Wandering Eyes

The Map. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) The Map has been retired following a disappointing performance in Saturday’s Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes (2600m) at Morphettville. Trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray made the tough decision after the mare failed to show her usual finish and didn’t recover fully from the race. The six-year-old finished eighth, 4.5-lengths behind the winner, Gotta Go Guru. The Map had been aimed at redemption in next month’s Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m), after finishing as the runner-up to Excelleration in the same race last year. Clarken admitted that the decision was hard but was made with the mare’s best interests in mind. “She was below par yesterday and we made a decision on course yesterday that we would retire her,” Clarken told Racing.com. “Oopy rang me this morning and said she’s pulled up quite rough too, so the decision was made and we’ll stick by it.” Reflecting on her career, Clarken added, “It’s been a huge ride and there was a bit of emotion there yesterday with the boys – we went out the back at Morphettville underneath the grandstand and had a drink to toast her. “There were a few tears from some of those burly blokes.” Horse racing news View the full article

Rachel King. Photo: HKJC Rachel King made history in Japan on Sunday, becoming the first female jockey to ride a Grade 1 winner in the country. She achieved the milestone aboard Costa Nova in the Grade 1 February Stakes (1600m) at Tokyo. Costa Nova entered the Grade 1 race following a victory in Grade 3 company earlier this month. The Tetsuya Kimura-trained five-year-old surged to the front with 200 metres remaining and held off a late challenge from Sunrise Zipangu to win by three-quarters of a length. The favourite with horse racing betting sites, Mikki Flight, finished another 1.25 lengths behind in third. 2025 Grade 1 February Stakes Replay – Costa Nova https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Tokyo-2025-Grade-1-February-Stakes-23022025-Costa-Nova-Tetsuya-Kimura-Rachel-King.mp4 King, who is once again riding in Japan on a short-term license, reflected on the historic achievement, saying: “I’m very proud to be the first female jockey (to have won a Grade 1 title) but also proud that Japan has welcomed me as a jockey and not just a ‘female’ jockey, something that I’ve always strived to be. “I’m one of everyone and we’re treated the same, so I’m always thankful to all the supporters for welcoming me like that. “They’ve given me huge support last year and also this year, so it’s nice to be able to repay them with a Group 1 (win).” Horse racing news View the full article

