Wandering Eyes

By Mike Love Wild Willow will run a short priced favourite ($2.45 FF) in today’s Garrards Horse and Hound Hororata Cup over 3000m at Methven. The five-year-old Art Major gelding has won five from 10 starts in his career to date and Rakaia trainer Warren Stapleton believes he will be hard to beat again. “If he goes anywhere near as good as he did on the second day at Blenheim, after doing all of that work early, he’s got to be hard to beat,” said Stapleton. “He’s a big strong horse, and it’s a little bit more suited for him this time. There’s only eight in it. He’s sound enough.” Despite a minor mishap at Blenheim on the second day, Stapleton insists Wild Willow is good to go for today’s assignment. “The second day at Blenheim he got skittled at the start. After the race we had to get him stitched. It slightly interrupted his preparation but in saying that we’re happy. He’s missed a wee bit but everything seems to be okay. We’re hopeful.” Although Stapleton says Wild Willow’s preparation has not really been too interrupted, they may look to freshen him up win lose or draw after today. “We will probably give him ten days off and let everything settle down.” Wild Willow has had one start at Methven which was the green mile back in December when finishing fourth and only one length behind top tier performer Better Eclipse. Stapleton also lines up two other runners today, Ivona Dadic in Race 4,the Fiona Stuart Memorial Pace over the mile, and Spirited Lou in Race 8, the Hamish Scott and Kim Lawson Mobile Pace. Ivona Dadic will need to overcome a horrible draw of 15. “She’s been going well. Went huge on the first day of Blenheim. Terrible draw, over a mile,” says Stapleton, ” she will try hard but she’ll be doing well to get anything from there.” While Spirited Lou will need a form reversal to trouble the judge despite drawing favourable in one over the 2300m. “He’s been very disappointing. His formline says it all. His work at home is excellent although we get egg on our faces when we take him to the races. I’m not expecting anything too much from him this time.” Ricky May will take the drive on all three of Stapleton’s runners, among a busy book of six drives across the meeting. Race one gets underway at 12:25pm. View the full article

GI Arkansas Derby victor Super Stock (Dialed In) was represented by his first foal at Leadem Farm in Arkansas, the operation announced Saturday afternoon. Out of the Ohio-bred three-time winner Sprinkle Time (Shackleford), who raced for the colt's owner Keith Asmussen–and who also campaigned Super Stock in partnership with Erv Woolsey, the foal hit the ground early Feb. 7. His dam is a half-sister to MSW Justalittlesmoke (Smoke Glacken) as well as MSW Portales (Sharp Humor) and SP Hazy Command (Mastery). Super Stock placed third in the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity as a juvenile before winning the GI Arkansas Derby in 2021 and finishing 15th in the race for the roses. By the time he retired, the son of Dialed In won just over $1.2-million in his career. “He is a very strongly built colt with a great frame and body to him and we couldn't be happier with him,” said Leadem Farm's Tyree Wolesensky. The post Grade I Winner Super Stock Represented by First Foal at Leadem Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first reported foal for GI Preakness Stakes hero Rombauer (Twirling Candy) is a filly born at Porta Pia Farm in Lexington, it was announced via press release Saturday afternoon. Out of a daughter of a French Listed-placed half-sister to two-time champion MGISW Covfefe (Into Mischief), herself the dam of SW Ellen Jay (Constitution), the filly was born Jan. 24. The second dam's siblings also include MGSW & MG1SP-Jpn Albiano (Harlan's Holiday), whose claim to fame as a broodmare comes in the form of her own daughter, GSW-Jpn Avverare (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}). The dam, Crazy Passion, is a half-sister to SP Daylight Ride (El Prado {Ire}) and a winner in Japan named Erika Endive (Oscar Performance). She hails from the immediate female family of GISW Acoma (Empire Maker) and GISW Arch (Kris S.), and is the extended family of MGSW Campaign (Curlin) and GSP Golden Afternoon (Goldencents). The Rombauer filly is her first foal. Rombauer stood the past southern hemisphere breeding season at Haras Porta Pia in Chile and covered 60 mares. The post First Rombauer Foal is a Filly Born in Kentucky appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grade 1 winner Locked joins the growing list of United States-based runners that will bypass the rich $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) Feb. 22 at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh.View the full article

There are seven horse racing meetings set for Australia on Sunday, February 9. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Hobart & Sha Tin (HK). Sunday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – February 9, 2025 Hobart Racing Tips Sha Tin (HK) Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on February 9, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. 3 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. Recommended! 4 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 5 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Making a belated career debut as an early 4-year-old, NUIT MAGIQUE (f, 4, Arrogate–Twixy, by Mutakddim) made an eyecatching move to split horses three furlongs from home and widened through the final eighth of a mile to graduate by 10 impressive lengths Saturday afternoon at Oaklawn Park. Pegged at morning-line odds of 9-2, the $255,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $1-million Fasig-Tipton Midlantic breezer, off at 14-5, was under a hustling ride early on from Nik Juarez and was no better than midfield through the opening exchanges before improving into third and wide heading into the turn. Juarez looked for a brief moment that he was going to ask Nuit Magique to chart an overland course on the turn, but he instead sent her inside and she picked up the loose leader approaching the quarter pole. Firmly in front in upper stretch, she lengthened away and had a distance on her rivals at the wire. Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, of course, called the shots on the careers of two of Arrogate's best progeny, namely GI Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath and GI Preakness Stakes hero Seize the Grey. Sales history: $255,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $1,000,000 2yo '23 FTMMAY. O-Andreas Constantinou; B-Dale Taylor Sr (KY); T-D Wayne Lukas. #8 NUIT MAGIQUE ($7.60), a $1 million two-year-old, debuts in style in the 3rd race at @OaklawnRacing! The four-year-old filly by Arrogate is trained by D. Wayne Lukas. Nik Juarez was in the irons. pic.twitter.com/7SMeNju6RL — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 8, 2025 The post Seven-Figure Arrogate Filly Romps Home On Oaklawn Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With training on the main track remaining limited to joggers Saturday morning at Santa Anita due to the rainstorms during the week, the synthetic training track saw 76 horses record timed workouts over the course. Most notable on the list was SW & GSP Miss Lizzy (Classic Empire), who worked five panels in 1:00.80 (11/32), and who was one of nine workers for trainer Chief Stipe O'Neill. The filly was most recently seen running fourth in the GIII Las Cienegas Stakes Jan. 19 and who had claimed her first stakes victory last May in the local Listed Mizdirection