Wandering Eyes

3rd-SAR, $100K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:20 p.m. ET. MALUS (Into Mischief)–owned by Brookdale and trained by Todd Pletcher–is the second foal and first to make the races out of Lady Apple (Curlin). The winner of the GIII Fantasy Stakes, GIII Houston Ladies Classic and the GIII Iowa Derby, this dam was acquired for $1.2-million by Gerald Butler at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Fall Mixed Sale. Lady Apple is a half-sister to SW Dr. Diamonds Prize (Pure Prize) and GSW American Apple (American Pharoah). TJCIS PPS The post Sunday Insights: Son Of Lady Apple Makes The Races At Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

One of the pieces to the handicapping puzzle that was this year's GI Kentucky Derby was just how Juddmonte Farm's Final Gambit (Not This Time) would handle a conventional dirt surface, having raced only on turf and synthetic tracks in his four starts prior to that. The homebred had punched his ticket to the Run for the Roses when exploding through the lane to dominate the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks Mar. 22, and he answered the surface question when making up a stack of ground–albeit behind a strong tempo–to round out the superfecta while finishing just over four lengths behind Sovereignty (Into Mischief). A 17-1 chance five weeks and a day ago, Final Gambit will be a fraction of that price against a maximum of six rivals in Sunday's GIII Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs. The rail-drawn Gaming (Game Winner) will scratch in favor of Sunday's Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita, trainer Bob Baffert told the TDN's Sue Finley on Saturday. “He came out of the Derby in really good shape and we were proud of his effort that day,” trainer Brad Cox told the Churchill Downs media office. “We targeted this race to give him another opportunity on dirt without shipping somewhere. He worked three times since the Derby and I thought each one was solid leading into this race.” Cox said Saturday that Flavien Prat is scheduled to retain the mount despite being named on horses in the postponed GI Manhattan Stakes and GI Jaipur Stakes. Final Gambit is joined in the field by four other Derby alumnus, including 'TDN Rising Star' East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro). Eighth after failing to find the front on Derby Day, the Godolphin homebred figures to have an easier time getting to the lead from the outside gate on Sunday in a field void of early speed. Burnham Square (Liam's Map) was up on the wire to defeat East Avenue in the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes on Apr. 8 and turned in a mostly even effort in the Derby, enduring a bit of bumper cars a half-mile from home before passing tiring rivals into sixth. Coal Battle (Coal Front), upset winner of the GII Rebel Stakes, was a mid-pack 11th in the Derby, while Chunk of Gold (Preservationist), a longshot second in the GII Risen Star Stakes and GII Louisiana Derby, exits a ninth. The Matt Winn sextet is completed by Just a Fair Shake (Laoban), the distant runner-up to Belmont Stakes participant Crudo (Justify) in the May 17 Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico. The post Final Gambit In a Starring Role in Matt Winn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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EPSOM DOWNS, UK — Back in those heady days of the early 1980s, Lord Howard de Walden's Slip Anchor slipped the field under Steve Cauthen to land the Derby by seven lengths and all felt right with the world. A Derby winner by a Derby winner by a Derby winner. And here we are again. Lambourn, by Australia, by Galileo (and let's not forget Australia's dam, the mighty Ouija Board): an all-the-way Derby winner by almost four lengths. “He'll stay a while,” said a smiling Wayne Lordan, so deservedly now a Derby-winning jockey, having looked dangerously like being an Oaks-winning jockey only a day earlier. Cometh the hour. In these pages yesterday, MV Magnier had spoken of the importance of the Derby to Coolmore, arguably the most powerful breeding operation in the world. “It's why we get up in the morning,” he said. Aidan O'Brien will get up tomorrow morning as the trainer of 11 Derby winners with 47 British Classics to his name after another rip-roaring weekend at Epsom. It is a record that is somehow unimaginable and, yet, annually expected to be extended, and extended. This latest colt to pass that celebrated piece of wood with his nose very firmly in front is a Coolmore homebred, and his rider very much one of the family at Ballydoyle, having joined the team there some eight years ago. Lordan has won a Breeders' Cup, an Irish 1,000 Guineas, and a 1,000 Guineas among a whole bunch of Group 1 victories. Now, at the age of 43, comes the biggest win of his career, a little over a year after he returned from serious injuries which saw hime sidelined for eight months. “Wayne Lordan works so hard and he deserves this for all the time and effort he puts into everything. To win the Derby, it's magical,” said Magnier. “Wayne is one of the best riders in the world: his time and effort, his professionalism, is extraordinary.” He continued, “Aidan fancied all three horses, through obviously Delacroix was number one. But this horse is very genuine and just kept going. He's a Derby winner, by a Derby winner, by a Derby winner. That's pretty extraordinary. And that's how you win the Derby: breeding precocious horses that are quick enough to do it. “He was going to be pretty hard to run down going around Tattenham Corner. I watched [the replay of] Slip Anchor this morning and for a moment I was thinking, 'Oh my God, Steve Cauthen's riding him'.” Cauthen rebooted, also known as the self-effacing Lordan, was brought into the media centre to face the questioning scrum, taking over in the spotlight from Ryan Moore who finished fully 16 lengths behind him on the favourite Delacroix. “I do feel this horse was a bit overlooked because he's not a flashy horse, he goes along behind the bridle, he just does his own thing. I knew anything that got past me was going to have to stay really well and I knew my horse was genuine and tries hard,” he said. He could almost have been describing himself. They say there are no prizes for finishing second, but there is no small amount of pride. In the case of Lazy Griff, son of a Melbourne Cup winner, beloved of his 30 syndicate members and many more of the Middleham Park Racing owners present on the day, finishing runner-up to a Coolmore horse in the Derby was the result of a lifetime. Lazy Griff and his happy owners of Middleham Park Racing | Emma Berry “This is crazy stuff,” said Middleham Park's Mike Prince as he watched their hero return to the second-place post with Christophe Soumillon. “But to be fair it was all there on page seven of the Bugle. His form in the [Prix de] Conde had worked out well with the horse who finished behind him winning the Prix Saint Alary, and we knew he'd stay. Christophe is no fool. He's not come over here for nothing.” The Irish Derby, German Derby and Grand Prix de Paris are all now races to ponder in the colt's near future for trainer Charlie Johnston, who did however describe a potential rematch with Lambourn at the Curragh as akin to “going into the lion's den”. There is of course always the final British Classic of the season at Doncaster for a Yorkshire-trained horse who certainly should get the extra distance of the St Leger. In the meantime, however, another Derby meeting is in the books. We are nearing the end of days