Wandering Eyes

Vlad Duric. (Photo by Ross Holburt/Racing Photos) Vlad Duric is set to have his first ride in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) on Friday, partnering with the Donna Stanbridge-trained Secret Sort in the prestigious $3 million event. The Victorian-born jockey, who spent nearly 15 years in Singapore, returned to Brisbane last year. After dealing with a persistent knee injury, he has recently resumed riding. “I took three months off with my knee problems,” Duric explained. “It took a little while to get up to fitness again, to be honest, being that little bit older, and I don’t really want to be having that long off again. “But in the last couple of weeks, I’ve really tightened up and I’m starting to feel really bouncing and good, which is great.” Secret Sort broke his maiden at his second start in November, followed by a third-place finish in the Listed Phelan Ready Plate (1110m) and a fourth in the Group 3 BJ McLachlan Stakes (1200m) on December 21, where Duric was in the saddle. Reflecting on the latter performance, Duric said, “He’s very fast out of the machine. He showed a lot of speed at his first few starts, but they wanted me to ride him from behind the other day. “He got into that position nicely but then got stuck back on the inside and didn’t get a lot of room in the straight.” Describing the young colt, Duric added, “He’s a very well-educated, bombproof two-year-old, but he’s just a little on the small side, so that’s the only thing with him. “But he’s going to make his own luck and be there, and you know he could definitely pick up a fat end of the cheque.” Horse racing news View the full article

Stud TNT's dominating maiden winner Running Away tackles black-type company for the first time in the $125,000 Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

One of Tampa Bay Downs' most popular promotions, the "Live It Up Challenge" online handicapping contest, begins Jan. 18 and runs through March 8, the date of the 45th running of the $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3).View the full article

With two seconds and a third in the Kentucky Derby (G1) since 2018, trainer Chad Brown has high standards for his top 3-year-olds.View the full article

A step back up in trip on his home track on Saturday will be ideal for talented stayer Mayor Of Norwood. The Brian and Shane Anderton-trained son of Ghibellines has an excellent record at Wingatui and will bid to add another victory to his CV when he runs in the WAE Waikouaiti Cup (2200m). Three-times successful on the course and once over the distance, Mayor Of Norwood was unplaced in the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) two starts ago and returned to finish a handy sixth over 1600m on Boxing Day. “The 2200m will suit him, over the mile the other day he was just chasing from a bit far out,” Shane Anderton said. “We freshened him up, but it was too short for him so he’s back up in trip now.” Mayor Of Norwood, who will jump from the inside gate, and be partnered by Corey Campbell who has a good record on the six-year-old with a brace of wins and five minor placings from previous outings. Stablemate Exchange also looms as a strong hope in the other open handicap on the program, the Brent Lucas Builders (1400m), despite it not being the trainers preferred race. Another son of Ghibellines, the eight-year-old returned from a lengthy break over 1400m at Riverton on New Year’s Day to finish an encouraging fourth. “He will improve a bit with his first-up run and he can be competitive,” Anderton said. “We were going to run him in the Southern Mile but couldn’t get a suitable claiming apprentice for him, but he is in this with a good weight (54.5kg).” The six-race winner will be ridden for the first time on Saturday by Krishna Mudhoo. Despite his absence, the stable will still be well-represented in the ODT Southern Mile Qualifier (1600m) with Bowler, Lined Satin and Helldancer in contention. The former pressed his claims with a last-start victory over the course and distance while both Lined Satin and Helldancer didn’t have the best of luck at their most recent appearances. Other chances include Eye Spy (Hope & Sons Mac Chaplin Memorial, 1200m)) and Flow Along (Cargill Contracting, 1200m) who won their most recent starts while the stable will also present a couple of in-form maiden prospects. Imperative runs in the Rural Merchants Palmerston (1600m) off the back of a resuming second and Wary has a first-up third to back his claims in the Waihemo Lodge Hotel (1300m). View the full article

