Wandering Eyes

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

A total of 122 horses of all ages have been catalogued for the Fasig-Tipton Digital March Sale, which opened for bidding Mar. 13 and will close Tuesday, Mar. 18 at 2 p.m. ET. The catalogue offers horses of racing age, breeding stock – including mares with foals at foot, two-year-olds in training, yearlings, and a no-guarantee season to Nyquist, who was represented by his eighth Grade I winner when Cavalieri remained perfect in five starts in the Mar. 8 Beholder Mile. “We have great quality in this March sale, including graded stakes winning racing/broodmare prospects and graded stakes producers,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “There are exciting offerings for breeders, as well as in-form racehorses that are ready-to-go for spring racing.” Among the highlights of the catalogue could be hip 14, the 15-year-old mare Curls For Girls (Curlin), whose son Flood Zone (Frosted) upset the GIII Gotham Stakes in his first start for Wathnan Racing and is slated to make his next appearance in the G2 UAE Derby on Apr. 5. A half-sister to GSW Sue's Good News (Woodman)–the dam of GISW Tiz Miz Sue (Tiznow) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Bulletin (City Zip)–and SW & GSP Easyfromthegitgo (Easy Goer), Curls for Girls is being consigned by Four Star Sales, agent for Westbury Stables, and is offered in foal to Arabian Lion. R Harper Rose (Khozan), winner of the 2024 GIII Forward Gal Stakes, is being consigned to the March Sale as a racing or broodmare prospect by Gainesway, agent, as hip 7. Also a stakes winner at two, the Florida-bred has won four of her 10 lifetime starts for earnings in excess of $380,000. Elite Sales offers Laulne (Fr) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) as hip 18. Also a racing/broodmare prospect, the bay won the G3 Prix Eclipse in France at 2023, the Angels Flight Stakes at Santa Anita last season and was most recently third in the Feb. 22 Wishing Well Stakes. Katonah (Klimt), who won the GII San Pasqual Stakes this January and has amassed earnings of better than $480,000, is catalogued to the March Digital Sale as hip 21. The 6-year-old gelding is being consigned by his trainer, Chief Stipe O'Neill, as agent. The full catalogue is available at digital.fasigtipton.com. The post Dam Of Flood Zone Catalogued For Fasig-Tipton Digital March Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A New York-bred filly by Quality Road (hip 636) became the fourth juvenile–and second from the Wavertree Stables consignment–to reach seven figures at the OBS March sale when selling for $1.05 million to the bid of Amo Racing's Kia Joorabchian. The bay, out of stakes winner and Grade I placed Toasting (Congrats), worked a furlong last week in :9 4/5. She was a $350,000 purchase at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. The post Quality Road Filly Brings $1.05 Million at OBS Thursday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Officials at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) have released a 64-strong stakes schedule for the 2025 summer meeting at Saratoga Race Course. The 40-day stand will kick off on Thursday, July 10 and will continue through Labor Day, Sept. 1. Over $20 million in prize money is to be offered across the added-money events, anchored by three seven-figure fixtures, the $1.25-million GI DraftKings Travers Stakes on Aug. 23; the $1-million GI Whitney Stakes on Aug. 2; and the $1-million GI Jockey Club Gold Cup on Aug. 31. The meet's first elite-level events comes on Saturday, July 12, when older females take to the turf for the GI Diana Stakes, and all bar one of the remaining weekends feature at least one Grade I test. Sophomore fillies have two such opportunities at the Spa, the first in the Coaching Club American Oaks over nine furlongs on the main track on Saturday, July 19 which serves as a stepping-stone to the meet's premier main-track race for the 3-year-old fillies, the $600,000 GI Alabama Stakes presented by Keeneland Sales at a mile and a quarter on Saturday, Aug. 16. The $500,000 GII Jim Dandy Stakes is the featured event on the only Saratoga weekend void of Grade I action on Saturday, July 26 and will toss up its fair share of runners for the Travers four weeks down the road. The turf series for 3-year-old fillies gets going on the same program with the running of the GIII Lake George Stakes. The Whitney is one of four elite-level events