Wandering Eyes

Sent off the 2-1 favorite to regain the winning thread, Mike Ryan's Be Your Best (Ire) (Muharaar {GB}–Kamakura, by Medaglia d'Oro), named a 'TDN Rising Star' after a debut win at the Spa in the summer of 2022, ran away to a four-length victory in Monday's GI Gamely Stakes at Santa Anita. Sent to the front quickly by Irad Ortiz Jr. from post 8, the 5-year-old mare led comfortably through :22.99, :46.15 and 1;09.75 splits. In control turning for home, this season's GI Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner cruised home a confident winner over GSW Lady Claypoole (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). Ligurua (War Front) rounded out the trifecta. Final time for the nine-furlong test was 1:46.26. Lifetime Record: 20-6-3-2, $1,086,559. O-Mike Ryan; B-St Croix Bloodstock (IRE); T-Saffie Joseph Jr. The post TDN Rising Star Be Your Best Dominates in Santa Anita’s Gamely appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Returning from a six-month layoff, Two Sharp rocketed out of the gate and saved enough energy for the wire as she won the $250,000 Winning Colors Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs May 26.View the full article

Rigney Racing LLC's 'TDN Rising Star' Two Sharp (Twirling Candy–Double Sharp, by Distorted Humor) went to the front right from the onset and was not to be caught late, rolling home a three-length winner in Monday's GIII Winning Colors Stakes at Churchill Downs. Carving out opening fractions of :21.14 and :43.99 as MGSW Hope Road (Quality Road) and GISW Brightwork (Outwork) pursued, the GIII Chilukki Stakes winner dug in down the stretch and couldn't be caught late en route to a confident victory. Final time for the 6-furlong test was 1:08.75. The 4-year-old was a $925,000 Keeneland September sale purchase. Lifetime Record: 6-4-2-0, $516,698. O-Rigney Racing LLC; B-Woods Edge Farm (KY); T-Phil Bauer. Monday, Churchill Downs WINNING COLORS S.-GIII, $250,000, Churchill Downs, 5-26, 4yo/up, f/m, 6f, 1:08.75, ft. 1–TWO SHARP, 118, f, 4, by Twirling Candy 1st Dam: Double Sharp, by Distorted Humor 2nd Dam: Bsharpsonata, by Pulpit 3rd Dam: Apasionata Sonata, by Affirmed 'TDN Rising Star' ($925,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Rigney Racing LLC; B-Woods Edge Farm LLC (KY); T-Philip A Bauer; J-Junior Alvarado. $151,520. Lifetime Record: 6-4-2-0, $518,218. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Benedetta, 118, f, 4, City of Light–Tessie Flip, by Grand Slam. ($290,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP; $750,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR). O-Kaleem Shah Inc; B-Springhouse Farm & Dromoland Farm (KY); T-Steven M Asmussen. $49,200. 3–Hope Road, 118, f, 4, Quality Road–Marley's Freedom, by Blame. ($575,000 RNA Ylg '22 FTSAUG). O/B-Cicero Farms LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $24,600. Margins: 3HF, 3/4, HF. Odds: 1.91, 23.48, 0.85. Also Ran: Brightwork, Mink's Palace, Miss Arlington, Into Champagne. Scratched: Easy Red, Harbor Springs. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Twirling Candy’s Two Sharp Scampers off to Victory in Churchill’s Winning Colors appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Brilliant Berti returns May 31 in the $275,000 Arlington Stakes (G3T) going 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs, a course where he is a perfect 4-for-4. He will take on Carl Pollard's Mercante, recently second in the May 3 Turf Classic Stakes (G1T).View the full article

On the May 26 episode of BloodHorse Monday, Baeza's co-owner and breeder Robert Clay of Grandview Equine discusses the colt's chances and the legacy of Baeza's dam Puca, who has already produced two classic winners.View the full article