By Jonny Turner The Williamsons rolled into Cromwell over the weekend and the results were rather familiar. Brad Williamson’s winning double yesterday added to the incredible success his family have enjoyed at the Central Otago venue which is something of a home away from home for them. Brad kicked Sunday’s meeting off in style with Isobel running to an impressive debut victory in Race 1, the Central Otago Motor Group Trot. The three-year-old trialled impressively ahead of her first start and she produced a faultless trotting display under the pressure of race day. “She was quite impressive, I was pretty pleased with her.” “The way she went today we might be able to aim her at some of the three-year-old fillies races and see whether she can step up to that level.” “She has come a long way this prep, so she will have a bit of a freshen-up now.” “She is a horse with a bit of a future.” Kracka Looka has been making up for lost time this preparation and that continued with her dead-heat victory along with Miles Away in the Night ‘N Day Cromwell Trot. The mare started her career with a bang, winning her debut as a two-year-old before going on to race at Group 1 level. But Kracka Looka was limited to just one start as a three-year-old. “She won first up at Ashburton and looked quite promising early on.” “But the further she went on the wheels sort of fell off.” “She had a bit of a breathing issue so we got that sorted and she is back on track now.” “She went really well today, she didn’t get too many favours but to get the dead-heat was good.” Yesterday’s victory was Kracka Looka’s second in just three starts back from her time away from racing. Williamson said he plans to continue to race the mare in the grades as autumn approaches. “She should only keep getting better with more racing.” Phil Williamson got in on the winning action at Cromwell with Jimmy Carter taking out yesterday’s feature trot, the Anderson Park Motel Handicap Trot. The veteran prevailed in a close finish with his stablemate Practical Magic, who ran to her fifth consecutive second placing. Williamson admitted before yesterday’s meeting Jimmy Carter produced a fair effort by his normal standards at Cromwell on Friday and he wasn’t exactly sure of what to expect from the horse on Sunday. But the trotter bounced back to his best form with the aid of a sweet trip in the trail found by driver John Morrison. Nathan Williamson was also among the winners at Cromwell yesterday, with Adamas breaking his maiden in Race 4, the Shannon Farm Mobile Pace. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Kiwis are likely to see champion Aussie pacer Leap To Fame in the flesh earlier than expected. The six-year-old heads to a title defence in the $1m Miracle Mile at his next run on Saturday week, then the focus switches to the $1m Race by Betcha at Cambridge on April 4. But owner Kevin Seymour said it was “most likely” Leap To Fame would have a lead-up run at Cambridge in the $60,000 Group 2 Waikato Flying Mile on March 28. “Grant will start locking down plans over the next week or so,” Seymour said. “Providing he comes through the Miracle Mile well, we’d like to head over (to NZ) early, out of Sydney, rather than taking him back home first. “He’ll need a run with a month between the big races and giving him a look at Cambridge makes sense. That’s the most likely plan at this stage. “It will be great to finally get across (to NZ) with him after he missed two planned trips last year, especially the NZ Cup. “It’s definitely something we want to do with him, see how he goes against NZ’s best on their home ground.” Leap To Fame became the first confirmed Miracle Mile runner when he brilliantly won the Group 2 Newcastle Mile last Friday night. The entire obliterated the track record with his 1min49sec flat mile taking 1.6sec off the old mark. “The most pleasing part was how strong he felt through the line at the finish,” Dixon said. Dixon was straight on the road from Newcastle to his Tambourine base outside of Brisbane so Leap To Fame could get maximum time in his own surroundings before heading to Menangle. “He’ll need to head down early for the retention barn, but we can get about 10 days at home where he absolutely thrives,” he said. In other news, dual NZ Cup winner Swayzee will take his place in one of the Miracle Mile qualifiers at Menangle on Saturday night. “With me up here (Brisbane), Cam Hart was good enough to go and drive him in work for me (Saturday) and he was very happy, so he will definitely run this week,” trainer Jason Grimson said. “I know people say he’s a stayer and the mile won’t suit, but I think he’ll surprise them. “He’s got a great chance of winning (the Miracle Mile) if he can settle in front of Leap To Fame.” Swayzee took his career record to 2-3 against Leap To Fame when he led throughout and beat him in the Hunter Cup on February 1. Grimson said stable newcomer Captain Ravishing and star former Kiwi mare Aardie’s Express would be his other key runners in the Miracle Mile qualifiers at Menangle on Saturday night. View the full article

For the fourth time in a row, and continuing down the Road to the Kentucky Derby with 50 more points, Coal Battle (Coal Front) pulled out a win, this time in the GII Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Having made the jump to the two-turn contests last out at this venue in the Listed Smarty Jones Stakes to start his season, the Lonnie Briley trainee was given 11-1 odds to continue his win streak and did not disappoint. Content to watch as Madaket Road (Quality Road) stepped forward to control the tempo, the field was tasked with catching that longtime leader as they entered the lane, and it was Coal Battle who stood the best chance. Fighting to the front as the pacesetter kept on from the rail, he had more than enough left to hold off any second wind from the runner-up and the late dash of Sandman (Tapit) on the wire. Briley confirmed after the race that the next target is the GI Arkansas Derby, and if things go well from there, likely the first Saturday in May. Sale history: $70,000 Ylg '23 TTAYRL. O-Norman Stables LLC; B-Hume Wornall & Jay Adcock (KY); T-Lonnie Briley. Coal Battle wants to go to Louisville! He grabs 50 Kentucky Derby points in the G2 Rebel! Lonnie Briley trains the 3YO colt and Juan Vargas was aboard! Four wins in a row for Coal Battle! TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/PAGvJdRIFF — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) February 23, 2025 The post The Cinderella Story Continues as Coal Battle Grinds Out the Win in Rebel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Rachel King became the first female jockey to win a group one on the Japan Racing Association circuit Feb. 23, guiding Costa Nova to victory in the February Stakes (G1) and punching a ticket to the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).View the full article

Holy Bull Stakes (G3) winner Burnham Square aims to continue his Gulfstream Park success in the $415,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) against seven rivals March 1.View the full article

