Wandering Eyes

Japan's Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders Luxor Cafe and Admire Daytona continued their acclimation exercises at Churchill Downs April 29 but finally got down to business with both colts working five furlongs in their last major pre-Derby drills.View the full article

The improving Will Then, one of the rising stars in the Southern California female turf division, trades in the Golden State for the Kentucky bluegrass when she starts in the May 2 $600,000 Edgewood Stakes (G2T) at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Last year, Seize the Grey won the Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2) before winning the Preakness Stakes (G1) two weeks later. That's also a possibility for at least one contender in this year's $600,000 race: Built. View the full article

Ascot Racecourse publicity reported April 29 that recent Memories Of Silver Stakes winner Laurelin has been entered in the Coronation Stakes (G1) at the Royal Ascot meeting in June.View the full article

Two years ago, Godolphin came into the Kentucky Oaks with a serious threat in Wet Paint (Blame). The homebred was undefeated as a 3-year-old and looked every bit the part in the days leading up to the big event. She went off as the 8-5 favorite, but when the fillies hit the wire it was the other Godolphin runner, Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief), who delivered the win. At 10-1 odds, she handed her connections of Godolphin, trainer Brendan Walsh and jockey Tyler Gaffalione their first Oaks victory. This year, Godolphin returns to the Oaks with another heavy favorite, this one boasting a spotless record. Brad Cox trainee Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro), a second-generation homebred, is the 6-5 morning-line favorite for Friday's Oaks. With a filly as good as Good Cheer, Godolphin's Director of Bloodstock Michael Banahan understands the weight of expectation, but as he saw two years ago, knows that nothing is guaranteed once the starting gates open. “I think [the pressure] is more because she's undefeated and the longer you go on with an undefeated streak, you like to keep them undefeated,” he said. “You're not just going to build up a win streak. You want to try the best competition out there and when you feel like you've got one of the better fillies in the country, you're going to be running in the biggest races. She's such an easy filly to be around and because she does everything so well, it sort of gives you a bit of confidence. She probably makes the pressure a little bit less herself and makes us feel a bit better about going in there with a favorite.” It seems that through every stage of her career, Good Cheer has built a reputation for making things looks effortless. As Ben Lynch, Godolphin's Broodmare Manager at Stonerside Farm, jokingly puts it: “Even Stevie Nicks would like Good Cheer.” From the start, the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro was easy on the eyes and easy on her handlers. As a yearling, she battled a significant foot issue that left her connections uncertain of whether she'd make the starting gate, but she pulled through and blossomed when sent to Bridlewood Farm for pre-training. “She was one of our top 2-year-olds going into the season,” said Banahan. “We felt like she was a later-developing type of filly, actually, and that we wouldn't really see the best of her until her 3-year-old year, but then she went to Brad and she was passing all his tests early on. I was surprised that we were getting to the track as early as we did.” From the outset, Good Cheer's connections believed that the filly was built more for stamina than raw speed. When Godolphin was looking to debut a group of 2-year-old fillies around the same time last summer, they found a mile-long maiden race for Good Cheer at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Even though she was squeezed back at the start, she wound up demolishing the field by over eight lengths. “Everyone always asks why she ran at Indiana the first time,” said Banahan. “It was a distance that we wanted and we had lots of others we wanted to run at the same time. She went up there and won well. Every time she went to the racetrack she improved and got better and better and probably surprised us with how well she did.” Wedding Toast at Stonerside Farm | Sara Gordon Even as Good Cheer quietly reeled off three more wins last year, it was her stablemate, fellow Godolphin homebred Immersive (Nyquist), who claimed the spotlight with her dominant GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies victory. When the champion 2-year-old was sidelined with bone bruising, Good Cheer stepped up this year with back-to-back wins in the GII Rachel Alexandra Stakes and GII Fair Grounds Oaks. Immersive is back in training with the Cox barn, but for now Good Cheer remains Godolphin's leading lady among their class of 3-year-old fillies going into the Kentucky Oaks. “Her best attribute is her professionalism and class,” noted Banahan. “Nothing phases her at all. She's just an easygoing filly and you can do anything you want with her.” Godolphin's connection with Good Cheer's family dates back to 2008, when they purchased Stonerside Farm from Robert and Janice McNair. Along with the Paris, Kentucky property came a select group of broodmares including Golden Sheba (Coronado's Quest). The unraced half-sister to multiple Grade I winner Congaree (Arazi) rewarded her new owners early on in her breeding career when she produced Wedding Toast (Street Sense). Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, the filly raced to four graded stakes victories including the 2015 GI Ogden Phipps and 2015 GI Beldame Stakes. After retiring from the track, Wedding Toast joined a group of mares who traveled to be bred to Darley's European supersire Dubawi (Ire). The resulting foal, Ya Hayati, went on to become a stakes winner in Dubai. Since then, Wedding Toast's broodmare career has seen mixed results. She has been barren in four of her nine season. Wedding Toast's yearling filly is a full-sister to Good Cheer | Sara Gordon Following two foals by Tapit who made the races but never reached stakes level, Godolphin bred Wedding Toast to their flagship sire, Medaglia d'Oro. “Wedding Toast is by Street Sense, who has always done well with Mr. Prospector lines, so going to Medaglia d'Oro was a big draw there,” explained Banahan of the mating that produced Good Cheer. Last year Wedding Toast produced another Medaglia d'Oro filly, who Banahan describes as nice but a more compact version of Good Cheer. After foaling that filly, the mare colicked and did not get back in foal. This year, she returned to Medaglia d'Oro. Darley's Medaglia d'Oro looks to have a busy Kentucky Derby weekend. Along with Good Cheer, he will also have Ballerina d'Oro in the Kentucky Oaks as well as Godolphin homebred East Avenue in the Kentucky Derby. The sire will also be represented by Spirit of St Louis in the GI Turf Classic Stakes, Megalodon in the GI American Turf Stakes and Nitrogen in the GII Edgewood Stakes. As Good Cheer headlines a strong weekend lineup for Medaglia d'Oro, Godolphin is optimistic that she can build upon the legacy of both her sire and her female family. “I don't doubt that she will show up because every time she's gone to the races, she's done that,” said Banahan. “She's training super and she looks awesome. You wouldn't trade her for anyone else. Going in with an undefeated record is always difficult, but she gives everyone a lot of confidence going in there and we certainly like her chances.” The post Family Form: Good Cheer Brings Class and Confidence to Kentucky Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wildcard Old Bridge (Fr) (Born To Sea {Ire}) (lot 46) topped the ThoroughBid April Sale which concluded on Tuesday. The 4-year-old gelding, consigned by Gordon Elliott Racing, was snapped up by SWRSL for £20,000. The extended family of the placed chestnut features multiple Grade I winner A Raving Beauty (Ger) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) among others. Two lots made £12,000 apiece: the Monasooth Stables-consigned Western Clouds (GB) (Cloudings {Ire}) (lot 25) and Spartan Warrior (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) (lot 37), with the former selling to Darren O'Dwyer and the latter catching the eye of Robert Aplin from the Jimmy Fyffe consignment. At the close of trade, 17 lots of the 40 offered had sold (43%) for a gross of £103,250. The average was £6,073 and the median was £5,500. The post ThoroughBid April Sale Topped By Old Bridge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Justin Curran, assistant trainer to Michael McCarthy, has described the Kentucky Derby as “the holy grail” and said Journalism (Curlin) winning the first leg of the American Triple Crown would complete a long-held ambition of being associated with a winner of the great race. The Irish native, who spent time working with Dermot Weld and Todd Pletcher before joining McCarthy seven years ago, has been around some genuine top-notchers but freely admits that Journalism is close to entering that elite bracket. Journalism has mopped up some of the key Kentucky Derby trials on the West Coast and will line out for Saturday's race as a warm order at odds of 5-2. The belief is rising within the camp, but so too are the butterflies. “For me, it's the race I'd want to win the most,” Curran explained. “It's the pinnacle of American racing and it's what you get into the business for. I'd love to be associated with a Kentucky Derby winner and hopefully it will be this year with Journalism. Horses like this are why we get out of bed at four in the morning and miss family events. It's the holy grail.” He added, “It's a different experience to last year, where we obviously had a long-shot [Endlessly (Oscar Performance)] running in the race. It's exciting. I've been based with Michael for seven years now but we've had a relationship that extends back to our days working together at Todd Pletcher's.” Curran has surrounded himself with high-class horses since graduating from RACE back in 2001. Rags to Riches, Scat Daddy, City Of Light, Media Puzzle and Refuse to Bend are just some of the household names that he has worked closely with and the hope is that Journalism will be the latest-and possibly the best. “Rags To Riches is probably the best horse that I have ever been associated with to date,” he explained. “I was the exercise rider for her and she was a tremendous filly–she actually beat Curlin, the sire of Journalism, in the Belmont Stakes. I think no filly had actually won the Belmont Stakes for 105 years before she managed to do it so she was pretty special. But Journalism is right there towards the top. Obviously when I worked for Dermot Weld back home in Ireland, I was around horses like Grey Swallow, Media Puzzle and Refuse To Bend–all very accomplished horses and with Todd, he had the likes of Scat Daddy, English Channel and Flower Alley. I've been very lucky to have put myself in spots where I have been surrounded by some top quality horses.” The racing game-particularly in America-can be all-encompassing. With top-class racing taking place across the country virtually all-year round, it can be hard to step off the hamster wheel. But something had to give about a decade back when, keen not to miss his kids growing up, Curran took a sabbatical from the sport. He explained, “I did, I took a