Wandering Eyes

Five stakes worth a combined $775,000 spotlight California-bred racing Jan. 11 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Clipper Logistics' Night Raider (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a winner of the Listed Golden Rose Stakes last out, has, for now at least, been ruled out of a trip to Dubai, according to trainer Karl Burke. Both the G2 Duke Of York and the G2 Temple Stakes in May are local options for the 4-year-old. A winner of his first two trips to the post last year, Night Raider was tried in the G1 2000 Guineas, but ran unplaced, and the result was the same in the G3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. Given a break, the dark bay resumed with a fifth in a Newmarket listed race last summer, and has won his two latest starts, a conditions stakes at Kempton in October, and the aforementioned listed race at Newcastle in November. Burke said, “He was a horse that could have gone out to Dubai, but the owners have decided against it. There's pros and cons for going out there obviously, but he's never run on fast ground on turf so he would have had a chance to do that and there were listed and group races for him. “If he didn't go out there there's nothing for him on the all-weather because the Finals Day races are nearly all handicaps now and we're not going to do that as he's rated 111 and we're hoping to make him into a stallion.” There is still a chance for a foreign foray, with Dubai World Cup night in April given as an option for the sprinter. “We'll probably have to wait for either the Duke of York or the Temple Stakes, unless I can persuade Steve [Parkin] to go out to Dubai for World Cup night or something, we'll see,” added Burke. The post Trip To Dubai Unlikely For Night Raider appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In support of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, the Continuing Stallion Auction kicks off Friday, Jan. 10 before concluding Jan. 15. The online auction offers seasons to 30 Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses, all CHRHF inductees or have Hall of Fame horses in their pedigrees. Among the stallions represented, Ami's Flatter, Bond Street, Connect, Medallist, Mystic Guide, Reload, Shirl's Speight and Tapiture. For the complete roster of stallions, click here. The post Connect, Mystic Guide Among Sires Represented in CHRHF Stallion Auction appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A man was arrested in relation to a fire at Caulfield on Tuesday that caused extensive damage to the Australian racecourse's facilities. View the full article

Hardwicke Stakes (G2) hero and Bahrain Triple Crown winner Isle Of Jura is firmly on the road to recovery and will be aimed at a return to Royal Ascot in June.View the full article

1/ST Racing's Gulfstream Park and the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association (FHBA) have reached an agreement to support changes to Chapter 550 of the existing State Legislation–decoupling regulations–that will enable Gulfstream Park's live racing schedule to become independent of the venue's parimutuel license, it was announced by 1/ST Racing Monday. The basis for the agreement, “unique and designed to address the needs of Florida and consistent with similar gaming entities in the region,” said 1/ST, “allows 1/ST to pursue necessary opportunities for development at Gulfstream Park. The agreement ensures purse revenues are unaffected and provides for additional contributions by Gulfstream Park to horsemen's workers' compensation premiums and meaningful increases to Thoroughbred aftercare efforts in Florida.” House Bill 105 was filed Monday January 6. If passed, tracks could still operate slot machines and card games while they are not running live racing. “As a supporter of the Thoroughbred Horse racing industry, I'm proud to sponsor House Bill 105,” said Representative Adam Anderson. “Gulfstream Park and the horse racing industry are integral to our state's economy and cultural heritage. Gulfstream Park is not just a premier destination for racing; it's a vital part of its local community, agriculture business and state's economy, providing jobs and driving tourism. Florida's horse racing industry is a symbol of excellence and tradition, and I will continue to advocate for policies that ensure its growth and success, securing its future in Florida for generations to come.” “We look forward to the upcoming legislative consideration process and to working in collaboration with Florida (horsemen) and other stakeholders to advocate for the passage of the statutory amendments to Chapter 550 that will provide the necessary foundation to support an economically sensible plan to protect year-round racing at Gulfstream Park,” said Stephen Screnci, President, Racing, 1/ST. “The Florida (horsemen) and 1/ST share an understanding of the issues critical to and facing year-round Thoroughbred racing at Gulfstream Park, and are committed to the same outcome,” said Herb Oster, Executive Director, of the Gulfstream horsemen's group. “By supporting the statutory amendments to Chapter 550 to enable Gulfstream Park's live racing schedule to become independent of the venue's parimutuel license, we are securing a sustainable future for horsemen in Florida that sensibily addresses the challenging economic realities facing the industry.” The post Gulfstream Park And Gulfstream Horsemen’s Group Align To Support Changes To Decoupling Regs In Florida appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A man was arrested in relation to a fire at Caulfield on Tuesday that caused extensive damage to racecourse facilities. View the full article

The all-weather action in Britain has had the floor to itself since Friday of last week, with the exception of two races at Chepstow on Sunday, before that card joined the growing list of National Hunt abandonments as a result of the extreme weather conditions which have devastated parts of the country. Our thoughts are with all of those who have been worst affected, including the team at Whatton Manor Stud, who posted a video to their X feed which showed at least two paddocks on their farm in Nottinghamshire completely engulfed by a few feet of water. Thankfully, they later reported that all of the animals who call Whatton Manor home were unharmed. I'd love to tell you that the all-weather racing has provided a welcome distraction over the past few days but, in truth, it's been relatively low-key stuff. Ideally, the scheduling would have been such that ITV Racing could have shown the racing from Southwell and/or Wolverhampton on Saturday, following the loss of the original fixtures at Sandown and Wincanton, but then take a look at what those cards actually entailed. Would a bunch of low-grade handicaps really have moved the dial in any meaningful way with the sort of casual racing fan that typically tunes in to ITV? What about the novice which kicked off Southwell's card where only three runners went to post, one of whom finished tailed off? I'm sure measures will be taken to try to prevent such a scenario from playing out again, and so they should, but in the meantime I'm finding it hard to lose any sleep over a one-off Saturday without any terrestrial TV coverage. Instead, let's focus on the small handful of notable performances and talking points that last week's all-weather racing did provide… pic.twitter.com/jAda8vIoNy — Whatton Manor Stud (@whattonmanor) January 6, 2025 Familiar Tale with Well-Backed Boatswain Away from the snow, ice and rain, Simon and Ed Crisford enjoyed a notable win on Friday's card at Meydan when stable stalwart Poker Face (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) won the G2 Zabeel Mile, with that success coming just 40 minutes after the three-year-old Boatswain (GB) had given the stable its first winner of 2025 in Britain. That victory came in a 10-furlong novice at Lingfield for which Boatswain was backed off the boards on debut, returning the even-money favourite, having been available at 10-3 earlier in the day. In the event, the contest proved just as one-sided as the market suggested it would as the son of New Bay (GB) ran out an impressive winner by three and a quarter lengths, readily asserting after being produced to lead inside the final furlong. Rabbah Racing's Boatswain fetched 240,000gns when offered by Longview Stud at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. He is the second foal out of the Lope De Vega (Ire) mare Bay Light (Ire), a full-sister to the G2 Al Rashidiya runner-up Bay Of Poets (Ire) and a half to the Listed-placed Highbank (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). This is also the family of the Deutsches Derby-winning siblings Borgia (Ger) (Acatenango {Ger}) and Boreal (Ger) (Java Gold). Boatswain's third dam, Bougainvillea (Ger), is a winning full-sister to German Horse of the Year Borgia, who also counted the Grosser Preis von Baden and Hong Kong Vase among her three Group 1 victories. Already gelded, Boatswain looks well capable of defying a penalty in a similar event, should his connections opt to go down that route, before attentions then turn to the turf season. Either way, it's shaping up to be an exciting 2025 for the Crisfords and Rabbah Racing, who have teamed up to good effect with a number of nice three-year-old prospects on the all-weather in recent weeks. In addition to Boatswain, Dixieland Blues (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Don Pacifico (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Jolly Roger (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Suzette Defoye (Fr) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) have all received positive mentions during our Winter Watch run. Plenty of talent there! Boatswain powers to the line at @LingfieldPark and makes a smart winning debut for @gainsboroughHQ and @Mitchelljack77… pic.twitter.com/ybzPszrNge — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 3, 2025 Rebel Foils Another Crisford Gamble Elsewhere on Friday, another gamble on a three-year-old trained by the Crisfords for Rabbah Racing went awry in the six-furlong novice at Southwell as Macedonian (Ire) (Kodiac {GB})–who returned an SP of 4/1 after opening at 9/1–weakened into fifth after leading for much of the journey. Instead, it was a one-two for champion sire Dark Angel (Ire) as Rebel's Gamble (Ire) made a successful debut at the expense of Stardancer (Ire), with just three-quarters of a length separating the pair at the line. It wasn't all bad news for the connections of Macedonian, either. Stardancer was filling the runner-up spot for the second start in succession and this effort gave a boost to the form of the aforementioned Don Pacifico, who had beaten him comprehensively, by nearly three lengths, when they met over this course and distance last month. As for Rebel's Gamble, he looks another promising son of Dark Angel for Karl Burke and Clipper Logistics after Night Raider (Ire), who produced one of the most striking debut performances ever seen at Southwell when winning by nine lengths last winter. The now-four-year-old has since won at Listed level and remains a top-class sprinting prospect for 2025. Whilst Rebel's Gamble's first appearance on a racecourse didn't have quite the same wow factor, it was a promising start to his career nonetheless, especially as he left the impression the experience would bring him on when edging right in the closing stages. The first two pulled nearly four lengths clear of the rest and the time was marginally quicker than both divisions of the classified stakes contested by older horses later on the card. Bred by Rossenarra Stud, Rebel's Gamble is the third winner from five runners out of the Redback (GB) mare Charlotte Rua (Ire), with the others including the G2 Duke Of York Stakes runner-up Nahaarr (Ire), also by Dark Angel. Rebel's Gamble initially sold to Yeomanstown Stud for 85,000gns at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale, before being bought for 135,000gns at Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale. He seems sure to progress and win more races. Rebel's Gamble makes a nice winning debut for @karl_burke and @CliffordleexLee as the front pair pull clear at @Southwell_Races… pic.twitter.com/1bXg9obZEQ — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 3, 2025 “We're Not At The Sales To Buy Clean X-Rays” The success of Wootton Bassett (GB) with his first Irish-bred crop of two-year-olds in 2024 was the talk of the town, featuring no fewer than four individual Group/Grade 1 winners. For others it's taken a bit longer for them to find their feet. Take Mdawi (Ire), for example, who belatedly opened his account in the aforementioned three-runner novice at Southwell on Saturday, looking well suited by the step up to 11 furlongs as he made all to beat the odds-on favourite, Nobleman (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}), by a length and a quarter in comfortable fashion. Now, it's plain for all to see that Mdawi is never going to emulate his Group 1-winning paternal siblings, but you won't find many three-year-old colts by Wootton Bassett (GB) with a more star-studded pedigree than this chap. He was bred by Coolmore out of their four-time Group 1 winner Peeping Fawn (Danehill), who has now produced six winners from nine runners, with the others including the Listed Chesham Stakes heroine and G1 Fillies' Mile runner-up September (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). The fact that it cost a mere 22,000gns to secure Mdawi at the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-up Sale suggests he perhaps isn't the model you might expect of one with his pedigree, but the Johnston team have never been afraid to overlook a perceived physical flaw if they're being compensated in other areas. As Mark Johnston summed up in this Q&A with TDN colleague Brian Sheerin back in 2022, “We're not at the sales to buy a set of clean X-rays–we're there to buy a racehorse.” Knowing how the Johnstons like to operate with their racehorses, we can expect to see plenty of Mdawi on the racecourse in 2025 and it will be a surprise if he's not capable of winning a few middle-distance handicaps from an opening mark of just 72. Toughed it out! Mdawi (Wootton Bassett x Peeping Fawn) sees off Nobleman to take the @Southwell_Races opener for @RKingscote and @Johnston_Racing… pic.twitter.com/MMrJabqPio — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 4, 2025 Not Miraculous, But Better Than First Thought If Mdawi was a relatively cheap buy at 22,000gns, then what do we make of Miraculous (Ire), a son of Too Darn Hot (GB) and the G2 Temple Stakes winner Priceless (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), who was completely overlooked by potential buyers on the two occasions he was previously offered for sale? After failing to find a buyer at 50,000gns at Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale, the colt was then bought back by owner-breeder Alan Spence for the measly sum of 1,500gns when he appeared in last year's Tattersalls Online January Sale. Clearly, Miraculous had been showing a bit more at home before his belated debut in a six-furlong novice at Newcastle on New Year's Day, with his SP of 2-7 (having opened at 8-13) suggesting victory should have been a formality. It proved anything but in the end, with Tsarinas Song (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev) pushing him all the way to the line, but he clung on by a head to pocket the £3,942 on offer to the winner. Spence would have had bigger dreams than that when he first conceived the plan to send his high-class sprinter Priceless, the dam of two other winners by Dubawi (Ire), to Too Darn Hot, but at least it's a start. The Roger Varian trainee is sure to improve with the experience under his belt and, like Mdawi, his story should serve as a reminder that the racecourse is the ultimate testing ground, rather than the sales ring. Winner in Waiting War And Love (GB) Iffraaj (GB)–El Gumryah (Ire), by No Nay Never Odds-on favourite Jiff's Army (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) put his experience to good use when winning the second division of the one-mile maiden at Lingfield on Friday, but it's likely that the best long-term prospect in the race finished third. A newcomer from the Sir Mark Prescott stable, War And Love looked clueless in the early stages, needing to be rousted along just to keep touch with the main pack, and she still had all eight of her rivals to pass when switched wide entering the straight. Somehow beaten only two lengths at the line, she finished with a rare rattle and ought to prove much sharper for the outing. The post Winter Watch: No ITV Racing, No Disaster in Overall Scheme of Things appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Thomas Baddock/Kristen Manning/TTR AusNZ Day 1 of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale saw a rush of action late, with progeny by Written Tycoon (Aus), Wootton Bassett (GB), I Am Invincible (Aus) and Snitzel (Aus) sending buyers into a frenzy towards the end of the session. The auction began with a sense of caution, with several lots by champion sire Snitzel garnering most of the early attention, however the bidding became fast and fierce later in the afternoon with Written Tycoon, I Am Invincible and first-season sire Wootton Bassett (GB) stealing the show with three lots soaring past A$1.5 million. Lot 185 – Written Tycoon (Aus) x Away Game (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), filly – A$1,800,000 Ciaron Maher was rather nostalgic after partnering with John Stewart's Resolute Bloodstock to secure the regally bred daughter of champion sire Written Tycoon out of his former star mare Away Game (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}). After a successful career on the track, which included multiple Group 1 placings and victory in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic, Away Game was sold to Yulong Stud for A$4 million at the 2022 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, who offered the filly for sale today. Maher was overjoyed to be partnering with American John Stewart, sighting similarities between Away Game and her daughter. “I'm rapt, I thought clearly she was one of the fillies of the sale,” Maher said. “Away Game took her and her owners–who were from the States as well, funnily enough–on a great ride and hopefully this filly can take John and Chelsey [Stone] on a similar ride. “She's a beautiful filly, [from a] great farm and hopefully she can be as good as her mum. There is similar movement [to Away Game]. She probably has a little more substance than Away Game, who was relatively neat. She was an over-achiever on the track, and it looks like she is going to be an over-achiever in the breeding barn as well.” Away Game foaled a full brother to Lot 185 this season and was served by fellow Yulong stallion Pierata. Lot 182 – I Am Invincible (Aus) x Avantage (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), filly – A$1,600,000 American John Stewart, under his banner of Resolute Bloodstock, triumphed in an intense bidding war for lot 182, securing the bay filly for A$1.6 million. The second foal of New Zealand Champion 2-Year-Old Avantage (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) by Yarraman Park's Australian Champion Sire I Am Invincible, she was bred by Katom and presented by Coolmore Stud. Avantage fetched a whopping NZ$4.1 million when sold to Coolmore's Tom Magnier via New Zealand Bloodstock's online platform Gavelhouse Plus in 2021. There was much anticipation surrounding lot 182, with her half-sister, a filly by Wootton Bassett (GB), topping last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast sale when selling to David Ellis for A$2.1 million, now named Avantaggia (Aus). “That Danzig cross is something you don't see a lot of in America,” John Stewart said, noting the strength of the Danehill branch in this part of the world. “It is a thread you will see amongst a lot of our purchases.” “Both fillies had a lot of traits we like; they are good movers from big families.” “She was a lovely filly and she's been that since she was a foal,” Coolmore's Tom Magnier said. “John Stewart, he's a great friend of ours and he's been a great supporter of us down here and I wish him every success with this filly. It is a great page and a great family, and I hope she becomes a successful broodmare. She's very nice. “We had a reserve on her and we were happy to keep her up to a level. Fair play to Magic Millions for getting the overseas people involved in the sales. She was one of our nicest fillies of the year. She's [Avantage] been a great producer and when you see the filly on the track here, we're delighted.” Avantage foaled another filly by I Am Invincible this season and visited Widden Stud's Australian Champion Sire Zoustar (Aus). John Stewart | Sarah Andrew Stewart Ready To Make His Mark In Australia Disappointed to have had to cancel his trip to the sales due to a family emergency, John Stewart is keen to be in Australia soon with six horses in work hopefully racing in the near future. He is proud of his recent achievements in the United States, noting that “70% of our runners have been in stakes races and 57% of those have been in the prize money.” “My strategy is to focus on quality, I want to be competitive,” said Stewart on Tuesday. “Australia was always going to be the second place where we wanted to establish ourselves.” Stewart is a keen student of Australian bloodlines, adding We do a lot of pedigree research and love how Australian pedigrees have evolved, it is very exciting for me to take notice of that.” Resolute also secured a number of lesser priced horses with Stewart saying that he does not look too much at the individual prices of his yearlings, rather than at the bigger picture, describing his purchases as “a portfolio.” “We paid up for a few and some we think we actually stole so overall I am really happy.” At A Glance Four horses fetched seven-figure sums on Day 1, the same number as last year's opening session, with Segenhoe Stud standing on top of the vendors' standings by gross after selling nine horses for a total of A$4,370,000. The opening session had an average of A$278,549 which was down slightly from last year's Day 1 record of A$281,767. The median, at A$200,000 was also slightly down on the 2024 Day 1 median of A$210,000. The total gross of A$45,125,000 was almost the same as last year's Day 1 figure of A$45,928,000, with 162 lots sold this year. Tuesday's clearance rate sat at 74.65%, down from last year's opening session clearance rate of 84.9%, although this may improve throughout the sale. The top lot (185) was purchased by Resolute Bloodstock and Ciaron Maher Bloodstock who spent A$1.8 million to secure the Written Tycoon filly who is the first foal of Australian Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Away Game (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), who was offered by Yulong. Resolute Bloodstock was the leading buyer on Day 1, spending A$3.52 million on eight yearlings, not including the A$1.8 million they also spent in conjunction with Ciaron Maher Bloodstock on the sales topper. Home Affairs (Aus) led Day 1 by gross with 12 yearlings sold for A$4,165,000 at an average of A$347,083, making him also the leading first-season sire for the day by gross. Stay Inside (Aus) is the leading first-season sire by average with five sold at an average of A$494,000. For sires who've had 2 or more lots sell on Day 1, I Am Invincible leads the overall table by average with four sold at an average of A$750,000; while Snitzel isn't far behind with six sold at an average of A$654,167. Wootton Basset, Written Tycoon, and Extreme Choice (Aus) are the other three sires with two or more sold who averaged more than A$500,000 on Day 1. Lot 196 Wootton Bassett (GB) x Battleofwinterfell (Declaration Of War), colt, A$1,700,000 Following an unprecedented record-breaking performance in the Northern Hemisphere and an exceptional commencement to his stud career in Australia, Wootton Bassett (GB) was destined to attract significant attention at the 2025 Magic Millions Yearling Sales. Consequently, lot 196, a colt out of stakes-placed American mare Battleofwinterfell (Declaration Of War), emerged as the highest-priced colt during the opening session, selling to Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock (BAFNZ) for A$1.7 million. Currently recognised as the European Champion 2-Year-Old Sire of 2024, Wootton Bassett, who shuttles for Coolmore, is making a remarkable impact in Australia with his first crop of 2-year-olds. Namely, metropolitan winners Pallaton (Aus) and Gallo Nero (Aus), both of whom are poised to make their presence felt in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic this Saturday on the Gold Coast. “We went a little bit over what we thought but we thought he was the best colt in the sale,” Hawthorne said. “We probably went A$200,000 over than what we thought but we wanted the colt and there's nothing worse than getting beaten by a short margin and seeing those big colts come out and win big races. “Wootton Bassett is flying. We just thought we'd get in and get one. He's a lovely moving colt, a great athletic colt. Anthony Freedman will train him. He was Anthony's pick of the sale, and he was my top colt, so we sort of aligned. He will race in the red and white colours of Jonathan Munz and partners. “It's a family that has a lot of speed. He's just an athlete, he just moved like a dancer. We haven't bought here in a while, so we wanted to get back into the market. We want to sell down some shares in him, but we don't care if we don't. We were rapt to get him.” Battleofwinterfell was brought to Australia in 2021 by John Muir, the owner of Milburn Creek. Unfortunately, she produced only two foals before her untimely passing in 2023. Her first foal is a 2-year-old filly by Capitalist (Aus), which was sold by Milburn Creek at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale last year for A$45,000 to Elite Thoroughbreds. Lot 196, Tuesday's colt topper by Wootton Bassett | Magic Millions Lot 216 – Stay Inside (Aus) x Bleu Zebra (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}), colt – A$1,000,000 Lot 216, a colt by G1 Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside (Aus) from Bleu Zebra (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}), who is a half-sister to Cap D'Antibes Stakes winner Fox Swift (Aus) (Foxwedge {Aus}) was another to break the seven-figure mark after being knocked down for A$1 million to James Harron Bloodstock in partnership with Aquis Farm's Tony Fung. Offered by Eureka Stud, it was a dream come true for breeder, Brian Siemsen from Black Soil Bloodstock and the best result the Queensland-based farm has ever realised in a yearling sales ring. “It was our best seller ever, yearling wise,” Eureka's Bloodstock Manager Harry McAlpine said. “We have always wanted to sell at that sort of level, and he's been an amazing colt from day one, not that you think you can sell at that kind of level off that service fee. “Mr Brian Siemsen from Black Soil Bloodstock said to me a couple of years back, it was his dream to sell a million-dollar yearling and he's done it.” The colt comes from a family boasting plenty of speed, being closely related to notable sprinters White Moss (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}) and White Sage (Aus) (Reset {Aus}). “He's a gorgeous horse. All the team loved him,” James Harron said. “He's a real Magic Millions-type colt and the aim would be to have him back here next year. He's the right type of horse to try it. He comes from a great farm and a very exciting first-season sire. “He was one of our top picks of the sale. We had to push hard and that is the sort of marketplace we're in. The good ones are well-found. He didn't put a foot wrong all week.” Eureka Stud are renowned for producing tough and talented horses including, Group 1 winners Apache Chase (Aus) (Better Than Ready {Aus}), Pippie (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}), Tinto (Aus) (Red Dazzler {Aus}), Temple Of Boom (Aus) (Piccolo {GB}), Show A Heart (Aus), Scenic Peak (Aus) (Scenic {Ire}), Just Now (Aus) (Semipalatinsk), as well as Eureka's flagship stallion Spirit Of Boom (Aus). It's exactly the kind of farm Harron was looking to buy from. “We love seeing horses coming off farms with rich histories