Wandering Eyes

After losing on five heavy favorites and getting disqualified from a win on a sixth, jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. would probably like to put his Saturday trip to Tampa Bay Downs behind him as soon as possible. But North America's leading rider in victories in each of the last eight years is going to have to wait until at least Wednesday to find out if the Tampa stewards are going to suspend or otherwise penalize him for his actions aboard 1-2 favorite Owen Almighty (Speightstown) in the Jan. 11 Pasco Stakes that forced the 7-2 third choice, Rookie Card (Adios Charlie) to check hard under jockey Junior Alvarado while near the inner rail at the three-eighths pole. “We're in the process of looking at it and speaking with the people right now,” association steward Joelyn Rigione told TDN via phone while between races Sunday afternoon. “So we won't have a final answer until probably Wednesday morning because we're dark [Monday] and Tuesday.” The head-on replay showed Ortiz vying for the lead from the three path in the seven-furlong stakes. Approaching the far turn Owen Almighty appeared to have his head cocked to the outside while the colt's body was bearing inward. Owen Almighty continued dropping down toward the rail, where Rookie Card and Alvarado were attempting to close the gap and establish a position. The Equibase chart stated that Owen Almighty “bumped and forced Rookie Card to take up sharply.” As Rookie Card dropped out of contention, the head-on replay showed Ortiz looking back over his left shoulder to assess the aftermath. Ortiz and Owen Almighty went on to cross the finish wire first by a length (87 Beyer Speed Figure). Rookie Card checked in fifth, beaten 23 lengths. He was elevated to fourth place when the stewards DQ'd Owen Almighty and placed him fifth for interference. Naughty Rascal | SV Photography “I'm just glad [Rookie Card] was able to come back fine and we're all in one piece,” Alvarado told the Tampa notes team after the incident. “We scratch that one and we move on. That's what we do.” The colt who was second across the line, Naughty Rascal (Rogueish), got promoted to the win as the 3-1 second choice. Naughty Rascal actually led between calls twice in the race, from about the three-furlong pole to the quarter pole, and then again briefly in upper stretch. He was awarded an 85 Beyer for the win-via-DQ. “My horse ran his race, but I think he'll get much better going around two turns,” said Naughty Rascal's trainer, Gerald Bennett. “I didn't really drill on him for this race. He eats everything you put in front of him, and he looked a little on the heavy side in the paddock. He's way off from being at his peak, but you want them to peak at the right time.” Bennett said the Sam F. Davis Stakes Feb. 8 is the next goal for Naughty Rascal, but that his “main objective” is the GIII Tampa Bay Derby Mar. 8 In addition to the DQ, Ortiz lost at Tampa on Saturday aboard horses bet down to odds of 3-5, 11-10, 6-5 and 7-5 (twice). The other two Tampa stewards who will rule on Ortiz's potential suspension are state steward Reese Howard and association steward Brook Hawkins. The post Tampa Stewards Yet To Rule On Possible Ortiz Suspension In Aftermath Of Pasco Stakes DQ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

3rd-Gulfstream, $70,000, Msw, 1-12, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:10.47, ft, 2 1/4 lengths. INVISIBLE STRING (f, 3, Blame–Dream It Is {GSW-USA, SW-Can, $175,544}, by Shackleford), sent off at 5-2, broke well and quickly thrust herself into contention, prompting She's a Gamer (Game Winner) through an opening half in :22.60. Poking her head in front through a :45.77 half, she maintained a narrow advantage turning for home. With the most in reserve late, the half to SW Otto the Conqueror (Street Sense), $488,620 drew off to score by 2 1/4 lengths. Dream It Is, a half-sister to GSP Just Katherine (Justify), produced a filly by Curlin in 2023 and followed up with a colt Uncle Mo last term. She was bred back to Constitution. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $42,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Hoolie Racing Stable LLC; B-Hoolie Racing Stable, LLC (KY); T-Christophe Clement. The post Blame’s Invisible String Graduates in Gulfstream Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It's an interesting year when it comes to the Eclipse Awards, which will be announced next week. As always, there are the categories that are no-brainers where the winners should be unanimous. But there are several divisions this year that aren't so clear-cut, which will make for an interesting ceremony come Jan. 23. Here's a look at my ballot: Two-Year-Old Male: Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) Became the obvious pick after winning the 2024 GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Scary thing is that he might be no better than the third or fourth best now 3-year-old in the Bob Baffert barn. Two-Year-Old Filly: Immersive (Nyquist) Another obvious choice. Too bad she got hurt as she looked like the type of imposing filly that cold romp in the GI Kentucky Oaks and establish herself as a true superstar. The good news is that she will be back. Three-Year-Old Male: Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) A really close call between two terrific horses in Sierra Leone and Fierceness (City of Light). They ran against each other four times with each one finishing ahead of the other twice. In the most high-profile races, Fierceness beat Sierra Leone in the GI DK Travers Stakes, while Sierra Leone beat his rival in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic. Fierceness (inside) and Thorpedo Anna | Sarah Andrew The Classic victory ordinarily would be enough to guarantee that Sierra Leone won the award, but Fierceness has plenty of backers. Their argument is that the Breeders' Cup proved that Fierceness was the better horse. He stalked a brutally fast pace yet held on to finish second. The late-running Sierra Leone had a dream trip closing from 11th and was passing tired horses in the stretch. So does that make Fierceness the better horse? Yes? No? Maybe? It doesn't matter. Eclipse Awards are not decided by “what if.” On the day when it mattered most, Sierra Leone was victorious. Three-Year-Old Filly: Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) Obvious. Older Dirt Male: National Treasure (Quality Road) Because just about every three-year-old from 2023 that mattered retired this was a particularly weak division. Full Serrano (Arg) (Full Mast) was pretty much an unknown before he won the GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, but his 1 1/2-length win in that race showed that he is a quality horse and one that could have a big 2025. But the Argentinean import only ran three times in the U.S. and the Dirt Mile was his only stakes win. The other candidate is National Treasure. He didn't exactly have a typical championship season either, but wins in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes and the GI Metropolitan Handicap make for a better resume than what Full Serrano has. Idiomatic | Sarah Andrew Older Dirt Female: Idiomatic (Curlin) Another tough category as neither of the best two horses in the division, Adare Manor (Uncle Mo) or Idiomatic made it to the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff. Both had similar records, winning two Grade I races. Idiomatic was probably running against tougher horses than the ones Adare Manor was meeting in California and she blew out the field in a 6 1/2-length win in the GI Juddmonte Spinster Stakes. She's the pick, but anyone who votes for Adare Manor has nothing to apologize about. Male Sprinter: Straight No Chaser (Speightster) Another tough one because Cogburn (Not This Time) was the fastest horse among the three finalists. But all of his races came on the turf and I've never been comfortable voting for a turf horse in a division where conventional wisdom says it's for dirt horses. Straight No Chaser didn't have anything close to a full campaign, running just three times. But he did win the GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint, which was enough for me to put him on the top of my list. Female Sprinter: Soul of an Angel (Atreides) Another division where no one really stood out, but Soul of an Angel put it all together in the fall, winning the GIII Princess Rooney and the GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup F&M Sprint. No one did more. Will be interesting to see if voters hold her loss in the Dec. 26 running of the Rampart Stakes at Gulfstream against her. Male Turf Horse: Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) Another fascinating division. GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf winner Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) will probably get the nod off his recent win at Del Mar. But that was his only start stateside. He also ran in Qatar, Dubai, Hong Kong, Great Britain and Germany and lost only once all year. Was he the best male turf horse to run in the U.S. in 2024? Absolutely. Did he get my vote? No, he did not. Carl Spackler | Sarah Andrew I have always been against handing out Eclipse Awards to foreign horses who come in, run once in the U.S., win a Breeders' Cup race and then catch the next flight out. What someone did outside of North America should have no bearing on their Eclipse Award status. In fact, it's time for the Eclipse Award committee to institute a new rule, that a horse is ineligible for an Eclipse Award unless running at least twice in the U.S. In Canada, a horse must run a minimum of three times in that country to be eligible for a Sovereign Award. So, the pick is Carl Spackler, who ran six times in the U.S. and won four races, including two top level races. Plus, he's got a cool name. Female Turf Horse: Moira (Ghostzapper) Not much doubt in this division. She finally had that big break-through race and won the GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. The best horse based in Canada last year she will not be named Canadian Horse of the Year because she ran only once in her native country. Steeplechase Horse: Snap Decision (Hard Spun) I find it silly that so many people abstain in this division. Granted few of us among the voters are steeplechase experts, but we can all read past performances. It's not hard to figure out who the best horse was. With three graded stakes wins Snap Decision was the best of this bunch. Jockey: Flavian Prat The Frenchman had an historic year. Yes, Irad Ortiz Jr. is also wonderfully gifted, but this was the year of Prat. Apprentice Jockey: Erik Asmussen Led all apprentices in wins and earnings. If he can maintain his weight, he could have quite a career. Ken McPeek with Brian Hernandez | Sarah Andrew Trainer: Kenny McPeek Judging by the feedback I have gotten, everyone is jumping on the bandwagon and McPeek is going to win the trainers' award, as well he should. Yes, Chad Brown had another very good year, but this was the year of McPeek. How do you not give the Eclipse to the trainer who won the Derby-Oaks double and the Breeders' Cup Distaff? Also, he nearly won the Travers with Thorpedo Anna, who will be named Horse of the Year. Breeder/Owner: Godolphin These guys must have a huge trophy case. Horse of the Year: Thorpedo Anna The post My Eclipse Award Choices: The Week in Review appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Built aims to build on his Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots success as he faces 13 rivals in the $250,000 Lecomte Stakes (G3) Jan. 18.View the full article

