Wandering Eyes

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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

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Gleaming Crown (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) (lot 49), an unraced 3-year-old filly, topped the Tattersalls Online January Sale at 49,000gns on the bid of Blandford Bloodstock. The daughter of listed winner and two-time Group 3-placed Dazzling (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is a half-sister to Bajan Girl (Speightstown), who placed second in the GIII Molly Pitcher Stakes and third in the GIII Rampart Stakes. Her dam is a full-sister to G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Roderic O'Connor (Ire). Consigned by Kiltinan Castle Stud, the filly will be covered by Darley's Palace Pier (GB), according to Blandford's Richard Brown. Henry de Bromhead snapped up Scotcantou (Ire) (Shantou) (lot 36) for 36,000gns among the horses-in-training. The 5-year-old gelding, consigned by Eoin McCarthy Racing, has a win in a maiden hurdle at Galway from five starts. He is a full-brother to listed hurdle winner Hey Sunshine (Ire). Craig Lidster Racing consigned Alfa Whiteburd (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) (lot 1), and the four-time winner caught the eye of KNK Bloodstock for 30,000gns. Rounding out the top four lots was a breeding right in Darley sire Harry Angel (Ire) that sold for 23,000gns to Quattro Bloodstock. The Group 1 sire has nine group winners to his credit, including G1 Spring Champion Stakes winner Tom Kitten (Aus). Overall, 49 lots sold for a gross of 371,400gns. The average was 7,580gns. The post Blandford Bloodstock Buys Gleaming Crown At Tattersalls Online January Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Irad Ortiz Jr. has been handed a three-day stewards' suspension in the aftermath of his disqualification for interference in the Jan. 11 Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. Ortiz will sit Jan. 19, 22, 23, as per his agent, Steve Rushing. Dave Grening of Daily Racing Form was first to report this news via a posting on the X social media platform. Ortiz has led North America in victories in each of the last eight years and was voted the Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey in 2018-20 and 2022-23. He is a finalist for the 2024 award, which will be announced on the evening that his suspension concludes next Thursday. Ortiz rode the 1-2 favorite, Owen Almighty (Speightstown), in that Tampa stakes last Saturday. His mount came in on the 7-2 third choice, Rookie Card (Adios Charlie), causing that rival to check hard under jockey Junior Alvarado while near the inner rail at the three-eighths pole. The Equibase chart stated that Owen Almighty “bumped and forced Rookie Card to take up sharply.” As Rookie Card dropped out of contention, the head-on replay showed Ortiz looking back over his left shoulder to see what happened. Ortiz and Owen Almighty went on to cross the finish wire first by a length. Rookie Card finished fifth, beaten 23 lengths. He was elevated to fourth when the stewards DQ'd Owen Almighty and placed him fifth. Rookie Card was reported to be “fine” by Alvarado after the incident. The three Tampa officials who issued the suspension are state steward Reese Howard and association stewards Joelyn Rigione and Brook Hawkins. #5 NAUGHTY RASCAL ($8.20) was elevated to first in the $150,000 Pasco Stakes at @TampaBayDownsFL after the disqualification of Owen Almighty. This is the third stakes victory for the three-year-old Rogueish colt. @EdwinGonzalz1 was aboard for trainer Gerald Bennett. pic.twitter.com/90gH75wQnu — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 11, 2025 The post Ortiz Suspended Three Days In Aftermath Of Stakes DQ At Tampa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

8th-FG, $58K, Msw, 3yo, 5 1/2f, 5:15p.m. Titletown Racing, Knollwood Stables and Torie Gladwell's REGAINED POWER (Into Mischief) gets a start for trainer Larry Rivelli. Out of Reina Maria (Songandaprayer), the March foal was bred by Mullholland Springs. The bay, a full-brother to GII Remsen winner Maximus Mischief, brought $220,000 at Fasig-Tipton last October. Stonestreet Stables' Proudly Hailed (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}) debuts for Brad Cox, a finalist for the 2024 Eclipse leading trainer. Out of Starspangledbanner (Aus)'s Spangled (GB), the Cheveley Park Stud bred colt was secured for 130,000gns at Tattersalls October. Fellow firster Mega Magic (Good Magic) makes his first appearance for Al Stall Jr. The Columbine Stable homebred is out of Magical Moon (Malibu Moon), third in the GI Alcibiades Stakes. Entered for main track only–McKinzie's Cat Fast is a $350,000 Keeneland September buy and This Is Your Time (Constitution), counts MGSW and GISP Sconsin (Include) as a half sister. TJCIS PPs The post Thursday’s Insights: Regained Power, Full to GSW Maximus Mischief, Debuts at Fair Grounds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Retirement is not on the agenda for multiple Group 1 and Classic-winning jockey Seamie Heffernan who, after partnering six winners so far during a winter stint in Bahrain, joked that he has 'a few scores to settle' back home in Ireland before hanging up the boots. It is nearly a year since the 52-year-old announced that he would not be returning to Ballydoyle to ride for Aidan O'Brien, as a result bringing the curtain down on a 30-year relationship that yielded countless big winners across the globe. Heffernan has ridden principally in Bahrain for Sheikh Isa