Wandering Eyes

A light work tab Thursday included the return of Grade I winner Speed Boat Beach (Bayern) for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. The dark bay, who was last seen winning the 2023 edition of the GI Malibu at Santa Anita, drilled three furlongs on the main track in :36.40 seconds (1/4). It was his first work since Sept. 21. Owned by Michael Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman–the so-called 'Three Amigos'–Speed Boat Beach has four wins over seven starts and $498,000 in earnings. The Baffert trainee was a two-time stakes winner on turf as a 2-year-old before switching to dirt for three starts last year. As a 3-year-old, the colt was second in the GII Santa Anita Sprint and fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint at Santa Anita before winning the Malibu by 1 1/2 lengths under Flavien Prat. Also working on the comeback trail was Kings River Knight (Acclimation), who dominated the California-bred turf division the previous two seasons. Trained by John Sadler, Kings River Knight drilled three furlongs on the main track in :37.20 seconds. The post GISW Speed Boat Beach Back On Tab For Baffert appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

C2 Racing Stable, Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Antonio Pagnano's three-time grade 1 winner White Abarrio put in his final breeze Jan. 16 for the $3.015 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25.View the full article

JR Ranch, Marquee Bloodstock, High Step Racing and OGMA Investments' Ferocious, twice grade 1-placed as a 2-year-old, continues to work forwardly at Gulfstream Park for his highly anticipated sophomore debut.View the full article

White Abarrio (Race Day), a three-time Grade I winner for C2 Racing Stable, Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Antonio Pagnano, put in his final breeze Thursday morning for the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park. In company with regular workmate Silver Moonlight (Liam's Map), White Abarrio went four furlongs in :48.34 seconds over Gulfstream's main track, ranking eighth of 27 horses (video). It was his second work of 2025 following a bullet half-mile move in :47.81 Jan. 9. “He worked well,” said trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. “I thought it was a very good work. He did a lot last week so we kept him in hand this time, just a little off the horse inside and he finished up well. We never really let him out today. We were very happy with it.” Silver Moonlight is a 4-year-old filly also owned by C2's Mark and Clint Cornett that has strung together three consecutive wins starting with a maiden triumph Oct. 20 and a Dec. 27 starter allowance in her most recent start. “He's been working Silver Moonlight since before he came back for his allowance race,” Joseph said. “He's done well doing it and she's won three in a row doing it, so we're just keeping things the same. It's perfect. “We're nine days out and in horse racing that's a lot of time, but we're quite happy,” Joseph said. “Hopefully we can win a Pegasus.” The trainer's other Pegasus candidate, MGSW Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator), is scheduled to put in his final work Friday morning at Palm Meadows. Ferocious Has Bark and Bite For New Season JR Ranch, Marquee Bloodstock, High Step Racing and OGMA's Ferocious (Flatter), who was named a 'TDN Rising Star' after his debut and was twice Grade I-placed last year, continues to work forwardly at Gulfstream Park for his highly anticipated sophomore debut. The dark bay went :48.15 seconds over four panels on Gulfstream's main track Thursday–the fifth-fastest of 27 horses. Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano was up for the breeze, which was the colt's second since running fifth in the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar in early November. “The horse is doing good,” assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr. said. “He started about four [or] five weeks ago galloping and getting ready to roll again. He looks good. Everybody was happy with him.” Purchased for $1.3 million as a 2-year-old in training at OBS March, Ferocious was a popular 7 3/4-length winner of his unveiling at Saratoga Aug. 3. That effort scored him a 'Rising Star' merit badge. Over the same surface, the juvenile was the runner-up to Eclipse Award finalist Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) in the GI Hopeful Stakes Sept. 2. Prior to his run in the Breeders' Cup, Ferocious was second as the favorite after being fractious at the gate and encountering some early trouble in the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland Oct. 5 to East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro), who was ninth in the Juvenile. Ferocious' season opener has yet to be decided, but the GIII Holy Bull Stakes Feb. 1 is a possibility. “We're not really sure if we're going to make the race on February first,” said Delgado Jr. “It will all depend on a breeze that is scheduled for next Thursday. If we are happy with what we see we will decide then, but we are not in a rush with him. “We are of the opinion that we need maybe two or three weeks more, but he did so good today that he might make it,” he said. “It will all depend on how he breezes back. He did pretty nice today.” Unlike Thursday, Ferocious will have a workmate for next week's scheduled breeze. “Today he was going solo,” the assistant trainer said. “We want to see him in company next week and we'll take it from there. He's a nice horse. You can recognize him on the track. His stride and he way he goes, few horses do that.” The post White Abarrio Put In Final Pegasus Drill; ‘TDN Rising Star’ Ferocious Preps For Sophomore Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tessa Walden has always had an interest in trading horses, finding the value in an equine athlete and matching them up with a program that fits their credentials. Recently, the longtime assistant trainer for Brad Cox has turned her passion into something bigger with the launch of Evergreen Equine, a bloodstock agency that focuses on selling horses via digital sales. “I think one of the most exciting things for me is selling a horse that you are passionate about, because if you love it then someone else is going to love it too,” said Walden. “There are always so many positives you can say about each animal and when you get a really good one, it's such a thrill to feel like you're moving this horse along to somebody that is going to appreciate them as much as you do.” Walden (formerly Bisha) has worked for Brad Cox since 2016. For many years she oversaw Cox's 2-year-olds strings