Wandering Eyes

Tuesday's immigration raid at Delta Downs–which resulted in the reported apprehension of 84 undocumented individuals–reminds industry stakeholders once again of a frustrating conundrum. On the one hand, they must navigate an environment of ramped-up immigration enforcement, and the potential that what happened at Delta Downs could happen at any other racetrack around the country. On the other, they face a long-broken system that makes sourcing legal immigrant workers a bureaucratic nightmare. “It's insanely difficult,” said trainer Chief Stipe O'Neill, about a visa system that's necessary to properly staff the racetrack backstretch. “Though [many immigrant workers] may not have been fortunate to have a lot of schoolhouse education, they have a PhD in horse-care. It's virtually impossible to get someone out of high school or college [in the U.S.] and have them be able to learn, and have the work ethic, to do what is needed,” O'Neill said, adding how the raid at Delta Downs has unnerved horsemen and women around the country. It was all the way back in 1986 that major immigration reform was passed on Capitol Hill. And while several legislative vehicles exist that could contain conditions favorable to workers in the horse racing industry, they face a long, embattled path to ever getting through a gridlocked Congress. Last month, a bipartisan group of legislators reintroduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which would, among other things, reform the current H-2A visa program and create a pathway towards legal status for agricultural workers. As currently written, however, it contains no mention of equine workers. The Affordable and Secure Food Act, first introduced in 2022, was reintroduced last year with an amendment establishing a program for equine workers, their spouses and children, to earn legal status, including a pathway to a green card after 10 years of work. The plan is to reintroduce it this summer, said a legislative staffer for Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), a key figure behind the bill. “Our hope it to try to get some Republicans on board,” the staffer said. Federally, the backstretch workforce falls under the umbrella of the Fair Labor Standards Act, limiting them to H-2B visas only. The H-2B visa program–which affords non-agriculture seasonal immigrant workers jobs in such industries as hospitality or with animals–has its limitations. It comes with a restrictive annual quota. The visa is typically only granted for nine months, but it can be extended for up to three years. “When you do get lucky enough and you are able to get the one or two a year, they're here nine months, and they just start building great relationships with the rest of the crew and the horses, then they've got to go home for three months. And oftentimes, that three months turns into six months,” said O'Neill, who calls for backstretch workers to be categorized as agricultural workers. In 2022, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced a bill called the Paperwork Reduction for Farmers and H-2A Modernization Act that would have expanded the H-2A program–currently geared towards seasonal or temporary agricultural work–to additionally cover livestock, equine and other workers. That bill is once again knocking around Washington with an eye to a possible reintroduction, said James O'Neill, Director of Legislative Affairs for the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC), a nationwide bipartisan coalition of over 1,700 employers and CEOs. “While we're certainly supportive of the expansion of the H-2A visa program, what that bill misses the mark on is the existing workforce that's already here without status,” said O'Neill. “Counterintuitively,” O'Neill added, “some of the biggest developments, legislative and somewhat, have come from the administration.” He pointed to guidance last week by the President and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that workplace enforcement should be paused at farms, hotels and restaurants, industries that rely heavily on immigrant labor. DHS officials, however, subsequently reversed that order. Sarah Andrew While this is indicative of a “split in the administration” on the topic of immigration, “more importantly, the President understands this issue, and is willing to engage in positive solutions,” said O'Neill. “We're very encouraged by what the President said the other day, and it helps open up space and political room for legislators to take up the mantle and find solutions for the farm workforce,” he added. While O'Neill sees the door open for legislative reform, Oscar Gonzalez, Vice President of the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) and a former Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, believes that executive action is the likeliest and quickest way to immigration reform in Washington. “That is what I believe is the best solution at this point in time,” Gonzalez said. “What that looks like is anybody's guess,” said Gonzalez. “But what we want to be aware of are a couple things that would be absolute deal breakers. We have to have a pathway or a visa program that really fits our industry.” One of those deal-breakers in any possible immigration reform, said Gonzalez, would be a “touch-back” requirement–in other words, that a law-abiding, undocumented worker must return to their home country as part of the application process. “We have to make sure, if they insist on them going to a foreign soil, that a worker has the ability to go to his or her consulate or something similar to get approved,” said Gonzalez. During his time in the agriculture department, Gonzalez said he witnessed first-hand the obstacles that thwarted immigration reform, as well as the hurdles impeding horse racing's voice in those conversations. “It's the federal agencies' difficulty in understanding horse racing because it is so different to any other industry,” said Gonzalez. There's the counterintuitive urban presence of many racetracks, along with the peripatetic nature of racing life–moving from track-to-track, state-to-state–that makes