Wandering Eyes

The connections of Our Time are continuing a successful association with the family of the promising four-year-old who has earned an early crack at a major prize at Te Rapa. The lightly raced Peter Lock-trained representative has made an encouraging start to his career to be in line for a share of the $350,000 pot on offer in Saturday’s Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m). The well-related son of Time Test has already showed he has inherited a good measure of the family ability with a course and distance victory at just his third start prior to Christmas. He is a half-brother to the Per Incanto mare Faithful Feat, the winner of seven races including the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint Handicap (1400m) for Lock and breeders Peter Hart and Ian MacDonald, whose colours are also carried by Our Time. “Peter lives in Auckland and Ian lives in Australia and they’ve been with me for a long time, they are great clients,” Lock said. “I’ve also got Faithful Feat’s brother, Mighty Boy, for them and he’s an absolute cracker and just a lovely horse. “He’s a big, strong and laid-back bloke and has got a lot better brain than her, she was very hot but could really gallop.” Their dam is the Snitzel mare On Yer Feet whose half-brother Hiflyer was also trained by Lock and won twice at Group Three level in the Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) and Thomson Handicap (1600m) and finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1600m). Our Time has made an early impression and following an unplaced debut run, finished second before breaking his maiden. “We’ve always had a very high opinion of him and he’s a horse really going places. We do think he’s quite special,” Lock said. “He had his first start at New Plymouth and we got a wet track and that was disappointing. He then ran well at Rotorua before he went to Te Rapa and won impressively. “Kelly Myers got off him and said he was a really, really good horse in the making. “It’s a bit of a nuisance that Kelly can’t ride him as she’s getting married, so we’ve swapped jockeys and got Rory Hutchings and I’m happy to have him on.” Our Time indicated his readiness for Saturday with a trial placing last month in an open 1200m heat at Matamata. “Everything has fallen into place for him, and he trialled really well with a nice third and I took him over to Te Rapa to gallop between races the other day and he’s pulled up well,” Lock said. “It’s in the lap of the Gods now, but it doesn’t look an overly strong line-up of horses so hopefully we can get a slice of it, that would be great. “You don’t get too excited about it in this game though, it can bring you down to earth pretty quickly.” View the full article

A win in Saturday’s $350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m) at Te Rapa on Saturday would be a great tonic for trainer Lynda German, who is currently at her mother’s bedside at Gisborne Hospital. While in Gisborne, Steely Man’s final preparations for the weekend are being overseen by German’s partner, Group One-winning harness racing trainer John Dickie, whose colours are carried by the four-year-old gelding. “John is really happy with him, he has been sending me through reports,” German said. “I am not impressed at all by the draw (14), but aside from that we are really happy with him.” It will be the second race in succession that Steely Man will be chasing a big purse, having finished fifth in the $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie last month, much to the satisfaction of German. “We talked about that race (Aotearoa Classic) and I said to John there’s no way I am going to nominate for that,” she said. “It was really only because they had left the noms open (that we entered him). He didn’t disgrace himself in any way. “It’s great to be racing for that level of prizemoney. What a good time to be involved in New Zealand racing.” German has booked reigning New Zealand Champion Jockey Warren Kennedy for Saturday’s race, for which Steely Man is an $8 equal third favourite with TAB bookmakers, and she is looking forward to seeing how the pair gel this weekend. “Warren is great at being able to rate a horse, just watching the way he rides. I am really pleased to have him on our horse,” she said. German and Dickie have had a great ride with Steely Man to date, with the son of Embellish having won one and placed in four of his six starts, accruing nearly $60,000 in prizemoney, more than recouping the $20,000 Dickie outlaid for him as a weanling. “John has always had a real love for thoroughbred racing. Going right back to the nineties he has had ownership in thoroughbreds,” German said. German, a former apprentice jockey, dabbled in training over the last 15 years, but increased her involvement when the couple moved to Clevedon a few years ago. “I used to ride work for Murray Baker and when we moved to Clevedon, from Cambridge, we started breeding (thoroughbreds). Three-and-a-half years ago we didn’t have anything, and John bought Steely Man at the weanling sale,” German said. Steely Man is currently the only thoroughbred German has in work, and she enjoys varying the gelding’s routine with Dickie’s harness horses. “He has been the thoroughbred amongst the standardbreds,” she said. “We jog him once or twice a week behind one of the standardbreds, which is his slow day, and apart from that I float him each day to Ardmore.” While German won’t be on course on Saturday, she will be tuning into Trackside from Gisborne Hospital with her mother, who has gained a lot of satisfaction in watching her daughter’s pursuits on the track. “I am sure it is helping to keep my mum perked up, she loves following them,” German said. View the full article

Group One performer Sacred Satono will be looking to bounce back to form when he heads to Te Rapa on Saturday to tackle a star-studded line-up in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m). The five-year-old entire was runner-up behind Grail Seeker in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham last month before finishing ninth in the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) at Ellerslie three weeks later in inclement conditions. Grant Cooksley, who trains the son of Satono Aladdin in partnership with Bruce Wallace, has been pleased with the way he has come through that run a fortnight ago, and is hoping he can return to form this weekend. “He is 100 percent,” Cooksley said. “The run was okay, things just didn’t go right for him at Auckland.” Sacred Satono will face a stiff ask this weekend against some staunch opposition, including in-form mare Grail Seeker, Group One performer and last start A$3 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) victor Bosustow and fellow Australian raider Here To Shock, and gun three-year-old Savaglee. “It is a good, even field,” Cooksley said. “It should be a good race. He will be able jump from there (barrier eight) with a bit of speed around him, he will be fine.” The stable will be chasing further Te Rapa riches with Staphanos Queen, who will be vying to take home the lion’s share of the $350,000 purse on offer in the Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m). The four-year-old mare gained a berth in the rich feature with victory at the Hamilton track last week and Cooksley is confident of another bold showing. “She had a nice run and won well,” Cooksley said. “It’s good money to be racing for, it is a race worth being in. She has got a good draw and should go well.” Meanwhile, former stablemate So Naïve will continue his racing career in Australia after joining Ciaron Maher’s New South Wales barn. The three-year-old son of U S Navy Flag was victorious in the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) first-up this season at Ruakaka before finishing runner-up to Savaglee in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). “With the prizemoney in Australia, he was always going there,” Cooksley said. “I am not 100 percent sure what they have got planned.” View the full article

