Wandering Eyes

Booth, winner of the Whitmore Stakes (G3) March 15, faces six challengers in the $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) April 12 at Oaklawn Park. Tejano Twist, who finished third in the Whitmore, will face Booth again in the six-furlong race.View the full article

The defections of Owen Almighty and Heart of Honor from the prospective Kentucky Derby (G1) lineup have cleared the way for Flying Mohawk and Grande to secure starting berths in the May 3 first leg of the Triple Crown at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Royal Ascot will be the next destination for George Boughey's globetrotting pupil Believing as the trainer sets his sights on more group 1 success for the mare owned by the Coolmore partners and John Stewart's Resolute Racing.View the full article

People get into horse racing in a lot of different ways; Dana Zook–who currently works as foreman for the Mike Maker stable–ended up in the sport after being literally plucked off a baseball field when he was 12 years old. Zook is the guest on this week's edition of the Boundless Podcast, produced and hosted by Ferrin Peterson, a jockey and practicing veterinarian in Kentucky and Ohio. “I found my way into racing off of a ballfield,” recalled Zook. “A gentleman came to me and asked me if I'd like to make a dollar getting on a horse. I said, `yeah, I'll do that.'” He told Zook he had three horses at a nearby track and needed someone to ride them. “He said, `hop in the car,' and I was a little tentative, but that dollar overrode that.” Zook earned the three dollars getting on each of the horses and successfully navigating his way around the track, but, he said with a laugh, it took him five times around the track to pull up the first horse. He did well enough that the trainer offered him the chance to learn how to be a jockey. “I didn't know what a jockey was, but it paid $7 a week.” Thus began a career that has lasted over 20 years and which saw him ride 2,336 winners. He went from groom and exercise rider to jockey to his current position with Maker. Click here to watch the podcast on YouTube, or here to listen to it on Spotify. The post Former Jockey Dana Zook on the Boundless Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a gusty performance on the front end, 'TDN Rising Star' Shisospicy (Mitole–Mischief Galore, by Into Mischief) took the Listed Limestone Stakes field from the gate to the wire Friday at Keeneland to pick up her first career black type victory. Jumping well and quick to the lead, she rolled along through splits of :21.46 and :44.91 with an open advantage on her rivals as she led into the homestretch. Responding in the lane, she mustered enough to hold off a late charge from SW Dreamaway (Flameaway) and GSW Abientot (Not This Time) in third. There was a deadheat for fourth in a blanket scramble on the line. Sales history: $100,000 Ylg '23 KEEJAN; $200,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL; $300,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. O-Morplay Racing LLC; B-Bill & Corinne Heiligbrodt. T-Jose Francisco D'Angelo. Shisospicy gets her first stakes win in the Limestone S. at @keeneland under @iradortiz for trainer @JFDAngelo! TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/GnH7UlwhXF — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) April 11, 2025 The post ‘Rising Star’ Shisospicy Goes Coast to Coast in Keeneland’s Limestone appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The road to the 151st GI Kentucky Derby concludes with Saturday's GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. at Keeneland. Qualifying points are awarded to the first five finishers on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale, but won't be enough to have an impact on the first Saturday in May. With a field of nine entered and at least a pair of scratches anticipated, favoritism should come down to either 'TDN Rising Star' Bullard (Gun Runner) or Praetor (Into Mischief). Scratched out of the GII Rebel S. due to a fever, the impressive last-to-first GIII Bob Hope S. winner and last-out GII San Vicente S. third-place finisher Bullard makes his first start beyond seven furlongs in the 1 1/16-mile Lexington. Bullard, a $675,000 KEESEP graduate, is campaigned in partnership by Talla Racing, St. Elias Stables, breeder Three Chimneys Farm and West Point Thoroughbreds. His conditioner Michael McCarthy also trains imposing Kentucky Derby favorite and GI Santa Anita Derby hero Journalism (Curlin). “It's the first time around two turns, but it's a good spot,” West Point's Terry Finley said. “We didn't get sucked into one of the big preps. There was a thought to go to the Santa Anita Derby, but we took the route of least resistance here and we hope it sets him up for a very good year.” Finley continued, “I like where it falls on the calendar and certainly sets horses up, if they were to run well, to come back in three weeks and run in the (GII) Pat Day Mile or the (GI) Preakness or any of those other spots.” The Chad Brown-trained Praetor, a $725,000 KEESEP yearling purchase, earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure graduating at second asking, narrowly defeating the Kentucky Derby-bound Sovereignty (Into Mischief) going a one-turn mile at Aqueduct Sept. 27. He proved well worth the wait, airing in an optional claimer going a one-turn mile at Gulfstream off the bench Mar. 9. He makes his two-turn debut in the Lexington. Praetor is owned in partnership by William H. Lawrence, CHP Racing and Gainesway Stable. Gosger (Nyquist), a half-brother to GISW Harvey's Lil Goil (American Pharoah), also tries two turns for the first time. He graduated like a good thing going a mile at second asking for trainer Brendan Walsh at Gulfstream last time Feb. 15. Touchy (Nyquist) and Rolando (Vekoma) finished third and fourth, respectively, in the Lafayette S. at Keeneland earlier this week on Monday. Keeneland's Saturday program also prominently features a fantastic renewal of the GI Jenny Wiley S. The field of nine is headed by the rail-drawn, 5-2 morning-line favorite Excellent Truth (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), who was knocked down for €1,600,000 by Stamford Bloodstock/ Meridian Bloodstock on behalf of John Stewart's Resolute Racing at Arqana December. The G3 Prix de Psyche heroine and G1 Prix Rothschild runner-up makes her first start for Chad Brown, who has won six out of the last seven renewals of the Jenny Wiley. She'll meet G2 Balanchine S. winner Choisya (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}), GII TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational S. one-two Be Your Best (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) and Sacred Wish (Not This Time); and streaking GII Mrs. Revere S. winner Kehoe Beach (Omaha Beach). All Eyes on Thorpedo Anna in Apple Blossom Horse of the Year and 'TDN Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) is the 2-5 program favorite for Saturday's GI Apple Blossom H. at Oaklawn Park. Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Distaff heroine kicked off her 4-year-old campaign with a 3 1/2-length decision in the track-and-trip GII Azeri S. Mar. 8. “We're 2-5 favorites, so it's her race for the taking,” trainer Ken McPeek said. “But we're not going to take anything for granted.” Thorpedo Anna | Coady Media She will face six rivals, led by Where's My Ring (Twirling Candy), who aired in a local optional claimer with a 103 Beyer Speed Figure last out Mar. 15. Oaklawn's 12-race card also includes the GIII Count Fleet Sprint H. 'TDN Rising Star' Booth (Mitole) is the clear-cut horse to beat following a pair of sharp, wire-to-wire victories for Steve Asmussen in Hot Springs, led by the GIII Whitmore S. Mar. 15. Booth's sire the mighty Mitole captured the Count Fleet for the Hall of Fame trainer six years ago. “He's just matured into his own,” Asmussen said. “It's great to see Mitole reproduce something so similar to him.” The post Stonestreet Lexington Last Chance for Kentucky Derby Points appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jehan Malherbe's Form Bloodstock dominated proceedings for the 10th consecutive year at the Bloodstock South Africa National Yearling Sale on Thursday and Friday. The sale's top buyer, Malherbe spent R27,075,000 on 15 lots, including the four top sellers. Topping the sale was a Rafeef (Aus) colt named October Rush (SAf), who is a son of Miss October (SAf) (Var) from Avontuur Estate. The half-brother to South African champion and Grade 1 winner Tempting Fate (SAf) (Master Of My Fate {SAf}) and fellow top-level winner October Morn (SAf) (Trippi), he cost R4,250,000 (€196,513) as lot 197. A trio of Vercingetorix (SAf) yearlings set the next three prices to Form Bloodstock: R3,250,000 (lot 1, a filly consigned by Hemel 'n Aarde Stud), R3,000,000 (lot 244, a filly offered by Lammerskraal Stud) and R2,800,000 (lot 336, a colt also from Lammerskraal). Malherbe said, “We were able to buy most of what we shortlisted, including the top colt, a beautiful specimen by Rafeef out of a very good broodmare. Rafeef is red-hot at the moment, and we specifically targeted his progeny. We ended up securing seven, including a smart colt from Summerview Stud, one of the smaller breeders.” Mary Slack's Wilgerbosdrift Stud topped the list for the third time in five years, recording a turnover of R20,075,000 from 20 yearlings at an average of R1,003,750. At the close of the two-day sale, 305 yearlings sold from 346 offered (88%). The gross was R171,975,000 (€7,960,655), a drop of 14% compared to 2024's aggregate of R200,190,000 (€9,266,716) from a larger catalogue. The average was R563,852 (€26,100) (-3%) and the median was unchanged a R400,000 (€18,514). A total of 43 yearlings fetched prices of R1 million or higher. Michael Holmes, CEO of Bloodstock SA, said, “We are very pleased with the figures recorded, not just for the big-ticket yearlings, but for the spirit of inclusivity and camaraderie that this sale continues to foster across the breeding and racing industries. “Beyond the numbers, the National Yearling Sale is a true celebration of tradition and unity, where rivals become friends and buyers of all levels gather together for their common love of the horse. The sheer volume of million-rand sales speaks not just to the quality on offer, but to the enduring faith of buyers in this historic auction.” The post Form Bloodstock Dominates BSA National Yearling Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Japan's top 2-year-old filly of 2024, Arma Veloce, kicks off her 3-year-old season in the Oka Sho (Japanese One Thousand Guineas, G1) April 13 at newly renovated Hanshin Racecourse.View the full article

