Wandering Eyes

Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services sold four broodmares–along with their foals–and a yearling colt as part of a major reduction of Merriebelle Stable during the Fasig-Tipton Digital April Sale which concluded Wednesday. Crimson Frost (Stormy Atlantic) (hip 12), who sold with her Forte colt, brought the group's top price when selling for $240,000 to Gracie Bloodstock. “A few weeks ago, I learned we needed to address our budget for the next year or two rather aggressively,” Bluegrass Thoroughbred's Sandy Stuart said of the Merriebelle reduction. “My first call was to an appraiser we have always used, John Donaldson, and his advice was, 'You need to call [Fasig-Tipton President] Boyd [Browning] and use their new digital system. That's where you are going to save a lot of time and generate the demand you need.” The decision was made to offer mares from the Merriebelle band in three phases, beginning with mares with young foals who had not yet been bred back. “In talking with Fasig-Tipton and learning about the whole process at this time of year, what we needed to do was offer a mare who has not foaled, or has recently foaled and not yet been bred back, or wait until about 45 days pregnancy and offer them. So we have three rounds of sales in mind. We are going to use the May sale and the June sale.” Stuart admitted to some anxious moments ahead of a somewhat atypical time on the calendar to be selling mares. “Offering foals that are one to three weeks old, I worried that the normal immaturity in angular limb conformation angles could be a significant detractor to buyers,” he said. “But not in Kentucky with the depth of experienced horseman. During a call about a mare and foal that had RNA'd, I texted a foal's walking video taken that morning to a buyer who has raised thousands of foals in his career and within a minute, we had a deal.” While actors are cautioned never to work with animals and children, Stuart said these young foals learned the drill quickly. “Theatrical is a good way to describe two- to three-week-old foals performing for the camera,” he said. “It was fun to see the difference from the day we did the first photos and videos and then the final day. I got a couple videos of foals to send to people and it would have taken five inspections to get a video this good on day one and in a short amount of time, these little foals became trained sales horses. It was really cool.” The massive storms that tore through Kentucky over the weekend made showing the mares and foals more difficult, but Stuart credited the team at Merriebelle's Chanteclair Farm base with getting the job done. “Once the weekend downpour slowed, Declan Burke and his team at Chanteclair accommodated about 30 mid-day inspections of yearlings, mares and foals,” Stuart said. “It was helpful that Fasig-Tipton postponed the sale by one day.” The Merriebelle breeding operation received a boost even as the online auction was underway when its graduate Take Charge Milady (Take Charge Indy) finished second in the GI Ashland Stakes at Keeneland Monday. “The Ashland result was neat,” Stuart said. “It helps highlight that some of the goals for the program are to support stallion shares like Take Charge Indy. We enjoyed a little bit of a celebration Monday. It was a rewarding race on a weekend where we were otherwise getting into something of a dispersal.” The highlight of the April offerings was stakes winner and graded-placed Crimson Frost, who received her own timely update when her first foal, 'TDN Rising Star' Crimson Light (City of Light) returned to the winner's circle at Aqueduct Saturday and is now two-for-two in his career. “She makes very good physicals,” said Chris Gracie, who purchased the mare on behalf of an undisclosed client. “The Forte at her side was exceptional. She is a mare with a bit of pedigree and she has a very nice foal at her side. And she makes a very good physical. So when you want horses that can make those kind of babies, you have to pay for them.” Of the result, Stuart said, “Crimson Frost drew a lot of visitors to the farm and the colt showed great. It turned out to be a good result.” Buyers will get another chance to purchase mares from the Merriebelle reduction next month with the Fasig-Tipton Digital May Sale. Among the offerings will be the 4-year-old mare Bonaqua (Tonalist), who is in foal to Justify. “I am just trying to offer any mares that I think will have commercial appeal and will bring a significant amount of revenue,” Stuart said. “Fasig was pretty great about making it all happen. We will hope we can get some good results in the May and June sales.” The post Crimson Frost Jump-Starts Merriebelle Reduction appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are eight horse racing meetings set for Australia on Friday, April 11. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Cranbourne and Orange. Friday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – April 11, 2025 Cranbourne Racing Tips Orange 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 11, 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

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 this weekend running at Hanshin and Fukushima Racecourses: Saturday, April 12, 2025 4th-HSN, ¥10,600,000 ($73k), Maiden, 3yo, 1600mT AMERICAN POLICE (c, 3, Into Mischief–Theyskens' Theory, by Bernardini), a $350,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by owner Katsumi Yoshizawa, is the latest to the races for his dam, winner in England of the G3 Prestige Stakes and third in the 2010 G1 Fillies' Mile Stakes before finishing runner-up to Winter Memories (El Prado {Ire}) in the GI Garden City Stakes in 2011. Campaigned by Andrew Rosen, Theyskens' Theory is a half-sister to 2005 champion 2-year-old male Stevie Wonderboy (Stephen Got Even). O-Yoshizawa Holdings Co Ltd; B-AR Enterprises LLC (KY); T-Yasutoshi Ikee 5th-HSN, ¥15,200,000 ($105k), Allowance, 3yo, 1800m RHINO (JPN) (c, 3, Into Mischief–Princess Noor, by Not This Time) turned in a pair of creditable fourth-place efforts on the turf to kick off his career, but shaped as a different prospect altogether when switched to the Chukyo dirt for the first time with an authoritative six-length graduation on Jan. 26. Princess Noor, the $1.35 million topper at the 2020 OBS April Sale, validated 'TDN Rising Star' honors with a smooth success in the GI Del Mar Debutante Stakes and was knocked down to Katsumi Yoshida for $2.9 million with this colt in utero at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Rhino squares off with fellow U.S.-conceived Gylfi (Jpn) (Nyquist), an impressive debut winner over course and distance Mar. 22. O-Kazumi Yoshida; B-Northern Farm; T-Tomokazu Takano 1900m 3yo Maiden Chukyo: Won by nicely bred 3c 1. RHINO (Into Mischief x Princess Noor (Not This Time)) under Yuichi Kitamura RHINO, first time on Dirt today after running 4th twice on Turf. Dam PRINCESS NOOR a G1 winner, now Japan based#JRA pic.twitter.com/mZyfRX9Ly8 — Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) January 26, 2025 Sunday, April 13, 2025 4th-FKS, ¥10,600,000 ($73k), Maiden, 3yo, 1700m AMERICAN COOL (c, 3, War Front–Purrfectly Mine, by Mineshaft), a half-brother to the stakes-placed Jewel of Arabia (Daredevil), is out of a half-sister to Santa Catarina (Unbridled), third in the 2002 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and runner-up in the GI Kentucky Oaks the following spring before posting her lone graded success in the 2003 GII Hollywood Breeders' Cup Oaks. American Cool was a $150,000 KEESEP purchase by Yoshizawa in 2023. O-Yoshizawa Holdings Co Ltd; B-International Equities Holding Inc (KY); T-Teiichi Konno The post Princess Noor Son Rhino Tries Winners at Hanshin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Stewart Kenny and Matt Zarb-Cousin When betting shops had Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) at £100 a spin, offering