Lib Petagna’s Elsdon Park will offer its third draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at Karaka later this month, and the Matamata nursery has upped the ante, with their consignment nearly doubling their previous offerings. “We are taking up 29 (yearlings) and it’s a big job, especially stepping up from the number we had last year (15),” Elsdon Park General Manager Kerrie Cox said. “This is our third yearling draft for Karaka. We are expanding and it’s exciting to be a part of. “The calibre of horses that we have got as types and on pedigree is high, and there are some really exciting young sires in there as well. “We have got some really nice types, they look like racehorses to me, they have been really well educated and raised on beautiful, hilly country. “We have got such experienced people looking after these horses and they look fantastic, they have done a great job.” Elsdon Park will be looking to build on last year’s success where they were crowned leading vendor by average after selling 14 of their 15 yearlings for an average of $271,429, highlighted by their top lot, the Zoustar colt out of Group One performer Evalina, who was purchased by Jamie Richards and Andrew Williams for $725,000. “The fact that we were leading vendor by average across the sale was exciting because it showed people valued the stock that we brought to the market,” Cox said. Elsdon Park’s main theme in this year’s draft is Waikato Stud stallion Ardrossan, with Elsdon set to offer 10 of his progeny in Book 1. “I think there are 15 Ardrossans in Book 1 and we have 10 of them. We 100 percent believe in the stallion and we think he is going to end up being a good stallion,” Cox said. “What he is doing at the moment is off very limited numbers and probably not the top-end mares as well, whereas the last couple of books that he has bred he has bred well over 100 mares. “We sent some really nice mares to him. They are pedigrees that can match it in Book 1, and he produces such a good type, and that is why we have got the numbers we have in there. “You are really proud when you pull one of those horses out in front of people because they look like athletes.” Elsdon Park will offer full brothers to stakes winner Beau Dazzler and Karaka Millions 2YO contender Toretto (lot 228), and stakes performer Yaldi (lot 90), and Cox said they both should garner plenty of attention from prospective buyers. “Yaldi is a really big horse, he is tall. This boy is probably not going to be as monstrous as Yaldi, but he is still a big colt,” Cox said. “He has got a gorgeous head, just like his Dad. A big jowl and is a strong, good-looking horse with plenty of length. He is a really nice horse and he should sell well. “The Pwerfect colt (lot 228) is medium-sized, really well-balanced and put together, and is the spitting image of Beau Dazzler and Toretto. Toretto is in the Karaka Millions so hopefully he can run really well and be another highlight for the mare.” Another Ardrossan yearling Cox is particularly excited to see go through the ring is lot 468, who is out of Baby Shacks, a sister to Group One performer Vigor and Group Two winner Joey Massino. “She is quite a cool horse,” Cox said. “The staff have ownership of her so they will be excited when she goes through the ring. “She is a great type with amazing movement and has been very well handled. She probably gets more food and handling than anything else.” Sofia Rosa recorded plenty of highlights for Lib Petagna in her racing career, including winning the 2016 edition of the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) for trainer Stephen Marsh, and Cox is looking forward to seeing her Almanzor colt (lot 308) go through the ring. “He is lovely,” Cox said. “She was a very good racehorse and one of Lib’s pride and joys. Almanzor leaves such beautiful stock, and he is her best progeny to date. He is really nice and he should find a good home.” Cox also has a high opinion of the farm’s other Almanzor offering, lot 266, the filly out of Group Three performer Santa Catarina. “I haven’t heard anyone say a bad word about her, she is a very nice filly. I am looking forward to her going through the ring,” she said. Eldson Park have three yearlings in their draft by Champion New Zealand sire Savabeel, including lot 602, who is the first foal out of Zoustar mare Fall on a Star. “He is a first foal and he is just gorgeous,” Cox said. “He has got such a good brain on him that I think you can keep him a colt, he is such a cruisy horse. “I think he is a star on looks and he has got a tidy pedigree page behind him as well.” Cox is looking forward to building on Elsdon Park’s success at Karaka, with the sale kicking off on Sunday, January 26. “Lib has got a really gorgeous foundation of broodmares and every year we are building on that,” Cox said. “We produce really good types, which is our goal. You have got to have a horse that looks like they are going to be an athlete. They have got to look like they are going to run, they have got to be sound and have a really good start at life, and I think we do that really well.” View the full article

Zac Purton celebrates victory after Class 2 victory on Bottomuptogether. Zac Purton has edged closer to the precipice of Hong Kong racing history after drawing to within three wins of matching Douglas Whyte’s record of 1,813 victories with a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. The seven-time Hong Kong champion jockey slotted a double on Bottomuptogether and Kasa Papa to take his career haul in Hong Kong to 1,810, leaving Purton poised to overtake 13-time Hong Kong champion Whyte’s tally on Sunday at Sha Tin when the Australian partners Ka Ying Rising in the HK$13 million Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m). Starting the meeting with 1,808 Hong Kong wins, Purton proceeded to a double, while also posting a second, two thirds and a fifth from seven rides after his mount in the third race – Happy Daily – was a late scratching at the barriers. “It’s okay, I’ve still got work to do,” Purton said after his mount Aurora Lady was beaten by a short head in the Class 3 Connaught Handicap (1200m) by Whyte-trained Wings Of War, whose victory in the evening finale gave Hugh Bowman a treble. Purton claimed the meeting’s feature – the Class 2 Jackson Handicap (1000m) – with Frankie Lor’s Bottomuptogether. Settling third on the fence behind Youthful Spirits, the Shamus Award gelding clocked 56.43s in fending off Stellar Express to earn a PPG Bonus of HK$1 million. “He’s nice horse, he always gives his best. It was a good win, first time at Happy Valley. There was plenty of pressure early, so he had to deal with a lot and he got it done,” Purton said. Lor said: “Zac rides this horse perfectly. He is the champion, so he’s always busy. He is the first choice always. “I have thought he looks like a Group horse, but he’s still not strong enough. He’s only 1,050 pounds. If he can build to maybe 1,100 (lb), he should be better. Anyway, he’s got gate speed and at this moment, 1000m and 1200m should be suitable for him.” Purton opened his winning account on Tony Cruz-trained Kasa Papa. Group 3-placed in Australia as High Supremacy for Richard & Michael Freedman, the seven-year-old had posted five minor placings until tonight’s breakthrough. Second in the jockeys’ championship with 33 wins – 37 behind Purton – Bowman has ridden five winners from his past 14 mounts at Happy Valley following the victories of Wings Of War, Sky Jewellery and Charity Gain. “We’ve had a successful evening this evening and we’re looking forward to Sha Tin and two big Group 1s on the weekend,” Bowman said. 12-time Hong Kong champion trainer John Size continued a searing mid-season surge with a double to vault into fifth place with 22 wins to trail only Danny Shum (27), Pierre Ng (27), David Hayes (24) and Mark Newnham (24). Size struck with Take Action, who was superbly ridden by Brenton Avdulla, in the Class 4 Murray Handicap (1650m) and first-starter Sky Jewellery in the second section of the Class 4 Club Handicap (1200m) for Bowman. A three-year-old by The Autumn Sun, Sky Jewellery scored in soft fashion to become one of Size’s rare debut victors at Happy Valley. “It’s rare to see a horse deliver a performance like that on their debut, particularly at Happy Valley,” Bowman said. “But he did everything really well. For a horse with his inexperience, I thought he coped very well so he’s going to be one to keep an eye on.” David Eustace, Size and Cruz all recorded doubles. After saddling Kasa Papa, Cruz combined with Angus Chung and Parents’ Love with an all-the-way triumph in the Class 4 Hong Kong Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1000m), while Eustace scored with Charity Gain to victory in the Class 4 Lambeth Handicap (1800m) and Definitive in the Class 3 Chater Handicap (1650m) for Karis Teetan. A former New Zealander, Definitive pipped Soleil Fighter in a gripping finish to earn a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million after while Ng struck with Motoman in the first section of the Class 4 Club Handicap (1200m) under Andrea Atzeni. Horse racing news View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Thursday, January 16. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximise your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for January 16, 2025, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Bet and win up to 4th place. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% of winnings in cash Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds only. PlayUp T&Cs Apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Daily Multi Insurance Any race. Any runner. Any odds. Get a bonus back if your multi loses. Check your Vault for eligibility Login to UniBet to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing thoroughbred bonus promotions for January 16, 2025. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. Horse racing promotions View the full article

