, which is go go go. The thought was to get him to not run off and rate a bit and he did. He came flying at the end, and then in Saturday's race, he took the lead and went. Steve will pick the spot that's best for him. We thought very highly of him from the start.” Last term's GII Los Alamitos Futurity runner-up and maiden of four career starts Blacksmith (Liam's Map), meanwhile, will make his next attempt for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert in an upcoming maiden special weight at Santa Anita, per Clay. The $525,000 Keeneland September buy hails from the extended female family of Classic winners Rags to Riches, Jazil, Arcangelo, et al. “Very excited about these prospects and hopefully we can get lucky,” Clay concluded. The post Commandment ‘Progressing So Nicely’ Ahead of Fountain of Youth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

From his earliest lessons at Pin Oak Stud, Incredibolt (Bolt d'Oro) has handled everything asked of him with ease. Now, his team is hoping that trend continues in the GIII Holy Bull Stakes. Pin Oak's Director of Farm Operations and Property Michael Hardy said that the GIII Street Sense Stakes winner has not missed a beat since his win at Churchill Downs. Following a brief layoff on the farm, the Riley Mott trainee moved to Palm Meadows and has put in a series of six weekly drills, including a bullet four furlongs in :48.45 on Jan. 7. “He was quite a mature 2-year-old and we're very happy with how he's doing,” he shared. “Riley hasn't done a whole lot of works with him. He's just getting him tuned up.” Incredibolt drew the rail for his 3-year-old debut on Saturday. The Pin Oak team of Hardy, advisor Clifford Barry and farm trainer Joss Saville secured Incredibolt for just $75,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Sale. The Bolt d'Oro colt, who is a half-brother to MGSP Fire On Time (Not This Time), represented a sire the Pin Oak team still firmly believes in. “We've always had confidence in Bolt d'Oro and we're breeding three or four mares to him this year,” said Hardy. “Incredibolt was an attractive, athletic colt and looked like a solid, two-turn type of dirt horse.” Incredibolt's physical and mental maturity was evident early in his breaking and training at Pin Oak. “He just seemed to have that natural class and ability,” Hardy described. “He was forward, but not the type of horse that wanted to be aggressively trained. You could tell he had a lot of speed. When he went to Riley, he continued on that path. He was a very level-headed, mature 2-year-old.” After finishing fourth in his debut at Ellis Park, Incredibolt relished stretching out to a mile in September at Churchill Downs, breaking his maiden by two lengths. In the GIII Street Sense Stakes, he broke last and chased a modest pace before taking the lead at the sixteenth pole, defeating the favored Kenny McPeek trainee Universe (Global Campaign) by 1 3/4 lengths. Incredibolt training at Pin Oak as a 2-year-old last May | Pin Oak Stud/Mary Ellet Hardy said that beyond Incredibolt's obvious two-turn frame, he believes the colt's tactical speed will prove advantageous going forward. “He's plenty big and is scopey enough that it's no surprise that he wants to go past a mile,” he explained. “I don't think he necessarily has to come from off the pace. He did that in the Street Sense, but he was much closer to the pace in his maiden win. He's a horse that can settle. He has a great mind and is very confident within himself.” Incredibolt's Street Sense victory held special significance as the final win celebrated by Pin Oak owner Jim Bernhard before his sudden passing last November. Jim, a Louisiana business executive, and his wife Dana purchased the historic Pin Oak Stud property in 2022. They quickly made an impact with 2023 GI Haskell Stakes winner Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) and their program has continued to grow in the years since. The Bernhards' son Ben is involved in the operation as the farm's vice president. Hardy explained that while the loss of Jim has been deeply felt, Dana and Ben are dedicated to maintaining the operation's momentum. “We lost a leader and it has been hard on everyone on the farm, but in terms of vision and legacy, there has been no change in direction,” he said. “Jim, Dana and Ben have always been very active owners and they love to see their horses run.” In addition to Incredibolt's bid at Gulfstream on Saturday, Pin Oak and Riley Mott will send out Multiverse (Practical Joke) in Race 9. The 4-year-old gelding will be making his turf debut in the one-mile allowance, looking to break through after ending last season with three consecutive runner-up finishes. “He worked really well on the grass in his second-to-last work,” said Hardy. “He's a very quick horse and he's stretching out a little in distance, but we think on the grass he'll get the mile comfortably.” Pin Oak's racing stable currently has 68 horses, including 31 juveniles in training at the farm. Hardy said this marks their biggest crop of 2-year-olds to date. Returning stable stars for 2026 include Parchment Party (Constitution), the winner of last year's GIII Belmont Gold Cup Stakes and Birdstone Stakes. In November, the Bill Mott trainee made history as the first U.S.