Wandering Eyes

By Michael Guerin Star pacer Don’t Stop Dreaming has changed stables just two weeks out from the $1million Race by Betcha at Cambridge on Friday, April 4. The last-start Menangle winner has left trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon and joined Hayden and Amanda Cullen and will debut for them in Friday’s $60,000 Auckland Co-Op Taxis City of Auckland Free-For-All at Alexandra Park. Don’t Stop Dreaming faces a second line draw for the Cullens starting alongside stablemate We Walk By Faith in the 2200m mobile which is stacked with the majority of New Zealand’s best pacers. Sooner The Bettor returns from a luckless Miracle Mile sixth and also starts alongside Mo’unga on the second line while Republican Party again faces the outside of the front line draw. While not being drawn on the change of stables for Don’t Stop Dreaming co-trainer Nathan Purdon says he is looking forward to the Free-For-All with Chase A Dream, who gets barrier 1 this Friday. “He really needed last week’s run and while he will be better for this week too we think he can go close,” says Purdon. The night’s two other main features are the Harness Million for the three-year-old pacers and Marketplace will start red hot after drawing inside Rubira in the $200,000 NZB Standardbred final for the Colts and Geldings (7.59pm). “We all know how good Marketplace is but Rubira beat him by going forward last week and I see no reason for us not to do that again,” says Purdon. Add in Got The Chocolates and Greased Lightnin and the race has good numbers and decent depth. The $150,000 fillies pace (7.34pm) is shorn of last Friday’s stunning winner Beside Me as she is ineligible but includes the other impressive filly from last Friday in Stella Rouge, who will start favourite from barrier 5. The Cullens have a strong hand in that Listed race too with Winelight (1) and Arafura (2) over the 2200m mobile. The meeting also hosts two $35,000 Metro Finals for the Trotters and Pacers while Race 4, the RSM Mobile Pace, sees the return of last season’s northern juvenile star Captain Sampson after two recent workouts. To see Auckland’s fields for Friday night click here View the full article

Harness Million night at Alexandra Park on Friday will highlight harness racing action around the country this week. The first of the week’s meetings is at Cambridge tonight, followed by Addington tomorrow. Addington will back up two days later with Friday Night Lights action alongside a bumper card at Auckland. Addington’s feature will be the $30,000 Bob Rochford Seddon Districts Trotters Final while up north the NZB Standardbred Harness Million 3YO Fillies Final (7.34pm) is worth $150,000 and will be followed by the $200,000 Final for the Colts and Geldings featuring rising star Marketplace (7.59pm). There will also be the Auckland Co-op Taxis Group 2 City of Auckland Free For All with the likes of Republican Party and Don’t Stop Dreaming as well as the $35,000 Metro Finals for the Trotters and Pacers. Further south the Central Southland Cup will feature at Winton on Saturday followed by Waimate Cup day on the grass at Oamaru on Sunday. Each way chances for Herlihy-trained runners at Cambridge tonight By Brigette Solomon Auckland based driver Tony Cameron heads to Cambridge today with two runners for his employer Tony Herlihy. “They both have the ability to be right in it tonight provided they get things right” says Cameron. The stable starts the evening off with Lovemeagain in the Corporate Marquee Tables For Night of Champions Handicap Trot, the first of two junior driver races for the evening. “I think she should be right in it, she’s pretty well mannered and we have one of the more experienced junior drivers on her in Crystal Hackett,” says Cameron. The four-year-old mare’s recent performances at Alexandra Park have been solid, finishing within a few lengths of well performed trotters Belle Neige and Lord Popinjay. Additionally, all three of Lovemeagain’s wins have been at this track and over the 2200 metre trip, the most recent on January 24. She starts tonight’s race off a 15 metre handicap. The second of the Herlihy trained runners is Master Savoy, driven tonight by Cameron, who starts in the Join Us For Flying Mile Night On March 28th Mobile Pace over 2200 metres. The three-year-old by Vincent has had just two starts, both at Alexandra Park, for two minor placings. His most recent performance on March 7 saw him run on well to finish in fourth placing just three lengths off the winner after being intractable in the score up losing considerable ground at the start of the race. “He can be a bit tricky but has ability there if he turns up tonight,” says Cameron, “although he’s drawn well (2), I’ll just be playing it by ear as to how he’s driven early since he’s still got a bit to learn.” Cameron also partners the James Stephens trained runner Anna in the Garrards Horse & Hound Mobile Pace. The mare scored her maiden victory here back in January and has had just one start since at Alexandra Park where a gallop around the final bend ruled her out of contention. “She has a few quirks although she did win her maiden here nicely,” says Cameron, “sShe’s starting off the unruly and we’ll be happy enough if she just gets everything right tonight.” Racing action gets underway tonight at 4.39pm. View the full article

GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up MGISP Vodka With a Twist (Thousand Words) is reportedly on track to make her 2025 debut in the GII Fasig-Tipton Santa Anita Oaks after a good drill Monday morning at Santa Anita. Most recently clocked in a five furlong move in :59.80 (4/71), the multiple Grade I-placed filly has been on the sidelines since running third behind GISW Tenma (Nyquist) and SW & GSP Look Forward (Bolt d'Oro) in the GII Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos Dec. 7. “I was very happy with the drill,” trainer Phil D'Amato said. “It looks like we're on target for the Santa Anita Oaks. She still has two more breezes, but if they go like today's, she'll be there.” D'Amato added that he has been pleased with Vodka With a Twist's mental development, especially since she'd made seven starts as a 2-year-old, a campaign that began at Keeneland last April. She returned from her freshening Jan. 29 and has been working weekly since then. “She's a filly that never really had a break. I think given her that little time off has allowed her to mature mentally,” D'Amato said. “That's the biggest thing she needed to improve on. She's kind of a nervous, high-strung filly, but she seems to be a little more relaxed and settled now.” Trainer Michael McCarthy Says Look Forward 'Possible' For Santa Anita Oaks Speaking of the aforementioned runner, her conditioner confirmed that the filly was a possibility as well for the Santa Anita Oaks following her seventh-place finish in the GIII Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn Park. With a victory in the Listed Fasig-Tipton Santa Ynez Stakes under her belt, Look Forward already has Kentucky Oaks points to her credit this season, but currently sits outside the bubble with 15. She returned to the work tab Saturday, Mar. 15 and rolled through five panels in :59.60, the second fastest of 18 that morning. “We'll see about the Oaks. I thought her work was very good,” McCarthy said. “She's just a naturally very fast horse.” “She needs to be on or near the lead. When she missed the break at Oaklawn, she got shuffled back probably 10 or 11 lengths off the field. That made all the difference.” The post Vodka With a Twist on Track for Seasonal Bow in Santa Anita Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are three horse racing meetings set for Australia on Tuesday, March 18. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Hawkesbury. Tuesday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – March 18, 2025 Hawkesbury Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on March 18, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! 4 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 5 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