Stakes. The continuation comes after track officials estimated that around 2 1/4 inches of rain fell in the last week, far exceeding forecasts, and left the main track as well as the training track too wet for works on both Wednesday and Friday. The main track remained closed for workers Friday as mandated by the California Horse Racing Board's inclement weather policy but full training is expected to resume on Sunday. The post Workouts Resume on Santa Anita’s Synthetic Training Track After Rainstorms appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On March 3, 2019, Happy Farm (Ghostzapper) was claimed by trainer Jason Servis for $30,000 at Aqueduct. The dark bay gelding would remain in that barn for an entire year where he'd go on to finish no worse than second in seven starts – highlighted by a victory in the 2019 GIII Fall Highweight Handicap. Within days of Happy Farm's second-place finish in the GIII Tom Fool Handicap on March 7, 2020, Servis was arrested and charged following a multi-year investigation overseen by the FBI that identified over 30 people involved in the abuse of racehorses through the use of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). According to the indictment, Servis was alleged to have made use of a specific PED called SGF-1000 and was also alleged to have given that drug “to virtually all of the racehorses under his control.” On July 26, 2023, the longtime trainer was subsequently sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to a felony and a misdemeanor related to the use of the banned substances SGF-1000 and Clenbuterol. However, the time Happy Farm spent in Servis's barn was purely a short, tainted chapter in the gelding's otherwise exemplary career where he proved how much he loved to run, time and time again. Early Days It was during the 2015 Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's August Sale that Stanley Hough, a bloodstock consultant for Kevin Plank's Sagamore Farm at the time, came across the small yet stout Ghostzapper colt out of the Holy Bull mare Gospel Girl. Hough immediately called Hunter Rankin, President of Sagamore's racing operation at the time. “[Hough] went to $45,000 and got him. He came up to the farm and everybody [became] obsessed with him. He was just this short, stocky little thing, but very adorable, and looked like Ghostzapper. He had his exact sire's build,” recalled Jocelyn Brooks, who got her start in the industry at Sagamore where she spent six years working as the operation's Chief of Staff. After returning from his initial training at Ocala Stud, Happy Farm was sent to Sagamore's private trainer Horacio De Paz at Laurel Park, where the colt was fondly nicknamed as 'Porkchop.' Though he was small in stature, Happy Farm proved mighty on debut where he rallied to finish third before reeling off three wins at Pimlico, Belmont Park and Saratoga that summer. “I said, 'He may be small, but just watch.' Sure enough, [we're] watching him coming down the stretch with another horse, the way he fights back, [and he] sticks out his short neck and got the win at Saratoga. And what more does anyone want than to win at Saratoga? I'm so glad I happened to be there that weekend,” said Brooks. Though Happy Farm showed promise, his connections also understood there was a limit to that talent, and so he continued to run at the allowance, allowance optional claiming and claiming levels. The following summer, as a 4-year-old, Happy Farm returned to Saratoga and was claimed away for $32,000. “Operating a business and a racing stable like that, he could be a star in somebody else's barn, but he didn't need to really be in our barn,” said Brooks. “But I [had said to Hunter], 'You can't get this horse claimed.' And he said, 'Don't worry, no one's claiming Happy Farm.' Sure enough, he has to call me after the race, because I was in Maryland, and [tell me] he got claimed. I was so upset, I started crying, and I was so embarrassed because who wants to cry on the phone with their boss about a horse? But it was the little horse girl inside of me, she just started crying.” The Claiming Game In his 52 career starts, Happy Farm was claimed a total of 12 times and moved through 16 separate barns. Without fail, he always tried, reflected in his record of 13 wins, 14 seconds and seven thirds—finishing in the money in 34 of his starts—with overall career earnings totaling $870,338. “He didn't stay anywhere long, which I think just shows that people knew he was a hard-knocking horse, he was a trier. Everyone that had him, people claimed him back. Certain trainers would have him back and forth. [There are] not many horses that people have in their barn where they look for them in the claims to get them back,” said Brooks. His victory in the Fall Highweight Handicap was one of the most surreal moments for Brooks and the rest of the Sagamore team as they watched their former horse beat Sagamore's contender Recruiting Ready, who finished third. “It was an interesting moment, to say the least. It just didn't make any sense to me that our little [former] claiming horse was winning a graded stakes race,” said Brooks. “Then fast forward, we find out that Happy Farm and a lot of the other horses in [the Servis] barn were part of this FBI investigation.” All of the horses in Servis's barn, along with Happy Farm, were moved on to new trainers. After 10 months off, Happy Farm returned to the races on Jan. 2, 2021, in the care of trainer Linda Rice, who had conditioned him previously. “She said he was the same old guy. That made me really happy that no matter what was going on, he was the same old Happy,” said Brooks. Happy Farm remained a staple on the New York circuit until the fall of 2023 when he was sent to Parx in Bensalem, Pa. He raced in Pennsylvania through the spring of 2024, as a 10-year-old, before closing out his career at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, NJ. In his final start, on June 2, 2024, he finished fourth. Jocelyn Brooks and Happy Farm | Sara Gordon Coming Home Throughout Happy Farm's racing career, Brooks kept an eye on him. She'd reach out to a friend in the barn of the current trainer he was with, or contact someone at the track where he was training, to check on the gelding. And every time, Brooks always extended the offer to bring him home when that time came. “I reached out to Steve Schauer at The Players Group [last year] and just said, 'Hey, I know he's aged out of New York. I don't know what your plans are for him. I know he still likes his job because I just know him. But if you get to that point where you're not sure that he wants to do it anymore or that he comes up with an injury, I would love for you to just keep me in mind.'” It was a few months later that she got a text from Schauer: “Call me tomorrow.” “I truly had a spot in my heart for Happy. Financially, it's hard to have any horse, especially one right off the track that's going to need a lot of time off. [But] I just figured I would find a way. I had said since he was claimed away that I would find a way to make it work. And so, we're making it work,” said Brooks. Happy Farm arrived in Lexington, Ky., last summer, where he enjoyed some well-deserved downtime at Justin Wojczynski and Gemma Freeman's farm, White Pine Thoroughbreds. In September, Brooks moved him to Carriage Station Farm to acclimate him to a routine before saddling up for that first ride off the track. “I kind of just continued letting him chill, get used to life here. I started working him on the rope. I knew I wanted to do the Thoroughbred Makeover with