-trained horse to travel to Australia for the G1 Melbourne Cup. While the two-mile distance proved a difficult task and Parchment Party finished 20th, Hardy reported that the son of Constitution was no worse for wear from his travels. After a layoff at the farm, the 5-year-old is back in training at Payson Park. “He has just started back on the work tab in the last two weeks,” Hardy reported. “We'll take him back to the dirt and look for some of the marathon-type dirt races. He has come back as strong and fit as ever.” World Beater wins the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes | Sarah Andrew World Beater (Oscar Performance) was another Pin Oak stable standout last year. After breaking his maiden on Kentucky Oaks Friday, the Riley Mott trainee reeled off wins in the Audubon Stakes, GI Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes and GIII Old Dominion Derby. He was also second to last weekend's GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes winner Test Score (Lookin at Lucky) in the GI Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes. “World Beater came back to the farm after his race at Colonial,” said Hardy. “He's in training here at the farm. His main targets this year are all going to be late summer and in the fall, so we wanted to give him a good long break and let him mature. He'll go back to Riley here in the next two or three weeks. He's a horse with a lot of talent and we're hoping for a big year for him.” The Pin Oak team is equally high on Stars and Strides (American Pharoah). The winner of last year's Saranac Stakes stayed in light training at Bill Mott's base at Payson Park following an eighth-place finish in the GIII Hill Prince Stakes in November and just returned to the work tab last week. “He's a horse with a lot of speed and we hope there are some big races for him this year, trying to keep them around that mile distance,” noted Hardy. This weekend the Pin Oak team, led by Dana and Ben Bernhard, heads to Gulfstream in hopes of solidifying Incredibolt's status as a top Derby prospect. A successful showing in the Holy Bull would be a poignant milestone for the family, marking a major step toward seeing their first Kentucky Derby starter. “Getting any horse to the Derby at any time is an achievement and a very difficult feat, so for everyone here at Pin Oak it would be very special,” said Hardy. “Incredibolt is a horse that the Bernhards have a lot of pride in. They were there for his first start at Ellis and Riley has always spoken very highly of him.” The post Incredibolt Takes Aim at Holy Bull to Headline Deep Pin Oak Roster appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

At a time when Maryland's racing and breeding industry looks ahead to a new era, with the redevelopment of historic Pimlico Race Course officially underway, it seems only fitting that one of the most successful Maryland-breds in recent years would return to his home state to enter stud. Multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire Post Time (Frosted) retired this past December and joins the stallion roster at Northview Stallion Station in Chesapeake City, Md. For his debut season at stud this year, Post Time will stand for an introductory fee of $4,000 LFSN. Post Time's arrival represents a two-fold significance. The 6-year-old son of Frosted not only becomes the second stallion owner Ellen Charles of Hillwood Stable will stand at the farm, following in the footsteps of the late Bandbox (Tapit), but also joins the ranks on the heels of the announcement that the farm's stalwart stallion Great Notion (Elusive Quality) has been pensioned from stud duty. “We've always been looking at Post Time as a stallion prospect,” said David Wade, General Manager of Northview. “Northview is owned by the Golden family, as is Sycamore Hall Farm. Sycamore, along with Michael Golden's Golden Lion Racing, has horses in training with Brittany Russell, so we've been able to follow Post Time closely throughout his career.” Based in Maryland with Russell, Post Time quickly made a name for himself in his home state, remaining undefeated as a 2-year-old in 2022, highlighted by a winning stakes debut in the Maryland Juvenile Stakes. A stakes winner every year from two to five, the Maryland-bred collected his first graded stakes victories at four in the GII Carter Stakes at Aqueduct and the GIII General George Stakes at Laurel Park. Post Time at Del Mar ahead of his second-place finish in the 2024 GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile | Sara Gordon Amongst his three starts at the Grade I level in 2024, Post Time finished second in the GI Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga; third in the GI Whitney Stakes going 1 1/8 miles at Saratoga, his two-turn debut; and was a resilient second in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar, finishing