Wandering Eyes

Six years on from the St Leger victory of Juddmonte's Logician, his half-brother Skimmer could be on the same path after taking his record to two-from-two at Kempton on Wednesday. After registering a smooth 1 1/2-length win in the 11-furlong novice, the son of Kingman opened up options but is possibly ground-dependent according to trainer Harry Charlton. “We entered him in the Voltigeur the other day and we'll see what Juddmonte want to do,” he said. “We came here slightly unfit in order to get him to York, but I don't want to run him on rattling quick ground. It's not been a year for this type of horse as it hasn't rained all summer.” He looks smart. The beautifully-bred Skimmer (Kingman) makes it two from two for @ctkjockey, @HarryJCharlton and @JuddmonteFarms at @kemptonparkrace pic.twitter.com/1LwLByHGll — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 9, 2025 The post Logician’s Half Brother Skimmer Could Be On The Leger Trail appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-Kempton, £11,000, Novice, 7-9, 2yo, f, 6f (AWT), 1:13.92, st/sl. DANDANA (GB) (f, 2, Blue Point {Ire}–Nafaayes {Aus} {MGSW & MG1SP-SAf}, by Exceed And Excel {Aus}), sent off the 7-2 joint-second favourite, showed a professional attitude from the break to lead. Always in control, the newcomer stayed on to score by half a length from Inside Story (Siyouni). “She's quite a nice filly, but the surface is riding very slow and I probably could have done with a lead until the last furlong,” jockey Harry Davies said of the winner, a 600,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase. “She was having a good look around and had her ears pricked towards the line and I'm sure that whatever she's done today she'll improve on it.” The dam, who captured the G2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas and G2 Ipi Tombe Challenge and was placed in the G1 SA Fillies Classic and G1 Empress Club Stakes, is a daughter of the GIII Debutante Stakes winner Decelerator (Dehere) who is also responsible for the Hong Kong Group 3 scorer Stoltz (More Than Ready). Also connected to the G2 Arrowfield Three Year Old Sprint runner-up Hedged (Capitalist), her yearling colt is by Kingman. Sales history: 110,000gns Wlg '23 TADEWE; 600,000gns Ylg '24 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $8,074. O-Sultan Ali; B-O S Tait Pty Limited; T-Simon & Ed Crisford. 600,000gns buy Dandana (Blue Point) is not for passing on debut for @gainsboroughHQ @kemptonparkrace pic.twitter.com/V5JZzDyZvW — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 9, 2025 The post Blue Point’s Tattersalls October Book 1 Sensation Dandana Off The Mark appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Like so many others, Acacia Clement's favorite meet is Saratoga. As part of the Saratoga broadcast team and the wife of trainer Miguel Clement, she has to work long hours and juggle a hectic schedule. Preparation is something she takes seriously. But Saratoga also means great racing in a beautiful and historic location, a lively nightlife and so much more. There's a lot to like about this place. Appearing on the TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland as the Gainesway Guest of the Week, Clement said what she loves most about Saratoga is that everyone there is immersed in racing. “What I really like is the energy and the synergy between the town and the racetrack,” she said. “I remember we were coming back to our apartment building and one of our neighbors was having a nightcap out on their balcony and they yelled out, 'Hey Miguel, nice win in the last race.' That's just really cool. I don't think you get that a lot of other places. People are downtown having dinner, but they're also paying attention to what's happening at the races. It's a small town feel, but there's also such a great connection between racing and everything else that's going on in the area.” While there are so many heavenly aspects to being in Saratoga for the summer, this is not the easiest of times around the Miguel Clement ban. Acacia's father-in-law, Christophe, passed away May 25 at age 59 from a rare form of eye cancer. Among other things, that meant that Miguel Clement would be taking over the barn. Less than two months later, he has proven that he was ready for the job. As of July 9, he is 10-for-63 and has won three stakes, including the GI Manhattan. “It's been incredibly tough, Acacia admitted. “Christophe handled his journey with cancer with the utmost class and bravery and grace, which I think comes as a surprise to absolutely nobody. And it's very hard to say goodbye to him. As a family that I married into, I really hit the jackpot because I am so fortunate to have a wonderful relationship with my in-laws and Christophe is one of those people that, I would come over to the house and he'd sit me down and say, 'tell me everything that's going on. Tell me about work. What about this? What about that?' “He was somebody that really genuinely cared about what was happening in your life and how he could help. He was like that for a lot of young people in the industry. And when we lost Christophe, just the amount of people that came out and said how he had impacted their life or their journey in racing, I thought was really amazing. So of course it's been very tough for the family, but also for the whole team at the stables, which is like a family.” It was pointed out to Clement that there are many women working in the racing broadcasting field, something you did not see 20 years ago. “I totally agree,” Clement said after Randy Moss pointed out that she is one of many women who are making an impact with their work in front of the camera. “I do think that there are so many talented women along the entire racing industry, whether it's assistant trainers who maybe are not necessarily in the spotlight. We've seen a lot more female trainers having success as well, which I think is awesome. So I think it's not just for the racing analysts. Yes, there are more opportunities, but I think it's, thankfully, throughout the entire industry becoming a little bit more prevalent.” Nonetheless, some stereotypes never quite go away. “It's funny,” she said. “I was actually working on a social media site following some trends and looking back at some real questions that I have been asked throughout my time as a racing analyst that I don't think any male would ever be asked. People have asked, 'does somebody do your handicapping for you or do you do it yourself.' And 'is your husband going to let you keep working after you get married' and things like that? So there are still some stereotypes, sadly, that do exist, but I am very proud that I know I got my position on merit and I've worked so hard. This is my seventh summer at Saratoga with NYRA.” In our “Fastest Horse of the Week,” segment, which is sponsored by WinStar, we went over the many reasons there are breed to WinStar stallion Timberlake. The fastest horse of the week was Bring Theband Home (Into Mischief), who earned a 109 Beyer figure when winning the Harvey Pack Stakes at Saratoga. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the KTOB, Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, 1/ST Racing and 1/ST TV, the team of Moss, Zoe Cadman and Bill Finley concluded that the July 4-at-Saratoga meet is here to stay. NYRA handed $83 million over the four days as compared to $38 million over the same four days last year when the races were run at Aqueduct. Other topics of discussion were the smashing debut at the Spa by 'TDN Rising Star' Ewing (Knicks Go) and the win by Magnitude (Not This Time) in the Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows July 5. The colt, who won the GII Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds missed the GI Kentucky Derby due to a minor injury, but is now set to have a big summer. To watch the Writers' Room, click here. To view the show as a podcast, click here. The post Acacia Clement Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented By Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Records were broken on day two of the Tattersalls July Sale where a number of well-bred Juddmonte fillies dominated at the top end of the market, headed by Orchid Bouquet (Kingman), an unraced sister to Calyx, who at 550,000gns became the most expensive horse ever sold at this sale. Grant Pritchard-Gordon of Badgers Bloodstock, who held the position of racing manager at Juddmonte for 17 years from 1982, signed the docket for the record-breaker on behalf of an unnamed client. He said, “It's just the Juddmonte family – that's the whole attraction. She's [been bought] for a good client who I've bought a lot of Juddmonte families for. This person has been very keen on Juddmonte families and we both agree there.” He added, “She'll stay in Europe. She's a filly who's had sore shins throughout her life. Maybe they'll try her, but the paddock value is what's important. The blood is what's important. Juddmonte families always have a premium. There's so much happening around these families. I know this pedigree going back to the fifth dam, it's just a fabulous family that's very much alive. Some of those families from my time have disappeared completely but this one doesn't give any indication of dying out.” The Juddmonte consignment cleared just over 2 million gns and Tom Goff landed back-to-back lots [569 and 570] from the draft for a combined 410,000gns whilst he was standing alongside Paul Shanahan in the gangway. Fleeting Ember, an unraced Frankel sister to Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes winner Threat (Footstepsinthesand), sold to the Blandford Bloodstock agent for 300,000gns while the following lot, the unraced Kingman filly Porto Verne, made 100,000gns. Asked about the plans for the fillies after the sale, Shanahan joked, “I am just thrilled to be associated with Tom Goff!” Meanwhile, Goff was in a similarly playful humour, when joking about the anonymity, or lack thereof, to the online underbidder on Fleeting Ember. Goff laughed, “It was a very aggressive online bidder – I wonder who that was?! It is the most obvious online bidder in world bloodstock.” He added, “Lovely filly by Frankel. I saw her down at the bottom and thought she was just an absolute smasher. Lovely Juddmonte and Niarchos families in the pedigree. The next one was incredibly good value. But look, with the Frankel filly, she was going to be a certain value until two bidders came together.” Turnover climbed a massive 62% to 7,775,000gns on a day when the average was up 60% to 40,285gns and the median by 67% to 20,000gns. The clearance rate stood at 91%, down just 1% on last year. Talking points Ace Stud, the latest entity that Yulong boss Yuesheng Zhang is signing under, spent 645,000gns on three mares – headed by 375,000gns purchase Regal Agenda. The daughter of Pinatubo failed to win in five starts for Karl Burke but hails from the family of Dubawi and is a half-sister to Royal Champion and Outbox. The 645,000gns outlay by Ace Stud was completed by Juddmonte duo Aleksandrina (Bated Breath), who is a half-sister to classy runners Viadera and Sacred Bridge, along with Group 1 winner Quadrilateral's daughter by Dubawi, Quadratic. They were sourced for 140,000gns and 130,000gns respectively. “Ace Stud [the rebranded Dullingham Park] is our operation just outside Newmarket – it was purchased back in March and we have two stallions out there in Shaquille and Soldier's Call,” said the operation's Paul Curran. “We're here trying to support the stallions, particularly Shaquille with this purchase. She perfectly suits him and us, as we're looking to get as many quality mares into his next book as we can. He's already got a good level of support from breeders, especially last year.” There was room for some comedy during the early part of the sale when lot 347, due into the ring shortly after 10am, missed its slot leading to five minutes of confusion. Where was the Highfort Stables draft and what had happened to cause the delay? Nobody knew. Luckily, auctioneer Alastair Pim saw the funny side of the whole thing and, when Convincing finally made it into the ring, he simply quipped, 'late night?' All is well that ends well and Convincing sold for 10,000gns to Irish trainer Ciaran Murphy. That sale actually kick-started a strong day of trade for the Highfort's John Joe Murphy, with the team behind Group 1 winner White Birch selling four horses for a combined 129,000gns. Highly-rated runners have been selling for a premium at Park Paddocks this week and three-time winner Grand Karat (Gleneagles), a winner over six furlongs at Windsor when last seen, was snapped up by Billy Jackson-Stops to continue his career abroad for 200,000gns. The four-year-old was trained by Harry Charlton, for whom he has shown his best form over six and seven furlongs. Jackson-Stops was appointed bloodstock agent for Victorious Racing earlier this year and Fawzi Nass, the man behind that Bahraini-based ownership group, commented, “He is going to Bahrain for the International Series. There are six or more races over 6f and they will suit him. I am not sure whose colours he will race in next, but he won't run again in Europe before travelling.” Gassim Ghazali has rolled up his sleeves this week to lead the buyers' table with five horses sourced for Qatar to the tune of 831,000gns. That spend was headed by the Group 1-placed Green Storm (Circus Maximus), who the trainer landed late in Wednesday's session for 380,000gns. Trained by Charlie Johnston, Green Storm finished runner-up in last year's Criterium de Saint-Cloud and was last seen finishing fifth, beaten just four lengths, in a Group 2 at Royal Ascot. Ghazali said, “He ran in the Derby and was fifth at Royal Ascot in the King Edward VII Stakes. I am very lucky to have been able to buy this horse. He will fit into the programme, travelling to Qatar shortly with a plan to run in the Qatar Derby and then, hopefully, the big races in the region throughout the spring. Buying at the July Sales gives enough time for the horses to acclimatise before the winter season. He could be a horse to run back in Europe – I have done that before and I am keen to do that again.” There were a number of newer names on the buyers sheet and Richard Young, who recently purchased Bert House Stud in Ireland, signed for mares from the Juddmonte and Godolphin drafts for a combined 190,000gns respectively this week. Young signed for the daughters of Pinatubo and New Bay under the banner of Rycran. Buy of the day Hopes Are High could be a horse worth waiting for in more ways than one. The good-looking grey was one of the Highfort horses who caused a delay early in the morning before selling to Bill Durkan for 40,000gns. Presumably his new connections will be targeting a juvenile campaign for the 75-rated gelding who looks as though he will take to that job like a duck would to water. Given the market for similar types to go jumping hurdles, Hopes Are High might well have been well-bought. He also has the option of returning to the Flat and, while his pedigree might not suggest it, could be one for staying handicaps on the level. Thought for the day There might be a market for more vendors to target two-year-olds with decent ratings at this sale. Take the Archie Watson-trained Dapper Charm (Dandy Man) and Josh Halley's Zaltan (Lucky Vega), neither of whom are world-beaters, as an example. Dapper Charm sold for 72,000gns while Zaltan, who boasts an identical Timerform rating of 78, made 55,000gns. Thoroughly respectable trade for horses with such profiles. The post New Tattersalls July Sale Record As Sister To Calyx Stars At 550k appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Chad Brown seeks an unprecedented 10th victory in the $500,000 Diana Stakes (G1T) when he sends Excellent Truth and Dynamic Pricing to the starting gate at Saratoga Race Course July 12.View the full article

