Wandering Eyes

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 the horses of interest for Sunday running at Kokura Racecourse: Sunday, February 2, 2025 5th-KOK, ¥11,850,000 ($76k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1200mT FOCUS LIGHT (JPN) (f, 3, City of Light–Zest, by Tapit) was acquired by K I Farm for $420,000 when offered in utero at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. The Feb. 18 foal is the first from her dam and the filly shares her GI Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic-winning second dam Life Is Sweet (Storm Cat) with SW & GSP Batucada (Union Rags) and MSP Candy Grey (Twirling Candy). The stakes-winning and Grade I-placed third dam Sweet Life (Kris S.) also produced Eclipse Award-winning juvenile filly Sweet Catomine (Storm Cat); SW & MGSP Calimonco (Storm Cat); and the dam of MGSW sire Modernist (Uncle Mo). O-Lord Horse Club Co Ltd; B-K I Farm; T-Tatsuya Yoshioka The post City of Light Firster Features Wygod Luminaries at Kokura appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Guineas hero Chaldean (GB)'s first foals have arrived, Juddmonte announced on X. The first is a colt out of Group 3 heroine Paris Peacock (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), while Redressed (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}), group-placed herself and out of a full-sister to Group 1 winner Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) also had a colt. The third new arrival is a colt out of Via Lazio (GB) (Lawman {Fr}), an unraced half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Admire Mars (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) and listed winners Via Firenze (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) and Via Pisa (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}). Chaldean, who is standing his second season at a fee of £25,000 this year, covered 173 mares in 2024. A winner of both the G1 Dewhurst Stakes and G1 2000 Guineas, the chestnut son of Frankel also won the G2 Champagne Stakes and the G3 Acomb Stakes. At Royal Ascot in 2023, he was second in the G1 St James's Palace Stakes. The post First Foals For Chaldean All Colts appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Graded winner Miss Macy Sue (Trippi), an accomplished racemare and the dam of MGISW Liam's Map (Unbridled's Song) and GSW & GISP Not This Time (Giant's Causeway), has died at the age of 22, Taylor Made announced Friday afternoon. The 2007 winner of the GIII Winning Colors Stakes at Churchill Downs, and runner-up in her title defense a year later, competed in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Monmouth Park in 2007, finishing third when it was still a Listed stakes. Upon retirement, she left an even greater mark on the breed via her aforementioned sons–half-brothers Liam's Map and Not This Time. In between those two she produced SW & GSP Taylor S (Medaglia d'Oro) and her last to the races was MSW & GSP Matera (Tapit). Miss Macy Sue hailed from the female line of two-time champion sprinter Ta Wee (Intentionally), herself a half-sister to the great Horse of the Year and multiple champion, Dr. Fager. “We would like to express our condolences to the Albaugh Family on the passing of Miss Macy Sue,” said Mark Taylor. “Many great mares have spent their careers with us here at Taylor Made, but none have left a legacy like this incredible mare. There is no doubt she will continue to shape the breed through her sons, Liam's Map and Not This Time. Mares like Miss Macy Sue are truly once in a lifetime horses.” “Miss Macy Sue was one of the first horses we ever owned,” said Albaugh Family Stables managing partner Jason Loutsch. “She was our first graded stakes winner and took us to Saratoga and to the Breeders' Cup. Without Macy, there would be no Albaugh Family Stables.” “She was remarkable both on and off the track and has changed all of our lives. She meant so much to the entire Albaugh family and we will miss feeding her peppermints on our visits to Taylor Made.” The post Miss Macy Sue, Dam of Not This Time and Liam’s Map, Passes Away at 22 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Podcast will air live at 2 p.m. ET on YouTube (www.youtube.com/@bloodhorse) and on ESPN Louisville+ and then will be available for download at BloodHorse.com, the BloodHorse YouTube channel, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, and at espnlouisville.com.View the full article

With the bidding closed, graded winner Gigante (Not This Time) changed hands for $610,000 to Clark Brewster & L and N racing in a one-horse flash sale, announced Fasig-Tipton Digital via a press release. The 5-year-old was consigned by Lane's End from Fair Grounds with bidding reportedly 'healthy' for the millionaire who claimed the 2023 GII Secretariat Stakes at Colonial Downs. There were 1,793 unique potential buyers from several continents who looked at Gigante's page more than 10,000 times. “Fasig-Tipton showed us once again how a quality horse is well received by the market on their digital platform,” said Allaire Ryan, sales coordinator for Lane's End. “The flash sale provided an efficient, customized opportunity for us to offer Gigante on behalf of his owners, and he is an exciting, turnkey prospect for his new racing connections. Bidding was healthy from start to finish and we are grateful to the Fasig Digital team for facilitating a fantastic sale.” The next scheduled digital sale is in February, which will open Feb. 20 and close Feb. 25 with nominations for the online auction closing Feb. 5. “The Gigante flash sale produced a 'home run' result,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton director of Digital Sales. “With bidders from multiple continents, the international reach of our platform was on full display once again. Gigante's $610,000 sale comes on the heels of selling Tuscan Sky for $450,000 a couple weeks ago, proving that Fasig-Tipton Digital is the number one digital platform to sell a racehorse.” The post Gigante Sells for $610,000 in Fasig-Tipton Digital Flash Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

My Wish scores an emotional victory Jan. 31 for jockey Luke Ferraris, who joins his father as victors in the prestigious Hong Kong Classic Mile at Sha Tin Racecourse.View the full article

The Eclipse Awards Steering Committee issued a press release Jan. 31 noting that statistics for apprentice jockey J.G. Torrealba were incorrect in the supplement issued to assist voters with their decisions on champions.View the full article