within 1 1/2 lengths of winner Full Serrano (Arg) (Full Mast). “We like horses that not only win at two, but win at the stakes level at two. We also appreciate horses that can sprint, but also carry that speed over two turns, which Post Time could do,” said Wade. “The fact that he never won a Grade I race doesn't have any bearing on his ability to be a stallion, because at the end of the day, he beat Grade I winners. When a horse runs in a race, he doesn't know what grade he's running in. What matters is the company that he beats, and he finished ahead of Grade I winners such as Book'em Danno, Domestic Product, Muth, National Treasure, Seize the Grey, and White Abarrio.” Post Time finished off the board only once in 23 career starts, and won or placed in 17 black-type stakes. With a record of 11 wins and a second from his 12 starts made at Laurel, the fan-favorite grey went out a winner in his final career start, the Robert T. Manfuso Stakes this past December. The race resulted in a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 110. “We stood Not For Love, who became one of the best stallions in Maryland, but he was at best an allowance winner. Great Notion was a good racehorse, but not a great racehorse, yet he proved to be an incredible sire. Polish Numbers was the same way,” explained Wade. “That's the big benefit of having a consistent racehorse that made headlines like Post Time did, it draws the breeders in. “He's a big horse, standing at 16.2 hands. He's got a lot of leg underneath of him, which is something you don't often see with Tapit-line horses. Physically, he's correct and obviously, he was a sound horse.” Since Post Time arrived to Northview Dec. 26, he has settled into life on the farm with ease and the positive feedback from breeders has streamed in. “We've gotten a very encouraging numbers of contracts requested for Post Time, which normally we wouldn't get until a while after breeding season starts,” said Wade. “We don't get a lot of new stallions in Maryland, or in the region anymore, because unfortunately the mare population here is getting smaller. So, any time that you can bring in a horse like this, it creates excitement, and we need things to look forward to in this state.” Post Time with Northview's David Wade | Sara Gordon Of the mares already booked to Post Time, one standout is Hello Beautiful (Golden Lad). A multiple stakes-winning Maryland-bred, Hello Beautiful reigned as the star of Russell's barn until her retirement at the end of her 4-year-old season in 2021. Wade purchased the mare out of the 2025 Keeneland November Sale and recently brought her home to Maryland. Northview is offering a breed-back program for its new sire. Breeders who book an approved mare to Post Time for his advertised fee of $4,000 will be eligible to breed back in 2027 for only $3,000. Following that, those who support the son of Frosted for two breeding seasons (2026-27) will earn the right to breed a mare for $2,000 per season in both 2028 and 2029. All mares must meet standard fertility insurance requirements for a first-year stallion. “I always said that this business runs on hope. Any time you breed to a stallion, or you buy a new mare, it's all with a hope that that mare is going to be a good broodmare and that stallion is going to hit. When we start losing hope in what we've got, that's when we're in trouble,” said Wade. As Great Notion enjoys a well-deserved retirement, Post Time has some big horse shoes to fill. But the folks at Northview are hoping that if what he showed while building a notable reputation for himself on the track is any indication of his success as a sire, the future is bright for this Maryland-bred. The post Millionaire Post Time New to the Maryland Stallion Ranks at Northview appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Eclipse-Award winning female sprinter Shisospicy (Mitole) spiked a fever following a recent workout, which will cause her to miss the G2 1351 Turf Sprint scheduled for Feb. 14 in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabian race was supposed to kick off her 2026 campaign, and Shisospicy was scheduled to leave for there on Feb. 2. The Blood-Horse was the first to report the story. “She spiked a little bit of a fever,” said Rich Mendez, who heads the Morplay Racing partnership that owns the 4-year-old filly. “If you look at her schedule, her works are always ten days out. She's not a filly that needs to breeze once a week. We had literally scheduled to breeze her the day before she was going to leave. When she spiked a little bit of a fever, that threw everything off schedule. Going across the world to Saudi and because of the long trip and everything, we needed her to be 1,000 percent, not just 100 percent. My concern, to be honest, is not the race. It is her. She comes first and foremost. I wanted to make sure that she was good. For now, we have decided not to go. She will be back on the worktab, hopefully, within the next week-and-a-half. From there, we'll figure out where to go. She will tell us. She's coming