Wandering Eyes

Although Burnham Square covered his five-furlong breeze a bit faster (:59 1/5) than trainer Ian Wilkes was looking for April 26, the trainer was pleased and believes the gelding is ready for the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.View the full article

With a damp track at Churchill Downs April 26, several Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders postponed their final breezes. However, five Kentucky Derby hopefuls stuck to the Saturday game plan, led by Burnham Square and Final Gambit.View the full article

Jockey Luan Machado is confident that Juddmonte Farms' Final Gambit can take to the dirt surface for the first time and win the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs May 3.View the full article

Five Kentucky Derby hopefuls were on track Saturday morning during the special training period for Oaks and Derby horses at Churchill Downs, but one, GISW Tappan Street (Into Mischief), has been withdrawn from the big race with an injury. As reported early Saturday morning, the son of Into Mischief had just completed a five furlong breeze when regular rider Luis Saez felt that 'something was off' afterwards. X-rays back at the barn revealed a condylar fracture, and while trainer Brad Cox reports it is not a major injury, it will require surgery and time, ruling him out of the race. Of the four who remain, Burnham Square (Liam's Map) joined the timed works with a five panel move on his own in :59.40 after a break for track maintenance which upgraded the surface to good. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:12 and seven-eighths in 1:26.20. Last year's Derby winning jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. was in the irons as Unbridled and Street Sense's trainer Carl Nafzger watched on from the backstretch. “The track was good,” said trainer Ian Wilkes, who served as an exercise rider for the aforementioned Derby heroes. “It was probably a tick faster, but he did it well in hand and had a strong gallop out. We just have to keep him on the ground now. He's ready.” Burnham Square's move matched the time of American Promise (Justify), who went out in the wee hours–as customary for trainer D. Wayne Lukas–over a sloppy track to cover five furlongs in :59.40. Rider Nik Juarez drove from Oaklawn to Kentucky and arrived Friday night before heading out Saturday for the work. “Got here last night, ready to work this morning,” Juarez said. “[American Promise] was ready to work too and the off track was not a problem.” Also during the designated training window for hopefuls was the workout of Render Judgment (Blame), who went five furlongs in company in :59. The defection of Tappan Street allows for his entry into the starting gate. On the track after the second break, the aforementioned Tappan Street and his stablemate Final Gambit (Not This Time) went out for their works with the latter working in company in 1:01. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.80 under Luan Machado. With the overcast weather lingering in the area, several works were pushed back to Sunday including that of likely Derby favorite GISW Journalism (Curlin), 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic), Sovereignty (Into Mischief), 'Rising Star' GISW East Avenue (Medaglia'dOro), Tiztastic (Tiz the Law), and Publisher (American Pharoah). Trainer Bob Baffert reported that his champion juvenile, 'TDN Rising Star' MGISW Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), will work Monday. Just on the outside of the field in the 21st spot is Baeza (McKinzie), the half-brother to GI Kentucky Derby hero Mage (Good Magic) and that one's GI Belmont Stakes winning full-brother Dornoch, who galloped Saturday morning after arriving from California on Thursday. Classified as a steady gallop over a surface then labeled 'good' under exercise rider Frankie Herrate–of Derby hero Giacamo fame, it is reported as unlikely that the colt will make the field even as Flavien Prat is named to ride. “If we don't make it,” trainer John Shirreffs said, “we'll work him here, Monday. Then we've got to look at the Preakness.” Neoequos (Neolithic) arrived at Churchill Downs Saturday morning after making the field due to an earlier defection, and is scheduled to hit the track Sunday morning for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. The post Derby Preparations Continue at Churchill, Preakness in Baeza’s Plans if Kentucky Falls Through appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The ladies joined the colts as final preparations commenced not just for the GI Kentucky Derby next weekend, but the GI Kentucky Oaks as well, with Tenma (Nyquist) leading the parade Saturday morning. With Martin Garcia in the saddle for the four-furlong work over a 'good' track, the Bob Baffert trainee went through her paces in a final clocking of :48.40 from Baffert, and later confirmed by the track clockers. Tenma's five furlong gallop out was noted as 1:01. “He's good; he can really work one,” said Baffert before the work in reference to the jockey. Garcia will be aboard Citizen Bull in next Saturday's Kentucky Derby. “For a while there, I thought he had a clock in his head. I told [Garcia] I wanted him to go in :48 [for the half mile] today, so let's see how he does.” Afterwards, Baffert said he was pleased with her effort. Tenma is one of the favorites for the 151st Kentucky Oaks, and has California's leading rider Juan Hernandez in the saddle for the big dance. Likewise, newcomer Fondly (Upstart) worked five furlongs on a fast track in 1:02.20 with Irad Ortiz Jr. on her back for trainer Graham Motion. A solo move, she produced sectionals of :24.60, :37.60, 1:02.20 and galloped out six panels in 1:15.20 in a move Ortiz was happy with afterwards. “I like her a lot,” Ortiz said. “She was good this morning and very comfortable. She's got a great mind and very professional.” When asked his thoughts about his charge being the least experienced of the bunch with only two lifetime starts, Motion held the Virginia Oaks victress to high esteem. “It is not something I do with every horse, but her half-brother [Antiquarian, who recently made a victorious return to the races] won the [1 1/8-mile, GIII] Peter Pan,” Motion said. “She has stepped up in distance every time and I think she can handle it.” The conditioner will be in town Wednesday, and said his filly will have gate and paddock schooling prior to the Oaks. GSP Anna's Promise (Promises Fulfilled) and GSW Ballerina d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) were also sighted Saturday putting in their final works ahead of Friday. The former, trained by