him in 2025, so he was limited to a certain amount of rides, [but] I got on a couple times and went on some hacks around the farm. He acted like he'd done it a hundred times,” recalled Brooks. Along with Happy Farm, Brooks owns two other retired racehorses: 13-year-old gelding Perpetual Optimism (First Defence), fondly known as 'PO,' and 11-year-old gelding Maryland Pride (Hard Spun), who has been given the barn name 'Rye.' All three were owned by Sagamore at one point during their racing careers. “All three of them came to Sagamore in different ways. PO was purchased as a 2-year-old. Happy came as a yearling and then Maryland Pride, of course, [was] a homebred. They were all horses that we rooted for. I had their win photos and now they're my pets. It's hard to imagine something like that,” said Brooks. “Sagamore is such a special part of my life. It's where I learned everything about the industry.” Perpetual Optimism with Jocelyn Brooks in the irons | Sara Gordon Perpetual Optimism was the first Sagamore-connected OTTB to come into Brooks's life, in the spring of 2017, following the passing of her first horse, Buttermilk Sky (Kafwain). Years down the road, at a time where Brooks was 'casually' looking for a horse to train and compete with at the Thoroughbred Makeover, Maryland Pride became available through Maryland's aftercare program, Beyond the Wire. Brooks brought him home in February of 2024. Last year, in a bittersweet twist of fate, Brooks got the news that Happy Farm was retired from the track within the same week that her vet diagnosed Perpetual Optimism with a neck injury that would no longer allow him to be ridden. With Perpetual Optimism officially retired, Maryland Pride and Happy Farm have big horseshoes to fill. And with a rider partner like Brooks, both have bright futures ahead. “I still can't believe [Happy] is mine and that I see him every day. All those years of worrying about him and just making sure he'd be okay, I cannot believe he's here with me. It's just incredible, so I feel very lucky,” said Brooks. Though Brooks now works full-time in Kentucky as the Director of Bloodstock at Flying Dutchmen, she continues to serve in another important role as a passionate advocate and avid supporter of Thoroughbred aftercare. “I think the reason most of us are in this industry is because we love the horses. First and foremost, you want them to be successful on the track. You want the people that bred them and own them to do well with them. But they have so much life to give after they retire. After knowing them and caring about them their whole careers, and then knowing that we've got hopefully 10-plus years to go, that's what's so rewarding,” said Brooks. “I can't adopt 50 horses that I want to adopt and everyone can't find every horse they've ever tried to keep track of. You can't fix it overnight. For Happy Farm, yes, he's one horse, but he's got it made right now and I plan to keep it that way. [We] take the victories we can get. Knowing that he's safe and he'll have everything he needs and wants, that's good enough for today. And then, hopefully, we can help another horse tomorrow.” The post The Happy Ending They All Deserve appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

3rd-Tampa Bay Downs, $32,000, Msw, 2-8, 3yo, f, 6 1/2f, 1:16.07, ft, head. CASSIAR (f, 3, City of Light–Nellie Cashman {GSW, $349,839}, by Mineshaft), one of four first timers who made the gate, the filly proved best when it mattered most. Overlooked as a 12-1 shot here, the longshot exited the outside gate and was up near the pace rolling towards the far turn. Salted (Tapit) assumed control around the far turn, but the 3-year-old was moving within striking distance. In the shadow of the wire, Cassiar poked her head in front to get her picture taken over the late-running She's a Gemma (Nyquist). Favorite Kiss Me Slow (Into Mischief) was sixth. The winner is a half-sister to Bendoog (Gun Runner), G1SP-UAE, GSP-USA, $764,816. Nellie Cashman foaled a filly by Mitole last year and was entered in Mandaloun's book for this season. Sales History: $400,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $18,560. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-William S. Farish; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III. 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 The post City Of Light Filly Dons Cap And Gown At First Asking In Tampa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Aterradora at the Fair Grounds. Starspangledbanner Filly Strikes Gold At Fair Grounds Pura Vida Investments' Aterradora (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), second in her first two starts at Fair Grounds in November and January, got off the mark on the first day of February at that track (video). Bred by The Last Partnership, the filly was purchased for 150,000gns out of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale by Deuce Greathouse and is trained by Michael Maker. Out of Last Gold (Fr) (Gold Away {Ire}), the bay is a half-sister to G2 Blandford Stakes and G3 Staffordstown Stud Stakes heroine Lumiere Rock (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), who was third in the G1 Prix de l'Opera. Last Gold's latest offspring are 2-year-old colt Papa Joe (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and a yearling full-sister to the winner. Both G3 Prix des Chenes hero Akihiro (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and G3 Prix Belle de Nuit heroine Bartaba (Fr) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) are half-siblings to Last Gold. Coolmore's reverse shuttle stallion Starspangledbanner (Aus) has a 55% strike rate in the U.S., with 16 winners from 29 starters. Four of his seven stakes winners have landed a graded race, led by Grade I winners Rhea Moon (Ire) and State Of Rest (Ire). Iffraaj Colt Is Third-Time Lucky Goncora (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), owned by Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, William J. Rucker and William Strauss, graduated at Tampa in his third start last weekend for Chad Brown (video). Bred by ORS Bloodstock, the 20,000gns Book 2 Tattersalls October yearling is a son of Sparkle (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). The colt was second in his debut at Dieppe in France for owner/trainer Mauricio Delcher-Sanchez last July, before being acquired by these connections. Since then, he filled the same spot in his Tampa Bay bow this January before Saturday's triumph. A half-brother to a pair of winners, as well as a 2-year-old filly by Time Test (GB), the bay counts listed winner and G3 Park Express Stakes second Gemstone (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) as his granddam. She, in turn, is the dam of stakes winner and two-time Group 1-placed Nugget (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) and listed winner UAE Jewel (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). G1 Irish St. Leger hero Sonnyboyliston (Ire) (Power {GB}) is also in the family. Renowned former Darley shuttle stallion Iffraaj (GB) has had limited representation in North America, with 15 winners from 30 runners (50%). His three stakes winners are GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Chriselliam (Ire), GIII Providencia Stakes victress Hostess (GB), and dual listed winner Sloane Garden (GB). USA Success for GONCORA ! A @Tattersalls1766 Book 2 Purchase for 20.000GNS from New England Stud. 2 start Stateside for this son of Iffraaj, and a win that looks Promising ! Congratulations to all connections pic.twitter.com/gs8u8FBryb — Fernando's Horses (@Fernandolaffon) February 1, 2025 Repeat Winner Anybody But You (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) is now two-for-two with a narrow victory at Gulfstream for Brendan Walsh on Jan. 26 (video). The Tally-Ho Stud-bred filly is owned by JDT Racing, and broke her maiden at that track in December. Anybody But You (IRE) and @Tyler_Gaff split rivals to earn the victory in race 8 at #GulfstreamPark. pic.twitter.com/Kl0Nkq7g7o — Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) January 26, 2025 The post Making Waves: Aterradora Graduates In New Orleans appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