at Keeneland and Turfway, developing champions like Monomoy Girl and Essential Quality. While she is still working for Cox since launching her own business, Walden has stepped away from a full-time assistant's role and is taking on a managerial position on the business side of the operation while also overseeing some training at Turfway. Walden said she prefers to have this 'boots-on-the-ground' approach to her bloodstock business. “With Brad's support, we were able to bridge that gap allowing me the ability to not have to be at the barn first thing in the morning every single day. That has been a game changer and allowed me to open the door to more of the bloodstock side of it. To still have access to these trainers and thoroughly understand what a trainer and owner goes through in the digital process, and to combine that with their business goals, has been huge.” On top of her other roles, Walden is also busy parenting two under two. She and her husband, trainer Will Walden, have a son who is almost two and a three-month-old daughter. Speaking from her car on the backside at Turfway with her daughter napping in the backseat, Walden acknowledged that their lives require some adaptability and plenty of teamwork, but she has nothing but positive things to say about her active schedule. “The really cool thing that I've learned since I've had two children is how supportive the racing community is, everybody from Brad himself to obviously family members and other women in racing. We all have kids and we all understand the industry, so it's really fun. It's a big change, but it's really exciting.” Walden added that the flexibility of her two professional roles makes it possible for her to effectively wear several different hats. “The two things I'm doing complement each other perfectly and allow me to spend plenty of time with the kids and raise them the way that I want to right now,” she explained. Walden's new venture is starting to gain moment. Last month, Evergreen Equine celebrated a successful Fasig-Tipton December Digital Sale when Apollo Rising (Karakontie {Jpn}), an earner of over $220,000, sold to Legion Bloodstock for $85,000. “He was a dirt horse that had a couple conditions and had made a lot of money,” said Walden. “I was able to curate a list of people who I thought this horse would cater to and market to them that way, as opposed to just making an ad and then watching what happens.” She continued, “Digital sales are a huge outlet for the sale of racehorses specifically, which is very much in my wheelhouse. As I'm acquiring different horses to sell in digital sales, I'm brainstorming which person I know might be perfect for that horse.” Multiple stakes-placed Gold Lightning, by Bolt d'Oro, sells at the Fasig-Tipton January Digital Sale | VidHorse At the Fasig-Tipton January Digital Sale, which runs through Jan. 21, Walden will sell as pair of racehorses that she believes both have big futures ahead of them. Take Me To Church (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), a newly turned 4-year-old colt selling as Hip 4, raced in Ireland for two years before coming to the States last summer. He ran third in the Gio Ponti Stakes in October for Flurry Racing Stables and after an unplaced start at Del Mar, is now in training at Fair Grounds. “Take Me To Church is an interesting horse,” said Walden. “We have not raced him heavily in the United States since he came over mainly due to weather restrictions that have been a bit of an issue going into this winter season, but he will be a very fun, exciting horse to run over the summer. He's got speed and he's a beautiful horse, a strong liver chestnut. I could see him doing really well at Kentucky Downs or in New York or California. I think he's a horse that fits so many different programs. Selling as Hip 18, Gold Lightning is a multiple stakes-placed 4-year-old daughter of Bolt d'Oro. Owned by Martin Schwartz, the filly broke her maiden on debut in Saratoga as a juvenile and later placed in a pair of turf stakes in New York. Her half-sister Classy Act (Into Mischief) was second to future champion Monomoy Girl in the 2018 GII Rachel Alexandra S. “She's completely sound and could continue racing or you can take advantage of her strong family and breed her at the right time of year to snatch up one more female prospect with a lot of blacktype,” noted Walden. While both these horses hail from the Cox barn, Walden said she is ready to grow the reach of her business and eventually broaden her services to include acquiring horses and more. “It has been a really exciting venture to get started, being able to market horses to the right people.” The post Tessa Walden Does It All with Launch of New Bloodstock Business appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Kenny McPeek, who won last year's Kentucky Oaks (G1) with Thorpedo Anna, brings three of his finest fillies. Gowells Delight broke her maiden at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots the day after Christmas. View the full article

Leading Horse of the Year candidate Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) has an early 2025 racing schedule that could include two races at Oaklawn or a trip to Dubai, trainer Kenny McPeek said Wednesday afternoon via a press release from the Hot Springs track. Thorpedo Anna's conditioner said the filly–nicknamed the 'Grizzly Bear' last season–is under consideration for the GII Azeri Stakes Mar. 8 and the GI Apple Blossom Handicap April 12. The Azeri is Oaklawn's final major prep for the Apple Blossom. McPeek said Thorpedo Anna might take on males again–like she did when she was the runner-up in the GI DK Travers Stakes Aug. 24–in the G1 Dubai World Cup Apr. 5. Thorpedo Anna resumed training earlier this month in Florida in advance of her 4-year-old debut. “We're not going to rule out her making the Azeri,” McPeek said. “She's such a natural athlete and she's bouncing out of her skin already. It's not going to take long to get her ready. And if I thought she was ready, I would probably prep her somewhere in the South, between Gulfstream and Fair Grounds, and bring her in for the Azeri. And that would give her a race under her belt before what would be either the World Cup or the Apple Blossom, although I would tell you we'd probably lean strongly to the Apple Blossom.” The newly-minted 4-year-old hasn't started since she captured the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar Nov. 2, which marked her first race against older horses and capped a remarkable 2024 campaign. Thorpedo Anna returned to the track Jan. 6 at Gulfstream Park, where she was reunited with retired two-time Oaklawn riding champion Robby