Wandering Eyes

Ballydoyle's form in the Classic trials maintained its formidable momentum on Saturday with a one-two in the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial. At the line, the 4-5 favourite and Ryan Moore's pick Puppet Master had a short head to spare over Stay True in the extended 11-furlong contest, with neither stablemate giving an inch. Camelot's Puppet Master, who had been fourth in the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes and in the G3 Ballysax Stakes on his return, had been forced to battle his way past Stay True, one of the last crop of Galileo, inside the last two furlongs as they pulled 3 1/2 lengths clear of Ghaiyyath's Nightime Dancer. Great battle in the Lingfield Derby Trial! Puppet Master and Ryan Moore just about do enough to land the @LingfieldPark Derby Trial from a valiant stablemate in Stay True! Stewards Enquiry pending… pic.twitter.com/S9ZQOebTkT — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 10, 2025 The post Camelot’s Puppet Master Leads Ballydoyle One Two In Lingfield’s Derby Trial appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coolmore and Westerberg's hitherto unraced Albert Einstein (Wootton Bassett) had received favourable reports in recent dispatches from Ballydoyle and justified his lofty reputation with a TDN Rising Star performance going just shy of six furlongs in Saturday's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Naas. The January-foaled bay's potential was reflected in the betting market and he headed postward as a rock-solid 1-2 favourite for this Royal Ascot stepping stone. Shadowing the pace set by 9-4 market rival Evening Blues (Blue Point) after a professional exit, he quickened smartly to challenge that rival entering the final furlong and easily asserted superiority under minimal urging to hit the line with 1 1/4 lengths to spare. The runner-up finished a whopping 12 lengths clear of the remainder. “He was never away and that's the first time he's come off the bridle,” said Aidan O'Brien. “You can see his size and power and we're delighted with him. He learned a bit today, Ger Lyons's horse [Evening Blues] had a very good run the first day, and we'll see where he fits in. We always thought he was a [G2] Coventry horse and you'd like to get another run into him before [Royal] Ascot.” Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden @NaasRacecourse @IrishEBF_ Naas – Maiden – 2 ans – 1193m – 9 Pts – 18 001 € Albert Einstein (m) (Ire) W M Lordan (Wootton Bassett (Gb) @coolmorestud – Yet (Usa) par War Front (Usa)) A P O'Brien D Smith, Mme J Magnier,… pic.twitter.com/89nvL3huff — French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) May 10, 2025 3rd-Naas, €18,000, Mdn, 5-10, 2yo, 5f 205yT, 1:12.05, gd. ALBERT EINSTEIN (IRE), c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB) 1st Dam: Yet (GSP-Ire), by War Front 2nd Dam: Butterflies (Ire), by Galileo (Ire) 3rd Dam: Mariah's Storm, by Rahy Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €10,620. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O-Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Wayne Lordan. The post Wootton Bassett’s Albert Einstein Displays Royal Ascot Credentials With TDN Rising Star Debut at Naas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With just two overmatched rivals in opposition, Aidan O'Brien trainee Giselle's superior form and class told as the daughter of Frankel overcame Lingfield's Epsom-style intricacies, delivering a facile nine-length success in the track's William Hill-sponsored Listed Oaks Trial on Saturday. Last term's G3 Staffordstown Stud Stakes third and 3-10 pick was a shade keen racing third in a first-time hood through the initial stages of this seasonal debut. Negotiating the downhill section and taking closer order in the home straight, she seized control approaching the quarter-mile marker and bounded clear thereafter to easily outclass Harpsichord (Ribchester) by daylight for a career high. O'Brien's two previous winners of the contest include subsequent G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Seventh Heaven (Galileo). Too easy! Despite over-racing in the early stages, Giselle quickens up when asked by Ryan Moore, recording a straightforward success in the William Hill Oaks Trial Fillies' Stakes at @LingfieldPark… pic.twitter.com/tbRt6csD7x — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 10, 2025 The post Frankel’s Giselle Registers Facile Success in the Lingfield Oaks Trial appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) relished the solid tempo as he came from just off the speed to land the Thoroughbred Club of Australia Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday in comfortable fashion as he booked a trip to Queensland for the winter. It was the New Zealand-bred four-year-old’s first victory from his new quarters with trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes, after transferring from the stable of the late Michael Moroney and Glen Thompson. Positioned in third throughout under Jamie Mott, War Machine enjoyed the speed set by eventual third-placegetter Oscar’s Fortune (Rich Enuff) and surged to victory in the concluding stages as the $1.90 favourite. “We were a little bit worried about that draw (barrier 10) as to where he would end up, but there were a couple of scratchings this morning, which gave us confidence to run and it just worked out perfectly,” Ben Hayes said. “He was able to slot in, and Jamie Mott gave him an absolute ten out of ten ride and we’re just so fortunate to be given this horse to train and he’s been a pleasure. “He’s been in the system nearly two weeks now and he’s been so straightforward and arrived to us in good condition. “He’s an exciting horse heading up to Queensland now, where we will look at the BRC Sprint (Gr.3, 1400m) in two weeks and hopefully he can get qualified to run in a Stradbroke (Gr.1, 1400m). “From what we’ve seen at home, is a high-quality horse that would be up there with some of our better horses in the yard. “ Bred by MDJ Bloodstock Ltd, War Machine was offered for sale at both the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales and the Ready To Run Sale via the Wallace family’s Ardsley Stud, but failed to reach his $100,000 reserve on both occasions. By Harry Angel out of the winning Hussonet mare Caserta, the gelding subsequently went into training with Jim Wallace and won his only trial at Foxton by six lengths before his private purchase. With four victories and four placings from 11 starts, War Machine has amassed A$506,010 in prizemoney to date. War Machine’s two-year-old half-brother by Darci Brahma named Vanvitelli (NZ) (Darci Brahma) was also the winner of a recent trial at Waipukurau and has subsequently been sold across the Tasman and will also join the Hayes team. “We actually just bought the half-brother in New Zealand who was a good trial winner, so there’s limited shares available and if you’d like to get in, get in quick,” Hayes said. View the full article

