Wandering Eyes

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

There are 13 horse racing meetings set for Australia on Saturday, April 12. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Randwick, Bendigo, Doomben, Ascot & Morphettville. Saturday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – April 12, 2025 Randwick Racing Tips Bendigo Racing Tips Doomben Racing Tips Ascot Racing Tips Morphettville Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on April 12, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! 4 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 5 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

The International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee (IRPAC)–part of the International Federation of Horseracing (IFHA)–has approved the promotion of Uruguay to Part I for the 2025 publication of the International Cataloguing Standards Book (ICS Book), the organization said in a release on Friday. Ratified by the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers (SITA), the country's promotion from Part II of the ICS Book sees it join Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru. A total of 24 races in Uruguay are currently included in the “Other Races” section of Part I (two Group 1 races, four Group 2 races and 18 Group 3 races), as well as 26 races in Part II that are recognized as international Listed races. These races will continue in this regard as per their current Group and Listed status. The post Uruguay Promoted To Part I Of The International Cataloguing Standards Book appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Guests Andrew Offerman of NYRA, Cathy Shircliff of Churchill Downs, Del Mar's David Jerkens and 1/ST Racing's Jodie Vella-Gregory, joined the latest installment of the OwnerView webinar series Apr. 8 to discuss how they ensure owners take center stage in their operations, according to a Friday press release from The Jockey Club of America who serves as one of the hosts. The panel discussed a myriad of topics related to how to improve an owner's experience at the racetrack, and the group addressed the all-important issue of how to attract new connections to the game. “I think that it's an area that falls into the void quite frankly, because I think that it's not determined whether that's a racetrack responsibility, a trainer responsibility, an industry responsibility,” Offerman said. “And I think that there are a lot of individuals out doing things to promote, whether it be certain micro-share groups or certain forms of ownership.” Co-hosted by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and presented by Bessemer Trust, Keeneland, and Stoll Keenon Ogden, the panel was sponsored by Muirfield Insurance and New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. A Q&A was sponsored by West Point Thoroughbreds, and attendees were able to ask questions through a link, which were answered at the conclusion of the session. Click here to access the webinar's full library. The post Laws Of Attraction, Racetrack Execs Join Latest Installment Of OwnerView Series appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Star Sports Brighton Owners Series will begin with the first Brighton Racecourse fixture of the year on April 12 and last through the Star Sports Brighton Festival of Racing on August 8. The series will crown the top owner or syndicate at Brighton, and will be launched by Star Sports in collaboration with the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA). The winning owner or syndicate will receive £10,000, with an additional £5,000 to be donated to a local Brighton charity selected by the winning connections.The top owner or syndicate will be decided by total prize-money earned, with a leaderboard to be displayed in the owners' and trainers' area. Last year the leading connections were the Eden Racing Club, finishing the year with just over £24,000 in total earnings. The post Star Sports Brighton Owners Series Set To Launch appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

