Wandering Eyes

Damon Thayer, who served 22 years in the Kentucky General Assembly–will be the keynote speaker at the National HBPA Conference Feb. 25-27 in Safety Harbor, Florida. Thayer will address the conference on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa on Tampa Bay. For a Q&A with Thayer, click here. The HBPA Conference features a full-day of panel discussions and presentations on Tuesday, Feb. 25 and a half-day on Wednesday, Feb. 26, after which an afternoon at Tampa Bay Downs is scheduled, courtesy of the racetrack. The full National HBPA board will meet Thursday morning, overseen by National HBPA President Chief Stipe Daniels. In addition to Thayer's keynote address, the Feb. 25 awards luncheon includes honoring Spikezone, off an 11-for-14 season, as the National HBPA's Claiming Horse of the Year. Among other panels: The conference kicks off with a discussion entitled “HISA, HIWU and RHSA–Now and the Future”–a fluid topic with the National HBPA and others' challenges to the constitutionality the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Act and the HISA corporation it created quite possibly being heard by the Supreme Court this year. Panelists include Jay Ingle and Chris Hoskins, members of the Lexington-based Jackson Kelly law firm that specializes in equine law and which worked with the National HBPA on a horsemen's toolkit to aid racing participants in complying with HISA and the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU), as well as tips for trainers faced with a notice of violation. They will be joined by Amanda Kelsey, a member of the Ingram Group, the National HBPA's political consultant and advocate in Washington D.C. The Ingram Group has been instrumental in the creation and rollout of the Racehorse Health & Safety Act (RHSA) of 2023, introduced in Congress as a better, more transparent, inclusive and cost-effective alternative to HISA. Tina Bond, president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, will discuss her “The Heart of Horse Racing” project, launched this fall to use video testimonials of horsemen, jockeys, backstretch workers and other racing participants (including fans) to share the positive aspects about the sport and why they love it. Theheartofhorseracing.com was created as part of a larger campaign to attract people to the races. The campaign, coordinated by the New York-based marketing company FINN Partners, started collecting market data last June. The “Today's Workforce Issues” panel is particularly timely given today's immigration climate. Speakers will be Oscar Gonzales, the California Horse Racing Board's vice chair and who worked in the Biden administration in the U.S. Department of Agriculture as well as serving as a senior advisor on immigration; prominent immigration lawyer Will Velie; and Remi Bellocq, a former CEO of the National HBPA who left in 2011 to become executive director of Bluegrass Community and Technical College's (BCTC) Equine Program. The annual Kent Stirling Memorial Medication Panel will provide an update on the scientific investigation of testing thresholds for dietary and environmental substances, a research collaboration between the HBPA and the U.S. Trotting Association. The presenting researchers: Drs. Clara Fenger, Rob Holland, Kim Brewer and Thomas Tobin. “Providing Answers and Help for Mental Health Awareness” led by professional counselor and exercise rider Sally Jane Mixon. “Helping Horsemen through Today's Technology” with Jay Inglis of Horcery Cameras and Mike Novak of Backstretch Software. Gunner LaCour, president of the non-profit CHRIMS-PGSI, will highlight the technology-services company's offerings to horsemen to ensure they are getting their fair share of wagering/gaming distributions. New this year: A daily historical horse racing (HHR) auditing. Also during the Feb. 25 awards luncheon: Marty Maline, who served as the Kentucky HBPA's first executive director from 1976-2022, will be recognized as a National HBPA Living Legend. He'll be interviewed on stage by longtime Kentucky HBPA board member and past president Rick Hiles. A special session will be held for those providing benefits and services to horsemen and backstretch workers, with another one for the state affiliates' executive directors. For more information, click here. The post Damon Thayer Named Keynote Speaker at HBPA Conference Feb. 25-26 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nine years after he re-entered the sport after a 20-year absence, Peter Brant has built a broodmare band that is the envy of the breeding world. Between sales purchases and talented fillies and mares on the track retiring to be bred, he has amassed some of the most powerful bloodlines in the business. He sat down and talked to the TDN about plans for his top European and American mares. A few select European mares appear below. Click here to read about his American mares. BLOWOUT (GB), 9, Dansili (GB)-Beauty Parlour (GB), by Deep Impact (Jpn). To be bred to Wootton Bassett (GB) Blowout (the GI First Lady Stakes winner at Churchill Downs) is going to Ireland, and she's going to Wootton Bassett at Coolmore. I think it's a good cross. He's a strong horse, he gets nice-size horses, and she was a beautiful horse but a little on the smaller side. Wootton Bassett crosses well with Dansili, and she's by Dansili. IN ITALIAN (GB), 7, Dubawi (Ire)-Florentina (Aus), by Redoute's Choice (Aus). To be bred to Frankel (GB) In Italian is a four-time Grade I stakes winner and earner of over $2 million. I like the cross of Frankel and Dubawi (Ire) and she's a very well-made mare. Frankels tend to takes on the characteristics of the mare and this horse should be a grass horse. MY SISTER NAT (FR), 10, Acclamation (GB)-Starlet's Sister (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). To be bred to Wootton Bassett My Sister Nat is a mutliple stakes-winning G1-stakes placed mare who is a half-sister to seven-time GI SW and champion turf female Sistercharlie (Ire), and French Classic and Arc winner Sottsass (Fr). My Sister Nat is also going to Wootton Bassett. She's had some good-looking foals by Dubawi and Kingman (GB). We like Kingman a lot and she's been bred to Frankel, so we're going to breed her to Wootton Bassett. I like the Acclamation cross, especially with her being out of a Galileo mare. He's a proven stallion, and she's a very well-bred mare. She's a sister to Sistercharlie, who won the Breeders' Cup, and it's an amazing family, with Sottsass, and Shin Emperor (Fr), who was just second in the Japan Cup. SISTERCHARLIE (IRE), 11, Myboycharlie (Ire)-Starlet's Sister (Ire), by Galieo (Ire). To be bred to Dubawi Sistercharlie is going back to Dubawi. She's in foal to Siyouni (Fr). She has two Dubawis on the ground-a two-year-old and a yearling, and we really like what we're seeing. Both the two-year-old and the yearling are very, very good-looking horses. The post 2025 European Mating Plans: Peter Brant appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When champion miler Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) joined the lineup of stallions at Nurlan Bizakov's Sumbe for 2025, he was welcomed as the fifth Group 1 victor to call the young stallion operation home, following