Jockey Blake Shinn produced another masterful ride on Antino (NZ) (Redwood) as the dashing son of Redwood assumed command of the Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) rounding the home bend and careered away for a three-and-a-half length victory over Fawkner Park (Zoffany) and Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park). The Tony Gollan-trained Group One winner was back in the winner’s circle after a fresh-up 11th in the Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) on the back of a trip to Hong Kong where he was unplaced in the Gr.1 Hong Kong Mile after striking significant interference in the run. Trained principally as a miler throughout his career to date, trainer Tony Gollan was keen to test the gelding’s ability to get over a middle distance this campaign, and faced with a Heavy 8 Gold Coast track, Antino passed with flying colours. “We’d only been to 1800m once before with this horse, but we knew what we had to do with him when we got back from Hong Kong,” Gollan said. “It was a bit more daring than we’d been previously. We decided to go to Sydney for the All-Aged Stakes but nothing went right for him there. It was always the plan to come here after that, but for the last three weeks I was second guessing myself whether I’d done the right thing. “Everything at home indicated that we were on track, but I was still nervous about bringing him to the Gold Coast for the first time. “There have been issues with kick-back and when a horse breaks slowly like he does, there’s always the danger that things won’t go well. But I just told Blake to dare to be brave on him. “I had him as fit and as well as I could have him second-up, and I’m just really looking forward to the Doomben Cup (Gr.1, 2000m) now in two weeks. “I have never really trained him to get a trip until this prep. I always had him pinned as a miler, but we’ve put in all the groundwork with him from the minute he got back from Hong Kong, and we might dare to go to the Q22 with him after the Doomben Cup. “I felt like it would be remiss of me not to test him over a trip and allow him to be a stayer, because his pedigree suggests this sort of trip should really suit him. “He’s a really funny horse, he’s got his quirks. But he means a lot to me. He’s the best horse I’ve ever trained, and when you trust him he gives it back to you in spades. It was so good to see him deliver today.” Bred by George Kit Ma’s Blossom Trading & Breeding Company Ltd, Antino is by Westbury Stud stallion Redwood. Out of a full-sister to Group One gallopers Hurrah (NZ) (Bahhare) and Best Gift (NZ) (Bahhare), Antino’s dam Mahamaya (NZ) was purchased for just $3,000 in foal to Redwood at the 2018 Karaka May Sale by Logan Salvador on behalf of Ma. Antino was purchased for $27,000 by his Hong Kong-based owner Jeetu Ramchandani under his New Balance Racing banner at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale. Antino advanced his record to 12 wins from 25 starts with a further six placings and prizemoney of A$2,508,865. View the full article

Hardy winter galloper Sotirio (NZ) (Wrote) produced the performance of his career to date as he thrust his nose in front at just the right moment to capture the feature short course event at Trentham on Saturday, the Australian Turf Club Autumn Sprint Final (1200m). Unsighted on raceday since finishing 3rd on a Heavy 10 surface at the venue back in November last year, the Matthew Eales-trained runner was allowed to drift in the betting market to start the $23 outsider on the tote in the ten-horse field. Fitted for the race with a soft trial over 1000m at Awapuni last month, the five-year-old son of Wrote stripped in great order and raced right up to his looks with an amazing performance to get in the decisive stride in the five-horse finish. Rider Leah Hemi didn’t panic when Sotirio was slightly slow away as she knew she had to position him towards the outside rail in the home straight where the better going appeared to be. Hemi did that nicely and rounding the home bend she had tracked up the well fancied Sumosaurus (NZ) (Time Test) before getting to one off the outside rail as the field straightened for the tough slog down the home straight. At the 300m there were five live chances disputing the finish with Sotirio battling well but looking as though a top three placing would be his lot. Hemi and her mount dug deep as the five horses extended to the finish, however it was Sotirio who put his nose in front to claim the major spoils from Sumosaurus, who was just a nose away, with a head to Perfectsister (NZ) (Per Incanto) who looked the likely winner at the 100m. Fancypants (NZ) (Echoes Of Heaven) and Finest Hour (NZ) (Derryn) were just a head and a neck away in fourth and fifth respectively. Eales was delighted with the result as he had set the horse for the race a few months ago and had him peaking at just the right time. “This was the plan a long way out, although there was a delay in the live commentary and the TV so I thought we had run third,” Eales said. “I still can’t believe we won and I’ve watched the replay more than twenty times. “He was good enough to run in the Hawkes Bay Guineas (Gr.2, 1400m) as a three-year-old but last year he just never came up. “He is physically a different horse this time in and though he was running out of his grade we had set this as his goal. “My only fear was if the track got puggy but thankfully we had plenty of rain yesterday and it was perfect for him. It certainly feels good when a plan comes off.” Eales is unsure where to next although he believes the horse is going from strength to strength and he will be able to cope with longer assignments in this campaign. “He won two races over the winter last time and now he is stronger,” he said. “When he gets rain close to raceday he can really rattle home. “We might come back here in a month for a rating 75 1300m but I think he could stretch to a mile so races like the Winter Cup (Gr.3, 1600m) and Opunake Cup (Listed, 1400m) could be on the cards.” Sotirio was offered for sale from the Ohukia Lodge draft at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale in 2021, but was passed in for $25,000. He is now raced by a large syndicate who have seen him tip nearly $94,000 into his bank account by winning four of his 23 starts. View the full article

