Wandering Eyes

A Group One target is in the offing for exciting three-year-old Poetic Champion (NZ) (Super Seth) following his victory in the TAB 1200 at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. After enjoying the trail behind Shoes, the son of Super Seth improved to be outside the pacemaker when turning for home and captured the lead with 300m to go and was able to hold out the late challenge of race favourite Sweynesday to win by a head. Poetic Champion was first-up after a soft spring, where he won the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) and ran fourth in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). He returned with an 800m trial victory at Pukekohe last month and trainer Tony Pike was keen to give him a look around Ellerslie prior to the Karaka Millions meeting on January 25. “He is a really electric horse fresh, he is unbeaten now fresh-up,” Pike said. “We really wanted to keep his races spaced towards Karaka Millions night, hence we took on the older horses. It was a good effort from a three-year-old against the older horses at this time of year especially. “It was a good win, and he got chased down by a pretty good horse in second as well.” Jockey Matt Cartwright has a soft spot for Poetic Champion and was pleased with his performance in open grade on Wednesday. “I love this horse, he has been going so well this prep,” Cartwright said. “He had to step up against the older horses, but he did so and he acquitted himself well. “He will take confidence out of it and he is going well.” Bred by Australian Jonathan Munz under his GSA Bloodstock banner, Poetic Champion was initially offered as a yearling at Karaka but failed to meet his $80,000 reserve and was subsequently entrusted to the care of Pike. He has now won three of his nine starts for the Cambridge horseman, including the Sir Colin Meads Trophy, and he has also placed in the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m), Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m), and Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m). Group targets now await Poetic Champion on Karaka Millions night, with his connections now weighing up between the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) and Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m). “There are two nice options available to us,” Pike said. “The Railway looks like it is going to come up a pretty strong field. I will have a talk with Jonathan and the team at GSA and we will decide what we want to do in the next week or so. “He (Munz) hasn’t raced a horse in New Zealand for a fair while. This bloke couldn’t be sold at the sales, he got passed in, so lucky he left him here and he has done Super Seth proud. “It is really good that Jonathan has supported the New Zealand industry and hopefully he keeps a few more here.” View the full article

Every passing year seems to present California with a fresh set of challenges. The latest new leaf brings with it an entirely new racing framework with operations consolidated in the South. This comes on the back of the California Association of Racing Fairs' (CARF) decision last month not to pursue a race meet at Pleasanton during the start of 2025. On New Year's morning, the TDN sat down with Bill Nader, executive director of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC). In part one of this interview, Nader discusses, among other things, impacts from the current stabling agreement with Alameda County Fair which ends Mar. 25, and projected revenues from the simulcasting monies redirected from North to South. The following has been edited for brevity and clarity. TDN: What are the particulars of the agreement between the stabling and vanning committee and Alameda County Fair and CARF? BN: The template that we use for the agreement would mirror what we have for Los Alamitos and for San Luis Rey Downs–a very simple two-page agreement that gets into the fee that we pay per day. It's for seven days of stabling, and six days of training. The dark day for training would be Monday. They specify in the agreement that they may want to swap out that dark day for, in some cases, a Saturday or Sunday when they have big events. To protect everybody in that agreement, we did say that has to come with the consent of the CTT [California Thoroughbred Trainers]. The big thing was that in our proposal, the term of the agreement was from Dec. 26 into early June. And right after the CHRB meeting concluded on Dec. 19, CARF asked to sit down with me at Cal Expo–literally 15 minutes after the meeting ended–to talk about the stable agreement. The key point, they wanted to shorten it to Mar. 25. I was surprised to hear that. Again, it wasn't mentioned during the CHRB meeting. And again, the agreement was to begin or commence on Dec. 26, so we were working on a pretty tight timeline. The way it reads now is that [the agreement] ends on Mar. 25, and they–they being Alameda County Fair and CARF–have the exclusive right to elect to renew the agreement or extend the agreement past Mar. 25, provided there are 500 or more horses stabled at Pleasanton. So, be it their sole discretion whether they want to continue. If it's less than that [500 horses], then I think all parties would have to come together to assess at that time. We did insert language that notice of their option to renew or extend be no later than Feb. 25, so we would be able to give everybody proper notice if they're not going to continue as an auxiliary stabling facility. TDN: What's the cost per day and how is this being funded? BN: Half by the tracks in Southern California–Santa Anita and Del Mar. What their split is, I'm not entirely sure at this point. But together they pay half and purses pay half. I don't know if I can give you the cost. It might be proprietary. It's higher than for Los Alamitos and nearly double San Luis Rey. TDN: Is there any financial assistance on the table to help make up the roughly $800,000 in purse overpayments for the Golden State Racing meet just concluded? BN: Initially, we had talked about providing a 10% increase to CARF's summer purses, which effectively would have been about $600,000. They asked that, in lieu of that, could that payment or contribution be sent now to help with their current financial crisis. There's a separate agreement, different to the stabling and vanning agreement, that allows for that to happen in the first quarter of 2025. That would go to Alameda County Fair. TDN: Aside from the purse overpayment, are there other operational debts that Pleasanton has accrued? BN: I don't know. I only see the purse overpayment. I don't know about their operational costs. TDN: If for some reason that agreement isn't continued after the Mar. 25 expiration date, what will that mean for the fairs this summer, realistically speaking? BN: I think it would put the fairs in a very compromised position. The whole idea initially for us when we came forward with the agreement going through early June was to keep the population intact leading into the fairs. So, a stoppage Mar. 25 would be a problem for the fairs to have that continuity. But again, they have the exclusive right to make that decision as to what they want to do with their property. Whether they choose to continue or not. TDN: Are you expecting the Pleasanton horse inventory to maintain above that 500-horse threshold? BN: It'll obviously be lower than what it is at the starting point, which is somewhere between 750 horses and 800. On how far it falls, I don't know. It's something we'll have to monitor and look at closely. TDN: What are the projected revenues from the simulcasting monies redirected South? And how will that be divided up in terms of purses and track commissions? BN: If the fairs are able to continue based on the 2023 calendar–which allows 13 weeks of racing for the fairs, and 39 weeks of redirect–based on that, it would be about $20 million coming down. That would be split about equally between the purses and track commissions. You're looking at about $10 million for each side. From that ballpark figure, about 60% of that would go to Santa Anita, 29% to Del Mar, and 11% Los Alamitos. Both track commissions and purses. TDN: What happens if the fairs don't go ahead this year? BN: If that happens, then the redirect becomes bigger, and we would then have to further consider how to cater to that population over a longer period of time. Right now, the races that are being made available in the South are only for the weeks in which there is no racing in the North. Once the fairs are in play, those races would not be available at any of the daytime tracks in the South. When we say races in the South, we're talking daytime tracks where the incentives kick in, such as the round-trip horse transport, the travel stipends and the increased purses. If that were to happen, we would have to come together and rethink what if anything we can do to try to keep those horses, provide opportunities for those horses in California. TDN: Let's go with the scenario that the fairs do go ahead this summer and that $20 million heads South, what can the horsemen and women expect in impact to purses? BN: The first part at Santa Anita, we have to recognize or acknowledge the deficit that we have in the purse over-payment and try to repay that. TDN: How big is the deficit now? BN: Six million. It's a substantial amount. We've got to be fiscally responsible and get back to where we need to be. But with that, if we can structure a repayment plan over a period of time, we can sit down with Santa Anita and work out a schedule that allows some upside to purses. That would be our preferred view. With Del Mar, that's a lot easier because their purse overpayment there is just over $1 million. The $20-million figure, we've got to make sure that number is real. We'll see that over the first quarter of 2025, see if the actuals actually match up to the forecast. And then I think we can strategically come together with the racetracks, work out something where the purses start to see some upside. I think Del Mar is going to be in a pretty good position. Hopefully we get to where we can share some of that benefit with owners, trainers, all of our stakeholders at some point relatively early in 2025. TDN: It's early days, but the one race carded over the weekend restricted to the Northern California horses appeared to handle noticeably less than the other open races. Did you expect that? BN: Yes, because it was noon, second race. It handled something like $471,000. TDN: Was that comparable to what that specific race would have handled at Golden Gate Fields? BN: At Pleasanton, at Golden State Racing, that would have handled $60,000 at that time, meaning noon. And it was much more than it would have been at Golden Gate. At Golden Gate, in that timeslot, it might have been less than $200,000. So, it was more than double what it would have been at Golden Gate. The post Bill Nader Q&A Part One: ‘It Would be About $20 Million Coming Down’ 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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Eight grade 1 winners received invitations to the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25, including 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan and 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner White Abarrio.View the full article