along fine. This is nothing crazy. It's not alarming. It's just that things happen.” Mendez said that despite the fever, his star filly is acting and looking fine. “Physically, she is great,” he said. “Even with the fever she is jumping around and eating all her food, so we know that she's good. It's just a matter of making sure she is 1,000 percent.” Mendez said that he and trainer Jose D'Angelo will meet this weekend at Gulfstream Park and begin to formulate plans for her future racing schedule. Mendez added that a trip to Dubai for the GI Al Quoz Sprint is a possibility. That race will be run on March 28 at Meydan. “Dubai is still a possibility,” Mendez said. “We'll also look at what they have at Keeneland. I can't stress enough that it's all about her. Wherever she starts next, she has to be 1,000 percent ready and not 100 percent ready. We're optimistic. Missing Saudi Arabia doesn't matter. What matters is her health and making sure she's 1,000 percent for the 2026 season.” Mendez said he now has a better understanding of what the connections of Sovereignty (Into Mischief) had to deal with when that colt was scratched from the 2025 GI Breeders' Cup Classic, also due to a fever. “I know how they must have felt when they had to scratch Sovereignty before the Breeders' Cup Classic,” Mendez said. “I feel for them. You have everything ready and you have your plans. And then, literally, within a day, things can change. But that is the Thoroughbred business. We're happy with her and she's going to be fine.” The post Eclipse Award Champ Shisospicy Has Spiked A Fever And Will Miss Race In Saudi Arabia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eclipse champion female sprinter Shisospicy will miss an intended trip to Saudi Arabia after developing an infection, trainer Jose D'Angelo said.View the full article

This year's race meet, which runs through Sept. 13, will feature 36 total stakes, including nine graded events.View the full article

After a neck defeat in the Hollywood Derby (G1T), Tom's Magic seeks his first graded victory in the $175,000 Tampa Bay Stakes (G3T) at Tampa Bay Downs Jan. 31.View the full article

On the heels of Antiquarian's achievements in 2025, Centennial Farms and trainer Todd Pletcher aim for more graded stakes success when they run Nearly in the Jan. 31 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Camilla Perrett has been appointed as the new chair of Discover Newmarket, succeeding the organisation's founder, Noel Byrne, who is stepping down after 10 years in the role. Since 2019, Perrett has worked for Great British Racing International (GBRI), the industry body responsible for growing global investment into British horse racing. Perrett will remain in her role as head of client relations and marketing at GBRI, alongside her new position with Discover Newmarket as it continues to develop Newmarket's tourism offering and promote the town's unique racing heritage. Tracey Harding, chief executive of Discover Newmarket, said, “We are delighted to welcome Camilla to the board and are confident that she will provide fresh insight and a wealth of relevant experience to the development of our tourism programme.” She added, “We owe outgoing chair Noel Byrne a huge debt of gratitude. Noel led the strategic direction of Discover Newmarket Steering Group for over a decade, and was instrumental in delivering a number of wide-reaching initiatives which brought an increased number of visitors into the town.” The post Camilla Perrett Named New Chair of Discover Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lord Zetland, described by the team at Redcar Racecourse as “one of the most important figures in the history of the course”, died on Saturday at his home in North Yorkshire. He was 88. Lawrence Mark Dundas – the fourth Marquess of Zetland – succeeded his father, Lawrie, as chairman and managing director at Redcar in 1981. He went on to spend the better part of four decades at the helm, before stepping down from the role of chairman at the end of the 2018 season. Lord Zetland is perhaps best remembered for introducing the Two-Year-Old Trophy in 1989. It remains Redcar's richest race, while the Zetland Gold Cup, first run in 1950, continues to be another highlight of the racing year at the seaside track. In an interview marking the 150th anniversary of Redcar Racecourse, in 2022, Lord Zetland said, “I had no real interest in racing, but I wanted to do my best to maintain the family tradition, so I learned quickly. Over time, I developed a love of horse racing, and I'm immensely proud of the part successive members of my family have played in the development of Redcar over such a long time.” Lord Zetland, a graduate of Christ's College, Cambridge, was also a founding director of the British Horseracing Board and a former chair of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association. His title now passes to his son, the Earl of Ronaldshay. Redcar's general manager Amy Fair added, “We owe our richest race, The Two-Year-Old Trophy, to his vision, and he was a