Wandering Eyes

Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) launches his 7-year-old campaign in defence of his title in Saturday's US$2.5-million G3 H.H. The Amir Trophy in Qatar, where he will face seven other rivals that own nothing close to the resume amassed by the Godolphin homebred. Having defeated a pair of Japanese raiders, including the third-placed and re-opposing Satono Glanz (Jpn) (Satono Diamond by {Jpn}) by a convincing three-length margin 12 months ago, Rebel's Romance landed Group 1s in Hong Kong, Germany and America, where he took out the GI Breeders' Cup Classic for the second time in three years. Last month he was crowned champion turf horse at the Eclipse Awards. “It's great to see Rebel's Romance head back to Qatar for another crack at this race and he goes there in great form,” trainer Charlie Appleby said on the Godolphin website. “He's a year older now and taking on some younger legs, but he continues to display all the enthusiasm that he has shown in the past. Like last year, this looked the ideal starting point to his campaign. “If he turns up in the form that he has shown over the past 12 months, he will be the one they all have to beat. Age is the one thing that is creeping up on him, but all the signs at home have been very positive.” Godolphin are represented earlier on the card by the 3-year-olds Al Qudra (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Age of Gold (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who take in the US$400,000 Al Rayyan Mile. The Foxes (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) visits his fifth country and enters the Amir Trophy on the back of a cracking fourth-place effort behind the three-peating Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup in December. King's Gambit (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) makes his first start in the Wathnan Racing colours on Saturday. Runner-up in the G3 Hampton Court Stakes and to Alflaila (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the G2 York Stakes, the chestnut was a close third in the G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes and was a latest seventh in testing ground in the G1 QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot in October. The post Rebel’s Romance A Warm Item For Amir Trophy Repeat appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Will a new record be set at the NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales at Auckland today? A total of 130 yearlings will go under the hammer at Karaka, starting at 1pm, before the Sales move to the second day at Christchurch next Tuesday. North Island heavyweights Breckon Farms and Woodlands Stud have the biggest drafts today with 38 and 36 yearlings and among Woodlands’ offerings is Lot 70, a colt by Captaintreacherous out of the champion mare that was Adore Me. He’s Adore Me’s first colt and her first foal to be offered publicly. Clearly the colt is going to attract some big numbers. But how big? Could it for instance eclipse the record $340,000 that was forked out for No More Dreaming, Don’t Stop Dreaming’s full brother in Christchurch last year? Lot 70 is likely to be up for sale around 3.15 this afternoon. Not that today is all about one yearling – far from it. There are many others that have prompted a lot of talk including Lot 73, from Breckon Farms, a Captaintreacherous colt out of the multiple Group 1-winning Bettor Twist. Anther buzz yearling is Lot 106, the second foal and first colt by Next Gen sire Face Time Bourbon in Australasia. Face Time Bourbon won 35 races and over $7m in stakes. This is the first time his progeny have been offered for sale at the Yearling Sales. The colt is from Dance Craze (24 wins), a multiple Group 1 winning Muscle Hill daughter of La Coocaracha. Karaka will see 22 Next Gen-eligible yearlings up for sale. Next Gen is HRNZ’s brand new ownership model. To see how Next Gen works click here for the Terms and Conditions A further 48 Next Gen-eligible yearlings will be offered in Christchurch on Tuesday. Coverage of the sales will be live streamed to NZB Standardbred’s website and Facebook page, as well as Freeview Channel 200 in New Zealand. The 2021 sales success story By Rob Courtney Bruce Negus attended the 2021 Standardbred Weanling Sale at Karaka and came home with 14 horses. They included a Sweet Lou – Nicky’s Power filly now known as Misty Blue (pictured above). Last Sunday at Hororata’s race day at Methven, the now 4YO mare scored her second win in 18 starts for the Negus family, driver Sheree Tomlinson and her partner, Canterbury race caller Matt Cross. “Bruce invited us to have a pick of a few in a paddock and she was the one we chose,” Cross shared. Good enough to place in her sole start as a 2YO the win at Methven was not unexpected after a barnstorming finish at Amberley for third a week before and she was a pronounced favourite on the day. She was a cheap enough buy for Negus at $4k and on her most recent form looks now to be quite a bargain. Her earnings so far are just over $27K. Her residual value has also dramatically increased in recent times. She is now a half sister to four winners including Yossi (18 wins and $174k) and the very handy Pinseeker (5 wins to date) who looks like a potential ‘Cup’ horse in the making. From that weanling sale and of the 14 that Negus brought home, seven (50%) have made it to the races so far. Placed with a number of other trainers, Oliver (Colin & Julie DeFilippi), Misty Blue (Ford/Tomlinson) and Munroe’s Mate (Tony Barron) have all won two races to date. Quinn, whom Negus trains himself has also won twice. A Little Silence (Matt Purvis) placed twice in only two starts including a second in the Group 2 2YO Sapling Stakes before being sold to Australia. Ultimatum (Matt Purvis) has been placed three times in a short career to date. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but that 2021 weanling sale resulted in some wonderful progeny. Christopher Dance ($8k purchase) is now a Group 1 winner (Western Australian 3YO Derby) with five wins from only 11 starts and $207k while Kiss ($20k purchase) was a 3YO Breeders Crown winner in Australia last season and has now won six and $183k. Also purchased out of that 2021 Weanling Sale were : Le Major ($30k purchase, five wins and $82k), Leo Lincoln ($27k purchase, four wins and $52k), Ultimate Racy Girl ($15k purchase, two wins and $142k), Mako ($7500 purchase, three wins and $61k) and impressive recent debutante winner Words ($4k purchase). View the full article

On the back of a year which saw Kentucky-breds thriving at the pinnacle of domestic and international competition, the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation has paid out a record $20-million through its Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders' Incentive Fund (KTBIF) to participating breeders for races won in 2024, it was announced via press release Friday afternoon. Consistently in elite company at home, Kentucky-breds won 289 of 401 graded races in the U.S. including all three legs of the Triple Crown–all by different horses–and captured 10 Eclipse awards led by Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old filly Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna); who also claimed the lilies in the GI Kentucky Oaks. Kentucky-breds have won the Derby 116 times, including the last ten runnings, and have won the last eight editions of the Oaks. On the international front, multiple Group 1 hero, Cartier Horse of the Year City of Troy (Justify) and G1 Dubai World Cup victor Laurel River (Into Mischief) were crowned co-holders of the Longines World's Best Racehorse title. The KTBIF was established to ensure the strength of the Kentucky Thoroughbred industry by awarding breeders funds to the winners of qualifying races. For a foal to be designated a Kentucky-bred, the mare must be bred to a registered Kentucky stallion, remain in the Commonwealth during her full gestation period, and foal in Kentucky. It is funded through a percentage of the sales tax paid when a stallion is bred to a mare in Kentucky. A full list of the 2024 award winners, with amounts totaling $20,019,601.10, is available here. “This is one of our favorite times of year, to see our Kentucky breeders rewarded for continually breeding champions here in Kentucky,” said Drew Conners, KHRGC's director of Incentives and Development. “It is a thrill to watch our Kentucky-bred horses win races here at home and across the globe. We are honored to award a record $20-million to our Kentucky Thoroughbred breeders, who give so much to the The post Record Sum Awarded to Kentucky Breeders for Races Won in 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coolmore will continue their sponsorship of the first German classic of the year, with the Coolmore City Of Troy German Two Thousand Guineas (G2) to be run at Cologne May 18.View the full article