Spendthrift Farm's 2024 leading first crop sire Vekoma rang in the new year with his newest stakes winner when Five G soared home by nine lengths in the Jan. 1 Cash Run Stakes at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Tennessee Moon (Ransom the Moon) is not the type of horse to make headlines, but maybe that's because we've forgotten how special and admirable some of these blue-collar horses can be. The 6-year-old owned and trained by 56-year-old Mark Hibdon won 13 times from 18 starts in 2024, winning more races than any other horse in training. It's not just that she was winning, it was where she was winning. She ran in Louisiana (Delta Downs), Nebraska (Fonner Park), Wyoming (Energy Downs 307 Racing), Texas (Lone Star Park), Colorado (Arapahoe Park) and Kentucky (Churchill Downs). “It may sound funny to other people, but she's our big horse,” Hibdon said. “It was a blessing that we got her. She's different, unique, and very talented and we claimed her for $5,000. I thank the Lord for that. I just don't want to get her beat. Every time l take her over there, I start to think about that.” That hasn't been much of a problem lately. Tennessee Moon has won five of her six races and the only defeat came in a Claiming Crown race at Churchill. But it doesn't look like anything will come easily when she goes postward Saturday at Delta Downs in the $75,000 Orleans S. at five furlongs, where she will face six others. Stepping up off a win in a $5,000 starter allowance race, she is 7-2 on the morning line. She will be racing over her favorite track. She is 8-for-8 at Delta. “I feel pretty good about this race,” said Hibdon, noting that Tennessee Moon became ineligible for $5,000 starter allowance races at Delta on Jan. 1. “I think she can run with these horses.” A win in a $75,000 stakes would be the highlight of her career so far, but there will always be a lot more to her story than just one race. Hibdon had been watching Tennessee Moon while she kept changing barns via the claim in 2023, first at Emerald Downs and then at Delta. He claimed her on Nov. 17, 2023 at Delta from trainer Jon Arnett. He could have run her back in another $5,000 claimer, where she probably would have won and probably would have been claimed. But Hibdon didn't want to take any chances and ran her in an entry level allowance race. She won by 3 1/4 lengths, the second win in what would become a seven-race winning streak. “It was shocking,” Hibdon said. “The first time I ran her, we thought we'd take a shot in an 'A other than' because it was for a little bit more money. I thought she could do it. I really liked her. She won pretty easy, so we got excited about her at that point because I felt like I had a good 'starter five' filly for the rest of the year I don't want to sound arrogant or cocky, but she was winning so easy that it didn't take anything out of her. She's come back and it was like she had just been sent her out for a two-minute lick. It's really fun and exciting when you have a horse like that. I've never had one like that.” With the exception of Delta, most of the tracks that Hibdon competes at have shorts meets, which is why Tennessee Moon was so often on the move. But Hibdon enjoyed that part of the story. He made sure to visit Yellowstone and took in all the beauty that is Wyoming. “Wyoming is part of the most beautiful country that I've ever seen,” he said. “We kind of look at it as a vacation. So we go there and get a paid vacation.” Tennessee Moon has been back at Delta Downs since October and has won her last two races there. She's got plenty of speed, so her game plan when it comes to five-furlong races is break fast and dare them to try to catch her. “She just loves [Delta],” Hibdon said. “She gets over it so good. The tight turns might have something to do with it. She's an athletic filly and she has little bit faster cruising rate than most horses have. It comes easy to put that speed out there and she doesn't have to work for it. Those other horses trying to keep up with that, it takes a little more out of them, especially at Delta Downs. That track is real heavy.” The 2-1 morning line favorite in the Orleans is Miss Arlington (Mark Valeski), the winner of the Mahoning Distaff S. Steve Asmussen will send out Makeup (Classic Empire), an allowance winner in her last start at Churchill Downs. “It will probably be the toughest race of her career,” Hibdon said. “I'd compare it to the Claiming Crown race she ran in in Kentucky, when she was fourth. There were some pretty nice mares in there.” Hibdon has been training since 2001 and has 35 horses under his care. Prior to 2024, he had never topped $660,000 in seasonal earnings. That all changed last year thanks to Tennessee Moon. She earned $190,134, pushing the stable's earnings on the year to $1,040,020. He, of course, wants to win Saturday, which might open some doors for some even tougher stakes races. But this is truly a horse that owes his owner and trainer nothing. “I know is sounds like a cliche, but I don't really do this for the money, I do it because I love horse racing,” Hibdon said. “I love horses and I'm thankful that we make enough money to keep going. Anybody who gets into this buinsess to make money is probably barking up the wrong tree. But when you have a horse like this, the sport can be really fun.” The post Tennessee Moon, Who Led Country in Wins in 2024, Faces Tough Test Saturday at Delta Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Runner-up in the grassy Tepin Stakes when last seen at Aqueduct Nov. 17, Gatsas Stables' Five G ran away from her overmatched rivals to easily take out Wednesday's Fasig-Tipton Cash Run Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Let go at better than 5-1 returning to the main track for the first time since finishing unplaced behind the talented MSW 'TDN Rising Star' With the Angels (Omaha Beach) at Saratoga last summer, the homebred filly bounced away well enough from the inside gate beneath John Velazquez and railed through to contest the early splits just underneath Andrea (Thousand Words) into the turn. Edging to the front under her own courage with three furlongs to travel, she was pushed along to widen into the lane and pulled readily clear to take it by nine convincing lengths. Five G is the sixth black-type winner for her sire, who proved narrowly best in a three-way go for champion freshman sire of 2024. Gatsas Stable acquired this filly's dam for $57,000 in foal to Runhappy at Keeneland November in 2020. Triumphant is a half-sister to three-time stakes winner Lipstick City (City Zip), while third dam Gold Canyon produced MGSW Adriano (A.P. Indy) and the graded-placed dam of 'TDN Rising Star' Strike Power (Speightstown), who won this track's GIII Swale Stakes in 2018. Triumphant is the dam of a yearling full-brother to Five G and is due to give birth to a Central Banker foal this year. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. FASIG-TIPTON CASH RUN S., $150,000, Gulfstream, 1-1, 3yo, f, 1m, 1:38.11, ft. 1–FIVE G, 118, f, 3, by Vekoma 1st Dam: Triumphant, by Quality Road 2nd Dam: Star Torina, by A.P. Indy 3rd Dam: Gold Canyon, by Mr. Prospector 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O/B-Gatsas Stables LLC (NY); T-George Weaver; J-John R Velazquez. $91,140. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-0, $160,290. *Sixth SW for sire (by Candy Ride {Arg}). 2–Paradise City, 118, f, 3, McKinzie–Washington Bridge, by Yankee Gentleman. 1ST BLACK-TYPE. ($25,000 RNA Ylg '23 KEESEP; $105,000 2yo '24 OBSOPN). O-C2 Racing Stable LLC, Kuehne Racing, Shining Stables LLC, Paul Braverman & Timothy Pinch; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Saffie A Joseph Jr. $29,400. 3–Unchained Elaine, 120, f, 3, American Pharoah–Razorback Lady, by Overdriven. 1ST BLACK-TYPE. O-Patrick L Biancone Racing LLC & Amy E Dunne; B-Mr. Patrick Biancone (KY); T-Patrick L Biancone. $14,700. Margins: 9, 1HF, 6 1/4. Odds: 5.20, 1.80, 5.00. Also Ran: Yellow, Fallon, Sweet Note, Andrea. #1 FIVE G ($12.40) was impressive running away from the field in the $165,000 Cash Run Stakes at @GulfstreamPark. The daughter of Vekoma (@spendthriftfarm) was ridden by @ljllmvel and is trained by George Weaver. Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/vRLzMK5YwG — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 1, 2025 The post Vekoma Filly Five G Easily Best In Fasig-Tipton Cash Run S. appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Norman Stables' Secret Faith (Aurelius Maximus) continued her demolition of the Louisiana-bred stakes ranks with a front-running 7 1/4-length victory in the fillies' division of the Louisiana Futurity at Fair Grounds Sunday. The 2-year-old filly has now won six of her seven starts to date, with five stakes wins at four different tracks. She has a combined winning margin of 40 1/2 lengths, led off by a 14-length score in the D.S. Shine Young Futurity at Evangeline Downs in August. Jayde Gelner purchased Secret Faith on behalf of owner Robbie Norman for $75,000 out of the 2023 Texas Thoroughbred Association Yearling sale. The trainer had already had success with the family when he signed the ticket on the yearling. He conditions her multiple stakes-winning half-brother Strong Promise (Broken Vow) for Norman. “She looked almost exactly like her brother,” Gelner said of his early impression of Secret Faith. “Her half-brother started out his career in the same way, five for five, but he just never got any bigger. He was a nice-sized 2-year-old, but he never grew after that. When I saw her at the Texas sale, she caught my eye. She looked exactly like him, same markings almost. Size-wise, she was about the same size as he was, but she was only a yearling.” Where her brother failed to grow, Secret Faith has just continued to improve, according to Gelner. “She is still growing,” he said. “She just keeps getting bigger and bigger.” The 24-year-old Gelner followed both his father and grandfather into the trainer ranks when he went out on his own in 2022. Shopping the regional markets improves his chances of making a profit at the racetrack, he said. Gelner purchased Divining Humor (Divining Rod) for $12,000 at the 2022 TTA Yearling Sale and the filly went two-for-two, winning the TTA Futurity in 2023 and earning $109,620. Secret Faith has already rewarded her $75,000 purchase price with current earnings of $367,022. “I've been focusing on the regional market since I started,”Gelner said. “It's not all about money, but owners want to at least recover their investments and it's an easier market to recover your investments. If you own a stakes horse that is in open company, you have to be really good, instead of just being good. And Louisiana's program is getting better and better. It makes it a little bit tougher to win, but you are able to recoup some of the expenses your owners have when purchasing a horse. So that's what I like to do.” Gelner had high hopes for Secret Faith right from the beginning. “I thought she would be good as soon as we got her,” he said. “She just looked so athletic. After her first breeze, she showed she was going to be very nice.” Secret Faith opened her career with a 6 1/4-length victory going 4 1/2 furlongs at Evangeline Downs in June and followed that maiden score with a win in the TTA Futurity. Following her 14-length romp in the D.S. Shine Young Futurity, she added stakes wins at Delta Downs and Fair Grounds. The gray filly suffered her first loss when a head short of a stubborn Blue Fire (Aurelius Maximus) in the Louisiana Champions Day Lassie Stakes Dec. 14, but rebounded to end her juvenile campaign in style in the Futurity. Asked what he thinks as he watches the filly come home far in front of her nearest pursuers, Gelner admitted with a laugh, “Hopefully, we don't see a shadow on the track. I am a little superstitious and it's not a win until they cross the line. No early celebrations. Just a grin. You're just waiting for the finish line. It can't come fast enough, no matter if you are 20 in front or you win by a nose. It can never come fast enough.” Secret Faith's wins have come from 4 1/2 to seven furlongs, but Gelner thinks the filly has a future at longer distances. “I think she is going to be a really good two-turn horse going forward,” Gelner said. “She just has such a high-cruising speed that she can use going a route of ground instead of the sprinting distance. She is very close to the pace sprinting, but she can carry her speed further. She does whatever you want her to do. She's is just so talented, she can do it sprinting, too.” Secret Faith is expected to make her next start going seven furlongs in the Feb. 1 Louisiana-bred Premier Night Starlet at Delta Downs, but Gelner thinks the filly will eventually make it to the open ranks. “Numbers wise, she will definitely be competitive [in open company],” Gelner said. “And in my mind, she is a really nice horse and she should be able to compete with a lot of good open horses. We are just taking the 'per se' easier route for now and letting her develop. The purse structure is so good in Louisiana that it doesn't make any sense to run any harder than you have to run, especially during this time of year with the Fair Grounds and Delta and the stakes schedule they have out there for just Louisiana-breds.” With two years under his belt, Secret Faith is Gelner's highest-earning runner so far, but she may have competition from the newly turned 3-year-old Whata Moon (Gormley), who was a narrowly beaten runner-up in the Dec. 21 Letellier Memorial Stakes in just her second start after breaking her maiden by 9 1/2 lengths at Delta Downs Nov. 21. “Secret Faith is probably one of the nicest ones [I've trained],” Gelner said of the filly. “We will see how she does in her 3-year-old year, but not many of them can start their career like she has.” The post Gelner Has High Hopes for Louisiana-bred Secret Faith appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