Albarado, who regularly galloped her last year in Hot Springs. McPeek, Oaklawn's leading trainer so far this season, said Thorpedo Anna is approaching her first breeze of 2025. “You could have walked her off the farm and worked her half a mile and she would have said, 'Sure, no problem,'” McPeek said. “She's just a natural athlete. We're going to give her a couple, three weeks of nice gallops. Robby Albarado gets on her every day. We'll let her run the lane this weekend a little bit at Gulfstream. We're just, right now, taking it a step at a time.” Albarado, who was galloping horses for McPeek earlier this season at Oaklawn, is also getting on 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) at Gulfstream Park in advance of a possible start in its GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational Jan. 25. The Grizzly's first day back at work @GulfstreamPark. Trainer of the year finalist @KennyMcPeek on hand with an update…#ThorpedoAnna pic.twitter.com/qHV4OqUfI9 — Thorpedo Anna (@Thorpedo_Anna) January 6, 2025 The post ‘Grizzly’ Not Hibernating As McPeek Weighs Options For Thoropedo Anna appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thorpedo Anna's early 2025 racing schedule could include two races at Oaklawn Park, trainer Kenny McPeek said Jan. 15.View the full article

Godolphin's G3 Prix Imprudence heroine Romantic Style (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) holds pride of place in Friday's AED850,000 G2 Cape Verdi Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors for fillies and mares. The 1600-metre Meydan turf feature will be the first start for the 4-year-old filly since a 12th-place finish in the G1 Prix Jean Prat on July 7. The start prior, she had wound up fourth in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches in May. “We are very pleased with Romantic Style heading into her seasonal return and her preparation has gone well,” said trainer Charlie Appleby. “This is a starting point ahead of a potential European campaign and, if she runs to the level she showed in the French Guineas, it will make her the one to beat. Hopefully, this can set her up for a good year.” If the boys in blue don't secure their 12th victory in the race, Goffs €6,000 bargain Easywithme (Ire) (El Kabeir) could take the victory laurels instead. A winner of four of her six starts, the daughter of Bella Ophelia (Ire) (Baltic King {GB}) has competed exclusively on the Scandinavian circuit. “She's a smart little filly, although obviously she has a few pounds to find,” said Norway-based trainer Niels Petersen. “She's only run six times and she hasn't done a lot wrong. She ran against the Danish filly [Ultima] but on very heavy ground which she just didn't handle. She's going to love the ground [on Friday], love the distance and I wouldn't be surprised if she picked up a nice cheque.” Danish trainer Veronika Jandova's Ultima (Ger) (Amaron {GB}) claimed the G3 Herbst-Stuten-Preis in her 2024 finale in October. She, too, is making her first desert foray and leaves from stall two. Cocoa Beach Attracts Nine On the undercard, the AED400,000 Cocoa Beach Stakes features striking debut winner Arigatou Gozaimasu (Honest Mischief), who was eighth versus males in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial on Jan. 3. In addition, that filly has to contend with the Shahama Stakes one-two of Flama Sunshine (Flameaway) and Queen Azteca (Sharp Azteca). “Flama Sunshine is doing great,” said Bhupat Seemar, who runs four in the race. “So is Salsabil Princess (Honor Code), although she's drawn a bit wide out. The other two are also doing well. “I think the step up in distance will suit Reina Rosso (Vino Rosso) and Pocket Phone (Ire) (Almanzor {Fr}) as well. She would have learned a lot from her first race and up in distance will probably suit her.” “We're really looking forward to her,” said trainer Niels Petersen of Queen Azteca, “She'll definitely be better up in distance and she's improved a lot from the run, so we're hopeful with her and she's our best chance on the night.” The post Cape Verdi 2025 Proving Ground For Romantic Style appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland Library is now presenting the exhibit Of Turf and Stone: Keeneland Through the Ages to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Keeneland Association. View the full article

Group 1 winner and champion sire Savabeel is set to be inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame for his contributions to the New Zealand racing and stud industries.View the full article

Selections for Blenheim Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Blenheim Matt Markham Selections Race 1 1.47pm 5 Rosary 1 Manakau Blaze 12 Heartbreak Hotel 8 Volstone Race 2 2.20pm 2 Interrorgator 6 Mariana Trench 5 Frankie 10 Copenhagen Girl Race 3 2.53pm 6 Shannon B 1 Nila Maree 10 Miki Skipper 4 Vesta Race 4 3.18pm 4 Razors Edge 3 Hope For Love 6 Ivona Dadic 1 Avenger Race 5 3.49pm 5 Solemn Son 7 Zsazsa Binx 6 Call Dudley 1 Baffled Race 6 4.16pm 1 Carrera Kahu 9 To Ri Ruby 10 Samvasa 11 Hit The Lights Race 7 4.51pm 13 Tempo Warrior 12 Ebury Street 10 Boudica 1 Teddy The Terror Race 8 5.16pm 3 Tu Tangata 7 Mavis Jones 10 Masterly 2 El Conqueror Race 9 5.45pm 13 Radha 8 Miki’s Courage 10 Tokyo Rose 7 Don Juan Race 10 6.10pm 6 Wild Willow 2 Sideshow Bruce 7 Piccadilly Pete 9 Bryce’s Meddle Race 11 6.47pm 4 Scarlett’s Legacy 1 Flyaway 3 Amalfi 12 The Beach House Race 12 7.14pm 16 High Intensity 14 Judy J 8 Bullit Train 12 Monarch Prince View the full article

A total of 206 horses of all ages have been catalogued for the Fasig-Tipton January Digital Sale, which can be viewed at digital.fasigtipton.com. Bidding has begun and will close on Tuesday, Jan. 21 beginning at 2 p.m. ET. Among the offerings are 70 horses of racing age and racing prospects, in addition to broodmares, broodmare prospects and newly turned yearlings. Among the covering sires represented are Authentic, Complexity, Epicenter, Girvin, Omaha Beach, Tiz the Law, Uncle Mo, and Vekoma. The January Digital Sale will also feature a no-guarantee season to GI Kentucky Derby winner and leading sire Nyquist, who was the sire of no fewer than four indivudual Grade I winners in 2024, including the undefeated likely 2-year-old filly champion and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Immersive. “This inaugural January Digital Sale features turnkey opportunities for breeders, owners, and trainers, including a large group of horses of racing age and an exciting no-guarantee season to champion-siring Nyquist,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “We experienced remarkable growth in our digital platform