White Rocks, gate-to-wire winner of the Cincinnati Trophy Stakes Feb. 21, takes on a full field of 12 in the $300,000 Bourbonette Oaks March 22 at Turfway Park. The lightly-raced daughter of Frosted will break from post 11.View the full article

The 2024 Equine Injury Database shows that racetracks in the United States that are not subject to HISA's rules have a fatality rate of 1.76 per 1,000 starts, which is almost double the 0.90 per 1,000 starts at HISA racetracks.View the full article

11th-Hanshin, Coral S.-Listed, ¥45,970,000 ($308,735), 4yo/up, 1400m, 1:24.2, ft. ADVANCE PHAROAH (h, 5, American Pharoah–Fair Huntress, by Tiznow) became the sixth Japanese stakes winner for his sire with a 28-1 surprise. Ridden for speed from gate three, the $140,000 Keeneland September yearling graduate took them along under a nice hold and maintained a narrow advantage over the stalking T M Listed (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) into the turn. Clinging to the lead with his year-younger rival breathing down his neck, Advance Pharoah led into the final 200 meters and refused to yield, prevailing by a half-length. The 49th Northern Hemisphere black-type winner for American Pharoah (58th worldwide stakes winner), Advance Pharoah is out of a half-sister to Grade III victress Devil By Design (Medaglia d'Oro), the dam of GI American Oaks winner Competitionofideas (Speightstown) and eight additional scorers. Fair Huntess is also responsible for the 3-year-old colt Mama Tried (Uncle Mo), a 2-year-old colt by Not This Time and a yearling colt by Constitution. The mare foaled a colt by Omaha Beach on Mar. 1. Advance Pharoah is the second new Japanese stakes winner this year for his sire, who was also represented by Listed Hyacinth Stakes hero Luxor Cafe. The latter is the full-brother to dual G1 February Stakes winner Cafe Pharoah. Sales history: $140,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 22-5-2-1, $509,930. O-Norihide Kubota; B-John D Gunther & American Pharoah Syndicate (KY); T-Hideyuki Mori. WATCH: Advance Pharoah (#3) goes gate to wire in the Coral Stakes at Hanshin The post American Pharoah Represented By New Japanese Stakes Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Why Not Again (Fr) (lot 1), the first foal out of the dual Group 1 winner Watch Me (Fr) (Olympic Glory {Ire}), is among the initial entries for the Arqana Online Sale scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 26. The three-year-old daughter of Siyouni (Fr) finished fourth on her debut at Chantilly last month. Why Not Again is one of seven lots to be offered by trainer Fabrice Chappet to dissolve a partnership, with the others including Watch The King (Fr) (lot 6), Watch Me's two-year-old colt by Persian King (Ire), and the four-year-old Love Her (Fr) (Meshaheer) (lot 2), a half-sister to the G3 Prix Cleopatre winner and G1 Prix Saint-Alary third Crown Princesse (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}). The other entries include the three-year-old Winter Mist (Ire), a winning daughter of Pinatubo (Ire) and the dual Listed scorer On A Cloud (Silver Hawk). She will be offered as lot 10 by trainer Tim Donworth. The post Initial Entries for Arqana Online March Sale Revealed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With the entirety of the American two-year-old sales calendar now concentrated in Ocala and Maryland, the Arqana Breeze Up Sale has become an increasingly popular stop for Americans on the spring sales calendar. This year, falling on May 10, it lands between the OBS April sale (April 15-18) and Fasig-Tipton Midlantic (May 19-20), giving buyers ample time to travel back and forth. The catalogue was released last Thursday, and offers the usual blend of European and American sire power. “It's a concentrated quality of stallions, many of whom are selected by Irish pinhookers, who are very good judges,” said Hubert Guy of the sale's appeal. “The horses are very well-prepared.” In this year's catalogue, fully one-quarter of the two-year-olds are by American sires, most of which have been pinhooked from American fall sales. In addition to the usual lineup of European superstar sires like Dubawi (Ire), Wootton Bassett (GB), Too Darn Hot (GB) and exciting newcomes like Hello Youmzain (Fr), there are 46 juveniles by American-based sires. That includes seven by Justify, three by Practical Joke, and two each by Blame, Knicks Go, Maxfield, Medaglia d'Oro, Mitole, Munnings, and Tapit. American-based sires represented by one offering apiece include American Pharoah, Bolt d'Oro, City of Light, Connect, Constitution, Daredevil, Essental Quality, Good Magic, Gun Runner, Kitten's Joy, Maclean's Music, Maximum Security, McKinzie, More Than Ready, Not This Time, Omaha Beach, Street Boss, Street Sense, Vino Rosso, War Front, and War of Will, who sold at this sale in 2018 and went on to win the 2019 GI Preakness Stakes and the 2020 GI Maker's Mark Mile. Arqana's CEO Freddy Powell said he felt this year's sale includes a particularly strong crop of juveniles, with some quality pinhooks from America, the numbers of which continue to grow. “The impression during the inspections was that it was going to be a very good vintage,” said Powell. “The individuals we saw in Ireland, England and France were very pleasing. It seems that on the figures, that impression is confirmed. In 2025, for example, we have 43 yearlings purchased at the yearling sales in the U.S. for an average of $106,000, when the numbers were 41 for $89,000 for 2024, and 29 for $81,000 for 2023. We are blessed to have such a collection of horsemen selecting and buying those yearlings to present on the Deauville turf.” Unlike in America, while no official times are provided, you're welcome to time the breezes on your own. Several buyers said that felt that the horses' preparation on a more forgiving surface over the winter and spring leads to longer-term soundness than horses prepared in America. “There are plenty of opportunities for horses that were bought by very good judges, taken over there and which have been trained and prepared for sale on a more forgiving surface that we find here in America,” said Kip Elser. Justin Casse, who purchased War of Will at the sale in 2018, agreed. “They tend to have a nice, good surface and ground to breeze on that time of year and it's ample amount of time for horses to get ready as far as the situation chronologically in the breeze-up calendar.” Tampa Bay Derby winner Owen Almighty's half-brother by Constitution (pictured here as a yearling) sells as lot 174 | Taylor Made Sales Powell said that theory about the ground goes on to be proven on the track. “The great bunch of breeze-up two-year-old graduates every year prove their skills, and the longevity on the racecourse of most prove that their system of training on a healthy surface to gradually take them to a sale where there is no official clock is working well and suits most horses.” Elser has had success at the sale in the past, and said he goes with an open mind. “We look at everything,” he said, noting that the 193 entered make that possible. “It's a small sale and there are nice horses there. It has been a productive sale for me.” Elser said that he also appreciated the fact that the sale allowed for a more intellectual approach than relying on the stopwatch alone. “The conditions aren't always the same. The ground and weather aren't always as absolutely consistent like they are here, so there aren't as many absolutes. The conditions and surfaces vary enough that there's a little bit of a puzzle to put together.” But Americans don't just come to buy American pedigrees. “We have a some beautiful pedigrees coming from the U.S.,” said Powell, “but also some European stock by sires who tend to do well in the U.S., like Blue