Wandering Eyes

Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Sierra Leone returned to the worktab Jan. 6 at Payson Park Training Center in Indiantown, Fla. with an easy three furlongs in :37 4/5 as he begins preparations for the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1).View the full article

Three years ago, John Sikura was blown away by how breeders responded to Hill 'n' Dale's new sire Charlatan, a multiple Grade I-winning son of Speightstown who bred 222 mares in his debut season. Sikura didn't expected to see demand quite like that again anytime soon, but he admits that he has been proven wrong since another Grade I-winning 'TDN Rising Star' recently arrived at Hill 'n' Dale. Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo-Borealis Night, by Astrology), winner of the 2023 GI Pacific Classic Stakes, will stand for $30,000 in his debut season and according to Sikura, has been swamped with requests since the day he arrived. “I thought Charlatan would set the standard for Hill 'n' Dale as far as initial popularity, an extremely popular horse, but the interest in Arabian Knight has even exceeded that in his first year, which I didn't foresee coming,” Sikura admitted. “He's been sold out well before the breeding season starts and we'll try to hand select maybe a few more mares that we'll have to have, but he's probably the most popular horse that we've ever had come to stud.” What has sent breeders running to see this Hill 'n' Dale newcomer? Sikura said that Arabian Knight has always had the right look, dating back to when he sold for $2.3 million as a 2-year-old to Zedan Racing. The following year, after the colt had put in a dazzling 7 1/4-length debut win at Keeneland and another victory in the GIII Southwest Stakes, Sikura dropped in to Bob Baffert's barn to get a good look at the promising son of Uncle Mo. “Bob said, 'I'm going to show you the perfect horse,'” Sikura recalled. “He pulled the horse out and sort of went head to toe explaining, 'Look at his angles. Look at his shoulder. Look at his bone. Look at his presence.' He said, 'If you can get a template of this horse in your mind, that's the best kind of horse you can ever buy.'” After a six-month layoff and a third-place performance in the GI Haskell Stakes, Arabian Knight earned his signature Grade I victory at Del Mar, where he became the first 3-year-old since Shared Belief (Candy Ride {Arg}) in 2014 to beat elders in the Pacific Classic. “Winning the Pacific Classic, beating older horses, is a hard thing to achieve,” noted Sikura. “I really think the horse probably was not a true mile and a quarter horse. As a miler, I think he had the ability to beat any horse. So to continue on and show that bravery and repel all comers going a mile and a quarter, I think that was a real testament to not only his ability, but his will and his grit and his determination to get to the line first.” While injuries plagued his next two starts, the brilliance Arabian Knight showed in his three career victories combined with the opportunity to access sought-after bloodlines has assembled an appealing package for breeders. Arabian Knight will stand for $30,000 in his debut season | Sara Gordon Arabian Knight will begin his stud career on the heels of the sudden and tragic loss of his sire Uncle Mo, who was already defining himself as a sire of sires before his passing this past December. While his son Nyquist saw his stud fee jump from $85,000 to $175,000 in 2025 after producing four Grade I winners last year, Caracaro had three stakes horses from his first crop of 2-year-olds in 2024 and Yaupon and Modernist will both have their first crops enter the starting gate this year. Along with Arabian Knight, young sires Golden Pal, Mo Donegal and Kingsbarns round out the latest sons of Uncle Mo to begin their stud careers in Kentucky. “Tragically, we lost [Uncle Mo] too soon, but I believe his influence will be perpetuated through his sons,” said Sikura. “He was such a great breed-shaping stallion both in the sales ring and on the racetrack. It's an honor to stand a Grade I-winning son of Uncle Mo with all the attributes he has here. We hope Arabian Knight is one of the chosen few to carry on this great legacy of Uncle Mo.” “We're supporting the horse and our loyal shareholders that have been with us and other stallions are in as well,” he continued. “Stonestreet is participating, which is a great thing. To see so many breeders say, 'Wow, I just need to breed that horse,' that was a great source of reassurance because while you always have hope and expectation that your horse will be popular, there's always a reason someone can critique your horse. But in his case, it's been really overwhelming, almost unanimous support for him, which is great for the horse and great for the farm.” The post Sikura Says Arabian Knight the Most Popular New Sire in Hill ‘n’ Dale History appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Five of the nation's top riders have been nominated for the 76th George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award at Santa Anita Park, which recognizes accomplishments on and off the track.View the full article

The race will be held March 22, with a special first post at 12:45 p.m. ET. As a marquee stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the Jeff Ruby Steaks awards qualifying points to the top five finishers on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale. View the full article

The GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks purse has been raised to a record high $777,000, making it the richest race in the history of Turfway Park, Churchill Downs Incorporated announced Monday. Set to run Saturday, Mar. 22, the marquee day of the Turfway season will feature a 12:45 p.m. ET first post and tickets have now been released for sale. As part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the contest awards qualifying points to the top five finishers on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale, which makes it a vital path to a spot in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May for many runners on the outside looking in. Since 1980, 77 Kentucky Derby starters have taken the Jeff Ruby route, including most recently GISW Rich Strike (Keen Ice), who finished third in the 2022 running and later went on to wear the blanket of roses. The 2024 edition produced eventual GI Preakness Stakes hero MGISW Seize the Grey (Arrogate)–who also finished third–and showcased GSW West Saratoga (Exaggerator), the runner-up who was recently purchased privately to continue his career in Dubai with trainer Chief Stipe Watson. “Raising the Jeff Ruby Steaks purse to $777,000 reflects Turfway Park's ongoing commitment to elevating our stakes program and showcasing top talent on the Road to the Kentucky Derby,” said Matt Shehadi, general manager of Turfway Park Racing & Gaming. “This record-setting purse underscores the Jeff Ruby Steaks as the centerpiece of our season, continuing its legacy as a key test for Derby hopefuls.” Jeff Ruby Steaks Day will also contest the Listed Bourbonette Oaks, a championship series race on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, on a busy afternoon that includes four other Listed and graded races. The post Jeff Ruby Stakes Purse Increased to Record High for Turfway Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Five names have been released as the nominations for the 76th George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award with a winner to be named in February, Santa Anita Park announced via press release. Kendrick Carmouche, James Graham, Brian Hernandez Jr., Juan Hernandez, and Alfredo Juarez comprise a group which will be voted on by their peers nationwide. Named for a man who was not only one of the greatest 'big-money' riders of his era but also revered by his peers as a fierce competitor and consummate professional, the Woolf Award honors riders whose career and personal character earned esteem not just for the individual but the sport as well. It may only be won once. The 2024 recipient was Junior Alvarado and the 2025 winner will become the 76th jockey dating back to Gordon Glisson in 1950 to earn the honor. The post 2025 George Woolf Nominees Released, Winner Announced in February appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Progressive four-year-olds from the Francis Lui and Pierre Ng yards headline the Post’s ratings for the first leg of the Classic Series.View the full article

Trainer bids to continue his recent dominance in the city circuit’s sole Group race on Wednesday.View the full article

Mad Max winning at Otaki on Monday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Eye-catching galloper Mad Max delivered on the promise he showed early in his career with a rewarding maiden victory for Andrew Forsman at Otaki on Monday. The son of Savabeel was an impressive juvenile triallist and debuted in Australia before returning to his homeland in late 2023 where he finished out of the placings twice as a well-backed commodity. Forsman opted to give Mad Max a lengthy spell before returning to the races in November, where he boomed home on two occasions to narrowly go down to Mi Bella and Power Of Three. His inexperience was evident on Boxing Day at Ellerslie when over-racing last start, but from the jump in Monday’s McMillan Equine Feeds Maiden (1200m), he settled beautifully for in-form apprentice jockey Lily Sutherland. Front-runner Aveta put a space on the field turning for home, but Mad Max was winding up and found a good kick in the straight, keeping up a strong gallop to hold off Just A Drop by three-quarters of a length. Forsman was pleased with the result, indicating plenty of patience had been exercised since purchasing the gelding back at the 2022 Ready To Run Sales. “It was nice to see him kind of put it together today, he’s still quite raw and has a far bit to figure out yet, but I think keeping him to shorter distances with tempo on in the race should help him,” he said. “He’s certainly been a test of patience, but the owners have been great, and to be fair, he had strengthened and matured a lot this preparation. “I think the time we gave him has certainly helped, now he just needs a bit of confidence in his racing and he’s slowly getting there.” Bred by Waikato Stud, Mad Max is raced by an ownership group that includes the Zame Partnership, who will have their brightest talent Aegon lining up in Saturday’s Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham. Aegon has earned more than $2 million in stakes in a jet-setting career, with his Group 1 success coming in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) of 2020. After his form tailed off recently in Australia, Forsman opted to bring the gelding home, resulting in a narrow second placing to Meaningful Star in the Group 3 Great Northern Challenge Stakes (1600m) in November. “We’ve just kept him ticking over, he had a quiet trial the other day at Tauranga to keep him up to the mark, once he’s up and race-fit you don’t need to do too much with him,” Forsman said. “He seems to be coming along really well.” Aegon is among the favoured runners for Saturday’s contest, currently sitting a $6 third favourite behind Marotiri Molly ($4.50) and Sharp ‘N’ Smart ($5). His younger stablemate Kitty Flash will take on the three-year-old feature, the Group 2 Levin Classic (1400m), earlier on the Trentham card. The lightly-raced filly has made a good impression in her five-start career, winning two on the bounce before placing behind Alabama Lass in the Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m). Kitty Flash then journeyed south to Riccarton for the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) where a soft surface wasn’t to her liking, finishing seventh. The Tauranga trial, which also featured Aegon, was her first public appearance since the Guineas, and Forsman was more than satisfied with what she produced. “She went really well in her trial, she was a bit fresh going into it, which is why we opted to go there,” he said. “She may be a touch vulnerable fitness wise going into this, but we know on class and in a fresh state, she should run really well. “We’ll see what happens on Saturday, but my gut feeling says that she may be best kept to 1400m, perhaps a mile. She’s quite sharp and has natural speed, I don’t know whether she’s really going to get further than that, but she’ll also tell us that off the back of her next couple of runs.” In futures markets dominated by glamour colt Savaglee at $1.80, Kitty Flash is the clear second-elect at $4.50. Horse racing news View the full article