Following on from Sean Cronin's feature published on Thursday, below are my pick of bright prospects from the armada of 'TDN Rising Stars' from 2024. Unsurprisingly, there were several from Ballydoyle among the total of headline-grabbing 2-year-olds breaking their maidens in style and I have chosen one in particular that I feel has the potential to be another of their “special” brigade. Twain (Ire) is a direct descendant of the great Urban Sea (Miswaki) and was one of a clutch by Wootton Bassett (GB) to take off last term. Not featuring are Rayevka (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Nebras (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Maranoa Charlie (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who all failed in group 1 company but who retain oodles of promise. I also haven't included the top-class Desert Flower (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Babouche (GB) (Kodiac {GB}), Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Powerful Glory (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), Ancient Truth (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who all hit the heights last season carrying the 'TDN Rising Star' mantle with distinction. They all could go on to add to their juvenile exploits in 2025, no doubt, but they are nobody's secret as things stand. I have tried to keep this list for those who are less low-profile and are more in the shadows. Okay, so Twain may have won the G1 Criterium International but I feel he has a lot more to give and such is his aura he had to be in. TWAIN (IRE), c, 3, by Wootton Bassett (GB) 1st Dam: Wading (Ire) (GSW-Eng), by Montjeu (Ire) 2nd Dam: Cherry Hinton (GB), by Green Desert 3rd Dam: Urban Sea, by Miswaki Owner: Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier Breeder: Coolmore Trainer: Aidan O'Brien After Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and City Of Troy (Justify), Ballydoyle could have a third consecutive top-drawer performer to maintain the momentum after Twain's dazzling wins at Leopardstown and Saint-Cloud. It takes some doing to win a group 1–especially one containing the aforementioned Maranoa Charlie–without having to dig at all deep and look green, but that is exactly what this son of the G2 Rockfel Stakes winner Wading achieved. Wading was going to turn out top-class herself, I'm sure, but injury intervened and she is making her mark as a broodmare having produced another Rockfel winner in the also group 1 and grade I-placed Just Wonderful (Dansili {GB}). Her dam Cherry Hinton (GB) (Green Desert) was responsible for Montjeu's G1 Irish Oaks heroine Bracelet (Ire) and the GI Belmont Oaks heroine Athena (Ire) by Montjeu's son Camelot (GB), while the third dam needs no introduction. Whether Twain will stay far enough to emulate his Derby-winning relatives Galileo (Ire), Sea The Stars (Ire) and Masar (Ire) remains to be seen, but you'd be brave to take him on in a 2,000 Guineas. RED LETTER (GB), f, 2, by Frankel (GB) 1st Dam: Red Impression (GB), by Dark Angel (Ire) 2nd Dam: Purissima, by Fusaichi Pegasus 3rd Dam: Willstar, by Nureyev Owner: Juddmonte Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Ltd Trainer: Ger Lyons Another like Twain who is not exactly low-profile, given that she finished fourth in the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, but she may be one who is slightly forgotten as Ger Lyons opted to leave her alone from that point on. Her sectionals when narrowly denied by Lake Victoria–yes, her–at The Curragh in July were sensational and I'm sure she wasn't seen to best effect in the Moyglare where she was beaten around a length and a half. Red Letter hails from the family of the operation's G1 Prix de la Foret heroine and US export Etoile Montante (Miswaki) and the way her trainer talked about her after her maiden win confirms that she will improve as she matures and strengthens from three onwards. This could be another in an unending line of Juddmonte jewels and a career Stateside could see her rack up a sequence of grade I races if connections opt to eventually go that way as they did with her esteemed relation. FALAKEYAH (GB), f, 2, by New Bay (GB) 1st Dam: Alaflaak, by War Front 2nd Dam: Lahudood (GB), by Singspiel (Ire) 3rd Dam: Rahayeb (GB), by Arazi Owner/Breeder: Shadwell Estate Company Limited Trainer: Owen Burrows Another with distinguished family members, Shadwell's Falakeyah went through the motions on debut at Wolverhampton in November but her quality shone through. She is a granddaughter of the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Lahudood (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), linking her to Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and his amazing full-brother Baaeed (GB) so the sky could be the limit. To know anything at all about the way Owen Burrows operates and the manner in which this family develops tells you that she has already let the cat out of the bag without even trying. FALLING SNOW (IRE), f, 2, by Justify 1st Dam: Winter (Ire) (MG1SW-Eng, G1SW-Ire, $1,424,358), by Galileo (Ire) 2nd Dam: Laddies Poker Two (Ire), by Choisir (Aus) 3rd Dam: Break Of Day, by Favorite Trick Owner: Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor Breeder: Coolmore Trainer: Donnacha O'Brien Seen only once at two, the daughter of the G1 1,000 Guineas, G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas, G1 Coronation Stakes and G1 Nassau Stakes heroine Winter made a big impression when upsetting the race-fit Ballet Slippers (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in The Curragh's often-informative American Racing Channel Irish EBF Fillies Juvenile Race. That has been won by Hydrangea (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Opera Singer (Justify) was runner-up to A Lilac Rolla (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}) in 2023, so it's fair to say it's a target race for the major yards. She also managed to do so in a time over two seconds faster than another 'TDN Rising Star' in Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) on the same card as she became Justify's 10th 'TDN Rising Star', so there is a lot to like. Donnacha O'Brien said after that race that she was physically unprepared for the traditional Debutante-Moyglare route, so it was no surprise that she was tucked away as her dam had been after her maiden win at two. Winter's daughter Beginnings (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) was also a 'TDN Rising Star', but she tapered off at three so let's hope Falling Snow doesn't follow that trend. ULTRAFRAGOLA (IRE), f, 2, by Sottsass (Fr) 1st Dam: Toinette (MGSW-US, $580,720), by Scat Daddy 2nd Dam: I Bet Toni Knows, by Sunriver 3rd Dam: Ibetyouwishyouknew, by Mr. Greeley Owner/Breeder: White Birch Farm Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget Yet another filly, but as they proved immeasurably better than the colts last term it's no surprise that they dominate the list. Another who shone in the summer only to disappear off the radar, the Deauville August debutante was her Prix du Jockey Club and Arc-winning first-crop sire's breakthrough first winner. A daughter of the GII Goldikova Stakes, GIII Edgewood Stakes, GIII Autumn Miss Stakes and GIII Wilshire Stakes winner Toinette, she scored by 5 1/2 lengths with a notably fast finale to the Normandy venue's Prix des Marettes which has been won in the past by Zagora (Fr) (Green Tune) and Antonoe (First Defence). JUVENILE TDN RISING STARS (EUROPE) WITH BLACK-TYPE WINS IN 2024 Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) G1 Cheveley Park Stakes, G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, G3 Sweet Solera Stakes Desert Flower (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) G1 Fillies' Mile, G2 May Hill Stakes Babouche (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) G1 Phoenix Stakes, G3 Anglesey Stakes Twain (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) G1 Criterium International Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) G2 Debutante Stakes, G3 Silver Flash Stakes, Listed Chesham Stakes Powerful Glory (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) G2 Mill Reef Stakes Ancient Truth (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) G2 Superlative Stakes Bubbling (Ire) (No Nay Never) G2 Rockfel Stakes Truly Enchanting (Ire) (No Nay Never) G2 Airlie Stud Stakes Maranoa Charlie (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) G3 Prix Thomas Bryon Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) G3 Autumn Stakes The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) G3 Acomb Stakes Field Of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) G3 Solario Stakes Zarigana (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) G3 Prix d'Aumale Tiego The First (Fr) (Blue Point {Ire}) Listed Prix Roland de Chambure BLACK-TYPE-PLACED JUVENILE TDN RISING STARS (EUROPE) IN 2024 Sandtrap (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) Trinity College (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) Hill Road (Quality Road) Ruling Court (Justify) Chancellor (GB) (Kingman {GB}) Surpass (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) Polyvega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) Mountain Breeze (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) The post TDN Rising Stars to Follow in 2025: Part II appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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There's