Wandering Eyes

Four newly-elected board members of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association (KTA) and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders (KTOB) were announced by the organizations Friday. Whit Beckman, Kelsey Danner, Austin Luttrell and Michael Snyder were elected to serve three-year terms while incumbents William Daugherty, Walker Hancock, Dermot Ryan and Kim Smith were also reelected. “We would like to thank Patrick Costello and James Baker for their service,” the KTA said in a press release Friday. “Pat and Jimmy were instrumental in both shaping policy for marketing investments and our advocacy for racing economics which have made Kentucky racing the strongest in North America.” The post Whit Beckman And Kelsey Danner Lead List Of Newly-Elected KTA/KTOB Board Of Directors appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Early Voting (Gun Runner), the 2022 GI Preakness Stakes winner who has made a remarkable recovery from issues which imperiled his breeding career, has achieved a high conception rate and his first-crop progeny were so well-received at last fall's breeding stock sales that the Early Voting Consortium has donated $30,000 to the Mont Liggins Trust. After getting 120 mares in foal from his first book at Coolmore Stud in 2023, Early Voting was later found to be suffering from anejaculatory syndrome, an inability to ejaculate. The stallion was treated by New Zealander Dr. Paddy O'Casaigh, renowned for having helped salvage the breeding careers of numerous stallions, including Nureyev and El Gran Senor. According to a release, the Early Voting Consortium intends to continue making a series of grants each year. Early Voting, who now stands at Taylor Made and will stand the 2025 season at $12,500, same as last season. “This stallion is leaving his stamp on his progeny,” said Taylor Made President Ben Taylor. “They are athletic, muscular and already look like making early racing propositions. The excellent response and his competitive service fee make for an appealing breeding opportunity that will see him attract many mares for the 2025 breeding season.” O'Casaigh said that the EV Consortium is also exploring the possibility of shuttling the stallion to the Southern Hemisphere in 2025/2026. The post Early Voting Consortium Contributes $30K To Mont Liggins Trust For Research appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Despite efforts of Turfway Park's track crew, lingering effects from last week's extreme cold and winter weather have made it impossible to safely conduct racing Jan. 10.View the full article

Haras de la Hetraie has announced that Leon Du Berlais (Fr) will stand at the French stud this year. The son of Authorized (Ire) is a Grade 3 winner over hurdles for the Arnaud Chaille-Chaille stable and also placed at the highest level in that sphere. The stud's Pascal Noue said, “I have been interested in Leon Du Berlais for a long time. I always liked the horse. At Auteuil, in the parade ring, all eyes were on him. He ran against a great generation. “He is a grandson of Montjeu (Ire) who has won his stakes race at Auteuil. He will provide quality to his progeny. I'm happy to keep working with [owners] Jean-Marc and Marc-Antoine Lucas and Hubert Mauillon. “Leon Du Berlais pleases me and will also please breeders. Above all, he is coming from a superb bloodline and will be offered at an attractive price.” Jean-Marc and Marc-Antoine Lucas own 50 per cent of the horse while L'ecurie Hub de Montmirail owns the remainder. Some shares will be for sale to breeders, with Leon Du Berlais set to stand at €4,000. “We are thrilled to show him at Le Lion d'Angers Stallion Show on January 11, as well as during the Stallion Trail on January 17 and 18 at home,” Hetraie added. The post Leon Du Berlais To Stand At Haras de la Hetraie appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Kristen Manning/Dane McLeod/Thomas Baddock/TTR AusNZ The 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling scaled new heights on Friday as superstar mare Sunlight (Aus)'s third foal, a filly by Home Affairs (Aus), beat yesterday's newly set top-sale price by a whopping A$400,000, selling for A$3.2 million to Japanese trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida. Lot 1007 – Home Affairs (Aus) x Sunlight (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}), filly – A$3,200,000 Records continued to be shattered at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale on the fourth and final day of Book 1, with a filly out of superstar mare Sunlight selling for an unprecedented A$3.2 million, to Japanese trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida. Consigned by Coolmore Stud, the exquisite filly by Home Affairs out of multiple Group 1-winning Zoustar mare Sunlight, was the talk of the sale before entering the ring where she was described as a “a blue-chip investment” by the auctioneer Grant Burns moments before the sparks started to fly. Expectations were at an all-time high, especially considering Sunlight's first foal Dawn Service (Aus) (Justify) is a stakes winner and her second, a filly by Wootton Bassett (GB), topped this sale last year when selling for A$2.1million. The bidding opened at A$600,000 but within seconds reached A$1 million, and within a minute quickly surpassed A$2 million. You could cut the air with a knife as the tension built and the bids soared to a record equalling A$2.8 million, set just yesterday by a Snitzel (Aus) colt from Humma Humma (Aus) (Denman {Aus}). The crowd watched on in silent amazement as the price broke through the A$3 million barrier, before the gavel finally fell at A$3.2 million, securing the filly for Nakauchida. Nakauchida is most famously known as the trainer of star Japanese mare Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), a daughter of another star Australian mare Yankee Rose (Aus) (All American {Aus}). Darby Racing sold Yankee Rose privately to Japan's Katsumi Yoshida at the conclusion of her racing career, after she banked more than A$2 million in prize-money for connections. Sunlight was bred and sold by Widden Stud, fetching A$300,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She was purchased by Aquis, McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Blue Sky Bloodstock. The following January, she won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic before going on to win three Group 1s and over A$6.5 million in prize-money. She then returned to the Gold Coast in 2020 to be sold as a broodmare prospect. At that auction, Sunlight achieved a remarkable milestone by fetching the highest price ever recorded for a broodmare, with Tom Magnier securing her for an impressive A$4.2 million. Following this landmark purchase, her initial trio of foals has garnered a staggering A$6 million in sales, further underscoring her exceptional worth as a broodmare. “When you have a mare like that and a filly like that, she has been the talking point of the sales all week, really you can't pinpoint the exact figure you'd get but Mitsu is one of the great trainers around the world,” Magnier said. “He's a great judge and I really wish him all the best with her. She's fantastic.” Sunlight welcomed a filly sired by Justify last year and subsequently had a late mating with Snitzel after failing to go in foal to Wootton Bassett (GB). Mitsumasa Nakauchida | TTR AusNZ At A Glance For the second day in succession, a yearling smashed the Magic Millions Gold Coast record, with A$3.2 million filly by first season sire Home Affairs out of brilliant sprinting mare Sunlight (Zoustar {Aus}). The filly was one of two seven-figure lots of Day 4. With the change of format, Friday's Super Session saw the end of Book 1. The average held steady on Day 4 at A$272,507 again down on 2024's end of Book 1 average of A$275,675. The median for 2025 stayed static for the sale on Day 4 at A$200,000, the same on 2024's Book 1 median of A$200,000. The current gross at the conclusion of Day 4 sits at A$205,470,000 with 754 yearlings sold, a slight increase when compared with the end of Book 1 2024 figure of A$225,778,000 for 819 yearlings sold, while the clearance rate of 81.43% is down from 87.88% at the corresponding juncture last year. Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, in partnership with Kestrel Thoroughbreds, remained at the top of the buyers' charts on Friday, having purchased 24 yearlings at a total gross of A$9 million at the conclusion of four days of selling. Waller Racing and Guy Mulcaster jumped into second with 17 purchases for A$7.4 million, while Ciaron Maher is in third with 18 buys at A$6.6 million. Newgate Farm remains the leading vendor after Day 4 with 52 yearlings sold, and only 4 passed, for A$18.4 million, while Segenhoe Stud's 32 sales have grossed A$14.69 million and Segenhoe Stud lead by average at A$459,063. I Am Invincible retained his grip on the leading sire by gross standings on Day 4 with 38 yearlings selling for A$22 million at an average of A$580,395. Leading by average is Snitzel, whose 27 yearlings have averaged A$765,556, just edging out Frankel whose four yearlings have averaged A$762,500. With the sale-topping filly, Home Affairs' status as leading first season sire is assured, and by the end of Day 4 his stock had grossed A$17.8 million with 45 lots sold at an average of A$396,333. Noverre leaped into second by average with three yearlings sold at an average of A$350,000, while Stay Inside's 34 sales have averaged A$295,147. Lot 1017 – Snitzel (Aus) x Sweet Sherry (Aus) (Bel Espirit {Aus}), filly – A$1,600,000 The Gold Coast buzzed with energy as Day 4 wrapped up, marked by a flurry of competitive bids to end the day. Lot 1017, a dazzling daughter of champion sire Snitzel, ensured that the 2025 Magic Millions Book 1 session ended on a high note. She was sold for an astounding A$1.6 million to a syndicate that included Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing, Kestrel Thoroughbreds and Resolute Bloodstock. This marked the 36th acquisition for Waterhouse and Bott via different syndicates who have been extremely active over the first four days. However, Bott expressed his determination not to miss out on this opportunity, especially after being the underbidder for the stakes-winning half-sister Eneeza (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) at the 2023 Gold Coast sale, which fetched A$1.1 million and has since earned over A$1 million for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman. “We had to be patient all sale but we were keen to secure her,” Bott said. “We saw the relation go through the sale a few years back and we were very keen to follow her through and we missed. “We weren't going to miss this one. We organised a group together which includes John Stewart from Resolute Racing who has obviously made an impression this sale as well. “This is the first horse we were able to partner with him and we feel it was the right fit with the quality filly at the sale to put up to him and race with him. I think it will be a great fit with some local partners. “She's a quality filly off a great farm and just looked the ultimate professional all sale and Snitzel obviously a champion stallion. She just looked a real classy, quality filly.” The classy filly is the fourth living foal from Group 2-winning mare Sweet Sherry (Aus) (Bel Esprit {Aus}), who hails from the family of multiple Group 2 winner Arinosa (Aus) (Dash For Cash {aus}) and South African Grade 1 performer Black Toga (SAf) (Black Minnaloushe). This season, Sweet Sherry produced a filly by I Am Invincible (Aus) and revisited Snitzel. Adrian Bott | Magic Millions Lot 742 – Frankel (GB) x Of Good Cheer (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), filly – A$900,000 When you think of the Magic Millions, you think of horses built for speed and precocity, however Belmont Bloodstock's (FBAA) Damon Gabbedy, in partnership with Ciaron Maher Bloodstock, was able to pick up a filly boasting a stout international pedigree, by global superstar Frankel (GB), with the 3-year-old Classics in mind for A$900,000 early on Friday. A figure described by Gabbedy as an absolute bargain. “I had a client who loved the filly, and I loved the filly,” Gabbedy said. “If that filly was in Europe, we'd be paying a million guineas (A$2 million) being by Frankel out of that depth of pedigree. “How can you go past Frankel? He's a superstar. His record speaks for itself, so we decided to have a red-hot crack.” Bred by Yulong Investments, this grey filly is the first foal of the Juddmonte Farm-bred mare Of Good Cheer (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and hails from the family of dual Group 1-winning American mare Heat Haze (Green Desert), who is dam of G1 Northerly Stakes runner-up Ironclad (GB) (Dubawi {GB}) and G1 Metropolitan Handicap winner Mirage Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}). “I had a client who wanted a real Oaks filly and that was what we identified in the catalogue,” Gabbedy said. “It's not the normal thing (to buy an Oaks style filly from Magic Millions) but you've got to find the fillies when they come up at the sale and Frankel is statistically one of the best stallions in the world, if not the best, and it doesn't matter where they come from. Subzero came from this sale. “It goes back to one of the best pedigrees in the world. Great depth which was very important. They want Ciaron [Maher] to train it, so, good.” Of Good Cheer visited Yulong's Lucky Vega (Ire) this season and has a filly on the ground by Alabama Express (Aus). Damon Gabbedy | Magic Millions Lot 867 – I Am Invincible (Aus) x Saas Fee (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}), filly – A$900,000 The second foal of stakes-placed mare Saas Fee (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) attracted plenty of attention from racing's big hitters, becoming the second horse on Day 4 to reach A$900,000, eventually being knocked down to Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock, who were taken by the filly's 2-year-old potential. Bred by Encompass International and Werrett Bloodstock and offered by Vinery Stud, the daughter of I Am Invincible hails from an impressive line of 2-year-old performers. Her dam, Saas Fee, is a daughter of G1 Lightning Stakes winner Snitzerland (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), who also placed in the G1 Golden Slipper. In the breeding barn, Snitzerland has produced G3 Maribyrnong Plate winner Hard Landing (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) as well as, the Mick Price-trained Chisholm (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}), who recently finished runner-up in the A$500,000 R. Listed Inglis Banner at Flemington on debut. “She's out of a good mare, from a good family and looks like she'll get up and run,” Mulcaster said. “We've got a good client and he wanted a very good Vinnie filly and we thought she was up in the top couple. “She's athletic, good-moving and a good shape of filly. We're lucky to have a good client to back us. Chris Waller will train.” With the progeny of I Am Invincible averaging almost A$600,000 at the 2025 Magic Millions, Mulcaster was under no illusions that they were going to have to dig deep to secure the classy bay filly. “The one 10 lots before made similar sort of money so that is the sort of money you have to pay for the quality,” Mulcaster said. “We probably didn't have any more petrol left but we'll take it when we can get it.” Saas Fee visited Ole Kirk (Aus) this season and has a colt on the ground by Exceedance (Aus). Guy Mulcaster | Trish Dunnell Lot 975 – Extreme Choice (Aus) x Speak Fondly (Aus) (Northern Meteor {Aus}), filly – A$800,000 Lot 975, a daughter of Gooree Stud's Group 1-winning mare Speak Fondly (Aus) (Northern Meteor {Aus}), became the highest-priced filly by Extreme Choice (Aus) sold at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when knocked down for A$800,000 to a syndicate made up of Michael Freedman, Michael Wallace and Emirates Park, late on Day 4. Offered by Newgate Farm, the sharp-looking filly took centre stage as at least five underbidders locked horns in an enthralling battle to secure the sixth foal from the multiple stakes-winning mare. However, Michael Freedman was little chance of going home without the daughter of Extreme Choice; a sire he has had incredible success with. Freedman trained Stay Inside (Aus) to win the G1 Golden Slipper, Tiger of Malay (Aus) to win the G2 BRC Sires Produce S. when in partnership with his brother Richard, and most recently unveiled exciting 2-year-old Apocalyptic (Aus) (Extreme Choice {Aus}), which finished an unlucky second on debut at Randwick behind Magic Millions 2YO Classic fancy Gallo Nero (Aus) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). “She's obviously by a stallion we've had a bit of luck with,” Michael Freedman said. “Michael Wallce and I both loved her when we first saw her, and we just thought we'll have to put something together. Fortunately, Hussain Lootah from Emirates Park really liked her, along with Bryan Carlson, Emirates Park's farm manager, and we were able to put a syndicate together. “I just thought that filly was very athletic, and I bought Apocalyptic here last year, not for quite as much money, but she was also a nice, athletic filly. There's not many of these Extreme Choices around so when you see one's you like, you've really got to try and buy them.” As well as being by an outstanding sire and out of a Group 1-winning mare, the chestnut filly also boasts an enormously deep pedigree page that includes, legendary filly Bounding Away (Aus) (Biscay {Aus}), multiple Group 1 winner Kenedna (Aus) (Not a Single Doubt {Aus}) and multiple Group 2 winner Wild And Proud (Aus) (Snowland {Aus}). Speak Fondly had a colt by Capitalist (Aus) sell for A$450,000 at last year's Magic Millions to Gai Waterhouse, Adrian Bott and Kestrel Thoroughbreds. He is yet to step out publicly but was recently named Watson (Aus). This season, Speak Fondly had another filly by Extreme Choice. Michael Freedman | Ashlea Brennan The post Sunlight Dazzles With Record-Breaking A$3.2-Million Home Affairs Filly At Magics appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Edited Press Release WinStar Farm will host an Open House for breeders each day from Jan. 12-15, between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The open houses will be held at the farm's stallion complex on Paynes Mill Road in Versailles. Visitors are welcome