Wandering Eyes

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This column is highlighted by the victory of Silawi at Woodbine. Dubawi Gelding Claims The Canadian International Wathnan Racing's Silawi (Dubawi) earned his first top-tier win in the Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine on October 4 (video). Bred by Wertheimer and Frere, he is trained by Hamad Al Jehani. Sold for €380,000 out of the Arqana Arc Sale in 2023, the five-year-old gelding is also a winner of the G3 Winter Hill Stakes. A son of G1 Prix Marcel Boussac and G1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine Silasol (Monsun), he is a full-brother to the stakes-winning Silius, as well as the multiple group-placed Fasol. Silasol has a juvenile Night Of Thunder colt, a yearling Kingman colt and a filly by Churchill born this year. Darley's Dubawi has sired 63 Grade/Group 1 winners worldwide with Silawi his latest such luminary. Eighteen of them have struck in North America. Wathnan's Immensitude Wins For Lawman G3 Prix Bertrand de Tarragon winner Immensitude (Lawman) won during the Belmont at the Big A meeting on October 2 for Bill Mott (video). The Wathnan Racing runner was bred by Isabelle Corbani. Paul Nataf picked up Immensitude for €80,000 as an Arqana October yearling, however she raced in Corbani's silks for trainer Stephane Wattel through her Tarragon win. Her dam Ma Petite Poule is a half-sister to G3 Prix du Lys hero Remus De La Tour (Stormy River). Nestled under the fourth dam is standout producer Cassandra Go (Indian Ridge), while closer up is the stakes winner Lindy (Le Havre), second in both the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes. Immensitude's two-year-old half-sister Villa d'Este (Iffraaj) has yet to race and her half-brother by Hello Youmzain brought €130,000 from SAS Le Marais during Arqana's August Yearling Sale earlier this year. Lawman, who stands at Haras du Mazet, has sired nine winners from 21 runners (43%) in North America. The Tulip, a winner of the Listed Luther Burbank Handicap, and dual Group/Grade 1 victress Just The Judge are his only stakes winners there. Dark Angel Veteran Ekes Out Woodford Tally Khaadem (Dark Angel), who races in the Fitriani Hay colours, got the job done by a neck in Keeneland's GII Woodford Stakes on October 4 (video). Trained by Charlie Hills, the nine-year-old gelding was bred by Yeomanstown Stud, where his sire stands. A 750,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling, the son of White Daffodil is a dual G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes hero. Already a full-brother to the multiple group-placed Log Out Island, Khaadem also has a Supremacy half-sister who sold to Jamie Osborne for 100,000gns post-sale during this week's Book 1 sale at Park Paddocks and a weanling half-sister by Chaldean. Dark Angel is the sire of 113 stakes winners, 66 of them at the group/graded level. His 17 winners at the highest level include current Gainesway freshman sire Raging Bull, who won the Hollywood Derby and Shoemaker Mile, as well as the Maker's Mark Mile Stakes. It Takes A Village… Village Voice is now a stakes winner in three countries after her tally in the GIII Waya Stakes during the Belmont at the Big A meeting for Resolute Racing and Chad Brown on October 5 (video). Bred by Malih Al Basti, the daughter of Zarak and the Street Sense mare Sensible Way raced for Mrs P. K. Cooper and was trained by Jessica Harrington throughout her European career, good for a win in the Listed Salsabil Stakes at three, as well as the G3 Prix de Flore. The Listed Prix des Tourelles went her way last September and she was fourth in the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes that October prior to selling for 1.3 million gns at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale to John Stewart's operation. Her dam's last reported foal is a four-year-old filly by French Navy. Second dam Nasheej (Swain) struck three times at group level and was also third in the G1 1000 Guineas, G1 Coronation Stakes and G1 Fillies' Mile. The fourth stakes winner for her Aga Khan Studs' sire in the U.S., Village Voice is also one of seven winners from 11 to race there (64%). Another For Resolute At Keeneland Resolute Racing's Kuwaitya (Soldier's Call), stakes placed in both France and the UK, won a Keeneland contest by a half-length for trainer Riley Mott on October 5 (video). Part of the Ballyhane breeding programme, the third foal out of Smooth Sailing (Bated Breath) is a full-sister to G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint second Muqtahem. A 29,000gns Tattersalls October Book 3 yearling, the Refai Alghraiban-owned bay won at second asking over the Lingfield all-weather in April of 2024 for Alice Haynes and signed off her European career with a third in the Listed St Hughs Stakes in August. Originally an 92,000gns buy-back at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale, she made her way Stateside. Her dam has the unraced gelding Smooth Genesis (Elzaam) and fillies by Soldier's Call and Sands Of Mali born in 2024 and 2025 yet to come. Her granddam, Royal Confidence (Royal Applause), won the Listed Sceptre Stakes and was third in the G2 Rockfel Stakes, while third dam Never A Doubt (Night Shift) landed the G2 Prix Robert Papin and this is the clan of the late Group 1 sire Acclamation. Ace Stud resident Soldier's Call is the sire of two winners from four runners in the U.S. (50%). Internationally, his three stakes winners are anchored by G3 Prix Eclipse heroine Dawn Charger. Sottsass Colt Wins In New York Peter Brant and Tony Shafrazian's Dirand (Sottsass) graduated during the Belmont at the Big A meeting on October 5 for Chad Brown (video). An 110,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling when purchased by Tony Shafrazi, he was bred by Brant's White Birch Farm. The half-brother to American champion Uni (More Than Ready) counts the unraced Maimiti (Dubawi) as his year-younger half-sister. Their dam Unaided (Dansili) had a colt by Paddington this spring. This family includes multiple group winner Wimbledon Hawkeye (Kameko) and Australian G1 Underwood Stakes and G1 Turnbull Stakes hero Sir Delius (Frankel). Formerly based at Coolmore Stud in Ireland, Arc hero Sottsass stood at Shizunai Stallion Station in Japan this season. He has a trio of winners from five U.S. runners (60%). Galiway Gelding Wins At Santa Anita Michael McCarthy trainee Maaz (Galiway) ran out a two-length winner in his fifth lifetime start for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Madaket Stables, Sabby Racing and Michael House on October 3 (video). The SCEA du Domaine de Malerai-bred gelding previously won over the Wolverhampton