Wandering Eyes

Promising filly Flash Roca has nearly earned back her purchase price without saluting the judge, and Kelvin Tyler is hoping that can change at Wingatui on Sunday. The daughter of El Roca was spotted at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales by Tyler and his sons, and at just $6,000 she was an inexpensive purchase for the Southland family. After underperforming on debut in September, Flash Roca has returned strongly in the new year, placing behind King Palm and more recently, last Sunday at Gore behind Pull The Pin. “It was probably a little bit short to what she’s looking for, but she’s a nice three-year-old filly that is strengthening up all the time,” Tyler said. “She was a nice enough horse, I race her with my two sons and they were at the sales with me, so she was a cheap one for us to have a go with. The half-brother sold in Book 1 this year for $100,000. “Being just a three-year-old, she’s obviously got a bit of growing to do but I think she’s going to be a nice one in the next year or two.” The filly will step up in distance in the Edinburgh Realty (1600m), with Canterbury apprentice Yogesh Atchamah taking two kilograms off her 56kg impost. “Up to a mile on a big, roomy track, with a bit of weight off her back as well should help her,” Tyler said. “She should get her chance on Sunday.” Later in the day, older stablemates King Of The Castle and Go Lotte will go head-to-head in the RMG Publicans Beaumont Cup (1500m). Returning from a successful career racing in Australia, King Of The Castle rejoined Tyler’s stable and his trainer had high expectations leading into the Listed Hazlett Stakes (1400m) where the gelding finished eighth. “To be honest, I was disappointed that day,” Tyler said. “His work coming into the race was very good, we thought he would be hard to beat, and he didn’t quicken up at all. “We were scratching our heads a bit after that, whether he’s looking for more ground or a softer track. Then, leading into the White Robe (Gr.3, 1600m), he slipped in a track gallop and rattled the old bones a wee bit. I had to back off him after that, but he seems good now. “His gallop on Tuesday morning was as good as I’ve seen from him this time. I’m still a bit nervously cautious, having been disappointed first-up, but on his work, he should take all sorts really. “It’s a big step back in grade to what he’s competed against, this will be a good guide to where we go from here with him.” Go Lotte was running on strongly last-start over 1200m, and with a featherlight weight under Abdul Najib, she comes right into contention in the feature. “She’s been screaming out for 1400m or a mile for a long time, but there just hasn’t been the right race for her,” Tyler said. “Her rating makes her stuck in the Open 1200’s really, so it’ll be good. “She’s very genuine and loves what she’s doing, I can’t fault her really. She’s going to come in well at the weights and she’ll go a good race.” View the full article

Though still weeks from being potentially enacted, the threatened 25% blanket tariff on all Canadian goods entering the U.S. is causing some Canadian-based owner-breeders to sound the alarm about the possible impacts to their businesses and to the country's broader industry. “For us, it could be the end of the industry. Period,” warned Yvonne Schwabe, the owner of Persley Den Farms in Acton, Ontario, and the breeder of 2013 Queen's Plate winner Midnight Aria. “That's the scary part.” As currently outlined, the tariffs are scheduled to go into effect on April 2. In response to the blanket tariffs, the Canadian government has threatened reciprocal tariffs against approximately $30 billion worth of imported goods into Canada. While the initial round of retaliatory tariffs did not apply to purebred breeding and racehorses, future ones may well mirror those imposed by the U.S., the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS) has warned. “For me to have to ship my horses early down to Kentucky and pay board bills with your very strong U.S. dollar is, as you can well imagine, not a very good situation,” said Schwabe, who expects to send about nine of her 11 yearlings currently at her Ontario property down to Kentucky early, in anticipation of the tariffs. “I have my own farm. I have my own staff. I have my own employees. If I end up having to ship, for example, my yearlings earlier, before the April 2 deadline, how can I possibly afford to keep all my staff?” Schwabe added. Glenn Sikura, owner and operator of Hill 'n' Dale Farms in King City, Ontario, raised concerns over several ambiguities about the proposed tariffs, including a possible 30-day “Temporary Entry” permit. According to the CTHS, when a Canadian mare enters the U.S., the owners must front a bond equal to the tariff value. If the mare returns to Canada within 30 days, “the owner can request a refund of the bond from the U.S. government. However, proof of re-entry–such as a border services date stamp–will be required,” the CTHS wrote in an advisory Wednesday. Tom Rooney, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), said that his understanding of the situation was that if a horse resides in the United States for less than a year, then the tariff wouldn't apply, as per the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. Tom Rooney | NTRA Reached Thursday, Rooney said that he hadn't yet received any official clarification on the matter, but that his office is working closely with officials in Canada to rectify discrepancies quickly. “We need to get this right as soon as possible,” Rooney wrote. “There are no doubt millions of dollars at stake in stallion fees and boarding, transportation, vet fees. The list goes on.” Sikura's broodmare band totals 15. Nearly half are in the U.S already. He plans to send three Canadian mares (potentially facing tariffs due to their origin), currently due to foal at his farm in Ontario, to U.S. stallions this year. That amounts to $130,000 in stud fees. His U.S. stud fees total roughly $500,000 annually, he said. If indeed it is enacted, the 30-day cap would be an almost impossible window to navigate for Canadian breeders looking to send their mares to a U.S. stallion, given the vagaries of mares in heat, the time it takes to guarantee a pregnancy, and other bureaucratic obstacles, Sikura said. “How can we possibly go down there and be back within 30 days? It's not possible and it's poor husbandry. So, you forfeit whatever bond you have in place,” said Sikura, who sits on the CTHS, but stressed that his remarks are strictly his own. Furthermore, fronting the bond in the first place–even if it is returned–could also be a massive hurdle to some breeders, said Sikura. “I'm a working guy. I've done reasonably well for myself. But where do I come up with tens of thousands of dollars to post bonds at the border?” he said. The following details are included in the CTHS's Wednesday advisory to its members: Mares for Breeding If the mare was born (“originated”) in the U.S., the tariff does not apply. If the mare was born (“originated”) in another country, the tariff applies and must be paid upon entry into the U.S. A Temporary Entry permit is available for 30 days from the date of crossing. This requires cash to secure a bond equal to the tariff value, and the owner must provide proof of the mare's value. If the mare returns to Canada within 30 days, the owner can request a refund of the bond from the U.S. government. However, proof of re-entry–such as a border services date stamp–will be required. If the mare is accompanied by a foal born in Canada, the foal will also be subject to the 25% tariff or require a separate Temporary Entry permit if returning to the Canada within the 30 day period. Horses for Sale and Racing If the horse is intended to be sold in the U.S. at auction or by private sale and was born in the U.S. (“originated”) the tariff would not apply. If the horse was born (“originated”) in Canada, the tariff applies and must be paid upon entry into the U.S. A Temporary Entry permit is available for 30 days from the date of crossing. This requires cash to secure a bond equal to the tariff value, along with proof of the horse's value. If the horse is not sold and returns to Canada within 30 days, the owner can request a refund of the bond from the U.S. government. However, proof of re-entry–such as a border services date stamp–will be required. Dave Anderson, Canadian-based owner-breeder and CTHS president, said that, if the tariffs are indeed enacted come April 2, “it's fairly simple–the entire industry in Canada will be crippled.” Every year, Anderson breeds over 30 mares, all of which are covered by U.S. stallions. “If we can't cross the border, or if we're subject to a 25% tariff, those mares just won't come across the border. They'll remain in Canada,” said Anderson. “This will certainly benefit the Canadian stallions, and stallion owners. But we just don't have enough good stallions to support those mares,” he added. Curtailed cross-border trade would also impact U.S. industry stakeholders. Last year, 157 Canadian yearlings were entered into a U.S. auction house, bringing in more than $7.6 million in sales. According to the CTHS, 36% of the 2023 Canadian foal crop was sired by U.S.