step back. I actually spent a bit of time in Dubai as well, where I was assistant to Erwan Charpy, but when I came back I went and got my real estate licence. My kids were growing up and I didn't want to miss it. When you work as an assistant trainer in America, you have to travel a lot, and I didn't want to get stuck on that wheel when my kids were at an age where I needed to be around. But Michael has had a year-round presence in Kentucky for the past six years and that has allowed me to stay in the one place so that's why it works.” Curran added, “The time away from the sport provided me with a different perspective. I went to the RACE Academy on the Curragh when I was 15 years old and was basically working with horses ever since. Seeing a different perspective was good but, ultimately, working with horses is what I was cut out to do and I was always going to come back to the sport.” There was a brief period when Curran contemplated a career as a jockey and he actually managed to win one of the most prestigious apprentice races in the programme book, the Apprentice Derby at the Curragh just a year after graduating from RACE. However, that proved to be the only winner that Curran managed to steer in his time at Rosewell House, during which he came to a crossroads and opted to go West and across the Atlantic Ocean. He said, “When I got into the game, my full intention was to become a jockey! I was just over eight stone at 16 and, believe it or not, I actually won the Apprentice Derby at the Curragh for Dermot Weld on a horse called Sights On Gold (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) in the colours of Moyglare Stud back in 2002. He actually went on to become quite an accomplished horse for Godolphin so, basically, I just steered him around that day at the Curragh-he was absolutely lumped in! He went off 7-2 but if a more accomplished rider would have ridden him he would have been 1-20. I realised pretty quickly that I wasn't going to make a career out of being a jockey. I was getting big at the time and Sights On Gold was the only winner that I ever managed to ride on the track. So when it came to deciding the next chapter, it was going to be the Irish National Stud course or go to America, and I opted for the latter.” It has proved an inspired move and, while he hasn't completely lost his County Wicklow twang, Curran admits to have been completely caught up in Derby fever and the magic that comes with being associated with the favourite for the race. “I've never been associated with a Kentucky Derby winner but I have always been fascinated with the race. I can remember watching Fusaichi Pegasus win the race from Ireland back in 2000 and I think that's what first drew my attention into how special this race is. “Journalism could be very, very good. The Derby can be an outlier sometimes. If you can imagine the Breeders' Cup and then multiply by five or six, then you've got the Derby. The magnitude of it is amazing. I am in Louisville all year round and, if anybody knows that you're connected to a horse, the questions are always Derby, Derby, Derby. I've never experienced the build-up to the Melbourne Cup but I'm sure it's pretty similar.” Curran added, “Journalism ran three times within the space of seven weeks as a two-year-old, which isn't typical of something that Michael would normally do, but the horse had been taking his work well and showing all of the signs that he was capable of doing something like that. He got a minor sickness in January but pointed to the San Felipe Stakes, where he beat the highly-touted Barnes before winning the Santa Anita Derby, which was the final big Kentucky Derby prep for the horses on the west coast. Now we're here. We're obviously nervous but we're excited as well. In this business, you just can't expect anything but we're very hopeful. We just want to get him into the starting gate and hopefully everyone gets a clean trip and the best horse wins.” The post Justin Curran: ‘The Kentucky Derby Is The Holy Grail And Journalism Could Be Very, Very Good’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Koichi Nishikawa's Luxor Café (American Pharoah) and Junko Kondo's Admire Daytona (Jpn) (Drefong) turned in works during the 7:15-7:30 a.m. EST training period reserved for Kentucky Derby and Oaks entrants over a fast track Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs. Trained by Noriyuki Hori, Luxor Café worked five furlongs in 1:02.40 with jockey Joao Moreira aboard. Fractions on the work were :13.40, :26, :37.80 and 1:02.40. “I was asked to canter a lap as a warm-up,” Moreira said. “Then I galloped him from the five-furlong pole. It was just an easy work, just to keep him ticking over. The horse felt good, relaxed and had good rhythm throughout. I was happy with his action and focus. He pulled up well. Looking forward to the challenge of riding him in the Kentucky Derby.” Trained by Yukihiro Kato, Admire Daytona worked five furlongs in 1:02.40 with Yoshimitsu Niyashita in the saddle. Working in company with the 3-year-old Dale Romans-trained maiden winner Greatdayforhockey (Twirling Candy), Admire Daytona produced fractions of :13.40, :25.60, :49.40, 1:02.40 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:16.20. “Up until now he's been just training on his own just maintaining condition from Dubai,” Kato said of the G2 UAE Derby winner. “We wanted to train him in company to tighten the screws down and it was perfect. He is a horse that thrives off a challenge. We really appreciate Dale Romans helping us out today.” The post Japan’s Derby Hopefuls Luxor Cafe, Admire Daytona Work appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wednesday, Ascot, Britain, post time: 14:15, LONGINES SAGARO STAKES (GOLD CUP TRIAL)-G3, £80,000, 4yo/up, 15f 209y Field: Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Yashin (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), Feigning Madness (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), Divine Comedy (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Mick and Janice Mariscotti's star stayer Coltrane encounters a trio of unfamiliar foes standing in the way of a record-breaking third Olé in this two-mile stepping stone to the G1 Gold Cup. Second in the 2023 renewal of Royal Ascot's highlight, he will head postward as the odds-on favourite to collect a sixth black-type triumph for the Andrew Balding stable. It is not the most competitive affair–by any metric–and the Harry Eustace-trained Divine Comedy rates as the likeliest party-pooper on a significant day for the Newmarket conditioner's yard. The Equema Partnership's seven-year-old failed by a long whisker to overhaul staying yardstick Al Qareem in last month's Listed Further Flight Stakes at Nottingham and strips fit for this marathon. Dual Newbury Group 3 fourth Feigning Madness and former Jessica Harrington trainee Yashin, who recently underwent a second wind operation, require quite an uptick in fortunes to wreak havoc. [Sean Cronin]. Wednesday, Ascot, Britain, post time: 14:50, EVENTMASTERS.CO.UK COMMONWEALTH CUP TRIAL STAKES (PAVILION STAKES)-G3, £80,000, 3yo, 6f 0y Field: Ain't Nobody (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), Arabie (GB), Big Mojo (Ire) (Mohaather {GB}), Brian (Ire) (Shaman {Ire}), Candy (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), Dash Dizzy (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Diablo Rojo (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Electrolyte (Ire) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Hallasan (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Rebel's Gamble (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). TDN Verdict: The card's highlight–featuring Blue Point, Calyx and Invincible Army on its roll of honour–has attracted a cast of 10 and this year's incarnation appears at the mercy of Wathnan Racing's G2 Coventry runner-up Electrolyte, who made a belated stakes breakthrough in September's G3 Prix Eclipse. Ryan Moore is a more-than-able deputy for the injured James Doyle. Rock-solid opposition includes G3 Molecomb winner Big Mojo, who finished just over a length adrift of Magnum Force when fourth in Del Mar's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. However, it will be the Mick Appleby speedster's first outing since undergoing wind surgery in February. Charlie Appleby sends forth £300,000 Weatherbys Scientific victor and £180,000 Goffs UK Premier graduate Hallasan, who subdued G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere hero Camille Pissarro in that Doncaster lottery but got battered in excess of nine lengths by Ruling Court in last month's Listed UAE 2000 Guineas. Unraced juvenile Rebel's Gamble has won three of four starts this term and, representing the Karl Burke juggernaut here, is another worthy of consideration lining up fresh off a first black-type triumph in March's Listed Spring Cup. Dash Dizzy thundered along on the front deep into September's G1 Middle Park, before fading back to third behind Shadow Of Light and Whistlejacket, and will be a factor if ascending to that level on seasonal return. [Sean Cronin]. Wednesday, Ascot, Britain, post time: 13:40, EVENTMASTERS.CO.UK PARADISE STAKES (QUEEN ANNE STAKES TRIAL)-Listed, £60,000, 4yo/up, 8f 0y Field: Phantom Flight (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), Tyrrhenian Sea (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Checkandchallenge (GB) (Fast Company {Ire}), Docklands (GB) (Massaat {Ire}), Harper's Ferry (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Meydaan (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Royal Dubai (Fr) (Seahenge, Sardinian Warrior (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Sir Busker (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Witch Hunter (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). TDN Verdict: The stakes action on Ascot's programme of Royal meeting pointers commences with this intriguing sighter for the G1 Queen Anne Stakes. Marcstown's progressive John and Thady Gosden trainee Sardinian Warrior is taken to provide TDN Rising Star and 2023 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Unquestionable with an uncomfortable reintroduction. The former, making his turf bow here, returned off a summer sabbatical to annex a pair of one-mile heats at Southwell last backend and remains on an upward trajectory while the latter debuts for the Richard Hannon stable coming back off a brace of fourths behind Rosallion in 2024's G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and G1 St James's Palace Stakes. Viable alternatives include last year's second and Queen Anne runner-up Docklands, from the Harry Eustace yard, who touches down on home soil for his birthday after a brief Group 1 adventure in Australia and Hong Kong. Victorious Racing's dual stakes scorer Phantom Flight is another on the European comeback trail having enjoyed a fruitful four-race winter campaign in Bahrain. The mere presence of veteran Sir Busker warms the cockles with the 2022 G2 York Stakes winner and G1 Juddmonte International third, and twice placed in this, still going strong at the age of nine. [Sean Cronin]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Electrolyte Looms A Hot Prospect In Pavilion Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Applications for The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program's (T.I.P.) two annual awards, the Thoroughbred of the Year Award and