Wandering Eyes

A group of former Todd Pletcher assistant trainers, who have since launched their own successful careers, have pledged to donate a percentage of their earnings from the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival to support the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.View the full article

Oaklawn Park reported that Zack Gillham has been promoted to vice president of racing and wagering, while Jason Milligan will step down from his current position of vice president of racing and assume the role of director of racing.View the full article

Yeomanstown Stud's first-season sire Supremacy had two engaged in Thursday's Listed National Stakes and it was the outsider of the pair Anthelia who stepped up to provide his first black-type win. Sent off at 25-1 for Sandown's Royal Ascot pointer despite being two-for-two after educations at Bath and Salisbury, Middleham Park Racing's £6,000 Goffs UK Premier graduate raced behind the early pace before creeping up the rail inside the last furlong. In front 100 yards out, the Rod Millman-trained filly stayed on under Lewis Edmunds to beat the colt First Legion by a length. “She wasn't given much of a chance in the betting, but she couldn't have done any more coming into today and had given me a hell of a feel at Bath,” Edmunds said. “She was green at Salisbury and still green today. They didn't go as quick as we thought they would, it was just a sensible gallop and although she came off it quite early she was strong at the finish.” 111 £6,000 buy Anthelia (Supremacy) retains her unbeaten record to land the Listed @StarSports_Bet National Stakes at 25/1!@jrmillman | @MprUpdates | @Sandownpark pic.twitter.com/aCEWzq3MsR — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 29, 2025 The post Anthelia First Black Type Winner For Yeomanstown’s Supremacy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Lope De Vega's Growth Trajectory at Monmouth Park. Chad Brown. Check. Klaravich Stables' silks. Check. Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling grad. Also check. That particular combo combined in Lope De Vega's 3-year-old filly Growth Trajectory, who blitzed a field of Monmouth maidens by 3 1/2 lengths on May 25 (video). Bred by The Wekeela Partnership in Britain, she was an 180,000gns purchase by Mike Ryan from the Manister House Stud draft. Out of the Hurricane Run mare Wekeela, herself a full-sister to Scandinavian champ Matauri Pearl, Growth Trajectory is from the same family as Breeders' Cup winner Aunt Pearl (Lope De Vega), and stallions Monsun and Brametot. Ballylinch Stud's Lope De Vega, who stands for €175,000 this year, has sired 48 winners from 90 runners in the U.S. (53%). His 11 stakes winners there are anchored by four Grade I winners, including the recent Yulong purchase Carl Spackler who is pointing to Royal Ascot. Repeat Winners: Cayton Park Stud homebred Marksman Queen became the 300th stakes winner for her Darley sire Dubawi in the Keertana Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 24 (video). She is trained by Graham Motion. On Memorial Day at Santa Anita, the GI Shoemaker Mile Stakes (video) went to King Of Gosford (Zoustar) in the colours of the Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, Saul Gevertz, Michael Nentwig and Jeremy Peskoff for trainer Phil D'Amato. Also on that card, Be Your Best (Muhaarar) won the GI Gamely Stakes for Mike Ryan and trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. (video). The post Making Waves: Monmouth Win For The Familiar Suspects appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A breeding right in 2024 Champion First-Season Sire Sergei Prokofiev (lot 123) is one of the highlights of the 123-strong Tattersalls Online June Sale. The Whitsbury Manor Stud resident already has 42 winners to date, led by multiple group winner and Group 1-placed Arizona Blaze. Misty (Oasis Dream) (lot 122), the sale's lone broodmare and a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Kinross (Kingman), is also in foal to Sergei Prokofiev. Other lots of note include the Grade 2-placed jumper Paggane (Muhaarar) (lot 87); the 102 Timeform-rated sprinter Kendall Roy (Twilight Son) (lot 73); the listed-placed Sommelier (Due Diligence) (lot 99); and a yearling colt by Nathaniel (lot 118). Set for June 4-5, the mixed sale counts 34 2-year-olds, 80 horses in- and out-of-training, four yearlings, two stores, one broodmare, and one point-to-pointer in the catalogue. Breezes for the sale took place at Dundalk on Wednesday. The post Sergei Prokofiev Breeding Right One Of The Highlights Of The Tattersalls Online Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Pyrenees (Into Mischief–Our Khrysty, by Newfoundland), winner of the GIII Pimlico Special Stakes and runner-up in the GI Stephen Foster Stakes and GI Jockey Club Gold Cup in 2024, has been retired from racing, according to Adam Corndorf, who bred and raced the horse in partnership with his mother Bonnie