Wandering Eyes

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

The Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at the University of Kentucky is now under the ownership of Eagle Diagnostics, according to a release from the school. The newly branded Equine Integrity and Anti-Doping Sciences (EQIAS) Labs will continue to serve as a leader in anti-doping testing for the equine and competition animal industries, while expanding opportunities for research and innovation, the release said. EQIAS Labs utilizes state-of-the-art analytical equipment to detect performance-enhancing drugs in horses and other animal species to ensure fairness, integrity and animal welfare. The laboratory also performs routine analytical tests, such as an equine prepurchase drug screen, to serve the equine industry. EQIAS will maintain a collaborative partnership with the university to perform research studies to advance analytical testing capabilities, detect new and emerging threats and support the equine industry's initiative of ensuring equine safety and integrity. The new director of EQIAS Labs is Travis Mays, Ph.D., a 20-year veteran of the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory where he oversaw the daily operations of the drug testing and toxicology sections. His extensive background includes antidoping testing in racing and exhibition animals, veterinary toxicology, pharmacology and analytical chemistry. “We are excited about this new partnership and the opportunities it brings,” said Chris West, CFO of Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory, representing Eagle Diagnostics. “EQIAS Labs looks forward to continuing our strong collaboration with the University of Kentucky, fostering future research initiatives and advancements in equine science.” Leaders from the university echoed how this transition can increase the lab's impact through research collaborations that support its drug testing operations and open new avenues for impactful scientific discovery. “This transition underscores our commitment to meeting the highest industry standards for equine drug testing and expanding innovation and collaboration in equine research,” said Jamie Matthews, associate dean of research at UK's Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “We look forward to working closely with EQIAS Labs to ensure that the regulatory needs of the equine industry continue to be served.” The post UK’s Equine Analytical Chemistry Lab Acquired By Eagle Diagnostics appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following his victory in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, Danon Decile (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) has moved into third position in the second edition of the LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings for 2025. Last year's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) hero raised his rating from 125 from 118 in winning at Meydan, producing a career-best performance to beat Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) by over a length. The runner-up sits just outside of the top three with a rating of 123, while Durezza (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) and Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) are both rated 120 after finishing third and fourth, respectively. The rankings are still headed by February's G1 Saudi Cup one-two, Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) and Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), despite their respective defeats at Meydan. Forever Young remains on a rating of 127 after his third-place finish in the G1 Dubai World Cup, while G1 Dubai Turf runner-up Romantic Warrior is just behind on a rating of 126. His previous exploits still see him ranked superior to his Meydan conqueror, Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), whose rating of 121 also earns him a spot in the top 10. The full list and further information on the LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings are available on the IFHA website. The post Danon Decile Joins World’s Elite with Dubai Sheema Classic Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Jim Reisler, Edited Press Release Courtesy of NYRA For Laurie Scott of the Great Strides Equestrian Foundation, the biggest impact of escorting a group of teenage students to Saratoga Race Course as part of the New York Racing Associations, Inc. (NYRA)'s Leg Up! program, didn't happen on the day of their visit. The impact came days later when Scott realized the students were still buzzing about the races and meeting people from across NYRA–and most of all, about the range of job opportunities in horse racing. “What really hit home for them was the idea that the equine industry could lead to a job and maybe even a career,” said Scott, whose foundation helps to provides under-resourced teens access to equestrian sports and polo. “Seeing what goes on at a racetrack and talking with people who make a living there helped put them in a career mindset, and the idea that there's no time like the present to begin thinking about what you might want to do five or 10 years down the road.” Launched by NYRA in 2024, Leg Up! is designed to educate students, ages 12 to 19, about career opportunities both at NYRA and across Thoroughbred racing. In recent months, NYRA has