the Young Rider of the Year Award, are now available online at www.tjctip.com. Applications are due June 30, 2025. The T.I.P. Thoroughbred of the Year Award, which recognizes a Thoroughbred that has excelled in a non-competitive career, such as equine-assisted services or police work. includes a $5,000 grant to the non-profit organization associated with the horse or, if no organization is associated with the horse, to a horse-related charity chosen by The Jockey Club. To apply for the T.I.P. Thoroughbred of the Year Award, click here. The T.I.P. Young Rider of the Year Award recognizes young riders, 18 or under, as of Jan. 1, 2025, who own or lease a Thoroughbred for use in 4-H, Pony Club, or other activities. The winner(s) will be determined through an essay contest with a total award of $5,000. For more information or to apply for the Young Rider of the Year Award, click here. Thoroughbreds registered with The Jockey Club are eligible for participation in both awards. The post 2025 T.I.P. Non-Competition Award Applications Available Online appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

International stars Asfoora (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) and Satono Reve (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) headline entries from six countries for the eight Group 1 races at Royal Ascot. Royal Ascot offers £10 million in prize-money in 2025, with all eight Group 1 prizes worth a minimum of £650,000 and no race run for less than £110,000. Asfoora continued the superb record of Australian-trained sprinters at Royal Ascot in 2024 as she stormed to victory in the G1 King Charles III Stakes, a race she is targeting again this year. Last seen finishing seventh in the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes, she will be trying to become the first horse from outside Europe to win the same Royal Ascot race twice. “Asfoora is pointing towards Royal Ascot again,” said trainer Henry Dwyer. “We are trying to work out the logistics at the moment. We had her over there at the start of May last year, whereas she will travel over later this time. Worst-case scenario, she will arrive on June 4, but we would like to travel over earlier if possible to give her more time to settle in. “Winning at Royal Ascot was a blur at the time. It took a while to sink in, if it ever did, to be honest. It was a fairytale for us. I suppose the novelty of it is not going to be there this year, but I am sure it will be loads of fun and I am excited to get back over there.” Japan has six entries as the country seeks a first Royal Ascot success, including leading sprinter Satono Reve in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes for Noriyuki Hori. Winner of the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen in March, Satono Reve then chased home Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) in the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize at Sha Tin last Sunday. Trainer Hideyuki Mori accounts for Japan's other entries, with his contenders including G3 Saudi Derby runner-up Shin Forever (Complexity) in the G1 St James's Palace Stakes and Daishin Pisces (Jpn) (Majestic Warrior) in the G1 Gold Cup. Interest from the USA includes unbeaten turf performer Laurelin (Ire) (Zarak {Fr}) in the G1 Coronation Stakes, a race in which her trainer Graham Motion has finished second twice with Sharing (2020) and Spendarella (2022), while G1 Queen Anne Stakes entry Grand Mo The First (Uncle Mo) could be a first Royal Ascot runner for Florida trainer Victor Barboza Jr. The potential French contingent includes Jerome Reynier's globetrotter Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}) and Francis-Henri Graffard's G1 Prix Ganay runner-up Map Of Stars (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who could clash in the G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes. Graffard is also responsible for exciting fillies Zarigana (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Vertical Blue (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) in the Coronation Stakes. Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) heads the Irish-trained entries as he eyes a third Gold Cup victory, with his trainer Aidan O'Brien including unbeaten Group 1 winners Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Twain (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) among a formidable three-year-old squad. The home team includes last year's 2,000 Guineas hero Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), who won the Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes after chasing home Notable Speech at Newmarket. They both hold entries in the Queen Anne Stakes, while G1 Champion Stakes victor Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) and Economics (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) feature in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes. Meanwhile, star hurdler Constitution Hill (GB) (Blue Bresil {Fr}) is a surprise entry in the Gold Cup for Nicky Henderson, who said, “It's something we've discussed over the last couple of years. “The ground would be the most obvious reason not to do it, but every now and then you do get a slow-ground Royal Ascot. We'll just see what happens this week [at Punchestown] and in the next couple of weeks as well. “I'm certainly not ruling it in, but I'm certainly not ruling it out, otherwise I wouldn't have put him in the race.” To access the Group 1 entries, click here. The post Six Different Countries Represented in Royal Ascot Group 1 Entries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars NEBRASKAN - R4 (5) Has been racing in good form and recent trial was impressive Jay Rooney SKY HEART - R8 (1) Has had excuses in his past two starts and can bounce back here Trackwork Spy AURORA LADY - R3 (2) Hardly ever puts a foot wrong and can salute again here Phillip Woo AURORA LADY - R3 (2) In a purple patch of form and looks hard to beat from a proper gate Shannon (Vincent Wong) COLOURFUL KING - R3 (8) Scored well over this C&D last start and can repeat the dose Racing Post Online NEBRASKAN - R4 (5) Solid effort for second to Giant Leap last start and can salute here Tom Wood MISSION STRIKE - R5 (6) Back to 1,800m at Happy Valley and he's a major player with blinkers fittedView the full article