in 2024, and we're looking forward to building further on that momentum and enthusiasm in 2025.” Offerings are located in Arkansas, California, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, and British Columbia (Canada). The post Bidding Open For Fasig-Tipton January Digital Sale, 206 Horses Catalogued appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Simon Tonge will be the new general manager of Haydock Park Racecourse, The Jockey Club announced on Thursday. He will begin his new role in April of 2025 and succeeds Molly Day, who has left Haydock for a new opportunity in the U.S. Tonge has served as executive director of Bath Racecourse since 2022. Dickon White, regional director at The Jockey Club, said, “We are delighted to welcome Simon to the team at Haydock Park. His leadership and experience make him the ideal person for this role. April is the perfect time for Simon to join us, as it allows him to settle in just ahead of our busy summer season. We're confident that he will make a significant contribution to the racecourse's ongoing success. “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Molly for her dedication and hard work over the years, in her roles at both Haydock Park and Carlisle Racecourses. She has been an integral part of the team, and we wish her every success in her future endeavours.” Tonge added, “I am thrilled to be joining Haydock Park Racecourse, a venue that holds such a prestigious place in the racing calendar. The opportunity to work at a course that hosts both a Grade 1 fixture over Jumps and a Group 1 fixture on the Flat is incredibly exciting. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team here to continue building on its fantastic reputation.” The post Simon Tonge Appointed New General Manager Of Haydock Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) has revealed leadership changes that sees Tanguy Courtois and Kristin Werner joining the Steering Committee. Courtois is the Head of Public Affairs for the Fédération Nationale des Courses Hippiques and Werner is the Deputy General Counsel and Director of Industry Initiatives for The Jockey Club in the United States. Werner, who has been an active part of the IFAR Conference Committee for several years, is taking the place of Jim Gagliano, the President and COO of The Jockey Club, who has served on the Steering Committee during a long and dedicated tenure. IFAR Chair Dr Eliot Forbes, who is the also the CEO of the Racing Integrity Board in New Zealand, will continue to serve on the Steering Committee, along with Andrew Chesser, the Director of Business Development for The Jockey Club (U.S.) and Director of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA); Diana Cooper, Director of Charities, Godolphin; and Dr Paull Khan, Secretary-General of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF) and a member of the Executive Council of the IFHA. Additionally, Natasha Rose will become Chair of the IFAR Conference Committee beginning in May. The position was previously held by Forbes, who was appointed as the IFAR Chair in 2024. Rose is the Executive Manager, Equestrian Affairs Projects, at The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), which is continuing its longstanding support of IFAR. With Rose's appointment, Dr Bronte Forbes, the Head of Veterinary Regulation at the HKJC, has stepped down from the IFAR Conference Committee after several years of service. Furthermore, Yasuko Sawai, the Charities Coordinator for Godolphin in Japan, will remain on the IFAR Conference Committee going forward. She was a key member of the committee leading into the 2024 IFAR gathering in Sapporo, Japan. “We would like to thank Jim Gagliano and Dr Bronte Forbes for their unwavering support of IFAR, and we look forward to working with our new committee members,” said Dr Eliot Forbes. “As IFAR continues to grow, it is natural that our supporter base grows with it. Meanwhile, the continued involvement of organisations such as The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Godolphin, and the U.S. Jockey Club reflects their confidence in IFAR's vision and their recognition of the success we have achieved. At IFAR, we remain deeply committed to making a meaningful difference for racehorses globally as we continue to expand and strengthen our international network.” The post Tanguy Courtois and Kristin Werner Join IFAR Steering Committee appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Savabeel will join his sire Zabeel and grandsire Sir Tristram in the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. The Waikato Stud-based 23-year-old will be inducted at the 2025 Hall of Fame function in May. Savabeel completed his 20th season at stud late last year and has sired 988 winners to this day. Of those 148 are stakes winners, 99 of them are Group winners and his 35 Group 1 winners have won a total of 58 races at that level. “He's ticking over at around a dozen stakes winners per season, so with decent numbers still coming through there's a good chance he can break Zabeel's record for individual stakes winners,” Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick told racingnews.co.nz. “However you measure his achievements, Savabeel has done a phenomenal job for us and everyone who has supported him – for the whole breeding industry in fact, it would be fair to say.” The post Savabeel Joins The New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Pat Flynn, the man responsible for nurturing the talents of Designs On Rome (Ire) in Ireland, paid a glowing tribute to the Hong Kong legend who died at the age of 15 in retirement. Designs On Rome won close to €6 million in prize-money throughout a glittering career that spanned six seasons. He was bred by Moyglare Stud in Ireland and was picked up for just €10,500 by Flynn at the Goffs Orby Sale in 2011. “I'll never forget after I bought him, I rang my wife straight away and told her I had bought a champion,” Flynn shared on Thursday. “I called him Designs On Rome because he was by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire), and I thought he was so good, that it would be good to call him after the emperor's son, who had designs on taking over the empire. What he did for me and what he went on to achieve in Hong Kong, I think he grew into that name.” Designs On Rome raced five times for Flynn in Ireland, including when second to Dawn Approach (Ire) in the G1 Vincent O'Brien Stakes at the Curragh, before being sold to Hong Kong. It was with trainer John Moore where his career hit dizzying heights in Hong Kong, with Designs On Rome scooping the Hong Kong Horse Of The Year in 2013/14. Flynn continued, “He had a