Wandering Eyes

When graded-stakes winner Pretty Birdie (Bird Song) went through the sales ring at Keeneland in November as part of the dispersal of the estate of the late John Hendrickson, she sold for $1.1 million to Stonestreet, but after the mare was observed cribbing at her new home, the sale was nullified and breeders will get a second chance to bid on the 5-year-old at next week's Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale. Again consigned through Antony Beck's Gainesway, she will go through the ring as hip 453 during Monday's first session of the three-day auction. “She was over at Stonestreet for about a week and I got a call from John Moynihan,” Gainesway's Brian Graves explained. “We had never seen her crib before. It's pretty minor, but it does exist. And so, dealing with an estate for the Whitneys and John Hendrickson, they couldn't really come to a resolution about how to fix it from a price perspective. I think the estate just felt more comfortable letting the natural market in January dictate the outcome.” Pretty Birdie, who will sell without reserve, won the 2021 GIII Schuylerville Stakes and was second in the following year's GII Eight Belles Stakes. She is in foal to Candy Ride (Arg). “I would think that every significant breeding operation in the U.S. will take a very serious look at Pretty Birdie,” Graves said. “And I would think that she would appeal to Japanese buyers. She is the full package. She was brilliantly fast at two when she won the prestigious Schuylerville. She has exceptional looks and balance to her. She is a the perfect prototype of a mare. She is drop-dead gorgeous.” Pretty Birdie | Keeneland Pretty Birdie's dam Bird Sense (Street Sense) is a half-sister to graded-placed Bird Maker (Empire Maker). Her fourth dam, Dear Birdie, produced champion and GI Kentucky Oaks winner Bird Town, as well as GI Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone. “She represents four generations of Whitney blood, tracing back to Birdstone and Bird Town,” Graves said. “She is the crown jewel of the Whitney breeding program. And she is really a serious collector's item.” Of the mare's cribbing, Graves said, “Horses in new settings, meeting new friends, can be a little anxious. Maybe she figured that out in that time period. When we turned her out with her buddies here, she went in the middle of the field and ate grass. But watching her very closely, if the pack goes up in the corner, she will chew on the fence a bit and every now and then, she will kind of crib on it a bit. It's nothing major, but for all the parties involved, this was the best resolution. The Whitneys are high-class people and at the end of the day, they just want the buyer to be 100% happy. There is no argument, this is the best resolution to a problem that popped up. We will announce her as a cribber.” Gainesway will offer three horses on behalf of Hendrickson's estate at the January sale. In addition to Pretty Birdie, the consignment will also include a short yearling filly by Vekoma (hip 288), as well as Pow Wow Wow (Indian Charlie) (hip 1203). The 15-year-old mare was not bred last year, but her now 3-year-old Captain Cook (Practical Joke) was tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following a 9 1/4-length maiden score at Aqueduct Dec. 28. He had sold for $410,000 the month before at the Keeneland Horses of Racing Age Sale. “Captain Cook was impressive breaking his maiden last week,” Graves said. “That mare is now middle aged, but she has something serious on the horizon for herself.” Captain Cook | Coglianese Hendrickson died suddenly in August, five years after the passing of his wife, philanthropist and longtime breeder Marylou Whitney. “John did an amazing job picking up where Marylou left off,” Graves said. “She was such a class person, very dear to the Becks. She introduced Antony to his wife. The Becks bought the farm from the Whitneys and we basically boarded and raised her horses from that day forward. And when she was gone, John did a lot of things in her honor to continue the things she started, with backstretch workers and hospitals for employees at the track there in Saratoga. It's just a big loss in general. And it's sad to see these horses go.” The Keeneland January sale will be held next Monday through Wednesday, with sessions beginning each day at 10 a.m. The post ‘Crown Jewel of Whitney Breeding Program’: Pretty Birdie to be Reoffered at Keeneland January appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has canceled live racing for both Jan. 8 and 9 due to single-digit forecasted temperatures and wind chills at first post time. View the full article

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters announced Jan. 8 the winners of the 2024 Media Eclipse Awards in six categories.View the full article

A total of 182 lots have been catalogued for the Tattersalls Ireland Winter Flat and National Hunt Sale, which takes place on Tuesday, January 28. Formerly known as the February National Hunt Sale, the catalogue still consists predominantly of National Hunt yearlings and mares, but for the first time this year Flat-bred stock will also be offered. Champ Kiely (Ire) (Ocovango {GB}), a Grade 1 winner as a novice hurdler, is a notable graduate of the sale, having fetched €5,800 as a yearling in 2017, while Dan Skelton's recent G2 Rising Stars Novices' Chase winner Boombawn (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) was purchased for €13,000 as a yearling the following year. This year's catalogue features the progeny of leading National Hunt sires such as Walk In The Park (Ire), Blue Bresil (Fr), Jukebox Jury (Ire) and Order Of St George (Ire), while Affinisea (Ire), Poet's Word (Ire) and Crystal Ocean (GB) are also well represented throughout the sale. Potential highlights include lot 58, a Walk In The Park colt out of a half-sister to the nine-time Grade 1 winner Envoi Allen (Fr) (Muhtathir {GB}), and lot 172, a Blue Bresil colt out of a full-sister to the Gold Cup hero Lord Windermere (Ire) (Oscar {Ire}). The post Catalogue Out for the Tattersalls Ireland Winter Flat and NH Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A total of 390 lots have been catalogued for the two-day Goffs February Sale, which begins on Wednesday, Feb. 5. The mixed catalogue features both Flat and National Hunt horses including short yearlings, 2-year-olds, horses-in-training, stores, and fillies and broodmares. Some of the Flat-bred short yearlings on offer were sired by Baaeed (GB), Blue Point (Ire), Sioux Nation, Camelot (GB), Dark Angel (Ire), Havana Grey (Ire), Mehmas (Ire), and No Nay Never (Ire) among others. Among the National Hunt short yearlings, sires Blue Bresil (Fr), Goliath Du Berlais (Fr), Nirvana Du Berlais (Fr), Walk In The Park (Ire) are represented. Among the horses-in-training, Eastern Legend (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) (lot 34) is one of the star lots. Grade 1-placed over hurdles at Leopardstown during the holidays, the gelding is rated 98 on the Flat. Lot 297, the stakes-placed Black Magic Woman (Ire) (Camacho {GB}), in foal to young sire Native Trail (GB), has also been catalogued. In 2024, 239 horses sold of 370 offered (64%) for a gross of €3,082,400. The average was €12,898 and the median was €8,000. Princess Vega (Ire) (Beat Hollow {GB}), in foal to Walk In The Park (Ire), sold for €150,000 to top the sale. Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby said, “Goffs February Sale is always so popular with breeders, pinhookers and end-users under both codes as it offers the most choice of any midwinter sale. We are grateful to our vendors for supporting February with a catalogue of quality and depth, and, together with our friends at Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, we look forward to welcoming buyers from home and abroad to Kildare Paddocks next month.” The post February ‘Catalogue Of Quality And Depth’ Released By Goffs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wildfires propelled by unusually strong Santa Ana winds swept across Los Angeles Tuesday and into the night, breaking out near several densely populated neighborhoods including Altadena, Pasadena and portions of the San Gabriel Mountains that serve as a backdrop to Santa Anita Park. According to Cal Fire, that particular fire–coined the Eaton Fire–had spread to more then 2,200 acres by 7:20 a.m. PT on Wednesday. On Wednesday morning, the track itself was immediately unaffected by the fires. But severe smoke in the area meant that training was curtailed Wednesday morning. The winds have also caused some damage to the backstretch property. Santa Ana wind damage to barn area | Leonard Powell Track management told the horsemen and women Wednesday that it, if anyone chose to, it would pay for