all-weather in February for trainers Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole for Urloxhey Racing. Fourth in the Listed La Jolla Handicap in August among his four starts in the U.S., the €41,000 Osarus September yearling made €72,000 at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale in May when catching the eye of Howson & Houldsworth Bloodstock and Insole. The third foal, second runner and first winner for his winning dam Exceedingly Diva (Exceed And Excel), the gelding has juvenile and yearling full-sisters named Al Inaya and Ride The Wave. The female family traces to the multiple stakes winner Sarayir (Mr. Prospector), a half-sister to G1 Derby winner Nashwan and Nayef, who won the G1 Juddmonte International Stakes. Haras de Colleville's Galiway has sired 16 stakes winners worldwide. From just five runners in the U.S., he has sired two winners to date (40%). Sioux Nation Filly Stars At Keeneland Owned by Jamie Lamonica's Coast Racing and Larry Rodgers, Raiding Party (Sioux Nation) sailed to a two-length debut win at Keeneland on October 3 (video). Trained by Brendan Walsh, the chestnut was bred by Barry Moorhead. She cost just €19,000 as a Goffs November foal and bloomed into a €50,000 Goffs Orby yearling with Brendan Heeney buying for Coast Racing. The daughter of War Empress (War Command) is related to the stakes winner Irish Rookie (Azamour), who was second in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and third in the G1 Sun Chariot Stakes. Coolmore Stud's Sioux Nation is credited with 21 stakes winners worldwide with G1 Queensland Oaks winner Socks Nation his best. In Canada, his Oujda won the Listed Sweet Brian Too Stakes, while in the U.S., his Behind Enemy Lines won the Listed Cutler Bay Stakes and was second in the GII Penn Mile Stakes. Repeat Winners Gold Phoenix is just as lethal at seven as he was earlier in his career, and he added another graded tally in the GII John Henry Turf Championship Stakes at Santa Anita on September 27 (video). The son of Belardo is trained by Phil D'Amato for Agave Racing Stable, Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables and Marsha Naify. Sunglow (No Nay Never) prevailed in a Santa Anita allowance on September 28 (video). Racing for Diamond T Racing, Hoffman Thoroughbreds, Medallion Racing and Mrs. Paul Shanahan, the three-year-old filly is trained by John Sadler. Another repeat winner was Slick (Oasis Dream), who races for similar connections to Gold Phoenix minus Agave Racing, and won at Santa Anita on September 28, also for D'Amato (video). Frankel's Asbury Park built on his Saratoga maiden success in June in a big way with a victory in the GII Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes during the Belmont at the Big A meeting on October 4 (video). The Peter Brant and St. Elias Stable-owned colt is trained by Chad Brown. No Nay Hudson stepped up and won the GII Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine on the same day as the Canadian International (video). The No Nay Never gelding is owned by Andrew Farm and For the People Racing Stable and trained by Wesley Ward. Breath Away (Bated Breath), who races for Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Steven Rocco and Marc Levine, added her first graded stakes win in the GII Dance Smartly Stakes at Woodbine (video). She is trained by Miguel Clement. A new stakes winner for the Making Waves cohort was Phil D'Amato trainee Later Than Planned (Cotai Glory). The Speakeasy Stakes went her way in the silks of Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables and Marsha Naify at Santa Anita (video). The post Making Waves: It’s All Silawi In Canada appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-Keeneland, $106,535, Msw, 10-11, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 1:03.17, gd, neck. MAP OF THE MOON (f, 2, Liam's Map–Malibu Pride, by Malibu Moon) became the latest in a string of long-price debut winners for this owner and trainer, scoring here at 9-1. The $200,000 Keeneland September grad was content to drop out to the latter third of the field as fellow firster Lady Jancis (Speighstown) and favored third-time starter Triskelion (Leinster) exchanged blows through an opening couple of furlongs in a strong :21.31. Asked to improve with a wide run around the turn, the dark bay filly challenged about four off the inside at the furlong grounds and kept on bravely as Yaudacity (Yaupon), in from the also-eligible list, made a race of it late. In the space of five days during the Kentucky Downs meeting, NBS's Ground Support (Army Mule) returned a confounding $203.20 to her backers winning over a mile first time out, while Repentless (Violence) lit up the tote to the tune of $52.16 when graduating over seven furlongs. For good measure, Ground Support added last weekend's GIII Miss Grillo Stakes at odds of over 12-1. Ground Support and Repentless were ridden by Adam Beschizza, Map of the Moon by Axel Concepcion. The winner's dam is a full-sister to MSW & GISP By the Light, herself the dam of two-time Grade I winner By the Moon (Indian Charlie) and GSP Wonderful Light (Tiz Wonderful). Silesia Farm purchased Malibu Pride for $35,000 at the 2016 Keeneland January Sale and her foal of 2024, a colt by Cyberknife already named Nawar, fetched $100,000 at KEESEP last month. Malibu Pride is due to Taiba for 2026. Sales history: $200,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $63,085. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-NBS Stable; B-Silesia Farm & Dr Hartmut H Malluche (KY); T-Kelsey Danner. MAP OF THE MOON ($20.22) takes to the turf and wins on debut at @keenelandracing with @a_concepcion16 up for trainer @kelseyjdanner and owner NBS Stable. Another winner by @LanesEndFarms' Liam's Map. Bet Keeneland with @FanDuel Racing. https://t.co/9KTJWl3WMw pic.twitter.com/FhnbzmGVV7 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 11, 2025 The post The Debut Hits–And Big Prices–Keep On Coming for NBS, Danner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday's live racing at Aqueduct has been called off ahead of a coastal storm due to impact the area, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) said Saturday. The day's featured race, the Carle Place Stakes, will be brought back one week later, Oct. 19 with entries to be taken Wednesday, Oct. 15. The National Weather Service has placed New York City and surrounding areas under a wind advisory beginning Sunday at noon, with current NWS forecasts calling for sustained winds of 25-35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Aqueduct Racetrack will remain open for simulcasting, and wagering is available here. The post Aqueduct Calls Off Sunday Racing