magnificent life in Hong Kong and was treated like an absolute king in the Home Of Legends. I actually went over to see him race in Hong Kong and it was just awesome. You have to give a big shout out to Moyglare Stud as they bred a wonderful horse. We've trained over 800 winners and had some high-class horses around here but he was up there with the best of them. “I can remember telling John Moore that he was getting one of the best horses that ever came to Hong Kong when we sold him. He probably had a bit of a chuckle to himself but he just turned out to be something special.” The post “He Was A Class Act” – Death Of Retired Hong Kong Legend Designs On Rome At 15 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Edited Press Release Keeneland Library is now presenting the exhibit Of Turf and Stone: Keeneland Through the Ages to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Keeneland Association, which established the race track and became a leader in the Thoroughbred industry. Showcasing photographs and memorabilia tracing the development of Keeneland's grounds, architecture, facilities and innovative industry firsts, the exhibit features photographs curated from Keeneland Library collections and Turf photographers who document today's race meets and events to highlight Keeneland's evolution from 1935 to today. “Racing has had a home in Lexington since the settlement's founding,” Keeneland Library Director Roda Ferraro said. “Keeneland factors into roughly 90 years of the city's rich Thoroughbred industry history dating from the late 1700s, and we are pleased to present this exhibit to coincide with 250LEX celebrations of Lexington's 250th anniversary in 2025.” Developed by Keeneland Library Project Curator Sarah Cantor, Of Turf and Stone: Keeneland Through the Ages explores both the constants and transformations from its founding to today. Keeneland is continuing to build for generations to come as evidenced by the current construction of a three-level Paddock Building set to be completed this fall. The exhibit, which runs through mid-August, is free and open to the public. The post Keeneland Library Explores Evolution of Track In New Exhibit appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gulfstream Park's likely end as a Thoroughbred facility (TDN Jan. 16) makes clear that our industry as presently structured is simply no longer viable. In a relatively short time, major tracks have closed in New England, Northern California, Illinois and many other formerly vibrant racing venues. Racing is on life support in Southern California, Florida, Delaware, Pennsylvania, etc. and exists almost everywhere else only with the support of non-racing revenues from slots, casinos and state supplements. Instead of embracing innovative ideas to make the sport more attractive to a new generation of racing fans and owners, the focus continues to be on protecting those non-racing revenues. An industry where 80-90% of purse money comes from slots instead of wagering on the core product is simply not viable in the long run. Unless major changes are made in our present non-existent business model, within a few years racing in the US will be limited to Kentucky, Maryland, New York and a few outlier tracks running a few months a year. We as an industry need to get our heads out of the sand and get to work! H. Robb Levinsky is the founder of the New Jersey-based Kenwood Racing LLC The post Letter To The Editor: H. Robb Levinsky appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are doubtless decisions still to be made and deals to be struck for this year's matings with many breeders taking to the roads since the start of this new year for both the official stallion trails and informal stud visits. For this last part in our series on value sires for 2025 it is worth restating that value is very much subjective and depends on a number of different factors, including whether the buyer of the nomination is breeding to race or to sell. This final chapter, for stallions advertised at less than €10,000, covers a broad spectrum of names but let's start with an old favourite, Bated Breath (GB), who is now back where he started in 2013 at £8,000 and just over half his fee of two years ago. Now 18, the Juddmonte homebred is simply a dependable selection: a fast, well-bred horse who has received a reasonably consistent level of support though his 12 seasons to date. When it comes to stakes winners, his fillies outnumber the colts 18 to eight and it would be no surprise to see him make some inroads as a broodmare sire in years to come, just as his sire Dansili (GB) did. There was encouragement to be drawn from the start made by Newsells Park Stud resident Without Parole (GB) with his first runners in 2024. From that first crop of 52 foals, 36 have made it to the racecourse and there have been 13 winners to date. They include the black-type performers Sea To Sky (Ire) and Fiery Lucy (GB), who was three lengths behind Lake Victoria (Ire) when fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf after being beaten by only a neck in a Group 3 at the Curragh. We can expect to see more from the offspring of this son of Frankel (GB) in 2025 and his fee remains at a reasonable £8,000. Make Believe (GB) started with a bang when producing the top-class and durable Mishriff (Ire) in his first crop and, while he is yet to come up with another of that calibre, he is a stallion steadily compiling a decent portfolio from relatively small crops in his second, third and fourth years (58, 45 and 56 foals respectively). He's a balanced individual, easy on the eye, and he was responsible for seven new stakes winners in 2024. The Ballylinch Stud sire is worth examining more closely, especially at his lowest fee yet of €8,000. We featured news of Bearstone Stud in Monday's TDN and it is worth reiterating that Dream Ahead, one of the farm's three stallions, has his first crop of British-conceived two-year-olds on the track this year. As that implies, the son of Diktat (GB), a rare representative of the Godolphin Arabian line remaining at stud, has done the rounds a bit and stood in Ireland at Ballylinch and in France at Haras de Grandcamp before settling in Shropshire. He is the perfect fit for Bearstone, which has tended to cut its cloth on the speedier side of things. With four Group 1 winners to his name, he remains worthy of support at £6,500, and don't bet against him coming up with another good sprinter. First Runners in 2025 Alkumait (GB), the half-brother to 2,000 Guineas hero Chaldean (GB), will attempt to keep his family in the spotlight when his first two-year-olds hit the track this year. The son of Showcasing (GB) was