when we will see a Group 1 winner by Galileo, but Jan Brueghel added another to his tally in the Coronation Cup while Galileo's sons Australia and Frankel provided the winners of the Derby and the Oaks. Scat Daddy, grandsire last year of City Of Troy through his Triple Crown-winning son Justify, this year featured as broodmare sire of Lambourn. In a feat that should be remarkable but is now almost business as usual, the trophies for all three of those Group 1 races are now in transit to a select corner of Tipperary. Urged to try to put into words the magnitude of his eleventh Derby victory, O'Brien spoke of the focus placed on the race in the regime of his horses: “Everything in Ballydoyle is about Epsom.” Enough said. The post Lambourn Latest in Line of Derby Greats appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Francis X. “Buddy” Keegan, Jr., a New Jersey Racing Commissioner since 2006 and a breeder/owner who raced horses in the state since 1963, passed away on Thursday, June 5. He was 86. In addition to being a long-serving commissioner on the New Jersey Racing Commission, Keegan was president of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, president of the New Jersey Horsemen's Association and was a patron of Monmouth Hunt. Keegan was also a member of the Thoroughbred Club of America, the Green Mountain Horse Association and the National Hunt Association. A graduate of Seton Hall, Keegan also attended Fordham Law School. He served in the infantry in the U.S. Army and retired after 51 years as Wealth Management Adviser and First Vice President of Investment with USB Financial Services. The resident of Spring Lake, New Jersey is survived by his son, Mickey. A viewing will take place Monday, June 16, at the O'Brien Funeral Home in Wall Township, New Jersey from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Keegan will be celebrated during a mass on Tuesday, June 17, at St. Catharine's Church in Spring Lake at 10 a.m. ET. Burial will follow at St. Catharine's at 11:30 a.m. ET. Repast will be at 12:30 p.m. ET. at the Spring Lake Golf Club. The post NJ Commissioner And Breeder/Owner Buddy Keegan Dies At 86 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 6-7, 3yo/up, 7f, 1:23.66, sy, head. STARS AND STRIDES (c, 3, American Pharoah–Holiday Blues, by Ghostzapper), a first-time starter tackling several more experienced rivals here, went off at 8-1 and opted to rate mid pack as longshot Henry's Hope (Maclean's Music) set a contested tempo with 3-5 race favorite Mainstream (Speightstown) sitting second. Beginning to pick up the bridle midway around the turn, Stars and Strides dove inside at the quarter pole under Junior Alvarado to engage Mainsteam who took over the front momentarily. The pair dueled into the final furlong with Stars and Strides gutsy even in a tight spot against the fence and the race favorite refusing to yield outside even as contact was made close to the wire. The stewards took a look at the stretch run but ultimately made no change leaving Stars and Strides the winner by a head with a further 6 1/2 lengths back to Secured Lender (Omaha Beach) in third. Holiday Blues, who produced Panther Island (Speightstown), SW, $254,120 as her first foal and is a half-sister to MSW/GISP Wine Police (Speightstown), went through the ring this year at KEEJAN in foal to Arcangelo on a final bid of $210,000 to Maytime Bloodstock. Her 2-year-old Frosted filly brought $220,000 at KEESEP last year while her yearling Maxfield colt sold for $100,000 at KEENOV. She reported an Arcangelo filly this spring. Sales History: $160,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $475,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Pin Oak Stud LLC; B-Four Pillars Holdings LLC (KY); T-William I. Mott. The post Stars and Strides Game In Maiden Upset Win At Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Due to heavy rain impacting the Saratoga Springs region, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has moved Saturday's GI Jaipur Stakes and GI Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes to Sunday, according to a press release from the organization on Saturday morning. The Jaipur [ninth race], a “Win and You're In” for the GI Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, and the Manhattan [12th race], which will be contested at nine furlongs on the inner turf rather than the originally scheduled 1 3/16 miles on the Mellon turf, will be run as the 12th and 13th on the Sunday card, respectively. As a result of the inclement weather, turf races scheduled for the third race, the sixth race [GII Wonder Again Stakes], the 10th race [GIII Pennine Ridge Stakes] and the 14th race will be contested on the main track. The two-day all turf Pick 5 which began on Friday's program will pay out to ALL on the final three legs scheduled for Saturday's card. Sunday's Closing Day card of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival has a first post of 12:10 p.m. ET. Admission gates will open to the public at 11 a.m. ET. Updated post times and wagering menu for today's card: pic.twitter.com/fyOHhBV1ao — Belmont Stakes (@BelmontStakes) June 7, 2025 The post Jaipur And Manhattan Switched To Sunday Due To Heavy Rain At The Spa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After all the pontificating leading up to Saturday's G1 Betfred Derby, all that was required was respect for the Chester Vase form as Australia's Lambourn led home Protectionist's Lazy Griff as he had in that Group 3 trial. Cajoled to the front from the break by Wayne Lordan, the 13-2 shot who has become progressively less tardy with racing was soon comfortable in the clear and after freewheeling down the hill stayed on powerfully to provide Aidan O'Brien with his 11th Blue Riband. Lazy Griff at an inflated 50-1 was 3 3/4 lengths behind, with Tennessee Stud a length behind to make it a second place-getter for Wootton Bassett in the Epsom Classics. Ruling Court had been withdrawn due to the ease in the ground despite the expected rain staying away in the build-up, while Ryan Moore's pick Delacroix was never a factor as the 2-1 favourite. ! pic.twitter.com/5G6LjXgcg8 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 7, 2025 The post Australia’s Lambourn Is The Derby Hero For Ballydoyle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ruling Court has been ruled out of Saturday's G1 Betfred Derby after trainer Charlie Appleby judged the ground to be too slow for the son of Justify. The 2,000 Guineas winner had been due to start as one of the favourites. “The ground conditions were a concern yesterday with Desert Flower. William said yesterday it was genuinely good-to-soft, but we appreciated that it was drying out through the course of the day,” he explained. “We arrived here today with an open mind, let William ride the first race, but he felt it was riding good-to-soft. On this horse, stamina was an unknown for us and we felt after what we saw on quick ground at the Guineas, this was not going to be the ground for him today.” The post Ruling Court Out Of The Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars LIGHT YEARS CHARM - R7 (7) Galloper firmly on the rise with plenty of ratings points in hand Jay Rooney LITTLE PARADISE - R10 (8) Looks set to extend his unbeaten record after a pair of smart wins Trackwork Spy AHREN - R10 (10) Track and distance winner only lost out narrowly in this grade last time Phillip Woo AHREN - R10 (10) Smart youngster can go one better after a game second last start at this level Shannon (Vincent Wong) KING OBERON - R1 (2) Can win dropping in class...View the full article