a growing sense of anticipation at Bearstone Stud with less than 11 weeks to go until the start of the British Flat season on turf, with the first foal out of the farm's most notable graduate, Glass Slippers (GB), having recently turned two. The Dubawi (Ire) colt in question will be the third generation of this family to have been bred and raced by Terry and Margaret Holdcroft, who founded the business back in 1979. They bought the colt's great grandam, the winning Fairy King mare Ocean Grove (Ire), for around 20,000gns at Tattersalls in December 1996. Ocean Grove went on to produce seven winners, including the Listed scorer and G3 Ballyogan Stakes runner-up Eastern Romance (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), while it was her very first foal, Night Gypsy (GB), a winning daughter of the former Bearstone stallion Mind Games (GB), who gave them Glass Slippers. What Glass Slippers his since given to everyone involved with the Shropshire farm cannot be summed up in words, according to stud manager Mark Pennell. Trained by Kevin Ryan, she won seven of her 21 career starts, notably registering a trio of top-level victories in the Prix de l'Abbaye of 2019 and the Flying Five Stakes and Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint of the following year. She added two further Group 1 placings to her record in 2021, before retiring home to Bearstone as the winner of around £1 million in total prize-money, at the end of a top-class sprinting career which still feels like yesterday for those closest to her. “She was a great flagbearer for the stud through Covid and kept everybody's chins up,” Pennell remembers. “You start breeding with a mare like that and you think, 'God, it's going to be three years up the road before we have one on the track'. Then the next thing it's here–it all comes around so quickly.” Sure enough, the debut appearance of the first foal out of Glass Slippers is likely to be just a matter of months away, especially as the Dubawi colt is said to be a proper two-year-old type. Bought back by his breeders for 380,000gns at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, he has since been put into training with Kevin Ryan, who navigated the career of the dam so expertly. “We're very pleased with him,” says Pennell. “Kevin is quite confident that he's going to be a two-year-old. He's certainly built like one–he's short-coupled, and perhaps a little bit on the small side, but he's strengthened up and grown since he's come back from the sale. Kevin said he's more than big enough now and he's pleased with how he's done. It's early days for him to tell us anything, but he's done everything we've asked of him.” As for Glass Slippers, she too continues to do everything asked of her, making life easy for the team at Bearstone and providing plenty more to look forward to in the years to come. “She's such an easy mare to deal with, an absolute dream,” Pennell adds. “She's got a Frankel colt now, a very nice yearling. We're very pleased with him and he'll go to the sales next October. She's in foal to Havana Grey at the moment and she's booked in to go to Blue Point this year–it's exciting times.” The Euros strike at the @keenelandracing – Glass Slippers wins the @BreedersCup Turf Sprint for @kevinryanracing and @tomeaveswigan! #BC20 pic.twitter.com/LGmgy27lBw — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 7, 2020 This next chapter in the life of Glass Slippers is far from the only source of excitement for her connections in these early days of 2025. It's a big year as well for her sire, the five-time Group 1 winner Dream Ahead, who joined the Bearstone stallion ranks ahead of the 2022 breeding season, following stints at Ballylinch Stud in Ireland and Haras de Grandcamp in France. The sire of four individual Group 1 winners, with Al Wukair (Ire), Donjuan Triumphant (Ire) and Dream Of Dreams (Ire) joining Glass Slippers on that list, Dream Ahead reportedly covered over 100 mares in his first season at Bearstone, leaving Pennell eager to see what the first British-bred crop of juveniles can do when they take to the track in 2025. He continues, “It's almost like having a new first-season sire in a way. He disappeared off to France and was sent a lot of staying mares out there. If you look at all of his best horses, they were all produced out of sprinting mares. We've supported him strongly with all of our top sprinting mares and we've had some really nice yearlings. We've kept about half a dozen of the nicest we had to put into training with the likes of Tim Easterby and Kevin Ryan. “We had a very nice filly we sold at Doncaster who made £60,000. The fillies actually sold better than the colts. For what reason, I don't know, because he's had three Group 1 colts and one filly. Overall, we were very pleased and I think he's standing at a very commercial price [£6,500]–I think anybody who uses him this year will be doing themselves a favour.” Whilst Dream Ahead wasn't done many favours last year, with only 29 mares heading his way, Pennell remains optimistic that the emergence of a standout juvenile this year could see the stallion back on the rise again. “I think people are just a bit dubious when they go off abroad and come back,” he adds. “I don't know if people are waiting to see what happens [with his first crop of British-bred runners], but he's a great outcross for a lot of mares in this country and we've had some good breeders who have come back to him. The dam of Dream Of Dreams, she's been twice. “We'll see how he goes. I certainly think our sprinting mares will suit him and I'd be amazed if he doesn't get some good horses out of this crop.” Dream Ahead is one of three stallions on the Bearstone roster, along with the G1 Dewhurst Stakes and G1 Lockinge Stakes winner Belardo (Ire) and the G3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes hero Washington DC (Ire). That pair will be standing at fees of £5,500 and £3,500, respectively, in 2025, offering decent value in challenging times for those breeders operating at the lower ends of the market. “Belardo had 50% winners to runners in 2024 and he was the leading sire of winners in Europe standing at under £15,000,” says Pennell. “He's had 36 stakes winners and performers, so he's done no wrong at all. Again, it was a quiet year for him last year [when covering 19 mares] and we were disappointed to be honest. I think they're generally milers and they do improve at three, so we're expecting another good season because he had a good crop of runners last year. “Washington DC has got [the G3 Abernant Stakes winner] Washington Heights and Kevin is quite sure he's going to win a big one. From very small books of mares he's done exceptionally well. He was a little bit disappointing in his first and second seasons, but he seems to have cracked on and held his own ground. He keeps finding a few winners and his top yearling last year was 60,000gns, which is pretty good from a £3,500 nomination fee.” He continues, “A lot of people have been paying 10 or 15 grand for these stallions and they're just not getting their money back. That middle to bottom market is absolutely on the floor at the moment and I think people are being a bit more careful with what they spend this year. It's difficult and we struggled ourselves a bit last year [at the sales]–it's been tough for everybody.” One highlight of last year for the team at Bearstone was watching the success of Bradsell (GB) on the racecourse, a colt bred and raised at the stud. His dam, Deborah O'Brien's Russian Punch (GB) (Archipenko), is one of around 30 boarders at Bearstone, which is also home to around 60 mares belonging to the Holdcrofts. “He was amazing, when you think he came back from a bad injury as well and still won two Group 1s,” Pennell says of the new recruit to the National Stud. “We've actually bought a breeding right in him and we're going to be supporting him as well. We went to see him and he didn't look like a horse who had just come out of training. He already looked like a stallion–he's a real solid man and a great-looking horse. Hopefully, he'll produce them the same.” As for where the next Glass Slippers or Bradsell is going to come from, it's impossible to know, but Pennell is happy to nominate a two-year-old in training with Richard Fahey as a horse who could give the ever-enthusiastic Holdcrofts something to shout about in 2025. He adds, “Terry is out on the yard every day. He's still busy with his main business as well, so he's still full on and amazing for his age how he just cracks on and does so much. Margaret enjoys seeing the foals and getting around and having a look at everything. They follow everything, absolutely everywhere. Margaret never misses an entry and she keeps track of all of our winners. “I think we bred 67 winners last year from the stud and we're around that 65-70 mark every year. We breed a lot of winners and a lot of them are by our own sires who we stand. This year we've got a particularly nice Dream Ahead colt with Richard. That's a half-brother to Washington Heights. He's a very, very nice horse and we think quite highly of him.” The post A Big Year on Many Levels for Bearstone Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Houston Race Park announced a partnership with the Texas Thoroughbred Association and The Paddock Foundation on Ring The Bell for Thoroughbred Aftercare.View the full article