He made those that swallowed 1-5 really have to sweat it out, but in the end, Chester Broman's 'TDN Rising Star' SAND DEVIL (c, 3, Violence–Mineralogist, by Mineshaft) got to the wire first after a long stretch duel in Saturday's state-bred restricted Damon Runyon Stakes at Aqueduct, running his record to a perfect three wins from as many trips to the races. Dropping back slightly in trip after decimating first-level allowance rivals by better than a dozen lengths going a mile Jan. 2, the homebred chestnut found the front with relative and could have opened up on his four rivals, but Jose Lezcano instead took a hard hold and they ambled along through route-like fractions of :24.52 and :48.58 as the stakes-placed chief market rival National Identity (Solomini) tracked from close range. Sand Devil turned for home narrowly in front and they quickened up in unison, but Sand Devil did slightly the better work in the final furlong and a half and went on to prevail by a hard-fought neck. The final time for the seven furlongs was 1:24.66. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0. O-Chester Broman; B-Chester & Mary Broman (NY); T-Linda Rice. #2 SAND DEVIL ($2.40) noses out #5 National Identity in the $125,000 Damon Runyon Stakes at Aqueduct. José Lezcano was in the irons for @LindaRiceRacing and owner/breeder Chester Broman Sr. pic.twitter.com/0qwK7rhEVr — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 8, 2025 The post ‘Rising Star’ Sand Devil Remains Unbeaten In Damon Runyon appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

More And More is an old ditty that the late singer Joe Dolan, one of County Westmeath's finest exports, made famous back in the 1980s. Well, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association could not have found a more suitable backing track to the small breeder award presentation at The Heritage Hotel, which was won by fellow Westmeath man John Connaughton. For starters, Connaughton has enjoyed a lifetime of successes in business which have been replicated through his bloodstock endeavors. And even at the age of 93, the accolades keep on coming for Connaughton, who now resides at Barretstown House farm on the outskirts of Mullingar. Last year was a special one for Connaughton. Bay City Roller (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), who he sold for €320,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale in 2023, went unbeaten in three starts for trainer George Scott, culminating with G2 success in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster. Such a win paved the way for Connaughton, who consigns most of his horses through Tom Whelan's Church View Stables, netting a cool €850,000 for a Blue Point (Ire) half-sister to Bay City Roller back at the Orby Sale–this time to Agrolexica International Trading BV. You could say such memorable results on and off the racetrack in 2024 were a culmination of Connaughton's lifetime indulgence in the turf. Despite never letting his broodmare band extend beyond eight or 10, he has enjoyed a huge amount of success with his homebreds. Dunboyne Express (Ire) (Shamardal) was one of the first. A dual Group 3 winner for trainer Kevin Prendergast, he went on to become a high-class performer in Hong Kong–where he raced as Dan Excel–and retired with career earnings in excess of €4 million. Bay City Roller is a similar story of patience, foresight and bravery being rewarded given the top-notch three-year-old prospect represents over two decades of Connaugton's breeding after he sourced the grand dam Ramona (GB) along with his great friend Ed Naughton for 58,000gns at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale in 2002. Bloomfield: the Listed winner is the dam of Bay City Roller | Racingfotos.com Ramona went on to produce Bloomfield (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), which is a nod to the property developer's Bloomfield House Hotel in Mullingar, who became another famous homebred to carry Naughton's green, navy and white silks to victory at Listed level when in training with Willie McCreery. But far more consequential is her role as a broodmare on the farm given she is the dam of Bay City Roller and a large part of why Naughton was acknowledged by his peers at the memorable awards ceremony some two weeks ago. “That was nice,” Connaughton says of his small breeder award in typically understated style from the kitchen table of his impressive estate. “It meant a great lot to me. Any time we bred a good one, it meant a lot to me, but it's not that easy to breed a good one.” He continued, “We've always thought long-term with the breeding and concentrated largely on horses that would stay a mile or more. We'd a reasonably good start to the breeding game with horses like Dunboyne Express for example. And it was that line with Ramona, a mare we bought nearly 25 years ago at Tattersalls, that Bay City Roller has been produced from. So we've been rewarded for our patience.” The small breeder award provided Connaughton with a timely lift. His blue hen mare Bloomfield died while foaling a foal by Blue Point a couple of years ago. The latest progeny from the mare will chart a similar path back to the Orby Sale at Goffs this year while Connaughton still has Bloom Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who failed to win in eight attempts, to keep the line going. “Bloomfield died after foaling a couple of years ago and her daughter died around the same time–so I needed a lift! It's not a simple game, breeding, and there are plenty of drawbacks. For example, mares running blank and not going in foal. We've had instances of mares running barren for no particular reason. And sometimes the best call to make is to cut your losses, rather than persevere with problem mares. “We try to keep our broodmare band to around eight to 10 mares. All in all, we've held onto the mares that were breeding winners for us and cut ties with the ones who weren't–no matter how much we paid for them. We have Bloomfield's daughter, Bloom Vega, who wasn't a good racemare but is too well-bred not to breed from. She almost certainly would have won a race if we persevered but we said we'd bring her home and put her in foal instead so she will be a good addition to the farm.” It's clear that the principals that have sustained Connaughton so well in business have been adopted to his successful breeding enterprise. Despite his considerable wealth, the broodmare band has been built up organically and over a long period of time. And even his son Darragh, who is also involved in property development, shares tales of his father driving a hard bargain on whatever stallion was in vogue down through the years. Connaughton, a proud huntsman who was also at one time one of the biggest breeders of purebred Simmental cattle in Ireland, explained, “I could have been brave and went out and spent a lot of money on mares but I never did. Just because you spend