Godolphin homebred First Conquest (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) made it three wins on the bounce after claiming the G3 Dubai Millennium Stakes sponsored by Emaar at Meydan on Friday. The victory was the 12th for a Godolphin runner in the race named after one of their former top-liners, who sired only one crop of foals before succumbing to grass sickness. Allowed to be the rear marker as Dolayli (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) led the way out of the chute and onto the backstretch, the bay proved a touch keen for the first half-mile. First Conquest remained last while in a good rhythm until William Buick said go 600 metres from home and the gelding soon swung seven deep into the stretch. He steamed up the center of the course with a burst of late speed to win by 1 1/4 lengths over Cairo (Ire) (Quality Road), who had taken over for the pacesetter in the lane. Highbank (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) was 1 1/2 lengths back in third. A maiden winner at Newmarket last April, he found his way again with a pair of handicap victories two starts later at that course in June and July. Given some time off, he re-emerged to take a Meydan handicap by open lengths on Jan. 10, before testing the waters at group level on Friday, and coming through with flying colours. Pedigree Notes Darley's Teofilo now has 118 stakes winners (68 group) with the victory of First Conquest on Friday. He has 24 Group/Grade 1 winners worldwide, and the cross of Teofilo with a Dubawi mare has yielded the likes of G1 Melbourne Cup hero Without A Fight (Ire), as well as Group 2 winners Eternal Hope (Ire) and Naval Power (GB). First Conquest is the third Group 3 winner for this cross after Taany (Ire) and Tantheem (GB). Dubawi (Ire) mare Patroness (GB) hit pay dirt with her first two foals–G1 Jebel Hatta hero and G1 Caulfield Stakes second Blair House (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and listed winner Key Victory (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire})–and First Conquest arrived as foal number eight. Overall, the placed mare has seven winners to her credit from nine runners. Her latest progeny is 2-year-old Picture Palace (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}), who has yet to race. Patroness is herself a full-sister to the late G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner and sire Poet's Voice (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Friday, Meydan, Middle East DUBAI MILLENNIUM STAKES (SPONSORED BY EMAAR)-G3, AED700,000, Meydan, 1-31, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 2:00.69, gd. 1–FIRST CONQUEST (GB), 127, g, 4, by Teofilo (Ire) 1st Dam: Patroness (GB), by Dubawi (Ire) 2nd Dam: Bright Tiara, by Chief's Crown 3rd Dam: Expressive Dance, by Riva Ridge 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. AED420,000. Lifetime Record: 6-4-0-0, AED810,995. *1/2 to Blair House (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), G1SW-UAE, G1SP-Aus, $588,444; and a full to Key Victory (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), SW-Eng, $144,058. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Cairo (Ire), 127, h, 5, Quality Road–Cuff (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). O-Refai Alghraiban; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Alice Haynes. AED140,000. 3–Highbank (Ire), 127, g, 5, Kingman (GB)–Bristol Bay (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire). 'TDN Rising Star'. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (750,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT; AED850,000 HRA '24 EMI MAR). O-Hamdan Sultan Al Subousi; B-Lynch Bages & Camas Park Stud (IRE); T-Simon & Ed Crisford. AED70,000. Margins: 1 1/4, 1HF, HD. Also Ran: Asaassi (Fr), Stormy Ocean (GB), See Hector (Ger), Mozart (Den), Hans Andersen (GB), Dolayli (Fr). Scratched: Sean (Ger). Click for the ERC chart & video. The post An Even Dozen Dubai Millennium Stakes For Godolphin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-FG, $58K, Msw, 3yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 4:15 p.m. ET. Whisper Hill homebred STRAIGHT FORWARD (American Pharoah) makes her first start for Mandy Pope and trainer Steve Asmussen. The filly's dam, Aloof (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), was acquired by the farm at the 2014 Keeneland November Sale for a cool $3.9 million. Herself out of English Group 1 winner Airwave (GB) (Air Express {Ire}), Aloof is a half-sister to the dam of full-siblings MG1SW Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1SW Clemmie. Set for her unveiling is another homebred, Good Going (Mendelssohn), who was sent by Klein Racing to trainer Cherie DeVaux. The bay is a out of a multiple stakes winning mare named Good Deed (Broken Vow). A half-sister to MGSW Cash Control (Pioneerof the Nile) and MSW Country Day (Speightstown), Good Going's dam is also responsible for Coronation Cup Stakes heroine Goin' Good (Congrats) TJCIS PPS 7th-GP, $96K, OC75k/N1X, 3yo, 1m, 3:05 p.m. ET. A $200,000 buy for CHC, WinStar and Maverick Racing at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, River Thames (Maclean's Music) certainly earned his keep on debut with a 4 3/4-length score at Gulfstream Park Jan. 11. Named a 'TDN Rising Star' based on that effort, the colt now tries optional claimers while stretching out to a mile for trainer Todd Pletcher. The first and only foal to date for Proportionality (Discreet Cat), River Thames hails from an extended female family which includes MGISW Paulassilverlining (Ghostzapper)–the dam of 'TDN Rising Star' Artorius (Arrogate)–and MGISW Dads Caps (Discreet Cat). TJCIS PPS The post Saturday’s Racing Insights: Whisper Hill Homebred Tries Two Turns In Turf Debut At Fair Grounds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

America's Best Racing's Patrick Read provides notable informaton about each Holy Bull (G3) entrant and insights into betting the race.View the full article

New York Racing Association stakes coordinator Andrew Byrnes plans to retire from that role in September at the end of the 2025 Saratoga Race Course summer meet.View the full article

The progressive My Wish (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) sat a trip handy to the pace, took over with 200 metres left to run and held off a rails rally from the outposted Divano (Aus) (Brave Smash {Jpn}) to take out the first leg of the 4-year-old Classic series in Hong Kong, the HK$13-million Hong Kong Classic Mile on Friday's Chinese New Year program at Sha Tin. It was a first feature win in the ultra-competitive environment for Australian ex-pat trainer Mark Newnham in his second season and for South Africa's Luke Ferraris, riding his third year in Hong Kong. Out of the top three just once in his seven previous starts, My Wish won consecutive races in Class 3 company in November and December over 1400 metres and stepped up to the mile last time, finishing a close third while giving 10 and seven pounds, respectively, to the pair that finished ahead of him Jan. 1. Easily the smallest horse in the 14-strong field at just 990 pounds, My Wish bounced alertly from barrier eight and took up a spot in the first third of the field, a couple of lengths behind Glory Elite (Aus) (Russian Revolution {Aus}) with cover down the back. Traveling nicely on the circle, My Wish was eased into the three-wide line leaving the 600 metres and had dead aim on the leaders turning in. Favoured Packing Hermod (Aus) (Rubick {Aus}) made a run in tandem with My Wish into the final furlong, but the latter kicked on smartly and prevailed narrowly. Divano, the ride of Blake Shinn, was snagged back to the tail from gate 14 and was ridden for luck in the straight. All the gaps came and he flashed home up the fence in a race-best :21.93 to touch Packing Hermod out of second. Mickley (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}), last year's Brittania Handicap hero, attacked the line for a sound fifth after striking some interference in the straight, while 2023 Windsor Castle Stakes runner-up Johannes Brahms (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) dropped out to finish at the tail. Ferraris is the 23-year-old son of former trainer David Ferraris, who called the shots on the career of Hong Kong Derby and G1 Dubai Sheema Classic hero Vengeance of Rain (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}). The elder Ferraris won the 2012 Classic Mile with Sweet Orange (War Front), a race Luke Ferraris remembers well. “Tonight, when I sit down it will kick in when I get the messages from my family,” said Luke Ferraris, who rode a treble on the day to take over fourth spot in the jockeys' premiership. “Watching this race as a child and now this–it's surreal. I'm pretty grateful to Mark and his team.” Newnham, a former Gai Waterhouse assistant who exercised the likes of G1 Golden Slipper hero Pierro (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) and G1 Melbourne Cup victor Fiorente (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}), saddled 31 winners in his maiden season in 2023/2024, and is winning with better than 10% of his runners this term. “The horse is very game, Luke's done a great job with him and my team at home has done a super job because when he first arrived, he was a high-energy horse and wasn't easy to handle,” said Newnham, who has trained better than 400 winners since going out on his own in 2016. Pedigree Notes: My Wish is the ninth black-type winner for his sire, whose daughter Asfoora (Aus) won the 2024 G1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot before finishing runner-up in the G2 Qatar Stakes at Goodwood and a close fourth in the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York. Flying Artie was victorious in the 2016 G3 Blue Diamond Prelude Stakes, second in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes itself and third to Capitalist (Aus) in that year's G1 Golden Slipper Stakes. Set The Tone was not covered from 2020 through 2022, but is the dam of a weanling full-brother to My Wish and was most recently bred to Hawaii Five Oh (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}). Friday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong HONG KONG CLASSIC MILE-LR, HK$13,000,000, Sha Tin, 1-31, NH/SH4yo, 1600mT, 1:33.98, gd. 1–MY WISH (AUS), 126, g, 4, by Flying Artie (Aus) 1st Dam: Set The Tone (Aus), by Reset (Aus) 2nd Dam: Celtic Courage (Aus), by Giant's Causeway 3rd Dam: Late Night Fun (Aus), by Handy Proverb (Aus) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-Ada Che Xiao Hong, Suki Tang Xianfang & Ruby Hui Like Sea; B-J Langridge (NSW); T-Mark Newnham; J-Luke Ferraris; HK$7,280,000. Lifetime Record: 8-4-1-2, HK$10,754,700. 2–Divano (Aus), 126, g, 4, Brave Smash (Jpn)–Been Scene (Aus), by Bianconi. 1ST BLACK-TYPE. (A$90,000 Ylg '22 INGFEB). O-Chen Chun Man; B-Aquis Farm, Ariel Arnott (Qld); T-Francis Lui; J-Blake Shinn; HK$2,730,000. 3–Packing Hermod (Aus), 126, g, 4, Rubick (Aus)–Black Tulip (Aus), by Lonhro (Aus). 1ST BLACK-TYPE. (A$300,000 Ylg '22 INGFEB). O-Roletta Lee Man Ching; B-Bird Rock Thoroughbreds (Vic); T-Francis Lui; J-Zac Purton; HK$1,495,000. Margins: NK, NK, 1. Odds: 6-1, 47-1, 9-5. Also Ran: Fast Network (NZ), Mickley (Ire), Rubylot (Aus), Lucy In the Sky (Aus), Top Gun (NZ), Talents Ambition (Aus), Glory Elite (Aus), Markwin (Aus), Cap Ferrat (Aus), Call Me Glorious (Aus), Johannes Brahms (GB). Scratched: Sky Trust (Aus), Bundle Award (Aus). Click for the HKJC chart, PPs and sectional timing. The post My Wish Gives Newnham, Ferraris Landmark Wins in Classic Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grand National-winning owner John Hales has died at the age of 85. The owner of Neptunes Collonges (Fr), who landed one of the tightest finishes to the National in 2012 when beating Sunnyhillboy (Ire) by a nose, was associated with a string of great jumpers, including another special grey, One Man (Ire). The latter was one of three Queen Mother Champion Chase winners for Hales, along with Azertyuiop (Fr) and Politologue (Fr), and recently he had extended his racing interests to a successful partnership with fellow leading owners Sir Alex Ferguson, Peter Done and Ged Mason. Paul Nicholls, trainer of some of Hales's top horses, announced the news of the owner's death on social media on Friday. He said, “It is with great sadness to report that John Hales passed away last evening. A great man and a fantastic owner and friend for many people. Thoughts with his wife Pat and his wonderful family. He will be missed by so many in racing. RIP John.” Hales was the co-founder of the Golden Bear Toys company, which produced toys associated with children's shows such as Teletubbies, Basil Brush and Thomas the Tank Engine. A former president of British Showjumping, Hales also had a close association with Olympic showjumper Nick Skelton and his sons, Dan and Harry, now a leading National Hunt trainer and top jump jockey respectively. He owned Skelton Sr's legendary showjumping stallion Arko III and most recently enjoyed success on the track with Protektorat (Fr), who won the Fitzdares Fleur de Lys Chase at Windsor earlier this month and is owned in partnership with Ferguson, Done and Mason. Protektorat's trainer Dan Skelton said, “John was there that day. He hasn't been very well and it's been a bit up and down for him recently, but he looked great at Windsor and we had an absolutely fantastic day. “The Hales family have been unbelievable supporters of all horse sports – his contribution to showjumping shouldn't ever be underestimated either. “He was one of the first supporters out of the blocks for me when I started my career and he's always supported Harry and my father and [sister-in-law] Bridget [Andrews].” He continued, “He's had all those great horses, but he's got those great horses because people have wanted to do so well for him. He inspired people to do well and trusted people.” The post Leading Jumps Owner John Hales Dies at 85 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Multiple stakes-placed Dream Concert (Jess's Dream), a 5-year-old mare with earnings of over $200,000, secured a final bid of $110,000 from Tiger Racing to top the OBSOnline January Sale. The digital auction for 2-year-olds and horses of racing age was conducted from Jan. 23-30 and marks the third auction held under the OBSOnline banner. Bred by James Michael Chicklo, Dream Concert is nominated to the GIII Endeavour Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 