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Wandering Eyes

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  1. Race 5 BIRCHFIELD ROSS MINING 1400m LONE SPIRIT (L Sutherland) – Trainer Mr. A Carston advised Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare, however, LONE SPIRIT has been sent for a spell. The post Reefton Jockey Club @ Reefton, Wednesday 8 January 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article
  2. Blake Shinn guides Ostraka to victory in the Silver Eagle. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Promising gelding Ostraka is back in work and ready for an exciting autumn campaign, with trainer Annabel Neasham targeting sprint trips for the four-year-old. The Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) is among the many options under consideration. Ostraka impressed last year, stringing together four consecutive victories from June to October, culminating in a victory in the $1 million Silver Eagle (1300m). However, his subsequent 13th-place finish in the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) highlighted the gelding’s limitations over longer distances. Neasham, who trains Ostraka alongside Rob Archibald, believes the 1500-metre race was too far for him. “He went to a new level last campaign and we learned more about him,” Neasham said. “He’s a really big horse now and you can certainly see that the physical improvement translated on the track. “We stretched him out to 1500 metres in the Golden Eagle and he wasn’t as effective as he was over the shorter trips, so we’ll probably keep him to the sprint distances. “Anything from 1100 metres to 1400 metres is ideal.” With many of Ostraka’s owners based in Melbourne, Neasham is also keen to explore the options down south. “I know a lot of the ownership group are in Melbourne so I’m certainly keen to have a look down there – we could even look at the Newmarket with him. “He’s a very exciting sprinter.” Ostraka is listed as a $26 winning chance with horse racing bookmakers for the Newmarket Handicap. Horse racing news View the full article
  3. Race 1 VERNON & VAZEY 0800 TRUCK PARTS 1100m OVER TO YOU (L Hemi) – Trainer Mr. J Bullard reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of OVER TO YOU, and it is his intention to carry on with the current preparation, where he may look to trial the mare at Ashburton on the 28 January. Race 7 RECREATION HOTEL GREYMOUTH CUP HANDICAP 2000m FRANNI CACCINI (B Murray) – Trainer Mr. K Moore advised Stewards, he was satisfied with the recovery of the mare, however, FRANNI CACCINI has now been sent for a spell. The post Greymouth Jockey Club @ Omoto, Sunday 5 January 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article
  4. Blake Shinn returns to the mounting yard on Apache Song. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Trainer Michael Trotter is looking to build on the success of his recent stakes victory with Rumbled Again as he aims for a big performance at Moonee Valley on Friday night. His in-form mare, Apache Song, will line up in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) under jockey Damian Lane. The Group 2 event marks a significant step up in class for the four-year-old, whose last victory came in Benchmark 78 company. Despite the tougher competition, Trotter is optimistic, particularly due to Apache Song’s strong record at The Valley. The mare has contested her last four races at the circuit, all at Friday’s 1200-metre distance, and secured three consecutive wins. Trotter is confident that the mare’s fitness and improvement this campaign will hold her in good stead as she faces stiffer opposition. “She had some pretty lofty heights set upon her early, and this time around we’ve been able to go through her grades,” Trotter explained. “She’s continued to thrive because of that and now is as good a time as any to give her a try in a good race and being at The Valley where she thrives, why not?” The trainer went on to draw comparisons between Apache Song and his recent stakes winner, Rumbled Again. “She’s a bit like Rumbled Again, she showed the same talent so it’s nice to see Apache furnish and do all the right things on race day.” Despite acknowledging that rivals such as Southport Tycoon and Schwartz will be tough to beat, Trotter is hopeful of a strong showing. “I think we’re a genuine top four chance, so you never know,” he said. Horse racing news View the full article
