Wandering Eyes

Sandy Hawley was one of the most successful jockeys of his generation, earning his way into the Canadian and U.S. horse racing hall of fames, and winning championship titles in both countries. But Hawley, the first jockey to ever win 500 races in a single year, grew up knowing nothing about the sport. “I didn't know anything about horses,” he tells Ferrin Peterson on this week's Boundless Podcast. “But when I was 16 years old, my uncle said, `you're the right size. You should be a jockey.'” Within a few years, he was off to the races, riding his first winner at Woodbine and going on to lead the national standings in Canada, the first time an apprentice had ever done so. He would go on to ride for 31 years, winning 6,449 and 18 riding titles at Woodbine before he would retire, battling and beating a life-threatening skin cancer during his career. Hawley recounts the highs and lows of his historic career on the show. To watch the podcast, click here. Or click here to listen to it on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify. The post Sandy Hawley the Guest on Boundless Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Exposed on the wing the whole way through Sunday's G2 Lanwades Stud Stakes, Porta Fortuna had good reason to cave in on her seasonal return but that is just not her style. Defying any rustiness and a penalty in The Curragh's mile contest, last year's G1 Coronation Stakes, G1 Falmouth Stakes and G1 Matron Stakes heroine was delivered passing two out by Ryan Moore to take control and justify 5-4 favouritism by half a length from Gleneagles' One Look. Porta Fortuna is BACK! Group Two honours in the @Lanwades Stud Stakes for the talented filly, partnered by Ryan Moore for Donnacha O'Brien @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/YFIpnI2CGC — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 25, 2025 The post Winning Curragh Return For Caravaggio’s Porta Fortuna appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aidan O'Brien has targetted the Curragh's G3 GAIN Marble Hill Stakes as a tried-and-trusted stepping stone to next month's G2 Coventry Stakes and put forward his strongest contender, TDN Rising Star Albert Einstein (Wootton Bassett), who overcame traffic problems with a set of impressive gears in the six-furlong contest. The January-foaled Coolmore homebred went postward as the prohibitively priced 4-11 favourite and raced a shade keenly in a handy fifth through the early stages. Tanking forward into third passing halfway, he was forced to switch around the unyielding leading duo approaching the final furlong and went through an impressive set of gears in the closing stages to win going away, by 3/4-of-a-length and the same, from Power Blue (Space Blues) and the hitherto undefeated Andab (Saxon Warrior). Still unbeaten Home-bred Albert Einstein (Wootton Bassett) gains Group Three success in the @GAINEquine Marble Hill Stakes for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore @coolmorestud | @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/Yh8Ve9SLFR — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 25, 2025 Pedigree Notes Albert Einstein, who becomes the 42nd pattern-race winner for his sire, is the first foal produced by G2 Balanchine Stakes second Yet (War Front), herself a half-sister to G3 Ballylinch Stud 2000 Guineas Trial third Carracci (Quality Road) out of the dual Group 3-placed Butterflies (Galileo). Butterflies is one of eight stakes performers produced by dual Grade II and multiple Grade III-winning matriarch Mariah's Storm (Rahy), headed by multiple Group 1-winning sire Giant's Causeway (Storm Cat). Descendants of Mariah's Storm also include elite-level winners Gleneagles (Galileo), Happily (Galileo), Marvellous (Galileo), Joan Of Arc (Galileo), Decorated Knight (Galileo) and Above The Curve (American Pharoah). Yet was bred to Justify last year. The post Wootton Bassett’s Rising Star Albert Einstein Overcomes Traffic Problems in the Marble Hill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cliff Brown’s pair of emerging kiwi stayers Scintillante (NZ) (Savabeel) and Rogan (NZ) (Super Seth) will get the chance to show off their staying prowess in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Both three-year-olds geldings haven’t started since May 3 when Rogan won over 2000 metres at Caufield against his own age and Scintillante finished fourth in the Gr.1 South Australian Derby behind Femminile. Although both are at big odds in the betting, Brown is buoyant about their prospects saying they are talented stayers. “Both are in good form, and I think they will be suited by the 2400 metres,” Brown said. Brown said Scintillante’s fourth in the South Australian Derby was an excellent run. “I thought his Derby run was excellent and he’ll be improved for having a run over that distance. Billy Egan was happy with him, and he stays on. It was a bit of a stop-start race, and he closed off late,” he said. Brown said Rogan had always give the indication to him that he wanted 2400 metres. “I think he’s always wanted it. He’s quite a dour horse, and I thought his effort to finish off like that over 2000 metres was excellent,” he said, Rogan will be ridden by Chad Schofield in the Queensland Derby. Brown is chasing his first win in the race. His best result was in 2000 when Citra’s Prince finished second to Freemason. View the full article