Delacroix remains Ryan Moore's likeliest mount in the Betfred Derby, according to Aidan O'Brien, who has also pencilled in The Lion In Winter and Lambourn as intended runners in the Epsom Classic on Saturday, June 7. Moore's decision at next week's declaration stage promises to have a significant impact on the Derby betting, which currently sees The Lion In Winter as the 5/2 favourite with the sponsors, despite the son of Sea The Stars finishing only sixth on his return to action in the G2 Dante Stakes at York. Lambourn, currently trading at 16/1 following his victory in the G3 Chester Vase, is another potential mount for Moore as he seeks a third consecutive win in the Derby. However, as things stand, O'Brien expects 7/2 shot Delacroix to be the one to benefit from the assistance of Ballydoyle's number one rider, having impressed when winning the G3 Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown last time. “The three strongest horses at the moment for the Derby are Lambourn, the horse who won the Chester Vase, Delacroix, who won in Leopardstown, and the horse who ran in the Dante [The Lion In Winter]. They look the three strongest,” O'Brien said of his Epsom squad. “I would imagine Ryan has the choice between them. The horse in the Dante has to come on and everything has to go right for him–and it has gone right so far.” He continued, “Delacroix has done absolutely everything perfect so far. He has done everything right and his preparation has gone perfect. “He's by Dubawi, but his sister by Galileo [Grateful] won over a mile and six [furlongs]. He's a total outcross, he's out of a superstar mare and he's by Dubawi, so he's a very exciting type of horse. “They've another couple of weeks to go. I would imagine Ryan will find it hard not to ride him–but that doesn't mean he will ride him.” O'Brien also holds a strong hand in the Betfred Oaks, with key trial winners Giselle, Minnie Hauk and Whirl all in the mix to represent the trainer at Epsom. He added, “In the Oaks, the filly who won at Chester [Minnie Hauk], the filly who won the Lingfield trial [Giselle] and the filly who won the Musidora [Whirl] are the strongest ones. “What will happen is that the lads will decide a week or 10 days before. I would imagine those six are on that route.” O'Brien Keeping the Faith with Storm Boy O'Brien also reacted to the defeat of Storm Boy when making his debut for the stable in Saturday's G2 Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh. A multiple Group winner when trained in Australia by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the son of Justify finished last of the nine runners when sent off the 6/4 favourite for his first start on European soil, but his trainer expects to see a different horse when he makes his next appearance on a racecourse. “He had never been galloped or worked, but we had to run him to find out what else we had to work on between now and Ascot,” said O'Brien. “We learned that we have a good bit to work on, but I was very happy to do that. “He was beaten less than six lengths and he got a bad enough check at the two [furlong] marker. You could take another two off that, so he probably would have been beaten less than four lengths. “That was a very respectable run. I know everyone was disappointed, but we think we'll take him home now and we're going to train him. We haven't really trained him yet and, hopefully, what we think will come, will come.” The post ‘Ryan Will Find It Hard Not to Ride Him’ – Delacroix Delighting O’Brien appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sandman, most recently third to Journalism in the Preakness Stakes (G1), shipped to Saratoga Race Course to prepare for the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) July 26, with the ultimate goal being the Travers Stakes (G1).View the full article

Three-time grade 1 winner Carl Spackler is set to be an exciting addition to this year's Royal Ascot line-up after he was purchased by Yulong Investments and sent to be trained in Australia. View the full article

If books are a window to the past, the recent return to China of a pair of silk manuscripts lifted a curtain that fell 79 years ago when they were illegally taken from the country before they ended up in a US museum. Their return is a powerful reflection of how cultural exchange offers hope at a low point in China-US relations. The two volumes of 2,300-year-old silk books – the earliest known in China – arrived in Beijing from the United States on May 18. The Zidanku Silk Manuscripts are the...View the full article