Town Cryer (inside) and Wingman during an exhibition gallop at Otaki on Monday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) The Roydon Bergerson-trained pair of Town Cryer and Wingman readied for their weekend Group assignments at Trentham with an exhibition gallop at Otaki on Monday, and their handler is heading into Saturday with a spring in his step following their hit-out. “They worked very well,” Bergerson said. “It was good, strong work and they both hit the line strongly, so I am very happy. They had a good blow afterwards, so they should be right for Saturday now.” The Awapuni trainer said he was keen to take advantage of Otaki’s grass track in the lead-up to Saturday, with his home track’s turf surface still under renovation. “We have done it before (exhibition gallop the week of a feature race), so we are trying to stick to a good formula,” Bergerson said. “We haven’t got a grass (track) at home to work them on and I think that sometimes when you want to give them a good gallop you probably have to be on the grass instead of the poly. They jar up quite a bit if they are on the poly too often.” Wingman has shown a lot of promise to date, with the three-year-old son of Swiss 
Ace winning two and placing in one of his three starts to date, and has duly earned his first crack at stakes level in Saturday’s Group 2 Levin Classic (1400m). “He has been ticking over nicely at home,” Bergerson said. “He has had a couple of gallops in company and one by himself. He doesn’t take much work, he is a pretty good winded horse. He has come along really nicely, I am very happy with him. “He is a promising horse going forward, we just hope he can run in the money on Saturday and hopefully secure a slot for the race (NZB Kiwi).” Bergerson is looking for an improved run from his Group 1 performer Town Cryer in the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m), with the mare having finished 11th and fifth respectively in the in the Group 1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m) and Group 2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) in her last two outings at Trentham. Bergerson said he had weighed the option of heading north to Ellerslie for the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) on New Year’s Day but elected to stay closer to home with his charge. “1400m is not her go really, so we were trying to get her ready for this Thorndon,” he said. “We didn’t want to go all the way to Auckland and back. We thought about the Rich Hill Mile, but she would have had to carry topweight, so we decided to stay at weight-for-age and then back her up in the Thorndon, which ideally fits.” Town Cryer is currently at a win quote of $21 with horse racing bookmakers for Saturday’s Group 1 feature, while Wingman is rated a $12 winning hope in the Levin Classic, with that market dominated by Savaglee at $1.80. Horse racing news View the full article

