Wandering Eyes

A federal judge denied a preliminary injunction Oct. 22 in a lawsuit initiated 3 1/2 months ago by a Sunland Park-based veterinarian against the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU). The case involves anti-constitutionality claims that are similar to a number of other lawsuits swirling in the federal court system. But the civil complaint filed by Jason Scott, DVM, is unique because it raises the issue of what happens when a mixed-meet vet is found in possession of medications that are prohibited for use in HISA-covered Thoroughbreds, but the vet claims those substances were solely intended for Quarter Horses, whose regulation is outside of HISA's jurisdiction. United States District Judge Sarah Davenport (District of New Mexico) wrote in Wednesday's order that Scott “has not established irreparable harm for any of his claims.” The order means the veterinarian's underlying lawsuit can still proceed, but without the injunction he requested. The judge also opted not to have the court interfere in a scheduled arbitration hearing between HIWU and Scott that is set for Nov. 19. Scott's lawsuit stems from a Feb. 13, 2025, search of his truck at Sunland, during which HIWU agents found bottles of the injectables Sarapin (an analgesic also known as Pitcher plant extract) and Adenosine Monophosphate (a vasodilator commonly referred to as AMP). Both are listed under HISA rules as “banned” substances that are never to be found in any covered Thoroughbred or possessed on any HISA-regulated grounds. Scott's lawsuit, filed July 3, stated that the Authority's published rules “never clarify” how “practicing veterinarians with a Mixed Practice [that caters to both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses at the same track] must adjust their day-to-day business to comply with federal law.” The judge rejected that line of reasoning. “Plaintiff accuses the Authority of not 'provid[ing] a single word of guidance as to how Covered Veterinarians must alter their practice to comply with Rule 3214(a),'” the judge wrote. “The Court disagrees; the way veterinarians 'must alter their practice' to comport with Rule 3214(a) is by refraining from the conduct it proscribes, i.e. possessing banned substances or banned methods. “Those substances are enumerated in the Authority's 'Prohibited List,' leaving scant room for confusion over what can and cannot be possessed,” the order stated. “Further, Plaintiff's statement that 'possession is not the fact on which liability depends' is simply untrue,” the judge wrote. “Possession is the exact fact on which liability depends and 'delineates [the Rule's] reach in words of common understanding.'” The judge further wrote that in general terms, a regulation “need not spell out all situations” where an activity is prohibited. “Veterinarians can always comply with Rule 3214 by not possessing the substances it prohibits,” the judge wrote. In his complaint, Scott brought three main challenges to HISA and Rule 3214: 1) That Congress's creation of the Authority violates separation of powers principles and the non-delegation doctrine; 2) That Rule 3214, the possession rule, was promulgated in violation of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations and the Administrative Procedure Act and is void for vagueness under the Fifth Amendment, and 3) That “the Act and the FTC Order unconstitutionally assign private causes of action tried to a jury at common law to an administrative tribunal, in violation of the Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial.” Supreme Court | Getty HISA had responded to those charges in an August court filing by claiming that Scott was seeking his preliminary injunction “based on kitchen-sink claims.” According to HISA, the only “imminent inconvenience” Scott alleged in seeking the injunction was “having to participate in private arbitration on the banned-substances charge” while remaining “free to continue treating covered horses or otherwise engage in horseracing activities without limitation.” Judge Davenport relied on four planks to flesh out the order denying the injunction. “The Court's analysis begins and ends with the most critical factor-irreparable harm,” the judge wrote. “Requiring Plaintiff to proceed before the Authority does not constitute per se irreparable harm, even if the Authority's power is unconstitutional under separation-of-powers principles,” the Oct. 22 order stated. “Any costs Plaintiff incurs from defending against arbitration and the imposition of civil fines do not result in irreparable harm because Plaintiff can recover monetary damages from HIWU and HISA,” the order stated. “Plaintiff's Fifth Amendment due process claim fails on the merits and therefore does not result in irreparable harm,” the judge wrote. “Plaintiff has not identified an irreparable harm resulting from the alleged Seventh Amendment violation,” the order stated. In addition, Davenport wrote that Scott's reliance on precedents “finding that the loss of a professional license is a type of forfeiture, and therefore require a jury, are inapposite.” That's because, the judge wrote, “The Authority cannot revoke Dr. Scott's veterinary license; it can only prevent him from participating in covered races and events.” The post Judge Denies Injunction Sought By Mixed-Meet Vet Who Argues HISA’s Rules Don’t Cover Meds Meant For Quarter Horses appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Juddmonte's Shipbourne (Frankel) arrived at Newbury on Friday with a buzz surrounding him and duly went through his maiden as connections would have hoped. Sent off the 10-11 favourite for the 6 1/2-furlong test, the son of Special Duty (Hennessy) followed the pace with ease under Colin Keane and took command inside the two. Sent clear from there, the homebred registered a 4 1/4-length success from Not That Guy (Cotai Glory). “He's a lovely big horse with the size and scope to match his pedigree, but he doesn't realise he's a racehorse yet,” Keane said. “He galloped to the line well and next year a mile will be his trip to start with. He's big and heavy and doesn't want quick ground.” Ralph Beckett trained the winner's full-brother Task Force and although he was second in the Middle Park, was ultimately disappointing. He believes this son of the operation's Cheveley Park heroine who was awarded two Classics in the stewards' room is a different proposition. “His brother had a wind issue and he bears no resemblance to him,” he explained. “We'll probably put him away and see how we go in the spring.” “That was the perfect start for him and we'll train him like a good horse and see how far he goes,” his trainer added. Whoosh Shipbourne (Frankel x Special Duty) romps home on debut in some style at @NewburyRacing…@ctkjockey @RalphBeckett @JuddmonteFarms pic.twitter.com/JGBQfjOZmP — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 24, 2025 The post Juddmonte’s Shipbourne Records Impressive Debut Newbury Win, Beckett Has Classics In Mind appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

MGISW Knicks Go (Paynter–Kosmo's Buddy, by Outflanker), the winner of the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar in 2021, will be relocated to Korea at the end of the year and begin stud duty for the 2026 breeding season, the Korean Racing Authority (KRA) said in a press release on Friday morning. A freshman sire who is part of the roster at Taylor Made Stallions, Knicks Go currently has 117 foals of racing age, 16 winners out of 53 starters and one black-type winner in Ewing who was named a 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard. “Knicks Go has been a symbol of the shared excellence between American breeders and the KRA, achieving remarkable success both on the racetrack and as a sire in the United States,” the press release said. “This relocation does not mark an end but rather a new beginning. The statement went on to say that, “The KRA's 'Overseas Bloodstock Development Program' was designed to identify outstanding stallion prospects early and introduce them to Korea to improve the quality and competitiveness of domestic racehorse breeding. Knicks Go will become one of the first and most prominent examples of this vision coming to fruition.” According to the release, Knicks Go will remain listed in BloodHorse Stallions for 2026. The post MGISW Knicks Go To Stand In Korea For 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Challenge, presented by GaineswayView the full article