Booth, winner of the Whitmore Stakes (G3) March 15, faces six challengers in the $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) April 12 at Oaklawn Park. Tejano Twist, who finished third in the Whitmore, will face Booth again in the six-furlong race.View the full article

The April 23 race card makes up for the canceled races March 30.View the full article

The third race at Keeneland April 11 was declared a no contest when the Ismael Bahena-trained Ransomware stumbled going by the wire the first time, unseating jockey Santo Sanjur.View the full article

Around this time last week, Case Clay, U.S. racing manager to the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani's Wathnan Racing, was trackside at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, closely monitoring the operation's two Thoroughbred entries for the Dubai World Cup meeting–Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the main event and Flood Zone (Frosted) for the G2 UAE Derby. Clay hot-footed it to the airport after the races to board a Sydney-bound A380 for the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and spent a few days there before heading back to the States. Contacted Friday while attending the penultimate under-tack preview for next week's OBS April Sale, Clay fought through any residual jet-lag to discuss plans for the immediate future for both runners. A decided longshot against the likes of the prohibitively favored Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), Hit Show took flight in the stretch and was taking ground off the leaders, but even Clay was surprised at the end result. “From our standpoint, from where we were standing, we were thinking, 'Oh good, he's going to get up for third,' and then from 100 meters out he hit a different gear and it's 'oh my goodness, we might win this,'” he said. “Did I expect to win the race? No. He's a consistent horse and he ships well, so it wasn't out of the realm of possibility that he would hit the board,” he added. Despite a sharp victory in the GIII Louisiana Handicap in January, Hit Show had not yet been invited to the World Cup and the decision was made to use the GI Santa Anita Handicap as something of an audition for the $12-million contest. “Wathnan wants to buy horses and try to win races the Emir would be proud of and the Dubai World Cup was always the target,” Clay explained. “Until we shipped, he had not been invited, but we found out before the race that he was in. We decided to go to Santa Anita anyways. Sure, he was well behind Locked (Gun Runner), but he'd won a bunch of races since we bought him and thought he fit.” Clay indicated that Hit Show would get some 'deserved' time off and that races like the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup and the GI Breeders' Cup Classic would be in play later this year. The World Cup was a Breeders' Cup qualifier. “It was neat to learn that a mile and a quarter suits him, so loosely I am thinking about the Jockey Club Gold Cup, but [trainer] Brad [Cox] has managed this horse so beautifully, so we'll talk to him and see what he thinks,” he said. Clay called Flood Zone's distant seventh in the UAE Derby a 'flat' effort. “It was uncharacteristic of him, you compare his first three races to that and he was just flat,” he said. “We'll map out a plan for him and give him an opportunity to show what he did in his first three races.” Courtesy of his victory in the GIII Gotham Stakes, Flood Zone currently sits on 50 points, enough to be part of the field on the first Saturday in May, but Clay is skeptical the colt will take up the assignment. “I don't think he'll go to the Derby,” he said. “It would be quite a tall task. Had he hit the board [in the UAE Derby], we probably would have strongly considered it. But I am doubtful that he'll go.” With news emerging Friday that UAE Derby runner-up Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.) would also be passing the Derby, Grande (Curlin), runner-up in the GII Wood Memorial Stakes for Repole Stable, has gained a spot in the field. If Flood Zone is officially declared out of the race, that would move Madaket Road (Quality Road) into the final spot. The post Well-Traveled Clay Still Basking In World Cup Glory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