Donna Logan will resume her training career in New Zealand at Ruakaka on Tuesday. Photo: Trish Dunell Donna Logan will return to her old stomping ground of Ruakaka on Tuesday to resume her training career in New Zealand after plying her trade in Singapore for the last seven years. Racing ceased in Singapore following their last race meeting on October 5, and Logan elected to return to New Zealand, but opted to base her training operation at Byerley Park in South Auckland rather than return to her former base at Ruakaka. “It’s absolutely amazing to be back,” Logan said. “I love it at Byerley Park, the horses are so happy, and we are happy. “Byerley Park was a very good option. Ellerslie isn’t far and that is where the money is, and the airport is close, so if we are good enough, we can go overseas. They were big attractions.” While Logan would have loved to have returned to Ruakaka, she said the amount of travel involved from the Northland township was too much of a hurdle. “I loved Ruakaka, I had a wonderful time training there, but once you are based in a place like Singapore and you race and train in one place, I was quite despondent to think that I am going to have to do all of that travel again,” she said. “I have done a lot of it (travel), I missed a lot of kids’ sports, I sacrificed a lot for that travel, so Byerley Park seemed a sensible option.” Logan said she is also appreciating the greenery of her homeland after living in a city state for the best part of the last decade. “We probably didn’t appreciate how much we missed the green paddocks and the lawns and trees. We really appreciate it now after being away from it,” she said. While Logan hasn’t returned to train at Ruakaka, she is rapt that she is having her first runners at the Northland venue on Tuesday. “It is funny that it has panned out that I am kicking off in Ruakaka,” she said. “It just fitted in and it wasn’t until we did the noms that I thought ‘oh my god, I am going back to my old turf’.” Logan is set to line-up debutants Likava and White Mask for Westbury Stud principal Gerry Harvey, who Logan said has been a big supporter of hers on her New Zealand return. “Gerry is amazing, he supports a lot of people in New Zealand, and I am very grateful to have his support, he is a great man for our industry,” Logan said. Four-year-old mare Likava will line-up in the Northland Business Systems (1200m), while Logan is weighing up between the Wangaripo Valley Free Range Egg Cup Race (1400m) and Lion Red (1400m) with White Mask. “White Mask is a very nice three-year-old that is going to get up over ground,” Logan said. “Whatever she does tomorrow she is going to take a tonne of improvement, and as she steps up in distance, she is only going to get better and better. “Likava is older, a four-year-old now, but she has shown me enough to think that she will go a reasonable race. She is a first starter, so they have been very patient with her. “Both horses were pre-trained for me before I got here and I am grateful to the people who pre-trained them for me, it has given me the opportunity to kick-off the mark a lot quicker than I would have otherwise.” Meanwhile, Logan was pleased to be reunited with her Singapore stakes performed mare Istataba last month. The Argentinian-bred daughter of Treasure Beach placed in the Singapore 3YO Classic (1400m) and two editions of the Singapore Gold Cup for Logan, and earned more than S$536,000 in prizemoney. Logan is excited to have her bolster her New Zealand team, and she is already eyeing some stakes targets with her mare. “Istataba arrived in New Zealand on the 20th of December. She is the only horse from Singapore,” Logan said. “She ran third in the Singapore Gold Cup two years running for me, and she will be set for our Cups staying races.” Horse racing news View the full article

My Lips Are Sealed winning the Group 3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) A long-standing breeding partnership has come up trumps again with a daughter of Ace High their latest success story. Rich Hill Stud and Scott Williams’ Bloodstock Resources bred My Lips Are Sealed, who triumphed in Saturday’s Group 3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m) at Trentham, where the four-time winner finished a close second in last season’s Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m). Trained by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, My Lips Are Sealed was sold through Rich Hill’s 2022 draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $160,000 to Te Akau’s David Ellis. “Scott has had a long and successful association with Rich Hill and bred Zarita, who was a dual Group 1 winner by Pentire,” John Thompson said. Williams also bred Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Efficient and top sprinter Babylon Berlin, who is from the family of My Lips Are Sealed. “We bought her granddam What Can I Say about 25 years ago,” Thompson said. “Bob Vance trained her and she was a great wet-tracker, she beat a field including Tie The Knot and Might And Power one day in the Warwick Stakes (Group 2, 1400m).” They purchased What Can I Say after the Khozaam mare had produced a couple of foals in Australia, including multiple Group 2 winner and two-time Group 1 placegetter Only Words. “The first foal we bred was a stakes winner called Gibraltar Campion who was by Rock Of Gibraltar and sold at Karaka for $500,000,” Thompson said. “We also sold a Zabeel filly out of What Can I Say for $500,000 at Sydney Easter and then she had six colts in a row,” Thompson said. “Fortunately, when she was about 21 or 22 we got her in foal to Tavistock and she had a filly, which we retained.” That was My Lips Are Sealed’s mother Tellmeaboutit, who was unraced. “We trialled her and she didn’t really set the world on fire, so we decided to breed from her,” Thompson said. “My Lips Are Sealed was her second foal and she was the top-priced yearling from Ace High’s first crop. “We had her first foal by Vadamos (Vai Vai Vai) leased in Australia and she won a trial really nicely but in her first race day start she broke her pastern and had to be euthanised.” Tellmeaboutit’s third foal by Proisir named Talktomebaby sold for $240,000 at Karaka last year. “Ciaron Maher has got her and has showed promise, she had an early race and pulled up shin sore, so they gave her a break and she’s back in work now,” Thompson said. “Tellmeaboutit has now got a Satono Aladdin filly at foot and she’s back in foal to him.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Taree Races Where Manning Valley Race Club – Racecourse Dr, Taree NSW 2430 When Tuesday, January 7, 2025 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Country racing returns to Taree on Tuesday afternoon, with the Manning Valley Race Club set to play host to a competitive eight-part program. The rail is placed in the true position for the entire circuit for the meeting, and with no significant rainfall forecast in the lead-up, punters can expect the surface to start with a Good rating as racing gets underway at 1:15pm local time. Some showers are predicted to hit the course throughout race day, however, so there may be a downgrade into the Soft range at some stage. Best Bet at Taree: Hoo Haa Hoo Haa was no match for Summer Soiree at Wyong on December 21, and although the 8.3-length defeat doesn’t look flattering on paper, the Denman mare was clearly the best of the beaten brigade. She was the last one turning for home on that occasion, showing a blistering turn of foot to suggest she’s wound up for this second-up assignment. She should take closer order drawn in barrier two, and provided Jean Van Overmeire can land in the one-one, Hoo Haa should finally crack her maiden at start 20. Best Bet Race 3 – #7 Hoo Haa (2) 4yo Mare | T: Mark Cross | J: Jean Van Overmeire (55kg) +250 with Neds Next Best at Taree: Starry Jack The Brett Dodson-trained Starry Jack caught the eye returning at this course and distance on December 22, closing to within a half-length of Once A Lady. He usually takes plenty of improvement after a first-up performance, posing a formidable second-up record of three starts for two wins and another minor placing to his name. There doesn’t seem to be much speed on paper, and with Siena Grima attempting to dictate terms from stall three, watch for Starry Jack to give a bold sight when asked for the ultimate effort. Next Best Race 5 – #1 Starry Jack (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Brett Dodson | J: Siena Grima (2kg) (62.5kg) +500 with BlondeBet Best Value at Taree: Spacetime Legend Spacetime Legend represents terrific each-way value with horse racing bookmakers as he debuts for the Joel Wilkes barn. The Dundeel gelding failed to make an impression across his five starts last preparation, with provincial company proving a shade too classy for the lightly raced three-year-old. His recent barrier trial victory at Gunnedah on December 20 suggests he’s a new horse under the tutelage of Wilkes. Andrew Gibbons is likely to land in the ideal stalking position, and if he does, Spacetime Legend should get every chance to secure his maiden victory at a big price. Best Value Race 7 – #9 Spacetime Legend (3) 3yo Gelding | T: Joel Wilkes | J: Andrew Gibbons (57.5kg) +1300 with Picklebet Tuesday quaddie tips for Taree Taree quadrella selections January 7, 2025 1-3-5 1-2-3 4-8-9-10-14 3-5-6-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

