Wandering Eyes

The condition book for Colonial Downs' three-day spring meeting which runs from Thursday, Mar. 13 through Saturday, Mar. 15 is available (click here). The meet is highlighted by the $500,000 Virginia Derby and $250,000 Virginia Oaks on Mar. 15, which for the first time are points races on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” and “Road to the Kentucky Oaks,” respectively. The Virginia Derby and Virginia Oaks have been moved to the dirt track and repositioned to March to serve as prep races for the Derby and Oaks. The Virginia Derby will be run at 1-1/8 miles and the Virginia Oaks will be contested at 1-1/16 miles. Each race offers 50 points to its winner while the next four finishers will receive 25, 15, 10 and 5 points on a sliding scale toward the appropriate race. Additional Virginia-restricted races include a pair of overnight handicaps–the $150,000 Stellar Wind, a six-furlong dash for older fillies and mares and the $150,000 Boston, a seven-furlong race for older horses-headlining the Friday, Mar. 14 card. Maiden Special Weight races will go for $75,000 for open runners and $93,750 for Virginia-restricted horses. A first-level allowance race carries an $80,000 purse and the complimentary Virginia-restricted event is worth $100,000. Nominations for the Virginia Derby, Virginia Oaks and the two overnight handicaps close Wednesday, Feb. 26. Entries for the Virginia Derby and Virginia Oaks will be taken at Colonial Downs on Saturday, Mar. 8. The post Colonial Downs Spring Meet Condition Book Released: Virginia Derby, Oaks Moved appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There could be a surprise Japanese-trained runner at this year's Cheltenham Festival after All The World (Jpn) appeared among 16 entries for the feature contest on the opening day of the meeting, the £450,000 G1 Unibet Champion Hurdle. Trained by Kazuya Nakatake, the eight-year-old All The World is a three-time winner over jumps in the Far East and his most recent start resulted in a creditable third-place finish in the Tokyo High-Jump, one of the most prestigious races run over obstacles in Japan. A three-time winner on the Flat as well, he is certainly bred to excel in that sphere as a son of Kizuna (Jpn), who was recently crowned champion sire of Japan for the first time in his career, and the Dansili (GB) mare Epic Love (Ire), who won the G3 Prix Vanteaux and was runner-up in the G1 Prix Saint-Alary when trained in France by Pascal Bary. Bred in Ireland by Round Hill Stud, Epic Love is also the dam of the G1 Hopeful Stakes winner and sire Danon The Kid (Jpn). All The World's potential rivals in the Champion Hurdle include the last two winners of the race, headed by the unbeaten 2023 hero Constitution Hill (GB) (Blue Bresil {Fr}), who was ruled out of last year's renewal won by State Man (Fr) (Doctor Dino {Fr}) due to ill health. The high-class mares Brighterdaysahead (Fr) (Kapgarde {Fr}) and Lossiemouth (Fr) (Great Pretender {Ire}) also featured in the entries for the Grade 1 which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, March 11. The post Japanese Contender Features Among 16 Champion Hurdle Entries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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

SeatGeek announced two new, multi-year partnerships with Breeders' Cup and Del Mar, making SeatGeek the Official Ticketing Partner of the premier horse racing championships and one of the country's most iconic racetracks.View the full article

Barnes has been tabbed as the 10-1 individual betting favorite in Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager as it begins a three-day run Jan. 17 and offers fans another chance to bet on the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) ahead of May 3.View the full article

A total of 22 lots have been catalogued for the Tattersalls Cheltenham January Sale, which takes place after racing at Cheltenham Racecourse on Saturday, January 25. The full catalogue is available to view here. The five-year-old Starzand (Ire) (Harzand {Ire}), consigned by James Doyle's Baltimore House Stables, features among a selection of exciting point-to-point graduates, following his 25-length success in a four-year-old maiden at Dromahane last month, while the catalogue also includes a quartet of four-year-olds who have already won under Rules. They are headed by Colm Ryan's Karate Kid (Ire) (Spanish Moon), who had runners from the yards of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott behind him when winning a bumper at Leopardstown's Christmas Festival. Previous graduates of the sale include last month's Welsh Grand National winner Val Dancer (Ire) (Valirann {Fr}), who was purchased by Highflyer Bloodstock for £60,000 back in 2022. Further entries for the 2025 edition will be taken from this weekend's point-to-points, which are due to take place in Ireland at Tinahely, Ballindenisk, Aghabulloghe and Turtulla, and in Britain at Larkhill, Revesby Park and Friars Haugh. The post Initial Entries Out for the Tattersalls Cheltenham January Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When someone as measured and experienced in his professional role as Des Leadon describes a situation as “the most potent threat to this industry there's ever been” then it is wise not to brush these words aside as hyperbole. The European Commission (EC), under the auspices of its Farm to Fork Strategy, has in the past few years been reviewing animal welfare legislation within the European Union (EU). As part of this work the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was instructed to deliver an independent report on the welfare of horses during transport, which, since its publication in September 2022, has raised significant concerns within the thoroughbred breeding sector. While racehorses and sport horses travelling to the races and competitions have been given a derogation within the proposed rule changes pertaining to journey time, veterinary inspections en route and recovery times at “control posts”, no such exemption has been granted for breeding stock and thoroughbreds travelling to auction houses. Leadon, a breeder himself through his Swordlestown Little operation with his wife Dr Mariann Klay, is the veterinary advisor to the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA) and chairman of the veterinary advisory committees of both the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations (EFTBA) and International Thoroughbred Breeders' Federation (ITBF). It is in his European role which he, along with EFTBA chairman Joe Hernon and the heads of other related associations, has become embroiled in lengthy discussion with the European Commission in an attempt to seek a similar derogation for breeding stock. Like racehorses, broodmares come under the “high health status” category, being part of a highly regulated and professional sector of the horse world, but so far attempts to have them excluded from the proposals have not been successful. Leadon acknowledges the importance of such welfare legislation for a vast swathe of the EU's animal population. “Of course this is very well-intended and admirable because they're seeking to improve the wellbeing of 1.6 billion animals that are transported and, against that background, of course the thoroughbred breeding industry is infinitesimally small,” he says. Distinction between registered and unregistered horses dropped What has proved problematic for the breeding sector is that within its report the EFSA has refused to draw a distinction between horses registered with a studbook and unregistered horses, as has previously been the case. Currently, registered horses are exempt from transport regulations when transported for “competition, races, cultural events or breeding”. However, the ESFA concludes that “as no scientific evidence can be found to document different effects of transport on the welfare of horses depending on their status as registered, in this scientific opinion, they are treated as one”. An agreed derogation for racehorses and sport horses means that they will continue to be treated separately, but within the proposed legislation, breeding stock will not. Ireland is one of 27 EU member states, with only a limited number of those having a thoroughbred breeding industry of significant size, including France and Germany. The United Kingdom famously withdrew from EU membership following the contentious Brexit referendum of 2016, which has already brought about increased veterinary oversight and expense in the movement of horses between Britain and its EU neighbours. Despite now being out of the EU, Britain and Northern Ireland would still be affected by the proposed legislation changes during the natural course of the breeding season, when mares move to and from different countries to visit stallions. [The