Wandering Eyes

Off as the 3-1 third betting choice off a bounce-back second in the Lake Ouachita Stakes at Oaklawn Park exactly a year after his upset victory in the GI Kentucky Derby, MYSTIK DAN (c, 4, Goldencents–Ma'am, by Colonel John) capitalized on a perfect trip from just behind the speed, cut the corner into the stretch and kicked home nicely to take Saturday's GIII Blame Stakes. He becomes the first Derby winner to subsequently win a race beneath the Twin Spires since Silver Charm backed up his win in the 1997 Run for the Roses in the GI Clark Handicap in 1998. A rail-skimming fourth as Alexander Helios (Cairo Prince) set the pace in advance of Antiquarian (Preservationist) and a three-deep 'TDN Rising Star' Hall of Fame (Gun Runner), Mystik Dan was ridden quietly and when Alexander Helios hoisted the white flag at the five-sixteenths, Hernandez, Jr. guided him to his outside and was just as quickly back down onto the fence once heads were turned for home. Displaying a good kick when popped the question in earnest, Mystik Dan went on with things and proved clearly best as a resurgent Antiquarian and late-running Post Time (Frosted) rounded out the minor placings. Saturday, Churchill Downs BLAME S.-GIII, $270,000, Churchill Downs, 5-31, 4yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:48.45, ft. 1–MYSTIK DAN, 118, c, 4, by Goldencents 1st Dam: Ma'am, by Colonel John 2nd Dam: Lady Siphonica, by Siphon (Brz) 3rd Dam: Cherokee Crossing, by Cherokee Colony O-Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing LLC, Daniel Hamby III and Valley View Farm LLC; B-Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby & 4G Racing LLC (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek; J-Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. $166,710. Lifetime Record: GISW & MGISP, 13-4-3-1, $4,417,570. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Antiquarian, 118, c, 4, Preservationist–Lifetime Memory, by Istan. ($250,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Centennial Farms; B-Brereton C. Jones (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $54,100. 3–Post Time, 118, h, 5, Frosted–Vielsalm, by Fairbanks. ($85,000 Ylg '21 EASOCT). O-Hillwood Stable LLC; B-Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Bowman, Dr. Brooke Bowman & Milton P Higgins III (MD); T-Brittany T. Russell. $22,050. Margins: 1 1/4, HD, 1. Odds: 3.06, 9.34, 2.41. Also Ran: Hall of Fame, Banishing, Tennessee Lamb, Alexander Helios. Scratched: Best Actor, Katonah, Most Wanted. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Does this look familiar? 2024 Kentucky Derby winner MYSTIK DAN ($8.12) returns to @ChurchillDowns for the first time after that win and rallies up the inside to win the $275,000 Blame Stakes (G3). @b_hernandezjr was in the irons for @KennyMcPeek. pic.twitter.com/f7XghURZ9o — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 31, 2025 The post Derby Winner Mystik Dan Back To His Best In the Blame appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Owner and trainer David Jacobson called Jose Ortiz's ride aboard Durante a "masterpiece" as the 6-year-old gelding upset the $275,000 Aristides Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs May 31 at odds of 33-1.View the full article

Wearing down stretch leader King of Ashes in the closing strides by a neck, World Beater notched his first career stakes victory in the $273,500 Audubon Stakes May 31 at Churchill Downs.View the full article