It was an emotional victory Jan. 5 for trainer Michael McCarthy and owner Reddam Racing as Look Forward, the last winner trained by the late Ben Cecil, earned her first stakes victory in the $101,500 Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

The four finalists for the ‘Stevie Golding at Harcourts – People’s Choice’ Best Moment of the 2024 Season have been found and now it is time to have your say as to what the best moment was for the season. The finalists are: – Samantha Ottley becoming the first female driver to drive 100 winners in a 12 month season – Tom Bamford’s first Group 1 win with Rakero Rocket in The Christian Cullen – Crystal Hackett’s first Group 1 win on Mach Shard in the Group 1 Taylor Mile paying over $150 for the win – Beetastic winning the Group 1 Caduceus Club 2YO Fillies Classic You can view each of the moments and vote via this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KM9SQDD Please note you must vote using the link above..any comments on this page will not count Voting closes on Tuesday 14th January at 3pm and the winner will be announced at the HRNZ Awards on the 8th February. View the full article

A solution has been found to two harness racing trials/workouts “black spots”. Effective immediately, Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) has finalised agreements with two videographers to provide footage of the North Otago trials at Oamaru, and the Mt Hutt workouts at Mt Harding Racecourse in Methven. “We have been very mindful for some time that both North Otago and Mt Hutt have not been covered,” says HRNZ’s Head of Racing and Wagering Matthew Peden, “they were black spots in our trials and workouts coverage.” Now action from both venues will be uploaded to the HRNZ website as quickly as possible after they have been run. “Given a large number of horses attend both trials and workouts at these venues, it is critical that we provide such footage to allow punters to make an informed and confident decision when placing their bets,” says Peden. “It will also help owners unable to attend the meetings to keep updated on their horses’ progress and provide opportunities for Entain to use the footage at various times, including race previews.” The first of the Mt Hutt workouts will be on January 18 while North Otago (Oamaru) kicks off on January 22. View the full article

Group 1 winner, Ceolwulf. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Dual Group 1 winner Ceolwulf is poised for a return to action in next month’s Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick. The four-year-old gelding was last seen securing back-to-back victories in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) within two weeks in October. His trainer, Joe Pride, believes Ceolwulf has developed significantly during his time off. “I’m really happy with him,” Pride said. “The aim is to run in the Apollo on the 15th (of February). He’s just going along really nicely. He’s put on a heap of weight. “He seems like a bigger, stronger horse. How many times have you heard that from a trainer? But he does and he is actually, because he was racing at low 480s and he’s now 520 kilos. “So he’s going to trim down a little bit before he goes to the races, but there’s not an ounce of fat on him. “He’s coming up really well. I’m scary excited. Because as exciting as it is, it’s scary having a horse that good.” Ceolwulf’s progress has Pride cautiously optimistic as the gelding prepares to take on what promises to be a competitive renewal of the Apollo Stakes. Horse racing news View the full article

