Wandering Eyes

The last time Leica Lucy tackled a three-year-old fillies mile at Trentham her rivals were no match, and she is looking to replicate that performance on Saturday when she contests the Gr.3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m). A filly by Derryn, Leica Lucy was a debut winner and then only narrowly beaten by Wingman at her following start, but once she stepped up to 1600m, she put over two lengths on the field in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m). Like the course and distance, her jockey Craig Grylls will remain the same, and her trainer Robbie Patterson couldn’t be happier with his charge heading into Saturday’s feature contest. “She had a quiet week after the Eulogy and has just been ticking over, she’s pretty straightforward,” Patterson said. “She’s had some good gallops lately and I’m very happy with her. “She’s probably done fractionally well since her race, she’s put on some weight and is going into it a very happy horse.” Leica Lucy is currently the odds-on favourite at $1.85, and while Patterson is hopeful she can get the job done, he has plenty more in store for the filly, including the $1 million Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and potential trip across the Tasman. “Going off her last run, I think she’s improved, so I’d hope that she’s winning on Saturday,” he said. “From there, it gets a bit tricky, either I’ve got to start two weeks later in the Oaks Prelude (Listed, 1800m), and then a month to the Lowland (Gr.2, 2100m), and three weeks to the Oaks. “But I don’t want to overtax her, she could end up in Aussie in the autumn as well. We’ll just get through Saturday and go from there.” Patterson will also be represented in Saturday’s showpiece, the Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation and Sport Wellington Cup (3200m), by Nom De Plume. The Taranaki horseman won last year’s edition with Mary Louise, and her stablemate is coming into the race off the back of a strong performance for second in the Listed Marton Cup (2200m). “It was a good solid run, it was good to see her back in form,” Patterson said. “She’d been working the house down going into that race and she duly obliged, she went super. “She hasn’t missed a beat since, you never know if they’ll get two miles but she’s well and happy so we’re hopeful.” Conor O’Ceirin will look to recapture the winning form that he delivered first-up in the Tags Accounting and Taxation (1400m), while Ragamuffin faces a competitive line-up in the John Turkington Forestry Duoro Cup (1600m). “Conor’s come through his last run well, he missed the kick and over-raced badly,” Patterson said. “He’s going to have to get the jump and roll forward, then it’s up to Conor. On his day, he’s a good horse, but it depends which Conor turns up. “Ragamuffin is one of those horses that everything has to go right for him a little bit. There are a couple of nice horses in there, so he’ll be in there and he’s in good form, it’s just whether he’s good enough or not.” Earlier in the meeting, Patterson rates the chances of Last Souvenir, who takes his place in the Stephanie Murray Mortgages (1400m). “He’s done very well since Te Rapa, he had a couple of problems from there and we sorted him out shoeing wise,” he said. “He’s a really good each-way chance on Saturday.” View the full article

O’Tycoon after winning at Newcastle in April 2024, when under the care of Bjorn Baker. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au O’Tycoon deserves another chance at Alice Springs on Saturday. The former NSW galloper, who had four wins from 21 starts for trainer Bjorn Baker, was a last-start fourth on January 5 in a BM76 over 1000m as the $1.45 favourite with horse racing bookmakers. The Lisa Whittle-trained five-year-old gelding rallied late in the home straight after settling third shortly after the start before losing ground at the 600m. O’Tycoon can atone in a 1200m open handicap, but Terry Gillett’s trio Brat, Vinnie’s Spirit and Great Buy pose threats in the six-horse field. Before that hiccup a fortnight ago, O’Tycoon had prevailed by 4.5 lengths over 1100m in 0-70 class and by 6.5 lengths in a BM76 over 1200m in November. Each time, the son of Written Tycoon settled on the speed before Darwin jockey Sonja Logan flicked the switch at the 500m. That followed an eye-catching second in 0-70 company over 1200m in October when he rocketed home. Brat, victorious in that race in early January after burning his rivals in the home straight to win by 2.5 lengths, is aiming for three straight wins after out-sprinting BM76 opposition over 1000m on December 