Baskin under their Blue Heaven Farm banner. A homebred son of Grade III winner Our Khrysty, purchased by Blue Heaven for $600,000 in foal to Tiznow at the 2011 Fasig-Tipton November Sale, Pyrenees broke his maiden by 4 1/2 lengths off a one-year absence at the Fair Grounds in December 2023 and added open-length victories in allowance company at the Fair Grounds and at Keeneland in the spring of 2024 before charging home to take last year's Pimlico Special on Preakness weekend, defeating 'TDN Rising Star' Kingsbarns (Uncle Mo). The bay was runner-up to the latter in the Foster and was beaten four lengths into second behind Highland Falls (Curlin) in the Jockey Club Gold Cup before competing in a hot renewal of the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. He retires with a record of 4-3-1 from 11 starts and earnings of $786,316 for trainer Cherie DeVaux. In addition to his racetrack achievements, Pyrenees hails from an extremely active immediate female family. His half-sister Grace Adler (Curlin) won the 2021 GI Del Mar Debutante and was sold to Japanese interests for $2 million at Fasig-Tipton November in 2022. Grace Adler's first foal, a colt by Horse of the Year Flightline, made $1.3 million at the JRHA Select Sale last July. Pyrenees, whose dam is a half-sister to GI Whitney Handicap hero Bullsbay (Tiznow), is also kin to the Grade II-placed Virginia Key (Distorted Humor), not only the dam of SP Distorted d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), but also of Tappan Street (Into Mischief), who took down the colors of subsequent GI Kentucky Derby hero Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in this year's GI Curlin Florida Derby. A Curlin half-brother to Tappan Street fetched $1.4 million at Keeneland September last fall, while the current 2-year-old half-sister to Pyrenees, Glory Me (Gun Runner), was hammered down to Lael Stable for $975,000 at KEESEP. Pyrenees's half-sister Bay Harbor (Speightstown), is responsible for Miuccia (Mitole), a stakes winner in 2024. Pyrenees is currently available for inspection at Blue Heaven Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. Inquiries may be made to Adam Corndorf at info@blueheavenfarmky.com. The post Graded Winner, Mutliple Grade I-Placed Pyrenees Retired appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Kentucky Derby Museum is in the final stretch of updating its iconic Winner's Circle exhibit to honor the unforgettable victory of Sovereignty in the 151st Kentucky Derby. View the full article

A total of 97 entries have been catalogued for the Fasig-Tipton June Digital Sale, which can now be viewed online at digital.fasigtipton.com. Bidding has commenced and will remain open through Tuesday, June 3, beginning at 2 p.m. ET. Among the entries are horses of racing age, breeding stock–including mares with foals at foot–2-year-olds in training and yearlings. Some of the top offerings include: Hip 2, Strada Del Sogno (Street Boss), a debut third in the May 10 Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Gulfstream behind Lennilu (Leinster), who is scheduled to make her next appearance at Royal Ascot next month; Hip 92, Chasing Sunsets (Authentic), a 2-year-old full-sister to Reagan's Wit, impressive winner of the James W. Murphy Stakes at Pimlico May 17; 40 horses of racing age eligible for a variety of conditions; Yearlings by Early Voting, Girvin, Golden Pal, Maxfield and Tiz the Law; Mares pregnant to Bolt d'Oro, Caracaro, Independence Hall, Mandaloun, Speaker's Corner and Yaupon “We have a diverse catalogue with something for everyone, including a significant number of turnkey horses of racing age ready for summer racing,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “These include stakes horses as well as a several eligible for 'ship and win' programs on the West Coast.” The post Bidding For Fasig-Tipton June Digital Sale Now Open appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-CD, 120K, Msw, 2yo, f, 5f, 1:14 p.m. Flying Dutchmen went to $675,000 to procure LOVE A LITTLE MO (Uncle Mo) as a yearling at Keeneland last September. The filly is the first foal out of SW/GSP Inject who is herself out of GI Spinaway Stakes winner Appealing Zophie, a $1.2m FTKNOV broodmare who is also responsible for GI Belmont Stakes winner Tapwrit (Tapit) and MGSW/GISP Ride a Comet (Candy Ride {Arg}). Lined up to her outside is the J Kirk and Judy Robison homebred Essential Coffee (Nyquist), a half-sister to GSW/MGISP Skinner (Curlin) out of GSW Winding Way (Malibu Moon). Steve Asmussen has named son Keith to ride. Representing first-crop sire Charlatan for trainer Wesley Ward and owner Thomas Bachman, She's On A Roll was a $250,000 FTKOCT yearling purchase out of GSW Summersault (Rock Hard Ten). TJCIS PPS The post Friday Insights: Trio Of Nice 2-Year-Old Fillies Debut Early At Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 13 horses to sweep the Triple Crown etched their names in horse racing's history books as the accomplishment elevated them to legendary status but a look at the list of horses to win two of the classics also reveals some of the sport's greats.View the full article