Point (Ire), Dubawi, Lope de Vega (Ire), Night Of Thunder (Ire), Siyouni (Fr), Wootton Bassett. There are some very well-bred fillies with proper international pedigrees.” Of note by American sires: * Lot 174 is a Constitution half-brother to GIII Tampa Bay Derby winner Owen Almighty (Speightstown), purchased for $185,000 at Keeneland September by Blandford Bloodstock. * Lot 12 is a Vino Rosso half-brother to Instagrand (Into Mischief) who RNAd at Keeneland September and sells here for M.C. Thoroughbreds. * Lot 49 is an American Pharoah filly whose dam is a full-sister to Group 1 winners Roly Poly and US Navy Flag, and a half to U.S. graded stakes winner Cover Song (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). * Lot 55 is a Tapit colt whose dam is a full-sister to Mastercraftsman. * Lot 185 is a Mitole filly who is a half-sister to G2 Norfolk winner and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint runner-up Valiant Force, who sold at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale for $525,000. Lot 185 (shown here as a yearling) is a Mitole half-sister to Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint runner-up Valiant Force | courtesy St. George Sales In recent years, in addition to War of Will, sales graduates coming back to America have included the GI and multiple graded stakes-winning Rock Emperor (Ire), who sold for €12,000 and went on to win $1.2 million in America; Romagna Mia, a €29,000 purchase who won the GIII Dowager Stakes and was GI-placed in the Beverly D; and the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies second Malavath (Ire), who won the GII Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte in France, after being purchased for €139,200 in 2021, when Covid forced the sale to be held in Doncaster. But as Powell pointed out, the appeal of the sale is the blend of European and American offerings. “There's no doubt that the American end user is really being forced to consider grass horses more than they ever have,” said West Point Thoroughbreds CEO Terry Finley, who said that “without a doubt” the stable would be represented at the sale. “In the past, I have had Christophe Clement, David Ingordo, and Kip Elser on the ground for me over there,” he said. “One, it brings a new angle to partners, and look, we're a game of results and it's pretty easy to see the kind of results people have had going to that sale and I'm sure it's going to accelerate. People who are serious and want to really compete at the highest levels over here are going to have to stand up and take notice this year, if they haven't already.” Many American agents also come representing U.S. and international buyers for markets around the world. Casse said he would be back this year shopping for clients around the globe, including America, because of the quality of the individuals represented. “I know it's a focal point for the European breeze-up consignors as far as quality goes in terms of what they bring there,” he said. “It has also been very prosperous for me as a buyer and as a seller.” Casse says he doesn't go over there with a focus on any particular type of individual. “I go over there with a very open mind,” he said. “It has been a lifetime of learning. I never thought War of Will would end up a dirt horse. I'm buying for trainers in France, Ireland, England, and America. I would consider a horse out of that sale for any of the above and as we have learned, the two-year-old sales are about performance and physical, and pedigree is just a part of the formula for deciding how much the horse is going to cost.” Elser also will be representing an international buying bench. “I like to be in a position to look for a varied group of prospects for a variety of clients,” he said. “I go to the Craven Sale in Newmarket while most people are busy here at OBS March. It's good to be off the beaten path. I'm a little more familiar with the process because I sold at the Craven sale a few years ago.” There are also those intangibles, Casse said. “Arqana is one of the gold standards for hospitality for agents attending from abroad. For a long time, they have looked after us very well, and when you go there, you can find an Ascot two-year-old, or you can find an American Triple Crown horse. If you look hard enough, there's something for everyone.” The post Arqana May’s American Appeal: A Concentrated Quality of Sire Power appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ballyhane Stud's new stallion Sakheer (Ire) has passed the first test of his stud career with a number of mares now tested in foal to him. “Sakheer has already covered over a quarter of his book and his fertility looks very good to date,” said Ballyhane's Joe Foley. “He's had great support from breeders with some smashing mares booked to him. As an example, the first two mares to scan in foal to him were Doors to Manual, the dam of Group 2 winner Safety Check, and the French stakes-placed La Pergola, while the last mare he covered today was Ruby Girl, dam of the very smart current stakes performer Kaadi.” A son of Zoffany (Ire), Sakheer won the G2 Mill Reef Stakes for KHK Racing. He is standing his first season in County Carlow alongside Sands Of Mali (Fr), who made a promising start with his first runners in 2024, which included the Windsor Castle Stakes winner Ain't Nobody (Ire) and fellow Listed winner Ellaria Sand (GB). Foley added of Sands Of Mali, “He's extremely popular and will cover a very strong book of mares in 2025. The trainers of his top two-year-olds from last year are excited by their progress and we're already hearing about promising two-year-olds from his second crop.” The post First Mares In Foal to Sakheer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

We're off. Well, sort of. In a manner reminiscent of the sputtering start to the Flat turf season, Seven Days returns this week but is immediately taking a short break before promising to be back in time for the Lincoln and the Brocklesby. So, for those of you still in a post-Cheltenham/St Patrick's Day slump, here's a little look back on the week that was. We'll mention Cheltenham only briefly here to reiterate the point that we may well see the 100/1 Triumph Hurdle winner Poniros (GB) back in action on the Flat this summer. Considering that his sire Golden Horn (GB) was responsible for a third of the field in last year's Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, he has every right to be considered a decent staying prospect on the level and one potentially to follow in the footsteps of a number of other Willie Mullins-trained horses in aiming for the Melbourne Cup in November. Just after Mullins had finished dominating Cheltenham (again), one of those former inmates, Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {Fr}), himself the winner of the Triumph Hurdle back in 2022, made a successful start to his new life in Australia. That treble Grade 1 winner over hurdles had already won Group 2 and 3 races on the Flat at York and Naas, and he can now add Sydney to his burgeoning CV, having won Saturday's G3 Sky High Stakes on his first start for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott at Rosehill. He has an entry for the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes on April 12 during Sydney's Championships. We'd like to make a plea to Jeremy Scott to bring his hoards of singing supporters up from Dartmoor, along with Ian Gosden's star mare Golden Ace (GB), and follow the examples of Mullins and Nicky Henderson by having a jolly day out at Ascot and aiming for one of the staying options at the Royal meeting. After all, this vintage of Golden Horn winners are generally out of smart Flat mares: Golden Ace's dam, Deuce Again (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), won the Listed Further Flight Stakes for a different Gosden. Her breeder Meon Valley Stud has plenty of form in providing top-class Flat runners, not least the dual