Growing up in the Thoroughbred industry, Headley VanMeter has always dreamed of starting his own consignment. Now, he is doing it by going out on his own this summer under the banner of VanMeter Sales. “Starting a consignment has always been a goal of mine,” said VanMeter. “Everything I have done to this point has been to build a strong foundation as a horsemen. I feel like now is a great time to try to start my own business. I've been really fortunate to be surrounded by a lot of top horsemen and outfits in this industry. I can't thank everyone enough who has helped me along the way. I'm ecstatic to have this opportunity and look forward to this new adventure.” Headley's father Tom VanMeter helped run Eaton Sales before he founded VanMeter Gentry Sales. With lines that branch out into several avenues within the industry, the son began working for his older brother William at VanMeter Racing. Over the course of four years, he moved up from the bottom to become an assistant. In 2019, Lane's End beckoned, which offered another layer to his resume. Despite a challenging learning curve, this VanMeter has relished the work. “I started as a groom and was able to see all aspects of the farm,” he said. “I prepped yearlings during the summer and would move to assist with mare and foal care during the winter, as well working in the breeding shed for a couple years. I worked my way up to assistant broodmare manager before becoming the manager in 2023. “Attending all the yearling and mixed sales while working for Lane's End was just an incredible experience,” VanMeter said. “While there we sold multiple sales toppers and were leading consignors at different auctions.” Choosing to depart Lane's End last September, VanMeter set his sights on a boutique Thoroughbred consignment experience for his clients. His plans include attending all the major Kentucky sales (yearling and mixed) with Saratoga being the goal in the near future. The burgeoning digital space out there is on his radar too. “I am after bringing equine athletes to the marketplace and allowing them to maximize their potential while under our care,” VanMeter said. “Giving clients the knowledge and confidence to get their horses moved to top racing programs and into the winner circle is a top priority for me. Being fully transparent about our equine stock allows buyers and their agents to work through our consignment quickly and efficiently.” The post Headley VanMeter Enters Consignment World With New Venture appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Houston Race Park, whose Thoroughbred meet just started at the beginning of this month, is rolling out a new partnership with the Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) and The Paddock Foundation on Ring The Bell for Thoroughbred Aftercare, the track said in a release on Sunday. Each live racing day, owners and trainers are invited to donate a portion of their purse winnings to The Paddock Foundation, the official aftercare program of the TTA. Fans can also get involved by filling out a form in the winner's circle and handing it to track photographer Jack Coady. In recognition, they will receive a photo and be recognized on the big screen. “There have been many very generous Texas Thoroughbred Association members who have supported Thoroughbred aftercare, and we are grateful for their support,” said TTA Executive Director Tracy Sheffield. “We felt that kicking off the Ring The Bell for Thoroughbred Aftercare program at Sam Houston Race Park would be a great way of introducing this important cause to a new audience.” “It is important for every racetrack to enlighten their fans on the importance of caring for racehorses after they retire from the sport,” said Sam Houston's Vice President and General Manager Bryan Pettigrew. “To acknowledge a donor with a picture in the winner's circle by our photographer Jack Coady and show their generosity on our big screen television will be a thrill for them and a vehicle for encouraging more owners, trainers and fans to step up and donate!” The post Ring the Bell For Thoroughbred Aftercare Program Debuts At Sam Houston appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When it came to launching his training career, Nolan Ramsey, 28, didn't waste any time. The grandson of prominent owner Ken Ramsey, he went out on his own last May and by year's end he had won 27 races at a 25% clip. For most trainers, especially a rookie, that would be considered an excellent season. But Ramsey is convinced that he can do much better and won't be satisfied until he is recognized as one of the top trainers in the sport. A former assistant to Mike Maker, he currently has 30 horses, with most of them stabled at Gulfstream. He said that about half of them are owned by his grandfather. “When I was with Maker I had as many as 40 or 50 horses under my care at the time,” he said. “I really liked it. We had in total about 200 horses. It's certainly a lot of work and a lot of responsibility. What I learned with Mike is that as long as you have the right people supporting you and helping you can handle some big numbers. Ultimately, I would like to grow. I would like to have 100 or 200 in training. Right now 30 is great. I have no complaints.” First things first. Some of Ramsey's earliest memories are being with his grandfather, whether that meant going to the track with him or sitting by his side as he taught him how to read the Racing Form when he was just seven years old. Ramsey with Javier Castellano and Michael Maker | Coglianese “I grew up in Lexington on the farm with him,” Ramsey said. “My dad worked for my grandfather and we were all very close growing up. He taught me how to read the Racing Form and the Ragozin sheets and Thoro-Graph when I was very young. I don't think my mom was very happy about it. I started going to the track with him, even when I was very young. He would take me to Saratoga for the summer. I'd go all over the world with him to watch his horses run. I was flipping through some pictures the other day and I found one from April, 1997. I was in the winner's circle at Keeneland, so I would have been about six months old. I really just fell in love with the horse itself.” When he was just 10 he went to work at Ramsey Farm during his summer breaks from school. When he was 13, Maker offered him a job walking hots and it didn't take all that long before the trainer realized his young protégé was ready for bigger and better things, like an assistant's job. Ramsey said he had been thinking of going out on his own for a few years before he took the plunge. He had started a young family and the life of an assistant trainer is not conducive to spending a lot of time with your children. He also knew that his octogenarian grandfather had health issues and he wanted to make sure he was winning races for him while he was still around to enjoy it. “Because of those two things I decided this was the time to try this,” he said. “I'm very proud of my grandson, Nolan,” Ken Ramsey said. “He is a fine young man who is off to a very successful start as a trainer. He loves the business and has a great work ethic, and that is the formula for success.” Last year, Ramsey had stalls at Gulfstream and Laurel. This year, he wants to have a presence in Kentucky to take advantage of the huge purses. There are other goals, as well. Ramsey (second from the right) celebrates his first Kentucky win | Coady Media “I'd certainly like to build on last year,” he said. “It felt like I hit the ground running. We accomplished a lot in such a short time, especially when you consider that we didn't start running until about mid-May. For 2025, I have a couple personal goals. I'd like to get my first graded stakes win. That would look good on the resume. The second goal is to build up my clientele a little bit. Right now about 50% of my horses are for my grandfather and 50% are for other clients. I would like to have a little more balance there and build a bigger barn. Try to get some better horses, better stock in the stalls.” Maker is considered one of the top grass trainers in the country and Ken Ramsey is best known for winning grass races with his stallion Kitten's Joy. So, it's no surprise that Nolan Ramsey doesn't have a lot of good dirt horses. He doesn't want to be stereotyped as a turf trainer and is hoping to start picking up more dirt horses. Training for his grandfather can be a mixed blessing. He helped launch Nolan's career by supplying him with the stock he needed to get started. But Ken Ramsey also hates to lose and his grandson knows an impressive winning percentage is a must. “He can be very tough and he can be very demanding,” Ramsey said. “But he gives you the reins to meet the goals he has set for you. What I mean by that is he wants to win and he wants his winning percentage to be high. But if you call him up and say that horse we got last month for $50,000 isn't cutting it, he'll say 'run him for $25,000' and he won't think twice about it. He's aggressive and he understands the game. He knows that this is a sport where if you lose 80 % of the time you're doing a pretty good job. “To have clients like him that let you do your job, let you picks the races is great,” the younger Ramsey said. “I'm fine with the expectations that come with it because frankly he gives you everything you need to accomplish that. Having him back me and being able to run horses where they really fit has made my job easier. That's one of the reasons my stats were pretty good in '24. I hope to do even better this year.” The post After A Fast Start To His Career In 2024, Nolan Ramsey Looking To Do Even Better This Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

