Wandering Eyes

Few breeding operations can boast two Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winners among the broodmare band but Juddmonte Farms has both Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}), with the former set for a trip to France to be covered by Siyouni (Fr) this season. Bluestocking, the champion older mare in Europe last year, will stay closer to home to visit Dubawi (Ire), while her dam Emulous (GB) (Dansili {GB}) will return to Camelot. Among Juddmonte's newly retired mares set to visit Frankel are Whitebeam (GB) (Caravaggio), twice a winner of the GI Diana Stakes at Saratoga, Group 2 winner Matilda Picotte (Ire) (Sioux Nation), Group 3 winner Ottery (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), and Calyx's Listed-winning sister Coppice (GB) (Kingman {GB}). Frankel's 2025 book also includes the Group winners and producers Pavlosk (dam of Babouche), Agave (GB), Bird Flown (GB), Brostaigh (Ire), Juliet Sierra (GB), Nay Lady Nay (Ire), Proviso (GB), Repose, Shutter Speed (GB), Special Duty, Teona (GB), Viadera (GB), Zarinsk (GB), and Zatsfine (GB). Kingman (GB) is set to cover Time Lock (GB) (Frankel {GB}), from the same family as promising Kingman colt Cosmic Year (GB), and Wendla (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), a Group 3-winning daughter of Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Intercontinental (GB). Also booked to Kingman this year are Calyx's dam Helleborine (GB), Dandhu (Ire), Hot Snap (GB), Isabella Giles (Ire), Soffia (Ire) and Scintilating, the dam of Royal Ascot winner Fairy Godmother (Ire). The second book of mares for Chaldean (GB) will include Group 1 producers Kilo Alpha (GB) (dam of Juliet Foxtrot), Nimble Thimble (GB) (dam of Quadrilateral), Sacred Shield (GB) (dam of Viadera), Scuffle (GB) (dam of Logician), and Sleep Walk (GB) (dam of Whitebeam). He will also cover Group producers Flare Of Firelight and Principal Role, and Group winners Announce (GB), Grand Jete (GB), and Suffused (GB). Other key matings for Juddmonte's Group winners or producers include: Obligate, dam of Lead Artist, and Sun Maiden (GB) visiting Too Darn Hot. Shared Account, dam of three stakes winners, including Better Together, and Natavia (GB), dam of Haskoy, visiting Lope De Vega (Ire). Fount (GB) and Group-winning sprinter Sacred Bridge (GB) visiting Blue Point (Ire). Lucky Kristale (GB) to Charyn (Ire). Haskoy (GB) to Dubawi. Exemplify (GB) and Pocket Square (GB) to Mehmas (Ire). Gaining (GB), dam of unbeaten New Ground (GB), returning to New Bay (GB). Acanella (GB) to Night Of Thunder (Ire). Joyeuse (GB) to No Nay Never. Romantica (GB) to Study Of Man (Ire). Quadrilateral (GB) and Chiasma (GB), a sister to Frankel, to Wootton Bassett (GB). The post Juddmonte Reveal Matings for Enable and Bluestocking 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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The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) is set to host its annual KEEP Day at the Capitol on Thursday, February 13, 2025, in Frankfort, Kentucky. This event serves as an opportunity for horse industry leaders, participants, and supporters to connect with legislators and highlight the critical role that Kentucky's signature industry plays in communities across the Commonwealth. The event will be held from 9 a.m. 10:45 a.m. in the House Caucus Room (Room 346) in the Capitol Annex. Attendees will hear from prominent decision-makers in Frankfort, meet with legislators, and get a preview of the KEEP Foundation's upcoming media campaign, which will showcase the impact of Kentucky's horse industry and the people behind its success. “Kentucky's horse industry is not only a vital part of our economy but also an essential piece of our cultural heritage,” said Will Glasscock, KEEP Executive Director. “KEEP Day at the Capitol gives KEEP members and supporters an opportunity to engage directly with lawmakers to ensure that policies continue to support the growth and success of the industry and its positive impact across the state.” To attend KEEP Day at the Capitol, please RSVP by emailing brittany@horseswork.com. The post KEEP Day at the Capitol Set for February 13 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Foals from William Kennedy and John Wall's Stanley Lodge Stud in Cashel, County Tipperary were all the rage at Goffs last November, with six of the 17 offered selling for a six-figure sum, headed by the Mehmas (Ire) colt out of Ripponette (Fr) who went the way of Lynn Lodge Stud for €270,000. Here, Kennedy discusses mating plans for a selection of his mares in 2025. PARAPHERNALIA (Ire), 18, Dalakhani (Ire)–Vassiana (Fr), by Anabaa. To be bred to Blue Point (Ire) She will visit Blue Point. Nick Cope, our farm manager, loves the stallion. Shamardal over this mare works and physically he will match well. The mare is now producing runners and sales horses. We'd love a filly from the mating. HOLY SALT (GB), 15, Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)–Via Saleria (Ire), by Arazi. To be bred to Lope De Vega (Ire) We are sending her to Lope De Vega. They are a good match physically. There's lots going on in the family and she's deserving of a cover like Lope De Vega. One Look remains in training with Paddy Twomey and, hopefully, he can continue the great work with her. POLLYANA (Ire), 16, Whipper–Shamah (GB), by Unfuwain. To be confirmed Benevento (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), her two-year-old last year, has delivered on the promise of a couple of her earlier foals. He will hopefully have a strong 2025 for connections. If she isn't too late foaling, we'd like to go to Night Of Thunder (Ire). PURE ART (GB), 12, Dutch Art (GB)–Pure Song (GB), by Singspiel (Ire). To be bred to Lope De Vega (Ire) She will visit Lope De Vega who is a good match for her physically. Stanhope Gardens (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) showed a lot of class last year in the Autumn Stakes and, hopefully, he can go on to better things in 2025. QUICKSTEP GIRL (Ire), 7, New Bay (GB)–Paraphernalia (Ire), by Dalakhani (Ire). To be bred to Look De Vega (Fr) She is a homebred mare who performed well on the track with Jerome Reynier. She will visit Look De Vega who, again, is a good physical match for her. She had a lovely first foal last year who looks a racehorse to me. SAGAMI, 13, Street Cry (Ire)–Special Delivery (Ire), by Danehill. To be bred to Gleneagles (Ire) She started her career in very promising fashion producing Raven's Cry (Ire) (Raven's Pass). Her Night of Thunder filly is getting going in Australia. Hopefully, she will progress nicely for connections. She will go to Gleneagles who we rate highly. RIPPONETTE (Fr), 7, Le Havre (Ire)–Reine Zao (Fr), by Alzao. To be bred to Mehmas (Ire) This mare will return to Mehmas as a result of the strong sale of her Mehmas foal last November. He is a grand horse. There's no point in overcomplicating mating plans for her! SILBERPFEIL (Ire), 9, Clodovil (Ire)–Qenaa (GB), by Royal Applause (GB). To be bred to New Bay (GB) A homebred who has started off her new career well, with her first runner finishing placed on his only start. She also produced a lovely Havana Grey (GB) colt who we sold last November. She will visit New Bay who is a stallion we like to use. VENUS DE MEDICI (Ire), 12, Duke Of Marmalade (Ire)–Inchmahome (GB), by Galileo (Ire). To be bred to Lucky Vega (Ire) She's a homebred mare and a full-sister to Venus De Milo (Ire). She's also a half-sister to What A Home (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), the dam of The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). She will visit Lucky Vega, who is a good physical match for her and a horse going well so far. PRETTY SWEET (Ire), 7, Iffraaj (GB)–Majenta (Ire), by Marju (Ire). To be bred to New Bay (GB) We lost her first foal last year which was a big disappointment as he was nice. She has a Mehmas at foot and will visit New Bay. She is a mare getting a great chance with her early covers. QENAA (GB), 17, Royal Applause (GB)–In The Woods (GB), by You And I. To be bred to Space Blues (Ire) She's a mare I acquired inexpensively. She didn't do anything for the first couple of years after purchase when she didn't cycle, but our vet, Tom Burn, eventually got her going and she has produced two stakes winners inexpensively. She will visit Space Blues, who is a good match physically and is getting good reports about his early breakers. CORKY (Ire), 6, Fastnet Rock (Aus)–Pure Art (GB), by Dutch Art (GB). To be bred to Ghaiyyath (Ire) A dual-winning half-sister to Stanhope Gardens. A friend of ours has a leg in this filly with us and we all agreed to keep it simple. She will go to Ghaiyyath. The post 2025 Mating Plans: Stanley Lodge Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last year's Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly (Ire) will be trained by James Owen when he returns to action as a four-year-old, the Racing Post reported on Thursday. The son of Gleneagles (Ire) was saddled by fellow Newmarket trainer James Fanshawe when he chased home City Of Troy (Justify) at Epsom last June, having previously announced himself as a serious Classic contender when he won the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes by four and a half lengths. He later finished third in the Irish Derby at the Curragh, before failing to reproduce his best form when down the field on his final two starts of 2024. “Ambiente Friendly is still a long way off a run,” Tim Gredley, whose family own the colt, told David Milnes of the Racing Post. “The team at Stetchworth [Park Stud] did a great job with him over the winter. It will be interesting to try something different with him.” The post James Owen Revealed as New Trainer of Ambiente Friendly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There’s a familiar face at the top of the riding ranks, the race for the trainers’ title is wide open and the Horse of the Year battle could be the most even in years.View the full article