R. Larry Johnson, who put his stamp on the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred industry on racetracks, in breeding sheds, and in boardrooms in Maryland and Virginia, died Feb. 4. He was 78.View the full article

As Brittany Russell sees it, her breakthrough individual accomplishments reflect the strength of her team.View the full article

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Officiated by 1/ST Racing under a new deal which was struck last year with the Maryland Racetrack Operating Authority, this year's 150th running of the GI Preakness Stakes is featured alongside 15 stakes, seven graded races, which will be worth $4.3 million in purse money on Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17 at Pimlico Race Course, the Stronach Group said via a Thursday release. The second oldest of the Triple Crown races, the Preakness will anchor a May 17 program of 10 stakes worth $3.25 million in purses including the GIII Dinner Party Stakes, the GIII Gallorette Stakes and GIII Maryland Sprint Stakes. Other supporting stakes on Preakness Day are the Chick Lang, the Sir Barton, the James Murphy, the Skipat and Jim McKay Turf Sprint. Returning the lineup will also be the GI UAE President Cup for 3-year-old Arabian horses, run at 1 1/16 miles. The 101st running of the GII George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes tops six stakes, three graded, worth $1.05 million in purses on Friday, May 16. The Black-Eyed Susan is joined by the GIII Pimlico Special Stakes and the GIII Miss Preakness Stakes. Also on the traditional Preakness Eve program are the Allaire du Pont Stakes, the Hilltop Stakes, and The Very One Stakes. At the conclusion of Preakness Day, Pimlico will officially close for renovations with the grandstand set to be demolished. The 151st running of the Preakness will take place at Laurel Park in 2026. The post 1/ST Racing Rolls Out Stakes Schedule For Preakness 150 Weekend appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Race 3 RACE A HORSE WITH TE AKAU MAIDEN 3YO 1200m BLUE DENIM GIRL (C Grylls) – Trainer Mr. A Forsman reported to Stewards, BLUE DENIM GIRL, pulled up post-race with mild muscle soreness and has now been sent for a spell. The post Waikato Thoroughbred Racing @ Te Rapa, Thursday 16 January 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 3 FRESH CHOICE GREERTON 1400m RICHARD AND I (M Cartwright) – Trainer Mr. A Forsman advised Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the gelding, however, RICHARD AND I has now been sent for a spell The post Racing Tauranga @ Tauranga, Friday 10 January 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The Sam F. Davis Stakes is a solid first step toward a starting spot in the Kentucky Derby (G1) as it awards 20-10-6-4-2 qualifying points to the top 5 finishers in the 1 1/16-mile stakes.View the full article

Headlined by the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes (G1), middle jewel of the Triple Crown, a total of 16 stakes, eight graded, worth $4.3 million in purses will be contested May 16-17 at Pimlico Race Course.View the full article

When action resumes for the 23rd season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing April 15, a record amount of purse money will be offered for the premier racing schedule at Horseshoe Indianapolis Racing.View the full article

WinStar Farm and CHC's undefeated 3-year-old colt River Thames bounced out of his Feb. 1 allowance optional claiming victory in good order and will have plenty of options moving forward, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher said.View the full article

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher is in the process of making plans for a trio of stable stars which includes the Florida-based River Thames (Maclean's Music), Gate to Wire (Munnings) and Locked (Gun Runner). WinStar Farm and CHC Inc.'s undefeated 3-year-old colt and 'TDN Rising Star' River Thames bounced out of his Feb. 1 optional claiming allowance victory in good order and will have plenty of options moving forward said Pletcher. The New York-bred bay romped by 6 1/2 lengths as the favorite going one mile in 1:36.34 on the undercard of the GIII Holy Bull Stakes, Gulfstream's latest stop in their series which culminates with the GI Florida Derby Mar. 29. Next up is the GII Fountain of Youth Stakes Mar. 1. It would be the first time around two turns for River Thames, who debuted with a 4 3/4-length triumph sprinting six furlongs Jan. 11 at Gulfstream before wheeling back three weeks later. That unveiling is what earned the colt a 'Rising Star' badge. “I was a little concerned about coming back quick off a strong debut,” Pletcher said. “There weren't too many options. There was a mile and an eighth [race] Feb. 27, but we didn't want to wait that long and we didn't want to go from six to mile and an eighth. Other options were to go in the Holy Bull at a mile and a sixteenth or the Sam Davis. When the allowance race going a mile went, it seemed like a good natural progression. “He came back great. I'll talk to [WinStar's] Elliott [Walden] a little bit and see how the horse trains the next couple weeks and come up with a game plan,” he added. “We ran back in three weeks. It gives you four weeks to the Fountain of Youth from that race, eight weeks to the Florida Derby. There's obviously other prep races, as well. We're going to kind of just sit back and see, let him kind of guide us on when we think he wants to run back.” Gate to Wire wins the Swale | Coglianese The situation is similar for Donegal Racing's Gate to Wire, rallying five-length winner of the seven-furlong Swale Stakes for 3-year-olds on the Holy Bull undercard. It was his first race on dirt after trying both turf and synthetic in four prior starts including a second in last fall's GIII Futurity Stakes at Aqueduct. “Same thing, we're weighing all our options,” Pletcher said. “I talked to [Donegal's] Jerry Crawford [Wednesday] and over the next couple weeks we'll decide whether to consider the Fountain of Youth or keep him around one turn one more time. The Gotham is the same day up in New York, and the Tampa Bay Derby is a week later.” Meanwhile, Pletcher said no decision has been made on whether Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm's Grade I-winning millionaire and 'TDN Rising Star' Locked, most recently second in Gulfstream's GI Pegasus World Cup, would run back in the G1 Saudi Cup Feb. 22 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh. “We're just kind of monitoring everything, getting a line on the field, see how he's doing, probably give him a breeze Friday or Saturday. We're still looking at it,” Pletcher said. “It's back in four weeks. We're going to wait as long as we can. We've done everything that we need to do to go if we decide to go.” Pletcher said the GI Santa Anita Handicap Mar. 1 could be a possibility if Locked stays home or a break could be in the offing. The post Pletcher Game Plans For Stable Stars River Thames, Gate to Wire And Locked appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A total of 46 stakes races will be conducted with purse money topping $5.24 million, during what will be the 23rd season at Horseshoe Indianapolis Racing & Casino which opens Apr. 15, according to a press release from the track on Thursday afternoon. “Having a strong premier racing schedule highlighted by our two Graded Stakes, the Indiana Derby and the Indiana Oaks, is a great way to showcase our racing program,” said Vice President and General Manager of Racing Eric Halstrom. “We are excited to extend those events in 2025 with the addition of a few new handicaps featuring some people that are very important to our state's racing history.” The impending racing season will once