They say there's nothing like home sweet home. And perhaps a "home," or a barn family in this case, was just the thing Tennessee Moon needed to take her talents to the next level.View the full article

Star sprinter bound for Group Two feature on March 30, while South African jockey ends mini-drought on Australian import.View the full article

Four-year-old series hopefuls land barnstorming victories on Sunday, but their low ratings could prove costly.View the full article

In a nail-biting finish to Sunday’s Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m), the roar of adoring connections was heard in the Ellerslie grandstand when maiden galloper Mustang Morgan (NZ) (Preferment) was found victorious. Coming into Sunday’s feature, Mustang Morgan had been improving through the distances and finished third behind Bourbon Proof over a mile at Matamata last month, setting him up for the three-year-old staying contest. The Andrew Forsman-trained galloper started among the middle market at $10, while Te Akau’s pair of Class and Hakkinen were the favoured runners ahead of Golden Century. From a wide draw, Class went straight to the lead, while Mustang Morgan settled beautifully in the second half of the field for Warren Kennedy. After maintaining a strong tempo, the front-runners began to tire early in the run home, while Golden Century and Mustang Morgan came together up the centre, going head-to-head for the last 200m. Neither horse would let up in a head-bobbing finish, with Mustang Morgan lunging at the right time to edge out Golden Century by just a nose, with the late-charging Casemiro and Hakkinen only a long neck and a head further adrift. Mustang Morgan was bred by Rayner and Lynn Bonnington of Little River Thoroughbreds, who syndicated the gelding out to friends, many of which were on course to celebrate his success. “It was a great result and it was a race we’ve probably targeted for a little while, so they’ve got a good crew here today on course, they’ve flown from all over the place,” Forsman said. “Thankfully it worked out. “I didn’t know (if he had won), I was probably on a bad angle and thought it was very tight. I just hoped we got the bob in at the right time.” The Gingernuts Salver has acted as a launchpad in previous years for the $1.5 million Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), a race Forsman hopes to target with the son of Preferment on March 8. “He’s certainly got the pedigree to do it and he keeps improving all the time, he’s got good size and scope about him so there’s no reason why he can’t continue to get better,” he said. “We may give him a little bit of a freshen up but there’s not too much time. We may go through a Waikato (Gr.2, 2000m) to Avondale Guineas (Gr.2, 2100m) type of path. We’ll just work out how many more runs he needs.” Kennedy, who completed a winning treble after picking up wins aboard Koheroa and Checkmate, praised the gelding’s efforts as a inexperienced galloper. “I went up to Ryan (Elliot, jockey of Golden Century) and thought I’d get past him and win it a bit more comfortably than that, but this horse didn’t really know what was expected of him when he got there,” he said. “He had to put up a really dogged fight and it was courageous from the horse that he rallied back to get the win. “It (the Derby) is possible, you never know how much they learn from their races and he’s still very immature. A tough race like the Derby could be a little bit of a stretch, but he’s got a long way to get to that race and he’ll have a couple more races before then. “He stayed really well and found the line pretty good.” Mustang Morgan is out of the Bonnington’s late broodmare Assertiveobsession. Herself unraced, the mare is a full-sister to Assertive Lad, a three-time Group One winner in Australia, and Assertive Lass, who also won a pair of Group Ones across the Tasman. The gelding has now collected $61,650 in stakes earnings with a win and two minor placings from five starts for the big ownership group. “I just brought a whole lot of mates together when the horse was a two-year-old, and this is such a great group of guys,” Raynor Bonnington said. “What a buzz.” “That (the Derby) is the goal. The boys have been dreaming, we have been for the last two weeks about this day. We’ve got guys from Wanaka, Dunedin and Wellington, all here today. “Warren loved the horse, he stayed on him again so it’s very cool.” View the full article