real gentleman who never said 'no' to anything that was in the interests of racegoers. “He always stopped for a chat – whether it was owners, trainers, jockeys, or punters having a cuppa in the café in the Course Enclosure. We owe him so much and he will be greatly missed.” The post Former Redcar Chairman and ‘Real Gentleman’ Lord Zetland Dies at 88 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Led by the $1 million GI NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes, Monmouth Park is set to offer $5.85 million in stakes races when the track kicks off its 81st season Saturday, May 9. This year's 50-day race meet, which runs through Sunday, Sept. 13, will feature 36 total stakes races, including nine graded events. In addition to the Haskell, the July 18 card will also host the $500,000 GII Molly Pitcher Stakes; $500,000 GII United Nations; $350,000 GIII Monmouth Cup; $300,000 GIII WinStar Matchmaker; and $100,000 Wolf Hill. In preparation for the premier Haskell program, Monmouth Park will offer a “Haskell Preview Day” with four stakes events held Saturday, June 13–GIII Salvator Mile, GIII Eatontown, and the listed NYRA Bets Pegasus Stakes and Monmouth Stakes. The post Haskell Tops 2026 Monmouth Stakes Schedule appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of Hong Kong racing’s most powerful figures stole the show in January with champion jockey Zac Purton and a trio of top trainers striking elite form. The Post analyses the jockeys and trainers who had a month to remember or one to forget, as well as the most outstanding victory and winning ride. Who’s hot? Zac Purton hit overdrive in January, racking up 20 wins from 77 rides at a phenomenal strike rate of 26 per cent to extend his championship lead to 40 over nearest rival Hugh Bowman. A...View the full article

Trainer Riley Mott discusses Street Sense Stakes (G3) winner Incredibolt at Palm Meadows Training Center Jan. 29, two days before he contests the $275,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

An exciting new chapter is being written at Coolmore Stud with the news that the powerful operation has been granted an ownership licence by the JRA [Japanese Racing Association], meaning it will be represented in that jurisdiction for the first time by two exceptionally-bred runners by Frankel. Four-time leading JRA trainer Mitsu Nakauchida has been entrusted with a Frankel colt out of dual Group 1-winning sprinter Marsha (Acclamation). Meanwhile, a Frankel filly out of Shadow Hunter (Arcano) has already been named Snowscape and is registered in training with Nakauchida. TDN Europe understands the Frankel colt, who is the last foal out of 6,000,000 gns purchase Marsha, will race in Sue Margnier's old yellow silks that were recently carried to victory by the Donnacha O'Brien-trained Kilmeaden. Those colours were once carried by Foxhunters Chase hero Attitude Adjuster at the Cheltenham Festival in 1986 while Kilmeaden won over hurdles for a partnership that included Max and Tom Wachman, Charles Shanahan, Magnier and Tabor. It is understood that a partnership is still being finalised for Snowscape in Japan. More to follow The post Coolmore Embarks On Exciting New Ownership Venture In Japan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Arrowfield Stud has announced that Lead Artist (GB), a Group 1-winning son of Champion Sire Dubawi (Ire), will join their roster. The G1 Lockinge Stakes winner will shuttle from Juddmonte to the Hunter Valley later this year for the 2026 breeding season. “Arrowfield's success with shuttling stallions along with a proven track record for producing Champion Sires such as Danehill, Redoute's Choice and Snitzel will provide Lead Artist with the perfect platform to start his Southern Hemisphere career,” said Juddmonte's Chief Executive Douglas Erskine Crum. “We're absolutely thrilled that Juddmonte has agreed to send him down to us. He's got an amazing pedigree. He was a really high class racehorse,” said Arrowfield's Jon Freyer. “He's by the right sire in Dubawi, who has Too Darn Hot taking all before him, and Ghaiyyath looks a very promising young stallion,” Freyer added. “He's a beautifully made horse, medium-sized, and has got a lovely length of rein, good girth, and just oozes quality. He has a great walk to him. He's a really stylish colt who is a lovely blend of Dubawi and Frankel.” Lead Artist is the first foal of G2 Chantilly Prix de Sandringham winner and G1 Deauville Prix Rothschild-placed Obligate (GB) (Frankel {GB}) who descends from blue hen mare Hasili (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}). He arries the blood of Arrowfield's wonderful Champion Sire Danehill, through Frankel. And with that, he gets a big thumbs up from the man who found Danehill for Australia. “Lead Artist reminds me of Danehill, also bred and raced by Juddmonte. His third dam is the greatest mare of the modern era, both his sire and broodmare sire are prepotent and, significantly, he is from a stallion-producing family,” said Arrowfield Stud's John Messara. The post Group 1 Winner Lead Artist Set To Shuttle To Arrowfield Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show returns to the city on Friday, bringing some of the world’s best equestrians to the AsiaWorld-Expo. Back to defend her grand prix title is Denmark’s Zascha Nygaard, who will take on the likes of Britain’s John Whitaker and France’s Simon Delestre over three days of five-star show jumping. Hong Kong duo Jacqueline Lai and Clarissa Lyra will also strut their stuff, while in a first this year, the region’s best junior riders will compete in the Hong...View the full article

