Wandering Eyes

Farnan, the G1 Golden Slipper winner, has had his fee increased at Kia Ora Stud in Australia to $77,000 following a strong start to his second career. Kia Ora's Bloodstock and Breeding Manager Shane Wright said the 2025 service fees were set with a strong focus on providing value and supporting breeders. “We've set our fees with careful consideration for the challenges facing smaller breeders and have positioned them to deliver value and maximise returns. Each of our stallions offers a unique set of elite qualities, and we believe they represent outstanding value at this stage of their careers, with exciting futures ahead,” Wright said. Farnan has been extremely popular at the yearling sales and on the racetrack, and his fee will increase from $55,000 inc GST to $77,000 inc GST. Farnan features prominently at the top of the Australian first-season sires' championship throughout the season and currently sits second by winners, stakes winners and third by prize-money. “I couldn't be happier with the way that Farnan has launched his stud career,” Wright continued. “His progeny have always shown the early maturity, physicality, and temperament needed to compete at the highest level. We expected him to hit the ground running, and he's delivered exactly that. “It's a huge achievement for Farnan at this stage of his career. When you look at what he's already accomplished with his progeny, not just winning Group races, but also producing quinellas. It really highlights the strength of his first crop, with large numbers still on their way through.” The post Golden Slipper Winner Farnan Has Fee Increased Following Strong Start At Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Kentucky Derby Museum is celebrating 40 years of telling stories Monday as they officially opened their doors to the public Apr. 28, 1985 and have served more than 7.2-million guests since then, the organization announced Monday morning. Established thanks in part to an endowment from the James Graham Brown Foundation and support of private donors, the museum credits its partnership with Churchill Downs as a key part of its ongoing success. The Derby Museum welcomes nearly 38,000 students annually through its outreach and in-house education efforts, and in the past 10 years, has invested $10-million in exhibit upgrades and facility improvements to ensure future generations may continue to explore Derby history in evolving, engaging ways. On Founder's Day 2025, to mark the 40th anniversary, the museum will unveil the $2-million upgrade to its signature movie, The Greatest Race. “This anniversary is deeply personal to so many of us,” said Patrick Armstrong, Kentucky Derby Museum president and CEO. “For 40 years, this museum has served as the heartbeat of Derby history. We've faced challenges, celebrated incredible milestones, and evolved with our city, state, and the sport of horseracing. Through it all, our team has remained passionately committed to making every guest's experience unforgettable. I could not be more proud of what we've built together.” The post Kentucky Derby Museum Turns 40, Celebrates Four Decades of Telling Stories appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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The Sardinian is aiming to edge closer to his half-century after another stellar season.View the full article

Reminder from Brad Steele, Chief Executive HRNZ : The sudden passing of Greg Sugars has deeply saddened the entire harness racing community. Greg was admired by so many for his talent, leadership, and genuine character, and his loss is already being felt profoundly by many. Processing such a tragedy is not easy, and everyone does it differently, and I just want people to know that there is help out there if needed. Support is available through OnTrack. They provide a confidential service for everyone involved in racing and can be contacted at 0800 667 224. If you are finding things difficult or simply need someone to talk to OnTrack staff can help. To find out more about OnTrack click here Take care of yourselves Brad View the full article

Harness Racing New Zealand wants to hear from you. The marketing department has come up with a short survey and wants to know what do we do right and what needs improvement. To fill out the survey click here View the full article

By Mike Love West Melton trainer Andrew Drake didn’t have to wait long for Rack’em Up to break his maiden status. The Betting Line three-year-old, who he also co-owns, took out the DMJ Builders-Anne Thompson Graduation (Heat 2) Mobile at Rangiora yesterday. “It’s super. We are rapt with that,” said Drake. Rack’em Up, driven by Jonny Cox, settled four back the markers for the majority of the 2600m journey. Gaps presented when the acid went on and Cox was able to work off the fence into a prominent position, going on to win by a neck at the line. “I didn’t want to get too far back, but the run suited him fresh up,” said driver Jonny Cox. “We chose the right gap to get out. He did it well.” It was Rack’em Up’s first win from just two starts – and yesterday’s performance backed up the talent shown on debut back in June last year when running second to the talented Renaldo at Addington. “He needed time. His first up run was super,” said Drake. “He showed speed in his first start, but Coxy couldn’t steer him. So the time off helped.” There were obvious signs of improvement still to come for the big gelding too as he looked to have plenty in store at the line. Drake works at Kentuckiana Lodge for Chrissie and Cran Dalgety. “I’m very lucky to be allowed to have him there and it helps to work him in with those ones.” Other highlights on the programme included an emotional victory for driver Gavin Smith on the Robert and Jenna Dunn trained Dance Till Dawn in the Waimakariri Businesses Rangiora Winter Cup following the tragic death of his good friend Greg Sugars across the Tasman. Both of the trotters’ heats of the Anne Thompson series were won easily. Heat one taken out by the James and Jim Geddes trained Just Easy, while the Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained Paddy McDaddy opened up an eight length margin victory winning the second heat and will be hard to beat in the $20,000 final on May 18. View the full article