-based stallions, representing a nearly $9-million sum in stud fees. Then there's the potential impacts on cross-border traffic of runners. According to the CTHS, a 30-day “Temporary Entry” permit (similar for mares to be bred) is available, requiring a cash bond equal to the tariff value, returnable with proof of re-entry. But what if the horse, said Anderson, needs to stay in the U.S. for longer than those 30 days? And how, he added, will the value of an individual horse be calculated? “Just because a horse is by, say, Into Mischief, doesn't mean it's worth $500,000,” said Anderson. “It might have [osteochondritis dissecans] OCDs in both stifles and standing on three legs and it's worth $500. But how do you explain that to a border agent?” he added. Mark Casse | OBS Disrupted trade in runners would likely hit both ways. Mark Casse told TDN that if the tariffs go into effect, he'll likely send 40 to 50 horses to Woodbine this summer as opposed to his usual 75 or so. In a letter to the Canadian federal government Thursday, Woodbine president and CEO Michael Copeland warned of the impacts on racing and breeding from retaliatory tariffs–especially in light of existing tariffs on goods coming into Canada (like feed, medications and other essential goods) that put Canada's breeders, trainers and owners at a “competitive disadvantage” compared to the U.S., where such tariffs are not applied. “We are concerned about the potential for future tariffs on live horses, which would further destabilize the industry. The movement of horses across borders is essential for breeding, racing, and sales, and any additional trade barriers would have severe economic consequences,” Copeland wrote. “Woodbine Entertainment strongly believes that purebred Thoroughbred, Standardbred and Quarterhorse horses used for breeding and racing purposes should be exempted from the implementation of the proposed countermeasures in response to the new U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods,” he added. In Canada, there is currently a 21-day public comment period on the proposed countermeasures, with a deadline of March 25. “We strongly encourage all industry stakeholders to submit their input through this form and request an exemption to the Canadian tariffs for purebred breeding and racing animals,” the CTHS wrote. Likewise in the U.S., Rooney (who formerly represented Florida's 16th congressional district) recommended that anyone with strong thoughts or concerns about the tariffs should contact their local representatives. “If you get enough people calling saying 'the tariffs are really hurting,' then you start talking to your leadership. Then you start talking about that in committees. Then the people who are going over to the White House start talking to the people on the staff there, or even the president himself,” said Rooney. “That does have an effect,” said Rooney. “It works.” The post Threatened U.S.-Canada Tariffs Could ‘Cripple’ Canadian Breeding Industry appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Multiple grade 1-winning trainer Mark Glatt is prepared to fight the results of a positive drug test that was posted March 13 on the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit website.View the full article

Race 5 DAPHNE BANNAN MEMORIAL 1200m CARAVELLA (J Doyle) – Te Akau Racing Manager Mr. R Trumper reported to Stewards, that the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare and advised the intention is to continue with CARAVELLA’S current preparation. The post Amberley Racing Club at Riccarton Park, Wednesday 5 March 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis OCALA, FL- For the third straight year, Saudi businessman Amr Zedan made the highest bid at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, going to an OBS record $3 million to acquire a colt by Gun Runner during a vibrant final session of the auction Thursday. The sale-topping colt brought the number of horses to sell for seven figures during the three-day auction to seven, up from four a year ago, and a record for the March sale. “I thought it was a great sale. A fun three days,” said OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski. “From the day after the under-tack show, there has been a ton of activity on the grounds. You could really feel the juice in the air. It felt like it was going to be a good sale. And it certainly came to pass that way.” A total of 432 juveniles sold during the March sale for a gross of $65,815,500. The average was $152,351–up 2.3% from the end-of-session figures at the 2024 sale–and the median was $70,000, a decline of 6.7% from a year ago. From a catalogue of 814 head, 524 horses went through the ring and 93 failed to meet their reserves for a buy-back rate of 17.7%. At the end of last year's sale, that figure was 25.3%. The finalized 2024 figures for last year's March sale–which include post-sale transactions–saw 454 head gross $65,239,100 for an average of $143,698 and a median of $72,000. “There was strength all the way through the sale,” Wojciechowski said. “A number of the gallop-only horses sold well. We were very happy with the international trade. And with what we've seen in the stock market the last few days, the ups and downs, didn't really seem to effect the market very much. It felt like it was strong throughout the whole three days.” Donato Lanni and Eddie Woods | OBS Longtime Ocala horseman Eddie Woods, who is expected to offer just one more OBS consignment next month, sent the record $3-million colt through the ring Thursday. “Eddie has been a big part of OBS for a number of years now,” Wojciechowski said. “Not only is he one of our top consignors, but he is also a member of our board. And he's been instrumental in the growth and the evolution of the 2-year-olds in training sales. That was very gratifying to see–you'd like to see anybody have a $3-million horse, but it was kind of special to see him go out like that.” The previous record for a horse sold at OBS was the $2.45 million paid by agent John Moynihan on behalf of Coolmore for a Tiznow colt at the April sale in 2017. Top Line Sales, with 22 head sold for $6,954,000, was the auction's leading consignor, while bloodstock agent Donato Lanni's lone purchase for Amr Zedan made him the leading buyer. Zedan Spends OBS Record $3 Million for Gun Runner Colt Amr Zedan, who purchased the sale topper at the last two editions of the OBS March sale, had been ominously quiet at this year's renewal of the auction, but made plenty of noise when it counted most, going to an OBS record $3 million to acquire a colt by Gun Runner (hip 654) Thursday. Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, with Zedan on the phone, made the winning bid on the gray colt, who was consigned by Eddie Woods. Asked later if was tempted to stop bidding at any point, Zedan said, “No. These horses are difficult to come by. He ticked all the boxes. He was a very precocious Gun Runner with a great pedigree. And more importantly, if you have someone like Mr. [Bob] Baffert in your corner, that gives you the courage and the guts to just go after quality. And you'll know they are in the best hands to turn them into champions. This one is for the team: Donato and obviously Bob and his ability to turn them into champions. So if you have the great team, the great training, the rest is easy. Was he pricey? Yes. But quality dictates price. So I never hesitated.” Hip 654 | OBS Hip 654 is out of Tynan (Liam's Map), a half-sister to graded winner and multiple Grade I-placed Pappacap (Gun Runner). He worked a furlong during last week's under-tack preview in a bullet :9 3/5. He was purchased for $200,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. Lanni acknowledged the colt with the flashy work in his pocket was no secret when he walked into the OBS sales ring Thursday. “We come here to look for nice horses and he was a nice horse,” Lanni said. “We are very happy and lucky to get him. This is what the boss [Baffert] wanted and what Amr wanted. Gun Runner is a tremendous stallion and he worked really good and galloped out good. He did everything you want one to do.” Zedan said the team was impressed by the bullet work from a veteran consignor. “Eddie Woods is a great horseman,” Zedan said. “The fact that he was in Eddie Woods's care and managed to go this fast this early made us believe that hopefully he will be a horse who will carry this campaigning forward for us. The stars were aligned and, by the grace of God, we were able to find a good horse and had the stamina to pursue the purchase.” Woods admitted the colt's $3-million price tag surpassed his expectations. “I knew he'd sell big,” Woods said. “But I'm not going to stand here and tell you he was going to bring $3 million–that's stupid. [Wednesday] I said that I thought it might be $2 million if we got really, really lucky. And then you're wrong by a million.” Woods, who plans on ending his storied consignment following next month's April sale, added of the record result, “It feels amazing. It is such a unique feeling. It's like winning the Olympics.” @JessMartiniTDN Nyquist Colt for Epic Horses Shannon Potter made his first purchase on behalf of the fledgling Epic Horses racing stable when he went to $1.35 million to secure a full-brother to Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro) at Keeneland last September, and he added a second seven-figure colt to the operation's roster Thursday at OBS when he went to $1 million to acquire a son of Nyquist (hip 725) from the Scanlon Training and Sales consignment. Shannon Potter | OBS “He was a great mover on the track,” Potter said. “We really liked him physically. He was just what they were looking for as far as trying to buy a few decent colts. He will go to Todd [Pletcher].” The colt is out of the unraced Alottalute (Midnight Lute) and is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Street Lute (Street Magician). He was purchased by Scanlon Training and Sales for $150,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearling Sale. Potter purchased five yearlings for $3.22 million on behalf of Epic Horses at last year's September sale. And the operation, which Potter said was owned by a couple from Las Vegas, made three purchases at OBS this week. “We bought a partnership horse with Spendthrift yesterday,” Potter said. “And we bought a filly earlier in the sale. We came here just to buy colts and ended up buying one filly.” @JessMartiniTDN $1.25M Maxfield Filly Caps Memorable OBS March for Machmer Hall On the opening day of the OBS March sale, a colt by Army Mule (Hip 81) drew a $950,000 final bid from Vinnie Viola's St. Elias Stable, giving Machmer Hall and de Meric Sales something to celebrate. With the March sale already beginning its denouement Thursday, the duo returned to sell Hip 721, a filly by hot sire Maxfield, for $1.25 