Salman Al Khalifa, owner of Irish Champion Stakes winner Economics (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire})). Those six wins leave him in eighth position in the overall jockeys' standings in Bahrain this winter and, while he has no firm plans for when he returns home to Ireland, he says he still has the hunger to compete on the big stage. “When you get the opportunities, you don't forget where the winning post is,” he summarised. “I have done stints in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Abu Dhabi but it was a long time ago. With the Ballydoyle job, when it came to the end of the year, you needed a break. You needed six weeks to two months off every winter. That was a tough gig but it was grand when you were young and getting rewarded. But when things start to change, you have to make a change.” He added, “I came over here for one owner, Sheikh Isa Salman Al Khalifa, so I ride all of his horses. He likes to have a jockey who can give him a little bit of feedback and guidance. His trainer out here, Allan Smith, has been here a long time and he knows his horses inside out. We are all working together to try and get the right results on the track.” Sheikh Isa has a number of possibilities for the Saudi Cup meeting in a little over a month's time which Heffernan would be in line to ride. But he says that the most enjoyable aspect of his role in Bahrain has been providing feedback to the people behind what is one of the emerging bloodstock and racing nations. “They are putting a lot of effort into it here in Bahrain,” he said. “They don't have grass out here so the horse population is made up of local breds and many more imported horses. It's nice to be able to talk amongst ourselves and to be able to give them a little bit of feedback and enjoy the racing out here while we do it. It's a lot more relaxed than Dubai. Allan has a couple of entries on Saudi Cup night so, listen, they're entered at this stage and hopefully they will be good enough and well enough when the time comes.” He continued, “When I ride something, I like to go into the pedigree. I think an awful lot of this game comes back to pedigree. There are a lot of trainers using GPS systems, heart rate monitors and different apps. Basically, there is not a whole pile to training a horse other than don't over work them and don't under work them. Pedigrees will usually get you out of a hole.” “I am just hoping to be around for a good while longer to settle a few scores back in Ireland!” Last year's tally of 28 winners from 439 rides represented the lowest domestic haul since 2019, where he partnered 25 horses to victory. In the absence of the Ballydoyle gig in 2024, it was Fozzy Stack who provided the bulk of Heffernan's ammunition, with the rider partnering four winners from 36 rides for the Golden-based handler. Kevin Coleman was next best with two wins from 20 rides while Tom Mullins, Michael O'Callaghan and Willie Browne didn't hesitate in calling on Heffernan either. However, his only Group success in the entire campaign came aboard Amo Racing's Dallas Star (Fr) (Cloth Of Stars {Ire}) in the G3 Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown. Reflecting on last year's results, he said, “I suppose the bigger yards in Ireland these days are Donnacha, Joseph and Aidan [O'Brien] and, when they are saying no to you, you're in trouble. The other trainers, Dermot Weld, Johnny Murtagh etc have to look after their own jockeys as well. Otherwise, they won't have them. I was quite happy with how the year went. I rode plenty of horses for many different trainers. The one thing that probably gets me into trouble is, when I jump down off one, I tell the truth. Sometimes, it's not what people want to hear. “I have a very good agent and have great people who support me and give me first refusal on horses. They may not have big strings but I appreciate their support. As long as I'm enjoying it and as long as I can do the job to the best of my ability, I will take their support and appreciate it.” He added, “I ride a bit for Kevin Coleman for example and he's a bit of a workaholic. He's a complete horseman and knows his horses inside out. He knows their ability and gets them ready for a day and usually that works out. I'm surprised that he doesn't get bigger owners and more support. But that's just the way it is in Ireland. It's extremely competitive. “I actually missed out on being placed in the Irish 1,000 Guineas [aboard A Lilac Rolla (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire})] for Paddy Twomey as well. I picked up an injury just before Guineas weekend. Paddy is very close to me and, when he heard that I wasn't going back to Ballydoyle, he rang me and said, 'Billy [Lee] rides everything but if you are interested in riding out, I'll look after you and there should be a few spares.' Listen, I enjoy Paddy. He's young and he's had very good results. When you are young and are getting results, you will have some people who begrudge you. But Paddy likes to keep his strike-rate high and only runs his horses if he thinks they have a chance. I think I only had a couple of rides for him last year and both were placed.” Heffernan admitted to being open to opportunities when he returns home to Ireland ahead of the turf season, saying “life is too short,” but insists he has no regrets about ending his association with Ballydoyle. He concluded, “I have no plans for when I come back to Ireland and absolutely no regrets either. Things change and times change. Time waits for no man and nothing lasts forever. No regrets. But it was a bit