Wandering Eyes

Chief Executive Officer Troy Levy has confirmed that Circle 8 Ranch has recently been recognized by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to record official timed workouts, which will be reported by Equibase. “Our 200-acre farm in Versailles, Kentucky offers affordable partnerships and gives investors the benefits of ownership at a fraction of the cost,” said Levy. “Now that we have been recognized by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission as a Kentucky Training Center, we can focus on preparing our partnership horses for racing on location.” The training center features three barns with a total of 36 stalls, several tack rooms, wash stalls, an office and a lab area. The yearling barn has eight 15-by-15-foot stalls, and there are 14 fenced paddocks, six large grazing fields, a 5/8ths-mile track, and a 5/8ths all-terrain gallop track. It also offers multiple tracks, an uphill woodchip gallop and turf oval. The post Circle 8 Designated An Official Training Center by KHRC appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation announced a $60,000 matching gift from The Santulli Family Foundation to launch the organization’s 2019 Hay Drive. According to a TRF release, the Santulli family will match every dollar received, up to $60,000, to buy hay for the organization’s residents. In an effort to offset the $150,000 cost of hay, the goal for the 2019 Hay Drive is established to cover the expense for 650 former racehorses under the TRF’s care. To make a donation or for more information, click here. The post TRF Launches 2019 Hay Drive With Matching Gift Challenge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rick Hammerle will return to the University of Arizona Oct. 7 through the remainder of the fall semester to assist in the organization and serve as a guest professor at the faculty. Additionally, he will head the Global Symposium on Racing. A Race Track Industry Program alumnus, Hammerle previously served at Kentucky Downs, directed the racing program at Santa Anita Park for 16 years and was the racing secretary for a record seven Breeders’ Cup events. He is also heard weekly on the SIRIUS/XM radio show ‘At The Races with Steve Byk.’ “I couldn’t be more pleased that the timing worked out so perfectly,” says Wendy Davis, Director of the Race Track Industry Program. “We are short-handed at this extremely critical time of the year and Rick was willing to jump in to help prior to taking on his new position as Racing Coordinator at Oaklawn Park. His experience in racing administration and contacts all over the country make him an invaluable asset to the Program and its students.” The post Hammerle Returns to University of Arizona appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Son of Invincible Spirit won the 2018 Commonwealth Cup (G1) View the full article

Canadian Classic winner Classic sire Awesome Again (Deputy Minister–Primal Force, by Blushing Groom {Fr}) has been retired from stud duty at 25, according to the Blood Horse Wednesday.Trained by Pat Byrne, the Adena Springs hombred won nine of 12 career races for earnings in excess of $4.3 million. Winner of the Queen’s Plate and G2 Jim Dandy S. during his sophomore season, he was undefeated at four, winning all six starts–the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic, GI Whitney S., GII Stephen Foster H., GII Saratoga Breeders’ Cup and GIII Hawthorne Gold Cup. He was an Eclipse Award finalist that season. A resident of Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs through his illustrious stallion career, the stallion is responsible for 66 black-type winners, 38 at the group/graded level, and a trio of champions from 18 crops of racing age. The Canadian-bred’s most notable runner was 2004 Horse of the Year and champion older horse Ghostzapper. Trained by Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel, the half-brother to juvenile champion Macho Uno won nine of 11 career starts for earnings over $3.4 million. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012, Ghostzapper registered the fastest GI Breeders’ Cup Classic victory in history, winning in 1:59. The sire of five champions himself, he also stands at Adena Springs. Additionally, Awesome Again sired 2007 champion older mare Ginger Punch, also campaigned by Stronach and trained by Frankel, and Nominee, a multiple champion in Trinidad and Tobago. Also included among Awesome Again’s 14 Grade I winners on dirt are GI Preakness S. winner Oxbow, trained by Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas; this season’s GI Belmont S. victor Sir Winston; in addition to eight-time Grade I-scorer Game on Dude, who notably earned three wins in the GI Santa Anita H. throughout his career. Also an influence as a broodmare sire, Awesome Again’s daughters have produced 70 black-type winners and six Grade I winners, including champion older horse Accelerate (Lookin At Lucky). With a total of 20 foal crops to his credit, Awesome Again’s final foals were produced this season. The post Awesome Again Pensioned appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Breeders’ Cup announced Wednesday the return of ‘ALL IN: The Road to The Classic,’ the brand’s original digital docu-series that first debuted in 2018. The show’s six-part sophomore season, premiering Oct. 9 at 2:00 PM ET, will showcase the journeys of the world-class trainers, owners, breeders and horses competing for a starting spot in the $6-million GI Breeders’ Cup Classic, which will be contested Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park. The new episodes will be distributed across an expanded portfolio of digital media platforms and broadcast channels across three global territories including the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. “The public response to the first season of ‘ALL IN’ exceeded our every expectation,” said Craig Fravel, President and CEO of Breeders’ Cup. “Our fans were excited to go behind-the-scenes and learn more about their favorite horses, trainers and owners and see what it really takes to have a horse good enough to compete at the highest level in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. We’re thrilled to bring the series back for another season and to be adding new distribution partners to ensure that audiences across the world can enjoy the show and its incredible stories.” ‘ALL IN’ episodes will premiere on the Breeders’ Cup digital channels (YouTube, Facebook and BreedersCup.com) and will subsequently air on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) and TVG Network in the United States, The Sports Network (TSN) in Canada and Sky Sports Racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Behind the production, celebrity chef and horse racing aficionado Bobby Flay will return as executive producer, along with his Rock Shrimp Productions co-founder Kim Martin and executive producer Shelley Schulze. The full episode schedule for the second season of “ALL IN: The Road to the Classic”: Breeders’ Cup Digital Channels (YouTube, Facebook and BreedersCup.com) Episode One: Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2:00 PM Episode Two: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2:00 PM Episode Three: Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2:00 PM Episode Four: Friday, Oct. 25, 2:00 PM Episode Five: Friday, Nov. 1, TBDNBCSN Episode One: Monday, Oct. 28, 6:00 PM Episode Two: Tuesday, Oct. 29, 6:00 PM Episode Three: Wednesday, Oct. 30, 11:30 PM Episode Four: Thursday, Oct. 31, 8:30 PMTSN Episode One: Tuesday, Oct. 29, 1:00 PM Episode Two: Wednesday, Oct. 30, 1:00 PM Episode Three: Thursday, Oct. 31, 1:00 PM Episode Four: Friday, Nov. 1, 1:00 PM Schedules for TVG Network and Sky Sports Racing will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can visit www.breederscup.com/allin for more information. The post BC Announces Return of ‘All In: Road to the Classic’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The topic of fixed odds wagering on horse racing took center stage in a hearing of Kentucky’s Interim Joint Committee on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations Wednesday. Executive Director of the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation Patrick Cummings discussed the future of fixed odds betting on horse racing following the TIF’s white paper on the matter was published in February. The Committee, which includes 15 members of the Kentucky State House and 11 from the Kentucky State Senate, oversees “matters pertaining to professional licensing not assigned to other committees,” which includes horse racing in the state. “I am incredibly appreciative of Chairman Adam Koenig’s invitation to speak with the Committee in consideration of horse racing’s involvement in any future sports betting legislation, or even a standalone revision to existing regulations that would enable racing betting in Kentucky to be more than just a pari-mutuel endeavor,” said Cummings. “The reception and feedback today was positive and constructive, and I took that as a very positive sign for racing.” “For the future interests of horse racing in America, and naturally here in Kentucky, it would be concerning if racing was not part of a modernization with fixed odds bets to complement pari-mutuel wagering. It just makes sense to meet the demand of customers with products that are presented to them in other sports, and I think Kentucky is prepared to lead the way on this.” In his full remarks to the Committee, Cummings noted that horse racing is facing threats from grey operators, offshore bookmakers legal in some jurisdictions, but not American states, who are meeting the demand of the market with fixed odds bets on racing. “If someone seeks advanced odds on the Kentucky Derby or Breeders’ Cup, an offshore, fixed odds bookmaker is one of the top search results in Google. In fact, Churchill Downs’s own legal, online wagering platform, TwinSpires, which has handled more than $1 billion in pari-mutuel bets in the first two quarters of 2019, is outranked on Google by one of these platforms when searching for the term ‘Kentucky Derby odds.'” Cummings added: “These gray operators do not contribute to the sustainability of American racing, plain and simple. Horse racing should be presented to customers in formats that meet the direction of the market, and as of now, the only ones really doing that are the offshore books. It is within the power of these legislators to start changing that and enabling tracks in Kentucky to take the lead in diversifying the wagering options for customers to included fixed odds. This would a tremendous example to other states and would benefit the state, horsemen, the betting public and anyone affiliated with the thoroughbred industry.” To read Cumming’s complete remarks to the Committee, visit RacingThinkTank.com The post Fixed Odds Discussed in Kentucky Legislative Hearing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Northern California-based trainer John F. Martin has been fined $20,000 and suspended one year by Golden Gate Fields stewards after three of his horses tested positive for ergoloid mesylates, the CHRB announced. View the full article

KILDARE, Ireland—Act one went pretty much to script on Tuesday and when the principal players at the Orby Sale were recalled for Wednesday’s second act, the stage was set for yet another repeat performance from last year, with lot 262, Green Room’s pretty filly by Galileo (Ire), cast in the starring role. At €3 million, she sold for slightly less than her full-sister’s Orby record-breaking performance 12 months earlier, but she drew a good crowd, most merely onlookers, with a few determined pursuers nestled in strategic huddles around the auditorium. Amanda Skiffington snared a daughter of the 17-year-old Theatrical mare five years ago when buying Signe (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) on behalf of Fiona Carmichael for €1.1 million. Involved in the earlier skirmishes this time, Skiffington eventually withdrew to allow a straight head-to-head between the Godolphin team in the gods, and MV Magnier bidding on the level beneath Anthony Stroud. A year ago, it was Phoenix Thoroughbreds who left the Orby Sale with the top two prizes—Galileo sisters to Forever Together (Ire) and Alice Springs (Ire) respectively—and this time around, Westerberg’s Georg von Opel has that pleasure, though he now shares the overall sale-topper with Coolmore after MV Magnier came out best of the upstairs-downstairs tussle and signed the ticket in joint names. Vimal Khosla, who bred the filly with his wife Gillian, stood alongside Ballylinch Stud’s John O’Connor to watch yet another exciting chapter in the story of the remarkable Green Room, who is already the dam of Classic victrix Forever Together and fellow Group 1 winners Together Forever (Ire)—also by Galileo—and Lord Shanakill (Speightstown). There