By Michael Guerin The harness racing community on both sides of the Tasman is reeling after the sudden death of one of its superstars in Victorian horseman Greg Sugars. The 40-year-old was found dead in his hotel room near the Menangle racetrack outside Sydney on Saturday afternoon. He is believed to have died in his sleep. Sugars had driven from Victoria to Sydney on Friday to campaign horses trained by his wife Jess Tubbs, who confirmed his passing on social media on Saturday night. When Sugars didn’t turn up to attend to the horses at a friend’s stable on Saturday morning there was concern and when phone calls weren’t answered that local trainer went to Sugars’ Campbelltown Hotel. When calls to his room still went unanswered the trainer was let into Sugars’ room and found him unresponsive. The death of the fit, healthy and immensely popular Sugars has left the tight-knit harness racing industry in a fog of disbelief as he had emerged as one of its brightest lights at a time when one has never been more needed. He had matured into one of Australasia’s best big race drivers but it was the emergence of champion trotter Just Believe over the last three years that thrust Sugars and Tubbs on to the world stage. That brought into two extended campaigns in New Zealand and a trip to Sweden, where Sugars and Tubbs were treated like rockstars at the famous Elitlopp meeting. While Just Believe didn’t win in Sweden it was still a career highlight for Sugars who reined over 4000 winners and won over A$40milliion in career stakes. Sugars spent much of 2024 in New Zealand campaigning both Just Believe and Better Eclipse and last May 24 he enjoyed one of the greatest nights ever by a visiting horseman as he reined Better Eclipse and Just Believe to win the Auckland Cup and Rowe Cups respectively. While Sugars’ popularity and place at the top table of harness racing were never in doubt in Australia his time here in the last two years saw him become New Zealand’s favourite Australian reinsman. What endeared him to so many was his obvious love of the horse. When Just Believe retired this year Sugars spoke about how he missed his equine mate, how a perfect afternoon would be buying a six pack of beer and sitting in the retirement paddock just hanging out with the champion who took him around the world. Sugars would spend much of his time when campaigning in New Zealand with close friend and fellow horseman Joshua Dickie. Like so many Dickie was struggling to process the news on Sunday. “I can’t believe it,” says Dickie. “He was the ultimate professional on the track, so talented and hard working. “But off the track he would let his guard down and was a lot of fun. He was a great guy and the word I’d use to describe him the most is loyal. “We just miss him, he was our friend.” Sugars is from a famous harness family, with his father Ross a trainer. So too is Tubbs and the pair had ascended to be the glamour couple of Australian harness racing. Away from the personal tragedy and brutal shock of his loss for those closest to him, his death will leave a crater-sized hole on the harness racing landscape. Sugars was the embodiment of what is good in racing: skilled, polite, respected for his integrity and with a deep love for the horse. In his famous driving colours with stars emblazoned across the chest he was every inch the struggling code’s “Captain Australia”, a man to be aspired to. He was the hero horseman harness racing needed, who sadly went to bed on Anzac Day and never woke up. Harness community mourn the loss of one of its best By Adam Hamilton Greg Sugars was not only one of the brightest stars in Australian harness racing, but one of its greatest ambassadors and most popular figures. He drove his first winner as a 16 year-old at Globe Derby on December 5, 2000 and went on to drive over 4000 winners, including 71 at Group 1 level. For all of Sugars’ feature race success, his career was propelled to another level when he teamed with Tubbs in life and in business, then again in recent years through the deeds of Just Believe across three countries. Such was the lasting impact Sugars made, sometimes in just brief visits, drivers in race meetings throughout Sweden, NZ and Australian will wear black armbands in his memory on the day of his funeral. Australia’s premier driver James Herbertson, speaking from the US where he is on a working holiday, credited Sugars for shaping his career. “He was one of the best, as a driver, a trainer and a human being,” he said. “When I say he was like a parent to me, I mean it. He took me under his wing and made me into the driver I am today. “I’ll really miss him and I know everyone back home is feeling numb.” Champion rival Luke McCarthy bonded with Sugars when they shared a room together for 10 days at the 2004 Australian Young Drivers’ Championship in Perth. “We just clicked and became very close,” he said. “It’s hard to get your head around this. He’s one of the best drivers the game as seen and a great bloke on and off the track.” Australia’s most successful driver Chris Alford spoke of how he and Sugars started as heated rivals, but Sugars’ nature transformed their relationship. “When he first moved to Victoria things were rough between us because we’re both fierce competitors, but he quickly grew to earn my respect and that of everyone,” he said. “He was a brilliant and hard competitor on the track but a great friend off it. I’m remembering all the great trips we had to NZ and elsewhere together.” Premier trainer Andy Gath said Sugars was one of most talented people he had seen in racing. “He was as gifted as you would witness and you could always see the love he had for the horses he was associated with. The mutual respect from his fellow competitors said it all.” Harness Racing Australia CEO Andrew Kelly fondly remembers being in awe of the impact Sugars and Tubbs had during their 2023 trip to Sweden with Just Believe. “That was on full display when they took Just Believe over. To see the respect and admiration they gained and the great way they represented their country was remarkable,” he said. Harness Racing Victoria abandoned Saturday night’s Melton meeting when news of Sugars’ passing broke. “The industry is devastated. We’ve lost of the game’s best, a wonderful person and great ambassador,” HRV chairman Bernard Saundry said. “Our hearts go out to Jess and the entire Sugars’ family and we’re here to support all those in the industry struggling with the loss.” Sugars is survived by wife Jess, father Ross, mother Kerry and sister Kylie. Details of his funeral are yet to be finalised. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Delightful Peg delivered a tight-knit crew a special thrill when showing her true worth to win the Group 2 Macca Lodge-Nevele R Stud Southern Oaks. The Canterbury pacer had flown into a gallop when taking the passing lane in her last two starts leading into Southland’s premier race for three-year-old fillies. But when driver Matthew Williamson angled the Brad Mowbray-trained filly into exactly the same spot on Diamonds Day at Ascot Park, she delivered a powerful and professional victory. Williamson and Mowbray’s association dates back to around the time they produced Delishka to run fourth in the 2017 Southern Oaks Final, making the win special for them. “That would be one of my more special wins, just because Brad has been a great mate of mine and we have had a lot to do with each other,” Williamson said. “It is just super to win a nice race for him.” Delightful Peg’s victory also gave Mowbray and his family a moment to treasure. The pacer is raced by the trainer alongside his mother-in-law Jenny Knight and wife, Melanie. “Mel does a lot at home, she is looking after the team while we are down here,” Mowbray said. “Jenny is a great supporter of ours as you would expect, so it is great to be able to win a nice race for her.” While she had made errors in her last two starts, some tinkering on the training track with Delightful Peg’s gear by Mowbray proved crucial when the filly was at her best on Diamonds Day. The trainer admitted it had been a process to get the three-year-old to become a Group Two winner, but he had had faith in her ability. “She has been a project right the way through, we are just over the moon.” “We have taken small steps, there have been setbacks but times like today make it worth it.” Williamson landed back-to-back Southern Oaks wins with Delightful Peg after taking out the race last year with Flying Ellie. The reinsman was denied another Group race victory late when Duchess Maria downed Who’s Ya Daddy to win the Group 3 Entain Southern Classic on Diamonds Day. Williamson’s brother Nathan produced the filly for a slick and professional win in her first start. Five Crowns left a strong field with few excuses when clearing out to win Sunday’s feature for three-year-old colts and geldings. Driver Blair Orange burnt early with the Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained pacer, who still had plenty in reserve to race away to win the Group 2 Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes. Though the pacer looked in full control throughout, Orange admitted there were some nervous early moments in the sulky. “The one draw was always in the back of my mind, that it wasn’t ideal for him.” “ I would have loved two or three, I asked him for an effort early and I nearly lost him around that first corner.” “But he gathered himself up nicely and he was pretty strong to the line.” Five Crowns set a new 2200m Ascot Park track record for three-year-old male pacers with his 2.38.2 time. Delightful Peg set a new three-year-old fillies track record when stopping the clock in 2.38.6. View the full article