these conversations tricky. Another is the highly-regulated nature of the average racetrack. “These are the things I would have to explain when I'm talking to the Department of Labor, or Commerce, or the State Department,” said Gonzalez. But the “profound cost” from labor disruptions to horsemen and women who are already straining under the increased financial weight of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) means the sport has a sound footing from which to argue its cause, he said. “We're seeing costs go up. Labor's going to be tougher to come by. So, we could very well be seeing an acceleration of people's concerns of HISA on the financial front, especially if people's biggest expense is labor,” said Gonzalez, who added that he planned to reach out to HISA to see if they could communicate these concerns with other federal agencies. “There might be some elements in there that could help us make a case for some immigration relief,” he said. In the meantime, concerned trainers should relay to their local congressional representatives their worries, said Gonzalez. He pointed to a survey he conducted that identified 70 congressional members that represent all Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and harness tracks throughout the country. “Do we have sway in the state capital? I say we do. We just have to be self-aware that we do have that, and that we do have a story to tell,” said Gonzalez. “Even if the [politicians] don't have racing in their district, they probably have sports betting, of which many of their constituents are betting on a sport with a large immigrant workforce.” Gonzalez grew up on the backstretch in Southern California and was present some forty years ago when immigration enforcement officers swept the Del Mar backstretch, leading to hundreds of workers fleeing the track and to the cancellation of racing. “I was on the backstretch at Del Mar during those raids. I have lived this and I have experienced this,” said Gonzalez. “And I'll tell you, we have to start gearing up for some battles ahead if we're to save this great sport.” The post Immigration Reform: “It’s Insanely Difficult” appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a 'TDN Rising Star'. 2.38 Newmarket, Novice, £10,000, 2yo, 7fT WILD DESERT (IRE) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) impressed sufficiently on debut when winning by five lengths at Haydock to earn TDN Rising Star status and is now aimed at the novice that Charlie Appleby used for last year's G2 Superlative Stakes winner Ancient Truth. With the 2022 winner Victory Dance also sent to that July Festival feature, this is a race that has come to serve as a course-and-distance prep and while the half-brother to Shadow Of Light and Earthlight is the number one, it is interesting that the stable also puts forward the unraced Pacific Avenue (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a son of the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes heroine Lumiere (Shamardal) who was impressive enough on her debut to be a TDN Rising Star. He is also a full-brother to the smart Highland Avenue. The post Wild Desert Takes A Proven Path At Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There was no doubting Joe Murphy's popularity after the 70-year-old from Tipperary realized his lifetime ambition thanks to Cercene's tenacious success in the June 20 Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot.View the full article

The first five in the betting for the June 21 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot feature two horses trained in France and one each in Britain, Japan, and Ireland.View the full article

Trainer Karl Burke turned around a frustrating week as the highly regarded Venetian Sun burst home to land the June 20 Albany Stakes (G3) at Royal Ascot under Clifford Lee.View the full article

The form of the GI Derby City Distaff has already been franked on a couple of occasions over the last several weeks, and a pair of also-rans from the Derby undercard contest will look to further flatter the race when they square off in the GII Chicago Stakes beneath the Saturday night lights on the 'Downs After Dark' program in Louisville. Stonestreet Stables' Emery (More Than Ready) won four of her five starts at three last season, including a two-length defeat of My Mane Squeeze (Audible) in Keeneland's GII Raven Run Stakes going seven furlongs, but she has yet to find the winning thread in 2025. Runner-up at even-money in both the GII Inside Information Stakes in January and in the GI Madison Stakes Apr. 8, she sat a four-wide drip from a wide-ish draw in the Derby City Distaff and was beaten nearly 10 lengths into fifth. Florent Geroux rides from the one hole on Saturday. Vahva (Gun Runner) made last year's Derby City Distaff her first elite-level conquest and followed up with a smooth success at long odds-on in this event. It's been tougher sailing in three appearances since, however, and she will need to take a sizable step forward after finishing seventh in defense of her Derby City Distaff seven weeks ago. Derby City Distaff third 'TDN Rising Star' Ways and Means (Practical Joke) returned to dominate the June 6 GII Bed O'Roses Stakes at Saratoga (111 Beyer) while the ninth-placed Mystic Lake (Mo Town) validated 3-5 favoritism in the Memorial Day Sprint at Lone Star on May 26. For her part, My Mane Squeeze gave Derby Day a pass and instead made her most recent appearance in the one-mile GII Ruffian Stakes at Aqueduct on May 10. Narrowly in front to the eighth pole, she weakened slightly to be third as the 13-10 pick. The post Derby City Distaff Form On Display In Chicago Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Woodbine will delay the starting post time for the Sunday, June 22 card to 4 p.m. due to extreme heat forecast in the Toronto area, the track announced Friday. The release notes that the decision was made to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of [the] horses and all racing participants, with approval from the AGCO and consultation with the HBPA. Throughout the weekend, Woodbine will put additional safety measures in place, including shorter post parades and increased water/hose access for all horses pre- and post-race. Saturday's first post remains unchanged with an 11-race card beginning at 1:05 p.m. The post Heat Forces Woodbine To Delay Sunday Starting Post Time appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