Voyage Bubble careers away for his fourth Group 1 win. Photo: HKJC James McDonald attributed a dramatic HK$13 million Group 1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) victory to Voyage Bubble’s class and courage after the pair overcame several obstacles at Sha Tin on Sunday. Having arrived at Sha Tin from Riyadh, where he partnered Romantic Warrior into second place in a pulsating Group 1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt), McDonald encountered trouble near the 800m when Voyage Bubble clipped heels, resulting in the pair being shuffled to second last in the 10-horse field. Unflustered, McDonald regrouped before spearing a willing Voyage Bubble through a gap at the 300m before the Deep Field gelding powered clear away from Ensued to win by almost four lengths with Chancheng Glory third in 2:00.59. 2025 Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup Replay – Voyage Bubble https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Sha-Tin-2025-Group-1-Hong-Kong-Gold-Cup-23022025-Voyage-Bubble-Ricky-Yiu-James-McDonald.mp4 “It wasn’t smooth sailing but he’s a great racehorse. I’m lucky to have him as a partner because he got me out of a sticky situation. It was very muddling and he overcame many obstacles throughout that race to come away for a great victory,” McDonald said. “We got shuffled back but he’s a great racehorse and he got us out of trouble. We might have found a new way of riding him as well. Who knows? “He’s not a one-trick pony, he’s got so many strings to his bow and I really enjoy riding him even though it was hairy through the middle stages – it wasn’t ideal at all.” With his 10th victory from 24 starts, Voyage Bubble kept alive hopes of landing a HK$10 million bonus for winning all three legs of the Triple Crown Series. With the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and Hong Kong Gold Cup already secured, the Deep Field gelding needs to win the Group 1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) on May 25 to sweep the series and become the second horse to do so after River Verdon (1993/94). “That’s (2400m) another pain barrier he’s got to go through and he’s a great racehorse and we have seen it with the great horse (Romantic Warrior) last night how good these Hong Kong horses are – they’re as tough as they come – and they fly the flag anywhere,” McDonald said. “Definitely going to be a new challenge for him, but he’s up to it.” Revelling in his first Group 1 success at 2000m, Yiu said: “I’m a bit optimistic to run him over 2400m. Before James takes off tonight, we’re going to have a little celebration party and I’m going to have a good chat with him to see where we go next. I’m pretty optimistic – we’ll take the challenge.” Horse racing news View the full article

Ka Ying Rising makes it 10 wins in a row with success in the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m). Photo: HKJC Ka Ying Rising continued his imperious reign as Hong Kong’s sprint monarch with a superb victory in the HK$13 million Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) for David Hayes and Karis Teetan at Sha Tin on Sunday (23 February) as the world’s joint highest-rated sprinter landed his third Group 1. Settling outside the leader and last year’s winner California Spangle, Ka Ying Rising cruised to the lead entering the straight before rallying late under pressure to resist the charge of John Size-trained quartet Helios Express (second), Howdeepisyourlove (third), Beauty Eternal (fourth) and Red Lion (fifth). Recording a slick 1:20.33 at his first attempt over 1400m, Ka Ying Rising notched his 11th win from 13 starts to secure the second leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series. Having already annexed the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m), Ka Ying Rising will attempt to clinch a HK$5 million bonus with success in the HK$22 million Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on April 27. Hayes admitted to rare anxiety when Helios Express emerged from a chasing pack to raise a serious challenge at the 200m. “I had a nervous moment at the 200m but on the line I think he was holding them very well. It was an enjoyable last 100m but a frightening 200m,” Hayes said. “(Karis) said when he put him under pressure he responded and he felt he didn’t have to give him much more. “He’s a very special horse. There should be a lot more to come. “I have always said he’s a miler but he’s just such a good sprinter (so) I’m a bit loath to change. They were closer to him at the 1200m than the 1400m. He’s got two more races for an undefeated season, or maybe one race if he feels this (race).” 2025 Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup Replay – Ka Ying Rising https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Sha-Tin-2025-Group-1-Queens-Silver-Jubilee-Cup-23022025-Ka-Ying-Rising-David-Hayes-Karis-Teetan.mp4 Hayes indicated he would monitor Ka Ying Rising’s recovery from today’s race before finalising plans for the Chairman’s Sprint Prize. “He’s won 10 in a row at basically a month between runs so I’m a bit loath to change if he does well. Substituting for injured Zac Purton, Teetan was ecstatic post-race. “It’s unbelievable how this opportunity came up to be sitting on one of the world’s best horses. I’m just really thankful that everything worked out well – I think I was just the pilot on him today,” the Mauritian said. “He flew out of the gate, I wanted him to use the early speed that he has but sort of dropped my hands and he just came back to me pretty easily and he was waiting for me to press the button and, when I did, he produced really well. “I want to thank the owner and David and finally Zac. I spoke to him during the week and he was really kind. He said ‘Just know you’re on the best horse and ride him like that and trust him’, so thank you to Zac.” Ka Ying Rising forged through the 400m section from 1200m to the 800m in 21.67s before clocking 45.46s for the final 800m, while fellow Group 1 winner Beauty Eternal produced the best final 800m split of 44.99s. By Shamexpress, Ka Ying Rising gave the Hayes family a Group 1 double across the weekend following Mr Brightside’s win in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday. Horse racing news View the full article