steadily ramped up the program by hosting students from schools near its two downstate locations, Aqueduct Racetrack and Belmont Park. On track, the students discuss potential careers with NYRA management, visit the stewards' stand, jockey room and paddock, and watch a race from the winner's circle. “I'm continually blown away at the great questions students ask about a range of industry topics,” said NYRA Senior Vice President, Racing and Operations Andrew Offerman. “We have discussed what makes racing in New York unique as compared to the rest of the country, the reasons behind rebuilding Belmont Park and more nuanced topics regarding the operations of such big facilities. “We're connecting with a lot of people in our communities who never really interacted with the track before. They're seeing that a lot goes into making racing function–and that there are opportunities for everyone in this industry.” To date, more than 200 young people have visited Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct as part of the program with upwards of 50 staffers volunteering their time and expertise. Leg Up! participants are given surveys that rate their day at the track, and the reviews are exceedingly positive: 95% of students said they met professionals they otherwise would not have; 82% said the program expanded their awareness and interest in opportunities within the industry; and, 79% said that they were not previously aware of opportunities within the horse racing industry for careers or involvement. Starting last fall, NYRA has hosted students groups from John Adams High School in Jamaica, NY, as well as Epic High School South in South Ozone Park and Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn. Meantime, students from the Automotive Technology program at Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park visited the backstretch at Belmont Park, where the rebuilt track is due to open in 2026. The itinerary of each student group varies according to the educational interests of attendees. A recent visit to Aqueduct included 30 students from John Adams High School, who met with Offerman as well as representatives from various NYRA departments, including communications, racing, marketing and NYRA Bets. “Our students had a valuable experience during the visit,” said Denis Dwyer, a school counselor at John Adams. “Many were surprised by the wide range of career opportunities available in horse racing. The team at NYRA really helped our students envision their futures.” Gabriela LoMacchio, a John Adams teacher and Director of the school's Business Smaller Learning Community, who also attended the field trip, hopes the connection with NYRA marks the beginning of a lasting partnership. “The students connected with the role models they met at NYRA,” she said. 'We would love for that kind of access to continue.” While NYRA will continue to offer one-day visits, the organization is committed to growing the scope and impact of the Leg Up! program. Robert Hines, NYRA Manager of Community Affairs added, “We are excited to expand our offerings to other members of our community including military veterans and elementary school students. The next step is to create workforce opportunities for our communities and work-based learning projects that engage students more consistently.” To learn more or register for the NYRA Leg Up! Program, contact Robert Hines at rhines@nyrainc.com. The post NYRA Providing Local Students a ‘Leg Up!’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The death was reported last week of William (Bill) Berkeley Leach at the age of nearly 92. Bill Leach was, for many years, the owner and manager of Meddler Stud, situated in Kentford, on the outskirts of Newmarket and came from an established racing family. A successful businessman, he was also active in local politics. Although not seen about as much of late, he had inherited his family's jovial and clubbable nature, and for many years, was an amusing and generous host. The Stud had been laid out by his grandfather, Felix Leach (1868-1952) who had come down to Newmarket, from Wigan, to assist Matt Dawson at Health House Stables during St Simon's time, and he later assisted Richard Marsh at Egerton House, when Persimmon won the Derby for the King in 1896. The following year Felix Leach commenced training, on his own account, at Graham Place. An enormously popular figure, well known for breeding gamecocks and fox terriers, Felix had three sons, all of whom were apprenticed to him and rode winners. Felix junior died when he was only 31, but Jack Leach (1901-1972) rode a Classic winner (Adam's Apple – 2,000 Guineas), trained for 20 years and wrote possibly the most amusing book ever written on racing, “Sods I have cut on the turf”, eventually handing over his training business to his assistant, a young Bernard Van Cutsem. The third son was Henry Leach (1908-1970), Bill's father, always known as Chubb. Once out of his time, he was stable jockey to Capt. Boyd Rochford for four years, until, in 1931, increasing weight cut short his career in the saddle, and he started training at Queensbury Lodge. Mickey The Greek (July Cup, Nunthorpe and King's Stand) owned by Lt. Col. N.E. “Nat” Freeze of Lanwades Stud was probably his best horse. On his father's death, in 1953, he ceased training and took over the management