Multiple Grade I winner Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who raced in the colors of his breeder Bob Edwards, has been sold to Yulong Investments and will target Royal Ascot before embarking on a campaign in Australia, according to a report in Daily Racing Form. Trained by Chad Brown, Carl Spackler won last year's GI FanDuel Fourstardave Handicap and GI Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes before ending the season with a sixth-place effort in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile. He returned this year to win the Apr. 11 GI Maker's Mark Mile Stakes at Keeneland. “It is a business,” Edwards told DRF's Dave Grening of the decision to sell his homebred. “We've had a lot of luck with him, not sure how commercially he'd be received [as a stallion prospect] in the States. The timing worked out.” Carl Spackler worked four furlongs in :49.95 at Saratoga Sunday. The 5-year-old is expected to ship to England this week ahead of a start in the June 17 G1 Queen Anne Stakes for trainer Ciaron Maher, Edwards told DRF. Following his engagement at the Royal Ascot meeting, Carl Spackler is expected to ship to Australia where the Oct. 25 G1 Cox Plate will be targeted. The post Carl Spackler Sold, to Target Royal Ascot, Australian Campaign appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sandman (Tapit), coming off a third-place effort in the GI Preakness Stakes, shipped from Belmont Park to Saratoga Race Course Monday morning and he is expected to make his next start in the July 26 GII Jim Dandy Stakes. “I wanted to give him a little bit of time,” trainer Mark Casse said. “He ran all winter long and I knew when we decided to run him back in the Preakness that the Belmont was going to be out of the question.” Sandman earned a spot in the GI Kentucky Derby with his win in the GI Arkansas Derby and, after finishing seventh in Louisville, he closed from last-of-9 and 12 lengths off the pace to finish 2 3/4 lengths adrift of Journalism (Curlin) in the Preakness. “I thought he ran well,” Casse said of Sandman's effort in the Preakness. “He was caked in mud after the race. He struggled to keep his eyes open. When we scoped him afterwards, he had half the Pimlico racetrack in his trachea. Johnny [Velazquez] said he thought he lost focus a little. I'll probably put blinkers on him for the Jim Dandy because he has done some wandering down the stretch.” The post Sandman Arrives in Saratoga; Aims for Jim Dandy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Harrell Ventures and Starlight Racing's Colloquial (Vekoma), tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following a scintillating seven-length maiden victory at Aqueduct in February, continued preparations for his graded stakes debut in the June 7 GI Woody Stephens Stakes with a five-furlong work in 1:03.25 over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga last Thursday. “We've been happy with him,” trainer George Weaver said. “We've been waiting for this race for a long time, and now we're getting close.” Colloquial followed up his 6 1/2-furlong maiden win with a 2 1/4-length victory going seven furlongs in the Lafayette Stakes at Keeneland Apr. 7. “Good horses are [versatile], and they can adjust to situations,” Weaver said. “He's talented, so luckily he's good enough to have that versatility. I don't think he's tied to any one way of running. I'm sure this will be a competitive race, but I wouldn't trade places with anybody.” Colloquial is one of several candidates for Weaver at this year's Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. The veteran conditioner also has Dorth Vader (Girvin), Sacred Wish (Not This Time), and Soontobeking (King for a Day) nominated to races during the five-day Festival. Weaver said Dorth Vader, most recently a troubled fourth in the GI La Troienne Stakes, is likely being pointed to the GI Ogden Phipps Stakes, which offers a “Win and You're In” berth into the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff in November at Del Mar. Last year's GI Matriarch Stakes winner Sacred Wish, who worked a half-mile in :51.25 over the Oklahoma dirt Saturday, has been nominated to the June 5 GI Just a Game Stakes, but Weaver said he is unsure if that will be her next start. “We'll see how her next work goes,” the trainer said. “We're kind of up in the air about her next start.” Soontobeking, co-owned by Our Blue Streaks Stable, SGV Thoroughbreds, and Weaver, is targeting the Mike Lee Stakes for New York-bred sophomores on the June 4 Opening Day of the Festival. The colt has put together a respectable 12-3-3-4 record with $363,428 in earnings, led by a stakes triumph in the state-bred Gander Stakes Mar. 8. “We're looking forward to seeing him again,” Weaver said of Soontobeking, whose last effort was a runner-up finish in the Apr. 13 NYSSS Times Square. “You appreciate the horses that always show up, and he does. He just overcomes with try.” The post Colloquial on Track for Woody Stephens appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Poor old Kingman, eh? It was his bad luck to pitch up at Banstead Manor Stud in the year that all the fuss was about Frankel's first yearlings. Much of the interest in the intervening decade has been about Frankel, too, but that hasn't stopped Kingman laying down his own markers in