Skippers Canyon will contest Saturday’s $350,000 Remutaka Classic (2100m) at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Australian syndicator OTI Racing have made a timely acquisition of Skippers Canyon, with the promising three-year-old set to potentially recoup a portion of their outlay in Saturday’s $350,000 Remutaka Classic (2100m) at Trentham. Bred by Ardsley Stud, the Belardo gelding has shown plenty of promise for trainer Jim Wallace, placing on four occasions before breaking through for his maiden victory over 2100m at Otaki earlier this month. Terry Henderson’s OTI Racing came calling over the weekend, and a deal was struck this week, with Skippers Canyon to remain in Wallace’s care at Opaki, and he will race for the first time in OTI Racing’s familiar silks this weekend. “I have always had a decent opinion of him,” Jim Wallace said. “It has taken a long time for the pennies to drop in the right slots in his head, but he got it all together pretty well last time. “He runs for my barn on Saturday and then it will depend what he does as to what happens after that. There is a chance he will stay with me, but that is a decision OTI will make after Saturday. “I am absolutely rapt to be taking him down on Saturday because it is a race I have set him for for quite a while and everything has fallen into place so far. “It is a good deal for us and hopefully it is a good deal for them (OTI).” Skippers Canyon is nominated for the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day in March, for which he is at a winning quote of $18 with Neds, and Wallace is hopeful of a bold showing this weekend to aid his chances of continuing towards the $1 million classic. “I couldn’t be happier with him. His work yesterday (Tuesday), which was his main piece of work, was very good. He is pretty much right on track,” Wallace said. “The draw (17) isn’t going to make too much difference to him because he gets back anyway.” Horse racing news View the full article

Godolphin's Kentucky homebred Poster, last-out winner of the Dec. 7 Remsen Stakes (G2), will look to double up on stakes wins in New York when he returns for the 1 1/8-mile, $250,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack Feb. 1.View the full article

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance announced the dates of their annual Off to the Races online benefit auction featuring VIP racing experience packages with all proceeds going to support accredited aftercare.View the full article