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Jockey Rachel King became the first female jockey to win a group one on the Japan Racing Association circuit Feb. 23, guiding Costa Nova to victory in the February Stakes (G1) and punching a ticket to the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).View the full article

Voyage Bubble overcame a troubled trip to win the Hong Kong Gold Cup (G1) at Sha Tin Feb. 23 under James McDonald. He powered clear away from Ensued to win by almost four lengths.View the full article

After an understandably frustrating string of second and thirds in the graded rankings since breaking her maiden last year, Quietside (Malibu Moon) has ended the streak with a gutsy display in the GIII Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn Park. A homebred for Shortleaf Stable, she had consistently shown up against some of the best in her generation, finishing second in the GI Spinaway to champion 2-year-old filly MGISW Immersive (Nyquist) last August and third behind that one–and Quickick (McKinzie), who made her return to the races here–in October when they met again in the GI Darley Alcibiades at Keeneland. From there she locked horns with the likes of undefeated MGSW Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) and SW Take Charge Milady (Take Charge Indy), the runner up in both meetings. Rolling along from second as Five G (Vekoma) rocketed to the front from the outside, she bided her time with 4-5 favorite 'TDN Rising Star' Muhimma (Munnings) at her hip as that one had to stalk the pace for the first time. Pouncing in the lane as her rivals gamely refused to quit, she kept them all at bay to secure her first graded victory. Jose Ortiz claimed his fourth race on the card while the filly claimed 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. O/B-Shortleaf Stable (KY); T-John A. Ortiz. #12 QUIETSIDE ($22.40) earns 50 Kentucky Oaks points with an upset victory in the $500,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3 at @OaklawnRacing! @jose93_ortiz was aboard for trainer @johnnyortiz24. This is the Malibu Moon filly's first stakes victory after four stakes placings. pic.twitter.com/If6ZFWw9ij — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 23, 2025 The post A Bridesmaid No More: Quietside Steps Up to Upset Honeybee appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Rachel King became the first female jockey to win a group one on the Japan Racing Association circuit Feb. 23, guiding Costa Nova to victory in the February Stakes (G1) and punching a ticket to the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).View the full article

Barnes and Rodriguez, candidates to run in the March 1 San Felipe Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds, each worked in company Feb. 23 for trainer Bob Baffert. Citizen Bull also worked, with his next start expected to come in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).View the full article

Jockey Rachel King became the first female jockey to win a group one on the Japan Racing Association circuit Feb. 23, guiding Costa Nova to victory in the February Stakes (G1) and punching a ticket to the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).View the full article

Ka Ying Rising continued his imperious reign as Hong Kong's sprint monarch with a superb victory in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup for trainer David Hayes and jockey Karis Teetan at Sha Tin.View the full article

Luxor Cafe, a son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, has catapulted to the top of the Japan's Kentucky Derby leaderboard after a confident ride from Rachel King earned a victory in the Hyacinth Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse.View the full article

