Wandering Eyes

There's a special feel about this place: very different from some of the bigger farms around Lexington, with their miles of fencing leading to wide horizons. Here trees fill the undulations like green mist, and then there's this gem of a house, faithfully reproduced from a much older one in New Hampshire that Dede McGehee came across in a book one day. Hummingbirds flit into the flower baskets on the veranda. Overall, Heaven Trees Farm feels very apt to its name. “Except when I looked into it, it turned out that the Tree of Heaven is an invasive tree, thorny and very noxious!” McGehee says with a chuckle. But she doesn't let that detail trouble her. As far as she's concerned, Heaven Trees was always a family name: a book by Stark Young, who followed up with the neglected Civil War classic So Red the Rose. “Which is a Gone with the Wind kind of book,” she explains. “And it's about a family of McGehees. So, the house my father grew up in, they called Heaven Trees. And later on my aunt had a hunter jumper venue in Jacksonville, Florida, and that was called Heaven Trees, too.” The latest version entered her life 30 years ago, alongside a farm that she leased just behind Keeneland. Having left her job with a Versailles veterinary practice, she put her own band of mares together and boarded others for clients. Plenty of seasonal mares, plus a few permanent ones for people who were friends as much as they were clients. People like the late Dolphus Morrison, a very special man-who left her a very special legacy. Which is why we're troubling McGehee with a visit. Because this is a story people need to hear. “I mean, who does that?” she asks, recounting the gesture Morrison made when his deteriorating health required him to have a dispersal sale. She is palpably moved, recalling it; not really sure, in fact, whether it is too precious, too personal to be shared. It's just that people need to know how big a heart Morrison had. But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Let's rewind a little, to when McGehee's bad luck proved the prelude to something better. Her bad luck was to develop a pulmonary condition. The doctors couldn't figure it out, but somehow she didn't have the oxygen to deliver a foal, never mind spend all her time in barns with musty straw and hay, or people smoking. Eventually they traced the problem to her pet birds: she had a cockatoo and a cockatiel, and it turned out she had an allergy to… cockatoos and cockatiels. “So, I stepped back,” she explains. “Got rid of the birds, went on steroids, and gave up my practice. I said I'd just board mares and do all my own [vet] work. Because I could control my environment. And that's what I did. Leased two farms, kept it all in-house. And I loved it: I had great clients, and a great crew.” Love it as she did, though, she couldn't keep going forever at 20 hours a day. “I did it for a long time, but at some point there has to be more to life,” she reasons. “I had raised horses all this time, and watched other people race them, and have fun watching them run, so I thought maybe I could do that too. So, I shut down the boarding operation. I let the leased farms go, and brought it all home: just my own mares, and Mr. Morrison's.” And, well, Morrison was always going to be the exception. For a start, their own relationship had become something to treasure. Dr. Dede McGehee (DVM) on her farm Heaven Trees | Courtesy Dr. Dede McGehee “He was like a father to me,” McGehee says. “My favorite client of all time. Never micromanaged. Never took bad news badly. And really smart. He grew up in rural Alabama, and built up a steel business from nothing. He was a horseman, too. He and his daughter did those competitive 100-mile rides when she was a teenager. He had Quarter Horses at first, I'm pretty sure that Hal Wiggins was his first [Thoroughbred] trainer. Anyway, he ended up having quite a few mares. And I had an old horse-trading friend who had sold Dolph some mares, and Dolph asked where he should put them. That's how he came here. And he just trusted me. He would say, 'If you have a problem, take care of it and call me later.'” One of these mares was a homebred daughter of Roar, trained by Wiggins to win on debut and then a stakes at the Fair Grounds on her fourth start. “But then a day or two later, she fell coming up through the gap on the concrete,” McGehee recalls. “She split her whole butt down to her hock, it was like 160 stitches. So, she was done, and came to us. And she was tough. She'd been very tough at the racetrack, tough to saddle, tough to blacksmith. She's not mean. She just doesn't like to be messed with, would rather you leave her alone and admire her from afar.” But it was hardly the mare's fault if her first foal, by Medaglia d'Oro, did not endear her to motherhood. “Well, it was a big foal, a difficult foaling,” McGehee points out. “And then she had no milk. It's just something that happens sometimes. It wasn't that the foal was early. She just had absolutely no milk; her bag looked like a mare that had never been bred. Anyway, she had no interest in that filly. When we'd got the nurse mare, she walked straight out of the barn, never nickered, never even looked back. So, we didn't know if that was always going to be her. But no, she was fine. The next year she wasn't the most doting, but she liked him and tolerated being mother. And the next one, she loved. So, she got better and better. I think the maternal was always in there. It was just circumstances that caused her to reject that first foal.” As a result, anyhow, it wasn't even Thoroughbred milk that launched that foal on her journey to becoming Horse of the Year in 2009. For by this stage, you have probably recognized her as Rachel Alexandra, and the mare as Lotta Kim. And that means we can now return to that conversation, in the summer of 2012, when Morrison told McGehee that it was time to break up his program. Actually, it wasn't the first time he had talked that way, but on this occasion it felt different. Both Morrison and his wife had their health problems–something that had contributed to the sale of Rachel Alexandra, after her 20-length win in the GI Kentucky Oaks–and he knew the end of the road was nearing. (He died in 2016.) “But he didn't say, 'How much will my horses bring?'” recalls McGehee. “He didn't say, 'What are they worth?' He said, 'What are you going to do?' I said, 'Well, I'll probably do what I should have done a long time ago. And that's have five good mares, and race everything.' And actually, that has never happened – and probably never will! But that was the goal. And then he said, 'We want Lotta Kim to be one of those five.'” McGehee pauses to gather her emotions. “Who does that?” she repeats. “Really. I mean, people don't even do that for their families. But I loved him, he loved me, and he loved my help. When he sold Rachel, he gave them a bunch of money. He was just a good guy. And so that's what we did. I gave him a dollar.” Lotta Kim and her 2025 Forte filly born Feb. 18 at Dede McGehee's Heaven Trees Farm | Courtesy Dr. Dede McGehee The scale of the legacy became staggeringly clear when a Bolt d'Oro colt out of Lotta Kim made $1.4 million at Saratoga in 2021; and then when a brother to Rachel Alexandra brought $1.35 million from Epic Horses at the 2024 Keeneland September Sale. (Named Epic d'Oro, he is currently breezing at Gulfstream.) “Oh, he was beautiful,” McGehee recalls. “Pretty from day one. But I did not think he would do that. That was a complete surprise. And what was nice, the one at Saratoga my crew couldn't be there, but they could be there for this one.” There will be no more days like that, however: not only because Lotta Kim has now been retired, at 24, but because her last foal, safely delivered this spring, was a Forte filly who will be going nowhere. McGehee was ecstatic when the embryo was sexed. “I knew it would probably be her last one,” she explains. “So, my veterinarian–I don't do my own work anymore–and my farm manager raced to text me first, to tell me it was a filly. And everything went perfect. She's a pro. Except for the first time, of course, with Rachel. She does all the work. We never have to help her very