Wandering Eyes

It was a frigid morning at Churchill Downs April 8, but Rebel Stakes (G2) winner Coal Battle heated up his Kentucky Derby (G1) preparations by returning to the work tab for the first time since finishing third in the March 29 Arkansas Derby (G1).View the full article

Performing his first breeze since finishing third in the Arkansas Derby (G1), Coal Battle recorded a half-mile in :48 2/5 at Churchill Downs April 8. Assistant trainer Bethany Taylor discusses the breeze as they exit the track.View the full article

The entries for the Betfred Oaks were released on Tuesday, with 47 fillies in contention for the Classic which is due to take place at Epsom on Friday, June 6. Aidan O'Brien is responsible for no fewer than 16 contenders as he bids for an 11th Oaks success, having won the race seven times since 2012 alone. His formidable squad is headed by the unbeaten Lake Victoria (Ire), who completed a hat-trick of top-level victories as a two-year-old when winning the Moyglare Stud Stakes, Cheveley Park Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. The daughter of Frankel (GB) is currently vying for favouritism in the sponsor's ante-post betting with the Charlie Appleby-trained Desert Flower (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), who was last seen maintaining her unbeaten record with a fourth straight victory in the G1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket in October. Desert Flower is the 7/1 market leader as things stand, with Lake Victoria next best at 8/1. O'Brien could also be represented by the fillies who filled the next three places behind Desert Flower at Newmarket, namely January (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Ballet Slippers (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Dreamy (Ire) (American Pharoah) in that order, as well as another Group 1-placed filly in Exactly (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who finished third in both the Moyglare and the Prix Marcel Boussac. Of the other Ballydoyle contenders, Curragh maiden winner Giselle (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) is a 16/1 shot after signing off last season with a third-place finish behind stable-mate Whirl (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the G3 Staffordstown Stud Stakes at Leopardstown. In total, 22 of the 47 entries are trained in Ireland, with Donnacha O'Brien's Falling Snow (Ire) (Justify) appealing as the pick of the rest at this stage. A daughter of the four-time Group 1 winner Winter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), she created an excellent impression when beating Ballet Slippers on her sole start as a two-year-old at the Curragh. There hasn't been an Oaks winner from France since 1993 when Andre Fabre saddled Intrepidity (GB) (Sadler's Wells) to take the spoils. This year a pair of French-trained fillies have been given the option of lining up at Epsom, with Francis-Henri Graffard entering his G3 Prix Penelope heroine Tajlina (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Saint-Cloud debut winner Danara (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) featuring for Christopher Head. As for the home team, Winter's Song (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) could join stable-mate Desert Flower in the line-up, having impressed when making a successful debut at Yarmouth on Saturday, while Ralph Beckett has the biggest group of entries outside of Ballydoyle. His nine-strong team includes the Listed Montrose Fillies' Stakes winner Smoken (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and G3 Oh So Sharp Stakes runner-up Cathedral (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), as well as six once-raced winners with significant scope for improvement. Those comments also apply to the three entries for John and Thady Gosden, namely Go Go Boots (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Sand Gazelle (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Star Of Light (GB) (Frankel {GB}). That trio were all winners on the all-weather during the winter, following a similar path to the stable's previous Oaks winners Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and Anapurna (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Wolverhampton winner Falakeyah (GB) (New Bay {GB}) is another exciting all-weather graduate for Owen Burrows, while chances of a royal winner at Epsom rest with wide-margin Kempton scorer Purple Rainbow (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). She is one of three entries for William Haggas, with Alobayyah (GB) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) also deserving a mention after her debut romp at Yarmouth. Quarter-Century of Coronation Cup Entries Earlier on the Oaks card, the £450,000 G1 Coronation Cup sees 25 runners stand their ground at the latest entry stage led by six high class entries for the Coolmore partners and Aidan O'Brien. Star stayer Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), on a seven-race winning streak, would be trying a distance short of 1 3/4 miles for the first time since running fourth in the Listed Derby Trial to Third Realm (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in May of 2021. He is joined by G1 St Leger hero Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), who ran unplaced in Dubai earlier this month; the 2024 St Leger one-two of Jan Brueghel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G2 Prix Chaudenay hero Illinois (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and G1 Irish Derby scorer Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) among others. Another Group 1 winner set to line up is Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who most recently ran third in the G2 Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia in February. He is trained by Aidan's son Joseph. Leading the pair of French-trained runners is the late Aga Khan's Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) for Francis-Henri Graffard. The bay turned in a fine effort when second in last Saturday's G1 Dubai Sheema Classic; while Aventure (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) was second in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe for Christophe Ferland. Charlie Appleby saddles a trio, with Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) coming back off a fourth in the Sheema Classic; and G1 Futurity Trophy Stakes hero Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) set for his 2025 bow. Reliable yardstick and 2024 G1 Hong Kong Vase victor Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), one better than Rebel's Romance in the Sheema, is entered for trainer Marco Botti, while Group 1 winners White Birch (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) and Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) hold entries for John Joseph Murphy and David Menuisier, respectively. G1 British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes heroine Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) is one of several nominations for Andrew Balding, and last year's G1 Irish Oaks victress You Got To Me (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) has stood her ground for Ralph Beckett. The post Desert Flower and Lake Victoria Feature Among 47 Oaks Entries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gerard Keane's stable star Crystal Black (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) is set to return in Saturday's Tote Alleged Stakes at the Curragh prior to a potential run in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup on May 25. The seven-year-old, who is unbeaten in his last five starts, including the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot and the G3 Ballyroan Stakes in partnership with the trainer's champion jockey son Colin, is also entered in the Coolmore Stud City Of Troy Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes on May 5. “We are hoping to go to the two of them,” said Keane. “I think there is a good three weeks between them. Then the main plan, if he runs well enough in either of them, he would go for the Tattersalls Gold Cup.” A trip to the Melbourne Cup had been mooted last year for the gelding before a setback cut short his season, but that now seems unlikely. “The ground would be very fast down there and that wouldn't really suit him,” said Keane. “He got away with it last year [at Ascot], but he's a massive big horse and you wouldn't want to keep running him on it. “I don't know about Australia, but we will travel somewhere with him. There's plenty of other options, obviously, unless he gets sold.” He added, “Obviously, it is a different kettle of fish this year with the company you are going to have to keep. If he isn't good enough, he is a Group 3 horse anyway and he would pick up plenty of prize-money, you'd imagine.” The post Keane’s Crystal Black Returns at the Curragh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The breeze-up season kicks off next week and Brian Sheerin has spoken to three leading protagonists within the sphere to get their thoughts on what the next few weeks and months might bring. Eddie O'Leary, who through his hugely successful Lynn Lodge Stud, has sold horses like The Wow Signal and Gronkowski at the breeze-up sales while Amy Marnane, along with her father Con, has unearthed many a Bansha House Stables bullet with Sands Of Mali and Rio de la Plata just a couple of names that roll off the tongue. The leading vendors were joined by Oliver St Lawrence, whose track record for sourcing talent at the breeze-up sales in particular speaks for itself, with Eldar Eldarov and Sakheer some of his notable purchases. The trio covered a range of topics in a short and snappy podcast, from sourcing horses, market predictions, how the breeze-up business has changed in recent years and what they would like to change about the game. Click here to listen to the audio-only version of the podcast. The post TDN Conversations: O’Leary, Marnane and St Lawrence On Upcoming Breeze-Up Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An unusually dry March, with those conditions carrying on into April, will be causing headaches for trainers and clerks of courses alike, and it is one reason that we will be seeing the return of Juddmonte's Cosmic Year (GB) (Kingman {GB}) at Kempton instead of in Saturday's G3 Greenham Stakes. The colt's trainer Harry Charlton has taken advantage of the BHA's interactive race programme, which saw the installation of an extra 7f novice contest this Wednesday evening, in order to give the half-brother to former stable star Time Test (GB) an important prep run on the road to the 2,000 Guineas. “He's in good nick and he's ready,” Charlton told TDN after working a group of horses at Kempton on Tuesday morning. “We've had the Greenham in mind all winter – that was the target. This novice race wasn't even in the calendar, but when we looked at the weather and then saw that this race had popped up we thought it might suit.” He added of Newbury, which stages the two-day Greenham meeting this Friday and Saturday, “We walked the course on Sunday and we wouldn't have run him on that day on the track, but that is not to say that Newbury won't have it right by Saturday. But we had to make a decision about Kempton by Monday. [Newbury's clerk of the course] George Hill has been very helpful and he has a plan that realistically it's going to be good to firm, good in places for Friday, and I don't think they'll water on Friday night, so it's likely to be good to firm on Saturday. “It's not that he can't run on that ground, but I didn't particularly want to run him first time out on that ground. It's a long old year.” The 15 entries for the Greenham Stakes, one of two Classic trials on Newbury's Saturday card, along with the Fred Darling Stakes, include two other Juddmonte colts: Jonquil (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who joined Andrew Balding's stable upon the retirement of Sir Michael Stoute, and the G3 Solario Stakes winner Field Of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), trained by John and Thady Gosden. Charlton continued, “On top of that, Jonquil was always going to run for Andrew and then John decided to enter Field Of Gold there instead of for the Craven. We came to the conclusion that, given the ground and three possible Juddmonte runners, we were the one with the alternative – we have the option of going to a novice whereas they don't – so it was a combination of factors really.” He added of Cosmic Year, who won his sole start at Sandown last September by six and a half lengths, “I would have loved to run him in the Greenham as we would probably have learnt more. We don't really know what we are up against at Kempton but we'll see. “He did win well last year. I don't think we necessarily expected him to do what he did because he'd never been allowed to go past a lead horse at home. He'd aways worked on the bridle so you're unsure of what you will see off the bridle. The second [Rock d'Oro] had run well first time out and has gone on and won in America, and the third [Quai De Bethune] won well at Kempton and got a mark in the 90s, so there is some substance to it.” Cosmic Year is currently around 8/1 third-favourite for the 2,000 Guineas on May 3. “We've been very happy with him all winter,” Charlton said. “He's moving great and we're excited to get him going. The Guineas market is a bit unique. People somehow almost get bored by horses that they saw run six times at two and may forget that eight or so in the Guineas have won Group 1s. People are always looking for something new and that brings in these lightly raced horses, and whether they are right or wrong, I don't know. We'll find out in the next month.” Beckhampton is also home to another well-related Kingman colt in Kikkuli (GB), the half-brother to Frankel (GB) and the final foal of their celebrated dam, Kind (GB) (Danehill), who was trained by Charlton's father, Roger. Winner of the Alex Scott Maiden at Newmarket last spring, and subsequently runner-up in the G3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, Kikkuli is being primed to return in the Listed Spring Trophy at Haydock on May 10. “He is in good form and has done very well physically. We'll be hopeful that he can step up on what he did last year,” said the trainer. Another Juddmonte representative, the six-year-old gelding Okeechobee (GB) (Time Test {GB}), who was last seen winning the G3 Gordon Richards Stakes almost a year ago, is also about to resume. Charlton said on Tuesday, “Okeechobee worked this morning at Kempton and is headed for the Listed race at Kempton [Magnolia Stakes] on 21 April.” Kon Tiki Guineas Dream 'Alive For Now' Cosmic Year won't be the only Classic aspirant in action at Kempton on Wednesday, with plenty of potential on show among the dozen runners for what looks a red-hot fillies' novice earlier on the card, writes Adam Houghton. For context, six of the 12 runners arrive having won their most recent start, including two daughters of Night Of Thunder (Ire), a stallion who is enjoying an exceptional run of results with his three-year-olds in Europe. Already this year he's