proposed legislation is] focusing on multiple journeys for animals other than those that we deal with, and again, you have to come back to the starting point, and this is well intended for a large population of animals. But we are caught in the crossfire – Des Leadon The current transport welfare legislation was adopted 20 years ago, and the recommendations among a raft of proposed changes stemming from the EFSA report pertain to space allowances for horses in transit by road, ferry and air, mandatory veterinary checks prior to departure, on arrival, and, for journeys of more than eight hours, at ports or inspection points. The latter would involve the unloading of horses at these centres where they would have to remain for seven days for monitoring before resuming their onward journey. It is this point in particular, which would also mean that horses have to remain on sales premises for a full seven days after arrival, that would play havoc with the transporting of breeding and sales stock, and indeed the sales scene as we know it. Furthermore, it is proposed that in-foal broodmares should not be allowed to travel beyond eight months of pregnancy. Kirsten Rausing, chair of the ITBF and honorary president of the EFTBA, shares the concerns of Leadon. She says, “If implemented in the current proposed form, obviously this would be catastrophic for the thoroughbred breeding industry. It will affect all countries, not only the EU, but countries throughout Europe, including non-EU members, and those further afield. It will also affect thoroughbred auctioneers.” This proposed legislation has now left the European Commission to be considered by the European Parliament and European Council, the two bodies which together are responsible for adopting European legislation. Leadon says, “We've had repeated exchanges in correspondence and meetings to point out the real difficulties here, that this impacts on sales, on transfer of mares to foaling units from private farms that don't have the capacity to deal with foaling. And then, we can't then cover a mare at foal heat or at 28 days.” Des Leadon and Mariann Klay at the sales | Peter Mooney He continues, “Then there is the system of mandatory official veterinary checks, which the EU doesn't have the resource to do and wouldn't be appropriate. That, particularly with compulsory unloading at all border crossings, would actually create a welfare problem, not solve one. “That's why it's disappointing that the welfare groups are not in favour of a derogation. They're in favour of rule change. And the veterinary organisations in Europe are again not in favour of a derogation, which makes life very difficult for us because we have to argue against that background.” Regulation versus derogation Roly Owers, chief executive of World Horse Welfare (WHW), says that while that organisation is not in favour of any derogations for the revised equine transport regulations, WHW also does not agree with some of the proposals put forward, such as compulsory unloading at border crossings and seven-day detentions. “Derogation is not the way out, actually it's getting a piece of regulation that is going to do what it seeks to do without having this massive impact,” he says. “We recognise that a seven-day residency would have a drastic impact on the breeding sector for no benefit. It actually could be argued [that it would have] a negative impact on equine health and welfare. To a great extent, transport for [broodmares] is done in exactly the same conditions as for the races, therefore it is illogical and discriminatory that the breeding sector shouldn't be included – Dr Paull Khan “Because we don't agree with derogations overall, we do not support an additional derogation. But what we do support is absolutely working together, and obviously now [the legislation has] gone through the commission and is out to parliament and to the council, we've certainly got this year to work together, to lobby together, to ensure that what comes in with that regulation protects on a basic level equine health and welfare, but actually allows the industry to flourish at the same time. We believe that that is eminently possible, because the bona fide breeders and the wider thoroughbred industry are doing that already. We absolutely accept that.” He adds, “We are far more likely to have an impact if we work together to create that regulation, which does protect equine health and welfare, but also allows the breeding industry, in this example, to continue to operate.” Dr Paull Khan, secretary-general of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation, is also, along with Owers, on the board of the European Horse Network. He too has been engaged in the ongoing discussions in Brussels. “The focus has been on the farming sector and the transport of animals for slaughter, so it has been more difficult to get across the specific requirements of our sector,” Khan says. “We have been working with the commission for pushing three years now, and the message all along has been that we won't lose the current derogations, which we need to keep the whole show on the road, and they have taken that on board in that we have extensive derogations within the proposals, but they are related purely to travel for racing purposes and exhibitions. “We have asked that they extend those to include breeding and sales travel, one reason being that by and large, and to a great extent, transport for those is done in exactly the same conditions as for the races, therefore it is illogical and discriminatory that the breeding sector shouldn't be included. But also we pointed to a number of requirements within the proposals, which if the derogations weren't extended to breeding and sales, and we didn't have any other changes made, would be pretty disastrous.” He adds, “It is possible that if agreement can't be reached between [the European] parliament and council then it would return in a process called trialogue, in which the commission would then get involved again. But the focus of our attention for the next few months will be parliamentarians and the council, and what we want is to get that derogation extended to sales and to breeding.” Breeding world united In France, where the racing world extends beyond the thoroughbred sector to AQPS, trotters and Anglo-Arabs, both France Galop and the Federation des Eleveurs du Galop (French TBA) have been actively involved in lobbying the European Commission in tandem with the EFTBA. Pierric Rouxel, who oversees international matters on the French TBA committee, says, “We are all working on the same problem, first through the EFTBA, and we have been to Brussels together to try to convince the commissioners, but there are a lot of different influences around the subject. “To start with, I would say that the idea to change the original rules was good because it was to stop the shipping of animals in poor health on long sea journeys to be slaughtered. This had to be stopped. But at the very beginning of it they excluded the racehorses and sport horses but very surprisingly they didn't exclude breeding stock, which is a nonsense considering the quality of the transport from one country to another for broodmares.” Pierric Rouxel | Scoop Dyga He continues, “Most surprisingly the equine vets will not help us in this situation, and so far the situation is not good because the first step was for it to go to the European Commission and [the legislation] has already gone to the European Parliament. There are experts working within the commission, who, when we saw them, agreed that it was a mistake that breeding stock had not been excluded from these new rules, but now it is in the hands of the parliament and that makes things much more difficult.” Those difficulties in France could include a potential restructuring of the rules pertaining to premiums for those horses by stallions outside France which can be assimilated for eligibility for French owners' and breeders' premiums provided their dams are not out of the country for more than 180 days. Artificial breeding methods a threat Leadon's concerns extend to a reference within briefing notes for EU parliamentarians which pertain to the establishment of a fund which would facilitate the transition from transporting breeding stock to shipping female embryos. In negotiations to date the thoroughbred breeders have worked alongside the sport horse world and the International Horse Sports Confederation, which is an umbrella organisation for the governing bodies of all equine sports, including the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges of the Hong Kong Jockey Club is currently president of the confederation. An alliance with other equine sports could also prove to be problematic, however, in that artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer are permitted within