MGISW Locked (Gun Runner–Luna Rosa, by Malibu Moon) will miss his intended start in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic due to an untimely illness. The 4-year-old has been retired from racing and will stand at Gainesway for the 2026 breeding season, according to a press release on Friday morning from the farm. A son of leading sire Gun Runner, Locked is the second foal from Luna Rosa, a winning daughter of Malibu Moon and a half-sister to MGISW Gabby's Golden Gal (Medaglia d'Oro) and MGSW Always A Princess (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}). The Todd Pletcher trainee broke his maiden by 7 1/4 lengths at second asking over the Spa main track that September, which garnered him a 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard. The colt netted the GI Claiborne Breeders' Cup Futurity at Keeneland and completed his 2-year-old campaign by running third in the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile. In his 3-year-old debut, Locked cleared an optional claimer during the Belmont At The Big A meet, then he scored weeks later in the GII Cigar Mile Handicap by defeating older horses, which included GI winners Mullikin (Violence) and Book 'em Danno (Bucchero). At 4, Locked took the GI Santa Anita Handicap by a record-setting 8 1/2 lengths. The victory yielded strong metrics, including a 109 Beyer, 3 1/2 Ragozin, and negative 5 Thoro-Graph. “From the moment we put a saddle on his back at Ocala Stud, Locked always presented himself as a superior talent,” Eclipse President, Aron Wellman said. “He was a star 2-year-old, returned at age 3 off nearly a year layoff after getting knocked off the Kentucky Derby trail with a rare injury, to come a tick off the track record for 7-furlongs at Aqueduct and then conquered older foes, including several Grade I winners, in the Cigar Mile. He was a troubled 2nd in the Pegasus World Cup and then set the record for the largest margin of victory in the Santa Anita Big 'Cap, only to close out his career with a logic-defying win in the historic Woodward. He was a stellar racehorse and with his natural athleticism, toughness, pedigree and looks, we are enthusiastic about his prospects of becoming a marquis stallion at Gainesway as an heir apparent to his sire, Gun Runner.” Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners campaigned Locked alongside Walmac Farm. The latest addition to the Gainesway stallion roster will retire with six wins from 11 starts and earnings of $1,911,825. “Locked is an exciting stallion prospect of the highest caliber” said Gainesway's Antony Beck. “In his career, he demonstrated true brilliance and versatility from distances ranging from 7 furlongs to 1 1/4 miles. I couldn't be more excited about Locked's arrival at Gainesway and I look forward to breeding a large number of our best mares to him.” The post Locked To Miss Breeders’ Cup Classic; Retires to Gainesway appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cups king Mahrajaan made his first public appearance in more than 12 months when he finished third behind Group One winner Provence in his 1100m heat at the Ellerslie trials on Thursday. He was victorious in the 2023 edition of the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) before winning the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie four months later, placing the imported son of Kitten’s Joy at the top of New Zealand’s staying ranks. Trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray decided to test his talent in Australia, where he finished last in the Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) before returning in the spring where he beat just two runners home in the Gr.2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m). He was set to line-up in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), but those dreams were dashed after he was withdrawn on veterinary advice, and he hasn’t been sighted publicly until Thursday’s hit-out. “It has been a long road,” Ritchie said. “We were taken out of the Melbourne Cup by the vets on the morning of acceptances, which was a little bit disappointing, but they have their rules, and we didn’t want to risk the horse. “From that point, we decided to give him a little bit of a break. We put him on the water treadmill, mucked around with him and gave him plenty of time, and now he is on track for the Auckland Cup.” Ritchie has been pleased with the way Mahrajaan has returned and he was buoyed by his trial performance this week. “He looks unbelievable, he has put a huge amount of weight on, the majority of it muscle, which is great because he is going to need to carry a bit of pudding in the Auckland Cup,” Ritchie said. “He won’t have the luxury of being on the bottom of the handicap anymore. “His trial was fantastic. He hasn’t been presented for over 12 months publicly at all, so to come out and run third to a Group One winner was great. “He never really came off the bridle and Sam (Weatherley, jockey) came and galloped him before he went to the trials and he said he feels like an open class sprinter. Obviously raceday kicks in and he is a genuine stayer. “He seems to be in the right sort of order and I think we are aiming at the right race. If we stick to our target, hopefully we hit the mark in the grand final. He will be uncompetitive over the shorter distances on his way through, but he has won two races in New Zealand over two miles, so that’s his obvious forte.” Stablemate Eye Candy also made her first public appearance of the season at the Ellerslie trials, and while Ritchie was less upbeat about her 1100m hit-out, he said it was good to get a line on her at the start of her preparation. “We toyed whether to trial her or not, she was only just ready,” he said. “She is a big, thick-winded mare and she was as a three-year-old, so she was well in need of that. I would suggest she is going to need another trial before we present her at the races. “She has had a day out and that is what we wanted to do. We have obviously got some work to do to get her fitter before we present her on raceday.” Eye Candy had a pleasing three-year-old term, placing in both the Listed Oaks Prelude (1800m) and Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m), and Ritchie is hoping she can return to that level. The stable was also represented at the trials by Group Two winner Nereus and Alaskan, who were unplaced in their 1100m trials. “I am delighted with Nereus,” Ritchie said. “I thought he was really attacking the line after the post, he didn’t want to pull up. The signs of his willingness have certainly not gone away and he is going to be a lovely Cups horse for us over the summer. “He spelled terrific. He has never been a horse who has been a big, strong horse, but he is carrying more condition than he has ever carried before. We are really looking forward to him when he gets over a mile and further. He has run the odd cheeky race first-up as well. “He is a really nice handicapper who has been a genuine good horse for the stable. “Alaskan is a mare early in the season I thought might get to a New Zealand Cup, but she disappointed us at the trials and races, so we had to back off and start again. “I was looking for an improved effort from her (at the trials) and I think we got that. Her first trial was substandard and then we took her to the races at Ruakaka after taking her to the beach and doing some work with her, but she was very disappointing. “The track was a bit off and we know she needs it dry, but having said that, she has looked fantastic and she has had a summer coat, one of the first ones to come through with a summer coat. “She presented in great order yesterday, but that just gives us the confidence to go back to the races and being low in the grades, in a 65, we will find a nice mile for her. If she is anywhere near her best she will run well.” View the full article

Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray teamed up with The Oaks Stud two years ago to win the Jericho Cup (4600m) at Warrnambool with Nassak Diamond, and they are hoping to do the same this year with Tempest Moon. The Cambridge trainers have trekked south to Christchurch with the five-year-old daughter of Turn Me Loose where they will try and gain a berth in next month’s marathon feature when they contest the NZB Airfreight Road To The Jericho (3000m) at Riccarton on Saturday. The winner gains an automatic entry into the Jericho Cup, and with their past success in the race, her connections are keen to contest it once more. “Rick Williams (The Oaks Stud General Manager) and I don’t mind going to Warrnambool,” Ritchie quipped. “We have had a great time with Where Are You when she was 100-1 and ran third. We realised it is a great race to win with Nassak Diamond a couple of years ago. If we can get another starter over there, we will be tickled pink. “We will be doing our absolute best to try and get her to that Jericho Cup.” Tempest Moon heads into Saturday in good form, having won over 2100m at Te Aroha last month before running fourth in the Poverty Bay Turf Club Cup (2600m) at Taupo. “I thought her run at Taupo was exceptional,” Ritchie said. “She is probably running into horses that are better performed on wetter tracks and she doesn’t mind it firmer. “She just got caught on the corner and got shuffled one or two spots further back than George (Rooke, jockey) would have liked, but she certainly rocketed home. “She is going to love Riccarton.” Closer to their Cambridge base, the stable are looking forward to the debut of Cambridge Stud filly Sovrana in the TAB 1400 at Ellerslie. The three-year-old daughter of Reliable Man has placed in both of her trials to date, and Ritchie believes she is capable of some lofty targets later this season. “It is not easy having your debut at Ellerslie, they usually get strong fields and this one is no different,” he said. “She has drawn the bullet (1), and I see her as a lovely staying filly, she may even develop into an Oaks filly. “You can’t suggest that she may be an Oaks filly and not expect some form of performance, but I will also expect 1400m would be well short of her best. Having said that, she has got a touch of class about her and I think she will run a cheeky race if she can get the breaks.” View the full article