been responsible for 15 individual winners from that age group, including a string of impressive debut scorers, with the likes of Sunly (GB) and Gladius (Ire) adding their names to that list in the last few days alone. Of Night Of Thunder's Kempton runners, Life Is Beautiful (GB) appeals as a likely market leader for John and Thady Gosden, lining up over the same course and distance as when making a winning debut of her own back in November. Lady Bamford's homebred looked better the further she went on that occasion, ultimately winning by three quarters of a length, and her entries in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and Prix de Diane suggest she is held in high regard by her powerful connections. That all points to Life Is Beautiful being a formidable opponent on Wednesday, but one trainer who is not backing down from the challenge is Jane Chapple-Hyam. She saddles an unbeaten Night Of Thunder filly of her own in Kon Tiki (GB), who justified short odds in good style when making a successful debut in a 7f fillies' novice at Wolverhampton in December. “On a tight track like that, she found a good turn of foot with a furlong to run,” Chapple-Hyam said of that win. “It was impressive for a big filly to be able to do that. She's wintered well and she's come on in strength, so we're hoping for a good performance at Kempton.” Kon Tiki wins at Wolverhampton in December | Racingfotos But did the Newmarket trainer expect the competition to be quite so strong? “I think so, because the availability of races at this point in the season is a bit limited,” she explained. “It's a very competitive race and it was a toss of a coin whether we went here or to a trial like the Nell Gwyn. “Do you want to run in the Nell Gwyn on good-to-firm going for your second start and not have the experience that the others in that race will have? Probably not, so I think we've taken the sensible route by going for the novice.” A 220,000gns purchase at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Kon Tiki is the second foal out of the G3 March Stakes winner and G2 Lillie Langtry Stakes second Maid Up, whose first runner, Champagne Prince (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), has a BHA rating of 107 after his exploits on the all-weather for owner Peter Harris and Chapple-Hyam this winter. “Champagne Prince is unusual for a Lope De Vega,” Chapple-Hyam said of the colt who can count December's Listed Wild Flower Stakes at Kempton among his five career wins. “He's stocky and strong, he's not tall and lean. You wouldn't think he's a colt, because he's very laid back. “He's totally different to Kon Tiki, and their characters are totally different as well, but they're both lovely horses. That's what attracted Mr Harris when he purchased Kon Tiki, because he had Champagne Prince and he thought that was a good omen.” Both that pedigree and the way Kon Tiki shaped at Wolverhampton suggests she'll relish the step up to 1m at Kempton, with her trainer not ruling out the prospect of her staying further still as the season progresses. First and foremost, however, Chapple-Hyam is keen to get Kempton out of the way before considering future plans with a filly thought worthy of a 1,000 Guineas entry. Night Of Thunder, of course, is already responsible for the short-priced favourite for that race in Desert Flower (Ire) as the Darley stallion seeks a first British Classic winner, back at the scene of his most famous success in the 2,000 Guineas of 2014, when inflicting the sole career defeat on Cosmic Year's sire, Kingman, at odds of 40/1. Kon Tiki is trading at even bigger odds for her possible Classic assignment as things stand, but that could all change if the bubble is still intact after a race not to be missed at 5.40pm on Wednesday. “She's in there [the 1,000 Guineas] as, what, a 66/1 shot, and that's probably about right,” Chapple-Hyam summed up. “I'm sure the staff have all had a bit of a nibble, because we've had a cold winter and you have to look forward to something. “I have belief in her, but you find out what you've got on the racetrack, don't you? The dream is still alive for now, but it could be all over once they go over the line tomorrow night – who knows?” The post Cosmic Comeback Diverted to Kempton as Ground Dries Out for Classic Trials appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two days after shipping in following a third in the GI Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn, Norman Stables' Coal Battle (Coal Front) began his preparation for the GI Kentucky Derby with a half-mile breeze in :48.40 Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs. With trainer Lonnie Briley's assistant, Bethany Taylor, aboard, the GII Rebel winner clicked off an opening quarter-mile in :24 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.40, according to clocker Adam Wallace. “He was too fresh in the Arkansas Derby,” Briley said of the four-time stakes winner. “I usually never have to saddle him on the walk, but I had to do that day. Then after he broke, and [TDN Rising Star] Cornucopian [Into Mischief] and [GIII Southwest winner] Speed King [Volatile] went blazing to the lead, we were in third. He was just too fresh. We have a plan now going forward for the Derby to get him in the right place. “It was a long drive getting to Churchill but we're getting settled in. He's a pretty laid-back horse. If he's not lying down, he's usually at the back of his stall just relaxing. He knows when it's game time.” Coal Battle, who is based in Barn 42, arrived at Churchill Downs around 6 p.m. Sunday with three stablemates, Dashin' Diva ((Caracaro), Go Captain (Mo Town) and True Passion (Audible), who are also scheduled to race during Kentucky Derby Week. Briley confirmed Juan Vargas will ride Coal Battle in the Kentucky Derby. The post Rebel Winner Coal Battle Preps for Kentucky Derby With Half-Mile Breeze at Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Journalism (Curlin), winner of last weekend's GI Santa Anita Derby, moved to the top of Week 11's rankings of the 2025 NTRA Top Three-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll conducted by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). Two-for-two this season, this year's GII San Felipe winner concluded the period with 269 points and 26 first-place votes by members of the national media. Racing performances run through Apr. 6. Journalism stands well ahead of GI Arkansas Derby scorer Sandman (Tapit), who has amassed 209 points. Heading the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll, last season's champion older mare Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) led with 251 points and 17 first-place votes. The 4-year-old filly is currently ahead of White Abarrio (Race Day), who has 243 points to date. For complete rankings, click here. The post Journalism Moves to the Top of the NTRA Thoroughbred Polls for Week of Apr. 7 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A few weeks ago, I had a discussion with some racing folks on the site formerly known as Twitter regarding recognition of grooms when horses win. This came about from asking the question, “If they can acknowledge the groom of the Best Turned Out horse for certain races, why can they not do the same for horses that win the race?” Insight from those with far more knowledge of the day-to-day workings of the industry than I have made me realize why this would not be feasible in most circumstances of daily racing. After thinking about it, I then asked, “OK, it likely could not work on a daily basis, but why could it not work for at least the