  5. Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Wednesday, January 22. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximise your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for January 22, 2025, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Randwick-Kensington R1-4 | Bet Back Run 2nd or 3rd Up to $50 bacl Activate your Bet Back Tool in your Betslip on Races 1-4 at Randwick-Kensington and if your runner comes 2nd or 3rd, get up to $50 back as Bonus Cash. Fixed Win bets, and on races with 5 or more runners. Neds T&C’s Apply Login to Neds to Claim Promo Mornington R1-3 | Run 2nd or 3rd Bonus Back up to $25 Run 2nd or 3rd in Races 1-3 at Mornington on Wednesday and receive a bonus back up to $25. PlayUp T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo 25% Boosted Winnings! – Mornington Get 25% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. Fixed win only. First bet only. Cash bet only. Max Bonus $250. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Wednesday Bonus Back 2nd or 3rd R1-3 at Mornington & Randwick-Kensington Auto-applied in Bet Slip. Limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed odds only. T&C’s apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo 10 AGAIN! – Doomben & Ascot Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. Max bonus $100. First bet only. Paid in bonus cash. Cash Bets Only. T&C’s apply. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo COPYCASH. GET COPIED. GET PAID – Get paid $0.10 every time someone uses copy bet to copy your bets Earn $0.10 per unique Copy Bet. Max $1000 per week. Copy Cash is real money into your account. Dabble T&Cs apply. Login to Dabble to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Best Tote and Starting Price Guarantees a dividend equal to the highest of the official win dividend paid by the three Australian TAB pools or the official starting price. Maximum stake: $2,000. 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% of winnings in cash Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds only. PlayUp T&Cs Apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Daily Multi Insurance Any race. Any runner. Any odds. Get a bonus back if your multi loses. Check your Vault for eligibility Login to UniBet to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing thoroughbred bonus promotions for January 22, 2025. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. Horse racing promotions View the full article
  6. Dale Romans may train primarily in Kentucky but he comes to Gulfstream every winter. Few trainers anywhere have their finger on the pulse quite like Romans does when it comes to industry issues, which is why he was the week's Gainesway Guest of the Week and asked to help unravel the situation in Florida. The TDN Writers' Room podcast is sponsored by Keeneland. Romans, who is also the president of the Kentucky HBPA, said he took his eye off the ball because he was so sure that Santa Anita would be the next major track to close. “I had no inkling,” he said. “I don't think the regular horsemen on the backside–I can't speak for the board of their horsemen's group here–but I don't think anybody that races here had any idea what was in the plans. You know, what they're saying is the property has become too valuable for a racetrack to sit on it, basically. And that's why they want to decouple because right now, the way to stay within the law is they have to run 40 days in order to have the casino license.” The best offer put forth so far by the Stronach Group (TSG) is that they will keep the place up and running for just three years more, and will do so only if the horsemen support decoupling. TSG is eager to decouple because they want to build a large full-service casino and hotel on the property. Romans was asked to read the tea leaves. Where does this go next? He does not think the casino project can be completed within three years. “Let me tell you what my personal feeling is about that,” he said. “It would probably take them more than three years to get all the planning done, to get the property developed, get the area re-zoned and do all the things you have to do with permits and stuff in South Florida. So I don't think they're really offering anything by saying they'll give us three years. And it's obviously not about the money going to purses because they say they'll keep the purse account whole. But what that tells you, within three years, they could close down, have no incentive to race, develop the property and still have the cornerstone of the development being a slot casino. So it's not about the money going into the purses, it's about developing the property and maintaining the slot casino on that development.” If Gulfstream closes, that does not necessarily mean that there will be no more racing in South Florida. There's an effort being made behind the scenes to switch racing to one of two locations, either Hialeah or the Palm Meadows training center. Neither are perfect solutions but re-opening Hialeah or rebuilding Palm Meadows are not far fetched ideas. “Well, I would like some of the powers a lot smarter than me to get involved and try to find a new place to race in South Florida,” Romans said. “And if it happens down the road, do we have a place to go? I mean, the best scenario in my opinion, which I don't know how feasible it is, but you go back to Hialeah. I was at Hialeah a couple years ago. I just went back over there to reminisce and I couldn't believe what good shape the grandstand was in. The racetrack's still there, the turf course is still there. It looks really good. Put some barns up and you can open the doors tomorrow.” Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by WinStar, 1/st Racing, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association,https://pabred.com/https://www.kentuckybred.org/https://www.nyrabets.com/ West Point Thoroughbreds, the KTOB and XBTV.com, the team of T.D Thornton, Bill Finley and Randy Moss gave their own takes on the Gulfstream situation and how it will affect not just Florida, but the entire sport. Finley called Paco Lopez's 46-day suspension for striking a horse in the neck and face after a race in December at Parx a slap on the wrist and said Lopez should have gotten at least 90 days. Click here to watch or here to listen. The post Dale Romans Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  7. A lot of early buzz surrounded Coolmore's City of Troy, and he certainly lived up to the hype by co-winning the 2024 Longines World's Best Racehorse AwardView the full article
  8. Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.View the full article
  9. York chief executive William Derby hopes success brings more success as the English racecourse looks to expand international competition in the Juddmonte International, 2024's Longines World's Best Horse Race.View the full article
  10. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul presented some specifics to a plan that provides funding from the state—and the NYRA—to expand advanced imaging screening at the Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists hospital adjacent to Belmont Park.View the full article
  11. GI Blue Grass Stakes winner Zandon (Upstart) sired his first reported foal when a filly was born late Monday, January 20th at KatieRich Farms in Midway, KY, according to a press release on social media by Spendthrift Farm. Bred by Rattner Bloodstock LLC, the bay filly with a thin white blaze on her face hails from the Champali mare I Love Nola. “Nice, healthy filly,” said Dan Ratner. “She has great leg and a big motor. We're excited.” Zandon, who covered 158 mares in his first book in 2024, is set to stand his second season at Spendthrift Farm for a fee of $10,000 S&N. G1 winner ZANDON sires first foal Read more https://t.co/NCVjNDcAMP pic.twitter.com/vpkQi9haen — Spendthrift Farm (@spendthriftfarm) January 21, 2025 The post Blue Grass Winner Zandon Sires First Foal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  12. One of the last horses in which the late Prince Khalid bin Abdullah chose the mating, Laurel River was honored Jan. 21 as the co-winner of the Longines World's Best Racehorse for 2024.View the full article
  13. By Jonny Turner Brad Williamson will be hard-pressed to match his Northern Southland Cup Day heroics at his home track on Wednesday. The trainer starts three horses at Oamaru after producing a winning treble on a big day of harness racing at Ascot Park last Thursday. The best part of winning with Kracka Looka, Domination’s Call and Tabasco for Williamson was seeing so many happy owners. “It was a great day, when you have a day like that it makes up for the ordinary ones you have.” “We had a lot of happy owners there, we had owners come down to Invercargill from Blenheim and Timaru and all over the place.” “There were a lot of happy people on track, which was great.” Kracka Looka will be out to double up at Oamaru on Wednesday. While the mare has clearly returned from a decent spell in great shape, Williamson is weary of the step up in grade she will face at Oamaru. “She is a nice horse but it is a big step up for her on Wednesday.” “I am happy with her and she is working well.” Kracka Looka takes on her stablemate Krackaling in race 4 at Oamaru. Krackaling ran a strong last start third at Roxburgh in a similar grade, earlier this month. “I am happy with her, too,” Williamson said. “I’d say she will be a good top 4 chance.” Williamson also starts Aint No Angel at Oamaru on Wednesday. The mare will face the standing start tapes for just the second time in the meeting’s feature pace. “She is not great from a stand, she hasn’t had a lot of experience.” “She has only had one stand and she missed away, so she is a bit risky.” “But I have been really happy with her and if she was able to step away, she would be an eachway chance.” Aint No Angel and Krackaling will be driven by Max Hill, who drove Kracka Looka to victory at Ascot Park last week. Williamson jumps back in the sulky behind Kracka Looka at Oamaru. Kracka Looka was rated at $6.50 odds when fixed odds markets opened for race 4 on Wednesday, ahead of Krackaling who was at $11. Aint No Angel was rated a $6.50 chance in race 5. Deceptive Lee opened the $1.55 favourite for the 2600m handicap. The pacer ran second in his last start at Cromwell behind his stablemate Song Sung Blue and did so carrying a flat tyre. View the full article