the cost of evacuating horses from the backstretch, and that it was offering food and beverages to those impacted in the racing community. Santa Anita's backstretch community comprises many who live in or near the neighborhoods threatened by the fires, including those where mandatory evacuation notices have been issued. “The air is extremely smokey and we've got ashes coming down,” said trainer Leonard Powell, from Santa Anita on Wednesday morning. “The wind has done some damage. It took the roof off my barn.” Powell lives in Sierra Madre, one of the neighborhoods threatened by the fire and which underwent mandatory evacuations. Powell said that while his family evacuated, he stayed behind Tuesday night. Trainer Jay Nehf was also evacuated from his home in Sierra Madre late Tuesday night. “The horses are out of risk. There's no talk of evacuating them, but it's dramatic,” Nehf added. “We got [to the barn] last night about 11 p.m. last night. We're on the side of the mountain, so you really couldn't see anything but once we got down here, we looked back and it was like `wow.'” “We're okay. We spent the night in a tack room and we have no news. Our house is right in the middle of where the fire was. As far as the track goes, the horses are safe. The winds have died way down right now, and there haven't been any gusts since 4-5 this morning, but it kind of feels like it might be picking up now,” said Nehf. Trainer Bob Baffert lives in the fire impacted community of La Canada. In a text to the TDN Wednesday morning, Baffert wrote: “Track and horses fine. We evacuated from my house but hopefully winds don't change direction or else we are in trouble.” The story will be updated… The post Los Angeles Wildfires: Santa Anita Safe, Nearby Communities Devastated 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 On the second day of the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, five exceptional yearlings surpassed the million-dollar mark, as eager buyers vied for their next star runner, fiercely competing to secure the finest offerings in the market. Lot 353 – I Am Invincible (Aus) x Eloping (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}), filly – A$2,300,000 Ian Moses (Laguna Partnership) and John Sargent stepped into lot 353 in a big way, outmuscling Chris Waller and Guy Mulcaster to acquire the full-sister to Godolphin's dual Group 1 mare In Secret (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) for A$2.3 million, the highest price of the sale thus far. There was an air of expectation about the daughter of Eloping (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}), especially considering her 2-year-old sister named Kerber (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) made A$1.15 million at the sale last year and trialled up impressively in a recent Warwick Farm barrier trial. However, Peter O'Brien, the Manager of Segenhoe Stud, never expected the filly to reach her final sale price of A$2.3 million in his wildest dreams. “I thought she'd make between A$700,000 and A$1 million, in and around there, so it was an incredible surprise,” O'Brien said. “The mare's thrown a champion by 'Vinnie', she's a full-sister to In Secret, the 2-year-old with Ciaron Maher, who is a full-sister again, thinks she's his best 2-year-old called Kerber, who trialled brilliantly last week. She's heading for the Slipper. “I think everybody saw her trial last week, so we know the mare is not a one-hit wonder. “She was unique in some way as she had the looks, the pedigree and I think her sister trialling last week was a big help.” Eloping was again covered by Yarraman's champion sire I Am Invincible while In Secret was retired last year by Godolphin and is now in foal to Widden's champion sire Zoustar (Aus). Lot 387 – Snitzel (Aus) x Fashion Faux Pas (Flatter), colt – A$1,700,000 Following the recent flood of success by Coolmore with sons of Snitzel (Aus) it was no surprise to see Tom Magnier blow his rivals out of the water to secure lot 387 for A$1.7 million. Coolmore has had an incredible run of success from the sire line with Shinzo (Aus) winning the 2023 G1 Golden Slipper and Switzerland (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) triumphing in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes this season. On Wednesday, Magnier took the chance to secure another outstanding colt by the sire. Purchased from the draft of Newgate Farm, this colt is the second foal of imported US stakes winner Fashion Faux Pas (Flatter). Speaking after the purchase, Magnier gave the bay colt the ultimate compliment, likening him to Switzerland– highlighting that both are out of US-bred mares and will be both trained by Chris Waller. “We're very happy to get that horse, Snitzels work very well for us with an American mare and Switzerland was a very nice horse,” Magnier said. “All the team liked him and we're very lucky that the people who have raced the colts with us in the past–Home Affairs (Aus), Shinzo and those kind of horses–they are all going well. “Chris thought that he could be a horse along the lines of Switzerland. Very athletic, plenty of scope.” Fashion Faux Pas was bought for $310,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale by James Harron Bloodstock and Byron Rogers. Her first foal, a 2-year-old filly by King's Legacy (Aus), was sold for A$110,000 to Peachester Lodge at last year's Magic Millions. She foaled a filly by Extreme Choice (Aus) this season and visited Snitzel once again in October. Lot 387, Wednesday's top-priced colt | Magic Millions At A Glance Five horses sold for seven figures on Day 2, bringing the sale total so far to nine. Laguna Partnership and trainer John Sargent splashed out A$2.3 million for the day's top lot, lot 353, a full-sister to dual Group 1 winner In Secret (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}). The average stayed essentially static from Day 1's A$278,549 shifting to A$277,145 on Day 2, slightly below the A$290,951 average at the same point last year. The median remained at A$200,000, the same as Day 1, and down on the A$220,000 at this stage in 2024. With 352 lots sold over the first two days, the gross sits at A$97,555,000, down from 2024's record gross of A$101,833,000 for the same stage. With the clearance rate at the end of Day 1 being 74.65%, by the close of Day 2 it had risen to 81.29%. The battle for top vendor is tight with Newgate Farm leapfrogging Segenhoe Stud to the top of the vendor table. Newgate Farm has now sold 24 yearlings for A$9.375 million. Segenhoe Stud sits second by gross and average, with Milburn Creek leading the vendors by average. I Am Invincible leads the way at the close of play on Day 2, having sold 16 lots for a gross of A$11.8 million at an average of A$739,688. He has sired three of the nine seven-figure lots so far. Snitzel sits in second place with an almost identical average, A$738,462, for his 13 yearlings sold. Coolmore's first-season sire Home Affairs recorded a landmark result on Day 2 when the filly from Champagne Cuddles (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) sold to the Waterhouse/Bott/Kestrel team for A$1.05 million. He leads the first season sires on gross, with 22 yearlings sold for A$7.37 million at an average of A$335,227. Stay Inside is close behind with an average of A$325,000 for his 15 yearlings sold. Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing have teamed up with Kestrel Thoroughbreds to be the leading buyers by close of Day 2 with 12 lots bought for A$4.48 million, while Resolute Bloodstock has purchased 10 yearlings for A$4.2 million. Tom Magnier of Coolmore Stud sits in third for A$2.85 million. Lot 396 – I Am Invincible (Aus) x Fiera Vista (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), colt – A$1,150,000 Segenhoe Stud celebrated their second million-dollar yearling at the 2025 Magic Millions with lot 396, an I Am Invincible half-brother to the promising yet unraced colt Wodeton (Aus) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), being sold to Coolmore's Tom Magnier for A$1.15 million. Bred by Fairway Thoroughbreds, this colt is the third foal from stakes-winning mare Fiera Vista (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), who is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Empress Rock (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and hails from the lineage of the renowned World Champion Sprinter Silent Witness (Aus) and Group 2-winning speedster Sister Madly (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}). Last year Segenhoe presented a half-brother by Wootton Bassett (GB) which also sold to Magnier for A$1.6 million. Now named, Wodeton, the Chris Waller-trained colt has garnered significant interest despite never having a start. Wodeton secured second