Wandering Eyes

Woodbine Entertainment will partner with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario (HBPA) and the Jockey’s Benevolent Association of Canada (JBAC) to test out a new urging rule that allows only for underhand use of the riding crop. The test period will begin Oct. 18 and run through the conclusion of the Woodbine meeting in December. The new AGCO rule allows for no contact with the horse with the crop in the cocked position and also prohibits striking the horse to the belly or surrounding area. According to a release, officials from the AGCO have met with executives from Woodbine, the JBAC and the HBPA to discuss and attempt to build a consensus on how best to amend the rules. “Woodbine Entertainment is committed to safety and being a leader of change for the betterment of the horse racing industry in Ontario and throughout North America,” said Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment, and who also was recently appointed to The Jockey Club Safety Committee (United States). “We are proud to partner with the AGCO, HBPA and JBAC on this important initiative that will surely have a positive impact on our sport and industry.” Retired Hall of Fame jockey Sandy Hawley voiced his support of the rule change and using the ‘test period’ as a first step. “I will always be very supportive of any improvement to horse racing that’s for the betterment of the sport and the safety of the horses and the riders,” said Hawley. “The test period is also a good idea that will provide everyone involved an opportunity to learn from the experience and help create a smooth and safe implementation of the new rule.” Following the end of the current Woodbine meet Dec. 15, the AGCO will make an evaluation to see if any further changes might be required before the formal introduction of the new rule at Woodbine and Fort Erie for the beginning of their 2020 meets. Training materials and orientation sessions will be provided to both riders and race officials. Special paddock meetings will be held for jockeys as their adjust their style to be in line with the new requirements. The post Ontario Urging Rule To Allow for Underhand Crop Use Only appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In what will be considered a test period, jockeys at Woodbine Racetrack will compete under new riding rules that will add restrictions on riding crop use beginning Oct. 18 through the end of the meet, Dec. 15. View the full article

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association has relaunched its search for a new Executive Director. NYTHA board member Terry Finley said that it was important that the net that the organization casts is wide enough to reflect the importance of the position. “I think that the one thing we want to be sure of is that every qualified candidate in horse racing is made aware of this great opportunity,” said Finley. “That’s one. And we want the right person. That’s key. We haven’t rushed in and I give the NYTHA board credit. We’ve really taken our time with it.” The job, he argues, is for the largest and most prestigious local horsemen’s organization in the country, and comes at a time when racing is facing myriad issues. “Let’s face it,” Finley said. “The coming years are pretty darn important to our industry for any number of reasons. We have a situation with the environment we’re in now where the New York horsemen are in a position to have a really strong voice. I know that probably sounds a bit parochial, but it’s true. We’re the largest, we’re the best-funded, and as New York racing goes, the vast majority of the rest of the country goes. Having the right person in this position is key. This person is going to have a great opportunity to really make a mark and to make a difference in New York. “Aside from the existential challenges we face, we also face challenges in a competitive environment, and we’re all in this together– the horsemen, the trainers, the owners and the staff. There are challenges, but it’s also a very, very exciting time. It’s the premier job in the country, and it’s interesting, intriguing, fun and challenging all worked into one.” Finley said that the organization had effectuated “real, substantive changes” in the past few years. “The work that our leader Joe Appelbaum has done to reduce workmen’s compensation costs by 36 percent in just a few years is an example. Our objective is to make operating a racing stable in New York more attractive in the coming years, and part of the executive director’s job is to make sure that the people around the country know that. This is a unique position in that you have a shot to work on the backside, make life better for the men and women on the backside, while at the same time engaging in and working with the NYRA staff and board on the big issues that we face, as well as in conjunction with the Gaming Commission and industry organizations. The E.D.’s role in New York gives you an opportunity to have a hand in every aspect of the business. “If you want, at this stage in your career, an interesting and challenging role, where you can truly make a difference, send us your resume.” For more on the position including application information, visit http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/careers/. The post NYTHA Relaunches Search for E.D. appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association has relaunched its search for a new Executive Director. NYTHA board member Terry Finley said that it was important that the net that the organization casts is wide enough to reflect the importance of the position. “I think that the one thing we want to be sure of is that every qualified candidate in horse racing is made aware of this great opportunity,” said Finley. “That’s one. And we want the right person. That’s key. We haven’t rushed in and I give the NYTHA board credit. We’ve really taken our time with it.” The job, he argues, is for the largest and most prestigious local horsemen’s organization in the country, and comes at a time when racing is facing