high-speed roulette, the machines changed the atmosphere of betting shops. Punters were enticed onto the machines with free spins and 'tournaments' to cross-promote the more addictive content. This in turn had a detrimental impact on racing, as it reduced turnover which sucked cash out of the levy. It was clear that the commercial model of the betting shop had shifted as a result of the presence and promotion of highly addictive machines offering high stakes, fixed margin slot and casino games. FOBTs eventually became responsible for way over half of bookmaker revenue despite having nothing whatsoever to do with bookmaking. In recent years, the same has been happening online through the cross-promotion of online slots and casino content. Punters might sign up to a betting site to bet on racing, but within 48 hours of opening their account they are then bombarded with incentives and free offers that lure them into the online casino. Those under 25 are most susceptible to developing an issue with gambling, particularly when confronted with high-speed casino content, which has a much higher rate of addiction than the low risk of betting on horse racing. Forty-five per cent of those engaging with slots and casino online are either problem or at-risk gamblers, and it's the revenue growth associated with this side of the betting industry that is powering the demands for regulation from the public and reform campaigners, who quite legitimately want to curtail the harm these products can cause. This is what has led to policies like stake limits for (previously unlimited) online slots, recently confirmed by the government to be going ahead in line with what the gambling White Paper initially set out. Following the £2 limit on FOBTs being enacted in 2019, operators were keen for lucrative online slots not to befall the same fate. In the process of resisting this their chief executives and representatives proposed 'affordability checks', claiming they had the technological capability to tailor limits to customers without the need for a uniform stake cap. However, we have ended up in a worst-of-all-worlds situation where the type of affordability checks being carried out by operators are not effective enough to reduce the harm associated with the slots and casino product, but are too intrusive for ordinary horse race gamblers. Information from racing punters is obtained via invasive processes that lack uniformity across the sector, due to insufficient guidance and oversight from the Gambling Commission. This has led to the completely illogical situation where source of funds checks are carried out by some operators when someone tries to make a withdrawal. There is a way for racing to get out of this mess, saving itself from the reputational risk of being associated with a highly addictive product that derives no societal benefit. And that's for racing's representatives to argue for separate wallets and platforms for betting on lower-risk horse racing, extricating it from the highly addictive online slots and casino. This would enable racing to argue for an exemption from affordability checks, and keep more money in the sport by curbing operator cross-promotion of their more harmful content. It would also provide the basis for government, which has promised a review of gambling tax, to reduce the tax on horse race betting in exchange for taxing online slots and casinos more. Instead of arguing for a harmonisation of gambling taxes, as the government has mooted, racing needs to delineate itself from other more harmful forms of gambling. Horse racing should be as far away from online casinos as possible, but its representatives have allowed it to be used as a tool by the gambling lobby to argue against more regulation of the sector, and to protect a commercial model that is not in its interests, nor in the interests of punters. One that is geared towards the cross-promotion of online casino and slots to the detriment of racing, which in turn has fuelled gambling harm and therefore the demands for more regulation. But the interests of those calling for reform of gambling regulation in order to reduce harm, and those who want a fair deal when they bet and to protect horse racing, should be in alignment. It has not served racing's interests to throw their lot in with the betting lobby and its outdated, falsifiable pretence that all gambling is the same and addiction results solely from faults with individuals rather than addictive products and the practices of the sector. Racing's representatives should be arguing the very opposite: that betting on the sport carries a lower degree of risk than online casino, and should therefore be regulated differently. That means different wallets, licenses and platforms that wouldn't need to be subject to the same degree of oversight that online slots and casino require. It's time for racing to stand up for itself against the corporate bookmakers. *Matt Zarb-Cousin is a co-founder of Gamban, director of Clean Up Gambling, a senior government affairs advisor to YieldSec, and a spokesperson for the Campaign for Fairer Gambling (CFG). *Stewart Kenny is a co-founder of Stop Gambling Harm. He was also one of the three co-founders of bookmaker Paddy Power, of which he was CEO for 15 years and non-executive director for a further 15 years. The post Op/Ed: Racing’s Future and Reducing Gambling Harm Go Hand in Hand appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Via Sistina chases her seventh group 1 for the season in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Randwick Racecourse April 12. Grade 1 winner Full Count Felicia and 2024 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) runner-up Rousham Park are among her competitors.View the full article

Having notched 3,616 victories, jockey David Flores is accustomed to trips to the winner's circle—though his win April 10 in the first race at Keeneland marked his first win anywhere since 2021.View the full article

The Dubai Horses in Training Sale was topped by four-time winner Castle Way (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}) on Wednesday. The bay, a half-brother to Group 1 winner and first-season sire Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}), sold to Abubaker Kadoura for AED500,000 (€121,127). A winner of the G3 Bahrain Trophy Stakes in the colours of Godolphin for trainer Charlie Appleby, the 5-year-old gelding is out of Beach Frolic (GB) (Nayef). He was a 425,000gns acquisition by Godolphin out of the Highclere Stud draft during Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2021. Second on the buyers' sheet was the Frankel (GB) gelding Kalidasa (GB), who went the way of Paul Ebbs for AED400,000 (€97,420). A winner in five starts, the 4-year-old gelding was originally a 2.8 million gns yearling out of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Sale. Out of the Watership Down Stud draft, the March foal was out of Group 3 winner and G1 Prix de l'Opera runner-up So Mi Dar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). He was also sold by Godolphin. Fawzi Nass consigned Comet Chaser (GB) (New Bay {GB}) (lot 76) to the sale, where he caught the eye of Sky Racing for AED200,000. He has placed in four lifetime starts. The post Almanzor’s Castle Way Tops The Dubai HIT Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A quartet of juveniles shared the fastest time during the fifth session of the under-tack show held Thursday ahead of next week's Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. Freshman stallion Yaupon, whose first runners hit the track this year, had another standout breeze session held under “ideal” conditions when a filly (hip 788) from his first crop worked in :9 4/5 for Joe Pickerell's Pick View LLC. “She's been lightning fast all year,” said Pickerell of the filly he picked up for just $100,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale. “The wind turned around a little