set for Aug. 2, which also includes the FanDuel Fourstardave Stakes, moved forward by a week; the Test Stakes presented by Ticketmaster; and the Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes. The program also features the GII Troy Stakes for older turf sprinters and the GII Saratoga Special Stakes for juvenile males. The GI Sword Dancer Stakes, customarily part of Travers Stakes, owns pride of place on the Saturday, Aug. 9 card and is supported by the GII Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Invitational Stakes. A total of $3.65 million is up for grabs on Travers Day, which also includes the GI H. Allen Jerkens Stakes for 3-year-olds; the GI Resorts World Casino Ballerina Stakes for female sprinters; the male counterpart, the GI Forego Stakes; and the GI Personal Ensign Stakes for older fillies and mares on the main track. The GII Lake Placid Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, also run Aug. 23, has been shortened to a mile and sees its purse doubled to $400,000. The final three Grade Is take place over closing weekend, with the GI Spinaway Stakes on Saturday, Aug. 30; the Gold Cup on the 31st; and the GI Hopeful Stakes on Labor Day, Sept. 1. The stakes schedule also includes eight events restricted to horses bred in the state of New York, while the National Steeplechase Association will stage the $150,000 A.P. Smithwick Memorial Stakes on July 23 and the $150,000 Jonathan Sheppard Memorial Stakes on Aug. 20. Click here for the entire Saratoga stakes schedule. The post Travers, Whitney Among 18 Grade I Events To Be Contested at Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Japan's Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) anchors the first edition of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings with a mark of 128. The Yoshito Yahagi trainee closed to take the G1 Saudi Cup by a neck over the 127-rated Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). The latter had earlier won the G1 Jebel Hatta this year. Continuing the Hong Kong theme, star sprinter Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) is a co-third in the rankings alongside GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes winner White Abarrio (Race Day), as both are at 124. Both the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup and G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup have gone to the Kiwi-bred speedster. Next on rankings at 123 is GI Santa Anita Handicap hero Locked (Gun Runner), who was second to White Abarrio in the Pegasus. For the full rankings, please visit the IFHA website. The post Forever Young Leads Longines WBRR, After Saudi Cup Tally appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Chukyo and Nakayama Racecourses: Saturday, March 15, 2025 3rd-NKY, ¥10,600,000 ($72k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200m KNOCK SHRINE (JPN) (c, 3, Omaha Beach–Knock, by Tapit) is out of a daughter of Grade III winner Fencelineneighbor (Wild Rush) who was hammered down to Emmanuel de Seroux's Narvick International for $115,000 with this colt in utero at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. Fencelineneighbor is the dam of five winners, including Knock's stakes-winning full-sister Barbie Wire as well as the Grade III-placed duo of Nextdoorneighbor (Lido Palace {Chi}) and Bureau de Change (Exchange Rate). The colt's older half-brother Jeweled Shillelagh (City of Light) was runner-up in Santa Anita allowance company in February. O-Katsushiga Muraki; B-Kinya Murakami; T-Fumimasa Takahashi. Sunday, March 16, 2025 10th-CKO, ¥34,200,000 ($231k), Allowance, 3yo, 1400m POULSEN (c, 3, Into Mischief–Separationofpowers, by Candy Ride {Arg}), a $925,000 graduate of last year's OBS April Sale, chipped away at that purchase price in a trio of appearances last term, winning two of those outings while finishing runner-up to future Listed Hyacinth Stakes runner-up Promised Gene (Jpn) (Nadal) between those efforts. The Triple Crown nominee, whose two-time Grade I-winning dam fetched $2.1 million at Fasig-Tipton November in 2019, was a $535,000 buyback at Keeneland November in 2022 and realized $350,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling before selling to his current connections at OBS last spring. O-Naohiro Sakaguchil; B-Hunter Valley & Mountmellick Farm (KY); T-Makoto Saito The post Into Mischief Son of MGISW Separationofpowers Set For Sophomore Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article