David Hayes-trained gelding announces himself as a top seed for the first leg of the four-year-old series with emphatic victory.View the full article

Dog Penalty OPAWA BETH | Christchurch 10 January; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. General Race 10 Christchurch GRC of 6 January was abandoned due to a fire alarm in the kennel block. The post 6-12 January 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Rider Penalties C Barnes | Otaki-Maori 6 January; medical clearance required (subsequently received on 7 January). J Nishizuka | Whangarei 7 January; careless riding; suspended 11-16 January inclusive. R Goyaram | Whangarei 7 January; medical clearance required. M McNab | Tauranga 10 January; careless riding; suspended 19-23 January inclusive. W Kennedy | Tauranga 10 January; medical clearance required (subsequently received on 12 January). S Weatherley | Wellington 11 January; use of whip; suspended 19-20 January inclusive and fined $500. M Hashizume | Wellington 11 January; medical clearance required. T Moseley | Kumara 11 January; careless riding; suspended 19-23 January inclusive. F Moerman | Kumara 11 January; careless riding; suspended 16-22 January inclusive. R Muniandy | Kumara 11 January; careless riding; suspended 19-27 January inclusive. C Campbell | Kumara 11 January; careless riding; suspended 19-25 January inclusive. Trainer Penalty P Gerard | Wellington 11 January; failed to scratch by required time; fined $200. Horse Penalties FALCONS STAR | Whangarei 7 January; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. BENJI | Whangarei 7 January; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. GRAND CRU | Reefton 8 January; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. DIVINE SPIRIT | Wellington 11 January; blood in trachea; veterinary clearance required. WAY WITH WORDS | Kumara 11 January; late scratching after failing to load; must complete trial. The post 6-12 January 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The future prospects for rising star Checkmate (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) continue to be uncertain for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, after the impressive three-year-old trounced his rivals in the Sunday’s Cloudsoft Accounting 1500 at Ellerslie. Having just his fifth start, Checkmate entered the three-year-old contest off the back of a defeat to Yaldi and Midnight Edition in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) on Boxing Day. Yaldi started a narrow favourite ahead of Checkmate in the re-match, where the former pressed forward to trail Midnight Edition the one-one, while his main rival did the opposite, settling at the back alongside Hinekaha. Turning for home, Yaldi strode up and took the lead from Midnight Edition, but coming strongly on the inner was Checkmate, who showed a serious turn-of-foot to dash away from the field under Warren Kennedy, with Hinekaha a game second ahead of Yaldi and outsider Fun Never Sets. After racing closer to the speed in the Guineas, Kennedy was pleased to see a change in tactics pay off on Sunday. “The plan with him today was to just drop right out and teach him to settle off them, and he did that beautifully,” Kennedy said. “He was very professional. “The key to this race was there was a decent pace throughout, he was able to come from behind and quicken off that pace. Previously, they’ve slowed it right down and sprinted up the straight, so the wheels have been spinning a bit and he wasn’t able to quicken. Today, he’s been able to quicken and scooted away from them pretty easily. “He’s a smart horse and he’s got a bright future.” A winner of the Listed Armacup 3YO Stakes (1500m) two starts back, the victory was Checkmate’s second over 1500m, the distance of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). Wexford Stables hold a slot for the inaugural running on March 8, but with the $1.5 million Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) on the same day, which way the gelding will go remains to be seen. Kennedy expressed his faith towards the in-form training partnership in making that call, however, he did lean towards the Derby when questioned. “I don’t interfere, they (O’Sullivan and Scott) are flying at the moment, they can’t do anything wrong,” Kennedy said. “Whatever they decide, I’m sure it’ll be the right move. “But, if it’s anything to go by, my first instinct when riding him the first time was that he was a Derby horse. Could he get to the slot, absolutely, but in my heart, I feel he’s a better Derby horse.” A delighted Scott shared similar praise in the performance, while indicating no future decisions have been made. “He quickened really well, he’s had a really good experience of settling in,” Scott said. “Whether he goes two corners now or goes over the mile, we’ve got decisions to make, but it was really good to see him show a turn of foot over a short distance. He had a bit of a tough trip here in the Guineas on Boxing Day, and with the cover today, he relaxed and that turn of foot was back. “We’ll go back and have a board meeting tomorrow morning, we’ll talk to Corrina and Ross (Kearney, owners) who are incredibly patient, they always say the horse must come first. “We’ll do the best thing by him, whether it’s going further, and Warren’s keen to look a bit further. We’ll see how he pulls up, but either way, there is success in his future. “He’s got high levels of ability, he’s a big baby. When he turns four, he’s going to be some horse.” A homebred son of Mongolian Khan, Checkmate races in the colours of the Kearney’s Okaharau Station. He is the fifth foal out of their successful broodmare Signorina, who has also produced Group Two performer Jodelin Gal and Bankers Choice, who placed at Group Two level in Australia. His five starts have resulted in three wins and two minor placings, and $128,410 in stakes earnings. In the TAB Futures market for the NZB Kiwi, Checkmate now lies a $10 equal-fourth favourite with Aeliana, just adrift of Evaporate, Savaglee and Damask Rose at $8. In the Derby, the gelding is a $5 second-elect behind Willydoit ($2.80). View the full article