3rd-Tampa Bay Downs, $32,000, Msw, 4-11, 3yo/up, f/m, 1mT, 1:35.89, fm, 2 3/4 lengths. LOW KEY IN LOVE (f, 3, Quality Road–Inlovewithlove, by Bernstein) started her career on the main track at Gulfstream Park Mar. 16 and ran a flat fourth behind 'TDN Rising Star' Shred the Gnar (Into Mischief). Swapped to the turf here and with the wagering action focused on her and Elite Heat (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), the 3-2 favorite had to overcome some contact at the break but recovered well to establish a tracking trip through the half as the 9-5 second choice set the tempo. Three wide and looming the danger as they swung off the final bend, Low Key in Love overtook Elite Heat and cleared off to score by 2 3/4 lengths. The second-place finisher was well clear of the rest. The victress is a half-sister to Lovely Bernadette (Wilburn), MGSW, $570,312, who joined the venerable Japanese program at Shadai Farm when she changed hands for $750,000 at KEENOV in 2018. Her first foal was Grand Bernadette (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), a Listed winner at Hanshin, and her second was King Pin (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) who dropped the hammer at a Japanese yearling auction at ¥220,000,000 (about $1,812,352). She's since produced a winner in 2025 as well. Another half-sister to Low Key in Love, Maisie (Stay Thirsty), has produced two multiple winners. Their dam has a juvenile filly by Twirling Candy and a 2025 colt by Quality Road to her credit. This is the immediate female family of GSW & GISP Penny's Reshoot and MGSW Sapphire N' Silk. Sales history: $300,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $370,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $22,700. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Bradley Thoroughbreds, Cambron Equine, LLC, Allen Northcutt, Gary Finder, Kurz Equine Investments, Kent & Sara Starr and Jeff Walsh; B-SF Bloodstock LLC (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. #4 LOW KEY IN LOVE burst clear to win Race 3 at @TampaBayDownsFL to give jockey @JOCKEYSMARIN his 100th win of the meet! The winner is a daughter of @LanesEndFarms Quality Road trained by Chad Brown. pic.twitter.com/KCPdjTbq9q — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 11, 2025 The post Quality Road’s Low Key in Love Makes a Successful Swap to the Lawn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Ortley Avenue at Gulfstream Park in his career bow. Bungle Inthejungle Colt Takes The High Road One start, one win for Bungle Inthejungle (GB) colt Ortley Avenue (Ire). He steamed home a 2 1/4-length winner at Gulfstream for trainer George Weaver and owner Bona Venture Stables on April 6 (video). Bred by Newlands House Stud, the bay made €100,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale when offered by his breeder. Snapped up by Dewsweepers there, he went back through a sales ring, this time during the 2024 Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale, when consigned by Paramount Sales. Dylan Venosa shelled out $90,000 on behalf of Bona Venture Stables for the full-brother to G1 Nunthorpe Stakes heroine Winter Power (Ire). The ninth foal out of Titian Saga (Ire) (Titus Livius {Fr}), Ortley Avenue is also a half-brother to stakes winner Hay Chewed (Ire) (Camacho {GB}). The extended family features group winners Devonshire (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}) and Fairy Cross (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Rathasker Stud's Bungle Inthejungle is hitting the winner's circle with 50% of his U.S. runners (5/10) at the time of this writing. The consistent sire has been represented by Listed Sweet Life Stakes heroine Manhattan Jungle (Ire) on the black-type front Stateside. Bungle Inthejungle is priced at €7,500 this year. 3YO ORTLEY AVENUE wins impressively from the front on debut at @GulfstreamPark for George Weaver and Bona Venture Stables The son of Bungle Inthejungle (@RathaskerStud) was purchased from Newlands House Stud pic.twitter.com/kNqpGoPcRe — Goffs (@Goffs1866) April 7, 2025 Repeat Winner: Wathnan Racing's Serene Seraph (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) maintained her perfect American record with another win, this time at Keeneland on April 6 (video). She is trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, and her record now stands at four wins from nine starts and two placings. Wathnan won the $12 million Dubai World Cup with Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) on April 5. It was an interesting trip for SERENE SERAPH (IRE) ($8.30)! The filly gets placed first in the 5th at @keenelandracing and remains undefeated stateside. @jose93_ortiz was in the irons for trainer Bill Mott. Get in on the opening day Late Pick 5: https://t.co/9KTJWl3WMw pic.twitter.com/ts923CR2CA — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 6, 2025 The post Making Waves: Ortley Avenue Makes Winning Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tappan Street (Into Mischief) and Sovereignty (Into Mischief), one-two in the GI Curlin Florida Derby, breezed Friday morning at Payson Park while preparing for their scheduled starts in the GI Kentucky Derby. WinStar