As CEO of the UK Tote Group, Alex Frost may have his hands full with the politics of punting but he remains an avid fan of and participant in racing and breeding. A member of the racecourse committee at Epsom, he and his wife Olivia own Ladyswood Stud in Wiltshire, which is currently home to 12 broodmares, including the odd boarder for family and friends. As much devotees of National Hunt racing as of the Flat, the Frosts also have mares with their friends and co-breeders Harry and Lorna Fowler at Rahinston Stud in Co Meath. “We do lots of to-ing and fro-ing with Rahinston,” Frost says. “The National Hunt mares particularly will go to and from, and then we've got some fairly permanent residents as well. We've got seven to foal this year and we're quite big on Chaldean. He is the one we are particularly keen on.” In what is not an uncommon theme at the moment, particularly from smaller breeders, Frost admits that he continues to take a serious look at the business of breeding, though it is plain to hear in his comments on the mares that this is as much a passion project as a commercial one. “I think everyone's looking at their cost base going up by 50 per cent or so – that's roughly what our cost base has done, and I must say, we've found it difficult. It quickly goes from enjoyment and a hobby to, 'Jesus, this is actually really quite tough.' But I think we've got to the right place now and Jamie Trotter has been super helpful. “Thankfully we've got absolutely wonderful staff, and it feels like they are part of our family. Without that, we would have had a real wobble, I think. It's definitely a challenge.” Through his role with the Tote, Frost has been heavily involved with the World Pool since its launch by the Hong Kong Jockey Club in 2019. “There's a lot going on, so it's exciting,” he says. “The Hong Kong Jockey Club is working towards adding as many of the IFHA top 100 races to the World Pool as possible, making it an increasingly attractive consumer proposition, all for the benefit of global horse racing.” He also paid tribute to his friend Joe Saumarez Smith, who stepped down as chair of the British Horseracing Authority in January and died from cancer this week at the age of 53. “Joe never drew a salary for his BHA role and only three weeks ago he he was speaking at Westminster in the House of Commons [at the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Racing and Breeding],” he says. “What really shone through with him is that he was incredibly bright and just a very decent person.” Below, Frost talks us through the plans for the Ladyswood Stud mares this season. Queen of Time, by Harbour Watch (Ire) ex Black Belt Shopper (Ire) (Desert Prince {Ire}) “We had her in training and she was just perfect for our crowd [the First Of Many syndicate] in that she ran in 18 stakes races and was placed in, I think, six or seven. She never won a Group race, but she picked up a fair amount of black type along the way. She was very talented, slightly found out at the very top level, but just great fun. And we think she's clearly passing it on to her offspring. “She had a St Mark's Basilica (Fr) foal last year who was sold for 75,000gns. She's in foal to Chaldean (GB) and will be quite late to foal this year, but we'll try and sneak in to something decent. We want to keep her at a good level. She's one of those where you just need to keep backing yourself.” The consistent Queen Of Time wins at Goodwood | Racingfotos Empress Consort (GB), by Dubawi (Ire) ex Placidia (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) “She's a sister to a horse who did very well in the Middle East for Godolphin, called Soft Whisper [winner of the UAE 1,000 Guineas and a treble Listed winner in the UK]. She had a very nice Blue Point (Ire) filly we sold last year for 150,000gns and now she's in foal to Chaldean and is also due to foal late. She's a bit of a star.” Plutonic (Ire), by Wootton Bassett (GB) ex Lorelei Rock (Ire) (Camacho {GB}) “She was with Harry Charlton and she is a winner but she got injured twice in training. She was one of those ones that really frustrated us but she goes to Gleneagles (Ire). I love Gleneagles and he had a great year last year with Calandagan (Ire), Ambiente Friendly (Ire), Flying Scotsman (Ire) and Mill Stream (Ire) but he's still a bit under the radar.” High Spirited (Ire), by Belardo (Ire) ex Spirited Charm (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) “My dad [Tom] has High Spirited, who won the [Listed] Upavon Fillies' Stakes last year. She retires to Ladyswood this year and she comes from the family of Ghaiyyath that's really coming up. So she's very exciting, and we're going to Wootton Bassett with her. That's our big bet of the year.” Spring Fling, by Assertive (GB) ex Twilight Mistress (GB) (Bin Ajwaad {Ire}), a half-sister to dual Group 1-winning sprinter Twilight Son (GB) “We absolutely love Spring Fling. She lost her Shaquille (GB) foal this year, but she had a nice Sioux Nation filly, who we sold at the foal sale, and she will be going to Henry Longfellow (Ire). I must say, I've had such a good experience with Dubawi. I just think they try and they're honest horses.” Essence (GB), by Le Havre (Ire) ex Entity (GB) (Shamardal) “We've got a really nice Ghaiyyath yearling from Essence who I think we might keep to race. She's in foal to Shaquille and we haven't booked her in yet, but Nathaniel (Ire) is up next this year.” Manisanda (GB), by Presenting (GB) ex Ruby Royale (GB) (King's Theatre {Ire}) “She's absolutely the kids' favourite and she's gorgeous. She is in foal to Logician (GB) for the first time and I think she'll probably go back to him. She's owned by Pete Davies, who is very keen to support UK stallions. He has some lovely horses in training – Djelo (Fr) is his big one at the moment with Venetia Williams.” Gambling Girl (Ire), by Hawk Wing ex Gambling Spirit (GB) (Mister Baileys {GB}) “Our favourite is Gambling Girl and she's got a lovely Karaktar (Fr) yearling on the ground and is in foal to Cracksman (GB). She'll be going to Golden Horn (GB) this year. I love Golden Horn and we've got a nice filly by him in training with Claire and Dan Kubler called Royale Goodnight (Ger). “[Gambling Girl's five-time-winning daughter] Queens Gamble will be going for the [Grade 1] Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham. We'll roll the dice, but I think spring ground for her is pretty crucial.” Malaya (Fr), by Martaline (GB) ex Clarte d'Or (Fr) (Kender {Fr}) “Johnny de la Hey is a lovely man and is very excited about his mare Malaya [winner of the G3 Imperial Cup]. She's got a very nice Walk In The Park (Ire) yearling filly on the ground at the moment and he's been mad keen to use all English stallions so there's a Ulysses (Ire) and Golden Horn coming through, all of which will go into training with Paul Nicholls, I imagine. She was rested this year, but goes to Jeu St Eloi (Fr) at Glenview Stud, so he is going to use an Irish stallion for the first time.” The post ‘That’s Our Big Bet Of The Year’: Tote Boss Alex Frost Talks Ladyswood Stud Mating Plans appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Yoshito Yahagi has nominated Hong Kong star Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) as the biggest danger to his Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) in the $20 million Saudi Cup next Saturday. The Japanese native is one of the most successful trainers at the Saudi Cup meeting with four wins on the board including a Saudi Cup strike with Panthalassa (Jpn) in 2023, while Forever Young returns as the 2024 Saudi Derby champion. The four-year-old last year went on to post agonisingly narrow defeats in the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders' Cup Classic and will come up against dirt debutant and ten-times Group 1 winner, Romantic Warrior on his Riyadh return. “Romantic Warrior should be the biggest danger, but he is not the only rival to us,” said Yahagi. Forever Young touched down into Saudi Arabia overnight on Thursday along with his stablemates Shin Emperor (Fr) and Mistress (Jpn), who will head for the newly upgraded Group 2 $2m Howden Neom Turf Cup and the Group 3 $1.5m Saudi Derby presented by ZOOD Realty respectively. Yahagi commented, “All the three horses had nice gallops for the final preparation before they left for Riyadh and I am very satisfied with how healthy they are at the moment.” And the man who has broken new ground for Japan with wins in Australia's Cox