Due to the significant rainfall in the region and more forecasted, Delaware Park's $200,000 Cape Henlopen Stakes has been rescheduled from May 31 and will be run on Saturday, June 14. 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: 05/28/2025 Licensee: Brad Cox, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by internal adjudication panel. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone—a controlled substance (Class C)—in a sample taken from Nyquick on 3/19/25. Date: 05/27/2025 Licensee: Stephen Trevino, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 28, 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 $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from Miss Shady, who won at Mahoning Valley on 4/2/25. Date: 05/23/2025 Licensee: Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon, trainer Penalty: 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 24, 2025; additional 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on June 23, 2025 for the accumulation of 6 Penalty Points within a two-year period; 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 $2,500; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the Alkalinization or use/administration of an Alkalinizing Agent (TCO2) on Tik Tok Daddy, who finished third at Laurel Park on 12/13/24. According to the case resolution, Sanchez-Salomon is suspended an additional 30 days—beginning on June 23, 2025, and continuing through July 22, 2025—for the accumulation of 6 Penalty Points within a two-year period. This relates to two prior positives involving Flunixin (in 2023) and Phenylbutazone (in 2024). Date: 05/22/2025 Licensee: John Aguirre, trainer Penalty: 18-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 23, 2025; a fine of $12,500. Admission. Explainer: Violation of ADMC Program Rule 3216(b)(2), which prohibits a covered person from “assisting, encouraging, aiding, abetting, conspiring, covering up, or engaging in any other type of intentional complicity or Attempted complicity involving Fullstop or comma. a violation of Rule 3229 by another Covered Person.” According to the case resolution, from at least June to September of 2024, Aguirre employed another licensee, Francisco Ramos, to work with his horses when Ramos was serving a provisional suspension for alleged medication violations. Ramos is in the middle of serving a suspension for those violations— in six different horses—that runs through May of 2036. Pending ADMC Violations 05/28/2025, Annette Eubanks, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from I'm a Cutie Pie on 4/26/25. 05/28/2025, Roshan Samsundar, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Caffeine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from Carbon, who won at Aqueduct on 3/14/25. 05/27/2025, Maximino Quinonez, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from R U Joking on 4/26/25. 05/21/2025, Michelle Castillo, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from Tootsie Toes on 4/18/25. 05/21/2025, Eric Reed, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Gabapentin—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from She's a Saint, who won at Mahoning Valley on 4/8/25. The post National Regulatory Rulings: May 22-28, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The $200,000 Cape Henlopen Stakes, a mile-and-a-half turf event for older males, has been moved from its original date of Saturday, May 31 and will instead be run on the Saturday, June 14 program along with the GIII Delaware Oaks and Delaware Derby. The change was necessitated by heavy rainfall in the Midlantic region over the past week. Nominations to the Cape Henlopen will be re-opened with a new closing date of Wednesday, June 4. The June 14 program will be drawn Tuesday, June 10. The remaining seven races on the Saturday live card will be run as scheduled, including the featured $100,000 Rehoboth Stakes at six furlongs on the main track. The afternoon's promotional giveaway remains on the schedule, while the $10,000 guaranteed middle Pick Five has been canceled. First post is set for 12:35 p.m. ET. The post Rain Forces Postponement of Cape Henlopen Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior underwent surgery on his left front leg at the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Equine Hospital on May 28, the HKJC announced. He has since returned to trainer Danny Shum's stables at Sha Tin.View the full article