Legendary handler joins John Moore in reaching major milestone thanks to success of Stellar Express.View the full article

Superstar galloper pockets HK$10 million bonus, joining River Verdon in securing coveted treble.View the full article

Driver Penalties C Hackett | Waikato Bay of Plenty 22 May; use of whip; suspended 31 May – 6 June inclusive. P Ferguson | Waikato Bay of Plenty 22 May; use of whip; fined $250. J Stormont | Waikato Bay of Plenty 22 May; use of whip; fined $500. K Green | Winton 22 May; contacted track marker; fined $100. Trainer Penalties M & N Purdon | Auckland 23 May; incorrect gear; fined $100. G Rogerson | Auckland 23 May; incorrect gear; fined $100. S & A Telfer | Auckland 23 May; failed to affix bandage so as not to come adrift; fined $100. Horse Penalties THE GREEK FREAK | Winton 22 May; broke in running; must complete trial. HAIL STONE | Winton 22 May; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. SUZANNE | Winton 22 May; late scratching on veterinary advice; veterinary clearance required. ERROL D | Winton 22 May; late scratching on veterinary advice; veterinary clearance required. CHESINOV | Auckland 23 May; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. CALMBEFORETHESTORM | Timaru 25 May; broke in running; must complete trial. SILVESTER | Timaru 25 May; broke in running; must complete trial. Protest HARRIET’S MOMENT | Winton 22 May; unsatisfactory manners prior to start; declared a non-runner. The post 19-25 May 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Rider Penalties C Grylls | Waikato 21 May; medical clearance required. B Jacobson | Otago 23 May; careless riding; suspended 24-29 May inclusive. N Downs | Auckland 25 May; use of whip; fined $250. Y Okubo | Auckland 25 May; use of whip; fined $300. J Riddell | Feilding 25 May; careless riding; suspended 1-5 June inclusive. Trainer Penalties T Kennedy | Otago 23 May; incorrect gear; fined $50. G Richardson & R Norvall | Waikato 24 May; late rider declaration; fined $50. K Pertab | Waikato 24 May; late rider declaration; fined $50. Horse Penalties BERBIZIER | Waikato 21 May; reared and lost rider; must complete trial. DEAR OH DEAR | Canterbury 15 May (reported 21 May); epistaxis for second time; ineligible to race in New Zealand. RED MOON RISING | Otago 23 May; slow to jump; veterinary clearance required. The post 19-25 May 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Dog Penalties GO CONCORD | Waikato Bay of Plenty 22 May; failed to pursue the lure; stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. THAT’S THAT | Christchurch 23 May; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. The post 19-25 May 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

It was an unfortunate accident that saw talented mare Niance (NZ) (Swiss Ace) miss the Autumn, but Grahame Begg believes the lightly raced five-year-old can make up for lost time over the Winter. A winner of six races from ten starts, Niance is set to resume in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday, a track and distance where Niance is already a Group Three winner. That fact made it an easy decision for Begg to target the Bel Esprit, which he hopes can be used as a springboard to further Group targets over the coming months. “She had an injury in the paddock but she’s back on song,” Begg said. “She’s had a jump out and a barrier trial, she won her latest trial at Caulfield Heath on May 15, she jumped out very well and then trialled very well. “We had our aspirations of possibly taking her up to Sydney to run in the Bob Charlie, but we decided that it was better to stay here, particularly because her Caulfield record’s very good. “We don’t have to travel and her fresh record’s good.” Now well into her five-year-old season, Begg says Niance will never develop into a typically ‘strong’ looking sprinter, but believes her athleticism and adaptability are her best attributes. “She’s not a big imposing horse, she’s just a good athlete. If you saw her in a sale you wouldn’t buy her, you wouldn’t give it two looks at her, but she’s just got a motor.” “She’s taken some good scalps, a lot of the stakes form around the sprinting mares is around her, she beat She’s Bulletproof who ran second in the Oakleigh Plate.” Begg has no concerns over Niance’s fitness levels heading into Saturday’s race, with plenty of options to consider in the coming months. “Absolutely she’s forward enough to win, she goes very well fresh,” Begg said. “It gives us the opportunity, running on the 31st of May. She can have a back-off, and then possibly gear up for something like the Bletchingly or something like that, tail end of July, and then we’ll just tinker around with her.” View the full article