million to Marquee Bloodstock. “Going in here, I knew we had two special horses with Valerie and Tristan [de Meric], the Army Mule and her,” said Machmer Hall's Carrie Brogden. “They both showed up, jumped through all the hoops and they had classy personalities.” Ramiro Restrepo (left) | OBS Marquee Bloodstock's Ramiro Restrepo concurred with that assessment on the filly, who breezed an eighth in :9 4/5 during Saturday's breeze show. “He had the all the superlatives you hear every time someone buys an expensive horse,” said Restrepo. “The work was outstanding, not just in the time, but in the way she did it. It was very obvious she was a very talented filly. She was just showing herself with a lot of presence and class.” Of the purchase price, he added, “Obviously, there were a lot of people on her. It was just a big battle. In this day and age where there are so many horses in here who are being pinhooked by a certain group of guys that are so good at what they do, you really have to go through with a fine tooth comb to find that special horse.” A $165,000 Keeneland November weanling purchase by Machmer Hall, the bay filly found no takers when RNAing for $210,000 at Keeneland last September. “I was in love with her. She was absolutely spectacular,” recalled Brogden of the operation's weanling purchase. “At the time, I wanted to target weanlings with some pedigree because if something went wrong, they could join the broodmare band. We wanted pedigree, physical and sire power and she had all of that.” In regard to her disappointing yearling sojourn to Keeneland, Brogden admitted, “Honestly, I was perplexed as to why she didn't sell in September. I thought we were being very conservative, but she was 10 hips in on day 1 of Book 2. But it was fine, we had a great [Fasig-Tipton] Saratoga and [Keeneland] Book 1 and Book 2. It all worked out.” Out of the Quiet American mare All In With Aces, the Apr. 2 foal is a half-sister to Grade I winner Hard Aces (Hard Spun) and MSW and GSP Astrollinthepark (Divine Park). The juvenile was bred by the partnership of Taylor Made Stallions, Louis Brooks Ranch, Baysore Stables and Spence Houlihan, Brian Kahn, Hugh Owen and Pollock Farms. Enjoying a banner sale, Darley stallion Maxfield also had a juvenile colt out of Eyeinthesky sell for $1 million on Day 1 of the sale. The freshman sire stands for $40,000 in 2025. “Maxfield is a very exciting horse. He is by Street Sense out of Bernardini stallion,” added Restrepo. “There has been a lot of buzz about him. She was just a beautiful horse who reminded me a little bit about ['TDN Rising Star' and $1.3-million OBSMAR purchase by Restrepo] Ferocious [Flatter], just a little more feminine.” Marquee also purchased a filly by Constitution (Hip 131) for $400,000 during Tuesday's session. Carrie Brogdan | OBS Machmer Hall, alone or in partnership, was represented by eight juveniles at OBS March. “Two of them were very affected by the headwinds on the first day [of the breezes], unfortunately. They were scratched and pushed back to a later sale.” “When the Army Mule colt came in the back ring, I felt it two steps in, all class. Same with her, she was so classy. One is a homebred and one was a pinhook, I just pinch myself. And we are going to Dubai with [GSW] Steal Sunshine [Constitution] [G1 Godolphin Mile Apr. 5], who is horse we bred and now an earner of over $700,000. What a dream life.”–CBoss AMO Comes Out Firing for $1.05M Quality Road Filly Midway through Thursday's final session, Hip 636, a filly by Quality Road, lit up the board as the first seven-figure juvenile of the day when securing a $1.05-million final bid from AMO Racing. Standing alongside AMO's Kia Joorabchian, agent Ben McElroy handled the signing duties from the back ring. “AMO is looking for some high-end fillies that can go two turns on the dirt and be a Classic filly and this filly fit the mold. She breezed very well and is by a top sire of fillies. [Ch. 3-year-old Filly and Classic winner] Abel Tasman and [MGISW] Bellafina–he's just been strong over the years,” said McElroy, who notably advised on the purchase of Bellafina for $800,000 at the Fasig-Tipton 2-year-old sale in 2018. “She was that type of physical. She has been our on our hit-list right from the get-go.” Hip 636 | OBS Consigned by Wavertree Stables, the Mar. 1 foal breezed an eighth of a mile in :9 4/5 during Saturday's breeze session. Purchased for $350,000 at last summer's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, she was bred in New York by 3C Stables. “We were [surprised with the price] to be honest,” said Ciaran Dunne. “She's by a proper stallion, not to denigrate any other horses, but he's a proven commodity. He's had two Oaks winners, he's had multiple Grade I winners. She has a license to be a really good horse. She's by a mare who could really run, and she proved herself on the racetrack. If ones like that can't do it, I don't know what can.” The bay filly is out of Toasting (Congrats), a two-time stakes winner who also finished third in the GI Frizette Stakes. The 15-year-old mare also has a yearling colt by Uncle Mo in the pipeline. This represents the extended family of English Champion juvenile filly Forest Flower. “Kia will take her back and assess her, and then we'll make a decision about her trainer. She is not a filly that will be running super early, so we've time to make a decision. Maybe the early part of the summer.” In addition to Thursday's top-priced filly, AMO also secured a filly by Bolt d'Oro (Hip 405) for $600,000 during Wednesday's session.–CBoss Arroyo Bloodstock Has a Break-Out Week at OBS Nelson and Elijah Arroyo's Arroyo Bloodstock, in just its second year of pinhooking, had an outstanding week at OBS, led by a son of Midshipman (hip 325) who sold for $650,000 Wednesday. The colt, who was consigned by Caliente Thoroughbreds, had been purchased by Arroyo Bloodstock for $140,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale and sold to Flanagan Racing following a blistering :20 2/5 work during last week's under-tack show. “Nathan McCauley pointed him out to us,” Nelson Arroyo said of the colt's appeal last fall. “We trust Nate. He has been a great teacher to us. He said, 'You should come by and see this Midshipman. I think the world of him. Let me know what you think. I don't have that much attention on him and I really think he is a star.' We fell in love with him. We called a private client who was asking us to maybe look for something for him. We told him we were willing to go up to $200,000 on him. We sounded crazy, so thank God he sold well.” Of the juvenile's bullet work, Elijah said, “Everything came to fruition. We thought he was a perfect blend of speed and distance. He looks like he has speed and he will go long.” Arroyo Bloodstock sold five juveniles at this week's OBS March sale and each showed an increase on their yearling price tags. Through Navas Equine, the operation sold a filly by Yaupon (hip 356), purchased for $115,000 last summer at Saratoga, for $200,000; a son of Omaha Beach (hip 617), purchased for $100,000 last September, for $260,000; and a colt by More Than Ready (hip 757), purchased for $80,000 in September, for $280,000. Elijah, Nelson, and Brandon Arroyo | Jessica Martini Arroyo's March contingent was completed by a colt by Volatile (hip 713), purchased for $65,000 in September, who sold Thursday for $350,000 to Hubert Guy. “We had high expectations for the Volatile because he's always been a good horse,” Nelson said. “I fell in love with him in September. We couldn't point out what it was that hit me, but Dean DeRenzo told us to always follow your gut and with him, it was a gut feeling that he was a good horse. He just had the presence. It wasn't just his physical, it was his attitude that got us the most.” Asked what made the father and son decide to start pinhooking two years ago, Nelson Arroyo said, “I am an ex-jockey. I rode for 10 years and, being a jockey agent the last 10 years, I've been around horses my whole life. So, I know a racehorse. When the pandemic hit in 2020, 2021, people started calling me, asking me to find them horses. I went to the racetrack and spoke to some people and started to look. I spoke to Elijah and asked if he wanted to come to the sales. So we came to the sale in 2021. We walked around and when I came here, I saw all our friends were the agents and the buyers. So we started asking them for help. Thanks to a lot of agents–it started with David Meah, Nick Hines, Nate McCauley. And I owe a lot to Dean DeRenzo and Randy Hartley and Donato Lanni. And also Chris Baccari and Chad Summers. They have been helping us immensely. We owe thanks to them. Everything that we are doing is thanks to them. We are doing what they teach us. So we can't take much credit. This is all thanks to them and to the hard work my son has been putting in.” The Arroyos teamed up with first-time pinhook investor Marcus Scott for their initial investments. “We met Marcus Scott through Chris Baccari at the Maryland sale two years ago,” Nelson said. “He gave us the chance. He trusted us. And everything he made the first year, he put it back in and more. Thanks to him we are here.” Nelson and Elijah Arroyo are also excited about their group of juveniles heading to the OBS April sale, which will includie horses by Independence Hall, Twirling Candy, and Not This Time. Of their March results, though, Nelson said, “To tell you the truth, it hasn't hit me yet.” But the father and son, who have relocated to Ocala, plan to be back at it in a big way at the yearling sales this coming summer and fall. “For the yearling sales, hopefully we will be buying a lot more,” Nelson said with a laugh. “We will be working a lot harder.” @JessMartiniTDN The post $3-Million Gun Runner Colt Sets OBS Record as March Sale Ends with a Bang appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Race 7 IRT 1200m HAVARTI (K Chowdhoory) – Trainer Mr. P Didham advised Stewards, HAVARTI has now been retired from racing. Race 8 JENNIAN HOMES LOWLAND STAKES (G2) 2100m EVERYMOVEYOUMAKE (W Pinn) – Trainer Mr. T Pike reported to Stewards, the filly was examined by the stables veterinarian on Wednesday 5 March with no abnormalities being detected. T Pike further advised EVERYMOVEYOUAMAKE has a quiet week, and it is his intention to continue on with her current preparation. Race 9 LASER ELECTRICAL 1600m RUSTY LANE (A Riddell) – Trainer Mr. N Quinn advised Stewards, after undergoing a post-race endoscopic examination which showed mucus in the gelding’s trachea, RUSTY LANE was placed on four-day treatment of medication. N Quinn further advised the intention is to carry on with the gelding’s current preparation. The post Marton Jockey Club @ Trentham Racecourse, Sunday 2 March 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