big-time events like the Triple Crown and Breeders Cup?” Most everyone thought that was a great idea and starting point. So, NBC and Fox Sports, here is what we, the fans and lovers of this sport, are suggesting to you for your telecasts. In a similar manner to which the jockeys of the horses are introduced to the viewing audiences for the Triple Crown races, we ask that you do the same for the grooms of the horses. Please have a short video intro. of the groom stating their name and which horse they have in the race, exactly as you when the jockeys are introduced to the viewers as they make their way to the paddock. In addition, please add the grooms name to the connections we see during the post parade for the race. Two quite simple things to do and add, but something that can make a world of difference in promoting some of the great folks who make up this sport and industry. They are some of the most unsung heroes of the backstretch community, and they deserve to have their moment in the spotlight too. Let's make it happen. The post Letter to the Editor – Bryan Langlois: Give the Grooms Their Due During the Triple Crown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

One of a minority lining up for Tuesday's G3 Prix Imprudence with no stamina doubts, Juddmonte's Better Together (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) duly stayed on best to stake her Classic claim. Sent off the 11-2 second favourite, the well-connected Listed Prix Zeddaan winner raced under cover under Alexis Pouchin in mid-pack early. Sent after the 9-10 market-leader Daylight (Fr) (Earthlight {Ire}) by Alexis Pouchin approaching the final furlong, she overhauled that peer in the last 50 metres to record a length success from another strong finisher in Ghoufrann (Ire) to make it a one-two for Oasis Dream. “She is a really nice filly who had shown good quality last season in her three starts, has a lovely temperament and hails from a top Juddmonte family,” Juddmonte representative Claude Beniada said. “Mr Fabre was very happy with the way she had trained to the race and he feels she has not yet fully blossomed and will improve. She is in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and Mr Fabre will make a decision on her future after discussing it with Barry Mahon.” Connections of the non-staying Daylight, who eventually faded to be a further head away in third, were in the mood to find out her stamina capacity with the big Classic tests upcoming and they did that, with the useful yardstick Kaadi (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}) setting off in isolation. Daylight had exactly that for most of the last 300 metres and while she showed all her customary honesty the tank was empty as the Oasis Dream pair swallowed her up late. She will almost certainly now revert to sprinting with the first two looking ideal Pouliches contenders in running style at least. Better Together finishes off strongly to claim Daylight in the Prix Imprudence! A patient ride by @pouchinalexis to land the prize for Andre Fabre at Deauville! pic.twitter.com/CMza39bthv — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 8, 2025 Pedigree Notes Better Together is the seventh foal out of the useful middle-distance performer Shared Account (GB) (Dansili {GB}), a daughter of the important Juddmonte producer Imbabala (GB) (Zafonic) who is herself proving smart in that sphere. She is now responsible for four stakes performers, with one of them being Oasis Dream's G2 May Hill Stakes-placed Sand Share (GB) and the others being the GIII Athenia Stakes and G3 Prix des Reservoirs scorer Pocket Square (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and the strong-staying Yesyes (GB) (Camelot {GB}) who was third in the G2 Park Hill Stakes over the St Leger trip. Shared Account is one of five black-type performers out of Imbabala, with the chief one being the G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero Zambezi Sun (GB) (Dansili {GB}), so this is a family not short on stamina. Two of her other daughters Zero Gravity (GB), again by Dansili, and Key Figure (GB) (Beat Hollow {GB}) in turn produced the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes heroine Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) and G2 Doncaster Cup runner-up Cleonte (Ire) (Sir Percy {GB}) respectively. Under the third dam Interval (Ire) (Habitat), who took the Prix Maurice de Gheest in its former guise as a group 2 and was third in the 1,000 Guineas, is the champion sprinter Continent (GB) (Lake Coniston {Ire}) which underlines the versatility of this dynasty in terms of distance. Shared Account's yearling colt is by Night Of Thunder (Ire). Tuesday, Deauville, France PRIX IMPRUDENCE-G3, €80,000, Deauville, 4-8, 3yo, f, 7fT, 1:24.25, g/s. 1–BETTER TOGETHER (GB), 126, f, 3, by Oasis Dream (GB) 1st Dam: Shared Account (GB) (MSP-Fr), by Dansili (GB) 2nd Dam: Imbabala (GB), by Zafonic 3rd Dam: Interval (Ire), by Habitat 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Juddmonte Farms Inc; B-Juddmonte Farms Ireland Ltd (GB); T-Andre Fabre; J-Alexis Pouchin. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, €91,000. *Full to Sand Share (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), GSP-Eng & SP-Fr; and 1/2 to Pocket Square (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) GSW-Fr & US, $314,005; and Yesyes (GB) (Camelot {GB}), SW & GSP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Ghoufrann (Ire), 126, f, 3, Oasis Dream (GB)–Cale Lane (GB), by Mastercraftsman (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (33,000gns Ylg '23 TATSOM; £85,000 2yo '24 GOFBRE). O-Mansour Aguel; B-Clearwater Stud (IRE); T-Hedi Ghabri. €16,000. 3–Daylight (Fr), 126, f, 3, Earthlight (Ire)–Latita (Fr), by Silver Frost (Ire). (€85,000 Ylg '23 ARQAUG). O-Gousserie Racing & Mme Sandrine Gavrois; B-Ecurie Haras du Cadran & Pierre van Belle (FR); T-Patrice Cottier. €12,000. Margins: 1, HD, 3. Odds: 5.50, 38.00, 0.90. Also Ran: Mimos (Fr), Lhakpa (Ire), Fraise Des Bois (Fr), Relaxx (Fr), Iron Bird (GB), Kaadi (Ire). The post Better Together Takes The Imprudence For Juddmonte And Fabre appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Churchill Downs and the Louisville Bats have joined forces to bring fans the Traveling Kentucky Derby Experience ahead of the 151st running of the May 3 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve. The event, which will be held Wednesday, Apr. 9, will also feature the Indianapolis Indians at Slugger Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. ET. Fans will have the opportunity to take a photo with the Kentucky Derby 151 trophy and enter to win tickets to Derby Week at Churchill Downs. Also featured, 1978 Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Steve Cauthen will throw out the first pitch. Select fans will compete in a stick horse race, with prizes for the top three finishers. Kids can enjoy “Design Your Own Jockey Silks” activity sheets from the Kentucky Derby Museum and photo opportunities with jockey silks, goggles and helmets. For more Information, visit www.milb.com/louisville to purchase tickets for Saturday's game. Tickets for the 151st Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby on May 2-3 are available by visiting www.KentuckyDerby.com and www.DerbyExperiences.com. The post Churchill Downs Partners with Louisville Bats for Traveling Kentucky Derby Experience appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