Now Hong Kong based jockey Hugh Bowman said he felt proud to get the call up from Chris Waller to ride Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) in the final Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley before the track undergoes a redevelopment. Bowman and Waller combined with Winx (Street Cry) to win the Cox Plate on four occasions, and the jockey accepted the ride on Aeliana after Waller sent out a call last week. Aeliana is one of three runners Waller has in Saturday’s Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley joining last year’s winner Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) and Buckaroo (Fastnet Rock). “Moonee Valley brings many great memories to both of us as a partnership,” Bowman said. “The history of Winx and with Chris deciding to run Aeliana, he reached out to see if I would be interest in coming back. “I was delighted to get the call, really proud to be back on Australian soil and really proud to be competing in the final event on this course before it is redeveloped.” Aeliana ($8) sits on the fourth line of betting in Saturday’s race behind Via Sistina ($2.20), Antino ($3.90) and Treasurethe Moment. Bowman said he takes confidence in winning a fifth Cox Plate by the decision of Waller’s in running Aeliana on Saturday. “That is enough for me,” Bowman said. “I have had absolutely nothing to do with her (Aeliana) physically, but I’ve watched her replays, intently, and I have a good understanding from doing that. “I think it’s a very interesting race. All the lead up form is there for everyone to see, but all the races have been run so slow. “With Globe coming out, although he led at some ridiculously slow pace the other day, he did appear to be the natural leader in the race. “It’s a really interesting event. It’s going to be extremely tactical, but ultimately you will see the best horse come to the fore.” While there have been many to be dismissive of Aeliana fifth place finish in the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 4, Bowman thought there was plenty of merit in the run. “If she had had the opportunity to build her momentum and get into gear, she could have easily finished a couple of lengths closer,” Bowman said. “Even a length closer and she would be on the forefront of everyone’s minds. “This style of race (on Saturday) is not going to suit the more favoured runners, and I think a more genuine speed will play into everyone’s hands. “I have a healthy respect for Antino, particularly with the uncertainty of how the race will be run. “I just want to go out there and do my job and ensure Aeliana can run a peak performance and if circumstances suit, who is to say she can’t get over the top of them. “I truly believe she can.” View the full article

A two-pronged tilt at the Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Rapa on Monday is set to headline a busy weekend for the newest trainer inducted into New Zealand’s 1000-win club. Andrew Forsman, who celebrated his 1000th domestic success with Berry Brown at Matamata last Friday, will have runners at Ellerslie, Te Rapa, The Valley and Sale over the next three days. That contingent includes Quondo and Virgo Viva in the Sarten Memorial, which is a key lead-up for the Gr.1 New Zealand Barneswood Farm 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 8 and Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at the same venue a week later. The Sarten will be the third career start for Quondo, who is rated a $10 chance in the TAB’s 2000 Guineas market. The Wootton Bassett gelding won on debut at Matamata on September 12, then ran a gallant second behind Sarten rival Magic Carpet in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Te Rapa on September 27. “That was a very brave run in the Guineas,” Forsman said. “He was caught wide without cover all the way and stuck on really well down the straight. I’ve been happy with him in between times, and if anything, I think he’s improved.” Ribchester filly Virgo Viva is being thrown in at the deep end in only her second career start, having cleared maiden ranks on debut over 1300m at Taupo on October 10. The TAB offers a quote of $26 for her to win the 1000 Guineas. “To win the way she did on debut was a good effort,” Forsman said. “The horse in front got away on her a little bit and she was still quite green. It was the first time she’s been off the bridle and really asked to quicken, and she did a good job. “It was the run of a horse that’s going to get better and better with more racing. She’s up against more experienced horses on Monday and from a wide barrier (the outside gate in a 12-horse field), so she’s got a few things against her. But I think she’s up there with them on ability.” Forsman’s other Te Rapa runners are Mary Shan, Kitty Flash and Hard Roca. The Cambridge trainer hopes to see Mary Shan bounce back to top form in the Devan Plastics (1400m). She was an impressive first-up winner at Wanganui on August 30, then beat only one horse home as the favourite in the Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Hawera on October 4. “That was a very testing heavy track, and unfortunately it was just far too deep at her,” Forsman said. “It was a real shame, but it was a race that we had to have a go at. I’m just hoping for better conditions at Te Rapa on Monday and a performance that’s more like what she’s capable of. “Kitty Flash has been off the scene for a fair while. She went to Melbourne in the autumn and had a bit of an injury setback. We gave her time and she’s come back in great order. “Hard Roca’s going well. He didn’t have any favours from a tough barrier last start but was very game. I think the 1300m will suit him on Monday.” Forsman’s Ellerslie representative is Hinekaha in the Trackside.co.nz (1400m). The daughter of Savabeel won twice last season including the Listed Oaks Prelude (1800m), and she also placed behind Checkmate in the Listed Armacup 3YO Stakes (1500m) at Ellerslie. Hinekaha kicked off her four-year-old season in an unsuitable 1200m sprint at Ellerslie on September 20, crossing the line in fifth place and only 2.1 lengths from the winner. “That was a really good effort first-up,” Forsman said. “It was just a bit short of her best distance and she peaked on her run a little bit. “It’s been a long wait since then, trying to find a suitable race for her on a decent track. But I’ve been very happy with her at home. She’s been working up really well and is heading into Saturday in good order.” Forsman is in no rush to make big plans with Hinekaha this season. “With such a long time between runs, it almost feels like we’re starting her campaign over again this weekend,” he said. “I just want to get her back winning first, and then see where we get to from there. With these horses that show the ability that she did as a three-year-old, there’s always a period of finding your way with them in their four-year-old seasons.” Forsman is also pleased with his multiple black-type winner Positivity, who will line up in Saturday’s Gr.3 Powerflo Solutions Tesio Stakes (2040m) at The Valley. “I think she’s going really well in this preparation,” Forsman said. “Her last-start run for seventh in the Coongy (Gr.3, 2000m) might look a bit disappointing on paper, but she didn’t have all favours. She was posted wide, which is never easy at Caulfield, let alone when the rail is out 12m. “She has to carry 59kg on Saturday and is giving a good amount of weight to some progressive horses, and she might be a bit more dour than some of them. We’re just going to try keeping her in mares’ company and seeing how she measures up.” View the full article

