Wandering Eyes

With 50 Oaks points on the line in Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs, Fondly (Upstart–Lifetime Memory, by Istan) showed grit in the final jumps as she secured the haul for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. A winner on debut at Tampa back in mid-February, the 3-year-old filly led in the initial stages, but was soon joined by Anonima (Sharp Azteca). Fondly slugged it out with her rival and the pair took their battle inside the final furlong marker. However, it was the Graham Motion trainee who surged ahead before the wire. Early On (Union Rags) was up for second. The final running time was 1:42.51. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. Sales History: $50,000 '23 FTKOCT. O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners; B-Brereton C Jones (KY); T-H. Graham Motion. Fondly stretches out and remains perfect in the Virginia Oaks! Onto the Kentucky Oaks! @grahammotion trains and @iradortiz was aboard! TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/pcacBTugQL — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) March 15, 2025 The post Fondly Signs Off On Points For Kentucky Oaks At Colonial Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After running a lengthy March 2 opinion piece by Noah Shachtman that questioned why so much money from slot machines, casinos and other subsidies was being to paid to what Shachtman describes as a dying industry in horse racing, the New York Times let its readers have their say. Saturday's edition included five letters to the editor, all from people reacting to a piece entitled “Dead Athletes. Empty Stands. Why Are We Paying Billions to Keep This Sport Alive?” Five letters were published, including one from NTRA CEO Tom Rooney and another from PETA Vice President Kathy Guillermo. Rooney focused in on the positive economic impact the sport produces for not just racing but for many industries. “Mr. Shachtman's essay about horse racing gave short shrift to the sport's upside,” Rooney wrote, “including its positive economic impact. Thoroughbred racing in the United States, according to 2023 data collected by the American Horse Council, has an annual economic impact of $37 billion. It supports 491,000 jobs, thousands of farms and related businesses. Protecting those jobs and reinvesting in racing is no different than measures that states take to support other sports and businesses that are important to local economies and cultures.” He continues: (Shachtman's) essay also discounted racing's safety record and its popularity. The sport has never been safer, with 2024 producing the lowest rate of fatal injury since the data have been kept. And, while the sport may not have the standing it did in the days of Seabiscuit, when the gates open for the 2025 Kentucky Derby, that event will attract 150,000 attendees and more television viewers than any single game of the World Series, the N.B.A. finals or the Stanley Cup.” Guillermo thinks the answer is to replace live racing with Historical Horse Racing Machines, completely overlooking the fact that would destroy the industry and, in particular, the breeding industry. “The racing industry also cons itself into thinking that its biggest issue is its public image, when it actually has a reality problem,” she wrote. “Hundreds of its involuntary athletes suffer gruesome, catastrophic injuries on the track every year, and you can't spin that away. “There is a solution. Historical horse racing machines–glorified slot machines that allow gamblers to bet on videos from past races from which all identifying information (date, location, names of horses and jockeys) has been removed–generate billions of dollars annually in Kentucky. “These machines circumvent the enormous expenses that make live horse racing one of the worst business models. They are not only profitable, but racing without live horses also solves the dead horse problem. Even PETA would support this.” Nicole St. Clair Knobloch of Arlington, Ma, fell into the pro-racing camp. “Horse racing is a multilevel socioeconomic enterprise that provides jobs at all levels,” she writes. “Shutting down the sport would mean that those jobs, and the livelihood and meaning derived from them, would never be replaced. Racing-related businesses run from conglomerates to individual trainers, grooms and jockeys, who are perpetual free agents, looking for the next great ride.” She continued: “It's critical that improvements to the animals' welfare are happening; there are many industries where worker treatment needs improvement. But those improvements are made possible by more public opportunity to enjoy the sport, as there surely will be with the rehabbing of storied tracks like Belmont and Pimlico, providing beauty, nature, animals and afternoon fun right on Long Island and in Baltimore.” Alex Hanson of Geneva, New York, also took exception to the New York Time story. “Noah Shachtman's essay portrays horse racing as a sport that is corrupt and dependent on government subsidies to survive while exploiting the animals and workers within it,” he wrote. “But it doesn't paint the whole picture. My father has bred standardbred horses for more than 40 years. His love and care for the animals is profound, and his work has taught me so much about building relationships with people across a range of experiences and identities. I did not recognize my father or the people I have encountered in the harness horse industry in Mr. Shachtman's piece. The good aspects of this sport and the good people involved in it deserve to be seen.” Judith Mazzucco, from Clarksburg, New Jersey focused on the slaughter issue. “While Noah Shachtman refers to the vast amounts of money involved in the racing industry, the racehorse owners, the investors, the excellent care the racehorses are given, he never addresses the