place in a trial behind the promising West of Swindon (Aus) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) last October and repeated that performance in a recent trial at Warwick Farm. His strong showings have attracted the attention of bookmakers, positioning him favourably in the Golden Slipper market, something that clearly has Magnier excited. “We're very happy to get that horse from Segenhoe. They do a great job,” Magnier said. “They have an opinion of the brother by Wootton Bassett and this is a lovely horse. “He will be trained by Chris Waller.” Having missed in 2023 to Dundeel (NZ), Fiera Vista was subsequently sent to the Northern Hemisphere and is currently in foal to Too Darn Hot (GB) for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season. Tom Magnier | Magic Millions Lot 256 – Home Affairs (Aus) x Champagne Cuddles (Aus) (Not a Single Doubt {Aus}), filly – A$1,050,000 Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott jumped straight back into action on Day 2, following their successful acquisition of 11 yearlings on the first day of the sale, buying lot 256 from the draft of Coolmore Stud. On this occasion, they partnered with Kestrel Thoroughbreds to acquire the third foal of bonny Group 2-winning mare Champagne Cuddles (Aus) (Not a Single Doubt {Aus}), by exciting freshman sire Home Affairs (Aus), for a sum of A$1,050,000. “They say, breed the best to the best and that is certainly what they have been able to do here,” Bott said. “We saw a lot of similar characteristics in her mother, who was obviously a top-class racehorse in her own right. We work hard to try and secure these fillies and we've been fortunate enough to be able to get some support to be strong on her. “There's great results coming off the farm and we love to be able to support Coolmore in that regard. Over the last two years they have obviously made a conscious effort to go out and source some of the best bloodstock in the world and source some of the best racehorses off the track, with both their stallions and their mares. She was top-class and has produced a beautiful filly here.” Champagne Cuddles, a daughter of Group 1 winner Sky Cuddle (Aus) (Snippets {Aus}), was acquired by Tom Magnier for A$2 million at the 2020 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. Her first foal by Justify, named French Empire (Aus), has had three starts with Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald for three placings. Her second foal, a filly by Wootton Bassett (GB), was sold to John Singleton at last year's sale for A$800,000 and was also sent to Waterhouse and Bott to be trained. Recently named, Bottles Of Shells (Aus), the filly is showing plenty of early promise according to Bott. “We've got the first foal in the stable as well and she has been quite precocious given some good indications early so that is always a good push in itself,” Bott said. Gai and Adrian were also very impressed with what they had seen from Home Affairs, who led Day 1 by gross with 12 yearlings sold for A$4,165,000 at an average of A$347,083. “He's throwing some beautiful types,” Bott said. “They look strong individuals, they look forward, they look to have great constitution and obviously we want to be trying to get these horses back here next year for the race or targeting those Golden Slippers or those important 2-year-old races. “They are the types that we try and identify, and a number of his progeny look to have that sort of constitution to be able to handle that type of preparation.” Champagne Cuddles slipped in 2024 and was sent to Kentucky by Coolmore to be covered by Justify to Southern Hemisphere time. Lot 335 – Snitzel (Aus) x Dream Date (Aus) (Starcraft {NZ}), colt – A$1,000,000 Lot 335, an impressive Snitzel colt out of Dream Date (Aus) (Starcraft {NZ}), attracted a flurry of bids, before ultimately being knocked down for A$1 million to China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock and Kia Ora Stud, marking Arrowfield Stud's first million-dollar offering for the week. The Arrowfield Pastoral and Planette Thoroughbred-bred bay colt is the fifth foal from Dream Date, a half-sister to successful sire Not A Single Doubt and from an extended family which includes Group 1 winners Oohood (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) and King's Legacy. The colt is also a full-brother to Redford (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), who sold for A$1,050,000 at this sale in 2022. Redford has won five out of seven races, including his latest victory in the A$250,000 Magic Millions Rising Stars last Saturday. “He was a Snitzel colt we liked very much,” Newgate Farm's Managing Director Henry Field said. “He's from a great Not A Single Doubt family, he had so much of both in them. If he can run that is priceless from a stud farm's point-of-view. “Physically he has the best of Snitzel and Not A Single Doubt. Hopefully he can do the job. We bought Invader (Aus) off Arrowfield a few years ago. Hopefully this horse can be the next.” Dream Date foaled a colt by Dundee last year and was subsequently bred to Maurice (Jpn). Lot 248 – The Autumn Sun (Aus) x Carry On Alice (SAf) (Captain Al {SAf}), filly – A$900,000 Michael Hickmott secured his second yearling at the Gold Coast on Day 2 of the sale, forking out A$900,000 for an impeccably bred filly by The Autumn Sun (Aus) from South African Champion Sprinter Carry On Alice (SAf) (Captain Al {Saf}). Bred by Arrowfield Stud in partnership with Klawervlei Stud in South Africa, Hickmott says he was enticed by the filly's incredible female lines, coupled with the breeding to The Autumn Sun and her residual value in the breeding barn. “She's a lovely filly, we just absolutely adored her,” Hickmott said. “She's from a great family and was born on a great farm, out of a multiple Group 1-winning mare that has proven she can throw a runner to the Redoute's Choice line. “She's just a queen who is not only going to be very well looked after as a racehorse, but she has a huge future as a broodmare. “I've got a really good backer who supported me to purchase the horse, and we will probably invite a couple of other investors into her as well.” The bay filly is the fifth foal from Carry On Alice, who has produced two winners by Snitzel, including the recently stakes-placed Manos (Aus), who was purchased for A$1.1 million at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by a syndicate which included China Horse Club, Newgate Farm, Go Bloodstock and Trilogy but unfortunately died in early December. Hickmott was a big fan of The Autumn Sun during his racing career and is confident he can continue to pass on some of that ability into his progeny. “I think anyone who is purchasing an The Autumn Sun is thinking about late 2-year-olds, early 3-year-olds,” he said. “He was a champion horse himself and I'm sure if he raced on, he probably would have gone all around the world and dominated as well.” Lot 272 – Frankel (GB) x Cleanup (Aus) (Dehere), colt – A$900,000 First Light Racing were understandably on top of the world when successfully landing one of only two colts by international superstar Frankel (GB) available at the 2025 Magic Millions, purchasing Lot 272 for A$900,000. “It's unreal, we thought he was the nicest colt here,” First Light Racing's Director Tim Wilson said. “I've been lucky enough the last two years to travel the world and see all the European Frankels as well and what I love about him is he's got that Australian physique to him. “He looks forward, he looks early, he's so strong but he's not overly heavy. He's just a lovely moving, Australian type of colt and he's by the best sire in the world.” While siring 35 Group 1 winners worldwide and striking at an incredible 18% black type winners to runners, Frankel has sired just three Group 1 winners in Australia via Converge (Aus), Hungry Heart (Aus) and Mirage Dancer (GB). However, Wilson can only see the upside. “He's [Frankel] yet to have a Group 1-winning colt in Australia, he's obviously had Converge who was a gelding and he's had his fillies, but if you can get the first Group 1-winning colt by Frankel then A$900,000 is going to look cheap,” Wilson said. Bred by Arrowleave Joint Venture and offered by Vinery Stud, lot 272 is the ninth foal from the winning Dehere mare Cleanup (Aus), who is a half-sister to G3 Tibbie Stakes winner She's Clean (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) and is already the producer of dual Group 1 winner Nettoyer (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}). “He probably throws a bit to that Dehere side of the family as well, which I think gives him that chance to hopefully get him going early and stay a colt,” Wilson said. “He's just a little bit different to the European Frankels that take time and he does look early to us.” Wilson indicated the colt would be trained by Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald. “Annabel and Rob just love him as well and we've been on the phone ringing some of our best owners the last 24 hours to whet the appetite and get us in the position to buy,” Wilson said. The post In Secret Full-Sister Tops Magics At A$2.3 Million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Through an international exchange program, Cody Watkins, a steward of the British Horseracing Authority, will serve as The Jockey Club-appointed steward at the New York Racing Association racetracks beginning in early January 2025.View the full article