much. But I just think it's time. She gave me a filly, and did it easily. I'm not going to tempt fate. “She doesn't actually look like an old mare. Some of them, you can see it in their face. I've always had older mares here: that was what I started out doing, because I could buy them inexpensively. I could work on them myself, and it was a challenge that I loved. And so, when I'd look at mares at the sale, if they looked old out of their eye, I wouldn't try.” Lotta Kim will be in good company, then, with eight or nine pensioned friends sharing the paddock. “She has mellowed with age,” McGehee says. “But she still likes her routine. If you get off routine, you might have a little trouble catching her! You know, things have got to be her idea.” There are still 20 mares in service, more than McGehee feels sensible. “I do want to cut back,” she says. “I always go back to what I told Mr. Morrison, that I should have five good mares and race everything. But how do you pick? Obviously, I can't keep them all. But at my time of life, I just want to have fun. I want to go watch my horses run. What I'd really like to do is watch one of them win an Oaks!” She actually got within a neck of doing so in 2011, with the homebred St. John's River (Include). And while there was no way McGehee could adequately return the gift she had received from Morrison, she was then at least able to try. “When Rachel ran, they hadn't been able to do all that pre-Oaks stuff: the mornings, the walkover,” she recalls. “So, this time, he came for the week and did all those things he hadn't got to do before. I think he appreciated what he had missed, that time. I haven't really been ready to tell this story. But now Kim is done, now that she's going out in that pasture with the trees and the creek, where she'll be very happy…. I just want people to know how wonderful and gracious he was.” The post The Heavenly Bequest of Rachel’s Breeder appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Southwestern trainer Jose Roberto Gonzalez Sr., already serving an 18-month suspension, received an additional 36 months for two banned substances found in the gelding Ol' McClintock. His suspension now runs through July 2, 2030.View the full article

Southwest trainer Jose Roberto Gonzalez Sr., already serving an 18-month suspension, received an additional 36 months for two banned substances found in the gelding Ol' McClintock. His suspension now runs through July 2, 2030.View the full article

A season after Hall of Famer Bill Mott won the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) with Sovereignty, son Riley will send Incredibolt into the starting gate for the Holy Bull Stakes (G3), a Jan. 31 Derby prep at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Brandywine Farm (Jim & Pam Robinson) started in 1974 in North Carolina where Pam Directed the Graduate Program in Sports Medicine and the Research Lab in Human Performance at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jim is a professional electrical engineer and was promoted to Director of Transmission and Protection for General Telephone and Electronics. After 25 years in North Carolina, the broodmare band had grown to 100 mares in addition to standing five stallions. While selling at the Keeneland November Sale in 1998, we looked at several farms and in the matter of three days bought 100 acres on Jackstown Road in Paris, Kentucky, which has now expanded to 400 acres. Realizing that our breeding operation needed to be in Kentucky, we put the North Carolina farm up for sale and sold it the same day it went on the market. We currently breed 90 of our own mares to Kentucky stallions and about the same number for clients. We are known as a “Mom and Pop” operation which means we both work hands on seven days a week, 51 weeks out of the year! The fact that we breed to sell only complements the fact that we breed to produce an athletic race horse. Our record includes over 60 graded stakes winners and hundreds of black-type runners, including Danza (third GI Kentucky Derby), Itsmyluckyday (second GI Preakness S.), Ruler on Ice (winner GI Belmont S.), Gunnevera (runner-up GI Breeders Cup Classic third G1 Dubai World Cup), etc. The breakdown of mares going to first-year stallions is approximately 30%, to proven stallions 30%, and the remaining 40% are to the second-, third- and fourth-year stallions which can be risky but can also be very rewarding. Currently we have multiples of Yaupon, Vekoma, and Omaha Beach. We also support all of the stallions participating in the breeding rights program initiated by Mr. Hughes at Spendthrift. I distinctly remember looking at Into Mischief his first year at stud and made the comment that if we were going to do one breeding right, we might as well do two. Needless to say, the day came when it made sense for us to capitalize on those two breeding rights. This year we will participate in the programs for Mullikin, Johannes, and Il Miracolo. A sample of some of our mares–many of whom we bred–are as follows: ABUSE OF POWER, 9, Karakontie (Jpn)–Oblivious, by Cozzene. Will be bred to Yaupon. This mare has a depth of female family and we owned both her dam and her granddam (Tiny Decision, by Ogygian–Fruhlingshochzeit). Her 2025 colt by Jack Christopher is outstanding! The Yaupons are obviously being very well received. ANITA PARTNER (IRE), 14, Majestic Warrior–Offbeat Fashion (Ire), by Rock of Gibraltar. Will be bred to Omaha Beach. She is Grade II-placed with a solid family. Omaha Beach is producing runners and his foals are outstanding physically. CHAMPAGNE HUMOR, 9, Distorted Humor–Champagne Ice, by Roman Ruler. Will be bred to Mindframe. We bred this filly's dam to Distorted Humor with the hope that she would produce a filly that would some day enter our broodmare band. She was stakes placed at Saratoga at two. She is out of Champagne Ice and we are excited to send her to a son of Constitution. CHAMPAGNE ICE, 13, Roman Ruler–Champagne Glow, by Saratoga Six. Will be bred to Forte. She is out of Champagne Glow (second GI Frizette S.) and a full-sister to Ruler on Ice, who won the Belmont; and half-sister to Champagne d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), who won the GI Acorn S. and GI Test S. She is the dam of Champagne Humor and we love the Forte foals. Champagne Ice is a full-sister to GI Belmont S. winner Ruler On Ice | Sarah Andrew CHAMPAGNE SPARKLE, 16, Street Boss–Champagne Royale, by French Deputy. Will be bred to Jack Christopher. By Street Boss, she is full to Danza, who won the GI Arkansas Derby and was third in the GI Kentucky Derby. She is also half to Majestic Harbor (Rockport Harbor), a multiple graded stakes- winning millionaire. She produced a “perfect” Forte colt on Jan. 11! Jack Christopher has sired several beautiful foals for us. C. S. ROYCE, 19, Unbridled's Song–Sweeping Story, by End Sweep. Will be bred to Goal Oriented. We bought this mare as the dam of three black-type horses, including Cherry Wine (Paddy O'Prado) (second GI Preakness S. and third in the GI Toyota Blue Grass S.). She has more than paid for herself this year selling her 2025 Elite Power colt for $190,000 and her 2024 Mandaloun colt for $110,000. We are looking forward to breeding her to a son of Not This Time. EVERY SINGLE DAY, 10, Strong Mandate–Repeat, by Bernardini. Will be bred to Taiba. This is the family of Echo Zulu, a champion 2-year old filly by Gun Runner, so the good-looking Taiba fits the bill. GENUINE ARTICLE, 4, Authentic–C. S. Royce, by Unbridled's Song. Will be bred to Gunite. This is a daughter of C. S. Royce by Authentic who I predict will be a good broodmare sire. The Gunite foals looked very athletic in November. Genuine Article as a yearling in 2023 | Fasig-Tipton GOOSE LEMON DROP, 15, Elusive Quality–Lemon Kiss, by Lemon Drop Kid. Will be bred to Locked. She is the dam of the stakes-winning Subrogate, by Arrogate, so it made sense to go to Seize the Grey in 2025 and excited about Locked for 2026. HOLIDAY DECISION, 6, Good Samaritan–Twisted Decision, by Old Fashioned. Will be bred to National Treasure. She is a winner of nearly $170,000 out of Twisted Decision that we bred out of Tiny Decision that we used to own. She is a beautiful