Last start course winner War Of Succession (Tavistock) relished stepping in distance when winning the $40,000 Horizon By SkyCity Rating 65 2100 metres on Saturday at Ellerslie. In the process, War Of Succession took seasonal prize money earnings for Te Akau Racing to a new record, topping $9 million for the first time in New Zealand racing history. Having recorded a very good second-up victory in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 17 May at Ellerslie, War Of Succession remained in the same grade and carried 56.5kg, aided by the three-kilo claim of apprentice Hayley Hassman, who won the first race on the programme aboard stable-mate Pokuru Gold (NZ) (Darci Brahma). Bred to stay, and a four-length Maiden winner over 1950 metres, War Of Succession appeared nicely placed to again rate a top three chance. Settling off a genuine early pace, War Of Succession seemed to travel sweetly when pressure increased at the 600m, cruised into contention turning for home, and kept responding with a well-timed finish to score stylishly. It was another competent ride by a young apprentice with the bit between her teeth, matched by the performance of a promising staying horse that boasts three wins from four starts on soft footing. “He relaxed beautifully and did an amazing job out there,” Hassman said. “The pace was on from the start and that really suited us, and we were able to kick through between runners on the home bend. He did everything perfectly and ran home strongly. “He had kicked before I even asked him and was right underneath me, ready to strike. When I asked him, he put them bed. “I ride him in pacework at home, so have got to know him pretty well, ridden him in a couple of trials, too, and good to get the ride on race day. He’s improving with each run.” On Soft7 footing, that subsequently upgraded to Soft6, War Of Succession ran 2100 metres in 2:12.8, last 600m in 37.6, and paid $3.50 & $1.60. “It was another really good win and a lovely ride of Hayley’s,” Walker said. “She got him into a perfect spot, off the fence at the right time, and got to the right part of the track turning for home. She’s riding very well. “We’re very thankful for the patience of the owners. He’s just had a few niggles and maturity problems, but he’s starting to put it altogether now.” War Of Succession was purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the 2022 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, and owned by Te Akau 2022 Stallion Breeding Syndicate. “It was great to have Pokuru Gold win for Ian Farrelly and then this horse (War Of Succession) for a really good group of owners,” Ellis said. “They’ve been patient and it’s great to see them being rewarded with a horse that has now won consecutive races at Ellerslie, and looks to have a bright future over ground. “The horse was bred by Sir Brendan and Lady Lindsay, at Cambridge Stud, and like a lot of Tavistock’s progenies we’re seeing him improve with age. “After torrential rain this week in Auckland, to be able to race on a track as good as they’ve got today at Ellerslie it just incredible. It’s a credit to the track staff and the club administrators. “Those wins took us over $9 million in prize money in New Zealand this season and that’s the first time that’s ever been achieved. “I think there are only three trainers in Melbourne that have won more than $9 million this season, one in Queensland, and about four in Sydney, so it’s a fantastic achievement. “It shows that through Entain’s involvement in partnering with the TAB that we are racing for higher stakes, which the owners deserve, and also that Mark and Sam and all our staff are continuing to do an outstanding job. “Also, to Hayley, it was a very good ride and she’s just going from strength to strength as young rider. It’s fantastic to see her doing so well and it’s a big thrill for Karyn and me. “Te Akau has always been very supportive of our apprentices and Hayley is following in the footsteps of jockeys like Opie Bosson, Vinny Colgan, Samantha Collett, Troy Harris, Dan Stackhouse, Mick Dee, Wiremu Pinn, and Jasmine Fawcett.” War Of Succession was strapped by Nicole Weatherley. View the full article