again be highlighted by Indiana Derby Day Saturday, July 5. The card features eight races with purses of more than $1.1 million, and includes the GIII Indiana Derby and GIII Indiana Oaks. The post Record Purses Offered By Horseshoe Indy As Meet Opens Apr. 15 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It’s the end of another week and that means Friday Night Lights at Addington and Auckland. Both venues will feature eight races starting at 5.35pm and 5.43pm with Lakelsa chasing Group 1 glory at Addington and Nathan Delany hoping to celebrate his 25th birthday in style at Alexandra Park. Lakelsa’s big Group 1 test at Addington By Michael Guerin If Lakelsa wants to become a Group 1 winner at Addington tonight she is going to have to keep improving. The good news for trainer Regan Todd is he thinks she has. The Canterbury mare has been the huge mover in the national mares pacing ranks this summer, having won her last three races including the Group 2 Mares Championship last start over many of her rivals in tonight’s Fahey Fence Hire Breeders Stakes (7.26pm). Lakelsa is a rarity in being a high-class mare who didn’t race until she was four so it is hard to predict where her ceiling is. “She has definitely got better with every run this time in,” says Todd, whose stable is going through a purple patch. “That win last start over most of these mares was really good but she led that night and a few of them had harder runs and some were quite fresh so they might be fitter this week. “We also have some gate speed inside us from Ruby Roe and Mr Kaplan so it won’t be as easy as strolling to the front and winning again. “But she is a good mare and she doesn’t have to lead to win so we have options. “We know she will need to go to a new peak to win this week but there is no reason she can’t.” Lakelsa has been aided by Group 1 winners All You Need Is Me (barrier 9) and Treacherous Baby (2 second line) drawing to settle behind her, although Treacherous Baby might be handy soon after the start. Todd also has Treacherous Gall in tonight’s 2600m mobile and says punters should forget her last start failure in the race Lakelsa won. “She went too bad to be true and I can’t find reason why so I am willing to forgive her but she has drawn wide in a tough race.” Tonight’s meeting not only hosts the Group 1 but sees the return of Muscle Mountain, who hasn’t raced since winning the National Trot at Alexandra Park on New Years Eve. The giant trotter faces only five rivals and three of those are his stablemates so if driver Ben Hope wants Muscle Mountain should be able to stroll to the lead. If he does the multi punters who took the $1.25 opening price should have a relaxing watch. That race, the Summer Free-For-All, is Muscle Mountain’s first step toward the $600,000 TAB Trot slot race at Cambridge on April 4, a race which could crown his career as the open class trotting ranks on both sides of the Tasman go through a post-Just Believe transition. If Todd does win tonight’s Group 1 with Lakelsa it may not be his only major victory for the weekend as his star juvenile pacer of last season Marketplace looks certain to leave tomorrow’s Horse of the Year awards at Addington with a trophy or two. Marketplace will have his first fast workout away from home next week. Delany keen to celebrate 25th birthday in style By Michael Guerin Nathan Delany has already had the best gift he could hope for in 2025 but he still wouldn’t mind that turning into a few bonus birthday wins at Alexandra Park tonight. Delany turns 25 today (Friday) and will be at Alexandra Park where he and new training partner Ray Green have 13 of the 59 starters, including five of the six runners in the first two-year-old race of the season, the NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale 2YO Mobile Pace (6.16pm). “It is very cool being asked to be in a partnership with Ray, especially at my age,” says Delany. “It is a chance to learn a lot and with some lovely horses so I am really enjoying it.” Their domination of tonight’s juvenile race even surpasses, numerically at least, Ross Houghton’s trifecta in the first southern juvenile race at Addington last Friday and Delany says there are two clear standouts. “Lincoln Linda (R2, No.6) has been a natural right from the word go and has won all three of her trials by leading and being too good,” he says. But Angelic Copy (1) has been the big imrpover. She has run second to the other filly in every trial and gets closer every week. “So I think even from the wide draw she will roll forward and be the one to beat but Angelic Copy could push her close late.” The stable start their night with more than 20 per cent of the total runners with Lincoln La Moose and Commander Lincoln in Race 1, the Next Gen : Own The Thrill Amateur Drivers Mobile Pace and Delany favours Lincoln La Moose, who opened at $3.80 with the bookies. “He hasn’t had much luck but I think he will get the right run from the ace,” he told HRNZ. Delany surprises when he opts for the worst drawn of the stable’s trio Commander Lincoln as their best hope in Race 4. “He is in really good form and he is very versatile so if he has any luck he can overcome the draw.” The stable has no runners in Race 5, the Woodlands Stud 2025 Yearling Draft Mobile Pace (7.43pm). It promises to be the highlight of the night as smart three-year-old Rubira makes his northern debut in his first outing since finishing second to Marketplace in the Sires Stakes Final on Cup Day. He has trialled twice in the last fortnight but faces a tricky little field fresh up. Delany and Green wrap up their night with three reps in a strong Race 7, the Alabar Yearlings Selling Karaka 15 Feb Mobile Pace (8.38pm). “All of ours have chances but Debbie Lincoln is a filly who is really improving who we think could end up in an Oaks,” says Delany. View the full article

It all started at the 2022 Kentucky Derby. Kelly Mahoney had the time of his life attending his very first horse race as he watched Rich Strike (Keen Ice) make one of the biggest upsets in Derby history. Afterwards, he called up his business partner Brad Kinsell and uttered that notorious phrase: 'I want to win the Kentucky Derby.' It took some convincing on Mahoney's part, as neither of them had any prior experience or involvement in horse racing, but eventually his friend acquiesced and Victoriam Farm was born. Now less than three years since its inception, the operation already has two stakes winners in Stone Silent (Adios Charlie) and Just a Care (Ire) (Australia {GB}), their stable has grown to 36 horses and they have big plans for Victoriam to make a lasting impact on the sport. Mahoney and Kinsell have been business partners for nearly a decade. Mahoney is involved in property development, building apartment complexes throughout southeast Florida. When Gainesville-based Kinsell became a vendor and investor in Mahoney's business, the two became fast friends. Shortly after Mahoney's excursion to Louisville, he visited Ocala and became so enamored with the horse business that he purchased a farm there. In his quest to start a racing partnership with his friend, Mahoney reminded Kinsell of his connections in the industry, namely David O'Farrell of Ocala Stud. “David's daughter and my daughter play volleyball together,” Kinsell explained. “At first I kind of ignored Kelly. I kept putting him off for about four months. Finally I called Dave and said, 'Listen, my partner really wants to get into the horse business. He bought this farm in Reddick.' When we went to go see Dave he said, 'Man, you really don't want to do this. You could waste money a lot of other ways.' So it took some convincing, but Kelly is a very determined person. When he wants to do something, it's all in.” Kelly Mahoney and Brad Kinsell with Stone Silent after her win in the 2024 Captiva Island Stakes | Coglianese The pair attended their first Keeneland November Sale in 2022 