Gold Cup winner Kayf Tara (GB). A Champion Hurdle and a Royal Ascot victory in the same year? Now wouldn't that be nice. Wathnan Preparing the Big Guns Talking of the Gold Cup, there has been some positive news from Wathnan Racing advisor Richard Brown regarding the 2023 winner Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who has recently returned to training with John and Thady Gosden. “All of us owe a lot to Courage Mon Ami for what he did so early in our story,” he said. “He hasn't had a major issue, he's had a huge number of niggles, so we pulled stumps early last year and gave him a very long winter of just trotting and going on the treadmill with Lou Collinson. He's been back with the Gosdens for about three weeks in a trotting programme and I believe he's just about to start cantering again. The only plan for him at the moment is just to get him back to the racecourse. Obviously there's one eye on a Gold Cup but whether we could get back in time – he would need a prep run and for everything to go smoothly before Ascot. “But he's a lovely, lovely horse and we all owe him a huge debt of gratitude.” Courage Mon Ami is back in training | Racingfotos The Wathnan Racing team will doubtless be hoping that the result of the first group race of the European turf season augurs well for the year ahead. Wathnan's two runners, Map Of Stars (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and last year's Prix du Jockey Club runner-up First Look (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), finished first and second in the G3 Prix Exbury. The winner is still lightly raced but clearly highly talented. Now four, Map Of Stars is a son of Bateel (Ire) – Dubawi popping up as broodmare sire in this sphere as well as of the Champion Hurdler – who was similarly progressive, first for David Simcock and later for Francis Graffard, for whose stable she won the G1 Prix Vermeille, G2 Prix de Pomone and G3 Pinnacle Stakes. Wathnan purchased Map Of Stars from his breeder, Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nayhan of Al Asayl Bloodstock last summer and, though he has raced just five times in total, he has won four of those races, including two Listed contests. He looks an exciting prospect for the top middle-distance races this summer. They have plenty of others to look forward to as well, not least one of the stars of British Champions Day, the James Fanshawe-trained Kind Of Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), who could be seen next at York in May. “Kind Of Blue is one of our big hopes for the year,” Brown said. “He's trained by a master of bringing that type of horse along. He's in great nick and has wintered very well. The plan at the moment is to start in the Duke of York [Stakes].” A busy spring for Wathnan Racing could also include the return of Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) in the G1 Lockinge Stakes. “She had a good break at Newsells Park and had some time out in the paddock. She's been back with Karl for a couple of months now and is moving well,” Brown reported. Haatem (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), who was beaten only a head by stable-mate Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) in the Irish 2,000 Guineas before giving Wathnan another Royal Ascot winner in the G3 Jersey Stakes, has not been seen in public since being scratched at the start of the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois, but he too is on the comeback trail. “He's great,” Brown said. “He had a niggle after the Jacques le Marois and we've given him a very long rehab, just giving him time as there was no point rushing him back. He's now back with Richard Hannon and the plan will probably be to start off in the Sandown Mile.” A Head Start on the French Classics As ever, France has a headstart on its neighbouring nations in getting its turf action up and running and we've now been treated to several weeks of enticing hints regarding the forthcoming Classics. The biggest hint so far is that we should be paying close attention to runners from Victoria Head's stable this season. We spoke to Head last spring as she was continuing to assemble a steadily growing stable which at the time numbered 25. Eleven months later, her team has doubled in size and now includes 12 horses listed for Leopoldo Fernandez Pujals's Yeguada Centurion, which parted ways with her elder brother Christopher Head last year after enjoying notable success with the likes of homebreds Big Rock (Ire) and Blue Rose Cen (Ire). Victoria Head, left, with Darius Cen | Scoop Dyga Yeguada Centurion also bred Christopher's stable star of last season, Ramatuelle (Justify), who had been sold as a yearling, and her half-brother Tito Mo Cen (Ire) (Uncle Mo) now looks a genuine Classic prospect for Victoria after winning both his starts this year, including the Listed Prix Maurice Caillault on March 9. A week later, the 29-year-old trainer was back in the winner's enclosure with another Yeguada Centurion homebred, Darius Cen (Fr), who became the first black-type winner for Persian King (Ire) in Sunday's Listed Prix Omnium II on his seasonal debut. The colt had ended last season with an 11-length win on heavy ground at Clairefontaine on only his second start and is one of five that Head has entered for the Poule d'Essai des Poulains, all for the same owner. She also has two fillies in the Pouliches reckoning at the moment, one for Yeguada Centurion and another for Gestut Schlenderhan, for whom she has eight horses in training. We can expect to hear plenty more about this latest member of the great French training dynasty as the year progresses. Juveniles Power Into Action For those of you champing at the bit for two-year-old action, you only have to wait until the first race at Marseille on Wednesday in which Goken (Fr) may double his tally of juvenile winners for the year after the taking victory of Minotor (Fr) at Lyon Parilly on Sunday. It's an act of folly to get too carried away by such youngsters at this fledgling stage of their careers but Sunday's Curragh maiden does boast spectacularly good recent form. Its four previous winners all subsequently earned black type, with Bucanero Fuerte (GB) scaling the heights to a Group 1 victory and both Ocean Quest (Ire) and Arizona Blaze (Ire) having won Group 3s. The latter, who ended last season by finishing second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, returned triumphant at Dundalk on Friday and has a 2,000 Guineas entry. What then will become of this year's winner Power Blue (Ire)? If nothing else, he will always hold the accolade of being the first winner for his young Darley sire Space Blues (Ire), who didn't make his own winning debut until the November of his juvenile season before progressing to the highest level at four and five. Power Blue certainly looked professional and well made, and it's not hard to imagine seeing him in stakes class in the first half of the season. In becoming the third consecutive winner of this race for the Adrian Murray stable, which has plenty of assistance from gifted horseman Robson Aguiar, he was also the first winner for the Aguiar-run LNA Racing Syndicate. Davis's Double Delight Congratulations are due to Sean Davis, who has trained his first and second winner on the same day in two different countries. The first came at Dundalk on Friday when Porsche Lad (Ire) got off the mark on his handicap debut for owner David Fowler in the hands of Rory Cleary. Some two hours later Venetian (Ire), also owned by Fowler, struck at Wolverhampton, with the cherry on top being that his trainer was also in the saddle for this victory. Davis was runner-up to Cieren Fallon in the British apprentices' championship of 2019 with 56 winners but returned home to Ireland as the pandemic set in and his riding opportunities became more scarce after riding out his claim. As well as training and riding, he is also involved in the breeze-up sector