of candy when Sheikh Isa and Allan Smith offered me this job. They know what I can achieve and probably thought there was a bit of life in me yet. “I am just hoping to be around for a good while longer to settle a few scores back in Ireland! To be honest about it all, I'm 52 at the moment and I watch the replays of all my races. I think I'm riding as well and as sharp as ever. But there will come a day, and I'm getting close to it, when I look at a replay and say, 'wow, it's time to draw a line.' But I have no plans on what I am going to do when I get back home to Ireland. And I've no big plans for the future. All I can say is that I am very lucky that I minded what I was earning over the years so I am privileged to be in a comfortable position.” The post Heffernan: ‘No Regrets And No Plans To Retire – I’ve A Few Scores To Settle First!’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An At-a-Glance look at the Lecomte Stakes from America's Best Racing.View the full article

A nomination to the Aga Khan Studs stallion Zarak (Fr) has been added to the Arqana Online January Sale, which is due to take place between the hours of 3pm and 5pm (local time) on Monday, January 20. For conditions of sale and to view the full catalogue, click here. Zarak stood his first season at Haras de Bonneval in 2018 and is set to command a career-high fee of €80,000 in 2025, having produced three Group 1 winners from his early crops, including last year's Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Metropolitan (Fr). Haya Zark (Fr) also struck at the top level last year in the Prix Ganay, while Zagrey (Fr), a new recruit to Haras de Grandcamp for 2025, became his sire's first Group 1 winner when successful in the Grosser Preis von Baden in 2023. A four-time winner when trained by Alain de Royer-Dupré, notably landing the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Zarak also boasts an exceptional pedigree as a son of Dubawi (Ire) and the unbeaten G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar). The post Zarak Nomination Added to Arqana Online January Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fasig-Tipton has released the first group of supplemental entries for its Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale–adding 27 head to the auction–which will take place on Monday, Feb. 3, beginning at 10 a.m. ET in Lexington, Kentucky, the company said via a press release on Wednesday. These latest entries, catalogued as hip 349-375, include: Greavette (Astern {Aus}) (Hip 356): 4-year-old MSW is consigned as a racing/broodmare prospect by Grovendale Sales, agent. R Harper Rose (Khozan) (Hip 364): Four-year-old who won the GIII Forward Gal Stakes last year. Consigned as a racing/broodmare prospect by Gainesway, agent. Connie Swingle (Grazen) (Hip 367): Multiple stakes winner in California and a full-sister to GSW S Y Sky & SW Grazen Sky. Consigned as a racing/broodmare prospect by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent. Accommodate Eva (Munnings) (Hip 374): SW at 2 & 3 from the family of GISW Bell's the One (Majesticperfection). Consigned as a racing/ broodmare prospect by Four Star Sales, agent. Also included in the supplement are short yearlings by Corniche, Hard Spun, Practical Joke, Street Sense, Violence, and War of Will. These entries may now be viewed online and will also be available in Equineline catalogue app. The post First Group Of Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Supplemental Entries Online 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 will be featured in a new podcast hosted by jockey Ferrin Peterson. 'The Boundless Podcast' will feature interviews with Hall of Fame jockeys Steve Cauthen, Chris McCarron, Pat Day and Sandy Hawley.View the full article

Louisiana native Tim Thornton continued his dominance of the jockey standings at his home track of Delta Downs while posting eight wins for the week.View the full article

A look at leading connections in Kentucky racing in 2024.View the full article

Friday will be a day of milestones in the life of this scribe, with the first day of Normandy's Route des Etalons set to coincide with the one-year anniversary of my first day as a member of team TDN. And boy, what a year it's been. One of the highlights from 12 months spent in the job came in August when I had the opportunity to sample the delights of Deauville for the first time. Equally, one of the low points then came in December when poor organisation on my part caused me to miss a return trip due to a soon-to-be expired passport. Unfortunately, the shuttle crossing that was already paid for was non-refundable, but the saving grace was that it was possible to change the dates. And voila, after some quick thinking on the part of TDN colleague and 'Route' veteran Emma Berry, the plan was hatched for yours truly to embark on what I'm assured is one of the most enjoyable trips in the calendar for racing, breeding and fine cuisine enthusiasts alike. The new passport has been safely stowed away ever since I returned from Ireland last weekend. If I've learned anything from my experience of participating in the ITM Irish Stallion Trail, it's that poor organisation simply won't do if you're wanting to get the best out of the trip. Careful planning is essential, and it would be wise to take to the road equipped with a clear idea of the stallions that you most want to see and the studs that you most want to visit, whilst taking some time to join the dots on the map to make sure that it's all possible, logistically, within the available time. What that list of