on the heels of Golden Horde (Ire) in 2021 and the trio of Mishriff (Ire), Belbek (GB) and Angel Bleu (Fr) in 2024. Yet Sumbe's Mathieu Le Forestier is confident in saying that this talented individual is more than simply the latest addition to a growing roster. “To put things into perspective, it's not only another Group 1 winner entering stud, but something really, really special,” he said. Indeed, Charyn is second only to Coolmore's City Of Troy (Justify) as the most expensive new sire in Europe in 2025, standing for €35,000 in his debut season. Meanwhile his sire Dark Angel was just elected as the 2024 champion sire of Britain and Ireland, thanks in part to the success of his leading earner Charyn, who collected three Group 1 wins last year on the way to his own champion honours. Bred by Grangemore Stud and a full-brother to 2021 G2 Mill Reef Stakes victor Wings Of War (Ire), Charyn was a 250,000gns purchase for Sumbe at Tattersalls October Book 2. The eye-catching grey went to Roger Varian and showed his potential early on with a winning debut in August of his juvenile season followed later by a Group 2 score in the Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte at Chantilly. He placed twice against Group 1 company as a three-year-old, but stepped up to a new level at four. Among his five stakes victories in 2024, the speedy miler claimed the G1 Queen Anne Stakes, G1 Prix Jacques le Marois and the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. “It's a hat trick that had never been achieved before,” Le Forestier shared. “It already takes a very good horse to win two, but winning three in the same season was impressive. He was the fastest miler in Europe in 2024.” Charyn trains ahead of his score in the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois | Emma Berry In his three-length win over fellow Group 1 victor Metropolitan (FR) (Zarak {FR}) in the Prix Jacques le Marois, Charyn completed the mile in a final time of 1:33.98. Le Forestier explained how that sharp number, along with some of the other fractions Charyn reeled off with ease during his four-year-old campaign, has been a major selling point for their new stallion. “I know that in Europe we're not really used to talking times and clocks, but more and more people are getting interested in data and it just allows people to make things a little bit more objective and see what they're really looking at,” he explained. “He was the only horse to shade sub-01:34 [in Europe in 2024].” He continued, “It's the elite within the elite. It's quite amazing. We've been looking into his running times and he had the kind of acceleration that hasn't been seen since Kingman (GB) 10 years ago in the Jacques le Marois.” While his 4-year-old season did not end as his connections had hoped when he settled for fifth in the GI Mile Championship in his 19th and final career start, Charyn returned to Roger Varian's yard in Newmarket after his journey to Japan and was on display there for breeders during the winter breeding stock sales. From there, he arrived at Sumbe's Haras de Montfort et Preaux in Normandy ahead of the Arqana December Sale with plenty of time to settle in before the start of the breeding season. Charyn is the third member of the Dark Angel line to stand at Sumbe, joining Dark Angel's son Angel Bleu (Fr) as well as Golden Horde (Ire), who is by Dark Angel's Lethal Force (Ire). It's a sireline that Sumbe has thrown plenty of support toward and the recent success of Dark Angel and his young sons has only served to further their faith. Golden Horde produced seven winners from just 23 starters in his first crop in 2024 while Harry Angel (Ire), a son of Dark Angel standing at Dalham Hall, was a top five third-crop sire last year. Angel Bleu will see his first foals in 2025. “Charyn is Dark Angel's best-ever offspring and we hope that he will be able to continue this Try My Best line, which is a specific line of Northern Dancer that has been very consistent through five or six generations,” said Le Forestier. “We hope that he is the next to continue this line of miler-sprinter stallions.” Charyn's dam Futoon (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), herself a two-time stakes winner going five furlongs, is out of a full-sister to G2 Mill Reef Stakes victor and G1 Golden Jubilee Stakes runner-up Galeota (Ire) and the family also includes G1 Champion Stakes runner-up Insatiable (Ire) (Don't Forget Me {Ire}). “He was bred to be a sprinter but he really could carry his speed over a mile, which is amazing and explains a lot about him,” Le Forestier noted. And finally the last piece of the puzzle. According to Le Forestier, Charyn's physical credentials fit the bill as well. “He's a strong horse. He stands at 1.63 [16.1 hh] metres, with a good kind of length matching his size and strength. He's a well-balanced individual with a very cool demeanor and a good walk about him. We're delighted by [his reception] and suppose that it's a much-deserved prize, being the best miler to retire in France for at least 10 years.” The post ‘Something Really Special’: Champion Charyn Debuts at Sumbe appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 18 finalists for the 2025 renewal of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, sponsored by Godolphin, were announced on Monday. Now in their 21st year, the awards recognise and reward the skill, passion and commitment of the extraordinary people working across the British racing and breeding industry. The finalists will now head to York Racecourse on Monday, February 24 for the last round of judging and the prestigious ceremony, where the six category winners and overall Employee of the Year will be crowned. Hosted by Rishi Persad, the ceremony will include special guest appearances from double Olympic gold medallist, Laura Collett MBE, and dual champion Flat Jockey and Godolphin retained rider, William Buick. The finalists and their employers are as follows: Newcomer Award Tina St. John – William Haggas Tyla Macfarlane – Andrew Balding Uwitonze Wenham-Beckford – Karl Burke Leadership Award Ivo Thomas – Tweenhills Mark Ellwood – Nick Alexander Rachael Lytham – Greenall Guerriero Racing Rider / Racing Groom Award Emma Kettlewell – Karl Burke Sarah Macdonald – Julia Feilden Simone Meloni – Nicky Henderson Stud Award Fiona McGlone – Hascombe & Valiant Stud Kelly Stevens – Littleton Stud Kim Skolfield – Newsells Park Stud Dedication Award Anthony Smith – Karl Burke Jane Smith – John Ryan Joe Scally – Roger Varian Community Award Anne Richardson – HEROS Charity Jacqui Greet – Ascot Racecourse Sally Lyons – Great British Racing Each winner and runner-up during the evening will receive a share of the £128,500 prize-money, generously provided by Godolphin. A total of £30,000 will be awarded to the Employee of the Year and their yard or stud, which was secured last year by David Porter-Mackrell and Newsells Park Stud. The 2025 finalists have been selected by an expert judging panel, who whittled down over 200 nominations to an initial 10-person shortlist, prior to confirmation of the final three in each category. Brant Dunshea, acting chief executive of the BHA, said, “My sincere congratulations to this year's finalists. This is a wonderful