without an appointment during those times to view the WinStar roster for the 2025 season, led by Constitution and Life Is Good. Breeders will also be able to see WinStar's newest additions for the breeding season: Eclipse Award finalist for Champion Male Sprinter Cogburn (Not This Time), 'TDN Rising Star' Heartland (Justify), and Timberlake (Into Mischief). Cogburn set a record for 5 1/2 furlongs on turf in the GI Jaipur Stakes, completing the distance in a final time of :59.80. His clocking easily eclipsed the previous record of 1:00.21 while earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 114, the highest earned in 2024. He also proved an authoritative winner of the $2-million GII Turf Sprint S. at Kentucky Downs, running six furlongs on turf in 1:07.68, just missing another course record. Heartland, a half-brother to Champion 2-Year-Old Classic Empire, flashed his brilliance in a head-turning career debut at Del Mar, taking a 5 1/2-furlong maiden while stopping the clock in 1:03.20, the fastest time of any 2-year-old at the distance at Del Mar or Saratoga in 2023. Timberlake is a winner of the stallion-making GI Champagne Stakes at two and joins Practical Joke as the only other son of Into Mischief at stud to win a Grade I as a 2-year-old. The Open House events will include lite fare and refreshments for breeders in attendance. For more information about the open houses, or about WinStar's 2025 stallion roster, contact WinStar Farm at 859-873-1717. The post WinStar Open Houses Set For Jan. 12-15 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

4th-GP, $94k, Msw, 3yo, 6f, 1:49p.m. ET Florida will play host to two noteworthy maidens on the Gulfstream Park card Saturday, the first being this six panel maiden sprint, that drew the noteworthy connections with well-bred horses. Lining up against this field of 11 is $1.1-million KEESEP purchase VANDERBILT (Into Mischief). Out of GI Longines Test and Humana Distaff Stakes victress American Gal (Concord Point), the colt was purchased by Grandview Equine to race in partnership with LNJ Foxwoods, Whisper Hill Farm, and Gainesway Stable. The second dam was herself a graded-placed half-sister to fan-favorite G1 Gulf News Dubai Golden Shaheen winner, multimillionaire Reynaldothewizard (Speightstown) as well as MGISW Seventh Street (Street Crty {Ire}). That half-sibling went on to her own claim to fame in the breeding shed as the dam of GSW & GISP Lake Avenue (Tapit) and GISP Marking (Bernardini). Armed with a healthy worktab of three bullets in his last six outings, Brad Cox sends Vanderbilt to post with Tyler Gaffalione in the irons. His rightward neighbor in the gate is Skate Away (Good Magic), a $400,000 pick up at EASMAY last year by Spendthrift Farm after he was purchased as a yearling by CF Farm at FTKOCT for $100,000 in 2023. Out of a winning dam, the Todd Pletcher runner hails from the immediate female family of MSW & MGSP Foxy Danseur (Mr. Greeley), who is the dam of 'TDN Rising Star' GSW Ever So Clever (Medaglia d'Oro) and the granddam of GSW Everso Mischievous (Into Mischief). The morning line has Vanderbilt at 2-1 while Skate Away is tabbed at 9-2 odds. Third in that row is River Thames (Maclean's Music), who races for the partnership of WinStar Farm, Siena Farm, and CHC, Inc. A $200,000 yearling in 2023 at SARAUG, the other Pletcher runner will look to give the conditioner an exacta in this race. He hails from the female family of MGISW Paulassilverlining (Ghostzapper), who later produced SW & GSP-UAE Artorius (Arrogate). This family also claims millionaire MGISW Dads Caps (Discreet Cat) as an immediate relative. TJCIS PPs 7th-GP, $94k, Msw, 3yo, 1m, 3:18p.m. ET The first two on the rail in this mile maiden is a redux of race four as Brad Cox takes on Todd Pletcher once again, this time with WILD CONQUEROR (Authentic) from post two. The Cox runner is a KEESEP grad to the tune of $875,000 after changing hands to CHC Inc., and Qatar Racing with Trilogy USA and Stonestreet Stables being added to that partnership. Out of a winning Sass and Class (Harlan's Holiday), the Authentic colt is a half-brother to MGSW Royal Charlotte (Cairo Prince), who herself is now the dam of a stakes-placed runner named Medicine Dog (Constitution). Wild Conqueror has a healthy tab established at Payson Park, and will go to post here with Luis Saez. Breaking from the rail, the aforementioned Pletcher runner is Grande (Curlin), a $300,000 KEESEP purchase in 2023 by Repole Stable. The pair is no stranger to the big stage, the son of GSW Journey Home (War Front) looks to add on to that tally. A half-brother to GSW Ticker Tape Home (Medaglia d'Oro), the colt hails from the immediate female family of the venerable champion juvenile filly GISW Pleasant Stage (Pleasant Colony) and her full-brother MGSW Stage Colony. Another full-sister GSW Colonial Play later became the dam of MGISW Marsh Side (Gone West) while a fourth whole sister produced GISW Changeintheweather (Gone West). The extended family counts MGSP Scipio (Caravaggio) to its ranks. TJCIS PPs The post Jan. 11 Insights: Big Name Connections Unveil Big Name Pedigrees with Tags to Match appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first foal sired by Ashford Stud's Gunite (Gun Runner) was born Thursday, Jan. 9. Owned by Phoenix Farm and Racing and Todd Frederick, the colt the third produce from his dam Sweet Meadow Mist (D'Funnybone), a half-sister to the stakes-winning and Grade III-placed Bachata (Kingmambo), whose daughter Gold Medal Dancer (Medaglia d'Oro) was named a 'TDN Rising Star' before going on to win the GII Azeri Stakes while placing in the GI Apple Blossom Handicap and GI La Troienne Stakes for Josephine Abercrombie's Pin Oak Stud. Gold Medal Dancer made $400,000 in foal to Ashford's Munnings when offered at the Pin Oak dispersal in 2021. The current 2-year-old from Sweet Meadow Mist, a colt by Yaupon, fetched $250,000 at Keeneland September last fall. “He's a really nice colt and we are very happy with him,” said farm manager Ramiro Salazar. Bred and raced by Winchell Thoroughbreds, Gunite was the 5 3/4-length winner of the GI Hopeful Stakes in 2021 and added the GII Amsterdam Stakes the following season ahead of a runner-up effort to Ashford barnmate Jack Christopher (Munnings) in the GI H. Allen Jerkens Stakes. He returned in 2023 to complete a Saratoga stakes trifecta, defeating champion Elite Power (Curlin) by 1 3/4 lengths in the GI Forego Stakes before ending his career with a runner-up effort in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. Gunite stood his first year at stud in 2024 at a fee of $35,000. The post Gunite Represented By First Foal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last year, owner Joey Peacock, trainer Todd Fincher and jockey Junior Alvarado were on cloud nine when Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) finished as a game runner-up in the GI Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park. However, that was only the beginning because when the homebred rolled late–downright tardy–to take the G1 Saudi Cup the revels were in full effect more than half a world away. With so much success then, it would stand to reason that trying to pull off another shot at the Pegasus-Saudi Cup double would be the move. And apparently that is just what Peacock from San Antonio has in mind. “Todd and I talked about it, and even though the Saudi Cup Feb. 22 and the start of the breeding season coincide we would only lose like a week,” Senor Buscador's breeder and owner said. “The season in Kentucky where we intend on standing him doesn't start until mid-February. So we felt like we can make this happen. He will miss a little bit, but he won't lose any major time at stud. It's possible.” Now seven, Senor Buscador was slated to finish his career in the Pegasus and head to the breeding shed, but now the plans could shift. Peacock confirmed that Alvarado, who rode his horse starting with a runner-up performance in 2023 GII Cigar Mile Handicap at the Big A through a third-place finish in the G1 Dubai World Cup, will once again be in the irons. “Having Junior come out to California at Del Mar, this past summer and into the fall, just wasn't in the cards with him being at Saratoga and riding for the likes of Bill Mott,” he said. “He's a fabulous jockey and he is on board for the Pegasus and up for going back to Saudi Arabia, if our guy comes out of the race at Gulfstream in good shape.” Despite some injuries at three and four, Senor Buscador has maintained excellent health under Fincher's care. The runner who treats dirt with turf-like tactics, was a respectable fifth in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, but he a bad stumble in the Cigar Mile last December which foiled any chance for a rally–he ended up ninth. Buscador schools last year in preparation for the Pegasus World Cup | Lauren King “Joel Rosario did an amazing job staying on him in the Cigar,” Peacock said. “I was really worried [Senor Buscador] had hurt himself, but he came back fine. Right now, he is working great for Todd at Sunland Park.” If Senor Buscador's fitness level maintains its current trajectory, then Peacock would have no problem seeing Fincher assistant Oscar Rojero–who was with the horse throughout the trip