Officials at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) have laid out guest policies for the upcoming Belmont Stakes Racing Festival (BSRF) at Saratoga Wednesday, June 4 through Sunday, June 8. Gates will open at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, with a first post scheduled for each program at 12:40 p.m. ET. Admission will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday (first post 11:40 a.m.) and at 9 a.m. on Belmont Day, with the first race set to jump at 10:45 a.m. ET. While the Saratoga main track will be closed to the public for morning training during the BSRF, fans will be permitted to watch training at the Oklahoma training track from 7-10 a.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday by entering Gate 21 on East Avenue. There is no vehicular traffic permitted. The public is invited to return to the main track for 'Breakfast at Saratoga' on opening day of the summer meet Thursday, July 10. As with the main summer meeting, fans are not permitted to enter the grounds with alcoholic beverages from Thursday, June 5 through Saturday, June 7. Each fan may carry one folding chair for personal use in the backyard area during each day of the BSRF. Pop-up tents, folding tables and wagons are not permitted Thursday through Saturday. Small bags and purses are allowed. Cash will not be accepted for food and beverage purchases, admission, parking or programs (with the exception of the official Saratoga store) during the BSRF. Professional photography and/or videography equipment is also prohibited. Click here for a comprehensive list of permitted and prohibited items. The post NYRA Details Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Policies appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior underwent surgery at the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Equine Hospital on Wednesday, May 28, the HKJC announced on Thursday. He has since returned to trainer Danny Shum's stables at Sha Tin. According to a statement from the HKJC, “The procedure followed a computerised tomography (CT) examination and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of his forelimbs performed on 16 May, 2025 as part of a proactive health- screening process in accordance with the Club's systematic procedures for ensuring the welfare of our racehorses. No lameness or other clinical signs were present prior to the screening examinations. “Management options were discussed by the Club's expert veterinarians and Romantic Warrior's owner and trainer, and a decision was made for the horse to undergo a veterinary procedure at the Club's Equine Hospital in which a single screw was inserted under standing sedation and local anaesthesia.” The 10-time Group 1-winning son of Acclamation will continue to be closely monitored by the HKJC's veterinarians and stable personnel and will begin rehab shortly. The post Romantic Warrior Undergoes Procedure On Left Front Leg appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Curragh Racecourse launched its brand-new sensory room during the Tattersalls Irish Guineas Weekend, marking a milestone as it became the first racecourse in Ireland to offer a permanent, purpose-built space designed to support neurodivergent children and their families. The development of the sensory room was made possible with the support of many, including jockey William Buick and his wife, Jane, along with Autism in Racing founder Bobby Beevers. It will allow the Curragh to provide a calm, safe and inclusive environment, where individuals with sensory processing needs can take a break, on all racedays throughout the season. Brian Kavanagh, CEO of the Curragh Racecourse, said, “We are incredibly proud to be the first racecourse in Ireland to offer a permanent sensory room. Horse racing should be a sport for all and we want to ensure that families who might otherwise feel excluded can enjoy a day at the races in a way that feels comfortable and welcoming.” William Buick, an ambassador for Autism in Racing, added, “It's fantastic to see a permanent sensory room open at the Curragh. Creating more inclusive spaces at racecourses is so important. Families with neurodivergent children deserve the same opportunity to enjoy a day at the races and this room makes that possible. The Curragh is leading the way in Ireland and I'm sure other racecourses will follow in their footsteps.” The post New Sensory Room Launched at the Curragh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The shortlisted nominees have been revealed for five of the 12 award categories at this year's TBA Flat Breeders' Awards Evening, which takes place at Chippenham Park on Wednesday, July 9. Tickets remain available for purchase via the TBA website's events page and are priced at £80 per person (inc. VAT). Announced earlier this year, the winners of the Flat statistical awards are presented on the night, along with the TBA Stud Employee Award. The winning individual to be announced during the ceremony will take home a £2,000 prize, in addition to a Charlie Langton bronze. The night will also see the winners of the prestigious Andrew Devonshire Bronze and Dominion Bronze awards announced, each of which is selected by the TBA Trustees from a shortlist of nominees by closed vote. The Awards and Nominees TBA SILVER ROSE BOWL – Flat Breeder