A gritty performance by Western Empire to win Saturday’s Gr.3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) at Pinjarra has enabled the seven-year-old gelding to break the A$3 million barrier in career earnings. The Grant and Alana Williams-trained son of Iffraaj was as brave as ever, coming from a three-wide position midfield to wear-down favourite Magnificent Andy over the concluding stages. Western Empire missed the Belmont Sprint with a foot issue and hadn’t raced since finishing ninth in The Quokka (1200m) in April. Winner of the 2021 Gr.1 Railway Stakes (1600m) for the Williams, Western Empire spent time in Melbourne with Danny O’Brien and John Leek Jnr over the ensuing two seasons where his form deteriorated before the Williams purchased him when he was offered for sale online. “We love this horse,” Grant Williams said. “He’s put in two bad runs over 1200m and all the experts write him off after that. “There were only a couple of Group one winners in this race, which means they’re quality, and that’s what he is. “We gallop them up hills, he’s done plenty of work. He had that foot issue and I’ll be honest, it still wasn’t that great yesterday, but he’s sound on it. “Three deep, no cover and he hit the line good. What else can I say? I can’t talk highly enough about this horse.” Williams said some TLC was the key to the horse. “They’re not machines. Some of them have to be treated differently and he does. He just needs to be treated differently. “He’s got a huge motor and he’s got Alana so it’s all onwards and upwards.” After unsuccessful tilts at the 1200m features of the Gr.1 Winterbottom and the A$5 Quokka, Williams said Western Empire won’t race over such a short distance again. “He’ll never go to 1200m again,” Williams said. “We learnt trying to be heroes and reading the papers. We thought it was easy winning 1200s and it’s not. He’s not a 1200m horse. “He is a 1400m to maybe 2000m horse and we might even have a little dip at the Strickland Stakes (Gr.3, 2000m). “We might have to put some ear muffs or something on him.” From 30 starts, Western Empire has now won 11 races with a further eight placings and A$3,004,550 in prizemoney. Bred and raced by original owners Bob and Sandra Peters under their Peters Investments Pty Ltd banner, Western Empire is by former Haunui Farm shuttle stallion Iffraaj and is out of Gr.2 Perth Cup (2400m) winner Western Jewel. View the full article

The training partnership of John O’Shea and Tom Charlton continues to flourish as evidenced by a stable quinella in Saturday’s Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) as Maison Louis defeated King Of Thunder in a perfect result for the Sydney trainers. Charlton joined O’Shea in partnership this season and Maison Louis becomes the duo’s third Group One winner for the term after elite-level wins from Schwartz and Linebacker. Ridden by Ryan Maloney, Maison Louis came from three back on the fence and tracked Imperialist through to find clear air shortly after turning and was strong through the line. King Of Thunder and Chase Your Dreams made good ground from the back to fill the minor placings as New Zealand-bred horses comprised the trifecta. O’Shea was quick to reference his penchant for sourcing horses from New Zealand and his fondness for budding young sire Super Seth, with Maison Louis becoming the stallion’s fourth Group One winner from his first two crops. “Maison Louis has just been a progressive horse by a top young stallion in Super Seth. He’s one of the few horses that we have for Go Racing, who do a wonderful job,” O’Shea said. “He’s just a tough, resilient little horse and he’s come from obscurity to win a Queensland Derby so we’re very excited.” From breaking his maiden in late February, Maison Louis has now won four of his seven starts and has made steady progress throughout the campaign. “I think the key is that he was able to cope with the workload. He’s just a great doer and a good, tough horse,” O’Shea said, “He came off Pencarrow Stud in New Zealand, and we always rush to New Zealand each year to participate in their sales, and we’ve been well-rewarded because the second horse comes out of one of their sales as well.” Prominent syndicators Go Racing purchased Maison Louis for $250,000 from the Pencarrow Stud draft at Karaka 2023, while King Of Thunder was a $50,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale purchase by O’Shea from the draft of Ohukia Lodge. Winning rider Ryan Maloney was grateful for the ride and said the gelding conserves his energy exceptionally well. “It was a very dawdling run Derby, and when J-Mac sort of made his move at the half mile (on Belle Detelle), he increased the tempo, but not by a hell of a lot,” Maloney said. “We were on the fence and everyone was starting to want to get to that better ground, and John wanted me to get one off, but after the scratchings, we ended up drawing one. But that’s why I wanted to be three back the fence, so I had two options when I wanted to stake my claim. “I was given the opportunity to come out and I ended up on the back of Imperialist and he was just too tough. “When he got the gap, he pinned his ears back and was just tough as nails.” By Waikato Stud’s Group One winning son of Dundeel, Super Seth, Maison Louis joins Linebacker, Feroce and La Dorada as Group One winners for the young sire who has had seven stakes winners from 82 runners to date. Maison Louis is from a famed Pencarrow Stud family and is out of the stakes winning Makfi mare Cote D’Or who won on eight occasions, including success in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m). Cote D’Or is a half-sister to the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) winner and Gr.1 International Stakes (2000m) runner-up Dolmabache with multiple top-flight winners Ethereal and Darci Brahma featuring in the pedigree. View the full article

