Wandering Eyes

Knights Realm (NZ) (Castledale) missed out on a maiden stakes scalp by the barest of margins at Trentham on Saturday in the Listed Rangitikei Cup (1600m), which has only enhanced trainer Clinton Isdale’s thirst for success. The five-year-old son of Castledale had been runner-up in five of his previous seven outings, and with just 53kg on his back, punters supported him in their droves, sending him out a short-priced $2.30 favourite. He looked ominous throughout, sitting outside pacemaker Bradman (NZ) (Pins), but at the business end of the race, he was pipped at the post by a nose, with Francee (NZ) (Iffraaj) taking the victory in a close three-way finish. While proud of his charge’s consistency and pleased with the way he has come through his weekend run, Isdale admitted he is getting tired of the taste of silver. “He has come through the run really well, I am just a bit gutted that he has run second again,” the Cambridge trainer said. “I had to look twice at the result, I thought he had got it on the line.” After attaining black-type with his weekend result, Knights Realm is now on a path towards winter riches following a run closer to home later this month, with a small freshen-up planned in the interim. “He will probably go to Te Rapa in two weeks for an open handicap, put the blinkers on him and drop back to 1400m,” Isdale said. “He will go out for a two week freshen-up and then head to the Opunake Cup (Listed, 1400m), with the ultimate aim being the Winter Cup (Gr.3, 1600m).” Meanwhile, Isdale will head to his local synthetic meeting on Wednesday where he has two guaranteed runners, with Novak (NZ) (El Roca) on the ballot for the Pride’s Ezifeed 2000. Mahoe (NZ) (Alamosa) will be first-up in the Waipa Earthworks 1550 following a South Island summer campaign, while Mirabella (NZ) (Sweynesse) will be trying to replicate her winning feat from two starts back in the TAB 970. “Mahoe has come back from the South Island. He is consistent and likes the poly,” Isdale said. “He has had two nice trials leading into it and he will be thereabouts knocking on the door. “Mirabella loves the poly, she trialled up well on it the other week. She will be a nice chance. View the full article

Emma-Lee Browne says they will likely take a little bit of time to savour Basilinna’s (NZ) (Staphanos) Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) win before looking to lock down the right pathway for the mare to this year’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). Basilinna earned herself a ballot exemption into this year’s Melbourne Cup with her victory in Saturday’s Andrew Ramsden at Flemington in rain-affected conditions. “I think it’s everything we all dreamed about, so it’s a massive result for the team,” Browne said on Sunday of qualifying Basilinna for the Cup. Browne, who trains at Pakenham in partnership with husband David, confirmed the mare would head for a spell now she has gained the golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup, as they aim towards a dream tilt at the famous race on the first Tuesday in November. “She will go to the paddock now,” Browne said. “I think we’ll just enjoy it for a week or so before sitting down and really getting a plan together about how we can get her there as best we can, where she’s hopefully right at her peak. “We’ll just enjoy it for a week, and she can go out to the paddock and enjoy a well-deserved spell. “I think we’ll do a bit of research into it, speak to a few people that have obviously done it well and make a bit of a plan from there. But we’re just kind of enjoying it at the moment.” Browne said Basilinna, who finished third in the Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington during her three-year-old season in the spring of 2023, had come through Saturday’s win in super fashion. “She loves that distance and because she enjoys running over that distance she always pulls up super afterwards,” Browne said. “The (Soft) track conditions were perfect for her, she got through it really, really well. And we’re just over the moon with how she’s pulled up.” View the full article

Francee’s (NZ) (Iffraaj) victory in the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) was of special significance for Haunui Farm on a number of fronts. Not only was it a first stakes victory for the homebred and raced Iffraaj mare, it also brought back memories of a successful association and coincided with stud managing director Mark Chitty’s university reunion. Trained by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, the well-related Francee added black-type performance to her pedigree and ensured she will be a valuable future addition to the Haunui broodmare band. She is a daughter of the former top performer Calveen (NZ) (Canny Lad), who won 10 races including the Gr.1 Easter Handicap (1600m) and a further four events at Group Two level. “It was a wonderful result and the long association we had with Don McLaren made it even more special,” Chitty said. “We had a good working relationship and owned some mares together and on Don’s passing we purchased his mares off the family. “Calveen was one of them and sent her to Iffraaj and elected to keep the filly that is Francee, so it was very satisfying. “We had to put Calveen down earlier this year, she had got to a fair age, and this is her first stakes winner, she did have a stakes performed mare (Miss Delveen) previously.” Haunui is also breeding from Francee’s winning half-sister Hi Gorgeous (NZ) (Savabeel). “She’s a Savabeel mare and she’s got a Hello Youmzain filly and is back in foal to him,” Chitty said. Francee is now a four-time winner and her immediate future has yet to be confirmed. “She’s been up for a fair while and we’ve found our level, she’s a rising six-year-old so we’ll let the dust settle and then think about it,” Chitty said. “I’d like to pay special credit to the team at Te Akau and their vet Ronan Costello because in August 2023, I arrived off a plane in Sydney and got a call from Mark Walker to say the mare was a bit off. “It was getting toward the start of the breeding season and maybe we wanted to think about mating her, but we worked with Ronan and got her back to the track so, thanks to his good work, Saturday was very rewarding. “She had pulled up sore after working and I’ve got veterinary experience and talked through things with Ronan, who did all the work, and she came right and the rest is history.” Also a vet, Chitty was on Saturday at a Massey University reunion and proved to be a popular figure after Francee’s victory. “A few of the boys lined their pockets late in the day, so it was great,” he said. “There were 25 of us and it was good fun, the stars aligned, and we might have consumed one or two more than we should have.” View the full article