and these horses are suited to Australian conditions,” Harron said. “She [Bleu Zebra] was a decent, fast mare and a city winner here in Queensland and by a champion sire who is becoming a good broodmare sire.” Bleu Zebra had a filly by Pinatubo (Ire) this season and visited Eureka Stud's Don Corleone (Aus). James Harron | James Harron Bloodstock Lot 187 – Snitzel (Aus) x Baaqyah (NZ) (I Am Invincible {Aus}), filly – A$950,000 Lot 187, a filly by Snitzel out of the I Am Invincible mare Baaqyah (NZ) was simply irresistible for Sheamus Mills, who forked out A$950,000 for the flashy chestnut offered by Newgate Farm. “I love the idea of a Snitzel out of a Vinnie mare,” Mills said. “I thought she had the really good attributes you see in both stallions. Just on paper, Vinnie and Snitzel–it doesn't get much better than that. So, hopefully you put two stars together and you get a star. She's bred to be fast, and she looks fast.” Mills was also attracted to the filly's attitude and energy during his inspections in the lead up to the sale. “I just love the way she handled the week,” he said. “She paraded just the way I like to see, those horses that have that aggressive energy but keep it fairly confined. I also like to see horses that don't seem to tire, she was one of the few. We didn't end up with a very long list actually and she was certainly one of the fillies that handled the stress well.” The filly was bred by SF Bloodstock, Henry Field Bloodstock and Hollymount Stud and it was Newgate Farm's best result for the session. Baaqyah had a filly by Snitzel this season and was served by Capitalist. The post Resolute Bloodstock Makes Statement With A$1.8 Million Away Game Filly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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First let's salute two horses in this category just emerging from surely the most competitive freshman title race ever. The lead changed hands between both, as well as McKinzie (now $75,000), through the final hours of 2024, with VEKOMA ultimately seizing the crown–partly through belated processing of a son in Panama–by $22,939 from McKinzie, with TIZ THE LAW breathing down their necks $9,334 behind. In fact, his “extra” winner gave Vekoma a share of the North American record of 39 first-crop juvenile winners. Admittedly he was working from corresponding volume, having started 84 of 151 named foals. In contrast, Tiz the Law fielded 50 (of 89) yet still matched Vekoma (as well as Complexity, another with a smaller arsenal) with five stakes winners, two at graded level. Breeders could sense their momentum last spring, when Vekoma welcomed another 200 mares and Tiz the Law reached 158, and both earned fee hikes for 2025. Vekoma in particular reaped rewards with his second crop of yearlings, advancing his yield to $141,841 for 65 sold of 73 ($98,432 for his first crop). He's now $35,000 from $15,000. But Tiz the Law, who last year stood at half his $40,000 opening fee, continues to be underrated. (Surely unlucky with those controversial changes to the 2020 Classic schedule.) He sold 90 of 109 at $79,902, actually down from $99,835 for his first crop. With his traffic increasing, however, he looks a strong medium-term play right now. Overall this is quite a fluid tier, between stallions on the rise and others whose fees are eroding. Having tackled the rookies separately, we start with five that opened for business last year–covering 1,009 mares between them! Nationally (and on his farm) only Practical Joke and Justify exceeded the 256 welcomed by GUNITE, yet he gets a trim from $35,000 to $30,000 to keep the door revolving. Who knew that so many people wanted a piece of that Cowboy Cal mare! Actually his first three dams are stakes winners–and who wouldn't like a Gun Runner precocious enough to win the GI Hopeful yet hardy enough to return at four and beat Elite Power in the GI Forego? ELITE POWER himself remains at $50,000 after starting with 203 mares. Again, this was an especially fast horse by the standards of his sire: you wouldn't have expected Curlin to get a dual GI Breeders' Cup Sprint winner out of a GI Kentucky Oaks runner-up by Vindication. TAIBA, who takes the same clip as Gunite, covered 200 mares having bookended his year on the track meeting the contrasting demands of the GI Santa Anita Derby (off a debut win) and GI Malibu. As a $170,000 yearling who multiplied his value by 10 five months later, he offers pinhookers a seductive template. FORTE also takes a mild trim, to $45,000, after covering 196 mares. That streak between GI Hopeful and GI Florida Derby identified a brilliant talent, and we love a Blame mare (same family as Essential Quality). He's priced much higher than his own sire, but we'll come to him. Forte | Sarah Andrew ARCANGELO's 154 mares represented full subscription at one of few farms still limiting catalogue competition for their clients. He emulated Arrogate as a late developer but ended up crop champion and his third dam is Better Than Honour. The trio who started the previous year, all now $35,000, have just tested the water with their first weanlings. The one holding his fee is OLYMPIAD, who averaged $108,980 for 26 of 27 sold, and welcomed back 162 mares after opening with 228 (163 live foals). No secret where he dug out eight triple-digit Beyers: dam is a half to five graded stakes winners or producers, third dam is Chic Shirine. Taking a second $5,000 trim is EPICENTER, who sold 21 of 30 weanlings at $122,619. His enormous first book (262 mares/217 live foals) was behind only Golden Pal, so shoppers won't lack choice. But everyone understands the system by now and he secured another 182 mares last spring. He has some peak European staying blood, converted by Gun Runner into a sophomore championship. JACKIE'S WARRIOR has slipped from an opening $50,000 despite processing 22 of 26 weanlings at $167,409, and a second book that held firm (183/182). He's not the only one in this bracket on a blue-collar cross, but his genes were uniquely functional as a Saratoga Grade I winner at two, three and four. We'd always prefer sustained speed over mere precocity as a signpost to class. The previous intake's most expensive sires duly filled the top three places in its yearling averages. Not in order, though, with ESSENTIAL QUALITY third at $186,356 for 65 of 87 sold, conceived at a class-high $75,000. He's down to $50,000, without having had the slightest chance to show whether he can replicate his great talent. Neighbor MAXFIELD conversely holds his opening $40,000 after beating $200,000 with 79 of 96 yearlings sold. Both will have matched fine pages with a ton of quality mares. CHARLATAN also maintains his $50,000 opening fee after doing everything he was priced to do with 102 of 125 yearlings at $254,774. Some “autopilot” breeders evidently moved on last year, when he covered 138 mares after 445 across his first two books, but he could easily get involved in the freshman title after coupling the GI Arkansas Derby and GI Malibu inside five starts. So where are all these young guns heading? Well, let's give them a target. Entering his 17th year at stud, here's Street Sense at $50,000: eighth among active sires, 89 stakes winners at eight percent including eight at Grade I level, his legacy already protected by McKinzie, Maxfield and Speaker's Corner. Very few of these will end up with a resume anywhere near that. The single hesitation over Street Sense is that he's always been so closely shadowed by Hard Spun, who's half the fee. The one point of separation is market loyalty to Street Sense, last year still able to process 39 of 53 yearlings at $153,794. Those were admittedly conceived at $75,000, but slipping into this tier makes him look value next to everyone except his old buddy! MACLEAN'S MUSIC is well established and maintaining reliable traction at the sales. His latest yearlings, who raised $135,739 for 87 of 110 sold, graduated from a book of 200 in 2022–a reward for his GI Woody Stephens exacta (Drain the Clock/Jackie's Warrior). He'll welcome this new wave, having blanked in graded stakes last year, but overall he's producing stakes winners at 6.5 percent and, now $40,000, kept the door revolving with 151 mares last spring. LIAM'S MAP has settled at the same fee and continues to excel ringside. His latest crop averaged $168,072 for 88 of 95 sold, a striking advance on $124,024 in 2023. Stakes winners at 5.8 percent of named foals is steady enough, though he couldn't match that clip last year, but he's looking after breeders and was duly subscribed with 141 mares. Liam's Map | Sarah Andrew BOLT D'ORO bounces back to $30,000 from a giddy $60,000 last year, a fee that didn't discourage 132 mares but would have made his yield of $82,184 (76 of 96 sold) somewhat less gratifying than it was for those fortunate to have bred them at $20,000. Champion freshman in 2022 and behind only Justify and Good Magic in 2023, his half-dozen stakes winners last year came at a pedestrian rate so for now it's sensible just to steady the ship. AMERICAN PHAROAH, clipped another $5,000 to $45,000, now inhabits a rather different world to his $200,000 introduction in 2016. But that helped him back to 158 mares last year, when his dozen stakes winners included three at graded level–besides two Group 1 scorers in Australia–and he hung in for a $156,371 average with his latest yearlings. Perhaps he warrants candid reinvention as a turf stallion; certainly Europeans should recognize him as very fairly priced now. Elite