myriad issues. “Let’s face it,” Finley said. “The coming years are pretty darn important to our industry for any number of reasons. We have a situation with the environment we’re in now where the New York horsemen are in a position to have a really strong voice. I know that probably sounds a bit parochial, but it’s true. We’re the largest, we’re the best-funded, and as New York racing goes, the vast majority of the rest of the country goes. Having the right person in this position is key. This person is going to have a great opportunity to really make a mark and to make a difference in New York. “Aside from the existential challenges we face, we also face challenges in a competitive environment, and we’re all in this together– the horsemen, the trainers, the owners and the staff. There are challenges, but it’s also a very, very exciting time. It’s the premier job in the country, and it’s interesting, intriguing, fun and challenging all worked into one.” Finley said that the organization had effectuated “real, substantive changes” in the past few years. “The work that our leader Joe Appelbaum has done to reduce workmen’s compensation costs by 36 percent in just a few years is an example. Our objective is to make operating a racing stable in New York more attractive in the coming years, and part of the executive director’s job is to make sure that the people around the country know that. This is a unique position in that you have a shot to work on the backside, make life better for the men and women on the backside, while at the same time engaging in and working with the NYRA staff and board on the big issues that we face, as well as in conjunction with the Gaming Commission and industry organizations. The E.D.’s role in New York gives you an opportunity to have a hand in every aspect of the business. “If you want, at this stage in your career, an interesting and challenging role, where you can truly make a difference, send us your resume.” For more on the position including application information, visit http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/careers/. The post NYTHA Relaunches Search for E.D. appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After further stamping her superiority over divisional foes Sept. 28, leading distaffer Midnight Bisou was able to make up ground on leader Bricks and Mortar in this week's National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll. View the full article

Japan was represented by his first winner Sept. 30 when the 2-year-old filly Kokedera romped to a six-length score after dueling early in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden claiming event at Finger Lakes. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday’s Insights features Mazagran (GB), out of Group 1 winning Wavering (Ire). 3.00 Maisons-Laffitte, Cond, €34,000, 2yo, c/g, 7fT MAZAGRAN (GB) (War Front) is one of two Godolphin-Andre Fabre representatives in this affair and the sole newcomer in the line-up. A son of the G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Wavering (Ire) (Refuse To Bend {Ire}), the half-brother to the group-placed Street Cry (Ire) mares Switching and Flowrider hails from the family of the yard’s 2-year-old sensation Earthlight (Ire) (Shamardal). The post Observations: Tuesday, October 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A guide to television and racing coverage for a busy week leading up to Fall Stars Weekend at Keeneland and the rest of the Breeders’ Cup prep races. View the full article

A pair of races worth $2.4 million combined have been added to the inaugural Saudi Cup program, to be held at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh Feb. 29, 2020. Details were revealed at a Saudi Cup launch event Monday at Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly, London. An international race for Arabians will be contested at a distance of a mile and a quarter on the dirt track and will carry purse money of $1.9 million, while a Thoroughbred handicap restricted to horses trained in Saudi Arabia and worth $500,000 has also been added. HRH Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal, chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, revealed that at least two places in each of the seven international races-including the featured $20-million Saudi Cup itself and the three races on the new turf course-would be reserved for Saudi-trained horses. “Our Saudi Cup day is providing all of us here in the racing community of Saudi Arabia with wonderful new opportunities,” said HRH Prince Bandar. “For the first time, Saudi jockeys, trainers and owners will be able to pit their talents and their horses against some of the best in the sport. The chance to compete against the world’s finest is the chance to learn from the best. The Saudi Cup is about creating an iconic moment in the global racing calendar, but also–at its heart–it is about growing our sport in the Kingdom for the Kingdom.” Total prize money across the eight races will total $29.2 million. The post Two Races Added to Saudi Cup Program appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For the past 24 years I have broken up my journey to the Arc de Triomphe with a stop in the U.K. My favorite spot in England is Mayfair. In the 1500’s every year there would be a fayre (fair) in this little corner of London, thus the name. I can recharge my batteries here, get over jet lag, and get the true punter’s opinion of what is going on in racing. A big sport in a small country. Every player has an opinion. On Duke Street, nestled between Bespoke Hairdressing (barber) and the Gentlemen’s Grooming Lounge (an order-in-advance clothing emporium) is a William Hill betting shop: a legal bookmaking establishment where punters are happy to expound their views on all subjects, including sport, politics, and especially horse racing. This past weekend, between live races, the conversations surprisingly centered on four jockeys. Oisin Murphy, Frankie Dettori, William Buick and Cieren Fallon. Murphy is a shy 24 year-old