mare. National Treasure is ranked #1 on leading 2025 freshmen covering sires. PROMENADE REVIEW, 9, Warrior's Reward–Promenade Colony, by Pleasant Colony. Will be bred to Patch Adams. Out of one of our foundation mares Promenade Colony and the family of Cavorting (Bernardini) and Clairiere (Curlin). We are racing her 2024 filly by Golden Pal to eventually enter our broodmare band. We chose Patch Adams by Into Mischief for 2026. We will eagerly wait to breed to Journalism for 2027. PROMENADE STAR, 11, Haynesfield–Promenade Colony, by Pleasant Colony. Will be bred to Citizen Bull. Another daughter of Promenade Colony. We have also bought, at the conclusion of their racing careers two other of her daughters that we bred. Her 2023 filly will eventually enter our broodmare band. We chose Citizen Bull by Into Mischief for 2026. TWISTED DECISION, 14, Old Fashioned–Rapid Decision, by Stravinsky. Will be bred to Fierceness. We bred this filly, owned her dam and her granddam. She is from the family of Jack Christopher. We sold her 2024 colt by Jack Christopher in September for $235,000. This mating should produce a precocious runner. All of our broodmares have a retirement pasture waiting for them at the end of their breeding careers! In summary, the first-year stallions we will be supporting, in addition to those listed above, include: Arthur's Ride, Chancer McPatrick, First Mission, Highland Falls, Il Miracolo, Johannes, Mullikin, Raging Torrent and Straight No Chaser. The post Mating Plans: Brandywine Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Southwest trainer Jose Roberto Gonzalez Sr., already serving an 18-month suspension, received an additional 36 months for two banned substances found in the gelding Ol' McClintock. His now runs through July 2, 2030.View the full article

Minzaal has been chalked up at odds as short as 10-11 for first-season sires' championship honours by Paddy Power, whose trader James Ryan said it is the Derrinstown Stud-based stallion's 'title to lose'. Ryan, who priced up the market, also revealed that the firm is happy to lay second-favourite Blackbeard at odds of 6-4. Meanwhile, Baaeed has not gone unsupported at odds of 66-1. According to Global Stallions, Minzaal has 115 two-year-olds to run for him this year while Blackbeard has the same number of juveniles. Tally-Ho Stud's representative Persian Force has 99 soldiers on the ground and can be backed at odds of 4-1 to emulate stud mates Starman and Mehmas by landing the championship. Explaining how the firm prices up the market, Ryan said, “The first-season sires market is always an exciting one to price up and really seems to get the bloodstock enthusiasts' opinions out. The main factors that go into pricing up the market would be the number of two-year-olds that each stallion has to run for them, how the stock got on at the sales, the average ratings of the mares as two-year-olds and the percentage of the mares' progeny that raced at two.” He added, “By far the most popular first-season sires in the market so far are Baaeed at 66-1 and Blackbeard, who is the second favourite behind Minzaal at 6-4. However, we think it's a two-horse race between Minzaal and Blackbeard and would be happy laying Blackbeard between the two of them. We firmly think it's Minzaal's title to lose.” Minzaal was a supremely fast two-year-old himself, winning the Gimcrack before signing off on his career with victory in the Group 1 Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock as a four-year-old. He stands at Derrinstown Stud for €12,500 and his debut crop was conceived at a fee of €15,000. Meanwhile, Space Traveller has been introduced at odds of 20-1 while Perfect Power, Caturra and Naval Crown are 50-1 shots. It's 100-1 and bigger the remainder. The post Minzaal Odds-On For FSS Honours With Paddy Power Saying ‘It’s His Title To Lose’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It is not just the horses who move fast in the world of racing. The winds of fashion, especially when it comes to stallions, are ever changing. All the while the years gallop on, and a filly you can still picture in the heat haze of an Ascot summer is suddenly the third dam of this year's champion. Drive in through the gates of Mount Coote Stud, however, and it feels as though time is standing still. Set in the famed Maigue Valley where a rich seam of Limerick limestone has spawned good horse after great horse after champion, Mount Coote, behind its stone walls, is a world within a world where life is conducted in an unhurried quiet. Three generations of the Lillingston family have presided over these lush 500 acres since 1938, succeeding another famous racing family, the Greenalls. It was here that Sir Gilbert Greenall, the first Lord Daresbury, bred his 1921 Oaks winner Love In Idleness. In the intervening century, much has changed while much has stayed the same. Luke and Tabitha Lillingston are at the helm now, with Luke having been called home in 2000 to take up the reins from his father Alan, one of the most celebrated horsemen of his generation, who died in 2014. It had been Lillingston's grandfather, also called Luke, who bought the property in the first place, if not unseen, then certainly unchecked. “He stayed here once and remembered the view from the bedroom window. He thought this was would do for him and he didn't even walk the land,” says Lillingston. That view, with its backdrop of soft hills, would be enough to seduce anyone with the means to do so into taking on a country estate which already had several centuries of history to its name. Tragically, only a handful of years later, Captain Lillingston lost his life in the battle of the Falaise gap, one of so many to fall in Normandy. His dream has been lovingly continued by his family. Alan Lillingston had lost both of his parents by the age of 15, but with the support of some knowledgeable guardians, friends and family, he went on to a riding career which included him becoming the first amateur to win the Champion Hurdle in 1963 aboard Winning Fair for trainer and owner George Spencer, the father of Jamie. He also claimed a team gold medal for Ireland in the 1979 European eventing championships. Hand in hand with his glorious exploits in the saddle, Alan became a sales consignor of some repute. Lillingston says of his father, “The first year that he took a yearling from here to Newmarket was 1958. In 2008, we had a party at the Jockey Club rooms to celebrate my parents selling horses at Tattersalls for 50 consecutive years.” The view that seduced Luke Lillingston Sr in the 1930s There would surely have been immense pride in Alan witnessing, seven months before his passing, Mount Coote Stud selling Immortal Verse at the same venue for 4.7 million gns. It is a broodmare record which still stands, and that vast expenditure on the dual Group 1 winner, who was bred nearby at the renowned nursery that is Kilfrush Stud, has subsequently been justified. For Coolmore, in partnership with American owner-breeder Charles Noelle, she has produced Classic winner Henri Matisse (Wootton Bassett), Group 1 winner Tenebrism (Caravaggio) and Group 2 winner Statuette (Justify). Henri Matisse is a new recruit to Castlehyde Stud this season. “When I was living and working in New York for George Harris, I met and got to know Peter Bance. When Charlie was buying some serious mares, Peter rang me up and said, I've got an old pal that wants to buy a proper mare,” Lillingston recalls of his association with Noelle, who, with John Moores under their Merriebelle Stable banner, bought all the stock of Kilfrush Stud in 2013. “It was just timing, because I knew that [Kilfrush's owner] Monsieur Binet wasn't well. I've known [former manager] Brendan Hayes for a long time and I asked if Immortal Verse could be bought. We only just beat Coolmore to it – usually you finish second to them, but on this particular occasion, we got lucky. We bought her and she boarded at the National Stud to be covered by Dansili, and then we prepped her for the sale – and that was an amazing moment.” Lillingston is naturally positively disposed towards her young stallion son but has a point when he says of Henri Matisse, “There are all sorts of reasons