America’s Best Racing correspondent Tom Pedulla looks back at 10 stories that made 2024 a year to toast.View the full article

Residents of Grantville, Pa. will not be ringing in the New Year by watching live horse racing as high winds have led Penn National Race Course to cancel its Jan. 1 card.View the full article

New year but the same old brief for Winter Watch, with the horses who officially turned three on January 1 set to continue under our supervision in the hope that the all-weather programme might yet throw up another Classic contender or two. Remember, Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) didn't make his debut until January 27 last year. We've seen plenty of interesting action since the last column before Christmas, and some interesting action we didn't see quite so much of because of the fog. All of it is going to take some unpicking so, without further ado, I shall wish you a Happy New Year and begin our review, starting with the debut of an aptly named filly who sparkled as brightly as the New Year's Eve fireworks… Surf's Up at Kempton The one-mile fillies' maiden run at Kempton the week before Christmas threw up a high-class winner in 2023–the subsequent G1 Prix de l'Opera heroine Friendly Soul (GB) (Kingman {GB})–and there's every chance the latest edition might have done likewise if the striking display we witnessed from Glittering Surf (GB) is anything to go by. Sent off the 11-8 favourite as seven runners went to post for the first division, the daughter of Oasis Dream (GB) made for easy watching if you'd backed her at those short odds. She was in front from an early stage, taking an enthusiastic hold of the bridle, before quickly putting daylight between herself and the chasing pack when shaken up entering the final two furlongs. Whilst the runner-up made some late inroads, Glittering Surf was still over three lengths clear at the line, seemingly with plenty in hand. Owen Burrows wouldn't be renowned for first-time-out juvenile winners, but Glittering Surf is the second exciting filly from the stable to have sparkled on debut in recent weeks after Shadwell's Falakeyah (GB) (New Bay {GB}), who earned 'TDN Rising Star' status when she impressed at Wolverhampton back in November. This filly is reportedly the first horse Burrows has had for former trainer Peter Winkworth, who bred her out of the Frankel (GB) mare Sparkling Surf (GB), a half-sister to the G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Kitesurf (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the G2 Dante Stakes third Surfman (GB) (Kingman {GB}). Winkworth also trained the second dam, Shimmering Surf (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), before his retirement from training in 2011. She later won the G3 Pinnacle Stakes and was twice placed at Group 2 level when in the care of Roger Varian. Physically, Glittering Surf certainly takes after the distaff side of her pedigree, with Burrows describing her as “a big, long-striding filly”. She could be the type to make significant progress as a three-year-old. Smart horse alert Glittering Surf (Oasis Dream) makes some impression on debut under Richard Kingscote to run out the emphatic winner of the race won last year by Friendly Soul @kemptonparkrace An exciting prospect for @OwenBurrowsRace @unibet | @BritishEBF pic.twitter.com/5sZjwAffET — Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 18, 2024 A Strong Stayer for the Boys in Blue Charlie Appleby had to settle for the runner-up spot in Glittering Surf's race with Pearl Of Hope (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})–a half-sister to the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Victor Ludorum (GB)–but he was on the mark earlier on that Kempton card when Aegean Prince (GB) won the 11-furlong maiden. The first foal out of the G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Prix Vermeille runner-up Musis Amica (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}), Aegean Prince had shaped with plenty of promise when finishing third on his debut at Chelmsford back in November, an experience which clearly stood him in good stead when he found himself in a battle at Kempton. Unlike Glittering Surf's backers, you were made to sweat if you were on at 8-15, but the son of Dubawi (Ire) found plenty where it mattered to get the verdict by a neck. The way Aegean Prince saw this out suggests stamina will be his strong suit and he has the makings of a smart stayer in 2025, with a step up to a mile and a half, and likely further still, promising to see him to best effect. Gosden Bluebloods on the March When Musis Amica finished second in the 2019 Prix Vermeille, she was denied by that year's Irish Oaks heroine Star Catcher (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) who, coincidentally, was also represented by her first runner in the days leading up to Christmas when Star Of Light (GB) (Frankel {GB}) debuted in a fillies' maiden at Wolverhampton over an extended nine furlongs. Trained by John and Thady Gosden for owner-breeder Anthony Oppenheimer, Star Of Light was only the fourth choice of punters in a field of eight, suggesting she was perhaps expected to benefit from the experience, but she was ultimately well on top at the finish in winning by half a length. She was arguably value for extra, too, having made her effort from further back than ideal in a slowly-run race, before looking a bit green once produced to lead in the final furlong It was certainly a promising start to life as a racehorse for Star Of Light, who should be suited by a mile and a half as a three-year-old, and she wasn't the only regally-bred two-year-old from Clarehaven to catch the eye in recent days. Too Darn Hot (GB) filly Sandirella (GB), a half-sister to the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Mangoustine (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}), shaped like the run would bring her on when finishing third in the maiden won by Glittering Surf at Kempton, while a half-brother to the aforementioned Too Darn Hot was also in action at Wolverhampton just two days after Christmas. The ninth runner out of the multiple Group 1 winner Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), with the others including the high-class Dubawi (Ire) fillies Lah Ti Dar (GB) and So Mi Dar (GB), Mallorca (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) was unable to emulate those siblings by making a winning debut, but it's surely just a matter of time before he opens his account judged on what we saw of his first start over the extended mile at Wolves–and that wasn't very much. In front when the runners finally emerged from the fog in the final furlong, he was ultimately beaten a short head as the William Haggas-trained Merchant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) finished with a wet sail to edge ahead in the final strides. Crucially, that rival had the benefit of two previous runs, so it was to the credit of Mallorca that victory for the odds-on favourite was so hard fought. Nice pedigree! Star Of Light, out of Irish Oaks winner Star Catcher, is learning all the time but has enough class to win on debut at @WolvesRaces for John & Thady Gosden… pic.twitter.com/5blCVPWbNy — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 21, 2024 One to Watch Showcasing (GB) colt Showering (GB) was another two-year-old from the Haggas yard to receive a positive mention in a previous edition of Winter Watch, after his successful debut at Newcastle early last month, and he built on the promise of that effort when attempting to follow up in a novice over the same course and distance on Saturday. Beaten a length and a half into second, Showering probably had an impossible task as it turns out, trying to concede 7lb to a Karl Burke-trained newcomer who looked potentially smart in registering a decisive victory, impressing with the way he put the race to bed after travelling smoothly into contention. The Watcher (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is the colt in question, a homebred