What CF Orr Stakes Day 2025 Where Caulfield Racecourse – Gate 2, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145 When Saturday, February 8, 2025 First Race 12:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble A massive 10-race meeting awaits punters at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday afternoon, with the 101st running of the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) headlining proceedings. The Blue Diamond Preludes and several other Group 3 events make for a strong support card, with perfect conditions set to accompany the quality horseflesh on display. The track will be a Good 4 with no rain forecast leading into the meeting, and with the rail in its true position, there will be no excuses for fancied runner throughout the day. CF Orr Stakes Day 2025 is set to commence at 12:15pm AEDT, and below you will find our free Caulfield betting tips for the meeting. Race 1: BM74 Handicap (1600m) Liberami caught the eye when finishing second at Sandown last time out, hitting the line strongly from the rear of the field in a race dominated by on-pace runners. The four-year-old gelding was finishing better than anyone else, and the step up to the mile third-up looks ideal. The son of Turn Me Loose is already a winner when third-up in his career, and if the breaks go his way, Liberami can overhaul his rivals in the Caulfield opener. Selections: 9 LIBERAMI 1 ONE LONG DAY 6 BUR DUBAI 2 HE’S BESET Race 2: BM70 Handicap (2000m) Emphasize was levels above maiden grade when winning by four lengths at Sale on January 9 over 1717m. The three-year-old gelding was forced to work for the first half of the race to find a spot close to the speed, and despite seemingly using up some carrots, the son of Embellish still had plenty left in reserve. He will gain a perfect run in transit from barrier two under Craig Williams, and if he gets a gap at the right time, Emphasize should prove too good once again. Selections: 10 EMPHASIZE 7 INEVITABLE AWARD 3 PERFECT PLAY 8 MANNERHEIM Next Best Race 2 – #10 Emphasize (2) 3yo Gelding | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: Craig Williams (54.5kg) Race 3: BM100 Handicap (2000m) Speycaster was not suited to the sit-and-sprint race at Flemington over 1600m when resuming on January 18, but the six-year-old gelding was hitting the line strongly to suggest the 2000m will suit him second-up. Beau Mertens will have the son of Highland Reel doing as he pleases towards the rear of the field once again, but with Berkshire Breeze set to make this a genuinely run affair, the race sets sets up perfectly for Speycaster. Selections: 10 SPEYCASTER 2 BERKSHIRE BREEZE 8 SHAIYHAR 3 GRAND PIERRO Best Value Race 3 – #10 Speycaster (3) 6yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Beau Mertens (53kg) Race 4: Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) (1100m) The Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) shapes as one of the more intriguing races of the day, with some nice early-season juveniles returning from a spell. Field Of Play is one of those, despite being six weeks between runs. He put 3.3 lengths on his rivals on debut at Moonee Valley on December 28, and if Blake Shinn can deliver a similar sort of ride on Saturday, Field Of Play will be hard to beat. Selections: 3 FIELD OF PLAY 1 TYCOON STAR 2 ALEPPO PINE 4 YAMASHITA’S GOLD Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) Race 4 – #3 Field Of Play (5) 2yo Gelding | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: Blake Shinn (57kg) Race 5: Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude (F) (1100m) My Gladiola looks the good thing of the day when she lines up in the Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude (F). She was breathtaking on debut in the Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) on January 25, and despite doing a bit wrong after hitting the front, she still put 1.5 lengths on the handy Price Tag. Jamie Mott will need a touch of luck from barrier 12, but as long as My Gladiola does not get caught wide without cover, she looks hard to beat. Selections: 1 MY GLADIOLA 3 PALM ANGEL 4 WILTSHIRE SQUARE 2 MISS CELINE Best Bet Race 5 – #1 My Gladiola (12) 2yo Filly | T: John McArdle | J: Jamie Mott (56kg) Race 6: Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) Rey Magnerio looks poised to strike first-up from a brief spell. Despite winning once and finishing second on three occasions before heading to the paddock at the end of his spring campaign, the son of Magnus only needs even luck to be featuring in the finish. Jye McNeil will need to be at his best early to get across from barrier 10, but if he finds cover, Rey Magnerio should be enough to claim the 2025 Rubiton Stakes. Selections: 4 REY MAGNERIO 2 MAHARBA 1 AIRMAN 8 PRAIRIE FLOWER Rubiton Stakes Race 6 – #4 Rey Magnerio (10) 5yo Gelding | T: Robbie Griffiths | J: Jye McNeil (58kg) Race 7: Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) Angel Capital will look to make a winning return in the Autumn Stakes. The three-year-old colt has not been seen since finishing midfield in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) after getting too far back in a high-tempo race. Prior to that, the Harry Angel colt won in Listed company over 1200m before taking out the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude over 1400m. Ben Melham will have him in the second half of the field, but with a well-timed run, Angel Capital should have enough class to overcome his rivals. Selections: 2 ANGEL CAPITAL 1 EVAPORATE 5 STATUARIO 8 PLYMOUTH Autumn Stakes Race 7 – #2 Angel Capital (6) 3yo Colt | T: Clinton McDonald | J: Ben Melham (58.5kg) Race 8: Group 3 JRA Plate (1600m) The 2025 JRA Plate shapes as one of the more even races on Saturday, and at an $11 quote with horse racing betting sites, Wings Of Song is worth an each-way ticket. The Mendelssohn mare was defeated by the barest of margins at Flemington on January 18 when Marble Arch overhauled her late, while eight wins and four minor placings from 15 starts shows she hardly runs a poor race. If Wings Of Song can find a bum to follow into the race, she could prove too hard to hold out. Selections: 9 WINGS OF SONG 3 MUNHAMEK 4 CHORLTON LANE 11 MARBLE ARCH JRA Plate Race 8 – #9 Wings Of Song (12) 4yo Mare | T: Patrick & Michelle Payne | J: Jake Noonan (56.5kg) Race 9: Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) The traditional opening Group 1 race of the year has attracted a star-studded field for the 2025 edition. Australia’s weight-for-age megastar Mr Brightside is set to go off as a short-price favourite with online bookmakers as he looks to defend his win in this race in 2024. Will Mr B reign supreme? Or can one of the new kids on the block issue a challenge? Click here for HorseBetting’s free preview of the 2025 Group 1 CF Orr Stakes. Race 10: Group 3 Peter Le Grand Stakes (1100m) Arabian Summer is set to have her first start in Victoria since December 2023 when she steps out in the Peter Le Grand Stakes, and she looks the class runner in the field. The three-year-old filly finished 2.7 lengths off emerging star Private Harry in the Sunlight Plate (1100m) on the Sunshine Coast last time out, and considering she finished within a half-length of Mr Brightside in a recent trial, she looks raring to go. Armed with an electric turn of foot, Arabian Summer only needs an ounce of luck to win this. Selections: 4 ARABIAN SUMMER 2 TOBEORNOTTOBE 1 DRIFTING 8 RICH DOTTIE Peter Le Grand Stakes Race 10 – #4 Arabian Summer (8) 3yo Filly | T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy | J: Harry Coffey (57kg) Saturday quaddie tips for Caulfield Caulfield quadrella selections Saturday, February 8, 2025 1-2 3-4-9-11 1-2-4-5-7-10 2-4 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Ten-time Group One winner flies to Riyadh three days later than originally scheduled in preparation for world’s richest race.View the full article