Plate, the Breeders' Cup and multiple hits in both Saudi Arabia and Dubai, added, “Of course my goal is to win all three races.” The post Yahagi Says Romantic Warrior “The Biggest Danger” To Forever Young In Saudi Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The National HBPA has sent correspondence to Florida horsemen and racing fans urging them to send a letter to Florida senators to vote no on decoupling. In it, the organization urges readers to flood the Senate, and the Florida State Senator representing their address' district, with a prepared letter explaining the grave danger HB 105–and its virtual twin Senate Bill 408–poses to a key state industry. While the Senate measure has a separate number bill from the House, the objective is reportedly the same–allow racetracks to keep their gaming licenses and/or card clubs without the current restriction of conducting live racing. The latter is also in the passage pipeline having been referred to the Senate's Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Rules. Florida residents with a seasonal or a business-related address may use this link to send the letter. Those without a Florida address may still help by signing this petition to the Florida lawmakers. The NHBPA urges fans and Florida residents to share this Senate letter link with anyone currently in Florida with an interest in Thoroughbred racing, not just industry participants. The post NHBPA Issues New Call to Action to Stop Florida Decoupling Measure appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Friday action at Doha attracted the attention of racing fans from all over the world after suspended jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot, who hasn't ridden in public since 2021, received the call up to ride the Al Shaqab Racing-owned Al Jori (Fr) in the Purebred Arabian 4yo Cup. Trained by Jean De Mieulle, Al Jori could only manage fourth under Boudot, who came in for the ride at the eleventh hour. He is also set to ride Aziza in the fourth race on the card. The multiple Group 1 and Classic-winning French native had his licence “withdrawn indefinitely” by France Galop in November 2022 after Boudot was indicted on a rape charge in 2021. He is understood to have been riding work as part of the Al Shaqab team in Doha this week. More to follow The post Suspended Boudot Makes Surprise Return To The Saddle In Doha On Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Simply Joking was failed by 17 vets at the Keeneland September Sale, but Geoff Nixon had an inside track into the filly's history. The daughter of Practical Joke had spent some time at his farm, Grantley Acres, as a yearling and Nixon had liked what he saw. Plus, he knew that her half-brother Drum Roll Please (Hard Spun) was showing promise as a 2-year-old. Nixon took a chance and bought the filly from his friends at Ballysax Bloodstock for $65,000. “To the Thoroughbred world it's not a ton of money, but to a lot of us that's a lot of money,” admitted Nixon. “We took a chance with her as a broodmare prospect really, with the hope that maybe we could get her to the racetrack one day.” Simply Joking was sent back to Grantley Acres and given some time to develop. Meanwhile her half-brother scored in the Jerome Stakes. Eventually, she was sent to Travis Durr's training center and, after showing promise there, went on to trainer Whit Beckman. Now, the filly is two for two in a pair of stakes in New Orleans and she'll make her graded stakes debut this weekend in the GII Rachel Alexandra Stakes at Fair Grounds. At 4-1 morning-line odds, she'll be the third choice behind highly touted Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) and Ballerina d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro). “It's deeper water, but she's shown that she can come to these waters and tackle this company,” said Nixon. “It looks like some rain is in the forecast, but she ran in the slop last out and it's home turf for her, so we feel very confident. The jockey [Jaime Torres] is great. He works her every weekend. She has a lot of momentum going into this race and that's what you need when you get to these big races.” Nixon might start getting used to watching these promising fillies sport the Grantley Acres silks on important race days. Last weekend, he went to Tampa Bay to watch Grantley Acres homebred Her Laugh (Practical Joke) run second in the Suncoast Stakes. Her Laugh shares a similar story to Simply Joking in that she was never going to reach her full potential at the sales due to some X-ray issues. Nixon had bought the filly's dam Truth Goddess (Point of Entry) as a yearling for $30,000 and raced her to a maiden win at Keeneland in 2018. Her Laugh was the mare's first foal, so he wasn't willing to part with her for less than what he believed her to be worth. The filly joined the Grantley Acres racing stable. A winner in her first two starts for Beckman including the Untapable Stakes, Her Laugh missed the break and trailed three lengths behind the field in the Suncoast, but she came flying late with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard to get up for second. “Irad said when they went around the turn, she kicked into a whole new gear and did all that by herself,” reported Nixon. “He saw an opening and guided her through it, never got the whip out, and she just took off and obviously was never going to catch the winner, but she made a huge effort.” With two fillies on the Kentucky Oaks trail, Nixon can hardly believe their stable's good fortune. But he is quick to credit the team behind the two fillies including Travis Durr and Whit Beckman, who he has supported since the former Todd Pletcher and Chad Brown assistant went out on his own. Her Laugh wins the Untapable Stakes | Hodges Photography “In this business it's the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, but at the end of the day it's awesome people and really it's a team effort,” he noted. “It takes a village. I can't do it all by myself.” Nixon, who is based in Texas and owns a construction company there, got involved in racing a decade ago. He and his wife Brandi purchased a farm in Midway, Kentucky in 2018 and recently moved their Kentucky base to a new farm in Versailles. Formerly known as Tolo Thoroughbreds, they renamed the operation to Grantley Acres after their two children, Graham and Brantley, and have celebrated success breeding the likes of Grade I winner Queen Goddess (Empire Maker) and graded stakes victor Dennis' Moment (Tiznow). With around 50 broodmares in their program, Nixon said their goal is to produce Saturday horses. Most are bred with the intention of selling, but a few are retained with the same goal of competing at the highest level. “I put a lot of effort into the breeding,” said Nixon. “It's kind of my baby and I go through a program that I have and look at physicals for mares and stallions. I can't just go to the best of the best, so I have to set a budget and fit every mare inside of that.” Nixon was a big fan of Practical Joke from the start of his stallion career, so it's not purely coincidental that both of the Grantley Acres Oaks hopefuls are sired by the Coolmore stallion. Describing the two fillies, Nixon said, “In terms of how you're around some horses and you're like, 'Wow, just the presence and pedigree,' well, that's Simply Joking. Her Laugh doesn't have that same presence about her so people automatically go to the more well-bred filly. So Her Laugh is kind of the underdog.” And Her Laugh maybe has some sentimental partiality as well. “My daughter, who is nine years old, has the most incredible laugh,” shared Nixon. “Once you get her going, you start laughing just because she's laughing. We wanted to name a horse after her laugh somehow and we finally said, 'Why not just 'Her Laugh?'” He continued, “With her being a homebred it is special and we've had many offers on both fillies from respectable outfits. We've respectfully turned them down and said we'll keep the line of communication open, but something in my stomach says keep this going.” Geoff Nixon and Mike Abraham | Fasig-Tipton Simply Joking is owned by Grantley Acres in partnership with Ryan Conner, a friend of Nixon's since high school, and Berkels0813, which is Nixon's mother and stepfather. Nixon has yet to miss either of his star fillies race. This weekend, a slew of supporters including Nixon and his 16-year-old son Graham, Ryan Conner, Nixon's two sisters and his father and stepfather will all be in attendance at Fair Grounds. Nixon is an outspoken advocate of racing and he said if he is able to get even one of his fillies into the Oaks starting gate, he plans to use his platform to help grow the game. “I