Wandering Eyes

A nomination to Darley's Too Darn Hot topped Wednesday's Inglis Digital August (Late) Online Sale when selling to Taisen Maddern for A$255,000. The sale of the Too Darn Hot nomination was a collaboration between Godolphin, Watership Down Stud and CatWalk, with all proceeds going directly towards funding critical research to help those living with spinal cord injuries. Maddern has earmarked his Street Boss mare Sliders to be the beneficiary of the Too Darn Hot nomination purchase. “I actually had Sliders booked into Too Darn Hot last year, but when he didn't come out we obviously missed out,” said Maddern. “It's been hard to get into him, so I thought I'd just buy the nom when I saw it come online with Inglis Digital. “Hopefully, this foal can be the next Broadsiding–that's the plan or the dream.” Godolphin CEO Andy Makiv was delighted with the outcome. “It's a wonderful result for Catwalk,” he added. “The Thoroughbred industry gets behind good causes and this is extremely important. “Too Darn Hot has quickly stamped himself as an elite young sire and the level of support for this nomination shows the confidence breeders have in him and in the initiative. “We're delighted that Taisen Maddern secured the nomination. He has been a great supporter and friend of Darley for many years and it came as no surprise that he bid more than anyone else.” The post Too Darn Hot Nomination Fetches A$255,000 via Inglis Digital appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tenacity. The trait seems to be woven into the very fabric of every jockey. After all, they put their lives on the line every time they break out of a gate perched atop a 1,000 pounds of heaving horseflesh. It is also the very thing that propels them to the finish line, driving them to win. Emma-Jayne Wilson is the embodiment of tenacity, the thing that has driven her to the pinnacle of racing and in more challenging times, has helped her overcome adversity. Wilson, who returned to the saddle this past June after sustaining serious injuries last October, was sent back to the sidelines after a fall at Woodbine July 27, the third incident in less than a year. As a jockey, the physical challenges are pretty obvious, however, the psychological warfare following serious injury often defines the athlete. “Injuries for any athlete, be it human equine, be it jockey or basketball player, are a part of the sport that you compete in,” Wilson said. “It's how you manage them that is of utmost importance.” Rewind the tape. A glimpse into Wilson's past seems to offer a road map to the mental fortitude and discipline that have led her to become one of Canada's leading riders. Born in Brampton, Ontario, Wilson had notions of being a jockey, however, her parents had other ideas for their horse-crazed daughter. “For me and my parents, post-secondary education was an important part of life preparation. And, being a jockey was always in my mind, but it was never something that had come to fruition,” she recalled. “So the goal was to get to post-secondary education and make a decision from there.” While studying equine management at Kemptville College, part of the University of Guelph, fate intervened, presenting itself in the form of a Canadian and U.S. Hall of Fame rider. “In between the two-year program that I was in, I had the opportunity through a friend of my mom's to meet with Sandy Hawley,” she recalled. “He connected me with a couple of trainers to give me a chance to try out being an exercise rider. So that was where my true racetrack journey began with that one phone call.” While the dream was given wings, it took some time for it to take flight. “School gave me a lot of a foundation that really was helpful for life as well. School's important, kids,” she opined. “The following season, when I finished school, my goal was to go where the horses went–start at a breeding farm and build from there. It gave my dream of being a jockey 100% focus.” Wilson rode her first race at Woodbine on Aug. 27, 2004, and the 20-year-old recorded her first win one day later with only her second career mount. An Eclipse Award-winning apprentice rider in 2005, she was also awarded Canada's Sovereign Award in 2005-06 in the same division. Victorious in the Queen's Plate in 2007 with Mike Fox, she became on the second female rider in Canada to reach the 1,000-win mark. On July 11, 2024, she attained a new high after winning the fourth race at Woodbine, becoming the all-time earning female rider, surpassing Hall of Fame rider Julie Krone. A head liner on the North American racing scene and one of Canada's most sought after riders last summer, it appeared that the world was her oyster. The wheel of fortune turned. Wilson faced one of the biggest challenges of her life last fall when her mount Ready Shakespeare went down in a race at Woodbine after suffering from cardiac arrest. “I suffered probably the worst injury I've experienced where I did some serious damage to my pelvis, as well as a fairly significant fracture to my neck,” she explained. “The recovery of that was extensive. I had to have surgical repair of my pelvis, and luckily, despite the severity of the neck fracture, immobilization and cautious treatment was what was required..it was successful.” Notably, the discipline and laser-focus that the 43-year-old had always relied on to scale the heights of racing was the very same tool that she leaned on in the difficult times. “It was a long seven and a half, eight months,” she admitted. “But the one thing that the doctor said to me post-surgery were two words that I held onto and it was 'full recovery.' And I took that day by day because that's all you can focus on.” Wilson made her long-awaited first start back at Woodbine on June 12. “There's good days and bad, but I knew that full recovery was something that I was going to achieve,” she said in retrospect. “And when I returned to racing at Woodbine, it meant a lot to get out there and ride some races. It meant a lot, but full recovery was achieved when I hit the wire first the first time and went into the winner's circle again to add to my tally, that was full recovery. It meant a lot.” Then, another curve ball. On Woodbine's July 4 card, Wilson's mount, Punkin Boy, unseated her before the first race. Treated and released from Sunnybrook Hospital within hours of her admittance, the rider remarkably avoided serious injury that day. Without missing a beat, Wilson was back again firing on all pistons, piloting Charles Fipke's Ready for Shirl (More Than Ready), trained by Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield, to victory in Woodbine's GII Canadian Stakes on July 20. The pendulum swung once again. Suffering another setback, Wilson's mount went down after sustaining a catastrophic injury during a workout at Woodbine July 27. Not as lucky as her previous incident only a couple of weeks earlier, Wilson fractured her collarbone, necessitating more time away from the races. “With any athlete, injuries happen,” she said. “Unfortunately, I sustained a second serious enough injury where I needed to take time [following] a long, extensive hiatus.” Explaining her latest injury, she said, “[The injury is] pretty typical for most equestrians. You know, a clavicle fracture is pretty par for the course. This is the third time I've done this one, so whether severe or moderate, it's about the time and giving the time to properly recuperate.” She continued, “Short-term plan for this injury is like every other–one day at a time. Doctors give quite extensive and detailed restrictions in order to accelerate the healing, which in some ways seems a bit counterproductive as an athlete, because you want to get back up and show everybody how good you really are.” “Routine rest days are almost more important than the work [rehab] days so that's the focus and you take it one day at a time.” While not offering a specific time frame for her return, Wilson underscored that, when she does ultimately come back, she will be fit and ready for service. She said, “When I return, I can guarantee you that when I'm back in the saddle, you are getting the 100% Emma Jane Wilson ride that you count on.” The 'Other' 4-Letter Words Sitting down with Wilson seemed to offer an intensive course into the psychology of jockeys. What drives them? How do they overcome challenges? Do they experience fear like the rest of us mere mortals? “Fear in horse racing is real,” she said. “But I like to pretend that fear, for me, is my superpower. It makes me 10 times stronger. It makes 10 times faster. It makes my reaction proper. I assess the situation even better. So I embrace fear for what it's worth in terms of its benefit.” She continued, “If you're deer in the headlights scared, you're not gonna make it. But if you can take that reality and know what the risks are–help them to enable you to be bigger, badder, stronger. I have Spider-Man costume and I tell my kids my superpower is like SpiderMan's Spidey sense.” The prospect of injury can also bring to the forefront another four-letter trigger word for most professional athletes–pain. Wilson explains that it often comes down to a matter of perspective. “Key things that helped me understand, do better, was we changed the word that we use for pain,” she said. “I think, to jocks it's different. [Pain] is acute, there's a sharpness. Whereas discomfort is different. I think that's what doctors and nurses are looking for, because there's a different level of management that needs to be obtained.” She continued, “Once I acknowledge discomfort, I'm okay. If we change that and I say, what's my level of discomfort on a scale of 1 to 10? My pain is a two, but my discomfort is a six or an eight–I'm uncomfortable. Okay, we can manage that a little differently. So when you say pain tolerance, I think it's how it's perceived. Same as fear. There's a way to embrace it and make it useful and get over it.” On the mend and looking forward to her latest return to the saddle, Wilson's journey has been anything but easy. And after a brief meeting with the rider, it was very clear that the prospect of hanging up her boots doesn't appear to be an option right now. “I think when you're sitting, especially in a hospital bed, unable to weight bear as my injury with my pelvis and my neck had put me into such stoic behavior, you think through things,” she said. “But that's where full recovery isn't just about the physical, full recovery is about the mental. So to sit and make decisions about the future in such a way when you are still recovering, I think is unfair to yourself.” “[The goal is to] get back to being yourself, who you are as an athlete. For me, it was [returning to] full recovery capabilities and then consider those potential options. Until full recovery was achieved, those options weren't even in my brain.” So, what is in that razor-sharp brain right now? “It was about who's going to win the first race and how can I get on that horse?” Maybe a Wonder Woman costume should also be thrown into the rotation. The post Tenacious Emma-Jayne Wilson Poised for Next Comeback appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Wagga Races Where Murrumbidgee Turf Club – Travers St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 When Thursday, August 28, 2025 First Race 1:05pm AEST Visit Dabble Best Bet at Wagga: Magnucat Now with Luke Pepper, the form of Magnucat through late summer reads well for this: a Canterbury BM64 third (1250m) and a Kembla Grange BM64 second (1400m) before contesting stronger Sydney company. She’s trialled up and returns to a country BM64 with Jean Van Overmeire booked and 58.5kg. The wide gate (15) should be an asset if they’re fanning by the last; expect her to blend in three wide with cover and produce a sustained run from the 500m. With any tempo up front, Magnucat will blouse them late. Best Bet Race 8 – #2 Magnucat (15) 5yo Mare | T: Luke Pepper | J: Jean Van Overmeire (58.5kg) Next Best at Wagga: Region Time Region Time brings the right recent platform for a country BM58 mile and draws to stalk the speed from gate five. The six-year-old mare has been knocking on the door at this grade and was rewarded at Albury on August 19, finishing off strongly to win a 1500m Heavy 8 BM58 following a solid third at Murwillumbah over 1660m on August 5. Back to 1600m suits, and her soft/heavy record reads well for any give in the ground. With Jack Martin taking over at 59.5kg, she maps midfield-with-cover and should be strongest late. Next Best Race 5 – #3 Region Time (5) 6yo Mare | T: Gratz Vella | J: Jack Martin (59.5kg) Best Value at Wagga: Cassimir Cassimir is humming along and strikes a very winnable 1000m BM58 with a handy 3kg claim. The Tumbarumba sprinter comes here off back-to-back wins, both ridden positively and running time. He returns to a provincial BM58, but the claim gets him in at 59kg and his 1000m record (11:3-2-0) stacks up. From barrier 12 he has the speed to offset the draw and land on-pace or outside the lead. If he begins cleanly, he can pinch a break and prove hard to run down late at a price with horse racing bookmakers. Next Best Race 6 – #2 Cassimir (12) 6yo Gelding | T: Mont Waters | J: Jordan Quince (a3) (62kg) Wagga quaddie tips – 28/8/2025 Wagga quadrella selections Thursday, August 28, 2025 2-4-9 15 1-2-8-10-12 1-5-8-10-11-13-14 Horse racing tips View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Cam Hart admits there was some level of relief mixed in with excitement when dual IRT NZ Trotting Cup hero Swayzee brilliantly won a Menangle trial today. It was the mighty stayer’s first public outing since finishing fourth as favourite in the $1.25m Group 1 Nullarbor at Perth’s Gloucester Park on April 25. And it cemented a first-up tilt at next Saturday night’s $150,000 Group 1 Len Smith Mile at Menangle. “I drove him in work last week and told Jase (Grimson, trainer) he felt as good as ever, so to then go and back that up with a trial like that was fantastic,” Hart said. “He’s getting older and he’s had lots of hard racing, but having that break he did after a busy campaign has been perfect. “I honestly think he felt as good as he ever has out there today.” Swayzee was behind leader and stablemate Hi Manameisjeff with Max Delight last of the three in a solidly run mile trial. Swayzee came off the leader’s back to rush past him and Max Delight happily just followed the winner to the line in a scorching 1min49.9sec mile. They ripped home in 54.1 and 27sec flat. “He felt fresh and sharp. Even at the start he wanted to try and run the gate, which was a great sign,” Hart said. “He’s had a good build-up, but that was just what he needed, a perfect hitout, a week-and-a-half out from the race (Len Smith).” Swayzee is a $4.60 second favourite for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup behind Leap To fame ($1.60), with nominations for this year’s race closing at 3pm (NZT) tomorrow (Thursday). Old marvel Max Delight, who stalked and ran down Swayzee when they last met in April, hit the line full of running behind him today. Driver Will Rixon took plenty of heart from the trial, ahead of the Len Smith. “I couldn’t have been travelling any easier on his back and decided not to pull out because it was just a trial,” he said. “He felt like he had plenty left and, although Swayzee can be a hard horse to get past, we have before and it felt like we’d have at least got right up to him if I’d asked my guy. “Old Max is absolutely flying. He ran home in 52.8sec to win last start and I think we’re going into the Len Smith with as good a chance as any. Now we just need a good draw. “No doubt Swayzee will take plenty of beating, but he’s first-up and we’ve had a really strong foundation of racing, including two recent 1min48sec mile wins at Menangle.” Max Delight will be part of a big TAB Eureka night for Rixon, who will partner the John Hawkes-owned Seathestars in the main event. Seathestars, one of a trio of three-year-olds already guaranteed a TAB Eureka start, won his Menangle trial easily today. “He led and it was very windy, but he finished it off really well,” Rixon said. Seathestars dashed clear to win by 11.4m in a 1min54sec mile, sprinting-up the closing splits in 54.3 and 26.4sec. “He’s really going places, this horse. That Queensland Derby run really showed his potential and I loved the way he won at Menangle last time,” Rixon said. “I know it’s a wide-open Eureka, but he can win it with the right run and he felt right on target today.” View the full article