Sought After (NZ) (Tivaci) took a big step towards the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) with a stylish come-from-behind performance in the Sistema (1200m) at Ellerslie on Sunday. Following a winning debut at Taupo in the spring, Sought After earned himself a place in New Zealand racing history when he was selected by owner-breeders Waikato Stud to represent their slot in the NZB Kiwi. The Tivaci gelding became the first confirmed runner in the inaugural slot race. Sought After’s rise to prominence briefly stuttered when he was an unlucky fifth at Te Rapa, then sixth in unsuitable Heavy8 ground in the Gr.2 Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Aroha. But a strong-finishing second behind NZB Kiwi rival Damask Rose at Te Rapa last month suggested that Sought After was back on track, and that was confirmed on Sunday in his all-important first look around the NZB Kiwi venue. Sought After was ridden at Ellerslie by Wiremu Pinn, who was a late replacement after Masa Hashizume suffered a shoulder injury in a fall at Trentham on Saturday. Pinn took Sought After back to second-last among Sunday’s talented field of seven, then brought him to the outside at the home turn to make his run. Sought After lengthened stride and powered past the front-running Miss Madridista with 200m remaining. But the highly rated debut winner Ardalio went with him and threw down a big challenge. That pair pulled ahead of the rest of the field by more than three lengths and fought out a stirring finish, with Sought After edging out his gallant rival by a head. The previously unbeaten Thooza finished three and a quarter lengths away in third. Sought After has now had five starts for two wins, a second and $57,885 in stakes. Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott were pleased to pick up the win on Sunday, but the opportunity to have a look around Ellerslie was every bit as important in the countdown to the NZB Kiwi on March 8. “We’re keeping our eyes on the prize,” Scott said. “We’ve accomplished what we wanted to do today and we’re really aiming him at the NZB Kiwi now. “We were pleased with his performance today. They didn’t go all that quick in front, and it looked like he might be in a bit of trouble around the 700m. But you could see that he was full of revs from the 600m onwards and building into the race nicely. “It was good to see him come out into the open in the straight and really attack the line well. The second horse is very handy, and there was a long way back to third, so we couldn’t be more pleased with that. “He’s handled Ellerslie well, so it’s onwards and upwards from here. He’ll most likely run here two weeks before the Kiwi, and then he can take his place in the big race.” That likely final lead-up race is the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) on February 22. The TAB rates Sought After a $14 chance for the NZB Kiwi. That market is headed by $8 joint favourites Damask Rose, Evaporate and Savaglee. Damask Rose and Evaporate have both been selected for slots, while Savaglee is currently considered more likely to target the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 1. View the full article

Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth) will ramp up for Guineas redemption later this week with the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas runner-up set to return to the jumpouts. Trainer Dom Sutton is thrilled with the way the son of Super Seth has come back from a late-spring break and is likely to keep him in Australia. The Kiwi-bred has been heavily courted for New Zealand’s rich new slot race, which will be run at Ellerslie on March 8, but Sutton is favouring keeping him in his adopted homeland. “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) is at Caulfield on February 8 with the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) three weeks later. The first Group One edition of the All-Star Mile, now worth $2.5 million, is at Flemington seven days later. Feroce narrowly missed out on providing Sutton with his first Group One winner as trainer, in his first year of being licensed, when beaten a short-head by Private Life in the Caulfield Guineas (1600m). He then finished third as favourite in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) on November 2, which took his record to two wins and as many placings from seven starts, and Sutton is happy with what he has seen from the gelding on the training track. “He didn’t get a long time off, as they don’t between spring and autumn, so he’s got a really good amount of residual fitness,” he said. “He’s probably matured and grown again, he’s a big horse now, and mentally as well he’s learning to relax and do things the right way. “I’m very confident in the way that he’s going.” View the full article

A short time ago, To Bravery Born (NZ) (Snitzel) was unlikely to get a shot at making the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) field, but the colt took his opportunity at Ellerslie on Sunday with a commanding victory in the Trackside.co.nz (1200m). To Bravery Born was a comfortable winner of the first juvenile race back in August and was later set to run in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) on November 23, before an injury took him out of contention. His trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson had almost come to the conclusion that the son of Snitzel wouldn’t be making the Karaka Millions this year, but a swift recovery had To Bravery Born fit and ready to add to his $14,375 haul, the intention of much of Sunday’s field. Among the runners chasing a Millions spot was race-favourite Tale Of The Gypsy, who closed at $2.20 over the Te Akau runner ($4.80) and the big mover in the market, southern visitor Miss Ziggy ($6.50) Jumping from the outside barrier, Tale Of The Gypsy was kept four-wide early outside of Fat Cat, before the pair pushed forward to take up the lead. Meanwhile, jockey Craig Grylls let To Bravery Born find his feet at the tail of the field, tracking Miss Ziggy into the straight before pulling out into the centre of the track. Tale Of The Gypsy hit the front early on straightening but To Bravery Born was coming rapidly, storming over the top at the 150m and keeping his rivals at bay comfortably by 1 – ¼ lengths. The minor placings were hotly-contested, with Daylight Robbery gaining the all-important second position by a nose to the winner’s stablemate Dare To Proisir, and then just a head separated fourth and fifth placegetters Tale Of The Gypsy and Miss Ziggy. Grylls had plenty of praise for the unbeaten colt, who now is assured of a start on January 25 with over $40,000 earned in two race-day appearances. “It was great, from the draw we were going to go back and we ended up right back,” he said. “They went hard for the first furlong, then they steadied it up and made it a real sprint home. “He’s angled out at the top of the straight and probably got there a bit soon if anything. He got there a lot quicker than I thought he was going too. It was a good win. “He’s the type for it (Karaka Millions), he’s a real running two-year-old type. He won the first two-year-old race of the season, and now, he’s backed that up again with another one.” Bergerson was ecstatic after the race, particularly when explaining the unique road back to the races for To Bravery Born. “He had a bit of a strange prep to get to today, he was ready to go at Pukekohe but he twinged a muscle, so we thought his Karaka Million was over,” he said, “But, he bounced back remarkably well. “Coming in without a trial, we were scratching our heads as to how he was going. Mark and I were talking this morning and we thought maybe he’s just a race-day horse as he’d been quite laidback at home. “He relaxed lovely, it’ll be interesting to hear what Gryllsy thinks, up to 1200 as well off no trial. It was a really good effort. He’ll take a lot of improvement from that, he sprinted really well and probably came to the end of it in the last little bit. “He’s a really nice horse going forward.” To Bravery Born has joined Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) winner Too Sweet atop of the TAB Futures market for the Karaka Millions 2YO at $4, with fellow Te Akau runner La Dorada ($5) back in third-favouritism. A $200,000 purchase by David Ellis at the 2024 Karaka Yearling Sales, To Bravery Born was bred by Nearco Stud and offered through Curraghmore’s Book 1 draft. View the full article