achievement at stud, highlighted this past weekend with a one-two in the Irish 2,000 Guineas via Field Of Gold and Cosmic Year. They are not by any means his first star performers – Persian King first held that accolade, and Palace Pier, Sparkling Plenty and Elmalka are among those to have added to Kingman's portfolio – but Field Of Gold is the first to look like he could be that bit extra special. Only time will tell whether he is or not, but his Curragh romp, on ground easier than that which he encountered in the Guineas at Newmarket, carried the portent of greater things to come. Let's not forget that Kingman himself, also trained at the Gosdens' Clarehaven, was only claiming the first of his four Group 1s when he won the Irish Guineas. He overturned his Newmarket conqueror Night Of Thunder when next the pair met in the St James's Palace Stakes, before giving Juddmonte a third Sussex Stakes in four years when defeating the previous year's winner Toronado. Kingman then rounded out a career that amounted to 14 months of racing but plenty of flashes of brilliance in the Prix Jacques Le Marois. With Ruling Court reportedly heading to Epsom, Field Of Gold could have the Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Henri Matisse (Wootton Bassett) and Guineas third Shadow Of Light to contend with if the St James's Palace is indeed his next target, and a rematch with Cosmic Year also seems likely. It's not exactly breaking news to state that the late Prince Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte has, over four decades and counting, become one of the most revered owner-breeder operations in the world. It is now the norm for other breeders, great and small, to take pride in buying into a Juddmonte family. It is then a great compliment to the breeders whose stock are chosen by the Juddmonte buying team, which includes in Europe Simon Mockridge and Barry Mahon. Bobby and Honora Donworth's Roundhill Stud – of which we will be hearing more in TDN later this week – is the latest to supply Juddmonte with a Classic winner after the Harper family of Whitsbury Manor Stud bred and sold Chaldean, winner of the 2,000 Guineas two years ago. These sons of Kingman and Frankel respectively were bought as foals: in Chaldean's year Juddmonte bought four foals from Tattersalls and Goffs, including Arrest, another son of Frankel who is now a dual Group 3 winner and was runner-up in the St Leger. They returned to the draft of his breeder Swordlestown Little two years later to buy his Wootton Bassett half-brother Detain, who is entered in Sunday's G1 Prix du Jockey Club. The other foal bought from the Goffs November Sale that year was Field Of Gold. Another four were picked up at Tattersalls, but from a small sample it's quite something to have two lining up in Classics on consecutive weekends, not to mention a number of homebreds. Of course Kingman could not have the spotlight to himself for long. Come Sunday, Frankel's daughter Lake Victoria, the top-rated juvenile filly in Europe in 2024, claimed the Classic that she so richly deserved when landing the Irish 1,000 Guineas. Back in 2016, her dam Quiet Reflection became the second winner of the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, and all eyes will be on her daughter in the Coronation Stakes this year. Within the space of 15 minutes Frankel's offspring had claimed two of the four Group 1 races on offer in Europe on Sunday afternoon, Lake Victoria at a mile and the Aga Khan Studs' Candelari over almost two miles in the newly promoted Prix Vicomtesse Vigier. The four-year-old gelding continues an excellent season for his trainer Francis Graffard and may be seen next in the Gold Cup. In fact, Candelari's fellow group winners on the day at Lomgchamp may all be seen next in England as the Coral-Eclipse Stakes is being considered by Andre Fabre for the Wertheimers' Prix d'Ispahan winner Sosie (Sea The Stars), while Hisaaki Saito's Prix du Palais Royal winner Topgear (Wootton Bassett) is being primed for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. “I already have my hat ready for Ascot,” trainer Christopher Head told our colleagues at JDG. Here's to Maturity The two standouts from the older-horse division – so far anyway – continued their romp through the season on Sunday and may yet clash in the Eclipse on July 5. The aforementioned Sosie is fast becoming a favourite with this column. Any runner from the family of the great Gestut Karslhof matriarch Sacarina always piques the interest in this corner and Sosie has put himself firmly up there with the best of this family, which includes his close relative Sea The Moon and the latter's fellow German Derby winners Samum and Schiaparelli. Fourth in the Arc last year having beaten Illinois to win the Grand Prix de Paris, Sosie has so far annexed the Ganay and the Ispahan and it will be a thrill indeed to see him at Sandown. From an even more celebrated family comes the tall, dark and handsome Camelot colt Los Angeles, who has the celebrated Allegretta as his fourth dam. He was a length and a half ahead of Sosie when third in the Arc and is this season starting to look like a saviour of the reputation of the Irish Derby by winning first the Mooresbridge Stakes and now the Tattersalls Gold Cup. The latter had a proper cast of five previous Group 1 winners