Wandering Eyes

The Godolphin-Appleby-Buick triumvirate was in celebratory mood for a third time on the opening day of Newmarket's July Festival after TDN Rising Star Opera Ballo (Ghaiyyath) doubled his stakes tally with a decisive success in the Listed Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes. The €600,000 Arqana August graduate broke alertly and was steadied to track the leaders in fifth through halfway. Cruising forward on the bridle with a quarter-mile remaining, the 11-8 favourite was shaken up to assume command approaching the final furlong and kept on strongly in the closing stages to assert superiority in style. He was 2 3/4 lengths too good for Seagulls Eleven (Galileo Gold), with 1 1/2 lengths back to King Of Cities (Dubawi) in third. There's no doubt Opera Ball is a talent and he makes it four wins from five starts in the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes on a memorable day for William Buick, Charlie Appleby and @godolphin pic.twitter.com/DAL2OBrxag — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 10, 2025 The post Banner Day for Buick as TDN Rising Star Opera Ballo Wins the Henry Cecil appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland will present the most lucrative stakes schedule for a racing season in track history when it awards $10.85 million for 22 stakes scheduled for the 17-day fall meet from Oct. 3-25.View the full article

The Jockey Club announces the speakers for its 73rd Annual Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing, to be held July 31 at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., at 10 a.m. ET.View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features a seven-figure yearling. 4.10 Newmarket, Mdn, £25,000, 2yo, c/g, 7fT DISTANT STORM (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) bids to become Charlie Appleby's fourth winner of this important maiden since 2017, having topped the Arqana May Breeze-Up when selling for €1.9 million. A son of George Washington's only foal Date With Destiny, who produced the Group 3 winner Beautiful Morning (Galileo), he is the pick of William Buick of two stable runners. The stand-outs he encounters here are Ballydoyle's Constitution River (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), a €400,000 Arqana Deauville August graduate whose dam is a full-sister to the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes winner Wonderful Tonight; Jeff Smith's Venetian Prince (GB) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), an Andrew Balding-trained son of the G1 Juddmonte International heroine Arabian Queen and half-brother to the high-class See The Fire; and the Gredley Family's Aspect Island (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), a James Owen-trained full-brother to the accomplished sprinter Tasleet. 3.20 York, Novice, £30,000, 2yo, f, 6fT AYLIN (IRE) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}) is a major runner for Al Shaqab Racing and Amo Racing, having cost 600,000gns when sharing the honours of top-priced filly at Tattersalls October Book 2. Karl Burke introduces the daughter of Dark Angel's Listed winner Angelic Light in a race that includes Yuesheng Zhang's Secret Echo (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), a Roger Varian-trained relative of the Irish Oaks runner-up Rain Goddess. The post Arqana May Breeze-Up Topper Distant Storm Debuts At Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NBC News's Steve Kornacki, a national political correspondent who covers horse racing, including this year's Triple Crown, will provide the keynote address for the first half of the two-part Annual Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing, which will be held at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs, New York, on Thursday, July 31, at 10 a.m. ET. Everett Dobson, chair-elect of The Jockey Club, will be the second-half keynote speaker, and will discuss his plans for the organization and The Jockey Club's ongoing plans to help grow the sport. Other speakers and events for the Round Table Conference will include: Shawn Smeallie, founder of ACG Advocacy, who will discuss the state of horse racing in Washington, D.C. A presentation examining scheduling data will be given by John Stewart, CEO, and Chris Groer, CPO, Fastbreak AI. Fastbreak AI helps optimize the business of sports through AI-driven scheduling, operations, and sponsorship solutions. Griffin Johnson, a social media influencer with more than 14 million followers across TikTok, Instagram, and X, will discuss his journey and the role influencers can play in promoting horse racing with Shannon Kelly, director, Industry Relations, The Jockey Club. A panel featuring Dr. Allen Hershkowitz, environmental science advisor, New York Yankees, and Glen Kozak, executive vice president, Operations and Capital Projects, New York Racing Association Inc., will examine how sports and racing adapt to changes in weather. The panel will be moderated by James L. Gagliano, president and COO, The Jockey Club. The post Steve Kornacki Named Keynote Speaker For Jockey Club’s Annual Round Table Conference appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Brant Dunshea, acting chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), has revealed that the BHA is working to produce a set of “incredibly strict conditions” with Oisin Murphy following his conviction for drink-driving. Murphy, 29, was last week fined £70,000 and banned from driving for 20 months having pleaded guilty to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol. Until the criminal proceedings were finalised, the BHA did not have the full details surrounding the case, according to Dunshea, who confirmed that conversations with Murphy regarding the conditions of his licence are already underway. “Matters around licensing are personal in nature and every individual has different challenges,” Dunshea told ITV Racing on Thursday. “When it comes to licensing we maintain a private relationship with individuals. “There will be times when we have to deal with certain issues in a different way, not only to address issues that have emerged like in Oisin's situation, but also to support individuals who might be dealing with a whole range of challenges. “What has occurred, which has been reported and Oisin has spoken about that, is below the standard we would expect in terms of British racing. But, importantly, we make every effort to