1. She most recently finished third in the $100,000 Wayward Lass Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs Jan. 11. The top selling 3-year-old was Hip 403, a daughter of Practical Joke who sold for $46,000 to Daniel McGreevy. Consigned by Wavertree Stables, the filly is out of the Quality Road mare Happy Road and is from the female family of Grade I winner Bustin Stones. She breezed in :32.1 during the optional under tack show. As of Friday, the OBSOnline January sale generated $273,200 in gross receipts from 12 horses sold with an average of $22,767 and a median of $7,500. Nine horses failed to meet their reserve. The post MSP Dream Concert Tops OBSOnline January Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Inherently, horse racing is an exercise in faith, like when a horse is foaled or has the health and good fortune to make its first career start. Or, if it is one of the very fortunate few to make it into the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. However, Mark and Clint Cornett experienced another leap of faith stemming from the decision to return White Abarrio (Race Day), winner of the GI Whitney and GI Breeders' Cup Classic while under the care of Rick Dutrow Jr., to his original trainer, Saffie Joseph Jr. And that decision proved to be on point last weekend when the 6-year-old–campaigned by the Cornett brothers' C 2 Racing in addition to Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz-Saud and Antonio Pagnano–flew home a 6 1/4-length winner in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park. In truth, the decision was really a no-brainer. “It's a crazy story. Obviously, we had to give him up,” admitted Joseph. “I knew he had to go and he went on to win the Breeders' Cup Classic. You have owners who had been supportive through all that time, so how could you not feel for the horse that you had been part of for so long?” He continued, “In reality, when I got the horse back, that really meant a lot. When the horse had to go, I knew he had to go. But he didn't have to come back. He could have gone to anybody. But that meant so much to me, I can't thank [the owners] enough. They believed in me and that showed it.” An impressive first-out winner for the trainer at Gulfstream in the fall of 2021, the $40,000 OBS March graduate won the next season's GIII Holy Bull Stakes and GI Florida Derby. A lackluster 16th in the Kentucky Derby, he later rounded out the season with a close-up third in the GI Cigar Mile at the Big A. Eighth in the 2024 Pegasus, he rebounded to post an easy score in a Gulfstream allowance in March. Forced to transfer to Dutrow after Churchill Downs indefinitely suspended Joseph following the death of a pair of his charges at the Louisville oval, White Abarrio finished third in his first outing for his new trainer in the June 8 GI Met Mile before galloping home an easy 6 1/4-length winner in the Whitney in Saratoga. Closing out his 4-year-old campaign with a win in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita, the Kentucky-bred was shipped to Riyadh for the G1 Saudi World Cup, finishing 10th, beaten 15 lengths by Senor Buscador. According to Joseph, another crack at next month's Saudi Cup is among possibilities for the Spendthrift bred-horse. It really have been a full-circle moment,” said Mark Cornett. “We never really lost faith in this horse after he shipped over to Saudi. The horse was on the plane for about 24-straight hours after he had been sitting on the tarmac in Miami. He then drew the one-hole and I told Rick [Dutrow] to go ahead and scratch the horse. He just laughed at me.” Given some R&R before taking another stab last year's Met Mile, he finished a flat fifth, beaten 10 1/4 lengths by subsequent champion older male, National Treasure. “When we came back over here, in the Met Mile, I just didn't like the situation,” admitted Cornett. “I spoke to Clint and the partners and I thought this would be a good time to send the horse back to Saffie. I thought, 'let's get him back to his home base, where we know loves the circuit.'” Returned to Joseph in June, White Abarrio, who trained sparingly over the summer at Saratoga, wouldn't make it back to the races until a seven-furlong test at Gulfstream Nov. 22. “It was a process when he came back. He was very edgy,” recalled Joseph. “We couldn't really get him to where we wanted him. We just took it easy with him at Saratoga and took our time with him. He just wasn't coming around. Physically, he was fine. Mentally, he just wasn't there. We sent him to the farm and brought him back after a month or six weeks. He still wasn't there yet. We breezed him once or twice at Saratoga and I think, when he got back to Florida and he got back into his stall, we started breezing him again. He started to turn around. I think it was because he got back into the surroundings he was accustomed to since he was a 2-year-old.” Bouncing away to an authoritative score in his Gulfstream return, he came up 1 1/4-lengths short of victor Mufasa in the Dec. 28 GIII Mr. Prospector Stakes, his most recent race prior to last week's Pegasus. “When he ran in his first allowance race back, we didn't know what to expect. He won by 10 (1/4) lengths so that was a relief to us,” explained Joseph. “The Mr. Prospector wasn't the original plan. It was seven furlongs like we did before [at Gulfstream Nov. 22]. So, Mark said, 'how about we run seven furlongs again?' I told him I thought it was a good idea. We were [originally] going to go to the [1 1/16-mile GIII] Harlan's Holiday. But last year, he won going seven furlongs before [finishing third in the Met Mile] and he went on to win won the [nine furlong] Whitney. So, we were trying to follow that same pattern. He broke out [after running in a sprint].” Leaving his difficulties of 2024 behind him, Joseph enjoyed a banner day at Gulfstream last Saturday, also winning the GII Inside Information Stakes with Mystic Lake and GII Pegasus Filly and Mare Turf Invitational with Be Your Best. “In general, you win with Mystic Lake and Be Your Best, that would be a great day in its own right,” Joseph said. “To have the story unfold with White Abarrio.. It comes full circle and to end like that, it's almost like a movie. A dream, basically.” And despite having to watch from the sidelines as another trainer hoisted the trophy on Breeders' Cup Day following White Abarrio's Classic victory, it was Joseph who was at the helm after being given a second swing at it. “It's great to get him back to where he should be and on his day, he's fantastic,” extolled Joseph. “Some people were saying that he just wasn't going to come back in his best form. But everything went according to plan, and [in the Pegasus], everything went perfect. We're really blessed to have him.” Faith rewarded. The post Keeping the Faith appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Longtime NYRA stakes coordinator Andrew Byrnes will retire at the end of the Saratoga meet in September 2025, the organization announced Friday. “The New York Racing Association is proud to recognize and celebrate the career of Andrew Byrnes,” said NYRA's Senior Vice President of Racing and Operations Andrew Offerman. “Andrew has invested much of his career working to showcase the best racing in North America at NYRA's racetracks. The consummate professional, we appreciate Andrew's willingness to provide advance notice of his retirement and his desire to ensure his replacement is set up for the future success of NYRA at the new Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.” Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, a four-time Belmont Stakes-winning trainer, offered his appreciation for the retiring stakes coordinator. “Over the past 25 years or so, Andrew was the person at NYRA that I could speak to for an update on which stakes were coming up, and he made the whole process easy. I always enjoyed talking to him and it was always very productive,” said Lukas. “It will be very difficult to fill the position of a man that was that dedicated and knowledgeable. I hope that he enjoys his retirement because he was certainly a tremendous asset to NYRA.” Byrnes has enjoyed numerous roles at NYRA through the years, including in the mailroom, in horse identification and as an entry clerk in the racing office. Byrnes spent eight years as a paddock and patrol judge before landing his dream role as stakes coordinator one week before the start of the 1999 Saratoga meet. “Racing has given me my entire life,” said Byrnes. “I'm a kid that grew up a couple miles away from here. I had no connections to anybody in racing. I grew up a racing fan and here I am years later putting together the Travers, Met Mile, Belmont Stakes–to this day, looking back, I still can't believe I've had a hand in the success of these last 30-plus years. I feel blessed, and I have nothing but positive things to say about NYRA and how they've treated me all these years. I've worked with so many good people and it's been quite a journey, but there comes a time when the journey ends. I'm looking forward to the next chapter. It's been quite a run.” The post Andrew Byrnes, Longtime NYRA Stakes Coordinator, To Retire In September appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK — Alessandro Marconi continued his compilation of a team of horses to compete in Europe and the UAE, adding 12 lots from the final session of the Tattersalls February Sale to bring his overall haul across the two days to 29. Three-year-old Baridi (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev) (lot 278), a winner last December for Stuart Williams, was sold through part-owner Robbie Mills's RMM Bloodstock for 100,000gns to top the list of Marconi's purchases for the day. Rated 74p by Timeform, the colt was bred by Moyns Park Stud. “I couldn't afford them in the autumn,” said Marconi in reference to the yearlings by last year's leading first-season sire Sergei Prokofiev. “He was highly recommended by Stuart, who is a very good trainer. Hopefully he can train on again.” Another on Marconi's list was the former George Boughey-trained Stage Winner (GB) (Zoustar {Ire}), who had won at Lingfield since the publication of the catalogue and was bought for 46,000gns from breeder Qatar Racing. A three-year-old brother to fellow winner Alpha Zulu (GB), he is out of the G3 Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes winner La Rioja (GB) (Helvellyn {GB}). Marconi's participation has provided a major boost to the February Sale, with his total outlay of 833,500gns accounting for 21% of the sale's aggregate. He said, “I do believe that this is the only sale that is able to give you an entry at an affordable level to every side of the industry.” The Spanish Derby, formally known as the Premio Villapadierna, will be the aim for the Soldier Hollow (GB) gelding Wanderlust (ITY), who will leave Marco Botti's Newmarket stable to join Sandro Tsereteli at La Zarzuela racecourse in Madrid. Placed in all three of his starts, the half-brother to three black-type performers in Italy is from the further family of Group 1 winner Giavellotto (Ire) and will race in the colours of Sociedad Civil Cuadra Allegria. “My client Arturo San Jose has a string of nice three-year-olds, but perhaps is missing a Derby horse,” said agent Rafael Rojano of Stamina Turf, who went to 62,000gns to secure Wanderlust, who, though gelded, is eligible for the Spanish Classic. “We had a good try yesterday on the Frankel colt from Juddmonte, but it is a strong market and it was too much for us.” New enterprise Colbert Stud, which is based at Dullingham Ley just outside Newmarket, picked up a nice broodmare prospect in Sorbus (GB), a winning daughter of Night Of Thunder (Ire) who was sold on behalf of owner-breeder Rockliffe Stud by her trainer Ed Walker. The three-year-old daughter of the listed-placed Black Cherry (GB) (Mount Nelson {GB}) may yet head back into training. “She is fit and ready to go and could progress,” said stud owner Emma Colbert, a former sport horse breeder and dressage rider who is now branching out into Thoroughbreds. Currently the owner of eight mares she has plans to expand the band to 20. “We want to be a boutique stud and have the highest quality we can. We will be breeding commercially and will race a few as well.” Bringing a clearance rate of 85%, 219 of the 257 horses offered across the two days found a buyer at an average price of 18,034gns (+26%) and median of 11,000gns (+52%). The turnover of 3,949,500gns was up by more than a million gns on last year's sale, at which 19 fewer horses were sold. Following a lively couple of days at Park Paddocks, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said in his closing address, “The Tattersalls February Sale is firmly established as Europe's premier midwinter sale and this year's renewal saw significant year-on-year increases in turnover, average and median as well as a clearance rate above 85%. These figures represent a positive start to 2025 after last year's record-breaking Tattersalls sales season and we have welcomed a typically diverse group of buyers, both domestic and from overseas, to Park Paddocks. “Racecourse success is always a key driver of demand and the Tattersalls February Sale enjoyed a remarkable year in 2024 with Classic winners Los Angeles and Metropolitan and Group 1 winner Facteur Cheval all out of fillies purchased at past renewals of the sale. Their dams all came from large owner -breeder operations and so it was no surprise that the sale-leading consignment from Godolphin was as ever in great demand, with their draft of 36 fillies and horses in and out of training realising almost 1.4m guineas. “The sale also featured the inaugural Retraining of Racehorses Showcase and the ever-popular Stallion Parade, and it was hugely enjoyable to have such a large crowd in the sale ring to see former stars of the turf looking so well in their second careers. “We now look forward to the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sale which has consistently produced Group 1 winners in