Wandering Eyes

Aidan O'Brien reasserted his dominance over the Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1) as Lake Victoria came out on top at the Curragh. He won the classic a record 10 times from 1997-2021 but had been out of luck in the past three years.View the full article

Voyage Bubble used a smooth passage to victory in the Champions & Chater Cup (G1) May 25 at Sha Tin Racecourse, completing a rare sweep of the Hong Kong Triple Crown.View the full article

German-born Andrasch Starke became the oldest winning jockey in the history of the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) as the 51-year-old partnered Kamunyak to a last-gasp victory in the second leg of the Japanese Triple Tiara at Tokyo on Sunday. It was a first Group 1 success on Japanese soil for Starke, who has been crowned Germany's champion jockey on 10 occasions and is perhaps best known internationally for his association with the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes heroine Danedream. Maintaining the partnership with Kamunyak after her first black-type win in last month's G2 Flora Stakes, Starke had his mount settled in midfield through the first part of the contest, before making a wide sweeping move into the straight. The daughter of Black Tide began to uncoil an impressive run from there, drawing even with Arma Veloce 200 metres out and then digging deep to get the verdict by a head. Arma Veloce, runner-up in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas) six weeks earlier, had to settle for minor honours once again, with longshot Tagano Abby taking third ahead of Paradis Reine. Race favourite Embroidery was only ninth as she tried to follow up her Oka Sho triumph in the hands of Christophe Lemaire. “For me, it has been a dream to win a Group 1 race in Japan and I have no words–my dream came true,” said an elated Starke, who was recruited for the ride by trainer Yasuo Tomomichi and owners Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co. Ltd. “The pace was not so fast in the second half of the race and, before the homestretch, I moved to the outside where she responded very well. She's an amazing horse–she just won four weeks ago. It was important that she was very relaxed today. She put in a sound performance and her ability was amazing.” Kamunyak made a successful debut at Chukyo in August last year, before finishing sixth in the G3 Artemis Stakes at Tokyo in late-October. Prior to her victory in the Flora Stakes, she reappeared as a three-year-old with a fourth-place finish in the Listed Elfin Stakes at Kyoto in February. 【Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) (G1), 2400m, Tokyo, JRA】 Kamunyak won the Yushun Himba !#JRA #horseracing #YushunHimba #JapaneseOaks #Kamunyak pic.twitter.com/2CtdoLPG2R — HorseRacingInJapan (@HorseRacing_JPN) May 25, 2025 Pedigree Notes Kamunyak is not the only Japanese Oaks winner in the family as her third dam, Dance Partner, was successful at Tokyo herself back in 1995. Remarkably, she was one of three champions by Sunday Silence out of the unraced Nijinsky mare Dancing Key. Like Dance Partner, Dance In The Mood was crowned Japan's champion three-year-old filly and champion older mare, while another sibling, Dance In The Dark, enjoyed a successful career at stud after being named Japan's champion three-year-old colt. One of four winners from five runners out of the Listed-placed Dance Amiga, Kamunyak is a half-sister to the G3 Lord Derby Challenge Trophy third Keep Calm by Lord Kanaloa. Second dam Dance All Night, who was placed at Group 3 level herself, is a half-sister to the G2 Nakayama Kinen winner and sire Federalist, as well as the G3 Niigata Kinen third Longing Dancer. Sunday, Tokyo, Japan YUSHUN HIMBA (JAPANESE OAKS)-G1, ¥330,230,000, Tokyo, 5-25, 3yo, f, 2400mT, 2:25.70, fm. 1–KAMUNYAK (JPN), 121, f, 3, by Black Tide (Jpn) 1st Dam: Dance Amiga (Jpn) (SP-Jpn, $1,045,040), by Sakura Bakushin O (Jpn) 2nd Dam: Dance All Night (Jpn), by El Condor Pasa 3rd Dam: Dance Partner (Jpn), by Sunday Silence 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (¥70,000,000 Ylg '23 JRAJUL). O-Makoto Kaneko Holdings; B-Shadai Farm (Jpn); T-Yasuo Tomomichi; J-Andrasch Starke; ¥180,961,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-0, ¥244,421,000. *1/2 to Keep Calm (Jpn (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), GSP-Jpn, $642,912. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Arma Veloce (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Harbinger (GB)–Rakuami (Jpn), by Daiwa Major (Jpn). (¥30,000,000 Wlg '22 JRHJUL). O-TO RACING; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥68,846,000. 3–Tagano Abby (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Animal Kingdom–Tagano Tairin (Jpn), by I'll Have Another. 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Ryoji Yagi; B-Niikappu Tagano Farm (Jpn); ¥42,423,000. Margins: HD, 1 1/4, NK. Odds: 14.30, 3.40, 49.00. Also Ran: Paradis Reine (Jpn), Lynx Tip (Jpn), Will Survive (Jpn), Brown Ratchet (Jpn), Kelly Fled Ask (Jpn), Embroidery (Jpn), Erika Express (Jpn), Taisei Princesse (Jpn), Ai Sansan (Jpn), Vip Daisy (Jpn), Reve de l'Opera (Jpn), Saturday Sunrise (Jpn), Lesedrama (Jpn), Savonlinna (Jpn), Go So Far (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post Starke Makes History with Yushun Himba Strike Aboard Kamunyak appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After striking gold beyond the boundaries of the Golden State with Journalism (Curlin) in the GI Preakness Stakes a little more than a week ago, jockey Umberto Rispoli and trainer Michael McCarthy are liable to find themselves front and center on the special Memorial Day program at Santa Anita with Formidable Man (City of Light) in the GI Shoemaker Mile Stakes. And if statistics are anything to go by, they should prove tough to handle, as the duo has combined to win at something around 27% at the Great RIP over the course of the last 17 months. The Italian reinsman has been in the saddle for the 4-year-old's last five visits to the races, of which Formidable Man has won four, including the GI Hollywood Derby ahead of a forgettable performance in the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf, for which McCarthy gives his charge a pass, owing to the chaotic environment on Pegasus Day. The colt backed up that opinion with a half-length defeat of Zio Jo (Nyquist) and Cabo Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile) in the GI F.E. Kilroe Mile Stakes over Monday's course and trip Mar. 1. Mi Hermano Ramon (Creative Cause) also shipped out for the Pegasus and struck traffic at a critical stage before finishing fourth, beaten just over two lengths behind recent GI Turf Classic hero Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d'Oro). He charged home to be fifth in the Kilroe and would benefit from any sort of contested pace up front, a scenario which seems likely. Rispoli and McCarthy also have a puncher's chance in the afternoon's other elite-level contest, the Gamely Stakes, with Liguria (War Front). Winner of the GIII Jimmy Durante Stakes on this circuit in 2022 when trained by Chad Brown, the 5-year-old returned from 15 1/2-month absence to be a very good third in the GIII Megahertz Stakes Feb. 1 before getting up on the line to take out the GII Buena Vista Stakes a month later. Public Assembly (More Than Ready) also raced for Brown early in her career, winning her maiden from four starts, but she is perfect in two tries for the Phil d'Amato barn, including an 8-1 surprise in the GIII Royal Heroine Stakes Apr. 26. Between the two turf contests is the storied GII Hollywood Gold Cup, in which East Coast raider Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) should prove a tough nut to crack. An admirable third to Cody's Wish (Curlin) in his only other visit to Santa Anita back in 2023, the veteran has since added four more graded stakes to his CV, including a successful defense of his title in the GIII Challenger Stakes at Tampa Mar. 8, but he was most recently a well-beaten third to First Mission (Street Sense) when looking for consecutive victories in the GII Oaklawn Handicap Apr. 19. His current career earnings of over $3.5 million is about double of what his six rivals have bankrolled combined. The McCarthy-conditioned Extensive (City of Light) is the least-exposed runner in the field and arguably the one with the most upside as he makes his graded debut at career start number five. An easy maiden winner going a mile Mar. 16, Everett Dobson's homebred Beyered 99 when taking an 8 1/2-furlong allowance Apr. 6 In the two other holiday gradeds, 'TDN Rising Star' Two Sharp (Twirling Candy) squares off with GI Derby City Distaff runner-up Hope Road (Quality Road) in the GIII Winning Colors Stakes at Churchill Downs, while the outstanding Louisiana-bred