horror that awaits many of these horses at the end of their racing careers,” she wrote. “Racehorses are retired once they have outlived their usefulness as sources of income for their owners. There are some responsible owners who retire their horses to green pastures. Racehorse retirement organizations strive to save many by finding them adoptive homes. Unfortunately, the fate of thousands of these racehorses each year is to be shipped to slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada. That is the true money trail.” The post Readers Respond to Negative Racing Coverage in the New York Times appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rolando (Vekoma) is on a roll. A sharp, wire-to-wire optional claiming winner sprinting at Gulfstream Mar. 2, he delivered again as the favorite in Saturday's Hutcheson S. Rolando pressed Mucho Macho Man S. winner 'TDN Rising Star' Guns Loaded (Gun Runner) from an outside second and took over on the far turn. He kicked for home in complete control and dug down deep in the stretch to fend off Multiverse (Practical Joke) by a neck. Rolando becomes the ninth black-type winner for Vekoma. Mixteca, a half-sister to fellow St. George Stables homebred and champion Letruska (Super Saver), had a filly by Charlatan last year and was bred back to Street Sense. “He's a horse with natural explosive speed,” winning trainer Fausto Gutierrez said. “You always want a horse that goes long, but in this case, we have a horse for one-turn, and I'm happy.” HUTCHESON S., $102,000, Gulfstream, 3-15, 3yo, 6f, 1:10.57, ft. 1–ROLANDO, 118, c, 3, by Vekoma 1st Dam: Mixteca, by Tapizar 2nd Dam: Magic Appeal, by Successful Appeal 3rd Dam: Call Her Magic, by Caller I. D. 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O/B-St. George Stables, LLC (KY); T-Fausto Gutierrez; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $61,380. Lifetime Record: 6-3-1-2, $152,860. 2–Multiverse, 118, g, 3, Practical Joke–String Section, by Candy Ride (Arg). ($575,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Pin Oak Stud LLC; B-Highlight Thoroughbreds (Bryan and Peden Fraley) (KY); T-Riley Mott. $19,800. 3–Joey Muscles, 118, c, 3, Khozan–Smokin Red Hot, by Stormy Atlantic. O-John Grossi's Racing Corp.; B-John Grossi (FL); T-Jena M. Antonucci. $11,900. Margins: NK, 4, 2 1/4. Odds: 1.20, 2.80, 14.60. Also Ran: Tapirs Valor, Guns Loaded, Corta Fuego. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. #5 ROLANDO ($4.40) dug in late under @Tyler_Gaff to hold off #6 Multiverse to win the $115,000 Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The son of Vekoma (@spendthriftfarm) is trained by Fausto Gutierrez. Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/5lwR1Bc96g — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 15, 2025 The post Vekoma’s Rolando Keeps it Rolling in the Hutcheson appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Using copious amounts of speed down the lane, first-time starter Verifire (Authentic–Ruby Trust, by Smart Strike) sailed across the wire at Colonial Downs and earned himself a 'TDN Rising Star' in the process. At the bell, the $1 million OBS buy was in the mix, but the second choice on the tote soon was taken back to run midpack up the backstretch. Ready to fire around the far turn though, Verifire punched the afterburner and won impressively. The favorite, Hitchcock (Quality Road), was the runner-up. The final running time was 1:08.14. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. Sales History: $1,000,000 '24 OBSMAR. O-Resolute Racing; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds LTD. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. Flavien Prat and VERIFIRE blaze home in the 6th at @ColonialDowns. @bradcoxracing is the conditioner of the three-year-old Authentic (@spendthriftfarm) colt for owners @resracingky. Jump on the Late Pick 4: https://t.co/B5NybnWR9P pic.twitter.com/LitMUpb9tx — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 15, 2025 The post Authentic’s Verifire Blasts Home A ‘TDN Rising Star’ At Colonial Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots canceled racing March 15, citing high winds and corresponding electrical issues in the area. Racing is scheduled to resume Sunday, March 16, at 12:45 p.m. CT.View the full article

Sam F. Davis Stakes winner John Hancock, unbeaten in two starts, is the expected favorite over the seasoned Built and eight other 3-year-olds in the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G1) March 22 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.View the full article

Looking every bit a part of the pride, Lion of Justice (Into Mischief–Ever So Clever, by Medaglia d'Oro) rolled out of the gate and scored on debut at Colonial Downs on Saturday afternoon. The effort earned the colt a 'TDN Rising Star' for the effort. Setting the pace, Lion of Justice struck the front, continued to hold sway around the far turn and won by four lengths. Dettori (Munnings) was a game runner-up in defeat. The final running time was 1:33.87. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. Sales History: $1,100,000 '23 KEESEP. O-St. Elias Stable, Talla Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds and C J Stable; B-Clearsky Farms; T-Brad H. Cox. LION OF JUSTICE ($4.00) roared home in @ColonialDowns race 5. @bradcoxracing trains the 3YO son of @spendthriftfarm's Into Mischief. Flavien Prat scores his third win on the card. The Late Pick 5 is https://t.co/e6LRVGsHBP pic.twitter.com/2x38vW2oCI — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 15, 2025 The post Into Mischief’s Lion Of Justice Represents Pride With ‘TDN Rising Star’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As a result of the severe storms which moved through the area, and are still making their way through large parts of the country, high winds and corresponding electrical issues have forced Fair Grounds to cancel live racing Saturday. The nine-race card had six main track and three turf contests scheduled for the day, but power loss in the area forced the track to abandon the card. Live racing is scheduled to resume Sunday with a first post of 12:45 p.m. CT. The post High Winds, Electrical Issues Force Fair Grounds Cancellation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Both New York State legislative houses have accepted a plan by Gov. Kathy Hochul to provide funding for a new advanced equine imaging screening program at the Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists Hospital adjacent to Belmont Park.View the full article