Cornucopian (c, 3, Into Mischief–Magical World, by Distorted Humor) left his backers in little doubt on his unveiling, running his competition off their feet and on to 'TDN Rising Stardom' for his connections. Away quickly from the gates, the son of the venerable Into Mischief flashed good early foot as the 3-5 favorite and sailed along through :21.86 and :45.50 splits while 34-1 longshot Oil Capital (Maclean's Music) tried to make a race of it. Hounded relentlessly by that one going into the bend, he was well in control coming into the home straight and the question then was how much he wanted to win by. Applying a generous closing kick, he came in with air to spare as Zero Sugar (Twirling Candy) and Oy Gevald (Game Winner) battled for the respective minors a long way behind him. Cornucopian is the 49th 'TDN Rising Star' for his sire. The victor is the third offspring for his dam Magical World to get the stamp of approval from the TDN, following in the footsteps of elder sisters MGISW Guarana (Ghostzapper) and SW & GSP Magic Dance (More Than Ready). Sales history: $1,100,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Masterson, Robert E., Ryan, Tom J., Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine; B-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC & Whisper Hill Farm, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. #7 CORNUCOPIAN ($3.40) impressively wins Race 5 at @OaklawnRacing under @iradortiz for trainer @BobBaffert. Congratulations to all of the connections with this 3yo son of @SpendthriftFarm's Into Mischief. @StarlightRacing @TomRyanKY @MadaketStables @StonestreetFarm pic.twitter.com/fh9oM4Bvzi — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 23, 2025 The post Into Mischief’s Cornucopian Coasts Home at Oaklawn to ‘Rising Stardom’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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1st-Oaklawn, $110,000, Msw, 2-23, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:43.48, ft, 3 1/4 lengths. CLEVER AGAIN (c, 3, American Pharoah–Flattering {Ire} {GSW-Ire, SP-Eng}, by Galileo {Ire}) finished runner up in his debut going 4 1/2 panels at Keeneland last April and was benched for the remainder of the season. Marking his return while stretched past a mile for the first time, the 2-1 favorite took control from the onset, led at every call and was 3 1/4-lengths clear of Shepherd (Laoban) at the wire. A full-sister to English and Irish champion Love (Ire), Flattering is also responsible for a juvenile filly by Quality Road, who was ultimately repatriated to Ireland, and a yearling colt by Gun Runner. She was bred back to the Three Chimneys stallion. Sales history: $500,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $81,400. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael B. and Derrick Smith; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. The post American Pharoah’s Clever Again Graduates at Oaklawn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Still dealing with the effects of the winter weather which caused the cancellation of four racing days last week, Mahoning Valley has shifted its racing schedule for the coming week. The card drawn for Monday will instead be run next Saturday, while Tuesday's card will be run Sunday. First post for both cards will be 12:15 p.m. The post Mahoning Valley Shifts Racing Schedule appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

John Parker's sophomore-runner Lonesome Boy, who raced exclusively on the East Coast last year and took the City of Brotherly Love Stakes at Parx Racing, was named Washington's Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old colt or gelding.View the full article