8th-Fair Grounds, $52,000, Msw, 3-13, 3yo, 6f, 1:10.20, ft, 1 length. ANCIENT WORLD (g, 3, Into Mischief–Thirteen Arrows {MSW, $277,375}, by Indian Charlie) had a pair of bullets on his worktab, including a flashy, four-furlong move from the gate in :46 4/5 (1/113) Feb. 9, and was off as the even-money favorite in this debut run. He missed the break beneath Jose Ortiz and trailed the field of eight as Sargent Sully (Instagrand), a well-beaten fifth on debut in New Orleans Jan. 20, flew through an opening quarter in :21.63. Still with plenty to do approaching the quarter pole, Ancient World began to wind up as they turned for home and came rolling down the stretch to inhale the pacesetter late and win by a well-timed length. Thirteen Arrows, a daughter of MGISW Stop Traffic (Cure the Blues), had a filly by Life Is Good last year and was bred back to Cody's Wish. The Into Mischief x Indian Charlie cross has also produced GISW Dayoutoftheoffice. Sales history: $525,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $31,200. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Repole Stable; B-Fifth Avenue Bloodstock & Glenwood Breeding (KY); T-Joe Sharp. #3 ANCIENT WORLD ($4.00) goes last to first to break his maiden on debut in the 8th race at @fairgroundsnola. The three-year-old gelding by @SpendthriftFarm's Into Mischief was ridden by @jose93_ortiz for trainer @mjsharp75_joe and owner @RepoleStable. pic.twitter.com/AotssBXlXs — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 13, 2025 The post Ancient World a ‘Sharp’ Debut Winner for Into Mischief appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A snafu that track operator Churchill Downs Inc. attributed to needing required wagering consents led to no wagering payouts and betting refunds being issued for the first race March 13 at Colonial Downs. The race was run for purse money only.View the full article

Trainer Harry Derham and bloodstock agent Ed Bailey made the biggest splash at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale on Thursday by snapping up two of the most expensive horses on the evening for a combined sum of £720,000. The spend was headed by the Colin Bowe-consigned top lot, Cristal d'Estruval (Ire) (Crystal Ocean {GB}), at £400,000, while the pair went to £320,000 to secure Lisronagh point-to-point winner Clondaw Park (Ire) (Walk In The Park {Ire}). Cristal d'Estruval was one of the big talking horses coming into the sale following his victory in a four-year-old maiden also at Listonagh last month. Commenting on the sale, Bowe said, “He was always a lovely horse and very easy and straightforward to train. It's a great start for Crystal Ocean so I am delighted he has sold so well and is going to a very good trainer in Harry. “I would have been happy with £200,000. He had a nice dam and he walked really well the day we bought him, it doesn't always work out but this time it did.” The headline lots capped what was solid trade at Cheltenham that saw turnover climb by 2% to £3,650,000. Meanwhile, the median climbed by 25% to £150,000 and the average was up 20% to £158,696. However, the clearance rate was down by 12% to 82%–which translated to 23 of the 30 lots selling. While Bailey and Derham concentrated on the top end of the market, at least five of the horses who went through the ring on Thursday will be making their way into training with Gordon Elliott. The Cullentra House handler signed for two lots under his own name to the tune of £470,000 and, alongside agent Aidan 'Mouse O'Ryan', secured a further three horses for £565,000 bringing the total spend to just over £1 million. The post Derham Dominates Tattersalls Cheltenham Sale By Securing 400k Top Lot appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Race 7 BARFOOT & THOMPSON AUCKLAND CUP 3200m (G2) NEST EGG (G Rooke) – Trainer Mr. S Marsh advised Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the gelding, however, will be given a brief freshen up. The post Auckland Thoroughbred Racing @ Ellerslie, Saturday 8 March 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

CHELTENHAM, UK–Rarely has a race ever epitomised the old sporting saying, 'form is temporary, class is permanent', like the 2025 running of the G1 Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle, won by the enigma that is Bob Olinger (Ire) for a trainer and jockey combination desperately in need of a pick-me-up at the start of play on the penultimate day of the Cheltenham Festival. That Bob OIinger was available to back at 20-1 the night before this three-mile contest was symptomatic of how far he'd fallen from grace in just a few short years, having been considered the next big thing in National Hunt racing after an unbeaten campaign in novice hurdles. It culminated with a thumping Grade 1 success at this meeting, after which he was being talked about as a future winner of everything from the Champion Hurdle to the Gold Cup. Certainly, nobody would have believed then that his first start in one of the four championship races at the Festival would instead come in the Stayers' Hurdle, some four years later. Now 10, the son of Sholokhov (Ire) has taken trainer Henry de Bromhead around the houses on his route back to the top table, but that's where he finds himself again after this comprehensive defeat of reigning champion Teahupoo (Fr) (Masked Marvel {GB}) in a one-two for owners Robcour. In what has always been his customary fashion when on a going day, he tanked into contention under Rachael Blackmore and was ultimately well on top at the line, beating Teahupoo by a length and three-quarters to reward those who'd kept the faith and backed him heavily into an SP of 8-1. The Wallpark (Ire) (Ask {GB}) was eight lengths further back in third, while Home By The Lee (Ire) (Fame And Glory {GB})–who arrived on the back of two consecutive defeats of Bob Olinger at Navan and Leopardstown–unseated JJ Slevin after being badly hampered at the sixth. “Rachael was brilliant on him,” an elated De Bromhead said of his first Stayers' Hurdle winner. “We'd said if you're going to get beaten, get beaten for coming too late. [I'm] delighted for the horse. He had such a reputation a few years ago and things didn't work out as well as we thought, but to see him come back and do that is amazing. “[I'm] delighted for everyone involved, especially David Roche, my assistant at home, who would take a bullet for this horse. He adores him. He won the Ballymore and then we had a couple of funny old years with him, but he is back now. You always hope they can win another big one like this, but I never foresee anything. You live the dream and maintain them as best you possibly can.” It was only a matter of weeks ago that there were concerns about the health of the De Bromhead stable, after a lean period in which it sent out only six winners from 90 runners in the months of January and February combined. With that backdrop he could be forgiven if he was feeling a bit anxious after drawing a blank on the first two days of this year's Festival, with no Honeysuckle (GB) (Sulamani {Ire}) to call upon this time, the champion racemare who won on the opening day of the meeting every year between 2020 and 2023. He added, “The last few years we have always had Honeysuckle to get off the mark on the Tuesday, so it was feeling a little bit lonely. But I was happy yesterday as they were all running well and these guys had similar chances to those yesterday–but we got the rub of the green today. “Rachael is just so good. She is such a professional and works so hard. When she came back from her injury our horses were in a bad vein of form, but she just does what she does. She is class.” Certainly, nobody ever questioned the class of Blackmore, but she too has had a difficult season after sustaining a neck injury in September which kept her on the sidelines for around three months. The most successful female rider in the history of National Hunt racing, she had ridden only three winners in 2025 when she arrived at Cheltenham, the stage where she has shone in recent years with a pair of Champion Hurdle victories aboard the aforementioned Honeysuckle, as well as celebrating wins in the Gold Cup with A Plus Tard (Fr) (Kapgarde {Fr}) and the Queen Mother Champion Chase with Captain Guinness (Ire) (Arakan). As such, it wasn't just Bob Olinger whose form needed a boost at the start of the week, but De Bromhead and Blackmore were already on the scoreboard by the time he went to post for the Stayers' Hurdle, after the jockey produced a masterclass on Air Of Entitlement (Ire) (Westerner {GB}) to win the G2 Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle which opened the card. “It's a magical place to be up here,” said Blackmore after her last-gasp victory on the strong-staying Air Of Entitlement, who is out of a half-sister to the Irish Grand National winner Rogue Angel (Ire) (Presenting {GB}). “She did it really well and came through the race lovely. I want to dedicate this to my cousin, Robert Blackmore, who passed away at the weekend. His funeral is today, so I want to dedicate this to him.” She added, “We [the De Bromhead team] have had a quieter [first] two days. Walking home on Tuesday, I feel I've been spoilt the last couple of years getting to go home with a winner on the Tuesday. Henry just does such an