recent renewals including Hotazhell, who looks an exciting Classic contender.” The post Marconi Aids Strong Conclusion to Tattersalls February Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The biggest surprise of the two-and-a-half hour livestream which revealed Resolute Racing's mating plans for 2025 was that Puca will be bred to Frankel (GB) on Southern Hemisphere time. That was only one of the revelations as John Stewart–accompanied by Coolmore's Adrian Wallace, Resolute Racing's Director of Breeding and Bloodstock Chelsey Stone, farm manager Noel Murphy, and general manager Gavin O'Connor–discussed the 2025 matings for his 41 mares in the livestream. Several stallions will receive multiple mares; Resolute will send four mares to Justify, three to American Pharoah, two to Not This Time, four to Seize the Grey (including Goodnight Olive, as previously announced), two to Nashville, two to Nyquist, and four to Complexity, among others. In all, they will be using 26 different stallions for their 41 mares. Thursday night, Stewart also announced that Argentine Champion Didia (Arg) was being retired and bred to Nyquist. Highlights of the matings appear below. The full list is posted on Stewart's Twitter feed. PUCA, 13, Big Brown-Boat's Ghost, by Silver Ghost. To be bred to Frankel (GB) on Southern Hemisphere time The biggest surprise of the night was that two-time Classic producer Puca (Mage, 2023 Kentucky Derby; Dornoch, 2024 Belmont) will be bred to Frankel on Southern Hemisphere time. “Puca should undoubtedly be broodmare of the year this year,” said Stewart. “She had a colt by Good Magic (a full-brother to Mage and Dornoch) and he's a freak. He's definitely something to watch. He breathes different air. We bred her back to Good Magic last year, and she's in foal with a filly. She went a little over last year which we assume she'll do this year, which will put her a little late.” Her Good Magic yearling, whom Stewart has dubbed “Preak,” in reference to the one Classic her resume lacks, was born April 4, 2024. “Puca is going to Frankel to be bred on Southern Hemisphere time,” said Stewart. “Then she'll stay and be bred to Frankel on Northern Hemisphere time. The baby who is bred on Northern Hemisphere time will come here and win the Kentucky Derby, and the one on Southern Hemisphere time will go to Australia and win the Melbourne Cup. You can't do any of these things if you don't try. How can I do it? I bought her, and y'all didn't. We're really excited to get the team at Juddmonte to agree to that plan. We appreciate their support.” PINK DOGWOOD (IRE), 9, Camelot (GB)-Question Times (GB), by Shamardal. To be bred to Justify Listed Stakes winner and G1 Investec Oaks runner-up Pink Dogwood was also three times Group 1 placed in Europe. She is a full-sister to Group 1 Irish Oaks winner Latrobe (Ire), and a half-sister to Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). Stewart acquired her privately from Coolmore in a trip to the farm in 2023. “She's an outstanding individual, full of quality,” said O'Connor. “Her race record speaks for itself. Given the quality of animal that she is, she's built on the base of foundational broodmare sire power. There's a lot of Black Type all through three dams. We bought her in foal to Frankel, and she give us an absolute stamp of an animal. As breeders, to get a product like that, by Frankel, you couldn't wish for more to go forward with. She could potentially be a foundational mare for our operation.” “She's in foal to Justify and will have a foal on the ground so we'll get to see what this mating looks like,” said Murphy. TOUCHING BEAUTY, 18, Tapit-Victory Road, by Pulpit. To be bred to Justify Grade III Comely Stakes winner Touching Beauty was second in the GII Matron S. She is the dam of the 2024 GI Blue Grass runner-up Just a Touch (Justify), and is in foal to Justify and is due to deliver a filly on February 5. “We're expecting a big year from him,” said Stone. “He's back on the track, and gearing up,” said Stone. She was purchased from Don Alberto in 2024 at the age of 17. “We bought her with the idea of going to back to Justify and creating a full sibling to Just a Touch.” CHAMPAGNE (Ire), 6, Galileo (Ire)-Red Evie (Ire), by Intikhab. Will be bred to Not This Time This winning full-sister to G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Found (Ire) will go to Not This Time. She was purchased privately in foal with her first foal to Siyouni (Fr). “She's a great-size mare,” said Murphy. “She has her quirks and sassy attitude, but she's a class individual,” added Murphy. “She has a regal pedigree.” She's currently in foal to Justify with a colt. CARAVEL, 8, Mizzen Mast-Zeezee Zoomzoom, by Congrats. To be bred to Dubawi (Ire) The Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner was purchased privately from Sheikh Fahad after RNAing at Keeneland November. “She's a phenomenal horse with a lot of great accomplishments on the track,” said Stewart. “With her turf accomplishments, we made the decision to send her over to be bred to Frankel last year, and she's in foal with a colt,” said Stewart. “I've been dreaming about this mating,” said Stone. “Fingers crossed for a filly.” HAPPEN, 9, War Front-Alexandrova (Ire), by Sadler's Wells. Will be bred to Into Mischief Happen was another private purchase from Coolmore, and was the winner of the G3 Coolmore Gleneagles Irish EBF Athasi Stakes. “She's by War Front, who is really the only Danzig (-line stallion) that we have over here now. That's why we're making some of these purchases overseas,” said Stewart. QUEEN CAROLINE, 12, Blame-Queens Plaza, by Forestry. Will be bred to Violence Resolute will replicate the mating that produced Champion Two-Year-Old colt and four-time Grade I winner Forte. “We bought Puca and Queen Caroline within a day of each other,” said Stewart. “The reason I went to Night of the Stars was to buy her. She has a filly by Flightline. That filly is amazing. She is beautiful. She is not for sale.” Queen Caroline is currently in foal to Tapit, carrying a filly. “That's something we're really excited about, having some Tapit blood as he's getting older,” said Stewart, “but this year, we're going to take her back to Violence to produce a full-sibling to Forte. It will be the first full-sibling.” PRINCESS CALLA (SAf), Flower Alley-Princess Royal (SAf), by Captain Al (SAf). To be bred to McKinzie The 2023 South African Horse of the Year and Champion Older Mare will be bred to McKinzie for her maiden season. “I think she'll be a fantastic broodmare,” said Stewart. “How many Flower Alley horses do you see around here? We're really excited about having her here on the farm. We've bought horses from five continents this year, and she came to us out of South Africa.” “Princess Calla's race record stands for itself,” said O'Connor. “When you first set eyes on her, she looks like a high-quality individual. She's a multiple Group 1 winner. Physically, herself and McKinzie really complement each other.” 