and, with the help of O'Farrell and Upson Downs Farm's Hunter Rankin, came home with a handful of broodmares for the new farm. They returned the next year and bought four more mares including Stone Silent, a stakes winner at two who was also stakes-placed that year at three. Their original plan was to build up a broodmare band and eventually race what they bred, but O'Farrell suggested that Stone Silent might have some racing left in her. They sent their $170,000 purchase to Brian Lynch and in her first start for her new connections–which also marked the debut of Victoriam's racing silks–she claimed the Abundantia Stakes at Gulfstream Park. “We had very low expectations,” recalled Mahoney. “I was just hoping she didn't run last, but she ended up winning the race. The next race was [the Ladies' Turf Sprint Stakes] and I was actually at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas so I didn't go to it. We had a big bunch of people watching from the sportsbook and she wins that race also. David is telling us that this just doesn't happen and we're kind of like, 'We don't know what's going on.' Then for the third race of the series [the Captiva Island Stakes], we brought about 50 people to Gulfstream and sure enough, she won it. She swept the series. After that we were completely hooked and now we have about 36 horses in the program. We're all in now, to say the least.” Stone Silent went on to race two more times for Victoriam, earning graded stakes credit with her third-place effort in the GII Franklin Stakes at Keeneland last fall. She has since retired to Victoriam's fledgling broodmare band and this year will visit Not This Time. Going into last year's Keeneland November Sale, Mahoney was set on finding another Stone Silent. “Dave was telling us, 'Look, that was one in a million. We will look, but don't get your hopes up,'” said Kinsell. “Sure enough, we ran across Just a Care.” Purchased for $200,000, Just a Care already had three wins and a runner-up performance in the Melody of Colors Stakes on her resume. She made her first start for Victoriam a winning one in the Abundantia Stakes, racing five wide around the turn in the five-furlong turf contest and pulling away to win by a length and a half. This weekend, the 5-year-old looks to continue on the same path as her predecessor Stone Silent as she takes on the Ladies' Turf Sprint Stakes. “Brian Lynch loves this horse, maybe more than Stone Silent,” reported Mahoney. “He said she's doing everything he has asked of her so knock on wood, we have high expectations.” Mahoney said that they will have a crew of at least 20 people on hand at Gulfstream on Saturday to watch their latest stable star perform. “The fun thing for me is that this has really galvanized a lot of the guys that work for me,” he said. “They love watching horse racing and the camaraderie around it. I would have never guessed something like construction crews and vendors would all rally behind this.” Stone Silent wins the 2024 Ladies' Turf Sprint Stakes | Lauren King Mahoney and Kinsell have a lot more to look forward to this year with their incoming class of 2-year-olds. They have six juveniles in training at Ocala Stud, including a Maxfield filly purchased at Keeneland September for $290,000 that they are particularly high on. They said they plan to offer one or two 2-year-olds at the upcoming OBS April Sale and race the rest. They are also excited about next year, when the first class of Victoriam Farm-breds reaches the racetrack. The group of current yearlings at Victoriam Farm includes a Justify colt out of Imposition (American Pharoah), one of the first mares that Victoriam purchased back at the 2022 Keeneland November Sale, as well as an Uncle Mo colt out of Victoriam's $300,000 2023 Keeneland November purchase Donnamary (Justify). Their plan is to breed to build up their own racing stable while also selling some of their homebreds. “Growing up my mother liked horses, but that was more like trail horses and had nothing to do with Thoroughbreds or anything like that,” explained Mahoney. “I grew up pretty underprivileged so we certainly didn't have access to things like horses or racing or anything like that. I've had some success in my career, so I've been able to get into some of this stuff. If we didn't have Dave we would just be flying blind. He's a great friend as well, so it's more than just a business connection. Hunter Rankin has really taken us under his wing too. His farm in Kentucky is where most of our mares foal and we have a couple Florida-breds foal at Ocala Stud as well.” He continued, “The funny thing is, we've heard so much negativity about how it's a 'good old boys' game and how you can never break into it, which could be true but I will say that everybody we've encountered has been world class to us. Maybe Dave and Hunter get the credit for that, giving us the stamp of approval amongst circles in the barns. They've maybe validated us to people in the industry where if we were just trying to do this on our own, we would have probably given up a long time ago.” Mahoney and Kinsell will be the first to admit that they have a lot to learn, but so far they've enjoyed the journey of immersing themselves in the industry. “I remember when we went to our first sale,” recalled Kinsell. “We walked in and found Dave. People came up and introduced themselves. They're talking amongst themselves and it literally seemed like a different language. We had no idea what anyone was talking about. I've been in the fire protection business for 27 years and it kind of gets repetitive. For me, it's been a lot of fun with what little I've learned so far, really delving into the specifics and the nuances of the business.” “The other unique thing about both of us is our mothers are super excited and deeply involved,” added Mahoney. “Both of our moms have been to several races. We took them on a mother-son date up to Saratoga last summer, so it's really cool.” And both Mahoney and Kinsell are adamant that, as they continue to grow their stable, everything they do be geared toward building a sustainable business model so that Victoriam Farm can someday become something bigger than just the two of them. “We're doing this for the long haul,” said Kinsell. “The return for us is really in the enjoyment. We're not looking to get a quick return. We're looking to have some fun and build a good program.” “'Victoriam' means victory in Latin,” continued Mahoney. “At the end of the day, that's why we're doing this. We want to breed winning horses, whether it's for us to race or for others to ultimately race. We want to build reputable bloodlines. We're in our mid-forties and we want our grandkids to be able to be in this sector and enjoy racing. Hopefully it will be a legacy for both of us.” The post Racing Newcomer Victoriam Farm Just Getting Started appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are four sophomore fillies of interest for this weekend running at Tokyo and Kyoto Racecourses, with American-breds nicely represented at stakes level: Saturday, February 8, 2025 3rd-KYO, ¥11,850,000 ($78k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1400m RENENET (f, 3, American Pharoah–Family Meeting, by Sky Mesa), a $325,000 Keeneland September acquisition by Dr. Masatake Iida, is set to become the second foal to the races for her dam, winner of the 2015 GIII Jimmy Durante Stakes for owner and breeeder Glen Hill Farm. Family Meeting, a half-sister to SP Consulting (Maclean's Music), is out of a full-sister to dual Grade III winner Closeout (Repriced) and to Grade III winner Capital Request, dam of eight winners from eight starters, including the stakes winners Bio Pro (War Fromt) and Cozzi Capital (Cozzene). O-Masataka Iida; B-Glen Hill Farm (KY); T-Katsunori Tanaka 7th-TOK, ¥15,200,000 ($100k), Allowance, 3yo, 1400m CHIANINA (f, 3, Take Charge Indy–Carpe Solis, by Carpe Diem) validated 3-5 favoritism in graduating narrowly at first asking in her lone racetrack appearance at Kyoto last November. Knocked down for $30,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale, the dark bay was purchased by Katsumi Yoshida for $310,000 at last year's OBS March Sale. The Feb. 9 foal is a maternal granddaughter of 2005 GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Summerly (Summer Squall), whose Brazilian Group 3-placed daughter Allez Marie (Unbridled's Song) is the dam of recent Busanda Stakes winner Running Away (Gun Runner). O-Kazumi Yoshida; B-WinStar Farm LLC (KY); T-Keisuke Miyata 10th-KYO, Elfin S.