Talented staying filly Shockletz rallied late to run-down Prochester in the Country Racing It’s Got It All Trophy (2000m) at Flemington as both connections of the Ciaron Maher-trained runner and favoutie backers alike gave a collective sigh of relief. Pre-race jockey Harry Coffey suggested to the owners of the three-year-old daughter of Shocking that it would be an easy watch, but upon returning to scale the winning hoop was somewhat sheepish. “It was far from an easy watch,” Coffey grinned. “Before the race I told them don’t panic, I’ll handle it. It will be an easy watch. I don’t think it was as it took her the whole of the straight to get there. “I was still confident during the run her turn of foot would win her the race, but when I looked up and saw Liam (Riordan) on Prochester that far in front. He’s a tough Kiwi stayer and he was going to take some catching. To her credit, although she peaked on her run, she got the job done,” he said. “They are a great group of connections who are a lot of fun. They’ve had a lot of fun and she has a bright future as she still doesn’t know what she’s doing,” he said. Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull admitted he had given up hope of winning when the Andrew Forsman-trained Prochester looked to have established an unassailable lead inside the furlong. “We were watching in the trainers’ room and we were tools down. I didn’t think we would get there, and then the last 75m it changed dramatically,” he said. “It was a really good staying effort. She had to make a long sustained run, she was in a nice spot then got shuffled back a pair or two further back than what we would have liked. To her credit, up in trip, big track, soft ground and she did it all. “She’s lightly raced and is still furnishing and she’s still young. So it’s great for Eales racing, we can just keep stepping her up. “It’s fantastic to get a Saturday win out of the way, and we can improve her profile over winter.” Bred and raced by Eales Racing, Shockletz has now won three of her six starts with a further runner-up placing. She is a full sister to Group Three placed stayer Horrifying, who has won on seven occasions. View the full article

Talented galloper Flash Feeling notched his first victory for Ballarat trainer Dan O’Sullivan when defeating Liberami to land the 2025 Country Achiever Eric Musgrove (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday. The six-year-old son of Iffraaj is at his fourth stable and the change of environment worked the oracle along with a positive Dean Yendall ride. Ballarat trainer Dan O’Sullivan was pleased with how Flash Feeling was tracking coming into Saturday’s win. “At his first-up run here, I probably had him too fresh and he was keen and all over the joint,” O’Sullivan said. “The other day, Dean rode him patiently and he switched off well and was quite OK through the line. “Then today from that soft draw he began really well and he was able to get covered up. He travelled beautifully for Dean and gave a really strong kick. “He has always been a horse that has had pretty good ability, it’s only his third run for me but it’s just been a matter of finding the right race for him. “I was a bit worried this race may have been a bit tough for him, but he has been competitive at benchmark 100 before and when everything went so right he was able to capitalise.” O’Sullivan said the gelding had adapted to life in Ballarat well. “He’s a dude of a horse, he is very casual around the place and easy to handle. He can be a bit of a handful to ride, so we have had to tinker with the gear and think we have got it right with the head gear on him now and he’s in a good space,” he said. “We have increased his work a bit without going too over the top. It was just a matter of getting him nice and fit and up to a distance that suited him, aided by the barrier and a good ride,” Flash Feeling is a graduate of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, where he was prepared by Prima Park and purchased by Dean Hawthorne for $160,000. By former Haunui Farm shuttle stallion Iffraaj, Flash Feeling is out of the winning High Chaparral mare Shanzam, who in turn is out of the Group Three winning mare Shanzero. From 38 starts, Flash Feeling has now won on six occasions with a further eight placings and he has amassed A$578,326 in prizemoney. View the full article

The French Group 3 winners Rafale Design (Starspangledbanner), Monteille (Cable Bay) and Woodshauna (Wooded) are among 11 further entries for the Goffs London Sale on Monday, June 16. Earlier this week, Goffs announced the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes winner Ghostwriter as a headline act for the eve-of-Royal Ascot auction. Stallion shares in Arc winner Ace Impact and Hello Youmzain are also included in the catalogued lots. The full catalogue for the sale will be released on Monday. The post Trio of Group 3 Winners Added to Goffs London Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The latest addition to a burgeoning Royal Ascot team for Wathnan Racing is the Andrew Balding-trained Flora Of Bermuda. The four-year-old daughter of Dark Angel, winner of last season's G3 Summer Stakes, has been purchased privately from Bermuda Racing Limited and holds entries for both Group 1 sprints at the royal meeting as well as the July Cup. “We were impressed with her comeback run in the Duke Of York, and it looks as if she can hold her own against the very best,” said Richard Brown, advisor to Wathnan Racing. “Andrew and his team have done a fine job with her, campaigning her with great consistency in the highest class. With luck, one of these big ones will fall her way. She certainly won't fail for lack of courage.” The post Flora Of Bermuda Joins Wathnan Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Improving three-year-old Taken ran out a dominant winner of the Darren Galley Mile (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday under a well-judged front-running ride by Beau Mertens. The son of Ardrossan has now won three races in succession this campaign for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. With key race rivals Detroit City and King Of Enterprise racing near the rear of the field throughout, Taken looked the winner a long way from home and found plenty when asked, going on to score by three lengths from Cachink and Mometz. “It was a twelve out of ten ride, he really got the fractions right and allowed the horse to come up underneath him and he really released over the last 600m,” Kent Jnr said. “I thought it was a slightly stronger race than what he faced two weeks prior when he won, and he has won by a bigger margin today. “He has just kept improving, which is typical of the breed and the type of horse he is, being a big-framed horse. “I’m rapt for all the owners, including Carl Holt whose colours this horse wears. He is in Las Vegas so I have just text him to hit the tables a bit harder. “If he keeps improving every start, you don’t know where they might end up. We are pretty keen to try him at 2000m when it’s the right time. “That may be back here in two weeks’ time. We will just have a talk to everyone, but he is fine at a mile, and he is very consistent, he’s yet to miss a place in all of his career starts.” Mertens said Kent Jnr gave him flexible instructions and the smooth-actioned galloper did the rest. “Michael gave me a pretty easy game plan of just rolling forward, he didn’t care whether he was leading, second or just behind the speed. “He just left it up to me and I was able to flow into a prominent position quite easily and once he found the front he just switched off and went at lovely gallop for me. At the top of the straight when I asked him, he really sprinted well. “He’s a horse that has come on leaps and bounds through his prep. From the start till now he has just improved a stack and the team at home have got him going terrifically and he’s in a really good headspace. He’s doing everything right, so off the back of that I believe he can get better.” Originally prepared in New Zealand by Sam Mynott, Taken was sold to the Price-Kent stable following a trial win at Tauranga. By Waikato Stud’s emerging young sire Ardrossan, Taken is out of the Henrythenavigator mare Katherine Wright and stems from the same family as Ardrossan’s Group Three winner Beau Dazzler. Taken was bred by the Dewar Partnership, which was put together to support Ardrossan when he launched at stud by some people who raced the Group One performed son of Redoute’s Choice. The Dewar Partnership is managed and part-owned by Bruce Perry with Lib Petagna the majority supporter along with Max Brown, Tony Joyce and Dave and Nicki Wilson. View the full article

