Wandering Eyes

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Sometimes, you just know. When Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse breezed 2-year-old Curtain Call (Tiz the Law) at his training center in Ocala, Fla., he shipped owner Terry Finley a simple, yet powerful text message. It was a photo of a Porsche. Fast car. Translation, in case you needed it: Curtain Call, Casse believed, was going to be a swift one. His confidence was rewarded in Saturday's first race at Saratoga when Curtain Call dominated a six-furlong $100,000 maiden special weight and earned a 'TDN Rising Star' rosette. Curtain Call, ridden by Jose Ortiz, romped to an 8 1/2-length win, giving Casse his first baby victory of the season. Last season, he enjoyed much success in maiden special weight events with purses of $100,000 with no restrictions, winning five times. A couple of those winners you'll recognize. Sandman (Tapit), who went on to win this year's GI Arkansas Derby and finish seventh in the GI Kentucky Derby and third in the GI Preakness was one of them. So was La Cara (Street Sense), who was victorious in the GI Central Bank Ashland Stakes and GI DK Acorn this year. Curtain Call won after finishing second in his first start, a 5 1/2 maiden special weight at Churchill Downs June 2. He was a distant second, 7 1/2 lengths behind 'TDN Rising Star' Obliteration (Violence), who went on to win the GIII Sanford Stakes at Saratoga July 5. “Definitely,” Casse said when asked if that first start helped Curtain Call, “I have said a million times that I like getting races into them. I think they learn a lot. I learned a lot today.” Terry Finley & Mark Casse after Curtain Call wins | Sarah Andrew Finley, the founder, president and CEO of West Point Thoroughbreds, bought Curtain Call from SGV Thoroughbreds at this year's OBS March Sale of 2-year-olds in training for $325,000. “Steve Venosa [of SGV] is a very good friend of mine and he and I have done business for almost 30 years,” Finley said. “He told me [Curtain Call] was very nice and he thought he had some upside. When you get that kind of input from someone you trust, it's a good thing.” Finley said Curtain Call is one of three Tiz the Law babies his group has purchased. “And we paid good money for every one of them,” he said. “Quite frankly, I was not convinced about him until the 2-year-old sales. This year, they really showed themselves very well and we'll keep buying them.” Curtain Call went off as the 2-1 second choice behind even-money favorite Tagermeen (Into Mischief), who was debuting for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. He went for $1.4 million in the April OBS Spring Sale of 2-year-olds in training. After stumbling at the start, Curtain Call recovered, and Ortiz kept him just off the pace until taking over in upper stretch and proving much the best. Tagermeen chased him home and finished second for Ricardo Santana Jr. They were 1 3/4 lengths in front of pacesetter Throckmorton (Caracaro), who settled for third in the five-horse field. Throckmorton is trained by Jose D'Angelo and was ridden by Luis Saez. For West Point, it kept a Saratoga streak going. Finley said his group has now won a race at Saratoga 22 straight years. Curtain Call looks to have a future, something Casse predicted from the start. His next target could be the GI Hopeful at the end of the meet. “He is going to get better and better with more ground,” Casse said. “I'll keep my fingers crossed because I think he is a Breeders' Cup horse. We just have to figure a way to get there.” Curtain Call ran the six furlongs in 1:10.31 and returned $6.10, $2.70 and $2.10 on a track labeled as “sloppy.” “We were hoping it was drying out,” Finley said. “You can make excuses all day long, but they all have to run over the same thing. I don't want to get a trainer ticked off at me, but that is a trainer excuse, not an owner excuse.” Take a bow, CURTAIN CALL, for breaking your maiden at #Saratoga. The runner-up to graded stakes winner Obliteration in debut tracks the pace and pulls away in the stretch for @markecasse and @jose93_ortiz. pic.twitter.com/smyCbbFc5t — Matthew DeSantis (@failedtomenace) July 12, 2025 The post Saratoga Maidens, Presented By Keeneland, Curtain Call Gets Just That After Breaking Maiden By 8 1/2 Lengths appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An eye-catching debut is often a signal of big things to come. Spectacular Grey (Not This Time) gave her connections a lot to dream about at Monmouth Park Saturday when she earned 'TDN Rising Star' honors via a sensational unveiling. Coming into the race for trainer Alexis Delgado, who only had one other starter recorded for 2025 and no winners, the grey's July 4 four-panel move from the gate in :47.60 (2/24) showed the betting public enough to award her 5-1 odds against a salty field. Off a bit slow but initially content to track from midpack behind an opening quarter in :22.25, Spectacular Grey changed her mind passing the quarter pole and made a rush to the front that even caught the announcer's attention. Suddenly in control by four lengths as they turned into the stretch, she boldly proclaimed the race as hers by extending her advantage to 7 3/4 lengths on the wire. Revolving d'Oro (Bolt d'Oro) had no response for that winner and had to settle for a clear second best. The victress is the first winner to the races for her dam Rose Grey, who has since produced a yearling filly by Charlatan and a 2025 colt by Life Is Good. Said dam is herself a daughter of SP Smitten (Tapit), making her a half-sister to GISP Commandperformance (Union Rags). This is the female line of GSW Snit (Fit to Fight), whose daughters GSW Blind Date (Not For Love) and MSW Sales Tax (High Yield) also going on to produced black-type runners. 4th-Monmouth, $53,375, Msw, 7-12, 2yo, f, 5f, :58.33, ft, 7 3/4 lengths. SPECTACULAR GREY, f, 2, by Not This Time 1st Dam: Rose Grey, by The Factor 2nd Dam: Smitten, by Tapit 3rd Dam: Hi Lili, by Silver Deputy Sales history: $127,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $120,000 RNA 2yo '25 OBSAPR; $150,000 RNA 2yo '25 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $31,500. O-III Beauty's Thoroughbred LLC; B-Baron Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Alexis Delgado. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. The post Spectacular is the Word: Not This Time’s Spectacular Grey Sails Home to ‘Rising Star’ Honors at Monmouth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott discusses Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Sovereignty after his five-furlong workout July 12 in 1:02.18.View the full article