why he might be a good stallion, but that's the linchpin, the fact that she was so good, and she could accelerate. That's real class in the thoroughbred, when they can accelerate.” Mount Coote Stud graduates have made their way to far more bustling corners of the world. The Hong Kong Derby winners Sound Print and Che Sera Sera were both raised there, as were Sydney Cup winner Shraaoh and Caulfield Cup winner All The Good. Lane's End Farm's Will Farish bred Charleston Rag at Mount Coote, and she was one of two GI Frizette Stakes winners to emanate from those paddocks along with Balletto. The same is true of Trevor and Libby Harris's Oaks winner Love Divine, who later found fame as the dam of St Leger winner Sixties Icon. Prowess, who produced another Oaks winner, Talent, was a boarder there for Mark Dixon, the nephew of Dick Hollingsworth. Arguably one of the most important of all graduates was the Molecomb Stakes winner Hatta, one of three initial thoroughbred purchases for Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum from the Mount Coote draft at Tattersalls in 1976. She became his first winner the following June at Brighton. The rest, as they say, is history. Only a few months after Hatta's debut, history was also in the making when Alan Lillingston and his great friend Jocelyn Hambro sold a yearling filly by Rarity to Richard Galpin on behalf of Egon Weinfeld. She was indeed rare, and, named One In A Million, she won the 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes of 1979. To this day she remains a cornerstone of the Weinfeld family's Meon Valley Stud. The Mount Coote and Merriebelle teams with Immortal Verse | Tattersalls More recently, Dreamloper has been a Group 1 star for Mount Coote Stud. The daughter of Lope De Vega was bred by client Olivia Hoare, who bought her dam Livia's Dream from the Lillingstons and Mark Dixon. She hails from that same celebrated Hollingsworth family of Bireme as the aforementioned Talent. Along with the four-time Group winner Dreamloper, Livia's Dream has also produced last season's G2 Park Hill Fillies' Stakes winner Santorini Star (Golden Horn), and this feat was followed by sale-ring success for her weanling daughter by New Bay, who, consigned by Mount Coote, topped the Goffs November Foal Sale at €650,000. No stallions remain at Mount Coote, which was once home to Tudor Melody before his sale to the National Stud, but echoes of those days linger on. “I bought a filly that won on Boxing Day,” says Lillingston. “Stop me if I'm going off on too many tangents, because I do a lot of what Tabs describes as moving sideways.” It is true that his telling of the history of his family farm could fill a book, but it would be a very enjoyable one. Regrettably we have more limited space here, but we can report that the George Boughey-trained Green Dame (Lucky Vega) has just arrived in Killmallock 60-odd years after her fourth dam Enticement resided there. “Enticement was one of my father's early mares and she had a daughter called Lady Hester, who was by Native Prince, who stood here,” Lillingston adds. “We've been longing to get back into the family and I sent a message to Anthony Bromley saying, if Simon Munir and Isaac Souede are ever interested in selling [Green Dame], please let me know. They were, and we bought her.” Tangents are part and parcel of Lillingston's working life as, along with running Mount Coote Stud, he is heavily involved in Hot To Trot Racing and Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds with Sam Hoskins, whom he credits for doing much of the work for the successful syndicates. Having had experience with the Curragh Bloodstock Agency and with George Harris in America before setting up on his own in his younger days Lillingston has never quite been able to let go of the ties that bind, and he runs his own agency still with Charlie Dee. “Everybody needs a lucky break and my lucky break was when Anthony Stroud said to me, 'Boy, you ought to come and work for me at the sales.' So I did and I loved it,” he recalls. Dad's plan for me was to do a season at Coolmore and then go into the city for two years. Anthony then moved from the Curragh Bloodstock Agency to set up Sheikh Mohammed's racing office, and so they were looking to replace him in Ireland. “I was mucking out boxes one day at Coolmore, and somebody said, 'Can you take a telephone call?' And it was Johnny Harrington asking of I would be interested in the job. So I spent three years with them and it was a wonderful company to work for. I was very wet behind the ears, lucky to be on the team. You could be at a point-to-point in County Cork one day and on your way on an aeroplane to Australia the following day and back again.” Later, his experience with Harris, who ran Heron Bloodstock with Tim Bulwer-Long and John Corbett, would take him to Kentucky. “I think that was the time when my interest in pedigrees, which had been there for a long time, really took off,” he says. “And of course, all the best stallions in the world all stood in Kentucky at that time. “Going to Claiborne and seeing Secretariat and Nijinsky, Danzig, Mr Prospector, and so on. Then you went down to Gainesway and there was Riverman, Lyphard and Green Dancer. And across the road at Spendthrift there was Seattle Slew and Caro. It was wonderful. “Northern Dancer was alive and going strong. That was rather special seeing him because he was about 15.1, but built like that,” his arms widen as he speaks. “Incredible horse.” Celebrating Henri Matisse's Poule d'Essai des Poulains victory By the end of 2000, Alan Lillingston was ready to have the eldest of his four children back at the ranch, so to speak. “I'm very lucky to have had a pretty seamless handover from Dad to me over quite a number of years. During that time I got to learn about the farm and how to farm it and how he felt it should be farmed,” says Lillingston. “We are lucky to have a lovely place and to have very good land, but you have to look after it. Dad always used to say if you look after the land, the land will look after you. He was absolutely right. And looking after it means not abusing it. It's wet land, so if you start putting too many horses on the land here, you'll get into trouble.” He adds of his neighbours, “There are some phenomenal breeders in this area. Paul McCartan was here for six years and my father said he was different class.” Paul and Marie McCartan's Ballyphilip Stud falls within the Maigue Valley, which is part of an area more broadly known as the Golden Vale. Among the studs included in that valley are Croom House, Rathmore, Roundhill, Manister House, Ballyvolane, Kilfrush, Knocktoran, and Martinstown. Names to conjure with. Though it is tempting to revel in the past, Lillingston spends plenty of time looking to the future. A quarter of a century since his return, it is not yet time to pass on the responsibility for the place to his children Hugh and Lara, who are both studying in the UK, but that day will come. Hugh is already following a family tradition in being a winning point-to-point rider, and his interest in the wider business is evident. “Racing and breeding only thrives because people are enthusiastic. I do love it and I think being very busy is better than being underutilised,” says Lillingston of his various roles. “The key to making all of that possible is working with good people, and I'm really lucky, both here at Mount Coote, and in Hot To Trot and Kennet Valley, and with the bloodstock agency, to work with people with such passion and integrity, otherwise nothing happens.” The post ‘Look After The Land And The Land Will Look After You’: Luke Lillingston on Life at Mount Coote Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