Natural Rise (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) earned his first black-type badge with an open-length win in the Listed Haneda Hia, the first leg of the Japan Dirt Triple Crown at Oi on Tuesday. A winner of both a newcomer race at Sapporo last July and the Cattleya Stakes (Cond.) at Tokyo in November, the colt was fourth at Kawasaki. He bounced back with a victory in the Keihin Hai locally near the end of March. Quickly into stride, the 3-10 favourite soon stalked in third as the field headed into the first turn. Tossing his head and acting up on the backstretch, Natural Rise had dead aim on the pacesetter Smile Mambo (Jpn) (Declaration Of War) and Janadriyah (Jpn) (Gold Dream {Jpn}) after the first six furlongs. Cruising up three deep, he soon brushed his rivals aside in early stretch, sidled over to the rail and crossed the wire an easy winner. Night Of Fire (Jpn) (Hokko Tarumae {Jpn}) closed to be second. The first foal of the dual winner Lady Madonna, Natural Rise is followed by a 2-year-old filly by Henny Hughes, a yearling filly by Le Vent Se Leve (Jpn) and a Orfevre (Jpn) colt born this year. The third dam is stakes winner and GII Silverbulletday Stakes third Rebridled Dreams (Unbridled's Song), the dam of four stakes winners including Grade I winners Carpe Diem (Giant's Causeway) and J. B.'s Thunder (Thunder Gulch), and multiple graded winner Farrell (Malibu Moon), who was second in the GI La Troienne Stakes. HANEDA HAI-Listed (Jpn-G1), ¥85,000,000, Oi, 4-29, 3yo, 1800m, 1:52.10, my. 1–NATURAL RISE (JPN), 126, c, 3, Kizuna (Jpn) 1st Dam: Lady Madonna (Jpn), by Distorted Humor 2nd Dam: Dreamwriter, by Tale of the Cat 3rd Dam: Rebridled Dreams, by Unbridled's Song 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (¥33,000,000 Wlg '22 JRHAJUL). O-Hiroyuki Yoshioka; B-Grand Farm (Jpn); T-Keizo Ito; J-Takeshi Yokoyama; ¥50,000,000. Lifetime Report: 5-4-0-0, ¥107,743,000. 2–Night of Fire (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Hokko Tarumae (Jpn)–Nose Tosho (Jpn), by Black Hawk (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (¥13,200,000 Ylg '23 JBBAAUG). O-Koichi Hoshika; B-Haruo Sakamoto (Jpn); ¥17,500,000. 3–Janadriyah (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Gold Dream (Jpn)–Tasha's Star, by Spanish Steps. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥10,000,000. Margins: 5, 6, 3/4. Odds: 0.30, 14.70, 2.90. Also Ran: Smile Mambo (Jpn), Amazing (Jpn), Myvatn (Jpn), Friend Roma (Jpn), Gran Giorno (Jpn), Pepita d'Oro (Jpn), Costa De La Luz (Jpn), Kaseno Tiger (Jpn), King Of World (Jpn), Vektor Mach (Jpn), Scallop (Jpn), Bubbling Stone (Jpn). Click for the NAR chart and video. The post Kizuna Colt Rises to the Occasion At Oi appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Owner Mike Repole will match donations made to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance throughout the week leading up to the Kentucky Derby, the TAA said Tuesday. The campaign, made in honor of Repole Stables Derby entrant Grande (Curlin), will match donations up to $50,000 through May 4. “Every Thoroughbred athlete deserves an enjoyable and quality retirement. I am honored to support Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and their mission of accredited aftercare,” said Repole. “I encourage others to join me in making a charitable donation during one of the most anticipated weeks of the racing year. Let us all raise awareness and do our part in ensuring these athletes receive the best, well-deserved protection as they transition beyond the finish line. It is our responsibility, and we all owe it to these amazing loving Thoroughbred athletes.” Repole expressed his hope that the matching campaign would act as a catalyst, inspiring additional contributions throughout the week leading up to the Kentucky Derby. By doubling the impact of donations, Repole aims to encourage others to support accredited aftercare, underscoring the importance of providing retired Thoroughbred racehorses with the highest level of quality care and second-chance opportunities. “Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is deeply grateful for Mike Repole's extraordinary $50,000 pledge,” added TAA Director of Funding and Events Emily Dresen. “His commitment sets the tone for all of us to rally together and make an even greater impact. Join us in honoring his generosity by contributing to support our retired Thoroughbred racehorses.” To donate, visit here. The post Repole To Match Donations To Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Through Kentucky Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