lining up and they duly finished in the first four places bar Continuous, whose tardy break and pace-making duties gave him little chance of finishing anywhere but out the back. With Anmaat, Kalpana, White Birch, Calandagan, Goliath, Economics, Facteur Cheval, Tamfana, Illinois, Jan Brueghel and Friendly Soul among the older horses in training this year, we could be in for some enticing clashes come high summer. Hot, Hot, Hot Among that brigade we must also recognise the efforts of Mgheera in her first two starts for Ed Walker since leaving France. The daughter of Zoustar was already a Listed winner and Group 2-placed for her former trainer Manon Scandella-Lacaille, and she is thriving at the age of five, having won the G3 Prix de Saint-Georges and G2 Temple Stakes within a fortnight. Bred by David Redvers and Stephen and Becky Hillen at Ecurie des Monceaux, she changed hands in December at Arqana for €250,000 and now races for Lord Lloyd Webber and Arthur Mitchell of Yarraman Park Stud in Australia. Longer-term plans for Mgheera include a date with the Lloyd Webbers' Too Darn Hot, but in Australia rather than in Newmarket. A run at Royal Ascot is surely on the cards first, but it would be great if she can stick around up north long enough to run in the Nunthorpe in August. Too Darn Hot could himself feature prominently at the royal meeting if his recent run of two-year-old winners is anything to go by. In something of a flurry of new TDN Rising Stars last week, his son Wild Desert, whose dam Winters Moon (New Approach) is already well on her way to Blue Hen territory, courtesy of her Group 1-winning sons Shadow Of Light and Earthlight, became the latest for his sire on debut at Haydock. Wild Desert was the second Rising Star in two days for Too Darn Hot, following the Yarmouth romp of Wathnan Racing's Postmodern, and the stallion's third juvenile winner of last week was the Hugo Palmer-trained Fitzella, who looks to be Albany-bound. Medallions All Round Various permutations of syndicates involving American owners Steve Weston, Dean Reeves and Medallion Racing enjoyed a memorable Sunday on the Curragh thanks to trainer Donnacha O'Brien. His stable star Porta Fortuna (Caravaggio) returned in fine style in the G2 Lanwades Stud Stakes ahead of her bid to claim her third successive group victory at Royal Ascot following her win in the 2023 Albany Stakes and last year's Coronation Stakes. The opening two-year-old maiden on Sunday had gone to Balantina (Ten Sovereigns), who races for Steve Weston and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and was picked up at Arqana last August for €100,000 by Mark McStay's Avenue Bloodstock, which had sponsored the opening race on the previous day at the Curragh. It will be no surprise to see her now attempt to give the team a second Albany Stakes win. Later on the card, the three-year-old filly Sharpen (Fastnet Rock), who was also making her second start, underlined the good form of the younger O'Brien's stable when winning the 10-furlong maiden for Weston along with Stewart Hoffman, Philip Shelton's Medallion Racing, and Jon Green's DJ Stable. McStay, who also bought Porta Fortuna privately as a two-year-old, had signed up Sharpen at the Goffs Orby Sale of 2023 with Kim Valerio. More Stakes Glory for Aykroyds For owner-breeders who have just four mares, David and Vimy Aykroyd can take immense pride in having won two Derby trials this season. First came Pride Of Arras's impressive victory in the G2 Dante Stakes at York, and the New Bay colt is now third-favourite for the Derby. On Saturday his stable-mate Amiloc (Postponed) won the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood but, as a gelding, he will not be Epsom-bound. Trainer Ralph Beckett pointed to a little wayward streak in his dam Colima – herself by Derby winner Authorized – and some of her offspring as the reason for Amiloc having not remained a colt. He does appear now to be channeling his ability nicely, however. It took a little time for him to warm to the idea of winning the Cocked Hat but, once rolling, Amiloc beat another stable-mate, Sir Dinadan, by a comfortable four lengths. They are both now being considered for Royal Ascot, with the King Edward VII Stakes the likely target for Amiloc and the Queen's Vase for Sir Dinadan. Liberate, Celebrate Our congratulations go to James Horton and Maria Ryan who were married on Saturday. We had a little chuckle that the day of their nuptials coincided with a win for their stable of Kirsten Rausing's filly – ironically named in this case – Liberate. She was the third winner of the week for the Hortons and we wish them many more days of happiness and success, both in marriage and on the turf. The post Seven Days: A Classic Fit For a King appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hong Kong police have called off the public tendering process for upgrading the force’s computer and communications systems to ensure their security and supply stability amid heightened geopolitical tensions. According to a Security Bureau document set to be discussed at a meeting of the Legislative Council’s security panel on June 3, the force will instead directly approach suppliers that meet all of its requirements. Tendering procedures were already under way after the government secured the...View the full article