Ahead Of Coastal Storm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cavalieri (Nyquist), the undefeated filly who figured to be one of the top choices in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff, will pass the race, reports trainer Bob Baffert. Baffert made the announcement while being interviewed on FanDuel TV on Friday by Joaquin Jaime. Baffert did not give Jaime many details. Cavalieri is undefeated in five starts and her 5-for-5 record includes a win in the GI Beholder Mile and the GII Zenyatta Stakes, which was supposed to be her final tuneup before the Breeders' Cup. Baffert did tell Horse Racing Nation that Cavalieri will not be retired. With 2024 Distaff winner Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) also unlikely to start in this year's Distaff, the roll of favorite may fall to another Baffert-trained horse, Seismic Beauty (Uncle Mo). The Maryland-bred is coming off a win in the GI Clement L. Hirsch Stakes. The post Cavalieri Out Of Breeders’ Cup Distaff appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Leading Horse of the Year candidate Sovereignty (Into Mischief) continued his preparations for the upcoming GI Breeders' Cup Classic with a strong gallop on a brisk Saturday morning at Saratoga. “He'll breeze tomorrow, then hopefully one more time before he leaves,” Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said back by his barn during the break. “We've been on schedule. We mapped out a little, potential schedule for him and it's gone pretty well so far. He's been doing great.” With the rising sun, morning mist and fall foliage providing a magnificent backdrop over the Oklahoma, the GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes and GI Travers Stakes winner began to make his way to the track beneath exercise rider Jimmy Quispe at 6:45 a.m. The striking Godolphin 3-year-old homebred had a nice bounce to his step jogging the outer rail while ponied by longtime Mott assistant and his regular work rider Neil Poznansky. Given plenty of time to take in the scene–can you blame him?–with the boss watching nearby from the rail, Sovereignty broke away from the pony with good energy on the backstretch and galloped under a nice hold while displaying those massive strides of his three weeks out from the main event at Del Mar. Sovereignty out for a spin over the Oklahoma at sunrise Saturday pic.twitter.com/UKHLAYLChz — Steve Sherack (@SteveSherackTDN) October 11, 2025 Sovereignty has breezed four times since his 10-length Travers romp over next-out GIII Oklahoma Derby winner Bracket Buster (Vekoma), including a pair of five-furlong breezes in 1:02.82 Sept. 28 (3/3) and in 1:01.44 (1/1) Oct. 5. His latter move was his first in company, breezing with 3-year-old stablemate Playa Del Mar (Into Mischief), a last-out maiden winner at Ellis Park Aug. 22. He'll have company again tomorrow, Mott said. “It was funny,” Poznansky said. “He worked in 1:02 4/5 the other day and Bill commented, 'You know, that was Cigar. Every time you worked him five-eighths by himself, 1:02 4/5… 1:02 4/5.' He said that (Hall of Fame rider Jerry) Bailey tried to shake him up one morning and all Cigar did was throw his head at him! Sovereignty doesn't quite do that. But he's kinda the same way.” Mott nodded his head and added of the once-in-a-lifetime Cigar, “1:02 and change. 1:03, that was it.” Mott continued, “(Sovereignty)'s not what you'd call a brilliant work horse. I've had horses that breeze like–whew, look at that! He does his work, but he only does what he has to do. He gives you the impression that there's probably more there. You work him with another and he hits the wire, and he's like, 'Ok, I'm done.'” Sovereignty was still a maiden at this time a year ago before graduating with authority while making his two-turn debut in the GIII Street Sense S. at third asking at Churchill Downs Oct. 27. He was highlighted in these same pages following a late-running debut fourth on the Travers card last summer. Sovereignty | Sherackatthetrack “Just watching his first race, even though he was fourth, it was pretty impressive for a horse finishing fourth,” Mott said. “It was an impressive fourth if there is such a thing.” Sovereignty will ship to Southern California Oct. 22 and have his final breeze for the Classic at Del Mar, per Mott. The mouth-watering line-up for the $7-million centerpiece could potentially feature a rematch between last year's top three finishers Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), Fierceness (City of Light) and Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}); two-time Grade I winner in 2025 Mindframe (Constitution); record-setting GI Santa Anita Handicap winner Locked (Gun Runner); and top sophomores Journalism (Curlin) and Baeza (McKinzie). Sierra Leone, Fierceness, Mindframe and Locked are all 'TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard.' “If they all turn up healthy and well, it will be a Classic for the ages,” Godolphin USA Director of Bloodstock Michael Banahan said by phone from Kentucky. The post Sunrise at the Spa with Sovereignty appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

RANCHO SANTA FE (c, 2, Tapit–Family Tree, by Smart Strike), a homebred for Gary and Mary West, ran his record to two wins from as many trips to the races with a cozy success in a two-turn allowance Saturday afternoon at Keeneland. A debut winner going the one-mile configuration at Ellis Park on Aug. 24 and thereby possessing a key experience advantage over favored Infiltrate (Oscar Performance), who was trying a route of ground for the first time, the 23-10 second pick was bustled along by Florent Geroux to take up a forward position and was forced a bit wide into the first turn by a wayward rival to his inside. Four off the inside passing the five-eighths, the homebred advanced a few positions and was at the hind quarters of Infiltrate entering the second turn. Rancho Santa Fe edged out to his right at the quarter pole and was vigorously ridden as the chalk clung to the lead turning for home, but he was kept to his task and had a margin of about 3/4 of a length at the line. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. O/B-Gary & Mary West (KY); T-Brad Cox. RANCHO SANTA FE ($6.60) is 2 for 2 after after taking Race 3 at @keenelandracing under @flothejock. The son of Tapit (@Gainesway) is trained by @bradcoxracing and owned by Gary and Mary West. Watch live coverage from Keeneland on @FanDuelTV, presented by @TMStallions. pic.twitter.com/12VaVzjRz8 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 11, 2025 The post Tapit Colt Rancho Santa Fe Makes It 2-2 in Keeneland Allowance appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Laurel Park staged the Maryland Million program on Saturday, and arguably the best Maryland-bred filly in training, The Estate of the Late R. Larry Johnson's Future Is Now (Great Notion), will have every chance to surpass the $1-million mark in career earnings when she defends her title in Sunday's $400,000 GII Franklin Stakes at Keeneland. Since she is bred outside of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the 5-year-old races for just a $300,000 pot, and she'll jump favored to win for the fourth time in five starts this season. The fresh-up winner of the GIII Giant's Causeway Stakes over this course and distance back in April, she dropped a half-length decision to pacesetting Pipsy (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in the June 5 GII Intercontinental Stakes at Saratoga. She has since bounced back to add the GIII Caress Stakes July 19 and the Aug. 15 Smart and Fancy Stakes, both at the Spa, and her ability to sit just off the speed in a race that appears chock full of it could be telling. Irad Ortiz, Jr. takes the ride for the first time. Pipsy never got near the front in the Caress and ran into some trouble in the stretch on top of that and she returns to sex-restricted competition off a respectable fifth in the GII Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs Aug. 30. The fleet-footed Luna Louska (Complexity) is perfect in three tries on the grass and carries a four-race winning streak into this graded stakes debut. All-the-way winner of the July 4 Clarskville Handicap at Horseshoe Indianapolis, the 3-year-old filly was virtually unchallenged in defeating far classier competition in the Sept. 13 Floral Park Stakes at Aqueduct. The pace does seem very much on, however, with the likes of In Our Time (Not This Time) also expected to add fuel to the fire. Time To Dazzle (Not This Time) completed the exacta for her sire underneath In Our Time in a Sept. 10 allowance at Kentucky Downs and would need to improve some to win this, but she does appear to possess the right running style and should be coming at them late. The post Future Is Now Should Get Franklin Stakes Run To Suit appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following an Oct. 11 work at Keeneland, BBN Racing and trainer Vicki Oliver are considering a start in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Del Mar for Oklahoma Derby (G3) winner Bracket Buster.View the full article

Jack Davison is set to saddle his first runner at the Breeders' Cup as he targets stable star She's Quality at the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) following a third in the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (G1) Oct. 5.View the full article

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Leon King Stable's Bentornato (Valiant Minister) put in a half-mile breeze Saturday ahead of an expected next start in the GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint Nov. 1 at Del Mar. Working under regular pilot Irad Ortiz Jr., last year's Sprint runner up went in :50.80. Bentornato will also be a part of the Keeneland Championship Sale held just prior to the Breeders' Cup, with a 25% ownership interest on offer Oct. 29 at Del Mar. Trainer Jose D'Angelo noted that Bentornato's past and future racing schedule will appeal to buyers at the Championship Sale. “It is a unique opportunity to become a partner,” D'Angelo told Keeneland. “This year we gave him time off to mature and grow. He is fresh and a good candidate to win the Breeders' Cup Sprint. And he will be fresh if we decide to go to the $20 million G1 Saudi Cup.” D'Angelo was pleased with Bentornato's activity Saturday morning. “The work was good with a strong gallop out like we had talked about,” he added. “He started slow and relaxed like he did in his last race (when he won the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes at Churchill Downs Sept. 13.) Rather than sending Bentornato back to his Florida base, D'Angelo opted to keep him in Kentucky to take advantage of the cooler weather and train at Keeneland. He will ship to Del Mar Oct. 27 ahead of the Championship Sale. “We thought the (cool) weather would help him instead of going straight to California or back to (my base) in Florida,” he said. The post Bentornato Breezes Ahead Of Breeders’ Cup Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A bay daughter of Into Mischief (hip 513) sold post-sale for $275,000 to top the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company October Yearling Sale, the company announced Saturday. Initially a $290,000 RNA through the ring during the Oct. 8 session, the filly went Tami Bobo's way from the Glen Hill Farm consignment who also bred her from their mare, MSW/MGSP Compelled (War Front). With the post-sale result, the Into Mischief filly becomes the highest priced horse sold at this year's October Yearling Sale, topping the $240,000 brought by Christophe Nouvellet on behalf of Dream With Me Florida for a filly by Mo Donegal. The post Into Mischief Filly Brings $275k Post Sale To Top OBS October appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-KEE, $110k, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, post time: 1:32 p.m. ET Kia Joorabchian's AMO Racing USA splashed out $900,000 for THAILAND (Not This Time) at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, and the chestnut colt is a candidate to offer only a fraction of his 3-1 morning line at post time. The chestnut is a son of dual Grade III winner Queen Bee to You (Old Topper), making him a half-brother to Princess Madison (Speightstown), third in the 2024 GII Charles Town Oaks for Rigney Racing. Queen Bee to You is a half-sister to the dam of the California-bred Grade I winner Lovesick Blues (Grazen). Joorabchian's operation accounted for three of the five most expensive yearlings at this week's Tattersalls October Book 1 Sale, including a 3.6 million gns (approx $5.1 million) Frankel (GB) colt out of MGSW Aljazzi (GB) (Shamardal). TJCIS PPs 6th-KEE, $110k, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 6f, 3:40 p.m. WICKED ONE (Bolt d'Oro) was hammered down for $335,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale and made headlines the following spring by topping the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training on a bid of $1.25 million from Winchell Thoroughbreds after breezing in :10 flat. The late February foal is a half-sister to a pair of juvenile stakes winners, including Howling Time (Not This Time) and Air Recruit (Air Force Blue). This is female family of MGSW Desert Party (Street Cry {Ire}). Shesa Cherry (Curlin) is a debuting 4-year-old daughter of former 'TDN Rising Star' Cherry Lodge (Bernardini), a stakes-winning