of the Year, presented by Watership Down Stud Cheveley Park Stud Godolphin Juddmonte Farms Ltd Tweenhills TBA SILVER SALVER – Special Merit Award (Flat), sponsored by Streets Bloodstock Blue Diamond Stud Branton Court Stud Brightwalton Stud Car Colston Stud LANGHAM CUP – Small Breeder of the Year, presented by Chasemore Farm Copgrove Hall Stud Deborah O'Brien Mark Tompkins/ Richard Marriott Mike & Michelle Morris & Jan & Peter Hopper FILLY OF MERIT AWARD, sponsored by Blue Diamond Stud Adaay In Devon – Horniwinks Racing Club Betty Clover – Eve Johnson Houghton Friendly Soul – George Strawbridge No Half Measures – Bumble Bloodstock & Sally Nicholls H. J. JOEL SILVER SALVER – Broodmare of the Year (Flat), sponsored by Barton Stud  Emulous – Juddmonte Farms Ltd Fair Daughter – Car Colston Hall Stud Ladyship – Cheveley Park Stud Roheryn – Qatar Racing Limited Other awards to be presented during the evening include: BBA SHIPPING Silver Cigar Box - Leading British-based stallion (Flat earnings)  Winner previously announced: DUBAWI British EBF Barleythorpe Stud Silver Cup - Leading British-based stallion (Individual Flat winners)  Winner previously announced: DUBAWI The Queen's Silver Cup, presented by Newsells Park Winery – Leading British-based Flat breeder (Flat earnings)  Winner previously announced: GODOLPHIN Tattersalls Silver Salver, sponsored by Tattersalls - Leading British-based first-season sire (Flat earnings)  Winner previously announced: SERGEI PROKOFIEV Dominion Bronze To be announced at the TBA Flat Breeders' Awards Evening Andrew Devonshire Bronze To be announced at the TBA Flat Breeders' Awards Evening Stud Employee Award, sponsored by New England Stud To be announced at the TBA Flat Breeders' Awards Evening The post Nominees Announced for the 2025 TBA Flat Breeders’ Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Declarations for Sunday's €1.5m G1 Qatar Prix du Jockey Club were confirmed Thursday morning and G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains third Camille Pissarro (Wootton Bassett) will head a field of 18 for the 10 1/2-furlong Chantilly Classic. Last term's G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere hero has been allocated stall one and is joined by Aidan O'Brien-trained stablemate and fellow TDN Rising Star Trinity College (Dubawi), who is drawn in stall three. O'Brien's lone victory in the race, provided by St Mark's Basilica (Siyouni) in 2021, departed from stall two en route to victory. “To win the Prix du Jockey Club, you need a miler who can stay 10 furlongs and Camille Pissarro ran a very strong race in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains,” the trainer said. “It was a fast-run race, he finished very well and his performance convinced us he could be aimed at the Jockey Club. After his [G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere] win at ParisLongchamp, Christophe Soumillon told us he had the profile for the Jockey Club. You have to listen to jockeys, especially those with a lot of experience. He is a beautiful horse with a good mind, he recovered very well after the Poulains and his recent work at home has been very good.” Camille Pissarro is set to renew rivalry with Poulains also-rans Luther (Frankel), Ridari (Churchill), Detain (Wootton Bassett) and Heybetli (Showcasing). Detain's stakes-placed stablemate and the race's third TDN Rising Star, Bowmark (Kingman), is one of two participants from John and Thady Gosden's Clarehaven base and will exit stall eight. Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Listed Feilden Stakes runner-up King Of Cities (Dubawi), a Richard Hannon trainee, and Alain and Gerard Wertheimers' Sinileo (Siyouni), one of three Andre Fabre nominees, were added to the field–for a fee of €72,000 each–at Wednesday's supplementary stage. They have been allocated stalls ten and four, respectively. Four-time winner Fabre also oversees Cualificar (Lope De Vega) and Nitoi (Siyouni), with the former drawing stall 12 and the latter getting the car-park booth in 18. The in-form stable of Francis Graffard has a trio of contenders declared, headed by dual winner Parachutiste (Dubawi), who has been drawn out wide in stall 17. Graffard is also represented by Azimpour (Dubawi) and Curragh Camp (Romanised). Jean-Claude Rouget is the leading active trainer with six prior renewals in the books, four shy of Tom Jennings's 10 set in the 19th century, and relies on Leffard (Le Havre) and Tipinso (Pinatubo), who have drawn stalls 15 and nine. The line-up is completed by the Lucie Pontoir-conditioned Al Aali (City Light) and Victoria Head trainee Frankly Good Cen (Frankel). The post Wootton Bassett’s Camille Pissarro Heads 18 Declarations for the G1 Prix du Jockey Club appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Calyx, who covered more mares than any other Flat sire in Europe in 2024, has died at the age of nine. The stallion's death was announced by Coolmore as a result of the son of Kingman