I Am Invincible (Aus) will stand the 2025 Southern Hemisphere breeding season at a reduced fee of A$220,000 inc GST, with Yarraman Park Stud's Arthur Mitchell citing the “challenges facing trainers and syndicators, along with breeders” as one of the reasons for the decrease. “It's certainly always a consideration for us when setting all of our stallions' fees, along with where they are placed in their careers,” said Mitchell, Yarraman's principal. “Vinnie is entering his twilight years and there are limited outside nominations available. We are also mindful of the challenges facing trainers and syndicators, along with breeders. The cost of production and wages–everything has increased. We want to ensure everyone has a good chance, no matter which part of the market they operate in.” I Am Invincible, who stood for a fee of A$275,000 inc GST in 2024, emulated Danehill and Snitzel (Aus) when he was crowned champion sire for a third consecutive season in 2023/24. He has now sired 117 stakes winners and a further 95 stakes performers. This season, he leads the Australian sires' table by winners and sits second by the number of individual stakes winners. “He has an exceptional 9.5 per cent stakes winners to runners this season,” Mitchell added. “He is the leading sire of two-year-old stakes winners, which includes the unbeaten two-year-old colt Vinrock, winner of the G1 Sires' Produce Stakes, who was subsequently purchased as a stallion prospect by Yulong. “I Am Invincible's legacy is already assured with both his sons and his daughters continuing his influence. His multiple Group 1-winning daughter Imperatriz became Australasia's most expensive broodmare making A$6.6 million last May, while he is also the broodmare sire of Group 1 winners in both hemispheres in 2024. He's showing all the signs of becoming a very dominant broodmare sire.” The post I Am Invincible Fee Reduced to A$220,000 for 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The third annual Blue Jeans, Boots and Bulls Derby Eve Charity event, hosted by the Barn Door Grill & Bar, will benefit Old Friends, the organization announced Tuesday. Held Friday, May 2 from 5:30-11:30 p.m. at The Bluegrass Stockyards in partnership with the Coaches for Kids Foundation, the event will also benefit The University of Kentucky Children's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and Timbers Grateful Companions. It will include a silent auction, a Derby horse calcutta and a live auction along with live music and a buffet dinner. “Blue Jeans, Boots and Bulls has rapidly become a great Derby Eve tradition,” said Old Friends President and CEO John Nicholson. “It's a good blend celebrating all the splendor of the Derby with having a truly fun down home party. Old Friends is delighted to be a part of the fun and very grateful for being one of the beneficiaries.” The post Third Annual Blue Jeans, Boots And Bulls Charity Event To Benefit Old Friends appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Duke Of Bedford (NZ) (Tavistock) recorded a tenacious all-the-way triumph in the Brierly Steeplechase at Warrnambool on Tuesday with a decision on whether he will take his place in the Grand Annual Steeplechase on Thursday to be made on that morning. “I’d always thought he’d be better on the flat tracks of an Australian Steeplechase and a Grand National at the end of the season,” Trainer Andrew Bobbin said. “We’ll just see how that field holds up and at about 7:28am Thursday morning, I’ll probably still be scratching my head, I might even toss a coin.” Bobbin’s success in the Brierly Steeplechase was particularly satisfying, as it’s a race that he’d carefully prepared Duke Of Bedford for. “I love setting goals with races and working backwards and hitting the target and this was one today,” Bobbin said. “I’ve got a seven-year-old son who comes with me to the races all the time. We walked through the alleyway near the bar down under the grandstand and he always says, ‘Dad, why is our name not on this board’? “It’s on there today.” It was a second-straight win in the Brierly for jockey Willie McCarthy, who won the 3450-metre event aboard star jumper Stern Idol last year, a performance that he drew some inspiration from this time around. “I elected to try and do what we did on Stern Idol last year and make every post a winning post,” McCarthy said. “He gave me a super ride, the horse, he was just so beautiful. I’ve never sat on him before and his jumping was just impeccable. “I got in a little close to the third last but in actual fact, it probably gave me a breather at the point, he was able to come back into it after that and jumped the last two fences very well and I believe he ran away from them at the finish.” Duke Of Bedford’s success was the second leg of a winning double for McCarthy, who won the opening event on Through Irish Eyes in what was his first day back riding over the jumps following an injury enforced absence. The Brierly wasn’t run entirely incident free, however, as Leaderboard fell at Tozer Road, bringing down Bazini in the process. Leaderboard was later found to be lame in his near hind leg and has been officially scratched from Thursday’s Grand Annual Steeplechase, while Bazini was reported to have returned with EIPH. As for the fallen riders, Leaderboard’s rider Will Gordon was stood down from his remaining ride on Tuesday’s card. He was assessed by the doctor, who found him to be ok apart from a small laceration on his nose. Gordon will be assessed by the doctor again on Wednesday morning prior to racing to determine his suitability to ride. Martin Kelly, who partnered Bazini, was found to be all ok. View the full article

Dollars & Sense with Frank AngstView the full article

America's Best Racing provides capsule look at this year's Kentucky Derby (G1) field.View the full article

In this monthly BH interview, Karen M. Johnson profiles young racing personalities.View the full article