bit later in the day and probably affected some of the gallop outs but I thought she was one who would go fast no matter what time of day she went. She went out there and did her thing.” The first foal out of a multiple stakes-winning first dam in Big Time, the filly was on Pickerell's radar early after she brought $190,000 as a weanling at Keeneland November but failed to meet her reserve for $240,000 ten months later. “We actually loved her at [Keeneland] September and they didn't get her sold,” said Pickerell. “Then we followed her to on to [Fasig-Tipton] October and bought her there. We got lucky enough to get her.” Spendthrift stallion Yaupon, who was a hit at the yearling sales with his first crop, has set another high bar heading into OBS April. “I think we had 12 [Yaupon's] on the farm one point this year,” said Pickerell of the GI Forego Stakes winner. “I've been telling anyone with a set of ears about Yaupon since we started training. I've got just a couple of broodmares personally but one has already been booked back to him for this year.” Pick View had another Yaupon (hip 817) in their consignment work in :10 earlier in the day. “I expect big things out of him,” Pickerell continued. “He was magnificent as a 2-year-old. I always watch Steve Asmussen's stallions because they always seem to show up when you start seeing babies. I think [this crop] is going to come out running.” With the tariffs (at least temporarily) on pause, Pickerell was hopeful that would provide both consigners and buyers some relief ahead of next week's sale. “There's of course uncertainty with the tariffs,” he said. “But I think we bought a little bit of time and we'll get some stability here. There's a lot of momentum, the purses are awesome and the horses are still valuable if they're successful. So I think there's a lot of positives to buy horses right now.” Three other juveniles shared the fastest time with colts by first-crop sire Essential Quality (hip 775) and Maximus Mischief (hip 792) joining a Justify filly (hip 741) atop the board. An additional four runners shared the co-fastest quarter-mile time with three of the four coming from Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree Stables consignment including a colt by Honest Mischief (hip 734), a filly by Bolt d'Oro (hip 799) and a filly from the first crop of runners by Horse of the Year Knicks Go (hip 736). Sharing the accolade with that trio is a Vekoma colt (hip 787) consigned by Ocala Stud. Maclean's Music Colt A Bright Spot For Kinsman Farm Also breezing later in the day, a colt by Maclean's Music (hip 704) was the sole worker on the day for Ocala-based Kinsman Farm and trainer Emily Dawson. Out of a half-sister to Champion Older Dirt Female Letruska (Super Saver), the colt worked in :10 flat and is already a half to pair of winners in Mischievous Doll (Into Mischief) and American Forces (American Pharoah). “He had prepped quite well for us so we were really expecting [a good breeze],” said Dawson. “He galloped out quite well and we've been really pleased with how he went. He's been a straightforward colt all season and super professional.” Kinsman Farm purchased the colt, who also counts MSW/GISP Trigger Warning and GISW J P's Gusto (Successful Appeal) as family members, for just $120,000 at Keeneland September last year with the intention of pinhooking him as a 2-year-old. “He looked like the type of horse that could handle getting to a 2-year-old sale,” Dawson said of her fastest worker thus far. “He has a hard, fast look to him and a really strong hind end. Add in that he's perfectly clean on x-rays with a good scope and we hope he'll generate some attention.” First dam American Doll, stakes placed herself, has seen sales-rings success for her foals already as her 3-year-old Constitution colt, now named Only in America, went the way of Robert and Lawana Low for $700,000 at Keeneland in 2023. And, like Pickerell, Dawson was hopeful that her seven-strong consignment would be well-received at market next week. “March was quite strong,” she said. “So I'm hopeful that that will continue.” The under-tack show continues through Saturday with sessions beginning daily at 8 a.m. The Spring sale will be held next Tuesday through Friday and bidding begins each day at 10:30 a.m. The post Yaupon Earns Accolades With Another Strong OBS Breeze Show appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jill Byrne has been named Executive Director of The Virginia Thoroughbred Association (VTA), according to a release Thursday. Debbie Easter will remain with the VTA, serving on a wider range of industry initiatives with the Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) of which she is President. Byrne will also continue to serve in her existing role as Vice-President of Marketing & Strategic Planning for the VEA. A Virginia native and graduate of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Byrne served as an on-air host and handicapper with TVG in addition to holding positions as Senior Director of Industry Relations with the Breeders' Cup and Director of Broadcast Operations with Churchill Downs. She returned to Virginia to serve as VP of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs during the 2019 “Racing Revival” season and remained in that capacity for three more years before joining the VEA in 2023. With her combined VEA and VTA responsibilities, Byrne is once again based in Charlottesville where she works and resides. “I look forward to continue to represent the Virginia horsemen and women, and work with all stakeholders as our racing and breeding programs in the state are growing and prospering,” said Byrne. “Virginia has a renowned history in the thoroughbred industry and our future is brighter than ever.” Easter, added, “Our Virginia Equine Alliance team has accomplished so much over the last 7 years, but we need to continue to keep our foot on the gas if we are going to see continued growth for our Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries. Jill has done a fantastic job heading up marketing for the VEA and I am so pleased that she is willing to also take on a roll with the VTA. With her marketing knowledge and passion for Virginia's Thoroughbred industry, the VTA will be in very good hands. This move will allow me to enhance my role as President of the Virginia Equine Alliance. I can work even closer with Jeb Hannum (VEA Executive Director) to concentrate on the larger industry initiatives that will keep us moving forward into the future.” The post Jill Byrne Appointed New VTA Executive Director appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Three-time group 1 winner California Spangle has been retired. In a career that spanned 34 starts, the Tony Cruz-trained gelding won on 13 occasions.View the full article