A wet track may have thwarted the finishing power of King Of Thunder (NZ) (Tivaci) last start but connections are hoping a drier surface will enable the horse to show his true colours in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby on Saturday. King Of Thunder finished third to Imperialist in heavy conditions at his final lead-up run in the Gr.3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) and while content with the performance, co-trainer Tom Charlton said the three-year-old wasn’t at his best in the rain-affected going. “It looked like he was coming to make his challenge and just worked away to the line,” Charlton said. “He shows a few more gears than that normally. The comment from the rider was he just got slightly dulled in the conditions. “We were delighted with him the other day. He didn’t love that ground and he’s probably looking for a bit more of a test, which he will get next Saturday.” Fine weather is forecast in Brisbane this week and King Of Thunder will arrive at Eagle Farm well-seasoned with Saturday’s classic the third Derby he will have contested. He finished seventh in the Victorian Derby (2500m) last spring and fifth in the ATC Australian Derby (2400m) during the autumn carnival, connections hoping Saturday will be a case of third time lucky. “He has been running really well in all these Derby races and has a likable profile going into it,” Charlton said. King Of Thunder remains a $6 Derby favourite while stablemate Hurstville Zagreb has drifted from $11 to $15 after finishing a soundly beaten third to Let’s Fly at Randwick on Saturday. King Of Thunder is a graduate of the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, purchased by John O’Shea Racing for $50,000 from the draft of Ohukia Lodge. View the full article

Marksman Queen asserted herself early and led every step of the way to win the $219,665 Keertana Stakes May 24 at Churchill Downs. The victory gave the 5-year-old mare's sire Dubawi his 300th stakes winner.View the full article

Godolphin's homebred Sovereignty posted his second work over Saratoga Race Course's Oklahoma training track since capturing the Kentucky Derby (G1), covering five furlongs in 1:02.54 in company with 2024 Whitney Stakes (G1) winner Arthur's Ride.View the full article

The GIII Cecil B. DeMille Stakes winner at Del Mar in December, CLOCK TOWER (g, 3, Not This Time–Hot Stones, by Bustin Stones) is now a stakes winner on both coasts as he came home a convincing winner of the listed Paradise Creek Stakes at Aqueduct Saturday. Kept on this coast after an eighth in the GIII Transylvania Stakes at Keeneland, the 7-2 shot wanted the lead here and held it just ahead of longshot Jet Sweep Joe (Frosted) into the turn. On the rail into the stretch, he kicked clear of that rival and stayed safely in front to hit the wire alone in front of a Flat to Da Mat (Omaha Beach). Lifetime Record: GSW, 8-3-1-2. O-Mrs. Fitriani Hay; B-Clarkland Farm, LLC; T-Wesley Ward. Sales History: $100,000 ylg '23 KEESEP. CLOCK TOWER chimes in with a win in the Paradise Creek Stakes! Jockey @JuniorandKellyA was up for trainer Wesley Ward. pic.twitter.com/Uq587QgtQY — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) May 24, 2025 The post Well-Traveled Clock Tower A Convincing Paradise Creek Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Mike Love Trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer will be looking to continue their incredible from today at Timaru with three strong chances. This month the Telfers have won 19 of their 56 winners this year , with seven of them coming across Addington and Auckland on Friday night, while bringing up their 400th training success in the process. Success may come in Race 1 today, the Brosnan Transport Passing Lane Mobile Pace over 2050m, when Cheer The Captain ($1.45FF) goes around as the shortest priced favourite on the card. After opening his career in the north, Cheer The Captain comes into today with a trial placing behind up and coming star The Lazarus Effect. “He came down about six weeks ago. He’s quite a nice horse, and it’s a good starting point for him. He has some breeding behind him,” said co-trainer Amanda Telfer. “His trial was good and he’s pretty ready to go. Nice handy draw, so Tim (Williams) will have a few options.” Mythical ($8.00FF) will be looking to improve in Race 5, the Happy Birthday 60th Jimmy Langston Pace over 2050m. A slight change in training approach gives Telfer some hope that the filly can recapture form. “She was a little disappointing in her last start. We’ve done a little bit of work on her this week, and we were quite happy with how she worked, so we are hoping for a better performance this week.” The feature on the programme today, the Temuka Transport LTD Timaru Winter Cup (Handicap Pace) over 2600m with a $20,000 stake features Bar Louie ($2.50FF). The Sweet Lou three-year-old gelding has won three from just eight starts in the north, joined the South Island base and will kick off a new campaign with one trial under his belt since last racing back in December. “He was ready to go a couple of weeks ago but his only race option was the Sires Stakes final, so we didn’t want to do that to him fresh up. “So we picked out this race for him. It’s a nice starting point. He was doing a few things wrong up north – going right handed. He trialled from a stand here and went good, so we are very happy with him. “They had a big wrap on him up north. He’s done this whole prep down here, so he’s well settled and will be a good horse to follow going forward.” Other chances in the event include the Amber Hoffman trained Deny Everything ($3.50FF) who drops into a more suitably conditioned race today, while John Morrison has two in the event, with Amass in the market at $4.40FF, with his other runner Destiny’s Dream a bit longer at $15.00FF. Race one gets underway at 11:10am. View the full article