incredible job with them when he brings them over here for Cheltenham. They all run above themselves and I'm very lucky to be on some of their backs.” Thursday's double took the Festival totals of De Bromhead and Blackmore to 25 and 18, respectively, with the success of Bob Olinger also giving them both a rare clean sweep of the four championship races. They are joined in the select group of people to have achieved that feat by the likes of Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins, both of whom were also among the winners on Thursday. Mullins took his unprecedented tally at the Festival to 109 when Fact To File (Fr) (Poliglote {GB}) ran out a brilliant winner of the G1 Ryanair Chase, while Nicholls brought up his half-century when Caldwell Potter (Fr) (Martaline {GB}) made all to land the G2 Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase. Bought for €740,000 at last year's Caldwell Construction Dispersal at Tattersalls Ireland, Caldwell Potter has been unfairly maligned this season with that price tag hanging over his head and just one win to show for his efforts since joining Nicholls. This was much more like it, though, as he powered to a poignant success, passing the post six and a half lengths clear of his rivals in the yellow colours with red star which belonged to the late John Hales, who died at the age of 85 in January. “I'm delighted for the Hales family and for John–he'll be up there watching,” said Nicholls. “The reason John bought this horse is because he lost Hermes Allen and wanted something to replace him. John put his money where his mouth is and bought him. “It's irrelevant what they cost. When they come into the yard they are all worth the same, they're drinking the same, and some of them take a bit of time to get to know and get the best out of. But we got him right and he's a proper horse–he just needed a bit of patience. I was convinced he's a stayer. He'll gallop all day, he jumps well, and I think we're just scratching the surface with him.” It was a lack of conviction in Fact To File's staying ability which saw him line up in the Ryanair Chase, rather than take on stable-mate Galopin des Champs (Fr) (Timos {Ger}) for a fourth time this season in Friday's G1 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. The shorter trip of the Ryanair certainly looked to play to the strengths of Fact To File as he breezed to a nine-length defeat of De Bromhead's Heart Wood (Fr) (Choeur du Nord {Fr}), though Mullins did not rule out a tilt at the 2026 Gold Cup with JP McManus's rising star of the chasing ranks. “I do agree that he might have been the horse to give Galopin des Champs a battle tomorrow in the Gold Cup,” said the trainer. “He was in it, but he [McManus] felt it was better to bide our options. He'll probably be a Gold Cup horse next year. JP didn't want him to have a very hard race in the Gold Cup this year–sometimes that can ruin a horse's career. I'm not going to say any more about two-year plans after Lossiemouth, but another year might be right. I think that's what we're looking at.” McManus went on to bring up a brace of his own when Jagwar (Fr) (Karaktar {Ire}), trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, won the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase, but he had to settle for the runner-up spot in the finale, the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase, when Johnnywho (Ire) (Califet {Fr}) was overhauled by Paul Nolan's rallying Daily Present (Ire) (Mahler {GB}) in one of the most thrilling finishes of the meeting so far. As for heartwarming results, Friday's action will do well to better that of the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle, won by Doddiethegreat (Ire) (Fame And Glory {GB}) in the familiar colours of Honeysuckle owner Kenny Alexander. Alexander has promised to donate all of the prize-money won by the Nicky Henderson trainee to the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, the charity created to fund research in the battle against motor neuron disease. Former Scottish rugby union player Doddie Wear raised millions through the organisation before his death in November 2022, six years after being diagnosed with the disease. “I rode him at Haydock on a busy Saturday about a month ago and he ran well,” former champion jockey Brian Hughes said of his first Festival winner since 2018. “I said to Kenny that he had a bit of back class, so you're always clinging on that he'd produce it.” Produce it he did–form is temporary, class is permanent, after all. The post ‘He Is Back Now’–Rejuvenated Bob Olinger Stars In Stayers’ Hurdle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A son of Vercingetorix (SAf) already named Wreath Of Snow (SAf) topped the first session of the Cape Racing Sales Premier Yearling Sale on Thursday when selling for R9 million (€452,899) to Greg Bortz. Vercingetorix's offspring filled the top five spots. Consigned by Drakenstein Stud, lot 85 is out of Snowdance (SAf) (Captain Al {SAf}), a winner of both the G1 Cape Fillies Guineas and G1 Majorca Stakes. Already the dam of G1 Cape Guineas hero Snow Pilot (SAf) (Lancaster Bomber), the mare is out of Grade 3 winner Spring Lilac (SAf) (Joshua Dancer). Snowdance is a full- or half-sister to a trio of stakes winners. Part of Vercingetorix's leading quintet, lot 96 was the highest priced filly at R4.1 million (€206,200). Offered by Klawervlei Stud, the bay is out of the G1 Allan Robertson Championship heroine The Secret Is Out (SAf) (Captain Al {SAf}). Through the first day's trade, 137 lots sold from 149 (92%) offered for a gross of R104,350,000 (€5,249,252). The average was R761,679 (€38,315) and the median was R500,000 (€25,153). The post Retooled CRS Premier Yearling Sale Day 1 Dominated By Vercingetorix appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Friday Night Lights steps up a level tonight, with four Group races at Alexandra Park and two at Addington, including the Group 1 $100,000 Fred Shaw Memorial New Zealand Trotting Championships. It promises to be a huge night with 22 races spread across five and a half hours of racing, from 4.49pm Marketplace’s eagerly-awaited return at Alexandra Park By Michael Guerin You know the young guns must be pretty special when they can put an Auckland Cup winner and a former Trotter of the Year in the shade. But that is what Marketplace and to a lesser degree Beside Me are doing as the northern harness racing season starts to get serious at Alexandra Park tonight. Tthe best harness horses are starting to come north or return from Australia to count down to Cambridge’s Night Of Champions on April 4 when they hold their two slot races. That build up brings horses like pacer Republican Party (Auckland Cup) and trotter Oscar Bonavena, who downed champion Just Believe in his last ever-race at Addington in November, back to Alexandra Park tonight. They face interesting challenges, Republican Party drawn wide in a 1700m mobile while fresh up, which has been a horror recipe for favourite punters on Friday nights recently. Oscar Bonavena starts off a 30m handicap in the Greenlane Cup just six days after galloping early in the Hammerhead Mile at Menangle to continue a win-or-bust summer. Ironically he looks more trustworthy from his handicap in a standing start tonight and the composition of the field and staggered handicaps mean he should be on the back of his rivals with less than two laps to go and ultimately be too quick for them. But for all their proven power and pace the must watch horse at Alexandra Park tonight is Marketplace, making his northern debut in the Alabar Classic. He won his last six races last season, including the Harness Millions and two Group 1s and he has the x-factor of a horse heading right to the top. While there seems little doubt he will win a Derby or two in 2025 trainer Regan Todd says the strong gelding is almost on a hiding to nothing as a $1.25 favourite tonight. “It is so hard for these top horses fresh up,” he says. “This is the start of a very long three-year-old season and they can’t have hard runs every start. “He is up here for the Harness Million next week and the Derby so this is a kick off point and I will leave it up to Craig [Ferguson, driver] as to what he does at the start. “Once I hand him the reins my job is done.” So don’t be surprised to see Marketplace driven neutrally off the gate before Ferguson decides whether to head forward or drive him with a sit. Had key rivals Rubira, who was excellent last start, drawn inside Marketplace the favourite would be far more vulnerable and maybe if he gets across him from his wide draw at the start he will test him. But there is something a bit special about Marketplace, even if it isn’t on full beam tonight. The question is, at $1.25 to you want to join in for the ride? Three-year-old pacing filly Beside Me is far better placed to show her absolute best on her northern debut in the Caduceus Club Ladyship Stakes even from her second line draw. She is race hard after thrashing older pacers at Addington last start and that could be a crucial advantage tonight as several of her key rivals tonight in Winelight, Youretheonethatiwant and Arafura are fresh up for the new season while others like Without You and Debbie Lincoln also face second line draws. It is never easy for South Island horses to win fresh up in Group company at Alexandra Park but Beside Me, with her long stride and coltish physique, looks the perfect filly to pull it off. Bet N Win $1.50 favourite to win Fred Shaw By Michael Guerin Ben Hope says tonight’s $100,000 Fred Shaw NZ Trotting Champs at Addington is no time to get heroic with Muscle Mountain. So expect the giant trotter to be driven cold in the Group 1 after key rival Bet N Win gained the tactical advantage in the draw. The pair dominate betting in the 2600m mobile but Bet N Win and has drawn six while Muscle Mountain starts from two on the second line, following out stablemate Midnight Dash. In-form One Over All starts from barrier 7 and most punters will be thinking Bet N