protect and enhance the safety of our jockeys and our horses. “As a consequence between heavy engagement between Oisin and our team, we're going through a process at the moment of agreeing a set of incredibly strict conditions and this will include enhanced testing both on the racecourse and away from the racecourse.” He added, “To be very clear, the BHA weren't given access to the information in relation to the criminal proceedings up until the full details were given in court. These matters are not in our jurisdiction so the information we were dealing with was limited. “We've had face-to-face sessions with Oisin and we are working to come up with a set of conditions that not only ensures we're protecting the integrity of British racing and the safety of our people, but also in a way that ensures Oisin gets the support and help he might need to deal with his issues.” The post “Incredibly Strict Conditions” to be Imposed on Oisin Murphy’s Licence appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With chief rival Ghostwriter (Invincible Spirit) scratched during the preliminaries, jockey William Buick seized the opportunity of registering a 2,000th British winner aboard Godolphin's ultra-consistent El Cordobes (Frankel) in Thursday's Kingdom Of Bahrain-sponsored G2 Princess Of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket. “To do it on my home track for Godolphin and Charlie [Appleby], makes it particularly special,” said Buick after his landmark achievement in a contest which comes with a free ticket to the G1 Caulfield Cup. Originally knocked down to Richard Knight, on behalf of Saleh Al Homaizi, for 2-million guineas at the 2022 Tattersalls October Book 1 sale, El Cordobes was acquired privately by Godolphin in the aftermath of that failed transaction. The 7-2 chance lobbed along in third for the most part, but was shuffled back to last of the four runners as Wimbledon Hawkeye (Kameko) and stablemate Arabian Crown (Dubawi) tackled the pacesetting Palladium (Gleneagles) at the quarter-mile marker. Easing away from the stands' side fence for a clear passage approaching the final furlong and was driven out up the hill to defeat the former by two lengths. Arabian Crown was 1 3/4 lengths back in third while 13-8 favourite Palladium faded to finish 11 lengths adrift. 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ for William Buick! El Cordobes lands the Group 2 Princess Of Wales's Stakes (Sponsored By The Kingdom Of Bahrain) for the top jockey, trainer Charlie Appleby and @godolphin@BahrainTurfClub | @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/sa7APeDro9 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 10, 2025 The post William Buick Claims 2,000th British Winner in Newmarket Feature appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Field Of Gold (Kingman) and Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder) have joined Forever Young (Real Steel) at the top of the LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings for 2025, after producing blockbuster performances to win at Royal Ascot. Juddmonte's Field Of Gold won the G1 St James's Palace Stakes by three and a half lengths, while stablemate Ombudsman ran out a decisive winner of the G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes, by two lengths from last year's G1 Champion Stakes winner Anmaat (Awtaad) [123]. Both horses are now rated 127, matching the figure Forever Young achieved when winning the G1 Saudi Cup. Ombudsman followed his Royal Ascot victory with a runner-up effort behind Delacroix (Dubawi) in the G1 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown. That performance saw Delacroix climb into co-fourth position in the rankings with a rating of 126, alongside the Hong Kong champions Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) and Romantic Warrior (Acclamation). In France, Calandagan proved better than ever when winning the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud by three and a half lengths. The son of Gleneagles now faces a rematch with his G1 Coronation Cup conqueror Jan Brueghel (Galileo) in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot later this month. With a rating of 125, that pair are rated the equal of Japanese star Danon Decile (Epiphaneia) and Sovereignty (Into Mischief), the winner of the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes. The complete LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings are available here. The post Field Of Gold and Ombudsman the Big Movers in World’s Best Racehorse Rankings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Melbourne Cup (G1) will be worth AU$10 million this November, up AU$1.3 million, with the changes primarily designed to reward connections of the runners who finish between 13th and last.View the full article

Miguel Clement's rail-drawn Make Haste (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), a gate to wire winner in her last race (an allowance at Gulfstream), will look to take this field in similar fashion for Friday's GIII Coronation Cup at Saratoga. A debut winner and stakes-placed in her native Ireland, this filly has never gone further than five furlongs and will have to pick up the extra half-furlong Friday but showed no signs of stopping at Gulfstream for the late Christophe Clement, hitting the wire going away by nearly five lengths. Lugamo Racing Stable's Cloe (Tiz the Law) already has a stakes win to her credit, taking the Melody of Colors (also at Gulfstream in gate to wire fashion) in late March. This well-traveled filly went from Florida to Santa Anita when third in the GIII Senorita Stakes Apr. 27 to Saratoga when most recently second in a rained-off edition of the Soaring Softly Stakes June 8. She'll look to challenge the front for trainer Jose D'Angelo. Cutting back in distance is Spirited Boss (Street Boss) who came from off the pace to win the 7 1/2 furlong Sanibel Island Stakes Mar. 29 before running second in the one-mile Honey Ryder Stakes and third (behind Cloe) in the Soaring Softly. Already a winner over course and distance is Abientot (Not This Time), a Mark Casse runner who also took the GIII Matron Stakes in her juvenile season but struggled last out in the GIII Mamzelle Stakes finishing ninth. She did kick off this season with a third beaten just a length in the 5 1/2 furlongs Limestone Stakes at Keeneland in April. Brittany Russell brings in Gata Brazil (Into Mischief) who has ruled the turf at Laurel Park but now steps up markedly in class. She last took the Stormy Blue Stakes going this same 5 1/2-furlong distance June 15. The post Make Haste Looks For The Crown In Coronation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