of Meddler Stud. Chubb died in 1970 and his son, Bill, took over at Meddler Stud. Despite riding out with his father he didn't follow the family into training like his father, uncles and cousin Geoff Wragg. He operated Meddler as a stud farm with stallions such as Will Somers, Nelcius, Most Welcome, Pretendre and Tutankhamen (who was imported from America) were the main stays. Meddler was also one of the first large-scale boarding studs in Newmarket, for many years housing Sheikh Maktoum al Maktoum's Gainsborough Stud yearlings. A large part of the stud was sold at the turn of the century and is now a housing estate, but the main part of Meddler now forms part of neighboring Lanwades Stud. A few of Grandpa Felix Leach's grey gamecocks lingered on, in a feral state, in the shelter belts, until the houses were built, but with their demise and Bill's death, a Newmarket racing dynasty comes to an end. Bill is remembered warmly for his uplifting laugh and good humour, his gentle honesty and warmth to all those around him. He leaves a wife, Bente, and a son Charles and daughter Tania, son and daughter-in-law plus grandchildren Zena, Rex, Lily and Zac. The funeral will be at All Saint's Church in Newmarket at 3pm on Thursday 24th April and afterwards at the Jockey Club Rooms. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The National Horseracing Museum. — MP and KR The post Former Meddler Stud Owner Bill Leach Dies at 91 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cashel Palace Hotel has extended its sponsorship of the G3 Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes for three years, Leopardstown Racecourse announced on Thursday. The 2025 edition, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 11, will also offer an increased prize fund of €100,000. Paul Dermody, CEO of HRI Racecourses, said, “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with a quality brand such as Cashel Palace Hotel and the support they have committed to the Derby Trial Stakes running through to 2027 is very significant. “This important race in the calendar will carry a prize fund of €100,000 for the next three years and is one of a number of prize-money enhancements across the Flat programme that Leopardstown have confirmed for this season and beyond.” The illustrious roll of honour for the Derby Trial Stakes includes the subsequent Epsom winners Sinndar (Ire), Galileo (Ire) and High Chaparral (Ire), as well as the four-time Gold Cup hero Yeats (Ire). Cashel Palace Hotel sponsored the contest for the first time last year when Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) ran out a commanding winner, before going on to win the Irish Derby after his third-place finish at Epsom. The post Cashel Palace Hotel Extend Sponsorship of €100,000 Derby Trial Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Loose Sally will contest Saturday’s Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton Park. Photo: Monica Toretto Wingatui trainer Shankar Muniandy is riding the crest of a wave with his talented filly Loose Sally, and he is hoping that continues at Riccarton on Saturday when she contests the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m). The daughter of Turn Me Loose placed behind in-form filly Pivotal Ten in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui on Boxing Day before returning to the Dunedin track last month where she was victorious in the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1600m), giving Muniandy his second consecutive win in the race following Collect Your Cash’s triumph last year. The Otago horseman has been pleased with Loose Sally following her home track success and has cast his eye further north to test her talent at Riccarton this weekend. “It was a big thrill (to win the Dunedin Guineas) and she is a pretty smart filly,” Muniandy said. “After her last run she has just been ticking along quietly, and she is really well. I am pretty confident in her.” Loose Sally has drawn barrier seven on Saturday and will once again be ridden by Muniandy’s brother Ruvanesh. She is a big horse and needs plenty of room,” Muniandy said. “She loves to get back and will run home strongly. “My brother is back on again. He has done a lot of work on the horse since day one and he knows the horse well.” There has been plenty of interest in Loose Sally since her Guineas triumph, but Muniandy said the plan at this stage is to press on to the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton later this month. “I have got a few people interested in her, but the owner is pretty keen to keep her,” Muniandy said. “He has turned down a couple of offers and he is pretty keen to keep her and race her himself. “If she does everything right and pulls up well, we will look towards the Warstep in two weeks.” Muniandy will also head to Riccarton on Saturday with Sabots D’or and Unusual Affair, who will both contest the Angus Meats Rating 65 (1600m). “Both of them ran good races down here at Wingatui last start,” Muniandy said. “Unfortunately, there are no mile races down here, so we decided to take them to Christchurch for the mile. “Unusual Affair didn’t get much luck last start, and the other mare gets back and runs on as well. Both of them are good chances, so hopefully they can run a good race for us.” Horse racing news View the full article