sport horse breeding but only natural coverings are accepted for horses to be registered in the thoroughbred sector, which has stood firmly against AI. “You know the catastrophic consequences that would have for the thoroughbred industry against a declining stallion base and an increase in inbreeding coefficient,” Leadon says. “So these are very real anxieties, and I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that we've had great focus on welfare and social licence and other threats to the industry, but this is the most potent threat to this industry there's ever been. And it's imminent.” He adds, “It's important to lobby not only through the EFTBA, but for each of the member associations of the EFTBA to lobby their own national government. We've been very active in seeking statements, and we have letters of support for what we're doing from all of the European auction houses. “[The proposed legislation is] focusing on multiple journeys for animals other than those that we deal with, and again, you have to come back to the starting point, and this is well intended for a large population of animals. But we are caught in the crossfire.” The World Horse Welfare view expanded There is evident disappointment among those currently lobbying for a derogation within the proposed legislation for the thoroughbred breeding sector that they have not been backed by World Horse Welfare. Here, chief executive Roly Owers and director of communications and public affairs Jessica Stark set out the reasoning behind the charity's stance. Owers says, “We are not singling out the breeding industry; it is the fact that we don't believe any equine should have derogations. There are a number of reasons for that, but the primary one is that we know that derogations are increasingly seen as loopholes and actually what you have in the proposed regulation is the barmy situation where slaughter horses are almost better protected in legislation than a wide proportion of other horses, and the derogations go pretty wide, as is currently proposed, to make them pretty much unenforceable. “We feel that the basic legislation and regulation should be in place that covers all horses, of which we absolutely recognise a significant proportion of racehorses and sport horses would far exceed. We are not saying that all transport is a problem, because it is not, and a lot of transport we know and fully accept is done to a good standard. With that, we absolutely recognise that horses that are being transported to a good standard, should be able to do so with the minimum of friction. Having a seamless system for transport of horses that are being done for bona fide reasons and under good conditions, is what we equally support. Because as it's currently proposed, breeding animals would not have a derogation, it would have a seismic impact on the sector – Roly Owers “The second point is that we absolutely recognise that within the current proposals a lot of what's in there does nothing to protect equine health and welfare, and because as it's currently proposed, breeding animals would not have a derogation, it would have a seismic impact on the sector. “So, I think there's a lot of agreement on issues, like veterinary supervision of loading and unloading, around residency requirements, around temperature regulation on vehicles. “Our number one call is to work for a regulation which provides that basic standard of protecting equine health and welfare, and removes other requirements that do nothing of the sort. There is certainly, through the European Horse Network and our discussions with the sector, a real focus on what is going to be a good piece of regulation that's effective. “The third principle point is that, in an age when sport and racing and indeed all use of horses and involvement of horses is coming under greater scrutiny, we think it's completely counterintuitive for this sport to be seeking derogations from basic regulation. They should actually be welcoming basic regulation and showing how they considerably actually exceed it.” Jessica Stark takes the view that enhanced electronic traceability for horses is the way forward. She says, “This EU regulation will be shaping how we transport horses for the next 20 years so it's important to be forward-looking. “But it's really an opportunity, we think, for [the equine] sport [sector] to get those systems in place with real-time individual equine traceability. Because this problem will not go away. The fact is that horses are being moved for a variety of purposes, and we don't want to open the floodgates more to bad practices which are unfortunately still quite prevalent. “We can see this being feasible if they have individual traceability, if they have an electronic system to make sure that the horse they said is transported is actually going here, stopping here, arrived at its destination and that was all verifiable and they could share that with the authorities. Because we want that frictionless travel for legitimate high-health, high-welfare movements. We want the sports to flourish. It's just that right now in the situation we have, that isn't the case, and even just these wider derogations for all sport horses, we think, would make the situation worse.” In regard to seven-day stopovers for horses following a journey and compulsory unloading at ports and crossings, Stark adds: “We don't agree with that. We're very in line with the [thoroughbred breeding] sector. We don't support those suggestions. We don't think they would help welfare, we don't think they're practicable.” The post EU Transport Rule Proposals Pose ‘Potent Threat’ to Breeding Industry appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Kentucky Horse Council, a charity that works to support Kentucky's equine community through education, leadership and equine rescue and welfare initiatives, has elected new directors and officers to the Board of Directors, including Jen Roytz, co-owner of Brownstead Farm and co-founder of Topline Communications who was elected to serve as President. Additionally, Annie Cornett, owner of Momentum Creative Group, was elected to serve as Vice President. Both are serving their first term. Amy Parker, Manager of Technical Services and Equine Nutritionist at McCauley Bros. Inc., was re-elected as Treasurer and Stephanie Keeley, co-Owner of Double S Horsemanship and Second Wind Farm, and Assistant Professor of Equine at Asbury University, was re-elected as Secretary. Also elected to the KHC Board of Directors: Shannon Blandford, co-owner of Wanderlust Acres LLC Megan Carr, MidSouth Eventing and Dressage Association licensed dressage judge, Kentucky Three-day Event Vet Box Chief Steward, volunteer Elias Delbridge, Director of Animal Control for the Boyle County Fiscal Court and farrier Liz Douglas, owner of MEND.HORSE Equine Therapy Christopher Klein, North American legal counsel, compliance officer and board secretary for a biomedical and medical device manufacturing company and is a co-owner of an equine business focused on sporthorse development and lease programs Erin Woodall, managing partner at Grit Equine and co-owner of 1681 Equestrian Sally Lockhart, owner/manager of Ballyrankin Stud For the complete list of the Kentucky Horse Council Board of Directors, visit kentuckyhorse.org. The post Roytz, Cornett Among Kentucky Horse Council Board Appointees appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Undefeated 3-year-old colt Barnes has been tabbed as the 10-1 individual betting favorite in Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager as it begins a three-day run on Friday, Jan. 17 at noon before closing Sunday at 6p.m. Owned by Zedan Racing and trained by Bob Baffert, the GII San Vicente winner leads the 39 individual betting interests in Pool 3, with the pari-mutuel field of “All Other 3-Year-Olds” tabbed as the 5-2 overall favorite. The pool, which features $2 Win and Exacta wagering, is available at racetracks and simulcast outlets nationwide, including www.TwinSpires.com Additionally, there will be six Future Wager pools for Kentucky Derby 151. Future Wager Pool 4 is set for Feb. 14-16, Pool 5 is scheduled for Mar. 14-16 and Pool 6 will take place Apr. 3-5. Pool 5 will also include the Longines GI Kentucky Oaks Future Wager. More information, Brisnet.com past performances and real-time odds on the Kentucky Derby Future Wager will be available before the pool opens Friday at www.KentuckyDerby.com. The post Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3 Opens Jan. 17 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Leading all trainers in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Steve Asmussen and Brad Cox-who finished 2024 with 96 victories apiece–sent out a combined 1,038 starters throughout the nine meets at Kentucky's five thoroughbred racetracks. Approximately 24% of