Smart three-year-old filly Mary Eliza (NZ) (Super Seth) absorbed a strong tempo and still proved too good for her rivals when successful in the GMH Fire & Safety Australia Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Prepared by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, the daughter of Super Seth sat handy to the speed set by Conchiero (Conchiero) and under the three-kilo claim from Luke Cartwright forged clear to score by half a length from I Only Wish (Puissance De Lune). “Speaking pre-race, we said if she begins well and you can slide into that spot and take a bit of luck out of the equation, it’s going to make things a whole lot easier,” Coleman said. “After the way it panned out at Mornington last start it was very pleasing to see her settle there just outside the leader. “Even the fact that he had to think on his feet and do a little bit of work early there and then and had the sense to come back and sit at the leader’s girth, I just thought it was a really good ride.” Bred by Chittick Investments Ltd, Mary Eliza is out of triple Group One winner Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi) and is raced by Waikato Stud’s Garry Chittick. “She’s a filly that we’ve always had a good opinion of and she’s so well bred,” Coleman said. “She’s a lovely filly to have around and we’ve just had to be patient with her and give her a chance to mature and she still doesn’t quite look there yet. “She’s still a little bit babyish and a little bit light and whatever she does in this preparation, she’s going to improve upon. But it is really pleasing to get this win today for the team at Waikato Stud. “We have toyed with the idea of taking her up to Queensland, depending on how she comes through this run, so we’ll just see how she pulls up over the weekend and go from there.” Mary Eliza’s dam Bonneval was a star on the track with her seven wins featuring Group One victories in the New Zealand and Australian Oaks and Underwood Stakes. On the two-time New Zealand Horse of the Year’s retirement, the daughter of Makfi was secured privately by Garry Chittick and her broodmare career has now gained winning momentum with Mary Eliza a winner of two of her five starts to date. Bonneval has a weanling full sister to Mary Eliza by Waikato Stud’s boom young sire Super Seth, and the star mare returned to the stallion again last spring. View the full article

In his first racetrack appearance in 105 days, Enrico (NZ) (El Roca) stormed home from the back of the field for a dominant first-up win in the Trust House Masterton Cup (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. The El Roca gelding had shown plenty of promise in his 22 career appearances before Saturday’s heroics, although he had hinted at a preference for longer distances. His four previous victories had come over 1550m, 1600m, 2060m and in a $65,000 Rating 75 over 2200m at Trentham in January. He also ran a close sixth behind the likes of Islington Lass (NZ) (Proisir), Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini) and Whangaehu (NZ) (Proisir) in the Gr.3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) in December. But the six-year-old’s fresh legs carried him from last to first over Saturday’s significantly shorter trip. Enrico was patiently ridden by Madan Singh and settled at the back of the field as Reign It In (NZ) (Sacred Falls) showed the way from King Of Hearts (NZ) (Jakkalberry) and Bradman (NZ) (Pins) through the first half of the race. The Roydon Bergerson-trained pair of Bradman and Reign It In pressed forward down the extreme outside of the home straight and briefly looked like fighting out the finish, but then Singh drove Enrico between them. Enrico charged to the lead with 100m remaining and kicked away, beating gallant topweight Bradman by a length and a quarter. Reign It In finished another three-quarters of a length away in third, a head in front of Chantilly Lace (NZ) (U S Navy Flag). Enrico is trained by Ilone Kelly in Levin for a group of owner-breeders that includes the highly respected Sylvia Kay. From 23 starts, Enrico has now recorded five wins and five placings. He has banked $159,917 in prize-money. “He was great today, wasn’t he,” Kelly said. “I wasn’t too surprised to see him run a good race over the 1400m fresh up, because he ran a good race over the same course and distance in the first run of his last preparation too (fourth in a 1400m Rating 75 at Trentham on October 27). But to get a win today was very nice. We’re thrilled with that performance.” Enrico has shown a particular fondness for Trentham, where his 10 starts have now produced three wins, a third, two fourths and the Manawatu Cup sixth. Kelly is in no rush to map out the remainder of Enrico’s autumn and winter campaign. “I haven’t confirmed any other plans for him at this stage,” she said. “I’m not quite sure yet how heavy he’ll be able to cope with, so we’ll see what happens with track conditions and play it by ear a little bit. I’ll talk about it with Sylvia (Kay) and we’ll make a plan together. But we’re very happy with today’s result anyway.” View the full article