abroad last year–jet back to Saudi Arabia for the world's richest race. Back in February, TDN reported that Peacock had signed a two-race lease (Saudi Cup/Dubai World Cup) for an undisclosed amount with Saudi businessman Sharaf Mohammed S. Al-Hariri. That is why Alvarado sported blue and white silks at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse and not Peacock's colors of light blue and neon green. When asked if he would be open to another arrangement like the one he struck last year, Peacock said that all business decisions are always on the table. “Look, I'm always willing to listen,” he said. “Mr. Al-Hariri took a risk and it paid off for him. We always look for opportunities and I wouldn't be opposed to looking at options. We're always open-minded.” When it comes to his future career as a sire, the homebred is confirmed for duty in Kentucky. Where will that be? Peacock is unwilling to disclose any details since negotiations are ongoing. If Senor Buscador's racing career provides any clues to what is ahead, then that means anything is possible. The post Pegasus-Saudi Cup Redux ‘Possible’ As Buscador Teams With Alvarado Again appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A total of 331 lots have been catalogued for the two-day Tattersalls February Sale which will be held from Thursday, Jan. 30-Friday, Jan. 31. The sale will also feature the Tattersalls Stallion Parade at 11:30 a.m. on day one, as well as the inaugural Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Showcase, which kicks off the entire two-day stand at 11 a.m. on Thursday, with the sale proper beginning immediately after the former. Friday's session will start at 10 a.m. Comprised of 124 fillies and mares in/out-of-training, 23 broodmares, 157 colts and geldings in/out-of-training, 18 yearlings, and nine 2-year-olds, the sale includes drafts from Godolphin and Juddmonte, as well as from trainers Andrew Balding, Karl Burke, John and Thady Gosden, Richard Hannon and William Haggas. One of the highlights is Desirous (GB) (Kingman {GB}) (lot 64), a half-sister to last year's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}); also offered is Divisimo (GB) (Dansili {GB}), a full-sister to Bluestocking's dam Emulous (GB) as lot 63. Propel (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a half-sister to a trio of Group 1 performers in foal to Pinatubo (Ire) sells as lot 29. In foal to Modern Games (Ire), Publicist (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) (lot 25), a half-sister to Group 1 winner Total Gallery (Ire) (Namid {GB}) from the family of 4.5m gns broodmare Teona (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is also up for auction. Among the covering sires represented are Bated Breath (GB), Cracksman (GB), Oasis Dream (GB), Sea The Moon (Ger), Showcasing (GB), Study Of Man (Ire), Mohaather (GB), Perfect Power (Ire), and Stradivarius (Ire). Fireblade (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a full-brother to multiple Group 1 winner and Group 1 sire Cracksman (GB) is consigned as lot 304. The 4-year-old colt Baraq (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) (lot 249), a half-brother to four group winners is also offered; as is First Ambition (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) (lot 261), the first foal out of six time Group 1 winner Laurens (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}). Daughters of Group/Grade 1 winners Wuheida (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) (lot 135) and Lady Marian (Ger) (Nayef) (lot 134) will also go through the ring. The 2025 Tattersalls Stallion Parade will showcase nine young British-based sires who will be available for viewing in Left Yard and Right Yard after the parade. The stallions parading will be A'Ali (Ire), Bangkok (Ire), Bradsell (GB), Caturra (Ire), El Caballo (GB), Isaac Shelby (GB), Lope Y Fernandez (Ire), Stradivarius and Ubettabelieveit (Ire). Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony said, “2024 was a landmark year for the Tattersalls February Sale with Irish Derby winner Los Angeles (Ire), French 2000 Guineas winner Metropolitan (Fr) and Dubai Turf winner Facteur Cheval (Ire), all out of mares purchased at the sale for a total of just 66,800 guineas. As well as Classic and Group 1 producers, group and listed winners such as multiple American graded stakes winner Missed The Cut (GB) and last weekend's King Faisal Cup winner Uncle (GB) in Saudi Arabia continue to fly the flag for the February Sale globally as a consistent source of high-class horses in training. “There is plenty of quality breeding stock and horses in training in this year's catalogue including consignments from Godolphin and Juddmonte and from many of Britain and Ireland's leading trainers and stud farms. Alongside the ever popular Stallion Parade, this year's February Sale will also feature the inaugural Retraining of Racehorses Showcase and looks certain to appeal to the usual diverse mix of domestic and international buyers who have made the Tattersalls February Sale Europe's leading midwinter sale.” The post Half-Sister To Bluestocking One Of The Highlights Of The Tattersalls February Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Despite the best efforts from the track maintenance team at Turfway Park Racing & Gaming, the lingering effects from the extreme colt and winter weather have rendered it impossible to conduct live racing Friday evening. Crews continue to work around the clock to try to prepare the track for the rest of the weekend, and racing is expected to continue on Saturday, with a first post at 5:55 p.m. ET. The Pick 5 carryover of $180,036 originally slated for Friday will now carry over to Saturday's late sequence. Sunday racing is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. ET. Beginning next Wednesday, Jan. 15, live racing at Turfway will expand to 10 races to accommodate the races canceled due to the weather. For further information and updates, visit turfway.com. The post Turfway Cancels Friday Program appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A strong nomination of 28 group 1 winners, headed by Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Laurel River and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Sierra Leone, have been put forward for this year's $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) Feb. 22.View the full article

The catalogue for the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Mixed Sale, to be held Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, at the company's Newtown Paddocks complex, is now online. Bidding for the single-session auction will begin at 10 a.m. ET. A total of 348 horses have been catalogued for the sale, including broodmares in and out of foal, short yearlings and horses of racing age. Covering sires represented include Arabian Lion, Arcangelo, Constitution, Corniche, Elite Power, Forte, Girvin, Gunite, Hard Spun, Jackie's Warrior, Mage, McKinzie, Nyquist, Olympiad, Oscar Performance, Upstart, Volatile, and Yaupon. Yearling sires catalogued include Candy Ride (Arg), Charlatan, Corniche, Epicenter, Ghostzapper, Girvin, Golden Pal, Maclean's Music, Maxfield, Olympiad, Practical Joke, Street Sense, Tiz the Law, Uncle Mo, Upstart, and Vekoma. “Kentucky Winter Mixed offers an important marketplace for buyers at all levels before the breeding sheds open,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “There is good quality and variety among the racing and breeding stock this year, as well as a large group of short yearlings that will be a popular draw.” The catalogue's front cover spotlights Adare Manor, winner of the GI Apple Blossom Stakes and GI Clement L. Hirsch Stakes in 2024. The back cover features additional 2024 graded stakes winning graduates Fast as Flight, First Peace, Leave No Trace, Olivia Darling, and Running Bee. “Kentucky Winter Mixed produces a higher number of elite level graduates with each passing year,” noted Browning. Supplemental entries to the Winter Mixed Sale remain open and will continue to be accepted over the next few weeks. The main catalogue may be viewed here. The post Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Catalogue Online appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The two-day $38.1-million Saudi Cup meeting nominations at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on Feb. 21-22 were released by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia on Friday. A total of 81 Grade/Group 1 winners are among the 1,123 entries from 21 countries that have stepped up, with Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) throwing his hat in the ring for the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup. (Click here for an in depth dive into the nominations for the Saudi Cup, G3 Saudi Derby, and G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint). Leading the charge for the 2500-metre $2.5-million G2 Red Sea Turf Handicap is 2024 G1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Warp Speed (Jpn) (Drefong). The 6-year-old entire could be joined by fellow Japanese runner and G1 Hopeful Stakes victor Killer Ability (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) for Takashi Saito. Last year's fourth-place finisher Al Nayyir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) has been entered, as has Bhupat Seemar's listed winner Walk Of Stars (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The Coolmore partners and Aidan O'Brien have nominated 2023 G1 St Leger Hero Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}). Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), a Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed for John and Thady Gosden, and listed scorer King Of Conquest (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) for Charlie Appleby have also been nominated. A similarly international cast will contest the 2100-metre $2-million G2 Neom Turf Cup, with the Sir Alex Ferguson co-owned Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) back to defend his title. G1 Japan Cup second Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), a full-brother to G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Sottsass (Fr), has been entered by Yoshito Yahagi. Two-time Group 1 winners Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) will fly the flags of the UAE and Ireland, respectively. Owen Burrows has nominated multiple group winner Alflaila (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) for Great Britain, with Andrew Balding's group winner and GI Belmont Derby second The Foxes (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) ready to rumble, as well. Calif (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), a Group 1 winner in Germany, will try his hand for Fawzi Nass and Bahrain. Charlie Appleby, who has Measured Time, has also entered Group 1 victor Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). The $2-million G2 1351 Turf Sprint features another defending champ in Mick Appleby's Annaf (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}). His goal of consecutive victories here will be difficult, with Jerome Reynier's G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest scorer Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) also entered. Japan has a strong presence as well, with Group 1 winners Ten Happy Rose (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) and Yoichi Kuroiwa's Ascoli Piceno (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) joining the fray. Another for Japan is Ryo Takei's Strauss (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}). Saeed bin Suroor will send Ghaly (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), while Karl Burke will saddle group winner Spycatcher (Ire) (Vadamos {Fr}). HRH Prince Bandar Bin Khaled Alfaisal, chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia said, “On behalf of everyone at the JCSA, I would like to extend my thanks to owners and trainers from around the world for their nominations for the 2025 Saudi Cup meeting. We are proud to be top of mind for the trainers of the world's best from more than 20 countries, including so many that have won at the highest level. “Horse racing thrives on international competition, and we believe that the Saudi Cup is the perfect event to showcase the best of global racing. The Saudi Cup itself is the pinnacle of our racing season and in a few short years has become a truly global race. This year's renewal looks perhaps the strongest yet. “Horse racing and celebrating the brilliance of both the Thoroughbred and Purebred Arabian are at the heart of traditional culture in Saudi Arabia, and events such as the Saudi Cup play a big role in engaging the local community in all aspects of the sport. As we continually improve our offering, through race upgrades and further investment, The Kingdom continues to grow as a destination for horse racing, both domestically and internationally. “We look forward to welcoming all connections to King Abdulaziz Racecourse next month for what promises to be another unforgettable Saudi Cup meeting.” For the full list of Saudi Cup meeting entries, please click here. The post Glittering Cast Of Group 1 Winners Signed On For 2025 Saudi Cup Meeting appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A total of 1,123 entries, including 81 Group or Grade I winners from no fewer than 21 racing jurisdictions from all over the world were received for the 2025 Saudi Cup meeting, to be held Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21 and 22 and King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh. The entries were released Friday by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA). (See TDN Europe for the entries to the meeting's turf events) Some $38.1 million in prize money will be on offer over the course of the weekend, headed up by the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup, which has lured entries from the connections of 28 elite-level scorers worldwide. Juddmonte's reigning G1 Dubai World Cup romper Laurel River (Into Mischief) is set to make his seasonal reappearance for trainer Bhupat Seemar on Fashion Friday at Meydan on Jan. 24 as a stepping-stone to the Saudi Cup, a race dearly coveted by the family of the late Prince Khalid Abdullah. Contention figures to run very deep, as the competition looks set to include 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), the GI Breeders' Cup Classic hero and a leading Eclipse Award candidate; Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), who took a thrilling renewal of the G3 Saudi Derby on the program 12 months ago on his world travels and recently won the G1 Tokyo Daishoten following his third placing at the Breeders' Cup; and Senor Buscador (Mineshaft), who could return to defend his title after nosing out Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) last year. The Saudi Cup nominations are spiced up considerably by the addition of Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), who is pointing to the 1800-meter contest after taking in the G1 Jebel Hatta at Meydan on Fashion Friday. Danon Decile (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) is another intriguing entry from the Far East for what would also mark his first start on a dirt track. Last year's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner and G1 Arima Kinen third is out of Top Decile (Congrats), second in the G1 Darley Alcibiades Stakes and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies in 2014. Other prominent American entries include Wathnan Racing's MGSW Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}); the locally owned Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming), beaten under a length in third last February; the Todd Pletcher-trained GII Cigar Mile Handicap winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Locked (Gun Runner); GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) and the consistent Rattle N Roll (Connect) from the barn of Ken McPeek; GI Malibu Stakes hero Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief) for internationally minded trainer Chief Stipe O'Neill; Soul of an Angel (Atreides), the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint upsetter and last year's beaten favorite White Abarrio (Race Day) for Saffie Joseph, Jr.; Stronghold (Ghostzapper), winner of the 2024 GI Santa Anita Derby and a sound runner-up in the Malibu for Phil d'Amato; and Malibu third Imagination (Into Mischief) and recent impressive Santa Anita allowance winner Mirahmadi (Into Mischief) from the barn of Bob Baffert. There also figures to be strong American representation in the two other dirt races on the Saudi Cup undercard. Japan's Remake (Lani) is an anticipated runner in the newly upgraded $2-million G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint, whose purse was boosted by $500,000 for this running. Shippers from the States could include GI Breeders' Cup Sprint hero Straight No Chaser (Speightster); Book'em Danno (Bucchero) and Bentornato (Valiant Minister), second and third, respectively, in last year's Saudi Derby; the reliable Nakatomi (Firing Line); and the in-form Giant Mischief (Into Mischief), a latest winner of the Nov. 29 Fall Highweight Stakes for Cox. The Saudi Derby is contested over the one-turn 1600-meter configuration at King Abdulaziz, and several U.S.