22 stakes awarding a record $10.85 million are scheduled for the most lucrative stakes schedule for a racing season in Keeneland track history for the 17-day Fall Meet from Oct. 3-25. The Fall Meet also marks the 40th anniversary of the turf course at Keeneland, which in October 1985 became the first track in Kentucky to offer turf racing. Additionally, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund is contributing $2.55 million to Keeneland's Fall Meet stakes purses, pending approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation. “Competition from Thoroughbred racing's leading horses and top jockeys, trainers and owners will put the focus of fans, handicappers and the industry on Keeneland's Fall Meet,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell said. “We are excited to be able to add $100,000 to the purse of the GII Sycamore, which was upgraded for 2025, and to increase the value of another 18 stakes by $50,000 each. Our Grade I races now are worth $650,000 to $1.25 million, while the purses of all Grade II races are $400,000, all Grade III races are worth $350,000 and the listed race is valued at $300,000.” Fall Stars Weekend kicks off the meet with $6.3 million in total purses spread over 11 stakes. Eight stakes are part of the “Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In,” which will award the winners automatic starting positions and free entry into the 42nd Breeders' Cup at Del Mar Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Those include: GI Darley Alcibiades GII Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix GII Jessamine. GI Coolmore Turf Mile GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity GII Thoroughbred Club of America. GI Juddmonte Spinster GII Castle & Key Bourbon. Public ticket sales for the Fall Meet will begin Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 9 a.m. The post Eight ‘Win And You’re In’ Races Lead Record Stakes Schedule For Keeneland Fall Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The potential field for Sunday's G1 Cygames Grand Prix de Paris at ParisLongchamp has been boosted by a pair of supplementary entries, with Leffard (Le Havre) and Surabad (Bated Breath) now featuring among eight possible runners. The Jean-Claude Rouget-trained Leffard was last seen finishing down the field in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, but he'd previously shown a smart level of form when filling the runner-up spot in the Listed Prix Suresnes at the same venue. One place behind him on that occasion was Henri-Francois Devin's New Ground (New Bay), who is set to reoppose on Sunday after he ran a huge race to finish a staying-on fourth in the G1 Derby at Epsom. The Aga Khan Studs homebred Surabad gained his third career victory in the Listed Prix de l'Avre over this course and distance in April, before chasing home Rafale Design in the G3 Prix du Lys at Chantilly. He is trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, who won the Grand Prix de Paris back in 2015 with Erupt. Aidan O'Brien is responsible for three of the remaining five contenders as he seeks a sixth win in this Group 1, headed by Trinity College (Dubawi), who followed his fourth-place finish in the Prix du Jockey Club with an impressive success in the G3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot. He is joined from Ballydoyle by Galveston (Frankel), who was third in the G2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, and the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial winner Puppet Master (Camelot), who needs to bounce back from a below-par display in the G1 Irish Derby. The entries are completed by the G3 Prix Noailles scorer Uther (Camelot), a half-brother to last year's winner, Sosie (Sea The Stars), and Frankly Good Cen (Frankel), who finished well when seventh in the Prix du Jockey Club. The post Leffard and Surabad Added to Sunday’s Grand Prix de Paris appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRING, NY – Since racing began here in the 1860s, Saratoga has been a career launching pad for 2-year-old maidens. It should not be a surprise that the tradition continued last summer. Dozens and dozens of young horses destined for greatness picked up their first victories at the Spa. A very short list of those standouts includes: The filly Ruthless, winner of the inaugural running of the GI Belmont Stakes Aristides, who won the first GI Kentucky Derby Maskette Zev Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox Tom Fool Sword Dancer Winning Colors Easy Goer. Some, like Godolphin's Derby and Belmont winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief), lost in maiden races at Saratoga and developed into stars. Sovereignty was fourth behind 'TDN Rising Star' Tip Top Thomas (Volatile) on Aug. 24 and has four wins and two seconds since. Tip Top Thomas won the GIII Indiana Derby on Saturday. Amerman Racing's Test Score (Lookin at Lucky), second in his maiden try at Saratoga, won the GI Belmont Derby Invitational on Saturday at Saratoga. While it's far too early to tell whether the class of 2024 will produce an all-timer, we can see that some of them have already laid the foundations of promising careers. From the winners of the 36 Maiden Special Weight races with purses of $100,000 and with no restrictions–regarded as the most challenging of the many maiden contests of the Saratoga season–winners include: Godolphin's champion Immersive (Nyquist) Sandman (Tapit) La Cara (Street Sense) May Day Ready (Tapit). Through the decades, the competition has proved to be pretty stout in some of Saratoga's maiden contests. “I don't think anything's changed historically there,” Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher said. “You come to Saratoga with a 2-year-old, you better have them well prepared, and they better have some talent. You know you can run an awfully good one that might not win first time out.” The top-level maiden races in 2024 were made up of sprints and routes: Twenty were run on dirt 16 were contested on the grass. So far, the maiden winners have secured: a total of nine Grade I victories, six as 2-year-olds and three this year Immersive, trained by Brad Cox, was voted the Eclipse Award-winning 2-year-old filly champ after following her debut victory at Saratoga with wins in the GI Spinaway, the GI Alcibiades and the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. D. J. Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables' Sandman earned his berth in the Kentucky Derby, where he finished seventh, with a score in the GI Arkansas Derby. Tracy Farmer's La Cara picked up her two Grade I wins this year in the Ashland and the Acorn. Flanagan Racing's 'TDN Rising Star' Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) moved from his maiden win to take the GI Hopeful and the GI Champagne. A month after notching her first career win at Saratoga, Live Oak Plantation's And One More Time (Omaha Beach) won the GI Natalma at Woodbine. Chancer McPatrick | Sarah Andrew Seven of leading trainer Chad Brown's 45 victories were earned in the open $100,000 maiden races. His top performer thus far from that group is Chancer McPatrick with $623,625 in earnings. Tip Top Thomas was one of Pletcher's four winners. Mark Casse enjoyed a solid summer with his 2-year-olds, picking up five wins. “We had a great bunch of young horses,” Casse said. “We have another great bunch of young horses again this year.” Casse's winners were: Sandman La Cara And One More Time Abientot (Not This Time) She's Got Will (War of Will). She's Got Will, who Casse said is coming back from injury, was the only one who debuted at Saratoga. The other four, all now graded stakes winners, had lost in races at other tracks before competing at Saratoga. “That's a typical Mark Casse,” Casse said. “My friend, Aron Yagoda, who introduced me when I got inducted into the Hall of Fame, he tells everybody, 'Mark doesn't train for a race. He trains for a career.' When you look at Sandman and you look at La Cara, you can see that's a little bit of what I do.” Sandman ran third in the GI Preakness Stakes and is expected to make his next start in the GII Jim Dandy to prep for the GI Travers. La Cara is headed to the GI Coaching Club American Oaks and could face Casse stablemate Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) in the GI Alabama. Casse said he likes to spread out his maidens and give them a test before Saratoga. “If you see me run a first-time starter here, he's really good or he's a New York-bred, because, if not, I've gotten them started somewhere else,” Casse said. “That was the case with Sandman and La Cara. I always say, 'this is New York. You have to earn your way there.” The post Ready To Fire: Saratoga Is The Launching Pad For Maidens appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Benefitting from a fast-run renewal of Newmarket's G2 Kingdom Of Bahrain July Stakes on Thursday, Mick and Janice Mariscotti's 18-1 shot Zavateri (Without Parole) came through to dominate the six-furlong contest. Impressive on debut at Salisbury last month, the second big two-year-old from the Eve Johnson Houghton stable in 2025 after the Royal Ascot winner Havana Hurricane had a length to spare over the Coventry runner-up Do Or Do Not (Space Blues). “We didn't underestimate him and he'll improve again–I had to commit sooner than I wanted to and I was impressed with the way he found the line,” jockey Charles Bishop said of the 35,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 bargain buy from the family of the great Zarkava. “He'll get seven in time and he's got a very good mind–everything you ask him to do, he does immediately. He was on the wing without any help today and I always thought he would appreciate a bit of give, as he has a bit of knee action but he's handled fast ground well twice now.” Zavateri wins the Kingdom Of Bahrain July Stakes! The Without Parole colt dents some big reputations and is now two from two as this 35,000gns buy lands Group 2 honours in quite a result for the @johnsonhoughton team @BahrainTurfClub | @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/ze17fu4m7e — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 10, 2025 The post ‘We Didn’t Underestimate Him’: Bishop Steers Without Parole’s Zavateri To July Upset appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association first started warning that the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act would flunk constitutional due diligence as a violation of the private nondelegation doctrine, its arguments were laughed off. The smart set scoffed that the private nondelegation doctrine was dead, a defunct relic of pre-New Deal “Lochner era” jurisprudence. The NHBPA pressed ahead anyway with the simple yet powerful point that in our constitutional system, a private entity cannot wield public powers like making and enforcing law. The Fifth Circuit agreed–twice–and now the U.S. Supreme Court has validated the continued vitality of the private non-delegation doctrine. I couldn't disagree more with Professor Lucinda Finley's assessment of how to read Consumers' Research v. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Supreme Court's recent decision on the Universal Service Fee (USF) and the FCC's delegation to a private organization to administer the USF program (Q & A With Lucinda Finley: “HISA On Very Solid Constitutional Footing,” TDN, July 4, 2025.) First, the Consumers' Research decision is a resounding endorsement of the private nondelegation doctrine. It's not dead or dormant or outdated or a myth, contrary to many of the pundits and experts we've heard in the past few years. Eight justices of the Court reaffirmed its ongoing vitality as an important and enforceable limit on government power (only Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, in a short concurrence, questioned the doctrine's theoretical foundation, even as she ultimately joined the majority opinion). Second, the Consumers' Research decision emphasized that the USF delegation was acceptable because the Universal Service Administrator was prohibited by law from making policy decisions–it could only make recommendations and then carry out ministerial acts like mailing checks. Compare that to HISA. On dozens of occasions, HISA has issued policy statements announcing whether certain rules are or are not in force or rewriting them to different standards. Separately, HISA retains the powers of a law enforcement agency–it has a private police department, a private prosecutor's office, and a private system of administrative law judges. That looks very different than a government