The Jana Domino Thoroughbred Foundation (JDTF)'s annual hay drive has kicked off to provide funds for New York-based off-track Thoroughbred organizations, the group announced Friday afternoon. In addition to the drive, the JDTF is offering challenge grants to help horse care facilities raise their profile as well as funding hay purchases. Anyone interested in participating via donation, or any New York-based charitable organization that wishes to apply for a Hay Drive matching gift, can contact Carl Domino at cjdomino@gmail.com. “Hay is the number one need for all equine rescue centers and the availability of good quality hay throughout the winter season and into Springs is essential,” said JDTF founder Carl Domino. “For years, The Jana Domino Foundation has provided local organizations with donations for hay and for 2025, we want to up our game. We are issuing matching gift challenges and helping the recipient groups to raise awareness and meet their matching gift goals.” Founded in the honor and loving memory of Jana Domino, the foundation has donated more than $250,000 to causes that would have been most important to Jana. To learn more about the organization, please visit their website. The post Jana Domino Thoroughbred Foundation Kicks off ’25 Hay Drive, Issue Matching Gift Goals 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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Tradition since 1995, Santa Anita Park's Derby Day 5K Run & Walk is set for Saturday, Apr. 5 for the 30th running of the event, the track announced Saturday afternoon. The race will kick off at 8 a.m. with participants encouraged to arrive early between 6:30 a.m. and 7:15 a.m. and horsemen as well as locals are reminded that Baldwin Avenue will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. to all but foot track. The closing extends between the 210 Freeway and Huntington Drive. The race begins from South Lot B for all participants. On the Thoroughbred racing side, first post is 12 p.m. for Santa Anita Derby day, highlighting the Kentucky Derby point race as well as four other stakes, and events will include the Spring Carnival. Derby Day 5k participants 21 and over will receive two complimentary beers, a post-race party, medal, shirt, and admission to the track to enjoy a day of racing. “The Derby Day Run & Walk embraces all that is good here in Arcadia,” said Pete Siberell, director of community events and special projects at Santa Anita. “In addition to our magnificent facility here at Santa Anita, we have access to the 127-acre L.A. County Arboretum, which is known world-over for beautiful gardens, lakes and botanical diversity.” “We also want to thank the City of Arcadia, which is a major sponsor of the race and is again providing police and fire staffing to help ensure the safety of everyone involved. Additionally, USC Arcadia Hospital is a huge supporter. They will have 250 employees participating along with as many as 40 staffers from the city. We expect to have 6,500 people running and/or walking, so this is a big undertaking that requires quite a bit of coordination between all of us.” Registration for the Derby Day 5K Run & Walk is available here, though in-person registration will be possible on Friday, Apr. 4 at the Centre Court at the Shops at Santa Anita. The post 30th Annual Santa Anita Derby Day 5K Run & Walk Set, Record Attendance Expected appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-GP, $94K, Msw, 3yo, f, 6f, 3:00 p.m. ET. A $525,000 Keeneland September grad, DRY POWDER (Gun Runner) is set to be unveiled for Gold Square and trainer Chad Summers. The filly's dam Tell All (Broken Vow) was purchased in 2021 for $240,000 from the Pin Oak Stud consignment by Corser Thoroughbreds while the first-time starter was in-utero. Dry Powder's second dam, SW Whisper to Me (Thunder Gulch), produced MGSW Overheard (Macho Uno). Also making the barrier for her debut is Midnight Myth (More Than Ready), who went for $550,000 during the Keeneland September Sale. Owned by Morplay Racing, Joey Platts and Lady Sheila Stable, the Jose D'Angelo trainee is out of GSW Fioretti (Bernardini). Midnight Myth's extended female family includes GISW Fault (Blame) and SW South Bend (Algorithms). TJCIS PPS The post Gun Runner Filly No Flash In The Pan On Debut At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Find out what trainer says their charge has been “prepared to perfection” for the Irish Lincolnshire The Irish Flat season kicks off at the Curragh on Sunday and boy are we ready for it. The opening two-year-old maiden has been won by some top-notchers down through the years, including Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who went on to bag a breakthrough Group 1 success for the Amo Racing team. There is no shortage of intriguing runners in this year's race, with first-season sires Space Blues (Ire), Lucky Vega (Ire), Ubettabelieveit (Ire) and Supremacy (Ire) represented by their first Irish runners in the 5f contest. The feature race of the day is the €100,000 Irish Lincolnshire, where 2022 winner Raadobarg (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) will be