a decent juvenile himself and won the G2 Mill Reef Stakes for Shadwell and Marcus Tregoning but failed to shine beyond that. He's down to €3,000 at Capital Stud this year, from €5,000, and has 59 two-year-olds to run for him. Another stallion whose offspring may be quick out of the blocks is Mickley Stud's Ubettabelieveit (Ire). By Kodiac (GB), the G2 Flying Childers winner remains at £5,000 and has 80 youngsters to go into bat for him this season. First-Crop Yearlings Using a stallion at this stage of his career means that any foal born next year comes in the season of the sire's first runners and, if you have a foal to sell, you will either look a genius or be friendless come November. It's one of the great unknowable aspects of the business. You may well have a decent chance with Perfect Power (Ire), who has been the standout performer to date for his sire Ardad (Ire) and, if the clamour for his first foals was anything to go by, there are plenty banking on the fact that he will make a similarly smart start to his own stud career. He was tough and brilliant at two, winning four of his seven outings that year, including the G2 Norfolk Stakes, G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park. That record alone would have been enough to see him whisked off to stud there and then but, thankfully, he was back at three to win the G3 Greenham Stakes first up. Demonstrating perfectly the reasoning behind the formation of the G1 Commonwealth Cup, Perfect Power posted a game performance in the 2,000 Guineas, finishing seventh of the 15 starters over a trip just beyond his reach. But back at Ascot, in his sprinting comfort zone, he added a third Group 1 to his CV. His fee this year of £7,500 is half that of his first year, and it is enticing set against the £42,427 average (£31,500 median) for his 27 foals sold at the end of 2024. Overbury Stud, which launched the career of the above-mentioned Ardad, now has another young stallion of similar ilk in its midst in his fellow Flying Childers winner Caturra (Ire). There is now little uncertainty as to the merits of his sire Mehmas (Ire) – and, let's face it, not many people would have been able to predict his prowess at the equivalent stage in Mehmas's career. The quest is now on to see which of his sons will show similar merit and there is a growing cohort of them at stud. Last December, Caturra's first foals caught the eye of a number of 'judges' (you know who you are) who, anecdotally, deemed them to look like fairly precocious types, as one might expect. Caturra's own juvenile season included three wins from eight starts for Clive Cox, as early as May and including that Group 2 at Doncaster. He ran another seven times at three and, though winless that year, bagged another two group placings. He's at £5,000, having opened at £6,500, and he too could be one to side with this year. It is harder to find classy middle-distance types in this bracket – though of course there's nothing to stop Flat breeders from using any of those who are marketed as jumps stallions. One who falls into that category at the National Hunt-aligned Haras de la Hetraie is Mare Australis (Ire), who is available at €4,500. If you're in France this weekend for the Route des Etalons try to make time to get across to Pascal Noue's establishment as this gorgeous liver chestnut is worth a look (plus, last time TDN paid a visit on this open weekend, Hetraie was offering delicious crepes to visitors). The winner of the G1 Prix Ganay and G2 Prix de Chantilly in the livery of his breeder Gestut Schlenderhan, this son of Australia (GB) should be capable of siring Flat stayers and jumpers alike. First Foals Imminent All the excitement at Sumbe this year surrounds Charyn (Ire) but don't forget the stud's other son of Dark Angel (Ire). There's something rather bonny about Angel Bleu (Fr) but to say that almost does him a disservice. He's solid, and of a slightly neater stamp than Charyn, and what a terrific racehorse he was for Marc Chan and Ralph Beckett. At two, he won at every distance up to a mile, beginning his career over the minimum trip on April 9 and ending that season in October with back-to-back Group 1 wins in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and Criterium International, having also won the G2 Vintage Stakes. His three runs at three could have meant that he was written down as a top two-year-old who didn't really train on, but that was refuted by his return at four to win Haydock's Spring Trophy and the G2 Celebration Mile. With some pretty stellar names close up in his pedigree, there's a lot to like about Angel Bleu at €8,000. Similar comments apply to the Aga Khan Studs' Erevann (Fr), who is also at €8,000 in his second season. As a son of Dubawi (Ire) out of a top-class racemare, in his case the Classic winner Ervedya (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), he has naturally drawn comparisons with his stud-mate Zarak (Fr). The latter will be a hard act to follow but Erevann won't fail for a lack of support. With 168 mares in his first book he was second only to Ace Impact (Ire) among the newcomers in France last year. Also about to embark on his second covering season in France is the G1 Champion Stakes winner Bay Bridge (GB). A sizeable and good-looking son of New Bay (GB), he is at Haras du Mesnil, where he will have been backed by a decent number of the Devin family's home mares among others, and is sensibly priced at €6,000. New to the Scene Staying in France temporarily, Haras de Beaumont has had a new stallion in each of its first three seasons in existence, and Sealiway (Fr) and Ace Impact (Ire) have been the busiest freshmen in their respective years. It would not be a surprise to see Puchkine (Fr) follow suit, and not just because Mathieu Alex is one of the most gifted salesmen on the scene. It is a shame we didn't see a bit more of Puchkine on the track as his victory in the G1 Prix Jean Prat left quite an impression. Alain Jathiere's homebred son of Starspangledbanner (Aus) had flown a little under the radar to that point but he had won both his starts at two and picked up some listed black type before being tried in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains. He starts at €8,500. The team at Ballyhane Stud must have been pleased with the start made by Sands Of Mali (Fr), who had 21 winners from 48 first-crop runners in 2024, including the Listed winners Ellaria Sand (GB) and Ain't Nobody (Ire). He has been at €5,000 in the last three seasons and is currently listed as private, and he has a new friend in the Ballyhane stallion yard in Sakheer (Ire). By the late Zoffany (Ire), Sakheer was the easy winner of the G2 