contractor responsible for collecting and mailing checks. Third, the Consumers' Research decision emphasized why the FCC had sufficient oversight of the Universal Service Administrator: the FCC appoints the Administrator's board. Compare that with the HISA Board, which is self-selecting and self-perpetuating, entirely protected from any meaningful accountability to the Federal Trade Commission (little less the United States Senate). Fourth and finally, Justice Kavanaugh's concurring opinion is a strong condemnation of delegation without democratic accountability. Professor Finley previously told TDN that only three justices–Gorsuch, Alito, and Thomas–were enthusiastic about reviving the nondelegation doctrine. Not only did eight justices agree to the doctrine's ongoing force, but we can add Justice Kavanaugh as a likely enthusiast. He wrote separately in Consumers' Research to warn against times “when Congress delegates authority to an independent agency [because] no democratically elected official is accountable. Whom do the people blame and hold responsible for a bad decision or policy adopted by an independent agency?” HISA is a double-dose of insulation from democratic accountability: a private corporation is overseen by an independent agency. The NHBPA recognizes that this has been a long road and that the industry hungers for clarity as to its regulatory framework, though the length of this legal process has been exacerbated over and again by litigation decisions made by HISA. We are not quite in the home stretch of this litigation, but we are definitely only one turn away. After a quick trip back to the Fifth Circuit to make all the points above, I expect that we will soon return to seek a final call from the Supreme Court. And I'm confident a majority of the Court will not be comfortable with HISA. At the end of the day, the Universal Service Administrator is just that–an administrator. And the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority is also just that–an authority. As HISA described itself in its own press release reacting to the Consumers' Research decision, it is “the national regulatory body overseeing safety and integrity in Thoroughbred racing.” To quote Sesame Street, one of these things is not like the other. Daniel Suhr is president of the Center for American Rights and lead counsel for the National HBPA in its case against HISA. The post Letter To The Editor: SCOTUS Decision Underlines HISA’s Constitutional Problems appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aidan O'Brien already has Lambourn for the St Leger, but judged by the way Scandinavia went through Thursday's G3 Bahrain Trophy plans for the Doncaster Classic could yet evolve. Storming to an 8 1/2-length success in the July Festival's 13-furlong opener, the son of Justify is seen as a big staying prospect by connections. “He seems to be progressing nicely and bounced out of Royal Ascot,” Paul Smith said of the heavily-supported 11-8 favourite. “Ryan said he's uncomplicated and enjoyed the [fast] ground and he could maybe be a Cup horse for next year. We can plot our way towards those staying races later in the year.” Beaten only a length and a half when fifth in the G2 Queen's Vase, the half-brother to American Pharoah's G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Above The Curve took a huge step forward here. Sent to the front by Ryan Moore approaching the three-furlong pole, he surged to the line with impressive closing sectionals as Nightime Dancer (Ghaiyyath) followed in his wake. Different league! Scandinavia runs out a fine winner of the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy Stakes for Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien@BahrainTurfClub | @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/up0rrXEG1m — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 10, 2025 The post Justify’s Scandinavia Bursts Into The Leger Picture appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Total prize-money for the 2025 edition of the G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup has been increased to A$10 million – up from A$8,560,000 in 2024 – with every runner in the race guaranteed to pocket at least A$100,000 just for taking part. In addition, the G3 Geelong Cup and G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup have been added to the list of ballot-exempt races, meaning the winners will earn a guaranteed spot in 'the race that stops a nation'. Last year's Geelong Cup was won by the Brian Ellison-trained Onesmoothoperator. “The Lexus Melbourne Cup is unrivalled for its history, status and reach and the Victoria Racing Club [VRC] is proud to be able to now reward every local and international participant in the great race,” said Kylie Rogers, chief executive officer of the VRC. “It reflects the significant effort required to prepare and qualify for the Lexus Melbourne Cup and goes hand-in-hand with a decision to add additional qualifying opportunities through the Geelong Cup and Moonee Valley Gold Cup.” She added, “Planning for the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival is in full swing and this is just one of a number of exciting announcements that build momentum towards the world's greatest racing event.” Under a new prize-money structure for the 2025/26 racing season at Flemington, total prize-money for the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival will increase to A$32.5 million (from A$30.6 million in 2024) after the minimum level was lifted for all Group and Listed races to A$200,000. Three Group 1 races staged outside of the Melbourne Cup Carnival have also received a significant boost in prize-money, with the Yulong Newmarket Handicap, the All-Star Mile and the TAB Australian Cup all set to be run for A$2 million. The post Melbourne Cup Prize-Money Increased to A$10 Million, Minimum A$100,000 for Every Runner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin's 2,000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes winner Notable Speech will face 14 rivals in Saturday's G1 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup at Newmarket. Supplemented for £36,000 by Charlie Appleby on Monday, the son of Dubawi will be partnered by William Buick with Oisin Murphy on the Sandy Lane Stakes-winning second-string Symbol Of Honour (Havana Grey). They currently occupy two of the first three spots in the market, with the former expected to go off