of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's. The third winner from as many runners out of the unraced Lope De Vega (Ire) mare Lunar Vega (Ire), he looks all about speed and should make a good-quality sprint handicapper, at the very least, as a three-year-old. Crisfords and Rabbah Racing on a Roll Speaking of high-class sprinters in the making, Good Banter (Ire) (Calyx {GB}) deserves another mention despite being off the track since his Wolverhampton win back in November. The form has worked out very well in the interim, with the runner-up, The Quiet Gent (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), and third, Don Pacifico (Ire), both winning next time. Southwell novice scorer Don Pacifico still looked a work in progress on his second run, taking a fierce grip through the first part of the six-furlong trip, but at the line he was an emphatic winner by two and three-quarter lengths. He is very much the type to go on improving as he learns how to race. The son of Night Of Thunder (Ire) is trained by Simon and Ed Crisford for Rabbah Racing, who also struck in the one-mile fillies' novice at Southwell on Saturday with Suzette Defoye (Fr) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), a half-sister to the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin winner Simca Mille (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}). Bought for €260,000 at the Arqana October Yearling Sale, Suzette Defoye is bred to be suited by at least 10 furlongs and the way the race developed at Southwell almost certainly wasn't to her advantage, with the modest gallop putting the emphasis firmly on speed. In spite of that, she was an authoritative winner, by three quarters of a length, in a race that should throw up plenty of winners. Stable-mate Harpsichord (GB) (Ribchester {Ire}), another debutant, was especially eye-catching in fourth. Don Pacifico is a class above and gets off the mark at @Southwell_Races for @gainsboroughHQ and @Mitchelljack77… pic.twitter.com/bIWTco7vbF — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 19, 2024 The Next Mill Stream? A word, too, for Jane Chapple-Hyam and Peter Harris, who celebrated a pair of two-year-old debut winners in the space of three days. It began with 80,000gns purchase Casa de Salinas (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), the second foal out of the G3 Fairy Bridge Stakes heroine Waitingfortheday (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}), who followed Glittering Surf in winning the second division of the fillies' maiden at Kempton, while Kon Tiki (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) was arguably even more impressive in winning at Wolverhampton. Lining up in the second division of the fillies' novice, Kon Tiki completed the seven furlongs in a time over 2.2 seconds faster than the winner of the first division, Never Let Go (GB) (No Nay Never), only winning by half a length but looking value for extra given that she conceded first run, and experience, to the placed pair. Like Casa de Salinas, Kon Tiki was purchased by Harris at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, this time for 220,000gns. She is the second foal out of the G3 March Stakes winner and G2 Lillie Langtry Stakes runner-up Maid Up (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), whose first runner, Champagne Prince (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), won a Listed contest at Kempton last month for the same connections. Following the retirement of their G1 July Cup hero Mill Stream (Ire), Chapple-Hyam and Harris have a vacancy for a flagbearer in 2025. Champagne Prince could well be the one, but don't bet against an unexposed three-year-old, such as Kon Tiki, making the jump up to Pattern company. Winner in Waiting City Of God (Ire) Kodiac (GB)–Rare (Ire), by Galileo (Ire) Visibility at Wolverhampton was significantly reduced for the second division of this seven-furlong novice, but what we did see of City Of God was a horse desperately in need of the experience, hanging badly left when asked for his effort in the straight. The son of Kodiac was caught further back than ideal in a steadily-run race, too, so he did well under the circumstances to be beaten only two and a quarter lengths at the line, having finished well once switched to the outside. Trained by Karl Burke, he seems sure to improve with the run under his belt and will be suited by at least a mile. The post Winter Watch: Fireworks Through the Fog appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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After on-again, off-again attempts to bring Rich Strike (Keen Ice–Gold Strike, by Smart Strike) back to the races, owner Rick Dawson has decided to retire the 2022 GI Kentucky Derby winner. Dawson revealed the news in a Facebook post on New Year's Eve. “I have entered into a P&S Agreement to stand Richie as stallion at Mountain Springs Farm in Palmyra PA w/ owner Rich Miller,” he wrote. “A final contract should be executed very soon & Richie will ship shortly thereafter. I personally plan to support Richie with several quality mares each season. GO RICHIE & OFFSPRING!!” Mountain Springs Farm is located in Palmyra, PA, and is owned by Miller. “This is more than a little exciting,” Miller said. “I don't know what to expect yet, but we're seeing that there's a lot of interest in him.” Miller said he was not aware if a stud fee had been set yet. When it comes to highs and lows, few horses have had careers quite like that of the chestnut 6-year-old. After running 10th in his debut, a maiden special weight turf race at Ellis Park, he was claimed for $30,000 out of his next start by Dawson and trainer Eric Reed. That was in a maiden claimer going a mile on the main track at Churchill Downs, which he won by 17 1/4 lengths. Five starts later he managed to finish a distant third in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park, but earned enough points to be on the bubble for the Derby. Rich Strike only got into the race because there was a late scratch and he drew in off the also-eligible list. In a shocking performance, he won by three-quarters of a length at odds of 80-1. Rich Strike became the second longest priced horse to have won the Kentucky Derby after Donerail in 1913. Donerail was 91-1. The Derby was the last race he would ever win and he made just one start in 2023, finishing a distant fifth in the GII Alysheba S. Dawson said the horse was suffering from suspensory injuries, but he held out hope they could be healed to the point that he could return to the races. Meanwhile, Dawson and Reed parted ways over a dispute involving the rights to a movie about Reed, his father and Rich Strike. Rich Strike was turned over to Hall of Famer Bill Mott and more time was given for him to get over his injuries. This time stem-cell treatments were tried, but he was never able to get back to his self. He recovered to the point that Mott was able to work him four times this summer at Saratoga, but injury problems persisted and he was retired with a record of 14-2-1-3 and earnings of $2,526,809. He was bred by Calumet Farm. “I was approached about him weeks ago and we just kept discussing it,” Miller said. “It looks like there's quite a bit of interest coming from out of state. But the breeding program here in Pennsylvania is excellent and that's probably why they decided to come here. They approached me and I must have watched the Derby 20 times. I still can't figure out how he got from last to first. What a run. What a race.” Miller is a veteran Pennsylvania breeder, whose farm stands some of the best stallions in the state. The most notable is Uptowncharlybrown (Limehouse), who was the leading stallion in Pennsylvania in 2024. They also have, among others, Uncle Benny (Declaration of War), who was second in the 2018 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, and Enticed (Medaglia d'Oro), a two-time graded stakes winner. The post Derby Winner Rich Strike To Stand at Mountain Springs Farm in Pennsylvania appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