must-see stallions looks like will be different for every individual, but for me it's often split into two very different camps. In the one corner you have the newcomers to the stallion ranks, the fresh-faced adolescents only recently off the track. And in the other you have the elder statesman who strutted their stuff back in this 30-something's youth, all of us having developed a few more grey hairs since we last crossed paths. Take the latest edition of the Irish Stallion Trail as an example. Whilst three of the Coolmore farms were forced to reschedule their visiting hours for this coming Saturday due to the adverse weather conditions, I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at the three newcomers now in situ at their main Fethard base this past weekend, including the last two Derby winners in Auguste Rodin (Ire) and City Of Troy. City Of Troy, emerging from the box once occupied by the great Danehill, is without doubt the most exciting young stallion to retire to stud for 2025, but then for me there was just as much enjoyment to be found during another pit stop, around 30 miles east of Coolmore, at Capital Stud. It was there that I was reunited with another winner of the Epsom Classic in Authorized (Ire), the 2007 hero who I hadn't set eyes on in the flesh since he also won that year's Juddmonte International at York. Has it really been over 17 years? It's for similar reasons that a visit to Anthony Baudouin's Haras du Hoguenet is high up on my list of priorities for this weekend's Route des Etalons, an event which debuted back in 2011. Somehow, it will be 20 years ago in June that another son of Montjeu (Ire) ran away with the Derby as the Michael Bell-trained Motivator (GB) slammed a certain Walk In The Park (Ire) by five lengths. The winner of the first Derby I can remember watching on TV is also now the second-oldest surviving winner of the Classic, after the 1999 victor Oath (Ire) who, as far as online records show, still resides in India after being pensioned from stud duties there in 2021. Fingers crossed, the 23-year-old Motivator might still have a few good years left in him–he covered 80 mares in 2024–but I'm taking nothing for granted and will be grabbing this opportunity to see him for the first time with both hands. Though not nearly as far into the veteran stage as Motivator, The Grey Gatsby (Ire) also comes into the category of old favourites I'm eager to see, surely more white now than the dappled grey who won the Prix du Jockey Club and Irish Champion Stakes back in 2014. A resident of Haras du Petit Tellier, The Grey Gatsby will be one of five winners of the Prix du Jockey Club available to view on the Route des Etalons, along with Intello (Ger) and Ace Impact (Ire) at Haras de Beaumont, Mishriff (Ire) at Sumbe's Haras de Montfort et Preaux, and Vadeni (Fr) at Haras de Bonneval. A visit to Haras de Bonneval has to be a bucket list item for any bloodstock enthusiast, especially with France's leading stallion, Siyouni (Fr), headlining the roster, while both Beaumont and Montfort et Preaux promise to welcome huge crowds of their own, each having taken in one of those all-important newcomers in recent months. Last year's Prix Jean Prat hero Puchkine (Fr) is the new man in town at the Chehboub family's Haras de Beaumont, while Sumbe's Charyn (Ire) needs no introduction as the outstanding miler of 2024 following victories in the Queen Anne Stakes, Prix Jacques le Marois and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Both stallions had been due a visit in December before my passport mishap, but at least this weekend allows the opportunity to right that wrong. The 2023 winner of the QEII, Big Rock (Fr), is one of two new stallions at Haras de Grandcamp, alongside the Grosser Preis von Baden scorer Zagrey (Fr), while the three winners of the Poule d'Essai des Poulains on show at Haras d'Etreham include Metropolitan (Fr), who made the breakthrough at the top level in last year's Classic and was later best of the best behind Charyn in the Jacques le Marois. Elsewhere, Haras de Bouquetot welcomes the 2022 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano hero Al Hakeem (GB), Haras de la Hetraie has taken charge of the 2023 winner of the Grand Prix de Paris in Feed The Flame (GB), and Haras de la Huderie is the new home of the 2023 Coventry Stakes scorer River Tiber (Ire). When you also throw into the mix the smart hurdler Nietzsche Has (Fr), a new addition to the powerful National Hunt ranks at Haras de Montaigu, then it's fair to say that there's something for everyone among those new names. A comprehensive of all 91 stallions, old and new, who will be paraded during this year's Route des Etalons is available on this excellent website compiled by the French TBA, with 20 farms scheduled to open their doors for the two-day event. Other than that, I can only remind you to plan carefully, be prepared to eat well, and enjoy! I know I will–here's to year two with TDN. The post Reasons to be Motivated for the Route des Etalons appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) made two new additions to their board at their December meeting as Robert Hartman and Chris Knehr were elected, according to a Wednesday press release from the nonprofit. Hartman is the chair of the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program (RTIP). After holding marketing and management positions with NYRA, Santa Anita Park, and Golden Gate, he joined the RTIP program as chair in 2021. In this role, Hartman oversees the direction of the RTIP program, as well as the hosting of the annual Global