In a numerically-strong renewal of the G1 Qatar Prix du Jockey-Club featuring a Group 1-winning Classic-placed Ballydoyle representative and some customary trial winners, would it be weird to focus on a once-raced colt with no pattern-race experience? Usually yes, but not in this case when we are dealing with a Wertheimer homebred trained by Andre Fabre and given a major vote of confidence from Maxime Guyon. Step forward Sinileo, a son of Siyouni from the same Galileo cross as two recent winners in Sottsass and St Mark's Basilica who has been supplemented for his ambitious tilt on the back of an easy mile maiden win here 16 days ago. A half-brother to Vagalame, who dead-heated for fifth in this three years ago, the bay bids to become the first Jockey-Club winner since Pharis in 1939 having only his second start and the draw gods have at least shown him mercy in stall four. “Sinileo won very easily, impressing Maxime Guyon,” the owner-breeders' racing manager Pierre-Yves Bureau said. “He is in a large field and lacks experience, so we are a bit in the unknown. He showed very nice acceleration on his debut and the race seems open, so we are taking our chance. As far as I can remember, supplementing one of ours for the Jockey Club is not a frequent occurrence.” Clarehaven And Ballydoyle Double-Handed Also drawn favourably is the likely favourite Camille Pissarro, who goes up in trip having finished off so well in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains. That is a decision made more on jockey opinion than pedigree and it will be interesting to see if he can impose himself on a trio that finished just behind him in at ParisLongchamp in Luther, Ridari and Detain. Camille Pissarro is in one, with his stablemate and possible pacemaker Trinity College handily-placed in three and it will be interesting to see if the latter, who is a useful colt in his own right, goes forward and if so what kind of test he presents to the others. The Gosdens supply their own duo in the aforementioned Detain and TDN Rising Star Bowmark, with stalls six and eight respectively aiding their cause. Like Camille Pissarro, Detain is a Wootton Bassett but with a stouter pedigree while Kingman's Bowmark will appreciate moving up from a mile being from the family of Serpentine. Thady Gosden said of the Clarehaven pair, “We had the Prix du Jockey Club in mind even before Detain's race in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and he confirmed there that he will handle this trip. He's not a real stayer like Arrest, as he is by Wootton Bassett and thus has more speed and his preparation has gone well.” “Bowmark has not yet shown all his talent, but he won like a very good colt at York and William Buick who came to ride him in the morning told us he should handle this distance without any problem. It is very difficult to choose between our two runners–they have very different profiles.” Downed By The Draw? In this race, when you go into double figures with the draw you are talking about a task made significantly harder regardless of talent. While New Bay, Intello and Lope De Vega overcame such a compromising post position in recent times, none have done so since 2015. Connections of Luther, who was fourth in the Poulains, will take heart from the fact that although Kieran Shoemark will have to navigate stall 13 here, that trio all came off a prominent showing in the ParisLongchamp Classic. A win for the same connections as the disqualified Pouliches winner Shes Perfect would be well-received and Luther is bred to love this trip at least. Another certain to enjoy stretching out from a mile is Ridari, the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau winner who was a short neck and a head behind Camille Pissarro and Luther and a length in front of Detain in the Poulains. Mikel Delzangles is happy that the son of the G1 Prix de l'Opera heroine Ridasiyna can make his presence felt as one of the country's leading middle-distance colts. “The Poulains is a good trial for this and although they broke the track record he seems well and I think he has progressed again physically,” he said. “He produced a very nice finish there and was hampered a few meters from the post by the second which probably cost him fourth place or even third,” he added. “Hewas a bit tense at two and we weren't sure about stepping him up in trip so quickly, but his behaviour is improving and I have no doubt that he will stay 2,100 meters. I also trained his dam and there are many similarities between them. They are horses with a lot of blood and physically they resemble each other a little.” “You cannot run in this race with a horse you don't feel is mature enough to compete,” he concluded. “It's a race that can leave its mark. You should only run it if you have a good chance with a colt fit enough to handle it, otherwise they need 12 months to recover! You need a 1,600-meter horse who can stay 2,100 meters and a very good 1,600-meter horse can handle 400 meters more without a problem.” The post Could it Be Sinileo? Wertheimer Wildcard in Deep in the Jockey Club appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday, Chantilly, France, post time: 16:05, QATAR PRIX DU JOCKEY CLUB-G1, €1,500,000, 3yo, c/f, 10 1/2fT Field: Azimpour (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), RIdari (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}), King Of Cities (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Al Aali (Fr) (City Light {Fr}), Leffard (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), Cualificar (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Detain (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Heybetli (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}), Bowmark (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Curragh Camp (Fr) (Romanised {Ire}), Luther (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Trinity College (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Parachutiste (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Tipinso (Fr) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Nitoi (Siyouni {Fr}), Sinileo (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), Frankly Good Cen (Fr) (Frankel {GB}). TDN Verdict: First port of call must be the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains, which has become so key to this Classic since it was stripped of true “Derby” status when cut from the traditional mile-and-a-half trip 20 years ago. Camille Pissarro fared best of the five who took part in the mile Classic and has what looks an ideal draw in one, especially given that his stablemate Trinity College is close by but he seemed to be suited by being wide there and when winning the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and he will be right in the thick of the crowd from that post. Ridari was on the premises in the Poulains and while he has a double-figure draw, those that have overcome that in recent times include a trio who came from that ParisLongchamp Classic and his style of racing suggests it is not the end of the world. Given that the Wertheimers already had Nitoi, the winner of an established trial in the track's Listed Prix de Suresnes, it is significant that they have not only supplemented Sinileo but that Maxime Guyon picks him. So impressive on debut over a mile here, he takes a mighty leap but Guyon has told Paris-Turf that this is their best 3-year-old. One of the better unexposed 3-year-old colts around, Bowmark just looks like a surefire good horse waiting to happen and a win would provide the Gosdens with a second Classic in 2025 with a son of Kingman. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Tokyo, Japan, post time: 15:40, TOKYO YUSHUN (JAPANESE DERBY)-G1, ¥570,000,000, 3yo, 2400mT Field: Lila Emblem (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Shohei (Jpn) (Saturnalia {Jpn}), Eri King (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Dragon Boost (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}), Readiness (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}), Fandom (Jpn) (Saturnalia {Jpn}), Museum Mile (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}), M's (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), GIovanni (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), Toppi Born (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), Nishino Agent (Jpn) (Isla Bonita {Jpn}), Kalamatianos (Jpn) (Rey De Oro {Jpn}), Croix Du Nord (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Ho O Atman (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Faust Rasen (Jpn) (Mozu Ascot), Feiern Kranz (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Masquerade Ball (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Satono Shining (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}). Click here for the preview. Sunday, Baden-Baden, Germany, post time: 14:30, GROSSER PREIS VON TATTERSALLS (EX GROSSER PREIS DER BADISCHEN WIRTSCHAFT-G2, €70,000, 4yo/up, 11fT Field: Lordano (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), Certain Lad (GB) (Clodovil {Ire}), Cold Heart (Brz) (Alpha), Mansour (Ger) (Tai Chi {Ger}), Narrativo (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), Queimados (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Quest The Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), Rashford (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Wilko (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Germany's older brigade tussle for early pre-eminence, with last year's G2 Union-Rennen winner and G1 Grosser Preis Von Baden third Narrativo one of the likelier types. Another of the Classic crop of 2024 is the G3 Bavarian Classic scorer Wilko, who marked his return from a lengthy absence with success in the Listed Preis Von Dahlwitz at Hoppegarten in April. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Chantilly, France, post time: 15:20, PRIX DE SANDRINGHAM-G2, €130,000, 3yo, f, 8fT Field: Vadinska (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Ghoufrann (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Godspeed (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Eponine (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}), Mimos (Fr) (City Light {Fr}), Tigress Of Gaul (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Relaxx (Fr) (City Light {Fr}), Betty Clover (GB) (Time Test {GB}). TDN Verdict: The Aga Khan Studs' TDN Rising Star Vadinska takes aim at this prestigious prize following her 10-length romp at Saint-Cloud at the start of May. While the relative of Vadeni looks potentially out of the top drawer, there was a lot to like about the way Godspeed went through the G3 Prix de la Grotte and G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and if things fall better for her here she could be the one to put it up to the favourite. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Chantilly, France, post time: 18:35, GRAND PRIX DE CHANTILLY EN HOMMAGE A SON ALTESSE AGA KHAN IV-G2, €130,000, 4yo/up, 12fT Field: Sibayan (Fr) (Blame), Mont De Soleil (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), Arrow Eagle (Fr) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Junko (GB) (Intello {Ger}). TDN Verdict: While Sibayan would be a fitting winner in the silks of the race that honours his late owner-breeder, he has a length to find on Arrow Eagle on their running in ParisLongchamp's G3 Prix d'Hedouville and is not certain to do so. Junko is the class act, but he was fourth on his belated return from injury in that contest and much depends on whether the 2023 G1 Hong Kong Vase hero retains his old ability. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Chantilly, France, post time: 14:40, PRIX DU GROS-CHENE-G3, €80,000, 3yo/up, 5fT Field: National Service (Fr) (Elusive City), Toyotomi (Fr) (Blue Point {Ire}), Batwan (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}), Ponntos (Ire) (Power {GB}), Ciao Pa' (Fr) (Shamalgan {Fr}), Lesslepasser (Fr) (Penny's Picnic {Ire}), Pradaro (Fr) (Penny's Picnic {Ire}), Kind Of Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), Monteille (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}), Coto De Caza (Ire) (Sioux Nation). TDN Verdict: Chantilly's Jockey-Club undercard is graced by last year's G1 British Champions Sprint Stakes hero and G1 Haydock Sprint Cup runner-up Kind Of Blue, who escapes a penalty but who may need this comeback over a trip short of his optimum. Certain to be even better at four, he may yet overcome but will be readily forgiven if unable to deal with a fast filly like the G3 Cornwallis Stakes winner Coto De Caza on weight-for-age terms. The G3 Prix de Saint-Georges runner-up Ciao Pa' likes this track and is improving. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Chantilly, France, post time: 18:00, PRIX DE ROYAUMONT-G3, €80,000, 3yo, f, 12fT Field: Eleganz (Ire) (Adlerflug {Ger}), Zakharova (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}), Ginalyah (Ire) (Chachnak {Fr}), Rabbit's Foot (Fr) (Golden Horde {Ire}), Indalimos (Fr) (Cloth Of Stars {Ire}), Konada (Fr) (Toronado {Ire}), Sunly (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Secret Of Love (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}). TDN Verdict: Sunly looked a smart prospect when winning the 11-furlong Listed Prix de la Seine at ParisLongchamp in early May and bids to become her family's second Group 3 winner of the weekend following the exploits of Estrange at Haydock. Rabbit's Foot is also two-for-two, but probably has more to do than when taking Toulouse's Listed Prix Caravelle in April while the Listed Cheshire Oaks runner-up Secret Of Love will tell us more about the Oaks prospects of Minnie Hauk. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Chantilly, France, post time: 14:05, PRIX RMC – PRIX LA FLECHE-Listed, €60,000, 2yo, 5fT Field: Graft (Ire) (US Navy Flag), Caro Buono (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}), Super Soldier (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Focus (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), Radiant (Fr) (City Light {Fr}), Nyoka (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}), Kimi Rey (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Saucy Jane (GB) (Lope Y Fernandez {Ire}). TDN Verdict: A big day for the Wertheimers, Andre Fabre and Siyouni begins with the course-and-distance debut winner Focus who proved an anomaly on pedigree there given her middle-distance roots. The Royal Ascot Two-Year-Old Trial runner-up Super Soldier is much truer-to-type in that regard for this kind of affair and Karl Burke usually hits when he targets these contests. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Chantilly, France, post time: 16:50, PRIX MARCHAND D'OR-Listed, €55,000, 3yo, 6fT Field: Arabie (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}), Estepona (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}), Glanworth (Ire) (Kuroshio {Aus}), Detonate (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Mehmist (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}), Midnight Strike (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Soldier's Heart (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Reyevka (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Une Pointure (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}), Apollo Fountain (GB) (No Nay Never). TDN Verdict: Last year's Listed Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy winner Soldier's Heart is a significant threat to the home-trained sprinters along with Arabie who returns to the scene of his big juvenile wins in the G3 Prix du Bois and G2 Prix Robert Papin. Second and fourth in this track's G3 Prix Sigy in April, Estepona and Rayevka retain upside, particularly the latter who was so impressive when earning TDN Rising Star status over this course and distance in September. [Tom Frary]. Monday, Rome, Italy, post time: 17:00, PREMIO 142 DERBY ITALIANO-G2, €640,000, 3yo, c/f, 2200mT Field: Became Good (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), Cleone Jet (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}), Crazy Spirit (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), Decorated Royal (Ire) (Decorated Knight {GB}), Hanting (GB) (Harry Angel {Ire}), Heldtoransom (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), Klaynn (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), Lao Tzu (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Loki (Ger) (Best Solution {Ire}), Molveno (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}), Our 'Enery (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Red Maximus (Ire) (Circus Maximus {Ire}), Starnberg (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}), Tamburo (Ire) (Harzan {Ire}), Tutto Torna (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}), Zagnuc (Ire) (Arcano {Ire}), Zauberkonig (Ger) (Teofilo {Ire}), Zibibbo (Ire) (Fascinating Rock {Ire}). Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Classic Action Takes Centre Stage at Chantilly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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4th-Churchill Downs, $117,750, Msw, 5-31, 3yo/up, f/m, 7f, 1:22.93, ft, 4 1/4 lengths. KAPOOR (f, 3, Uncle Mo–Kareena {SW, $148,000}, by Medaglia d'Oro) had strung together back-to-back third-place efforts in her first two jumps–Feb. 9 at Gulfstream Park and again Apr. 7 at Keeneland–and the betting public couldn't take their eyes off her here, crowning the Godolphin homebred the 6-5 favorite for her third attempt to graduate. Jostled around when leaving the blocks, she recovered quickly to dictate the tempo on an uncontested lead through :22.46 and a half in :45.30. Still enjoying a clear advantage as they swung through the bend and into the stretch, she widened it to 4 1/4 lengths over Speighter Woman (Speightster) on the wire as that one closed for second. A half-sister to SP Padma (Tapit), who produced a Street Sense filly this year, Kapoor is their dam's second winner behind that sibling. Kareena's 2023 Constitution foal died, but she does have a yearling filly by Tapit as well as a 2025 filly by Constitution. Said broodmare is a daughter of MGSW India (Hennessy), making her a half-sister to Japanese multiple Group 1 winner Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}). Accomplished immediate relatives include India's half-siblings SW Pilfer (Deputy Minister)–dam of MGISW To Honor and Serve (Bernardini) and his full-sister GISW Angela Rennee–as well as SW & GISP Elnaawi (Street Sense). Pilfer is also the granddam of GI Central Bank Ashland Stakes victress La Cara (Street Sense). Lifetime Record: 3-1-0-2, $86,313. Click for the Equibase.com chart\fs21f1 or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-William I. Mott. Kapoor is an easy winner in R4 at @churchilldowns under @iradortiz for trainer Bill Mott! TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/XL22HvbEhq — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) May 31, 2025 The post Third Time’s the Charm for Uncle Mo’s Kapoor as She Dons Cap and Gown at Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