accomplishment and deserved recognition for your contribution to British racing and breeding. “I know how tough the judging process was this year, with some seriously strong competition, so our finalists and shortlisted nominees should all be very proud of what you have achieved. “We are extremely fortunate in our industry to benefit from the skill and dedication of many thousands of individuals who devote their lives to our horses, people and communities. “Thanks to the support of our sponsors Godolphin, our expert judging panel and committed partners, the ceremony at York Racecourse promises to be another truly special occasion where we have the opportunity to celebrate the best of British racing and breeding.” The post Finalists Announced for the 2025 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nine years after he re-entered the sport after an almost 20-year absence, Peter Brant has built a broodmare band that is the envy of the breeding world. Between sales purchases and talented fillies and mares on the track retiring to be bred, he has amassed some of the most powerful bloodlines in the business.. He sat down and talked to the TDN about plans for his top European and American mares. Some top American mares appear below. NEWSPAPEROFRECORD, 9, Lope de Vega (Ire)-Sunday Times (GB), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) (Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner) Newspaperofrecord is going to Justify. It's a very good nick, and the physicals look good. She was a great miler, and he was a miler who and ran and won up to a mile and a half. I like the Scat Daddy on the male side with Shamardal. GINAROMANTICA, 6, Into Mischief-Special Me, by Unbridled's Song. To be bred to Gun Runner (Three time Grade I winner) Gina Romantica is going to Gun Runner for her first mating. I've bred to him three times and they've been good-looking horses. I'm breeding four mares to him this year. I did it because we had a lot of luck with Sierra Leone. He's very special. I like horses that had really good three-year-old form. I like to see them run at two, but my theory is different than that of other people who focus on two-year-old form. I like to see them run at two, but I like to see them train on to the Classic races. We're trying to breed middle-distance horses. We use speed but only to come up with a Classic horse. We're trying to specialize in a certain kind of thing. I I think all the really good horses can be a sprinter, a middle-distance horse, or a longer-distance horse. I like to be able to focus on seven furlongs to a mile and a eighth and if they're good they can go a mile and a quarter. UNI, 11, More Than Ready-Unaided (GB), by Dansili (GB). To be bred to Justify Uni (the 2019 Champion Turf Female) is going to Justify. That's a very good cross. We have a (2024) Sottsass (Fr) and a (2023) Frankel (GB) from her and her first foal is a Kingman (GB) who is just turning three who we like. We're going to bring her over to America to breed to Justify and then bring her back to Coolmore Ireland. STRONG INCENTIVE, 12, Warrior's Reward-G.G.'s Dolly, by Comic Strip. To be bred to Into Mischief We bought this mare with the Coolmore gang (for $2.75 million at Fasig-Tipton November 2024). Strong Incentive has produced Highly Motivated (Into Mischief), Surge Capacity (Flintshire {GB}) and Ways and Means (Practical Joke). She's in foal to Into Mischief and we're going to breed her back to Into Mischief. She has been very productive, and she has a Good Magic filly which Jon Clay kept. We chose Into Mischief because Ways and Means is by Practical Joke, who is also by Into Mischief. I really like Surge Capacity a lot. She has worked with grass horses and worked with dirt horses. CAFÉ AMERICANO, 9, Medaglia d'Oro-Roxy Gap, by Indian Charlie. To be bred to Into Mischief Café Americano is going back to Into Mischief. We have a very nice newly turned two year old by Tapit that we really like. She aborted an Into Mischief in 2024, and we're breeding her back to Into Mischief. Her daughter Lavender Disaster, by Into Mischief, is going on her three-year-old year, and was a TDN Rising Star in her first start. REGAL GLORY (IRE), 5, Cotai Glory (GB)-Regal Salute (GB), by Medicean (GB). To be bred to Gun Runner Regal Glory is going to Gun Runner. We think physically they suit each other. WOW CAT (CHI), 11, Lookin at Lucky-Winter Cat, by Cat Thief. To be bred to Into Mischief Wow Cat won four Group 1s in her native Chile who came to America to win the GI Beldame Wow Cat is going to Into Mischief. We have a two-year-old by Into Mischief we really like. BLEECKER STREET, 7, Quality Road-Lemon Liqueur, by Exchange Rate. To be bred to Justify (Grade I New York Stakes winner) Bleecker Street has a 2024 colt by Into Mischief and she is going to Justify. In her four-year-old year, she was five-for-six until she got hurt in the Diana where she was third, and we retired her. She was seven-for-eight overall. The post 2025 Mating Plans: Peter Brant appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Construction on the Great Hall at the Kentucky Derby Museum has begun in preparation for the debut of a remastered version of The Greatest Race, the museum's 360° feature film. The museum's $2.3 million project is being led by the Louisville-based company, Donna Lawrence Productions. Beginning Monday, Jan. 6, crews from Milwaukee-based Clearwing installed advanced lighting technology in the oval theater, working from designs created by Donna Lawrence Productions in collaboration with Boston-based firm Available Light. Additionally, Donna Lawrence Productions is actively editing the new version of the film to be installed on a new, state-of-the-art playback system designed and installed by Louisville-based Communications Electronic Design. The show will be updated with fresh footage captured during the 2024 Kentucky Derby and is scheduled to premiere in April 2025 during the museum's 40th anniversary celebrations. “The Greatest Race has been a cornerstone of the museum experience for four decades,” said Patrick Armstrong, Kentucky Derby Museum President and CEO. “This upgrade not only honors the exhibit's legacy but also ensures it remains a world-class attraction for the next generation of visitors. As we prepare to celebrate the museum's 40th anniversary, this project reflects our commitment to innovation, storytelling, and preserving the magic of the Derby.” Beginning in 1985, The Greatest Race has undergone transformations over the past 40 years. In 2015, it became the world's first seamless 360° immersive media experience. While the award-winning film's ending is updated annually to reflect the latest Derby winner, the 2025 version will mark the first significant upgrade in a decade. The revamped film will incorporate cutting-edge projection, an immersive surround soundtrack, atmospheric lighting, and dynamic effects. The storyline and video will offer a fresh perspective on the 20 horses, jockeys, trainers, and owners vying for victory in the “greatest two minutes in sports.” Donna Lawrence Productions, a long-time creative partner of the museum, is leading the production effort. “Building on the resilience of its original design by E. Verner Johnson and