Firenze Flavor emerged victorious in the three-way photo finish as only a pair of noses separated the top three finishers in a thrilling edition of the Honeymoon Stakes at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

The Amazing Mizzen (Mizzen Mast) has earned 'retirement for life' at Old Friends via her victory in Race 2, the Old Friends Purse, at Pimlico Saturday, May 18, the organization announced via press release Sunday afternoon. Claiming victory as a 44-1 longshot, the grey will have an automatic entry at Old Friends upon her retirement or pensioning, should she require it. The Old Friends Purse benefits Old Friends and its 'Old Friends for Life' retirement program. If The Amazing Mizzen joins the farm in Georgetown, Kentucky, she will be accompanying three other 'Old Friends for Life' retirees–Next Shares, Kalamos, and Get Western. Two other winners of the Old Friends Purse, MGSP Desvio (Yoshida {Jpn}) and SW Be Better (Uncle Mo), are still racing. “Today has been a special day for Old Friends in Maryland on Preakness Day,” said John Nicholson, president and CEO of Old Friends, who handed out the winner's trophy Saturday. “We are so grateful to Pimlico for making the Old Friends Purse possible and for giving Thoroughbred Aftercare such a large platform.” “[Saturday's] race was very exciting! We congratulate the connections of The Amazing Mizzen on her impressive upset victory. A place awaits her at Old Friends when the time comes.” The post The Amazing Mizzen Earns ‘Retirement for Life’ at Old Friends via Old Friends Purse at Pimlico appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In what came down to a blanket finish in the GIII Honeymoon Stakes at Santa Anita, Firenze Flavor (Liam's Map–Summer Escape, by Giant's Causeway) won the bob and got to the winner's circle on Sunday. As a 7-1 choice here, Firenze Flavor watched as favorite Jungle Peace (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) set the pace from the bell through the top of the lane. The leader began to tire in the final jumps and that allowed both Firenze Flavor and Miso Phansy (Karakontie {Jpn}) to get into the game. A blanket finish and ensuing photo showed the Paddy Gallagher trainee scored her first graded victory of her career. Miso Phansy was the runner-up and Jungle Peace finished third. The final running time was 1:49.91. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-0. O/B-Oda Racing and U.S. Equine (KY); T-Paddy Gallagher. Three horses were practically inseparable at the wire in the $100k Honeymoon Stakes (G3) at @SantaAnitaPark, but the photo showed FIRENZE FLAVOR ($17.40) on top! This is the first graded win for the 3YO filly by @LanesEndFarms' Liam's Map. Patrick Gallagher trains, @DraydenV up. pic.twitter.com/E6ScOU1myB — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 18, 2025 The post Honeymoon Stakes Thriller As Firenze Flavor Wins Photo At Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Leading the charge were last-out topflight winners Raging Sea and Spirit of St Louis, who posted their first works since their respective wins on Kentucky Derby weekend at Churchill Downs. View the full article

Highlighted by runner-up finishes in both the Preakness Stakes and Black-Eyed Susan, Brendan Walsh earned the top prize of $50,000 in 1/ST Racing's $100,000 trainer bonus program.View the full article

Brendan Walsh earned the top prize of $50,000 in 1/ST Racing's $100,000 trainer bonus offered to horsemen for their participation in stakes races over Preakness weekend at Pimlico, the group announced via press release Sunday afternoon. Highlighted by runner-up efforts in the GI Preakness Stakes with GSW Gosger (Nyquist) and in the GII George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes with Paris Lily (City of Light), his charge Austere (Mendelssohn) came short of catching Charlene's Dream (Qurbaan) on the lead in the GIII Gallorette on the Preakness undercard. He started the May 16 card in the Listed Hilltop Stakes where he ran first and fourth respectively with Play With Fire (Oscar Performance) and Sign No More (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). GSP San Siro (Classic Empire) would contribute to the tally when running fourth in the GIII Pimlico Special Stakes. Walsh finished with a total of 37 points–six more than runner-up and four-time top prize winner Steve Asmussen. To be eligible for the bonus, trainers had to run a minimum of five horses in the 15 Thoroughbred stakes–seven graded–worth $4.35-million during Preakness weekend. Points were accumulated for finishing first (10), second (seven), third (five), fourth (three) and fifth through last (one). The trainer with the most points earned $50,000, followed by $25,000 for second, $12,000 for third, $7,000 for fourth, $4,000 for fifth, and $2,000 for sixth. This was the ninth year that the trainer bonus program was offered. Asmussen earned the top prize in 2017, '18, '21, and '22. Brad Cox broke the streak in 2019, Make Maker in 2020, and Graham Motion in 2023. Last year's winner was Cherie DeVaux. The 2025 results, from first to last were: Brendan Walsh, Steve Asmussen, Brad Cox, Saffie Joseph Jr., Graham Motion, and Brittany Russell. A total of $50,000 in bonus money was also offered for trainers having the most points in non-stakes races during the weekend. Points accumulated in a similar fashion with $25,000 going to the leader, $10,000 to second, $7,500 to third, $4,000 to fourth, $2,500 to fifth, and $1,000 to sixth. Trainers needed a minimum of three starts to qualify. The four who did and earned bonus money were Mike Trombetta (24 points), Russell (21), Jose Magana (nine) and Jane Cibelli (five). Money for the remaining places reverted back to 1/ST. The post Brendan Walsh Earns Preakness Weekend Trainer Bonus, Beats Steve Asmussen for Top Prize appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