A series of wildfires erupted in Southern California late Jan. 7, with one being especially close to Santa Anita Park in nearby Eaton Canyon, after a powerful windstorm with gusts as high as 80 mph swept through the region. View the full article

The first foal of the G1 Queen Anne Stakes winner Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was born at Kirtlington Stud on January 7, Darley announced on Wednesday. The bay filly is a daughter of the two-time winner Lead Story (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) who, in turn, is out of the Listed scorer and G2 Queen Mary Stakes third Newsletter (Ire) (Sir Percy {GB}). Kirtlington Stud's Charlie Budgett described her as, “A good-sized filly with good bone–we are very happy with what we have got.” Triple Time, who also won the G3 Superior Mile Stakes and is out of the blue hen Reem Three (GB) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}), stands for £10,000 at Dalham Hall Stud this year. The post A Filly First for Darley’s Triple Time appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred Daily News's Publisher and CEO Sue Finley and Columnist Chris McGrath both won 2024 Eclipse Media Awards from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB), according to a release from the NTRA on Wednesday. The 2024 Media Eclipse Award winners across six categories are as follows: Multimedia – Sue Finley, Thoroughbred Daily News, “After Saving Two Horses from a Kill Pen, Stewart Aims to do More to End Slaughter,” July 15, 2024. Sue Finley produced a multimedia piece entitled “Saving Two Horses from a Kill Pen, Stewart Aims to do More to End Slaughter,” an interview combining video and text with quickly emerging owner/breeder John Stewart. The entry, posted last July, explored the issue of saving horses from kill pens and furthering industry efforts to prevent horse slaughter. The video portion of the piece was edited by Anthony and Alia LaRocca at BridleVision. Last spring, Finley, Publisher and CEO of Thoroughbred Daily News, noticed a social media feed posted by Stewart about his purchase of racehorses My Lil' Dude (First Dude) and Drive For Fun (Distorted Humor) from a kill pen in Louisiana, and was going to bring them to Resolute Farm to live out their lives. Stewart believed that these horses could serve as a catalyst for the industry to start talking about the slaughter problem, including placing the main responsibility on the breeder and the original owner of the horse. “This is an issue I have been passionate about for a long time,” said Finley, who served for 12 years on the board of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. “The slaughter issue is one that troubles me deeply. I thought this story could help the industry to have a much-needed conversation about slaughter.” Sue Finley | TDN Photo Finley reports that more than 20,000 American horses every year are still transported for slaughter, “an unknowable number of them Thoroughbred racehorses, who are slaughtered for human consumption in foreign countries.” She called Stewart after seeing his post, and while the horses weren't at the farm yet, she was welcome to come out and interview him when they arrived. She interviewed Stewart during the Fasig-Tipton July sale, and while there they learned that he had not only saved these two, but that he had also rescued a Saddlebred and a mini who had also been saved from a kill pen. All the rescues were together in a beautiful barn with a staff dedicated to nursing them back to health. “It was very inspiring,” she added. “I would like to thank our talented producers, Anthony and Alia LaRocca at BridleVision, for their beautiful work on this piece, and Katie Petrunyak, who served as a second camera on the story. But really, this award belongs to John Stewart for not only rescuing these two horses, but for provoking a conversation in the industry about the need to solve the very real problem that we have with slaughter.” The winning entry can be accessed here. Honorable mention in the Multimedia category went to Petrunyak, for “Jeramie Fennell Finds Redemption on Horseback,” which was published on October 18, 2024, in Thoroughbred Daily News. Writing–Feature/Commentary – Chris McGrath, Thoroughbred Daily News, “Lunching with Legends at Lil's,” Mar. 26, 2024. Chris McGrath, from Oxford, England, has developed a great passion for American racing and for its remarkable personalities. Last year, he brought it home with “Lunching With Legends at Lil's,” a lunchtime gathering with venerable racing stalwarts Ercel Ellis Jr., Arthur Hancock III and veterinarian Dr. Robert Copelan. The article, which appeared last March in Thoroughbred Daily News, is the first Eclipse Award for McGrath. Chris McGrath | Sue Finley Having made several trips to the U.S. over the years, McGrath visited Hancock at Stone Farm, and got into a conversation about weekly luncheons at Lil's Coffee House in Paris, Kentucky with Ellis, a pioneering racing radio broadcaster and the renown Copelan, a leader and innovator in the veterinary community for more than 65 years. Hancock and McGrath came to the luncheon one afternoon. Total ages among the three racing men at the time of publication of the luncheon was 189, with Copelan the leader at 97. While letting the trio at the table do the talking, McGrath pulls the reader into a solid gold history of racing tales going back more than 100 years, with the trio swapping stories on connections to Man o' War, Nasrullah, Citation, Forli (Arg), and Sunday Silence, to name a few racing icons. Among them was young Copelan telling the time one late afternoon at Darby Dan Farm when he rode a pony inside a paddock and spooked two yearlings to jump the fence, and the horses winding up in Big Darby Creek; and then having to fish them both out with the use of flashlights. Or Ellis relaying a tale on Man o' War's early days when a clocker sought his groom one morning at Saratoga. “What's the name of that big red colt?” “Man o' War.” “Who's he by?” “By himself, mostly.” Hancock and Copelan went back and forth on memorable moments and passionate outbursts about Arthur's father, Arthur “Bull” Hancock, Jr., the scion of Claiborne Farm. The luncheon adjourned after about one hour of revelry. “I'm enormously grateful to Sue Finley, Gary King and the rest of the guys at TDN for providing such a great platform to share these wonderful experiences,” said McGrath. “I have been on their team since 2018 and, while my desk remains closer to Newmarket, my heart has meanwhile been won by the horses of America and the people who raise and race them.” Born in Cambridge, McGrath wrote for prominent English mainstream daily newspapers, including The Times, The Independent, Sporting Life, and the Racing Post. He is most proud of a social history of the Thoroughbred, Mr. Darley's Arabian, shortlisted for William Hill Sports Book of the Year in 2016. The winning entry can be viewed here. Live Television Programming – NBC Sports, “The 150th Kentucky Derby,” Lindsay Schanzer, Senior Producer, May 4, 2024. NBC Sports has won its fifth consecutive Live Racing Programming Eclipse Award for its coverage of the GI Kentucky Derby. The broadcast was produced by Schanzer and Billy Matthews, and directed by Kaare Numme and Tim Nelson. Amy Zimmerman was senior associate producer, Jeff Burriesci was associate director, Jack Felling was coordinating feature producer, and Ron Vacarro, VP of Editorial. Sam Flood is Executive Producer and President, NBC Sports Production. The commentators were: Host Mike Tirico; analysts Jerry Bailey and Randy Moss; handicappers Eddie Olczyk and Matt Bernier; host/reporter Ahmed Fareed; reporters Britney Eurton, Donna Brothers, Kenny Rice, and Nick Luck; race caller Larry Collmus; features host Rebecca Lowe; insights analyst Steve Kornacki; fashion and lifestyle correspondents Dylan Dreyer and Zanna Roberts Rassi, and Tim Layden, who wrote and narrated an essay on his perspective of the 150th “Run for the Roses.” Feature Television Programming – NBC Sports, “The Impossible Dream” – Rachel Goodman, Producer, May 4, 2024. NBC Sports