If you're a jumps devotee, Saturday will be all about the Scottish Grand National meeting and wondering whether Willie Mullins can continue his ominous late charge in the British National Hunt trainers' championship to reel in long-time leader Dan Skelton. There is seemingly nothing the master of Closutton can't do. I wouldn't bet against him returning with a favourable deal for Ireland if he was sent as special envoy to Washington to negotiate with President Trump on tariffs. But let's not spoil our weekend by worrying about the ever-changing diktats being issued from the Oval Office for there is some fine action to savour in the coming days, from Randwick to the Curragh, Newbury, Keeneland, Dusseldorf, Longchamp and Hanshin. Japan, ahead of us all as always, stages its first Classic of the year on Sunday, the G1 Oka Sho. Don't miss Heather Anderson's preview of the race and overview of the stud career of the former Highclere Thoroughbred Racing star Harbinger (GB). With the positioning of Easter meaning that Newbury is ahead of Newmarket this year in staging the first of its Classic Trials, we can look forward to the return of plenty of last year's top juveniles, with Christophe Soumillon crossing the Channel to take the ride on G3 Fred Darling favourite Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), one of two fillies in the race for Ollie Sangster, along with Ellaria Sand (GB) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}). The G3 Greenham Stakes was to have been the comeback mission for Juddmonte's Cosmic Year (GB) (Kingman {GB}) but the lively ground, among other factors, meant that we saw him burst back onto the scene in splendid fashion at Kempton on Wednesday. The Juddmonte team has other potential Classic colts to come in the next few days, with Jonquil (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) lining up for Andrew Balding at Newbury and the Solario Stakes winner Field Of Gold (GB) (Kingman {GB}) entered for Wednesday's G3 Craven Stakes. We never saw Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) run at three, the year he was drafted in at Coolmore Stud to replace the subfertile George Washington (Ire), and it's hard to believe that it has been 19 years since his successful juvenile campaign, which included victory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. His exciting son Rashabar (Ire) was second to Camille Pissarro (Ire) in that same race last year after winning the Coventry Stakes and also finishing runner-up in the Prix Morny. In a big weekend for Manton, Brian Meehan will saddle Rashabar as favourite for the Greenham in the colours made famous by Robert Sangster. Only one Australian-bred will line up for the G1 Sydney Cup on Saturday morning – that's Godolphin's Zardozi (Aus), and even he is by a British sire in Kingman (GB). Apart from two New Zealand-breds, the 20-strong field is otherwise entirely made up of horses born and bred in Europe. Stop me if you've heard this one before. Meanwhile, the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in part two of Sydney's Championships features an intriguing clash between Via Sistina (Ire) and Dubai Honour (Ire). That similar theme is played out in Keeneland's GI Jenny Wiley Stakes on Saturday evening, in which Simon and Ed Crisford have the favourite, Choisya (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and their Newmarket neighbour Roger Varian is represented by Jabaara (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). Five of their seven rivals are either British- or Irish-bred but trained in America. It will be interesting to see how this scenario might change in the coming years if the tariffs remain in place. One of this column's favourite little troupers, Brave Emperor (Ire) (Sioux Nation), returns to action in Germany on Sunday in the G3 Kalkmann-Frujahrs-Meile. It will be good to see him back after he was brought down mid-race during the chaotic meeting that was the Amir's Sword Festival in Doha in February. The Archie Watson-trained five-year-old is the perfect syndicate horse for the Middleham Park Racing: he runs often and always with great credit. Here's to him landing a sixth group win. Over at Longchamp, Yeguada Centurion's homebred Darius Cen (Fr), from the first crop of Persian King (Ire), will be one to watch in the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau, a race won easily by his sire en route to him winning the Poule d'Essai des Poulains back in 2019. Trainer Victoria Head also saddles the unbeaten TDN Rising Star Tito Mo Cen (Ire) (Uncle Mo), a half-brother to Group 1 winner Ramatuelle (Justify), in the G3 Prix Noailles later on the card for the same owner-breeder. There is no Aidan O'Brien runner there to scupper Head's plans but we do like the amusingly named Aidan's Phone (Fr) (Prince Gibraltar {Ire}), whose moniker was reportedly inspired by the Ballydoyle trainer's tendency to phone a friend as soon as one of his many winners has crossed the line. Equally enticing is the return of the Aga Khan Studs' Zarigana (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) in the G3 Prix de la Grotte. She was beaten no more than a wafer-thin mint – a phrase still guaranteed to have Monty Python fans rolling in the aisles – by stable-mate Vertical Blue (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac and should ensure that her trainer Francis Graffard continues his Mullins-like domination of the French black-type races this season. The post Weekend Watch: Big Day for Manton in Newbury’s Classic Trials appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Not just any stallion can sire a champion, and 2010 King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes hero Harbinger (GB) accomplished that feat thrice when the JRA Awards were announced in January. Now, the Northern Hemisphere is just a handful of days away from the first Classic of the season–Japan's G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) this coming Sunday–and the Shadai Stallion Station resident is poised to add a third individual Classic scorer and fourth Classic win. His newly fledged 2024 champions range from the two-for-three Arma Veloce (Jpn)–more on her later–who claimed the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, to Cervinia (Jpn), a winner of the latter two-thirds of the Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown (Yushun Himba/Shuka Sho) and sixth in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic earlier this month. The title of champion steeplechaser was bestowed upon Nishino Daisy (Jpn), a winner of 1800-metre Group 3s on the Flat and third in the G1 Hopeful Stakes earlier in his career, before adding his second Nakayama Daishogai over jumps this past December at the ripe age of eight. (He won the 2022 edition, too). Nor is the trio the first such champions in the Land of the Rising Sun for the son of Dansili (GB). That honour belongs to 2018 Japanese Champion 3-Year-Old Male Blast Onepiece (Jpn), who claimed the 2500-metre G1 Arima Kinen. Not bad for a sire that cost just 180,000gns as a Tattersalls October yearling when purchased by John Warren in 2007. Bred by Anita Ooi, Harbinger didn't start at two, and managed to win the G3 Gordon Stakes from five starts at three for the recently retired Sir Michael Stoute and Highclere Thoroughbred Racing. The highest-rated horse in the world at one point in 2010, Harbinger swept all before him that year until an injury ended his racing days, taking the G3 John Porter Stakes, G3 Ormonde Stakes, G2 Hardwicke Stakes and the King George in succession. In the latter, he set a new course record of 2:26.78 for the 1 1/2 miles over good turf, defeating that year's G1 Derby winner, his stable-mate Workforce (GB) and G1 Irish Derby winner Cape Blanco (Ire), before a fracture sustained on the Newmarket gallops later that summer sent him into retirement. Connections waxed bullish on King George Day, with the general consensus there was more to come. “He was comfortable throughout, and all I needed was to give him just one flick of the whip,” said Olivier Peslier, an eventual four-time champion jockey in France, at the time. “I knew he was very good beforehand, but he is a truly wonderful horse and today he is 'the king'.” “There have been so many great winners of the King George, and I'd say he'd certainly be up there as one of the most visually impressive winners ever,” Highclere's Harry Herbert said after the 11-length romp. Secured by the Shadai Group for stallion duty, Harbinger left for Japan to begin his second career. This year marks the 15th season at stud for the 19-year-old, and, although his 2025 fee is listed as private, he could yet add to his legacy. Which brings us back to Arma Veloce, one of 29 stakes winners and 21 group/graded scorers worldwide for Harbinger. The field for the 1600-metre Oka Sho was drawn yesterday (Thursday), and the TO Racing runner will leave from stall nine in the 18-horse field. Currently second choice in the ante-post markets, she would be her sire's first winner of the Japanese 1000 Guineas, although Cervinia had the aforementioned pair of Classic scores, and the indomitable Deirdre (Jpn) carved out her own slice of history when winning the 2017 Shuka Sho and, half a world way, the 2019 G1 Nassau Stakes at Goodwood. Arma Veloce, out of the three-time winner Rakuami (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), took a spin over the Ritto woodchip course on April 9, covering six furlongs in an easy 1:21.20. Her final three-furlong split was :36.70, while her last furlong went in :11.40 while easily outclassing her two stable-mates. “I focused on maintaining her rhythm into the straight, wondering how much she'd be able to quicken,” jockey Mirai Iwata told NetKeiba of the work. “She responded beautifully with a strong finish and a convincing win. She's full of energy and very easy to ride. Her race sense is exceptional. She's put on weight and grown physically, she's looking much stronger now.” Harbinger himself strengthened as his racing career progressed, so hopes are high for Arma Veloce at Hanshin on April 13. Oka Sho Contenders Currently the crowd's pick ahead of Sunday, Erika Express (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) is the unbeaten winner of the G3 Fairy Stakes; she leaves from stall two under Keita Tosaki. Embroidery (Jpn) (Admire Mars {Jpn}) breaks near Arma Veloce in gate seven, and will attempt to weave some magic with Brazilian Joao Moreira aboard. Her latest victory–of-three–was in the G3 Daily Hai Queen Cup going this trip over Ma Puce (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits). One to the inside of Embroidery is Hanshin Juvenile Fillies runner-up Vip Daisy (Jpn) (Satono Diamond {Jpn}), third in the G2 Tulip Sho last month. Mirco Demuro, the older brother of Cristian who prevailed with Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) in the G1 Dubai Turf last Saturday, rides the group-placed Lynx Tip (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) from stall 12. Click here for the fields. The post Arma Veloce Bids To Become Harbinger’s Next Classic Victrix appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