No Half Measures caused a huge 66-1 shock July 12 to provide Richard Hughes with his biggest victory as a trainer in the July Cup Stakes (G1) at Newmarket Racecourse.View the full article

Trinity College, fourth in the French Derby (G1), and New Ground, fourth in the Epsom Derby (G1), meet July 13 in the Grand Prix de Paris (G1) at Longchamp.View the full article

6th-SAR, $100K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 4:02 p.m. ET. SCHWARZENEGGER (Not This Time) is unveiled for the ownership group of David Fennelly, Brook Smith, Mrs. John Magnier and Resolution Road. Initially a $410,000 purchase during Keeneland November in 2023, the colt went for $950,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale the following year and was sent to trainer Wesley Ward. The first-time starter is out Soothsaying (Lemon Drop Kid), who was a Gainesway buy for $350,000 at the 2024 Keeneland November Sale while a filly by Nyquist was in-utero. Set for a start is another Fasig-Tipton Saratoga grad in Final Score (Not This Time). Repole Stable successfully bid $600,000 to acquire this colt trained by Todd Pletcher. Dam Precious Dixie (Bernardini) is a full-sister to SW Lady Kate and they are out of GSW Princess Haya (Street Cry {Ire}). Finally, Freestate (Caravaggio) is a half-brother to SW Freedom Trail (Collected). The colt's dam Freedom (War Front) is a full-sister to SW Leader of Men, and a half to a pair of multiple Grade I stakes winners in Executiveprivilege (First Samurai) and Hoppertunity (Any Given Saturday). TJCIS PPS 5th-ELP, $100K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 2:44 p.m. ET. Godolphin homebred Equator (Uncle Mo) goes out for trainer Eoin Harty. The bay's stakes winning dam Moiety (Bernardini) produced GII MiddleGround Capital Beaumont Stakes heroine Verity (Nyquist), and the first-time starter's grand dam is Brazilian dual champion Be Happy (Brz) (Ghadeer {Fr}). TJCIS PPS 4th-SAR, $100K, Msw, 3yo/up, f&m, 1mT, 2:52 p.m. ET. Coastal Cabin (City of Light) is a Bill Farish homebred trained by Cherie DeVaux. The 3-year-old filly's unraced dam is a half-sister to a pair of sires in Eagle (Candy Ride {Arg}) and Catalina Cruiser (Union Rags), plus MGSW Royal Flag (Candy Ride {Arg}). TJCIS PPS The post Sunday’s Racing Insights: Not This Time’s Schwarzenegger Pumped For First Toga Party appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 7-12, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:10.94, sy, 3 1/2 lengths. SPA PROSPECTOR (f, 2, Authentic–Pray for Leslie, by Bernardini) weakened to seventh June 6 at Churchill Downs when unveiled in a baby dash against fellow firsters. Back here against a mixed field but with experience under her belt as many of her opponents did not, the 5-1 shot broke outwardly at the start and bumped Jetty's Home (Enticed) in the process. The pair recovered from their bumper car beginning with Spa Prospector stepping out to control the pace through an opening quarter in :22.33 and a half in :45.67 swinging through the turn. Coming into the lane with a clear advantage as the eventual runner-up tried to cut into the margin, the Tom Amoss-trainee had their number as she hit the wire 3 1/2 lengths to the good. Spa Prospector is a half-sister to Alys Beach (Omaha Beach), GISP, $143,500–who has a 2025 filly by Flightline at foot–and Praying (Vekoma), whose 2025 exploits include running second in Oaklawn Park's Southern Hospitality Overnight Stakes. That trio gives their dam a 100 per cent strike rate with her offspring. Pray for Leslie, a half-sister to SP C J's Awesome (Awesome Again), also has a 2025 filly by Nyquist to her credit. A full-sister to C J's Awesome is the dam of GSW Hidden Connection (Connect). This is the immediate female family of GISW Capo Bastone (Street Boss). Sales history: $100,000 RNA Wlg '23 KEENOV; $450,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $56,350. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Greenwell Thoroughbreds; B-Jeff Kerber (KY); T-Thomas M. Amoss. Spa Prospector breaks her maiden in R2 at The Spa to give @jose93_ortiz the early double! @tomamossracing trains the 2YO filly. pic.twitter.com/Vg6giSXYKx — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) July 12, 2025 The post Authentic’s Spa Prospector Gets It Done at Second-Asking at The Spa 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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Mark Casse sent three undefeated juveniles into the Victoria Stakes at Woodbine, and Casson (Caravaggio) emerged as the last man standing of that group to keep his perfect record intact by a clear margin. A four-length winner on unveiling May 11 against local maidens, the grey was a 7-2 chance against his stablemates Jupiter (Upstart) and the flashy Rude Procedure (Authentic). The former went off as the 6-5 favorite and the latter was 2-1. In no rush initially, Casson assumed command entering the bend as Rude Procedure tried to match strides and was in full flight for the wire by the time they reached the top of the stretch. Sailing home by open lengths, the victor was much the best as Jupiter overtook Rude Procedure in the late yards to claim second, giving their trainer the trifecta in the race. Sales history: $200,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. O-Manfred and Penny Conrad; B-Ballycroy Training Centre & Villa Rosa Farms (ON); T-Mark