The schedule for the Horse Racing Women's Association's 2025 season will be headlined by the fourth annual HRWA Conference, previously known as the Summit, taking place for the first time in Lexington, Kentucky, Oct. 8-9. The event, sponsored by FanDuel TV, will be hosted at the Limestone Hall, located in the historic remodeled courthouse downtown. “The 2025 HRWA events and conference are planned with great intention to engage, elevate, and invest in the women (and men) of our great sport as we strive to make constructive impact within our community,” said Stephanie Hronis, HRWA Executive Committee Chair. “Our collective goal is to cultivate opportunities that increase business connections, build and expand networks, and provide opportunities for professional and personal development that will ultimately benefit the workplace.” In addition to the two-day conference in October, the HRWA will host several regional events across the country. Full event list below: June 27 – Day at the races: Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada Oct. 8-9 – HRWA Conference: Lexington, Kentucky Oct. 30 – Day at the races: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California Tickets are on sale for our meet-ups at Woodbine and Del Mar via Eventbrite, and all HRWA members have access to discounted pricing. Tickets for the HRWA conference in Kentucky will be launched in the coming weeks. “We're excited to bring the main conference to Lexington this year while expanding meetups at Gulfstream Park, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, and internationally at Woodbine Racecourse–continually striving to expand the reach and impact,” said Jodie Vella-Gregory, Chair of the HRWA Event Logistics Committee. The theme for the 2025 HRWA conference in October is “Racing Ahead: Empowering Women Through Connection And Collaboration,” with programming, speakers, and panel topics to be announced in the coming months. For more information, visit www.horseracingwomen.com. The post 2025 HRWA Conference to Be Held in Lexington For the First Time Oct. 8-9; FanDuel TV Returns as Title Sponsorr appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday, Newbury, Britain, post time: 13:25, DUBAI DUTY FREE FINEST SURPRISE STAKES (JOHN PORTER STAKES)-G3, £85,000, 4yo/up, 12f 0y Field: Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), Bellum Justum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Dallas Star (Fr) (Cloth Of Stars {Ire}), Feigning Madness (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), Tabletalk (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Divina Grace (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}). TDN Verdict: One of Britain's re-entry points for the hardcore mile-and-a-half merchants and beyond sees last year's G1 Irish Derby runner-up and G1 St Leger third Sunway back in action, tackled by the 2023 G1 Futurity Trophy winner Ancient Wisdom and GIII Nashville Derby Invitational scorer Bellum Justum. While the King George seems an ambitious target for all three at this juncture, they are probably all slightly better than this grade and will help to shape the older middle-distance category over the next few weeks. Saturday, Newbury, Britain, post time: 14:00, DUBAI DUTY FREE STAKES (FRED DARLING STAKES)-G3, £85,000, 3yo, f, 7f 0y Field: Betty Clover (GB) (Time Test {GB}), Bright Times Ahead (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), British Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), California Dreamer (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}), Duty First (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), Ellaria Sand (GB) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), Enola Holmes (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Formal (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Greydreambeliever (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Heavens Gate (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), Hey Boo (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), Maw Lam (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), Mountain Breeze (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Nardra (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Time For Sandals (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}). TDN Verdict: It is fair to say that last year's juvenile fillies were a cut above the colts and there is every reason to expect they will continue to be so in 2025. This year's 1,000 Guineas looks hot even if Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) misses out, so the onus is on this cast to put down a marker with a serious performance. One who has very little to prove is the G2 Prix du Calvados and G3 Princess Margaret Stakes winner and G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes runner-up Simmering, while Heavens Gate may be in the second tier at Ballydoyle and a typical “sighter” for the stable but still carries significant weight in this context. Cheveley Park looked to have a real live Classic contender in Formal last term and while it all went wrong for the illustriously-bred TDN Rising Star in the G2 Rockfel Stakes, she wouldn't be the first to put a disappointing juvenile finale behind her and re-establish her aura ahead of the Spring Classics. As ever, William Haggas's prospects demand close attention and in what could be another big year for Night Of Thunder, Nardra is the one unexposed filly that stands out on her 8 1/2-length win in a soft-ground six-furlong Haydock novice in September. Saturday, Newbury, Britain, post time: 14:35, WATERSHIP DOWN STUD TOO DARN HOT GREENHAM STAKES-G3, £100,000, 3yo, c/g, 7f 0y Field: Al Qudra (Ire) (No Nay Never), Aurora Majesty (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Chancellor (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Diablo Rojo (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Jonquil (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Noble Champion (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Rashabar (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), Rogue Allegiance (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Saracen (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Yah Mo Be There (GB) (Mohaather {GB}). TDN Verdict: More successful than the Fred Darling as a Newmarket pointer but still without a 2,000 Guineas winner in 11 years if you don't count Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}) who unseated Frankie Dettori coming out of the gates here in 2023, this time-honoured prep is dominated by the G2 Coventry Stakes winner and G1 Prix Morny and G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere runner-up and iron-clad standard-setter Rashabar. Apparently more likely to take in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains than the Guineas according to Brian Meehan, he is on the same path as Isaac Shelby (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) who also sported the famed Sangster silks when capitalising from the mis-hap to Chaldean in 2023. Speaking of stalls incidents, Cheveley Park's TDN Rising Star Chancellor is no stranger to misfortune in that sphere having broken through them before the G2 Champagne Stakes in September. As a result, the regally-bred son of the 2014 Greenham hero and subsequent A-lister Kingman (GB) was denied the chance to translate the immense promise of his two Doncaster wins into pattern-race achievement, but that's all water under the bridge at this point and he remains very much one of the key British-trained Guineas contenders. Another TDN Rising Star to misfire last term, Juddmonte's Jonquil just has to be a lot better than his no-show in the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes and he is another who arrives with a clean slate representing the same team as Chaldean, while the exciting debut winners Rogue Allegiance, Saracen and Noble Champion add mystique to a bang up-to-scratch renewal. Noble Champion, the half-brother to the seven-furlong star Pogo (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}), received notable attention from our own Adam Houghton in his excellent Winter Watch. Saturday, Curragh, Ireland, post time: 15:25, LODGE PARK STUD IRISH EBF PARK EXPRESS STAKES-G3, €41,400, 3yo/up, f/m, 8f 0y Field: Azada (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), Bright Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Fleur De Chine (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), Mexicali Rose (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}), Naomi Lapaglia (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}), One Look (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Princess Child (Fr) (Dariyan {Fr}), Whirl (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Ecstatic (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Garden Of Eden (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Spicy Margarita (Ire) (Earthlight {Ire}). TDN Verdict: On the European Flat season's first big Saturday of the year, Ballydoyle test a trio of Classic