Carlos David, traveled five furlongs in 1:00.40 in company with John Ortiz runner Covert Law (Tiz the Law) and galloped out six in 1:13.60. The latter went a half-mile in :48 for trainer Chad Brown. “I thought it was a really good move,” Brown said. “She got over the surface well.” The post Kentucky Oaks Fillies Join Derby Hopefuls for Final Tune Ups 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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6th-Navan, €25,000, Mdn, 4-26, 3yo, 10f 20yT, 2:12.85, sf. REYENZI (FR) (c, 3, Saxon Warrior {Jpn}–Reynira {Ire}, by Lope De Vega {Ire}), an encouraging second on debut over seven furlongs at Naas in September, raced in mid-division early with the pace stronger than in the preceding Group 3. Coming on strong approaching the two-furlong pole, the 6-1 shot soon had control and stayed on powerfully to score by five lengths from Vorfreude (Ire) (Bated Breath {GB}). “I thought he might just need a run. He worked very nicely during the week, but was so green on his first run that I said to Ben [Coen] to just drop him in and teach him as much as he could,” trainer Johnny Murtagh said of the winner, whose time was notably faster than that of Wemightakedlongway (Ire) (Australia {GB}) underlining just what that filly got away with in the card's feature. “I think he is above-average and it was a competitive race with a lot of fancied horses in it. Ben was very impressed. He was green at Naas last year and Shane Kelly was raving about him when he came in that day. He has strengthened up well over the winter. I'm not sure where we go next, but we will see what is there for him. I'm hoping he can shape up into a Stakes horse.” The winner is the first foal out of the dam, a half to the G2 Debutante Stakes winner Raydara (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) who in turn produced the Listed Prix Isonomy winner and G3 Prix de Fontainebleau-placed Rajapour (Ire) (Almanzor {Fr}) and the G3 Derrinstown Stud Fillies Stakes-placed Ridenza (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). The listed-winning second dam Raydiya (Ire) (Marju {Ire}) is also responsible for the listed-placed Rondonia (Ire) (Raven's Pass), producer of last year's G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Rouhiya (Fr) by Reynira's sire Lope De Vega. Reynira also has a 2-year-old colt by Siyouni (Fr) and a yearling filly by Sea The Moon (Ger). Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $20,747. O/B-H.H. The Aga Khan's Studs (FR); T-Johnny Murtagh. Reyenzi (Saxon Warrior) sheds his maiden tag at the second time of asking under @BenCoen2 for @JohnnyMurtagh @IrishEBF_ | @NavanRacecourse pic.twitter.com/PQERYfdqyJ — Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 26, 2025 The post Saxon Warrior’s Reyenzi Impresses For The Aga Khan’s Studs And Murtagh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 16:25, PRIX GANAY-G1, €300,000, 4yo/up, 10 1/2fT Field: Royal Rhyme (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Horizon Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}), Map Of Stars (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Higher Leaves (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}). TDN Verdict: After straightforward wins in the G3 Prix Exbury and G2 Prix d'Harcourt, Map Of Stars goes for gold here with momentum on his side and a profile that begs a Group 1 win. First time up, last year's G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero Sosie and G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin winner Al Riffa are surely vulnerable and so it is up to Wathnan Racing's progressive performer to get the blood stirring in the first big stand-off between the elite older horses. [Tom Frary] Sunday, Krefeld, Germany, post time: 12:50, GROSSER PREIS DER WOHNSTATTE KREFELD – DR BUSCH-MEMORIAL-G3, €55,000, 3yo, 8 1/2fT Field: Eternal Elixir (Ire) (Shaman {Ire}), Franklin Al Gunay (Karakontie {Jpn}), Katsumoto (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}), Mon Schatzi (Fr) (Shamalgan {Fr}), Namaron (Ger) (Amaron {GB}), Name Lord (Ger) (Lord Of England {Ger}), Next Mine (Ger) (Dabirsim {Fr}), Rekabet (Ger) (Ito {Ger}) and Turlow (Ire) (Soldier Hollow {GB}). TDN Verdict: Archie Watson sends across Eternal Elixir, who on the form of his third in last year's Listed Ascendant Stakes sets the standard, but watch out for Eckhard Sauren's Next Mine, a relative of the 2002 G1 Deutsches Derby hero Next Desert (Ire) (Desert Style {Ire}) and other domestic luminaries who shouted his potential with a 7 1/2-length debut win at Munich in November. [Tom Frary] Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 14:33, PRIX DE BARBEVILLE-G3, €80,000, 4yo/up, 15fT Field: Bel Et Bien (Fr) (Hunter's Light {Ire}), Kliff Bere (Fr) (Whitecliffsofdover), Presage Nocturne (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Candelari (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Chess (Fr) (Fas {Ire}), Annabel's Ghost (Ire) (Waldgeist {GB}) and Internaute (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). TDN Verdict: France's stayers continue to sort their pecking order, with the intriguing Aga Khan Studs homebred Candelari looking to translate his abundant promise into Pattern-race prowess. The way he brushed aside the dual G1 Prix Royal-Oak winner Double Major (Ire) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) at Chantilly in March suggests he is already there, but the Wertheimers' Internaute is a total unknown quantity at this trip and as a son of the Arc heroine Solemia (Ire) (Poliglote {GB}) it's not hard to envisage him making his mark in this category. [Tom Frary] Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 15:50, PRIX ALLEZ FRANCE-G3, €80,000, 4yo/up, f/m, 10fT Field: Rose Jaipur (Fr) (Doctor Dino {Fr}), Galaxie Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Waldora (Fr) (Waldgeist {GB}), Le Combat Continue (Fr) (De Treville {GB}), Grand Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Mme Jourdain (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Euboa (Fr) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), Aventure (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Zuna (Fr) (Kizuna {Jpn}). TDN Verdict: This sees the welcome return of Europe's second-best middle-distance filly of 2024 in the Wertheimers' Aventure, who would only be vulnerable if too rusty over a trip probably short of her optimum. The impressive Listed Prix Solitude winner Grand Stars may benefit if that is the case. [Tom Frary] Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 13:58, PRIX DE L'AVRE-Listed, €55,000, 3yo, 12fT Field: Surabad (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), Azou (Fr) (The Grey Gatsby {Ire}), Military Air (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Golden Weaver (Fr) (Romanised {Ire}), Killary King (Fr) (Hunter's Light {Ire}) and Croquis (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Representing the powerful Aga Khan's Studs-Graffard connection, Surabad took a leap forward sent over this trip at Saint-Cloud last month and appeals as a type that could end up featuring in the course-and-distance G1 Grand Prix de Paris. Another by a sprinter sire, the Wertheimers' Croquis did what he was expected to over this trip at Lyon-Parilly 11 days ago and this will tell us more, while another maiden winner with promise is the Lyon-la-Soie graduate Golden Weaver. [Tom Frary] Click here for the complete fields with trainer and jockey information. The post Black-Type Analysis: Map Of Stars Seeks Group 1 Breakthrough in Prix Ganay appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Relishing a mix of an easy lead and aggressive home-straight tactics in Navan's G3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Salsabil Stakes, Wemightakedlongway (Ire) (Australia {GB}) led at every step to dominate this Classic trial. Fifth taking on the colts in Leopardstown's G3 Ballysax Stakes over this 10-furlong trip earlier this month, the 15-2 shot who races for E S Racing and Joseph O'Brien was able to saunter along for Dylan Browne McMonagle before being the pedal was pushed to the floor three out. Giving generously from there, she was ultimately too strong for TDN Rising Star Catalina Delcarpio (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who was asked too much of a question and wound up 2 3/4 lengths away in second. Ballydoyle's second-string Island Hopping (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) wound up 3 3/4 lengths away in third, with the field strung out due to the hard effort of the winner throughout the last two furlongs. “Wemightakedlongway is a good filly and I thought her last run finishing behind Delacroix was really good for a first run back,” O'Brien said. “We were looking at going to Chester but, when the drop of rain came, decided to come here and she has won impressively. The [G1] Pretty Polly is the race we are really building towards–she is out of a No Nay Never mare, so she just wouldn't be guaranteed to go a mile and four furlongs. We will see whether we look at Epsom or whether we look at something else before the Pretty Polly.” Group Three success for Wemightakedlongway @JosephOBrien2 and @DylanBrowneMcM land the @IrishEBF_ Salsabil Stakes @NavanRacecourse pic.twitter.com/5Mw9724Jf4 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 26, 2025 Saturday, Navan, Ireland IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF SALSABIL STAKES-G3, €65,000, Navan, 4-26, 3yo, f, 10f 20yT, 2:15.25, sf. 1–WEMIGHTAKEDLONGWAY (IRE), 128, f, 3, by Australia (GB) 1st Dam: Dont Ask Me At All (Ire), by No Nay Never 2nd Dam: Ask Me Nicely (Ire), by Fastnet Rock (Aus) 3rd Dam: Queen Titi (Ire), by Sadler's Wells 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-E & S Racing; B-Mrs Annemarie O'Brien (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Dylan Browne McMonagle. €39,000. Lifetime Record: 5-2-0-2, $64,082. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Catalina Delcarpio (Ire), 128, f, 3, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Queen Guenevere (Ire), by Camelot (GB). TDN Rising Star. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (400,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-Robert J W Moran; B-Ballylinch Stud & Ecurie des Charmes (IRE); T-Paddy Twomey. €13,000. 3–Island Hopping (Ire), 128, f, 3, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Heaven Of Heavens (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €6,500. Margins: 2 3/4, 3 3/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 7.50, 2.00, 18.00. Also Ran: Medici Venus, Spicy Margarita (Ire), J M's Joy (Ire), Ecstatic (Jpn), Tarima (Ire). Scratched: Barnavara (Ire). The post Australia’s Wemightakedlongway Wins The Salsabil For Joseph O’Brien appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following a day of no racing in Italy as a mark of respect while the funeral of Pope Francis took place, Italian racing leads us into the European Classic season this Sunday, along with Spain, with both sets of Guineas being staged in Rome and Madrid respectively. Jockey Marco Ghiani heads back to his native country to take rides for Stefano Botti in the G3 Premio Pariolo (Italian 2,000 Guineas) and G3 Premio Regina Elena (Italian 1,000 Guineas). His mount in the colts' Classic, Brisone (GB), is from the first crop of Darley's Earthlight (Ire) and won his seasonal debut over 1600m to take his record to two victories from five starts. He may face a stiff challenge from stable-mate Conformist (Ity) (Helmet {Aus}), a Botti homebred who is now a four-time winner. Far Above (GB) is also represented by a first-crop Classic runner in the form of Kabir (Ire), a Listed winner last December for Endo Botti. In five starts to date the consistent colt has never been out of the first two. We saw record after record tumble at Doncaster on Thursday but one colt who did not cost the earth at the Goffs UK Breeze-up Sale of 2024 was Kanthan Fly (Kantharos), who was sold by Eddie Linehan's Lackendarra Stables for £3,000 to owner Romano Srls. He's been kept busy by trainer Carmelo Bottone and has rewarded his connections with five wins from his 10 starts to date, and comes into this Classic test on the back of four straight victories. The Allevamento Le Gi-bred Klaynn (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) sets the standard for the fillies in Capanelle's Premio Regina Elena. Unbeaten in four starts for Endo Botti, including the G2 Premio Dormello last October, she reopposes the third from that race, Fast Spirit (Ire), who is also a daughter of Ballylinch Stud's Make Believe and won last season's Listed Premio Gino e Luciano Mantovani. Another of the young Darley stallions, Ghaiyyath (Ire), has a number of Classic entries across Europe in the coming months but his first will be Sopran Norma (Ire), bred by Mary Gallagher. A maiden winner at San Siro last year, she is trained by Pierangleo Pirisi for Leonardo Ciampoli. Italian racing has recently undergone a significant rebranding under the umbrella of Grande Ippica Italiana, with all the country's races streamed live via the organisation's new website, which is available in English and French as well as Italian. La Zarzuela's Big Weekend The architectural wonder that is Madrid's La