are plenty of mares who can produce enough of a show horse to reap the rewards in the ring during the early years of her career but it takes a special one to keep coming up with desirable physical specimens who go on to fulfil the most important element of their existence by being superior athletes. “Both on the track and in the sales ring, [Green Room] is one of the most consistent mares there has ever been,” said John O’Connor. “She keeps producing really good racehorses and beautiful sales horses. Producing her stock is an honour for us. It’s wonderful for the Khoslas—they want everything to be done to the highest standard and they are a pleasure to be involved with.” He added, “The mare lives at Ballylinch and has been with us since Together Forever was a foal. She’s a nice mare but breeds horses even nicer than herself. She now has a filly foal by Sea The Stars, a full-sister to Signe, who is also on the farm and has a Kingman filly for Fiona Carmichael. The Khoslas also have Green Room’s daughter by Dansili, Black Ruby, who has a nice filly by Lope De Vega.” MV Magnier was notably restrained during the first day of the Orby Sale but after warming up with a €525,000 purchase of Glenvale Stud’s Australia (GB) half-brother to G2 Superlative S. winner Mystery Power (Ire) (No Nay Never) (lot 255), he soon made his intentions clear when it came to the top lot. He said, “Firstly I would say that I’m delighted for Vimal and Gillian. It’s a great result for them and they’ve been rewarded for putting a lot of faith in Galileo over the years. “Obviously it’s been a very lucky family for us already with Together Forever and Forever Together, and this mare has produced another Group 1 winner in Lord Shanakill so she’s an outstanding producer. We are lucky to be able to buy a filly like this as she really is a collector’s item.” Clearance Rate High Last year’s Orby catalogue had been tightened, meaning only 369 horses went through the ring. An expansion this year took its toll on figures, with 428 offered and 363 sold, brining an overall clearance rate of 85%—down from 89% in 2018. The median which had risen by 23% last year, fell by the same mark this time to €65,000, while the average was down by 11% to €117,899. With 36 more horses sold this year, the aggregate was down by just 1.6% to €42,797,500 after another €19,738,000 was added to the tally from Wednesday’s trade of 176 horses. With four horses exceeding the million-euro mark across the two days, Goffs’ Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby was pleased with the sale’s performance. he said, “A superb top price of €3 million heading a quartet of millionaires clearly shows that the Orby Sale sits at the top table of the international yearling market and is the measure of any sale anywhere for the best. We remain eternally grateful that the breeders/vendors of such blue-bloods are prepared to place their trust in the Goffs service and delighted when those decisions are vindicated with such good results. Orby 18 was a record-breaker and ultimately proved to be the best performing European yearling sale of the year from a statistical viewpoint. From a smaller catalogue demand grew and vendors were very happy. That success drove an increased application for places this year and the 2019 catalogue returned to previous year’s numbers which has probably resulted in a small drop in clearance rate, although we would submit that 85% is still a figure that reads well. Our average and median have not quite kept pace with last year but the average is still 8% ahead of the 2017 level (the median is the same) so we are quite satisfied our trade has proved in line with the year to date, whether we are looking at results from Kentucky, France or the UK, in that the market became stronger the higher the prices climbed. It will be interesting to see whether these trends continue and how the market finishes up later in the autumn.” More Stars For Aquis Aquis Farm made significant purchase during the first session, both in their own name and in partnership with Phoenix Thoroughbreds, and through the company’s European bloodstock advisor Demi O’Byrne, they added another well-bred colt to the list on Wednesday. Lot 408, a son of Sea The Stars (Ire) whose grandam Helena Molony (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) is a sister to High Chaparral (Ire), was sold from Edie Murray-Hayden’s Gormanstown Stud for €550,000 on behalf of Jacqueline Norris and a partnership from Jockey Hall Stud which owns the colt’s dam Ownwan (Kingmambo). Norris is more noted as a vendor of foals, and indeed she consigned the top lot at last year’s Goffs November Foal Sale, a Kingman (GB) filly who sold for €350,000. This colt was among that same draft but failed to reach his reserve of €100,000. “He was very immature, very babyish,” Norris recalled. “He just matured beautifully—he’s by Sea The Stars and they can just do this. We brought two sons of Sea The Stars to the foal sales last year. We sold the other one for €290,000 to Timmy Hyde and he sold for €400,000 yesterday so I am very proud of that.” She continued, “This colt is out of a Kingmambo mare, it’s a beautiful cross, and he’s from the family of High Chaparral. Demi O’Byrne is one of the best judges in the business who bought High Chaparral himself, and he waited all day to buy him with Sheikh Hamdan as underbidder. I want to say a big thank you to my staff and to Edie Murray-Hayden, who prepared him beautifully for me. He was straightforward, he never missed a beat. Sea the Stars is just phenomenal, he’s a super stallion.” Sea The Stars In Demand Sheikh Mohammed was seen heading out to his helicopter around lunchtime but members of his team remained in place to bid for lot 391 on Godolphin’s behalf, going to €500,000 to secure the son of Sea The Stars (Ire). Consigned by Castlebridge for co-breeders Kilcarn Stud and Sunderland Holdings, the colt is the second foal of the listed-placed treble winner My Spirit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), a half-sister to the five-time group winner Banimpire (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). Sheikh Hamdan’s team also continued their recruitment drive on Wednesday and stepped in for a first-crop son of the operation’s Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Awtaad (Ire), who just happens to be a half-brother to the winner of the same race this year, Phoenix Of Spain (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) Issuing his assessment of lot 345, Derrinstown Stud manager Stephen Collins said, “Obviously we stand Awtaad and we already have some very nice stock by him at home. Sheikh Hamdan is keen to support him both here and over the coming weeks, and this colt is a particularly good sort from a Classic-winning family. In shape and profile he is very similar to his sire and Sheikh Hamdan felt that he was one of the best individuals that he saw here this week.” As ever, the Maktoum influence on the sale was significant, with Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell operation buying eight yearlings across the two days for a total of €2,495,000 while Godolphin signed up another four at €2,360,000. Freshman Watch Derrinstown stallion Awtaad (Ire), winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas for Kevin Prendergast, was well represented at the Orby Sale and, with eight yearlings sold from 11 offered returning an average of €118,375. The first crop of the dual juvenile Group 1 winner Shalaa (Ire) has found solid popularity with buyers, both as foals and yearlings, and that continued this week, with six of seven offered sold for an average price of €109,167. While their established elders dominated the higher echelons of the Orby leaderboard, among other freshmen with some decent returns for yearlings were the Aga Khan’s Derby winner Harzand (Ire), whose daughter from the family of Canford Cliffs (Ire) (lot 165) sold from Kildaragh Stud to SackvilleDonald for €135,000. Eddie O’Leary and Mags O’Toole pinhooked a weanling by The Gurkha (Ire) last November for €65,000 and the grandson of former champion juvenile filly Red Camellia (GB) (Polar Falcon) returned to Goffs as lot 458 to sell for €300,000 to China Horse Club. Concluding his debrief of the sale, Henry Beeby added, “One of the real stories of Orby 19 has been the huge international interest and we have welcomed buyers from across the globe following our increased investment in buyer recruitment and the hard work of the Goffs team working in tandem with Irish Thoroughbred Marketing. It was wonderful to welcome HH Sheikh Mohammed back to Goffs along with his brother HH Sheikh Hamdan as well as several new faces of note, whilst we remain indebted to MV Magnier and the Coolmore partners for their tremendous support year in, year out. “Those big names naturally garner headlines but we are extremely grateful to every buyer at every level of the market and to each vendor for allowing us to handle their yearlings. As ever we are nothing without the horses and appreciate every one along with each bid they attract.” The post Galileo And Green Room Rule Goffs Again appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The last instalment of this series ended with Vichy’s five-day Grande Semaine festival in July, which was provided with a boost in September as the Listed Prix Frederic de Lagrange winner Pedro Cara (Fr) (Pedro the Great) went within a nose of Jockey Club Derby victory at Belmont for the Mauricio Delcher-Sanchez stable. Aiming high with the bay gelding, whose education had also included a win at Nantes in April, the 10-time Spanish leading trainer’s enterprise would have paid handsome dividends had Spanish Mission (Noble Mission {GB}) not swooped late. In third was San Huberto (Ire) (Speightstown), who in May had garnered the Listed Coupe des Trois Ans at Lyon-Parilly. Also springing from that Vichy meeting was Al Shira’aa Farms’ Mutamakina (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), whose success in the Listed Prix Madame Jean Couturie preceded a smart effort when making Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) break a sweat in the G2 Prix Niel at ParisLongchamp. La Teste de Buch staged more provincial black-type fayre July 30 and it was the Pascal Bary-trained 2-year-old filly Les Hogues (Ire) (Bated Breath {GB}) who carried off the Listed Criterium de Bequet on a card that also played host to Ecurie Waldeck’s newcomer Chares (Ger) (Ivawood {Ire}). Off the mark by six lengths over seven furlongs, the Christophe Ferland-trained half-brother to the useful British handicappers Qaysar (Fr) (Choisir {Aus}) and White Chocolate (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) did much the same thing a month later at Dax before beating the highly-regarded Frederic Rossi-trained Choise of Raison (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}) in the Sept. 27 Listed Criterium de Lyon at Lyon-Parilly. Chares, one of the better progeny among Ivawood’s first crop and his biggest prizemoney earner so far, is due to sell in Saturday’s Arqana Arc Sale. Ferland, who made his name with the juvenile champion Dabirsim (Fr) (Hat Trick {Jpn}) in 2011, trains at La Teste de Buch and is one of many who are making a success of basing themselves outside of Chantilly. “The level is getting higher in the South West,” he says. “The racing is very strong now and we have good owners who are investing a lot of money in good horses. Jean-Claude Rouget has been here for over thirty years training for all the big owners and there are other powerful trainers like Francois Rohaut. The quality of tracks like Lyon, La Teste, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Marseille is very high, you could run a Group 1 around these, no problem. If a racecourse is closed in Paris or you couldn’t race in Paris for some reason, you could easily move the races to La Teste, Lyon, Toulouse or Bordeaux. Lyon is a big track and La Teste has nearly a three-furlong straight off the home turn which is longer than Deauville.” Jockey shortage is a particular problem in France, according to Ferland. “In the provinces and in Paris, there are not many young jockeys and they tend to be middle-aged,” he said. “It is hard to get them out of school and train them–it’s a quality problem. You have only a three-week period at a time and they make progress but they don’t train all the time. The racing school in France has a problem with that. One to follow is Guillaume Guedj-Gay, who looks as if he is going to be a good jockey.” Of Chares, Ferland has high hopes that he will achieve the kind of price he warrants on Saturday and whatever he makes will be a measurement of how much respect provincial racing is given, with him not having set foot on a Parisian track so far. “He is a very good horse and a beautiful animal, so we’ll try at the sales and see what he makes,” he adds. “If