favourite for the six-furlong feature. Wathnan Racing's Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes third Flora Of Bermuda (Dark Angel), Ballydoyle's G1 Prix Morny winner Whistlejacket (No Nay Never), the Al Quoz Sprint winner Believing (Mehmas) and last year's Commonwealth Cup hero Inisherin (Shamardal) are other notables, with the latter sporting cheekpieces as he is reunited with Tom Eaves. The post Godolphin Have Strong Hand In The July Cup As Notable Speech Heads The Cast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Benno Yung Tin-pang hopes the win of Endued last Saturday wasn’t the last of his 12-season training career, but if it was he’ll head off into retirement more than content with what he’s achieved. With only two meetings to go before he signs off after reaching the Jockey Club’s compulsory retirement age of 66, Yung has 360 winners to his name but it’s something else he’s most proud of. “I’m quite happy with how I did. Business-wise, I might not have been the most successful, but on the other hand...View the full article

To all participants, members, volunteers, employees, suppliers, and supporters of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and Harness Racing New Zealand. New Zealand’s racing industry thrives because of the dedication, integrity, and passion of thousands of individuals, on the track, behind the scenes, and in our communities. Each of those individuals who run businesses, are employed, volunteer their time, or in other ways lend their positive support to racing and its participants play a vital role in ensuring our sport remains strong, inclusive, and future-focused. Unfortunately, there is a small minority of people whose persistent negative behaviour runs counter to these shared values. This may be either online abuse, personal attacks, public harassment or unwanted attention. These behaviours cause real harm, impacting individuals’ mental wellbeing, reputation or career, and eroding the trust and cohesion our sport depends on. Together, we have a collective responsibility to uphold the standards of respect, professionalism, and integrity that define a healthy and sustainable industry. Abuse, whether verbal, physical, written, digital or psychological, has no place in New Zealand racing. We all deserve to work and participate in an environment where people are treated with dignity. This is not just about compliance, it’s about maintaining a supportive and positive culture and community that more people want to be a part of. It’s about creating an environment where people feel safe, valued, and proud to be part of the racing industry. We ask everyone, regardless of their role, to lead by example, speak out when behaviour falls short, and support one another in maintaining high standards of conduct. As part of this commitment, our organisations have: Maintained strong channels to raise concerns or report misconduct, so individuals can confidently, safely and confidentially report concerns. Reinforced expectations for on-course behaviour at all race meetings and industry events. Confirmed that appropriate consequences will be applied, ranging from formal warnings up to disciplinary action or removal from participation in industry activities. Committed to strengthen each Code’s respective Rules of Racing, including explicit references to such misconducts and to the sanctions that may be imposed. This letter marks a united stance across equine codes and the Racing Integrity Board. We are committed to taking meaningful action, and just as importantly, to setting a positive and respectful tone for the future. Let’s lead with integrity. Let each of us call out poor behaviour. And let’s all stand together in creating a racing industry where everyone feels safe, supported, and welcome. Yours in racing, Racing Integrity Board New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Harness Racing New Zealand Racing Integrity Board Confidential Integrity Line Make an anonymous report by: calling 0508 742 123, or submitting information online via: www.integrityline-nz.org/rib, or this QR code: OnTrack Racing In a non-emergency, contact the OnTrack support line on 0800 667 224 for free, confidential support and assistance. Tel: 0800 667 224 (support line) Email: support@ontrack.org.nz Full press release can be viewed here View the full article

Underrated galloper Vittorio Veneto (NZ) (Redwood) delivered the perfect gift for connections on Cambridge’s synthetic track on Thursday, powering to victory in the Cambridge Real Estate 1300. A lightly-tried son of Redwood, Vittorio Veneto had finished in the top five in six of his attempts on the all-weather surface, but flew under the radar in an open contest where Lhasa (Hellbent) carried a clear topweight and much of the field were near the minimum. Jumping from the centre of the line, Vittorio Veneto showed speed early under apprentice jockey Rihaan Goyaram, taking a clear lead ahead of Richard And I (NZ) (Ocean Park). The gelding was travelling comfortably into the home turn, and when asked for an extra effort, he kicked clear and put a margin on his rivals, crossing the line 3 – ¼ lengths ahead of a game Branciforti (NZ) (Belardo). His trainer Peter Lock was delighted with the result, and more so for fellow owner Franco Dal Vecchio, who celebrated his birthday on Thursday. “We were over the moon, it was a special day for us because Franco, who owns the horse with me, it’s his birthday today,” Lock said. “We’ve had a great association and raced horses together for about 40 years, so for the horse to win and win the way he did, it was great. “It’s just a shame he wasn’t here to celebrate with me tonight, but we’ll definitely catch up over the weekend.” The win was Vittorio Veneto’s third on synthetic tracks, and Lock was surprised his price drifted out to nearly $19. “The presenters were mentioning a number of horses that were synthetic specialists, except this horse, who hasn’t been out of the money on a synthetic track,” he said. “He drifted out to around $15 or $18 in the end, so we’re happy with the result. “In about three or four weeks’ time, there is a $100,000 race back here over 2000m, so being a three-win horse, hopefully he can get in on a nice weight. We’ll have a crack at that, I’d be happy to run second or third in a race with that stake.” Vittorio Veneto is flying the flag for the Te Aroha stable at present, but his talented stablemate Debit (NZ) (Darci