ASCOT, UK — It was a day when so many of those engaged at Royal Ascot were thinking also of a great man gone away in Ireland. Kevin Prendergast would undoubtedly have revelled in the splendid results for some of his fellow Irish trainers on Ascot Heath as they in turn paid tribute to him. And there was even a winner for his old friend Awtaad, the last of the trainer's Classic winners, whose son Ethical Diamond triumphed in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes after another, Ascending, had won Tuesday's Ascot Stakes. Breakthrough moments are key in any stallion's career, and there is arguably no finer place for them to happen than at Royal Ascot when all the racing world is watching. Sands Of Mali has been in the news for less joyful reasons this year but there can be no denying his progress in the only area that matters: siring decent winners on the track. The best of them to date, his first-crop daughter Time For Sandals, stepped up to the plate and hit a sensational home run to claim the G1 Commonwealth Cup – a race denied to Sands Of Mali himself when he was second here to Eqtidaar in 2018. By then he had already won the Gimcrack, Prix Sigy and Sandy Lane Stakes, and he was on his way to taking the Qipco British Champions Sprint later that year. A proper racehorse, he's starting to look like a proper stallion, too. As impressive as the rise of Sands Of Mali is that of his trainer Harry Eustace, who was claiming his second Group 1 of the week – and of his nascent career – as well as a second in the Royal Hunt Cup to boot. To describe the trainer's pedigree is to say that he is bred in the purple: his sire- and dam-lines both boast trainers of note, and his full-brother David is already a Group 1-winning trainer in Australia who is now cutting a swathe through the Hong Kong ranks. Anyone who knows Joe Foley, who stands Sands Of Mali at his Ballyhane Stud, will probably not be surprised to hear that he has been “sticking my oar in” and “helping” Eustace in his placing of Time For Sandals. “We've both been saying she's a Group 1 filly,” said an excited Foley while on his way home from a wedding. What is it with people getting married in the middle of Royal Ascot week? He continued, “I was involved in selling the filly through the Rathbride operation and loved her myself. David Appleton and Harry Eustace loved her. I remember encouraging them significantly to buy her and they were clever enough to appreciate the inbreeding in her pedigree. I am delighted that she has worked for them.” That inbreeding is one of the reasons Foley was so interested in buying Sands Of Mali, a son of Panis, who is a grandson of Mr. Prospector. Time For Sandals, whose dam Days Of Summer is by Bachelor Duke, was bred under the name of Ballyhane on behalf of Sands Of Mali's co-owner Steve Parkin. “I organised the mating for the filly, who is inbred 3×3 to [Mr. Prospector's son] Miswaki. When I bought Sands Of Mali, I was keen to duplicate Mr. Prospector in the matings and it seems to be working well. Interestingly, she's the one who is the most inbred to Mr. Prospector and she's the best,” Foley said. “I think Sands Of Mali is an incredible stallion. He's upgrading his mares. To be kind to the dam of Time For Sandals, she she would have been one of the lesser lights, similar to the dam of Ipanema Queen. It's encouraging to see him replicate his brilliance. He was a brilliant two-year-old and three-year-old and he was an unlucky loser of the Commonwealth Cup himself, so he deserves this.” Foley also reported that Sands Of Mali has covered his largest book of mares to date in his fifth season at stud. He added, “He's had tremendous support from breeders this year and I would like to think he's going to cement his reputation into the future with the quality of mares he's had.” Sands Of Mali is a year farther down the line in establishing a name for himself at stud but the horse riding in on his coat-tails among this year's freshmen is Starman, who provided quite the result for Tally-Ho Stud, where he stands, as the breeders of the Albany Stakes winner Venetian Sun. Out of the Iffraaj mare Johara, the Starman filly remained unbeaten on her second start for Karl Burke, and is another smart juvenile to win for the Tally Ho team at Royal Ascot after Campanelle (Kodiac). Tally-Ho principal Tony O'Callaghan is also the owner and breeder of Starman's other group winner to date, Lady Iman, and the stallion also had the runner-up in Wednesday's Queen Mary Stakes in the Charlie Clover-trained 100/1 shot Flowerhead, for Amo Racing. Roger O'Callaghan was quick to praise Starman's owner-breeder David Ward for the success of the stallion and added, “Dave and his wife Sue are such good people that I think the horse is looking after them.” O'Callaghan also paid tribute to National Hunt-turned-Flat trainer Joe Murphy, whose filly Cercene downed the colours of Zarigana to land the other Group 1 contest of the day, the Coronation Stakes. For 70-year-old Murphy, it was a deserved first Group 1 winner after 50 years with a licence, and Cercene also gave another boost to her sire Australia after the Derby triumph of Lambourn. “Joe Murphy deserves huge credit for that filly,” he said. “It's the day of the Joes – a brilliant day for them.” The post Of Soaring Stars and One Sadly Fallen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