The talented 2-year-old Outfielder hit it out of the park in his first at bat.View the full article

The 1,116-page bill the House passed early Thursday morning could have a profound effect on the horse racing industry. Currently, horse owners can only write off 40 percent of the cost of a race horse once it enters service. Under the Trump bill, the write-off, known as bonus deprecation, will be 100% for five years. With the bill now headed to the Senate, there is some speculation that the 100 percent deduction will be made permanent. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 increased bonus deprecation to 100% until 2023, when it then would be phased down to 80%. Each year it phases down an additional 20% until it becomes completely phased out in 2027. Currently, it is at 40%. The person now buying a yearling for $1 million can write off the entire $1 million if the bill becomes law, rather than just $400,000. “Basically, bonus depreciation gives you the right to write off the entire thing, the entire amount,” said horse owner and equine tax specialist Len Green. “No matter when you buy it during the year, even, no matter whether you pay for it or not, as long as you take title to it. So that was great. Everybody was going absolutely crazy, and then they say, wait a second, this is too good. So you can't get it through Congress that way. You got to say, every year it drops by 20%, so the first year you can write off a hundred percent. Second year you write off 80%. Third year you can write off 60%, then 40%, then 20%, and then you can't use it anymore. But okay, Mr. Donald comes along and says, you know what? Let's go back to where we were in the beginning and give you a hundred percent.” The bill must still pass the Senate, which could make some changes. One that is being floated around Capital Hill is to make the 100 % bonus depreciation permanent. Bloodstock advisor David Ingordo said that passage of the bill would be a huge shot in the arm for the sport. “It's good because it allows owners to take the bonus depreciation in the year they purchase a horse or when it is put into service,” Ingordo said. “That will a big reason for people to come in and buy yearlings because they can 100% write them off in the first year. That's going to incentivize people to invest in the yearling market that we're getting ready to launch. This is massive. I can speak for myself and my clientele, we've been maximizing this tax strategy over the years and for it to go back up to 100% is huge. I think that a lot of the clients I work with will increase their budgets because of this. A lot of people in my position will be thinking the same way, especially if you're looking to upgrade your stock this is a great way to take advantage of a tax law.” According to Thomas Meis, the NTRA's communications director, even better news may be ahead if the Senate pushes to make bonus deprecation permanent. In the bill passed by the House, the tax breaks are set to expire after five years. “Apparently Senate Republicans are looking for more permanence instead of the five-year window,” Meis said “Senator (John) Thune (Majority Leader of the United States Senate) said that permanence is the way to create economic certainty and they specifically mentioned bonus depreciation. There's a good chance that they may go from five years to permanent. We would be very happy with that because getting that on books permanently would be a big plus for racing and the owners. We are hearing that they want it to be permanent in the Senate bill, but we haven't seen that bill yet, so it's hard to say.” To qualify for bonus depreciation, the horse must be used for business purposes, such as racing, breeding, or training. It cannot be used for personal purposes, such as pleasure riding or as a pet. The post Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Could Mean Major Tax Break for Horse Owners appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Champion MGISW Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) and SW & MGISP Vodka With a Twist (Thousand Words) were on the work list Saturday at Santa Anita Park with a six-furlong move from each as other notable names made an appearance in the morning hours. The Bob Baffert-trained Citizen Bull posted the co-bullet move of three, clocking the six panels in 1:12.20 in his second work since finishing in the back half of the GI Kentucky Derby field. The filly, trained by Philip D'Amato, went from the blocks for her move, and came in at the 1:12.20 mark with the notes saying 'handily from the gate'. Vodka With a Twist had been slated for the Miss Preakness Stakes at Pimlico but was scratched from the contest. Baffert also sent out GISW Tenma (Nyquist) in her first appearance since finishing fourth in the GI Kentucky Oaks. The daughter of Nyquist drilled four furlongs in :48.60, the 35th fastest of 71 on the morning. MGSW Spirit of Makena (Ghostzapper) worked five furlongs in 1:04.20 for trainer George Papaprodromou. The 6-year-old has had a steady string of works since coming off an 18-month layoff Mar. 29 to run a respectable third in the GII San Carlos Stakes. Another to recently return from an extended break was MGSP Judge Miller (Curlin)–an 11 1/2-month break, to be exact, when he annexed a classy allowance optional claimer May 4–and he was spotted Saturday morning breezing a half-mile in :48.40 (23/71) for trainer Mark Glatt. The post California Works: Grade I Winners Highlight Tab, Tenma Has First Work Since Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Field of Gold may have inherited his sire Kingman's Newmarket misfortune, but a proclivity to sparkle at the Curragh was also bequeathed as he blasted clear by 3 3/4 lengths in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1) May 24 for John and Thady Gosden. View the full article