hope I can help gain excitement by saying, 'Hey, these weren't the perfect fillies' and 'Hey, you don't have to dive in and spend a million dollars,'” said Nixon. “I think that can be used as momentum to help grow the industry and have fun and enjoy the atmosphere. Going to a race is very fun and if you can get in the winner's circle, I mean, that's another level. But seeing the horses in the paddock and just talking with other owners, there's more to it than just winning or losing.” He continued, “We're looking at some ideas to try to bring new owners to the game. I know there are a lot of people out there who are more vocal about it, like the John Stewarts and the Mike Repoles, but I also think there are a lot of smaller people like Grantley Acres out there that also really care about the industry and want it to change and grow for generations to come. As a smaller guy, you feel like you've got to do it slowly and the right way because you don't want to go up against the goliaths of Repole or Stewart and I don't want to go against them, I want to go with them.” After purchasing the dam of Simply Joking privately last fall, Nixon now has the dams of both his Oaks hopefuls at home at Grantley Acres. With both mares expecting foals this year and plenty of road left on the way to the Kentucky Oaks, Nixon and his family have a lot to look forward to in the coming months. “To win a graded stakes race is obviously a dream for any breeder or owner,” he said. “Just to get to the starting gate in the Kentucky Oaks has always been a dream. And so what's better than one? It'll be a special moment to share with my family and my friends and everybody involved. If we get there, we'll have an entourage.” The post What’s Better Than One? Grantley Acres Has Two Fillies on the Oaks Trail appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Road presented by Gainesway and Darby Dan Farm.View the full article

2024 Iroquois Stakes (G3) winner Jonathan's Way will scratch from the Feb. 15 Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds, trainer Phil Bauer told racetrack publicist Kevin Kerstein.View the full article

Perry Ouzts has ridden in almost 54,000 races, and has won almost 7,500 of them. And at 70 years old, he's still going strong, making him one of the most enduring jockeys in history. Ouzts appears as the guest in episode three of jockey and veterinarian Dr. Ferrin Peterson's Boundless podcast, highlighting some of racing's stories of resilience and determination. “I started riding in '73,” he tells Peterson. “Me and Pat Day, we both started in '73, and in '74, Chris McCarron and Russell Baze started riding. We all had the bug together, so it was a good year for bug riders.” Asked if he had ever planned for another career-or if he was planning for a post-riding career now, Ouzts said, “I never really thought about anything else since I graduated from high school. I still get that same thrill after 50-something years. I get that same thrill when I cross the finish line. I think I've surpassed all the goals I ever set. Ever. I thought once I started riding, if I could get 20 years, it would be a good career. Then 20 years came and went, and I said, `well, maybe you can get 30 years.' That would be great. That came and went and I said, `I'm going to try for 40.' And then that came and went,” said, laughing. “Now I'm past 50 and still going. And all these years, it's never gotten old.” The video podcast is available on YouTube by clicking here, with the audio podcast available on Spotify, here; and Apple Podcasts, here. The post Perry Ouzts, the Blue-Collar Jockey, In Episode Three of Boundless Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following on from the eye-catching performance of Audubon Park (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) at Chantilly on Friday, the Yeguada Centurion homebred Tito Mo Cen (Ire) (Uncle Mo–Raven's Lady {GB}, by Raven's Pass) delivered the ultimate display of one-upmanship as he stormed to TDN Rising Star status in the colts' division. Dominating from the front throughout the 9 1/2-furlong Prix de la Grange de Commelles staged on the Polytrack, the Victoria Head-trained half-brother to the luminary Ramatuelle (Justify) really turned it on from two out and opened up to hit the line almost 1 1/2 seconds faster than the impressive filly who had earlier lit up the card. At the line, the 13-10 favourite had seven lengths to spare over Amilcare (Fr) (Wooded {Fr}), with another 2 1/2 lengths back to Salam Dubawi (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in third to provide his recently-deceased and much-missed sire supreme with a 12th TDN Rising Star and first in Europe. Tito Mo Cen, who was steered to success by Stephane Pasquier, is the second foal out of the G2 Goldene Peitsche and G3 Summer Stakes winner Raven's Lady (GB) (Raven's Pass), with the first being the aforementioned Ramatuelle who boasts the G1 Prix de la Foret and G2 Prix Robert Papin on her resume as well as a third-place finish in the G1 1,000 Guineas and who was sold to M V Magnier for $5.1million at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November Sale. Raven's Lady's unraced dam Pivotal Lady (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) is a half-sister to the G1 Prix d'Ispahan winner Best Of The Bests (Ire) (Machiavellian) out of the G3 Fred Darling Stakes winner Sueboog (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), with the fourth dam being the high-class producer Nordica (Ire) (Northfields). Raven's Lady's 2-year-old colt Mr Lope Cen (Ire) is by Lope De Vega (Ire). Wow! A half-brother to Ramatuelle, Tito Mo Cen (Uncle Mo x Raven's Lady) dazzles for Stephane Pasquier and Victoria Head at @fgchantilly… pic.twitter.com/RATfX0iDxb — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 14, 2025 4th-Chantilly, €27,000, Debutantes, 2-14, 3yo, c/g, 9 1/2f (AWT), 1:57.05, st. TITO MO CEN (IRE), c, 3, by Uncle Mo 1st Dam: Raven's Lady (GB) (GSW-Eng & Ger, $238,499), by Raven's Pass 2nd Dam: Pivotal Lady (GB), by Pivotal (GB) 3rd Dam: Sueboog (Ire), by Darshaan (GB) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €13,500. O/B- Yeguada Centurion SLU (IRE); T-Victoria Head. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. The post Uncle Mo Half To Ramatuelle A New TDN Rising Star For Yeguada Centurion appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. Gearing up for a potential debut run at Saratoga last summer, She's a Gemma (f, 3, Nyquist–Florida Fabulous, by High Cotton) posted seven workouts for Hall of Famer Bill Mott at Belmont Park in the spring. “When she got to Belmont, (Mott) told us–and you don't get a whole lot out of him–that she was one of the nicest 2-year-olds in his barn there,” said CJ Johnsen, who campaigns She's a Gemma in partnership with 14 buddies under his CJ Thoroughbreds banner. “I remember another conversation where he said, 'Man, she's outworking everything I'm throwing at her.'” Just a couple of weeks later, however, Mott was forced to hit the brakes when She's a Gemma came up a “little ouchy” after working four furlongs in late June. A subsequent X-ray revealed a non-displaced chip in her ankle. “We did the surgery at (Cornell) Ruffian (Equine Specialists) right there at Belmont and sent her to Fair Hill to rehab,” Johnsen said. “She got back to Bill's (Payson) barn in the middle of November and picked up where she left off. It was all good news from there.” Good news, indeed. Off at odds of 6-1 in her 6 1/2-furlong unveiling on the Sam F. Davis Stakes undercard last Saturday, She's a Gemma was off to a slow beginning after getting slammed into by a neighboring rival at the start. Up against it in seventh through fractions of :22.25 and :45.34 over a Tampa Bay Downs surface playing very kindly to speed, the $175,000 Keeneland September graduate began to make her move on the far turn and was in with a big chance as they straightened for home. She continued to kick powerfully in the stretch and came up just a head short of the Shug McGaughey-trained firster Cassiar (City of Light) while finishing up in a field-best :30.12. Both Cassiar and She's a Gemma received matching 82 Beyer Speed Figures. CASSIAR ($27.60) gets her nose down on time to take the 3rd at @TampaBayDownsFL. Shug McGaughey trains the debuting daughter of City Of Light (@LanesEndFarms). @JOCKEYSMARIN was up! Play the next: https://t.co/uED0jFYMFd pic.twitter.com/OFyTkL8pGZ — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 8, 2025 “We've always been high on her and were very excited for that debut,” Johnsen said. “With the slower start, that didn't help, and from what I saw that day, everything was front running and winning. The