Touchuponastar (Star Guitar), two-back winner of the GII New Orleans Classic, looks to add the GIII Steve Sexton Mile Stakes, a race in which he has completed the exacta in each of its last two runnings. He was defeated by a neck by Heroic Move (Quality Road) last year. Two Sharp | Coady Media The post Preakness Combo Reunite With Formidable Man in Shoemaker Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Christophe Clement, a native of Paris, France, who started training full-time in the U.S. in 1991, has passed away after battling Metastatic Uveal Melanoma. He was 59. Clement was introduced to the sport by his father Miguel, a French trainer. He went to work for top French trainer Alec Head before coming to the U.S. to work for Shug McGaughey. He made one more stop in Europe, working as an assistant to Luca Cumani before opening up his own U.S. based stable in 1991. Clement picked up his first win as a U.S. trainer with his first starter, Spectaculaire (Spectacular Bid) in an Oct. 2, 91 maiden race at Belmont. Because of his European background, Clement was thought of as a grass trainer. That reputation grew as one of his first big stars was Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat), who was named male grass champion in 2009 and 2010. He was also named older horse champion in 2009.He won seven Grade I races and 11 stakes in all. As his stable expanded, he would prove to be just as adept with dirt horses. He registered his first Grade I win on the dirt with Funny Man, the winner of the 2009 GI Coaching Club American Oaks. His best dirt horse was undoubtedly Tonalist (Tapit), who won the 2014 GI Belmont S., ending California Chrome's (Lucky Pulpit) bid for a Triple Crown. He won three more Grade Is, two editions of the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup and the GI Cigar Mile. Clement has been nominated to the Hall of Fame, but has yet to receive enough votes get in. The Belmont was the only Triple Crown race that Clement won. He won his first Breeders' Cup race in 2021 when Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock ({Aus}) captured the GI Juvenile Fillies Turf. “He's a very cool customer,” said Pizza Bianca's owner, Bobby Flay, at the time. “This time he showed a lot of emotion, and it was nice to see.” Clement saddled 2576 winners during his career, finishing in the top three 19% of the time. His stable had compiled total earnings of $184,119,069. He is survived by his wife Valerie; daughter Charlotte and son Miguel Clement, who has been serving as his father's top assistant; grandson Hugo Collins; and daughter-in-law and TV personality Acacia Clement. To view a personal statement released by the Clement family on X Sunday, click here. The post Trainer Christophe Clement Passes at 59 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kamunyak used every step of Japan's longest filly-mare race to win the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks-G1) May 25 at Tokyo Racecourse.View the full article

Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) streaked to a three-and-a-half-length victory in Sunday's G1 HK$13 million Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup at Sha Tin, in the process becoming become only the second horse in Hong Kong racing history after River Verdon in 1993/94 to complete the Triple Crown. Following victories in the G1 Stewards' Cup (1600m) and G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m), Voyage Bubble was chased home by a pair of high-class four-year-olds, Rubylot and Cap Ferrat, as he secured the Triple Crown bonus of HK$10-million for also winning the 2400m Champions & Chaters Cup–Hong Kong's 12th and final Group 1 of the season. Winning jockey James McDonald revealed he thought the prize was in safe keeping with 600 metres to run, after Zac Purton's mid-race move aboard Ensued to join Moments In Time and Dubai Honour at the head of affairs. With Ensued's acceleration stringing out the 10-horse field, McDonald simply bided his time before gradually upping the tempo and hitting the front approaching the final furlong. From there he powered clear to run out a decisive winner in a time of 2:26.67, with British raider Dubai Honour faring best of those who helped to force the strong pace in fourth. “I couldn't have dreamed of it panning out as well as that–that's once in a blue moon,” said McDonald. “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. “He's a brilliant horse. He keeps raising the bar and he keeps on surprising every time I ride him. I just want to pay credit to the [Ricky] Yiu stable. They've done a remarkable job with this horse. 