Maryland-based freshman sire Galawi (IRE) quickly registered his first winner when his first starter, Gala Gold, won on debut May 25 at Energy Downs Racing.View the full article

Further restrictions have been imposed on accessing past investigation reports from the Office of the Ombudsman, which have been taken offline under a new policy, with authorities now only permitting the public to view a maximum of six documents during each pre-booked 1½-hour session. When the Post tested the new arrangement by pre-booking a session to view reports at the office on Monday, no catalogue of past reports was provided for reference. This makes it difficult for the public to identify...View the full article

The number of Hong Kong tourists who travelled to Japan last month rose by more than 40 per cent compared with a year ago, reversing a downward trend. But tour operators on Monday were hesitant to link the increase to more Hongkongers wanting to visit the country ahead of a mega-earthquake some have speculated will hit in July, with one operator being “cautiously optimistic” about tour demand in the coming summer peak season. The country welcomed 263,600 Hong Kong residents in April, a 42.9 per...View the full article

Hong Kong lawmakers have questioned whether existing penalties for contractors that fail to ensure workers’ safety are tough enough, pointing to a business that was convicted 77 times over several years but was fined no more than HK$10,000 (US$1,280) on average. The concerns were raised at a Legislative Council meeting on Monday that discussed the ombudsman’s investigation into occupational health and safety. According to the report, labour authorities conducted 74,410 safety inspections at...View the full article

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. China invested in a lagging Darwin port. Now profitable, Australia wants it back China’s ambassador to Australia has described the Australian government’s plan to end a Chinese firm’s control of the strategically located Darwin Port as “questionable”, saying the company should not be punished. 2. China should mull 4% GDP target, support jobs, for next 5...View the full article

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto has lauded China’s long-standing support for anti-colonial struggles and developing nations, calling Beijing a key partner in the pursuit of a “safe and prosperous region” as Jakarta moves to deepen strategic and economic ties with the Asian superpower. While hosting Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Jakarta on Saturday, Prabowo praised China’s record of standing up to imperialism and its backing of Palestinian statehood – an issue that resonates deeply in...View the full article