hopes against some hard-knocking older fillies and mares. Ryan Moore is on Whirl, which probably isn't a surprise given that she won the G3 Staffordstown Stud Stakes over this course and distance in October, but the yard's TDN Rising Star Ecstatic gives the impression she has plenty to offer from here as a daughter of the indomitable Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Saturday, Curragh, Ireland, post time: 16:35, TOTE.IE ALLEGED STAKES-G3, €36,000, 4yo/up, 10f 0y Field: Jan Brueghel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Crystal Black (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), Crypto Force (GB) (Time Test {GB}), Galen (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Sons And Lovers (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), Wahdan (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}). TDN Verdict: Unusually, Aidan O'Brien puts two of his older heavyweights together for their seasonal bows, with Ryan Moore siding with the unbeaten G1 St Leger hero Jan Brueghel over the G2 Dubai Gold Cup and G2 Curragh Cup winner Tower Of London. Both are forced to carry penalties at a trip short of their optimum, but the stable's runners so far in 2025 seem fairly forward and it would be no surprise to see them dominate. There is no knowing the ceiling of Jan Brueghel as yet, while the time performance of Tower Of London when last seen marks him out as one who could excel on the international stage this year. Click here to download the complete fields with owner and breeder information. The post Black-Type Analysis: Rashabar Looms Large In Saturday’s Greenham Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

To say that Integration (Quality Road) was facing some quality individuals in year's GI Maker's Mark Mile Stakes might be somewhat of an understatement. In that soggy renewal at Keeneland last April, the West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing runner finished third behind Godolphin's Master of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who stole the show following wins in the GI Woodbine Mile and GI Breeders' Cup Mile the previous season. The runner up that day was another Godolphin representative, Group 2 scorer Naval Power (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), who followed up with a close-up second in the GI Turf Classic. The Shug McGaughey trainee gets another chance at Keeneland's marquee race for turf milers Friday when he faces eight others, including dual Grade I winner Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who will be making his much-awaited first start of the year after a sixth in last November's GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar. “It seems like we have been trying to outrun Carl Spackler for the last 10 years. At least that's what it feels like,” quipped West Point Thoroughbred's Terry Finley. “I figured sooner or later we'd see him enter and here he is.” Reflecting on Integration's Maker's Mark performance last year, Finley explained, “I think he was third best last year. I am not sure he ran his best race, but those two horses that ended up in front of us are very nice horses. We didn't have any excuses. I remember Frankie [Dettori] telling us that he thought we ran our race, but we just didn't get the job done that day.” Following the respectable effort in this test in 2024, Integration was fourth in the nine-furlong Turf Classic on the Derby Day undercard before winning by 6 1/2 lengths over two rivals in scratch-depleted edition of Colonial's Million Preview in July. Stretching to 10 panels for the GI Arlington Million, the $700,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select purchase had to play bridesmaid to the highly accomplished Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). Extending even farther for the 12-furlong GII FanDuel TV Kentucky Turf Cup in September, the son of Grade I winner Harmonize (Scat Daddy) came home fourth before rebounding to win the 11-furlong GII Red Smith at the Big A in November. Given some R&R over the winter, Integration came up just a neck short of the win behind Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d'Oro), who pegged him at the wire in the nine-furlong GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational at Gulfstream Jan. 25. “Shug was really optimistic that he'd show up in a big way,” recalled Finley in advance of the 5-year-old's seasonal debut. “You get four or five horses that are within 1 1/2 lengths of each other and the winner gets the bob. We had a very good trip and was just second best.” Stabled at Payson through the winter, Integration appears to have taken his transition to five in good order. “He is starting to put it together right now,” confirmed Finley. “Shug commented that he had never seen him bigger, stronger and broader than he is now. I think as a 5-year-old, we might be on the cusp of a big year with him. I think he rates very well [in the Maker's Mark].” Dettori reunites with Integration for Friday's race. West Point, in partnership with David Ingordo, is also represented by Northern Invader (Collected), trained by Cherie DeVaux. A winner with Jose Ortiz in the irons going a mile in a Keeneland allowance last season, the chestnut subsequently finished fourth in Churchill's GIII Arlington Stakes in June before rounding out his 4-year-old campaign with a third behind winner Carl Spackler in Saratoga's GIII Kelso Stakes in July. “After he was third to Carl Spackler [in the Kelso] at Saratoga, Cherie very smartly said let's put this colt away, freshen him up a bit and bring him back as a 5-year-old,” explained Finley. Marking his debut in the GIII Tampa Bay Stakes, the $310,000 OBS March graduate was headed late finishing second by 3/4 of a length behind Running Bee (English Channel) Feb. 1. While Edwin Gonzalez was aboard at Tampa, Finley confirmed that Ortiz will be back in the saddle in the Maker's Mark. “I was really happy to see that really good race at Tampa. It was a good number that day,” he added. “He seems to get very brave in front, he likes to control things on the front end, and that's what he'll try to do again.” Following what seemed like biblical rains in Kentucky last weekend, the upcoming forecast in Lexington once again calls for precipitation through the end of the week. When asked how West Point's runners might handle what seems to be shaping up as another soft turf course for Friday's race, Finley said, “That's the $1-million question. Shug has said that he didn't feel [Integration] is as effective on soft going. We'd love for the weather to break a little bit and give us as firm as turf course as possible.” Regarding Integration's Ontario-bred stablemate, he added, “I don't think the softer ground won't impact him as much as it might integration.” Regardless of the weather, Finley admitted that the duo seems to complement each other in the race, at least from a tactical perspective. “He's probably a touch better going a mile and an eighth, but I think he still rates with these horses,” said Finley of Integration. Of Northern Invader, he continued, “I think he can be very dangerous because, turning for home, he's got a quick acceleration at the quarter-pole and he has used that a couple of times effectively.” “It's interesting because we have horses that wants the lead all to himself and another good horse that is a stalker. So, we'll see which ones best and if either one can get to the wire first.” The post Integration Attempts to Overhaul Returning Carl Spackler in Keeneland’s Maker’s Mark Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