he doesn’t make the price we expect, we will take him home and train him for next year.” One other of his 2-year-olds of note is Ecurie Normandie Pur Sang’s Shinning Ocean (Fr), a son of his beloved Dabirsim who scored at Toulouse on Monday. “He had a good start at Deauville when beaten in fourth by Ecrivain (Fr) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) who has since won a Group 3 and is on his way to a Group 1 on Sunday,” Ferland explains. “He’s a nice horse for next year who will probably have one more run this year.” August began with a meeting at Brittany’s Saint Malo racecourse, one of the smaller venues which is situated just outside the beautiful tourist trap of the Intra Muros with its abundant cafes, restaurants, awe-inspiring architecture and cobbled streets. Whereas the site of the Fort National, the Grand Bé and Les Remparts is one of France’s most visited, the nearby tight right-handed circuit is lucky to attract a high quality of racehorse. There may have been one who proves more than useful to appear there as the country’s traditional holiday month got underway in Plegastell (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}). Edouard Monfort trains Jean de Cheffontaines and Gerault de Seze’s chestnut from the small wooded enclave of Guy Henrot’s stables in Sarthe near Le Mans. Out of a half to the GII Wise Dan S. winner Pleuven (Fr) (Turtle Bowl {Ire}), she reappeared at Craon at the end of the month and beat the fellow provincial learners Scripturale (Fr) (Makfi {GB}) and Bellanodine (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}) in the Listed Criterium de l’Ouest. Another 2-year-old to catch the eye during August was Ecurie la Vallee Martigny’s colt Chachnak (Fr) (Kingman {GB}), one of Fabrice Vermeulen’s brighter prospects who scored at Vichy Aug. 3. Out of the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches and G1 Prix de Diane runner-up Tamazirte (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), the homebred bay went on to follow up at Lyon-Parilly Sept. 5 and is due to take part in Sunday’s G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. More ambitiously, he holds an entry in next year’s Epsom Derby. On the same card, Haras de Colleville’s first-season sire Galiway (GB) was handed his first black-type winner as his son Kenway (Fr) captured the Listed Prix des Jouvenceaux et des Jouvencelles. Haras de la Gousserie’s Frederic Rossi-trained chestnut out of the G3 Prix Eclipse winner and G1 Prix de la Foret-placed Kendam (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) went to ParisLongchamp Sept. 1 to add the prestigious G3 Prix la Rochette to his tally–with the aforementioned Les Hogues well beaten in fourth–and in the process stamped himself as one of the best of his age in France. At La Teste Aug. 7, the 2-year-old filly Avenue de France (Fr) (Cityscape {GB}) won on debut in the silks of Jacques Beres whose Whortleberry (Fr) (Starborough {GB}) achieved notoriety in the first half of the 2000s. The Didier Guillemin trainee had to fight to get another win at Mont-de-Marsan Sept. 10, but proved up to the task against a decent standard of opposition and is one to watch. At Moulins Aug. 24, the Racecourse of Jean Gabin which staged the Prix du Jockey-Club or French Derby in 1916, another potentially smart juvenile was introduced in Robert Ng’s Natural Path (Ire) (Toronado {Ire}). Trained by Henri-Francois Devin, the bay followed this debut effort with a success at Maisons-Laffitte on Tuesday and looks set to add to his owner-breeder’s stellar season. Another winner at the potentially-doomed Maisons-Laffitte was Haras du Logis Saint Germain’s filly Dream and Do (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), who had broken her maiden when making all at Marseille-Borely Sept. 9 and is another of Frederic Rossi’s big hopes for 2020. Bordeaux-le-Bouscat hosted two promising Francois Rohaut trainees in the colt Sharib (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and filly Look of Victory (Fr) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) Sept. 24. The former, a Shadwell homebred half-brother to this year’s G1 Prix du Jockey Club third Motamarris (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}) from the family of Tamayuz (GB), looks a bright prospect. Rohaut has started many a luminary in the South and his winners are feared as much as any of the Chantilly-based clientele when they journey to Paris. Of course, it is Paris which is the centre of it all this weekend as the all-important Arc meeting looms. One of the monument’s live outsiders, the G1 Grosser Preis Von Berlin hero French King (GB) (French Fifteen {Fr}), is one who was buried out of sight in the provinces in 2018. Before he became a winning machine overseas this term, his five black-type attempts at the lesser-known tracks in France last season yielded placings at best. In fact, Sheikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Thani’s 4-year-old signed off in his native country with a sixth placing in the Listed Grand Prix de Nantes. It would be quite some leap if 12 months on he could feature in his nation’s biggest test. The post French Provincial Diary appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred Idea Foundation made its case for fixed-odds wagering to a group of Kentucky lawmakers Oct. 2 in Frankfort, Ky. View the full article

This year's Investec Derby Stakes (G1) winner Anthony Van Dyck will not take on Enable in the Oct. 6 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) at ParisLongchamp after he was scratched in the latest round of forfeits. View the full article