News this week out of the Maryland state legislature has mainly concerned lawmakers moving oversight of the rebuilding of Pimlico Racecourse (among other industry operations) from the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA) to the Maryland Stadium Authority and the Maryland Economic Development Corporation. What garnered far less coverage was the successful passage of another bill that designates $250,000 annually for the next two fiscal years towards needed services for the backstretch staff living and working at Laurel Park. “I think this is unique,” said Mary Kay Vavasour, who volunteers in the office of state delegate Mary Lehman, and is a long-time advocate for backstretch workers and Thoroughbred aftercare. She said she is unaware of another state legislature having funneled such significant state funds for racetrack workers. “It reaffirms Maryland's seriousness about its embrace of racing and support for racing,” said Vavasour. “It also shows that when a state gets involved, it can also create another source of funds for some of the more neglected parts of racing.” HB 337 provides $250,000 for the next two fiscal years to Anne Arundel County, Howard County, and the City of Laurel to be used for programs and services in the communities in and surrounding Laurel Racecourse. The funding is for Laurel Park's backstretch workers and their families only. More specifically, these grant monies can be used for health and mental health services, counseling and social services, drug and alcohol addiction awareness and treatment, and nutrition and wellness programs, as well as transportation to off-site programs. According to Vavasour, there are an estimated 1,000 backstretch workers and their families living at or near Laurel Park. The funds are designed to cover the remaining tenure of Laurel Park, before it's closed for good as part of a major reshuffle of the state's racing furniture. Possible grantees need only apply if they've an established history of helping the backstretch community at Laurel. They must also employ Spanish-speaking staff, or else provide translation services. Among some of the individuals and programs that provided testimony in support of the bill was Ronald Singh and Will Humphry of the Racetrack Chaplaincy of Maryland, as well as representatives from two local food distribution programs, including the Anne Arundel County Food Bank. Aside from Lehman, the bill's sponsors include state delegates Sandy Bartlett (D), Pam Guzzone (D), Joseline Pena-Melnyk (D), Deni Taveras (D), and Jen Terrasa (D). The funds, said Vavasour, will shore up needed services for the backstretch community at Laurel Park, the vast majority of whom are workers who have come to the state to work in racing over multiple generations from just five or six small Mexican villages. “This is like a family business. These are people that are raised to do this. They are taught horsemanship from one generation to the next,” she said, stressing the need of fostering a strong backstretch community to help this familial connection thrive. “If this community were to go away, racing would collapse here.” The post Maryland Legislature Passes `Unique’ Bill to Support Backstretch Workers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Road, presented by Gainesway and Darby Dan FarmView the full article