Asmussen's North America-leading 407 overall victories came in Kentucky, while about 41% of Cox's 243 seasonal wins came in his home state. Asmussen, who started 670 horses in the state last year, won meet titles at Churchill (spring and fall), Ellis Park (tied with Brendan Walsh) and Kentucky Downs (tied with Walsh and Joe Sharp). Cox, who had 368 starters on the year, won Churchill's September and Keeneland's fall title. Eligible individuals participated in Kentucky's year-round circuit of Turfway Park (two meets), Keeneland (two meets) Churchill Downs (three meets), Ellis Park and Kentucky Downs. Leading Kentucky jockey at 142 victories went to Luan Machado, who rides year-round in the state. He edged the 139 wins accrued by Tyler Gaffalione, who rides at Keeneland, Churchill and Kentucky Downs but is based at Saratoga in the summer and Gulfstream Park in the winter. Machado earned Turfway Park's 2024 winter title with 62 wins. The overall leading Kentucky owner was Godolphin LLC, whose 45 total victories more than doubled Juddmonte's 22 wins. Godolphin won owner's titles based on wins at Keeneland's spring meet (a tie with Juddmonte), Ellis Park, Keeneland fall and Churchill Downs' fall meet. According to Equibase, Cox led all trainers in 2024 Kentucky earnings, $12,305,246 to Asmussen's $11,263,025. Gafflione's $19,174,560 in Kentucky purses led all jockeys, with Luis Saez second at $16,115,242. Godolphin's instate runners accrued $7,197,863 last year, with Juddmonte second at $3,439,964. The post 2024 Kentucky Win Leaders: Asmussen, Cox, Godolphin and Machado appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Breeders' Cup World Championships and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club have forged multi-year partnerships with the ticketing platform SeatGeek. “Attending the Breeders' Cup is a one-of-a-kind experience, and our partnership with SeatGeek ensures fans will have an easier and more intuitive way to access tickets for years to come,” said John Keitt, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Breeders' Cup Limited. “This collaboration is a step forward in enhancing the overall fan journey, from purchasing tickets to enjoying the extraordinary racing and atmosphere offered at the World Championships.” SeatGeek's platform will be available in securing tickets to events at Del Mar and the annual Breeders' Cup World Championships—including this year's. The platform will also provide access to premium add-ons and exclusive offerings. SeatGeek's backend technology, Unify, will equip Breeders' Cup and Del Mar with data-driven solutions to streamline sales and inventory management and capturing better economics across all horse races and events at Del Mar. Breeders' Cup and Del Mar further expand SeatGeek's reach into horse racing. The company's roster also includes Monmouth Park in addition to six NFL teams, three NBA teams, two NHL teams, and multiple clubs across the MLS, NWSL and the EPL, as well as league-wide and organizational partnerships with the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), PGA of America, and the United Soccer League (USL). The post Breeders’ Cup, Del Mar Partner With SeatGeek in Multi-Year Agreement appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars MAJESTIC KNIGHT - R4 (1) Returns to his pet course and distance and should prove too strong here Jay Rooney SUPER CHARIZZARD - R7 (5) Drawn to get an ideal run and can continue his top form Jack Dawling BOTTOMUPTOGETHER - R4 (6) Should get all the favours from the inside draw Phillip Woo TOMODACHI KOKOROE - R4 (4) Poised to strike on return to his favourite course Shannon (Vincent Wong) GOLD TACK - R1 (8) Step up in trip looks ideal and he has drawn to get the perfect run here Racing Post Online TAKE ACTION - R3 (11) Is in good form and looks the one to beat from the inside gate Tom Wood ME TIME - R2 (9) Unlucky from a wide draw last start and it was a strong effort consideringView the full article

Conor Hyland is a graduate of the celebrated Irish National Stud Thoroughbred Breeding Course. Since completing the course in 2019, he has been based at the stud, where he holds the role as nominations and sales assistant. This year represents a big one for the INS with long-time star of the roster Invincible Spirit (Ire) retired from stallion duties. Hyland discusses the new stallions on the roster, including first-season sire Shouldvebeenaring (GB) and Lucky Vega (Ire), whose first two-year-olds are set to hit the track in Europe this year. Lucky Vega | INPHO/Morgan Treacy The Irish Stallion Trail represented an opportunity for the Irish National Stud to show off Shouldvebeenaring. How was he received by breeders and racing fans? We are always excited to showcase the roster during the Irish Stallion Trail. It's a great initiative and we had a busy weekend as usual. Shouldvebeenaring has been well received by anyone who has seen him so far. He's got incredible action for a sprinter and overall I think his profile ticks a lot of the right boxes at his price point. He's by champion first, second and third crop sire in Havana Grey and officially rated equal to him as well. A multiple stakes winner at two, three and four, I think his durability is worth mentioning as he ran 12 times at three between January to October improving as the season progressed. He was only beaten a neck in the G1 Haydock Sprint Cup before rounding off his three-year-old season with a third-place in the G1 Prix de la Foret. Tell us a bit about your own role working at the stud and how it has developed. I'm a graduate of the INS Thoroughbred Breeding Course (class of 2019). After the course I was fortunate enough to take on a role as the business intern here for 12 months, which was a great learning experience and my first opportunity to get office experience working closely with the nominations and breeding team. I then had plans to do a stint in America but unfortunately Covid put a stop to that. Thankfully, Cathal Beale kept me on and I stayed at the INS to do yearling and foal prep before mixing it between stallions and the foaling unit taking up my current role in nominations in the summer of 2021. I never really envisaged doing anything else. I grew up surrounded by horses so I guess it was going to be hard to get away from them! In many ways, you were probably destined to work in bloodstock given your father Jimmy is the stud director at Kildangan Stud. What sort of influence has he had on your career? Dad has always been very supportive and he has always been there to guide me and offer advice. Apart from your Dad, who have been the biggest mentors to you? Cathal Beale and Gary Swift have also given me endless opportunities to learn and progress. You have seen a lot of change in a short space of time at the Irish National Stud but what are the emotions heading into 2025 with Invincible Spirit now retired, Lucky Vega a leading fancy for first-season sires' honours and a new stallion in Shouldvebeenaring to promote? It will be a busy year! You could say the roster is in a bit of a transitional period following the retirement of the great Invincible Spirit. Both Lucky Vega and Nando Parrado (GB) have their first runners in 2025. Lucky Vega has already had his first crop of Southern Hemisphere runners and looks extremely promising with dual stakes winner Within The Law leading his charge Down Under. Nando Parrado comes from the successful Kodiac (GB) sire line which has produced Hello Youmzain (Fr), Kodi Bear (Ire) and Ardad (Ire) in recent seasons. The Coventry winner has soldiers in the yards of Clive Cox, Eve Johnston Houghton and Gavin Cromwell to name a few. We will be following both of them closely. Phoenix Of Spain (Ire) covered over 200 mares in 2024 and with both Haatem (Ire) and Lady Of Spain (Ire) staying training as four-year-olds, we're hopeful he can continue to build on his promising start to his stud career. Away from your Irish National Stud role, you do a bit of breeding and pinhooking. How has that been going? Last year was tough. We didn't manage to get what we wanted for our Space Blues (Ire) filly so we will breeze her in the spring. She's got a good pedigree and I was a big fan of the stallion as a racehorse so hopefully she can come good. I have shares in a couple of mares and I'm looking forward to following their runners this season. What has been your best day in the game? Watching High Spirited (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) land the Listed Upavon Stakes at Salisbury last year at huge odds. She was a foal purchase by a group of us including my cousin Ian, brother Eoin and Dad. And the worst? Watching Haatem go so close to emulating his own sire in the Irish 2,000 Guineas last year was a tough watch for the last 100 yards. Hopes or ambitions for 2025? Professionally to get as many mares as possible into the stallions here. Personally, to hopefully breed a nice winner or two and get some sale ring success! The post In The Hot Seat: Conor Hyland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are six horse racing meetings set for Australia on Wednesday, January 15. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Geelong, Randwick-Kensington and Happy Valley (HK). Wednesday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – January 15, 2025 Geelong Racing Tips Randwick-Kensington Racing Tips Happy Valley (HK) Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top horse racing bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on January 15, 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