Stakes winner Lonesome Boy (Nationhood) was named Washington's Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old at a ceremony held Saturday at Emerald Downs Racetrack. Owned by John Parker and campaigned on the East Coast, the bay colt won the City of Brotherly Love Stakes at Parx last March. Parker repeated as the state's leading owner for the second year in a row. Top 2-year-old honors were shared by Blue Ribbon Racing #23's unbeaten three-time stakes-winning filly Precise Timing (Dialed In) and Dr. Jack and Margaret “Cookie” Root's homebred Big Bowie (Mr. Big). Jill Fabulich and Lori Heist's Chai (Race Day), who like Precise Timing was bred by Rick and Debbie Pabst, was named champion 3-year-old filly. Older horses Slew's Tiz Whiz (Slew's Tiznow) and Blazingbellablu (Grazen) were each named state champions for the third time in a row. Slew's Crew Racing's Slew's Tiz Whiz, who was the 2022-23 Washington Horse of the Year, earned the title of champion older horse for the third time and is now a two-time champion sprinter. Petra Lewin and trainer Charlie Essex's homebred Blazingbellablu was the state's 2021 Horse of the Year and the now-retired broodmare was named champion older filly or mare in 2022 through 2024. Tampa Bay Downs race caller, podcast host and Washington native Jason Beem was honored with the Mark Kaufman Media Award and retiring Washington Horse Racing Commissioner Robert Lopez was given the WTBOA/WHBPA Special Recognition Award. Four other special recognition awards were given to trainers Bonnie Jenne and Tim McCanna (for reaching the 2,500th pinnacle), jockey J. Carlos Montalvo and Emerald Downs track superintendent Wayne Damron. For the second year in a row, and eighth time overall, Nina and Ron Hagen were named the state's breeders of the year. The post Lonesome Boy Named 2024 Washington Horse of the Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After Brian Sheerin provided his 10 horses to follow during the 2025 Irish Flat season, we now head to Britain where Adam Houghton has been pouring over the pedigrees and performances to narrow down his list of under-the-radar three-year-olds–including potential Classic contenders available at odds of 33-1 and 40-1 for their respective targets. Almeric (GB) Study Of Man (Ire) colt out of Alvarita (GB) (Selkirk) Form: 41 Trainer: Andrew Balding Study Of Man only has 58 two-year-olds to run for him this year, but there's enough promise among his latest crop of three-year-olds to suggest this is a stallion we're going to continue to hear plenty about in the coming months, after a blistering start to his second career at Lanwades Stud. One such name to look out for is that of Almeric, a homebred from the family synonymous with Lanwades owner Kirsten Rausing. His maiden victory at York in October saw him become the tenth winner (from 13 runners) out of his Listed-winning dam, with the others including the G3 Kilternan Stakes scorer Alla Speranza (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}). Alvarita, in turn, is out of the dual G1 Champion Stakes heroine Alborada (GB) (Alzao), a full-sister to the three-time Group 1 winner Albanova, whose Listed-winning daughters All At Sea (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Alwilda (GB) (Hernando {Fr}) have produced Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}), respectively. All eyes will be on Alpinista's two-year-old full-sister, recently named Alpinara, when she takes to the track this year with a 2.5 million guineas price tag on her head, but Almeric could be the one to watch after his breakthrough win on the Knavesmire, by a length from the standard-setting favourite. That appeals as strong form–the first two pulled four lengths clear of a next-time-out winner in third–and the way Almeric came home over a mile on soft ground suggests he'll be well suited by middle-distances this year. Cathedral (GB) Too Darn Hot (GB) filly out of War And Peace (GB) (Frankel {GB}) Form: 12 Trainer: Ralph Beckett Ralph Beckett had so many promising two-year-old winners in 2024 that this list could very easily have been populated by horses trained exclusively at Kimpton Down Stables, but in the end it was Cathedral who got the nod, after she showed more than a hint of star quality in two starts last season. The daughter of Too Darn Hot had plenty of admirers from early on last year, notably fetching the joint-top price for a filly at the Arqana May Breeze-up Sale when going the way of the Amo Racing team for €800,000. She then didn't make her debut until lining up in a six-furlong fillies' maiden at Lingfield in September, but it proved well worth the wait as she sprinted to a clear-cut win by over four lengths. Though beaten when stepped up in class and distance for the seven-furlong G3 Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket the following month, Cathedral arguably went through that race like the best horse, travelling powerfully into contention before being worried out of it close home by Ballydoyle second string Merrily (No Nay Never). Certainly, Cathedral has the scope to do better as a three-year-old with only two starts under her belt, with a Classic trial such as the Nell Gwyn appealing as a suitable starting point. She should stay a mile on pedigree–her dam is an unraced half-sister to last year's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}), also trained by Beckett–and odds of 33-1 for the 1,000 Guineas surely won't last if she can build on last year's promise on her return. That gear change from €800k debutante Cathedral @amoracingltd could have a smart one on their hands… pic.twitter.com/I3nbaIQrch — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 4, 2024 Good Banter (Ire) Calyx (GB) colt out of The Stalking Moon (Ire) (Arcano {Ire}) Form: 211 Trainer: Clive Cox Beaten just a head on his debut at Salisbury in August, Good Banter has since