The Jockey Club has announced that total prize-money at its 15 racecourses will rise to £61.47 million this year, up from a budgeted £58.1 million in 2025. The increase can be attributed mainly to the fact that overall prize-money at the Betfred Derby Festival is to be boosted by £1.375 million in 2026. In addition, a total of 322 fixtures will be staged across The Jockey Club over the next 12 months – up from a scheduled 319 last year. The third contributor is an increase in prize-money for Class 1 and developmental races, made possible due to boosted funding from the Horserace Betting Levy Board for 2026 and increased investment from The Jockey Club's own funds, demonstrating support for the long-term growth of the horse population. Of the £61.47 million, a total of £31.7 million will come from executive contribution – the amount The Jockey Club puts in from its own funds – up from a budgeted £30.6 million in 2025. The announcement means that average prize money of more than £190,000 per fixture is scheduled to be offered this year, up from £182,000 in 2025. Jim Mullen, Chief Executive of The Jockey Club, said: “We're pleased to be able to increase prize money across our racecourses and have worked hard throughout our budgeting process to ensure this is possible. Prize-money is part of the essential foundation of our sport and we recognise the crucial role it plays as an incentive and reward to all participants. “Going forward, the challenge is to maintain the commitment to invest meaningfully to drive the sport forwards. For The Jockey Club, prize money now accounts for more than 70% of our overall profits, up from 55% in 2019. It would not be sustainable for that trajectory to continue and that's why we announced in December plans to invest in the growth of our key festivals and to tackle efficiency.” The post The Jockey Club Reveals Record Prize-Money Of £61.47 Million For 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mark Newnham is four strong for Sunday’s Classic Mile at Sha Tin and hopes his squad of Invincible Ibis, Infinite Resolve, Crimson Flash and Winfield can get the job done as he goes for back-to-back wins. My Wish provided Newnham with his breakout Hong Kong victory 12 months ago and after a stellar campaign that has seen him rise through the grades, Invincible Ibis looks to be his biggest chance of repeating the dose. Beaten off a rating of 55 for his opening run of the campaign in September...View the full article

The final session of NZB’s 100th National Yearling Sale took place at Karaka on Thursday, with a strong inaugural Karaka Summer Sale. 112 yearlings sold for a total aggregate of more than $3.4 million at an average of $30,612. Six lots sold for $100,000 or more which added to a solid clearance rate of 81%. NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was elated for all those involved in the historic week. “To sum it up, this week we’ve turned over $9.6 million more than last year, with 79 less horses catalogued.” “We’re just over the moon, seeing these results from the new format. “The Karaka Summer Sale today was one of the strongest sessions, almost matching Book 2 results from last year. “It’s just been a phenomenal week all around, celebrating such a big milestone in New Zealand thoroughbred history, and returning almost $96 million back to breeders. “Our vendors have done an incredible job presenting their yearlings, our buyers supporting the Sale so well and our whole NZB team who have all contributed to its success. “We’re looking forward to the demand for our yearlings continuing to our Online Yearling Sale, where of course the outstanding filly Well Written was purchased from.” The top lot of the day came when first time vendor Stew McGregor offered his sole yearling. The colt by emerging sire Armory out of Satono Aladdin mare Hanako (Lot 958), was knocked down to John Foote Bloodstock for $130,000. Westbury Stud were leading vendors & their resident stallion Redwood was leading sire. Pictured: Lot 958 Photo: supplied “We’re so, so thrilled,” commented an emotional McGregor. “To have that amount of people and trainers come through and inspect him, it’s really neat. We hope he’s got an exciting future for us to follow.” The well-known Waikato Hunt member praised his surrounding stud farms for all their help. “Dean Hawkins, Windsor Park Stud and others around me have been instrumental in helping me along the way,” added McGregor. “It’s a team sport, alright.” The leading vendor by aggregate and