Trainer Pam Gerard took plenty of convincing to head south to Tauherenikau with Reputation (NZ) (Iffraaj) on Thursday, but the long trip paid off with victory in the Listed Clubs NZ Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). Leading apprentice jockey Lily Sutherland was positive aboard Reputation from the jump, pushing forward to sit outside pacemaker Ruby Rocks (NZ) (Burgundy). Sutherland began to apply pressure from the 600m, which told on Ruby Rocks, and Reputation quickly had the lead. She had a two-length advantage on her rivals at the turn, which widened with every bound, and she coasted to a comfortable 2-1/2 length victory over the fast-finishing Nigella Lane. Adding another stakes victory to her record was the perfect gift for Sutherland, who was celebrating her 21st birthday, and she said everything went to script. “We thought she was going to lead and just sit outside them,” she said. “There was a little bit more pressure than we thought, but once we got there, she relaxed and got a really nice run for a while. We got to the rail before the turn, and they just couldn’t get to her.” Thursday’s victory continued a stellar week for owner-breeders Christopher and Susanna Grace, whose green and yellow silks were also carried to stakes success by promising filly Hinekaha (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Listed Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth last Saturday, while fellow homebred Loch In Ora (NZ) (Pierro) was third in the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) a race later. Christopher Grace was keen on the idea of Reputation heading south to Tauherenikau to try and secure black-type, and said it took some convincing for Matamata-based trainer Pam Gerard to agree to the trip. “Twice I had to ring her and say ‘the racing is a wee bit easier down our way, bring the horse down please’,” Grace said. “And thank goodness that she did.” Gerard admitted she was loathe to make the 14-hour round trip to Tauherenikau, but she was pleased she made the journey. “The idea was always in our head but it’s a long way to come,” she said. “When the noms came out and I saw the field, I thought of every excuse not to come, but I couldn’t, she is here and she has done it.” While the travel was one concern for Gerard, she said a hard surface was another, but she was full of praise for track manager Matia Grace and the way the Tauherenikau track presented. “The track can get quite hard here but hats off to the girl (Grace) that has been doing it,” Gerard said. “She has got the water on and that has made a big difference because this horse doesn’t really like it too firm.” By Iffraaj, Reputation is out of Zabeel mare Tenacity, a half-sister to Gr.2 Wellington Cup (2400m) winner Graphic, and the dam of stakes performer Motivation. Reputation has now won four of her 12 careers starts and earned nearly $150,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Enigmatic four-year-old Danjuro (NZ) (Saxon Warrior) has been a work in progress for trainer Peter Didham, but the penny may be starting to drop with the son of Saxon Warrior, who scored his second consecutive victory in the Central ITM Wairarapa Cup (2050m) at Tauherenikau on Thursday. The gelding settled off the pace for jockey Kavish Chowdhoory, who elected to shift to the inside when turning for home and weaved a path between leaders Richochet and Sailor Jack to score by a short head. “They went a good clip in front, and he travelled beautifully throughout,” Chowdhoory said. “Instead of going out wide, which he can rein out sometimes, I snuck up on the fence and everything seemed to open up and he was good to the line.” Didham was rapt with Chowdhoory’s efforts and said patience is finally starting to pay off with Danjuro. “It was a really good ride, and I’d like to thank the owners because they have been patient,” he said. Purchased for $140,000 out of Curraghmore’s 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft, Danjuro has shown plenty of ability from the outset, winning on debut at Woodville as a three-year-old and Didham thought enough of him to give him a tilt at the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton two months later, where he finished sixth behind Crocetti. He remained winless until scoring at Wanganui last month and backed that up with Thursday’s eye-catching display. “He has got a tonne of ability, but he’ll hang in, he’ll run off at Wellington, and out at the car park he got away before the start,” Didham said. “I think when he is six or seven, he is a gelding, he could be a Cups horse. He has got that ability, it is just getting the brain with the body. “It’s just one (race) at a time with him. We are just happy to get these two wins in a row. He has got it, but he is a bit smarter than me sometimes.” Danjuro’s victory secured a winning double at the meeting for Didham, who was victorious earlier on the card with two-year-old filly War Princess (NZ) (U S Navy Flag), who won on debut in the Pope & Gray Contractors Maiden 2YO (1000m) in the hands of Joe Doyle. View the full article

Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) out to move clear of Lindsay Park legend with ninth Group 1 win. Mr Brightside will forever be a special horse in the careers of Ben, Will and JD Hayes, but he is presented with a chance to break new ground for Lindsay Park at Caulfield this Saturday. The seven-year-old son of Bullbars will chase a ninth Group 1 win when he resumes in the $750,000 C F Orr Stakes (1400m), in which victory would make him the most successful elite-level performer in the 77-year history of the training operation founded by Colin Hayes. Better Loosen Up owns that honour, with eight Group 1 wins, including a Cox Plate and Japan Cup for David Hayes, and while JD Hayes said it was amazing what he achieved in a sadly-brief stint at the top level, Mr Brightside’s longevity made an equally-impressive performer. “With ‘BLU’, we all talk about him because he was such a champion, but he was only around for two seasons and able to achieve what he did for my old man,” Hayes said. “Mr Brightside is gearing up for his fourth (season) here, so he’s been around for a long time. “The comparisons were drawn early, but I think they are warranted.” Mr Brightside is striving to become just the fifth multiple winner of the C F Orr Stakes, a race first run in 1925, and only the second behind Typhoon Tracy (2010/11) since it attained Group 1 status in 1993. Lord (1959/60) and three-time winners Manikato (1979-81) and Vo Rogue (1988-90) are the other multiple winners. An earner of almost $16.4 million in stakes, Mr Brightside has won the Doncaster Mile and Makybe Diva Stakes twice, a Memsie Stakes, Futurity Stakes and last year’s Champions Mile, which was his most recent racetrack appearance. Mr Brightside also won the All-Star Mile in 2023, before the race gained the Group 1 status it will carry this year, and that 1600m event at Flemington on March 8 is again an autumn target. In between the Orr Stakes and All-Star Mile, Mr Brightside will run in the Futurity Stakes, also a 1400m Group 1 weight-for-age event worth $750,000 at Caulfield, on February 22 – a race he won last year. “He’ll follow the same path that he has for the last three years and he just looks tremendous, he’s absolutely glowing in the coat,” Hayes said at Thursday morning’s Festival of Racing launch, which will held at the Hayes family’s Flemington stable. “He’s going as good as ever, he’s ticked every box that we’ve thrown at him and that usually culminates in a consistent performance, so hopefully that’s what we’ll get on Saturday.” Mr Brightside has drawn barrier eight in the 10-horse Orr Stakes with Craig Williams to make his return to the saddle after more than a week on the sidelines due to illness. View the full article

Emma-Lee Browne is approaching the Colac Cup on Friday with a degree of trepidation as it will be Rhinoceros’ (NZ) (Vadamos) first time running over 2000 metres in his 41-start career. The six-year-old gelding has become a country cups king over summer with wins in the Dunkeld and Camperdown Cups among his past three starts and, although he is bred on staying lines, Browne said he has always wanted to race too keenly to get out in trip but has shown some signs of maturing. Browne said she still harbours some doubts about how Rhinoceros will handle the 2000m. “I’m not sure. It’s his first time up to 2000m which could be a bit testing for him although he’s started to settle down now,” Browne said. “Will (Gordon) knows him well and we’re hoping he can get the job done. Now he’s a bit older he may be able to get the trip.” Browne said Rhinoceros is part of the family and they love what he has achieved for them. “He’s done such a great job. We are so proud of him. He was one of the first horses we sent over from New Zealand when Dave came over and he’s still doing the job for us,” she said. “We love him. My daughter rides him every day. He’s been a super horse for us.” Rhinoceros put David and Emma-Lee Browne on the map in Melbourne in 2021 when he won city races at Sandown, The Valley and Caulfield in the spring of that year. With his recent return to form with those victories at Dunkeld and Camperdown, Rhinoceros has taken his career record to nine wins from 41 starts. In the Colac Cup he will clash again with Khoekhoe, who finished second to him in the Camperdown Cup. View the full article