ASCOT, UK — Plaudits have rightly been dished out to popular 70-year-old trainer Joe Murphy, who notched his first Group 1 victory in sensational style when Cercene outpointed the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Zarigana to land the Coronation Stakes. Appropriately enough for a daughter of Derby winner Australia, the filly is owned by Queenslander Shane R Stafford, who is now based in Ireland. Stafford, who describes himself as “just a boy from the Bush”, said as he was about to be called up to collect his trophy from the King, “This is the biggest thrill of my whole life.” He continued, “I bought some property in Ireland and we sold our cattle properties in Australia, and we ran into these lovely people. The filly did really well and we received a large offer for her, but I didn't want the Murphys to lose the horse so I bought an extra share so that she was kept in the family.” Cercene, who had previously run third in the Irish 1,000 Guineas behind Lake Victoria, was sent off at odds of 33/1 at Royal Ascot in the hands of Gary Carroll. “I've had full faith in this filly, I must say, and I've met some lovely people through the horse, and I think that's important,” Stafford said. “I'm overcome. It's hard to talk. I'm deeply saddened that some of my family couldn't come with me but we've got a new granddaughter in Australia and my lovely wife is over there. “I've had so many messages and missed calls from Australia – it was run at 1.20am and they're all up watching.” The owner was also represented on Thursday at Ascot by Waterford Flow (Ghaiyyath), trained by Joseph O'Brien, who ran ninth in the King George V Stakes. He added, “I've only got two three-year-olds and they've both run at Royal Ascot. I did have a listed winner at Perth in November with a filly I called Cashel Palace after the Magniers' hotel, but this is by far my biggest winner so far. We're just country people and we race horses in the country, and to be here on this occasion is just overwhelming. We're all big royal supporters in our family.” The post Cercene’s Owner Enjoys ‘Biggest Thrill Of My Whole Life’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2025 Inglis Digital USA June Sale, which includes a catalog of 29 entries, opened Friday with bidding running through Wednesday, June 25. Leading the catalog is 4-year-old filly Tap the Champagne (Tapit) (hip 6), a daughter of Champagne Royale who most recently placed second in a turf maiden special weight at Churchill Downs June 18 for trainer Pavel Matejka. She is a half-sister to GISWs Majestic Harbor (Rockport Harbor) and Danza (Street Boss) who also picked up third in the GI Kentucky Derby behind California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit). “The filly came back from her race in great shape,” Matejka said. “She ran incredible first time on grass after a layoff. We'll be looking for even bigger improvement for her next race. Ellis Park, Saratoga, and Kentucky Downs are on our radar. Del Mar, with its 'Ship and Win' incentive, is another possibility.” Tap the Champagne is available for inspection at Matejka's barn at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington, KY. The June sale also features Tralee Girl (Mendelsson) (hip 7), who broke her maiden during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course June 5. The New York-bred 3-year-old filly is being pointed toward the $150,000 Suzie O'Cain Stakes on July 16 at Saratoga for trainer Miguel Clemente. “She won really well at the Belmont Festival,” Clement said. “We've been really happy with her and have a New York-bred stake picked out for her at Saratoga in July.” Breeders looking to get an early start to building their broodmare bands for the next foaling season will have several options, including mares in-foal to California stallions Storm the Court and Tizamagician. Some of those mares are offered with foals at side by Tizamagician and Eight Rings. The catalog also features several yearlings, including offerings from the first crops of Kentucky stallions Mystic Guide, Pinehurst, and Sir Winston. “We had some momentum from our May sale, and we are very pleased with the sellers who continue to support us,” said Kyle Wilson, senior director of sales and recruiting for Inglis Digital USA. “We have some really quality offerings, and we're excited to get started with our sale.” Interested parties must register for an account on the Inglis Digital USA website and request a bidding limit in order to place bids. To view the catalog and register to bid, click here. The post Tap The Champagne Leads Inglis Digital USA June Sale Catalog appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-LRC, $45K, Msw, 2yo, 5f, 4:00 p.m. ET. Debuting for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, ST PETERSBURG (Constitution) was a $700,000 purchase during the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale. Owned by SF, Starlight, Madaket, Stonestreet, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan, the colt is one of five foals out GIII Schuylerville Stakes heroine Catherinethegreat (Uncaptured), who was acquired by WinStar for $175,000 at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale. The first-time starter hails from an extended female family which includes SW Katinka (Kantharos). TJCIS PPS The post Saturday Insights: Constitution Colt St Petersburg Marks First Start At Los Alamitos appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Time For Sandals continued a dream week for trainer Harry Eustace when causing a 25-1 upset in the Commonwealth Cup (G1) under Richard Kingscote June 20 at Ascot Racecourse.View the full article