Hilferty and Associates, the museum is once again expanding the boundaries of deeply immersive media experiences, in this case fueled also by the power of a great story–The Greatest Race,” said Donna Lawrence. The $2.3 million project, supported by a $1 million grant from the James Graham Brown Foundation, builds on the museum's mission to engage, educate, and excite audiences about the Kentucky Derby. The exhibit will officially open to the public and will be included in the price of general admission starting Apr. 11, 2025. The post Construction Begins in Great Hall at Kentucky Derby Museum 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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Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) runner-up Scary (NZ) (Shocking) is building up nicely towards his return to the races next month. The Emma-Lee and David Browne-trained colt jumped out at Pakenham last Tuesday, when he had Jack Virgona in the saddle. “We’re really happy with him,” said Emma-Lee Browne. “He just had a quiet jumpout the other day, we were going to wait another week but then they put it on the course proper, so I just got Jack to take him along quietly. “He’s ridden him before in a jumpout previously and he was really impressed with him, he said he’s really grown up mentally, which is quite good. “We’ve been really, really happy with him.” Browne has identified February 15 at Flemington as the likely date for Scary’s first run in 2025. “He’ll have another jumpout, we’ll probably look at kicking him off in the C.S. Hayes (Gr.3, 1400m),” she said. “It’s probably a bit sharp for him first-up but he’s got quite a high rating now, so it’s a logical place to kick off.” A convincing maiden winner at Sale in September, Scary produced his best performance to date in the Victoria Derby, beating all bar Goldrush Guru (American Pharoah), and Browne said that it’s likely that he’ll be at his best once again over longer distances. “The further you go, the better he’s going to be,” she said. “We’ll look forward to getting him up over ground.” Scary is at $15 in Sportsbet’s market for the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) on April 5, should he head in that direction. View the full article

Top filly Bellatrix Star’s (Star Witness) autumn campaign has been aborted and her racing future is unclear after a freak accident at Cranbourne last week. Mark Walker’s Group Two winner and Group One runner-up sustained a serious neck injury when she reared and fell while exiting the swimming pool after a routine piece of exercise. Managing owner John Galvin said that while initial scans have confirmed several fractures, the injury appears stable and he will await further veterinary advice as to the filly’s long-term prospects. “She had an accident as she was exiting the pool, she reared right over onto her back and fell heavily,” Galvin said. “She was on the ground for 10 or 15 minutes, but she gradually got to her feet and was walked back to the box where she was examined by the vet and then X-rayed. “She’s got fractures in her neck. “The good news since is that she’s bright, she’s alert, she’s eating well and her vitals are good. “Obviously, her autumn campaign that we had planned is out the window and it’s possible that she may never race again, but we don’t know that for sure at this stage. “We’ve got a very good vet there, Matt Morahan, and I’ve spoken to our local Waikato vet, who was at the (Magic Millions) sales and, while it’s not a common injury, they’ve seen similar before. “Whether she recovers well enough to be able to race again, we can’t be sure, but, obviously, given her race record to date, she’s got a fair value as a broodmare prospect, so that would be plan b if she couldn’t race again.” A Group Two winner in New Zealand as a two-year-old, the Mark Walker-trained filly emerged as one of Australia’s premier sprinting three-year-olds with a strong of feature race wins over the spring, including the Gr.2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) against older horses. She finished well from near-last to run second to Switzerland in the Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m), before finishing down the track in the Gr.1 Champions Sprint (1200m). Galvin said connections had been eyeing an ambitious summer and autumn campaign with the Gr.1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m), Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m), Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) and Gr.1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) all on the agenda. View the full article

What Dubbo Races Where Dubbo Turf Club – Merrilea Rd, Dubbo NSW 2830 When Tuesday, January 14, 2025 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Dubbo Turf Club is the destination for NSW racing on Tuesday afternoon, with a quality eight-part program awaiting punters. The rail moves out +2m from the 1000m chute position, while the remainder is in the true position the rest of the way around. The track is rated a Good 4 at the time of writing, however, with significant rainfall forecast in the region, readers can expect a downgrade into the Soft range at some stage. All the action is set to get underway at 1:15pm AEDT. Best Bet at Dubbo: Storm Park Storm Park was impressive bounding away to score by a length at Tamworth on December 23 and looks perfectly placed on his quest for back-to-back wins. The son of Ocean Park relished every bit of the 1600m on that occasion, proving far too classy for maiden company, with Clayton Gallagher saving all the ground in a rail-hugging masterclass. There’s more depth in this Class 1 contest on paper; however, with Storm Park possessing significant upside compared to some key rivals, expect this guy to simply prove too good for this lot. Best Bet Race 3 – #5 Storm Park (1) 3yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | J: Clayton Gallagher (57.5kg) +150 with Neds Next Best at Dubbo: Written By Choice Written By Choice appears set to peak fourth-up into the campaign after catching the eye at Gilgandra on January 5. The Written By three-year-old closed off best of the beaten brigade at the end of 1280m, suggesting a step up to the 1400m should be an ideal recipe for success. Nick Heywood may need some luck slotting in for cover from barrier eight, but provided the breaks can fall his way, the $4.20 with BlondeBet is a fair price to find out as Written By Choice attempts to secure his maiden victory at start five. Next Best Race 2 – #1 Written By Choice (8) 3yo Gelding | T: Clint Lundholm | J: Nick Heywood (59kg) +320 with BlondeBet Best Value at Dubbo: Gecko Coin The $10 on offer with horse racing bookmakers for the Kylie Kennedy-trained Gecko Coin appears to be too big. The son of Written Tycoon has improved with every start this preparation, hitting the line well in back-to-back outings at Narromine over the unsuitable 1100m journey. The extra 100m to chase down his rivals should be ideal, and with plenty of tempo engaged in this Class 1 affair, watch for Shayleigh Ingelse and Gecko Coin to get the last crack at their rivals when storming down the centre of the course. Best Value Race 6 – #4 Gecko Coin (3) 6yo Gelding | T: Kylie Kennedy | J: Shayleigh Ingelse (57.5kg) +900 with Picklebet Tuesday quaddie tips for Dubbo Dubbo quadrella selections January 14, 2025 3-4-5-9-14 1-2-3-4-6 1-2-5-6-8 2-3-4-9 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Star Australian jockey will ride Packing Hermod in the first leg of the four-year-old series on January 31.View the full article