Brahma) is not far from hitting the track herself after a bold showing at the Te Awamutu trials on Tuesday. The speedy daughter of Darci Brahma has been patiently handled by Lock and she rewarded him in spades last term, winning three out of three starts. After a deserved spell, she returned at the Foxton trials last month and showed clear improvement from that effort with a tidy second placing over 850m behind Australian import Azeezle (Exceed And Excel). “We were very happy with her,” he said. “When she went to the Foxton trials, she’d done a lot of work on the treadmill, I’m not a big fan on galloping her too much and we’ve had a lot of bad weather. “She hadn’t really had the work I wanted to get into her going into that trial, and she’d really improved a tonne out of that. “She’ll have one more trial, last year she had four trials before going to the races and won her next three, so being a year older, I just think she needs one more to be 100 percent fit.” View the full article

Pencarrow Stud’s select offering of four broodmares proved to be the star attraction in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus on Wednesday, earning the two highest prices of the sale. Pencarrow’s draft achieved an aggregate of $288,500 and an average price of $72,125, including the two mares in the catalogue that broke the six-figure mark. The Group Three-placed Asama Blue (Fastnet Rock), who was offered in foal to the exciting Windsor Park Stud shuttle stallion Paddington, fetched a sale-topping price of $126,000 to the Sunlight Trust. Fellow Pencarrow mare Breeze (Sea The Stars), who is the dam of this season’s Group One New Zealand Derby (2400m) placegetter Golden Century (NZ) (Pierro), earned the second-highest price of the sale with $102,500. “They’re a couple of lovely mares and we were absolutely delighted to see them both sell the way they did,” Pencarrow Stud manager Leon Casey commented. “We knew that they both had good credentials and we expected a fair bit of interest in them, but it’s always hard to judge a market in the lead-up to a sale like this. What we ended up getting for them was towards the upper end of what we might have expected, so we’re really pleased and wish the new owners well. They’ve secured some very nice mares.” A third member of the Pencarrow draft, Golden Century’s half-sister Tempest (NZ) (Frankel), sold for $50,000. Another of the sale’s big drawcards was the Group Three winner and Karaka Millions placegetter Karman Line (NZ) (Myboycharlie). She was offered by Wexford Stables and is now bound for Japan following her $95,000 purchase by Golden Orchid Brothers Inc. “We decided to purchase Karman Line because we were impressed by the softness and flexibility in her back movement, which we believe makes her well-suited for Japanese racing,” Golden Orchid’s Junichiro Obara said. “Going forward, we are planning matings that would allow her offspring to perform well in short-distance turf or dirt races.” Group Two winner and black-type producer Xpression (NZ) (Showcasing) sold for $80,000, while Inthespotlight (NZ) (O’Reilly) and Our Tristabelle (NZ) (Tavistock) both fetched $65,000. Inthespotlight is the dam of three winners from three foals to race, headed by Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) placegetter Japanese Emperor (NZ) (Satono Aladdin). She is in foal to Japanese Emperor’s sire Satono Aladdin. Our Tristabelle, meanwhile, has been retired after a five-win racetrack career and is carrying her first foal by Ocean Park (NZ). Overall, the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale saw 41 mares sell for a total of $874,600 and an average price of $21,331. To enquire about any of the passed-in Lots, contact Haylie Martin (haylie@gavelhouse.com) or Patrick Cunningham (Patrick.cunningham@nzb.co.nz). View the full article

Peter Brosnan brought up his century of winners in emphatic style last weekend at Te Rapa, and the Matamata horseman will head south on Sunday with a couple of key contenders in the Hawke’s Bay features at Woodville. Brosnan was sitting on 99 wins heading into last Saturday’s Te Rapa meeting, and it wasn’t long before Squire (NZ) (Savile Row), who he trains in partnership with wife Jessica, scored a nine-length demolition of his rivals in the open hurdle. He was rapt with the result, with the milestone coming as a nice bonus. “I didn’t really know, Jess had said something a while back, but I didn’t take much notice at the time,” he said. “We were pretty surprised with how well he won, we always thought he was good, but on that run, he was very good. “With all the young ones that we tried, you just hope they can show enough to be back in the team the next year, then in the second year they’re generally much better horses. “This horse could be an exception, he seems to have adapted very quickly.” Squire will back-up in the Te Whangai Romney’s Hawke’s Bay Hurdles (3000m) at Woodville on Saturday, while stablemate Jakama Krystal (NZ) (Jakkalberry), who won last Saturday’s Waikato Hunt Cup (3900m), takes on the Glenanthony Simmentals Stud Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m). “Both of them haven’t done much this week, they’ll just have a trot around the farm or on the treadmill and have a swim,” he said. “Once they’re up and racing, we don’t do too much, we just try to keep them happy. “Jakama Krystal is a tough little mare that doesn’t take a lot of work, and she’s bounced out of that race pretty well. “I’ll leave it (tactics) to Kylan (Wiles, jockey), he’s the sort of jockey that can read a race pretty well, so I never give him too many instructions.” The Brosnans will have a full truck heading to the Central Districts, and they are particularly looking forward to the return of Rocem in the Cody Singer Memorial (4000m) for maiden steeplechasers. “She’s had a few little setbacks, that’s why she’s a bit late coming in,” he said. “We think she’s quite a talented horse, especially over the bigger fences. Squire winning at Te Rapa last Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) “Last season we gave her a trial at Cambridge over the steeples and she really loved it. She’s had seven hurdle races and is looking like she needs those bigger fences now.” Having initially ridden on the flat and over fences as an amateur, Brosnan entered the training ranks in the early 2000s, following in the footsteps of his parents, Sam and Marj Brosnan. “Racing was pretty much bred into me,” he