4th-CD, $120k, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 2:13p.m. ET Leaving the four hole on this unveiling as the most expensive auction buy in the race, CANNONEER (Into Mischief) will be carrying the colors of the partnership of St Elias and Stonestreet Stables. A $1.75-million purchase last year at KEESEP, the son of top sire Into Mischief claims a fleet of accomplished half-siblings, most notable being the late GSW & MGISP Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow) and sire GISW Girvin (Tale of Ekati). Also in dam Catch the Moon (Malibu Moon)'s family portrait is GSW Cocked and Loaded (Colonel John) and GSW Pirate's Punch (Shanghai Bobby). One of said mare's full-sisters is Clarendon Fancy, herself the mother of GISW Brightwork (Outwork) and GSP Just as Fancy (Volatile). A half-sister to that pair produced GSP As Catch Can (Mo Town). Cannoneer is trained by Brad Cox and will have Florent Geroux in the irons as the morning line lists him at 2-1 odds. To that one's outside is Macchiato (Gun Runner), the Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred who hails from the immediate female family of champion 3-year-old filly MGISW Untapable (Tapit) and her half-brother GISW Paddy O'Prado (El Prado {Ire}). A full-sister to the GI Kentucky Oaks victress is Red House, dam of MGSW Red Route One (Gun Runner) and his full-brother MSW & MGSP Red Run. Steve Asmussen trains this one. Password (Uncle Mo) will break from the rail for owner/breeder Peter Blum and trainer Rodolphe Brisset. The colt's dam is a half-sister to several black-type winners and black-type producers, including Initiation (Deputy Minister), who would eventually create a branch which yielded Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Elysian Field (Hard Spun). Another half-sister, Treasure (Medaglia d'Oro) would gain acclaim via her 'TDN Rising Star' son, champion dirt male MGISW National Treasure (Quality Road). TJCIS PPs 6th-SA, $60k, Msw, 2yo, 5fT, 6:38p.m. ET Racing in the colors of owner/breeder Calumet Farm is Brigante (More Than Ready) for trainer Chief Stipe O'Neill in a baby dash on the grass. Hailing from an extremely deep female family, the ridgling claims some of the sport's biggest stars as relatives. His second dam is MGSW Caress (Storm Cat), making his own dam Cheeky Charm (A.P. Indy) a half-sister to the likes of GISW Sky Mesa (Pulpit) and MGSW & GISP Golden Velvet (Seeking the Gold), herself mother to GSW Lucullan (Hard Spun) and GSW Innovative Idea (Bernardini). The lattermost mare would herself gain fame through her own daughter, MGISW Matareya (Pioneerof the Nile). Another half-sister to Cheeky Charm, Velvety (Bernardini), would produce MGISW Maxfield and his half-sister GSW Loved (Medaglia d'Oro). This is also the extended family of GSW Touchuponastar (Star Guitar) and MGSW & GISP Good Samaritan (Harlan's Holiday). Eyeballing that one in the gate to his inside is the John Sadler trainee Hey Nay Nay (Ire) (No Nay Never). A $300,000 KEESEP buy last year, the Irish-bred is a half-brother to Group winner Global Storm (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}), a frequent face in the upper levels of European racing in his time. Their half-sister is last year's Listed placed Where I Wanna Be (Ire) (Camelot {Ire}). Dam Travel (Street Cry {Ire}) is a half-sibling to the ill-fated GI Kentucky Derby second Eight Belles (Unbridled's Song). On the rail is Won for Lou (Bucchero), a half-brother to SP Tweety Show (English Channel), who also heads out from the O'Neill barn. Their dam is a full-sister to G1 Epsom Oaks victress Casual Look (Red Ransom), who herself went on to produce GSW Casual Smile (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Another Grade I-placed sull-sister Shabby Chic claims G2 Italian Oaks victress Fashion Statement (GB) (Rainbow Quest). TJCIS PPs The post June 1 Insights: Churchill Hosts Debuting Half-Brother to late Midnight Bourbon, Sire Girvin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Karl Burke, who has sent out more Royal Ascot-winning two-year-olds in the last decade than every other trainer bar Aidan O'Brien, has emerged as a fierce opponent to planned changes to the Windsor Castle Stakes, describing the new race conditions announced by the British Horseracing Authority's Flat Pattern Committee (FPC) as a “ridiculous idea”. In a press release issued by the FPC on Tuesday, it was revealed that the distance of the Windsor Castle will be increased to six furlongs from 2026. In addition, the Listed contest will be restricted to juveniles whose sire won at least once over seven furlongs plus at two, or a mile plus at three and above. According to the FPC, these recommendations are part of a wider effort, in conjunction with the European Pattern Committee (EPC), to strengthen the middle-distance and staying horse divisions, and to broaden the appeal of sires beyond those predominately aimed at producing precocious speed. Burke, however, believes that the new-look Windsor Castle will simply prove low-hanging fruit for the major owner-breeder operations with a monopoly on the best progeny of the top middle-distance stallions. “We've got that many quangos trying to make racing for everybody, but the only people going to benefit from this are Coolmore and Ballydoyle and Darley and Godolphin, so far as I can see,” Burke told the TDN after learning of the proposed changes. “The Windsor Castle has always been a race where the average man in the street has got a chance of buying a relatively cheap horse and having a runner at Royal Ascot. This is going to take that away from them. “I'd say, nine times out of ten, the conditions of the race that they're suggesting will see a Ballydoyle horse at 6/4, a Godolphin horse at 2/1, and then it will be 10/1 bar. To me it just smacks of elitism and I don't know who thinks that this is going to promote the breeding of staying horses. I thought it was a ridiculous idea. It will be a crying shame if it goes through and I think it will be to the detriment of a lot of people.” Journalist and broadcaster Lydia Hislop is the chair of the FPC, with Burke's fellow trainers William Haggas and Simon Crisford also featuring among its 11 members. Hislop was contacted by the TDN on Friday and strongly refuted the suggestion that the changes recommended by the FPC were in any way “elitist”. “The idea that it's elitist, I think that's looking at it through a very narrow end of the telescope,” she said. “I understand that people who have commercial irons in the fire might feel that this is not a positive thing, but we're trying to ensure the diversity of the breed and that the supply of horses fits the race programme in the longer term, which couldn't be a more democratic argument. “If we think about what people want to watch and how our sport is funded, via betting but also via TV coverage and attendances, people wish to see a diverse and competitive sport. At the moment, the supply chain is not delivering what the sport needs it to deliver, in order for it to carry on in that way. “So, we can either be ruled by sectional, short-term interests, which I fear have often won the argument over the past 10 or 15 years. Or we can think about the long-term future of the sport, and I think that's what this decision is being made for.” Expanding on the rationale behind the changes, Hislop added, “At the moment, there appears to be a bias towards precocious speed. We're conscious that Royal Ascot already offers many opportunities for that. There is still the Queen Mary at five furlongs, there is still the Norfolk at five furlongs. It seemed that there was perhaps an over-emphasis and that these races were creating a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy. “The concern is that there are a lot of horses being bred for a two-year-old target in June. If you have a disproportionate number of horses being bred for that target, then I don't think that is good for the long-term health of the breed–it certainly isn't good for the short-term health of the British racing industry.” It will likely be many years before we know whether these changes have been successful in their aims but, make no mistake, the fields assembled for future editions of the Windsor Castle will immediately look unrecognisable compared to those we've come to know since it was first awarded Listed status in 2004. Last year, for example, only four of the 27 runners would have been able to eligible to run had the new race conditions already been in place. It would have been 4/23 in 2023 and 5/24 the previous year. All told, six of the last 10 winners would have needed to look elsewhere for a run at Royal Ascot. Neither Little Big Bear nor Big Evs, two of the best winners of the Windsor Castle in recent times, would have qualified which, in hindsight, might have been for the betterment of the Norfolk. Big Evs, for example, ran to a BHA performance figure of 111 when winning the Windsor Castle in 2023, whereas Norfolk hero Valiant Force came away from the meeting with a Group 2 success on his CV despite running to a figure of just 108. No Nay Never, the sire of Little Big Bear, and Blue Point, who produced Big Evs from his very first crop, were both winners at the meeting themselves, but at shorter trips than the new conditions demand. And they're just two of the big-name stallions who will have one less chance to sire a Royal Ascot winner in years to come. When you throw into that mix other active stallions such as Dark Angel, Mehmas, Kodiac, Havana Grey, Showcasing and Ardad, then it's a safe bet that a few powerful stud farm owners out there didn't welcome the news with open arms, either. “It's disappointing from my point of