in pedigree and performance, OMAHA BEACH needs monitoring at a seductive $35,000 (down from $40,000). He's served his purpose for the “autopilots,” who seemingly passed on his third crop–but his maturing stock on the racetrack will now be commending him to a different clientele. Fourth as a freshman, he dominated his peers once his first sophomores entered play: 11 stakes winners at 6.7 percent of starters, including in the GI La Brea and GI Natalma. With another 188 mares last year, moreover, he's one of many happily trading catalogue dilution for a loaded pipeline. VALUE PODIUM Bronze: OSCAR PERFORMANCE Kitten's Joy–Devine Actress (Theatrical {Ire}) $45,000 Mill Ridge Can we keep calling him value after a third consecutive hike, the latest from $25,000? Yes, we can. For a stallion still getting established, Oscar has unequivocally volunteered himself for the vacancy left by his sire and English Channel. In contrast with that pair, moreover, he's quickly achieved commercial traction. The fourth-crop yearlings Oscar Performance just sent to market were conceived at $12,500–but those who kept the faith through his “bubble” sold 19 of just 23 available at $145,894. His subsequent books have hit 160 and 169. Hitherto Oscar Performance has a dozen stakes winners at 7.6 percent of named foals and five graded (notably GI Belmont Derby). He surely deserves European attention and, far from having reached his ceiling, will be soaring higher yet in years to come. Silver: CITY OF LIGHT Quality Road–Paris Notion (Dehere) $35,000 Lane's End City of Light | Lane's End Perhaps it's too early to pronounce him definitively back on track, but it certainly feels as though a nervy start–depending exorbitantly on one outstanding son–has bottomed out. Last year he was slashed from $60,000, despite producing a champion juvenile from his second crop, helping his book rally to 140 from 85. He subsequently came up with four graded stakes winners besides his standout Fierceness, including an additional Grade I winner in Formidable Man. Moreover he enjoyed renewed sales momentum, $132,120 for 50 of 57 yearlings sold. His median, significantly, hit $120,000 from $75,000 in 2023, so a horse that arguably suffered from excessive expectations (granted the rare accolade of a fee hike simply for selling his first yearlings) is now looking solid value at this level. His brilliance was underpinned by noble family and physique and, a fairly late developer himself, he'll eke fresh headlines from maturing stock. Even as things stand, 13.9 percent black-type performers to named foals stacks up respectably enough. Time for people to stop using Fierceness to knock him! Gold: VIOLENCE Medaglia d'Oro–Violent Beauty (Gone West) $30,000 Hill 'n' Dale This horse might not work for everybody, as he may require some patience. But the fertility issues that have impeded his rise can now be turned to the advantage of any breeder prepared to adapt to his needs. Because there's no question that his reduced fee, in itself, represents terrific value. Last year, in fact, he was initially announced at $60,000 before a revision to $40,000 as his farm sought the right balance for a book that would need careful management. The bigger number had looked fully justified by the caliber he was producing–most luminously champion Forte, himself meanwhile launched at $50,000. Last year Mullikin became Violence's fifth domestic Grade I winner, emulating Volatile the previous summer with an elite Saratoga sprint. Only 72 mares rolled the dice last spring. But in a market inundated with routine commercial stock, Violence's needs–perfectly manageable as they seem to be–may result in greater demand than supply. Remember he has shown real crowd-pleasing qualities, as a physically flamboyant specimen whose latest yearlings again retailed at a six-figure average. While his track career was also frustratingly confined, an unbeaten Grade I winner at two never goes out of fashion. His good ones can be very good–and there are few sires at this kind of money so eligible to get you a real standout, whether at the sales or on the track. VALUE SIRES: THE BREEDERS SPEAK JOHN STUART There are about 22 Kentucky stallions that fall in this price range and they are pretty much fully priced. Half of them have runners and of this small group, I see only four that could go up, creating value. Gold: Vekoma (Candy Ride {Arg}) x Mona de Momma, by Speightstown) Spendthrift Farm, $35,000 The only question is whether they will run on and I believe they will. I bred nine in-house mares in year three and four and my suggestion is to breed mares with size and leg. He probably will stand for more as they run on. Silver: Tiz the Law (Constitution x Tizfiz, by Tiznow) Ashford Stud, $30,000 I bet on his sire Constitution and always felt that this fellow could be good and he is. We didn't breed to him much but he is making it and you want to try to get on the bandwagon as soon as they show they can sire runners. Bronze: Forte (Violence x Queen Caroline, by Blame) Spendthrift Farm, $45,000 Of the stallions with no runners (but not first-year stallions), Forte is my favorite. We sold him as a weanling so I'm not impartial here! I researched a set of parameters that I think great stallions must have in common and he's got all of them. He is also flashy, leggy and good-minded, out of a very classy Blame mare and he was expensive to buy. Vekoma | Autry Graham PETER O'CALLAGHAN Gold: Vekoma (Candy Ride {Arg}) x Mona de Momma, by Speightstown) Spendthrift Farm, $35,000 An exciting young sire whose stock appear to be on the rise. If he continues his current trajectory, he's unlikely to be in this price bracket this time next year. Silver: Violence (Medaglia d'Oro x Violent Beauty, by Gone West) Hill 'n' Dale, $30,000 A very solid horse who has sired Grade I winners or Grade I-caliber horses in every crop including a champion 2-year-old. Among his first sons to retire is Volatile, who is making a nice start to his stud career. That bodes well for Violence and he's now at a price point that breeders can make money using him. Bronze: Maclean's Music (Distorted Humor x Forest Music, by Unbridled's Song) Hill 'n' Dale, $40,000 Another very solid horse who has sired some top runners including Jackie's Warrior, a champion whose first weanlings were very impressive. These horses were sired from a modest stud fee. He has done it the hard way and has crops in the pipeline that should serve him well on the track the next few years. At 40k, breeders can make money with him while having a good chance to breed a runner. Honorable Mentions: Liam's Map ($40,000), City of Light ($35,000), Tiz the Law ($30,000), Taiba ($30,000) and the recently retired Muth ($35,000). The post Value Kentucky Sires For 2025 Part 5: $30k-50k appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dear Sir/Madam, Maybe it is just tradition, but can someone please advise if there is a justifiable reason for the stallion statistics and championships for Britain and Ireland to be combined? This is at odds with other championships such as trainer, owner and jockey statistics. This situation was highlighted to me when Camelot received scant praise for being European champion sire, but Dark Angel had many column inches written about his achievement of being champion sire in Britain and Ireland. My suggestion is that stallion statistics should be reported for each individual country (Ireland, France, Britain, Germany, Italy, etc.) and then a compilation is made for Europe as a whole. Surely being champion of Europe should be the ultimate accolade? No disrespect to Dark Angel and the O'Callaghan family for a wonderful and thoroughly deserved achievement, but Camelot needs better recognition for a stellar year when his progeny won an Irish Derby, Coronation Cup and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with three different horses. Grant Pritchard-Gordon The post Letter to the Editor: Sires’ Championships Need Reworking appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The catalogue for the 2025 Goffs January Sale at Doncaster, the first sale of the new year which will be held on Tuesday 21 January, is now available to view online. The catalogue comprises 179 lots featuring 93 NH weanlings and young stock, 46 NH mares and 40 horses-in-training. Supplementary entries will be taken up to the time of the sale and can be made online. The NH weanling session follows on from the successful British NH Breeders Showcase held in November and features another strong line-up, with 43 of the entries GBB eligible. The sale will open with a selection of horses-in-training which includes an annual dispersal of nine lots from Coolmeen Farms including Eternal Angel, who has placed second on both his hurdle starts, and Ilfu Un Mome, who won his debut PTP at Lisronagh before placing on his debut hurdle at Chepstow. The session will also include entries from Alan King, Anthony Honeyball, Charlie Johnston, Charlie Longsdon, Emma Lavelle, Fergal O'Brien, Nicky Henderson, Warren Greatrex and more. The day will conclude with a group of 46 NH mares in foal to sires including Crystal Ocean, Golden Horn, Jeu St Eloi, Order Of St George, Postponed, Stradivarius, Walk In The Park and more. Goffs UK Managing Director Tim Kent commented, “The January Sale is the UK and Ireland's first physical sale of the year and it's great to be able to offer another strong session of NH weanlings and with 43 eligible for the lucrative GBB bonus series, alongside a strong sire