Flutter Entertainment, the parent company of Paddy Power Betfair, will buy the Stars Group (TSG), owner of Sky Bet, and create a global betting giant, Racing Post reported on Wednesday. Flutter shareholders would own 54.64% and Stars Group 45.36% of the new entity–to based in Dublin–which would have an estimated stock market value of €9.5 billion and be the largest online betting and gaming operator worldwide. Flutter Chief Executive Peter Jackson would remain in that role in the new company, with Stars Group Chief Executive Rafi Ashkenazi would be the chief operating officer. Gary McGann, Chairman of Flutter, would remain in that role in the new group. Sky Bet Chief Executive and Executive Chairman Richard Flint would become a non-executive director of the new company. The deal would need approval by regulatory authorities in the UK, Ireland, Australia, the US and Canada, as well as shareholder approval from both companies. The merger is expected to finalise in the second or third quarter of 2020. “The combination represents a great opportunity to deliver a step change in our presence in international markets and ensure we are ideally positioned to take advantage of the exciting opportunity in the US through a media relationship with Fox Sports as well as our development of US sports betting through Flutter’s FanDuel and TSG’s Fox Bet brands,” said Jackson in a statement of the company that would be a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange and a secondary listing on Euronext Dublin. “We are committed to these two high quality brands to drive the growth of the combined group in the US. The combination will turbo charge our existing four-pillar strategy and provide world-class capabilities across sports betting, gaming, daily fantasy sports and poker, as well as greater geographical and product diversification.” The post Flutter Entertainment to Buy Stars Group appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

British racing has been warned to “start making plans” in case of a no-deal Brexit. The Thoroughbred Brexit Steering Group has issued a note to the industry as the United Kingdom’s scheduled departure from the European Union on Oct. 31 draws closer. It said it “strongly advises that all industry participants read the guidance that is available, and start making plans for how a no-deal Brexit might affect them.” The note warns the final outcome of the negotiations between the UK and EU may not become clear until on, or very close to, the Oct. 31 deadline. Free movement of racehorses and breeding stock between the UK and EU, which had been covered in the Tripartite Agreement, will cease to apply in the event of no-deal Brexit, so the group has underlined forward planning is a necessity. Other areas mentioned in the guidance included the rights of EU and European Economic Area workers in British racing and breeding, recognition of the General Stud Book by the EU, VAT, provision of veterinary medicines and data sharing between regulators. The post British Racing Advised to “Make Plans” in Case of a No-deal Brexit appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dr. Bruce Howard will be acting as Interim Equine Medical Director for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, effective immediately. Dr. Howard has served as Chief Racing Veterinarian for the KHRC since 2016 and will act as Interim Equine Medical Director in addition to his usual responsibilities until a successor is found. “I am honored to continue to serve the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission as both Chief Racing Veterinarian and Interim Equine Medical Director, “said Dr. Howard. “The Commission has demonstrated a clear commitment to prioritizing the health and safety of horses at Commonwealth tracks, and I look forward to continuing to support the commission’s efforts.” The post Howard Named KHRC Interim Equine Medical Director appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland has entered into a multi-year agreement with Sky Sports Racing to give them exclusive rights to broadcast Keeneland racing and sales in the United Kingdom and Ireland. This will begin with the fall meet. “Keeneland is excited to team with Sky Sports Racing, which represents a tremendous opportunity to further enhance our outreach in established racing markets abroad,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing and Sales Bob Elliston said. “Sky Sports Racing is internationally respected for its racing coverage, and our unique partnership offers the ability to deliver high-quality content to subscribers via a range of media platforms.” “Keeneland is an industry leader and a benchmark for quality in everything it does,” Sky Sports Racing Director of Domestic and International Media Rights James Singer said. “We are delighted to enter a new partnership that will ensure we bring to racing fans in the UK and Ireland the best possible coverage of Keeneland’s 32 graded stakes races worth nearly $10 million, including ten Breeders’ Cup Challenge races, as well as insights and stories from the most influential sales auctions in the world.” The post Keeneland Partners With Sky Sports to Expand Coverage appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 22-day Aqueduct fall meet, which runs from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1, will offer 22 stakes worth $3.4 million. Opening weekend, which coincides with the Breeders’ Cup, will feature the Tempted S., the GII Nashua S. and the GIII Turnback the Alarm H. The inaugural four-day NYRA Thanksgiving Festival will offer 11 stakes worth $1.9 million and will begin Thanksgiving day Nov. 28 with the GIII Fall Highweight H., the Winter Memories S. and the Cental Park S. The GIII Comely S. will be held Nov. 29, followed by the GIII Long Island S., GIII Discovery S. and Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship Nov. 30 and the Autumn Days S. and Tepin S. Dec. 1. The Aqueduct winter meet, highlighted by the Dec. 7 GI Cigar Mile, begins Dec. 5. The post Aqueduct Fall Stakes Schedule Announced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stone Tornado (GB) (Toronado {Ire}) is the final of nine wildcards added to the Arqana Arc Sale. Consigned by Christophe Ferland as lot 30, the bay is rated 99 and played the bridesmaid in the G3 Premio Elena e Sergio Cumani at San Siro. Earlier she won the Listed Prix La Sorellina at La Teste this season for Ferland. She is a half-sister to SP Stone of Destiny (GB) (Acclamation {GB}), who ran fourth in the G1 Commonwealth Cup. This is also the extended family of Australian MGSW and G1SW Whispering Brook (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}). The post Stone Tornado Added to Arc Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