Win should work forward and either want to stay in front or, more likely, take a trail on One Over All. That doesn’t leave Hope, driving Muscle Mountain for parents Greg and Nina, many options. “It looks a good race to drive him for speed,” says Hope. “We follow out the stablemate who is a good beginner so I think we will get a good run through but the other two favourites should go forward and get in front of us. “We could go sit parked but I think at this stage of his career we can’t do that all the time so I’d love to drive him for one run at them. “If One Over All puts some speed into the race we can still win and while this is a Group 1 the really big race is the TAB Trot in three weeks. “So we are out there to win but it won’t be easy.” If Bet N Win leads or trails he should live up to his $1.50 price as he has raw speed and the ability to follow a good tempo. This looks his race to lose. While One Over All’s trainer-driver Gavin Smith’s tactics will be crucial in the Group 1 trot they could also determine the outcome of the Hector’s Premium Gin Free-For-All, the pacing feature of the night. Smith will drive Rakero Rocket for trainer Tom Bamford as the pair start their road to the $1million Race by Betcha at Cambridge on April 4. Rakero Rocket is the best horse in the race but hasn’t since winning at Nelson on January 12 but has trialled twice. In the last of those he paced a 55.5 second last 800m to suggest he is forward enough to win but whether Smith wants to charge forward early and test that fitness three weeks out from the biggest race of his career will be telling. View the full article

The Chris Waller-trained Lady Shenandoah will renew her rivalry with last year's Golden Slipper (G1) winner Lady Of Camelot when she lines up March 15 in the Coolmore Classic (G1) at Rosehill Gardens.View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 03/11/2025 Licensee: Danny Morales, trainer Penalty: 5-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on March 12, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Caffeine–Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from First Again, who finished second in the New Mexico Classic Distaff Stakes at Zia Park on 11/25/24. Date: 03/10/2025 Licensee: Michael Trombetta, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Sail Theseven Seas, who according to Equibase was euthanized after pulling up in the Sweetest Chant S. at Gulfstream Park on 2/1/25. Date: 03/05/2025 Licensee: Phil D'Amato, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); A written Reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance). Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole (Gastrogard)–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Ms. Brightside, who won at Santa Anita on 1/1/25. Pending ADMC Violations 03/12/2025, Brad Cox, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Vivir Con Alegria on 2/13/25. 03/12/2025, Aaron Shorter, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Smooth Marriage on 2/13/25. 03/12/2025, Javier Morzan, trainer: Pending medication violations for an intra-articular injection within seven (7) days of a timed and reported workout on Kestenna on 1/23/24; pending medication violation for an Intra-Articular Injection Within Fourteen (14) days of a Post-Time on Get a Grip Marilyn on 1/29/24 and 3/22/24; and Kestenna on 2/23/24. 03/11/2025, Brian Lynch, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Mo Moe Mow on 2/8/25. 03/11/2025, Curt Ferguson, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Star Entry, who won at Turf Paradise on 1/25/25. 03/11/2025, John Toscano, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of DMSO–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Mr. Mendelssohn, who finished second at Turf Paradise on 1/25/25. 03/11/2025, Naoise Agnew, trainer: Pending medication violation for an Intra-Articular Injection Within Fourteen (14) days of a Post-Time on I don't See Colors on 6/7/23 and 7/12/23; Northern Spy on 6/7/23; and Justice or Appeal on 8/2/23. 03/10/2025, Charles Essex, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Willing to Burn, who won at Turf Paradise on 1/30/25. 03/10/2025, Michael Maker, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Diflunisal–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Intermittent Fast, who won at Churchill Downs on 11/29/24. 03/10/2025, Paulina Sinnefia, trainer: Pending medication violation for an Intra-Articular Injection Within Fourteen (14) days of a Post-Time on Fast Freeze Kaz on 9/20/23. 03/10/2025, Dimitrios K. Synnefias, trainer: Pending medication violations for an Intra-Articular Injection Within Fourteen (14) days of a Post-Time on Kaz Munnings on 7/6/23; Athena Beach 4/18/24; and El Policia 6/25/24. 03/10/2025, Bonnie Lucas, trainer: Pending medication violations for an intra-articular injection within seven (7) days of a timed and reported workout on Jill's a Hot Mess on 6/14/23; Summer Ash 6/15/23; Triple A Plus 9/4/23; Rainbow Trout 9/19/23; Blind Sight on 11/3/23; and Juggler 12/6/23. 03/07/2025, Jose Aguila, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Sawyer's Speed on 2/9/25. 03/07/2025, Carlos Rondon-Mora, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Tramadol–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Marvelous Lady, who won at Tampa Bay on 12/6/24. 03/07/2025, David Geist, trainer: Pending medication violations for an Intra-Articular Injection Within Fourteen (14) days of a Post-Time on Diggers Diamond on 11/2/23; Harvey Specter on 3/1/24, 5/10/24, and 6/27/24; and Romantic Gamble on 6/27/24. 03/07/2025, Jose Salinas, trainer: Pending medication violations for an Intra-Articular Injection Within Fourteen (14) days of a Post-Time on Zoomster on 6/9/23. 03/06/2025, Fernando Ferreira, trainer: Pending medication violations for an Intra-Articular Injection Within Fourteen (14) days of a Post-Time on Nice Weather on 10/25/23; on Dance a Little Jig on 10/26/23; and Spikes Shirl on 11/3/23. 03/06/2025, Marlin (Joe) Miller, trainer: Pending medication violations for an Intra-Articular Injection Within Fourteen (14) days of a Post-Time on Highway Queen on 6/16/23, 7/13/23, 8/16/23, 12/28/23, 1/12/24, 2/23/24, and 3/1/24. 03/06/2025, Erin Carpio, trainer: Pending medication violations for an Intra-Articular Injection Within Fourteen (14) days of a Post-Time on Shoyyookh on 6/28/23; Sir Steele on 7/19/23; Bejuco on 11/22/23, 1/10/24; and Nazareno on 6/26/24. Violations of Crop Rule Mahoning Valley David Haldar–violation date March 6; $250 fine, one-day suspension The post National Regulatory Rulings Mar. 6-12 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Mark Glatt runner Vanzzy (Verrazano) tested positive for Metformin and Gabapentin after finishing second in a Dec. 6, 2024 $16,000 claiming race at Los Alamitos, according to a ruling posted on the Horse Racing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) website. Glatt has denied any wrongdoing, but his lawyer, Drew Mollica, said that an internal investigation had identified a barn employee who is taking both medications. “We have not yet been served the charges, but this is another classic case of Metformin in the environment triggering a positive for alleged picograms of a substance in a horse,” said Mollica, when asked about the case. “One—Mark Glatt denies any wrongdoing, and is willing to litigate this in the unlikely event that we cannot come to a resolution with HIWU,” he said. “Two—our internal investigation has identified a potential source. And three—the entire industry knows that this is environmental contamination, at the same time, the testing procedure in this matter was so fatally flawed that there should be no charges at all.” The potential consequences of a positive test for the banned substances include a two-year suspension, an 18-month suspension and a 75-day suspension, and a fine of up to $25,000, but several cases have been resolved with no sanctions to the trainer due to the potential for contamination. “Metformin is one of the most prescribed medications in America,” said Mollica, “and the alleged source in this case was also prescribed Gabapentin. It is not atypical for Metformin recipients to also be prescribed Gabapentin; in fact, they are prescribed jointly on a regular basis. This is another example of the realities of life crossing into the microscopic testing of horse racing.” The post Glatt Runner Tests Positive for Metformin, Gabapentin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Junior Alvarado, 0-for-10 in Triple Crown races so far in his career, believes Sovereignty could be his best chance yet to enter the Kentucky Derby (G1) winner's circle.View the full article

Steal Sunshine, a last-out second to Mindframe in the Gulfstream Park Mile (G2), will be back on the work tab March 15 ahead of a scheduled start in the $1 million Godolphin Mile (G2) on the Dubai World Cup undercard April 5 at Meydan Racecourse.View the full article