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.” Ricky 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 2,400 metres. “Dreams came true,” he summed up. “Since I won the first two legs of the Triple Crown I started dreaming. Now today, dreams have come true–it's amazing. 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 1,200 and 1,400 metres, it was like a game for him. The whole team is thrilled.” It doesn't get much better than this! 31 years on since River Verdon, Hong Kong racing celebrated a second #TripleCrown champion with Voyage Bubble at Sha Tin this afternoon… @WorldPool | @mcacajamez | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/IxPBsMfTmG — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 25, 2025 Pedigree Notes Voyage Bubble is one of seven winners from as many runners out of the Rahy mare Raheights, with the others including the G3 P J Bell Stakes heroine Diddums (Snitzel) and the Listed-placed Brettan (Commands). Diddums, in turn, is the dam of this year's Listed-winning juvenile Stardom (Zoustar). Voyage Bubble's second dam, Laoub (Red Ransom), is a half-sister to Canadian Horse of the Year and champion grass mare Never Retreat (Smart Strike), who won five graded races, among them the GI First Lady Stakes. Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong STANDARD CHARTERED CHAMPIONS & CHATER CUP-G1, HK$13,000,000, Sha Tin, 5-25, 3yo/up, 2400mT, 2:26.67, gd. 1–VOYAGE BUBBLE (AUS), 126, g, 6, by Deep Field (Aus) 1st Dam: Raheights (Aus), by Rahy 2nd Dam: Laoub, by Red Ransom 3rd Dam: Lisieux, by Steady Growth (A$380,000 Ylg '20 INGFEB). O-Sunshine And Moonlight Syndicate; B-Torryburn Stud (NSW); T-Ricky Yiu; J-James McDonald. HK$7,280,000. Lifetime Record: 26-11-7-3, $12,358,395. *1/2 to Diddums (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), GSW-Aus, $164,688; and Brettan (Aus) (Commands {Aus}), SP-Aus. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Rubylot (Aus), 126, g, 4, Rubick (Aus)–Emirates Comfort (Ire), by Dubawi (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (A$100,000 2yo '22 INGOCT). O-HK Football Club Horse Racing Syndicate. B-Woodpark Stud (Aus). T-David Hayes. HK$2,730,000. 3–Cap Ferrat (Aus), 126, g, 4, Snitzel (Aus)–C'Est Beau La Vie (Aus), by Bernardini. (A$1,400,000 Ylg '22 INGAPR). O-Karen Lo Ki Yan. B-Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd (Aus). T-Francis Lui. HK$1,495,000. Margins: 3HF, HF, NK. Odds: 1.80, 19.00, 15.00. Also Ran: Dubai Honour (Ire), Bundle Award (Aus), Ensued, Five G Patch (Ire), Winning Dragon (Chi), La City Blanche (Arg), Moments In Time (Chi). Click for the HKJC chart & video. The post Dreams Come True as Voyage Bubble Completes Hong Kong Triple Crown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ryan Moore will hardly have enjoyed a more straightforward Classic ride than on Frankel's 2024 champion Lake Victoria in Sunday's G1 Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas. Heavily-supported into 10-11 favouritism to build on her comeback sixth in the 1,000 Guineas three weeks ago, last year's G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, G1 Cheveley Park Stakes and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine raced in the box seat behind the 50-1 shot California Dreamer. Squeezed out of the pocket to get after that leader two out, Aidan O'Brien's 11th winner of this Classic was in front a furlong from home en route to a 2 1/4-length success. Mehmas's California Dreamer earned second under the enterprising tactics, 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Australia's Cercene. “She wasn't quite there at Newmarket, but she's a lot better than them and I'm glad to get her back on track,” Moore said after a Group-race four-timer involving Albert Einstein, Porta Fortuna and Los Angeles. LAKE VICTORIA wins the Irish 1000 Guineas! What a day for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore! @curraghrace @Tattersalls_ie | @coolmorestud pic.twitter.com/OFv4quBXPC — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 25, 2025 The post ‘She’s A Lot Better Than Them’: Moore’s Dream Day Continues With Frankel’s Lake Victoria In The Irish 1000 Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