from a family with racing ties, who will become the fifth Irish-born rider to be the champion on the Flat in Britain. He follows in the footsteps of Pat Eddery, Kieren Fallon, Jamie Spencer and Richard Hughes. But the gamblers here think that he will be the next rider to succeed Ryan Moore as the go-to jockey for the genius Aidan O’Brien. One might guess Aidan’s son, Donnacha, would be the logical choice, but weight is going to catch up with the tall lanky offspring very soon. For that reason, more than a few extra GB pounds are wagered on Murphy when he is snapped up to ride for the master of Ballydoyle. It appears that there have been distinct eras of top-jockey status. Lester Piggott stamped it as his own from roughly 1960 to the mid 1980’s. And he put an exclamation point on his career much later. Lester came out of retirement at age 55, and managed to squeeze in a Breeders’ Cup Mile victory in 1990, with an amazing and brilliant ride on Royal Academy. The bloodlines of grandsire Northern Dancer and Piggott lit up the tote board at Belmont Park. Timing is everything for a horse, an elderly jockey and a classic race. After Piggott, the Italian-bred son of Sardinian rider Gianfranco Dettori stepped into the spotlight, and loved it. A gregarious showman and world-class rider, Lanfranco got the headlines and applause from the true racing fans for the next decades. Frankie loved it. And even though Dettori is still near the top of his game, he is 48, and must be looking over his shoulder. Besides Oisin Murphy, William Buick is reaching for the baton. He is the 31-year-old son of a Scottish-born father who was Scandinavian champion rider for eight years. William was also was U.K. apprentice champ in 2008, which he shared with David Probert. Buick rides in fewer races because he is the stable rider for the powerful world wide Godolphin stable. Cieren Fallon is the 19 year-old son of sire Kieren Fallon (the six-time champion rider) and dam Julie Bowker, also a jockey who rode for six years. Cieren will be the champion apprentice this year, as Oisin was the champ “bug boy” in 2014. The talk at the betting shop also centered on this Sunday’s major race at Longchamp. There is great sentimental support for Enable (GB) (Nathanial{GB}) to win the Arc for the third straight year. People who are wagering on Japan or Sottsass have told me that they would be happy to lose their bets, if Enable (GB) (Nathanial{GB}) could win. That’s hero worship. There seems to be more consternation about the post position draw here than when a marathon event is drawn in the USA. Veterans think a low draw would be more advantageous.The condition of the turf course will also be a topic of conversation as we move closer to the event. There is major interest in the race card all over the world. For that reason, for the first time in eight years, the British Champions Long Distance Cup has been moved from the traditional first event on the televised segment until the third race of the broadcast in order to not conflict with the Rugby World Cup on some channels. That change was so that Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), will have the larger viewing audience. The world, or at least the racing world, will have a thoroughbred celebration on Sunday. Whether in person or on the telly, in the United States, England or the world, the best horses and the best riders will be on display for one of the great moments in sport. This one will be one for the ages. Don’t miss it. The post A Letter from London, On My Way to the Arc appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The awards were created to provide a fun and interactive process that allows fans to let the racing industry know what they think about a variety of topics. View the full article

Bearing in mind that the competition among the Coolmore stallions features such fast horses as No Nay Never, Caravaggio, U S Navy Flag and Calyx (with Ten Sovereigns possibly waiting in the wings), it would be all too easy for breeders to overlook Starspangledbanner – especially when his name was once associated with pronounced fertility issues. Fortunately, the Australian star ensured that breeders remain fully aware of his talents following the G1 Juddmonte Cheveley Park S., in which his daughter Millisle became only the second filly to defeat the dual Group 2 winner Raffle Prize. Another of his daughters, the group-placed Lil Grey, was further down the field. These two fillies belong to a crop sired at €15,000 which also includes several youngsters which have yielded significant profits in the sales ring. One of them, Chasing Dreams, sold for no less than 750,000gns to Godolphin as a yearling and looked value for money on her only appearance, when she inflicted a five-length defeat on Good Vibes, the future third in the G2 Lowther S., at Newmarket in April. Chasing Dreams naturally became one of the leading fancies for the G2 Queen Mary S., only to miss the race after going lame a week earlier. Even so, Starspangledbanner’s links to Royal Ascot are still very strong. Of course it was his sire, Choisir, who put Australian sprinters on the international map by becoming the first Australian-trained horse to win in Britain, when he defeated Acclamation and Oasis Dream to land the G2 King’s Stand S. in 2003. Then, to illustrate the toughness of the Australian Thoroughbred, Choisir turned out again four days later, this time getting the better of that fast mare Airwave to take the G1 Golden Jubilee. Finally, racing for the third time in little more than three weeks, Choisir turned in another fine performance when second to Oasis Dream in the G1 July Cup. Little did we know it, but Starspangledbanner was to follow in some of his sire’s footsteps seven years later. Transferred from his Australian trainer Leon Corstens to Aidan O’Brien, he missed the King’s Stand S. in favour of the G1 Golden Jubilee, in which he led his 23 rivals from the start to finish, to defeat Society Rock in fine style. Missing the King’s Stand paid off handsomely when Starspangledbanner