Labour Weekend is set to play a role in shaping Te Akau Racing’s contingents for the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton next month. Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson have Guineas contenders lining up in two traditional lead-up races over the long weekend, and Te Akau has previously used both events as stepping stones to classic success. Te Akau has recorded six victories in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton, including subsequent 2000 Guineas winners Noverre (2021) and Tell A Tale (2008) and subsequent 1000 Guineas winner Risque (2015). Walker and Bergerson will be represented by War Of Silence and Origin Of Love in the 2025 edition of the $100,000 race on Saturday. War Of Silence is by Snitzel out of Group One winner Silent Sedition and was bought for A$700,000 by David Ellis from the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He won on debut over 1200m at Riccarton on September 13, then was caught right on the finish line and beaten by a half-head by Alottago in the Guineas Trial (1400m) on September 27. “The penny’s starting to drop with him, and the more we do with him, the better he’s getting,” Bergerson said. “We’re excited to see him step up to the mile on Saturday, which we think will suit, and another look around Riccarton will be a big help as he heads towards the 2000 Guineas. “We’ve had a bit of success going through this race into the Guineas, and he’s tracking really nicely towards that target. He just got bombed right on the line last time, but he’s taken good improvement from that experience and we’re really happy with the horse.” Te Akau’s number one jockey Opie Bosson will take the mount on War Of Silence on Saturday, with Joe Doyle booked for stablemate Origin Of Love. The Snitzel filly picked up a win and a placing in her first two starts, then was 1.9 lengths behind winning stablemate Cool Aza Rene when fifth in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1200m) at Ashburton on October 11. “We thought she stuck on really well at Ashburton,” Bergerson said. “She wasn’t the easiest filly early on, but she’s learning what it’s all about now and is improving with racing. “We’re looking forward to seeing her over the mile at Riccarton, which we think will suit her better than 1400m around Ashburton. It’s a good opportunity for her to race for a bit of black type and set herself up for a potential shot at one of the Guineas races as well.” Meanwhile, Te Rapa’s meeting on Monday features the Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m), which Te Akau has previously won with Need I Say More (2020), Sword Of Osman (2018) and Maroofity (2003), while last year’s third placegetter Captured By Love went on to win the 1000 Guineas. Walker and Bergerson have two of the three favourites in the TAB’s fixed-odds market for the 2000 Guineas entered for Te Rapa on Monday. The $4.50 second favourite He Who Dares will line up in the Sarten, while $6 third favourite Hostility holds an entry for the Listen Live on Sportnation.nz Maiden (1300m). “He Who Dares is going really well,” Bergerson said. “He’s had just the one run this time in, because we had to take him out of the Hawke’s Bay Guineas (Gr.2, 1400m) when his bloods were just slightly off. “He had just under a week off after that and has bounced back really well. He’s bright, full of himself and tracking along nicely. He had a gallop between races at Ellerslie last Saturday to keep him ticking over. “We’re looking forward to the Sarten on Monday, which looks like quite an even race, and we’ll know more after that. “Hostility’s run at Taupo last start was horrific. He was slow away, then was just building into it when he got run off the track at the turn. That wasn’t his fault, but he might have put himself in a position for it to happen with the way he behaved at the start. We’ve done a lot of remedial work with him in the barriers since then, changed a bit of gear, and he’s been really good. “We think he’s starting to come into himself, but now he’s drawn 18 for that race on Monday, so we’re not sure if he’ll run. It would be great to get him to the 2000 Guineas as well, but he hasn’t really had the rub of the green this spring.” Bergerson identified plenty of other strong chances among Te Akau’s weekend runners, including Cognito in Saturday’s Listed Sothys Spring Classic (2000m). “Cognito is going really well down there in Christchurch,” Bergerson said. “We gave him a bit of a freshen up after he put two really good wins together. He had to carry 60kg in the Ashburton Cup (1600m) last time and was flushed wide around the corner, but he stuck on gamely. “We think getting back to Riccarton suits him better, and we think he’ll appreciate the step up to 2000m as well. Opie knows him well and he drops to 57kg, although the favourite (Sir Albert) will be hard to beat again. “Elegant Lady’s in the same race. She ran well over the same course and distance last start and took good benefit from that 2000m run. She has a bit of a niggly gate (13), but sneaks in with a light weight and might be a nice each-way chance. We’d love to see her pick up some more black type. “We’ve got a couple of runners in the TAB Mile Trial (1400m) as well, including Stonybreck, who surprised us a little bit with his brilliant win last start. We’ve kept him nice and fresh for this race over the same course and distance. He’s trained on well and seems to be enjoying the south. Having his stablemate Perfect Scenario in the same race helps his weight a little bit and he gets in well. “We’ll take 3kg off Perfect Scenario with Sage Duric’s claim. He’s been running really well this time in without a lot of luck. He still loves his racing and is sure to give a good account of himself again. “An interesting runner is I’m A Dirty Rascal in the Road to Jericho (3000m). He’s very well-travelled and has been all around the world. It’s nearly 1500 days since he last won a race, but we think 3000m and Riccarton should suit. His run at Taupo last time was pretty good, he’s just so dour and one-paced. He couldn’t sprint with the rest of the field when they quickened at the 400m, but he kept grinding away and kicking back down the straight. This looks a nice race for him on paper, and hopefully it’s a step towards the New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m). “We’ve also got a nice team in at Ellerslie. What You Wish For is well placed in the open 1600m race and looks a good each-way chance there, while Midnight Blue might take a bit of benefit from his first-up outing in the same race. “Celestial Wonder has a great record at Ellerslie and we’re looking forward to getting her back there. Belle Cheval ran very well on debut and has been great around the stable since then, and Vickezzlastcall and Top Shelf have been making excellent progress too.” View the full article