Illness is likely to sideline Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall’s top quality mare Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock) until later in the year. Cambridge Stud’s star performer was being prepared for a crack at Saturday’s Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa before the five-year-old daughter of Tavistock contracted a virus. “I’d say that her autumn is over, which means we’ll give her a good break and focus on the spring,” Cambridge Stud chief executive Henry Plumptre said. “She had a gallop on Tuesday morning and Warren Kennedy went down to ride her. “He was very happy with her, but within hours it was noticed that her demeanour was different and they took her temperature and she had a very aggressive virus. “We sent her up to Matamata Hospital as a precaution and she’s under treatment for the virus and is responding very well and is stabilised. “She’s in very good hands and, fingers crossed, she’ll be back at our Karaka farm early next week to spell.” By Tavistock, Snazzytavi would have started a short-priced favourite in the Herbie Dyke off the back of her stellar run of form. She romped to victory in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) in the spring before a break and then successfully resumed in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) and last time out claimed the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m). In her absence, the stud’s black type hopes at Te Rapa will rest with the Lance Noble-trained Luberon (NZ) (Embellish) who takes on a stacked line-up in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m). “We’ve always had a very big opinion of her, but she is in a very strong race and I think it’s one of the highest rated sprint races in New Zealand for a long time,” Plumptre said. The well-performed daughter of Embellish is a multiple stakes winner and a bold last-start third in the Gr.1 Telegraph after racing wide without cover from an outside stall and will again jump from a potentially awkward gate. “Luberon doesn’t seem capable of drawing inside barrier nine or 10, but she is a very game and genuine mare,” Plumptre said. “She will be competitive, and she’s got her regular jockey (Warren Kennedy) back on because Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) isn’t running and it will be exciting to see how she goes.” Kennedy will also carry the farm’s colours aboard the Stephen Marsh-prepared I’m All In (NZ) (Zoustar) who runs in the Dr John Southworth Memorial Vase (1200m). “He’s been there or thereabouts, he probably wasn’t quite up to the level in the Almanzor Trophy (Gr.3, 1200m) but he looks well-placed on Saturday and he’s tough,” Plumptre said. The son of Zoustar, whose half-brother by Sword Of State sold for $540,000 at Karaka, has won twice from a handful of starts and placed in the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) during the winter. View the full article

The $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) is fast approaching, and the Canterbury Jockey Club’s contender Domain Ace (NZ) (Swiss Ace) will ready for the rich feature with a 1400m hit-out at Tauranga on Friday. The Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained gelding secured his berth in the NZB Kiwi when placing behind Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November but failed to flatter when beating just the one runner home in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) at Ellerslie a month later. He quelled some concerns with his fourth placed performance behind Savaglee in the Gr.2 Levin Classic (1400m) at Trentham last month, but his trainers would like to see a vast improvement from their charge on Friday. “He has been going well, I would just like him to peak a bit more,” Graeme Rogerson said. “He did a lot of work chasing Savaglee (in the Levin Classic) and it probably told late, but he went a good race. “He has got a big weight (on Friday) with 60 kilos but there are only five in it and I think he is up to them. I think he will run well.” Depending on Friday’s outcome, Rogerson said Domain Ace may have one more run prior to the NZB Kiwi on Champions Day at Ellerslie, on March 8, for which he is rated a $31 winning chance in the TAB’s futures market. Meanwhile, Team Rogerson will take three stakes contenders to Te Rapa on Saturday, headlined by their multiple Group One winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood). The son of Redwood is set to tackle the $700,000 Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), a race he won as a three-year-old, and his trainers are hoping history can repeat this weekend. The five-year-old gelding finished 13th in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) last month, following a placing in the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m), and Rogerson is hoping for a better showing on Saturday. “He had no luck and missed the start at Wellington. Hopefully he is back, he goes well at Te Rapa,” he said. Group One targets await Sharp ‘N’ Smart following Saturday, but Rogerson has yet to decide which side of the Tasman they will be. “He will probably go to the Bonecrusher (Gr.1, 2000m) or head to Australia for some weight-for-age races, but we will just play it by ear,” he said. Rogerson will also be chasing black-type with Ferrando three-year-olds Timbuctoo (NZ) (Ferrando) and Skymax (NZ) (Ferrando), who will be contesting the Gr.2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas (2000m) and Gr.2 David and Karyn Ellis Classic (2000m) respectively. “He (Timbuctoo) is a young horse with a lot of talent,” Rogerson said. “He has improved all the time and I think he will stay. He is going to head to the Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) and it is a nice lead-up race. “She (Skymax) is a very honest filly. She is going good races and we are hoping she can win one of them.” View the full article