has won the Television – Features category for “The Impossible Dream,” a profile on the improbable and courageous life of Larry Demeritte, trainer of West Saratoga (Exaggerator), who he saddled in the 2024 Kentucky Derby. The feature, which aired on NBC on May 4, 2024, was produced by Rachel Goodman. In addition to Goodman, the Coordinating Producer of “The Impossible Dream” was Jack Felling; Editor, Kevin Carcich; Cinema Photographer, Taylor Morrison; and Field Producer, Max Rahamin. Sam Flood was Executive Producer and Lindsay Schanzer, Senior Producer. The winning entry can be viewed here. Writing–News/Enterprise – Sean Clancy, The Saratoga Special, “Two for the Show,” Aug. 28, 2024. Sean Clancy earned this third Eclipse Award, and his second consecutive honor, for writing with “Two for the Show” a stirring recap of the GI DraftKings Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course last August, punctuated by the dramatic finish of Fierceness (City of Light) holding off the fast-closing filly Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) at the wire. The article appeared in The Saratoga Special, as did his 2023 News/Enterprise Eclipse award winner, “The Worst Test,” on the tragic accident of Maple Leaf Mel (Cross Traffic) in the GI Test Stakes. Clancy won his first Eclipse Award in 2009 in News/Commentary writing in The BloodHorse for “Life's Work,” about his recollections of the late Hall of Fame Trainer Sidney Watters Jr. The winning entry can be viewed here. Photography – Scott Serio, “Night Rider–Skippylongstocking wins the Charles Town Classic,” Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred, Oct. 2024. For Scott Serio, Founder and Chief Photographer of Eclipse Sportswire, winning his second Eclipse Award for Photography for “Night Rider–Skippylongstocking Wins The Charles Town Classic,” was as harrowing as it was rewarding. While preparing to place his remote cameras on the inside rail near the finish line in the late afternoon for the Aug. 23 GII Charles Town Classic at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town, Serio bumped into the cushion on the rail and unleashed a swarm of bees, which stung him five times in the left arm. “I'm on the ground in pain and the National Anthem starts, with two of my friends standing over me,” he said. Rushed in an ambulance to a local hospital, Serio received an injection in his right arm. Undaunted, he felt well enough to take an Uber ride back to the track. With his left arm immobile, Serio operated his remote camera to capture Daniel Alonso's 5-year-old Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) just after crossing the wire to win the Charles Town Classic. The winning photo can be viewed here. Media Eclipse Award winners will be presented their trophies at the 54th Annual Eclipse Awards Ceremony and Dinner at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida on Thursday, Jan. 23. The post 2024 Media Eclipse Award Winners Include TDN’s Sue Finley and Chris McGrath appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) is collaborating with 1/ST Racing to offer a set of “Golden Ticket” pathways between key races at Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita Park and Ellerslie Racecourse in New Zealand, the Kiwi governing body said via a press release Wednesday. The series will begin with 1/ST's Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25, then move to Auckland Thoroughbred Racing's Champions Day at Ellerslie Racecourse Mar. 8 and conclude with California Crown Day at Santa Anita Park Sept. 27. The collaboration will offer the winning horses direct entry into marquee races including: From the Pegasus World Cup (Jan. 25) to Champions Day (Mar. 8): GII Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner gains entry to the NZ$600,000 G1 World Pool New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (1600m). GI Pegasus World Cup Turf winner earns entry to the NZ$1,000,000 G1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m). From Champions Day (Mar. 8) to California Crown (Sept. 27): NZ$500,000 Rich Hill Stud Champion Middle Distance Series winner gains entry into the GI California Crown John Henry Turf Championship Stakes. NZ$500,000 Sport Nation Champion Sprint Series winner earns entry to the GII California Crown Eddie D Turf Sprint Stakes. The NZTR and 1/ST will cover travel and freight costs for Golden Ticket-winning horses traveling internationally to compete in the respective countries. “This partnership marks an exciting milestone in showcasing New Zealand racing on the world stage,” said Chief Operating Officer of NZTR, Darin Balcombe. “The Golden Ticket concept creates a unique pathway for international competition, enriching the experience for racing participants and fans alike.” “This partnership with NZTR exemplifies our commitment to elevating Thoroughbred racing globally,” said Aidan Butler, president of 1/ST. “By linking these iconic racedays and supporting international competition, we're looking to drive innovation, collaboration and global excitement in the sport.” The post NZTR And 1/ST Offer Golden Ticket Pathways Beginning With Pegasus Races appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Helene Feeling’s victory in city circuit’s sole Group race crowns veteran handler’s big night.View the full article

Amplify Horse Racing, which promotes education and career opportunities in the Thoroughbred industry for youth and young adults, is accepting applications for the spring 2025 intake of its mentorship program through Tuesday, Jan. 28, the nonprofit said in a release early Wednesday morning. The program offers an introductory step for young people interested in learning more about the Thoroughbred industry by pairing them with experienced professionals who provide valuable career guidance. The spring session will run from Mar. 1 through May 31. The suggested age range for mentee candidates is 15-25, with no restrictions based on academic achievement. The program is also accepting potential mentors who can demonstrate substantial and relevant experience in the Thoroughbred horse industry or an applied field, and can meet the program's minimum training requirements, background check and time commitment. All applicants must be residents of the United States, U.S. territories, or Canada. Mentees accepted into the program will also be eligible for travel grants through Amplify, enabling them to attend industry educational opportunities. These include a weekend of behind-the-scenes tours in Kentucky hosted by Amplify in November and the organization's annual end-of-year student networking event. “As a former mentee, I cannot overstate the profound impact Amplify has had on my journey,” said mentorship program graduate Eric Resendiz. “For newcomers, the Thoroughbred industry can sometimes feel intimidating, but through Amplify's mentorship program, I was able to establish a sense of familiarity with the industry thanks to my mentor. Completing the program gave me the confidence to navigate and network within the Thoroughbred industry, which has led to much of my success. Amplify's emphasis on engaging a younger demographic is exactly what the Thoroughbred industry needs to continue evolving as both an industry and a sport. Personally, I am very excited to take the next step in my career by traveling to Ireland this month to attend the Irish National Stud Breeding Course.” Click here to learn more. The post Amplify Accepting Applications For Spring Mentorship Program appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Through an international exchange program, Cody Watkins, a steward of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), will serve as The Jockey Club-appointed steward at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) racetracks beginning in early January 2025, according to a Wednesday press release from The Jockey Club of America. “This is an exciting opportunity for Thoroughbred racing in the U.S. and abroad,” said Stuart S. Janney III, chairman of The Jockey Club. “Racing is an international sport, and sharing ideas and information through programs such as this can only make the sport better. Cody was chosen from a deep pool of international and domestic candidates, and we couldn't be more pleased to have him join us here in the United States of America.” Watkins has been a steward in Britain for five years, including at some of its most prestigious race meets. “NYRA is a great opportunity for me as I am experienced in stewarding high-pressured and fast-paced racing, such as the Epsom Oaks, the Epsom Derby, and Glorious Goodwood, among other big race meetings we stage here in the United Kingdom,” Watkins said. “I also follow racing in America closely, and it will be an honor to expand my skillset and bring my experience to the U.S. as The Jockey Club's appointee among helping to officiate some of America's finest races.” Before working for the BHA, Watkins obtained a Level 1 from the British Racing School in Work Based Racehorse Care and Riding and in Introduction to the Horseracing Industry. The post Exchange Brings BHA’s Watkins To NYRA As Jockey Club Steward appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A look at the year's top trainers by North American statistical categoriesView the full article