8th-KEE, $110K, Msw, 3yo, f, 7f, 4:44 p.m. ET. PLAY WITH MAGIC is set for her unveiling under the care of trainer Cherie DeVaux. Bred by Glenwood's John D. Gunther and his daughter Tanya on the same Mendelssohn-Ghostzapper cross as GSW Somethinabouther, the late May foal is out 2018 Broodmare of the Year Stage Magic (Ghostzapper). This dam's productivity includes one of the top North American sires in Justify (Scat Daddy), GSW The Lieutenant (Street Sense) and SW Stage Raider (Pioneerof the Nile). Stage Magic is also responsible for a yearling filly by Into Mischief and she threw a Gun Runner colt Mar. 7. TJCIS PPS The post Friday’s Insights: Justify’s Half-Sister Looks To Conjure Family Magic On Debut At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Despite his third-place finish to U.S.-trained Hit Show and Mixto in the April 5 Dubai World Cup (G1), Saudi Cup (G1) hero Forever Young remains at the top of the most recent Longines Word's Best Racehorse Rankings for 2025. View the full article

The Breeders' Cup announced an expanded schedule for the 2025 Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In, which will feature 93 races in 15 countries—the most in Breeders' Cup history.View the full article

With 26 graded stakes victories to its credit, Godolphin is tied with Claiborne Farm at the top of that statistic in Keeneland history. Jabaara could provide the tie-breaker when she goes to the starting gate in the April 12 Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T).View the full article

After finishing a close second with Savaglee in the Australian Guineas (G1), trainer Pam Gerard sends out New Zealand-bred Dubai Gold in the April 12 Australian Oaks (G1). View the full article

The Peter O'Sullevan Lambourn Open Day will be held on Good Friday, April 18, this year. Last year's event was cancelled due to waterlogging. Fans will be able to visit over 20 training yards in Lambourn from 9a-1p, including Nicky Henderson's legendary Seven Barrows, home to Constitution Hill (GB) (Blue Bresil {Fr}) and Jonbon (Fr) (Walk In The Park {Ire}), among others. There will also be the Parade of Equine Heros, sponsored by Windsor Clive International that afternoon. Some of the big names in the parade are champion chasers Altior (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Sprinter Sacre (Fr) (Network {Ger}), as well as Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Coneygree (GB) (Karinga Bay {GB}). There will also be the Carisbrooke Stud Celebrity Showjumping, featuring stars such as Nico de Boinville, James Bowen and A.P. McCoy. Tickets are £15 per person with children under 12 free. If you are attending only the afternoon portion of the Lambourn Open Day, tickets are £10 per person. Mark Smyly, chairman of the Lambourn Open Day, said, “We're thrilled to welcome everyone back to Lambourn for this year's event, especially after the disappointment of last year's cancellation. The Open Day is not only a chance for fans to meet some of the sport's biggest stars, but it also serves as a vital fundraiser for the Lambourn community and horse racing as a whole. We're looking forward to seeing the yards buzzing and hope visitors enjoy everything the day has to offer.” For tickets and additional information, please visit the Lambourn Open Day website. The post Peter O’Sullevan Lambourn Open Day Returns On Good Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Promising three-year-old Edge Of Mali (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), who chased home Irish 2,000 Guineas entrant Currawood (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) on debut at Dundalk, has been sold to continue her career in America. The six-figure sale represents a remarkable upswing in value for trainer Claire O'Connell's filly, who was a 3,000 gns Clipper Logistics cast-off at last year's Tattersalls July Sale. It was Joe Foley, long-time advisor to Clipper boss Steve Parkin, who saw the merits in what was at the time an unraced two-year-old. The sale of Edge Of Mali comes hot on the heels of Copacabana Sands (Ire), another nice prospect by Sands Of Mali, finishing an unlucky fifth in a 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown. The Ballyhane-based sire also has two entries in Saturday's G3 Fred Darling Stakes and Foley has hailed the young stallion as the best he has ever had through his hands. “We're very proud of how Sands Of Mali is going,” Foley said. “In fairness, in spite of all the drama that has surrounded him in recent times, he's standing up for himself, is doing it the hard way and is definitely the best stallion that I have ever had. He is fully booked and lots of good breeders are on him. He has a good reputation and he deserves it.” Foley added, “He looks like a serious stallion to me. His first crop features Copacabana Sands, Clarie's filly and now Time For Sandals (Ire) and Ellaria Sand (GB) are exciting runners in the Fred Darling on Saturday. That's not even mentioning the Royal Ascot winner from last year [Aint Nobody (Ire)] as well.” Edge Of Mali was pre-trained by Andrew Lynch and Riona Teggart at Kilbrew Stables on behalf of Clipper Logisitics before being offered under the hammer at last year's July Sale. So impressed was Lynch by what he had been seeing from the filly in her early development, he told Foley to go and buy her. The pair partnered up on the filly and have now been rewarded ten-fold for their faith. O'Connell explained, “Everyone is delighted–Andrew and Riona from Kilbrew Stables used to break all of the Clipper horses and, when she came up in the July Sale, they got Joe Foley to buy her for just 3,000gns. She was very big and just needed a bit of time. We love Sands Of Mali and actually have a mare in foal to him. We think he upgrades his mares. Andrew did all of the pre-training and, when he brought her up to me, I didn't have to do much with her at all. It's a great result.” Sands Of Mali | Ballyhane Stud Edge Of Town (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}), the dam of Edge Of Mali, was also offloaded by Parkin's Rathbride Farm for just €1,000 at the Goffs November Sale. It is well-documented that the High Court rejected an application from Parkin to have Sands Of Mali removed from Foley's Ballyhane base after the relationship between the pair broke down. However, Foley insists that he never had anything to hide, and that he was happy to sign for Edge Of Mali at public auction, given he always believed that the filly could go on to show her true colours on the track. He explained, “When I bought the filly, a few people asked why I put my name on the docket. My reply was, 'why not? It's a public auction, I know more about the filly than anybody else, so why wouldn't I?' I'm not sneaking around corners hiding and pretending to do anything because I've nothing to hide. I loved her as a yearling, and that's why I nominated her for the Bronte syndicate, who were going to race her last year until various circumstances changed. When she was put up for sale, of course I was going to be interested in buying her. In actual fact, she wasn't the only one that I bought.” He added, “Andrew had pre-trained her for the previous owners and he liked her. That's why we both clubbed together and bought her at the sales. Andrew kept her and did a great job prepping her before she went to Claire, who readied her for the race. In fairness to Andrew, he always said she was a good filly-he said she could be Stakes-class. I'm also delighted for Claire who put the finishing touches on the filly before Dundalk.” Edge Of Mali is understood to have been snapped up by California-based trainer Jeff Mullins on behalf of the Rancho Temescal ownership group. There is something of an irony to that sale given it was Mullins who raced River Boyne (Ire), a colt that Foley pinhooked by his late stallion Dandy Man (Ire), to a good degree of success. And while Sands Of Mali has just 24 yearlings coming through this year, Foley reports many of the top breeders to have stood up and taken notice of what the young sire–whose fee is private–has achieved to date. He said, “Sands Of Mali has only got 24 yearlings coming through but he's going to have a big crop of foals this year as he covered 115 mares last year. He also has a