TIMONIUM, MD – After a two-day break, the under-tack preview of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale resumed under sunny skies Sunday morning in Timonium in what was billed as a 'gallop only' session with no officially timed breezes. Originally scheduled for three days, the under-tack preview was delayed a day by weather before beginning with a first session last Wednesday. It was suspended about halfway through Thursday's second session when a fatal breakdown on the track was followed by an intense rain storm. With some 240 horses galloping through nine sets Sunday, the marathon session began at 8 a.m. and concluded at 4:30 p.m. “I think they made the right decision,” bloodstock agent John Dowd said of foregoing timed workouts when the preview resumed Sunday. “As buyers, we buy yearlings on the end of the shank. We get to look at 2-year-olds that are trainining and see them move, they are already broke. They are further down the road than if we had bought them as yearlings, and invested the time and training.” Dowd who was in attendance during all three days of the preview said the change did not interrupt his process for evaluating horses on the track. “My process is more to see the way horses move and the way they gallop out, not totally because of how fast they go, but mechanically how they move. And we still get that opportunity today,” he said. When the last horse in the last of nine sets walked off the track Sunday afternoon, buyers and agents faced the prospect of comparing horses who worked over the sloppy going last week and those that galloped Sunday. “That's going to be difficult,” admitted bloodstock agent Alistair Roden. “It was hard to handicap in the first place because it was a sloppy track. So it was hard to get a handle on it, and then you go from a sloppy track to a fast track where they are galloping.” Watching horses who have been readied for a breeze, but instead gallop down the lane presented its own challenges, according to Roden. “You are looking for the stride, the movement and some of these horses get choked up and you don't get to see them move because they are trained to go to the pole and break off,” he said. “So if [galloping previews] is something to do in the future, it's something that consignors will probably have to have a different approach. Some of these horses have come from other sales and they get to the pole, they know what they are doing, they are breaking off and going fast.” While there were no official times listed, stopwatches could be heard throughout the grandstand and, despite the advertised 'gallop only' session, many horses were breezing. “A lot of these horses are breezing,” confirmed bloodstock agent Pete Bradley. “There are a lot of :10 2/5s and :10 3/5s. What I think is interesting is that a lot of them are going quick without the whipping and driving that we see on a regular day. And in some ways, I can see the horse's movement better because they are not scrambling down the lane.” A gallop-only preview will force buyers to recalibrate their expectations, Bradley said. “We are all one-trick ponies in a way, we get used to a certain system,” he said. “So now we have to step back and say, when we watch horses work at the racetrack and they go in :12, :24, :36, we say that was a good work. Here my brain isn't functioning right to get around that. Maybe by the time I watch the videos and I take in the whole day and who the consignors are and where they starting, I will make some changes in how I look at it. But it's still going to have a different feel then those who go in the standard style we do at 2-year-old sales.” Bradley concluded, “Bad moving horses are easy to pick out. Is it going to be tough to differentiate the very good and the good ones? Yeah. I think it's going to make my job tougher. But I think it is an interesting exercise today and I might even learn something from it.” Suzanne Smallwood of Equix still needed to provide her clients with the company's ProStride stride-length data even without official breeze times. “There is still a lot to gain from watching them go today,” Smallwood said. “Because we do the stride-length calculations and we sell that, we still have to get a final time, a breeze time. I am having to clock them so we can put in the stride length calculations. So it's a little more work because usually Fasig-Tipton is clocking. It's an extra step.” ProStride ranks each horse using its average stride length and breeze time. Smallwood said the calculations from Sunday's session would be adjusted based on what the horse was doing on the track. “The data will be different because at a gallop the timing is different then it is in a breeze,” she explained. “But as long as you have your notes and you know the horse really did a slow gallop, or this consignor elected go more of an open gallop, and then a couple are doing a little bit more than that, then you know how to interpret everything. There is not anything easy. Everybody still has to do their homework. And that's the bottom line. Everybody out here is still doing their homework and still needs information to help them sort through the horses to decide what they want to go look at in the barns.” Ocala horseman Jimmy Gladwell, along with his wife Martha, watched the action from high up in the grandstand throughout the preview. “I think [Fasig-Tipton president] Boyd [Browning] has made the right decision to go with the gallop out with no timed workouts,” Gladwell said. “I think it's going to make it a little more difficult to sort through them. But at the end of the day, I think it's the best thing for the horses and the riders and the sale at this time.” Gladwell is a patriarch of a family of pinhookers and said he still thought timed breezes were an important part of the 2-year-old sales process. “When you take these horses to the next level, it is a race and the faster horses win the races,” Gladwell said. “We have seen Mucho Gusto work a bullet here and go on to be a graded stakes winner, we've seen Gamine work a bullet here and go on and be a Grade I winner. So it's nice to see them separate themselves. We've been doing it a long time, everybody wants to throw up, 'Well the horse went in :11 flat and was a stakes horse,' but that's the unusual situation. The faster horses and the better horses usually separate themselves on the racetrack. Which makes it easier for the buyers. But that's not going to happen here, so the buyers are going to have to be a little sharper.” Of the additional homework buyers will have to put in ahead of the Midlantic May sale Tuesday, Gladwell said, “It turns into a conformation situation. If you go to the Saturday afternoon races, there are bad movers who win graded stakes. There are good movers who are slow. So it's going to turn more and more into conformation, more like a yearling sale. I think you've got a lot of great buyers and agents out here, so I think they will sort through them all and make the right decisions, but it will be a little tougher job.” Gladwell has been pinhooking 