American and Japanese champion Forever Young (Real Steel) and the Longines World's Best Racehorse Calandagan (Gleneagles) lead the nominations for the Dubai World Cup night on March 28. Japan's dirt superstar is nominated for the G1 Dubai World Cup alongside 2024 winner Laurel River (Into Mischief) and 2025 winner Hit Show (Candy Ride), among others. In the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic is Calandagan, alongside 2024 Sheema Classic winner Rebel's Romance (Dubawi), GI Breeders' Cup Turf hero Ethical Diamond (Awtaad), and 2025 winner Danon Decile (Epiphaneia). Croix Du Nord (Kitasan Black), Durezza (Duramente) and Masquerade Ball (Duramente) are also among the entries. For the G1 Dubai Turf, Facteur Cheval (Ribchester), Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder) and Jantar Mantar (Palace Malice) are signed on. GI Breeders' Cup Sprint hero Bentornato (Valiant Minister) is entered in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, while Shisospicy (Mitole) holds an entry in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint. For the full list of nominations, please visit the Dubai Racing Club website. Erwan Charpy, head of racing operations &international relations at Dubai Racing Club, said, “We are thrilled to see such exceptional nominations from around the world for the 30th running of the Dubai World Cup. The presence of former and defending champions highlights the prestige and global pull of this meeting, and we are confident that the 2026 edition will deliver an outstanding celebration of international racing at its very best.” The post Forever Young And Calandagan Lead Dubai World Cup Night Entries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company will kick off 2026 with its single-session January Winter Mixed Sale Tuesday. The auction, with 307 catalogued lots, begins at 11 a.m. and features newly turned yearlings, broodmares, and broodmare prospects. Bidding on the OBSOnline January Horses of Racing Age and 2-Year-Old Sale began Monday at noon and will conclude Friday at noon. Several of the on-line offerings will be available for inspection on the OBS sales grounds during the live auction. After a record-setting season of sales in 2025, consignors look for demand to continue into the new year. “I think [the market strength] should continue. I don't see any reason why it wouldn't, so I'm pretty hopeful,” said consignor Colin Brennan of Highlander Training Center. “In terms of the general market, it's been a record-setting year, particularly the weanling market. I've noticed a lot more end-users buying earlier and spending a little bit more knowing that, if you buy them now, it's almost like spending money to save money down the line, that kind of mind frame. “I think there was a little more strength through the middle market. The lower market seemed to continue to struggle, if you will. But it was nice to see the middle market was a little bit better and that's because there were so many people shopping at the top end, you figure, you have to get some kind of stock.” To view the complete Winter Mixed sale catalogue, visit obssales.com. The post OBS Kicks off 2026 with January Winter Mixed Sale Tuesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dear Sir/Madam, Reflecting on Saturday night's ITBA Awards and on the achievements of previous Hall of Fame recipients, the illustrious roll of honour reads like a who's who of Irish breeders who prioritised the Classics and the middle-distance horse. Names such as The Aga Khan, John Magnier, Sonia Rogers, Mr and Mrs Walter Haefner, Jim Bolger, Tim Hyde, Stan Cosgrove, David and Diane Nagle, Dermot and Meta Cantillon, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, and Aidan and Annemarie O'Brien, among others, serve as a reminder that Classic success has long been the surest route to a lasting and meaningful breeding legacy. Listening recently to Luca Cumani on the TDN Podcast, I was struck by the weight he continues to place on Classic pedigrees and, in particular, on the Derby. Few figures are better qualified to speak on the subject, given his unique distinction as both a Classic-winning trainer and breeder, and his recent success selling multiple Book 1 yearlings for seven-figure sums at Park Paddocks. The Derby remains the pinnacle of our sport, the ultimate test of class, soundness, speed and stamina, and the race against which all breeding ambition should still be measured. Echoing sentiments expressed by the podcast's host in a recent article on stallion-making races, Derby success remains the clearest and most enduring signpost for future influence at stud. It is also important to acknowledge the positive momentum behind middle-distance racing and breeding in recent years. Initiatives such as the Irish EBF Smullen Series, alongside changes announced by the European Pattern Committee for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, have placed renewed emphasis on upgrading middle-distance and staying races to strengthen the quality and stamina of the European breeding pool. The reinvigoration of Derby Day prize money, supported by the Jockey Club, and the new sponsorship of the Coronation Cup by the Coolmore partners further underline a renewed confidence in the middle-distance programme. In reality, there has rarely been a better time to breed middle-distance stock. Opportunities within the Pattern are broader than ever, both in terms of black type and prize money. Crucially, middle-distance pedigrees continue to carry the greatest residual value and remain the most sought-after commodity for resale and export. Recent examples illustrate this clearly. Ethical Diamond (Awtaad), bred by ITBA award winner William Kennedy, and Delius (Frankel) were conceived at opposite ends of the fee spectrum, yet both realised significant sums as horses in training at Tattersalls, before going on to land Group 1 success in America and Australia. Their stories underline the depth and durability of the resale market for high-class middle-distance performers. That durability is not a modern phenomenon. In a recent TDN article, pedigree expert and mating advisor Alex Scrope recalled using stallions such as Sharpen Up, Kris, Sir Ivor and Nijinsky late in their stud careers, observing that genetically they had not changed, offering great value to breeders willing to use them. It is a lesson that continues to resonate in today's commercial environment. The enduring influence of Derby winners is significant through the likes of Galileo, Sea The Stars and Camelot but perhaps is proving most evident through their daughters. New Approach and Australia, for example, have emerged as influential broodmare sires, with Australia alone responsible as damsire for five group winners last year, headed by the Group 1-winning sprinter Lazzat, alongside three group-winning juveniles – all by different sire lines. New Approach's G1 Nassau Stakes winner Sultanina has produced this year's Derby favourite Pierre Bonnard (Camelot), a colt seeking to emulate both his sire and damsire on the first Saturday in June. It is also worth noting that one of the aforementioned million-guinea yearlings sold by Luca Cumani at Tattersalls Book 1 last year is out of Innevera, a mare by Derby winner Motivator. Even breeders whose focus lies firmly on speed must acknowledge the influence of middle-distance blood. Three of the last five Cartier Champion Sprinters, Starman, Shaquille and Bradsell, are out of mares by Montjeu, Galileo and Archipenko respectively. Likewise, two of the most prolific dams of elite two-year-olds in recent seasons, Adventure Seeker, the dam of Little Big Bear and Whistlejacket, and Sagely, the dam of Perfect Power and Wise Approach, are rooted in high-class middle-distance pedigrees. These examples reinforce the versatility and depth that middle-distance families continue to provide. While I hope to see a Triple Crown victor in my lifetime, it is reassuring to know that the men and women honoured by the ITBA Hall of Fame will continue to pursue that ideal with unwavering conviction. The middle-distance horse, now as ever, remains the cornerstone of the Thoroughbred breed. Padraic Clarke Dublin, Ireland The post Letter to the Editor: The Enduring Value of Middle-Distance Breeding appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Cambridge Stud's lot 513, a son of Sword Of State, topped the second session and took the lead at the NZB National Yearling Sale at NZ$1.1 million on Monday. The bay was purchased by Will Bourne, bidding on behalf of Sanxiong Gao and Ciaron Maher Bloodstock. He is a half-brother to three-time Group 1 winner Ceowulf (Tavistock) out of the mare Las Brisas (Shamardal). “David