solid crop of two-year-olds, albeit only 40-something, and the first of those was quite eye-catching at Redcar the other day.” Foley added, “There have been some very good reports already about some of those two-year-olds. So the smallish crop of yearlings this year is as a result of him missing 17 days of a crucial part of the breeding season due to an accident. There will be a lull but nowadays people are clever enough to judge a stallion on his merits for good or for bad. “Obviously fashion comes into it but there are a lot of very clever people who can analyse this game properly. Farhh (GB) is a perfect example. He doesn't have a lot of runners but he has a lot of high-class horses and is a very good stallion. Even though Sands Of Mali has a small crop coming through, lots of people are able to work out that he is a good stallion.” The post Foley Hails Sands Of Mali ‘Best I’ve Had’ After Sale Of Smart Prospect By The Stallion appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lonnie Briley's first starter at Churchill Downs came three years ago in the Kentucky Juvenile Stakes on the Thursday of Derby week. Although his trainee Cool Spirit (Mor Spirit) broke a step slow and finished last, the experience left Briley with lasting memories of Louisville. “I tell you, when the horses took off running, it was like there was an airplane taking off,” Briley recalled with a soft-spoken Cajun drawl. “It was like a big roar, like the bleachers could come off the ground. It was the first time I've seen a grandstand that covers half the track, all the way down the lane and into the first turn.” If Briley thought the crowd at 'Thurby' was impressive, he's in for a real show come Derby day. Briley, age 72, has been a veteran trainer on the Louisiana circuit for over three decades. He had never ran a horse in a graded stake until this year, when stable star Coal Battle (Coal Front) stormed home in the GII Rebel Stakes. Briley picked out Coal Battle for just $70,000 at the 2023 Texas Thoroughbred Association Yearling Sale for his longtime client Norman Stables. The horseman thought the colt could be something special last summer, when he came flying late to get up for fourth in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile Stakes behind eventual fellow Derby hopeful Tiztastic (Tiz The Law). But even at the start of this year, Briley was not exactly Derby dreaming. “I never even thought about it really,” he admitted. “It was never on the bucket list. I didn't think I'd have that kind of horse and then when I found him, I was just looking for a racehorse. I had three on my short list and I kept going back to him and ended up saying that he was the one I wanted.” Briley and Coal Battle, along with three of the colt's stablemates, arrived at Churchill Downs this past Sunday with just under four weeks to go until the first Saturday in May. Tuesday morning, Briley watched from the backside viewing stand as Coal Battle put in his first work at Churchill Downs. As the temperature hovered just above freezing, Coal Battle stepped onto the track and paused to take in the view of the sunrise and the twin spires before jogging off. “You see how he does that?” Briley asked with a proud grin. “Every day he'll look and observe. He's made over a million dollars doing that, so that's okay.” Briley's exercise rider and assistant trainer Bethany Taylor had her work cut out for her as Coal Battle eagerly cruised through a breeze that stretched out maybe a little further than the intended half a mile. The Churchill Downs clockers recorded the colt going four furlongs in :48.40. Back at the barn, Coal Battle didn't seem fazed by the workout. Taylor said this is the norm for the athletic colt. “He's funny because whenever he works–doesn't matter if he's going three-eighths, half a mile or five-eighths–he'll gallop out as far as he wants to and when I go to pull him back to bring him up, he'll put his head down and start bucking a little bit.” Lonnie Briley oversees Coal Battle's arrival at Churchill Downs | Coady Media Briley reported that the plan is for Coal Battle to work five furlongs next week, six furlongs the following week, and then a quick three furlongs five days before the Derby. While Coal Battle is all energy on the racetrack, the colt is much more easygoing in the barn. “He'll lay down most of the day and then he'll stand in his corner,” Briley explained. “If somebody comes to his door, he's gonna come meet them and play with them. He's neat, you know, it's like he talks to you in his own little way. After every race, he'll come back to the barn wheeling and squealing like he didn't even run.” Coal Battle has won five of his eight lifetime starts, highlighted by four straight stakes victories that culminated in the GII Rebel where he defeated the likes of Madaket Road (Quality Road), Sandman (Tapit) and Publisher (American Pharoah). In the GI Arkansas Derby with jockey Juan Vargas aboard, Coal Battle took the lead at the top of the stretch, but was overtaken by closers Sandman and Publisher. If they could get a do-over in the race, Briley said he believes the outcome may have been different. “He was a little too fresh,” he said. “I had to saddle him on the walk and I've never had to do that with him before. Then the rider punched the button too quickly. At the half-mile pole he sent him and that was too early. If he had waited until the 5/16th pole, I think he'd have had a good shot. He has a really quick turn of foot. It's just knowing when to push the button. You have to be patient with him. But he still ran good and he came back good.” Following the Oaklawn meet, Briley sent three of the seven trainees he had there back home to Louisiana, where he has a string of about 20 horses at Evangeline Downs, and brought the other four with him to Kentucky. The conditioner is hoping to get races into each of those horses between the Keeneland and Churchill Downs meets. Go Captain (Mo Town), a 4-year-old colt also owned by Norman Stables, broke his maiden at Kentucky Downs last summer and was second in his most recent start at Oaklawn on March 7. Following a bullet :58.80 work on Tuesday, Briley hopes to enter him at Keeneland next week. With an admirable youthful zest, Briley plans to make a quick trip to Ocala next week for the OBS April Sale before returning to Louisville to put in the final two weeks of preparation for the Kentucky Derby. Briley and Coal Battle are undoubtedly one of this year's Derby Cinderella stories. To what does Briley attribute his growing fan base? “Well I'm from over there, where they talk like dat,” he said with an easygoing grin and a deep bayou twang. Then he added, “There is pressure, more than anything. A horse race is a horse race, but when you get to the Kentucky Derby, it's a little more.” The post Coal Battle and Company Settling In at Churchill Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are more than three weeks to go before the running of the GI Kentucky Derby, but it wasn't too early for the TDN Writers' Room Podcast team to dive into last weekend's preps and look ahead to the first Saturday in May. The podcast is presented by Keeneland. The team of Randy Moss, Bill Finley and T.D. Thornton, all thought the best race of the week was the GI Santa Anita Derby, won by Journalism (Curlin). He overcame trouble to win the race and earned a solid 102 Beyer in the process. All agreed that he deserves to be the favorite in the Derby. Santa Anita Derby runner-up Baeza (McKinzie) was also the subject of a lively debate. Moss called the half-brother to Classic winners Dornoch (Good Magic) and Mage (Good Magic) the second best 3-year-old in the country, behind only Journalism. But, at this time, he may not have enough points to get into the Derby field since the points were reduced for the Santa Anita Derby because of its small field, and he got only 37 1/2 points for finishing second. All agreed that he belongs in the Derby