2-year-olds for four decades. Of the evolution of the auctions and the increased safety measures, he said, “When we started out 40 years ago at Hialeah, the horses were breezing and there were maybe a mixture of them that were galloping. They were breezing in sets. So that really hasn't changed. There has been one speed at the 2-year-old sale and that's wide open, as fast as they can go. In the past five years, they have eliminated spurs, they've eliminated hitting horses behind the shoulder after they break off, no hitting them when they gallop out, much less medication than ever before. So everything is evolving in the right direction. We've always got more to do, just like at the racetrack. As HISA has come in, it's made a big different on the breakdowns, and I feel like these changes that we've made are going to be very positive in the long run. And we've still got work ahead of us.” Asked if HISA should be policing the 2-year-old sales, Gladwell said, “I think if we can do a little better job self-governing, I think everybody is under the microscope right now, the industry leaders that I've spoken to, everyone is looking for more ideas and opportunities for making it safer for the horses and better for the riders. I think we can do a good job ourselves, without HISA's involvement.” The Midlantic May sale will be held over one session to be held Tuesday at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. Bidding is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. The post Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Under-Tack Preview Concludes with a Day of Gallops appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GISW Scottish Lassie (McKinzie) continued her preparations for the GI DK Horse Acorn Stakes over the Oklahoma training track while 'TDN Rising Star' Shred the Gnar (Into Mischief) joined the discussion by officially being pointed for the contest set for June 6 during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga. The former, trained by Jorge Abreu, breezed five panels alone Sunday morning in 1:04 flat shortly after the 8:15 a.m. renovation break. She was the only work at the distance on the day. “It was good, and more than enough,” Abreu said. “She came out of her race with good attitude and is doing everything good, like her old self.” The day prior, trainer Brian Lynch watched his 3-year-old charge Shred the Gnar breeze a half-mile in :47.60 (12/71) at Churchill Downs and liked what he saw as they inch closer to testing the waters at the elite level. “She is pointing to the Acorn,” said Lynch. “I just got a maintenance half-mile into her as she is pointed towards the Acorn. She worked by herself. Her last effort was pretty self-explanatory. Everything seems to be going great with her.” Lynch Provides Updates on Highway Robber, Owen Almighty GSW & GISP Highway Robber (Hard Spun), a length back in third to MGISW Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d'Oro) in the GI Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes May 3, is in consideration for the GI Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes June 7 at Saratoga in what could become a rematch with that familiar face. The gelding breezed a half-mile in :50.80 (67/71) Saturday. “He's tentatively schedule to go into the Manhattan,” said Lynch. “He's an honest horse. It was just a maintenance work, first work back since his last race, letting him stretch his legs.” Regarding GSW Owen Almighty (Speightstown), who finished fifth in the GI Kentucky Derby, Lynch has no immediate plans in mind for him beyond knowing that he will likely pass on any Belmont Stakes Racing Festival targets. “He's not slated to do anything up there,” said Lynch, adding that the colt is doing well. “We are just giving him a little more time. No plans for him at the moment, just going to let him do his thing.” The post ‘Rising Star’ Shred the Gnar Joins the Hopefuls as Acorn Preparations Continue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Five of Chad Brown's Grade I-winning brigade hit the work tab at Saratoga over the weekend, led by MGISW Raging Sea (Curlin) and MGISW Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d'Oro). Heading out Friday in her first work since pulling the upset in the GI La Troienne on Kentucky Derby weekend, Raging Sea was clocked doing four furlongs over the Oklahoma training track in :49.25 (8/32) while in company with GSW & MGISP Occult (Into Mischief). She is being pointed to the GI Ogden Phipps June 6 during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival while plans for Occult are still in the works. “Raging Sea is doing fine, and she's on target for the Ogden Phipps,” Brown said. “She came out of the race well and settled in here fine. She's had a good history here. For her to win a Grade I off the layoff, I was pretty impressed. She's had a great career so far. Hopefully she continues it.” Also working that morning was Brown's Klaravich Stables-owned pair of GISW Ways and Means (Practical Joke) and MGISW Randomized (Nyquist). Both worked solo half-miles, the former clocked in :50.23 (8/24) and the latter in :51 flat (20/24), and showed Brown what he wanted to see from them. Randomized is on target for the Ogden Phipps as Ways and Means is pointed to the GII Bed O' Roses on the same day. “Randomized might have needed her run, and in the past, she's done better with a race under her belt,” said Brown. “Ways and Means is doing fine.” Spirit of St Louis led the procession Saturday morning, covering a half-mile alone in :49.25 (8/32) as he continued his preparations for an intended tilt in the GI Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes June 7. “He did fine [in the work] and came out of his big win [in the GI Old Forester Turf Classic, May 3] in good shape, so he's headed to the Manhattan,” Brown said. “He's certainly over-achieved, he's a very solid horse and I respect him a lot. He's developed into one of the top turf horses in the country, which would have been hard to believe a couple of years ago. He's doing good.” Rounding out the five was 'TDN Rising Star' MGISW Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) Sunday morning, who had his second work since going briefly to the sidelines after a dull effort in the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in early April. He also worked a half-mile alone in :51.50. Brown said there were no immediate plans for him, and that they were also in the process of figuring out a path for 'TDN Rising Star' MGISW Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who is also reportedly doing well. With five of his seven Grade I winners currently stabled at Saratoga having gone out this past weekend, Brown is still eyeing a start in the GIII Pennine Ridge Stakes June 7 for Zulu Kingdom (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) despite the ridgling's absence from the work tab since his win May 3 in the GI American Turf Stakes. “He missed a little bit of time with a foot issue, but I think we have it resolved,” Brown said. “He's back on the track now, so we'll see if we can still make the Pennine Ridge.” The post Chad Brown’s Grade I Brigade Works at Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