a lot of money on a mare, it doesn't mean that she will breed you a winner. I'd look upon spending a lot of money at the sales as very chancy. I was never afraid to do it the long way and to back the mares we believed in. And if you found a good one, [it was a] licence to print money! “We were lucky to get into some very good stallions early, Shamardal for example, and because we were in from the start we were allowed to stay in. But we built up some very good relationships with Coolmore, Darley and lots of the other big studs.” He continued, “I have a brother, PJ, who is two years older than me. He's living in Dublin and is going alright so I need to keep going to keep up with him. I still work and have quite a bit of business going. We're just about to get planning permission to build 800 houses in Dunboyne. When you are in the game, you have to keep going when you can.” Connaughton may be 93, but there is a lot more to come in business and in breeding. The post Meet The 93-Year-Old Small Breeder Of The Year Who Got “Great Lift” Out Of ITBA Award 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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8th-GP, 94K, Msw, 3yo, f, 6f, 3:49 p.m. Debuting for Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing and trainer Brian Lynch, SHRED THE GNAR (Into Mischief) is a full-sister to MGSW/MGISP Owendale. Purchased for $610,000 at FTSAUG in 2023, the filly is out of a Bernardini half-sister to GI Lane's End Breeders' Futurity winner Great Hunter (Aptitude). This is the family of champion 3-year-old filly Stellar Wind (Curlin). Just to her outside, Kapoor (Uncle Mo) is a Godolphin homebred out of a Medaglia d'Oro half-sister to Japanese MG1SW Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}). The family also includes MGISW To Honor and Serve (Bernardini), GISW and $3m broodmare Angela Renee (Bernardini). First dam Kareena, who won the Jersey Girl Stakes in her own racing career, was purchased a yearling by Godolphin for $400,000 at FTSAUG in 2014. TJCIS PPS 6th-GP, 94K, Msw, 3yo, f, 1mT, 2:49 p.m. Love You Anyway (Tapit), a $450,000 KEESEP grad for Bregman Family Racing, is a full-sister to SP Wine On Tap and out of GSW Princess La Quinta (Quality Road). She debuts inside of Gainesway homebred Sassari (Quality Road) who is out of SW/GISP Cherry Lodge (Bernardini), a half to GISW Stormello (Stormy Atlantic) and to the dam of dual Canadian champion filly Curlin's Voyage (Curlin) who sold for $1,000,000 at KEEJAN last year. TJCIS PPS 6th-TAM, 53K, Msw, 3yo, 5 1/2f, 3:15 p.m. Across the state in Tampa, Over the Mark (Army Mule) brought $600,000 at KEESEP in 2023 and is out of a half-sister to GISW The Big Beast (Yes It's True). He starts just inside of another Godolphin homebred in Playa Del Mar (Into Mischief), who is the first foal out of SW/GISP Flor De La Mar (Tiznow), a mare purchased as a yearling by Godolphin for $500,000. TJCIS PPS The post Sunday Insights: Florida Maidens Highlight Sunday Action appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' President and Founder Aron Wellman advised via text Saturday morning that 'TDN Rising Star' Locked (Gun Runner), the two-back winner of the GII Cigar Mile Handicap and recent runner-up in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes, will pass up an invitation to the G1 Saudi Cup Feb. 22 and instead will focus on a domestic campaign for 2025. “While we appreciate the gracious invite and the purse money is tempting, we're going to focus on a domestic campaign, with our near-term goal being the Big 'Cap,” Wellman texted. The GI Santa Anita Handicap over a mile and a quarter is scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 1 at the Great RIP and carries prize money of $300,000. Winner of the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity at two, Locked, raced in partnership with Gary Broad's Walmac Farm, returned with an allowance victory before besting a Grade I-quality field in the Cigar Mile. Slowly away from a high draw in the Pegasus, Locked was on the back foot throughout but plugged on gamely to be second. With the news reported Friday by Daily Racing Form that champion female sprinter Soul of an Angel (Atreides) would also not be making the trip to Riyadh, recent G3 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (King's Cup) winner Rattle N Roll (Connect) will be the lone U.S. representative in the Saudi Cup. American-based horses filled the first, third and fourth placings in 2024. The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Locked Passing Saudi Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group winner Belle Promesse (Fr) (Fuisse {Fr}) (lot 200) is a late addition to the Arqana February Mixed Sale, which takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 12. A winner of the G3 Prix Christian de Tredern and the Listed Prix d'Arles over hurdles at Auteuil, the mare is out of Promets Moi (Fr) (Satri {Ire}), herself a winner at Auteuil and a half-sister to black-type horse Like A Player (Fr) (Lucky Dream {Fr}). This is the family of group winners Tarla (Fr) (Lavirco {Ger}), Bandito Conti (Fr) (Saint Des Saints {Fr}), and Overlord (Fr) (Saint Des Saints {Fr}). For the full catalogue, please visit the Arqana website. The post Belle Promesse New Arqana February Wildcard appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars SILVERY BREEZE - R9 (8) Produced a booming finish last start and looks the winner here Jay Rooney SKY TRUST - R11 (2) Big run last start and drawn to get a much more suitable run today Trackwork Spy SKY TRUST - R11 (2) Will stalk the speed from the inside draw and be strong late Phillip Woo FUN TOGETHER - R4 (1) Is drawn to give a very cheeky performance after a tough run last time out Shannon (Vincent Wong) HONG LOK GOLF - R10 (4) Showed a good turn of foot to win last two starts and can repeat Racing Post Online HONG LOK GOLF - R10 (4) Smart galloper is racing in outstanding form and looks the one to beat again Tom Wood AUTUMN VIBES - R5 (3) Trials have looked good and looks well prepared for his debutView the full article

Smart three-year-old Public Attention (Written Tycoon) is on a path to the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) after an impressive first-up victory in the Gr.3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday. Ridden by Chad Schofield, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-prepared son of Written Tycoon sat just off surprise leader Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) and forged clear of his fellow Kiwi-bred over the concluding stages to score by just over a length. The well-related grey colt has now won two of his five starts, and previously boasted a Group Three placing behind Angel Capital (Harry Angel) in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) before finishing fifth in the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) won by Private Life (Written Tycoon). Racing in the familiar navy blue colours of Coolmore for a syndicate, Public Attention was bought by Tom Magnier for $160,000 from Carlaw Park’s Book 1 yearling draft at Karaka 2023. “I’ve said to the Coolmore boys that he’s a better physical horse this time in,” Price said. “We were nursing a little bit of shin soreness after each run last time in, even after the Caulfield Guineas where he did have every chance, he still pulled up like an immature three-year-old. “We did our best with him last preparation, but he’s a better horse this time in and you saw the benefit of that. “I think the second horse, now gelded, is nearly a Group One horse and