  14. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be the official aftercare partner of the Pegasus World Cup, set to be held Saturday, January 25 at Gulfstream Park, the TAA announced Tuesday. A named race held both Friday and Saturday for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will continue a 10-year partnership between the Pegasus World Cup, 1/ST Racing and the TAA. On Friday, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will present Race 5 while Saturday will feature the GII TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes. Winners of both races will receive a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance blanket and gift bag. Additionally, in recognition of their enduring collaboration, 1/ST RACING will present Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance with a check donation of $50,000 following the TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes at Gulfstream Park Saturday. Representatives from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance including several Board Members as well as representatives from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's accredited organizations will be present for the check presentation. “We're excited to welcome Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance back as the Official Aftercare Partner of Pegasus World Cup,” said The Stronach Group's Vice President Nicole Walker. “Having Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance as part of this event not only enhances our celebration of Florida racing but also stresses the industry's commitment to aftercare and equine welfare.” A representative from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be present to host the winners of the “Off to the Races” VIP Experience online benefit auction. This exciting VIP experience was donated by 1/ST RACING. The winners will enjoy premium dining for four at the Ten Palms Restaurant, access to the winner's circle for Friday's Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance named race, a guided backside tour of Gulfstream Park, and much more. “Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is incredibly grateful to be the Official Aftercare Partner of the Pegasus World Cup once again,” said the TAA's Operations Consultant Stacie Clark Rogers. “We are excited to kick off 2025 with first VIP experience of the year at a fantastic event that helps to raise awareness and support for retired Thoroughbreds, while celebrating the outstanding athletes of the racing world at this prestigious event.” On Saturday, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will present Best Turned Out awards, sponsored by Centennial Farm, for all 14 races at Gulfstream Park. The winning groom and horse of each race will be spotlighted by the track announcer on-site, as well as on Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's social media accounts. As a gesture of recognition, the recipient of this award will receive a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance gift bag. The post Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Named Official Aftercare Partner For Pegasus World Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  15. A lot of early buzz surrounded Coolmore's City of Troy, and he certainly lived up to the hype by co-winning the 2024 Longines World's Best Racehorse AwardView the full article
  16. Turfway Park has moved its Wednesday racing card to Sunday with a 12:30 p.m. ET first post due to extreme cold temperatures. The National Weather Service forecast calls for wind chill factors in the single digits throughout the day Wednesday.View the full article
  17. Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has canceled its live racing program for Jan. 22 because of frigid temperatures expected to impact the region. Races from Wednesday's card have been brought back on the overnight as extras for Saturday's card.View the full article
  18. A Bob Baffert trainee, Imagination comes out of a third in the Malibu against his own age group.View the full article
  19. The members elected John Velazquez and Mike Smith as Co-chairmen, Javier Castellano, Julien Leparoux and James Flores as Co-vice chairmen, Tyler Gaffalione as Secretary and Julien Leparoux as Treasurer. View the full article