LEXINGTON, KY – Demand continued high right to the very end of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale, which concluded Thursday in Lexington with new records for gross, average and median. Through four sessions, 1,097 horses sold for $71,843,500, dwarfing the previous record gross of $58,575,500 set just last year. The 2025 auction average of $65,491 eclipsed last year's previous record figure of $52,206, while the median of $30,000 broke the record of $25,000 set in 2022. “It was a tremendous success,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning said of the sale. “There was great interest and great activity on the sales grounds from Saturday until the end of the sale tonight. We are thrilled with the level of activity from various levels. Certainly the top of the market is very strong, but there was tremendous participation throughout. There was dramatic increase in the average, the median and in the gross. And there is a pile of private sales that haven't been processed yet. So there is tremendous post-sale interest on those horses that didn't get sold. It was very, very encouraging. It was a nice way to cap off the 2025 yearling sales with a record-breaking sale by all metrics, and by a large margin in all metrics, as well.” The October sale was strong right from its outset on Monday, with a colt by Curlin attracting a bid of $900,000–the third highest-priced yearling in the sale's history. By the close of business Thursday, 90 horses had sold for $200,000 or more, up from 69 a year ago. A filly by Yaupon consigned by Stoneriggs Farm brought the highest price of Thursday's final session when selling for $400,000 to Dixiana Farms. Thank you for a record-breaking Kentucky October Yearlings sale! @btbrowning recaps #FasigKY. pic.twitter.com/guP9M5rteL — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 23, 2025 “We hope the sale continues–and we expect the sale to continue–to produce top-quality racehorses around the world,” Browning said. “If that happens, then we will continue to see continued growth and continued interest in the sale. It's been a pretty significant increase, if you chart the growth of the sale over the last 10 to 15 years and we are thrilled it has certainly solidified its place on the calendar as an important sale for both buyers and sellers alike. All signs are positive.” 'One of the Standouts': $400k Yaupon Filly to Dixiana With time running out on the yearling sales season, Dixiana Farm manager Robert Tillyer made a $400,000 final bid to secure a filly by Yaupon (hip 1542) for William Shively's operation late in Thursday's final session of the Fasig-Tipton October sale. “She is by a leading freshman sire and physically we thought she was one of the standouts for fillies in the sale,” Tillyer said. “She just had a beautiful frame and she was a very popular filly. She showed a lot. Every time we saw her, she was just very consistent. She seemed like she was very, very classy and she moved very well.” Hip 1542 f. YAUPON o/o Ill Will sells for $400,000 at Kentucky October Yearlings! Congrats to the connections: B: Dixiana Farms C/Br: Stoneriggs Farm#FasigKY @spendthriftfarm pic.twitter.com/VWmmMW8c6W — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 23, 2025 The yearling is the second foal out of Ill Will (Palace Malice). The mare's 2-year-old Reb Five (Vekoma) debuted with a fifth-place effort over the Woodbine turf in the Algonquin Stakes Oct. 5 and returned to graduate by five lengths over the Tapeta Oct. 19 for owner CJ Stables and trainer Mark Casse. “Obviously, the half-brother just won impressively,” Tillyer said. “Mark Casse ran him in a stakes in his first start, so he thinks a lot of him. He came back and won. We hope he goes on and gets some black-type and long term, we are thinking a broodmare [with the yearling].” The filly was bred and consigned by Robert Slack's Stoneriggs Farm. Slack claimed Ill Will for $6,250 at Gulfstream in 2021. CJ Stables purchased Reb Five for $50,000 at last year's Keeneland November sale. Also this week at Fasig-Tipton, Dixiana purchased a filly by Nyquist (hip 972) for $300,000 and a filly by Not This Time (hip 394) for $260,000. “We are kind of running out of time,” Tillyer said as the last group of yearlings prepared to go through the sales ring. “It's the last day and we are glad to get her.” Tapit, Army Mule Colts Complete McPeek's October Haul Kenny McPeek, who was busy throughout the week at the Fasig-Tipton October sale, purchased two of the six top-priced horses at Thursday's final session of the auction. The trainer went to $370,000 to acquire a colt by Army Mule (hip 1576) late in the day, adding on to the $350,000 he paid for a colt by Tapit (hip 1435) earlier in the session. Through four days, McPeek purchased 19 yearlings for $2,799,000. Hip 1576 c. ARMY MULE o/o J La Tache sells for $370,000 at Kentucky October Yearlings! Congrats to the connections: B: @KennyMcPeek, agt C: Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services, agt#FasigKY @HillnDaleFarm pic.twitter.com/pcKQkxGPKB — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 23, 2025 Consigned by Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services, hip 1576 is out of J La Tache (Harlan's Holiday), a daughter of graded stakes winner Palanka City (Carson City). Purchased by D.R. Investments for $32,000 at last year's Keeneland November sale, the yearling RNA'd for $60,000 at the Fasig-Tipton February sale earlier this year. Hip 1435, purchased from the Gainesway consignment, is out of multiple graded stakes winner Gamble's Ghost (Ghostzapper). “For a Tapit, I thought he looked more like a Ghostzapper,” McPeek said of the colt. “And I am a big fan of Deputy Minister. He was inbred to Deputy Minister on the bottom line. I can give you a list of horses that I've handled that have a lot of Deputy Minister in them. The Tapit was just a bonus. I thought the price was quite reasonable.” Hip 1435 c. TAPIT o/o Gamble's Ghost sells for $350,000 at Kentucky October Yearlings! Congrats to the connections: B: @KennyMcPeek, agt C: @Gainesway, agt Br: Tall Oaks Farm & Tapit Syndicate#FasigKY pic.twitter.com/sbcj5YjqRk — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 23, 2025 McPeek, who purchased Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) for $40,000 at the 2022 October sale, also purchased a colt by Liam's Map (hip 610) for $360,000 and a filly by Twirling Candy (hip 692) for $300,000 at the October sale this week. “We are aggregating as many young horses as we can right now because I historically don't work 2-year-old sales. And so we are trying to get our work done now. We have a lot of great clients that we will be able to put these in front of. [Hip 1435] is probably going to be a partnership between a few different guys. And the dust hasn't settled on ownership on quite a few of them. But my job is to get out here and get them in pocket and worry about that later.” Of the October market, McPeek said, “It's been very tough in some spots. There are some horses that we really had to pay for that we thought might bring a little more value and there are horses that we feel like we stole. We bought one for $25,000 [hip 1326, a colt by Raging Bull (Fr)] earlier in the day who I think is a distance grass horse and those are hard for pinhookers to do anything with. But we are patient and we think he will be a really nice horse when he gets the right ground and the right distance.” Justify Colt a Sharp Purchase Paul Sharp, bidding on behalf of Joe Novogratz's Novogratz Racing Stable, went to $350,000 to acquire a colt by Justify (hip 1449) from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment Thursday in Lexington. “We love the sire, obviously,” Sharp said of the yearling's appeal. “There is a lot of potential and a lot of upside for racing.” Hip 1449 | Fasig-Tipton Bred by Fred Hertrich, the colt RNA'd for $225,000 at the Keeneland September sale last month. He is out of the unraced Gin Martini (Speightstown), a half-sister to stakes winner Best of Me (Super Saver) and from the family of Tamarkuz and Without Parole (GB). Novogratz, involved in racing for some 30 years and a five-time leading owner at Canterbury Park, tasked Sharp with the purchase of a group of quality colts at the October sale. “We bought a few for them,” Sharp said. “We are trying to target nicer colts. We are just trying to have a good group of colts and hopefully have Grade I winners. That's what we are looking for.” Also at the October sale, Novogratz acquired a colt by Yaupon (hip 737) for $285,000 and a colt by Jack Christopher (hip 1427) for $275,000. In all, the operation purchased seven yearlings for $1,505,000. Novogratz Racing Stables has been represented on the track by multiple stakes winner and two-time Grade I-placed Amy's Challenge (Artie Schiller), as well as multiple stakes winner and multiple graded placed Surly Furious (Upstart), but has yet to have graded stakes success. Wrapping up the yearling sales season which concluded Thursday, Sharp said, “We have done well. We bought quite a few horses for different reasons: pinhooking and racing clients, from top to bottom. And it's been competitive, but I think if you are patient and you pick your spots, you can buy some really quality horses.” McKinzie Filly Another Score for Estradas Carlos and Sarah Estrada have a quick answer when asked what they liked about a filly by McKinzie they purchased in a pinhooking partnership for $95,000 at last year's Keeneland November sale. “The walk,” Carlos says immediately. “She had a big walk. She was a strong filly. She looked like a colt.” Returned to the sales ring Thursday at Fasig-Tipton through their C & S Thoroughbreds consignment, the filly (hip 1229) rewarded the couple when selling for $325,000 to Mayberry Farm. Hip 1229 f. MCKINZIE o/o Cool and Stormy sells for $325,000 at Kentucky October Yearlings! Congrats to the connections: B: Mayberry Farm C: C & S Thoroughbreds, agt#FasigKY @Gainesway @CandsTBs pic.twitter.com/235fLHopPV — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 23, 2025 The bay filly sold last November without reserve as part of the COLTS, LLC dispersal and was signed for in the name 'No Horses No Life.' “I picked the name 'No Horses No Life' because what would we be doing without these horses,” Carlos explained. The filly had been entered in the Keeneland September sale, but never went through the ring. “We had her in September and her walk wasn't there,” Carlos said. “I think she was lost with all of the horses in there. We just did not feel comfortable, so we scratched her and made the call to take her here.” The filly has only improved in the interim weeks, according to Sarah. “She really blossomed in the past month,” she said. “She has put on more body and looked like an even stronger filly than she did in September. She shined here.” C & S Thoroughbreds concluded its 2025 October sale with another nice result when a filly by Cupid (hip 1256) sold for $40,000 to Jose D'Angelo. The strapping gray had been purchased by Jay Morgeson for $3,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Digital October sale. The post Record Crusher: Fasig-Tipton October Sale Concludes with Massive Gains appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Edited Press Release Cogburn (Not This Time–In a Jif, by Saintly Look) has had a successful start to his stud career, achieving excellent fertility results during his first season at WinStar Farm. The enthusiasm and demand for him internationally was also outstanding, however, while in Australia, fertility results were lower than his domestic performance and the decision was made to cut short Cogburn's visit to Australia. Cogburn had a busy book in Kentucky, getting 143 mares in foal, however his early results in Australia indicated a decline that warrants further investigation. While he has covered well and no abnormalities have been found, WinStar and the Cogburn Syndicate were eager to see him return to Kentucky so they can better understand the cause and treat him accordingly in preparation for his second season at stud in Kentucky. Antony Thompson of Widden Stud said, “We are all terribly disappointed not to have been able to fulfill the obligations to the breeders who had supported Cogburn with a full book, but it's important we do what is in the best interests of Cogburn and the syndicate and resolve this temporary issue.” WinStar Farm's Elliott Walden said, “We want to get Cogburn home to do more testing to prepare him for his second season at stud. I want to thank Antony and his team for the care of Cogburn during his time in Australia. The test results of his semen have been very good, but we need to dig a little deeper to understand what is going on. He is an important horse for our future, and we want to get him ready for 2026.” Cogburn stood his first season at WinStar for $30,000 and is scheduled to stand his second season in 2026 for $25,000. The post Fertility Decline Cuts Cogburn’s Australian Covering Season Short, Returns to WinStar Early to Prepare for 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Multiple Group One winner Provence indicated she is ready to take on another lucrative campaign with a strong 1100m trial win at Ellerslie on Thursday. The daughter of Savabeel had a quiet trial under her belt on the Cambridge Synthetic last month, and on this occasion, trainer Stephen Marsh was looking for a more solid hit-out. The mare tracked a keen leader in Judicial through the mid-stages before taking over in the straight, kicking clear to win by two lengths with a considerable margin back to the rest of the field. Marsh couldn’t have been happier with the performance, which gives her just over a fortnight to prepare for her resuming run at Te Rapa. “I thought she trialled up beautifully,” he said. “She had a nice quiet trial at Cambridge which was good and she bounced out of that super, so we put a little more pressure on her today. She’s going to improve again out of the 1100, she’s ready to go to the races. “She’ll head to Te Rapa on the 8th of November, she’ll run in the Open 1200m there and get a little bit of weight. That’ll springboard her to the mare’s 1400 at Pukekohe, which will be ideal second-up. “I think she’s sharp enough to run a good race at 1400, but the mile is probably her sweet spot at the moment.” Marsh is referring to the Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), run on Counties Cup Day. After a four-win haul at Ellerslie last weekend, Marsh will head back to the venue this Saturday with a dozen runners, including stakes winners Ardalio and Hitabell contesting the Almanzor – Proven Value (1200m). Ardalio emerged as a serious sprinting prospect when claiming the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) at just her third start and went on to win the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) in the autumn. Resuming at four, Marsh was pleased with her first-up run on a heavy track at Te Rapa and expects her to find Ellerslie a preferable surface. “I thought her first up run was nice on a wet track, she’s come on well since and back at Ellerslie on a good track, I think that’ll be the big key for her,” he said. “She’s drawn nicely in five, she’ll sit just in behind the speed, and I think she’s the big improver.” Hitabell won the Listed O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes (1335m) and Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at three, but has been off the scene since her triumph in the later on Boxing Day last year. “She’s coming up well, she’s had a couple of trials and will improve again,” Marsh said. “She’s drawn wide and is a bigger, stronger mare now, so she’ll take a run or two to get going. In saying that, I think she’ll run well.” Their stablemate Burn To Shine will make his long-awaited return to racing in the Trackside.co.nz 1400, 623 days since his last outing in February 2024. Despite the long absence, Marsh holds the Group Three winner in high regard and is hopeful of a bold showing fresh. “He’s been off the scene for a hell of a long time,” Marsh said. “He’s had two trials that I’ve really liked and he’ll take improvement, but I think he’ll run a really cheeky race in a fresh state. “He’s an exciting galloper and I’m looking forward to getting him going.” The long weekend will roll into Te Rapa’s meeting on Monday, headlined by the Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m), where Marsh has three representatives. Among his trio is Magic Carpet, a Satono Aladdin colt who announced himself as a serious Guineas contender when winning the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) last start. “He’s done really well, it looks a nice even field and he’s drawn out a bit, but he hasn’t missed a beat since his win in the Hawke’s Bay Guineas,” Marsh said. “(Jonathan) Riddell sticks with the ship and he’s a very nice horse going forward, this will springboard him nicely into the 2000 Guineas.” Stablemates To Cap It All and Swiss Prince could join Magic Carpet on the trip to Riccarton, the latter coming straight off the back of a competitive maiden win at Ellerslie last Saturday. “He (Swiss Prince) will definitely back-up, he’s bounced out of that race really well and is the ultimate racehorse,” Marsh said. “He eats, sleeps and does his work. “He hit himself against the rail there and was a bit wayward, but he’s come through it well and loves racing. He’s drawn nicely (3) to put himself in a forward spot, and again, he’s on a trial for the 2000 Guineas. “To Cap It All has had a little bit of an interrupted campaign, early on her bloods weren’t quite that good and we gave her a quiet time. She had no luck last time and could still get down to one of the Guineas, she’s still nominated for both, but she really needs to put her hand up here. “We are playing catch-up a bit, but she is quality and hopefully the rain doesn’t come.” View the full article