and Grade I-placed full-sister to GSW Gala Award and a half to GISW Stormello (Stormy Atlantic) and GSW My Best Brother (Stormy Atlantic). TJCIS PPs 9th-KEE, $110k, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 5:16 p.m. ET The already gelded CHASING FREEDOM (Constitution) draws awkwardly in gate 12 for this debut in the split of race two. Owner/breeder Twin Creeks Farm, who raced this sire in partnership, purchased the three-times stakes winning and Grade III-placed dam Into Mystic (Into Mischief) for $485,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale, and this is her first produce. TJCIS PPs 10th-SA, $60k, Msw, 2yo, 6fT, 8:34 p.m. ET MIGHTY TORO (Raging Bull {Fr}) debuts for a high-powered partnership of Hronis Racing and Gainesway Stable in the Sunday finale at the Great RIP. A $420,000 Keeneland September acquisition, the St. Patrick's Day foal is out of an unraced daughter of Cotton Blossom (Broken Vow), winner of the GIII Schuylerville Stakes and second in the GI Spinaway Stakes at two and victorious in the GI Acorn Stakes in 2007. Diaghilev (Maclean's Music) is a Bass Stable homebred son of Choreograph (Dynaformer), whose six winners from nine to the races includes dual Grade III winner Goliad (War Front), SW Dancing To Win (Speightstown) and MSW Welcome Dance (Henny Hughes), the dam of GSW & GISP Ice Dancing (Frosted). TJCIS PPs The post Sunday Insights: AMO Racing Unveil Pricey Not This Time Colt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Night Of Thunder colt Gewan ignited another Classic dream for his owner Yuesheng Zhang, who has already won the Irish Oaks with Magical Lagoon (Galileo) and came close to 2,000 Guineas glory with Lucky Vega (Lope De Vega), who is now a stallion under his dual-hemisphere Yulong operation. Zhang already has a significant racing and breeding operation in Australia, where his runners include the multiple Group 1 winner Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) – bought from Tattersalls for 2.7 million gns two years ago – and where he has an 11-strong stallion roster. The owner-breeder is now increasing his focus on Britain, according to his racing and bloodstock manager Paul Curran. “We have about 70 horses in training at the moment between UK, Ireland and France. We've put a lot of onus on the UK now in the last couple of years,” Curran said. Earlier this year it was announced that the stallions Shaquille and Soldier's Call, based at Steve Parkin's Dullingham Park Stud, had been bought by Yulong Investments. The farm, recently rechristened Ace Stud, is now owned by Zhang's son-in-law Harrison Li, who was present at Newmarket to collect Gewan's Darley Dewhurst trophy. Thoughts have already turned to the grey colt potentially joining the Ace Stud roster but not before he attempts to emulate his trainer Andrew Balding's first Dewhurst winner, Chaldean (Frankel), who went on to win the 2,000 Guineas. Curran continued, “It's a pleasure to have a horse like this and to have a horse that could be something special next year. Even to be able to mention something like the Guineas next year. It's phenomenal.” He continued, “Andrew's saying he reminds him quite a lot of Chaldean. Before we bought the horse, we were down with Andrew and he said he just reminds him exactly of how he was. “This is the start of it all for us. This is a phenomenal horse. Mr Zhang's a happy man, I can tell you that. I can't put into words how happy we are. We bought Ace Stud – Dullingham Park Stud as it was – and it's a very beautiful spot.” He added of the Yulong founder, who is currently in his native China, “I'm delighted for Mr Zhang, who has put so much into racing. He's a phenomenal man and he's done so much for the game. I'm delighted that we can give back to him with a Group 1 winner. It's something else. “We're obviously starting up a breeding operation outside Newmarket, so we want to have good colts. He looks like he might just be a good chance for us.” Gewan's sire Night Of Thunder increased his lead at the head of the British and Irish sires' championship with two Group winners at Newmarket on Saturday, the other being Sheikh Mohammed Obaid's G3 Autumn Stakes winner Hankelow. The post ‘This Is The Start Of It All For Us’: Yulong’s Paul Curran Lauds Gewan’s Dewhurst Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Coolmore partners' G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Precise (Starspangledbanner) has been awarded a mark of 113p by Timeform for her Newmarket heroics. She leads the rankings for her age and sex, with Aidan O'Brien stablemate and G1 Cheveley Park Stakes winner True Love (No Nay Never) is second at 111. G1 Prix Morny victress Venetian Sun (Starman) is third for Karl Burke at 110p, while another O'Brien runner, G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Diamond Necklace (St Mark's Basilica) is fourth at 109p. Group winner and G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes second Beautify (Wootton Bassett) and Cheveley Park Stakes runner-up Havana Anna (Havana Grey) share a rank of 108. Precise ranks below wide-margin Fillies Mile winners and subsequent G1 1000 Guineas heroines Desert Flower (Night Of Thunder) (118) and Minding (Galileo) (121). Timeform handicapper Simon Baker said, “Aidan O'Brien tightened his stranglehold on the division by winning a third Group 1 for two-year-old fillies inside two weeks, and Precise's win in the Fillies' Mile looks a superior effort to those that saw True Love win the Cheveley Park and Diamond Necklace the Marcel Boussac. “There are only a few pounds in it either way, though, and with big-priced runners completing the placings, it's hard to rate this as a vintage Fillies' Mile, allowing that Precise won it with her ears pricked, looking value for at least another length.” The post Precise Leads Timeform’s Juvenile Filly Rankings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Left out of most equations following his fourth in the Champagne, Yuesheng Zhang's Gewan (Night Of Thunder) bounced back in style on unseasonably quick ground to cause a 25-1 upset in Saturday's G1 Darley Dewhurst Stakes. Always in the front line under James Doyle, the Andrew Balding-trained grey who had earlier won the Acomb at York drifted over to the stand's rail but maintained his momentum to deny Ballydoyle's well-backed 7-4 favourite Gstaad (Starspangledbanner) by 3/4 of a length. Godolphin's Distant Storm (Night Of Thunder) was 1 1/2 lengths away in third. “The Champagne was on slow ground and he moved beautifully on the way to post–he has a nice, flowing action so I can see why soft ground at Doncaster didn't suit him,” James Doyle said. “He is very straightforward to deal with and he found