went one better than Choisir in the G1 July Cup, running on powerfully to catch Equiano close home. These efforts earned Starspangledbanner a place on Coolmore’s 2011 Irish stallion roster, at a fee of €15,000. It was fair to expect that he would become the fourth generation of his sire line to have thrived at Coolmore, following his great-grandsire Danehill, grandsire Danehill Dancer and sire Choisir, but these high hopes quickly evaporated when it became clear that Starspangledbanner had fertility problems. Instead of covering a very large book of mares, as is usual for first-season sprint sires at Coolmore, he was credited with covering only 41 mares, for 33 foals. It was a similar story when Starspangledbanner shuttled to his native Australia to stand the 2011 southern hemisphere season at AUS$44,000. Although he covered 116 mares, only 31 live foals were born in 2012. Sent back to Ireland for the 2012 season, he is listed as covering only 14 mares before the decision was made to return him to training at Ballydoyle. As he failed to win again in six starts divided between Ireland, France, the USA and the UAE between August 2012 and Mar 2013, anyone could be forgiven for thinking that Starspangledbanner’s stallion career was effectively over. However, changes to his management in Australia reaped some rewards, to the extent that the 77 mares he covered during the 2015 southern hemisphere season were to produce 44 live foals. By then his progeny from his first Irish crop had also demonstrated that Starspangledbanner was worthy of more than a little patience and perseverance. On the opening day of the 2014 Royal Ascot meeting, his son The Wow Signal ran out a decisive winner from Cappella Sansevero in the G2 Coventry S. and the following day saw his daughter Anthem Alexander narrowly defeat the very speedy Tiggy Wiggy to take the G2 Queen Mary S. These are by no means this sire line’s only smart two-year-old winners in recent years. Choisir’s son Rajasinghe took the G2 Coventry S. in 2017, while another son, The Last Lion, was successful in the 2016 G1 Middle Park S. Yet another son, Olympic Glory, had finished second of 22 to Dawn Approach in the 2012 Coventry S. before developing into a G1 winner at the ages of two, three and four. Like Starspangledbanner, Olympic Glory has enjoyed G1 success as a stallion this year, thanks to the Coronation S. winner Watch Me. Starspangledbanner first-crop youngsters trained on well, with The Wow Signal adding the G1 Prix Morny, while Anthem Alexander was to finish second in the G1 Cheveley Park S. and third in the G1 Commonwealth Cup. Home Of The Brave, another first-crop son of Starspangledbanner, also possessed plenty of talent and speed, as he showed in winning the 2015 Free H., and he went on to become a G3 winner in Britain and a G2 winner in Australia. Interestingly, Home Of The Brave and The Wow Signal were both produced by daughters of high-class middle-distance horses by Sadler’s Wells, which highlighted his potential usefulness to many of Coolmore’s clients. That small first crop of 33 foals also featured Spangled, a winner of the G3 Spectre S., and the European Listed winners Last Gift, Meliora and Silver Rainbow. Several of these did their black-type winning at the ages of four or five, so Starspangledbanner is far from just a specialist two-year-old sire. This was demonstrated again last year, when his six-year-old son Great Wide Open became his eighth black-type winner from that small first crop, with this ex-Irish gelding having previously finished second in the GI Shadwell Turf Mile. These very encouraging results meant that Starspangledbanner was back on the plane to Ireland in December 2015, to sire the crop which has produced Millisle and Chasing Dreams. The perennial question of whether of whether the winner of the Cheveley Park S. will stay well enough to win the 1,000 Guineas is applicable to Millisle. At first glance the answer would appear to be no, as her broodmare sire is the sprinter Indian Ridge, but a closer analysis gives reason for optimism. It mustn’t be forgotten that Starspangledbanner stayed a mile well enough (under Australian conditions) to win the G1 Caulfield Guineas. And it was an Indian Ridge mare from a classic family who produced the Oaks winner Dancing Rain to his grandsire Danehill Dancer. Millisle’s dam Green Castle is another Indian Ridge mare from a classic family. Millisle is Green Castle’s fourth black-type earner and second black-type winner, following Ithoughtitwasover, a mile-and-a-half Listed winner by Montjeu. Millisle’s second dam, Green Lucia, possessed both pedigree and performance. Second in the Yorkshire Oaks following her third in the Irish Oaks, Green Lucia was a half-sister to the French and Irish Derby winner Old Vic and their dam, Cockade, was a sister to the 2,000 Guineas winner High Top. The post Pedigree Insights: Millisle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland has named prominent equine practitioner Dr. George Mundy as Equine Safety Director and Jim Pendergest, General Manager of The Thoroughbred Center (TTC) and longtime race track professional, as Director of Racing Surfaces. Both positions are new and will encompass Keeneland and TTC. “Dr. George Mundy and Jim Pendergest bring invaluable race track expertise to the Keeneland team, and they reinforce our commitment to the safety and welfare of our horses and riders, which is priority number one,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “Keeneland strives to provide the safest racing environment possible, and we hold ourselves to the highest standards. The addition of these two positions enhances our established safety practices and our leadership advocacy for additional reforms.” As Equine Safety Director, Dr. Mundy will develop, communicate and enforce safety and integrity policies; review all racing-related accidents with the goal of prevention; assess relevant equine health and safety research; and communicate best practices to the racing community and public. “Throughout my