By Jonny Turner There is only going to be one argument between Steven Reid and Samantha Ottley after Jumal’s Group 1 win on Diamonds Day. The two-year-old justified his red-hot favouritism with a brilliant win in the Group 1 Diamond Creek Farm Classic at Ascot Park. While Reid and Ottley are in complete agreement on Jumal being a classy customer, the pair are yet to agree on who is the bigger fan of the exciting youngster. “I think Steven thinks he’s his number one fan, but no, I certainly am,” Ottley said. “He is just a wee gem, for having three starts he is just such a wee professional.” “If you look at him now, you wouldn’t even know he has had a race.” Ottley’s big opinion of Jumal was part of the reason the reinswoman took no chances in Sunday’s Group One feature. After runner-up Freeze Frame took the lead off the favourites early, Ottley immediately retook the front. “I thought on paper he was the best horse in the field, so I thought I would take luck out of it.” “I knew he would be good in front or in behind.” Reid and Ottley have formed a winning association in the months since the trainer moved from Auckland to Canterbury. The reinswoman was full of praise for the trainer, who has unearthed yet another star pacer in Jumal. “You get a lot of confidence driving for Steven,” Ottley said. “He has his horses ready to go and they’re very, very sharp.” “I have been lucky not just to drive this fellow, but I have had a few winners for him and I hope it can continue.” Jumal is raced by Malcolm Wrigley from Reid’s old stomping ground in Pukekohe. The northern owner, who made the trip south to take in Jumal’s Group One triumph, shares in the ownership of the pacer with Reid’s partner, Bella Storer. Ottley and Reid contributed to a special result for the Dawe family on Diamonds Day with Rakero Lightning. The pacer ran second to Midnight Babe in Sunday’s opener, with both horses raced by Dawe Contracting. The quinella came days after the passing of Ray Dawe, who owned both Dawe Contracting and Rakero Racing Stables alongside Ronnie and Kevin Dawe. Midnight Babe is by champion sire Bettor’s Delight from the outstanding former race mare Beaudiene Bad Babe, who won the Group 2 Southern Oaks Final on Diamonds Day in 2009. View the full article