The remaining finalists have now been decided for the NZB Standardbred Harness Racing New Zealand Awards which will be held at Addington Raceway on Saturday, February 8. Last week the “Top Horse Contenders” were released. Today it is the “Other Awards” featuring Breeder of the Year, Owner of the Year, Pacing and Trotting Stallion and Broodmare of the year as well as this year’s Newcomer to Training and Stablehand of the Year. To see the “Other Awards” contenders please click here To see the “Top Horse contenders” please click here The HRNZ awards will be held in the Christian Cullen Lounge at Addington Raceway. Tickets are on sale now. They are $130 each (complete with food and beverage package). Tickets can be bought here Doors open at 5.15pm with the awards getting underway at 6 pm. For more information contact courtney@hrnz.co.nz View the full article

With an additional $600,000 in bonuses annually for the next three years and funded by the TAB, the Harness Racing New Zealand’s Next Gen ownership initiative is gaining serious momentum, ahead of next month’s NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales in Auckland and Christchurch. Next Gen is all about getting more and new people into “Owning The Thrill” of racing pacers and trotters. “It’s important to emphasise that everyone is eligible to get involved, it is for newcomers to racing as well as those who have owned and raced horses for decades,” says HRNZ Chief Executive Brad Steele, “as long as you meet certain criteria.” Since announcing the new scheme last month HRNZ has been busy explaining its new ownership model through updates on the hrnz website, its social media channels and by having on-course information booths at summer race days. “Next Gen is a triple whammy really – we want to encourage people, especially new people, into horse ownership and at the same time promote the Yearling Sales and our emerging trainers,” says Steele. There are three ways to become a Next Gen-er. 1. Buy a Next Gen eligible yearling at the Sales, at either Karaka (Auckland) on Saturday, February 15 and at Christchurch on Tuesday, February 18. Or 2. Buy any yearling from the Sales and have it trained by a Next Gen trainer. That is any trainer who has not trained a Group 1 winner, as of January 1, 2025. Or 3. Buy any yearling from the Sales and race with an ownership group of at least four people, where the horse is owned 30% or more by people who are born after 1984 or have never previously been registered HRNZ owners. “We are especially keen to engage with trainers and syndicate managers,” says Steele, “they are the best people to spread the word to potential new owners through their existing owners and connections.” The incentive to be part of Next Gen is that there are bonuses of up to $600,000 per year available to the connections of Next Gen horses during their 2YO season. All yearlings bought at the sales are eligible for the Harness Million races for the Colts and Geldings, Fillies and Trotters. A $50,000 bonus ($35,000 will go to the owner, $10,000 to the trainer and $5000 to the breeder) will be awarded to the first Next Gen eligible horse across the line in each of those three races. A $5000 2YO Second Start bonus ($4000 to the owner, $1000 to the trainer) will also be awarded to any Next Gen eligible horses that have two race day starts during their 2YO season. To be eligible for the Second Start bonus the yearling must be purchased at the NZB Sales and meet the Next Gen Sire, Trainer or Owner criteria. This will be capped at 90 horses, with a total payout of $450,000 per year. In 2025 the Next-Gen eligible yearlings must be sired by : Bettor’s Wish King Of Swing Bird Parker On A Streak Zenith Stride McWicked Tall Dark Stranger Bold Eagle Elite Stride Propulsion Timoko Captain Crunch Lather Up Stay Hungry Face Time Bourbon Ultimate Sniper Village Mystic There will be around 70 Next Gen eligible yearlings at the Sales, headlined by the stock of Captain Crunch with 26 – seven in Auckland and 19 in Christchurch. To see the NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales catalogue click here In conjunction with the launch of Gen Next everyone who registers their interest in the scheme goes into the draw to win a share in a Racehorse. It is free to enter and there are no costs involved. All you need to do is scan the QR code (below). The winner will get a $5000 credit to purchase a share in a Next Gen eligible standardbred horse from either the Auckland or Christchurch sales. There will also be a $7200 contribution towards training and ownership costs over the first two years For more details on Next Gen click here View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Jess Murphy wasn’t really expecting to be the new President of the Waikouaiti Trotting Club but now that she is, she is all in. “I’m really keen to get into it,” the 34-year-old says. She took over the job after being on the committee for the past “five or so” years. “I thought I’d be vice-president for a bit but when the president’s job came up my name was mentioned and it went from there.” As a Next Gen administrator she’s keen to see positive change. “I really want to see a lift in energy in what we do.” There are 10 members on the committee, with the club operating under umbrella organisation, Southern Harness Racing. The club runs one meeting a year, on the grass at Oamaru, an hour’s drive north of Waikouaiti, in February. “Omakau (Central Otago) in the New Year is the gold standard with the way it runs its races. Being later and after the holiday break we can’t get to that level but we do want to see a meeting with big crowds, a lot of younger people at the races and just a successful day where everyone’s enjoying themselves.” Murphy has been around horses all her life. Her roles have included being a breeder, a clerk of the course, and a ranch worker in Canada while she also worked for Trackside for six years as a director and now works full-time as a key account manager with FMG Insurance, based in Oamaru. “Growing up here (in Waikouaiti) there used to be six to eight trainers, now Amber Hoffman’s the only professional one if you like and there are hobby trainers like my dad Eddie and Denis O’Connell.” In 2021 she and her father helped prepare Mach O’Melley to win at Winton. It was his first win at start number 56. Just two months later Jess Murphy and her pacer completed the country’s most famous trek, The Cavalcade. Recently she acquired a share in maiden pacer Lottie’s Luck and hopes to get her trials drivers’ licence. “I’m also getting married in March – so it’s all happening.” But there’s the annual meeting to get through first, and there is still plenty to do. “Race sponsorship is a key priority for us. We need to get cracking on that and also organise the venue and sort out the food and bar staff on the day.” Financially she says the club is in good shape, thanks in no small way to some old school fund-raising. “We sell meat raffles at the Waihemo Lodge at Palmerston every Friday night, that’s a big earner for us!” And that’s part of Murphy’s challenge in her new job – to maintain the things that work but also get new people and engage new ideas as they plan for their future. View the full article