James Harron Bloodstock (JHB) and Tony Fung Investments (TFI) will partner for the 2025 yearling sales. TFI will participate in acquisitions for both the JHB Colt Partnership and the JHB/Michael Freedman Filly Partnership. “As the market continues to evolve, so must we,” said James Harron in a statement. “Historically, we've been fierce competitors in the sales ring with Tony and his team. However, given our shared focus on acquiring and developing elite horses to maximize on-sale value and build enduring stallion equity for our partners, this partnership is a natural next step. I have tremendous respect for the achievements of Tony and his team, and believe this alliance represents a great opportunity for all involved.” The two companies have previously purchased (separately) G1 Golden Slipper winners Capitalist (Aus) and Farnan (Aus), dual Group 1 winner King's Legacy (Aus), as well as group winning stallions Prague (Aus) and Anders (Aus). “When I first landed in Australia, I asked my team who was the competitor we ought both fear, and look to for inspiration, and my team unequivocally said the team at James Harron Bloodstock,” said John Fung, Tony Fung's son. “Over the November sales in Kentucky, our teams began developing the idea to combine our energies and maximize value for the foreseeable future. Today, I am thrilled that we have found our way to this exciting collaboration. I look forward to learning from James and his team over the next few years, and to all the opportunities which the upcoming sales present. I truly think that my family's future in this industry has been enhanced by this partnership.” The post James Harron Bloodstock And Tony Fung Investments Partner For 2025 Yearling Sales appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New Zealand-bred gelding Sounds Unusual hinted at a bright future over staying distances with a maiden victory in the A$100,000 Ranvet Plate (1900m) at Canterbury on New Year’s Day. The four-year-old began his career only a month ago, finishing strongly from last to run second over 1500m at Newcastle on December 1. He produced another late run for third over 1900m at Canterbury on December 13, earning $1.45 favouritism for his third career start on Wednesday. Sounds Unusual was ridden patiently by Nash Rawiller, who took up a midfield position before angling his mount into a gap two off the fence at the top of the home straight. Sounds Unusual gradually built up his momentum and surged past the leaders, stretching out well to win by just under a length. “The barrier (gate two) probably helped him today and he had the right run,” Rawiller said. “He’s still learning his craft. He’s a bit of a big, gangly kid and a bit of a dope. He did a good job to win here today on a small track. “He’s got good scope and will keep improving. I reckon he’s still six months away. He’s been given the time to mature, and a bit more of that mental and physical maturity will take him a long way.” The Chris Waller-trained Sounds Unusual has now had three starts for a win, two placings and A$60,950 in stakes. Sounds Unusual was bred by Letham Stud’s Nigel and Adaire Auret, who put him through his early paces in the Marton stable of their son Fraser. He was a 1000m trial winner at Foxton in October before being privately sold across the Tasman to one of Waller’s major clients, the Muollo family. Waller’s wife Stephanie also shares in the ownership. “It was a patient ride from Nash, but you’ve got to have the horsepower to show that patience, and he had that today,” Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said. “This is great for Tony Muollo, who’s a pretty passionate owner. He’s on course today, so it’s very pleasing to get a win for him.” Sounds Unusual is a son of Letham Stud stallion Unusual Suspect, who has been credited with 46 winners from just 78 runners. Unusual Countess has won at Listed level, while five-race winner Unusual Legacy placed in this season’s Gr.1 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) and Unusual Culture has been a multiple Group Three placegetter. Sounds Unusual is the first foal to race out of the Perfectly Ready mare Perfectlyenchanted, who herself recorded six wins in a 37-start career. Perfectlyenchanted produced another colt by Unusual Suspect in 2021. View the full article

A return to stakes company is looming on the horizon for proven black-type performer Zambezi Khan, who struck winning form early in her four-year-old preparation in the A$65,000 Australian Trainers’ Association Plate (1700m) at Flemington on New Year’s Day. It was the fourth win of a 17-start career for the New Zealand-bred mare, who has placed on another five occasions including last season’s Gr.3 SA Fillies’ Classic (2500m) at Morphettville. Trainers Patrick and Michelle Payne kicked off Zambezi Khan’s season with a fifth over 1350m at Donald on November 17, followed by a second over 1500m at Moonee Valley on December 6. The Mongolian Khan mare was ideally suited to the step up to 1700m for the third start of her campaign on Wednesday, and after settling in fourth among an eight-horse field, the field bunched up before the home turn and she loomed just behind the leaders. Zambezi Khan warmed into her work in the straight and finished over the top of gallant topweight Miss Tarzy to score a narrow but impressive win. “The race unfolded perfectly,” apprentice jockey Tom Prebble said. “She was a bit too keen last start, but switched off really well today, so the Paynes have done a good job with her. “There was a nice tempo on today, which helped her. I presented her in the straight and she ran them down nicely. I think the longer straight here at Flemington allowed her to work through her gears.” Zambezi Khan has now earned A$153,392, having been purchased for just $5,000 by part-owner Mark Evans on Gavelhouse.com in August of 2021. Zambezi Khan began her career in the Hastings stable of Guy Lowry, for whom she won on debut as a two-year-old at Tauherenikau in January of 2023. She finished fifth in the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m) in her only other appearance as a juvenile, then resumed the following spring with a close fifth at Taupo behind subsequent Group One winner Quintessa. Those performances gave Lowry the confidence to take Zambezi Khan across the Tasman, where she won at Mornington, finished second at Kyneton and ran eighth in the Gr.2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington. Zambezi Khan’s owners left her in Victoria after that campaign and put her in the Paynes’ stable. She won in her third start for them at Mildura last April, then finished third at Caulfield before running second behind Positivity in the SA Fillies’ Classic. Michelle Payne saw promising signs in Wednesday’s win. “It was an absolutely beautiful ride by Tom,” she said. “The speed was good enough for him to slot in and get the cover that he needed. “To the horse’s credit, she kept picking up down the straight and scored a wonderful win. A couple of her owners are here today from New Zealand, so that makes it all the sweeter. “She’s a lovely mare. She showed that in her three-year-old days, and she’s come back well in this prep. Some more black type a bit further down the track would be great, possibly in Tasmania.” Zambezi Khan was bred by the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry and is a daughter of their Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), Australian Derby (2400m) and New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner Mongolian Khan. The dam of Zambezi Khan is the Makfi mare Zafiki, who won twice and is out of the Listed Rain Lover Plate (2600m) winner Zingo. View the full article