profile, there is plenty of incentive for buyers. We have also catalogued a decent number of NH mares which features some highly attractive pedigrees so there is loads in the sale for pinhookers and breeders alike. We will be taking supplementary entries up to the time of the sale and these will be placed online as they are entered.” The post Goffs Release Catalogue For Diverse Doncaster January Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will open a new exhibition to celebrate its 75th anniversary Jan. 15. Titled “Laying the Foundation: The Architecture of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame”, the new exhibition will chronicle how the Museum has physically evolved with the times since its founding in 1950. “We have a lot of plans to celebrate the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame's 75th anniversary in 2025 and this exhibition is a great starting point to chronicle that journey,” said the Museum's curator Jessica Cloer. “This particular exhibition really dives into how the institution has grown throughout the years to better meet the needs of our visitors and achieve our mission.” The National Museum of Racing opened to the public in its permanent home on June 2, 1956. “Laying the Foundation” will explore how the Museum has grown since its establishment including major additions such as the West Wing in 1957, the Walter M. Jeffords Memorial Wing in 1960, the George D. Widener Memorial Wing in 1978 and the Paul Mellon Wing in 2000. The post National Museum Of Racing To Open New ‘Foundation’ Exhibition appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mike Maloney had it good and he knew it. The author of “Betting With an Edge,” the native Kentuckian played the races professionally and was able to make a good living doing so for nearly half a century. There was no trick to it. He bet a lot of money, as much as $14 million in one year, worked hard and had an innate ability to find the right horse at the right time at the right price. “When it comes to betting horses, I am closing in on 50 years and I have done very well,” Maloney, 68, said. “Racing has been very good to me.” Just not as good as it used to be. For the bettor, the game has changed for the worse over the last many years or so. Fields are smaller, takeouts remain way too high, there are fewer racing days and even the everyday player has become pretty sophisticated. Handle falls just about every year, as it did in 2024 (by 3.35%). Those are some of the reasons Maloney says he has cut back on his wagering by 90% since the days when he was betting eight figures. He estimates that when his betting was at its peak, he was contributing $800,000 to the industry, money that went toward purses and the track's bottom line. So the player who once bet $14 million in a year is now down to about $1.25 million, and there's no telling how much longer he'll keep going, period. The sport can't afford to lose the Mike Maloneys of the world, but they are fleeing, either for other forms of wagering or perhaps giving up gambling all together. “The old dogs like me are having to adjust what we do and a lot of the other gamblers, the everyday players, are either betting less themselves, stopping all together or going to some other form of gaming,” Maloney said. “It's been a very gradual occurrence in the last 15 years. I probably bet the most in my career probably around 2010 or so. At one time, I bet like $14 million. I gradually bet less and less. That's not because I wanted to but because takeout increased and host fees increased so the net cost of my wager increased. That's a squeeze.” But those are not the elephants in the room–the CAW (computer assisted wagering) players are. Maloney doesn't like to complain and he admires the CAW players for their ingenuity and ability to build a much better mousetrap, but he also knows that competing against them is next to impossible and they are the primary reason he has cut back so drastically on his wagering. “As the CAWs became a bigger percentage of the betting pools, my edge dissipated over time because they are very good and they're doing same thing I am trying to do but they're just doing it better,” he said. “Over time, if you are going to approach betting on horses as a business, you're going to have to adjust your business model every year. For me, the biggest adjustment has been to bet less. A lot of marginal bets that used to be profitable gradually became less profitable and then got close to break even. At that point, they had to be eliminated. That leads to the decrease in handle.” He's also upset that racing has done little to modernize its tote systems. “They need to fix the tote system,” he said. “That really bothers me at least as much as the CAWs. The tote system hasn't been completely updated since the 1970's. Look at all the changes there have been in racing since then. In the 1970's, we were handing a $20 bill to a teller at the track and now it's a different world and we're playing with the same tote system. There's definitely larceny in the tote system.” Maloney is a believer in technology, but he says what has happened with the CAW players is that everyone else, even a big bettor like himself, is no longer playing on a level playing field. It is a familiar refrain. “As far as the CAWs go, my stance has always been that racing should embrace technology and I firmly believe that,” he said. “The problems I have with the way the CAWs have been addressed is they are given other advantages besides the technology that they use. They are allowed to be the last mover in the way the betting operates. They get the last look at the odds. They can see things that I can't see and make decisions based on information that I can't act on. I can't make hundreds or thousands of bets in a second and they can. Racing facilitates that. I believe in embracing technology but as it operates today, it's not a level playing field. Another problem is that some of the track ownership groups have ownership interests in the bigger CAWs that I compete against. That's inherently unfair. I don't think anyone would look at that and say that's the optimum way to operate.” Horsephotos So what can be done about it? Unfortunately, the answer is not much. The CAW players are betting so much that there are estimates that they account for about $4 billion a year in handle. The sport has painted itself into a corner and can't afford to ban the computer players and lose that much in handle. So, in the short-term, the CAW bettors are getting fat and so are Churchill, NYRA and the Stronach tracks, all of which own parts of the betting outlets that the CAW players wager through. But the long-term picture is completely different, and it's not pretty. As the computer players continue to drive the everyday bettors out of the sport, the CAWs will be betting into smaller pools and losing a lot of their edge. They depend on the minnows and when the minnows are gone, there will be nothing left for them to feed on. “These tracks are so myopically focused on the next quarterly report rather than what racing is going to look like in five years or ten years,” Maloney said. Maloney says he still makes money betting on horses but obviously not nearly as much as he used to. At his age, he doesn't have the energy he used to and is comfortable playing less and not working quite so hard. But he wonders who's going to replace him. What will the next generation of horseplayers look like? “It's still what I do,” he said. “I don't devote all my time to it like I used to. I'm still making a living, but it's not something where I would encourage my son or my stepson to come into this field. For smart young kids, there are a lot easier games that they can play than this. It's not a growing industry and the game gets tougher every year. Even if they don't know what they are up against, they know what the results are. Those everyday players aren't going to stick around. If I were czar of racing, that would be my main concern. When I play that scenario out, it doesn't end well. And I think we've gotten pretty far down that road.” “I'm not so much concerned about me. Things are winding down for me. I have spoken to lots of national groups and at conferences and I've been trying to alert them to the things we have been talking about. Ten years ago, one of the things I would say is that during my lifetime, I have been an annuity for racing. I've spent my entire life betting horses and betting very seriously. My point is a guy like me is an annuity for racing; an everyday player is an annuity for racing . I'm 68 years old and when I decide to hang my red pen and my Racing Form up, who's coming in behind me? They haven't laid the groundwork to bring anyone new in. With young, analytically-minded people, you give them very little reason to choose racing over other forms of gambling. When I go to the racetrack, I look around and try to find a 25-year-old or a 30-year-old everyday horseplayer that's going to be there and the racetrack is their love and their passion and they become bettors. You won't see many of them.” It's not that Maloney is saying anything that hasn't been said before, but he is a living, breathing example of the type of player the sport is losing and can ill afford to lose. The CAW players and the tracks in bed with them are making a lot of money, but at the end of the day, they are jeopardizing racing's future. This is a gambling game that has all but lost Mike Maloney, and that's a pretty scary thing. The post Why Racing Is Losing One Of Its Best Customers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars GOLDEN RISE - R2 (4) Bold second last time out suggests he's close to another win Jay Rooney SPICY GOLD - R8 (8) Had no luck last start but can atone here with a clear run Jack Dawling FLAMINGO TRILLION - R7 (10) Course specialist can dictate proceedings under Leung from barrier two Phillip Woo HAPPY SOUL - R5 (5) Better than his overall form reads and appears a winning chance Shannon (Vincent Wong) MOMENTS IN TIME - R7 (6) Performed well in recent trial and can triumph with Bowman in the saddle Racing Post Online THE AZURE - R3 (4) Talented galloper looks spot on to notch another win over this trip Tom Wood SPIRIT OF PEACE - R5 (8) Good debut at Sha Tin where the form has since been confirmedView the full article