De Sonic Boom ridden by Blake Shinn winning the 2023 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) at Sandown. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Following consultation with the Melbourne Racing Club, Racing Victoria has advised of two meeting transfers from Caulfield due to the venue being unavailable following the fire in the Norman Robinson Stand. The race meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 22 at Caulfield Heath has been transferred to Mornington, with one distance change required for the BM64 from 1800m to 2000m. The race meeting scheduled for Saturday, January 25, at Caulfield has been transferred to Sandown (Lakeside) with the track set to return to racing following its major renovation. The scheduled 1000m races will be run out of the chute on the Lakeside track, with two distance changes required for the BM70 1700m, which will now be run over 1600m, and the BM78 2000m, which will now be run over 2100m. The Sandown meeting will now play host to the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview (F) and Group 3 Manfred Stakes. The Club has confirmed that Sandown will still run their scheduled meeting on Wednesday, January 29 which was the original return to racing date following their extended break. The MRC will provide an update on Caulfield’s return racing once it is available. Horse racing news View the full article

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, January 15, 2025 First Race 6:40pm HKT (9:40pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing continues under the bright lights of Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday evening, with a bumper nine-race program set for decision. The rail is in the B course for the meeting, and with nothing but sunny skies forecast leading into race-day, punters can expect a genuine Good 4 surface. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 6:40pm local time. Best Bet at Happy Valley: Bottomuptogether The Frankie Lor-trained Bottomuptogether heads to Happy Valley for the first time and appears suited dropping back to the 1000m on the tight-turning circuit. The son of Shamus Award comes through some strong formlines at Sha Tin in recent starts, with his latest effort being narrowly defeated by Raging Blizzard as he faltered at the end of 1200m. Zac Purton possesses a formidable record of four starts for three wins and another minor placing aboard the progressive four-year-old, and provided he can make his way to the lead in the early stages, Bottomuptogether will take plenty of chasing. Best Bet Race 4 – #6 Bottomuptogether (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Frankie Lor | J: Zac Purton (56kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Happy Valley: Pray For Mir Pray For Mir showed plenty of tenacity when narrowly defeated at Sha Tin on December 8, with Californiatotality getting the better of the Cody Mo-trained gelding in the concluding stages. The son of Justify may have been tested at the end of 1800m on that occasion, and as he heads to Happy Valley for the first time, the 1650m should be an ideal journey for this guy to make all. Zac Purton will attempt to dictate terms from stall three, and provided Pray For Mir can tick over a soft sectional in the middle stages, this guy should justify the short price with BlondeBet. Next Best Race 8 – #2 Pray For Mir (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Cody Mo | J: Zac Purton (58kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Happy Valley: Sky Jewellery Sky Jewellery has been impressive at the barrier trials as he prepares to make his debut for the John Size barn. The gelding by The Autumn Sun has improved every time he’s stepped out, with his latest piece of work particularly catching the eye at Conghua on January 6. He has been slow away on a few occasions; however, provided Hugh Bowman can get his barrier manners in check, Sky Jewellery should give a bold sight at an each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 6 – #4 Sky Jewellery (5) 3yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Hugh Bowman (58.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Wednesday quaddie tips for Happy Valley Happy Valley quadrella selections January 15, 2025 1-3-4-9-10 1-2-8-11 2 1-2-4-6-9-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

After their wins at Nelson, Ready Set Jet and Knowing Me have become the latest horses to qualify for the $30,000 Seddon Districts Bob Rochford Memorial Trotters Series Final. The Bob Butt trained and driven Ready Set Jet was an impressive winner at Richmond Park on Friday as was Knowing Me on Sunday, completing a winning double for the meeting. Trained by Margo Nyhan, and driven by partner Peter Davis, the five-year-old mare’s two wins were especially meaningful for Nyhan as Knowing Me was bred and raced by her parents and came just days after her mother Denise died on December 29. Targetting R51-70 trotters, the 10 “heats” being held around the top half of the South Island started at Kaikoura in November and will go through to Reefton in March. After six legs so far five trotters – High Step, Masterly, Premium Player, Ready Set Jet and Knowing Me – are at the top of the leaderboard and have already qualified for the $30,000 final at Addington on March 21. The Paul Nairn-trained pair of El Conqueror and Tu Tangata are next on 11 and 10 points. To see the current points table click here The series is in its second year and is being held in Bob Rochford’s honour. The former Kaikoura Trotting Club President and Life member died suddenly at Westport in March last year. Next stop in the series is Waterlea Raceway, Blenheim this Friday and Sunday (January 17 and 19), followed by Westport (March 7) and then Reefton (March 9). Points will be awarded as follows : Automatic entry to the Final for 1st 5 points for 2nd 3 points for 3rd 2 points for 4th 1 point for 5th The complete schedule is : November 4 – Kaikoura – $20,000 December 26 and 28 – Westport – $15,000 & $20,000 December 30 – Reefton – $20,000 January 10 and 12 – Nelson – $15,000 and $20,000 January 17 and 19 – Marlborough – $15,000 and $20,000 March 7 – Westport – $17,500 March 9 – Reefton – $17,500 The $30,000 final : March 21 – Addington For more information contact Erin Fox – erinkfox24@gmail.com or Seddon Shields Chair Johnny Reedy – jrreedyjnr@gmail.com View the full article

My apologies for not getting more photos or even video. Not enough devices, hands or help! It would have been easy to video live stream using YouTube on the BOAY account. But I thought that perhaps the Trackside Team might have been floating around doing all that! Leith Innes and Brendon Popplewell were there briefly. It was a very relaxed environment and I spoke to a few trainers. It would have been very very easy to interview Lance O'Sullivan, Roger James, the Team from Te Akau. Was introduced to Blake Shinn who was very professional and went out of his way to talk to people. Great interplay been the Jockey's especially the girls - overall really relaxed. It wasn't hard to hear the Jockey reports to Trainers and Owners after each race. Always a surprise to me how few words Trainers and Jockeys use to convey a lot. Some very very nice horses on display. Return To Conquor looks very special. Probably the smallest head I've seen on a horse - not an overly big horse but built for speed. The food was good and inexpensive as were the drinks - only water and soft drinks! Probably walked off the course richer than any course I've been on........no Tote operating! The track was one of the best I've seen for a while even with rail out 15 meters. Met a very young lad who gets up at 3:30am every morning and is picked up by a Trainer just before 4am to work in one of the barns oncourse during the school holidays. LOL he knew every horse trained on the course and even some of the stable names! Actually there were a few families on course today relaxing. To be honest today at Matamata was quite refreshing and invigorating. If you watch 30 trials you can certainly guage what horses out of 260 are going to make it and those that are not.