fact that she was able to make up seven or eight lengths shows us a lot.” Bred in Kentucky by Eden Farm, the daughter of leading sire Nyquist was produced by 'TDN Rising Star' Florida Fabulous, a flashy, front-running winner in her first two career starts for e Five Racing Thoroughbreds and David Fawkes at Gulfstream Park back in 2017. The well-related Florida-bred is a half-sister to former E. Paul Robsham Stables standouts GSW & GISP Discreet Dancer (Discreet Cat); GSW Travelin Man (Trippi); and SW & GSP Sweet N Discreet (Discreet Cat), the dam of MGSW & GISP Sweet Melania (American Pharoah) and the stakes-winning 'Rising Star' Sweet Rebecca (American Pharoah). This is also the extended female family of Broodmare of the Year Weekend Surprise, dam of the legendary A.P. Indy and Summer Squall. “She didn't have the typical huge price tag for a Nyquist,” Johnsen said. “But (bloodstock agent) Marette Farrell helps us pick out our horses and she's very good at finding value. We've done very well in that range.” Johnsen concluded, “I think we're gonna have some fun with her. She came out OK, and everything is good. Bill's confident that she'll be two turns. Whatever he wants to do, we trust him with her.” The 'Second Chances' Honor Roll is headed by Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin), fellow two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) and GISWs A Mo Reay (Uncle Mo), Honor A. P. (Honor Code), Locked (Gun Runner), Paradise Woods (Union Rags) and Speaker's Corner (Street Sense). Colloquial (Vekoma), profiled in these same pages Dec. 14, followed up with a 'TDN Rising Star' performance for trainer George Weaver at the Big A Feb. 7, good for a crop-leading 106 Beyer Speed Figure. The post Second Chances: She’s a Gemma — ‘We’ve Always Been High on Her and Were Very Excited for That Debut’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coolmore are to continue its sponsorship of the first German Classic of the year, the Group 2 Coolmore City of Troy German 2,000 Guineas, which will be run at Cologne on Sunday May 18. “German breeders have been terrific supporters of Coolmore over the years and we have been long-time race sponsors in the country. We are thrilled to be sponsoring the Group 2 Coolmore City Of Troy German 2000 Guineas again.” said Coolmore's Joe Hernon. City of Troy, whose name will be carried on this year's race, was rated European Champion two-year-old of 2023 and World Champion Racehorse of 2024. The best son of Justify, he is out of the Group 1-winning juvenile Together Forever, herself an own-sister to Epsom Oaks heroine Forever Together. Philipp Hein, General Manager of the Cologne Racing Club, commented, “It is once again a great honour for the Cologne Racing Club to have a partnership with the world-famous Coolmore Stud in order to continue to strengthen the German 2000 Guineas nationally and internationally. We would like to thank all supporters who were active in the implementation and are looking forward to a highlight in the Cologne racing calendar.” The post Coolmore To Continue Sponsorship Of German 2,000 Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There was something to warm the hearts of Flat lovers at Chantilly on Friday as Craig Bernick's newcomer Audubon Park (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}–Right Hand {GB}, by Lope De Vega {Ire}) became one of the late winter's notebook performers with an impressive debut display. From the well-stocked Francis-Henri Graffard stable with all its high-class yardsticks, the blueblood bred by a partnership at Ecurie des Monceaux was the talk of the town heading to post for the 9 1/2-furlong Prix du Chateau de la Reine Blanche for unraced 3-year-old fillies on the Polytrack and did not disappoint. Tucked under cover more than halfway down the field throughout the early stages by six-pound claimer Luca Carboni, the €390,000 Arqana August purchase was angled off the fence at the top of the straight and eased to the front approaching the furlong pole to assume total command. At the line, the 7-5 favourite had four lengths to spare over Aura (Fr) (Belardo {Ire}) without being asked a serious question to suggest a bright future. Prix du Château de la Reine Blanche @fgchantilly Chantilly – Inédites – Pouliches – 3 ans – 1900m – 10 Pts – 27 000 € Audubon Park (f) (Fr) Luca Carboni (Dubawi (Ire) @DarleyEurope – Right Hand (Gb) par Lope De Vega (Ire)) Francis-Henri… pic.twitter.com/ZJYV5nDIZ8 — French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) February 14, 2025 The winner is the first foal out of a Wertheimer blueblood who is a daughter of the G2 Prix de Royallieu scorer Balladeuse (Fr) (Singspiel {Ire}). She is responsible for last year's G2 Prix de Pomone winner Aventure (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who was runner-up in the Arc and G1 Prix Vermeille, the Vermeille heroine and G1 Prix de Diane runner-up Left Hand (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), the G1 Prix Jean Romanet-placed Romanciere (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) and her listed-winning full-sister Blissie (GB) whose son First Look (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) was second in last season's G1 Prix du Jockey Club. Balladeuse is also kin to the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud heroine Plumania (GB) (Anabaa), who was also third in the Diane and produced four black-type performers headed by the G2 Prix du Muguet winner Plumatic (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and is also the second dam of the G1 Prix Saint-Alary-placed Solsticia (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}). Another listed-placed half-sibling is Dansili's Dancequest (Ire), in turn the dam of the dual G1 Prix Royal Oak hero Double Major (Ire) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), while this is also the family of Groom Dancer, Pivotal's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains-winning sire Falco, the dual G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen-winning Japanese champion sprinter and miler Kinshasa No Kiseki (Aus) (Fuji Kiseki {Jpn}) and the trio of Australian group 1 winners Nettoyer (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}), Absolutely (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) and Abbey Marie (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}). Right Hand's 2-year-old daughter of Siyouni (Fr) named Yimmna (Fr) was a €650,000 acquisition by The Thoroughbred Racing Corporation Limited at last term's Arqana Deauville August, while she also has a yearling filly by Wootton Bassett (GB). Sales history: €390,000 Ylg '23 ARQAUG. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €13,500. O-Craig Bernick; B-Ecurie des Monceaux, Langlais Bloodstock, Noir 2nd-Chantilly, €27,000, Debutantes, 2-14, 3yo, f, 9 1/2f (AWT), 1:58.46, st. AUDUBON PARK (FR) (f, 3, Dubawi {Ire}–Right Hand {GB}, by Lope De Vega {Ire}) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €13,500. O-Craig Bernick; B-Ecurie des Monceaux, Langlais Bloodstock, Noir Et Or Elevage SA & C Hirst (FR); T-Francis-Henri Graffard. The post Craig Bernick’s Daughter Of Dubawi Audubon Park Lights Up Chantilly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin New Zealand harness racing’s newly-crowned owner of the year Dean Shannon liked what he saw at Alexandra Park on Friday night. In fact, Shannon has been liking lots of things he has seen in New Zealand harness racing over the last six months. Shannon is these days best known as the boss of Entain Australia, which runs the TAB, but way before that he was Mr Montana, a consistently successful owner and big investor in bloodstock here. He got to enjoy that thrill again with his latest good horse when Greased Lightnin made it three wins on end in the opener at Alexandra Park on Friday night, looking like a horse who could give Shannon at least a shot at a third straight Northern Derby. The Queenslander has won the last two with Merlin and Cold Chisel and while they were both more advanced as two-year-olds than Greased Lightnin, he is catching up quick now he has turned three. The son of Vincent, purchased by Shannon at the NZB Standardbred Weanling Sale, came off stablemate Invisible’s back to beat him, rating 1:53.5 for the 1700m. That is a serious time for an early season three-year-old and while the very big shadow of Marketplace hangs over the Derby market and entire three-year-old crop Shannon is set to have some fun with his latest musically-named star. The win came less than a week after Shannon’s pride and joy Merlin was named NZ Pacer of the Year at the national awards and Shannon himself won Owner