While no immediate plans for the GI Belmont Stakes have been made for Saturday's sensational Preakness 150 hero Journalism (Curlin), connections report that when their colt leaves the Pimlico grounds in a couple days, he will either go directly to Saratoga or to Michael McCarthy's Kentucky base at Churchill Downs. With the son of Curlin under consideration for the GI Belmont Stakes June 7 at Saratoga, McCarthy and Eclipse Thoroughbreds' Aron Wellman spoke to the press Sunday morning and said the decision will be made in the next day or two, though the former made a straight ship to New York sound more likely. “[Shipping to Saratoga] puts him in a position to run,” McCarthy said. “He could go back to Churchill Downs and hang out for a week or two, and then make his way to Saratoga. But it seems a little counterproductive to go 12 hours by van back to Kentucky to head back to New York, whether it be by plane or by van.” Wellman reiterated that Journalism would ultimately decide their course of action regarding a start in the final jewel of the Triple Crown. “We'll go through the same analysis as we went through between the Derby and the Preakness,” Wellman said. “That horse in Stall 33 will tell us whether he's ready to go back in three weeks.” “It's something we'd like to do. It's something that we're going to prepare for logistically in the event he does give us the green light. But whereas from the Derby to the Preakness, we really had a week to make that decision, we'll have two-plus weeks to assess him.” Regarding a potential rematch with GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief), McCarthy admits it's a tempting prospect, but has said the intention was to proceed 'very carefully' when making their decision. “I think I'd like to see what he's kind of telling us,” McCarthy said. “Now it's two races in two weeks. Ate up last night. Seems like he's pleased with himself. We'll weigh the pros and cons.” “I said to Aron last night as we were walking down the stairs, 'Part of me, feels like we could have been here two-for-two.' But winning any of these three races is quite an accomplishment, so just happy to grab one of them. He's acting like he's wanting some more here. By going to New York, at least, it puts us in a position.” An examination Saturday night and again Sunday morning showed the Preakness winner was no worse for wear after the well-documented incident at the top of the stretch. The Journalism team said they celebrated the 'impossible' comeback until the wee hours of Sunday morning. “It really defied logic,” Wellman said. “I think anybody that's watched any number of races and has any appreciation for what these magnificent animals can do, what he did there as a matter of guts and courage and bravery to begin with. Then to have the physical ability to accelerate again and mow a good horse down like Gosger, you just don't see it happen.” The list of potentials for the GI Belmont Stakes is a heady list with the likes of Sovereignty; Journalism; Gosger; 'TDN Rising Star' Baeza (McKinzie); 'TDN Rising Star' Hill Road (Quality Road); Preakness-fifth Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A.P.); and 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic) currently in the discussion. Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.'s GIII Peter Pan runner-up McAfee (Cloud Computing)–the race won by Hill Road–is not Triple Crown nominated and would have to be supplemented for a $50,000 fee should his connections opt to nominate the half-brother to Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna). Nominations for the other Belmont Stakes Racing Festival stakes races close on May 24. No Plans for Gosger, Ships to Kentucky Sunday Trainer Brendan Walsh reports his Preakness runner-up Gosger (Nyquist) is already on a return trip to Churchill Downs. Walsh said he was proud of the effort, but added that Belmont Stakes plans remained undecided for the grey. “We were obviously disappointed to not win, getting so close, but not disappointed in the horse,” Walsh said. “He ran a very good race.” “I think he is still improving. I don't know about the Belmont yet. I'm going to give it a few days and talk to the owners to try to come to a decision pretty soon. I'm not sure which way we are going right now. He seems fine. We just shipped him back to Louisville today. We'll see how it all goes and come to a decision within the next few days.” Sandman's Lack of Focus Bites Again, Blinkers Likely in His Future Hall of Famer Mark Casse had a bittersweet moment after he watched Sandman (Tapit) run a gutsy third in the Preakness. While he was proud of the effort, there was an element of frustration after speaking with his rider, Hall of Famer John Velazquez, at the conclusion of the race. “Johnny [who was riding the grey for the first time] said that at the three-eighths pole, he thought he was going to win,” Casse remarked. “But then [Sandman] lost focus.” With 10 starts in his career and five this season, Casse says a start in the GI Belmont Stakes is unlikely for Sandman, even as the horse ships to Belmont Park Sunday to prepare for his summer at Saratoga. The current target is reportedly the GII Jim Dandy Stakes July 26. While he's not thrilled with the prospect, Casse also mentioned that an equipment change might be in order for the son of Tapit. “I don't like doing it, but we may put blinkers on,” Casse said. “I have given him plenty of time to grow up. [Velazquez] said all the way down the lane, he wasn't focused.” But before any future plans are made, Team Sandman intends to give their charge a little time to catch his breath. “We want to give him a little break.” Goal Oriented Heads Home to California as Rodriguez Takes Aim at Belmont 'TDN Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time), part of the dramatic bumping at the head of the stretch Saturday, will head back to trainer Bob Baffert's Southern California home