The home team will have a fight on their hands in both of their Classic races this Sunday.View the full article

Trainer sails past last campaign’s win tally and ensures he won’t receive another strike.View the full article

Top jockey also salutes aboard Flash Current and Patch Of Stars on a successful Saturday.View the full article

The big prices keep on coming at Arqana and Cormac Farrell described selling lot 40, a Night Of Thunder colt to Godolphin for a whopping €1.9 million, as “the stuff of dreams”. The Night Of Thunder colt is out of George Washington mare Date With Destiny and was sourced by Farrell for just 90,000gns at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Coolmore were underbidders to Godolphin. The post “Stuff Of Dreams” For Farrell With 1.9 Million Sale Of Night Of Thunder Colt At Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Roderic Kavanagh and Cormac O'Flynn's Glending Stables, famed as the breeze-up vendor of dual Group 1 winner Vandeek, hit the jackpot again at Arqana on Saturday when selling a daughter of Sioux Nation (lot 25) for €1 million. As with Vandeek, the buyer was Anthony Stroud on behalf of KHK Racing. The filly's price represented a remarkable pinhooking coup. Out of the stakes-placed Pivotal mare Brioniya, she had been bought at Arqana's V.2 Sale last August for €48,000 and was named as 'Buy of the Day' in the TDN by sales editor Brian Sheerin. Moments of disbelief and joy for the Glending Stables team as their Sioux Nation filly sells for €1 million to KHK Racing. She had been bought as a yearling for €48k at Arqana's V.2 Sale and that old shrewdie @BrianSheerin91 named her as TDN's Buy of the Day. How right he was. pic.twitter.com/mmS6opRkko — Emma Berry (@CollingsBerry) May 10, 2025 The post Glending Stables Ring the Bell with €1m Sioux Nation Filly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It was very much a case of that man again early doors at Arqana after Norman Williamson, who sold recent 2,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court at this breeze-up sale 12 months ago, set the early tempo when his Maxfield colt went the way of Godolphin for a cool €1 million. It proved to be another shrewd piece of business for the man behind Oak Tree Farm given he sourced the colt at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale for just $70,000 last year. Anthony Stroud, who signed for lot 5 on behalf of Godolphin, confirmed the colt would be trained by Charlie Appleby. The post That Man Again – Williamson Sets Early Tempo At Arqana With Million-Euro Maxfield Colt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a thrilling conclusion to the Adelaide Autumn Racing Carnival, the talented three-year-old colt Reserve Bank defied his age to conquer a quality field of older sprinters, including the heavily favoured Giga Kick, in a decisive victory in Saturday’s Group 1 $1 million The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville. Trained at Cranbourne by Mick Price & […] The post Three-Year-Old Reserve Bank Wins The Goodwood 2025, Beats Sir Sway and Giga Kick appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Five-year-old mare Avebury (NZ) (Savabeel) relished the week back-up when successful at Caulfield on Saturday in the Summit Concepts Merchandise Handicap (1400m), having finished a close-up fifth at the same venue seven days earlier. The daughter of Savabeel sat just behind the speed throughout under Jye McNeil and relished getting clear air mid-straight to run out a ready winner for trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman. Originally prepared by John O’Shea, Avebury was the winner of the Listed Canberra Guineas (1400m) for that stable as a three-year-old and was sold at last year’s Gold Coast Broodmare Sale for $575,000 to Boomer Bloodstock and Murray Thoroughbreds. The attractive mare recorded her first victory at start three for her new connections. “It was a a good plan by Sam to back-up and step out to 1400m,” McNeil said. “There was a a little bit of speed in the early stages, which didn’t make it straightforward (from barrier 1) and I ended up in a position that I had to be patient and make sure I made the right move to get out and get some clear air. “Once she did that, she hit the front really fast and actually had a really good look around so it was a win with a bit more in store. “Sam spoke about backing her up straight after her run here a week ago and obviously they are a team that prepares their horses really well and they had her spot-on today. “When she hit the front really fast it was a bit of a shock to her and she spotted the winning post and pricked the ears. I feel like if she had something to chase or something come at her, she would have she would have had more in the tank.” Bred by Waikato Stud, Avebury is a half-sister to Gr.1 Queensland Derby runner up Paternal (NZ) (Savabeel), with both out of the O’Reilly mare O’Dianne (NZ). View the full article