of the Year. Even for the now most powerful man in New Zealand racing that was a humbling experience. “I didn’t expect to win and I couldn’t wait to tell my wife,” says Shannon. “I remember when I first started following the trots and punting and I was in awe of how good the New Zealand horses were. “To own some of those horses now and to win that award, it was very special.” Shannon’s belief in New Zealand harness racing is being rewarded by some of those other things he has liked seeing this summer. “I think New Zealand harness racing would be one of the few jurisdictions in the world experiencing growth,” he offers. “We have good leadership at Harness Racing New Zealand with Brad Steele and some important changes have been made. “The two-year-old bonus system is already working and getting horses into circulation earlier but also getting owners returns quicker so that has been very encouraging. “And we see initiatives like Next Gen kicking into gear with the sales this week so it really is a positive time for harness racing. “And it isn’t finished yet, we still have other things we can roll out.” Shannon says that positivity spilled over to the Karaka sales ground on Friday where he joined other potential buyers doing inspections. “The vendors were all telling us they has been consistently busy so that is a really good sign.” So is the new Owner of the Year, who estimates he has around 14 horses in New Zealand, most of which he owns outright, keen to go again? “I will be trying,” he says of Saturday’s first day of the NZB Standardbred sale. “I have seen some lovely colts but I am sure some other people will be on them as well. “And I have seen a yearling or two I want to buy to use for the Next Gen scheme. So we will see how we go.” Greased Lighnin’s older half-sister also won at Alexandra Park on Friday night with Ultimate Racy Girl super impressive after sitting parked for in-form junior driver Harrison Orange. One of the other stars of the night was Matthew White, who trained two winners with Lord Popinjay and Spirit Of Waiheke while he also drove In The Summertime to win for trainer Tate Hopkins. View the full article

Ryan Moore has partnered with World Pool, the globe's largest horse racing pool, for the 2025 season. Stable jockey to Aidan O'Brien, the 41-year-old has ridden Group 1 winners all over the world and will be riding at many of the major World Pool meetings this year. In his role as an ambassador, Moore will provide regular blogs and insight ahead of key World Pool race days, as well as being featured in advertising and marketing campaigns. World Pool ambassador Moore said, “World Pool has been such an important addition to the entire racing industry over the past few years and I'm delighted to be an ambassador for the brand. “The Hong Kong Jockey Club should be congratulated for all the effort and investment they've put into it. I've always said that Hong Kong is the blueprint for the way horseracing should be run, and World Pool is helping to amplify the very best racing on a global stage. It's great that racing fans from around the world get the chance to bet into these large pools. “It's important that the racing world starts to work together, and to have everyone pulling in the same direction. If we're speaking with one voice and trying to achieve the same goals it will really help the whole sport to prosper. World Pool plays a big part in that, and I look forward to being part of that journey.” The post Ryan Moore Becomes World Pool Ambassador For 2025 Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group One winner El Vencedor. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) In-form gelding El Vencedor will get his chance to test his talent in one of the most competitive racing jurisdictions in the world when he heads to Hong Kong in April to contest the Group 1 QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin. Following the six-year-old gelding’s impressive run of form, culminating in victory in last Saturday’s Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa, trainer Stephen Marsh received an invitation from the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and he and owner-breeders Mark Freeman and David Price jumped at the opportunity. “We received an email from Hong Kong (Jockey Club) who asked if we would potentially be interested and we said ‘if we’re invited we would certainly be interested’, so they said ‘here’s your invite’,” Marsh said. “It will be a great trip and he looks like the right sort of horse to do it. He will cop the travel and it will be a great experience.” While racing in Asia is nothing new to Marsh, with his father Bruce having trained in Singapore, the Cambridge horseman has never been to Hong Kong and he is excited about the opportunity. “I have never been to Hong Kong, but I am looking forward to it,” Marsh said. “It will all be pretty straight forward. They (Hong Kong Jockey Club) look after you well and I will do a lot of homework on it before I go.” While the Queen Elizabeth is a welcome addition to El Vencedor’s preparation, Marsh said it won’t change his immediate targets back at home. “He runs next Saturday at Ellerslie in the Otaki mile (Group 1, 1600m) and then he will go to the Bonecrusher (Group 1, 2000m), and then six weeks into the QE II Cup,” Marsh said. “We will work out when flights are and how long he will be up there for and what we will do with him beforehand, but nothing is going to change between now and the Bonecrusher.” Marsh said both Freeman and Price are over the moon to get the opportunity to compete in Hong Kong with El Vencedor, who is giving the pair the ride of a lifetime. “They are thrilled,” Marsh said. “It is a once in a lifetime experience and this is what racing is all about.” Horse racing news View the full article

Dragon Joy (outside) is a two-time Sha Tin winner. Ricky Yiu is hopeful Dragon Joy can take a crucial step towards emulating the feats of decorated stablemate Voyage Bubble when the emerging talent contests the Class 3 Rose Handicap (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday against several other HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) aspirants. Yiu has ambitious plans for Dragon Joy after the gelding’s eye-catching last-start 1600m victory at Sha Tin on January 12 against a string of Four-Year-Old Classic Series contenders including Markwin, Sky Heart, Silvery Breeze and Mickley. Rated 70, the son of Saxon Warrior again clashes with a host of Hong Kong Derby nominees in Sunday’s finale including Allcash, Bundle Award, Embraces, Sky Heart, Morgan Success, Beauty Viva, Spanish Flame, Everyone’s Star, Another World and Winning Wing. To be partnered by Matthew Poon, Dragon Joy will again have to overcome barrier 14 and carrying 127lb – an increase of 12lb from his previous start. “He’s a lightly-raced, up-and-coming young horse. He won well last start from a wide barrier and he’ll keep improving. Hopefully we can do the same thing. The jockey knows him well. I strongly believe that he will perform again. I’m still optimistic he can beat them again,” Yiu said. “He’s a horse who tries very hard. He always shows his best in the morning and in the races. I like him very much. He’s a pure racehorse.” Yiu hopes Dragon Joy can press for a start in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) at Sha Tin on March 2 after two wins and a luckless third from his past three starts. Yiu famously enjoyed Four-Year-Old Classic Series success in 2023 with Voyage Bubble’s Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and Hong Kong Derby triumphs and is confident his stable spearhead is on course for the HK$13 million Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on February 23. Having already won the first leg of the Triple Crown Series with victory in the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on January 19, Voyage Bubble will bid for a fourth Group 1 success after finishing third in a 1200m trial on the dirt at Sha Tin on Thursday behind Helios Express. “He jumped ordinary and the jockey (Poon) commented that he really didn’t like the kick back. It was only a small field and he was about four lengths behind the leader and from the top of the straight, he pulled him out and asked him to go forward and he accelerated. Without the kickback, he enjoyed it. It was a good trial,” Yiu said. David Eustace will unveil Hong Kong first-starter Colourful King in the Class 3 Osmanthus Handicap (1000m) under Andrea Atzeni after patiently guiding the Australian import through his acclimatisation. “We took our time and he has his little quirks but, from a training and trackwork point of view, he’s been relatively straight