and consigns under the banner of GS Bloodstock in partnership with his weighing-room colleague Gary Halpin. The duo offers a filly from the first crop of Starman (GB) at the forthcoming Craven Sale at Tattersalls. The post Seven Days: Flying Start for Wathnan Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Susan Naylor (formerly Moulton) is many things; a prominent owner, breeder, and Versailles, Kentucky farm owner, but it's clear that her philanthropic work is what most clearly defines her today. The owner of the fan-favorite racehorse Manny Wah (Will Take Charge) has endured unimaginable loss in her life, losing both of her children in separate incidents nine years apart. On this week's Boundless podcast with jockey and veterinarian Ferrin Peterson, she talks about channeling her grief into something positive. Naylor explained how she became exposed to racing as a child. “I'm from San Marcos, Texas,” she told Peterson. “My dad was a cattle rancher, had horses, dabbled with stallions. We raced at the bush tracks in Texas. Cattle supported the horses back then. Horses were a hobby. But I took it very seriously. I loved to ride. My dad fancied himself a cowboy. I rode hunters and jumpers. I galloped and breezed in the morning at Retama, up until I was 45, and we pinhooked.” But tragedy brought all of that to an end. “This all came to a crashing halt when we had that car wreck,” she said, of the accident that took her eight-year-old son's life in 2007 when an oncoming car veered into her lane and hit her car head on. “We were in Maui on holiday.” In his memory, she created the Will Smith Foundation. “Will was a little boy who wanted to do everything for everybody,” she says. “He had the best heart. I learned from him. Our mission statement is to provide positive life experiences for children. Arts, sports, bereavement counseling. It was the drug that healed my heart.” Moulton faced another tragedy when her older son Charlie died of a fentanyl overdose nine years after Will's accident. She appears on the podcast wearing his shirt. Boundless is a podcast designed to tell stories of perseverance, personal struggle, and determination. To watch the podcast on YouTube, click here. Click here to listen to it on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. The post Susan Naylor on the New Boundless Podcast Episode appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Well known in New York's racing and breeding circles, Jane Mindlin Schosberg died peacefully on Mar. 15, surrounded by her family. She was 85 years old. Jane Schosberg was predeceased by her husband Paul in 2017 and her daughter Jill Stoller in 2021. She is survived by her son Richard and her daughter-in-law Dawn; her sister Katherine Reinleitner; her son-in-law Timothy Stoller; grandsons Travis and Ryan; granddaughter Jenna Stoller Grimshaw and her husband Sean; and two great-grandchildren Bryce and Nora. She is also survived by Waffles, her beloved Corgi, who now lives with Jane's best friend Donna Klemas in Canada. Rescued from Lexington, KY, Waffles hitched a ride on a Morrisey's horse van to become Jane's constant companion. Schosberg grew up in Scarsdale, N.Y. and attended Scarsdale High School, where she met Paul Schosberg, her high-school sweetheart. After attending Bennington College and earning a liberal arts degree, Jane married Paul in 1959. Their daughter Jill was born in 1960, their son Richard a year later. Services will be private. Those wishing to honor Jane's life and legacy are encouraged to donate to the Mayo Clinic, to Take2/Take The Lead, or to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Jane had grown up riding horses, and it was in Virginia that she and family began the racing and breeding operation that continued to her death, and where the Schosberg family bought their first farm. Jane gave riding lessons at Deerfield Riding Academy in Great Falls, VA, while her daughter Jill became an accomplished show rider and her son Rick, in his words, “mucked out stalls as fast as I could.” In 1974, the Schosbergs purchased Pine Lane Farm near Katonah when they relocated to New York from Virginia, and Dot in Spot, who became the Schosberg's foundation broodmare, went with them. Dot in Spot produced four foals, bred in Jane's name, all bred in New York. The best of them, Lotus Delight, was multiple stakes-placed and earned $243,000, retiring in 1988. One of her daughters, Tim's Lady, produced Mellow Roll, who earned more than half a million dollars and was voted New York-bred Champion Two-Year-Old Male in 1997. Jane also bred Cyanea, the 1982 New York-bred Champion 2-year-old filly, and a winner and a runner-up of the New York Breeders Futurity, Bix in 1982 and Tons in 1977, respectively. She often visited Kentucky and was a regular at the Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton sales, developing strong relationships with Denali Stud, Ashford Stud, and Coolmore America. She had a strong friend network in the Bluegrass, and though she was pretty much a lifelong New Yorker, she was an ardent fan of the University of Kentucky Wildcats. The post New York Owner, Breeder Jane Schosberg Passes Away appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA)'s 2024 Annual Metrics Report was released Monday. The report presents data collected in 2024 as part of HISA's Racetrack Safety Program. As previously announced, the 47 racetracks operating under HISA's ADMC Program and Racetrack Safety Program recorded an aggregate racing-related fatality rate of 0.90 per 1,000 starts. The Jockey Club subsequently published the 2024 data from its Equine Injury Database (EID), announcing a North American racing-related fatality rate of 1.11 per 1,000 starts. Significantly, the 2024 EID shows that racetracks in the United States that are not subject to HISA's rules have a fatality rate of 1.76 per 1,000 starts, which is almost double the 0.90 per 1,000 starts at HISA racetracks. The rate of 0.90 is a 35% decrease from the rate of 1.39 reported by the EID in 2021–the last full year prior to the launch of HISA's Racetrack Safety Program–and a 27% decrease from the rate of 1.23 that HISA reported last year. It also represents a 55% decline since 2009, when the EID first began reporting such fatalities, at a rate of 2.00. In 2024, racetracks operating under HISA's rules (and the training facilities owned by them) reported 181 training-related deaths, equating to 0.50 deaths per 1,000 workouts (i.e., the official timed works of racehorses preparing for an official start). This is a conservative ratio, as HISA's training-related data includes fatalities that occur during all training activities, not just workouts. While it is too early to establish trends in combined racing- and training-related fatality data, transparency is a critical first step in identifying risk factors and developing targeted safety initiatives. The information collected on training-related fatalities has served to expand HISA's existing database and will be instructive as the organization moves toward identifying patterns to help racing stakeholders make more informed decisions for their horses and proposing guidance and rules designed to make training safer. Information related to HISA's Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program will be released later this month by HISA's independent anti-doping administrator, the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit. The post Annual Metrics Report for 2024 Released by HISA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