LONGSHOREMAN (c, 2, Twirling Candy–Lady Pauline, by Munnings) squandered a four-length advantage in the final furlong to finish a disappointing and money-burning second to Listed Windsor Castle Stakes also-ran Tough Critic (Caravaggio) on Keeneland debut Apr. 24. The betting public's darling here at 1-2, the $260,000 Keeneland September graduate was in front in a matter of strides and took them along at a solid early gallop. Awaiting word from Irad Ortiz, Jr. as they neared the entrance to the stretch, Longshoreman responded when asked and opened up on them to take it by some six to seven lengths. Strong (Raging Bull {Fr}), a debut fourth to 'TDN Rising Star' Outfielder (Speightstown) but beaten only two lengths for second on course-and-distance bow on May 23, completed the exacta at boxcar odds ahead of Thebabeslayer (Collected), third in the latter event. Final time for the five furlongs on fast turf was :56.33. Sales history: $260,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. O-For the People Racing Stable LLC, Haagsma, John R. and Cestaro, James; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Wesley Ward. When the gates opened #4 LONGSHOREMAN ($3.06) made quick work of the field in race 2 at @ChurchillDowns going gate-to-wire. The son of Twirling Candy (@LanesEndFarms) was ridden by @iradortiz and is trained by Wesley Ward. Watch on @FanDuelTV and bet with @FanDuel. pic.twitter.com/bo4ICg5vgZ — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) June 20, 2025 The post Twirling Candy’s Longshoreman Unloads On Churchill Maidens appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Atoning for the eclipse of the Aykroyds' Derby hope Pride Of Arras, their other prized homebred Amiloc (Postponed) maintained his unbeaten sequence in Friday's G2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. Sent off the 11-8 favourite for the mile-and-a-half “Ascot Derby”, the Ralph Beckett-trained Listed Cocked Hat Stakes winner followed Ballydoyle's Galveston (Frankel) before taking over two out and asserting for a 3/4-of-a-length verdict under Rossa Ryan. Zahrann (Night Of Thunder) closed to be second, two lengths ahead of the tiring Galveston. ALL HEART! AMILOC WINS THE KING EDWARD VII STAKES! #ROYALASCOT pic.twitter.com/eRkzOlFkNr — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 20, 2025 The post King Edward VII Glory For The Aykroyd’s Amiloc appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It is strange that the one who dominates the market for Saturday's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes is not a hardened sprinter, but Lazzat (Territories) is all class and ready to fire in the final big one of Royal Ascot week. Campaigned mostly over seven furlongs last term, the Sumbe homebred who now sports Wathnan's silks had them all won before the closing stages before repeating the trick in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest over 110 yards less. It was his stunning comeback effort in Chantilly's Listed Prix Servanne which convinced all that he is fast enough for this six and his extra stamina will be invaluable for this stiff test. “We were deeply impressed with what he did in France on his comeback run, the time was very good and I think the straight six furlongs at Ascot will be right up his street,” Wathnan's racing adviser Richard Brown said. “He's a great addition to the team and we're looking forward to seeing him in the Wathnan colours.” Emphatic in last year's G1 Commonwealth Cup over the distance, Inisherin (Shamardal) was below that level in two starts but looked back in business when beating Flora Of Bermuda (Dark Angel) in York's G2 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes last month. He showed there that he has sharpened up considerably and is now a faster, slicker model. Drawn close to Lazzat, he will be able to use that long stride to put most under pressure from halfway. “We made no secret of the fact he was only about 80 per-cent at York and we feel he's taken a big step forward in his training since,” trainer Kevin Ryan said. “The stiff six obviously suited him down to the ground last year, so you can't be anything but happy coming back here. It's going to be a top-class race, we're under no illusions, but I wouldn't swap him for anything.” Like Lazzat, the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen winner Satono Reve (Lord Kanaloa) has produced the kind of effort on the clock that you would expect from one who can land a top prize in Japan. He will be reserved off any early speed duel, which could be the right tactic if Lazzat and co blaze from the gates. Aidan O'Brien has only won this with Australian imports and that bodes well for Storm Boy (Justify), whose best performance in his native country was probably his win in the 5 1/2-furlong G3 San Domenico Stakes last year. It all went awry on his European debut in the G2 Greenlands Stakes at The Curragh last month, but his trainer seems convinced he has put matters right in the interim as he has on so many occasions in the past. Whether Topgear (Wootton Bassett) has the speed to get involved here is open to debate, having found his niche over seven, but Hisaaki Saito's representative certainly belongs in this category based on recent evidence, which is also the case for Flora Of Bermuda. By a sire in Dark Angel whose progeny seem to excel at this meeting, she will be sharper for her York return and has course-and-distance form having been third in the G1 British Champions Sprint Stakes in October. Romance Looms Saturday's G2 Hardwicke Stakes seems there for the taking for Godolphin's Rebel's Romance (Dubawi), whose effort when third in the King George over course and distance in July is the clear standard. Stretched over 14 furlongs on his return in the G2 Yorkshire Cup, the dual Breeders' Cup Turf hero will be more at home over this optimum trip which cannot be stated with a guarantee concerning Ghostwriter (Invincible Spirit). “I keep telling people, if I need to explain what Rebel's Romance is all about, they are probably not racing fans,” Charlie Appleby said. “He comes here in great order and he's well renowned for what he can do. I think the trump card could be the drop back to a mile and a half and that is going to be more comfortable for him. It was his guts that got him over the line at York, he's an absolute star.” Third in the Eclipse and Juddmonte International last term, Ghostwriter is worth a try at a mile and a half with the 10-furlong races so tough to win. Last year's G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin winner Al Riffa (Wootton Bassett) is the third big runner here and he looked ready to go back up to this trip last time when fourth in the G1 Prix Ganay at ParisLongchamp. All Eyes On Treanmor Royal Ascot's Listed Chesham Stakes almost seems the first port of call for seeking the following year's Guineas contenders of late and Godolphin's TDN Rising Star Treanmor (Frankel) is already at the head of the betting for the Newmarket Classic. His