What Ascot races Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Saturday, February 8, 2025 First Race 11:54am AWST Visit Dabble Ascot will host a huge 12-race card this Saturday afternoon, with the opening event scheduled to jump at 11:54am AWST. Warm weather is forecast in the coming days, so the Good 4 rating that was posted at the time of acceptances is expected to remain throughout the meeting. The rail will move back into its true position for the entire circuit. Cyril Flower Stakes tip: Man Crush Man Crush will be out for revenge against Twain’s Angel after the two met in the Listed Scenic Blast Stakes two weeks ago, where the Luke Fernie-trained gelding flashed home from the back of the field to finish second. The five-year-old gelding was slowly away and had to settle at the tail of the field before weaving through traffic to storm home, but was only beaten by 1.5 lengths. If Chris Parnham can get Man Crush out of the barriers with the rest of the field, he can turn the tables on the favourite. Cyril Flower Stakes Race 8 – #1 Man Crush (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Luke Fernie | J: Chris Parnham (59.5kg) Best Bet at Ascot: Rock ‘N’ The Jam In what was his second career start, Rock ‘N’ The Jam produces an impressive performance cliam victory over 1400m at this track on January 25. The Russell Stewart-trained gelding settled behind the strong speed, and when asked for the ultimate effort, he let down with a strong turn of foot and was pulling away from his rivals through the line. Stepping up to 1600m third-up should be no issue, and anything above even money with horse racing bookmakers looks like a great price for Rock ‘N’ The Jam. Best Bet Race 11 – #6 Rock ‘N’ The Jam (7) 3yo Gelding | T: Russell Stewart | J: Steven Parnham (56kg) Next Best at Ascot: Ice Pick Nick Stefan Vahala and Steven Parnham will combine with Ice Pick Nick, who will be seeking to go one better after finishing second behind All Play at this track over 1100m first-up. The six-year-old gelding settled further back than his usual on-speed racing pattern and was made to swing wide on the home turn before storming down the middle of the track. From a much better barrier (4), expect Parnham to settle Ice Pick Nick behind a hot speed before peeling off the leaders heels to finish over the top of them late. Next Best Race 7 – #1 Ice Pick Nick (4) 6yo Gelding | T: Stefan Vahala | J: Steven Parnham (60kg) Best Value at Ascot: Timeless Gem Timeless Gem has finished in the placings in both of his starts this preparation, with his last start second-place finish behind Rock ‘N’ The Jam being the better of the two runs. The Stephen Miller-trained gelding has struggled to win since breaking his maiden back in July; however, it looks as though he is ready to produce his best effort third-up over 1400m. With little to no speed expected in this contest, Brad Parnham can push forward on Timeless Gem and settle outside the leader before giving a strong kick at the 300m mark. Best Value Race 10 – #2 Timeless Gem (8) 3yo Gelding | T: Stephen Miller | J: Brad Parnham (59.5kg) Saturday quaddie tips for Ascot races Ascot quadrella selections Saturday, February 8, 2025 1-3-4-7 2-3-6-11 1-6 1-2-5 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Inglis Millennium Day 2025 Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, February 8, 2025 First Race 12:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble Royal Randwick Racecourse is the destination for metro racing across NSW on Saturday afternoon, with the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) headlining a bumper 10-race program. The two-year-old feature is supported by a stacked undercard, including a quality edition of the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) for the three-year-olds, while the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) picture takes further shape in the Listed Lonhro Plate (1000m). The rail returns to the true position the entire circuit, and although there are some scattered showers expected for race-day, it shouldn’t impact the Good 4 rating at the time of acceptances. The opening race is scheduled to get underway at 12:30pm AEDT. Click here for HorseBetting’s free preview of the 2025 Inglis Millennium. Eskimo Prince Stakes Tip: Snow In May Snow In May went to another level at the end of last preparation, culminating in the progressive three-year-old starting equal favourite in the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 5. She was no match for Lady Shenandoah on that occasion, feeling the pinch at the end of 1600m, as it all may have come too soon for The Autumn Sun filly. Her latest barrier trial at this course suggests she’s ready to fire despite a 126-day absence, and with an undefeated record first-up to go along with a swing in the weights, Snow In May can make a statement as the lone filly in the field. Eskimo Prince Stakes Race 8 – #10 Snow In May (3) 3yo Filly | T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | J: Zac Lloyd (54kg) Lonhro Plate Tip: Beiwacht Godolphin send around a two-pronged attack in the 2025 Lonhro Plate, with Beiwacht getting the verdict over stable companion Chergui. The son of Bivouac had no luck in his debut at this course and distance on January 25, with the two-year-old colt forced to sit three-wide without cover the entire journey before dropping out for a midfield finish. Adam Hyeronimus can play the stalking role this time around from barrier one, and provided he can press into the clear at a crucial stage, Beiwacht should prove hard to hold out in the $200,000 feature. Lonhro Plate Race 3 – #3 Beiwacht (1) 2yo Colt | T: James Cummings | J: Adam Hyeronimus (56kg) Best Bet at Randwick: It’s A Knockout The Ciaron Maher-trained It’s A Knockout returns after posting a near unblemished record during her debut campaign, claiming victory in two of her three starts before being sent to the paddock. Her jump-and-run tactics have proven hard for her rivals to overcome, with her latest victory at Rosehill on August 31 suggesting there is still more upside in this talented four-year-old mare. Tim Clark will attempt to dictate terms from barrier five, and although this is her toughest assignment to date, It’s A Knockout should be up to the task. Best Bet Race 5 – #6 It’s A Knockout (5) 4yo Mare | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Tim Clark (57kg) Next Best at Randwick: Piastri Piastri returns after a 154-day spell and appears perfectly placed in this BM94 contest. The son of Choisir was sensational in his only start in Sydney last preparation, bounding clear of his rivals to record a 1.4-length victory at Rosehill, justifying a wealth of support with Playup in the process. He gets in on the minimum 52kg as Zac Lloyd takes the reins for the first time, and with barrier one allowing the pair to sit on the leaders’ back throughout, watch for Piastri to motor clear once again when asked for the ultimate effort. Next Best Race 6 – #8 Piastri (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Zac Lloyd (52kg) Best Value at Randwick: Lastotchka Lastotchka hasn’t been sighted since producing a mid-field finish in the 2023 Melbourne Cup, and although she has an almighty task being first-up in 459 days, the massive each-way price with horse racing bookmakers is simply too big to ignore. The French import oozes quality and appears to be returning in outstanding order, catching the eye in a recent jump-out at Geelong on January 29. The 1600m is the obvious query as she’s never produced a peak figure over the shorter journey; however, with an element of class along with Anna Roper on board to take 3kg of her back, don’t be surprised if Lastotchka can mount a late challenge at the price. Best Value Race 9 – #3 Lastotchka (10) 6yo Mare | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Anna Roper (a3kg) (59kg) Saturday quaddie tips for Randwick Randwick quadrella selections February 8, 2025 1-2-4-7-9-12-17 1-2-10 3-5-8-11-12-14 10-16-17 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Doomben Races Where Doomben Racecourse – 75 Hampden St, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, February 8, 2025 First Race 12:13pm AEST Visit Dabble For the second successive Saturday, the Brisbane Racing Club will host a 10-race program at Doomben. With more rain forecast to fall in the lead-up to the meeting, it is expected that the track will remain in the Soft range, with a possibility of an upgrade during the meeting. The rail will be in the +2m position for the entire circuit, with the first race scheduled to jump at 12:13pm AEST. Best Bet at Doomben: Anemacore Anemacore returned with a strong victory over 1400m at this track on January 18, when the Shaun Dwyer-trained gelding came down the outside of the track to swamp his rivals and record a 1.6-length win. The son of Unusual Suspect couldn’t have started his third racing preparation any better and appears ready to put together multiple wins as he steps up to the 1600m second-up. Michael Rodd has chosen to stick with this guy, and if Anemacore can let down with a strong finish like last start, he can bring up back-to-back victories. Best Bet Race 9 – #14 Anemacore (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Shaun Dwyer | J: Michael Rodd (56.5kg) Next Best at Doomben: Betterlucknexttime Betterlucknexttime will seek to remain undefeated when the Liam Brichley-trained gelding returns for his second racing preparation on Saturday. The son of Zousain was very impressive when winning by one length in both of his career starts at this track, coming from behind the speed to finish over the top of his rivals. With the aid of Jasper Franklin’s 3kg claim, this guy gets in well at the weights, and if he settles and sprints like he did last campaign, Betterlucknexttime should prove too good again. Next Best Race 1 – #1 Betterlucknexttime (3) 2yo Gelding | T: Liam Birchley | J: Jasper Franklin (a3) (59.5kg) Best Value at Doomben: Lady Shotgun After starting this preparation with a hat-trick of victories, Lady Shotgun was thrown in the deep end in her next two starts, competing in back-to-back Magic Millions races. Although the daughter of Star Turn didn’t finish in the placings, she had excuses as she didn’t seem to handle the Heavy 9 track last start. The Angela Plumb-prepared runner will drop back in grade and rise to 1350m, which are two key factors in her favour, and at +900 with BlondeBet, Lady Shotgun represents great value if she can recapture her form from earlier in the campaign. Best Value Race 8 – #4 Lady Shotgun (2) 4yo Mare | T: Angela Plumb | J: Jag Guthmann-Chester (58kg) Saturday quaddie tips for Doomben races Doomben quadrella selections Saturday, February 8, 2025 1-3-4-5 2-4-11-13 13-14 3-4-5-6-8-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