forward,” Eustace said of the two-time winner at Sandown in Australia for Mathew Ellerton. “He trialled in a straight line well in Conghua and the race has been targeted for a little while. He doesn’t work really flashy on the dirt – he just does enough – but he’s definitely a different horse on the grass. He’s sort of ticked all the boxes.” By Blue Point, Colourful King has won two trials at Sha Tin since transferring from Conghua. Ka Ying Rising limbered up for the HK$13 million Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on February 23 with an effortless trial win over 1200m at Conghua on Friday morning under Karis Teetan. “I don’t know about the opposition, but he was very good this morning and he actually sat in behind them before winning easily,” Hayes said. “Karis was very happy. Physically, Ka Ying Rising’s in peak shape and he’s tapering into the big race now. “He’ll return to Sha Tin tomorrow, do some swimming and he’ll do a bit of work in the middle of the week and then be ready for the races.” With a record-breaking victory in the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) on January 19, when he broke his own track record by clocking 1m 07.20s, Ka Ying Rising took his unbeaten streak to nine races and secured the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series. In today’s hit-out, Ka Ying Rising settled third behind Regal Gem and Absolute Honour before peeling out in the straight and forging away to win by two and three-quarter lengths in 1m 11.38s. Sunday’s 11-race card at Sha Tin starts with the Class 5 Camellia Handicap (1600m) at 12.30pm HKT. Horse racing news View the full article

What Alice Springs Races Where Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Highway, Connellan, NT, 0870 When Saturday, February 15, 2025 First Race 2:01pm ACST Visit Dabble It will be a lot cooler in the Red Centre on Saturday with 44 runners lining up for the Alice Springs Turf Club’s six-event program. The past two meetings have started in the morning because of oppressive conditions, but it will be a normal afternoon kick-off this weekend. After showers on Thursday, further light rain is tipped for Friday with partly cloudy conditions and a top temperature of 29C on Saturday. It will be a good dirt surface and the rail will be in the true position. Best Bet at Alice Springs: Hellivit Hellivit enjoys sitting on the speed, but his hopes will hinge on whether he can settle on the fence. On January 5 and February 2, the five-year-old gelding held sway out in front on the rails before winning comfortably over 1100m at 0-58 and 0-64 level. The son of Hellbent was forced deep over 1000m in 0-58 and BM54 grade on December 21 and January 18 before finishing a narrow fourth each time. Hellivit will carry an extra 2kg, but he has another good gate, and his last start win was full of merit. Best Bet Race 4 – #1 Hellivit (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Kerry Petrick | J: Paul Denton (60kg) Next Best at Alice Springs: Cavendish Cavendish is backing up after taking out last Saturday’s 1400m maiden in his first NT appearance. Forced three deep when competing for the early lead, the three-year-old gelding was well clear at the 1000m and from that point it was one-way traffic. The son of Capitalist was challenged briefly before kicking clear at the 400m to win by 3.8 lengths. Cavendish is eyeing the NT Guineas next month and drops 3kg on Saturday. Next Best Race 5 – #2 Cavendish (3) 3yo Gelding | T: Dick Leech | J: Hannah Le Blanc (a2) (56.5kg) Best Value at Alice Springs: Governor Governor must be considered despite a last start seventh over 1100m in 0-64 grade two weeks ago. On January 5, the six-year-old gelding was tailed off after missing the start before winding up on the fence to seal a great win over 1100m in 0-58 grade. The son of I Am Invincible blew the start over 1000m and covered plenty of ground before and after that win for two thirds. Governor, who jumped well last start before chewing up a lot of petrol, only has to start well and settle nicely to be a threat. Best Value Race 2 – #4 Governor (7) 6yo Gelding | T: Paul Gardner | J: Raymond Vigar (60kg) Saturday quaddie tips for Alice Springs Alice Springs quadrella selections Saturday, February 15, 2025 1-3-5-6 1-4-5 1-2 1-2-3 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Dexter Dunn can’t think of a better way to round out his extended two-month stint Down Under. Dunn, who flew from the US back to New Zealand on December 20, is now in Queensland to compete in the innovative and inaugural Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Challenge. The 20-race series will be run across two nights on Friday and Saturday (Feb 21 and 22) at Albion Park. Dunn is one of four internationals in the 10-driver series, joining his great Kiwi mate Carter Dalgety, Yannick Gingras (USA) and Bjorn Goop (Sweden). He is a $5.50 joint favourite at the moment to win the Challenge. The rest of the line-up is a gathering of many of Australia’s top drivers: Gary Hall Jr, Kate Gath, Nathan Dawson, Pete McMullen, Brad Hewitt and Angus Garrard. Such is the depth, Aussie stars like Chris Alford, Luke McCarthy, Cam Hart, James Herbertson and Deni Roberts couldn’t get slots. “I love the concept,” Dunn said. “As soon as I heard about it, I jumped at the chance to be part of it. “You’d be surprised by the level of interest back in the US. There’s a few drivers over there who’d love to have been part of it, big names, too. “And now it’s getting closer, everyone is starting to talk about it in NZ and Australia.” Dunn admits having Gath and Dalgety in the series takes it to another level for him. “It makes it quite personal, quite sentimental and special,” he said. “It’s like a trip back through my career, my life really. Kate and Andy (Gath) were such a big part of my career early on, I drove my first winner (at Geelong) when I was in Victoria working for them. We’ve always stayed really close. “It’s been fantastic to see the success they’ve had as a stable and what Kate’s achieved as a driver. It’s so fitting she’s part of this series. “And it’s similar with Carter. Obviously the biggest chapter of my career was spent at Kentuckiana with the Dalgetys and they’re like another family to me. “Carter was just a young kid when I started there and grew up alongside me. I’m so proud of what he’s done and he’s got it all ahead of him.” Dunn won’t have much time to savour the series, needing to get an early flight Sunday morning to Orlando, Florida – via San Francisco – to attend the big Dan Patch Horse of the Year Awards night. “I don’t want to miss it. I think I drove eight of the 12 divisional winners and Twin B Joe Fresh is favourite to win (overall US) Horse of the Year,” he said. “I part-own her and drive her … she’s taken us on the ride of a lifetime so far and it would be so special if she could win it.” Dunn will also formally collect his fifth US Driver of the Year trophy over the past six years. “It’s been such a great trip back home and I’m glad I stretched it out to two months compared to the five weeks I’ve had back home the past couple of years,” he said. Dunn’s been a regular sight at race tracks around the South Island over the summer and also took in last Saturday night’s HRNZ annual awards in Christchurch. “I’ve had the time to properly catch-up with so many people and really enjoy it without having to rush. “I haven’t driven in the States since November 30, so I’m ready to get back into it now.” View the full article