Rising Stars accounted for a tally of 20 European Group 1 heats during the course of 2024, with City Of Troy (Justify), Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}), Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}) all notching multiple victories at the highest level. Godolphin's Endless Victory (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) set the ball rolling at Wolverhampton in February and TDN's signature tag was attained by 57 individuals in Europe last term, up six on 2023's total of 51. Dubawi (Ire) is the numerically dominant sire and responsible for seven new graduates, headed by Godolphin's G1 2000 Guineas and G1 Sussex Stakes victor Notable Speech (GB). Frankel (GB), sire of G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, G1 Cheveley Park Stakes and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Lake Victoria (Ire), was next best with five, sitting alongside Coolmore resident Wootton Bassett (GB), whose leading representative was G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere victor Camille Pissarro (Ire). Blue Point (Ire), Kingman (GB), Lope De Vega (Ire) and Siyouni (Fr) were responsible for four Rising Stars apiece while Galileo (Ire), Gleneagles (Ire), Justify and No Nay Never were the only other sires to achieve more than one nominee. First-crop sires Far Above (Ire), Ghaiyyath (Ire) and Sottsass (Fr) also joined the honour roll with one Rising Star each. Expanding on the figures by jurisdiction, 22 earned their stripes in Britain, 21 were elevated in Ireland and France's total numbered 14. With the winter solstice fast disappearing in the rear-view mirror, and the forthcoming turf season just weeks away, this correspondent's five-to-follow for 2025 includes three once-raced juveniles and two Group 3 winners. BOWMARK (GB), c, 3, by Kingman (GB) 1st Dam: Bound (Ire) (SW-Ire), by Galileo (Ire) 2nd Dam: Remember When (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire) 3rd Dam: Lagrion, by Diesis (GB) Owner: Lordship Stud Breeder: Lordship Stud Trainer: John & Thady Gosden It really is a quarter-century since Love Divine (GB) (Diesis {GB}) carried Lordship Stud's silks to glory in Epsom's G1 Oaks and the Newmarket nursery has another potential Classic contender in the ranks. John and Thady Gosden trainee Bowmark made his mark at Kempton in December, becoming the final addition to 2024's list of Rising Stars, and registered an impressive four-and-a-half-length rout going one mile under the lights. The homebred is out of a stakes-winning daughter of Oaks runner-up Remember When (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), whose sextet of black-type performers includes Derby winner Serpentine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Group 3-winning Bye Bye Baby (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Group 2 winner Wedding Vow (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). COSMIC YEAR (GB), c, 3, by Kingman (GB) 1st Dam: Passage Of Time (GB) (G1SW-Fr, GSW & G1SP-Eng, GISP-US, $651,668), by Dansili (GB) 2nd Dam: Clepsydra (GB), by Sadler's Wells 3rd Dam: Quandary, by Blushing Groom (Fr) Owner: Juddmonte Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Ltd Trainer: Harry Charlton Juddmonte's Cosmic Year sidestepped a fast-ground maiden at Newbury in August and rewarded his connections' patience with a stunning display over seven furlongs at Sandown in September, taking control at the furlong pole and powering clear of toiling rivals to register a hugely impressive six-and-a-half-length debut success for the Harry Charlton stable. Cosmic Year is out of G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud heroine Passage Of Time (GB) (Dansili {GB}), herself a full-sister to G2 King Edward VII Stakes-winning sire Father Time (GB) and a half to G1 Falmouth Stakes victrix Timepiece (GB) (Zamindar). The February-foaled homebred is a half-brother to dual Group 2-winning sire Time Test (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who placed three times at the highest level, and dual Group 3 winner Tempus (GB) (Kingman {GB}). THE LION IN WINTER (IRE), c, 3, by Sea The Stars (Ire) 1st Dam: What A Home (Ire) (GSP-Eng & SP-Fr), by Lope De Vega (Ire) 2nd Dam: Inchmahome (GB), by Galileo (Ire) 3rd Dam: Inchmurrin (Ire), by Lomond Sales history: €375,000 Ylg '23 GOFORB Owner: Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier Breeder: Sunderland Holding Inc Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Sea The Stars (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), himself a TDN Rising Star, suffered his lone career defeat in the 2008 renewal of the Curragh's Juddmonte Chaldean Irish EBF Maiden and his son The Lion In Winter, a €375,000 Goffs Orby yearling, restored family honour when delivering a stunning closing burst to attain Rising Star status in July's renewal of the seven-furlong contest. He lowered York's juvenile track record when following up in August's G3 Acomb Stakes and entered winter quarters unbeaten. The January-foaled bay, a G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and G1 Irish Derby entry, is a son of G3 Pinnacle Stakes third What A Home (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), herself a half-sister to dual Group 3 winner and G1 Irish Oaks, G1 Yorkshire Oaks, G1 Pretty Polly Stakes and G1 Nassau Stakes placegetter Venus De Milo (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}). His second dam Inchmahome (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) is a half-sister to multiple Group 1-placed sire Inchinor (GB) (Ahonoora {GB}). VERSE OF LOVE (GB), f, 3, by Siyouni (Fr) 1st Dam: Vercelli (GB), by Shamardal 2nd Dam: Alessandria (GB), by Sunday Silence 3rd Dam: Tereshkova, by Mr. Prospector Owner: Godolphin Breeder: Godolphin Trainer: Charlie Appleby Godolphin's Verse Of Love made her debut at Newmarket in October, her sole juvenile appearance, and blitzed her 14 rivals by five lengths and more in a power-packed display over seven furlongs. The homebred is the first of three foals out of a half-sister to multiple Group 1-winning Australian champion miler Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and dual Group winner and Group 1-placed Saint Baudolino (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}). Her third dam is G3 Prix de Cabourg victrix and G1 Prix Morny and G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes placegetter Tereshkova (Mr. Prospector). Verse Of Love will target a Classic trial in the spring, according to trainer Charlie Appleby. ZARIGANA (IRE), f, 3, by Siyouni (Fr) 1st Dam: Zarkamiya (Fr) (SW & G1SP-Fr, $144,304), by Frankel (GB) 2nd Dam: Zarkava (Ire), by Zamindar 3rd Dam: Zarkasha (Ire), by Kahyasi (Ire) Owner: His Highness The Aga Khan Breeder: His Highness The Aga Khan's Studs Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard Zarigana produced an early fireworks display when notching a stunning four-length romp over seven furlongs at Chantilly on Bastille Day and emulated her multiple Group 1-winning second dam Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar) by attaining TDN Rising Star status on debut. Following up with an equally impressive performance in ParisLongchamp's G3 Prix d'Aumale, she was collared by her Francis Graffard stablemate Vertical Blue (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) in the dying embers of a soft-ground G1 Prix Marcel Boussac back at the Bois de Boulogne and will seek redemption on sounder surfaces this year. Her dam is the stakes-winning G1 Prix Vermeille third Zarkamiya (Fr) (Frankel {GB}), a half-sister to Group 1-winning sire Zarak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}). TDN RISING STARS (EUROPE) 2024 Date, Track, Horse, Sire 12/04 KEM Bowmark (GB) Kingman (GB) 11/21 WOL Falakeyah (GB) New Bay (GB) 11/12 CHY Mandanaba Ghaiyyath (Ire) 10/19 LEO Twain (Ire) Wootton Bassett (GB) 10/11 NKT Verse Of Love (GB) Siyouni (Fr) 10/05 NKT Nebras (GB) Dubawi (Ire) 09/18 SAN Cosmic Year (GB) Kingman (GB) 09/16 CHY Rayevka (Ire) Blue Point (Ire) 09/13 SAL Sandtrap (Ire) Lope De Vega (Ire) 09/10 GAL Trinity College (Ire) Dubawi (Ire) 09/09 SCD Jovialite Medaglia d'Oro 08/31 CUR Acapulco Bay (Ire) Dubawi (Ire) 08/30 SAN Jonquil (GB) Lope De Vega (Ire) 08/16 PON Powerful