100 training wins for Jeremy Young, Terror To Love retiring from stallion duties, stunning sections from Menangle and a request for racing memorabilia all feature in this week’s News Briefs. 100 wins for Jeremy Young Jeremy Young recorded his 100th training success when Big Herb and driver Sailesh Abernethy combined to win the Woodlands Stud – Here for the Horse Mobile Pace at Alexandra Park on Friday night. The outsider in the seven horse field prevailed by a length, paying $13.90. It was Young’s ninth win this year. His first win came with American Angel, driven by Maurice McKendry, at Alexandra Park in 2013. Stud duties over for Terror To Love Three-time New Zealand Trotting Cup winner Terror To Love has officially retired from stallion duties. The now 17-year-old, who won 31 races and nearly $2.5m in stakes, has been standing at Pinelea Farm in Canterbury since retiring in 2015. His NZ-bred progeny have earned more than $2m in earnings. Among his best performers have been the Group winning Smiffy’s Terror and 18-race winner Terry. Mare off to be a mum Group 1-winning mare High Energy (Father Patrick – High Gait) is off to the broodmare paddock. Breeder and owner Breckon Farms has called time on the five-year-old’s racing career after 12 wins from 37 starts and $239,991 in stakes. Among her stand out performances was her win in the 2YO Group 1 Ace Of Hearts Mobile Trot in 2:26.0 (MR 1:58.6) which set a New Zealand record for 2YO Trotting Fillies over 1980 metres. Her last start was a second at Alexandra Park on July 11. Telfers and Orange well clear With 115 wins this year, the Stonewall Stud team of Steve and Amanda Telfer are now 35 clear of nearest challenger Michael House in the national trainers’ premiership while the country’s leader driver Blair Orange has 112 wins, to be 26 ahead of Tim Williams on 86. In the junior drivers’ premiership Wilson House is on 62, his total for the whole of 2024, to be 12 wins ahead of Carter Dalgety. Such has been House’s success rate this year he is fourth overall behind Orange, Williams and Sam Ottley (64) though he’s been quieter than usual of late with just two wins in August. New race for Addington An additional race has been included at Addington for Friday, September 12. It will be a R40-50 Special Handicap Pace, with a stake of $17,000. The night will also feature the $50,000 Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes Harness 7000 (Listed) and the $25,000 Second Mares’ Spring Sprint Series Mobile Pace. Sires’ Stakes success story A capacity 13-horse field will face the gate for an always exciting 1700-metre race at Alexandra Park this Friday night (7.40pm). The opening heat of the 2025 Dunstan Horsefeeds Sires Stakes Series is already being hailed a success regardless of the result as far as NZSS Executive Martin Pierson is concerned. To see the latest NZ Sires’ Stakes newsletter click here Off The Canvas qualifies A third TAB racing Club horse may not be far away from the racetrack. The Nathan Williamson-trained Off The Canvas qualified at Gore over the weekend in 2:48 to win by a neck. He was bought by the TAB Racing Club for $40,000 at the 2024 National Yearling Sales in Christchurch. The club’s first runner Eun Sogno won on debut at Addington this month while the sales-topping No More Dreaming, bought for $340,000, finished seventh debut in a good field at Alexandra Park last Friday night. Among the TAB Racing Club’s goals is to drive awareness and support for racing ownership and to give members the experience and benefits of ownership at zero cost. There are currently over 17,000 members, Dunn creates Canadian history Driven by Kiwi champion Dexter Dunn, Aetos Kronos has created Canadian harness racing history by becoming the first trotter ever to break 1:50. It happened in the Maple Leaf elimination at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Ontario when the Marcus Melander-trained nine-year-old won in 1:49.8. It continues a golden patch for Dunn of late. He has stakes earnings of more than $6.3m for the year and is fourth overall in North America, with Jason Bartlett leading the way at $9.5m. Meanwhile, two-year-old colt Al Papi has paced his way into the record books in Pennsylvania. Driven by Yannick Gingras at The Meadows, Al Papi beat the record for 2YO colts on a 5/8 mile track by winning in 1:49.4. It beat the old record of 1:49.8. It was Al Papi’s third win in five lifetime starts. 7 in a row for Miki Shan An eight-race winner in this country for trainer-driver Maurice McKendry, Miki Shan has now won nine in North America this year. His latest success came at Prince Edward Island over the weekend. He is undefeated in nine starts in Canada after winning twice in the USA. Bred by Alabar, he sold at the 2021 NZB Standardbred national yearling sale for $55,000. Among his victories in NZ was the 2024 Group 2 Franklin Cup. Catch A Wave’s huge finish Enigmatic pacer Catch A Wave reeled off some incredible closing splits in winning at Melton in Victoria over the weekend. Over 1720 metres he came home from four and five wide from the 400 in 52.8 and 25.5 seconds. It was his 27th win from 59 starts, with his earnings edging towards $2.3m. The eight-time Group 1 winner will now head to the Len Smith at Menangle on September 6. Hawkes with dual code double John Hawkes is in the unique position of having a runner in the richest races of both equine codes in Australia. Hawkes, a passionate harness follower who raced many horses, has snared a slot in the $2.1m TAB Eureka at Menangle on September 6 with his emerging Geoff Webster-trained three-year-old pacer Seathestars. Already, the Hawkes-trained sprinter Briasa has a slot in the $20m TAB Everest – Australia’s richest thoroughbred race, at Royal Randwick on October 18.“Wouldn’t it be something to win them both,” Hawkes laughed. “It’s a big thrill to get Seathestars into the Eureka.” Seathestars has so far had six wins and eight placings from just 18 starts. Breeders talk stallions The Southern Standardbred Breeders Assn (SSBA) is hosting a special “Stallion Choice” evening at Ascot Park, Invercargill on Monday, September 1. The night will tackle subjects such as Stallion selection, breeding decisions and racehorse development. Start time is 7pm, with drinks and supper provided. Anyone keen to go should contact Gail Paisley at: gail.alan@outlook.com Racing memorabilia wanted The New Zealand Racing Heritage Group is forming a committee to preserve the history of racing over all three codes, with plans for website and a permanent display. They are on the lookout for racing memorabilia including stallion books, photos and scrapbooks as well as old Harness Weeklies or other publications. Anyone wanting to get in touch can contact the Group through nzracingheritage@gmail.com View the full article