21. Logan, partnering O’Tycoon on Saturday, agrees that winning won’t be easy. “Lisa gave him a freshen up leading into last start,” she said. “It wasn’t a massive break, I just think he didn’t quite show it on the day. “It was still a good run, he gave me a really good feel. “We let the leaders go, he copped the kick back well and travelled up nice. “I’d expect him to go a lot better this start. “I don’t think he has to lead, he’s a bit more versatile than that. “I think he just landed there lucky on those occasions when he won.” Logan is wary of the in-form Brat. “The Gillett stable was really happy with his run last start, they expected him to run well leading into that race,” she said. “I wouldn’t expect any less of a challenge from Terry this weekend.” Significantly, Aaron Sweeney replaces fellow Darwin jockey Stan Tsaikos aboard Brat. Tsaikos, who produced two great rides on Brat, replaces Gillett’s daughter and apprentice Dakota on Vinnie’s Spirit. With a 2kg claim, Dakota rides the topweight Great Buy. In two starts since arriving from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott yard, Vinnie’s Spirit has finished second twice behind Brat after blowing the start. “You’ve got to have that gate speed in Alice Springs and Darwin just to get them out and get them travelling,” Logan added. “If Vinnie’s Spirit jumps and travels well on Saturday, he will definitely be thereabouts at the finish – that’s for sure.” Horse racing news View the full article

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For the first time in his 17-year stud career, Northview's Great Notion surpassed $6 million in progeny earnings in one year, joining Not For Love as the only other Maryland stallion to hit that mark when the farm's legendary sire did it back-to-back in 2008 and 2009, according to a press release on Thursday from Northview Stallion Station. Great Notion and Golden Lad, who is also on Northview's roster, ended 2024 as the Mid-Atlantic region's leading general sire and juvenile sire respectively. Both stallions hit career milestones last year. With 76 winners from 128 starters in 2024 and total earnings of $6,086,941 for an average per runner of $47,554, Great Notion led the region by number of stakes winners with eight. Topping the list were graded winners Coastal Mission and Future Is Now. It was Great Notion's seventh consecutive year as Maryland's general sires list leader. As for Golden Lad, he earned the title as the region's top 2-year-old sire when his daughter Caprice earned $60,000 Dec. 28 with her Gin Talking Stakes score. It was her third consecutive $100,000 Laurel stakes win, and her second in the month of December. With $331,250 earned during a 6-for-7 season, the filly accounted for more than half of her sire's $601,198 in progeny earnings. The post Northview’s Great Notion Becomes Only Second $6M Plus Sire In Maryland History appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A Grade III stakes race that is on the 'Road to the Kentucky Derby' isn't exactly the easiest place for a trainer to start his career, but that's what Nick Vaccarezza, 25, will be doing when he sends out Golden Afternoon (Goldencents) in Saturday's Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds. The 25-year-old trainer is in this position because his father, Carlo, has decided to step away from training to focus his attention on trying to save racing in South Florida. The situation could be dire because of the tenuous future of Gulfstream Park. Carlo Vaccarezza is making the move at a time when his training career is pointed in the right direction. Also an owner, he won 13 races in 2024 at 25% clip for his starters. But he is convinced that his son is ready to take over. “He's ready,” Carlo said. “He's worked for Chad Brown and he worked for me for many years. We are also blessed to have Mike Dilger as a part of the team. He will be working closely with Nick. So far as the transition and the race on Saturday, if you're going to start doing this what would be better than starting off with a bang?” Carlo Vaccarezza began as an owner and won the 2012 GI Breeders' Cup Turf with Little Mike (Spanish Style), who was trained by Dale Romans. Being around top horses like Little Mike was a thrill for the younger Vaccarezza, who knew from an early age that he wanted to be part of the business. He apprenticed under both Chad Brown and his father. Nick Vaccarezza with Mike Dilger | courtesy of Michael Dilger “Chad really wanted me to go with the vets and listen and learn from them,” Nick said. “He wanted me to learn the things you can't learn just by working in the