Sassy Lass has been a rising star in the staying ranks throughout her four-year-old term and is on her way to a big dance through Saturday’s Listed Matamata Equine Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (2000m). The daughter of Staphanos always looked to be a stayer in the making and once she got out to 2200m back in June she punished her rivals by an extending 10 lengths. Since then, she hasn’t looked back, winning three of her next four starts and placing in the Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m) in December, with her most recent appearance a close-up fourth in the Listed Marton Cup (2200m). After a freshen-up, co-trainer Andrew Scott couldn’t be happier with how Sassy Lass is tracking ahead of Saturday’s assignment. “She’s flying, we’ve given her a quick freshen since early January and she’s put on 12 kilos in bodyweight and feeling very well,” he said. “She’ll sprint well fresh on Saturday over the 2000m, she’s so consistent and always runs a good race. We’re expecting nothing less on the weekend. “She’s on track to trial for the Auckland Cup (Gr.2, 3200m), so hopefully she puts in a performance that warrants cracking on to the big day. This will be enough for her until then, she’s got three weeks between and doesn’t take a lot of racing to keep fit. “She’ll be spot on.” Scott and training partner Lance O’Sullivan have a big team engaged for their local feature meeting, including a trio of mares contesting the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m). The race will be run for the first time at stakes level this season, with Karman Line victorious in last year’s edition and she is searching for a return to that form on Saturday. “She won this race last year, but it is a stronger line-up this time,” Scott said. “She seems to hit form at this time of the year through to the autumn. “Her form has been a little below what we’d hoped over the summer months, but off the way she worked on Tuesday morning, she’ll bounce back. She’s a very capable mare and it wouldn’t surprise us if she figured right in the finish on Saturday. “On her day, she’s highly talented.” Joining the Myboycharlie mare will be Kelly Coe and Lux Libertas, the latter returning from a break after a coming-of-age campaign through the spring, where she finished second to La Crique in the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). “She didn’t have much luck down at Wellington after a really good spring campaign, so she went home for a little break,” Scott said. “She’s working in really well and on her home track over 1400m is where she really performs. “She’s a talented mare and will put in a strong performance in a good field. “Kelly Coe never got comfortable going right-handed last time, so we’re dropping her back in distance and going back left-handed. We do struggle to keep her fit as an older mare, so she’s been swimming in the afternoon just to try to stimulate her fitness. “She’s won in Group company at this distance, so I’m hoping we can bounce her back into form because she was just a little bit below where we thought she would be last start.” On the undercard, exciting filly Cypher will aim to kick-off the meeting on a high note in the Ancroft Developments (1400m) after an eye-catching maiden success at Pukekohe. “We’re really hoping she can start the day strongly for the team, she’s got a good draw and blinkers on for the first time,” Scott said. “Craig (Grylls) got off her and said she lacked a wee bit of confidence there last start. “We think she’s worked in really well and improved off that, on her home track going left-handed she should really hit the line well. “She’s probably our best winning chance.” In the last (Westbury Stud 1600), Wexford will aim to replicate that result with a pair of top chances, Mosinvader and Desert Mystic. Desert Mystic is coming off a pair of sharp Rating 65 victories, while Mosinvader ran sensational splits to finish third behind Orchestral in the $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) on Karaka Millions Night. “We were very proud of him (Mosinvader), he went in there under the radar that night and we couldn’t have asked any more of him,” Scott said. “He’s dropping back to a grade race and the claim will help him. We think he’s a lovely horse that will get to open grade in the near future, so hopefully, he’s one step closer after the weekend. “If he can back up his performance from Karaka Millions Night, he’ll be very competitive. “But Desert Mystic’s confidence is high and he gets in well at the weights, so he should run very well too. It’s hard to split the pair of them so hopefully we can end the day strongly as well.” View the full article

Exciting three-year-old Lilly is among the Canterbury raid on Saturday’s Listed ILT Ascot Park Southland Guineas (1400m), and she’s certainly not there to make up the numbers. The daughter of War Decree was an impressive winner on debut in October and added a second victory to her name last Wednesday at Riccarton Park, downing the older horses with some authority over 1200m. Ross Beckett, who trains Lilly out of Yaldhurst, has had the $120,000 feature on his radar for some time. “We’ve always had this race in mind and she’s come through that run really well, I’m more than happy with her,” he said. “It is a quick turnaround for her, but she’s had a lot of work and she’s ready to go.” Beckett and his wife Cate race the filly, who they bred out of a seven-win mare La Generose. The couple have had plenty of success with the family, training Beneficial, a Highly Recommended mare who was twice placed at Group Three level. “As a two-year-old, Denby-Rose (Tait, jockey) rode Lilly in a couple of gallops and thought she was one of the quickest she’s sat on, so as soon as she said that I turned her out,” Beckett said. “I figured she would still be quick later on. “She’s better natured than Beneficial and I think she might be a bit quicker as well. She’s bred to get 2000m being out of a Generous mare and her sister got 1200-2200m, so there’s plenty ahead of her.” Pivotal Ten, the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) winner, currently dominates the betting at $1.70, with Lilly a clear second-elect with her regular rider and Beckett’s apprentice Donovan Cooper taking the reins. Cooper’s two-kilogram claim will be appreciated by stablemate Treybon in the ODT Southern Mile Qualifier – Summer Cup (1600m) as the gelding attempts to confirm his place in the $200,000 ODT Southern Mile Final (1600m) at Wingatui on March 1. A seven-year-old by Sweynesse, Treybon has found career-best form this campaign winning the Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m) in January, backed up by a gutsy performance to finish a narrow second to Quintabelle in the ODT Qualifier at Riccarton. “He hasn’t got enough points to get in the final with one second, so we thought we would go down and hopefully get some more, which gives him a fortnight to recover before going to Wingatui,” Beckett said. “If we’d gone to Ashburton, he’d only have a week. “The firm tracks are perfect for him and his quarter-cracks are under control at the moment, he’s going really well.” View the full article

Progressive Pierro mare Loch In Ora is in prime order to continue the run of black type success her connections have been enjoying. New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock can’t fault the in-form five-year-old who heads north for Saturday’s Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (2000m). The pre-post favourite for the open handicap was bred by part-owner Christopher Grace and his familiar green and gold colours have been to the fore in recent feature events. His Savabeel filly Hinekaha triumphed in the Listed Oaks Stud Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth for trainer Andrew Forsman while Iffraaj mare Reputation, prepared by Pam Gerard, won the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). Reputation was ridden to victory by Lily Sutherland, and she continues her association with Loch In Ora this weekend. “She’s going pretty well for Chris Grace after winning the Breeders’ Stakes the other day so she likes those colours and long may it continue,” Sharrock said. Loch In Ora posted consecutive victories prior to Christmas before she finished a last-start third in the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) behind the John Wheeler-trained Herbert. “She has come through her Taranaki Cup runs well and I’d say she’s probably has improved off it,” Sharrock said. “She hadn’t raced for six weeks and it was a nice effort, Wheels’ horse was pretty fit so I thought the run was very good.” The step up in distance from New Plymouth will also be in the five-year-old’s favour. “The 2000m looks to be her optimum distance and she’s drawn one,” Sharrock said. With five wins and two placings from nine starts, Loch In Ora has the tidy record of five wins and two placings from her nine appearances and future black-type opportunities await her post this weekend. “The fillies and mares’ races in the autumn like the Travis Stakes (Gr.2, 2000m) and the Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.3, 2100m) are nice options for her later on,” Sharrock said. “We’ll get through Saturday and then work it out from there. She’ll probably be fully mature next season, but she’s doing a good job and her winning strike rate is pretty good.” Loch In Ora will be accompanied north by stablemates Bridal Train (Westbury Stud 1600) and Tavi Ann (Gavelhouse 2000). “Bridal Train was probably the unlucky runner (when fourth) in the Douro Cup and with Triston Moodley on she’ll drop 2kg and she looks nicely placed,” Sharrock said. “They’re both genuine horses and have been doing a good job for us.” Tavi Ann will be ridden by Craig Grylls and was a last-start second at Wanganui behind subsequent Taranaki Cup winner Herbert. View the full article