Newmarket debut win was as smooth as they come, but he will have to work here with Ballydoyle's well-regarded filly Moments Of Joy (Justify) and Wathnan's Newbury maiden winner Humidity (Ulysses) in attendance. The latter is a full-brother to Holloway Boy who took this on debut in 2022. In the G3 Jersey Stakes, there is a buzz about Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's dual Doncaster winner Remmooz (Blue Point), while the G3 Ballylinch Stud Stakes runner-up Comanche Brave (Wootton Bassett) and G3 Greenham Stakes third Saracen (Siyouni) are the standard-setters from the yards of both O'Brien Jrs. The post ‘The Straight Six Will Be Right Up His Street’: Lazzat Ready For Jubilee Test appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Time For Sandals continued a dream week for trainer Harry Eustace when causing a 25-1 upset in the Commonwealth Cup (G1) under Richard Kingscote on June 20 at Ascot Racecourse.View the full article

Trainer Karl Burke turned around a frustrating week as the highly regarded Venetian Sun burst home to land the June 20 Albany Stakes (G3) at Royal Ascot under Clifford Lee.View the full article

It's rare for things to go exactly according to plan in the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Ethan West learned that lesson about five seconds into his first attempt. In the past, Chunk of Gold (Preservationist) had done his best work coming from off the pace, but in the Derby he broke sharply and, with Jareth Loveberry aboard, found himself just behind the frontrunners heading into the first turn. “That was not on the bingo card,” West admitted. “We were hoping to be mid-pack and Jareth would find a nice little hole to tuck in, but instead we found a nice little hole to tuck in right off the leaders. Jareth did a good job getting him to relax, but I think that's probably why he didn't finish up as well as we hoped. He still ran a really good race. I was really proud of him, but running that close to the lead was just not what we had planned.” West is hopeful that after finishing ninth in the Kentucky Derby, Chunk of Gold can get back to his usual racing style in this weekend's GIII Ohio Derby at Thistledown. Chunk of Gold (19) vies for position in the opening furlongs of the Kentucky Derby | Coady Media Campaigned by Terry Stephens, Chunk of Gold earned his trip to Churchill Downs with back-to-back runner-up efforts in the GII Risen Star and GII Louisiana Derby. After the Derby, the colt returned to his home base at Turfway. His three works over the past month include two bullet :47 four-furlong breezes. “He was a little tired, obviously, that week after the Derby, but he bounced right back into himself,” said West. “He picked his weight right back up after the race and I think he has actually put on a few more pounds, which was good to see. He's a horse that doesn't put a ton into his training unless you ask him. Every time we've asked, he's responded well.” Chunk of Gold was originally entered in the June 8 GIII Matt Winn Stakes, but West opted for the Ohio Derby believing that his trainee would benefit from the extra two weeks and that Thistledown might offer a slightly softer Grade III spot. The 1 1/8-mile Ohio Derby drew a field of 10. Chunk of Gold will break from post two. The 9-5 morning-line favorite Clever Again (American Pharoah) comes in off an eventful trip in the GI Preakness, where he led the field into the far turn but was forced to check after a much-debated bump with eventual winner Journalism (Curlin). Other contenders include McAfee (Cloud Computing), the half-brother to champion Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) who was second in the GIII Peter Pan, last year's GIII Sanford Stakes victor Mo Plex (Complexity) and Master Controller (Tapiture), who comes in off a May 24 maiden win at Churchill Downs for Brittany Vanden Berg. With the way the field is shaping up, West said he expects plenty of pace for Chunk of Gold to run into. “I think it will be more of a play-the-break situation, but on paper we won't be in front,” he predicted. “Hopefully we're sitting tucked in right at the rail. I think Clever Again and Mo Plex are probably on the lead. The Vanden Berg horse was on the lead when he broke his maiden. It looks like us and McAfee are going to be sitting a few off the lead.” West and Chunk of Gold were one of the Cinderella stories going into this year's Kentucky Derby–and for good reason. Chunk of Gold was purchased for just $2,500 as a yearling. West is only 32 years old and his program is so hands-on that he serves as Chunk of Gold's regular exercise rider. All of that combined to make Chunk of Gold's barn a popular stop for members of the press around 7:30 each morning during Derby week. West admitted that he enjoyed his first Derby experience, but was glad to step out of the spotlight afterwards. “It was one of those things where Sunday morning, I was glad it was over, but I was also ready to do it again,” he explained. “I mean, it's a long week on the horse, it's a long week on everybody involved. But it's also one of those things that, it's what we wake up to do every day. So I'm ready to get back to it next year.” Despite the positive press, West said that he has yet to see any new horses or owners come his way. The Turfway-based trainer is scratching his head over what kind of win it will take to elevate his stable to the next level. “When we won our first graded stake at Keeneland a few years ago, we got a bunch of calls, congratulatory texts and things like that. We didn't pick up one new client. Not one new horse. It was like, 'Okay well if that doesn't do it, I wonder what it's going to take.' Then you put a horse on the Derby trail and there's nothing. I guess it is what it is and we'll take what we get and run on with it.” Last weekend, West's stable scored a nice win when Moon Mystique (Malibu Moon) broke her maiden on debut at Horseshoe Indianapolis. West said he plans to send the Abdul Rahman Al Jasmi homebred to the turf at Colonial Downs for her next start. Runaway Storm (Midnight Storm), who handed West his first graded stakes victory