FanDuel TV has launched “The Comeback With Craig Carton,” a new show focused on problem gambling recovery hosted by FanDuel's responsible gaming ambassador and FS1's “Breakfast Ball” Craig Carton. Carton sits down with those who have experienced the highs and lows of gambling addiction to amplify their stories, break down the stigma surrounding gambling disorder, raise awareness of support resources for individuals and their families, and show that recovery is possible. “As someone who has personally navigated the challenges of gambling addiction, I understand the impact it can have on your life and the lives of those you care about,” Craig Carton said. “The road to recovery isn't easy, but I've committed myself to helping others who are facing similar struggles. My mission for this show is to inspire hope, offer support, and remind everyone that the path to regaining control starts with understanding.” The first episode features former 11-year NBA veteran and recovered problem gambler Randy Livingston in addition to Randy's wife, Anita Ondine Smith Randy and Anita recently joined FanDuel as responsible gaming ambassadors launching “Trusted Voices: Conversations About Betting,” a new resource hub designed to equip parents, guardians and coaches, with tools and resources to talk to young people about the risks associated with gambling and where to go for support. In addition to highlighting the lived experiences and recovery of those who have dealt with gambling disorder, The Comeback will dive into important topics such as money management, support services, self-exclusion, RG tools and more. New episodes of The Comeback With Craig Carton will air monthly on Mondays at 10:00 am ET on FanDuel's FAST channel FanDuel TV Extra and stream on FanDuel's YouTube channel. Stay updated on The Comeback With Craig Carton by subscribing to its Substack for its latest interviews, episodes and resources. The post FanDuel TV Launches “The Comeback With Craig Carton” appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Churchill Downs and its partners Andy Frain Services, Kentucky Derby Museum, Levy and Pritchard Sports & Entertainment Group will host a job fair to recruit for Kentucky Derby Week and the Churchill Downs Spring Meet. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the First Turn Club. The job fair will include on-the-spot interviews and hiring for positions during Kentucky Derby Week, which runs from Saturday, Apr. 26, through Saturday, May 3, and the Churchill Downs Spring Meet, which continues through Sunday, June 29. Available positions include box office, cleaning/janitorial, food & beverage, gate staff, guest services, mutuel tellers, programs, retail sales, security and tour guides. Attendees should enter Kentucky Derby Drive off Central Avenue and park for free in the Yellow Lot. For more information and to register, visit www.workchurchilldowns.com. The post Churchill Downs Hosts Job Fair for Kentucky Derby Week, Spring Meet Positions appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sponsorships for The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP)'s 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, are currently available. The event takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park on Oct. 8-11. “Partnering with the Thoroughbred Makeover makes companies more than just a sponsor,” said Megan Garlich, RRP development manager. “Our sponsoring partners join a passionate team of individuals and organizations committed to the advancement of Thoroughbreds in equestrian sport and the development of dedicated trainers who invest in their future. We are grateful to the many sponsors who have supported our mission through this event, and are excited to welcome additional aligned businesses, agencies, and brands to help us to shape the Thoroughbred aftercare landscape for the better.” Sponsorship packages are available at levels and can be customized with print, digital and event-based advertising and assets. Higher tiers of sponsorship include naming rights to various aspects of the event, including the competition itself as well as health and wellness initiatives plus networking and social events. The Thoroughbred Makeover draws competitors and spectators from both equestrian and Thoroughbred industries, as well as from all across North America. This year's competition will culminate in a new Championships format, featuring final rounds for the top 10 in each discipline on Saturday throughout the Kentucky Horse Park. For more information about sponsorship, please visit the Sponsorship page on the RRP website, or contact Megan Garlich, development manager, at mgarlich@therrp.org. The post Sponsorships Available for 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Founded by Josephine Abercrombie in 1952, Pin Oak Stud has entered a new era under the ownership of Jim and Dana Bernhard. The Bernhards purchased Pin Oak Stud in November of 2022 and acquired an additional 465 acres from Adena Springs in September of 2023. “Pin Oak has always strived to breed horses that can compete at the pinnacle of our sport, this vision begins with the decisions that we make when selecting our matings each year,” Pin Oak's Michael Hardy said. “Our team works in close collaboration, carefully selecting physical profiles that suit each mare and then determining the most promising crosses to maximize performance on the track. This decision-making process is a collective effort, driven by our shared commitment to success on the racetrack.” Below is a look at a selection of matings for Pin Oak Stud in the final edition of TDN's 2025 Mating Plans series, presented by Spendthrift Farm. LOVE TO SHOP (5, Violence–Tiffany Case, by Uncle Mo) to be bred to Not This Time Pin Oak Stud's most recent ($700,000) purchase from the Keeneland January Sale. She is a stakes-winning mare with an active young family that traces back to a very successful Pin Oak pedigree from the Abercrombie era. She will visit Not This Time for her maiden season. It is a cross that we believe will suit her physically and get her broodmare career off to a great start. He is a stallion that we like a lot; we purchased two of his yearlings last year in the September Sale. SHOPPINGFORPHAROAH (6, American Pharoah–Smart Shopping, by Smart Strike) to be bred to Not This Time Another recent ($850,000) purchase from the Fasig-Tipton November Sale. She is a stakes-placed, half-sister to GI Preakness Stakes winner Seize The Grey (Arrogate). She too will visit Not This Time. We believe he is a great option to give a young mare the chance to succeed. MIDNIGHT TREASURE (7, Tapit–Midnight Lucky, by Midnight Lute) to be bred to Street Sense We purchased both ($100,000) Midnight Treasure and her ($100,000) Good Magic weanling at the Keeneland November Sale. She is currently in foal to Charlatan and will visit Street Sense for 2025. Street Sense continues to produce horses at the top level and looks like he will become an important sire of sires. He is great value for such a proven stallion. SWEET SAMI D (9, First Samurai–Treaty of Kadesh, by Victory Gallop) to be bred to Constitution She is a young, graded stakes-placed mare who earned over $250,000. She has a yearling by Flightline and produced a colt by Gun Runner this year. This year she will visit Constitution, who we've had success with on the track, and physically we think he will really suit this mare. Sweet Sami D with her '25 Gun Runner colt | Courtesy Pin Oak QUERELLE (9, Violence–Orbital Affair, by El Corredor) to be bred to Nyquist She is an attractive, black-type mare by Violence who earned $187,000. She has a racy 2-year-old filly by Constitution that we have retained, and a yearling by Tapit. She will visit Nyquist this year. The cross is producing a high percentage of winners, and we hope that the mating can also add some size and scope. MIND OUT (8, Tapit–Kid Majic, by Lemon Drop Kid) to be bred to Nyquist Mind Out is a stakes-placed Tapit mare with a nice, young pedigree. She has a Curlin yearling on the ground and is in foal to Gun Runner. Nyquist was a bit of a no-brainer for her; he had a tremendous 2024 and the Tapit x Nyquist cross has produced the very talented Grade I winner Tenma. We are happy to have a few mares going to him this year. BROADWAY LADY (8, Constitution–Livi Makenzie, by Macho Uno) to be bred to