I think it is going to be good form. So he goes to the Hobartville (Gr.2, 1400m), into the Randwick Guineas.” Bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, Public Attention is by Written Tycoon and is the first foal out of the twice-winning Commands mare Legramor (NZ), whose dam Katie Lee (Pins) made New Zealand racing history with her unprecedented double in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). “If you have a look at his family, he’s one of Sir Patrick Hogan’s families and it’s a beautiful 1600m New Zealand family, and I think he’s got 1600 written all over him,” Price said. Jockey Chad Schofield nursed the colt around the home corner at his first attempt racing clockwise and was impressed with the feel the colt gave him. “He’s stunning. I loved him since the first time I rode him at track work and then obviously I was really impressed with his two trials,” Schofield said. “He’s just a beautiful colt with a great attitude, great action. He’s lovely to ride and it was great to see him do that today over a distance like that because he’s only going to get better when he gets over further. “He just jumped, put himself on the speed and dropped the bridle as well. I just love the way he flattened out down the straight and was very strong through the line. “He wobbled a little bit around the corner the first time Sydney way, but I just waited for him to gather himself, and then he just kept lengthening really nicely, and he gave me a terrific feel.” View the full article

Australia took the spoils in Saturday’s eagerly anticipated trans-Tasman sprint clash at Te Rapa as Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking) and Bosustow (Blue Point) filled the quinella in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m). The presence of 11-race winner Here To Shock and last-start Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) hero Bosustow added international spice to an elite field of sprinters, which also featured top-flight Kiwi talent such as Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj), Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel), Luberon (NZ) (Embellish), Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) and Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard). But in the end, the local contingent was unable to repel the Australian invasion. Here To Shock broke only fairly from gate eight, but his star Australian jockey Nash Rawiller allowed him to stride forward down Te Rapa’s long back straight and move into second spot on the outside of Savaglee. Free-going mare Babylon Berlin took up her usual front-running role and clearly led the field up to the home turn, when Here To Shock cruised up alongside her. Rawiller turned his mount loose after the 300m mark and the $500,000 race was all over. Here To Shock roared away, opening up a four-length winning margin. Bosustow finished strongly out of the pack to take second in an all-Australian quinella. Standout three-year-old Savaglee was a long head away in a gallant third, with the same margin back to the fourth-placed Waitak. Here To Shock was the only ride at Te Rapa on Saturday for Rawiller, who is easing back into riding after dislocating his shoulder in a fall on the Sunshine Coast in early January. “I’m rapt to come and win a Group One in New Zealand today,” he said. “I’ve had success whenever I’ve come here in the past. “I’ve had a month off with a bad shoulder injury. I’ve tried to do all the right things coming back from that. I just thought he was the perfect horse to come over and kick off on. It puts a smile on your face when they don’t let you down.” Here To Shock has now had 35 starts for 12 wins, seven placings and more than $2.6 million in stakes. He has won three of his five starts as a seven-year-old this season, including the A$1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) and the A$1 million The Supernova (1400m). “I’m a bit blown away by him,” Rawiller said. “He’s shown that he can do that. He’s just racing with so much confidence now and has won some very good races in this preparation. “You sense he could go back to Australia and be very competitive in a Group One while he’s fit and confident and others might still be on their way up. He’s really got his tail up, this horse. He’s turned his career around and he just gives you a lot of confidence going forward.” Here To Shock’s part-owner Rob Slade paid just $70,000 to buy him from Cambridge Stud’s draft at Karaka in 2019. He is trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, who are also lining up a shot at the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie next month with Evaporate. “It’s so special to come here and win this race,” Will Hayes said. “I’m just so proud of the team and everyone back home. This horse presented so well on raceday today and it was a terrific ride by Nash. “It’s my first time here at Te Rapa, but with that long run into the first corner, it gave Here To Shock a nice chance to find his rhythm and get across when he could. He got a bit of cover. He was slightly overdoing it early, but as the race went on, he got more and more comfortable and then gave a good kick at the top of the straight. He was really dominant today. “We picked out this race and came over because we thought he was well placed. It’s good to see the form stand up. He’s replicated that good form from his Supernova win. He’s incredibly consistent. “We can’t thank New Zealand racing enough. With the prize-money on offer, it was a no-brainer to come here today. It was a hit-and-run mission on this race, because we’ve got some plans for him in the autumn in either Melbourne or Sydney. We’ll just space his runs, because we know that works for him. “But we’re looking forward to coming back over again next month with Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto). Let’s hope we can pinch another one.” Both the BCD Group Sprint and Pakenham’s Supernova are legs of the Sport Nation Champion Sprint Series, which concludes with the Gr.3 King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie on March 8. Here To Shock has now earned 10 points, which gives him an equal lead alongside Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) winner Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto). Here To Shock completed an incredible Group One double at Te Rapa on Saturday for Rich Hill Stud stallion Shocking, who also sired the equally dominant Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) winner El Vencedor (NZ). View the full article