in the 2023 GIII Bryan Station Stakes, was disappointing in his 5-year-old debut in May, but West expects to see improvement from the gelding when he returns in the Jonathan B. Schuster Memorial Stakes at Horseshoe Indianapolis on July 5. Runaway Storm was the runner-up in that stake last year. This summer, West is focused on using his Derby momentum to take the next step with his stable. “Hopefully we can get back to where we were in May again, taking the horses that we've got and making the most of them.” The post After Derby Debut, West Back In Action with Chunk of Gold appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Tokyo and Hanshin Racecourses: Saturday, June 21, 2025 6th-TOK, ¥14,250,000 ($98k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400m ARCADIA CAFE (c, 2, Into Mischief–Mary's Follies, by More Than Ready) is a half-brother to seven winners from eight to race and is a half-brother to SW and recent GI Kentucky Derby participant Luxor Cafe (American Pharoah) and MG1SW Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah), who broke his maiden by 10 lengths at first asking. The $550,000 Keeneland September acquisition's other relatives include Eclipse Award and multiple Grade I-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom) and MGSW Night Prowler (Giant's Causeway) from the same Storm Cat sire line. Dual graded winner Mary's Follies changed hands for $500,000 from the dispersal of the late Paul Pompa at Keeneland January in 2021. Damian Lane rides Arcadia Cafe, who is the 3-5 favorite ante-post. O-Koichi Nishikawa; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt & Westerberg Ireland ULC (KY); T-Noriyuki Hori 先週の2歳爆盛り26 「緑91」 #アルカディアカフェ は15日にレーン騎手を背にW5F665-119で外に先着 「緑90」 #クオンタムスター （美・堀、牡、父コントレイル、母サンタモニカ）は同673-122で遅れ https://t.co/WBqKuH3F5v pic.twitter.com/dAylyLCOh1 — 千葉智春 (@tomo__bamin) May 20, 2025 DONA SCHON (f, 2, Munnings–Nutcracker Suite {Ire}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}), a $375,000 Keeneland September yearling, is the year-younger half-sister to Giocoso (Not This Time), third in last year's GIII Iroquois Stakes. The Feb. 26 foal is out of a winning daughter of dual Group 3 winner Dietrich (Storm Cat), the dam of Irish highweight Beauty Bright (Ire) (Danehill), MSW & G1SP Aloft (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Marquesa (Kingmambo), the Group 3-placed dam of Japanese SW Beautiful Day (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). O-Masao Ogawa; B-Breed First LLC (KY); T-Toru Kurita Sunday, June 22, 2025 5th-HSN, ¥14,250,000 ($98k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600mT ECORO BOLT (c, 2, Practical Joke–In My Time, by Scat Daddy) is out of a multiple stakes-placed half-sister to SP Irish Fantasy and improved from a $90,000 Keeneland November weanling into a $185,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling when purchased by trainer Hideyuki Mori last summer. The colt's third dam was responsible for SW Dharma Girl (French Deputy), whose daughter Socially Selective (Speightster) was recently third in the GIII Distaff Stakes at Aqueduct. O-Masatoshi Haramura; B-Barak Farm (MD); T-Hideyuki Mori 5th-TOK, ¥14,250,000 ($98k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600mT MARGOT BLOW (JPN) (c, 2, Twirling Candy–Tough Irma, by Stormy Atlantic) is out of a full-sister to SW Stormy Dixie and a half to Turbo Compressor (Halo's Image), winner of the GI United Nations Stakes in 2012. The colt's third dam Pleasant Dixie (Dixieland Band) produced four winners, including MGISW Southern Image (Halo's Image) and Japanese Group 3 winner Black Bar Spin (Put It Back). Yushun Company acquired the stakes-placed Tough Irma for $200,000 with this colt in utero at the 2022 Keeneland November Sale. O-Ryohei Maeda; B-Kosho Bokujo; T-Shigenobu Isaka The post Another of Mary’s Follies’s Offspring A Warm Item on Tokyo Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last seen running third behind the absent Lake Victoria in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas, Shane Stafford's €50,000 Tattersalls Ireland yearling Cercene (Australia) stepped forward in ultra-game fashion to become the longest-priced winner of Royal Ascot's G1 Coronation Stakes. The 33-1 outsider went forward to track the leaders in fourth after the opening exchanges, as TDN Rising Star Falakeyah (New Bay) raced too freely on the front end, and inched closer once into the home straight. Gaining an edge approaching the furlong pole, she was immediately tackled and headed by 6-4 favourite Zarigana (Siyouni), but found plenty under a drive and rallied bravely in the dying embers to eke out a career high, by a half-length, from that rival. Ballydoyle's January (Kingman) was initially stationed in rear and kept on strongly in the straight to finish one length adrift in third. “She's not big, but she's very tough,” commented winning jockey Gary Carroll. Pedigree Notes Cercene, who becomes the seventh Group 1 scorer for her sire and the second this season following the exploits of Lambourn in the G1 Derby, is the fourth of five foals and one of two scorers produced by a winning daughter of Listed Firth Of Clyde Stakes runner-up Tschierschen (Acclamation). The February-foaled chestnut is a half-sister to G3 Sovereign Stakes third Perotto (New Bay) and a 2-year-old filly by Starman. Roo is the dam of five black-type performers, headed by G1 Prix Morny runner-up Gallagher (Bahamian Bounty), and her descendants include G1 Sussex Stakes-winning sire Mohaather (Showcasing), G1 Queen Anne Stakes hero Accidental Agent (Delegator) and multiple Grade II winner Prize Exhibit (Showcasing). Roo is kin to G2 Gimcrack Stakes victor Bannister (Inchinor) and the dam of G1 Middle Park winner Astaire (Intense Focus) out of a half-sister to G1 Cheveley Park Stakes heroine Dead Certain (Absalom). 