confirmed the promise of that effort with back-to-back victories on the all-weather at Wolverhampton. He was last seen winning a six-furlong novice there in November, since which time the form could hardly have worked out better, with the second, The Quiet Gent (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), and third, Don Pacifico (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), both winning next-time-out. Good Banter ran out the winner by nearly two lengths, despite conceding 7lb to both of the placed horses, earning himself an opening BHA mark of 93. That appeals as being more than fair and he could be one to rack up a sequence in three-year-old sprint handicaps for Clive Cox and owners Paul and Clare Rooney, who enjoyed some good days with a similar type last year in James's Delight (Ire) (Invincible Army {Ire}), the Listed winner who pushed his rating from 88 to 110. Northern Ticker (Ire) Mehmas (Ire) gelding out of Moment Of Hope (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) Form: 3113 Trainer: Michael Dods If Cox is renowned as an expert handler of sprinters, then County Durham trainer Michael Dods most definitely belongs in the same category, having enjoyed notable success with Mecca's Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Mabs Cross (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) and Azure Blue (Ire) (El Kabeir), to name just a few. Northern Ticker still has some to way to go if he's to be mentioned in the same breath as that trio, but he achieved a lot in a short space of time as a two-year-old, winning twice after an encouraging debut at Carlisle, before signing off with a third-place finish in the Listed Two Year Old Trophy at Redcar in October. He was very well backed on the last occasion, returning an SP of 5-2 in a field of 19, and even in defeat there was plenty to like about his performance. He certainly travelled like the winner for much of the contest and the fact he was beaten just a length saw him emerge as the best horse at the weights, having conceded 4lb to each of the front pair. Northern Ticker was raised to a BHA mark of 101 on the back of that run, so it will be interesting to see whether his connections test the waters in handicaps this year or pitch him straight in at the deep end. Either way, he's likely to be contesting Group races before the season is out, very much a sprinter going places. Candy lands a surprise victory in the Listed William Hill Two Year Old Trophy for George Wood and Richard Spencer @WilliamHill @Richspencer89 pic.twitter.com/tq6EKfIQQr — Redcar Racecourse (@Redcarracing) October 5, 2024 Realign (Fr) Blue Point (Ire) colt out of Maggies Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) Form: 23 Trainer: William Haggas Like Cathedral, Realign was an expensive purchase at the Arqana May Breeze-up Sale, when bought by Blandford Bloodstock–on behalf of Wathnan Racing–for €550,000, before showing plenty of promise without managing to get his head in front in two starts for the William Haggas yard. Runner-up when making his debut over six furlongs at Newmarket in August, he was beaten only two lengths there by none other than Shadow Of Light (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), the subsequent dual Group 1 winner who was, admittedly, giving him 7lb. Three weeks later he made his second appearance in the Convivial Maiden at York's Ebor Festival, the richest race of its type in Britain, where he posted another encouraging effort to finish third (beaten four lengths) behind the ill-fated Angelo Buonarroti (Justify). A son of Blue Point and the Listed-placed sprinter Maggies Angel, Realign shaped over seven furlongs on the Knavesmire like a drop back to six would be in his favour, looking the biggest threat to the winner at one stage before tiring late on. A good-looking sort, he should have more to offer as a three-year-old and winning a maiden/novice is likely to be a mere formality on his way to bigger and better things. Sacred Fire (GB) Cracksman (GB) colt out of Hurricane Harriet (GB) (Bertolini) Form: 1 Trainer(s): John and Thady Gosden The fact Sacred Fire was an 18-1 shot when making his debut at Newmarket in early-November suggests his subsequent victory rather took his powerful connections by surprise, but it was certainly an encouraging start to his career as he edged out a well-touted rival from the Beckett yard by a neck, despite edging right throughout the final two furlongs. The Gosden stable won the same seven-furlong novice in 2021 with the classy Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) and the form of the latest edition is already working out well, with the fifth, Noble Champion (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), and seventh, Merchant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), both among the winners on the all-weather this winter. A 70,000gns purchase at the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale, Sacred Fire is the fourth winner from five runners out of his winning dam, with the others including the G2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes heroine Move Swiftly (GB) (Farhh {GB}). He should progress and win more races in 2025, with a step up to a mile (and perhaps further) promising to play to his strengths. Tough Sacred Fire (Cracksman) digs deep to prevail on debut in the Cologne's German 2000 Guineas @BritishEBF Novice Stakes for John & Thady Gosden under Kieran Shoemark @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/ohP9W792dh — Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 1, 2024 Shes Perfect (Ire) Sioux Nation filly out of Galeaza (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) Form: 13 Trainer: Charlie Fellowes Shes Perfect made rather hard work of her debut success in a fillies' maiden at Haydock last August, but her effort when third in the British EBF £100,000 2yo Fillies' Series