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association has established the D. Wayne Lukas Award, a $10,000 award to be given annually to a New York-based assistant trainer who demonstrates the qualities of the late Hall of Fame trainer.View the full article

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) has established the D. Wayne Lukas Award, to be given annually to a New York-based assistant trainer who demonstrates the qualities that the late Hall of Fame trainer himself exemplified– dedication, a strong work ethic, and a high commitment to excellence–the organization said in a press release on Wednesday. Owners and trainers will be invited to nominate an assistant trainer for the $10,000 award, which will be presented each year on Sept. 2, D. Wayne Lukas's birthday. “'The Coach' mentored countless young people, and so many of his assistants have gone on to have their own remarkable careers,” said NYTHA President Tina Marie Bond. “Assistant trainers are crucial to the success of every stable, and we wanted to recognize their contribution in honor of Wayne. His commitment to his craft, his love of horse racing, and his willingness to share his deep knowledge set a standard that we must all strive to match.” NYTHA will put together a panel of horsemen and women to determine the winner of the D. Wayne Lukas Award. Details will be released later this month. The post NYTHA Establishes D. Wayne Lukas Award For Assistant Trainers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Catastrophic flash flooding struck the Ruidoso, New Mexico area Tuesday night, washing away homes and businesses and causing significant damage to Ruidoso Downs. Several feet of water submerged the track and backside area with social media videos showing people and horses alike trying to escape through the torrent. Local reports indicate the Rio Ruidoso river rose to over 20 feet in under an hour in a remarkable, record-breaking flood event, the second Ruidoso has seen in as many years in an area already impacted by wildfire burn scars. CNN reported that at least three people, including two children, were killed in the flooding Tuesday. The Daily Racing Form reported that the rest of the track's 2025 meet, which was scheduled to conclude in September, has been called off with track owner Johnny Trotter telling DRF “We can't run at Ruidoso again this year. We can't put it back together.” Ruidoso Downs Racetrack has been destroyed. Numerous horses were trapped in the flood waters. #nmwx pic.twitter.com/XR9Q15Xol4 — Scott (@RandomHeroWX) July 9, 2025 Major flooding at Ruidoso Downs today. It's being reported they still need trailers to remove horses. pic.twitter.com/V1HSeozXd8 — Michael Dempsey (@turfmichaeld) July 9, 2025 The National Weather Service office in Albuquerque put the Ruidoso area under a Flood Watch Tuesday morning around 9:00 a.m. local time, stating that “A Flood Watch for Flash Flooding is in effect below the recent burn scars around Ruidoso today. Another round of showers and thunderstorms will be capable of producing locally heavy rainfall on already saturated ground.” The Ruidoso area is heavily prone to flash flooding, especially since the Salt and South Fork wildfires tore through the town last summer. The Quarter Horse track, which runs annually from May through September, is in the midst of racing with a 10-race card scheduled for Friday and two Grade I events on the calendar for Saturday. This flood comes nearly one year to the date after flash flooding over a burn scar ran through portions of the track last July. Ruidoso just completed repairs from that flood event in April. This story will be updated. The post Flash Flooding Devastates Ruidoso Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 07/08/2025 Licensee: John E. Salzman, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the use or attempted use of a Class C controlled substance on Had to Have Him during the race period dated 5/16/25. Had to Have Him did not make a start that day. Date: 07/03/2025 Licensee: Jonathaniel Badillo, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on July 4, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Treated as one violation. Admission. Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Capsaicin—a Class B controlled substance—in samples taken from Spotten Bull, who won at Parx Racing on 5/21/25; and finished second at Parx Racing on 5/28/25. Date: 07/03/2025 Licensee: Lynn B. Chleborad, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the use or attempted use of a Class C controlled substance on Count de Monet during the race period dated 5/17/25. Count de Monet did not make a start that day. Pending ADMC Violations 07/09/2025, Marcus Vitali, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Ibuprofen and Flunixin—both Class C controlled substances—in a sample taken from Freedom Empire, who won at Turf Paradise on 4/24/25. 07/07/2025, Timothy Murphy, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone—a Class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Lookin' Super, who finished fourth at Finger Lakes on 6/9/25. 07/07/2025, Howard Rubin, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone and Dexamethasone—both Class C controlled substances—in a sample taken from Lucky Diablo on 5/30/25. 07/02/2025, Carlos Sedillo, trainer: Pending medication violation for the possession of Levothyroxine—a banned substance—for an event dated 3/6/25. Violations of Crop Rule Horseshoe Indianapolis Mitchell Murrill – violation date July 3; $250 fine, one-day suspension Los Alamitos David Cohen – violation date July 4; $500 fine, no other information Armando Aguilar – violation date July 4; $750 fine, three-day suspension Thistledown Luis Antonio Gonzalez – violation date July 3; $250 fine, one-day suspension The post National Regulatory Rulings, July 3-9 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Owner-breeder Jaber Abdullah has a reputation for being one of the shrewdest judges around, but even a man with over three decades of experience in the sport can suffer from a crisis of confidence. Abdullah himself discovered as much just last month, on the eve of the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. There his royal blue silks with white striped sleeves and white cap were carried by the Richard Hughes-trained Sayidah Dariyan, who massively outran odds of 66/1 in finishing fourth, beaten just a length and a quarter, behind Time For Sandals. If Abdullah had been given his way, however, Sayidah Dariyan wouldn't have taken her chance at all, with the owner being led to believe that she would be out of her depth against the leading three-year-old sprinters in training. “Jaber rang me the night before and she was 150/1 then,” says Hughes. “He said, 'She's got no chance,' and he didn't want me to run her. I said, 'Boss, I'm running this filly. I really think she's got a good chance.' “So, I had a very sleepless night when you're putting your neck on the line like that, but I would have been disappointed if she hadn't finished in the first four, to be honest. She didn't let us down and she ran a blinder.” The initial purchase of Sayidah Dariyan was typical of Abdullah's apparent Midas touch at the sales, a relatively inexpensive