bidding to regain his crown. However, the task is far from a straightforward one, with Raphael Freire's charge coming up against younger gun Gleneagle Bay (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), who according to his handler Stephen Thorne, has been “prepared to perfection” for the race. Robson Aguiar Says Power Blue “Not Far Off” Previous Winners Robson Aguiar | Tattersalls Adrian Murray is bidding for his third successive victory in the opening Castle Star At Capital Stud Irish EBF Maiden [1.40] and the trainer's right-hand man Robson Aguiar revealed that Power Blue (Ire), the mount of David Egan, is likely the pick of the Mullingar-based handler's trio. Successful 12 months back with Arizona Blaze (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev) and in 2023 with Bucanero Fuerte, Murray is also represented by Leblon Beach (GB) and Stonezilian (Ire) in his quest for three-in-a-row. Aguiar commented, “Power Blue is a really nice horse. There is a lot of Dubawi (Ire) about him, which makes sense because he is a son of Space Blues and he is out of a Worthadd (Ire) mare. He's in good form and hopefully he will win the race. I think he is a good horse but sometimes they don't put their best foot forward on debut. If he puts his best foot forward, I think he will win.” He added, “Leblon Beach is a nice filly as well and I think she will go close. She only cost £5,000 but I like her a lot. She's by Ubettabelieveit, who is by Kodiac (GB), and he won a Group 2 for Nigel Tinkler. The Kodiac cross with Dark Angel (Ire) works very well and we think she's nice. Stonezilian will run well and will get a nice education. I think Power Blue is not far off Arizona Blaze and Bucanero Fuerte.” Meanwhile Lucky Vega, who is already up and running Down Under, will be represented by the Josh Halley-trained Zaltan (Ire). He was picked up for €37,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale and is set to be ridden by Seamie Heffernan on debut. Bolger And Coakley Bidding For Best Possible Start To New Alliance There was a time when Jim Bolger farmed the opening two-year-old maiden of the year. His most recent success came in 2021 when Missing Matron (Ire) (Vocalised) made most of the running while Bolger also sent out high-profile horses like Dawn Approach (Ire) [in 2012] to success. The master of Coolcullen relies solely on Slaney View (Ire) in this year's contest, with the Mehmas (Ire) filly set to be partnered by Ross Coakley, who moved back home to Ireland from Britain to ride what Bolger says will be “a good few” of his horses this season. Bolger said, “I think our record in this race has been shattered in recent years! Slaney View will win her maiden anyway and sure if she wins on Sunday we'll take it. She's the first Mehmas we've run and I like her anyway. I mean, Mehmas has a great record, hasn't he? I'd be a fan of him.” He added, “I'm on record as saying Dawn Approach was a cocky young fella who was starting to get above himself. I had intended to keep him for May and then look towards Royal Ascot but we needed to get his back down, and that's why we ran him on the opening day of the season. Sure, the rest is history. We won't have enough winners this season to justify having a number one jockey but Ross will ride a good few of ours.” Thorne Says Gleneagle Bay 'Has Been Prepared To Perfection' For Irish Lincolnshire Stephen Thorne: has a lot of confidence in Gleneagle Bay | Tattersalls Stephen Thorne is not someone you would describe as a shrinking violet. But after sending out 15 winners since taking out his licence late last year, the trainer has plenty to shout about. The native of Dublin will be hoping to take out the biggest pot of his career on Sunday when Gleneagle Bay (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and Independent Expert (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}) line out for the Irish Lincolnshire [3.45]–and Thorne is confident that the former can do the business. “I'm hoping that Gleneagle Bay is the one to beat on the form book but it's a big-field handicap and anything can happen. We booked Colin Keane for this two weeks ago. He rode the horse in a gallop at Leopardstown and seemed to be impressed by him. We have him prepared to perfection as far as I'm concerned. My only concern is the ground as he would prefer better going but I think he'll cope with conditions. “Since we gave him a break over the winter, this horse has turned inside out and, even if he only reproduces his last run [when second in a C&D premier handicap in November] he should be in the shake-up. Independent Expert, who placed in an Irish Cambridgeshire, also worked at Leopardstown and she could be a nice addition to the team as well.” O'Callaghan Has High Hopes For New Addition One of the more interesting three-year-old maidens in the country, Copacabana Sands (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}) makes her stable debut for Michael O'Callaghan in the 7f maiden [3.10] and ought to go close. Copacabana Sands posted an eye-catching effort when third in the valuable Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final for former handler Diego Dias and O'Callaghan says that he is looking forward to unleashing his new recruit on Sunday. He said, “She's a nice filly who we happened to acquire in the spring. Her run at Naas caught my eye and I thought she might improve with experience and racing. When she matures and grows up a little, she might have a little bit of talent. Very happy with her since she has joined us and we're looking forward to starting her off. I think she'll run a nice race. I actually think she'll get a mile when she starts to relax and settle. She thinks she's a sprinter but I don't think she is.” O'Callaghan operates a unique business model in that his 40-box yard is never full on the opening day of the