Zarzuela racecourse stages both the Gran Premio Cimera (Poule de Potros – colts) and Gran Premio Valderas (Poule de Pontrancas – fillies). Neither race carries black type but they are hotly anticipated as the spring highlight of the action in Spain. The country's champion trainer Guillermo Arizkorreta has three chances of notching a fourth victory in the colts' Classic. His old friend, the former multiple French champion jockey Ioritz Mendizabal, returns home to ride the trainer's Yogui (Fr) (Al Wukair {Ire}), while the Spanish champion Vaclav Janacek is aboard stable-mate Soltan Gatsby (Fr) (The Grey Gatsby {Ire}). The Ballylinch Stud-bred Goodmood (Ire) is the winner of three of his five starts for Alvaro Soto, who won last year's Spanish 1,000 Guineas equivalent. His sire Make Believe has four Classic runners this weekend, including Fiction (Ire) in the Gran Premio Valderas. Soto is also represented by Gaucin (Fr), one of two colts in the race, along with Metro Dubai (Fr), from the first crop of Elarqam (GB), the French-based son of Frankel (GB) and Attraction (GB). Arizkorreta also has three runners in the fillies' Classic, led by Octans (Spa) (The Grey Gatsby {Ire}), who ran with great credit in Dubai over the winter, finishing second in both her starts at Meydan. A trio of first-crop stallions feature in this race, too, with Kameko represented by Ghost Run (GB), while the former Ollie Sangster-trained Ecology (Ire), a dual winner in Spain, is a daughter of Earthlight (Ire), and Vozpornoche (Ire) is by King Of Change (Ire). The post From Rome to Madrid, Let the Classics Begin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

While visually making heavy weather of bringing up a fourth renewal of Navan's Listed Bar One Racing Vintage Crop Stakes on Saturday, Ballydoyle's stayer supreme Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is back and at this point still in command of this sphere. Those unaccustomed to the way the 7-year-old operates would have found themselves underwhelmed at the way he took a relative age to subdue the drastically overmatched Poetic Sound (Ire) (Poet's Word {Ire}) in this 14-furlong warm-up for the season's Cup races, with even takers of the cramped 1-7 on offer faced with an anxious spell as Ryan Moore got to work. In the event, despite the efforts of the Moyglare-bred jewel to disguise his superiority it was doomed to failure as his rival caved and he stretched on to win by two lengths from the closer Enfranchise (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). KYPRIOS! The three-time Listed @BarOneRacing Vintage Crop Stakes winner @NavanRacecourse A treble for team @Ballydoyle pic.twitter.com/rdHsykBbSo — Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 26, 2025 Saturday, Navan, Ireland BAR ONE RACING VINTAGE CROP STAKES-Listed, €52,500, Navan, 4-26, 4yo/up, 14fT, 3:15.17, sf. 1–KYPRIOS (IRE), 136, h, 7, Galileo (Ire)–Polished Gem (Ire) (2x Broodmare Of The Year-Ire), by Danehill. O-Moyglare, Magnier, Tabor, Smith & Westerberg; B-Moyglare Stud Farm Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €31,500. Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Eng, Fr & Ire, 20-16-2-0, $3,301,607. *Full to Search For A Song (Ire), MG1SW-Ire, SW & GSP-Eng, G1SP-Fr, $1,086,486; Falcon Eight (Ire), GSW-Ire & SW-Eng, $409,006; Amma Grace (Ire), SW & GSP-Ire; and 1/2 to Free Eagle (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), G1SW-Eng, GSW & G1SP-Ire, $926,416; Sapphire (Ire) (Medicean {GB}), MGSW & G1SP-Ire, GSW-Eng, $518,947; Custom Cut (Ire) (Notnowcato {GB}), MGSW-Eng & Ire, $951,925; and Valac (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), GSW-Aus, $448,653. 2–Enfranchise (Ire), 126, m, 7, Invincible Spirit (Ire)–Saoirse Abu, by Mr. Greeley. (68,000gns 4yo '22 TATMA). O-Mrs A F Mee; B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Willie McCreery. €10,500. 3–Poetic Sound (Ire), 131, g, 4, Poet;s Word (Ire)–Ceoil An Aith (Ire), by Accordion (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-John Keaney Keaney (IRE); T-Ger Lyons. €5,250. Margins: 2, SHD, 2HF. Odds: 0.14, 9.00, 11.00. Also Ran: Barnso (GB), Bay Of Sanibel (Ger), Sonnyboyliston (Ire). Scratched: Dawn Rising (Ire), Leinster (Ire). The post A Fourth Vintage Crop For Kyprios appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tappan Street (Into Mischief), the winner of the March 29 GI Florida Derby, willl miss the Kentucky Derby after suffering a condylar fracture to his right front leg, according to trainer Brad Cox. The colt is owned by WinStar Farm LLC, CHC, Inc. and Cold Press Racing. Tappan Street worked five furlongs in :59.60 on Saturday morning, and Cox told the Louisville Courier Journal that jockey Luis Saez felt something was off after the work. The colt had X-rays back at the barn. “It's nothing major I don't believe at all,” Cox told the Courier Journal's Jason Frakes. “But he does require surgery and obviously he is out of the Derby. I don't think it's career-ending or anything.” The defection means that last year's Derby-winning trainer, Kenny McPeek, will see his horse, Render Judgment (Blame), fifth last out in the GI Blue Grass S. at Keeneland, draw into the field. Render Judgment's only win comes in a Churchill maiden race last October. Tappan Street has made three lifetime starts, breaking his maiden in his debut on Dec. 28 at Gulfstream, before finishing third in the GII Holy Bull S., and winning the Florida Derby. The post Tappan Street out of Kentucky Derby with Condylar Fracture appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

3rd-Leicester, £8,000, Mdn, 4-26, 3yo/up, 10fT, 2:07.52, gd. SKIMMER (GB) (c, 3, Kingman {GB}–Scuffle {GB} {SP-Eng}, by Daylami {Ire}), a half-brother to the G1 St Leger hero Logician (GB) (Frankel {GB}), was heavily-supported into 2-1 favouritism on this debut and travelled sweetly behind the leaders throughout the early stages. Staying on strongly to overwhelm Asmen Warrior (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) in the last half a furlong, the homebred asserted to score by 3/4 of a length. The winner is the 11th foal out of the listed-placed dam, whose best so far is the aforementioned Logician who also captured the G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes. She is also responsible for four other black-type performers headed by the triple Grade III winner and GI E. P. Taylor Stakes runner-up Suffused (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) and last year's G3 Gordon Richards Stakes scorer Okeechobee (GB) (Time Test {GB}), as well as the dam of the GI Diana Stakes heroine Whitebeam (GB) (Caravaggio) and G3 Autumn Stakes third Nightwalker (GB) (Frankel {GB}). She is a half to the established sires Cityscape (GB) and Bated Breath (GB) and to the dam of the classy sprinter Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}), while other members of this illustrious dynasty include Kingman's G3 Dick Poole Fillies Stakes scorer Tabiti (GB) and the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). Scuffle's 2-year-old colt Najidi Storm (GB) is also by Frankel while she also has a foal full-sister to the winner. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $5,573. O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Harry Charlton. A winning start! Quickfire double for @HarryJCharlton who saddles Skimmer (Kingman) to victory in the Madri Excepcional Maiden Stakes @LeicesterRaces @oismurphy | @JuddmonteFarms pic.twitter.com/dbVInRkHFy — Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 26, 2025 The post Kingman’s Blueblood Skimmer Off To A Winning Start For Juddmonte And Charlton appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Navan's Saturday card featured a trio of black-type contests, but early focus centred on the €18,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden for juveniles, in which Coolmore and Westerberg's Charles Darwin (Ire) (No Nay Never), a full-brother to dual Group 1 winner Blackbeard (Ire), illuminated proceedings with a spectacular 5 1/2-length triumph. Aidan O'Brien had annexed three consecutive renewals of the near-six furlong contest, including with subsequent G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere hero Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) last year, and his 8-11 pick was away sharply to gain immediate control coming back off a debut fourth over five furlongs at the Curragh two weeks ago. Untroubled on the front end throughout, the March-foaled bay was allowed an inch of Ryan Moore's rein passing the quarter-mile marker and powered clear in impressive fashion to earn a 'TDN Rising Star' rosette by daylight. His closest pursuer was the outclassed Ger Lyons trainee Harmani (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}). Charles Darwin becomes the 11th Rising Star for his sire, whose roll of honour includes the stable's Little Big Bear, Ten Sovereigns and Aesop's Fables. This race's three most recent winners–Camille Pissarro, River Tiber and the aforementioned Aesop's Fables–were all tagged Rising Stars. “He is a lovely, big, powerful and strong horse and we always thought was an Ascot horse,” reported O'Brien. “He was very green first time in the Curragh and the race was a bit messy, but he did everything right today. He travelled, he has loads of speed and quickened very well. He's not short of speed, so it will be the [G2] Coventry or [G2] Norfolk for him at Royal Ascot.” Charles Darwin is the fourth of five foals, all by No Nay Never, and becomes the fourth scorer produced by a winning daughter of G3 Phoenix Sprint victrix Girouette (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}). Descendants of the March-foaled bay's stakes-placed third dam Vassiana (Fr) (Anabaa) include multiple Group 3 winner Max Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and G3 Anglesey Stakes victrix Kairyu (Ire) (Kuroshio {Aus}). Hailing from the family of leading distaffers Mrs Penny and Hatoof, the winner is a full-brother to G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park-winning sire Blackbeard (Ire), Listed Prix de Saint Cyr third Run Away (Ire) and a yearling filly. Run Away was knocked down for €2.6-million as a Goffs Orby yearling and resold for 650,000gns at Tattersalls' most recent December sale. Impressive A brother to Blackbeard, Charles Darwin (No Nay Never) follows in talented @Ballydoyle footsteps by winning this @IrishEBF_ Maiden @NavanRacecourse 2025 – CHARLES DARWIN 2024 – Camille Pissarro 2023 – River Tiber 2022 – Aesop's Fables pic.twitter.com/GSgSuMQfew — Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 26, 2025 2nd-Navan, €18,000, Mdn, 4-26, 2yo, 5f 180yT, 1:14.09, sf. CHARLES DARWIN (IRE), c, 2, by No Nay Never 1st Dam: Muirin (Ire), by Born To Sea (Ire) 2nd Dam: Girouette (Ire), by Pivotal (GB) 3rd Dam: Vassiana (Fr), by Anabaa Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, €11,900. *Full to Blackbeard (Ire), G1SW-Eng & Fr, GSW-Ire, $550,894: and Run Away (Ire), SP-Fr. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O-Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, D Smith & Westerberg; B-Newstead Breeding (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. The post Blackbeard’s Brother Charles Darwin a New TDN Rising Star for No Nay Never appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Launching his 2025 campaign in Saturday's Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Committed Stakes at Navan, Ballydoyle's G1 Prix Morny hero Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never) delivered the ideal start with the yard enjoying a one-two. Exuberant for Ryan Moore as his talented stablemate Ides Of March (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) went forward, Peter Brant's accomplished colour-bearer managed to get past in the final yards for a half-length success with Moyglare's filly Sparkling Sea (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) joining in to be a head further behind. He's back! Whistlejacket returns to winning ways in the Listed @IrishEBF_ Committed Stakes @NavanRacecourse for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore @Ballydoyle | @coolmorestud pic.twitter.com/WGlXm3IKbx — Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 26, 2025 Saturday, Navan, Ireland IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF COMMITTED STAKES-Listed, €45,000, Navan, 4-26, 3yo, 5f 180yT, 1:13.12, sf. 1–WHISTLEJACKET (IRE), 136, c, 3, by No Nay Never 1st Dam: Adventure Seeker (Fr) (SW & GSP-Fr, $155,312), by Bering (GB) 2nd Dam: American Adventure, by Miswaki 3rd Dam: All Along (Fr), by Targowice (500,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-Peter M Brant, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Camas Park, Lynch Bages & Summerhill (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €27,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Fr, GSW & G1SP-Eng, G1SP-Ire, 9-4-3-0, $541,730. *Full to Little Big Bear (Ire), G1SW-Ire, GSW & G1SP-Eng, $549,583; and 1/2 to Andrea Mantegna (Giant's Causeway), GSP-Aus, $352,585. 2–Ides Of March (Ire), 134, c, 3, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Nickname, by Scat Daddy. O-Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Brookdale Racing; B-Phoenix Thoroughbreds Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €9,000. 