buy who has gone on to prove herself at the top level. She follows in the footsteps of horses such as Queen's Logic, Youmzain, Majestic Roi and Music Show, all Group 1 winners whose combined cost is a mere five-figure sum. Hughes himself tasted Group 1 glory aboard Youmzain and Music Show, with it being 15 years this week since the latter won the Falmouth Stakes. Whilst it was Hughes who struck the winning bid on Sayidah Dariyan when she fetched £35,000 at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale, don't think for one second that she passed Abdullah by. “To be honest, I'd never even heard of Dariyan when I bought this filly,” Hughes says of the late Haras de Bonneval stallion. “I just liked the shape of her and I only had her bought five minutes when Jaber rang me and said, 'I want that one.' “Our quality seems to have gone up a notch this season and that's largely thanks to Jaber, who has been a great supporter. I've asked him to buy a few horses and he's bought them. Luckily, I'm repaying his faith.” Certainly, with 39 winners on the board already, Hughes is on track for his most productive season since he saddled his first runners in September 2015, that coming just a matter of weeks after he hung up his riding boots at the conclusion of that year's Qatar Goodwood Festival. A three-time champion jockey in Britain, Hughes has longed for a place at the very top table in this second career and, as the 10-year anniversary of his final day in the saddle looms, finally there's a feeling in the camp that things are going in the right direction. Still, that in itself brings more challenges for Hughes, who will have his allegiances pulled in two different directions this weekend, with big-race runners at both Newmarket and York on 'Super Saturday'. “It is,” Hughes agrees when it's put to him that these are the type of contests that every trainer wants to be involved in. “But then there's a lot of anxiety that comes with it. And you can't be in two places at the one time, which is a shame. I'll probably have to go to Newmarket.” It's at Newmarket on Saturday that Hughes will try to break his Group 1 duck as a trainer when No Half Measures (Cable Bay) lines up in the July Cup, a race he won so memorably as a jockey when partnering Oasis Dream to victory in 2003. At the time of writing No Half Measures is a general 50/1 shot, despite the fact that she was beaten less than three lengths in last year's G1 Prix de l'Abbaye, shortly after her biggest win to date in the G3 World Trophy Stakes at Newbury. No Half Measures shows grit to land the Group 3 Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes at @NewburyRacing for Ryan Moore and @RHughesracing! pic.twitter.com/EzShOTGSQP — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 21, 2024 Owner Richard Gallagher seemingly needed no persuading to have a crack at this Group 1 and, much like he did with Sayidah Dariyan, Hughes warns that it would be a mistake to underestimate his filly in a wide-open division. “She's as good as any of them and I'd say she should be half those odds,” says the trainer. “She's going to run a big race and I couldn't have her any better. She was a bit unlucky at Haydock [when finishing second in the Listed Achilles Stakes]. There was a track bias that day on the stands rail and she had a penalty. She did everything bar win, if you know what I mean. “I just wish it was soft ground for the July Cup. We skipped Ascot because of the ground, but we feel Newmarket might just be a better track for her, with a little bit more ease in the ground. And the fact that we're going six [furlongs] on better ground, that will suit her better than five on better ground. She's just on her head over five on quick ground.” He adds, “She's a really good filly who improved way beyond our expectations last year. Ryan [Moore] won on her at the July Course and, when he got off, he said, 'This is pretty good you know.' I said, 'Will I get a bit of black type?' and he said, 'You'll get better than that.' How right he was.” Elsewhere on Saturday, Whip Cracker (Cracksman) is described as being on a “very dangerous mark” ahead of his run in the John Smith's Cup at York, while Abdullah's Star Of Mehmas (Mehmas) is set to line up in the Listed City Wall Stakes on the same card, having gone close to winning in similar company on her last two starts. By then, Hughes is hoping he'll already be among the winners, with Sayidah Dariyan appearing to hold leading form claims when she drops back down in grade for Friday's G3 Summer Stakes on the Knavesmire. “We thought it was the obvious place to go and she only lost three kilos at Ascot, so that really gave me the green light to train her for York,” Hughes explains. “I didn't have to worry that she'd had too hard a race at Ascot. “I think that was only her third run on grass. She's learning and she's getting stronger. It's a bit of a unique thing sprinting. They have off days, of course they do, but they definitely get better at it the more they race. “The easier six [furlongs] should suit her as well. I think she's quick enough for five, so the fast six at York should be right up her street.” Sayidah Dariyan first showcased her top-class potential last year when winning her maiden at Lingfield by 13 lengths, the sort of margin that you rarely see in sprint races of any description. Or at least that's the idea, but then Hughes sent out another two-year-old filly in the Abdullah silks to spreadeagle her rivals at Haydock last week. America Queen is the horse in question, a daughter of Havana Grey who cost her connections €180,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-up Sale, before winning by 12 lengths when making her debut on Merseyside. Blimey …. 180,000euro breezer (Havana Grey) dazzles on debut in the @BritishEBF fillies' maiden @haydockraces @RHughesracing | @loughnane_billy pic.twitter.com/9TnYep69UP — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 3, 2025 “I picked her out [at the breeze-ups],” Hughes remembers. “I was bidding away and then I got cold feet at about 140 grand, so I told Jaber, 'Please, buy this filly for me,' and he did. She's a very racy type and she just looked very genuine and was easy to deal with at the sales. And she came from a very good consignor [Greenhills Farm] which always helps. “In her routine canters she wouldn't take the eye at all, but she did one nice gallop with Mood Queen. The two of them just went along on the bit, but the fact that it was hard to split them on the bridle told me that she'd be good enough to win [at Haydock].” He adds, “She probably is good. She came from the breeze-ups and we thought she'd probably win if she did everything the right way round. But we didn't foresee anything like that happening, to be honest.” Next on the agenda for America Queen is the G2 Lowther Stakes at York's Ebor Festival, a race Abdullah has already won on five occasions this century, with the great Queen's Logic getting the ball rolling back in 2001. Time will tell whether this filly has the ability to add her name to that illustrious roll of honour but, in the meantime, Hughes is bullish about the prospects of Queen's Logic's granddaughter, Mood Queen (Kodiac), when she lines up in Friday's G2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes over the same course and distance as her recent maiden victory. Abdullah's homebred is the first foal out of the dual winner Baby Alya (Rio De La Plata), a three-parts sister to another Lowther scorer in Lady Of The Desert (Rahy), a filly Hughes later partnered to victory in the G2 Diadem Stakes. For good measure, Lady Of The Desert herself was responsible for Abdullah's latest Lowther heroine, Queen Kindly (Frankel). “It's a great family