A big day for Katrina and Simon Alexander, and Kelly Myers at Ellerslie on Saturday culminated with talented mare Midnight Scandal (NZ) (Belardo) taking out the Evergreen Bloodstock (1400m). The trainer-jockey combination won both of the $45,000 open handicap features on the card, with Major Major (NZ) (Pins) winning the Trackside.co.nz (2100m) earlier in the afternoon. In between times, three-year-old filly Acapelago (NZ) (Belardo) finished second in the Sistema (1400m). “It’s been a really pleasing day,” Katrina Alexander said. “While we didn’t quite come away with a 100 percent win rate for our three runners, they all ran well. The most pleasing part was seeing Major Major and Midnight Scandal both step up into open grade and show that they belong at that level.” Midnight Scandal rose through the grades last winter with impressive 1400m Rating 65 and Rating 75 wins at Tauranga and Te Rapa in June and August. She had more than six months on the sidelines after her campaign came to an end in October, then resumed with an eye-catching second at big odds in a Rating 75 sprint at Ellerslie on May 25. Saturday marked a big step up in class, moving into open company and with a rating (77) that was dwarfed by the likes of Spencer (NZ) (Derryn) (98), Imprevu (NZ) (Wrote) (95), Dusty Road (NZ) (Shamexpress) (89), Sterling Express (NZ) (Shamexpress) (86) and Bourbon Empress (NZ) (Proisir) (85). But the Belardo mare rose to the occasion. Drawn in the second-to-outside gate in a field of 12, Midnight Scandal was pushed forward by Myers and took the lead by the time the field turned out of the back straight. Spencer slid up alongside her and was breathing down her neck until the home turn, when Midnight Scandal produced a powerful kick. The five-year-old burst clear with 300m to run, and she kept up a strong gallop all the way down the Ellerslie straight. At the finish line, she still had a length up her sleeve over the strong-finishing Grande Gallo (NZ) (Grande Gallo). Imprevu was another long neck away in third, just in front of Meritable (Snitzel) and Little Bit Of Love (NZ) (Time Test). Midnight Scandal has now had 16 starts for four wins, five placings and $112,525 in stakes for owners Aston Racing Ltd, Justin Wyborn, Scott Gray and Cameron Wilson. Saturday’s breakthrough performance has put her on a path towards the Listed Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic (1400m) on June 21. “She’s a very smart mare and always has been,” Alexander said. “There’s a lot of speed in the family. She’s just taken a bit of time to mature and put everything together, and she needs suitable track conditions as well. It was a very good performance today against a strong field. “Her owners have a select broodmare band that they like to breed from, so they’re obviously keen to try to pick up some black type with this mare. While she’s in form and during a time of year when she races so well, we might as well push on to the Tauranga Classic in a couple of weeks’ time. She was only second-up today after a long spell, so she’ll continue to improve from today’s run. She’s won on a heavy track at Tauranga before, so she should be able to cope with the conditions.” View the full article

Unheralded three-year-old filly Moxie (Strasbourg) dented several reputations when she came from last on the home corner to collect her second win from just three starts when winning the Sistema 1400 (1400m) at Ellerslie. The Ken Harrison-trained daughter of Strasbourg had won on debut at the venue last month with a determined finish over 1200m before finishing seventh to Saturday’s race rival Acapelago (NZ) (Belardo) at Te Rapa at her second start. Allowed to drift in the betting market to a $17 Fixed Odds quote as punters flocked to install Acapelago ($3.50) and Britannia Gold (NZ) (Ten Sovereigns) ($3.30) as warm favourites, Moxie looked to be a forlorn hope as she sat last for rider Ace Lawson-Carroll and was still in that position rounding the home bend. Lawson-Carroll didn’t panic and weaved a path one off the fence as the filly began to wind up powerfully before storming past Acapelago and the third-placed Customized (Capitalist) at the 150m to make it two wins from just three starts and twice at New Zealand’s racing headquarters. Harrison, who races the filly with his partner Debbie Cowling, was delighted to see their charge bounce back after her below-average performance at Te Rapa. “That was great today as she didn’t really fire at Te Rapa, but I don’t think she handled the track there at all,” Harrison said. “We had thought of tipping her out after that but decided to give her another shot before she does go to the paddock and I’m glad we did. “They don’t often come from where she did today at this track but she seems to like it here and I think her sectionals will be pretty good when they come through. “She is definitely going to the paddock now and then we will get her back and look at some of those good four-year-old races next season as getting some black type for her is a priority.” Harrison purchased Moxie for $10,000 from Mark and Shelley Treweek’s Lyndhurst Farm draft during the 2023 Book 2 Sale at Karaka and has liked her from the minute he saw her. “She was a lovely filly at the sale and you can’t go far wrong with the horses that Mark and Shelley take there,” he said. “She has just taken some time to mature and I think she will be even better with more time and experience under her belt. “We have had plenty of people looking to buy her after her first win and I expect it will be the same again now. We don’t really want to let her go as we having so much fun with her.” Moxie is out of the Pentire mare Pearly Kate (NZ) and comes from an extended family that includes outstanding New Zealand gallopers Calm Harbour (NZ) and Ryan Mark (NZ). View the full article