2025 Resolute Matings https://t.co/3kUVLZchem — Jstewartrr (@jstewartrr) January 30, 2025 The post Mating Plans, Presented by Spendthrift: Puca to be Bred to Frankel on Southern Hemisphere Time appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As relief for all the talk of impending track closures, take a look inside my crystal ball for a glimpse of what racing could look like in New York, Maryland and Florida three years from now… Imagine the year is 2028. A newly reconstructed Belmont Park, thanks to a massive $455 million capital infusion, has secured the future of racing in New York for another half-century. The last time Belmont underwent wholesale reconstruction was in 1968, when Nelson Rockefeller was governor. Belmont's new grandstand, designed by stadium architect Populous in collaboration with NYRA, has modernized the race-day experience. By shrinking Belmont's grandstand from 1.275 million square feet to one-fifth its former size, the stylish concourse provides a sleek new venue for year-round racing. It is a work of art, admirable as a piece of sculpture in a more park-like setting. The increased green space around it has given New Yorkers what they asked for: more family-style outdoor seating similar to Saratoga's backyard. Increased purses for New York-bred horses have incentivized breeders and owners to invest in the state's ecosystem. Belmont's new, all-weather Tapeta track enables year-round racing in winter, reducing equine injuries and rainy-day scratches by turf runners. The winterized facility proudly hosted the Breeders' Cup in November 2027, marking the event's first return to the Northeast since 2007 at Monmouth Park. Just as triumphant was the return of the Belmont Stakes to its original home, where new tunnels and infrastructure below the 45-acre infield supported a party worthy of everybody who is anybody under 45 in New York. Creative event programming draws a younger demographic who never stepped foot in the now demolished “Big A” at Aqueduct, whose vast and dark 1959 concourse had become an obsolete relic. In Maryland, a newly-reconstructed Pimlico Race Course, located five miles from downtown Baltimore, will once again host the Preakness Stakes following a $400 million reconstruction that began in 2024. A creative deal that year secured racing's future in Maryland when the Stronach Group agreed to transfer ownership of Pimlico to a new Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority. 1/ST also closed Laurel Park's gates forever to consolidate Maryland racing at Pimlico. And Pimlico's original 19th century cast iron gate was returned to its proper home after being on display at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga. The new concourse at Pimlico was designed by the same architects behind the recent renovations at Belmont, Churchill Downs and Ascot. Their firm went by the name HOK when it designed Baltimore's Camden Yards, which opened in 1992. That retro-style ballpark for the Orioles revolutionized stadium design, bringing back quirky ballpark features and an intimate fan experience from a bygone era. It spawned a wave of replacements of over-scaled, cookie-cutter concrete stadiums that had opened in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati in 1970 and 1971. The most surprising development in 2028 is the return of thoroughbred racing to Hialeah Park, 12 miles from downtown Miami, for the first time since 2001. This is the outcome of an agreement to secure a future for racing in South Florida reached with Florida horsemen, state officials, and Hialeah's owners, the family of the late John Brunetti Sr., who bought Hialeah in 1977. When the Breeders' Cup comes to Hialeah in 2029, it will fulfill a dream held by Brunetti until his death in 2018. The event hasn't been in Florida since 1999. All of this followed the Stronach Group's expressed interest in the development of its valuable Gulfstream Park real estate over maintaining racing at the site. Other than perennial Pegasus ticket holders, few racegoers are sad to see Gulfstream go. In 2006, when it reopened after a $130 million renovation, critics called it a glorified shopping mall. One wag from Palm Beach said its paddock reminded her of Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas: over the top, and tacky. By contrast, when Hialeah reopened after renovations in 1932, the track became one of the most beautiful in the U.S. It still is, thanks to a recent touch up and its preservation and stewardship over a half-century by three generations of the Brunetti family. Its Renaissance Revival clubhouse, built in the Great Depression by Philadelphia horseman Joseph Widener and Kentucky horseman Edward Bradley, remains intact. It is flanked by restored gardens of native flora and an infield lake with iconic flamingos. A statue memorializes 1948 Triple Crown winner Citation, who won all three of his races there that February. Palm Meadows Training Center, almost 50 miles north of Gulfstream Park, was not a viable alternative. The surrounding community of Boynton Beach was not exactly hospitable. Real estate values there loomed as another long-term threat to racing. And racing interests preferred not to remain dependent on the site's owner, the Stronach Group. This opened a path for a new generation of horsemen, in partnership with John Brunetti Jr. and his nephew, Stephen Brunetti Jr., to revive Hialeah, as Widener and Bradley did nearly a century before. Importantly, revenue from one of Florida's top-performing casinos at Hialeah has saved the track's owners from converting coveted trackside standing room into premium seating. At Hialeah's apron and paddock, blue-blooded snowbirds–who arrive conveniently via two nearly adjacent airports–still rub elbows with blue collars from Miami's surrounding neighborhoods. To paraphrase 20th century turf writer Joe Palmer, Hialeah is one of the last places where the casual racegoer “can see racing. Elsewhere, he merely sees races, which isn't the same thing at all.” For fans of racing in the East, it's as if some tracks had to die and go to heaven before the sport could enjoy this rebirth. In Florida, as in New York and Maryland, they say happiness is having something to look forward to. Writer Carter Wilkie lives in Boston, where Suffolk Downs closed in 2019. The post Letter To The Editor: Reimagining Racing In The East In 2028 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Road: a look at contenders on the Triple Crown trail.View the full article

Yee Cheong Glory hits the ground running at Sha Tin on Friday, justifying favouritism with an eye-catching victory.View the full article

Young jockey and Australian handler team up with pint-sized galloper to claim first leg of four-year-old series.View the full article

Australian celebrates Sha Tin successes aboard Sunstrider, Chancheng Glory, Brilliant Express and Green N White.View the full article