and we like Mood Queen a lot,” adds Hughes. “She moves beautifully and she's getting better. She's just a real nice two-year-old. “I was quite surprised that Karl Burke is running his filly [Venetian Sun]. I thought when I made the entry that we'd have the best filly in the race, so I've got to get back in my box now! She's a very good filly and I respect her hugely. “But Mood Queen won at Newmarket, and you haven't seen the best of her yet, so she'll have to perform well to beat us, Karl's filly – I think we'll give her a good run for it.” The post Richard Hughes Sets Sights on First Group 1 Success as a Trainer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bill Farish (Lane's End Farm) and Eric Gustavson (Spendthrift Farm) were re-elected to the Breeders' Cup Board of Directors, the organization said in a release Wednesday. M.V. Magnier (Coolmore) and Craig Fravel (Brown Advisory) were elected to the Board. Farish, Gustavson and Magnier will all serve four-year terms. Fravel, former President & CEO of Breeders' Cup Limited from 2011-19, will serve a three-year term. “We congratulate Bill and Eric on their re-election and are pleased to welcome M.V. and Craig to the Board,” said Barbara Banke, Chairman of Breeders' Cup Limited. “Their combined expertise and vision will be instrumental in driving the success of upcoming Company initiatives, particularly the continued global expansion and impact of the Breeders' Cup World Championships.” The post Farish and Gustavson Re-Elected to Breeders’ Cup Board of Directors; Fravel and M.V. Magnier Elected appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced juveniles from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes, sponsored by OBS Sales, highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, including links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for opening day of the traditional summer meet at Saratoga. Thursday, July 10, 2025 Saratoga 6, $100k, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 4:02 p.m. Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($) Cy Fair (Not This Time), OBSAPR, 185,000 C-Niall Brennan Stables, agt; B-Swinbank Stables c/o G Weaver The post Summer Breezes: Thursday, July 10, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Reserved seating is now on sale for Kentucky Downs' unique seven-day all-grass race meet. Tickets can be purchased at www.themintkentuckydowns.com/tickets. Kentucky Downs runs Aug. 28, 30, 31 and Sept. 4, 6, 7 and 10. Reserved seating is available every day in the popular open-air Finish Line Pavilion, as well as every day except Saturdays Aug. 30 and Sept. 6 in the air-conditioned VIP Chalet. Parking is free at Kentucky Downs. Post time is 12:20 p.m. Central every day except for Saturdays Aug. 30 and Sept. 6, when it will be 11:30 a.m. CT. The post Reserved Seating Now on Sale at Kentucky Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hugh Bowman surged past his best Hong Kong haul and onto the 71-winner mark with a Happy Valley treble on Wednesday evening, but he won’t be resting on his laurels for too long in the off-season. The 44-year-old struck in the first two races on the card, but by far his best win came in the feature Class Two Begonia Handicap (1,800m) aboard the fast-finishing Jumbo Legend for Caspar Fownes. Victory for the six-year-old never looked likely in the run, with Bowman having to sit and suffer in last...View the full article

Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 222 selected yearlings for the 104th Saratoga Sale, to be held on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 4 and 5, in Saratoga Springs, New York, it was announced Wednesday morning. Sessions will begin each evening at 6:30 pm in the Humphrey S. Finney Sales Pavilion. “We have assembled another outstanding group of yearlings for Saratoga, the type of quality that buyers expect to find at the number one ranked yearling sale by percentage of Grade I winners,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. The Saratoga Sale is once again the top ranked major North American yearling sale by percentage of Grade I winners and graded stakes winners according to statistics recently released by The BloodHorse MarketWatch. The sale has produced six individual Grade I winners in the last year. Recent sales graduates include Eclipse Champion and GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner); Journalism (Curlin), winner of this year's GI Preakness S.; Seize the Grey (Arrogate) (2024 Preakness S. and GI Pennsylvania Derby); Tappan Street (Into Mischief) (2025 GI Florida Derby); Kingsbarns (Uncle Mo) (2024 GI Stephen Foster S.); and And One More Time (Omaha Beach) (2024 GI Natalma S.) The sale also has the distinction of producing the last three Preakness Stakes winners in Journalism (2025), Seize the Grey (2024), and National Treasure (Quality Road) (2023). In addition to success at the Grade I level, Saratoga has produced 11 additional individual graded stakes winners in the last 12 months in Ballerina d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), Barnes (Into Mischief), Battle of Normandy (City of Light), Clicquot (Quality Road), Hall of Fame (Gun Runner), Hope Road (Quality Road), Integration (Quality Road), Major Dude (Bolt d'Oro), Owen Almighty (Speightstown), Rocket Can (Into Mischief), and Ticker Tape Home (Medaglia d'Oro). “The depth of quality found at Saratoga is second-to-none,” added Browning. “From catalogues of just 200 or more yearlings, Saratoga has produced six individual Grade I winners in the last year as well as three consecutive Preakness winners.” The catalogue may now be viewed online, and will also be available via the equineline sales catalogue app. Print catalogues are now available from all Fasig-Tipton offices. The post Catalogue for 104th Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale Now Available appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Reigning Eclipse Award winning journeyman Flavien Prat added another milestone to his resume with his first NYRA riding title at the Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet.View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – And now for the main event. With nine days of racing already in the books–a proper warmup by any measure, topped by the GI Belmont Stakes–the 157th season of racing at Saratoga begins Thursday with a 10-race program. It is the earliest-possible start in the calendar-driven schedule for the 40-day season that closes on Labor Day Sept. 1. For 44 years after racing resumed at Saratoga in 1946 following World War II, Saratoga was what eventually came to be known as a boutique meet of 24 programs, six days a week over four weeks. The season often started and ended in August, hence the marketing slogan “The August Place to Be.” Saratoga's burgeoning popularity in the 1970s and 1980s prompted the New York Racing Association to expand the meet to 30 days in 1990, then to 36 and finally to 40 in 2009. Four days were added in 2024 to accommodate the inaugural Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Festival, which was held upstate for the first time while Belmont Park is undergoing a massive rebuild. This year, a fifth day was added to the Belmont Festival and NYRA conducted the four-day July 4 Racing Festival last weekend. Those mini meets, technically part of the Belmont-at-the-Big A season, featured 12 Grade I races. By the time that the Saratoga meet draws to a close, a total of 49 days of racing spread over four months, with more than 500 races, will have been staged over America's oldest track. As has been the case for decades, the $1.25-million GI Travers on Aug. 23 and the $1-million GI Whitney on Aug. 2 are the marquee events of the highest-profile meet in North America. There will be 18 Grade I races as part of the 64-stakes menu worth more than $20 million in total purses. Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse said he made his first visit to Saratoga 54 years ago with his father Norman, the well-respected horseman and sales executive. Through his life and career, Casse has watched Saratoga grow in importance. His stable had a strong performance at Saratoga last summer: a record of 15-4-7 and earnings of $1.264 million from 53 starts. Mark Casse | Sarah Andrew Casse chuckled as he said that he told a friend over the weekend: “When you win in a lot of places, a small group sees. When you win at Saratoga, the world sees.” Trainer Bill Mott, the nine-time training champ at Saratoga during his distinguished Hall of Fame career, has the nation's leading 3-year-old in his care, Godolphin's Sovereignty (Into Mischief), winner of the GI Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. He expects the colt to prep for the Travers in the GII Jim Dandy on July 26. It is possible that the Travers could be another showdown between Sovereignty, GI Preakness Stakes winner Journalism (Curlin) and Baeza (McKinzie), who finished in that order in the Derby and the Belmont. Mott has been a regular at Saratoga since 1987 and his stable is based next to the Oklahoma training track from spring to late fall. Mott said the Saratoga season has a special feel to it. “It always has,” he said. “Very much. Much more than any other meet.” However, with the two extra weeks of racing this year, Mott said that the run-up to the launch of the season is out of ordinary. “Well, a little bit because of the length of it,” he said. “Yeah, it's a little different.” Sovereignty | Sarah Andrew This is the 12th summer that Jason Fitch and his brothers will operate King's Tavern across Union Avenue from the main entrance to the track. They also run the City Tavern on Caroline Street downtown. Fitch said the Belmont Stakes and July 4 festivals have altered the normal rhythm for Saratoga and racing. “It's funny, because I think a lot of people are confused,” he said. “Confused in a good way, though. Belmont was great for us again this year with the rain. The rain actually helped us, believe it or not. Obviously, if it rained all day, it would have been bad.” Fitch said the rain early in the day slowed down the arrival of the crowd, which enabled his staff to better handle the business coming through the door. Last year, he said the tavern was “jam packed” from morning until night. “Once the rain stopped, it was mayhem, which is great,” he said. “So, Belmont was Belmont. There was a lot of buzz around the track about that just because, obviously, it's the Belmont.” Fitch said that the July 4 weekend was certainly not the same as the Belmont Stakes festival or the regular season. NYRA announced that the total paid attendance for the four days was 52,156 with an on-track handle of $9.5 million. “Just talking to people, there were kind of mixed reviews,” he said. “They were kind of torn between going to the Spa and watching the horses or going to the boat for the fireworks. We have a lot of friends that did half days, a half day at the race course, and then went out to the boats or home for barbecues. We definitely saw a good influx of business at King's and the City Tavern, which was great. It's always positive to have positive numbers. But I think there is some confusion with 'does my heart belong at the racetrack, or does my heart belong on the boat for the Fourth?' Either way, it was a great weekend for us. There were more people in town for the Fourth than when it's just the Fourth of July celebration.” Saratoga | Sarah Andrew Fitch said some of the conversations he had with patrons focused on whether a 22-percent increase in racing days from 2023 to this summer might not be a positive. That has been a common talking point locally as the meet has grown in length over 35 years: How much is too much? No doubt, the key stats remain strong. Even though the 2024 meet was reduced by one day because of bad weather caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby, NYRA reported typically solid attendance and handle figures. All-sources handle of $803,806,964 eclipsed the $799,229,288 from 2023, a 3.2 percent gain. Minus the one day, the total paid attendance was 1,051,092, down 2.5 percent from the previous year. As always, racing is a slave to the weather. Despite losing a full day from the meet, NYRA benefitted from an important stat: it moved 20 fewer races from the turf to the dirt–65 to 45–than it did in 2023. The off-the-turf switches due to wet conditions produce many scratches and hurt handle. Saratoga draws the stars and builds reputations every summer. Last year, seven of the 11 horses that earned Eclipse Award titles, led by Horse of the Year 'TDN Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), competed at least once at the Spa. That championship lineup also featured Immersive (Nyquist), 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), National Treasure (Quality Road), Idiomatic (Curlin), Soul of an Angel (Atreides) and Moira (Ghostzapper). Thorpedo Anna training at Saratoga last fall | Sarah Andrew Thorpedo Anna rebounded from the first off-the-board finish in her career in the GI La Troienne Stakes to win the GII Fleur de Lis Stakes. She is on course to the GI Personal Ensign on Aug. 23. Five-time Eclipse Award winner Chad Brown will seek his fifth-straight Saratoga training title and eighth overall. His 45 victories last summer doubled the runners-up Todd Pletcher–who has led the standings a record 14 times–and Mike Maker, and was one shy of the track record he set in 2018. Irad Ortiz, Jr. secured his third-consecutive riding title and sixth overall with 52 victories. He had a comfortable advantage over Flavien Prat, who finished with 45 wins. Prat had a record-breaking season at the Spa, though, with 18 stakes victories, surpassing the mark of 15 shared by Ortiz, Jr., Joel Rosario and John Velazquez. Two Saratoga stalwarts for decades, trainers Christophe Clement and D. Wayne Lukas, passed away in recent months. Lukas, 89, was the leading trainer six times and won 266 races, fifth on the all-time list. Clement, 59, won with his second Saratoga starter, Coxwold, in August 1992 and his next-to-last runner, Big Invasion (Declaration of War), in the Harvey Pack on Sept. 2, 2024. NYRA tweaked its stakes schedule for 2025. The most notable changes involved three Grade I races. The Fourstardave was moved ahead one week to the Whitney Day program and the Sword Dancer was relocated from Travers Day to two weeks earlier to fill the slot vacated by the Fourstardave. The Personal Ensign, previously run on the Friday before the Travers, was dropped into the Travers program. Worth noting is that NYRA ran the Schuylerville and the Sanford during the July 4 festival, a week or so earlier than usual, stretching out the 2-year-old stakes program. That might produce more entries in the second legs of the series, the GIII Adirondack and the GII Saratoga Special. Trainer Cherie DeVaux won the GI New York Stakes with her stable star She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}) during the Belmont Stakes Festival and will saddle her again Saturday in the GI Diana. DeVaux was born in Saratoga Springs and lived there until her family moved when she was in kindergarten. She began her career in racing as a hotwalker, climbed the ladder to assistant trainer and launched her own stable in 2018. She won her first Saratoga race in 2019. Last summer she finished 10th on the trainer's earnings table with $1,021,400 from a record of 5-10-7. Now based at Barn 