Rockingham Ranch, David Bernsen and Little Red Feather Racing's 5-year-old millionaire Newgrange has been elevated to the main field on the final invitation list for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Eoin Harty's world is chock full right now. For starters, his home is situated in the midst of one of the worst wildfires in California history, but somehow it has survived the nightmarish ordeal. Then, there is his role as the president of the California Thoroughbred Trainers, a position he has held since 2019. What that means is he is at the forefront of trying to turn around the declining fortunes of racing in the state, which he admits is no easy task. The good news is that he has two serious candidates for the GI Kentucky Derby in GII Kentucky Club Stakes winner First Resort (Uncle Mo) and GII Remsen Stakes winner Poster (Munnings). The former was given top billing in T.D. Thornton's first edition of his Derby Top Ten rankings. Harty was this week's guest on the TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Gainesway Guest of the Week. Concerning the wildfires, Harty knows that he has been very fortunate. Several homes in his neighborhood have been destroyed, while his has so far been left unscathed. “I was one of the lucky ones,” he said. “My house survived. A lot of my neighbors didn't. It's been a very traumatic time. I don't want to feel selfish. It's been hard on me and my family. When you think about the people, the thousands of families that have been just completely upended, I know they have it so much worse.” Looters have also been a problem in neighborhoods ravaged by the fires. Taking matters into his own hands, Harty has stood outside his house brandishing a baseball bat. “I was there every night and patrolling the neighborhood with my little baseball bat,” he said. Like so many others, he is concerned about the future of racing in California. Unlike most tracks, Santa Anita, Del Mar and Los Alamitos do not receive any revenue from slot machines or other casino games. That has meant that their purses have fallen way behind those in Kentucky, New York and Arkansas. The situation has made it difficult to keep California-based owners from seeking greener pastures, and it's very hard to attract new owners to the sport. “Well, I think I'd be a fool and a liar if I said I wasn't very, very concerned about the future of California racing,” he said. “I think everybody involved in racing globally should be concerned about what's going to happen in California. I'm not sure what the outcome is going to be. Obviously, we need to increase purse money in order to attract more horses. Because of the purses they offer in Kentucky and in New York, in California we're seeing a drain on an already draining gene pool. I hope there are people a lot smarter than me working on these issues here in California. But it's something that needs to be addressed and it needs to be addressed very, very promptly.” As for Harty's two legitimate Derby candidates, both are owned by the mighty Godolphin stable. Poster and First Resort have been based in Kentucky, where winter weather has made training difficult and it has been tough for the conditioner to map a schedule for the pair. Plans for Poster could include a start in the Listed Withers Stakes at Aqueduct Feb. 1, which offers 20-10-6-4-2 Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers. Still, it is early and Harty has plenty of time to get them ready for early May. For now, he reports that First Resort is his best prospect. “Poster, he's a really, really beautiful, big, strong colt,” Harty said. “He's got the ability to go with that. But he never struck me as talented as First Resort. But in every race, he's improved and he's impressed me. He's going to have distance limitations. He's a bit busier in the mind than First Resort, but it doesn't seem to affect him. He's very manageable that way.” In our weekly breeding spotlight section, we zero in on one of the latest editions to WinStar stallion roster in Cogburn, who is entering his first year at stud. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by 1/ST Racing, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, and XBTV.com, the team of Zoe Cadman, Bill Finley and Randy Moss discussed the alarming trainer trend where so many are getting out of the business. Also up for discussion was the story out of Florida concerning the potential decouple of racing and gaming at Gulfstream Park. Moss gave an in-depth analysis that explained the situation. He said he did not think it would spell the end of racing at the South Florida track. Finally, are you ready to bet the Derby this soon? The team went over the Las Vegas winterbook odds and agreed that recent maiden winner Rodriguez (Authentic), who was named a 'TDN Rising Star' for his effort, might be the play at 25-1. To watch the Writers' Room, click here. To view the show as a podcast, click here. The post Eoin Harty Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With five runners from four different countries, the Jan. 17 Cape Verdi Stakes (G2T), the feature on the nine-race Dubai Racing Carnival card, is a truly international affair.View the full article

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will hold their annual 'Off to the Races' online benefit auction featuring VIP racing experience packages beginning Thursday Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. ET and closing Friday, Jan. 31 at 10 p.m. ET, the aftercare organization said in a Wednesday press release. With the proceeds going directly to accredited aftercare, the online event provides a chance for the public to bid on 19 VIP racing experience packages. The auction items grant access to major race days at tracks across North America in 2025 and 2026. Each package features an exclusive itinerary of horse racing-related activities. “We are thrilled to announce the opening of our 2025 VIP Auction, where fans can bid on exclusive experiences at some of the most iconic racetracks in North America,” said TAA's Director of Funding & Events Emily Dresen. “Not only does this provide a unique opportunity to celebrate the sport of horse racing, but every dollar raised goes directly to supporting the aftercare of retired Thoroughbred racehorses.” Click here to view the auction packages. The post TAA’s ‘Off To The Races’ Online Benefit Auction Opens Jan. 23 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After a highly successful Central Otago circuit, southern harness racing returns to Ascot Park today for Macca Lodge Northern Southland Cup Day. Racing journalist Jonny Turner has zeroed in on five horses who look well placed on the feature race day. RUSH – Race 9 A hard and fit Rush could set up a challenging chase for the backmarkers in Northern Southland’s trotting feature. It’s well known chasing from handicaps can be a big ask around the tight-turning Ascot Park track. While others in the Southern Lights Trot have more impressive resumes, Rush comes right into calculations with her front-line advantage. Plenty of recent racing means she heads south fit and ready and, combined with her manners, she should prove to be a potent force. CAPTAIN AMORE – Race 4 The saying goes that gate speed is a beautiful thing. It’s a phrase I believe that was coined by former Canterbury caller Mark McNamara, though I am open to being corrected on that one. Gate speed was the key ingredient in Captain Amore’s good last-start second at Cromwell, chasing home the in-form Dallas Dale. With some early toe, Captain Amore looks well placed in an even maiden lineup. The pacer has all of his key rivals drawn behind him on the second row, setting up the possibility that they could have to give him a decent head-start in the running. If race 4 pans out that way, Captain Amore could take plenty of catching. MIXED FAITH – Race 5 An old favourite of this column looks a strong option yet again. Mixed Faith has been brilliantly consistent recently. Though her last-start fourth at Roxburgh had merit, she is capable of better tomorrow. The key to her chances looks to be her 10m head start on many of her key rivals, who must face the 20m tapes. Mixed Faith takes on three serious hopes in Hidden Talent, Majestic Love and Missile, but they all must give away a 10m advantage to beat her. If Mixed Faith can maintain her early advantage over her three main rivals, she should give plenty of cheek in race 5. Trainer Brad Williamson jumping back in the sulky looks another positive for the mare. MAJESTIC ME – Race 3 Another from the Brad Williamson stable, Majestic Me looks to land in a very suitable race. While many debut winners face a steep rise in grade in their second start, Williamson has avoided that situation with his 3-year-old. Majestic Me jogged to an easy first-up win at Winton and his trainer has been patient with him since, holding off starting on the recent Central Otago circuit. That has already paid off with Majestic Me landing in a very winnable one-win event in race 3. BOWLEM OVER – Race 6 The timing looks right for Bowlem Over as he approaches his Ascot Park assignment. The pacer made up plenty of ground in his last-start second placing at Roxburgh, putting a run of patchy form and luck largely behind him. Though much of the horse’s success has come on the pace, he lands in a grade and a field in which he should be highly competitive, despite drawing on the second row. Any pace in the race would be a big help to the rugged pacer, but if there is not expect driver Matthew Williamson to put Bowlem Over right in the race. All in all, he looks a strong each-way threat. View the full article