view,” confirmed Simon Sweeting of Overbury Stud, home to the 2016 Windsor Castle winner in Ardad. “Whilst I completely understand that they want to try and encourage the breeding of more middle-distance horses, you can't just forget about the more precocious, commercial type of stallion. “This will obviously rule them out [of having runners in the Windsor Castle] and I think it would be a mistake to do that in one fell swoop. I don't think you can make a rapid change and I don't think it's going to have a particularly beneficial effect, as quickly as people might want it to.” Referencing the insatiable appetite of owners on the hunt for juveniles capable of running at Royal Ascot, he added, “It is a quick way to have success at the Royal meeting, which is what most owners aspire to and is a very, very important factor. If people can come in, buy a horse and taste success–or just enjoy the pleasure of being at Royal Ascot–then that in itself could lead to people getting more involved going forward, including with the middle-distance type of horse. “I understand the reasons for the changes but, when you're standing stallions, there's no point trying to sell people pears when they want to buy apples.” Those sentiments were echoed by Burke, who provided some insight into the pressures faced by modern-day trainers when it comes to recruiting Royal Ascot juveniles for their owners. “I would say 70-80% of the owners who we buy yearlings for are asking us to look for a precocious two-year-old that has a chance of going to Ascot,” he explained. “That will be the case when we go to the Premier Sale at Goffs, the Somerville Sale at Tattersalls or the September Sale at Tattersalls Ireland. We know that 90% of them don't make it, but there are a lot of horses bought at those sales I've just mentioned, specifically for an Ascot runner.” Burke has saddled five two-year-old winners at Royal Ascot since 2020 alone, from Dandalla winning the Albany Stakes five years ago to a double in 2024 courtesy of Queen Mary heroine Leovanni and Norfolk scorer Shareholder. Dandalla was a relatively cheap buy at €22,000 from the September Yearling Sale, whereas Shareholder struck at Royal Ascot little more than a month after being bought for €460,000 at the Arqana Breeze-up Sale. The Middleham trainer has certainly delivered on the brief for his owners, be their budget big or small, but the obsession with five days in June that Burke and his colleagues are having to accommodate leaves Hislop with questions. “If that percentage of owners want a precocious two-year-old, what happens to that two-year-old in July? And August? And September? And when it's a thee-year-old or four-year-old?” she asked. “I think on the [Nick Luck Daily] podcast, Nick spoke with Jane Mangan and the view was that the horse is for life, not just for Royal Ascot as a two-year-old. “I think the industry needs to step back and look at that as a business model and ask itself, 'Is that sustainable?'. And do we think this is a position that British racing can be proud of?” It was also suggested by the eponymous host on Wednesday's Nick Luck Daily that exceptions could be made for the likes of Blue Point, advocating even a possible tweak to the conditions which would allow runners by stallions who won a Group 1 at the age of three or above. Burke, too, was said to be incredulous when he learned of the identity of some of the elite sires whose progeny would be barred from the start line for the Windsor Castle from next year. Hislop concedes that a horse like Blue Point might have been somewhat caught in the crossfire of these changes. The Kildangan Stud resident who completed a memorable Group 1 sprint double at Royal Ascot aged five is far from the flash-bang two-year-old type that has saturated the stallion market in recent years, many would argue to the detriment of the breed. It's worth remembering, however, the extent to which stallions of Blue Point's ilk will still be catered for at Royal Ascot, a fixture where nearly 30% (10/35) of the races are run over six furlongs or less. “I thought that was a very interesting suggestion, although I'd imagine some might say that that was an even more elitist way of going about it,” Hislop said of Luck's compromise. “I agree that it is a shame that the progeny of a horse such as Blue Point, who was a proper top-class sprinter, might not be eligible for the Windsor Castle. But there is still the Coventry, there is still the Queen Mary, there is still the Albany, and there is still the Norfolk. “There are opportunities for two-year-olds and, almost more importantly for the long-term health of the breed, there is also the Commonwealth Cup, there is also the King Charles III, and there is also the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee. There are many, many, many races at Royal Ascot for the likes of Blue Point's progeny to be running in–the Windsor Castle just won't be one of them.” She added, “I think it [the changes to the Windsor Castle] might help strengthen the Norfolk which has been under some pressure in recent years. I think there was almost too much of a crossover between the two races in the end and horses that you really felt ought to be running in the Norfolk were instead running in the Windsor Castle. So, I think that is potentially a big positive, ditto for the Queen Mary. It could help in that regard.” As for the older sprinters, it was only last year that the Group 1 status of the Commonwealth Cup was reported to be at risk, with Malton trainer Richard Fahey describing himself at the time as “hugely surprised” by the development. In 2022, he registered his second win in the race courtesy of Perfect Power, Ardad's first crop son who'd already won the Norfolk the previous year. Consulted by the TDN about the changes to the Windsor Castle announced earlier this week, Fahey again expressed his concern with regards the apparent downward trajectory of the domestic sprinting scene. “What's amazed me really is that in the past few years our sprinters seem to have gotten worse,” he said. “Why aren't they trying to protect the sprinters as well? There was talk about changing the Commonwealth Cup from a Group 1 to a Group 2 last year. This won't help that situation but, look, it is only one race. It's not going to make a massive difference to me, but I'm sure a lot of people will disagree. As you get older, whatever they do you just carry on!” Carry on we all will, no doubt, but those with the power to instigate genuine change cannot just bury their heads in the sand any longer, according to Hislop who, whilst agreeing with Fahey's comments about the sprinting scene, warned against conflating speed and precocity. She also stressed that the Pattern Committees remain intent on strengthening the quality of the sprint division in Europe, with the upshot being that the likelihood of the Commonwealth Cup being downgraded in the near future is very low, even in the event that the annual and rolling three-yearly ratings dictate that the matter must be discussed by the EPC. “For a good while now–probably for the same 20-odd years we've seen the staying division in slow decline–we've been breeding more precocious types, and yet we're not breeding better sprinters,” she asserted. “We made improvements to the sprint programme. The Commonwealth Cup was created out of nothing by the EPC as part of a coherent sprinting programme, an opportunity for three-year-old sprinters to have something to focus on. There are challenges, but you have to stick with it. “Quite often in this conversation, precocity and sprinting can become conflated. They are not the same thing. We would like a thriving sprint programme, in the same way that we would like a thriving stayers' programme, but the Pattern Committees are only part of that equation. It also requires broader, industry-wide prioritisation and focus.” Of course, the plan for the Windsor Castle is not the only intervention we've seen brought in with the aim of safeguarding the production, retention and racing of quality horses with stamina in Europe. This population has been dwindling over a number of years, with an already threadbare programme being decimated further by the loss of talented stayers to different racing jurisdictions such as Australia. The Pattern Committees first began work on the stayers' project in 2016, before generating a framework of pan-European upgrades to the staying Pattern programme the following year. As recently as February, the EPC announced a series of Group 1 upgrades in this area. Hislop also highlighted the way the BHA Development Fund has been utilised in recent years. In 2025, over £3.3 million in prize-money will be available across 88 High-Value Developmental Races in Britain, with an increased focus on potential stayers. “This is the thing we're really good at here, producing middle-distance horses and stayers,” Hislop added of European racing's traditional strong suit. “Those pedigrees are so old and well developed. What they are is class, that's what they are. It's not just stamina. And we seem to be valuing that so cheaply that we're prepared to mortgage our future for the sake of some two-year-old races in June. “I don't think that the sport can carry on just looking at that and thinking, somehow, it's all going to be fine, because it isn't.” The post Burke Brands Windsor Castle Changes as ‘Ridiculous’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Heavy rain and severe kickback forced the abandonment of Eagle Farm's group 1 meeting May 31, with poor visibility leading to the postponement of the final four races, including the Queensland Derby (G1) and Kingsford-Smith Cup (G1). View the full article