said. “Mum and Dad trained and had a stud farm, so we with the horses from day one and were going to the races all around the country every Saturday. “I rode first as an amateur, I rode two winners in the amateurs and then three over jumps against the professionals. After Mum and Dad retired from training, I took over a few of their horses that they owned themselves and they always had jumpers.” Brosnan celebrated his first feature success with Southern Countess, a talented hurdling mare who won three editions of the Tony Richards Toyota Hurdles (on Pakuranga Hunt Cup Day), as well as the 2011 running of the Great Northern Hurdle. “She was a granddaughter of Our Countess, one of my parent’s horses, that ran second in a New Zealand Cup, third in a Wellington Cup, and won a Hawke’s Bay Cup and a few of those types of races,” he said. “She liked Ellerslie, she won the hurdle on Pakuranga Day for three years in a row, was third in her first year in the Great Northern, then won the second year, and was second in the third year. “She did well to keep racing as long as she did, she had a high cruising speed and seemed to suit hurdling.” Brosnan accumulated 44 winners as a trainer before being joined in partnership by Jessica at the commencement of the 2015/16 season, and the couple balance their contracting business with breaking in, pre-training and training horses, predominately jumpers. Last term, their promising steeplechasers Ima Wonder and Auld Jock asserted themselves in open company, with the former winning the Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4800m) and the latter placing in the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) and Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m). “I’ve had a few horses come in along the way, and we still break in quite a few and do pre-training,” he said. “We do some for Graham Richardson, Kylie Fawcett and Raymond Connors, and then there has been a few more in-between, I’ve always done Cliff Goss’ horses, getting them educated and generally trialled for him. “In the summer, we have a contracting business, so we try not to have too many over that period. “I like the jumpers, it’s a bit more hands-on and you spend a bit more time with them, getting to know them individually. When it goes well, it’s a lot of fun. “I like the mares as well, I think they’re a bit harder to get your head around, but when they come right they can be very good. “Auld Jock will always have a special place, and Old Countess was a good mare, we had a lot of fun with her. She won four of her five starts in steeplechases at Wanganui and raced in quite a few of the big races. “Ima Wonder is one of our favourite horses and Mrs (Ann) Browne (owner) has been such a big help to us, I often ask her for advice. We’re generally on the same page, but her advice is very good.” In recent years, the Brosnans have opened their gates to the jumping community with schooling days, with fences they developed on the property during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Jess and I bought this property off my parents, we’ve been here for about 20 years,” he said. “Over COVID, we couldn’t get the horses out to be schooled and it’s always hard to get jockeys, so we thought if we could get our own jumps here, we could do that ourselves and it works well. “We had the first jumping school about four or five years ago, they’ve become quite popular and so many horses have come through those days. In the second year, Abu Dhabi came through the jumping school and he went on to win the Northern. “Raymond’s horse, Our Daymo, came up and got his ticket and trialled, and he won his first hurdle start at Wellington.” View the full article

Massive Sovereign “hasn’t missed a beat in his training” and David Eustace is looking forward to getting him back to competitive racing in Sunday’s Class One Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association Trophy (1,600m) at Sha Tin. Winner of the 2024 Hong Kong Derby (2,000m), the Irish import has only been seen three times since, beaten in a pair of Group Ones to end his 2023-24 campaign when trained by Dennis Yip Chor-hong. He made his final start for the Yip stable when sixth in the Group Three Sa Sa...View the full article

The New Zealand racing industry is in mourning following the passing of apprentice jockey Ngakau Hailey. The 18-year-old hoop was involved in a vehicle accident in Hamilton on Wednesday between a dirt bike and car, with Hailey sustaining critical injuries, and he later passed away at Hamilton Hospital. “It’s tragic, words just can’t describe it. I was talking with him on Monday and then this happens,” New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Northern Riding Master Noel Harris said. Apprenticed to Te Awamutu trainer Debbie Sweeney, Hailey kicked off his riding career two years ago and recorded his first win aboard the Sweeney-trained Chattahoochee at Cambridge in June 2023. He went on to record a further six victories that season. He continued to impress in the saddle, riding home 39 winners in the last two seasons, and Harris said he was well-liked amongst the racing community. “He was very polite and he was a very talented boy,” Harris said. “You knew straight away when you saw him on a horse that he was a natural. From where he was brought up, they just jump on a horse and you are part of it.” Hailey was initially raised on the East Coast of the North Island where he began riding bareback from a young age and he competed in horse sports before moving to Hamilton when he was eight-years-old. Rugby League became Hailey’s new passion, and he held aspirations of playing in the NRL. He played hooker for his local club, the Hamilton City Tigers, as well as Waikato Maori and Waikato District. While his small stature kept him from progressing in league, it helped him follow a new path when he joined his uncle on a trip to Pokeno where tried his hand at riding track work for the first time. He fell in love with riding once more and began riding regular track work for trainer Shelley Wright before commencing his apprenticeship with Sweeney. Hailey impressed Harris from day one and he said he will be a massive loss to New Zealand thoroughbred racing. “He was a natural talent, and that is just what you want,” Harris said. “It’s tragic, he was a lovely boy.” A givealittle page has been created to assist Hailey’s family with funeral costs: LINK View the full article