-Listed, ¥38,000,000 ($250k), 3yo, f, 1600mT WILD 'N' WOOLLY (f, 3, Bernardini–Merino, by More Than Ready) is one of 16 worldwide winners to date from the final crop of her successful sire, having broken her maiden in a single appearance at two as the 9-5 favorite over this course and distance last Nov. 23. The homebred, a half-sister to SP Phileas Fogg (Astern {Aus}), is out of an unraced daughter of Cableknit (Unbridled's Song), a $1.7-million KEESEP yearling purchase by John Ferguson in 2008 who would go on to produce G1 Al Maktoum Challenge – R3 winner Capezzano (Bernardini). The filly's third dam is Sovereign Award winner Silken Cat (Storm Cat), herself the dam of the late champion Speightstown (Gone West) and MGSW/MGISP Irap (Tiznow). O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Ryuji Okubo 2024.11.23 京都競馬第5レース・メイクデビュー京都（芝1600m）のパドック。 ワイルデンウーリー（父：バーナーディニ／母：メリノ、母の母：ケーブルニット）。マル外なので詳しい血統わかりませんが、母と祖母の名から伝わる暖かさよ← 新馬勝ちおめでとうございます。 pic.twitter.com/3RnrXDO4to — et-coquine (@et_coquine0725) November 29, 2024 Sunday, February 9, 2025 11th-KYO, Kisaragi Sho-G3, ¥77.3m ($511k), 3yo, 1800mT ERIKA ENDIVE (f, 3, Oscar Performance–Going Day, by Daylami {Ire}) cost connections $235,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling in 2023, and she began to chip away at that investment when prevailing by a half-length on her course-and-distance unveiling Dec. 8 (see below, SC 10). Nicoma Bloodstock first signed the ticket on dam Going Day for $525,000 on behalf of George Strawbridge at KEESEP in 2004 and again when acquiring the stakes-placed mare for $85,000 in foal to Lonhro (Aus) at Keeneland November in 2014. Erika Endive's granddam Antics (Unbridled) is responsible for dual Eclipse Award winner Covfefe (Into Mischief)–herself the dam of SW Ellen Jay (Constitution)–as well as Japanese MGSW/MG1SP Albiano (Harlan's Holiday), whose daughter Avverare (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) is a Group 3 winner in Japan. The SW & GSP third dam Aurora (Danzig) produced Grade I winners Acoma and Arch, et. al. O-Masahiro Miki; B-P Headley & Nancy Bell & NATO (KY); T-Tatsuya Yoshioka 【きさらぎ賞】エリカアンディーヴ　叩き良化手応え、吉岡師「いい意味でピリッとした」｜WIN!競馬 https://t.co/bZcioqyHDj pic.twitter.com/zmbHVjaG8h — WIN!競馬_総合【公式】 (@winkeiba_dm) February 5, 2025 The post US-Bred Fillies Feature In Weekend Turf Stakes at Kyoto appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

If the countdown on their website is any indication, Colonial Downs can't wait to put on a show come Virginia Derby weekend during an inaugural three-day Spring meet held March 13-15. The New Kent, VA-based track, though known primarily for it's famous Secretariat Turf Course, stands ready to host a new dirt feature on the 'Road to the Kentucky Derby' in the Virginia Derby which will see a field of Triple Crown hopefuls travel 1 1/8 miles with Derby points being awarded to the top five finishers on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale. Previously held on the turf during Colonial's normal summer meet, the Virginia Derby has been won by such names as Champion Grass Horses Kitten's Joy (El Prado {Ire}) and English Channel (Smart Strike) along with three-time Eclipse champion Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat). The 2024 rendition, notably the last Virginia Derby to be held during the summer and on the turf, was won by 'TDN Rising Star' Deterministic (Liam's Map). And while March in Virginia presents its own set of fresh challenges, the team at Colonial Downs is very much business as usual ahead of their new feature weekend. “We're getting our backside ready and getting the race track surface together,” said Churchill Downs's Executive Director of Racing Gary Palmisano. “Typically, we wouldn't start that process until closer to May or June in advance of the July meet. We're going through our traditional pre-meet checklist, just a little bit earlier in the year.” Weeks of temperature swings and bouts of freezing precipitation have no doubt tested the resolve of the Colonial team but Palmisano notes that the outlook for the weekend could not be sunnier. “We're hoping for a nice weekend,” he said. “A lot of it will be weather dependent. A nice weekend would allow the general admission audience to really pour into the apron area. The facility has indoor seating on sale but I think that might actually be completely sold out already. The response within the local community has been very positive.” Of what to expect for fans, Palmisano added: “The team there is working very hard on trying to elevate the experience the best that we can [for the audience]. At the last [GI Arlington] Million, we had skydivers and the national anthem and people greeting you with all the bells and whistles that we can possibly come up with. It's a big day for the state of Virginia and for Churchill Downs and we intend to put our best foot forward.” With an entertained crowd secured, Palmisano's next main task at hand was making sure horsemen around the country marked March 13-15 on their calendars. “We're doing a lot of hand-to-hand combat with the horsemen and recruiting, just ensuring that everyone around the country is aware of this new meet which is not in their usual rotation,” he added. “It's a lot of activity and a lot of excitement on our end.” And while the weekend will feature only dirt races in a stark contrast to the traditional summer turf dominance, Palmisano hopes that future Spring meets could see the Secretariat course in action. “We wanted to crawl before we walk,” he said. “That's something we could look at in the future. It would require some additional legwork but this [first weekend] allows us to get our feet under us for a year and learn about the climate. To look at see if there's any way down the road to possibly bring in the turf.” Of note, Colonial's annual summer meet was extended this year from 27 days to 44 with the track picking up an additional day of racing on Wednesdays. Palmisano noted that this was due in large part to the Commonwealth's partnership with a new racing entity in neighboring Maryland. “They're [the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority] going to pause racing in Maryland during Colonial's meet,” Palmisano continued. “We've been hyper focused on working with them to create a Mid-Atlantic circuit that works for all of the horsemen in that region.” Palmisano said he'd seen a positive response from the horsemen in Maryland for the move. “Everyone's working together and we're talking about things like stakes races and the potential for, down the road, Maryland and Virginia-bred stakes opportunities while either track is racing. There's a good spirit of collaboration and we're working closely with all the different entities and stakeholders to try and ensure that they've got racing going year-round.” And while the future of racing is murky in states like Florida and California, Palmisano was quick to express confidence for Virginia. “We're very excited about Virginia–the growth we've had, even just from last year,” he said. “We intend to get up to 50 days of racing in 2026 and continuing to move the ball forward there with the folks on the ground in the Commonwealth, both within our team and in the legislative community. They have the Virginia-certified program, which I gave a lot of credit to the [Virginia Equine Alliance] for organizing. And I think that program has gone even better than they would have ever dreamed even just in the last couple of years. We look forward to continuing to lean into that program which helps all the horsemen in Virginia. [The Commonwealth] is an exciting opportunity for us as an industry and we wouldn't be more excited about the growth of racing in Virginia.” The post Confidence Soars In Mid-Atlantic Racing As Virginia Derby Highlights A New Stop On The ‘Road To The Kentucky Derby’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are seven horse racing meetings set for Australia on Friday, February 7. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Canterbury, Hobart and Moonee Valley. Friday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – February 7, 2025 Canterbury Racing Tips Hobart Racing Tips Moonee Valley 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 7, 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