suffering an acute foot injury earlier this year, with the decision being taken to euthanise him on Wednesday on humane grounds. “It is very unfortunate to lose such a promising young sire,” said Castlehyde Stud's Cathal Murphy. “He was very strongly supported by breeders last year and looked to have an extremely bright future ahead of him.” Juddmonte homebred Calyx won three of his four starts when trained by John Gosden. Kingman's first 'TDN Rising Star' when making a successful debut at Newmarket, he then enjoyed the highlight of his short career just 10 days later when winning the G2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, by a length from the multiple Group 1 winner Advertise. Retired to Coolmore Stud in 2020, Calyx is the sire of six stakes winners, including the G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte scorer Classic Flower and G2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes heroine Persian Dreamer from his first crop of juveniles in 2023. Purple Lily also featured among 23 individual winners in Europe from Calyx's first two-year-olds, before going on to finish third in last year's Irish Oaks. The post Promising Young Sire Calyx Dies at Nine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

He’s coming off the best run of his career but Ricky Yiu Poon-fai remains confident Sunlight Power has even more to give in Saturday’s Group Three Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m) at Sha Tin. A half-length third behind Red Lion in last month’s Group One Champions Mile, with superstar Voyage Bubble splitting the pair, Sunlight Power looks as well placed as anything in this Saturday’s mile feature. There is obviously no Voyage Bubble to contend with this weekend after he put a full stop on his season...View the full article

The world’s highest-earning racehorse, Romantic Warrior, had a screw inserted into his injured left front leg on Wednesday, with the Jockey Club confirming the surgery was a success. Found to have a left fore fetlock injury in the lead-up to an intended welcome home ceremony last Sunday, the 10-time Group One winner is now back in his box at trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing’s stables. “Management options were discussed by the club’s expert veterinarians and Romantic Warrior’s owner [Peter Lau...View the full article

New Zealand horseman Nicholas Bishara will cross the Tasman this weekend to watch his filly Belle Detelle (Zed), a three-quarter sister to his ill-fated 11-time Group One Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed), contest the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m). The three-year-old Zed filly is out of a half-sister to the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) heroine, and while Bishara was unable to be trackside for that victory because of COVID-19 restrictions, he is intent on being at Eagle Farm in the flesh on Saturday. “Missing the Melbourne Cup really cut to the core,” he said. “We have tried to make it this time around not to miss many races because they are once in a lifetime chances. You can’t say ‘I’ll go next year’ because there might not be a next year.” Bishara initially trained Verry Elleegant in New Zealand before she was partially sold and continued to race in Australia, but he retained a share in the mare who would go on to become the darling of the Australian turf under the watchful eye of leading trainer Chris Waller. Bishara continued to invest in the family, and bought her Towkay half-sister Black Lace, with Matt Duffie, and the pair would go on to breed Belle Detelle out of her. Like Verry Elleegant, they entrusted Belle Detelle to the care of Waller, and she has gone from strength-to-strength, winning two and placing in three of her seven starts to date, including victory in the Gr.3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) at Randwick last month. She finished sixth in the Gr.3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben earlier this month, and while initially despondent at the result, Bishara said his worries were quelled by Waller and jockey James McDonald, who was aboard Verry Elleegant for much of her success. “I was a little bit disappointed in the run, but James and Chris weren’t,” Bishara said. “James declared afterwards that she was his Derby ride, and he wouldn’t be swapping her for anything. “She was victim of circumstance, she was back and in the worst of the ground by the last of the day.” Bishara has received positive reports in the lead-up to the weekend and he is looking forward to partnering with McDonald once more, but is wary of their outside draw. “The draw is a bit of a worry, but the best in the business is on her back,” Bishara said. “James is the best in the world, and he has got amazing hands.” View the full article