an early rhythm, which is so important on this track.” “He really whooshed down into the dip and I let him flow down into it as Kieren Fallon says he used to like doing,” he added. “Track is fine and a mile will be fine, so the Guineas is there for him–he's very uncomplicated and has ticks in all the boxes.” dazzles in 150th renewal of the Dewhurst! pic.twitter.com/1iA6425uPi — Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 11, 2025 The post Dewhurst Glory For Night Of Thunder’s Gewan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Group 1-placed G3 Prix des Chenes hero Misunderstood (Hello Youmzain) (lot 372) is one of the highlights of Arqana's Autumn Sale catalogue which was revealed on Saturday. The sale is responsible for top-level graduates under both codes, and in addition to Misunderstood, will also offer group winners Midak (Footstepsinthesand) (lot 374) and Roshvar (Siyouni) (lot 375). Among the stores and NH yearlings are siblings to Grade 1 winners St Donats (Saint Des Saints) (lot 534); Jade De Grugy (Doctor Dino) (lot 540), Ches Demonmirail (Doctor Dino) (lot 603); Stormy Ireland (Motivator) (lot 612); and We Have A Dream (Martaline) (lot 690). The breeding stock portion of the sale includes foals that are siblings to Grade 1 winner Gaillard Du Mesnil (Saint Des Saints) (lot 721), Stormy Ireland (lot 848) and Pic D'Orhy (Turgeon) (lot 912). Grade 1 scorer Flying Chaser (lot 755) is carrying to Jigme. Stallions Chanducoq (lot 709) and Doha Dream (lot 710) will also be sold. Set for November 17-20 and beginning at 11 a.m. each day, the sale features 833 lots under both codes. There are 263 Flat and National Hunt horses-in-training, 56 two-year-old stores, 221 NH-bred yearlings, and 241 mares and foals. The Arqana November Yearling Sale is directly before the Autumn Sale, featuring 123 colts and fillies on Saturday, November 15. The Autumn Sale schedule is as follows: November 17: horses-in-training, November 18: two-year-old stores and NH yearlings, November 19: NH yearlings continued, and November 20: NH breeding stock (fillies and mares, foals and stallions). There are also a handful of horses sold by court order–three horses-in-training, a mare and a foal (lots 141-145) which will sell at the very start of the November 17 session. The post Misunderstood Leads Arqana Autumn Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid's Listed Flying Scotsman runner-up Hankelow (Night Of Thunder) exhibited an unflinching attitude and led from pillar to post for a career high in Saturday's G3 Emirates Autumn Stakes at Newmarket, a contest won last year by subsequent G1 Eclipse and G1 Irish Champion hero Delacroix (Dubawi). The 750,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 graduate and 5-2 favourite broke sharply and gained immediate control of this straight one-mile test. In command throughout, he was scrubbed along as threats loomed in both sides approaching the quarter-mile marker and stayed on powerfully under a drive from the foot of the hill to hold the keen-running Al Zanati (Dubawi) by 1 1/4 lengths in game fashion. Glacius (Too Darn Hot) fared best of the rest and finished a head adrift in a blanket finish for the minor placings. Like father, like son! HANKELOW (Night Of Thunder) romps up the Rowley Mile in the G3 Autumn Stakes. Congrats @karl_burke @CliffordleexLee pic.twitter.com/ubQhFX5cKv — World Pool (@WorldPool) October 11, 2025 Pedigree Notes Hankelow is the third of four foals and becomes the second black-type winner out of Listed Upavon Fillies' Stakes runner-up Sagaciously (Lawman), herself a half-sister to the dam of G1 Prix Morny, G1 Middle Park Stakes and G1 Commonwealth Cup winner Perfect Power (Ardad), last month's Middle Park hero Wise Approach (Mehmas) and Listed Chesham Stakes third Golden Mind (Galileo Gold). The January-foaled bay is full to a yearling colt and a half-brother to multiple Group 2-placed Listed Prix Pelleas victor Epic Poet (Lope De Vega) and Listed Prix Melisande third La Filomena (Lope De Vega). The post Night Of Thunder’s Hankelow Makes All for Game G3 Autumn Success at Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars JUBILANT WINNER - R2 (3) Comprehensive last-start winner has since trialled well and has drawn nicely Jay Rooney PEARL OF PANG'S - R6 (6) Brave in defeat last start and looks hard to beat from a better draw Owen Goulding GIMME FIVE - R3 (4) Drawn perfectly and can go from pillar to post on a surface he's unexposed on Phillip Woo SKY SONG - R1 (1) Ticks the right boxes dropping to Class Five and should win Shannon (Vincent Wong) SUPER STRONG KID - R7 (3) Talented youngster...View the full article

The subject of a major gamble prior to Saturday's G3 Night Of Thunder Zetland Stakes at Newmarket, Ballydoyle's Pierre Bonnard (Camelot) went through the 10-furlong test smoothly to stake his 2026 Derby claims. Delivered from the pack by Christophe Soumillon to lead passing the two pole, the 6-4 favourite was coaxed clear of stablemate Endorsement (Wootton Bassett) to score by 1 1/2 lengths, with Godolphin's €850,000 BBAG September topper Del Maro (Camelot) a further length away in third. “He looked amazing in the paddock and went to the start so calm with so much power,” Soumillon said of the son of the Nassau winner Sultanina (New Approach) who was a €280,000 Goffs Orby Book 1 purchase and who had broken his maiden at Dundalk in August. “I was wanted to teach him and he settled really well for cover and was able to quicken well.” “He is still very immature, but after the line he kept going which is a good sign,” he added. “He looks an amazing prospect for next year. He's well-balanced–he didn't really change leads during the race, so will improve and be a good horse next year.” Another race, another star-studded juvenile for @Ballydoyle and @coolmorestud … (Camelot) is all class in the Night Of Thunder Zetland Stakes @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/5fBcRvLjua — Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 11, 2025 The post Ballydoyle’s Exciting Pierre Bonnard In Command In The Zetland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Francis Graffard representative Samangan (Blue Point), fresh off a stakes breakthrough in last month's G3 Prix Eclipse, went postward as the prohibitively priced 1-5 favourite for Saturday's G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte and never gave connections a moment's worry with a stylish victory in the six-furlong contest. The Aga Khan Studs homebred stalked the pace in third from flagfall. Making smooth progress once past halfway, he eased to the front approaching the final furlong and was pushed out in the closing stages to easily account for Street Show (Showcasing) by 2 1/2 lengths. He could be a real talent! Samangan (Blue Point x Samadrisa) backs up Group 3 success last time out with a dominant display in the Group 2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte… @GraffardRacing | @mickaelbarzalon | @AgaKhanStuds pic.twitter.com/rKrofzbUWz — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 11, 2025 Pedigree Notes Samangan is the seventh of eight foals and one of three scorers produced by a winning half-sister to multiple Group 1-winning European champion Sarafina (Refuse To Bend), dual stakes-winning G1 Prix Saint-Alary runner-up Sanaya (Barathea), G3 Firebreak Stakes victor Sandagiyr (Dr Fong) and the multiple Group 3-placed Sanjida (Polish Precedent). Sarafina, in turn, is the dam of G3 Prix Messidor-winning sire Geniale (Deep Impact), G3 Prix d'Aumale victrix Savarin (Deep Impact) and G3 Radio Nikkei Sho third Go Timing (Deep Impact). The May-foaled bay is kin to Listed Prix Volterra victrix Simeen (Lope De Vega) and a weanling filly by Vadeni. The post Samangan Makes Light Work of Rivals in Chantilly’s Criterium de Maisons Laffitte appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A notable New Zealand influence on Saturday’s stellar raceday at Caulfield culminated with A$3 million Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) success for South Island owner Glenn Ritchie and breeder Richard Rutherford. Autumn Boy carried Ritchie’s red, gold and blue colours to Guineas glory over runner-up Planet Red, who himself was a $260,000 purchase from the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale. Ritchie, who also races Saturday’s Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) placegetter Miss Ziggy, is the former owner of the Ritchies transport company. He made headlines earlier in the year when he teamed up with trainer Chris Waller and Mulcaster Bloodstock to buy the $2.4 million sale-topping full-sister to multiple Group One winner Orchestral at Karaka in January. Autumn Boy’s Guineas success followed on from New Zealand-bred gelding Globe’s triumph in the Gr.1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m) earlier in Saturday’s Caulfield card, while Transatlantic – a son of New Zealand-bred Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) winner Gust Of Wind – edged out Kiwi-breds Evaporate and Leica Lucy to take out the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m). Rutherford, renowned for his Baltana Stud in North Canterbury, bred Autumn Boy out of his homebred Savabeel mare Rosegarden. She is an unraced daughter of O’Reilly Rose, who won nine races up to Group Three level and also placed in the Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m). Autumn Boy was offered by Amarina Farm during the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock bought him for A$200,000. Waller, who also trained Autumn Boy’s sire The Autumn Sun to win the Caulfield Guineas in 2018, guided the colt through a perfect two-start, two-win preparation as a two-year-old that culminated in a scintillating Listed Tattersalls Stakes (1400m) victory at Eagle Farm in June. Autumn Boy opened his three-year-old season with a second in the Gr.3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) and a seventh in the Gr.1 Golden Rose (1400m). Waller believed he was crying out for the 1600m distance of Saturday’s Guineas, and an outstanding victory proved that point. “We’re proud of all the horses that come through the stable, but when we’ve had champions like The Autumn Sun and we’ve got sons and daughters, it’s pretty special,” Waller said. “We won the Epsom (Gr.1, 1600m) with Autumn Glow last week, and now it’s a super colt with Autumn Boy. It’s pretty special. “This always looked like his race. We like to identify talent and then try and get them to that big-ticket item. Today’s such an important race in the horse’s career, a chance for a colt to announce themselves on the big stage. Glenn Ritchie and his wife have been so supportive of the stable. They’ve become good friends of ours and kept investing, kept investing, and we’ve managed to buy them a really nice horse. “As a young horse, before he even trialed, we were getting positive feedback. When he trialed, it was positive. When he had his first run, he beat a short-priced favourite from the stable at a big price. Everything’s been positive, we took him to Queensland and gave him a trip away. I think we did that with his dad as well, maybe all of our Caulfield Guineas winners. It’s just about experience, we know they’ve got talent and harnessing that.” Waller was largely unfazed by Autumn Boy’s defeat in the Golden Rose on September 27. “That race was run in track-record time,” he said. “Full credit to the winner (Beiwacht), he led them up and won. The backmarkers just didn’t quite get into the race. We didn’t lose faith. The ratings people and our form guys said he’s the one, and sure enough they were right. “The sectional timings suggested he actually ran quite well. It was his first time in the big dance or the big-time races. He’s come through the run well. He’s come down here with plenty of time. The team down here have done a great job. We brought him to Caulfield, we ticked all the boxes, and everything suggested he was ready to run a big race.” Jockey Damian Lane had Autumn Boy handily placed in fifth spot in the Guineas on Saturday, then switched across heels and angled him into clear air on the outside at the home turn. Autumn Boy warmed into his work and strode to the lead with 150m to run, going on to beat the late-finishing Planet Red by three-quarters of a length with another two lengths back to the third-placed Observer. “He’s a beautiful colt that just takes everything in his stride,” Lane said. “He’s very easy to deal with and had a great turn of foot when needed. You need that to win these big races, and when he joined in, he really joined in. “I had a great run. I was able to use my barrier speed, which was good, but then just found myself in a bit of a tricky spot in the corner. Once I navigated that, he put the race away pretty quick. Very easy horse to handle, and as a result, had a nice run.” Autumn Boy has now had five starts for three wins, a second and just over A$2 million in prize-money. View the full article