Mrs Chrissie. Photo: Racing Photos Last-start runner-up in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1100m), Mrs Chrissie, is likely to bypass this Saturday’s Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m), with trainer Ciaron Maher opting to target either the Listed Adams Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield or the Listed Durbridge Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville, both scheduled for January 25. “Knowing her, 1000 and 1100 (metres) are her best trips, and if we can space her runs, which we like doing, we do,” said Maher’s assistant, Jack Turnbull. “There’s a race in Adelaide on the same day and one at Caulfield; she’ll be in one of the two. “She’s stakes-quality, obviously, but if we can just get that win it will be good. “We’ve got her, we’ve got a sibling, the owner’s still got the mare, so it adds a lot more to the picture.” Looking ahead, Turnbull mentioned that a potential tilt at the Group 1 Sangster Stakes (1200m) is on the radar, though the stable remains grounded in their immediate goals. “Pie-in-the-sky, you would say a grand final could be a Sangster – you might have a crack at six furlongs in mares’ company – but we are very realistic, and the ownership group is much the same. “If we could win a Listed or Group 3 in mares’ grade, that’s number one (goal), and then we could potentially look at a Sangster.” Horse racing news View the full article

The Fasig-Tipton Santa Ynez Stakes offered points–10-5-3-2-1–towards the GI Kentucky Oaks, and it was Look Forward (Bolt d'Oro–Troublesome by, Into Mischief) who found the wire in time to take home the loot and the opening leg of the filly series at Santa Anita on Sunday afternoon. A filly in the care of trainer Ben Cecil before he sadly passed away last fall, Look Forward was transferred to Michael McCarthy–a one-time Cecil assistant. The bay was the runner-up in the GII Starlet to close out her juvenile year and coming into the Santa Ynez she was marked as the 8-5 favorite. Rolling out of the gate, Look Forward tracked up the backstretch from third behind Silent Law (Tiz the Law) and with her cue by the top of the lane she seized the lead. Artisma (Munnings) had not thrown in the towel and that filly came with a run in the final jumps. Look Forward held the advantage though and she got to the wire first. The final running time was 1:25.42. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0. Sales History: $285,000 '23 KEESEP. O-Reddam Racing LLC; B-Woods Edge Farm, LLC & Ballyfair Bloodstock (Ky); T-Michael McCarthy. #5 LOOK FORWARD ($5.40) and @_MGutierrez_ win the $100,000 Santa Ynez Stakes at @SantaAnitaPark and earn 10 points toward the :cherry_blossom: Kentucky Oaks. Congratulations to the @mwmracing team and owner Reddam Racing. Another stakes winner by @SpendthriftFarm's Bolt D'oro. pic.twitter.com/NVHjH1zxoK — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 5, 2025 The post Look Forward Outlasts Artisma To Earn Top Oaks Points In Santa Ynez appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Packing Angel gives Zac Purton a double. Photo: HKJC Packing Angel has emerged as a potential Four-Year-Old Classic Series contender after the gelding’s victory at Sha Tin on Sunday shunted Zac Purton to within eight wins of equalling Douglas Whyte’s Hong Kong record of 1,813 wins. Trained by Francis Lui and rated 63, Packing Angel (120lb) handled the rise in grade to Class 3 with aplomb, edging clear of Kaholo Angel (129lb) to win by three quarters of a length, impressing Purton. “He’s got a long way to go on ratings, but he’s a young horse on the way up. He’s improving all the time and it was a pretty soft win in the end. There’s a bit more there,” Purton said after sealing a double and taking his Hong Kong career tally to 1,805 wins. “Two wins is always a good result, but a couple of things didn’t quite go right in races – I had a few people taking me on, making it hard but that’s Hong Kong.” The HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) is run at Sha Tin on January 31 and is followed by the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on March 2 and the HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on March 23. Last season’s champion trainer, Lui shared training honours with John Size and David Hayes, with the trio snaring doubles. Lui also struck with Baby Crystal (135lb), who gave Frenchman Alexis Pouchin his second Hong Kong victory, clocking a slick 56.32s and winning by almost three lengths. Hayes moved into third position in the Hong Kong trainers’ championship with a brace, combining with Purton to win with Circuit Jolly before apprentice Ellis Wong guided Ariel to all-the-way success. 12-time Hong Kong champion Size continued his surge with a double, triumphing with Raging Blizzard for Hugh Bowman and Country Dancer under Karis Teetan. “There was pressure on and the tempo of the race suited him,” Size said of Raging Blizzard, who settled last before overwhelming his rivals for the second successive start. “He’s obviously done no work early and he got an inside run and saved a lot of energy. He was able to finish it off well. “There’s a Class 1 (1200m) for him (9 February), so we’ll have a look. He’s never been racing this well.” Bowman said: “He (Raging Blizzard) is very genuine, he has a beautiful attitude toward racing, he enjoys being left alone early but he’s there for you when you need him and he’s got a good record together now. He’ll head up to Class 1 and he won’t be out of place there.” Frankie Lor-trained Sword Point survived an objection before being declared the winner of the Class 2 Pak Tam Chung Handicap (1650m, dirt) and will now be considered for an overseas campaign. Lor hopes the 105-rater, unbeaten after two starts on dirt, will be invited to run in the US$1 million (approx. HK$7.7 million) Group 2 Godolphin Mile (1600m, dirt) at Meydan on April 5. Dylan Mo posted his first win of the season with a copybook ride on Danny Shum’s Super Legends. “I need to say a big thank you to the owner and trainer for giving me a chance to ride this horse,” Mo said. “In this time, it has been a bit hard for me but I will try my best 100 percent to ride these horses well. “I was told with this horse (Super Legends) that if I could not lead or the pace is too fast to get the box seat and it worked out well.” Another World overcame difficulties in the straight under Lyle Hewitson to continue Benno Yung’s strong form. “Nine times out of 10, you think you are just gone (when blocked for a run) and there’s nothing left but once the gap re-opened, I just felt him pick up the bridle again and I went with him,” Hewitson said of Another World’s chequered passaged in the straight. “Most horses can’t give two kicks, it was quite an impressive win, actually.” Hong Lok Golf made it two wins in a row, finishing strongly under Harry Bentley to confirm trainer Chris So’s high opinion of the Grunt four-year-old. “He’s a good horse. He drew wide (gate nine) and I didn’t think there was much pace in the race, so I was worried. But he showed he’s a good horse. He was three-wide all the way. It was impressive. I expected him to run a good race, but I wasn’t confident,” So said. “Those horses (Hong Lok Golf and The Boom Box) when I bought them, I expected them to be good horses – especially this one. It seems like I’ve got a couple of good ones.” Horse racing news View the full article