barn. I got the experience of working for a top trainer, which was great. When you are a part of that operation there are so many moving parts and things going on you have to be on top of things. I'm blessed to have been involved in that operation for as long as I was. I know that my quality of work resembles Chad's.” Hanging up his shingle, Nick's shedrow will start with 14 horses. While growth is in the cards, he said he is in no hurry to do so. Nick knows that the key to success is to have quality over quantity in his barn. “The horses make the trainers and the horses make the jockeys,” he said. “I'm not in any rush to have 100 horses or something like that. I'd rather have 50 good ones than have 50 good ones and 50 bad ones. The key is to keep the percentage up and run them where they belong and where they can win. At the end of the day this business is all about winning.” His father–who also owns the Lexington restaurant Frank & Dino's–has a lot on his plate, but Nick said he will remain a part of the team. “At the end of the day, the boss is the owner,” Nick said. “He can run the horses wherever he wants to. The trainer can have an opinion, but not the final word.” Carlo Vaccarezza worries what the sport will be like 15 years from now, when Nick will still be a relatively young trainer. Like so many others, he understands that the closing of Gulfstream could have severe consequences, not just in Florida but for the entire sport. He wants to make sure that doesn't happen. “I've stepped away from training for a few reasons,” Carlo said. “Considering what's going on at Gulfstream, I feel I have a responsibility to help with the situation in South Florida. If they decouple and there is no more racing there that would set a terrible precedent and really hurt racing in the future.” Golden Afternoon breaks his maiden on debut at Kentucky Downs | Coady Media So that's how and why the door opened for Nick. Golden Afternoon, who is co-owned by his father, Eddie and Pat Greco, Scott Jaffe and Michael Cloonan is 20-1 in the morning line for the Lecomte, but that is more a reflection of the fact that he's never run on the dirt. The $70,000 OBS April buy has made three starts, winning last out in an allowance race in New Orleans Nov. 28. Before that he was the runner-up in the GII Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland Oct. 6. “The horse is really talented,” Nick said. “He'll breeze three quarters in 1:13 without being asked. We're not going to force him to run in the Derby or be a Derby horse. This is the right time to find some things out so we can start to plot his year out This horse is a gelding, so we're trying to develop a racehorse and not necessarily a 3-year-old.” A win, or even a good showing, would likely lead to starts in other Derby preps. But if he doesn't run well, a return to the grass would likely be the next step. Either way would be fine with the younger Vaccarezza. He's not looking to be an overnight sensation. But he confirmed that the gelding is ready and that it's time to prove he can keep the momentum rolling after his father had a career year. We're off on Global Tote Day at Kentucky Downs! Golden Afternoon wins race one, named for BetMakers, with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard. Carlo Vaccarezza trains the colt for owners Pat Greco, Scott Jaffe, Michael Cloonan and Vaccarezza Racing, LLC.#KyDowns pic.twitter.com/gOtqGHN8ml — Kentucky Downs (@KYDownsRacing) September 8, 2024 The post The Torch Had Been Passed To Nick Vaccarezza 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 Chukyo and Nakayama Racecourses: Saturday, January 18, 2025 3rd-CKO, ¥11,850,000 ($76k), Newcomers, 3yo, f, 1400m TEMPESTARII (JPN) (f, 3, Authentic–Flying Tipat, by Tapit) is the first Japanese-foaled produce for her dam, a stakes-placed full-sister to dual Grade I winner Tapitsfly. The latter, a $1.85-million Fasig-Tipton November purchase, would go on to become the dam of multiple Japanese champion and five-time Group 1 winner Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Another half-sister to Flying Tipat, namely Flying Vision (Pollard's Vision), calls Japan home and her newly turned 2-year-old by 2024 leading general sire Kizuna (Jpn) was purchased for better than $212,000 at the JRHA Select Foal Sale in 2023. O-Lord Horse Club Co Ltd; B-K I Farm; T-Kodai Hasegawa Sunday, January 19, 2025 5th-NKY, ¥11,850,000 ($76k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1600mT LLEVADA (f, 3, Volatile–Top Hat Tango, by Graydar), a $72,000 Keeneland September yearling who resold for $85,000 at last year's OBS April Sale, looks to become the third winner from as many to race from his dam, a winning half-sister to Grade II-winning sprinter Fast Bullet (Speightstown) and GSP Blairs Roarin Star (Roar). The May 1 foal's third dam Brave Raj (Rajab) was the Eclipse champion juvenile filly of 1986. O-Normandy Thoroughbred Racing Co Ltd; B-Scott Pierce (KY); T-Takeshi Matsushita The post Japanese-Foaled Authentic Filly Debuts at Chukyo appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With state lawmakers in Florida considering legislation that would decouple casino licenses tied to Thoroughbred tracks, opponents of such a plan are digging in for a fight.View the full article