Rugged mare Nigella Lane (NZ) (Niagara) got the big race win she has deserved all season when she ground down gallant pacemaker Dark Destroyer (NZ) (Proisir) to take out the Listed Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup (2200m) on Saturday. The Ralph Manning-prepared daughter of Niagara has been a model of consistency without tasting victory in her last five starts with placings in the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m) and an unlucky runner-up finish in the Manawatu Breeders’ Sakes (2050m) after winning the Thames Cup (1600m) at Te Aroha in January. Adept on all surfaces, rider Kelly Myers was happy to sit the mare towards the rear of a compact field before weaving between runners approaching the home turn. Veteran galloper Dark Destroyer had adopted the unusual role of pacemaker and was making a great fist of things as he swung for home with a two length margin on his nearest rival including Nigella Lane who was charging into the fray. Despite fighting like a tiger, Dark Destroyer had to yield to Nigella Lane at the 100m and she went on to win by a long neck with New Plymouth visitor Our Jumala (NZ) (Zed) also finishing strongly to take third. Manning was thrilled to see his charge finally get a stakes win he felt had been a long time coming. “She deserved that as she has been up a long time but you wouldn’t know it with her work this week,” Manning said. “She has been so unlucky in those stakes races and today she got up and had some luck on her side. “In saying that it was just a gorgeous ride by Kelly. I don’t give her any instructions as she does plenty of homework, but she got rolling at the right time and in the best part of he track to make her challenge. “Dark Destroyer really fought hard but my mare is bloody tough and I knew that she wouldn’t take a backward step if it got down to a dog fight. “We haven’t thought too far ahead and she may go to the paddock now, but this is a race and track I love and this makes it three wins in the race after I won it with Lord Peregrine (NZ) (Bachelor Duke) and Pump Up The Volume (NZ) (Savabeel), so I’m pretty proud of that.” Manning was also delighted with the performance of his mare Finest Hour who finished fifth in the Australian Turf Club Autumn Sprint Final (1200m) at Trentham, but was beaten by less than half a length. “Finest Hour (NZ) (Zabeel) is a mare I bought off gavelhouse.com and she just keeps improving,” he said. “She went a tough race today and the goal with her is to get some black type next season as she is closely related to Detonator Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) and Madison County (NZ) (Pins), who was a multiple Group One winner, so when she hits the breeding barn that black type will be very important for her.” Nigella Lane is a daughter of well performed mare Casabella Lane (NZ) (Volksraad) who won six races including the Gr.2 Japan NZ Trophy (1600m). She has now won six of her 26 starts and over $217,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Impeccably bred three-year-old filly Madiyya (NZ) (Super Seth) recorded her first metropolitan success when cruising to victory in the Assured Insurance Brokers Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Prepared by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, the daughter of Super Seth was given a perfect ride by Luke Currie, who settled the mare midfield before tracking the leaders into the turn and once balanced up the chestnut filly dashed away to notch her second career victory from three starts. Bred and raced by Trelawney Stud, Madiyya is a half-sister to dual Group One winner and sire Grunt (NZ) (O’Reilly), in addition to Group Two winning mare Zayydani (NZ) (Savabeel). The latter played an important role for the Hayes brothers as they established their careers after the relocation of their father David to Hong Kong, with Zayydani both the first winner for the new-look Lindsay Park and first stakes winner. “It was a terrific ride by Luke. It was little bit sticky early. He tried to hold a position, and it didn’t quite work out,” Will Hayes said. “I thought he made a great decision to get in the three-wide line with cover. “She is still very green and raw with plenty of upside. She didn’t handle that bend terrifically but when she leveled out, she was too strong. “It was a very exciting win and we are very happy to get the win for Trelawney Stud.” Hayes indicated a trip north to Queensland could now be on the cards for Madiyya for the Gr.3 Fred Best Classic (1400m) at Eagle Farm at the end of the month. “She is talented and the first thing we will be guided by is how she pulls up,” Hayes said. Madiyya’s dam Ruqqaya is a half-sister to Ocean Park and has a weanling colt by Proisir and visited Paddington last spring. View the full article