Fast-improving mare Acquarello produced the perfect dress rehearsal for her Karaka Millions Night assignment at Ellerslie on Sunday, putting away a compact field of class horses in the Auckland Co-Op Taxis (1400m). The daughter of Written Tycoon has scarcely put a foot wrong throughout her five-year-old term, finishing in the first three at every start including a victory in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and a second placing to subsequent Group One winner Provence in the Royal Descent Stakes (1400m). With a focus on the $500,000 Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) on January 25, Acquarello needed Sunday’s race which fortunately went ahead despite just four nominations, which included last year’s champion three-year-old Orchestral. Orchestral had opened an odds-on favourite with TAB bookmakers, but punters were hesitant to back the star mare at a distance short of her best, instead putting their faith in Acquarello, with the pair both jumping at $2.10. Unsurprisingly, the race was immediately a tactical affair, with Ace Lawson-Carroll taking Shamus up to lead at a sedate tempo ahead of Acquarello, while Orchestral was slow to jump and settled last inside of Pour The Wine. After such a slow pace, it was always going to be a sprint home and Shamus gave a sight for a long way, but Acquarello got the better of him late under Michael McNab, powering over the top to score comfortably by a half-length. Pour The Wine was a further three-quarters of a length back in third, while Orchestral had picked up late, but was unable to catch the first pair and remained in the same position she had been in throughout. McNab has been Acquarello’s regular rider since her Riccarton success and the top hoop was pleased with the performance. “She was good, she was really sharp and has made good improvement from first-up to today,” he said. “Hopefully she can improve off that again into the Westbury, so I’m really happy with her. “The competition is obviously going to be a lot stiffer, but she had a good hit-out today and she gave me a really good feel. She’s going to be competitive.” Pike shared a similar opinion, indicating the mare’s solid stature was always going to benefit from another lead-in run. “That was nice heading forward into the Westbury Classic,” he said. “She’s a very big mare, obviously fresh-up the other day she probably needed that run and had a big blow afterwards, and she probably needed this run today to top her off. “Shamus is a pretty handy horse in his own right and she took a while to get him, but she was good through the line and won it quite comfortably in the end. “Thank you to NZTR and Auckland for putting the race on for us, it mapped out perfectly for her. She was good through the line and I’m looking forward to Karaka Millions Night now.” Racing in the colours of owners Trelawney Stud, Acquarello was bred by Rifa Mustang and purchased for A$400,000 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale out of Sledmere Stud’s draft. Having had just the 14 starts, she has recorded five wins, four minor placings and $243,667 in stakes earnings. View the full article

Plenty of people in the New Zealand racing fraternity are looking forward to the inaugural Champions Day at Ellerslie on March 8, but none more so than Rayner and Lynn Bonnington. The $1.25 million Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) will be one of eight stakes races on the action-packed card, and the West Auckland couple, who breed and race under their Little River Thoroughbreds Partnership banner, look to have a strong contender for the classic. Farm graduate Mustang Morgan has shortened into $12 in the TAB Futures Market for the Derby following his victory in Sunday’s Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie, much to the delight of the Bonningtons and their group of owners. “It was amazing. It was great to be able to enjoy it with a good group of people,” Rayner Bonnington said. “We bred the horse, and I always said to my friends that when we broke one in and it showed a bit we would reach out and see if they were keen. They have taken 80 percent of the horse between them, and it has been a great ride. “It is never easy when they are so spread around the country, but when you target a race that far out then they have got a bit of time to get up there for the big dance.” Mustang Morgan is out of unraced Zeditave mare Assertiveobsession, a full-sister to multiple Group One winners Assertive Lad and Assertive Lass, the latter the dam of dual Group One winner and Group One-producing stallion Reset. Assertiveobsession was purchased as a broodmare prospect out of Stratheden Stud’s 2010 Magic Millions Broodmare Sale for A$270,000 and joined Cambridge Stud’s broodmare band, where she produced five winners, including stakes performer Ohceedee. She was subsequently offered for sale on Gavelhouse.com, and was purchased by the Bonnington’s for $7,500, with a view of sending her to Brighthill Farm stallion Preferment. “I spoke with Marcus Corban from Cambridge Stud, who was selling the mare,” Bonnington said. “We had a breeding right to Preferment and I looked at it (pedigree) and it (potential mating) is a three-quarter in blood to Reset, the stallion, so I thought if the recipe has worked once then why not go back?” That mating resulted in Mustang Morgan, who has shown plenty of ability for trainer Andrew Forsman to date, having placed in two starts prior to Sunday’s victory, and Bonnington is excited about the prospects of his two-year-old half-sister, who was the last foal out of Assertiveobsession. “Her two-year-old (Belardo filly) is with Shaun Clotworthy now. We are racing her with Shaun and a group of his friends,” Bonnington said. Bonnington is still coming down from the high of Sunday’s win and is excited about the build-up towards the Derby, with Mustang Morgan firstly enjoying a quick freshen-up. “He went to Milan Park today, we are good friends with Tony Rider (principal), and he will be out there for a week to enjoy some fresh grass in a paddock,” Bonnington said. “He will come back in and have a go at one of the Guineas, but Andrew hasn’t made his mind up yet as to which one he will go to. It will just be one more run before the Derby.” Mustang Morgan’s time at Milan Park could be a good omen for the Derby, with the Bonningtons having experienced some of their biggest highs in racing alongside Rider when racing Group One winner The Chosen One. “We were in The Chosen One with Tony, that was probably our biggest claim to fame. That was fun,” Bonnington said. “Getting third in a Caulfield Cup (Gr.1, 2400m) and being there when he won the Frank Packer Plate (Gr.3, 2000m) was great, and watching him run in the Melbourne Cups (Gr.1, 3200m).” While looking forward to the Derby with Mustang Morgan on Champions Day, the meeting’s feature race, the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), is