Fifteen years after leaving his native Venezuela as the country's winningest trainer, Antonio Sano reached a milestone Jan. 5 at Gulfstream Park when he saddled his 1,000th winner in North America.View the full article

Trainer Bob Baffert began mapped out plans for a quartet of the stable's winners at Santa Anita last weekend, including the highly-regarded 3-year-olds Barnes (Into Mischief) and Rodriguez (Authentic), in addition to older horse Mirahmadi (Into Mischief) and Chilean champion juvenile filly Richi (Chi) (Practical Joke). A $3.2-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga purchase, Barnes took the GII San Vicente, while Rodriguez ran away with a TDN Rising Star-earning performance going a mile. Mirahmadi annexed an eight-furlong optional claimer and Richi recorded her first stateside victory in the six-panel GIII Las Flores Stakes. “I thought I had a great shot to win four races, but we had to get lucky,” reflected Baffert. “I've thought that before and I've been lucky to get one or instead I got a donut. We got great rides yesterday and good racing luck. It was great to win for these clients who continue to support us and it really raises the morale of all the people who work so hard in the barn. “I was happy with Barnes. [Owner] Amr [Zedan] had to stretch to buy him, and I really made him stretch, but he's a very good horse. We're going to nominate everywhere and take a look.” Regarding Eclipse finalist and favorite Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), Baffert added, “Citizen Bull and a couple of the others will point for the GIII Robert B. Lewis here on Feb. 1.” Barnes, who was named after Baffert's longtime assistant Jimmy Barnes, was purchased by Zedan for $3.2 million at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale. Baffert suggested to Zedan that they name the horse in Barnes' honor after the assistant trainer told Baffert they better find a good name for the horse because he was training so well. He didn't tell Barnes about the name until one day he handed him a halter with the name plate already engraved and gave it to the assistant to put on the colt. “Rodriguez was very impressive going two turns and he showed us what we expected. Mirahmadi has always been a good horse, but he's had some tough luck. He'll point to the Big 'Cap (Santa Anita Handicap Mar. 1).” Baffert won the 2024 Santa Anita Handicap with Newgate for the same ownership group as Citizen Bull, Rodriguez and Mirahmadi. The partnership is known as the Avengers and consists primarily of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Tom Royan, Robert Masterson, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan. Determined Stables appears on the ownership line of Rodriguez as well. Richi, who is now owned by John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale and Stud Vendaval, was making her second start in the United States. The win came over the Baffert-trained Pleasant (Munnings), who was sent off as the 1-5 favorite following a third-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint in November. “Richi will be pointed for the [GI] Beholder Mile [in March]. She should stretch out fine. Pleasant was just a little rusty, but she'll stick around here,” said Baffert. The post Baffert Maps Out Plans with Saturday’s Santa Anita Winners appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert highlights plans for his four Jan. 4 winners, including 2-year-olds Barnes and Rodriguez.View the full article