average for the Karaka Summer Sale was Westbury Stud who sold seven lots for $432,000 at an average of $61,714. The leading buyer at the end of selling of the final session was Victorian trainer Patrick Payne, having purchased three lots for $236,000. This included Lot 938, a colt for $100,000 out of the leading sire of the session in Redwood. All yearlings purchased are eligible for the Karaka Millions Series featuring the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), followed by the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) as well as the NZB Mega Maiden Bonus Series with $1m in bonuses up for grabs across 40 maiden races each season. The Karaka Summer Sale is further boosted by a $200,000 Karaka Millions bonus. For the first Karaka Summer Sale graduate home in both the 2027 $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO and 2028 $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO, $100,000 will be split evenly between the vendor and purchaser for each race. Entries close Monday 2 March 2026. To enquire about Passed Lots from the Karaka Summer Sale contact Patrick Cunningham on +64 21 181 5898 or email Patrick.Cunningham@nzb.co.nz, or Andrew Buick on +64 27 555 0640 or email Andrew.Buick@nzb.co.nz. Attention now turns to the National Online Yearling Sale, where superstar filly Well Written (Written Tycoon) was purchased for $80,000. Set to take place on Gavelhouse Plus, with bidding closing from 6pm on 14 April. Entries open early February via NZB’s portal. View the full Karaka Summer Sale results here. Catch the highlights and Lot-by-Lot footage from the Karaka Summer Sale here. 2026 SALE SCHEDULE National Online Yearling Sale 14 April on Gavelhouse Plus National Weanling Sale 25 June at Karaka NZB Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs 18 & 19 November at Karaka View the full article

Respected international bloodstock agent John Foote has been attending the National Yearling Sale in New Zealand for over 50 years, and he returned to Karaka for the historic 100th National Yearling Sale this week. The Queensland-based agent was active across all three Books at Karaka, purchasing 14 lots in total. His final purchase was a colt by Armory catalogued as Lot 958 out of the Satono Aladdin mare Hanako, beautifully prepared by Putaruru vendor Stew McGregor. Lot 958 Armory – Hanako Colt led by vendor Stew McGregor. Photo: Trish Dunell Foote paid $130,000 for the colt, which was the highest price of Thursday’s inaugural Karaka Summer Sale. “He’s a lovely big three-year-old type,” Foote said. “He’s a lovely moving horse with plenty of him. His pedigree’s quite good when you go back into it, being from the family of Zirna and the three-time Hong Kong winner Super Football. “I just took to him, so we bought him.” Foote has been impressed with the progeny of Armory, who also had a pair of colts sell for $65,000 each on Thursday and had progeny sell for up to $625,000 at the Ready to Run Sale in November. The Mapperley Stud stallion’s oldest progeny are two-year-olds, and he has already been represented by early winner Silhouette. “There was one sold earlier for about $65,000 that was with Little Avondale, which was a nice horse and I saw a few last year that I liked as well, so I have liked a good few of them,” Foote said. Foote’s other Summer Sale purchase on Thursday was Lot 951, a Redwood colt from the draft of Westbury Stud. Foote paid $100,000 for the son of the Sebring mare Florid Affair, who won two races and is the dam of winners Part Time Lover, Mossfair, Ornate and Bid In A Hurry. Lot 951 Rewood – Florid Affair Colt. Photo: Trish Dunell “Russell Warwick told me about six weeks ago, ‘I’ve got one horse for you to buy, and you’ve got to buy it,’” Foote said. “He said it’s the best horse he’s bred for a long time. So we’ll see.” Both Summer Sale colts, along with the majority of Foote’s dozen other purchases for the week, are destined for Hong Kong. Following on from record-breaking results in the Book 1 and Book 2 sessions, the brand-new Summer Sale achieved an aggregate of $3.43 million, an average price of $31,000, a median of $20,000 and a clearance rate of 81 percent. “It’s an improvement on the old Festival Sale and Book 3,” Foote said. “There are a lot of horses here that could have been in Book 2. We have been quite impressed with the standard here.” View the full article