The five Classic races staged in the UUK – the oldest of their kind in the world – are being branded the Betfred British Classics in an agreement between sponsor Betfred, The Jockey Club and Arena Racing Company (ARC). The newly created logo and title will be “used to help to educate racing and sports fans about each of the races' rich history and backstories”. This year, Betfred has stepped in as sponsor of the first two Classics of the season, Newmarket's 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas, following the end of the sponsorship by Qipco and the demise of the Qipco British Champions Series. In 2023, Betfred began its sponsorship of the oldest Classic, the St Leger, which was first run at Doncaster in 1776 and is the only one of the quintet to be run at an ARC track. Last year, it added the Derby and the Oaks to its portfolio of race sponsorships. The betting company announced last year that it will offer a bonus of £2 million to connections of any horse which wins the 'Betfred Triple Crown', a feat so far achieved 15 times, most recently by the Vincent O'Brien-trained Nijinsky in 1970. “I am incredibly proud to sponsor all five Classics for the first time and also very excited to be able to promote them both individually and collectively, with a new logo and identity for the Betfred British Classics,” said Betfred boss Fred Done. “It's all been made possible by the collaboration of both The Jockey Club and Arena Racing Company and I'm delighted to be bringing the two together to celebrate the crown jewels of British Flat racing in this way. “Each race has the kind of history that other sports are envious of the world over, with some of the greatest horses ever to grace the turf on their roll of honour.” The post Betfred Unites British Classics Under New Brand appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, April 13, 2025 First Race 12:30pm HKT (2:30pm AEST) Visit Dabble Sha Tin Racecourse is the destination for Hong Kong racing on Sunday afternoon, with a bumper 11-race program set for decision. The rail is in the C position the entire circuit for the meeting, and with clear conditions forecast for race day, the track should be rated a Good 4. The opening race is set to commence at 12:30pm HKT. Best Bet at Sha Tin: Justifying Debut wins don’t come more impressive than what Justifying produced at this course and distance on March 2. The three-year-old was never in danger as he made every post a winner, smashing the clock in the process. There’s more depth in this as he steps into Class 3 company for the first time; however, provided he can replicate that first-up performance, Justifying should have issues taking care of this lot at the short price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Bet Race 9 – #10 Justifying (6) 3yo Gelding | T: Caspar Fownes | J: Luke Ferraris (55kg) Next Best at Sha Tin: Divano Divano was far from disgraced when finishing third at Sha Tin on March 23. He hit the front in a fast-run affair, only to be headed in the shadows of the post by Packing Hermod and Young Champion, both of which were suited by a strong tempo as Divano was a sitting duck in the final furlong. The son of Brave Smash was still there as the whips were cracking, and with this guy set to drop 5.5kg in the weights after the claim of Angus Chung, expect another bold display by Divano as he rises into Class 1 company. Next Best Race 8 – #9 Divano (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Francis Lui | J: Angus Chung (1.5kg) (52kg) Best Value at Sha Tin: Across Da Universe Across Da Universe should be a big improver as he steps back into Class 4 company for the first time. The son of Bungle Inthejungle was well held at this course and distance behind Another World on March 30; however, he was never in contention when settling worse than mid-field and produced some decent closing sectionals to suggest he can peak in something a bit weaker. Ellis Wong helps the cause by taking 3kg off his back after the claim, and provided the pair can sit close enough turning for home, expect Across Da Universe to give a sight at the massive each-way price with . Best Value Race 6 – #1 Across Da Universe (8) 4yo Gelding | T: Pierre Ng | J: Ellis Wong (3kg) (61kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections April 13, 2025 1-4-6-9 3-6-10-11 1-3-7-8-12 2-3-4-5-13 Horse racing tips View the full article