Lightly raced four-year-old Riviera Rebel (NZ) (Pure Champion) showed his undoubted affinity for his home track when he made it three wins from just four starts there in taking out the feature event at Riverton, the Dynes Transport Tapanui Cup (1200m), on New Year’s Day. Stakes placed in his three-year-old campaign when third in the Listed Southland Guineas (1600m), the Graham Eade and Brooke Kincaid-prepared son of Pure Champion hadn’t been seen since finishing runner-up over 2000m at Gore back in October. Despite the two-month break, Riviera Rebel stripped a fit horse for the 1200m contest and raced accordingly for rider Kylie Williams, who took him to a clear lead after 300m and set a solid speed out in front. It was soon apparent he was travelling like a winner rounding the home bend as Williams kicked him clear before coasting to the line to score by three lengths from The Good Shepherd and Go Lotte, who fought out the minor placings. Co-trainer and part owner Eade, who indicated earlier in the week he was eyeing up the lucrative Southern Cups Bonus series with his charge, was delighted to see him kick off his campaign in fine style. “His work has been really good, although I was a little worried about the 1200m,” he said. “He is just blooming and we put the blinkers on him because of the distance. He drew 10 but Kylie got him out and she did really well. “We will take him home and see how he pulls up, but we will be looking at a mile for him next I would think.” The Southern Cups Bonus series begins in February with the Gore Cup (2000m) before it moves onto the Invercargill Cup (2600m), Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m), Wyndham Cup (2000m) and culminates with the Riverton Cup (2147m) on April 19. Points are accrued throughout the series, with the winner of each racing earning five points, three points for second, and two points for third, with the exception of the Riverton Cup, with the winner earning 12 points, runner-up six points, and third place four points. The horse with the highest points at the conclusion of the series will be awarded a $50,000 winner takes all bonus. Bred by Phillip Jeffreys, who also shares in his ownership, Rivera Rebel is the first foal of two-race winner Chambon and comes from a family that includes Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Sawatdee. He has now won four of his 17 starts and over $117,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Top jockey bounces back from concussion with wins on The Boom Box and Devas Twelve, as in-form handler wins opening race of the year again.View the full article

Antique Miss & Chris Parnham partner to win the Group 3 La Trice Classic at Ascot, January 1. Photo: Western Racepix In a slow-paced Group 3 La Trice Classic at Ascot, Antique Miss delivered a gritty victory for trainer Michael Grantham. The five-year-old mare by Domesday successfully fended off formidable challenges from Miss Skyhigh and Rusty Dreams, crossing the finish line in 1:53.16. The race started slowly, lacking a clear leader until the $3.70 Unibet-priced Antique Miss took charge under Parnham’s calm guidance. The pace remained pedestrian until the 600-metre mark, when Parnham unleashed his mare, who kicked clear at the top of the straight. Despite a late surge from Miss Skyhigh and a strong inside run by Rusty Dreams, Antique Miss found enough to hold on for a half-length victory. 2025 La Trice Classic replay – Antique Miss https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Ascot-2024-Group-3-La-Trice-Classic-01012025-Antique-Miss-Michael-Grantham-Chris-Parnham.mp4 Parnham reflected on the race dynamics post-win: “When no one wanted to take the lead, I decided to take it up and control the pace. She was strong late, and I’m proud of how she responded under pressure.” This marks a pivotal win in Antique Miss’s career, demonstrating her ability to perform at the Group level after consistent performances in listed company. Owner Bob Peters, known for his illustrious breeding and ownership legacy, acknowledged the mare’s resilience. “We didn’t expect her to lead, but she proved her versatility today. There’s still more to come as we test her over longer trips,” Peters remarked. Miss Skyhigh, from the formidable Grant and Alana Williams stable, finished a gallant second under Brad Parnham, while Rusty Dreams, trained by Michael Lane and ridden by Damian Lane, secured third in a commendable performance. With this victory, Antique Miss improves her career record to 27 starts for 7 wins and over $497,000 in earnings. Her next steps may involve stepping up in distance to explore new challenges, as hinted by Peters. Horse racing news View the full article

Hemlock Stone claims the 2025 Perth Cup for trainers Grant and Alana Williams. Photo: Western Racepix At an extraordinary $81 Neds starting price, Hemlock Stone delivered a stunning upset to claim the Group 2 Perth Cup at Ascot, securing an emotional victory for trainers Grant and Alana Williams and jockey Patrick Carbery. The five-year-old gelding surged from the back of the field in the final stages to edge out Diamond Scene and Be Optimistic in a thrilling finish. Positioned towards the rear early, Hemlock Stone found his rhythm under a patient ride by Carbery. The race’s early pace, set by favourites Sentimental Hero and Serpentine, began to unravel as they hit the final stretch. Hemlock Stone unleashed a powerful finishing burst, storming past Diamond Scene and Be Optimistic to cross the line in 2:27.33. 2025 Perth Cup replay – Hemlock Stone https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Ascot-2024-Group-2-Perth-Cup-01012025-Hemlock-Stone-Grant-Alana-Williams-Patrick-Carbery.mp4 Carbery, a seasoned big-race jockey, was ecstatic post-race. “I wasn’t sure if we had enough to win coming into this, but once he hit his stride down the straight, I knew he had a chance. Credit to Grant and Alana—they got him spot on for today,” Carbery said. The victory marks Hemlock Stone’s first win at the Group level and continues the Williams stable’s stellar Perth Cup record, with this being their sixth triumph in the prestigious race. “We didn’t expect this one,” said a jubilant Grant Williams. “It’s a massive thrill, especially for the large group of owners who believed in him.” Owner Peter Morley of Belhus Racing was overwhelmed with emotion after the win. “Thirty years in the making, and to win the Perth Cup with a horse like this is beyond words,” Morley said. Diamond Scene, the $3.80 bookmaker favourite, ran valiantly to finish second, narrowly missing out in successive Perth Cups. Be Optimistic, a $101 outsider, defied her long odds at Picklebet to clinch third in a career-best performance. Hemlock Stone, by Dalghar (FR) out of Spiritual (NZ), has now won eight races from 22 starts, with career earnings surpassing $1.3 million. The gelding’s next steps will likely include a well-deserved spell before tackling further staying challenges. The 2400m contest was run at a brisk pace, with Hemlock Stone’s late charge epitomising the unpredictable beauty of thoroughbred racing. As the grandstand erupted, it was clear this upset victory would be remembered as one of the great moments in Perth Cup history. Horse racing news View the full article