career as a veterinarian, my primary charge has been to take care of the horse,” Dr. Mundy said. “My position at Keeneland is a continuation of that responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of the horse.” During Pendergest’s 19-year tenure at Keeneland, he has overseen major renovations to the main track, including installation of the all-weather surface in 2006 and the dirt surface in 2014. He brings extensive experience to his role as Director of Racing Surfaces, having supervised installation of six race tracks, 10 training tracks and some 20 equine arenas in the U.S. and Canada. “It is an honor to be selected to fill this new role for Keeneland,” Pendergest said. “We have a great team at Keeneland whose first concern is the safety of our riders and horses. Together we are using every bit of available technology and data to assist us in that mission as we approach the Fall Meet.” Pendergest will continue as General Manager of TTC in addition to his duties as Director of Racing Surfaces. The post Keeneland Adds New Positions to Racetrack Management Team to Bolster Safety appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It was just more than 10 years ago when equestrian Betsy Fishback passed away after battling breast cancer with the same tenacity, grace and wit that was her trademark in all other areas of her life. It was an inspirational battle. Though it was a heartbreaking loss for so very many in the Lexington community and the equine world, an amazing (but not surprising) thing has occurred since her January 2009 passing: Each September several hundred people gather at the Kentucky Horse Park for the The Betsy Gala and Grand Prix–a fundraising event named in her honor and attended by area philanthropists, civic leaders and people who admired Betsy. And they are all there with two specific purposes–to celebrate Betsy’s zestful life, and to support breast cancer research at the Markey Cancer Center. The idea for The Betsy was born at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, where her husband has been a veterinarian since 1975. But more than simply creating the concept, Hagyard works diligently each year to ensure the event is a financial success and (equally important) a fun, festive experience that brings people back. The 11th annual Betsy Gala occurred Friday evening, Sept. 20. Money raised by this year’s event brings the gala’s 11-year total to about $1 million. It’s an amazing gift that funds work related to breast-cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and research. As Dr. Ed Romond, a long-serving physician-scientist at Markey Cancer Center says: “The best hope for any cancer patient is good research.” Cutting-edge research drives advanced care, helps saves lives, and keeps families together, Philanthropic support–through such celebrations as The Betsy Gala and through contributions by individuals, foundations and corporations–is a difference-maker in cancer research. Such support is an investment in the future health of Kentucky, a state with the most cancer-ridden population in the nation. And it’s an investment in Kentucky’s only National Cancer Institute designated cancer center. Those who support the Foundation–including those who will attend the gala Friday night–know Markey Cancer Center is where Kentucky comes to beat cancer. It is remarkable how Hagyard and the region’s horse industry have pulled together to ensure Betsy’s legacy lives on. She touched thousands of lives. She was a driving force behind the creation of Midway College’s equestrian program. She coached University of Kentucky’s Intercollegiate Horse Show riding team. And she gave riding lessons to hundreds of young people, some of whom had very little previous exposure to horses and the equine world. On behalf of the thousands of individuals and families who benefit from the money raised at this philanthropic event, I want to express our sincere appreciation to Hagyard and to every person who has helped make The Betsy Gala and Grand Prix an 11-year success with an eye to the future. Michael Delzotti, CFRE President, CEO Markey Cancer Foundation The post Letters to the Editor: The Betsy Gala appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

KILDARE, Ireland—Hurricane Lorenzo is set to hit Ireland on Thursday but even ahead of the incoming storm, vendors and potential buyers at Goffs had rough conditions to contend with on the final viewing day ahead of the start of the two-day Orby Sale. As people took shelter from the rain, the TV screens showed the latest advertisement for last year’s sale as Surrey Pride (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) won on his second start at Bath for Joe Tuite and Surrey Racing. The colt was bred by Vimal and Gillian Khosla and, as a €50,000 yearling, he was not only some way below the €80,000 median for the 2018 sale but also a long way off the top lot, also bred by the Khoslas. That honour, at €3.2 million, went to the Galileo (Ire) filly out of the couple’s blue hen Green Room (Theatrical), who is already the dam of Oaks winner Forever Together (Ire) and G1 Fillies’ Mile victrix Together Forever (Ire)—both also daughters of the champion sire—while the mare’s other top-flight winner is Lord Shanakill (Speightstown), in turn the sire of G1 Prince of Wales’s S. winner My Dream Boat (Ire). Last year’s leading lady is now named Do You Love Me (Ire) and is in training in Yorkshire with Karl Burke for Phoenix Thoroughbreds. Yet another full-sister graces the pages of the Orby catalogue in the Ballylinch Stud draft this year (lot 262) and her appearance in the ring roughly an hour after the start of the sale on Wednesday morning will doubtless ensure a packed auditorium. With Green Room’s offspring having already sold for €1.1 million, €900,000 and €680,000, as well as last year’s record-breaking sum, expectations are high that she can play a similarly major role in proceedings in Kildare this week. “Green Room has been an extraordinary mare who has been so consistent in terms of what she produces