field, but there was also agreement that finding the perfect system for finding the 20 best 3-year-olds in training was an exercise in futility. The team also went over the results of the GII Wood Memorial Stakes and the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes. Moss was particularly impressed with Blue Grass runner-up East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro), but worried that the Brendan Walsh-trainee might be part of what could be a vicious speed duel. Thornton went over the latest developments concerning the decoupling situation in Florida, where a Senate committee has said that Gulfstream cannot decouple for seven years. In a prior bill, the time frame was five years. The Gainesway Guest of the Week was TDN European and International editor Emma Berry, who talked about how Donald Trump's proposed tariffs might affect European and U.S. racing. The podcast segment with Berry was taped before Trump called for a 90-day pause on implementing most tariffs. In our “Fastest Horse of the Week,” segment, which is sponsored by WinStar, the team went over the many reasons there are to breed to WinStar stallion Cogburn. The fastest horses of the week were Journalism and Santa Anita allowance winner Wound Up (Mendelssohn). Both earned figures of 102. The podcast, is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, 1/ST Racing and 1/ST TV. Click here to watch the podcast and click here for the audio version. The post TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Focuses On Derby, Derby Preps appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2025 Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: 'Win and You're In' will feature 93 races in 15 countries, the most in the history of the event. Each winner receives an automatic berth into a corresponding race, with all fees covered. In 2025, Breeders' Cup Challenge races have been or will be contested at premier tracks in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Dubai, England, France, Ireland, Japan, Peru, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, the United States and Uruguay. While several international qualifiers–a record 49 overseas races are scheduled–have already been staged, the 44-strong domestic component of the series kicks off during the Belmont Stakes Festival at Saratoga June 6 and 7, with the GI Odgen Phipps Stakes (Distaff), GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (Dirt Mile) and GI Jaipur Stakes (Turf Sprint) offering Breeders' Cup spots to their winners. Ten automatic berths are to be awarded for the $7-million GI Breeders' Cup Classic. Three horses have already qualified for the centerpiece of the weekend–Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}, G1 Saudi Cup); Costa Nova (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}, G1 February Stakes); and Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}, G1 Dubai World Cup). The other qualifying races, all Grade I/Group 1 contests, include the Stephen Foster Stakes; Haskell Stakes; Whitney Stakes; Juddmonte International Stakes; Pacific Classic Stakes; Jockey Club Gold Cup; and the Goodwood Stakes. As part of the benefits to horsemen, Breeders' Cup has allocated a record $6.51 million in free entry fees and $480,000 in domestic foal nominator awards for this year's Challenge Series and will pay the entry fees and guarantee a starting position in a corresponding Championships race for all Challenge Series race winners. If not already nominated, the Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 20 to receive the rewards. In addition, Breeders' Cup will provide a $10,000 travel allowance for all starters within North America that are stabled outside of California, and a $40,000 travel allowance to the connections of all Championship starters based outside of North America. “It is immensely gratifying to see trainers and owners leverage the many opportunities offered by the Challenge Series, the leading pathway to a coveted spot in the World Championships,” said Dora Delgado, Chief Racing Officer at Breeders' Cup Limited. “We thank the racing authorities close to home and abroad for their crucial partnerships, and look forward to watching the world's best competitors prioritize the Challenge Series as their path to the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar.” This year's running of the Breeders' Cup World Championships will take place Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1. Click here for the complete Breeders' Cup Challenge schedule. The post Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Features Record Races, Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The inaugural Coolmore Careers Day, in association with Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School, took place in the Fethard Town Park on Thursday, April 10. Students also had the opportunity to visit Coolmore and see the stallion yard at first hand, along with mares and foals in their paddocks. More than 700 students from 15 post-primary schools across County Tipperary availed of the opportunity to attend the Careers Day, dedicated to bloodstock, farming, tourism, hospitality and associated sectors. As part of the Careers Day, farriers and trades people did live demonstrations and each office-based discipline had a stall staffed by a member of the Coolmore team, showcasing the wide range of careers available across these industries. Stalls were also hosted by the University of Limerick, Kildalton Agricultural College, Gurteen Agricultural College and CAFRE–the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise in Northern Ireland. Billy Walsh, principal of Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School, said, “Bloodstock, farming and tourism are the lifeblood of County Tipperary and we are blessed to have Coolmore and Ballydoyle on our doorstep. Farming and bloodstock are two of the major employers in this region and they also support tourism, heritage, sustainable communities and our environment. “Today's visit shows that whether a student is considering a Solas apprenticeship, Agricultural College or university, there are careers to suit all interests and talents and that's something to celebrate.” Tom Lynch, farm manager, Coolmore, added, “Each year Coolmore employs numerous apprentices and graduates who cut their teeth working with some of the best in the industry. We wanted to showcase to these students the array of opportunities they have on their doorstep. “We'd love to see this event growing from strength to strength, as a showcase for the much broader farming and bloodstock sector.” The post More Than 700 Tipperary Students Attend Coolmore Careers Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Vicki Donlon has been appointed interim CEO of Leopardstown Racecourse, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) announced on Thursday. Donlon rejoins the team at Leopardstown with immediate effect as the process continues to find a permanent replacement for Tim Husbands, who steps down this week after five years in the role. Having joined HRI when appointed commercial & marketing manager at Leopardstown in 2015, Donlon has led the commercial brief for HRI's Racecourse Division for the last four years, working with Leopardstown, Fairyhouse, Navan and Tipperary. Paul Dermody, CEO of HRI Racecourses, said, “I am delighted to see Vicki rejoining the team at Leopardstown Racecourse as interim CEO. She played a huge part in the commercial development of Leopardstown in the past and continued that fine work in her role as commercial manager of all four HRI racecourses since 2021. “The process to fill the role of Leopardstown CEO on a permanent basis is ongoing and we expect to be in a position to make a further announcement on this in the coming months.” The post Vicki Donlon Appointed Interim CEO of Leopardstown Racecourse appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article