7th-Mth, $47K, Msw, 3yo/up, 1 1/16mT, 3:56 p.m. ET. The holiday card by the Jersey Shore includes first-time starter DIRAND (Ire) (Sottsass {Fr}). Owned by Peter Brant and Tony Shafrazian, the 3-year-old is out of Unaided (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who White Birch acquired for €1,250,000 at the 2019 Arqana December Mixed Sale while in-foal to No Nay Never. This dam is also responsible for champion turf female & GI TVG Breeders' Cup Mile heroine Uni (GB) (Medaglia d'Oro). Dirand is trained by Chad Brown. From the same shedrow, Investment Mandate (Constitution) is set for his unveiling. Klaravich Stable went to $525,000 during Keeneland September, who is out of MGISP Faithfully (Smart Strike). The colt's third dam is highly-productive champion 3-year-old filly Heavenly Prize (Seeking the Gold). TJCIS PPS The post Monday’s Racing Insights: Half To Breeders’ Cup Winner Seeks To ‘Uni’-fy Family Ties By The Shore appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Drawing on all his inherent toughness, Ballydoyle's Los Angeles defied Anmaat in a battle to the line in Sunday's G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh. Sent off the 9-4 favourite after his comeback G2 Mooresbridge Stakes win, last year's G1 Irish Derby hero took over two out and responded to Ryan Moore's call to ward off the Shadwell runner late on having been headed inside the final furlong. A half length separated them at the line, with a length back to Kalpana in third. On fast ground uncommon for this track at this time of year, the sensational time of 2:08.41 was the fastest by nearly two seconds in the history of the race since Shiva won in 2:10.20 in 1999, the first time the trip was changed to this 10 1/2 furlongs. Aidan O'Brien has another bigwig on his hands in the 4-year-old, who is set for the season's prime tests now. “It was a very good race, they are very high-class horses and you can't miss a beat with those,” the trainer said after greeting his 11th winner of the race. “The plan was to come here and go to the Prince of Wales's and then either have a look at the King George or have a little rest and have an Arc trial and then the Arc.” “When the pace is on in front of him he'll follow any pace and he'll fight. No horse likes a fight more than him,” he added. “He's an exciting horse going forward. As a physical he's massive. It's hard to believe how big and powerful he is until you stand beside him and he has an incredible mind, he's so relaxed. I'd say any race through the whole year is going to find it hard to stand up to the ratings of all these horses. When all these are added up it's going to be an incredibly high rating band.” LOS ANGELES! Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore claim success in an eventful @Tattersalls_ie Gold Cup @curraghrace | @coolmorestud pic.twitter.com/ZnCeYRjYrj — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 25, 2025 The post ‘No Horse Likes A Fight More’: O’Brien Hails Camelot’s Los Angeles After Tattersalls Gold BattleCup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Weanling Sale saw high demand for the top lots throughout the day, with eight standout weanlings hitting at least A$300,000, headed by a Snitzel filly who went the way of North Bloodstock for A$550,000. Offered by Highgrove Stud, she is the ninth live foal out of the stakes-placed O'Reilly mare Acquired, with the others including Splintex, a full-sister to this filly who was successful in the G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint, G2 Bobbie Lewis Handicap and G3 Hall Mark Stakes. Another sibling by Exceed And Excel is the Listed scorer Invictus Salute. Since producing this weanling Acquired has been served by Golden Slipper winner Shinzo. “She's a beautiful type with great length and great scope,” North Bloodstock's Mick Malone said of the top lot. “She has a lot of O'Reilly about her. Her mother was a beautiful mare and she looks a bit like her mum. “It may change, but at this point, we are planning to race her.” The post Snitzel Filly Tops Magic Millions Gold Coast Weanling Sale at A$550,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last month's G1 Prix Ganay hero Sosie (Sea The Stars) justified connections' decision to part with a €18,000 supplementary fee and pounced late to celebrate a hat-trick of Group 1 ParisLongchamp triumphs in Sunday's G1 Prix d'Ispahan