Stakes assignments await promising filly Miss Madridista following her impressive 5-1/4 length victory in the Norwegian Park 1200 at Te Rapa on Friday. The three-year-old daughter of Shamexpress won her maiden at her second attempt two starts back before running fifth in a quality field behind NZB Kiwi contender Sought After and subsequent Group Three winner Ardalio. She was well supported by punters, closing into a $2.70 second favourite for Friday’s contest, where she was ridden positively from the outset by Craig Grylls and led throughout, carrying the colours of her owner-breeder Ben Kwok to a comfortable victory. “We have thought a lot of her all the way through, so it was nice to see her do that again today,” trainer Sam Mynott said. “She is going to go to the paddock now for a little break and then we will try and get some black-type while she is a three-year-old filly and try and make the most of that, I think she is up to it.” The addition of black-type would further enhance her burgeoning pedigree, with Miss Madridista being a half-sister to Group One performer Chambord and a full-sister to promising four-year-old December. “She has got it all on her side,” Mynott said. “She is still six months to a year away from being her best, I think, but at the moment she is doing a job. “We have just been taking our time with her and making sure she is going the right way, and she seems to be doing that.” Mynott was rapt to get the result for Kwok, who has been instrumental in the formative years of her training career. “He has been so supportive, even over the last week at the sales taking shares,” she said. “He has got a cool team of horses and it is good to get these wins for him.” Mynott purchased six yearlings at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales at Karaka and is looking forward to the future with them. “We had a go on a couple and missed out on some, but we have picked up some nice fillies and colts to take home,” she said. “Most of them have been bought by clients and syndicated, but I have got a nice War Decree colt (lot 469) for the Ready to Runs.” Meanwhile, Mynott is looking forward to heading to Ellerslie on Saturday where she will line-up Heart Of Gold in the Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m). “He went to the paddock for a freshen-up after his last run,” Mynott said. “Back to 1500m should be ideal. He looks really good, and he is running well. He gets in at a nice weight (53kg) tomorrow, which will be a big help for him.” View the full article

With a pair of highly promising winners, a milestone for the season and a perfect exhibition gallop by a Group One-bound star, the Wexford Stables team had plenty of reasons to leave Te Rapa on Friday with a spring in their step. Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott went into Friday’s race meeting with 49 wins to their name this season, and they lifted that total to 51 with victories by Sabrina Hall in the NZB Kiwi Preview Evening 6/3 (1400m) and Peerless in the Fairview Motors Mile (1600m). O’Sullivan and Scott have trained in partnership since the 2013-14 season, and this is the second time that they have brought up a half-century of wins in a season. They trained a career-best 66 winners in 2023-24 – a total they are on pace to comfortably surpass with six months still remaining this term. “It’s a nice wee milestone for the season and good reward for a lot of hard work put in by all of our team,” Scott said. “We’re lucky to have some fantastic horses around us at the moment, but also such committed and dedicated staff. All of their combined efforts have really paid off with the results we’ve been enjoying on raceday.” Sabrina Hall opened her winning account in style on Friday, outclassing her opposition by four and a half lengths. The breakthrough performance came in her fourth career start, having produced strong finishes in all of her three previous appearances. Bred and raced by Windsor Park Stud, Sabrina Hall is a four-year-old daughter of Mongolian Khan and the stakes-placed Guillotine mare Angelica Hall. She comes from a quality family that has produced quality black-type performers such as Greta Hall, Royal Descent, Madam Valeta, Falkirk and Golden Sword. Notably, Falkirk was himself trained at Wexford by Paul O’Sullivan through the early stages of his high-class racing career. “We’ve always had a very good opinion of Sabrina Hall,” Scott said. “She’s just been quite physically immature and a bit that way mentally too. She’s starting to make very good progress in both of those areas. “She loves firm ground and really quickens on it. Windsor Park’s ‘Hall’ family has produced a number of quality horses over the years, and our Wexford team has had some luck with them in the past. Generally if you have one from that family that can quicken, they get to a good level. With a bit more experience and time, we believe she’ll be no exception to that. “We’re very pleased for the Windsor Park team. They’ve had to be pretty patient with this mare, but I think that patience will be rewarded in time.” Three-year-old gelding Peerless, meanwhile, cleared maiden ranks at his third attempt when he launched a big finish from the back of the field to win Friday’s maiden mile. The son of Wrote is now rated a $31 chance for the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on March 8. “We think he’s a really promising staying type of horse,” Scott said. “He ran two encouraging races before today, but just needed that bit more confidence. He might be on his way now, and Rory (Hutchings, jockey) said he still felt like he wants to go further. “We’ll carry on towards some of those three-year-old staying races that are coming up. Hopefully he’ll continue to progress.” Meanwhile, Grail Seeker galloped between races at Te Rapa on Friday as she builds towards next Saturday’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at the same venue. The four-year-old daughter of Iffraaj has been one of New Zealand racing’s brightest stars this season, winning the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) and Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) in her only two starts. Grail Seeker heads the TAB’s BCD Group Sprint market at $2.40. “We got what we wanted out of her gallop today,” Scott said. “She was only out there for a quiet piece of work. We think she looks forward enough in her condition for next Saturday. “Kevin (Stott, jockey) reported that she felt comfortable on the firmer ground today, so it was good to tick that box. She’s pulled up really well too. We’re very pleased with how she’s shaping up.” Friday’s pleasing afternoon came at the end of a busy week at Karaka for the Wexford team, who bought 13 horses from the Book 1 sale and one from Book 2. “We had a really good week there,” Scott said. “We bought some lovely horses. We have a wee way to go with the syndication of some of them, but we stayed within our budget and we couldn’t be more pleased with the quality that we’ve got. “We’ve been lucky enough to secure some great horses at the sale over the years, and we believe the ones we’ve brought home this week could be right up there in terms of quality.” View the full article