Matamata trainer Andrew Scott brought up his 1000th win in New Zealand when exciting talent Tomodachi (NZ) (Tarzino) took out the Gr.3 Rotorua ITM Stakes (1400m) at Arawa Park on Saturday. Heading into this weekend, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing statistics credited Scott with 998 winners in New Zealand. He and training partner Lance O’Sullivan picked up a win with Tristar (NZ) (Exceedance) at Trentham in the early part of the afternoon, then reached the milestone in the $100,000 fillies and mares’ feature at Rotorua. “They tell me that’s my 1000th winner, so that’s quite a milestone,” Scott said. “But training racehorses takes a team of owners and staff, and I’ve been very lucky in that regard. I’ve also had some amazing mentors along the way with Mike Moroney and Lance. I started out quite a long time ago now, and to get to 1000 today is amazing.” But Scott was keen to direct most of the post-race attention on to Tomodachi. The Pencarrow Stud homebred has made an enormous impression in a short career to date, winning six of her nine starts and more than $179,000 in stakes. The daughter of Tarzino burst on the scene with three wins in a row last autumn, then ventured across the Tasman to Queensland and finished midfield in a solitary appearance over 2180m. A stronger and better version of Tomodachi returned to racing as a four-year-old this season, collecting back-to-back wins at Tauranga and Ellerslie before flashing home from the back of the field for a close third in last month’s Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m). Saturday brought a deserved black-type breakthrough. “What a mare,” Scott said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s quick ground or wet ground – she’s just a really good racehorse, and she can only get better from here. “Our concern coming into today was that the pace might not be quick enough for her to relax, but fortunately she did and then she had that kick in the straight. “To get the big black type and a Group Three win today is so valuable for the team at Pencarrow, and we still think it’s all in front of her. We can start to get really serious with her next season. “Her sectional times at Trentham last start were just off the charts. She has an exceptional turn of foot when she’s on quick ground and has the opportunity to let down.” A big part of Saturday’s success was jockey Joe Doyle, who got Tomodachi to settle into a good rhythm in third-last before saving crucial ground around the home turn. Tomodachi snuck through the inside and burst to the lead at the top of the straight. Bedtime Story (NZ) (Per Incanto) emerged from the pack and chased hard through the last 200m, but Tomodachi had enough up her sleeve to hold her out and win by a length and three-quarters. “She’s all class,” Doyle said. “The track is in bits now and it’s tough wherever you go, so I didn’t see much point in going wide and spending more petrol than I needed to. “She was on the bridle a little bit today, but looking at her previous races, I’ve seen her pull a lot harder than that. “Going into next season, when she gets on a good track, she can run some savage splits. She’s very high-class. All credit to Lance, Andrew and the owners.” Tomodachi became the seventh individual stakes winner for Westbury Stud stallion Tarzino, who has also been in the black-type spotlight this season through the deeds of Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) hero Willydoit, Gr.3 Easter Cup (2000m) winner Torranzino and Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) victor Kadavar (NZ). The dam of Tomodachi is the High Chaparral mare Quintessentially (NZ), who herself won three races. Second dam Uberalles (NZ) (Giant’s Causeway) placed in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), while the third dam is the great Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm), whose four Group One wins included the Melbourne Cup (3200m) and Caulfield Cup (2400m). O’Sullivan and Scott have now won the Rotorua Stakes two years in a row, having taken out the 2024 edition with Karman Line (NZ) (Myboycharlie). That mare was checked out of contention in the straight on Saturday, but stablemates Lux Libertas (NZ) (Almanzor) (third) and Kelly Coe (NZ) (Proisir) (sixth) performed with plenty of merit. “The team’s run well,” Scott said. “Lux Libertas was massive. She was held up behind them and just couldn’t quite get to the right part of the track, but Warren (Kenndy) was really pleased with the way she just kept coming. Kelly Coe hit the line really well too.” View the full article

Promising jockey Liam Kauri jumped at the chance to ride for one of New Zealand’s biggest stables at Trentham on Saturday, guiding Tristar to victory in the Leica Lucy 3YO (1200m). The $35,000 race was Kauri’s 20th win in a career that has been plagued by long stints on the sidelines with injuries. The 25-year-old took special satisfaction from Saturday’s success aboard the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Tristar. “It’s the biggest stable I’ve ever ridden for, so this was a huge opportunity for me,” Kauri said. Saturday’s Trentham assignment was a step down in class for Tristar (NZ) (Exceedance), who had shown bright promise throughout her three-year-old season. She was a two-length winner on debut at Taupo in September, where beaten runners included her subsequent stakes-winning stablemate Sethito (NZ) (Super Seth). Another victory followed at Tauranga, and then Tristar finished a luckless 10th in the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) and a close sixth in the $100,000 Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m). Tristar headed to Trentham on the back of a strong trial win at Pukekohe on April 29, and she made a notable move into $2.20 favouritism in the lead-up to Saturday’s race. Kauri played his part to perfection. After settling at the back of the small field as Anushka Shesastar (NZ) (Proisir) set a moderate pace up to the home turn, Kauri angled his mount into the clear and began to move her through her gears. The race changed quickly in the straight as Anushka Shesastar faded out of contention, with Detrimental (I Am Invincible), Albarossa (Vino Rosso) and Tristar striding to the front together. That trio drew more than four lengths clear of the rest of the field to fight out the finish, and it was Tristar who got the upper hand and scored by a neck. Detrimental finished second, a head in front of Albarossa. “The two scratchings this morning made it an easier race to judge,” Kauri said. “I noticed that they came from the back in the first race, so I was happy to ride her the same way. “She got to the front easily in the straight. She didn’t quite put them away like I thought she was going to, but she fought well and was strong through the line. She’s a promising horse.” Tristar was bred by the Little Avondale Trust and is by Exceedance out of the Pierro mare World Away. That makes her a half-sister to her stablemate Karman Line (NZ) (Myboycharlie), who won the Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) on this day last year. Little Avondale offered Tristar in Book 1 of Karaka 2023, where she was bought by Wexford Stables for $220,000. Her seven-start career has now produced three wins and $59,260 in stakes, with the promise of much more to come. Tristar’s big ownership group was represented at Trentham on Saturday by Hamish Croad, who noted that many of the owners also race Karman Line. “She’s obviously a half-sister to Karman Line and we’ve always thought pretty highly of her,” Croad said. “A lot of the owners are in both horses, so we’re hoping for a good day with Karman Line running in the Rotorua Stakes later in the afternoon. “Tristar is a bit more of a robust type than Karman Line, so we were hoping that she might go a bit earlier. “She was a bit unlucky not to make the field for the NZB Kiwi (1500m), but she may not be a real fan of Ellerslie anyway. “She’s shown today that she handles a bit of cut out of the ground, and we think she has a bright future. Hopefully she’ll come through this well, and then Lance and Andrew will have a good look at her and see where to go next.” View the full article