Mike Breslin is at a crossroads with his filly Intention, with her performance in Sunday’s Upper Hutt Car Sales LTD Three-Year-Old 1400 at Trentham dictating which path she takes. All roads lead to Riccarton next month for the daughter of Bivouac, with Breslin weighing up between the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) on November 8 or the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) a week later. “We haven’t decided which one she will run in yet. She will only run in one of them and we will make that call after she races on Sunday,” Breslin said. The Awapuni trainer took good heart from her last-start third placing in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at the Christchurch track, and he said she has come through that run and trip well. “That was a bit of a test run,” he said. “She coped exceedingly well and we have given her plenty of time to get over that trip because we always had in the back of our mind that she might need to go back down there again in November. “She had a reasonably easy time when she got back from the Canterbury Belle and this is the race we picked out for her to bring her up to 100 percent for Christchurch. “The set weights and penalties doesn’t suit her for that race on Sunday. She is not very good in at the weights for a smallish three-year-old filly, but the race will serve its purpose in getting her 100 percent fit.” Intention had a hit-out at the Foxton trials on Tuesday, where she ran third in her 850m heat, and Breslin said that has helped bring her on ahead of her weekend assignment. “I am really happy with her, I just gave her a quiet trial,” he said. “She did everything under her own steam and I was more than happy with her.” Breslin will also head to Trentham with Ima Brazen One and Kosta, who will be first-up in the Rothley Sprint (1000m) and Graham’s Painters Sprint (1000m) respectively. Ima Brazen One won her 850m trial at Foxton on Tuesday and Breslin is using Sunday as a test to see if she can handle the Trentham chute, something that has troubled her in the past. “She has come up exceedingly well. She is a bit bigger and stronger version than what we have seen in the past,” he said. “She has had two or three runs down the chute and hasn’t handled it that well as a younger horse. I will be interested to see how she copes with the chute now that she is a little more mature.” Kosta has had just the one trial this time in, finishing fourth over 1000m at Awapuni earlier this month, and Breslin is hoping he can put in a bold showing in a fresh state over Sunday’s sprint distance. “He is a talented horse,” Breslin said. “I normally give them two trials, and I have only given him one, with the idea that he may sprint well in a very fresh state. Hopefully he will have a decent prep this time in, I think he can go through the grades.” Meanwhile, promising stayer Crouch will head to Tauherenikau on Saturday week where his performance in the Feilding Cup (2050m) will dictate whether he heads south to contest the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton a fortnight later. View the full article