-based gallopers will look to get the upper hand over what is typically a strong group of horses from Japan. Juddmonte's 'TDN Rising Star' Disco Time (Not This Time), last seen running his record to two-for-two with a mile allowance win at Churchill Downs in late November, has been given an entry by Brad Cox and is in steady training at the Fair Grounds; trainer Chad Summers is giving strong consideration to a Middle East campaign for Cyclone State (McKinzie), easy winner of the Jan. 4 Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct; 'TDN Rising Star' Guns Loaded (Gun Runner) could be another on the program for D'Angelo off his neck success in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream Jan. 4; and trainer Bob Baffert has entered Eclipse finalist and GI Del Mar Futurity hero Gaming (Game Winner) as well as GIII Best Pal Stakes winner Getaway Car (Curlin). A handful of American-based horses have been entered for the meeting's three group-level turf races. Howard Wolowitz (Munnings), winner of the GI Franklin-Simpson Stakes, holds an entry for the G2 1351 Turf Sprint, as does the Graham Motion-trained Isivunguvungu (SAf) (What a Winter {Saf}). Todd Pletcher has engaged GII Kentucky Turf Cup winner Grand Sonata (Medaglia d'Oro) for the G2 Neom Turf Cup (2100mT) where he could be joined by Cabo Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile) and Dicey Mo Chara (GB) (Adaay {Ire}) from California for George Papaprodroumou and Leonard Powell, respectively. Grand Sonata (56.5 kg) also holds an entry for the G2 Red Sea Turf Handicap (3000mT), as do GII United Nations Stakes victor Get Smokin (Get Stormy, 56.5 kg) and Verstappen (War Front, 54.5 kg). Japan's Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), third in the G1 Japan Cup, is the 62 kg highweight and is expected to accept that impost. “Horse racing thrives on international competition, and we believe that the Saudi Cup is the perfect event to showcase the best of global racing,” said HRH Prince Bandar Bin Khaled Alfaisal, chairman of the JCSA. “The Saudi Cup itself is the pinnacle of our racing season and in a few short years has become a truly global race. This year's renewal looks perhaps the strongest yet. “As we continually improve our offering, through race upgrades and further investment, The Kingdom continues to grow as a destination for horse racing, both domestically and internationally. “We look forward to welcoming all connections to King Abdulaziz Racecourse next month for what promises to be another unforgettable Saudi Cup meeting.” Click here for the full list of entries. 2⃣8⃣ G1 winners nominated for this year's $20 million Saudi Cup, featuring the likes of: LAUREL RIVER SIERRA LEONE ROMANTIC WARRIOR MYSTIK DAN FOREVER YOUNG SEÑOR BUSCADOR DANON DECILE SOUL OF AN ANGEL EL KODIGO#TheSaudiCup | #サウジカップ pic.twitter.com/Ri5hwbZN6H — The Saudi Cup (@thesaudicup) January 10, 2025 The post Sierra Leone, Laurel River, Senor Buscador Among 28 Top-Level Winners Entered For Saudi Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

To honor Frank Taylor's Special Eclipse Award, Fasig-Tipton issued a $25,000 matching grant to benefit Taylor's Stable Recovery program, the sales company announced Friday morning. Shortly after the grant was announced, Craig Bernick informed Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning that the Lavin Family Foundation would match the gift, raising the challenge grant's total to $50,000. Taylor will receive a special Eclipse Award at the Eclipse Award ceremony Thursday, Jan. 23, for the work he has done in building Stable Recovery and the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship, two programs that work hand in hand with individuals coming out of drug or alcohol rehabilitation and providing ongoing support while they begin meaningful employment in the Thoroughbred industry. “The work that Frank Taylor and the Stable Recovery Program have accomplished and continue to accomplish is remarkable,” said Browning. “It's life-changing for many individuals in our industry and has provided many people the opportunity to reunite their families. We are proud to support this incredible initiative.” People in the Stable Recovery program live in a group housing environment that provides counseling and ongoing recovery programs while they attend the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship, which prepares them for jobs in the Thoroughbred industry. Taylor and CEO Christian Countzler are the driving forces behind the program. They have graduated more than 100 individuals, and expect to graduate another 80 in 2025. WinStar Farm and Taylor Made both have Stable Recovery houses on the farm, and Keeneland plans to add one at their Manchester Farm. Other strategic partners hiring from the program include Godolphin, Spy Coast Farm, Brook Ledge, Hallway Feeds, Rood & Riddle, Coolmore, Lane's End and Old Friends, as well as outside-the-industry partners. To donate to the matching grant, visit https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/dollar25000-fasig-tipton-matching-donation The post Fasig-Tipton Issues Matching Grant in Honor of Taylor’s Eclipse appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Leading owner and philanthropist John Murrell has died. Through the red and yellow colours of his wife Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez, Murrell has been associated with Group 1 winners such as Oaks heroine Qualify, Man O'War Stakes winner Zhukova, Moyglare Stud winner Intricately, Fillies' Mile and Matron Stakes winner Iridessa and more recently, Tattersalls Gold Cup hero White Birch. At just 25, Murrell owned 30 horses and had a training yard in Newmarket. His early successes on the racetrack included Cawston's Clown, winner of the 1976 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and multinational Group 1 winner Gentilhombre, who won consecutive runnings of the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp in 1976 and 1977. Both horses were trained by Neil Adam. However, when John sold his UK chemical business and moved to Spain, he turned his attention to golf [also becoming involved in the development of the La Manga resort] and left racing for years. He returned to the sport around 2000 and operated a husband-and-wife partnership with the horses running in the name and colours of his wife Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez. Murrell's preferred strategy in these later years was to buy horses of racing showing early potential, as opposed to buying unproven yearlings at auction. Murrell was also a noted collector of old master paintings, particularly from the Spanish school, and in recent years donated or loaned several important works to the Prado Museum in Madrid. The post Leading Owner And Philanthropist John Murrell Dies appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are 12 horse racing meetings set for Australia on Saturday, January 11. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Gold Coast, Flemington, Wyong, Ascot & Darwin. Saturday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – January 11, 2025 Gold Coast Racing Tips Flemington Racing Tips Wyong Racing Tips Ascot Racing Tips Darwin Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on January 11, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. 3 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. Recommended! 4 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 5 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

By Michael Guerin In the end of the final push to the top of millionaire’s mountain was an easy one. It was probably always going to be for Oscar Bonavena, who had panels on his rivals in the IRT Cambridge Flying Stakes Trot at Cambridge on Thursday night. The nine-year-old was able to pull back to second last and after moving mid-race ended up in the one-one. From there the question was how big the margin would be. The answer: five-and-a-quarter lengths as he raced into the millionaire’s club without breaking a sweat. It was win 30 from start 76 for $1,018,558 in stakes, edging him into that most elite of trotting clubs. But while the final step was easy the climb up that mountain was anything but. It all started so well. Oscar was an instant hit for first trainer Phil Williamson, before being purchased by US-based Kiwi trainer Chris Ryder and Mark Purdon. He even raced in the part-ownership of the late, great Roy Purdon for a while as Mark kept his legendary father involved in the industry. Oscar was excellent in a short three-year-old career and magnificent for much of his four-year-old career before a luckless Australian campaign and then soon after the niggles started. As they say, the faster you go the bigger the mess. And Oscar’s little legs went awfully fast. As issues came and went it affected Oscar’s manners to the stage as a six-year-old he won only one of his 13 starts. Her looked set to become a cautionary tale of what happens to good horses who can’t stay sound and happy. But two years ago things changed and the little horse who couldn’t became the little horse who could. Oscar went on a rampage in the second half of that season, winning the Dominion Trot on his way to becoming Trotter of the Year. Last year was trickier, with Just Believe coming from Australia to dominate our major trots but it is a measure of what a great little horse he is that Oscar came from behind the Victorian to beat him in the NZ Free-For-All on Show Day. Oscar is still Oscar though. Such imperious form still mixed with a gallop in the score up of the National Trot on New Year’s Eve before he made his way to that mountain top on Thursday night. Next stop will be Australia and an opportunity to turn the clock back five years to when he was the next kid on the block. He is no longer new, no kid. He is our latest trotting milllionaire. A horse who did it the hard way. A sprinting machine who has to turn warrior to get off the canvas more than once. Oscar has turned out to be the horse we all hoped he would be. It just took him longer to get there than we expected. Oscar Bonavena is the 12th Australasian-bred trotting millionaire. He joins : Lyell Creek with $2,961,137. Sundon’s Gift ($1,460,561) I Can Doosit ($1,445,774) Speeding Spur ($1,304,992) Take A Moment ($1,164,356) Stent ($1,156,750) One Over Kenny ($1,098,007) Keystone Del ($1,088,449) Tornado Valley ($1,031,977) Vulcan ($1,025,892) Oscar Bonavena ($1,018,558) Sundees Son ($1,010,667) View the full article