Romantic Warrior’s trainer made ‘privileged information available to persons not entitled to receive such information’.View the full article

Trainer Donna Logan is back in NZ and saddled up two runners today at Ruakaka. Logan says the move from Singapore has been stressful to say the least. Donna Logan 07.01.2025 – Racing HQ with Steve Hewlett – Apple Podcasts View the full article

It may have taken Ruakaka mare Pure Delight (NZ) (Darci Brahma) 24 starts to break through for her maiden victory, but she did it in style at her home track on Tuesday when taking out the Trigg Construction Northland Cup (2100m). From her ace barrier, she was eased back to settle at the rear of the field for jockey George Rooke where she remained for the majority of the journey. She had all but one before her at the top of the straight, but Rooke was able to navigate a path between the pack and Pure Delight showed a good turn of foot to distance her rivals in the concluding stages to score a three length victory over Sir Please. Rooke reunited with the five-year-old mare after placing on her over 1500m at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, and he was pleased to get the result on Tuesday. “The plan today was to ride her out the back and ride her cold,” he said. “She has relaxed beautifully for me, which I was worried about. We had to take the brave route, which she enjoyed, and luckily it has paid off today.” Trainer Chris Gibbs has always believed in the Pure Delight’s ability, and he was pleased she was able to realise her potential with victory in her home cup. “I was worried because he (Rooke) had nowhere to go. She just needs to be held up anyway, I don’t know if that’s the way you want to be held up, but he rode her beautifully,” Gibbs said. “We know how good she is. I know that sounds crazy because she has been a maidener for so long, but I am hoping now that she has knocked that (maiden win) off, we might look at one of those innovation races if we freshen her and see if we can get in. “Sometimes when they get a win, they get that confidence. I am just hoping she will turn the corner now.” Pure Delight was bred by Wentwood Grange principals Dean, Leigh and Sean Hawkins, in association with Llanhennock Trust, who have kept a share in the mare. The Darci Brahma five-year-old is out of Group Three winner Leigh Valley, and is a half-sister to Group One winner Valley Girl. She had placed in 11 of her previous 23 starts and has now earned more than $70,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Further top-flight success on the home front and an overseas double has boosted spirits at Jamieson Park ahead of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale. Farm graduate Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj) doubled her tally at elite level with her dazzling victory in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham last Saturday, her first appearance since she won the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m). The Jamieson Park-bred and sold Holymanz (NZ) (Almanzor) then starred in Australia with his successful defence of his Coastal Classic (1700m) title at Geelong while Raging Blizzard (NZ) (Per Incanto) continued his winning roll in Hong Kong to complete a memorable weekend. Trained by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, Grail Seeker was sold to Kakapo Lodge at Karaka for $130,000 and is out of the late Redoute’s Choice mare Starwish. “Grail Seeker was a lovely Iffraaj filly and the mare had done well for us and also left stakes winner Deep Image,” Jamieson Park principal James Chapman said. “Unfortunately, Starwish succumbed to laminitis in the end.” Jamieson are still breeding from Perfect Offering, a daughter of Dubawi whose three foals to race have all been successful with the star of the brood the Almanzor five-year-old Holymanz. He was sold to Cambridge Stud and Haras d’Etreham at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for A$400,000 and has won five races and is a multiple Group placegetter. “We sadly lost a beautiful Wootton Bassett colt out of the mare, I got the mating right and everything else went wrong, and she’s been served by Profondo,” Chapman said. “It’s a hard game and you need a weekend like the last one because there’s plenty of heartbreak.” Chapman is extremely upbeat about the quality of the Waikato farm’s draft headed to Karaka later this month. It will also be the first Jamieson consignment for Dylan Ralph, son of Group One-winning trainer Stephen, who was appointed Stud Manager last year. Ralph expected a pair of youngsters by Wootton Bassett to command widespread attention during the Book 1 session, as well as two colts by St Mark’s Basilica. The first of the Wootton Bassetts through the ring will be Lot 326, who is out of the Camelot mare Star Karen. She was a winner and finished third in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). “The Star Karen colt is a phenomenal horse by a sire that is absolutely flying at the moment,” Ralph said. “The other Wootton Bassett filly is another stand-out type from a really good family, she’s a really athletic individual.” She will be offered as Lot 600 and is out of Shamardal’s multiple Group One-winning daughter Faint Perfume who has left Australian Group winners Good Idea and Chains Of Honour. St Mark’s Basilica will be represented by Lot 269, a son of New Zealand Oaks winner Savaria while Lot 595 is out of the Shamexpress mare Express Fantasy whose half-brother Raghu won the Karaka Mile (1600m) and placed in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). “My favourite is the one out of Savaria and he looks like a Classic horse through and through, I can see him in a Derby in a couple of years’ time,” Ralph said. Meanwhile, a colt in Jamieson’s Book 2 draft received a timely pedigree update from afar. “Raging Blizzard won at Sha Tin on Sunday and that was his sixth win up there and I daresay he’ll be in some Group races soon,” Ralph said. “We’ve got his half-brother (Lot 768) by Turn Me Loose in Book 2 so he should be another popular one.” View the full article

This week, Michael is joined in studio by Luke Kemeys from Boys Get Paid. Luke chats the history and future of BGP, what it’s like to win big but also lost big with other people’s money, and as a chartered accountant, what advice he has for sole traders in the racing industry. Guerin Report – Ep. 19, Ft. Luke Kemeys – YouTube View the full article

Following a lucrative spring campaign in Sydney, multiple Group One winner Belclare (NZ) (Per Incanto) has returned to New Zealand in a bid to secure her third successive Gr.1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) crown at Ellerslie on Champions Day in March. The daughter of Per Incanto was offered at Magic Millions’ Gold Coast National Broodmare sale last year following her second victory in the NZ Breeders’ Stakes, but failed to reach her $700,000 reserve. Owner-breeder David Woodhouse then elected to entrust his mare to the care of expat Kiwi trainer Bjorn Baker in Sydney for a spring campaign, which proved to be a masterstroke. Belclare was unplaced in her first two starts for Baker, the Gr.2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) and A$1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes (1400m), before earning her biggest pay cheque when taking out the A$2 million Gr.2 The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick in October and repeated the result in the Gr.2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill a fortnight later. She then travelled to Perth where she finished last in the Gr.1 Railway Stakes (1600m), but Woodhouse said nothing went right that day. “In Perth, I think she got upset in the gates and then she never settled in the race at all,” he said. “She pulled her way to the front and blew out. That was a non-event really.” Following a spell, Woodhouse made the decision to bring his mare back to New Zealand and return her to the care of trainer Lisa Latta, with the aim of trying to defend her crowns in the $600,000 Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) at Ellerslie on January 28 and $600,000 NZ Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) on March 8, with the $500,000 Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) at the Auckland venue on February 22 also being identified as a key target. “There was a heavy track at Rosehill a few weeks back and I just decided that with those three races at Ellerslie, guaranteeing a track that she would handle, I thought it was quite logical to bring her back,” Woodhouse said. “I would love to win the Breeders’ Stakes for the third time. “Lisa said she is coming up nicely and she is going to have a trial at Foxton 10 days before the Westbury. We are very aware that we are going to get a lot of weight in the Westbury, so we will just see what comes. “She is a good 1400m horse and we are hoping that she comes up again. She is getting older and she is going to have to carry some weight.” Woodhouse is also excited about the prospects of his promising three-year-old filly Connello (NZ) (Time Test), who is set to return to Trentham next week to tackle the Gr.3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m). The daughter of Time Test was runner-up at the Upper Hutt venue last month in the Gr.2 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) for Latta, and Woodhouse is hoping she can go one better next week. “She is doing everything right. Track conditions we don’t seem to worry about, she handles firm or a wet track,” he said. “The Desert Gold is her aim. She has had a couple of good runs down there. She is a gutsy little filly.” View the full article