3–Sparkling Sea (Ire), 126, f, 3, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Titanium Sky (Ire), by Dark Angel (Ire). O/B-Moyglare Stud Farm Ltd (IRE); T-Ger Lyons. €4,500. Margins: HF, HD, 4HF. Odds: 1.25, 4.00, 5.00. Also Ran: Midnight Strike (Ire), Cowardofthecounty (Ire), Pedro Nunes. Scratched: Bodhi Bear (Ire). The post Winning Return For No Nay Never’s Whistlejacket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars PROGNOSIS - R8 (2) Consistent galloper can make his Hong Kong breakthrough here Jay Rooney INVINCIBLE SHIELD - R4 (6) Looks well placed down in weight and from inside draw Trackwork Spy MASTEROFMYUNIVERSE - R6 (4) In-form galloper can enjoy that winning feeling again Phillip Woo PROGNOSIS - R8 (2) Looks ready to go one better after two seconds from three past HK runs Shannon (Vincent Wong) VOLCANIC SPARK - R1 (5) Should appreciate the step back to 1,800m and has James McDonald aboard Racing Post Online SUPER EXPRESS - R3 (1) Talented youngster scored well on debut last start and can repeat the dose Tom Wood PROGNOSIS - R8 (2) Runner-up in the past two editions and will be tough to beatView the full article

By Adam Hamilton The harness racing world is shocked and devastated following news of the tragic passing of decorated horseman Greg Sugars. News of Sugars’ passing emerged on Saturday afternoon via the Instagram account of Larajay Farm, run by Sugars and his wife Jess Tubbs. “With an absolutely shattered heart that doesn’t want to believe it’s possibly true, I need to share the news that Greg passed away in his sleep last night,” the post read. “Greg had excitedly driven our team to NSW yesterday with none of us possibly predicting this was in our future. “His beloved son (dog) Harvey doesn’t yet understand that Dad won’t be home to take him to Puppy School Graduation on Tuesday. “We are heartbroken and very much still processing everything so some time and space will be appreciated.” Harness Racing Victoria cancelled Saturday night’s Melton meeting, Sugars was in NSW at the time of his death with stable runners Fighter Command, Rakero Rebel and Dichotomy, to race at Menangle on Saturday night. Sugars, son of highly decorated former SA trainer Ross Sugars, was one of the stars of Australian harness racing. It was only in January this year that Sugars and Tubbs called time on the remarkable career of their once in a lifetime global trotting superstar Just Believe. The champion square-gaiter won 38 races during his career banking almost $2 million in prize money where he completed in three countries and two hemispheres. He enjoyed huge success in NZ last year with wins in the TAB Trot, Rowe Cup and Dominion. Sugars drove 4028 winners, including 64 at Group 1 level. View the full article

New Zealand-bred gelding Tenzing (NZ) (Contributer) took his career to new heights with a first black-type win in Saturday’s A$300,000 Listed Jones & Co IGA Brisbane Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm. The Tony Gollan-trained six-year-old has now won seven of his 29 starts, along with three seconds and nine thirds. He has earned A$443,221 for an Australian Bloodstock syndicate. Tenzing got into Saturday’s Brisbane Mile on the minimum weight of 53kg and jumped from gate one. He was given a perfect ride by Regan Bayliss, who saved ground along the rail. All eyes were on Williamsburg in the straight as he drew up alongside the front-running Just Folk (Magnus), but then Tenzing drove through on their inside and took command. He kicked clear and kept going strongly to the line to beat the late-finishing Miss Joelene by half a length. “He’s the sort of horse that can always be competitive in a good race like this if he gets a low draw that allows him to have a soft run, which he got for this race,” Gollan said. Tenzing was bred by Malaysian businessman Dato Yap Kim San’s Raffles Farm, best known in recent times as the breeder of 10-time Group One winner Imperatriz (I Am Invincible). The 12th individual stakes winner for former Mapperley Stud stallion Contributer, Tenzing is a son of Mizen Peak. That Fastnet Rock mare is a half-sister to the Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) winner Francaletta (High Chaparral) as well as the multiple Listed winner and Gr.1 Royal Ascot Golden Jubilee Stakes (1200m) placegetter Asset. Leanach Lodge offered Tenzing in Book 2 of Karaka 2020, where he failed to meet his $20,000 reserve. He was subsequently put up for sale on Gavelhouse.com and sold for $4,400. Tenzing began his career with six starts for Wanganui trainer Kevin Myers in 2022, recording a pair of 1400m victories at Riccarton and Otaki before his sale to Australian Bloodstock. View the full article

In his first raceday appearance since winning at Rosehill in February, consistent galloper Step Aside (NZ) (Redwood) returned to action on a winning note in the A$160,000 Terry Marskell Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday. The Benchmark 78 handicap was the fifth victory of a 21-start career for the New Zealand-bred gelding, who has placed on another eight occasions and has earned A$375,600 for an OTI Racing ownership group. Representing the champion expat New Zealand trainer-jockey combination of Chris Waller and James McDonald, Step Aside was sent out as a $3.40 favourite on Saturday and the five-year-old lived up to that top billing. McDonald rode a patient race on Step Aside, settling in third-last and allowing him time to build up his momentum after rounding the home turn. Step Aside warmed into his work and ranged up alongside the front-running Deprivation (No Nay Never) at the 100m mark. He finished over the top of that rival in the final few strides and scored by a head. “Step Aside made it back to back wins for his connections with an impressive run for Chris Waller and James McDonald,” OTI Racing said on Facebook. “Good to see this talented gelding continue his good from.” By Redwood out of the winning Roc de Cambes mare Teena Rox (NZ), Step Aside began his career with Cambridge trainer Ralph Manning, winning an 800m trial on the Cambridge synthetic before his sale to OTI. View the full article