The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young trained Emphasize (NZ) (Embellish) has rocketed into Gr.1 New Zealand Derby contention with an emphatic victory at Sale on Thursday. The lightly tried son of resident Cambridge Stud sire Embellish had finished a debut third on the course over 1400 metres prior to Christmas and he relished the next step up to 1717 metres, waltzing home by four lengths. Emphasize was forced to cover plenty of extra ground in his victory romp with a performance that now has him the $8 second favourite for the Derby. Rider Thomas Stockdale has been aboard the three-year-old in both of his outings and said the best has yet to come from the gelding, who carries the colours of OTI Racing. “He was ever so strong and will continue to improve.” Emphasize was caught four wide early after jumping from the outside gate before he slotted in one off close to the pace. He pulled out early to improve three wide and strode to the front halfway down the straight to thump his older rivals. “The tempo was okay before the leader backed off going to the 1000 metre mark and my bloke has such a big stride that I let him roll,” Sadler said. Bred by Yarrawonga Racing, Emphasize was bought out of Castle Hill Farm’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale by Inglewood Stud for $5000. He was subsequently purchased for $75,000 by OTI, Busuttin Racing and Phill Cataldo Bloodstock at the Ready to Run Sale. Emphasize is a son of the Dane Shadow mare Dancing May, who also has a juvenile Embellish filly, and she is a sister to the Gr.1 South Australian Derby winner Shadows In The Sun. View the full article

It might not have been the race she wanted to target with Lingjun Xiongfeng this week, but Pam Gerard was pleased to see her showy grey return to winning form at Tauranga on Friday. The Matamata trainer had set her sights on tomorrow’s Gr.1 Harcourt Thordon Mile (1600m) at Trentham with the six-year-old gelding, but his 78 rating had made if difficult for her to execute that plan. “We have been a bit unlucky trying to get into fields. With his rating, he hasn’t been able to get in Open fields,” Gerard said. “We wanted to have him ready for the Thorndon Mile but just couldn’t get a start into him. I do think he has got a good one (race) in him.” The Factor entire hadn’t been sighted in the winner’s stall since December 2013, where he scored back-to-back victories, but he battled in open grade last year, featuring at the tail end of his last two Group outings. He returned to the races last month where he placed in the Poverty Bay Turf Club Cup (1400m) at Taupo and after reviewing the race, Gerard decided the entire is best ridden cold. She gave those instructions to jockey George Rooke prior to the Simply Law Greerton 1600 on Friday, and the English jockey duly obliged, settling at the back of the field before setting his charge alight down the straight where he ran over the top of his rivals to score by a head over Outback Opal. “Last time at Taupo we rode him a bit handier,” Gerard said. “We were keen to put him into the race, but when I got home and looked at it I thought that’s not the right way to ride him. We were really patient today and in a small field you get your options and even though they aren’t coming from the back today, he has flown home late.” Rooke was pleased with the win and believes there is a big win instore for Lingjun Xiongfeng over the coming months. “I half thought I left it too late and when I got to the front, I thought I got there too soon,” Rooke said. “He has got plenty of ability, he is quite quirky with it, and he has won well today. “He is going to have a big summer and thankfully he has got it off today.” Gerard is hoping the win is the start of a prosperous weekend for stable, with stable star Savaglee out to continue his impressive run of form in the Gr.2 Top Kat Roofing Levin Classic (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. “Looking at him he looks big and burly and you think he is a little bit chubby, but I think he has just muscled up and got stronger,” Gerard said. “It is exciting, but it is probably more nerve-racking now as we have got to turn around and do it all again. “But I couldn’t be happier with him.” View the full article

Potential Group One contender Golden Century (NZ) (Pierro) will have his chance to shine on Sunday when he steps up to a middle distance on a roomier track. The highly regarded son of Pierro has yet to open his account and is presented with a grand opportunity to bank a winning cheque in the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) on the big stage at Ellerslie. Golden Century ran third in his first two appearances at Taupo and Te Aroha before he changed hands and finished runner-up at Rotorua in his first outing for new owner OTI Racing and will again be ridden by Ryan Elliot. “He’s a real stayer and has been around tighter circuits and being the big horse he is, he’s going to appreciate the bigger track,” trainer Tony Pike said. “The 2100m will be right up his alley, he is still a very green horse but he’s improving with racing.” A top performance in the Salver will likely see Golden Century’s path toward the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) firmed up and his current $31 quote for the Classic tumble. “He was bought by OTI and his future lies in Australia, but they will look at leaving him here for our Derby depending how he progresses in his next couple of runs,” Pike said. Golden Century’s stablemates Raziah (NZ) (Niagara) and Thooza (NZ) (Almanzor) will also continue their build-ups toward more lucrative targets when they step out in the Sistema 3YO (1200m). Niagara’s daughter Raziah won the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) and the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) in the spring before running eighth in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). “She had three or four weeks in the paddock and has come back in good order,” Pike said. “Back right-handed in the north, it will be interesting to see where she fits in and will improve a touch with the run. “She’s going in without a barrier trial, but she has got plenty of residual fitness from her trip down south.” Matt Cartwright will take the mount of The Oaks Stud-bred and raced filly who has the $1 million Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) on her radar. “It’s 1200m fresh-up on Sunday and we’ll probably try and work toward that, it’s a short run up hence she’s running instead of a barrier trial,” Pike said. “If she comes up well enough, we’ll give her a crack at one of the 2000m fillies’ races and take it from there.” Almanzor filly Thooza is unbeaten in two appearances in the colours of Cambridge Stud and will have the services of Warren Kennedy. “It was a small field at Taranaki the other day and she was a bit slow to come up in the spring, but her coat has come through now,” Pike said. “She’s in good order and it will be her first time around Ellerslie and obviously Brendan (Lindsay) has a slot in the big race (NZB Kiwi, 1500m) and he wants to give her a chance of getting there. “We’ll get through Sunday and if she performs well, we’ll look at something a bit stronger at her next start.” A leading light among the stable’s older runners at Ellerslie is Trelawney Stud’s in-form mare Acquarello (Written Tycoon), who runs in the Auckland Co-Op Taxis Handicap (1400m). She won the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) in the spring and was runner-up when resuming in the Royal Descent Stakes (1400m) on the course on Boxing Day. “She needed that run, she’s a very big mare who holds a lot of condition and will improve a lot,” Pike said. “That’s why we’re running again on the way to the Westbury Classic (Gr.2, 1400m).” View the full article

Rising star Marotiri Molly (NZ) (Per Incanto) has defied the expectations of Matt Dixon already this season, and on Saturday at Trentham the Foxton trainer hopes she can continue that trend in the Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m). The late-developing daughter of Per Incanto broke maiden status as a five-year-old over 1200m, and there was a period of time where Dixon wondered if that would be her limit. 12 months down the track, Marotiri Molly had won three races in succession over 1400m, and in her first attempt in stakes company she came within a neck of La Crique in the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1400m). Her outstanding form line was capped off in the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) on December 21 where the mare put a healthy margin on a strong field of horses, persuading Dixon and the Parlato’s (owners) to pay the late nomination into Saturday’s feature. “She’s come through that run in great order, she’s had a pretty faultless prep over the past few weeks so I’m very happy with her,” Dixon said. “It wasn’t really the plan earlier on, but the more she’s raced, the more she’s learned to settle, which she showed in her Pukekohe run and her last run. In the early days, we wondered if she’d even get 1400, but she’s learned to race a bit kinder. “She’s been strong to the line and given an indication that she will see out the mile, so we are hopeful.” The Thorndon Mile also slotted into the mare’s programme better than her other option, which would’ve been the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) on Karaka Millions Night (January 25). “After her last win, it was going to be five weeks to the Westbury Classic,” Dixon said. “She’d come through her last run so well and she loves Trentham, it’s nice and close to home. The three-week timeframe also worked out well, we went a month from Pukekohe into the Challenge Stakes and now a nice gap between this too.” Marotiri Molly will be having just her 13th start on Saturday, and while Dixon had always rated her highly, even he couldn’t have predicted her rapid rise this term. “She always showed a lot of natural speed, it was just a matter of her maturing into her frame,” he said. “She’s had a few growing pains along the way. “She’s certainly had the ability, but you never expect to get to this point, 13 or 14 months ago she was just winning a maiden race. “She’s come a very long way.” View the full article