Symposium on Racing. “Over the past two years, we have included the RRP and Thoroughbred Makeover into our RTIP curriculum, emphasizing the importance of aftercare,” said Hartman. “I have been impressed by the servant leadership of Kirsten [Green, RRP executive director], and look forward to contributing to the organization.” With a background in the hunters and jumpers, Knehr has served in a variety of roles at breeding farms and consignments before joining Lane's End Farm's stallion season sales team in 2021. As an aftercare proponent with an appreciation for the Thoroughbred sport horse, he has supported his wife Erin's participation in the Thoroughbred Makeover in 2018 and 2024. “Thoroughbreds are bred to be amazing athletes, and the RRP is a leader in highlighting the ability of these horses to go on to a second career in a variety of disciplines,” said Knehr. Several RRP board members have completed their terms of service at the end of last year, including Treasurer Amanda DaBruzzo and directors Anita Motion and Judy Hartman. Existing board member Sarah Williams was elected to take over DaBruzzo's spot. The post Retired Racehorse Project Elects New Board Members Hartman And Knehr appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Recently-crowned Longines World's Best Jockey James McDonald has been confirmed in the line-up for the 2025 International Jockeys' Challenge (IJC) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on Friday, February 21. It will mark the first time the globetrotting New Zealander, who has ridden 106 Group 1 winners in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Britain and Japan, has competed in Saudi Arabia. McDonald's participation in the IJC will also give him valuable experience of the Riyadh track, the day before bidding for glory aboard Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in the world's richest race, the $20m G1 Saudi Cup. An array of global stars headline this year's IJC, featuring seven male and seven female jockeys. They include John Velazquez, who has well over 6,000 winners in the US to his name, Oisin Murphy, who was last year crowned Britain's champion jockey for the fourth time, and French-based rider Maryline Eon, who will return to defend her IJC title. The full list of participants is as follows: Hollie Doyle Maryline Eon (2024 winner) Rachel King James McDonald Oisin Murphy Kelly Myers Manami Nagashina Tadhg O'Shea Christophe Soumillon John Velazquez Sofia Vives Sibylle Vogt TBC (Saudi-based rider) TBC (Saudi-based rider) Riders will compete for points across the four IJC races, two on turf and two on dirt, with the jockey who amasses the most points emerging victorious. In each race, 15 points will be awarded for first place, 10 for second, seven for third, four for fourth and two for fifth. The first two IJC races will be run on the dirt track at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, while legs three and four will take place on the turf track. Each race is worth a total of $400,000. As well competing for a share of the $100,000 IJC prize fund ($30,000 to the winner), riders will also receive 15% of prize-money won. The post James McDonald to Ride in the Saudi Cup International Jockeys’ Challenge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Straight-track specialist Isthmus (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) has been handed the G1 Black Caviar Lightning and G1 Newmarket Handicap as targets during the Australian autumn, according to Racing.com. If she continues to excel, the G3 Furphy Sprint heroine will have punched her ticket to an engagement at Royal Ascot in June. The bay won her 800-metre heat during the Caulfield jumpouts on Wednesday morning. She broke her maiden at second asking in a handicap at Moonee Valley in March of last year. After four starts at two, Isthmus resumed with a win in a handicap at Sandown in September, prior to her 2 1/2-length victory in the 1100-metre Furphy Sprint down Flemington's straight course on Nov. 2. “She did really well in her break and she strengthened right up and seemed to move well this morning,” co-trainer Sam Freedman, who trains the mare in partnership with his father Anthony, told the publication. “It's form-based, so she obviously needs to measure up the top level over the course of this carnival and if she does, [part-owner] Jonathan Munz is very keen to get her over there [Royal Ascot]. “We had a chat with Arrowfield [part-owners] in Queensland as well and they are on the same page that if her form warrants it, that certainly she could get a trip over.” The well-named Isthmus is a daughter of three-time Group 1 winner Shoals (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who was also trained by Freedman. “Early days we felt she was one of our better 2-year-olds but mentally she probably just wasn't there yet, but she always jumped out nicely and probably went into the wilderness for one preparation,” he added. “It's been a bit of a slow burn with her, Shoals was a little bit the same, she kicked off late in her 2-year-old season and got better as a 3-year-old and then as a mare, so I think the best of her will hopefully be over the next 12 months.” The post Isthmus Eyeing A Crack At Royal Ascot appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Victories aboard Kasa Papa and Bottomuptogether help champion jockey inch closer to all-time Hong Kong benchmark.View the full article