83, Lukas's home starting in 1988, she said she is looking forward to the meet. It won't be all business, though, since her parents live in nearby Glens Falls, and her younger sister, Adrianne, has horses at Saratoga in what is her first full year as a trainer. “It's exciting,” DeVaux said. “I love it that nothing changes the environment that's here, the excitement. This is kind of the kickoff of the championship part of the year, getting horses ready for Breeders' Cup and the campaign is getting started for us, as well. So, very excited. Excited for what we're bringing. It should be a good time.” For Jason Fitch and his staff, the upcoming eight-plus weeks will be the busiest of the year. He said there is the standard high level of anticipation for the racing season. “I think so. One hundred percent,” he said. “You see more and more people going across to the Oklahoma, lining up just to see them run around the Oklahoma. It's special. The buzz is definitely there.” The post Saratoga’s Busiest Summer in History Moves to the High-Profile Race Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) has suspended the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology and Research Laboratory's (PETRL) probationary Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) Equine Analytical Laboratory (HEAL) accreditation status for a minimum of six months, beginning July 8, 2025, the organization announced in a release Wednesday morning. Effective immediately, samples collected in Pennsylvania are being sent to Industrial Laboratories for analysis. HIWU's independent Laboratory Expert Group, which evaluates the performance of Program laboratories, recommended the suspension of PETRL's probationary HEAL accreditation due to nonconformities associated with HEAL compliance. HIWU, in consultation with its Laboratory Expert Group, will review PETRL's response to this suspension and associated corrective actions. Probationary accreditation status will not be restored unless and until the laboratory is in full compliance with HEAL. HIWU's review of PETRL is ongoing, and any impact on resolved or pending ADMC Program cases will be publicly disclosed in accordance with Program rules. The HEAL accreditation program was implemented on January 1, 2025, and is the national laboratory accreditation program established by HISA's Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program. Overseen by HIWU, it builds on the foundations of the ISO 17025 and Racing Medication & Testing Consortium models and requires a robust External Quality Assessment Scheme to ensure that Program laboratories maintain HEAL standards. The post HIWU Suspends Probationary HEAL Accreditation of Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology and Research Laboratory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dual Group 1 winner Jukebox Jury, an emerging force in the National Hunt stallion ranks, has died at the age of 19. “It is with great sadness that we announce Jukebox Jury has been euthanised due to complications following colic surgery,” read the statement posted to social media by Burgage Stud, home to the son of Montjeu since 2018. “He had a lovely, kind personality and was a pleasure to work with. He will be greatly missed, but we are thankful he came to Burgage and the impact he has left.” Bred by Paul Nataf, Jukebox Jury proved himself a smart two-year-old for trainer Mark Johnston and owner Alan Spence, notably winning the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes and filling the runner-up spot in the G1 Racing Post Trophy. The following season he added three more Group-race victories to his tally, with the first of his two wins at the top level coming in that year's Preis von Europa. At four he won the G2 Jockey Club Stakes, while at five he won three more races, highlighted by his dead-heat with Duncan in the G1 Irish St Leger. Jukebox Jury retired to Gestut Etzean in Germany in 2013 and was there until 2018 when he moved to join the Burgage roster in County Carlow, Ireland. The G1 Prix du Cadran heroine Princess Zoe was among his star performers conceived during his time in Germany, but it's over jumps where his runners have really excelled. The five-time Grade 1 winner Il Etait Temps is his best runner in that sphere to date, while last season his daughter Bambino Fever was unbeaten in four starts in bumpers, culminating with top-level victories at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals. The post Jukebox Jury Dies at 19 Following Colic Surgery appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

American Affair (Washington DC) has been ruled out of next month's G1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York, after a bone scan “highlighted some issues”, according to trainer Jim Goldie. An eight-time winner for the Goldie stable, American Affair continued his remarkable rise through the ranks with a popular win in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last time, providing his trainer with the first Group 1 victory of a career spanning over three decades. Goldie remains hopeful that American Affair will have further opportunities to add to his top-level tally in 2025, with an appearance at the Breeders' Cup top of the wishlist, but a tilt at the Nunthorpe is definitely off the cards. “We're hoping it's not the end of his season,” said the trainer. “We thought, just to clear the decks, if we took him out of the Nunthorpe now, we wouldn't try to rush him back. We don't think it's that serious but, if you get a warning, you heed it. “It was after his routine vaccine for equine flu, sometimes it sets off an allergic reaction, that's the whole idea of it. Basically, he went lame behind on us, but he came sound quite quick. “Obviously, something was going on, so we decided to bone scan him and it highlighted some issues. If you scan most horses in training you'll find something, but we're just being careful.” Goldie added, “The Breeders' Cup isn't until November 1. I've taken advice from various vets that I work with and they think he can make that. I'm reasonably confident we'll get him there.” The post Royal Ascot Hero American Affair Forced to Miss Nunthorpe appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Jonny Turner Sunday was billed as Averil’s big day out, and it proved exactly that. Northern Southland owner Averil Fowler sponsored one of the feature events at Ascot Park in the Averil’s Big Day Out Gold Chip Final. The event was run just two races after Fowler watched her pacer Miki Cohen win at $21 odds for trainer-driver Kirstin Green. Both helped deliver a thrilling Sunday for Fowler and her crew of supporters who came to enjoy her big day out. The race carrying her name came about after Fowler won a race sponsorship in a charity auction at a bowling tournament. A week prior, Miki Cohen wasn’t slated to be starting on the same day as Fowler’s race, but a quick chat between Green and Fowler changed that. “I went to the workouts the week before and the horse just had a quiet run, Kirstin said afterwards he was still a bit fat,” Fowler said. “I mentioned that my race was going to be the next week, so she said she might as well chuck him in and I’m glad she did.” Fresh up since April, with two quiet workouts to prepare, the Miki Cohen camp were hopeful rather than overly confident. That meant Fowler told her friends who came to enjoy Averil’s Big Day Out to bet accordingly. Thankfully though, they didn’t listen. “I had a great crew there with me and I said to them he’s still on the way up and not to back him.” “Luckily, they didn’t take any notice of me.” “The horse winning was a great thrill and everyone had a great day.” Fowler’s interest in harness racing stems from a family