World Pool set a new record turnover mark with almost half a billion Hong Kong dollars bet across 13 races in Australia and Dubai on April 5, the organisation announced on Tuesday. The globally commingled pools powered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club hit HK$472.4m (£47.6m/A$100.5m) across six races on Randwick's Doncaster Mile Day card–the first day of The Championships–and seven races from Meydan on Dubai World Cup Day. The total exceeded last year's three-meeting composite World Pool card, which included races from Australia and the UK on King Charles III Stakes Day, the Caulfield Cup and British Champions Day and saw turnover of HK$424.1 million (£42.7m/AU$90.2m) across 12 races. The race that set the highest turnover on the day was the G1 Dubai Turf, where Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) defeated Hong Kong wunderkind Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in dramatic fashion. The race accounted for HK$52.4 million (£5.3m/AU$11.2m), edging the G1 Dubai World Cup (HK$47.8m) into second place. Down Under, the G1 Doncaster Mile, won by Stefi Magnetica (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}), saw HK$39.7 million (AU$8.5m/£4.0m) staked on World Pool bet types. Sam Nati, head of commingling at the HKJC, said, “Both racedays put on a great mix of high-quality racing, good field sizes and attracted some of the world's best jockeys. We are delighted to set a new record for turnover in a day for World Pool, with HK$472.4 million bet across the 13 races, and look forward to being back at Randwick again this weekend for Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day.” The post New Record Turnover Mark Reached By World Pool appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With Western Canadian race meets kicking off in May, the 2025 Western Canadian Derby Series returns this season, highlighted by the $100,000 Derby Bonus. The series offers any 3-year-old that sweeps the Manitoba Derby, Canadian Derby and BC Derby a $100,000 bonus. Additionally, a $25,000 Owner/Trainer Bonus will further stoke the competition. The 2025 series begins Aug. 4 at Assiniboia Downs with the $125,000 Manitoba Derby (1 1/8 miles), continues Aug. 23 with the $200,000 Canadian Derby (10 furlongs) at Century Mile, and concludes Sept. 13 with the $125,000 BC Derby (nine furlongs) at Hastings Racecourse. Points for the Owner/Trainer Bonus are awarded per race: 6 for 1st, 4 for 2nd, 3 for 3rd, 2 for 4th, and 1 for 5th or lower. Horses must start in at least two races to qualify. Owners earn points based on each horse's total, while trainers tally points from all their starters' totals. A 3-point All Derby Bonus is added for horses that run in all three races. Following the BC Derby, the bonus will be split, with $12,500 awarded to the top three owners and $12,500 to the top three trainers: 1st Place: $7,000 2nd Place: $3,500 3rd Place: $2,000 For more information, click here. The post Western Canadian Derby Series Returns in 2025 with $100K Derby Bonus; $25K Owner-Trainer Bonus appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Kit Gow/TTR AusNZ One of the world's hottest young sires Too Darn Hot (GB) will return to Darley Australia for the 2025 breeding season, where he will stand for a fee of A$275,000 (inc GST). The sire of champion two-year-old colt Broadsiding (Aus), electric juvenile Rivellino (Aus) and a total of 23 stakes winners worldwide was sorely missed last year after a brief illness during the Northern Hemisphere breeding season prompted connections to cancel his travel down under. A stallion who exploded on to the Australasian racing scene with the exploits of Broadsiding in the G1 Champagne Stakes and the G1 JJ Atkins Stakes, Too Darn Hot has been popular from the start. With 10 individual stakes winners in Australia this season alone, Too Darn Hot is poised to back up his champion first-season sire title with a second-season championship as well. “Too Darn Hot is exceptional,” said Andy Makiv, managing director of Godolphin Australia, in a Darley press release. “What he's achieved at this stage in his career is honestly remarkable. He's producing top line stakes performers and his record-breaking feats speak for themselves. “We are excited to welcome Too Darn Hot back to Australia for the 2025 season and are grateful to the Darley team in the UK and Watership Down Stud for entrusting him to us for another season.” With stakes winners across eight countries, 14 of which are Group winners, Too Darn Hot has sired the winners of more Group races than the champions Redoute's Choice (Aus), Fastnet Rock (Aus), I Am Invincible (Aus) and Zoustar (Aus) at the same stage of their careers. His service fee puts him in line with the top ranks of Australia's stallion elite and he has achieved it faster than any of them, with his oldest crop just three. He has been continually popular at the sales; 16 of his 17 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale entries sold with a top price of A$1 million and an average of A$504,375, conceived off a A$44,000 service fee. The remainder of the 2025 Darley Australia roster is to be announced on April 22. The post Too Darn Hot Returns to Darley Australia for 2025 at A$275,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars COLOURFUL KING - R5 (4) Broke through last start and looks to have the tools to keep winning Jay Rooney COLOURFUL KING - R5 (4) Won well last time out and gets another ideal run from good draw Trackwork Spy COLOURFUL KING - R5 (4) Stable is on fire and he is a progressive type who can win again Phillip Woo QUANTUM PATCH - R7 (1) Is a Class Three horse down in Class Four and should be hard to beat Shannon (Vincent Wong) NINJA DERBY - R1 (2) Drops into Class Five and looks ready to produce his best tonight Racing Post Online COLOURFUL KING - R5 (4) Showed a good turn of foot to win over this C&D last start and can repeat Tom Wood FLYING FORTRESS - R8 (10) He has been knocking on the door and tonight he can bash through itView the full article

Steve Asmussen, Stewart Elliott and owner Richard Chandler lead their respective divisions at the conclusion of the 42-day meet at Sam Houston Race Park that wrapped up Sunday. Asmussen won his 17th training title at the northwest Houston racetrack. He was honored as top trainer here in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005; 2014 -2025. Asmussen started 210 runners, finishing with a record of 41 wins, 39 seconds, 24 thirds and earnings of $1,309,988. He added a record-setting sixth victory in Grade 3, $300, Houston Ladies Classic with Winchell Thoroughbred, LLC's Recharge. Mindy Willis had an outstanding meet, finishing second in the standings with 26 victories. Elliott, who rode first call for Asmussen and Willis, rode 56 winners from 223 mounts, earning $1,375,921 and finishing in the money at a 56% clip. DeShawn Parker returned to Sam Houston Race Park this year, finishing second with 36 wins. In a competition that went down to the final race of the season, Dallas resident Richard Chandler secured his first leading owner title with nine victories. Willis accepted the trophy on behalf of Chandler, who clinched the title with In Open Court in Sunday's second race, after the 5-year-old mare rallied for a neck victory under Elliott in the second race of the Apr. 6 program. Karl Broberg, who announced his retirement as a trainer last year, finished second in the standings with eight wins Four owners: Carl Moore Management, LLC, Mansfield Racing, Century Acres Farm and Steve Asmussen tied for third in the standings with six wins each. “We appreciate the Texas Horsemen and Horsemen for their support throughout our meet,” said Bryan Pettigrew, Sam Houston Race Park's