By Jonny Turner One Change will be out to break more than one drought when he starts in the Group 3 Macca Lodge Northern Southland Cup today. The Amber Hoffman-trained pacer gets an ideal opportunity to break through at group level for the first time since 2019 in the Ascot Park feature. Some harness racing fans may think One Change has been around forever, and for much of the past decade, he has. The former All Stars 8-year-old’s last group race win came in the 2019 group 1 Sires Stakes Final for 3-year-olds in which he beat future New Zealand Cup winner Copy That. Niggling injuries are the main reason One Change’s career did not follow the same trajectory as his runner-up six years ago. While there have been many lost opportunities for One Change since then, tomorrow’s feature has come along at the perfect time. “He came to us because he had a cyst on his fetlock joint,” trainer Amber Hoffman said. “The All Stars thought he might benefit from being trained on the beach.” “He has had a lot of soundness issues right the way through. He has had bad feet as well.” “But right now he is as sound as he has ever been and he seems like a really happy horse.” One Change heads south following his excellent second to Mo’unga in the group 3 Central Otago Cup earlier this month. That effort is a good reflection of the kind of space One Change is in at the moment. “We were really happy with that run. He ran second to a future star, I reckon,” Hoffman said. “He has come through that run really well, too.” Hoffman has only one concern before her pacer’s Northern Southland Cup tilt and it is her horse’s standing-start record at Ascot Park. One Change has galloped away in four of his six stands at the southern track, though some of those his breaks have only been brief. Regardless, the trainer is hopeful driver Blair Orange can get her veteran away safely on Thursday. “It always seems to be at Ascot Park for some reason. He hasn’t managed to step away cleanly very often,” Hoffman said. “He gets a bit hot around at the start and he wants to get on with it.” “Lucky we have Mr Cool, Calm and Collected in the cart. Hopefully, he can work his magic.” Among the times One Change has stepped cleanly at Ascot Park was his fourth in the 2023 Northern Southland Cup. While One Change’s last group race victory was in 2019, his last win of any kind came in March of 2023. Niggling issues have certainly halted the horse’s progress at times, but he has still racked up more than $700,000 in earnings during his seven seasons of racing. One Change was initially raced by the All Stars Stable, Trevor Casey and Mike Woodlock, but Woodlock now races the pacer on his own. “He is Mike’s absolute pride and joy. He loves him,” Hoffman said. One Change was rated the $2 win favourite for the Northern Southland Cup when fixed-odds markets opened earlier this week. View the full article