by Bill Finley and Dan Ross Throughout his campaign, President Donald Trump vowed to crack down on illegal immigrants, a promise he has kept during the first few weeks of his new administration. That has created much uncertainly on the backstretches of the nation's racetracks and at the horse farms spread across the country, both of which rely heavily on foreign labor. Should the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) set its sights on racing and start deporting backstretch employees that would mean a major crisis for a sport. A former Republican Congressman who represented Palm Beach County in Florida, Tom Rooney is currently the President and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. He understands why Trump's re-election has many in the industry frighted. But while Rooney acknowledged that Trump can be hard to read, he also said that he doesn't see the President focusing his attention on the horse racing and breeding industries. “I wouldn't say there's nothing to be worried about, but certainly the focus right now is on people who are here illegally without any kind of worker permit, like an H2-B or H-2A visas,” he said. “We certainly can't afford a labor shortage. That is for sure.” There's no telling how many backstretch workers are in this country illegally, but thousands are here working under visa programs designed to allow certain industries–horse racing among them–to hire foreign workers to do jobs most Americans are unwilling to do. An H-2B visa is a visa that allows foreign nationals to work temporarily in the United States in non-agricultural jobs, which racing falls under. Backstretch workers here under the H-2B program are, presumably, protected and won't be deported. There is a cap on how many H-2B visa can be issued in a year. Traditionally, the number has been around 66,000, a portion of which goes to the racing industry. There is also a H-2A visa that is used for agricultural employees, including those who work at horse farms. There is no annual cap on the number of H-2A visas that can be issued. Ken McPeek | Tod Marks “We utilize the H-2B at the racetrack and H-2A program at our farms,” said trainer Kenny McPeek. “They are vital to the functioning of our operation. I really don't see any of that changing or anyone coming in and ending the H-2B program. Because there is so much work to be done on a daily basis, I think they've increased the number of visas available over the years. I don't think my employees are worried at all.” Another trainer, who asked that his name not be used, will only hire workers he has researched on a government website called E-Verify.com. The website cross checks several other government websites, like those of the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration, to verify whether or not the prospective employee is in the country legally. “We're good,” the trainer said. “Especially now in Florida, we have to jump through a lot of hoops, so we have to E-Verify everyone. I'm sure not all trainers are that way. There are a lot of places that have a lot of players that cannot E-Verify. In Florida, if you have, I want to say 20 or more employees, you have to E-Verify everyone and our office has been doing that for a long time. If they can't be E-Verified we won't hire them.” Rooney points out that Trump himself has relied on the H-2B program to hire employees at some of his golf clubs, resorts and hotels. “Remember, this is a guy who owns hotels, golf courses and restaurants and relies on a lot of migrant labor,” Rooney said. “He works in an industry, hospitality, that relies on a very similar population as horse racing does. I think he sees the need for certain type of labor that can only be gained through these visa programs. If anybody understands who these populations are and where they come from it is Trump. Instead, I can see him being hard on people who are illegals and have committed crimes. That is the low hanging fruit, and he will go after that. “I think at this point they are looking at people who are in this country who have committed subsequent crimes. That could include some people who work on the backstretch or at the farm. But the idea of Trump 'Okay-ing' a massive round up at a place like a racetrack or any kind of farm or factory seems unlikely to me. I am basing this on his first administration. There were a couple of times where he went to a chicken plant or something like that. He did that once or twice and that was it. To single out people who are working and don't have any other blemishes on his record, I don't see that.” Dale Romans said that to the best of his knowledge all of his employees have H-2B visa. He hopes that instead of cutting back on the number of these visas it issues that the federal government will realize making even more H-2B's available will help solve some of the problems. “I hope everything is going to be fine,” Romans said. “The industry can't survive without immigrant workers. The biggest problem is the H-2B visas. Those are the only ones that fit us and it's only a 10-month visa. They make it very difficult to get and it's very expensive and there is a lot of paperwork. If there was an easier system to get a better visa it would sure make life a lot easier. If we had that we wouldn't have immigrants who are illegal working here.” Romans can afford to pay for the visas for his employees, but believes some smaller trainers may not be able to do so. “It is costly and the trainer has to pay all the expenses,” he said. “I don't know how smaller trainers can afford to get the visas. I have had a lot of people, including grooms and hotwalkers, who I don't even know, ask me what I think is going to happen. Are they going to be okay? I really don't know what to tell them. I tell them to just hang in there for now.” Oscar de la Torre, a labor advocate who works extensively with the backstretch community in California, confirms that many backstretch workers in California are scared and are looking for assurances that they will not deported. He said that ICE's focus on other industries in the state have put the immigrant community at large on high alert. No racetrack backstretches have proven a target of border patrol or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as yet, but there have been raids in other industries. A groom at work on the backstretch | Sarah Andrew “They've expanded the target, and they've expanded the fear and the anxiety in the immigrant community,” said de la Torre, about the new administration's approach.” Indeed last month, immigration raids in the Central Valley town of Bakersfield reportedly led to a significant dearth of farm workers showing up to pick fruit and vegetables in the nation's breadbasket. “A lot of these workers are very close and word travels fast. If they have a cousin in Bakersfield and he was harassed, they're going to hear about it in Arcadia or anywhere