Co-trainer Shaun Fannin combined with his progressive jumping talent Jesko (NZ) (Atlante) to collect a stunning victory in Saturday’s Presidential Homes Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m) at Trentham. Fannin prepares the seven-year-old son of Atlante with his wife Hazel out of their Awapuni base and looks to have a prodigious talent over fences on his hands with Jesko making it two wins from two starts over the bigger fences after scoring over hurdles last season. Successful in his chasing debut at Wanganui last month Fannin kept the gelding up to the mark with a win over 1600m at the Foxton trials in late May, while a schooling session at Trentham earlier this week provided valuable experience on the unique figure-eight Trentham steeplechase configuration. Al’s Red Zed (NZ) (Zed) and rider Mathew Gillies set up a strong pace in the 4000m contest with Jesko and Fannin keeping him well within their sights as he trailed in second. Proceedings got serious with 800m to run as Jesko joined Al’s Red Zed with the pair drawing clear of the rest of the field as they set down to fight out the finish. Jesko took control rounding the home bend and with his pace of the flat he eased clear over the last fence to stroll away to a five length victory from a gallant Al’s Red Zed and the late closing Call Me Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) who grabbed third from stablemate Afterallthistime (Deep Field). Neither horse nor rider would have blown out a match as they returned to the Trentham birdcage, before Fannin described how the race had panned out. “I like him to be quiet but I was a little concerned before the start as he had his head on his chest when he is normally up on his toes,” Fannin said. “He had a good school down here on Tuesday where Hazel rode him herself for the first time over the jumps here. She got a bit scared when she saw the size of the fences but we have a lot of faith in his jumping and it was the key with him having that look around here. “He is quite nippy, not big and strong, but when he gets it wrong he can recover quickly and good jumpers can land running like he does. “He is the sort of horse that when he hits the front he can pull up, so he may have been better today if he had something to chase all the way (to the finish) but he does stay well. “He is the first horse I ever bought, which was a few years ago, so he has been a bit of a project but we think he has got the goods. “We may look now at the Wellington Steeplechase in three weeks if he pulls up well and then make further plans from there.” From just 21 starts, Jesko has won six races and placed in a further six, winning over $113,440 in stakes for a large group of owners that include Fannin himself and recent additions the micro share syndicator RNZ Frac Club 6 Syndicate after Fannin purchased him for just $3,300 via gavelhouse.com in 2021. View the full article

The Te Awamutu stable of Katrina and Simon Alexander is Major Major’s (NZ) (Pins) third home, and a commanding performance in Saturday’s Trackside.co.nz (2100m) at Ellerslie suggested it could be the most successful one for the late-developing seven-year-old. Major Major began his career as a rising six-year-old in July and August of 2023, finishing outside the placings in two starts over sprint distances for Matamata trainer Daniel Miller. He was trained by Mathew Faber for all of his next nine appearances, which produced wins over 2100m at Tauranga, Pukekohe and Ellerslie. Now the Pins gelding has joined the Alexanders, for whom he debuted with a sixth over 1400m at Te Aroha in late March, followed by an unplaced run over 1600m at Te Rapa, an easy win over 1600m at Pukekohe and a last-start fifth at the same trip at Hawera. Major Major stepped up in class and distance for Saturday’s $45,000 open handicap, and his dominant victory improved his 2100m record to four wins and a placing from just seven attempts. Ridden by Kelly Myers, Major Major enjoyed a comfortable run in third along the rail as Khan Hunter (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) and Fierce Flight (Flying Artie) set the pace. Khan Hunter increased the tempo coming down the side of the track, and Major Major appeared to be warming into his work nicely just behind him. There were a few anxious moments as Fierce Flight prevented Major Major from getting out to Khan Hunter’s outside, but Myers switched back to the rail and found a way through on the inside instead. Major Major built up his momentum again and burst to the lead with 200m to run, pulling away to win by two and a half lengths. Khan Hunter held on for second, with another two and three-quarter lengths back to the strong-finishing Roederer (NZ) (Turn Me Loose). Major Major has now had 16 starts for five wins, two seconds and $125,370 in stakes. “It was a good ride from Kelly and a very nice performance by the horse,” Katrina Alexander said. “It was pretty to watch, really. “We sweated on a run a little bit at the turn, which was briefly a concern. He’s not the type of horse that can sit and sprint. He needs to really keep up his momentum. So it was nice to see him pick himself up again in the straight and let down as well as he did. He finished the race off really strongly. “He obviously likes Ellerslie and 2100m appears to be his pet distance. This was his first time going up to that sort of distance for our stable, and he appears to have done it very comfortably today. Kelly said he’ll stay any distance you want him to. “He may have had a tendency in the past to race a bit fiercely, but he’s got a bit more mental maturity on his side now and does whatever you ask of him. “We’ll have to go home now, have a look at the programmes and work out what we do with him next. He’s the kind of horse that needs to be racing reasonably regularly, so I suspect it won’t be too long between runs. “I’m not confident he’s a real deep-track horse, but we may have no choice but to experiment with that again. “What we will do is try to keep him to right-handed racing, because I don’t think he corners as well the other way around.” Alexander was also pleased with promising filly Acapelago (NZ) (Belardo), who finished second in Saturday’s Sistema (1400m). She was sent out as a $3.50 equal favourite on the strength of her last-start win at Te Rapa, but was run down in the final 150m by $17 longshot Moxie (Strasbourg). “I was happy enough with that run,” Alexander said. “We were a bit worried about sticking to 1400m again today, so we tried to keep her on the fresher side for that and may have ended up leaving her a fraction underdone. “She’s giving us every indication that she’s ready to go a bit further now. I think she’ll love the mile.” View the full article