base at Santa Anita, and will not be making a start in the Belmont Stakes. “I know he is a good horse,” Baffert said. “[Journalism] was the best horse. He showed it.” “The way he is made, he reminds me of [2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner] California Chrome a little bit. He is nimble, light athletic and he moves that way in the morning when I watch him train. He just finds a way to get there.” Baffert says he will be patient deciding what's next for Goal Oriented as the Preakness was only his third lifetime start. While this 'Rising Star' won't be heading to New York, 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez will be carrying the banner for the connections instead after missing the first two legs of the Triple Crown with a lingering foot bruise. The GII Wood Memorial winner will be pointed to the June 7 marquee in place of his stablemate. The post Journalism’s Belmont Status TBD, Final Jewel Starts Taking Shape as Some Bow Out for New Targets appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Classy mare Sunshine In Paris gained a deserved third group 1 success May 17 when toughing it out to deny the returning Rothfire in a thrilling edition of the Doomben Ten Thousand (G1) in Queensland.View the full article

As far as the possibility of a tantalizing rematch between Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Sovereignty and Preakness Stakes (G1) victor Journalism goes, no news, for a while, will be good news. View the full article

Ascoli Piceno trailed the field through much of the Victoria Mile (G1) May 18 at Tokyo Racecourse but, with urging from Christophe Lemaire, the filly was just up in time to get the win.View the full article

Monday, Saint-Cloud, France, post time: 15:40, PRIX CORRIDA-G2, €130,000, 4yo/up, f/m, 10 1/2fT Field: Survie (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), Erle (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}), Diya (Ger) (Dubawi {Ire}), Waldora (Fr) (Waldgeist {GB}), Grand Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Mme Jourdain (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Aventure (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). TDN Verdict: There will be consternation if Aventure is beaten here, especially given how easily she dealt with 10 furlongs in ParisLongchamp's G3 Prix Allez France last month. Undoubtedly at her strongest over the mile and a half of the Arc and Prix Vermeille in which she put it up to Bluestocking last term, the homebred should have sufficient speed to subdue last year's G1 Preis der Diana heroine Erle and the G2 Prix de Malleret winner and G1 Prix de Diane runner-up Survie. [Tom Frary]. Click here for the complete field. The post Black-Type Analysis: Aventure Faces Speed Test in Prix Corrida appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ascoli Piceno made a triumphant return to Japan after her international exploits when coming out on top in a blanket finish to Sunday's Victoria Mile at Tokyo. The Group 1 is a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. At the line the first four were separated by just half a length, with race favourite Ascoli Piceno ultimately getting the verdict by a neck, having made her supporters sweat when still at the rear of the field entering the straight, before flashing home to collar Queen's Walk in the final strides. March's G2 Kinko Sho winner Queen's Walk completed a one-two for owners Sunday Racing, just a nose ahead of Shirankedo, with another head back to Argine in fourth. “The break wasn't too sharp and it took some effort to get her into the speed,” said the winning rider, Christophe Lemaire, who is now the most successful jockey in the history of the Victoria Mile with four wins. “I did have a little concern to how the filly would perform as race favourite, starting from an outside stall, but she did have plenty of energy left when needed. While it did take her some time to reach her top speed, I was thrilled by how she showed her mental strength and potential in fighting to the very end.” Last seen winning the G2 1351 Turf Sprint in Riyadh in February, having ended her three-year-old season with a below-par effort in November's Golden Eagle at Rosehill, Ascoli Piceno was racing on home soil for the first time since landing the G3 Keisei Hai Autumn Handicap at Nakayama in September last year. Trained by Yoichi Kuroiwa, the daughter of Daiwa Major is now a dual Group 1 winner, having previously brought the curtain down on an unbeaten two-year-old campaign with victory in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. That win was achieved at the expense of Stellenbosch, who later turned the tables on Ascoli Piceno when they filled the first two places in last year's G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas). Stellenbosch reopposed in the Victoria Mile but could manage only eighth. A thrilling finish! Watch as Ascoli Piceno captures the #WinAndYoureIn Victoria Mile and punches her ticket to the #BreedersCup at @DelMarRacing! Congrats to all of the connections! pic.twitter.com/hVpGBfEOJd — Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) May 18, 2025 Pedigree Notes Ascoli Piceno is one of four winners from as many runners out of the winning Danehill Dancer mare Ascolti, with the others including the Listed scorer Ascoltare (Duramente). She is also responsible for a three-year-old by Satono Diamond and a two-year-old by Kitasan Black, both of whom are unraced as yet. Ascolti, in turn, is out of the G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Listen, whose other notable progeny include the Listed winner and G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) runner-up Satono Lux, as well as the G2 Rose Stakes scorer and G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup third Touching Speech. Listen herself is a full-sister to the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Sequoyah, the dam of the multiple Group 1-winning sire Henrythenavigator. Sunday, Tokyo, Japan VICTORIA MILE-G1, ¥253,400,000, Tokyo, 5-18, 4yo/up, f, 1600mT, 1:32.10, fm. 1–ASCOLI PICENO (JPN), 123, m, 4, by Daiwa Major (Jpn) 1st Dam: Ascolti (Jpn), by Danehill Dancer (Ire) 2nd Dam: Listen (Ire), by Sadler's Wells 3rd Dam: Brigid, by Irish River (Fr) O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Yoichi Kuroiwa; J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥133,780,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Filly-Jpn, GSW-KSA, 9-6-2-0, $3,883,997. *1/2 to Ascoltare (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), SW-Jpn, $422,446. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Queen's Walk (Jpn), 123, f, 4, Kizuna (Jpn)–Wavell Avenue, by Harlington. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥53,080,000. 3–Shirankedo (Jpn), 123, m, 5, Declaration of War–Fair Bloom (Jpn), by Deep Impact (Jpn). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Nissin Holdings; B-Shimokobe Training Center (Jpn); ¥33,540,000. Margins: NK, NS, HD. Odds: 2.50, 8.50, 18.10. Also Ran: Argine (Jpn), Alice Verite (Jpn), Shinryokuka (Jpn), Admire Matsuri (Jpn), Stellenbosch (Jpn), Christmas Parade (Jpn), Sing That Song (Jpn), Wide Ratour (Jpn), Ravel (Jpn), Safira (Jpn), Masano Canaria (Jpn), Beyond The Valley (Jpn), Bond Girl (Jpn), So Dazzling (Jpn). Scratched: Mi Anhelo (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post Ascoli Piceno Prevails in Blanket Finish to the Victoria Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Confirming that she has lost none of her juvenile power, Juddmonte's Babouche did to Whistlejacket what she had done in last year's G1 Phoenix Stakes in Sunday's G3 Goffs Lacken Stakes at Naas. Keen early for Colin Keane denied cover, the Ger Lyons-trained 2-1 second favourite was delivered to swamp Ballydoyle's 4-5 market-leader two out en route to a 2 3/4-length success. The daughter of Kodiac was bringing up a treble for the trainer and jockey on the card, with the dup having already won the 2-year-old Group 3 with Lady Iman. Electric Babouche dazzles in the Lacken Stakes to complete a brilliant day for Ger Lyons and @ctkjockey Surely she'll now head to the Commonwealth Cup?@Goffs1866 | @NaasRacecourse pic.twitter.com/Xffry9fH48 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 18, 2025 The post Royal Ascot Bound Babouche Surges Back In The Lacken appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lady Iman had already provided Tally Ho Stud's much-vaunted first-crop sire Starman with his first black-type winner and Sunday's G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Blackbeard Fillies Sprint Stakes at Naas saw her further enhance his reputation. Having made the breakthrough in The Curragh's Listed First Flier Stakes earlier this month, the Ger Lyons-trained half-sister to West Acre travelled with ease under Colin Keane before hunting down the sire's other runner Green Sense in the final furlong. At the line, the 2-1 second favourite had 3/4 of a length to spare as she led home the one-two, with Ballydoyle's newcomer Signora by Frankel 1 3/4 lengths away in third. TDN Rising Star Simply Astounding, the daughter of Wootton Bassett and Minding, was a well-beaten fifth as the 4-5 favourite. 3⃣ out of 3⃣ Lady Iman maintains her unbeaten record in the Group 3 Blackbeard Stakes. Warm favourite Simply Astounding bombed out completely. @ctkjockey | @HoStud pic.twitter.com/bvMjR0dEG0 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 18, 2025 The post Lady Iman Leads One Two For Starman In The Fillies’ Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Volker Kaufling's twice-raced 3-year-old filly Matilda (Soldier Hollow), one of three distaffers sent postward for Sunday's G2 Coolmore City Of Troy German 2000 Guineas at Cologne, turned the one-mile Classic into a procession, coming home clear of her rivals on black-type debut. The homebred bay had previously backed up a Mar. 30 debut sixth going one mile at Dusseldorf with a taking five-length tally over this course and distance last month and repeated the trick of swishing her tail in the closing stages of that contest to propel her to career high here. Coolmore City Of Troy German 2000 Guineas Cologne – Groupe 2 – 3 ans – 1600m – 9 Pts – 125 000 € Matilda (f) (Ger) Frida Valle-Skar @fridavallee Ciaran Dhitjari (Soldier Hollow (Gb) – Modesty's Way (Usa) par Giant's Causeway (Usa))… pic.twitter.com/HLuh2foJjj — French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) May 18, 2025 The post Soldier Hollow’s Tail-Swishing Matilda Waltzes to German 2000 Guineas Glory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Everyone and their dog knew about Godolphin's newcomer Treanmor at Newmarket on Sunday and the €2million Goffs Orby Book 1 topper disappointed nobody as he became Frankel's 43rd TDN Rising Star. Sent off the 30-100 favourite for the opening six-furlong novice, the Charlie Appleby-trained son of Invincible Spirit's Listed scorer and dual Group 3-placed Loch Lein travelled with ease behind the pace before being launched by William Buick two out. Surging to the front and into the clear, he had four lengths to spare over fellow newcomer Vlad by A'Ali at the line. A smart one , a 2,000,000euros son of Frankel, bolts up on debut and looks a horse with serious promise. Next stop, Royal Ascot? He's 5/1 for the Coventry Stakes.@godolphin | @WilliamBuickX pic.twitter.com/kPPoiy5TTY — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 18, 2025 The post Frankel’s Goffs Orby Topper Treanmor A New TDN Rising Star For Godolphin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Marc Witkowski, the regular exercise rider of Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Journalism, reacts to the colt's victory the following morning May 18.View the full article

Five years ago, Jacob Pritchard Webb's career as a jump jockey in France was brought to a close with a fall that changed his life at the age of just 23. Even while coming to terms with his multiple neck and spinal injuries in hospital in Paris, he was already plotting the next phase of his life and from an early stage had his sights set on putting his equine skills to use by becoming a bloodstock agent. Pritchard Webb is now well on the way to establishing himself in this arena, building up his contacts and client list through France, England and the Czech Republic, and he recently travelled to Deauville to spend some days shadowing one of the best known names in the business, Anthony Stroud, at the Arqana Breeze-up Sale. “I've always enjoyed the Flat, having worked at Sir Mark Prescott's in the past, which was a great education and grounding. He had some great horses then like Marsha, Pallasator and Time Warp. Weight meant that I went jumping and then after the accident it made sense to persist with the National Hunt, especially with that niche of having been in France and speaking French,” he says. A chance encounter at the Velka Pardubicka and Czech Derby meeting last year has led to Pritchard Webb buying horses for a Czezh-based owner whose interest spans both codes. “I met Dr Charvat last year and I am very lucky to have him and his son George as clients,” says