Vice President and General Manager. “We had some challenges with weather and working on the new purses and stakes awards, but the Thoroughbred Industry came together and worked through the challenges. I would like to give a special shout out to our Sam Houston Team Members who implemented a new customer service program as we continue to attract new sports fans and horse racing fans. Sam Houston will continue to focus on safety for the horses, jockeys, and patrons. We look forward to welcoming back the Quarter Horses for our live racing season.” The post Asmussen, Elliott, Chandler Top Standings in 2025 Sam Houston Live Racing Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Christopher Head-trained 'TDN Rising Star' Maranoa Charlie (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) raced on turbo boost until running out of fuel in last term's G1 Criterium International, but bounced back in style with a pillar-to-post victory in Tuesday's G3 Prix Djebel at Deauville. The G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains entry backed up wide-margin victories here and at Saint-Cloud with an eighth-length tally back at the latter venue's G3 Prix Thomas Bryon in his penultimate start. In command and comfortable on the front end for the most of this straight seven-furlong test, the 6-4 favourite came under pressure when threatened approaching the final furlong and found extra in the latter stages to hold Silius (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Woodshauna (Fr) (Wooded {Ire}) by 1 1/4 lengths and a half-length. Woodshauna was 6 1/2 lengths clear of the remainder. “I loved his attitude today, he settled in front rather than being too keen,” commented Head. “The work we did with him this winter, and the [first-time] hood, certainly helped. He was able to kick on again when challenged and that is also very positive. Physically, he has done well and has strengthened, which he was not capable of doing last year. At the moment, I think he shows more speed than stamina, but I will discuss everything with the owners, who are watching from Australia, before making a decision. He is in the [G1] French 2000 [Guineas] and there are also more speed-oriented options in England. Again, we need to discuss that together.” Maranoa Charlie returns to winning ways in the Prix Djebel! A good front-running performance on his seasonal reappearance for @lemaitre60LA and @CHeadRacing! pic.twitter.com/NovqNbAwGX — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 8, 2025 Pedigree Notes Maranoa Charlie is the second of two reported foals and lone scorer produced by a winning half-sister to G1 Cheveley Park Stakes-winning European champion Tiggy Wiggy (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), herself the dam of G1 Futurity Trophy third Year Of The Tiger (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The April-foaled bay's second dam Kheleyf's Silver (Ire) (Kheleyf) is a half-sister to G3 Norfolk Stakes victor Masta Plasta (Ire) (Mujadil). Tuesday, Deauville, France PRIX DJEBEL-G3, €80,000, Deauville, 4-8, 3yo, c/g, 7fT, 1:23.12, g/s. 1–MARANOA CHARLIE (FR), 128, c, 3, by Wootton Bassett (GB) 1st Dam: Koubalibre (Ire), by Galileo (Ire) 2nd Dam: Kheleyf's Silver (Ire), by Kheleyf 3rd Dam: Silver Arrow, by Shadeed TDN Rising Star. (€220,000 Ylg '23 ARQAUG). O-Peter Maher, John Baxter & Carl Fitzgerald; B-Haras d'Etreham, Riviera Equine SARL & Gestut Zur Kuste AG (FR); T-Christopher Head; J-Aurelien Lemaitre. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-0, €191,275. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Silius (Ire), 128, c, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Silasol (Ire), by Monsun (Ger). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (IRE); T-Christophe Ferland. €16,000. 3–Woodshauna (Fr), 128, c, 3, Wooded (Ire)–Tosen Shauna (Ire), by Alhebayeb (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€70,000 Ylg '23 ARQOCT). O-Al Shaqab Racing; B-Haras de Magouet (FR); T-Francis-Henri Graffard. €12,000. Margins: 1 1/4, HF, 6HF. Odds: 1.50, 3.40, 4.90. Also Ran: Arabie (GB), Le Roi Rene (Fr), Tiego The First (Fr), Rosapenna (Fr), Dynamitic (GB). The post Wootton Bassett’s Rising Star Maranoa Charlie Regains Winning Thread in the Djebel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The wraps come off the European breeze-up season on Wednesday at Osarus's La Teste de Buch fixture. A catalogue of just 37 lots – down by more than 50% on last year's entries – has been reduced further by four withdrawals, and the sale is heavily supported by a draft of 14 from John Bourke's Hyde Park Stud, a long-term backer of Osarus. This more gentle introduction to the 2025 round of two-year-old sales is in a sense the calm before the storm. By Sunday, around 160 Craven horses will be having a practice breeze on Newmarket's Rowley Mile before the real thing on Monday morning. Four straight weeks of breeze-up action at Tattersalls, Goffs UK and Arqana will set the tone for bloodstock sales more generally amid some Trump-inspired instability in the global financial markets. Colm Kennedy of Drumphea Stables in Co Carlow has joined Bourke on the pilgrimage to south-west France and will be consigning at Osarus for the first time this week. “It's beautiful down here. No pressure, and it's a great setting with really good yards,” said Kennedy as he prepared to send out his team of three for the practice breeze on Tuesday afternoon. One of that trio, lot 14, is a colt by Sands Of Mali (Fr), who has three members of his first crop entered in Saturday's G3 Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury and was himself an Osarus graduate, from the September Yearling Sale, before becoming a Bansha House breezer at Ascot. “This fella is a fine colt. We didn't actually enter him anywhere else as we didn't know where we'd get in, but the sire is going a very good job,” Kennedy said. “Con Marnane bought Sands Of Mali here so you would imagine he might be popular here.” He continued, “They all travelled a dream, so we'll see what happens. We've a nice Profitable filly and a Soldier's Call filly. They're three nice horses and they're all rock-and-rolling two-year-old types, though the Sands Of Mali should improve as he's a big horse – he's probably 16 hands and a good, solid horse.” Kennedy was not alone in finding it tougher to claim sales slots for his breezers in recent seasons and said that he has adjusted his operation accordingly. “After this, we've one going to the Guineas and one going to Fairyhouse,” he noted. “We've cut back. I couldn't get horses in the sales the last few years, even ones we'd paid a good few quid for.” He is, however, optimistic for the season ahead despite the general uncertainty prompted by the instigation of President Trump's tariffs on the EU and UK. “A lot of wealthy people would have got stung yesterday on the stock markets but people will always buy horses; there's always an appetite for horses,” he said. Horses for the Osarus sale breeze on the turf track at La Teste de Buch at 9am on Wednesday, and the sale gets underway from 1pm local time. The post Breeze-up Season Gets ‘Rock-and-Rolling’ at Osarus appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

BH Interview with Roderick WachmanView the full article

Smart speedster chases back-to-back wins at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.View the full article