  20. Dan Preiss had an angle going into the 2022 Keeneland November Sale. The progeny of Arrogate were just heating up, with Secret Oath, Cave Rock and And Tell Me Nolies all having claimed Grade I scores for their late sire already that year, but the market was still hesitant about committing to daughters of Arrogate as producers. Preiss hypothesized that someday soon, that would change. With a limited budget, Preiss landed on Disco Diva, an unraced Juddmonte homebred by Arrogate, and purchased the 2-year-old maiden for KingFisher Farm for just $8,000. This past Saturday, Disco Diva received a flashy pedigree update when her half-brother Disco Time (Not This Time) scored in the GIII Lecomte Stakes. The Brad Cox-trained Juddmonte homebred is now undefeated in three career starts. Meanwhile the promising colt's half-sister is in California at KingFisher Farm carrying a foal by Halladay, a Grade I-winning son of War Front standing in California at Harris Farms with his first crop of juveniles hitting the track this year. The mare also has a newly turned yearling filly by Idol, a young stallion who spent some time at the Santa Ynez Valley farm on layup during his racing career. Preiss said that for now his client Katie Fisher, owner of KingFisher Farm, has no plans of parting with Disco Diva. “After Disco Time broke his maiden she got a few nibblers trying to steal the mare back, so she has gotten some offers but she's shooting them away so far,” explained Preiss. “Hopefully Disco Time goes on to the Derby and then who knows? All bets are off.” Disco Diva marks one of the biggest finds of Preiss's relatively short tenure in racing. It wasn't too long ago that Preiss was busy managing his collection of McDonald's restaurants, but eight years ago, he decided to take the leap and try out his hand as a bloodstock agent. A native of Chicago, Preiss was first introduced to racing as a teenager. “I was a total city boy,” he recalled. “But when I got to high school there was a kid who became one of my best friends and his dad was a harness driver and trainer. My friend and I would get in the carts racing around the track with the horses, and I had no idea what I was doing, but I started to really like the horses. We'd go out to Maywood Park and shovel stalls for a little bit of money on the weekends, get some tips and go make bets. I always said one day I wanted to own a horse.” While he was in college, Preiss got a job working at McDonald's. He worked his way up to management and eventually, bought a couple of his own restaurants. For 20 years, Preiss owned a string of McDonald's restaurants in Nevada. When Preiss decided to re-visit his interest in racing by getting involved in some ownership syndicates, his interest quickly grew into a passion. “I would go to the sales and stay in the background and watch and then I would ask people questions,” Preiss said. “I got to a point where I wanted to do it a little bit more seriously. I would identify people that I know are really good at picking out horses, so I would go up to people like Paul Sharp and say, 'Hey Paul, you mind if I tag along and ask you a bunch of questions?' Everyone I asked was all so gracious and helpful to me.” Disco Time scores in the GIII Lecomte Stakes for Juddmonte | Hodges Photography In 2017, Preiss decided to sell his restaurants and launch a second career in the racing industry. “I decided I wanted to do my own thing,” he explained. “I owned restaurants for over 20 years and got a little burned out on that, but it was great for my family and affords me the luxury of being able to do what I'm doing now. I learned as much as I could about picking out racehorses and now I'm an agent, albeit on the smaller side with less money, but I'm proud of where we've gotten.” Recent successes include Dreamfyre (Flameaway), who earned a pair of Grade III scores in California in 2023, Mugatu (Blofeld) a multiple stakes-placed colt who ran in last year's GI Preakness Stakes and Maximus (Maximus Mischief), a $30,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic purchase who broke his maiden by nearly 10 lengths last October. Most of the time he's working with a small budget, but Preiss said he prides himself on doing the research in order to dig up some value. “That's been my niche all along and I've been introduced by people at sales where they'll say, 'Hey, I want you to meet Dan Preiss, he always comes to a sale and buys a horse for like $10,000 and it goes on to win $100,000.' Afterwards I'll pull them aside and jokingly say, 'Stop introducing me as the guy who buys $10,000 horses. I work on commission!” He continued, “I've kind of developed what I'm looking for based off little pieces from all these people that I would go around and pick their brain. There would be things that they would point out that nobody else pointed out and it would really strike something with me.” It was actually breeder Carrie Brogden's outspoken affinity for Unbridled's Song mares that gave