Michael Fitzsimons, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's executive director, wagering products, has announced his intention to resign from the organisation and move on to new ventures, the HKJC announced on Wednesday. There is a comprehensive plan in place to ensure a smooth transition of operation in the Wagering Products Division. Said the HKJC in a statement, “The Club thanks Mr. Fitzsimons for his contribution to the development of the wagering business of the Club in the past four years.” Fitzsimons assisted in the international expansion of the World Pool. The post Fitzsimons To Resign From HKJC appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first reported foal for Dullingham Park's dual Group 1-winning sprinter Shaquille (GB) was born on the morning of Wednesday, January 15. The bay filly was bred by Sarah-Jane Barker of Tibthorpe Stud in Yorkshire and is out of Sable Camp (Ire), a No Nay Never half-sister to G1 Middle Park Stakes winner The Last Lion (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}). “She is a very smart-looking bay filly, nice size with a pretty head – very much in the mould of her sire and we couldn't be happier,” reported the breeder. “A good-looking foal.” It is fitting that Shaquille's first foal should arrive in Yorkshire as the son of Charm Spirit (Ire) was very much the star of Julie Camacho and Steve Brown's stable, winning seven of his nine races for their Norton-based yard, including the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and the G1 July Cup. Bought by Steve Parkin to stand at Dullingham Park alongside Soldier's Call (GB), Shaquille started his stud career at £15,000 and remains at that same fee for his second season in 2025. The post First Foal for Shaquille appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Te Akau Racing are heading into Karaka Millions week with a spring in their step following a positive set of results at their home trials at Matamata on Tuesday. New Zealand’s leading stable has accrued an envious record at the renowned meeting, and this year they look to have another strong hand and have once again secured the services of leading Australian jockey Blake Shinn. Shinn flew to New Zealand to ride a number of Te Akau representatives at the trials on Tuesday, which proved to be an invaluable exercise according to trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson. “He is a world-class jockey and his feedback was fantastic,” Bergerson said. “It was good to get a good line on quite a few of them and we were very lucky to get him over.” Shinn rode leading TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) contender Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel) to a runner-up performance in last year’s TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and renewed his association with the filly when sixth in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. Shinn reunited with the exciting filly in a 1000m heat on Tuesday where they finished second behind Babylon Berlin. “It was a sharp heat,” Bergerson said. “Damask Rose is just ticking over to head to the Karaka Millions 3YO Mile. “We trialled her in blinkers, which sharpened her up, and we will probably put them on raceday. “Blake was pleased with her, and he rode her on Boxing Day, and is getting to know her a bit better now. “It was good to see her jump with them, and it would be lovely to draw a barrier and put her in the race a bit more. On face value it (Auckland Guineas) was disappointing, but she trialled well against Babylon Berlin who will be a really good chance in the Railway.” Shinn also partnered with exciting filly Captured By Love, with the daughter of Written Tycoon winning her 1000m heat by two lengths over Imprevu, and she looks on song for next week’s Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) where she will renew her burgeoning rivalry with fellow Matamata filly Alabama Lass. The ledger currently stands at two victories to one in Captured By Love’s favour, including the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November, and her connections are keen to see that trend continue. “She trialled really well and Blake was pleased,” Bergerson said. “She is fit, sound and happy, and she is in very good form. “She will take a bit of improvement from that, she had a freshen-up following Riccarton and that will bring her on nicely heading into the Railway. With the weight, we are very fortunate to get Craig Williams on her. “The time wasn’t as sharp as Alabama Lass’s or a few of the other heats, but they didn’t go much tempo, but she was strong through the line.” Group One winner Move To Strike could also make an appearance at the Karaka Millions meeting following his 1000m trial victory over Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) winner Bourbon Empress on Tuesday. The son of I Am Invincible has faced a number of setbacks in his brief career to date, suffering a heart fibrillation in his third start in the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) after winning on debut and finishing runner-up in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m), but bounced back in his next start when winning the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1600m) at Trentham. There was plenty of excitement surrounding the colt ahead of his first three-year-old test in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Hastings in September where he was backed into $1.50 favouritism but he put in a subpar performance to finish fifth and subsequently underwent a wind operation. He returned to the trials last month in a Group and Listed trial over 1100m at Matamata where he finished unplaced, and his trainers were buoyed to see him take out his 