Racing Welfare is making a final call for entries to a series of stable staff races which will take place at racecourses across the UK as part of celebrations to mark Racing Staff Week 2025. Entries close on Wednesday, May 7. A unique chance for stable staff to ride under Rules, these races offer participants the opportunity to experience the thrill of competitive racing on the track, whilst raising vital funds for Racing Welfare, the charity dedicated to supporting the well-being of racing's people. Sponsored by Betfair, Racing Staff Week takes place between June 21-27 this year, with stable staff races taking place in the following locations: Ayr, Saturday, June 21 – over a distance of 6f Newbury, Tuesday, June 24 – over a distance of 1m Newton Abbot, Tuesday, June 24 – over a distance of 7f Nottingham, Thursday, June 26 – over a distance of 6f Entries can be made by visiting the Racing Welfare website. The post Final Call for Entries to Series of Stable Staff Races appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

From 2026, Royal Ascot Trials Day will move from its current Wednesday slot to the Friday of the same week, Ascot Racecourse announced on Tuesday. A fixture exchange with Musselburgh Racecourse has facilitated the move, with the approval of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the Flat Pattern Committee. The meeting, Friday, May 1 in 2026, will also feature live on ITV Racing as part of their coverage of the opening day of the Guineas Festival from Newmarket. Nick Smith, director of racing and public affairs at Ascot Racecourse, said, “We are thrilled to be able to host this high-class fixture on a Friday with mainstream terrestrial coverage from 2026 onwards. It has long been an ambition to get the day onto ITV and we are grateful to Musselburgh for working so collaboratively to deliver the transfer. It's an important card in the build up to Royal Ascot and hopefully will complement the opening day of the Guineas Festival at Newmarket really well.” The post Royal Ascot Trials Day to Move to Friday from 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Twain (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is a doubtful runner in Saturday's Betfred 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket due to an unsatisfactory scope, Coolmore revealed on Tuesday. “Following his work this morning, Twain (Wootton Bassett) didn't scope 100% so is unlikely to run in the 2,000 Guineas @NewmarketRace and may now be aimed at the Irish 2,000 Guineas instead,” read a statement posted to X by Coolmore (@coolmorestud). “Expanded (Wootton Bassett) is likely to be @Ballydoyle's only runner in the 2,000 Guineas on Saturday.” Unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile, including the G1 Criterium International, Twain had been Betfred's 5/1 second favourite for the first British Classic of the season prior to this announcement. That position in the betting is now occupied by last year's G1 Dewhurst Stakes runner-up, Expanded (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), after his participation was confirmed. The post Twain Likely to Miss 2,000 Guineas after Poor Scope appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Voyage Bubble remains on track for the race but could face a stern challenge from the foreign contingent.View the full article

Andrew Bobbin will wait until the last-possible moment before making a decision on whether Duke Of Bedford (NZ) (Tavistock) will take his place in Thursday’s Grand Annual Steeplechase at Warrnambool. The son of Tavistock recorded a tenacious all-the-way triumph in Tuesday’s Brierly Steeplechase, the biggest win in his career to date. “I’d always thought he’d be better on the flat tracks of an Australian Steeplechase and a Grand National at the end of the season,” Bobbin said. “We’ll just see how that field holds up and at about 7:28am Thursday morning, I’ll probably still be scratching my head, I might even toss a coin.” Bobbin’s success in the Brierly Steeplechase was particularly satisfying, as it’s a race that he’d carefully prepared Duke Of Bedford for. “I love setting goals with races and working backwards and hitting the target and this was one today,” Bobbin said. “I’ve got a seven-year-old son who comes with me to the races all the time. We walked through the alleyway near the bar down under the grandstand and he always says, ‘Dad, why is our name not on this board’? “It’s on there today.” It was a second-straight win in the Brierly for jockey Willie McCarthy, who won the 3450-metre event aboard star jumper Stern Idol last year, a performance that he drew some inspiration from this time around. “I elected to try and do what we did on Stern Idol last year and make every post a winning post,” McCarthy said. “He gave me a super ride, the horse, he was just so beautiful. I’ve never sat on him before and his jumping was just impeccable. “I got in a little close to the third last but in actual fact, it probably gave me a breather at the point, he was able to come back into it after that and jumped the last two fences very well and I believe he ran away from them at the finish.” Duke Of Bedford’s success was the second leg of a winning double for McCarthy, who won the opening event on Through Irish Eyes in what was his first day back riding over the jumps following an injury enforced absence. The Brierly wasn’t run entirely incident free, however, as Leaderboard fell at Tozer Road, bringing down Bazini in the process. Leaderboard was later found to be lame in his near hind leg and has been officially scratched from Thursday’s Grand Annual Steeplechase, while Bazini was reported to have returned with EIPH. As for the fallen riders, Leaderboard’s rider Will Gordon was stood down from his remaining ride on Tuesday’s card. He was assessed by the doctor, who found him to be ok apart from a small laceration on his nose. Gordon will be assessed by the doctor again on Wednesday morning prior to racing to determine his suitability to ride. Martin Kelly, who partnered Bazini, was found to be all ok. View the full article