By Jonny Turner Brad Williamson made the inaugural Southern Surge Finals Day one to remember when driving his 500th winner in New Zealand. The Oamaru horseman completed the feat in his own colours when Aint No Angel produced a decisive victory. Williamson won’t find some of the biggest moments of his career among those 500 wins. That’s because he’s driven seven winners in Australia, including three at Group 1 level and one Group 2. “It took me a long time to crack the Group 1 thing but I got there eventually and managed to get three in Australia,” Williamson said. “So yeah, that has probably been the career highlight.” In early 2021, Williamson and Majestic Man dominated the trotting scene across the ditch, clinching those three elite level wins. They were part of an epic racetrack career for the horse Williamson rates as the best he’s been associated with. “He had such a long career and I think of his 100 starts I think 70 of them were in Group races so that’s quite incredible.” “He basically raced against the best company his whole career and he was always competitive and tried his very hardest.” “He was a very genuine trotter and hardly ever made a mistake, he was a privilege to handle and a thrill to be a part of his career.” Williamson’s resume in New Zealand is still outstanding, with 13 Group and listed wins and a New Zealand Junior Driver’s Premiership to his name among his many achievements. On his way to 500 victories, Williamson has made his mark in the training ranks. His 126 training wins have come at an excellent strike rate, with the latest two of those victories coming on Sunday. It was Williamson’s grand campaigner Aint No Angel who carried him to his 500, carrying on a trend of standing up on harness racing’s big days. “She’s a handy mare on her day, she’s gone some really nice races in the past.” “I have had troubles with her, she doesn’t seem to race quite as good in the summer.” “She’s a lot happier horse in herself in the winter months.” “She’s gone some cracking races in the winter and today’s race is no different.” “It worked out well obviously with a steady tempo being up front from a tough draw.” “She actually won quite well at the finish.” Training win number two at Gore and career driving win number 501 came when Mixed Faith dug in to win one of Sunday’s Southern Surge Finals. Like Aint No Angel, the trotter has campaigned for several seasons for Williamson. As well as driving his 500th winner at Gore, Williamson broke through for his first victory at the same track with Graceandtemika in 2011. View the full article

Talented staying mare Dreams Come True (NZ) (Staphanos) made it back-to-back victories at Sandown when coming from last in a small field to claim the Tile Importer Handicap (2400m) on Wednesday. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained five-year-old was given a no-panic ride by Jamie Melham as she waited for the runs to come to stave off runner-up Jabbawockeez (NZ) (Redwood). The daughter of Staphanos had to survive a protest to claim her fourth victory from ten starts. “I thought it was a very good effort,” Kent Jnr said. “They were going trial speed down the back. “I don’t think Sandown really suits her, going up inside runners. I can’t wait till she gets a setup where she can come down the outside. “That’s a better pattern for her, but it was a very tough effort. “She’s a beautiful, big, strong horse, it was her first go at 2400m and I think she’s very progressive. “She’s a mare going places and she has got a great group of owners. Winning rider Jamie Melham said the imposing mare had a deceptively good turn of foot. “She’s quite deceiving out there because you drop your hands on her and she falls asleep. She’s a big, beautiful ride, and then the tempo quickens. “I gave her a little squeeze and then all of a sudden I was up bums trying to find a run because for a staying mare, she was actually very sharp when you ask her and it was quite tight for a few strides. “She gave me a feel like she had a lot left to give, and then when she hit the front, she just hovered a bit. I think she’s a good horse. You’ve just got ride her with cover and expose her late. “She’ll definitely win better races.” Dreams Come True is by Novara Park stallion Staphanos out of the Shocking mare Avant (NZ). She was a private purchase after winning at her second start at Te Rapa for trainer Kelly Van Dyk. View the full article