Twirling Candy She is a very attractive half-sister to GIII Ohio Derby winner Tawny Port (Pioneerof the Nile). She had colt by Candy Ride (Arg) this year and will visit Twirling Candy. We like the combination of Tapit and Candy Ride in this mating and physically we think that Twirling Candy will work well with the mare. CORE VALUES (7, Honor Code–Sweet Awakening, by Street Cry {Ire}) to be bred to Not This Time Core Values is a very attractive stakes winner. She is a half-sister to Canadian champion Are You Kidding Me (Run Away and Hide) and the pedigree received another update with Kehoe Beach (Omaha Beach) winning the GII Mrs. Revere at Churchill in the fall. She will visit Not This Time this year; we love the cross over the A.P. Indy line mare, which has produced G1 winner Sibelius. DIAMOND SPARKLES (8, War Front–Diamondsandrubies {Ire}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}) to be bred to Twirling Candy A young mare with an exceptionally deep pedigree. She got her broodmare career off to an excellent start in 2024 with her first foal, Into Diamonds (Into Mischief), winning at Keeneland in April and subsequently collecting black type at Woodbine. We have retained her Quality Road 2-year-old and she had a colt by Not This Time this year. She will be covered this year by Twirling Candy, which looks like a strong cross for her with his Grade I winner Concrete Rose coming from the Twirling Candy x Sadler's Wells cross. COMPETITIVE SPEED (7, Competitive Edge–Shopped Out, by Mineshaft) to be bred to American Pharoah A talented racemare, she is a multiple Grade II-placed earner of $190,000. Her first foal is a very attractive Maxfield colt that we have retained and she has a yearling filly by Justify. She is in foal to Candy Ride and will visit American Pharoah this year. The Maria's Mon-line cross with American Pharoah has already produced Grade I winner American Theorem. GLITTER AND GOLD (10, Bodemeister–Expo Gold, by Johannesburg) to be bred to Not This Time She is a winning half-sister to MGISW and champion Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil). She has produced a very nice Tapit colt that we have in pre-training at the farm and she has a yearling filly by Essential Quality that we like a lot. She has a Tapit colt of 2025 and is booked to visit Not This Time this year. She consistently produces a strong, solid, attractive foal, so we are excited to see the foal from this cross. Glitter and Gold with her '24 Essential Quality filly | Courtesy Pin Oak CHECKERED EMPIRE (7, Empire Maker–Checkered Past, by Smart Strike) to be bred to City of Light Checkered Empire is a full sister to multiple Grade III winner and Grade I-placed Messier (Empire Maker). She is an attractive young mare currently in foal to Twirling Candy. We believe in mating young mares with proven sires that will suit them both physically and from a pedigree standpoint. She will visit City of Light this season; the cross will be very similar to the cross that produced City of Light's champion 2-year-old Fierceness. OMA THE GREAT (6, Tapit–Rise Above, by Violence) to be bred to American Pharoah She is a well-bred, young Tapit mare. Her first foal is a very attractive, racy Candy Ride yearling. She had a filly by American Pharoah and we like that cross so much that we plan to repeat it this year again. The cross has produced Grade I winner Harvey's Lil Goil among others. The post 2025 Mating Plans, Presented by Spendthrift: Pin Oak Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Australian jockey will partner Californiatotality for Tony Cruz in this Sunday’s HK$26 million feature.View the full article

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By Michael Guerin Retail racing and sports punters are finally set to step into the modern world as the TAB launches new self service terminals. While the majority of New Zealand punters now bet online, increasingly through the TAB or betcha apps on their phones, there are still over 500 venues around the country where people can bet, many in pubs or clubs. The self service terminals at those venues can be a source of frustration for punters with their outdated systems, as any punter who has stood for what feels like ages behind a confused self service terminal user will know. The TAB’s new self service terminals went into use for the first time at the Manukau City TAB on Monday and are set to be placed in the 45 TAB retail stores around the country as well as the 416 pubs and clubs that provide TAB services. While the old terminals were slower and generally outdated one of their biggest issues was so few punters use them regularly they had become the slowest form of betting. And they were off-putting for occasional bettors, particularly on major sports events or Melbourne Cup day, who rarely visited retail venues at other times. Crucially the new terminals will mirror the TAB website and app, giving a seamless transition between betting on those platforms and betting in an agency. The new terminals will be also be rolled out at racetracks around the country, where plenty of punters still prefer the cash betting experience as part of the thrill of a day at the races. The managing director of Entain New Zealand, Sam Moncur, was at the launch to see the first bets on the new terminals placed, one of his first official duties since taking over Entain’s top job in New Zealand. “We want to meet our customers where they are and provide them with a seamless experience if they’re placing a bet through our new terminals or on the TAB App,” said Moncur. As part of the development of the terminals, customer feedback has led to many customer-focused solutions in the new terminals. “Customers can enjoy more bet types, easy multis with a buildable bet slip and more funding options. Plus, the new touch-screen experience is faster than ever. “Everything a TAB customer could do through the app or tab.co.nz is now possible in retail.” The upgrade of the retail terminals will comfort traditional punters who may have feared all betting would eventually end up being online only and the possibility of TAB agencies or pubs and clubs being allowed to die off. “We will be supporting our venues and customers through this change with both physical and digital resources on hand to help them,” said Moncur. “We’re committed to delivering a world-class wagering experience and this is a big step toward ensuring our venues are well-positioned to serve the needs of our customers.” “There is a lot more to come in 2025 including exclusive promotions and offers for our customers that can only be redeemed through our TAB venues.” View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness Nes Desk A third Methven Drivers’ Challenge has been confirmed for next month, and this time it is literally the biggest yet. Four teams of three will battle it out over six penalty-free races on April 13, the club’s last meeting at Mt Harding before the winter recess. Sponsored by Jonny Cox and Kimberly Butt’s Roseland Racing, the Challenge will feature 12 drivers, all wearing their own stable’s colours (or colours they are closely associated with them). The four teams : Legends – Tony Herlihy, Maurice McKendry and Ricky May Premiership Leaders – John Dunn, Blair Orange and Matty Williamson Ladies – Sam Ottley, Sheree Tomlinson and Crystal Hackett Methven – Gerard O’Reilly, Kim Butt and John Morrison It appears the 2025 edition will be the last to feature Herlihy and McKendry who was originally from Methven before moving north. “This is going to be the last year for both Tony and Maurice anyway so we want to make it count,” says Methven Trotting Club President Michael Heenan, “we couldn’t more grateful for what they have done.” In 2023 McKendry toppled Ricky May and Tony Herlihy in the “Three Wise Men” challenge. They are still the only three drivers in this country to have won 3000 or more races (Blair Orange is next on 2899). Then last year there was the ANZAC 18,000+ Challenge where McKendry and May defeated Australian stars Chris Alford and Greg Sugars, who were in New Zealand at the time for Cambridge’s Night of Champions. This year the club’s committee members decided to expand the concept further by pitting four teams, each with their own theme, against each other. “We cheated a bit with Sarah (O’Reilly) being a late scratching so we sneaked one in with Kimberly from Ashburton,” says Heenan. Sarah O’Reilly has been out of action since a race track accident last year and with Butt working for Brent and Tm White at Ashburton she got the call up as a honorary Mid Cantabrian. “Everyone I contacted wanted to be involved,” says Heenan. Bragging rights as well as a trophy will be up for grabs on a day that will also feature the Woodlands Little Green Jug for the three-year-old pacers. “It should be great racing.” View the full article