My Gladiola. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Trainer John McArdle has chosen to keep promising filly My Gladiola in Melbourne, with the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 22 as her primary target. While the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday was considered, McArdle believes staying home is the best long-term approach. “They (Inglis representatives) rang me and asked if I was coming,” McArdle said. “With the Blue Diamond as her target, it’s a big ask for a young horse to go to Sydney and then come back down and race again.” The I Am Invincible filly is the current $4 favourite with horse racing bookmakers for the Blue Diamond following her dominant debut win in the fillies’ division of the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) at Sandown on January 25. “I usually take them off the bridle before race day, but she ran around a bit in her jump-out, which made it hard for Jamie (Mott, jockey) to do that,” McArdle said. “That was the question she needed to answer, and it was good to see her respond.” My Gladiola will return to Caulfield for Saturday’s Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude (F) (1100m) as she continues her preparation for Victoria’s premier juvenile race. “She is a big girl, carries a bit of condition, and still has a fair bit on her, but she did a bit of evens on Saturday and she was spot on doing it,” McArdle said. “All the data was good, she was lovely and relaxed, so she looks in really good order.” Horse racing news View the full article

Arabian Summer. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Arabian Summer is set to make her return to Victorian racing in Saturday’s Group 3 Peter Le Grand Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield. The three-year-old was last seen in the state when winning the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic (1000m) in December 2023. Her most recent campaign in Queensland featured a dominant first-up victory over 1000 metres at the Gold Coast on December 20, followed by a strong third behind Private Harry in the $3 million Magic Millions Sunlight 3YO Plate (1100m) at the Sunshine Coast on January 4. “She went to another level up there, finishing alongside a Golden Slipper winner (Lady Of Camelot) at set weights and didn’t have a great run in transit,” trainer Tony McEvoy, who prepares the filly in partnership with Calvin McEvoy, told Racing.com. “She ran fabulously.” As part of her lead-up to Saturday’s race, Arabian Summer contested a barrier trial at Geelong last week, finishing second to weight-for-age star Mr Brightside. “She’s going really well,” McEvoy added. “She trialled up beautifully. We weren’t planning to give her a trial but she had just done so well in the stable. “If she runs how I expect (on Saturday), we might look at an Oakleigh Plate for her – she’d have to be impressive at set weights against her own sex on Saturday.” Arabian Summer has drawn barrier eight of 13 for the Peter Le Grand Stakes and will be ridden by Harry Coffey and is a $3.60 favourite with horse racing betting sites. Horse racing news View the full article

Price Tag. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Tyler Schiller is confident it will take a quality horse to beat Price Tag in the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Randwick, provided the talented filly can overcome her inexperience. Price Tag firmed into outright $4 favouritism with horse racing betting sites after drawing barrier 11, while some of her main rivals fared worse in Tuesday’s draw. Rivellino landed barrier 16, and unbeaten filly Within The Law was dealt gate 18. Schiller made the trip to Melbourne last month to ride the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained filly in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview (F) (1000m), where she finished runner-up to My Gladiola. The jockey came away impressed with her performance. “She’s a nice little filly with plenty of upside,” Schiller said. “She’s still doing a bit wrong. I rode her last (start) and she is still a bit raw, but I think if she can come up here and do everything right, it will take a good horse to beat her.” A $600,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase, Price Tag showed promise in two starts up the Flemington straight during the spring. She finished third in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m) on debut before running fourth in the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m). Schiller is confident she will handle the Sydney way of going at Randwick. “I don’t know if she has worked the Sydney way, but she should handle it well,” he said. “If anything, she wanted to hang right so she should be better suited up here. Hopefully.” Horse racing news View the full article

Knight’s Choice set for All-Star Mile bid after impressive trial at Sunshine Coast. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice is on track for a potential first-up tilt at the All-Star Mile (1600m), with co-trainer Sheila Laxon confirming the $2.5 million feature is a key early target in the gelding’s upcoming campaign. The five-year-old made an impressive return to public work at the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday morning, surging home along the inside to defeat Calico Jack by half a length in a 1000-metre trial. The hitout was his first competitive appearance since his stunning $91 upset with the top online bookmakers in last November’s Melbourne Cup, and Laxon was left encouraged by his condition. “His options are fairly restricted, so we’re looking at the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m). or the All-Star Mile,” Laxon told RSN927. “As we saw today, he’s pretty forward, and I’d think probably he’d go first-up into a race like that (All-Star Mile).” The All-Star Mile, which will be held at Flemington on March 8, has gained official Group 1 status for the first time in 2025. However, in a significant change, the prize money for the race has been reduced from $3.75 million in 2024 to $2.5 million in 2025. Knight’s Choice originally forged his reputation as a high-class miler, winning the Group 3 Winx Guineas (1600m) before his unexpected rise to two-mile glory in the Melbourne Cup. While his ultimate autumn targets remain flexible, Laxon indicated that conditions would determine his path beyond the All-Star Mile, with the $2.5 million Group 1 Australian Cup and Brisbane’s Q22 (2200m) in June also on the radar. “It’s going to be in the lap of the gods with the weather,” Laxon said. “But we’ll prepare him, and I’m sure he’ll put his best foot forward on the day.” If Knight’s Choice, who is currently a $34 hope , contests the All-Star Mile first-up, he will make history as the first Melbourne Cup winner to feature in the lucrative mile event. Horse racing news View the full article