In 2025, Bonne Chance Farm celebrates the 10-year anniversary of its Kentucky operation. Since the farm was founded, and with a boutique broodmare band of just 20-some mares, Bonne Chance has been responsible for the likes of Graded/Group 1 victors Arabian Lion (Justify), King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB})and Cambier Parc (Medaglia d'Oro). Bloodstock and Office Manager Leah Alessandroni spoke with TDN about the farm's mating plans for 2025. BLACK CANARY (m, 11, War Front-Forty Moves, by Gold Fever) to be bred to Nyquist Already the dam of three foals including a stakes winner in Golden Canary (Medaglia d'Oro), this is a young War Front mare that we have a lot of faith in. She is out of track record setter Forty Moves and was herself a useful racehorse, picking up a stakes placing and hitting the board 81% in her time on the track. Her American Pharoah yearling is one of our top physicals from the 2024 crop and she's proven to us that she can throw a good-bodied and correct horse. We actually bred her to Nyquist in 2024, landing on him because he compliments her physically and because of the precocity of his foals, which also compliments what we've seen from her. Ultimately she was not in foal last year and after Nyquist had four Grade I winners in 2024, we opted to stick with him. GOLDEN BALLAD (Ire) (m, 11, Galileo {Ire}-Golden Ballet, by Moscow Ballet) to be bred to Casa Creed. Golden Ballad has already produced Grade II winner Balladeer (Distorted Humor) when crossed with the Distorted Humor line and is herself the Galileo half-sister to GI Belmont Stakes winner Drosselmeyer (Distorted Humor), so we aren't deviating too far from the path on this mating. As breeders, one of the things we talk about is being good stewards of the Thoroughbred as a breed and we believe that means supporting horses like Casa Creed. He was an absolute warrior on the track, running for seven years with 36 starts including four Grade I wins. He had a rare combination of speed, earning nine triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures, and soundness. This mare, who has had five foals for us, has shown that she contributes stamina but could use some injection of speed. You have to be careful with that and when they announced Casa Creed would be retiring we were immediately interested in him for her because of everything previously mentioned. Physically the two are very similar–big, rangy types–so we expect the resulting foal to be the same. Golden Ballad is by Galileo and her best foal to date is a Grade II winner on the turf, so we're not saying she can't throw a dirt horse (obviously there is an American Classic winner in the pedigree) but we're not trying to reinvent the wheel with this mating to turf superstar Casa Creed. A good horse is a good horse and we're hopeful this mating will produce a very good turf horse. There is a lot of good money in turf racing in the U.S. right now, hopefully the sale market starts to reflect that. ELEMENTAR (m, 13, More Than Ready-Val Marie, by Coronado's Quest) to be bred to American Pharoah Elementar is a More Than Ready mare who is the dam of Grade II winner Ready to Purrform (Kitten's Joy) as well as four other foals including a yearling colt by American Pharoh who sold for $200,000 at last year's Keeneland September Sale to Godolphin. American Pharoah has done well with More Than Ready mares in general but her yearling by him last year was a really nice colt who we were all very high on and who obviously attracted the eye of a top-class buyer. American Pharoah is a stallion we have used almost every year and continue to believe in. He was a great value last year and continues to be this year. There aren't many top 20 stallions standing for under $50,000 who can get you a respectable horse in the ring as well as the track. We haven't done a ton of repeat matings before seeing the on-track results, but this is one that we were all confident in going ahead with considering the quality of the yearling last year and the stud fee. Unbound, the dam of Spendthrift sire Arabian Lion, will be bred back to Justify in 2025 | Sarah Andrew UNBOUND (m, 16, Distorted Humor-Possibility, by A.P. Indy) to be bred to Justify The first time we tried this mating the resulting foal was Justify's first Grade I winner, Arabian Lion. No brainer to go back to him. PARADISE ALLEY (m, 14, Flower Alley-Sealy Hill, by Point Given) to be bred to Maxfield Paradise Alley is the Flower Alley half-sister to four graded stakes winners including two-time Grade I winner Cambier Parc. We purchased her after she had already started her broodmare career and she has had two foals for us, including a 2-year-old filly by Justify who we kept to race ourselves. While her broodmare career has yet to produce a star, she has proven to have sound horses and the two she has had for us at least have been good physicals. We know the class and quality is there in the pedigree so we're in a bit of a waiting and building period with her. She is one that we take a hard look at every year to ensure we're giving her, and ourselves, the best chance of success to really build the family and someday try to get back to the level of her own dam, Sealy Hill. We know what Distorted Humor has done as a broodmare sire and Flower Alley in his own right has had some good success on that front, not only internationally but in the U.S. as the damsire of Cyberknife and Smooth Like Strait, to name a few. Maxfield is a stallion that impressed us right away. Never off the board in 11 starts with two Grade I wins among many other big efforts and a huge page beneath him, but physically we felt he was an absolute standout. We were thrilled to send a mare to him his first year and that resulting filly is a 2-year-old who we kept to race and she's just gorgeous. We love her. His first yearlings sold great which was a testament to the consistent quality of that crop. We were not going to miss using him in 2025. Considering we're playing a bit of a long, likely multi-generational game with this mare, the opportunity to inject two great broodmare sires (in Bernardini and Street Sense) into a page with Distorted Humor and plenty of blacktype was really appealing. Add to that a stallion who is throwing consistently strong physicals and we felt Maxfield gave us a great opportunity to produce something that could ultimately lay a strong foundation to the next branch of what is already a great family tree. At $40,000 the price is right and a good time for us to strike in case he increases as his runners hit the track this year. Obviously, we're hoping for a filly but regardless of the outcome the foal will have a solid injection of class and proven genetics. GOIABA (m, 11, Speightstown-Christies Treasure, by Belong to Me) to be bred to McKinzie Goiaba, by Speightstown, is a really exciting young mare for us. She is a winning full-sister to Japanese Grade I winner Mozu Superflare and from a family that is improving year after year. Her first foal is a winner, she sold a yearling colt by Curlin for $725,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale, and her now 3-year-old filly Por Voce (Medaglia d'Oro) was a good third on debut. She is a typical Speightstown mare with a lot of substance and McKinzie is a good physical match for her, adding size and stretch. McKinzie was a consistent and sound horse on the track winning Grade I races at two, three, and four and is off to a promising start at stud with two Grade I winners in his first crop! Goiaba has, to date, been bred to proven but older stallions (she is currently in foal to Uncle Mo) so we're excited to send her to such an exciting young sire this year. Nom de Plume (m, 5, Uncle Mo-Casting Director, by Bernardini)to be bred to Munnings Nom de Plume is an exciting new addition to the broodmare band. She is a stakes-placed homebred by Uncle Mo who hit the board eight out of her 10 starts, earning nearly $300,000, and is the half-sister to two Grade III-placed horses from a young, rapidly improving and sound family. Uncle Mo was proving to be an influential broodmare sire prior to his death and we're very happy to add one of his daughters to our broodmare band, our first. As a rule of thumb we don't breed unproven to unproven so when considering a stallion for her first foal we narrowed the pool to those with more than two crops of racing age. Munnings is a stallion we have used with this family in the past (the 2-year-old half-sister to Nom de Plume is by Munnings) with good result and the cross with Uncle Mo has already produced one Grade I winner in Howard Wolowitz. Physically he offers her some size and substance without being too big and of course that infamous Speightstown/Gone West speed! Considering the mare's page, this mating also has the potential to be commercial which is appealing, especially for a first foal. ONLY EMOTIONS (m, 4, Distorted Humor–Golden Ballad {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) to be bred to Oscar Performance Only Emotions is another new homebred addition to the broodmare band for 2025. By Distorted Humor and out of Golden Ballad, she is a winning full-sister to Grade II winner Balladeer. In following our previously mentioned rule of thumb, we had multiple discussions about the right stallion for her and ultimately landed on one we have loved since day one and that's Oscar Performance. While still a young stallion, Oscar Performance has proven that he's a serious addition to the stallion ranks in Kentucky and excels in the critically important category of moving up his mares. He's getting big winners on dirt and turf and from a variety of different pedigree sources. He was another stallion we were not going to miss using in 2025. Some of the same considerations mentioned for her dam Golden Ballad also apply here. 'Oscar' was appealing for her because he offers speed and soundness while also complimenting her mixed (dirt and turf) pedigree. Physically they are similar in size and shape and should result in a good quality foal of the same. The post 2025 U.S. Mating Plans: Bonne Chance Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Legendary figures from the sport of horse racing are to be featured in a new podcast hosted by Ferrin Peterson. 'The Boundless Podcast' will feature interviews with Hall of Fame jockeys Steve Cauthen, Chris McCarron, Pat Day, and Sandy Hawley. Available on all recognized platforms, including Apple Podcast, Spotify, and YouTube, the series will kick off Jan. 16 with an hour-long interview with Cauthen, whose outstanding career in the saddle included a historic Triple Crown success on Affirmed in 1978, when he was just 18 years old, before he became the only jockey to win both the GI Kentucky Derby and G1 Epsom Derby. It will be the first of 12 episodes to air in a series filmed and produced in Kentucky by Peterson and videographer Jacob Ames. Patti Cooksey, who became the second female jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby, and the remarkable septuagenarian Perry Ouzts are scheduled for later in the series. “I've always wanted to be able to educate and inspire,” said Peterson. “Since becoming a jockey I have wanted to build a platform as an athlete. I see that more in other sports but not a lot among U.S. jockeys. “The people I have talked to have inspiring stories,” she said. “They were able to go deep into their struggles and how they overcame them.” Peterson continues to ride on the Kentucky circuit while also working as an ER veterinarian across the state's small animal clinics. “Boundless is a podcast that explores the stories of individuals who have accomplished the seemingly impossible by breaking molds and redefining success through unique challenges, pivotal moments, and unbreakable determination,” the Kentucky-based jockey said. The post Jockey Ferrin Peterson To Launch ‘The Boundless Podcast’ Jan. 16 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nereus will contest the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray will be out to complete their trio of New Zealand feature two-mile successes at Trentham on Saturday when Nereus takes on the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m). The Cambridge training partnership won both the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) and Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) last season with Mahrajaan, and while he was the headliner for the stable, waiting in the wings was emerging stayer Nereus, who took out the Group 3 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) later in the autumn. This term, the Savabeel five-year-old built to an impressive win in the Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m), which subsequently had him carrying the top-weight in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, where he finished eighth, a run Ritchie is happy to move on from. “I think that (weight) was the significant difference, he’s not a big horse and with No Compromise compressing his weight down to 53kg at Counties, it looked a good race for him and that’s how it turned out,” he said. “Obviously going up to the topweight in the Queen Elizabeth was a step too far, so it was a forgive run. “We’re pretty convinced he’ll run the two miles out strongly, based on his trackwork and how well he relaxes early and mid-race. If that’s the case and we’ve got a two-miler, then it opens quite a few doors for us. “We always thought he would be a Cups-style horse and the ultimate prizemoney is getting up to two miles, so we’ve wanted to try him at this distance.” Nereus is currently rated a $13 chance with horse racing bookmakers for Saturday’s contest, with Victorian raider Interpretation heading the market at $3. While Ritchie knows the threat the gelding brings across the Tasman, Nereus also benefits from his presence in the race. “The obvious thing here is the Australian horse coming over, he’s favourite and he’s going to be hard to beat,” Ritchie said. “But he does compress us down to a winnable weight, he gets us only three and half kilos off the minimum, a luxury compared to last time. “He’s got a great record with Trentham, it’s the track he’s performed up to his best at. I’m really looking forward to the race on Saturday.” Horse racing news View the full article