Mill Reef Stakes for Roger Varian and KHK Racing just over a fortnight after he broke his maiden by six lengths at Haydock. Ireland is not short of new stallions this year, unlike Britain, but Sakheer will almost certainly have plenty of backers at €6,500. Movers It is easy to lose track of stallions so here's a reminder of two to have left Britain to stand in Ireland in the last year or so. Mayson (GB), who spent 11 years at Cheveley Park Stud, is now in his second year with Oak Lodge Stud. A July Cup winner who has sired a July Cup (and King's Stand) winner, he is available at €4,250. Meanwhile, Gordon Doyle has now taken charge of former National Stud and Manton Park stallion Advertise (GB) at his Knockmullen House Stud. Doyle's sensible and honest appraisal of the treble Group 1 winner is worth reading here. The son of Showcasing (GB) is now available for €5,000 having been priced at £25,000 in his first three years. Value Sires Podium GOLD Perfect Power, Darley, £7,500 Yes, it's a risky year to use him, but that market confidence should roll over and he is now very reasonably priced. SILVER Angel Bleu, Sumbe, €8,000 Don't you forget about me, as Jim Kerr once sang. Charyn may be shiny and new but Angel Bleu was also a highly talented racehorse with a strong pedigree who should not be overlooked at this price. BRONZE Make Believe, Ballylinch Stud, €8,000 In the quiet achiever category, he too offers value at this lower fee. In case you missed the earlier parts of our Value Sires series for 2025, they are available here: Part I: €50,000 and up Part II: €20,000 to €49,999 Part III: €10,000 to €19,999 The post Value Sires Part IV: The Power to Succeed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wexford Stables’ red-hot form across a stable of talented three-year-olds in recent months has built widespread anticipation over which of their talented stars would emerge to represent the Matamata barn in the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). Training partners Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have ended speculation, making the decisive move to select hugely promising galloper Checkmate (NZ) to fill their slot in the inaugural running of the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race. Checkmate has made a big impression in just five appearances to the races, notching three victories including the Listed Armacup 3YO Stakes (1500m) and an open three-year-old 1500m last Sunday at Ellerslie. “Checkmate is a horse that gets around Ellerslie, which is important. He’s won at the trip and just ticked a lot of boxes,” Lance O’Sullivan said. “He should acquit himself well, we’re happy with him and his condition, although he’ll have another run before then. We’re still undecided where (he will race next), we have a couple of options to work through, but the horse will tell us what he needs. “He’s a nice horse for the race and one of many chances,” he said. A former Champion Jockey and multiple Group One-winning trainer, O’Sullivan is looking forward to seeing what the NZB Kiwi does for an industry he has spent most of his life immersed in, and more importantly, having the Wexford brand play a major role. “It’s exciting to have the biggest prizemoney in the Southern hemisphere for three-year-olds, who would’ve thought that would happen?” O’Sullivan said. “It’s great for the industry, it’s new and creates a lot of interest. “It’s important for Wexford, we wanted to be a part of the big dance and to have two horses in the race, it’s fantastic.” The O’Sullivan and Scott partnership already has Sought After (NZ) in the feature under Waikato Stud’s slot, while fellow three-year-old stable performers including Sethito (NZ), Hankee Alpha (NZ), Prosegur (NZ) and Cheaha (AUS) also feature in futures markets for the race. O’Sullivan hopes others in the stable will get their opportunity now that the son of Mongolian Khan has been locked in. “That was one of the reasons why we went early,” he said. “We have some nice horses there and we felt it was best to state who we were going to take in case anyone else had any interest in the others. “It’s nice to be able to produce horses that warrant running in the big event. It’s going to be a very exciting day.” Owned and bred by Okaharau Station, Checkmate currently holds equal favouritism for the NZB Kiwi at $8, alongside Australian-trained Evaporate (NZ) and star colt Savaglee (NZ). Other confirmed runners for the race include Damask Rose (NZ) (Te Akau Racing), Domain Ace (NZ) (Canterbury Jockey Club), Evaporate (TAB) and Sought After (Waikato Stud). The NZB Kiwi will be run on Champions Day on 8 March at Ellerslie Racecourse. View the full article

While the win of Banker’s Choice (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) at Moonee Valley recently may have got under the guard of punters, it wasn’t totally unexpected by the gelding’s trainers. Prepared by Mike Moroney and Glen Thompson, Banker’s Choice registered his first win in just over two years when successful on December 28 and will chase back-to-back wins in the TAB Australian Cup Race Day 29 March (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday. “It was good to see him win again,” Thompson said. “We had been really happy with him at home. All the way through he had been working well, and we had been expecting him to run better, but he had been a little disappointing. “Even last prep he raced well without winning. He ran third in a Toorak and his form had been good, but just this prep he had been disappointing. “It was good to see him bounce back last start and hopefully it gives him a little bit of confidence going forward.” Banker’s Choice had been winless since taking out the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) in December 2022, accounting for Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel), but had been placed in Stakes company in between those victories. Consequently, Banker’s Choice paid the price for that consistency being forced to run in races that were potentially outside his class range. Having raced in Stakes races through the spring, without success, Banker’s Choice dropped to benchmark 100 grade with his win at Moonee Valley last time, the same grade he’s racing in on Saturday, which sees the gelding lining up against Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) placegtter Okita Soushi. “For this time of year, it’s quite a strong race, but at his best, he can mix it with the best of them,” Thompson said. “I suppose he’s been a victim of his own good form in some respect because he’s just kept that high benchmark rating. “It’s hard once they get up there, they don’t drop too quickly, but we’re not the only ones having to deal with it. “It can be frustrating. No one is out to try and play games, but you’re only doing harm by the owners’ in not dropping them a little bit faster than they do. “It would give every horse a chance because a lot of horses get to that high benchmark where it makes it a little tricky and hard to win, so often they just need to be in that one grade lower. “Hopefully that win last time gives him that little bit of confidence and we can see him win again.” View the full article