Ellis is a hard guy to beat, especially here on his home deck. But he's a lovely horse. We got some great support from a new client, Mr Gao, and we're thrilled to have him on board,” said Bourne, head of bloodstock for Maher. “Ciaron Maher sent me the videos of this horse when we were working through a shortlist five days ago. He was one of Ciaron's picks. I've just got off the phone with Ciaron now. He's delighted and he wants me to sell the last shares, so I'm going to go and do that now.” At the end of Monday's trade, the overall gross was up to NZ$79,022,500 for 422 lots sold comparted to NZ$75,332,500 from the first three days of Book 1 (457 lots) in 2025. The average rose to NZ$187,257 (+9%), while the median remained at NZ$140,000 (+27%) for this sale. It was NZ$110,000 in 2025. David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) remained the sale's leading buyer with 17 head acquired over the first two days for NZ$4.26 million. Cambridge Stud is the leading vendor, with 50 yearlings sold for NZ$10.64 million at an average of NZ$212,800. Satono Aladdin is the leading sire by aggregate, with 40 lots sold for NZ$8 million at an average of NZ$200,825. The post Sword Of State Colt Makes NZ$1.1m At Karaka appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Consignor Jamie Railton has launched The February Club, a new Flat racing syndicate operating over a defined 12-month period from February to February. The syndicate will focus on purchasing Flat horses already in training, racing them with resale in mind, and selling them privately or through public Horses-in-Training sales within the year. Around four horses are expected to be purchased. “The February Club is deliberately simple,” said Railton. “It's a one-year structure that allows owners to be involved in every stage, from purchase through to resale, with a clear plan in place.” Horses will be trained by Stuart Williams at Diomed Stables in Newmarket and Karl Burke at Spigot Lodge in Middleham, Yorkshire. The trainers have been selected for their track records in placing horses effectively and providing clear feedback throughout the season. The February Club is structured as a small syndicate with a maximum of 20 shares. Members will have opportunities for yard visits and regular raceday involvement across multiple horses. Shares are priced at £10,000, with full financial details available on request. Owners will receive regular updates, quarterly financial reporting, and funds will be held in a separate Weatherbys account. The post Jamie Railton Launches New Syndicate With Trainers Stuart Williams And Karl Burke appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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The first session at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 100th National Yearling Sale set a new benchmark, with the Book 1 Sale reaching total sales of over $79 million after two days of selling, a $3.6 million increase despite a more compact offering. The Book 1 average reached a record $187,257 (14% increase), the median a record $140,000 (27% increase) and the clearance rate a solid 81%. NZB’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was proud of the results achieved during the first session of the milestone Sale. “The new format has seen Book 1 come back from three days to two, and despite having 94 less horses catalogued, the aggregate is up more than $3 million on last year.” “We’ve hit a record Book 1 average and median, and a clearance rate which we haven’t seen in some time. “I’m very proud of the whole NZB team, the positivity on the grounds has been fantastic. The whole industry has really lifted this week and I’m looking forward to that momentum continuing into a strong Book 2 Sale tomorrow.” Fittingly, it was longstanding vendor Cambridge Stud who claimed the Leading Vendor title and offered the Sale-topping yearling. Sir Brendan Lindsay and Will Bourne. Lot 513, a colt by their emerging sire Sword of State, a half-brother to multiple Group One winner Ceolwulf (NZ), was purchased for $1.1 million by Mr Sanxiong Gao and Ciaron Maher Racing. “It tells the industry that you can turn a $15,000 service fee into a million-dollar profit, that’s really encouraging. We’re a great country, and we breed the best horses,” commented a jubilant Sir Brendan Lindsay. “It’s a moment the team are going to remember for the rest of their lives.” At the end selling, Cambridge Stud sold 50 lots for $10,640,000. “A lot of hard work goes in behind the scenes, and they are emotional. Jo and I believe in our country, everything we do is about New Zealand,” added Lindsay. NZB’s Alex Teng & Cambridge Stud with the new connections of Lot 513 “It’s the 100th anniversary of an iconic New Zealand event, and we’re a part of it.” Ciaron Maher’s bloodstock representative Will Bourne was pleased to secure the Sale-topping colt. “David Ellis is a hard guy to beat, especially here on his home deck.” “But this is a lovely horse. We got some great support from a new client, Mr Gao, we’re thrilled to have him on board. “Ciaron Maher sent me the videos of this horse when we were working through a shortlist five days ago. He was one of Ciaron’s picks. I’ve just got off the phone with Ciaron now, he’s delighted.” Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis claimed the leading buyer title for the 18th time at the National Yearling Sale in New Zealand. “It’s been a very successful Sale for the New Zealand industry. It’s something they needed,” commented Ellis. “All credit to New Zealand Bloodstock and their team for putting on a great show. “We’ve purchased 18 in total so far. I can’t wait to get them home into their paddocks to start selling shares in them.” Darley’s freshman sire Anamoe took the leading stallion honours, selling six yearlings for an average of $487,500, while emerging Kiwi sire Sword of State averaged $260,250 for 20 lots sold. All yearlings purchased at Karaka 2026 are eligible to be nominated for NZB’s lucrative Karaka Millions Series, featuring the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO, $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO and the $1m NZB Mega Maiden Series. To nominate your yearling, contact finance@nzb.co.nz or call +64 9 298 0055. Entries close Monday 2 March 2026. Attention now turns to Book 2 on Tuesday where the selling of lots 568 – 848 will get underway from 10am (NZT) at Karaka. To enquire about Passed Lots from Book 1 contact Patrick Cunningham on +64 21 181 5898 or email Patrick.Cunningham@nzb.co.nz, or Andrew Buick on +64 27 555 0640 or email Andrew.Buick@nzb.co.nz. View the full Book 1 results here. Catch the highlights and Lot-by-Lot footage from Book 1 here. Book 2 will be televised live in New Zealand on Freeview Channel 200, as well as on NZB’s website, online bidding platform and Facebook page. View the full article

A new Hong Kong record for consecutive wins, back-to-back Speed Series and The Everest (1,200m) victories, another Triple Crown victor and a fifth straight Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) success. In a sport as unpredictable as horse racing it can be dangerous looking too far into the future, but that is what could easily lie ahead in 2026 for the city’s two champion gallopers, Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior. The world’s best sprinter and highest-earning racehorse of all time kicked off...View the full article

Matthew Chadwick’s wish to reunite with Patch Of Cosmo has come true and the four-time Group One-winning jockey is excited about his prospects in Sunday’s Classic Mile at Sha Tin. Chadwick regained the ride after Zac Purton picked Brazilian import Sagacious Life from a plethora of Classic Mile options just before he booted home Patch Of Cosmo in his stunning return from injury on January 18. Chadwick guided Manfred Man Ka-leung’s quality galloper to victory in two of his three rides on the son...View the full article