Awapuni’s newly renovated grass track was given the tick of approval following Tuesday’s trials at the Palmerston North venue. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Talented stayer Sword In Stone appreciated a stretch of the legs on Awapuni’s renovated grass surface ahead of Saturday’s Listed Valley D’Vine Restaurant Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) at Trentham. The Redwood gelding stepped out in the first of 11 trials at the Palmerston North venue on Tuesday, where jockey Kavish Chowdhoory allowed him to cruise along comfortably in midfield through the mid-stages. When in clear air down the straight, Sword In Stone ran down the leader with ease and powered through the line to take the heat by 1-1/2 lengths. “He hasn’t raced since the Auckland Cup (Group 2, 3200m) and I felt that he needed a bit of a blowout, and with Palmerston on our back doorstep, it was nice to be able to take him there,” co-trainer Stephen Gray said. “I thought he trialled beautifully. “I took him up to Waverley last Friday, and he had a nice gallop between races there, and then he had a quiet weekend, so I thought another quiet trial would bring him on for Wellington.” The evergreen nine-year-old finished seventh in the two-mile feature on Champions Day, a more than satisfactory result for the multiple-Group One performer in Hong Kong. “He went so well in the Auckland Cup; he just went terrific, and we were rapt,” Gray said. “I know he only ran seventh, but for a nine-year-old coming back from Hong Kong to run like he did, I thought he was great. I looked ahead at what could suit, and I thought this race (Hawke’s Bay Cup) would be a better choice than the St Leger, so I freshened him up and he’s had a couple of nice trips away, so he’s ready to go again. “I just hope it doesn’t get too wet down there.” Gray, who trains in partnership with his father, Kevin, couldn’t have been happier with the presentation of Awapuni, which copped plenty of rain through the morning and early afternoon. “I thought the track was amazing at Awapuni; it was beautiful,” he said. “It was very exciting. I’ve only been back (in New Zealand) for about seven months, but the rest of the racing fraternity, the owners and trainers in there, and all of the participants in the CD have been through a lot lately and are looking forward to getting Awapuni going again. “It was quite heavily raining, and the track held up well; it wasn’t slippery. It was a credit to everyone involved, and hopefully it all unfolds later in the season to be of great service.” The Copper Belt Lodge stable had three of their fellow Trentham representatives at Awapuni earlier in the morning, including promising three-year-old Albarossa and stakes contenders Idyllic and Silent Is Gold. “I took those three horses into Awapuni this morning, and RACE provided the track for us to use, which was great, and it presented very well at the trials,” Gray said. Albarossa was among a five-horse finish in the three-year-old race on Sires’ Produce Day, finishing just half a length from stakes winner Super Photon. A potential shot at the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) is now on the table for the son of Vino Rosso, who will contest the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1100m) on Saturday. “Albarossa is a very promising horse. I thought he went huge the other day fresh-up in that field,” Gray said. “He’ll appreciate a bit of easing in the tracks, and I think it’s a good race for him. Hopefully he can prove himself to go up for the Cambridge Breeders.” The meeting was initially set to be held at Otaki, which would’ve been a better fit for Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m) contender Idyllic. Known for her scorching early pace, Idyllic has been most effective over courses such as Otaki, Tauherenikau, and Awapuni, but the unique Trentham dogleg hasn’t been her friend in previous attempts. “Unfortunately, Idyllic doesn’t perform as well at Wellington as she can; it just seems to find her out,” Gray said. “We were hoping the races were going to be at Otaki but unfortunately that hasn’t happened, so that’s probably her disadvantage. “She did the trial magnificently at Foxton the other day, and she’s in great order; she’ll run very well, but it’s just unfortunate for the connections that it’s been transferred. “Trentham has taken a lot of big races, and she would’ve been very competitive at Otaki. But it is what it is, and we’ll just see how we go.” Her stablemate Silent Is Gold will also take his place in the $80,000 feature after performing commendably in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) last start. “He went great; (Michael) McNab (jockey) said he just over-raced with the blinkers on for the first time, and he gave me a bit of a tune-up, saying I shouldn’t have put them on,” Gray quipped. “We’ll take them off again this week. “He’s a great little horse; he’s honest and will run well. It’s just whether he’s good enough.” Since returning from Singapore, the seven-time winner is yet to get on the board in New Zealand but has recorded three runner-up finishes in five attempts. Horse racing news View the full article

Awapuni trainer Roydon Bergerson. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Awapuni’s renovated grass track was given its biggest test on its return when it held 11 heats of trials under torrential rain on Tuesday. The track held up well, and the trial meeting concluded without incident, much to the satisfaction of local trainers, including Roydon Bergerson. “It was thumbs up from everybody; it was just great to get back there,” Bergerson said. “It poured with rain before the first heat, and if a horse were to slip, it would have been today, but they got around that corner really well, and all of the jockeys were happy. There wasn’t as much kickback, and that track held up really well. Everyone was happy in the end.” Bergerson recorded two trial wins, including with his former top juvenile Wolverine, who took out her 1000m heat by a nose over Old Town Road. The daughter of Tivaci won her first three races for Bergerson as a two-year-old, including the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) and Group 2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) before finishing runner-up in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). She continued her racing career in Australia for trainer Kris Lees and Australia Bloodstock, for whom she placed on five occasions, including the Gr.2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m), Listed Canberra Guineas (1400m), Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m), Listed Daybreak Lover (1400m) and Listed Princess Stakes (1619m). She was then purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for A$850,000, but failed to fire on her New Zealand return and returned to Bergerson’s care earlier this year. Bergerson is pleased to have Wolverine back in his barn, and he has been satisfied with her progress, eyeing a tilt at the Gr.3 Rotorua ITM Stakes (1400m) at Arawa Park next month as her first-up assignment. “It is nice to have her back, and she has come back in good condition,” Bergerson said. “She had a decent spell, which is probably what she needed, and she has really matured into a really good-looking five-year-old mare. “She will probably gallop between races here (Awapuni) on ANZAC Day and may have another trial at Waipukurau, and on the 10th of May there is a weight-for-age fillies and mares race at Rotorua which will probably be her kick-off. “She is really sound and happy at the moment, so long may it continue.” Bergerson was also pleased with stablemate Reservoir’s 1200m trial victory on Tuesday and is looking to step him up to 1400m for his race day debut on the advice of apprentice jockey Jim Chung. “He