Casse. The post Caravaggio’s Casson Leads Mark Casse Trio in Victoria appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sugaree earned a sweet victory for her freshman sire By My Standards (by Goldencents) as she came home a winner at second asking over the Colonial main track on Saturday. A runner-up facing auction-restricted maidens at Churchill Downs June 29, the filly was well-supported as the 70 cents on the dollar favorite here. The juvenile chased the pace from midpack up the backstretch and had some work to do around the far turn. As the leader began to tire down the lane, Sugaree came with a run to the outside and passed Barbados Bulldog (Barbados) in the final jumps to get her picture taken. By My Standards, the GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby victor who is a member of Spendthrift's stallion roster, claims 64 foals of racing age. As for the winner's dam, she produced current 3-year-old gelding Ace On the Turn (Higher Power) and was entered in Drain the Clock's book for next term. 3rd-Colonial Downs, $57,050, Moc ($50,000), 7-12, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:05.39, ft, 3/4 length. SUGAREE, f, 2, By My Standards 1st Dam: Fly in for the Win, by Birdstone. 2nd Dam: Namaste's Wish, by Pulpit 3rd Dam: Copelan's Bid Gal, by Copelan Sales History: $9,000 RNA Ylg '24 FTKFEB; $30,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $46,800. O-David A. Bernsen LLC, Dean Demaree and Steve Crabtree; B-Mullikin Thoroughbreds (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Freshman Sire By My Standards Values First Winner At Colonial appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Morning storms waited for Sovereignty to complete his five-furlong workout on the Oklahoma Training Track July 12, with the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner traveling in 1:02.18 ahead of the July 26 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2).View the full article

Rain or shine, the show must go on, and Curtain Call (Tiz the Law) gave the people what they came to see at Saratoga, kicking home powerfully at second asking to claim 'TDN Rising Star' honors. Outkicked early over the slop as debuting Throckmorton (Caracaro) was determined to control the tempo, the field swung through bend behind a half in :45.15 and the running was on as they entered the homestretch. Inhaling his competition from between challengers attempting to mount responses, Curtain Call kicked home to score by a widening margin in a final time of 1:10.31. Favorited Tagermeen (Into Mischief) ran on to claim second. The son of Tiz the Law was unveiled June 12 at Churchill Downs to run a well-beaten second behind fellow 'TDN Rising Star' Obliteration (Violence). That runner returned to action July 5 at this venue to put on a Tour de Force in the GIII Sanford Stakes, winning by 10 1/2 lengths. Sales history: $115,000 Ylg '24 FTKJUL; $325,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. O-West Point Thoroughbreds; B-Nancy Stone (FL); T-Mark Casse. Curtain Call opens up and dominates in the opener at Saratoga under @jose93_ortiz for trainer @markecasse! pic.twitter.com/AmybSBHR4y — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) July 12, 2025 The post Call for an Encore! Tiz the Law’s Curtain Call Gives the Saratoga Crowd a ‘Rising Star’ Performance appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced juveniles from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes, sponsored by OBS Sales, highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, including links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Sunday at Saratoga and Ellis Park. Sunday, July 13, 2025 Ellis 5, $100k, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 2:44 p.m. Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Argos (Nyquist), OBSMAR, 165,000, :20 3/5 C-Majestic, agent; B-David S Romanik Gelato (Twirling Candy), OBSAPR, 250,000, :10 2/5 C-de Meric Sales, agent; B-D J Stable LLC Saratoga 6, $100k, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 4:02 p.m. Brooklyn Styles (Munnings), OBSAPR, 140,000, :10 1/5 C-Niall Brennan Stables, agent; B-Case Clay TB Management The post Summer Breezes: Sunday, July 13, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After all the will-they or won't-theys leading up to Saturday's G1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai July Cup, it came down to the hardened sprinters and a hardened jockey with No Half Measures (Cable Bay) springing a 66-1 upset under Neil Callan. Campaigned mainly over five furlongs so far, last year's G3 World Trophy winner relished the step up to six to overwhelm Big Mojo (Mohaather) in the last half a furlong and provide Richard Hughes with a first Group 1 winner as a trainer. “Richard told me she's very genuine and better with a bit of dig in the ground, but that it was an open race and they had to have a go,” commented the winner's journeyed jockey, who had ridden successfully in Hong Kong and had recently been served with a ban by the BHA for social media comments. “I left her alone for as long as possible and when I gave her a flick she accelerated. I'm getting into the twilight of my career, but the one thing I have is a lot of self-belief and every dog has his day.” Drawn widest away from the stand's rail, which seemed to be carrying a bias at this meeting, the four-year-old was handed an ideal lead by the Jersey runner-up Spy Chief (Kingman) with Notable Speech (Dubawi) and co waiting to join battle on the other side. That 85-40 favourite looked to be going best inside the last two furlongs, but as his run flattened out No Half Measures emerged to power past the 12-1 shot Big Mojo and prevail by a neck, with the 40-1 shot Run To Freedom (Muhaarar) completing the shock tricast 1 3/4 lengths away. 66/1 winner! NO HALF MEASURES WINS THE @ABE_Dubai JULY CUP@NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/0aek58rF62 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 12, 2025 The post ‘Every Dog Has