Bloodstock agent Kevin ‘Millie’ Walls was a force to be reckoned with on the buying bench of Book 1 of Karaka 2026, spending more than $3.6 million across Sunday and Monday. Walls secured one of the highest-priced lots on Sunday’s opening day of the sale with a $675,000 colt by Super Seth, and he followed that up on Monday with an $850,000 colt by Alabama Express from the draft of Elsdon Park. The colt went through the ring as Lot 383 and is the first foal out of the winning Tivaci mare Diva Carolina, a granddaughter of multiple black-type winner and Group One placegetter Ombre Rose. Lot 383, a colt by Alabama Express out of Diva Carolina sold to KPW Bloodstock for $850,000 Photo: Angelique Bridson Walls bought the colt on behalf of his clients and friends Ron and Judi Wanless. “We buy purely on type and we rated this colt as one of the best types in the sale,” Walls said. “He stood out. He’s a very nice horse. “Once he (Ron Wanless) starts, he tries hard. He loves racing. It’s his hobby, it’s his passion. Both Ron and Judi love their horses, love their racing and have been in the game for a long time.” Walls indicated that the colt is likely to do his racing in Melbourne. “He’s eligible for the Vobis Sires bonus, so no doubt he’ll be going to Melbourne,” he said. Walls also had a pair of $450,000 purchases – a So You Think colt out of Excel In The Sun and an Ardrossan colt out of Lucetta – and paid $320,000 for an Ardrossan colt out of Caramella, $300,000 for a Sword Of State colt out of Oceans Eight, $275,000 for a Proisir colt out of Galway, $220,000 for an Alabama Express colt out of Get Hitched, and $90,000 for a Noverre colt out of Serenalla. For Elsdon Park, the $850,000 Alabama Express colt was the headline act of a Book 1 draft that yielded $4.98 million from 25 yearlings sold. They also fetched $490,000 for a filly by Alabama Express out of Daniela’s Magic and $450,000 for a colt by Ardrossan out of Lucetta. View the full article

The dizzying rise of Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State continued at Karaka on Monday with a sale-topping $1.1 million yearling in his second crop. With his oldest progeny two-year-olds, the Group One-winning son of Snitzel has already been represented by Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) winner and Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) placegetter Torture, highly impressive two-start, two-win colt Warwoven and smart last-start winner State The Obvious. Sword Of State’s burgeoning reputation led to an average price of $260,250 across 20 yearlings sold through Sunday and Monday’s Book 1 session of Karaka 2026, off a $15,000 service fee. But the yearling on everyone’s list this week was Lot 513. From the draft of Cambridge Stud, the colt is out of the Shamardal mare Las Brisas and is a half-brother to the four-time Group One winner Ceolwulf. Will Bourne pictured alongside Sanxiong Gao, Jun Zhang, Hongwei Chen Photo: Angelique Bridson After beginning at $200,000, the colt received rapid-fire bids from all corners of the ring. As the other underbidders gradually folded, it developed into a two-way battle between top Australian trainer Ciaron Maher’s head of bloodstock Will Bourne and formidable rival David Ellis. The Te Akau Racing principal had a particular connection to this colt, having bought Sword Of State himself for A$600,000 from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale six years ago. Ellis pushed himself to the limit in pursuit of the colt, summoning one last bid of $50,000 after the million-dollar mark had been reached, but Bourne came out on top with a winning bid of $1.1 million. “David Ellis is a hard guy to beat, especially here on his home deck,” a relieved Bourne said. “But this is a lovely horse. We got some great support from a new client, Mr (Sanxiong) Gao, and we’re thrilled to have him on board. “Ciaron Maher sent me the videos of this horse when we were working through a shortlist five days ago. He was one of Ciaron’s picks. I’ve just got off the phone with Ciaron now. He’s delighted and he wants me to sell the last shares, so I’m going to go and do that now.” Bourne sees the million-dollar colt as a more precocious type than Ceolwulf, who was a $170,000 purchase from the 2022 Ready to Run Sale and has come of age as a four and five-year-old with triumphs in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m), Champions Mile (1600m) and two editions of the King Charles III Stakes (1600m). L-R: Zhiqiang Wang, Sir Brendan Lindsay, Sanxiong Gao and Jun Zhang Photo: Angelique Bridson “There’s a few similarities, although one was a cheaper purchase that developed into a really nice horse over time,” Bourne said. “This one has a lot of strength and is very much a yearling sales horse. There’s a lot of power there. I feel like he’s a different type of horse – he’s very imposing and a proper colt. We’ll get him home and try to turn him into something.” Bourne has been impressed with the start made by Sword Of State, who stood for a $20,000 service fee this season. “We’ve got one that we bought last year that’s showing really good ability at home, and obviously we’ve seen the horse that Bjorn Baker has (Warwoven),” Bourne said. “For a young stallion to start the way he has is a credit to Cambridge Stud. We’re happy to support them. They do such a good job and are so supportive of the industry here and the community. Sword Of State is a nice stallion on the up.” View the full article

Bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster secured the $850,000 highest-priced lot on Sunday’s opening day of Karaka 2026, and he followed it up on Monday with something even bigger. Mulcaster Bloodstock and Chris Waller Racing went to $950,000 to secure Lot 471 – the highest-priced yearling ever sold by Landsdowne Park. The colt is by one of the world’s most in-demand stallions, Justify, out of the winning mare Heart To Heart. That daughter of Zoffany is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) and Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (1400m) winner Camille Pissarro. “He’s a lovely colt – a real ‘get up and run’ sort of Justify,” Mulcaster said. “The dam is a half to a current stallion and champion two-year-old in France. Fingers crossed, he can be another Learning To Fly or Storm Boy. “We thought he was a beautiful horse. We stretched a little bit to get him. We’ve bought him for a lot of good clients, and fingers crossed it turns out to be a good one for us. “There’s a real international flavour to his pedigree. Justify is an international sensation. It’s only a matter of time before we get another Storm Boy or something like that. He looks like the type to get up and run for us. He’s going to be trained by a great trainer (Chris Waller) for a lovely group of owners.” The Justify colt was a landmark result for Landsdowne Park’s Dave Duley. “We’re over the moon, we’re just so happy,” he said. “Obviously it’s the highest-priced horse that we’ve sold. “He hasn’t put a foot wrong all week. As the week went on, we were thinking, ‘Jeez, he’s going to make more.’ He just got more and more popular. “I’m so proud of the horse, because he’s just such a wonderful specimen, and obviously his nature – he’s just kept getting better all week. And I’m proud of the team for everything they’re doing. This result just means a lot to everyone here. “All of our clients have been great. I started off 20 years ago with two horses. To now be selling this calibre of horse is amazing. It means a lot that people trust us, and it’s great. “Landsdowne Park will be having a couple of gins tonight. It’s going to be good fun and we’ll be enjoying it.” View the full article