Leaderboard has been a force to be reckoned with since his transition to jumps racing, and this week he will be seeking his crowning glory at the Warrnambool May Carnival. The 10-year-old son of Street Cry will have two bites at the cherry, firstly in the Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) on Tuesday before backing up two days later in the Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m). Raced by New Zealand syndicator Fortuna, Leaderboard performed with distinction on the flat, winning seven races, including the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) and Listed NZ St Leger (2600m). He had the one unplaced hurdle run in New Zealand before heading to Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne barn where he has been a standout for trainer Mark Walker. He hasn’t finished out of the money in his nine jumping starts across the Tasman, posting four wins and five placings, including placing in the Thackery Steeplechase (3450m), Grand National Hurdle (4200m) and Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) last winter. He heads to Warrnambool in good form, having won his last two races, and Walker is confident of a bold showing in his opening contest of the week. “We are really happy with him, and I think he gets into it nicely at the weights (67.5kg) for what he has done,” Walker said. “He has been around the course, so he knows his way around, it is quite a unique course. I think he should acquit himself very well.” He will be joined in the Brierly by stablemate The Mighty Spar, who has placed in his last three starts, including a 3450m steeplechase at Warrnambool last month. “The distance suits him and he has had a look around the course. He gets in off the minimum (65kg), which is good,” Walker said. “It is a competitive field, there’s seven that could win it really.” Earlier on the card, the stable will be represented by Dreamflight in the opening race of the carnival, the Maiden Hurdle (3200m). The six-year-old son of Frankel will also carry the silks of Fortuna and will be having his first raceday outing over hurdles following a couple of hurdle trials. “He has had two hurdle trials and whatever he does tomorrow he will improve with the experience,” Walker said. “It is good to have Will Gordon in the saddle.” On Wednesday, Walker will be represented by just the one runner, with Prismatic set to contest the Victory Dunroe BM120 Steeplechase (3450m). “The question mark is that he is top weight, but he has had a look around the course in a trial and I think he will acquit himself well,” Walker said. Walker is looking forward to heading to Warrnambool this week, a highly anticipated event on the Victoria racing calendar. “There is a big vibe about it over here that’s for sure,” he said. View the full article

Annabel and Olly Tuthill will be in search of another Swiss Beauty in Sydney next week after her daughter Betty Spaghetti starred on the big stage at Riccarton Park on Saturday. A mare with a name to match her ability, Betty Spaghetti was a stakes performer and five-race winner prior to her deserved triumph in the Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m), the first stakes winner for her sire Stratum Star. The victory came to great satisfaction for the North Canterbury couple, who bred the five-year-old under their Beaufort Downs banner. “It was really exciting for us, I think she was really well overdue a stakes win and she’s been very unlucky at times,” Annabel Tuthill said. “She’s been so tough and thereabouts so many times, so it was cool to see.” A young thoroughbred operation, Beaufort Downs was very much in its infancy when the Tuthill’s travelled to the Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale in 2019. In search of a mare to add to their growing band, they came across Swiss Beauty, a New Zealand-bred daughter of Swiss Ace who initially trialled in her homeland before winning two races in Australia. The pedigree was strengthened by her granddam in Our Squeezer, a half-sister to a former New Zealand Horse Of The Year in Bonneval and Group winners Full Of Spirit, Lord Arthur, Imposing Lass and Lady Cumquat. The Tuthill’s were taken by her page and secured the mare in-foal to multiple Group One winner Stratum Star for A$32,000. “We bought the mare at the broodmare sale because we loved her pedigree, with Bonneval and a number of other amazing horses in there,” Annabel Tuthill said. “She was a good racehorse as well, so we bought her, and Betty came out as a bonus. “She (Betty Spaghetti) was always a really lovely, strong filly and always looked like she would run. We weren’t too worried about the first foal being by a bit of a non-commercial stallion, so we took her to the yearling sales to get her into a good home and racing for the mare.” Presented in their Book 1 draft, Betty Spaghetti was secured for $20,000 by Robert Dennis, who entrusted the filly to Anna Furlong. Based in Canterbury herself, Furlong sends most of her horses to spell at Beaufort, meaning the mare has never been far from her adoring breeders. “We were lucky with Betty, we wanted to get her into a good stable to race and that’s our main aim when we’re breeding, to get them out and about,” Annabel Tuthill said. “Robert picked her and ended up stopping training for a bit, so she’s gone to Anna, where she’s had every opportunity to succeed. “People love her name, it’s iconic. We’ll never forget her win at Riccarton on Cup Day, we were in the stands watching her and all of the owners were in front of us. The atmosphere during the race was electric and even more so after she won, they were all singing “there’s only one Betty”. “We love having her back on her holidays, Anna rang us and said that she’ll be coming out again at some point soon. It’s really nice to follow her, see her at the races then have her at home with her mum, brothers and sisters. “It’s all turned out very well.” After Betty Spaghetti, Swiss Beauty went on to produce two-win gelding Mogul, who finished fourth in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) as a three-year-old. The most recent of her progeny to step through the sales ring was a Proisir colt, knocked down for $110,000 in January, while another filly by the champion sire awaits her turn in the Karaka auditorium next year. “We’ve got another Proisir weanling filly who is lovely, she’ll be going to next year’s sales,” Tuthill said. “She’s a dark bay, a strong filly and probably stronger than the last Proisir that we sold, a nicer type. We’re pretty excited about her. “She (Swiss Beauty) got quite late having her last foal, she seems to go overdue and holds on to them a little bit. She just got too late to send away, so we decided to leave her, give her a break and send her away early this year. “We might send her to an Australian stallion, we haven’t quite decided which one, but that’s the plan.” Still elated after the weekend’s result, the Tuthill’s are looking forward to their return to Sydney, aiming to further boost their ever-growing collection of quality mares. “We’ve got about 17 of our own broodmares, we try to get another one every season because they obviously get older, and it’s nice to have a young mare each year to keep commercial,” Annabel Tuthill said. “There are a lot of mares to choose from in the sale over there, we like to get something in-foal to an Australian stallion and then leave them there, then get back in-foal to an Australian sire. It has worked really well for us so far, it’s good to have some diversity in the draft. “We’re going to go over to this sale again next week and have a look over there, hopefully we can find another like Swiss Beauty.” View the full article