His Day’: Callan Steers No Half Measures To July Cup Shock appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Picked by William Buick from the two Godolphin hopes for Saturday's G2 Superlative Stakes, Saba Desert (Dubawi) justified that call to continue connections' run of success at Newmarket's July Festival. Swooping late to deny the 4-6 favourite Italy (Wootton Bassett), the grandson of the Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Gossamer defied a market drift to 6-1 to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths and deliver a fourth renewal to his sire who won this himself in 2004. “We went to Sandown with a lot of confidence and William said he had felt like sitting there and winning on the bridle that day which is rare for him,” Charlie Appleby said after greeting his sixth winner of this staging post. “He's a horse we've held in high regard for a while and is the typical stamp of a Dubawi–deep-girthed and short-backed–and as it's a road we often take he could go to The Curragh for the National and then on to the Dewhurst.” Opening his account at Sandown in the maiden won by the stable's Native Trail in 2021, the chestnut leapt in the air at the break and missed the kick which served as a blessing as the filly Venetian Lace (Masar) streaked up the stand's rail. Italy, who had been too free throughout the early stages, and the winner's stablemate Wild Desert (Too Darn Hot) were compromised as she drifted left running downhill and the way was clear for Saba Desert to overhaul them all in the closing stages. Saba Desert (Dubawi) remains unbeaten to claim Group Two success in the Superlative Stakes Another win in the race for @WilliamBuickX, Charlie Appleby and @godolphin @NewmarketRace | @bet365 pic.twitter.com/JbR7ezttSe — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 12, 2025 The post Fourth Superlative For Dubawi, Sixth For Appleby As Saba Desert Strikes, National Stakes Next appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Richard Hannon trainee Orion's Belt (Starman), a debut fourth at Salisbury last month, made all for an impressive 3 3/4-length success in Saturday's Rossdales British EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes at Newmarket and became the 15th winner for her freshman sire (by Dutch Art). The seven-furlong test went the way of subsequent G1 Fillies' Mile and G1 1000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower (Night Of Thunder) last year. “She's a very nice filly and that was exactly what we thought earlier on in the year,” said the Hannon stable's Tony Gorman. “She was stepping up in trip today, but I think she would have won at six [furlongs] because she was always in a lovely place. Once ours have had a run they know their jobs and she has loads of options. She's a big filly, so we'll give her a bit of time. She's by a proper sire.” In command throughout, the 15-8 favourite came under pressure when threatened with a quarter-mile remaining and was ridden out in the closing stages to easily outpoint New Vega (New Bay) in impressive fashion. Orion's Belt is the sixth of seven foals and third scorer out of a half-sister to G2 Richmond Stakes victor and G1 Prix Morny third Always Hopeful (Mind Games) and the stakes-placed Nacho Libre (Kyllachy). The February-foaled bay is a half-sister to G2 Oaks d'Italia runner-up Must Be Late (Champs Elysees) and a yearling colt by Space Traveller. Orion's Belt (Starman) DOMINATES in the @NewmarketRace opener for Ryan Moore and @rhannonracing @RossdalesVets | @BritishEBF pic.twitter.com/CvCpidHdim — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 12, 2025 1st-Newmarket, £25,000, Mdn, 7-12, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:27.07, g/f. ORION'S BELT (IRE) (f, 2, Starman {GB}–Delphica {Ire}, by Acclamation {GB}) Sales history: €33,000 Wlg '23 GOFNOF; 105,000gns Ylg '24 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $18,592. O-Georginio Rutter & Jinky Farms; B-Mareshah Stud; T-Richard Hannon. The post Starman Filly Orion’s Belt Impresses in Storied Newmarket Maiden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars MICKLEY - R9 (2) Looks to be finally hitting his straps and can cash in down in grade Jay Rooney CHANCHENG GLORY - R8 (2) Can dictate in a race lacking pace and prove hard to catch Trackwork Spy STAR BROSE - R5 (10) Steadily improving and with a strong pace to chase, he can collar them late on Phillip Woo SOUTH STAR - R11 (4) Unlucky last start and can end a sterling first campaign with another win Shannon (Vincent Wong) CALIFORNIA MOXIE - R5 (7) Ran well at Happy Valley...View the full article

HOKKAIDO, Japan — At Northern Horse Park, one of the great tourist attractions of Hokkaido, the next few days will be all business. Japan's most prestigious bloodstock auction, the JRHA Select Sale, springs back to action with a session of yearlings on Monday, but what many observers will be waiting to see is the reception given to the first foals of world champion Equinox. Twenty-five of his debut crop are set to sell on Tuesday, including a colt from American champion dirt mare Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute). His reserve, which is published beforehand along with those for all horses in the sale bar the first and last lot in the ring each day, is the highest of the foal session at ¥100m (€580,000). The Select Sale's early date in the calendar means that most of these foals, though well grown, are not yet weaned. This prompts a carnival of sorts on Tuesday morning, when the youngsters are brought with their dams to the shade of the woods alongside the sales arena to stand patiently while final inspections are made in the hours before the day's trade begins. But as much as this is about assessing the foals, where else would one have the chance to see such a stellar line-up of broodmares all in one place? Grade 1 winner follows Group 1 winner follows Grade 1 winner – a reminder of the Japanese breeders' exhaustive hunt for top-class bloodstock from all corners