Final at Goodwood a few weeks later was much more like it, suggesting she's a filly with her best days still ahead of her as a three-year-old. In a race run on heavy ground, the daughter of Sioux Nation looked to be labouring at one stage, before making steady headway through the final two furlongs to be nearest at the line, less than three lengths behind the more aggressively-ridden winner, Love Talk (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}). Crucially, Shes Perfect was conceding 3lb to that filly, as well as the runner-up, Miss Nightfall (GB) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), who had previously finished third in the valuable sales race at Doncaster's St Leger Festival. That appeals as very solid form, especially with the subsequent Listed winner Glamis Road (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) back in fourth. She now has a BHA mark of 100, whereas Shes Perfect has been allotted an opening mark of just 88. She's clearly thought capable of better–certainly if her French Classic entries are anything to go by–and there should be a handicap or two to be won with her, before her connections start to consider black-type options. Stem (Ire) Calyx (GB) colt out of Princess Cleopatra (Bernardini) Form: 1 Trainer: Richard Hannon Johnny de la Hey, the owner of high-class chasers such as Cyrname (Fr) and Pic d'Orhy (Fr), is no stranger to big-race success at Ascot through his investment in National Hunt racing, but it could be time for him to swap his tweed for top hat and tails come the summer, when the exciting Stem might have a Royal Ascot date in his diary. There's a lot of water to pass under the bridge before then, of course, but it's fair to say that Stem could hardly have been more impressive when making a successful debut in a seven-furlong novice at Newbury last September. In a race run in conditions more suitable for National Hunt racing, the son of Calyx ploughed through the mud in a manner that his eight rivals simply couldn't live with, hitting the front inside the final two furlongs and gradually drawing clear from there to win by nine and a half lengths. That performance seemingly didn't come as a total surprise to trainer Richard Hannon, who spoke very highly of this colt in his post-race interview. A €120,000 purchase at the Arqana May Breeze-up Sale, he looks to have a very bright future and is one to follow when he steps up in grade, with no reason why he shouldn't prove just as effective on a sounder surface. Smart performance! Stem makes an eye-catching debut as he bolts up at @NewburyRacing for @rhannonracing and Ryan Moore… pic.twitter.com/aZBxQSS9DC — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 21, 2024 Treble Tee (Ire) Persian King (Ire) colt out of Sefroua (Kingmambo) Form: 1 Trainer(s): Simon and Ed Crisford The seven-furlong novice which went the way of Treble Tee at Newmarket last October looked a warm race of its type on paper, featuring a whole host of well-bred newcomers from powerful yards, and already its proving an informative contest with the third-, fifth- and seventh-place finishers all winning on the all-weather subsequently. In the race itself, Treble Tee belied his inexperience with a stylish performance, really impressing with the way he put the race to bed in the final furlong as he powered to the line over two lengths clear of Mudbir (GB) (Kingman {GB}), a sibling to the multiple Group 1 winners Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Nazeef (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) from the Gosden yard. Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, having been bought for €55,000 at the Arqana October Yearling Sale, Treble Tee is one of five winners from seven runners out of his Listed-winning dam, with the others including the G3 Prix Chloe scorer Suphala (Fr) (Frankel {GB}). A scopey sort, he's very much in the mould of his sire, Persian King (Ire), and it will be no surprise if he makes significant progress from two to three. Take the odds of 40-1 for the 2,000 Guineas now, before he appears in a Classic trial. Verse Of Love (GB) Siyouni (Fr) filly out of Vercelli (GB) (Shamardal) Form: 1 Trainer: Charlie Appleby Charlie Appleby and Godolphin already have one ready-made Classic contender in the shape of their unbeaten G1 Fillies' Mile winner Desert Flower (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), while Verse Of Love must be considered an enviable second string to have waiting in the wings after her stylish debut victory in the seven-furlong fillies' maiden which kicked off the Fillies' Mile card at Newmarket. Sent off the 2-1 favourite in a field of 15, the 'TDN Rising Star' justified that market confidence in no uncertain terms as she dished out a five-length beating to her rivals, showing her inexperience at various stages of the race but ultimately proving in a different league to the rest after moving up to lead over a furlong out. A Godolphin homebred, Verse Of Love is the first foal out of Vercelli (GB) (Shamardal), a half-sister to four black-type winners, headed by Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), a three-time Group 1 scorer in Australia. A general 16-1 chance for the 1,000 Guineas, she's another filly with the potential to advertise her claims in a trial between now and then. Even if that Classic comes a bit too soon in her development, there can be little doubt that she's a Pattern performer in the making. Verse Of Love (Siyouni) makes a lovely start, travelling powerfully and pulling clear of a talented and well-bred field for Charlie Appleby, @WilliamBuickX and @godolphin @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/R9ASRAqdlZ — Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 11, 2024 The post Under The Radar: 10 British-Trained Three-Year-Olds to Follow in 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article