Last seen winning Doncaster's Listed Gillies Fillies' Stakes in November, Cheveley Park Stud's Estrange was back with a bang in Saturday's G3 Lester Piggott Fillies' Stakes at Haydock. Confidently ridden by Danny Tudhope anchored in rear early, the 13-8 second favourite loomed on the outer approaching two out as if she had just joined in. Sent on soon after, the David O'Meara-trained daughter of Night Of Thunder responded with relish to record an emphatic 4 1/4-length success from the 11-8 market-leader Shaha. Estrange @omeararacing | @CPStudOfficial | @haydockraces pic.twitter.com/T8kHJtJLbq — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 31, 2025 The post Night Of Thunder’s Estrange Impressive In The Lester Piggott appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following Saturday's confirmation stage, Godolphin's 1,000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower (Night Of Thunder) is one of nine possible runners in Friday's Betfred Oaks at Epsom. Unbeaten in five career starts, culminating with a comfortable defeat of Flight and Simmering in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, Desert Flower is the sponsor's 7/4 favourite to complete a Classic double at Epsom, a feat last achieved by the Aidan O'Brien-trained Love five years ago. O'Brien is responsible for three of the remaining nine contenders in Giselle (Frankel), the wide-margin winner of the Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial, Minnie Hauk (Frankel), who won the Listed Cheshire Oaks on her most recent start, and the G3 Musidora Stakes scorer Whirl (Wootton Bassett). Last seen finishing fourth behind Desert Flower when having just her second start in the 1,000 Guineas, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Elwateen (Dubawi) was supplemented on Friday at a cost of £30,000. She will be the sole representative in the Classic for the Shadwell team who, as expected, have taken their Falakeyah out of the race. Joseph O'Brien's Wemightakedlongway (Australia) could join the Ballydoyle contingent on the journey from Ireland, having won the G3 Salsabil Stakes at Navan on her most recent outing, while the possible field is completed by the one-two from the Listed Fillies' Trial Stakes at Newbury, Qilin Queen (Pinatubo) and Revoir (Study Of Man), and the Musidora third Go Go Boots (Night Of Thunder). Meanwhile, eight horses remain in contention for the G1 Betfred Coronation Cup earlier on the card, headed by Francis-Henri Graffard's Calandagan, whose last three starts have seen him fill the runner-up spot in a trio of top-level contests–the Juddmonte International, Champion Stakes and Dubai Sheema Classic. The son of Gleneagles won't have things all his own way as he tries to gain a deserved first Group 1 success, however, with St Leger hero Jan Brueghel (Frankel), Hong Kong Vase scorer Giavellotto (Mastercraftsman) and Irish Oaks winner You Got To Me (Nathaniel) all featuring among his potential rivals. The post Oaks Favourite Desert Flower Features Among Nine Confirmations appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