Farm LLC, CHC Inc. and Cold Press Racing's Tappan Street, who defeated Sovereignty by 1 1/4 lengths in Gulfstream Park's premier Triple Crown prep Mar. 29, breezed a half mile while racing in company with 3-year-old stablemate Rapture (Uncle Mo). “He went very well. I had him in :48 2/5, 1:01 3/5. It was a good move, executed very, very well. Obviously, inside of Rapture. It was maybe even better than expected,” trainer Brad Cox said. “I didn't do a tremendous amount with him. He was under a good hold throughout. Great move. Good horse, good move.” Godolphin's Sovereignty, who captured the Mar. 1 GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth prior to his runner-up finish in the Curlin Florida Derby, breezed a half-mile in :48.40 for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. “He was into it. He's not a great work horse, but he went well,” Mott said. “Good sign that we're able to keep going.” The post Curlin Florida Derby Exacta Tappan Street, Sovereignty Breeze for Kentucky Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Live racing on Wednesday, Apr. 23 has been added to the spring meet at Aqueduct Racetrack, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced via press release Friday. Following the cancellation of live racing on Sunday, Mar. 30, NYRA, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) and New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) requested and have received formal approval from the New York State Gaming Commission to conduct live racing on Apr. 23 at Aqueduct. The Aqueduct spring meet, which features 13 stakes worth $2.8 million in total purses, continues through Sunday, Apr. 27. The post NYRA Adds Apr. 23 Card to Aqueduct Spring Schedule appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Additional incentives for owners to accompany the new Irish EBF Academy Hurdles races, were announced by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) on Friday. Running from Sunday, October 12 through the end of December, the races will be sponsored by the Irish European Breeders' Fund and will be open to 3-year-old horses which have not had any previous run under either Rules of Racing or I.N.H.S. Rules other than in Academy Hurdle races. Firstly, an IRE Incentive-style sales voucher will go to the owners of any Irish-bred horse which wins or is placed either second or third. Each winning owner will receive a €5,000 voucher while the owners of the runner-up and the third-placed horses will each receive €3,000 and €2,000 respectively. Additionally, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association's (ITBA) support of Irish EBF Academy Hurdles will now see all races benefit from being part of the Weatherbys National Hunt Fillies Bonus Scheme (in association with The Irish Field). This means that 3-year-old Irish-bred fillies that win an Irish EBF Academy Hurdle in 2025 will be awarded an additional €7,500 bonus on top of the race prize money and will still be eligible for the €5,000 scheme bonuses available if subsequently winning a bumper, a steeplechase, but not a maiden hurdle. Fillies must be entered by their owners with the ITBA and payment of €300 per filly made by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 30 in order to qualify for the Weatherbys National Hunt Fillies Bonus Scheme (in association with The Irish Field) in Irish EBF Academy Hurdle Races. For more information, please visit the HRI website. The post Incentives For Irish EBF Academy Hurdle Races Announced By HRI appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As the first-crop sires tick off first winners almost daily, it was the turn of Mickley Stud's Ubettabelieveit (Ire) (by Kodiac {GB}) to enjoy the limelight on Friday. Represented in Dundalk's opening five-furlong maiden by the filly Leblon Beach (GB), the Adrian Murray-trained £5,000 Goffs UK Premier Sale graduate sat off the early pace before being delivered to the front approaching the furlong pole by Colin Keane. Asserting from there, the Capital Thoroughbreds Syndicate's runner beat the No Nay Never pair of newcomers First Approach (Ire) and Award Ceremony (Ire) by 1 1/2 lengths and a short head. In taking this maiden won in recent times by Caravaggio and Blackbeard (Ire), the winner was handing a major compliment to Lady Iman (Ire) (Starman {GB}) who had her seven lengths in arrears over this course and distance last month. £5,000 buy Leblon Beach (Ubettabelieveit) beats the Ballydoyle battalion in the opener at @DundalkStadium pic.twitter.com/pCrbPsZpAO — Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 11, 2025 The post Leblon Beach A First Winner For Ubettabelieveit appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Breeders' Cup announces the 2025 schedule for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Dozen, an incentive-driven program offering participation bonuses to horsemen preparing runners for dirt races at the Breeders' Cup World Championships. View the full article