connection and also through her involvement in bowls. Fowler is an outstanding bowler, having won national titles and numerous tournaments and championships in Southland. When looking to ease back from the commitments of competing, she turned to harness racing. Fowler had previously enjoyed the sport through her late partner, Graham Clearwater, and brother, Murray McKeown. “We raced Nod D’or with Murray. He also had a horse called Joni James, which was named after Dad and our uncle.” “So we followed it pretty closely, it sort of started from there.” Fowler enjoyed success with Dallas Dale earlier this year, also raced from the Green stable with many of the same owners who are in Miki Cohen. Fowler took a share in the latter after watching the national yearling sales. “I saw Kirstin bidding on the horse, the sales were on TV in those days.” “I went in another one with Kirstin this year – a trotter.” “Brad Morris is doing a bit of work with him and all the reports are pretty good so far.” With his fitness to keep improving, Miki Cohen looks set to deliver Fowler more thrills while her yearling progresses towards a racetrack career. View the full article

Race 3 WAITOMO FUELS MAIDEN 1400m ROAR OF THE JUNGLE (M McNab) – Trainer Mr. K Pertab reported to Stewards, that upon return to the stable, the gelding underwent a veterinary exanimation which included blood tests, with no abnormalities being detected. K Pertab further advised that it is his intention to continue with ROAR OF THE JUNGLE’S current preparation and puts the disappointing performance to the Heavy 10 track conditions. Race 4 MCMILLAN ACCOUNTANTS 1560m BALLISTIC MISS (G Rooke) – Trainer Mr. S Marsh reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the filly, however, BALLISTIC MISS has been sent for a brief freshen up. The post Racing Rotorua @ Arawa Park, Wednesday 2 July 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Brazilian hoop Bruno Queiroz was airborne in the tangerine silks of Te Akau Racing at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday, guiding two of the stable’s runners to success and another to a narrow placing. The double emulated his effort on the previous day at Otaki, where he piloted Testing (NZ) (Time Test) and He’s All Fabulous (NZ) (Fabulous) to victory across the rescheduled card, before heading south with a big book of rides. His Riccarton brace commenced in the Speight’s Summit Ultra On Tap Maiden (1600m) where odds-on favourite Purple Prose (NZ) (Embellish) was tasked with running down the $201 outsider New Beginning (NZ) (Vespa), who looked to have a winning break on his rivals in the straight. In a perfectly-timed run, Queiroz wound up on the outside aboard Purple Prose and caught New Beginning just short of the line, a satisfying result for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson. “It was a good effort to win from that far back and a lovely ride of Bruno’s,” Walker said. “With his experience beforehand in Singapore, (Bruno) rides the polytracks so well and has a real confidence about him on the synthetic surfaces. “Purple Prose has the breeding to get over more distance, being a half-brother to our good staying mare Elegant Lady (NZ) (Highly Recommended), and he’ll keep improving with more time and maturity.” A couple of races later, it was the turn of Queen Of Naples (NZ) (Darci Brahma), who was shooting for a repeat performance after a dominant maiden win at the course last month. Starting as the second-elect in the Red Nose Raceday – 24 July Three-Year-Old (1400m), Queiroz looked to find cover early aboard the daughter of Darci Brahma, but with no leader emerging from the field, he took matters into his own hands and dictated the tempo up-front. The filly was travelling strongly into the straight, and once she kicked clear, she was never in doubt, holding out a strong finish from race-favourite Wanderin Spelle (NZ) (Wyndspelle) to score by 3–¾ lengths. Queiroz was duly impressed with Queen Of Naples and is enjoying life in New Zealand after relocating to the country in autumn. “I was confident because her last win was very, very, easy, and today, this field did not have pace,” he said. “I had instructions to keep her happy and she was travelling very well. I waited until the straight, and in the last 200m, she was flying home. “I am very happy here, love this country, and with my manager Andre Neill, we are getting plenty of support and opportunities. I’m happy to enjoy my work here and enjoy the moment.” It looked that Queiroz may have completed the treble in the last, with a long wait for a photo finish between his mount, Rule Of Law, and Delmonico, but the result went the way of the Andrew Carston-trained runner. View the full article

Local gelding Zoulander (NZ) (Zoustar) belied his odds once more when scoring his second consecutive victory on Riccarton’s synthetic track on Wednesday. Despite winning over 1400m on the surface last month, he was unwanted by punters in the Join TAB Racing Club Rating 75 (1400m), jumping a $26.40 outsider. The seven-year-old gelding was slow out of the gates, but he quickly regained the deficit and apprentice jockey Floor Moerman elected to push forward on the fence to sit in the trail. Pacemaker Doubtful Sound (Not A Single Doubt) kicked clear at the turn and Moerman was seeking to find clear running room for her charge, which she found with 250m to go and Zoulander was able to reel in the leaders to win by a head over Sorcha (NZ) (Burgundy), with a further neck back to Doubtful Sound in third. “He missed the kick, or maybe I missed the kick on him, but he got back to them pretty quickly and then he travelled really well all the way,” Moerman said. “As soon as I got clean air, he was really wonderful. He is lovely to ride.” While his victory may have surprised punters it didn’t surprise his handlers, who have now set their sights on the $100,000 Polytrack Championship (1200m) at Riccarton on August 6. “On his day he tries hard, and his work has been just as good, if not better, since that last start,” Matthew Pitman said. “We said to Floor before the race to ride him for a bit of luck and put him in a dogfight, and you know once he gets into that dogfight he usually comes out on top. She rode him well. “He will be eligible for the $100,000 race on the poly in the middle of the National Week. That will be a great race for him to target, and in the form he is currently in he wouldn’t be without a chance.” A race later, the Pitmans were back in the winner’s circle welcoming back Ocean Light (NZ) (Ocean Park) following his long head victory in the Cup Week Hospitality On Sale Now Rating 75 (2200m). The four-year-old son of Ocean Park is also set to return to the track during the Grand National Festival of Racing next month, with the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) being his ultimate aim in November. “He is a very good horse and I was very pleased with how he was ridden today. He is a better horse when he is left behind the speed,” Michael Pitman said. “There is a nice race for him on the middle day (of the Grand National carnival) on the poly. The poly has got its place, it suits certain horses, and he is one of the ones it does suit. He will then be probably set for the New Zealand Cup.” Earlier on the card, Cape Horn (All Too Hard) broke through for his maiden victory in the Herman’s Hermits 2 August Christchurch Maiden (1200m) at his third career start, and kicked off what would become a winning treble for his trainers, who now sit on 36 wins for the season. View the full article

The star Kiwi jockey joined Racing Pulse after recently announcing he is going to come out of retirement and return to race riding. Listen Here View the full article