Guy Lowry is no stranger to longshot success at the highest level and he went agonisingly close to another major upset at the weekend. The Hastings trainer produced Milan Park’s Adventador to win the 2016 edition of the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at 80 to one and a decade later almost pulled off a bigger upset with the same colours in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). Now operating in partnership with Leah Zydenbos, Lowry’s long-range plan with Magill was all but executed to perfection when the youngster finished a close second in the Ellerslie feature at a three-figure quote. Milan Park boss Tony Rider bred the son of Farnan and remained in the ownership with Lowry and brothers Mark and Paul Apatu after he was sold at Karaka last year for $230,000. “When we bought him he was always destined for the Karaka Million,” Lowry said. “He’s not overly big and we spent the first couple of starts trying to get the horse to settle, all he wanted to do was fight. “We gelded him and he went to the Woodville trials and ran second to Singletary and the form out of the trial was good.” Magill broke his maiden in a four-horse field at Tauherenikau earlier this month to lift spirits ahead of the Millions. “He was a very happy and sound horse and the rest is history, he jumped well from a good draw and he tried very hard for Wiremu (Pinn),” Lowry said. “I never worry about anyone else’s horses when we set a horse for a race, and we had him set a long way out and were lucky enough to get enough prizemoney to get in.” Magill will be given time to get over his Ellerslie performance with a return trip on the radar. “He’ll have a week or 10 days in the paddock at Milan Park and we’ll assess things from there,” Lowry said. “He’s an out and out two-year-old and we will look at the Sistema (Gr.1, 1200m).” Meanwhile, the stable will also have three runners at Waverley on Wednesday with Curtsy in the Egmont Tyres (1650m) and Sunshine Ale and Poukawa in the Bull Penn Powder (1400m). “Curtsy is getting a lot closer and will strip a lot fitter, they’re probably each-way chances without declaring anything,” Lowry said. View the full article

Trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley were rapt with Bulgari’s runner-up effort behind Belle Cheval in the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie last Saturday, and they are now eyeing further stakes targets at the Auckland track. The Hello Youmzain colt showed plenty of promise when winning on debut over 1100m at Te Rapa as a juvenile but was unplaced in his subsequent five outings as a three-year-old, including a midfield performance in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) on Boxing Day. He was unwanted by punters in the Almanzor Trophy, jumping a $62.20 outsider, but he flew home late in the hands of Sam Weatherley to finish second by 1-1/4 lengths, and his trainers were left wondering how close he could have got if he got a break earlier up the straight. “It was a great run on the weekend,” Darryn Weatherley said. “He travelled well and he was even held up for a few strides in the straight and it would have been interesting to see how close he could have got to her (Belle Cheval) had that not happened. “We quite like him, he is not a very big horse, but he is a real racehorse.” Weatherley is now weighing up his options with his colt, with the Matamata horseman contemplating keeping him to shorter trips, but he said next month’s Gr.3 Eagle Technology Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie presents as his next logical option. “There is a nice 1400m race at Ellerslie in a month’s time, so whether we go there or look for another 1200m, it is just up in the air at the moment,” he said. Meanwhile, stable star Pier made a pleasing return to the trials at Matamata last week, finishing third in his 1100m Group and Listed heat. The Proisir six-year-old was outstanding in Australia last year, winning the Listed The Wayne Wilson (1600m) at Eagle Farm and placing in the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m), Gr.2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) and Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m). Weatherley is now eyeing home targets with his gelding, circling next week’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa as his initial assignment. “He trialled very well, I am very happy with the way he has come up,” Weatherley said. “He will have an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Friday and look to go to the BCD Sprint the following Saturday at Te Rapa.” Meanwhile, Weatherley was active at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale on Sunday, purchasing lot 79, a Vanbrugh half-sister to Group Two winner Grinzinger Belle, out of Windsor Park Stud’s draft for $90,000. “She comes from a good family,” Weatherley said. “I bought her for my wife’s aunty and cousin, they wanted something to race and hopefully breed from later on. “I have got a Vanbrugh from Windsor Park to train ourselves and we quite like the filly. I am happy with the sire and she had a pretty good page.” View the full article

Greenwich Village (c, 3, Quality Road–Houtzen {Aus}, by I Am Invincible {Aus}) not only got his blinkers off and switched surfaces, but also completely changed tactics Sunday in Santa Anita's Baffle Stakes, eschewing his pace-setting and pace-pressing past while opting instead to drop back to last down the hillside turf course. While he caboosed the field, 25-1 Track Tiger (Sharp Azteca) and 5-2 Later Than Planned (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) battled up front through :22.41 and :44.25 fractions. The first half-dozen runners stayed tightly packed as Greenwich Village continued to trail by multiple lengths. He unfurled a sharp turn of foot, thundered wide down the course, and reeled in favored Hey Nay Nay (Ire) (No Nay Never) in the final sixteenth to win by a neck. “After I broke a little slow, I said, 'Okay I'm going to stay here and make one move,'” said winning rider Juan Hernandez. “Crossing the dirt, he crossed like a professional and he was passing horses. I was like, okay let's win this race. It was a really big effort for him because he is a really big horse, heavy, but he has a really good turn of foot.” Greenwich Village, a $350,000 yearling buy signed for by SF Bloodstock/Starlight Racing/Madaket Stables at Keeneland September in 2024, debuted Dec. 6 at Los Alamitos with a front-running, 6 1/2-furlong score on the dirt, then tried the GII San Vicente Stakes Jan. 10 at Santa Anita, pressing the pace after a slow break and tiring late to finish last. Sunday's Baffle Stakes marked his first try on the lawn. The winner's dam, a multiple group winner in Australia and group placed in England, sold to Stonestreet for $1.5 million at the 2020 Keeneland November sale. The mare has a 2-year-old colt by Charlatan, who sold to Paul Neatherlin for $25,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale, and a yearling colt by Not This Time. She was left open for 2026. GREENWICH VILLAGE ($11.00) fires from last to first winning the $100,000 Baffle Stakes at @SantaAnitaPark under @JJHernandezS19. This 3YO colt by @LanesEndFarms Quality Road is trained by @BobBaffert. @StarlightRacing @MadaketStables @StonestreetFarm pic.twitter.com/k5kVIAAANt — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 25, 2026 BAFFLE S., $101,000, Santa Anita, 1-25, 3yo, 6 1/2fT, 1:12.63, fm. 1–GREENWICH VILLAGE, 120, c, 3, by Quality Road 1st Dam: Houtzen (Aus) (MGSW-Aus, GSP-Eng, $1,599,872), by I Am Invincible (Aus) 2nd Dam: Set To Unleash (Aus), by Reset (Aus) 3rd Dam: Leash (Aus), by Redoute's Choice (Aus) ($350,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-SF Racing, LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, LLC, Stonestreet Stables, LLC, Bashor Racing, LLC, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital, LLC and Catherine Donovan; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $91,000. 2–Hey Nay Nay (Ire), 124, c, 3, No Nay Never–Travel, by Street Cry (Ire). ($300,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-Hronis Racing LLC and Iapetus Racing LLC; B-Lynch Bages, Camas Park & Summerhill B/S (IRE); T-John W. Sadler. $20,000. 3–Later Than Planned (Ire), 124, c, 3, Cotai Glory (GB)– Asking Price, by First Defence. (€8,000 RNA Ylg '24 TATIRY). O-Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables, LLC and Marsha Naify; B-John P. Mangan & John S. Mangan (IRE); T-Philip D'Amato. $12,000. Margins: NK, 3/4, NK. Odds: 4.50, 1.00, 2.60. Also Ran: Track Tiger, Bust Out, Won for Lou, Cal's Goal. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post From Last to First, Quality Road’s Greenwich Village Takes the Baffle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Usha became the first grade 1 winner bred by Kristen and Matt Esler of Thirty Year Farm, and also became a source of inspiration for Kristen as she recovered from spinal surgery.View the full article