The Breeders' Cup arrived on the scene too late for the great American geldings Kelso and Forego. But at the upcoming 42nd edition of the World Championships, a brilliant European gelding will attempt to join some highly exclusive company. View the full article

Ante-post Epsom Derby (G1) favorite Benvenuto Cellini heads Aidan O'Brien's team for Britain's final group 1 race of the year, the Futurity Trophy (G1) Oct. 25 at Doncaster.View the full article

Uptown Rythem (Speightstown–Listen to My Song, by Unbridled's Song), who previously stood at Harris Farms, has been relocated to stand at Rancho San Miguel in Central California for the 2026 breeding season. He will stand for $1,500, live foal guarantee. From extremely modest crops, Uptown Rythem's Average Earnings Index of 1.19 is among the best in California. His unraced dam is a half-sister to the dam of 2017 GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes winner La Coronel (Colonel John) from the extended family of 2025 GI Blue Grass Stakes winner Burnham Square (Liam's Map). “As a fast, good-looking son of Speightstown, Uptown Rythem offers value for savvy mare owners who are aiming to compete in California's lucrative sprint program,” said Tom Clark, owner of Rancho San Miguel. “We believe his brightest days as a sire are ahead.” The property of C Punch Ranch Inc., Uptown Rythem is available for inspection at Rancho San Miguel. The post California’s Uptown Rythem to Rancho San Miguel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Part 2 of the Arqana October Sale kicked off on Thursday with another 154 yearlings going under the hammer, the pick of which was a De Treville colt from the Haras des Capucines draft who fetched €95,000. Bought by trainer Christophe Escuder, lot 428 was making his second appearance on the Deauville sales ground, having fetched €26,000 when Sumbe offered him as a foal at the December Breeding Stock Sale. He is a sibling to three winners out of the winning Galileo mare Gagarina, including a full-sister in Gregarina whose four career victories included the G3 Athasi Stakes, plus a pair of Listed contests in France. Of the 154 lots offered, 117 sold (76%) for an aggregate sum of €3,128,000. The average was €26,735 and the median was €21,000, with the second session of Part 2 set to get underway at 2pm (local time) on Friday. Whilst the figures for the opening session were significantly down across the board compared to the corresponding day last year, it should be remembered that a change of format for 2025 saw an extra day added to Part 1. Haras d'Haspel was responsible for two of the other headline acts on Thursday, namely a colt by Mohaather who went through the ring as lot 359 and a Zelzal filly who was offered later in the afternoon as lot 382. From a five-strong draft, Haras d'Haspel had four sold for a total of €209,000, headed by the Mohaather colt – from the family of the dual G1 Yorkshire heroine Only Royale (Caerleon) and G1 Melbourne Cup winner Prince Of Penzance (Pentire) – who went the way of Markus Nigge for €90,000. As for the Zelzal filly, a half-sister to the Listed winner Bebeautiful (Le Havre), she sold to Bloodstock Services for €80,000. Her dam is an unraced half-sister to the top-class sprinter Gordon Lord Byron (Byron), while this is also the family of another multiple Group 1 winner in Godolphin's Barney Roy (Excelebration). Nicolas Lefevre of Equos Racing teamed up with trainer Henri-Francois Devin to feature among the most prolific buyers on Thursday, securing three yearlings together for a total of €207,000. The most significant spend was the €80,000 it cost to secure lot 480, a Muhaarar filly from Haras de Montaigu in what could be a sign of things to come following Montaigu's recent acquisition of Shadwell's champion sprinter. Meanwhile, at the other end of the distance spectrum, the sole yearling by star stayer Stradivarius to go under the hammer on Thursday found favour with Jeremy Brummitt and Quantum Leap Racing. Consigned by Haras de Grandcamp, the colt already named Lubianus (lot 487) – the first foal out of the G3 Prix Belle de Nuit third Lubiane (Authorized) – sold for €72,000 to secure his place among the five most expensive lots. The post De Treville Colt Leads Low-Key Start to Arqana Part 2 at €95,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Brook Smith doesn't own many horses, but when he gets involved with one, things always seem to go right. The latest example is Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), the winner of last year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic and a top contender for this year's $7-million race. Along with the same ownership group that is dominated by Coolmore, Smith also owns a piece of the fast 2-year-old Schwarzenegger (Not This Time), who is pre-entered for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. To talk about such things as his Breeders' Cup horses, his charitable endeavors and the reason why he has paid for three billboards, one in Dublin, Ireland, touting Sierra Leone, Smith joined the team for this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Gainesway Guest of the Week. There's little doubt that Sierra Leone–a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'–is flying under the radar this year, overshadowed by stars like Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and Fierceness (City of Light). Asked to make an early line for the Classic, the podcast's Randy Moss made Sierra Leone 5-1. “He's always been that horse where he gets respect and then he kind of loses it,” Smith said. “He has trouble keeping it. He's had some odd races, like the last race (the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup), the last prep that he was in before the Classic. And it's hard to say that he's under the radar, but let's just rephrase that and say that Sovereignty is the radar. How's that?” The Sierra Leone camp has been criticized by Mike Repole for entering a rabbit, Contrary Thinking (Curlin), in the Classic in the hopes that he can set a fast pace that will help Sierra Leone. Smith doesn't see what's wrong with that. “You guys caught me at a good time because I just went to the ear doctor because I had to clean out all of the yapping that seems to be out there,” Smith joked. “Whatever happened to let these horses do their thing, right? I don't have social media and I'm not faulting anybody. I think at the end of the day, everybody has fun with it. So, you know, that's all good. The thing is that rabbits are allowed. It's part of racing. “It kind of comes down to the trainer. And if the trainer feels like he wants a rabbit in the race, this ownership group is going to be supportive because Chad (Brown) has done a great job with the horse to this point. It's a big race. It's a different race. I mean, the rabbit could get eliminated with the post position draw. It's clear. Sierra Leone needs pace.” The affable Smith turned the tables on the panel and started asking them questions. He asked Moss to make a case for Sierra Leone winning the Classic. “If I have to make the case for Sierra Leone winning the Classic, it would be this,” Moss said. “There is a very short stretch run at Del Mar. Much, much shorter, almost a football field shorter almost than Sovereignty got at Churchill Downs or at Saratoga in the Belmont Stakes or the Jim Dandy and the Travers. He's a horse that does his best running down the lane. So that will be a disadvantage but it's not one that he can't overcome. Not that he's not good enough to overcome it, but that will be a disadvantage for Sovereignty. And if there will be enough pace to keep Fierceness from getting out there and setting a nice, comfortable, easy lead, which is why Contrary Thinking was entered in the first place, that will help. Then I think that puts Sierra Leone right in the hunt. Now he's also got to deal with a short stretch, but he did last year effectively, obviously at Del Mar, and overcame it.” Out of his own pocket, Smith has paid for billboards that say “Go Sierra! Breeders' Cup World Championships. NBC on Saturday Nov. 1.” There are three billboards, one in Louisville, one in Lexington and one in Ireland. “I am unlike the boy that steps on top of the mountain and cries wolf,” he said. “I'm the guy that jumps on the top of the mountain and says 'Sierra Leone, let's go.' My partners in Ireland, I hope they don't cuss me for putting the billboard up there in Dublin. I don't think they will. It's in respect and good fun. I don't have social media, so I have to use billboards.” As is his custom, Smith will donate a portion of his Breeders' Cup earnings to the Backside Learning Center at Churchill Downs. “The backside continues to benefit from Sierra Leone as a part of that Purses for a Purpose program,” Smith said. “I'll do anything I can do to help an industry that I'm passionate about that gives me a lot. It's great to give back. I was very honored to be invited to join the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Board, TOBA, and I quickly jumped on the chance to get on the charitable philanthropic committee, because that organization does incredible stuff across all kinds of different horse-related non-profits.” The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was Sumter (War Front), who got a 99 Beyer for his win in the Lure Stakes Saturday at Santa Anita. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by 1/st TV, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association and West Point Thoroughbreds, the team of Moss, Bill Finley and Zoe Cadman went through the pre-entered fields for the Breeders' Cup. They'll save their picks for next week. This week was about an overview of all of the races. Click here for the audio version of the podcast and here for the video version. The post Brook Smith Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented by Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Shisospicy will attempt to become the first 3-year-old filly to win the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Del Mar Nov. 1.View the full article