Preiss that idea to hone in on a daughter of Arrogate two years ago. “Arrogate was still a bit chilly and I was thinking about Carrie Brodgen's Unbridled's Song thing where they don't make those anymore, plus with my small budget I can't get an Unbridled's Song, but I know that they're really nice. So I thought, 'Well Arrogate was brilliant on the track and he's from the Unbridled's Song line.'” Disco Diva was one of nine Arrogate mares that sold at the 2022 Keeneland November Sale for a collective average of just under $67,000. At the most recent Keeneland November Sale, 12 Arrogate mares sold to average over $187,000. “It's hard to beat getting something out of a Juddmonte family like that with my budget, so I was super stoked to get her,” Preiss recalled of Disco Diva's purchase. “I've done that same angle buying cheaper mare from these big farms. I'm always looking for those types when shopping with my small budgets. Sometimes you can get a whole lot of pedigree for a little bit of money when something slips through like that.” The post Disco Time’s $8,000 Sister a Well-Bought Purchase for Preiss appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  21. Members of the racing industry from around the world gathered at the historic Savoy Hotel in central London Jan. 21 to honor equine excellence from the 2024 racing season during the Longines World Racing Awards.View the full article
  22. Long-time racing journalist and historian Edward Bowen passed away Monday, Jan. 20 at his home in Versailles, KY at the age of 82 according to a report from the Blood-Horse. The magazine's former Editor-In-Chief from 1987-1992 also spent 24 years as the president of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation during a career in racing and journalism which spanned over 60 years. This story will be updated. The post Veteran Journalist Edward Bowen Dies At 82 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  23. The promising young chaser Peaky Boy (Ire) (Kayf Tara {GB}) (lot 44) will continue his racing career with Jonjo and AJ O'Neill after he achieved the top price at Tuesday's Goffs January Sale. Offered by Nicky Henderson's Seven Barrows, the seven-year-old was led out of the ring not sold at £195,000, before being purchased privately by O'Neill Racing for an undisclosed, six-figure sum. The horses-in-training session featured a nine-strong draft from Coolmeen Farms, with their five-year-old Johnny's Jury (Ire) (lot 22) proving the most expensive of the day's other lots. A son of Jukebox Jury (Ire) and a half-brother to the multiple Grade 1 hero Appreciate It (Ire) (Jeremy), Johnny's Jury was bought by Tom Malone and Jamie Snowden for £75,000, having finished third on his first start over hurdles at Ffos Las earlier this month. The sale also offered a selection of National Hunt breeding stock and weanlings. The mares were topped by Baroda Stud's Listed winner Misty Whisky (GB) (Stowaway {GB}) (lot 163), who was offered in foal to Golden Horn (GB) and was purchased by Ashfield House for £60,000. The weanling session was headlined by Cobhall Court Stud's Kapgarde (Fr) colt who went through the ring as lot 129, with J.P. McGrath Bloodstock striking the winning bid at £30,000. Goffs UK managing director Tim Kent said, “The January Sale opens the European sale circuit each year and it has been incredibly satisfying to start the year with some good prices across all categories today. “The highlights of the horses-in-training section were the dispersals from Oliver Harris and Coolmeen Farm and it was therefore pleasing to see Johnny's Jury realise £75,000. Whilst it was disappointing that Peaky Boy did not sell in the ring, we were delighted to get him sold privately for an undisclosed six-figure, sale topping sum, to O'Neill Racing.” He added, “The trade for the NH Mares and Foals followed trade at similar sales towards the end of last year. Whilst we were hopeful of sustained demand for this category, there is no denying that trade was selective and it was tough for some breeders. Whilst we can all celebrate the high prices, we recognise the challenging nature of the NH market away from the headlines and how tough it can be if you don't have exactly what the market wants.” The post Peaky Boy Tops Goffs January Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  24. In conjunction with this Saturday's GI Pegasus World Cup, 1/ST Racing is partnering with an international horse racing media rights firm to launch a free-to-play contest that will offer a VIP trip for two to the 2025 GI California Crown at Santa Anita Park in September, including flights, accommodations and raceday hospitality. The contest, called Crown Jewels Racing (website here) is linked to a larger series of international races distributed by HBA Media in England, and the Pegasus contest is the first