While Gabriel "Spider" Duignan has bred or purchased countless grade 1 winners in his career, and even raced successful graded stakes winners in partnership, Echo Sound's Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) win celebrated a new and special milestone. View the full article

Sunday, Curragh, post time: 15:40, TATTERSALLS IRISH 1,000 GUINEAS-G1, €290,000, 3yo, f, 8fT Field: Atsila (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), California Dreamer (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}), Cercene (Ire) (Australia {GB}), City Of Memphis (Ire) (Sioux Nation), Duty First (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), Flight (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), Jaliyah (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), January (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Swelter (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Tamam Desert (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}). TDN Verdict: If it rains a lot, last year's champion Lake Victoria could be vulnerable with stamina for a stiff mile on easy ground not assured. That could open things up for the 1,000 Guineas runner-up Flight, but she had a tough race there and has to bounce back in a relatively short space of time against fresh rivals. One of those is the meticulously-prepared Swelter, winner of Leopardstown's 1,000 Guineas Trial in March who has been given time to get over those exploits by Dermot Weld. That could be a smart move given that the dam Hot Snap beat Sky Lantern handsomely in the Nell Gwyn all those years ago before bombing out behind her in the 1,000 Guineas. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Curragh, post time: 15:05, TATTERSALLS GOLD CUP-G1, €300,000, 4yo/up, 10 1/2fT Field: Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), Crypto Force (GB) (Time Test {GB}), Deepone (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), Ghostwriter (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Royal Rhyme (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), White Birch (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}). TDN Verdict: There are at least two strands to this renewal, with one being the G2 Mooresbridge Stakes rematch between Los Angeles and White Birch and the other being how Juddmonte's G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes winner Kalpana and Shadwell's G1 Champion Stakes hero Anmaat impact the race. If the expected rain comes, the latter becomes very interesting but at the same time that makes it more of a stamina test which will suit the humourless galloper Los Angeles. There is no obvious classy Prince of Wales's type in this at first sight and this is a division that is crying out for something to make a mark. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 15:45, PRIX D'ISPAHAN-G1, €250,000, 4yo/up, 9 1/4fT Field: Horizone Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}), Sardinian Warrior (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Alcantor (Fr) (New Bay {GB}), Carabelito (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Elmalka (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Dare To Dream (Fr) (Camelot {GB}). TDN Verdict: Sosie looks to book his ticket to the Eclipse, having taken the G1 Prix Ganay on his seasonal bow, and add a third top-level success to his resume. The Gosdens have spotted an opportunity with the Listed Paradise Stakes winner Sardinian Warrior and he could well be up to this kind of test while last year's 1,000 Guineas heroine Elmalka really needs to start delivering having underwhelmed each time she has appeared since that Newmarket Classic. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 16:28, PRIX VICOMTESSE VIGIER-G1, €400,000, 4yo/up, 15 1/2fT Field: Candelari (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Passion And Glory (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), Sevenna's Knight (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Presage Nocturne (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}), Double Major (Ire) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), Internaute (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Rouge Sellier (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). TDN Verdict: With its proximity to the Gold Cup, the upgrading of this old favourite is one of the season's mysteries but there are some stalwarts here including the dual G1 Prix Royal Oak winner Double Major. Sevenna's Knight won this in its former guise as a Group 2 last year and may not have had to improve to do so again, but Godolphin's Dubai Future is unexposed as a stayer after his G2 Dubai Gold Cup success. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Dusseldorf, Germany, post time: 16:38, HORN & COMPANY – 105TH GERMAN 1000 GUINEAS-G2, €125,000, 3yo, f, 8fT Field: Anshoda (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}), D'Ores Et Deja (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Ellaria Sand (GB) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), Flaming Stone (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Lady Ilze (GB) (Territories {Ire}), Pershing (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), Place Fontenoy (Fr) (War Command), Quebec (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), Santagada (GB) (Soldier Hollow {GB}). TDN Verdict: After mixing it with the likes of Mandanaba, Gezora and Audubon Park in her native France, Flaming Stone could find this a picnic but last week's German 2,000 Guineas told us that it is never wise to underestimate the domestic runners. They include Santagada, winner of Cologne's G3 Schwarzgold-Rennen, while another French raider D'Ores Et Deja has proven course-and-distance form having won the Listed Henkel-Stutenpreis. They are drawn one, two and three respectively in a Classic where that matters, with the standard-setting G3 Prestige Stakes winner Anshoda compromised in eight. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Curragh, post time: 14:30, LANWADES STUD STAKES-G2, €72,000, 4yo/up, f/m, 8fT Field: Porta Fortuna (GB) (Caravaggio), Azada (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), Birthe (Ire) (Study Of Man {Ire}), Jancis (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}), Naomi Lapaglia (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}), One Look (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Rubies From Burma (American Pharoah), Vera's Secret (Ire) (Epaulette {Aus}) TDN Verdict: Last year's G1 Coronation Stakes, G1 Falmouth Stakes and G1 Matron Stakes heroine Porta Fortuna is back under a penalty, but it's only three pounds and she has more in hand than that over these peers. Jancis looked smart last term when winning the G3 Brownstown Stakes, while the impressive G3 Al Shira'aa Racing Stakes winner Vera's Secret bids to continue her upward trajectory. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Curragh, post time: 13:55, GAIN MARBLE HILL STAKES-G3, €36,000, 2yo, 6fT Field: Albert Einstein (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Andab (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), First Approach (Ire) (No Nay Never), Power Blue (Ire) (Space Blues {Ire}), Miami Destination (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}, She's Too Kool (Ire) (Far Above {Ire}), Stonezilian (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). TDN Verdict: It's all about Wootton Bassett again this year when it comes to Ballydoyle and one of the sire's quartet of juvenile TDN Rising Stars Albert Einstein puts his reputation on the line here. Is he the stable's best? If so, he should be able to deal with these rivals. If not, there is a lot to like about the course-and-distance winner Andab, who is a full-brother to Victoria Road and entitled to progress with time and experience. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 14:33, PRIX DU PALAIS-ROYAL-G3, €150,000, 3yo/up, 7fT Field: Sajir (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), King Gold (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}), Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Topgear (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Lake Forest (GB) (No Nay Never), Jasna's Secret (Fr) (Galilway {GB}), Exxtra (Fr) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). TDN Verdict: Sajir is back up in trip after his win in Newmarket's G3 Abernant Stakes, tackling the impressive G2 Challenge Stakes winner Topgear and the Golden Eagle hero Lake Forest. Add in the Group 1 nearly-horse Beauvatier and the vagaries of the draw over this tricky trip and you have a race of more intrigue than is customary for one of these. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Dusseldorf, Germany, post time: 15:05, MERKUR SPIELBANKEN DERBY TRIAL-Listed, €25,000, 3yo, 11fT Field: Al Hamza (Fr) (Al Kazeem {GB}), Delgardo (Ger) (Best Solution {Ire}), Dux (Ger) (Best Solution {Ire}), Name Lord (Ger) (Lord Of England {Ger}), Quinto (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), Rekabet (Ger) (Ito {Ger}), Serienadler (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Waldnebel (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}), Sunshine Baby (Fr) (Areion {Ger}). TDN Verdict: Delgardo, Dux, Quinto, Serienadler and Waldnebel are the ones with G1 Deutsches Derby entries, with the former wowing at Cologne last month. Quinto scored at this track last month from a subsequent winner and looks the main danger. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, post time: 16:10, STANDARD CHARTERED CHAMPIONS & CHATER CUP-G1, HK$13,000,000, 3yo/up, 2400mT Field: Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}), Cap Ferrat (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), Ensued (Lemon Drop Kid), Moments In Time (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky), Rubylot (Aus) (Rubick {Aus}), Five G Patch (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), La City Blanche (Arg) (Cityscape {GB}), Winning Dragon (Chi) (Ivan Denisovich {Ire}), Bundle Award (Aus) (Shamus Award {Aus}). Click here for the preview. Sunday, Tokyo, Japan, post time: 15:40, YUSHUN HIMBA (JAPANESE OAKS)-G1, ¥286,000,000, 3yo, f, 2400mT Field: Arma Veloce (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), Reve de l'Opera (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), Paradis Reine (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Ai Sansan (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Lynx Tip (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Vip Daisy (Jpn) (Satono Diamond {Jpn}), Lesedrama (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Saturday Sunrise (Jpn) (Declaration of War), Embroidery (Jpn) (Admire Mars {Jpn}), Taisei Princesse (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), Will Survive (Jpn) (Al Ain {Jpn}), Brown Ratchet (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Tagano Abby (Jpn) (Animal Kingdom), Savonlinna (Jpn) (Satono Diamond {Jpn}), Kamunyaki (Jpn) (Black Tide {Jpn}), Go So Far (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Kelly Fled Ask (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Erika Express (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}). Click here for the preview. Click here for the complete fields. View the full article