of the world. It is a spectacle like no other, but then, this is a sale like no other. Over the last decade, the growth in turnover has more than doubled, with the combined aggregate of 2015 of ¥13.1bn (€76.4m) increasing year on year to the 2024 record of ¥28.9bn (€167.8m). The difference in the number sold in those two years? Only two: 470 in 2015 and 472 last year. Demand for high-end bloodstock is not of course exclusive to Japan – corresponding elite sales in Europe and America have seen similar growth, often masking concerns lower down the order – but one key difference here is that neither the size of the foal crop nor the the crowds at the races are diminishing in the way they are in most other parts of the world. On Saturday morning, Teruya Yoshida welcomed a group of visitors to his Shadai Farm and sounded a brief note of caution regarding the wider economic picture on the back of trade tariffs imposed on Japan. “I can't say there is a lot of confidence [in the market] because of President Trump,” he said. “We export a lot of automobiles to America and that trade has been damaged. “But we have many people here for the sale – there are more lookers than last year – so I think we will be okay.” Yoshida continued, “But in Japan Racing Association the betting has grown five per cent on last year, and in NAR [the National Association of Racing circuit, mainly on the dirt] it is up 10 per cent. Racing is so popular here. That means more people may come into ownership – the racing clubs [syndicates] are almost sold out.” The racing clubs in Japan offer not just a way into ownership but also a chance to be at the heart of the action with some top-class runners. In recent years such names as Almond Eye, Gentildonna, Lys Gracieux, Daring Tact, Loves Only You, Epiphaneia, Efforia, Buena Vista, and of course Equinox, have been owned by clubs. The first Equinox foal in the ring is the colt out of Camprock | Emma Berry Despite the unpredictability of the goings-on in the White House, it is fair to say that expectations are high in Hokkaido. For a start, it never hurts to have a world champion to showcase. In 2023, Auguste Rodin, from the small final crop of Deep Impact, gave a global reminder of the talents of the former Japanese champion sire with his victories in the Derby, Irish Derby, Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders' Cup Turf. But these exploits were not enough to match the superiority of Equinox, who strolled through the Dubai Sheema Classic, bloodlessly dispatching such classy challengers as Westover, Mostahdaf and Rebel's Romance, before retuning to his home nation to win the Takarazuka Kinen and Tenno Sho en route to a hero's farewell in the Japan Cup. The latter was named the Longines World's Best Horse Race of that year, just as its winner towered over all Thoroughbreds on rankings. Equinox, a grandson of Deep Impact's full-brother Black Tide, was himself a member of the first crop of Kitasan Black. He now stands alongside his father at Shadai Stallion Station, the pair commanding equal fees of ¥20m (€116,000) in 2024 and 2025 – the highest of any stallion in Japan. The 'Book Full' sign was hung outside Equinox's stable just as soon as that record fee for a freshman had been announced, and he ended up covering 203 mares in his first year. A number of those heading to Tuesday's sale were available for viewing on Saturday at Shadai, Northern and Oiwake Farms – the studs respectively owned by the Yoshida brothers Teruya, Katsumi and Haruya. Teruya Yoshida has been in the game for too long to get carried away at this early stage by thoughts of what Equinox may or may not achieve in his secondary career. Wisely, he focuses instead of the achievements of his sire, whose fee has quadrupled since he first took up residence at the Shadai Stallion Station. “Of course Equinox is remarkable but the father of Equinox, Kitasan Black, also produced this year's Derby winner [Croix Du Nord], so I have more confidence in him. [Equinox] is just a beginner as a stallion,” he said. “The standard of Japanese horses is now very high so we will be very proud to present all these horses at the sale.” That the Japanese breeders are reaping rewards on the track and at the sales is as a result of concerted investment in the best race mares and stallion prospects available – from North and South America and across Europe and Australia. Yoshida's latest in-training purchase was Klaynn (Make Believe), just five days before she won the G2 Oaks d'Italia by seven lengths. The owner may have been associated with reams of good horses over the decades but such was his desire that the Endo Botti-trained filly wear his silks in the Italian Classic that he had jockey Cristian Demuro take a set with him from France to Milan. “For 20 years we have been buying many good mares from all over the world and that is now returning to the quality of the horses here,” Yoshida said. “We've invested in quite expensive mares and that has seen some changes. But from my experience, good horses can also come from so-so mares, not always the expensive mares.” Foal inspections underway at Oiwake Farm | Emma Berry Yoshida is in good heart this Saturday morning as the bloodstock world prepares to turn its attention to the sale he runs with his brother Katsumi. Together, their Shadai and Northern Farm operations account for around 1,600 broodmares – almost double the amount of active mares across all of Germany. He reminisces about the purchase of Northern Taste, some 50 years ago, in the early days of the Shadai Corporation. “Before I bought Northern Taste, Lyphard was sold and he was a small horse but he became such a good stallion. Because I saw Lyphard the year before I had good confidence to buy Northern Taste,” said Yoshida. “When I went to America I expected the American horses to be big. Northern Dancer [sire of Lyphard and Northern Taste] was not big but he had a strong temper. I tried to have a photo taken with him at Maryland but he bit me, so I can't forget him. My