proving just as exciting for the Bonningtons. The couple are part of the Kerri Spence and Clotworthy Racing slot holder partnership, and Bonnington said it is exciting to be involved in the groundbreaking race. “We are with Shaun Clotworthy and Kerri Spence, we have got a share in the slot as well, so it will be an epic day,” Bonnington said. “Shaun and Kerri are working through that (potential slot runners) at the moment and once we get a short list we can go from there, but nothing’s definite yet.” Bonnington said he and his wife Lynn are loving their time in racing, which was instigated when they attended a charity function several years ago, which resulted in them establishing Little River Thoroughbreds at their 30-acre Kumeu property. “My wife Lynn and I went to a charity function with CatWalk and we bought a stallion tour to Waikato Stud, Cambridge Stud and Trelawney, and we fell in love with the people that were doing it,” Bonnington said. “We have got a lifestyle block in Kumeu, which has a creek that runs through it, and bought a few fillies to race and then we have bred from them. We breed from three or four mares a year, and a big thanks to Lynn for all the hard work she does with the horses at home. “We race between 10 to 12 horses. We do a few with Milan Park, we have shares all the way through, a couple of 100 percent, and a few down with the Tylers (in Riverton) as well.” View the full article

Unbeaten colt To Bravery Born powered into TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) contention with his comeback victory at Ellerslie on Sunday. The gifted son of Snitzel showed his precocity when successful on debut in the opening race of the two-year-old season at Wanganui back in August and was subsequently laid low by injury. Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson had doubts he would be back in Karaka Millions contention but quickly bounced back and Sunday’s victory now has him equal $4 second favourite for the January 25 feature. To Bravery Born’s rapid progress has been welcomed by breeder Greg Tomlinson, whose Nearco Stud offered the youngster at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale. He was purchased for $200,000 by David Ellis and is raced by the Te Akau Secret Identity Racing Partnership. “Greg has 30-odd mares on his books, he’s still a big player in the game and we’re all grateful for his ongoing investment in the industry and it’s great to see him being rewarded,” Patrick Cunningham said. “Nearco Stud has a stake in To Bravery Born with the syndicate, so it’s pretty exciting to still be part of him and see him living up to expectations. “It looks like he’ll come on with that run as well and spur him on to be competitive in the Millions.” A New Zealand Bloodstock Sales Representative, Cunningham also has an advisory and portfolio management role with Nearco Stud, who have a number of broodmares and young stock at his father Gordon’s Curraghmore operation. To Bravery Born is a son of the All Too Hard mare Milunka, who was successful on two occasions in Australia. “Milunka is a daughter of Distinctive Lass who’s also the mother of Kahma Lass and a number of other stakes winners,” Patrick Cunningham said. Kahma Lass won the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in Cambridge Stud’s colours and brother Distinctive Darci, and half-brothers Kuro and Southern Lad also won at Listed level. “Milunka is a young mare and it’s a really promising family that continues to produce very good horses,” Cunningham said. By All Too Hard, she also has a daughter of Tarzino and foaled a filly by Satono Aladdin last October before she was covered by Chaldean. “The Tarzino yearling filly will probably be directed toward the Ready to Run Sale,” Cunningham said. “She’s a nice type and we thought timing wise she would be better off being presented as a two-year-old.” Nearco will offer nine youngsters under Curraghmore’s banner, along with another four in partnership with Rich Hill Stud, at the upcoming National Yearling Sale at Karaka. Included in the Curraghmore draft is a particular favourite to be sold as Lot 335. “The Proisir filly is a half-sister to Powers Of Opal, who ran second in the VRC Oaks (Gr.1, 2500m), she’d be my pick but there’s a lot of other good bloodlines for buyers to pick and choose from,” Cunningham said. They are out of the stakes winning Alamosa mare Strada Cavallo, who placed at Group One level in the New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and New Zealand Oaks (2400m). View the full article

Tony Cruz confirms the three-time Group One winner would need to hit top form again to book himself a trip to Dubai in April.View the full article

Feroce. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Feroce is on track for Guineas redemption, with preparations ramping up this week as the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) runner-up prepares to return to the jump-outs. Trainer Dom Sutton is delighted with how the son of Super Seth has come back from his spring break following his second-place finish behind Private Life in the October Classic, which was followed by a placing in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 2. While there’s been significant interest in the New Zealand-bred gelding for the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie on March 8, Sutton is leaning towards keeping him in Australia. “He’s going to trial on the 17th and he’s probably going to kick off in the Autumn Stakes over seven furlongs,” Sutton said. “We are heavily leaning towards staying here in Australia and going down the Australian Guineas route instead of heading to New Zealand for their slot race. “There are just so many options for him in the autumn. We’ll gauge it as we go and might even put him in something like the All-Star Mile just in case.” The Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) will be held at Caulfield on February 8, with the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) taking place at Flemington three weeks later. Horse racing news View the full article

Coolmore winning the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Racing Photos) Coolmore are eagerly anticipating the future of Switzerland as plans take shape for the colt’s path towards Royal Ascot in June. The Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) winner is progressing well in his preparations for a campaign aimed at the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes (1200m) and is nearing his first trial. The Chris Waller-trained three-year-old is set to return to action in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 15. “He’s going well, Chris is happy with him and James (McDonald) is happy with him,” said Coolmore’s Tom Magnier. “He spelled at the farm at Mt White, and Chris is happy with the way that he came back. “If he’s half the horse that he was the day we saw him in the Coolmore, there’ll be plenty to look forward to, but we’re all very happy with him.” Switzerland extended his record to five wins from seven starts with his Coolmore Stud Stakes triumph on November 2, which followed his victory in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) in October. Horse racing news View the full article