This past week wasn't easy on anyone at the Fasig-Tipton Timonium sale–consignors, buyers, horses, bloodstock agents, veterinarians, office staff and grounds keepers. And what about all the grooms and riders! Horsemen are a resilient group. But somehow in true Fasig-Tipton fashion, they managed to pull off a successful sale. It was a difficult decision for Boyd Browning and his team to make the call for “Gallop Only” the last day of the show. But it was the right call, and once again Fasig did what was right for the horses first, and worked to make a bad situation the best it could be. The training sales have become so biased to the fastest horses and fast horses are simply fast, that's a fact. But maybe it's a good time to open the conversation to possible options for upcoming sales. I heard everything from taking the sticks away to not having published works–they do fine in Europe without timed breezes and people simply have their own stopwatches and time the horses themselves. One person even suggested taking the poles down! A prominent consignor said horses won't bring as much if they don't breeze. I vetted Sandman, and he sold quite well when he just galloped, but most of the time that is correct. So I don't propose eliminating breezing, but let's keep an open mind on how to best present the horses without the often negative visuals. I digress. This isn't so much about changing the format. That's a conversation for another day. This is to say kudos to Fasig-Tipton for once again being proactive and thinking out of the box. Good team work! View the full article

Ballydoyle has sent out 10 winners of the Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1), but none had as stellar a juvenile campaign as Lake Victoria, who lines up against 11 rivals at the Curragh May 25.View the full article

Only Cirrus des Aigles in 2014 has completed the Prix Ganay-Prix d'Ispahan double this century, but Sosie will attempt to buck that trend May 25 having been supplemented to the 1 3/16-mile Prix d'Ispahan (G1) at Longchamp.View the full article