Underrated sprinter The Stoney One (Pierro) picked up a deserved victory when he burst through late in the piece to claim victory in the JR & N Berkett Handicap (1100m) at Trentham. Although racing out of his class on a 73 rating against the open sprinters, the Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos-prepared six-year-old hasn’t always enjoyed the best of fortune in his career and carrying just 54kgs on his back along with in-form rider Craig Grylls, he looked to be a definite threat in the contest. Grylls had the son of Pierro relaxed nicely at the rear of the compact nine-horse field, but well within striking range as Amend and Bold Belle set up a strong pace out in front. Rounding the home bend Grylls was faced with a wall of horses in his face as the field fanned across the track and was in danger of not getting a crack at the leaders. Finding some clear air at the 200m The Stoney One burst through to collar race favourite Fancy Like Lass in the shadows of the post, registering victory by a long neck with Belle’s Echo dashing home late to claim third. Zydenbos had a pre-race inkling that her charge could play a major role in the finish as his pull in the weights over some of the more fancied runners was a real advantage. “Craig rode him perfectly, right in behind the pace where he is happy,” Zydenbos said. “He was out of his grade but with the light weight I knew that might be the edge. “We will keep finding nice races for him, but as he is just a little horse we wouldn’t like to break his heart, so we will just take it step by step.” Grylls was pleased with how his mount travelled in the race and was mindful of the advice Zydenbos had given him before start time. “He didn’t step away that great out of the gates but I still got a nice track into things,” he said. “Leah did say to me he was best held up and having the last crack at them so it worked out perfect. “I could see the runs were going to come at the 250m, so well done to the team.” Raced by Peter Jeffares and Tony Rider, The Stoney One is out of the Charge Forward mare Western Gem who is a half-sister to Australian black type performers Western Empire, Western Jewel and Western Temple. He was purchased under the Game Lodge banner for $45,000 out of the Book 1 Sale at Karaka in 2020 and has now won four of his 20 starts and over $155,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Guy, Jayne & Emily review a quality card from Trentham highlighted by the Thorndon Mile & stunning return from Savaglee. The team also look at the time honoured Kumara Nuggets. And, we hear from Nick Johnson ahead of the all important Karaka Sales Weigh In, January 12 View the full article

What Muswellbrook Races Where Muswellbrook Race Club – Skellatar Park, 15 Racecourse Rd, Muswellbrook NSW 2333 When Monday, January 13, 2025 First Race 1:50pm AEDT Visit Dabble Country racing returns to Muswellbrook on Monday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-race program set down for decision. The rail moves out +3m between the 1000m to 300m markers, and with the track already rated a Soft 6 at the time of acceptances and more rain on the way, punters should be wary of a downgrade into the Heavy range. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 1:50pm local time. Best Bet at Muswellbrook: Hell Of A Lad Hell Of A Lad returns after a 147-day spell and appears primed for this first-up assignment. The son of Hellbent has been ticking over nicely at the barrier trials, and although his latest piece of work at Newcastle on December 12 doesn’t read well running sixth in a seven-horse trial, the three-year-old was only asked for a minimal effort. He should relish the Heavy conditions with his maiden victory coming on rain-affected ground, and with Christian Reith likely to press forward and lead throughout, Hell Of A Lad will take plenty of chasing in the concluding stages. Best Bet Race 4 – #7 Hell Of A Lad (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Kris Lees | J: Christian Reith (59kg) +300 with Neds Next Best at Muswellbrook: Showrunner After securing a strong barrier trial victory at Newcastle on December 20, Showrunner gets sent to the races for the first time. The three-year-old led every step of the way in his latest piece of work, and with Aaron Bullock likely to adopt similar tactics under race-day conditions, Showrunner looks perfectly placed to make an impression first-up. He may want further in the future, but at the current price with horse racing bookmakers, this guy is worth the gamble on debut. Next Best Race 6 – #1 Showrunner (9) 3yo Gelding | T: Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | J: Aaron Bullock (59kg) +220 with BlondeBet Best Value at Muswellbrook: The Favourite Son The Favourite Son represents good each-way value with Picklebet as he gears up for this second-up assignment. The gelding by The Autumn Sun got a pass mark returning at this course on January 2 and didn’t have much luck when trying to get clear from stall one. Aaron Bullock elects to keep the ride for this Class 1 contest, and with The Favourite Son likely to lob into an ideal stalking position from stall seven, watch for this guy to be careering over the top for his second win. Best Value Race 3 – #3 The Favourite Son (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Ben Blay | J: Aaron Bullock (58kg) +600 with Picklebet Monday quaddie tips for Muswellbrook Muswellbrook quadrella selections January 13, 2025 1-2-7 1-2-3-7-9-10 1-2-4-5-9 2-3-6-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Auckland and Invercargill Cup winner Republican Party will chase the Group 1 Hunter Cup. Co-trainer Cran Dalgety confirmed the five-year-old would be on a flight to Melbourne on Wednesday for what will likely be a three-race Victorian campaign. Surprisingly, Dalgety said Republican Party would then return home rather than head to Sydney for a tilt at the Miracle Mile. “He’s earned a go at Melbourne. He’s taken that next step from a nice horse to one who will be competitive with the very best,” Dalgety said. “We’d love to have a go at the Ballarat Cup this week given it’s worth $100,000, but we just feel racing three days after he gets there isn’t the best thing for him. “So, we’ll wait the extra week and have our lead-up run in the Casey Classic and go onto the Hunter Cup the week after. “All going well, the Cranbourne Cup is worth $100,000 and it’s the week after (the Hunter Cup).” A winner of his last three races, Republican Party is a pint-sized star and Dalgety believes his stature was the main reason for not staying in Australia for the Miracle Mile. “We just feel, on that big track at the Menangle, the best horse could monster him a bit,” he said. “We’ll go home after Melbourne and set out sights on trying to get him a partner (slot) for the big Cambridge race.” Republican Party will add to the strong Kiwi flavour in the Hunter Cup with Tact McLeod already in Victoria and Don’t Stop Dreaming heading across, too. Tact McLeod, who ran second in last week’s Bendigo Cup, ruined his chance as a $2.10 favourite in last night’s Shepparton Cup when he galloped at the start. He recovered to run fifth. The race was won by NSW raider Kanena Provlima, who ran second in the Cup last year. It was a race of extreme controversy with Captain Hammerhead first across the line, but disqualified because stewards deemed trainer-driver David Moran “hocked” the horse, which is using a foot to contact the hind legs of the horse, in the closing stages. X X X Leap To Fame makes his anxiously awaited return to racing at Albion Park next Saturday night. Trainer-driver Grant Dixon was thrilled with the six-year-old’s sparkling Albion Park trial last Friday and also confirmed Leap To Fame would head to Victoria to defend his Group 1 Hunter Cup title at Melton on February 1. “It was a strong trial and he felt as though he could’ve gone much quicker,” Dixon said. “His heart rate was great after it, which shows his fitness. “With the (Albion Park) run under his belt this week, that might be all his needs to prime him for the Hunter Cup. “The way the travel works, he will be in Melbourne 10 days before the Hunter Cup, so there’s the option to give him a run down there the week before, but it’s in the plans at the moment. “We’ll finalise everything after he races this week.” Leap To Fame, a winner of 44 races and almost $3.25 million, hasn’t raced since a lingering throat infection sidelined him following a Menangle win on October 26. The setback forced him out of three of the sport’s biggest races, the Victoria and NZ Cups, along with a defence of his Inter Dominion crown in NSW last month. “Everything looks like that (setback) is behind him now, but it’s always in the back of your mind something could still be lingering, so this race will be important,” Dixon said. Last year, Leap To Fame won the Hunter Cup, Cranbourne Cup, Newcastle Mile and Miracle Mile in the space of five weeks and as part of a 13-race winning streak. Dixon said a replica program was on the cards again. “If we’re in Melbourne, it just makes sense to stay and do Cranbourne,” he said. “Then, it worked well to go to Newcastle last year to qualify him for the Miracle Mile. “There’s been some talk Newcastle may not be a (Miracle Mile) qualifier this year, but it still seems to be and that’s certainly our preferred pathway.” View the full article