father always liked to go to see good horses anywhere in the world. Now we have many foreign visitors here, so I am happy.” Those foreign visitors are undoubtedly happy to be here. In years gone by, the Yoshida clan set about learning all they could from some of the more established Thoroughbred breeding nations. Now, they are the ones teaching the lesson. The post JRHA Prepares for Equinox in High Summer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New Zealand-bred three-year-old Arcadia Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) passed his first black-type test with flying colours in the A$125,000 Listed Aquanita Stakes (2019m) at Bunbury on Saturday. The Michael Grantham-trained gelding went into the race with two wins and three placings to his name from eight career starts, most recently a smart last-start success over 1600m at Pinjarra on June 28. The Aquanita was a step up in class and distance, but Arcadia Park was well and truly up to the task. Arcadia Park was ridden by Clint Johnson-Porter and settled in second place as the six-horse field made their way around the Bunbury circuit at a sedate pace. Johnson-Porter allowed his mount to stride up alongside the leader coming up to the turn, and Arcadia Park hit the front as he straightened for home. Arcadia Park got his head to the side in the straight and drifted across the track in both directions, but he dug deep when challenged by the favourite Our Paladin Al (A Lot) and kicked back strongly to win by a neck. “He was left by himself in the straight and was looking around a little bit,” Johnson-Porter said. “He initially shied at the barriers and ran away from them a little bit, and then he went to duck into the mounting yard as we approached the line. So he’s still new, and it was an impressive win by him today.” Arcadia Park’s nine-start career has now produced three wins, three placings and A$242,500 in stakes. Bred and raced by Peters Investments Ltd, Arcadia Park is the latest in a long line of stakes winners to carry Bob Peters’ distinctive cerise and white colours. Arcadia Park became the 23rd individual stakes winner for Waikato Stud stallion Ocean Park. His dam is the Domesday mare Arcadia Dream, whose five wins included the Aquanita Stakes as well as the Gr.2 Western Australian Derby (2400m). Arcadia Dream is a half-sister to Peters’ triple Group One winner Arcadia Queen (Pierro), along with fellow black-type winners Arcadia Prince (Pierro) and Arcadia Rose (Khelefy). “This horse seemed to be all over the place, didn’t he, but he won well,” Peters said. “I was quietly confident coming into the race. I knew that the Domesdays handle the wet and the Ocean Parks handle the wet, so I thought he might be able to run a good race. He’s still got to learn how to go straight, but it was nice to see him get up.” View the full article

Stakes-winning New Zealand import Aberlour recorded her first win on Australian soil with a strong front-running performance in the A$160,000 Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1800m) at Randwick on Saturday. Sent out as a $15 chance in the hands of expat Kiwi jockey Alysha Collett, Aberlour broke well from the starting gates and slid forward to take the lead within the first 100m. That was where she stayed, bowling along in front with a two-length margin up until the home turn. Aberlour was able to kick again soon after entering the straight, and despite beginning to tire in the final 100m, she held on gamely to win by a neck. Now trained by Joe Pride, Aberlour has had 15 starts for four wins, three placings and A$229,430 in prize-money. Aberlour was bred by Av Todd and is one of six individual winners for Group Two-winning stallion Mongolian Falcon, who stands at Hau Ora Farm for a service fee of $2,500. Aberlour is out of the winning Postponed mare Sophie Louise, who is also the dam of black-type performer Tobilicious. Todd initially raced Aberlour with son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Emma Tyler, along with Kelvin Tyler and his wife Vanessa, and they have all retained a share in the ownership following her sale to Australia last year. Kelvin Tyler trained Aberlour in her six-start New Zealand career, which produced three wins and two placings, including victories in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) and Southland Guineas (1600m). “Aberlour made the most of a soft lead over a nice distance today and did us proud,” Tyler said on Saturday. View the full article

Captain Fred Barker, owner of the picturesque King Edward's Place Stud on the edge of the Downs near the Ridgeway, died recently at the age of 88. Born into a world where hunting, racing and breeding were a way of life, horses were always at the core of Fred's being. He did just enough to survive his five years at Harrow and then spent several very happy years in the 11th Hussars, before taking over the running of King Edward's Place, which was once a discreet country retreat of Edward VII, as the name suggests, from his parents, 'Gar' and Nancy Barker in 1962, while in his mid 20s. Ever the perfectionist, Fred worked hard to maintain the stud and with the help of his fellow former 11th Hussar, great friend and bloodstock agent, Johnnie Lewis, he spent a considerable amount of money on stallions, which he hoped would reinvigorate the stud and bring it the recognition it deserved. Stallions like Klairon, Soleil, Manacle, Calpurnius, Prince De Gaulles, Quiet Fling and latterly Anfield, passed through the stallion yard at King Edward's Place. Manacle was the stud's most successful stallion. He sired Moorestyle – British Horse of the Year, European Horse of the Year and champion sprinter in 1980 – and was later sold to Australia. Nick Angus Smith, a manager at King Edward's Place “a very long time ago”, remembers that Calpurnius was a particularly dangerous horse and tried to savage his lad many times. Johnnie Lewis swiftly had him sold to the West Indies, where he went on to be champion sire. Quiet Fling sired Old