It’ll be the same old story for Berry The Cash (NZ) (Jakkalberry) in his Australian debut at Warrnambool on Tuesday, carrying a clear topweight as he contests the time-honoured Brierly Steeplechase (3450m). The class Awapuni jumper is no stranger to sitting on top of the book, carrying 73kg to victory in last year’s Sydenham Hurdles (3100m) and Grand National Hurdles (4200m), as well as 72.5kg at Hawke’s Bay. With most of New Zealand’s hurdling trophies locked away, trainer Mark Oulaghan decided it was time for Berry The Cash to take on his trans-Tasman counterparts at the famous May Carnival. Berry The Cash competed solidly in Rating 75 company in two fitness-building runs before departing for Victoria on April 9. Having travelled and settled in well, the son of Jakkalberry stepped out in a hurdle trial at the course with regular hoop Portia Matthews in the saddle. “He seems happy enough and healthy, he’s pretty well,” Oulaghan said. “He’s working well and condition-wise, we don’t have too many worries. He’s done everything right. “He had a couple of runs there (New Zealand) first, it’s always hard for a jumping horse to compete against flat horses especially on firmish ground, which is what he was running on. We were happy with the runs. “He came over here and had a jumping trial, it didn’t quite pan out how we’d wanted but he jumped well and finished it off so that was the main thing.” Oulaghan has campaigned a number of horses in Australia previously, including at Oakbank, but this will be his first runner at the ‘Bool’. “This is our first one down at Warrnambool,” he said. “Hopefully he’s the right horse, we don’t know that yet but he had good hurdle form in New Zealand. “You probably need a hurdler if you’re going to come to Australia, it seems to be a good transition to hurdle in New Zealand then steeplechase here, so we followed that path.” Berry The Cash is also nominated for Thursday’s showpiece, the Grand Annual Steeplechase (5550m), with Oulaghan intending to run in the A$350,000 event providing all goes to plan in the Brierly. “He’ll have to go pretty well tomorrow to back up, but we intend to do so if possible,” he said. After opening at $7, Berry The Cash has drifted to $16 in the TAB market, with Port Guillaume (Le Havre) ($3.70) and the Te Akau-trained Leaderboard (Street Cry) ($3.80) currently leading the market. Other Kiwi-bred contenders runners include The Mighty Spar (NZ) (Savabeel), Duke Of Bedford (NZ) (Tavistock), Blandford Lad (NZ) (Savabeel) and Heir To The Throne (NZ) (Pentire). View the full article

Globetrotting champion Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) has ‘pulled up well’ and will return home soon following his disappointing performance, finishing last in the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m). Co-trainer Will Hayes said that the initial signs were that the horse had pulled up ok from the race but had over raced in the run, getting his mouth open and never settling, with his regular rider Craig Williams in the saddle. “His performance was really disappointing,” Williams said. “Most importantly, let’s see how he recovers. He was in a nice position. I was under pressure from the top of the straight and he just failed to find, which is very unusual for him.” Lindsay Park posted to X after the race that the horse had recovered fine after the race. “Thank you to everyone who got behind Mr B in the Champions Mile,” the stable posted. “It wasn’t our day today, but Mr B has pulled up well and is already home in his box getting stuck into his dinner. After today he will spend a couple of weeks in quarantine in Australia before travelling home to Euroa.” View the full article