at the Bois de Boulogne venue. The 7-10 favourite annexed last year's G1 Grand Prix de Paris and also ran third in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and fourth in the G1 Arc. The eventual winner endured a degree of awkwardness during the opening skirmishes and tracked the leaders in fourth for the most part here. Urged closer soon after straightening for home, he came under forceful rousting inside the final quarter-mile and overhauled Sardinian Warrior (Saxon Warrior) in the dying embers for an ultimately snug one-length success. Last year's runner-up Horizon Dore (Dabirsim) hit the board once more and finished 2 1/2 lengths further adrift in third. Sosie picks up impressively to reel in Sardinian Warrior and take out the Group One Prix d'Ispahan at ParisLongchamp! pic.twitter.com/CDzfhxt9zG — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 25, 2025 The post Sea The Stars’s Sosie Pounces Late for Prix d’Ispahan Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Problems with a database used to take overseas bets causes lengthy delays and sees commingling bets refunded.View the full article

Sandy Hawley was one of the most successful jockeys of his generation, earning his way into the Canadian and U.S. horse racing hall of fames, and winning championship titles in both countries. But Hawley, the first jockey to ever win 500 races in a single year, grew up knowing nothing about the sport. “I didn't know anything about horses,” he tells Ferrin Peterson on this week's Boundless Podcast. “But when I was 16 years old, my uncle said, `you're the right size. You should be a jockey.'” Within a few years, he was off to the races, riding his first winner at Woodbine and going on to lead the national standings in Canada, the first time an apprentice had ever done so. He would go on to ride for 31 years, winning 6,449 and 18 riding titles at Woodbine before he would retire, battling and beating a life-threatening skin cancer during his career. Hawley recounts the highs and lows of his historic career on the show. To watch the podcast, click here. Or click here to listen to it on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify. The post Sandy Hawley the Guest on Boundless Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Exposed on the wing the whole way through Sunday's G2 Lanwades Stud Stakes, Porta Fortuna had good reason to cave in on her seasonal return but that is just not her style. Defying any rustiness and a penalty in The Curragh's mile contest, last year's G1 Coronation Stakes, G1 Falmouth Stakes and G1 Matron Stakes heroine was delivered passing two out by Ryan Moore to take control and justify 5-4 favouritism by half a length from Gleneagles' One Look. Porta Fortuna is BACK! Group Two honours in the @Lanwades Stud Stakes for the talented filly, partnered by Ryan Moore for Donnacha O'Brien @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/YFIpnI2CGC — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 25, 2025 The post Winning Curragh Return For Caravaggio’s Porta Fortuna appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aidan O'Brien has targetted the Curragh's G3 GAIN Marble Hill Stakes as a tried-and-trusted stepping stone to next month's G2 Coventry Stakes and put forward his strongest contender, TDN Rising Star Albert Einstein (Wootton Bassett), who overcame traffic problems with a set of impressive gears in the six-furlong contest. The January-foaled Coolmore homebred went postward as the prohibitively priced 4-11 favourite and raced a shade keenly in a handy fifth through the early stages. Tanking forward into third passing halfway, he was forced to switch around the unyielding leading duo approaching the final furlong and went through an impressive set of gears in the closing stages to win going away, by 3/4-of-a-length and the same, from Power Blue (Space Blues) and the hitherto undefeated Andab (Saxon Warrior). Still unbeaten Home-bred Albert Einstein (Wootton Bassett) gains Group Three success in the @GAINEquine Marble Hill Stakes for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore @coolmorestud | @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/Yh8Ve9SLFR — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 25, 2025 Pedigree Notes Albert Einstein, who becomes the 42nd pattern-race winner for his sire, is the first foal produced by G2 Balanchine Stakes second Yet (War Front), herself