Despite a brief interruption in training due to wildfires in Southern California, Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner Straight No Chaser remains on track for a start in the $2 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse Feb. 22.View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 01/10/2025 Licensee: John Thomas Toscano, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Runninsonofagun, who finished second in the Fall Highweight Stakes at Aqueduct on 11/29/24. Pending ADMC Violations 01/15/2025, Michael Simone, trainer: Explainer: Medication violation for the use or attempted use of a Class C controlled medication on Viking Queen during the race period. 01/15/2025, Howard Rubin, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Midnight Metal on 11/24/24. 01/14/2025, Eric Ramaekers, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Hurts so Good, who finished fourth at Zia Park on 12/9/24. 01/13/2025, Kenneth Miller, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Triamcinolone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Overstatement, who finished second at Keeneland on 10/4/24. Violations of Crop Rule Mahoning Valley Luis Perez–violation date Jan 9; One-day suspension, $250 fine. Penn National Carlos Lopez–violation date Jan 9; Two-day suspension, $500 fine. Turf Paradise Matias Bravo–violation date Jan 9; One-day suspension, $250 fine. The post Weekly National Regulatory Rulings, Jan. 9-15 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are four horse racing meetings set for Australia on Thursday, January 16. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Kembla Grange. Thursday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – January 16, 2025 Kembla Grange Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on January 16, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. 3 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. Recommended! 4 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 5 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Multiple graded stakes winner Chatalas makes her 4-year-old debut and returns to her preferred surface when she starts in the $100,000 La Canada Stakes (G3) Jan. 19 at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