Linebacker on his way to winning at Hawkesbury on debut. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Group 1 placegetter Linebacker is set to return to the races as a gelding on Saturday, stepping out in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Randwick. The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained three-year-old had just two spring starts, finishing sixth in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) on September 28, before being spelled and gelded following coltish pre-race behavior that contributed to a below-par performance. “First-up he was very good last time in the six (furlong race), and he is going to concentrate a little bit better this week,” O’Shea said. “He came through his trial really well. I’m very happy with him and we’re looking forward to Saturday.” Linebacker will carry a top weight of 58.5 kilograms, with regular rider Kerrin McEvoy taking the reins. Horse racing bookmakers have Linebacker marked as a $4.20 chance for Saturday’s Group 3 feature. Horse racing news View the full article

Florida's controversial decoupling legislation took an ominous step forward Wednesday when a House subcommittee not only advanced a bill that would remove the requirement that Gulfstream Park run a minimum number of live Thoroughbred races in order to operate its casino, but also amended the bill to say similar terms would apply to cardroom gaming license-holders, too, meaning Tampa Bay Downs would also have the option to cease racing if the bill got signed into law. The House Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee reported HB 105 as “favorable” by a 12-4 vote Feb. 5. An identical bill has been filed in the Florida Senate, but it has yet to come up before a committee for a recommendation either way. The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that Wednesday's hearing “drew fierce criticism from opponents who argued that it would lead to an end of racing and devastate the state's horse-breeding industry.” The issue of Gulfstream Park seeking legislation that could potentially allow it to end Thoroughbred racing has been a red-alert threat on the national level since mid-January, when Gulfstream's owner, The Stronach Group (TSG), told Florida industry stakeholders it could guarantee racing at Gulfstream Park only through 2028 if the proposed bill to decouple Thoroughbred horseracing from casino licenses passes the state legislature. A TSG consultant also told horsemen at a closed-door meeting Jan. 15 that even if the decoupling bill does not pass, “there's no guarantee of when we will continue to race.” The Sun Sentinel reported that at Wednesday's subcommittee session, bill sponsor Rep. Adam Anderson claimed that his goal of decoupling was to actually “support” the Thoroughbred industry. The Sun Sentinel reported that Anderson argued decoupling would give the tracks “the tools that they need to make better business decisions to make their tracks more profitable.” WUSF radio in Florida quoted Lonny Powell, the chief executive officer of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA), as testifying against the legislation. “This [bill] is not just a piece of paper [and] everybody is just going to continue to race,” WUSF quoted Powell. “This is a piece of paper that will allow many people to lose their jobs and for a [roughly century-old] signature industry in this state to be in peril.” The bill is filed for the legislative session that will start Mar. 4. WUSF reported that representatives of both tracks testified in support of the bill, quoting Gulfstream lobbyist Jeff Johnston as “pushing back against arguments about the potential end of racing.” Johnston, according to WUSF, said Gulfstream has submitted plans to the state to hold 200 days of races in 2025 and 200 days of racing in 2026. The Paulick Report's Natalie Voss quoted Johnston as testifying that he claimed to be “a little confused” at some of the testimony. “Nobody said racing is stopping,” the Paulick Report quoted Johnston as saying. “We are decoupling the two so they can be independent and they can give the track flexibility. Nowhere in the bill, and you can read the bill, does it say racing won't continue. Gulfstream Park does more for the industry in Florida than anybody else.” WUSF quoted Rep. Yvonne Hinson, whose district includes part of Marion County, as testifying that the bill would “deal a devastating economic blow to the state.” Hinson argued that Ocala is the “epicenter of the global Thoroughbred industry” and that any passage of decoupling “would kill this county.” After the session, Powell released the following statement on behalf of the breeders and owners his organization represents in Florida. It read, in part: “Thoroughbred racing isn't just a sport in Florida. It's a way of life, deeply embedded in our state's history and agricultural heritage. The misguided effort to decouple racing in favor of slot machine and cardroom casinos threatens the heart of our state's $3.24 billion, and growing, Thoroughbred industry. HB 105 undermines a legacy built by multi-generational farms, expert trainers, passionate owners, and the small businesses that keep our communities thriving. “The FTBOA stands in firm opposition to this bill [and we] urge lawmakers to oppose this bill and protect the jobs, families, and traditions that make Florida a leader in the equine world.” The post Florida Committee Not Only Advances Gulfstream Decoupling Bill, but Gives Tampa an Option to Cease Racing, Too appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

C2 Racing Stable, co-owner of Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) hero White Abarrio, has announced that their stable star will not pursue a return bid in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) Feb. 22. View the full article

Entain Australia has made the tough call to disband its Ladbrokes Racing Club (LRC) program, a move that marks the end of an initiative that brought racing fans closer to the action across thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound racing. Entain, owner of two of the top Australian bookmakers, Neds and Ladbrokes, launched the club in 2023. The Ladbrokes Racing Club quickly gained traction, offering members an ownership-like experience. However, despite its success, Entain Australia CEO Dean Shannon cited a range of factors behind the decision to discontinue the club in its current form. “We are proud of Ladbrokes Racing Club and the opportunity it has presented to thousands of customers to experience a race day as an owner,” Shannon said. “Unfortunately, the Club is not immune to the rising cost of operating pressures currently affecting the wagering sector. The increasing product fees and taxes in Australia, along with the rising cost of racing, has forced tough decisions to be made regarding these extra initiatives.” While the club will no longer operate on the racetrack, Shannon reaffirmed Entain’s commitment to racing, promising new initiatives in 2025. “The Ladbrokes Racing Club was established to bring passionate, like-minded fans closer to the action by creating a community for them to interact – something we are excited to continue this year.” The decision comes at a critical time for the wagering industry, with operators awaiting the Federal Government’s response to the online gambling enquiry. Meanwhile, discussions with the AFL over increased product fees and an ongoing AUSTRAC investigation into potential anti-money laundering breaches add further pressure to the sector. In the coming months, LRC representatives will oversee the transition of its racing stock, with a focus on animal welfare. Some horses are expected to be transferred to New Zealand, while others will be listed for sale via Inglis Digital. Entain’s strong relationships with leading studs, including Newgate Farm, add another layer of complexity to the process. Despite winding down LRC in Australia, Entain remains a major backer of the local racing industry, committing tens of millions of dollars in sponsorships across all three racing codes. Shannon also confirmed that operations in New Zealand would remain unaffected. “The TAB Racing Club in New Zealand will remain unaffected and continue to be active on the track.” Horse racing news View the full article