2023 Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner, Skirt The Law. Photo: Darren Winningham The Gold Coast Turf Club has received an important update in relation to the investigation surrounding the damaged course proper. Spray nozzles, mixing equipment and footprints were found in the area where the damage occurred. Police are continuing their investigation in relation to the incident. “We’re awaiting an independent report from leading agronomist company Easton Turf, who has been up to take samples of the damaged turf, but it’s looking more and more a case of vandalism,” said GCTC Chairman Brett Cook. “We know the spray nozzles aren’t ours because they’re plastic and we use brass. “Easton Turf has seen a number of similar cases in the past and has spoken with the investigating police. “If it does turn out to be a deliberate act, which is looking increasingly likely, we’re very disappointed with a narrative that has come out suggesting it was some sort of mistake on our part.” Remediation works to repair the affected section of the Gold Coast Turf Club course proper are continuing. The club has engaged a number of specialists to assist with the operation including respected track manager Liam O’Keefe, who has had experience with similar repair works at Flemington, as well as turf experts. Special machinery was also mobilised to arrive on the Gold Coast on Sunday to assist. Once repair works have been completed, senior jockeys will gallop horses over the course proper on Thursday to further assess the condition of the track. Based on the advice of experts, the club is hopeful of a positive outcome with the remediation works in the lead-up to Saturday’s The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday. Contingency plans are also being discussed should the meeting not be able to proceed as planned on the Gold Coast. Horse racing news View the full article

Australian jockey expresses confidence in Chilean import’s chances in Group Three feature at city circuit.View the full article

What January Cup Night Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, January 8, 2025 First Race 6:40pm HKT (9:40pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to the bright lights of Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday evening, with the Group 3 January Cup (1800m) headlining a bumper nine-race program. The rail is in the A course the entire circuit, and with pristine conditions forecast leading into race-day, punters can expect a genuine Good 4 surface. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 6:40pm HKT. January Cup Tip: Happy Together Happy Together returns to defend his crown in the 2025 January Cup after proving victorious in this event 12 months ago. He has only improved since that win, testing himself against the best Hong Kong has to offer, including an outstanding performance in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on December 8. He’s never missed the frame in his three starts at Happy Valley, and although he must lug 61kg to victory, Happy Together oozes class amongst this lot and should take a power of beating in the January Cup. January Cup Race 7 – #1 Happy Together (10) 6yo Gelding | T: Frankie Lor | J: Alexis Badel (61kg) Bet with Neds Best Bet at Happy Valley: Spirit Of Peace Spirit Of Peace showed plenty of tenacity debuting at Sha Tin on December 22 despite travelling wide throughout the journey. The son of Harry Angel was caught three deep with cover and never shirked the task in the concluding stages, hanging in to get within a length of Super Legends. That horse has won again since franking the form-lines, and with Zac Purton being legged aboard Spirt Of Peace as he heads to Happy Valley for the first time, expect this guy to figure in the finish once again. Best Bet Race 5 – #8 Spirit Of Peace (6) 4yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Zac Purton (58kg) Bet with BlondeBet Next Best at Happy Valley: Sunstrider The David Hall-trained Sunstrider has been consistent without winning in his eight Hong Kong starts and finally gets the ideal setup for success. The son of Highland Reel hit the line well behind race rival Californiatotality at Sha Tin on December 8, and although he was well held by 2.3 lengths, Sunstrider will be aided by a 4kg swing in the weights this time around. Karis Teetan will look to stalk his rivals from the one-one disengaging from gate five, and provided he can sit handy turning for home, this guy can turn the tables at a good price with Picklebet. Next Best Race 9 – #9 Sunstrider (5) 5yo Gelding | T: David Hall | J: Karis Teetan (53.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Happy Valley: Mighty Commander Mighty Commander ran into a smart one in the form of Packing Angel at Sha Tin on December 8 and simply didn’t accelerate like he did two starts back at Happy Valley. He was excellent behind Beauty Destiny over 1200m prior to his Sha Tin failure, hitting the line well to suggest a step-up to the 1650m would be ideal for the son of Artie Schiller. Expect a cold steer by Hugh Bowman from gate seven, but provided they go quick enough, watch for Mighty Commander to be putting in the big strides late at an each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 3 – #2 Mighty Commander (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Caspar Fownes | J: Hugh Bowman (59kg) Bet with Dabble Wednesday quaddie tips for Happy Valley Happy Valley quadrella selections January 8, 2025 1-3-7-10-11 1-9-10 1-2-3-4-7-8 4-6-9-10 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Warwick Farm Races Where Warwick Farm Racecourse – 2 Hume Hwy, Warwick Farm NSW 2170 When Wednesday, January 8, 2025 First Race 2:20pm AEDT Visit Dabble Metro racing returns to Warwick Farm on Wednesday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-race program lined up for punters. The rail moves out +5m from the 1000m marker to winning post, while the remainder stays out +3m. The track is rated a Good 4 at the time of acceptances, however, with consistent rainfall predicted to hit the course proper, expect a downgrade into the Heavy range prior to the opening event at 2:20pm local time. Best Bet at Warwick Farm: Blue Vein Blue Vein caught the eye returning at Randwick on Boxing Day, hitting the line well despite a lengthy absence. The son of Blue Point couldn’t match motors with his key rivals in the early stages, forced to sit last turning for home before producing some of the strongest closing sectionals of the race. Barrier one should allow Billy Loughnane to take closer order, and provided he’s come on from that first-up performance, Blue Vein should prove hard to hold out in the opening event. Best Bet Race 1 – #1 Blue Vein (1) 3yo Colt | T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | J: Billy Loughnane (59kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Warwick Farm: Storm The Ramparts It was hard to miss the first-up performance of Storm The Ramparts at Randwick on December 26, with the Headwater gelding forced to sit four-and-five wide throughout the journey. The four-year-old still had the audacity to be right there when the whips were cracking, getting to within 1.2 lengths of Audette despite the torrid run in transit. Adam Hyeronimus should have no issues holding a spot towards the speed from stall one, and with even luck getting off the inside running rail, expect Storm The Ramparts to be flashing home at a good price with BlondeBet. Next Best Race 6 – #3 Storm The Ramparts (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Joseph Pride | J: Adam Hyeronimus (59.5kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Warwick Farm: Ravello The John O’Shea & Tom Charlton-trained Ravello brings an element of class dropping back into BM72 company. The Savabeel gelding comes through a strong performance in the Little Dance (1600m) two starts back before running into trouble at Randwick in a quality BM78 contest on December 14. Two of his three career wins have come at Warwick Farm, and although the four-year-old will need to lug top-weight to victory on Wednesday, Ravello has the ability to get the job done. Best Value Race 5 – #1 Ravello (5) 4yo Gelding | T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | J: Anna Roper (a3kg) (61.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Wednesday quaddie tips for Warwick Farm Warwick Farm quadrella selections January 8, 2025 2-4-5 1-2 1-3-8-10 1-2-4-5-6 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article