He is 22 months into a two-year contract to train privately in Saudi Arabia for Prince Faisal bin Khalid Al Saud, a move that rejuvenated his career, but Jimmy Jerkens said he is ready to come home. Jerkens told the TDN that when his contract expires in March he will return to U.S. and resume his career at the NYRA tracks. It's not that Jerkens hasn't done well in Saudi Arabia. He's had 21 winners during his time there. And it's not that he doesn't have any quality horses. “We've been doing good here,” he said. “We're winning at about the same clip as last year, winning at about 16%. That's good for here. They have big fields and you end up running in a lot of spots where you don't really fit into the race. We're a little down when it comes to the money won, but we've kept up the winning percentage.” Music Critic (hip 379) | Fasig-Tipton He also has a potential star in Music Critic (Maclean's Music), a $650,000 purchase at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Timonium sale. He was an easy debut winner Jan. 9 in a 1400-meter race in Riyadh. But Jerkens admits that he's home sick. He said his situation is particularly difficult because his wife Shirley has not been able to join him on a permanent basis. “I miss back home,” Jerkens said. “It just wasn't working out for me the last couple of years in the U.S. I'm glad I did this. But my contract is up in March. I'll probably go home then and end up staying. I thought Shirley would be with me and it didn't work out for her. She said she couldn't stay because she didn't have a job here and she said that she didn't have anything to do. She got bored. So she would go home. At one point, it looked like she had a job here but it didn't pan out.” Jerkens never would have left for Saudi Arabia if he were having more success in the U.S. Once among the top trainers in New York, he won just four races in 2022 and 10 in 2021. He's going to have to find a way to build a bigger, more successful stable this time around. “I don't know what I'm going to do when I get there, but I'll figure it out,” he said. Saudi owners have been much more active at U.S. sales of late as they try to improve the overall quality of their stock. Jerkens said that his owner still prefers to buy at European sales, but reached out last year to pick up a couple of horses stateside. That has certainly been true at the Midlantic sale, where Jerkens picked up Music Critic. Middle Eastern interests have been focused on the sale as a source of two-year-olds in recent years. In 2024, a dozen horses were purchased by U.A.E. interests at the Midlantic sale. Eleven went to Saudi Arabia, including Music Critic. Others went to Bahrain, Libya and Qatar. “It's unbelievable how many horses they are buying in the U.S.,” he said. “That's really getting big here. We just had a couple run last week. One was Caramel Road. Bob Bafffert had him back home. And there are some Peter Blum horses running over here.” As far as Music Critic goes, he's been a tough horse to figure out. Jerkens said he was slow to get going, and he wasn't sure why. Jimmy Jerkens | Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia “We had a lot of problems with him when he first got here,” he said. “He wasn't very sound and we really couldn't pinpoint what the issue was. We thought his knees were just immature. He was in Taif, where they race in the summer and we couldn't really do much with him there. But once he got back to Riyadh he really started to come around. We didn't do anything with him. No surgeries, no procedures, not anything. He just came around on his own. He started holding up during training and we went step-by-step. All of a sudden he just got there in a rush. He stayed sound and had plenty of work going into his first start. Especially first time out going 1400 meters, because the tracks are slow here you, really have to be ready. Jerkens said he would like to run Music Critic in the GII UAE Derby, but likely won't get in because the colt will not have run enough times to qualify under the rating system in Dubai. Before he hit the prolonged slump, Jerkens compiled an impressive resume. He won 78 blacktype stakes and trained horses like Quality Road (Elusive Quality), Artie Schiller (El Prado {Ire}), Wicked Strong (Hard Spun), Corinthian (Pulpit) and many others. Can he do it again and build the type of stable that will be competitive on the New York circuit against the Todd Pletchers and Chad Browns of the world? He's ready to give it a try. The post Jimmy Jerkens To Return To U.S. In March appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article