What Randwick-Kensington Races Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Wednesday, January 15, 2025 First Race 2:20pm AEDT Visit Dabble Metro racing returns to Royal Randwick on Wednesday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-part program set to take place on the Kensington circuit. The rail moves out +3m the entire way around for the meeting, and with the track already rated a Soft 7 at the time of acceptances, punters can expect that rating to hold for race-day with more rainfall forecast in the lead-up. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 2:20pm local time. Best Bet at Randwick-Kensington: Blue Vein Blue Vein caught the eye returning on the course proper at Randwick on Boxing Day, storming down the middle of the course to get within a half-length of Endure. The son of Blue Point was asked to do a mount of work from the rear of the field, with the lightly raced three-year-old never shirking the task. He can sit much closer to the speed drawn in barrier three this time around, and after being heavily backed with horse racing bookmakers first-up, punters can expect Blue Vein to make amends here. Best Bet Race 3 – #2 Blue Vein (3) 3yo Colt | T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | J: Tommy Berry (57.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Randwick-Kensington: Endure The Chris Waller-trained Endure appears to be the one with the most upside heading into the fourth event of the program after securing her maiden at Randwick on December 26. The Yes Yes Yes filly seems to be a grinding type and should appreciate stepping out to the 1550m third-up into the campaign. Barrier eight possesses some risk of getting caught wide without cover but leave it to the capable hands of Kerrin McEvoy to ping the lids and hold a spot forward of midfield. Provided she handles the testing conditions, Endure must be considered the one to beat. Next Best Race 4 – #4 Endure (8) 3yo Filly | T: Chris Waller | J: Kerrin McEvoy (59.5kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Randwick-Kensington: Rematch Rematch returns after a 209-day spell and appears primed to strike first-up into the preparation. The gelding by Real Impact was pushed out to score in a recent barrier trial at Newcastle on December 30, and although the 1400m may be short of his best trip, the five-year-old appears to be fully wound-up heading into the final race on the card. Benjamin Osmond should land somewhere midfield with cover from stall five, and with Rematch possessing the best turn-of-speed in this race, watch for this guy to be storming down the centre of the course at an each-way price with Picklebet. Best Value Race 7 – #5 Rematch (5) 5yo Gelding | T: Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | J: Benjamin Osmond (a3kg) (61kg) Bet with Picklebet Wednesday quaddie tips for Randwick-Kensington Randwick-Kensington quadrella selections January 15, 2025 4-7 4-10-11 1-2-5-6-7-8 1-3-4-5-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Away from the bright lights of Book 1, the Book 2 session of NZB’s National Yearling Sales Series has a proud record of producing high-quality racehorses at much lower prices. More than a dozen Group winners have come out of Book 2 since Karaka 2018, including no fewer than nine individual Group One winners. The prices paid for those nine Group One winners range from $32,500 to $90,000, with an average of just $62,917. Group One Graduates Sprint queen Roch ‘N’ Horse (NZ) (Per Incanto) was offered by her breeders Little Avondale Stud during Book 2 of Karaka 2018, where her reserve was only $40,000. She was passed in. Retained to race in Little Avondale’s green and gold colours, Roch ‘N’ Horse earned more than $3m with brilliant Group One victories in Flemington’s Group One Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and Champions Sprint (1200m). She also placed in the Group One Telegraph (1200m) and William Reid Stakes (1200m). Ancroft Stud’s purchase of Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) for $90,000 has turned out to be one of the biggest bargains at Karaka in the last decade. The Karaka 2021 Book 2 graduate has so far earned $1.95m from just 15 starts, including a prestigious trans-Tasman Group One double as a three-year-old in the New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Australian Guineas (1600m). With her brilliant burst out of the pack in the Australian Guineas, she became the first New Zealand-trained winner of that famous Flemington race. As a four-year-old, Legarto added the Group One Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) to her CV, along with strong-finishing seconds in the Group One New Zealand Stakes (2000m) and the inaugural $1m Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic 4YO (1500m). Hall of Fame horseman Graeme Rogerson paid $55,000 to buy Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood) from Book 2 of Karaka 2021. Sharp ‘N’ Smart went on to become one of that stable’s best horses of the 21st century and was crowned New Zealand Horse of the Year in 2023. He has had 25 starts for six wins, eight placings and more than $3.2m. He was a triple Group One winner as a three-year-old, taking out the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) in Sydney and the Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and New Zealand Derby (2400m) on home soil. A reserve of only $20,000 was put on Gypsy Goddess (NZ) (Tarzino) in Book 2 of Karaka 2020. She was passed in. She went on to win six of her 10 starts and over A$1.9m, including victories in the Group One Queensland Oaks (2200m) and Group Three Grand Prix Stakes (2100m). She also placed in the Group One Australian Oaks (2400m), Group One Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and A$10m Golden Eagle (1500m). Another passed in lot in Book 2 of Karaka 2020 was Dark Destroyer (NZ) (Proisir), whose reserve was $30,000. He has had 24 starts for five wins, three placings and $622,445 in stakes. He won the Group One Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings in the spring of 2022, along with Group Three victories on both sides of the Tasman. Despite being a half-brother to Group One winner Ladies First (NZ) (Dylan Thomas), trainer Allan Sharrock had to pay only $60,000 to buy Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed) from Book 2 of Karaka 2019. That purchase has been rewarded with $921,656 in stakes from a 32-start career, including Group One wins in the Livamol Classic (2040m) and last month’s TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m). Pulchritudinous (NZ) (Wrote) was a $32,500 purchase by Chad Ormsby’s Riverrock Farm during Book 2 of Karaka 2022. She won last season’s Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and Group Two Lowland Stakes (2000m), earning $389,205 before being sold across the Tasman to clients of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable. Group One Randwick Guineas (1600m) hero Lion’s Roar (NZ) has been a headline performer in the sadly short-lived career of highly successful Mapperley Stud sire Contributer. Lion’s Roar was a $65,000 purchase by Champion Thoroughbreds from Book 2 of Karaka 2019, and the durable gelding has so far earned A$2.39m. One of the most breathtaking three-year-old performances anywhere in Australasia last season came from Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree), who blew his opposition off the track by 10 lengths in the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm in June. He was a $75,000 purchase from Book 2 of Karaka 2022 and subsequently resold for $165,000 at the Ready to Run Sale. Warmonger has had 12 starts for three wins, three placings and A$1.08m, with his Queensland Derby heroics backed up by a second in the Group One South Australian Derby (2500m) and a fourth in this season’s Group One Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m). Age-Group Standouts One of the brightest talents among the current crop of two-year-olds in New Zealand is Too Sweet (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), who was a $50,000 purchase by Chris Rutten Bloodstock from Book 2 of Karaka 2024. The classy filly has had three starts for two wins and a second, including a brilliant victory in the Group Two Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. She has earned $164,400 in stakes so far. Too Sweet is now a key contender for the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 25. Under its old name of the Select Sale, Book 2 has produced five previous winners of New Zealand’s richest two-year-old race. 2009: The Heckler (Lucky Owners). Bought for $70,000 from the 2008 Select Sale and earned $724,800 from a 20-start, four-win career. 