Albury trainer Stephen Sheehy wins the 2025 Listed Summer Scorcher with Oxbridge at Ascot on January 1. Photo: Western Racepix In a fairytale outcome for Albany trainer Stephen Sheehy, Oxbridge produced a career-best performance to claim the Listed Summer Scorcher at Ascot on New Year’s Day. Starting at $16 with Picklebet, the eight-year-old gelding surged past the hot favourite Bopping Blue to secure his 13th career win and Sheehy’s first metropolitan and Group-rated victory. Jockey Holly Watson delivered a tactically brilliant ride, positioning Oxbridge just behind the leaders in the early stages. Bopping Blue set a blistering pace, but Watson timed her run perfectly, launching Oxbridge down the straight to reel in the bookmaker favourite in the final strides. The 8-year-old gelding crossed the line in 57.34 seconds, edging out Bopping Blue by a short neck, with Norwich finishing third, 1.58 lengths adrift. 2025 Summer Scorcher replay – Oxbridge https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Ascot-2025-Listed-Summer-Scorcher-01012025-Oxbridge-Stephen-Sheehy-Holly-Watson.mp4 Watson praised the gelding’s grit and determination post-race. “He gave me a great feel. I knew Bopping Blue was the one to beat, but we got a perfect run just behind the speed, and he just kept finding all the way to the line,” she said. For Sheehy, the victory was a dream come true. “This horse is more than a runner to me—he’s a mate,” Sheehy said. “We knew he had the form, running 1:03 over 1100m at Albany last start with 60.5kg, so we thought, ‘Why not give him a shot on the big stage?’ It’s incredible to win a race like this with such a small team back home.” The win marks a major milestone for the former jockey turned trainer, who manages just three horses in his stable. “This is my first metro winner and my first Listed win. It’s a huge thrill, and I couldn’t be prouder of this horse and the team behind him,” Sheehy added. Bopping Blue, the $1.85 BlondeBet favourite, set a cracking pace but couldn’t withstand Oxbridge’s late charge. Norwich ran a strong race to claim third, while Ghost Who Walks rounded out the top four. With this win, Oxbridge has now accumulated $342,308 in career earnings. Sheehy plans to give the gelding a short spell before targeting the Bluff Knoll Cup back in Albany. The Summer Scorcher proved to be an unforgettable day for Sheehy, Watson, and the great southern racing community, showcasing the magic of racing where a longshot from a small stable can triumph on the big stage. Horse racing news View the full article

Veteran handler looks to Stewards’ Cup with five-year-old after scintillating Group Three victory on New Year’s Day.View the full article

John Size’s sprinter denies odds-on favourite Magic Control in tight Bauhinia Sprint Trophy finish.View the full article

Harness Racing New Zealand is delighted that 2024 has finished with a flourish, with Auckland’s New Year’s Eve meeting a success both in terms of crowd numbers and turnover. The Auckland Trotting Club’s twilight meeting was popular with racegoers and turnover was up markedly on last year with latest figures showing the 10-race programme amassing $1.4m, compared to $823K in 2023, and $1m for 10 races in 2023. The increase is in line with a 20 per cent increase in harness racing turnovers across the board this year, compared to 12 months ago. “The ATC and all participants should be congratulated for an excellent result,” says HRZ Chief Executive Brad Steele. “And what a finish to the year for both Republican Party and Muscle Mountain.” They both starred on the night with Republican Party downing Merlin in the $250,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup while Muscle Mountain ran away with the Group 1 Peter Breckon Memorial National Trot. That followed earlier victories at Ascot Park’s big day before Christmas with Republican Party winning the Group 1 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup while Muscle Mountain was victorious in the Group 3 Brendan Franks Farrier David Moss Stakes. “To see both win back to back Group races at either end of the country is a fantastic achievement,” says Steele. HRNZ will sit down with the Auckland Trotting Club in late January to review their December racing, and see what improvements can be made for 2025. View the full article

Iowna Merc winnings at Royal Randwick on December 21, 2024 for trainer Bjorn Baker. Photo: Bradley Photos Iowna Merc delivered a dazzling performance to claim the 2025 Canterbury Sprint, securing back-to-back wins and showcasing his sharp turn of foot in the $200,000 Listed event. Starting at $8.90 with the top online bookmakers, the Bjorn Baker-trained gelding stormed home in a tightly contested finish under jockey Ashley Morgan, defeating Pereille by 0.31 lengths, with Brudenell finishing a further 0.59 lengths back in third. The five-year-old, jumping from barrier six, settled mid-pack early as Eagle Nest and Al Kobe’s Son set a steady pace up front. Turning for home, Iowna Merc navigated traffic expertly and unleashed a powerful finishing burst, overtaking Pereille and holding off late challenges to win in a time of 1:09.12 on a Good 4 surface. 2025 Canterbury Sprint Replay – Iowna Merc https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Canterbury-2025-Listed-Canterbury-Sprint-01012025-Iowna-Merc-Bjorn-Baker-Ashley-Morgan.mp4 Morgan, who has been a regular rider across New South Wales, was thrilled to notch another stakes victory in town. “The plan was to ride him patiently and save him for one run. The speed was on, and when the gaps appeared, he responded brilliantly,” Morgan said post-race. “He’s a tough, honest horse, and it’s great to see him back in form.” Stable representative Luke Hilton praised the gelding’s resilience and Baker’s training efforts. “We weren’t entirely sure if Canterbury would suit him, but he’s in top form, and Ash gave him the perfect ride,” Hilton said. “It’s fantastic to see him wind the clock back and show his best again. Hopefully, this momentum carries into the rest of 2025.” Runner-up Pereille, a $6 Dabble chance, ran valiantly for James Cummings, coming from the tail of the field to narrowly miss victory, while Brudenell’s strong $14 third-place finish suggested he is improving with each start. Eagle Nest, who led for much of the race, and Dollar Magic, who endured a wide run throughout, rounded out the top five. Time To Boogie, the heavily-backed $2.80 Neds favourite, was unlucky in running, trapped in a pocket and unable to unleash his sprint. He finished a disappointing seventh, with connections eyeing a quick turnaround. With this victory, Iowna Merc has now seven wins from 20 starts, pushing his career earnings past $776,000. Bjorn Baker and connections will now look to build on this success as they plot his next move. Horse racing news View the full article