Group One winner Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) tuned up for forthcoming spring assignments with a trials victory over 1000m at Hawkesbury on Monday in the hands of Zac Lloyd. The imposing son of Super Seth was having his second trial and came from just behind Espionage (Zoustar) to glide past that rival over the concluding stages. It was the second trial for the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained four-year-old who will resume in Saturday week’s Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick. “It has been difficult getting them ready with the wet weather,” O’Shea said. “He is a bit big in condition but he trialed well on Monday and we will get him started in the Tramway. “Then he will have another run over seven furlongs in the Bill Ritchie (Gr.3, 1400m) and then go to The Epsom (Gr.1, 1600m) “He will either run in the King Charles (Gr.1, 1600m) or else we will wait and run in the Golden Eagle (A$10 million, 1500m). He is only four once so it will probably be our main goal. “It is a hard race, there is no doubting that, but the fact that it has moved to Randwick plays into his hands a little. “He is a much better horse at Randwick so we will be inclined to target that race and if we want to target a race in Melbourne we can go down after that.” Lineback defeated Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot) when winning the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) last season before finishing a luckless eighth in the Gr.1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m). “He missed the kick and shouldn’t have been where he was,” O’Shea said. “We wanted to be either leading or box-seating so when he missed the kick, Zac was forced to ride him quiet, and he should have won in a hand-canter. “He ran fantastic but once he missed the start the race was over for us because they walked.” By Waikato Stud’s boom young sire Super Seth, Linebacker was bred by GSA Bloodstock. The bold chestnut was purchased out of Haunui Farm’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $160,000 by O’Shea and Suman Hedge Bloodstock. He is a son of the English-bred Oasis Dream mare Garden Of Swans, who is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Sandown Eclipse Stakes (2000m) winner and sire Mukhadram. View the full article

Mark Twain’s (NZ) (Shocking) Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) preparation looks to have hit a small snag, with forecast rain likely to lead to his withdrawal from Sunday’s Clotworthy Racing Open 1600 at Te Aroha. “With the weather forecast, he will have to be a doubtful starter, which is a shame because it is a crucial run in a build-up towards Melbourne,” said Roger James, who trains the gelding in partnership with Robert Wellwood. “The weather is looking bad, and it is a Heavy10 already, so it is probably unlikely (that he will start).” The son of Shocking was set to contest last year’s Melbourne Cup, having won the ballot exempt Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington, but a tendon injury last spring curtailed those plans. He made his first raceday appearance in more than 16 months when he finished last over 1200m at Te Rapa earlier this month, and James was happy enough with the run and has been pleased with his subsequent progression. “It (first-up run) was better than expected,” James said. “He ran the third or fourth quickest last 200m of the race. “More pertinent was his work on Saturday in-between races at Te Rapa, which was sparkling. I thought it was as good as I have ever seen him work. “He is in tremendous order, he looks magnificent.” Sunday’s race was set to be Mark Twain’s last in New Zealand prior to heading to Australia, where he is likely to contest the Gr.3 Bart Cummings (2500m) in a bid to gain a berth into the Melbourne Cup. While nominated for the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) in New Zealand, James said they are just insurance policies if the OTI Racing gelding’s preparation is significantly hampered. “Melbourne is the main aim for him, so they (Howden Insurance Mile and Livamol Classic) are a back-up if something went drastically wrong,” he said. “If we got put back in our schedule we might have to use them, but it is very unlikely.” While Mark Twain is a doubtful starter this weekend, James is more upbeat about sending stablemate Steezy (NZ) (Russian Revolution) south to Wanganui on Saturday for the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m). Raced by Trelawney Stud, the daughter of Russian Revolution has placed in two of her three starts to date, and James is hoping to snare some black-type with her this weekend with a view towards her future broodmare career. “We are reasonably committed to send her,” James said. “We felt the fillies race up here might be even stronger. “It is no pushover down there, she is still a maiden, but a filly of her pedigree and quality, the big aim is to get some black-type with her. If she could do that, it sticks with you forever.” A day prior, the Cambridge trainers will line-up debutant Tikanto in the TCL Earthworks 1300 on their home synthetic track, and James thinks she will thrive on the surface. “Her work has been very good since she trialled at Te Rapa. I think she will be suited by the poly and looks well placed,” he said. Earlier this week, James was pleased with his quartet of triallers at Waipa on Tuesday, including Solid Gold (NZ) (Savabeel), who was eye-catching when closing late to win her 850m heat. “She is a big filly that is going to be better with every week and month we give her,” James said. “She has always shown well above average ability, and it was good to see her on a good surface where we could see what she had. “We will just wait for some good footing and work from there, but that won’t be for two or three weeks.” James was also impressed with the trial of regally-bred stablemate Dance The Night (NZ) (Almanzor), a three-year-old Almanzor filly out of Group One winner Stolen Dance. “It is the first one we have had for them (owner-breeder Gerald Shand),” James said. “She is a homebred filly that is very dear to them, and we are lucky to be chosen to train her. She will just get better with time. It was a good trial yesterday, she didn’t have a lot of room. Had she had a bit of room you would have seen her looking even better.” Meanwhile, James is looking forward to the imminent return of Group Three performer Zormella (NZ) (Almanzor). The Almanzor mare was a late replacement for stablemate Dealt With (NZ) (Ace High) in the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie in March, before finishing runner-up in the Gr.3 Championship Stakes (2100m) at the Auckland track a month later. She has had the one trial this preparation over 1100m at Taupo earlier this month and is set to kick-off her spring campaign at Ellerslie next week. “She will run at Ellerslie in 10 days’ time,” James said. “She is coming to hand very well, I thought her trial was excellent. “She is a stronger mare than she was last year, and I think she has got a big future.” Dealt With, who placed in both the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) before injury ruled him out of the NZB Kiwi, has made a welcome return to the stable. “He has just started work,” James said. “He had an injury which put him out of the Kiwi. It was a long time getting to the bottom of it, and I don’t know that we ever did, but he is sound now and he is currently on the water treadmill.” Stable star Orchestral is enjoying an extended break from racing and James said she will be targeted towards summer and autumn features. “We purposely have dodged the spring with her,” he said. “We looked back on her record and she has never had a good spring, so we dodged the spring and she is getting through a lot of good mileage work now, but we are concentrating on summer and autumn racing with her this season.” View the full article

Platinum Diamond (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) will put her undefeated Heavy track record on the line when she heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m). After finishing fourth on a Soft5 track at Hawera on debut in May, the daughter of Hello Youmzain won her next three starts, including the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) and Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki on Heavy10 tracks. While Platinum Diamond’s form is on Heavy surfaces, Latta was looking forward to testing her filly on better footing, however, with the Wanganui track rated a Heavy8 on Wednesday morning and rain forecast ahead of the weekend, it is likely to remain in the Heavy range. “We were looking forward to trying to get her back onto a bit better track to see how she will go (on a better surface), but it is what it is and you can’t change it,” she said. Platinum Diamond has been freshened since her Ryder Stakes victory last month and Latta is pleased with the way her filly his tracking ahead of her three-year-old debut on Saturday. “She had a couple of weeks in the paddock after the Ryder and she freshened up nicely,” Latta said. “She had her final gallop this (Wednesday) morning and worked really nice.” Latta is also looking forward to testing her filly’s talent against a few new northern raiders. “It is definitely a stronger field than what she has been up against,” she said. On the undercard, four-year-old gelding Amazing Son will be looking to break through for his maiden victory after finishing runner-up in his first two starts, including at Hawera last Saturday. Latta has been pleased with the way he has come through the run and will apply blinkers this weekend when he contests either the Wanganui Insurance Brokers Maiden (1200m) or Dave Hoskin Carriers Maiden (1340m). “Being by Belardo he will be looking for that looser, wetter track,” she said. “We have added the blinkers. He was very green last Saturday but he has pulled up well and hopefully those blinkers will help rectify him hanging out a bit.” Stable stalwart Old Town Road will also head to Wanganui where the eight-win gelding will line-up in the Cloudsoft Accounting Systems Open 1200. “He hates the sticky tracks and we have had a lot of those this season,” Latta said. “He is either looking for a touch better or a loose track. Hopefully we may get a loose track on Saturday.” Latta’s team will be rounded out with a two-pronged attack in the Take It Easy Tours (1600m), courtesy of Perfect Test and Deadly Pony. “Both are looking for wet tracks,” Latta said. “Perfect Test races well at Wanganui and Deadly Pony is knocking right on the door and could be looking to step up to 2000m after this run.” View the full article