Santa Anita Park, which canceled racing this weekend, will host five straight days of live racing starting Jan. 16 and ending with a special Martin Luther King Jr. holiday program Jan. 20View the full article

Edited Press Release Christian Maragh was in diapers the first time he joined his brother Rajiv at the racetrack. The siblings were together again Sunday at Gulfstream Park under much different circumstances. Separated by 18 years, Rajiv and Christian Maragh lined up against each other for the first time as jockeys in Race 7, a claiming event for older horses sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs on the all-weather Tapeta course. Rajiv Maragh, 39, ran fifth on 5-year-old gelding Gabagool (Ransom the Moon), trained by their father, Collin Maragh. Christian Maragh, 21, wound up trailing the field after losing his irons when 6-year-old gelding Jet Wings (Noble Bird) had the saddle slip stumbling from the gate. “It was the craziest experience of my entire life,” Christian Maragh said. “It was something I always pictured since I was little, actually happening for the first time. It's crazy. It's literally a dream come true.” Christian Maragh made his professional debut Nov. 8 at Gulfstream, finishing eighth on Prized Katz (Katz My Song). He picked up his first win Dec. 27 at Tampa Bay Downs aboard Dundie (Speightstown), trained by his father. Ironically, Dundie also gave Rajiv Maragh the first win of his comeback after nearly two years away from the sport, Dec. 5 at Gulfstream. The Jamaica native owns 1,942 career wins with purse earnings of more than $102 million. “I'm glad I came back to ride,” he said. “It was very good, a bit surreal being in the gate next to him.” The brothers broke side-by-side in Posts 5 and 6 Sunday. Christian Maragh attempted a little pre-race gamesmanship to gain an advantage. “I looked over and made a face at him to try to make him laugh and catch him off guard,” he said, “but it didn't work.” Christian Maragh, who stands 5-foot-8, tipped the scales at 170 pounds before getting himself down to riding weight in order to realize his boyhood passion and follow his older brother into racing. He has a record of 3-2-2 from 20 starts, riding primarily at Tampa. “I had to really dedicate myself and commit myself to what I wanted to do. It's not like I just randomly jumped up. I've wanted to be a jockey since when I was little kid,” he said. “I kind of knew the day would always come when I would have to just bite the bullet and take my life seriously and dedicate myself to the lifestyle.” Rajiv Maragh, whose Grade I wins include the Breeders' Cup Mile and Filly & Mare Sprint, Wood Memorial, Whitney and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, is his brother's biggest supporter. “The first time I took him to a racetrack I was an apprentice at Gulfstream in 2004. He was a newborn in my mom's hands. I won my fifth race, and the security guard said, 'Let in his wife and his child,'” Maragh said. “I'm like, 'That's my mom and my brother.' “To see him come from that, every day riding the exerciser. He used to run home from school and go straight to the garage and get on the exerciser,” he added. “To be here today is a special moment.” The post Maragh Brothers Share Starting Gate Sunday at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk North Canterbury trainer Tom Bamford is eyeing up more success at Blenheim this week after a training double at Nelson yesterday. Stable star Rakero Rocket and Light Me Up both won at Richmond Park to give the young trainer four wins from just seven starts so far in 2025. For Rakero Rocket it was his fourth win in his last six starts, highlighted by victory in the first ever Group 1 Christian Cullen at Addington in December. “He’s exceeded expectations,” says Bamford, “to win on Cup Day (Garrards Mobile Pace) I thought that would be the highlight of the year and then he came out and beat the Merlins and Don’t Stop Dreamings and Charlie Browns and the Cup horses in the Christian Cullen.” “He’s come a long way and hopefully he can keep improving.” Now Bamford is now thinking about the biggest race of them all. “The main target is the New Zealand Cup. That’s the only real concrete plan and we will work back from there.” The road to the Cup could include the likes of the $1m The Race at Cambridge in April, and/or the Messenger and the Taylor Mile. “It’s pretty exciting just potentially thinking about being in these big races.” Yesterday Rakero Rocket was sent to the front by driver Gavin Smith in the day’s feature pace, the Nelson Pine Industries Nelson Classic (1609m), controlled the tempo and then skipped away to win by over a length. The win followed a second off 30 metres in Friday’s Nelson Pine Industries Nelson Cup behind Xlendi. While Rakero Rocket is now headed for a well earned break stablemate Light Me Up will be back in action on the grass at Waterlea Raceway this weekend after his Nelson win. In the Brown and Associates/ Anchor Restaurant and Bar Mobile Pace the Bettor’s Delight four-year-old got the perfect run in the trail behind Shannon B who paced a bit roughly in the run home as Light Me Up and Blair Orange scooted up the passing lane to win narrowly. It followed a second on the opening day on Friday. “They were two credible runs, it’s hard to be to be fresh up and then back up with a win two days later.” “He’ll run the second day at Blenheim (Sunday).” He’ll be joined up north by four stablemates including the in-form Ebury Street, Rakero Chase, Midnight Babe, and Gem N Em. “Ebury Street is a wee marvel, she’s still the GP (galloping pace marker) at home,” says Bamford, “but you know what they say about a mare in form.” The six-year-old has won four of her last five starts, and eight overall. “She’s been airborne.” Other highlights yesterday included Nellie Doyle and Follow Your Dream going back to back for driver Blair Orange after winning on Friday, as did Knowing Me for the trainer/driver combo of Margo Nyhan and Peter Davis. Nellie Doyle’s win was Tim Trathen’s 50th training success, his first also coming at Nelson with Seafield Kent in 1992. View the full article

Despite live racing for the weekend cancelled at Santa Anita due to the Los Angeles fires, training continued with GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational contenders Mixto (Good Magic) and Stronghold (Ghostzapper) among Sunday's workers. Both worked five furlongs with Mixto covering the distance in 1:02.60 and Stronghold going in 1:01.40. Mixto won the 2024 GI Pacific Classic for trainer Chief Stipe O'Neill, while Stronghold, trained by Phil D'Amato, won the 2024 GI Santa Anita Derby. The $3-million Pegasus will be held Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park. An alternate for the Pegasus, Steal Sunshine (Constitution) worked the same distance Sunday at Gulfstream in 1:01.52. Steal Sunshine won the 2024 GII Gulfstream Park Mile for trainer Bobby Dibona. The post Mixto and Stronghold Work for Pegasus at Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grade 1 winners Mixto and Stronghold each put in five-furlong works Jan. 12 at Santa Anita Park ahead of a scheduled start in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25.View the full article