Trainer Gavin Sharrock rocked punters once again with another promising young horse from his Stratford -based operation when Country Salon (NZ) (Darci Brahma) overcame a slow start to bury his race rivals late in the piece as he took out the Ladies Man 2YO (1200m) on a testing Heavy 10 surface at Trentham. The son of Darci Brahma had been fancied on debut when finishing fifth at Waverley last month behind Saturday’s race favourite Belzoni (NZ) (Belardo). That experience did him the world of good although those who supported him at $12 on the Fixed Odds market would have been holding their breath as he was slow to move for rider Jim Chung and trailed the field in a slowly run race until the 600m. Chung then sent the gelding around runners to issue a challenge approaching the home bend, where he still had several lengths to make up on Belzoni, his stablemate Under Orders (NZ) (War Decree) and well fancied debutant Transcend (So You Think). Just as Transcend look to have mastered the other two, Country Salon dug deep and with a couple of huge bounds levelled up and took over to win by a long neck at the line. Sharrock, who had also taken out another juvenile contest with Spandeedo (NZ) (Ferrando) at Hawera on Tuesday, was delighted with the effort. “I love working with the two-year-olds and this was one was unlucky at Waverley as he got knocked over and still ran fifth,” Sharrock said . “The instructions were to teach him as he over-raced in front last time and he will learn something today. “His mother won a race on a Heavy 10 so he might be another one we target for the Castletown Stakes (Listed, 1200m on 20 June). Chung was also impressed by the effort. “He sat back in the gates and missed the jump, but that may have been a good thing as he got to come around them and get out into the middle of the track,” he said.” “He hit the line well as it took him a while to wind up but he did it nicely in the end. Bred and raced by Sharrock, Country Salon is out of the Ferlax mare Uniquebotique (NZ) who is a daughter of Gr.3 Gasmate Stakes (1600m) winner Sokool (NZ) (Bin Ajwaad) and has dual Australian Group One winner Prince Salieri (Salieri) in his extended dam line. View the full article

By Michael Guerin If Alexandra Park races true to recent form for tonight’s $200,000 Magness Benrow Sires’ Stakes there may be less winning chances in the Group 1 than it appears as first glance. Because while the race is the strongest of the three-year-old pacing fillies season so far the girls covering the least ground should hold a huge advantage. Tonight’s meeting is take 2 after last night’s attempt was postponed after just one race because of bad weather. In the past few weeks in northern harness racing the most obvious trend has been the biggest race winners almost always coming from on the marker pegs. It was the case in all five Groups 1 here two weeks ago and two of the three held at Alexandra Park last week. It was also the case when Arcee Phoenix won the $600,000 TAB Trot at Cambridge last month with the most jarring exception to the marker pegs domination being Leap To Fame in the $1m Race by betcha, but he is an exception to a lot of rules. The reasons for the popular pegs are well known: the times being recorded these days are so fast horses coming wide often face having to break national records just to keep up. That trend looks set to continue in tonight’s 2200m mobile Sires’ Stakes and if it does it give an enormous advantage to Beside Me (R8, No.3) and most likely General Jen (No.2). Beside Me looks the likely leader and driver Carter Dalgety says if he gets there he won’t be handing the lead away. “She got a little too excited for her own good in the Oaks last start but that was 2700m whereas being 2200m this week I can let her roll more,” says Dalgety. Beside Me was beaten in that Oaks by Arafura, who is in tonight’s race but faces a second line draw so it could be her stablemate General Jen who emerges as the main danger to the favourite. General Jen was allowed to miss the earlier northern three-year-old features by co-trainer Hayden Cullen and she looks a fresh and happy horse when she bolted away with her Alexandra Park debut against older pacers last Friday. If she can use her gate speed to cross to the markers and trail Beside Me she could try the same sit-and-snipe tactics Arafura did two weeks ago. “I have no doubts Arafura is the best of our fillies but she may not be the best chance this week,” says Cullen. “I can see General Jen getting the better run, hopefully on the back of Beside Me, and she really impressed me how she won up here last Friday. “Arafura is tougher but if she has to race in the running line it becomes a lot harder for her.” One horse who could be on the markers but not the best version of them is Southland filly Captains Mistress. She looks the real deal but faces being three or even four deep on the markers and if so could need an intense war up front to open gaps for her to chase down tired legs later. Her trainer-driver Nathan Williamson also brings his one-start, one-win juvenile trotter Duchess Maria (R4, No.2) north for the $50,000 IRT Young Gun Final in which she will have to handle the right-handed track to down Redpark Warrior. Tonight’s other major trot the $120,000 IRT Trotters Championship should probably see Meant To Be continued on his winning march but the reduction in distance from 2700m last start to 2200m mobile tonight gives him less time to overcome his unruly start point. To see tonight’s fields click here View the full article