season. Far from it, in fact. The Kildare-based trainer has proved to be a dab hand at sourcing quality stock from the breeze-ups sales and, while he admits to finding that market tougher and tougher to compete at, says he plans on restocking again at the upcoming sales. He explained, “For a long time, I was able to identify the value to be gotten at the breeze-ups before the masses did. That has changed now and the value of breeze-up horses has soared. The business model might have to change a small bit–you need to evolve and change. Obviously the market has become extremely strong so, in order for me to still be able to compete in that market, I need to get good orders from owners. “But the breeze-ups suit me because I am dictated by the level of stock I have on the team because it's very much a commercial operation that we run here. We own a lot of the horses ourselves. Your stock level dictates when you can buy horses and there have probably been years that I had stock left over in the autumn by the time the yearling sales were taking place so it didn't make sense for me to be going investing at those sales. When you cut your cloth to suit the business model, I suppose you do get labelled somewhat as a trainer, but I'd like to think I can train whatever I have. A case in point came last week when Positive Energy (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), a horse we sourced in an online sale, won his maiden hurdle at Navan for us. You're always trying to identify different angles as to where you can find value.” O'Callaghan added, “There was a time when you could find a horse at the breeze-up sales that would win an Irish maiden for €50,000 but now that horse is making €150,000 or more. Then the breeze-up horses that look as though they could be Listed class or above, they are making €300,000 or more. The market has become harder to compete in but Steel Bull (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}) only cost £28,000 and he won a Molecomb Stakes. Black Forza (Complexity) was not crazy expensive either at £220,000 and he won the Richmond Stakes. It is harder–because people have a lot more confidence in the breeze-ups and the pool of buyers is bigger–but it can still be done and we'll still be there this year. Somebody asked me the other day if I had any good two-year-olds and it made me think that I didn't have Steel Bull, Black Forza, Twilight Jet (Ire) (Twilight Son {GB}) and any of those other good horses we sourced from the breeze-ups in my yard at this time of year so we won't panic yet anyway.” Twomey's Admiral Churchill Should Be Too Strong It's well-documented that Paddy Twomey puts a huge amount of emphasis on keeping his statistics high. In other words, he only runs them when he thinks they're going to win or at least go close to winning. Therefore, Twomey can be fancied to get the turf season up and running with a bang with Admiral Churchill (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) holding obvious claims in the 1m maiden [4.20]. Bought for €200,000 at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale last year, Admiral Churchill ran twice as a two-year-old, including when second in a 7f Galway maiden last July. He is fitted with the visor for his return and, despite the presence of former Cheltenham Champion Bumper winner A Dream To Share in the line-up, should take plenty of beating. Twomey said, “He's a nice horse who came from the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale. He stepped up on his debut effort to finish a good second in a Galway maiden last year and we left him alone after that. After he finished second at Galway, and considering he had been through the whole breeze-up process, I just felt he had enough done. He's a fine horse and he's training well.” The post Five Things To Look Out For At The Curragh On Sunday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Former Willie Mullins trainee Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) made the best possible start to his Southern Hemisphere career, eking out a narrow victory in the 2000-metre G3 Sky High Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday. The chestnut defeated Arapaho (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) (video). Now trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott for Australian Bloodstock after a reported A$2 million sale, the gelding was a two-time G1 Melbourne Cup starter for Mullins. Bott was happy with the effort and Vauban is expected to point toward the G1 Tancred Stakes, which he has garnered favoritism. “A 36 degree day today as well will help him acclimatise pretty quickly,” Bott said. “It's been a fantastic job for him. I guess he was probably meant to be at Cheltenham at the moment, it'd be much cooler there for him. It's amazing how he's come here and he obviously came over, well recognised in Australia starting as favourite in two Melbourne Cups. “He obviously brought plenty of form and talent and ability from there. I wasn't sure how sharp we could get him and it's hard to gauge over the shorter trials here. I was really impressed by that today. “I think today's been a real positive experience for him. I think he'll walk away with a lot of confidence off the back of that and I think we can see him continue to settle in and hopefully just adapt to the way of going down here.” “We'll head to the Group 1 next start – the Tancred Stakes over 2400 metres. I think that'll be a great race for him and then we decide what we do off the back of that.” Vauban is also early favourite for the 2025 Melbourne Cup. The post Vauban Off The Mark In Australia For Waterhouse And Bott appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sardinian jockey hops back aboard Pierre Ng’s import for city’s most prestigious race and rates him a strong chance.View the full article