While the racing world crosses its fingers and hopes there will be a rematch between Sovereignty and Journalism in the Belmont Stakes (G1), it would be quite a mistake to sleep on Baeza.View the full article

Exciting New Zealand-bred mare Niance (NZ) (Swiss Ace) has bounced back from a serious injury and picked up right where she left off last spring, collecting her third consecutive black-type win in Saturday’s A$175,000 Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield. The five-year-old Swiss Ace mare has now had 11 starts for seven wins, a placing, and A$449,467 in prize-money. She announced her arrival on the big stage in Melbourne last spring with victories in the Listed Alinghi Stakes (1100m) in October and Gr.3 How Now Stakes (1200m) in November – both at Caulfield. However, she later cracked her skull in a paddock accident and underwent surgery to remove bone fragments. Nursed back to health by Cranbourne trainer Grahame Begg and his staff, Niance made a welcome return to racing on Saturday after 196 days on the sidelines. The Bel Esprit proved to be a triumphant comeback and improved her Caulfield record to three starts for three stakes wins. “Look, she’s a gun,” Begg said. “She never knows how to run a bad race. “She’s come back from a significant injury, where she cracked her skull and had to have surgery to remove some bone fragments. There’s a lot of people to thank for getting her through that, from the vets to the staff at home. We just took care of her, and it’s amazing to see her bounce back from that. “She hasn’t missed a beat since we got her back into full training. She gave us every indication that she’d prepared well for this, which looked like an ideal first-up race. Daniel Moor gave her a great ride. “I’m sure there’s better things in store for her. There’s a possibility she may go to Queensland for the Healy Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m, June 28), but that might be a bit iffy with the weather in Queensland at the moment. The Heath (Gr.3, 1100m) here at Caulfield in August could be another option, and then go from there.” Niance was sent out as a $2.40 favourite on Saturday and never really provided a moment’s doubt. She travelled sweetly in fifth, out wide but with cover. Moor still had her under a hold as she rounded the turn breathing down the necks of the leaders, and she pounced at the 300m mark. Niance dashed to the lead and quickly put the result beyond doubt, going on to win by three-quarters of a length from Cleo Cat (American Pharoah) and Aviatress (Smart Missile). “She’s beautiful,” Moor said. “She’s not a huge horse, but has a great length of stride. Grahame and I weren’t worried about the prospect of being out wide with her today, it was just a matter of keeping her balanced and in her rhythm. “Then I was just waiting to press the button. We know how good she is, but being first-up after a long break, I didn’t want to be hitting the front 400m from home. Within a couple of strides, we went from two lengths off them to right alongside them. I just wanted her to harness that the right way and then get her to let rip at the right time.” Niance began her career in the care of Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, for whom she was a winner and a placegetter from four starts in New Zealand before Phill Cataldo negotiated a private sale for clients Ace Bloodstock. Begg took his time with the mare when she first crossed the Tasman, with 12 months between her final run in New Zealand and her Australian debut victory at Pakenham in February this year. Niance was bred by Gerry Harvey and is by his Westbury Stud stallion Swiss Ace out of the Red Giant mare Cosmetic (NZ). Second dam Renovated is a half-sister to the Australian Group winners Alma’s Fury and Enforced. View the full article

Snapping a streak of seven consecutive placings behind Ka Ying Rising, Helios Express dug deep to chase down Invincible Sage for a heart-stopping victory in Saturday’s Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m). Sent off the $2.05 favourite in his bid for a breakthrough success, the John Size-trained gelding launched a withering burst from last to deny $20 shot Invincible Sage in a bob of the heads on the finishing post. Hugh Bowman took Helios Express back from the outside draw in the field of 11 and...View the full article

Cody Mo Wai-kit continued his impressive season with his biggest career success at Sha Tin on Saturday, with Pray For Mir toughing it out from the front to win the Group Three Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m). It was a well-executed game plan by jockey Matthew Chadwick, who pointed the Justify galloper straight to the lead from barrier eight ahead of the stalking pair of Red Lion and Chancheng Glory. Chadwick was still travelling best of all as the field turned in, but he was immediately confronted by...View the full article

Aidan O’Brien heads into Sunday’s Group One Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (2,000m) double-handed as he bids to win the race for just the second time in his career at Chantilly on Sunday. The master of Ballydoyle first landed the French Derby with St Mark’s Basilica and Camille Pissarro looks to have a brilliant chance of doubling his tally in the third French Classic of the season. The Wootton Bassett galloper won the Group One Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (1,400m) at Longchamp in October and posted a...View the full article

Well-related Trelawney Stud filly Madiyya (NZ) (Super Seth) signed off her three-year-old season with a third straight win, this time over 1600m in the A$150,000 Rod Griffiths Handicap at Caulfield on Saturday. The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained Madiyya has made a big impression in a four-race campaign this autumn. She made her debut with a second placing over 1200m at Pakenham in late March, followed by wins in a 1400m maiden at Sale on April 20, a 1400m three-year-old handicap at Caulfield on May 10, and Saturday’s victory over 1600m. Madiyya drew the outside gate in Saturday’s 10-horse field, forcing Luke Currie to ride her further back than the midfield tactics that produced her previous wins. She was last until just before the home turn, when Currie swooped around the outside to make his bid. With a sustained run, Madiyya bounded home out wide and hit the lead with just over 100m to run. She may have felt the effects of those efforts in the final few strides, allowing a late-closing I Only Wish (Puissance De Lune) to reduce the margin to a neck, but Madiyya held on to complete her hat-trick of wins. “She was actually a bit better out of the gates today than she was last time,” Currie said. “The way she raced today, she would have landed a lot closer if she’d drawn better. It meant we had to loop the field off a soft tempo, so it was a good effort from where we were. “She was brilliant last time and was probably a bit more tradesmanlike today, but we had enough at the line to get the win without being too hard on her. She’s going to furnish with a bit more time. She’s certainly heading the right way.” Madiyya’s four starts have produced three wins, a second, and A$187,050 in stakes for owners Brent and Cherry Taylor. Madiyya is by outstanding young Waikato Stud stallion Super Seth and is a half-sister to dual Group One winner and sire Grunt (NZ), in addition to Group Two winning mare Zayydani (NZ). The latter played an important role for the Hayes brothers as they established their careers after the relocation of their father David to Hong Kong, with Zayydani both the first winner for the new-look Lindsay Park and first stakes winner. “I was just on the phone to Cherry Taylor, who’s very, very happy with this win,” Ben Hayes said. “This filly has done a great job to win three in a row, and today’s win was good. She produced a long, sustained run and has ticked off the mile. “This has been a fantastic family for us, with Zayydani a pin-up horse in the early days of our training partnership. Trelawney have been great supporters of the stable. Now we’d love to try to get some black type with this filly, potentially in her next preparation. “We know this family very well and she’s beautifully bred. You’d think, the way she won today – strong through the line and doing everything right – that she might get up over 2000m in her next prep. But she’s not a big horse and has a bit more growing to do. She’s done a fantastic job to go through the grades in this first preparation and win some good prize money. “She can go for a break now, and then we’ll have a never nice horse for the spring. Maybe we can try to target a race that Zayydani won.” Hayes may have been referring to either the Gr.2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington or the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m). Zayydani scored back-to-back wins in those races in November of 2021. View the full article