Glory (Ire) Cotai Glory (GB) 08/15 DVL Maranoa Charlie (Fr) Wootton Bassett (GB) 08/10 CUR Delacroix (Ire) Dubawi (Ire) 08/10 CUR Falling Snow (Ire) Justify 08/09 TIP Ecstatic (Jpn) Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) 08/08 LEO Hill Road Quality Road 07/30 GAL Bubbling (Ire) No Nay Never 07/29 GAL Rock Of Cashel (Ire) Wootton Bassett (GB) 07/28 DVL Ultrafragola (Ire) Sottsass (Fr) 07/25 NBY Formal (GB) Dubawi (Ire) 07/25 SAN Ruling Court Justify 07/21 CUR Red Letter (GB) Frankel (GB) 07/20 CUR The Lion In Winter (Ire) Gleneagles (Ire) 07/15 KIL Galen (GB) Gleneagles (Ire) 07/14 CHY Zarigana (GB) Siyouni (Fr) 07/13 NKT Desert Flower (Ire) Night Of Thunder (Ire) 07/12 NKT Field Of Gold (Ire) Kingman (GB) 07/11 DON Chancellor (GB) Kingman (GB) 07/11 CLF Gun Of Brixton (Fr) Frankel (GB) 07/03 TIP Surpass (Ire) Saxon Warrior (Jpn) 06/28 CUR Lake Victoria (Ire) Frankel (GB) 06/16 CHY Polyvega (Ire) Lope De Vega (Ire) 06/14 COR Babouche (GB) Kodiac (GB) 06/06 LEO Bedtime Story (Ire) Frankel (GB) 06/01 DON Twafeeg (Ire) Far Above (Ire) 05/28 TIP Truly Enchanting (Ire) No Nay Never 05/25 CUR Jan Brueghel (Ire) Galileo (Ire) 05/22 YAR Spherical (GB) Blue Point (Ire) 05/20 SCD Tiego The First (Fr) Blue Point (Ire) 05/19 NKT Ancient Truth (Ire) Dubawi (Ire) 05/18 DON Kind Of Blue (GB) Blue Point (Ire) 05/05 NKT Mountain Breeze (Ire) Lope De Vega (Ire) 05/03 NKT Sea Just In Time (Ire) Sea The Stars (Ire) 04/27 NAV Camille Pissarro (Ire) Wootton Bassett (GB) 04/12 SCD Gala Real (Fr) Wootton Bassett (GB) 04/07 LCP Delius (GB) Frankel (GB) 04/06 KEM Notable Speech (GB) Dubawi (Ire) 03/28 CHY Louise Procter (Fr) Siyouni (Fr) 03/26 DUN Agenda (Ire) Galileo (Ire) 03/26 SCD Narkez (Fr) Siyouni (Fr) 03/24 NAA Purple Lily (Ire) Calyx (GB) 03/20 SOU Night Raider (Ire) Dark Angel (Ire) 03/20 TLU Puchkine (Fr) Starspangledbanner (Aus) 02/12 WOL Endless Victory (GB) Teofilo (Ire) The post TDN Rising Stars to Follow in 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A son of multiple leading sire Gun Runner and the G1 Golden Slipper heroine Estijaab (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) consigned by Emirates Park went for AU$500,000 (US$310,135) as Lot 369 to PR Thoroughbreds on the second day of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in Australia. “He has a great walk, a great attitude, and has that rich chestnut color,” Mark Player told The Thoroughbred Report AusNZ. Player represented PR Thoroughbreds alongside Rob Roulston. “We saw him several times and he just did everything beautifully and kept on improving. We just thought wouldn't it be lovely if we could afford a Gun Runner colt and we are very happy to now have one.” “At an auction we are always looking for good value, we all know how Snitzel works with fast mares and we thought that a fast American sire over a Slipper-winning Snitzel mare should have a very good chance of having success,” Player said. Gun Runner, who calls Three Chimneys home, has covered a selection of mares on Southern Hemisphere time in recent years. The post Gun Runner Colt Sells For AU$500k At Magic Millions appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Due to the adverse weather conditions, the Coolmore farms will not be opening their doors as scheduled for this year's ITM Irish Stallion Trail on Friday, January 10 and Saturday, January 11. Gates at all Coolmore farms will instead be open from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, January 18. “Due to weather conditions, the @coolmorestud farms (Coolmore, Castlehyde, Grange & The Beeches) have rescheduled their ITM Irish Stallion Trail opening to Saturday 18 January 2025,” read a statement from Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (@IREthoroughbred) on X. “Visitors to all farms on the Trail are advised to check opening hours in advance of travel.” Coolmore ask that visitors, including those already registered for this weekend, register here for Saturday, January 18 should they wish to attend. The post Coolmore Farms Reschedule ITM Irish Stallion Trail to January 18 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Harness racing turnovers for the busy Christmas – New Year period have seen a more than three per cent rise on last year. Latest figures from Entain show that turnover on the 10 meetings between Cambridge on Christmas Eve and Omakau on January 2 was 3.4 per cent up on the corresponding time the previous year, with the number of individuals betting on harness racing up 5 per cent. “It’s been a good time for our sport, we’ve seen some huge crowds at places like Central Otago and Motukarara and turnovers have been strong right across the board,” says HRNZ’s Head of Racing and Wagering Matthew Peden. Auckland’s New Year’s Eve meeting at Alexandra Park was a particular success. Total turnover on the meeting was $1.48m compared to $822K last year. “In terms of averages, that equates to $148,000 per race, compared to $103,000 last year so that is a great result for the ATC (Auckland Trotting Club),” says Peden Gore’s meeting on December 27 was also up, turning over $1.36m, as was Cambridge up from $687K to $904K (but with three extra races) while Omakau, the opening meeting on the Central Otago circuit, was up marginally from $1.39m to $1.43m. The highest turnover meeting of the holiday break was at Motukarara on December 29, with total turnover of $1.62m. “One observation about The Mot though was there are challenges with cellphone coverage that impacts people putting bets on, so getting a solution to that is a priority.” Overall turnover from December 24 – January 2 was $11,668,682 in 2024-25, compared to $11,288,232 in 2023-24. “Generally speaking it’s a good solid start to 2025 and as always we will be looking at what improvements in all areas, including wagering and the race day experience for everyone,” says Peden. View the full article

The 2025 Magic Millions Cup, a $2 million handicap race, is set to be a highlight of the 10-race card at the Gold Coast this Saturday. With an open field and several contenders vying for favor, the race promises an exciting contest for the Restricted Listed clash. Michael Freedman‘s runner Moravia is the new, narrow […] The post Magic Millions Cup 2025 Betting & Field: Open Race for $2 Million Showdown appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

The Gold Coast gears up for another Magic Millions spectacle this Saturday, with the 3YO Guineas shaping up as a fascinating contest. Ciaron Maher‘s star filly Snitzanova is the clear favourite at $5.50 in 2025 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas betting online through Ladbrokes, but will she face a challenge from one of the contenders drawn […] The post Magic Millions 3YO Guineas 2025 Betting & Field: Snitzanova Set to Sizzle appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

What 2025 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas Where Gold Coast Turf Club – Gold Coast, Queensland When Saturday, January 11, 2025 Prizemoney $3,000,000 Distance 1400m Conditions Restricted Listed 2024 winner Abounding (6) | T: Robert Heathcote | J: Martin Harley (54.5kg) Visit Dabble The Magic Millions 3YO Guineas will be the second of the feature events on the 10-race card at the Gold Coast this Saturday afternoon. With rain forecast on each of the days in the lead-up to the meeting, the track is expected to remain in the Soft range, while a full field of 18 runners will contest the $3 million race. Due to the ongoing turf renovations at the Gold Coast, Eagle Farm has been placed on standby to hold the massive Magic Millions meeting should the new turf not be suitable for racing. 2025 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas odds The Ciaron Maher-trained Snitzanova has opened as the $6 favourite with horse racing bookmakers, leading the market over Tuileries, who sits on the second line of betting at $8.50. The other two runners that are marked in single figures are Cosmic Fire and Bauhinia, who are both rated $9 chances. Give Me Space ($12), Yes Lulu ($14), and Arriving Home ($13) are all coming off strong wins and should be considered at each-way prices. 2025 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas speed map The three Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott representatives, Catoggio, Dawn Service, and Shangri La Express, will contest the lead in the 2025 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas. Cosmic Fire, Zoubaby, and Street Chase will attempt to settle in behind the top three from their inside to middle gates. Bittercreek, Give Me Space, and Bauhinia will appreciate a fast tempo as they will settle towards the back of the field from their wide barriers. Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas. Magic Millions 3YO Guineas 2025 preview & form Tuileries has been impressive in both of her victories after getting herself out of trouble to finish off strongly over 1250m and 1300m. The Peter Snowden-trained filly has a brilliant turn of foot, and that has been on full display in those two victories at Canterbury and Randwick. Barrier 23 seems to be the only possible problem for Tuileries, but if she can navigate a clear path, she can win again. Much like the top selection, Snitzanova is on a winning streak after claiming victories in the Group 3 Spring Stakes and Group 2 Sandown Guineas in her last two starts. The Ciaron Maher-trained filly proved too strong for her rivals at Sandown over 1600m, and dropping back in trip to 1400m should be no problem for her. Snitzanova will map better than most of her market rivals, and that could be pivotal to her winning chances. The runner that looks to be over the odds with Dabble is Dance To The Boom. The Bjorn Baker-trained filly has been nothing short of impressive in each of her three wins and comes into the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas undefeated. The daughter of Exceedance is versatile and can settle anywhere from barrier 18, so if she jumps well for Damian Lane and they land in the front half of the field, Dance To The Boom will prove hard to hold out. Bauhinia is another filly who is on the rise, but if she races like she did last start and is four lengths off the second last horse, it will be hard for her to make up ground in such a big field. Magic Millions 3YO Guineas 2025 selections & best bets Selections: 18 TUILERIES 6 SNITZANOVA 13 DANCE TO THE BOOM 14 BAUHINIA $100 betting strategy $30 win Tuileries (#18) @ +750 with BlondeBet $30 win Snitzanova (#6) @ +500 with Playup $20 each-way Dance To The Boom (#13) @ +1700 & +500 with Neds 2025 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Bittercreek Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin Blake Shinn 15 58kg 2 Give Me Space Barry Lockwood Luke Dempsey 21 57kg 3 Dawn Service Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott James Orman 4 56.5kg 4 Catoggio Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 19 56.5kg 5 Deoth Of Character Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Chad Schofield 16 56.5kg 6 Snitzanova Ciaron Maher Daniel Stackhouse 9 56kg 7 Bosustow Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Joshua Parr 10 56kg 8 Shangri La Express Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Angela Jones 14 56kg 9 Street Chase Jim Mason Craig Williams 12 56kg 10 King Of Roseau Peter Snowden Vlad Duric 3 56kg 11 Cosmic Fire Billy Healey Andrew Mallyon 2 56kg 12 Hella Fast Kelly Schweida Kyle Wilson-Taylor 8 56kg 13 Dance To The Boom Bjorn Baker Damian Lane 18 54.5kg 14 Bauhinia Lee & Cherie Curtis Tommy Berry 20 54kg 15 Zoubaby Richard & Will Freedman Andrew Adkins 7 54kg 16 Yes Lulu Ciaron Maher Jason Collett 17 54kg 17 Arriving Home Bjorn Baker Kerrin McEvoy 11 54kg 18 Tuileries Peter Snowden Tyler Schiller 23 54kg 19 Hell To Pay (1E) John O’Shea & Tom Charlton TBC 5 56kg 20 Territory Ash (2E) Liam Birchley TBC 22 54kg 21 Bollinger Miss (3E) Chris & Corey Munce Martin Harley 6 54kg 22 Blitzum (4E) Chris Anderson TBC 1 56kg 23 Nuestra (5E) Lawrie Mayfield-Smith TBC 13 54kg Horse racing tips View the full article

Southern apprentice jockey Floor Moerman collected the biggest win of her brief career to date on the middle day of the West Coast circuit, guiding La Bella Nera (NZ) (Sweynesse) to victory in Wednesday’s Vernon and Vazey 0800 Truck Parts Reefton Cup (1400m). The Dutch native has been race-riding since late November and broke her maiden on New Year’s Day at Riverton, and after finishing second aboard The Buffer in the Greymouth Cup (2000m) last Sunday, she partnered with the John and Karen Parsons-trained mare in an attempt to go one better in Reefton’s feature contest. Northern visitor Island Hop was tipped as the horse to beat, closing a $2 favourite ahead of La Bella Nera ($4). Jumping from barrier five of six, La Bella Nera showed her customary early speed and took over the pacemaking role from Tap ‘N’ Go as they exited the home straight, while Island Hop settled last. Moerman wasn’t breaking any records aboard La Bella Nera along the back stretch, and when Tap ‘N’ Go came up to challenge on the home turn, the mare had plenty left in store, storming away with the Cup by 1 – ¾ lengths. Island Hop was eye-catching late, finding the line strongly into third. All of La Bella Nera’s six prior wins had come at 1200m or less, but a delighted Moerman indicated the mare had seen out the distance comfortably. “I was a bit worried about the distance, she normally goes over 1200m and ideally I wanted a firmer track,” she said. “But, she kept travelling nicely and around the 600m, I saw Terry Moseley (jockey of Tap ‘N’ Go) coming so I clicked her up and from there on, she travelled lovely. “I’m liking the West Coast.” La Bella Nera has now won seven of 23 starts and just shy of $150,000 for Karen Parsons, who bred and races the daughter of Sweynesse. She is the third foal out of stakes-winning mare Arietta, who has also produced four-race winner Watch Out for the Balcairn couple. The win completed a double for Moerman on the Reefton card, after she rode her mentor Krystal Williams’ charge Charm Manhattan to a 2 – ¾ length success in the Fahey Contracting (1020m). View the full article

Well-performed mare Pearl Of Alsace (NZ) (Tavistock) will have conditions to suit on Saturday in her quest to add a major title to her CV before the curtain comes down on her career. The daughter of Tavistock will return to her favourite course to contest the Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham where previous visits have been rewarded with three wins, including success in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m). “She has been served by Proisir and we’re waiting to see if she is in foal,” said Shaune Ritchie, who trains the six-year-old with Colm Murray for breeder-owner Sir Peter Vela. “If she is, she’ll only have a couple more runs and she is Group One placed and a Group winner so there’s only one mountain left to climb. “If she can nail a Group One then that would be fantastic. We’re starting to run out of opportunities, and this is without doubt the best she’s had.” Pearl Of Alsace has also pleased both of her trainers and raceday rider Michael McNab in her build-up. “Her trial at Tauranga before the first race the other day was as good as you’re going to get from her,” Ritchie said. “She was hard held in third and McNab got off and said that’s the best she’s trialled, so we seem to have her in the right order for the right conditions. “She doesn’t seem to let down quite the same on the firmer tracks in summer so with it being a Slow 7 there’ll certainly be some give in the ground. “She has a great record both at the mile and at Trentham and dropping down to 53kg is going to be advantageous as well. She comes into the race really nicely.” Pride Of Alsace’s only miss on the track came at her most recent appearance when sixth in the Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m). “She got within range and then lugged in, she hung in a little bit when she would normally quicken and just felt the ground,” Ritchie said. “There were no muscle problems post that, but she’s just not the same when the tracks are hard.” The stable will also be represented by Tycoon Prince in the Gr.2 Top Kat Roofing Levin Classic (1400m) and Hammer Time in the Wellington Seamarket Handicap (2200m). The Cambridge Stud-bred and raced Tycoon Prince backed up his maiden win with a strong last-start third at Te Rapa behind Damask Rose and Sought After. “It was a tidy race and when Damask Rose went past him, she gave him a bit of a touch up, he was only ever going to run third but he should have been a shade closer,” Ritchie said. “He’s improving and we don’t have illusions of grandeur of knocking off Savaglee, he’s the best colt and he’s proven that. “Tycoon Prince is stud-owned and black type is extremely important as Brendan and Jo (Lindsay) have the mare, so if he can place we’ll take that as a big win. “I think he will continue to improve he’s quite a lanky horse and how far he’ll go I’m not sure, but I don’t think the 1400m will be a problem and he can race on pace.” Hammer Time has won one of his two starts up to 1600m this campaign and will be suited to a rise in distance. “He’s going to be hard to beat, we’ve tried him over ground before and for a variety of reasons hasn’t shined but he’s much stronger now,” Ritchie said. “The last time we tried him, he stood on a nail and the shoe went in and he was in quite a bit of pain. He works, moves and looks like a stayer so maybe it’s the right time for him to run a trip.” View the full article