the agent. “We started low and bought a store for €2,500 for George, which he loved, and it progressed from there to buying Merano and Pardubice horses and on to the Flat. We bought a Saxon Warrior yearling from Orby Book 2, and then they wanted a 90-rated mile-and-a-half horse because there's a good programme for that type of horse in Czech, so we bought Goodwood Odyssey from David Menuisier. “I really enjoyed looking at the yearlings and that led to me coming here to shadow Mr Stroud. He was one of the first people, along with Anthony Bromley, to get in touch with me after my accident and he said to let him know if there was anything I needed. I've rung him up in the past with queries and he saw me on Sky Sports Racing last year for the Haye Jousselin meeting. Amazingly he was watching it and he rang me to tell me I was doing well on TV and I asked him if I could shadow him at a sale.” He adds, “You want to learn from the best and be looking at the best and someone like Mr Stroud will always be looking at the best. It's been a bit of an eye-opener.” The oft-used phrase 'confined to a wheelchair' does not strictly apply to Pritchard Webb. His lower-body paralysis does mean that he uses a wheelchair but he has let nothing stand in his way since putting heart and soul into his rehabilitative therapy both in France and later back in England at Lambourn's Oaksey House, a tremendous facility established by the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF). Two years after his accident Pritchard Webb completed a 140-mile hand-cycle challenge to raise funds for the IJF, which came to his aid in his hour of need. “It's a case of 'have wheels, will travel',” he says of his travels around Europe on the sales circuit. “I'm in this situation because of the accident. It is what it is, and it is great to be out looking at horses and buying horses. But it is hard, and sometimes there is the frustration that the chair kind of limits you in where you can go and get into, but with anything you've just got to keep getting out there and showing your face, and then hopefully getting some orders and some results.” Pritchard Webb's can-do attitude is a humbling reminder to us all to appreciate what we have rather than don't have, as he himself is doing. “I always call myself the unlucky lucky one,” he says. “My injury could have been so much worse. If my neck break had been a fraction worse I wouldn't be doing what I am doing at all. I've got to look at it that way – that I can still get out and look at horses, drive a car, ski, play table tennis, do hand-cycle challenges. “For two days it was borderline whether I was even going to be able to do that, so I got off lucky in that regard. Even when you are having a quiet time on the winners front, or you are struggling to buy anything, which everybody goes through; even then on top of the paralysis, you've got to look at it that it could have been a lot worse.” Following a six-month stay in French hospitals, Pritchard Webb has made good on his promise to pursue a career in bloodstock. From some pinhooking with Jerry McGrath and working the French claiming system with fellow agent Toby Jones, he is giving himself a rounded experience, including being named a representative for the French sales company Auctav. His next move will be from Leicestershire to the Welsh Borders with his family to help his grandfather develop their 140-acre farm where he plans to take boarders and house some pinhooked Flat foals. “Where I was hospitalised I saw so many people in different situations and made some friends,” he recalls. “I know that unfortunately there were some people there that were probably never even going to leave hospital because they were in such a bad way. I remember one day being the only person in the physio room to put my own shoes on, and then another day I was the only person who couldn't walk. I suppose you have to just keep to your own lane and make your own path and have some fun doing it.” The post ‘The Unlucky Lucky One’: Jacob Pritchard Webb on Life After Serious Injury appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New Lindsay Park acquisition Bankers Choice (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) is likely to follow the path of Without A Fight into the Caulfield Cup. The Ben, Will and J D Hayes-trained stayer holds a nomination in the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on Saturday, but is considered unlikely to run. Bankers Choice had initially been down to run in the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday, but as he already had secured a Caulfield Cup berth courtesy of his win in the Listed Mornington Cup last month, it was decided to bypass that race and head to Brisbane. Ben Hayes said the stable would have a thorough look at the entries for the Doomben Cup, but it was likely he would bypass the race in favour of running in the Gr.3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1800m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday week and then head to the Gr.2 Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm two weeks later. Those two races were won by recently retired Without A Fight in 2023 before he went on to claim the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double. “We were going to run in the Andrew Ramsden, but then we had a discussion with the whole team,” Hayes said. “He’s qualified for the Caulfield Cup, so we thought we’d go up to Queensland instead. “There are some nice options up there for him. There’s the Q22, there are some good set-weights and penalties races. “He’s nominated in the Doomben Cup. We’ll have a look at the race and weigh everything up, but he’ll potentially run a week later. “There’s an 1800-metre race, and then we can go into the Q22 and then we’ll aim him at the Caulfield Cup, just like they did with Without A Fight.” Previously prepared by Mike Moroney and then Glen Thompson when winning the Mornington Cup, Hayes said Bankers Choice had entered their stable in fantastic order. Having won the Mornington Cup and receiving a ballot exemption into the Caulfield Cup (2400m) in October, Hayes said the pressure of gaining a start was off. “He’s already in the Caulfield Cup and everything will be planned towards heading to that race,” Hayes said. “We’ll look at giving him a bit of a freshen up there, if it ever stops raining, and then he’d probably do the weight-for-age path into the Caulfield Cup. “He’s a very straight-forward horse and he arrived to us in great order. “Fingers crossed. It’s a great opportunity.” View the full article