Kentucky Derby hero Sovereignty (Into Mischief) was out over Saratoga's Oklahoma training track Saturday morning as his preparations for the GI Belmont Stakes continued while a fleet of Grade I hopefuls also put in their works for respective contests. Putting in his second move since winning the nation's top prize for sophomores in early May, the Godolphin homebred went in company with fellow Grade I-winner Arthur's Ride (Tapit)–the pair clocking five panels in 1:02.54 (4/5) and 1:02.94 (5/5), respectively. Sovereignty started two lengths behind the grey and to his outside. NYRA clockers caught sectionals of 12 2/5, 25 1/5, and 37 4/5 before the Derby winner overtook his workmate through the turn and inched ahead at the end of the work. His gallop out was caught in 1:17 flat and 1:33.10. “I thought it was good,” trainer Bill Mott said back at his barn. “He was a little strong in the warm-up. When he [Poznansky] tipped him out, he kind of went right to the other horse. He had him in behind to begin, and he went well.” Since Sovereignty's return to the track, Mott says he's noted a change in his charge's overall demeanor since claiming the roses. He expects the colt to have another breeze before the Belmont. “He's almost a little more aggressive,” Mott said. “It [the Derby] hasn't set him back. He's just getting a little stronger than he was. He wasn't quite that strong [before the Derby].” Regarding Arthur's Ride, who has not started since finishing well back in last November's GI Breeders' Cup Classic, Mott noted it was only his fifth work since that race last year. “I thought he went well the first five-eighths–he probably got a little tired. He hasn't had that many works.” It wasn't just the elite colts on the Oklahoma track Saturday as the Mott barn also sent out MGSW & MGISP Scylla (Tapit) to work four furlongs in company with GSW Resilience (Into Mischief). The pair rolled through the breeze in :48.25, the joint second-fastest of 21 that morning. Scylla is under consideration for the GII Bed o' Roses Stakes June 6 during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Grade I Trio, Two from Brown barn and One for Weaver, Work over Oklahoma Trainer Chad Brown sent out three horses Saturday morning for half-mile works over the Oklahoma training track–MGISW Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie), MGISW Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d'Oro), and GSP Praetor (Into Mischief), who worked with the former while the latter went alone. The pair were clocked in :48.65 (4/21) and the solo went in :49.95 (9/21). Geaorge Weaver's GI Matriarch Stakes victress Sacred Wish (Not This Time) also went a half-mile in :51.25 in her first work since finishing seventh in the GII Churchill Distaff Turf Mile May 3. Hill Road (rail) works in company with Lordship (outside) | Susie Raisher Hill Road Leads Breezers on the Belmont Park Training Track Downstate from Saratoga, but seeing their fair share of elite horses in the morning, the Belmont Park training track was also busy Saturday with Chad Brown's GI Belmont Stakes hopeful Hill Road (Quality Road) leading the parade of workers. Out for his first breeze since winning the GIII Peter Pan Stakes in dramatic fashion May 10, the colt went in company with Lordship (Gun Runner)–who was sporting blinkers for the first time–as the pair clocked four furlongs in :48.75 (43/153). The effort was everything Brown wanted to see from his Belmont contender. “[Hill Road] worked super, I'm really pleased with him,” said Brown. “He had a nice gallop-out. He is coming along really well. He came out of his last race really well.” “I put this horse Lordship on the outside of him, they were a good match, they galloped out strong. They are two endurance type horses that are kind of stayers.” Brown continued, “I just wanted a steady work but with a strong gallop-out. These are staying horses that the best part of their works and races will be the late stages, I liked what I saw around the turn galloping out. He is very fit now, Hill Road. He is in a good part of his form cycle. I'm just looking to maintain where I'm at with that horse.” The conditioner also provided some future targets for Juddmonte's homebred Garamond (Uncle Mo), who most notably defeated the well-met Bob Baffert runner Cornucopian (Into Mischief) in an optional claimer Apr. 27. The colt is being pointed to the Listed NYRA Bets Pegasus Stakes June 14 at Monmouth with an eye on an eventual start in the GI NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes July 19. “He's heading over to the Pegasus at Monmouth,” said Brown. “For the time being, I'm hoping he turns into a Haskell horse, I don't want to upend that plan.” Macho Music Prepares for Woody Stephens at Churchill GSW Macho Music (Maclean's Music), winner of the GII Pat Day Mile on the Kentucky Derby undercard, worked Friday with an eye toward a next start in the GI Woody Stephens June 7 during the Belmont Stakes Festival. In his first breeze back since his 3 1/4-length score, he clocked five panels in 1:00.60 over the training track, the best of two on the morning. Trainer Rohan Crichton was happy with what he saw from Macho Music. “It was good. He worked really well,” said Crichton, who is looking to claim his first win at the elite level. “Julien Leparoux worked him and said he galloped out really well. We are happy, and he cooled out well, so we are moving forward.” Crichton continued, “It was really gratifying to see him run that way [in the Pat Day]. That was our biggest win for sure, no doubt.” “I think he is getting ready to put in another good run. He's come out of that race full of energy and focus, and he's doing really well. We are probably going to sit chilly in Louisville due to weather and ship to Saratoga after his next work.” View the full article