A two-race North Island campaign has ended on a career-defining high for Ears Back (NZ) (Jakkalberry) and her Rangiora trainer John Blackadder, who scored their first black-type win in Saturday’s Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m) at Wanganui. Bad luck has been a recurring theme throughout the career of the Jakkalberry mare, including a check in the straight when beaten by only 2.7 lengths in the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) at Riccarton last November, along with a close fifth after a less-than-perfect run in the Listed Rangitikei Cup (1600m) at Trentham in her last start on May 17. But on Saturday, she made her own luck and became a stakes winner. Ridden by in-form jockey Mereana Hudson, Ears Back broke brilliantly from gate four and immediately took up a clear lead. Bradman (NZ) (Pins) pushed forward to join her and briefly moved ahead down the back straight, but Ears Back regained command before turning down the side of the track. Hudson began to up the ante from the 700m mark, and Ears Back kicked off the home turn with two lengths up her sleeve. The chasers gave their all to reel her back in through the final 300m, headed by defending champion Belardo Boy (NZ) (Belardo), but there would be no catching Ears Back. She kept going strongly all the way to the finish line, winning by a length and three-quarters from Belardo Boy. The third-placed Bradman finished another two lengths away. Ears Back has now had 37 starts for eight wins, six placings, and $285,660 in stakes. “That’s my first black-type win and I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Blackadder, who also shares in the ownership of the six-year-old. “It’s great for the horse, great for her owners and also great for Mereana Hudson, who gave her a perfect ride today. The plan came off. It’s so satisfying. “She was quite unlucky in that first run up north at Trentham a few weeks ago. She struck a really wet patch at the turn and lost a couple of lengths, but she still ended up being beaten by less than a length and a half. So to get the stakes win today, in the second of our northern targets, is a really big thrill.” Saturday’s weight-for-age feature was the 13th and final start of the season for Ears Back. That breakthrough campaign has produced two wins, three placings, more than $130,000 in stakes and valuable black type. “There’s not many other suitable races coming up for her now and she’s had a pretty fair season,” Blackadder said. “She can come home now and go out for a nice winter spell. Then we’ll bring her back into work and get her ready for some spring racing in Canterbury. She’s done a very good job this season and is heading out on a high.” View the full article

Promising New Zealand-bred stayer Campaldino (NZ) (Ghibellines) passed his biggest test with flying colours at Eagle Farm on Saturday, stepping up to stakes company and adding the A$200,000 Gr.3 Living Turf Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) to his winning sequence. The lightly raced four-year-old gelding headed to Brisbane as the winner of his last two starts, having taken out the Orange Cup (2100m) on April 11 and a Benchmark 78 over 2400m on Randwick’s Kensington track two weeks later. Those performances made enough of an impression for Campaldino to start as a respected $7.50 chance against a much higher grade of opposition on Saturday, and he rose to the occasion in style. Ridden by Tim Clark for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Campaldino drew gate 14 in a 16-horse field but was able to move across the front of the field and take up a position in second behind the front-running Dark Destroyer (NZ) (Proisir). Coming up to the home turn, Campaldino was clearly travelling as well as anyone in the deteriorating Heavy8 conditions, and he surged into the lead at the top of the straight. Etna Rosso (Decorated Knight) and Nikau Spur (NZ) (Proisir) emerged from the pack to try to run him down, but Campaldino had plenty in reserve and held them at bay by a length and three-quarters. “He made a really big leap there, coming from midweeks,” Clark said. “The horse has been going so well that we were confident he would take that step. “He’s just been a different horse since Gai and Adrian took the blinkers off him. He was wanting to overdo it. With the blinkers off, he relaxes really well. He conserves his energy and it was a really dominant performance there. He’s versatile and a lightly raced horse on the rise.” Waterhouse and Bott are now likely to give Campaldino a shot at the Gr.2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) on June 14. “I think we’ll have to,” Bott said. “I think he’s got the ability to stay further. We want to take advantage while he’s in this form. I think there is more upside, so why not look at it? “Nice effort from the horse today. He relished the conditions. He had good New Zealand form, particularly in those rain-affected conditions. “He’s been a progressive horse and he is starting to put it all together now. There’s more upside there and he is racing with a bit of confidence. “We came up here with a bit of confidence, the way he’d been working since his last run and the way he’s been all preparation. “He still had a sticky draw there, but when Tim was able to get him outside of the leader, he did relatively little work and we were able to control the race from that point. I was pretty confident through the run and he looked to travel pretty well.” From 13 starts, Campaldino has now recorded five wins and four placings. He has banked more than A$268,000 for a Darby Racing syndicate. Campaldino was bred by the Ricky & Anna Rhodes Partnership and is by White Robe Lodge stallion Ghibellines out of the Shocking mare Zuzana (NZ). Campaldino began his career in the Matamata stable of Cody Cole, for whom he had four starts last year. He finished seventh and eighth in his first two appearances, then put together back-to-back wins in a 1750m highweight at Taupo and a 2200m Rating 65 at Pukekohe. He caught the eye of Rob Waterhouse and was purchased privately. From nine starts in Australia, Campaldino has now recorded three wins, three seconds, a third, and two fifths. View the full article

Progressive three-year-old Whiskey ‘N Roses (NZ) (Belardo) bounced back to winning form with a courageous effort to take out the Captain Compost Landscape Supplies (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. The son of former Haunui Stud-based stallion Belardo made a red-hot start to his racing career, winning two of his first three starts before finishing second to subsequent Group One winner Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) in October last year. He continued to race primarily against the best of his age group with mixed results but looked to be back to his best when finishing third in the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa in late April. His supporters were prepared to overlook a last start failure at Ellerslie where he was blocked for a run at a crucial stage and sent him out a warm $3.70 second favourite with regular pilot Vinnie Colgan back on board. Colgan had the Joanne Surgenor-prepared runner nicely positioned in third throughout before angling out beyond the middle of the track early in the home run. A powerful burst carried Whiskey ‘N Roses to the front where he fought doggedly in the closing stages to hold out Lovaci (NZ) (Tivaci) and the unlucky Lux Libertas (NZ) (Almanzor), who copped a decent bump at the 250m mark when trying to angle into the clear. Surgenor was all smiles as she accepted congratulations on the victory. “He has been working excellently, didn’t really have a run last time and has improved,” Surgenor said. “He’s a happy horse and Vinnie was on, praise the lord! “Vinnie said he was going to say a little wider and not to be worried as the ground is better out there. He balanced him up and the horse just kept giving so what more can you ask for. “He is going to the paddock now and we will see how he spells, but hopefully we might be able to have a go at those early Group races next time in.” Bred by co-owners Peter and Sherin Walker, who race him in partnership with Haunui Farm, Whiskey ‘N Roses is out of the Fully Fledged mare Fullinbloom (NZ), a daughter of multiple stakes winner Rodrigo Rose (NZ) who was twice placed at Group One level. Included in his extended family are three-time Group Two winner Showoroses (NZ) and multiple Australian stakes winner Rosebrook. His third win from just twelve starts has seen him earn $118,235 in prizemoney for his connections. View the full article