else,” said de la Torre. Will Velie, an immigration attorney with many clients in horse racing, said he too is unaware of any targeted backstretch immigration raids around the country. But he added that all horse disciplines are likely being impacted in some fashion. “I'm hearing stuff from all four corners of the country, but I can't tell how much is rumor and how much is fact,” said Velie. “It's hard to say exactly what's going on at the moment.” Among some of the anecdotes relayed back to Velie just this week, he said, are stories of checkpoints being set up close to a Thoroughbred farm near Lexington, a horse trainer in Texas who told him several local tire companies had suddenly closed due to immigrations raids, and a Harness racing farm in Kentucky where the workers are too terrified to leave the property for fear of being picked up. “As long as they're on private property at this time, I think they're fine. I think when they leave, especially if they don't have a driver's license, they're very vulnerable,” said Velie, adding that the Trump administration has widened the net by which undocumented workers who have a brush with the law are then pulled in for deportation proceedings. “The way it's working now is that they're driving, they get pulled over, they don't have a driver's license, they get taken in and they get picked up by ICE,” said Velie. “Everybody's a priority now, and anybody who comes into contact with them are going to be put into proceedings.” With this in mind, both de la Torre and Velie stressed the importance for racing's immigrant community to understand their rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution, as outlined under these popular “Red Cards.” Furthermore, while law enforcement officers will sometimes try to use an “Administrative Warrant” to enter a private property, said Velie, they can only do so if they have a “Judicial Warrant.” “The way you can tell the difference is if it says, 'Department of Homeland Security,' it's an administrative warrant. If it says something like, 'Judicial District of Northern Kentucky, United States Court,' then it's an official judge's warrant,” said Velie. “While I should be fine, my hope is that this is all about cleaning up the trash and nothing else” said the trainer who uses the E-Verify website. “Let them go after the real bad guys. That's fine. But not the people who are here legally and working so hard and have done nothing wrong. That would be crippling for the sport.” The post NTRA’s Rooney Confident Trump Will Leave Backstretches And Farms Alone But Fear Still Widespread Within The Sport appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Michael Willman, a former publicity director who worked at Santa Anita Park for nearly two decades, has sued the racetrack, its ownership, and several management executives, alleging that he was fired in March 2024 under the pretext of using inappropriate language when making an off-color joke to a subordinate, but that the “real reason” he was terminated was for refusing to participate in a purported cover-up of alleged mismanagement following a series of highly publicized horse fatalities that occurred at Santa Anita in 2019. According to the civil complaint filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Willman is seeking compensatory and punitive damages against Santa Anita and its owner, The Stronach Group (TSG). Specifically named as defendants are Belinda Stronach (TSG's chairman, chief executive officer and president), Aidan Butler (the chief executive officer of TSG's 1/ST Racing and Gaming), and Amy Zimmerman (the senior vice president and executive producer for the media team). Willman, 67, wants a jury trial and is suing for damages related to “lost employment income and benefits” and for “pain and suffering.” Willman's lawsuit summarized his allegations: “[Willman] was and had been the main point of contact for all the news organizations that were following the tragic surge in horse fatalities that erupted in 2019 and continued thereafter. As the evidence will show, Plaintiff's career was ended because Defendants knew he wouldn't lie or mislead the public, the regulators or the District Attorney of Los Angeles County, and defendants assumed, falsely, that at his age, they could destroy his career and his credibility and he wouldn't be able to fight back,” the complaint stated. “Plaintiff, as a long-term employee who was loyal to the defendants, resisted those attempts to put out false narratives to deflect responsibility for the horse deaths. Plaintiff believed it was his legal duty to tell the truth or face possible prosecution for deliberately misleading government regulators, investigators and the public trust,” the complaint stated. “Defendants directly and indirectly instructed Plaintiff to mislead government investigators, regulators and the public about what was really going on and at a minimum confuse and obfuscate so that the public would never find out the reasons why so many horses were dying,” the complaint stated. “Defendants' attitude towards Plaintiff changed when Mercury Crisis Management was brought in by defendants to quarterback messaging in March of 2019,” the complaint stated. Following a 2020 shutdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic, when operations began again, “Plaintiff noticed a definite change of attitude from his superiors. They began looking for a justification to undermine his credibility and then to fire him,” the complaint stated. On Mar. 5, 2024, Willman's suit stated, he was placed on administrative leave after a subordinate complained that he had made an off-color joke that offended the subordinate. Seventeen days later, the lawsuit contended, Willman was “wrongfully” terminated for using the off-color language, and he was further accused “of using a derogatory term in reference to another Santa Anita executive” in a private conversation. “The proffered justification for terminating Plaintiff's employment was completely pretextual and done to retaliate against Plaintiff and to destroy his credibility by then being able to claim he was a 'disgruntled' bad former employee,” the complaint stated. “In doing the things herein alleged, the individual defendants acting for and on behalf of the corporate defendants, and with their full power and authority, acted with malice, fraud and oppression to defame and destroy Plaintiff's reputation and career doing everything in their power to make it as difficult as possible for Plaintiff to survive,” the complaint stated. “They even attempted to prevent Plaintiff from receiving Unemployment Insurance benefits.” The defendants in the lawsuit have not yet filed a written legal response to tell their side of the story. In response to a request for comment, Zimmerman told TDN that, “I welcome the opportunity to have the truth come out in the appropriate setting and at the appropriate time.” According to the court docket, the next scheduled action is an Apr. 17 case management conference. The post Former PR Director Sues Santa Anita For Alleged Wrongful Firing Related To 2019 Horse Deaths Crisis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Moyglare Stud provided the jewels in the crown of the Goffs February Sale when two well-bred colts by hot stallions Blue Point (Ire) and Study Of Man (Ire) sold for a combined €415,000, which accounted for just over 10 per cent of the entire turnover at Kildare Paddocks this week. It was the Blue Point colt out of Dansili (GB) mare Tina Angelina (Ire) who commanded a sale-topping €250,000 when selling to Tally-Ho Stud while Matt Coleman–signing under The Investors–landed the Study Of Man for €165,000. All told, the turnover for the Goffs February Sale climbed 25% to €3,857,500 while the average was up 40% to €18,026. Meanwhile, the median climbed 25% to €10,000 and the clearance rate also rose by 2% to 67%. “They were two lovely foals,” is