1000m heat on Tuesday in the hands of Shinn. “We were quite confident and happy with him heading into Hawke’s Bay and he was disappointing,” Bergerson said. “We thought there must be something amiss, so he had a tie forward operation and his breathing was really good yesterday (Tuesday). He has had a few issues in his career, he had a heart fibrillation at Matamata as a two-year-old and now he had the breathing issue as a three-year-old. “He went a lot better (on Tuesday) than the Group and Listed trial at Matamata (last month) where he was a bit big and burly. He had an exhibition gallop in-between times. “We wanted to give him a really good, solid hit-out to see where we were at with him. We put the visor blinkers on him which seemed to have switched him on and sharpened him up a wee bit. “Blake was taken by him, he sprinted well. If he does well over the next week or so, we may look to run him in the Almanzor Trophy (Gr.3, 1200m) on Karaka Millions night, and Blake can ride him there. “They have run all the possible tests on him, and you don’t really know until raceday as it is a different pressure, but we can’t fault him at home, he seems well and he has come through the trial well. “If he brings the best version of himself, he will be very hard to beat.” One Te Akau runner that won’t be attending the Karaka Millions meeting is stakes-winning juvenile Return to Conquer, who beat home a handy line-up of older horses in his 1000m heat. The son of Snitzel has yet to be headed in any of his public appearances to date, and was impressive when winning on debut in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Pukekohe in November. He has subsequently been freshened and is on target for next month’s Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m) at Ellerslie following Tuesday’s trial victory. “We are of the opinion that if we think they are good enough to trial against those older horses we will as it toughens them up a bit and brings them on a little bit more than say a two-year-old trial where he would probably coast,” Bergerson said. “Blake was really pleased with him. He is a two-year-old against some pretty good older horses and he was very good. He is a lovely horse and seems to have come through it well. “He hasn’t put a foot wrong since he has been in the stable, he is coming up really well. We will let the dust settle a little bit but there is a high chance he will run at Ellerslie the week after the Karaka Millions in the Colin Jillings Classic and then we will map it out from there. “He is a beautiful horse.” View the full article

Australian syndicator OTI Racing have made a timely acquisition of Skippers Canyon (NZ) (Belardo), with the promising three-year-old set to potentially recoup a portion of their outlay in Saturday’s $350,000 Race With Te Akau 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 Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day in March, for which he is at a winning quote of $18 on the TAB’s futures market, 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.” Skippers Canyon will likely be joined on the journey to Trentham by stablemate Wooing Tree who is set to contest the Gr.3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m). Wallace also has Classic ambitions with the daughter of Mongolian Khan and is eyeing a path towards the $1 million Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham in March, a race he won two years ago with Pennyweka. “She is a filly I have got an opinion of,” Wallace said. “Long-term, with her pedigree and the way she is behaving, I would like to get her to the Oaks.” Wooing Tree has had just the one start to date, finishing fifth on debut over 1400m at Trentham earlier this month, and while Wallace admits tackling stakes company for the first time at just her second start is a stiff ask, he is willing to roll the dice after drawing the ace barrier. “She did a few things wrong at the start and over-raced (on debut),” Wallace said. “She ran to the line quite well in the last 300m, I was quite happy with the way she finished off. Hopefully we can iron out a few of the issues and she will pick it up. “She has shown us enough to indicate that she is a little bit above average ability, but what is between her ears might not quite measure up to it at this stage. “I am just feeling my way as to where we go. I have got her in the race at Wellington, which is well out of her comfort zone, and I have also put her in a mile at Wanganui on Monday. At this stage, I am thinking about going to Wellington.” View the full article

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 (NZ) (Savabeel) takes on the Gr.3 NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport Wellington Cup (3200m). The Cambridge training partnership won both the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) and Gr.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 Gr.3 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) later in the autumn. This term, the Savabeel five-year-old built to an impressive win in the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m), which subsequently had him carrying the top-weight in the Gr.