Owner-trainer-breeder Kylie Little believes she might have a promising stayer on her hands with Eagle Rock (NZ) (El Roca), who left maiden ranks with an emphatic performance in Saturday’s Matt Edwards-Lime Group Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa. The $20,000 race was the third career start for the three-year-old gelding, who had finished second at Pukekohe and Wanganui in his two previous appearances on April 23 and May 11. Eagle Rock was given a perfect run on Saturday by jockey Bridget Grylls, who slotted him into fourth spot along the rail as Sybaris (NZ) (Magna Grecia) set a solid pace out in front. The three horses in front of Eagle Rock began to feel the pinch coming up to the home turn, but the $3.40 favourite was travelling with ease. He strode to the front at the home turn and quickly took command. Bradley (NZ) (Belardo) launched a big run from second-last and loomed as a threat down the outside of the straight, but Eagle Rock had plenty left up his sleeve and held on to win by three-quarters of a length. Eagle Rock is by El Roca out of the Don Eduardo mare Sea Eagle (NZ), who won six races up to 2500m and finished fourth in the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2000m). Raced by Little in partnership with Gene Jacobson, Eagle Rock has now had three starts for a win, two seconds, and $18,885 in stakes. “That was pretty cool,” Little said on Saturday. “He deserved to pick up a maiden win after running so well for second in both of his first two starts. It’s good to see him improving, putting things together and getting more professional. “I definitely think he’s going to go a lot further than 1600m. He’s closely related to Aljay (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop), who won a New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m). Even though this was only a maiden win today, I might be pretty tempted to put in a New Zealand Cup nomination with him when the spring rolls around. “We’ll see how he comes through this run today before deciding what we do next and how much further into the winter we go with him. Either way, I think he’ll have at least a week in the paddock for now.” View the full article

Punters were licking their lips after promising mare Ima Brazen One (NZ) (Brazen Beau) landed a huge betting plunge by fighting doggedly on the fence to take victory in the Dawn Eales-Baldwin Memorial Open (1200m) at Wanganui. The Mike Breslin-prepared four-year-old was punted in to start a $2.80 Fixed Odds favourite after opening at more than $10 earlier in the week, and with apprentice Toni Davies making good use of her 3kg claim to ride the mare at a featherweight 51kgs, the daughter of Brazen Beau looked a top prospect. Daves jumped the mare out well and she sped to the lead to set up proceedings in her favour. Her nearest challenger was fellow speedster Farravallo (NZ) (Belardo) and the pair rounded the home bend locked together with topweight Lazio (NZ) (Per Incanto) in hot pursuit. In a knock-em-down, drag-em-out struggle Ima Brazen One kicked best and held out the chasing pair by half a length to the joy of her many supporters. Breslin has always held a high opinion of his charge and believes she will be even better next season. “She is by no means a wet tracker but I thought with her residual fitness and only 51kgs on her back she was a winning chance, even if the track was a Heavy 8,” Breslin said. “Given her dislike of very wet ground she will be safely in a paddock come Tuesday next week. “She is still a work in progress as she can do a few things wrong and that is probably because she didn’t have that much racing as a three-year-old due to a freak occurrence. “She had a foreign body in her fetlock that couldn’t be identified but it put her off the track as she needed three months box rest and then another three months of slow recovery. “She has it all in front of her now and next time in she will be ready to contest some of the black type sprint races on offer.” Bred by Brendan and Jo Lindsay of Cambridge Stud, Ima Brazen One was purchased for $100,000 out of Cambridge Stud’s draft at the 2022 Karaka Yearling Sales and her four wins have earned $89,710 in thirteen starts for the In To Win Brazenly Syndicate, a growing syndication group operated by Tineke Balcombe. View the full article

Late-season black type is on the radar for Platinum Diamond (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) after an impressive upset victory in Saturday’s Full Circle Appearance Medicine 2YO (1200m) at Wanganui. Platinum Diamond was a late foal, born on the 4th of December in 2022, and has been patiently handled by her Awapuni trainer, Lisa Latta. The Hello Youmzain filly’s first and only trial produced a second placing over 1000m at Foxton on April 15, followed by a fourth at Hawera on her raceday debut three weeks later. Platinum Diamond was an overlooked $16 outsider for her second start on Saturday. The market was dominated by Gavin Sharrock’s last-start winners Spandeedo (NZ) (Ferrando) and Country Salon (NZ) (Darci Brahma). That pair seemed set to fight out the finish as they pulled well away from the field with 500m to run, but then Spandeedo veered to the outside around the home bend and carried Country Salon out with him. Suddenly, the $35,000 race was thrown wide open, and Platinum Diamond was able to seize the opportunity. Showing professionalism and a touch of class, she quickened through along the inside of the wayward Spandeedo. Jockey Bruno Queiroz drove Platinum Diamond to the front in the final 100m. She kicked away to win by three-quarters of a length from a luckless Country Salon. Spandeedo crossed the line another length away in third. Latta is now considering giving the fast-improving filly a shot at the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) on the Matariki Raceday at Otaki on June 20. “We’ve just taken this filly along quietly, being such a late foal,” Latta said. “She showed a fair bit at the trials, and then her debut run at Hawera was good. She was impressive today and we may look at the Castletown now, but we’ll just see how she pulls up.” Platinum Diamond was bred by Beaufort Downs and comes from Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Hello Youmzain’s first southern hemisphere crop. The filly’s dam, the winning Thorn Park mare Spritz (NZ), descends from the family of Group One performers Corsage (NZ) and Seamist (NZ. Beaufort Downs offered Platinum Diamond in Book 2 of Karaka 2024, where Latta bought her for $90,000. Platinum Diamond became the fourth winner in New Zealand this season for Hello Youmzain, whose total progeny earnings in this country now stand at $217,385. His biggest earner is the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) winner Lucy In The Sky (NZ) with $77,250. Hello Youmzain sits in second place on the first-season sires’ premiership and is gaining ground on Lucky Vega – sire of Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) runner-up Vega For Luck (NZ) – who has amassed $235,700. View the full article

Apprentice Liam Kauri has continued a winning association with the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott stable by partnering their smart three-year-old Tristar (NZ) (Exceedance) to victory in the Ambient Group 3YO (1100m) at Te Rapa, his second victory aboard the filly from just two rides. Kauri, who enjoys a 3kg claim at present, first sat aboard the daughter of Exceedance when piloting her to victory three weeks ago over 1200m at Trentham and made the trip north from his Palmerston North base to link up with her for a second time. Kauri had the filly perfectly placed behind the pacemaking pair of Pleasing (NZ) (Russian Revolution) and Paravane (Merchant Navy) throughout and peeled her into the centre of the track in the run home to make his challenge. Despite having favourite Honey Badger (NZ) (El Roca) hot on her tail, Tristar booted clear and powered to the line for a comfortable two-length victory from Pleasing, who stuck well for second just ahead of Honey Badger. O’Sullivan was delighted with the filly and reserved special praise for her rider. “It was a good tough and strong win, aided by a very good ride,” O’Sullivan said. “Let’s give him (Kauri) plenty of credit and three kilograms off her back was a bid assist. “I said to Liam she looked like she would lob where she did at the start and it all panned out beautifully for her.” O’Sullivan hinted the filly may be asked to step up to stakes company against the older mares at her next assignment. “We will go home and discuss things but there is another three-year-old race coming up soon,” he said. “We may even have a roll of the dice and have a look at the fillies and mares race at Tauranga (Listed, 1400m on 21 June).” Kauri admitted the ride had gone perfectly to plan and was keen to share his thoughts on riding for former champion jockey O’Sullivan. “Everything unfolded perfectly and there wasn’t a lot of thinking that had to be done,” he said. “As soon as we jumped I was one-off and a great spot to be in and then she did the rest. “He (O’Sullivan) is a hero of mine and someone I looked up to as a kid, so to be riding for him and getting instructions is awesome.” Tristar was bred by the Little Avondale Trust and is by Exceedance out of the Pierro mare World Away. That makes her a half-sister to her stakes-winning stablemate Karman Line (NZ) (Myboycharlie). Little Avondale offered Tristar in Book 1 of Karaka 2023, where she was bought by Wexford Stables for $220,000. Her eight-start career has now produced four wins and $79,385 in stakes. View the full article