What Warrnambool May Carnival Day 1 Where Warrnambool Racing Club – 2/64 Grafton Rd, Warrnambool VIC 3280 When Tuesday, April 29, 2025 First Race 11:20am AEDT Visit Dabble The Warrnambool May Racing Carnival commences on Tuesday with a massive 10-race meeting to kickstart one of the best weeks of country racing on the calendar. The $150,000 Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) headlines proceedings on a track rated a Soft 6, but with showers forecast, it is likely to be a Heavy surface come race day. The rail will stick to its true position, with Day 1 in Warrnambool set to commence at 11:20am AEST. Brierly Steeplechase Tip: Duke Of Bedford The 2025 Brierly Steeplechase has attracted a strong field of 11, but it is the Andrew Bobbin-trained Duke Of Bedford who gets the nod. The six-year-old gelding managed to lead from barrier to box in a Pakenham 3200m steeplechase on April 13, showing a clean pair of heels throughout. Will McCarthy will look to dictate proceedings throughout once more, and in a race where he should get a relatively uncontested lead, Duke Of Bedford will prove hard to run down if his jumping holds up. Brierly Steeplechase Race 6 – #7 Duke Of Bedford (10) 6yo Gelding | T: Andrew Bobbin | J: Will McCarthy (65kg) Best Bet at Warrnambool: Stokke The Patrick Ryan-trained Stokke is set to resume from a five-month spell, and based on a recent Terang trial victory, she looks to have returned in top order. The four-year-old mare won under a tight hold in that trial on April 14, and with two wins from two fresh runs, she is seemingly primed to strike in the Day 1 finale. Blake Shinn will need a bit of luck to not get caught wide without cover from barrier nine, but if he gets it, Stokke should have a class edge on her rivals. Best Bet Race 10 – #4 Stokke (9) 4yo Mare | T: Patrick Ryan | J: Blake Shinn (59.5kg) Next Best at Warrnambool: Meisho Meisho was rolled first-up as a $1.35 favourite by Petit Artiste in the Listed Without Fear Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville, but she still put a decent margin on third place. In her initial campaign, the two-year-old was beaten a half-length by multiple stakes winner Shining Smile. From barrier three, Daniel Moor will be stalking the speed throughout, and with even luck in the home straight, Meisho can bounce back in style. Next Best Race 5 – #3 Meisho (3) 2yo Filly | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: Daniel Moor (57kg) Tuesday quaddie tips for Warrnambool Warrnambool quadrella selections Tuesday, April 29, 2025 1-5-6-7-11-13 1-2-3-4-5 1-3-4-5 4 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Ardalio winning the Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Talented filly Ardalio has already done more than enough to take her place alongside her dam in Elsdon Park’s broodmare band, but there are expectations she can further boost her value next season. Bred and raced by farm principal Lib Petagna, the three-year-old produced a stirring performance to win Saturday’s Group 3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). Ardalio’s Te Rapa success, the third of her six-start career, followed a luckless midfield finish in the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) after racing three wide without cover from a wide gate. “We were quietly confident going into The Kiwi, but unfortunately I picked the barrier draw and she was wide for the whole trip and still finished on, so we were really pleased with her,” Elsdon Park General Manager Kerrie Cox said. “She came home this (Monday) morning for a break and we will then gear her up for her four-year-old season. “She’s pretty exciting and Stephen (Marsh, trainer) thinks she’s got Group One potential so hopefully she can fulfil that. If for any reason she doesn’t she’s still definitely done her job.” Ardalio is a daughter of the Written Tycoon mare Bridgewater, who was a A$300,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase with her dam a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Index Linked. Bridgewater only raced twice and has made an excellent start to her breeding career with her first foal Pure Alpha, a brother to Ardalio, a dual metropolitan winner from Chris Waller’s Sydney stable. “We kept a share in Pure Alpha, who’s quite a big, raw sort of type and Ardalio is smaller and nuggety,” Cox said. “She’s also got a rising two-year-old brother, who we’ve retained, and he’s been broken in and is back at the breakers for a refresher. “He’s quite similar to Ardalio, really well put together, and Stephen will train him as well. “The mare’s also got a Per Incanto colt, who has just been weaned and he’s a lovely sort with a bit more size and she’s in foal now to Sword Of State.” Elsdon Park have a sizeable broodmare band, with the 600-acre Waikato farm regularly culling and upgrading. “We run around 70 or 80 mares and try to keep it in that range,” Cox said. “We bought quite a few nice mares last year and have seven others going on Gavelhouse next week, and that will be our reduction for the year. “We like to keep within those numbers to utilise all our stallion shares and add a bit of Australian flavour and use some of the new stallions coming in here.” Horse racing news View the full article