a half-sister to G3 Ballylinch Stud 2000 Guineas Trial third Carracci (Quality Road) out of the dual Group 3-placed Butterflies (Galileo). Butterflies is one of eight stakes performers produced by dual Grade II and multiple Grade III-winning matriarch Mariah's Storm (Rahy), headed by multiple Group 1-winning sire Giant's Causeway (Storm Cat). Descendants of Mariah's Storm also include elite-level winners Gleneagles (Galileo), Happily (Galileo), Marvellous (Galileo), Joan Of Arc (Galileo), Decorated Knight (Galileo) and Above The Curve (American Pharoah). Yet was bred to Justify last year. The post Wootton Bassett’s Rising Star Albert Einstein Overcomes Traffic Problems in the Marble Hill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cliff Brown’s pair of emerging kiwi stayers Scintillante (NZ) (Savabeel) and Rogan (NZ) (Super Seth) will get the chance to show off their staying prowess in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Both three-year-olds geldings haven’t started since May 3 when Rogan won over 2000 metres at Caufield against his own age and Scintillante finished fourth in the Gr.1 South Australian Derby behind Femminile. Although both are at big odds in the betting, Brown is buoyant about their prospects saying they are talented stayers. “Both are in good form, and I think they will be suited by the 2400 metres,” Brown said. Brown said Scintillante’s fourth in the South Australian Derby was an excellent run. “I thought his Derby run was excellent and he’ll be improved for having a run over that distance. Billy Egan was happy with him, and he stays on. It was a bit of a stop-start race, and he closed off late,” he said. Brown said Rogan had always give the indication to him that he wanted 2400 metres. “I think he’s always wanted it. He’s quite a dour horse, and I thought his effort to finish off like that over 2000 metres was excellent,” he said, Rogan will be ridden by Chad Schofield in the Queensland Derby. Brown is chasing his first win in the race. His best result was in 2000 when Citra’s Prince finished second to Freemason. View the full article

Legendary handler joins John Moore in reaching major milestone thanks to success of Stellar Express.View the full article

Superstar galloper pockets HK$10 million bonus, joining River Verdon in securing coveted treble.View the full article

Driver Penalties C Hackett | Waikato Bay of Plenty 22 May; use of whip; suspended 31 May – 6 June inclusive. P Ferguson | Waikato Bay of Plenty 22 May; use of whip; fined $250. J Stormont | Waikato Bay of Plenty 22 May; use of whip; fined $500. K Green | Winton 22 May; contacted track marker; fined $100. Trainer Penalties M & N Purdon | Auckland 23 May; incorrect gear; fined $100. G Rogerson | Auckland 23 May; incorrect gear; fined $100. S & A Telfer | Auckland 23 May; failed to affix bandage so as not to come adrift; fined $100. Horse Penalties THE GREEK FREAK | Winton 22 May; broke in running; must complete trial. HAIL STONE | Winton 22 May; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. SUZANNE | Winton 22 May; late scratching on veterinary advice; veterinary clearance required. ERROL D | Winton 22 May; late scratching on veterinary advice; veterinary clearance required. CHESINOV | Auckland 23 May; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. CALMBEFORETHESTORM | Timaru 25 May; broke in running; must complete trial. SILVESTER | Timaru 25 May; broke in running; must complete trial. Protest HARRIET’S MOMENT | Winton 22 May; unsatisfactory manners prior to start; declared a non-runner. The post 19-25 May 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Rider Penalties C Grylls | Waikato 21 May; medical clearance required. B Jacobson | Otago 23 May; careless riding; suspended 24-29 May inclusive. N Downs | Auckland 25 May; use of whip; fined $250. Y Okubo | Auckland 25 May; use of whip; fined $300. J Riddell | Feilding 25 May; careless riding; suspended 1-5 June inclusive. Trainer Penalties T Kennedy | Otago 23 May; incorrect gear; fined $50. G Richardson & R Norvall | Waikato 24 May; late rider declaration; fined $50. K Pertab | Waikato 24 May; late rider declaration; fined $50. Horse Penalties BERBIZIER | Waikato 21 May; reared and lost rider; must complete trial. DEAR OH DEAR | Canterbury 15 May (reported 21 May); epistaxis for second time; ineligible to race in New Zealand. RED MOON RISING | Otago 23 May; slow to jump; veterinary clearance required. The post 19-25 May 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Dog Penalties GO CONCORD | Waikato Bay of Plenty 22 May; failed to pursue the lure; stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. THAT’S THAT | Christchurch 23 May; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. The post 19-25 May 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