Karaka graduate Field Of Play (Deep Field) will be a force to be reckoned with when he contests the Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) in a fortnight after posting a dominant victory in the Gr.3 Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) (1100m) at Caulfield. Prepared by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, the gelded son of Deep Field was a brilliant debut winner in late December and again showed his class and professionalism, proving too strong for his juvenile rivals despite going six weeks between runs. Perfectly ridden by Blake Shinn, Field Of Play sat outside the favourite Aleppo Pine (Blue Point) and once balanced up rounding the home bend, found a good kick to defeat Devil Night (Extreme Choice) by half a length with a further two lengths back to Katsumi Orochi (Maurice) in third. Raced by Patella Express Racing, connections will now happily pay a $55,000 late entry for the Blue Diamond, with the gelding having been originally earmarked for a career in Hong Kong. “It’s an easy decision to make when you’re running around for $2 million,” a jubilant Natalie Young said. “Blake just rode him absolutely fantastic. He actually said, ‘I’ll just ride him like he’s the best horse in the race’, and he did and he got the job done. “It’s a good problem to have you know that you’ll be 55k short when you’re racing for that prizemoney.” Young maintains that Field Of Play will make a better three-year-old and believes he will derive good benefit from the run having not started in six weeks. “In the run I was thinking he won’t have that turn of foot because he’s a lot handier today, but we had to because the favourite was going to be off and gone and we didn’t want to be waiting for it,” she said. Connections of Field Of Play celebrate at Caulfield Photo: Reg Ryan (Racing Photos) “I just thought, once he balanced up and got on the right leg, I knew he’d find another gear and he did today. “It’s great to see, it’s fantastic for Mike and Adele Kneebone, who are a big part of us getting this horse and having him, so it’s fantastic to know that we’re going to be back here in two weeks chasing a Blue Diamond.” Winning jockey Blake Shinn was suitably impressed and is delighted to have the ride on a leading Blue Diamond contender. “He has taken a step forward from Moonee Valley and it is always a bit of unknown coming here to the lead-up to the Blue Diamond, (knowing) where you’re going to sit, but he really put his hand up today,” Shinn said. “Congratulations to Trent and Nat, Mike Kneebone and the whole ownership group. He’s a very exciting horse. He’s got a wonderful constitution and great attitude and that’s holding him in such good stead at this early stage of his career. He is a very exciting horse.” Field Of Play is by three-time champion Hong Kong sire Deep Field and out of a winning I Am Invincible mare. He was sold by Nick and Nicky White’s Kaha Nui Farm in Book 1 of Karaka 2024, where he was knocked down to Jamie Richards and Andrew Williams Bloodstock for $500,000. The horse is managed by New Zealand Bloodstock’s Director of Business Mike Kneebone for a syndicate of Hong Kong owners, and while the Asian Capital was originally the planned racing venue for Field Of Play, his detour to the Cranbourne stable of Busuttin and Young is proving most lucrative. View the full article

Darwin jockey Sonja Logan after sealing victory aboard Crown Waters for trainer and husband Tom Logan at Fannie Bay on Friday. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Fotofinish Racepix) After posting 500 career wins last Sunday in Alice Springs, Darwin jockey Sonja Logan once again took centre stage at Pioneer Park on Saturday. Logan finished with four wins and is now the outright leader in the Alice Springs and Provincial jockeys’ premiership. The 32-year-old, who was the leading rider in the Red Centre during the 2022/23 campaign, has booted home 15 winners this season and leads the way from apprentice Dakota Gillett, with 12 wins, and Paul Denton and Stan Tsaikos, who have 11 wins. In nine NT meetings in 2025, Logan has 14 wins and 11 seconds – it’s also the third time she has picked up four wins for the day in the NT. In 2022, the former Queensland and SA hoop achieved the feat on Day 3 of the Alice Springs and Darwin Cup Carnivals. Logan kicked things off on Saturday when the Lisa Whittle-trained Super Sharp – the $2.50 favourite with online bookmakers – snuck home in his first NT appearance since arriving from SA over 1200m at 0-58 level. Next up was the Dick Leech-trained $2 favourite Cavendish, who was also making his NT debut, with the former NSW galloper finding the early lead before claiming the 1400m maiden by four lengths. Terry Gillett’s $3.80 hope Great Buy, an impressive first-up second over 1200m in open company on January 18, lumped 61.5kg and prevented Paul Gardner’s Zesty Spice from making it four straight wins over 1400m when Logan sealed a narrow win over Kerry Petrick’s Venting at BM76 level. It could not have got any easier for Logan when Ray Viney’s $3 prospect Isolyfe, boasting respectable form since relocating from NSW, led early over 1600m at 0-64 level before winning by 13 lengths. Logan’s mount Realtin, Whittle’s $3.50 chance, finished a close second behind Greg Connor’s $3.30 favourite Bold Tropic over 1200m at 0-58 level. Victorian apprentice Hannah Le Blanc partnered Bold Tropic, while Queensland jockey Brendon Newport made it a winning double for Viney when Little Town Blues marked his NT return with a comfortable win over 1000m in 0-70 grade starting at $12 with Blondebet. Darwin jockey Aaron Sweeney was taken to Alice Springs Hospital for scans on a foot injury suffered when kicked by another horse at the barriers before the second race. Horse racing news View the full article

Emphasize winning at Caulfield. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young trained three-year-old Emphasize has again flagged his staying credentials with a hard-fought victory over older horses at Caulfield. The son of Embellish cruised to victory at Sale in January and was due to step out at Sandown last week, but dislodged his rider on the way to the barriers and was duly scratched. Seven days later the gelding put up a tough performance to loop the field and stave off handy four-year-old Inevitable Award as he posted his second victory from three starts. Stakes targets now beckon the gelding, who was well ridden by Craig Williams after stepping away slowly. “We certainly thought he’d be closer than what he was, but he missed away and Craig sorted the rest out,” Busuttin said. “It was a good tough win. The second horse is a reasonable horse and he hit the front early enough and I thought the second horse was going to get past him but he toughed it out. “He was five weeks between runs and he’s a keen enough going horse.” The Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m) back at Caulfield in a fortnight shapes as the next likely target before a tilt at either the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) or Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) which are both on March 22. Noted as a stable that can train a three-year-old stayer, Busuttin said the Kiwi bred had improved significantly since the spring and patience is being rewarded. “Leading into the spring, he was just a horse,” Busuttin said. “It was time to either race or put him in the paddock and we opted for the latter. “He has come on big time and he can’t do much more than what he has done, so we will see where he is in a couple of months.” Horse racing news View the full article