and this is another really nice one,” said Ballylinch Stud manager John O’Connor at Goffs on Monday. “The filly is well up there with the standards of the previous horses and she’s probably one of the most exceptional movers I have seen for a long time. She is so light on her feet and very athletic. People are really liking her and I’m not surprised at that. We know the cross works and we know the mare can breed a Group 1 winner.” At this time of year, nothing is more timely than a black-type update for a yearling about to sell, and for Paddy and Peter Kelly of Ballybin Stud, prayers were answered not far down the road at the Curragh on Sunday when New York Girl (Ire) (New Approach {GB}) won the G3 Weld Park S. for owner Mark Dobbin. When the catalogue was printed, billing her Awtaad (Ire) half-sister as lot 137, the Joseph O’Brien-trained juvenile was still unraced, but New York Girl made her debut on Sept. 1 when fourth in a Cork maiden and took her step up in grade in fine style when beating her stable-mate A New Dawn (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). She also provided a memorable weekend for jockey Shane Crosse who, having won the G3 Renaissance S. aboard Speak In Colours (Ire) (Excelebration {Ire}) the previous afternoon, rode the first two group winners of his career within 24 hours of each other. Ballybin Stud offers only two yearlings in the Orby Sale with the second, to sell on Wednesday, being a colt from the first northern hemisphere crop of Pride Of Dubai (Aus) (lot 337) out of Livia Galilei (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). This family too has had a good boost this season courtesy of the dam’s half-brother Mohican Heights (Ire), who is unbeaten in two starts including the listed Stonehenge S. at Salisbury. A €100,000 purchase at this sale last year by Deuce Greathouse, the son of Australia (GB) subsequently topped the Goffs London Sale when selling for €520,000 to Qatar Bloodstock and Sun Racing. By mid-afternoon at Goffs on Monday, as viewing had been cut short in the increasingly heavy rain, Henry Beeby announced a delayed start to Tuesday’s session to 11am. “We’ll see how things are in the morning and we may have to start even later,” he said. But the Goffs Group Chief Executive is not one to allow mere precipitation to dampen his enthusiasm and Beeby was looking forward to welcoming a throng of overseas visitors to the traditional eve-of-Orby reception at the K Club. He said, “We took on both Hayley O’Connor and Tom Taaffe last year on the basis that if we are asking people to send us more and better horses, then we need to get the word out to an ever-widening audience. So it has been a major focus of ours and we have spent more time in the United States this year, which has resulted in more buyers from America than we’ve ever had. Hopefully they will like what they see.” He added, “There’s a huge number of overseas buyers here. We are mindful of the fact that, given the uncertainties in Britain at the moment for various reasons, it is important that we get our message out as widely as possible. We have very good horses and a bugger buyer base than we’ve ever had, so we are hopeful.” The post Goffs Hoping To Storm To Success appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thirty-eight Thoroughbreds representing 13 states came from coast to coast to compete in the inaugural $20,000 TAKE2 Hunter and Jumper Finals at the Kentucky National Horse Show in Lexington Sept. 22. Paula Lampshire’s Lucca, trained by Ron Danta and Danny Robertshaw and ridden by Hunter Kay, was nearly flawless in winning the Hunter Final, while Larry Fugate’s Rostropovich and rider/trainer Lauren Schweppe were fearless finishing first in the Jumper Final. The TAKE2 Hunter and Jumper Finals Awards are named in honor of Rick Violette Jr., who created the program in 2012 and lost a battle with cancer last October. “Danny and I were both impressed at the quality of the horses,” Danta said. “The jumps were beautiful, the course was challenging. I think we’ll see the program grow each year–I know it will grow, because we will have more horses for the TAKE2 division this year. We’re very excited about the program. We keep asking for more TAKE2 divisions at local horse shows. It’s a great way to get people thinking about Thoroughbreds.” The post Thoroughbreds From Coast to Coast Participate in TAKE2 Finals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grade I-winning stallion Shakin It Up (Midnight Lute–Silver Bullet Moon, by Vindication) has been sold and will continue his stud career at Caines Stallion Station in Okalahoma in a deal brokered by Chad Schumer of Schumer Bloodstock. Victor of the 2013 GI Malibu S. for Bob Baffert, Shakin It Up is out of a daughter of champion Silverbulletday and entered stud at Spendthrift Farm in 2015. He is represented by 25 winners thus far from two crops to race. A stud fee will be announced at a later date. The post Shakin It Up Relocating to Oklahoma appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For the past few weeks in the TDN, we have been running a series of responses to The Jockey Club’s proposed cap on a stallion’s book at 140 mares. Many people expressed the feeling that there were more pressing problems to which the industry should attend. So we asked a group of industry participants, `What would you fix first?’ CRAIG BERNICK, GLEN HILL FARM & THE THOROUGHBRED IDEA FOUNDATION The implementation of solutions to the widespread problems of our business faces two enormous hurdles. Many of the changes are arcane, real solutions but meaningful only to a handful of knowledgeable insiders. They will do nothing to attract the attention and excitement from new fans and new bettors. Most solutions will be long-term. Even once the turf wars are fought, the number of statutes on a state or federal level that need to be addressed could be a decades-long process. And while that goes on, the business, the interest, withers. There is, however, one immediate change that touches every level of interest in racing: Equibase must make horse racing’s basic data available for free. Consider the environment in today’s sports world. From ‘moneyball’ to fantasy leagues, from sports reporters to internet chat rooms, from the executive to the casual fan, every participant feels a measure of expertise because of the ready availability of data. If racing is to generate new enthusiasm, if it is to increase its fan base, if it is to capture its share of the action as sports betting continues to spread, it must be part of these conversations. Fortunately for our industry this is a simple change. It just requires Equibase (owned by The Jockey Club and Thoroughbred Racetracks of America) to change their strategy. Specifically, Equibase should provide free, basic past performances on all North American tracks. This should be downloadable and sortable data feeds for non-commercial users. Racing should also partner with universities and industry groups to study racing data and develop new and advanced metrics for the sport. This should be treated as an industry marketing expense. Today’s costs for this data are exorbitant. Free data, offered in modern formats, will grow interest, increase handle, retain and benefit current customers and, importantly, increase racing’s competitiveness for new customers. Equibase should think critically and take chances at reforming. Horse owners, bettors and breeders take enormous financial chances all the time. We amend our approaches to our crafts. We assess changing markets. The burden rests with the partnership which runs Equibase. This isn’t pleading for a handout. It’s pleading for a commonsense rehabilitation of racing’s information business in North America. Premium, value-added products still have a place in the market. This isn’t about asking for Beyer figures, Ragozins, Stats Race Lens, Thoro-graph, or Timeform. Customers should still, rightly, pay for premium information. We need medication reform, rules uniformity, better pricing, much greater transparency and many other improvements to our sport. One entity can fix one problem that impacts so many of us and could have an immediate impact. Help us out, Equibase, and then we’ll move forward together to work on the other issues. To submit your idea for consideration for publication, email suefinley@thetdn.com . The post What Would You Fix First? Craig Bernick appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Editor’s Note: Tom and Katie Ryan are running in the October 13 Fall Foliage Half Marathon in Rhinebeck, New York to raise money for the Ann Hanley Parkinson’s Research Fund. Hanley, the wife of WinStar’s General Manager David Hanley, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at age 49, and has founded the fund to underwrite research at UK. Learn more by watching this video, or click on the link to contribute to Tom and Katie’s run. According to the Parkinson’s foundation there are more than 10 million people worldwide living with Parkinson’s: 10 million people who will face this devastating disease knowing there currently is no cure. Ann and David Hanley are two of the strongest most resilient people you might ever meet. Ann is a true hero who inspires others with this debilitating disease as she deals with the onset herself. She is a pioneer for a cure and has participated in a first of its kind clinical study aimed at stopping the disease by reversing the degenerative effects of Parkinson’s. It’s truly ground-breaking science, allowing patients to turn back the clock and reverse symptoms of the disease. Ann has hope for herself and the 10 million others who suffer every single day. We hope we can rally the horse business to support one of our own. We all know someone affected and the horse business is wonderful when it comes to looking after its own. To support Tom and Katie’s run for the Ann Hanley Parkinson’s research fund, click here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/run-for-the-ann-hanley-parkinsons-research-fund The post Run for Ann Hanley-Parkinson’s Research appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Alain and Gerard Wertheimer’s Hopeful (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) was a half-length ahead of Godolphin’s Al Dabaran (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) when second behind G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere-bound Ecrivain (Fr) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in ParisLongchamp’s G3 Prix des Chenes earlier this month and confirmed superiority by the same margin in Monday’s G3 Prix de Conde at Chantilly. The gelded bay, who had previously annexed an Aug. 8 newcomers’ heat tackling 7 1/2 furlongs at Deauville before being upped to one mile last time, was well away to stalk the modest pace set by Al Dabaran for most of this first try at nine furlongs. Threatening on the bridle at the quarter-mile marker, the 2-1 second choice was stoked up to seize control from the even-money favourite soon after and ridden out to hold that rival’s rallying effort to secure a career high in game fashion. “He’s very consistent and that confirmed the validity of his last performance when he was second in the Prix des Chenes,” said trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias after registering a first success in the contest. “It wasn’t a quick pace, but he stays really well and is a fighter as he’d shown in his previous runs. He’s a gelding and cannot go for the [Oct. 26 G1] Criterium de Saint-Cloud so he’s now through for the season. We’ll prepare him for next year’s early Group 3 and Group 2 races.” Hopeful is one of three scorers from as many runners and the top performer produced by a winning daughter of Argentina’s G1 Maipu heroine First One (Arg) (Southern Halo), who in turn is a full-sister to G1SP G3 Manuel J Guiraldes victress Fontal (Arg). The March-foaled homebred’s third dam, MG1SW G1 Polla de Potrancas (Argentine 1000 Guineas) heroine Fontemar (Arg) (Babor {Arg}), is a half-sister to the stakes-winning dam of G1SW sire Flirteador (Arg) (Southern Halo) out of MG1SW Argentinian champion Fontana (Arg) (Farnesio {Arg}). Monday, Chantilly, France PRIX DE CONDE-G3, €80,000, Chantilly, 9-30, 2yo, 9fT, 1:56.94, sf. 1–HOPEFUL (FR), 125, g, 2, by Motivator (GB) 1st Dam: Monst (Ire), by Monsun (Ger) 2nd Dam: First One (Arg), by Southern Halo 3rd Dam: Fontemar (Arg), by Babor (Arg) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (FR); T-Carlos Laffon-Parias; J-Maxime Guyon. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, €69,500. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Al Dabaran (GB), 125, c, 2, Dubawi (Ire)–Bright Beacon (GB), by Manduro (Ger). O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. €16,000. 3–The Summit (Fr), 125, c, 2, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Acola (Fr), by Acatenango (Ger). (€16,000 Ylg ’18 AROCT). O-Mme Jacques Cygler. €12,000. Margins: HF, HD, SHD. Odds: 2.00, 1.00, 14.00. Also Ran: Tammani (GB), Wally (Ire), Carnival Zain (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. The post Motivator’s Hopeful Battles to Conde Success appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Jockey Club is pushing ahead with Tuesday’s National Day race meeting at Sha Tin, but has strengthened its security protocols while removing the usual pre-race ceremonies as it tries to navigate the volatile environment in Hong Kong.The Jockey Club has asked fans to be patient as they work through additional layers of security to gain entry to the track, while the normal display in the parade ring before the card has been scrapped.Last year, the Shenzhen Fuyong Acrobatic Troupe and Cai Nan… View the full article

Born-again sprinter Rattan heads into Tuesday’s Group Three National Day Cup (1,000m) as one of the most under-appreciated gallopers in Hong Kong.Richard Gibson’s six-year-old was once stretched out for the gruelling 2,000m trip of a Hong Kong Derby, but has been reinvented in recent times as a speed machine.Gibson believes his charge deserves recognition for his remarkable transformation, which saw him run no worse than fourth place last season as he picked off an unlikely victory in the Group… View the full article

John Moore has absolutely no doubt how good Aethero will be, calling him a “superstar in the making” last week, but jockey Zac Purton says the jury will be out when the boom sprinter steps into Class Two company on Tuesday.Aethero strung together three wins from as many starts last season but the horses he beat in his two Griffin victories have yet to perform in open company.His most recent win came in record time in Class Three and was certainly impressive, but Purton is well aware the three… View the full article

Beauty Generation faces a weighty task as he prepares to land tomorrow’s (Tuesday, 1 October) G3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) for the third year in a row. Hong Kong’s superstar galloper will shoulder 133lb against his nine opponents and eight of those are rooted to the foot of the handicap, each with a feather-weight 113lb. Only Southern Legend, allotted 119lb, will carry more than the minimum. But, as well as the big weight on his back, Beauty Generation’s declared body weight is the heaviest of his Hong Kong career. The seven-year-old has weighed in at 1,161lb for his first start of the season and that is 12lb heavier than his previous top, registered before last April’s G1 FWD Champions Mile. Moore is not concerned. “Like last season, he’s a little bit on the big side but it’s a starting point and he’s very healthy. When they get older they do carry a bit more condition so we’re not worried about that,” the trainer said. And the experienced handler is further buoyed by the gelding’s final fast work at Sha Tin on Saturday. The seven-time G1 winner, unbeaten in his last nine starts, went 1200m on the all-weather track in 1m 23.7s. “He worked well with his usual work rider Romain (Clavreul) on him and the feedback was positive,” Moore said. “He’s giving away the 20 pounds to most of them but we still believe he’ll be very competitive, he’s the one they have to beat.” Champion jockey Zac Purton will be in the plate on race day when Beauty Generation’s rivals will also include the first two home in last season’s BMW Hong Kong Derby, Furore and Waikuku, as well as the promising miler Ka Ying Star and the 2018 Hong Kong Classic Mile victor Nothingilikemore. Tuesday’s action is scheduled to start at 1pm and also features the G3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m), in which the likes of Little Giant, Rattan, Wishful Thinker and Full Of Beauty will lock horns. The post Heavyweight Beauty Generation is ready to rock appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Dual stakes winner Sleeping Beauty has already been courted by her Prince following her race retirement earlier this month. The Sir Peter Vela-owned mare had her last run in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings and seven days later she was in the breeding barn being served by her selected suitor. “She has been scanned in-foal to Iffraaj,” said Leon Casey, stud master of Vela’s thoroughbred farm, Pencarrow Stud. “We were looking for a proven stallion and he succeeds across a wide range of mares, but he does seem to have a real affinity with Danehill close up on the dam side.” Sleeping Beauty won ten of her 24 career starts for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, including the Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) and Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m). They were her last two starts before her tilt at the Tarzino Trophy and Casey said she will be an excellent addition to Pencarrow’s broodmare band. “She is a seven-year-old now,” he said. “The plan was to keep her going to have a crack at that Group One race and she is retired now. “She is out of a Danehill mare and has a good family behind her. She is a lovely type of mare with plenty of natural speed, so she is a good prospect.” The post Sleeping Beauty retired appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article