Allan Sharrock’s New Plymouth stable has been firing on all cylinders in recent weeks, and rising star mare Islington Lass (NZ) (Proisir) will attempt to extend that hot run in Saturday’s Gr.3 Life Direct Trentham Stakes (2100m). Sharrock sits in fourth place on the New Zealand trainers’ premiership with 34 wins this season, and 16 of those victories have come since December 5. That includes black-type successes with Ladies Man in the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at Trentham on December 7 and Islington Lass in the Gr.3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) at the same venue on December 21, while Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) contender Almakeitgood placed in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. “The stable’s been going pretty well over the holiday period,” Sharrock said. “We’ve got some nice horses around us at the moment and hopefully we can keep our good run going for a bit longer yet.” Sharrock is following a familiar formula in his attempt to continue his winning form in Saturday’s Trentham Stakes. He has won three of the last four runnings of the race with Our Hail Mary (2021), Waisake (2022) and Ladies Man (2023), while Waisake also placed in both 2023 and 2024. Islington Lass goes into the $150,000 feature as the winner of eight of her 16 starts and more than $249,000 in stakes. Her five visits to Trentham have produced three wins, including the Listed Rangitikei Cup (1600m) in May and an impressive performance in last month’s Manawatu Cup. “I thought it was a great effort to win the Manawatu Cup last time out,” Sharrock said. “I gave her an easy week after that race and I’ve been happy enough with how she’s been working up since then. “I think she’ll run well again on Saturday. She likes Wellington and is well suited to the set weights and penalties conditions of this race.” Despite her rating of 99 being the second highest in the Trentham Stakes field, Islington Lass will carry only 54kg. The Proisir mare will be ridden by Michael McNab and holds $3.20 favouritism in the TAB’s Final Field market, just ahead of Group One winner and topweight Campionessa at $3.90. Sharrock suggested that the Trentham Stakes is likely to be the final start of the summer for Islington Lass. “I can see this being her last run before we put her out for a little break,” he said. “We’ll bring her back for the autumn with a focus on some good fillies and mares’ races like the Travis Stakes (Gr.2, 2000m) and Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.3, 2000m).” Islington Lass headlines a two-pronged Trentham team for Sharrock, who is also expecting a bold showing from Bridal Train (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) in the Belclare Superstar (1400m). The four-year-old daughter of U S Navy Flag has been close up in fourth in both of her first two runs of this campaign, and the TAB rates her a $3.10 favourite for the opening race on Saturday’s card. View the full article

Classy mare Campionessa has flown the flag for Te Akau Racing at the top level for a number of years, but on Saturday at Trentham, her younger stablemate Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor) will get her time to shine contesting the Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m). The Te Akau homebred mare was among the top staying fillies last term, placing in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), earning her a tilt at the Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville. While she didn’t fire in her season finale, Qali Al Farrasha has made a firing four-year-old return, winning at Ellerslie before recording narrow placings at Te Rapa and Pukekohe, the latter to Nereus in the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m). “She’s not very big and doesn’t carry a lot of condition, but she’s very game,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains the mare in partnership with Mark Walker. “I thought her runs this time around have been very good, she goes out there and tries hard, which her record reflects. “She’s freshened up nicely and we were planning to go to the Rich Hill Mile (Gr.2, 1600m) last week, but she got quite a few points from the Counties Cup and would’ve been carrying 56.5kg. We elected to wait and she’s got 53kg in a pretty even field on Saturday, and she’s got a nice barrier, which gives us options.” As reflected in the TAB market, the field for this year’s edition is relatively even, with Marotiri Molly currently on top at $5. However, the big mover early has been Qali Al Farrasha, shortening from $21 to $12. Bergerson, while knowing the size of the task, has faith his charge is more than capable of figuring in another elite-level finish at Trentham. “She hasn’t missed the top three many times in her career and she raced well at Wellington in the Oaks,” he said. “It’s a big ask at Group One level now, but we think she’s up to it.” Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer) will also feature on the Trentham card, taking her place in the Gr.3 Life Direct Trentham Stakes (2100m). A Group One winner over 2050m, the daughter of Contributer has run her customary honest races this preparation, finishing second to Snazzytavi in the Gr.2 Cal Izuzu Stakes (1600m), and fifth to the same runner in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m). “She’s probably just a year older now, and against those top Group One performers, she’s just not quite as sharp as a Snazzytavi or La Crique,” Bergerson said. “We ran in the Thorndon last year, but this time around we weren’t able to freshen her well enough to come back to a mile, and this looks like a nice stepping stone in potentially heading to a Herbie Dyke (Gr.1, 2000m) or something similar again. “She’s very consistent, she gets in well at the set weights and penalties, she’s giving two or three kilos to horses that are rated 20 points below her. It looks a nice race for her, we’re sure she can be competitive. Allan’s horse (Islington Lass) will be very hard to beat, but she always runs well and tries very hard.” Te Akau’s trio of stakes runners is completed by Carsolio (Bivouac), a juvenile colt having his second start in the Listed Star Group Wellesley Stakes (1100m). The son of Bivouac was a narrowly beaten favourite on debut, but has since impressed winning at the Pukekohe trials last month. “It was disappointing to be beaten at Tauherenikau, but he’s certainly better for the experience,” Bergerson said. “It just rained on the morning and unfortunately got to a heavy track, and he ended up three-wide in front in a four-horse field. “It all went wrong, but we’ve given him a freshen-up, his trial at Pukekohe was good and his work was very good on Tuesday on the course proper. “This looks like a nice open race for him on paper, he’s drawn one with Luke Currie aboard, so he ticks a lot of boxes. He’s already had an overnight trip away as well, so we think he’ll travel and handle it well.” While the stable has had plenty of success at the Central Districts venue, they will enter new territory further south at Kumara on Saturday when they line-up their first runner in the Vernon and Vazey 0800 Truck Parts Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m). That representative will be Elegant Lady (NZ) (Highly Recommended), a placegetter in last year’s Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m). After running fifth at Otaki on Boxing Day, she continued down to Te Akau’s Riccarton base with the same target in mind this term. “We are keen to get her to the Dunedin Gold Cup again as we did last year, she ran at Otaki on the way down to the South Island which is where she was always heading,” Bergerson said. “She’s pretty well-travelled, she went down to Christchurch last year and seemed to really thrive. We saw this race as a nice stepping stone in getting up to the 2000-plus range, without having to jump from a mile to a 22 or 24. “We would love to win the Nuggets, it’s an iconic race and I’m pretty sure we’ve never had a runner there. It’s an exciting time for the stable and it looks like a nice race for her to progress into the late summer and autumn.” View the full article