‘Ship and Win,’ a program which has been in place for the past eight years, returns for the Del Mar fall meet, running Nov. 8 through Dec. 1. It offers an automatic $2,000 to each out-of-state starter and a 30% across-the-board bonus on top of all purse money won in that initial start. Since its inception, the program has drawn more than 1,200 horses to Del Mar from outside of California. To be eligible, the horse must have made his/her last start outside of California and cannot have raced in the state within the past year. First-time starters are not eligible. All stakes runners are eligible for the $2,000 starter fee, but not the 30% purse bonus. The post ‘Ship and Win’ Returns for DMR Fall Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard will begin training for His Highness The Aga Khan from the autumn onwards, The Aga Khan Studs announced on Wednesday. A Godolphin Flying Start graduate, he will be sent 10 of The Aga Khan’s yearlings shortly. Graffard opened his yard at Chantilly in 2012, and has trained over 300 winners to date, including 2019 Group 1 winners Channel (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and Watch Me (Fr) (Olympic Glory {Ire}). The Aga Khan’s French-bred homebred yearlings will be distributed to French trainers Alain de Royer Dupré, Mikel Delzangles, Jean-Claude Rouget and now Graffard. (Click here for a Kelsey Riley feature on Graffard). The post Francis-Henri Graffard to Train for The Aga Khan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 201 entries for The November Sale, which will be held Tuesday, Nov. 5 beginning at 3 p.m. The catalog is available to view online as is the enhanced catalog, which includes past performances, up-to-date catalog pages, race replays and pedigree analysis from Alan Porter. “We have another outstanding catalogue to present to buyers on Tuesday after the Breeders’ Cup,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “This sale has truly become an international event, and the quality and diversity among this year’s offerings should once again attract leading buyers from all corners of the globe.” “The sale will begin with 86 selected weanlings, which have been approved on pedigree and conformation,” continued Browning. “As evening falls, the sale will move into a superb collection of racing and broodmare prospects and in foal mares, which includes 57 graded stakes winners or producers. Twenty-one of these are champions, Grade I winners, or Grade I producers.” Some of the many catalog highlights include: MGISW and likely GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff favorite Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute); Baffled (Distorted Humor), the dam of MGISW and young sire Constitution (Tapit); MGISWs Bellafina (Quality Road), Separationofpowers (Candy Ride {Arg}) and Vasilika (Skipshot); Egyptian Storm (Pioneerof the Nile), a half-sister to Justify carrying her first foal by Quality Road; GISW Mia Mischief (Into Mischief); champion Shamrock Rose (First Dude); Canadian Horse of the Year Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d’Oro); and GI Fourstardave S. victress Got Stormy (Get Stormy). Print catalogues will be available beginning October 14. The catalogue will also be available via the Equineline sales catalogue app. The November Sale will also offer a supplemental catalogue once again. Fasig-Tipton will accept selected entries for the supplement through the Breeders’ Cup. The post Fasig-Tipton Releases November Catalog appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GSW Norway (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who placed third in the G1 Irish Derby for trainer Aidan O’Brien, is one of the highlights of the four-day Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale. The catalogue, comprising 1556 lots, is scheduled for Oct. 28-31. One of 53 lots from the yard of Ballydoyle, alongside listed winner All the Kings Men (Ire) (No Nay Never) (lot 621), Group 3 victor Blenheim Palace (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 568), SW Lancaster House (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 259) and SW and G1SP Western Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}) (lot 561), the 113-rated colt (lot 567) won the Sept. 14 G3 Paddy Power Betting Shop S. at Leopardstown last out and he was also third in the G2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur S. at York in August. Past graduates of the sale that have gone on to excel in 2019 include Group 1 winners Harlem (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) and Shraaoh (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Over 80 group and listed scorers are slated to go through the ring this October, among them Raise You (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) (lot 1168), who is a SW and Group 3 placed from the draft of Park House Stables; Roger Varian’s Carlburg Stables consigns Sharja Bridge (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) (lot 1037), who ran second in a Group 2 in addition to a listed win; SW & MGSP Surrey Thunder (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) (lot 237) hails from Tuite Racing Ltd.; Beechdown Farm Stables consigns G3 Sirenia S. Streamline (GB) (Due Diligence) (lot 1157); and Tom Dascombe’s Manor House Stables fields listed-winning juvenile Sir Boris (Ire) (Due Diligence) (lot 236). The top-rated horse in the sale is the 118-rated Sir Michael Stoute-trained stayer Mekong (GB) (Frankel {GB}) (lot 694), who ran second in the G3 Henry II S. Large consignments from Juddmonte (38), Shadwell (70), The Castlebridge Consignment (107), Richard Hannon’s East Everleigh Stables (62) and Richard Fahey’s Musley Bank Stables (51) are sure to be highlights. During the 2018 edition, 1049 horses found new homes and grossed 26,853,500gns. The average was 25,599gns, while a median of 12,000gns was attained. The topper was the 1-million guineas GSW Aljazzi (GB) (Shamardal), who sold to Newsells Park Stud. “Every year we see horses purchased at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale winning at the highest level both on the Flat and National Hunt and it is this diversity which accounts for the enduring appeal of the sale,” said Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony. “Both International and domestic buyers know that there is no other sale in the world quite like the Autumn Horses in Training Sale and this year’s catalogue looks set as ever to attract a uniquely cosmopolitan audience.” The post Norway Anchors Tattersalls Autumn HIT Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Owner/trainer John Martin has been suspended by the Golden Gate stewards for one year and fined $20,000 after three horses in his care tested positive for a prohibited drug substance. Three separate complaints were filed against Martin after the Maddy Laboratory reported the presence of ergoloid mesylates in the urine samples collected from three horses