Midnight Delight (NZ) (Captain Rio) didn’t reach the heights expected of her by Waverley horseman Bill Thurlow on the track, but she’s proving her worth as a broodmare for the family. The daughter of Captain Rio is the dam of Mister Fletcher, a son of Almanzor who has won two of his six starts, and his half-brother Landman (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) will get an early crack at a black type when he runs in Saturday’s Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m). Midnight Delight was offered as a weanling at Karaka by Ancroft Stud and sold to agent Phill Cataldo on behalf of Thurlow, who prepared her to place in her first two appearances. “I sent her to Chris Waller and she won a race at Newcastle and a placing or two in the city, but she lost her way a bit over there, which can happen,” he said. “We thought she was going to be pretty good and it didn’t work out, so we brought her home and put her to stud. “She’s doing a good job and it’s turned out to be a pretty good family.” Midnight Delight is a half-sister to the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) winner and Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) placegetter Underthemoonlight, whose daughter Romancing The Stone triumphed in the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m). By Hello Youmzain, Landman impressed at the trials before he overcame heavy going at Woodville earlier this month to make a winning debut. “He’s a really nice horse and was very good the other day, he has improved off that and hopefully we get a better track,” said Thurlow, who trains in partnership with Sam O’Malley. “We’ve just had to keep him up to the mark and he’s a happy horse, so we’ll get more of a line of him. Jonathan (Riddell) will ride him again.” Landline’s long-term aim is the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), but his pathway to Riccarton hasn’t been made easy with a lack of suitable age group events in the Central Districts. “We’ll take it race by race after the weekend, we probably won’t go up (to Te Rapa) for the Hawke’s Bay Guineas (Gr.2, 1400m),” Thurlow said. “We’re looking at Christchurch with him, and to be honest we haven’t mapped out anything after Saturday. “It’s very difficult unless we do a lot of travelling, which we have to be very careful about with a young horse.” The stable is also keen on the chances of Crunchie Boy (Wanganui Chronicle Handicap, 1340m) and Our Lady Brooke (Tribute To Mr Racing Ian Boyland Handicap, 2040m). “Both of them are in good form with good riders and they’ve worked well since their last starts,” Thurlow said. To be partnered by Masa Hashizume, Crunchie Boy was a bold second when resuming at Woodville following an eight-month break. Michael McNab has been booked for Our Lady Brooke, who was successful at Hawera last month and has finished runner-up in two subsequent appearances. View the full article

Another Wil Leads Memsie Stakes Market as Fangirl Makes Caulfield Debut Star mare Fangirl will finally begin her spring campaign, making a delayed return in this weekend’s Group 1 $750,000 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield. The $10 million earner was a late scratching from last weekend’s Winx Stakes at Randwick due to the heavy track, a […] The post Memsie Stakes Field & Betting Update: Fangirl vs. Another Wil appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX – With a winning virtual bid of $95,000 a Louisiana-bred colt by Red River Farms sire Aurelius Maximus topped the Texas Thoroughbred Association's (TTA) single-session Summer Yearling Sale at Lone Star Park's Mary Ruyle Thoroughbred Pavilion on Tuesday, Aug. 26. During the sale, which included Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana-bred yearlings, 181 grossed $2,892,600 for an average of $15,981, a median of $7,500 and 53 were listed as not sold. With a larger catalogue this year, the gross increased from a year ago when 143 yearlings sold for $2,686,000. Those figures also represented a decrease from 2023 when 175 head sold for $3,240,000. “We want to thank our consignors who really showed up in force, and the crowd we had on Monday was equally strong as the one today,” said Foster Bridewell, director of horse sales for the TTA. “We had some new faces here this year, which was very gratifying to see. I thought our quality offerings came through well, and the sales topper certainly drew attention all week.” Mallory Consigns Texas Topper Bred by Jim Montgomery, Natalie Montgomery & Jay Adcock, the colt that led the TTA Sale (hip 130) initially went to PRP Bloodstock for $50,000 during the 2025 OBS Winter Sale before he RNA'd for $70,000 at the Fasig-Tipton July Sale. Out of SP Too Much to Bear (Too Much Bling), the bay is one of six foals, four of who have raced and his dam has a pair of winners, plus she handed this topper a full-brother in the spring. Too Much to Bear is a half-sister to MSW I'm a Bear (Touch Tone). Scott Mallory, agent, consigned the colt, which was purchased online by Charles Allen. “They tried this colt in July, but that's kinda a tough sale especially because this is an Aurelius Maximus,” said Mallory. “Not a ton of people know who that is. He's a Louisiana stallion with a $2,000 stud fee, but he throws some beautiful babies. I had two of them in the sale. But that colt had a big walk on him and everybody that saw him, liked him. It's the walk.” The second highest price at the auction was a filly by Yaupon (hip 188), consigned by Colin Brennan Bloodstock at Highlander Training Center, agent. The Arkansas-bred was purchased at the sale for $87,000 by OCL (Abdul-Keer Okab). After the yearling sale a mixed session capped the day. Click here for complete sales results. The post Aurelius Maximus Colt Leads Texas Yearling Sale As Topper appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Recent Bolton Landing Stakes winner and two-for-three 2-year-old filly Snow Face Princess (Midshipman) topped Fasig-Tipton's August Digital Sale Tuesday when selling for $775,000 to Winchell Thoroughbreds. The sale closed with 154 horses sold for $4,886,500, averaging $31,730 with a clearance rate of 81%. Sold as hip 39, Snow Face Princess was offered as a racing/broodmare prospect and was consigned by Claiborne Farm, agent. Another highlight of the August Digital Sale was the Turning Point Bloodstock-consigned Ascot Walk (Daaher). Selling for $550,000 to Erdenheim Farm Thoroughbreds and offered as hip 1, Ascot Walk is in foal to Cody's Wish. All three of her foals to race are stakes performers, including SW Drexel Hill (Bolt d'Oro), runner-up in this year's GI Kentucky Oaks. “We are very grateful to the buyers for supporting the sale and the sellers for entrusting us with their horses,” said Fasig-Tipton's Director of Digital Sales Leif Aaron. “The sale today was fantastic and a great way for us to end the summer digital sales season. The outlook for the fall digital sales is already very strong and we are gearing up for a big October and December. Demand this week was strong from the top of the market all the way down. What a great day for Bill Johnson and his team capitalizing on multiple big updates with their super mare Ascot Walk. Also thankful to Claiborne for consigning the very exciting Snow Face Princess to the sale.” The August Digital Sale offered horses of racing age, racing/broodmare prospects, breeding stock, yearlings, and a stallion prospect. Click here to see full results. Fasig-Tipton's next digital sale will be the October Digital Sale, to be held Oct. 2-7. Entries will close Sept. 22. The post Saratoga 2YO SW Snow Face Princess Tops Fasig-Tipton’s August Digital Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With eight entered for the 35th renewal of Saturday's GI Pacific Classic at Del Mar, a stellar matchup is anticipated with GI Preakness Stakes and GI Haskell Stakes winner Journalism (Curlin) set to take on his elders for the first time. Among those he'll face are 'TDN Rising Star' Nysos (Nyquist), who exited a win in the July 26 GII San Diego Handicap with a five-for-six record, and 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light), the 2023 Eclipse champion 2-year-old colt and a triple Grade I winner. The 10-furlong Pacific Classic is a 'Win & You're In' race for the Nov. 1 GI Breeders' Cup Classic, which will also be held at Del Mar. Del Mar's morning-line maker John Lies installed Nysos as the slight favorite at 8-5 with Journalism just a tick behind him at 9-5. He put East Coast shipper Fierceness at 3-1. The eight-horse field, with riders and morning-line odds follow: 1). Fierceness, John Velazquez, 3-1 2). Midnight Mammoth (Midnight Lute), Armando Ayuso, 12-1 3). Ultimate Gamble (Medaglia d'Oro), Kazushi Kimura, 20-1 4). Nysos, Flavien Prat, 8-5 5). Indispensable (Constitution), Paco Lopez, 15-1 6). Journalism, Umberto Rispoli, 9-5 7). Lure Him In (Khozan), Edwin Gonzalez, 20-1 8). Tarantino (Pioneerof the Nile), Edwin Madonado, 20-1 The post position draw for the Pacific Classic was held Tuesday evening at The Brigantine Restaurant near the seaside oval. The Pacific Classic will be run as race 10 Saturday on an 11-race card that also features another four graded races with first post at 1:30 p.m. PT. The post Journalism Gets Post Six for Pacific Classic, Nysos Slightly Favored in Post Four appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Check out the great racing offers available from horse racing bookmakers on Wednesday, August 27. Enjoy bonus back deals and other promotions to boost your betting experience. Explore these specials from top online bookmakers and get more value from your bets. Top Australian racing promotions for August 27, 2025, include: Today’s horse racing promotions Randwick Races Races 1-6 | Score Up To $50 Bonus Back Activate your Bet Back Tool in your Betslip on Races 1-6 at Randwick this Wednesday and if your runner comes 2nd or 3rd, get up $50 back as Bonus Cash. Bet Back Tool is only available to use on the day of race, on Fixed Win bets, and on races with 5 or more runners. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Sandown All Races | 3+ Leg Bonus Back Place a 3+ leg Same Race Multi bet on any race at Sandown this Wednesday and if 1 leg of your multi fails, get up to $50 back in Bonus Cash. Available from approximately 8:30am local track time on race day. Neds T&C’s Apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo 25% Winnings Boost! – Sandown-Hillside Get 25% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. Fixed win only. First eligible bet per race. Must apply Promotion in bet slip. Cash bet only. Max Bonus $250. Eligible customers only Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Eligible Customers Only. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Wednesday Bonus Back 2nd or 3rd R1-3 | Sandown & Randwick Available from 12:00AM AEST. Auto-applied in Bet Slip. Promotional limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed odds only. Check your vault for eligibility. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo Copycash – Get Copied. Get Paid. Get paid $0.10 every time someone uses Copy Bet to copy your bets. Eligible Customers Only. Login to Dabble to Claim Promo 10% Winnings Boost! – Randwick-Kensington & Belmont Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. First eligible bet per race. Must apply Promotion in betslip. Cash bets only. Max bonus $100. Eligible customers only Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Bet Boost | Wednesday Thoroughbred Meetings Get a bet boost on thoroughbred races around Australia on Wednesday. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Daily Exotic Boosts Boost your exotics by up to 20%. Available on Exactas, Quinellas, Trifectas & First Fours. Excludes Quaddies. Check your vault for eligibility. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% winnings in cash Max Payout $2000. Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds win bets on Australian thoroughbred races only. Excludes boosted, multi, live and bonus bets. PlayUp T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector | If Your Horse Drifts, You Get The Bigger Price Only available on Australian Horse Racing Fixed Price Win bets placed from 8am AET the day of the race. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au find these racing offers? HorseBetting.com.au reviews Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers to share the best thoroughbred promotions for August 27, 2025. Bookmakers are always competing, so if one doesn’t have a deal, another usually does. Rely on HorseBetting.com.au for daily racing bonuses and betting specials. Get better value with competitive odds and offers for existing customers. Just log in to your betting account to see what’s available. For extra help picking winners and using your bonuses wisely, check out our daily free racing tips. View all horse racing promotions View the full article