Val Di Zoldo’s (NZ) (War Decree) victory in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday showed what a difference a year can make. The $150,000 fillies and mares’ feature capped an autumn black-type double for the War Decree mare, who was a last-start winner of the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2050m) at Wanganui on April 5. It could hardly be a more different story to what happened in those same two races 12 months ago. Val Di Zoldo ran fourth in the 2024 edition of the Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes at Trentham, crossing the finish line 3.6 lengths behind Apostrophe (NZ) (Tavistock) after being completely blocked for most of the straight. The Travis Stakes was even more of a nightmare. Val Di Zoldo was caught wide without cover in the early part of the race, then jockey Wiremu Pinn lost his left stirrup leather in the straight. She overcame all of that adversity to still finish fourth, beaten by a half-head, a half-head and a head. A return to Te Rapa for a second shot at the Travis Stakes brought redemption for Val Di Zoldo and Pinn. The pair enjoyed a comfortable run, three back on the rail, as Town Cryer (NZ) (Tavistock) and Our Jumala (NZ) (Zed) showed the way up to the home turn. Pinn angled the five-year-old into the clear at the top of the home straight, and Val Di Zoldo soon warmed into her work. She surged past Town Cryer and Our Jumala with just over 100m to run, then held out a big finish from Islington Lass (NZ) (Proisir) to win by a neck. Pinn summed up the feelings of all of Val Di Zoldo’s connections with a fist pump after the finish line. “I think Wiremu will really enjoy that,” trainer Tony Pike said. “He’s ridden her a few times with absolutely no luck. She should have won this race last year. To get the win today is a little bit of payback. “It was a beautiful ride by Wiremu. He settled three back at the fence and then came off at the right time.” Val Di Zoldo has now won four of her 31 starts and $325,915 in stakes. She won the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) as a three-year-old in March of 2023, but then went winless for more than two years before this month’s Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes and Travis Stakes successes. “She’s always been a very good mare, and she’s honestly the most unlucky mare I’ve ever trained,” Pike said. “So she really deserves these two stakes wins that she’s put together this autumn. She’s going to be a lovely broodmare later on as well. “She’d been out of the winners’ circle for two years before that win two years ago, but it’s not her fault. She probably should have won three or four races during that period. To get this win today is fantastic for her owners. “There’s now the possibility of the Rotorua Cup (Listed, 2200m) in a couple of weeks’ time. She ran in that last year and probably didn’t quite see out the 2200m. We’ll have a talk to the owners and make a decision. We might just put her out and then bring her back for the spring.” Bred by the late Kevin Hickman, Val Di Zoldo is raced by Robert and Kim De Courcy under their Kinsale Bloodstock banner after she was purchased for $285,000 by Bruce Sherwin out of the Valachi Downs Unreserved Young & Racing Stock Dispersal Sale. View the full article

Riviera Rebel (NZ) (Pure Champion) has been a special horse for rookie trainer Brooke Kincaid, who had her first taste of black-type success in Saturday’s Gr.3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) at Riccarton. Kincaid went into partnership with Riverton trainer Graham Eade at the beginning of this season. Riviera Rebel quickly became her first winner with a Rating 75 victory at Riccarton on August 10, and on Saturday the talented gelding was in the spotlight again as he provided her sixth and most significant training success. “It’s amazing,” Kincaid said. “This horse gave me my very first winner as a trainer, and now he’s given me my first Group win too. It’s very special.” Riviera Rebel followed his August victory at Riccarton with open handicap successes in the Tapanui Cup (1200m) at Riverton in January and the Hororata Gold Cup (1800m) at Riccarton in March. He was unplaced over 1200m at Riverton last weekend, but relished the step up to 2000m for Saturday’s $120,000 weight-for-age feature. Jockey Kylie Williams took up a handy position in third behind Taimate Diva (NZ) (Telperion) and Master Marko (NZ) (Contributer). The field fanned out all the way across the track coming around the home turn, but Williams stuck to the rail and didn’t go around a single horse. Riviera Rebel slid through the inside and hit the front at the top of the straight. Harlech (NZ) (Darci Brahma) emerged as the main threat on the opposite side of the track, but Riviera Rebel kept finding and refused to be reeled in. He crossed the finish line a length and three-quarters ahead of Harlech, with Noble Knight (NZ) (Ghibellines) another neck away in third. “It was a great performance from the horse today and a perfect ride from Kylie as well,” Kincaid said. “She was able to get him to settle just off the pace this time, instead of having to lead like he often does. Then she saved all that ground coming around the home turn and it worked out perfectly.” It was a second consecutive win in the Canterbury Gold Cup for Williams, who guided Green Luck (Street Cry) to victory in the same race 12 months ago. Riviera Rebel was bred by Philip Jeffreys, who races the gelding alongside Eade and his wife Pat. The four-year-old has now had 23 starts for six wins, seven placings and $219,255 in stakes. “We’re still deciding whether or not to back him up again here at Riccarton next Saturday,” Kincaid said. “There’s not a lot else left for him this season, so whether he runs again next weekend or not, he’ll be heading out for a good long break soon before we get him ready for the spring. View the full article

Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Dirty Grin (NZ) (Zacinto) collected his third win from four starts in this preparation with a come-from-behind victory in the A$80,000 Symal Handicap (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday. The five-year-old son of Zacinto came into this campaign with two wins to his name in a 14-start career. He has had a change of scenery this year with a move from Simon Zahra’s stable into the care of Nick Ryan, and Dirty Grin hasn’t looked back. He kicked off his preparation with a Benchmark 64 victory over 1110m at Benalla on February 16, followed by a 1200m success in the same grade at Echuca on March 9. Dirty Grin stepped up to city class with a third in a Benchmark 70 handicap at Sandown on March 26, then went two better at The Valley on Saturday. Ridden by Rhys McLeod, Dirty Grin settled well off the pace in third-last before swooping around the outside of the field in a big move before the home turn. Dirty Grin straightened for home in a close and threatening third position, then outfinished Verdoux (Trapeze Artist) and Bold Response (Zoustar) down the straight to score a stylish win. “We thought there would be good pace in this race on paper, and it turned out that way, but we got quite a way off them,” McLeod said. “For him to get back into the race, he actually had to do quite a bit of work to do it, so it was a good, strong win. “Nick is training him well, has placed him well and is getting the best out of this horse in this campaign.” Dirty Grin has now had 17 starts for five wins, seven placings and A$162,915 in stakes. Dirty Grin was bred by Ellerton Zahra Racing Pty Ltd and is out of the Sharkbite mare Pearly Whites, who herself was a Moonee Valley winner over 1000m and 1200m. A half-sister to the dual Listed winner Travino (General Nediym), Pearly Whites was bought for just $7,000 from the New Zealand Bloodstock Broodmare Sale at Karaka in 2017. View the full article