he ran at Golden Gate and the Big Fresno Fair. Those findings were confirmed by the split sample laboratory chosen by Martin. Six months of the one-year suspension were stayed in accordance with a stipulated agreement between Martin and the California Horse Racing Board, provided he commits no other serious medication violations during his probation period. The samples were collected from Ground Rules, who finished third in the first race at Golden Gate Mar. 21, 2019; Ralph Jacobs, who finished first in the seventh race in Fresno Oct. 4; and Ruled by Girls, who finished third in the fifth race in Fresno Oct. 4. While searching Martin’s barn, CHRB investigators also found three bottles of improperly labeled medications, considered contraband per CHRB Rule1890 (b). Ergoloid mesylates, which are salts of the ergot alkaloids dihydroergocristine, dihydroergocornine, and dihydroergocryptine, are used in human medicine to treat Alzheimer’s and certain mood disorders. The trade name of the FDA approved formulation is Hydergine. Ergoloid mesylates are thought to be used in racing as an anti-bleeding treatment. That possibility, and due to their potential to affect cognitive function, the Association of Racing Commissioners classified the drug as Class 2/A. The post Martin Suspended by Golden Gate Stewards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Neil Howard, general manager of Gainesway Farm, has retired from his position after more than two decades of service and will be succeeded by Brian Graves, who steps up from his current role as Director of Public Sales. “Over the past 21 years Neil has become part of the Gainesway fabric and a point of reference for all Kentucky horsemen,” said Gainesway’s CEO Antony Beck. “He is more than an exemplary farm manager. Neil is a model professional for the whole community –both in his service on various industry bodies and in the personal standards he applies daily to tasks great and small. Neil has developed and managed our team in a way that has not only met the aspirations for Gainesway that we shared when he first came here from Calumet, but wonderfully exceeded them.” As for Graves, a longtime Gainesway employee, Beck said, “Brian Graves is one of the best horsemen I have ever encountered. Brian has made the Gainesway sales division a touchstone for our pledge to pursue the highest quality in all we do. I know he is excited about the chance to apply his excellence to new areas of responsibility. All of us at Gainesway share that excitement. With Neil handing the baton to Brian, we are guaranteed continuity in our commitment to integrity and quality. We also know that Brian will stamp the role in his own way and enthuse us all for the next chapter in the farm’s long history.” “It’s really been a special privilege to work for the Beck family, to be part of the great team of people we have here, and to be able to help guide the farm to the success it has achieved today,” Howard said. “Antony employs great people who tend to stay here. He takes care of them and he takes pride in them. He has always been very supportive.” He continued, “I’ve been here 21 years, and Brian came a year and a half later. His father, Bill, was known as a mentor to a lot of people in this industry. Brian is following in Bill’s footsteps. First as yearling manager, then director of yearling sales –Brian has shaped the company and helped us to achieve the success we’ve had through the sales. He’s done that with a strong work ethic, attention to detail and complete honesty with the people he works with.” “It is an honour to accept this position at Gainesway, where I started as a groom 20 years ago,” Graves said. “I am extremely grateful to our clients, my family, my co-workers and Antony and his family for their support. Moving forward, Gainesway will focus on expanding our stallion roster, as well as exceeding our clients’ expectations at the various sale venues.” The post Graves Becomes Gainesway GM After Howard’s Retirement appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

‘TDN Rising Star’ Demarchelier (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}–Loveisallyouneed {Ire}, by Sadler’s Wells) will stand at Claiborne in 2020, the farm announced Wednesday. His stud fee will be announced after the Breeders’ Cup. Purchased by Peter Brant for 425,000gns at Tattersalls October, the bay opened his account with an impressive win at Aqueduct Nov. 21 and followed suit with a Keeneland allowance score Apr. 12. Taking his career to the next level with a win in Belmont’s GIII Pennine Ridge S. June 1, the Chad Brown pupil was pulled up after taking a bad step in the GI Belmont Derby July 6. “Demarchelier had as much talent and turn of foot as any young turf colt I’ve trained to date,” said Brown. “He is outstanding looking, precocious, and has a great mind. I will certainly be in the marketplace buying his offspring for years to come.” “I think a lot of people will be intrigued by his pedigree, but I really can’t wait for people to see him. He’s a very special horse. A real specimen,” added Brant. “He could get a great grass horse certainly, but he also has the influences of great American sires such as Seeking The Gold and Mr. Prospector that could also result in some great dirt horses. Choosing Claiborne as the place to stand Demarchelier was a natural fit. Not only are a lot of my mares there, but they also have a long history of success in making great sires with international appeal. We’ll certainly be breeding a lot of our mares to Demarchelier.” Demarchelier is out of a full sister to Group 1 winners Yesterday (Ire) and Quarter Moon (Ire), who is the dam of Group 1 winner in Diamondsandrubies (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and is the granddam of MGSW & MG1SP Eminent (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). “We’re thrilled to add Demarchelier (GB) to our stallion roster,” said Claiborne Farm representative Bernie Sams. “His name may be tough to say, but it’s easy to see why we wanted him. He’s the only son of Dubawi in Kentucky, he has Group 1 black-type all over his page, he was undefeated in his first three races, and he looks the part. He took a bad step in the Belmont Derby that cut his career short, but that’s not going to stop him from passing this incredible bloodline along in the breeding shed.” The post Demarchelier to Stand at Claiborne appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article