Driver Penalties J Young-Grant | Banks Peninsula 21 April; use of whip; suspended 22-27 April inclusive. S Hill | Banks Peninsula 21 April; contacted track marker; fined $100. M McKendry | Auckland 25 April; careless driving; suspended 26 April – 29 May inclusive. O Thornley | NZ Metropolitan 25 April; use of whip; fined $400. H Orange | NZ Metropolitan 25 April (heard Rangiora 27 April); contacted track marker; fined $100. N Burton | Rangiora 27 April; careless driving; suspended 1-5 May inclusive. Trainer Penalties S Smolenski | Banks Peninsula 21 April; incorrect gear; fined $100. T Bagrie | Banks Peninsula 21 April; late gear notification; fined $50. J Gray | Banks Peninsula 21 April; late scratching denying runner a start; fined $400. B Ward | Rangiora 27 April; late to present runners on course; fined $100. D Broadhurst | Rangiora 27 April; failed to affix gear so as not to come adrift; fined $100. Horse Penalties POPNROCK | Banks Peninsula 21 April; broke in running; must complete trial. LONNEKERS | Banks Peninsula 21 April; broke in running; must complete trial. AUCTIONEER | Waikato Bay of Plenty 22 April; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. HE’S ROBYN | Invercargill 24 April; sore; veterinary clearance required. THE HUMBLE ONE | Invercargill 24 April; late scratching after falling in preliminary; veterinary clearance required. BRONSKI | Rangiora 27 April; atrial fibrillation; veterinary clearance including ECG required and must complete trial. ALL CONQUERED | Rangiora 27 April; refused to come into line; must complete standing start trial. REGAL SPIRIT | Rangiora 27 April; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. Protests RONDO TROUBLE | Banks Peninsula 21 April; excessive galloping in home straight; disqualified from 3rd. SON E | Rangiora 27 April; lapped on; relegated from 4th to 5th. ALL CONQUERED | Rangiora 27 April; unsatisfactory manners prior to start; declared a non-runner. The post 21-27 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The top-priced horse sold at public auction entered in the Kentucky Derby (G1) is Sandman, winner of the Arkansas Derby (G1). The son of Tapit, who is third choice on the morning line at 6-1, sold for $1.2 million as a 2-year-old.View the full article

The Aqueduct Racetrack spring meet, which ran from April 3-27, saw jockey Kendrick Carmouche pick up his fourth riding title at a NYRA meeting. Carmouche paced all other riders to secure his second Big A spring meet riding title with 21 wins.View the full article

Returning from Kentucky—including a five-hour layover in Atlanta—was worth it as Rispoli guided Jungle Peace to victory in the 6 1/2-furlong, $100,000 Senorita Stakes (G3T) over Santa Anita's downhill turf April 27.View the full article

Talented filly Ardalio (NZ) (Ardrossan) has already done more than enough to take her place alongside her dam in Elsdon Park’s broodmare band, but there are expectations she can further boost her value next season. Bred and raced by farm principal Lib Petagna, the three-year-old produced a stirring performance to win Saturday’s Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). Ardalio’s Te Rapa success, the third of her six-start career, followed a luckless midfield finish in the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) after racing three wide without cover from a wide gate. “We were quietly confident going into The Kiwi, but unfortunately I picked the barrier draw and she was wide for the whole trip and still finished on, so we were really pleased with her,” Elsdon Park General Manager Kerrie Cox said. “She came home this (Monday) morning for a break and we will then gear her up for her four-year-old season. “She’s pretty exciting and Stephen (Marsh, trainer) thinks she’s got Group One potential so hopefully she can fulfil that. If for any reason she doesn’t she’s still definitely done her job.” Ardalio is a daughter of the Written Tycoon mare Bridgewater, who was a A$300,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase with her dam a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Index Linked (Dansili). Bridgewater only raced twice and has made an excellent start to her breeding career with her first foal Pure Alpha (NZ) (Ardrossan), a brother to Ardalio, a dual metropolitan winner from Chris Waller’s Sydney stable. “We kept a share in Pure Alpha, who’s quite a big, raw sort of type and Ardalio is smaller and nuggety,” Cox said. “She’s also got a rising two-year-old brother, who we’ve retained, and he’s been broken in and is back at the breakers for a refresher. “He’s quite similar to Ardalio, really well put together, and Stephen will train him as well. “The mare’s also got a Per Incanto colt, who has just been weaned and he’s a lovely sort with a bit more size and she’s in foal now to Sword Of State.” Elsdon Park have a sizeable broodmare band, with the 600-acre Waikato farm regularly culling and upgrading. “We run around 70 or 80 mares and try to keep it in that range,” Cox said. “We bought quite a few nice mares last year and have seven others going on Gavelhouse next week, and that will be our reduction for the year. “We like to keep within those numbers to utilise all our stallion shares and add a bit of Australian flavour and use some of the new stallions coming in here.” View the full article