Graduates of the Goffs Orby Sale are eligible to win €1 million in bonuses across the UK and Ireland during the 2025 Flat Season. The announcement marks an expansion of the Goffs Two Million Series to the UK. Bonuses of €50,000 will be paid to the winning connections of 10 juvenile contests in Ireland and 10 in the UK as part of the Goffs Two Million Series. The list of nominated races is now available to view here on the Goffs website. The Goffs Two Million Series is open to 2-year-olds that were catalogued in the 2024 Orby Sale Books 1 and 2, and declared eligible by payment of the qualification fee. The initial list of races runs from Mar. 16 until mid-June, and Orby graduates will have opportunities to win at 11 racecourses in Ireland and 22 in the UK, including on the opening day of the Flat this Sunday at the Curragh and in the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday, Mar. 29. The second draft of races will be confirmed as the season progresses. All yearlings in the 2025 Orby Sale, which takes place on the revised sale dates of Sept. 29-30 for Orby Book 1 and Oct. 1-2 for Orby Book 2, will also be eligible for a guaranteed prize fund of €2 million in 2026. Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby said, “The Goffs €1,000,000 Bonus Series gives Orby buyers as many opportunities to win as possible and we look forward to seeing graduates compete for these hugely valuable prizes right from the start of the season. “Building on its success in Ireland last season, we are delighted to extend the bonus series to the UK this year, an initiative that sparked a significant increase in buyers qualifying their purchases for the series at last year's Orby. “Of course, Goffs Two Million Series also features Europe's Richest Two-Year-Old Race, the Goffs Million, which provides a wonderful focal point on the eve of the Orby Sale with prize money to 10th place. Momentum is expected to carry straight into this year's sale which kicks off a day earlier than originally scheduled, on Monday 29 September. “Securing even more major international buyers is our mission for Orby 2025. We are increasing investment in our VIP program while the Buyer Attraction Team are travelling the world earlier than ever to lock in those game changing clients. The €1 Million Bonus Series will support this goal by creating even more opportunities for the team to be on track connecting with buyers throughout the season.” Nominations are now open for the 2025 Orby Sale. The post €1 Million In Bonuses On Offer For Orby Grads, as Goffs Two Million Series Expands To UK appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Untapped three-year-old headlines master trainer’s three-timer at Sha Tin on Saturday, adding to his premiership advantage over David Hayes.View the full article

Seven-year-old mare Electric Belle (NZ) (Power) has yielded a bumper pay day for trainer Reece Goodwin and his owners in the A$250,000 Country Mile Series Final (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The Kiwi-bred daughter of Power came from well-back under a well-timed ride by Damian Lane to land the most lucrative victory of her career, with the mare now the winner of seven races with 13 placings and a total of A$478,635 in prizemoney. The mare has proved a nice hand-me-down, winning five races for Alex Rae as a city-class mare after transferring from the late Ray Cleaver and Goodwin. They have reaped the rewards after purchasing Electric Belle via Inglis Digital for just $5,000 last September. While Lane has ridden some of the most blue-blooded horse flesh around the globe, he won Caulfield feature races on McGaw (I Am Immortal), who was a $14,000 purchase and brought up a double on another modest buy. “It’s amazing. As I touched on earlier, it’s what everyone who races horses dreams about is these sorts of races,” Lane said. “Reece Goodwin, to take a chance on a tried horse and have her going so well this late in her career, it’s just credit to him and how he gets his horses going and keeps them up firing for so long and she’s just been a model of consistency all preparation. “It’s just his attention to detail. He knows his horses. He’s very straightforward. He keeps things simple, and I think the horses appreciate that.” Lane said the strong speed suited the adaptable Electric Belle. “I just wanted to ride her with an open mind. She’s a horse who has raced well running on from the back, and I also put her on speed last start. To have a horse like that, you just need to be open-minded, ride the race as it comes; they went quick early in the middle stages, and I just thought this is going to work out perfectly. “I went out with an open mind without expecting probably the solid speed for so long and as it turned out, it worked in her favour.” By Power out of the four-win Danroad mare Kool Gal (NZ), Electric Belle was bred by Kara Waters, who along with partner Shane Crawford, runs Regal Farm in Cambridge. Electric Belle was presented by Regal Farm at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, where she failed to meet her $30,000 reserve before crossing the Tasman. View the full article