New Zealand will welcome a familiar face back to the riding ranks in the new season, with three-time Group One-winning hoop Samantha Collett returning from Queensland. Prior to her move across the Tasman, Collett was among the top echelon of Kiwi jockeys, winning two editions of the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) and a Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m), as well as a domestic jockeys’ premiership crown in the 2017-18 season. In search of a new challenge in her career, Collett relocated to Brisbane in 2021 and has enjoyed plenty of success, riding more than 150 winners and six at stakes level. A highlight during her stint came at Rockhampton in early 2023 when she followed in the footsteps of her parents, Trudy Thornton and Jim Collett, when riding her 1,000th winner. While Collett enjoyed her time in the sunshine state, an increasingly competitive group of jockeys and the pull toward life back home sealed her decision. “It had been on my mind for a little while, it was an accumulation of factors for me, both professionally and personally,” she said. “I’ve had a fantastic time since I’ve been here in Brisbane. I’ve had a great amount of support and ticked a lot of boxes career-wise – getting my 1,000th winner and riding stakes winners over here. “It’s been good, but I’m missing the lifestyle that I had at home. Living in the city is not something that I particularly enjoy. For me, I need to find that balance to keep my mind fresh, so I can be at my best when I’m riding. It can be a bit tough to do so living in the city and I’ve struggled with that for a while. “Apart from Mum being here, a lot of my lifelong friends and family are in New Zealand. Having that support system outside of racing is something I’ve missed as well. “There are also a lot of riders here in Queensland now, so it’s pretty tough. I’m getting enough rides, but I want to be making the most of riding while I can. “When I was away, I had the farm at home, so it was tough paying the mortgage and paying rent here as well. I love my riding so much, but I was getting to a point where I wasn’t enjoying it as much as I would’ve liked, and financially, the stake money has improved a lot at home and there is probably a shortage of good senior riders there as well. “It seems like the right time for me to come back.” The 35-year-old will ride on Queensland Oaks Day at Eagle Farm on the 7th of June before returning to Matamata, but she is in no immediate rush to ride on raceday here through the colder months. “I’ve just not long come back from a holiday with my sister around Europe, but I don’t want to rush into doing a lot of riding in the winter and be fresh coming into the new season at home,” she said. “My plan is to do a little bit of work at my sister’s law firm, I’m not educated in any way, shape or form in that line of work but it’s something I would like to have a feel for to see what life would be like outside of racing. “In saying that, I’d like to be riding a couple of days a week to ease myself into it. The weather is going to be a shock for me, we think 16 degrees is cold for a morning in Queensland.” Having ridden in New Zealand for a decade and a half, Collett has built strong connections with trainers across the country and said she will be a free agent upon her return. “I spent 15 years riding at home before I moved here, so I’ve built up a very solid base,” she said. “I did my apprenticeship with Te Akau, obviously Mark Walker is now based in Melbourne, but I have no intentions of tying myself down to any particular stable. I will be loyal to those who supported me before I left, like Cody (Cole) and Robbie (Patterson), and Dad has a couple of horses in work. “I’ll be based in Matamata, so my plan is to freelance at this stage.” While her immediate future lies in her homeland, Collett is not ruling out another stint in Queensland in the near future, while having other aspirations for her career before she hangs up the saddle. “I’m coming home for the new season, but I’ve built a solid foundation for myself in Queensland that if I was to ever come back, it would be 10 times easier than when I moved over for the first time,” she said. “I have people that will miss me here, so I may come back next winter when the racing quietens down in New Zealand and do a couple of months. Part of me would like to have a go in Sydney, riding out at some of the more provincial meetings where the money is still pretty good. “But, for the immediate future, I’ll keep my sights set on making as much money and having as much success as I can.” View the full article

Battling a quiet second half of the season, Pierre Ng Pang-chi hopes to kick-start a winning run to end his campaign when he launches a strong assault on Saturday’s Group Three features at Sha Tin. Runner-up to Francis Lui Kin-wai in last year’s dramatic finale to the trainers’ championship, Ng picked up where he left off to lead the race for the title through to January this term. However, the 41-year-old has managed just 10 winners since the Lunar New Year meeting and slipped to eighth in the...View the full article