Just when it seemed like she might be slipping off the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) radar, Cool Aza Rene (Cool Aza Beel) turned her spring around on Saturday and delivered a ninth win for Te Akau Racing in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton. The powerhouse stable had previously won the South Island’s most important Guineas lead-up with King’s Chapel (2003), Sea Saint (2005), Princess Coup (2006), King’s Rose (2010), Abidewithme (2012), Costa Viva (2013), Cornflower Blue (2020) and Star Of Justice (2023). Cool Aza Rene was one of three runners in this year’s race for Te Akau trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson but was the least fancied of the trio at $9.70. After slick wins in four of her five starts as a two-year-old last season, the daughter of former Te Akau star Cool Aza Beel had hinted at some distance limitations in her first two races as a three-year-old. She was run down late by stablemate Belle Du Monde (Zoustar) in a 1000m three-year-old race on August 30, then finished only eighth in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) on September 13. But Cool Aza Rene turned that theory on its head when she stepped up to 1400m on Saturday and delivered a sparkling performance. Ridden by high-flying Brazilian jockey Bruno Queiroz, Cool Aza Rene enjoyed a perfect run in third with the front-runners El Vaquero (NZ) (Ferrando) and Miss Starlight (NZ) (Sweynesse) squarely in her sights. There was no room to the inside of that pair or in between them at the top of the straight, so Queiroz had to change ground and switch across heels to their outside. Once Cool Aza Rene found clear air, she pinned her ears back and accelerated. She dashed past the front-running pair and took a clear lead, and she kept going strongly to the line to hold out the fast-finishing Alottago (Tagaloa) and Miss Ziggy (NZ) (Brazen Beau) by three-quarters of a length. The other two Te Akau runners, Belle Du Monde and Origin Of Love (Snitzel), finished fourth and fifth respectively. “We thought our three fillies were hard to split in this race,” Bergerson said. “Cool Aza Rene might have been a query at the 1400m, but she’s so tough and so game. She has a good, positive racing style and knows where the winning post is, and that’s always a good attribute to have. “It was a great ride by Bruno. He had to change ground in the straight, but then she was so strong to the line. It was a fantastic effort. “We’ve been fortunate enough to have had a bit of luck in this race. Three-year-old black-type races like this aren’t easy to win, so we cherish them all.” The TAB had all but dismissed Cool Aza Rene as a 1000 Guineas contender before Saturday’s comeback win, offering a quote of $81. She has now dropped right into $16, with stablemates Belle Du Monde and Origin Of Love both rated $26 chances. “With this win under her belt, hopefully it’s onwards and upwards from here for Cool Aza Rene,” Bergerson said. “Belle Du Monde had a bit of a chequered run today and can improve on that, especially stepping up to the mile. Origin Of Love just lacks a little bit of ringcraft. She’ll keep getting better with the more we do with her.” David Ellis bought Cool Aza Rene for A$55,000 from Book 2 of the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She has now had eight starts for five wins, a second placing and $171,100 in stakes. Cool Aza Rene completed a winning treble at Ashburton on Saturday for Queiroz, who had earlier been successful aboard Court Of Appeal (NZ) (Eminent) and Sir Albert (NZ) (Savabeel). “I’m very happy here in New Zealand and enjoying it,” he said. “Thanks very much to the owners and trainers for supporting me, and my manager Andre Neill is doing a great job. “The trainers told me she (Cool Aza Rene) was ready for a good race today. The good track suited her, and she had a good barrier (three). She jumped fast and then was very easy to ride from there. She was travelling so well. I just had to wait for my gap, and then she flew.” View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk As the in-form Jake heads back to Motukarara on Sunday, owner/breeder Grahame Scurr is hoping his golden run is far from over. The Bettor’s Delight eight-year-old has won two of his last three starts and is gunning for career win number six in the Clubs NZ Race Days January and February 2026 Pace (Race 7, 3.05pm). “He is just jumping out of his skin,” says Scurr, “he’s absolutely thriving.” Now 74, the retired poultry farmer has been involved in racing for more than half a century. “I’ve had horses since I was 17 or 18 – mainly shares with my father.” And Jake has provided him with two of his highlights. “There was one day at Oamaru (March 2021) when he was 11 wide turning for home and he got up to win and then his last win at Methven (September 7) when he sat parked and still ran away.” “There are two of the best moments.” But it hasn’t been all plain sailing. It was an incident with Jake at his property at Lincoln around four months ago that saw him hospitalised. “I’ve got Parkinsons and I am a bit slow and I was between the cart and a wall and he backed up on me and he crushed four of my vertebrae.” He didn’t have surgery but spent four weeks in hospital and many more recovering. “I’m still bloody hopeless,” he says. Over the years Scurr’s trained four winners – Life’s Exciting at Rangiora in 2010, K C Monet at Addington in 2013, and two with Oursue in 2011. Jake is Oursue’s second foal and was initially trained by Dean Taylor, debuting in 2019. “He won three for Dean and he went in the wind and had an operation,” says Scurr, “so we just brought him home and put him aside.” Scurr then planned to train the horse himself. “I can’t tell how many hours I jogged him behind my old car in the paddock and had him going alright.” But Scurr then injured his hand, prompting him to literally pass the reins to Coes Ford-based trainer Ross Cameron. After being away from racing for 1281 days (from December 2021) Jake returned to the races at Addington in June this year. He’s since had nine starts (and two wins). On Sunday Jake returns to Motukarara. He hasn’t won there before but does have an excellent grass track record with three wins and two placings. He faces a field that includes Ideal Conqueror who’s won his last two starts for Jonny Cox and the in-form pairing of Treasure Cove and Quicker Than Quick though Scurr is as confident as he can be. “He’s the best he’s ever been”. Jake is currently at $14, with Treasure Cove at $3, Quicker Than Quick at $5 and Nasana at $7. The race is due to go at 3.05pm. View the full article

We are back at Sha Tin again on Sunday, with a good mix of competitive races leading up to the feature Class Two Shing Mun Handicap (1,200m). Owen Goulding is back in the hot seat with an extended rundown of his selections. Race 1 – Class Five Chai Wan Kok Handicap (1,200m) Sky Song is yet to win at Sha Tin, but he ran well at the track last time out and now drops into a grade that he is unbeaten in. Race 2 – Class Four Kwok Shui Handicap (1,200m) – first section Circuit Victory has been...View the full article