2010: Sister Havana (NZ) (General Nediym). Cost $40,000 at the 2009 Select Sale and earned just under $550,000 in 17 starts. 2014: Vespa (NZ) (Elusive City). Bought for $34,000 from the 2013 Select Sale. He had 18 starts for seven wins, five placings and $916,213 in stakes. Now stands at Mapperley Stud and has sired 56 winners from 103 runners, with five individual stakes winners headed by Group One winner Puntura (NZ). 2015: Hardline (NZ) (Showcasing). Turned his $130,000 purchase price at the 2014 Select Sale into more than $600,000 from a 12-race career. 2016: Xiong Feng (NZ) (Iffraaj). Bought for $30,000 from the 2015 Select Sale and earned $583,835 from only eight starts before relocating to Singapore. The $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m), which is now the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), was won by Scott Base (NZ) (Dalghar) in 2018. He was a $70,000 purchase by Chris Rutten Bloodstock from the 2016 Select Sale and earned $736,750 from a 22-start, five-win career. Black-Type Stars Grinzinger Belle (NZ) (Shamexpress) was bought for only $32,000 from Book 2 of Karaka 2022. She has gone on to become a multiple black-type performer in Melbourne, headed by victories in the Group Two Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m), Group Three Vanity Stakes (1400m) and Group Three Ladies’ Day Vase (1400m). She has had 15 starts for four wins, five placings and A$618,655 in stakes – 20 times her purchase price. Million-dollar earner Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj) was offered in Book 2 of Karaka 2019, where he failed to meet his $40,000 reserve. He has had 24 starts for eight wins and four placings, including two wins at Group Three level in Brisbane and Melbourne. He has also placed in the Group Two Blamey Stakes (1600m) and ran a close fifth against an elite field in the Group One CF Orr Stakes (1400m). His career earnings stand at A$1,052,725. Karman Line (NZ) (Myboycharlie) was a $67,500 purchase by Wexford Stables from Book 2 of Karaka 2020. She has had 21 starts for three wins, six placings and $220,500. She placed in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) in January 2022, and went on to win the Group Three Rotorua Stakes (1400m) last May. Another notable recent black-type performer to come out of Book 2 is Jay Bee Gee (NZ) (Contributer), who was bought by Harry Bull for $26,000 at Karaka 2019. His 23-race career has produced seven wins, five placings and $240,960, including a Group Three double in this season’s Winter Cup (1600m) and Metric Mile (1600m). Book 1 of Karaka 2025 runs from Sunday January 26 to Tuesday January 28 with selling starting at 10am each day. Book 2 will start at the later time of 12pm on Wednesday January 29 and concludes the following day on Thursday January 30 (10am start). < > View the full article

Alabama Lass will take her place in the $700,000 Group 1 Railway (1200m) next Saturday at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Alabama Lass will be out to replicate the feats of stable predecessor Bounding when she heads to Ellerslie next week to tackle the $700,000 Group 1 Railway (1200m). Bounding took out the 2014 running of the sprint feature after finishing runner-up in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), and it’s a sense of déjà vu with Alabama Lass who posted the same result in the Riccarton feature last November. Trainers Ken and Bev Kelso are hoping that is a good omen for the Railway, which has moved from its traditional New Year’s Day slot to the Karaka Millions meeting on January 25, and their mood was further buoyed by Alabama Lass’ 4-1/4 length victory in her 1000m trial at Matamata on Tuesday. “I am really happy with her trial, it was a nice day out,” Ken Kelso said. “She had an exhibition gallop the other day at Te Aroha, and a nice trial today, so I am very happy with the way she is going. “She was very unlucky in the 1000 Guineas and we have set her for the Railway, and she gets in with 52 kilos. That’s the plan at this stage all going well. “It is very similar to what we did with Bounding, she actually ran second in the 1000 Guineas as well.” Alabama Lass has been a revelation for her Matamata conditioners since winning by 9-1/2 lengths when on debut at her home track last February, going on to win the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) and Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m), with her only two defeats coming at the hands of arch-rival Captured By Love in the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and 1000 Guineas. The daughter of Alabama Express will be out for vengeance in the Railway and online bookmakers favour her to turn the tables on her foe, installing her as a $2.60 favourite in the futures market, ahead of Crocetti ($5) and Captured By Love ($6). Meanwhile, Kelso was pleased to report that his multiple Group 1 winner Legarto has returned to work after she strained a muscle following her trial victory at Te Rapa in August, which put an end to a potentially lucrative spring campaign. “At this stage we are taking one stage at a time, but she is back at the track and back in work,” he said. “Everything looks good, so we will box on, but where we end up time will tell. We certainly won’t be rushing her.” Horse racing news View the full article

Douglas Whyte’s speedster will look to continue his love affair with the Happy Valley 1,000m on Wednesday night.View the full article

Belclare winning the A$2 million Group 2 The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick during her Australian campaign. Photo: Bradley Photos Dual Group 1-winning mare Belclare made her first public appearance back on home soil at the Foxton trials on Tuesday, as she readies for a title defence in the Group 2 Westbury Classic (1400m) on Karaka Millions Night next week. After failing to meet her $700,000 reserve at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale last May, Belclare spent the spring campaigning in Australia in the care of Bjorn Baker, where she repaid the faith of her owner David Woodhouse with a pair of Group 2 victories at Randwick and Rosehill. The daughter of Per Incanto has won the last two editions of the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), and with her sights set on a three-peat, she returned to her original trainer, Awapuni horsewoman Lisa Latta. “It’s fantastic, I’m really appreciative of David and Deb to give me the opportunity to have her back,” she said. Belclare took her place in a 1000m heat on Tuesday where she and Group One performer Blissful Belle drew away from their rivals to go to the line in unison, the latter taking the trial by a nose in a