With the campaign finishing yesterday, Team Teal is likely to reach close to $25,000. Right now the figure stands at $23,495, with the final tally-up yet to be completed. With Wingatui’s four race card all being won by female drivers and Mikalya Lewis, Olivia Thornley and Jessica Young-Grant winning at Motukarara the final day of the campaign was a good one. The annual campaign, which raises money for ovarian cancer research, started on February 1 with money going to the cause every time a female driver wins a race through contributions from HRNZ, clubs and the drivers’ individual sponsors. Funds raised support the Research Nurse Grant Program and the Survivors Teaching Students Program in New Zealand. There were 79 wins by female drivers during the six-week campaign with Sam Ottley leading the way with 16, from Crystal Hackett (13) and Sheree Tomlinson (9). A total of $500 was also raised at Motukarara through the first running of the Teal Trot where Sam Ottley, Riley Harrison, Sheree Tomlinson, Devon Dolan and Gemma Thornley ran 50m down the straight pulling someone (who had bid on them via silent auction) in the sulky. Ottley and her bidder Megan Swain took the honours. For anyone wanting to donate and help push the total to $25,000 please click here The second annual Frocks at the Trots competition was held as part of a Team Teal fund-raiser at Addington Raceway on Friday night. Heats were held in recent weeks with the best dressed making the finals. Julie Argyle was judged best overall, from Pauline Pattullo and Eleanor Campbell. Janet Bramham won the Contemporary award, with the Millinery award going to Jewel Relatado. House party at Banks Peninsula By Mike Love The domination of Michael House and driver Wilson House continued at Banks Peninsula yesterday where they won two races to maintain their early season advantage on the trainers’ premiership ladder. In Race 6, the Crate & Barrel, Alpine Inn Hanmer, Mark Tweedy Pace, Miracle Memphis just held out Elektra King. The three-year-old Bettors Delight gelding was huge after scrambling away from the standing start, before catching the field and overpowering his rivals to win by a head, with a hefty ten length margin back to third. The win gave Miracle Memphis his first from five starts, which also includes three placings. The second winner on the programme came instantly in Race 7, the Lake Kaniere Sporting Club and Casino Trot with four-year-old Trixton mare Mode. Beginning well from her draw of six, Mode and House ended up sitting parked the entire trip. Up the long straight and Mode showed how gritty she can be, trotting determinedly to the line, winning by a neck from Transtasman Bubble. “We were quite unlucky with her first start for us at Palmerston North. She was in against some decent horses, and we knew going forward there were going to be some more nominations for the second day. But then we were leaping a couple of shadows around that small track (on the second day),” said Wilson House. The win made it Mode’s second career win from 25 starts, at start number three for the House team. She paid $16.90 for the win. “She was really good today, and trotted really well so it worked out nice.” The House team currently have 41 winners this season – 21 ahead of Steve and Amanda Telfer (20). Wilson House maintains his lead in the Junior Drivers Premiership with 30, five clear of Harrison Orange. House is second overall in the country, with seven time premiership winner Blair Orange leading the way with 44. Orange is now on 2899 career wins. Other highlights on the card included a driving double for Robbie Holmes (Dragonhill and The Mandalorian), a training double for Bruce Negus (Classie Linc and Buffy Northstains). View the full article

Lo Rider might have the second-lowest rating in the Hong Kong Derby but his trainer expects the four-year-old to thrive over 2,000m.View the full article

A connection to their homeland attracted Emma-Lee and David Browne to Mcgaw as an yearling, and twelve months later, the inexpensive gelding delivered the couple’s biggest victory since moving to Australia in Saturday’s $1 million Showdown (1200m). At just his second appearance on race-day, Mcgaw was forced to travel wide from an outside draw early, eventually sitting outside the leader under Damian Lane. The son of I Am Immortal kicked strongly at the top of the Caulfield straight and kept finding, outmuscling Befuddle to score by a half-length. “It was a massive effort from the horse, it was only his second start and he’d had a bit of a gap between races, he just had the one start back at the end of January,” Emma-Lee Browne said. “It was massive for the stable as well, we’ve been here for just over three years now and to get a result like that was a testament to our great team at home.” Mcgaw was bred by Havaparty Investments in Australia, as the fifth live foal out of Kiwi-bred mare Niki Piki Milo. A daughter of Librettist, Niki Piki Milo won three races from eight attempts, including the Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) in the care of Peter and Dawn Williams. Formerly based in the Waikato, the Brownes recalled watching Niki Piki Milo in New Zealand and after inspecting her son at the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, they secured Mcgaw for just $14,000 out of the draft of Stonehouse Thoroughbreds. Saturday’s result catapulted his earnings above A$600,000. “I just really liked his type, he’s a very athletic, leggy type of horse,” Browne said. “Also coming from New Zealand, we knew Niki Piki Milo and I remembered her being a nice horse, so that attracted us to him in the first place. “I didn’t expect him to be an early type at all, because he is quite leggy, but we wanted to get a fair bit of education into him as a two-year-old and he was doing it all quite easily. Every time we asked something more of him he put his hand up, he was quite natural. “Even now, he still looks like he needs to grow into himself a bit, he’s still quite lanky. We’ll probably put him out now and hope to target the spring with him.” Now settled into life in Victoria, the Brownes have enjoyed success at the feature carnivals, highlighted by Scary’s runner-up finish in the A$2 million Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) last November. “It’s been super, we love it here and it’s been a great move for us with the horses and also for the family,” Browne said. “Pakenham is a fantastic place to train out of, we’ve got a great group of trainers here that all support each other. We’ve got a little farm here now and are happy to call this place home.” Continuing their association with Kiwi-bred and sourced gallopers, the Brownes travelled to the Karaka Yearling Sales in January and purchased two yearlings, including a Satono Aladdin colt from the draft of Jamieson Park. “We came over to Karaka and actually bought a Hanseatic, which we didn’t expect to do, but we also picked up a really nice Satono Aladdin and he’s landed here in Melbourne,” she said. “He’s currently at the breakers.” View the full article