Race 4 WANGANUI-TARANAKI OWNERS ASSOCIATION 1600m ISLINGTON LASS (S Mxothwa) – Trainer Mr. A Sharrock reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare, and it is his intention to trial ISLINGTON LASS at the Foxton Trials on Tuesday 15 April. The post Wanganui Jockey Club @ Wanganui, Saturday 5 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 2 ASHFORD MOTOR LODGE MAIDEN 1400m GAELIC HOOLEY (K Kalychurun) – Trainer Ms. K Dickson reported to Stewards, that on Tuesday 8 April, the mare underwent a veterinary examination which revealed slight lameness to the left hind leg and has been on anti-inflammatories. GAELIC HOOLEY underwent chiropractor treatment on Wednesday 9 April, to the left hind for general soreness. K Dickson further advised the mare will have a short break. The post Southland Racing Club @ Ascot, Sunday 6 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 6 ENTAIN/NZB INSURANCE PEARL SERIES RACE 1200m POLLY PLUM (T Moodley) – Te Akau Racing Manager Mr. R Trumper advised Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare, however, POLLY PLUM has now been retired. The post Ashburton Racing Club @ Ashburton, Thursday 3 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Super Photon will contest the Forsman Racing 3YO (1200m) at Te Rapa on Sunday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Sunday’s Forsman Racing 3YO (1200m) at Te Rapa could put comeback galloper Super Photon on a Group 3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) collision course with his similarly resurgent stablemate Velocious. Both Super Photon and Velocious were stakes-winning two-year-olds last season for trainer Stephen Marsh. They both underwent wind operations after failing to show their best form in the spring, and in a hugely rewarding day for the Cambridge stable, they both returned to action with first-up wins on March 29 – Velocious in an open sprint at Te Aroha and Super Photon in a three-year-old race at Trentham. Last season’s champion two-year-old Velocious now has the Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes at Te Rapa on April 26 squarely in her sights, and this Sunday’s three-year-old race over the same course and distance will determine whether Super Photon joins her. “It was great to see him come back the way he did at Trentham, and I really liked the way he won that race,” Marsh said. “He’s taken plenty of improvement from that first-up outing as well. “I’m very happy with how the horse is shaping up for this race on Sunday, which will help us work out what we do with him next. We could keep him to 1200m for the Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes, or we could look to step him up to 1400m.” The beautifully bred Super Photon is by Waikato Stud’s rising star sire Super Seth and is a half-brother to the multiple Group 1 winner Mo’unga. Super Photon was a $380,000 yearling purchase at Karaka by Stephen Marsh Racing, Dylan Johnson Bloodstock and major stable clients Bourbon Lane and Dennis Foster. Super Photon has recorded three wins and a second from his seven starts so far, headed by a Listed win in the Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa last autumn. That black-type victory came in his only previous start at the Hamilton track. George Rooke will ride Super Photon in Sunday’s $35,000 race, for which bookmakers rate him a $5 chance. Super Photon will be joined in Sunday’s race by his stablemate She’s Untouchable. Since winning on debut in November, the Capitalist filly has run third in the Group 3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m), sixth in the Group 3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m), eighth in the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m), third in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Final (1400m) and a last-start fourth in the Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m). She’s Untouchable will be ridden by Matt Cartwright in Sunday’s race, where she has drawn gate one and is rated a $3.80 chance. “She’s been brilliant throughout this campaign,” Marsh said. “She’s had a little freshen since her great run in the Wellington Guineas. She galloped this (Friday) morning and Matt Cartwright was rapt with her. She can put herself in a prominent position from that good draw and can definitely make her presence felt. She’s really well.” Marsh sees Super Photon and She’s Untouchable as the headline acts in his Te Rapa team, the rest of which has been dealt a blow by a number of wide barrier draws. “We’ve been plagued with bad luck with our draws through the rest of that Te Rapa card, including with some two-year-olds who we might end up saving for Matamata next Thursday instead,” he said. “But I’m really looking forward to seeing how both of those three-year-olds go.” Horse racing news View the full article

Champion mare and British raider do battle at Randwick on Saturday.View the full article

Swashbuckling front runner signs off with 13 wins and HK$83,796,256 in prize money.View the full article