Katie Margarson will join The Jockey Club as a trainee clerk of the course next month. Having served as the longtime assistant to multiple Group race-winning trainer and father George Margarson at Graham Lodge Stables in Newmarket, in recent years Katie has broadened her experience in the racing industry by working as an assistant to the clerk of the course on race days at Goodwood and by working as a presenter for Ladbrokes. In her new role as a trainee clerk of the course, Margarson will be working at Huntingdon and Newmarket racecourses, reporting to The Jockey Club's head of racing in the East region, Andrew Morris, who is clerk of the course at both venues. Margarson said, “I am thrilled to be joining The Jockey Club as a trainee clerk of the course on February 10th. “I have wide-ranging experience right across the racing industry and am used to dealing with a wide range of stakeholders, so I hope my new role should play to my strengths. “Having been based in Newmarket for many years I am especially pleased that I will now spend a significant part of my time working at the town's two world-famous racecourses.” The post Katie Margarson Joins The Jockey Club as Trainee Clerk of the Course appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin If last month’s Alexandra Park Group 1 form stacks up as it should at Cambridge on Friday night then One More Moment is the mare to beat in the $50,000 Dunstan Waikato Breeders Trot at Cambridge. The race continues the new wave of support for trotting fillies and mares, coming off the back of the $100,000 Queen Of Diamonds at Alexandra Park last month. One More Moment caused a huge upset winning that Group 1 for young trainer Zev Meredith but proved that was no fluke when finishing fourth in the far stronger National Trot on New Years Eve, beating by Muscle Mountain, Kyvalley Hotspur and Oscar Bonavena. Any one of that trio would be backed as if unbeatable in tonight’s race and just as importantly rivals tonight American Muscle and Virginia Clowers finished behind One More Moment in that race off level marks yet have to concede her a start tonight. “I was thrilled with her fourth in that race and it showed that she is up to the open class horses,” says Meredith, who will return to drive the mare himself tonight. “She actually got held up a bit across the bend that night and was making ground on Oscar late, even if he did do a lot of work after his early break. “I gave her a few days off after that and she has come back great. Her work five days was as good as she has ever worked.” It is a big, even field tonight but One More Moment’s two efforts last month suggest she is the horse to beat albeit Meredith has one reservation. “I don’t love the fact she is drawn one on the 20m mark because she could get locked away but with it being over 2700m even if she does there should be a gap later. “So I think she has to be hard to beat.” The favourite is Belle Neige, who also had a big December at The Park, winning twice including trotting a 1:56.6 mile to win her Golden Gait final and was even better downing stablemate Halberg over tonight’s 2700m distance last start in a slick 3:27.9. If she repeats that sort of time tonight she will be hard in a race with plenty of depth. The other best race of the night is the fourth heat of Provincial Pacers series (Race 7) which has plenty of gate speed and brings together recent winners from Alex Park, Cambridge and Manawatu. View the full article

By Michael Guerin John Dunn has a warning for punters expecting more premiership heroics from the country’s top stable this year. Because while the Robert and Jenna Dunn stable have a big hand in the feature race at Blenheim on Friday, stable No.1 driver John says their start to the new year could be a lot quieter than some punters expect. “Even though we just won the premiership the last few months we have had plenty of bad luck,” he told HRNZ. “We have had some horses get injured like Charlie Brown, who has got a knee issue and some of the good trotters have needed a break for niggly problems. “Sundees Sister is just coming back in and she could be a good horse for us but we won’t be having a big booming start to the year.” The Dunn stable also has horses who are victims of their own earlier success, evidenced by the feature race today, the $15,000 Dennis Denuto Marlborough Cup Prelude. The stable have three starters but Whos Delight and Bryce’s Meddle are on 30m handicaps over the 2400m while course specialist Double Time is off 20m. “It is making it really hard these handicaps,” says Dunn. “These days when even lower grade horses step and run so fast when you are off 20m it can be impossible to win and we have two horses off 30m here, which is really, really hard to overcome. “We all know they can still win if they have luck and maybe the leaders go slower but sometimes in these races it actually becomes impossible. “And that makes it really hard on the horses as you don’t want them doing that every week.” While Double Time won this race and the Cup two days later at this meeting last year, Dunn says pressed for the stable’s best chance it would still probably be Whos Delight. “He was okay the other day at Nelson but we all know he is a pretty good horse at his best. “But as I said, the way the handicaps are if they step and run off the front line he could be chasing all the way as it is only 2400m.” There is good depth to the race, with a case to be made for almost any of the 10 starters. The meeting sees a good mixture of horses extending their grass track campaigns from The Coast three weeks ago through to more Canterbury type horses, a prime example being the main trot, the $15,000 Seddon Shield Series Trot. Again it is 2400m so the chances of backmarkers like Masterley and Eurokash will depend on the tactics of those on the front line and how hard they want to run. Two horses who could start the day better for the Dunns early on are Volstone, a trotter with plenty to learn but who should be better for recent experince in race 1. And Copenhagen Girl in Race 2 shouldn’t be a maiden for long but does cop a second line draw over 1850m mobile. View the full article