It was an unfortunate accident that saw talented mare Niance (NZ) (Swiss Ace) miss the Autumn, but Grahame Begg believes the lightly raced five-year-old can make up for lost time over the Winter. A winner of six races from ten starts, Niance is set to resume in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday, a track and distance where Niance is already a Group Three winner. That fact made it an easy decision for Begg to target the Bel Esprit, which he hopes can be used as a springboard to further Group targets over the coming months. “She had an injury in the paddock but she’s back on song,” Begg said. “She’s had a jump out and a barrier trial, she won her latest trial at Caulfield Heath on May 15, she jumped out very well and then trialled very well. “We had our aspirations of possibly taking her up to Sydney to run in the Bob Charlie, but we decided that it was better to stay here, particularly because her Caulfield record’s very good. “We don’t have to travel and her fresh record’s good.” Now well into her five-year-old season, Begg says Niance will never develop into a typically ‘strong’ looking sprinter, but believes her athleticism and adaptability are her best attributes. “She’s not a big imposing horse, she’s just a good athlete. If you saw her in a sale you wouldn’t buy her, you wouldn’t give it two looks at her, but she’s just got a motor.” “She’s taken some good scalps, a lot of the stakes form around the sprinting mares is around her, she beat She’s Bulletproof who ran second in the Oakleigh Plate.” Begg has no concerns over Niance’s fitness levels heading into Saturday’s race, with plenty of options to consider in the coming months. “Absolutely she’s forward enough to win, she goes very well fresh,” Begg said. “It gives us the opportunity, running on the 31st of May. She can have a back-off, and then possibly gear up for something like the Bletchingly or something like that, tail end of July, and then we’ll just tinker around with her.” View the full article

A wet track may have thwarted the finishing power of King Of Thunder (NZ) (Tivaci) last start but connections are hoping a drier surface will enable the horse to show his true colours in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby on Saturday. King Of Thunder finished third to Imperialist in heavy conditions at his final lead-up run in the Gr.3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) and while content with the performance, co-trainer Tom Charlton said the three-year-old wasn’t at his best in the rain-affected going. “It looked like he was coming to make his challenge and just worked away to the line,” Charlton said. “He shows a few more gears than that normally. The comment from the rider was he just got slightly dulled in the conditions. “We were delighted with him the other day. He didn’t love that ground and he’s probably looking for a bit more of a test, which he will get next Saturday.” Fine weather is forecast in Brisbane this week and King Of Thunder will arrive at Eagle Farm well-seasoned with Saturday’s classic the third Derby he will have contested. He finished seventh in the Victorian Derby (2500m) last spring and fifth in the ATC Australian Derby (2400m) during the autumn carnival, connections hoping Saturday will be a case of third time lucky. “He has been running really well in all these Derby races and has a likable profile going into it,” Charlton said. King Of Thunder remains a $6 Derby favourite while stablemate Hurstville Zagreb has drifted from $11 to $15 after finishing a soundly beaten third to Let’s Fly at Randwick on Saturday. King Of Thunder is a graduate of the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, purchased by John O’Shea Racing for $50,000 from the draft of Ohukia Lodge. View the full article

Marksman Queen asserted herself early and led every step of the way to win the $219,665 Keertana Stakes May 24 at Churchill Downs. The victory gave the 5-year-old mare's sire Dubawi his 300th stakes winner.View the full article