The bandwagon for Barnes was already pretty crowded heading into Saturday's GII San Vicente S. at Santa Anita. It now may be next to impossible to find a standing-room-only spot after the Bob Baffert-trained son of Into Mischief uncorked a crusher of a performance that left four rivals reeling in his 5 ½-length wake. I have no idea if the two sprint victories at the root of this $3.2 million FTSAUG colt's foundation will blossom into a blanket of roses on the first Saturday in May. I am pretty certain, though, that Barnes stands a chance at being the most highly hyped GI Kentucky Derby prospect ever. The benchmark for pre-Derby exuberance-in my lifetime, at least-has always been Arazi, the compact chestnut with the jagged white blaze from France who blasted into contention by obliterating the field in the 1991 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Returning overseas for the winter while out of the American public's view only added to the colt's outsized mystique, and even though it was well-reported that Arazi had undergone arthroscopic surgery in Kentucky to remove bone spurs on both knees four days after the Breeders' Cup, his Derby price dipped to as low as 8-5 at some Las Vegas bookmakers in the era before pari-mutuel futures betting. After only one prep race in France 25 days before the '92 Derby, Arazi started as the 9-10 favorite on race day. Unwinding with authority from the back of the pack, he ranged up to challenge the leaders off the far turn, then suddenly had nothing left to give. Backpedaling to eighth through the stretch, Arazi weakened behind 16-1 upsetter Lil E. Tee. He won only one more Group 2 race in France later in the year before returning to the States to finish his career 11th as the 3-2 beaten favorite in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile. Make no mistake, Barnes's talent and untapped potential are there. But what will really stoke his fire of fancy into a full-blown conflagration over the next 120 days is the unavoidable narrative that figures to dominate headlines leading up to the first leg of the Triple Crown on May 3. The gaming corporation that owns Churchill Downs had barred Baffert in June 2021 because of a string of drug positives in horses Baffert trained, including two in Churchill's most prominent races, the 2020 GI Kentucky Oaks and the 2021 Derby. The colt who tested positive and was disqualified for an overage of betamethasone in that 2021 Derby, Medina Spirit, was owned by Amr Zedan, who has spared no expense in trying to win the Derby in the first year that his main trainer has become re-eligible to compete in it. Barnes, who is named after the Hall-of-Fame trainer's longtime assistant, Jimmy Barnes, was hand-picked to be Baffert's first starter at Churchill after the corporate ban was lifted earlier this year. When the colt scored a head victory sprinting 5 ½ furlongs in Louisville on Thanksgiving Eve, his price subsequently plummeted in that weekend's Derby Future Wager. Even though he had only raced once in a short sprint, the 13-1 odds on Barnes represented the lowest mutuel on any of the 38 individual horses in Pool 2. And that price could be halved when betting opens for Pool 3 on Jan. 17. That's a prohibitively low potential return for a prospect who won't have raced two turns prior to locking in those odds, with the Derby itself still some four months away. Then again, Barnes certainly looks the part of a colt who might relish longer distances based on the assertive way he splintered the San Vicente field, earning a 94 Beyer Speed Figure, up from 87 in his debut. He menacingly forced the issue through legit quarter-mile splits (:22.65, :22.45 and :24.50), then bounded home solo through the stretch in a :12.55 final furlong (:35.50 for his final three-eighths) for a seven-furlong clocking of 1:22.15. “He was aggressive down the backside but he's still learning how to run,” jockey Juan Hernandez said after scoring his third consecutive renewal of the San Vicente. “I like him because around the quarter pole he got off the bridle and was kind of looking around a little bit. But when I corrected him, he came back to me. I was really surprised how he finished today.” Baffert said post-win Saturday that Barnes shares physical resemblances with his maternal grandsire, American Pharoah, whom Baffert trained to Triple Crown stardom in 2015. Such comparisons, repeated often enough over the next 17 weeks, will only further inflate this colt's can't-miss aura, contributing to even more imbalances in the futures betting. The post Week in Review: Barnes Bandwagon Approaching Capacity – Care to Hop Aboard ‘Rising Star’ Rodriguez Instead? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article