Country, winner of six races, including the G1 Derby Italiano, G1 Premio Roma and G1 Prix Royal-Oak. He was out of a daughter of Klairon. The last stallion to stand at the stud was Anfield, a three-time Group 3 winner in Ireland by Be My Guest and a half-brother to Group 1 winner North Stoke. His best horse was the very good German colt, Turfkonig, who won the G1 Grosser Mercedes-Benz Preis. Sadly however, none of the stallions Fred stood at King Edward's Place proved a huge success, or provided the necessary financial return. By the late 1980s, disillusioned with the racing industry and facing increasing head winds, as bloodstock became more expensive and it became ever harder to acquire commercial stallion prospects, Fred made the difficult decision to sell King Edward's Place. Sold to Allied Dunbar, it sadly disappeared off the map as a stud farm. “I was born in the house, so it was a very difficult decision to sell,” he said at the time. It would be fair to say that to the wider equine community, Fred Barker was probably more renowned for his mastership of the Quorn and VWH hunts. His two stints as senior master of the Quorn were one of the longest in the hunt's history since the war. Always beautifully mounted and impeccably turned out, Fred was meticulous in planning his days, enjoyed excellent relations with his farmers and even had the respect of the anti-hunting brigade. Fred and his second wife Penny subsequently went on to become successful masters of the VWH hunt, before in recent years switching their interest to three-day eventing. After initially having horses with Australian rider Paul Tapner, they more recently kept them with Tom McEwan, which notably resulted in team gold and individual silver at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics with their horse Toledo de Kerser. Away from horses, Fred owned and operated the BEAS Helicopters company through the 1970s and loved his farming estate at Lushill, near Hannington, Wiltshire. Always one for an adventure, Fred memorably teamed up with Johnnie Lewis and another great friend and fellow 11th Hussar, David Dollar, to compete in the 1968 London to Sydney car rally, where despite not processing one iota of rally driving experience between them, they managed to win the amateur class and finish 18th of the 100 entries overall. His eldest son Grant succinctly summed up his father at his recent funeral. He said, “Fred was prompt, precise and passionate. He also loved polo, power boats and parties, but most of all he loved beautiful things…and married two of them.” Fred Barker died peacefully at his home near Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, surrounded by his wife Penny, children and his dog, Charlie. His was the epitome of a life well lived. The post Remembering Captain Fred Barker: A Life Well Lived 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: 20:25, CYGAMES GRAND PRIX DE PARIS-G1, €600,000, 3yo, c/f, 12fT Field: Surabad (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), Leffard (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), New Ground (GB) (New Bay {GB}), Trinity College (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Uther (GB) (Camelot {GB}), Frankly Good Cen (Fr) (Frankel {GB}). TDN Verdict: Prix du Jockey Club form is the order of the day here, with half the field having crossed swords in the Chantilly Classic. Jockey Club fourth and TDN Rising Star Trinity College has since prevailed in Royal Ascot's G3 Hampton Court Stakes and reopposes Chantilly seventh Frankly Good Cen and 17th Leffard. Juddmonte's New Ground was a never-nearer fourth in Epsom's G1 Derby and rates a serious threat while Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's G3 Prix Noailles winner Uther, a half-brother to last year's hero Sosie, comes back off a third in May's G3 Prix Greffulhe. The in-form Francis Graffard stable is represented by G3 Prix du Lys second and supplementary entry Surabad, who snagged April's Listed Prix de l'Avre over this course and distance. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 19:10, PRIX RADIO FG – PRIX MAURICE DE NIEUIL-G2, €119,000, 4yo/up, 14fT Field: Sibayan (Fr) (Blame), Columbus (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Yashin (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), Emblet (GB) (Aclaim {Ire}), Waldadler (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), Double Major (Ire) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), Internaute (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Francis Graffard's in-form stable is represented in this stamina test by Sibayan, who was defeated by a whisker in last month's G2 Grand Prix de Chantilly and seeks a pattern-race breakthrough here. He will be confronted by the Wertheimer duo Double Major, who won this last year, and Internaute. The pair met when fifth and sixth in May's G1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at ParisLongchamp. Double Major's Christophe Ferland-trained stablemate Columbus annexed last year's G3 Prix Gerald de Geoffre and rates a danger returning off a short-neck second in Saint-Cloud's Listed Prix La Moskowa on seasonal comeback one month ago. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 19:50, CYGAMES PRIX DE MALLERET-G2, €119,000, 3yo, f, 12fT Field: Rabbit's Foot (Fr) (Golden Horde {Ire}), Indalimos (Fr) (Cloth Of Stars {Ire}), Sunly (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Miss Of Change (Fr) (King Of Change {GB}), Three Pearls (Fr) (Intello {Ger}), Qilin Queen (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Juddmonte's hitherto undefeated Sunly puts her perfect record on the line and will head postward coming back off a taking victory in last month's G3 Prix de Royaumont at Chantilly. Seeking revenge is Royaumont runner-up Indalimos and fifth home Rabbit's Foot. Victoria Head trainee Three Pearls is held by the latter on their Listed Prix Caravelle running while Classic form is represented by G1 Oaks eighth Qilin Queen and Czech Derby heroine Miss Of Change. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, Mulheim, Germany, post time: 16:15, BBAG DIANA TRIAL-Listed, €25,000, 3yo, f, 10fT Field: Bastion (Ger) (Brametot {Ire}), Lips Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), German Style (Fr) (Shamalgan {Fr}), Ismahane (Ger) (Isfahan {Ger}), Near Rib (Ger) (Ribchester {Ire}), Nurania (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Que Bella (Ger) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Rockshalaa (Fr) (Shalaa {Ire}), Stugardia (Ger) (Tai Chi {Ger}), Sunshine Baby (Fr) (Areion {Ger}), Tausendschon (Ger) (Destino {Ger}), Winnyzja (Ire) (Sottsass {Fr}). TDN Verdict: With eight prior starts in the books, G3 Schwarzgold-Rennen third Lips Vega is the most experienced contender in this late-stage launchpad to next month's G1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) and sets the domestic standard. Stugardia also has black type to her name, having run second in April's Listed Henkel Stutenpreis at Dusseldorf, while Tausendschon makes her stakes bow coming back off a clear-cut debut success at this venue last month. [Sean Cronin]. Monday, Vichy, France, post time: 16:25, PRIX FREDERIC DE LAGRANGE-Listed, €50,300, 3yo, 12fT Field: Quinteplus (Fr) (Telecaster {Ire}), Tommy Boy (Fr) (Intello {Ger}), Zarakchic (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Starnberg (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}), Marchemalo (Fr) (Toronado {Ire}), Espoir Avenir (Fr) (Montmartre {Fr}), Yellow Jersey (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), Master Cath (Fr) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Zingara (Fr) (Kingman {GB}). TDN Verdict: While the Tour de France wends its way through the nearby mountains, Qatar Racing's Yellow Jersey is favoured to follow up an impressive debut performance, tackling this trip at Saint-Cloud, on black-type bow. The Andre Fabre nominee was value for more than the official winning margin of four lengths and will bid to become the trainer's first winner since Doha Dream prevailed in 2016. Jerome Reynier won this in 2022 and 2023 and relies on G3 Prix Hocquart third Zarakchic and G2 Derby Italiano fifth Starnberg. Christophe Ferland also supplies two contenders, namely Swiss Derby hero Espoir Avenir and ParisLongchamp handicap winner Zingaro. [Sean Cronin]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Trinity College Aims To Ace Grand Prix De Paris Exam appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It is now or never for Derek Leung Ka-chun as he looks to Beauty Joy to be the catalyst to spark his fading Tony Cruz Award hopes back to life at Sha Tin on Sunday. The 36-year-old is in a three-way shoot-out for the local riders’ premiership, with Matthew Poon Ming-fai leading the way on 36 and Matthew Chadwick sitting second on 34. Leung has two meetings to claw back three winners to draw level with Poon, with his Sunday book of eight rides looking the strongest of the trio. He rides Beauty...View the full article

Jockey Antoine Hamelin admits to feeling sad whenever he thinks about his imminent Hong Kong departure, but it’s certainly been nothing but smiles and celebrations on the racetrack as the Frenchman finishes his five-year stint in the city with a flourish. Victorious at three of the past four meetings, Hamelin will say farewell to Sha Tin this Sunday before signing off at Happy Valley next Wednesday. “I’m feeling OK, not too bad, but when I think about it I’m very sad. When I met my friends for a...View the full article

Promising three-year-old Stop The Rock (NZ) (El Roca) collected the fourth win of his five-race career with another irresistible finish in Saturday’s A$150,000 Sportsbet Same Race Multi Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield. The New Zealand-bred son of El Roca is trained by Patrick and Michelle Payne and kicked off his career with a debut win at Warrnambool on New Year’s Eve. He returned from a freshen up with a fifth at Cranbourne in May, but never looked back from there. He has now strung together three consecutive victories, including two Saturday city successes. Stop The Rock scored stylishly at Swan Hill on June 8 and then again at Flemington on June 21, where he beat next-start Mahogany Challenge Final (2500m) winner Shockletz (NZ) (Shocking). Those performances earned strong support for Stop The Rock on Saturday as a $5 second favourite, and he continued his breakthrough campaign. Ridden by Billy Egan, Stop The Rock settled in second-last among a field of 12 before beginning to warm into his work from the 600m. Egan angled him to the outside at the home turn and he charged home out wide on the track, hitting the lead inside the last 50m and winning by a neck. “He really needs to build his momentum,” Egan said. “He made a long, sustained run at them the other day. “They went quick enough today that I was able to come wide and know that if I came with that same sort of run again, they would get tired and he’d be coming over the top of them late. He’s done a really good job.” Stop The Rock’s five-start, four-win career has netted more than A$214,000 in stakes for his ownership group. “He’s just answering every question that we’re asking him,” Michelle Payne said. “What a horse. He’s doing it on raceday every time for a great group of owners. “He started 35-to-one in his first start. He was always very casual in his trials, but Patrick has really liked him as a horse the whole way through. We were just waiting for him to come into his own. He’s doing that now and he’s a beauty. He shows up on raceday, gets the job done with no fuss and is becoming another stable favourite.” By Westbury Stud stallion El Roca, Stop The Rock is out of the Fusaichi Pegasus mare Shezablonde and stems from the family of Nothin’ Leica Dane. Stop The Rock is a graduate of the hugely successful New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, purchased for $75,000 by Patrick Payne from the draft of Westbury Stud. View the full article