Portions of Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio have been impacted by flooding after heavy rainfall in the region last week, including around the racetracks Ellis Park near Henderson, Ky., and Belterra Park on the outskirts of Cincinnati.View the full article

The Gerry Dilger Equine Foundation has opened the application process for its 2026 Irish National Stud Scholarship. Applicants must be currently working on a Kentucky horse farm with multiple years of experience, or currently enrolled as a 2025 KEMI spring intern, or must have completed the program last fall. Also, those who apply must be a resident of the U.S. A bachelor's degree in equine science is preferred, but not required. Applications are due by July 1. Scholarships cover airfare and tuition to the Irish National Stud in Kildare, Ireland, along with room and board. Travel and a medical insurance policy is also offered while abord. Click here for more information, or to apply. The post Dilger Applications For 2026 Irish National Stud Scholarship Now Open appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

4th-Newbury, £40,000, Cond, 4-11, 3yo, 10fT, 2:07.36, gd. GETHIN (IRE) (c, 3, Ghaiyyath {Ire}–Aniseed {Ire} {MSP-Eng}, by Dalakhani {Ire}), off the mark by six lengths on testing ground at Nottingham in October, took a keen hold throughout the early stages even after being handed a lead from Falconer (GB) (New Bay {GB}). Marginally in front approaching the two-furlong pole as that 9-4 favourite sadly broke down, the 7-2 shot had plenty in reserve to stretch to a 3 1/2-length verdict over Saddadd (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}). “He's a horse we've always liked and he won well on debut as a two-year-old and that was pretty impressive today,” trainer Owen Burrows said of the winner, who was adding his name to an honour roll including the future Classic heroes and heroines Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Star Of Seville (GB) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}) and Light Shift (Kingmambo). “I thought it was very safe, fast ground and I think they've done a great job. It was different conditions to Nottingham and until they've gone and done it, you've always got the question in the back of your mind. But to be honest I was always confident he would handle it. He's a big, raw baby as such and he needed his run today to get the fizz out of him. He was a bit of a boy before the race and I would like to think he will take a nice step forward from that.” Burrows has a Derby trial in mind now. “This had been the plan for a while, as he would only have a four-pound penalty and timing-wise it would give us a chance if we thought Chester was on the cards and he's also in the Dante. He will run in a trial next, definitely. We will see how he comes out of this and make a plan and now we know that if it does suddenly start raining–because it has got to at some stage–it doesn't overly bother us what the ground is like.” Following the recent trend of boosting the profile of his second-season sire, Gethin is the fourth foal out of the dual listed-placed dam, whose first was the multiple listed scorer and multiple group-placed Global Giant (GB) (Shamardal). She is a half to the listed scorer Anna's Rock (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), dam of the G2 Lennox Stakes, G2 Hungerford Stakes and G2 Park Stakes winner Breton Rock (Ire) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) who was also third in the G1 Lockinge Stakes. Also a half to Sugar Mint (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), who went to Chester's May meeting and was second in the Listed Cheshire Oaks, she hails from the illustrious family of the ground-breaking Breeders' Cup Classic hero Arcangues which includes Danehill's luminaries Aquarelliste (Fr) and Artiste Royal (Ire) and the Classic-winning champion Cape Verdi (Ire) (Caerleon). Her yearling is a full-brother to Gethin. Sales history: 150,000gns RNA Ylg '23 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $46,542. O-M J & L A Taylor; B-Elysian Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Owen Burrows. A second impressive #Ghaiyyath winner on the day as the unbeaten Derby-entrant Gethin easily lands the £40k @DarleyEurope Novice at Newbury Congratulations to all connections Owner: M. J. & L. A. Taylor Trainer: @OwenBurrowsRace Breeder: Elysian Bloodstock https://t.co/t5rs3GfDrd — Darley in Europe (@DarleyEurope) April 11, 2025 The post Ghaiyyath’s Gethin Impresses At Newbury appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Breeders' Cup Limited is once again rolling out its schedule for the 'Dirt Dozen,' an incentive-driven program offering participation bonuses to horsemen preparing runners for dirt races at the World Championships, the organizer said via a press release on Friday. The 12-race slate–launched in 2022–features existing graded stakes races held from May through October at six racetracks across the United States. “We are pleased to continue our valued Dirt Dozen program,” said Dora Delgado, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer of Breeders' Cup Limited. “Offering $525,000 in awards toward entry fees for our Championship dirt races, the program provides significant advantages to many horsemen. We look forward to extending the incentives once again to connections preparing for dirt division races as we return to Del Mar.” The Dirt Dozen program will continue to award bonus credits for first- through third-place finishers in applicable races. These credits can be applied by horsemen toward entry fees for one of the following six Breeders' Cup World Championships dirt races, including: GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff; GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint; GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile; GI NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies; GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint; GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. For Dirt Dozen races within the $2 million Breeders' Cup race divisions, the bonus tier is set at $30,000 for first, $15,000 for second, and $7,500 for third. While races within the $1 million Breeders' Cup divisions have a bonus tier of $15,000 for first, $7,500 for second, and $3,750 for third. Contenders are eligible to accumulate multiple awards that may be applied toward eligible Championship dirt race entry fees. Click here for the full 'Dirt Dozen' schedule. The post Breeders’ Cup Releases 2025 Dirt Dozen Schedule appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Heart Of Honor (GB) (Honor A.P), who came agonisingly close to providing the Osborne family with an emotional victory in the UAE Derby at Meydan last week, has been nominated for the Triple Crown. However, trainer Jamie Osborne has revealed that the Kentucky Derby would come too soon for the Jim and Claire Bryce-owned colt who went down by just a nose to Admire Daytona (Jpn) (Drefong) in the Group 2 contest. “We're not going to go to Kentucky,” Osborne told TDN Europe. “The turnaround is just too quick on the horse but we are very much considering the Preakness and, if that went well, Belmont. It's not cast in stone and there are a lot of things that need to be sorted out. We also need to be sure that the horse is in good enough form to travel and take his chance. But it's something that Jim and Claire would like to do as long as we are happy with the horse. And I think it's a good idea.” Asked how Heart Of Honor came out of the UAE Derby tussle, Osborne added, “It's early days yet but he arrived home on Monday evening and hasn't been doing a lot this week. But he looks well and is eating and drinking well. You've got to remember that, one of the difficulties surrounding this horse is that he's got to reacclimatise himself to being here. He was in Dubai for five months-it's not like he just shipped in for the race last week. So we don't have to make any firm decisions just yet but we'd like to travel if we think it's the right thing to do.” Heart Of Honor went from strength to strength in Dubai over the past five months. Bought for €160,000 from Meadowview Stables at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale with a view towards running in the top dirt races in the Middle East, he more than lived up to that billing by winning two of his six starts and accumulating close to £300,000 in prize-money to date. Last week's effort represented a career-best, yet some criticism was levelled towards Osborne's daughter and stable jockey Saffie for the narrow defeat. Osborne explained, “Look, whenever a horse is beaten by only an inch or two, there will always be some clever fella who will say where you could have changed things. In reality, any jockey that gets beaten that distance, will go back and look at where they could have made a difference but the benefit of hindsight is a wonderful thing. I felt that Saffie was very good on the horse, who has always had a little tendency to roll right–he did it in one of his earlier races as well.” He added, “Funnily enough, I re-watched his breeze from Arqana the other day and he rolled right in that as well. If he hadn't done that, he may well have won. It was a tough pill to swallow. For Jim and Claire and for Saffie, I was gutted. For Saffie, it would have been a wonderful achievement and she could probably have done with a little boost at the moment. But Jim and Claire have just been tremendous supporters of ours and I couldn't even consider training horses like Heart Of Honor without their considerable investment. But now that the dust has settled, we can take heart that we have a decent horse and hopefully we have a horse for the future who might be back in the Middle East next year and the year after in a Saudi Cup or maybe a Dubai World Cup.” The defection of Heart of Honor allows Repole Stable's GII Wood Memorial Stakes runner-up Grande (Curlin) to slide into the Derby field. The post No Kentucky Derby Bid For Heart Of Honor But Osborne Reveals Preakness Option 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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