.@EllisParkRacing closed its 25-day summer season Aug. 24 on a high note, generating $77 million in all-sources handle, a 6% increase over last year's record.View the full article

Team Valor International and Steven Rocco's Special Wan, most recently third in the Just a Game Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, should be among the favorites in the $2 million Ladies Turf Stakes (G3T) Aug. 30 at Kentucky Downs.View the full article

5 (tie). INTREPIDO, DMR, 8/23, 1 mile R1 Beyer Speed Figure- 84 (VIDEO) (r, 2, by Maximus Mischief–Overly Indulgent, by Pleasantly Perfect) O-Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures. B-Sierra Fria Farm. T-Jeff Mullins. J-Hector Berrios. En route to a 3 1/4-length win in his second start, he jointly set the pace then decisively rebuffed a quarter-pole bid from Spendthrift's odds-on Baffert first timer Provenance (Into Mischief-Monomoy Girl). He may be an overachiever: his three siblings to race have started 42 times with a top Beyer figure of 74. 5 (tie). BIG DOM, SAR, 8/23, 6 furlongs R6 Beyer Speed Figure- 84 (VIDEO) (c, 2, by McKinzie–Half A.P., by Pulpit) O-Greenwell Thoroughbreds. B-Merriebelle Stable. T-Tom Amoss. J-Jose Ortiz. Owner Greg Tramontin (No Parole, Quickick) purchased the former Siena Farm and has renamed his stable to honor his biological father. His association with Amoss continues, and this colt was ready to roll at Saratoga at first asking. Last week Amoss made this list with another 2-year-old colt, It's Our Time, a flashy Saratoga debut winner for Double Down Horse Racing. 4. LADY IVA, ELP, 8/23, 5 1/2 furlongs (turf) R9 Beyer Speed Figure- 85 (2nd) (f, 3, by Uncle Mo–Iva, by Scat Daddy) O-Clarmont Racing and Hidden Brook Farm. B-Bonne Chance Farm. T-Bret Calhoun. J-Edgar Morales. She may have been a touch unlucky in her debut against Break Even (below). She was pinched back at the break then took an outside route into the stretch as the winner got a rail run. On the other hand, she had every chance to go past in the final 3/16ths and couldn't. But whichever is the truest perspective, Lady Iva's career is definitely off to an encouraging start. 3. DEBT FREE, ELP, 8/23, 5 1/2 furlongs (turf) R9 Beyer Speed Figure-86 (f, 3, by Not This Time–Break Even, by Country Day) O/B-Klein Racing (Ky). T-Cherie DeVaux. J-Axel Concepcion. Break Even was a star for the Klein family stable, winning four stakes including a romp in the Grade II Eight Belles with Beyers along the way of 99, 95, 95 and 94. Her first foal, Debt Free, took a few races to come to hand but her stalking maiden victory at Ellis continues her pattern of steady improvement. 2. WESTWOOD, DMR, 8/24, 1 mile R1 Beyer Speed Figure- 88 (VIDEO) (g, 3, by Authentic–Indian Bay, by Indian Charlie) O-CRK Stable. B-Hinkle Farms (Ky). T-John Shirreffs. J-Hector Berrios. Recall that maiden Westwood was the “other” Searing/ Shirreffs runner in the Santa Anita Derby, outrunning Citizen Bull to the lead as scripted and winding up a well-beaten third behind Journalism and stablemate Baeza. After that, he was fourth in the Affirmed Stakes, and clearly appreciated class relief Sunday at Del Mar, leading all the way for a 3 1/4-length score over favored Penalty Box. 1.TRUTH AND BEAUTY, SAR, 8/21, 5 1/2 furlongs (turf) R7 Beyer Speed Figure- 90 (VIDEO) (f, 4, by Bolt d'Oro–Del Mar May, by Jimmy Creed) O-November Hill. B-Joel R Politi (Ky). T-Raymond Handal. J-Flavien Prat. The “truth” here was hardly self-evident. Truth and Beauty had made one previous start at the end of her 3-year-old season and was badly beaten as the 9/5 chalk. Now she returns after 8 1/2 months with a trainer change from Bill Mott to Handal, switches to grass with two recent slow turf breezes, adds blinkers, adds Lasix, adds Prat….and voila…a 4 1/2 length romp in a stakes-caliber figure. The post Five Fastest Maidens, Presented by Taylor Made – Aug. 18 – 24 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New research suggests that, among foals studied in the United Kingdom, those given extensive turnout in pastures during their first six months of life and those weaned later are more likely to go on to race, compete more frequently, and earn more.View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of Aug. 18-Aug. 24View the full article