Unbeaten hurdler Billy Boy (So You Think) honoured the memory of his late owner Denis Leamy with a tenacious victory in the Manawatu ITM Manawatu Hurdles (2500m) at Trentham on Saturday. Billy Boy was bought for just $5500 on Gavelhouse.com in 2021 by Leamy, who sadly died at Palmerston North Hospital last Sunday at the age of 82 – just six days before his horse’s career-best win. From 30 starts, Billy Boy has now recorded five wins and seven placings and has earned $89,865. He has a perfect two-from-two record over hurdles, having scored a four-length maiden win at Woodville last September in his only previous attempt. The Jo Rathbone-trained Billy Boy was backed into $2.90 favouritism on Saturday on the strength of eye-catching recent efforts on the flat to finish fourth at Wanganui and second at Ellerslie. Rathbone admitted to some concerns about the Heavy10 conditions at Trentham, but the seven-year-old son of So You Think mastered the conditions and the step up in class. “I was worried about the track and how heavy it was, but he really dug his toes in and it was a tough win,” Rathbone said. “Denis was obviously watching.” Billy Boy was ridden by Joshua Parker, whose only previous ride on the gelding was his maiden hurdle win at Woodville last spring. The pair settled in second behind a strong pace set by Rocabury (NZ) (El Roca), with the well-backed Verry Flash (NZ) (Zed) sitting just behind them in third. That trio drew more than a dozen lengths clear of the rest of the field turning out of the back straight and coming down the side of the track, and the efforts soon took their toll on Rocabury. He was swallowed up and left behind by Billy Boy and Verry Flash, who surged to the front and had the last 700m all to themselves. Verry Flash clearly had the upper hand early in the home straight, but Billy Boy got up off the canvas and summoned another big effort. He clawed his way back into the lead at the second-last fence, edging away from Verry Flash to win by a length. There was a 16-length margin back to Run Jakko Run (NZ) (Jakkalberry) in third. “He’s so tough and is just a lovely horse,” Parker said. “Thanks to Jo and the connections for giving me the opportunity to ride him again. “You keep it straightforward and he just does the job for you. He’s a clever horse and knows what he’s doing. He dug deep today. “His owner passed away last Sunday. I’m gutted he couldn’t be here today to watch his horse, but I’m thinking of him.” View the full article

Trainer Tony Pike lined up three promising juveniles at Ellerslie on Saturday and went within inches of a special trifecta in the Network Visuals 1200 (1200m). Two-year-old Spirit Of Boom gelding Boombox (NZ) (Spirit Of Boom) headed home the Pike trio with debutant Ashoka (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) closing off strongly to take second, while stablemate and fellow debutant Happy Youmzain (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) took fourth just a nose away from race favourite Pacific Breeze (North Pacific) in third. Rider Triston Moodley had Boombox relaxed outside Ocean Rules (NZ) (Ocean Park) as the pair dictated a steady speed throughout the 1200m contest. Pushed to the lead early in the run home, Boombox fought bravely to hold out a late challenge from Ashoka in the final 150m to win by a head in a handy 1.12.91 on the Soft7 surface. It was just the second run on raceday for Boombox who had finished fifth at Ellerslie behind Lucy In The Sky back in February with Pike noting that experience may have played a crucial role in the final result. “I think the raceday experience of the winner paid off as he (Boombox) put himself up on speed and they didn’t go overly quick,” Pike said. “Ashoka has come back late and may have got a bit lost when he got out into the clear, while Happy Youmzain didn’t have that much luck as he was three deep and just peaked late. “They are three very nice horses going forward.” Pike wasn’t sure about what paths the trio would take next although he envisaged only one might continue on racing in the coming month. “We will reassess after this, but one of them may stay on for the Ruakaka series, although a couple of them will definitely head to the paddock,” he said. “I think all three will go on and I do really like the prospects of the second (Ashoka) and fourth (Happy Youmzain) horses looking ahead.” Pike was referring to the $60,000 ITM/GIB 2YO Winter Championship Final at Ruakaka later this month, with all three of his team handily placed to make the field for the event if they are to progress towards it. Bred by Alan Jones and Edwina Morris, Boombox was purchased for $50,000 by Jim Bruford under his Brewers Bloodstock banner from the Berkley Stud Book 2 draft at Karaka in 2024. He is the first foal of five-race winner Viaductress and comes from a family line that includes dual Group Two winner King Ivor. View the full article

Jimmy Ting Koon-ho is hoping a better draw and some further improvement will give Little Paradise every chance of remaining undefeated in the Class Three Tin Wan Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Successful in both career starts, Little Paradise clung on by a head after leading throughout from gate 13 on debut in March, before showing his versatility by storming home from behind midfield to salute by a length and three-quarters after jumping from gate 10 last month. Luke Ferraris was in...View the full article