Taking on the reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year at Ellerslie is a challenge with benefits for the Lance Noble-prepared Jaarffi. Multiple Group One winner El Vencedor will oppose the in-form mare in Saturday’s Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m) and has taken a degree of weight off the Karaka trainer’s mind. “Being a handicap isn’t ideal, but it’s nice to see El Vencedor pay up and instead of carrying 60kg or thereabouts, she’ll carry 58.5kg,” Noble said. “That’s a plus and I’m really happy with her.” The Cambridge Stud-bred and owned Jaarffi finished a last-start runner-up in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) behind Kingswood, whose bold move 800m from home off a slow pace won the race. “To be fair, Warren (Kennedy) was probably one of the few jockeys in the race who couldn’t do anything about it,” Noble said. “Rory (Hutchings) did do something about it, but where we were three back on the fence he couldn’t inject any speed into the race. “We had to take our medicine, but she was strong to the line.” The consistent Iffraaj mare has won four races but has risen to be the fifth highest ranked New Zealand-trained horse on a rating of 109. “She’s never won a black-type race and for her consistency, she’s gone up the ratings to a point where El Vencedor, who’s won 13 races, isn’t that far ahead of her,” Noble said. “It’s just the way the handicap system works, she’s been penalised for not winning but she’s only three points below El Vencedor (four Group One wins) and Legarto (three). “She’s yet to win a black-type race and hopefully we can fix that on Saturday.” All going well, Jaarffi will continue on a feature event path after the weekend. “We decided not to go for the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m), this race leads nicely into the Otaki Maori WFA (Gr.1, 1600m) and then into the Bonecrusher (Gr.1, 2000m),” Noble said. Stablemate Frostfair has also earned her place in the Fulton line-up. “It was a funny run race last time when she got back and the first three around the corner were the first three home,” Noble said. “She made ground and if she can jump and put herself in it with 53kg, we would be thrilled if she can pick up some black type.” Liguria was a strong fourth on debut and Noble fancies the Snitzel filly’s chances in the Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m). “I like her and she ran a really nice fourth on debut. It’s a tidy field for the week after the Karaka Million but she has improved with the race day experience,” Noble said. Stablemate Hey Dana will also have the chance to press her claims for top level honours when she runs in the Cloudsoft Accounting Handicap (2100m). “This is a test to see if we can get to the Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m) so she really needs to put her hand up. We’re happy with her and she looks great,” Noble said. Noble’s other runner at Ellerslie is Kakasisisi in the Myracehorse Maiden (1600m). “She’s run two good fourths and hasn’t done much wrong. She’s drawn okay (seven) and if she runs up to her first two starts, she should be in the mix,” he said. View the full article

Unbeaten Group One-winning colt Return To Conquer has been retired. The son of Snitzel was purchased out of Blue Gum Farm’s 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis for $1.3 million, and he went on to remain unbeaten as a juvenile last season. In the care of trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, Return To Conquer won on debut in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) before repeating the result in the Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m), Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) and Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m), the 100th elite-level success for Te Akau Racing. He crossed the Tasman to join Te Akau’s Cranbourne barn late last season but sustained an injury when placing in his first jumpout at his new home base and the decision has now been made to retire him to stud. “He was a great athlete and it was the first time in my 30-year training career that I’d started a two-year-old first-up in a Listed race, and he duly won it,” Walker said. “Every one of his four starts were in stakes races and to win them all shows the calibre of horse that he was. “Winning the Group One was the highlight, on such a big day at Ellerslie, and to record the 100th Group One for the stable was incredibly special. “We thought he was well up to Melbourne class, hence we took him to our stable at Cranbourne, but he unfortunately injured himself in his first jump out in the spring and we weren’t able to get him back to the races. “He had an unbelievable temperament for a colt, huge anaerobic capacity, very clean-winded, and an absolute gentleman to deal with. “I think he’ll make a high-class sire and he reminds me so much of Sword Of State. He has a similar brain, similar action, and we look forward to watching the progress of his stud career.” Ellis was taken by Return To Conquer as a yearling and he was pleased he was able to vindicate his early assessment on the track. “We thought he was the best Snitzel colt in the sale when we bought him and could not fault him in any way,” Ellis said. “There was some very spirited bidding, but we were able to secure him, and he turned out to be a terrific colt.” While disappointed his racing career has been cut short, Ellis believes he has the attributes to make a successful transition to a career at stud. “Unfortunately, he has been unable to race as a three-year-old, but he’s by the right sire and has the right pedigree to make a stallion, and there are quite a few interested parties in standing him, which is great.” View the full article