Thoroughbreds are the very fiber and backbone of the industry and there is no racing or breeding program without them. Horse racing in the United States had a $36.4-billion impact on the national economy in 2023 and supported nearly 500,000 jobs. Racing and breeding alone contributed an estimated $16 billion in direct value to the economy. Thoroughbreds are bred deliberately, intentionally, and with careful planning. They are “created” with the goal of winning, with the goal of earning, with the goal of making money. Why are so many Thoroughbreds ending up at feedlots across the country with a price tag and a deadline hanging over their heads? There have been weanlings, 2-year-olds, Thoroughbreds who just raced, injured Thoroughbreds coming off the track, those who have had second careers after racing and others who have been discarded in their teens or older. Many Thoroughbreds at feedlots are senior broodmares, having carried multiple foals over their post-racing lives and producing new life for the industry; some have even been in foal at the time they landed at a feedlot. No specific age group or subset is excluded. At what point in the life of a Thoroughbred does it earn a safe retirement? Thoroughbreds end up in feedlots for many reasons. Sometimes, there are whole dispersals into feedlots when an owner passes and the family has no plan, no interest or doesn't know what to do. Sometimes, those in the industry are to blame and sometimes others are responsible. The industry's response reflects indifference despite the hundreds of Thoroughbreds whose lives are at stake. When asked for assistance, reactions from those in the industry have included: “We won't pay the ransom. We will not be blackmailed or support extortion from these horse dealers/killer buyers.” Or frequently, “The horses don't really ship. The dealers/killer buyers are using emotional blackmail and we're not paying it.” If ever a horse needed help it is when they are in this predicament. By no means do we advocate for dealers and kill buyers, yet this is their business: buying and selling horses of all breeds, not just Thoroughbreds. The “who” of responsibility makes those who were ever involved in the lives of these broken souls seek to escape accountability, finger point and deflect, as if somehow they can absolve themselves from guilt. It makes those of us who spend a large portion of our days finding, drawing attention to, networking, raising funds, finding appropriate homes, bailing and caring for these rescued horses (which none of us had the pleasure of breeding, raising, selling, training, racing or retiring) indignant. Yes, there are some folks in the industry who do love their horses and do right by them. There are some very good connections who do care and even others who have no obligation to help a horse in trouble yet help anyway. Unfortunately, they are the minority and not the majority. Thoroughbreds deteriorate quickly in the auction/slaughter pipeline, suffering dehydration, injury, bites and kicks, starvation and exposure to diseases with each stop on the brutal auction circuit contributing to their inevitable demise. Footage of the cruelty and abuse at lower-end auctions has been well-documented. Recently, the 6-year-old gelding Tyler's Sensation lay down in the cool Texas grass and took his last breath just 40 hours after being pulled from a Texas kill pen, sick and emaciated from chronic neglect. Subsequently, multiple stakes winner Magic Vow ended up at a kill pen, emaciated and lame. Both horses went through cheap auctions and then ended up at a feedlot. How about Boston Belle, a beautiful, uninjured, young mare who ended up in a feedlot five days after her last race? The racing industry did not save them or protect them. This is just three examples of the thousands of Thoroughbreds who end up in these situations every year. One would think that mandatory industry funding and mandated reporting of a Thoroughbred's whereabouts after retirement and rescue would have been set in place by now. Shouldn't this be a priority for the industry that benefits from their sweat and efforts? The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) was formed in 2013 as an aftercare and accreditation program. Many folks are under the assumption that TAA is the cure-all for Thoroughbreds after racing and yes, many horses have retired via TAA-accredited organizations. However, there are only a handful of TAA-accredited organizations that will help Thoroughbreds in the slaughter pipeline. As an entity, TAA does not endorse assisting Thoroughbreds in the slaughter pipeline and has provided no real aid in helping Thoroughbreds in this situation. Shouldn't all Thoroughbreds, especially the most vulnerable and at-risk, be helped as well? Moreover, the distribution of TAA grants based on their public 990 tax returns clearly shows the bigger organizations are getting the biggest slices of the pie and the smaller organizations are receiving the smallest with no opportunity to grow or expand. Funding for many smaller organizations is grossly insufficient to support the horses they do have. There aren't enough good organizations to take Thoroughbreds, especially organizations that are willing to take horses who may not be suitable for a second sporting or show career. There simply isn't enough funding for this type of aftercare and no funds for rescue, and by no means are there enough sanctuaries. As long as the industry ignores the topic of Thoroughbreds who continue to suffer and die in the auction/slaughter pipeline and refuses to step up for the forgotten, the aged or those deemed “useless” this matter will continue to be a black eye on the industry and bruise its image. As it stands, the general public represents those who do care, those who want change and those who continually step up for the horses truly in need when the industry doesn't. The horses cannot wait for legislation to save them. The lives of horses in the pipeline need immediate assistance. Positive changes could be made but commitment and participation from the industry must be forthcoming. Thoroughbred aftercare should be for all Thoroughbreds, regardless of where they are, regardless of who they are, regardless of how they are. If sanctuary is needed, let them be in sanctuary. If retraining is in their future, let them have another career. If humane euthanasia is needed, let them pass in peace and with dignity. And most importantly, when they are in trouble and their lives are on the line, for heaven's sake help them! Thoroughbred Rescue Alliance: Candice Ensign Founder, Journey with Equus Marlene Murray Co-Founder and President, R.A.C.E. Fund, Inc. Cindy Morgan-Datrio, Ph.D. Founder and Director, Thoroughbred Retirement Network of Louisiana Margaret Ransom Founder and Executive Director, The Bridge Sanctuary Christina Sawelsky-Morse Thoroughbred Rescue Advocate, The Far Turn–Farm & Sanctuary Alison Price-Becker Rescue Advocate Leah Titerance Rescue Advocate The post Open Letter to the Industry: When Does a Thoroughbred Earn a Safe Retirement? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An overflow field of 12 is ready to contest six furlongs over the Kentucky Downs turf course in the $2 million Kentucky Turf Sprint (G2T) Aug. 30. Unlike last year when Cogburn ran like the clear favorite, this year's edition looks wide open.View the full article

After winning the first grade 1 in Kentucky Downs history with Howard Wolowitz last season, trainer Jose D'Angelo is back looking for more success in the lucrative seven-day meet that begins Aug. 28.View the full article