Mighty seven-year-old mare Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) was back doing what she does best on Saturday, when running her rivals ragged to land the Gr.2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield. The Ciaron Maher-trained triple Group One winner signed off on her spring campaign in disappointing fashion when finishing last in the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) after suffering a bleed. After a subsequent enforced layoff, the Trelawney Stud-bred mare returned a winner first-up for the first-time in her career. Under new rider Craig Newitt, Pride Of Jenni adopted familiar front-running tactics that saw her stretch her rivals mid-race, with only Zardozi (Kingman) making some late in-roads but never threatening when just under three lengths away in second. “The team have done a great job, as have Tony and Lynn (Ottobre, owners). She had a couple of months down there (at Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Stud) spelling and then a little bit of time ticking over,” Maher said. “She’s only had a short prep, but we thought would change tack a little bit. She hadn’t won first-up, and normally she goes in the toughest races, usually seven furlongs. We thought we’d stretch it out and she’d get it a little bit easier and fortunately it’s worked out really well. “She’s getting a little bit softer each season when she comes back which also enables you to kick her off over 1800m. “Because she puts so much into every run, she’s remarkable how she just keeps doing it. The two months enforced holiday was probably a blessing in disguise. “We had to re-think her prep a little bit and all her data was as on par or better than before.” Maher said there were plenty of options for the mare with a tilt at the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) possible, while Sydney options include the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) or the Gr.1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m). Winning rider Craig Newitt was full of praise for the mare and her owners for racing her on, despite some commentary about retirement. “I think the biggest thing today was the small field. It wasn’t really going to generate a lot of tempo, so from barrier three, I just held my line the first couple of furlongs until I got up the hill because I knew if I got the first sort of eight or nine hundred metres right, her ability to take care of the rest, whether she fatigued or not late, she was always still going to take a power of beating,” Newitt said. “Tony actually said to me before I went out, try not to use the stick on her. But I had to give her one top of the straight just to switch her back on because she turned for home and she just completely relaxed underneath me. I thought she might have just been starting to fatigue a little bit, but I put one round her tail and she dropped a gear and disappeared.” A daughter of Pride Of Dubai, Pride Of Jenni was bred by Trelawney Stud and is out of the O’Reilly mare Sancerre (NZ), who was prepared by Cambridge trainer Tony Pike to win on four occasions for the Stud. The star mare stems from a family fashioned over generations at the famed Kiwi nursery, which has been in the Taylor family’s ownership since 1993, having been established by Seton Otway in the 1930s. Group Two winner Real Success (Sucess Express), the taproot of star Trelawney Stud graduates Vouvray (NZ) (Zabeel), Loire (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice), A Touch Of Ruby (NZ) (Pins) and Pride Of Jenni and many others around them was one of the first families the Taylors bought into upon taking ownership of Trelawney. Pride Of Jenni was sold at the Sydney Classic Sale for A$100,000 through the Segenhoe Stud draft, where she was purchased by Tony and Lynn Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Stud. Sancerre has a two-year-old filly by Per Incanto which has been retained by the Taylors named Pouilly Fume (NZ). The mare foaled a filly by Hello Youmzain last spring, which unfortunately died, but she is back in foal to the young Cambridge Stud stallion who has made a promising start with his eldest just two. Pride Of Jenni has now won nine of her 36 career starts with a further 12 placings, and has amassed A$10,336,290 in prizemoney View the full article

Grande Gallo (NZ) (Belardo) collected her third win from four starts at Tauranga with a narrow victory over three-year-old Yaldi (NZ) (Ardrossan) in the Triton Pacific Owens Plate (1200m) on Saturday. The daughter of Belardo won the three-year-old race on the undercard of this same Japan Trophy meeting 12 months ago, which has proved to be a strong form reference for the 2025 edition. Grande Gallo won that race by two lengths over You Say D’Orsay (Under The Louvre), who also returned a year later on Saturday and won the Stu Cundy Bayleys Country & Lifestyle (1400m). Grande Gallo has been lightly raced since that Tauranga victory last autumn, with Saturday’s $50,000 open sprint being only her third start as a four-year-old this season. She was a brilliant winner over 1200m at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, then returned there last month for an unlucky eighth over 1400m. Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott dropped Grande Gallo back down to 1200m on Saturday and struck gold. Grande Gallo and jockey George Rooke settled in fourth among a six-horse field as Miss Rockette (NZ) (El Roca), Pow Wow (NZ) (Power) and Pitkin County (Lonhro) pushed forward to contest the lead in the early stages of the race. Things changed quickly coming into the home turn as Grande Gallo and Yaldi launched their bids from off the pace. This season’s Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) winner Yaldi lengthened stride and loomed ominously down the outside of the track, while Grande Gallo burst through a narrow opening closer to the rail. That pair drew away from the rest of the field to fight out a head-bobbing finish, which Grande Gallo won by a half-head. “The plan was to sit outside the leader, but she wasn’t the best away,” Rooke said. “So we settled a bit further behind and she travelled beautifully. There was half a gap in the straight, and she made it a full gap. I was impressed with the way she changed gears and then put her nose down to get the result.” Grande Gallo was bred by Haunui Farm, who offered her in their Book 2 draft at Karaka 2022. She was bought by Wexford Stables for $85,000. The four-year-old has now recorded five wins and a placing from a 12-start career, earning $182,475 