Jockey Junior Alvarado has been fined $62,000 and suspended two Kentucky racing days after using the whip two more times than is permitted when winning the GI Kentucky Derby aboard Sovereignty, according to a Kentucky stewards' ruling Friday. Under Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) rules, jockeys can use the crop no more than six times during a race. The typical penalty for going one to three strikes over the limit is 10% of the jockey's earnings or a $250 fine, whichever is bigger. Alvarado's share of the Derby purse was $310,000. It typically comes with a one-day suspension. This, however, was Alvarado's second whip violation within 180 days, according to the stewards' ruling. According to HISA Rule 2283 (c)(1), a second violation within that 180-day period results in a doubling of the fine and a doubling of the suspension period. Alvarado's two-day suspension will run May 29 and 30. According to the BloodHorse, the ruling is under appeal, which will likely be heard by a three-person HISA Internal Adjudication Panel. The post Alvarado Fined $62,500 And Suspended Two Days For Crop Violation During Winning Derby Ride appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a ruling issued May 9, jockey Junior Alvarado was fined $62,000 and suspended two racing days for violating established riding crop rules in piloting Sovereignty to victory in the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs. View the full article

5th-CD, $120k, Msw, 3yo/up, f, 1mT, 2:46p.m. ET OLYMPIC DAME (Medaglia d'Oro) will break from the rail here wearing the colors of Qatar Racing for trainer Brendan Walsh. A $385,000 FTSAUG purchase in 2023, the price looked like a steal three months later when her half-brother Honor Marie (Honor Code) brought home the trophy for the GII Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes in late November, and kept himself in the headlines from there, running through the 2024 Kentucky Derby trail by route of Louisiana and eventually finishing eighth in the big dance. He went on the shelf after trailing along in eighth in the GI Travers Stakes but has since redeemed himself. He was last seen winning the Listed Isaac Murphy Marathon Stakes beneath these same Twin Spires as his sister will begin her career. The pair also claims GSP Abarta (Into Mischief) as a half-sibling. Their dam, Dame Marie (Smart Strike), is a half-sister to G1 Betfair St. Leger hero Rule of Law (Kingmambo). This is the extended family of G1 Prix de Paris victor Feed the Flame (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who joined the stallion ranks in France this year after multiple placings at the elite level last season. TJCIS PPs 6th-SA, $60k, Msw, 3-5yo, 6 1/2f, 6:38p.m. ET It's the battle of the high six-figure auction horses in this maiden special weight, and Florida-bred Southern Gentleman (Mitole) takes first prize in that department at a princely $725,000 when he changed hands at OBSMAR last year to Speedway Stables. In the barn of Bob Baffert, this son of Mitole is a half-brother to GSW Midnight Stroll (Not This Time) and SP Atthecrossroads (Practical Joke). Their dam Midnight Magic (Midnight Lute) is a half-sister to GSW Coalport (Kitten's Joy) and that one's dull-brother, French Listed winner Jolly Good Kitten. This is the immediate family of GI Santa Maria Handicap victress Favorite Funtime (Seeking the Gold). Two spots to his inside is Cheever (Into Mischief) for owners Muir Hut Stables and trainer Mark Glatt. The Stonestreet-bred was a $700,000 acquisition from the same OBSMAR auction, and hails from an accomplished female family as the son of GSW Electric Forest (Curlin), herself a daughter of MGSW & MGISP Forest Music (Unbridled's Song). The dam's half-siblings include GSW Kentuckian (Tiznow) as well as GSW Uncle Chuck (Uncle Mo). Breaking farthest out in the field is Legal Heir (Nyquist), a $550,000 OBSAPR purchase and now racing for the partnership of MKW Racing and Spendthrift Farm. In the barn of Richard Mandella, the Maryland-bred is a half-brother to SW & GSP Monday Morning QB (Imagining). Their dam How My Heart Works (Not For Love) is a half-sister to MSW & MGSP Awesome Flower (Flower Alley), who would achieve fame by way of her son, MGISW Cyberknife (Gun Runner). This is the female line of SW Well Dressed (Notebook), who is best known for her world-beating son, multiple Group 1 winner Well Armed (Tiznow). That gelding needs little to no introduction to most racing fans. Well Dressed's line branches out in many directions via her daughters and has produced many graded and group winners at every level. TJCIS PPs The post May 10 Insights: Half to Honor Marie Debuts at Churchill, California Hosts Big Ticket Maidens appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article