El Vencedor’s (NZ) (Shocking) trip to Hong Kong to contest Sunday’s Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) had the making of a fairytale for his Kiwi connections, but it was not to be, with the multiple Group One winner fading late after racing keenly throughout. His trainer Stephen Marsh was extended an invitation from the Hong Kong Jockey Club to compete at their prestigious FWD Champions Day meeting following his impressive run of form in New Zealand, including three successive Group One victories. The Cambridge horseman was excited to test his six-year-old’s talent against the world’s best, but the trip didn’t get off to the best of starts, with El Vencedor placed under an injury cloud early last week. The four-time Group One winner was treated for lameness in the left hind leg after arriving in Hong Kong and was restricted to light work until Tuesday morning, where he was passed suitable to complete trackwork at Sha Tin. Marsh was pleased with El Vencedor’s progress throughout the week and was happy enough with his gelding heading into Sunday’s feature. Under Champion Hong Kong hoop Zac Purton, El Vencedor was quick to jump from the ace barrier on Sunday and took up an early front-running position. He failed to settle and continued to race keenly, opening up several lengths on his rivals at the 1000m mark. His efforts told in the home straight, with the Kiwi hope fading to finish last. “He jumped a length clear, got to the front and he just pulled so hard,” Marsh said. “He pulled hard into the first bend, Zac said at about the 1400m he started to go keener, and he tried to take another hold at the 800m. “Zac got off and said he needed more Weetbix to hold him. It’s a shame, he basically just ran himself into the ground.” While disappointed with the result, Marsh said he was proud to represent New Zealand and he believes his charge may have been overawed by the occasion. “We got him here, we got him in the race against the world’s best, so we have still got to be very proud,” he said. “We represented New Zealand, we didn’t get the right result, but we still gave it a crack. “We wouldn’t have done anything different. He has always had that in him a little bit, of going a bit fierce. It was new surroundings to him with the big crowd. I thought he paraded brilliantly and maybe in the run the occasion got to him a touch. “He is the new kid on the block in these big dances. He will come back better and we might be back here one day.” Marsh was pleased with the way El Vencedor came through the race, and will now set a plan for next season. “He pulled up really well, he seemed quite happy with himself,” he said. “It is back to the drawing board. He is a great horse, and he will come back as a great horse.” View the full article

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Jungle Peace (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) hadn't been winning by a lot since arriving stateside, winning each of her last two starts by a mere half length. In Sunday's GIII Senorita, jockey Umberto Rispoli once again timed it just right to get the filly home a head in front of 4-1 shot Amorita (Liam's Map) while giving the Irish-bred filly her first taste of black-type. Breaking alertly from the two-hole, Jungle Peace exchanged blows with the rail-riding favorite Cloe (Tiz the Law), but soon moved ahead of that rival, carving out an opening quarter in :21.83. Still keeping the 4-5 choice at bay turning for home through a half in :44.26, 7-2 Jungle Peace shook clear momentarily but had to dig deep to fend off the oncoming Amorita, who got within a head at the wire. Cloe was a 1 1/4 lengths back in third. Jungle Peace finished sixth after a troubled first go at Navan last September before rounding out her European campaign with a third in a seven-furlong test over Dundalk's synthetic Oct. 11. Freshened for her American bow, the bay came from just off the pace to narrowly score in a 6 1/2-furlong race at Santa Anita Feb/ 15 and made it two straight with a front-running score cutting back to six panels Mar. 9. Pedigree Notes: With Sunday's Senorita victory, Jungle Peace earned her sire's fifth graded/group winner in addition to his 12th overall black-type scorer. The winner's dam, Peace Treaty, is also responsible for a year-old gelding by Havana Grey (GB) named Havana Smoke {Ire}, in addition to an unraced juvenile colt by Coulsty (Ire). Most recently, she produced a filly by the latter in 2024. Sunday, Santa Anita Park SENORITA S.-GIII, $101,000, Santa Anita, 4-27, 3yo, f, 6 1/2fT, 1:13.83, gd. 1–JUNGLE PEACE (IRE), 122, f, 3, by Bungle Inthejungle (GB) 1st Dam: Peace Treaty (Ire), by War Command 2nd Dam: Naomh Geileis, by Grand Slam 3rd Dam: St Aye, by Nureyev 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. (€14,000 Ylg '23 GOFOR2; £5,000 RNA 2yo '24 GOUKB). O-CYBT, McLean Racing Stables, Jerry McClanahan, Michael Nentwig, and Jeremy Peskoff; B-M. Brigid B. Ltd (IRE); T-Philip D'Amato; J-Umberto Rispoli. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-1, $138,906. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Amorita, 122, f, 3, Liam's Map–Cara Bella, by Ghostzapper. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($260,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Augustin Stables and Stone Farm LLC; B-Stone Farm (KY); T-Richard E. Mandella. $20,000. 3–Cloe, 124, f, 3, Tiz the Law–Nuhood, by Smart Strike. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($80,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL; $145,000 RNA 2yo '24 OBSMAR). O-Lugamo Racing Stable LLC; B-Crosshaven Bloodstock (KY); T-Jose Francisco D'Angelo. $12,000. Margins: HD, 1 1/4, NK. Odds: 3.80, 4.50, 0.90. Also Ran: Velocity, Schilflied, Polythene Pam, Maximun Gold. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Bungle Inthejungle’s Jungle Peace Remains Undefeated in the U.S. with Senorita Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stablemates Public Assembly and Sun Of Hill, the one-two finishers in the April 26 Royal Heroine Stakes (G3T), were both in good order and pointed toward the Gamely Stakes (G1T).View the full article