Following the fireworks that ensued with the sale of a record-setting $3-million Gun Runner colt earlier in OBS's Thursday's session, a pair of juveniles surpassed the $1 million in quick succession. Hip 721, a filly by Maxfield brought a final bid of $1.25 million from Marquee Bloodstock, while only a few hips later, a colt by Nyquist drew $1 million from Shannon Potter, bidding on behalf of Epic Horses. Out of All in With Aces (Quiet American), the half-sister to GISW Hard Aces was consigned by de Meric Sales. She was purchased for $165,000 at Keeneland November in 2023. The latter, himself a half-sibling to MSW Street Lute, was offered by Scanlon Training and Sales, who secured the colt for $150,000 at Fasig-Tipton last October. The post Maxfield Filly and Nyquist Colt Surpass $1-Million Mark Late at OBS March appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Florence, KY–“Okay, I'm coming!” said Kaitlin Free. Bursting into a small room sandwiched between the announcer's booth and Free's broadcast studio at Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky, the Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI) analyst was only halfway through applying her mascara and eyeliner, but that wasn't going to stop her from watching Flood Zone (Frosted) take the GII Gotham Stakes. With half her face on and the other 'au naturel,' Free's eyes were glued to the screen as she watched intently, offered an assessment as the field blazed for the far turn and when the colt won she ticked off her punch list. “Whoa, those Frosteds keep putting up some big performances,” she said. “Look at the way he finished. I am thinking two turns is in his future. Wathnan and Cox make a combo, don't they?” As you can surmise, Free is not shy. Not by a longshot. Growing up north of Cincinnati the future handicapper was given the nickname 'Megaphone' by her mother and rightly so. Then she had the ability to project that voice of hers. She's still at it. Mind you, Free isn't a loudmouth because her core values are all about substance over style. She lives, breathes and sleeps Thoroughbred racing. She's a 'rising star' in the game's youth movement for CDI which has her stationed under the Twin Spires, in Florence over the winter and at Colonial Downs in Virginia during the summer. Wherever Free is, she always seems to be right at home with those salt of the earth horseplayers. If you want to talk about her hometown Reds, then she is more than happy to oblige. As a millennial–not a derogatory label– who has only been in the game for a handful of years, she's remarkably well-versed when it comes to her carefully curated repertoire. “When I first started working for Churchill in the paddock, I interviewed Bill Mott,” said Free. “He looked at me and said 'who are you?'” Free was captivated by horses at an early age and implored her parents to let her ride. She was like Harry Potter's Hermione Granger, from 'muggle' parents. These were non-racing folk. Free wore them down over the years and finally they relented. She soaked up all things equine with continued trips to Beulah Park and River Downs, but when she went to Churchill Downs for the first time in 2010 that sold her. Before graduating from high school in 2013, Free was bitten by the jockey bug and there was no cure. “I went to training centers and tried to get folks to let me ride their horses,” she said. “I got down to like 97 pounds and then I had a pretty serious accident, which really ended my journey. But, I got back up.” Attending college in Ohio, Free continued to follow the sport and took classes with the intent of becoming an equine veterinarian. Just being around them was special to her and soon she realized that the racetrack could be a landing spot for a career. Wintergreen Stakes break at Turfway Park | Coady Media Working tirelessly, she began to delve deeply into pedigrees, sire reports and a Thoroughbred's conformation. She watched sales videos, ingested the history of the sport like an all-you-can-eat buffet and learned to turn the form into a dissection. Some of her favorite runners from the past include Game On Dude, Groupie Doll and she even goes old school with the legendary Seattle Slew. “It was a deep dive into the physical,” said Free about her learning process over the years. “I just became enamored with different tracks, surfaces and international racing in Hong Kong, Japan and Australia. These were places where watching them race was just fascinating at all hours into the night. The turf racing especially is what I am all about.” Free got a job working at TVG, and no, she's not related to DRF's Brad Free as some have suggested. She switched to CDI where she has worked as an on-air analyst for the past several years. It was a full-circle moment returning to Louisville. “I've really had the opportunity to come into my own being alongside some wonderful people and a great company,” she said. “I feel confident that when I speak about a particular horse or to a rider outside the jocks' room that I know how to get the best out of the interview.” Earning her stripes along the way, Free's following has snowballed. However, she knows whom to credit. “Getting to know strong women like Donna Brothers and Jill Byrne who have done so much over the course of their careers has been fabulous for me,” said Free. “They are two people who I greatly admire and have been in my corner every step of the way.” Drawing from mentors like Brothers and Byrne has given the CDI analyst inspiration to tackle loads of different assignments. Taking the reins as the featured handicapper at Turfway, Free has carved a niche for herself at a track that is experiencing a renaissance over the past year. Turfway sports a well-backed purse structure, robust field sizes, and pairing with track announcer Tony Calo the duo forms a strong simulcast front. “She's a special individual and she's such a student of the game and she's so impressive when it comes to her knowledge about breeding,” said Calo. “I'd say she is wise beyond her years and we are lucky to have someone of her caliber on this broadcast because her future is bright.” Kaitlin Free and track announcer Tony Calo talk racing before a simulcast | JN Campbell When Free is behind the camera she says she feels comfortable and it is always an opportunity to talk about the sport she loves. This past year she tipped that Mystik Dan (Goldencents) would win the GI Kentucky Derby and of course he did. She was the only reporter to interview Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert after he made his triumphal return to Churchill Downs when Barnes (Into Mischief) broke his maiden in late November. “I really thrive in those types of moments,” Free said. “We weren't planning on interviewing Baffert, then they told me to go for it. I was surrounded by a throng of cameras from the local stations and it was fun to be in the middle of it all getting to ask the questions.” With several feathers in her cap, Free continues to fly the flag for her age bracket. This week she is headed to cover the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs and then she will be back at Turfway for the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks–both Derby Trail stops. Free will bring her carry-on brand of handicapping wherever she goes. When asked about what she looks for in a racehorse, you will get an in-depth lesson in handicapping. “I look at the ears, what the task is at hand and I can tell you this all-weather course at Turfway demands that you know conformations,” she said. “I used to argue with the great Chuck Simon, God rest his soul, and I loved talking with him endlessly about breeding and whether horses could be bred for this surface.” What does the future hold for Free's career? According to her, she is keeping her options open. “I love international racing and want to travel to Hong Kong and Japan to cover the biggest races,” she said. “They have set the standard globally, but I am also interested in a career as a steward. I could see myself doing that. I am not going to work in news or for a non-racing network. I love horses too much.” On any given night at Turfway during the track's renaissance you can find the 'Megaphone' providing analysis or calling a dead heat the split second it happens. Whatever Kaitlin Free does, this rising star has next. The post Now Hear This Racing, ‘Rising Star’ Kaitlin Free Has Next appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Edited Press Release Edison International Foundation is making a $25,000 donation to Foothill Unity Center on behalf of Santa Anita Park for support in ongoing fire relief efforts. For over 40 years, Foothill Unity Center based in nearby Monrovia has helped those in need with programs focused on food, health, job development, housing and homeless services, crisis management, volunteerism and much more. It serves the local San Gabriel Valley Foothill communities of Arcadia, Altadena, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bradbury, Duarte, Irwindale, Monrovia, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena and Temple City. “Foothill Unity Center has been doing amazing work in the community, well before the recent fires,” said Pete Siberell, Santa Anita's Director of Community Service & Special Projects. “Just as the organization stood strong during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the same dedication and compassion are now being extended to families impacted by the wildfires. “Santa Anita Park greatly appreciates this gesture from Edison International Foundation. In a time of great need, it is gratifying to see local businesses and non-profits working together to help wherever and whenever they can.” Since the wildfires in January that ravaged Los Angeles County and affected many in the Santa Anita community, the famed racetrack has been at the forefront of relief efforts. Portions of Santa Anita's parking lots served as a staging ground for SCE as well as a base camp for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). A donation center established at Santa Anita in the immediate aftermath of the fires had more than 100,000 people come through to pick up or drop-off needed supplies. Santa Anita also partnered with Angelenos In Action on Feb. 23 for a donation drive to aid fire relief efforts. Those who donated were treated by Santa Anita to a complimentary day at the races. Additionally, first responders were also honored with a day at the races that included a lunch, open seating in Santa Anita's box seats and VIP tours of the historic racetrack, which is celebrating its 90th year in operation. Due to its ongoing relief efforts, Santa Anita last month was recognized as one of nine “Eaton Fire Community Heroes” by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. The post $25K Donation On Behalf Of Santa Anita For Ongoing Fire Relief Efforts appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Even before Marine Nationale (Ire) (French Navy {Ire}) won the G1 Supreme Novices' Hurdle two years ago, John B O'Connor was already a Cheltenham Festival-winning breeder courtesy of the smart Paul