in a larger series of “league” Crown Jewels games that features a grand prize of a VIP trip for two to the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 2026. “HBA is a company in the UK that is basically a global distribution for horse racing,” Peter Rotondo, the senior vice president of racing and wagering for 1/ST, told TDN. “They have deals with all the major race meets around the world, and they distribute their content.” Although NBC and Peacock will exclusively broadcast and stream the Jan. 25 Pegasus here in the United States, HBA will be carrying the event on other platforms around the globe. Rotondo said that's an advantageous global opportunity, because it allows 1/ST (and other participating U.S. racing entities that host later races in the series) to arrange for major Thoroughbred events to get broad publicity and coverage outside of America. “Really, their entire focus is horse racing media rights, which, in this day and age, it's great that someone is that invested in it,” Rotondo said. “What makes it unique is the idea that they actually have all of these race meets as partners–the Pegasus World Cup, Cheltenham, the [GI] Belmont, the [GI] Preakness, the [GI Kentucky] Derby, the Breeders' Cup. In horse racing, it's usually so difficult for everyone to work together, and [it's noteworthy] that this company has come on over the years and acquired the rights to all of these major races and now works as one entity that networks have to talk to to get all of these races on the air,” Rotondo said. “That is such a smart advantage, because on the world stage, usually you have to talk to so many different entities [to get international broadcast or streaming deals done]. But now HBA is the entity that brought all of these race meets together, not only on television, but with a fun, free-to-play game that they've launched, and it all kicks off with the Pegasus,” Rotondo said. “HBA is bringing over [ITV Racing and Channel 10 presenter] Francesca Cumani to host the Pegasus show,” Rotondo said. “They basically use the NBC broadcast as the 'host' broadcast, but she does features in and around Miami and Gulfstream to bring the lifestyle and the [flavor of the] event to a global audience. So you can't see this broadcast in the U.S., but [viewers in other countries] will be able to see it all over the world.” Although the broadcast won't be shown in America, U.S. residents can, however, play the Crown Jewels game, Rotondo confirmed. In recent years, HBA has represented the rights races from the UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Japan, Singapore, France, Italy, Germany, South Africa and Hong Kong. The post Pegasus World Cup Kicks Off International Contest with Prizes to Global Racing Events appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  25. Nominations have opened for the 2025 Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA), sponsored by Godolphin and supported by the Irish Stable Staff Association, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and the Racing Post. The awards recognise and reward the exceptional skills, experience and dedication of the hardworking women and men in the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. Anyone can nominate a friend or colleague for an award. Nominations are open until 5pm on Tuesday, February 25 and must be completed online at www.itiea.org. This industry-wide celebration of racing and breeding's workforce sees €62,000 in prize-money available across 10 award categories for the winners and their workplace colleagues. In addition to a Newcomer Award, there are seven Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards. All winners are then eligible for the Irish Racing Excellence Award, which will be announced at the awards ceremony. The Racecourse Award winner, chosen by the Irish Stable Staff Association, will also be revealed on the awards night. The 2025 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards ceremony will take place at the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge, County Kildare on Tuesday, June 3. HRI chief executive Suzanne Eade said, “The Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards is one of my favourite events every year and one that Horse Racing Ireland is very happy to support. The skill, dedication and love for horses that the awards showcase makes me very proud to work in our industry. “I would encourage everyone to nominate their colleagues and friends so we can continue to shine a light on the exceptional people delivering for our industry and sport, and the outstanding contribution they make to Ireland's global reputation for producing, training and caring for thoroughbreds.” The post Nominations Open for Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
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