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 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.” Joining Nereus in the Central Districts will be Brave Spirit, who will have his first appearance at the races in over eight months in the Mode Technology 1200. A son of Swiss Ace, Brave Spirit has never finished outside of the first four in eight starts and will contend with a barrier draw of 16 in the Rating 75 event. “He hasn’t raced for a while and he’s got a wide draw, but I find the Trentham dogleg is quite forgiving of wide draws,” Ritchie said. “But it does make things tougher and you’ve got to be concerned about it. “He’s had some little niggling problems since that trial with his feet, nothing too serious but just frustrating for us. Having said that, he’s missed very little work lately and we did scratch from barrier one about three weeks ago from a wet track. “I think he’s a horse that will win a nice race, but whether it’s a forgive run first-up, it’s hard to tell. He shows plenty in trackwork, but with the one trial under his belt, he’s likely to need this race.” Meanwhile, the stable is hoping to unveil their next Jennifer Eccles as the $1 million Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) looms in mid-March, with Spezzatura and Alaskan both hoping to take the next step towards a tilt at the Classic during the week. At Te Rapa on Thursday, Spezzatura, a half-sister to Group One performing mare Supera, will take her place in the Waikato Stud @ Karaka 2025 (1600m) after a tidy third to Belle Tribute at New Plymouth last month. “She’s a really lovely moving filly, she’s drawn well (5) and I’d expect her to race relatively handy,” Ritchie said. “I think she’ll run well, she’s well-bred being a half to Supera from a Pencarrow family and I love her action. I’m dying to get her to 2000, but we thought another mile might suit, which may be her challenge tomorrow, whether it’s just a bit short. “After this one, we hope to get her over ground and that might be time for punters to have a bet.” Sunday’s NZB Karaka 2025 (2100m) will feature Alaskan, a filly by Niagara having her third race-day start at Ellerslie after placing at Tauranga. “She’s a good filly, she’s a dead-set stayer,” Ritchie said. “They’ve got to get rolling early on her and she’ll run the trip right out, that I’m certain of. She’s got to nail one of the maidens to take the next step, so I’m pleased she’s drawn a good gate so she doesn’t get too far back. “If she can race handy, she’ll be extremely hard to beat on Sunday.” View the full article

Top-flight winner El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) is in a happy place as he prepares to double his tally at the elite level. Last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m) victor enjoyed a spin around Matamata on Tuesday, romping home by six lengths in the hands of Rory Hutchings in a 1200m open trial. “He had a lovely day out, he galloped beautifully and pulled up great,” trainer Stephen Marsh said. “He’ll be at Ellerslie on February 1 for an open 1500m and then on to the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m). “He’s right back where we want him, he’s well and a very happy horse.” El Vencedor won the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) in the spring but then tailed the field home in the Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m) before finishing a gallant third behind Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock) and La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m). “He missed the jump at Trentham, did a bit of work and the track was a bit off, but it was a below par effort before he bounced back at Ellerslie,” Marsh said. “It was basically catch me if you can and even Rory said the mares would have to be good to beat him, as it ended up they were good enough, but I still thought he was terrific.” Stablemate and last-start Gr.2 Rich Hil Mile (1600m) winner Bourbon Empress (NZ) (Proisir) also stretched her legs at the trials and finished runner-up over 1000m ahead of her next test in the $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie. “She’s a mare that keeps on improving and everything we do with her, she just keeps on getting better and better,” Marsh said. Meanwhile, Nest Egg (NZ) (Reliable Man) has mixed his form in the lead-up to Saturday’s Gr.3 NZ Campus of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m) and hopes of a turnaround in fortunes have been boosted by the booking of Warren Kennedy. “Not a lot has gone right, but Warren seems to be the man that has always got on well with him,” Marsh said. “The horse’s work has been great, he went out to the beach on Monday and he’s well and happy. The track should be good, so he gets his chance to get back into form, but it has been a very in and out campaign.” Also in action at Trentham will be the promising filly Bellarista (NZ) (Belardo) in the Gr.3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and last-start winner Sinhaman (NZ) (Tavaci) in the Race With Te Akau Remutaka Classic (2100m). “Bellarista hasn’t put a foot wrong and it’s an even field, she had her final piece of work this (Wednesday) morning and she’s hard to fault,” Marsh said. “Sinhaman just loves getting over a bit of ground and he’s a nice, progressive horse.” Marsh also has a big team engaged at Te Rapa on Thursday and believed Penman, runner-up in his only two starts, as one of his best chances when he steps out in the Waikato Draught Maiden (1400m). “He’s going really well and he’s just going to need a bit of luck from the draw (11),” he said. Marsh also reported former Champion Two-Year-Old Velocious was progressing well following a wind operation after she failed in two starts earlier this season. “She’ll be jumping out on Friday and will head to the trials from there, she’s coming up very well,” he said. Velocious won four of her six starts at two, including the Gr.1 Sistema (1200m) and the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). View the full article