In fairness, an authentic Triple Crown was never available to Sovereignty even if his connections had deigned to seek one. We must still wait and see, then, whether Into Mischief can someday crown his evolution into a Classic influence with the winner of a 12-furlong Belmont Stakes. As and when that happens, it will feel much as when Justify-representing another Storm Cat speed brand, Scat Daddy-set off fast and just kept going. That ability to carry speed is the dirt grail and perhaps we can give some credit for the 2018 Belmont to Justify's damsire Ghostzapper, who stretched his own speed so memorably at the Breeders' Cup. It was that same hallmark, historically, that made dirt stallions so influential in the European theater, where Justify has lately added to his laurels (admittedly assisted by the inevitable Galileo {Ire} mare) with a Group 1 winner over fully two miles round Goodwood. At 25, Ghostzapper is moving from the evening of his career to its sunset. His transfer from Kentucky last winter was accompanied by an expectation that a managed book, back with Adena Springs at their Ontario base, might be his last before being pensioned. If that proves to be the case, then he's certainly still attending dynamically to his legacy. Besides Justify, his distaff influence also extends to Up to the Mark; while he now has a couple of highly eligible sons in the early stages of their stud careers, in Mystic Guide and Loggins. That's particularly gratifying after McCraken hit the rocks with his fertility and with Ghostzapper's more recent headliners having been either females, notably Moira and Goodnight Olive, or geldings. Book 'em Danno | Sarah Andrew Both dimensions to his portfolio featured in a remarkable afternoon for the veteran stallion last Saturday, when two gelded sons won graded stakes and Book'em Danno (Bucchero) extended his Grade I impact as a damsire. In the GII Pat O'Brien Stakes at Del Mar, Ghostzapper accounted for both the first two, Dr. Venkman and Stronghold. Actually Dr. Venkman somewhat echoes the pedigree of Book'em Danno's dam Adorabella, who's out of an Arch mare. (Presumably nobody needs reminding who sired Dr. Venkman's damsire, Archarcharch…) Stronghold is still an entire, incidentally, and this excellent return from a seven-month lay-off augurs well, given Ghostzapper's propensity to eke improvement from his maturing stock. A case in point is the 5-year-old Banishing, who could scarcely have made a more dispiriting start for his new owners after his $80,000 purchase from Godolphin at Fasig-Tipton's HRA July Sale last year, vanned off the track at Saratoga. Having resurfaced to win a claimer at Keeneland's fall meet, he has been thriving wildly since and last weekend won his second graded stakes–having meanwhile run Mindframe (Constitution) to a neck at Grade I level–in the GII Charles Town Classic. Banishing carries a healthy dose of Deputy Minister, responsible for his grandsire Awesome Again and also for his third dam, GII Demoiselle Stakes winner Minister Wife. The latter entered the Godolphin broodmare band in 2000, for $525,000 at the Keeneland November Sale, in time to join what tragically proved the only book of Dubai Millennium (GB). The resulting filly, Thousand Islands (GB), won a listed race in a light career with Andre Fabre and produced a couple of minor graded stakes performers. Minister Wife subsequently came up with Marietta (Machiavellian), who broke the track record in the GIII Arlington Oaks. Unfortunately, Marietta didn't really reward some classy covers, and was culled for $30,000 in 2020; and only this January at Keeneland she was followed out of the Godolphin program by her daughter by A.P. Indy. Dowager had shown fair ability, indeed breaking her maiden at Aqueduct by a dozen lengths; was in foal to Speaker's Corner; and her most recent representative on the track-her fifth foal-had only a few days previously beaten that hard-knocking stakes operator Tejano Twist (Practical Joke) in an Oaklawn allowance. Nonetheless, Sean Perl was able to get her for just $9,000. Barely two weeks after the auction Banishing followed up by seven and a half lengths in a stakes, initiating some relentless upgrades for his Speaker's Corner half-brother at the forthcoming September Sale. Bravo to Perl, who last year bought a young Curlin mare of very similar profile from Godolphin for $20,000 at the February Sale. Back in the same ring in November, she brought $325,000—her half-sister having in the interim emerged as champion Immersive (Nyquist). Ghostzapper was not handled very temperately when he started out, launched at $200,000 and slashed from $125,000 to $30,000 after his first juveniles blew out. Though a colt from that debut crop won a Grade I the following spring, he was cut again to $20,000. It was a long way back but his 105 stakes winners (16 at Grade I level) represent eight percent of named foals, essentially a match for the great Curlin. So while we wish him long and comfortable leisure in the years ahead, how heartening that his legacy only continues to grow. A Well Dressed Stud Prospect You can't have it both ways. Apparently Sovereignty “would” have won the Triple Crown. But the fact is that he wasn't deemed equal to the schedule–even in a year when the Belmont, as already noted, wouldn't have asked anything like the same question as usual. If Sovereignty is only imposing his brilliance so effectively because he was spared the Preakness, then his claims to greatness has been skillfully protected. If, on the other hand, he would have dominated the crop regardless, then he has been denied his due place in the pantheon by the meekness not of the modern Thoroughbred, but of modern horsemen. Everyone in this debate claims to be representing the “interests” of the horse, and therefore the sport. But if we're serious about equine welfare then we should be trying to identify those genes that best channel toughness and resilience. That's the purpose of the schedule we've inherited and trainers trying to bully the sport into abandoning it–and good luck, by the way, maintaining Main Street's attention once you make the series not only easier but much longer–appear complicit with the promotion of “commercial” brilliance that cannot reliably stand up to the demands of training. Be all that as it may, Sovereignty and Patch Adams last weekend elevated their phenomenal sire past $21.5 million in his regal progress to a seventh consecutive championship, matching Bold Ruler's 1963-69 streak. Bold Ruler added an eighth title in 1973 but Into Mischief–with his libido, fertility and books all holding up–is plainly menacing that modern record, too. His 2025 earnings currently stand 76% higher than those of his closest pursuer, Gun Runner (albeit 390 starters represent a nearly proportionate advantage over the latter's 241). Patch Adams | Sarah Andrew Obviously, even Into Mischief must share the credit for his best horses and, Sovereignty's maternal background having been thoroughly explored, we should acknowledge the depth of family behind Patch Adams. Its development will give WinStar huge satisfaction, as and when he returns to his native farm for a stud career. His third dam, Well Dressed (Notebook), was recruited for $150,000 at Keeneland in November 2001, as a stakes winner with a maiden cover by Awesome Again. The resulting filly has since become granddam of Cyberknife (Gun Runner); while the black type meanwhile proliferating beneath Well Dressed includes G1 Dubai World Cup winner Well Armed (Tiznow); the dam of GI La Troienne Stakes winner Played Hard (Into Mischief); and the granddam of millionaire Mr. Money (Goldencents). A sister to Well Armed, Life Well Lived, contributed only a maiden success to the dynasty but then produced four black-type operators, headed by Grade I turf scorer American Patriot (War Front). The only filly among these was Well Humored (Distorted Humor), winner of three races in just five starts, including a stakes at Tampa Bay. Patch Adams is her first foal. Well Dressed, herself out of a sister to the dam of Japanese giant Symboli Kris S (Kris S), traces to the export to Elmendorf Farm in 1899 of a mare named Berriedale (GB), heavily inbred to titanic Classic influences of the Victorian Turf. The Elmendorf connection lingered until 1945, when Well Dressed's fifth dam was foaled there. She shared a granddam with Whirlaway, the only Triple Crown winner to precede Sovereignty on the GI Travers roll of honor. In all Whirlaway won 32 races-from the Saratoga Special, over six furlongs, to the Jockey Club Gold Cup, then over two miles… A Triumph of Hope We all know notorious instances of top racemares proving abject producers, and that may be just as well when the most pragmatic compromise, in your mare budget, favors physical form over proven function. But then you get a race like the GI Ballerina Stakes, where replication of elite ability proves to be almost literal, with Hope Road (Quality Road) emulating the 2018 success of her dam Marley's Freedom (Blame). Just to underline the point, she was chased home by Scylla (Tapit), whose mother Close Hatches (First Defence) was herself a Grade I winner over the same track in 2014. Cicero Farms bought Marley's Freedom as a yearling for just $35,000, at the 2015 September Sale. Obviously, they could never have known that her young sire would become such a precocious distaff influence, but it must be tremendously fulfilling-having resisted lucrative opportunity to cash her out-to see her first cover now pay off in this way. The post Breeding Digest: No Banishing This Vital Ghost appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article