Tuxedo is all alone at the finish of the Group 2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) A dominant performance in the Group 2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday has thrust Tuxedo into the top echelon of contenders for next month’s Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). Tuxedo had already shown plenty of promise in his four-race career, winning twice including the Group 3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) and finishing second in both of the other two. He chased home Derby favourite Willydoit at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, then returned to the same venue for a runner-up finish behind Damask Rose in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). Those performances had left Tuxedo’s connections tossing up between the Derby and the lucrative new $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), which will be run on the same Champions Day card in Auckland on March 8. But Tuxedo made that decision easier with the way he handled the step up to 2000m on Saturday. Tuxedo settled in third-last for jockey Joe Doyle as Amazing Fluke led for most of the way around the Te Rapa circuit. Doyle swooped around the outside of the field coming up to the home turn, and Tuxedo loomed ominously in fourth coming into the straight. Doyle pushed the button and Tuxedo took command, opening up a winning margin of three and a half lengths despite pricking his ears and running around in the final 100m. 2025 Group 2 Waikato Guineas Replay – Tuxedo https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Te-Rapa-2025-Group-2-Waikato-Guineas-08022025-Tuxedo-Shaune-Ritchie-Colm-Murray-Joe-Doyle.mp4 “I was very impressed,” Doyle said. “In his last couple of runs, we gave him a squeeze early on from good gates and he seemed to travel a bit too strongly. Today he relaxed so well, so I’m sure he’ll give himself every chance of seeing out a Derby trip. “He went straight past them in the straight, then pricked his ears and had a good look around. There’s loads left in him. He’s a very exciting horse. “Opportunities like this don’t come up every day. It’s very exciting to be heading towards a Derby with such a strong chance. “He’s a three-year-old with a lot of class. He’s still a bit unfurnished, but I have no doubt he’ll give people something to shout about in the Derby.” Horse racing betting sites have tightened Tuxedo to $5 in the New Zealand Derby market, sharing second favouritism with stakes-winning filly Hinekaha. Willydoit remains the hot favourite at $2. Tuxedo was a $70,000 purchase from Book 1 of Karaka 2023 by Grant Barnett, who shares ownership along with six others. The promising gelding is trained by Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray and has now earned $465,785 from his five-start, three-win career. “We couldn’t be happier with that,” Murray said. “Joe got him to settle lovely out the back, and then showed a nice turn of foot coming around the bend. He was flicking his ears and looking around in the straight, so there’s a bit left in the tank. “The more racing he’s done, the better he’s relaxing. He settled great in his work during the week, and seeing that performance today makes us very happy. “We’re thinking we want to head to a Derby now. What we do with him between now and then depends on how he pulls up from this. Shaune mentioned that Jimmy Choux went straight to the Derby from the Waikato Guineas. But we’ll sit down with the owners and make a plan.” Second favourite Bourbon Proof filled the runner-up position on Saturday, with another four and a half lengths back to Amazing Fluke and Golden Century. Horse racing news View the full article

Leica Lucy overcame adversity to add the Group 2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic to her winning sequence. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Rising star Leica Lucy had to live right up to her fast-growing reputation at Te Rapa on Saturday, getting herself out of deep trouble in the straight and winning the Group 2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m). The classy daughter of Derryn went into the $275,000 feature as the hottest favourite of the day at $1.30 with horse racing betting sites, having won three of her four starts including dominant recent victories in the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) and Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m). Soon after rounding the home turn at Te Rapa on Saturday, however, Leica Lucy was a long way from a certainty. She enjoyed a comfortable run in fourth along the rail, but then the leaders Wyndsong and Skymax started to slow down in front of her. At the same time, top jockey Michael McNab positioned his mount Top Shelf right next to the favourite and kept her in a pocket. Leica Lucy’s jockey Craig Grylls searched frantically for a way through as time quickly ran out. He zigged and zagged and was shut out of a gap that closed in front of him when Top Shelf strode past Skymax and Wyndsong to take the lead three off the fence. Grylls had to switch back across heels to Top Shelf’s outside with 200m remaining, and then Leica Lucy did the rest. She changed gears and drove past that rival, eventually opening up a comfortable winning margin of 1.75 lengths. 2025 Group 2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic Replay – Leica Lucy https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Te-Rapa-2025-Group-2-David-Karyn-Ellis-Fillies-Classic-08012025-Leica-Lucy-Robbie-Patterson-Craig-Grylls.mp4 “With a horse like her, when you’re not going to be leading, there’s always that danger when you draw inside,” Grylls said. “The ones in front of you start stopping, while others start to improve around the outside of you. I just had to wait for a way through. “Once she got a gap, she probably won even more easily than she did last time. I didn’t have to go for her with the stick. She’s really extended through the line strongly. Going up to 2000m for the first time today, her turn of foot was probably even better than last time. She’s very exciting.” Leica Lucy is raced by her breeders, Heather and Peter Crofskey. During the week, they sold a share in the ownership to prominent Australian investor Ozzie Kheir. It was a case of déjà vu for Kheir, who also bought into Molly Bloom a few days before she won the Fillies’ Classic last year. Trained by Robbie Patterson, Leica Lucy has now had five starts for four wins, a placing and more than $353,000 in stakes. “That was a hard watch today,” Patterson admitted. “I could see that it was going to happen too, when Michael McNab was on our outside. He’s a very good rider and he was going to make things tough. But she just showed her quality. “There was a lot of pressure on before this race, obviously with the sale and Ozzie joining in. He’s been fantastic, and Pete and Heather are great friends and good owners. So there was a lot of pressure going into this, and halfway up the straight it was going all wrong and pear-shaped and I was worried. But, hey, I’ve got a class rider and a class filly. I had complete confidence that she would win today, although there’s a lot of pressure when they’re paying $1.30 in a Group Two. “I’ve just got so much confidence in the horse. I’ve never had a horse that gives me this much confidence. Everything she does is just so professional. She’s just great.” Leica Lucy is now the $2.20 favourite with Neds for the Group 1 Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 22. Patterson said her final lead-up run will be in the Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2000m) at the same venue on March 2. “She’ll go back to Trentham, where she loves the big, roomy track,” the New Plymouth trainer said. “It’s three weeks from today into the Lowland, and another three weeks into the Oaks. After that, she’ll go across to Chris Waller. I might give Chris a ring and give him a bit of advice! But, no, Chris is going to get a lovely filly and I’m just so rapt for the owners.” Horse racing news View the full article

Ciaron Maher‘s Another Wil delivered a thrilling performance to claim the 2025 CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield, denying Mr Brightside a historic back-to-back victory in the season-opening Group 1. The Street Boss gelding, ridden to perfection by Jamie Melham, settled midfield before unleashing a powerful finish to overhaul the reigning champion in a thrilling photo […] The post 2025 CF Orr Stakes Winner Another Wil Beats Mr Brightside appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article