33/1! CERCENE WINS THE CORONATION STAKES! #ROYALASCOT pic.twitter.com/cba83YNxWV — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 20, 2025 The post ‘She’s Not Very Big, But She’s Very Tough’: Carroll Heaps Praise on Cercene After Coronation Shock appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) breezed a half-mile in a sharp :47.80 (13/90) Friday morning at Churchill Downs in advance of her intended appearance in the GII Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis Stakes on June 28. The Fleur de Lis is one of a half-dozen stakes on a program that is headed by the $1-million GI Stephen Foster Stakes. Thorpedo Anna, a troubled seventh in the GI Fasig-Tipton La Troienne Stakes May 2, took to the track around 7:15 a.m. Friday morning and covered her opening quarter-mile in :23.60. She galloped out five-eighths of a mile in a strong 1:00.60 according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols. Also working for the Fleur de Lis was La Troienne runner-up Taxed (Collected), who went four furlongs in :48.20 (21/90) for trainer Randy Morse Friday morning. Gosger (Nyquist), an excellent second to Journalism (Curlin) in the GI Preakness Stakes May 17, tuned up for an expected appearance in the GI NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes on July 19 with a half-mile drill that was timed in :48.40 (28/90). The post Thorpedo Anna, Gosger Breeze at Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

From four runners at this year's Royal Ascot, Harry Eustace now boasts a pair of Group 1 winners as the filly Time For Sandals (Sands Of Mali) followed on from stablemate Docklands in Friday's G1 Commonwealth Cup. Drawn widest in one, the 25-1 shot who had been edged out by Woodshauna (Wooded) in Chantilly's G3 Prix Texanita last month was forced to stay in the group up the centre racing away from the main pack. Driven clear of her neighbours inside the final furlong by Richard Kingscote, the bargain €35,000 Tattersalls Ireland September graduate had two dangers towards the stand's side as the season's French sprinting form came to the fore. At the line, there was a neck between the filly and the G3 Prix Sigy winner Arizona Blaze (Sergei Prokofiev), with half a length between him and the Listed Prix Marchand d'Or winner Rayevka (Blue Point) in third. The 6-4 favourite Shadow Of Light (Lope De Vega) was fifth. “It's been extraordinary–it's all down the team at home and all the little things they do, I can't thank them enough,” commented Eustace, in the remarkable position of greeting a second Group 1 winner at the meeting just three days after the yard's momentous Queen Anne triumph. “It went really smoothly–the most concerning part was the draw but it's the first time she's had a fast horse to follow and we were very confident we hadn't seen the best of her.” TIME FOR SANDALS TAKES THE COMMONWEALTH CUP CROWN! #ROYALASCOT pic.twitter.com/OlkklXCLGk — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 20, 2025 The post ‘It’s Extraordinary’: Two Royal Ascot Group 1s For Eustace As Time For Sandals Stars appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Forbidden Apple (Pleasant Colony–North of Eden {Ire}, by Northfields), a Grade I winner of nearly $1.7 million, passed away shortly after turning 30 years old at the end of May at TRF Second Chances at Lowell, where he resided since 2013. One of a number of top-class horses bred by Arthur Appleton from North of Eden–a half-sister to champion Theatrical (Ire)–Forbidden Apple was trained throughout his career by the late Christophe Clement, making all but one of his 31 starts on the grass. After posting the first graded success of his career in the GII Belmont Cup Breeders' Cup Handicap, he registered his lone top-level victory in the 2001 Manhattan Handicap over 10 furlongs and added the GII Kelso Handicap ahead of a runner-up effort to Val Royal (Fr) in that year's GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Belmont Park. Runner-up in defense of the Manhattan in 2002, he was third and beaten a head in three-way go in that year's GI Arlington Million. Also fourth in back-to-back runnings of the G1 Hong Kong Mile, Forbidden Apple retired with a record of 8-6-9 from his 31 trips to the post for earnings of $1,680,640. A half-brother to champion Paradise Creek (Irish River {Fr}) and GISW Wild Event (Wild Again)–later a perennial leading sire in Brazil–Forbidden Apple entered stud at Appleton's Bridlewood Farm near Ocala. From limited runners, he was responsible for Worstcasescenario, winner of the 2009 GII Adirondack Stakes. The post Grade I Winner Forbidden Apple Passes Away appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy's once-raced Carlisle maiden winner Venetian Sun (Starman) fulfilled the role of spoiler with aplomb and the Karl Burke trainee prevented a Ballydoyle clean sweep of Royal Ascot's juvenile pattern races with a dominant victory in Friday's G3 Albany Stakes. The 240,000gns Book 1 graduate, drawn in the supposedly unfavourable stall one on the track's far side, raced on the wing in midfield through halfway in this straight six-furlong contest. Coming under pressure to reduce arrears approaching the quarter-mile pole, the well-backed 7-1 chance made continued headway to seize control entering the final furlong and was driven out in the closing stages to assert superiority by 1 1/2 lengths and a length from Awaken (Mehmas) and Balantina (Ten Sovereigns). Aidan O'Brien nominee and 15-8 favourite Signora (Frankel) threatened inside the final quarter-mile, but lacked the necessary kick and finished ninth. Venetian Sun becomes the second black-type winner for Tally-Ho Stud-based freshman sire Starman. “I've never had a two-year-old fill like her,” enthused Burke in the immediate aftermath. “Before the season started, we knew we had a good filly on our hands,” added rider Clifford Lee. VENETIAN SUN WINS THE ALBANY STAKES! #ROYALASCOT pic.twitter.com/SGr3CzUPNC — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 20, 2025 The post ‘I’ve Never Had A Two-Year-Old Filly Like Her’: Burke Lauds Albany Heroine Venetian Sun appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Louisiana Racing Commission is moving toward doing away with most of the state's rules that would void claims of racehorses for reasons including postrace lameness, injury, and even death. A public comment period begins June 20.View the full article