Voyage Bubble surges into history with a commanding performance. (Photo: HKJC) Rewriting Hong Kong racing history with a stunning triumph in the HK$13 million Group 1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, Voyage Bubble made light of stamina concerns with a record-equalling performance to draw the highest praise from James McDonald and Ricky Yiu. Given a perfect ride by McDonald, Voyage Bubble streaked to a 3.5-length victory over Rubylot and Cap Ferrat in 2:26.67 to become only the second horse in Hong Kong racing history after River Verdon in 1993/94 to complete the Triple Crown by winning the HK$13 million Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m), HK$13 million Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup in the same season. Demolishing nine rivals, Voyage Bubble claimed a fifth Group 1 as the 2023 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner secured a HK$10 million Triple Crown bonus, plus the winners’ purse of HK$7.28 million, to take his career earnings to HK$107.4 million for the Sunshine And Moonlight Syndicate. McDonald, the reigning World’s Best Jockey, revealed he thought the race – Hong Kong’s 12th and final Group 1 of the season – was in his keeping at the 600m after Zac Purton’s mid-race move on Ensued to join Moments in Time and Dubai Honour (fourth) at the head of the field. With Ensued’s acceleration stringing out the 10-horse field, unflustered McDonald simply bided his time before gradually upping the tempo and hitting the front at the 270m before sweeping into history. “I couldn’t have dreamed of it panning out as well as that – that’s once in a blue moon,” McDonald said. “The stars aligned and with that sort of run, he was always going to be hard to beat – he was going to be hard to beat even without such a good run, but it all worked out. “From the 600m, he tacked up beautifully, the pace increased, everything was smooth, nothing was cluttered up. I just had a really smooth run the whole way. He’s a brilliant horse. He just keeps raising the bar and he keeps on surprising every time I ride him.” McDonald has been aboard Voyage Bubble in all five of the Deep Field gelding’s Group 1 wins and is still perplexed that the pair was beaten by outsider Red Lion in the HK$24 million Group 1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin last month. “I still can’t believe he got beat last time, to be fair, but he was just a different horse today. He was in the zone. He was ‘prepped’ up just beautifully by the Yiu stable,” McDonald said. “So lucky to be riding him and he’s just a brilliant racehorse. He just does everything you ask of him and he’s so willing. He was on song today and he’s just such a star. “He just switches off and allows himself to get the distance so well and I just want to pay credit to the Yiu stable – they’ve done a remarkable job with this horse. “It’s a great training effort – a mile to 2400m. They’re absolutely incredible. They’ve got a champion racehorse on their hands and he (Voyage Bubble) deserves all the accolades he gets. It’s awesome. I’m very proud of him.” Yiu, who has trained a string of champion sprinters including Sacred Kingdom, Fairy King Prawn and Amber Sky, was jubilant after saddling his first winner at 2400m. “Dreams came true, since I won the first two legs of the Triple Crown I started dreaming. Now today, dreams have come true – it’s amazing,” Yiu said. “The closer I looked at the race today, the closer I thought he would have a winning chance – he’s done so well and his preparation was so good. He’s pure athletic. If you look at him, you can tell he’s a high-class racehorse. He’s performed up from a sprint to the maximum distance in Hong Kong – he’s a genius. “When we first ran him over 1200 and 1400m it was like a game for him. The whole team is thrilled.” 2025 Group 1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup Replay – Voyage Bubble https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sha-Tin-2025-Group-1-Standard-Chatered-Champions-Chater-Cup-25052025-Voyage-Bubble-Ricky-Yiu-James-McDonald.mp4 Horse racing news View the full article