sharp 1.00.29. The mare dominated her rivals in the Westbury Classic 12 months ago, and Latta confirmed she will be at Ellerslie on January 25 to tackle the $500,000 fillies and mares feature. “She just had a nice hit-out, they ran the fastest time of the day and she was second beaten a lip, so there was nothing in it,” Latta said. “It was exactly what we wanted to see. “She’ll have a pretty quiet rest of the week, she’s a very easy horse to train.” Belclare has made the Woodhouse’s black and white silks well-known to the racing fraternity, but not far behind her is younger stablemate Connello, who will carry them in Saturday’s Group 3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m). The Time Test filly ran a meritorious fifth in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), and since then has finished second to race-rival Leica Lucy in the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m). “She’s just a really professional filly, she’s not very big but she puts in her best every time,” Latta said. “She’s trained on well, she had a little freshen-up afterwards and she goes well like that. “I’m just hoping for a nice draw.” Connello holds an early nomination for the $1 million Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), a distance Latta feels is well within her capabilities. “We’ll know much more when we step her over 2000, but she gets her head down nice and low when she gallops and relaxes, so I get the feeling she will get over ground,” she said. Latta will have a number of other runners in the Trentham undercard, including Belle’s Echo, who made a searing return in her new campaign at the course in mid-December winning over 1200m. Coming from the back last Saturday over 1100m, she powered through the line to finish third to The Stoney One and Fancy Like Lass, a run that gave Latta confidence as she steps up in distance in the Taggs Accounting (1400m). “I was really happy with her, she was doing her best work late on the line and through the line,” she said. “That was suggest stepping up to the 1400 would be right up her alley now.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Geelong Races Where Geelong Racecourse – 99 Breakwater Rd, Breakwater VIC 3219 When Wednesday, January 15, 2025 First Race 3:05pm AEDT Visit Dabble Racing in Victoria heads down the highway to Geelong on Wednesday afternoon, where a competitive eight-race meeting is set down for decision. A perfect summer day will mirror those on the track with the Good 4 rating likely to hold throughout the card, while the race comes out 3m the entire circuit. The first race at Geelong is set to jump at 3:05pm AEDT. Best Bet at Geelong: Statice Statice disposed of her rivals with distain on her debut at Seymour on December 29 when putting four-lengths on them when leading throughout. She looked to have a fair bit left in reserve, and if Blake Shinn opts to adopt similar tactics on the Brutal filly, then barrier one is the perfect draw for her. If she can gain a cheap lead over 1112m, the Statice should be able to offer a kick in the home straight and prove too hard to run down once more. Best Bet Race 7 – #9 Statice (1) 3yo Filly | T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | J: Blake Shinn (54.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Geelong: Entrusting Entrusting produced a thunderous finish at Seymour when returning from a five-month spell to break maiden ranks at the second time of asking and looks poised to go on with the job. The three-year-old colt relished a genuinely run affair and hit the line with great intent to get up in the last 25m. In the small field of six in the Geelong opener, the Lindsay Park-trained son of The Autumn Sun will need a bit of speed injected into the race at the right time, but with a similar finish, Entrusting can justify his short quote on offer with BlondeBet. Next Best Race 1 – #4 Entrusting (4) 3yo Colt | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Blake Shinn (57.5kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Warrnambool: Aqueduct Aqueduct looks to be screaming out for the 1200m from what he has produced through his first three starts. The Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained son of Dubious was hitting the line strongly on debut at Mornington before seemingly not handling Heavy going at start two. He then had excuses when racing up on speed at Murray Bridge when beaten four lengths in what is shaping as a strong form race. With plenty of speed drawn underneath, John Allen will likely have Aqueduct settled midfield, and with a strong finish, he can salute at the each-way price on offer with Picklebet. Best Value Race 5 – #1 Aqueduct (10) 3yo Gelding | T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy | J: John Allen (58kg) Bet with Picklebet Wednesday quaddie tips for Geelong Geelong quadrella selections Wednesday, January 11, 2025 1-2-5-7-10 1-2-3-9-10 3-9 3-8-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Group 1-performing mare Faraglioni. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Levin trainer Josh Shaw left Foxton a happy man on Tuesday after his Group 1 performer Faraglioni took out her 1200m trial ahead of next Saturday’s Group 2 Westbury Classic (1400m) at Ellerslie. The six-year-old daughter of El Roca finished runner-up to fellow Central Districts mare Belclare in last year’s edition and Shaw would love to turn the tables on their rival, who also featured at the Foxton trials and finished runner-up in her 1000m heat. “She trialled up really well,” Shaw said. “The track was a wee bit hard, but she came through it really well. “She is pretty much following the same formula as last year, trialling 10 days before, and hopefully we go one better this time. “Belclare was at the trials and it looked like she trialled up nice as well.” Faraglioni has had mixed fortunes this campaign, finishing runner-up in the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) first-up before two unplaced runs in the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and Group 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), and returned to form last start when runner-up in the Group 2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Trentham, much to Shaw’s delight. “It was good to see her back in form,” he said. “The start before at Pukekohe, she probably did a bit too well on me after the Arrowfield. She was eight weeks between runs there and it told in the last 50m. “Seeing her bounce back to what we know she is capable of at Wellington was heartening.” Shaw is pleased with the condition of his mare ahead of next week’s test and believes she is heading into this year’s edition of the Westbury Classic a more well-rounded horse. “Physically, I think she is a bit more ahead of where she was last year,” he said. “As she has gotten older, she has gotten bigger and stronger. “I think we have got her in a sweet spot at the moment.” Faraglioni has had just the one run at Ellerslie and Shaw is hoping the StrathAyr surface is to her liking once more. “I think it is a great surface,” he said. “There is natural cushion in there, so they should just bounce off it. She seemed to like it last year, so hopefully it hasn’t changed too much in 12 months.” Following next Saturday’s run, Shaw is contemplating a return to Ellerslie for Champions Day on March 8 where there is a $600,000 carrot dangling in the form of the Group 1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). “You don’t get $600,000 Group 1 fillies and mares races every day,” Shaw said. “I might have to look at stretching her out to that mile with a trial somewhere in between and try and ride her cold.” Horse racing news View the full article