for a big syndicate of owners. “She loves Tauranga and seems to get around here particularly well,” Scott said. “George did a good job to get her into that hot lane two or three off the fence, where a lot of winners have been today. That was key. It was a very good effort to beat Yaldi, who got out in the open in the straight and appeared to have every chance to get past her. “Hopefully she’ll keep stepping up from here. She’ll love the autumn ground, so this shouldn’t be her last win this preparation. She’s a big, robust mare who can handle all sorts of conditions. “This is a great result for a massive group of owners, who will celebrate it well. “There’s a nice fillies and mares’ race here a bit further down the track. We’d love to bring her back here for that.” That potential target is the Listed Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic (1400m), which will be run on June 21. View the full article

Ricky Yiu’s consistent galloper continues his fruitful season with victory in the Class Two Kowloon Tong Club Trophy (1,600m).View the full article

By Adam Hamilton The fascinating juggle for slots and runners in the $1m Race by betcha at Cambridge on Friday, April 4 has taken another twist. Moments after the connections of emerging Kiwi star Tact McLeod last night announced a change of plans and they would bypass the race, negotiations for a replacement sparked into action. In the late hours of last night, a deal was done where the slot owned by Victoria’s Matthews Family (owners of Catch A Wave) would be sold to Michael Brennan Racing. The Matthews Family originally bought the slot to run their eight-time Group winner Catch A Wave in, but changed heart last week and instead opted to set him for the $1.25mil Nullarbor in Perth on April 25. The deal was done for Tact McLeod to take his place. But last night’s twists opened the door for emerging South Island pacer Pinseeker to land a slot. Michael Brennan Racing, driven by Josh Davine, quickly confirmed the Jonny Cox-trained Pinseeker would run in the slot after his sparkling Addington free-for-all win last night. Pinseeker won by three-and-a-half lengths in a 1min55.5sec mile rate for 1980m, capped by closing splits of 54.8 and 27.6sec. The five-year-old son of Downbytheseaside has raced just 20 times for six wins and nine placings. “He was super impressive last night and it’s great for Jonny (Cox) and Kimberley (Butt) to get a crack at a race like this,” Davine said. Andy Gath, speaking on behalf of the Matthews clan, said: “It’s all turned out really well. Josh (Davine) was really proactive.” This shapes as by far the strongest Race by betcha yet with Aussie stars Leap To Fame and Don Hugo leading the way. Top Kiwi hopes include: Merlin, Don’t Stop Dreaming, Republican Party and awesome young mare Duchess Megxit. The Race by betcha, along with the $600,000 TAB Trot, will be run at Cambridge on April 4. View the full article

Iowna Merc arrives in time to claim the Group 2 Ajax Stakes. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Iowna Merc ($10.00) and Willaidow ($7.50) hit the line locked together in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon, with the former narrowly getting the verdict in a tight finish to the $300,000 feature. The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding has gone to another level in this preparation, with the son of Winning Rupert securing his fourth win of the season and now has a free ticket into the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) provided they chose to head that way. It was a gritty win by the talented five-year-old, with he and Willaidow racing to the top in the early stages, and the race didn’t change complexion from there, with Pericles () and Ducasse () failing to make any inroads after lobbing on the pairs back throughout. It was Joshua Parr and Iowna Merc getting the head down where it matters most in the end, however, with the Baker gelding adding an eighth win to the resume. Baker was on course at Rosehill as an Australian citizen for the first time to discuss the win and couldn’t have been happier with the effort. “The race worked out well but he had to carry a big weight and he is now a Group 2 winner,” said Baker. “I am very lucky to be here. It’s the greatest country in the world with the best racing and I don’t say that lightheartedly. It’s been a very special place for me and my family. I did turn into a true Aussie – the day after my citizenship ceremony I had a sleep in! “Murray, any time he had a good horse he would bring it out. He loves Australia I think more than I do in some ways. He never won a Doncaster but he has done a lot better at the Championships than I have anyway.” Joshua Parr then spoke post-race. “Isn’t it remarkable,” said Parr. “He’s so lightly framed. He’s a big tall lad like me, I feel like I can wrap my legs around him two times. He’s got a big heart and a lot of will to win. “Interestingly Willaidow under pressure started to sneak down to the inside and my bloke followed him too. We were both trying to stay off the fence but as it turned out we fought it out the two of us down on the inside there and lucky for me we got the victory.” Iowna Merc is now a $26 chance with horse racing bookmakers for the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) on April 5. Horse racing news View the full article

Chris Waller‘s outstanding filly, Lady Shenandoah, continued her Group 1 success with a narrow victory over stablemate Firestorm in the 2025 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. “Pre-race it wasn’t perfect, it’s a warm Rosehill day, and she had a good sweat which scared me a little, but it was a great ride from […] The post Coolmore Classic 2025 Results: Lady Shenandoah Narrow Winner over Firestorm in Waller Quinella appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article