how Moyglare Stud's Fiona Craig summed up lots 266 and 267. “The lads at home did a great job on them during the winter. We had eight here in November and they all sold great, but the Blue Point was an April foal and looked a bit loose, and the Study Of Man was not quite big enough, so we decided to bring them here. They have stood out.” Tina Angelina is a full-sister to Carla Bianca (Ire), who won two Group 3 races when in training with Dermot Weld. She has already produced a black-type performer in Emilie Gray (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and is from the family of Moyglare's Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Meanwhile, the Study Of Man colt hails from Dark Angel (Ire) mare Titanium Sky (Ire), who placed at Listed level and has already produced a Group performer in Sparkling Sea (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). “We need to get our numbers down and hence the last couple of years we have been selling colt foals,” Craig continued. “We can't sell yearlings; no one wants yearlings from us. The buyers have now learned that we are selling them and not buying them back. They have worked out that we are not valuing them, we are not putting on silly reserves and they are here to be sold.” Craig added, “I greatly appreciate the buyers, because it was such a struggle for a long time. Now they have worked out that we are selling them and that they are nice horses. If they had made a hundred [thousand] each, I'd have been doing handstands. One was a £12,500 stud fee and the other, at the time, a €35,000 fee. “The easiest way for us to get the numbers down is to sell colt foals. We had too many horses–we built up during Covid. We will sell some next November, and probably the November after that, and then we will be down to about the right number. These are nice foals, and typical of what we have in the fields at home. We kept about five colts and they will be divided up, and kept all the fillies.” Plans for the Blue Point remain somewhat up in the air with Tally-Ho boss Tony O'Callaghan simply saying, “We'll take him home and see what happens. We've plenty of options and he is a nice foal who came from a very good home.” Meanwhile, Roger O'Callaghan confirmed himself a big fan of the stallion, who of course is the sire of Tally-Ho Stud's newbie Big Evs (Ire). He also went on to hint that the family have one or two nice breeze-up prospects by the stallion in their care. He said, “We've had a bit of luck with his Dad [Blue Point] and we like him. I'd say we might have a bit more luck with him [Blue Point], too, in April [at the breeze-ups].” The Study Of Man colt was described by Coleman as “the best-looking weanling” in the sale. He said, “I have a lot of respect for Study Of Man as a stallion, a sire that has been doing it the hard way. He has not had a lot of runners on the track, and he has obviously got quality stakes horses, and I think he is a stallion who will do better and better over the coming years. “He has Kalpana as his star filly who will be running in a lot og Group 1s this season, and will be his flagship. He is a good son of Deep Impact.” Coleman added, “I thought he was the best looking weanling here over the two days. Moyglare needs no introduction as a nursery to raise good racehorses, and the dam is black-type, Sparkling Sea [half-sister] is black-type. So he has all the ingredients to be a good racehorse in the future. He is going back to the UK and then I will speak to the client. I am not sure what his plans are. He was a horse I highlighted yesterday and the one we targeted. Delighted we got and and as always he made the max of what we wanted to give for him, but that is always the way.” Despite kicking off 2025 in a hugely positive fashion, Goffs chief executive Henry Beeby once again paid tribute to His Highness The Aga Khan, who died this week at the age of 88, in his chairman's statements. Beeby also put the good trade into context when offering his prayers for jockey Michael O'Sullivan, who was airlifted to hospital following a fall at Thurles on Thursday. Beeby said, “Goffs February invariably kicks off the year at Kildare Paddocks in a most positive vein and 2025 is no exception. We have welcomed a huge and diverse contingent of buyers from home and abroad who have contributed to two days of strength and depth to confirm the sale as the clear market leader at this time of year. Indeed, the top seven weanlings (nine of the top 10) and the highest priced mares this winter (eight of the top 10) clearly illustrate the enduring appeal of this event leading one leading vendor to state “Why would I sell anywhere else as they make more money here!?”. These results continue the trends at superb renewals of our recent November and December NH Sales, both also market leaders in their own right. “It is fair to say though that trade has proved selective so those that held the most appeal were harder than ever to buy but the market was unforgiving if there were any perceived weaknesses in individual or pedigree. Such is the global bloodstock market at the moment.” He added, “As ever, we are indebted to every vendor for every entry as we are nothing without their horses whilst it is always a pleasure to welcome all our purchasers. It is gratifying that so many enjoy the unrivalled customer experience the Goffs team and ITM provide each time and that brought buyers from the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Libya, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, USA and, of course, the UK and Ireland. “Whilst the business of the day can be all consuming, we have been at least partly distracted by events at Thurles this afternoon. Michael O'Sullivan is a friend to many of the team here and he is in our prayers. “Finally, we repeat our sincere condolences to the family of His Highness the Aga Khan who will be mourned by so many, not least all of us at Goffs. Not only was he our largest shareholder for many years, but he was also a source of much sage advice, wholehearted support and enormous encouragement to us especially in tougher times when his personal backing was so vital to the Company. Many words have been written and spoken since the sad news came through, but I suggest one word probably sums him up as much as any: Inspirational.” The post Moyglare’s Blue Point Colt Heads Goffs February Sale At 250k To Tally-Ho Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A strong performance by local hopeful Naughty Rascal in the Feb. 8 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs could result in the colt advancing to the track's annual showcase event, the March 8 Tampa Bay Derby (G3).View the full article

Three wildcards have been added to the catalogue for the Arqana February Mixed Sale, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, February 12. The three additions include three-year-old filly Alpine Beauty (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who will be offered by Nicolas Clement as lot 190. The unraced Alpine Beauty is out of the winning Sadler's Wells mare Arosa (Ire), a full-sister to the Group winners Crimson Tide (Ire) and Tamarind (Ire). Arosa is the dam of four winners from eight runners to date, including the G1 Prix Royal-Oak hero Technician (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). Anne-Sophie Pacault's Pique Dame (Fr) (Night Wish {Ger}) will go under the hammer as lot 270 following her victory over hurdles at Pau last week, while Christophe Ferland will offer Scent Of A Woman (Ire) (Sottsass {Fr}) as lot 275. The three-year-old Scent Of A Woman became the fifth winner from seven runners out of the G3 Prix de Flore heroine Albisola (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) when gaining her first career success at Deauville last month. The post Three Wildcards Added to Arqana February Mixed Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article