John Size after the success of Stellar Express at Sha Tin. (Photo: HKJC) John Size’s legend grew on Sunday at Sha Tin as the revered horseman celebrated a 1,600th Hong Kong training win with Stellar Express in the Class 3 Indigenous Handicap (1000m). The only 12-time champion trainer in Hong Kong racing history, Size, 70, is the second handler to reach the towering mark after former trainer John Moore. The Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee Size arrived at Sha Tin in the 2001/02 season, surprising all with a then record 62-win first campaign and maiden trainers’ championship. “I’ve taken my time but finally got there. It’s always nice to get some sort of milestone or number up – that’s the one today,” Size said. Hailing from Dalby in Queensland, Australia, Size quickly moved to the city of Brisbane, where he worked for trainers Pat Duff and Henry Davis. He then transitioned to the Sydney circuit, achieving instant results with a strong reputation of rejuvenating out of form horses. Size has trained two Hong Kong Horse of the Year recipients: Electronic Unicorn (2001/02) and Grand Delight (2002/03). His many other turf heroes include top-level winners Beat The Clock, Waikuku, Hot King Prawn, Contentment, Sight Winner, Super Kid, Mr Stunning, River Dancer and Glorious Days amongst others. A three-time Hong Kong Derby-winning handler, Size has captured the city’s most desired prize with Fay Fay (2012), Luger (2015) and Ping Hai Star (2018). His 12 championships are unmatched and, Size leads the current standings on 57 wins in pursuit of a 13th crown after previous accomplishments in 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2005/06, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2011/12, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19 & 2022/23. Size said: “I’m hanging on by the skin of my teeth. We’ll just keep trying.” Brenton Avdulla, who rode Stellar Express to victory, said: “It’s worked out well because I was a bit upset, thinking I would miss out on riding it for him because John has gone three or four meetings without a winner when I wasn’t riding. “I thought he might have got it (1,600th) when I was off but it’s actually an honour to ride the winner that brings up the 1600th for John and it’s great that it’s for Larry Yung, who’s a big supporter. It’s a brilliant result and hopefully we can help John onto another premiership.” Avdulla kicked off his afternoon double at Sha Tin as Mister Dapper rolled to a comfortable success in the Class 4 Helene Super Star Handicap (1600m) for trainer David Eustace. Horse racing news View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Monday, May 26. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximise your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for May 26, 2025, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions 10 Again! – Newcastle Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. Paid in bonus cash. First eligible bet per race. Must apply Promotion in betslip. Cash bets only. Max bonus $100. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Eligible Customers Only. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Copycash – Get Copied. Get Paid. Get paids $0.10 every time someone uses Copy Bet to copy your bets. Dabble T&Cs apply. Eligible Customers Only. Login to Dabble to Claim Promo Daily Multi Insurance Any Race. Any Runner. Any Odds. Get a Bonus Back if your Multi loses by a specified number of legs. Fixed odds only. Check your vault for eligibility. Full terms and conditions. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% winnings in cash Max Payout $2000. Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds win bets on Australian thoroughbred races only. Excludes boosted, multi, live and bonus bets. PlayUp T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Bet Boost | Monday Thoroughbred Meetings Get a bet boost on thoroughbred races around Australia on Monday. Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Daily Race Returns Bonus Back | Any Race Check BoomBox for full details. Eligible Customers Only. BoomBet T&C’s Apply. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Daily Exotic Boost Boost your exotics by up to 20%. Available on Exactas, Quinellas, Trifectas & First Fours. Excludes Quaddies. T&C’s apply. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector | If Your Horse Drifts, You Get The Bigger Price Only available on Australian Horse Racing Fixed Price Win bets placed from 8am AET the day of the race. Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing thoroughbred bonus promotions for May 26, 2025. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. Horse racing promotions View the full article

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER View the full article

While Voyage Bubble’s brilliant surge to a fifth Group One success and a Triple Crown clean sweep rightly demanded much of the attention at Sha Tin on Sunday, the champion galloper also quietly ticked another box on the weekend by becoming just the fourth Hong Kong-trained horse to amass HK$100 million in prize money. More than HK$61 million of his HK$107,472,475 career earnings have come in a superb 2024-25 campaign that has featured four elite-level victories and a HK$10 million Triple Crown...View the full article