The dam to 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) victor Mage and 2024 participant Dornoch would get another shot at immortality if her McKinzie colt Baeza finds his way into the field for the first leg of the Triple Crown May 3 at Churchill Downs.View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Champion trainer Gary Hall Sr thinks former Kiwi pacer Mister Smartee is his next superstar. Hall Sr was moved to declare the lightly raced five-year-old second-only to the amazing Im Themightyquinn as the best horse he has trained after Mister Smartee’s win in last night’s $1.25 million Group 1 Nullarbor at Gloucester Park. Having just his 22nd start, Mister Smartee took advantage of a stalking run behind the two big guns – Minstrel and Swayzee – and gunned them down late to post his 17th and by far biggest win. “He’s really good, this horse and he’s still learning and getting better,” Hall Sr said. “I love him. I didn’t know if I’d get another really top horse at this stage of my career (75 years old), so he’s special.” Hall Sr now has a decision to make about the Brisbane Inter Dominion starting on July 5. “I said he needed to win this to seriously consider taking him so I have to now,” he said. “It’s just such a long trip and to have to run into Leap To Fame, who is the greatest horse I’ve seen. “I’ll get through next week and then weigh it all up.” Next week is the $300,000 Group 1 Fremantle Cup which will be basically a repeat of the Nullarbor but over the marathon 2936m trip, compared to last night’s 2536m. Hall Sr said last night’s win was one of the best and most satisfying of his career. It’s a huge call from the 75-year-old given he has won a staggering 13 WA Pacing Cup, 10 Fremantle Cups and three Inter Dominion finals. “That’s right up there with anything, seriously,” he said. “The build-up to the race was enormous, there was a real us against them thing with the eastern states horses, especially Swayzee. “I felt there was a bit of a lack of respect and understanding of our horses and how this (Gloucester Park) track races … yes, we had a point to prove. “As the race got closer, I grew in confidence. Just this week I thought we finally had him spot on. Mister Smartee, a five-year-old former Kiwi pacer having just his 22nd start, sat in the one-one trail and stalked the two favourites Minstrel (leader) and Swayzee (outside leader) as they went to war up front. Swayzee, one of the great stayers of the modern era, mauled favourite Minstrel through opening splits of the last mile in 29.4 and 27.8sec. Minstrel looked to have Swayzee beaten before the final bend, but the swoopers, headed by Mister Smartee and Gee Heza Sport, were looming. “Yes, we had the sit on them, but it still takes a huge effort to race one-off the pegs the whole way, chasing a pace like that, and pull out three-wide then run them down,” driver Gary Hall Jr said. “He’s done a mighty job in a short period of time, this horse. Mister Smartee’s 1min54.4sec mile rate for the long 2536m trip was just 0.4sec outside the track record. The Kiwi flavour was strong with NZ-bred pacers filling the trifecta. Gee Heza Sport ran second with his Team Bond-trained stablemate, Minstrel, a close third. Kiwi great Colin DeFilippi, who bred and previously trained Gee Heza Sport, was trackside and thrilled with his run. “I wasn’t sure he’d be up to these horses, but Greg (Bond, co-trainer) certainly was. It looks like he’s going to do a great job over here, he said. Dual NZ Cup winner Swayzee was struggling before the final bend, but kept digging deep as he always does to finish a close-up fourth. Mister Smartee gave WA its first home state win in the three runnings of the Nullarbor. “That’s a big part of the thrill. It’s really been eating away at me, especially this week in the build up … WA just needed to win our own big race,” Hall Jr said. View the full article

Tenzing scores for trainer Tony Gollan at Eagle Farm in the Listed Brisbane Mile. (Photo: Grant Peters) New Zealand-bred gelding Tenzing took his career to new heights with a first black-type win in Saturday’s $300,000 Listed Brisbane Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm. The Tony Gollan-trained six-year-old has now won seven of his 29 starts, along with three seconds and nine thirds. He has earned $443,221 for an Australian Bloodstock syndicate. Tenzing got into Saturday’s Brisbane Mile on the minimum weight of 53kg and jumped from gate one. He was given a perfect ride by Regan Bayliss, who saved ground along the rail. All eyes were on Williamsburg in the straight as he drew up alongside the front-running Just Folk, but then Tenzing drove through on their inside and took command. He kicked clear and kept going strongly to the line to beat the late-finishing Miss Joelene by half a length. “He’s the sort of horse that can always be competitive in a good race like this if he gets a low draw that allows him to have a soft run, which he got for this race,” Gollan said. Tenzing was bred by Malaysian businessman Dato Yap Kim San’s Raffles Farm, best known in recent times as the breeder of 10-time Group One winner Imperatriz. The 12th individual stakes winner for former Mapperley Stud stallion Contributer, Tenzing is a son of Mizen Peak. That Fastnet Rock mare is a half-sister to the Group 3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) winner Francaletta as well as the multiple Listed winner and Group 1 Royal Ascot Golden Jubilee Stakes (1200m) placegetter Asset. Leanach Lodge offered Tenzing in Book 2 of Karaka 2020, where he failed to meet his $20,000 reserve. He was subsequently put up for sale on Gavelhouse.com and sold for $4,400. Tenzing began his career with six starts for Wanganui trainer Kevin Myers in 2022, recording a pair of 1400m victories at Riccarton and Otaki before his sale to Australian Bloodstock. Horse racing news View the full article