The second Keeneland Championship Sale, to be held Wednesday, Oct. 29 at Del Mar just ahead of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, will be broadcast live on FanDuel TV. The event begins at 5 p.m. PT, and FanDuel TV's live coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m. PT to coincide with the start of the sale. Coverage will be hosted by international sports broadcaster Rishi Persad and Keeneland Director of Communications Gabby Gaudet and be broadcast from the Del Mar Paddock. “FanDuel does a tremendous job capturing the atmosphere and energy of this one-of-a-kind event,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “This broadcast offers an incredible opportunity for fans, media and the broader racing community not in attendance to experience the excitement of the Championship Sale in real time.” In addition to the FanDuel TV broadcast, live coverage of the Championship Sale will be available on the FanDuel Racing + app, on Keeneland's YouTube channel and at Keeneland.com. The post FanDuel TV to Broadcast 2025 Keeneland Championship Sale Live from Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Graham Motion, who trained 2022 Twilight Derby second Speaking Scout, sends grade 1 winner Test Score to Santa Anita for the turf stakes for 3-year-olds. View the full article

Innovative, Lee's Baby Girl, and Warming—the top three finishers from last month's John C. Harris Stakes (G3T)—tussle over the Santa Anita Park turf once more in the $100,000 Autumn Miss Stakes (G3T) Oct. 26. View the full article

Mountaineer Park on Thursday received unanimous permission from the West Virginia Racing Commission (WVRC) to shift one end-of-meet date on its schedule and add two others, moving closing day of the season from Dec. 3 to Dec. 9. “You'll recall, with the passage of recent legislation, monies were provided back to the purse fund,” Joe Moore, the executive director for the WVRC, said during the commission's Oct. 23 monthly meeting. “And with the additional funding, Charles Town had previously requested three additional race dates, [which] the commission approved.” Mountaineer's plan to switch the Wednesday, Dec. 3, card to Sunday, Dec. 7, and then tack on Monday and Tuesday programs for Dec. 8 and 9 “puts their request in line with Charles Town with the increased purse funding,” Moore explained. Prior to the 3-0 vote by commissioners Paul Espinosa, Chip Urling and Tony Figaretti, Espinosa, the WVRC's chairman, asked stakeholders to explain the reasoning behind adding dates as opposed to increasing purses with that money. “We're not talking a lot of days here, so I'm inclined to support this request,” Espinosa said. “But I see that Mountaineer is struggling like a lot of tracks are right now.” Espinosa noted that a $4,000 NW2L claiming sprint on Monday, Oct. 20, went off as a match race after four scratches reduced the field to just two starters. During its most recent four days of racing this week (Sunday through Wednesday), Mountaineer's eight-race cards featured 40, 47, 45 and 46 starters, respectively. “Any thought to doing a purse increase as opposed to adding additional days to maybe try to attract a few more horses?” Espinosa asked. Michael Bish, the director of racing at Mountaineer, explained the rationale this way: “We have a bunch of neighboring tracks that are closing. Presque Isle in Erie, Pennsylvania. Belterra Park down by Cincinnati. I'm seeing a massive uptick in stalls being requested for the last month. We're bringing in about 75 to 80 horses this weekend. We're getting a massive amount of Canadian horses from Fort Erie closing up. “So our projection for the month of November is looking very strong,” Bish said. “When you look at our last couple of overnights, it's kind of proved that. We're getting big 10-horse fields, 12-horse fields. So in our opinion here, things are going to get a lot better here in this last month.” The four upcoming programs for Oct. 26-29 have drawn 58, 64, 61 and 71 entries, respectively. And starting in November, Mountaineer will drop four Wednesdays of racing, as had been planned back at the start of its April-December season, cutting the schedule to just three dates per week. Jami Poole, the president of the Mountaineer Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, said his organization supports the moves by track management. “We used to run a lot of days. Over 50 days we've docked [annually] since I've been here,” Poole said. “Our goal as horsemen is to work with management and go to the three days a week most of the time so we can have the big field sizes. And on turf season [we can have] four days a week because [being able to race on] turf will overcome [adding a fourth date to the weekly schedule]. “But our [future] goal here is to run more days to get back to where we were,” Poole said. “We did raise all the bottom purses [recently]. We didn't raise the top purses.” Racing as deep into December as possible is important, Poole said, “because 90% of these horsemen here, when we close here, have nowhere to go. [They] don't go to Mahoning because they don't get stalls or whatever it is. And our goal is to take care of our horsemen here to get this meet as long as we can get it to go.” Espinosa said he appreciated the insights from both track management and horsemen. “You know, everybody's fighting for horses,” Espinosa said. “And again, if we do have a situation where we do have ability to maybe step those purses up a little bit, maybe attract a few more horses, I would think that that's going to help fill those races. But I accept what Mr. Bish outlined and what [Poole] shared, and certainly I commend you on working together and trying to put together the best program that you can.” The post Citing ‘Massive Uptick’ in Horses as Other Meets Close, Mountaineer Adds Two Dates to End of Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland has supplemented Fall Meet winners Divine Justice (c, 3, Justify) and Elston Gunnn (g, 2, Mo Town) along with four other horses to the November Horses of Racing Age Sale to be held Wednesday, Nov. 12, the day after the conclusion of the November Breeding Stock Sale. The sale will begin at noon ET. Divine Justice won an Oct. 3 maiden special weight event at Keeneland, earning an 88 Beyer and 8 3/4 Ragozin in his second lifetime start. Out of the City Zip mare Rarities, a full sister to multiple Grade I winner Palace, Divine Justice is a half-brother to stakes-placed winner Retained. He is consigned by Four Star Sales, agent. Elston Gunnn was a sharp winner of an Oct. 12 maiden special weight race going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf in the second start of his career. Trained by Jonathan Thomas, he is consigned by ELiTE, agent. Additional supplements are: Bail Us Out, a 4-year-old winning, Grade III-placed gelding by Lookin At Lucky consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent. Keepinitreal, a 3-year-old New York-bred gelding by City of Light. Placed in four of five career starts, he is consigned by ELiTE, agent for Chester Broman. Laurice, a 3-year-old Grade III-placed filly by Bolt d'Oro consigned by Grovendale Sales, agent, and cataloged as a racing or broodmare prospect. Perfect Snow, a 3-year-old winning daughter of Caravaggio whose second dam is millionaire and Grade I winner Ticker Tape (GB). She is consigned by Hidden Brook, agent for the Dispersal of Bonne Chance Farm, and cataloged as a racing or broodmare prospect. The post Keeneland Fall Meet Winners Divine Justice, Elston Gunnn Among Six Supplements to Horses of Racing Age Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article