has just taken a lot of time,” Bergerson said of the three-year-old son of El Roca. “We put the blinkers on him to help with his confidence. He was travelling in amongst them, but he was just frightened of other horses. We kicked him out of the barriers today and put the blinkers on him and he held on quite well. “Jimmy said he probably needs a bit more ground, so we will look to run him in a 1400m race somewhere.” Bergerson is looking forward to racing returning to his home track on ANZAC Day and said it has been a trying last couple of years having the track out of commission for renovation work. “It has been amazing the success the Awapuni horses have had not having a proper course or grass to gallop on,” he said. “It is really good to have nice grass to gallop on and a proper course to race on now. We did go through hell for a while but now everything is tickety-boo. “There’s nothing like getting up and going across the road to the races. We have really missed it all for the last two summers. The closest ones (raceday tracks) were Otaki, Wanganui, and Woodville. It’s good to save the owners a bit of money now too, so it will be good to get back here on ANZAC Day.” Horse racing news View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Could Sam Snead be the omen bet at Addington’s midweek meeting on Wednesday? The Joseph Gray-trained five-year-old lines up in race 7, the Book Now for Anzac Day Racing and League Mobile Pace (7.15pm) just days before the world’s best golfers compete in the first major of the year, the Masters at Augusta Georgia, a tournament the great Sam Snead won three times between 1949 and 1954. The closest Gray’s horse has come to winning has been two thirds at Addington on March 19 and at Ashburton a week later. Last start he was seventh behind Arthur Shelby at Addington last Friday. “In his last start he ran home (last 800) in 57 and a bit,” says Gray, “I’d say he’d be a good chance and one of the favourites.” “He hasn’t got a lot of high speed and is more of a staying type but he’s going to win one soon.’ He opened an $11 joint third favourite behind Shapely ($2.40) and Melton Enforcer ($2.15). Gray has three runners on the day and reckons “with any luck they are all good each way chances”. King Arthur gets things started in race 1, the IRT. Your Horse. Our Passion Mobile Pace for the amateur drivers. A $3.60 favourite he’ll be driven by Dan Roberts. He’s drawn ideally at three. “His best chance is to get across. He needs the pegs so he can lead or trail,” says Gray, “he loves to get out and rolling.” Motor Mouth, a nine race winner with a similar racing style, will start in Race 3, the Allied Security Mobile Pace. After a last start seventh he’s at $15 in the market with the Michael House-trained Didjashoutthebar a $3.60 favourite.” “He’s had issues with feet and has had some time out and he’s building fitness,” says Gray of Motor Mouth, ” but I was happy with his last start and he shouldn’t be far away in that field.” In keeping with the golf theme, the eight race programme tees off at Addington at 4.31pm. View the full article

A good performance from Von Hauke (NZ) (Savabeel) in Saturday’s Listed Golden Mile at Bendigo would set the Cliff Brown-trained gelding up for another interstate trip. Mornington-based Brown said a trip to Queensland is on the cards for Von Hauke, who is first scheduled to run in Victoria in Saturday’s 1600-metre feature at Bendigo after competing interstate in Sydney at his most recent start in the Gr.2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) second-up at Rosehill on March 15. The five-year-old gelding finished second-last in the Ajax Stakes after racing keenly in the middle stages in an on-pace-dominated event, but he was doing his best work late and Brown believes there was merit in the performance. “I thought he was very good in that race, nothing went right,” Brown said. “I actually thought his last furlong was really good considering the run he had. “He had a jumpout last week and he jumped out well. “He’s in good order so I think he’ll run well.” Von Hauke finished a close fourth in a five-horse jumpout over 800m at Mornington last Wednesday, which was won by Miss Icelandic but also featured Giga Kick, Tropicus and Ameena in what was a bunched finish. “I thought he actually went really well,” Brown said. Brown said the Golden Mile hadn’t originally been in his plans for Von Hauke this autumn but believes it can be a stepping stone to a Queensland campaign. “I want to run him here and then we’ll go to Brisbane,” he said. “We’ll just see how we go on Saturday, but providing he runs well, we’ll go to Brisbane and try to find a race up there.” The trainer said he hasn’t got any Queensland races locked in yet but will look to find a suitable assignment for him. He didn’t rule out the possibility of Von Hauke earning a crack at a Stradbroke Handicap if he really steps up. “He could be (a Stradbroke horse), if he’s good enough,” he said. “But he needs to be doing it. “I think he’s quite a nice horse where nothing has gone right. “Even last preparation nothing went right. He was unlucky in the Crystal Mile (finishing fourth). “He’d had enough in the Cranbourne Cup. He got trapped wide, but he’d had enough.” Von Hauke was among 26 nominations released on Monday for Saturday’s A$200,000 Golden Mile and Brown said Jamie Mott will take the ride. “I think he’s in a really good spot,” Brown said of Von Hauke, whose most recent win came in the Gr.3 Shaftsbury Avenue Handicap (1400m) at Flemington 13 months ago. View the full article

Jockey Matthew Poon worked two key Champions Day hopes in barrier trials on Tuesday ahead of the HK$74 million showcase on 27 April at Sha Tin. Stepping out in the first heat ahead of a possible HK$22 million Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) return, Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) broke smoothly from the wide draw before picking up between runners to win in 57.95s over 1000m on turf at Sha Tin. “I think with every trial he is getting better and better. Now he is almost ready to race, if he pulls up well, then he is almost ready to race,” Poon said. Lucky Sweynesse hasn’t competed since April 2024 when he had surgery on his left front fetlock after he was injured when winning the 2024 Gr.2 Sprint Cup. He is a 16-time winner – including four times at Group 1 level – from 24 career starts in Hong Kong. Ahead of a budding clash with Australian star Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) in the HK$24 million Gr.1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m), Ricky Yiu’s Voyage Bubble impressed Poon as he crossed in first over the mile on turf in 1m 36.68s. “He jumped super, he knows what to do – he travelled nicely and relaxed. I just asked him a little bit and he quickens. How good is that? He’s so relaxed, he jumps super and then next to other horses he can switch off, save energy and then you give him a little signal and he just goes,” Poon said. Meanwhile jockey Jerry Chau seeks wins at consecutive fixtures when he gets the leg up on Super Joy N Fun (NZ) (What’s The Story) in the Class 3 Ho Man Tin Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday for trainer Benno Yung. The pair missed by three quarters of a length last start on 19 March. “Last time he had a good draw and we found the perfect position. He finished well and he always tries hard,” Chau said. “Before last time we put him at Sha Tin and tried the 1400 metres – he didn’t show better (form) than at Happy Valley, that’s why we’re back to his best distance and course.” View the full article