Jennie Candlish is a dual-purpose trainer based in Staffordshire. Her run of form under both codes has been impressive recently have ended 2024 with a winner and starting 2025 with one too. Candlish took some time out of training winners to answer our questions. What made you happiest in 2024? Having such happy horses and seeing the yard making such amazing progress, rewarding my wonderful team for all the hard work we all put in. How do you start your day? My day starts at 4:45 a.m., seven days a week. I always feed the horses their breakfast, it's a really lovely time of day. This is followed by a huge cup of coffee! What is the best thing about your job? Being surrounded by horses each and every day. From a little girl this was my dream, so to be so fortunate to be living it really is a dream come true. If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life what would be? Dreamers by Loredana, my late mother used to tell me to play it as it reminded her of me. Is there a horse you wish you had bought in 2024? Jeannot Lapin (Fr) at £3,000 looks extremely well bought. A giant son of Doctor Dino (Fr) placed in two Irish Point-to-Points from three runs. Racehorse of 2024 and why? Kyprios (Ire). Considering he was beaten in both starts in 2023, he returned to his best winning all seven starts including four Group 1s in 2024 and no horse got within under one length of him. Dark horse for the year ahead? George Scott's 3yo gelding West Acre (Ire) stepped up from winning all-weather novices to running a massive race in Dubai last week. He looks like a sprinter to follow. Value stallion for 2025? Ghaiyyath (Ire) at €20k looks value especially with some proper potential three-year-olds Mandanaba (Fr), Gethin (Ire), Alobayyah (GB) and Rhapsody (Ire). What would make 2025 a good year for you? To continue the growth of the yard, with a happy team of horses, staff and owners. And to keep making everyone who supports me proud. What is your motto for life? If you do what you love then you'll never do a day's work in your life. Treat everyone with respect. Always be open and honest and treat everyone as you would expect to be treated yourself. The post In The Hot Seat: Jennie Candlish appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-Fair Grounds, $59,170, Alw (NW3$X)/Opt. Clm ($80,000), 1-16, 4yo/up, 1 1/16m, 1:45.59, gd, 1 length. ENCINO (c, 4, Nyquist–Glittering Jewel, by Bernardini), a late scratch from last year's GI Kentucky Derby, was sidelined since capturing the GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes at Keeneland Apr. 13. He was backed as the 1-9 favorite in this return while facing just three rivals. He was sent to the front by Florent Geroux, led through fractions of :23.71 and :47.21, and, after some anxious moments in the stretch, dug down gamely to hold Accretive (Practical Joke) safe by a length. Encino made his first three career starts over Turfway's all-weather, led by a win in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes Mar. 2. The winner's dam, a half-sister to GI Kentucky Derby winner and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Street Sense (Street Cry {Ire}), is also responsible for a Street Boss filly of 2023. She was bred to Midshipman for this year. The Nyquist x Bernardini cross is also responsible for the soon-to-be-crowned champion 2-year-old filly Immersive and GISW Gretzky the Great. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-4-1-0, $414,915. Click for the Equibase.com chart. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. Encino comes back on top after a 9-month layoff in R5 at @fairgroundsnola under @flothejock for trainer @bradcoxracing! TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/MS1mQOS5Rh — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) January 16, 2025 The post Encino Returns a Winner at Fair Grounds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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