Webber-trained mare Indefatigable (Ire) (Schiaparelli {Ger}). On Wednesday, the impressive record of O'Connor's Ballykelly Stud was enhanced further when Marine Nationale completed an emotional double for trainer Barry Connell to win the G1 Queen Mother Champion Chase. O'Connor had been observing a dry January and February but admitted to a “damp March” at his Tipperary home after toasting the horse's success with a couple of glasses of champagne – and rightly so. The breeder is an avowed fan of dual-purpose horses and says that his initial aim is to breed bumper winners. Marine Nationale checked that box – twice – before becoming a Grade 1 winner over hurdles then fences, and now O'Connor has another wish for him. “I set out to breed a bumper winner that would turn out to be a dual-purpose horse and I'm hoping that Barry is going to prove me correct by winning the Irish Cesarewitch in September, if he doesn't mind doing that,” he says. “Marine Nationale's dam should have won the Cesarewitch at the Curragh. Paul Townend was claiming at the time and riding on the Flat, and she was cruising turning in and he let her go at the corner. It's a long way home, and she opened up five or six lengths and then got caught and finished fourth. She really stayed and was rated about 96 on the Flat – she was one of the top-rated Flat mares by Definite Article.” That mare, Power Of Future (Ger), was originally trained by Henry Cecil and was bought by O'Connor as a four-year-old. She came very close to continuing a long-held wish for O'Connor to run and win at the Galway Festival when finishing second to another of Definite Article's runners, Majestic Concorde (Ire), back in 2007. “A lot of people look forward to Royal Ascot but my ideal is to have a horse that's good enough to run in the amateur handicap at Galway on the Monday night and then to run again on the Thursday after hurdles,” says O'Connor, whose family hails from Galway, where he was born, before moving to England as a young child with his parents. “That's my ideal horse; I love that kind of horse and essentially that's what I try to breed. I do try to breed a little bit commercially but for the ones I race myself that's what I look for.” O'Connor still has a member of Marine Nationale's family in a daughter of his half-sister Ballinderry Moth (Ire) (Yeats {Ire}). Named Arnemviden (Ire), the unraced six-year-old is also by the former Darley stallion French Navy, in whom the breeder had a staunch belief. “I think it was a terrible mistake to let French Navy go to India,” he says. “I love those hard-knocking horses. I can't afford to buy the expensive mares or for them to go to expensive stallions but my ambition is Rocky Marciano's brother marries Helen Mirren's sister, so you've got that bit of a hard nut on the stallion's side and a bit of quality on the dam's side. And to that end, my new French Navy, who I have used a few times, is Tosen Stardom.” O'Connor added of the son of Deep Impact (Jpn), who is standing in Ireland at Zenith Stallion Station, “He's the horse I'm using to try to breed those bumper winners. He's that ideal, well-bred, tough horse.” Arnemviden has so far had difficulty getting in foal and holding a pregnancy but a Plan B for her may now have been put on the back burner. O'Connor says, “We just couldn't get her in foal last year and we have a scheme with a rehoming organisation which turns them into dressage horses or show jumpers and she was nearly on the bus with her lunch packed to become an eventer or something. But I think after yesterday I am going to have to try again to find some way to get her in foal and to hang on to her.” Among the purely Flat mares the breeder keeps at Ballykelly is Catwalk (Ire), a Pivotal (GB) half-sister to Sir Prancealot (Ire), and Young And Fun (GB), by Lope De Vega (Ire) out of Crimson Rosette (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) from Hascombe and Valiant Studs' good family which includes the Ascot Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}). She has been covered this year by Dark Angel (Ire). The Grade 2-winning hurdler Indefatigable, who is owned by the Rocher family, briefly returned to board at Ballykelly to be covered for the first time by Walk In The Park (Ire). Indefatigable wins at the Cheltenham Festival | Racingfotos “I am hoping that they will keep her colt as an entire. All he has to do is win any kind of race and a French stud would find a home for him,” O'Connor says. “John Magnier has given me a big hand as he has sent five Walk In The Park colts to be trained in France to try to find a successor to daddy.” He adds, “I am out of Indefatigable now but I still have her dam Spin The Wheel and she has a yearling by Jet Away and is back in foal to him. She also has a couple of Blue Bresils to run for her.” It was from Magnier that O'Connor bought Ballykelly Stud, just outside Cashel, several decades ago. “What he has done for the economy sound here is just incredible,” he says. “A rising tide lifts all boats around here and it's a lovely part of the world. “I have outsourced the foaling and getting the mares in foal to other nearby boarding farms but we keep the young horses here. We winter them out and feed them hard.” We can expect to see more of the farm's graduates “going down the Marine Nationale route”, as O'Connor puts it, as she has some young fillies by Old Persian (GB) and Fascinating Rock (Ire) currently in pre-training with a specific emphasis on teaching them to jump early, in the French mode. “I think these three-year-old hurdle races being brought in by HRI [Horse Racing Ireland] at the end of the year are a really good idea,” he says. “I don't think French horses are genetically superior to British or Irish horses, I just think they have been reared differently.” But for now he can bask in the success of his farm's most famous representative, who played his part in the ongoing commemoration of the late Michael O'Sullivan. The young jockey rode Marine Nationale in his first eight starts. “It was such an emotional day. A lot of people might have gone there as atheists or agnostics and come away as believers, particularly with the next horse [Jazzy Matty] going in as well,” he says. “I lost my way a little bit with racing and was feeling kind of flat about it, but when I saw Queen Camilla throw her arms around [O'Sullivan's girlfriend] Charlotte [Giles] I just thought to myself, 'what a game this is'. In what other sport would you see that? “For me, it was great to watch the race and it was a proud moment to breed a championship-winning horse, but my takeaway from it would be that moment.” The post ‘What A Game This Is’: Marine Nationale’s Breeder Hails Moving Victory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association announced March 13 the stakes schedule for the 2025 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, which opens July 10 and continues through Sept. 1.View the full article

High-class dual-purpose performer Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), who landed the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2022 for trainer Willie Mullins, is close to making his debut for Australian trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Vauban has been well-held in his two attempts at winning the Melbourne Cup for Mullins and owner Rich Ricci. The seven-year-old was snapped up by the Waterhouse and Bott combination for a reported $2 million after he finished 11th–beaten just over five lengths–behind Knight's Choice (Aus) (Extreme Choice {Aus}) in the Melbourne Cup in November. He is set to make his debut for his new connections in the Sky High Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday–but co-trainer Bott warns that there will be improvement to come from the effort. Speaking ahead of the assignment, Bott told racing.com, “We've been really pleased with everything we've seen from him at home in his work, the way he has conducted himself in his trials. He's had a couple of looks at the racetrack on race day already through an exhibition gallop and also going out to have a walk around the mounting yard on one of the days earlier in the preparation. “It all seems to be falling into place for him. He looks to have settled in really well, so I like what we're seeing initially and now he's got to take that to the races and see him under that race day pressure.” Vauban has won close to €1 million throughout his career to date. All told, he has won eight of his 21 starts and, as well as his emergence as a solid hurdler in Britain and Ireland for Mullins, he scored at Group 2 level on the Flat and went down fighting behind outstanding stayer Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in last year's Irish St Leger. Bott continued, “He's probably had a different training regime down here in comparison to what he's done previously in his career. He's now racing where it's probably a little bit more tactical and that tactical speed is probably a bit more relevant and important, as opposed to some of the races he's been in previously in Europe. “That's just the adjustments he's going to have to make now and that's probably the improvements we can see out of the back of his first preparation here. I wouldn't say he's fully where we need him yet, I'd say that will all hopefully fall into place after a campaign here.” The post Ex Mullins-Trained Cheltenham Hero To Make Debut 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

Amr Zedan made his first purchase of the week a big one, with bloodstock agent Donato Lanni going to an OBS record $3 million to acquire a colt by Gun Runner (hip 654) on behalf of the Saudi businessman Thursday. The gray worked a furlong in a bullet :9 3/5 last week. He was consigned by Eddie Woods and is out of Tynan (Liam's Map), a half-sister to graded winner Pappacap (Gun Runner). He was purchased for $200,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. The post Zedan Strikes for Speedy Gun Runner Colt for OBS Record $3 million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article